Years Ago

I scanned some old photographs and forgot how to size.   Had been such a long time and did not
realize Picnik was no longer available.  Seems I lost a year.
My Jamie uses http://picmonkey.com/ so I will be using them for special projects in the future.

First image, I was pregnant with my last "Jamie" and did not know it until after pictures were developed.  Jimmy, Laurie, Beth and special daughter Mary.
When I look at this image - I see such a resemblance to my young granddaughter Caitlin.
Second image, when Jimmy was young and young cousin was visiting - we are all ready for church.
Third image, Laurie, Beth and Mary and I believe it is an Easter morning before Jimmy was born.

Now that I once again know to to enlarge my old photographs will be scanning and sharing some from time to time......

 

A wonderful Easter lunch and I still have not learned how to cook small amounts.   I can freeze a lot of the ham for seasoning and to go with a breakfast egg and have my lunch and evening meal for tomorrow.  Jamie took a platter home which will be good for her family lunches.

Easter

Easter Sunday is tomorrow
and so different from years ago.
At that time
the family dressed wonderful, son with new sport coat
and little girls in socks with ruffles,
new shoes, dresses and many times little hats upon their heads.
We would color eggs,
family attended church and special Easter baskets
were found by children when they woke up early morning.
Sometimes there would be an Easter egg hunt and many times
my parents were at our home for lunch.

As time went by and children grew older
we moved from our farm to the big city and lived
in what many would describe as a very grand home.
Many times Easter Sunday lunch was enjoyed at the local
country club.  Oh I can remember some of the
wonderful dishes.  Miss the fresh seafood, someone carving
prime rib and oh the many special deserts.

Tomorrow some of family will visit for a noon meal.
Baking a ham and have not done that in years.
In the past a ham and a turkey breast would be cooked.
 Tomorrow will add Asparagus, scalloped potatoes, stuffed eggs, coleslaw
and strawberry short cake for desert.
It will be a wonderful  to see some of my children and grandchildren.

Quick trip to town this morning
As far as you can see the country roads are filled with emerald green wheat fields.
The beautiful object I keep seeing on a tree as I pull in the drive
was still there and I captured its image.
Lowe's had marked their Easter plants down 25% and the scent of this
beautiful Hyacinth fills the room.

May all who visit
be Happy, Well, Safe and at Peace....
\

True

I have always felt
that you cannot go wrong
"when you follow your heart."
If we listen to the mind
it chatters away
has a mind of its own
and I have found later in
life - sometimes not to follow the mind.
But always the heart.

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone who visits - have a wonderful day.

In a few days it will be wonderful to have my son home....

 

Images of my 4 children, 3 daughters and a son and a special daugheter who came into my life as a young child - early choices in life.

Choice made 3 years ago - returning to Woodhaven 

Callie the little dog I rescued and this one in her new garden.

Just received in mail from far over the ocean...

Dawn I Caught You

Dawn this morning
I did it
 captured
your image.....



~~What Is There Beyond Knowing~~

What is there beyond knowing that keeps calling to me?
I can't turn in any direction but it's there.

Time that is always rushing forward or standing still
in the same -- what shall I say moment.

What I know I could put into a pack.
Important and honorable, but so small.
While everything else continues, unexplained.

But mostly I just stand in the dark field,
in the middle of the world, breathing in and out.
Life so far doesn't have any other name
but breath and light, wind and rain.

If there's a temple, I haven't found it yet.
I simply go on drifting, in the heaven of the grass
and the weeds....

Words in part from ~~~Mary Oliver~~

You Warmed My Heart

I returned from errands
it was snowing
arthritis so bad
I was using a cane
so please forgive for this sharing.

I found a picture sent to me of my oldest granddaughter Jessica
with her special Mathew.
Taken
as they prepared for dinner.

Every ache and pain went away
as I viewed this special young woman
Remembering well
our special conversations as she was growing up.
As a toddler she would talk to me like an adult
and always made my heart melt.

This image if my heart is correct
is of a young woman
who looks radiant, beautiful and in love.....

Housefull Of Pets and Snow Predicted

Youngest daughter just called and put a smile on my face on this another cold and inside day..
It seems there may be some snow tonight.
Wish my special friend had not given me some beautiful outside flowers so soon.
They are sitting in the middle of kitchen floor along with large plants from loft area
that I are too heavy for me to return upstairs.
Spring I thought you had arrived last week - how wrong I was...

Youngest granddaughter has a friend whose family is involved in house sitting
and feeding animals for a shortt time.   A beautiful home in the country
and imagine this

Baby goats in a playpen in the kitchen
Rabbits in a cage in the bathroom
South African raccoons in a pen
Sugar Gliders in pen
and a snake in a child's room

Outside there were chickens and all kinds of animals.

Have missed some
as I was quickly making a list as my daughter shared :)

The little girls were thrilled and it made their Sunday afternoon...

My thought
I do good to keep wood floors clean from Miss Callie coming in and out of this cottage.

I welcomed any news that made me smile
on this long inside day....

Accept

Just returned from errands on this cold but sunny day.
Heart here in this cottage but it is good to see other people.
One in the local grocery, hugged me and commented every time
he came to this store he ran into me and some people would say we
were meeting on purpose.  At another store a compliment was received.
So as I was driving home the continual thought surfaced that even though
I like being alone, people, hugs and smiles are needed.
Was so nice to see an email from one in California telling me that we had much in common.
At this very moment
life is good
God is good....

It never fails that when I pull down the long gravel road that thankfulness for being allowed
to return to these special wooded acres almost overwhelms me.   There is Callie sitting on the
cold earth in the wheat field.   She sees me pull in, I blow the horn and she begins to run
to me.

So, this one, accept where you are on this journey of life, accept that you are doing all you know to
do.   Maybe the new inflammation capsule that includes 10 herbs will help with this inflammatory problem.   Prednisone, you were so good and I appreciate the months of being pain free but I do
not want your brief visit again.  
So going to make some spaghetti sauce and sit in the old rocking chair where 4 babies were  rocked years ago and enjoy the sun that is streaming through the window....

The following words I typed several weeks ago.  Was going to delete
but will add to what has just been shared....


Accept
lately this is a word that goes over and over
in my mind a lot.

Accept all that has happened on your life journey.
Some you would change if you could.
Realistically you cannot change
history or people
then or now.
It was a different time and place.

You have moved on through the years
and grown in many ways
Stop following thoughts back through the
years to times you wish you could change or erase.
Stop them in their tracks, give no time
to visiting these times and letting your
imagination run unleashed.

This is a good time, a different time,
a time of continued learning, blessings,
keep moving forward.

Remember
life is a journey
to learn and grow
You have so much to be thankful for
and life is good
in these present years.

On this day
Accept and
 no more denial
no more thinking you can do what has been done in the past.
This life journey is in the last years.

There will be burst of energy
enjoy them
there will be times this  disease will attack you.

You have done all the research
now is the time to accept this is not going away.
Miracles happen but  in these 70 plus years
this is here to stay.  

Be wise,
do all you know to do
rest, diet, handle stress better  and enjoy
the remaining time on this earth....

Beginning

Yesterday was a windy, cool and sunny day.
Could not resist going outside to see what is emerging.

The only rose bush that survived in this damp earth by the woods.  Originally
4 were planted when I relocated 3 years ago.

With the hoe I cleaned about 1/3 of my small garden area.  Spread some
Turnip green seeds and some Egyptian onions have surfaced.
 I have never minded weeding and occasional help does not like to do this.

Preparing pots for herbs.   I would like more this year and this is an experiment.
Cilantro, Thyme, Parsley, Chives, Rosemary, Mint, Lavender and Sage made it through the winter.
I know it is early but could not resist buying a few plants of lettuce and Basil.

A few plants were picked up early this morning from a special friend who has a nursery on her property.  Hopefully in a few days they can be planted.    A lot of plants are surfacing but do not see my Bleeding Heart.   Hope I have not lost it.

Memories of the woods coming to life - soon it will happen.   So much I want to do in the next couple of weeks.   Most of my children and grandchildren  will be visiting the month of April.  I am so excited and just thinking about this makes me smile.....

Relaxing

Yesterday
it was pouring rain
and I have always liked to
iron on a rainy day.
A dozen pillow cases,
 tablecloths and
finished Christmas tablecloths
except for one
and wondered
does anyone iron
or use tablecloths
anymore?

I do not know many
who enjoy this lost art.
Have always had a room
where the ironing board can stay up
"love my storage room."

Spray starch is now used and
 memories of many years ago
cooking starch on the stove.

Every tablecloth has a story.
Some used daily when my children were growing up.
 and the Christmas cloths
brought out during the holidays.
Some I purchased,  a few gifts from special people and several
quilted that my mother made for me.

Also this was a good day to continue putting
 winter items in the storage room.

After lunch
I was able  to sit and read.
Then the rain stopped
and I spread a few seeds in the pots
on terrace.
Bushes and trees are forming buds
and some plants emerging.

Wonderful
Spring is on the way....

Nature Sent An Early Spring Gift

Posted - one year ago
as of this morning
nothing blooming here by the woods.
A cold week in store
maybe next week Spring will appear....


3/19/2012

Drove down the gravel road
to the mailbox.
Returning
I saw it.
Oh my
I never noticed it during the
busy last 2 years.
Or if I did I forget?

A magnificent old Redbud tree
at the side of my cottage.

They are a slow growing tree
and by the size an old tree.
Several more I spot in the woods
and will tag so they are not
cut down.
Wish I could hear some of
the stories they could tell.

A thought
usually all the wild flowers and Trillium's
are in the woods by abundance by this time.
A few witnessed peeking through the earth.
They usually arrive before my garden
perennials.
Another unusual happening for March.

Through The Window

Another visit to
1 year ago
Noticing
it is not that green outside
at this time.....

My little girls will be with me today.
Many smiles, hugs
and no quiet time
in this cottage by the woods.
Looking forward to it....


ONE YEAR AGO TODAY THIS WAS POSTED

An image just taken
through the upstairs window
this early morning
as it continues to rain.

The garden area and paths
so visible this month.
My children and grandchildren
can see what I have been up to.

Surveying my creation as
it progresses.
A lot going on for the
middle of March.

Rain all night
will provide a much more
relaxed day today.

Life is good

at the edge of the woods...

~~Man is the richest
     whose pleasures are the cheapest~~       Henry Thoreau

Thoughts

No true beginning
no real end
just continuous moving
from one form
to another.....

Words I read this morning from
http://elderwomenmusings.com/

A  site I read each time it changes

Early this morning I found
Ellen's entry,
all of her sharing and words
I always recognize.

Her words
keep going over and over in my mind...

Do You Like Coconut

A cold and windy day
Nothing new to post
so I thought
what did I write - one year ago today.
Glad I checked
some research for new ideas of what is good for you
and I discovered the wonder of Coconut....
A bag of  Coconut is sitting on my kitchen counter
and Coconut Pie
you will soon be in the oven....



MARCH 13, 2012

There is nothing sweet in the cottage
for me to eat.
I remembered the bag of coconut
purchased several weeks ago.
Kept having memories of a pie
that years ago was made frequently.
So easy to whip up

Phone is ringing, it is my daughter
Laurie from Florida.  I shared that
I might make this pie and she told
me she liked it when I posted old
recipes that she grew up with.
She is starting to make them :)

Also, daughter Jamie and little one
stopped by for a quick visit and told me
coconut is one of  her husbands
favorites.  Will have to make it for him..

Found the stained old recipe card.

French Coconut Pie

Pour 1/2 cup milk over a can of coconut 8oz
in a bowl and let sit for 10 minutes  (I used half a bag and there was probably 10 oz)
Drain coconut and add enough milk to make 1/2 cup
Add 1 cup of sugar, 2 beaten eggs,
1/2 stick of softened butter
Whip together until blended and
add 1/2 tsp vinegar at the very end.
Put in unbaked pie shell
350 degrees for about 1 hour or a little less

Good
Had to have a slice
before I took the image...

Happy Birthday

Soon another birthday
will arrive for my youngest granddaughter.
It seems like yesterday she was born.

Grandma has never seen her without a smile on her face...

She reminds me of her mom

who is my youngest daughter....

To all who visit the woods - have a perfect Sunday :) 

 

Finally and a Reminder

The first good and normal night of sleep in month's.
I am so very thankful.
Also, a warming trend
with sun shining,
trip to Lowe's and
work outside.

Callie gets trimmed
was waiting another week or two
but yesterday 3 cups of hair were brushed off of her.
Cannot have in cottage.

Don't forget to turn your clocks back tonight.  (MEANT TO SAY TURN AHEAD :)
I did this yesterday
helps me adjust better to do a day before :)

Happy weekend
to all
from the woods
in Northern Tennessee.....

Soon
the woods
will be green....

Special Sign

The sign that was ordered from "Mystic Orb"
arrived from Etsy.

Wonderful hand carved wooden items on this site.

My mother passed away in February,
13 years ago at the age of 82.
This Angel was in her garden.
and I found the perfect place for this special carved sign...

Girls Smiles And Eyes

This morning my daughter shared  more about her trip to Africa
on her blog "Blonde Mom"
Such beautiful smiles on the faces of these little girls
http://blondemomblog.com/

I am having extreme difficulty with my eye sight.
A checkup earlier in the week revealed that cataracts
had formed.
Having difficulty accepting they have grown so rapidly
and have done research on prednisone which I recently went
off  about 5 days ago
I read that this steroid sometimes affects the eyes, if this is the
reason then hopefully
this issue will soon disappear.

An appointment in 3 weeks for an evaluation with the doctor
who performs this procedure.
I still believe in miracles and maybe this will miraculously go away :)

This matriarch  has a background of excellent health and it
seems like issues are rising that I am finding difficult to accept.
I am also aware that there have been 70 plus years of experiencing life
of someone much younger with a lot of busyness and energy
 and it is natural that health issues are now
going to arise.

Always thankful this is not heart, diabetes, cancer or so many issues
that could be  but do not like this.

Lately it seems I am sharing a lot of health issues and I apologise
but maybe some where down the line this might be beneficial to someone..
Could be that I would receive some valuable information that I am
 not aware of.

Turning Clocks Back On Saturday Night

By habit I get up earlier then most people I know.
I love the morning and watching the day begin which results
in going to bed earlier then most I know.

Cate who writes http://beyondthefieldsweknow.org
always post very early and is up like this One Woman.

Sometimes I hear the comment that my hours could be different
but I like them the way they are - they are a part of me.

There are memories of an aunt who stayed up past midnight
and did not get up until about 10:00 in the morning.

When children visit they always tease me about my hours.
I am very quiet when I get up early so I do not wake anyone.

Looking back over the years this was done because of working.
Growing up in Michigan, public transportation and extremely cold winters
it was a necessity.
As time went on, marriage and starting a family construction business
these hours were also a necessity.

In the past always turned the clocks back the day before to adjust
to the time change.
Since there are no appointments the rest of the week I decided last night to do this earlier and consequently today I am
having difficulty adjusting to the time and I am very tired.
Maybe it is better today on this cold, windy and inside day
then the weekend when the temperature is predicted to rise to 60 degrees
and I may plant a few seeds in some pots. 

I have a friend who shared the time change never bothers her and she
never gives it a thought.  Her circumstances much different then mine
as she has a lot of help and it really does not matter when she goes to bed
or gets up.     Occasional outside help at present time because years are going by rapidly
 but none in past years

I wonder does anyone else have difficulty adjusting to the time
when it changes.

Tuesday and Wisdom's Questions

An early morning appointment and it is pouring rain.  Took care of appointment,  returned to the country and did not continue on with the long to do list.
Just finished 2 cups of Peppermint Tea and cheesecake covered with fresh Florida - strawberries.

I found this on my computer and it is too good not to share.

Wisdom's Questions

When it's time to suffer, you should suffer.
When it's time to cry, you should cry.
Cry completely...
Cry until there are no more tears and
then recognize in your exhaustion
that you are alive.
The sun still rises and sets.
The season come and go.
Absolutely nothing remains the same
and that includes suffering.
When suffering ends
Wisdom begins to raise the right questions.

Seido Ray Ronoi  "The Examined Life"

I read this and it brought back a recent memory of being
so discouraged when I began to come off  a very high dose of steroid.
Doing all the right things.
Diet, rest, exercise, prayer, positive thinking and research of health questions.
I had the thought "why me?"
I began to cry and usually in the past when tears came
they were stifled.
Tears were not stifled at this time
as  the tears flowed,  I let them.
The thought came to mind that those tears needed
to come.
They needed flow for as long as it took to bring cleansing
to my body.
I felt at that time that the tears  released were tears
for much where I had not allowed them to flow.
For some reason
I feel cleansed and whole again.....

In the future when I need to cry
I will let the tears flow as long as needed.

Tears are cleansing
go off by yourself, to the woods or where ever
you feel safe
and cry until there are no tears left....

Morning Smile And Soon Time Change

Did not plan on posting today as it will be a busy day.
My soninlaw posted an image of my youngest granddaughter
and  his hair curling project.   Seems my 7 year old granddaughter'
requested curls and wanted them before her mom arrived home.
You did good :)

This brought back memories of years ago when I would wash my girls hair on Saturday night,
 cover their heads with pin curls and then tie a little scarf on their head.
They would have a head full of curls for Sunday morning Sunday school....

Checked when time will go forward and the date is March 10th and that is around the corner.