Happy Birthday Joe, And Happy New Year Everybody

December 31, 2013

Good morning.  It's a bit gray and cold outside here, but it's early.  At the moment, it is 16F and hopefully will get up to about 30F today.  We will be closing out 2013 and starting off 2014 with a lot of artic cold and a snowstorm.  As long as the roads are good to drive on tonight and next Sunday night, I'll be fine.

As you can tell from reading my posts lately, life at my house has been blessedly dull.  At my age, dull can be very good.  I'm liking this slower paced life.  A nap whenever I feel like it, and mealtimes whenever Pogo and I get hungry.  The only schedule we have to follow is when I go to work, and if we have an appointment for something or other.  Nice!

I have a couple of photos to share that I took of the sky as day was breaking yesterday morning before I left work.  The colors were so pretty.  (even though the ground was covered with black ice)

Being able to photograph a beautiful sky is one of the many things I am thankful for.  Most important, I am so thankful for my family and friends.  I am so thankful for the new friends that I have made through blogging.  I am ever so thankful for my Pogo.  I am so thankful for every day and every thing that He gives me. 

My friend Rhoda sent me an email with good wishes for the New Year, and I will share them with you. 

"May you find perfect balance in the company you keep."

"May you have as much fun as you can before someone makes you stop."

"May the worst thing that happens to you come in slobbery pink and furry tan."

 

"May you manage to make time for time out."

"And may your friends and family always bring you joy."

My friend Rhoda also sent me this wonderful little poem which I'm also going to share with you.

"May light always surround you;

Hope kindle and rebound you.

May your hurts turn to healing;

Your heart embrace feeling.

May wounds become wisdom;

Every kindness a prism.

May laughter infect you;

Your passion resurrect you.

May goodness inspire

Your deepest desires.

Through all that you reach for,

May your arms never tire."

 

I'm wishing you a very Blessed and Wonderful 2014

However you plan to celebrate and welcome in the New Year, do be careful and enjoy it safely.  I will be working, and watching the fireworks on TV tonight   Pogo will be at home helping Joe to celebrate his birthday.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE!!! 

So, till  tomorrow, Y'all be safe and have a fabulous day.  I'll see you in the New Year.

Hugs, Edna B.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!!

The Last Mandarin Orange Monday For 2013

December 30, 2013

Wow, we are running out of month here.  Just today and tomorrow left and then it will be a whole new year.  Let us hope that the new year will be a better year for everyone.

As the post title says, this is the last Mandarin Orange Monday for 2013.  I had a photo all ready to post, but then I thought I would try my hand at abstract.  My friend Andrea took a photo of an egg frying in a pan, and turned it into a  really cool piece of abstract art.  So I figured that I should give it a try too.

I'm not sure what you see when you look at this it of bit of art (?), but I see a very happy snail.  He is so pleased with himself because he has just finished the race and is crossing the finish line.  I call him Mr. Tweedy.

I started with a milkweed plant from the Mrs' garden, and played with and applied an assortment of things in Photoshop.  In all, I used layers, blending modes and filters.  I did not start out to make anything in particular, but stopped when I was happy with it.  Here's a peek at the original photo.

Yesterday, it rained all day and all through most of the night.  It was a very good day to be lazy, and I was!   I have a jigsaw puzzle program on my laptop that I played with for a while before putting my creative cap on.

Can you tell it's very dull at my house?  lol.  That is not a complaint though, I'm quite happy with "dull".  Today will be busier because I have a couple of errands to do.  This will make Pogo happy because he has been cooped up in the house for too long. 

Today I thought I would share some of the neat stuff that friends send to me via email.  Yesterday, these "picture sayings" had me laughing for quite a while.  Some of them are so true, and deserve to be passed along to you.  My favorites are the first two.  So have a laugh and enjoy. 

I am at work and it's time to check on the Mrs.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all be safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Sharing A Bit Of History

December 29, 2013

Good morning.  It's early, just 5:25 a.m.  I've been up for a couple of hours, and will soon be hopping back into bed for a few more winks.  It's the end of the year, and there really isn't a whole lot of new stuff happening.  So, I'm going to have some fun and post a little of our family's history.

As I've said before, we are descendants of the Mayflower, coming down through William Brewster; then  his son Jonathan Brewster; then his daughter Mary Brewster; then her daughter Mary Turner; and her daughter Honor Prince who married Francis Loud Jr.   (Honor is often spelled Onner)

Francis and Onner Loud's first child, Jacob Loud, was born May 24, 1723 and reared at Weymouth, Massachusetts.  Here, he learned the trade of Housewright, most likely from his father.  On July 3, 1746, Jacob married Mary Smith (also born at Weymouth).

Jacob was a Revolutionary War hero, as he and his five sons are the only family on record as having a father and five sons who fought in that war.  This record is found in Massachusetts, as well as Washington, D.C.  Jacob lived all of his life at Weymouth, and died November 15, 1779.

The five sons are:  Jacob Jr (March 6, 1747 - June 22, 1820) , Esau (September 17, 1750 - March 21, 1798), Peleg (November 29, 1752 - August 18, 1776), Eliphalet (December 30, 1755 - October 4, 1832) and Reuben (October 1, 1761 - October 8, 1795).

His son Reuben Loud took an oil painting of his mother (Mary Smith Loud), and one of the first meeting houses in South Weymouth to Liverpool, England in 1790.  There he had his mother painted on one side of a water pitcher, and his ship on the opposite side.  The meeting house was painted on a bowl.  This water pitcher and bowl are in the possession of the Weymouth Historical Society at Weymouth, Massachusetts. 

These are photos taken from the two sides of the water pitcher.  First there is Mary (Smith) Loud,  1726 - 17997.

And on the opposite side of the water pitcher, this picture of Reuben Loud's ship.   I do not have a copy of the picture painted on the bowl.

I get all of this wonderful information from my family book that was researched and authored by a cousin.   This book is packed full of so many wonderful stories and information about my family since they first settled in this country.  I will have more of these stories to share with you in days to come. 

Now I'm off to make a cup of coffee and to see what's in the fridge that looks interesting enough for breakfast. Till tomorrow, Y'all be safe and have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Photo Manipulation

December 28, 2013

Good morning.  It's  gray and cold outside, but then it's early yet.  Actually, I just looked out my window and the sun is beginning to shine across the roof tops across the street.  That is good because in a little while, I have to get dressed and head out to the supermarket to do a bit of food shopping. 

First I thought I would show you how to have some fun with a rather bad, uninteresting photo.  I had posted this manipulated photo last winter around the first of the year, but we have a few new readers here and I thought it would be fun to explain how it was done.  First, here is the original photo with no touch ups, just an arrow showing the portion of the photo that I am using.

First I cropped this section from the photo, then lightened it a bit.  Then I cleaned up some of the bits of dirt that showed in the snow.

Next, I went to Google images, and found me some Polar Bears and placed them in my photo.  At this point, you can tweak the light/dark and the sharpness to how you like it best. 

Viola!  Now that little bit of snow on the ground next to the house has been transformed into a scene that could have been photographed in Alaska.  So don't throw out all of your "not so good" photos.  Some of them can be turned into some really pretty photo art.

There really isn't much news this morning, and I really must get busy here.  I have to get the shopping done and be back way before my appointment at the nail salon at 1:30.  So till tomorrow, Y'all be safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Just A Little Post Today

December 27, 2913

Good afternoon.  This will just be a little post.  I slept late this morning, then got busy doing a few things around here.  When I get the energy burst, I have to use it.  lol. 

Last night I spent some time reading my new digital art books, and later I am going to have some fun playing in Photoshop on my laptop.  Right now, I'm busy making meat sauce and pasta shells for my din din later on. 

Well, it's been more than a week now, and Pogo still has not gone into his Santa Hat bed.  He just moves it around the living room from one spot to another.  I may end up giving it away to some other little dog.  We'll see what happens in the next couple of weeks.

I have a cute lttle "Kitty Love" picture to share today.  (I got it from the web)  Baby animals are one of my weaknesses.  I learned long ago to stay out of pet shops. 

Now I have to get back to the stove before my pasta ends up in a big sticky lump.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all be safe and have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Christmas Is Done, But Oh What A Wonderful Day!

December 26, 2013

It's 6:30 a.m., and all is quiet at our house.  Some of the dwarfs have already left for work, and others are getting ready to leave.  Everyone had a great day yesterday.  Several of the dwarfs were at home yesterday, and dwarf Helen cooked a delicious Christmas dinner for everyone.  It was a fabulous day, and Pogo and I had a most wonderful Christmas Day.

Folks, let me tell you, I had a most wonderful time yesterday.  Watching Pogo interact with all of his presents was really a fabulous gift for me.  He had a big pile of gifts, and he just took a quick look at it and walked on by.  After a little while, he did try to play with one of the packages, but could not open it. 

I helped a bit by opening one or two at a time and putting the gift back on the pile.  This got his interest, and he actually got into to spirit.  From here on in, he had so much fun with the presents.  He actually played with a couple of his new toys, and checked out each and every gift in the pile.  This first photo is my favorite.  I just love the expression of his face. 

Kyra sent him a wonderful bed cover that is like a sleep pocket.  He can crawl onto it and pull it in over himself.  I put it on his little bed, and the first thing he did was line up his favorite toys that he keeps in his bed.  Last night I put his fuzzy green blanket on the bed.  He crawled under the blanket and pulled the corner of his new cover over it and fell fast asleep.  He was one very happy little camper.

Pogo was not the only one to get lots of wonderful presents.  I got so many wonderful gifts, wow!  I was like a little kid in a candy store.  I had a smile on all day that just would not go away!  Just saying thank you doesn't seem like a lot, but I want to thank everyone for making our Christmas such a fun and special day. 

Are you curious about the little present under my tree that was for me from Pogo?  Well let me show you what it was.  This little fellow picked out a beautiful ring for me.  You all need to get yourselves a little doggie like mine.  He is just so smart!!  

The stones are garnets, chrome diopside and white topaz set in sterling silver.  Garnets are my Kerri's birthstone and I love flowers, so this made the ring ever so special.  My photo doesn't do the ring justice, but it's the best I could do.

I'm watching the news, and it is showing the backlog of all the packages that UPS and FED EX did not get delivered to customers on time for Christmas.  So many folks are really upset about it, but they don't stop to realize that most of them waited until the busiest shipping weeks to do their ordering.  Plus, the bad weather all across the country hasn't helped.  I was lucky, all my packages got delivered in time.

I did have one brain relapse this season.  Somehow, one of the packages that I mailed out that should have had a calendar in it, did not.  Now I'm having to try to find out who did not get their calendar.  This is one of those times when my brain goes on vacation and doesn't take me along.  I usually have a checklist, but somehow I missed something.  I'm sorry, and as soon as I find out who did not get their calendar, I will put in the mail. 

Now I'm going to make some breakfast for Pogo and me, and make myself another cup of this delicious Dutch coffee.  Folks, I got some fabulously yummy goodies, and I'm enjoying all of them.  Mmm, mmm, mmm.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all be safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

December 25, 2013

Well, it's finally here.  It's Christmas morning, and somewhere in the world, Santa is close to finishing up his very long delivery route.   After that, he will return to his home in the North Pole and enjoy a delicious breakfast with Mrs Claus and the elves. 

I'm at work, and in about two and a half hours, I'm going home to enjoy my Christmas with Pogo.  Some of the dwarfs will still be still be at home, and it will be fun to watch them opening their presents. 

I guess you are all wondering whether or not Santa was able to stop in here for a little visit and a hot cup of cocoa.  Well yes, of course he did.  He had wonderful stories to share and we had some good laughs together.  Then he had to get back to his deliveries as he still had a very long night ahead of him. 

Before I post your QP freebie, I want to share an adorable little poem that I found in one of my puzzle books.  It is called "Snowball" and was written by the American Poet, Shel Silverstein.

I made myself a snowball

As perfect as could be.

I thought I'd keep it as a pet

And let it sleep with me.

 

I made it some pajamas

And a pillow for its head.

Then last night it ran away

But first it wet the bed.

 

 Isn't that cute?  It's just a little humor to start the day off with a smile.   Now I'll post your freebie.  Remember to download it before the end of the first week in January, because after that the link will be expired. 

 

 

Here is your download link:

Expired.

 

Now I think I'll have me a cup of coffee and maybe some oatmeal while the Mrs is still asleep.  Pogo and I want to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS.  We hope your day is filled with peace and love.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all be safe and have a wondrous day.

 

Hugs, Edna B.

SANTA CLAUS COMES TONIGHT

December 24, 2013

Yeahhhhh!  Woo Hoo!!  Tonight's the night that Santa comes!!  We have waited all year long, and been very very good.  Well, at least I know that I have tried to be very good.  Even Pogo has been very very good.  Except when he leaves little gifts on the carpet, but then he only does that when he is scared that I'll leave or when he forgets where his potty patch is.  So, tonight when all is very very quiet, Santa will slip in and leave us something special.

Actually, Santa usually stops by long enough to have a hot cup of cocoa and we share a bit of chit chat.  Sometimes he even lets me help put the gifts for the dwarfs under their Christmas tree.  He has been my special friend since I was just a little girl. 

Tonight I will be at work, but Santa told me that he will stop by there for a few minutes after the Mrs goes to sleep.  I'll bring some apples with me too because the reindeer love apples.  Then at seven in the morning, I can come home and spend Christmas day with Pogo and whichever dwarfs are at home for the day.

Today I have another photo that I took of a house that I pass on my way to work.  When it is dark out, this house really looks quite beautiful.  Sometimes just a few well placed lights and a tree is all you need. 

You know, yesterday was Mandarin Orange Monday, and I forgot to post my image, so I'll post it here.  I took this photo on November 30, 2009.  Is this not a really beautiful sunrise?   This tree no longer exists because a wind storm brought it down.  I'm so glad I was able to photograph it when I did.

Well, yesterday, I really did finish all my wrapping.  Boy, oh boy, did that ever feel good!  From here on, it's all sit back and enjoy.  In the early evening, Dee Dee and Eddie and the kids came by with bundles.  Some went under the tree, and some we ate.  Dee had made some delicious cookies, breads, lemon squares and chocolate mint fudge.  Oh my, that fudge is simply yummy!!!

I know everyone is very busy today, so that's enough chit chat.  Before I leave, I want to give you all a Christmas card, and wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Till tomorrow, Y'all be safe and have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

The Christmas Lights Are Beautiful

December 23, 2013

Good morning.  I'm still at work, and the Mrs is fast asleep.  Outside the window, there is a thick blanket of fog everywhere.  Hopefully, there's no ice because it will be hard to see.  We're supposed to get quite a lot of rain this morning and that should clear up any ice.  At least until tonight.

Yesterday morning there were quite a few fog patches everywhere until after 8 a.m.  Here's a photo I took of the view across the street from work. 

Although there are no more blooms in the gardens, one plant's buds thrive all through the cold winter season.  The Rhododendron's buds grow nicely in this cold weather.  This is one of the Mrs' bushes.

I was not able to catch any winks during the night, so I'm getting quite tired.  Yesterday was not a good napping day.  I'm hoping that today will be better.  I still have a few things to wrap, and Dee and Eddie and the kids are coming by later today, so I want to catch a little nap in the morning. 

Tomorrow night, I will be back here to spend Christmas Eve with the Mrs.  I'm really giving some hard thought to retirement in the new year, because I would rather be at home on the holidays.  Next week is New Years Eve and Day, and I'm hoping that someone else will want to work that holiday.  It's not a big deal to me, but I really would rather stay at home with Pogo.

Last night on my way to work, I stopped a few times to take a few photos of the Christmas lights.  Here's a couple that are not far from my house.

I'll try to get a few more in the next few days.  There are so many beautiful holilday displays.  There are also a few folks who decorated some very large trees growing outdoors.  I'll try to get a couple photos of those too. 

For those of you who stop by regularly, I will be posting a Christmas QP freebie on Christmas.  The link will be up through the first week in January.  At that time, all links are expired so that I can have my next blog book printed.

I'm listening to the Weather Channel, and they are talking about the areas that got a lot of ice, and the catastrophic damage caused by it.  A lot of folks won't have any electric power for Christmas.  I'm hoping that the power companies will be able to get the electricity back on for these folks real soon.   I'm counting my blessings that we are safe so far from these bad storms.

Now I think I'll go check on the Mrs, and then maybe have a cup of coffee before it's time to pack up and head home.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all be safe and have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Old Fashioned Christmas Carolers

December 22, 2013

It's 5:30 a.m., the Mrs is fast asleep, and I am sitting here playing on my laptop.  I was able to catch a couple hours of winks but that is all.  During the night, I even went outside to get a photo of the moon, but the clouds were moving too fast, so no photo. 

I do have a photo to share that I took of some of the Mrs' carolers.  These are old, but quite fascinating.

I was hoping to get out this past week, and photograph some of the Christmas lights around town, but unless someone offers to go with me, I don't go out at night to take photos.  So maybe this week I'll get to do it. We'll see.

I hear the Mrs coughing, be back............I'm back.  She's all nice and comfy and tucked in again.  She was in a great mood when I got here last night, and she is still in a good mood.  Hopefully her good mood will last all weekend.  

Thank goodness I have a lot of photos in my archives.  There's always a couple of cute photos to dig out and share.  Here's a White-breasted Nuthatch, and a little Chipmunk.  These are photos that I took last winter.

I am always so amazed at how these tiny creatures manage to make it through the long cold winter.  I'm a lot bigger than they are, and I know I would definitely not be able to survive living outdoors all winter long. 

There really isn't any news for this morning, so I'll make this a short post.  It's almost time for me to gather up my things.  In another hour I'll be on my way home.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all be safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Happy First Day Of Winter

December 21, 2013

Wow, just four more days and it will be Christmas Day.  I know I say it a lot, but where has this year gone?   It seems like once we get to the middle of Spring time, the rest of the year is in a hurry to get to Winter.  And, today is officially the first day of Winter.  Gosh, it could have fooled me.  I thought it started about a month ago. 

Today is really a lovely day outside here.  Sunny and warm, around 54F.  We will have a couple more days of these warmer temps, and then it will get cold again for Christmas.  I'm not complaining though, I'll take all the warms days I can. 

I have a couple photos of Christmas cards from years past to share this morning.  I've erased the name out of one of the photos for privacy reasons.  These two cards were made by my daughter Deanne.  I love home made cards.  These two wonderful kids are teenagers now. 

 

Now I think I'll wrap presents for a while, (I still have some last minute wrapping to do)  and then I'll rustle up some lunch for us.  After that, Pogo and I will have us a little nap.  Tonight is a work night for me. 

So, till tomorrow, Y'all be safe and have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

ONLY FIVE MORE DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!

December 20, 2013

Good morning.  Well, I feel pretty good after a good night's sleep.  That bottle of Sam Adams that is expired for a year and a half had lots of fizz and tasted pretty good and was just what I needed to sleep longer. 

I finally got to go shopping yesterday afternoon, and finished up the rest of the stuff on my list.  Now I just have to get it all wrapped and I'm done.  I put a chair by my "wrapping" table so that I can do most of the wrapping sitting down.  My hip has been aching a lot lately, so maybe this will help.  I had an appointment this morning, but I'm cancelling it because I don't like to drive while under the influence of pain pills. 

Today, I think I should do a couple loads of laundry.  That way I'll feel like I did something useful.  I like doing laundry.  Maybe when I'm retired, I can take in laundry whenever I need a little extra cash.  Hmmm, on second thought maybe I won't.  I'm not really crazy about handling other folks' dirty laundry.  Yick!

Today I have a photo of a cute little Tufted Titmouse to share.  These are just the cutest little birds.  We have quite a few of them in our yard, and they get along nicely with all the other birds out here.

I also took a photo of our Christmas tree that is set up in the den out in the main part of the house.   Every year, Joe grumbles about putting it up so early (the first week in December) but then he goes about making it look really nice.  Every afternoon, whichever dwarf gets home first from work plugs the tree in.  They don't say much, but they all really enjoy having the tree lights on.

Santa will be putting lots of presents under the tree on Christmas eve (maybe Joe will help him because I will be at work).   The dwarfs are like little kids at Christmas time.  On Christmas morning they get excited when they see all the gifts under the tree, and they go looking for the one with their name on it. 

While I was out shopping yesterday, I picked up some cat food, so now I just have to get over to Ace Hardware later today and drop it off.  This week end, the employees of Ace Hardware will deliver all the food and blanketing to the local shelters. 

There's really not a lot of news for this morning, so I think I'll go start the laundry.  Till tomorrow, Y'all be safe and have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Ooooh, A Little Heat Wave Coming!

December 19, 2013

Good morning.  Today is supposed to be a mix of cloudy and sunny with temps getting up to about 41F degrees.  I like it!  I did not get out yesterday to do my shopping, so maybe sometime today.  We'll see.

With the warmer temps for the next few days, I'm hoping that all the ice in the yard will melt.  It will be nice to see bare ground again.  Joe has been hinting that he would like to see a nice flat even driveway.  Ours has a few holes and is not quite so flat anymore.  I told him we will have to wait and see what next year brings.

I've been looking up some places to visit while I'm in Florida (next March).  I'm so hoping to see lots of different birds to photograph.  So far, I've found three places that sound really good.  Next, I'll have to check and make sure they allow small pets.  I can bring Pogo's stroller with me to make things easier. 

Speaking of my handsome little Pogo, I have an adorable photo to share with you.  Helen took this photo with her phone one day when Pogo and I were on our way out to do some errands.  Isn't he just precious?

The other night when Joe and I went to deliver the dog blankets and food to Ace Hardware, we looked to see if they maybe had dry cat food.  They did not, but Joe found this adorable little pet bed and insisted that I get it for Pogo.  Of course, I did just that! 

It's a doggie bed shaped like a Santa hat, and as soon as I got home, I set it up and put one of Pogo's little blankets in it.  So far, Pogo hasn't gone inside it, but he has checked it out a couple of times, and moves it about the living room.  I guess he hasn't made up his mind yet about whether or not he wants to sleep in it.

Well, it's 5 o'clock now (a.m.) so I think I'll go back to bed and see if maybe I can catch a few more winks before it's time to start this new day.  Till tomorrow, Y'all be safe and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.