Finished Fall Tablescape

I always enjoy creating these vignettes. This time I was not able to give it the uninterrupted attention as in the past. But, it was still fun except that by the time I was ready to take photos the lighting (evening) was miserable. If you adjust the angle of your monitor it is easier to see some of the detail in the very dark colors. Just a thought. Also, clicking on the image helps.

I find that I like this black and white photo for a change.

This is a quite old Johnson Bros. England  dishware  pattern, Winsor Ware GARDEN BOUQUET. According to a little research, the dinnerware features a luxurious, vibrant design of multi-colored flowers blooming from the center of each piece. And, I found this next fact very interesting. The Windsor Ware is made of “white granite”, an earthenware that looks like China but has greater durability, and was developed by the Johnson Brothers.

I was initially going to use white chrysanthemums from my garden in the centerpiece but two rainstorms altered my plans.

So I went out to the garden and found some Dusty Miller stems. Not quite as good contrast but it works.

Well, that was fun. And, I did not go out and buy anything new for my Fall Tablescape! That's the way it has to be and it works for me.
One of those Irish Coffees from my recent post would go nicely with the color scheme. And, sure would taste good on this chilly evening.

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving Weekend.

Mary

What I Need

It's not that I did so much today. It's that sometimes my (not Lily's) medications make me very tired and/or my previous night's sleep was just not adequate. And, I am cold.

I spoke with Lily's Vet today and he is current with what I am doing for Lily. He said he is on call for me anytime. The clinic called this evening to check on her. That is comforting and kind.

I think it is IRISH COFFEE weather. That would taste pretty good about now!

It is wonderful to have memories of special times at special places enjoying this lovely winter beverage. Would you like to share some with me?

Sleeping Precious

Put an Extra Blanket on tonight and stay warm and cozy!

Mary

Morning Surprises And The Wonders Of Nature

My little house sits above the neighbors house and this is the view of their property behind their house from one of my windows. Lily and I had a nice surprise as we were side by side looking out the window (as we regularly do) this morning. From that same window we can see the many people taking their morning walks with their dogs or walking to main street ( two short blocks away) to town for maybe some hot coffee. I often see them coming back caring a cup with a little steam drifting in the cold morning air.

Lily and I can spend quite a long time in the morning looking from the window checking out all of natures gifts. The birds may be flitting about, hummingbirds chasing one another, a strolling neighbor's cat, carefree squirrels foraging for acorns, fresh frost on the ground, an emerging rose bud opening and it's always a special occasion when we see the deer! This morning two young fawns were scampering around in circles like they were being chased. And, they came back a second time. Lily knows the word Bambi and will come running (yes, she still is running) to the window to see. In the past, when she has been outside I have seen her nose to nose with a deer through the wire fence. Nature is so remarkable if we take time to be still, look and listen.

This photo was taken a different time but the lighting with the sunshine and diffused lighting is very similar to this mornings beauty.

Lily had a good night and is doing well this morning. It is very difficult to adjust her medications. And, especially difficult to see how happy and healthy appearing she is so much of the time when I know I have to let her go! She is eating, drinking, peeing and pooping as normal. She needs a new heart even though the heart she has is filled with love and sweetness! Every time I think about letting her "go to the the rainbow" I can hardly stand it! I know we are now on borrowed time and I will enjoy every minute of it.

Hope you are having a Good Post Thanksgiving Day.

Mary

Give Thanks

The Big Day has arrived and there is lots of frost on the ground this morning, Our California temperatures have dropped the lowest for the season, below 30 degrees. It is brisk outside, however, there also is beautiful sunshine and the skies are crystal blue.

I will be right here at home today taking care of Lily. Unfortunately, Lily (and I ) had a very difficult night! Very little sleep for both of us. Her medical condition has worsened greatly. It was a "very long night". She is having a terrible time getting her breath/oxygen. And, her respiration's were very labored and rapid. It was terrible and so very sad. And, I felt so helpless and alone. I tried so hard to comfort her and I cried a lot. Because this is the closest I have come to loosing her. I was hoping she could just fall asleep and not suffer. But all her other functions are the same/good. I gave her additional diuretic medication (as previously discussed with the Vet) to maybe help reduce more of the fluid in her chest. Along with the fluid situation, her heart has enlarged so much that her lungs are compromised because of the pressure against them from the big heart. I felt so horrible for her and for the first time I thought she may be suffering. I will definitely call the Vet office tomorrow. I wanted to call last night but with the holiday I decided that there probably wasn't much they could do - - - but comfort me, which they (Dr Ray) has been so fabulous. It amazes me that Lily is so good natured in spite of all that she is going through.

This morning she seems a little better. Her morning medications are helping. In fact she is on the back of the sofa, looking out the window. She still runs, jumps and is very alert, especially this morning. It is so difficult to think of what my life will be without her! She has given me so very much joy in the ten years she has been with me! I am so very grateful. But, I can't let her have another night like the last if I have any control over it.

Yes, it is Turkey Day and this photo was taken two years ago when I prepared the Whole Shebang! I have always loved to cook and hope to prepare a holiday dinner sometime again in the future.

At this time I send you wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving and many more to come.

Stay Safe on this very busy day and especially if you are travelling.

Mary

Late Last Nights Beautiful Heavens

I sure surprised myself with my little Point and Shoot camera.

What more can I say!
Perhaps - Blessings From Above.
Mary

This,That And More

This morning my mood drew me to the idea of putting together the Fall Tablescape. So, I started to "shop the house" as I often do. Looking into cupboards, china cabinet, sewing room, drawers, garden and even the garage! Here are just a couple photos of where this little creative venture is taking me. I think I will call this "a teaser".

And, another photo. The pine cones have fallen from my trees. The White Chrysanthemums are some of the last flowers from my five foot tall plant. While I was clipping the blossoms it started to rain and it is getting very cold.

Do you ever get side-tracked? It is certainly easy for that to happen to me. Here is a good example. This is the silver flatware drawer.

And, there is more!

I was disgusted and now I am in the process of sorting and organizing the drawer and probably some polishing. I have been wanting to do this for quite a long time. Finished project photo coming soon. Really! And, there is a little history about some of the silver flatware that will be fun to share.

I think we should end on a fashion statement from Miss Lily. Is this a "runway pose" or what?

These are her Jammies (not her Hoodie) and she loves them. It may be my imagination, but she seems more comfortable with less coughing/gagging with them on. I take them off for a short time everyday and give her a good brushing and overall check.

Lily told me that she thinks she is a "Pampered Pooch". What do you think?

Until next time.

Mary

Where Are We Going For Thanksgiving

As you see, we are dressed in our finest!

First Off. I have so very much to be thankful for. Life has many many twists and turns. It is just the nature of what is called LIFE. And, as I live my "sunset years" I work very hard accepting that I am very blessed with so many wonderful life experiences. However, for many of us in the sunset years we are challenged in areas of  health, finances, loss of many loved ones, diminished physical abilities and loneliness. There - I said that word that I try so hard to deny. I am not sure that I will ever understand (with many hours of spiritual guidance and therapy) why so much of my life has been a solitary one. Perhaps, it is the way my life started as a child.

I am comfy in my little home. However, I certainly miss being a part of holiday excitement of food preparations, hustle and bustle of coordinating all the aspects of celebrating, smelling the beautiful aroma of "the turkey in the oven" and gathering together with the thankful hearts of family and/or friends.

Thanksgiving is just a name of one day. But I hope we live each day with a grateful heart and spread "our riches" with others around us. Each day is God given and I plan to live each day with a gleeful heart and maintain a constant awareness of where I may be of benefit to those who are less fortunate.

Let's reach out and share the JOY of the Season whenever and however we are able. Just a HELLO or a SMILE can change someones day. And, it just may put a smile on someones face - who really needed it.

Blessings.

Mary
    And, Lily, too.

Baby It's Cold Outside

And, the electrical central heat is running continually. So, it is time to turn on the pilot light of the propane fireplace because I believe it is less expensive to heat the house.

And I sure want to keep my Little Snuggle Bug warm enough. She just came in from being outdoors and I haven't taken her little pink hoodie off yet. She went straight to the fireplace. It is such a good and cozy place to be on a cold evening.

Ever since I replaced my wood burning stove about ten years ago I have been so very happy with the propane heat in the wintertime. The house warms up in no time at all. It has a blower and thermostat control which I am very happy about purchasing extra.

I always enjoyed having a fireplace and the smell of the wood burning. But, I do not miss the buying, stacking, carrying of the wood and then the cleaning and disposing of the wood ash. I am happy that I no longer contribute to the threatened air quality. There are still a lot of people that use wood in their fireplaces here in the mountains. I have full understanding because it is less expensive. Installation of the propane line and new fireplace can be costly.

I refinanced my mortgage several years back so I could afford some upgrades of this 1972 built house. It is a very good house, well built, great location and "has good bones" as they used to say! I certainly do not live in a fancy home but it sure is cozy. I am truly blessed to have had the foresight in buying this house 22 years ago. And, most importantly - - - staying put. I have lived in this home longer than any other place. After having to rent and live many places in over twenty years prior I am truly blessed. It certainly was a challenge to save for the down payment but the rewards and return on the money has been unmeasurable!

HOME SWEET HOME - - - Winter 2013

I hope you are staying warm, cozy and dry.

Mary

Cousins Have A Special Place In Life

It's so good to have cousins!

I so adore this photo of these darling little ones. This is my Great Grandson walking with his cousin. Their daddies are brothers. And, they live close enough to one another which makes it convenient to visit each other often. Which makes me very happy.

I did not have that gift when I was a child nor thereafter. We lived in California (parents came from Minnesota in 1928 by automobile on their honeymoon to make their home in California)  ALL of our relatives were in the Midwest. I never had any relationships with relatives! My mother had 12 siblings - think of all those cousins!!! And, I never met any Grandparents! 

My immediate family was never close. My three brothers never got along with one another and would fight a lot. And, I always felt very alone even though one of my brothers was my twin. I was isolated from my neighborhood peers and had to go to parochial school through 5th grade and then I refused because the male teacher that taught my class was too interested in me!!!!! During Jr. High and High School I was not allowed to be involved in any extracurricular school activities. And, of course, no movies, dancing etc. I had to do housework and more housework until it was perfect! I moved out after High School, There was a lot of abuse and my oldest brother suffered the worst. In fact, my brothers said later in life that our parents never should have had children, especially my father. Two of my brothers never had children for fear they would not be good parents. Well, I guess I gave you a peephole into the history of my life! As it is said, it could have been worse - I guess - Yes, it could.

Needless, to say, this dynamic had profound negative effect on my two children. It is so important in my opinion to have love and healthy role models especially as children. After divorce I found a way to move to the north from the south part of the state of California. I was like a "bird out of of a cage"!

Onward to "the cousins". I posted this next photo previously but I just have to do it again. I love it so. It looks like she has full confidence that the "big boy cousin" will remedy the dilemma. Pretty good problem solving skills - don't you think?

I sure hope these little ones appreciate these photos when they are older. And, I hope they will value the beauty of relationships within families.

Thank you for sharing with me the good, the bad and the ugly.

Take care of one another.

Mary

Lily Went To The Doctor

In July 2014, Lily was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Disease. It is not unusual for Cavaliers to have difficulties with inherited cardiac mitral valve disease. As our Vet says, "Cavaliers are the 'poster children' for heart murmurs."  A slight heart murmur was detected a few years ago and Lily has been regularly monitored. Through the years she has had a cough that was more annoying than anything else.

Lily is 10 years old , born November 13, 2005 - recent Birthday! At birth she was 4 inches long and weighed only 4 ounces! We have been blessed with a very healthy and wonderful pet until recently. At the time of her diagnosis she was experiencing multiple symptoms which included shortness of breath and rapid heart rate and respirations. At that time I was faced with potentially very high future veterinary bills and I knew my budget would never be able to stretch thin enough to handle hundreds of dollars of veterinary bills. My Special Friend (passed away December 2014) was with me and insisted that Lily receive treatment and he would take care of the expenses. What a Blessing. Lily has responded well to her treatment and the Vet has been wonderful by keeping the high dollar diagnostic studies at a minimum. In addition since May of this year her care has been managed with very regular telephone contacts from the Vet and medication (which are very very expensive) adjustments have been made based on symptomatology.

We had come to the point where I felt that it was time to get a current medical status. I chose to "bite the bullet" so to speak and  go forward with X-rays and Lab Studies, etc. She is in excellent health except for her very enlarged heart and persistent intensified cough and gag. Otherwise, her behaviors have all been normal. She even plays with her toys every day. She seems to be a very Happy Little Love Bug. The long and short of the story is $617.00.

My plan is to go day by day but no more high dollar care. Reportedly, her life expectancy is 12 years. I think she has had a good life and the day will come for Goodbye. WOW, it is horrible to even think that.

Now it is time to go play with Lily and smother her with lots of hugs and kisses!

Love Your Pets - - - and Your People!

Mary

I Am So Excited

I have three Christmas Cactus plants and they are all loaded - and I mean loaded - with buds just waiting to show off their beautiful colors and delicate formations and style.

There is only one window in this house that provides enough daylight to produce flowers on indoor plants. And, I have nurtured these lovelies since last winter. If I remember correctly, the colors are white, red, pink and lavender. One flower pot has three different colors.

I have moved the plants from a bedroom window to the dining room where I can see them throughout the day. If they show discontent I will have to move them back. 

I have not been able to do much inside the house this past year for lots of various reasons. But a little fall decorating is making me feel really good. I may even do a little fall tablescape.

Have you shopped for your Thanksgiving turkey? I have some ideas for you.

There really is a turkey farm that you can special order your desired color. AND, they are organic free range birds. My first thought was that they made me think of Easter - not Thanksgiving.

Stay warm - OK.

Mary

The World Feels So Heavy

But, these two little people put a smile on my face and perhaps they will also put a smile on your face.

Sweet Great Granddaughter (6 months old) "Rockin' That Fauxhawk" as her mama says. Much to my surprise, it looks like she may be a "Blond - Blue Eyed Girl". Her Great Grandfather (left us 1969 and he passed 1986-age 47) had blue eyes and blond hair. We will just have to wait and see as she gets older.

Life was sweet back then. But, Alcohol and Drug Addiction certainly can destroy lives, many lives!

Let me present this sweet little fellow, my Great-Grandson (2 1/2 years old) shortly after he got a new haircut.

And, now, the Mommy and Daddy holding keys to a new house.

It would be so nice to live closer to them.  They recently moved (paid by company) to a lovely new four bedroom house that is closer to their employment. It is still about the same three hours drive from me.  Maybe, after the holidays I can drive over there. As most young families, they are busy, busy and more busy. My Granddaughter is finishing her Bachelor's degree and will be finished in May. The children are very happy children with really good parents. I continue to pray for all of them for their continued happiness in this very challenging world.

Hug the ones you love.

Mary

Pray

Blessings To All who are affected by this horrendous event.

Mary

Veteran's Day

This morning - Veteran's Day, when I saw this photo that I had never seen before on my Grand Daughter's face book of her and her dad (single dad), I had to share. He served 20 years, Air Force, mostly Europe and two years Korea. Her caption was "Happy Veteran's Day to the man that took care of his country, his daughter and our home" Love You Dad.

I am not able to blog anymore today because for the past week I have been having great difficulty with my right eye and can't see very well.  Very very bloodshot and still some periodic pain. I'll post catch-up when I can.

Blessings,

Mary

I Really Miss My IRIS FLOWERBED

As you know gardens don't usually just happen by themselves. There is planning, planting, dividing, thinning, trimming spent blooms, weeding, watering, fertilizing - - - and the beat goes on! Also, a lot of sunshine (at least six hours) is necessary for optimum Iris blooms. Unfortunately, as the large trees in my garden have grown taller and taller, the sunshine diminishes. Good drainage is also very important. The topsoil is almost non existent. So the rhizomes are just sitting on rock and clay. The newest rhizomes need to be saved and planted near the surface in healthy soil. I came across this sentence and think it is a good thing to remember. "Transplant them to places where they will have wet feet but dry knees."

This is how the iris look at this time.
Total neglect! No care - No blooms! Sad.

In time past the Iris Garden was a riot of color. Each of the flowers in my mosaic are from my own garden. Do you see how my little doggie, Lily, snuck in the photos? 

All of the Iris were bought or gifted and planted by me shortly after I moved here in 1993. This is a link to a post that I blogged in 2009 about my Beautiful Iris.

I located a photo of a corner of the Iris garden from years ago. Aren't they gorgeous?

I hope you enjoyed my little trip down memory lane. Hopefully, I can make the Iris Garden look like this again!

Take Good Care of Yourself.

Mary

The Heavens Opened And The Raindrops Fell

What wonderful blessings in each and every rain drop. A day and a half of fabulous moisture penetrated our harshly parched land here in the West. Thankfully the snow is falling in the higher elevations starting to rebuild the snowpack that is so important. It was a fairly gentle rain most of the time with some brief periods of heavier downfall. Hopefully, any mudslide,  flooding issues are at a minimum. I can't help but fixate somewhat on the wildfire survivors who are experiencing more and more challenges. Please God, give them strength and solidarity to continue moving forward to a more peaceful, organized, warm and safe lifestyle. And, hopefully a return to some normalcy!
This morning, The Sun is Shining Brightly and everything looks so fresh, bright and shiny outdoors. Before the rains started I was able to do a little transplanting in the garden of some White Iris that I had saved in a few pots as well as Lambs Ear.

This is the White Iris and I do not know the name because it was a "pass-along plant" from one of my neighbors a few years back.

The Iris are going to be spread out through the white garden. I have been concentrating on the White Garden because. I would like to have it filled in for the first time with many plants so there are some white flowers blooming throughout the year.

Many things on my "to do list" today. It is time to get started.

Have a Wonderful Day.

Mary