Late Summer

For the man sound of body and serene of mind there is no such thing as bad weather; every day has its beauty, and storms which whip the blood do but make it pulse more vigorously. ~George Gissing

~Late Summer Mosaic~

Hmmmm... Apparently, I am not serene of mind nor sound of body. It was a foul autumn in 2012; winter was vile; it was a truly rotten spring; summer was not so great either. What does it mean when the entire year was a weather bust?

It's why I am so looking forward to autumn 2013 and hoping for better weather ahead, both figuratively and literally.

~-~

Moving on to more cheery thoughts—have you tried these? Brownie Brittle they're called and so good, if you enjoy the crunchy bits of brownies, which I do. Six of these squares equal a serving for a total of 120 calories. One might, if she were very good, get away with eating just one and it would be enough chocolate to last for a few minutes. ☺ (No, I am not being compensated in any way to say this. We just tried them and we like them. Pssttt... Brownie Brittle people, you can send a case to Vee in Maine. Thank you.)

Those wondering how the rules will shake down for the note card party should check the new rules soon to be posted on the Note Card Party page, which can be reached by clicking on either the date in my sidebar for the Note Card Party or on the button also in my sidebar. I think everyone will be happy or nearly everyone will be happy. I know that I'm happy! No, really. I am happy.

~not my house~

Leaving you with a photo of some beautiful window boxes. They're not as fine as they were in August as they are becoming a bit leggy, but still so pretty on yesterday afternoon's drive home from the apple orchard. Soon the lady of the house will be decorating for autumn with pumpkins and bittersweet...then Christmas with evergreens and pine cones, but don't let me get ahead of myself.

A marvelous new week to you...

Disentangle

Feeling a bit frazzled and a lot harried? Hold that thought...

~Bunte Teller~

Although I'm not one hundred per cent certain of all that a Bunte Teller represents in German tradition, it reminds me of a Horn of Plenty in that bounty is on display. It certainly creates a lovely focal point. You can learn more by visiting my featured blogger Niki on yesterday's post.

Another day, another gift. This sweet Christmas tea cup and arrangement is from the lovely Michele at Finch Rest where I recently won a Giveaway. (Michele really knows how to pack fragile items. I'm taking lessons, too. Let's see, take a box in a box in a box with the middle box's sides turned toward the center to create almost a roof so that the item cannot drop through. Smart gal!)

~Brightening a Corner~

***

Now let's watch John walk about a little, shall we?

Want to know what he's doing? 

Tracking bears that's what!

I found big tracks on our deck! That's my footprint on lower left beside a round bear print. (You can see immediately when John discovers where his wife has been. ☺) John believes that there was a Mama Bear and a Baby Bear. It probably explains why Molly got so excited day before yesterday and wouldn't stop barking. And it also explains why she went sniffing along a trail, turned on her heel, and marched back into the house without "doing" anything. No more out by herself and no more setting the garbage on the stoop waiting for John to take it to the garage (though it's never been disturbed); we're not taking any chances. 

***

Did you hold that thought? That one about possibly being frazzled and harried? I confess that I have been feeling a bit under it myself. It's been an incredibly difficult week. How have you been doing? Our thoughts are often in Connecticut and our prayers are with them. It can feel overwhelming sometimes. 

When I am feeling this way, I know that it is time to purposely and purposefully disentangle. So sit down with a cup of tea; put your feet up; pray, intercede; read a book; better yet, read the Word; watch the lights on the tree; rest. Trust the Lord to carry the burden. Do it. Please?

Newtown will be observing a moment of silence at 9:30 this morning on this one-week anniversary with a tolling of the bells.

Blessings and comfort...

Monday Morning

♫Flowers in October♫

So, in the end, I did take time away skipping Mosaic Monday last night and spending a pleasant couple of evenings away from the computer. (Though I'll add a mosaic here today, I won't link because my mosaic is more of a "just documenting" nature.) I visited everyone and gave myself the gift of not commenting; this is much more difficult than it may seem as I comment a lot too much.

The frost came just as we were warned. Hard frost. Killing frost. I brought in pumpkins and plants and wrapped the rosebush. The rest I let go. Not without shedding a tear, but I let them go. The morning glory and the climbing brown-eyed susan are all cleared away with only a memory and a photograph left.

My daughter gave me something new for the garden. A little red, white, and blue something new so I am pleased. 

On Saturday morning, we gathered for the Birthday Breakfast. Though my daughter's birthday had come and gone, she had requested the Saturday morning breakfast because she's in the middle of painting her house trim and hoping to finish this year; she started last. It's a big house and she's done it alone. 

Saturday was windy and cold and so it was very pleasant to gather by 8:30 for a nice warm breakfast. This (birthday breakfasts) is something new for our family, though I can certainly recommend it. 

I served Judy's egg cup recipe from MGCC for the adults and chocolate chip waffles for the grands. We also had English muffins, raisin toast, and raspberry Danish. Orange juice and apple juice and coffee and Earl Grey tea were all served as well. I'd show you a picture of our table except that I didn't think to take a photo until only crumbs were left.

Then it was gift opening time...

 ~cheese~

~game time~

It was funny to watch this little guy ponder what fun things he could do to shake things up a bit.

There was a brief time of bowling...

Later in the evening, the birthday girl came back to show me the boot cuffs. She rolled them, which I thought looked cute, too.

There. Does that tie up all loose ends thus far? Not quite...there is the ongoing work on the garage. John has been challenged in a few ways. More on that another day.

Enjoy this fresh new beginning of a week and don't forget to get your note cards ready!

Pan Wonder

Thanks for my title today, BJ.

First things first...

~Climbing Brown Eyed Susan~

Now I am not the most observant person in the world. It has taken me until this week to notice how my climbing brown-eyed susans blossom out from a little pod just as you see above. Fascinating really. I haven't been sitting out much in all this humidity and so it's been lost on me.

A lot of you, on the other hand, are very observant. I heard yelps throughout yesterday's comments from gals wondering what was going on with the pan smack dab in the middle of my mosaic. And I even heard from Cheryl who wondered if that was the first mosaic I had used because she did not remember seeing a pan the first time she visited (before she went to the beach) and was now seeing it on the second visit (after the beach). She was probably wondering if the sun, sand, and surf had scrambled something. No, Cheryl, the only one scrambled here is I.

It is a long and involved story and I do not plan to spare you the details. Besides, one of you is responsible for the state of that pan!

1. No, it was not the first mosaic I used.

2. The pan was out in the yard because I didn't want it stinking up the kitchen any longer. It had been out there for two days, perhaps three.

3. While I was visiting a blog and deep in a very good post, I burned the rhubarb I was stewing.

4. Both kids tried to tell me.

~Mama, Something's Burning~

I'll say! The entire house filled up with smoke. John, up on the roof, thought I was roasting marshmallows. Hahahhahahahahaha...

5. This is what it looked like.

~Who else would show you her charred pan?~

I'm still working on cleaning it up.

6. I took the pan's photo yesterday morning because I was just experimenting with light. It was on the path right between the garage and the deck and safe from prying eyes. Very convenient.

7. I created a new mosaic when I realized that I had placed two identical pictures side by side on the first one. That simply couldn't stand. Though you may find this hard to believe, I do have my photo/mosaic standards.

8. The pan found its way into the second mosaic when I ran out of pictures and needed something to fill in. I really thought it would just blend in and go away. Yes, really.

So to all of you who noticed the pot, give yourself a pat on the back. Very well done!

What's in a Name?

First, a thank you to all who participated in August's Note Card Party. It was a delight to see your photos and it never ceases to amaze me how talented you all are. I loved the variety — from ghost towns to scripture verses, back porches to lunch, flowers to vegetables, sunsets to swans!

If you haven't had the chance, check out the offerings and, if you haven't joined in before, please consider it for September 19. That will be just a couple of days before autumn officially arrives and I'm pretty sure that I know what that means: pumpkins ☺ beautifully colored leaves ☺ and a lot of mums. Mark your calendars now!

***

Before this post ends, I have a few questions for you. The first: If you had the privilege of naming a little girl, what name would you give her?

According to Family Education dot com, the top seventeen names in 2012 for little girls are as follows:

1. Sophia
2. Isabella
3. Emma
4. Olivia
5. Ava
6. Emily
7. Abigail
8. Madison
9. Mia
10. Chloe
11. Elizabeth
12. Ella
13. Addison
14. Natalie
15. Lily
16. Grace
17. Samantha

The second question: If you had to choose from the 2012 list, which would you choose?

I have another list gleaned from tombstones — you don't find that morbid I hope — I love a cemetery and reading the names I find there.

This list was chosen because I had never heard these names before:

1. Lurena
2. Emeline
3. Almeda
4. Lilias
5. Evelina
6. Zabelle
7. Lillis
8. Olevia
9. Salley (I cheated. I know a few Sallies; however, they don't spell their name this way.)
10. Columbia
11. Marantha
12. Elva
13. Bina
14. Elzada
15. Lovicy
16. Lovina
17. Sylvina

Third question: (You've figured it out, of course.) If you had to select from my old-time list, which name would you choose? 
I'm revealing my choice tomorrow.

Now if I were naming a puppy, I'd choose Bina...what a cute name!

A happy Thursday to you!

No More Time for Goofing Off

Seriously. I think I'll have to shut the computer down today so that I can stay focused. I'm feeling a little vague and fuzzy.

What's on the docket:

1. Must clean the entire house and rake the yard and update the wreaths and do a bit of decorating.

2. Must finish painting moldings on the kitchen window over the sink and finish decorating same.

 source

3. Must do some more grocery shopping.

4. Must tweak Thanksgiving menu.

5. Must take Molly to groomer's.

6. Must stop eating Thanksgiving groceries, see #3.

7. Must prepare stations in the dining area and set up tables.

8. Must wash linens and iron them.

9. Must cook up the pot roast for supper tonight.

10. Must practice making my squash *this way.*

11. Must research *slow roasting.*

12. Must gather fun things for the grands to do.

13. Must make some simple curtains for the front room.

14. Must wash windows.

15. Must visit apple orchard for more cider and apples.

16. Must wash the good dishes and gather platters and special serving dishes. 

17. Must take time to relax and enjoy the process.
18. Must remember what I'm forgetting.

Hope that you're all feeling as if everything is well under control. I'm feeling a little vague and fuzzy. Have I mentioned that already? 

Yesterday afternoon, John and I were out and about. I was looking for painter's cloth at Lowe's (see #13). In their parking lot was a row of the most beautiful trees with the foliage all still bright and mostly intact. It was amazing. We parked under them and enjoyed the view. Later, we saw this red house and I thought it looked especially like Thanksgiving. I like the white trim and the blue door, too.

Hope to catch you soon...

Grands Are Great!

Last Sunday, when I wasn't sure how I'd make it through the day because I was feeling so low,  I learned something quite wonderful — re-learned something quite wonderful. Grandchildren are sent just when you need them most!

My son made a wreath holder, my daughter purchased a wreath, I made an arrangement, the grandsons brought their bikes and we struck off for the cemetery.

Where I learned that activity and fresh air are antidotes for the gloomies. (I also noted that the bike seats on those grands' bikes need to be raised already. They are growing like weeds.)

When bike riding ended, we sat on a granite wall and talked for a while. Then the eldest grand said, "Let's go to Nonni's!" Oh dear. I remembered that there were ladders up, inside and outside, paint cans, nails, a regular fright show so I suggested another day. This did not compute with grands at all. I explained. Still no understanding. More explaining. Finally, Sam said, "So you don't have time for me today, Nonni?" Nearly broke my heart in two. And, though his father intervened reminding him that we'd spent a nice long time already, the gloomies settled in. 

In the end, a party was planned, which is when I re-learned another important thing. Make plans! Plans are good.

The party is today. I'm prepared more or less. Must do an apple cider run and a doughnut run. This will be one of those growing posts. When I have more pictures, I'll be popping them in.

A happy Saturday to you...

Such fun; such silliness!

It was a happy day!

Sunday Drive

If you are reading this on Monday morning before ten, I am happily eating breakfast with John, my sister and her husband, and my niece, too. We are saying so long until 2012. Yes, that very same sister to whom I sent birthday gifts. Ahem. She might have told me that she was coming home this weekend! Gheesh. Oh well, it's all good and, if all goes well, she'll beat those gifts right back down there.

Sunday afternoon, John and I went for a circuitous drive to do our errands. I think that this will be the final weekend of any appreciable color so we wanted to take advantage of that. Most of  the yellows have slipped to golds and browns, the crimsons are now russet while the oranges have turned to copper. Lovely in its way...

When I have made my first Christmas purchase, my mood shifts from denial to action. I'm glad that October 23 was the day to get in gear. Nothing like a roll of wrapping paper and some ornament hangers to move my thinking along.

And, this morning, after breakfast, I'll be gathering my winter berries for holiday decorating. (Does it matter that I have not yet raked the yard?)  Don't forget to get yours early this year while they're plentiful and before the birds and deer get them all.

A happy Monday to you...

Mosaic Monday Dud~Not

And so the countdown begins to that busy weekend after next. (Yes, you can just bet that the monument guy is getting a visit this morning.) While I hope to visit you as usual, if you don't see me, you'll know what happened. Life!

You poor thing suffering last week with my ongoing saga about clothes and getting nothing for the time spent. So I am sharing what my daughter wore to the event (see Sunday morning's post for that story).

in quadruplicate

And now, just because you can't see the setting so well...

beside the rhododendron

The reception was held at a beautiful new hotel along the river where the rhododendrons were in full bloom. And, fortunately for me, they perfectly matched the waistband on L's dress and the color of her sandals. One of my dear commenters suggested I request her help with future clothes shopping. Unlikely that she'd be willing, but I know that I could certainly use her advice.

Have a happy Monday!

Nan's Dishes

Shield your eyes! This is the dud mosaic for yesterday. What was I thinking?

Click to enlarge at your own peril

In my own defense I'd like to say that I was very tired last night. I've spent the last several days cleaning the yard. Then yesterday afternoon, John and I cleaned the garage because we were moving a bunch of stuff in.

It was a great morning to load up the goods from the storage facility above and take them to the new storage facility below.

Ever since, I've been unpacking Nan's china. (My mother's is still at her home.) The table and counters are loaded with it. I'm washing, dividing, and repacking it. Sis gets half.

Nan's china is named Derbytone from Myott and Sons, England. The pattern has been discontinued. My mother told me that, when she was trying to replace some chipped pieces, she learned that the factory had been bombed during WWII and the pattern was lost. Therefore, there are precious few replacements. The china was a gift to my grandmother from my grandfather. (I've told you what a sweet gift giver he was.) Sometime prior to WWII, he was shopping in Boston when he came upon this set of china. He liked it so well that he purchased two sets, one for my grandmother and a set for his mother-in-law as well.

I remember eating from these dishes only on very special occasions—Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

Scattered throughout the Derbytone are pieces of Bavarian china. This little plate is darling and so modern looking to me. The top is porcelain and the bottom is rougher like stoneware. It's called Royal Silesia (Possibly Prussian).

There'll be more to share as I delve into the depths of those boxes. It's a bittersweet day. How are you spending yours?

Memorial Day Mosaic for Mosaic Monday

Azalea Mosaics

Brrrr, it's cold up here! I was out and about all yesterday afternoon and nearly froze to death. Apparently, all the stores have shut off the heat and it was miserable, even in the restaurant.

Still, the azaleas are blooming and it's one of my favorite times of year. Couldn't help but grab the camera. I never have enough time to devote to the process so am cheating by doing a mosaic...more presence don'tcha know. Interesting to see the hue differences between indoor and outdoor photos.

Please don't forget the beach bag giveaway. If you haven't already, check Friday's post (yesterday) for the info. I want more bloggers! Come on now, don't be shy. (Oh and you'll find links to both Keepsakes Etc and Simply–Bags on my sidebar under Some of My Favorite Places.)

May you have a wonderful, restful, pleasant weekend and think warm weather...

Why Can't I Find My Favorite Products Anywhere?

The mosaics above are an experiment. I wanted to see the difference between a regular uploaded mosaic against the larger type. What I see is quite a bit of distortion with the larger so I'm not certain that it's worth doing.

***

Getting back to my post's topic... I don't know how many of my fellow bloggers shop in big box stores. In the past, I belonged to Sam's Club and BJ's; now I belong only to BJ's. Often I can find what I'm looking for at a better price there than I can find it for at my local grocery store or my Wal*Mart of choice.

There's one product that has disappeared completely from the shelves of any stores, including BJ's. It's Little Friskies Dental Diet for cats. I've fed my cats this dry food once daily for years. Suddenly, it's gone. First it disappeared from Wal*Mart shelves necessitating my revisiting Shaw's and Hannaford Brothers. Then, it disappeared from Shaw's. Imagine my shock when it is no longer carried at Hannaford Brothers either. I wonder why.

I've found messsage boards online devoted to the subject. One woman says that she'd hoard the stuff if she could just find some. I feel the very same way. Guess that the next thing to do is write a letter to Purina to see if I can find some answers. It's still offered online, but I refuse to pay those prices plus shipping, too.

So here's my question for today: have you been having any trouble finding a certain product? Do you wonder what's going on?

(Next time perhaps we can discuss why Wal*Mart has decided to make all of the packaging for its house brand so black and white, unattractive, and reminding me of some Socialist/Communist country. I'd rather spend extra money to return to a regular grocery store where I can find brand names with bright colors. That is, I would if I could afford it.)

Edited to Add:

More experimenting. Donna suggests that I need to save at 100 pixels per inch. I've always saved blog photos at the highest resolution. I checked the first photo and it was at 96 pixels. I've since enlarged a titch and saved at 100. Let's see what happens, if anything.





Oh I can't tell. Maybe Donna will come back and let me know. :D

Edited to Add AGAIN:





I'm getting a lot of mileage from my three pathetic daffodils...
Thought perhaps that the mosaic itself created some fuzzies so am popping in a single shot.

Final Edit to Add on this Post I promise:

Popping in a very nice email from Purina giving me a list of stores that should be carrying the product. Also, I have those stores' telephone numbers so that will be next...calling store managers.

Thank you for contacting Nestlé Purina PetCare Company.

We are sorry that you've been unable to locate Purina(r) Friskies(r) Cat Food Dental Diet Poultry & Fish Flavor For Adult Cats in your area. Let us assure you that our sales force does their best to convince retailers to stock as many of our products in various flavors and sizes as possible. Please understand it is up to the independent retailer or chain store management to make the final decision as to which products will be featured in their store.

Please know Purina(r) Friskies(r) Cat Food Dental Diet Poultry & Fish Flavor for Adult Cats is still being manufactured, however it is in limited distribution. Our records indicate that that this product should be available at PetsMart stores, online at www.petfooddirect.com, or at the following stores in your area: