Strawberry

My mother had a signature garment. Her Lanz de Salzburg nightgown. She wore them all year round. When she would mop the floor she would hike up the nightgown and tuck it into her underwear to keep from getting wet. What a sight to see! If you ever needed a safety pin, all you had to do was go to the nightgown-she always had several pinned to the top of the nightgown. One never knew when one would need a safety pin while sleeping. When my mom passed away, I took her nightgowns. I am not able to wear them. They are hers. They have a hint of her smell on them. Some are worn and faded. The newer ones are crisp and bright. This year for Christmas I took one of the nightgowns and made little strawberry ornaments for my sisters and I. I used the pattern from Heather Bailey. I wondered if my sisters would recognize the fabric. Christmas Eve arrived. I handed out my gifts. My sisters opened them- and the tears in their eyes said it all..."this is Mom's nightgown". I did not pack my strawberry away with the Christmas ornaments. I have it hanging in my kitchen. My mother was a colorful, vibrant, beautiful woman. I miss her.

It's the little things

I found this old antique printing tray at a flea market. I knew that I would use it as a shadow box. I have been collecting little bits of this and that for as long as I can remember. When I was 15 I had the opportunity to travel and spend the summer in Holland. It was one of the best summers of my life. The food, the sights, the shopping! Whenever I would visit a new place I would search out the most perfect mini something...to remind me of where I had been. This tray hangs in my kitchen and I stop and look at it everday. It has become a must see at our home and it brings back sweet memories to not only me, but my husband, children, siblings, nieces and nephews. Some of these miniature delights include: the tiny football player that sat upon my son Ryan's 4th birthday cake, my son Evan's "little cup" that has his name on it, my great grandmother's collection of miniatures that came in the Red Rose tea bag boxes, the wooden shoes my mom purchased for me on her visit to Ellis Island because "they reminded me of you", the tiny clay pot I brought back for my grandmother on my field trip to Sturbridge Village when I was 7. On days like today with the wind whipping, and the snow flakes flying-being contained in the house because of this winter weather, I love to stop by my shadow box and recall those visits to lands far away, and all those that I hold dear to my heart.

Snow Day

Today was a good old fashioned snow day, without the snow. My boys are 23 and 19 and there are times when I miss those chubby cheeks, rambunctious, full of energy little boys. Today they came for a visit. We woke up, made a pancake breakfast. They got all dressed up in their winter gear and headed out to the pond to clear off the snow to make a skating rink. After a bit, they came inside and all three of us played video games. Well, they played and I tried to make head or tails of what I was doing. There were lots of laughs. After lunch they headed back out to finish the rink, #1 son's girlfriend came over and helped. There were more laughs, and to finish a most wonderful day-hot cocoa. I am truly blessed.

What a wonderful day.

I could not help but get caught up in the Inaugural festivities today. What an awe inspiring moment for our country and the world. I could not pull myself away from the television for fear of missing a "moment". I am so very proud to be an American today. God Bless our new President Obama and his family.

I Won!

I won a give away!


My mother would always tease me about my luck. She would say, "Lee, if you didn't have bad luck you would have no luck at all".
Well all of that changed today. I won Elizabeth's give away. On her blog, Creative Breathing, Elizabeth was having a give away. All one needed to do was solve the puzzle. Anyone familiar with Elizabeth's puzzles knows that this task falls somewhere in between taking the SAT's and bonking your head against a wall. Well, I bonked my head and the answer came to me! Elizabeth asked us to figure out what state she was born in. Easy you say? Take a look at her blog. Hidden deep withing those posts are clues to the puzzle. Elizabeth is truly a modern day Nancy Drew! I am overwhelmed that I have won this give away. I knew 2009 was going to be a good year. My luck has indeed changed! This little blue bird of cupcake happiness, made by Elizabeth herself will soon be flying to my home. I cannot wait! Thank you Elizabeth for sharing your time and talent with all of us. You have touched my life.
Photo Originally uploaded by creative breathing

Wonderful Winter

Today while I was walking my dog, Murphy I decided to take along my camera. Winter is in full swing here in New England and the scenery is beautiful. The contrast of the red berries and the white snow is just wonderful. Happy Winter all.