Snow and Cold, My Kind of Weather.

 For a winter that was predicted to have little snow, 

no one obviously inquired to Mother Nature 

on how she wanted things to go.

 We've had beautiful snows.  Crisp clear beautiful days. 

 The snow is drifting in the garden, 

without a footprint or animal track.  

I guess the coyote is somewhere in his den. 

The shrubs are weighed down by the fluffy stuff.

"Kindness is like snow- It beautifies everything it covers."

-Kahlil Gibran

 We did get out for a small grocery run and a much needed thrift therapy session.

I found this sweet yo yo pillow.  I made my Mom a yo yo quilt almost forty years ago.  I have it now and it needs some repair.  All those little circles, cutting, basting, gathering each, takes some time. Then attaching all those yo yo's together.  I think it was a dollar well spent.

 Then, my two dollar quilt.  All those hexagons, not easy to piece. 

 Both Kris and Penny loved it.

I'm sure that it will find a home with Penny, 

who loves a orphan quilt as much as grandma.

 A sneak peek at the afghans I just finished for our twins. 

They are made with Red Heart Ombre yarn 

in the corner to corner pattern.  

I found directions for the edging on the Internet.  

It finished them off perfectly, 

a great solution to the unusual edge of the pattern.  

Plus, it ties the afghans together.  

Just like I'm sure our girls will be, similar but each unique.

  

The theme for the shower is Two Peas in a Pod.

I copied a seed packet, shrunk it down to fit a little bag of peas.

(A small green chocolate candy.)

It will be here before we know it.  This Grandma is ready.

I'm still hanging on to the sparkle of the holidays. 

 My dearest is too.  When he is the first one downstairs, 

he's the one who plugs them in. 

(Makes us both happy;-)

 The dining room table has become shower central 

with so many projects still to be completed.

Finally,

In the Wonderful News Department...

  Our dear friend Jean is in remission. 

This is the best possible news for all of us who love her. 

As Jean continues to heal, I send her my love, 

and know that everyday, things will get better.

"The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love."

-Hubert Humphrey

Thanks for stopping by and for your kindness.

Enjoy this beautiful day.

Love, Penny

A Celebration of Winter

 "The sunshine smiles upon the winter days of the heart,

 never doubting of its spring flowers."

- Rabindranath Tagore

"The inhabitants of cities suppose

That country landscape

is pleasant only half the year.

I please myself with the graces

Of winter scenery,

and believe that we are as much touched by it 

as by the genial influences of summer.

To the attentive eye,

each moment of the year 

has it's own beauty,

and in the same field it beholds,

every hour, a picture which was never seen before,

 and which shall never be seen again."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am enjoying these cold and wintry days, 

adding some touches of Valentine's Day.

 A pop of red here and there.

Hearts, so dear.

Memories so fond. I made this baby quilt for Mikey when he was a baby.  I didn't finish it till he was 18! Those little VIP teddies were my absolute favorites in the "Bear" season of the 1980's.

I made so many bears, quilts and vests using this whole line of fabrics. Every once in a while I find a  piece at the thrift or rummage sale. Always takes me back to those days when the kids were young, and so was I.

 I love decorating in a romantic way to welcome in February. 

 Not to rush January.

January has it charms too.

 In the bleak midwinter, a little color is most welcome.  Have you ever tried the kits that the Paper Source sells?  Making your own peonies is very satisfying.  This wreath is at least 5 years old, still pretty and the colors have not faded.  All made of paper.

Made these a long time ago and thought I'd 

make a few for our baby shower that's coming soon.

 I have been having a creativity deficit.  Can't find my muse.  

Think she's held up by the weather.

 Puttering?  Now, I've got lot's of puttering done.

A plate here,

A bird there.

 A mirror there.

 Dishcloth curtains...

 More dishcloths!

This heart is at least 40 years old.  Who remembers Abbey Press?

 A simple mantel.

 Red basket with wreaths that will not make it to the wall this year.

A few trinkets to play with...What's holding up that muse of mine?

 A bench full of thrifted needlepoint pillows.

 Then my mind wanders. 

  "Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love

 and to work and to play and to look at the stars."

 -Henry Van Dyke

A terrible photo of a magnificent sight!
A total eclipse.

Or, the Moon on a 6 degree night.  Moonstruck!

Thanks for stopping by and for your friendship and kindness.

Enjoy this beautiful day.

Love, Penny

Another Wedding at St. Josaphat Church

 One week ago we were gathered at St. Josaphat Church.  The Church where our family started.  We were celebrating the union of my dear niece Amy and her beau Dennis.  It was 71 years ago that my parents, Amy's Grandparents, Irene and Tony were married in this Church.

 It is also the Church and school I attended from second grade to seventh grade.  To say being back at St. Joe's was nostalgic is an understatement.  So many happy memories here for our whole family.

 Amy is so dear to us.  She has the biggest heart and has found love with Dennis.  Their love story starts, as so many these days, on the Internet.  It took a long distance romance and a move across country, for Dennis to be united with his Architect.  It was a lovely ceremony.  My brother Larry and Lynette, Amy's parents have made our old neighborhood their home.  Full circle.  Mom and Dad would be so happy and proud.

I felt the history, and I felt the spirits of my Mom and Dad.

It all started with this stunning couple.

 To think I was just a year older than Penny is right now when I first came to St. Joe's.  It was wonderful to have Penny there to see where Great Grandma and Great Grandpa were married.

Just like  a few years ago, when she shared a visit to our Church, Immaculate Heart of Mary where we, her Grandma and Grandpa were married.

Kristen and Doug

 Then the reception.  It was held in a old factory, that is now an event venue.

Jon, Mike and Amanda

                                       

 It was loud and fun and so happy that all of our kids (except mom to be Charlotte) were able to attend. All of my brothers and sister in laws were there too.

It was a great party.

Penny literally danced her shoes off!

I had to include a recent photo of lovely Mom to Be Charlotte.

She is the good ship Charlotte, carrying those two little sailors, Irene and Stevie.

Let's just say the sailors are restless.  

 My handsome guys.

 The handsome Dad to be, Jon.  He's gonna be the best Daddy to his girls.

My Heart!

When they are together hilarity ensues.  

My beautiful girls.

 My love and I.  The Proud and Happy Aunt and Uncle.

A wonderful wedding and a very happy union of Amy and Dennis "Czarkippski."

This week...

 We had some snow, and it sure looks beautiful.  

 My geranium is blooming, that makes me happy.

 I haven't mentioned that we have a coyote that visits our yard. We warned the neighbors that have dogs to be cautious.  I saw him jump and stand on top of the chain link fence.  So much for a fenced yard keeping out the riff- raff.  I heard him howl for the first time yesterday.  It's high pitched, and for a moment I felt like Laura Ingalls in the little house books.

 I am a winter girl.  We are supposed to have snow in January.  This was just a few inches.  Our family in St. Louis got over a foot of snow. My SIL Elizabeth is snowbound with her girls, and I know for a fact that they are so happy to have their Grandma stuck for another week.

 Late in the day I had to take a few more photos.

 To paraphrase John Denver, Sunshine, on the snow looks so lovely...

 and Sunshine almost all the time makes me high.

"Scared and sacred are spelled with the same letters. Awful proceeds from the same root as awesome. Terrify and terrific.  Every negative experience holds a seed of transformation."

-Alan Cohen

Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kindness.

Enjoy this beautiful day.

Love, Penny