C-c-c-old!

 

Icy AND cold!  But, it's winter; what can I expect?  Just to cheer me up, I ordered a big order of flower seeds last week.  I love this photo and would like to have this in our yard someday (only in my dreams?).




from Annie's Annuals

I have a new constant companion:  my iPad.  Life is different with it...it's more than like; I love it.
The first book I downloaded was a new best seller entitled Burial Rites.  Today I ordered The Far Traveler.  Both are historical fiction, well researched.


Kent's book is about the first woman sentenced and executed for killing another.  The role of women and the life of this woman reveals life in early Iceland. Exploring the final months of an Icelander maid charged with murder and condemned to execution in 1829.  I found it beautifully written and well researched.
The Brown book is about the sister-in-law of Leif the Red who sailed to the new world 500 years before Columbus.  She lived there three years, gave birth to a baby, before going back. This, also, is about Iceland.  I like to learn about other cultures and know little about the Vikings.

I share these with you because I first heard of them in another's blog.  Neither of these were in my local library, so I purchased them.  Also, I've been known to re-read a book or two.

I learned long ago that God gave the gift of languages, books, printing so we might be equipped to read His Word...what a gift to also be able to read other books and learn even more.  He has given us those who wrote the scriptures and preserved them for us, and He has given gifted writers today who inform, inspire, encourage us to learn even more.  I thank Him today for the gift of words and understanding.

 

Got a bit of winter

There is a 'monster' winter storm menacing much of the eastern half of the U.S.  We got a little, mostly cold, b-r-r-r.  I haven't been out of the house for several days and couldn't today, if I wished.  The car is frozen shut!  Can you see the ice on windows?

I'm thankful the 'upstairs family' got home safely last night from skiing in W.V.  A blizzard in the mountains isn't my idea of fun!

inquire

Favor

Christmas in the South

I spent Christmas at daughter #2 south of New Orleans.  Came home one month ago tomorrow (eve of New Year's eve).  She collects angels and brings them all out at Christmas time.

 My friends call me a tornado magnet after a killer tornado flew over us, killing 4 in a town nearby...and I was in one in N. Iowa in June.

My daughter is a super hostess and loves to entertain.  My time was much more fun than I'd have by myself.  She's a great cook; I tasted sea creatures cooked creatively, rich desserts, good coffee. 

 
It was harvest time of sugar cane; I visited one of their 'above-ground' cemetaries and bayous, saw brackish water...all these new to me.

I was able to visit her church with her , sew a wardrobe for her dog Ruby:

 

I'll share more another time.  Stay warm..."and Mama in her kerchief and me in my cap......ready for a long winter's nap."

 

 

 

Slower than...._________(fill in the blank)

Happy New Year!  (only 1 month late)
You would think I've just been too busy to post...NOT!  Been painting woodwork, watching 'Doc Martin' series over and over, reading, reading, reading.  I love retirement:

 

Apparently my memory is 'retiring' too, as I enjoy whatever I watch or read as much each time I give it my attention.  My kids have mentioned it lately (as I recall).

 

I don't plan on 'retiring' this blog...so stay tuned.  I'm working on another entry.

 

Colors are about peak right now.

It has been a pretty Fall and the weather has been grand.
I planted a large garden for me, last spring.  I think there were about 30 tomato plants that I started in the house under grow lights.  Because we spread cardboard and wood chips, I didn't have to weed.  But, I'm not good at fertilizing so my harvest is always low.
Today we put the containers to 'bed' under a layer of heavy clear plastic.  I will rake leaves over the strawberry bed soon, and the berry bushes.  The hoses are drained...'moma in her kerchief and I in my cap...."  a long winter's nap.
I purchased a ticket to New Orleans for over Christmas when I visit one of my daughters. 
Tomorrow is the day I'm to present my slides and talk to my church seniors, sharing my trip to Romania and my missionary daughter there.  I took 25 pair or so of mittens I made to give to homeless there (their winter is about the same as Iowa).  So, now I'm making more most days to hand out to the homeless here in Raleigh.
I'm making more crib quilts and took 3 to Bucharest and gave them to the director of the Crisis Pregnancy Center for mothers who keep and raise their babies.
Photo below:

I'll save some for next time.    colleen in raleigh