Beautiful day in the middle of winter

There's nothing to complain about today! It's so beautiful outside I feel as though I should be outdoors gardening. This weather gives us false hope as we are bound to be snowed in at some point in the next couple of months.

Here's what I did last Saturday when it snowed. The house needed a bit of a pick-me-up after I put away the Christmas decorations.

This one I quite like. I realize that hydrangeas and apple blossoms don't bloom at the same time but these are "pretend" arrangements.

This one looks a bit "cottage-y" but will do for now. I need a prettier container.

Happy day with sunshine

It's amazing what waking up to sunshine can do for the spirits. Even though I have a fair amount of drudgery to attend to it doesn't seem so bad. I am going to show you some sunshine pictures in case you need a lift.

Harbour Island

AYC

High tide

It's never too soon to think about Christmas

Yes, I mean Christmas 2012. Some of you will run away in shock as I mention this but there is a method to my madness. This is the time to repair any of your ornaments that are in need of it. Paint that boot on the nutcracker that has been chipped for so long, glue the wooden ornament where a piece has fallen off. Glitter some fake fruit so you'll be able to have a bowl of "sugared lemons" a la Martha Stewart next year. Iron all of the ribbons you saved from the packages this year. and hang them in the back of your closet. And get your needlepoint ornaments stitched! The deadline is September 1, if you can believe it. There is simply not enough time in the fall to do these things and most of us have some time on our hands during this chilly time of year.

I, for one, have been taking scrappy looking small trees wrapped in burlap bundles ($3 each) and using small ornaments from my collection transforming them into something beautiful. Some will go to Trees of Hope, the fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House in New Haven that takes place in December each year. Others will go to families from PS 55 in the Bronx at Christmastime. Each year these children send letters to Santa asking for toys. Operation Santa has a good group of volunteers who help with this project. Many children ask for Christmas trees as well as presents and while we can't produce a big one, a simple tabletop tree is a wonderful thing to include in their bag of presents. You have to be a bit of what I call a "dumpster diver" looking through all of the 75% off ornaments, finding bits and pieces for 25 cents or a dollar at most. I was able to find mini garlands and mini tree skirts if you can believe it. And then I settle down with a marathon of NCIS or Law and Order and get to work. Here is one of my creations.

A Confection Tree ready for Trees of Hope 2012. Do you not love the court jester nutcracker?

Everyone has to get rid of their trees, even city folk.

This mouse is all set to adorn the Irish Tree at Trees of Hope 2012

I would also like to reboot 2012. Too many funerals of late, remarks made by me that should not have been made and I've already been sick once. I am going to start over.

Life span

I was reading another blog just now and there was a life span caculator. Anyway I filled in the questions and it says I should live to be 91. What on earth I am going to do until then is beyond me. I guess hours and hours of needlepoint! I'll have to learn to meditate like this fellow here. I am in a ditch right now and maybe some meditation will help.

And, only seven days into the new year and I am anxious for summer already, hence the second picture.

It's a new year

Happy New Year to every one of my readers. I have some resolutions but by no means am I ever going to publish them. Perhaps if I meet a goal that I have set I will let you know ...

Too early for snow pictures although I have some priceless ones. We haven't had snow yet so that can wait. Too late for Christmas pictures. Oh dear, what to do. I thought these penguins were cute, getting ready for a swim.