~HALLOWEEN FRONT PORCH?~

...but of course! 
 

This spidy is very old.  I've heard spiders don't live long, but this one has followed me to three homes.  She doesn't even scare me anymore, except for one..tiny little thing... 

 



She doesn't look so big from here...however...

 

...my living room window looks right out on her and..well...it's sort of startling! 

plus...

I can see her clear from the family room, through the kitchen and clear through the living room...which is kind of unnerving ...especially after we just had our home sprayed...four times in a row trying to get rid of ants.  Sort of like a horror film where you kill all those ants and it ends up something that makes SPIDERS GROW HUGE!  *giggle*

 

I have this active imagination! 

 

And so on to the mailbox....um...

it's...red??  :)  PERFECT!

 

 

 

(yawn...) 

 

  

 

Used to be a terrible rusty black...very old.  Probably like...40 years.  PH NEVER throws anything away!

NOT if its working..(or holds mail) .ah well...  so...I painted it...(it's a much deeper red than this photo!

and..

it has a magazine holder at the bottom which is perfect for holding baskets of blooms!! 

Yeah??  :)  neat huh. 

 

 

 Ok...so...now this year..my witchy shoes came out on the front porch...

That's all I have to say about that.

 

This huge pine tree in the front yard gives off tons of beautiful pine cones...those have been there.....never mind..but I really do need to do something with them.  (trash can?) 

 

ok...so.. 

 

uh huh..uh huh.  Lots of stuff..lots of stuff...

 

The heat killed all my ivys...and..listen..WHO would design a home with the bathroom window..right next to where guests knock on your dingy dang door??? Sheesh!

The door bell rings...then the toilet flushes...you get the picture.  Terrible design! 

 

 

 ...and who the heck hung that sign on my front porch!!  :)  Me of course.

 

My mother and my brother bought that for me one Halloween many years ago.

My mother has been gone for nearly 14 years now...I treasure that sign.. 

 

Too long of a post?  I try not to do that... :)

 

My love to all of you,

Mona 

 

 

The End 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





~LESS IS NEVER, EVER, MORE....~

 So say I!!
 

I don't know..what do you post about when it's so quiet.  I can hear the clock ticking (barely) in the other room.  Another birthday and the clock sounds softer each year.  I definitely need hearing aids! 
I wonder if that is why older folks start losing their hearing, so they won't hear the clock tick away the hours?   And maybe that's why they lose their eyesight....so they can't see the wrinkles that the passage of time brings? 
I don't know....just a thought is all...one of those random thoughts that goes through old ladies heads... :) 

 

The top of my piano is crowded...but.. 
LESS IS NEVER MORE!   

 

I love it.  I overdo everything!  Always have!  :)
Sorry, but less is NEVER MORE!

 

Sweet Granddaughter came to visit today and brought  bouquets of Autumn flowers for my birthday... Not just ONE bouquet for Grandma...but TWO...because...

 

LESS IS NEVER MORE!

 

These Fall roses are just so pretty and they smell fantastic.  Is there anything quite like a rose?

 So...two bouquets...because ....more is always wonderful.

 

Seven children...Twenty grandchildren..because..

 

LESS ..IS NEVER MORE!  ( So says my crow..."NEVER MORE, NEVER MORE!!"

 

:):)

 

That's all I have for Tuesday...maybe I'll join Marty on Table Top Tuesday... :)  I haven't done that for awhile. 

 

Love to all,

Mona

 

P.S.  Would you believe the heat has broken a bit and we may even have rain by the end of the week!!  Yippee!!!

 

Thank you so much Marty..for another chance to share our Tabletops!  Join Marty and be inspired @ http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com    



~THEY SAY.....

.....it's my birthday...but to be honest...I'm really pleased and surprised that I remembered.

I never remember ANYTHING any more!

  We were on our way out the door when sweet and patient husband snapped this of me. 

 

Today is my 76th birthday and I am trying not to think about it too much or I'll remember it's all a downhill slide from here on out.  :)

No partying..just a quiet dinner for PH and I.  Not in a party mood lately.

 

Now I have 80 waiting for me...and dear PH will be 80 this next year.  I am grateful for every single day. 

 

Wish me many more?  LOL   PLEASE? :)

 

My love to all of you,

Mona

~WITCHY WOMAN? WHO...ME?

YOU have not seen me with my hair hanging down.  I aways have long hair  but I wear it up and hanging down, well ...yep...witchy woman! :)

 

I really DO like this little witch...but she hates me in "blue jeans" which I am forever in....and her smile makes me edgy.  As you can see, Scarecrow doesn't like her much either.   I think it's that ..grin!   

 

 

 

Ahhhh...now this Witch...we are great friends!  I think it was love at first sight.  She is in the living room and has her very own chair....for now.  She loves flowers.  Maybe that's why I love her. 

 

 

Yes, I think, or rather I know, that decorating is a sort of therapy for me.  I'm not saying it's for everyone because of all my friends, none of them are like me. 

I just love fabric sculptures.  I cannot imagine what it takes to do one of these.  Each is done by an artist.  I am sure there are probably patterns but as with everything, every artist has a different take on a sculpture.  The fabric is stiffened and it must be so hard to make these.  I don't even know how they are done and now I wish I had asked each of the artists. 

It's interesting what appeals to some and not to others. 
 

I bought these scare crows last year and they are fantastic.  Such detail. When I unpacked them this year...(wait...maybe it was the year before that I bought them!)  No matter.  You would have to hold them..feel their weight...they are amazing.  No drawn on faces...all lovely embroidery work!

 

 

 

Here is a photo of the pair of them sitting together in our dining room.  The artist that made these did NOT scrimp on quality.  Love these...

 

My crow on a stick!  He is so rustic and he sits above my sink and watches me wash dishes. 

He LOVES shiny things so I have to put the silver away...otherwise it disappears.  :)

 

  



 Witches are a favorite of mine.  I collect them.  This little sweetheart (she HATES it when I call her that) sits on an old suitcase on a drum table at the end of our couch in the family room.  I have to laugh at this old Witchy woman...did you notice she has my hair?  I wonder if we are related?   Don't answer that!! :)

 

Thanks to all of you for ...just being here!

Love and hugs to all,
Mona 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





~A WORD I REFUSED TO SAY...

The word "cancer" was one I would never say.  I didn't know why, but I didn't even want to look at the word.  Perhaps I knew that one day, it would be in my life in a huge way. 

It has robbed me of two wonderful, apparently strong healthy  husbands in a matter of days, my great grandmother, two Aunts, my parents, two dear friends and now plagues someone in my life that means the world to me.   Our family is in holding pattern.  Watching, waiting, fearful...hoping ...praying...

 

Our morning paper was PINK this morning...and this feeling of thankfulness that people were fighting, people cared and the proof was right in front of me.  And all of you out there...those of you who have continued to keep our family in your prayers, you have NO idea how it makes me feel. 

I know you would fix it if you could.  Make it go away.  That's what I want to do, make it all go away, but just LOOK at how folks are keeping hope alive...doing all they can.

The only other thing I would ask for, dear God, is a cure! 

 

I thank God for people like you!

 

My love to all of you,

Mona

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



~IS IT THE HEAT?~

I promised my self that I would not buy a single new thing this Halloween, but, I could not resist this overlay of webs and spiders!  At first I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it...but the size of the piece and the fact that all the edges were so nicely finished...made it perfect for the table. 

 

 

Sometimes when I see photo's of homes, I often wish they would back away so I can get the full scope.  We have a lot of windows in this room and the light is very bright all day.  I've tried darkening the photo's but I don't like the colors not being true...thus, the glare. 

This painting is a favorite Halloween decoration of mine.  I believe I showed it last year and I looked forward to getting it out this year.  The every present daylight glare takes away from it but it's still beautiful to me.   The woman who painted it is a wonderful artist.  I wish I could buy more from her.

She's never very far from my feet.  My constant companion, and I've a feeling that her time alone with PH while I was in Georgia, helped do a little bonding.  Mele came into this marriage with me four years ago and it's been a long road.  She lost her Master when Frank passed away and my heart broke watching her wait for him by the back door.
 
When we came to this new life and new home, I counted on her sweetness, faithfulness and loyality to win PH over.  I sort of think it has.  He still does not pet her or give her any attention but I can tell he likes her, if only a little. 

I adore her.  She was as big as my hand when I got her.

I've been very meloncholy lately.  I love Fall.  I've waited for it but of course it signifys a sad time of year for me. 
Would you believe...that we are expecting 109 degree's on Monday and Tuesday and maybe that is what is a bit depressing.   :)  Ya think????   :)

My love to all,
Mona



 



~IS IT BETTER TO BE EARLY THAN NEVER?~

  It takes me DAY'S to decorate and it seems  as soon as it's done...it's time to take it all down.  That's why Halloween goes up early for me.
And besides...
Joyce @ October Farm said it was just fine to do it early!  Thanks Joyce.  She inspired my mantel.  :)
 

For the past week I've been trying to catch up on housework and get my Autumn decorating back on track before it's to late..and to day I made a huge dent.  Finally.

It's good to be home!

Our fireplace mantel is an really an old coral post.  I found it on a ranch that belonged to a friend.  It was burned by a forest fire and had to be cut from the barbed wire.  We hauled in home in my truck and cut off both ends to the length we wanted and began to sand. 

I love the results and it came with me when I moved back home.  

It's all decked out for Halloween and I am not changing it ANYMORE.  :)

 

 

I've had this hutch for at least 37 years now. 

 

 

Nearly everything on this hutch was gifts from one of my daughters.  Brambly Hedge dishes and books. The pumpkin tea set. 

 

 

The book ends I've had so long I cannot remember when I got them.  They aren't a set.  I bought the cats at two different times and just ended up using them as bookends. 

Oops!  I forgot to tie my black and white checked ribbon on my cloche. 

Coffee table decor is not my strong point.  Nope, not at all!   The skull?  I don't know...

We were at Target..and suddenly it was in my basket.  ???  Sheesh!  Maybe I should change that.

 

 

 

 I got lazier as the day passed...can you tell?

 

 

Living room.  This room isn't really the easiest to decorate for Fall. 

 

I admit to trying black at the windows..but...it sort of spooked me.  I'm living in a haunted house you know.  You didn't know that?  Let me tell you about it some day.  It's been a real adventure.   Honest!

 

I am so please to have gotten a post done...finally!

 

Love to all,

Mona



~THINGS I CANNOT SEEM TO REMEMBER~

...or rather ONE thing I can never seem to remember...ever.

 

When we left Atlanta, the leaves were just beginning to blow softly across the highway.  I cannot even begin to discribe how I felt leaving.  She promised me she would come to California soon.  I believe her.  She does her best to come to visit often.  She always has.

My eight year old great granddaughter and 11 year old great grandson greated me as though ...as though I was someone they knew and had missed very much.  Two sweeter and loving children I have never known.  Tiny two year old great grandson was shy...but ended up giving me sweet little  kisses on my cheek.  I hope they remember me ...I hope, I hope!

 

The thing is...I cannot ever seem to remember to take a camera with me. 

Why is that??   I am sad because when I arrived in Georgia I remembered my forgotten camera sitting at home on my desk.  The story of my life.  WHY didn't I  just put it in my handbag??   I am still mad at myself.  I don't understand when it was so very important.

 

Sandy took lots of photo's and has promised to send them to me. 

Our stay was wonderful.  Her home is gorgeous.

I didn't know that my daughter loves to paint.  How could I have not known that??  She has her own light bright studio over looking the yard upstairs. 

It was a wonderful visit. 

 

I was happy to get home, of course, but much of my heart I left in Georgia.  I wish you could put daughters in a suitcase and bring them with you.  :)

 

I guess that's all I have to say.

 

Love to all,

Mona

 

 



~FINALLY, THE DAY IS NEARLY HERE...~

Finally, I'm going.  Only one more day and we board the plane for Atlanta. 

I will feel better when I can hold her.

 

I want to be with my daughter....yesterday!

 

 

I will be back after the 11th of September.  I know I won't want to leave her. 

My love to all,

Mona

~TRUST ME ON THIS..~

 

It's been four years now, four long hot summers...NO...let me take that back and say it's been the entire four years I 've lived here.  It doesn't matter the time of year.  cold, rain..name it!  I have been on one long and miserable battle with ANTS!  

I find them crawling in inch wide swaths across the driveway, garage floor  (right up the tires to....who knows where as we do not eat in the car) ...they are in our bathroom, all over the kitchen counters, in the cupboards crawling on my dishes (now that REALLY makes me furious!) and just a few days ago, on my stove and in my pretty red Kitchen Aid coffee maker.    My bathroom, PH's bathroom (did he get angry or upset AT ALL??  Oh, heavens no! 

 

Enough was enough.  The last straw was the coffee maker!  I love my morning coffee and I DO NOT want ants in it!!  So...I made my last plea.   I said:

"Sweetheart, ( I said softly) ...we have spent hundreds of dollars over the past four years on Pest killers.  I have risked my life, NO, honestly, I have risked my life spraying those little monsters, and I simply cannot take it any more.  They crawl over poo poo ( ok, so maybe I didn't say poo poo because I was very frusterated after all) and I went on to say, ...and they eat dead things and now they are crawling all over our entire home.  It's simply NOT healthy...(and at this point he looked a bit pale.  I mean this is the man who rides his bike 13 miles a day and likes being healthy!)  ...and, I said, it makes me sick to my stomach..so PLEASE, PLEASE call in the professionals.  I am pleading here."

 

Silence.

 

Have I ever menioned that my husband is very, very stubborn?  Well, I am mentioning it now!

 

I smiled and then (as per my blogname) I WHISPERED SWEETLY, "I simply cannot take this anymore."   I think tears were dripping into the dishpan.    Please remember, I have "suggested" getting help many times!  Have I mentioned that my sweet husband is very frugal???  I kissed him gently on the cheek and went back to washing the dishes. 

 

Yep, that very day he called in the big guns and on this Monday they came out!  Nothing has made me this happy since I found out there really WAS a Santa Claus.  :):)

 

 

*********

 

The man said it would take at least three days to see real results.  From paths going up our walls over our fences, in the dogs dish (forgot to throw that one in!) it is down to just two nasty little critters this morning and that was out by the street. 

They will be coming every two months..and if there is a problem in between all we do is call and they will come right out.

 

Thank you to my sweet and patient husband.  Can't they be just so neat sometimes?   I guess it just has to be their idea.  *smirk*

 

 

My love to all of you,

Mona

 

 

p.s. I couldn't take the name of the truck...but...I am not affiliated with any Pest Control company at all.



~DANCING AS FAST AS I CAN..

Yes, I can bake and this pies proves it..but..I seldom do it anymore. 

Within the past couple of weeks, there has been another step added to the dance.

I'm not exactly running out of breath..but it's rather taken my breath away..just a bit.

Before I go on, I recently realized something.  My computer ..or rather my provider of the internet, was down, and I got so much done that it actually, truely,  amazed me.

I thought that by just posting less, visiting less, that I would get more done..in the back of my mind I knew the computer was there. 

It wasn't just the computer I was addicted to, it was all of you out there.  Women I could share with, who seemed to appreciate what I loved doing the most. 

Homemaking

Exchanging ideas

Sharing your everyday lives with us...to a certain extent.

...actually a wonderful world that I am sure all of you have discovered to some degree.

I LOVED it.

I didn't want to do anything else...and in the process of being stuck to my chair a lot..things were taking a back seat but I didn't realize it.  What I did do, was things I could take photo's of and share.

Not scrubbing the toilets, etc. (NO cleaning lady once a week in this household, though heaven knows I'm beginning to wish for it.) 

My new....Kindle Fire

On my desk, out on the patio, in bed, cuddled up on the living room couch, on the front porch..and yes, you could take it to the restroom with you, if were of a mind to do that..

I would tell you I wouldn't do that..but it's just not true!  I would.  I did! :(

Newspapers, movies, books, magazines....

etc. etc. etc.

I cannot even begin to imagine what PH and my late spouses would think of how quickly technology is speeding along. 

And now?  I am already thinking of an Ipad.  Yeah...now how's that for learning a lesson?  Not...too good, I know.  I have been watching movies, as in the above photo, Wuthering Heights and more ...in every spare moment.

Downton Abby, Mad men...you know? 

In short, I've been unfaithful to you.  LOL 

Whee!  I feel SO much better.

I guess I needed ...well...a little confession is good for the soul they say. 

THEY are right!

Love and hugs,

Mona   :)



~THE EARLY BIRD...

I am beginning the Fall season..coming soon..with a pretty arrangement for my front door by Kristin's Creations. It matches our new house trim and you KNOW how that is!

I know, I know...it's a bit early but I agree with Joyce @ October Farm, the dearest of bloggers and bestest of chef's.   Fall is here and then it's gone..and it is my favorite time of year.  So I started by adding a bit of color to the front screen door. 

This set of plates I found at an Estate Sale last Friday.  The pretty butter yellow is perfect for my Fall fireplace..yep.  :)  T'is that!

Not a single flea bite..perfection. Bordallo is such a lovely line.

Oh, it will change...it always does, but it's a beginning. 

...and also at the same sale..this big pretty flower pot.  Doesn't everyone need a big blue and white flower pot?  Indeed they do!

...so home it came.

These little concrete bunnies...ohhh so sweet.  Got a weakness for cottage bunnies!  They were tossed in for free... (it pays to be charming..  :)

And lastly (by now I was hungry for breakfast out!)  this very heavy garden stone. 

Now..

here is the surprise.  When we got home and unloaded the trunk of the car..we piled everything gently on the top of the washer to be washed before bringing it into the house etc.  The garage door closed...and in the darkened garage I was started to see the butterfly glowing a beautiful translucent pale green...   For two dollars (and I thought that rather steep but wanted it) I think I got a wonderful deal! 

Right now is graces my front porch where is glows softly at the edge of the ferns.  Soooo pretty..

My love to all of you,

Mona