~BLOGGING ANGELS..and a SNOWMAN~

Have you noticed my new Header?  Any of you that know me, know by now that I am completely computer illiterate and "depend on the kindness of strangers"  to get me through the blogging process.

I have decided that the problem is that I don't know the terminology.  That's right.  For this reason is it nearly impossible to follow the directions given to me. I know.  Awful, huh?

 

Now...there is this lovely young woman (at least young to me) that for the past few years has been there for me.  Oh, there are others..for that matter, I don't think there is a single soul on there that isn't willing to give help in any way they can. 

Di, at The Blue Ridge Gal is always there.  Oh, she can be strict with me..and she is not one to mince words and if I get to clingy..like a good guardian she just sprays me with a bit of water...I'm kidding, I'm kidding!!  :)

Well, I whined to her (knowing full well that she loves doing Headers etc.) and asked her to please, please straighten out the mess I had made of my blog.  And...of course she did.  This is a busy time of year and I was afraid and embarrassed by the mess my attempts to change my blog had done. 

Bless her heart.  In no time flat she had me straightened out and had me back on track. 

 

So..if you need a new Header..or whatever..she is your woman.  I was doing pretty good on the old blogger but now I can find nothing.  I know it takes time..but it is just so frustrating so it's good to have a "Blue Ridge Gal" in your life.  Her blog and button are on my sidebar.  Tell her Mona sent you. :)  I just wanted to give Diane a GRATEFUL shout out.  I LOVE my new Header..if you are reading this..thanks again, Di!  You are my blogging angel!

 

Now..

My loving daughter's old wagon that I am babysitting for her (though she says I can keep it) until she gets her new home.  But in the meantime..I have so much fun with it. 

Right now it is a cozy home for my little Snowman..(love 'em) The little wagon changes with the seasons.  The ..little Snowman..doesn't. :)

 Don't let that little split in the wood bother you.  It's been like that for ages..we just keep fixing it.  Some good wood glue and a clamp...all set.

 

See?  You are welcome to our porch, so come on over and sit a spell. 

Ohhhh..we Californians can talk like that too if we try.  Don't you even doubt it! :)

Lov'n hugs,

Mona

 

P.S.  The day passed.  I kept busy and I was with my best male friend on earth.  :)  PH is always there for me.  I am blessed.

And..I  sent Patrick to help the angels. :)  You know what I mean?  I know he is good at that.  He was always wonderful in a crisis.

 

 



~CHRISTMAS OUTSIDE~

Such a tragic day.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

 

I love our front porch and even when it's cold outside I still enjoy morning coffee out here and watching the birds at the feeders and watching them drink fresh water from the running fountain.

PH faithfully fills it every single morning when he gets his newspaper.

 

I removed my usual container, found a pretty red Christmas bucket, filled it with water and fresh bows from trimmed Christmas tree's.  The lot where I bought my tree is happy to have me haul the greenery away.  I overloaded it and I love the look.  (saved some more in the back fountain to do a refill if these start to fade.) 

*The brown frame on our windows and garage are going to be painted  red..SOON!

 

 

Not to much, just a touch.  I added fresh greenery to my baskets.  They will stay watered along with my plants.

 





Ok..just a touch more..

 

The front window where Mele loves to lay and watch the birdies!  (I must catch a picture of her there.)

 

The birdies watering hole. 

 

Sooo comfy!

 

No, really!  Go ahead, have a seat!  It's nice!

Sometimes when it's so hot in the summer, people will take a little break when delivering flyers...I don't mind.

Oh..and a neighborhood cat..well, she likes to nap here.  ..no, I don't mind.  Honest.  But it drives Mele nuts!! 

 

One day when my family is all united again for Christmas, I have promised myself  these tree's will be lit up.  It's why I wanted them planted in the first place and they are growing so fast.  Our poor lawn was just fed and reseeded..looks sad, doesn't it.  Sandy wants to come out in Spring.  I want her to see them...

 

 

4:31 a.m.  Today is the day I lost Patrick exactly 15 years ago.  Sometimes it seems like yesterday.

I haven't been to bed, just too much on my mind.  I haven't done this for awhile.  Just one of those nights when my mind refuses to let go of what's happening.  There are no answers sometimes.

 

Love to all,

Mona

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



~HI...IT'S ME AGAIN...I JUST WANTED TO SAY..

The fireplace is finally, finally done.  NOT fooling with it anymore. :)  Still have to decorate the tree..but I'm willing to bet you've seen a lot of those already.  The only thing that has changed about my tree since the 1950's is that I no long use tinsel. 

 

Also, IF...you are wondering why I am showing you the fireplace again..it's because it's FINALLY DONE!!!  I have procrastinated as long as I can.  I HAVE to wrap it up..and soon.  Christmas decorating I mean.   I need desperately to be more methodical.  Did I spell that right?  I'll look it up later. 



Also...I love Prims.  Not doing the rustic Country style but some of the Prims are just too darned cute!  I found the old wood wagon at a garage sale last year..the Santa on Ebay last year also. 

Here I am at this ripe old age and still have no clue as to what my style is...

..and also....This is probably one of the few idea's I had that I didn't see anywhere else..but now I see it every now and then on someone's blog.  I love it, and since I have a couple of cake plates..an extra I can use for desserts..I can keep plates here and change with the seasons. 

  

Also, I am really hooked on "spooners"..I love the look and the convenience.  Is it...because I'm always ready to eat??

Never mind that....

Silverware is courtesy of garage sales!  Now collecting that is something I haven't given up.  I always have my eye out for old silverware. 

 

It poured rain all day long today so no garage sales this Friday or Saturday.  Cold and wet outside.

Are you sending cards out this year? 

I'm sending a few.  I've got to hustle on that one too.

 

And..I also have to finish a tablescape...yep...soon...but..PH eats and reads his paper at this table every morning when it's cold out. 

 I cover the end with another every day tablecloth..put his little lamp on it...and he's all set.  *smile*  A problem moving all the dishes and silver tray etc. ??  Heaven's NO!

The maple dining room set was Howard's.  Mine?  It's still in the garage.  This one is very retro and I love it.   Well..but then so is mine.  What to do..what to do?? 

 

Also I want to add that I dearly LOVE snowmen!  I always start collecting things..and then give it up and move on to something else..not so with snowmen. 

Do you know how many lamps I have in our family room...hmmmmm?  Nine!!  I know!  I know!

It's a lot, but I DO love lamp light. (I know..nothing at all to do with anything!)

 

Seriously....

Diane of The Blue Ridge Gal asked on her blog if we had caught the concert at Madison Square Garden last night. (the night before last..it's after midnight here)  Yes.  Yes I did.  And...did we donate..and yes, yes I did. 

Do I appreciate what I have?  You bet I do!  I realize that everything I have, everything I have collected over the past 50 years could be gone in nothing flat!  I live in Southern California RIGHT ON THE SAN ANDREAS FAULT LINE!   One day we here in California might need help...it could happen to any of us.

 

God bless,

Mona

 

..no more "also's

~NEW QUILTED SPREAD MAKES ME SMILE~

Bedspreads are something I seem to keep and keep for years and every time I make the bed I swear I'm going to buy a new one.  YES!  And soon..but I don't.  When I finally say..that's it, I'm getting a new one and go on the hunt for one, I can't find what I want.

 

For one thing, at my ripe old age I still haven't a clue who I am!  (I have GOT to stop saying that because when I'm 80 I'll look back and think how young I was.  I never, ever learn!)

So..as I was saying, it's hard to find what I want. 

I finally chose this one...

 

I finally chose this one..I found it on Amazon.  I have a California King bed so it's always a challenge finding a quilt to fit and though this one was not a California King, after I read the comments on it, I gambled and it worked perfectly! 

I found the afghan (pure white and just beautiful) on ebay and got it for $10!  I love it.  I found it about five years ago, it washes beautifully.  All hand crocheted.  I felt sort of guilty when I won it. 

The roses I found at a thrift store and they are old.  They are made of some sort of neat woody like material. 

I could have done a better job making that bed..heavens!

 

I found this old trunk in my best friends attic when she bought her house.  That was in the late 1960's.  She wasn't into an old rotting trunk at the time..and I was.  Took it home, aired it out in the sun for a few days and wall papered it witha scrap of paper someone gave me.

  It got pretty banged up after my last move and  I need to touch it up.  I probably won't..but I should.

The quilt was very inexpensive and the blocks are no just a print..they are actual quilt blocks. 

The quilting is done in a pretty pattern.  Very generously sized too.

 

Ok...that's enough thrills for you!  :)  Can you tell how well I prepare for picture taking?  Ah well...

 

 

Lov'n hugs,

Mona



~A MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR~

...but it's busy, busy, BUSY!
I'm getting there..slowly.  It didn't use to be this difficult to get the house ready for Christmas.  It isn't that I don't enjoy it, I do, it's just seems to be endless..not the decorating part, but the getting stuff out.

I still have cartons..and I think I will just stop.

 

I dig, I fix, I change...change again and I start all over.  :) 

Now I think I know why my Mom got less and less stuff out each year. 

A Cup Of Christmas Tea is one of my favorite Christmas stories.
My copy is ...SIGNED..yep!  Right place at the right time! :)
Have you read this little book?  If you have you will know why it is special to me.
I am beginning to identify with it more every year!

I think I am stuffing candy canes or greenery into every little pitcher or teacup that ...
ok..into everything.  Tip..when in doubt...stuff it!  :)

My piano is my favorite thing to decorate for the Holidays.  Different every year..at least I think so.  My memory is...um..fading.

 I decorate with toys because...when you have seven children and are broke...that's just what you do!

Over the years I found I loved digging out the toy and finally most just stay out all year just in the living room.

 

Dollies, gotta have those dollies.   Found my tiny ice skates right off this year.  I usually have to hunt for them...

 

 I collect old children's books, but I guess I collect a lot of stuff.  The little pink village doesn't show up very well because  I had to use the flash..  It was painted by a dear friend I met years ago on ebay, Bea @ Relic's and Roses. 

 

So..I'm making progress.  I love this time of year.  It's work, but happy work!

The kids love it and that means a lot to me. 

 

The tree?  Well, it's bought, trimmed and in a bucket of water out back along with all the greenery.

Staying fresh until it's all in place.  Lots and lots of fresh greenery! 

The house ...well..it's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas!

 

Lov'n hugs!

Mona

~TEACUPS AND ROSES ~

I know I am not the only one that does this but every year when I unpack the same things I have had for at least 58 years, I think, "It's time to get rid of some of this stuff.  I don't want my children to have to deal with all this junk when I am gone"  and I start sorting through what I want to use.

What I want to get rid of, or so I think, I put back into the cartons..and then never get rid of it.

 

I did it again this year..but I plan on being strong and as I put Christmas treasures away for another year I will definitely send those things off to Goodwill.  Yes!  This IS the year!

 

So..when I unpacked my little silk tree this year, which is new from last year..I suddenly decided to put it in the living room and ....

 

 ...decorate it with all the teacups I have collected from garage sales.  Some have no saucers..and what a perfect way to use them, and...

 

..I added the white roses from another garage sale find.

 

 

I am the absolute worst photographer ever!!  Sheesh!

Will I thin things out this year?  I'm really going to try hard.  It's just that ...it's so hard to let go.

Maybe because it's something I can control and that's why I hang on. 

(OH GOOD GRIEF!  Does that make me a ...HOARDER??)  Ok..that does it!  If I don't use it this year it goes! 

 

Much love this Christmas season,

Mona

 

P.S.  I am going to change that bow as soon as I find the one I am looking for.. it's..GOLD. :)

I am NEVER satisfied!  Pink?  WHITE???  :)

 



~A CHRISTMAS BEAR MYSTERY~

Some of you know that I was widowed a couple of times.  I was married to my first husband Patrick for 43 years.  I married him at seventeen years old.  He was my life.

Patrick was not one for much gift giving but every now and then he would surprise me and when he did his gifts always showed so much thought and usually something totally expected.

One year, I think it was Christmas 1993, Pat did one of his surprises. 

This little bear turned up on Christmas morning with my name on his little crocheted hat..and I was amazed that Pat had thought to do such a thing as order this for me! 

 

I love this little bear!  He represents  HOPE.

 

See my name on the little hat?  It says "Mona's Christmas Bear"

 

You cannot see it in the photo but he has a little red heart on his chest that used to light up and blink when you pushed it and it played a lot of Christmas Carols. 

In 1997 on December 15th at 3:30am...Pat passed away.  He died of a massive stroke.  He had lung cancer that we knew nothing about and it went to his brain killing him.  He was in a coma for ten days and then he died.  I didn't get to say goodby, it was sudden. 

That Christmas I tried to get some things out..but I just could not...but I did take my little bear down from the closet shelf and I kept him close to me. 

But he had stopped playing..his little red heart stopped beating.

I thought it was the batteries...I checked them..put in new ones..nothing!!

I thought it must be in the wiring.  I ended up taking the batteries out..I kept him in a large Christmas shopping bag on my closet shelf.  I could look up there and see him every now and then, the tippy top of his little red hat..and it was comforting.

 

Four years went by and I remarried and moved to Bakersfield California.  The shopping bag went on my closet shelf as always.  The closet was huge with high shelves I could barely reach and the bag sat there for several years.  I didn't take him out for Christmas.  Now and then I would think about it but I didn't.  And time went by.

One Christmas several years later I went in the closet for something...and suddenly the entire shopping bag fell off the shelf.  AND MY BEAR BEGAN TO PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!  HIS LITTLE RED HEART BEATING AWAY!!

You will not believe this part...and I understand...but it happened.  I picked him up and began crying and when I could think straight I remembered...he had no batteries..or did he?  I unzipped the back and sure enough...empty!! 

 

No one has been able to give me an explanation.  I asked my husband and he didn't have a clue..I even called some dear friends long distance and told them...very old dear friends of Pat's and mine since high school..

I cried off and on for a few days...I didn't understand.  I  wanted an answer.

 

Sometimes..I just think there are those little Christmas miracles that happen.

 

My Christmas bear comes out every year now.  He is sitting in the living room among all the toys...I hug him when I walk by... and he has new batteries (I am always hopeful) but he doesn't play when you push on his little heart.. 

The end of this story is that my little Christmas bear plays only now and then.....all by himself.  I will suddenly hear that tinkling Christmas music coming from the closet..and then it stops.  No one has pushed his little heart..and I wonder. 

 

Merry Christmas ...and may this month of Christmas joy...and sadness...  be full of miracles for all of you.  I am sure you know the miracle I am praying for.

 

With love,

Mona

 

 

 

~OH GLORIOUS GARAGE SALES..~

I accomplished NOTHING today.  It was overcast and rainy out all day but PH did.  He did get the garland up. Tomorrow the lights.  I hope.  I usually have my tree by now..but...you know.  I've been lazy...BUT on Saturday...I did good.  Not much..but GOOD!

 

 At the first garage sale I found this lovely little Nippon teacup.  I gave the woman the dollar she asked for it because it was worth every cent!  I didn't quibble (which I usually do!)  Holding it to the light you can almost see through it.  Not a chip!!  Just beautiful.  No saucer, of course, so I paired it with this pretty but lonely little saucer.  It works for me.  Would you just LOOK at that sweet little rose? :)

 

 Then I added this little Christmas spray of pine etc.  I love it because my end tables are very old and narrow.  Unfortunately I painted them..but I after 30 years I was so tired of them. 

They are very narrow so this little bit of Christmas cheer is about all they can handle.

 

 The next thing I found was the silver water pitcher filled with exactly what you see in it.  However it also had several very dirty cream ribbon on floral sticks.  I cut off all the broken berries with the white showing through..gave the velvet poinsettia's  a bath along with the greenery.  (not the berries!)  They just got a good dusting..  When everything was nice and dry, I put it all back into the pitcher I had shined up.  I like it.  I really do. 

 

This little cream iron basket is made of heavy iron.  My daughter had a garage sale  and this was in it.  She wouldn't let me pay for it..just said she was tired of it..so..I brought it home, filled it with tiny pinecones and another little Christmas spray like the one in the teacup.  Yep...this is good too! :)  Daughter keeps looking at it...and of course she can have it back anytime.  DARN!  :)

 

Everything on this coffee table are garage sale finds.  The cloth is heavy and lined.  There was also a lovely runner at the same sale and I bought that too.  The bookends are little owls.  The red book has a velvet cover.  It's a childs story. 

 

N i c e Saturday's shopping.  Total spent?  $6.00.    I had to use flash, unfortunately, because when I didn't everything was a strange yellowish color and very blurry. 

 

Tomorrow...new dishes, new bedspread and shams.. :)

Ok..back to decorating...

Love'n hugs!

Mona



~OFF AND RUNNING~

I finally got started on decorating.  To be honest, it was difficult.  This has been a strange year for us.

Keeping busy and going through the motions helps.  Making things pretty, using my imagination and trying to put old things in a new ways...

 

The mantel...is done.  At least for now.   

I had trouble with blogger this evening..so I am giving up.  This photo is not clear but out of 20 some odd pictures, this one is the only one even half way showable.  I'm sorry. 

I have antlers in my home because my late husband was a hunter and fisherman.  I know some do not approve..but everyone's life is different.  Frank loved the outdoors.  That's who he was.

So..back to decorating tomorrow.  This picture was taken in th middle of the day with no flash.

Strange. 

 

We are getting rain for the next four days.  I DO love rainy weather. 

We did the garage sales on Saturday..I have to share my finds with you tomorrow.  Ok?

Just wait 'til you see! :):)

 

Love'n hugs,

Mona



~SHE AND ME..MAKING MEMORIES~

Oh dear, the longer I go without posting the more difficult it gets. 

I know I have been MIA but I have good reason.  Heaven help me..I've had a bad bout of the flu, up for three days and a relapse!  Back up and running though!  I have been trying to visit but haven't done very well.  Been trying.  Honest.   Those little email reminders are really nice.  I can keep up with those..
 

Wrenna Dawn and me. 


Wren's plans fell through but I am not certain what happened yet.  I admit I am relieved.  I am hoping she is on her way home soon!  She is such a little adventurer that I doubt she is any rush to get home.  I am hoping she has an open ended ticket.  I admit I am very nervous. 

I went out and did a tiny bit of shopping today.  Bathroom rugs for both baths.  Mine are pale pink..and PH's are a pretty green.  Looks nice but I was worn out in a very short time.
Back on the vitamins tomorrow now that the tummy can handle them.   

I'm too lazy to see if I have already posted these.  I hope not.  I want her home, NOW! :)

I was never as brave as she is and I am still not.  She takes after her Grandpa, not me.  He was a warrior and out to conquor the world.  I wish she remembered more about him.  She remembers him, but not really very well.  They would have had so much to talk about!  Her mother is like her too.
Independent and lives life to the fullest! 

That's good, isn't it? 

  She is so patient with her Grandma.

Well, she does have my coloring, or what USED to be my coloring.  *sigh*
Is it true your nose and ears keep growing when you get older??!!! 
Yikes! 
 I think maybe they do!!  :)
Patient Husband did such a good photography job!  Thanks hon!

Love to all,
Mona


~POSITIVE THOUGHTS~

I am so concerned about my dear blogger friends who may be in harms way.  Please know you are everyone's mind. 

Take the best care possible.

Everyone is praying for your safety!

Love,

Mona

 

My precious granddaughter, Wrenna, and her Dad came to visit and spent the night.  It's been a long time since I've seen them..and I hated to see them leave.  She was on her way to Venezuela to join a crew and learn to sail.  Adventuresome young woman.  Exactly like her mother (my daughter) and her father.  I know I hugged her too tight when she left..and bit my tongue (to some extent) to keep from giving out warnings to her right and left.  She is such a tiny little girl..and to me, seem so vulnerable.

She told me, with her arms around me, "Grandma, picture me in a golden light out there with my arms reaching up, shouting "I LOVE MY LIFE!!!"  I smiled and said I would. 

Her father gave me a link so I can track the  movements of her boat..does that calm me??

No!

When is her return date?  That is the hardest part.  She has none.  No cell phone contact.

I am hoping there is another way of contacting her..and since they SAY the boat is very modern..and of course the photo's show this..just maybe we will be lucky and hear from her.

*extremely HEAVY sigh!*

 

Love,

Mona

 

 

 



~THE JOY OF OCTOBER FARM~

 

 I don't cook like I used to, I've gotten lazy and I admit it.  BUT..now and then I find recipes that are so simple and this blogger makes it so easy to follow them, that I just can't help myself.   
If you love to cook..and like to try new things..AND old things...visiting Joyce is recommended.

October Farm

 

 

Of course she always takes photo's as she goes along..very specific..and so  easy to follow.

Wonderful..

Here she is showing how to make a ghost cake.  :)  Not a flat one ..not a cut out one, but one that is standing UP!!  Neat? 

 

 

 Even though it is easy enough to go back and see the recipe's..because she keeps them all listed on her sidebar...SO convenient!   I found this wonderful loose leaf cookbook that has been great for keeping Joyces recipe's in.

Really heavy paper with nice pockets to store things.  I've removed all my stuff  so you can see.

several pockets through out the binder..makes it so easy to tuck things away and not lose them.

Lots of places to write in recipes also..but I like printing them and adding them to the binder under the right tab. 



See? :)

Thanks to Joyce@ October Farm for sharing so much with us..not to mention her lovely home.
I don't think there is anything this woman cannot do.  Sincerely!
There are other cooking blogs out there..but October Farm knocks my Autumn socks off!!

So..that's it for now. 

Lots of company..the pace is stepping up...October has been a busy month and we are thinking of planning a Halloween party for the family...something easy...
I mean really easy! 

Sending you love,
Mona

P.S.  I found this treasure at Costco..but I'm sure book stores carry it too.