VIOLETLADY AT HOME

Lest We Forget

2011-05-29T21:56:00.000-04:00

MEET *LIZ TAYLOR!!

2011-05-27T22:30:00.000-04:00

We have a new addition to our family!! Her name is Liz Taylor in honor of the great actress. We call her Taylor and she is 8 months old today. She is a Standard Poodle, but will be a small one. We got her last month. It has been a year since we lost our dear Beau so it was time. She is gorgeous and so well-behaved. We love her so much.

Thanks, Ben!

2011-03-23T19:53:00.000-04:00

Never waste any time you can spend sleeping.

--Professor Frank H. Knight, in class at the University of Chicago, 1936
(Frank Knight was a well known economist.)

I try to watch "Sunday Morning" on CBS every week. One of their correspondents, Ben Stein (remember him on "Happy Days"?) last week commented on the subject of sleeping. I was happy to see that he averages ten hours of sleep a night. And he seems to be living a successful life! Ben is not just an actor, but a writer, lawyer and economist (as was his father).

I am a champion sleeper known to sleep eleven or twelve hours at a time. I usually average nine to ten hours. After my sister and I had left home and Mom was left to do as she wanted, she was also a great sleeper. I am like her in this regard and many others. Strangely, my sister is not a champion sleeper and neither is my daughter. Sometimes I am embarrassed by the fact that I am not an early riser. Friends may call at 11:00 and say, "Did I wake you?" Of all the people I know, most seem to be early risers.

My husband awakens at 4 or 5 a.m. But, he is usually fighting sleep at 7 p.m. I like to go to bed late and sleep late. Now that I heard Ben Stein's positive comments about sleeping, I will no longer feel guilty or embarrassed. Thanks Ben!

Always,

VIOLETLADY

FIVE MONTHS LATER...

2011-03-18T12:41:00.007-04:00

It has been a long time since I have written an entry on this blog, but here it goes. Things have been super busy since my last post five months ago. My husband and I have moved, he has had two surgeries (as a result of his fall off his boat last spring) and I have been re-nesting our townhouse. I like to decorate but I have been doing this in bits and spurts. It would be nice if money were no object! I do have lots of "stuff" to work with, though. We moved from a sizeable house with a large yard and lots of trees to a townhouse in a community with NO trees and no yard. We actually like this new place - slightly smaller - with a different room configuration. I find that I greatly miss my yard and trees, though. The upkeep here is easier and utility bills are more reasonable.

Spring is just around the corner and today in southern coastal Delaware it is supposed to reach 70 degrees. I am leaving for the beach (10 minutes away) to take a walk by the ocean. My walks are usually "head-down" looking for shells or beach glass. When I moved here in 1992 one thing I noticed was that there were not a lot of shells on the beaches. I remember the New Jersey beaches having lots of shells, including large clam shells which we would gather and paint when I was a little girl. I have heard that the beaches there have less shells than they used to have also.

So long for now. Hopefully, I will keep up with my blogging a little better than I have recently.

Always,

Violetlady

xo

UPDATE: Returned home from the beach. Walked a mile 80 degrees - lots of people of all ages, dogs, kites.........but no seashells. Got to my car, decided to get out and take a picture with my cell phone, my car locked automatically with my keys inside. Had to call my husband to go home, get my spare keys and bring them to me. Still - what a nice day!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

2011-03-17T11:58:00.000-04:00

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY TO ALL WHO ARE IRISH OR IRISH FOR A DAY!!!!!!!!!!

What A Month!

2010-10-11T19:24:00.000-04:00

Autumn has arrived here in coastal Delaware although the temperature today was supposed to be a high of 84 which is somewhat warm for October. Pumpkins are cheerfully spreading their color throughout a local pumpkin patch that I drove by today. It made me happy just to see it.

We are very busy -- my husband is building another mega-house for a client. It has been a struggle getting it past local town regulations since it is on a canal and larger in height than is usually allowed, therefore needed a variance. He thinks he may retire after this house. At 72 it may be time.

I am busy preparing for our annual Realtors' auction in which we raise money to help provide a happy Christmas for needy children. Our theme is "Winter Wonderland By The Sea." We will use loaned Christmas trees with white lights and centerpieces of seashells and "snow." We have a very limited budget for decorations so I don't know how much of a "wonderland" it will be!

I attended an Argentine Tango weekend workshop last month and have another one in a few weeks. I have never done this before and I signed up and went alone. My husband is not a dancer and since his fall off his boat this summer he is still limping around. The dance classes were tons of fun -- what a beautiful dance.

We are also in the process of moving to a smaller home not far away. I am trying to get up the momentum to pack. I am a clutterer and a collector which makes it difficult. I am also running into a problem getting boxes from the local liquor stores. They used to provide an unlimited amount of boxes needed for packing. Now they don't seem to want to give more than a few at a time. Other stores crush them as they discard them. The last time we moved we had movers do it, although I did the packing. For some reason (husband's decision) we are doing it ourselves with the assistance of his employees. I don't know how I got all this stuff in this house when we moved here fifteen years ago. What a nightmare!

Hope you are all having a happy October!

Photo credit: www.Virginiaplaces.org

Violetlady
xxoo

Beach Plums

2010-08-21T23:48:00.000-04:00

My mother was a "South Jersey girl." She was born and raised in New Jersey until she met and married my father and forever after lived near Philadelphia (his hometown).

We grew up always knowing about beach plum jelly. The beach plum is a shrub that grows along the seashore from Maine to Delaware. Mom picked the little sweet plums and made her own jelly. The plums were cooked and then strained in a cheesecloth which was tied to a cabinet and hung over a bowl to gather the juice for the jelly. Mom always made her jelly with the paraffin wax over the top before sealing it. I don't usually see canning done this way anymore.

We can buy local beach plum jelly at the farmers market by a lady who picks the plums herself in the sand dunes along the seashore. Today I was at the Lewes Farmers Market and she had a large container of the plums. She said she had not picked these, but purchased them from another vendor who grew cultivated beach plums. She will use these when she runs out of her wild plums.

For more information on this delicious little plum, read http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Plants.Folder/BeachPlums.html

Thanks for stopping by - come back again!

Violetlady
xo

I Love New England!

2010-08-04T22:21:00.000-04:00

I recently returned from a great little vacation in New England. My sister and I drove to Andover, Massachusetts to visit my daughter and son-in-law and my two grandsons. The oldest turned 14 while we were there!

We drove to Wolfeboro, NH for a day and visited some of our favorite spots and drove on two separate days to Gloucester, MA (which we loved). While in Gloucester we drove to nearby Rocky Neck Artist Colony which is and was where some noted artists have lived and worked. We had planned to drive over to Ogunquit, Maine which is another favorite place, but instead spent the two days in Gloucester.

Here are some pix!

The best clam rolls at our favorite drive-in in New Hampshire.

A working lobster boat in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Dorys hand made in Gloucester.

The Dory Shop

Deep sea creature -- photo taken by my 10 year old grandson in the aquarium at a restaurant where we ate lunch in Gloucester.

I will be back up in Andover at Thanksgiving - this time my husband will go, too! I can't wait!

Thanks for stopping by.

Violetlady

xxoo

I SHALL RETURN!

2010-07-16T23:24:00.000-04:00

If any of you have been checking in and see that I haven't posted anything for quite awhile -- I will be back soon. I am just in a blogging slump these days.

I will back to checking in on other blogs and posting to my own in a few more weeks.

Hope you all are staying cool in this scorcher of a summer! (Here are some pictures of my visit last weekend to Bucks County, PA where I used to live.)
Love,

Violetlady

Memorial Day

2010-05-30T09:48:00.000-04:00

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, was proclaimed in 1868 a national day of remembrance of those who died in the Civil War. It later included all those who died in any war.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-08T21:47:00.000-04:00

I hope you all have a Happy Mother's Day.

I won't be able to be with my daughter and grandsons, but the love between us will span the miles. I will also be cherishing the happy memories of my sweet mother.

Here is a picture of my mother holding me, circa 1945-46 and one of me holding my little girl, 1966.

Always,

Violetlady
xo

My Opinion For The Day

2010-05-07T20:50:00.001-04:00

I think I have been watching way too much mainstream television. Dancing With The Stars, Celebrity Apprentice, Access Hollywood and the list goes on. I have developed a big peeve about some of the interviews and personalities. Have you ever noticed how they rave about certain older actresses' looks? Well, who wouldn't look great for 50 or 60 or 70 when you have had a little nip and tuck every once in awhile? It is like getting credit for something you never did. I understand that many (most?) actresses have to keep up appearances in order to maintain their careers. I am not against plastic surgery in general. I will never have it, but within reason I think it is one's own business. But, PLEASE, don't rave on and on and give accolades to older actresses for looking young, when it is ARTIFICIAL aging.

Tonight on Access Hollywood, Raquel Welch was given the compliment of being the most glamorous grandma (in time for Mother's Day). She is a beautiful woman (aged 69) who has obviously had some very good plastic surgery. She looks natural. Her skin is not pulled too tight which makes some women look like monsters. BUT -- she has not aged so beautifully without the help of a talented plastic surgeon. I want to see someone who has not had "work" done and still looks good for her age be given a compliment or award for aging naturally and gracefully without plastic surgery.

That is my opinion for the day.

Violetlady
xo

MOSAIC MONDAY - BEAU 2004-2010

2010-05-02T23:23:00.002-04:00

I am joining Little Red House's Mosaic Monday today with photos of my dear little Beau who left this world two weeks ago today.

Violetlady
xoxo

Beau

2010-04-24T09:52:00.001-04:00

I have been trying to write this post for a day or so and am finally feeling like I have the strength to put thoughts into words and onto the keyboard.

We lost our dear Beau on Monday night. I was away as you know and Ken was walking Beau down our street for Beau's evening constitutional. Beau was always a little eccentric, shall we say, and one thing he hated in his neighborhood was trucks of any kind -- big or small. He would bark, he would lunge, and sometimes it took all my strength to hold back his 17 pounds from his effort to get at a truck's moving wheels. I warned him time after time. This time, he lost the battle. The leash either broke or slipped from my husband's hands. It was over in an instant. I flew home the next morning.

Everything has just been awful here at home. The house is empty and quiet and sad. (We also lost our old Violette cat two weeks ago). Beau was a great little barker and he guarded his street with a vengeance. I was home a lot and Beau was always within my sight or at my side. Almost everything I did was linked to him in some way.

We have had so many wonderful e-mails, Facebook comments, phone calls, cards and gifts that it has astounded me. I am so touched and so grateful.

Not a day goes by that Ken and I don't cry over our little guy. I know it will get better, but for now the pain is visceral.

One of our blogging friends, Barbara at The Clark Homestead, said this: "What a little warrior, now he will be in Valhalla with the other brave souls." That says it all.

Violetlady
xo

Where Did The Week Go?

2010-04-17T18:29:00.000-04:00

I have been trying to be so industrious about writing on my blog every few days. I am sorry this week was a total loss. I just seemed to be so much busier than usual with home and office (I am a Realtor).

My husband was away all week driving down to Georgia and sailing his boat back up here (do you "sail" a trawler?) with his boat partners and friends. They never got as far as here because everyone had different schedules and had to get home. They left the boat at a marina in North Carolina and will make another trip down there to bring it home to Lewes. Ken had to get home in order to watch our pets while I go to Massachusetts to visit my daughter and grandchildren for a week. I was supposed to leave today, but I had a client who wanted to see houses and possibly write a contract (yay!), so I rescheduled my flight for tomorrow. I always get stressed about leaving to go anywhere: is the house clean or at least fairly neat, is there enough dog and cat food, what am I packing, etc., etc., etc. Is everyone the same way before a trip? Why can't I just GO?

I will be trying to catch up on blogs while I am away. I will try to take lots of pictures while I am away.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Violetlady
xo

Alice In Wonderland

2010-04-11T18:45:00.000-04:00

I saw "Alice In Wonderland" this afternoon after having lunch with a good friend. The weather here is absolutely beautiful today - almost too nice to spend in a movie theater - but we went later in the afternoon. The movie was excellent. This wasn't the 3D version, but I thought it was plenty scary!

I was very sad Friday and Saturday after Violette died, but I am feeling a little better today. I bought some flowers to plant on her grave. The house seems so empty without her, even with a dog and two other cats. She was with us for almost seventeen years and was a true member of the family. The past year has been difficult with her aging issues, but as one Facebook friend commented, she awaits me in heaven. I like that thought.

I am reprinting one of my favorite poems from Alice Through The Looking Glass which I shared on my other blog, Cabin Dreams, on which I haven't posted for a very, very long time. (I can't decide what to put on this blog and what to put on the other blog, so I concentrate on this one.) When you read this poem, you have to read it aloud to get the full, wonderful effect.

The Jabberwocky

By Lewis Carroll

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!

The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!

Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun

The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:

Long time the manxome foe he sought--

So rested he by the Tumtum tree,

And stood awhile in thought.

And, as in uffish thought he stood,

The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,

Came whiffing through the tugey wood,

And burbled as it came!

One, two! One, two! And through and through

The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!

He left it dead, and with its head

He went galumphing back.

"And hast thou slain the Jaberwock?

Come to my arms, my beamish boy!

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!"

He chortled in his joy.

'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did grye and gimble in the wabe:

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrab.

Violetlady
xo

Violette

2010-04-09T14:55:00.000-04:00

R.I.P. Our dear, sweet Violette. 1993-2010

Sweet Violets - A Walk Around The Neighborhood

2010-04-06T18:51:00.010-04:00

As you can tell by my blog title, violets are my favorite flower. I seldom find white violets, though. While I was walking Beau around the neighborhood today I found a lovely nest of them next to someone's mailbox. I picked only a few since Beau was impatient to get going and when you have an impatient poodle on the end of the leash, he's the boss.

The blossoms even have a sweet scent. You have to have a good smeller though, since the scent of violets is so faint and delicate.

Always,

Violetlady
xo

Chocolate For Me

2010-04-04T03:00:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite places to visit (when I get the chance) is the Harbor Candy Shop in Ogunquit, Maine. It is a charming old fashioned candy shop with homemade candy. I haven't been there for a few years now, but I started thinking about one of their specialities. They are called Nut Wreaths or "Mendiants" as they are called in France and Belgium. They are delicate dark chocolate wreaths, decorated with nuts, dried fruits and candied violets. According to the shop, the colors represent the four Roman Catholic mendicant orders (Dominicans in white, Franciscans in grey, Carmelites in Brown and Augustinians in deep purple).

I decided to treat myself this Easter to a box of these nut wreaths to be shipped directly to me. The package came festively wrapped in a red box with lavender velvet ribbon. Luckily, my husband does not like dark chocolate, so I have tucked these away in a drawer as a special treat for me alone!

Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate it from here in coastal Delaware.

Violetlady
xo

Show and Tell Friday -- Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail

2010-04-01T23:30:00.005-04:00

I am joining Cindy at My Romantic Home for her Show and Tell Friday. Stop over and see some pretty things.

Here are some of my little vintage rabbits who hopped in just in time for Easter. Two are authentic Limoges boxes as is the carrot.

Violetlady xo

My Visit To A Local Antique Store

2010-03-30T22:10:00.000-04:00

A few days ago I visited one of my favorite local antique stores, Heritage Antiques. There is so much stuff there that you can spend hours browsing. The sellers all have booths set up so it is really a consignment antique store. Thought I would share some photos of the beautiful things.

Can you tell how I focused on the china displays? I love those delicate teacups and the red and white transferware (Britain Castles pattern) are among my favorites.

Mosaic Monday

2010-03-29T00:15:00.006-04:00

Mary at Little Red House is hosting her Mosaic Monday. Here is mine this week -- all my kitties. The large photo and the second one down are Pierre (about 20 lbs.), there is old Violette (17) third down, and there is also one of Pierre and Chloe who are true buddies.

Stop over and visit Little Red House and see all the beautiful mosaics people have created.

What Happened To Spring??

2010-03-28T18:40:00.000-04:00

I thought Spring had arrived last week. Temperatures neared 70 degrees for a few days, then the rain came and now it is windy and very cool. Is March supposed to come in like a lion and out like a lamb? Looks like it is the opposite here. I went over to Lewes Beach which sits on the Delaware Bay right near the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware River. It is a great little beach for families because the water is calm, they rent umbrellas there and the Dairy Queen is a short walk away.

I am waiting for Spring again.

Show and Tell Friday

2010-03-26T22:31:00.001-04:00

I am quite a bit late for this, but it is still Friday anyway. I am joining in Cindy's weekly Show and Tell at My Romantic Home.

I think I wrote about this a few years ago, but here it is again. This is one of my very, very favorite things.
This little dish was made by a good friend of my parents as a baby present for me (64 years ago). My first name is Meryl and as you can see, it says "This is Meryl's Dish." I was named Meryl after my mother and my middle name is Kristina. This was given to me before they decided to call me Kristina or Tina instead of Meryl.

Stop by and visit Cindy at My Romantic Home and see her beautiful post for her Show and Tell and see all the other people who have entered theirs.

BEAU

2010-03-24T20:24:00.002-04:00

Our little Beau, first, five years ago when we got him, and now. Isn't he a handsome little man? He rules the roost around here.

Mosaic Monday

2010-03-22T00:19:00.002-04:00

The Little Red House hosts a Mosaic Monday every week so I thought I would join in this week. This is not really a Spring theme since there is one of snow on a tree, but I like the combination of colors. Stop over there and visit the other mosaics -- they are lovely.

Also Barbara over at My Painting Room is offering a lovely giveaway just in time for Spring and Easter. She is celebrating her 100th follower and has a lovely blog-stop by.

Spring Is Here

2010-03-21T19:31:00.000-04:00

I took these pictures last year at our local lavender farm. I look forward to another visit there when everything is in bloom again.

It was a beautiful day here in Delaware. Hope it was the same where you are!

The River Queen, A Memoir -- by Mary Morris

2010-03-20T10:32:00.001-04:00

This may be your new favorite book. At least that is what one reviewer said. I did totally enjoy it -- it was my kind of story: true, adventurous, sentimental, bittersweet. From the book jacket: In the middle of her life, Mary Morris went home, to the heart of the country and the river that runs through it. This is the story of a journey that transformed her life.

The author, Mary Morris, embarks on a trip down the Mississippi River with two river rats, a dog named Samantha Jean and a quirky houseboat. She is looking for her own story in her past and how it brings her to the present. The story centers on her recently deceased father (at 102), his life along the Mississippi and her complicated relationship with him. The story is not difficult to hear, however -- it is thoroughly engaging. The author meets memorable characters along the trip, she learns to pilot the boat, swim in rough currents, and visit places her father lived. As the author states, "My father played jazz piano years before I was born. In the 1920's, he lived on the banks of the Mississippi and I was raised on his river tales. All my life, I've thought about the river."

The River Queen is actually not the christened name of the houseboat, it is the name of this particular type of boat. But, they call it River Queen anyway. I especially like the title, being not only the boat, but who the author becomes. Mary Morris has written many books and I will be reading them.

Note: If you look for this book, there is also a book called River Queen by another author. This is another true story about a woman piloting a tow boat. Also, the cover pictured above is a different edition, not the one I had from the library.

R.I.P. FESS PARKER

2010-03-19T05:00:00.001-04:00

Fess Parker died on Thursday. His most memorable role on screen was that of Davy Crockett. Oh, how I loved that weekly television show in the 1950's. All the kids, including me, wanted that coonskin cap. My parents bought me the yellow t-shirt with Davy on the front of it, along with the tan pants with the fringe up the side. I don't think they could afford the coonskin cap, too. I remember that shirt and those pants like it was yesterday. I wore them when we played outside in the woods, pretending I was the girl version of Davy Crockett.

Even at that young age, I thought Fess Parker was absolutely dreamy! Of course, I also thought Liberace was.

MORE AUCTION FINDS

2010-03-18T12:04:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite things to do at my favorite Rehoboth Beach auction is to wait until the very end. That is when the auctioneers go around to the tables with the leftovers and take bids. Usually you can get a batch of things for $5-$10.

I got this little gold china set at a recent auction. I bid on something else and this came with it. I am not sure what it is for because the pot is quite small, as are the little cups and saucers. The six cups and saucers could be demitasse cups for strong coffee or hot chocolate, but the pot would only hold a small amount. It is labeled "encrusted gold - Stouffer's" on the bottom. The color is a little gaudy for me, but charming in its own way. I have it sitting on a thrift shop find -a little hand painted tray that says on the back "Occupied Japan" which I guess dates it to around the late 1940's. (You can also see in the corner one of two carnival glass bowls that came with something else I bid on at the auction.) I am not sure what to do with this set except display it...if I had room.

To see other Show and Tell posts visit our hostess, Cindy, at My Romantic Home.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

2010-03-17T01:00:00.009-04:00

MAY THE GOOD LORD TAKE A LIKING TO YOU....BUT NOT TOO SOON.

THE GOOD OLD 5&10

2010-03-16T01:00:00.005-04:00

There is an e-mail going around showing this menu from Woolworth's from 1957. It got me remembering how I loved this store. We didn't have a Woolworth's 5&10 in Willow Grove where I grew up, but we did have a G.C. Murphy's which was similar. We used to go there as much as we were allowed to walk the mile there, starting when we were about twelve years old. I even had my first little job there when I was fourteen. I remember getting "working papers" in order to allow me to get a job. Do they still have this process for kids? I worked after school at the baby counter, selling little baby clothes and other items. Murphy's. Soft pretzels, Tangee lipstick, Evening in Paris cologne, boys.

The big Woolworth's that I loved was in center city Philadelphia. It had two floors and the best one was on the ground floor with the lunch counter. I attended medical secretarial school in Philadelphia after I graduated from high school and rode the train from Willow Grove everyday. Whenever I could, I would go to Woolworth's. What wonderful, inexpensive stuff you could get at Woolworth's.

Woolworth's is gone. Murphy's is gone. They are replaced by Walmart and KMart and dollar stores. But they just aren't the same. Even today I look for an old 5&10, preferably with a lunch counter, in a small town. There are a few around. If you know of any, please let me know.

BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH

2010-03-15T12:01:00.002-04:00

Today is the Ides of March. While it has come to be known as a day of foreboding, it actually was no such thing during Julius Caesar's time, nor even when William Shakespeare wrote his famous play. The 15th of any month was known as the "ides" during Roman times. So you needn't beware of today - after all it is just another day!

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS IT?

2010-03-09T20:16:00.006-05:00

Here is my recent purchase at my favorite local thrift shop. It is a triangular shaped bottle with a shaker style metal cap. The bottle is about 6 1/2 inches long and about an inch wide. It says "OWENS" (my last name) on two sides and on the bottom it has an "O" in a triangle. My research tells me this is from the Owens Glass Company, maybe before 1939. What I do not know is what this bottle was used for. Was it a salt and pepper shaker? A laundry sprinkler bottle? Some kind of bottle used for medicines? I think it was meant to be kept on its side because of the triangular shape and the narrowness of it.

Does anyone have a clue?

JUST THE THING

2010-03-06T12:59:00.006-05:00

I do not have a chandelier over our dining room table and have been looking for one for a few years. I think I have found just the thing. This is made by a company called "Jellio" and sells for $9,500 for one of a limited edition of ten. It is comprised of 5000 acrylic gummy bears. I love gummy bears.

Hope you are having a delicious Saturday!

Violetlady

WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO?

2010-02-27T23:36:00.000-05:00

Tonight I saw the movie "Valentine's Day." Well, I don't know if any of you have seen it or not, but in my opinion it wasn't anything special. The best part about it was the ending -- not just that it was over, but it was a sweet ending. What I couldn't stop thinking about the entire time I watched it though was "This is rated PG???" Isn't PG supposed to be 13 or 14 and over? I certainly wouldn't want my thirteen year old grandson watching it. Believe me, I am not a prude, but REALLY. Some of the subject matter should not have been PG rated. If any of you have seen it, let me know your opinion.

I LOVE/HATE FACEBOOK

2010-02-17T21:26:00.000-05:00

As some of you are aware, I have been the victim on Facebook of a hacker. It is called a money transfer phishing scam. Yesterday morning I got a call from a friend to let me know that she had received an instant message on Facebook purporting to be me mugged and stranded in England and asking for financial assistance. Quite a few of my FB friends received the same message from the hacker pretending to be me. I hope they all realized that #1, I was not in England and #2, I certainly wouldn't be asking them to wire money to me. Some of the FB friends are actually blogger friends, whom I have never actually met.

I immediately changed my password, but within a few hours Facebook closed down my account (as if it were MY fault) and are totally unresponsive about reinstating it. If you will notice, Facebook does not post any contact number or e-mail if you need to get in touch with them. I finally filled in a form which was directed to someone -- all I received was a standard canned reply. I did a google search and learned that this is what Facebook does. They deactivate accounts and then are unresponsive about reinstating them.

According to a recent article on CNN's online report, "Seventy percent more companies reported spam and malicious infections arrived via social networks in 2009 vs. 2008. By the end of last year, 72% of companies expressed concern that their employees' use of poular social sites could result in a security breach. And 60% of companies now consider Facebook to be the riskiest social network out there." In addition, Facebook has new privacy settings that are opening members' information up to more cybercriminals.

I did not have a lot of "friends" on Facebook, I did not play the games, I was cautious. And still I was victimized.

While waiting for Facebook to allow me access to my account, I opened another account. However, as I sat and pondered the enormity of it, I stopped. Do I really want to do this again? I miss my Facebook. I miss the running commentary of messages between old classmates reunited through FB. I miss my pictures. I miss knowing what people are doing. But I am just plain ANGRY at Facebook for being unresponsive and unhelpful. So for now, I am giving up on it.

One interesting note is that I had been receiving anonymous messages here on my blog which led me to moderate my comments and require registration to leave a comment. My blog address is mentioned on my Facebook. Is there a connection?

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

2010-02-14T11:32:00.004-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! I woke up to a sweet Valentine, a funny, little stuffed bear and chocolates! How sweet of hubby! Twenty-two years ago he gave me an engraved gold locket. I think that might have been the last jewelry he ever gave me, but I still love it. I will make him his favorite Tollhouse (chocolate chip) cookies and a nice dinner.

As you can see, I have changed my blog layout a little. I was up last night (this morning) until two a.m. fiddling with it. I got tired of that same old violet, but I may go back to it eventually. Right now it is still a work in progress. I wanted a different photo, something more personal, but that is all that I could find in my photos.

I hope you all have a SWEET day.

NOTE: I JUST FOUND THIS IN MY "DRAFTS". I THOUGHT I HAD POSTED IT ON SUNDAY. HOPE YOUR DAY WAS NICE!

BEACH BLIZZARD 2010

2010-02-13T12:06:00.002-05:00

A *Facebook* friend of mine posted these pictures she took at the beach right after the blizzard. She doesn't read my blog, but just in case, thank you Adriane for sharing these. They say it all.

I am off to the local estate auction. Not in my budget to get anything today, but it is always fun to eat hot dogs and watch the show.

MORE SNOW??

2010-02-10T23:32:00.000-05:00

Two blizzards in five days. You know what they say -- be careful what you wish for. I have always complained (since I moved to southern Delaware from Pennsylvania) that we never get any snow.

The snow over the weekend gave us about 18 inches I think. And this one I think is about 8 inches, maybe 10. And other areas in Maryland and Wash. DC and Virginia were hit even harder. I think Pennsylvania also is getting really dumped on.

It has been drifting a lot and it is totally drifted over my front steps about a foot or more and I shoveled them at six o'clock -- it is now after eleven p.m.

I have not been out since Friday except to walk Beau. My husband drove me to the grocery store in his truck yesterday. A lot of people are snowed in -- my friends who are on Facebook are keeping in touch with the status in different areas. Some people still hadn't regained electricity since the last storm. I filled the bathtub with water in case it would be needed to flush toilets (we have a well with a pump which is electric, of course.) We have plenty of candles, two oil lamps and a few flashlights. We have two gas fireplaces. And plenty of food. So we are set if the worst happens. The snow has finally let up, though. I think I have gained five pounds in the last few days. Cook and eat, cook and eat, it's all I have been doing. Sometimes not even the cooking, just eating constantly. Apparently, I am not alone. I guess that is what we do when we are snowed in. - Celebrate snow days with comfort food.

If you are in this blizzard, stay warm and safe, everyone.

THE GREAT BLIZZARD OF 2010

2010-02-07T18:55:00.000-05:00

The snow finally stopped last night. Our cable is back on. I am so glad we never lost our electricity like so many thousands did in Sussex County. The sun was out today, and miracle of miracles, a snow plow actually was plowing the streets in our community. That is the first time I have ever seen that happen.

Our driveway is still full of snow. My husband can barrel through it in his truck, but my little Toyota is snug and safe in the garage. Neither of us intend to shovel the driveway and risk having a heart attack. Maybe I am a "wuss", but better safe than sorry. I did shovel the front steps and a little of the walkway. We don't have sidewalks here so that is not an issue. I do wonder about the teenagers that used to appear years ago with their snow shovels to earn some extra money. Guess they are all sitting in front of the television or computer nowadays.

Here are some pictures of the Great Blizzard of 2010.

LOOKING FOR A LOST BLOGGER

2010-02-06T19:12:00.001-05:00

If any of you can help me find someone, I would appreciate it. There used to be a blog I followed and she didn't write anything for a very long time so I took her name off my list. Then, apparently she closed her blog, but started another one. I lost the name of the new one.

Her name was Kris, she lived on a lake in Minnesota, she had a poodle, and she loved to garden. Her blog was primarily devoted to her gardens.

Does anyone know of this person? I would love to follow her blog again, but can't find it.

Update: Just found her blog: http://gardensbythelake.blogspot.com but see she hasn't posted since last August.

I have often thought of stopping my blog, but even though I don't have a lot of readers, it is fun to keep up with people and I miss the ones who don't blog anymore. Don't you agree?

SNOW DAY

2010-01-31T12:12:00.001-05:00

We had an amazing snow storm yesterday. The weather forecast had said one to two inches. It started yesterday morning and didn't end until about midnight. I think there is a total of eight inches. We hardly ever get a decent snowfall here in coastal Delaware, so this was amazing, especially since we already had snow once last month.

I do enjoy snow -- not that I am out skiing, skating or snowmobiling -- I just like the white crispness of it and to sit in front of a fire (or not), read a good book, watch the old black and white movies I love, and just "veg out."

I have a new next door neighbor who is about my age (64) I think. She is a little odd -- I may have written about her here before. She seems to enjoy trimming my trees without my permission. Strange. Anyway, this morning I noticed that by 8 a.m. she had her entire driveway shoveled, right down to the blacktop. Yes, she did it herself. Now, why does this bother me? Is it because I don't have the strength or endurance to do the same thing? No, because even if I did, I wouldn't be spending my time doing that. But, it really annoys me. I guess it is because I basically find her annoying anyway. She has tons of nervous energy which usually gets on my nerves, because I have NO nervous energy. If I am nervous, it never reveals itself in energy. I just get a stomachache and go to bed.

This leads me to my basic premise on snow days. Snow days hark back to when the schools were closed due to snow and we sat and listened on the radio for the list of closings and when we heard ours, we were overjoyed and spent the day out sledding. Our real estate office was closed today, churches were even closed. I truly believe, and if you know nothing about me, know this: when there is a Snow Day, things should stop. People should not work, should not go to school, should not go shopping, should not shovel their snow. They should spend this special day reading, watching television, eating junk, talking on the phone to family and friends. That is what a Snow Day (notice I am capitalizing it) is for. A friend commented to me on Facebook, that a Snow Day is like the cosmos gives us permission to do whatever we want. I like that.

SUNDAY AGAIN ALREADY?

2010-01-24T14:34:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it has been a week since I last posted here. Where has the week gone? I can't remember what I did all week. Today I am cleaning. I remember that I went to church yesterday. I remember I went to an office meeting on Wednesday. I remember that on Thursday I took my homemade tomato soup into the office for a little group lunch we had planned. I remember that my husband's birthday was on Friday and I baked him cookies and cupcakes and cooked him a special dinner. Beyond that, nothing. I am sure there must be a real reason why the days seem to pass so quickly the older we get.

I do know this week should be busy. Carpet cleaners are being coming on Tuesday (I am using a gift certificate that my husband won at a fundraiser), office meeting on Wednesday, my sister is coming on Thursday (YAY!) for the weekend and Thursday night I am hosting a Girls Night Out Silpada Jewelry Party. I used to sell Silpada, but no longer do. I hosted a party last year, too, which was fun. I will serve my white chicken chili again with cornbread and brownies.

For those of you who remember my issue with my old cat Violette -- she is still with us. She spends most of her time in a loft storage area I have which helps a lot with all the mess she makes. I put the cats up there over Christmas so they wouldn't be disturbed when my grandchildren and granddog were here. After that I opened the door and the other two cats came downstairs, but Violette seems to prefer it up there. There are lots of windows and she has her own food and water and litter boxes (which she won't use). She joins the rest of us sometimes. She has ruined the floors in the loft also.

So that is the news here on Beech Drive. I am posting a picture of the mimosa tree in our backyard to remind us that Spring will be here eventually and everything will be green like this again. Hope you all are enjoying your day and have a great week!

THE GREAT COOKIE CAPER

2010-01-17T00:17:00.000-05:00

As I may have mentioned in a previous post, by husband and I gave each other a beautiful candy apple red Kitchenaid mixer for Christmas. Now, I love to cook. I do not love to bake. I actually have never owned a really good stand mixer. I remember my mother's much-used mixer which, when we cleaned her house out, was probably still running after 40+ years. My plan for this mixer was that dear husband would learn to bake, especially his dearly loved tollhouse cookies. The reason I do not like to bake is the fact that measurements must be exact and precision is not one of my strong points. It is, however, my husband's.

A few nights ago, Ken was wandering around with something on his mind. I was obviously through with the kitchen for the evening. I had cooked dinner and I was finished. He realized that cookie making was not on my schedule. He had never baked anything in his life. He was desperate. He finally started hauling out ingredients with much sighing and grumbling. "What are you doing, dear?" said I. "I am making my own tollhouse cookies since you obviously aren't going to," said he. I gave him a few brief instructions, but he was impatient so I just let him go on his own. I giggled to myself, just knowing the end result was going to be, well, interesting.

Never underestimate a man who is desperate for tollhouse cookies. One note: Ken's version of tollhouse cookies is that they have only a few chocolate chips per cookie, have raisins and are flat and chewy. I know, I know. I have told him numerous times that these are not tollhouse cookies, but he is adamant about this subject.

Guess what?! Yes, the cookies were delicious. He doubled the butter and brown sugar, mixed them BY HAND (sorry Kitchenaid) and baked them under a watchful eye for much less than the usual time. We did not have raisins, but we did have the chips. The cookies were flat and chewy, buttery and perfect, with 2.5 chips per cookie.

I ate more than my share and look forward to my husband's next desperate act in the kitchen.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MOM AND DAD

2010-01-10T15:54:00.002-05:00

Today would have been my mother and father's 66th wedding anniversary. (Do we still count years after they are gone?)

They were married January 10, 1944 on a bitterly cold day, just like today. They were married in Philadelphia in the church's rectory. A friend of my father's was the minister. He also baptized my sister and me. During WWII soldiers often did not know when they might be called away and sometimes weddings were held without a lot of preparation and fanfare.

I have my mother's simple wedding dress which was made by my Aunt Esther and also her gold shoes. I also have the little white prayer book she carried and her wedding ring. I posted about their wedding once before here.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

THE NEIGHBORHOOD

2010-01-09T10:53:00.010-05:00

Today is the day to begin to take down the Christmas decorations. I have often waited until later in the month, but for all my complaining about people who take them down right after Christmas, somehow today feels right. Somehow, suddenly, the decorations seem too festive in a sad sort of way. Like Miss Havisham in her wedding gown in Great Expectations. I may leave some white lights outside on a little tree because I plan to add some pink ones for Easter.

I am sitting here in my home office. You would be horrified. Stacks and boxes of papers and things everywhere. The office and my laundry room are both my nemesis (nemesi?). I just can't seem to get them organized. But on a positive note, I can sit here and type and look out the window at the world going by in my little community. I see the mailman just came and stuffed some more papers in my mailbox. The man across the street out walking his dog. The dog is a trained seeing eye dog who was used by his blind partner, but the dog is now retired and they have a new dog. Nothing else moving out there. Everything frozen. Isn't January the most awful month?

I left this post to walk my dog and now I am back. I have a new next door neighbor who, for some reason, seems to think that she should trim my trees. When she first moved in, I noticed her with those long handled tree cutting shears trimming the branches on one of my large maple trees. I chalked it up to "odd," but today when I came back from walking Beau, there she was trimming the branches from one of my big holly trees. I said, "You don't really have to trim MY trees." I said it in a nice tone of voice, but really felt like yelling it at her. "Oh, do you mind?" she responded. She then launched into a fifteen minute dissertation on how she loves yard work and "do you like horticulture?" she asked me. "No, not really." And I especially don't like pushy neighbors.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2009-12-31T09:52:00.000-05:00

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

"A WOMAN WHO DOESN'T WEAR PERFUME HAS NO FUTURE." Coco Chanel

2009-12-29T20:11:00.000-05:00

Well,I don't know how much that can be proven, but it is an interesting quote.

I was recently searching for a certain perfume called Magnolia or Eau de Val sold by L'Occitane. They no longer sell it, but once in awhile you can find it on ebay. I first found it in Paris when my daughter and I made that very special trip there a few years ago. All I have to do is smell it and I am transported there. While searching online I came across a very interesting blog for those people who love all things vintage and especially perfume. Amelia at The Vintage Perfume Vault has a blog wholly devoted to vintage scents. It is fascinating. After reading some of the posts, I began to reminisce about the first scents I remember.

The very first time I can recall being impressed by a perfume was when I was about five years old. I was visiting my Aunt Esther in New Jersey for a few weeks. I don't recall the reason for the visit, but I do know that my parents were not with me and neither was my younger sister who would have been a baby at the time. There were several things memorable about this visit: the wringer washing machine, my uncle cleaning fish he had caught in the lake on a picnic table behind the house, my aunt cutting off my long hair and giving me a perm, and my teenage cousin Joanie preparing to go out on a date with her future husband. Those four things stick in my memory like glue. My memory of Joanie was that she had a pink bedroom and she sat on a bench in front of a vanity and was putting on some cologne from a small bottle. I almost remember the scent and I think it may have been an apple blossom scent. It may have come from the local 5and 10 store. Oh, how I admired her.

My second memory of perfume was the black bottle of "Nuit de Noel" by Caron that was enclosed in a dark green box and sat on my mother's dresser for years and years. It had been given to her by one her brothers when he returned from World War II. I can vaguely still remember the scent.

Another vivid and favorite memory is that of the round handpainted bottle of violet cologne that sat on a shelf in my grandmother's bathroom. I dearly loved that bottle and the smell of violet. To this day, violets are my favorite flower and I now display that same bottle on my vanity and I have added more recent bottles of violet cologne to my collection.

Of course, there is the unforgettable "Evening in Paris" which was bought at the local 5 and 10 in Willow Grove and given to my mother at Christmas. You can still find it at the Vermont Country Store. I have added a few vintage bottles to my collection.

The scent of "Tweed" perfume that my mother wore when I was young is another memorable one. I wore it out on my first date. Recently I found it in my favorite catalog from The Vermont Country Store and ordered it. After all these years it still smelled the same, but my taste had changed and I returned it.

Isn't it amazing that certain smells will evoke memories just as sure as if they tapped you on the shoulder?

Thank you for joining me on my little trip down memory lane!

CHRISTMAS...FINALLY!!

2009-12-27T17:16:00.002-05:00

The preparation seems to take months, well certainly it takes weeks. And in a flash it is over. I hope you all had a beautiful Christmas. Mine was wonderful. I had my daughter and son-in-law and my two grandsons here for a few days before Christmas until they left Christmas morning to fly to Texas to visit the other grandparents and cousins. My youngest grandson believes in Santa and it was great to see him Christmas morning when he saw what Santa brought. The anticipation had been building for two days for both boys to open gifts. They started trying to awaken my daughter at 3 a.m. on Christmas morning.

I burned bayberry candles from sundown until the candles burned out on Christmas Eve. This is a tradition that I have honored since I was young and my parents did it. "A bayberry candle burned to the socket will bring joy to the heart and gold to the pocket."

I am wondering how many of you follow this same tradition?

Have a wonderful New Years everyone! As my friend and fellow blogger, Lynne says, are we saying twenty-ten or two thousand and ten??

(ha, ha - I just noticed that if you click on the picture of the candles to enlarge it, you will see my husband watching TV in the background. I thought it was my globe that is sitting on the end table!)

WHITE CHRISTMAS????????

2009-12-19T17:24:00.001-05:00

I am sitting here looking out the window at ........... no snow. At least hardly any. The entire mid-Atlantic and northeastern area of the country is seeing blizzard conditions, but here along the coast in southeastern Delaware, nothing. It did start out with some snow during the night, high winds, then rain. There is a dusting of snow out there, but that is it. A few miles north and a few miles west of my house -- plenty of snow. It will ice up tonight which should make driving treacherous.

Christmas is around the corner. Decorating: done. Shopping: done. Wrapping: not done. Baking: not done and may not be done. I hate to bake even though I love to cook. I will have to make a pie for Christmas and I may make a batch of Tollhouse cookies (no chocolate chips for my husband --- yes, really).

My daughter and her husband and my grandsons will be arriving from Massachusetts on Tuesday and can stay until Christmas Day at which time they will fly out to Texas to be with his family. Meanwhile, I will be babysitting my granddog.

Update: We got a little more snow at dinnertime, but nothing to compare with other areas. I found this photo in my saved photos from a few years ago. I see I had long hair and Beau looked younger so it was probably three years ago. Obviously, we had a decent snowfall then!

NOTE: I have unfortunately had to utilize Comment Moderation on my blog. I have had several weird messages left and want to edit them before they appear. I see now that the comment moderation is not working. Always something.

CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK

2009-12-10T19:58:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I went with the local Realtors' group on our annual bus trip to New York City to see a play. We saw "Jersey Boys" which was fantastic. There was never a dull moment in the show and if you grew up with the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, this show will have you rockin' and reminiscing in your seat. We had two bus loads of mostly women and traveled up there in the pouring rain from Delaware. By the time we got to NY the rain was stopping and it turned out to be a mild day -- perfect for walking around the city. A few of my friends and I almost always have the same routine when we get there (we have about two hours before the show starts): we go to see the tree in Rockefeller Center, we go to St. Patrick's Cathedral, and we go to Saks to use the ladies room. Saks is beautifully decorated and it always reminds me of "Sex and The City" with all the sophisticated salesgirls (and salesmen) dressed in black and offering to spray you with something lovely. My friend pointed out a lovely sheath dress that would look stunning on someone who was a size 2 -- price no object? -- a mere $980.00!

We always eat lunch at Stage Deli, but this time we tried Carnegie Deli -- two of the few Jewish delis left in the city, I have read. Authographed photographs of famous people covered the walls and the waiter told us Woody Allen's movie "Broadway Danny Rose" shot a scene there and he comes in there once in awhile. I had my usual corned beef on rye which arrives, four inches high, piled with enough meat for three or four sandwiches. The deli was small, noisy and smelled delicious. I wish I had room for the only-in-New York cheesecake. There is something different about it -- it is drier and higher than other cheesecakes. I should have brought a cooler with me to bring one home!

Note: For some reason all of the pictures I took with my cell phone turned out in black and white. I just checked the settings and somehow they were set that way. Don't know how that happened! So these pictures are ones I found online. Thank you to those people, whoever they are. Blogger also wouldn't let me move the pictures around. I have had that problem before -- don't know why it does that.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

2009-11-26T14:39:00.000-05:00

THIS N' THAT

2009-11-17T17:39:00.001-05:00

I have totally been neglecting my poor old blog. I meant to write about my visit to Frank Lloyd Wright's "Fallingwater," my new camera, my husband's trip south on the completed boat. So here goes -- I will make it brief:

In early October my sister and I drove out to Pittsburgh to visit our Uncle Bud. We had made this trip a year ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Nothing better than a sisters' road trip. We so enjoy each other's company. Uncle Bud is 86 and loves to travel and is always active. He is one of two of our mother's only remaining siblings and he was our mother's favorite brother. He insisted on making the reservations in advance (which you have to do) to get into Fallingwater and he drove the two hours to and from his house to Fallingwater.

Fallingwater was built in 1937 for the Kaufman family of Pittsburgh as their weekend retreat. You probably have seen pictures of it. If not, here is one of the house behind us. It has to be seen to be believed. It is built cantilevered out over a waterfall amidst deep woods. Stone floors, rustic throughout, totally integrated with nature, extremely contemporary for its time and even for today. Frank Lloyd Wright also designed much of the furniture in the house. One question presented by the guide -- "Could you live here?" My answer is a resounding "YES!"

Now my new camera: I researched cameras for a month, going between spending a lot of money on one, or being more reasonable. I knew the things I wanted in a camera. My previous camera was a little Fujifilm which still works, but the USB cable connection is done for. I had pretty much settled on a Canon, but finally ended up with another Fuji because it was more reasonable and had everything I wanted for under $200. I am a very mediocre and inexperienced photographer, so I am happy with what I got. Here is a picture of it.

The Great Boat Trip South: My husband and boat partners left November 4 to take their 65 ft. trawler south via the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). This has been a four year project to totally gut and rebuild an old fishing vessel.

As you can see the photos are miniscule thanks to the downloading features of the Kodak EasyShare from which it was downloaded. Kodak Easyshare is NOT Easy Share!

We had a huge nor'easter or as they are calling it Nor'Ida because it was the remnants of Hurricane Ida. The beach here is totally eroded, roads were flooded -- it was a mess.

All the best to you, fellow bloggers,

Violetlady

HOLIDAY SWAP

2009-11-04T00:03:00.000-05:00

I have joined in a Holiday Swap. Go here to read about it and join in, too. You have until November 12. I did this one year on someone's blog and it was a lot of fun.

I want to tell you about my visit to Fallingwater in Pennsylvania with my sister and uncle, but will leave that for another day. I have a new camera which I will show you. I haven't tried it out yet. And the biggest news yet is that my husband and his friends are leaving tomorrow morning (if all goes well) on the big boat trip down the Intracoastal Waterway to Florida (after their four year boat building project). More on all this news to follow in a few days.

VIOLETTE CAT

2009-10-15T12:45:00.003-04:00

This is our old lady cat, Violette. For months now we have been having trouble with her refusing /forgetting to use the litter box. (We now have four boxes.) We took her to the vet and after all the blood tests and exams, they determined that she was a healthy old cat, especially since she is 16 years old. Five oriental rugs have been ruined, hardwood is smelly and I am getting ready to have wall to wall carpet torn out in a bedroom. I now have a complete arsenal of cleaning supplies and anti-cat urine products. I finally had reached my breaking point and made an appointment to have her put down this week. The vet had told me that even though there is no physical reason for her habits, if she can no longer fit into our lives, then we could have her "put down." I made the appointment, but my husband and I were so upset that morning, that I cancelled it. I continue with the numerous puppy training pads all over the house, cleaning up constantly and now trying to limit her territory. And no, nothing has changed in the house over the last four or more months to cause this. I researched it online and have made my own diagnosis (with no help from the vet, thank you) that she is suffering from senility. Yes, cats can have this when they are old.

We are trying to be patient with Violette and give her love and attention since, of course, she is not doing this on purpose. I remember when Beau was a puppy and all the accidents he had. The difference is that we knew he would learn to go outside. Violette is just old. Wish me luck.

VIEW THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD

2009-10-06T00:08:00.041-04:00

What a beautiful weekend we had so I decided to take a little ride around the area and take a few pictures from my car window. Since my camera hasn't been working right, I used my cell phone camera and they turned out just fine.

The first picture is of a spring along the canal. The third picture is the unpaved driveway leading to the boatyard where my husband's boat is and the sixth picture is the boat. The fourth picture is of a ladies entry in the annual "Punkin' Chunkin Contest" right here in Sussex County, Delaware. It is a strange event, but people come from all over the country (maybe even the world) to participate. People create giant machines that shoot pumpkins into the air and whoever shoots one the furthest wins. It is very competitive and I have never attended one of these events, but it is a real big deal here. Sussex County also has a Scrapple-Apple Festival. Do you all know what scrapple is?

Has anyone besides me had difficulty moving pictures around on their post? I have been trying for two days to do this post. Apparently Blogger has a new way of posting pictures and it won't let me move things around with any accuracy anymore. It is a real pain.

I am leaving tomorrow for Pittsburgh with my sister. We will be visiting an uncle who will be taking us to see Frank Lloyd Wright's "Fallingwater." I have wanted to see this for many years and am really looking forward to it.

See you next week!

SHOW AND TELL FRIDAY

2009-10-02T20:00:00.004-04:00

Cindy at My Romantic Home is hosting Show and Tell Friday. Stop over there and take a look at her blog and also all the others who are joining in.

Since I used to do "My Favorite Things"one day a week, I am resurrecting one of my old posts for this Show and Tell.

Today I am sharing with you something that is very precious to me since it was a baby gift for me over sixty years ago. Yes, I said 6 - 0!! This sweet little dish was handmade for me by a friend of my parents. It says "This is Meryl's dish" because Meryl is my first name (after my mother). I have never used the name Meryl - I have always gone by my middle name so you know this is old.

What astounds me are the things I have that are breakable and have survived all these years. My mother was protective of these things, as I am. I think it is a female thing: to treasure and to protect. After all, we do this with our parents, our children and with our friends. It is our most important "job" in this world.

THE AUTUMNAL EQUINOX

2009-09-21T22:49:00.000-04:00

AUTUMNAL EQUINOX - One of two times a year when the Sun crosses the equator, and the day and night are of approximately equal length.
At the autumnal equinox (Sept 22, 2009; 5:18 P.M. EDT), the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator, from north to south; this marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. (from Wikipedia)

Yes, it has been slightly cooler here in coastal Delaware, but we still have beach days into the autumn. Actually, this is the best time of year to visit this area or for locals to hang out without the summer crowds.

It always amazes me that Fall seems to arrive on September 1. Oh, the weather is still warm and sunny, but it is something that is just felt in the air. The colors are suddenly more golden, the sky is a clearer blue, sometimes there is already a faint smell of woodsmoke. Everybody comments on it. I have had my homegrown pumpkin on the front step for a month or so. It is the first time I have grown a pumpkin from last year's Halloween pumpkin. He was early, but he survived.

The Fall is a busy time here in this resort area. October brings our annual Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival. There are main events at the local convention center (sometimes big names like Chris Botti!) and the restaurants and bars offer their own jazz groups. The following week is the Seawitch Festival which is the Halloween celebration in Rehoboth Beach. There are lots and lots of things for kids of all ages to do on the beach and in the town. November brings our annual Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival . Some people stay throughout an entire day watching movie after movie and leave bleary-eyed and tired.

Autumn is my favorite season for many reasons, but primarily because it is the season of my birthday. I was born on Thanksgiving!

REMEMBERING

2009-09-11T11:07:00.000-04:00

I am sure we are all remembering where we were at this time eight years ago -- actually about two hours ago.

I forget a lot of things, but there are two things I will always remember-- Where I was as I watched Katie and Matt announce on TV the crashes into the towers and then watching them fall and where I was when I heard JFK had been assasinated. I had been getting ready to leave the house for work on 9/11/01 and watching a few last minutes of the Today Show when the announcement came on. On 11/22/63 I was in Philadelphia walking to the train station from a class and it was my 18th birthday.

We all live in gratefulness that we have been kept safe on our own soil since September 11, 2001. We all live in hope that our safety will continue and we bless those who continue to defend us and those who have perished.

ANOTHER MOSAIC/Things That Make Me Happy

2009-08-30T23:32:00.001-04:00

click to enlarge

I have had so much trouble making these mosaics, and Cindy at My Romantic Home (see her link in my sidebar) helped me finally figure it out since the way Big Huge Labs set it up just wasn't working. So now I am on a roll and I am posting another mosaic today.

Always,

ANIMALS IN MY LIFE MOSAIC

2009-08-29T21:52:00.001-04:00

click to enlarge

Always,

ELECTRONICS, ETC.

2009-08-27T20:48:00.000-04:00

I was finally able to get my pictures off my memory card by taking it to the drugstore and sticking it in one of those machines so now I can download them from the disk into my computer. I can still use the camera, but it just won't download into my computer. I am thinking that the USB cable is bad.

And now my printer at work doesn't run at all. It won't turn on. The computer guy was in and looked at it and said, "it's broken." Duh. I bought it in January of 2008. So I am shopping for a new computer. I want one that is inexpensive that prints, copies and scans. I don't need a fax. I will probably end up with another HP although this last one was certainly bad news. I found one at Staples for only $99 which I think I will get. Walmart had a similar one, too.

I just can't stand it when mechanical or electronic things don't work. I am a very patient person with other people and with life in general, but when something doesn't work it just sends me over the edge. I used to believe that if something didn't work, if you dropped it on the floor or desk, it would jar it into working again. Maybe I should try that with my printer before I buy a new one!

I went to an auction on Sunday and brought home a few things, one of which is one vintage snowshoe. I thought it would look cute hanging on a wall somewhere. Also a little "gold encrusted" demitasse tea set and a Limoges china tray handpainted with violets -- twenty dollars for each. I may try to sell the little tea set on ebay.

That is the news here -- hope you are all well and happy.

Always,

BLAH, BLAH, BLAH

2009-08-21T21:55:00.006-04:00

I know I haven't been here for awhile. I thought I might end this blog, but now I have decided to hang on for awhile longer and see how I feel about it. I don't usually like to ramble on and on about little, mundane things in my life because (1) they are pretty boring and (2) I don't usually want to share personal things with everybody out there. I like the blogs that have a particular niche, like books or cooking or decorating, but I don't usually have enough to say in these areas, so I am left just with my opinions or problems and sometimes joys and that is where I get into the problem I have with rambling on and on and on......see what I mean?

Ok, this is the latest: my camera no longer will let me download my pictures. I went to my Aunt Grace's funeral last week and took pictures of family members I haven't seen for a long time. Now they are stuck in my camera unless I want to remove the card and take it somewhere.

Last night there was a serious fire in my real estate company's annex office (two doors down from my office). It was a total loss and today the agents in that office are relocating into our building. They have lost computers, files, everything. The smell of soot and smoke was everywhere. It was awful, but at least no one was hurt. I was asked to move my desk location from where I have been to a smaller desk in order to accomodate another agent. At first this made sense because I am not in the office a lot and although I am technically a full time agent, I really only work part time at it. But the more I thought about it, the more irritated I was because this is supposed to be a temporary move (but could be pretty long term) and why should I give my spot to someone when they could just as easily move to the smaller desk. Of course, that agent is in the office full time and is a bigger producer than I am. It all comes down to money and politics. Well, it is just one of those things over which I have zero control and I hate that.

So this is my long overdue post and as I said at the beginning, I have rambled on and on and on and complained about personal stuff which I don't like to do. But, we're all friends, right?

Always,

TUESDAY BLOG HOP

2009-07-28T01:00:00.016-04:00

I decided to join the Tuesday Blog Hop!

A proud capture! Grandson Cooper holding his prey.

Here is my grandson Ian who took this self-portrait while we were on vacation last year. Look at those eyes!

BEST WEDDING ENTRANCE EVER

2009-07-26T21:38:00.004-04:00

I found this on youtube. This is the best wedding entrance ever. Enjoy!!!! ( Make sure your speakers on for the full effect of this video.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0&feature=player_embedded

MY CRAFT PROJECT

2009-07-22T22:57:00.004-04:00

Here is the tray I made after following Cindy's directions on My Romantic Home. I put a vintage doily under the glass. It is supposed to look "distressed", but I didn't have the right color to do it with. But I think it looks pretty good considering I am certainly not "crafty." I think I will make another one and put old black and white photos under the glass.

Always,

MOSAIC MONDAY

2009-07-20T21:33:00.005-04:00

I found this great idea at Mary's Mosaic Monday. She gives great directions for doing this. It was fun and creative.

Always,

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?

2009-07-17T13:45:00.005-04:00

ONE thing I am not is a gardener. But a lot of years I do try a few tomato plants and maybe some herbs. Even still, my tomatoes look like they spent some time on Mars. This year I am truly excited, though. Last year I put our Halloween pumpkin in a sunny spot and waited. I have done this before because I heard that if you let your pumpkin rot away on the ground, you may get pumpkins the following year. I have tried it before without any luck. But this year, VOILA! I hadn't looked at the plant for awhile and suddenly there was a long vine traveling rather menacingly towards my neighbor's yard.

I researched pumpkins on the internet and learned that a pumpkin plant contains both male and female flowers. Each flower blooms only for a day. The female flower is fertilized by the male flower by way of our wonderful friends the bees who are gathering pollen. I learned how to identify the female blossoms by the bump that appears at the base of the flower. I immediately checked out my pumpkin plant and at first thought I had no female flowers, only male. As I looked under the giant leaves, however, I was thrilled to see that I have two little green pumpkins growing. I am a very proud mother!

The tomatoes are another story. This one is the only one turning red, but I do have a few green ones. Generally, the three plants are pretty scraggly looking.

This is my mint. I had mint a few years ago in another spot and it was pretty prolific for awhile and then (through my neglect) it died off. Suddenly it appeared again this spring so I moved a little of it to another spot and it has taken off. I know mint can grow like a weed. I don't use it for anything, but maybe some iced tea once in awhile. But it does smell wonderful. I also have some lavender and oregano and basil that is doing so-so.

I know a lot of you out there are wonderful gardeners and I truly admire you. It is so thrilling to see something growing that you can eat or use and you know that you planted it. Obviously, it can be done even on a very small scale as I have done.

How does your garden grow?

Always,

A LITTLE PROJECT

2009-07-16T16:35:00.009-04:00

I have been trying to keep from visiting our local thrift shops, but today I gave in. I was looking for a frame to use to make a tray like the one Cindy at My Romantic Home made. Stop by her blog to see her directions. (I tried to put a link directly to that post, but it didn't work. Just click on the highlighted words here and check out her post from Tuesday.) I also have a link in my sidebar to her because I visit her blog everyday. Cindy's blogging story is pretty amazing. She started like we all did, writing a little about what we like to do or our families and our hobbies and interests. But her blog really took off! She has had over a million visitors! She has decorated her rented apartment in a lovely, shabby chic style and it has even been featured on HGTV's "Rate My Space." She always has great ideas and the photographs are lovely.

So I have my frame. I need to put the little knobs on the bottom for feet, paint it and decide what I want to put under the glass. Maybe a few vintage hankies I have, or maybe postcards or photos. I will take a picture of it when I am finished. This might take a few weeks, though. I am not very crafty and I am certainly a procrastinator. But this project seems fairly simple, so I may be able to do it.

Oh, by the way, if you haven't already, would you "follow" my blog as it shows on my sidebar? It is a great way to keep track of everyone. Thank you!

Always,

A DAY AT WORK

2009-07-12T20:40:00.007-04:00

Nothing much new to report here in coastal Delaware. I was on the Sunday schedule to work today from 10 to 4. (I am a Realtor.) Since this is a beach town there are lots and lots of vacationers here now and a lot of them stop in for information about properties for sale. Many people are here for only a day or two or a week and think, "Wouldn't it be fun to own a quaint cottage by the ocean?". The problem is that those quaint cottages run about a million dollars or more. I had a customer in today who swore that there were houses for sale for $400,000 just a few blocks to the beach. I pulled up our search screen on my computer and showed her that MAYBE she could get a small condo for that price, but not a house. She had her husband waiting outside the office with their bicycles and only had a few minutes to get information (that certainly takes more than a few minutes to get together and discuss) or he would get mad. I suggested that I get a package of listings together for her and that she stop back in a little while for it. So I prepared a very nice package, pertinent things highlighted, a highlighted map, etc. She never returned. Sometimes that is the world of real estate sales.

I must admit, however, that when I vacation in a charming location, I often think, "Wouldn't it be fun to live here?"

Always,

GRAMMY TRAVELS

2009-07-05T21:31:00.006-04:00

I spent a week visiting with my daughter and her husband and my two grandsons in Massachusetts. Unfortunately, the weather was generally awful -- raining almost every day, but two. Nonetheless, it is always good to spend time with them. Beth and I visited our favorite consignment shop and, of course, I ended up lugging an extra bag home with me on the plane.

We spent an afternoon in Rockport, Mass. which is a wonderful historic seaport town. Here are some photos.

Always,

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

2009-07-04T00:15:00.003-04:00

HAVE A SAFE, HAPPY AND FUN DAY TODAY!!!!!

Always,

SERENDIPITY

2009-06-14T22:58:00.005-04:00

One of my favorite words is "serendipity." According to the dictionary it means:
1. an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.
2. good fortune; luck: the serendipity of getting the first job she applied for.

When my sister was visiting we were browsing through an antique shop. She called me over to look at a set of silverware. "Look familiar?" she asked. It was the same pattern that was on a few pieces that we used as children. As we looked closer, we saw it was monogramed -- with the letter "H." H is the initial of our maiden name!!! Serendipity!!

I came home with a new set of silverware.

Always,

SISTERS WEEKEND

2009-06-09T21:44:00.007-04:00

It has been awhile since I have written, but as most of you know, sometimes the mood to write just isn't there.

I had a wonderful three days with my sister this past weekend. It had been quite awhile since she visited me down here in Delaware, although I am up in her neck of the woods much more often. Whether driving north or south, parts of the trip are just plain grueling - lots of heavy, high speed traffic.

We spent lots of time talking, talking, talking, shopping at thrift and antique stores and, of course, eating. We went to the Historic Lewes Farmers Market Saturday morning and then that afternoon we visited the local lavender farm. It was beautiful and smelled wonderful.

Always,

Violetlady

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETH!!

2009-05-22T14:50:00.002-04:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY WONDERFUL DAUGHTER!!

NOT AGING GRACEFULLY TODAY

2009-05-21T16:34:00.005-04:00

Yesterday I started out being 63 years old. By last night I felt like I was 75. The cause of this instant aging is due to technology overload. Actually there was one other reason also.

I took my Toyota into a detailing shop in the morning to leave it for the day. It would be "detailed" which would include interior shampoo and exterior wax. I have never had a car detailed before, but since this car is a 2004 and I have had it since summer of 2003, it really needed a very good cleaning. I was quoted a price of $155. Okay. When I picked it up at 4 p.m. the price had risen to $191. Before I was told the new price, I had my checkbook in hand (to use credit/debit card would cost 2% more) and I said, "$155.00 right?" He then proceeded to explain the new price, but said I could get a "break" because he thought I had already written out $155.00 on the check. When he realized I had not yet filled in the blanks on the check, he said $191.00. I said "what about my break?" It was not to be. The reason for the increase in cost, which was very patiently explained to me (remember I am 63 and apparently need special care), was that there were "spores" on the car and it took longer to clean it. I thought, mushroom spores, viral spores, bacterial spores? It sounded dangerous. Well, they decided it was due to garden mulch in the air and it had imbedded itself into the finish on the car. We haven't mulched anything and the car has been in the garage when I am not using it. But, the neighbors are mulching a lot. As I drove away in my $191 detailed car, I berated myself for not just refusing to pay the extra. After all, he had looked at the car and quoted me $155 a few days ago.

After I left the garage I went to Verizon to pick out a new cell phone. Part of this story is too complicated to explain because it involves a new plan my husband is getting for the home landline which changes to a cell phone that works through the computer and keeps the same phone number. I was supposed to pick up a new phone for that also. I attempted to explain what I was there to do and I might as well have been speaking Latin. They totally didn't get it even though it turned out that everything I was supposed to pick up was sitting in a bag on the floor with my husband's name on it. I gave up on that and went over to the display to pick out my new cell phone. That alone aged me about 10 years. Why do I want my phone to play music, games or videos? I did find a phone I liked, though.

Last night my computer stopped allowing internet access. I have no idea why and this morning it was the same and all day today. There was a message on my phone from verizon that for $9.99 additional per month I could have computer assistance for our verizon internet line. Did they plant a bug in my computer that caused it to cease working and force me to get more service for more money? For no reason the computer started working again and I jumped right in and started this very wordy, detailed post. Suddenly a light flashed on that Blogger was not automatically saving everything and then it disconnected. I am trying to finish this post because the internet (verizon) keeps kicking me out.

I am now not 63 years old. I am at least 90.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

2009-05-10T11:48:00.008-04:00

I hope all of you mothers are having a lovely day. The weather here is gorgeous for a change. I talked to my daughter and my grandsons on the phone and also my sister. Unfortunately, I won't be seeing any of them today -- the family is so scattered. The above photo is my daughter at six weeks old and me. Don't I look like a proud mama? I was so happy to have a little girl!

I plan to plant a few tomato plants today which I have been procrastinating on doing. Ken and I will probably go out to eat dinner this afternoon.

I made $114 on my yard sale yesterday -- not bad since I only did it for two hours. Then I went to an auction and spent $38.00. In one pocket, out the other.

Are any of you on Facebook? It has been so much fun connecting with people I have not seen for years and years. Cheryll -- you know one of them is you! Another is someone I haven't thought of for 50 years. He was the star of our sixth grade operetta and I had a slight crush on him after that. Well -- there he was on FB yesterday asking to be a friend (you have to ask on FB). Turns out he had a crush on me at the same time (we were about 12 years old I think) and neither of us knew about the other's crush. So funny! I have also connected with a boy who was one of my friends when we were only about three or four years old. That was really incredible. It is so nice to see that these people have gone on to have happy and successful lives with families and even grandchildren now. The circle of life........

Have a happy day, dear bloggers!

Always,

2009-05-08T09:32:00.005-04:00

We have sunshine!! Actually, we had a little sunshine yesterday in between the rain showers. I just dropped Beau off at the groomer's for his monthly "do." He is so funny. He definitely knows the difference between when I get up and don't plan to go anywhere, when I get up and plan to go somewhere without him, and when I get up and plan to take him somewhere. He is so smart. When he knows I need to put the leash on him to go in the car he starts running from room to room so I can't catch him. But the thing is -- he really wants to go. Crazy dog.

Our community yard sale is tomorrow and I really have to start moving some stuff out to the garage and put tags on things. I don't have a lot to put out, but at least it is a start to get rid of some stuff I really don't need. I have a problem with pricing things. Any suggestions?

Well, off to the garage.

Always,

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY....PLEASE!

2009-05-06T16:30:00.006-04:00

I swear it has been rainy, cloudy, chilly, grey, depressing and just plain awful for the past week. It is supposed to continue until Sunday I think. Everyone seems miserable because of it. It is amazing what joy a little sunshine brings into our lives.

I went to one of the local thrift shops today and came away with a few things: a cut glass ice bucket with little ice tongs, an oil lamp with a cut glass base, a vintage pitcher like three others I have, and a few little linen doilies. Our neighborhood is having a yard sale on Saturday. I am trying to decide what to put out. It is so hard for me to get rid of things. I keep thinking I can use it or paint it or save it for later. HELP! I have to get rid of some stuff!

Always,

MV LAST CHANCE IS AFLOAT!

2009-05-01T17:18:00.003-04:00

I have written a few times about my husband's boat building project. He and two friends formed a partnership to buy an old damaged boat and rebuild it. It has been a project for the last three to four years. All the important things have been redesigned and rebuilt and it was ready to put in the water a month or so ago. They found a leak and it had to be taken out and repaired. Last Saturday it was ready to launch again. This time it went smoothly - no leaks. It spent a night at the dock and then the next day it was towed a hundred yards up the canal to its new slip. It was towed for safety reasons and because there are some engine hookups that have to be completed.

The boys/men are happy. Here are pictures of it being assisted in its move.

ALWAYS,

A GREAT WEEKEND

2009-04-27T17:19:00.005-04:00

I had a fun weekend. I met my sister in Pennsylvania on Friday and on Saturday we met with a cousin we had never really met. Dad's father died when he was one year old (in the flu epidemic of 1918). Linda and I never knew very much about that part of the family because our grandmother remarried when our father was young. Our father kept his father's last name even though his step father was the only father he ever knew. We have a few photos, but that was all. Our cousin brought a few other cousins with him and we looked at tons of old photos -- many of the people none of us knew. We then went to the cemetery where our father's father and grandparents and several other relatives were buried. We had never been there either. It was a very interesting day!

Yesterday I spent the day at our local auction. As you know, that is one of my favorite things to do. Here are the things I purchased:

A set of sterling demitasse spoons and sugar tong - very old.

A Fenton milk glass shoe.

Two rustic candle chandeliers, one of which I will sell to a lady at the auction who really wanted one. I have been looking on-line for one of these for ages and couldn't believe I found two. $45 for both!

A cranberry glass bowl - large and heavy.

A cranberry glass candy dish.

Two glass candelabra

A spinning wheel (missing some parts) for my daughter who knows how to spin.

Three brand new chairs for my husband's boat.

It is about 93 degrees here today -- beautiful, but too hot.

Always,

I AM SICK OF BEING SICK!

2009-04-20T12:28:00.005-04:00

I have been sick since last Tuesday. I was in bed for two days with a fever and feeling lousy. I went out Saturday night to celebrate the launching of my husband's boat and I was getting hoarse and kept talking so now I have laryngitis. I am finally going to the doctor tomorrow. I think I need some antibiotics. I used to wish for laryngitis in high school when we had to do oral reports. I have never had it before. Anyway -- here is a little bouquet of violets I picked in our yard. They are in a tiny porcelain vase that belonged to my mother.

Always,

HAPPY EASTER AND HAPPY PASSOVER!

2009-04-10T20:53:00.006-04:00

THANK YOU TO GRAPHICS FAIRY FOR
THIS VINTAGE CARD.

Happy Easter and Happy Passover to everyone. Isn't this the cutest card? Notice the little chick holding some violets?

Spring is finally here -- I found some violets in my yard...among the weeds, but violets nevertheless.

We won't be seeing any family this Easter. Everyone is too far away. We may go out for dinner unless I decide to bake a small ham for the two of us. If I do that I will make some scalloped potatoes and some of that Jiffy baked corn and a vegetable. I often color eggs even if there are no children to enjoy them, but this year is turning out to be such a low-key Easter that I won't be doing the eggs.

Tonight I went out to dinner with two girlfriends, one of whom was celebrating her birthday. We went to a new barbeque restaurant that just opened. It was packed so I guess it is popular, but the smell of smoked meat was so intense it gave me a headache. My husband wanted me to bring him home some ribs and when I got them home, I realized they never gave me the sides that went with it. So back I went to the restaurant. And then home again. Husband stated that they were the worst ribs and greens he had ever eaten. So much for that restaurant!

Always,

A GOOD BOOK

2009-04-06T21:48:00.007-04:00

I just finished an excellent book entitled "The English Major" by Jim Harrison. He is especially known for his novella "Legends of the Fall" which was made into a movie (with Brad Pitt).

I really enjoyed this book. Oh, some of it may be somewhat colorful in language or innuendo, but it was so entertaining. It is the story of Cliff, a sixty year old farmer and ex-teacher, whose recently divorced wife has sold his farm and with it his life as he has known it for many years. Cliff decides to take a long road trip across America, "armed with a childhood puzzle of the United States and a mission to rename all the states and state birds." His adventures are funny, sad and insightful.

A quote from the book that I like: "We're forced to look back because we can't see forward."

I got this book from the library and I just put a hold on Mr. Harrison's memoir, "Off To The Side." He has a tremendous volume of work to his name, including fiction, non-fiction, children's books and poetry. I know I will be reading much more of his work.

Always,

MY SUNDAY

2009-04-05T21:00:00.007-04:00

Hi, everyone. The weather today was beautiful and this was my day:

I was on the office schedule today so I called on the way in and they were pretty well covered so I went to church. A beautiful Palm Sunday Mass. Then I went to the office and immediately left to go up to the convenience store for a sandwich. I stayed at the office about an hour and a half and then left to meet a friend to go to a Celtic harp concert. It was held at the local library. It really wasn't a huge concert - just one woman who played the Celtic Harp and the pipe and flute and sang Irish songs. Very beautiful. Here is a picture of the harp she played.

After the concert I went to the grocery store and wandered around trying to decide on Sunday dinner. I planned on pork chops, but I ended up with a rotissierie chicken, stove top stuffing, gravy from a jar and peas. Certainly simple.

I am now heading to the television to watch Celebrity Apprentice. Who will be fired tonight?

I am back. They fired two people tonight. Donald, Donald, Donald. You never know what he is going to do.

I have been getting together the Easter goodies I will send to the grandchildren tomorrow and I am finishing a book before I go to sleep.

Goodnight all.

Always,

P.S. If you read my blog and haven't posted your link to my "Followers" on the left sidebar, I would be so happy if you do. I like to click on your happy face to follow your blog, too.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

2009-03-30T20:30:00.005-04:00

Hello, all. I just realized that it has been ten days or so since my last post. I just haven't had that much to say and I haven't been very good about checking in with all of you on your blogs either.

I have been doing the usual in Violetlady's world: reading, watching old movies on television, cooking, shopping for goodies at the local thrift shops, playing around with the family genealogy, working some, talking on the phone, etc., etc., etc. While searching some on-line records I found that someone who had once been very important in my life had died -- nine years ago. I had been meaning to contact this person for years and never did - now it is too late. I have been truly bothered by this for the last few weeks. I think my sadness is caused mainly by the fact that it just brings home to me how a chapter in our lives can end so suddenly. If there is someone you think you should get in touch with, you should do it before it is too late.

Well, at least Spring is here...sort of. There are a few things blooming and the weather is getting slightly milder. I will share with you a photo of my youngest cat, Chloe, who was sitting on my desk looking at me. Isn't she sweet? What is she trying to tell me? Probably, time to open a can, Mom.

Always,

THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

2009-03-20T11:17:00.007-04:00

The first day of Spring and things are starting to bud and bloom and the birds are very busy. I have been putting seed out in several feeders and they are really enjoying it. I am going to have to start buying the seed in bulk. I think the squirrels are eating as much as the birds, though.

The view from my home office window:

I don't know what that is that blooms every spring, but it is very pretty.

I attended an auction last weekend. I really should stay away from them. I always come home with things that I really don't need. This time I got a primitive bench (which I love), a Gone With The Wind lamp that is missing the top shade, three Wallace Nutting prints, two of which need work, and a set of brand new lamps for my grandsons' bedroom, but I realize that they are so heavy it will cost more than I paid for them to ship them. I usually get so caught up in the moment when the bidding is going on that I often forfeit my better judgment. While I was at the auction I did one of my favorite things to do there -- eat. I had a scrapple sandwich for breakfast and a hot dog and chips for lunch. Healthy, huh?

Always,

NOTE:

A few commenters have asked what scrapple is. I forgot that this is not a common dish in some parts of the country. Here is a description from Wikipedia:

"Scrapple is a savory mush of pork scraps and trimmings combined with cornmeal and flour, often buckwheat flour. The mush is formed into a loaf, and slices of the scrapple are then fried before serving. Scraps of meat left over from butchering, not used or sold elsewhere, were made into scrapple to avoid waste. Scrapple is best known as a regional American food of Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland."

Here in Delaware we even have an "Apple-Scrapple Festival" every year. I grew up on scrapple, my mother's mother made it herself from scraps from the hog butchering on their farm (before I was born), and I LOVE it.

GIRLS NIGHT OUT

2009-03-06T22:08:00.005-05:00

Last night I hosted a jewelry party. This particular one was for sterling silver jewelry for which I used to be a representative. I decided it would be fun to do a little get together and if some friends would like to buy something, fine. But this is a very low pressure line to sell--the stuff is beautiful. My thought this time was just to get some friends together - I wasn't the one selling the jewelry, my rep was. I planned this about a month ago and invited about twenty women. I decided to serve a light supper and also have a drawing for a piece of my silver jewelry from my collection. I also planned to have Mama Mia- the sing along version - on the television for fun.

The menu was white chicken chili, cornbread, guacamole, salad, brownies, and beverages, to include sangria. If you knew me well you would know that I am a terrible procrastinator. By yesterday afternoon I was ready to have a major meltdown. I kept shopping for more things I needed and put off the prep until very late. People were due to start arriving between 5 o'clock and 6 o'clock. I gave up on my from scratch cornbread and used Jiffy mix and added a can of corn. Guess what? It was excellent! I also gave up on the brownies and bought frozen mini cream puffs and some strawberries. Guacamole - no. Just added the avocado to the salad. Sangria -- just bought the bottled kind and added slices of orange and a little ginger ale. The recipe I use for the chili is the one from Bush's Beans and I spice it up a little more. Served with shredded cheese and sour cream it is delicious.

And the twenty or so people invited? Almost everyone came and the party was a big success, if I do say so myself. Some people did buy jewelry and that means I get some free jewelry for being the hostess. Yay!

Everyone left by 8:30 or 9:00 and I was beat. I left the clean up for today. It is really tiring to be the "hostess with the mostest" - ha, ha. Actually I haven't done much entertaining for many years until recently.

I actually had another "girls night out" late this afternoon when a few girlfriends and I went to a concert at a local venue and saw the Diamonds perform. Do you remember them from the 50's? Well, maybe you aren't as old as I am. They are not the original guys, but they did a very good oldies show. We were rockin'! Four old (not really) chicks, looking around at all the old people in the audience and wondering if we looked that old -- no, of course not. Anyway, it was a lot of fun and I was home by 7:00!

Always,

SNOW!!!!!!!!

2009-03-02T10:36:00.004-05:00

I am so happy -- we finally have a decent snowfall. Here in coastal Delaware we get very little snow. It has something to do with proximity to the ocean. I am from Pennsylvania so I grew up with lots of heavy snowfalls. I remember when I was little we could hardly open the front door after it snowed a lot. I lived on a great hill and all the kids in the neighborhood would sled on it. Actually there were a lot of hills and sometimes you could start on our hill and if you had enough momentum you could keep going around the corner and down another two hills. Our dog, Teddy, would invariably get out of the house and chase the kids on their sleds.

I am sitting here in my little home office looking out at the snow coming down. It started last night and it is now 10:40 a.m. and still snowing a little. It is so beautiful.

My daughter is in Massachusetts and she is expecting a total accumulation of 15 inches -- on top of the foot or so they already have! My grandsons are in one school district and Beth teaches in another -- they are all home today. And little Ian's 9th birthday is today -- what a great present. Happy Birthday, Ian!

SHARING A SATURDAY LAUGH

2009-02-28T10:15:00.005-05:00

Why, Why, Why?

(from Paul Galvin)

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are almost dead?
___________________________________

Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they already know there is not enough money?
___________________________________

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars; but have to check when you say the paint is still wet?
___________________________________

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?
___________________________________

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?
___________________________________

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
___________________________________

Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in the word 'lisp'?
___________________________________

If people evolved from apes,
why are there still apes?
___________________________________

Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?
___________________________________

Is there ever a day that mattresses
are not on sale?
___________________________________

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?

How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?

Always,

....TO GRANDCHILDREN'S HOUSE WE GO!!

2009-02-23T20:40:00.005-05:00

I am posting the pictures first because it is too hard to try to get them under each paragraph. Does anyone know an easy way to do it?

Me with my daughter and grandsons.

What a great meal!

Helping to build the giant Lego pirate.

Beautiful snow!

Snow isn't always beautiful!

I got home yesterday from Massachusetts. It was a nice visit - a little short - but better than nothing. The grandsons seem to be taller every time I see them (which is every few months). There was still lots of snow there and we had a fresh dusting one of the nights.

I am not a mall shopper, but we were at two different malls on two different days. Each day to get presents for the boys. Ian's birthday is next Sunday. Cooper's isn't until July. So they both got early birthday presents! There was a Lego Master at one of the malls which we had to visit. He was building an 8 ft. tall pirate and there were hundreds of kids there to help.

Beth made THE best dinner on Saturday night - shredded chicken tacos, fresh guacamole, black beans and rice......yum. We visited the local thrift shop in the afternoon and I found two blue willow plates - one a divided diner (as in diner, not dinner) plate for my display and another larger platter. If I haven't mentioned it before, I have been using Blue Willow dishes since I was 21. A very long time. I have some other dishes, too, but the main ones I have always used are Blue Willow. I always get a kick out of the old movies I always watch when I see families sitting down to dinner and what kind of dishes do they use? Blue Willow!

THIS N' THAT

2009-02-17T11:18:00.005-05:00

On Sunday I attended one of my favorite local auctions. It was crowded and had lots of good STUFF. I ate my usual hot dog and watched the action. I came away with this oriental rug (that's Chloe testing it out). The prices for stuff at this auction is unbelievable. They even sell some cars which go for great prices. This rug was $225 which is a very good price for an oriental rug. You would pay that for a rug at Home Depot! After I got it home I noticed that it is a little crooked on the ends, but I can live with it. I saw a beautiful armoire that was probably about 75 years old and I would say if it were in a showroom it would be priced at $1,500 or more. It went for $335!!

Tomorrow I leave for Massachusetts to visit my daughter. She and my grandsons are off from school this week so I will go up and spend a few days with them. My son-in-law has to work, unfortunately. Beth and Dale are both teachers, but at different schools so their holidays don't always coincide.

I usually get stressed whenever I have to travel anywhere. The older I get, the worse it gets. It is just the preparation - what should I pack, clean up the house, get to the airport in time, etc., etc. Are you like that, too?

I will take some pictures up there and share them with you when I return on Sunday.

All the best to all of you,

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

2009-02-14T11:43:00.004-05:00

MAY YOU ALL HAVE THE SWEETEST VALENTINE'S DAY!

(Thank you to Graphics Fairy for the vintage Valentine)

HAS SPRING SPRUNG??

2009-02-13T10:25:00.006-05:00

For a week now the birds have been going crazy - swooping and flying and chirping and working real hard. I had to move things around in my garage so I could get my car in. I usually keep it in the driveway and there was bird poop all over it in one day. I was embarrassed to drive it to the car wash.

We have two huge holly trees in our yard and there are berries everywhere. We also have a little frog pond (man-made). As I am writing this I am looking out my window at the pond and there are about thirty birds enjoying the water. I guess it is a veritable feast at my house for the birds. I put suet and seed out in the winter and the seed was eaten, but the suet wasn't touched. I moved it to another location and the birds have eaten it all in a week.

Here is a photo of some tulips emerging. I thought it was early, but then I realized that the picture I posted on Monday (which was taken in a previous March) are the same tulips.

I just realized that today is Friday the 13th. I don't even like to think about it. Stay safe everyone!

2009-02-09T20:55:00.007-05:00

I haven't done a meme for quite awhile so I was pleased to have Cindy from Sagescript Institute tag me for this one.

The instructions are:

1.Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures
2.Go to the 6th Folder, then pick the 6th picture in that folder
3.Post that picture on your blog and tell the story that goes along with the picture.
4.Tag 6 other people that you know or don’t know to do the same thing and leave a comment on their blog or an e-mail letting them know you chose them.

This is a photo of some daffodils by my front step right after a late and infrequent snowfall. I took this picture a few years ago - the date said March 2006, but it may have been a year later. I see that it was before Easter because the wreath I made is on the front door.

I tag:

1. Lynne at Lynne's Little Corner of The World

2. Mary at Marys Writing Nook

3. Willow at Willow's Cottage

4. Flower at Flower Power

5. Barbara at The Clark Homestead

6. Linda at Somewhere in Time

Have fun!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LYNNE!!

2009-02-06T11:22:00.003-05:00

Today is Lynne's birthday at Lynne's Little Corner of the World. Lynne and I have been friends since 6th grade and we are now, well, let's just say we are women of a certain age. Lynne taught me the latest dance steps in high school, we shared the joys and sorrows of teenage romances, we drank cherry cokes at the soda fountain in Willow Grove, we graduated together, went to the same secretarial school after high school and even attended our 40th high school class reunion together. She is the one who introduced me to the blogging world. She's the best! Stop by and wish her a happy one!

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

2009-02-02T10:11:00.006-05:00

The hoopla is over and it was a great game. I am not a football fan -- at all. But this game was exciting and congratulations to the Steelers.

We had a party at our house which was a lot of fun. We seldom entertain and it was fun to have our friends and neighbors over. People brought food and we ate non-stop. Thank you to all! I may not be a sports fan, but Super Bowl Sunday is about the food as far as I am concerned. We had my homemade chili, cornbread, salad, wings, steamed shrimp, cheeses and dips, cookies and eclairs, beer and wine and soda.

Several people wanted my recipe for chili so this is it:

This will serve about 12-15 people.

3 lbs. ground beef

2 packages of Chili-O or some brand of chili seasoning (optional, but I had it in the cupboard and it is a fast way of making chili)

Approx. 1 Tbs of chili powder

Approx. 1 Tbs of ground cumin

1 large can of kidney beans (or also black beans or pinto beans) to taste

3 15 oz. cans of petite diced tomatoes

1/2 bag frozen chopped green pepper (or more)

3/4 bag frozen chopped onion (or more)

2-3 cloves chopped garlic

1 -2 cups frozen corn (optional)

I sautee the garlic, green pepper and onion in some olive oil until they are soft. Then I add the beef and brown it well.

Add the seasonings and then the tomatoes. Simmer a few minutes and add the beans and corn.

Simmer it all for approx. an hour and a half. I transferred it to a crock pot to keep it warm for self-serve.

I don't usually make this large a quantity of chili, so I was tasting as I was going to make sure the seasoning was right. I don't like it real hot and this was just a little spicy. Obviously, you may want to chop your own peppers and onions, but this was so much easier.

Everyone has their own chili recipe, but everyone raved about this. It is simple, basic chili.

ALL IN A DAY'S WORK

2009-01-29T20:59:00.011-05:00

I will be so glad when this stinkin' winter weather is over. If we had a decent snowfall to at least make it pretty, it wouldn't be so bad. This winter seems exceptionally cold for southern Delaware. But I do notice that it is getting dark later and we will be setting the clocks ahead (remember "spring forward") on March 8.

I had lunch with some girlfriends today at a little family restaurant. Their special today - chicken and dumplings. Remember my recent post on dumplings? These were delicious - chicken, homemade slippery dumplings, stuffing, ice tea and tip - $10.00. Then off we went to our Realtors' Board office for another update class to the ever-increasing bureaucratic stuff we need to know or change. We were given a little gizmo that processes a pin number for us to use every time we enter our listing service. Ok. But - the irritating thing is that if we lose this little gizmo it will cost us $50.00 to replace it. At least they could have made it larger -- it is only about the size of a half dollar. Do you know how many people will be losing these things?? I will probably be the first!

After that I had my hair done - cut and color. I had a ten dollar off coupon which helped some and the hairdresser also gave me a break on the charge because she had misquoted it to me. I started coloring my hair myself recently, but this time I had them do it.

Pizza and chicken pizza steak hoagie for dinner from the local pizza place - yum!

I am now going to change into my pj's and settle in with my latest mystery.

That was my day - how was yours?

TIME TRAVEL 101

2009-01-23T21:41:00.005-05:00

I have recently embarked on a journey into the past. The joke in my family is that I am the keeper of the H___ Museum. I treasure anything that I own that once belonged to me when I was a child, to my parents or to my grandparents. Within reason of course.

I still own my black and white copy books from first and second grade. You know the ones I mean. They still sell them. I have almost every picture my daughter ever drew in elementary school. I inherited most of my mother's old photos. My sister and I split them up, but I seem to have the bulk of them. You know - those old little black and white photographs showing people that we cannot identify. Old dolls, old dishes, tea sets, cut glass, souvenirs. You name it, I've got it.

To add to this, I have discovered the joy of genealogy. Why is it that when we reach fifty or thereabouts, we begin to be interested in long dead relatives? Why didn't we question our parents and especially our grandparents about their lives while we still had them with us? Not just about names and places, but how they lived their day to day lives, the trivia and details of their days.

I have found a site through our library's on-line service, wherein I can research old census documents. I am sure many of you have done this. It is like a mystery to be solved and I certainly love a mystery. I don't know much about doing this, but so far it is intriguing me to the point that I am glued to the computer screen until all hours of the night.

I knew that my paternal grandfather died when my father was a baby, supposedly during the 1918 great flu pandemic. This led me to a treatise written by a doctor about the epidemic and how it specifically affected Philadelphia. I then started to wonder what my grandmother's life was like when her young husband died and she had to return to her mother's house with her little boy. Why didn't I ever ask for details?

I have contacted a second cousin whom I have only met once and he has been working on the family history also. He has tons of interesting information that he will share with me.

Doing this is like herding cats, as they say. This person leads to that person who leads to another person and on and on and on.

Wish me luck - I am time traveling into the unknown past.