Farewell Sweet Sophie

 

When you first decide to get a puppy, or a dog, you get yourself prepared for the big change that wonderful creature will bring into your home.  You are excited and anxious to begin this new adventure.

Then as the days slip into years, you are delighted at the joy and comfort this furry, big eyed, tail wagging, companion has brought to "what used to be"  just an ordinary day.  

It has always amazed me at how dogs are always happy to see you when you walk in the door, even when you have gone in and out that door 3 times for the past 30 minutes......each time you walk in, it's a great welcoming party......just for you.....because you are loved by them!

And when we are not so understanding of their mistakes, they love us anyhow and never remember ........and forgive us for our mistakes.......... All of this and so much more, we can learn from just having a loyal dog in our life.

But no matter how many times I have gone through the death of a beloved dog,  I am never prepared for when that day comes.  We go to the vet, I am told about how old and fragile our sweet dog is, .........and I can make a dreadful decision........at that moment.  But no, we take her back home  with a handful of magic pills and dog food, (that she really does not like), and I  think, in just a few days, she will be back to eating and playing........and we will still have a good bit of time with her in our life.

  And then, the day comes, when you realize, your happy dog is very ill and you have to sign this dreadful paper at the vet's office to allow such a sweet life........to be ended.

This happened today.........our sweet Sophie is gone.   I held and hugged her as the vet administered the shot........and that sweet brown eyed girl that was so full of life and love, within seconds, went down like a feather in my arms.......without a sound.

  And the happiness that we have known for the past 14 years floated away with her sweet spirit.  

Some day, when my time comes for me to leave this earth, I hope that wherever it is we go, that I will hear her bark and see her happy face and wagging tail .....

welcoming me as I open that door and walk in.

Contentment

 Here, in my world, without the noise and uncertainty of the news telling of the outside world's confusion, sadness, and  frustrations,

I lose myself into the quietness of the woods, still in dark silhouettes of the early morning and walk under the vibrant colors of an early morning sky, created without paint or brush.

 I share this moment with the wild birds whose songs echo through the woods and across the pastures.   Coyotes give their last call , as they vanish over the hills and a cow moos a long deep "moo '' from a neighboring ranch as the morning sun breaks the darkness of the night.

It's a peaceful blanket that envelopes this chilly barren land as far as the eye can see, and it's with contentment that  I start my morning and hope it stays with me throughout the day. 

Contentment is what I wish for you in these chilly days of February that lie ahead. 

 Keep warm on the inside and let your warmth shine on the outside! 

Something To Ponder On

 

Blessed are they who see beautiful things

in humble places

where other people see nothing. 

Camille Pissarro

Beautiful things don't ask for attention

Elegance is not about being noticed.

It's about being remembered.

Georgio Armani

Like wildflowers;

You must allow yourself to grow

in all the places people thought you never would 

Be your own kind of beautiful

Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy.

They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom

Marcel Proust.

A new year, A new January

 Happy New Year Everyone!

January arrived to us so different than just one year ago. The year's first day had 

a blue morning glory blooming on the fence and greeting Sophie and I on our

early morning walk. 

Last year found us knee deep in snow and in the middle of a snowball

fight with my grownup sons.  Snow has a magical way of bringing the kid

back to us all.........doesn't it? 

We have had such a wonderful long lasting 

fall.  Autumn and I have become such close friends and I am going to miss her dearly!

She left us with the most lovely sunset  before January made her arrival.

As much as I will miss fall, January is a good month to allow me to get much needed things done outside.

I was thrilled when I pulled my bulbs out of storage to find them healthy and

already sprouting....ready to be planted in their containers.

If you plant tulips, iris, daffodils, or other plants with bulbs, you can save the 

bulbs for the next fall planting. 

After your flowers have faded and the leaves turn brown and are ready to drop off, dig up your bulbs. 

Gently brush off any excess dirt.  I store my bulbs in Styrofoam egg cartons.

This keeps each bulb separated and allows them enough air.  You can choose what works best for you and you can research and find answers on the internet.

Store your bulbs in a cool, dry, dark, place.  I used a hallway top closet shelf.

When it is time to plant, your bulbs should be healthy and ready.

I plant my bulbs into galvanized pails and containers and place them into the greenhouse to ride the winter through.  I have to plant them this way to keep the bulbs safe from hungry bulb eating wildlife A shed is also a good place to store your bulbs if you choose containers over outside planting.  In getting my containers with the soil waiting and ready for planting,

I found a garden visitor who was thinking this would be a great winter home.  

I took it to the pond area where the other froggies stay.

 There is much more that needs to be done outside when the days are mild and warm, but for now, the chill of these January days finds me happier to stay inside with the comfort of a crackling fire, a comforting chair, and a sharp needle to stitch the hours away. Are there any outside

activities that you enjoy during January? What do you enjoy doing when you decide to stay inside? 

As I place a new calendar on the wall........I wonder.....who decided that this month  would be called........January??........and

if I really think about it.......too long.......January sounds like such an odd name.

Many of you already know where this name came from, but for those of you who do not, here is just a bit of history.

January was named for the Roman god Janus, known as the protector of gates and doorways who symbolize beginnings and endings with it's original Roman designation, Ianuarius, the Saxon term Wulf-monath (meaning "wolf month") and Charlemagne's designation Wintarmanoth ("winter / cold month").  Janus had two faces so he could see the future and the past. The Roman calendar originally began in March, and the months  of  January and February were added later, after a calendar reform.

The  birthstone for January is garnet. The word “garnet” comes from the 14th century Middle English word gernet, meaning “dark red.” The word is derived from Latin granatum, which means “seed,” and is called so because of the gemstone's resemblance to the red seeds of the pomegranate. As the birthstone for January, garnet is said to bring love, luck, health, loyalty and friendship to people who are born this month. It is also the gem that married people traditionally gift on their 2nd and 18th wedding anniversary.

 The January month birth flower is the Carnation & Snowdrop.  The reason and meanings of these flowers I have posted on my embroidery blog.  If you would like to visit .....here is the link

Yesteryear Embroideries

I hope this new year for you began with much goodness and peace and I hope it remains that way 

throughout the rest of the  year!

 

 

The greeting cards have all be sent

the decorations, gift gathering, and planning are done.

As the days towards Christmas start winding down, 

so do the days that mark the end of another year.

While I did not get as much as I had hoped accomplished in this one year,

I can say I am happy with what I did accomplish and with what I have learned on what I do want to accomplish in the year to come. I am not one for resolutions....but I do have plans and hopes of what could be possible.

How about you?

The outside grounds are just now starting to die down for a long winters nap.  As much as I would like to stay inside and stitch by the fire during these days, these cold days allow me the opportunity to clear new garden spaces and to get" hard to manage" projects out of the way.  Simply because there is not 100 degree heat to try to tolerate and the rattlesnakes are a little less aggressive.  I feel a little bit safer working on a chilly day and I can get much more accomplished

I have the  reward of my needle waiting when I am through.

As the last days of this year pass one by one, 

here's wishing you joy, peace and contentment.

Have yourself a Merry Christmas!

So remember while December

Brings the only Christmas Day

In the year let there be Christmas

In the things we do and say

Wouldn't life be worth the living

Wouldn't dreams be coming true

If we kept the Christmas spirit

All the whole year through.

Author unknown, c.1962

visit my country cooking blog for the recipe for this  delicious chicken meal.

you can find the recipe at this link:

Skillet Chicken Florentine

 

  

A Visitor

 

" Allow yourself time to appreciate the little things. 

 Because, of course, they really are not so little after all"

                                            Margaret B Moss

***Western Tiger Salamander 

As I sit outside on the pleasant early November days,

 I watch the leaves of the twisted mesquite trees, falling to the ground, drifting with the breeze.  These are small, long , narrow, leaves and in the early sunlight, it looks as if it is raining  golden raindrops. 

The woods and much of the trees are still green in color at this time of year..........yet, the ground is getting covered by the leaves that are turning gold and letting loose .........they know, it is time to go to sleep for the long cold days ahead. 

Amazingly, there are still butterflies and large fuzzy bumble bees lingering in and out of the  .......still blooming, remaining summer flowers......gathering what they can from the lovely petals that soon will be gone. 

In the,  what seems to be, slowing down time, it is actually a hurry up and get things done time.  With the daylight ending early, the outside matters need to be tended to.....from clearing garden spaces for late fall flower seed planting,  and bulb containers waiting for bulbs to be planted, to wrapping plastic housing around plants that stay outside of the greenhouse to endure the winter months. 

Inside, a quick survey and a list is to be made for things needed in the pantry and for the ingredients to make  meals for the upcoming holidays.  Even with a year of me knowing the holidays are coming........I am still in a rush mode when it gets down to just a few weeks left to be ready.  

In spite of the rush, these are pleasant days  to enjoy...........full of long walks, amazing morning skies, and calming golden sunsets.  

Tell me, are you busy getting outside things prepared for the cold days ahead?.......are you planning on fun gatherings around your holiday table?.......are you taking time to enjoy these pleasant and calm days?  

Here's wishing for you much pleasantness and peace these November days.