A few of my favorite things

I bought a few of these infinity sweaters for myself....EVERYWHERE I went people asked me where I got it.  It is so practical and if you're extra cold you can wrap it twice, but for me, I love the way

 

it hangs so comfortably.  When I would wear it to football games I would wrap my hands up in it to keep them extra warm....taking more photos to put them up on my website.  Perfect for those Pre-Spring days when there is just a chill, but not cold enough for a full jacket.  Perfect for menopause when you get warm in an instant...ok...miserably hot....keeps your underarms cool too.  They will be up soon for a very reasonable price of 42.00.

Puppy in the House

Meet our Nina

My surprise Birthday Present from my hubby.

Full of Curiosity and Mischief

Having her to hang around with all day helps in changing the way I look at things...

I love that when we are walking and a plane flies overhead she sits and watches it like a parade.

I love that she has to sit right at my feet, no matter where I am....the kitchen sink, the loo....

Slowing down sometimes has to be forced for me.  Truly enjoying the garden with her....even if her favorite thing to chew are my garden Crocs that I have to chase her around....and around for to get back.

We go for long walks and she is becoming a part of the whole family....but she is definitely my girl. xoxo

The giving Days of Christmas

Love this idea of an advent Calendar all about giving.  Every year I have bought my children (now 17 & 23) an advent calendar with chocolate for each day before Christmas.  What a joy it would be to share all of these notes of good deeds done over the years at the beginning of each holiday.  Simply put a garland with each day of the month represented.  It could be as simple as a bow to tie a note to, or a little container of any kind.  Each day, you each do a good deed for someone else.  A total stranger, an animal, maybe your whole family. And on Christmas Eve you can sit around a warm fire sharing.....imagine the joy of reading when your children are adults what they did at five, six and seventeen?  Wish I had done this, but it's never too late to do a good deed.  Let's all share the joys of Christmas with each other by receiving the blessings and happiness that comes from truly giving from our hearts. xoxox

Moments like these

 You love your kids.  You want the best for them.  You want them to achieve their own personal best.  This was one of those moments that you want your children to have in their life.  Whether it's singing at a concert, doing a dance routine.....just for once in their lives to hear people CHEERING for you, Clapping for you!!! A moment where everyone is truly happy in a few seconds or minutes that you gave them.....He's a senior.  Last football game.  They were losing (by a lot)  No touchdowns...and then this!!

 He will probably never be a college player. ...but for this ONE moment he was and knows he has it in him.  THey still lost, but after his touchdown the other team did not score a single point....watching the team hug, helmet slap and cheer him after was one of the happiest moments of my life.......now, he knows he can do it....which is the first step to doing anything and everything he wants.  Being a mother is hard....but there are times like this that you wouldn't trade for anything in the world.....because they are your world.

Sophie the Chicken Burglar

Just another day at home... Sophie comes in for a visit....and a little snack.  Notice how Betsy just watches as Sophie enjoys eating doggie dinner...

Sweet Little Dolls

I have a fear that I could turn into one of those scary doll ladies.  I don't know what it is about them that I just adore.  I only have a few, and am parting with this one, but I search for them all the time on Etsy and Ebay.  Sometimes it's hard to know the reasons something appeals or calls to us.  Myself, I often wonder for me if it's the fact that I feel I missed a lot of my childhood because my mother died when I was young.  Maybe it's the cherished moments with that little doll that was the only one that really understood.
For whatever reason, I know that as a child these toys were like family to me.  I can remember being so innocent that I was so sure she had feelings.  Can't you?  Wasn't that a magical time?  

I guess it is the fondness that draws us back to items from our childhood.  I once had someone tell me at a Flea that we are all there re-purchasing our childhoods.....could be.  
Maybe these sweetly loved dolls are just that.