Our Victorian Cottage

Spring on the Horizon & a Giveaway .....

2012-02-15T08:13:00.003-05:00

Morning .....
With Valentines Day now in the history books I hope everyone got something pretty & sweet from their significant other. I Got a beautiful card & candy & a rose. Not bad for almost 44 years together. I am not much of a chocolate eater but I do confess ...I really like the chocolate covered "things" in these Heart shaped boxes. ..... However ...... one problem ....... I have dentures & when I bite into a caramel they get embedded in the candy. Not a pretty sight....... LOL!!
St. Patricks Day will be here in about a month & for me that is the Grand Start of Spring. Once March is here it is warm weather on the way .
I have been thinking of having a Giveaway to celebrate Spring . Maybe in about a month. Of Course...... Everyone knows that it will be something embroidered or crocheted & no doubt Springy ( is that a word??) ! ! Stay Tuned for that ......
Take Care & I hope the sugar rush of yesterday continues!!
Until Later ..... Marilyn

2012-02-14T06:09:00.000-05:00

To All My Blog Friends ..........
Marilyn

RIP .... Whitney

2012-02-13T09:25:00.002-05:00

Just a brief note with humble hopes of honoring one of our times greatest voices. Simply said ..... Her voice was amazing .
RIP ... Whitney ....

For the Love of Music .....

2012-02-09T08:23:00.002-05:00

When I was a little girl I was exposed to reading early in my life by my Grandmother. She loved to read & introduced me to the wonders of the library. She also played piano. She was the musician for the Lodge she belonged to. My Uncle Le, her son & my Mother both were readers & as many of you know my Uncle Le was a published poet.
As the years have added up to my 60+ I have passed this wonderful past time on to my daughter & my niece as they too devour books.
Piano music has a certain power for me. I remember vividly Grandma playing "The Tennessee Waltz". There still are times when I hear it that it brings tears to my eyes.
I love music. I love Classical & Jazz ..... Vintage rock & roll ..... R&B & Motown. I love Big Band & for the music I have on my blog now is Barry White... George Benson & Lou Rawls. Did you ever hear such a sultry sexy voice as Barry White ??? His music just melts me.
So don't ever let it be said that we don't learn from those before us because I will say my love of books & music I "got" from my Mom's family! !
Have a Great Day & Enjoy the Music ..... Marilyn

Waiting for Snow.....

2012-02-08T09:28:00.003-05:00

While we are usually called the "snow belt" here in the northeast this year we are in a snow deficit. Not complaining..... We had so much rain this past summer & fall that it was unmanageable for many areas. DH has not had any bad roads to contend with & that is a very good thing.
Today we are going to get some snow. How much ?? Well, according to the forecasters ... a dusting to an inch. Hardly worth mentioning. But they are calling for the teens at night & only 20's for the days over the next few days. So-o-o-o-o unless we get some nasty weather in the next 2 months the snowmen will have to wait until next year to be built. As do the ski slopes & snow machine trails.
I just put a crock pot of vegetable soup together & can't wait until the aroma fills the house. Today I am continuing the reorganization of my patterns & getting rid of some of those I do not use. I take any left over crafts to our Interfaith. It is very much like Goodwill. I know someone will like them.
Better Close Here ......Take Care !!
Marilyn

Hot Off My Needles & other things .......

2012-02-06T08:15:00.003-05:00

Good Beautiful Morning ! !
Our weather here today is going to be unbelievably in the low 50's..... WOW ! ! ! I have some errands to run later this morning & it will feel so-o-o-o-o good to have temps Spring Like!!
Here are 3 items that I finished in the last couple of days.
Both of the embroidered pieces are Bureau Scarves & the have duplicate embroidery on each end. The smaller one with the Blue Birds & Violin has an eyelet lace I stitched around it. The Southern Belle has layered crochet lace on the dress & all around it. Doesn't she looks like she is just waiting for Spring???

This doily, while being round is done in a filet crochet design. It is about 30" & the texture is beautiful. I found the pattern in an older copy of Decorative Crochet magazine. They all will go into my collection .....

This weekend DH got the generator going & now my electrician (brother) will be up this week to finish up. DH even made me a small ramp to pull it out of the cellar. We have one small step to get it out & let me tell you this "baby" is heavy. It is a Generac 7500. It will run just about everything in the house except the electric stove & electric dryer. Even if we never use it I can look at storms with some ease.

Congratulations to the Giants on their Super Bowl win ! ! Chris Snee is from my town & even if you are not a football fan you can't help getting excited ! ! Our town goes all out for the celebration......

Now one of our favorite sports starts ....NASCAR & then in April Yankees Baseball ! ! WOO HOO ....Spring is comin' .....

Until Later ..... Marilyn

Check This Out ! ! !

2012-02-04T16:52:00.004-05:00

How do you like my new Blog look ?? The header is mine but the background is from http://plumroselane-bckgrnds.blogspot.com/

Isn't it sensational ! ! Know the best part ?? I even figured out how to do it myself !! WOO HOO ! ! !.....Old dogs can learn new tricks ! ! !

Have a Great Rest of the Weekend ..... Marilyn

2012-02-03T08:22:00.003-05:00

Finally Friday & DH is due home mid day ....... Not much on the agenda but rest for him as his hours have become grueling.
Hope your Weekend is Wonderful & I will be back on Monday!!
Until Later ..... Marilyn

The "manager" ....

2012-01-31T15:04:00.002-05:00

Hubby came home early today & as always with a house that was built in 1865 there is always something that needs fixing or propping up.......

He needed to change the door knob..... WHY????

Well, yesterday morning DH was out on a run & I was on the computer in the next room from the living room. Our little Tuxie (Max) was at this very same spot playing with the door.

Unknown to me our one Maine Coon Cat (Bailey) got curious. When Max managed to open the door Bailey went into the closet to "inspect" the dark room. By this time I got up to see what the noise was......

I saw the closet door open & proceeded to shut it. Thereby shutting Bailey inside. When I went to the kitchen to see where Bailey was I realized he must have been in the closet. I opened the door & out popped Bailey.

So-o-o-o-o-o..... Today DH replaced the door knob assembly to make sure this would not happen again. Isn't it a good thing cats don't have workable thumbs???!!!

*****

Warm here today ...... Temps nearly 50 ! ! Unbelievable ! !

Have a Great Day!!

Marilyn

More Doily Creations ! !

2012-01-27T14:40:00.004-05:00

Good Friday Afternoon ......
Although our weather this morning was in the 40's & even reached almost 50 it is now declining & the wind is wild. We are returning to more winter like temps but no real snow in the forecast. Just some flurries every now & again. Weird Weather for sure .....
Here are a couple of doilies I finished this week. The first one is obviously for Valentines Day. It has the red hearts crocheted as a ring around. It is about 24".

This next one is snow white & the pattern is very intricate. I really like this one & it can actually be called a Table Topper as it is 30". I love the texture.... Both are for sale on Ebay. I did close my Ebay store as the only one who was getting "rich" off my store despite a few sale was Ebay. I can do just as well with occasional auctions. What a racket..... LOL!!

DH is due home in a couple of hours. It sure has been a long week as his work has been crazy. I am thankful for the work with the country in the shape it is in no mater what Washington or any politician says.
I hope everyone has a great weekend......
Until Later ..... Marilyn

Let The Storms Begin .........

2012-01-25T12:21:00.002-05:00

Today we had our "beautiful" generator hooked up ! ! The work in the cellar is done & all is ready so-o-o-o-o-o ..... I have one thing to say to the storms of Winter ...... ~ Bring It On ! ! ! ! ! I can run everything in my house except the electric range & the electric dryer ! ! It will run my furnace & everything else!! WOO HOO!!!!!! It may sound a bit over done but when you live here in the northeast corner of Pennsylvania in the mountains it is a comfort ! ! ! !(Sure am glad to have a brother who is an electrician as all it cost me to hook it up was lunch!! )
I have been busy sorting & throwing & giving away stuff .... Sort of getting a start on the whole Spring Cleaning. Getting a pile of books for the library donation & yesterday I took a couple of bags of clothes I no longer needed to the donation store. No point in having them in my closet when someone else can get some use out of them.
Stay Warm & TTYL!!
Marilyn

Let It Snow ..........

2012-01-21T09:53:00.004-05:00

Well, we got it ........ Our first real snow fall of the season. It is just beginning to wind down & we have about 6" of fluffy snow because it is so cold. It is still just below 20. at 10:00 a.m.
DH is in the cellar assembling the new generator that we got yesterday !! Hurray ! ! ! ! ! Next Saturday we will get all the wiring done & then it will be ready to go!! WOO HOO ! ! !
Last night I started reading a really good book called "Savages". It is written by the same woman who wrote "Lace" & "Lace II". I think the name is Shirley Conran or Conrad... Not sure. It promises to be a page turner as I just love them.......
I started an embroidery project of a bureau scarf yesterday. It has some bluebirds on it with a violin & flowers. Each end has the same print. It is so pretty. I will show it when done.

Here is the latest finished doily I just put on Ebay. Nothing like the beautiful simplicity of white. Most of the vintage doilies were either white or off white. The ones that I have of my Grandmother's & Mother's were mostly white. This one is about 27"........

Stay Warm...... Marilyn

..... The Generator Arrives Today ! !

2012-01-20T10:15:00.002-05:00

As I sit here I am waiting for the arrival of my new generator. My brother who is an electrician is the one who got it for us & is hooking it all up. Hurray..... No more "without" power & no more "pioneer living" when storms hit ! !
Blogger is still a mystery for me. Thanks for all the advice that so many gave me. Most of which I already had tried. We will see what happens & what some of us will do. With me it will depend on the diffuculty .......
We are going to get a snow storm tonight with about 2" to 5" predicted with higher amounts in the elevations which is us. DH will be home by mid-day today so ....Let it Rip ! !
Gotta Run...... Have sold a couple of more things on Ebay & I need to go to the post office & other errands!!
Until Later.... Stay Warm....
Marilyn

Another Day in Paradise ......

2012-01-18T05:43:00.002-05:00

Been thinking about those who are on the coast of Alaska & now in the Northwest who are having huge amounts of snow. Stay safe ! !
We have had such little snow here this year that it seems like the whole winter weather patterns have shifted. Is that possible ? ? Probably not ..... just "one of those things". No one can predict the weather much beyond a 24 hour period. Sometimes I think the old-timers used to do it best ! ! Just stand out in your front yard & look a the clouds & smell the air...... Yep, it's gonna' rain .....
Below are 3 doilies I just finished off & put on Ebay. If they don't sell I will gladly keep them & put them in my stash!!
This one has a variegated center & copper & apricot on the outside rings.

This is a minty turquoise & white ......

This is a medium pink & in all are center crocheted & silk flowers with faux pearls added to centers.

Today we are cold.... cold .... cold.... with temps dropping into the twenties & teens tonight. The furnace chugs away. Fossil fuel going up the chimney at $3.689 a gallon ! ! We just got 140 gallons last week & it cost $516.46 ! ! WTH ! ! Doesn't that just make you crazy ?? It certainly does me!! It is making retirement in the northeast look less & less attractive that is for sure.

Oh well, can't fight city-hall & I sure can't do anything about the grip someone or something sure has on the economy. Maybe we all should go back to how our ancestors lived & be completely self-sufficient. No "bail-outs".... no welfare... no hand-outs... It sure seemed to work out better then..... JMO!!!

Until Later ..... Marilyn

Blogger is the Pits!!

2012-01-16T08:58:00.002-05:00

This cartoon above is about the way I feel about Blogger now....... Not that I want to take it out on my computer as without Blogger the computer works just fine. There are so many Blogs that I can no longer comment on & the new "reply" button beneath others comments on my post takes me nowhere ! ! Well, isn't that nice ??!!??
So to all who I used to leave comments on.... I tried ....... Just know I do care & I do read your posts ! ! If this doesn't rectify itself soon I will close my blog 'cause after all it was for my enjoyment ... not to add stress to my life ! ! Stay tuned.....
Our weekend was cold with the temps not getting out of the teens & I am beginning to feel like a bear in hibernation. Cabin fever is beginning to take hold. Tonight we are to get about 1" of ice & then tomorrow by the afternoon the temps are to be 40 & hopefully the ice will melt.
This coming weekend we are getting out new generator installed. It is large enough to run the whole house including the furnace if need be. That will be a load off my mind with DH on the road so much. We won't be like last year when we were without power for 3 days!!
Gotta' Go .... Am going to find a homemade soup recipe to put together. It feels like a hot pot of soup kinda' day!!
Until later ..... Marilyn

Our Baby Boy .......

2012-01-13T01:00:00.005-05:00

I was a child of the 60's...... They were turbulent times by any standards. When I was in high school the thing to do was to get married & have a family. DH & I were high school Sweethearts & this year we will celebrate our 44th Wedding Anniversary.
As I look back times were hard. I really don't think I would ever want to relive it only with the proviso of being able to change it with the knowledge of today.
A couple of years after we were married I was pregnant. Back then, in the early 70's there were no test of what you would have. It was either a boy or a girl & all you could hope for was a healthy baby with all the fingers & toes.
At Christmas time we were visiting some relatives & when we were leaving I slipped on some ice & fell hard on my rump. I seemed to be fine with just my dignity in ruins. A couple of days later I found myself in the ER with contractions & about to have a baby. I was only 6 1/2 months along. The hospital personal was in panic mode as this was just a small country hospital. No neo-natal care...... Just a nursery with incubators.
At 4:05 p.m. on January 13th, 1970 our 1st born, a boy, came into the world at 2 lbs. 13 oz. He was only 11" long.... So tiny. They rushed him out but before they did I heard a tiny cry that, thinking back, sounded like a kitten's mew. The baby was alive........
It was touch & go for a long time with his body weight dropping to 2 lbs. 3 oz. On April 4th we brought him home as he finally got to 5 lbs. The rest is history.......
Now he is over 6 foot tall & today he is 42 years old......... So far the smallest baby to be born here in this country hospital & survive. God was certainly with him as he defied all odds!!
Happy Birthday Son...... I can't believe it has been 42 years ! !
Miracles Do Happen ! !
Marilyn

..... Another Mountain Crossed ! !

2012-01-12T06:03:00.002-05:00

Good Rainy Morning ! !
Rainy this morning & cold.... not great for the ole' arthritis but hey, it's certainly better than ice that they did forecast. It is still in the upper 30's here & the rain is fairly heavy but no freezing & no snow!! Hurray!! Maybe not so lucky tomorrow with 4" to 6" forecast..... Ugh!!
Yesterday I had my 6 month check up at the Cancer Center. I saw the Oncologist & he cut me free ! ! No more appointments there as he feels I am back to normal ! ! The only reason I would go back is if I need cancer treatment again. I still will have the 6 month mammograms for the next couple of years at the Breast Care Center & if after 5 years they turn out o.k. I will then go to yearly. I felt like dancin' all the way home...... I am cancer free ! ! ! !
I have been watching the end of my soap "One Life to Live" as it will be taken off the air after 40 years. I will miss it greatly. Now there are only 3 left. I can remember when the soaps were only 15 min. each & when "As the World Turns" went to 1/2 hour & later when "Another World" went to 1 hour it was quite a feat. Now they are going by way of the talk & reality shows. JMO but I think TV is junk. Not just because of this change but look at it...... Yep, J-U-N-K ! ! I sometimes wonder why I even pay a cable bill as I watch less & less of it!! .... again...JMO!!
Well, I have some needlework to do today as well as some cookies & bread to bake so I will close here!!
Take Care & Until Later ....... Marilyn

Monday Hello ! !

2012-01-09T11:47:00.001-05:00

As most of you know my love for the feline population knows no bounds. So if you are a follower or about to be you know how sappy or syrupy I can become when I see a furry little face of such!! They just melt me ....... Speaking of felines , my Boyz are enjoying a morning nap in their chairs. What & where are their chairs ??? Well. let's see.... Max is in my recliner in the sunroom, Baily is in DH's recliner in the sunroom & Mr. Binks is in a Victorian chair in the livingroom. All are snuggled in their own fleece blankets. Aren't they the little princes??? You betcha'!! Our little princes!! Our Boyz!!

We had a nice & quiet weekend. Our weather is unbelievably mild so far. In fact Saturday it was in the low 50's & felt like an early Spring day. Wednesday night we are to get some precipitation in the form of everything from rain to ice to snow. We shall see........

I am still crocheting away on the baby items for the charity I do for. I just love to create cute little things for these children.

I will be off the Blogs until the end of the week so have a Great next couple of days!!

Until Later..... Marilyn

Charity Work ......

2012-01-05T01:00:00.001-05:00

I have switched gears from doing doilies to working on some baby items for charity. The photos are some of the creations I have done off & on for the past few days. The photos are not meant to depict sets. They are just single items from some of the baby yarns I have in my stash.
Below is a sweater that goes very fast. In fact I have done 2 & each only took a few hours to do. It is done in a shell stitch & the pattern is from ASN (American School of Needlework) by Mary Thomas called Baby Sweaters. It was published in 1986 & has 6 patterns... 3 crochet & 3 knit. The hat is of a simple single crochet. You make a square about 10" x 10" & fold in half, join the sides & top in & fold to make a flap. Very easy.......

The mittens are 2 needle mittens. The socks are the best. They are 2 needle socks that I found on the Internet at this address .......

http://www.handwork.org/knitting/2-needle-kid-socks-knitting-pattern.html They are so very easy to do & they make great children's slipper socks. Anything to keep a child warm...... This morning it was -1 & it finally got into the 20's by afternoon. It will warm up into the 40's over the next few days. That will feel nice.

Take Care & Stay Warm ! !

Until Later....... Marilyn

Just Off My Needles ....

2012-01-03T08:34:00.002-05:00

Here I am once again showing off my latest creations of crochet ! !

Thus doily was a pain in the patootie to do & this is THE ONLY one I will ever do ! ! ! I don't know if it was me or the way the directions were written but.... OH BOY .... Anyway, it is for sale in my Ebay Store.

This Ladies Dancing was done in Spring time colors for my Ebay Store. Some people are thinking ahead to the Spring even though we are socked-in with frigid weather & snow here in the northeast & other areas!! Rest assured Spring will come....... LOL!!

******

Super cold here today with temps in the teens & tonight will be in the single digits to below 0... Brrrrrr !! By Friday they say we will warm up into the 40's again. Weird !!

Have a Great Day!!

Until Later..... Marilyn

Looking Back & Forward ! !

2012-01-02T09:06:00.004-05:00

Today is the second day of the New Year & DH is off. So nice to have had long Holiday Weekends of two in a row. Nothing much going on...... He has a brief project in the cellar & I am noodling on the computer.
We have had some extremely warm weather & not too much snow so far. That will change soon. Today into tomorrow we are to get 2" to 4" of "lake effect" snow. That means it is generated off the Great Lakes & comes to us not in a storm. Areas in upper NY really get hammered in this effect with measuring feet of snow dumping off the lakes.
I was wondering what I accomplished in this past year of 2011.... Let's see..... A lot of emotional family difficulties reared their ugly heads over the year & I learned that I can survive it all & come out better than ever!! I learned how to change the background & headers of my blog ALL BY MYSELF!! I even learned how to "make it snow" on the blog!! (See even old dogs can learn new tricks!!) LOL!! I learned how to read html.... Now, I am not fluent by any means but I can semi-read it when necessary!!
I made many booties, sweaters, dolls etc. for the children's charity I give to. I donated animal food & money to a local shelter. This is so necessary in this economy!!
This year??? Well, I plan on giving more to the charities I do. I plan on reading more & just trying to be a better person...... Oh yeah.... I turned 60 in 2011. Hey, now I can sit in a conversation with the younger set & say "I remember when gas was .23 a gallon & you could buy a weeks worth of groceries for $15.00 ! ! " WOW.....
What are your plans?????
Have a Wonderful Week!!
Until Later....... Marilyn

A Little New Year's Wish

2011-12-30T01:00:00.002-05:00

Speak with your God
A little
Or that in which you see.
The force that turns wee moments
Into eternity.

Call out for help
To understand
The faith that love can give.
And make a little promise
of help, to make it live.

Look for the face
Around you
Of outstretched brotherhood.
And try to do, unto Him,
A little something good.

Ask only truth
Your question
And humbly heed the word.
Then may, someday, our little song
of love and peace, be heard.

by Uncle Le
******
May Love & Peace.....
Good Health & Happiness be with you & yours in 2012 !!
Love, Marilyn

New Pillowcases .... Ta Da ! !

2011-12-28T09:36:00.004-05:00

Here are some of my latest Pillowcases that I embroidered & crocheted ! I purchased them as stamped linens on Ebay quite some time ago. Anyone who follows my blog knows I just love needlework ! !
Southern Belles are my favorite as it gives a lot to work with. This light aqua/teal color goes so well with the variegated pink & teal on the edge.

This set of Belles are dressed in a dark teal. Because I love the pinks so much it is hard to choose colors away from that but this dark teal looks pretty good. The flowers that match are done in a variegated orange & so is the crocheted edging.

I am fairly certain that these will go into my linen closet. I have a hard time parting with anything with so much work!! LOL!!

I wanted to say that anyone who does crocheting may want to know that there is a fabulous #10 crochet thread maker available now through http://www.herrschners.com/ It is called Garden Egyptian Giza Cotton. It is made in Turkey. The colors are beautiful & most of the colors are not available in any other brand of thread. Also DMC has a new thread out. It is called DMC Color Variations Floss . It is a variegated thread but it is softly muted and beautiful!! I use these all the time & can say this. I have NEVER found any flaws in either!! Try them......

******

Cold here today. We are under a Severe Weather Statement as the rain we have had overnight threatens to freeze on the roads as the temps drop into the 20's. Brrrrrr......

Gotta' run..... Do some cookies for the week of DH's lunches!!

Until Later..... Marilyn

Here It Comes ! !

2011-12-27T06:33:00.002-05:00

Ready or not here it comes ! ! 2012 is on our doorstep....... What will it hold ? ? I think I see a Wonderful New Year. As yet untouched & unlived. I want to hold on to the unknown with a tingle of anticipation of only good things to come for the New Year & I hope this will be for all of us & ours ! !
We had a nice Christmas........ We had family in for a ham dinner. (DH loves ham....me??? I prefer turkey & the trimmins'...LOL!!) DH had yesterday off so we went pick-up truck shopping. We found one at a dealership near by & bought it & brought it home. After getting rid of our 2001 Ford Ranger we found a gently used 2010 Ford Ranger & it still has a long factory warranty!! Now I can have my SUV back in the driveway. Amazing how you get used to having a vehicle at your disposal & then you don't. Sorta' put a crimp in my days!! Oh well, all's well & things are back to normal!!
I have been doing some needlework & as soon as I get them ironed I will post them. Probably in a few days.
Our weather has been so mild so far this season but that is about to change. We have snow of some kind or other predicted through out the week with gradually colder temps. Hey.... 'tis the season ! !
Hope everyone had a Grand Christmas Day.......
Until Later.....Marilyn

2011-12-19T09:49:00.005-05:00

I am wishing all in Blogland a very Merry Christmas. To those "friends" who are facing serious health issues, financial challenges or has lost a loved one I pray that the New Year heals you. My Heart is with you always ........
I will be back on the blogs next week as I am making preparations for the Big Day!!

Until Later ....... Marilyn

Merry Christmas ! !

A Country Kitchen Christmas

2011-12-16T09:19:00.003-05:00

The Yuletide ride to Grandma's
Through rivers, woods and snow
Is the story song of Christmas
We learned so long ago.

But which among those verses
Of rural Christmas Joy
Applauds those unsung heroes
Who in the kitchen toil?

To start with there was Grandma
Queen of the cooks' domain
Whose fond, but firm, directions
Kept order in the main!

Ma stuffs a wild tom turkey
Fresh plucked by Uncle Dan
While Pa brings from the smokehouse
His champ'een sugar cured ham.

Aunt Jen is makin' taters
And cookin' winter squash
While Sis cuts beans and carrots
Unflapped by brother Josh.

Beneath the cast iron coal stove
The soul of unconcern
Ol' houn'dog takes it all in
Just waitin' out his turn.

Cranberries wait for saucin'
Hot chestnuts crack their skins
Pie crusts ready for fillin'
Ma wishes she were twins.

That homemade bread aroma
Hints at food joys in store
Enough to bring kids sniffin'
Outside the kitchen door.

When food's cut-up and cookin'
And coffee's at full boil
The cooks sit 'round the table
On break from kitchen toils.

A last prod at the turkey
And stirs of various pots
Desserts cool at the window
And all the food gettin' is got.

Next, Sis and Ma and Aunt Jennie
Set table and layout the treats
While cousin Cass lifts a tippy glass
And calls the family to feast.

So in this year's Yule Thanks-blessing
For God's Bounty, Beauty and Health
Be sure that your gratitude includes
Those divine gifts, the kitchen help!!

by Uncle Le...... 1996 Collection
********
HAPPY HOLIDAYS ! !

A 1950's Christmas Look Back .....

2011-12-15T01:00:00.002-05:00

Along with some faded memories comes a trip thru the ole' box of photos that were left to me as I was the next one in line. Here are a couple I wanted to share.....

I would say it was about 1957..... My new Ballerina Doll & my baby brother on his new stuffed dog. I still have some of those ornaments that are on the tree...... This is at our house, at the time we lived next door to Grandma & Grandpa. Probably the same year from the look of the doll I seem to have a grip on..... My Mom & Dad are sitting with us. This was taken at my Grandparents house on Christmas Day.
Memories at this time of year can be a comfort but at the same time can be a heartbreak. The Holidays for me are always a mix of both. It sharpens the loss of the ones we have lost but it can renew the strength of our faith. Life sure can be a puzzle......
Happy Holidays ! Marilyn

Christmas Table Topper Done ! !

2011-12-14T08:02:00.002-05:00

Another cute table topper to add to my ever growing stash..... I finished this Christmas Beauty last night & got it all starched this morning!! It is now on a small table in my living room. It is 36" square...... I purchased it as a kit after Christmas last year from http://www.herrschners.com/. They have some great sales for a couple of months after the Holidays.
Today it is warming up some. The high for today is to be in the mid-40's. We still have a snow pack of a few inches but rain is forecast for tonight & tomorrow with temps in the low 50's so that will probably melt off.
DH is due home mid-day today with local work the rest of the week. That will be so nice to have some sort of normalcy & even have supper together !!
Gotta' Go...... Have a Great Day!
Until Later..... Marilyn

A Wistful Christmas

2011-12-12T08:12:00.002-05:00

As I peruse the yester-views
Of Christmases gone by.
I reminisce on youthful bliss
And heave a wistful sigh.

Though some may say that yesterdays
Are not the place to dwell.
Still I declare one visit there
Will cast a yester-spell.

Revisit things like backyard swings
And down hill sleigh ride thrills.
Like tinker toys for little boys
And girls all curls and frills.

Can you recall those tail-slide falls
When learning how to skate?
Or when one "A" report card day
Could make you feel so great?

The tears and hopes of day-time soaps
Were born on radio.
Who's comedy and mysteries
Intrigued and cheered us so.

Each Holiday sure, with Father we'd tour
To see kin, in our Essex four-door.
Sis and I had back seats, with soap-stone warmed feet
And knee-blanket shared-less or more.

The traditional tree, fresh cut-usually
Will long, in my mem'ry remain.
With white popcorn strings and colorful rings
All linked in a gay paper-chain.

From Rin-Tin-Tin to a war to win
In a nation coming of age.
To guns from our toys, to manhood from boys
Who wrung freedom from tyranny's rage.

So much to recall of youth's hallowed halls
We have here, the surface, but scratched.
From safty pinned mittens to puppy-love smitten
'Tis an age of good times unmatched.

So, Dear Friends, that is it, your yester-visit
Your trip back to once-upon a time.
And if you have enjoyed being re-girl'd and boy'd
'Tis my gift to your once-upon mind.

By Uncle Le ..... 1988

....note..... As you may have guessed these poems were written with the memories of my Uncle Le about his childhood. He was my Mother's brother & now that they are all gone these poems are a treasure trove of wonder to me. I hope you enjoy them & they evoke a Christmas memory for you ! !
Happy Holidays ! !
Marilyn

Hey.... Hey.... I Been Busy ! ! !

2011-12-09T12:26:00.002-05:00

Happy Holidays To All......
I just wanted to stop by to show what I have been doin' ! !
This is a pair of pillowcases I purchased on Ebay as stamped linens. I embroidered them & crocheted the edges. They are not for sale & will go in my linen closet!! I have such a soft spot for luxurious vintage bed linens......

These 2 doilies were fairly easy to do but time consuming as they needed to be put together. Aren't they so unusual ! !

These doilies will go on Ebay in my Store........

..........

Weather here has turned cold. It was 27 this morning but now the sun is shining & it is in the 40's. We still have a lot of snow on the ground but the sun is melting it......

No plans for the weekend. Just relax & recoup ! !

Have a Wonderful Weekend ! !

Marilyn

p.s. The cable company did show up last night to disconnect the wire.......WOO HOO ! !

Winter Storm .....

2011-12-08T10:49:00.002-05:00

Last night we finally got our 1st real winter snow storm. It came in fast & furious & between about 6 p.m. & 2 a.m. it dumped over 6" of huge wet flakes.
Now let's see..... I got up with DH at 2:30 a.m. so he could leave for an appt. & as I was walking into the kitchen stepped on a hair wad that was accompanied by some other UFO's. Anyone who loves felines knows this is a frequent occurrence... BUT NOT AT 2:30 A.M. ! ! ! After cleaning up this mess & regaining my composure then I walked right into an unmovable object & stubbed my already very sore big toe. After doing a dance & getting DH out the door I went back to bed & laid there wide awake.... (big surprise).... Did you ever see the cartoon of when the bear gets his toe hurt & he holds it fiery red & throbbing??? That would have been me......
I finally got back to sleep after 4 & slept until almost 7...... I got up & got dressed as this morning was garbage day & they are always here at 8:30 a.m. like clock work. As I took out the garbage I noticed a wire hanging that was still connected to the house but draped across the driveway & part of the street. ......
I went into the house tested the cable, land line & the power was obvious & came to the conclusion that it was a dead line. However, I called 911 as you are supposed to. The police officer came out & said it was cable.
Did you ever try to call a cable company???? Try to find a working number??? We are with Time Warner & they are the pits....... They will be here sometime between now & NEVER to disconnect it...... IDIOTS ! ! ! !
So as I make an attempt to restart my day I will say this..... While I feel like I am being pecked-to-death by a duck I sure hope you are having a better start! !
I now think I will go back to bed......... LOL!! LOL!! (Hey, ya' gotta' laugh......)
Marilyn

A Hand-Me-Down Christmas

2011-12-07T06:49:00.002-05:00

Back in the day of horse & sleigh
When Great Grandpa was young
Most gifts beneath the Christmas tree
Were hand-me-down homespuns.

Since ready-mades were seldom stocked
On country store stuffed shelves
Grandma just bought the "makin's" there
And did the duds herself.

But those were not one-user times
There were no throw aways
Most everything was passed along
Til' brite blues turned to grey.

Even Great Grandma's wedding dress
Showed up one Christmas morn
Re-sewn in go-to-mettin' style
To be, by Grandma, worn.

Now shoes were somethin' else again
Which mostly were resoled
And then, fresh cardboard innerlined,
Strolled thru the family fold.

That old Ragdoll with fading smile
Has lived three lives or four
But dresses, now, & makeup too
May give her several more.

An antique sled out in the barn
With strap iron runners thinned
Just needed one new coat of paint
And one new heart to win.

When farm boys came of yoeman age
Full fit to till the land
A tool kit picked from Father's best
Passed on from man to man.

Not being one to be out done
Mom wrapped her fav'rite pot
And with some family recipies
She gifted daughter Dot.

Even Aunt Lil got in the act
Of Christmas pass-alongs
With endless niece & nephew lists
Of conduct rights & wrongs.

And how about those timeless words
In family Bibles stored
Which will live on from hand to hand
For generations more.

A baby born on Christmas morn
Could rock away it's tears
In a cradle passed from Mom to Mom
For babes down thru the years.

Yet, still, in all the heritage
Of things here spoken of
There is no greater handing down
Than the timeless gift of Love.

by My Uncle Le - 1999

2011-12-06T11:44:00.003-05:00

Morning ! !
Like just about everyone else I have been busier than a kitty in a litter box !! (Did ya' ever watch a kitty in a litter box??) LOL!! ..... anyway...... I have sold 4 doilies on Ebay & a knitting book & I am so happy. I debated & debated about whether to open a store in Etsy or Ebay & I finally decided on Ebay. Within a few days I sold these items..... WOO HOO ! ! ! I have been busy adding more to the store & hoping it will take off!! I am crocheting doilies just as fast as my fingers will go.....
Our weather here in the northeast has been so balmy. When I got up this a.m. it was 51 degrees. However, that is about to end. We are in line to get some cold temps & at least 4" of snow. The storm is coming up the coast & they are not really sure if it will hit us. It remains to be seen. By Thursday we will know.
This morning I put together 2 fruitcakes & they are baking in the oven now. Mmmmmm.... I love fruitcake & so does DH. That is one thing I will say you either hate it or love it. This recipe has just about everything in it but the kitchen sink.... LOL!!
Better Close Here....... Take Care & have a great week!!
Marilyn

Post-op check up ~ ~

2011-12-01T18:28:00.002-05:00

Thought I would drop by to say that I got an official A O.K. from my surgeon ! !
.............. WOOT........WOOT ! ! ! !
Everything is fine & I am in good health & nothing to worry about for the foreseeable future ! !
.............................. WOOT.......... WOOT ! ! ! !
Now that is what I call a Wonderful Christmas Present........ My Health ! ! !
Life can finally settle down.................
Have Peaceful Evening ! !
Marilyn

2011-11-30T14:34:00.002-05:00

Hope all is well for everyone......
After several days of unseasonably warm weather we are back to the norm of temps in the 30's & flurries. One of these days......... POW ...... We will get the Mother of all Snows. We always do but for now we are enjoying none!!
Just finished a couple of books ...... "Explosive Eighteen" by Evanovich..... Not bad for a bit of fluff. Then I got the book "Killing Lincoln" by O'Reilly...... pretty good as I am a big Civil War reader. To really get-it you do have to have some knowledge of that time in history. All in all it was good!! Now I am reading "V is for Vengeance" by Grafton. So far so good......
Tomorrow DH & I are going to Scranton for my 2 week appointment with the Surgeon. Just for a post-operative check up. It will no doubt take me longer to get there than to see him. At least there will be no snow to contend with!!
I hope everyone has a Great Day!!
Until Later..... Marilyn

A Grandma's Christmas

2011-11-28T09:28:00.002-05:00

While settin' up for Christmas
To make room for a tree
From under Grandma's rocker
A secret drawer slid free.

Within we found her mem'ries
Of happy times long past
A diary of Christmases
Which now will ever last.

Besides her words of wisdom
And homespun country lore
Were pressed some tintype photos
And ribbon, bows and more.

She wrote of their first Christmas
With Gran'pa at her side
And how they fed their kinfolk
Who came from far and wide.

One photo showed their first-born
In grandma's rocker curled
Who was to be my Mother
The best in all the world.

One entry spoke of sleigh bells
Upon a Christmas night
And songs from hayride rev'lers
Wrapped in their world of white.

Another told of Christmas
In Grandma's one room school
Where kids dressed up as wisemen
In awe, the Christ child viewed.

One tintype showed her fam'ly
All trussed up and scrubbed clean
Three smilin' generations
Around the Christmas tree.

The last of all her writings
Thanked God for all the years
Of her humble life's journey
And his message of Good Cheer.

Written by my Beloved Uncle Le - 2008
I miss you....... Marilyn

....and so it begins ! ! !

2011-11-25T08:20:00.002-05:00

Today is the official beginning of the Christmas Holidays !! From the Black Friday shopping to the excitement in schools & families. I for one am rejoicing & celebrating this season as my health is restored & I am one happy lady ! ! Not all is perfect in our family but who's is?? I have learned to give it to God & let him figure it out......... I am going to be Happy for the Rest of my life in spite of what those around me do ! ! ! ! !
DH is on a short run today. He will be home around mid-day & then the weekend is ours......
Take Care & Enjoy all those leftovers. I know we will ! ! ! !
Until Later..... Marilyn

2011-11-22T07:10:00.001-05:00

Biopsy Report Is In ~~~~~

2011-11-21T09:28:00.003-05:00

Just a quick note to say I just got a call from the surgeon & the biopsy is benign & all tissue is NEGATIVE..... NO further surgery is needed ! ! ! ! WOO HOO ! ! ! ! !
I am so-o-o-o-o-o relieved ! ! ! ! ! !
Thanks for all the prayers & support..... It is so-o-o-o-o appreciated & does work ! ! !
Later.... Marilyn

Biopsy update, etc......

2011-11-19T08:02:00.004-05:00

Good Morning!!
First of all I want to thank everyone who sent prayers my way for the breast biopsy I had. It took place on Thursday in the afternoon at a Scranton, Pa. hospital & all went well. DH was, as always by my side, so I was not alone.
The surgeon said he felt that the calcifications will be benign as they were small & he removed them all. Now off to the labs to be tested & to have a definitive answer. I should know within the next few days. I hope no further surgery will be called for. These tests are a pain but at least it gets any potential problems dealt with before they get serious...... Believe me... Stage 0 breast cancer is a lot easier to deal with than any other stage.
DH is working in the pantry this weekend. We have a large old fashioned pantry where we have our laundry & I store all our food. Believe me, I can go to Sam's & really stock up & nicely put it all in there.... plus we have our chest freezer there too!! I remember my Grandmother's house had a wonderful pantry off the kitchen so when we found this house, yep, you guessed it, it was a selling point for me.... The Pantry. So now DH is putting up new shelves for me & making it even more storage friendly.
Today it is cold but sunny. Our nights have barely been in the low 20's & the days in the 40's. Until Later..... Marilyn

2011-11-14T07:48:00.002-05:00

Morning.....
I will be off the blogs for awhile now as I am going into the hospital on an out-patient basis the end of the week for another breast biopsy......
Until Later.... Marilyn

A Poem ......

2011-11-12T09:12:00.002-05:00

SIDE-STEPPER
I step cautiously,
Walking with happiness.
For she leads me
With a tapping cane
Down cobbled path stones
Of fragmented joys.
Where one misstep
Can sprain my Heart.

From the collection of My Uncle Le .........

Have a Great Weekend.....
Marilyn

Veterans Day Observation

2011-11-11T08:08:00.001-05:00

Maxie's Musings......

2011-11-08T08:56:00.002-05:00

First of all I want to say that I have begun to bring out the Seasonal Decor!! Early???? Well, just look at the stores....... I have so many things that are family hand-me-downs & many have such warm memories for me I am sorely tempted to keep them out all year.
This lovely church is large .... It is like the putz houses built a century ago. It is made of cardboard & covered with tiny stones & some type of mica. It is 19" tall & the base is 15" square. The inside has an area in the steeple for a small light & there is "stained glass" to illuminate with a lamb in one window.
This church was made by my Grandfather's sister circa 1910. I can remember it stored in my Grandparents house & I so loved to look at it. When I was give it by my Uncle I was floored. It was a treasure I can't put into words how much I love it & I guard the safety of it always.

Our Baby Max........ This is about the sweetest Tuxie you could ever know. He is a clown, companion & one of 3 Boyz that have a huge piece of our Hearts. He loves to watch out the windows watching who knows what.

Nothing seems to get in his way & he is so delicate that he never upsets anything on the tables. He will sit on my lap & look in my eyes & it is as if he is saying I am so glad you are my Mommy. I just love my family of Boyz!!

Gotta Run...... Marilyn

FEAR......

2011-11-07T09:54:00.003-05:00

Don't ya' just love the idea of a warm & cozy fireplace on a cold & wintry day?? I certainly do..... however, I don't have a fireplace..... bummer!! I can still pretend.
My weekend has been stressful with the up & coming biopsy on the 17th prying on my mind. Isn't it awful how we, as humans, imagine all sorts of calamities?? I have run the gambit of finding out it is benign & skipping down the hospital hallway to DH with a thumbs-up sign.... to having my surgeon say we need to do surgery yet again.
I feel like I am trapped in a nightmare & everytime I try to scream for help no one can hear me because I can't say anything. Melodramatic???? No I am scared half to death...... I have been this route last year & now face the possibility again. My Mother died of breast cancer & now 15 years after that here I am.
I guess the only thing I can do is pray...... Pray that it will be benign & pray for the skill of the surgeon...... Just pray.
Until Later..... Marilyn

Table Topper Finished.....

2011-11-05T09:32:00.002-04:00

Hope your weekend is starting off good!! We are cold.... cold....cold here with morning temps at 25..... Burrrr!!
Above is a table topper I just finished yesterday. I got it from Herrschners in a big after Christmas sale last year. You may want to check out their sale items after the Holiday is over. They are at...... http://www.Herrschners.com A great company & they also have scrapbook supplies.
This little table topper was prestamped cross stitch & came with all the threads needed. Unlike a lot of kits there was a lot of thread left over.
Now, on to another project.... Let's see.... What to do.... What to do ! !
Have a Wonderful Weekend!
Until Later..... Marilyn

Trust......

2011-11-04T08:33:00.003-04:00

Trust has always been a big issue for me. Now with more health issues facing me, yet again, I need to take it all & give it over to God & trust that he will walk with me through this & trust that all will work out for the good. WOW.... That is a lot for me. I am the one who tried to control every aspect of life .... Even when I couldn't I would convince myself that I was to some degree.
Trust .... with the little word us in it to me means God & me.... us.
Do you completely trust a higher power for what you need??? Hard to do huh?? I am truly a work in progress!!
Have a Wonderful Weekend!
Marilyn

Here I Go Again ~~~~~

2011-11-03T16:51:00.002-04:00

I went to the Breast Care Center for my 6 month mammogram & to meet with the surgeon in order to get the results. Lo & behold I had a not-so-good mammogram. Now I am scheduled for another (my 3rd) stereo-tactic biopsy. It will be done at a Scranton Hospital on an out-patient basis & doesn't take very long at all. It is a very easy procedure but it is the waiting for the results that drive me up the wall. How do I feel???? I feel like I am being pecked to death by a duck.......
TTYL!!
Until Later...... Marilyn

....'tis November ! !

2011-11-01T07:57:00.002-04:00

Hope everyone had a nice Halloween. Here in the town it was fairly quiet. We do not participate in giving candy anymore as it got ridiculous several years ago with older kids going door to door & not just leaving it to the little ones. Too bad that the few ruin it for the many.....

November is upon us now with the whole Holiday Season starting. Many will find themselves preparing for the big family dinner. As for us, the wonderful Thanksgiving dinners are over. Oh, we still do a turkey & the trimmings but my Uncle Le is no longer with us & he was the life-blood of the Holiday. There was just something about him....... I sorely miss him.

So start thinking about your Christmas list & as for me I am starting to decorate the house already with vintage items that have been handed down through the generations. I always love to "live" with my holiday memories.

We were all prepared for the huge snow of this past Saturday & we were so lucky as we only got about 4" of sloppy wet snow. We had no power loss & by the next day it melted off. Now we have very little left. Some areas in the Pocono's got over a foot!! I am so happy we missed that one!!

I will be off the computer for the next couple of days as I have an appointment on Thursday to have another mammogram & see my surgeon. It is a routine 6 month check but I always get so tense. Just wish I could completely relax but I guess that isn't me. DH will be driving me as it is in Scranton... about 50 miles away. I will be back later this week!!
Until Later..... Marilyn

2011-10-31T07:08:00.002-04:00

First Snow & More to Come.....

2011-10-28T07:26:00.003-04:00

The 1st snow of the season is always a visual wonder to me. It is beautiful..... Just like seeing the 1st flowers of Spring. This is when we talk about retiring to the South I can't imagine leaving the Seasons. Last night gave us about an inch of snow.... just enough to say we had it.

These 2 pics are from early this morning. There is a sunrise in the distance & that is no doubt the harbinger for a Nor'Easter to come in tomorrow morning. The weather people say we could get 6" to 10" inches up here & in the Poconos. Gad-Zooks...... Not all the leaves are off the trees & that could mean power outages. At least DH will be home & not out on the road for this early season storm. I am glad I got groceries the other day as I am sure there will be a run on eggs, milk & bread...... What's up with that???? LOL!!

DH will be home early today after an early morning run up into the Catskill's to a small New York Town called Walton. To get there you have to go through some pretty desolate areas in and among the reservoirs for New York City. He has seen some spectacular wildlife.... especially the Bald Eagles!!

Now, I have an apple crisp in the oven & it smells wonderful & I am working on a cute Snowman table topper. Pre-stamped cross stitch. So I will close here & all who will be affected by the snow tomorrow.....

Take Care & Stay Safe!!

Until Later..... Marilyn

Lookie'.... I Told Ya' So ! ! ! !

2011-10-27T16:35:00.004-04:00

4:00 in the afternoon..... Thursday.... October 27th........

FIRST SNOW OF THE SEASON!!!!

.......More Snow.......

............and more snow ! !

The First snow of the season is always so beautiful.......... (later it gets ugly ! ! ! ) LOL!!

Until Later........... Marilyn

Here Comes Some Snow ! !

2011-10-26T09:51:00.003-04:00

Yep, here comes some snow ! ! All the weather people are predicting it. It won't be a lot but it will accumulate on the grassy areas & sidewalks.... WOO HOO! ! !
I guess there is no denying it Winter is here & Autumn has gone by the wayside with all the leaves.
I got all my errands done this morning........ groceries.....pharmacy ..... banking....... Every time I get a prescription I thank heavens we have good insurance coverage with a low co-pay. It could be so bad as it is for so many. Even though I whine & complain sometimes about being alone a lot (life of a truckers wife) we always have enough with some left over. I feel blessed.
So.... on that note I will say.....
Have a Wonderful rest of the week!!
Until Later....... Marilyn

White Work Embroidery ! !

2011-10-24T08:38:00.002-04:00

....Just hear those sleigh bells jingle..........

Did you ever see a tablecloth or a linen that you instantly fell in love with?? It doesn't matter if it is vintage or new. That is what happened one day when I was checking out the embroidery "stuff" on Ebay. There was a tablecloth all ready to be embroidered in white DMC.....

I finished it this weekend & because it isn't really just Christmas I can use it all throughout the Holiday & even into the Winter Season.

The church & the houses with the cross stitches above looks like snow falling..... The pine trees all around the edge that because they are done in white looks like they are covered with snow. The red cloth is such a brilliant red I can hardly wait to set a center piece in the middle & get ready for the Holiday's!!

*******

So what did you do on the weekend?? DH & I just puttered around.... him outside & me in the house. Sunday was bitter cold & today is the same. We are to get rain tonight & off & on rain for the week. Thursday & Friday we are to get snow. If we do I will take a pic!!

Will close here....... Have a Wonderful Week!!

Marilyn

Attention Crocheters ! ! !

2011-10-21T06:46:00.002-04:00

I found this wonderful crochet blog from one of the best pattern creators of unique doilies. Up until now I have purchased my doily patterns from Annie's Attic but this is the lady who designs some of them for Annie's Attic http://bellacrochet.blogspot.com/ Stop by & visit her & follow her side bar to her website. I think she is amazing ! !
Our weather here is certainly typical late October. The days struggle to get up into the 50's. I really don't mind as it puts me in the "snuggle-with-a-cat" mood. We have had rain & high winds so outside work is at a stand still. This weekend we hope it clears as we need to do some mulching of leaves & more cleaning up & preparing the gardens for winter.
Today I am going to go to the grocery store early with the whole - beat the Friday rush - in mind.
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!
Until Later...... Marilyn

Doily Giveaway Winner ! !

2011-10-19T06:43:00.002-04:00

The winner of my Thanksgiving Doily Giveaway was drawn this morning & is.....................
Jancie15 of http://spoonwither.blogspot.com
CONGRATULATONS!!
Please email me your mailing address so I can send out your 2 doilies!!
Hope you all have a Great Day!!
Marilyn

Monday...Monday.....

2011-10-17T08:04:00.002-04:00

So glad to be back after a few days off the blogs! Hope all is well with everyone & your week is off to a great start!!
Saturday DH & I took off early in the a.m. to go shopping. We got to Walmart a bit after 8:00 & had our shopping done in no time. The store was a bit empty of customers & that was great for us!! As always we shopped from one end to the other & picked up groceries in the process. People can say what they want about Walmart but I love a store where you can buy just about everything you could need in one stop!!
After that we went to Sam's..... Mainly for the cat litter as it is well worth the membership fee that is charged. We also picked up a few other things.
Then the fun began...... We went to Harbor Freight for him & Michael's for me!! He loved the "Guy Store"... What's not to love for men??!! For me there was entirely too much testosterone in there for me... LOL!!
We left there & went to Michael's. I had 2 great coupons & after a lot of filling of the cart DH was a good sport & went through one checkout with one coupon & I went through another as both coupons couldn't be used at the same time!! WOO HOO!!
So all in all we had a great time!!
Saturday we had some very high winds which are typical for our Fall Storms.... even some thunder! When we got up Sunday Morning our arbor that holds up the Wisteria was flat on the ground & the Wisteria with it. We had to cut most of the plant away but I think it will grow back eventually. If not, oh well, it will get eliminated!! Such is life in a garden!!
Weather here is cool.... 40's at night & rain & cold is in the offing with, you guessed it..... flurries by mid-week!! Gad-Zooks...... Here it comes!!
We are gtting a new generator hooked up in the next couple of weeks so the next time we have a power outage we won't have to have the neighbors run a cord to keep us from a melt down. This will be so nice during blizzard outages also!!
Until Later..... Marilyn

The "F" Word..... FLURRIES ! !

2011-10-14T06:49:00.002-04:00

I woke up this morning to unseasonably warm temps for here. They are in the mid 60's & the first thing I did was open a couple of windows in the kitchen. There are not that many more of these mornings, if any, left before winter comes & stays.
The forecast for next Monday is the highs in the 40's & 50's with a chance of, you guessed it, FLURRIES ! ! ! Not sure if I am ready for that. Oh well, I guess like anything else we don't like I will have to embrace it & just make the best of it........ LOL!! (Like I have a choice!) LOL!!
I have been busy sorting out some of my books to donate to the library as we are going shopping tomorrow & the library is on the way. I have become ruthless with my books..... sorting into piles of..... already read & never gonna read again....&.... what was I thinking???? I'll never read that.
We are also going to do Walmart, Sam's & Michael's. I have a good coupon for Michael's & they have their Autumn decor on sale. I also plan on getting a start on Christmas shopping ! ! So sounds like fun ! !
I will be off the computer until Monday as we will be busy all weekend.
***** Remember..... The doily giveaway will be Wednesday so every comment you make of any of my posts up until the 19th will make you eligible......
Take Care & see you Monday!!
Until Then..... Marilyn

Thanksgiving Giveaway ! !

2011-10-10T01:00:00.000-04:00

Thank you so much for all the wonderful Birthday Wishes I received yesterday on my 60th!! It was so appreciated!! Thank You again!!
******
Today I want to start by getting everyone in the Holiday Spirit with my Thanksgiving Giveaway. I wanted to run this now so it would get to the winners home & be able to be used for the Holiday.
First is this beautiful Ladies Dancing Doily that I did in the primary Autumn colors that we all think of during Thanksgiving.

The second doily is of a Lady Pilgrim...... She has a rake in her hands & some Autumn leaves falling over her apron & skirt. These are card stock .......

The winner will be chosen on October 19th & both doilies will go to one winner ! ! Anyone can enter no matter where you live as long as you have a viable address!!

All you have to do is comment on this post or any other post up until Wednesday the 19th!!

******
We are enjoying a streak of beautiful weather as the daytime temps are in the low 80's & nights are in the 50's. Most of all it is dry!!

TTYL!!

Until Later......

Marilyn

Happy Birthday to ME ! ! ! !

2011-10-09T01:00:00.001-04:00

Today is my 60th Birthday....... Sunday the 9th of October ! ! ! ! Whew...... I liked it when I turned 16..... I liked it when I turned 21!! 30 was an awaking & 40 was touch & go. I really didn't like 50 but this 60???? Hey it is A-OKAY!!
Other October 9th Birthdays......
Sean Lennon
Bobby Flay
Scott Bakula
John O'Hurley
Sharon Osbourne
John Lennon
....just to name a few!!
Until Later.....
Marilyn

Oh.... Drat ! ! ! !

2011-10-06T14:56:00.004-04:00

Disappointment....... That is my feeling today ! ! ! ! Why?????? Well, I finally get my furniture delivery..... My NEW furniture delivery. They bring in the 2 recliners & they were as nice as I knew they would be. Then came the dressers...... You could not pay them to go up the stairs .... forget about even going in any bedroom.... They were just too big!! Both of them were too big!!

So-o-o-o-o, the delivery people called the main office & they were sent back..... I will have the amount I paid for them in the mail!! #%*$^***$@##! #&^#@**@((# ! ! !

So.... Disappointment fits my day BUT on the bright side...... I have 2 very nice new recliners!! This is what happens when you don't think you need to measure & your house was built in 1865!!

Have a Grrrrrrr-eat Day!! (sorry, I now have to unclench my teeth!!)

Marilyn
p.s. We had our first frost last night & it was a killer.... not much left in the gardens!!

Raining Again??!!

2011-10-03T03:44:00.002-04:00

Well, since I have been up since 3 a.m. 'cause DH had an early run ( yeah, I can definitely feel a nap coming on later) I thought I would say this....... RAIN, GO AWAY ! ! ! !
It rained hard last night ... scattered showers today .... heavy rain tonight & hey, more rain tomorrow!! O.K. I know the earth needs rain & we need water to live but...sheesh.... Give us on the east coast a break!! Even the ALDS baseball game play-offs can barely get a full game in without it pouring ! ! Maybe we all need to go out & do an anti-rain dance!! LOL!!
Did not get my new furniture last Thursday. I got a phone call early Thursday morning to say that "when they were loading one of my dressers it fell & the one side was crushed." They have to get another one from another warehouse. So now it is scheduled for this Thursday........ Bummer .......
Did not do much this weekend as.... you guessed it ..... it rained!! So I worked on some needlework & watched a couple of baseball play-off games & a NASCAR race. Just kinda' lazy .....
Hope you all enjoy the week ! I am going to start the Thanksgiving Giveaway on Monday the 10th so watch for it!!
Until Later..... Marilyn

Breast Cancer........

2011-10-01T01:00:00.000-04:00

On December 6th... 1996 my Mother died at the age of 64. She died of brain cancer & lung cancer that had metastasized from Breast Cancer. It was a long & protracted siege that lasted several years... many surgeries & pain, mind numbing pain. I won't go into the details but it was gruesome & because I was her care giver I had to make the final call to her doctor that she was having seizures & I just couldn't give her the care she needed any longer. It was my own brand of hell to see her go. She was in the hospital about a month before she was gone.......... My life changed forever.
The end of 2009 I had my yearly mammogram & less than a week later I was told to go meet with a surgeon at the Breast Care Center in Scranton, Pa. I needed a stereo-tactic procedure done as something just wasn't right. The results were not good. I then needed a lumpectomy.
I went for my follow up appointment to my surgeon & he sat me down & said.... "You have breast cancer. The good news is it is stage 0. We need to go back in asap & go further to get more tissue out." So we did...... Just before I went into surgery my surgeon came out & took my hand & assured me this was the last time.
This brought me to the NROC..... This is the cancer center in Dunmore, Pa. Wonderful people.... I did my radiation there. Long drive..... about 1 hour every day for several weeks.
I was finally done by Memorial Day of 2010.
Now my mammograms are every 6 months & I am happy to say my surgeon considers me cancer free............... BUT you must understand this. If I had not had my yearly mammogram this cancer that was stage 0 within 5 years would have been full-blown breast cancer with a mastectomy & chemo & possibly my death!!
I learned a lot from my Mother & now feel that her death taught me to care for myself because when it all comes down to it .... You are all you have!! Reach out to someone today & ask them when they had their last mammogram ! !
Until Later.................... Marilyn

Doilies.... Doilies..... Doilies

2011-09-28T14:51:00.003-04:00

Anyone who follows my blog knows that I just love needlework. Everything from knitting a baby set to embroidery to doilies & just about everything in between!! Well, here are some samples of what I have been crocheting in the past couple of weeks!!

This doily is for Thanksgiving as it is surrounded with .... yep...... you are seeing right..... Turkeys & Pumpkins!! This was a dilly to do & as I already have one for myself this one is going to my Step Mother who is one of my best friends!!

This one is called "8 Ladies Dancing" & they are all decked out for the Autumn Holidays in their Fall colors of red & yellow & orange & purple!!

This doily was made from a standard doily pattern & I just used my imagination & used the Fall colors....... Then I made some Irish roses & leaves in the Fall colors & attached them. Each flower has a faux pearl in their center!!

This is another version of "8 Ladies Dancing" only in the Caramel & Harvest Yellow colors. Well, what do you think?? At least one of these will be in my Thanksgiving Giveaway to be done in October!! Not counting the 1st one because that is spoken for...... Which one do you like best??

*******

Can you believe we are in another siege of rain??? In the past 2 days some areas have had over 5" more of rain & right now it sounds like someone unzipped the clouds!! Yes, there are some areas being evacuated because of flooding. They don't think the rivers will spill but the ground is so saturated that it just pools everywhere. NOT HERE..... I am safe ! ! Just say a little prayer for the safety of the ones effected!!

Until Later...... Marilyn

Autumn....

2011-09-27T07:47:00.002-04:00

We have been having some very warm weather for the last few days but that is about to end soon. By Friday they are saying our high will be in the upper 40's!! The last couple of days we have had temps in the low 80's with high humidity!! Fall will be here & in about a month Winter!!

Last Saturday found DH & I going to Walmart in Vestal, NY & on the way up & back we could see the destruction of the flooding. Piles & piles of personal items & furniture outside homes waiting for the city to haul it away. So many people just trying to start over. There is such a shortage of homes & apartments because of the onslaught of the gas companies that many are still in shelters. Could you imagine living on a cot with just what you could salvage out of your home?? Many of these people have children & are trying to piece together their lives.

After we went to Walmart & got everything else we needed we decided to go to the furniture store. They had a sale going & we have been thinking about getting a couple of new recliners. I also have been thinking about a couple new dressers. Well, we did...... On this Thursday they will deliver 2 new recliners. One is burgundy & one is royal blue.... one for me & one for him!! I also did get a couple of dressers for my room!! I will take some pics when I get them all situated!!

So all in all it was a very good weekend for us...... Although yesterday DH came home with a bad sinus cold!! Hope I don't get it!!

I have just finished a couple of Thanksgiving Doilies for my Giveaway. It will be around the middle of October!!

Until Later..... Marilyn

The Birds Of Fall

2011-09-23T01:00:00.002-04:00

The summer birds are gathering
All together, now
For the first time since spring.
Flocking in the crisp brown fields
Of hay-stalk fall.
Stuffing crops for journey days
And arguing over seed-pods.

Chill mornings find them on power lines
Strung like plumage beads.
Warming tiny sleep-cramped toes
And waiting for the sunrise
To dry their night-damped plumes
And fog-bound feeding fields.

Soon they will rise - the last time
From haven fields And orchards of their birth.
One final pass above, in bird-salute.
To some rain-shelter tree
Or favorite cat
or maybe me!

And then they are gone
Feathered ounces circling the world.
And fields lie quiet
Except for cricket-calls.
To hollow skies
And morning cries of Blue-Jay Days.
*****
This poem was written by
my beloved Uncle Le...... 1925 - 2010

Happy 1st Day of Autumn !
Marilyn

The Twins Childrens Books.......

2011-09-20T09:21:00.003-04:00

When I was a little girl, about the age of 10 or so my Beloved Grandparents lived 3 houses behind our county library. My Grandmother worked there at one time as a librarian. I came from a long line of Bibliophiles & I am proud to say I am a card-carrying one!! LOL!!
My love of reading was one that was natural to me. When asked to do a book report in school it was not a hardship & I did not groan. I will admit though that the only part of required reading that I didn't like....no, hated.... was Shakespeare. Oh well, that is another story!!

A small sample of my collection.

Along my journeys of the printed page I stumbled upon a series of books called "The Twins". They were each written about twins from another country & the adventures they had. My BF & I would go every Saturday & we would devour them. What innocent fun we had! ! I now have collected them over the years. Yep, I have even read a few of them. I distinctly remember that the 1st one I ever read was The Eskimo Twins. Funny how you remember that after all these years.
Below is a short biography of the lady who wrote them..... He name was Lucy Fitch Perkins.
I love children's books & have a huge collection of the Whitman Books also. They take me back to where I would love to be if only briefly!!
********
Lucy Fitch Perkins (12 July 1865 – 18 March 1937) was an American children's book author and illustrator, famous for writing the Twins series of books.
Lucy Fitch was born in Maples, Indiana, the daughter of a factory owner and businessman. She studied at the Fine Arts School in Boston, and later taught art at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. She worked for a time as an illustrator with the Louis Prang & Company. She married architect Dwight Perkins in 1891; they lived for many years in Chicago.
The Twins books featured stories on twin siblings from different nations or different periods in American history. Twenty-six volumes of the series appeared over two decades, from the 1910s through the 1930s: The Dutch Twins, The Japanese Twins, The Eskimo Twins, The Puritan Twins, The American Twins of the Revolution, etc.
Perkins also provided illustrations for Edith Ogden Harrison's series of fairy tales, published in the early years of the twentieth century.
********
Until Later.....

...and The Winner Is ! ! ! !

2011-09-17T14:23:00.004-04:00

After using a random number generator...... the winner is...... (drum roll please) ....
Bobby Jo at http://bobbisbuzzing.blogspot.com/ Congratulations & please send me your address via email & I will get these doilies out to you!!
To everyone else..... I am working now on my Give Away for Thanksgiving. Stay tuned......
Until Later.....
Marilyn

p.s. I should have mentioned that the witch pattern was from http://www.crochetmemories.com/ Check them out as there are some lovely & unusual patterns available there. The other pattern was from a magazine & the title escapes me at the moment. I will update when I remember...... Old age again!! LOL!!

Rain, yet again......

2011-09-15T10:00:00.002-04:00

Yep.... It is raining, has been raining since I got up at 3:30....... will rain most of the day. We don't need rain. The southwest needs rain. Wish I could send it out there 'cause we have had quite enough for awhile!

Our temperatures have gone thru the cellar. It is now in the low 50's & that is the high for the next couple of days. The house is still warm but I think I will have to turn on the furnace before the day is out. The cold rain will make it damp & a good furnace run will dry things out & feel good & maybe even cozy. But for now I don't run it....... I just don't want to "start" the heat & admit that summer is over. Bummer.....

Trucking freight is still not moving much in the areas that were flooded last week. So many roads are shut down & so many bridges are out. DH has been working locally & taking loads of Proctor & Gamble Paper Products to areas that are distribution areas for donations. The Tunkhannock area that was hit so hard has the P&G trailer that has washers & dryers in it called "loads of Hope" where people can have their clothes washed & dried. Just think how wonderful that would be. The creature comforts that make us civilized are so necessary. Hopefully next week things will get back to normal or a normal as it can be in light of all the damage.

I have started my Fall House Cleaning. I am in the process of changing the curtains out for the heavier ones of winter & packing away some of the summer clothes & getting out the winter ones.
...... and so another summer goes by the wayside & the beautiful New England Autumn is upon us!!

Until Later...... Marilyn

P.S. ..... Don't forget about the Giveaway on Saturday ! ! ! !

AUTUMN DECOR & WHIMSY ! !

2011-09-13T13:00:00.003-04:00

A bit of Autumn decorations & definitely some whimsy here. The front door is sporting a new look for the Fall. I took a straw wreath & decorated it with some silk Autumn leaves & berries & even some grapes of red & purple!!

This is the whimsy..... Last year for Halloween I found these life-sized crows at Michael's. I had them stuck in a corner when not in use. This summer I was leafing through a decorating magazine & there was a crow on a resin branch affixed to a bookcase. My thoughts went immediately to my crows. Hummmmmm....... What would DH say if I asked him to get a branch & screw it to the bookcase in the sunroom??!!??

After living with me for 43 years I don't think anything fazes him anymore..... LOL!! We found a couple of branches & screwed them to the bookcase. Then I hot-glued the crows to the branch & they look splendid guarding the entry to the sunroom!! I really love my crows!!

********

The leaves are falling so fast. Sometimes it looks like a blizzard of them. This week we are to get frost & that will speed up the process. Today it is near 80 & sunny & absolutely beautiful!!

Until Later..... Marilyn

Giveaway Reminder......

2011-09-12T06:39:00.002-04:00

Good Monday Morning ! !
After all the flooding in the Northeast now comes the time for clean-up......... What a mess!! I am so grateful we are not in the midst of it!! We were flooded once in the 1970's & I swore that we would NEVER live close to the Susquehanna River or any streams EVER again!!
Don't forget that this Saturday is the day I draw for the winner for the 2 doilies in my Giveaway. The more you comment up until Saturday the better your chances are to win!! Anyone can enter no matter where you live as long as the mailman can find you!!
We are in store for some Autumn weather later this week with temperatures not over 50 for the highs. There is even some call for frost. I think Autumn is finally here!!
Take Care & Until Later..... Marilyn

September 11th.... Anniversary

2011-09-09T13:18:00.004-04:00

It was in the 1960's. Everyone now knows that was the time of bell bottoms, hip huggers, Woodstock & Flower Children. But there was a sleepy little town in northeastern Pennsylvania where the 1960's just didn't get the whole meaning of - "Make Love - Not War".
There was a class - average by any standards & in it were a group of friends anticipating being out of school & being all grown up. Good thing we don't know what the future holds for us.
As the years passed these friends went their own ways & had families & careers. Several decades later many now in their middle years found ourselves one morning watching TV. Many of us sat stupefied on that morning of September 11th, 2001. Not knowing what we were seeing..... Buildings burning & collapsing in New York City & planes flying into the Pentagon & into some remote field in Pennsylvania ! ! Oh My God...... So surreal...... America was being attacked & the death toll was in the thousands. Then several days later the shocking news. One of our own. An old high school friend had lost her son...... Her only child..... all she had in this world..... Oh My God!!
How do you convey your heart wrenching sympathy? I saw her, my high school friend, one day not long after. All I could do was put my arms around her & say I am so, so sorry for her loss. I just wanted to absorb some of her pain. She was so bent with it. She said the plane went into the building on his floor with a full load of fuel & he never knew what was coming..... Oh My God !
To the lives lost..... God Bless! To the families & friends of those lost may God continue to give you strength to go on.
In my memories we are still the teenagers with not a care in the world in the 1960's..........
Marilyn

Historic Flood in NE Pa. Part 2

2011-09-09T07:46:00.002-04:00

So much damage.... So much destruction..... So much heartbreak..... The Susquehanna Valley of Pennsylvania. From central New York down to Harrisburg, Pa. Hundreds of thousands of people in shelters.....

www.wnep.com for live coverage

Until Later..... Marilyn

Historic Flooding in Northeast ! !

2011-09-08T07:57:00.004-04:00

Above is a picture of some local flooding ... I took it from... http://www.pressconnects.com/ if you are interested. Here in the northeast we have had upwards of 6" to 9" of rain over the last couple of days. People are loosing their homes, businesses & are scared to death!!
My town is safe as we are, as I have said before, high in elevation.... Thank God!! We however are just about isolated as when you have high mountains you also have deep valleys.
Wilkes-Barre, Pa. that is about 50 miles south of us is in the process of evacuating over 65,000 that are in the flood plain area of the Susquehanna River & the tributaries. Go to ..... http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/ for more information.
Again..... DH & I are safe here..... Please say a little prayer for those in the flooding areas.
Until later..... Marilyn
http://www.wnep.com/

Halloween Giveaway ! ! ! WOO HOO ! ! !

2011-09-06T14:01:00.002-04:00

I am officially starting my Halloween Giveaway ! !
I am giving 2 doilies to one person & all you have to do is comment on any post from this one until Saturday the 17th ! ! I will put your name in & on the 17th using a random number selector I will select the lucky person. It does not matter where you live as long as the postman can find your address you can enter !!

The 1st doily is 25" diameter with a 5" opening for a candy dish or a candle or what-have-you..... It has some Jack-o-lanterns around the inner opening & they have googlie-eyes. The top photo shows what it looks like w/o a dish. (Dish not included)!

This Witchy Woman is crocheted also. I have sold several & some have framed them & others use them as a seasonal doily. In her hand is a bat made of card stock!!

If you have any questions about the Giveaway feel free to email me ...... This Giveaway will last until September 17th...... Good Luck ! !

*******

We are to get Hurricane Lee in the next couple of days. They say no wind but we are to get at least 6" more of rain. I don't expect power outages but if we do hang in there. I will get back to you ASAP!!

Until Later...... Marilyn

Good Labor Day Morning ! !

2011-09-05T09:18:00.002-04:00

Love the graphic above...... So many of our trees are loosing their leaves now. In fact after Hurricane Lee passes through this week most will probably be gone. Yep, we are getting another hurricane. This time they don't expect wind to be a problem .... just rain & lots of it. We are completely at the saturation point now & more rain will cause flash flooding & more headaches to those already plagued with destruction from being flooded from Irene. I am so glad we are "up here"!!

Our Humming Birds are packing up their bags & getting ready to head out. We usually see the last of them by the middle of the month. Then I will clean up their feeder & put it away for another winter season.

What a struggle changing the background & header of my blog was but with the help of a friend pointing me to a fabulous tutorial & about 4 hours of total frustration I got it. I love to change my blog with the seasons & just for the heck of it I am going to try my hand at making a Christmas one. I found a great tutorial & that will be my next project!! The Blog Lady cometh .... all hail... I am now fearless.....LOL!! (I guess I read too many Philippa Gregory books ! !) LOL!!

Raining here today...... Good day to do some needlework. I plan on starting my Autumn Giveaway later this week. Wait till' you see what I have for the lucky recipient ! !

Until Later..... Marilyn

Blogger Crisis Solved ! !

2011-09-04T18:28:00.002-04:00

Okay ......... Crisis is solved ! ! After much cussin' & rending of clothing ... not really.... well, cussin'..... After a couple of tutorials from a sweet friend ... Anne. You are a sweetheart ! ! I got it changed & now I will be able to change it at each season!!
So here's to friends..... whatever would we do without them??!!
Have a Great rest of the Holiday Weekend!!
Until Later.... Marilyn

Blogger Help Needed!!

2011-09-04T15:37:00.002-04:00

I need some help with my blog....... Please!!
I want to change the background of my blog & I don't have a clue how to do it. I have the image I used last year in Photobucket so that is ready. I know how to change the header. The background is what I can't figure out!!
I have tried some tutorials & they may as well be in a foreign language.... Oh yeah.... they are.
Any help would be most appreciated!!
Frustrated in Pa......
Marilyn

Happy Labor Day ! !

2011-09-01T08:55:00.002-04:00

With Labor Day being the unofficial doorway to Autumn I would like to say this......
Thank Goodness for some Cool...Dry Air ! !
We are to have some chances of showers over the next few days but not deal breakers as far as outside activities go. I hope everyone will enjoy the long Holiday Weekend !!
I will be around.... Until Later ! !
Marilyn

Irene's Aftermath......

2011-08-31T18:12:00.004-04:00

Irene sure wasn't much of a lady the way she acted. The winds were Hurricane force of up to 60 mph for hours & hours. We watched & grimaced each time the winds blew. Our sunroom is all glass & guaranteed up to 120 mph winds.... yeah, sure!! Well, it held......
These are some of the pics I took on Sunday at the height of the storm.

We lost power about 5 a.m. on Sunday ...... Our garden pond with no fountain or falls just rain..... We actually had almost 6 inches in about 12 hours!! No wonder the severe flash flooding.

From inside the sunroom. If you look hard you can see my wisteria on the arbor that has been tipped backwards. DH fixed it afterward with no damage to either.

Such heavy rains..... the beginning of debris in the road. See how hazy it looks in the distance with the rain & wind.

The weeping willows bending in the wind gust.....

The willows actually bending with the wind..... The arbor in the foreground actually did tip forward but DH got it straightened up before it collapsed completely. It now has huge bars holding it until he can do something more permanent this weekend.

******

We watched & waited for the power to come on. Because we were cut off we had no idea the extent of the damage to such a large area. All day Sunday & into Monday & we knew our freezer & refrigerator was going into meltdown. Finally our neighbor who did have power because they are on a different power grid is a contractor & he ran a contractors cable with a power block on it from his garage to our house & we were able to save all of our freezer & refrigerator. Thank Goodness!!

Finally last night about 7p.m. we got our power restored.

My brother who is a contractor/electrician was here today & we are having him install a generator as soon as they are available. Hopefully before winter sets in. This will be enough for us to at least be able to survive another situation or even a Nor'easter blizzard we are known to have.

DH has only been able to deliver 1 load of freight this week as so many roads are shut down with bridges being ripped out & roads washed out.

So-o-o-o.... Thank you for all your prayers & good wishes. They are most appreciated by us. I guess every once in awhile we need to be reminded how good we really have it with all the creature comforts life affords us. ..........and life goes on..........

Take Care & God Bless....

Marilyn

Quick Note....

2011-08-30T19:35:00.003-04:00

We were hit extremely hard by Irene. No damage on our property to speak of. Some very slight tree damage but nothing else. Can't say the same for surrounding areas. National Guard came in to rescue many. Some swept into river not far away!!
Wind caused so much damage & many, many roads still closed today. State of Emergency in many counties & schools have delayed the start indefinately!!
We just got our power back after loosing it on Sunday Morning!!
Have gained a whole new respect for Mother Nature!!
Will write more tomorrow.....
DH & I are o.k..... now I need to get a good shower & wash my hair....LOL!!
Love,
Marilyn

Walk Away Irene.......

2011-08-27T17:38:00.002-04:00

Irene is now just leaving North Carolina after much destruction & several storm related deaths. It is raining here now....... Unbelievable how huge this storm is!!
Our hatches are all battened down & DH is home with me........ We will see where this takes us.
Until Later..... Marilyn

Here Comes Irene ! !

2011-08-25T13:39:00.001-04:00

With all the speculation of where & when Irene will smash into the coast I feel we are relatively safe here. We are about 175 mile inland from New York City....... The meterologists are calling for us to have winds of 30 to 40 mph & a couple of inches of rain. Our ground is at a saturation point now as we have had a lot of rain in the last couple of weeks. Our rivers are full so there will no doubt be a flooding problem in the low lying areas. Not here...... We are high enough that we don't really get run-off problems or flooding.

So I want to say I hope that all my Blog friends who are in harms way ... a prayer goes out to them for their safety. Let us know how you are when you can.

Take Care All & Until Next Week....... Marilyn

Tremors & Hurricanes ..Oh My ! !

2011-08-24T04:22:00.003-04:00

After all the east coast excitement yesterday with the earthquake tremor I will say this to my west coast friends....... I salute you for what you live with everyday. I for one do not want to EVER feel another tremor again! I realize that a lot of "fluff" was made over it but this is like a tsunami hitting Kansas. It just doesn't happen here .........
Now, here on the east coast from the Carolina's to Maine are in line to get hit with Good Ole' Irene. We here in Pennsylvania are to get excessive rains by Sunday into Monday with maybe some winds as the storm slams into Atlantic City & crawls up the coast.
So today I am going to do some errands & Saturday DH & I are going to the "city" to shop at Walmart & Sam's & maybe even a craft shop or two. Then we will batten-down-the-hatches & just see where this storm goes. Wow.... Now I am sure glad we have that new roof ! !
For today I am working on some needlework & waiting for the morning news to come on. DH left around 3:30 & I stayed up. Tonight I will be ready for bed early.
Take Care.....
Until Later........ Marilyn

Earthquake Tremors ! ! ! !

2011-08-23T14:32:00.003-04:00

Holy Toledo........ I just felt an Earthquake Tremor.......I am on the East coast in the far corner of Northeast Pennsylvania!!
Well..... Now I can say I know what it feels like to feel the earth move!!
Marilyn

update: No injuries in my area that I know of. No serious structure damage. Some minor damage........
So surreal!!

Vacation Hangover.....

2011-08-22T06:21:00.002-04:00

Good Morning!!
As you can see I am back from a weeks vacation with DH. We stayed home & got some things done around the house in anticipation of another hard winter. One whole day was spent putting insulation under our sunroom. There is only a crawl space under there & the insulation we put under it years ago did not last. This new "stuff" is made for that application. We called a company to spray foam it for us & they never called back to make an appointment for an estimate. Hey..... if that is all they care they can go to ....... You know what they say about first impressions!!
The rest of the week, between rainy days we just puttered on different little projects. We have our home heating oil taken care of for the season & now we feel we are ready for Old Man Winter!!
On an entirely different subject...... I am going to have a Giveaway in about a week or so. This time I will say it is not embroidery but crochet. It will be something to celebrate the beginning of Autumn. So as they say.... Stay tuned!!
Until Later..... Marilyn

Just Stopping By......

2011-08-17T10:06:00.003-04:00

Just stopping by to say Hello!!
We are enjoying staying up past 8:00 at night & sleeping in late. I think I will need the-jaws-of-life to get me up next Monday....ugh!!
Our weather here has been quite soggy. Today however, is beautiful. Tomorrow we are to get more rain & the same for Friday...... Won't be long before the children are all back to school as our school here starts on the 30th. Our niece has already gone back to college & her classes started this past Monday.
Here is some needlework I have been doing this week. These are Days of the Week towels that I drew from a transfer & using a micron pen & light-box. Aren't they adorable???? These are for my kitchen!! (Just to look-at)!!

These 3 crocheted doilies are going to make a trek to Florida for my BF!! I think she will like 'em!!

This Halloween Doily is made for a dish of candy to sit in the middle. That is why it is open!!

She has never been much for pink but who could resist this doily???

These doilies are some I have had for awhile & I did them so they did not really match.

Hope all is well with everyone........ Will be back full time next week!!

Until Later.... Marilyn

Water, Water Everywhere ! !

2011-08-14T15:11:00.002-04:00

Just dropping by to say Hello & say I am feeling better ! ! Nothing like a couple of days of rest & some powerful antibiotics. Thank Goodness for modern medicine ! !
DH is on vacation this week but not much will be done outside as we are to have a week of rain. Right now we are getting it & we can get up to 2" or so. However, some places in New York & New Jersey are measuring their rain fall today by 7" & up to 10". It has cancelled the Yankees game & will no doubt cancel the Watkins Glen NASCAR race....bummer.....
Hope everyone has a great week ! !
Until Later....Marilyn

.....Time Out ! !

2011-08-10T11:30:00.002-04:00

Just stopping by to let you know I am under the weather. Went to the Drs. last night & got meds & will improve over the next few days..........
Also..... We are on vacation next week so I probably will not be on the computer.
Take Care & God Bless!!
Marilyn

Kitty with a Leather Fettish......

2011-08-08T07:16:00.002-04:00

We have this little companion that we rescued from the local shelter nearly 10 years ago. He is 1 of 3 of the sweetest little boy kitties you ever want to meet & his name is Bailey. Over the years we have noticed a funny thing about him. He loves leather.......
If you come in from the winter cold & put your gloves on the table he will "snuffle" them & lay on them & yes, even slobber on them sometimes. He will greet anyone at the door & inspect their shoes to see if they are leather. Then if they are he will lay on them & they will be nice & warm when they leave.
So-o-o-o-o, this past weekend DH being the kindest man who ever walked the face of the earth, decided to give Bailey his baseball glove he has had since he was a child. At first Bailey didn't know what to make of it. Then he must have realized it was leather & now he is "in love".

Bailey has laid claim to his gift from Daddy & just like a child he fell asleep playing with it. Kitties are the little clowns of our home. We just love them to pieces!!
............
We are a lot cooler but the humidity is high. We have had a lot of rain over the past several days & it was measured in inches. The Scranton area (50 miles to the south of us) had severe flash flooding. We are high enough in the mountains that we don't have that problem. We are to have rain off & on for the next several days. I wish I could send some to the southwest. I would be happy to share!!
Gotta' Run.....Marilyn

....But What Is It?????

2011-08-03T06:31:00.002-04:00

I have a question.......
This is the back of our home. The bottom part you can see is a screened in porch that is about 4 feet wide. On top of it is a room full of windows that is the same width. The original house was built in the 1860's & this was added on around the 1930's or so (I'm guessing). I see these rooms on many old homes. They are useless today as they can't be made into a year round room because they are so narrow. I have spoken to the previous owners who said that years ago it was used as a "sleeping porch" in the summer. These people are in their 70's now & this was when they were children.
We have a couple of things stored out there now & that is about all we feel it is good for. We had thought about having it removed when we were reroofing but if you notice the roof ties in as part of the main roof & this would have taken a lot of reconstruction.
Any ideas about what to do with it???? We have been here since 1995 & so far it is just wasted space.......
Have a Wonderful Day!!
Marilyn

August 1st ! !

2011-08-01T05:38:00.002-04:00

Wow.... Where is the summer going?? Today is the 1st of August & actually the last month of warm summer weather here in the northeast. While we can have very warm weather on into October it is the exception & not the rule. I guess I can say that I will not be sad to see these 90+ temps go & be traded for the cool crisp mornings of Fall.
This past week I started getting my craft catalogs in the mail with all the new Halloween...Thanksgiving.... & Christmas things to buy. Of course, now is the time to get started on making those gifts & decorations. I have a few I need to start.......
Not much going on here. Just the lazy days of summer & thinking ahead to Autumn.....
Until Later.....Marilyn

Deadly Accident...... July 29, 2011

2011-07-30T11:50:00.003-04:00

"Pennsylvania State Police are on the scene of a deadly crash involving a truck hauling a lubricant for fracking. It happened along Route 29 near Laurel Lake Road in Lawsville Center Friday evening. Police say the fracking truck lost control and slammed into a passenger vehicle killing one person and sending another to the hospital. The driver of the truck was not hurt. The Department of Environmental Protection is also on the scene because of the chemicals on the truck."
.........
In case you don't know fracking materials are deadly in & of themselves. Gas companies say no but so much propaganda....... The fluids are provided by Haliburton Chemical mixed with hundreds of thousands of gallons of water from our streams & rivers. Enough said......
.........
This accident happened about 8 miles from us & the truck rolled onto the car & pinned the occupant. This just goes to show the depth of the traffic problems here. These are the only detail given by authorities.
.........
....and so the destruction of our mountains & the families goes on...... one by one by one.......
Solemn prayers for the family who lost a loved one.
Until Later....
Marilyn

Gas Company Destruction......

2011-07-29T08:01:00.004-04:00

Not much going on here...... It's just a Day. The temperatures are rising & the humidity is so heavy. There is fog this morning & no doubt before the end of the day I will have the AC on.

Our town has been so busy....... They are reconstructing a main thorough fare through town in order to accommodate all the water trucks & dump trucks etc. There are hundreds through here 24/7 banging & rocking our world. I hate the noise. I have my window open at night & get woke up constantly. Why? You ask??

Well, you see the county I live in & a couple of others are sitting on what is known as the Marcellus Shale Gas (look it up, you will be amazed). Mega companies with questionable parentage have moved in with literally thousands of employees & sparked what can only be compared to the California Gold Rush. The only difference is this is organized by major money.

When the gas companies started offering landholders gas leases several years ago they offered them anywhere from $25 to $50 an acre ....... I feel, knowing full well they were taking advantage of the landowners. At that time there was no one to advise them. Now the companies are offering upwards of $5,000 an acre. Can you say ......stick it to them?????

There have been water wells contaminated & literally blown up with excess gasses. Air pollution, land pollution & did anyone ever ask what is in all that deep dirt they are bringing up & letting go back into the ground?? Can you say ......Heavy metals????? Cancer causing metals????

There is so much more I could say about this.....One thing is that there are so few landowners making money but most of us are just reaping the inconvenience. As for us we will be heading out because our beautiful town & county is to be no longer. The land is no longer ours.....was it ever?????

Until Later.....Marilyn

Love the Rain ! !

2011-07-26T14:01:00.002-04:00

Love the rain....... Right now as I type this it is raining steady. My windows are open & so far the rain is not wind driven. The sky to the northwest is very dark. There is rumbling in the distance & with any luck we will get a soaker again. In spite of all the rain we had this past spring we are in dire need of rain now. On Friday we actually hit the 100 degree mark & on Saturday much the same. We are not used to these temperatures as it is rare to get that high. I saw an interview of a lady & she said the humidity was so high it was like walking in Jello...... Yep, that about describes it!! But now it is cool. Temperatures are in the low 70's & tonight they will again go to the low 60's. That is so blessed.... to have the low temps at night. It makes sleeping easier.

As some of you know DH & I are planning on moving to Florida when he retires in about 5 years. I spoke to my BF who lives near Tampa where we plan on going & she said it was actually cooler there....... Weird!!

So dear friends I will close with this description..... The rain is falling on my new metal roof & the smell of the summer rain is almost intoxicating ! !

Until Later.....Marilyn

Weekend's Here........

2011-07-22T07:44:00.002-04:00

With my weekend starting early 'cause DH is to be home by 9 a.m. today I am wishing everyone a wonderful weekend. We were 94 last night at 8:00 ! ! Whew.... That is brutal if you don't have air conditioning!! Today is hot & tomorrow is to be hot too then by next week we will cool into the upper 70's. Thank Goodness..... We are to have several days of rain too & boy, do we need it badly. Nothing much planned for the weekend, just stay in the cool temps of the house's AC!!

Take Care & Stay Cool!

Until Next Week.....Marilyn

Embroidery & Aprons & Stuff....

2011-07-21T08:09:00.003-04:00

Over the years of doing needlework my heart obviously belongs to vintage embroidery & crochet. I have long admired aprons that were embroidered & have done many. The ones I especially love are the full aprons that were colored & embroidered. I have seen them on Ebay & if they are in any kind of good shape they can be very costly. So-o-o-o-o.... I have devised my own.........
At Sam's Club I discovered that they sold full aprons in 3 packs along with cloth napkins etc. I purchased a pack & went to work free-handing the design you see.

I then colored it with crayons & heat set the color. I then embroidered it all & ........

There you have it a full size apron in the style & design of the 1800's fancy ones. I love it ! !

I also just finished this Buffet Scarf & crocheted the edges. Not too opulent edges this time as I just wanted the variegated colors to show & match the colors used in the embroidery. This piece I picked up on Ebay & it was from the 1960's or so as it was a Colortex brand!!

We are Hotter than Hades here today. Temps could reach 100 by afternoon!! Yesterday we had an odd stray shower that at least revived the plants & lawn. It managed to rain for the better part of an hour & boy, did we need that!!

Until Later.....Marilyn

Our 43rd Anniversary ....

2011-07-20T06:47:00.002-04:00

Today is Our 43rd Wedding Anniversary ! ! Wow.... Where have the years gone??

July 20th... 1968 was weather much like today. Hot & sticky.... The ceremony was small... just the families. After the ceremony we waited in the receiving line at the back of the church & my new DH's elderly grandfather waited to shake his hand & kiss me on the cheek. After doing so he walked out into the vestibule & dropped dead of a heart attack. That is how our marriage started......

Despite the drama we started out with we have managed to raise 2 children now 41 & 40 & with lives of their own & are looking forward to retirement in 5 years. Life.... Ya' just never know where it will take you!!

Have a Great Day!!
Marilyn

Sweet Memories.......

2011-07-18T08:11:00.005-04:00

Memories are to me time traveling of a private sort. Some memories are better than others but as I get older I find most of my select childhood memories are sweeter than honey. They stir up in me feelings of happiness as well as sadness for the time gone forever. Here are some things that stir my memories of a sweet childhood ........
I can vividly remember when I was in 7th grade & the staff of our school called an assembly for the whole school to explain the new-fangled rotary dial on the telephones. Our area did not have them yet but Oh Wow.... what would they think of next ????

I can remember the soda shop in our town that all the town kids, of which I was one, hung out at after school. No shenanigans for me as my mother's cousin & her husband owned it & worked it. I always knew that anything I did would get reported back to mom before I could even think twice about doing it. It was still a wonderful place for a young teenager to be.........

Then there was my Barbie. My best girl friend & I played with our dolls so much. Mine was the brunette pony-tail Barbie of the late 50's. I wish I had her now but I did buy a replica from Ebay a couple of years ago.

I remember when you got a Barbie outfit there was a little catalog inside of the latest fashions for Barbie. I remember pouring over it & wishing.......

I remember the Barbie paper dolls. I had this travel trunk of Barbie cut outs & my BF & I used to play by the hour...... I too found this actual paper doll trunk on Ebay & purchased it for myself. When I received it I nearly cried for the sweet memories it evoked. For just a moment I was a little girl again & my brothers & Mom & Dad were here & everything was safe again......

You may wonder why I am so nostalgic today...... yesterday we received word that a classmate passed away. I knew him well when we were in elementary school. His family lived near us. We shared the same homeroom all through high school & only touched base a few times over our adult life. He was a good & decent person who married a good & decent girl. What I am feeling is the loss of childhood innocence. Playing paper dolls, playing jacks on a cool sidewalk in the heat of summer. The taste of the fizzy, cold & sweet ice cream soda & the racket of music & voices.

The world was a better place for knowing my childhood friend........ God Speed......

Until Later...Marilyn

How Hot is It!!!!

2011-07-17T13:21:00.002-04:00

After a Spring of what seemed to be an endless time of rain & cool weather we are in the middle of an actual Heat Wave ! ! It has been in the upper 80's & today is the hottest so far with the temps now hitting 95 ! ! The humidity is high & just going outside feels like a sauna so.... What's a girl to do?? Stay inside & sit beside the air conditioner & enjoy the 70 degree temps in the house ! ! The rest of the week looks like the same with none or very little rain & hot, hot, hot ! !

However, I know it won't be long before we will be up to our __?__ in snow & I will be complaining about the cold. No pleasin' some.......

I just finished a Buffet Scarf & a pair of pillowcases. I will get them ironed & put them on the blog later on in the week. For today I am going to watch the Yankee's game with DH & keep an eye on the NASCAR race.

Enjoy Your Day!!
Marilyn