Gratitiude

 SOOC on a Frosty Morning

I've been struggling with my gratitude post this week.  Not because I have nothing to be grateful for, but because I have so many blessings that I can't decide which ones to write about. So I'm doing a free thought writing exercise...from head to fingers to blog.

Early in the week I received marvelous news from a friend that the health scare he had a few weeks ago isn't so scary after all because a broken elbow is much easier to mend than a broken heart.  My heart sings for CP and gratitude overflows for both the good news and the friendship we share.

If I had to describe my friend MJ in two words it would be this...loving heart.  She is the most generous, loving person I know.  I thank my lucky stars that we became friends those many years ago and have stood steadfast by each other. 

This morning I took a walk in the yard soaking up the frost, in the air and on the ground.  The yard was lovely, leaves clinging to branches reminded me of the gentle Fall of Freddie the Leaf,

and the little rose that's still budding and blooming spoke of the courage to keep on even when the odds are against you.  For nature's subtle reminders I am grateful. 

Have a lovely day!  

Favorite Ladies

When friends gather the energy in the air becomes that much more electrified with laughter and conversation.  So eight of us, at my daughter's bidding, came together to celebrate. 

There were Rieslings and Reds passed around the table.

There were contemplative moments captured between shadows and light.

There were sparkling necklaces 

sexy shoes

                     and capricious Fedoras.

Just one more glass, please!

Listening above the din of talking, laughing and glasses clinking. 

Wringing out the last drop.

Oh my!  What a time we had.  It was all about getting together with a few favorite ladies and celebrating another year passing and the bonds of friendship.  

Gingerbread Love

And I had but one penny in the world.  Thou should'st have it to buy gingerbread.

~William Shakespeare "Love's Labour's Lost"



Cream sugar, molasses, & shortening.  Add ginger,soda in water and flour, flour, flour... 

Knead in more flour.  Roll out dough...

                                 

Cut out shapes

Bake @ 350 degrees

Decorate

Finished just in time for Master Horatio Rabbit's tea.

Some Kinda Wonderful

I can't wait for the weekend to begin.  Tomorrow my dear friend, MJ is coming for a visit.  My daughter's friend from Dayton will arrive in the afternoon and we're all going to make holiday wreaths from fresh greens.  We did this last year and had such fun we just had to do a repeat.

We can't JUST create...oh no we're also planning to take in one or two local Christmas shops.  If there's time Special Ocassions in Bryan is filled with wonderful gifts and more ways to say it's the holidays than Santa has elves.

Another shop on my list of places to go is the East Mulberry Gift Cottage also in Bryan.  It conjures up visions of the past with vintage goodies. I wish the shops had websites to share, but alas they don't at this time.  I'm hoping the proprietors will allow me to snap a few photos to post.

We must stop by the Candy Cane Christmas Shop outside of Archbold.  The store is located in a defunct elementary school and filled to the rafters with everything needed to create the Christmas decor of your dreams.  The shop also carries charming toys not found in big box stores.     

Dinner and wine at Stella Blues, one of the swankiest restaurants in nw Ohio, is the plan for Saturday evening.

I'm brimming over with smiles and anticipation.  This is gonna be some kind of wonderful weekend!   

  

"A good friend is a connection to life -

 a tie to the past,

a road to the future,

the key to sanity in a totally insane world."   

                                                                           ~ Lois Wyse

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, too! 

Realization

I just realized today is Wednesday and I posted for Mosaic Monday on Tuesday.  Holiday Mondays really confuse me.  I keep forgetting that tomorrow is Thursday and I'm off for a few days, the country mouse visiting the city friend.

I hope the weather takes a cooler turn, so we can wander the streets and visit sites I know, but miss.  Losing myself in the beauty of art renews my spirit and inspires, so maybe we'll find time to visit the Toledo Art Museum.  I can never say no to the Toledo Botanical Garden.  Perhaps we'll search for a new bistro or coffee shop for talking while creamy latte or plain ole java cools in our mugs. I'm always up for heading downtown to search for photo ops and city energy. 

I may mention heading to Perrysburg and The Ribbonry, a wonderful place with sumptuous ribbons from France.  Or...we could just talk on MJ's deck, catching up, and sharing secrets before walking about her yard with camera in hand ready to snap a photo of a flower, a bird, a butterfly, or her new companion, Ayla.   

Yes, I need this snippet of a getaway for peace of mind.  The well needs water and I'm going to dance in the rain for a few days. 

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!