Officially Twenty Two Inches...

According to our friends who live a few miles north of us, we got 22" of snow from Winter Storm Elsa (along with a lot of wind and drifting).

As far as I'm concerned about this winter, I'm past ready to "let it go"!

Andy came down with his tractor with the big snow blower and managed to move most of the white stuff for us. Late afternoon, Handsome and I got out our tractor with a front bucket and rear blade and managed to move what was right in front of our garage door. Andy continues to be a blessing to us (for many more reasons than just this).

Thankfully, Handsome's band rehearsal was cancelled, following the lead of local schools and many businesses (including the station until mid-afternoon, when the owner had my boss go in to open back up. (Nuts, if you ask me!) 

I'm working today, and will get to see just what the "outside world" looks like from the station. I'm pretty sure I'll be quite happy to accomplish my shift and get back home. I'll let you know how things went tomorrow. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day and more importantly for our family, Happy Anniversary to Son #2 and his bride!

Donna

Anniversary Celebration...

 

 Happy Anniversary to us!

God chose the perfect person for me, and I thank Him every day for our time together.

 

Snow Reveal...

Brynwood Needleworks - March Radish

Handsome and the Labradors were so proud of themselves Sunday when they brought this home from their walk! They'd all gone into the north field where the daikon was planted (and some harvested) last fall.

 

Handsome saw this sticking out of the ground, and the fact that it wasn't mostly mushy was a wonder in itself. 

 

Brynwood Needleworks - My Sister, Diana, Picking Daikon

 

What we learned is that the radishes are planted in the field (along with a cover crop like alfalfa), where they grow in the cooler temperatures. They mature before the snow falls, and as shown by my sister, Di last November, they get quite large. 

That's a good thing, because once they're covered by a blanket of snow, they slowly break down, returning to the soil, while leaving a nice big, aerating hole behind. 

Anyway, this beauty was in a sheltered area where it didn't degrade, so it came home from the walk. I cleaned it up, hoping for the best, but alas, it was tasteless and inedible, so I ended up tossing it. Even so, I think I have a nice photograph to show for it.

By the way, now the black dogs are actually looking for radishes when they go out on their walks! They're such a hoot.

 

 

I spent the day in the studio yesterday. I know I want to start working on the bags I have to make, but I'm just pushing myself to get to them. Soooo, I clean up any mess on my cutting tables (or make new ones); move this here, and that there; and call myself the Queen of Procrastination. It's not made easier with my ongoing physical  "issue". My friend, Netta, in Florida used to say, "I don't have issues. I have subscriptions." I can relate these days. sigh

 

I'm not going to beat myself up. It is what it is, and I'm mostly healthy. That's a blessing these days, right? I have therapy tomorrow, so I may just sit and stitch today. I'll let you know what I accomplish (or don't) when next we visit. I'll hope for the best. xo 

 

 Happy St. Patrick's Day 

and

Happy Anniversary to #2 Son & our beautiful Daughter-in-Law!

Sunday Scripture...

Brynwood Needleworks via Web Images

   Happy St. Patrick's Day! and Happy Anniversary to Son #2 and his beautiful wife.  

Happy 30th, Husband...

Today marks the thirtieth year that Handsome and I have been married. On Friday, we gathered with our sons and their families to celebrate together. The restaurant was crazy busy, but we had a nice, long table with plenty of space for conversation and toasting.

Before leaving, we managed to corral our waitress for a quickly posed photograph to commemorate the evening, and I'm filled with love and happiness as I look at this latest family picture.

Before dinner, Handsome asked everyone to raise their glass and he recited these words in a toast to our marriage. 

 

I made the best decision of my life the day I accepted his proposal - and have been grateful for his love, strength and commitment every single day since. Here's to the next thirty, Husband. Happy Anniversary to us.

Happy Anniversary, Baby...

Last night, our Disconnected Piecers Quilt Guild marked it's 20th Anniversary 

with a party. Handsome was kind enough to take a group photo of our group.

(Well, except for the snowbirds, who have mostly returned up north.)

Our current President, Karen M., is  in Arizona helping 

family, but I know she felt sad about not being able to attend.

l-r: Peggy N., Anne D., Pat K., Joan B. and Charter President Jackie F.

These are our past guild presidents, minus Karen M.

Jackie F. and Pauline B. were both charter members of the guild.

Pauline C. is our Historian, and she gave an informative and humorous

history of our guild. We all paid close attention as Pauline updated us

from our humbl3 beginnings. She did a fabulous job. Thanks, Pauline!

Barbara M. showed her own creation - a quilt tote.

Kathy W. recently finished a baby quilt top.

Isn't it adorable?

Marti has been busy creating a new piece. I've shared her

last creation - and I think she gets better with each piece.

Mary Agnes M. made a beautiful scrappy quilt to show.

Pauline B. made this king size Split Rail Fence quilt top.

Vice-President, Pat K. shared a class project she completed.

Susan S. shared this beauty, too!

After our Anniversary Show & Tell and story telling,

we all shared snacks and anniversary cake. It was a

wonderful night with quilting friends, old and new.

Here's to the next twenty!

An Old Irish (Anniversary) Blessing...

Image from spockgirlmusings.com

Happy St. Patrick's Day

and

Happy Anniversary to Son #2 and his beautiful wife.

We can't believe you've already been married thirteen years today!

We love you both and wish you many more.

In My Life...

The Liljegrens - 2012 (est. 1984)

 I met Handsome thirty one years ago. 

You've heard of "love at first sight"? Well, that was us.

This incredible, generous and persistent man chose me.

Three years later, we were married.

Today is our Twenty Eighth Wedding Anniversary.

Each year, we have fun remembering our ceremony

and the party that followed. We were the last two people to 

leave! We had so much fun sharing our special day with our

dear friends and relatives...and much of our celebration focused

on music more than anything else. You're not surprised, are you?

My processional was The Beatles "The Long & Winding Road",

and we chose two other songs that were performed during the 

ceremony. The first one was another Beatles song, "In My Life"

and the last song was "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?".

As we mark our #28, I'd like to leave you with one of the songs 

that mean so much to us. Wishing love and light to all of you.

                                                              

Jazz At JD's...

 Handsome joined Mike Moran, his wife Kit and Dominic Mancini to perform

at JD's in Port Charlotte, FL on Saturday night. I took a few photos to share

with you, but I sure wish that all of you could have joined us.

It was chilly outside, but inside we all enjoyed an evening of jazz at a fabulous venue. 

Mike Moran on keyboard, his wife Kit is the vocalist, Dominic Mancini on bass and

Handsome sitting in at his drum kit. Dominic is actually related to Henry Mancini,

and he, Mike and Kit moved here from the northeast about eight years ago.

Mike also performs with Handsome for the Port Charlotte Swing Band.

 They finished the evening with their rendition of Michel Legrand's

"What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?". I was in tears.

When Handsome and I were married 28 years ago (this week!),

that was one of the songs performed during our wedding ceremony.

They just don't make music like that anymore.

Web image from Nordic Thoughts blog

 Merry Christmas Eve, my friends. 

An Irish Prayer From My Little Leprecaun...

Although it's not officially one of Tag's post days, I can't imagine anything better than photos of my own little Leprecaun with his favorite playmates. Taggart loves kids!

Especially little girls!

I offer a St. Patrick's Day prayer courtesy of my friend,
Marydon at Blushing Rose Boutique:

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial,
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

Don't forget to leave a comment on my Blog Anniversary Post (click here) for a chance to win my giveaway. Perhaps you'll have your own "Luck of the Irish"!

The Happy Couple on their wedding day.

Before I close, Handsome and I would like to send Happy Anniversary (#11) wishes to our younger son and his beautiful wife. May you always find delight in each other. We love you both!

You're Still The One...

1985 - Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island

We'd been married less than a year when this photo was taken. Twenty seven years later, and you're still the one, Handsome.

We'll be spending today as we've spent many anniversaries before. We'll be training dogs and having fun outside.

I'll be back tomorrow with some year-end thoughts and recollections. Happy Anniversary, Husband.

'Tis The Season...

Thank you, my friends, for all your kind and generous anniversary wishes. I read each one to Handsome and he shares my sentiment. You're all so thoughtful to leave us such nice messages. Hugs to each of you from both of us!

Now, on to the important stuff! (giggle) Drum roll, please! And the winners of my two Spring Magic Mug Mats (Chosen by the Random Number Generator) are...

#27 - Debra of Common Ground
#1 - Sherry of Createology

Congratulations, Debra and Sherry!

You've been faithful followers for a long time and I'm thrilled that you've won my impromptu drawing. I have both your addresses and will send your mats out to you.

All those fabulous pre-Christmas giveaways from fellow bloggers got me to thinking. The Season of Giving doesn't need to end on Christmas Day. I've decided to sprinkle a few little giveaways between now and the first week of January.

This giveaway is for the 2010 issue of Christmas from Gooseberry Patch, filled with fabulous holiday ideas and recipes and a little Christmas house tea pot. I'm even going to add a container of our favorite Instant Hot Cocoa Mix and a couple of candy canes!

You don't have to become a follower of my blog, but this giveaway is for followers only. There ought to be perks for reading my musings on a regular basis, after all. Make sure that I have a way to contact you if you win, too, please.

All you need to do is leave a comment on this post (only) to be counted in the drawing. That's it!
This drawing will be open until 10 pm New Years' Eve, and I'll announce the winner on New Years Day. Good luck!

DRAWING IS CLOSED. Thanks to everyone who left a comment.

**If you're reading this on my FB page reprint, you have to go to my original blog post to enter. I'll add the url to the original post to link back.

Celebrating Love...

Spring 1984. Taken the first time we came to Florida together.
This photograph was taken by Handsome's mom at her condo in Naples.

Today is Handsome and my 26th Wedding Anniversary. Thirty years since I first laid eyes on him and it seems like only a moment ago. God blessed me the day he came into my life.

Happy Anniversary, Husband.

I had to do a little paperwork yesterday morning, but once that was finished, I headed to the studio. I had decided that I wanted to make mug mats for the gals in my Books A Million group and needed to finish them for last night's gathering.

I went into my fabric stash and pulled out two honey buns of Spring Magic fabric from Moda. (Remember that I made a Spring Magic quilt for my last giveaway?) Nothing like fabric to remind you of a spring day when the weather is chilly, don't you think?
These finished mug mats measure 6 3/4" x 5 1/2". I managed to finish all of them before I had to leave, and gave one to each of the gals. My friend, Adele, said that she didn't want to chance spilling anything on hers. She was going to take it home, fold it in half, add a button and clasp and make hers into a needle keep.

We had a great time catching up. I hadn't seen the gals for a couple of weeks and had missed them. My sweet friend, Krisann, had made a beautiful, new scarf for me in a pretty aqua color. She said the color is called "Sea Glass". I put it on and it immediately took away the chill! I'll take a photo today, and then add it to this post so you can see just how wonderful it is. Thank you, Krisann. You're so generous - and I'm so grateful.

Oh, and I'm not giving up on finding a way to obtain Helen's recipe for the decadent Peanut Butter Meltaways that she brought to the gathering! They're addictive, and I have to have more!
I'm not even embarrassed that I licked the empty plate last night. Well, maybe just a little...

***Now, you've read all the way to the bottom of this post without complaining, so I'm going to surprise you with a little drawing. If you'd like a chance to win one of two Spring Magic Mug Mats, leave a comment on this post. I'll draw two names from all the comments left and will let you know tomorrow who the two lucky winners are. This drawing is for current followers only. I mean, if you read and tolerate me on a regular basis, you ought to be rewarded. Good Luck!

***Drawing will be held at 11 pm on Wed., Dec. 29, 2010.***
DRAWING CLOSED @ COMMENT #36.
Thanks for entering!