Twelve Months of Beauty from EtsyProjectEmbrace

I am a proud member of EtsyProjectEmbrace or TEAMEPE, a group of Etsy sellers who give part of their profits to help in the fight against cancer. This is just a sampling of the wonderful artists that, along with vintage and crafting supply sellers, make up this great team.
The beautiful fabric origami cranes are available from Asianexpressions. Links to the wonderful TEAMEPE jewelry artists are at the bottom.

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SEPTEMBER

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DECEMBER

Jan. atlantisak

Feb. GlitzGlitter
Mar. ErikaPrice

Apr. dbsj
May lisadjewelry

June kasiablue
July littlebugjewelry

Aug. adornbyamysingley
Sept. Studio1980

Oct. LimeintheSky
Nov. cherryandviolet

Dec. Colettesboutique

Where's Cricket??

What's On Your Tree?

I have ALWAYS loved Christmas!! I've been collecting decorations since I got married, and needless to say, I have way too many. Each year I drag out the boxes and decide which ones I will use. One year the theme is cranberry and silver, the next is red and gold, and some years it's just the earthy, natural feel like this year. Since my tree is in the livingroom, that is where most of the decorations are, BUT I also do the other rooms, in colors to match their decor. I am nuts!!








Up until three years ago, I always insisted on a real tree. But age finally brought me to my senses, and I no longer wanted to clean up the "needle mess" and deal with the strings of lights. I came upon a 50% off sale at Hobby Lobby and bought myself a prelit tree that really does look real. The only problem is that it is SO heavy that only my big strong son-in-law can drag the three sections down and up the stairs each year. Fortunately, he does that. I also have lots of tree ornaments and sometimes use glass balls and sometimes not. This is a not year.

My favorite ornaments are the handmade ones. Many years ago, when she was still a teenager and I was into gnomes, my middle daughter made me a hand stitched felt gnome and it still holds the place of honor on my tree.

Several years later, when she was into scherenschnitte, she made me a set of paper ornaments which I also cherish.

Recently I received another special one, sent to me by a dear Etsy friend, Liz of twolefthands. I have admired her work and her patience for "tiny work" for so long, and am honored to own a piece of her art.

I hope you have all enjoyed "visiting" me this holiday season and that you will have a happy, healthy Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Through My Window II

Standing at my kitchen sink, again...

She Has A Name!!

"Her" name is Cricket and she is mine...

Thankfulness

As I went to bed last night, tired and stuffed after yet another Thanksgiving Day, I kept thinking of all the things I have to be thankful for. As I was thinking, it occured to me, "WOW! I have a blog now where I can share ." So, here goes:

1. First and foremost is family. My husband of 52 years has stuck with me through the good times and the bad, and has dealt well with my independent nature. I'm sure it has not always been easy. We have three daughters and a son and their spouses/SOs. Some live nearby; some do not. But all eight of them are always close to my heart and much loved. Among the blessings they have given me are six grandchildren; four girls and two boys, all now grown as well, and finding their way in this huge world of ours. The eldest has gone on to give me perhaps my greatest gift so far; a beautiful, funny, wonderful great-grandson, now three. He lights up my life!!

2. Next comes friends. The "old" ones are the best. One I have stayed close to since high school days in NJ and she's still my best friend here in TN where we both settled. Another who was our best man at our wedding now lives with his wife right around the corner. And others from different phases in my life still remain close, thanks to email. New friends also are a blessing. One in particular who lives a world away in Australia and who I have never met in person is especially dear to me. We "met" on the internet several years ago and have come to know and love each other. Many of the friends that I worked with for 26 years remain friends even though I have now retired. Then there's the one who recently stepped in to help with a family crisis. I will forever be grateful to her...

3. Good health is next on the list. In spite of my advanced age (LOL), I feel very well most of the time and am able to do and go as I wish. The cancer that threatened me nineteen years ago is not quite forgotten, but is just one of the insignificant hurdles that I have overcome. Hopefully, I will pass this healthy outlook on to my family.

4. America!! I am SO thankful that I live in this country; the home of the free. It has its problems, many of which are frightening at times, but there is no where else on earth that I would rather be. And all those brave and selfless young men and women who fight and sacrifice to make it all possible, for them I am eternally grateful.

5. A warm home on a cold day and a cool home on a hot one are also on my list. As is good food, good company, the 4-legged kind included, and good sense, which I sometimes lack. And, I must not forget a great computer (son built) and a more than adequate internet hookup which make it possible for me to run and enjoy my internet business, SimplySuzula. I know I could go on and on listing everything I'm thankful for, because I am truly blessed, but this will do for now...

The Cure

As most of you know, I have been very sad for the past week or so because my beloved Cassie was hit by a car and killed. I cried and moped and felt like I had a hole in my heart. Finally on Wed. I decided enough was enough. Surely there was a cat somewhere that needed me; a cat to fill that hole. After a phone call or two, I got a lead and headed off to see what I could find, and I found this!!

This little orange furball was left in a box by a dumpster with its two litter mates. Luckily someone good picked them up and took them home and I got first choice. I had some misgivings when I saw how tiny it was. I have not had a kitten in so many years. Most of my cats have been rescue cats; already grown when I took them in. As soon as it started purring in my arms, though, I knew I was hooked.

I had the vet check it out and he was unable to determine its sex as yet, so "it" has no name. It weighs 15 oz. and he thinks it is about 7 weeks old. It uses the litter box and eats Purina kitty food and plays with shoelaces and sleeps and purrs. When I am at the computer, it climbs up my leg and curls up in my lap and purrs. It also shows great interest in the monitor, following the movements and purring.

I was somewhat worried how Bella, our 75lb. dog would react to such a tiny creature, but I did not have to worry for long. She loves it!! The first day, kitty hissed every time Bella came near her, but now they are the best of friends. I hope to get some good photos of the two together in the days to come.

I will always miss the years of love and comfort Cassie gave me, but somehow the pain no longer hurts so much. I think this little one and I were meant to find each other.

Hopefully in a week or two, he or she will be given a name. Let me know if you have any suggestions. :)

Tonight From My Front Porch

Through My Window

This is the view I see when standing at my kitchen sink, looking out the window. :)

Fallin'

"Autumn is the eternal corrective. It is ripeness
and color and a time of maturity; but it is also
breadth, and depth, and distance. What man can
stand with autumn on a hilltop and fail to see the
span of his world and the meaning of the rolling
hills that reach to the far horizon?" -Hal Borland

Of all the seasons of the year, fall is my very favorite. The bright yellows and reds of summer fade into the muted shades of gold and garnet, the fertile green fields change to a golden splendor, and life itself seems to calm down and slow down to prepare us for the cold, dark winter to come.

As I went walkabout the past two mornings, I could see the changes taking place before my eyes and tried to capture their essence...


"The leaves fall, the wind blows,and

the farm countryslowly changes from

the summer cottons into its winter

wools" Henry Beston, Northern Farm

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."

Albert Camus

"No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace

As I have seen in one autumnal face."

John Donne

Mammo Mia

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and no one knows like I do how important it is to get your yearly mammogram. In 1990, I went for my very first and a small malignant lump was found. In early 1991, I had a mastectomy followed by chemo, and last month I celebrated my 70th birthday. So, don't put it off; make your appointment today!!

I am part of EtsyProjectEmbace, TEAMEPE, a group of Etsians who give part of their profits to fight cancer. This month, we've been challenged to make treasuries alerting others to the importance of early detection. Here are some of my favorites:

And mine: