A Book Of Dreams

For quite awhile my sweetheart and I have talked and dreamed about going to Alaska.  It’s something we really want to do but it hasn’t happened yet.  It’s on our list – near the top!  So, while we think and dream and plan, we love to read all we can about the beauty of our state to the north.  And when there’s a chance to see photos – especially those of someone we know – it’s an inspiration to keep planning to make our dream come true.
I have a friend – a dear blog friend – who has been to Alaska and brought it back through her photography.  Donna began to share Alaska photos shortly after I discovered her blog (Cottage Days and Journeys) - and I must say that I was mesmerized!  I was enchanted and as I studied each photo she shared I commented and told her of our dream.  She encouraged us to go – even suggested that we should join them on their last trip!  Since that wasn’t possible, I was content to see Alaska through her eyes.  Donna continued to encourage me and inspire me – and then one day last fall she announced a give-away.  She was giving away two photo books she had ‘published’.  All I had to do was comment often through the months of November and December – and hope and pray that my name would be drawn.  The first place winner would have her choice of books – one was a variety of photos from around Alaska and the other was all about the brown bears of Alaska.  I would have been happy with either book, but my heart really longed for the one with a variety of photos from all around Alaska.  The day came for the drawing and then – Donna sent me an email telling me that my name had been the first drawn.  Oh – oh – oh!  I could hardly believe it.  Soon the book was on its way to my home and when it arrived there was a sweet, little note tucked inside.  On one of Donna’s handmade notecards.When I removed the tissue paper – there it was.  I’m sure I must have squealed with delight!I knew exactly where this beautiful book belonged.  It is at home on my vintage trunk/coffee table – for everyone who comes by to see.  And it has been seen.  And admired.The first page sets the scene for the rest of the book. Then – pages and pages of gorgeous photos.  My photos of the pages can’t possibly do it justice.  There is wildlife and breathtaking scenery. . .And some of the brown bears of Alaska.Flora and Tundra and exquisite carvings. . .And the most fascinating rustic towns and photos of ice and snow so real you can almost feel the chill.At the end, a graphic and a few words that wrap it all up. . .And a sweet note and autograph.I love beautiful coffee table books.  I’ve gathered a few – some by famous photographers.  But this one is the best.  It’s a treasure – a gift from the heart of a dear friend.  Given with love and a note that encourages us to enjoy the photos.  With hopes that we will see them in person someday.  Soon.  I placed two special pieces of my Willow Tree collection beside my new book.  One piece (Wisdom) was given to me by my dear, little mother – and one (Spirited Child) was from my daughter.  A mother, reading, and a daughter, listening.  And I smile every time I walk by.Donna also made two desktop calendars to give away.  You can see one of them here.

Reflections

 As this year comes to a close and a new one begins, I always reflect on the past few months.  There have been highs and lows - times on the mountaintop and times in the valley.  There have been smiles and laughter - tears and sadness.  Praise - and prayer.  Much prayer.  My word for this last year was Hope.  Little did I know when the year began how appropriate 'hope' would be for what came our way.  In the words of the old hymn, we found 'strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow'.  As we look forward to a new year that will begin in just a few, short hours, not only do we continue to hope - we continue to give thanks and offer prayer for the unknown that is ahead.

 

Our year brought new life. . .

And new beginnings. . .



 

Travels to see family far away. . .

And quiet moments at home.

Time with our daughter's family (and my dear, little mother). . .

And our son's family, too.

Work. . .

And play.

 

On the last day of the year I always remember the words of a song I used to sing a lot.  I think it sums it up pretty well - we've come this far by faith.

We've come this far by faith

Leaning on the Lord

Trusting in His Holy Word

He's never failed us yet

Oh, we won't turn back

We've come this far by faith

 

I wish you a very Happy New Year, dear friends.  We've come this far by faith - so, let's go forward by faith!



October Thoughts

On this quiet Saturday afternoon in October, I stopped what I was doing to sit and enjoy the sunshine and take a moment or two to rest before going on to the next thing on my list. And I began to think and ponder. . .

* Something nibbled away little pieces of the Indian corn I carefully stored away at the end of the season last year! Perhaps it was the little gray mouse my dear Miss Savannah lovingly laid at the garage door just outside my laundry room. I need to replace the ears of corn but I wonder. . .there must be a better way to store delectable tidbits that delight little critters who find their way inside!

* I planned to only use off-white, vanilla-scented candles around the house because they go with everything all year long, but I’m enjoying the deep rusty red-orange shades of a few candles scattered here and there. A gentle scent of pumpkin spice drifts through the room – and I’m so glad there are no calories in the fragrance of candles!

* When I opened the box of autumn decorations this year I realized I didn’t want to use most of them. My heart kept longing for simplicity and softer, mellow hues with just a touch of color here and there. I need to simplify and only keep what I love and will use again. Reminder to self: Don’t buy it just because it’s pretty – or cute – or someone else thinks it would be nice in my home. Follow your heart. You can’t go wrong!

* I want our home to reflect who we are all year long andI love to add a few special things for each season. Our home should be a haven – a safe place to land, a place of peace and joy and love - first for us, then for our family and our friends.

* It’s very hard to write a blog post when Miss Savannah is determined to settle down for an afternoon nap on my laptop! She’s warm and furry – and purring. I think she’s finally accepted the fact that there isn’t much room left on my lap but I can share a small part with her!

* Time to get busy – there’s always something waiting to be done. Outside I can hear my sweetheart working to ready his little boat for the winter. Sounds of a nearby lawnmower remind me that the grass is still green and flowers are still growing and there is a little more time before the world outside my window goes to sleep for the winter!

* Thoughts turn to my family and I wonder what they are doing. I think of what they mean to me and breathe a prayer for each one by name. ‘Thank you, Lord, that You have blessed me so abundantly. I am grateful for your love and grace, those dear to my heart who love me and the friends I treasure. What more do I need?’

A Blissful Gift and A Dream House

Awhile ago I won a give-away from Shari at My Cottage of Bliss. Shari gave me a choice of gift cards from several great places and I chose a three-in-one gift card from HomeGoods, TJ Maxx or Marshall’s. I was thrilled and excited and couldn’t wait to find something very special. Since it’s a bit of a drive from my little community in the suburbs to any of these places I had to wait a bit longer than planned before I could ‘spend’ my gift card. But, oh, was it worth the wait! I think I saw nearly everything in HomeGoods before I rounded a corner and – there it was! Oh, the house of my dreams – my little cottage of bliss! Just waiting for me.

My dear cousin was with me when I found it and she agreed with me – this little house ‘looked just like me’! It was perfect. Exactly the kind of house I would love to have in real life. If were a little birdie I would move in right now!

And if I lived here, you could come knock on my door and we could sit on the porch, share a pot of tea and have a l-o-n-g chat.

This little house thrills my heart every time I see it. My sweetheart asked if I plan to hang it outside so the bird can enjoy it. I told him I didn’t want the birds messing up my new house!

Can’t you just imagine the ‘dreamy’ little bedroom under the eaves?

I’m sure this little cottage would be perfectly cozy all year round. Imagine enjoying Spring and Summer breezes blowing gently through the open windows. Or, how comfy we could be sipping hot chocolate beside the fire on a cold, winter day.

Maybe I should paint my house to match my new little birdhouse! Oh, but then I would need to add a porch and railing, an upstairs and a balcony. So I think I’ll just sit and enjoy this little cottage – and dream of the possibilities.

(Thank you, Shari, for your wonderful gift to me – I think of you and your real-life Cottage of Bliss every time I see it. If you haven’t met Shari, be sure to stop by and visit her blog and see the wonderful new place they are renovating so they can move in soon.)

Together For Afternoon Tea - Again

Sometimes in our lives there comes a time when we can stop and spend time with a special friend. In moments like that it almost seems as if time stands still and gives us a chance to share the things we love, our dreams and plans and sometimes – tea! Yesterday afternoon I drove to Portland to spend just such a time with a dear friend who came into my life through our blogs. Marilyn, of Delights Of The Heart, invited me to join her for tea in her lovely garden. It was planned way back when we first met for tea here. Our weather in this part of Oregon has been unseasonably wet and cold and I had suggested we do a ‘sun’ dance but, instead, we hoped (and prayed) for a nice day. And that is exactly what we got! The first official day of summer in the Willamette Valley was warm and sunny and just right! I had seen photos of Marilyn’s home on her blog and when I stepped into her beautiful nineteen fifties kitchen I felt right at home.

The apple box labels are all from her hometown in California. The one over her sink is from her grandfather’s orchard! I wish I had taken pictures of the rest of her kitchen but if you visit Marilyn’s blog you can see more and read all about it. Soon after I arrived Marilyn made two little pots of tea and we headed outside.

Our destination? The greenhouse of my dreams - the wonderful greenhouse her husband has been building – all from recycled vintage windows and other findings. The blue area is waiting for the ‘finding’ of more old windows. The wooden wall on the back side was old kitchen flooring taken when they redid the kitchen floor. The walkway to the greenhouse will be flagstone. Since Marilyn’s hubby is recuperating from shoulder surgery and is a bit laid up for awhile several projects had to be on hold.

Preparations had been carefully made in anticipation of my arrival. A little table and chairs were waiting and a sweet welcome waited beside the open doors.

A teacup with a yellow rose - my favorite - suspended by a beautiful ribbon, hung from a wrought iron garden hook.

A pretty white cloth covered the table and fresh flowers added to the beauty of the moment. Two places were carefully set with china – just for us. Skewers of fresh fruit waited for our enjoyment and Marilyn’s Lemon Verbena cookies completed the menu. (I has requested a light repast, in keeping with healthy changes I’ve made recently.)

As we visited and enjoyed tea together I just couldn’t keep from looking up! The view upward was as lovely as the view through the doorway into the garden. The tree overhead is over one hundred years old and is home to honeybees. Oh, how we wished Winnie the Pooh would wander by and get some honey for us!

Nearby, a rose-covered arbor holds treasures that captured my heart. A 'candelier' waits for the greenhouse to be finished – then it will be hung inside and light the way for more friendly gatherings in the glass house. (For some reason I didn’t take pictures of the darling planters and findings below the arbor!)

At the end of the clothesline I spied a housing development – one home was occupied. We quietly observed the sweet residences that had been carefully placed there.

As we approached the steps that led through French doors into Marilyn’s office I had to stop for one more photo. I decided to hurry home and dig out my old watering can that has waited for too many years to find a home in my garden. I was inspired and I didn’t want to lose the thought!

The afternoon seemed to go so quickly and soon we hugged, said goodbye and I headed for home. As I drove toward home my heart was filled with precious memories of time spent with a friend – a kindred spirit. A friend who shared herself, bits and pieces of her life and her home and, best of all, her heart over tea in the garden.

From The Heart Of A Friend

When I first entered the world of blog I didn’t have any idea how dear my new far-away friends would become in my life. I had no idea of the treasured place each of you would have in my heart, and it still amazes me that we are such kindred spirits, even though we may never meet in person. Such is the bond I feel with my blog friend, Dawn, of Four Fifty-Three a.m. I read her blog daily and I’m always amazed by the beautiful creations from her heart and hands. I admire the simplicity of her blog and the way it touches my heart – and I love her Daybook entries. It’s almost as if I’m right there with her. So often I long to do that – be right there with her so I can sit and chat and watch her work. Recently Dawn had a give-away and I won!! I could hardly believe it when I read her announcement. And then the package arrived! That was just the beginning - even her handwriting is artistic and I was excited. I couldn’t wait to open it to see what was inside.

I found sweets and a beautiful card – and a dear little package.

Oooh, chocolate! Ghirardelli chocolate. But I really couldn’t wait to open that little package. Inside I found one of Dawn’s dollies – the dearest little sweetie. I just sat and smiled!

Do you see the little holly on her gown? I live on Holly Street and I ‘use’ a lot of holly in my Christmas decor. When I mentioned that to Dawn she chose this little cutie-pie for me. Just for me! My photos don’t do her justice. Here, let me show you another one that shows the detail in a different light.

Isn’t she just adorable? I named her Holly Dolly! I’m not so sure that she will be put away at the end of the holiday season. I’m thinking of a place in my office/sewing room that needs a little splash of sweetness. She may find a permanent home there in a few weeks. When I turned her around to look at the back I found this sweet little tag. A little note from Dawn’s hand to my heart!

Thank you, Dawn, for my sweet Holly Dolly! I will think of you every time I look at her dear little face and I will thank God for bringing you into my life – to grace my days with your friendship – even though you live so far away. He has truly blessed me with the best of friends. And I am grateful!