“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On.”
Robert Frost

Friday, November 29, 2013

The Anticipation...

The anticipation of Christmas is building! It was quite evident the other day when a mother was fending off her child's insistant pleading for something while I passed by the toy isle at the local store.  

Oh, but we're all children at heart when it comes to Christmas!  My husband and I watched part of the old "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" movie, the other night.  I still thought the abominable snow monster was scary! We'd both forgotten about the land of misfit toys. I thought it was worthy to highlight the quote by one of the elves below.  Dreamed up by some marketing genius, I'll bet!






My favorite toys were stuffed animals. One of my all time favorites was a large pink (surprise) cat with a black tail and ears. Oh, I wish I had her still....

What were some of your favorite toys as a child?


Tuesday, November 26, 2013

The Coming of Snow

Thanksgiving is here and snow is soon to arrive just in time to throw a snag into your travel plans.  Yes, I know, it was just a few months ago that I was ranting about being sick of snow, but I am over that now. I really am thankful, for Snow!






Many of you have already had your first taste of snow and we here in Minnesota ready ourselves for the real snow storm that will inevitably occur sometime soon.

The shovels stand in the corner of the garage accessible when needed. Some sand is ready if we get a bit of ice. My husband and I handle snow the old-fashioned way, with a shovel. No power, just the quite scrape of the snow shovel on the sidewalk. 



It really isn't such a difficult job and I love shoveling at twilight when the air is getting still and the sky is turning from pink to purple. I love that time, when it is so quiet, and I often stop shoveling to rest and just listen to .... the silence.  When all is done, a cup of hot cocoa makes it all so worth it. Looking out at the backyard and seeing the soft snow while cradling a warm cup in my hand is a beautiful feeling. 







I found this lovely poem that gives a sense of this time of year, the end of autumn, right before the snow.....



Variations: II 
 
Green light, from the moon,
Pours over the dark blue trees,
Green light from the autumn moon
Pours on the grass ...
Green light falls on the goblin fountain
Where hesitant lovers meet and pass.

They laugh in the moonlight, touching hands,
They move like leaves on the wind ...
I remember an autumn night like this,
And not so long ago,
When other lovers were blown like leaves,
Before the coming of snow.
  Conrad Aiken

 

I want to say that I am thankful for many other things,
but I am especially thankful for all of the wonderful people who
visit and comment here.

I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

A Shiny Brite Day

I have to admit that until my husband brought home these vintage Christmas ornaments from a garage sale, I hadn't thought much about collecting Shiny Brite. Now that I have been doing a bunch of research on them, I am starting to think I'm missing out!











I've decide that because these are plain I will not keep them, but hold out for some of the more decorative ones.  Actually I am more partial to the fancier shaped glass and diorama glass ornaments.  So this batch will be put up for sale in my shop.

















I've learned a few things about Shiny Brite.  The ones after WWII up until about 1960, have the crimped and stamped "Shiny Brite made in USA" on the caps.  I'm still trying to sort out the cap issue on another box that says "Shiny Brite", because the caps are not crimped or stamped.  So many questions!

I don't like to put things in my shop until I have thoroughly investigated their age, history etc.  So there are a couple of boxes that may have to wait until next year before they go up for sale.  This box and contents will be in my Etsy shop for sale today or in the near future.























My husband bought more plain ornaments which I will post later, but a few neat old German and Italian ones were included.  The diorama of the church above is probably from Italy and dates from the 1940's.  I haven't decided whether to sell the diorama ornament yet. 









It was a blustery, cold day yesterday when I was working on this post.  The kitties had been outside for awhile, just enough to get a bit chilly.  They were very happy to get back in the house where it was warm.

There was a bit of a kerfuffle over who got to sleep on the cozy blanket in the corner of my office.  Dot and Guy had a bit of fun. As you see, Guy won!  When I noticed him sleeping there, he looked so cute, I had to get a picture.  He was half asleep when I woke him up for the photo shoot.









I hope you all have a Bright and Shiny day too!
~~~Diane~~~




Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Changes Ahead

The season of in-betweens is here again, between fall and winter.  The leaves have fallen like rain the past week.  All are almost down now, except for those persistent Weeping Willows and a few Mountain Ash trees which stubbornly refuse to drop their leaves.

As I look out my window, I see the moon showing through the overcast sky, the sun is setting in the west.  A glimmer of pink is there behind the trees. It's only 4:30 in the afternoon and the sun is already starting to set.  Night comes early here in Minnesota.




As you see here in the photo, the snow is mingling with the fallen leaves.  The perfect example of our seasons meeting here in the middle.  As I said in the beginning, there are changes ahead.







In the sunnier area, the snow melted away.  I loved the pattern of the leaves on the patio, so random, but so elegantly arranged.





In the shadier areas, the snow clung on and persisted for several more days.  It is all gone now and warmer weather has returned.  We all sense the changes and are already getting used to the new patterns.  The kitties have felt the first blast of cold air and snow on their paws.  They are not so quick to rush outside now.  A brief sniff of the air determines how long they want to be out now.

I along with them are happy to return to the warmth of the house after a quick walk around the yard. The tea kettle is on all day now, and the oven is getting used again now that the grill is put away for the season.  The gathering time has begun.

I am sorry I have been neglecting my blog friends.  I will try and get around for a visit soon. Thank you all for your patience. If you'd like to see what I've been up to, come browse through my Etsy shop CraveCute.

I hope you are all having a pleasant week and enjoying the changing seasons.
~~~ Diane ~~~




Thursday, November 7, 2013

While Mom's Away


We cats do play!!! Mom is away working in her shop for a while 
and said we could take over the blog to say "Hi".



Mom will be back in a few days or so.
Bye now ~~ Dot and Guy ~~ Cat Kisses

Friday, November 1, 2013

The Fields of Gold

One of my favorite colors of Autumn is Gold. Brash orange and fiery red seem to outshine poor gold for most of the season. Mostly, I like the combination of all the colors, but it's the memories of golden fields that I cling to.

Gold always reminds me of my first eighteen years of life living on my parents farm.  We were in a rural area and at least an hours drive to a large city.  The fields were full of golden wheat and russet hued milo. 





The picture above is not mine, but an example of a typical wheat field.  After the wheat was harvested, my father would bale the straw and keep it to use as bedding for the cattle and pigs.  This time of year brings out my nostalgic side remembering the family gatherings at my parents and grandparents homes, now all gone.












My view has changed now and the gold I see from my window is one of the golden and russet leaves on the trees. I love this view and wouldn't trade it for the world.  The remarkable thing about us humans is that we can imagine and when I close my eyes for a moment, I can still see the golden fields of my childhood home.
















As I look towards the blue sky and heaven, I see the golden leaves of our sugar maple trees and I am thankful for the wonderful past I've had and the promise of an even better future once I reach my own "Golden" years.

Welcome November, the month of Thankfulness.  ~~ Diane