tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40597310335612567272024-03-13T10:21:00.927-05:00Always CraveCuteWhere fanciful vintage treasures live...Always CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16339874536164305444noreply@blogger.comBlogger473125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-16982783012694144632023-12-17T11:27:00.001-06:002023-12-18T09:37:59.516-06:00Christmas Past, Thanks for the Memories<p>Notice to all you good folk that have or may try to leave a comment. I have tried everything and I am unable to sign in to reply to your comments. I am very grateful for all of you that still visit my blog and want to thank you all for stopping in over the years. This situation with the comments is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how difficult it has become to post and comment on blogs. I've had a few blogs that I've been unable to leave comments on also.<br /></p><p>For some time I have been thinking about closing my blog and I feel that this is the final straw, so to speak. I just don't have the energy or time to constantly try to figure out how to fix these type of issues. I checked in the blog help sections and find that many people are having the same problems. I really do think they are just trying to get rid of us free bloggers. </p><p>So with some sadness but also relief, I feel this will probably be the last post you see from me. I'll keep my blog up for a few months but eventually it will all go away. If I'm able, I'll stop in and visit your blog and comment if possible. Thanks from Diane and Guy! <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwx5xM3KsfFkG2keDLRYbPcuqyuuuMJGQdL-19MvbW9ueYoKrbxI_H8Boyxyrk3rjUBRJs_HIw7anGETmiGGZ3LmZ-sR-mNHniFcewwD0-QBXfWxO6R5q6cC9KNCp9bAPwNYpUYy3F14FI_xEnPAoirs5Nb4JdsSWPrV8x3GPx4GAK5ik31nTtEdL0CM/s2448/5c87ceda30230c60ce3669ee0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwx5xM3KsfFkG2keDLRYbPcuqyuuuMJGQdL-19MvbW9ueYoKrbxI_H8Boyxyrk3rjUBRJs_HIw7anGETmiGGZ3LmZ-sR-mNHniFcewwD0-QBXfWxO6R5q6cC9KNCp9bAPwNYpUYy3F14FI_xEnPAoirs5Nb4JdsSWPrV8x3GPx4GAK5ik31nTtEdL0CM/w400-h400/5c87ceda30230c60ce3669ee0.png" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all that visit! I'm posting a bunch of pictures from my Blogger archive. These are some nice images from over the years. We have no snow this year so it is hard to get in the spirit of the season, but I'm doing my best. <br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6b2ZbticlQKOhciAyMJwrfE5vSUhkLAtDTSJq1nOZwBRyHQo4QyiiZ5uEa4qLpSS6AyNczdfjFvEwJ8rNlCFuzZtmshgInNSiYSDCb6-eT-4CYD0oMDEA_WwFOeXkbAUzasR96X0bnNzvTEtGMjEaFncnfhLadxyU0HaCREIzrsb990rFxPthyphenhyphenPn8lM/s320/IMG_20190125_164341_124.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6b2ZbticlQKOhciAyMJwrfE5vSUhkLAtDTSJq1nOZwBRyHQo4QyiiZ5uEa4qLpSS6AyNczdfjFvEwJ8rNlCFuzZtmshgInNSiYSDCb6-eT-4CYD0oMDEA_WwFOeXkbAUzasR96X0bnNzvTEtGMjEaFncnfhLadxyU0HaCREIzrsb990rFxPthyphenhyphenPn8lM/w400-h400/IMG_20190125_164341_124.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p>No skating yet in our area as the lakes keep opening up and the ice is really thin. We have ducks and geese that have flown in from somewhere. They heard that my husband is a sucker for stray ducks so they are here for hand outs! We have a duck named Harvey who has been on our lake the past three years. We know Harvey because he injured his foot a few years ago and it withered to a stump. He still gets around well and even has a Mrs Harvey. My husband calls him and he hops up for his share of food in front of the others ducks. Harvey and his Mrs. have migrated and come back the last few years so we'll see if he shows up in the spring. <br /></p><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDpLm2Xn8PqShLRkOcAsktrjLsIJG09iMOZwhFHGLc1Kgi2WcIXNfdjwSTnwMx_lBikz-XJG2V6kInQVj8LNGXAgs5cFdAMs2P0bnMlO6TGDNs7ffzqezbWzmyKIUCkcQd0WSsZ9sTdzYBK2xq3Bm541pBOxlw_08Srl2F4ikH9js6WvcmCAn_yVE0G4/s800/ccv%20arb%20snowman%20lights%20rs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDpLm2Xn8PqShLRkOcAsktrjLsIJG09iMOZwhFHGLc1Kgi2WcIXNfdjwSTnwMx_lBikz-XJG2V6kInQVj8LNGXAgs5cFdAMs2P0bnMlO6TGDNs7ffzqezbWzmyKIUCkcQd0WSsZ9sTdzYBK2xq3Bm541pBOxlw_08Srl2F4ikH9js6WvcmCAn_yVE0G4/w400-h400/ccv%20arb%20snowman%20lights%20rs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipu_FJhnko0ORtrAPzci7WIdnYQUiuv7_Hb4DQN5E-9_IDDJGgLsfbfzcwDXDikWP7KirjqIvt4vr4b2JTYVyLOJql_wmJ7Vs5HfvCiKO1NfKaak-IxiR7nyb_ZXGHzRywAXGuqBaaJfex6ydhP1dhm2mDswgk5fkewkAJy-LlGb9zDoNvz1bfjHU_i3E/w400-h300/DSCN0651.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYKGxnnZ8I4l5kQiX_tB826GbZBY36dB9W76gsAd6RrLilat8cFvRNuck1L6VQUBmktxpW9MOQFBBPG4Av6gPE_eg24L4sElysVb7kJLMxccG9jj35eim_LnxVBqzjRNsNMq2-UdhUSsQrt04kmVaaC2gn7y3eh2xDNA2OCajtPdlzmgs2Cnd-t9z3eU/s800/DSCN0591%20(800x600).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYKGxnnZ8I4l5kQiX_tB826GbZBY36dB9W76gsAd6RrLilat8cFvRNuck1L6VQUBmktxpW9MOQFBBPG4Av6gPE_eg24L4sElysVb7kJLMxccG9jj35eim_LnxVBqzjRNsNMq2-UdhUSsQrt04kmVaaC2gn7y3eh2xDNA2OCajtPdlzmgs2Cnd-t9z3eU/w400-h300/DSCN0591%20(800x600).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErGCcbG8sQnlSR4-IUOTTmZSipYK7WebMi5jBCmwK9YjZMIZKji8Dd4lsa3DCr7k2W16Cqa0miB9-_3ldffrvtWBVa6GZ2aqsUeqJv3t9rvjKgxnuZ0tYXQMBfF10KYh2V1jmq85FoXSckcUlWACLxkQg_x24wPz_b-rF3HFAobmpvfzuVdZOEAC_KSs/w400-h300/FSCN0032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyJEjchMQtZTwKrXLjtyvRFau2HomlbMzb1xT84iW7j8IIG3mxS-OSXCMF10pmuROrBomac09yKULoLWWUq7C6YzKqaDayTwIm2AxEsUxwTQCsjHHBq5kSVcrJp1zq1Ft8AD6i0crvvF_skRTxJo-GUiSsw5kBCrU9gbMjIPhxN92ly2kSuNeFO0NZ_w/s510/100_0049.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="510" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyJEjchMQtZTwKrXLjtyvRFau2HomlbMzb1xT84iW7j8IIG3mxS-OSXCMF10pmuROrBomac09yKULoLWWUq7C6YzKqaDayTwIm2AxEsUxwTQCsjHHBq5kSVcrJp1zq1Ft8AD6i0crvvF_skRTxJo-GUiSsw5kBCrU9gbMjIPhxN92ly2kSuNeFO0NZ_w/w400-h284/100_0049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Guy Noir does not enjoy the snow as much as he did as a youngster. He's moving into his senior years now and still enjoys time outside but not so much in the cold and wet weather. I still enjoy the photo above where the tree captured a heart shape made by the snow. </p><p>Hope you enjoyed the Christmas winter past photos. </p><p>Best wishes to all of you! ~ Diane and Guy Noir<br /></p>Always CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16339874536164305444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-68099622777970914452023-10-28T09:24:00.000-05:002023-10-28T09:24:42.199-05:00Autumn Check In<p> Yes I'm back. It's been a long time. Spring and Summer have gone and Autumn is in it's ultimate beauty. Below we have an image of Guy Noir relaxing in his camp chair on a warm fall day.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWdhO_w3EJXyCbAzWBTw3kh20o03ilgCGOepiI5BcFfqfRkp1_AnfDz3JQ_lmUyXuAf9n6S6r9Afw5EhHAT-vCRH0fV8ErP4ZsBSXjVnfWwYzwacfoYhTVcjRXVunBOEYVDi-Xpv4QRm-SmsVnUFXWEmWVis7WKj4l8E4osEdFtyqkNuwzwvFnu6qDC8/s4608/DSCN3350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWdhO_w3EJXyCbAzWBTw3kh20o03ilgCGOepiI5BcFfqfRkp1_AnfDz3JQ_lmUyXuAf9n6S6r9Afw5EhHAT-vCRH0fV8ErP4ZsBSXjVnfWwYzwacfoYhTVcjRXVunBOEYVDi-Xpv4QRm-SmsVnUFXWEmWVis7WKj4l8E4osEdFtyqkNuwzwvFnu6qDC8/w640-h480/DSCN3350.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Autumn will be gone soon and Winter will be on the doorstep. Just want to let you know that if I don't post for ages it's probably just because life is getting in the way. Seems everything takes so long to accomplish now. I thought technology was supposed to make life easier and it has overall, but in some ways things are more difficult and frustrating. </p><p>For example, I've been plagued with computer issues and internet issues for weeks going into months. Everyday brings a new challenge to overcome. Broken computers, impossible technology it goes on and on. I've use HP PC's for ages with a Windows interface and it seems that Microsoft wants us to be online and connected to them at all times. The computer manufacturers and MS have opted into having all sorts of things preloaded and enabled as soon as you turn on your PC and connect to the internet. One of the worst is something called OneDrive which is the Microsoft cloud storage. Another was BitLocker that was enabled on my PC. I finally figured out how to disable it. The terrible thing is, that if you have it enabled and get locked out of your PC without the passkey that you somehow were supposed to know to save, you are out of luck, you will never get back into that computer again. But I still fear with every update that MS will enable everything I have turned off. I am much more vigilant about backing up all my files to a separate hard drive now. <br /></p><p>It has taken me much anxiety and time to unravel all the things that have been done when I set up my new PC. They assume I want all of my personal information, pictures, documents... everything stored in the cloud somewhere. Well I do not want that! They didn't even ask! Worse I've read horror stories of people who deleted the information from the cloud and had no idea that it would also delete information on their own computers. Oh the Horror! </p><p>Speaking of horror, it's almost Halloween! We have our candy ready for the little monsters. When I say we I mean my husband as he hands out the treats and I stay in the basement with Guy Noir, who is actually a big scaredy cat!<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRA1PlJQ_dtJLuicP9bFY0I_QR__kTbbTeJQtVxWhsX-VsYmIHiaby5-jXjdZg029cHZHHgGTf4GoBqVgCVAFmOwTnNyZkW63G-HoMVbkm6WcTJ1YKfJ0krQ02rk-ELjhmCJSlTSBk5zJLms9wQLkdDbWTKTLV1tV8Pxq2mWv148JT2pIiVVQl3DnKN1g/s1024/halloween-black-cat-on-fence-graphicsfairy-640x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRA1PlJQ_dtJLuicP9bFY0I_QR__kTbbTeJQtVxWhsX-VsYmIHiaby5-jXjdZg029cHZHHgGTf4GoBqVgCVAFmOwTnNyZkW63G-HoMVbkm6WcTJ1YKfJ0krQ02rk-ELjhmCJSlTSBk5zJLms9wQLkdDbWTKTLV1tV8Pxq2mWv148JT2pIiVVQl3DnKN1g/w400-h640/halloween-black-cat-on-fence-graphicsfairy-640x1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>So anyway I'm sure all of you are tech savvy and think I'm just an old lady who complains a lot. Well you would be right. </p><p>Take care everyone, if you don't hear from me again, I'm most likely fine. It's just my computer locked me out forever. </p><p>Diane and Guy Noir<br /></p>Always CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16339874536164305444noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-85154685446704339542023-05-27T14:26:00.000-05:002023-05-27T14:26:01.346-05:00Green is the Color<p> </p><p> <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Aww... Spring Green!</span></b><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFO8BcH5J2Utd3s3yvEohZbucIUeAJENDUet4yqXXe_PW_UXGjqbHNctBQIedyRCCIKsiE75nT8v0SEw6CF424NVh-Mr99g6oZ1FtJPEzi9S7KASn8M9sv_ldNkKfU2qMyf3Iqqr_anyqj1e7SDrHdSkRvQBtzsNBBVgpyRX8ZK5RQJS9H1vAVlmz/s4608/20230523_154054.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFO8BcH5J2Utd3s3yvEohZbucIUeAJENDUet4yqXXe_PW_UXGjqbHNctBQIedyRCCIKsiE75nT8v0SEw6CF424NVh-Mr99g6oZ1FtJPEzi9S7KASn8M9sv_ldNkKfU2qMyf3Iqqr_anyqj1e7SDrHdSkRvQBtzsNBBVgpyRX8ZK5RQJS9H1vAVlmz/w300-h400/20230523_154054.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Green is the color of the month! So much green replacing the icy blue and white of winter. Here are a few photos of the yard and Guy enjoying the green grass.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuW48i-8-F1HVOYOp9W8Snw5kVWhVV3-x5nEXGFz2MjlhZ_OfbHRo7q62so9v1_kgYb79E2ZTsi_XGVf-JF3Js8Svb_PN6ktcsgt8nuQkp4FGd3WomLGw3SBFNsRh6cv0N1g580DA42W5saKhNnF722Dwzj6pLEfQPYWLVQ7DFKueDf0bMzB7KDIdN/s2945/20230523_153632.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2945" data-original-width="2209" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuW48i-8-F1HVOYOp9W8Snw5kVWhVV3-x5nEXGFz2MjlhZ_OfbHRo7q62so9v1_kgYb79E2ZTsi_XGVf-JF3Js8Svb_PN6ktcsgt8nuQkp4FGd3WomLGw3SBFNsRh6cv0N1g580DA42W5saKhNnF722Dwzj6pLEfQPYWLVQ7DFKueDf0bMzB7KDIdN/w300-h400/20230523_153632.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2052" data-original-width="2222" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBjp9AykJCCZHJ-RcRd5eNidk1TCqhSoyd3ZoYPvEdHie8d6daUCkJOVQnR9f-TUz0RRfpmv0215ThD6hCNzq6c57a1Es7w9ZxwDcgdjDaJZ9-2CDAzUdonhGAGqcj67BEcZcAkoqrM87GiBTzOkhnLXAgKod_zgQ9fm7RPATo6U0xqEGjWxGTNf6/w400-h370/20230517_135714_cr.jpg" width="400" /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_g99i5E7JGVQZMG1xFC4gmqPe0g_3oFO8DyQ5fnq96WdGXctFhGAZHin1WcQwv9Ydnj2tvJJ1lYE4MQvqMW4saHPHp9iAAAqfj2TI4NN4RxRu4HH6_uekTC_PHnF9865vypt86YCHOi8BmdfI0ZrYs9WGZhZ7aKE3QH0NyMOtg4seqg7-bjx6k2R/s1896/20230517_135111_cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1547" data-original-width="1896" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_g99i5E7JGVQZMG1xFC4gmqPe0g_3oFO8DyQ5fnq96WdGXctFhGAZHin1WcQwv9Ydnj2tvJJ1lYE4MQvqMW4saHPHp9iAAAqfj2TI4NN4RxRu4HH6_uekTC_PHnF9865vypt86YCHOi8BmdfI0ZrYs9WGZhZ7aKE3QH0NyMOtg4seqg7-bjx6k2R/w400-h326/20230517_135111_cr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonul-mgRSokzHHiWH6wq4BfCp_bR9twzL3Viv3Ro6T9LnoeQjEgWbVMAtNEkrhNS0LvQx0xRvpQb_OjFjeQZ5fWW2i8ojJPlZ4JxKqsfiqC7wvoOtnhEzcf3dxb5C7bjpWdRlcQLQ92HzJf3OKKkwTotYH_jVlGC53ppbOhV-HilY0t6jJ9CpO7Qb/s3264/20230517_135658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonul-mgRSokzHHiWH6wq4BfCp_bR9twzL3Viv3Ro6T9LnoeQjEgWbVMAtNEkrhNS0LvQx0xRvpQb_OjFjeQZ5fWW2i8ojJPlZ4JxKqsfiqC7wvoOtnhEzcf3dxb5C7bjpWdRlcQLQ92HzJf3OKKkwTotYH_jVlGC53ppbOhV-HilY0t6jJ9CpO7Qb/s320/20230517_135658.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuspqTFOC2brZ3y9CBrfk10VIWEELOR7A8AQkSZ2XOzEpqEDC4UvOisP_Qr8KAd-0pnkyM9SXNwOh_-u8hOuUZasGV93c-XE_R8ERGslbzCPm3YWQwR9i7wjE0tr4mmVweGX0GdmcVkuDbSbGNeP8ICgBC1adbFfo0BXDuz33disAbuivyvuy6A18/s2492/guy%2011%20yrs%202023_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1773" data-original-width="2492" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuspqTFOC2brZ3y9CBrfk10VIWEELOR7A8AQkSZ2XOzEpqEDC4UvOisP_Qr8KAd-0pnkyM9SXNwOh_-u8hOuUZasGV93c-XE_R8ERGslbzCPm3YWQwR9i7wjE0tr4mmVweGX0GdmcVkuDbSbGNeP8ICgBC1adbFfo0BXDuz33disAbuivyvuy6A18/w400-h285/guy%2011%20yrs%202023_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCPZidJfs2z1-3mcc7RcJzXL_ubcnfSziRAz-4LcMFvVqnzKkgEWotfjGb4fvvIQ4I8vkdz6UKyaew_Y2HhzVMjm_gOQLs-Jzt38e5zh9LHbm8fvSSPS51OLYPwbC6oLVOnVR7wICj053ZxcALSlhtQv3Nk3m0Y36hkItcCvLLKHCbZT_0SzmUgGN/s3939/animal%20vole%20cute%202023_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2963" data-original-width="3939" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCPZidJfs2z1-3mcc7RcJzXL_ubcnfSziRAz-4LcMFvVqnzKkgEWotfjGb4fvvIQ4I8vkdz6UKyaew_Y2HhzVMjm_gOQLs-Jzt38e5zh9LHbm8fvSSPS51OLYPwbC6oLVOnVR7wICj053ZxcALSlhtQv3Nk3m0Y36hkItcCvLLKHCbZT_0SzmUgGN/w400-h301/animal%20vole%20cute%202023_5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>And to end this post I have an image of the cutest little ball of fur I have ever seen. I do believe this is some sort of little wood vole. He was tiny about the size of a walnut. I made sure to get Guy in the house before he noticed the little thing. </p><p>Hope you enjoyed my post! Have a great spring into summer season.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">See you later,</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Diane and Guy Noir</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"> </span></b><br /></p>Always CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16339874536164305444noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-5629684455551260972023-03-20T12:46:00.001-05:002023-03-20T12:51:43.091-05:00Spring at Last!<p><b style="color: #6aa84f;">It's been a long cold winter with heaps of snow! </b></p><p><b style="color: #6aa84f;">Spring is here at last! </b></p><p>Well sort of...</p><p>This is Spring in Minnesota!</p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8AP6FVzoOP_FVrlvu1JKwnh6rAtJ7jCKXzpo9-l8pRdEB0LJqtM2aC8UHkmQKugriIkqZfFhHwMhQqYwUOGtZ2KF3pVF8phJ9j4B3T2gSSqi66znX31_VRPiwZE1HYEbUK3tr6-v5QjGoByOd9WhjNxv3g5YFILBlmcO8cX-0ujePbUXRbyEFNCv/s2909/DSCN3052_cr.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2234" data-original-width="2909" height="493" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8AP6FVzoOP_FVrlvu1JKwnh6rAtJ7jCKXzpo9-l8pRdEB0LJqtM2aC8UHkmQKugriIkqZfFhHwMhQqYwUOGtZ2KF3pVF8phJ9j4B3T2gSSqi66znX31_VRPiwZE1HYEbUK3tr6-v5QjGoByOd9WhjNxv3g5YFILBlmcO8cX-0ujePbUXRbyEFNCv/w640-h493/DSCN3052_cr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Just last week we had a really heavy snowfall. Squirrel had just finished his breakfast at our bird feeder and was on his way back to his cozy bed in the trees. We've had almost 80 inches of snow this year. We haven't had this much snow since 1983. <br /></p><p> <br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NxSG-JfT_PAHlOiMmxCmYOuya3HOYb6wc6Gpm9LNN8eo7ZM_ZLPsk3o8Lyhg9KUn6X6Ln2mQu5ba_4_S5m9gnsY-PQ4USZGW4zTaXOOytBmaCi6hsV5p5phD8LIo9p3u8HjWBAuid8U14BDN9-ayweYBH2QJLRKPN3pgIwGyp34nuhzQcdENpHPW/s4608/DSCN3040.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NxSG-JfT_PAHlOiMmxCmYOuya3HOYb6wc6Gpm9LNN8eo7ZM_ZLPsk3o8Lyhg9KUn6X6Ln2mQu5ba_4_S5m9gnsY-PQ4USZGW4zTaXOOytBmaCi6hsV5p5phD8LIo9p3u8HjWBAuid8U14BDN9-ayweYBH2QJLRKPN3pgIwGyp34nuhzQcdENpHPW/w640-h480/DSCN3040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p> </p><p>Even Guy is over loving the snow. His time outside has been about 8 minutes. We walk down the path from the back door to his perch and then he jumps down and runs to the door for me to let him in. If it's windy he doesn't last that long! Sometimes I just carry him on my shoulder and after a couple of minutes that's enough outdoor time for both of us. We are becoming wimps in our old age! </p><p></p><p>The good news is all this snow has erased our drought conditions. I'm hoping for a lovely year when all the snow melts!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40On1nnl3JGV9T6HqhjKkZleiGtaCdZ_5mFF5IE52zwiypz7pGwbE8G2ORATUUAKakCEhyrJVsul2XGuyg9h5R6OXTmdZmHsi4cH82qTNnycI0TXNDDQLQaV-Y3F5ZpzR1X-Bu8EHlfGtYlYuRilTtovtG_cW3DukHaTm-DxMyGsK1TaT2QGUK52Y/s2505/yellow%20chickies%20bk.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1493" data-original-width="2505" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40On1nnl3JGV9T6HqhjKkZleiGtaCdZ_5mFF5IE52zwiypz7pGwbE8G2ORATUUAKakCEhyrJVsul2XGuyg9h5R6OXTmdZmHsi4cH82qTNnycI0TXNDDQLQaV-Y3F5ZpzR1X-Bu8EHlfGtYlYuRilTtovtG_cW3DukHaTm-DxMyGsK1TaT2QGUK52Y/w640-h382/yellow%20chickies%20bk.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I found a very cute little yellow chick for you to gaze upon for a moment.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Hope you're enjoying a nice Spring wherever you are. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Hugs from Diane & Guy Noir</p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-1746106243170314732022-12-16T16:05:00.000-06:002022-12-16T16:05:05.819-06:00Winter Solstice <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">"There are two ways of spreading light, to be the candle</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> or the mirror that reflects it." </span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">~~~ Edith Wharton<br /></span></b></span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #cc0000;"></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSOwmWa9Laa098QiEKekwFqrgwhfqYH_RUCaAqROIVgA41Vxm6iHsjSAWNeirILtOJ1Puqqgh-WB2yEWSlVRKix8eVNUkII1GOr5YeqEcr85aBNXd-vEg7ghiZIBOYuqePTkBkJHlP-i4_hUqNN_4Dv7XRbu8bS8k7Kqko5WZ4rQkMAVcSXxbnj_Le" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="555" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSOwmWa9Laa098QiEKekwFqrgwhfqYH_RUCaAqROIVgA41Vxm6iHsjSAWNeirILtOJ1Puqqgh-WB2yEWSlVRKix8eVNUkII1GOr5YeqEcr85aBNXd-vEg7ghiZIBOYuqePTkBkJHlP-i4_hUqNN_4Dv7XRbu8bS8k7Kqko5WZ4rQkMAVcSXxbnj_Le=w366-h528" width="366" /></a></div>I love the image above, I've enhanced it with my own digital painting techniques. In my files, the image title was simply 'she holds a candle'. When I came across the quote by Edith Wharton, I knew they belonged together.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">βββββ</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>The first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere is marked
by the winter solstice, which occurs on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at
4:48 <span class="caps">P.M. EST.</span></strong></span></p>
<p>For the northern half of Earth (the Northern Hemisphere), the winter
solstice occurs annually on December 21 or 22. (For the Southern
Hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs on June 20 or 21.) The winter
solstice is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight in the whole year,
making it the βshortest dayβ of the year. Thankfully, after we reach
the winter solstice, the days begin to once again grow longer and longer
until we reach the <a href="https://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-summer-summer-solstice">summer solstice</a>βthe first day of summer and the longest day of the year.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQrZKgBM5EEM6eXKr_8y7F5lboHHotysepjMQNCqnnr6Bl45mbE0Se5joceD6mwqb6dK_zRqzCBYmGkWMWSxgpqs_jtOzglcKdI3FJ2esUiBuRt0mcJMkXu1sY4K8eOS0fd3UiS9rhtGHTgnovUzu9NE2W9lVq-H4C1r2laJDPR765MLJ-ZPTavzqy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQrZKgBM5EEM6eXKr_8y7F5lboHHotysepjMQNCqnnr6Bl45mbE0Se5joceD6mwqb6dK_zRqzCBYmGkWMWSxgpqs_jtOzglcKdI3FJ2esUiBuRt0mcJMkXu1sY4K8eOS0fd3UiS9rhtGHTgnovUzu9NE2W9lVq-H4C1r2laJDPR765MLJ-ZPTavzqy=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p>The photo above is from our backyard. We were blessed with two days of this beautiful snow that hung around and made everything it touched look magical. The snow is a lovely addition to our environment since we have had such a dry spring and summer. </p><p>We'll have a small celebration to honor the seasons and look forward to the beginning of the light returning. As of now it starts to get dark at 4:30 in the afternoon. As the light returns so does the promise of a hopeful new year. </p><p>Who knows what lies ahead for us in 2023. I'm hoping it's a magical and wonderful year.</p><p>β¨β¨Oh, and are you a candle, a mirror, or both?β¨β¨ <br /></p><p>Blessings to you and yours,</p><p>Diane & Guy </p><p>π</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p> </div>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-27421778813709949762022-09-25T10:18:00.000-05:002022-09-25T10:18:29.238-05:00The Days of September<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqL7WNUG3khd5kOBCokHQcMzzRT6EnBnrs5VQfQgojFTgux2YDkVAEqHvt_wOztdHxtrC7SSq_AAJLsHv0BQLZ6V_ERw8GyqALC0WW_9TB2Mnkl8ETNMCsiMyQI26yqH8leV-FsMkyDmeq751xTNI4DxvpvcuVe57RXwdVjDC7lISIS_JzabBkVuMb/s900/autumn%20floral%20rz.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqL7WNUG3khd5kOBCokHQcMzzRT6EnBnrs5VQfQgojFTgux2YDkVAEqHvt_wOztdHxtrC7SSq_AAJLsHv0BQLZ6V_ERw8GyqALC0WW_9TB2Mnkl8ETNMCsiMyQI26yqH8leV-FsMkyDmeq751xTNI4DxvpvcuVe57RXwdVjDC7lISIS_JzabBkVuMb/w400-h300/autumn%20floral%20rz.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p><br />September is coming to a close, where did the time go? But it sounds as though our October will be a lovely month, so I'm looking forward to it. Our summer has been so hot and dry here I'll be enjoying the cooler weather. Here in our area we are still in a Severe Drought so my flowers and plants did not do well at all. The blooms were sparse and short lived. The image above is from a few years ago when we had ample rain.</p><p>The good news is that the winter is forecast to have plenty of snow, the bad there will also be plenty of extremely cold temperatures. </p><p>Our yard has been a haven for the wildlife. We have had visits from many birds, rabbits, chipmunks, raccoons, and deer. Many of the wild areas have withered away and unfortunately most of the neighbors have nothing but grass and a few trees, so the wildlife has nothing to eat. They have been using our garden as an oasis! We put out shallow pans of water during the hottest and driest times and water our plants just enough to keep them going. The rabbits and deer have been eating our hosta plants more than anything else. We've never seen them this badly damaged. I don't blame the poor critters they are hungry and thirsty! Here are a couple of photos of the damage. It's never been this bad in all the 20 some years we've lived here.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyK2ROFnlCXpeEXzqx4Nz3FGXnLyBe8r0p51Gt8hSPXo9-_1zdp9IFA6j0jXXXKhz3C2wEwGGBM_D7CxjCnR9nQcA0i43a2AeBBqVqulZd62XTqgQw7gXAPlCnFEvkOxNyMoGXzQFxkCN0U60pkdGIhjopeTctjZuGhCeacAS3gwySymWGGR6yKJTK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyK2ROFnlCXpeEXzqx4Nz3FGXnLyBe8r0p51Gt8hSPXo9-_1zdp9IFA6j0jXXXKhz3C2wEwGGBM_D7CxjCnR9nQcA0i43a2AeBBqVqulZd62XTqgQw7gXAPlCnFEvkOxNyMoGXzQFxkCN0U60pkdGIhjopeTctjZuGhCeacAS3gwySymWGGR6yKJTK=w508-h300" width="508" /></a></div>Usually this flower bed is full of ferns, bloodroot, hostas and other wild plants. The bare stocks used to be covered with hosta leaves.<br /><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIH6Rtino2I5GZtCc-JV0h5cEWgcSJEC5G5wVwD0phZSgodwxCEGmNgHk2vffiHyb_UH16Ep5WIR9Ao-WSE8esSZd3ICC4oG7x5ysTxpVkbaPT5_hdxGS0Fp6MB5xon7ny9zwBRJ6MSboxTsT9tImtfbFeJ9HgRGDVPD_IcUQG0QS5RHKO2WfbgeoS" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIH6Rtino2I5GZtCc-JV0h5cEWgcSJEC5G5wVwD0phZSgodwxCEGmNgHk2vffiHyb_UH16Ep5WIR9Ao-WSE8esSZd3ICC4oG7x5ysTxpVkbaPT5_hdxGS0Fp6MB5xon7ny9zwBRJ6MSboxTsT9tImtfbFeJ9HgRGDVPD_IcUQG0QS5RHKO2WfbgeoS=w603-h452" width="603" /></a></div><br />Another area where the small leaved hostas have been a favorite of the deer and rabbits. We've been watering when we can, but it is still extremely dry.<br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">September was nice with:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Flowers, Cool Nights, Warm Days, Fresh Crisp Mornings...</span></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/LifeWithJohn/status/1573278614484918278" target="_blank">source</a></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJPIz7cacmHUSLURz-uoKjhkOyT6Xuxc4YqaLUJWrPvwxAfKKTss7mv12614AIacvckqln-_NJywy1nPxlDCv3WvfwwK8apvv4CrpB933w74wTsAaK9UsyZ4O7yOXNVYyhGPnYhM4wXpRrmMBlDJX7i7IicBn-JaM4367sJzlm-PIX6MB-a3g-AA87" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="680" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjJPIz7cacmHUSLURz-uoKjhkOyT6Xuxc4YqaLUJWrPvwxAfKKTss7mv12614AIacvckqln-_NJywy1nPxlDCv3WvfwwK8apvv4CrpB933w74wTsAaK9UsyZ4O7yOXNVYyhGPnYhM4wXpRrmMBlDJX7i7IicBn-JaM4367sJzlm-PIX6MB-a3g-AA87=w540-h640" width="540" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Here's a beautiful image by children's book illustrator Elsa Beskow.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjK-SiTZ_MzPQWP5HLt5F2ZDSMEx01L0YgnY7qp2YkyU-gY_Y-FqVwL4Tjm1pCpXu7LMqVxSMncrQsLmMo0P4lKGpNj4jEtcj-oO4BO4ecSvl6p8WSZJXdINpt2yjmaYT_QL0bV0W2g6BRVjAxQd3sUaUr0c7Hak_02DHrN54BQih8_ecbiGQghQfOw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="652" height="680" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjK-SiTZ_MzPQWP5HLt5F2ZDSMEx01L0YgnY7qp2YkyU-gY_Y-FqVwL4Tjm1pCpXu7LMqVxSMncrQsLmMo0P4lKGpNj4jEtcj-oO4BO4ecSvl6p8WSZJXdINpt2yjmaYT_QL0bV0W2g6BRVjAxQd3sUaUr0c7Hak_02DHrN54BQih8_ecbiGQghQfOw=w554-h680" width="554" /></a></div><a href="https://twitter.com/CarlyanneMcCon1/status/1573222275612123137" target="_blank">image source</a><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Sorry I haven't posted much lately. We had many family activities going on and my attention was there for the last couple of months. I've also noticed that I really don't care for the new Blog Post Editor. They did away with the colored font options and it seems that the bar at the top is so large that I only have half a screen to edit and work on a post. Not good for someone who is visually challenged!</p><p style="text-align: left;">I really am becoming a little old lady! LOL!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Take care out there, until the next time. ~ Diane</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <br /></p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-29485344135511754962022-07-16T13:14:00.001-05:002022-07-16T13:15:41.474-05:00Summer Fun?<p><br />June and July so far....<br /><br />Trip out of state to visit family. Fun in South Dakota? You decide.<br /><br />Husband had medical test way on the other side of the Twin Cities. Test was inconclusive. Thank the Government for Medicare, which paid for most of it. Dr. wants to know if husband wants to try test again. Ugh no, maybe next year?<br /><br />Our house is showing its age. 60 year old house had leaking shower faucet. Plumber came in and fixed. Husband doing tile patch. House in disarray because had to take out linen closet shelf to access pipes, guest room bed covered with stuff from linen closet.<br /><br />Cat decided to puke on guest room quilt, he kindly did not puke on all the stuff on the bed from the linen closet. All must be cleaned and put away soon because a house guest will be here in a week!<br /><br />New(?) internet router from Centurylink was installed last year. It gave out just over a month ago and they sent a replacement which just broke the other day. Waiting for another replacement. Asking husband why we don't just buy our own router...<br /><br />Big windy storm came through the neighborhood and knocked down a neighbors tree which fell across the street. The city took care of it quickly. They did turn off the power for a few hours, thankfully it was a cooler day. Wind also bent down limbs on our trees so our satellite dish wasn't working. Husband had to cut off a few small limbs (of trees) so we could get reception. No internet, no Roku or streaming TV, going through withdrawal because most network TV is crap. <br /><br /><br />I did figure out how to use my phone as a hotspot to post to the blog. It took me awhile to get it to work as the directions were not really even correct for my setup. But hey I'm my own tech person so I persevered! <br /><br />Husband working on finishing up tile in shower area. House still a mess. Don't care, going out to sit with cat and get some fresh air and it's only 85 degrees at 11 AM. Hotter days ahead! WooHoo!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeQeJaY6UE_QN1IC_TLZ6C3VVaRl0w3w5KPJVgYBkTJegtdwNMqSG-RqvhsY8mvfkKeXHHDQD8umW10anYsjswMt8CY9cS87nmnB2WHhmBuyOPccrCIKLhgKOWuLAY2VeyOWZXNGwWApTC_1HUaOgjSGSOZhvKlhxIsRry_djH8kPDw4XV-ViWWD6/s800/my%20garden.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="800" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeQeJaY6UE_QN1IC_TLZ6C3VVaRl0w3w5KPJVgYBkTJegtdwNMqSG-RqvhsY8mvfkKeXHHDQD8umW10anYsjswMt8CY9cS87nmnB2WHhmBuyOPccrCIKLhgKOWuLAY2VeyOWZXNGwWApTC_1HUaOgjSGSOZhvKlhxIsRry_djH8kPDw4XV-ViWWD6/w640-h556/my%20garden.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I've had my fun ranting, but seriously, we don't have it too bad. All you have to do is watch the news and understand how lucky we really are. <br /><br />How's your summer going?</p><p></p><p>Peace, Love and Cat Hugs, </p><p>Diane & Guy<span style="background-color: #04ff00;"><span></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: #6aa84f;"><span></span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-68003020141957896532022-06-20T09:38:00.000-05:002022-06-20T09:38:29.745-05:00Farewell June ~ Hello Summer<p>Spring went fast, it was late coming and seemed to zoom by and now it's already Summer! </p><p>So many things going on now but finally getting caught up on projects around here. The garden rose 'Hansa' gifted me a bunch of gorgeous blooms this year. I gave her a good pruning because she had become tall and leggy. Nice to see she's already sending up a bunch of fresh new rose canes that are already over three feet tall! </p><p>Here's the bucket of blooms...</p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5sRcOwt2sRxCZJw2ORca3ISt9Y3shKf7d9bc6yv2QOvyf8DCdq-DJyfaFQusYsppiXtUbTlqbIoHDSqnZZEJEigcXF2MhKq0J57uYdI-uYWzjyrlh-eG02GVK03dtp7AO5CQ90M9aal6gC9kxwfBU9E9RzXjb56VRWWnGfAZp8B32Jc0cEcTnrrg/s4608/20220616_083647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5sRcOwt2sRxCZJw2ORca3ISt9Y3shKf7d9bc6yv2QOvyf8DCdq-DJyfaFQusYsppiXtUbTlqbIoHDSqnZZEJEigcXF2MhKq0J57uYdI-uYWzjyrlh-eG02GVK03dtp7AO5CQ90M9aal6gC9kxwfBU9E9RzXjb56VRWWnGfAZp8B32Jc0cEcTnrrg/w300-h400/20220616_083647.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsJakPhHqLxROify95vqCR9EMWEeoya57dWFnscrqPLOKT4qE3OJl4XSDmenjw64JyP24z5R6iyDoDj8jSlJlR4CfMywohfNCUO4teWh1NdrtqGTcZ2QVpbSOKhLTS6Cn7Iot77K0Pg1oPiQIo34RdeJ9E5L4qHQCGc8DTs9jCUdTu5UGo2WL8-b8/s4608/20220616_083347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsJakPhHqLxROify95vqCR9EMWEeoya57dWFnscrqPLOKT4qE3OJl4XSDmenjw64JyP24z5R6iyDoDj8jSlJlR4CfMywohfNCUO4teWh1NdrtqGTcZ2QVpbSOKhLTS6Cn7Iot77K0Pg1oPiQIo34RdeJ9E5L4qHQCGc8DTs9jCUdTu5UGo2WL8-b8/w300-h400/20220616_083347.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UvREru30PJyzfppLvUhXLYz5ZkW2PWKier5IQ3FlFz3SPr6QoO4hoQcpLm6Zix-Z4NRGlwJo2xSrWTeu4ctvVWVK7pQemzObygo3T_zK_MaKFLfssUBCsvaMMQTneHHweK_eYopWqBZgnicBg52-OZ92_qMokwqPXc6oRjrSDSsCWUBjYM_E81qd/s4608/20220616_083148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UvREru30PJyzfppLvUhXLYz5ZkW2PWKier5IQ3FlFz3SPr6QoO4hoQcpLm6Zix-Z4NRGlwJo2xSrWTeu4ctvVWVK7pQemzObygo3T_zK_MaKFLfssUBCsvaMMQTneHHweK_eYopWqBZgnicBg52-OZ92_qMokwqPXc6oRjrSDSsCWUBjYM_E81qd/w640-h480/20220616_083148.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwYNaUW9tNQcJwJK0Gh0w1FzuxYgm0HZtThXJO3Xw-ZpLLvhKLiSlT-k5Tc9s99rneYDWUEnKA4TEXwLrXEXKmX-HqUxvnkA4efr7_Fqh-pZ8uQXC_ldASME4MSsh4bV2zGWccy6YBBoOMtcSuCJ1yy_oF-B7Qeo_m6qchB3azn7PuqaXgVpIjh8f/s4608/20220616_083459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwYNaUW9tNQcJwJK0Gh0w1FzuxYgm0HZtThXJO3Xw-ZpLLvhKLiSlT-k5Tc9s99rneYDWUEnKA4TEXwLrXEXKmX-HqUxvnkA4efr7_Fqh-pZ8uQXC_ldASME4MSsh4bV2zGWccy6YBBoOMtcSuCJ1yy_oF-B7Qeo_m6qchB3azn7PuqaXgVpIjh8f/w300-h400/20220616_083459.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>Yes I took even more photos than you see here! Preserving her beauty and when admiring the images I still can remember the lovely rose scent she produces. She's been in my garden for over twenty years and seems like a reliable and good friend. The bees love her flowers and I made sure to leave plenty for them to enjoy too!<br /></p><p>We're having a heat wave here in Minnesota right now but cooler temps are on their way for next weekend. Hope you have a great summer wherever you are! </p><p>Love, Light and Peace πβ¨ ~ Diane<br /></p><p><br /></p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-74043723675717376752022-04-25T14:42:00.001-05:002022-04-25T14:45:07.223-05:00Listen to Mama...<p> <span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just because, you need to remember.....</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;"> You're one of a kind and don't forget it! <br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p>
</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iQ7dTMPwUi8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Make Your Own Kind of Music </span></span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Nobody can tell ya; </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There's only one song worth singin', </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They may try and sell ya,
'Cause it hangs them up to see someone like you. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But you've gotta make your own kind of music </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sing your own special song, </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Make your own kind of music even if nobody else sings along. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/4397845/The+Mamas+%26+the+Papas/Make+Your+Own+Kind+of+Music" target="_blank">source </a></p><p style="text-align: center;"> Mama Cass Elliot</p><p style="text-align: center;">The Mamas & the Papas<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Have the best day ever!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: medium;">xx π Diane π xx </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><br /></p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-34653053432989689922022-03-20T11:12:00.000-05:002022-03-20T11:12:44.479-05:00Splendid Spring<p><span style="font-size: large;">Today is the first day of Spring! It's feeling and looking like spring today even if we still have some ice on the lake. A sure sign that spring is here is that the ducks and geese have come back! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2c2H5PW-PAEEJcYTQZQFqPyFHF3sjmoa7rn8O5cH3C6hdVZSGCGNwZ6wX4aziWBUN9xUYXa1VaM505F9kHYolKB_Kx3hPHYbGfsex-MS4M1Gc6KyBbh57oGwbN7Vnet0NwWbgFWZgS-9qL-tLG_QitzJzHR08GyXCCWb1PlFbBRKavT5-muj1mpQ/s800/Elf-Squirrel-Bookplate-GFairy%20alt%20welcome%20spring%20acc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="800" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho2c2H5PW-PAEEJcYTQZQFqPyFHF3sjmoa7rn8O5cH3C6hdVZSGCGNwZ6wX4aziWBUN9xUYXa1VaM505F9kHYolKB_Kx3hPHYbGfsex-MS4M1Gc6KyBbh57oGwbN7Vnet0NwWbgFWZgS-9qL-tLG_QitzJzHR08GyXCCWb1PlFbBRKavT5-muj1mpQ/w400-h343/Elf-Squirrel-Bookplate-GFairy%20alt%20welcome%20spring%20acc.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Soon the glowing radiance of spring will lay before us in the garden! But for now we have to be patient and let nature take its course. The sun will do its magic and before you know it, the first flowers of spring will bloom. <br /> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Zoms8PEuSt0p0arYXv00mzbxOQoAGg0BE_IuJ2h2_QeRUMHdxSH-wvTVLX2ni7F95y8n3cOWzAvgXNVT-SnltlI5RtLR_YWWg-7HPxRQ2XTPCopYDWqvi74bTQxgaVGPa43UdsnmR7g0QEcgRcpOnFmBCFp2aJPDEdAhyrgfEA7MDk4wQnPisA8p/s800/my%20cottage%20painting_framed%20spring%20acc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="800" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Zoms8PEuSt0p0arYXv00mzbxOQoAGg0BE_IuJ2h2_QeRUMHdxSH-wvTVLX2ni7F95y8n3cOWzAvgXNVT-SnltlI5RtLR_YWWg-7HPxRQ2XTPCopYDWqvi74bTQxgaVGPa43UdsnmR7g0QEcgRcpOnFmBCFp2aJPDEdAhyrgfEA7MDk4wQnPisA8p/w400-h325/my%20cottage%20painting_framed%20spring%20acc.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile I live in my tiny magical dream cottage with the ever blooming azaleas. The only rabbits are good ones who run to eat the salad scraps I toss out for them and they leave my tulips alone! Here's one below....<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MeNW1gsVBV4KuYsFN7RrZyfcDFJvPml8tfBQ0Sglpy1-VSneDJV-itJAk6Hm28hyyBhVqjlNoLvJAVzlUMgfWRrhhE9dvzRarpHw2zsdYrAOkI5wOUx347FD9rUAxG7o7gdlX0nDL7bIqodFPVk28XEJljZKoNN3ZJl5PxDA0a-07n_GjMJ62V1y/s800/running%20rabbit%20spring%20acc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MeNW1gsVBV4KuYsFN7RrZyfcDFJvPml8tfBQ0Sglpy1-VSneDJV-itJAk6Hm28hyyBhVqjlNoLvJAVzlUMgfWRrhhE9dvzRarpHw2zsdYrAOkI5wOUx347FD9rUAxG7o7gdlX0nDL7bIqodFPVk28XEJljZKoNN3ZJl5PxDA0a-07n_GjMJ62V1y/w400-h200/running%20rabbit%20spring%20acc.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hope you enjoyed my little look at spring illustrations. The first and third images are digitally painted and enhanced vintage images, the second image is a photo of a watercolor I did a few years ago.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Still sending love, peace and understanding out into the universe today. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Blessings to all!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">ππxx Diane xx ππ</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-55435236757758502822022-03-02T11:10:00.011-06:002022-03-02T11:24:15.395-06:00Transformation<div class="separator"><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </p></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Welcome March, the meteorological spring begins and with it comes transformation. I am holding hope in my heart for love and light to overcome hate and darkness, and I invite you to take a moment to send that hope into the universe through meditation or prayer.</span><br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigN7skN4F_GQfWH8kMQFA952_BTSxlHs7nJymle5dpTp2p0SzQ406MPjkr4vZTsexIxiHJoQvZjCHRE2BvETqj10WjuFWWELZ-HT5n3U3MC0M0zix05Na1yRgEmtmrd8iSBVPRwRfnyBJa6oQupkN7c5aXBXgpvvcdG94w67VsfXrzqFtaW3-R44nq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="693" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigN7skN4F_GQfWH8kMQFA952_BTSxlHs7nJymle5dpTp2p0SzQ406MPjkr4vZTsexIxiHJoQvZjCHRE2BvETqj10WjuFWWELZ-HT5n3U3MC0M0zix05Na1yRgEmtmrd8iSBVPRwRfnyBJa6oQupkN7c5aXBXgpvvcdG94w67VsfXrzqFtaW3-R44nq=w493-h640" width="493" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"> If we could spread love as quickly</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">as we spread hate and negativity,</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">what an amazing world we would live in.</span></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>unknown</b><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">May peace be with you, Diane xxx</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p>
CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-38013969237831400672022-02-11T18:09:00.001-06:002022-02-12T09:10:11.440-06:00Valentine Poem<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhGQb7_DnYnkbycKsfDRpvdQagGABSzMxgpaMu-X-cdiUV66EsEIqP_bBSRskpVy9OvtYHHpXszeSZCaYME1FQvtckMXUjFmLcx8VULT5rQgtZdG8wZqGi194lfGveHIr-hEbHMJNGS9SmQqXuCQ0iQ1PVYicQ0Ga0TTELd_3pFixo4GDL8PeJnrdk=s1052" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="860" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhGQb7_DnYnkbycKsfDRpvdQagGABSzMxgpaMu-X-cdiUV66EsEIqP_bBSRskpVy9OvtYHHpXszeSZCaYME1FQvtckMXUjFmLcx8VULT5rQgtZdG8wZqGi194lfGveHIr-hEbHMJNGS9SmQqXuCQ0iQ1PVYicQ0Ga0TTELd_3pFixo4GDL8PeJnrdk=w523-h640" width="523" /></a></div><br /><p></p><br /><div class="card-header pb-2 pt-3 bg-white" data-v-197036e9=""><div data-v-197036e9=""><div class="d-flex poem__title mb-1" data-v-197036e9=""><h1 class="card-title" data-v-197036e9="" itemprop="name"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Owl and the Pussy-Cat</span></h1></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="card-subtitle" data-v-197036e9=""><a data-v-197036e9="" href="https://poets.org/poet/edward-lear" itemprop="author" target="_self">Edward Lear</a><span class="dates" data-v-197036e9=""> - 1812-1888</span></span></span></div><div data-v-197036e9=""><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="card-subtitle" data-v-197036e9=""><span class="dates" data-v-197036e9=""> </span></span></span></div><div data-v-197036e9=""><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="card-subtitle" data-v-197036e9=""><span class="dates" data-v-197036e9=""> </span></span><span class="long-line">The Owl and the Pussy-Cat went to sea</span><br /><span class="card-subtitle" data-v-197036e9=""></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="long-line"> In a beautiful pea-green boat:</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="card-subtitle" data-v-197036e9=""></span></span><div class="poem__body px-md-4 font-serif" data-v-197036e9=""><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="long-line">They took some honey, and plenty of money</span><br /><span class="long-line"> Wrapped up in a five-pound note.</span><br /><span class="long-line">The Owl looked up to the stars above,</span><br /><span class="long-line"> And sang to a small guitar,</span><br /><span class="long-line">"O lovely Pussy, O Pussy, my love,</span><br /><span class="long-line"> What a beautiful Pussy you are,</span><br /><span class="long-line"> You are,</span><br /><span class="long-line"> You are!</span><br /><span class="long-line"> What a beautiful Pussy you are!"</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="long-line">Pussy said to the Owl, "You elegant fowl,</span><br /><span class="long-line"> How charmingly sweet you sing!</span><br /><span class="long-line">Oh! let us be married; too long we have tarried,</span><br /><span class="long-line"> But what shall we do for a ring?"</span><br /><span class="long-line">They sailed away, for a year and a day,</span><br /><span class="long-line">To the land where the bong-tree grows;</span><br /><span class="long-line">And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood,</span><br /><span class="long-line"> With a ring at the end of his nose,</span><br /><span class="long-line"> His nose,</span><br /><span class="long-line"> His nose,</span><br /><span class="long-line"> With a ring at the end of his nose. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="long-line">"Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling</span><br /><span class="long-line"> Your ring?" Said the Piggy, "I will."</span><br /><span class="long-line">So they took it away, and were married next day</span><br /><span class="long-line"> By the turkey who lives on the hill.</span><br /><span class="long-line">They dined on mince and slices of quince,</span><br /><span class="long-line"> Which they ate with a runcible spoon;</span><br /><span class="long-line">And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,</span><br /><span class="long-line"> They danced by the light of the moon,</span><br /><span class="long-line"> The moon,</span><br /><span class="long-line"> The moon,</span><br /><span class="long-line"> They danced by the light of the moon.*</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="long-line"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="long-line"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="long-line"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2SXN3d0dw-12hZC6FJZeF8ApydLlDMC7JxuNW7ejd9VXWyTHld16niPg6VGtn8aytyTptllfyQD0RklllTXay2J47X8DV6SFlP3rDWFrsc6uoDyhOKEQ6w5cMcKt4fdXPT5mjZHFzJ4djXK25ZlNm939fwiIRvlk6IkESMoRxLZ-aYYNx7jNYYhXt" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2SXN3d0dw-12hZC6FJZeF8ApydLlDMC7JxuNW7ejd9VXWyTHld16niPg6VGtn8aytyTptllfyQD0RklllTXay2J47X8DV6SFlP3rDWFrsc6uoDyhOKEQ6w5cMcKt4fdXPT5mjZHFzJ4djXK25ZlNm939fwiIRvlk6IkESMoRxLZ-aYYNx7jNYYhXt=s16000" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="long-line"><br /> </span></span><p></p>
</div><div class="card-footer bg-white" data-v-197036e9=""><div class="card--poem__attribution text-muted-dark font-sans p-3" data-v-197036e9=""><p><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #cc0000;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Have a wonderful week dear ones. Happy Valentine's day to all and may you always dance by the light of the moon.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Diane and Guy xox<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">*This poem is in the public domain.</span></p>
</div></div></div></div>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-9442339717553357222022-01-28T13:20:00.000-06:002022-01-28T13:20:40.300-06:00Winter Roller Coaster <p>It's been a winter roller-coaster of temperatures. Regular cold, extreme cold, mild cold, bitter cold, go for a walk cold, huddle under a blanket in front of the TV cold, more extreme cold, 5 minutes till frostbite cold etc..... My kitty Guy reminded me to add one more kind of cold, "hissy fit" cold! That is the sound he makes when he walks outside and the ground is too cold for his little dainty feet. Even though he has more toe fur than any other cat I've ever known! So I pick up the spoiled hissy cat and walk him around until we both have had enough.<br /></p><p>But meanwhile, looking out my side window from the comfort of my home is a view of this pretty old oak tree. <br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJV7PtyTBVurXgs2PZBjDpWpVs7DpY2WswYviR31ZsYtLlRi6sbChfAt5SVG_WjsSUsWoTbvYWtXJJ3vrTK2SDR68nX6Q9KP86gDRHK3DZr2pweGqgadynCcEPNp8TYQnKwZS-wHZzYSnrJUR0Q8rO-OeRgc5DARlK5EqDqLK0ywSeg9ejq4RWcuPm=s4608" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJV7PtyTBVurXgs2PZBjDpWpVs7DpY2WswYviR31ZsYtLlRi6sbChfAt5SVG_WjsSUsWoTbvYWtXJJ3vrTK2SDR68nX6Q9KP86gDRHK3DZr2pweGqgadynCcEPNp8TYQnKwZS-wHZzYSnrJUR0Q8rO-OeRgc5DARlK5EqDqLK0ywSeg9ejq4RWcuPm=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I caught this just a bit after sunrise the other morning. The glow of the sun made everything seem better.</p><p>In other news, I've opened up my Etsy shop again and have tried to be better about listing items every few days. I get in a rhythm and things seem to move along. The rest of the time seems to be stuck on the phone trying to get answers to questions for things like insurance changes, drivers license renewal information etc. I've been on hold for hours it seems just trying to get a quick answer that after spending more hours online I was never able to locate the information. This pandemic is really getting old!<br /></p><p>Thus is life. Lines and waiting. </p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVBN0aWtLBkSmo3eDSuvRQl5Izn-F3G_pSyIX5Ejq_rdq0NIUB1yRAee-8tj_5Uc7iS0illJEZPC_jLYlIZJGeG1MYxyxFcZD94AQ9m5D-efyDRiZhMCqLai3wboassAR8MMwmLJzl2K49lr2hY-BM7_161O3-ESYdPABhyBUl57786o46s0OIS7V6=s2013" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2013" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVBN0aWtLBkSmo3eDSuvRQl5Izn-F3G_pSyIX5Ejq_rdq0NIUB1yRAee-8tj_5Uc7iS0illJEZPC_jLYlIZJGeG1MYxyxFcZD94AQ9m5D-efyDRiZhMCqLai3wboassAR8MMwmLJzl2K49lr2hY-BM7_161O3-ESYdPABhyBUl57786o46s0OIS7V6=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div>Above, me praying for an end to the extreme winter cold. Just kidding, this is a cute little figurine that I've listed in my shop.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhz71QktZhVnq7qPjIuLgscuozeVjtDASZeQQHve6XH8GJPQW1oj5eCoBLzf4MhGWIOJUAmr-JPgorolVhkBRPzTP88wCpkaeTeSLQyhtBMDKI82OekrSAS677IH6Qd7cFmR8lxjOom5_7p_dg9hRMZ4HSF-R49BG9zqKHtgz0lmU33ca7HSeq4lHnJ=s2448" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhz71QktZhVnq7qPjIuLgscuozeVjtDASZeQQHve6XH8GJPQW1oj5eCoBLzf4MhGWIOJUAmr-JPgorolVhkBRPzTP88wCpkaeTeSLQyhtBMDKI82OekrSAS677IH6Qd7cFmR8lxjOom5_7p_dg9hRMZ4HSF-R49BG9zqKHtgz0lmU33ca7HSeq4lHnJ=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br />Well what can we do? I say put on the tea kettle and have a cup of tea! I'll have "Constant Comment", one of my faves. Have a wonderful winter, hope you are staying warm and toasty!<p></p><p>Diane & "Hissy Fit" Guy<br /></p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com13United States37.09024 -95.7128918.780006163821156 -130.869141 65.400473836178847 -60.556641tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-31330380812129243832021-12-19T15:00:00.000-06:002021-12-19T15:00:57.361-06:00Winter Snow Just in Time<p><i> "Kindness is like snow - it beautifies everything it covers." </i> ~ Khalil Gibran<br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyNlxKkhnSBQRTt3iDO1KXmv2_QPOAilC9aHzatHOQ-gW5ezBqTwOz2mZ2MhdF6VgU_O-qjK4jXmEqJI8EGnAaOZXcgXqqrzqha4-J5Ho_AO2br6ZEcwjN6d8AqDPyk-TgPxjGgDc2fgQl1SeAgCS5ODtrWTntahHTl_miRas_vN0WL0c8AHL0v2Zg=s900" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyNlxKkhnSBQRTt3iDO1KXmv2_QPOAilC9aHzatHOQ-gW5ezBqTwOz2mZ2MhdF6VgU_O-qjK4jXmEqJI8EGnAaOZXcgXqqrzqha4-J5Ho_AO2br6ZEcwjN6d8AqDPyk-TgPxjGgDc2fgQl1SeAgCS5ODtrWTntahHTl_miRas_vN0WL0c8AHL0v2Zg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The snow has arrived just in time for Christmas! Along with that the cold has joined us once again after a brief bit of crazy warm weather that brought tornadoes to Minnesota in December for the first time EVER!</p><p>Nothing terrible in our area, but in the southern part of the state there was damage to homes and buildings. I feel bad for those poor folks out of their homes for Christmas though.</p><p>I took the photo above very early in the morning just as the sun was coming up. The beautiful pink sky lasted just a few minutes and then it was gone. Today we have blustery cold winds and I took Guy out for a quick walk around the yard. He was very happy to lead me to the door to go in after just a couple of minutes outside! </p><p>Happy Christmas everyone! See you in the New Year! ~ Diane & Guy</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-17847162166854725132021-12-02T09:57:00.003-06:002021-12-02T09:57:20.966-06:00December Thoughts<p>My first thought is, where's the snow? We have no snow and it's still very dry here. Crazy warm temperatures and the ducks and geese just won't leave until the lake freezes over. Seems weird to have them still here at this time of year. I hope we get rain or snow soon as our plants and lakes are suffering.<br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UtF8XV8mO90/VO4xnQgZj1I/AAAAAAAAK4s/3iN7tTC48d8QoA63Ea8LseExK33v0rbagCPcBGAYYCw/s800/winter%2Bbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="581" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UtF8XV8mO90/VO4xnQgZj1I/AAAAAAAAK4s/3iN7tTC48d8QoA63Ea8LseExK33v0rbagCPcBGAYYCw/w290-h400/winter%2Bbird.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Meanwhile, it's time to get out the Christmas decorations and we might even have a very small gathering at our house this year. Everyone we are close to has had their vaccines and booster shots, so we feel relatively safe.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUIwuEqY2H8/Yajo-Z9ZhGI/AAAAAAAAmRc/lg49JZNtXWIHP-U4mXg7g6bBtyx2UnyewCPcBGAsYHg/s947/38cee43c3689c4f5277a51ec69de546f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="659" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUIwuEqY2H8/Yajo-Z9ZhGI/AAAAAAAAmRc/lg49JZNtXWIHP-U4mXg7g6bBtyx2UnyewCPcBGAsYHg/w445-h640/38cee43c3689c4f5277a51ec69de546f.jpg" width="445" /></a></div><br />My Etsy shop is closed until January this year. I didn't want the stress of having to worry about late deliveries and standing in lines at the post office. I'll use this time to work on other projects. Most of the items in the picture below have already sold. People shopped early this year!<br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ad27KJfuWY4/YajpTVjQVzI/AAAAAAAAmRk/UnJ9v39kHMsd-IiJUz3VA2Rlp3unZRopACPcBGAsYHg/s4608/20211024_091313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ad27KJfuWY4/YajpTVjQVzI/AAAAAAAAmRk/UnJ9v39kHMsd-IiJUz3VA2Rlp3unZRopACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20211024_091313.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage Christmas Coloring Book and Cookie Cutters<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I hope all of you are well and will have time to enjoy the holiday season. If we get snow I'll be back to post some pictures. </p><p>Take care all! ~ Diane & Guy</p><p><br /></p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-7042229030278875912021-11-06T08:41:00.000-05:002021-11-06T08:41:01.176-05:00Gathering and Giving<p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Time to gather, time to give. </span></b></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F-9oBwfyZew/VL_gQ7eaSkI/AAAAAAAAKvs/LPu9dXuZt7oJtLOUtLdEn33qnT2dYgBywCPcBGAYYCw/s800/valentine%2Bsquirrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="562" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F-9oBwfyZew/VL_gQ7eaSkI/AAAAAAAAKvs/LPu9dXuZt7oJtLOUtLdEn33qnT2dYgBywCPcBGAYYCw/w281-h400/valentine%2Bsquirrel.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4-HuT5mQjY/VHOVdVfUY2I/AAAAAAAAKTU/Z5fMoeKW3W0he9sdgvZkKBWPI5fBl3JEgCPcBGAYYCw/s413/MC900411087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="413" height="349" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4-HuT5mQjY/VHOVdVfUY2I/AAAAAAAAKTU/Z5fMoeKW3W0he9sdgvZkKBWPI5fBl3JEgCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h349/MC900411087.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZvgAhXM-nM/VHOTop7xWsI/AAAAAAAAKTI/ywhXZzH_tO476Fito1CyNz_D0rP5b9Q8QCPcBGAYYCw/s800/MP900407467%255B1%255D%2Br.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="800" height="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZvgAhXM-nM/VHOTop7xWsI/AAAAAAAAKTI/ywhXZzH_tO476Fito1CyNz_D0rP5b9Q8QCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h315/MP900407467%255B1%255D%2Br.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9b43md7dNFg/VFFXuy7UaII/AAAAAAAAKQg/BQbRP3q6IR0qOt_3bnar3mm_b_Bg7ycIgCPcBGAYYCw/s800/2014%2BAutumn%2BArb%2B94r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9b43md7dNFg/VFFXuy7UaII/AAAAAAAAKQg/BQbRP3q6IR0qOt_3bnar3mm_b_Bg7ycIgCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h300/2014%2BAutumn%2BArb%2B94r.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H2TNGDImfkA/VFFXXDO49bI/AAAAAAAAKQA/F7cWXldukU4ONVMUnX1WpX7Q9oEu8mAGgCPcBGAYYCw/s800/2014%2BAutumn%2BArb%2B49r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H2TNGDImfkA/VFFXXDO49bI/AAAAAAAAKQA/F7cWXldukU4ONVMUnX1WpX7Q9oEu8mAGgCPcBGAYYCw/w400-h300/2014%2BAutumn%2BArb%2B49r.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hbo1bt5Hy5Y/VEf-My8JxII/AAAAAAAAKIo/rhDyi5efvZ08CyBHg-oA5V01gmnZURlvACPcBGAYYCw/s800/guy%2Bautumn%2Bblack%2Bcat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="800" height="313" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hbo1bt5Hy5Y/VEf-My8JxII/AAAAAAAAKIo/rhDyi5efvZ08CyBHg-oA5V01gmnZURlvACPcBGAYYCw/w400-h313/guy%2Bautumn%2Bblack%2Bcat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thankful and Grateful</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At this time of year I feel so thankful we've made it through these difficult times. Better days are ahead and I thank all of you out there for helping make it tolerable. Just knowing there are people around the world that are also expressing hopefulness, humor and a giving nature is so uplifting!</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As we move into the busy holiday seasons, I want to thank all of you that have been visiting my lonely little neglected blog. I'm feeling much better these days and I feel the future is bright. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will be around to your blogs soon. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Love and Light for all of you! ~~ Diane & Guy Noir </span></span> </span></span><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-23262308978040354642021-10-28T16:01:00.001-05:002021-10-28T16:01:49.581-05:00Bewitched Bedazzled and Bedraggled<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Bewitched</b> ~ Well it's almost time for Halloween!</span></p><p> <br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJMJN3aGCko/W8zOOoJno4I/AAAAAAAAhuk/hYEjbd--K4AP-WE96PQ4QJzoKyItc2T6QCPcBGAYYCw/s2242/100_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1626" data-original-width="2242" height="232" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJMJN3aGCko/W8zOOoJno4I/AAAAAAAAhuk/hYEjbd--K4AP-WE96PQ4QJzoKyItc2T6QCPcBGAYYCw/s320/100_0027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Black cats ~ Lucky are those who are owned by one! </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gox-y9RhynI/YXsFHz0OciI/AAAAAAAAmIU/dN-TXA54c6kLLkE41dwPl5qwhNc8AjaqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/guy%2Bautumn%2B2021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gox-y9RhynI/YXsFHz0OciI/AAAAAAAAmIU/dN-TXA54c6kLLkE41dwPl5qwhNc8AjaqwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/guy%2Bautumn%2B2021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">My beautiful black cat Guy is my best Halloween decoration. He's slowing down a bit and enjoys longer naps than when he was a youngster!</span><br /><p></p><p><b> </b></p><p><b> </b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Bedazzled</b> ~ Because nature is putting on a gorgeous show despite the droughts, wind and wildfires.</span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIu56md0Lqw/YXsFa7kcdNI/AAAAAAAAmIc/YXESYZYHJDocV7_KIf46zV-OE9xq3ghmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/sweet%2Bautumn%2Bclematis%2Bmacro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIu56md0Lqw/YXsFa7kcdNI/AAAAAAAAmIc/YXESYZYHJDocV7_KIf46zV-OE9xq3ghmwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/sweet%2Bautumn%2Bclematis%2Bmacro.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnM04xzW5AQ/YXsFkPt0-rI/AAAAAAAAmIg/1PoZ7hC8aSA2uXkUx_kHPOfSaa7mvJlrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/pine%2Bcones%2Bleaves%2Bautumn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnM04xzW5AQ/YXsFkPt0-rI/AAAAAAAAmIg/1PoZ7hC8aSA2uXkUx_kHPOfSaa7mvJlrQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/pine%2Bcones%2Bleaves%2Bautumn.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Our swans arrived back in early May and stayed for several days before flying on to a larger lake somewhere in the area. Sadly a few weeks later only one swan returned to our lake. He or she stayed on our lake alone most of the summer except for a couple of weeks when the lake got incredibly low. The lonely swan would appear after we had rain and then leave again. I felt so bad for the swan I hoped it would find a new mate. I was overjoyed in September to see the swan return with a new mate!! They stayed for about three weeks and left around the first part of October. I look forward to their return next spring. I checked my files and the original pair had been visiting since 2012.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Check out the happy couple below! </span><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QNep8uzJ2z4/YXsF0R8IysI/AAAAAAAAmIs/GSR_ZPxGU2YH2sWeBp4ArcAEO7iK3OwMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/swan%2Bpair%2B2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="800" height="430" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QNep8uzJ2z4/YXsF0R8IysI/AAAAAAAAmIs/GSR_ZPxGU2YH2sWeBp4ArcAEO7iK3OwMgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h430/swan%2Bpair%2B2021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-_TFF518L4/YXsF0c08FCI/AAAAAAAAmIw/gwz2ZTl8X9UBAiKpi_ki-_g-9Q85LTTxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/swan%2Bpair%2Bsept%2B21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="800" height="484" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-_TFF518L4/YXsF0c08FCI/AAAAAAAAmIw/gwz2ZTl8X9UBAiKpi_ki-_g-9Q85LTTxQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h484/swan%2Bpair%2Bsept%2B21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B6r3v1KuY8c/YXsH3KNcBMI/AAAAAAAAmI8/x1kcHJeIbkciEThvGaLP8aN9yaa7gX1tACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/colored%2Bleaves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B6r3v1KuY8c/YXsH3KNcBMI/AAAAAAAAmI8/x1kcHJeIbkciEThvGaLP8aN9yaa7gX1tACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/colored%2Bleaves.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PG8H3mO6NHY/YXsIEUU2heI/AAAAAAAAmJA/s4jh6DgC2TkhnqtoY0ehf-K1R7ghvvWxACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/giant%2Bmarigolds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PG8H3mO6NHY/YXsIEUU2heI/AAAAAAAAmJA/s4jh6DgC2TkhnqtoY0ehf-K1R7ghvvWxACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/giant%2Bmarigolds.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vvskyl27L3A/YXsIJdAGVZI/AAAAAAAAmJI/oMh5tlYglcEk6IYSo3DLuP78xDVEBdl_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/zinnia%2Bpink.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vvskyl27L3A/YXsIJdAGVZI/AAAAAAAAmJI/oMh5tlYglcEk6IYSo3DLuP78xDVEBdl_gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/zinnia%2Bpink.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pNYz1cvkz_0/YXsIQKv0hbI/AAAAAAAAmJM/K_-GBQq6X_0xoBh6PcJDQfEjrUmmBxn3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/rescue%2Bbird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pNYz1cvkz_0/YXsIQKv0hbI/AAAAAAAAmJM/K_-GBQq6X_0xoBh6PcJDQfEjrUmmBxn3ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/rescue%2Bbird.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The image above was taken a few minutes after I had picked up this little bird that had flown into our back window. I held the little thing and placed him on the fence in an area where I could keep and eye on it and make sure it was safe while it got its strength back. The poor thing closed its eyes and I thought for sure it wouldn't make it, but I talked softly to it and told it I would watch over it until it felt better. After about 10 minutes it opened its eyes and started looking around. Another few minutes it hopped on the fence and was gone. It's just a blur in the photo below as it flew away.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1h57Ap_9_sE/YXsIVnAjKvI/AAAAAAAAmJU/vbCLDgmIpjEk9ILjoS2u3pxcHs2NCDQtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/rescue%2Bbird%2Bflying%2Baway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="800" height="540" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1h57Ap_9_sE/YXsIVnAjKvI/AAAAAAAAmJU/vbCLDgmIpjEk9ILjoS2u3pxcHs2NCDQtQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h540/rescue%2Bbird%2Bflying%2Baway.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And <b>Bedraggled</b> ~ It's been up, down and sideways for far too long!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gxb1Aw9CjRs/YXsIqgAymRI/AAAAAAAAmJc/u-LHc2jj8g4z2zV9gw5dylM7tujbmjJYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/bedraggled%2Bleaves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gxb1Aw9CjRs/YXsIqgAymRI/AAAAAAAAmJc/u-LHc2jj8g4z2zV9gw5dylM7tujbmjJYQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/bedraggled%2Bleaves.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I kind of feel like these bedraggled leaves. Rough, worn out and attacked. Notice the tiny bits missing from all over the leaves. Not one big assault, but tiny bites over a long period of time. Just when I thought things were getting better someone started using my business email account to sign up as a seller on the big Am...n company in another country! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">My account was not hacked they just used my account address to register because they liked the name and now I'm getting bombarded with spam! Apparently these big companies don't have enough money to hire technicians to verify their new accounts, it's all about the sale! I spent quite a bit of time cleaning up my online subscriptions and deleting and changing many settings to slow down the nastiness out there. They even tried to steal my Instagram account by changing the password! I pieced it together and found the culprit on Instagram and found the new account with an almost identical name to my shop name. What is wrong with these lazy people? Anyway, I have taken several measures to tighten all my security and hopefully it will keep the intruders out. I hope to keep my shop open for a few more years to sell down all my inventory so I don't have to move it or give it away! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm done with the rant, just wanted to let you all know that's the fun I've been having the last couple of months! I know other people have had similar issues with their accounts and it's very discouraging. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The good news! We finally got some rain in August, just enough to keep things alive. My flowers didn't bloom nearly as well as usual though, so I don't have that much to share. Guy is doing well and my constant companion. Husband is doing well and we are still married so there's that! Ha! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We're looking forward to spending time with family for the upcoming holidays. Hope you are all doing well out there. It's been a crazy few years but we've been trying to make the best of it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Take care friends, I'll try to post a few more times before we hit 2022! </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Love and Light for all! ~ Diane <br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-13614128070629929122021-06-07T09:45:00.000-05:002021-06-07T09:45:29.902-05:00We're Melting<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ncAmHit5t8I/YL4vg8TdUQI/AAAAAAAAlds/QqDcgNNtP2E4ZJ4Ike35cVaN8QEqq458gCLcBGAsYHQ/s521/ice-1601932_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="521" height="325" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ncAmHit5t8I/YL4vg8TdUQI/AAAAAAAAlds/QqDcgNNtP2E4ZJ4Ike35cVaN8QEqq458gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h325/ice-1601932_640.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p>June is usually a lovely month with comfortably warm temperatures but with lots of rain and cool breezes. However this year we have gone from frosty to toasty within a week. It's too hot, and that's all I have to say about that. </p><p>Hope you're all doing well! Let the summer begin! ~ Diane <br /></p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-16063076264677334302021-05-24T12:36:00.005-05:002021-05-24T17:21:27.100-05:00Lovely Spring Flowers <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OV5W69BN6iw/YKvQ0GeIMUI/AAAAAAAAlbs/0dPJRkxhivAOTiAh0Ey7qrxuWLW2oT-gACLcBGAsYHQ/s779/DSCN0902_cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OV5W69BN6iw/YKvQ0GeIMUI/AAAAAAAAlbs/0dPJRkxhivAOTiAh0Ey7qrxuWLW2oT-gACLcBGAsYHQ/w630-h640/DSCN0902_cr.jpg" width="630" /></a></div><p></p><p>Years ago I planted the flower above which is called Dame's Rocket. It has since been labeled an "invasive" plant and everyone is warned not to plant it as it will take over the world. After almost 20 years it has behaved much nicer than my phlox which has bullied out many of my other plants. So in my garden anyway, it is not invasive nor has it spread to my neighbors yard. In fact it has stayed much in the same area all these years and hasn't spread much at all.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jp2nz9hnXQg/YKvQ_hw69-I/AAAAAAAAlbw/kP87MRu9kD0GQgTIyRCgpOHi5E_LjREcACLcBGAsYHQ/s791/DSCN0899_cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="791" height="622" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jp2nz9hnXQg/YKvQ_hw69-I/AAAAAAAAlbw/kP87MRu9kD0GQgTIyRCgpOHi5E_LjREcACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h622/DSCN0899_cr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The plant above did spring up this year and it is a white Dame's Rocket. It's growing next to the neighbor's white fence and looks a bit bland. Waiting to see if it reseeds with white or pink/purple plants next year.<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwJrmXTr08Q/YKvRJ4q9OOI/AAAAAAAAlb8/cUDQkDa2ki87pgFAjjn2gs_WZH7YP_zFACLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/DSCN0878_cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1024" height="445" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KwJrmXTr08Q/YKvRJ4q9OOI/AAAAAAAAlb8/cUDQkDa2ki87pgFAjjn2gs_WZH7YP_zFACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h445/DSCN0878_cr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>We've had at least three pairs of geese hatch out goslings this year. I managed to catch this family a couple of weeks ago hunting bugs and tender plant shoots on our lake bank. The goslings only stay cute and yellow for about a week and then start to look like gangly teenagers. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EjjUKu8C4G0/YKvRJuTLfAI/AAAAAAAAlb4/-9Ki7krmluABJ40D2akDgTiHQhgxBJSAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s819/DSCN0883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EjjUKu8C4G0/YKvRJuTLfAI/AAAAAAAAlb4/-9Ki7krmluABJ40D2akDgTiHQhgxBJSAQCLcBGAsYHQ/w600-h640/DSCN0883.JPG" width="600" /></a></div><p></p><p>Above is a native shrub called a Pagoda Dogwood, it loves growing amongst larger trees. It has snuggled in nicely between a pine and an oak tree. Later the blooms will turn into dark little berries that the birds and ducks love. I have seen the woodducks fly up from the ground to grab the berries in their mouths!<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nAmvmDe3bZo/YKvRKaG6TRI/AAAAAAAAlcA/nLC0P7R74AYWzhJvDcPK4x4ZH5aIltiQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s928/DSCN0886_cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nAmvmDe3bZo/YKvRKaG6TRI/AAAAAAAAlcA/nLC0P7R74AYWzhJvDcPK4x4ZH5aIltiQwCLcBGAsYHQ/w530-h640/DSCN0886_cr.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><p>This white bleeding heart was seeded by a pink bleeding heart in the back yard. I dug it up last fall and moved it over under the pink crabapple. It's still a baby plant but I hope it increases in size next year. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HWauE_deqNA/YKvRLzNOACI/AAAAAAAAlcE/fRT110SCUXkaYZB0Wcu4p3Gr7C6tFRlvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1024/DSCN0887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="665" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HWauE_deqNA/YKvRLzNOACI/AAAAAAAAlcE/fRT110SCUXkaYZB0Wcu4p3Gr7C6tFRlvQCLcBGAsYHQ/w416-h640/DSCN0887.JPG" width="416" /></a></div><p>The purple Alium plants have done well have have spread a bit, I'm very happy for their fun shape and lovely color in the spring.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LuQ_XQn9xSw/YKvRMwpaUvI/AAAAAAAAlcI/RhFathI2sZIRfgwoH2nRDz9OjcrQ76rVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s768/DSCN0890_cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LuQ_XQn9xSw/YKvRMwpaUvI/AAAAAAAAlcI/RhFathI2sZIRfgwoH2nRDz9OjcrQ76rVQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/DSCN0890_cr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I've been seeing more clover this year as I asked my husband to not remove it anymore. So many of the natural plants are disappearing as people continue to spray weed killer on them. Even in our yard some plants that I tried to save and that we've never used any herbicides around have just inexplicably died. I have only one elderberry left and keeping my fingers crossed it survives. <br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4-hE7pq8rJA/YKvRNbG-dyI/AAAAAAAAlcM/SZx6N-8ZuxMKywq4bigGInfKGztMi-eGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s948/DSCN0896_cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="948" height="518" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4-hE7pq8rJA/YKvRNbG-dyI/AAAAAAAAlcM/SZx6N-8ZuxMKywq4bigGInfKGztMi-eGgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h518/DSCN0896_cr.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>There are two of these honeysuckles in our yard, they must be around 50 years old now. They were planted by the original builder/owner of the house. They are a pale pink and have a sweet smell. <br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m5psVzv-Dsk/YKvRah4SOpI/AAAAAAAAlcQ/YA9qajeJYAcc8XjvzLAfZeKdbTRNWzhtACLcBGAsYHQ/s779/DSCN0903_cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m5psVzv-Dsk/YKvRah4SOpI/AAAAAAAAlcQ/YA9qajeJYAcc8XjvzLAfZeKdbTRNWzhtACLcBGAsYHQ/w630-h640/DSCN0903_cr.jpg" width="630" /></a></div><p>Next to the compost bin we have some native plants that some call weeds. The large leaved vine is called "Virginia Creeper", other plants you may recognize, dandelion, creeping charlie and some boneset, jewel weed and other plants. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yP3UWRU0glY/YKvRbIyWUmI/AAAAAAAAlcU/FjrlDzgvtAoqRKYxeM8cEhF017clyde5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s873/DSCN0904_cr_cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yP3UWRU0glY/YKvRbIyWUmI/AAAAAAAAlcU/FjrlDzgvtAoqRKYxeM8cEhF017clyde5wCLcBGAsYHQ/w564-h640/DSCN0904_cr_cr.jpg" width="564" /></a></div><p>This pretty plant has the fluffy little white flowers. It's always been here and I'm not sure of it's name but it grows happily with my other plants. I would love to show you images of bees on my flowers, but unfortunately there are very few this year. I have seen a couple of large Queen bumble bees and a few smaller honeybees, but I fear that our extremely harsh winter and other things have taken a toll on the poor creatures. I'm hoping with warmer weather I'll start to see more move back in to the area.</p><p>One thing I am extremely pleased with is the sound of the frogs singing, they have been very active and we've had some nice rains to refresh our lake, so I'm hoping to see a few of this critters in our yard soon. Other birds at our lake this year have been Great Blue Herons, White Egrets, Trumpeter Swans and a Bald Eagle or two. I try and post a few images at a later date. </p><p>Things have been moving along here in our area and now we (fully vaccinated) can cautiously venture out without masks except where noted by the businesses. My dentist and Dr.'s offices still require masks. That reminds me, a few weeks ago just after my vaccine was fully effective, I noticed floaters in my right eye. I called my Ophthalmologist's office and they were able to get me in that afternoon. Thankfully no emergency issues with my eye, I have a follow up appointment in a month. I'm also trying to catch up with other Dr. appts. so will be visiting one or another almost every week for a month! My husband still hasn't even made his appts. yet! Men!! </p><p>Anyway!! Hope you are all doing well and enjoying spring so far. Hoping to get back here and post again before it is summer! Thank you all for visiting and please leave a comment. As you know the spammers have been awful, so I'll publish your comment as soon as possible. I almost always reply too. </p><p>Hearts and Hugs to you! ~~~ Diane<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-4026296722669567702021-04-02T09:40:00.004-05:002021-04-02T09:40:54.791-05:00Happy May Your Easter Be<p> Hi Friends! Happy Easter ~ Spring to you!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9oIBaTidM3g/YGcn8wEMJeI/AAAAAAAAlWo/iBkW8Atqm1M1NFhX4rhlCRVlwHKJ1-IwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s275/nypl.digitalcollections.510d47e3-6fe8-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.001.w_cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="275" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9oIBaTidM3g/YGcn8wEMJeI/AAAAAAAAlWo/iBkW8Atqm1M1NFhX4rhlCRVlwHKJ1-IwgCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/nypl.digitalcollections.510d47e3-6fe8-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.001.w_cr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Our weather is warming nicely but still no flowers to share just yet. Instead I thought I would share some vintage postcards with you today. If you thought my blog post title sounds a bit like backward speak you may be correct! Actually I took it from the card below, the sweet sheep grazing in the pasture above the greeting, "Happy May Your Easter Be". </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1T3wcCA9x0U/YGcoSgBcgfI/AAAAAAAAlW4/EqpwnBIQbec65ts2s2FPVYsqaYxHaawpgCLcBGAsYHQ/s760/nypl.digitalcollections.510d47e3-6fe8-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.001.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="760" height="413" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1T3wcCA9x0U/YGcoSgBcgfI/AAAAAAAAlW4/EqpwnBIQbec65ts2s2FPVYsqaYxHaawpgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h413/nypl.digitalcollections.510d47e3-6fe8-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.001.w.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F0PmwOTSnHA/YGcoSPJnEuI/AAAAAAAAlWw/bhvMmSJaBOgSfyXiCawmIeZzTTY5vpOJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s760/nypl.digitalcollections.510d47e3-491f-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.001.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="760" height="402" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F0PmwOTSnHA/YGcoSPJnEuI/AAAAAAAAlWw/bhvMmSJaBOgSfyXiCawmIeZzTTY5vpOJQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h402/nypl.digitalcollections.510d47e3-491f-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.001.w.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I included some bunnies and Easter Gnomes just for fun! Hope you enjoy them and they bring a smile to your sweet faces!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mcIABSOUkpc/YGcoSaOIuEI/AAAAAAAAlW0/MHn_eisW45YMUQcERjuvcmdiJvFswwzEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s760/nypl.digitalcollections.510d47e3-4967-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.001.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="760" height="413" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mcIABSOUkpc/YGcoSaOIuEI/AAAAAAAAlW0/MHn_eisW45YMUQcERjuvcmdiJvFswwzEgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h413/nypl.digitalcollections.510d47e3-4967-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.001.w.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-doOYFOczwyc/YGcoSqSVWpI/AAAAAAAAlW8/XJF5TT_cQzEO-RLZqBKSBBVul4gXvpW4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s760/nypl.digitalcollections.510d47e3-7119-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.001.w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="494" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-doOYFOczwyc/YGcoSqSVWpI/AAAAAAAAlW8/XJF5TT_cQzEO-RLZqBKSBBVul4gXvpW4QCLcBGAsYHQ/w416-h640/nypl.digitalcollections.510d47e3-7119-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99.001.w.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><p>My husband and I have been well and both of us have now received our first Covid vaccines. Ron gets his second vaccine soon and I will get mine at the end of the month. I've just heard that the Pfizer vaccine is good for about 6 months. Guess we will be spending more time at medical clinics than we would like. We are still wearing our masks etc. though as variants are still spreading and all the states around us have ditched their mask requirements. </p><p>This Easter I am very thankful that we have made it through this. I remember last year at this time I was very worried about all of it. I hope you are all well and are able to enjoy this beautiful time of year. Happy Spring and if you celebrate, Happy Easter as well.</p><p>Hugs, from Diane and Guyπ€π₯π<br /></p><p><br /></p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-25593073471894073602021-03-17T14:50:00.001-05:002021-03-17T17:42:47.840-05:00Winter into Spring<p> Winter with a hint of Spring....</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0iJSBNc7yes/YFJUnX2wmLI/AAAAAAAAlVg/MBHoAwZgSVYq1tSL3I78so6iNlIq80bkACLcBGAsYHQ/s675/chick-cutout%2Bresized.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="431" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0iJSBNc7yes/YFJUnX2wmLI/AAAAAAAAlVg/MBHoAwZgSVYq1tSL3I78so6iNlIq80bkACLcBGAsYHQ/w255-h400/chick-cutout%2Bresized.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>The image above is me stepping outside just when you think Spring is here and then suddenly it starts to rain. Then the wind howls and before you know it there are three inches of snow to shovel. At least I know that Spring really will be here soon so I can tolerate a few more bouts of cold weather! <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A8S9-k7fVtY/YFJVj7gBfbI/AAAAAAAAlVo/URtqwDsegpEaEDKOVqxGtO1Jb2KuuiUrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/1%2Bspring%2Btrees.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A8S9-k7fVtY/YFJVj7gBfbI/AAAAAAAAlVo/URtqwDsegpEaEDKOVqxGtO1Jb2KuuiUrgCLcBGAsYHQ/w259-h400/1%2Bspring%2Btrees.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><br /><p>Soon our crab apple trees will be blooming and the grass will be green and I'm so looking forward to it! In the mean time I've been trying to reorganize my office and clear out some clutter. On my breaks I sit at my computer and play. My new header image was made by using the chick postcard and an image of a blooming tree. I used my computer to combine the images and "paint" the images together to form one image. It took me about an hour to finish and I do find it quite satisfying! </p><p>Here's another image below I worked on. It originally showed the deer with a rope and log snared around his foot and dogs and hunters chasing him.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkoT7LpBmxw/YFJZgELyVXI/AAAAAAAAlVw/6rH5ne0DJEYr9NV3gHb0W-oBUYNTFZg5gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/1%2Bdeer%2Bbuck%2Bresz.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="800" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkoT7LpBmxw/YFJZgELyVXI/AAAAAAAAlVw/6rH5ne0DJEYr9NV3gHb0W-oBUYNTFZg5gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h408/1%2Bdeer%2Bbuck%2Bresz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I was very pleased to remove them and free the beautiful deer. Now it just looks as though he's prancing through the fields without a care in the world. I can't show you the original as it was too disturbing for me to even keep. Of course all the images I use are public domain and are from reputable websites. I love finding these antique images and bringing them back to life.<p></p><p>In other news, my husband finally got his first Covid vaccine. I'm still on the waiting list and hope to hear soon. We have the UK variant in a county close by so would very much like to get my vaccine. Laying low and staying away from everyone. </p><p>How's everyone doing out there? </p><p>Take care, stay safe! ~ Diane<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-13026248912719138452021-02-28T15:13:00.001-06:002021-02-28T15:13:20.395-06:00Snow Moon<p>Did you see the Snow Moon? I saw it early Saturday morning around 6 AM. It was lovely sitting behind the trees. Still high enough in the sky for a nice view. The Snow Moon is just as the name implies, a moon in the snowiest month of February. And almost as if by magic we just received some lovely snow!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQhx-Di1KNw/YDwCGlAZwZI/AAAAAAAAlUc/bnyUjeZkdsARylUWgOCoZN7qUyxN7q8XwCLcBGAsYHQ/s342/wintry-trees-snow-moon-snowfall-583169%2Balt%2Bcr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="342" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQhx-Di1KNw/YDwCGlAZwZI/AAAAAAAAlUc/bnyUjeZkdsARylUWgOCoZN7qUyxN7q8XwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/wintry-trees-snow-moon-snowfall-583169%2Balt%2Bcr.jpg" /></a></div><p>The bitter cold that had been lingering for several weeks is finally gone and we have had much warmer winter weather. The sun has been shining and melting much of our snow. It was nice to have a bit of the fluffy stuff come down and then to have the sun come out this afternoon and melt it off the sidewalk and drive. It's much easier to take the cold weather when the promise of spring is just around the corner!<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hCaItui7_bI/YDwCYEDnl9I/AAAAAAAAlUk/CVyc_tiD5RwOfxXQbDK03lx4OlyiTV5BACLcBGAsYHQ/s744/wintry-trees-snow-moon-snowfall-583169%2Balt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="744" height="440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hCaItui7_bI/YDwCYEDnl9I/AAAAAAAAlUk/CVyc_tiD5RwOfxXQbDK03lx4OlyiTV5BACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h440/wintry-trees-snow-moon-snowfall-583169%2Balt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Enjoy your week my friends! ~~ Diane<br /></p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-21122536983161914072021-02-13T09:46:00.003-06:002021-02-13T09:46:56.494-06:00This Really Is The Age of Aquarius<p> </p><p>No this is not an eyeball, it is the Helix Nebula located in the constellation Aquarius. It's been referred to as the "Eye of God" nebula. Read more at the very bottom of this post.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zeTE12rjjmc/YCfw478vc2I/AAAAAAAAlTw/FpaYaVDeR_kuc4lYAwZwKEiDr_4Yd-_oQCLcBGAsYHQ/s578/35086147221_64c89f7d02_o.%2Bngc%2B7293%2BHelix%2BNebula_cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="437" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zeTE12rjjmc/YCfw478vc2I/AAAAAAAAlTw/FpaYaVDeR_kuc4lYAwZwKEiDr_4Yd-_oQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/35086147221_64c89f7d02_o.%2Bngc%2B7293%2BHelix%2BNebula_cr.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>Hello Friends! I'm still around, sorry I haven't visited your blogs lately. One insistent blogger friend has left me messages and I finally decided I better respond and post something! Thanks Stacy for prodding me out of my winter stupor hiding under a pile of blankets with my cat Guy and watching YouTube most of the day! It has been so freaking cold, of course I don't have to tell you Canadians about that. LOL! <br /></p><p>I went to Stacy's blog <a href="https://magiclovecrow.blogspot.com/2021/02/everyone-i-hope-youre-all-well-and.html#comment-form" target="_blank">MagicLoveCrow</a> and saw her new fantastic painting and she spoke about Aquarius. I remembered reading about the new cycle we are entering a while back and so I thought I would post a bit about it. <br /></p><p>Here's info from one website that explains the theory. "With Aquarius at the helm, we might begin steering toward a new way of working together to achieve our goals, prioritizing the good of community as a whole. In other words, we've only begun to see just how useful social activism can be to achieve progressive aims." Source,<a href="https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/age-of-aquarius-meaning" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> click here</a>.</p><p>Now I'm old enough to remember the song, "The Age of Aquarius" performed by the 5th Dimension. I thought I'd revisit the lyrics below. Let's hope Aquarius brings peace, love and enlightenment to us all!<br /></p><p> <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>The 5th Dimension Lyrics "Age Of Aquarius"</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000;">When the moon is in the Seventh House<br />
And Jupiter aligns with Mars<br />
Then peace will guide the planets<br />
And love will steer the stars<br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius<br />
Age of Aquarius<br />
Aquarius! Aquarius!<br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
Harmony and understanding<br />
Sympathy and trust abounding<br />
No more falsehoods or derisions<br /></span>
</p><p><span style="color: #cc0000;">
Golden living dreams of visions<br />
Mystic crystal revelation<br />
And the mind's true liberation<br />
Aquarius! Aquarius!<br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
When the moon is in the Seventh House<br />
And Jupiter aligns with Mars<br />
Then peace will guide the planets<br />
And love will steer the stars<br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius<br />
Age of Aquarius<br />
Aquarius! Aquarius!<br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in<br />
The sun shine in<br />
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in<br />
The sun shine in ...</span></p><p>Now here's some more about that weird photo at the top of the post....<br />"The Helix Nebula, also known as The Helix, NGC 7293, is a large planetary nebula (PN) located in the constellation Aquarius. Discovered by Karl Ludwig Harding, probably before 1824, this object is one of the closest to the Earth of all the bright planetary nebulae. The estimated distance is about 215 parsecs (700 light-years). It is similar in appearance to the Cat's Eye Nebula and the Ring Nebula, whose size, age, and physical characteristics are similar to the Dumbbell Nebula, varying only in its relative proximity and the appearance from the equatorial viewing angle. The Helix Nebula has sometimes been referred to as the "Eye of God" in pop culture, as well as the "Eye of Sauron"." <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/my_public_domain_photos/35086147221/in/photolist-2kaCRj2-oukfvN-VsrFbM-2j5FmQq-ovF9Mc-oweYYE-otjAEb-odx4p4-VXFewH-9ZVHWy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source</a></p><p>Share your thoughts! </p><p>Stay safe, well and happy! ~~ Diane<br /></p><p> <br /></p><p>
</p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-82128264264517249322021-01-01T11:31:00.002-06:002021-01-03T08:42:38.609-06:00A New Year! Finally!<p><b> Happy New Year!</b></p><p><b> </b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PUcky6112o4/X_HXxOvHSQI/AAAAAAAAlQY/RX3mo7QvEDYYZx5pGv875f_EJdcRUwKEACLcBGAsYHQ/s437/NYHD_032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="181" data-original-width="437" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PUcky6112o4/X_HXxOvHSQI/AAAAAAAAlQY/RX3mo7QvEDYYZx5pGv875f_EJdcRUwKEACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/NYHD_032.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><p></p><p>While I know that our current issues with the Covid19 virus will not just magically disappear, at least we have an excellent chance to make it through this and enjoy the rest of the year. Who knows when we here in the USA will get our vaccines, but at least I'm hoping for a better outcome overall for most of us.</p><p>I don't have much else to share except for this image taken from my header of some of my digital collage art. I've taken three old pieces of vintage cards, and illustrations and combined them into a winter scene. It's for you to copy and save if you'd like. Just right click and then enlarge to save to your computer. Hope you enjoy the Snowy Owl!<br /></p><p>Bye the way, if any of you tech people can tell me how to get my images to show up on the blog list sidebar, please let me know. I see that some blogs will display a thumbnail image but many don't. I've tried a few things to fix it but so far nothing has worked. Thanks in advance!<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lXbbYDkeXmA/X-9aBXnKZRI/AAAAAAAAlQI/v9HN12YERUYR7tS4U8B3xOPBrF-7sgT8ACLcBGAsYHQ/snowy%2Bowl%2Bfreebie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lXbbYDkeXmA/X-9aBXnKZRI/AAAAAAAAlQI/v9HN12YERUYR7tS4U8B3xOPBrF-7sgT8ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/snowy%2Bowl%2Bfreebie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Please stay safe out there and I'll be checking in at your blogs soon!</p><p style="text-align: center;">πβ¨Diane β¨π</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4059731033561256727.post-66186925614921299882020-12-12T15:55:00.001-06:002020-12-12T16:00:58.326-06:00Christmas Cheer<p>We all need a bit of Christmas Cheer and I find myself turning to the internet and YouTube for entertainment more than ever. I've lately been binge watching the Jamie Oliver Christmas Specials on the Pluto channel on my Roku. I've also learned all about Cher and the Loneliest Elephant, (not so lonely anymore), scrap-booking, junk journals, Keto cooking and all sorts of other stuff I won't go into.</p><p>Anyway, I've always enjoyed locating old public domain images and doing digital creations. Some of these images have been in my files for years but I found the old French Carol and it got me started on the one below. <br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JthVYrs5sO8/X9U4cDZMU3I/AAAAAAAAlO8/bUISkb1DRjI3eoAFvKTYvmSjSherCP93ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1648/xmas%2Bcollage%2Bvintage%2Bstyle%2Bfrench%2Bcravecute.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1648" height="423" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JthVYrs5sO8/X9U4cDZMU3I/AAAAAAAAlO8/bUISkb1DRjI3eoAFvKTYvmSjSherCP93ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h423/xmas%2Bcollage%2Bvintage%2Bstyle%2Bfrench%2Bcravecute.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>It is for you to download and enjoy as a desktop image or for other
personal use, I just ask that you don't sell it. Right click on image, click view image to enlarge then save image to your computer. I spend a lot of time fussing around with the editing and manipulations of the photos, hopefully as I get better at it I might start putting in my shop for digital sale. Hope you all in blog land are finding some interesting ways to spend your time. We are pretty much staying at home for the next month as Covid is raging in this area. </p><p>Please stay safe. We will get through this!</p><p>πβ¨ Diane ππ <br /></p><p> <br /></p><p><br /><br /></p>CraveCutehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17266646948003488534noreply@blogger.com13