whimsical wednesday

it's rainbow day at whimsical wednesday; creating a rainbow simple or elaborate in any style or form.  the goal of creating a rainbow for whimsical wednesday was to brighten our day amid winter's dreary.  my rainbow was formed from ribbons.  strips of ribbon, in the colors of the rainbow, were placed on the tines of a card holder; something of a ribbon rainbow tree.

a symbol of hope, the rainbow creating activity for this whimsical wednesday took on a very personal meaning for me. i dedicate my ribbon in my father's honor who died early this morning at the age of 88. 

get ready.....

long winter days can be very dreary.  days can pass without the sun shining.  we will brighten our environments this whimsical wednesday by creating a rainbow.  elaborate, simple, paper and crayons, flowers arranged in the colors of the rainbow.  whatever shape and style your rainbow takes, create one this whimsical wednesday. 

photo friday

oatmeal day for a recent whimsical wednesday; i created oatmeal confetti!

thoughtful thursday

my sweet daughter, libby, shared this quote with me today and it just had to be used for thoughtful thursday.

"never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. time will pass anyway."
                                                                                      -earl nightengale

isn't this thought an eye-opener?  how often do we do nothing because we are overwhelmed by the enormity of a project, goal, dream?  the days pass and nothing can be looked back upon that evidences progress; rendering us all the more discouraged and sure what we are after can never happen.  fortunately there is a remedy for this condition.  small steps.  every day give yourself 15 minutes to focus on the project.  it isn't a great deal of time in the larger scheme of time, but you will have accomplished something everyday.  the small steps of accomplishment build to a larger and larger accomplishment.  you WILL have something to show for your efforts, even small.  often this gives the boost needed to put in more time on the project on some days to build even more accomplishment.  and don't worry about whether it's great or you love it or it's your best effort.  effort in and of itself matters!  go for it! 

whimsical wednesday

it was memory book or notable notebook entries for whimsical wednesday.  nothing of note caught my attention today so the notable notebook received no attention.  however, i did make write an entry into my memory book; all about my dad's favorite christmas cookies, his mother's boston cookies.  not only did i write about dad and his cookies but i included grandma's recipe!  if my children and/or grandchildren read my memory book, they will be able to make boston cookies just like their great-grandmother or their
great-great-grandmother!

get ready.....

beginning with 2013, we will be paying attention to our memory books and notable notebooks one whimsical wednesday a month.  let's start this whimsical wednesday!  write an entry into the memory book or the notable notebook or both!

if you haven't begun either as yet, this whimsical wednesday will be a great place to begin.  use any bound notebook of paper or loose leaf to put into a binder. a memory book is just that; entries of any memories.  mine is a jumble of memories of me as an adult, a child, memories about my children, grandchildren, friends, experiences.  these are written in no particular order, just when i think about them and decide to write them in the memory book.  a notable notebook is a place for all sorts of fun stuff:  definitions to neat words, quotes, ideas, anything you encounter that you want to record! 

photo friday

a kindness from libby and sarah bestowed upon dad, mom and me on whimsical wednesday

thoughtful thursday

there are few absolutes that can be counted on in life.  one we can absolutely be certain of is CHANGE! 

whimsical wednesday

it's accept kindness day for whimsical wednesday.  i am visiting family in another state due to my father's serious illness.  we have been exceedingly busy with attending to all his needs.  when my sister arrived at mom and dad's house this morning she presented me with baked spaghetti without onions or celery; one of my more favorite meals ever!  i was soooooo excited to get this treat as i never make it for myself.  and, even as busy as we have all been, she took the time to make baked spaghetti without onions or celery for me!  (i will share, although i could eat it all myself!) 

get ready....

this whimsical wednesday, if someone offers you a kindness accept it graciously and with gratitude.  pay attention to that which constitutes a kindness.  what you least expect might be the grandest kindness of all. 

photo friday

the ugly christmas sweater looks good from the back as well!

thoughtful thursday

that quiet little voice inside that speaks to you?  LISTEN!!!!

whimsical wednesday

it's oatmeal day this whimsical wednesday!  the get ready post on monday offered several suggestions for whimsical wednesday oatmeal activities.  several of those activities were very appealing.  however, sometime between monday and wednesday, it came to me to dye oatmeal with food coloring!  why, i have no clue but it sounded like fun so why not?!

oatmeal was poured into four paper cups, enough to cover the bottom of the cups.  food coloring was added to the oatmeal; one color in each of the cups:  red, yellow, blue and green.  the oatmeal was stirred to coat all the oatmeal. it looked like confetti!  confetti is one of my favorite happy words so that oatmeal outcome was exciting! 

after the food coloring dried, the oatmeal needed a taste test.  the red oatmeal tasted RED.  the yellow oatmeal tasted YELLOW.  the blue oatmeal tasted BLUE.  the green oatmeal tasted GREEN!  the blue oatmeal was my favorite. 

it seemed the birds would enjoy confetti oatmeal so it was thrown out into the yard for them to enjoy. 

what was your oatmeal activity for whimsical wednesday? 

get ready.....

january is oatmeal month!  this whimsical wednesday let it be a day of all things oatmeal!  eat oatmeal for lunch or supper; adding different ingredients to make it a new taste for you.  bake oatmeal cookies.  take an oatmeal bath.  give yourself an oatmeal facial.  make an oatmeal suet cake for the birds to enjoy.  put a flake of oatmeal in a glass of water and watch how it puffs up.  have fun with oatmeal!  it's not just for breakfast anymore! 

photo friday

megan models the "ugly christmas sweater" i created for a holiday contest.  i won!

thoughtful thursday

in the spirit of the new year, here is WISHFUL THINKING by janet mowat, published in the 11.1.02 FAMILY CIRCLE magazine.....

today:
i will allow the beds to stay unmade all day.
i will let the kids dress themselves and tell them they look wonderful; no matter what they choose.
i will invite people over even if the house isn't white-glove clean.
i will focus on the things i already have rather than the things i want.
i will indulge in the serenity and sanity of an afternoon nap.
i will relax and read a book when sense is telling me to do laundry.
i will forget about my extra pounds and wear something that makes me feel great.
i will call an old friend who always makes me laugh.
i will take a long, luxurious bath using the scented bath beads that i've been saving for a special time.
i will play my favorite music and sing along as loud as i want.
i will treat myself to a slice of apple pie a la mode and skip the guilt.

what uniquely you I WILL could you add to the list?  no doubt there's at least one I WILL you wish for!

whimsical wednesday

it's a look back to 2012 for whimsical wednesday; to discover all the good we experienced during the year.  a month by month inventory revealed that i had a year filled with lots of wonderful and whimsey.  here's my 2012:

january:  rang in the new year with family and friends in tennessee.

february:  crafting sessions with craft buddies (on going throughout the year).

march:  visited tennessee to help mom and dad as well as visit with family and friends.

april:  looked after friend's dogs so she could go away for spring break and not worry about her pets.

may:  flew to new york city from chicago to visit libby for her 35th birthday.  upon return to chicago attended performance of swan lake in which sarah was a lead dancer.

june:  two wedding celebrations in tennessee; mom and dad's 64th wedding anniversary and the renewal of vows for friends on their 40th wedding anniversary.

july:  back to chicago to attend the performances of sarah's dance company, the luna troop, perform sarah's original work, PLACES. and celebrate sarah's 37th birthday.  another anniversary: the whimsey project!

august:  megan and jacob visited the farm for three weeks!

september:  a wonderful labor day picnic with friends here on the farm.

october:  back to tennessee to help mom and dad.

november:  thanksgiving holiday weekend with libby, katherine, sarah, megan, jacob and scott here.  the most wonderful time of the year.

december:  my opportunity to be secret santa to those in need or to offer special appreciation.  lots and lots of holiday activity with family and friends; ended the year in tennessee with family.

miscellaneous

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

get ready.....

the new year begins tonight at the stroke of midnight! for whimsical wednesday, take time to reflect on the year we will have just left behind.  think of something wonderful that happened in each month; be it a special celebration, something you did for someone else, anything that was positive in your life!  (if necessary, use a calendar to nudge your memory).  list what you have selected as your year's wonderful. see what you accomplished?  achieved?  provided to someone else?  it all adds up to a year well lived.  resolve to do even more wonderful in the new year!  happy new year! 

photo friday

jacob found a green tomato in grandpa's garden on december 28th!

thoughtful thursday

reunion.  persons, separated by distance and time, reunite.  the happy excitement that bubbles up upon greeting one another.  the non-stop talking; several conversations at once.  laughter, reminiscences. parting, with endless hugs and goodbyes, glowing of renewal and reconnection. reunion.

whimsical wednesday

our whimsical wednesday activity was family time.  we had a day of family time.  with last night's snowfall we had fun playing in the snow after brunch.  friends visited this afternoon, making the day feel like another christmas day.  after a lovely dinner, where conversation and laughter accompanied the meal, we sat by the fire.  while eating christmas cookies and other treats we played apples to apples, a game we all enjoy. after a bit of conversation and enjoying the fire, it was time for the children's bedtime.  our whimsical wednesday was filled with lots of family time, quiet and not so quiet time. 

miscellaneous

I don't know if you believe in Christmas or if you have presents underneath a Christmas tree.  but if you believe in love, that will be more than enough for you to come and celebrate with me.....

so sings john Denver and the muppets; expressing how I feel at Christmas time!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

  

get ready.....

whimsical wednesday is the day after christmas, a day of busy activity filled with family, friends, fun!  for whimsical wednesday, make the day after this christmas a time where family engages in quiet activity together.  look at all the christmas cards together, play games, work on a puzzle, watch your favorite christmas movie on video, make hot chocolate, make an after christmas treat, cook dinner together; maybe try homemade pizza for the first time!  whatever you do, do it all together! 

thoughtful thursday

what if there were no Christmas trees? 
what if there were no Christmas decorations?
what if there were no Christmas carols?
what if there were no Christmas cookies?
what if there were no Christmas parties?
what if there were no Christmas concerts?
what if there were no Christmas presents?
is there still Christmas?
if there are people who love and care for one another, Christmas is alive, with us and in us.

whimsical wednesday

it's secret santa this whimsical wednesday; offering a gift in any form to someone without them knowing who the gift came from.  at once I knew who and what I wanted to offer as secret santa. my gift was actually gifts.  every year I participate in a holiday cookie exchange.  today the cookies were presented to the firemen in the two fire houses in town.  I was seen but unknown therefore still secret!  the firemen were very pleased to have an array of christmas cookies to enjoy. as soon as the cookies were handed over they began to munch, munch, munch them.  the second secret santa gift went to a person who is having a rough time so is very sad this holiday season.  she will have returned to her workplace after lunch today to be greeted by a lovely plant festooned in holiday regalia.  hopefully her secret santa gift gave her reason to smile. what was your secret santa gift this whimsical wednesday? 

get ready...

be a secret santa for someone this whimsical wednesday.  your "gift" can come in any form you wish to offer.  just make someone very happy today!

photo friday

the poinsettias made out of old christmas cards for this week's whimsical wednesday!

thoughtful thursday

one is never too old to enjoy all the whimsey.  one can be grown up, as in responsible, and still be goofy!

whimsical wednesday

happy poinsettia day for whimsical wednesday.  until i did the research (see website links posted monday of this week), i did not know that poinsettias were of special significance to the mexican culture.  what to do for my poinsettia whimsical wednesday activity?  after looking through the information on the links, the craft of creating poinsettias from old greeting cards caught my eye.  so i pulled out a box of old cards, glue stick, pencil, scissors and packs of glitter glue (different colors). a poinsettia petal pattern from a scrap of paper was made and tested. then i spent what became several hours making poinsettias. while i didn't intend to spend all day making poinsettias out of old greeting cards, i enjoyed the process of selecting just the correct cards to combine as well as carefully cut out just the most perfect area of the greeting card to get the look i was after.  the resulting flowers will be offered to a select few.  the recipients can decide if they wish to make a poinsettia pin or ornament (the flowers will be given with a length of ribbon and a pin back). looking forward to sharing my whimsical wednesday poinsettias.

get ready.....

according to the calendar i have that informs me about such events, this whimsical wednesday is poinsettia day!  so let's do something of a poinsettia theme for our whimsical wednesday activity.  do whatever you wish.  here are links that might provide inspiration:

http://www.aboutflowers.com/flower-holidays-occasions-a-parties/christmas/poinsettia-history.html

http://www.bhg.com/christmas/crafts/christmas-card-projects/#page=10

http://www.ehow.com/how_5793173_make-paper-poinsettias-school-project.html
this one suggests a pencil decoration but it could be used as a napkin holder

http://www.bhg.com/christmas/ornaments/felt-poinsettia-christmas-ornament/

http://www.ehow.com/list_6716166_mexican-poinsettia-crafts-kids.html

photo friday

memories of thanksgiving past filled this year's thanksgiving dinner conversation. 

thoughtful thursday

amid the many items on your santa wish list, be sure to include those items that are priceless and make life all the more precious.  wish for patience, understanding, caring, concern for others; giving of self and treasure freely and often.  wish for these qualities for all persons everywhere.  the foundation of true peace on earth.

whimsical wednesday

we are preparing for st nicholas day this whimsical wednesday.  as explained in the get ready.....  post of monday, when we were children, my siblings and i hung our socks (mostly set them on the kitchen table) before going to bed on december 5th. when we awoke on december 6th, the feast of st nicholas, we ran to the kitchen to see if anything was in our socks.  we found a bit of candy, a nickel or dime and a piece of fruit; usually an orange.  such excitement this simple treat brought. because it was such a fun holiday tradition for me growing up, it was also celebrated with my own children.  my grandchildren are now, too, enjoying celebrating the feast of st nicholas, the original santa claus.

the link offered on monday was full of great ideas on how to celebrate st nicholas day.  i read through all the recipes, activities, crafts before encountering SEND AN E-CARD.  i knew immediately this was the activity i wanted to undertake for whimsical wednesday.  because i have been thinking about memories of celebrating st nicholas day with my siblings, children and grandchildren, it seemed just right to share the memory with them through the e-card (which are free to send). tomorrow my siblings, children and grandchildren as well as a few friends will be greeted with a happy st nicholas day e-card from me.  we shall share celebrating st nicholas day together via the e-card!

get ready.....

whimsical wednesday is the eve of the feast of st nicholas!  the "original" santa claus, st nicholas is an important figure during the holidays around the world.  when my siblings and i were young, we "hung" one of our socks before bed on december 5th.  the next morning, we looked in our socks for anything that st nicholas might have left for us!  for our whimsical wednesday activity, let's prepare for a visit from st nicholas.  here's a link for ideas:  http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/how-to-celebrate/

photo friday

our thanksgiving table centerpiece.  jacob created the bowl of nature, his  interpretation of the symbol of thanksgiving, the turkey!  

thoughtful thursday

everyday should be thanksgiving day.  not to be celebrated like a holiday with turkey and pumpkin pie but of giving thanks; everyday.

whimsical wednesday

it was post-thanksgiving day for whimsical wednesday.  besides talking (via email, phone) to friends to ask about their holiday, "thank you for sharing thanksgiving with me" notes were sent.  these were not only sent to those who were present but also to those who sent something to make our thanksgiving dinner even more tasty fine!  the notes were written on the turkey cards i made for thanksgiving.

get ready.....

let's extend thanksgiving this whimsical wednesday.  take the opportunity to spend time with someone you weren't able to be with at thanksgiving but would have enjoyed doing so.  a visit, a call, a note in the mail, whatever you wish.

photo friday

jacob's artistic eye!

thoughtful thursday

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ONE AND ALL!

whimsical wednesday

preparing something special for thanksgiving was our whimsical wednesday activity.  my preparation was to gather materials for a dinner table game.  a simple card, stamped with a turkey, and pens were placed into a container.  these will be used to have everyone write something special about any thanksgiving they have experienced, their favorite aspects of thanksgiving or share something humorous about thanksgiving.  the container was placed on the table to serve as a centerpiece.

we had a second whimsical wednesday activity today.  we decided to have a thanksgiving eve celebration; a bonfire in the outdoor fire pit.  the weather was lovely and the moon bright in a clear sky.  we tended the fire, roasted hot dogs, brats and marshmallows.  there was lots of talk, a few games like 20 questions and much laughter.  happy thanksgiving eve!

get ready.....

variety of activity for whimsical wednesday is very important to me.  however, every thanksgiving brings a wednesday, thanksgiving eve.  that means every thanksgiving eve, whimsical wednesday, has to have a thanksgiving theme.  this year, prepare something to be utilized on thanksgiving day. i will be preparing an activity for us to engage in on the most wonderful holiday of the year!

photo friday

my constant traveling companion and i shared a cold drink.

thoughtful thursday

my friend shared this hilarious yet thoughtful quote with me recently:

before one can be old and wise, one has to be young and dumb!

whimsical wednesday

we made or bought thanksgiving greeting cards for this whimsical wednesday.  mine were created today.  a simple post card in a lovely fall color stamped with thanksgiving motifs.  i shall be handwriting the sentiment the rest of the week and mail the cards on saturday.  that must mean that whimsical wednesday will last all week!  will others be receiving your thanksgiving greetings next week?  (one of our whimsey project followers already sent her cards and i was THANKFUL to have received one!)

get ready.....

i'm all about remembering others at special times throughout the year; especially at thanksgiving, the most wonderful holiday there is.  for whimsical wednesday, prepare cards or postcards, store bought or homemade to send to at least five people who would be thrilled to find your thanksgiving greeting in their mailbox.

photo friday

visit this website filled with sweet and funny photos of animals of all varieties.  it will delight!

http://www.cutestpaw.com/

thoughtful thursday

people will often not remember precisely what you said or what you did, however, they will always remember how you made them feel.

whimsical wednesday

we added family stories to our memory books for whimsical wednesday.  family stories are very important; threads that connect one generation to another.  when i write about family in my memory book, i think about my children and grandchildren and how much they will enjoy reading the entries.  the entries will offer the opportunity to remember experiences or learn something new.  i just hope they enjoy reading the stories as much as i enjoy writing them.

get ready.....

november is family stories month!  for whimsical wednesday, enter a family story or two in your memory book.  then share the stories during your thanksgiving celebration and ask those gathered to offer stories as well.

photo friday

a halloween pumpkin needs a halloween costume!

thoughtful thursday

the eastern seaboard of the united states was ravaged by a super storm a few days ago; leaving in its wake much destruction.  as is always comforting in such situations, people from all over the country unite to offer assistance in any form necessary to rescue fellow citizens.  imagine how awesome the world would be if we treated each other with such care and concern all the time, in good times as well as bad!

whimsical wednesday

happy halloween!    halloween on the farm was indeed a happy one.  the pumpkin fairy visited.  i had a "costume" for the first time in many, many years.  there was a bit of reverse trick or treating (in costume); took my neighbor a treat!  as is tradition on the farm, all the critters got an extra treat!  happy halloween!

i awoke to find that the pumpkin fairy had visited!

miscellaneous

my friends enjoyed a recent vacation in hawaii to celebrate their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.  i was pleased to have the opportunity to look at all of the photographs they took.  one photo particularly caught my attention:  a hawaii license plate on their rental car (convertible, of course)!  while i'll continue to look for that elusive license plate, i can definitely say all fifty state license plates have been sighted.  game over!

it's cold enough at night now to need a bit of heat.  otherwise the weather has remained quite pleasant.  what's nice about cool nights is the luxury to enjoy a fire in the pit outside or in the living room fireplace.

there are still plenty of colored (and green) leaves to enjoy.  the bittersweet is striking, leafless with bright orange berries gleaming in the sunlight.  the harvest moon grand.

get ready.....

this week's whimsical wednesday is halloween!  for your activity, have some halloween fun.  do something new or revisit a part of the celebration you no longer participate in.  enjoy!

photo friday

getting to know you.......

thoughtful thursday

we often find kindness from the most unexpected persons, under the most unexpected circumstances.

whimsical wednesday

our whimsical wednesday activity was the road trip game of sighting humorous signs.  primed for seeing a multitude of signs, then having to narrow the choices to my favorite, i was shocked at the actual result after almost seven hours of driving! one, count them, one!  only one sign i saw was even remotely humorous and it wasn't even that.  it was more of a "smile" sign.  a donut shop's sign read, PUMPKIN SHAPED COOKIES.  that provoked a smile.  it is pumpkin season and everything imaginable pumpkin can be found anywhere and everywhere.  perhaps we'll have to play this road trip again for another whimsical wednesday.

get ready.....

what is it about wednesday lately that it a day of travel!? a day of travel means another road trip game for whimsical wednesday.  let's read billboards, marquees, signs of all description.  what was the most humorous one among them?  share it with us here at the blog.

photo friday

a carefree summer day for a young boy.

thoughtful thursday

BEST EVER.  two words used to describe a myriad of persons, places, things, circumstances.  one would think that not everything in the world could be the BEST EVER.  perhaps not if one's perspective is of  a world of competition and exclusiveness.  conversely, it is very heartening that individuals think their "world" is filled with the BEST EVER;  the best ever family, the best ever home, the best ever friends, the best ever experiences.  for the world is large enough and encompassing enough for everyone, everywhere to believe their small corner of the earth to be valued as the BEST EVER.

whimsical wednesday

according to studies, it has been revealed that people smile, on average, 50 times per day.  to discover if this average applied to our individual selves, this whimsical wednesday we counted our smiles.

the parameters for my smile counting was that i would count smiles for 12 hours, between six am and six pm.  all smiles were counted; smiles when we encounter persons we pass in a hallway, smiles that occur during conversing with others, smiles given when thanking someone for their help, smiles that are provoked through reading or hearing or even thinking about something and any other that might cross my face.

based on my smile count "rules" i smiled a total of 140 smiles, 50 of which were smiled by 11 am!  my smile count was 90 smiles over the average 50.  it was neat to discover that i smile a great deal during any given day.  as a result of our smile study for whimsical wednesday, i think i will continue to be aware of smiling and remind myself to do it offer everyday!  how about you?  how many smiles did you smile today?

get ready.....

studies suggest that people smile an average of 50 times a day.  for whimsical wednesday, count the number of times you smile throughout the day!  then assess how paying close attention to smiling makes you feel!

photo friday

glorious autumn

thoughtful thursday

walk softly; be gentle and kind....
it is as much a benefit to the individual as it is for others.  

whimsical wednesday

this is my photo of a commonly used item taken from a different angle.  what is it?

miscellaneous

colder temperatures arrived in the last few days; chasing the hummingbirds away. the feeder remains hanging just in case.  however no hummers have been sighted since it got cold.

with the cold arriving and the hummingbirds heading south, it was time to bring in the houseplants that have been on the porch all summer.  also, the kitties' winter nest was assembled (consisting of the bench on the porch covered with an old comforter).  they can crawl under the blanket and stay quite snug.

leaves are not only turning colors but are already falling from the trees.  some trees are already bare.  that's what a drought and summer heat does to trees.

it's woolly worm season.  they seem to be everywhere.

the heron flew overhead yesterday and cast such a large shadow it was startling!  he glided from my lake, across the meadow to land at the neighbor's body of water for a visit there. wow!  it is always breathtaking to watch.

get ready.....

let's play "what is it?" for whimsical wednesday.  take a photograph of a common object from a very uncommon angle so that the item isn't readily identifiable.  then ask others if they know what the object in the photograph is!

photo friday

here kitty, kitty?!

thoughtful thursday

fall beckoned.  i complied; the screened porch my destination.  while i sat, i was soon covered with the three kittens.  as they snoozed in a heap on me, i looked at the vista beyond the porch.  there was so much to see; the ducks lazing on the water, the birds going about their day, the turtles sunning themselves at water's edge, observing the trees to discover which leaves had begun to be painted with fall's colors. although it was very enjoyable to sit there it was soon that i thought that i "should" be doing something.  as soon as that thought came to mind it occurred to me that i WAS doing something.  i was immersed in the glorious season of autumn.  i was in that moment instead of there and somewhere else at the same time.  i allowed myself to DO this for quite awhile and it was time well spent.

whimsical wednesday

happy halloween preparations this whimsical wednesday!  my preparation entailed creating halloween cards. a dozen post cards of fall colors were embellished with pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns and greetings of stickers and stamps.  the cards are ready to mail.  they sure are cute; hopefully the recipients will think so too.

miscellaneous

fall has arrived and so has october!

the birds and squirrels are making ready for winter as they store food in trees or in the earth.

everyday more and more leaves are turning bright colors.

it has begun to rain on at regular intervals. after a year of drought and a very intensely hot summer, the rain is most welcome.

as dusk fell a few nights ago, i looked out the window of the sun room to discover a raccoon peering into the window.  he wasn't paying attention to me; he was watching television!

the "wee" ducks are now as large as the adults so i can no longer tell them apart.  the "wee" kittens have just about reached their adult size as well.

friends tell me they have gotten out their stockpots as it soup and chili fixing time! that's eating at its finest.

get ready.....

it's october!  halloween will be here in a blink of an eye.  let's get ready for that celebration by creating a decoration or making cards this whimsical wednesday.

photo friday

visit the link to see libby's effie may ledbetter come to "life" via windygirl!

https://twitter.com/WindyTGirl/status/251683873925255168/photo/1

thoughtful thursday

every day is a good day to make someone happy.

whimsical wednesday

we celebrated johnny appleseed day for whimsical wednesday.  and the way we celebrated was to do something with apples.  my apple endeavors were for a friend, recovering from a recent illness that landed her in the hospital. i visited her today and arrived bearing apple gifts; apple/cinnamon scented potpourri to accent her kitchen (that has an apple motif) and freshly baked apples.  she was cheered by my visit and her apple gifts.  

get ready.....

whimsical wednesday falls on johnny appleseed day!  to celebrate this occasion, do something, anything with apples.  make applesauce or apple butter, bake an apple pie, bob for apples, eat a caramel apple.  make a candle holder out of an apple or use an apple to make prints.  have fun with apples this whimsical wednesday!

photo friday

a central park tree; its branches kiss the earth!

thoughtful thursday

the good we do for others is never wasted.

whimsical wednesday

today was make a grab and go for whimsical wednesday; a concept was inspired by a how-to at the craftin' with suz's blog.  she talked about creating a grab and go bag for unexpected travel.  that is a very utilitarian use of the grab and go idea.  it occurred to me that a grab and go could be comprised of just about anything.

the grab and go i created for whimsical wednesday was a party grab and go.  with grandchildren about, sometimes on short notice, it seemed a good grab and go to have on hand.  a good sized tote began the hunt for items about the house for the grab and go.  the cupboards in the laundry room are filled with items for the grandchildren to play with so that was my go-to place.  every shelf seemed to yield something for the party grab and go:  party hats, markers, stickers, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, deck of cards, notepads, pencils, balloons, colored paper, scissors, glue sticks, dice, magazines.

while they typically have access to these items, it seemed that a fun surprise could be enjoyed by presenting them with a party in a bag as they rarely consider using all of these items at the same time.  the grab and go also has items they don't play with on a regular basis in the form of homemade gift cards.  they will find cards for making ice cream, baking cookies, watching a fun movie together.  i'm looking forward to sharing the party grab and go with them.  

get ready.....

for whimsical wednesday, let's create a grab and go bag.  make any grab and go bag you'd like.  it could be of craft supplies, games, tools, whatever best suits your needs.  happy gathering!

photo friday

shadow play!

thoughtful thursday

according to the "everything everyday" calendar, it is POSITIVE THINKING day. there's value in positive thinking; positive thinking that is tempered with a realistic view of what is possible.  paired with reason, positive thinking can help get us through the rough patches of daily life as well as offer that push that helps us successfully complete the major tasks we undertake.

whimsical wednesday

this whimsical wednesday was all about creating "pass along" art books, following the directions offered by  http://www.craftinwithsuz.com/2012/09/monday-make-itz.html.   my sister actually has my book since she picked up several during one shopping trip.  today i assembled embellishments to add to those that come with the book and made the book's cover.  when next i visit family, i will be able to unite my pass along book efforts with the actual book!  that is something to look forward to.  

miscellaneous

last week's travel netted two yet-to-be-seen license plates:  south dakota and utah! one remains; hawaii.  wonder how long it will take to see a license plate for the state of hawaii.  just to keep the game interesting washington, dc is also on the list.  dc might as well be on the list since we have made note of plates from u.s. territories and canadian provinces as well as mexico.  had we been playing the "spot the license plate" game from the beginning last week, we would have spied a multitude of plates from various states.  we saw many, many, many from all over the nation.

one aspect of travel that has me as a passenger instead of the driver, much progress is made on knitting projects!

a wee kitten (they are growing so quickly and soon will not be wee) belly flopped on the porch rail, got settled then proceeded to watch television through the open window!  silly kitty!

the grandchildren used my digital camera to take lots of photographs while they were here for their summer visit.  the result, besides their enjoyment, is my having the opportunity to look at what they found important enough to photograph.  one of the photos is of the dozen donuts they picked out at the grocery store.  priorities! priorities!

get ready.....

for whimsical wednesday we are making "pass along" art books.  a pass along art book is similar to the autograph books we had in elementary school, however, instead of signatures we are collecting art.  this whimsical wednesday activity is inspired by craftin' with suz.  visit her website for instructions to make a pass along art book.  http://www.craftinwithsuz.com/2012/09/monday-make-itz.html

photo friday

summer fun on a lazy sunday afternoon.

thoughtful thursday

it matters not if no one reads your words, hears your music, views your artistic endeavors or any other result of your efforts.  if you create and doing so makes you more you, that is all that is necessary.

whimsical wednesday

what vehicle to count?  so many to choose from for the whimsical wednesday road trip activity.  once on the road, two cars were in mind to look for; the pt cruiser and the tracker.  because it was too difficult to choose which of the two to play with, it was decided that the first one seen would be the car that would be counted. soon after this decision was made, a pt cruiser was spied tooling along the opposite lanes of the interstate.  the pt cruiser it would be!

because travel would traverse three states, it was decided to break down the count by state as well as the total number of pt cruisers counted on the road.

total number of pt cruisers seen:  21

total number of pt cruisers seen in illinois:  1

total number of pt cruisers seen in kentucky:  9

total number of pt cruisers seen in tennessee:  11

even though the tracker wasn't being counted, it was watched for just to see if any were about.  amazingly, no trackers were spotted on the road trip.

what car did you count for whimsical wednesday?

miscellaneous

labor day was enjoyed with friends on the screened porch; talking, doing handwork, sipping iced tea, watching the antics of the ducks, kitties and birds, dining.  it was a lovely way to end "official" summer (even as the calendar indicates summer will be present for a few more weeks).

a tropical storm turned hurricane visited the gulf of mexico last week.  by friday, the remnants of issac moved north making it possible for us to have three days of rain.  the respite amid the year long drought was very much welcomed.

a turtle was rescued from the road this morning.  a cute little guy who can now call the farm home.

the hummingbirds zoom about as if in formation like the air force's blue angels. yesterday i happened to look out the window to find the wee kittens tracking the hummingbirds in flight.  what a sight!  mango and scruffie moved their heads in unison, round and about, to follow the flight paths of the hummingbirds.  silly kitties.

since being home after taking the grandchildren home, it's been possible to do a page or two in the art journal.  it felt good to delve into that process again.

by whimsey and happenstance, twitter friends and i have been playing virtual *kick* the can!  the twitter community is such fun.  grand connections have been made with the twitter followers of the whimsey project!

get ready.....

another day of travel this whimsical wednesday soooo another road trip game. we'll count cars.  select a car you would like to count and have at it; short journey, long journey, standing on a corner watching the traffic go by, scoping the cars in a parking lot.  i'll spend the next few days deciding what my target will be!

photo friday

a tree in our forest that looks like it was created by dr seuss!

thoughtful thursday

across the road resides a herd of cattle.  lovely white ones.  during the growing season, the cows are kept out of part of the pasture because the farmer is growing hay for winter feed.  it's always evident when he's completed all the hay cutting he's going to do as the cows are allowed to graze in that portion of the pasture; allowing them closer proximity to me.  it's quite pleasantly calming to watch them.  they seem so accepting, so willing to just be as they go about their days being, well, cattle.  it's evident why these creatures are sacred in india.  perhaps we humans should be more like cows.....calm, accepting, willing.

whimsical wednesday

it was one sock day for whimsical wednesday.  my one sock was snappy; an argyle patterned in three colors  with "fringe" (worn inside out so all the long thread ends from the weaving of the pattern were revealed).  one person pointed out to me that i was wearing only one sock.  yes, i was wearing one sock.  one amazingly snappy sock!

miscellaneous

fall is definitely on the way.  grandchildren have been returned home and school began yesterday.  the leaves on several varieties of trees are already turning colors (in part from the drought, no doubt), it's getting darker earlier and earlier each evening, it's cooler at night.  there's much to enjoy during fall so it is something to look forward to.

while watching the hummingbirds at the feeder this morning, i noticed that there was an interaction taking place that wasn't between the hummingbirds.  a closer look revealed that a praying mantis was clinging to a stem of the vine close to where the feeder was hanging.  the mantis and hummer were being curious and checking each other out.  watching that was amazing to behold.

the house sure is quiet without the grandchildren running around enlivening the days.  what i tell them when we part?  parting is the opportunity to look forward to the next visit.  i'm looking forward to the next visit.

get ready.....

it's wear one sock day for whimsical wednesday!  if you don't usually wear socks, put one (and only one) on!  make it a snappy sock with lots of character!  

photo friday

the turkeys decided to visit while we were sitting on the porch.  

thoughtful thursday

the grandchildren were returned to their parents and home last evening.  oh, what a reunion!  joyful happiness abounded;  the bonds of this little family run deep.  it was both heartwarming and reassuring to behold. when saying good night to megan and then jacob, tucked in their beds, they both told me how happy they were to be home again.  to both i replied, "i'm happy to be home too and i don't even live here; that's how good here feels".

whimsical wednesday

our road trip game for whimsical wednesday was lots of fun.  we spent several hours looking for anything that began with the letters J, M and T.  sometimes there was a bunch to find all at the same time and then there were dry spells.  we played until it was too dark to see anything but lights. megan did the best in that there seemed to be a great deal more M stuff and words to spot than either J or T.  no matter how many or few we were able to discover, we had fun with our whimsical wednesday road trip game.

jacob's best find was the word JOLLEY.  it was on a license plate.  we wondered if this was the car owner's name or if they were just jolley folks driving along.

megan's best find was the word MAGNODE. this word was imprinted on the mudflap of a very large truck.  i asked if we should name the next stray kitty at the farm magnode.  megan said, "imagine us calling here magnode magnode magnode"! by the time she finished saying the second magnode we were all laughing.  you try saying magnode three times fast and you'll know why we were laughing.

my best find was the interstate mile marker 222.  while it was numerals, i could "see" 222 in letters.  it would be two-two-two; very cool.