Inauguration Day

Today is inauguration day! Watching the coverage on CNN, I am overwhelmed by the

crowds of Americans and others gathering in our Nations capital to be a part of this historic day.

Watching the sun come up over the Capital building with the throngs of people in front - it is just such a hopeful scene. May God Bless all on this day and keep everyone safe.

In the meantime.....Christmas decor has been stored for the year,

except for these plates depicting winter scenes. They remind me

of the fun and beauty that can be found on these long, cold, snowy

winter days!

The Sinclair Sisters

Today Aunt Wilma entered God's kingdom of heaven.

She lived nearly 90 years on earth and blessed each of us who knew

her with her laugh and gentle soul. She will always be a "Sinclair girl"-

4 sisters who put family first and knew the value of that connection.

The lower photo was taken in 1939 - the upper in 1995. Ironically

they all lined up the same way 56 yrs later with Aunt Wilma in the middle

of the top row. Although it doesn't look it, the photos were taken in the

same spot - their parents home where cousin Tom & Lynn live now.

The poem below was written by my cousin Alan's friend Joyce.

She captured the last moments beautifully.

To my cousins Alan, Libby and Chris my deepest sympathy and love.

Tears and Comfort

Tears of sympathy flowed from his heart as he watched her slip away
But his tears were not for her, they were for those who’d stay.

The years had taken their toll on her body and her mind
And he knew that letting her go now was the act that was most kind.

And as family members stopped in to say their last good byes,
His thoughts turned to their years of sharing, and tears swelled in his eyes.

He thought of brighter times when laughter and kinship ruled the day
When sisters hugged and shared secrets and talked the night away

He thought of the history shared amongst the family’s blood.
He thought of ties that never break and that seal the bond of love.

His mind knew all too well that the end was coming soon,
And he fought back his tears, to comfort the others in the room

And while a piece of his heart was breaking he heard a trumpet blow.
It was the sound of peace, and it brought comfort to his soul.

New Year

Happy New Year!

Just to get my homemade candle out of the freezer decided to use it as the centerpiece for dinner on new years eve. It was quite pretty until the ice began melting and a few cranberries fell in and snuffed the candle out! Earlier in the season I had one outdoors greeeting guests as they arrived - snow put that one out.... Fun idea, but needs some tinkering before next year!

May you al have a healthy blessed New Year!

Leaky update

Just a quick update on my drippy kitchen....Glenn, a man who has been doing yard work, snow removal and other odd jobs for me for nearly 20 years, came by and cleared all the snow from my roof. He has been a Godsend on many occassions for me! The dripping has stopped. Of course it is 20 d. colder today also..... Now it's wait to find out if I need to gut the wall behind my cupboards due to moisture, in which case new cabinets will be in order. The thought of that makes me smile - tho the mess to get there doesn't!

Even though this was a hassle, I am sooo grateful to have a warm home (well not so warm when the power went out for 5 hrs this morning...) There are so many people suffering from much worse. God bless them all and give them strength.

Joys.....and not so much....

Our church was absolutely beautiful Christmas Eve.
Christmas Day our family gathered at my home. Emma loved her new Hello Kitty earmuffs!

She was our little elf, passing out the presents. Tho in this photo she was giving her uncle and grandpa a hard time at the jigsaw puzzle... I found her hat the day before at the drugstore - perfect for our princess!

....and then there's today...the ice dams on the roof are wreaking their havoc and I have water dripping through the roof and down through the kitchen cupboards.... So why am I sitting here instead of finishing emptying those cupboards! Denial!!!! Oh well, this too shall pass and I may get a new kitchen out of it!

Snowed In...

"Oh, the weather outside is frightful.....

well, perhaps not if you love snow

My neighbor and his son

Henry decided to go for

a walk.... didn't get too

far before dad ran back

for the sled.....

...Thanks dad this is better!

The view through my closet window - yikes!


Think I'll stay indoors and enjoy the holiday decor...

stay warm and safe!!

Season of Celebration

I have been joyfully occupied the past 2 days celebrating the season with dear friends.

Tues night our PEO sisters gathered at my home ....
....we had rescheduled from the week before when our gathering was snowed out, so our numbers were smaller, but just enough to fill my family room.

Last night Sue hosted our "girlfriend" get-together. 10 lbs. of crab legs

which were oh so delicious...

....peppermint mousse served in these delightful candy cane dishes - can't tell you how yummy these were!

Sue set a beautiful table in her little cottage -

felt like we were part of a magazine photo....

A blessed time to be with friends.

Merry Christmas!