Smiles. . .

Keep a smile upon your face
and happy thoughts in your mind.
Always look for the good in others;
It's the greatest treasure you'll find.

Try spreading a little love and joy
to all those you see.
It doesn't cost you a thing;
Everything done for love is free.

Try practicing a little restraint
when others make you mad.
Lend a listening ear to those
who might be down or sad.

So always try to wear a smile
and keep a happy face.
Enjoy the gifts God gave to you.
Live life at a slower pace.
(Shirley Hile Powell)

I'm trying to live life at a slower pace and enjoying every minute of it. I said "no" to a few time robbing requests and found out that you can say "no" and things still work out especially if you say "no" with a smile on your face. Tis the busy season of shopping/baking/cleaning/entertaining all things that can rob a smile from anyone's face but if done with a smile they are easier (ask me, I tried the Friday after Thanksgiving shopping this year). I hope you enjoy this poem - it is such a good one :-) These little greedy guys always bring a smile to my face. Notice one even figured out how to pick up 2 peanuts at a time. . .they empty 3 big handfuls of peanuts in around 20 minutes.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The turkey is a funny bird
Its head goes bobble-bobble;
And all he knows is just one word...
And that is



GOBBLE-GOBBLE!

The Woodpecker

His bill an auger is,
His head, a cap and frill.
He laboreth at every tree,--
A worm his utmost goal.
(Emily Dickinson)










I have a new garden visitor who has been visiting the garden for about a week. A quick check of the bird book says he is a "Red-bellied Woodpecker" though I haven't seen a red belly at all, just a redhead (maybe he is related to Woody) :-)

A sister is one of the nicest things. . .

A sister is one of the nicest things that can happen to anyone.
She is someone to laugh with and share with, to work with and join in the fun.
She is someone who helps in the rough times and knows when you need a warm smile.
She is someone who will quietly listen when you just want to talk for awhile.
A sister is dear to you always, for she is someone who is always a part of all the favorite memories that you keep very close to your heart.
(Author Unknown)


"There can be no situation in life in which the conversation of my dear sister will not administer some comfort to me."
(Lady Mary Worley Montagu)

"How do people make it through life without a sister?" (Sara Corpening)

Voices in the garden of life. . .

"When the voices of children are heard on the green,
And laughing is heard on the hill,
My heart is at rest within my breast,
And everything else is still."
(William Blake)

I had the pleasure of watching my very talented nephew and niece, Zach and Emily, in their high school production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat this weekend. They sang, they danced and they acted out many parts moving quickly around the stage. (sorry, but with no flash photography they became blurred on slow shutter speed shots). Grandma and I listened, laughed and smiled during the whole performance.

Younger brother, Jacob, was in the children's chorus and the youngest siblings, Rachel & Joshua, were very attentive audience members for all 3 performances. I look forward to seeing more of this family's talents in the coming years!

Daddy's little girl. . .

You're the end of the rainbow, my pot of gold,
You're daddy's little girl to have and to hold.
A precious gem is what you are,
You're mommy's bright and shining star.
You're the spirit of Christmas, my star on the tree,
You're the Easter Bunny to mommy and me;
You're sugar, you're spice, you're everything nice,
And you're daddy's little girl.

You're the treasure I cherish, so sparkling and bright;
You were touched by the Holy and beautiful light.
Like angels that sing, a heavenly thing,
And you're daddy's little girl.
(Michael Buble lyrics)

Daddy's little girl loved to play "bride" (even when her dress was sewn from old curtains like Scarlett's), come into our bedroom to snuggle on those early mornings when she was the first one up and tell us "I'm never growing up". But grow up she did. . .into a beautiful (both inside and out) young woman who fell in love with a wonderful guy named Scott. Last night we got "the call" full of joyful tears as she told us her wonderful news that Scott had asked her to marry him. And yes, he did ask "daddy's" permission first :-)




We are so happy and excited for both of them and look forward to watching them start a new chapter in their lives. We haven't lost daddy's little girl, just gained a second son who has been a wonderful addition to our family for awhile now. Love you both :-)

November sunset

That the sky is brighter than the earth means little unless the earth itself is appreciated and enjoyed.
(Helen Keller)

The last five days of wonderful warm weather have been simply awesome. I've managed to get most of my procrastinated chores done and also spent some time just enjoying the sunshine. Today, I was outside putting up Christmas lights when a high, dark cloud cover arrived just before sunset. Once the sun set the clouds lit up in shades of orange, pink and purple, it was a beautiful sight. I know living in a town or city has some advantages but I would never want to miss my rural MN sunsets.
The first photo is facing west, the second photo is facing southwest and the third is facing south. I've been asked several times if I "photoshop" any of my pictures. The answer is NO, I'm not that computer literate :-) What the camera captures is what you see and tonight's sunset really was that pretty.

A cradle song. . .

Golden slumbers kiss your eyes,
Smiles awake you when you rise.
Sleep, pretty wantons, do not cry.
And I will sing a lullaby:
Rock them, rock them, lullaby.
(Thomas Dekker)





Alexis didn't feel well yesterday so she spent the day with me rather than going to daycare. She played "babies" all day with a cradle and rocking chair made 20 plus years ago by her Grandpa Steve for her cousin Jayme. Grandpa, it might be time to dust off those woodworking tools. . .






The dolls were well fed, rocked to sleep, taken to the window to enjoy the birds and changed quite frequently. All skills showing she is ready to help with Diego or Orlando :-)

huge, yellow moon. . .

Autumn ends the harvest
And breathes old thanks-filled tunes.
A fruitful, swollen, storing time,
It hangs huge, yellow moons.
(Mike Logan)












These past two nights we have been blessed with a beautiful full moon. On Sunday it appeared yellow/orange as it rose but on Saturday it was a cool white. I chose this poem because of the "yellow moon" line but also because we are thankful that most of our farmer friends have their crops out and are finishing the plowing for the year. The landscape has returned to flat, black fields.




What beautiful evenings and absolutely gorgeous weather this weekend had compared to our cold temps last week. I spent both afternoons outside and with the sun setting at 5 pm I watched the full moon rise (the sunset wasn't bad either). With this week of "indian summer" predicted, I'll get my fish out...my windows washed and maybe start hanging the garden christmas lights (don't worry, I won't turn them on until after Thanksgiving).





Take time to watch the sun set and the moon rise...you won't regret it!

Cool drink of water. . .

The ice was here,
the ice was there,
The ice was all around:
It cracked and growled, and roared and howled,
Like noises in a swound!
(Samuel Taylor Coleridge)




You know it is cold when moving water freezes! With a temperature of 10 degrees this morning there is ice on the pond and ice on the fountain. While it may be a pretty sight to see it is not good news for me as I still have to get my fish out for the winter. The weather service is predicting a warmup next week so hopefully all this ice melts so I can get them in and not have to resort to a heater.




The frozen pond surface didn't bother this woodpecker he just "pecked" until he got a drink.