nutcracker baby mice

here's our princess getting ready to go to her

performance for the nashville nutcracker ballet.

this is her backstage waiting "patiently" to get dressed

they have people to help them get in costume.

there are not supposed to be pictures of her

in her costume but i found these in her ballet bag,

probably taken by a backstage mom chaperone.

she is getting her head piece on which "the princess and the pea"

contends is very itchy.

this is after her performance that her dad and i watched.

she was adorable and did a great job being a baby mice.

it is traditional to get your dancer flowers on the night of performance

when you are there to watch them. so a dozen red roses tied up with pink it is.

she also picked a baby lamb from the boutique.

faux tree

soooooo, the weather outside is frightful
and the fires have been delightful and
since we've no place to go(ha)
mys-well put the ole' faux trrrreeeeee!

not being able to go cut a real tree has

curbed my enthusiasm, just a bit.

in the other house we moved from,

i had a real tree the family would

decorate together and a faux tree

in the formal living room that i would

take my time and decorate by myself.

this is the first year in this house

we put up the faux tree.

it doesn't quite fit.

so the topper to the tree has to be left off.

it seems kinda strange a tree with no top,

so on goes the angel to see if that works.

dh says it's okay so i press on.

i'm really not sure which ornaments

to use so i just pick and choose

and leave a lot of them in the storage boxes.

abbey and i worked on it together.

then wrapped presents to put under it.

we had fun and it is done.

this is the latest i have ever put up our tree.

so it will probably be up well into january.

hope you all are having fun with

the christmas season

and all the wonder it brings.

merry christmas!

first snow

the boys jesse, 17 and ethan, 18 went out to play in the first snow.

they were showing their mama, me some love.

sweet boys!


oh the first snowfall of the winter

Was a day that we all waited for

When it drifted to and frost

Why you should've seen the snow

It was near seven feet or more

By the old barn door

Oh the first snowfall of the winter

What a joy for a boy to behold

In each house you'll find a sleigh

That was waiting for this day

And of course, down the road a hill

For each Jack and Jill

Every winter breeze that scurries

Sets the snowflakes up in flurries

It's the good old sentimental season

when Folks put runners on their surreys

And forget about their worries

When a man becomes a boy once again

Oh the first snowfall of the winter

Jingle bells bring us spells ever dear

Under wintry skies of gray

It was snowing all the day

And it showed no signs of stopping

Every kid with eyes of popping

Will soon be belly-whopping on his ear

On the first snowfall of the winter

Oh the first snowfall of the year

The first snow of the year

Is just about the best snow

Well I'll say any snow

Is a pretty good show

song by the carpenter's

charming company

if the sages ask thee why
this charm is wasted on the earth and sky,
tell them, dear
that if eyes were made for seeing
then Beauty is it's own for being.

r.w.emerson




The very idea of a bird is a symbol and a suggestion to the poet. A bird seems to be at the top of the scale, so vehement and intense his life. . . . The beautiful vagabonds, endowed with every grace, masters of all climes, and knowing no bounds -- how many human aspirations are realised in their free, holiday-lives -- and how many suggestions to the poet in their flight and song!
John Burroughs (1837 - 1921), Birds and Poets, 1887







Use what talents you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.
Henry Van Dyke

i am delighted to welcome one and all to our december feasting.

thank you charming visitors for coming by.

still sprucing up

i was going to hang these outside but i set them down on the wicker settee and liked it.

no one is going to be sitting in this frigid weather.

plus, it was too cold to stand around and think about where they would look best.

back inside to see frosty and his sidekick.

they are all the cold i need inside.

i still don't have my christmas tree up. although i do have many christmas tree reminders.

we have a tradition of cutting ours down and the tree farm is a long drive away. (approx.2 hours)the weather has been too cold and weekends too busy with nutcracker practises.

so we are waiting for a warmer weekday and will take abbey out of school and jesse is homeschooled.

i am trying to be patient. hear my foot tapping!!!

santa has shone himself here and there.

rudoulph has dressed himself with a ribbon and candles.

waiting for his christmas night flight.

i got an idea that my brightly coloured angel would rather be white.

so out came the spray paint and away went the blues, reds, and green.

i like her better this way.

she seems suited for it and has a smile of contentedness now.

this unusual reindeer/sleigh combination is fun and i love it.

i put it somewhere different every year.

it hasn't found it's perfect place this year yet.

but it is out of storage looking...

here...

and there...

and now off i must be to the cold outdoors...

happy weekend all!

beauty surrounds us

walking has become a wonder.

these two leaves, brown against a green backdrop caught my eye.
i thought of dh and i walking together in life in the world.
we try to take some time to walk everyday.
to spend time in nature and nurture our souls.
winter has arrived even if the calendar says otherwise.
today it is 23 degrees this morning. brrrr!


the barren trees harken back of mystery!
an ever changing landscape does make for interesting views.
a leaf midway thru adapting it's new colour, fascinating.

i have had birds all my adult life until recently and this reminds me of millet.
a grain which you give your caged birds that they love.
is this nature's millet?

then upon seeing this i was instantly reminded of snow.

how beautiful everything looks when tinged with white.

white is one of my favourite garden colours, i just usually think of it in flowers.

have a happy winter day!

winter whimsy

winter is high stepping in tennesse today.
we are having snow flurries on and off.

i will embrace winter this year.

leaves gone...check.



welcome sign out...check.




potting shed window dressed...check.




apple orchard ladder changed for the new season...check.

wreath with holly, nandina, magnolia, cypress ready...check.

soldiers at attention...check.

santa at backdoor(with presents of course)...double check.

birds shining brightly...check.

well things are getting in order to welcome winter with it's whimsy...

still i have a whole lot more on my list.

but at least with my welcome mat...ur...i mean...welcome flag out...

all is not lost for inviting winter.

i will embrace winter with all it's beauty and whimsy.

thanks meems!