I feel blessed to have this

Yesterday afternoon my sister and I took a trip to Sturbridge MA. It is about a half hour drive, and it's our favorite thing to do together. Although we have a favorite place to eat there, we didn't go. We did go to Susan's secret garden and then we went to Old Sturbridge Village gift shop. Luckily the gift shop is in the front so you don't have to pay to go into the village. My sister was feeling like some of their delicious fudge. It is buy 2 get 1 free, and soooo good.

I was walking around Susan's beautiful shop, when in the corner she had some Old Victorian jewelery. I seen this beautiful multi-colored sweater pin and fell in love with it. It had the colors of my family birthstones, pink, blue and green. It's hard taking good pics of jewelery but I got what I could so I could show it off. When I went to the counter, Susan told me the pin had belonged to a woman who lived to be 100 years old. How special is that. I knew that pin called me for a reason. I will treasure that pin and hope that my daughter will also and pass it down. I usually don't get blessed when I shop, but I certainly did yesterday. Thank you Susan I will treasure it.

I also bought a bracelet with black stones. It will be a nice addition to my black pieces.

My sister bought a beautiful purple teapot, if you would love to see some of Susan's teapots and other wonderful goodies at Susan's just click on her name or the link on my blog to her shop. You will be in for a treat if you do. Wishing you a warm splendid Sunday evening.

Blog bloopers

I have two bloopers on my blog. The first one is on my Pink Saturday, I was referring to lasts weeks Pink Saturday when I said I commented on most. I haven't had the time until tonight to even log on this lovely magic box. I am so sorry for the confusion.

The other blooper is on my Susan Secret Garden Link. I was very fortunate to go to Susans secret garden today. Susan is in the process of having her web page redone and is now using the new web page, I did put the new web address on the button to her web page.. Susan not only has a beautiful shop, but she is one beautiful lady. She does a lot for the community, and is so helpful and thoughtful. She is very special. She told me today that you can't order on her site, but you can order by telephone. I had a really nice find there today, and its so special that it needs a post of its own, with photo. I really want to check out some pink posts tonight, if I get time tomorrow I will post my "lucky one of a kind find"....so do check back....Kindredly, Ellen

Pink Victorian Lady and Tree

How nice that Saturday has rolled around again. I didn't think I would get through all the post but I did. I commented on almost all of them. There was a couple that I might have tried to see to early. I just went down the list as they were on Beverly's page. If you want to see some awesome blossom pinks then click on Beverly's name or on her click able pink graphic on my page. Thank you Beverly for hosting this. I met so many wonderful new friends.

I have the most giving neighbor..Pearl who made something very special for me. She took a long time crocheting me this beautiful pink Victorian dress, and accessories. I know how hard it is to work with such fine thread. I was very blessed to have her as a neighbor. I lived here for about 10 years before I really got to know her, as she worked many jobs. I new her beloved husband very well, as he never worked the whole time I knew him and he was always outdoors. Pearl is much older than I am, and not in the best health. I will always treasure this doll. And how fitting that I found a photo taken a while back that has the Victorian tree she made me as well. All those little ornaments. She really is one special friend.

Kindredly,Ellen

Left overs

It's the day after Thanksgiving and there is nothing better than leftovers. I hope everyone had a wonderful day. I was very fortunate to be able to spend the day with family and a wonderful elderly friend. My sister was the hostess with the mostess....thank you Shirley everything was so good. Unfortunately we didn't take any photos which is unusual. I do believe my daughter might have taken a few with her cell phone.

Being a New Englander I wanted to do a good old fashioned New England blog post. But the holiday had me so busy that I never had the time that it would have taken. So I decided to go with the leftovers and run with it.

I had gone to Old Sturbridge Village this past October. It was such a wonderfully warm fall day. I was going to write about it but now I need to get ready for Pink Saturday, that I gathered a few pictures from the day we spent at Old Sturbridge Village and put in a slideshow. I hope you enjoy them, as I really did have such a wonderful day. Blessings, Ellen

Pink

Well here we are already two hours into Sunday, and I am still celebrating Pink Saturday. I am trying to get thru all the postings.There is no way I could do it all today. If I haven't posted your pink post, it means I just haven't gotten to it yet. It has been so much fun. I need to go back and visit your blogs, as I just had time to read the pink and maybe peek at your blog. I'm off to LA LA Land...

My First Pink Saturday

Thank you to Beverly for hosting Pink Saturday, please check out the other pink postings by either clicking Beverly's name or her graphic on my blog page. Thank you Beverly this will be my first Pink Saturday posting. I thought seeing that it was so close to Christmas, that I would share a few of my favorite pink Christmas decorations. I hope you like them.My sister Charlotte bought me this Victorian Santa for Christmas one year. I decorated the sleigh with Pink peonies to match the pinks in Santa's coat. I just love this when it's filled with wrapped gifts and sits under the tree. I do believe the title pic on blog is taken from under the tree.
One year I had made a lot of these scones. I filled them with candy and gave them away. Well of course I had to make some for myself. I place them on doorknobs of the doors that don't get used much. The Pink trimmed was made with some Christmas wrap. They were a lot of fun to make and even more fun to give away.

This Pink teapot is a gift from a special Internet friend that loves pink . Her home is pink from the inside out. The pink stocking here is also from her.

As an October baby, that makes my birthstone non other than PINK and my daughter in August gives us those two colors that go so well together...Pink and green. These birthstone ornaments were a Christmas gift from my sister Shirley.

Here we have some homemade PINK ornaments.

Of course we always need a couple Pink angelic children. These are nieces from left to right....Alexis, Kately and Yvonne. They definitely are pretty in Pink.

I hope you enjoyed my first Pink Saturday posting. Don't forget to check the other pink postings. Beverly has a listing of those that are sharing their pinks. This was soooo much fun, and again thank you Beverly.

Ellen who is dreaming of a pink christmas.

how they do twinkle

Taken from The Night Before Christmas...

His eyes how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry.

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.

As I was going thru some photos, I came across these photos taken in the 70's. They are of my Dear Husband playing Santa for his younger siblings and nieces and nephews. Well O.k. maybe a few grown-ups also. As you can see he had those eyes that twinkled. In all honesty it was those twinkling blue eyes that attracted me to him. He may have lost most of his Christmas spirit, but those baby blues still twinkle.

He had taken many years off of playing Santa...but he did do a recent apperance.

Paul & Jacob

And like father like son blue eyes and all...

Jeff & Jacob Jen & Jeff

Time to re-commit

Well it wasn't easy climbing out of that warm bed this morning. Hubby called on his coffee break and suggested I go off to curves this morning. I have been talking about going back, but that is about all I have been doing...talking and paying, and paying and talking. I have two awesome vacations coming up, and I don't think I will get to my desired weight...especially if I just sit at home talking and paying. I do enjoy not only the exercise, but the wonderful ladies that I have met. So I packed the water bottle, sneakers and out the door. Oh my there was frost on the windows....should I tuff it out and continue on, or should I wimp out and head back in the warm house. Well, I guess I got that far that I continued on. When I got there and walked in I received such a great welcome. Now if I can just stick to a good sound nutritional diet I will be doing something. I also think I will turn on my Leslie Sansone walking DVD and do the three fast miles. I just love her DVDs. I won't be much slimmer but maybe firmer by the first vacation, but there is still some ope for the one in February. These pics I am attaching was a couple years ago. My sister and Daughter join me, but they totally fell by the waist side. Stay warm. :)Ellen

New things

Yesterday I had a wonderful day shopping with my Dear Sweet Sister Shirley. I was housebound until noontime, and after that we were off to the MAll. I had bought a silver christmas tree and wreath this year and I bought some new decorations. The tree and wreath I had bought at our favorite store in Sturbridge. Susan Secret Gardens. Check her store out as she has beautiful things. http://www.susanssecretgarden.com/. I know you won't be disappointed. The angel centerpiece for my table...I just bought a new dinning room set and wanted a nice new christmas piece. And this lovely girl was calling my name. I wanted pink but I have a dark mauve in the dinning room, so thought this one went well. The silver wreath I decided to decorate all silver. I found these beautiful glass ball ornaments that I new would look great. And of course I had to add a silver ribbon bow. The wreath is hanging in the dinning room behind the table. I just love when the daylight shines and it twinkles so lovely. Oh I just love Christmas. The fairy was just the right size to top my tree. She just flowed so nicely with her beaded dress, as I have all beaded balls on that tree. Now to start dragging out the other decorations. I missed out last year as I fell and broke my wrist. I have a lot to make up.

Yesterdays leftovers......

in a whole new way. Oh the weather today is just down right bone chilling. It has that crisp feel in the air, with a sniff of snow on the way. So I took the advantage of yesterdays ham bone, and made a pot of pea soup. And how it warmed me from the inside out. I had just picked up a nice fresh box of oyster crackers at Trader Joes. I know when the ole man and DD comes in from work they will appreciate a nice bowl of hot soup. DD had im'd me from working looking for leftover mac & cheese. She was so happy to hear there was plenty left. I love those kinds of meals where you spend one day in the kitchen, and it can feed the family for two sometimes even three days. I would love to offer you a nice cup or bowl of soup. I wish I could send some to Florida to my sister and her family.

Happy Birthday Dear Sis

The last of the birthdays for awhile. I just think birthdays are very special. It is "your special day". I have been making my sister her birthday dinner just about since I've been married. There have been many years she didn't make it because we got snowed in....I must say those meals were very good. I had made my macaroni and cheese earlier in the afternoon and was able to get all those cooking utensils and pans all cleaned and put away. It sure did make for a easier time. The ham was very good and not overcooked for sure.

The birthday girl brought a bottle of wine. I had 3-4 glasses, and let me tell you it packed a poweful punch. Ireally am a cheap date LOL...

Happy Birthday Dear Sister, you are so good to everyone.....

Veterans Day

As I take some time this evening to reflect on a few of my own Veterans on this Veterans Day. My thoughts and prayers are with those brave men and woman who have put their lives on the line to make mine better. Thank You and May God Bless.

My Daddy My Hero..May he rest in peace

My Dear Sweet Brother Bruce

My beloved brother-in-law who was called home to soon...R.I.P
My brother-in-law Joe

Birthday pie

Another birthday today. My significant other turned one year older today. I made him a delicious pot roast dinner with mashed potatoes ,gravy,fresh green beans,corn and applesauce. It was so good on a gloomy looking day. It also would be my parents wedding anniversary. My dear old Dad was not just a vet he married on the day. How sweet was that.

With all the birthdays I just couldn't handle another cake today, then one tomorrow so we had pie. It was an apple Carmel nut pie. It was very good, but of course I just love nuts and pecans just topped it off. One more birthday tomorrow........my dear sister....

Beaded balls

I dragged out my box of beaded balls this afternoon. I spent over an hour photographing these shiny little piece of treasure. I still can remember each one that I did. I may not remember some of the names of the balls, but I remember doing them. I didn't care much for the sewing on some of them, but they are so pretty. I can't believe that it has been about 10 years since I have made one. I made quite a few for my DD Jen.

My husband would go off to the casino with his buddy, and I would work all night pinning balls...his friend with call them my voodoo balls. I still have a couple of kits that I never did. Just another one of my many projects that are still left hanging unfinished...this here ball is only partially done, and would be beautiful finished.

A month for birthdays

Yesterday there was two more birthday celebrations. I wish I could have been in two places at once, but that is impossible. The picture above is my DD's godson. He turned a big 3. I don't know where the years go. It seems like yesterday he was born. He is the youngest of 3. And as cute as a button. I just love him and his sisters dearly.

My brother-in-law Joe had us over to dinner yesterday for a birthday dinner for my hubby. His birthday will be tomorrow on Veterans day, which also would be my parents anniversary. He made us a delicious meal. We started off with a salad,bread and homemade carrot and ginger soup. The soup was absolutely delicious but had a bit of a bite to it. The main meal consisted of a spiral ham, macaroni and cheese, spinach simmered in olive oil and garlic and a cole slaw to die for. The coleslaw was made with red cabbage, peanuts which really added a different flavor and texture, mayo and mustard. Then he topped off the meal with a chocolate cake from scratch. It is so nice to have a relative that graduated from a culinary college.

Wednesday will be my sisters birthday. I had bought a spiral ham and ingredients to make home made mac and cheese before I was invited to yesterdays dinner. I am still planning on making it on Wednesday to celebrate my DH and sisters birthday. I just love birthdays as they are a way of celebrating life.............

To vote or not to vote

Well today is the day for each American to make their choice..to vote or not to vote. I would only imagine that most americans will vote. Today will be the day America chooses it's new president. Who will the fourty fourth president be??? Either candidate will make history one way or another...either Americas first black president, or Americas first female vice president.

I can remember when I became of age to register to vote. I had always wanted to vote seeing my dad leave for the polls. A few times he had let me tag along his London Fog Coat. He was so proud the day I registered to vote. Boy do I ever miss that man. He was there the night I voted for the very first time.

This evening as my family we will go to the polls together, another childhood dream. The typical all american family...Mom, Dad, Son and Daughter. Just don't tell them how to vote....but I do try to persuade them..LOL

I'm proud to be an American.

another one hits 50

Happy Birthday to my dear brother-in-law. Today he hits the big 50. Saturday we had cake and a lasagna dinner.

Childhood Memories

I can always remmeber my favorite christmas tree of all. It was a silver tree with a color wheel. I just thought it was the greatest ever. I wish I had a picture of it, I have one pic that you can see a small amount of the tree. I was in Sturbridge shopping at my favorite store. Susan Secret Garden. She had a table top silver tree. She also had a silver wreath. I can't wait to decorate and enjoy my "childhood memory tree". Wow guess I just named an artifical tree. She will sit on a round table with a digital photo frame in front. I will load a memory card with christmas pictures of old and new. Will add some christmas music to the card as well. I am enclosing a pic of my new tree, and will update as I work on it. I have some gorgeous beaded balls that I have made, and I am hoping that the tree will be big enough and strong enough.

You called this a what

Last month I celebrated my 50th birthday.

My sister and children thru me a surprise party. was I ever so surprised. And you just never know what kind of pictures and movies that are being taken. I am going to share the funniest video ever. Thanks to my sister-in-law for capturing this one. I hope it gives you a good laugh, as we all know we all could use a good laugh these days. Enjoy the laughs are on me.