Poppies

 

I am thankful for those who gave their lives for our freedom.

Thankful Thursday

Tucker is curious

 

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I have been doing more walking lately because I finally feel healthy again and I don't want to waste it.

I am so blessed to live in such a beautiful spot.

My sister sent a beautiful bouquet to me when I was in hospital a few weeks ago.

When I got home the hydrangeas that were in it had started to wilt so I pulled it apart and made

four smaller bouquets to place around my home. I added three peonies to this one. I'm amazed that it has l

lasted these past three weeks!!

~

My daughter, Hannah got a new coffee table and since I have always admired her old one

she drove down to my house Wednesday night after work and gifted it to me!

We got some take away tacos from my favourite taco spot around the corner and had

a lovely meal along with my husband.

~

On Saturday I had a girls day out with my younger daughter and two granddaughters. We went to a 

book sale at a local library. Here are a few of the books I picked out. There were quite a few others along

with a backgammon board in a briefcase! I spent about $25.00 and we stopped for lunch afterwards.

A great day!

~

I have been on antibiotics off and on (mostly on) since Thanksgiving time. Fortunately I am off

of them now and healthy once again. One of the things I found was this delicious vegan yogurt. 

It is stupidly expensive and I only found it at Whole Foods market but it was absolutely delicious!

Friday fave fives

The one with the coffee table

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My daughter has had this round coffee table at her house for a few years and I've always admired it.

She recently gifted it to me because she got a new one.

Last night she drove to my house after work to drop it off. I love it!! We got some take away

tacos from my favourite taco shop around the corner and had a nice dinner together with my husband.

I'm very thankful for her.

~ ~ ~

Thankful Thursday

Smells like home

 What's something you may do this month?

I am hoping to lose a couple of pounds but it sure ain't easy.

Hola! Hodgepodge Day lands just after Cinco de Mayo...how do you feel about Mexican food? What's your favorite dish? Do you make it at home or ist a strictly dine out option?

Last night my daughter drove to my house after work to drop off a coffee table that I have been admiring at her house. She got a new one. We went around the corner for taco's at my favourite taco spot. The owners are wonderful people and I had both of their daughters in my class.

When the children of today grow up what do you think they'll say about this time period? What do you most hope they remember?

I can't even begin to imagine what they will say about this time period. I hope that my grandchildren remember the beautiful childhood my daughter and son-in-law are giving them and how very much I love them...more than words can tell.

What advice would you give a new mother?

The days go by like years and the years go by like days. Before you know it their childhood will be in the past so don't sweat the small stuff and enjoy them right now. These are the days of your life...even the hard ones. 

What's a phrase your mother often said to you? If you're a mom do you say it to your own children?

My mother used to say, "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!" when she was exasperated with us. which was often, especially with my brother. ;). I never said it to my children because it was so weird. She also used to say, "Go outside and play!" which I did say to my children. Often.

I live in the town I grew up in. I moved away for two or three decades but I live here again now with my husband who also grew up here. It's a beautiful seaside town in New England, USA and I feel so lucky to be able to walk the little narrow streets and smell the smell of home.

Wednesday hodgepodge

Once upon a time

 

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These pictures are rather old but they are two of my very favourite photos.

The first is from Nahant, Massachusetts and is of the old coast guard station.

The coast guard no longer has a station in Nahant but gifted the town this building when they left.

The front of the 1898 building is absolutely beautiful. This picture was taken from the beach

and is the back and side.

The second photo is in Marblehead, Massachusetts and is of Gas House beach and Gerry island. 

It was named in honor of Marblehead's Elbridge Thomas Gerry who was a founding father 

and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. 

At low tide one can walk across to the little island on a naturally formed sand bar.

When I was a girl the island was filled with poison ivy but they have spruced it up since then.

It is a favourite place for my grandchildren when they are visiting.

Pictorial Tuesday

Butterfly lavender

 

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A trip to the garden center yielded this beautiful butterfly or Spanish lavender

topiary plant. There is a big, beautiful English Lavender plant in the back garden

which over-winters here in my New England hardy zone but the Spanish lavender

likes things quite a bit warmer and dryer.

In a month or so I will carry the pot outside to the patio but for now it sits on my bureau

filling my room with the most wonderful scent. 

It's been cold, wet, grey, and dreary, with bits of windy sunshine interspersed.

Oh how I am longing for a beautiful warm spring day.

Oh how I am longing to be in the garden.

🌷

Farmhouse Friday

Busy Monday

Gleaning Grace

 

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t

Let love be without hypocrisy.

Detest evil; cling to what is good.

Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters.

Take the lead in honoring one another.

Romans 12:9-10

In my prayers we all clamor to take the lead in honoring one another.

Imagine what a world that would be to live in!

~ ~ ~

Scripture and a snapshot

Sunday scripture blessing

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Counting my blessings

 

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 I have been struggling with kidney stone complications/infections since just before New Years.

I've been in and out of the hospital and on/off of antibiotics.

After many delays I have finally had the procedure/surgery and am feeling better.

I didn't realize how bad I felt until I turned the corner toward feeling better.

I was in the hospital for 6 days and then home for a week after that!

My daughter and granddaughter came down to visit with me on Wednesday!

We went to the garden center and then out to lunch.

~

Six days is a very long time to be in hospital!

I was so blessed by the genuine care the nurses gave me.

There was a little family room at the end of the hall and I spent some time there every day because I had

a roommate and no window.

If I tilted my head to the right and held the blinds open with my foot I could see Abbot Hall which stands 

on the top of a large hill in my own home town.

It was comforting when I was feeling homesick.

~

My sister sent me this beautiful bouquet and every nurse, doctor, or visitor...or any of the other

gazillion people coming in to the room for either me or my roommate...stopped to admire them.

I have to say that I think they looked prettiest when they were home on my own kitchen table.

~

While I was at the garden center with Bonnie and Natalie I bought a beautiful

lavender topiary. It's on the bureau in my bedroom and it's so fragrant.

~

I spent some time planting my window box as well. It's not exactly a window box as it sits on the railing 

just outside of the back door. I took the picture from above so it looks a bit awkward.

I just love those daisy flowers whose name escapes me at the moment.

Friday fave fives

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A whole handful

 

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My daughter's sister-in-law snapped this sweet picture of me (on the left) and my daughters, 

Hannah (in the middle) and Bonnie (on the right).

I'm so grateful she captured us together.

~

My youngest granddaughter turned 5 over the weekend!

She's a whole handful now and truer words were never spoken!

~

My 7 year old granddaughter wanted to have a "slumber party" with me so all three children ended

up sleeping in front of the fire with me.

At one point I had me, Natalie, her giant stuffed octopus, and the big dog, Violet on one side of the

 sectional, Abigail on the other side, and Verne sleeping just beneath us in a cocoon of blankets. 

It was one of those very special moments when you stop to pay attention 

because you know it's not going to come around again. Needless to say I didn't get a whole lot of sleep.

~

HUGE snowstorm!!!

Just in case anyone anywhere anyplace in the USA didn't hear about it....

lots of snow and frigid temps!

I had snow days on Monday and Tuesday!

Yay!!!

P.S. This is not my car.

~

Tucker loved having me home for most of the week. 

We had a few conversations about who was going to stretch out on the couch...

he won most of them. He looks so comfortable I couldn't disturb him.

Friday fave fives

Winter snow

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I absolutely love walking about during a snowstorm!

Everything is so beautiful and still. It's almost like you're in a different world.

I was out walking on Monday morning and taking loads and loads of pictures.

I happened to hit the button that turns the camera to selfie without realizing it.

So...here I am.

Thankful for my health which allows me to scramble all over this little town I live in.

 I picked up this beautiful little chair at a local church rummage sail last weekend.

I desperately need a new sofa/loveseat and I have been trying to figure out what I want.

My style has been shabby chic for so long and I'm ready to move on!!

This chair has inspired me to find a new couch in the same sort of mid-century modern style.

I'll keep you updated.

~

Little Harbour in Marblehead is so picturesque. 

We had a bit of a snowstorm on Monday.

I went for a walk around the neighborhood of a morning. 

Everything was quiet and still because it was a holiday so people weren't up and about.

Almost the only movement was the snow falling from the sky and the waves 

slowly bringing in the higher tide.

~

I walked through the wood to old black Joe's pond which is almost all the way frozen over.

Not quite safe enough to skate on but well on it's way. 

~

I made myself a cup of hot cocoa and coffee, lit a fire, 

and Tucker and I settled in for a bit of a cat nap.

~ ~ ~

Friday fave fives

January brings the snow

 

Sunday. night and Monday morning we had some snow.

It wasn't exactly a storm as the tides were low and there was no wind but

we did get a significant amount of snow.

I got up early, bundled up, and went out walking.

Here are a few photos of my walk through the wood and down to both

Black Joe's and Redd's ponds.

It was absolutely beautiful out.

Nature Notes

Gleaning Grace

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t

Let all that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee:

let such as love thy salvation say continually,

The Lord be magnified.

Psalm 40:16

Scripture and a snapshot

Sunday scripture blessings

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Click here to enter

Laundry

 

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Tucker climbed up on my lap as I sat at my desk the other day. He put his front paws onto the surface of the desk as if to say, "hand me a pencil so I can add kitty treats to your grocery list."

~

I work at a school so last week was my first week back to work after our 2 week holiday break. 

The commute takes me past a beautiful beach and I just had to pull over one morning

to make a picture of this beautiful sunrise.

~

Sunday morning I woke very early and walked past the town landing on. my way to the little 

breakfast spot. It was very foggy and misty and everything looked so quiet and still.

~

The last weekend of Christmas break my granddaughters came to stay over night with me.

Abby painted this water color and wanted me to take a picture of it to send to her mother.

Her grandfather is a talented watercolor artist and has been giving her little lessons.

She is seven.

The other night my phone rang and I heard both of my granddaughter's little voices.

"You forgot to send the picture to mummy." Abby said.

And I could hear Natalie (she's almost 5) say, "I took a shower and used conditioner

in my hair like we do at your house, Hopie."

I love when they call me! I texted the picture right away.

~

My new washer and dryer finally got installed!!

What an ordeal that all was...so frustrating!

But, all is well except for the fact that I have so much laundry to put away.

~ ~ ~

Friday fave fives

Gleaning grace

 

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t

Create in me a clean heart, O God;

and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

Almost every morning for years and years I pray this short little Psalm

as I rise from bed. 

It keeps me clear about where my heart and head need to be during the day ahead and

it asks for forgiveness and restoration from any mistakes that I made the day before. 

~ ~ ~

Scripture and a snapshot

Sunday scripture blessings

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The Scully cap

 

I can hardly believe that my sweet and vivacious little Abigail has turned seven!!

I thank God every time I think of her.

She just turned 7 and Natalie will be 5 this month. It's crazy how fast it all goes by.

Tucker has become extra friendly toward me lately. As I sat at my desk doing some journaling one day he jumped up on my lap and laid his front paws onto the desk as if he was ready to sign some very important documents or something.  

I went for a short walk a few times this week when I got home from work.

I find if I walk before going into the house I am much more successful. Once I go inside

the chances of me going back out into the cold for a walk diminish greatly.

It's been so peaceful and quiet and beautiful.

~

I finally got a plumber in to fix the connector to the broken washing machine so that Home Depot

can remove it and replace it with my new washer and dryer set.

It's been such a hassle trying to line every one up!

Hopefully, I will have a brand new washer and dryer when I get home from work today

and I will spend the weekend happily catching up on laundry.

We always stop at the old-fashioned grocery market around the corner from my house when my grandchildren come to visit. We buy the things they like to eat, something for dinner, and we always get fresh flowers. This time Abby picked out some fresh cut purple Hyacinths which filled the house with the fragrance of spring and Natalie picked out a beautiful bouquet of pink tulips.

~

Friday fave fives

Screaming Woman's cove

 

I have been sick for the past 3 weeks with COVID, kidney stones, and a kidney infection that

put me in the hospital for 3 days. 

The first thing I did when I began to feel better was to bundle up and go for a walk in my

neighborhood.

I am so thankful for the beauty in the world around me!

Thankful Thursday
 

Gleaning grace

 

t

So teach us to number our days,

that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

As I consider this past year and turn my thoughts towards the new one this Psalm

comes to mind. My prayers, my deep prayers for the world we live in is that we may all

find wisdom for the short amount of time we are here on this earth. 

I wish you peace and love in the coming year and in all the seasons of your life.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Scripture and a snapshot

Sunday scripture blessings

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Happy New Year

 

We had snow on New Year's Eve and New Year's day.

It was absolutely beautiful, so fresh and renewing. What a beautiful way to start 2026.

I didn't go out on New Year's because I am just getting better after a kidney infection that put me 

in hospital for 3 days...also because I haven't gone out on New Year's Eve in about 30 years!

~

I was so blessed by some old friends who called to say they would come over on Friday to help me

with a plumbing problem that has stopped me from getting my new washing machine hooked up.

He is a plumber. 

It is so nice to have such old and caring friends. Especially since I am in my "wisdom era" (age)

and have begun to lose both friends and family. 

~

Abby and Natalie

They spent the night last night and are still sleeping as I type this morning.

We were watching a show that they enjoy and Abby was giving us a run down on

everything that was happening. Natalie said, "Abby, don't spoil the beans." 

~

I'm so very thankful for my health. I spent three days in the hospital last week and the first night I was in 

emergency room pod because there were 50+ people waiting for a bed!!!

On either side of me there was an older gentleman with dementia who was hitting people and spitting

on them and had to be restrained, and a young man who had been born addicted to drugs and had 

the neurological problems associated with that.  I got a bed in a beautiful private room in a brand new

 section of the hospital for the next 2 nights and I was very thankful for the quiet, the push button/electric 

controlled bed settings and the dimmable lights. There was even a focus wall painted a beautiful calming

blue colour. 

As I was cared for by various health care providers many of them commented that I was very lucky

to not be on any daily medications and that most people my age took daily pills.

I am very, very thankful for my health.

~

I love the quiet and peaceful promise of early mornings.

The girls and I brought home so tulips from the market yesterday and they look so pretty.

~

My husband, Joe, told me that our cat, Tucker, slept on my bed the entire time I was 

in hospital. When we spoke on the phone Joe put me on speaker and Tucker would come

running over to meow and sniff the phone. 

~

Bonus:

I have been sick for just over 3 weeks! It started with aches and pains, I had COVID, and then a kidney 

infection that I didn't realize until I went to the ER and they drew blood. Fortunately, I work in a 

school and we were closed for the last two weeks of December so I only missed 6 days of work.

I cannot tell you how grateful I am for this little bloggy group and getting back to normal

by posting my Friday fave fives. 

I love reading about all of the things you are grateful for every week. You inspire me to 

add gratitude to my daily habits as well and I love sharing them with you. 

Thank you Sue, for putting this together and giving us all a place to come to.

I know that this year has been a difficult one for you. 

My wish for us all is that 2026 brings peace, love, joy, and hope in a world where those things 

are not always easy to find.

~

Friday fave fives

Little harbor snow

 

Every year the Little Harbor boat yard sets out a little Christmas tree in a dory. At night it is lit up...don't ask me how they get lights out there!

 

It snowed on Christmas Eve so I walked around town a bit and saw families walking down to the Little Harbor Lobster Company to pick up their Christmas Eve seafood casseroles.

If you want you can bring your own casserole dish and they will make their famous and delicious seafood casserole in your dish!

~

This sweet little house is just around the corner from me. It was built in 1700 and sits on the tiniest little windy street. 

The folks that own it also own two businesses in town. She has owned a small jewelry shop since I was a teenager and he owns a specialty wine and liquor store. Their shops are just around the corner in "Old Town" so they can walk to work.

~

Every year for the past three or four years we have gathered at my daughter, Hannah's, house to celebrate Winter Solstice. We exchange small gifts, usually second hand books and things like that. The children do get gifts but we keep it very simple for the adults. 

~

I was sick with COVID again this year! I was home from work from the 16th through the 17th of December and then my two week break started. (I work in a school)

My cat, Tucker, has taken to curling up on top of me whenever I lay down on the couch!

~

A few weeks before Christmas when I was visiting y grandchildren, Natalie, the almost 5 year old, gave me a sealed green envelope and told me to put it under my tree and not to open it till Christmas. 

When I opened it I discovered a purple crayon, a black pen, and a picture drawn on another envelope that fit right inside the green one. 

I think the picture is of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.

~

Friday's fave five