I stood out in the snow and cried

It's snowing here in the northeast.  Who's been dreaming of a white Halloween?  Which one of you was it?  Well, it's come true.

Pumpkin seeds roasting on an open fire...

Doesn't have quite the same ring to it, eh?

The snow will probably all be gone by tomorrow, but it is beautiful to look at.  I love the snow.  I love watching it fall.  It is very soothing.  Like watching fish swim, or horses graze out in the fields, or sun shining on your face.  Yes, watching snow fall makes me smile, just as much as that first sun-shiny day after a bitter cold winter.  Is it because I am a gemini?  I like winter and summer.  Fall and spring.  Snow and sunshine.

Today was a grey, miserable day.  It rained all day long.  We spent our day running errands and dodging raindrops and loafing on the sofa watching TV.  Maybe it wasn't so grey and miserable.  But, in terms of weather, it was grey and miserable.  And then, just a few minutes ago I looked out and saw snow.  Actual snow flakes falling from the sky.  It was magical.  I ran outside and looked up.  It was beautiful.  And, then I looked over at Hoss' tree.  Yes, he has a tree.  Or, had...  He passed away a few weeks ago.  I miss him every day.  I look at Hoss' tree and it makes me smile and cry at the same time.  I guess that is the definition of bittersweet.  Whenever Hoss was out back and wanted to relax he could always be found lounging under his tree.  I think he liked the shade of it on a warmer day and the soft buzzing of bees gathering pollen was probably soothing to him.

As I looked up in the sky and watched the snow flakes come down and felt the coldness of them melt on my face and land on my hair... in that moment I knew Hoss was in heaven.  Who else would be sending me down gorgeous snow flakes this early in the season?  Hoss was hanging out with St. Francis and was thinking of us.  He wanted to let us know that that he was thinking of us.  I felt him all around me.

Snow was Hoss' absolute favorite.  Just as much as he liked to lounge outside under his tree on a sunny day he loved to lie outside in a blizzard and chill.  Hoss was the king of chillaxing.

We could all learn a thing or two from a St. Bernard.

I anticipate this winter being quite a bittersweet one.  And, so, I stood out in the snow, turned my face up to the falling snowflakes, and cried.


I love you my darling.

I miss you.

What doesn't happen when it snows...

There is no al fresco dining:

no sunbathing:

no reading outside in my chair:

But, that's okay.  I love the snow.  I sit by the windows and watch it fall.
It's better than going to the movies.  Isn't it?

Plus, my dog loves it.  This is his kind of weather.

If it weren't for Hoss we would never get the back deck cleared of snow.
He's our canine snow plough.

An Extra Hour

will get you a nice sleep

will allow your children to wake up happy and rested

will get you a freshly mown lawn

a relaxing breakfast

all of this before noon

the day is still young

love me an extra hour

thank you daylight savings

you have definitely saved my day

FIJI, by Kate

Here are some photos that Kate shared of her trip to Fiji.  She took about 872203, and I wanted to narrow it down to about 5 for a blog post, but failed.

Here is what I ended up with:

Isn't it gorgeous? 

This is Monuriki Island where Castaway with Tom Hanks was filmed.  

Wilson!??!!  

Every beach has pesky birds.  Even paradise.  

A village ceremony where they drink a not so tasty concoction.  

Every island I have been to has stray dogs running about, 

and Fiji seems to be no exception:

cutie!

Here is where I would like to relax and read a book:

All photos and information provided by:

Comments by me!

Summer Fruit

Would you like to know what I think is great about Kiwis?

When you have finished enjoying their delicious sweetness, you can fill the skin with more delicious sweetness.

Perfect for little hands.

I think this is where a blueberry fell in the pool:

yum!

I Believe in Santa Claus

If you're 5 years old what movie to you pack when you are going on summer vacation?

Why, a Christmas movie of course!

What is a hot day by the beach without a good ol' wintertime classic?!??

The Year Without A Santa Claus

Classic

I am sure all of you know the Heat Miser/Cold Miser songs.

I'm too much...da doo do do...

Who doesn't tear up when they hear this song?

Oh, Ignatius, you're not too old for Santa Claus.

Just believe in Santa Claus

Like you believe in love

Just believe in Santa Claus

And everything he does

Wipe that question from your mind

Yes, he does exist!

Just like love you knows he's there

Waiting to be missed

Just like love I know he's there

Waiting to be be missed

Nothing like cooling down on a hot summer day with a classic Christmas movie.

Gotta love those kids!

This was a day for...

Today's blog was inspired by this one. However, since I am writing this at the end of the day it will just be a bit different and probably not as eloquent.

Thanks for the inspiration, FPFG!

Today was a day for sunscreen and bathing suits

Reading by the pool

Kiwis and blueberries

Splishes and splashes

Jumps and flips

Crossword and Sudoku puzzles

Watching little feet dance across the floor

Tumbles and backflips and cartwheels

Picking out the best dress in which to twirl.

Twirl factor of a dress is very important!

Listening to music

Watching little fingers create original music as they move over ivory keys

Movies and snuggling

And sweet dreams

Turkey Vultures

In our neck of the woods we have quite a few turkey vultures, and hawks, and wild turkeys, and deer, and and and...it's just that kind of place. So, one day while I was out lounging on the deck while my little one was playing I noticed this up in the sky:

Hello!! I am alive down here, please stop circling me.

Well, he wasn't really up in the sky,

more like just above the treetops right over me.

I pinched myself just to make sure I hadn't died whilst lounging. It hurt, so I was still alive (phew) and had a bruise to prove it (ow). I moved around just so he wouldn't land next to me and start pecking.

lord bless us and save us, can you imagine??

He wasn't convinced.

What can I say? It was hot out, he probably thought I was a beached whale...

See that little speck in the clouds? That's another one. I guess it was lunchtime.

Finally he got the idea that this restaurant was closed and he would not be eating here today. Just stick with the highways buddy, there is always something lying around there.

See you later...

and away he flew~

Outdoor Seating

I love to read. I love it. Love love love it.

I especially love the classics, but will read anything. (Well, almost anything).

I also love to read outside when it is nice and sunny and warm and breezy.

I have been looking for a lounger for my deck (just for reading purposes) and came across this.

I just had to have it.

However, me, being me, I couldn't just buy it right then and there...on the spot?!?

No sir-reee bob.

Just with everything I purchase, I had to give it a lot of thought and deliberation (it's a blessing and a curse). So, I mulled over it and found a lot of other lounge chairs in stores and online that I thought looked nice. But, I always came back to this one.

It reminded me of the Dominican Republic. I loved the Dominican Republic.

So, a few months later, I bit the bullet and bought it.

It arrived today.

The UPS man leaned the box against my garage door.

It made me very excited when I saw it. I dragged it outback (with help from my little girl and her little red wagon) and put it together. ALL BY MYSELF! It was very easy.

No jimmy-rigging necessary (which is what sometimes has to be done when you buy furniture online and have to put it together yourself).

What do you think?

All that's missing is a cushion. I have to find one.

I don't think it will be too hard. It's that time of year, so they're everywhere.

I even bought the little side table.

I am not messing around when it comes to my lounge time.

That's the book I have to read for my next book club meeting.

Have you ever read it? Is it good? Will I be able to finish it in time?

Our next meeting is in 4 weeks. I guess I should start it soon...

Now that I have the chair it should be easy. right?!