Still Here, Sort of

In ten days time I will have experienced the funeral of a friend's father, a son's surprise engagement, scary error messages and warnings from blogger, holiday parties and gatherings with friends new and old, unplanned work obligations, a massive nasty respiratory thingy, a Wedding, a Christening and a stuttering camera shutter leaving me with just a few questionable photos to document it all.

Oh, and Christmas happened somewhere in the middle of all of that too.
{No new babies (as far as I know!) to complete the spectrum.}
Whew.

Happiness, tears, hugs, fears, joy, pain, love, bewilderment, contentment, questions, appreciation, smiles, laughter and always thankfulness.

 The range of life's emotions not necessarily corresponding to the appropriate life offering which is what makes for interesting times and perhaps fun stories to tell later on.

As for today, I will try to catch up and ignore the scary error warnings until blogger ignores me and concentrate on figuring out a way to fix my camera and pictures.
The rest, I believe, will figure out a way to fix me!

 

My all grown up boys and their ladies.

 

 Take Care,
Joan

 



Service to others is what the season is all about.

I need not look too far to find a good example on how to live one's life for the betterment others.

 

A lady who knows how to live life to the fullest retired today (many years after the age norm) from the parochial school where she had worked for some time.

 The very same school that two of her children, eight of her grandchildren and one great-grandchild had attended.

{That alone is pretty special}

She was the schools honorary grandmother to all and prolific story teller to keep everyone entertained.

The entire school and parish community truly love her.

She was honored with  blessings from the Friars,

 the St. Francis of Assisi medal for Service from the Providence

 

kind words from her colleagues

and lots of hugs from the children.

 

 

My mother deserved it all.

Knowing her zest for anything fun, it's going to be quite interesting to see what comes next!

 

 

 



Greetings from the city place.
  

We had a house itty bitty condo full of loved ones as

Kate and her family of 5 lost power at their home earlier this week due to all the icky weather we have been experiencing. We all snuggled in for a day and night of fun with the little guys, and stores of patience in the crowded space from all of us big people.

Good thing for Legos and crayons for the grandsons,

a few good reads for Kate (some from our building's leave a book/take a book room...such a great idea),

and knitting needles for me.
 

And good wine on hand for us both. 

 

I did manage to get my big orange sweater completed just in time for a snow packed morning.

Pendleton made with Empire by Jill Draper

Now onto socks for a friend.

It's quiet here now.

Too quiet.

I do so love when I am surrounded by laughter and fun and a bit of chaos.

It just works a whole lot better at the farm!

Stay warm my friends,

~Joan

 

 

 Sharing with Yarn Along

Zoo Lights

A warn evening had us across the river from our city condo to The National Zoo to see this:

 

 

 

                                                                                  



The Grandsons where excited,

 

and wide eyed as can be

 

 

to see all the animals glowing animals,

 

 

 

 

and a few real creatures too.

 

cuddling gorillas

 

the boys LOVE the reptile house every time. Not my favorite.

 

All the while having little fun with the glow sticks.

 

 

 

A very fun evening indeed.

 

My favorite was the falling snow lights
 

Hope you have a lovely weekend,

~Joan

 

 

 

 

 



Thanksgiving Day

A small lovely gathering,

 

 

That started with some outside fun,

 

Tree fort in progress inspection and create-a-game called rotten apple tossing

and then some inside fun.

Uncle playing and mini Waterford toasting with the apple juice the grandsons had made themselves.

Ending with a magnificent sunset 

 

 

and elegant desert.

 

Lime and Pomegranate tart
{I was all pumpkin baking out from the fall harvest so opted for something very different}

 

Always so much to be Thankful for.

 

~Joan

 

 

The backyard Oak shook it's mighty branches and demanded some equal fame time with the front yard Oak.

 

 

There will be lots of family fun taking place under, around and maybe even in this beauty over the weekend. I will be a happy Momma.

I hope your weekend is wonderful too.

~Joan



And I think To Myself....

.....What a Wonderful World.

 

 

 

This morning's sunrise courtesy of the ever changing mighty oak in our front pasture.

 

Happy Sunday

~Joan

 

 



Color Fixation

I seem to have a slight focus on a certain shade lately.

Not traditionally one of my favorite hues.

 

that's a really big skein of yarn

 which is turning into this big needle project.

 

To go along with the small needle project.

 

 

 

Then there is

putting the garden to rest for the winter on the big machine,

 

 

 

while dreaming of what is to come in the spring.

 

My current favorite 'read'. But all I have done so far is admire the photos. (Don't tell my oldest son)

But really, it all is inspired by this ever changing view from my front porch:

 

I know. Amazing. Please do not wake me up.

 

As long as I don't start painting walls or pay a visit to the hair colorist, I think we will be Ok.

 

~ Joan

 

Sharing with Work-in-Progress Wednesday

and

Yarn Along

 

Baby Wells is on board with the color theme too.



A Saturday Harley Ride

Up and over the mountain,

 





 

to the oh so lovely town of Culpeper,

Wine bars, coffee houses, gourmet deli, unique restaurants and shops. Can't wait to explore again.

 

a moment to enjoy each other,

 

and a wonderful bit to eat.

Smoked salmon appetizer at the Hazel River Inn

 

Then back on the open road heading home, taking in the scenery.

 

What a great day.

Hope yours was too.

~Joan

My Favorite Trick-or-Treaters...

 

Their pet parrot {and caretaker}...

 

 

...and of course all scallywags need a proper Pirate Ship...

 

Made by Uncle Bummy and his most creative mind.

                                                                     What a fun night!

 

 



Happy Pumpkin Day!

Brought to you by a front porch stumbled upon during a walk in Old Town Alexandria, VA.



What a Beautiful day for a little knitting in the sun.

 

 

Dreambird by Nadita

 

Wish you could join me.

 

~Joan

 

 ***

Sharing with Work-in-Progress Wednesday



Entertaining the Grandsons on a brisk fall day:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you had a wonderful weekend too.

~ Joan