Happy New Year

A Bayberry candle burned to the socket

brings health to the home

and wealth to the pocket.

Wishing all a Happy, Healthy New Year!

A Few of My Favorite Things

brown paper packages tied up with string...
these are a few of my favorite things

Dear Mom,

I love these quiet days after Christmas.
The reward for surviving all the preparation and frenzy of the weeks before.
And a well-timed snow storm gave us an extra day and a very good excuse to stay home and relax.

On Christmas morning, we had waffles made from scratch. Far more delicious and more filling than the Bisquick waffles that are so easy to make.



Olive has been entertained  obsessed distracted  occupied by the squirrels on the bird feeder. Back and forth from the window to the back door. Desperately wanting to get those varmints when she is on the inside, then sloooowwwlly stalking them when she gets outside. Sneaking up on them, getting with in a few feet of them..... and then freezing in place. Waiting for them to make the next move. Or maybe giving them a chance to escape, because maybe she knows she really doesn't want to catch one!

The Amaryllis is just beginning to bloom. 

It almost looks artificial.

And a gift opening itself after all the other gifts have been opened.

This photo was taken through a window blurred by melting snow-

the cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches and squirrels are striking in their beauty.

Like Olive, I can't help but stop everything to watch them.

Love,

Kim

Olive the Other Reindeer

Dear Mom,

She is a very good dog to be putting up with this.

But she has been the best puppy.

And Olive has skills that Bumper and Patsy didn't have-

And pretty much the naughtiest thing she has done was trying to bury her toys in a potted plant.

oh. 

And chew the corner off the down comforter to make it "snow" inside.

um.

And eat that Christmas ornament made by the Young Man in 2nd grade. 

And despite being too wiggly to get a good focused photo...

Olive is A Very Good Dog.

Love,

Kim

Worth Reading!

Dear Mom,
I want to shout a great big AMEN! to this post! 
Love,
Kim