Yankee Candle~~~~Lemon Lavender

 My daughter in law wanted this candle for Christmas. 

It turned out to be "one for you & one for me".

I find myself walking by the candle, even when I don't have to, just to enjoy the aroma.

You really do need to go get one or two...or more!

I opted for the 2 below

Heavenly scent

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Garrett Popcorn

Though I have lived outside of Chicago for my entire life I never tasted Garrett Popcorn. 
I know, I know but I rarely go to the city much less know where I'm going when I get there! 
So finally we were there with my city savvy son and girlfriend and there it was....

I couldn't believe I was actually right there by Garretts.

Hey Miss Susie I finally made it!

The line was long and it was cold but we were in and out in about 15 minutes and we had our popcorn!

Garrett Mix

Oh my is all I can say....I am looking forward to going again...soon I hope!

Vintage Apple Core Quilt

My Kindle DIL found this beautiful vintage apple core quilt top in a thrift store recently. She was going to resell it but I convinced her (it wasn't very hard) to keep it for herself and get it quilted. 
The colors are beautiful and it is in wonderful condition.
Anyway she had it machine quilted and I put the binding on for her.
I have never seen this pattern is all my years of sewing and my limited years of quilting. She will be taking it home soon to put with all her wonderful stash of vintage quilts that she has found over the years.

Isn't it just lovely? 

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Tribune Tower in Chicago

We spent a lovely Saturday in downtown Chicago with my son and girlfriend a couple weeks ago. They know the city so well and it makes getting places a breeze!
We were walking by the Tribune Tower and Sarah mentioned that they had inlaid stones from all over the world on the outside of the building. 

Right up my alley!

So incredibly interesting. Here are a few of them.

Fresh Fruit

Right after the first of the year I decided to make a special trip to the store. 
I wanted and needed to get away from all the food of the last several weeks. 

The heavy meals and all the sugar!

It was delicious and I enjoyed each bite but I started craving normal meals, fruit and vegetables.

Since dear husband won't eat fruit, silly man, I just bought a small amount for myself.

Correction: He will eat strawberries if they are dipped in chocolate first!

Winter Solstice

Each year as Christmas and the New Year approaches I reread Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher. I love curling up under warm covers with something hot to drink and settle in for awhile. I love reading about Elfrida  & Oscar's trip to Scotland in the wintertime. They talk about snow, sleet and gale force winds and you learn to love all the characters as the plot is revealed. I have never been able to visualize very well the house they occupied in Creagan but I think that I could sit in the parlour just as comfortably as I could at home.
It's hard to imagine that there will be no more books from such a extraordinary writer. I will cherish all of her books and continue to reread them.

New Job Search is On

Well it's official, I'm unemployed. The company I worked for is moving to Florida. The announcement came right before Labor Day and they closed December 19th. 
It's such a strange feeling  not to have to go in to the office. I'm not upset tho, nor am I sad about all this. I am trying to look at this as a start of another chapter in my life even tho it was unexpected. And another opportunity to grow and learn more in a new job.

First application sent this morning......whew.....glad that's over. 

What a horrid time of year to be looking for a job! 

But I'm trying to optimistic none the less.

Merry Chirstmas

Another Christmas is coming to an end. 

Lots of preparation

Lots of cleaning

Lots of cooking

Lots of company

But more wonderful memories and gratefulness for family and friends.

Wishing that all of you had a very Merry and Blessed Christmas Day.

Ukuleles

I was just walking in the door yesterday after work and my phone is ringing. I couldn't get it out of my pocket before it went to voice mail tho....don't you just hate that?!
Well, it was friend Susie and I called back right away and all I could hear was this music in the background. Couldn't figure out why I was hearing "When All the Saints Come Marching In".
So then the voice mail dings at me and I start to listen and it's the same song!
Before you know it, the dear calls me once more and AGAIN all I hear is that song.....
I decide to be patient and lo and behold it is my two dear friends, Susie & Chris singing and.....

Wait for it....

playing ukuleles

                 

Now you know why I love to go to see them.

Unexpected they are and a hoot to boot!

After a long day at work I needed the chuckle.

Comfort Foods = Yummy Casserole

Winter is officially here……early! We never even had Indian Summer!

Multiple layers of clothes in an attempt to stay warm

Winter coats, hats, gloves

Higher heating bills

However this is also the time of year for what I fondly call comfort foods. Things that sound perfectly awful in the summer when all I want to do is have something quick and get outside.

So hello to Chili, 

soup

and things that I actually cook instead of throwing on the grill

 and of course Yummy Casserole.

This recipe had a very generic name so I decided to rename it

 and since dear husband and I are always are saying Yummmm when we have it seemed logical to dub it 

"Yummy Casserole"

AND here's my dream kitchen where I would love to cook it!
Tho my kitchen is perfectly lovely I would love to have all this extra room!
And the stove....and the windows...and the fabulous island...and the lighting
And those plates in the glass cupboard!

Kaleidoscopes

I have a  fascination with kaleidoscopes.

 Friend Joanne bought one for me for my birthday years ago and it is a constant source of amusement for not only myself but for my grand kids as well.

Son and Kindle DIL also gave me  one that has pieces of glass to make the designs. There are two pieces that rotate to make the designs even more beautiful.

I'm so easily amused!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday....hands down.

There is no agenda

No presents

Just good food and better company

This is the day that gratitude overwhelms me for I am so blessed with amazing family, friends and a wonderful life.

Thank you for stopping in to read my blog.....you have no idea how much it means to me.

So Happy Thanksgiving......and please know how blessed I feel today knowing you are reading this.

I wish all an abundance of peace and happiness...



Disney Coffee Mug

Miss Heather showed up at work with this mug  after her trip to Disney World.

Utterly adorable!

Miltenberg, Germany

~~Miltenberg, Germany~~

I discovered a new city in Germany that is at the top of 

my "must go to" list if I get back to Europe again.

....oh my gosh......doesn't it look amazing.

 I discovered it on Pinterest of all places!

I traveled there yesterday via the internet. 

Cartwheels

I was visiting with dear friend Jeanne today and since it had been way too long since we had talked we covered alot of topics in a short time. She reminded me that about a year ago I tried to do a cartwheel. I was the cartwheel queen at one point of my life. I could even do cartwheels with a flip. 
I was good....really good. So why couldn't I do it now...of course I can.
So when everyone was gone one day I decided to practice in the house. There must have been a part of me that was worried I would fail since I didn't dare go in the back yard in front of all the neighbors. Anyway long story short.....my cartwheel skills are entirely gone. I couldn't do it ....at all.
I have to admit I was shocked at myself. 
In my head I was capable of the perfect cartwheel and the reality was quite different. 

You do know that I will probably have to try again.