FORCING SPRING BLOOMS...

My Dad always used to force buds to bloom in the spring so that he could draw them.  He was very successful with Forsythia branches and Maple leaves.  I have had more fun watching an unidentified tree twig from my neighbor's yard with blooms emerging.  It may be a Japanese Magnolia but I could not find the furry hulls covering the blossom on line or in any of the books I have. 

This is what it looked like when I first picked it and put it in water on my kitchen counter.  The buds are huge!

Who knew that the furry 3 petaled hull was hiding a beautiful pink blossom!

It has been such a thrill to see the blossom emerging at last.  In searching for the species I learned that they may be propagated by rooting the branch.  I hope mine will root.  My daughter told me to dip it in Cinnamon as that is an ingredient in root toning products.  I will try it.

Thanks for coming today, please leave a comment, I love them!  And if you have time, please visit my other blogs in the sidebar. 

February already?

My Paperwhite flowers grown from bulbs inside, are so prolific now that I had to tie the heads up with a piece of yarn!  So much fun to have fresh flowers as these when there is snow outside!  I cannot believe we are into February already!  The winter here has been harsh but moving right along!

These are buds from my neighbors tree.  I have not identified the tree as yet but these furry buds are huge, perhaps an inch in length and look like an overgrown Pussy Willow!  I am going to see if I can force it to open in the house.  My Dad used to do this each Spring with Maple branches.  He would draw the sprig in India Ink and pen and then again when leaves came out.  I still have one of these drawings and need to get it out for viewing...

Lilly is my constant welcome companion whenever I am at the computer.  If she is not bringing me her toys to throw for her and fetch, she is sleeping on my lap.

She Likes being under any little bit of my sweater-ha!

My beautiful Great Granddaughter Sofiah turned one on January 28th.  It does not seem possible that a whole year has gone by and two years since my beloved Bill passed.  He is in my heart and mind every day and I miss him terribly.  

I hope the beginning of February is a happy time for you all and thank you for visiting today.  I would love for you to leave a comment.  It is easy and I treasure them.

My heart to yours...

Mid-Winter....

Good morning Dear Hearts!  My computer has been down and I thought I had lost it for good but miraculously and with a good neighbor's help, it is revived!!

The photo of the Paperwhites I have grown from bulbs.  This is the first time I have raised any flower from a bulb inside the house!  They are fascinating, growing so rapidly and bringing joy to my winter rooms!

I have also been busy trying to settle things from a rear-ender that happened on January 4th.  No major damages to the car or myself except for whiplash.  Finally, I received the insurance check so I can get my car repaired.  It is only the second time in my whole old life that I have had an accident and the first time was a rear ender, too-LOL!  Why don't people keep their eyes on the road?  I was in a stopped line of traffic both times and the accident happened because the drivers looked away...

I just finished a new-born cupcake hat in knit, just love it!  (you may purchase my homemade things on my Kerrie's Krafts 3 blog :)  Also, a Hood bonnet is featured there.

I am enjoying the front yard birds that come to my feeder.  I placed it in front of the dining room window where my computer is near so I can watch all the goings on with Cardinals, Blue jays, and House Wrens visiting.  The Cardinals are always the most skiddish and I am constantly trying to get a good shot before they dash away-ha!

They dash away to the branches of the Rose of Sharon bush.  I never thought about electrical wires being in the photos now as in SC, everything is run underground.  Not much has changed in my hometown-ha!

And of course I have a squirrel buddy here trying to figure out the best course of action to pounce on the feeder below.  So far, he has not found a way and merely watches me as I take his picture-ha!

Thank you so much for visiting me today and come back soon!  If you have time, please visit my other blogs listed in the sidebar.  And leave a comment, it is very easy to do and I treasure them! :) Have a most wonderful day!

Kerrie  

Snow Birds of a Feather...

I am so thrilled that the birds are not as skiddish as they have been seeing me in the window with my camera and this morning the Cardinals were so beautiful on snow covered branches!

The female still shy of seeing me.

 

This male Cardinal photo was taken in the morning.

 

This one is my favorite!

 

And finally, I caught the male at the feeder, maybe he is getting used to me in the window! Ha!

 

I am linking today with Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday, check out all the other links for Saturday at the bottom of her post!

Thank you for coming, see you next time!

My wild heart to yours....

 



♫♫CHRISTMAS TREE, O' CHRISTMAS TREE...♫♫

Good Morning Sweet Bloggers!! The season is upon us and I marvel at how fast the days go by!  My little tree has ornament overload because I cannot leave any little sentimental ornament in the box! Ha!

My Mom, my Bill, cousins and friends as well as my grown children have contributed through the years.  My favorite is the Madonna of the Poor ornament by far...

 

 The Milkweed pod ornament was made when my children were little and it has survived many Christmases.

The little Moon Santa below is one of our own creations.  I would draw a pattern, Bill would cut it out and then I would paint it.  I have several that are very large for wall deco.

Although this is a little blurry, it is also one of my favorites, my original Santa face painted on a light bulb that is shaped like a flame.  I covered the threaded part with a bit of red plaid fabric for his hat.

 

This one is one I drew and then Bill had cut out of roof flashing metal!  Love it!  I miss my Bill so much and it was hard decorating without him.  So many memories!

 

And Last but not Least, a photo from outside when done.  It is only a 3 ft. tree but I hung just as many ornaments on it as if it were a large floor tree-ha!

 

And here is my little Lilly in her new doggy Christmas neckerchief that my cousin sent in the mail today.  Love it!

 

Thank you so much for stopping by and do check out the other Pink Saturday posts to see what others are sharing at Beverly's How Sweet the Sound! 

My heart to yours...

WINTER WONDERLAND

Okay, so I woke to a foot of snow! I'm ecstatic but my car suddenly realizes this isn't South Carolina any longer...I haven't bought my shovel yet so I sweep a path for my little Lilly Chihuahua and she tries to blazen her own trail through the snow until it is up to her pretty little chin and then she decides to wet on the sidewalk. I sweep a path to my car and barely make it to church on unplowed roads. 

What? The pianist/organist got in a fender bender last night and I am grabbed to play?  They overlook the news that I do not sight read notes-LOL!   However, I muddle through several hymns telling myself I am doing my best to make a Joyful noise unto the Lord. Well, I did get the noise part down pat! 

Leaving church, I drive to Lowe's on now plowed roads and buy a snow shovel, and 2 huge bells to hang on the front door, a scraper/brush for my car which is still looking for South Carolina.   Arriving home, I see that my wonderful neighbor has snow blown the front public sidewalk- Hurray! I then shovel where I swept before and am pleased that no heart attack ensued while executing this task.   Life is good, God is better...
♫♫Sleighbells ring, are ya listenin'? ♫♫

The view taken through the window screen of snow-covered Rose of Sharon Branches.

Thanks for coming!  Happy Thanksgiving Week to all of you!

My wild heart to yours...

♥

Kerrie

GIVE THANKS TO CAREGIVERS

'TIS THE SEASON OF THANKSGIVING... I am thanking God for Caregivers.  My house is decorated with the colors of Autumn and harvest in browns, oranges, reds and yellows.

 

 

I have a friend who had a stroke several years ago and she is in a wheelchair and for the most part housebound.  She lost her dear husband the same year I lost my Bill to cancer.  We have always had a common bond...

 

She gave me this beautiful fall bouquet as a surprise.  I bring her some homemade suppers once a week and we visit.  She raises amazing flowers and plants with just the use of her one hand.  She manages to live alone with her dog and except for a son who sleeps in the house, she is quite alone.  She never complains and I cherish our visits as we share our memories and her youth which is quite remarkable.  Here are some of her beautiful plants:

 

Don't foget to see other pink wonders at Beverly's How Sweet the sound because it is Pink Saturday again!!

I am blessed as much by our visits as she is and I treasure my times with her.  I remember how hard it was when I was caregiver for my Sweet husband for the eight long years he suffered with Multiple Myeloma and I know how taxing emotionally and physically it can be.  If you are a caregiver, I am sharing some tips from United Healthcare and hope it helps you in your journey...

Thanksgiving for Care Giving

Take a moment this holiday season to give thanks to the caregivers in your life. Even family members who are pitching in could use a few kind words for their extra efforts.

If you are the caregiver, give yourself a pat on the back. It's only very special people who can serve the special needs of others. Caregiving can be rewarding but it can also be stressful. While caregiver stress is very common, people may not pay attention to the warning signs. Warning signs can include feeling tired, depressed, and unhappy. Sometimes when you feel stressed, you may not take care of yourself and forget to exercise, eat properly and rest.

Caring for Caregivers

If you're feeling stressed, try these tips:

• Accept Help — Make a list of the ways other people can help you. Picking up groceries and bringing in a meal are easy tasks to assign someone who wants to help. • Take a Break — Go for a walk with a friend, read a book, or call a family member. • Seek Advice — Ask your doctor about support groups and other resources to help.

Practice good self-care. This may improve your quality of life and create positive energy. For more tools and resources, visit the AARP Health & Wellness Caregiving Learning Center. Thanks so much for visiting today and may  God's love and blessings go with you. My heart to yours...   For an update on Little Rylen Lynch, a  living miracle, visit my christian blog that  I will be sharing today: http://kerrieshomejournal.blogspot.com    Thank You!