Sylvia's Simple Shots

I took this shot at the Sturgeon River a few days ago.  

Ice is forming along the edge of the river but we still do not have snow.

We have had some flurries which whitened the ground for a few days and then disappeared.  I have to say that it has made driving wonderful in November.  I am so thankful.

I took a trip to the south this week in search of C7 light bulbs for my Mom's Christmas Light Window Candelabra.  I wanted to make sure that I had replacements when one burned out.

I checked the website which indicated that they had several packages of just yellow bulbs but when I arrived and inquired I was told they don't have any - data error.  So I bought a large box to get the 5 yellow ones.

I have taken photos of these lights many times over the years that Mom had them.  She loved them and it was one of the decorations she took with for her year at the lodge. 

These were in the picture window at the house every year.  She loved them and I loved them.  I just love the halos.

It was the only thing I wanted to inherit of hers when she passed.  They bring me comfort.  It is a little thing but a big deal to me.

I will enjoy them the whole season.

This is a cobalt blue glass bottle made from recycled glass made in Spain.

I love the pattern on the bottom, the texture of the glass and the fact that it is a flat bottle so does not take a lot of space despite it's height.

It will serve as a flower vase when I want flowers on the table and I have the yellow table cloth.

I have some blue linen that I want to make a table runner - the project is on the back burner.

I have been working on Christmas stuff a lot.

V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton.  This is my thirteenth novel in this series.

This one was a bit slow in my reading of it.  I could be my mood.

Kinsey Millhone witnesses a shoplifting incident at a shopping mall. What are the chances.  She so rarely visits department stores so to get embroiled in a conspiracy was a surprise.  Turns out Audrey Vance, the lady Kinsey saw take lingerie from the department store turns up dead a few days later.

This story involves a highly sophisticated fencing operation of stolen goods.  It is well organized where cells don't know all the players, works like a well oiled machine until Audrey is found dead.  She had her cog in the wheel and now there is no one to prepared the stolen goods and the stuff backs in the system. Kinsey is hired by her fiance to investigate and find out why Audrey died.

The mastermind of the operation is a crime boss, financier, "private banker" Lorenzo Dante.  He inherited the family business from his father who got into from his father. They all live on a large compound that Lorenzo supports for the aging members of his family.  He also supports a brother who has not inherited the gift for the business and has been in and out prison.  The should have cut those ties but it's family.  The brother makes a decision that will cost Dante all of it.

Mosaic Monday - Christmas Decor

I spent some time at a local nursery which does up Christmas in a big way.

There must have been 40 trees set up with several types of needles. Many were green, some silver, and even a few black ones.  The ornaments came in every color of ornament possible.  Red, blue, purple, silver, lime green, and cream/ivory to mention a few.  Some of the decor was rustic with wool, wood, and natural elements; some were glitzy with silver and sparkly ornaments; and some in the traditional colors of red and green. Ribbon in wide, organza, cotton, narrow and everything in between.

Several folks were asking about clearance or sales items and there were not to be had they were told by staff.  I guess they must practice true Boxing Day specials.

The gift area carries some lovely Christmas home decor items.  I found several really nice nativities with a life sized one being featured.

Sharing with Mosaic Monday #66 hosted by Maggie at Normandy Life.

Creating Christmas at my house

The place is looking like Christmas.

I have the wreath on the door.  It features green with pine cones and some sparkle from silver accents.  The glitter fruit, bird and silver ribbon bow. This is one I made myself several years ago.














The tree is up for the first time in several years!  

It's a 4 foot tree I have had for years. It's sitting on the antique trunk I use for a side table next to my chair.  The tree is decorated in a neutral color palette of clear lights, white pearl ball ornaments, clear glass ornaments, and 40 or so crystal tear drops rescued from an old chandelier and a few ornaments which I have received over the years that have sentimental value.


There is a green fabric tree skirt with a white ruffle which my sister made for me many years ago.  I have added some snow blanket on top of the skirt.
I have placed my tiny nativity on the snow with a glass tree and stained glass angel hanging from the tree in just the right place. 

The advent wreath is again in a neutral color palette with white tea lights in crackle glass holders placed in cylinder vases in 4 different heights with a tall beeswax candle in a crystal holder in the center.

The Advent Calendar is hung with one  figure being moved from the border edge to their place on the calendar every day!  This one was made by another sister several years ago who is a quilter.  Panel is by Nancy Halverson.

The bubble night light sits in the hall and provides a wonderful light and great pattern on the wall. This light brings me back to my childhood when we had a string of these on the tree.  As the liquid in the candle heats up bubbles magically appear. I was fortunate to find one at a craft sale some years ago and purchased it as a memento of years passed.

Finally, the Yule Log DVD is in the player ready to provide a Christmas atmosphere in the living room any time I need it.  It provides music as well as the crackle of the fire so it's perfect to craft to or have on when company is visiting.
Caramel popcorn is on the agenda for this week so that will be several recipes to share with friends and family. 
Sharing with Jann at Daily Cup with Mrs Olson on her turn at Creating Christmas link up.

Monday Mosaic - Busy Weekend

I had a very busy weekend so I have included a few photos from it's activities.  It snowed.  I have put up my Christmas decorations which includes my small ceramic tree which my aunt Irene made for me many years ago.  I choose to put only white lights. The telephone table was cleared to make room for the nativity.  I attended our Women's Ministries Christmas Brunch Saturday morning where the decor included turquoise ornaments.  I took an hour to take some pictures at the Conservatory.  I almost missed the nativity scene because it was so similar in color to it's surroundings.  I found a small blue bowl which matched my new dishes. It contains nuts, which points to my purchase of my supplies for caramel popcorn for the season.  I have many batches to make.  Also, it contains some Lindor Chocolates from lunch on Sunday where a friend and I had lunch for her birthday.  I managed to get back home in time to attend the 3rd Annual Community Carol Sing at the Lutheran church in the neighborhood.  I enjoyed it thoroughly!  We had good singing then hot cider and baking afterwards.  I met some new people from Brazil and Argentina.

Sharing at Mosaic Monday hosted by Judith at Lavender Cottage.