Christmas 2018

This is the only nativity on display at my house this year. 

Craft sales and other projects took up much of my time and the results it was coming down to Dec 23 to decorate.



Then the battery in my car died on Sunday night and I had to get some help to diagnose the problem. Thanks to my brother-in-law who came when I called; my sister who drove me home at midnight, and my brother with the knowledge to determine the problem.

I borrowed this book from the lounge in the apartment building at Mom & Dad's.  I had read the Lilac Bus but the Firefly Summer and the Silver Wedding were new to me.

The Firefly Summer was long in places.  It covers the re-building of a mansion which burned down in the early 1900s.  It is in a small Irish town and the consequences of coming to town bringing American tourists is a concern.  The pub nearby will likely lose it's business, the project manager is happy to have a big project during the construction phase, the local kids used to play in the ruins and now that has changed.

There are a couple of tragedies which take place.  Again, changes are taking place with sadness and adjustment needed.

It has a great ending.




We had a wonderful Christmas lunch with around 40 in attendance.  We had a children's gift exchange and an adult exchange.  This is the wonderful food provided in our potluck. 

Mom & Dad enjoyed have their extended family to celebrate the birth of Jesus. 

We had great weather for all of us who traveled several hours to get there. 

Boxing Day was a wonderful day.   The sky was blue, the sun was highlighting the hoar frost on the trees.

The snow machines were started and those who wanted a ride got a ride across the yard and fields.

I am getting ready for New Year's Eve.

Enjoy!

Mosaic Monday - Recent Photos

I do have my Christmas wreath on the front door.  I updated it this year with a vintage glass ornament. It is deep red with gold dots and has a matte finish.

I used a clear wreath hanger since I don't have a gold one which would work best.

I am still working on the decorations on the inside.













I recently finished another Maeve Binchy book called the The Copper Beech which is the tree in the Shancarrig school yard.  The book follows several young people who have carved their initials in the bark of the tree.  Eddie becomes a pen pal to someone in Scotland. They share many interests and letters go back and forth between them.  They eventually share telephone calls but only after he discovers that he has been writing to the "girl".  She eventually comes to visit Ireland and decides to stay!

I broke down and bought the lastest Kate Morton book - The Clockmaker's Daughter.  It is as epic as her previous books.                                                                 It involves a long abandoned mansion, families in recent history as well as many years ago and some delightful mysteries involving a blue gem.                                                                    It is written in the from the Clockmaker's Daughter point of view who lived in the house.  I resisted just reading day and night but I have to admit the last half was consumed with little eating and a few bathroom breaks.                                         The colorful tile was a purchase at the art show in early December.  It is art by Val Enders. 

It is decorated with a process called Alcohol Ink Painting.  It is 3x6 inches.  The color is vibrant and gorgeous!  It seems that it may have a clear coat over the paint to protect it.  

It has a hanger on the back which allows it to be hung and enjoyed.

I bought this little metal yellow bicycle last week.  It was filthy but after a soak in soapy water and some tender care with an old toothbrush it was bright and shiny.

I am working on scenarios to place into for my photography.  I think a white picket fence would be great or a nice tree like the front of the Binchy book cover.

I am sharing with Mosaic Monday #7 hosted by Angie at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf.

Recent Pics

I took this photo yesterday morning.

As I was driving the sky was blue, pink and yellow but about 5 minutes later the colors are gone and I got the yellow shot.

I love the pronounced circle of the sun.

It was very early in the morning and the coolness was very much appreciated.

I was off to water my row of flowers as well as friend's garden and flower pots.

This is the first summer I cannot pick raspberries at Mom's since they moved to senior housing last August.  I really want to have enough for Raspberry Bavarian.  I got enough I am sure.  Will be making that this week.

Watering the plants was nice when doing it in the early morning.

Love the water drops on rose leaves.


I have read a couple of books recently.

The one on the left I think is the first for Maeve Binchy.  It was a wonderful story about a girl from England who is sent to Ireland during the war.  She lived with a family known by her mother for 5 years.  The Irish girl became her best friend.

Interesting relationships in this book.

The Last Lecture is a touching true story by the author who wrote a last lecture for his children.

This book holds many truths and lessons to live a great life.

Very insightful thoughts and very much appreciated.

Sharing with Mosaic Monday #94 hosted by Maggie at Normandy Life.

Viral Time Out

I have received a viral time out.  I have been sick in bed and couch for 10 days.  A visit to the doctor confirmed that I did not have a sinus infection or lung infection and as this is likely a viral infection no medication will be prescribed.

The doctor confirmed that I will likely be miserable but should I be worse in a week come back.  I can tell you I was not impressed.

I spent nights not able to sleep in my bed because when I laid down I coughed like crazy.  I tried all kinds of solutions.

I drank a lot of water and ginger lemon hot tea helped with the very  sore throat.   I was fortunate to have Olympics to watch, and a couple of books to read.

I have turned the corner and know that I will be well soon.

This book takes place in Greece and fills some of the stories I have read about in other books.

In a Greek taverna, high over the small village of Aghia Anna, four people meet for the first time: Fiona, an Irish nurse, Thomas, a Californian academic; Elsa, a German television presenter; and David a shy English boy. Along with Andreas, the old man who runs the taverna, they become close to each other after witnessing a tragedy when a pleasure steamer catches fire in the harbour.

NIGHTS OF RAIN AND STARS is the story of one summer when Fiona, Thomas, Elsa and David all have to face the particular life crisis which first made them leave their homes and end up in Greece. With the help of Vonni, a middle-aged Irishwoman who lives in the village and is now a near native, they each find a solution - although not necessarily the one they anticipated...

Ella Brady wants to film a documentary about Quentins that will capture the spirit of Dublin from the 1970s to the present day. After all, the restaurant saw the people of a city become more confident in everything from their lifestyles to the food that they chose to eat. And Quentins has a thousand stories to tell. But as Ella uncovers more of what has gone on at Quentins, she begins to wonder whether some secrets should be kept that way...

Every table at Quentins Restaurant has a thousand stories to tell: tales of love, betrayal and revenge. Ella Brady wants to make a documentary about the renowned Dublin restaurant that has captured the spirit of a generation and a city in the years it has been open.

In Maeve Binchy’s magical Quentins you will meet new friends and old: the twins from Scarlet Feather, the Signora from Evening Class, Ria from Tara Road – and a host of fresh faces. There is Monica, the ever-cheerful Australian waitress, and Blouse Brennan, whose simplicity disguises a sharp mind and a heart of gold. Presiding over Quentins are Patrick and Brenda Brennan, who have made the restaurant such a legend. But even they have a story and a sadness which is hidden from the public gaze. As Ella uncovers more of what has gone on, she wonders about the wisdom of bringing it to the screen. Should the restaurant keep its secrets?

I found the Olympics in 2018 in PyeongChang to be really wonderful.  I watched curling, snowboarding, skiing, ice dance and bob sledding.  There was not a lot of politics, issues, and problems in this set of Olympics.

I loved the technology in the ceremonies.  It was amazing.