Taking a break...until then.

I have run out of photo space with Blogger and this seems like a natural time to take a break. In a couple of days I will disable the open connection to "Flower" and my weekly posts.  This doesn't mean I won't be back and I"ll continue to visit your blogs.  Blogging has been an amazing journey and one I had no idea where it would take me!  I have enjoyed getting to know so many wonderful people and seeing places otherwise out of my scope.  Thank you for being my friends! 
I will keep open "The Occasional Flower" and post to that now and again. 
Until then....

Picture Tranquility

 

Tranquility. 

Stimuli with positive impacts.

How do you picture tranquility?

Central Oregon
Deschutes River at Eagle Crest

Five Years Old

Where have the years gone?1, 2, 3, 4, 5!

 It was a Toy Story kind of party, and Papa Tom told the tale to LA.  She loved every minute of her special day!

Blowing out candles......

....bring lots of smiles.....

and waiting for a piece of cake made the first bite even better. 

Woody and Jessie dolls came to share in the celebrating!

We love you precious girl!  Happy Birthday! 

Going......

....going.....

...gone! 

I really love a good cookbook and Gooseberry Patch has been a favorite for years.  It looks like I was collecting them..but not intentionally.  Really. 

Gooseberry Patch cookbooks have more to them than just recipes.  They are filled with family stories, ideas for decorating, gardening tips and fun exchanges between women.  I've read them and they are now going to another home.  This is good!  My goal to downsize is coming true.  Tomorrow I will tackle another book shelf and maybe another closet.  I'll keep updating the progress and maybe you will be encouraged to do the same kind of pairing down.  It feels good!

What is "Orangette?"

Getting a book for Christmas is a gift that keeps on giving.  I received the book, A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg, from Keith.  It immediately spoke to me!  Look at the cover..the colors...the title and the statement just under the authors name: The creator of Orangette.  Well....what does that mean?  Guess what I found ?  A blog! Molly is one of us! 

Do check her out!!  http://orangette.blogspot.com/

A Homemade Life is not the usual cookbook.  Each recipe is spoken of from Molly's life and the kitchen  at the center of the family.  It is the kind of book that can be picked up for a few minutes of reading, or read slowly for hours while curled up in the warmth of home. Whether you are a great cook or not...you will enjoy the stories that come from Molly Wizenberg.  You will also want to do some cooking after reading about the recipes.  I'm particularly interested in the Fennel salad with Asian pear and Parmesan on pages 238-239! 

Barbara Fairchild, Editor in Chief, Bon Appetit Magazine says this, 

"Molly Wizenberg writes with wit, style and heart.  Her delicious recipes are a special gift to every reader and home cook."

If you enjoy good food and want further inspiration, please go to my nephews blog Feast.  When we have a large family meal..... Keith brings the most interesting of all the dishes.  We are lucky to have a cook like this to FEAST with!   

Thanks, Keith!

The List

I like the idea of thinking about the year ahead and how things can happen if planned for. I am also open to the unexpected happenings..things I don't plan for! How about you?

• Continue to eat healthier, exercise regularly, take my vitamins and keep going physically.  (Doing all these things and keeping a record).

• Paint in watercolor a series of farm animals, frame and admit them in an art show. (One painting is done. It is of a cow).
• Finish up a study of Isaiah by attending BSF International each Tuesday. 
• Study the Orthodox Faith and understand it as it has been from the ages to ages. (Reading several books that are enlightening, listening to Ancient Faith Radio..music and lecture series).
• De clutter everything in my home and either throw it out, pass it on or keep it in order.  (Read the information about Project 333 (as mentioned over at Willows)and I have begun to be ruthless in the clothes closet, book shelves and nicknack areas).
• Be a helper where needed and wanted..ie..family,babies, children and aging. (Ahhh..this one is sweet! We have a new grandson, 6 months old, granddaughter almost 5 years old, 3 year old grandniece, 8 year old grandnephew and twin grandchildren due in July)!  Yes!! Our dear daughter is going to have twins!!
• Offer art workshops in the garden cottage studio on the farm. (One class is scheduled for February 5th, taught by Heather Barton, and it will cover the art of folding and embellishing a fine quality greeting card).

• Develop a line of nature inspired floral designs, using found organic objects, branches and plants.

• Live simply and peacefully!

The first day of the new year....

.....is a cold day, with an abundance of sunshine, and much nicer than days prior! My walking partner and I started our walk at 9 am.  It was 20 degrees and walking meant bundling up to get going.  About one third of the way through the four mile course, layers began to peel off until we were walking in our sweatshirts, no gloves, no scarfs and no coats.  This is a great way to start off the year and we never tire of the route around our local golf club.  We thank our county officials for building such a nice walking path and making it a challenge.  Even after four years of walking the path, it continues to give us a good workout. 

We have had a lot of rain and it hasn't been so great to walk in. 

Both Gail and myself have rain gear and we wear it often!  

Today the sky is blue/violet and there are  wisps of clouds.   The clouds are Cirrus in nature.  We can count on them to be rain free!  The clouds sit high in the sky, where is it very cold, and they form ice crystals.  The ice crystals do not fall to the ground. 

We appreciate this!  

On the home stretch of our route, we walk by this scene.  And, right in the very center of the view sits  Mount Hood.  The family that lives in the house, to the left, is quite fortunate to look at such a beautiful thing!  The house is for sale...for more than a million dollars.  The view is worth that price! 

 Since it is New Years many of us are making plans to exercise more. I would like to connect  you with a good motivator for walking.  Go to http://www.coolwalking.com/benefits.html and read up!!  This is excellant information and it really helps to know that something as simple as walking can do so much good for basic health!    You will see health improvements very quickly and having a walking buddy is key(for me) to keeping it up. 
Good health to each of you this year!!  :))