QUIET REFLECTIONS

 

There are times in our lives where we need

to sit back and reflect.

This is our time to do that.

 

 We had a very bad medical scare in our family.

It has made us sit up and take stock.

It made us be thankful for second chances,

and it made us grateful that we are still

all together.

It makes you realize that small things are not

all that important.

It makes you thankful that the worst has not happened.

And most of all, it teaches you to make

the most of every day,

to love each other and life.

Plainly said...

don't sweat the small stuff.

 

 

The snow makes me feel quiet.

It makes me feel secure inside,

being alone with my thoughts.

 

And life can be beautiful!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It snowed again after the last snowstorm.

This time some of the flakes were as big as the palms

of my hand.

Incredibly beautiful!

 

There is a fairytale by the brothers Grimm

about Frau Holle.

When she fluffed up her feather bed,

it snowed beautiful snowflakes.

This reminds me of it.

 

 

The snow was heavy and wet.

Truly a winter wonderland.

 

 

The black of the crows looks pretty

against all the snow.

 

 

So magical.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next month is spring,

all this will be a memory,

With spring will come renewal and hope.

Hold your loved ones tight,

let them know that you love them.

 

God bless,

Evi

 

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

 

 

A little birdie told me

that he loves me.

Thank you honey!

 

Aren't they beautiful?!

 

 

Happy Valentines Day

to everyone.

Hope you all feel loved

and cared for!!!

 

God bless,

Evi

THE GREEN HORNET OR INSIDE A PEA

 

I can't decide if I am dealing with living with a

bathroom that reminds me of a green pea,

or an annoying green hornet.

I guess, it is a bit of both.

 

We embarked on the remodel of this little half bath

next to the bedroom.

Actually there was meant to be a bathtub in this room,

but the first owner of our home,

(we are the third),

decided that she needed a closet for her dresses more

than a bathtub, and reversed it....so that space it is now in the hall.

I would have preferred the tub, but we have lived with

it so many years, that it will stay the way it is.

Nonetheless, some things really needed updating.

The toilet needed to be turned a 90 degree angle....

and who knew, that a "little" change like that

could entail two days of work from our plumber

and empty our wallet.

But it needed to be done.

When your knees hit the vanity, you know there is a problem.

 

 

All in all, it served us well, but it is time for a change.

 

 

 

 

It is all torn apart now, and work is being done as I write.

 

We are doing a new color scheme, and are going

with grey and white.

 

 

We picked a vanity from the

Martha Stewart collection at Home Depot,

and things that went with it.

 

 

I am going with polished nickel for the faucet, lamp,

and towel holders, etc.

I LOVE this faucet from Martha.....

problem is, the write-up about the quality is NOT good.

So, the search is on for another polished nickel faucet.

 

 I am staying with the light fixture, only two lights though.

This looks like brass, but is polished nickel too.

 

 

This is the picture on the box of the vanity.

This looks distorted. Top and bottom measurements

are the same.

I am using tile like shown in the picture on our floor,

and there will be bead board halfway up.

It will be nice to get away from all the green.

 

With all of this, I am sewing,

because next week I will post some rabbits.

(More about that soon) 

My back does not allow me to sit sewing for

hours as I usually do....still sciatica problems.

And most of all....

there is our little Lulu!

I like to thank you all for your kind words,

and helpful advice.

Lulu is a treasure!!!!

She is still hiding a lot during the day,

but now the couch which has a skirt,

is her favorite hang-out.

She lets us cuddle her and purrs like crazy,

but she still does not let us pick her up.

We respect her wishes.

She does start to play with us.

We bought her a scratch stand with a round disk

which holds a ball that rolls in a track.

So, she is on one side pushing it, and I am on the other.

I'd say, that this is a huge improvement from

two weeks ago.

She seems to play like a crazy girl all night,

but stays with her toys, not my "stuff".

When things settle down a bit, I will visit everyone again.

Until then, thank you for giving me hope

that things will change with Lulu.

 

 

 

 

As we are waiting for the approaching super snowstorm,

I keep telling myself, that next month is spring.

So whats a "little" snow....

I wish you a wonderful weekend!

 

God Bless,

Evi

LULU

 

Lulu

 

We are in love.....over the moon....

totally smitten

with our new addition to the family.

Lulu entered our life last Thursday,

when after a few month searching

we found our little princess.

Actually, we were looking for a little boy,

but Lulu stole our hearts at first sight.

 

We got her through PetSmart who sponsors with one of our

local Humane Societies.

 

The story of Lulu is the story of many abandoned animals.

In August the family who had her, and four other cats,

left their trailer and the cats behind.

The Humane Society rescued them, and some were

already adopted.

They make sure that they are healthy and fit to be

placed in good homes.

 

Lulu is a VERY shy little girl, about three years old.

 She needed us.

 

We have had many cats and dogs throughout our married life,

the last one, our little boy Mousie,

who passed on twelve years ago.

We have been wanting another one, but the time had to be right.

It  is right!

There are no small children running around,

we are mature adults, and no dogs here now.

 

As of yesterday, we opened her crate door so she can get the lay of the land....

that is the family room, and bathroom downstairs.

This is next to my studio where I had the crate first.

It is now in the family room.

The thing is, she is now hiding under an armoire all day.

I can close the doors of the family room,

 which I did last night.

She ate her food, did her business, and from what I can see by

play mice toys, she has been busy last night playing.

I am worried that we cannot brush her long hair,

 which she realty loves.

She even let us cut out a hair knot while crated.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to coax her out from underneath the armoire?

She loves to be petted, and purrs up a storm.

Is it just a time issue, and to let her do her own thing?

She seems very comfortable here.

By the way, as recommended, she will be an inside cat.

Fine, our house is big, and I think she will enjoy

the enclosed porch in the summer.

If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.

I really would appreciate input, since none of my pets

ever had an issue adjusting....but than, they were not discarded

to start with.

 

My girlfriend Debbie brought her a gift today.

It is mouse that you fill with catnip.

She loves it, touches it, and purrs like crazy,

but she is still under the armoire.

Remember, she is not a wild cat,

but a scared little abandoned one.

She is loved already, and will be our little princess

to be spoiled for the rest of her life.

 

So here are the first pictures of Lulu......

She is very small.

 

 

Can you understand that we are smitten?.....

Too cute!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And hubby loves to lie next to her crate and talk to her....

so do I......

I am even singing to her,ha ha, which she likes.

She has a habit of blinking her eyes....

and if you blink back, she does this repeatedly....

while purring.

 

We are so happy that this little lady joined this family.

 

God bless,

Evi

LITTLE BEAUTIES FROM THE PAST

 

I have been collecting these little sewing beauties

for some time now.

They are not easy to find, and the ones I own are

from around 1875 to 1910.

They go by the name of vegetable ivory or pierced ivory.

 

What makes me happy is the fact, that no elephant had

to give his life for these sweet sewing  trinkets.

 

These are made from the seed of a palm named

Phytelepas aequatorialis, or in short "elephant plant".

There are many other species of Phytelepas.

 

Most come from South America, but also come from

many other countries.

The seeds hardness is very similar to real ivory.

I love the beautiful detailing in these small wonders,

and am always on the look-out for others to add to

my collection.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

I believe, that there was a thimble made from vegetable ivory

belonging to this acorn at one time,

 and it got replaced with this one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This one still has it's original thimble.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am not sure if at one time this held a tape measure.

It is most likely.

 

 

Every time I look at these small beauties,

I am amazed at the craftsmanship and imagination

of the artists who made these tiny

treasures so long ago.

 

I feel blessed to own them and hope to pass them on

to the next generation.

 

God bless,

Evi

FRIENDSHIP

With Carole's help I got on to Google Chrome.

So far I cannot say that I like it.

But like anything new, it will take time to get used to.

But this is not the reason for this post.

The reason is

FRIENDSHIP.

And that is something I want to "tweet" about.

In my life, I have been blessed with the most loving friends,

some of them who could not be here.

They have been there for me in good and in bad times.

And I hope, I have been there for them too.

We spend a wonderful luncheon together,

we talked, laughed, ate and made merry.

 Our home was still in Christmas garb.

I am sharing with you some pictures of us!

None of us likes to have their picture taken.

So, with permission, I am posting a few.

Left to right....

my girlfriend Debbie, who lives in my town.

What would I do without my confidant,

and our almost daily chats!!!!

Next is wonderful, creative Paula.

I am being silly, and peeking over her shoulder.

Next  is sweet, giving Carole,

and funny, vivacious Deanna rounds out the bunch.

Yes, sweet generous Laura,

(you and Carole have bailed me out from my computer screw-ups innumerable times).

You did not get spared.

In the spirit of belated Christmas,

she tied a ribbon through her hair.

Laura is the cutest  gift to have!

And she did it in style with a French ribbon!

We girls created a "battlefield" of beautiful gifts, unwrapped.

There was lots of oohing, laughing and goodies  tasting.

It ended my Christmas season in the most wonderful way.

I am glad that you are all in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes,

FRIENDSHIP

is truly something to tweet about!!!!!!

God bless,

Evi

BLOGGER HEADACHES

Alright,
I am ready to go bonkers......
I cannot download pictures from my Picasa onto my blog.
First I thought it was me.
Nooooooooooooo.
For once it has nothing to do with my lack of computer skills.
I tried everything I could think of....which was not too much.
So, I just went on a google site.
They are working on it!!!!!!!!!Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a few cute pictures of our belated Christmas luncheon
with my girlfriends.
That will have to wait until we are in business again.
Boy, these repeated problems take all the fun out of blogging.

Wonder how many of my friends out there are having this to deal with too?!
OK, enough griping......
Hopefully I get back to it soon.
Patience, Evi, patience..........
God bless,
Evi