Varieties of Pies

Who is old enough to remember the first pizza party when pizza came in a do it yourself kit by
Appian Way?  I was in high school and it was such a big deal.  And pizza was called "Pizza Pie."
Last night I made a pizza thoroughly from scratch for the first time in years and it was delicious.
The crust needs practice, but it was edible.

And all so easy!  My daughter-in-law suggested adding a couple tablespoons of wheat gluten
to the crust and drizzling olive oil into the mix as it was being kneaded in my mixer.  I made this
vegetarian to meat lovers all-in-one.

Sunshine and Sand

Off to the beach for us on the first sunny day in a couple of weeks!  That was yesterday.  Today is glum and dark but no snow for us.  We know how fortunate we are compared to the rest of the country right now during unpredictable weather.  I appreciate the pristine waters of the
Great Lakes, especially pure in our northern region.  Here are some shots of the sand dunes at the Sleeping Bear National Lake Shore and the large islands off shore which are extremely visible on such a clear day.  More gratitude here!!

Roadside Snow Scenes

A three-session knitting class just ended for me today.  Each visit to the teacher's house out in the county has been such a pretty drive and this roadside view always makes me slow down.  Today I remembered my camera and stopped for a photo... or two or three... on my way home.  There is so
much color in this....  I love it.

Snow!

Love this little 1940s wood sled with red metal runners... just like we kids used to go sledding on.
It's so pretty with greens and lights by my front door... I think I'll leave it there until the snow melts.
Speaking of snow, we have received 12" - 15" of the fluffy white stuff in the past 36 hrs with more
on the way tonight.  Beautiful!  And it brings the neighbors together!

G is for Gratitude

Brief little posting of one of the reasons I am grateful ~ time spent with youngest granddaughter
today.  Simply observing her at play brings joy!

Outside the Box

Do you think or act outside the box?  Your box? Presumed supposed boxes?  Routinely or only when you have to?  Creatively by choice?

Was just reading a blog post by Pale Rook, a doll  maker.... the idea jumped at me that my life right now is outside my comfort zone and I MUST think outside the box to adapt and tackle the steep learning curve of taking over the household and be a caregiver in the "autumn" of my life to my husband with dementia and I don't like it.  But "back when" as a newly divorced woman of 38 with two elementary school kids, I was faced with a similar learning situation... sooo, I didn't like it then, but did it then, can do it now! It's life.

Gratitude is big in my thinking as I have the ability to do this and it is a normal problem of life... many of us are facing this challenge nowadays in various forms.  It's not a survival type of third world problem which even more people are facing.

Here are my little granddaughters who always think outside their boxes.  They see only opportunities.
Delightfully refreshing to be with little ones.

January 5

Respect is my word of the day.  It seems to have surfaced in conversation... part of love, before love, because of love, instead of love.  Took hubby to dentist and went on for groceries, library, brought him home, went for a haircut and he's asleep in his chair still.  Even the dogs aren't barking today.
Here they are one late fall day after a ride and a walk.  Faithful old pooches!

Etsy Pretties

Snow is swirling and piling up today here.  It's been bright, however, so a good day to take
photos indoors of vintage treasures to list in my Etsy shop.  Here's a sweet white on blue crib
blanket on top of a beautiful white on white Cabin Craft spread.... as well as a floral barkcloth
pillow I cannot part with!

A very nice thing about living within the city limits is that we get drop in visitors and I love that!

January 2nd

An American friend spending her years in France wrote me today "Bon Courage."
Good courage.  Have courage. Remain courageous. To me this means to
face life head on...   Falling down is easy.  Getting back up is living life with
courage.

How courageous are these lilac buds already thinking about spring.  I spotted them
on a cold, sunny walk today.

January 1st

Happy New Year....  My words to my self are ~ expect less.... of myself, of others (especially old people with dementia and little people just learning about life) .... not in any negative way, but a reminder to lighten up.