Time Is Flying By!

I cannot believe it is already the 19th of January!  Our weather is glorious ~ 65 to 70 degrees, warm and sunny, just a tad breezy.  And, no rain in sight for the rest of the month (according to our weather guesser!) 

Our citrus trees are producing fruit this year!  We've had a lemon or two the past couple of years, and a couple of Mandarins, but they're still young trees.  We have at least 15 lemons on our Meyer Lemon tree of various sizes, the Mandarin Orange tree has 6 nice sized fruits.  The other two Orange trees, Washington Navel and MidKnight Valencia have buds - and they haven't dropped, so our fingers are crossed.  The Lime tree though, man oh man, all it ever grows are 5' saplings with 2" thorns!  All are dwarfs and in huge pots.  Our big decision this year will be shall we plant them or keep them in the pots?  I really should plant some beets and lettuce, maybe a few herbs now in our little hot house.

I am working on a few projects.  I'm crocheting a scarf made with a cozy chenille, a tea cozy, and starting two afghans!  One afghan will be my driving project.  I am also getting some cards finished up and need to do some sewing repairs.  My little granddaughters bring me their stuffed animals that need repairs!  Maybe I should paint a "Grandma's Toy Hospital" canvas!  Wee ones are so appreciative of the little things.  Such a blessing!   Oh, then I need to pick out a nice project so I can learn to use my serger! 

Christmas is all put away.  I just love leaving the tree up as long as I can.  Today I brought in all of the boxes and carefully wrapped each ornament.  There are so many treasures.  I have some that hung on my Granny's tree, several the children made me as they were growing up and even a couple my older grandsons made for us.  I love holding and remembering each memory!  Under our tree is the Nativity set my Granny had under her trip for many years!  I remember laying in front of the tree playing with the figures as a little girl.  When my daughter was born, Granny passed it along to me.  All of my children and grandchildren have played with the set!  A few still have the 5, 10 and 15 cents marks with the "Woolworth" store stickers where she bought them in New York.  One of the sheep and the donkey have a broken legs.  Maybe I could mend them with some polymer clay?

Please remember our soldiers who are away from their families and friends serving our country.  Dear Lord, please bless each one and keep them safe!

Have a glorious weekend!
Blessings, Donna

Time to Start Sewing Projects!

Today my new Brother Sewing Machine and Serger arrived!  I am so happy!  It's time to get the material out I've been picking up the last two years and start sewing.  I have drapery material for our master bath and bedroom, some beautiful fabric for a duvet cover and skirting for the guest bed, plus tons more.

I'll set up the old machine right next to me for my little granddaughter to learn to sew.  She's so excited!  She even tried out some basic stitching over the holidays and was very good ~ making her little sis a bag with some goodies in it.  She really enjoys it and at 8 is old enough to learn - that's about the age I first started sewing and I've done fairly well.  She is such a joy to have with me, she listens very well, and tries to do exactly what she's shown.  I'd like her to learn we all make mistakes and it's OK.  I can hardly wait for Spring break to have her here to work with me.  (Big brother and little sis with be coming, too.)  I have some material and patterns for her American Dolls.  Exciting!

Blessings, Donna

Happy New Year!!

Welcome 2011!!  The New Year is officially here on the West Coast!  So, to all of you "HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

I'm so ready for the new year to begin!  A new beginning, a fresh new start to a brand new year!  Do you make a list of New Year's Resolutions?  I usually do, sometimes I over state what I would like to accomplish - oh darn, let's just say I almost always over state what I would like to get accomplished!  I do the same thing when I make a list of daily things, weekly projects, monthly lists - so why on earth would a list for the new year be any different? 

But - If I don't make a list, I have nothing so shoot for.  Kind of like that old saying "Shoot for the moon.  Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars."  ~Les Brown  I love positive quotes.  But it is true, isn't it?  If you don't set goals, don't shoot for the moon, just going along in life, if you miss, if you fall down, I suppose you'll end up face down in the mud!  OK that settles it, don't care what everyone else does, on to my list!

What ever you are planning, what ever you want to do, I hope you do it.  I pray that all my family and friends have good health, happiness around them and prosperity in the new year and beyond.

Enjoy your day today.  I know many will be watching football games, the Rose Parade, movies, playing games, visiting with family or friends, eating this and that with the idea it's just for today - right?  I know we have friends coming over early in the morning and we're planning on munching breakfast ~ yummy fruits and sweet breads ~ lunch ~ veggies and cheeses ~ and assorted meats, cheeses and desserts for dinner.  We will roll our friends out the door, to their car that night and then the first thing on the Resolution list starts!

Here are a couple of more quotes I really like ~ 
God gives us dreams a size too big so that we can grow in them.  ~Author Unknown 
and everyone's all time favorite ~ 
Try not.  Do or do not.  There is no try.  ~Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back