Party Time!

It's time for Vee's Note Card Party.

I have to admit -- this party is one of my favorite in the Land of Blog.

So many nice bloggers, beautiful photos, wonderful ideas.

A big thank you to Vee for hosting.

I've searched for four photographs on my blog that would make a nice set of note cards.

I think they will warm you up and perhaps bring a smile to your face.

They were all taken at one of my favorite places -- the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park.

Nature is profoundly beautiful in this garden.
We can't forget the critters!

Turtles sunning in the Japanese Garden

"Choose only one Master - Nature."

~Rembrandt

Black Crowned Night Heron

"Nature is the art of God."

~Dante Alighieri

Easter is Coming!



"I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars."
~Walt Whitman

Black Bellied Whistling Ducks

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature."

~Anne Frank

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Monday Daybook

I'm not sure why, but I got up this morning with this song on my mind:

"Monday Monday, so good to me,
Monday Monday, it was all I hoped it would be".

The day is starting off sunny, but rain is in the forecast.

With our drought conditions, I'm not going to complain about rain.

I am really tired of dealing with allergies. 

This year has been horrible and I'm tired of coughing all the time --

so are the kitties. My coughing disturbs Cassie's beauty sleep. 

I don't feel like doing anything -- including blogging!

But, as always, I am thankful for another day on Mother Earth.

There isn't much action in the kitchen.

I need to go to the grocery and replenish the pantry.

I have a yearning for baked tomatoes -- with some garlic and a little parmesan.

YUM!

I'm a fashion plate today (yeah, right, sure) in my Land's End navy crop britches

and Seattle Mariners t-shirt. 

My feet are really happy in my pink and purple Eeyore socks. 

After finishing my circular scarf, I've taken out the counted cross stitch.

This is my first return to cross stitch since I had the cataracts removed.

So far, so good! 

I am reading THE SNOW EMPRESS by Laura Joh Rowland.

I love historical mysteries.

Snow Empress is the 12th book in the Sano Ichiro  series.

Sano is a samurai detective who has risen to power in the shogun's court.

As with most long running series, some books are better than others,

but I always enjoy visiting with Sano and his wife, Reiko.

I can hear Teddy meowing.

He and Cassie are running down the hall.

They sound like they are wearing combat boots on their paws! 

My kitties are definitely 3 of my favorite things.

College baseball season has started.

Yippee!

The Rice Owls had a three game series with the Stanford Cardinal this last weekend.

The Owls won 2.

Great way to start the season.

Time to dry my hair!

Wishing YOU well, much joy and a Happy President's Day!
(Do you have the day off? Going to do something fun?)

Happy Valentine's Day!

My Favorite Valentine 2013

An Experiment

I won this lovely crochet pattern (Basic Circle Scarf) from Olivia at My Favourite Things.

I admire Olivia's crochet work and was delighted to try this pattern.

I had two skeins of Alpaca yarn.

One in a solid blue/grey and the other in a multi color.

The original pattern called for crocheting with two strands and since the Alpaca yarn

was quite chunky -- I decided to experiment and see what would happen.

Would I have enough yarn?

Olivia's scarf is 8 inches wide and mine is a tad over 4.

I was able to repeat the pattern once instead of the number called for in the original pattern 

 and held my breath on the last row.

I tried it on today and I love it.

The Alpaca yarn is so soft.

I want to cuddle the scarf.

Perhaps I'll sleep with it tonight! 

We have more cool weather (cool for us) coming. 

I will be ready.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

On This Date

Two years ago today,

the LOVE of my life,

My Knight in Shining Armor, 

left this earthly home and traveled on to the stars.

We were together over 30 years.

I miss him.