Oh, my bloggy friends......Merry Christmas to you!

I wish I had that time and the energy to visit each and every 

blog that I cherish....

there are so many of you!

I am honored to have found many women 

who seem to see the world in ways 

that I admire and concur....

So many of you take wonderful images....

I have to admit,

by the time I get around to 

posting or reading blogs

I am weary of my camera.

I have found the iPhone to be the most wonderful of tools.....

This image quickly snapped with said iPhone....

as well as this one.....

When you go to a party and find the food is worth the 

trouble of taking a photo!

don't you love these cute little ornament place card holders?

you simply cannot allow me to sit this close to the cheese.....as you can plainly see....

Oh yes, 

I have friends.....

friends that cook!

and I mean COOK!

I am stuffed better than the turkey this year.

Gratitude.

much gratitude.....

I celebrated a 20 year anniversary this year that reminds me

I am fortunate beyond words....

Thank you all for your words...

I feel privileged to have shared your moments of joy

of fear....

of angst...

of creativity...

of concern...

of patriotism...

and 

most 

importantly,

Love.

of course the greatest of these is love....

thank you.

smiles.

Emotionally exhausted...the ranting begins....

Please

forgive 

the babble...

It has been a couple of weeks

of emotional stress.

So, all I can manage is the random thoughts 

that have been running through my mind....

-Why do parents use their children to inflict revenge on their "ex"?

-Why would a family of four think that a metal trivet is an appropriate gift for a couple,

who is paying for a wedding and a reception at a country club?

-Who asks their "ex" to dance, while their current spouse is standing right next to them?

-Why do the people that do most of the work rarely get any thanks? or even acknowledgement?

-What is the point of making a wedding the battlefield of your unresolved issues?

Do people ever 

grow up?

On the other hand,

I am so proud

to know professionals

who do their job well......really, very well.

People that unselfishly go beyond what they are paid to do.

The flowers were stunning,

The photographers were patient, and extremely professional.

The minister, co-ordinators and the organist were incredible.

The event manager, wait-staff and DJ's, at the club,  all did their job 

in a timely and smooth way.

Afterward, the wait-staff helped to load the flowers into my car,

so that they could be donated to an "Adult Daycare".

They even helped load the gifts.

I am so grateful for the people I know and love that are 

genuine, kind, generous and loving.

They are the people that went out of their way this week

to help me stay sane.

They brought me gardenias for my home.

They called to make sure I was not frantic.

They waited patiently for me to return calls.

This is real friendship!

I am blessed.

How many of you make coffee in your dishwasher?

I don't, personally...

but apparently there is precedent for this odd behavior.

Otherwise, why would the manufacturer of my 

coffeemaker place these instructions right inside the top,

for everyone to see as they fill the reservoir with water?

"Not intended for use in dishwasher"

Really?

I don't know about you but I have never even thought about 

putting this thing in the dishwasher to make coffee...

Perhaps 

they are saying that you shouldn't try to clean it in a dishwasher...

But that's not what it says...

right?

Do you suppose that the same guy who answers the phone when 

you call with a technical question regarding your PC.....

moonlights as a coffeemaker instruction writer?

and that he felt particularly inclined to let you know

that this particular coffeemaker can't do the 

hokey pokey in the dishwasher?

What was Cuisinart thinking?

Is this really the depth to which we have sunk?

Maybe they better let us know that this 

coffeemaker doesn't DO dishes either.....

Whew!

That soapbox calls to me, you know!

Well 

on to better things...

I had my posse over for Friday Food night yesterday!

We love mac and cheese,

especially with these fat little boogers...

And a béchamel sauce to get the cheese all smooth and gooey...

And tons of several types of cheeses...

and of course, salt and pepper,

but the Barefoot Contessa turned me onto 

adding bacon!

who  doesn't like bacon??

And, truth be known,

this was turkey bacon, just as a nod to our ever expanding

waistlines....

One dear friend came over early,

and brought the tulips!

They look pinkish here,

but they were actually lavender and luscious...

I had choices for entertainment...

but we opted for one that is hidden under the pile...

we watched

"UP!"

I hope you know how special this little film is...

most of us are mothers of "20-somethings"

and so we hadn't had the occasion to take out little ones to this movie!

We loved it.

I hope your day is splendid!

smiles...

My Notting Hill.....

I am a huge pushover....

and 

so vulnerable to flattery....

and 

hang on any compliment....

and 

completely surprised

to see my blog listed

 on

 Michele's

 My Notting Hill

 granting me a

 Stylish Blogger Award.

Did I say OMG!?

No...

What I actually said,

I wouldn't usually print here....so I won't ...

(I know you are glad)

This award

  requires you to share 7 things about yourself

 and award some recently discovered bloggers. 

(Some of these are not so recently discovered, but I believe you will enjoy them all!)

1. I think....or have assumed that I am/was a Leo.....with recent developments, I am unsure.

But I still act like one, and my sweetie is one too....roar!

2.  I have never had musical training, but love music and will listen to the local classical channel for hours on end, if given the opportunity.

3. I know a bit about art history, architecture and Greek mythology, as I devoured books on 

all of this when I was a adolescent.

4.  I covet camera equipment. Really. I drool when I read about another blogger's newly acquired 

piece of equipment. And, quickly pull it up on B&H photo's site, to see how long it will take 

me to acquire one.... 

5.  I buy junk (or junque ;-)) and sell most of it on Etsy. Some things I simple cannot part with.

I have a soft spot for things; 

that I might have seen in my grandmother's house, are of 1960's vintage, or are

modern in design.

6. I fancy myself a dancer, but dread an upcoming May wedding that will require dancing 

on my part...yipes!

7. I am addicted to Diet Coke, and am constantly shocked to find several empty cans

on my desk....is there a 12-step program for this?

Whew!

I am quite sure that is just about all you want to know about me....

so here are some interesting people that might 

just tweek your fancy.....smiles

 A Field Journal

 Annechovie

 Being Ruby

 Things That Inspire

MartineauVermillion

 Simply Lovely

Seens From the Backs of My Eyelids

Brabourne Farm

The Fifty Factor

Georgianna Lane

Vanishing Threshold

for the love of a house

smiles.....

Authenticity Revisited.....

Or

"How my ego survived intact....."

mostly.

We arrived at the reunion early.....

as I had promised to 

be the impromptu 

"designated photographer".

(Which is funny in a way,

because there was a very good professional photographer

in our crowd, that would have put me to shame)

So.....

I started by shooting a general 

"record the setting" shot,

and was very pleased that the Owner/manager

of the Art Gallery/Co-op 

had all of the lights on 

HIGH!

I have many 

shots from later in the evening,

but I have not asked if it was ok

to use anyone's image,

so....

the only person I felt comfortable with 

a close up shot was 

my sweetie...

checking out the photographs from 

previous reunions...

maybe to see 

one of my ex's

(they don't all live in Texas,

though I wish they did....)

The gallery was the perfect location for this 

35th High School Reunion.

Comfortable, casual, 

relaxed....

it sort of set the tone for the evening.

I had made up my mind that if 

nothing else,

I could control my own attitude.

So....

I was determined to have a smile on my

face 90% of the time spent...

and 

I did just that.

I shot tons of images.

I talked to people I didn't even know in 

high school.

Or, people who I was so intimidated 

by, that I would have never approached, 

previously.

I was bold.

I asked if I could take their picture,

and then just started 

lining them up.....

some balked,

but were coerced by those 

around them.

Who are these old people?

I kept thinking.

Are they sure they are at the correct reunion?

I was stumped.

I didn't stop to eat,

and barely sipped a drink.

I was on a mission....

Well,

actually, shooting people is easier than 

actually making small talk.

I was nervous.

We left by 10 pm.

It was just gearing up to be 

a long night,

and I was tired.

So, 

home to the computer to 

upload the images.....

Good grief!

I looked as old as the rest!

Sweetie had nicely taken a photo of me with

several friends from elementary school.

One of which, I was in 1st grade with.

And do you know what?

Mostly,

everyone was as authentic,

as I could have wished for.

Some not.

But they are the same ones that 

were not in high school.

So be it.

I found that I had quite a few friends....

real friends.

We were actually quite glad to see each other,

and enjoyed catching up on children,

careers, and church (the 3 "C's")

I believe,

that my fun

had more to do with my attitude

than theirs....

Maybe you 

CAN 

wish yourself into a 

Good time!

smiles.....

smiles

The BAKW.....

Well,

here she is....

the 

Big A@* Kitchen Window.

She's a she,

because of her prominent curves....

and 

they are BIG,

like mine.

She is the defining feature of the 

kitchen in our condo.

We have lived here for almost 

5 years now....

When we saw her for the first time.

I nearly cried.

She (the condo)

had been badly neglected.

Her carpet was torn and stained.

Her tile was cracked and loose.

Her cabinets were, original 

(she was built in 1972)

She looked decrepit.

We have replaced carpet 

in bedrooms,

put hardwood on the main level

painted every surface.

 Really.

When we gutted the kitchen,

we made it clear to the contractor,

that we had priced a new window,

and that he would probably want to be 

very careful around it, as the custom window 

would run around $9000, 

no kidding....

So,

the kitchen is wonderful now.

And as mentioned previously, 

I am blessed with women in my life,

that come by for conversation,

and tea, or coffee, or sweet tea....

And

we 

sit at the kitchen table

in front of the 

BAKW.

Sometimes,

conversations that are difficult,

are easier when 

there is something to look at

outside of ourselves.

Something that allows us 

to say the unspeakable....

I have noticed this affect 

on people that sit in front of 

the BAKW.

They "Blurt out all over the place".....

as one of them explained to me....

She was amazed that 

things that seemed to be locked in 

her head forever....

jumped out....when she sat there 

with cup in hand.

Maybe it's magic....

It is coated with some sort of 

UV protective film, not 

really reflective but which 

that tends to make looking in

difficult, unless it is night ,

and the lights are shining bright

inside.

There is a bird feeder 

and a hummingbird feeder

right there within 3 feet of the window.

The birds rarely notice those inside.

Only if we move, or are too loud...

This is also my favorite 

place to photograph

products,

food,

jewelry,

vintage finds,

treasures found,

and 

treasures kept....

and 

Tomatoes!

Again,

I know how lucky I am 

to have this BAKW...

she makes me smile.

I am ready to take it all down...after one more look....

The stockings are tired....

They are just a bit droopy...

The gifts have all been delivered...

And I have only one more

holiday event to host...

tonight.

My book club ladies are coming.

Coffee, regular and decaf...

Christmas cookies..

Fruitcake...smiles.

and

celery and carrots....

(bigger smiles)

I dont' know about you but I am so

sick of the "sugar highs" that

permeate the holidays.

My head can't take it anymore.

And as much as I love me some coffee...

I might just have decaf...

well..

not really...

but I thought about it.

smiles.

gratitude......

Today....

I am grateful.

Some of the angels in my life came over

and brought...

GIFTS!

in the way of dinner....

Oh my how I do love gifts,

but most especially the ones that you can eat.

Love went into every part of this.

Salad makings....including toppings and poppy seed dressing

(from Trader Joe's no less....)

Pasta...fresh, even...

sweet veggies to toss with the pasta and olive oil...

A beautiful bottle of wine.

ROSES, pink....my favorite!

Tea and sweets....

and the very best of all..

(I know, because I am eating some right now)

homemade Pumpkin bread!!!

What could be better than all of this

brought to us on a cool rainy fall day!

I told you there were angels..

smiles.

Fall Reflections....

So much has happened in the last eight years...

friendships made, lost, found, renewed,

broken, discovered, changed,

created, altered,

deepened....

So grateful,

so content,

so different,

so hopeful,

so enlightened....

smiles.