Merry Merry To You

The gifts are unwrapped,

the paper and ribbons gathered 

up and put away.

The standing rib roast is just about

 to hit the oven

and my thoughts drift toward 

the Yorkshire Pudding to come.

Breakfast was omelets with a little 

Pride and Prejudice viewing post eating.

That scene of him walking 

across the moors...

gets me every time...

The kids and I have spent each late night

 watching Season 1 of Homeland, that 

I purchased just for that purpose.

We have thoroughly enjoyed it, 

and now I have to find a way to see Season 2.

Spending each evening with them 

in pj's on the couch, 

noshing on a variety of snacks

 has been...well exquisite....

We hit all our favorite stores last week, 

and their Father treated them to many fabulous 

meals about town, while I was at work.

Tonight they attend the annual 

Christmas Day movie with him.

Dearest Son leaves for LA tomorrow

 and Darling Daughter 

heads back to NYC, weather permitting,

on Thursday.

It will take me several days to adjust

and not be sad...even knowing they 

return to good friends and significant 

others who love them.

A few more days of holiday work and 

then it's on to 2013 and job searches 

and house redecorating/purging plans 

and a return to my list of all those

 things left undone in 2012,

and moved over to the New Year.

I have been so blessed.

I wish peace, love and joy

to all of you this day....

and I pray each day

that soon this world will

end the hatred, greed,

dishonesty and cruelty 

that makes this 

gift of life so difficult 

for so many.

I love finding you here

each day, each week.

You make my days brighter,

and fill my heart with laughter.

Thank you for your love, 

your support and exceptional kindness.

Merry Merry to you all.

Z

Blessings

A heavy NYC winter coat hanging from the hook

 A jumbled mess of her favorite throws
 and smooshed pillows on the couch. 

I saw this first thing as I rounded the corner
 into the den this morning. 
Darling daughter is still asleep after working 

until 3 am (6 am her time) on the computer last night.

I cannot explain why seeing these two sights made me well

up with tears, except to say...

She's Home

She's Home

Dearest Son arrives in one week.

His shoes, his jackets will be strewn everywhere.

He's Home

He's Home

I have a lovely roof overhead

Nourishing food in the pantry

Generous and loving friends

Glorious children

A holiday job I adore

Life is so good

..and the tears fall gently again

merry merry everyone

I pray you are as blessed

Z

Waiting on Justice

I was awakened VERY early this morning by howling and 

quickly discovered our Justice 

seemed to have lost her sight entirely. 

Terrified and unable to hear me reassure her, 

she was hiding under chairs and 

behind them scurrying around the living room. 

I had a thought that her collar and leash might reassure her,

so I grabbed them and sure enough she walked calmly

 out the door to the yard with Howie leaping along side.

 Once she got there, she calmed down and I sat on the porch

 and watched them and snapped some quick pics.

Anyone remember my floppy stars from a few years ago?

I solved the problem...uh..so far....

(Since the pic, I removed the wreath, they looked silly together)

After about 15 minutes Justice trotted back inside

and went to her water bowl and then 

calmly walked straight to her bed and went to sleep,

apparently able to see out of her one eye once more.

She still seems to have a problem with the 

smaller doorway into the kitchen and family room.

She hesitates, then shakes a lot and then dashes through. 

The peripheral vision thing must be difficult for her.

I know there will be more incidents like this morning in our future.

Darling Daughter has not yet seen her like this.

I am glad that she will be home during 

the day to provide Justice comfort when I cannot, 

and perhaps spend her last days with her.

I have no idea how we will care for a blind and deaf dog,

who has many other health issues.

 One day at a time.

Today I'm just going to enjoy the chilly weather

 and the holiday dressings around oldgreymare, 

drink my coffee and get to work.

Refuge

Simply felted pieces this year in the master.

On the garland, wreath, birds, figures.

Add candles and a few touches of blue.

Refuge

The patterns in here are brown striped, 

blue florals, brown checks,

cream/brown stripe, blue quilts, etc.

The ceiling is painted blue with heavy cream walls,

and cream wool patterned carpet.

All mixed together willy nilly.

The blue house painting is mine.

The photography darling daughters'.

I made this advent over 10 years ago.

Almost all are Rennie family pieces 

including my Aunt Iva's frame.

Button hooks and eye wear were my Dad's collections.

As requested: a closer look at the felt birdies...

and a couple of the Sarah Lugg ornaments

 Howie DID NOT BREAK....

(remember he broke 4)

Have a great week,

if I don't see you before then.

Z

Fa La La La La In Lala Land

Ya gott love felt balls..snowballs 

And Felt Birdies

with more snowballs.

Everyone keeping busy?

*

Anyone not busy?

Z

Ben's Stuffing and Life and Trees

The Famous Ben Stuffing

Very labor intensive, but most of the chopping can be done the 

day before, but Ben said he likes the idea of the work 

"on the day".

We enjoyed mimosas while HE worked.

The pooches were at his feet all morning

hoping for an errant nibble.

In the center pic you can even see Justice standing

by while he texted.

*******

1 3/4 pounds sweet Italian sausages, casings removed

5 to 6 TB butter

2 1/2 fennel bulbs, chopped

1 1/4 pounds onions, chopped

1 tablespoon fennel seeds

1 1/4 pounds firm but ripe Bosc pears, peeled, cored, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

2 large red bell peppers, chopped

2 teaspoons dried thyme

2 teaspoons dried marjoram

2 teaspoons dried rubbed sage
1 loaf sourdough bread cubed

3/4 cup dry white wine

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread bread on 2 large rimmed baking sheets. Bake until just golden, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Transfer to very large bowl. Set aside.

Cook Italian sausage in large pot over medium-high heat until browned, breaking up pieces with back of fork, about 12 minutes. 

Using slotted spoon, transfer to small bowl. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in same large pot over medium-high heat. 

Add chopped fennel, onions and fennel seeds. Sauté until fennel and onions are tender and golden brown, about 15 minutes. 

Reduce heat to medium. Add pears, bell peppers and herbs. Sauté until pears and peppers are just tender, about 10 minutes. 

Add wine and boil until most liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. 

Add sausage and fennel mixture to bread cubes. Season stuffing to taste with salt and pepper.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter 13x9x2-inch square glass or ceramic baking dish. Add enough broth to stuffing to moisten (about 3/4 cup to 1 1/2 cups.) Transfer stuffing to prepared dish and dot stuffing with 2 tablespoons butter before baking. Cover with buttered foil, buttered side down; bake until heated through, about 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until top is crisp and golden, about 20 minutes longer. Top with fennel fronds, if desired, and serve.

( I took the fennel tops and stuffed them inside my bird)

My brother Scott and his wife Crystal have

 a wonderful mini tree farm.

It is located on the lot next to their home in 

New Castle PA.

Each year Scott tends and trims these trees to perfection.

Look at these beautifully shaped trees.

Only Blue Spruce for them,

and only $20.00!

Those are not lala land prices!

Offspring of the folks 

who bought 20 years ago are now coming to

buy these beautiful Blue Spruce trees,

family traditions established and nurtured.

Nurtured in the nursery

for future generations..

Absolutely worth the drive if you are

 anywhere within the Pittsburgh area.

Please remember to tell them I sent ya...

and give em a big hug for me.

If you wish to call and check ahead, email me.

Also please check out Maynard Greenhouse

here and here if you haven't already.

If you are passing through, or live within

a nice long drive,

Maynard Greenhouse is a Must 

stop for Carole's Christmas shop and 

their Christmas trees have arrived also.

Give George and Carole my love and pet Petey

and the kitties.

Filled with love and gratitude today.

My son is still here visiting, he is asleep upstairs.

The joy I feel when the kids are under my roof,

asleep and happy and safe at home.

I am blessed with a great family 

and friends here and in blog land.

sigh...

Do you ever have those days 

where you just want to hug yourself with joy?

Life is good.

Difficult at times, but good.

Z

Gifting In The Studio

Working on Gifts

In the studio - Glitter and glue gun a flyin'

Wonder if I can talk Dearest Son into

a few projects?

He has an idea for a sewn headboard I'm working on.

I've already set up a painting area in the garage for 

Darling Daughter.

She asked what I wanted for Christmas.

What I always want from her....

Art

Maybe I can pick up a few tricks....

Ambiance

Last year I had a lit tree in the den.

With the lights from it and a few candles,

the room felt warm and cozy.

This year I made the number tree,

and it has no lights.

So I was sitting here early evening,

perusing the net,

and realized there was no "Christmas" lighting in here,

other than the candles on the book ladder.

The den just did not have that warmth I need

this time of year.

As I am known to do, when I want something different,

I "shop" the house. I walked outside to the garden,

and literally yanked these two stars out of a tree and

perched them near the ladder.

I have lights, I have ambiance, I have cozy.

I have two more days till Ben is home.

Went to the store for the ingredients for this

MAGIC stuffing of his...$$$$$ YIKES.

Fennel, pears, Italian sausage, red peppers etc..

It had better be dang good!

*******

Everyone please remember all those 

not as fortunate this Thanksgiving.

Even small donations have great impact.

If it's easy to give $10.00 then give $20.00

If 20.00 is easy, give 40.00....

I set a goal 10 years ago, to give to charities 10% of my

 gross income each year for ten years. 

I had hoped to increase the amount as the years went by.

That didn't happen, the economy flipped for all of us.  

This year I will barely make it but I will make it.

I'm selling off a few trinkets here and there to meet the goal.

( as I was typing this a pal called to buy

 some dishes I was selling. WoOt!)

Ten years 

Time to set a new goal.

I live on a very-very small budget but I always find a way.

If your budget is adequate, find a way, set a goal

make a difference.

Be a mensch.

Z

Reds This Year

There is some red this year at oldgreymare.

I adore these House of Hatten ornaments -

the Twelve Days of Christmas and more.

I used a few last year in the den, but this year I did the large tree,

and added more figures throughout the room.

The vintage green wagon in front will be loaded with gifts.

There are whites everywhere else.

With burlaps and browns,

creams and whites,

touches of snow and glitter.

Pinecones, more snow, angels, birds...

reflections, candlelight...

tis the season...

happy happy joy joy

Dearest son Ben will be home for Thanksgiving.

Making his famous stuffing he says.

Mama happy.