Geese on the field, chocolate biscuits and friends for life

- Saturday morning was pretty dreary for a walk, but we went anyway, to a park in the community of Mountain Park, named appropriately enough, Mountain Park Park.  It was so soggy that the game fields were closed to all but feathered creatures (click to enlarge), who looked as if they might like to start kicking a soccer ball around.

- And much to my chagrin, my grocery store has started carrying McVitie's Digestives.  I adore them so much.  And I had just told friend Laura that the sweets had to go.  (After these are gone.)  These remaining few went nicely with a second cup of coffee for my morning break.

- Niece Amanda gave me this notebook as part of a Christmas present, saying that it made her think of me when she saw it.  I am so honored to be compared to grace, hummingbirds and flowers, but most of all that she's turned into such a good friend.

Steam engine, snoozing and they're on a roll

More good things from Christmas Day in northern Florida...

 - My sister and I were traveling from one farm to another on a Christmas Day visit, when we passed this steam engine displayed in Madison, Florida.  I love to read historical markers, so we pulled over.  It was used for cotton and peanut processing until 1919.  Cotton and peanuts are still the major crops in that area.

 - Hank, watching over my sister and brother-in-law's house in Monticello, Florida.  He loves to visit the grandparents here, so he can roam freely or just sleep on the porch. 

- When I asked niece Abby what I could get great nephew Monroe for Christmas, she said he loves PAW Patrol.  They are cartoon characters from a show of the same name on Nick, Jr. network, who go on high stakes rescue missions and solve problems through teamwork.  I like that, so I got Monroe the action figure set for a gift.  Chase, Skye, Marshall and Zuma are represented here - Rubble and Rocky were around somewhere, probably solving problems.  We all smiled when Monroe opened his present and shouted out the PAW Patrol slogan:  "No job too big, no pup is too small!!!" 

Feather catchers, unexpected and a perfect gift

- That's the side of my fireplace wall, just beside the sliding glass door that goes out onto the back porch.  I don't think I've ever posted about my feather catchers before.  (Click to enlarge if you can.)  They are wonderful pottery faces that are hollow inside.  The potter named them "feather catchers."  So when I spot a pretty feather on my walks, I bring it home because I have just the place for it.

My sisters and I all bought these at a wonderful shop in Dillsboro, North Carolina over the period of a few years.  The green one above was one of the last ones the potter made - I was told by the owner of the shop that she had a terminal illness and was not expected to live.  And indeed - there were no more in that shop again.  I'm sorry I don't know her name.  And an internet search never brings up "feather catchers" like these, only the Native American "dream catchers."  So it seems we have something truly unique. 

- My sister Jo brought me a beautifully wrapped little gift when she arrived last Thursday evening - unexpected because we generally do not do birthday gifts, except the gift of each others visits.  She was in a shop called The Mole Hole in Pensacola, Florida, where niece Abby and her family live.  She spotted something that goes so perfectly with our feather catchers, that she just had to get one for both of us.

- The face is a little ghoulish, but I love it.  :)  It is known as a "leaf spirit" and was made by a potter who lives in NW Washington State - Nana Thebus.  Somehow it has the same spirit as the feather catchers I already have, so of course it fits right in.  It reminds Jo of how grandson Monroe loves to peek out at her through tree branches.  A perfect gift.

Hubba hubba, latest obsession and sentimental value

- I forgot to take my own shopping bag in to Whole Paycheck Whole Foods last night and was amused by the expression of excitement, "hubba hubba" that they put on the bag.  If you click on the link, there is a good article about the origin and meaning of hubba hubba.  And I did grab a whole bunch of healthy - my sister is coming to town on Thursday evening to spend the weekend with me.  I'm making Peanut Chicken Stew - a Southern Living recipe that starts with a sweet potato broth that you make yourself.

- Speaking of recycling (yes, I'll recycle that bag) - my two and a half-year-old great nephew, Monroe, loves his present I got him for Christmas.  A Green Toys rocket made from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs.  His mother sent a text the other night saying he is "OBSESSED" with the astronauts that go inside it and plays with them all the time.  I reply that if he turns out to be an astronaut, I'm totally taking credit.

- My other reason for going to Whole Foods was to check the lost and found for my lost black glove.  Those gloves were a gift from my late parents several years ago and I loved them because they were a longer length and kept my lower arms warm, too.  That's why they chose them - because I'm always having to scrape ice off my windshield and they wanted me to be warm.  There were all manner of black gloves at the Whole Foods lost and found, but not mine.  I have two more places to check, but I'm thinking it's gone, so I ordered some that are similar.  The moral to this story is what makes it a good thing - I want to remember to never minimize the importance of a gift and what it might mean to someone.  It was the sentimental value more than anything.

Special gift, the wolf moon and mighty fine

- My sister got me this vase for Christmas after I admired it in a shop in the North Carolina mountains back in July.  I had actually checked to see if it was still there when I visited in September, but it wasn't (because she had bought it for me.)  I put some flowers in it and texted her this photo on New Year's Day, saying, "Happy New Year!"  She liked that.

- The moon was huge, golden and gorgeous on Tuesday night, January 6.  A Google search tells me it was the "Wolf moon" - so called by Native Americans because of the howling of hungry wolves that often accompanied it at the height of winter.  I got a glimpse of it ahead of me through the trees, as I was driving home from volunteer work.  It kept peeking at me, here and there, until I arrived home. Click on the link here to see an amazing photo of a plane crossing in front of that moon in Los Angeles, California.

- After a long day and then a meeting at the church that was also long, a simple supper of avocado on toast.  Drizzled with olive oil and topped with a little shredded parmesan cheese - it was mighty fine.

I hope you have a mighty fine weekend! 

Unexpected, a treasure and back to normal

- It is such fun opening the mailbox and finding an unexpected gift.  My dear friend and co-blogger, Granny Annie, sent me this wonderful antique postcard (circa 1913).  The message is perfect!  "All of us wish for you, all the good things we can think of.  If perchance, we have forgotten anything worth having we hope you will get that as well."  I wish the same for you, Annie, and all my friends who come here. 

- The card was addressed to Mr. William D. Hartman of Montandon, Pennsylvania with the message:  "just a card to let you know that I have not forgot the old Guard, your old Bunkin (Bunkie?)"  Wm Davidson, Drum Major, Band 19th Inf.  (Click to enlarge.)  I think they must have been in the US Army together, in the years just before the United States entered World War I.  Lovely that this postcard survived all these years and even lovelier that it is mine now.  A treasure!

- Thank you for all the concern for me and my city.  We have gotten back to normal a bit and most all of the abandoned cars I saw on the sides of the expressway yesterday have been collected (or moved somewhere else.)  I caught up on my sleep and cooked an awful lot - there will be chili and baked ziti for lunches for days.  :)

And it's Friday!  I hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

Goldfinger, oranges and singing anyway

- See the gold forefingers on the new gloves I got for Christmas?  This was the most interesting present I received - gloves that are touchscreen compatible!  I think they've thought of everything now. 

- Bringing a bushel of Florida oranges in to the crew at work and loving the smell of oranges throughout the building all day.

- Admiring the birds for singing in the trees even though it was a cold, dark and rainy morning.

Cheer, gifted and sparkling

- It just wouldn't be Christmas without this Santa that belonged to my Aunt Grace. After she passed away several years ago, my mother asked me if there was anything from her house I would like. Just that Santa that sat under the tree. He gets moved around to different spots of my home and brings Christmas cheer.

- More cheer in the form of this appetizer dish that my sister gifted me with when I saw her last week. She saw it and thought it would be perfect for my Mexican dip recipe that I love to make because it is good and easy. An unexpected gift is so much fun.

- Here it is all loaded up with the dip and ready to go to my Circle party last night. Great food, laughter, hugs and the awe inspiring sparkling holiday decor of friend Shelley's home. The dip was a hit! Would you like the recipe? OK.

Hot Mexican Dip

1 16-oz carton sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1 box (which contains two packages) dried Lipton vegetable dip mix
1 can chopped water chestnuts
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
1 can Rotelle tomatoes (drained)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Mix all ingredients and store in refrigerator overnight before serving with tortilla chips or vegetables. I use reduced fat sour cream and mayo, but never fat-free.

Have a wonderful weekend - I hope it is filled with good things!

Nollaig Chridheil!, God Jul! and Merry Christmas Y'all!

- Greetings to you in Scottish Gaelic (pronounced No-laig Crid-ellie), Swedish (my brother-in-law's heritage and Christmas greeting) and Southern US (I wear the shirt pictured above every Christmas morning.) No matter how you say it - I wish you all peace, joy and lots of love this Christmas, Hanukkah and anything else holidayish you might celebrate!

- Receiving a little Christmas gift bag containing three good things: chocolate, a jingle-bell necklace and a lottery scratch ticket. And winning $100 off the ticket!

- The volunteer coordinator at the Georgia Radio Reading Service asks me to record a New Year's message to the listeners. She says "Auld Lang Syne" will play behind it, so I should read the message slowly. I practice in front of her and she says, "Now read it like you like me!" Auld Lang Syne seems such a melancholy song that the thought of that crept into my voice. So I pictured my legally blind grandmother when I recorded it.

Unexpected, rhyme and native

- Receiving the best kind of gift - an unexpected one from Barbara D, a beautiful blue beaded bookmark.

- Asking new client Tahirih to spell her name for me and she adds, "It kind of rhymes with hip hip hooray."

- My hairdresser is Native American and is hosting a Sweat Lodge and dinner for friends this week, saying he likes upholding the tradition of the original Thanksgiving celebration.