Can you believe that it is Tuesday already? Yesterday flew by so fast that I cannot remember what exactly I did.
Perhaps it flew by because I am trying diligently to bypass the news during the day. My days are spent testing recipes, ART, reading and knitting a sweater for Larry. OH! Yesterday I also played a video game with Matilda! She was at her house one hour away, and I was home. We played Terraria. An hour with (granddaughter) Matilda always brightens my day.
I am up early this morning and have a DRs appointment. The house is dark and I can hear Good Morning America on the bedroom TV.
Photo: In the Dark Hallway. 5:30 am
I am going to try to have meaningful moments all day today. (And remember them tomorrow)
On Saturday, Larry and I went to the country to see Matilda, It was “ART In The Garden” day. For months, Matilda and I have been making and crafting different ART projects. We plan to auction all the art , with proceeds going to St Jude Hospital in Memphis. Please look for our auction soon?
While visiting Matilda, she asked if she could play the piano for us. She is playing so well and one song in particular moved Larry very much. Larry asked Lauren if they might video her playing the song and could we post it on The Blog today? The video is below…..
Larry wanted us all to be reminded that we are all one and we need to accept each other for exactly who we are.
I hope that you enjoy Matilda’s mini concert…The children are our future. We need to set the best example that we can.
I’ve been working on a few projects. Keeping busy is a good thing right now.
The news is interesting. Social media has been even more interesting. Have you been watching? There are many opinions. So many people changing their opinions back and forth. People being bullies because they think if they holler loud enough, they can change your mind.
I have a political opinion. I have been an avid voter since 1973. I watch politics and enjoy seeing how the “game” works out.
Right now, today, I feel like a lost American. Every TV channel has opinions. Every broadcaster is sharing what they think. It is like a carnival with barkers trying to bring us in.
Where do people like me fit in today? People who are accountable for each moment of our lives? (while watching others get away with horrendous things) I have never been an observer in my own life, but feel like one now.
There is hope for the future. I know it. My faith mandates it.
Today’s prayer is for HOPE. I plan to keep busy and not watch news.
Larry and I send you good wishes of HOPE….and calm days.
Usually around the first of the month I post a Book Club Recommendation. For the past 2 months, for unknown reasons, I did not post a title, but I will do better this new year.
January-2021 Book- “September” by Rosamunde Pilcher
Published in 1990, 576 pages (Huge but you hardly notice!) here is a short synopsis…..
Violet Aird is the centre of the novel, the matriarch of the Aird clan, and long-time family friend of Lord Balmerino a.k.a. Archie Blair. The characters of the book all have a problem to overcome, such as jealousy, envy, or greed. Violet watches over them all, but knows she can only watch. Lottie Carstairs, released from the local psychiatric hospital drives Violet’s friend (and employee) Edie to distraction – along with everyone else, disagreement over their son’s schooling drives parents Edmund and Virginia Aird ever further apart, the Balmerinos are deeply troubled by debt, and into all this, the bewitching and beautiful Pandora Blair, who ran away from home twenty years before, adds her own brand of chaos.
I absolutely adore this author. She brings Scotland to me with each chapter. I have read other books of hers and what I have not read are on my TBR list.
A couple of years ago, Larry bought me a huge gallery canvas. It is about 5’…and very hard to manage. It didn’t fit on my easel and the size intimidated me. It stayed in storage for a very long time.
In 2019, when Matilda was here for a weekend, I had an idea for the huge canvas. I had her stand between the sun and the canvas. I sketched her silhouette onto the giant canvas (she was around 7 years old at the time and the sketch was life size). After sketching, I hung the canvas in our bedroom. I LOVED the sketch. I loved it so much that I did not want to paint it.
Then, during 2020, I had an idea for the canvas and moved it to my work room. (it took me days to arrange the blocks where I wanted them, it was interesting how well they meshed together) Then I started the painting what is now known as “Matilda In The Red Dress”…….
Photo: Painting in Progress.
It took me about a month and a half to complete the painting. I sat on a child’s chair for much of the upper work and on the floor for for the bottom half of the canvas.
“Matilda In The Red Dress” was complete in 2020. It is hanging in The Cottage.
Photo: Matilda In The Red Dress. 48″ X 60″ Oil on gallery canvas. 2020
I took this photo moments ago. It is raining outside and wish that the colors were truer.
There is a much smaller canvas ready for pigment. Planning a project is half the fun, on the other hand, is focusing on the ART. It helps you forget everything else going on in the world.
Yesterday was a calm Monday. I got laundry done, walked laps at the lake and made Larry onion soup for dinner. It was a productive day.
The best part of yesterday was, the mail. Larry surprised me with a 23 and Me kit. (Larry received one for his birthday and thought he would include me in the fun) Soooo, I spit into the vial, sealed up the box and in three weeks I will have the DNA results.
A few weeks ago, I had ordered a dress pattern from EBAY. It arrived yesterday and I was impressed with the packaging and the owner of the Vintage pattern company!
Photo: The new pattern was wrapped
The pattern looked like a gift…
Photo: The company who I bought the pattern from. I will order from them again.
I bought a summer dress pattern….because Larry booked our beach trip for 2021! I am nervous about the world and what it will look like when we are able to travel. The trip is months away….and I have time to make some summer things now.
Photo: This is the pattern that arrived yesterday
I love the new pattern. I can make it out of gauze to wear over my bathing suit and some fun fabrics to wear during the day with sandals. It has huge pockets on the sides….I love pockets!
On to domestic news……
The new pansy planter is happy. The miniature pansy blooms are beautiful and I can see them from the kitchen window.
“Nobody can keep on being angry if she looks into the heart of a pansy for awhile.”
~ Lucy Maude Montgomery~
I love working in the kitchen and looking out the window at the plants and bird feeders…..
This past New Years weekend was happy. I think that it made up for such a difficult holiday. Larry and I did not go to the Dallas Symphony on New Years Eve. We looked at our tickets and agreed that it would not be a good idea to go. There were terrible storms in Dallas and to be honest, we just wanted to stay home and be together.
We dressed up and took pictures….
Photo: Larry & Robin~ New Years Eve 2020
Then we got into our PJ’s….. ate popcorn and drank Champagne in bed. We stayed awake till 1:00 am 2021.
***
All thank you notes have been delivered to the post office this morning. I was going to put them into the mail box, but I wanted them to go out as soon as possible.
Photo: Thank you notes and mask for the post office
I feel grateful today. There is so much good ahead of us and I am here to take part in the history that will be 2021.
Photo: Dead Zinnias in the winter sun.
Last week, I video chatted with friends far away. One of my friends in the UK, made me feel ok that I was not taking photos or even looking for fun shots anymore. The photo above is for him. I took it this morning, in the back garden.
Who inspires you or who do you inspire? I think that it is a gift to be inspired and to inspire….
I do not have a review for the year 2020. No 12 photos of the months or happy update of the days. I struggled each and every day of the past year and am glad that it is over.
Last night, Larry and I had “take away” for dinner. We sat at the little table and reflected on the year as we watched the movie, Dan In Real Life.
Photo: New Years table.
It is January 2nd, 2021. A cold Saturday in Dallas that will be filled with going to the market in masks and trying to stay clear of people who think that just because that they have a mask on, they can get close to me. (What are people thinking?)
Have a happy weekend. Larry and I send love and good wishes to you for all good things this year.
I meant to write thank you notes yesterday. For days I have looked at the list on the mirror, but avoided stationary and pen . Larry wrote the list for me, with all names and gifts. I have sweet little cards and stamps and for some reason, I am just not in the mood.
Photo: Thank you list staring me down
Last evening I made tortilla soup for dinner. I also made a loaf of bread. Larry loved it. The fun thing is, I have left over soup in the freezer!
Photo: Tortilla soup with home made tortilla strips.
What is it about a bowl of soup that makes a day feel brighter?
Right now…I have a cup of diet ginger ale in front of me, the playlist today includes Henry Mancini and the soundtrack to French Kiss and Something’s Gotta Give. Notes are ready to be written and pen has a new refill. Look for a note from me soon. Maybe.
Photo: Larry gave me mugs from Emma Bridgewater for Christmas!
If Larry and I did not hear from you during this holidays…please know that we missed you. XOXO
