Though we are distracted and the virus gets old,

The shepherd we love, still watches the fold.

The star still shines over the city and mart.

His voice still speaks to the listening heart.

~Rev. Rolfe Granath~

The prose came by way of a Christmas card from dear friends, Beverly and Rolfe in Colorado and it fills my heart.

It is a difficult time of year to be going through what the world is going through.

Are you listening?

Love you beyond the moon and stars.

Me

Lauren, Josh and Matilda are on vacation this week. They decided to get out of town…and go camping.

We were invited to the state park for a visit. It was foggy and cold and we stayed for an hour. It was SO COLD! AND FOGGY!

I watched the fog roll in…it was 36 degrees and beautiful.

The tents were almost like a yurt. They were cozy and warm.

The little kettle at the right was filled with green tea! How awesome is that?

We got to spend a little time with our favorite girl, Matilda. That is always fun. Then we headed home.

It took me forever to get warm again. Now I know why I am not camper.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Yesterday, a good friend of mine posted a “heart” quote. I wanted to share the organic joy of her message. (Judy, the author of the quote, is my Pink Sister. She and I battled breast cancer at the same time in 2012)

Judy said: Good morning! Just thinking that it is the little things that make me happy. 5:30 in the morning and I have already had a hot shower, my newspaper is here, channel 7 news is on, pumpkin spice coffee is brewing (and smelling heavenly), husband is still sleeping and snoring, and best of all the new day is a clean slate with nothing “have-to” planned. A good book and a fun puzzle await. Hope everyone enjoys their day,

Thank you Judy…..love you.

***

Yesterday was a nice day. Larry walked my miles with me at his lunch hour, almost finished two hand made gifts for the holiday and made french onion soup for dinner. The day went fast as I worked on goals of the day.

It is cold outside today. Counties North of us are expecting snow. It made me think of this sweet photo that Matilda took during Camp Robi 2020.

Stay warm today. Be happy and please share your joy (or heart!) with someone who might not be happy…..

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Yesterday was gloomy. ALL day long. Larry and I did a few odds and ends as we finished up Christmas things. It was a productive day.

Dinner and a movie was uneventful, food wise. We had left-over Bellissimo casserole with garlic bread and a salad. The wine was a gift from Jared, our son in law and it was very good. (The wine name paired perfectly with our movie)

Our movie was wonderful. NOTE: We watched the color version and it is very old. I LOVED the movie. LOVED it. We found it on Amazon Prime for free.

At the beginning of the movie, there was a quote by Benjamin Franklin…it touched Larry and this morning, he brought it up again….

It reminds us so deeply that how we live today will determine how we live in our afterlife….

The sun is finally out this morning. Onions are cooking for the French Onion Soup tonight and laundry is half done.

Happy Monday. A brand new week. I wonder what shenanigans this week will be filled with?

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

The tree is up. It is called the “Lew Tree” after the man who made it, Lew.

It was a gift, made by our next door neighbor and was gifted to us by Lew and his daughter, Debbi. It is a Christmas treasure.

The Lew Tree is going to make The Cottage more festive! I have not been very positive lately. Now that the Lew Tree is up, perhaps things will lighten up. The holiday lights on our street are amazing and I play Holiday music when I am at my work table. That is a good thing, right?

How are you doing? Are you feeling festive and happy? What is your secret?

Matilda spent Friday day, Friday night and all day Saturday with us. She was insisting that Amy The Lamb was named Susie. She insisted for about 12 hours…then it was over. How funny is THAT?

It is a rainy Sunday morning. Be happy.

Love you.

Me

Yesterday two sweet ladies shared their heart with the blog Toujours. (Always)

Sandy G. said:

What fills my heart ?
The obvious is my children , my grandson, my Robert. More than that on a deeper level
I have learned this difficult year that simple is better. In life , and love.
I have found out that each day is special.
Our time is not infinite so be happy with what you have rather 2 cents or hundreds
I am thankful for all the wonderful people I know. My heart is full.
Love to you and Larry.

Donna H said:

Although your readers may not make comments, reading your words can brighten their day. Writing can brighten your day. Some do not
easily share their thoughts. Always remember that others care for you and Larry.

*****

Thank you Sandy and Donna. Your words mean so much.

It is early and I am dressed. The playlist that I am listening to is PETER NERO CD “All The Things You Are”. (I am such a fan…his jazz piano is the best ever.)

Today we have company coming so I thought that I would throw together a box-layer cake. Duncan Hines is my favorite box cake, what about you?

I went into the kitchen to gather the ingredients…and look what I saw outside the kitchen window…..

No…Finn is not the guest that we were expecting. He was looking in the window at the cake mix, but by the time I found my camera, he became pensive.

Today is going to be interesting. Happy Friday.

Love you beyong the moon aand stars,

Me

A few weeks ago, I asked for thoughts from my readers. I heard from 3 people. I do feel disappointed, but hopeful also. Perhaps everyone is busy, staying safe and helping out during this time of …unhappiness? Is that a good word?

Larry wrote an email to me. Wonderful, dependable Larry. Larry makes my everyday special in one way or another.

His email subject was: THANKFUL For…

I opened the mail and this is what was inside:

I am reminded each day of this crazy year how much I have to be thankful for in spite of the negativity the world wants to offer – the touch of my love, Robin, her hand in mine….her smile and laughter take away all of the clouds that want to take away the sunshine. ~Larry Tolbert

What? I was surprised and touched. This past year has been difficult and Larry has held it together for me. Everything is different. Number two (cancer) changed everything. EVERYTHING. It changed who I count as friends. My ART is different. I look at the world in a way that I have never done before. And it is Larry Tolbert who makes sure that we stay consistent and that our every days are calm and filled with love. May I add my gratefulness message to this one sent by Larry?

God has been good to me. He has blessed me with the love of my life who is also my best friend. He has helped me become a cancer survivor, twice. My beautiful daughters and granddaughter make my heart burst and every day, no matter how difficult, God sends something to me to fill my heart. It might be a scripture or prayer from my devotional, a phone call from one of my girls. or a text from someone who I love hearing from. I am thankful for today~ Robin Tolbert

Love you beyond the moon and stars.

Me

Yesterday was Larry’s birthday. Larry worked all day and he waited until dessert to open his card and gifts.

It was a beautiful day and he even took a short break to walk 3 miles with me.

After dinner he opened his card and gift from me. (the card is always his favorite)

Is there anyone who you love better than Ice cream? Have you told them lately?

Love you beyond the moon and stars.

Me

After the family, holiday, picnic on Saturday, Larry took me out to a our favorite Italian café, Cappuccinos, for a late dinner. This sweet restaurant is such a gem.

The food is perfection and the people who own the café and work there are as special as the restaurant itself.

We had not been around our family since last winter, till last Saturday of course. It was very special to have a quiet dinner with my favorite person and remember special moments of the day.

Time is marching on. Many of our friends are tired and not staying safe. These days are history…and I wish that everyone would take the best care they could. I do not want to lose any more friends.

Love you beyond the moon and stars.

Me

Every year about this time, Larry and I take the family to lunch and to the ballet. The Nutcracker ballet. Because of coronavirus this year, 2020 we thought a family picnic at the Dallas Arboretum would be safer. The garden at the Arboretum I like, cannot be reserved and on Saturday, had a wedding set up in it! We decided to celebrate the holidays on the hill by White Rock Lake. (On The Arboretum grounds)

The family, from left, Jared, Jamison, Larry, Robin, Josh, Lauren and Matilda. It was good being together.

It was a beautiful day and the conversations were lively. I made all the food. Cheese plate, sandwiches and my mothers Christmas cookies.

There were also special moments caught on camera by our resident photographer…LARRY!

Larry is in ONE photo because he took all of the pictures. It was certinly a day to remember….at least I will remember it.

***

After such a great day on Saturday, Larry and I decided to to have an easy Sunday, Dinner and Movie. We had steak sandwiches …..

In bed while watching one of my top 3 Christmas movies……

I do not like it when a special event is over. I always feel down and struggle to look forward to the next “GRAND” event……

Love you beyond the moon and stars.

Me