Contemplating.

Contemplating.
Wayzata, Minnesota

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Holiday Cheer

Busy, busy seems to be my daily theme 
as well as yours I imagine.

I've really missed keeping up with you all.




But there have been tables to set, food to prepare and of course
melting snowmen. Oh no!


After all, every single thing that we do
 is the best part about this time of year!

Making jolly moments of good cheer and folly.
But mostly,
It's the time you share with folks and loved ones!



Singing and smiling, and singing some more.



Welcoming loved ones flying in and far too soon flying out once again.



So happy for our time together.





Also, remembering those that are here only in memory.



Being thankful every single day.




Can't forget all the fun cards that reach our mailboxes (at the end of our driveway or waiting in our emails) this one from my cousin, Gloria on the right.
The adorable Robot man, her son put together by reusing automobile parts.





My sweet munchkins from our Christmas Eve #1 dinner last Friday.

Christmas Eve # 2 is tomorrow, the 24th of course, but my daughter and her family will be celebrating it back home in Alabama.



Preparing for my sweet, silly darlings to gather for a photo with me-
always a funny thing.




I'm wishing you all the very happiest and merriest of celebrations this year
in whatever fashion you celebrate.
It's been a wonder year again keeping up with you all and I look forward to another great year ahead of us all!

Take good care of you!

Friday, December 11, 2015

On the Fence


I am all for decorating, especially when it comes to



Occasionally, I draw the line on various fashion designs.

Sometimes.

"In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different."
Coco Chanel




Maybe.

"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous."
Coco Chanel




I'm definitely on the fence about decorative-tree-fashion wear for this year's holiday fashions.  What do you think?






"The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud."
Coco Chanel






"Fences are made for those who cannot fly."
Elbert Hubbard






So, it makes perfect sense to me when creative genius strikes while blending greenery with holiday fashions.













Art is made by those who know how to fly!





This is one gathering of mannequins without heads that was pleasing to the eyes.
Yes, I'm a fan of heads.



Okay, sitting on the fence about this one.







"Art is not a thing; it is a way."
Elbert Hubbard






"Fear clogs; Faith liberates."
Elbert Hubbard






"There is no failure, except in no longer trying."
Elbert Hubbard

I must say this Haute Holiday show was a major success, by the number of onlookers.

I do have one favorite out of all these lovely creations.  Do you?


Bravo, and thank you very much to each artist and their defining creations.

If you get the chance to visit you too can view these lovely designs at the Galleria in Edina, Minnesota.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Roadside

Good morning!

How about going on a road trip?




This week is all about-


ROADSIDE


 Below is the photo he offered to begin this round.



Okay, now admit it.  Surely after catching sight of this red three wheeler



you'd be immediately transported back in time, right?














"Logic only gives man what he needs," he stammered. "Magic gives him what he wants."
Tom Robbins






"The purpose of art is to provide what life does not."
Tom Robbins


Sometimes the open road mesmerizes us so much that
 we forget to look up.


Take my helping hand.

Roadside adventures
It's something that always pleases me.
It always-
aims to please me.  
Pay attention.


LOOK AROUND YOU.


 I know I've stumbled upon something very unique 
just waiting to be discovered.

So, what have you noticed along the roadside?




Saturday, December 5, 2015

Celebration of Critters

I almost missed Carmi's TP post sharing 


as our theme this week.




Being that he's not human he must be of the critter family!



I wonder where he's going with that tree?





Oops somebody took a dive into the snowbank!

Celebration comes in many forms.

"One can never consent to creep
 when one feels an impulse to soar."
Helen Keller





Feeding critters! A thankful, tasty celebration!




Celebration of memories of beloved Lady in her puppy days! She came to work with me every single day!
It's no wonder she became the alpha dog in our family.


Often times, celebration comes in the form of remembrance.





"Love, to be real,must cost-
it must hurt---it must empty us of self."
Mother Teresa

Silly is as silly shoots with camera!



Really, with my sweet adorable face this is how you take my picture!
I swear that's one adorable nose!


Celebrating the lives that once walked among us, is especially honorable.


"Yesterday is gone.
Tomorrow has not yet come.
We have only today.
Let us begin."
Mother Teresa
Taken from her book
In The Heart
of the World.
Thoughts, stories and prayers.
A book to read over and over.

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Seeing Fences

Seeing into life, one Elf and Snowman at a time and-
for some of us, we still have a few pumpkins hanging around.









Inside or out?  These days, snowmen are popping up everywhere you go.



"The only interesting answers are those which destroy the questions."
Susan Sontag




"As long as one keeps searching, the answers come."
Joan Baez






"Life itself is the proper binge."
Julia Child




Can't ever fence in too much silliness, 
it always finds a way out.


Folly is as folly does.
Who wants to fool around? They do!
If you get a chance to clown around, just do it!

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Party To Be






Party to be, happening as you read this.  Yes, it's time to transform our humble abode into a happy, merry Christmas time experience.

The most wonderful time of the year is-
Preparing for the good old Christmas tree.



I haven't gotten ours yet, but Miss Karina has picked out theirs.









December also brings baking adventures to a whole new beginning.




"The mere sense of living is joy enough."
Emily Dickinson


Stop to smell the flowers-




Life can be a party.




Catch Santa out of his famous workshop simply, playing around.


If you're still feeling the blues-


Invite friends and munchkins to help with baking!
Or decorating.
Or just for smiles!





Delicious (ready baked) treats and smiles galore-



. . . so if you're not into baking, order instead.





"One must never look for happiness: one meets it by the way. . .
Isabelle Eberhardt




Chairs for two- plenty of standing room too!



"The cure for anything is salt water, sweat, tears or the sea."
Isak Dinesen




"I don't think that one gets a flash of happiness once,
and never again; it is there within you,
and it will come as certainly as death."
Isak Dinesen


While waiting at the light I
Tried to capture mountain view-


Not really a mountain, just good old Buck Hill, one of our famous skiing spots!




"Who tells a finer tale than any of us. Silence does."
Isak Dinesen




Already rejoicing in photos taken before



Old man winter arrived.






And you know who is back once again.



May you walk around all the streets of happiness
 everywhere you go this festive season-
and have some fun!