Happy New Year

Here's our Betsy again, modeling her new jean jacket for us.   

Christmas Betsy

It was a very very nice Christmas at Judson and Rachel's.   Our Betsy is growing up so fast.  She's smart and pretty and so much fun!

Vintage Greeting

My friend Raye Ann sent this card to me in 1979, back when we were in college and living across the street from each other on Royalty Court.    The inscription says:   "may love and caring be part of your new year. . . merry christmas".   She could always make me laugh.  And  she's done it again with a card from 30 years ago!

More Flowers for Work

These went to Karen, who wanted them for her mom and her sister. 

Annual Tradition

This  little red basket goes to medical records every year.

Last Sat Before Christmas!

I'm wrapping presents today.  Still have a bit of shopping to do, but it's been nice to be at home.  The little garland is one that PJ and I bought on one of our flower shop tours. 

Thank You Gift

This one went to Jo-An's parents, who have been so nice to let us use their dock.   Mark  has had a great time catching fish after fish!

And here's a close up of the vase treatment.  Lots of hot glue and beaded wire holding leaves, twigs, and bits of pine. 

Christmas Cookies

I found this recipe for cookies in last week's paper and they were really really good.  Cut them as small as you'd like--they're little crispy buttery almond bites. (PJ gave me the crocheted dish cloth when we were at the craft show.  Love it!)

Mack

My sister PJ and her family lost their beloved golden last week.  He was a great dog and he loved them all so much.  They rescued him years ago when his original owners couldn't take care of him.  He was a lucky lucky dog to have landed at Powers Pond and I know PJ and the boys and Jeff felt they were lucky to have him too.   

Here he is celebrating at Jordan's high school graduation. 

And here's an older picture of him with Jacob, I think.  Mack was happpiest when he was sitting right on top of you, getting petted.  He just adored his family.

Thinking so much of Mack and PJ this week has made us think of our goldens that we have lost and how thankful we are for the goldens we have now.  We will miss Mack, but he lives on because he is a golden we loved and who loved us. 

Love a Golden is where we rescued G Dog and Lilla.  We're writing them a Christmas check in memory of Macky Mack.  Love  love to my sis and all.

Saturday Bouquet

Dressed Up Cyclamen

My friend Chele gave me this blooming plant.  It's so pretty and I had a great time adding some fun things to dress it up. 

While I could have given you a picture with a  much less cluttered background, this one shows you why I need flowers  at work! 

Maxwell

I'm still finding pictures from my Michigan trip.  This is Maxwell, PJ's cat. Isn't he handsome?    He was really good to pose for me.  I kept a little clipping from a newspaper interview years ago.  It was about a pet photographer who  said that he quit photographing people and turned to pets for one very good reason:  "Because cats never complain they look fat in a picture."  Same with flowers.  You never hear one complaint from a daisy. . .

Mama's Pillows

This is a picture from my mom's booth at The Town Peddler.   She makes the sweetest little  pillows! 

A Little Vintage Tree . . .

This is a little tree that Larry Green's mom crocheted for us years ago.  Larry worked with us at the hospital and he was a wonderful chaplain to all of us.  He was also Mark's fishing buddy and they made several trips to Minnesota to fish up there.    He's retired now and lives in Indiana.  But his mom's tree makes an appearance every year and makes us think of him :-)

Another New Blog!

Just started a new blog for Petals & Co, this great little Rochester IL flower shop  I have to confess that I love these blogs and each one of them is special to me.  I hope you'll enjoy this newest one and go out to see Michelle and her staff.  They are friendly and fun and the shop is full of gorgeous flowers!

Christine's

After our flower shop visits, we went to Christine's Cake and Pastries.  Beautiful, delicious works of art!

 It was fun to see people picking up their birthday cakes and anniversary cakes.    That place makes people happy!

Unfortunately, the commute would be terrible and I'm under (WAY under)  qualified.  I can't wait to  visit my Michigan peeps again!

Michigan Saturday

On the recommendation of my brother-in-law Jeff, we went to Blossoms in Birmingham.  Great idea--super nice flower shop.  Love this wreath!

I'm including this picture of me because I know my sis will not be happy that I posted a picture of her.  She's beautiful, but she doesn't like to have her picture taken.  Anyway, you can tell I'm happy here.  It was a day with family and flower shops! 

The staff at Blossoms were getting ready for their open house the next day.  We peeked in the back to see what they were making.  Great centerpiece in the foreground.  Maybe I'll try one of those!Aren't these tapers cool?  Stay tuned--I'll post some more pictures from that fun day.

for the office

This one went to hang on my office door at work.  I should remember to keep something there, because it definitely makes a difference!