Dear Mark,

Wow, time has flown by, it's been a month already and the new year is here. 

Made it back to Florida safe and sound, maybe a little worse for ware considering we had a little 12 hr bug on the way down, and hopefully spared our hosts any unwelcome illness.  

But, luck would have it that we took turns feeling well enough to drive, but it sure was an adventure. 

Upon arrival we were greeted in the park by a lone turkey hen, she is quite comfortable gleaning the bugs and small lizards from all our homes - she is a beauty. 

New Year's Day brought a good washing of rain here so I guess it's a sign we will have a "shiney clean" year ahead. 

We are getting back into our routine here and I'm back to my "mail art". Love it, so pretty. 

Well in closing, yesterday we went to Casadaga to church and afterwards went for a walk. 

On our way to a park nearby, I saw this huge spider hanging between these trees in front of one of the homes. 

 I know it looks 5ft long - bad pic.  But it was about 5" and so creepy. 

 I could just imagine myself thrashing through the woods all hot and sticky and WHAM, walk right into this thing at face level!  Horror of horrors!

 That's what nightmares are made of. 

I will leave you with that thought, LOL

 

Dear Mark,

We had a fun fantastic weekend. 

Saturday was the Ripley family Monopoly game, played by the guys. Daniel won. 

 The ladies- I can say that about us because we were quiet and civil as compared to others in the house, made coffee filter snowflakes. 

Everyone had a good time from the sounds of it and the smiles we all wore. 

After the game and crafts we ordered take out and had a great companionable meal. 

Sunday started leisurely with our Sunday morning news show.  

Around eleven Charlie drove me to Tori's so I could spend the day together, I told her I'd help her sort some stuff she had and was not sure what to do with it.  It all turned out great and I got to spend some quality time with my daughter befor I head south. 

She has the most adorable kitten. 

Well that wraps up the weekend - Oh I only got one nap - on Saturday before  the family game.  Just though you wanted to know. 

Winter Wonderland

Here are some pics from my ride to my moms Thursday (Charlie was driving not me)

These are not normal scenes for upstate New York in early December. 

Looking out our front window. 

These shots were taken going down her driveway. 

Well I guess that's where the song comes from - "Over the river and through the woods" - We should have had a sleigh - LOL

bye....

Friday

Finishing up Friday. 

Mitts are done!

Tree is up. Yes! That's our tree we love it , don't tease. 

The snow has stopped ..... For now. 

So now I'm ready......to fill this binder with the letters coming in 2015 ❤️

See you Monday. 

Snow, Rain, Slush More Snow.

Yuck...Yuck....Yuck

All this wet cold weather has me trapped in the house like a mouse hiding from a cat. 

I did get my Fountain Pen Pal swap done. Five pages of 11 by 8 paper, full. I was lucky the partner I got was a partner from a previous swap so I knew a little about her which made writing so much easier. 

Did you notice the pic was upside down????

Charlie rigged up a plow for the front of his snow blower today. There was no blowing that stuff it was pure slush!!! 

What a clever guy!! 

That's it for today --- Blah Blah....

Byefornow. 

Shrink Paper!

Where was I when everyone else was making Shrinky Dinks???? 

It was the 80s I think I was all caught up in cloth diaper pin positioning, that was the extent of my artsy ambition. I can remember being very tired those baby years LOL. 

But!! Alas!! I have found them now.

  My paper just arrived in the mail over the weekend and my schedule was booked.  So, today I tried a few projects. 

I just had to try a crow.  Where to put the ring hole was a problem so I drew a harvest moon over his shoulder. Yup, that'll work. 

Not totally flattering but being the Mom I like it anyway. I wanted to try tracing in colored pencil, not to bad, gives me a good idea of what's possible. 

I HAD to try a ring ! Which involves math due to the shrinkage rate, I determined its just under 1/3 % of original. 

It is a fun cute project, I can't wait to make more. 

Let's not forget my ongoing project of "The 25 days of December" it's a tiny journal with snippets of each day leading up to Christmas. 

Not too thick yet. 

Oh! I must include there was no nap today? 

Humm.... I guess I'll have extra time coming tomorrow. 

Byefornow. 

Dear Mark,

WOW! What a busy weekend. 

Saturday was Master Noah's 1st Birthday, and what a Celebration he had. 

Cake smash and all! 

(Momma, Noah and Poppy) 

He loves his trike from Poppy. 

And believe me we needed a good nap after all that. 

Sunday was a bit more subdued, as Sunday's should be, LOL

I went to Walmart picked up some groceries, and some cool paper REALLY cheep. 

 Met Victoire for coffee in Lake George before her apt at Extoria...I won't go into that. 

Then home to rest for the evening AHHH...what a great weekend. 

Oh, I sent a whole bunch of post crossing post cards out Friday to people all over the world. 

See....

All is well that ends well. 

Byefornow.