January is Half Over ...I can't believe it!!!!!

Everything has been moving soooooooo fast since my last post.  I'm afraid that the colder weather here has kept me from being on the computer very much and my mouse is looking for a warm place to hibernate.
Right before Christmas was my last post...much has happened since, however, if I tried to catch Y'all up, we would be lost in the past...
Sooooo, I'll shoot some photo's out with a caption or two of what has been going on as I prepare to keep up with what is going on now.

For those of you wondering about the pastel pet portrait, I will get back to it.  The studio is tooo cold to do any lengthy work and the house is not good for pastel work.

Let's relive some of the Holidays at home in Cypress Inn Tennesse!

 

Daniel prepared our scrumptious Christmas Dinner feast of Vegetarian Lasagna.  Now he is a Lover of Pizza, so his lasagna was kind of like a pizza with lasagna noodles instead of crust.  I had given up meat to protest the slaughter houses last year, that is why there was no meat.  But as you can see from the ingredients...no meat was needed.  There was enuff lasagna left for 3 more meals...one meal awaits still in the freezer.

 

 

New Years Day I always cook.  We started a traditional dinner for this many years ago when there was an article  in the Twin Falls (Idaho) newspaper.  Daniel and I incorporated several different dishes to bring Good Luck and Abundance to our New Year.

We always have my version of "Hoppin' John" for the black eyed peas and rice.  Greens vary each year (that's probably why I never have any of the greenbacks in my pocket!Haha)...this year it was spinach with tomatoes & cucumber.  The dressing was homemade mayonnaise from our dear hens eggs...it's the yellow stuff in the yellow bowl, no food coloring, our hens yolks are so orange & sunflower oil is darker than some other oils. Yum! 

Instead of cornbread I made a Cornmeal-Sweet Potato casserole, celebrating the South once more.  The meat is a Pork tenderloin.  Eating the pig is to ensure going forward (there is a rumor that pigs can't go backwards) with your nose in the dirt (lots of good garden work)!!!!!

 

That was our holidays!  All the Santa's have been put to bed to rest until it's time to deliver gifts again and now I start to plan on Spring.  I've been busy distributing manure and dirt from the barn into the planter boxes for the veggies and flowers.

 

Next up...some of the Awesome winter sunsets right here in Southern Middle Tennessee!

 

Until then, I wish you Joy & Love and please visit with me again!

 

Diane

 

One more thing...if you would ever like recipes for my dishes...comment, or email me here

After the colors of Autumn turn to brown, black & white of winter

The time after Thanksgiving (for those of us in the U.S.) or the first day of December, is, to me...the beginning of Winter.  We've had cold temperatures and rain and frost and a tiny bit of snow.  The leaves now all cover the ground and when it rains or the animals & birds walk thru them, they crackle and rustle...lovely sounds that you can only hear at this time of the year.  The only bright colors are in the sunsets...now that the leaves are mostly gone from the trees, the winter sunsets are fabulous.  I think that is Mother Natures way of brightening up our world when all the outdoors is resting, some in a very deep sleep.

Since it is December, I can "correctly" begin my "holiday" decorating.  I like to bring the bright colors of the season that we only get a glimpse of into my home.  The reds of the berries and the beautiful Cardinals and Finches.  The greens of the evergreens, winter vines, and duck feathers.  The rainbows and golds after a rain and the sun comes out.  In keeping with the "holiday" season...I LOVE Santa Claus and have begun making a collection of this most magical being on Earth.

 

 

 

I plan to share often in this Quiet...Restful...Meditative time. 

Filling our home with the wonderful fragrances of home cooking & baking is another joy of my husband's and mine...Sharing them with you will be part of the Merry Season!

 

Thank you for letting me share!

Love & Joy!

Diane

 

A LITTLE AUTUMN COLOR FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE!

 All these images are from our humble home in Cypress Inn Tennessee

I drove into Florence Alabama yesterday to do my monthly heavy shopping.  When I left home the frost kissed leaves were dancing down out of the trees relieved not to hold on to the branches anymore.  Now the ground is inches deep in leaves and they rustle whenever anyone (including the 4 leggeds step thru them.

 

 

These are just a few images of the Creators wonderful mysteries...gifts given to all of us if we take the time to look around.  This is my gift to all that can't take the time to go out and see for yourselves, whatever your reasons...so please enjoy!
Diane

 

For Cat Lovers Only

My name is Patience.  It was given to me by my human Mama.
I don't remember how I got lost from my kitty Mom....I only remember some great....big....monster with 5 tentacles wrapping around me and pulling me from my safe place.  I was sooooo scared.  At least the monster didn't eat me, but took me some where else where more humans put me in a box and kept looking at me.  I went way to the back and tried to hide.   They kept sticking their faces up to a cage like place and showing me their teeth.  I knew they were waiting to Eat Me....Oh No!!!

  I was at the pet store to buy flea poison for the dogs
 and canned food for my very old cat.  I go out and shop once a month for most of our provisions.  The girl at the check out counter asked if any one wanted to take home a kitten.  It seems that this little girl was found across the street at a car dealership and a kind man brought it to them.  I took one look at those big round eyes on a tiny cat and said, " I'll be back for her after I shop!"

 

I got her home after a stop at the feed store...parked the truck...told my husband (Daniel) her story and where she would go while we unloaded the truck so the dogs wouldn't find and eat her.  I carried the box she was put in into the house and into the pantry and closed the door.  I went back outside to unload the truck...opened the passenger door and a streak of grey leaped out and shot under the truck!!!!

I had to be very patient if I was ever to convince her to trust me and come out of the woods where she tore off to after hissing at me when I tried to pry her out from underneath the truck...hence her name.  Everything turned out well and now you get to watch the very first Home Movie of Patience!

 

 

 

Thanks for your Patience with me and my new "daughter & friend".