Winter

This was a tough one for me, but while we were decorating our tree this weekend we were talking about each of the ornaments; who was it from?, how old is it?, did it mark a special occasion?, etc. 

I came upon this beautiful snowflake ornament that of course reminded me of winter! It was a gift from a special friend who loves winter and snowflakes. This ornament always makes me think of my friend and her daughter who would look forward to the first snowfall of the year and every one thereafter!

WINTER

The cold weather is here now.  Time to finish  this quilt. I try to have one done each year. This one is extra special,  all the spinning wheel material is from people from my home town. Every time my grandchild looks at it she wants me to tell her who and where the material came from. Thankfully I can still remember whose apron or dress the pieces came from.

Winter

First fire of the season. Winter is here! As well as little Libby's first birthday tomorrow. Hard to believe!

Winter

Cold temps are here, which is the perfect excuse for delicious hot chocolate!

winter

The prettiest kind of winter...

Winter

Ski gloves ready for the season

Winter

Stuck in traffic on a ramp down PCH , rolled down my window to catch another California winter scene and a glimpse of ocean to the right.

Winter

Had trouble with this theme, but finally spotted the perfect scene to describe winter in Southern California -- A beautiful sunny day, palm trees, interesting clouds and a flock of Canadian Geese flying in for the winter.

Winter

I'm still a big kid at heart so my favourite thing about Winter is Christmas

Winter

I was concerned about this theme, however, being upstate, winter is everywhere. Wish I could stay year round.
Apparently some animal is getting ready for winter.

winter

Winter to me is definitely leading up to Christmas and I have the fun of helping Flo (my daughter in law) sell her chocolates at a couple of Fairs - such fun and here are some of them.  As you can see she and her father Kerr are seriously clever people - these are hand made chocolates.   If you want to see what else they make go on to their webpage www.choconchoc.co.uk

Winter

Soon the lake will freeze.

Winter

Perfect timing for this weeks blog. Our first snowfall of the year. Just enough fell to make the roads slippery.

Winter

Winter means Christmas is close by and here in London on the Southbank lots of little stores selling Christmas goodies.  This store was selling Gluwein - definitely a Winter drink.

Winter

My favorite season here with the bluest skies mirrored in the Pacific and crisp fresh air. 

Winter

I have this thing about water towers, and the wintery feel of this scene was too good to pass up on despite the sub-zero temps. Hope you're all keeping warm!

Wood/Wooden

Wood/Wooden

My favorite use for wood in this type of wintery weather!

Wood

Woods towering over the Lakeshore Peace Garden

wood/wooden

A gift from my mom when I was very young.

It is not only a treasure but it holds all my treasures too! 

 

 

 

Wood

A tiny hand carved puzzle box i bought in Cuba about 20 years ago.  There is a secret way to open it and i keep it close - bringing it out every once in a while and try again.....TRY.

Wood/wooden

These items are more handmade treasures from James and Luke.  During middle school they created them in tech class. 

Wood/Wooden

This is my late mom's hall tree that we've had since I can remember; it always makes me think of her.

Wood/Wooden

Sometimes I take pictures and think "did Kim take this?"  Here is a wooden fence in our neighbourhood

Wood

The bare wood trees acted as the perfect backdrop to my sisterinlaws rustic themed wedding photos. Yes, I'm aware this is a stretch for wood but c'mon .... how cute do my kids look? And their aunt was breathtaking!

Wood/Wooden

Made from re cycled dhow (traditional sailing boat) wood this sofa, photographed with out its cushions, is very heavy and solid. It was made by Nicola, my niece, Jocelyn's niece and Gems' cousin! She has a fantastic workshop in Dar es Salaam (and now Zambia) making all types of furniture and wooden artefacts all from recycled timber. All our camps are furnished by her. The business is named "Nzito' which means heavy in Kiswahili.....very appropriate.

Wood/Wooden

Went to a football game at one of the oldest colleges in the country, which felt very apparent by the state of the wood benches in the football stadium. I think it might be time for some renovations!

Wood/Wooden

We have had a cold and snowy day today.

Wood

My Indian wood masks always give me a quizzical look when I spend too much time on the sofa! Don't they realize that is  my first Laker game of the season??

Wood/Wooden

Found an out building dating back to the 1800s.

Wood, Wooden

This wood drinks cupboard has many a tale to tell, our new wooden staircase, our wooden barometer that gives us a daily weather report, with a 'would' be champion about to jump a wooden fence!

Wood

Saxophones are part of the WOODwind family of instruments.  Also included in this category are flutes, organ pipes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons and bagpipes.  I've seen bands marching with all of these instruments except for organ pipes.  That would be a bit difficult...

Marching season ends this weekend, so this may be the last of my band pictures.  It's been a great season full of wonderful music and fun times.  This Saturday is our last tournament, the SCSBOA Championships being held at Mt Carmel.  We are competing, so if you are local, come on out and cheer for the Marching Sundevils!

Wooden

Now that the leaves are gone, the most interesting wooden shapes have emerged. 

Wood/Wooden

Logs ready for the fire.  Winter has arrived in England.  Night frost, 42 F and some snow in the North. The wood fire is so welcoming and snug.

Wood

Enjoyed watching this lioness at the Safari Park using a piece of wood as a scratching post. 

 (If you look closely you can see her huge claws and how she's seriously shredding that wood -- amazing!)

Wood

 A quirky fence in a quirky neighborhood.

Wood

Walking at the Safari Park is one of my favorite outings in San Diego and today it was just overcast enough for the animals to be a bit more active.  This vulture was taking advantage of a piece of wood  to scope out his territory.

Old

Very few things are more special than OLD friends. Thank you Kim and Shelley for the wonderful get away.

old

This pocket watch belonged to my husband's grandfather.

Old

old

Looked for the oldest thing I could find all week and then found this while working in the yard this weekend. My brother in laws old toy that he didn't pick up...  it still clacked!

Old

An old restaurant cash register

Old

St.Mary of the Lake is nearly 100 years old! This photo was taken 10 minutes after a huge storm rolled through Chicago (tornado watches 'n all) but you can't tell from the perfect blue skies.

Old

Made bird feeder hearts for my sisterinlaw's wedding...after number 217, it was getting old....

Old

Love finding little reminders like this of the old, charming neighborhood that I live in.

Old

My maternal grandmother had a very busy social life... but 66 years ago today she had no plans whatsoever.  I wonder how she ended up passing the day.  Can't believe how tiny her diary is!

Old

Forgot to take my camera with me - so all those amazing ideas I had went out the whatever!!  Feel this lacks imagination but it is a very old Olive Tree in Portugal!!  Have already seen some brilliant photos that you guys have put on the web - next week!!

Old

James and I had so many different thoughts for this week's theme.  We settled on this one.  This is a photo taken when my father, James' grandpa was a young boy.  My dad grew up mainly in Park Slope, Brooklyn but they moved to Massapequa, Long Island for several years.  This was taken in the Massapequa house.  He is the youngest one.  The others are his older siblings, all who have departed this earth.  Grandpa is 84 (so is Grandma) and very young at heart.  We are so blessed to still have them to enjoy.

Old

Old...this is an old, intricately carved door we found in Bagamoyo a coastal town near Kisampa.  It dates from the time of Arab rule in this part of Tanzania....probably in the 1800's.
I did think I could post a photo of me looking in the mirror this week...it would have covered Old, Lined Up and Reflections!