Clouds and Palm Trees on Caturday

Nice cloud coverage all day today.

There was a cool refreshing breeze for my walks this morning and evening.

Fed some kitties.

Picked up some trash.

And then, a few minutes later, found a palm tree cutout on the ground.

Thought that was kinda funny since I'd just been taking pictures of palm trees.

 First full moon of 2026.

The Wolf Moon.

Welcoming the New Year

 Do you have a traditional meal for New Years Day?

It is Southern tradition to have black-eyed peas (which represent coins or wealth); a green (collard or cabbage representing paper money); and cornbread (representing gold).

Black-eyed peas originated in West Africa and were carried on ships to the Americas by enslaved Africans who had the knowledge and agricultural expertise to cultivate, preserve and cook them.  The peas sustained them in times of scarcity under harsh conditions and what once was a necessary dietary staple became a symbol of persistence, strength and survival after emancipation.

A simple, nutritious, inexpensive meal that represents hope for the year ahead and a wish for abundance.

Happy New Year! 

Almost Daily December 31

 Well, I managed 29/31 days of posting this month.  I'm calling that a win.

And after weeks of gray days and dreary weather, we had the most beautiful blue sky for this last day of 2025.

See you next year.

Almost Daily December 29

Saturday night I wound up with a terrible headache and facial pain because of the bad habit I've developed of  jaw clenching.  Yesterday, still with a slight headache, I felt so tired that I went to bed super early and slept for nearly 11 hours.  That meant I really couldn't muster up the motivation to post anything, so December has now become "Almost Daily".  :)

Just a couple more days and the month will be over.  Hard to believe.

My goal was to finish this book before the end of the year and I was able to do that today.

Think I'll take a reading break and start a new book in the new year.

But for now,

it's that time again ...

bedtime.

Goodnight!

Daily December 27

 Today was my regular Saturday meet-up with my crafty friends.  One of the ladies hadn't been in awhile and came today with all sorts of craft supplies that she wanted to pass along.  We had a fun time sorting through it all with everyone taking something home.

Afterwards we walked across the street to a park that recently opened to the public.  Not many benches for sitting, but we had a nice little stroll.

Hope your Saturday is a good one.

Daily December 26

Our nephew came for lunch today (the one whose father just died).  Turns out it was his 39th birthday (I don't know how these kids got so old :)

My friend, Susanna, recently sent a picture of hydrangeas she rescued from a dumpster.  She said they were really droopy and pitiful looking but once she popped them in a glass of water, they perked right back up.

In turn, I sent her a picture of Rosie with the faux hydrangeas I found in the trash some years ago on a neighborhood walk.  

The petals are constantly dropping because someone likes to rub against them.

It's bedtime for me.

Goodnight.

Daily December 25

 Merry Christmas!

Haven't felt like leaving the house the past couple of days.

On a quick trip last month I picked up this magazine and spent some time today cutting out the freebies inside.

There were 12 different gnomes hidden within the pages and it took me 4 flip-throughs to spot them all ... this one with the heart was the last one I had to find.

Sending heartfelt holidays wishes your way.

Daily December 24

 Mood.

Didn't sleep well last night.

And we found out this morning that my husband's brother-in-law died.

So nothing very festive happened around here today.

Daily December 23

 Lucky no. 7, found on the ground while walking to the cafe to meet Susanna this morning ...

who was coming from the other direction and being greeted by a little orange kitty.

She always carries food for such occasions. :)

The owners of our favorite vegan cafe and regular meeting spot have also just opened up a coffee roaster so I bought a bag of their beans that I look forward to trying tomorrow morning.

Winter skies are always changing.

Have a terrific Tuesday.

Daily December 22

 My friend, Susanna, has been using her scrap fabric to sew simple projects and one of her recent ones was soup bowl hot pads.

Perfect for the season of soup.

Needless to say ...

it's been getting a lot of use.

Warm wishes,

Daily December 21

 A walk to the park today.

Where I spotted a kitty basking in the sun.

But then thought I might actually need to check to see that it was actually alive.

Thank goodness.  :)

Another kitty enjoying the sunshine.

This time it's Miss Rosie at home.

Celebrating light and warmth.

Wishing you a happy winter solstice.

Daily December 20

What I'm working on.

What I'm reading.

What are you up to today?

Daily December 19

Quiet day at home.

Found this small frame while organizing craft supplies the other day so stitched up a tiny tree to put in it.  The design is from a Christmas sampler of tatreez motifs found on Tirazain.com, a website that aims to document and preserve Palestinian embroidery. 

That's about it for today.

Short and sweet.

Have a good Friday.

Daily December 18

 Morning rituals.

And a little treat I brought home Tuesday from the cafe ... a vegan holiday sugar cookie.  So yummy!

Rosie and I enjoyed watching a wren on our balcony flitting here and there looking for things to eat.  I'm surprised any of these photos actually turned out since it did not sit still for very long.

Doves, on the other hand, are very good at sitting.

Rain started this afternoon and is expected throughout the night.  It was an excellent day for staying in and watching through a window.