Tip for a Tuesday....

Very Important Information during this cold snap!!

Source: Facebook post - New Jersey Office of Emergency Management

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

This was an early Christmas present from the Englishman.

I have found that this sentiment is so very true.

Everything we do in our homes matters.

The cooking, the cleaning, the laundry, the decorating. All of it.

( From "Susan Branch Shopping")

Wednesday's Wisdom....

"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

~ Linus

A Charlie Brown Christmas

So very proud of our oldest granddaughter, who played the part of Mary in her school's Nativity play. She exhibited such poise and reverence.

All the students did a magnificent job in reminding us 

of what this season truly is about: 

Love

Hope 

Faith

Kindness

Giving

Tip for a Tuesday....

Piles of presents waiting to be wrapped?

Save yourself time and aggravation by purchasing this type of tape dispenser.

It is weighted and stays in place - 

making it far easier to hold the paper, snag some tape and press.

(I come from a place of much experience on this!)

And be sure to have plenty of tape refills on hand!

Easy Peasy!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

Wednesday's Wisdom....

"Wouldn't the real Christmas miracle be if we slowed down long enough to remember the reason for the season, so that our holiday celebrations became authentic and meaningful?

So be of good cheer. Be not frazzled, frustrated, nor frantic, for I bring you tidings of comfort and joy. If you do Christmas at your house, you can choose to do it your way. Whatever that way might be. You can consciously decide to be happy, loving, fulfilled, generous, peaceful, contented, spiritual, joyous, calm, festive, and emotionally connected to the important people in your life for the holidays this year.

Or you can, unconsciously, choose to be a wreck."

Sarah Ban Breathnach  -  Simple Abundance - December 8

I've learned that I actually don't have to do it all! 

I can do just enough so that I am are not overwrought and over tired.

I can actually enjoy the holiday season.

The choice is always mine.

(Don't you just hate that! But it's true.)

I intend to choose wisely - for my sake - 

as well as everyone around me.  

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"The only true moment of Christmas is the one when you hold out your hands-to give. 

It takes so little really, just a little extra time, a little extra effort, almost nothing at all,

when you think about it."

~ Leslie Belleau

"Just a Little Extra"

A Cup of Comfort for Christmas - edited by Colleen Sell

This story recalls the author's experiences of neighbors coming together to help each other, in any way they could.  She reminds me of how many truly good people there are in this world.  I was blessed to grow up in a home where my parents did the same. Our family has always tried to follow their example.

Tip for a Tuesday.....

Jigsaw Puzzles

There have been numerous articles posted recently about the benefits of meditation and mindfulness. 

I have been pleasantly surprised to find that while working on a jigsaw puzzle my mind is calm and free of worrisome thoughts -  a feeling similar to those one should feel while meditating.

I highly recommend it!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

Happy Thanksgiving - and safe travels to all!

Wednesday's Wisdom...

Found this on Pinterest. Passing it on today, as some of the suggestions may be especially useful when gathering with family and friends this holiday season.

Tip for a Tuesday....

"One of the reasons real life is difficult is that we don't ask for assistance-from family, friends, co-workers, strangers. We feel uncomfortable, as if asking for help is confirmation that we're completely inept or spongers.

Stop the rather self-centered assumption that a little help is too much to ask for. Because we become a burden only when we're overwhelmed by our own hubris and have to rely on others to bear our load as well as their own."

Simple Abundance

November 19

Sarah Ban Breathnach

Most especially at this time of year - do not try to do it all - all by yourself.

Ask for - then accept - help!!

Allow others the gift of being of service.

Monday Morning Musings....

(Photos via @RoyalFamily on Twitter)

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are celebrating their platinum wedding anniversary today.

Seventy years of marriage!

“He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years,” Elizabeth said in a speech to mark the couple's 50th wedding anniversary in 1997.

Those who know them well, say that Prince Philip's ability to make the Queen laugh has also been an important component of their enduring marriage.

My Englishman just noted to me that after all our years together, 

he still makes me laugh.

I'll take that as a hopeful sign that we may reach a similar milestone!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

Wednesday's Wisdom....

ROUTINE

"routine - a sequence of actions regularly followed" - as defined in the dictionary.


Creating and maintaining routines was instilled in me in the home I grew up in, and then was reinforced during my years spent in Catholic School. 


Following certain patterns each morning and evening brings structure, a sense of control, and peace to my days.

Too many decisions - even those as simple as "what am I going to wear today" can twist me in knots.

I still lay my clothes out the night before (after checking in with my Alexa about the weather report.) This practice began when I was five, continued all through my early years in school, into college and beyond. 

Laundry is done on Monday and Friday, the mail is sorted and dealt with when it arrives, I tidy the kitchen every night, put out the trash and replace the used dish towels with fresh ones.

Am I flexible? Sure.
But for the most part, many of my daily activities are on "automatic pilot" which then frees my mind and eases my stress.

Tip for a Tuesday....

How to STOP business text messages: 

 I love the benefits of "texting" and instantly keeping in touch with family and friends.  My list of contacts is short, so anytime my train whistle alert go off, I will check to see if someone needs me.  Lately, I've found it a bit disconcerting to find the alert go off a couple of times a day from Home Depot or Michaels, simply alerting me to their latest sales.

While I know that I did in fact sign up for this, I don't think I realized how often they would contact me.  So I decided to take some action.

Googling "how to stop ______ text messages" will bring you to a nice little box, instructing you to "text" a specific number, then type the word "STOP" in the message.

  Presto, change-o! You are off the list!!

Friday Fotos....

Oh is it ever!!!

Which is why it would seem cruel to chase away this little bird seed thief, so I will let him be.

Hang on to your hats everyone, stay warm and have a great weekend!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"We make a living by what we get,    

But we make a life by what we give."

~ Winston Churchill

    

Wednesday's Wisdom....

Someone recently shared some advice which had been passed on to them:

"If you want a quiet mind,

you need to live a quiet life."

Something to consider, especially in a time when we are bombarded with so much information and noise.  

Far easier to do at this stage of my life, more difficult for those with little ones about.

But perhaps worth pursuing.

I've also learned that when I "clear the clutter," literally - in my surroundings - 

I "clear my mind."

Tip for a Tuesday....

VOTE!!!!!!!!!

Friday Fotos....

Autumn beauty.....

Vibrant reds on the blueberry bushes and blooming miniature roses in November. 

Mother Nature at her best.

Wishing everyone a safe and peaceful weekend!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"It's painful to lose anyone we love, 

but how we hold on to their memory shows us what's truly important: 

how kind they were, how they made us laugh, 

how they held our hand."

Miranda Hart                      

Tip for a Tuesday....

Looking for new curtains, pillows or dust ruffles?

While searching for a duvet cover recently, I came across the news that Country Curtains is going out of business.  

So if you need some home items and love a bargain, check out their website.

I suggest you hurry.....doors won't be open for much longer.

Country Curtains®: Curtains, Valances, Curtain Rods & Draperies - Country Curtains®

Friday Fotos...

Spotted this tree toad blending in on the trunk of a backyard tree.

The colors of these tiny roses are just beautiful!

These colorful mushrooms have popped up twice in the barrel of our miniature pear tree. I quickly removed them before the basset hounds decided they needed a snack.


And then there's this, posted at the American Legion Hall in the next town.  
Same story at our house.

Wishing everyone a safe and peaceful weekend!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"There is a greater gift than the trust of others and that is to trust in oneself.

Some might call it confidence, others name it faith.

But if it makes us brave, the label doesn't matter 

for it's the thing that frees us,

to embrace life itself."

Call the Midwife

Season 2 ~ Episode 3

Wednesday's Wisdom....

"Suggestions are free. 

It's the ones you don't take that you pay for."

(I can not remember where I heard this - it is written in one of my "quotes" journals - 

so I am unable to credit the source.) 

Tip for a Tuesday....

"When you dig another out of their troubles,

you find a place a place to bury your own."

~ Anonymous

grace  edited by B.C.Aronson

Friday Foto....

It feels as though Autumn  as finally arrived!

Wishing everyone a peaceful weekend and safe travels for the Englishman and daughter #1 - who are heading back to the home countries....

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"The everyday kindness of the back roads

more than makes up for the acts of

greed in the headlines."

~ Charles Kuralt, Journalist

from: grace - edited by B.C. Aronson

Wednesday's Wisdom....

Oh, ain't it the truth?

Raise your hand if your life was simpler and carefree before the age of ten.

"You knew not that you knew not," as my parents used to say.

Back in the old days, before social media and color television, 

I thought everyone was the same as me.  

Everyone's parents had grey hair, their Dad's worked in NYC, and birthday parties were celebrated in your kitchen with some of the kids from the neighborhood.

Everyone I knew had a woods either in their back yard or nearby to play in.

Routines and rituals were comforting, such as a set bedtime, Saturday morning cartoons, placing holiday decorations in the same spot every year and Lipton noodle soup when I was home sick from school.

Some "lifestyle" and "self-help" books I've come across over the years suggest you look back to your happiest memories of childhood and ask if you can repeat any of them now as an adult.

A few come to mind....

riding my bike

ballet dancing

the smells that emanate from pile of autumn leaves

wearing clothes made from corduroy or flannel

swinging on the swing set in my backyard

hugging our beagle

So in the midst of the craziness that seems to be swirling around everyone these days, I am making a concerted effort to rediscover those comforting, familiar memories and repeat them.

Think I'll start with hugging our basset hounds.
And if the weather ever cools down, 
I'll don my flannel shirt and corduroy pants 
and have a sit down on our backyard swing.

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

Wednesday's Wisdom....

Tip for a Tuesday....

The last several years it seems as soon as the calendar says "Autumn" everyone thinks "Pumpkin Spice" everything!!  I recently came across a blog post which gives a simple recipe for making up your own blend, which can then be added to coffee, ice cream, yogurt, waffle batter and on and on and on.....

Pumpkin Spice

2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground allspice

Mix well together and place in a seal able glass jar.

Easy Peasy

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"Someone else's action should not determine your response."

Dalai Lama

Wednesday's Wisdom....

 Overthinking?....

Suggestions on stopping....

Friday Fotos....

Girls night out!!

Oldest daughters, granddaughters and I traveled to LBI for pizza and a show at the newly reopened Surflight Theatre. A production of Winnie the Pooh provided many giggles and happy memories!

"It's electric...."

Miss C overcame her fear and went for a ride on Grandad's new electric bike, safe in Grandmom's arms!

"Such fun!" as they say on the British show, "Miranda".

Happy Labor Day weekend!

Make it a safe and relaxing one!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

Source: http://www.imgrum.org/media/1303847269678079643_1489802578

Wednesday's Wisdom....

"No matter how old we are, we need to know that the people who are important to us really do care about us. But feeling good about who we are doesn't come just from people telling us they like us. 

It comes from inside of us: knowing when we've done something helpful or when we've worked hard to learn something difficult or when we've 'stopped' just when we were about to do something we shouldn't, or when we've been especially kind to someone else. 

Along with the times we're feeling good about who we are, we can experience times when we're feeling bad about who we are. That's just part of being human."

The World According to Mister Rogers ~ Fred Rogers

Some of the most rewarding experiences in my teaching career were observing a student's "aha moments".  Times, as Mr. Rogers points out, when a student finally understood a new math concept, passed a really difficult test or made a classmate smile.
  During my talk with parents on Back to School nights I would encourage them to allow their children to find their own answers, to struggle if need be and not to take on their child's homework as their task. I didn't want them to rob their kids of the excitement and pride in doing things for themselves.
Yes, they will fail, they will be hurt.  But they will also succeed, feel proud and be excited that they did something - all by themselves.
"That's just part of being human."
True for all of us - from toddlers to seniors citizens.

Tip for a Tuesday....

Source: http://www.dearparadise.com/2016/03/ via Google

Friday Fotos....

Befores and afters....

Brighter, lighter and more inviting!

Wishing everyone a bright and light weekend!