The Robins are Back

'Thrilled' is  what I described myself to be when I  observed my first robin of this season yesterday. Actually, there were about two hundred or more in the back yard.   What they find to eat there has always been a mystery to me. ( Robins scratch and eat in my back  yard for hours on end).
Nevertheless, they were chirping happily, and, I guess they were eating the tender grasses, and maybe a worm
or so that found himself in the wrong place at just the right time for the birds.

Five or so years prior to this season, when all the robins visited our back yard every morning for about two weeks, one brave fellow decided to stay with us for at least another week all by himself.  I was so honored to see him there alone every morning.  He seemed so contented.  I wanted to adopt  that robin and make a pet out of him.  But, one morning, about a week later, he had disappeared.  I imagine he wanted to catch up with his
flock. I missed him, but the pull of nature visited him, and he complied.  Oh, well, my loss.  Again, I'm very
happy to see the robins.  Next week, they'll leave again,  and so it goes......................

Do you enjoy seeing the robins?

Lovely Winter

Winter of 2010

We are having such a lovely winter this year. The weather is so unusually mild, and some of the trees are
actually budding out.  We've had no sleet, ice , or snow as yet.  Until we see a generous snowfall, the
snowmen and snow women will have to wait in line to be created.  Snow angels will also have to wait their turns.

While living in New York almost twenty-two years ago, the snow was such a joy to my children.  At the time, I
just wasn't into such cold weather and all the inconveniences that went along with it.  Now that I'm not exposed to ice cycles and snowflakes, I would be thrilled to experience a two feet or more of a snowfall.  Go figure!   You never miss the snowmen until they're not to be found.  The snow angels!  My kids looked for a parcel of fresh snow with no tracks or anything.  Then they would carefully lay stretched out on their backs,and start to move arms and legs in a back and forth motion. Then carefully getting up, they would inspect their angels.
Fun for the kids, but I never attempted to make a snow angel.  My loss, as I surmise now that we never get sufficient snowfall.  This photo was taken about two winters ago!

Tea Olive Plant

Yesterday was a marvelous day,(as are all others!)  The main reason for the joy of yesterday, is that I received a love gift of a tea olive plant!  This was only the second time that I had even heard of such
a plant.About three months ago, I went to a plant nursery with two of my closest friends, and one of them purchased a tea olive plant.

I asked many questions regarding the plant; what is its origin, how large does it grow, and what is one of its most significant features?  My friend surprised me by just nonchalantly dropping the plant off  in
my yard yesterday, three months after I had first saw one.

This tree grows to about five feet tall, and three feet or so wide at maturity. (around three years.)  It is
a slow-growing tree, but the fragrance that permeates from this tree smells so beautiful.  Some have
compared it to the scent of a rose, others say it has a smell between a jasmine and a gardenia.   The scent is said to  travel at least 100 feet in any direction from the tree itself .  This tree originated in China.  The Chinese extracts an oil from the tea olive tree for various uses. The oil is mixed with cosmetics,soaps, etc.  Also, the oil is used as is on the hair for the shine and the lovely scent.

This Tea Olive Tree (Osmanthus Fragrans) greatly attract some of our most colorful summertime characters.  The hummingbirds, butterflies,   and other insects are instantly captivated  by this lovely tree.

Now, you understand why I am so excited about this tree! This is the loveliest of gifts.   Thanks,
friend! 

Chocolate Month!

Image via WikipediaFebruary 14, we're exactly one week from Valentine's Day. Of, course it's a day known for wannabe lovers, significant others, real or imagined sweethearts, to come foward to anounce their deepest and heartfelt intentions to their soulmates. I can identify with all of that; but my craving for chocolate,
the 'food of the gods' exceeds all of the above.

From chocolate cheesecake, bon bons, eclairs drizzled with chocolate syrup, strawberries dipped in chocolate fondue, chocolate cream pie; just name it! If it's chocolate and it's edible, Hey, count me in!   Watkins features a Chocolate
Dessert Filling that's simply yummy.The easy to follow recipe is on the container.   Make the pie for Valentines Day and enjoy!
My spouse completely understand my love affair with the milky-gooey stuff. Over the years I have introduced him to many of my favorite chocolate treasures. Lots of my favorite chocolate delights over the years became hits with Hubby, too. So, we do have our love and affection for each other, to celebrate on Valentine's Day, plus our overwhelming love for all things Chocolate! What's your favorite chocolate dessert?

That Season!

We're right around the corner from 'That Season'! You all know what I am getting at. There are so many words to remind us of that season; cookies, egg nog, fruitcakes, candies, candles, scents, santa,reindeer, snow, tinsel, yule logs burning, decorated trees, gifts,etc. The list goes on and on.

The reasoning behind the whole festivities and celebrations is that God gave His Son to this world, that we all may have a chance to enjoy eternal life.

It is said that the Holy Son was born around this time of the year. So, we show each other and the world that we appreciate God's gift to us by giving, sharing, and helping each other. That is the real reason for this season: Giving thanks and praises to God for the most unselfish gift of all; His Dear, Precious Son.

Collecting Just Because

What kinds of things are you interested in collecting? Vintage cars, toys,
books, ash trays, piggy banks, or other sorts of money-saving devices? I like
to collect odd-shaped glass bottles, vases, glass and/or porcelain figurines, all in cobalt
blue,lime green and cherry red.

I'm having a really wonderful day when I can walk into a thrift shop and see
an interesting and rare item in one one of my three favorite colors. I almost
always choose the cobalt blue color over the other two colors. I have collected quite an array of useful products. I enjoy displaying my items
and discussing them with anyone who will listen.

To be sure, we collectors are an interesting breed. We will go to many lengths to
look for a rare find. And when we do find something that we consider worth
while, I, for one, am willing to bargain and haggle for a reasonable price.
I enjoy things with different shapes, and sizes in my three chosen colors

My First Love

Hands Down! My mother was my first love. The earliest memories of myself was that of me pulling on my mother's skirt or dress tail, and her looking down at me with a great big smile on her face. I had the distinction of being her first-born daughter after having three sons one after the other.

I am sure that I got lots of Mom's attention in the fourteen months before the next daughter was born to Mom. That was my sister, Ruby. She was a chubby and happy child that was always doing, and eventually, as she learned to talk, saying things that kept the rest of us, Mom included, in stitches.
Being a part of a large family had it's negative aspects; but in that case, I personally do believe, the positives overrode the negatives. My Mother
loved me (us) unconditionally, and I (we) adored her, too.