Daily December - Longing

Longing for everyone to be home with him. He's ready for Christmas break too!

Daily December - Good for the Soul

Knitting and hot chocolate are good for the soul.

Changes

Life is about change

sometimes it's painful, sometimes it's beautiful

but most of the time it's BOTH.

Change is a constant in life. There's no way around it. You keep living, life keeps changing. 

I don't think I'm one to shy away from change. I'm happy in my life right now, but a change may be coming and I'm not sure I'm ready to embrace it. Couldn't sleep last night and been weighting pros/cons all day and guess what? I'm still confused! 

The change has it's good and bad. I'm trying to keep an open mind and not be selfish. To let go of past experiences and embrace a new adventure. But dang it! Change is hard! And uncertain! And stressful! And...and....and....

Ugh!

I just needed to vent a little. A place to put down thoughts as a change is coming....I feel it.  

Daily December - Let it Snow

Let is snow!

During this time of year, I long for snow. Like really LONG for snow. Growing up in Dunkirk, NY right on Lake Erie, we always had a white Christmas. I can't recall one year we didn't have one. When I left home, I was so glad to be done with snow. I never thought I would miss it, but every year during the holidays nostalgia hits, and it hits hard! And I want snow!

I think we all long for the Christmas magic of our childhoods. I remember Christmas Eve laying awake in my bed, watching the snow fall, listening for the pitter-patter of reindeer on the roof. I swear I heard them once. And Christmas morning! As a kid there was nothing on earth better than Christmas morning! NOTHING!

Every year I go back to my childhood home for Christmas. My mind takes me there. And for just a few moments the magic is back.

And I have my white Christmas.

Daily December - The Tree Decorating That Wasn't

You know how you have grand ideas in your head - of a magical time of getting the Christmas tree, and decorating with the family. And oh how fun it will be. And all the pictures and great memories you will capture. And how PERFECT it will be. Then life happens, and the picture perfect event in your head doesn't quite happen.

Instead of decorating our tree, I got a trip down memory lane. Into an box that use to be a toy box for 2 little boys. One no longer here, and the other a Dad himself. A box that holds drawings, homemade cards, and cherished memories of days long past. Smiling at pictures drawn of me. Tracing words that little hands wrote, hands no longer here. Remembering Christmas's past, another lifetime ago...

 Thinking of the here and now and 2 more boys I get to celebrate this Christmas with. And hoping I can make it magical for them.

Thankful

I am so thankful for this life. This beautiful, messy, noisy life.

My Time of Year

It's my time of year. I say this every year, and will say it again. Fall is my favorite time of year. Bring on the brightly colored leaves, pumpkin everything, cool nights, football, and evenings filled with knitting. I'm ready!

WIP Wednesday/Yarn Along

It's been a while since I've participated in WIP Wednesday/Yarn Along. The knitting hasn't stopped, just the posting about the knitting, but I'm back at it!

My WIP is another doll! Of course. It seems I'm always working on a doll. This little miss currently doesn’t have a name, except My Summer Doll. I am currently working on her little jumper which is pink and with her green hat she reminds me of watermelon! What summer isn't complete without some watermelon. I found little watermelon buttons for her jumper. It's taking me longer than usual. I'm not sure yet how to do her hair. I'm thinking braided pigtails, but that's not set in stone. I'm hoping to have Miss Summer done soon, as I have other projects I want to start.

To check out more yarny goodness, click the icons below and see what others are working on.

Summer Series - Day 5

With summer upon us, we've been spending more time outside. Every year we try to do a little something to improve our yard, make it more inviting where we want to spend time outside. We've had these chairs for a few years and they were looking their age. Fonzy suggested we spray them. I kind of looked at him crazy, and said, "spray paint.....uh....I don't know about that" That's my normal response when Fonzy comes up with his DIY ideas. He tells me I have no vision and gets to work.

I should have learned my lesson by now. I always end up loving his DIY ideas after they are done. Including the chairs! Aren't they pretty! I'm so happy with them. They are bright, cheerful and scream summer to me. I guess I just need to go with the flow when it comes to Fonzy and his ideas. There hasn't been one yet I haven't like. Even Titus approves

Summer Series - Day 4

I look at him and can't believe he is starting high school in the fall. In my eyes, still a little boy, even though he is about an inch taller than me now. In 4 short years, he will be off to college, finding his way in this great big ole' world.

I want his high school years to be filled with happy memories, close friends, and hopefully no heartbreaks. So many wonderful experiences are right around the corner. But for now, I'm wishing this summer takes it's sweet time, and he stays just like this for a little bit longer.

Half little boy/half teen...still able to play and enjoy a carefree summer.

Titus

Titus - the day we got him at 6 weeks and now at 11 weeks!

Crazy!

Summer Series - Day 3

We've been eating a lot of quick meals lately, frozen pizza, fast food, hot dogs. With our busy schedules it's always easier to do something quick. Sunday is the day we slow down and I cook a real meal.

If you've been a reader of my blog, you know I have a love/hate relationship with cooking. I love finding new recipes, and trying different things, but if I'm cooking the same thing over and over again, I hate it. I've never made homemade macaroni and cheese. I'm a Velveeta shells and cheese kinda girl, but decided I wanted to make the real mac & cheese. I found a recipe on my Allrecipes app (love this app!) for a smokey mac and cheese. Sounded yummy to me. So I got the smoked Gouda, Parmesan, Cheddar and Swiss cheese and got to work.


Homemade mac & cheese is a lot more work than boxed mac & cheese. I'm sure you all knew this.

During the process of shredding all that cheese, I realized I need a new cheese grater. The little one I had made the process longer than it needed to be.

Dinner came out pretty good. The mac & cheese was really good and I would make it again. It had a nice smokey flavor to it.


After dinner, we decided to take a family stroll. The main reason is to tire out Titus so he sleeps all night, but I feel it's good for all of us. Time away from the TV enjoying all the beauty that is around us.

Summer Series - Day 2 - A Boy(s) and his Dog

I have a feeling this summer is going to be all about the Titus and the boys. I will try to add some variety, but can't guarantee anything. Titus has taken over all our lives.

Having a dog is like having another kid. I've heard people say that before, but never understood how true that statement is. When we first got Titus, we were up all night with his whining and taking him outside. Fonzy and I were walking zombies. He's gotten a little better, but there are still some nights he's up several times.

We've taught him to sit and give paw. Now if we can just get him housebroken all would be good in the Veale household! He's lucky he's so cute.

Summer Series - Day 1

Since I'm getting back on this blogging thing, I needed something to keep me going. I have some ideas for weekly blog posts, but since the boys are the ones who have been asking me to start blogging again, I've decided to do a summer series. A picture(s) a day to capture this summer. The summer before Elijah starts middle school and Ezekiel high school!

Here's to new beginnings - for them and for me.