Friday Randomness

Various things and thoughts that made up my week…

I tried this combination of lemon, rosemary, and vanilla which was supposed to make my kitchen smell divine…either I did something wrong, or the cold temperatures have ruined my sense of smell…because it didn’t do much for me.  Maybe I’ll try again some other time.

I did make this homemade soup and Annie’s favorite pudding.  They both smell and taste really good…so that was a success.

Although the temperatures have been in the teens and single digits and that is just too cold, I do enjoy winter clothes and had a good time wearing this wool skirt and these nubby tights.  I topped off my collegiate look with Bill’s class ring, which always makes me feel happy when I put it on. 

I like to make popcorn on the stove.  It is the real deal and I often eat it on Sunday evenings with some chips and small pieces of cheese mixed in.  Might just have that again this Sunday while I see what those Crawleys are up to!

I don’t love summer…it’s just too hot for me.  But I have to confess that I am getting a bit of spring fever and have been dreaming about planting and decorating with springy elements.  The fresh vegetables from the garden will be pretty nice, too.  These pictures are from last year.

I’m also getting inspired to begin my Valentine card making.  I’m going to try something a little different this year involving these mini-canvases and some acrylic paint.  We shall see how that goes.  

 And the weekend is here!  Hope you have a great one, and I look forward to visiting with you again very soon.

All the best,

Kelly

Cheers to the Weekend!

   

A Sunday well-spent brings a week of content.

Proverb

This weekend I…

   spread a little Valentine cheer,

   volunteered at our public radio station,

   did lots of laundry,

(This is only some of it!)

   picked up a few crafty items,

(I should probably just buy stock in this place..)

   made brownies for my Mom’s “Proud to be a Brown” party,

   enjoyed Pinterest and Instagram,

(I'm at hastings1112.)

(@kellyandbillhastings)

   made a Starbucks run,

   read my new book,

   ate frozen yogurt for breakfast,

   admired the progress of Bill’s painting project,

   and got ready for my “Downton Abbey” fix.

It was a wonderful weekend.  I can hardly wait to get to the next one!  Hope you had a great weekend, too.

All the best, 

Kelly

Take Joy...

“The gloom of the world is but a shadow; behind it, yet within our reach is joy.  Take joy.”

Fra Giovanni

Take joy…this was the motto of the artist, author, and lifestyle icon Tasha Tudor.  I think it’s fair to say she is one of my favorite authors in part because she was such a very real person.  Born in 1915, Tasha lived the life she wrote about in her many beautiful books.  She had a real love for nature and a simple life that included growing her own food, making her own candles, taking care of her chickens and goats, and wearing lovely “frocks” from the 1800’s.

(Here's just a few of the many books I have that were written by Tasha.)

She also had a connection with the area where we live.  She was a friend of a popular restaurant owner and often visited our town in the early 1960’s.  His restaurant had the “Tasha Tudor Room” where patrons could purchase books and prints created by Tasha.

(This is a picture of Tasha I have on display in my office.)

One dark and dreary winter day, I decided to write her a fan letter. (Note:  I have never written a fan letter in my life!)  I told her where I lived and reminded her about her connection to our area.  I told her that I, too, liked to garden and talked about how much I enjoyed her books.  To my delight a sweet little note from her showed up in my mailbox.  It is a prized possession and is always on display in my kitchen cupboard.  

We are even members of the Tasha Tudor Museum, and a goal of mine is to visit there some day soon.   

Tasha died in 2008, but I’m glad her memory lives on in her beautiful books.

Have you read any good books lately?  I would highly recommend visiting Tasha’s world when you get the chance.

All the best,

Kelly

What's in a word?

The things you take for granted

someone else is praying for…

 

Grateful…

It’s the word I’ve chosen to focus on this year and I am going to work to be grateful for all kinds of blessings…both large and small.

 I have a family that seems to believe that I can do/accomplish/try anything…they have such faith in me, and for that I am so thankful. 

I have work that I love.  School has and always will be such an important part of my life, and I believe in education with a passion that gets me through even the most difficult days. 

I love coffee…though I’m not really sure if it’s the coffee or it’s that first quiet hour of the day I spend drinking coffee and talking to my husband.  We both look forward to it and are grateful that such a simple thing gets our day started off on the right foot.  It’s worth hearing that alarm clock go off bright and early!

Books…How many do I have?  Well, let’s just say a lot.  I can’t seem to resist them.  The good news is with my Kindle not only can I buy a book I want to read without even having to go to the bookstore, I save myself some shelf space.   

Quiet time…with the busy days and millions of things to do or be distracted by, I crave and need some time to think.  I am really grateful for those times that force me to slow down and contemplate just how fortunate I am.

The hard stuff…yep, I’ve vowed to even be grateful for the tough situations and difficult people that I sometimes encounter.  After all, I learn a lot while navigating those rough seas.

What word did you choose to focus on this year?  Did I mention the other thing I'm grateful for?  It's the chance to write this blog and share in these friendly visits with you.  

All the best, 

Kelly

"A Time to Talk"

When a friend calls to me from the road

And slows his horse to a meaning walk,

I don’t stand still and look around

On all the hills I haven’t hoed,

And shout from where I am, “What is it?”

No, not as there is a time to talk.

I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground,

Blade end up and five feet tall,

And plod; I go up to the stone wall

For a friendly visit.

Robert Frost

This poem is my favorite and is the inspiration for my blog.  There is no doubt that in this busy and fast-paced world it is sometimes hard to slow down and take the time to talk.  There are meetings to attend, kids to pick up, and mounds of e-mails and phone calls to return.  But what a treat when someone, no matter how busy, takes a moment to make a personal connection and asks, “How are you?”  “How is your family?”  “Did you have a good day?” 

At one time, friendly visits were a way of life, and folks in my grandparents’ generation were experts at it.  Most Sundays were spent riding around and stopping by to visit with friends and family.  These visits usually included a cup of coffee, a fresh-baked cookie, or a piece of delicious homemade pie. 

And while coffee and pie probably won’t be a part of the visiting I hope to do on this blog, I’m looking forward to taking the time to share some pieces of my life, make some new friends, and explore all kinds of topics and new ideas. 

Thanks for taking the time to join me in a friendly visit!   

All the best,
Kelly