Clarehelen . . .

. . . with Gramma Green, Grandma Kubicek, and Mrs. Kleespie (Grandma the III as she used to call herself)

Today is the last day of Sweet November Photo Challenge . . . and today's prompt is "you" . . . as in me.  That's an easy one and a tough one . . .

There is no possible way to jot down a few words and describe someone.  I am simple and yet I am complicated . . . I am strong and yet there are times I just want to give up . . . I am outgoing and yet there are times when I find myself feeling quiet and want nothing else but to be by myself . . . I am one of the silliest people ever - yet I am way too serious and think way too much.   I guess I am a mess of contradictions.  (it's no wonder my husband just smiles and shakes his head at me sometimes - I don't think he will ever figure me out)  What I do know and what is always constant are the values and beliefs that I was raised with . . . and my faith and I am so thankful to have those things.  When I look at this picture - I like to think that these three women would be proud of who I am. 

Better late than never . . . family & shadows

I am behind on the last two days of the Sweet November photo challenge 

. . . . better late than never.  Thursday's prompt was family . . . also the reason I didn't post - I spent the day with my family.  We weren't all together until later in the day - that happens now that my kids are older and have other families to visit.  The earlier part of the day was spent playing tennis, cooking, and simply enjoying the holiday.  I had another photo that I wanted to post for family, but was not able to find it.  After the kids got here we got looking through old photos . . . and found this one.  Jake thinks we should use the refrigerator box and take this photo again . . .

Friday's prompt was shadows . . . of course it is going to be . . .PEACE!

Have a wonderful weekend!

November 27th . . . new

Just in time to cook Thanksgiving dinner . . . a new oven! 

Sweet November Photo Challenge

November 26th . . . tiny

I found this book in an antique store years ago - along with two other ones that I remember having when I was little.  They are so cute and I love the illustrations . . . along with the childhood memories that they brought back . . . I had to buy them.  Today's Sweet November prompt is tiny . . . and this book came to mind.  Once upon a time there was a teeny-tiny woman.  She lived with her teeny-tiny cat in a teeny-tiny house in a teeny-tiny town . . .

That was long before the teeny-tiny R2D2.



I also thought of this tiny paper crane that I folded.  I have seen a photo of one that someone made - even smaller, but I would think I would probably have to use much thinner paper and be a little more patient than I am. 

Sweet November Photo Challenge

November 25th . . . window view

For someone who doesn't believe is getting too much into Christmas until after Thanksgiving . . . my last post and this one are definitely going in that direction.  I guess I am looking forward to the holidays this year.  I suppose having Lily, Owen, and Charlotte may have something to do with that, but it is also because somewhere along the way . . . I simply am learning to enjoy what should be enjoyed and to let go of what I cannot control . . . makes for a much more festive holiday me. 

Sweet November photo challenge

November 24th . . . pretty

Our pretty Stella . . . another old photo, but it has been that type of weekend.  Last year Stella spent a great deal of time in our Christmas tree. Many of my ornaments are glass and once I saw that Stella was going to spend as much time as she could climbing the tree . . . I didn't put all of them on the tree - for fear that she would just break them.  I will have to see how she does this year.  But, in spite of that - she is an amazing cat . . . and she made our Christmas tree prettier than ever.  I love this picture of her.

Sweet November photo challenge

November 23rd . . . on screen

I'm using a photo from last month . . . it has been a fun day, a busy day, and a long day.  So on the screen in my peace sign shadow.

Peace . . . Love . . .

Sweet November Photo Challenge

November 22nd . . . comfort

Today's prompt is comfort . . . at first I thought of hot chocolate, cozy quilts, or comfortable worn in slippers.  Then I thought more about it  . . . what do I get my comfort from?  It's him . . . we have been together for over 32 years.  We have been through tough time financially . . . he always made me feel better and did whatever was necessary to get us through.  We have been through some things with our children . . . and when I wanted to just cry and give up - he told me it would be ok . . . and because he was there with me - it was.    We have been through some very tough times in our marriage when I wasn't sure if he was there for me . . . but I know now that he always was.  I faced some health issues - and the look in his eyes told me I would never be alone. 

 

Sweet November photo challenge

November 21st . . . shoes

 

I tend to spend most of my time in flip flops . . . but I do have a closet full of other shoes - when the mood hits . . .

 

Sweet November photo challenge

November 20th . . . pumpkin

We made pumpkins tonight using Lily's knuckles and thumb . . . I thought this was such a cute idea and we always have to do something fun when she is at our house.  I would love to post wonderful photos of pumpkin pie and pumpkin desserts . . . but I will not have my new oven until next Tuesday.

Sweet November photo challenge

November 18th . . . light

I'm using an old photo for today's Sweet November photo challenge. 

One -  because I did not like the pictures that I took today.  (I guess I liked them - just not for this prompt.)  Two - because this little lady has been a light in our lives ever since she was born.  Three - I may not have time tonight to come up with another post.

 

November 18th . . . Thankful

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice."  ~Meister Eckhart

 

Sweet November photo challenge 

November 17th . . . layered

 Scarves layered . . . and layers of scarves. 

Sweet November photo challenge . . . here and here
Day 17 prompt . . . layered

November 16th . . . warm

 

 

 

We sat out in the back yard tonight . . . around the fire keeping warm, making s'mores, and watching movies.  As much as I hate the weather getting cold . . . I love being outside around a fire.

 

Sweet November photo challenge

 

November 15th . . . leaves

 

Sweet November photo challenge . . . here and here

day 15 - leaves

 

November 14th . . . everyday

Sweet November photo challenge 

Today's topic/word is everyday . . .

Coffee - hot, strong, deliciously brewed (by the love of my life) - Coffee

. . . and quotes

 

"Coffee makes me invincible. But when the cup is empty, I return to mere mortal." ~Terri Guillemets

 

“Come on, don't you ever stop and smell the coffee?”  

 ~ Justina Chen, North of Beautiful

 

“Coffee first. Schemes later.”  

~ Leanna Renee Hieber, Darker Still

“My coffee gets increasingly better the more I drink and the closer I come to the bottom of the cup, where all the sugar is. I wonder if life is the same way as we approach the end. 
”   ~ Jarod Kintz, This Book Has No Title

 

“I don't know where my ideas come from. I will admit, however, that one key ingredient is caffeine. I get a couple cups of coffee into me and weird things just start to happen.”  ~ Gary Larson  

 

“Sometimes, they just make coffee cups too small.”   ~ Michelle M. Pillow

 

“The coffee's done? I LOVE IT WHEN THE COFFEE'S DONE!”
~ Craig Benzine

November 13th . . . old

I had trouble deciding on what to do for today's topic for -  Sweet November photo challenge.  The word for today is "old".  My house is full of old items - many that are very special to me.  Richard suggested a number of things, but nothing seemed to be what I wanted.  Lily was over last night and showed me her fingernails and as I looked at my hand holding onto hers - I was reminded of when my nephew was around Lily's age . . . and asked my mom why her hands were so old. 

My mom still laughs about that . . .

So . . .  even though I do not consider myself old - this was the photo I decided to go with.  It makes me remember my own grandma's hands, it reminds me how quickly time passes and that we need to cherish

every day . . . and it reminds me that I only get to grow old one time.  I am going to enjoy it.

 

There is no old age.

There is, as there always was, just you.

                                        ~Carol Grace

November 12th . . . black and white

I love black and white composition books . . . I turn them into journals, idea books . . . I fill them with notes, doodles, and whatever is on my mind . . .

 

Sweet November photo challenge

November 11th . . . special

“Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”  ~ Hilary Cooper

 

Sweet November photo challenge 

November 10th . . . To-do List

My other to-do list - which includes more practical things to do than this one is so long . . . and not nearly as much fun.  Just a reminder to find joy in the small stuff.

 

Sweet November photo challenge