The Seasons of 2009

Just thought I would see the year out with a slideshow of the seasons. 2009, we'll miss you. :)

Time Flies

Wow did that ever go fast! The Christmas season, the past year... Why does it seem like the years are just flying by?

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. I've enjoyed my time away from blogging, but at the same time I missed you all!

I wish you all a very happy and healthy new year, filled with blessings! And I look forward to sharing lots of thrifting, gardening and decorating projects with you in the coming months. :)

Happy Holidays

I will be taking a few days off to spend with family and friends. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas, and blessings in the new year!

xoxo,

Mary

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Because of some persistent spammers, I've had to add word verification to all posts, and comment moderation to older posts. I'm so sorry -- it's such a pain to have to type the extra word -- and I hope I'll be able to take it off soon. :)

Mosaic Monday: Snow Day

Even if you don't have a white Christmas where you live, I wish you blue skies and joy abounding. :)

P.S. We got 10-12 inches. Now I've got to go work off all that salami and Italian bread. lol

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:

1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline.net. I can't wait to see your mosaics! Here is Mr. Linky:

Preparations

I've still got two trees to decorate, gifts to wrap, the entire house to clean and a ton of laundry to do. Yes, 2000 lbs. of laundry. I'm not baking because if I bake I eat.

And trust me, I do not need to eat any baked goods. ;)

And we are under a winter storm warning. Eight to fourteen inches. Which means that I need to get some salami and Italian bread in the house. Because I come from a long line of stress eaters, and snow calls for salami and Italian bread. And hot chocolate. And soup. And cookies. Right? Maybe I should just bake after all.

But at least we'll have a white Christmas. :)

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Will some of you join me for Mosaic Monday? I hope so! Mr. Linky will be up by 8:30pm Sunday.

In the Den

I had so much fun reading all your answers to "Do Tell" yesterday, and I'm slowly working my way through all your Mosaic Monday entries. But I'm also a little stretched with holiday preparations.

So I'm just going to leave you with some photos of the Christmas decorations in our tiny den. And I'm not kidding when I say tiny -- it's around 10 X 12. The size of a walk-in closet.

As a relief from all the reds in the rest of the house, the den is done in golds and browns. Our ceilings are 7ft. high, and we tend to choose short, fat trees. This one almost didn't make it through the doorway. lol

Well, I have to run. Every year it's the same -- the chores seem to expand to fill the time available. I wish I were the organized, planning type but alas, I'm not. So I'm going to spend the next few days running around like a chicken with my head cut off. :)

Quick question: Are you all up for Mosaic Monday next week? Or will you be too busy? Let me know what you think. I'm not sure about it yet...

Do Tell, Christmas Edition

So, are we having fun yet?

Those of us who are in the throes of holiday planning -- shopping, wrapping, cleaning, primping, baking, and whatever else needs doing -- are we having fun?

Would you like to play a quick game of "Do Tell?" Here are the questions. I'll leave my answers in the comments section. Will you answer them, too?

1. What is your favorite Christmas movie?
2. What is your favorite Christmas song?
3. Are you dreaming of a white Christmas?
4. What is your best crowd-pleaser Christmas recipe?
5. What would you love to see under the tree on Christmas morning?

So, are we having fun yet?

Mosaic Monday: Merry Christmas

Last week I wrote about Christmas traditions, and how to blend old and new ones. One of the traditions in our family has been giving each of our children a new ornament every year since they were born. My son is 22 and my daughter is 18, so that's a lot of ornaments. :)

When we began this particular tradition, my one thought was that they would have ornaments to bring to their new homes when they eventually grew up and moved out. But the ornaments have also become a cherished part of trimming our tree each year; as we unwrap each one, they spark thoughts of holidays past. Taken together, they weave a tapestry of memory -- our lives in joyous moments.

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.

~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:

1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline.net. I can't wait to see your mosaics! Here is Mr. Linky:

You've Got to Break Some Eggs

How is it that one single holiday can create so much mess? I'm in the throes of Christmas decorating, and my house looks like a bomb went off in a Michael's store. But then you've got to break some eggs to make an omelette.

I'm woefully behind on visiting all of your mosaics this week, and I apologize. But I will get to them, I promise! In the meantime, I've got to clear off my dining room table, and get cracking on that "omelette." ;)

Please join me for Mosaic Monday this week! Mr. Linky will be up by 8:30pm Sunday. I look forward to visiting you soon! :)

Christmas Traditions

How do you deal with tradition when decorating for Christmas? Or perhaps I should ask how do you balance the need to create something new with the family traditions that have been lovingly created over the years?

Do you see the little bear in the photo above? She is one of a set that my children have placed on the mantel since they were little. My daughter has left the other one for my son to place when he comes home from school. She loves this tradition, and she thinks that he would be hurt to miss the chance of joining in.

Can I tell you a secret? I'm not really all that into the bears. Does that make me sound heartless? I understand that my children enjoyed them while they were growing up, but I thought maybe I could make a few changes this year. Something new. Maybe it was my turn to play dress up the mantel.

Um, no. I've taken the bears off to shoot these pictures, but they will go right back up there before my daughter gets home from school. And there they will stay.

I guess in the end, you never get too old to dress the mantel with teddy bears. Or leave cookies and milk out for Santa. Or whatever it is that you do to make the holiday special. I guess I'll just have to find some other part of the house that is as yet untouched by tradition.

Because when all is said and done, it's the traditions that we carry in our hearts that bind us together. And next year, she will be off at school when I decorate the mantel. But I'll be sure to save the bears for her to put up when she comes home. :)

Great Expectations

I sat down to open the mail today, surrounded by the inevitable mess that comes with all of the preparations for Christmas. (And, of course the inevitable mess that comes just because I am a truly terrible housekeeper.) I had just finished reading a blog post where the author was searching for a little Christmas spirit. And truthfully, I have felt that way at times over the years. All the preparations for the holiday -- the decorating, the cooking, the gift buying and wrapping -- can begin to seem overwhelming. You know what I mean, don't you? We stress over every little detail as if Martha Stewart herself were to stand in judgment of our work. Everything has to be perfect.

And then I read a story that stopped me in my tracks.

The Center for Great Expectations provides residential treatment for homeless pregnant adolescents and their children, and for homeless pregnant adult women in early substance abuse recovery, along with their children. Here is a story from their latest newsletter:

A Memory of Christmas Past

told by Sister Sheila

Last Christmas, the staff had the opportunity to take the residents out for a nice dinner, thanks to a special donation from a single donor. It was a simple meal at an inexpensive chain restaurant, but to our women it was a huge treat. While the most expensive dinner on the menu was inexpensive by common standards, it was thrilling to tell them they could order what they would like to have, instead of only a few items on the menu. Their faces lit up and they immediately started to chatter about what they would have. Giddy at the thought, several suggested that they would order dessert for an appetizer, main meal and dessert! Of course that was only a fantasy as the staff made sure they ordered a very healthy meal. It was during the meal that the staff suggested they all share their favorite holiday memory. There was dead silence. Nothing. No response. Stares and blank faces...

Finally, as the silence became overwhelming, one girl spoke up to say, "We have no Christmas memories. Holidays were terrible times and we have nothing nice to remember." Again, silence. This time the blank looks and stares were on the faces of the staff. Trying to imagine what that was like, the staff could not find the right thoughts to process the information. So they began to ask questions. "You mean you never went with your family to see the Christmas lights?" "You mean you never had Christmas dinner?" "You mean you never decorated a tree, sang songs, and hung your stocking?" One by one, the residents answered no -- they had never done that. Right then and there Sister Sheila said, "Well, we are going to fix that right now! Come on girls we are going out to make some memories!" It was Christmas Eve, and everyone became excited to see what would happen next. They all piled into the van and off they went. Sister took them to neighborhoods that she knew had spectacular holiday decorations and lights. They sang songs and when they arrived at some especially beautiful displays, the residents jumped out of the van and stood in awe of how beautiful they were. This went on house after house until everyone was tired and cold.

Sister Sheila next brought them to Mass at St. Matthias Church. The beautiful songs, candles and so many people moved them, and they asked question after question. Father Doug spoke of unity and being one under God, and each of Sister Sheila's residents felt he was speaking just to them. Their hearts were touched, and when the collection was taken, these young girls who had nothing took the single dollar bill that they were allowed to have as emergency money, and put it into the collection. Sister Sheila was touched, and will never forget that magical night, especially when they all wanted to go up to the altar to receive Communion!

After church and back at the Center, they sat in the kitchen with hot chocolate, and while they sipped their chocolate and reflected on the night they had just experienced, one of the residents said, "Sister, I will never forget this night. This was the night when we started our first Christmas memories; and Sister, next year when someone asks me what my favorite Christmas memory is, I won't ever have to say 'I don't have one'."

*****

The Center for Great Expectations

19B Dellwood Lane

Somerset, NJ 08873

Mosaic Monday: Vintage White Christmas

Are you hoping for a white Christmas this year? I understand that you all down in Texas had a taste of the white stuff already. ;) We had our first snowfall here in New Jersey on Saturday, with giant flakes falling at dusk and into the night.

I've been editing some snow photos I took last year at my favorite park, Natirar. I guess you could say that I've been on a vintage black and white kick, with just the tiniest bit of color. If you want to see the landscape photos full size, head on over to my other blogs, In a Soft Light and Simple Things, by clicking on the names in the navigation bar below my header. But before you do that, leave me a comment here and tell me if you think you will be having a white Christmas.

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:

1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline.net. I can't wait to see your mosaics! Here is Mr. Linky:

Bucket of Cheer

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here. Well, at least a little. ;)

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I'd be thrilled if you would join me for Mosaic Monday this week! Mr. Linky will be up by 8:30pm Sunday. I look forward to seeing all your beautiful creations. :)

Christmas Crumble

Just a little treat after a busy afternoon of Christmas shopping and decorating.

My friend Toni Anne brought a delicious apple crumble for dessert last weekend. It was so wonderful that I decided that I should make some more, just for me.

Oh come on, don't tell me that you never make a dessert just for you.

Because you do, right?

Anyway, here's the recipe, as best as I can remember.

Apple Crumble

4 Fuji apples, cored and sliced

1/4 cup apple cider

1 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter

Preheat oven to 325. In a lightly buttered baking dish, mix apples and cider. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Cut in the butter with two knives until it resembles pea sized crumbs. Pour over apple mixture. Bake at 325 for 45-55 minutes or until apples are tender.

This makes enough for four good sized servings. Or one serving, and breakfast for the rest of the week.

Because you do that too, right?

Just a note: when I have it for breakfast, I omit the ice cream. I swear.

How Do I Decorate, Let Me Count the Ways

Berries,

Beads,

Bonbons

and baubles.

How do you decorate for the holidays?

I've been shopping online and in stores, slowly putting up the Christmas decorations, and hobbling around because I sprained my ankle last week. But I think I'm getting the Christmas spirit, and I'm planning to make some homemade breads for my in-laws. They are always difficult to buy for, so I thought maybe I'd make up a big gift basket with breads and jams and tea.

The weatherman has promised us some really nasty, rainy weather today, so I think this will be an indoor decorating day. I'll try to get some presents wrapped, too.

The fun just never ends around here, doesn't it?

Christmas Past at Little Red House

Originally posted in December 2007. It's a story I think about often at this time of year.

When I was growing up, times were tough for my parents. My father was a heavy equipment operator; he drove bulldozers and backhoes and excavators at building sites big and small. Here in New Jersey, that is often seasonal work. And in the 60's, when I was a kid, even union jobs were hard to come by. There were times when he was without a paycheck for a month or more. He used to supplement his income by shoeing horses -- something he learned as a young man. Horses were his first love, so I suspect that he enjoyed this more than the noisy, smelly machines he drove each day.

I come by my love of animals from my father. My mother was a "city slicker," as he would say, and never to my knowledge set foot in the barn. I can remember helping my dad to clean out the stalls one Saturday morning when we discovered a nest of tiny newborn mice. They were pink, and hairless, and about the size of my pinky finger. I held one in the palm of my hand. I was thrilled by our discovery, and wanted to bring it into the house to show my mom. She was on the phone at the time, but stopped long enough to peer into my grubby hand, shriek loud enough to shake the rafters, and jump up onto the chair, as if the tiny thing would leap from my hand and start to chase her around the house.

Not exactly the response I had expected, but one which my dad thoroughly enjoyed.

I can remember a certain Christmas where all I wanted was a pair of leather riding chaps. They were quite an expensive item, and one that a young child would quickly outgrow. Frankly, my parents just could not afford them. My mother tried to explain gently that Santa wanted to be sure there were several items under the tree; that chaps were too expensive, and that he would probably bring me some other nice stuff, like warm clothes, and books, and a game or toy. She tried her best to shield me from worry. Although I didn't realize it at the time, I know now how difficult that conversation must have been for her. We didn't have a lot when I was growing up, but I never felt deprived in any way, and I certainly never considered our family poor.

I don't remember what was under the tree that Christmas. Certainly there were a few books, as these have always been my favorite Christmas gift. There was probably a new scarf and mittens, and perhaps some Barbie doll clothes. My dad would have given my mother some little decorative thing for the house -- like a few china teacups with pink roses on them (I still have one of these), or maybe a small piece of costume jewelry. She always gave him a new blue workshirt and pants, which he would carefully put away. When he died many years later, we found several sets, brand new and still in their boxes.

Later in the day, after we had gone to Christmas mass and my mother was in the kitchen preparing the feast for my aunts and uncles and cousins, a knock sounded at the door. She hurried to answer it, drying her hands on her apron. It was our neighbor, Mr. Silverstein. My dad used to shoe his kid's ponies, and help out in their barn. He had brought a gift for me, with his family's thanks. I remember feeling a little shy, and curious. What could it possibly be?

I opened the box and there, nestled in the tissue paper, was a beautiful pair of brown leather riding chaps. He could not possibly have known what I had asked for, and since his family did not celebrate Christmas, I'm not sure what really prompted him to give us a "thank you" gift at this time of year.

I shyly murmured my thanks and my dad shook his hand, but my mother just stood there with tears in her eyes. I have so many memories of Christmases in our Little Red House; of my childhood and of my children's, too. Every Christmas eve, when my husband and I place the gifts under the tree, I say a quick prayer of thanks, realizing how fortunate we are, and remembering that Christmas years ago, when the grace of God brought me that unexpected gift.

Mosaic Monday: Welcome Christmas

Is it too early? Do you not want to think about another holiday yet? Or maybe you're in a Grinchy mood from all that Black Friday shopping.

Personally, I never want to see another turkey again, unless it is wandering through my backyard. Every year, after Thanksgiving, my husband and I swear that next year we'll have baked ziti. And every year we cave. But 2010 will be the year. I swear to God. Because truthfully, I'm not all that grateful for poultry. But pasta? Yeah, baby. ;)

Before we get to the mosaics, I want to take a minute to welcome all of my new followers. I'm so happy to "meet" each and every one of you, and I'm honored that you take some time out of your busy day to visit Little Red House.

These photos are from last Christmas. What, did you think I was so together that I had gotten all my Christmas decorations up yesterday? Yeah, no. I'll probably still be putting the final touches up on Christmas eve. But I did have a lot of photos from last year that I never showed you. So here are a few. :)

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:

1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline.net. I can't wait to see your mosaics! Here is Mr. Linky:

Quiet

It's quiet here this morning as I write this -- everyone is still abed. The wind outside is howling. November is going out with a vengeance. We had a quiet but nice Thanksgiving, and the dining room table still needs to be tidied. Dishes and flatware are waiting to be put away. My kids want to start the Christmas decorations today, and I must admit that I'm looking forward to doing it together. I miss the days when they were little. :)

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend, dear bloggers!

Just a reminder: go visit my interview at houzz and leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for a Target gift certificate.

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Please join me for Mosaic Monday this week. Mr. Linky will be up by 8:30pm Sunday. Remember there is no required subject for your mosaics. You may choose whatever content you wish. I look forward to seeing your creativity and imagination. :)

Little Red House in da houzz!

Just checking in for a quick note: Little Red House is featured today at the terrific decorating website houzz! If you haven't already discovered this amazing site, you are in for a real treat. Just a warning, though -- you can lose track of time when you start wandering through all the inspirational decorating photos here. :)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Thanks for all your sweet comments and your support. For those of you who are at the mall -- happy shopping. :)

I'm Truly Grateful

Just a little fun magazine cover that I made up last year. Things are getting a little crazy around here with the upcoming holiday, and the fact that I hurt my back while bagging groceries earlier in the week (Gah!) so I'm just going to take a few days to focus on family, and see you on the weekend.

May you and your families have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. And to everyone outside the US, enjoy your week, and know that one of the things I am most grateful for this year is the gift of your comments and friendships. Thank you so much. I am blessed!

*****

By the way, make your own magazine cover at Big Huge Labs. :)

Mosaic Monday: 2010 Calendar

Here is an unusual mosaic for you today. I've been busy making a calendar! I found the templates at Shutter Sisters, and added my own photos. The pages for each individual month are sized to fit in a holder made from a CD case. You gently remove the top of the case, turn it around, and reattach it to the base. That gives you a stand up holder. Then you simply slip the calendar pages in where the liner notes normally go. Voila!

They would also look really cute hung on the fridge with a magnet-backed clothespin or binder clip. I'll be getting some printed up this week, so I'll let you know later in the week how they turned out. :)

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:

Publish your Mosaic Monday post.
Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
Paste the url into the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
Type your name in the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
Click on "Enter."
Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline.net. I can't wait to see your mosaics! Here is Mr. Linky:

Inspiration

I guess this has turned out to be a week of posts about my kitchen. I didn't really plan it that way. In fact, I rarely plan much about the blog at all. I tend to take photographs and then build my posts around them. I know it would be much better to have a plan, but I just can't seem to do it that way. Inspiration is important to me, and you can't really plan for it. It just happens.

This is the carved tile that is centered in the backsplash behind our kitchen range. I had actually considered putting an antique fireback in there, but couldn't find one that fit in with my cheap renovation plans. And I wasn't entirely sure that it could be attached to wallboard without pulling down half the wall. So I went to Home Expo for some inspiration, and came home with this tile. And it turned out just fine. :)

Today is my daughter's eighteenth birthday. I can hardly believe it's possible. I would post a picture, but she won't let me near her with my camera. Happy birthday, Pookie! (Yeah, even though Mom can't embarrass you with a picture, she can still use your baby name. And no, you cannot get a tattoo for your birthday!)

*****

I hope you will all consider joining me for Mosaic Monday. Mr. Linky will be up by 8:30pm Sunday night. Just a reminder for those of you who are new to the meme -- there is no set subject each week. You may create your mosaic on any subject that catches your fancy. I look forward to seeing your creativity!

Yellow and Green

Just some yellows and greens for you today. I've been busy cleaning out closets and drawers in my kids' rooms. Oy! But once it's done I'm sure there will be a great sense of accomplishment to be had. It's just that until then there is a royal mess that spreads across several rooms. You've got to break some eggs to make an omelette, right?

In the meantime, the light was so beautiful in the kitchen the other day that I had to record it. Isn't it funny how light can make such a difference in your attitude? Here's hoping we have a bright and sunny weekend.

Happy Friday, dear bloggers! :)

Feelin' Gravy

I probably make gravy about twice a year. We're just not a gravy kind of family. But I love gravy boats or sauce boats. I've already shown you my silver-plated collection. Here is a small creamware grouping in my kitchen.

I found this one in HomeGoods. It's from the Hera Collection, made by Roscher & Co. I love the twining leaves, and the curvy handle. It's such a pretty pattern that goes with any other creamware, and also with my brown transferware.

Isn't this little cabbage leaf sauceboat adorable? I found it a few years ago in my favorite thrift store. I've never actually used it for gravy, but I love to display it, and it makes a sweet little container for flowers too. It's ironstone, from Shorter & Son, Stoke-on-Trent, England.

This simple little beauty is another thrift store find. Very plain, but with quite beautiful lines. It looks like it may have been a piece of restaurant-ware.

Here they are, all lined up on the mantel above my kitchen range. That beautiful black iron cornbread mold was a gift from my dear friend, Robin. I love decorating with culinary antiques. And old iron makes a beautiful dark counterpoint to my soft yellow cabinets.

So, have I converted you yet? Are you feelin' groovy? Or maybe feelin' gravy? ;)

Mosaic Monday: Pink and Gold

We had an absolutely beautiful sunset on Sunday, with the sky shading from soft blues and golds to pinks and roses. Gorgeous! There are still some beautiful leaves clinging to the trees, but most have fled before the north wind. Darkness falls by early evening, and we turn inward to sit around the kitchen table and share a casual dinner. These are the quiet evenings I love, before the craziness of the holidays sets in. Sweet autumn. :)

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:

1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.

That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline.net. I can't wait to see your mosaics! Here is Mr. Linky:

Coming Up for Air

I'm baaaack! Did you miss me? ;)

Just kidding. I somehow managed to get bronchitis on top of a flu-like virus. But I'm finally feeling as though I'd like to rejoin the land of the living. I sound terrible, and I'm weak as a kitten, but I'll live. lol My son went back to school on Tuesday, and is feeling much better except for a nasty cough. Thanks for all your get well wishes. :)

I hope you will all join me for Mosaic Monday this week. Mr. Linky will be up by 8:30pm Sunday. Have a wonderful weekend, dear bloggers!

Mosaic Monday: House of Contagion Edition

Welcome to Mosaic Monday! Yes, you read that title right. We're having a bit of a flu epidemic here at the moment. Or maybe just flu-like symptoms. At any rate, I have definitely felt better. My son, who attends school in Philadelphia, ended up in the emergency room Wednesday night with a fever, chills, aches, etc. My husband drove round trip three plus hours to bring him home. Endless cups of tea and bowls of soup later, he's beginning to feel slightly better, but now I have it.

Ick.

So this week's mosaic is just a bunch of images from last week, all bundled together. I'm thinking that I will be taking a few days off this week, and although I will visit all your mosaics, I probably won't be leaving comments. I hope you will understand. :)

And I hope that everyone else will take up the slack and encourage one another! Till later in the week then... :)

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:

1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.

That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline.net. I can't wait to see your mosaics! Here is Mr. Linky:

Happy November

Well, it's definitely November here in New Jersey -- dropping into the high 30's overnight, with cool, windy days. But at least it's been sunny. And quite beautifully colorful, too. :)

We had such a terrific turnout for Mosaic Monday last week -- 90 participants! I have been overwhelmed by your wonderful images and your friendly comments. Please join me for Mosaic Monday this week. Mr. Linky will be up by 8:30pm Sunday.

Have a terrific weekend, dear bloggers!

Collecting Fever

I'll be the first one to admit that no one really needs more than one silver-plated gravy boat. But somehow, whenever I see one of these little babies, they just call my name.

I love the shape of the bowls, and the gently curving handles. And sometimes they have monograms, which are like icing on the cake as far as I'm concerned.

I tend to let them go unpolished. Patina is good, right? That's what I'm telling myself at the moment anyway. lol

I've gathered them together here on this painted tole tray, but I'm trying to find a permanent place to display them. Maybe in the kitchen?

So tell me, is there some object that calls your name? That you have too many of, but can't seem to stop collecting? Tell me all about that one special object, that you just can't resist.

Please tell me I'm not the only one who needs to tweak her meds. ;)