A good friend is a treasure.

Photographer: Kim Anderson

You're going through life: enjoying its wonders and surprises, getting through the rough patches etc., when all of a sudden you realize it has been too long since you have seen your special girlfriend.
In my life, her name is Joanne. E-mails are not enough for either of us. However, sometimes we get caught under the large umbrella of being busy bees. I miss Joanne's hearty laugh; it is contagious. When we are together, and it does not matter where we are, life is better. We talk, laugh, cry, talk some more. We connect.
Joanne is extremely busy with work, and keeping an eye out for dear ole' Uncle Fred. If there were more hours in the day, she would find good use for them. Her house is her palace, and when I step foot in it, I know this is my JoJo's home. She converted a lovely house with a strong bone structure (kind of sounds like I am describing a model, eh?) into a beautiful Victorian home, complete with antiques in every room, and warm colors that immediately want you to see more. It is simply a delight to eat breakfast at her dining room table, with the sun streaming through the bay windows. It is divine. It is Joanne.
So....Joy anne, when you read this, call me and we shall make a date for a weekend of the hearts. I love you girlfriend!


Joanne and Uncle Fred

That crispy crunchy time of year...

It seems like all it took was the blink of an eye whereby I was wearing flip flops, taking photos of our garden and polishing my toes with pink and white polka dots. So summery.

I now wear cashmere sweaters, leather gloves and sweater vests (yes, vests: pull over, button-down, it does not matter. I love 'em all). They are one of my go-to items in my closet. They keep my midsection warm, while freeing up my arms for something or another. Maybe I am just following in my Dad's footsteps; he loved sweater vests and velour pullovers (and yes, I do love those too).

It certainly is late Autumn in our garden. All the perennials have been cut down low to the ground. We keep the two trellises out all winter as architectural landscapes, to create an interest during the winter months while the garden is sleeping. In December, we even hang wreaths and bows on the trellises . You'll see.

However, for now the Thanksgiving holiday is upon us. I am very grateful for my family, friends and health. I wish things were different for two friends of mine. Life is not so full of thanks for them right now. They do however, have love in their hearts and are surrounded by the greatness of family love and deeply connected friendships. I love them so. Friendship is priceless.

I am also grateful dear friends for you, whom I have met in blogland. I am constantly amazed at how it all came about, however, one thing for certain is that I do know I was meant to be a part of it. I communicate with people from as far away as New Zealand, and as close as NY, with a bunch of smiles and kind words in between. Blogging has become an important part of my life. It's a journal of sorts. And the thoughts and feelings that come through onto the screen are so very sincere. Smiles, laughter, tears, joy - we share it all. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here.

Here's wishing you a peaceful and heartfelt Thanksgiving holiday.
~Kathleen

Patricia (PVE) and her Artistry

(click title for linking to Pve's Blog and Webpage)

I asked Patricia vanEssche (PVE) to design a monogram for me. She knows my love for flowers and the color purple. Well, as you can see, her talents came through again, and I love it! I then had the jpg. file printed at a nearby Stationer's shop. The weighted paper is folded in half with the crease at the top. Purple lining is in the envelope. So pretty!

(And it only requires a 44 cent to mail.) ~smile~

A thing of beauty.

Artist: Julian Merrow-Smith