When You Care Enough To Send The Very Best.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but has the Greeting Card Industry gone to the dogs, or is it solely my opinion ?

At one point in my life, I was a Hallmark merchandiser, rotating seasonal gifts and cards in several local stores. It was a job I loved, playing with all those pretty cards and merchandise, and meeting some lovely people in the process.
At the end of the month, if any of the cards, wrapping paper, or candles showed the slightest of fluorescent light damage, I was able to keep them.
To this day, I still have files filled with old cards and boxes of hand-dipped candles.

It's a good thing too...... because each time I go to the store to pick out a new card, it takes forever to find a card that isn't too crude,  common, or just plain ugly, and the choice gets even worse when looking for a specialized card, such as for a niece or nephew.
At Christmas I searched high and low for a decent Grandson and Granddaughter card, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

My choice of greeting cards these days, are usually Hallmark's Marjolein Bastin, a Dutch artist who has an incredible eye for nature's beauty.
You can read more about the artist here:  http://www.marjoleinbastin.com/en/about-marjolein/background/biography

I miss the old ways.

Deja Vu

We awoke to another snowfall this morning.

Beautiful to look at, but I have the suspicion folks are really looking for a few constant days of sunshine right about now. 

 

 

 

 

Under The Weather

Ice, snow, rain and now fog.......... are we there yet !

What's Good For The Goose, Is Good For The Gander

Tom-Tilly has commandeered Oliver's favorite velvety blanket,  he's tried several tactics urging her to vacate, but nary the blink of an eye.

 

 

 

 

Oliver resorts to sitting in Tom-Tilly's little cat bed. Spilling over the sides like a great orange pudding.

 

 

Truce

Nesting

And The Snow Came.

 

 

 

 

 

Announced by all the trumpets of the sky,

Arrives the snow, and, driving o'er the fields,

Seems nowhere to alight: the whited air

Hides hills and woods, the river, and the heaven,

And veils the farmhouse at the garden's end.

The sled and traveller stopped, the courier's feet

Delayed, all friends shut out, the housemates sit

Around the radiant fireplace, enclosed

In a tumultuous privacy of storm.

The Snow Storm ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson





 

No Takers

 

 

 

 

Winter Days

I'm beginning to get cabin fever.
Yesterday the sun shone brightly and warmed my face, it felt renewing.
I spent time in the potting shed, wiping away winter's dust and grime, and arranged a few clay pots, in anticipation of spring plantings.

Today we are forecast our largest snowfall of the season.
Such are the days of winter.........

 

 

 

    

"Winter is the time of promise because there is so little to do - or because you can now and then permit yourself the luxury of thinking so."

~Stanley Crawford

With Love From Me To You

 

 

 

My wish for you.

Comfort on difficult days,

Smiles when sadness intrudes,

Rainbows to follow the clouds,

Laughter to kiss your lips,

Sunsets to warm your heart,

Hugs when spirits sag,

Beauty for your eyes to see,

Friendships to brighten your being,

Faith so that you can believe,

Confidence for when you doubt,

Courage to know yourself,

Patience to accept the truth,

Love to complete your life.

May your Valentine's Day be special !

{{hugs}}
x x

Nesting

 

 

Birds' Nests

The summer nests uncovered by autumn wind.
Some torn, others dislodged, all dark.
Everyone sees them: low or high in tree,
Or hedge, or single bush, they hang like a mark.

Since there's no need of eyes to see them with
I cannot help a little shame
That I missed most, even at eye's level, till
The leaves blew off and made the seeing no game.

'Tis a light pang. I like to see the nests
Still in their places, now first known,
At home and by far roads. Boys knew them not,
Whatever jays and squirrels may have done.

And most I like the winter nests deep-hid
That leaves and berries fell into;
Once a dormouse dined there on hazel-nuts,
And grass and goose-grass seeds found soil and grew.


~ Edward Thomas (1878-1917 / London