Wednesday Wonder: Hospice Moments

 

Hi there Friends 💗

I hope this week has been wonderful to you so far. :) 

Today I thought I would share some thoughts related to the hospice work that I do. 

I think it's a gentle kind of work that doesn't get talked about much. At least not in everyday conversation. Sometimes I think it's difficult for folks to think about. The fact that there is a cycle to our lives and it ends in the same place for us all. 

I have been doing hospice work for almost 9 years now...and I think it has gently changed me through the years. 

It has taught me that the smallest things - a familiar song, a favorite blanket, a warm hand, and even a whispered prayer...can become the most meaningful gifts we give one another. 

I'm not sharing this to make your hearts heavy, but to remind all of us that even in life's final chapters there is still so much love to be held. 🙏🏻🌸

I thought I would share a few photos I took when I was up at the hospice house the other day. There is a commercial kitchen behind closed doors. But there is also a community kitchen for families to use. It has all the amenities most folks would need right down to slow cookers. 

Sometimes when folks pass away... their family gives the facility flowers they received so there is often pretty fresh flowers displayed around. 

One of the roles I have helped take on over the years is scrapbooking obituaries of patients that passed that had stayed at the hospice house. You can see some of the albums on the shelf in the background in this photo below. When I make a scrapbooked page of an obit I like to pray over that person and their family that is left behind. When I work on these albums I often think of it as a gift I like to give them...that their story mattered and I'm helping to keep it safe. 

In the community kitchen and dining area there is always a coffee pot  on...or the items to make a fresh pot of coffee as needed. And there is also hot water for tea or cocoa. As well as cookies - that are also baked by volunteers (another role I have helped with at times). I have also held and lotioned hands, said prayers with family (or on my own) over patients, and mainly just been an ear when a patient or family just needs to vent or wants to share. 

Some volunteers also give of their time by playing music for the facility. I love this corner in a living room at the house - with the beautiful piano, pretty old clock and light streaming in the windows. 

The nurses that work at the hospice house are absolute Angels in my book. They do amazing and loving work to help ease a patient's pain, concerns, and to help with comfort while they stay there. As well as their  family's comfort as well. It is an honor to be a part of this environment and I feel that the hospice house is like sacred ground. It is something I have felt called to do, and next to being a Mom - I think it's some of the most important work I do in this world. 

Thank you for letting me take a moment to share my passion and to say this: if you have ever thought about giving of your time in any special volunteer capacity - DO IT! You will never regret it and the ways your life will be blessed is too rich to put into words. 

I have a busy few days ahead so if I don't pop in again this week - have a wonderful weekend and I'll catch you next week. 

xoxo

Wednesday Wonder: Fairy Pots

Hello beautiful Friends!

Sorry I missed the start of this week. I've been a busy bee but I still wanted to pop in for a quick hello. 

And to continue my Spring dreaming. My phone sent me a little album of some of my former fairy pots. It's something I always look forward to doing in the Spring. Digging in the dirt. Picking out flowers, herbs, and filler to pour into pots and place them all around our house. As well as to plant some veggies in my little raised garden. 💚🌱

So I thought I would share a bit of the fairy magic with you today as well. I believe, do you? :) 

 

xoxo

Wednesday Wonder: Spring This or That

 

Hi there dear Friends!

Welcome to Wednesday Wonder - This or That edition. :) 

As I look out at a gray day that's, once again, chilly. And there are some brown grassy patches - but still lots of snowy patches. I choose to think Spring thoughts! ☀️🌸 I know it will come eventually. 

 I actually saw a robin a moment ago and I feel so badly for it - as I'm sure it's wondering where Spring is too. 

So I thought I would share this fun little chart I found on pinterest.

And here is how I would answer the this or that chart:

*PICNIC -  (I love a BBQ, but a picnic is so much more romantic)

*SUNSHINE - (I love a rainshower - it soothes me, but I live for the sunny days up here in the northwoods)

*DAFFODILS - (I love them both but I love the bright yellow of a daff and I think it's one of the most cheerful flowers)

*ICED TEA - (I like flavored lemonades but I can't do too much acidity - so I would choose iced tea most of the time)

*GARDENING - (I love to dig in the dirt and plant herbs, veggies and flowers. I can't wait to start this Spring!)

*BOTH LADYBUGS & BUTTERFLIES - (I truly can't choose - love them equally)

*FLORAL - (I wear and choose so many floral print things that anytime Matt sees something floral he says 'that looks like you' Lol)

*CHERRY BLOSSOMS - (they are both beautiful but the color of cherry blossoms takes my breath away)

*SANDALS - (I don't have rain boots and I'm always so excited to wear sandals or go barefoot each summer)

*STRAWBERRIES - (this is a true toss up as I never met a berry I didn't like...and raspberries would beat them both. But 🍓 just a bit more)

*YELLOW - (it just gives me energy and a smile)

*UMBRELLA - (I don't own a rain hat, but I sometimes use the hood of my raincoat too)

Thanks for playing along with me. It's fun to dream on Spring...even though we've got another good month before it really shows up around here. I would LOVE to know your answers to the questions above - no explanations needed if you want to keep it easier. I'm just curious. And I think it's just kind of fun. 

xoxo🌸💚

Wednesday Wonder: Some Easter/Spring Ideas

 

Hello dear Friends 🌸

Do you have your Easter countdown on? Mine is a-ticking away over here. I've been tweaking my menu, and making my grocery and to-do lists and getting all set. 

Even though it's gray out today. And the forecast is calling for potentially 7 or 8 inches of snow by Friday (nope that's not an April fool...but our real forecast). Easter Sunday has a glorious forecast of sun and mid 40's. I will take that all day! ☀️🐰

Since I have Easter on my mind, and I was looking at some of my pinterest boards for inspiration...I thought I would share some of my finds with you too. In case you were wanting some added inspiration for the weekend ahead as well. But first, here's a look at my sleepy babies today. It is kind of a gray and good for a nap kind of day. Can you see  why I like to keep the recliner covered with a blanket? Less fur stuck in there. Lol

However, there's no time to rest. Easter is practically here! :) 

So here are a few fun ideas. If you want more in-depth info like the recipes etc - you can find all of these on my "Spring/Easter" pinterest board, and then click on the links directly. And a few of the salad recipes are under my "salads" board.  You can find my pinterest page if you click here.

First up, how about some fun decorating inspiration:

inexpensive hack to get free paint samples and cut out in egg shape for a cute garland

rustic but cute and inexpensive too 

love the idea of filling an old small trunk or case like this

i love how this wreath is simple, yet stunning

Now that we have things looking pretty, how's about we get it smelling pretty too. Love the idea of a Spring simmer pot. 

Now maybe it's time to create some fun appetizers to share with guests?

how cute are these peep and chick cookie cutters? (you could cut cheese and salami in these shapes too)

and I love the idea of decorating a crudite platter with a chocolate bunny or bunny decoration

Or have a Spring tea party and do the crudite in little teacups

And I think Springtime just sings for light pastas and salads as main dishes, don't you?

a light pasta filled with seasonal veggies and parm - perfect!

or create a seasonal salad or steamed veggies and use this vinaigrette 

maybe elevate a leftover Easter ham sandwich into this?

mmmm - more fun tea party ideas

And of course, we need to end with a sweet treat:

bunny topped pretzels or butterfly topped cupcakes...yes please!

be still my heart - look at these sweet teapot chocolate covered strawberries

or even enjoy Spring flavor sweets with your breakfast coffee

There are so many fun Spring and Easter ideas out there once you start looking. Do you have any favorites??

xoxo

Wednesday Wonder: Spring Fairies

 

Hello Friends and happy mid week to you ☀️

The sun is shining away in the northwoods and my mantra continues to be the same..."melt snow melt" 😂

Our dining room has these built-ins where I keep some extra sets of dishes (chinaware, gravy boats, glasses, Christmas dishes, some linens etc). But I love the cubbies to display some dishes, family pics, and pottery... and of course my maximalist nature of seasonal decorations. Lol

But besides some very Easter-y things, I have also displayed a few fairy decorations in there. I meant to share them more around St. Paddy's Day, as I put them out kind of for that. However, I think they still fit the Spring vibe and all the dreaming I'm doing on planting flowers the fairy pots to come. 🌸

So I thought I'd give you a close up peek on how the fairies are slowly coming back for the season. 

Shhh though....visit quietly as this sweet fairy and her owl are having a nice afternoon nap. And I see another fairy stepped away from her desk where she was enjoying some letter writing. I love her little acorn cup of tea. 

LOVE the little ladybug :) 

I hope you still believe and hold a little fairy magic in your hearts. 😉✨

Blessings always.

xoxo

Wednesday Wonder: O Holy Night

 

Hello dear Friends!

I hope you're having a wonderful Wednesday. We remain in north pole mode up here. Lol It snowed several more inches yesterday and it's cold and cloudy today. It looks and feels like a winter wonderland and we're loving it!

We picked up our baby Girl last night so she's back in the nest and we've been gabbing away all morning. I alway miss her and just love her so much.💗

Last night we went out to dinner with the C's and then went to the Christmas concert that's held each year at the church Matt and I go to. The concert has the choir and orchestra from a local university. It's always so good and especially the acoustics in the church. I thought for today I'd share some video of O Holy Night they performed. It's my favorite and always gives me goosebumps and chokes me up. You can click on some video clips below the pictures. 

Christmas blessings Friends! ❤️💚

We got there early to get a more decent seat - it always fills up!

Wednesday Wonder: October Five Senses

 

Hello lovely Friends ~ 

It's October - yay!! 🎃🍁🧡

I couldn't agree more! This is the best month of all in my opinion. Cozy season truly begins. It starts getting so colorful outside. It's a time of year we usually go exploring and hiking pretty places the most. It's chillier, but not too cold. Not to mention it's birthday month for my Hubby and me! I'm so ready for all of the cozy ahead. 😍

So today I thought I'd indulge in a 5 senses post to share all the Autumn goodness around me at this moment. 

 SEE:

When I look out my windows now I see more color everyday. I love how many of the lower shrubbery below the trees, and lower parts by the bay, turn a crimson color. And then there is all the golden goodness on the trees above. We have a lot of birch trees in our backyard and others that turn a pretty yellow. When the wind blows through them they shimmer in the prettiest way. Until they can't hold on any longer and slowly drift to the ground. I never tire of this show that shares its splendor every year. 

I also see another little painting I just finished. I've been working on my shading more - which I have found difficult with watercolor. I have an Aunt coming to visit soon and I'm going to give this one to her ...along with a few Fall goodies. :) 

I also see my Fall decorations around the house and it brings me such joy! It's my favorite time to decorate (with Christmas as a very close second)

FEEL:

I feel Ruby's soft fur, as she just went to the salon...er, groomer yesterday. 😉 She's such a pretty girl. When she gets shaggier she feels so wooly - more like a sheep! Ha! But when she gets shaved down her fur is so soft underneath. She's an old girl now. Almost 14 years. 🙈 And she has quite a few old lady lumps and bumps I also feel when I pet her. She may be older but she still runs and plays like a puppy. She can't hear or see as well, but it hasn't slowed her down. Plus, she's my snuggler and I love it! 

HEAR:

As I was sitting and painting and then petting on Ruby I was listening to an Autumn playlist I created on Amazon music through our Alexa Echo. Here are some of the songs to give you an idea of the vibe. I love lots of oldies and lots of songs or music that makes me feel in a Fall mood:

* EVA CASSIDY:

- Fields of gold

-Songbird

*ED SHEERAN:

-Autumn Leaves

-The Hills of Aberfeldy

-his Autumn variations album

*NAT KING COLE:

-Autumn Leaves

-Tis Autumn

-Love

*Music from the PRIDE & PREJUDICE SOUNDTRACK

*TAYLOR SWIFT:

- Cardigan

-Exile

*ELLA FITZGERALD & LOUIS ARMSTRONG:

-Autumn in New York

*FRANK SINATRA:

- Witchcraft

-I'll Be Seeing You

*Soundtrack to THE GREAT PUMPKIN CHARLIE BROWN

....Lots more but this gives you a good idea 🧡

TASTE:

I just made myself a cup of creamy spicy chai tea. I love how it's sweet but also has that bite of spice to it with exotic cardamom & zippy cinnamon. I'm enjoying it in my Fall mug that is big and chunky and perfect for Autumn bevvies. 😋 

I'm enjoying it with a little healthier version pumpkin spice cookie. The cookie is soft and perfectly dip-able in my chai. 

To make the cookie simply blend a 15 oz can of pumpkin with a standard spice cake mix. Mix them until they are well blended. Add chocolate and butterscotch chips if you wish (I added just a little). And extra cinnamon or spices if you like. Then with a tablespoon scoop out cookies onto non-stick cookie sheets. Bake at 350* for 16-18 minutes. 

Or if you don't want to add chocolate chips once cookies are cooled you could dip them in a powdered sugar glaze of about 1&1/4 c. of powdered sugar blended with 3 tbsp of milk. Whisk well and can add some vanilla or cinnamon for flavor too. Then dunk the tops of the spiced cookies in the glaze and let set. They are made with no eggs or oil so less fat and so a few less calories. Store in an airtight container. They will be soft. 

SMELL:

And finally, what I'm smelling is this wonderful blend in the diffuser. I keep it in our tv room but it perfumes the whole main part of our home. I like that this diffuser is a pretty glass one (I found it on amazon) - and I can set it for anywhere from 1 to 6 hours and it changes colors as it works. This is a blend I found on pinterest as you can see from the "recipe" below. It truly does have a magical scent. It has a spicy sweet herbal-ness to it that makes me think of the woods in Autumn. It would be a really good Halloween scent and I think I used to have a witchy Halloween candle once that smelled a lot like it. 

Thank for sharing in these little Autumn moments with me Friends. Are you an October lover too? What's your favorite of your 5 senses during the Fall season?