Angora-Mohair Yarn

Soft Mohair Yarns......

Angora Goat

When the weather turns cooler, I begin thinking warm scarves. They make great Christmas gifts. Each year I select new yarns and look for the softest and most interesting in textures. Of late, the yarn shops are chocked full of gorgeous selections. One of my all-time favorties is Angora or Mohair Yarn. This gorgeous yarn comes from the Angora goat. Shorn from the goat twice a year, as it grows faster than sheep's wool. It is a soft lustrous and hard weaving fiber, used in fabrics, textiles and yarns. It is a hollow fibre, takes dye exceptionally well and is two and one half times warmer than wool. The fibre has three main grades; Kid-the first two shearings of the baby goat are the softest and finest. Well...off to the yarn shop I go today.

Beautiful Fragrance By Vera Wang

Vera Wang Princess Perfume

Vera Wang Collection Lavender Irridescent Taffeta Gown

Vera Wang Collection SacksA designer with credibility....

I am no exception...most ladies like pretty things. I'm quite sure that most of us have heard of Vera Wang, especially if you've shopped for a wedding gown. She is known for her wedding gown collection and, other specialties. What you may not know about her, is that she trained as an Olympic skater and when she did not make the 1968 Olympic team, she entered the fashion industry. Her misfortune was our gain. It seems that anything this very talented woman puts her name on, is incredibly exquisite and most beautiful, from her clothing line, to her new perfume 'Princess.' I'm thinking Princess for women just might be on my Christmas list this year.....a good thing.

New Bedding

Pink silk duvet cover by Ralph LaurenMilliecent Pink Silk Shams

Garrison Knit Throw.....

For quite some time now, I have favored Ralph Lauren's collections when it comes to bedding. At the changing of the seasons, in this case winter, I begin looking for warmer, darker and richer colors. What caught my eye this year is completely different than anything I could have imagined. I am completely in love with beautiful pink silk combined with browns for my selection this year. I went online to find this exquisite collection by Ralph Lauren.....hmmm... This would be quite a splurge....maybe I'll watch for it to go on sale.

Fall Colored Tropical Plants

This morning I was watering potted Mums by my front door, when I noticed just how beautiful the Crotons in our landscaping looked, with the sun shining on them.....Nice thing about these plants, they are drought resistant and love the Florida winters as well. click on photos....

Autumn Afternoon Poolside......

Today was one of those gorgeous Autumn days you dream about. The sun was warm and a cool breeze was blowing. We set by the pool just enjoying the whole thing and each other's company. The pool water sparkled as though it were filled with diamonds and at one time I noticed the shadow of a tall palm cast over the pool. Today was a good day....a day to be thankful for...click on photos..

House Of Worship

Mums....signs of Autumn

Music

Mozart Beethoven

The Classical Music Period 1750-1810

Falling between the Baroque and the Romantic periods, the classical music period coincided with the age of enlightement of the l8th century-the age of rational thought, humanitarianism, and scientific trend. During this era, several world events occured...The French Revolution and the ratification of the US Constitution. Popular throughout Europe was the piano, as illustrated by the many great Sonatas and Concertos written. The modern orchestra became standarized. Among major composers were Mozart and Beethoven. I'm enjoying this study and continue to read.....

A Very Great Somebody

Portrait of Martha Washington by Gilbert Stuart

Martha Washington's wedding dress and jewels.....

Continuing on with my fascination and very clear interest in Colonial era history. In reading First Ladies by Carl Anthony, I'm completely intrigued by all the questions answered, and wonder that we all have not been just a bit more curious of the women behind the very influential men in the White House. In Anthony's book, he writes of Martha Washington .....If Providence itself had divinely intervened, a woman who better looked and played the part could not have been found. She seemed always surrounded in white-white muslins, white satins, white dusters, white mobcaps, white hair. The simplicity made her classic, in the words of a European, like a "Roman matron." If she did not adapt well to the latest style of the Continental beau monde, she had an inbred, timeless grace. Somehow, here in this kindly yet staid grandmother, there was an absolutely brilliant balance between Queen and commoner. A woman who was equally herself through the already legendary winter at Valley Forge and the regal English courts of Williamsburg gentry. She was filled with as much humility as grandness. Martha was as noble as George, but her naturalness seemed apparent, whereas he stayed noble. Oh yes, I am quite fascinated with this lady and am quite eager to know more about her....I continue to read.....

Abigail Smith Adams/President John Adams

If you look the word passion up in the dictionary, you will find it means: A powerful emotion or appetite. All during my life I have had several things I have felt passionate about. My latest passion is one of discovery and research. I have always been interested in this great nation of ours, the United States of America. I now have a passion for history, to know of those who made a difference, what were their passions and what did they accomplish and how. Like most, I learned just enough in school to be informed a little. Back then I had too many distractions to actually want to know more, to know it all. Lately I have watched the HBO miniseries John Adams. John Adams had a vision of a nation of liberty and justice for all. I've also watched Amazing Grace, a story of how one man's passion and perseverance changed the world. I am reading about America's first ladies and how they influenced their husbands. Abigail Adams was a great woman, a great Farmess and a great first lady. She loved and supported her husband completely and together they had a passion to do good for their country. They shared in it all. In a letter to her husband John Adams, the second president of the United States she says....

How often do I reflect with pleasure that I hold in possession a heart equally warm with my own, and fully, as susceptable of tenderest impressions, and who even now, whilst he is reading here, feels all I describe. Ah yes....they were even passionate about each other....

Behold

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John l:5

Chicken Soup

Generations of parents have spooned chicken soup into their sick children. Now scientists believe that it does have effects that might help relieve cold and flu symptons. Still not feeling well, and I'm having "taste bud" problems. With the help of my beloved, I managed to make a large pot of soup last evening. My first sip of this delicious concoction made me feel so much better. Uh huh....I think there just might be something to the chicken soup theory.......

Gotta Love Him

Just hoping your having a happy fall, no matter what part of the country your in. This sweet Scarecrow, compliments of Google Images, made my ole heart happy when I first saw him. The expression on his face just has to make you smile. These funny characters actually do serve some purpose in the farming community, I suppose, but to most city folks they are quite symbolic of Fall. I've been thinking of those of you living in the north, for by now your fireplaces are burning, you have warm flannel sheets on the beds and you have very good excuses to drink lovely hot cocoa in the evenings. Ah yes....I am pea green with envy. Not to worry, as I drink a Pumpkin Spice Latte this weekend, I will just have to close my eyes and pretend I'm there with you.

Yellow Mums

Oh yes...Mums are one of my favorite flowers for this time of year. I have yellow ones that I've placed on a great little shabby and chic wrought iron bench. What is it about rust when it comes to yard decor? It just seems to work with beautiful flowers. Hmmmm

Good Grief.....

Relax and Breathe

Okay...the debates are over and we're on the home stretch. I need to not think about the election for a while and let my brain rest. You know we all say the same thing, "we need to pray for our country and John McCain and Sarah Palin." "We need to put this in the Lord's hands, He is totally in control." Well, if indeed we believe what we're saying, why then am I so stressed about this whole election thing? That's it! I'm feeling a little better this evening, the antibiotic seems to be working, somewhat, so there. Tomorrow, I'm taking a chair and umbrella to the beach. I'm going to listen to the sound of the waves, wiggle my toes in the white sand, listen to the sea gulls and read my book. I'm halfway through The Letter, by Richard Paul Evans. Hmmmm....Should I take my radio along? NO!!!! I will not be tempted to listen to talk radio. I WILL relax and breathe.........

Watching The Debates Tonight

One big ole scary movie......

Will Rogers

"This world ain't going to be saved by nobody's scheme. It's fellows with schemes that got us into this mess. Plans can get you into things but you got to work your way out."

Not Feeling So Good.....

To say I have been "under-the-weather" would be an under statement! After three days of complete bed rest, fever, chills and you know the rest, I'm taking antibiotic and hopefully on the mend. Am I the only one who seems to be knocked for a loop each time one of these cold viruses attacks? Whatever happened to the old fashioned cold? In room dining is even getting a little boring.....imagine that for just a moment......

The Fruit Is Coming Along Nicely.....

Our neighbors have a very large Tangelo tree growing in their yard. For years now, we have been quite fortunate, in that the tree has branches hanging over the fence into our garden area. This is a good thing and we look forward to an amazing abundance of fruit just in time for the holidays. These trees bloom in the spring allowing for a wonderful aroma throughout the neighborhood. All summer long the fruit grows and at just the right time they are ready to pick. Around Thanksgiving, Florida fruit trees are full of wonderful ripe juicy citrus of all varieties. Oh yes....it is October and the fruit is coming along quite nicely.

Aunt Sally's Fine Zinnias

Everyone needs an Aunt Sally that loves pretty flowers. My Aunt Sally taught me everything she knew about how to make flowers grow and I suppose she's one of the reasons I have such a love for gardening to this very day. I can easily recall one of her favorite's, Zinnias. How they loved that good ole North Carolina mountain soil, flourishing all summer long in her beautiful garden....hmmmmm.....

The Lord's Day

This is the day that the Lord hath made: let us be glad and rejoice therein....Psalm 118:24

Sweet Angel

Remember when you were a kid...and wanted to grow up and become something special?

You did! There is nothing more special than being a mother.....

Kindness

The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty and Truth. The trite subjects of human efforts, possessions, outward success, luxury have always seemed to me contemptible. Albert Einstein

Paul Simon

I love this guy....going way back to Simon and Garfunkel. Paul Simon on old Saturday Night Live shows.....pure gold. He traveled to Africa and found Diamonds.....Enjoy!

Fall Colored Lilies

When you live on the Gulf coast, one thing lacking during the fall of the year, are those gorgeous colors. Scattered all along the east coast now, are trees putting on one of natures most beautiful shows. Leaves of red, orange, yellow and golds of various shades paint the landscape from the Canadian mountains to the lower flatlands of the Carolinas. Even in the northern part of Florida they are experiencing changing of the leaves. Unfortunately, the show pretty much stops there. But, never mind.....folks on the Gulf coast of Florida have learned to cope with this disappointment through the years. Today I set out Marigolds and lovely Crotons all in various shades of orange and golds. I gathered up an arm-full of beautiful orange Lilies found at a local shop, brought them home and placed them in the living room. Well, there you go.....instant Fall!

Recommended Reading

I watched the Glenn Beck program this evening and was happy to see he had Richard Paul Evans, the author, on as his guest. I've read a few of his books and find that he is an author you can count on to continually write great books. You may remember The Christmas Box. Glenn could not say enough about his latest book, GRACE: A Novel, saying that he read it way into the early morning hours, it was a page turner and the best he had written thus far. Glenn said he had been hesitant to read it upon finding it a book on abuse. Amazon.com had four incredibly gracious reviews. Three out of the four said they would read the book again, it was that good. On my list of things to do tomorrow....Barnes & Noble....Evans new book GRACE: A Novel

Happy Childhood Memories

Today I had the pleasure of spending a bit of time with my grandchildren. They are five and three years old. I'm always full of energy in the beginning of these visits and today was no exception. We try to do all their favorite things, like reading books, going for walks and coloring. We also use the computer at some point during the visit. A while back, I introduced them to the National Geographic website. An amazing site for children, showing live action videos of all sorts of wonderful things. Our first experience was exploring and learning about volcanos. So, each tine they come over they pile into my lap and we take a look at National Geographic. Today we looked in an area for children of all ages. We saw Fainting Goats, Humpback Whales, Beavers and the list goes on. I love seeing their expressions of bewilderment and hear their discussions and questions. We had banana pudding for snacktime and then we colored. I suppose coloring is one of my favorite things to do with my grandchildren. Today I thought about how long I had been coloring. As we opened the box,the smells of the crayons took me back to my childhood. You know, memory is an amazing thing. I've read that certain smells can bring back clear pictures of happy or sad times during your life. This must be true, for in my case, smells of crayons bring back very clear images of childhood happy times.I also remember many of my favorite coloring books, and happen to believe they were some of the best. So, today I taught my granddaughter how to trace the picture before coloring it in. Do you remember tracing? We're you a tracer? Hmmm.....