Just Because January

 The fires are still going strong in So. California, and the Palisades fire is 22% contained.  The Santa Ana winds have come, and the region continues to battle these blazing fires.  Thank you all for your prayers. 🙏  

My brother-in-law was in town for a dental appt., and he stopped by to visit for a while.  I always love when he comes by, and this time he brought me an apple pie.  When he first got here in the morning, I made him some Polish sausage and eggs and coffee.  I sauteed the onions first, and scrambled the eggs.  He enjoyed the breakfast so much.

"Like the grasses showing tender faces to each other, thus we should do, for this was the wish of the Grandfathers of the world."

~Black Elk

Another day, I made some biscuits with butter and honey.

I had some ham leftover, so I made a potato and ham dish with bell peppers and seasonings.

Jess loved the red coat I got Charlotte, and she looks so warm and cozy wearing it.

A few things I am looking forward to.....the fundraiser dinner in my hometown coming up.  I will see all my family then.  And we will celebrate my birthday that weekend too.  It's a big one, that's all I'll say about that. ; )

I had a long talk with my sister one day on the phone.  It was good catching up with her.

Like many of you, I've been going through things and de-cluttering and sorting to give away or keep.  So far, I've given away 7 boxes and bags, and it does feel good to clear out some of this and that.  I guess we are all thinking the same thing in January.

Have a beautiful January week.  It's supposed to be sunny this month, but then, we're expected some rain and snow in February.

~Sheri

Worry-Filled Week

You may have heard of the fires raging in So. California right now.  One of them is the Palisades fire, and it has destroyed so many homes and buildings.  There have been 24 deaths, thousands of evacuations, and the fires have burned more than 12,000 homes and other structures.  It's so scary - Nel and Jess are Ok, but Nel is only about 20 miles from one of the fires, and Jess is about 30 miles from another.  Jess' school has closed where she teaches, and Francesca's school is closed.  That's all this mama has been doing all week is worrying.  Prayers are greatly needed.  Thousands of firefighters are working around the clock to get them under control and contained.

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I have been hunkered down trying to wrap my head around all of this, and feeling very saddened and thankful I have a home myself.  I had to get out today, and went to a few stores.  What is it about purple that makes me stop and gaze?  I feel mesmerized when I see anything this color, it's so exquisite.

I bought some purple silk flowers and a purple cup.

I've been eating comforting foods, as the worry seems heavy this week, like baked ham sandwiches, homemade brownies, and lots of tea.

Please pray for So. California, my friends.  And I thank you very much.

~Sheri

Harry Potter Nook

 When my kids were young, they used to enter the magical world of Harry Potter by reading all the books and watching all the movies.  They joined the three wizarding friends up until they were older, but they especially enjoyed the trio who shared such a bond with each other in their younger days.

Nel recently worked on a project in her home - a Harry Potter nook for Mia.  She had wanted to do this little "home improvement" project since they moved in last year and she discovered the closet under the stairs.  This little space sparked her imagination.  She thought it was the perfect time to build a Gryffindor common room.  It was used by the previous owner as an ordinary storage closet, so there was a lot of work to do.  She started by ripping out the original carpet and installing black and white carpet tiles to make the floor look like the chess board from the first Harry Potter book, the Scorcerer's Stone.  She bought a wizard chess set to complete the look and added a couple more Harry Potter themed games. She hung battery powered floating candles from the ceiling and stuffed a red velvet chair with a gold plush blanket into the corner.  And finally, she stacked a few Harry Potter books next to two house mugs in a vintage suitcase for the reading nook.  Mia was so excited to see it, and her and Francesca  will have many fun times sharing this space in the years to come.  Here are some pictures of the work in progress until the project was finished.

Nel and Jess ringing in the new year.

My Christmas stuff is put away, and I kept a few white things out with a pop of blue for the new year.  I got this glass bowl for Christmas, and I think it's so neat.

My son made a big pot of jambalaya for the new year with sausage, shrimp, and rice, and I think it was his best batch yet.

Had to fill out some paperwork, and it was the kind that asks questions from 20 years ago, really?  I try to live in the moment, and dates are hard to remember if I don't write them down.  Most of the time I do, but sometimes we forget or they get tossed out.  After, I went for a ride to clear my head and see the views in town, but I stopped first to get some teriyaki wings at the deli.  They just made them.

I will always love this tree carved with a face on it.

I saw a family of deer on the edge of the highway, and another one laying on the side of the road.  It breaks my heart when they get hit, as I have become quite close to this special animal up here.

I hope the new year is being good to you so far.  Have a wonderful week.

~Sheri

 Happy New Year!  Well, I do hope this year is a splendid one.  I rang in the new year 🔔🔔 by going out to lunch at the Mexican restaurant with my brother-in-law.  It is a fun and festive place for both of us to catch up and visit.  He first stopped by the house and brought over some beef that he got from a relative's cattle ranch, and he wanted to share some.  Meat is so expensive at the stores, and I was grateful.  He also brought me some more homemade chili.  I first made him a cup of coffee and some homemade sugar cookies with icing and red sprinkles, and after a while we went over to the restaurant.

Well, I am always mentioning my in-laws to you, so I thought I would share a little about them.  There are three sisters and six brothers, and I love them all.  But you know I have my favorites.😉 I've known all of them since I was 16.

I am close to them all, but one of my favorites lives in Seattle and calls and checks up on me from time to time.  And three others live close by, with one being another favorite which I see often, and that has always stayed in touch with my family.

I have been enjoying the holiday tea that Nel gave me.

Jess reminded me that the new season of Virgin River is out, season 6, so I've been watching that.  It's been a very entertaining season.  Jess takes her time to watch these episodes, but I breeze through them, and am almost finished with the season.  Some flashback photos of Mel's parents,

and her real dad she never knew.

There were 8 doves that landed on my lawn and came to visit me.  It was a sight for sure.

I'll show you the Harry Potter nook next time that Nel made for Mia using one of the small closets at her house.

Have a sparkly new year.  I have never made resolutions.  Too much pressure to keep up with, so I will sincerely just be the best version of me. 😚

~Sheri

Not Always Roses

Me and Jess had a bit of a run in with a woman who was unreasonable and unfair with her demands, and it saddened me because it came right on Christmas Eve.  It's not always roses here at Red Rose Alley;🌹 we come into some challenges, and sometimes we have to deal with all kinds of people on different levels, but being a woman myself, I know how important it is to be helpful and compassionate with people in need.  But unfortunately, sometimes we come across women who abuse their power in their jobs, women who stand by and do nothing while someone needs help, women who have no grace and mercy, and women who have no love.  We all come across them in our daily lives.  But someone very dear to me reminded me of what Saint Francis said, "Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received - only what you have given; a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage."

So, give your light, my blog sisters.  There are those who need it so desperately.

I had a beautiful Christmas, and my children gave me so many wonderful gifts.......leggings and socks, Holiday spiced tea, Boston Tea Party Tea (Earl Grey), which actually came from Boston when Jess visited, Starbuck's Christmas Blend, candy cane chocolate cookies, "joy to the world" cup, framed picture of Francesca, which meant so much to me, cause she was wearing the dress I picked out the first day of school, kitchen dish towels, glass bowl, coasters, and See's!  And Jess always puts oranges in the packages, which will remain a tradition forever.

Aren't these the most unique coasters?  Have no idea where Jess got them, but I love them.

I have to show you the packages that Nel wraps from Santa because it's such a creative idea.  She puts a big S stamp on them also.

Matching pj's and hats.

Here's Mia opening up my present - the Disney Dream House!

I hope you have pleasant days leading up to the new year.  And I will leave you with one of my favorite verses.  Please remember it in times of trouble.

If God is for us, who can be against us? ~Romans 8:31   

Some Christmas Cheer

I got a visit from my brother-in-law last week who brought us some Christmas cheer!  He brought over so many goodies from the in-laws - a ham, homemade chili, homemade tortillas, chocolate chip cookies, Russian tea cookies, and a favorite every Christmas, Ferrero Rocher Chocolates.

The chili was so delicious.  It had a spicy kick to it.  I made some fried eggs to go with it the next morning.

We had a very foggy day, which I love.

My son made another batch of croissants, and I topped them with butter and cranberry jelly.

Now, I've shown you the Pioneer wagon that's on main street in my town during the holidays, but I don't think I've ever shown you it covered in snow.  I can just imagine traveling in that wagon in the cold snowy season during my favorite era.

I watched the movie, A Merry Scottish Christmas.  These two played brother and sister back in the day in the popular series, Party of Five.  A Merry Scottish Christmas was a feel-good movie, lots of joy, and celebrating some Scottish traditions.

I have to show you the Christmas market Nel went to this season with Mia.  It was so fun!  Lots of sparkly displays, carolers dressed in red and green velvet cloaks, yummy traditional foods and drinks like hot chocolate, mulled wine, Poffertjes (a Dutch dish of small, fluffy pancakes), and gingerbread.  There was also artisan shops selling handmade trinkets.

My other babies were sick last week.....and Jess too.

But Francesca felt better over the weekend, and got to go to The Nutcracker with Mia.

My neighbor, F, brought over some homemade fudge.  I was craving it, and was so happy to receive some this Christmas.  It was such a thoughtful gift.

I've been having a nice Christmas season with magical snow to look at all around me.  I can't believe how lovely these snow days have been here in the mountains.  

My neighbor's lights through the blinds.

This Eurasian Collared Dove came to visit me this Christmas.

Joy to the World

The Lord has come!

Merry Christmas friends!

You are dear to me.

~Sheri