Seeing the world through glass spheres

For Christmas, my husband gave me such a beautiful gift. I have a small collection of hand-blown glass spheres, made by North Carolina artists. Commander got in touch with our dear friend, Debbi, who lives in NC, and had her do some Christmas shopping for him! She selected an exquisite piece that perfectly compliments the three we already had! No big surprise, as Debbi is my partner in crime when it comes to shopping for cool stuff when we go to NC! She knows all the good places! We recently hung the spheres in our new kitchen window. The sun comes in these windows so splendidly - morning and evening! Here is how they look in the morning!
(I could look out this window all day long! Never know what may saunter past.)

These are made at the Cedar Creek Gallery; Lisa Oakley is the head glass blower there. It is a wonderful gallery, near Creedmore, NC, about 30 minutes from Durham. Thanks, Debbi! Thanks, Commander!

January things

These three little pals relax with us by the fire as we peruse seed catalogs, gaze out at the winter garden, and design the spring garden plan in our minds. Like us, they seem to fall under the spell of the small birds playing just beyond the window on these very crisp, sunny winter days. The blue sky teases us into thinking we can go into the garden and dig. But in truth, the ground is frozen!

There are crocus up, standing about an inch tall, just thinking about sending up their fragile flowers. And daffodils, bunched here and there, the green tops sending out a message of hope.

Meanwhile, we clean house, again and again, striving to rid each room of the dri-wall dust, sawdust, and general construction grubbiness of the past months. Sweet memories fill our minds; memories of our first Christmas in our new & improved Little Bird Farm House!
(Photo, courtesy of Joshua. Little friends, courtesy of JP&p)

Looking ahead to a terrific 2012...

...and back at a superb Christmas.

This first day of the new year, we begin tilling up an area for our Herb Garden!

And we smile heartily remembering the cuteness of our sweet grand girls playing together at Christmas time.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, ONE AND ALL!

Did the kids all really arrive for Christmas a week ago today?

Once we passed that occupancy inspection, I swung into high gear like never before! Un-earthing the guest room and finding homes for each item that has rested there for upwards of 4 months. Carting boxes of dishes in from the casita in the back yard, and placing them in new shelf paper lined cupboards, scouring the bathrooms, which we have all abused since September, especially after the port-a-potty left, wrapping gifts, decorating our white fir Christmas tree from Mora, NM and filling the cabinets with holiday foods! Mom brought cookies, so I really appreciate that! And our neighbors brought fudge and cookies and breads. Thank you!

It was a truly beautiful week! And all have returned to their homes, as of today. The music, the precious looks on the faces of our little grands, the Christmas Eve tamales and posole, the traditional Christmas morning Garmische Nut Stollen, the feast on Christmas Day - thank you commander for grilling the beef tenderloin so perfectly - the joy (and mess!) we created on our big new table! All was splendid!

One down side: by the day after Christmas, our little 20 month old Piper and her mama were sick. We all holed up and drank gallons of tea as we watched "Christmas Eve on Sesame Street", the very same show our own children watched in 1980 and beyond! It still holds up! "Keep Christmas with you, all through the year", they sing!

I wish I had gotten a Christmas card out to all the people we dearly love! It has been a curious season for us. We feel we can settle in now, in the New Year and enjoy our new kitchen, fine tune some of the things yet to be completed, and begin preparing for our spring vegetable, flower, and herb gardens!

We had a big loss right after Christmas; our dear, sweet Aunt Connie passed away - much, much too soon! How we will all miss her, though we will never, never forget her beautiful heart and smile. And so much more.

Our sweet Piper Gaye. She is so interested in everything!

Sharing early Christmas with family headed to California for the holiday. Darling Abby is pretty excited about her gifts from her cousins!

Gavin & Piper love pockets!

Making the luminarias - Piper's very first time. FUN!

Christmas Eve music and tamale making.

Sweet Miles finally gave in to sleep on Christmas Eve.

Commander has a fan! It is mutual.

We passed!!

And we are IN the new kitchen! Yay!
Not a moment too soon....as the elves are knocking at the door!

Commander begins to assemble our redwood table, a task that has been a long time coming!

Then the strong neighbor men join us to bring in the top piece....beautiful!

We can hardly wait to have you join us at the table in the new LBF KITCHEN!

HAPPY MERRYMAKING, AS CHRISTMAS IS COMING! We wish you safe travel, wherever you may go, and happiness in GREAT measure!