Stopping to smell the roses

Like so many people we too have become caught up in the whirlwind of activities that rob you of the simple daily joys and beauty that surround each of us.I have not learned to use the camera, I have not taken time to get my lessons on the computer so I can create the kind of blog I want , I have not planted my traditional paper whites to enjoy for the season….and for the first time in 20 years I am not having a Christmas open house. Why all this neglect? We have been driving all over the country doing shows… and while that has been an amazing experience it has also zapped us. I did not even get a post up about Silver Bella, which now seems months ago, when actually it was just 4 weeks ago… we had an incredible time, got to see our old friends Denise Sharp and Amy Smith from the N.W. and spent time with Carol and Gwen and Karla and Debbie of Curious Sofa who we would be joining for Miss Frenchies in Kansas City.(that was this past weekend) you can see photos on ,http/karlascottage@typepad and the Raised in cotton blog spot listed on my friends section. Anyway that too was a wonderful show… so very much talent in one building.. we were so hoping that we could meet their expectations and all those lovely ladies were so concerned that we would do well, as we had come from so far away… it is so sweet to see the care and love that is extended to one another.. it did put into focus for me the very important message of  doing what you love and the money will come and it did….. thank-you very much Kansas City.. but more than that I spent the weekend with people who I enjoyed being with and who cared about us…. you will see that I was loaned a fur coat by Gwen as it was so so cold and I now have Texas blood running thru my veins and was chilled to the bone until she loaned me not only the coat but a hat and gloves to match…. now that is special! Debbie came around with hot coffee in the morning and I don’t know how she did that as she was so busy, and Carol ,our neighbor was oh so helpful….. had tissue I needed among other little things.. her booth was so inspiring. You will love the photos!!!!! Anyway back to my message of smelling the roses.. these past two shows we have left a day early so that we arrive  fresher and also so we can stop and visit friends and see family, I got to spend a very sweet time with my son and his wife and my adorable darling ,smart, helpful grandchildren.. Nicholas was a big help he even swept…. he did say “Nana why did you put all this hay and snow and glitter all over the floor, you made such a mess” And how do you answer that? We went down to the Country Club Plaza early sun. morning, nothing was open and we had one of our traditional nature walks Poppy (Ludmil) broke the ice in the river and showed the boys how it cracks open,we threw pennies in the fountain… Nana would not give up one of her dimes…. we talk about eating nutritious food, and using our manners and being grateful for all we have. We will make simple recycled cards for Christmas and tree decorations when we meet for Christmas at my daughters… this was why we moved to Texas to have this kind of time with our family and to see this beautiful country.( Kansas, not so beautiful in the winter) …. although the people are…. one last little sharing story.. we had gone to  lunch,  a mother was also having lunch with her triplets, who all had red hair.. a rare sight indeed… one little boy needed to go to the bathroom and she said come on all of you I can’t leave you alone , that’s when I stepped in and said I would be glad to watch over them while she attended the little guy,  she said “oh bless you” I spent the next 10min. in the most amazing dialogue with three yr. olds I learned about their dog Molly who is old and deaf..  sleeps upstairs..  when they put lights up for Christmas their house looks like a gingerbread house…  they have a fish who is huge and too big for his tank…. the mom came back I filled her in on all that we spoke of , she smiled , so proud of her little wee redheaded boys, as she should be. I was simply so happy that there are still places where one mom can help another with complete trust and knowingness that all will be fine…… now I need to go put my lights up and make my house look like a gingerbread house.

Merry Christmas to all and too all a goodnight… I have always loved that sentence…