My Grama's Soul

I turned 69 on Saturday, October third. It was a bitter sweet birthday this year since my son was not with us.   We went to one of our favorite  spots for my birthday dinner.  In fact, it was one of the last places my son was with us while he was alive.  The familiarity was somehow comforting for us..although some  tears were shed by us because of the vacancy that was felt by his absence.  Which really brings me to the point of this post for today....THERE IS A SEASON.   These pics were taken by us on a trip 2 years ago.  We toured down the Danube  and the Rhine rivers in Europe.  It is pretty evident that it is Fall in these pictures.....it was an incredible time for us. It was before our move and Brad's  surgery.  It was before our son's death. Who would have known  what was in store as we were viewing this incredible part of the world. It was a season of all  joy and hopefu...

Received these from my friend Jean.....up in Montana.....pretty interesting aren't they.  BTW.....shots from Dallas Arboretum ...... hugs, Jo

Yes....October 3rd is the day I was  born.  Was born in Germany.....right after the war....as my father was stationed there. Came to the states when I was around 3 or 4 years old...and have never returned to Germany...although I would like to someday. You know it is interesting.....I don't feel 66...oh I have a few aches and pains...but in my head I'm still the youthful woman who looked forward to a life full of promise and adventure.....and I am so very grateful that that wish has been fulfilled. O.K. enough about my birthday....let's see a few photos of where we have been. These shots were taken along the road through Wyoming heading down to Colorado. Stayed in Fort Collins Colorado for a few days.  It is home to Colorado State University and while driving through the University spotted this spectacular sight. Can you believe this feast for the eyes. Here are a few close shots.... I will tell you....that f...

Here is how it looked from our balcony two days ago........here is what it looks like today...... Had a nice rain overnight and now low clouds with an overcast sky. I always think these low, low clouds look like Santa's eyebrows....makes me smile!  Anyway...... On these kind of days...I like to make my clean out the refrigerator soup.... I'm sure each of you has a recipe for this but here is mine: One large chicken breast boiled in water used to make broth for soup and meat used in soup. Two Johnsonville Brats....I fry these in a pan and cut them up in pieces before adding to my stock. Here is what I used today as I had these things on hand... Diced chicken and Brats Piece of kale Two organic carrots Diced onion to taste Garlic to taste Sweet potato left over from last night  One small can of beans....any kind...I used navy....since they were what I had on hand You can also add a can of diced tomatoes if desired....I didn...

Thank you.....thank you....and thank you again.....is all that is really needed on this special day!!!! Hugs, Jo  

"Le style est l'homme meme." Style is the dress of thoughts Everyone is drawn to a certain color pallet in their decoration, clothing, art, ect.  Years ago we used to do something called color draping....perhaps it is still being done.  The color pallets fall into four categories...aligning with the seasons. WINTER SPRING SUMMER AUTUMN I happen to be an Autumn.  I didn't always know I was an autumn...but it does seem as though I was always drawn to fall colors. For many years of my life I lived surrounded by taupes and beiges....perhaps out of fear or just because I thought these colors suited me best.  However.....as I have gotten older I have come to realize that I am a TRUE  AUTUMN. No bouncing back and forth between Winter, Spring or Summer for me.  No sir. These are a few pics from around my house....it just blows me away how strongly I am drawn to this color pallet. I always love, love, love looking at all the pink and soft blue and l...

"Slow down and enjoy life.  It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast~~you also miss the sense of where you are going....and why." Eddie Cantor Getting ready to depart from the North country...it is such a bitter sweet time for us. We see so many wonderful spots along the way ..... and being able to see the change of seasons is so very special.   Arizona does not have the change of seasons like other parts of the country does....it goes from hot to less hot. LOL These shots have been taken from all over this beautiful country of ours.  Oregon, New Mexico, Montana, Idaho, Washington and Iowa. Each spot was so very beautiful in its own way. We have yet to travel much down South or to the New England states....but we will make it....it is on our to do list. By the way....just learned how to put my name on my pictures.  Have done a few here....it is really not too difficult.....but being somewhat computer challenged (O:  it does take a li...