Violets and Valentines

The weekend is almost here...
...do you have plans?

If you are in the area....Earth Angels will be having their Heart of Winter event in Warwick, NY.
This year it will be held at the Warwick Antique Barn...
....antiques and art....what could be better? :)

I had hoped to be there but will have to be at the office instead.. :(

If you get there, I am sure you will not be disappointed....take pictures to share!

Good night friends!
Laura

Bitter Pills for Sweethearts

There are just a few days left before the company that I have worked for...
...for over 27 years... will be laying off most of its employees.
Some people will keep their jobs...some will be moving on to other companies...some will be forced to collect unemployment until they can secure a new position.



We have been together... a family of sorts...for a very long time.

My coworkers have known my children since birth and I have known theirs. We have attended and rejoiced at each others weddings or childrens weddings, cried at family funerals together, celebrated birthdays, baptisms, christenings and retirements together. We have had hilarious times at holiday parties, dressed up for Halloween, had Oktoberfests, barbecues, participated in triathlons together, raised money for charities together and played countless jokes on each other.



We care about each other and will miss one another.



We have been exchanging emails, addresses and phone numbers...
... and pledging to stay in touch.



It has been a tough week. It will be hard to say goodbye on Friday.

I will continue working for a few more weeks to help with everyone's transition, tie up loose ends and process the mountain of paperwork that is inevitable during this time of change.

Lots of mixed emotions!
They are all my sweethearts.

Sweet Visage

Just a couple of sweet faces on this winter day...

To see other participants in White Wednesday...
...visit Kathleen at Faded Charm...

Working long hours this week....but am excited about my upcoming Sweater Craft workshop with Charlotte Lyons this Saturday!

Gathering my supplies!
Have my sweaters felted (I think)...
...and am ready to learn something new and meet some new friends...

Found some treasure at the thrift store today while on my lunch hour....and will share as soon as I get a chance to take some pictures...Did I tell you?....I just love thrifting! :)

I also want to wish my ever loving brother in law Steve...
Happy Birthday!

Happy Wednesday to All!
We're half way through the work week!
:)

A Step Back

I wanted to take a step back before we are fully immersed in the magical season of Christmas...because Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays and holds special meaning for my family...



The Thanksgiving holiday is always celebrated on the last Thursday in November...some years this day is also my parents' wedding anniversary and sometimes it falls on my birthday.



It is always a day, however, that our family members gather together to cook our traditional and favorite family recipes, enjoy each others comfortable and accepting company, eat way too much wonderful food and remember all that we are thankful for.



Our family is not perfect, but we love each other; we are not always all together, but we seek each other out to share dinner and time together...sometimes in two or three homes spread across the country.



We are truly blessed to have family members who support and encourage each other. We don't always understand one another, we sometimes disagree but we are there for one another when needed.



Remembering Thanksgivings past...those at my grandparents' farmhouse with my great aunts and uncle, cousins and siblings all gathered around the big table in the dining room...



...the few at my home where the table stretched from the dining room through to the living room with hardly any room to walk...



...to recent years at my sister Mary Beth's home...where her friends and church members with no family close by, join our family around their ping pong table turned dining room table...



It is a time when all generations come together in gratitude for the many blessings bestowed on us...we often go around the table, each naming something that we are particularly thankful for.



Thanksgiving is much less stressful than other holidays...no required gifts and everyone shares in the preparation...



...and even in the cleanup!



On this day, washing dishes is enjoyable...we are together.



Some of us take a long walk after dinner....some watch football...some take a nap!



We are grateful for each other, for our family, our blessings and for Thanksgiving joys...
I hope that you are looking forward to a special day with your family this Thanksgiving!

P.S. Don't you think yellow and gray make a great color combination?! :)