Downton Abbey!

Dame Maggie Smith as Lady Violet

We've been  Downton Abbey junkies since day one and we counted down to last week's showing of Season Three episode one! I am as I type, watching it again as a prelude to episode two tonight. It is amazing how much more you see when you watch again. What a good story of an era that has long since passed.

Life at Downton is full of human intrigue, class distinction, passion and social commentary of the day. The wit of Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess of Grantham is priceless. She has the best asides than anyone I have had the pleasure of watching. Whether as Professor McGonagall in Harry Potter or this grand dame, the undertones are clear and she cuts to the chase. 

If you have not tuned in give it a try. Of course, starting on season one is your best bet to get the most out of the story.

Last week and opulent wedding...there is another wedding coming soon...will it be tonight?

How is your winter shaping up?

Winter is always as full of discussion as any other season. We think it will be calm and quiet with the shorter days but not so in my neck of the woods.

Look who else is serious about projects!

We have football playoffs made more exciting because of the Seattle Seahawks....
Movies to watch...The Hobbit, Abraham Lincoln, Les Miserables...holiday afterglow....taking down the decorations, eating the leftover goodies....
post-holiday dieting and exercising....who knew there were so many gadgets to make you look young, fit and enticing...or so many 'diet' foods that don't taste so hot but will shed pounds forever!
Snow days....or parts of days as it can happen in the northwest and next up will be the winter freeze. Comfort food to warm you up and remind you that healthy nutritious food is always the best...walks in the mall to avoid the mall...just pack the wallet with your ID along with coins for coffee!   January birthdays where we linger at the table over home made carrot cake...Valentine's Day and St Patrick's Day to brighten the months of February and March and soon after that it will be Easter and the promise of spring in the Northwest with rain, more rain before the sun helps our gardens grow again. Winter seems long on days like today but it is only going to be here a short time more so to make the most of it I am going to get serious about fun things I always think I am too busy for. My secret to finding more time will be to watch less TV. That gives me an extra two hours a night for things I really like to do.

Happy New Year!

May your resolutions  bring you joy and happiness and that your faith,  family and friendships are abundantly rewarding.

Keep Calm.....

This past fall I began to sell Thirty-One Gifts. What captured me was the opportunity to get great products that help me organize and m-a-t-c-h  everything in the bargain. Every month there is a great special that has allowed me to build my collection. I liked this idea so much that I called my consultant and asked her to sign me up.  It took a few weeks for us to get this taken care of, due to life's blessings and challenges, including the delivery of her brand new baby boy.

 In the meantime a new catalog came out and I got a brand new kit from that catalog. Our new catalog debuts on January 4th and I can't wait to celebrate the excitement of sharing the new products with my customers. January is full of resolutions and while that is all well and good, many of you know that I am still trying to get organized in my home. It takes more than the hour shown on the  Mission Organization program to get this done and change habits too.

For a peek at what I am so excited, take a look at my website:  mythirtyone.com/mardellgrayhek

Four More Days....

My spirits are brighter tonight at the prospect of the next four days. They will be filled with family gathered together for laughter and lots of food. Sometimes the holiday season can be difficult for some because of expectations that cannot be met. Family dynamics are complicated so gatherings are not always welcome.

 I am at a point in my life where some of the things that used to get under my skin over the holidays just don't get that chance anymore. I am very lucky but it took a long time to get to this place. I feel for those who cannot say that but encourage you to keep trying.

 Now, I am going to go get some rest because tomorrow I will begin making treats and cookies and pans of lasagna for the first of the extended family gatherings.

 I wish you a Merry Christmas and pray that this year brings peace. 

Such a Time of Sorrow.

I am trying to understand what happened today in Newton Connecticut where so many lives were taken by a madman. So many children who will not be receiving their Christmas presents or squeal with delight any longer at simple pleasures of life. How their voices will be missed by parents who have had their hearts torn away today. I feel such a pit of sadness in my heart, wondering what is happening in our world. We need to come together and make this world a much better place for everyone.

I pray that God will help us understand each other better and guide us to live together as He intended. I pray also for patience so that I may be kind to those who I don't think deserve my kindness. I pray for the courage to speak up when I see things that are not right and to make the world a better place.

I cannot say one word that will make it easier for those left behind tonight after the shootings this morning; I can simply pray that it never happens again.

Snow!

The snow fell today!
Excitement is building
The season is here
The Snow Village is growing
Round rocks for eyes
Chose carrots or buttons for a nose
Hats and Scarves
Make a family of snow
Keep your spirits up with cheerful people of snow!

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!
May your day be filled with a grateful heart
and a thankful nature toward those around you.
We are so blessed to have each other.

Get out the Vote!

I found this great picture on a Facebook post by the Mermaid of the Lake, sister bloggers whom I admire for all the positive things they write. Have you ever had a place to go online where you know you will feel positive just by reading their quote or thought for the day? These are the blogging friends I like to drop in with my morning cup of coffee.

Today is election day in our country. We are facing so many challenges, as the world beyond us. But, as a free country we have been blessed with the right to vote our conscience. If you have not voted yet today, please exercise that privilege and vote. The time it takes to do this is important to us all. And, if you don't vote, you missed your chance to discuss your feelings in the outcome of things that transpire over the next crucial four years.

Whether I cancel your vote or you cancel mine, the majority will decide and I honor that decision. Let us pull together, find common ground and get this country moving once more!

"The Fallen Leaves...."

This was taken two years ago
when the leaves were just turning!

The cleanup - phase one

Today I looked out my kitchen window only to look again and see that all the leaves had fallen from the maple tree! Every last one of them. Only last week I marveled at the wonders of the coral and scarlet mix so brilliant they looked translucent. A glorious gift only One could bestow on us. Autumn was at her finest last week and I truly appreciated it because I knew that too soon the wind would pick up and those leaves would be gone forever.
Raked up, composted and mulched into soil, the leaves that provided my own private curtain are gone.  Why is it that the beauty of the autumn colors is so much more fleeting than the brilliance of spring blossoms?

What a pile!

The nights are getting longer, days are getting chillier and home is where we stop to sip a hearty soup at the end of the day. My thoughts are turning toward Thanksgiving tonight and all the family gathered for a traditional feast. Pumpkins, pecans, chrysanthemums and of course turkey. Warm colors and hearty food to remind us of our harvests and of all the goodness saved with the long winter days in mind.

October Super Storm....

As October ends amid storms let's pray for our fellow American family on the East coast. What a widespread force nature is! We often take for granted the power nature has over us yet these past few days she has gotten our attention.

Please Lord, help those who cry out for help in this storm. The devastation is no less than that left by an attack of terror. The walls of waves, the funneling of water in the darkest holes...the frightened men, women and children who look for protection need the help that only You can provide. Cleanup has begun and in the aftermath we pray that You will comfort those affected and will bring a new day for these people as they work to re-build their lives.