Tree trimming begins

 

First job is to fit the saucer onto the trunk. Then carry it inside. My son got those jobs. 

The "before photo."

Making sure it's standing securely, then cutting the webbing off.

And it begins to fluff back to it's original shape.

A broken branch will go home with grandmama'. I don't decorate.

Michelle begins to water the tree...it just soaked up the first 2 pitchers of water immediately!

Russ tests the lights, and rewires those that no longer work. Seriously, he's an expert electrician among his many talents. 

The second (shorter) ladder of hanging lights. I won't tell that the first string at the top had the wrong end of the string at the top, and then had to be re-looped around so it could attach to the next string! Nope, mothers don't tell! The ceramic angels in foreground were made by that same mother.

The "after photo" which is as much as I got to see before leaving Sunday morning. Two daughters were still home and probably helped put baubles on before they left. One daughter had to catch a plane around 6 am...and her parents took her to the airport early then came home for a nap before the rest of the family woke up.

New header photo (for those who look with phones):

Wishing all a happy holiday!

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Today's goddess:

Art by Arna Baartz

Tree buying fun

 My family is getting used to my being a recorder of events with photos and blogs. 

It was so cold everyone agreed on the second tree they considered. I didn't vote, and nobody asked my opinion!

Not their choice, but the multicolored lights reminded me of my childhood trees.

Sharing with Wordless Wednesday (almost!)

Yes, you read that right, reduced to $799.99! Photo is free!

That's 25% off, not 25 cents!

More on tree trimming later...

The big pottery give-away

 One advantage of driving up to my son's home in Ohio from North Carolina, was to tote three big tupperware tubs full of pottery to give to them. I have spent 12 years enjoying making it. And I did sell quite a bit as well. But this is really just a drop in the bucket of what I still have.

After the five family members looked at everything, they took turns choosing their favorites to go home with the three daughters, or stay there with parents. Of course they will all get to use the ones at home! And I suggested that they also could use them for Christmas presents.

This sunflower vase was pretty hard for me to let go of.  But I like that it will be enjoyed by Audrey and her roommate in their apartment.

None of them had read Louise Penny yet…but these are later editions of the series, so they may find some of the earlier books about Inspector Gamache. They all had to talk about Greta Thunberg, and I recommended the other 3. I do hope someone looks at them before they donate them to the little library down the street. I almost took back the big volume of "Eve" because I still love it. But this was such a good exercise for me of letting go...!

I’m glad the Monarch outside wall hanging will stay here, perhaps to decorate the patio.

Everyone took Christmas ornaments as well, often to be gifted to friends.

Some of these were more difficult for me to part with than I expected. But at least I know where they will live for a while.

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I drove home today...a day early so the impending snow storm wouldn't interfere with my travels - it's due to start in Lexington tonight where I stayed last night. Here in Black Mountain we'll probably have some frozen rain...so I'm happy to stay home. I had a "check engine" light come on in the car, and have an appointment on Thursday for my favorite mechanic to work on it. Whew, so glad it let the car keep on going down the road the last 300 miles! Today's weather and traffic were great!

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Today’s goddess:

A Balzi Rossi goddess figurine is 6.1 cm high, made of green steatite and dated ca 24,000-19,000 BP (22,000-17,000 BC), Upper Paleolithic period, Gravettian culture.

Thanks to The Mother Goddess on FaceBook.

A Stop in Berea KY etc.

 I gave a brief photo of this little pocket park in Berea, where I stopped to stretch my legs on the way north. But I want to share these while I’m already on my drive back home.

The sign is a bit difficult to read, but speaks of the early efforts for integrated education in the area…which was outlawed in 1903 in Kentucky, then finally became legal again in the 1950s.

The town is known for art festivals and the private liberal arts college, Berea College, founded in 1855. The arts and crafts community is known throughout the south.

Someday maybe I’ll tour more of the town and college!

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Today’s little goddess has accessories!

From the State of Michoacan culture -

Late Preclassic Terracotta

Thanks Jenny Mendes Ceramics

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"Igikai" is a Japanese word for 'your reason for being'.
Ikigai: the intersection of passion, mission, vocation, and profession.

It's where what you love meets what you're good at, what you can be paid for, and what the world needs.

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'From all kinds of flowers,

Seek teachings everywhere,

Like a deer that finds

A quiet place to graze,

Seek Seclusion to digest

All you have gathered. . .'

~ Namkhai Norbu

Image: 'Forest Spirit' by Lauren Kelly Small: https://www.artbygingerkelly.com/

Happy December everyone. I’m sharing foxes instead of rabbits to wish you good fortune!

I noticed people who read my blog on their phones miss seeing the headers. So I’ll add them as footers!