Happy New Year!!!

To my dear family and friends, have a Happy and Safe New Year!!

XO Suzanne

Coffee, Gardening, Renee, and of course...1Pic!

I have to have a blood test. The big one. I have to fast for at least 12 hours before hand, so I'm attempting to ween myself of coffee. Why? Because if I don't, I'll get such a migraine. I don't drink a lot of coffee, just one big old latte per day. I'm down to about 1/8th tsp of coffee with milk and water, I'm almost ready to go! I realized yesterday my coffee tasted like hot water and milk. Not good.

The following photos are of the garden taken in the past day or so. It's amazing how much is still in bloom.

Spanish Lavender

Nandina

Meyers Lemons

Can't recall the name for some reason...some sort of aster

Pyracathus

Rob's mom said a few days before Christmas "How beautiful...you've decorated the kitchen." I said, "...it's the same decoration from last year, I never bothered to take it down. " Apparently she didn't notice! I had a good laugh. (The kitchen isn't painted yet (eventually it will be soft butter yellow with pure white trim and moldings), what you see is just primer.)

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Got a call from my dear friend Renee in LA tonight. She's worried about this blog and about me. Thinks it's too personal and is fearful I might attract an undesireable (stalker!). Who? Someone who doesn't like roses!? God forbid. However, she did cause me to rethink this blogging thing. I'll be careful in the future, but what am I supposed to do with all my others posts and comments? Edit the ones I can and delete the ones I can't? That doesn't seem like much of an option. Her main concern is my safety at the park where I feed feral kitties. Something very scary happened there one morning a few months ago, so my friends and family are always concerned about my safety, but I refuse to stop going (if you want to know the story, go to CSI Seattle's blog to find it. I'm thinking about deleting it, so hurry). Rob actually got on the phone to reassure her I would never give away the location. I had planned to take some photos of the beautiful Sycamore trees, but now I'm afraid someone might recognize them! So I won't. (See Renee...I'm listening!!!) And to all my dear blogger friends, I know you're legitimate, but you can understand her concern. That's what good friends do...love you and often worry.

~

Those of you who love 1pic as much as I do will smile at this one. When Renee read my post intitled "I Met A Fabulous Guy..." she hadn't read his blog and when she referenced it, only read the first few posts. She didn't understand and was concerned I had actually fallen in love over the internet!!! Is that the sweetest thing or what? Trying to explain 1pic and that whole thing was complicated as all you fans will agree! I told her she would only understand if she read his whole blog and as many comments as possible! She has young twins and a busy life, so I don't know how she's going to fit it in, but I hope she does because as we all know...he affects both men and women equally. I can hardly wait for the phone to ring and hear the wonderful words..."Suzanne, thank you!"

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XO Suzanne

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P.S. Yes, for those of you who read the original, I've edited this post viciously! I must have been very tired because upon rereading it this morning realized it was sloppy and disconnected. Those of you who had to endure it, please forgive me because it must have been painful!

~

Also, I had to put the little squiggles in between paragraphs because for some reason blogger wouldn't allow me to seperate them. All the paragraphs were just one big hunk of words and I couldn't allow something that ugly to post.

My Mom in the 1950's ~ 17 years old (?)

Happy Birthday Mommy!!!

We hope you're having a beautiful day!

We all love you very, very much.

XO

To All My Dear Friends...

For the first time ever, I was unable to get all my Christmas cards out (bascially because I was blindsided by a blog!), so, for those of you who failed to recieve one, I'm so sorry, I hope this will suffice (probably not). It is the actual card and I have quite a few left, so you'll probably get it next year! And to my new "Blogger Friends," this is for you as well. I already have many, but imagine I will have collected all your addresses by next Christmas, and of course add you to my list.. Until then, please know that you have all affected my life in a very meaningful way and I enjoy talking to each and every one of you.

I wish all of you the very best. As for me, I've realized this will be a Christmas of quiet reflection and I plan to fully embrace it...

Much love, Suzanne

My darling feral kitties at the park. Sister and brother, Emma and Ireland.

What????

Funny story. Phatty~Foo~Foo (top photo) is a rescue from the park. I've known her since she was a wee thing and always promised I'd bring her home. I did. She's the most amazing kitty. She's gentle, kind and loving, always has been. She was spay about a week ago and to be safe we've kept her in the family room closed off from the rest of the house and all the rascals. Why? Because they play too hard and she needs time to heal. Shadow (second photo), aka, OH NO!, the two and a half pound bundle of trouble has been in agony all week trying to access the family room, but to no avail. I'm up late tonight because I took a little nap this afternoon, now can't sleep. I went to the kitchen, which I'd closed off from the rest of the house for Phatty, so she'd have both the kitchen and the family room over night (we live in a mid-century home and unbelievably every room can be closed off with a pocket door~brilliant!). She was on the table in her soft bed, the lights were low because I have everything on dimmers (yes, I learned electrical work when I bought the house), I reached to pet her and she seemed a little too fat. I said, "Honey, what's going on?" I turned up the lights to discover Shadow next to her and said "What the hell are you doing here!!!???" The only thing I can figure out is she slipped into the kitchen when I opened the door to get a cup of tea earlier in the evening. I didn't notice because she's so black and very quick! They looked happy and peaceful, I left them together. I know Phatty has been sad without her brothers, sisters and uncles, so to see her happy made me happy. And to see Ohno sleeping...priceless!

Another funny story. I'd always though Phatty~Foo~Foo was a boy. He's not, he's a girl. She had so much hair I couldn't tell. So I have to get used to saying "She!" I'm considering changing her name to Patty~Foo~Foo. And then, if that wasn't enough, Shadow (OH NO) put her butt right in front of my face today and I happened to have my glasses on. I saw two pom poms and thought, OH...MY...GOD! I was told she was a girl, have always assumed she was a girl, never even looked, took her to the vet's for a checkup and wasn't told any differently...but today, unless I'm blind, that girl is a boy! Good Lord!!! Unfortunately I'm not religious, so God isn't going to help me. I do know St. Francis likes me however. My vet is going to die laughing. I'm going to give her a very, very hard time because she deserves it! It's all too funny.

By the way, thanks for all your beautiful comments. You make this blog worth-while.

I Met A Fabulous Guy...

I have a guy, but I've met another guy, no not the gorgeous one above, but another. I don't know his name, but do know where he lives. Sort of. He's a gem. He makes me laugh, cry and think. He's thoughtful, kind, tormented, smart, funny, sensitive, talented, etc.. All the things I look for in a man, except the tormented. But I'll keep him just the same because I've grown to love him in less than 48 hours. I can't imagine how I've spent my life without him. He's a keeper. I found him on Blooger's Blogs of Note...and you can find him too: http://onepicaday.blogspot.com/. He's brilliant. As an artist I'm taken with how he can grab my soul with just one photo and one post a day. I adore how art and words can have such a profound impact.

I've spent the past two days reading as much of his blog as possible (one reason my Christmas cards are late) and enjoyed every single entry. Sometimes I want to kick him in the a$$ and other times I want to hug him to death. It's been a frustrating and beautiful journey. To complicate the issue we've communicated. I adore him more. I have no idea who he is, but with my research skills, could find out easily. I've decided I don't want to. I want to imagine his voice and his music. He came into my life for a reason and has helped me reflect. I've learned a great deal and want to learn more. Unfortunately, once I finish reading his entire blog I will have to struggle with the agonizing reality I will only get one little post per day from him! Ugh. I wish it was 20 pics a day and a whole lotta writing! But that would defeat the purpose. So I'll keep him just the way he is because I think he's pretty remarkable. And as far as his blog goes, I'll do what I always do with any good book that I don't want to end...read very, very slowly.

XO Suzanne

The Battle Of Two Blogs

18 points. Not too shabby.

It's true, I have two blogs. I couldn't access this one for so long I started another at Typepad out of absolute frustration. http://myrosecottagestudio.typepad.com/my_weblog/. That's were you'll find the bulk of my posts. However, I'm seriously considering coming back over to Blogger now that it works because I like the graphics better and it's generally easier to navigate. I paid for a full year when I signed up for Typepad, and when I told my husband he said "WHAT!!!???" I wanted a few blogs anyhow: one for roses and gardening, one for art, and one for kitties. Now I'll have my wish. It's just that one will cost money every year to keep running! I've decided my Typepad account will be my yearly Christmas gift to me. XO!

This isn't going to be a Christmas with lots of holiday decorations and a lovely Christmas tree because we have the wee-one...Shadow, aka OH NO!!! Yup, she's a handful and frankly I don't think holiday decorations or a tree could withstand or survive what she and the fours, six-month olds feral kitties from the park could dish out. The house (as well as the contends therein) is struggling to survive as it is. The introduction of "more toys" could be it's (and our) downfall. Frankly, I don't even think the tree would make it 5 minutes without being mauled to dealth (and yes, I mean just the tree devoid of all ornaments!)! And you know what? It doesn't matter. It's better to have rescued, spay and neutered Shadow, Picasso, Chloe, Sage and Phatty~Foo~Foo, than have a single decoration this year. That is my wonderful Christmas gift and I might add, they make glorious decorations! Trust me, they hang beautifully from practically anything! And they don't even need one of those plastic or metal do-hinkies to attach themselves, they do it all by themselves...like they're made of Velcro.

I will decorate a bit, but haven't even started (no time). I'll hang wreaths, light candles and arrange a number of natural bouquets from the garden (which is what I generally do ~ I love very natural holiday decorations and generally gather items from the yard because we have lots of red berries, rosehips, evergreen shrubs, and believe it or not, even some roses). I'll also bring out my collection of angels and my darling collection of sheep (most made by a dear friend I met on eBay, Nettie), and ornaments collected over the years which I place in compodes or huge glass urns. And then it will be on to decorate the front entrance.

We receive the most wonderful comments every year about our outdoor decorations and leave them up until almost the end of January, just because it's fun and neighbors say they love that we do. One neighbor who passes the house in the wee hours of the mourn commented a few years ago, "Your house is my favorite because it's as if I'm walking by a beautifully decorated Victorian." We laughed very hard because we all live in Mid-Century Modern homes! And trust me, my decorations and lights are certainly not Victorian, they're just very simple and elegant, so perhaps that's what she confused with Victorian!!! HA!! All the lights are white and I wrap the Azalea topiaries at the entrance and the garland that goes around the double doors as well. I put out large antique stoneware urns stuffed with beautiful berries and greenery from the garden and I put lights inside so the greenery is illuminated. It's very simple and soothing. I rarely change my theme because it seems to fill me with joy and provide my neighbors with something calm and peaceful. If I change anything, I always hear about it! Oh, and of course, I always include animals. The plastic duck and her babies are usually part of the display as well. I'll take photos and post them soon. I used to put battery powered candles in every window as well until the kitties decided playing with them was just too much fun.

I just bought my Christmas cards yesterday, so have to attend to that whole process as soon as I wrap this up. If you're reading this and don't have your card yet. You're absolutely correct...it hasn't been sent.

Obviously, this is going to be a very quiet and reflective Chistmas and that suits me just fine because I'm exhausted by 2007. I love all the blogs and websites where women decorate so beautifully, and always inspire me, but I think, Oh-My-God, how is that even possible???!!! I like that nothing is expected of me by friends or family (but neighbors do insist on the outdoor decorations). Whatever happens, happens. And that's good enough. I do what I can do. And that's all I can do! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. The sound of joy. And if you're wondering. No, I don't do a lot of holiday shopping. I've realized, and so do friends and family, we have way too much, so we don't worry about buying more. We simply enjoy one another's company and the spirit of the day. Typically, we volunteer. I will drive 25 miles Christmas morning to feed my feral kitties in a park where I will probably be completely alone (a State Park), and then leave them to fend for themselves in the cold till I arrive the day after Christmas. I'll see a few homeless people and sob in my heart. I'm confident I will leave the park crying (nothing new). It will be a mile stone because 2007 has been a true journey. With so many animals and people in need I can't really justify buying more or stuffing my face with more. That's just me. I just can't do it any more. I'm done, I'm cooked, I'm baked!!! However, I do wish you all a joyous and warm Holiday Season!!! I have always believed you do what makes your heart sing. Celebrate in the way that makes you truly happy.