AnnOhio

Strawberry snickerdoodle cookie missing a bite.

Today’s joyful moment. New cookie recipe-strawberry snickerdoodles. Tinted pink for hearts day. They are quite delicious.

Topsoil along the fence for my chaos garden.

Today’s joyful moments
5 bags of topsoil added to my chaos/butterfly garden space. It’s a little longer this year. I scattered 5 packs of seeds and some sunflower seeds from the birdseed. It’s a wish for future joy.

Canned goods, crackers and Danish.

Today’s joyful moment
My guest room looks a lot like a food pantry these days. Filling a few local blessing boxes regularly. Find YOUR way to make a difference.

Today’s joyful
Moment
6 people showed up for the free Sunday tour at the Morris. It felt great to walk around talking about my favorite paintings. Full on teacher/trainer mode=my happy place.

House, palm covered in snow and Ella, the view from the top of the hill and snow boots.

Joyful!
It’s a weather induced kind of day. Cleared a little snow, took Ella for a short walk around the neighborhood. I’ve lived in the south for over 17 years and I still have snow boots. A work trip to Alaska at least a decade ago but I held on to them. Ella loves snow zoomies!

Today’s gratitude
Like most, still struggling with this crazy world. Finished my felt hearts and cards for the lady vets in the Denver VA. Next project 🤷🏼‍♀️ Madhatter group wanted me to do 35 of the same bunny hat. That’s a pass. Plan b, spring hats but no buttons or bows. Sigh…I’ll make it work.

I did not sleep well last night. I have a granddaughter that will turn 5 next week. She’s safe and in a loving family. A week ago Liam in his bunny hat probably felt the same. These people are monsters. Ice has got to go. How do they sleep at night? The cruelty of this regime. 🖕🏻

Today’s gratitude
7 preschoolers on my art tour at the museum. Unfiltered and adorable. One 4 year old spotted his name on a plaque. He told me he had in fact painted that still life just for me. Never batted an eye at that tall tale. It was definitely a simple pleasure.

Today’s gratitude
Packages ready to drop off tomorrow. Pre-whatever the weather decides to do. Leading my favorite tour at the museum tomorrow-Art Elements. It’s for the youngest visitors. They have absolutely no filters and I love it.

Hand knitted baby hats.

Felt hearts ready for assembly.

Today’s gratitude
Finished the last 13 hats, they are now ready to ship. I have all the hearts and flowers cut from felt for my project. The hand stitching and assembly is next. A few snacks and groceries in preparation for the storm heading this way. Still too soon to tell what will happen here.

Red, pink and white felt, fabric and card making supplies.

Today’s gratitude
I was looking for a new project. 15 Lady veterans at the VA in Denver. Valentines cards and maybe some felt hearts. Stopped at Michael’s to pick up some supplies. Winter weather heading this way for the weekend. Hopefully no loss of power. Just home sweet home and crafting. ❤️

Today’s gratitude
A two hour drive each way to have lunch with a friend. Lots of laughter…definitely good for the soul.

Today’s gratitude
I added to my two adopted Blessing Boxes today. For once they were not completely empty. I did my first shopping expedition to Sam’s Club and added a few things to my Blessing Boxes stash. No giant container of cheez balls. It was pretty overwhelming-so much stuff and peopley.

Today’s gratitude
A new installment at the museum by Gail Wegodsky. Some stunningly beautiful and detailed works. www.gailwegodsky.com/new-paintings

Thanks! Printing it out right now.

Today’s gratitude
….struggling to find something positive at the moment. Stress knitting continues. Looking forward to seeing @drannieandrews.com this week in Aiken. I am definitely in need of a little hope.

Local protestors Aiken, SC.

Today’s gratitude
Whew…it’s been a day. Local protest march 45-50 people. A young Hispanic gentleman stopped and hugged and shook hands with every person protesting to say thanks. His father was detained yesterday. He said we gave him hope. That’s why we use our privilege to protest.

Today’s gratitude
After shopping for bargains I filled a blessing box and took the afternoon off to rest, relax and recharge.

Let’s Be Better Humans shirt and photos of Aloka the Peace dog and the monks.

Today’s gratitude
I drove an hour north to see the Peace March this morning. It felt amazing to be a small part of this quest. When they stopped for lunch nearby it quickly turned into a circus. That was my cue to thankful in the moment and head home. I wore the perfect shirt.

Brightly colored knitted baby and preemie hats.

Today’s gratitude
A productive day, checked a few things off my list. Added buttons and bows to 17 charity hats. Knit a hat tonight, 12 more to go.

Today’s gratitude
Finally a day with nothing on the schedule. A big part of the day gathering and delivering to two local blessing boxes. Kindness makes me joyful.

Today’s gratitude
Feeling hopeful in the new year. I like seeing days with nothing scheduled on my calendar. Ohhh the possibilities!

Mini pineapple upside down cakes for tomorrow’s lunch. The recipe made 10. I had to taste test the other two, warm from the oven.

Today’s gratitude
Wrapping up the year. Whew, it’s felt like a decade. I had a great burger at a dive bar and lunch with a new friend. We seem to hit it off. 2026, let’s do this!

Stained glass houses and snowmen.

Today’s gratitude
Just about all of the Christmas stuff put away today. Two trees to undecorate and pack away and then done! I decided to leave a few of the stained glass houses out to enjoy. They aren’t specifically Christmas houses.

Today’s gratitude
It was a day of puttering. I put some more Christmas boxes away. Organized an area for blessing box stuff and knit a really simple dishcloth.

Today’s gratitude
Christmas lunch and gift exchange with local friends. A bit of a nap this afternoon. I’m already eyeing decorations to start taking down. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Merry Christmas to you!

Today’s gratitude
A big lunch with friends today. Pretty sure tonight’s dinner snacks will be postponed. Lots of laughter today and the temps weee in the high 70s. Christmas sweatshirt was a little warmish. Happy Christmas Eve.

Today’s gratitude
Christmas Eve lunch with lots of laughter. It was a Mexican fiesta theme. Tonight will be Ella and I snuggled on the couch watching White Christmas and having party snacks. Ella loves the snacks in the living room idea. Tis the season.

PBGV in car enjoying the lights.

Today’s gratitude
A puttering around sort of day. I love pre-holiday chill. Went to the store for Christmas Eve tradition snacks. I’m definitely worth the effort. Took Ella to a drive through light display tonight.