Abigail's New Winter Coat

Miss Abbie recently got a new Winter coat. She gets one every Christmas. Perhaps, it's a tradition now as it was when I was a little girl, and I for sure got one from my daddy every Christmas.

Anyhoo, she is sporting a pretty muted-pink and cream, houndstooth pattern with gold buttons and fleece -lined.

She says please excuse the stray ball of yarn that fell out of the basket!

She really likes this one. I can't say she does all of her little outfits, but this one was in her liking it seems.

She just cuddled up and watched a little TV and warmed her bumm by the fireplace.

Now, I'm jealous as I would love to find myself a muted-pink, houndstooth jacket.........

but I guess we can say that this "hound" is sporting houndstooth in a sweet way!

Abbie is a cuddler. A lap-begging, furbaby and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

She is sweet as she can be. At Christmas, she went on a little trip with me to my home place to spend time with my parents. People are different around animals in the house, and I really respect that. My mom is definitely a "no animal in the house" kind of lady but we packed up Abbie's little playpen and potty paper and a diaper bag full of treats and food, and off we went. She actually enjoys riding, well~~~~~ that is after we pass the vet's office, then she enjoys it for sure.

And by the end of the trip, she melted my mother's heart, so my daddy and I were both scrambling with each of our cameras to get a pic of the two. My daddy "babysat" for me the day after Christmas so we could go shopping! He actually called us and said he had changed the baby's diaper. :P

She wore her little black dress and the tail just couldn't stay still. 

She just wanted to share some love. 

Isn't it a cool thing that animals have such unconditional love?

She is such a blessing. I can't believe she is 5 years old now.

Friday Flashback----The Waltons and Spencer's Mountain

Tonight, I've settled in with a good book that I happened upon, going up and down the public library isles last week. I was really not looking for anything special, but the library has always been a quiet place for this introverted-spirit to roam. The quietness of the rooms and variety of old and new books fills my mind with diversions I sometimes need in a busy pace of life.

 I was there to take back a couple of books, always telling myself that I really didn't need to check out any books right now, as life's pace is pretty busy; however, that little tug in my heart to just "see" what was in the library took me down an aisle of randomness. True randomness.

It must have been a matter of fate because I'm a lover of The Waltons TV program. 

We have been watching re-runs for a couple of years now on the inspiration channel and in fact it is one of the 3 programs ( I don't watch alot of TV) that I will just sit and watch the entire episode, never tiring of seeing one again and again, knowing very well the story and the ending.

The episode takes me back to the years of high school and college when The Waltons TV program was very popular. I always yearned to live in the mountains. 

Low and behold...........one day I did.

While roaming in the library I picked out an interesting book that drew my attention because of the handmade bookcover. I love an old book. Don't get me wrong. I love my Kindle too but a very old book I love more.

When I saw the author, Earl Hamner, Jr., I raised an eyebrow and had not heard of this book, but I knew he was the writer in The Waltons show.

Published in 1961, I guess this book has been read quite a bit. It's spine is reinforced and the handmade, wallpaper cover had me interested. 

And remembering, don't judge a book by it's cover, I just had to pull this one.

I turned through the pages and sure enough, it's the story where The Walton's came from. I have heard Spencer's Mountain is also a movie but I have not seen it. Where have I been?

And so, the old book, had to come home with me. Tonight, as I picked it up, I looked up to see what was on TV.

A meeting of the minds I guess.

Old Zebulon, is the grandpa in the book but John Boy is called Clay Boy. The other characters have some differences but so far it's right along the lines of the setting as The Waltons. However, in browsing through this version, it is a little less demure..........

It's interesting what peaks our memories and mind sometimes. I'm definitely curling up by the woodstove with some chapters of this book.............................

because it's due by next week and ......

I don't think I'm checking another book out right now......again..........but......

well you know how that will go next week. :0

#lovingpubliclibraries

#thewaltons

#spencersmountain

#ilovebooks

Grab a book this evening and read a bit. Does the soul good.

Abbie is curled up next to me tonight. I think she is ready to go to bed.

Good night, John Boy.

Back Again......................A New Season Later

Hello, my friends!  It's been a gap in time here and I had to pause blogging because life got really busy. It still is, but settling into working a new job full time was an adjustment. A good one too. Actually, an excellent one.

There were a few questions about the "private message" that was up while the blog was down. I don't know why there is an only choice such as this in the design if the site is down by the blog author because there was no private invitation here. I had to take a little reprieve.  A big breath.

I so miss writing and especially sharing things around the homestead here in the mountains.
It's quite cold and has been a season ago since I posted. I hope by Sunday to get started back into a groove again. Our coldest day so far was last week. One morning it was 6 degrees here in the valley area and I can only imagine what it was in the higher altitudes. By the time I got to work, it was a balmy 9 degrees that day. Brrrrr....................

As far as what's on the needles right now, I am in the process of making the Mr. a belated birthday scarf. Yes, he knows about it. Birthdays right at or around the holidays are still special but all the knitting up for Christmas gifts in time for Dec 25th was pushing deadlines while I have been working full time. I will have to post some pics of it, most likely my next post on Sunday.

On the design side, I have my usual notebook and have ideas written down for new cross stitch designs. I doodle and play with designing and truly need to stitch some of them up. I share some of the ones I do on my personal facebook page occasionally.

I so thank each and every one of you for being patient and still taking out a slice of your day to read a bit of what's up and interesting, or even random. If you are new to this blog, you will find a little bit of everything from knitting, cross stitching, photography, living in the North Georgia mountains, life at the homestead, junkin', thrifting, health news, home decor ideas, antiquing, reading, new books, yoga, and just about whatever drifts by this pathway in life.

Stay warm and cozy,
Jennifer