On The Eve of a New Year

On this New Year's Eve I don't hear the sounds of club music or the 

crowded streets of Time Square;
instead, I hear the sounds of my parents, laughing

and talking and I am so thankful for that sound. 

Before a new year begins I would like to write that

 I am deeply thankful for my
 Family and Friends.

Happy New Year to you and the ones you love.

"The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is
that we should have a new soul."
~G.K. Chesterton

For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
~T.S. Eliot


(Photos courtesy of: weheartit.com)

Dear Frankie

I woke up this morning to the sound of falling rain. After my morning cup of coffee, I did some laundry and cleaning. During that time Frankie kept me company.

Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra, (December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and film actor. Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the "bobby soxers", he released his first album, The Voice of Frank Sinatra in 1946. 

(Photos courtesy of: weheartit, google image. 

Information courtesy of: wikipedia)

To Study

I know it has been a long time since I have written and posted anything on my blog. No, my computer did not break down, and no my fingers have not all been broken. So, my reason for not writing has been...

To Study

1: [Noun] Literally, a setting of the mind or thoughts upon a subject; hence, application of mind of books, to arts or science, or to any subject, for the purpose of learning what is not before known.

Over the past two months I had been studying different subjects (specifically Mathematics) in order to take the GED test. This was a step I needed to take in order to then apply for college (another story, at another time). On December 3rd I went to the adult learning center and took my GED test and...I now have my certificate in my room! 

I am realizing a little more each day that Learning is not always quick and easy, 

but it is so good for me and the more I try it, the more I love it. 

I am very pleased to say that I will be posting, and writing again on here, and 

I hope in the New Year  you will enjoy the stories and pictures that will appear!

Sincerely,

Libby 

(Photos courtesy of:weheartit.com)

The Fair

 Last week on a sunny, breezy, day I went to the South Carolina State Fair with my family. It had been a long time since I had been to the fair but as soon as I entered the fair grounds it smelled so familiar. Funnel cakes, french fries, Italian sausage sandwiches...the typical and loved fare.

 After eating lunch I went to the animal barns and my favorite were the piglets...

I didn't have the heart to tell them that I had just finished eating a sausage sandwich.

 I didn't go through the haunted house or play any games but it was so fun for me and a perfect

way to begin Fall.

(photos courtesy of: weheartit.com)

A Little Note Card

Yesterday I started a new design of cards with

fabric and button envelopes on the front.

I hope you enjoy!

Flower Pods-Blank Card

(Made with fabric and black ink)

Bird-"Thinking of you" Card

(Made with fabric and black ink)

Bow-"Thank you" Card

(Made with a button envelope I had saved

from a shirt.)

Blossom-Blank Card

(Made with fabric)

Tree-Blank Card

(Made with fabric and lace.)

Try, Try, and Tri Again

This past Saturday my older brother woke up at 3:00 a.m. to drive to Myrtle Beach to be in his 2nd triathlon. I got to go and be a fan~I had never seen a triathalon or known someone personally who was a triathlete. I found it fascinating. There were men and women of different ages (the oldest I saw was 65) sizes and experience all competing that morning. Right after the sun rose, you could see what looked like tiny bobbing heads swimming 1000 meters. It is truly amazig what the human body can do.

A triathlon is a multi-sport event involving the completion of three continuous and sequential endurance events. Triathlons,, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances. Triathletes compete for fastest overall course completion time, including timed "transitions" between the individual swim, bike, and run components.

P.S. My brother won 3rd in his division:)

(Photos courtesy of: me)

The Last Good War

There are two million veterans still alive today, but with each passing day there are fewer and fewer. The images and memories of these men and woman, collected in these pages, preserve a profound piece of America's history. Their past offers us a lasting and powerful perspective on today's world, and defines the true price of freedom."

 The Last Good War: The Faces and Voices of World War II (Photographs by Thomas Sanders, Text by Veronica Kavass)

 

"World War II remains one of the most galvanizing and defining events in the history of America. Seemingly overnight, the entire nation unified behind a singular cause. By 1945, the size of the U.S. armed forces had grown from two to twelve million men and women of every color, religion, and creed. An entire generation's identity was forged, in part, by what many still refer to as the "last good war."

"You can't understand the full context of a comrade until you completely realize that the man standing next to you is willingto offer his life to protext you."

Note: I have read and looked through this book twice~the photos of the men and women's faces along with their words, memories and stories of World War II has made me think more deeply of our country and our history.

(photos courtesy of: Thomas Sanders)

Fighting with my brother

 I got in a fight with my brother yesterday. It was bloody, brutal and painful...I got a few good punches in but ultimately I lost. Do you know what hurt the most? My thumbs and fingers.

You see my brother and I were fighting against each other through a small handheld controller;

yes it was a UFC video game (I didn't even know that UFC stands for Ultimate Fighting Championship).

One moment I felt victorious and then in the next moment...well lets just say when you have to ask "What does this button do?" it might mean you're going to lose and NOT be the ultimate champion.

But it was fun:)

(photos courtesy of: google)

August Pesto

Ingredients

2 cups packed fresh basil leaves

2 cloves garlic

1/4 cup pine nuts

2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add 1/2 cup of the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

If using immediately, add all the remaining oil and pulse until smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large serving bowl and mix in the cheese.

If freezing, transfer to an air-tight container and drizzle remaining oil over the top. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and stir in cheese.

Note: Delicious tossed with tortellini.

(photos courtesy of: me)

Work

This mornng I got up, while the sun was just poking its head up, to get ready for work.

Can I confess something? I'm thankful for work. I'm thankful I have a job.

Maybe it was the way I was raised or the area I grew up in, but work

was never looked on as a bad thing. Instead it was something you knew

you just did. You were supposed to do it well; work hard and turn the lights off

if you were the last one to leave.

I'm thankful, even though I am only a towering 5'2 and have trouble with tall shelves, that I am healthy enough to wake up on a Monday morning and go to work.

All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"A free lunch is only found in mousetraps."

John Capuzzi

 

“At the working man's house hunger looks in but dares not enter”

Benjamin Franklin

(photos courtesy of: weheartit, google image)

Sunday (Amazing Grace)

Amazing Grace

John Newton (1725-1807)

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snare

I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

(Photos courtesy of: weheartit)

To hear the story of John Newton:

http://marshill.com/media/rebels-guide-to-joy/the-rebels-guide-to-joy-in-conflict/john-newton-bio

A Hint of Green

The other morning I took a little walk to give my camera some fresh air.

One of my favorite things about taking pictures is I can push that shutter button

over and over and be suprised in the end with what photos become

my favorite. Here are my favorites from my walk.

(photos courtesy of: me)

Driving Miss Ethridge

I have been re-learning how to drive...you might be thinking "Umm, why would she be having to re-learn how to drive?" Well, for this simple reason: Driving an automatic is not what made movies like The Italian Job or The Transporter look so cool...it was the manual. The reving of the engine as the drivers would throw their cars into high gear is what secretly always made me want to be good at driving a standard/manual/stick shift.

When I moved to South Carolina three weeks ago, my wish came true. I have been practicing around the neighbored, driving mostly in 2nd and 3rd gear, with the occasional stalling in front of the neighbored kids, who try not to stare too much.

Today was a big day. I drove out on the main roads, crossed traffic, (stalled twice) stopped at all appropriate lights and made it back home safely! I was happy and I think so was my brother!

 So, I am hoping that when Hollywood makes the sequel to The Italian Job, they will call me for my mad driving skills...maybe in my dreams:)

(photos courtesy of:weheartit.com)

My New Home

Tomorrow I will have been here in South Carolina for two weeks; my new home.

 I love being here, living with my brother Michael and my sister-in-law Manuela...

oh and for someone who loves big dogs I am in pet heaven; they have two German Shepherds.

(The bodyguard-Alex)

(The playful one-Remy)

I hope you enjoy the pictures of my new home.

(My bedroom)

(The Library)

(The Living Room)

(Photos courtesy of:Me and Manula)



Thank You, Starbucks

My last night in Boise, my friend Pristine 

and I went to have a last coffee at Starbucks. 

There was one particular shop we both liked so 

that is where we found ourselves on a Tuesday evening. 

We sat in brown overstuffed chairs by the window; her with

 her hot Chai and me with my iced Carmel Macchiato. 

We sat there talking and laughing. It was simple and I loved 

that is how I got to spend my last night there. 

So, thank you Starbucks. 

http://www.starbucks.com/

(photos courtesy of:weheartit)