Thursday, December 22, 2016

Winter Solstice and Xmas Countdown




Earth >Northern Hemisphere >United States >Ohio 
>Wednesday 5:44a.m. EST

Today gives us the winter solstice. Husband Ron is overjoyed. 
He actually called me on his way to work to remind me about 
this very important happening, astronomically speaking. Hmmm!
Ok, what does all this mean? December 21st is the shortest day 
of the year (2016), for anyone living north of the equator. 
This day gives us the least amount of daylight and officially 
marks the season of winter. The good news, and what makes
hubby happy, the amount of daylight will start getting longer 
each day as the sun starts its steady climb toward summer. So
yes to cold temperatures, yes to snow, Ron sees the positive,
more daylight! Moving on...



Let's enjoy the beauty of winter and snow and herald the glad
tidings of Christmas.


The comfort of our homes beckons as we decorate and celebrate.



We recognize the significance of Christmas as we celebrate the
birth of Jesus.



May your Home be warm, your Holidays grand,
& may your Heart be held gently in the Lord's hands.



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Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Snow Has Arrived




Ok here was the morning temperature:



That blast of Arctic air moved right over the Miami Valley region
yesterday. While I actually enjoyed the snowfall and shoveling my 
3 inches was easy, the cold was a little harder to feel good about.
Sam (the Pug) is visiting and he needs his morning walk, so brrr



I have to admit the snow makes the Christmas decorations look brighter. 



And Sam (the Pug) likes it for a bit…



It is quite beautiful and makes us all want to cozy up indoors..




So we say yes to the season!!!!





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Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Celebrate Your Blessings





Here is another Sharing Jar friends from me to you.

Entering into the first week of December, we find ourselves 
counting down to the Big Day. Our lives becoming lists and
memos of things to be done, things to buy…things…things.
I say we take a pause, find a respite, to just appreciate. To
celebrate those around you who are special. Let yourself be 
open to the energy of appreciation, of listening, of witnessing, 
of sharing. These moments are blessings, opportunities of a
thankful nature. Prayerful thoughts go out to you all for a
most joyful season. 



Oh the joy, the wondrous excitement of seeing for the first time,
all those bright lights and colors and music from a shopping 
cart. Grandson Ethan's face tells the story. What simple joy
that just explodes in my heart. I love this little guy. 



Gardeners while we can't go and cut some flowers from our
yard, we have many beautiful selections of Christmas flowers
at our garden centers and many of the grocery and big box
stores. Having a few of these glorious blooms in your home
will make you feel good. They make wonderful gifts as well.







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Friday, December 2, 2016

Welcome December




December has arrived, officially opening the season of Christmas.
Our thoughts turn to family tradition and rituals surrounding
the holiday. We decorate, we bake, we party and shop and most
importantly we share time with our family enjoying those customs
that are passed down year to year. We celebrate the birth of Jesus
Christ and share that joy on December 25th. Peace and harmony
is the message of Christmas.




We can only be said to be alive when our
hearts are conscious of our treasures.
                                      -Thornton Wilder



Garden friends with the season of winter fast approaching,
we have put our gardens to rest. Although we may continue 
to clean up the leaves, plant growth has stopped, the garden
tools are put away, the pots cleaned out and the hoses are
drained. Some of us long for the chilly longer nights and 
catching up on our indoor hobbies. While we may not be 
able to sit out on the porch swing, we can still enjoy being 
outside by walking and observing all that nature has to offer. 
And, when you come in from that brisk chilly walk, you can
hunker down with hot chocolate and Christmas cookies!
Oh, don't forget to check out the new garden and seed 
magazines. 



Visit me on instagram there's a lot to see.  
dianarn2627

Thursday, November 24, 2016

THANKSGIVING




                                 Happy Thanksgiving my friends.



Wednesday, November 9, 2016

November Abundance



I know many of you are thinking how can it be the second
week of November. With the exception of Thanksgiving,
the eleventh month is generally considered dark, dreary,
damp and cold. It's the last month of fall and a lot of work
needs to be done before the holiday season begins and the
winter months arrive. Weather will vary depending on the 
region, but the warm clothes and boots are being moved to
the front of our closets. There is a rhythm to the seasons
after all. 





Besides turkey, November brings a lot to the proverbial table.
Daylight savings time ends the sixth of November, giving us 
an additional hour of sleep. Shorter days will happen meaning 
less sunlight. The second Tuesday has brought Election Day.
Some will be happy at the results while others sad. The worst
thing is not voting! Honor your history folks. Friday the 11th
give us Veteran's Day which celebrates the service of all U.S.
military veterans. There are plenty of observances on the
calendar which may mean something to you, so check it out.








Are you enjoying the beauty of the season? Autumn means
crimson colors and vibrant displays. You want to feel good?
Take a walk my friends.


"A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was
treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I 
made. The acoustics of this season are different and all  
sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air."
                                                             -Eric Sloane


Want to hear the crunch and rustle of my leaves? Visit
and see my video on Instagram.  dianarn2627







Thursday, October 27, 2016

Halloween And Say Goodbye October




For man, autumn is a time of harvest,
of gathering together. For nature, it is
a time of sowing, of scattering about.
                                                            Edwin Way Teale



October has been good to us. We've seen temperature changes
that put us in the mood to get out and take part in the seasonal
activities. Our landscapes are exploding in color. Even though
this is a cycle of loss, autumn gives us a show like no other season.



Sam (the Pug) likes the fall too. He can't resist a piles of leaves.




Is the season calling you? Did you know being outside, walking
in nature relieves stress? Grab that moment and get outside. 
No better time to pause and reflect, or relax and rejuvenate.
Goodbye October, thanks for your gift of natural beauty.



 We can't forget Halloween. October ends with a holiday that
offers fun for young and old. Are you ready? Pumpkins and
treats a definite requirement.



Trick or Treat…Happy Halloween to you!!!!



Grandson Ethan and grand pup Sam (the Pug) would like to
wish you a very Happy Halloween too. Hugs and kisses for
everyone.



Visit me on Instagram..dianarn2627

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

October Brings Us Halloween, Spiders & Stinkbugs



October not only brings us Autumn and its glorious foliage,
this month ends with a Spooktacular holiday!! Let's hear it
for HALLOWEEN!! 



Is your house ready? Have you made it Ex-Screamly awesome?



Don't forget it's all about those treats! 


I'm Witching for you a Ghoulish night..so get ready folks, it's
almost here!!





October will also give us…...



The stink bugs (scientifically speaking Halyomorpha halys), are out
in full force. They are native to China, Japan and Taiwan and
were accidentally introduced to the U.S. in the late 1990's. They
are considered a pest to the agricultural farmer. They are a
pest to me as well. They're looking to overwinter in your house
friends, so take note. Caulking is recommended! If squashed they
emit a foul odor..be forewarned. They're harmless to humans,
just annoying.

Ok I don't like spiders, really don't like them. Refuse to put their
creepy looking pictures on my blog. Yes they have their purpose.
And October seems to be the month for spiders. Frogs in the 
spring, ants in the summer, spiders in the fall. You've seen the
large webs circular in shape, quite fancy in their design, attaching
the strands to branches and stems and your house. They are
carnivores and feed on insects and other small organisms like
frogs or tiny birds if they get caught in the web. I saw many large
webs in the preserve while walking…and the spiders, oh my,
very large, green, yellow and black. I didn't want to get too close 
for a picture. The web was huge... and what if I got stuck in the
web!!!!

Thanks for stopping by, Visit me on Instagram, dianarn2627

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Oh The Joy of An Autumn Day




Are you finding your pleasure? There's much to do during
this seasonal month of October. From festivals, football, 
comfort foods and falling leaves for the leaf peepers, you can 
get outside and enjoy the cool mornings and sunny afternoons 
of mild temperatures. How about picking your own apples and 
taking a hayride to the pumpkin patch to select your next
jack-o-lantern. 



A field trip to your local farm market will always be fun filled 
and harvest goodies will be plentiful.



I see the turning of a leaf dancing in an 
  autumn sun, and brilliant shades of
    crimson glowing when a day is done.
                                     Hazelmarie Mattie Elliott

Now is a wonderful time to take a walk. Glorious fall offers
a richness of vibrant colors that can be only be felt by being
outside. Enjoy the passage of the season by taking in nature's
changes. Breathe in the freshness of the air. Exhilarating
definitely, spiritual…for sure.





Don't let the season get away from you. Get out there and enjoy.




Thanks for stopping by… there's a new recipe for Apple Pie,
stop by www.cookingthymewithdiana.com and try this
very easy recipe.
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