Merry Christmas

I wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas!

It have had a blast getting to know you.  I have been inspired and encouraged.

I have laughed uncontrollably  at the silly and funny escapades of your posts.

Cried by tender stories you have shared.

I have been given words of wisdom, faith and the joys of growing older  (Z enlighten me about certain joys.  ha ha)

But mostly,  I have made such wonderful friends that I enjoy chatting with and sharing the same dreams, goals and interests.

I am looking forward to sharing the New Year with you!

I am very grateful and blessed to call you friends!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

xo

Cindy

Thanks to kim klassen for the texture "annabelle"

Lunch time!

 First of all, please meet the newest baby on the ranch...Baby Noel

She is a little shy, wanting to stay close to mama

Meeting some of her "cousins" for the first time

Such a sweet little face!

Bubba took a huge hunk of hay, he started chewing..

and Chewing..

Almost done...

Gone!  That was a belly full!

A few pictures of the girls eating their lunch..

the good part is in the middle!

The "teenagers"

Henry and Fringe (Black angus with red wispy's in his ears)

Remember Jasper, Heidi's baby?  He is really growing

Love the knot on her head

Bubba and Fringe

I Love this tree, my favorite one on the place..

Have a good week!

xo

Cindy

A beautiful short film...

My sister, Kim has always had an eye for beauty.   Her mantra is finding beauty in the ordinary.   As a professional photographer, photo/video journalist, she has captured many extraordinary portraits, scenes and events all over the world.  (check out her website: http://www.kimcook.com/) 

This past summer, she traveled middle America interviewing real Americans working hard for what they believe in. She spent time in Joplin and was inspired by the uplifting spirit of people that were hit hard by the tornado.  Kim stopped at restaurants, gas stations and small towns and met lots of very nice people willing to share their dreams and way of life.

In this short film that she produced, Kim spent several days with a couple who are dedicated to organic farming, rescuing all types of animals and being grateful for their blessings.

I am so very proud of my sister.  Not just because of her talent, but mostly because of her huge heart, her compassionate soul, uncontrollable laughter and humor and being my best friend....

Enjoy!

Click here:

                                                            Revendel Farm-Kim Cook

Bittersweet Holiday

This is my favorite time of year.  I love all the sights, sounds and smell of Christmas.

I love the lights, the decorations, Christmas music and the smell of cookies and candy...

But my favorite thing about the holiday season is spending time with my family and friends.  It means so much to me to have a very close family and friends whom I consider family.

My dad is making his famous divinity candy and peanut brittle.  He had been hanging lights outside and stocking up on firewood.

My mom is busy decorating the tree, making baskets and fluffing the house.

Most of you know that my parents live in NC, (I live in Texas).  I had planned on going home for Christmas.  I was so excited and looking forward to be home with my parents.

I am not going to be able to make it home for Christmas this year...

I know they are disappointed, but not as much as I am.  I am heartbroken...

However, the spirit of Christmas and the love my family has for each other

will bring the many miles between us together.   Christmas just isn't sights, sounds and smells.  It is a feeling of love, gratitude and thankfulness.

I am very thankful and grateful for such wonderful, loving parents. 

It is very hard to live so far away from them.

My parents understand the feeling I am having, they moved far away from their parents shortly after they married.  They know the heartache and longing to be home during the holidays.    I may not be there in person...

but I will be there in spirit and love.    

I will be going home in the middle January. 

 Hopefully there will be some peanut brittle left over!

cold weather bloomers

My kitchen windowsill is blooming!  I love having plants and flowers when it is so dreary outside.

My Christmas cactus is blooming right on time

My collections of McCoy white critters are perfect for succulents

An avocado seeds will be sprouting soon..

But my all time favorite is the paperwhites.

I get a little carried away.  I put them in everything..

I love the way they look in the old blue Atlas jar

or a white creamer

Crocks, glass jars and rusted buckets make a good home to the bulbs

Just bloomed this morning!

 I love my two old coffee cans!

I made this little bird house a couple of years ago-

I stuck it in my plant at the studio..cute!

I love this small sifter, just right for more succulents.

It has been cold and raining the last couple of days here in central Texas.

When the skies are grey and dreary, it is nice to look at my windowsills and see the beauty of the paperwhites, Christmas cactus and other growing, green plants.  

I can't wait until the rest of my paperwhites bloom!  They are such sweet little flowers!

xoxo

Cindy