Spring Birds that sing. :)

This Poem

I don’t want this poem crafted

with stanzas

or to end with a shocking ‘surprise’

Most certainly I do not want this poem to gob-smack

you right in between your eyes

I want this poem to be like a muzzle that sneaks up behind for a little cuddle

I want this poem to be soft, feathery, and brown

I want this poem to grow right from the ground

I want this poem to be lighter than air

I want this poem to float everywhere

I want this poem to sing a sweet little song

I want this poem to just happen along

I want this poem to vanish as you turn your head

I want this poem to greet you as you rise up from your bed

I want this poem to fly fly away

and to come back at the end of the day

I want this poem to give you a thrill

I want this poem to meet you over there on the hill

and if you're in doubt the same time next year

I want this poem to reappear.

© Karen Ann Powell

lg
:)

Happy

Easter!

lg

:)

'Yourself.' :)

Tender spring flower in Boone, NC (as a consolation for those of us longing...for spring.) :)

The only person who can help 'yourself' have a life full of meaning, is 'yourself.'

Some spring blooms in Wisconsin (last year.) 

lg

:-)

PROJECT!

Finished! Antique wedding kewpie (porcelain) dolls for Marge P.

I have been working on this project for a bit! 

These are antique porcelain kewpie wedding cake topper dolls 

that have been restored. The shiny satin fabric is from 

my great Aunt Helen's wedding dress! 

Below is a 'before' photo!

lg :)

The token must go...

So, I contend that there a but a few man-made thing-stuff items that are worthy of a photo. But here is one of them.

                                           (A 1964 red-box Parker Brothers Real Estate Trading Game Equipment; "Monopoly.") 

I recently bought a complete board game and have been waiting to show you this...

because they are doing away with a token.

                                                                                                                                       Big box, big board.

***

Yes, they have officially 'voted' to do away with one of the token pieces....

 :( = much sadness. 

Below is the link to an article.

 Click on it to find out which one,

but do tell me your...

 (1) best guess...and

 (2) your personal token favorite, too. 

And...(3) if you could 'invent' a new token,

 what would it be??

***

Token?

P.S.

I intend to buy as many of them...as I can.

(You've been warned.)

;-)

lg

Christmas...

                                                                                                                                                      pasta.

Another of my husband's culinary adventures: Jade noodles (or Christmas Pasta) 

made with spinach, leek, scallions, chives and basil...

yum yum yum yum

"Why, Hello." :)

Seeing

                                                                                                                                                                               red. :)

Flowers

...today, as I am longing...for spring.

When all else fails, (there's) flowers.

:)

lg

Milygge

Upon contemplating the concept of hygge, and ferreting out how it *might* apply here, I have come up with some (native) Milwaukee hygge-isms, if you will.

I have given it a lot...of thought.

Here is my indigenous list:

1. Milygge, pronounced 'Mil-uu-gah' or 'Mil-ew-ga' is what we Milwaukeens conjure up to generate our cocoon-like feelings of safety and well-being while in our car (in which we spend a lot of time.) It looks something like this:

Driving down the interstate in my salt-stained car whilst contemplating the Packers and...sunshine. (Wait, aren't they the same thing?)

2. We Milwaukeeans readily practice Cheeygge, pronounced 'Chee-uu-gah' or 'Chee-ew-ga'  to sustain us and bring enlightenment during the long, long winter months. This involves consuming voluminous portions of all types of cheese (good cheese; Weyauwega cheese, Union Star cheese, Cady Creek cheese, All Star cheese, Shullsburg Creamery cheese, to name but a few) by candlelight, near the telly (most likely with the Packers or the Packers pre-game on) while donning our (most likely) green and gold knit stockings. (Here is a more exhaustive list of our cheese.)

3. This next one, we have down. I mean...for real. We do this any time and basically, well...almost anywhere. Yes, we regularly practice Brewygge, or 'Brew-uu-gah' or 'Brew-ew-ga'  throughout the long, looong period of winter darkness. We usually combine Brewygge with sausages, fine mustard, and buns.

lg :)

O.K., let's hygge.

Cabin tucked deep in the Appalachians in the winter; photo by KAnniePowell

O.K...so let's hygge.

The Danish art of 'Hygge' is all the rage in circles of those convivial souls trying to cultivate a (home) life that nourishes the soul. In fact, I ordered a book about it. :)

Here is a blurb that might (?) be helpful from wikipedia on the subject. (I had to correct their misspelled words. Does anybody else ever notice that?) :)

****

"Hygge is a Norwegian word with a unique definition[1] (although very similar to the Dutch word Gezelligheid). "Hygge" as a noun includes a feeling, a social atmosphere, and an action. The word is also used in compositions as "Julehygge" (Christmas-hygge). "Hygge" is also a verb e.g. "Let's hygge" and as an adjective e.g. "A small, hyggeligt house with grass on the roof".

The noun "Hygge" includes something nice, cozy, safe and known, referring to a psychological state.[2] "Hygge" is a state where all psychological needs are in balance. The antonym of hygge is uhyggelig, which translates as 'scary'.[3]"

Collins English Dictionary defines the word as "a concept, originating in Denmark, of creating cozy and convivial atmospheres that promote well-being'.[4]" (Source for all above along with additional references: Wikipedia; here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hygge)

****

In case you are wondering, 'hygge' is pronounced with the French 'u' nasal sound in the middle and phonetically a bit like this as follows. (There is a LOT of debate about the phonetic pronunciation!)

Ha ha! :)

Phonetically: 'Hygge' or 'Hu-gah' or 'Hew–ga.' (But get the French 'u' sound in there!)

     

   

Let's take a break and above is a bit of 'hygge' for you. Meditate here.

(Another) great quote..

                                                                                                               the road of life.

I'm applying to life's many problems and its never-ending issues...

"I'm going to have to science the sh*t out of this."

                                                                (by Matt Damon as Mark Watney in "The Martian;" * mine)

(More) nuts

                                                                                                                            to chew on.

15.) (For those who are unemployed) I deserve to be employed and paid well for my time, efforts, and ideas. Each day, I am closer to finding the perfect job for me.

16.) I am courageous and I stand up for myself.

17.) My thoughts are filled with positivity and my life is plentiful with prosperity.

18.) Today, I abandon my old habits and take up new, more positive ones.

19.) Many people look up to me and recognize my worth; I am admired.

20.) I am blessed with an incredible family and wonderful friends.

21.) I acknowledge my own self-worth; my confidence is soaring.

22.) Everything that is happening now is happening for my ultimate good.

23.) I am a powerhouse; I am indestructible.

24.) Though these times are difficult, they are only a short phase of life.

25.) My future is an ideal projection of what I envision now.

26.) My efforts are being supported by the universe; my dreams manifest into reality before my eyes.

27.) (For those who are single) The perfect partner for me is coming into my life sooner than I expect.

28.) I radiate beauty, charm, and grace.

29.) I am conquering my illness; I am defeating it steadily each day.

30.) My obstacles are moving out of my way; my path is carved towards greatness.

31.) I wake up today with strength in my heart and clarity in my mind.

32.) My fears of tomorrow are simply melting away.

33.) I am at peace with all that has happened, is happening, and will happen.

34.) My nature is Divine; I am a spiritual being. 
35. My life is just beginning.

(Please do note: all above items are not my original thoughts, they are written by clinical psychologist Dr. Carmen Harra.)

Barbie

...photobombing the pasta making blog post. 

(Just) because...she can.

Simple Prayer

                                                                             Lord, I give you thanks.
                                                                             I give you thanks, in all things.
                                                                             In all things, I give you thanks.

                                                                             Lord, I give you thanks.
                                                                             I give you thanks, in all things.
                                                                             In all things, Lord, I give you thanks.
                                                                             (repeat)