Indoor beauty

I love flowers. During the winter months, I really miss those beautiful blooms. I purchased an African Violet several months ago while at Kroger. I really thought I was wasting my money because it was not in good condition. I do have a green thumb, so I took a chance and purchased it. This is the third time it's bloomed since June and has tripled in size. I love it.

 

This is my "Thanksgiving" cactus. I believe it might think it's a "Halloween" cactus. One or both of my cats got hold of it, resulting in tiny little teeth marks all over it. It's small in size because of the cats chewing on it but it blooms for me every year. This year, for some reason, it is in bloom right now. Three of the buds opened on October 27. There are several small buds in various growth stages.

 

The cactus won't bloom again this year like the violet. I'll probably get an Amaryllis or some other winter blooming plant to enjoy in addition.

 

I'm already feeling a bit "enclosed" although inclement weather has only just begun. 

Camp and Cottage Living Giveaway

Head on over to Camp and Cottage Living today for a giveaway tomorrow! While you're there, read her blog. Her posts and photos are beautiful. I've just started reading her blog and I'm truly enjoying it.

If I don't win ... I hope you do ... haha.

May your day be filled with blessings!

Random 5 Friday

I'm joining A Rural Journal with Random 5 Friday.

 

1. The West Virginia weather is beautiful today but the colors of the trees are nothing this year like they were in the 2004 photo, above. This is my front yard.

 

2. One of my cousins I grew up with notified me yesterday they'll be passing through tomorrow. She and her husband will have their 5-year-old granddaughter with them. I'm looking forward to the family gathering. Not sure how Bob Evans restaurant will feel about it. :-)

 

3.  Next week will be my annual dog-sitting week for my cousin. She and her sister go to the Smokies for 8 days every October. I think next year I'm going to go alone if no one wants to go along. My heart has always been right there, for some reason.

 

4.  Covert Affairs began mid-season last night. I'll be watching the DVR tonight. I have such a difficult time watching live TV now. I find myself trying to fast forward through the commercials. It really has spoiled me. I've barely seen a commercial in a year!

 

5.  I've been practicing daily with spinning. I've learned that the alpaca fiber I received with the spindles is not a good fiber for beginners. I ordered a sample pack of various fibers with which to learn. I'm anxious to get started.

 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Chilly mornings ...

 

Miss Cleo has been with me since July 2003. She was just a weeks-old baby in poor health when she found me. Ten years later, she still wants to be right with me. I sit on the couch, Indian-style, hopping from one URL to the other and drinking coffee on these mornings that seems colder with each one passing. Her furry self keeps my leg warm but I'm afraid I'll have to soon use a blanket. Sigh ... it's coming folks ... time to turn on the furnace.

Drop Spinning

I received two drop spindles I ordered to learn to spin this beautiful fiber I won. I don't know what one I'll like, top whorl or bottom whorl, so I ordered one of each since they're quite cheap. I read several articles on the difference between the two and it's actually just a matter of preference. I'll decide my preference when I figure out how to perform this task.  I'm anxious to learn. I like the creative process and really think, if I can figure all this out, I'll enjoy it. Along with the two spindles, I received a big portion of alpaca fiber. It's just amazing. If I had a sweater made out of this soft, silky, divine fiber, I'd never take it off. It's a caramel color. I also received a photo of the alpaca that grew the fiber. I loved that. He lives in Wyoming. haha