Well here we are.....

 over a week out since my last post and I had vowed to myself to post more often!

Rest assured, I haven't been just sitting on my duff.... really I haven't.  I've  been cleaning, sorting, purging and selling!!  It's been kind of fun really.... and I've even got Big Pops into helping me!  I shouldn't make that sound like it's such a big deal because truly, he's alway at the ready when I need him to  help out.  I do have to admit though it's kinda cute when I get that big ole guy to give me his ideas on rearranging the  Keeping Room and whether or not I should sell something or maybe keep it!!  He's a former super athlete in any sport he played pretty much and here he is telling me if he thinks that cute little chair will look good in the corner, or not so much.  He is a keeper for sure ❤️  He did tell me today though that he thought I had a problem with books.  Hardcover home decor, primitive, country and the like..... books.  He estimates he piled over a hundred of them on the table that I will sort and decide which ones to part with.  Problem???  Whatever!!  I love him that's all that matters!

This is just the start of my purging..... I added much more after this photo and I have more to go, and oh yes, I nearly forgot the books that I have a problem with!!

I found that with all the happenings in our world this past week that if I didn't keep myself busy I may just dig a hole and crawl into it.  So..... I decided to bring calm and comfort to my own little world here on the Lane, that I would simplify and weed things out that have been packed away or crammed in to where they needn't be and get them along to a new home where they could be enjoyed.  Lord only knows why I kept all of this after I closed Saltbox Farm.  Just in case I guess.  I've decided if "just in case" comes along, I will improvise and make it happen, just like always.  

I'm also working on another blog/website??? Not really sure myself.  I just know that PictureTrail will be no longer at the end of February and I either need to curl up and die or find another outlet for my offerings and other nonsense, so.....  stay tuned my friends, foes and followers, I will keep you posted on the progress right here!  

I wish you all peace in your heart and not the hatred I see in so many.  A post I seen read, "don't let some people that you don't know and don't know you, fracture a friendship",  we all have our opinions and our political views but really, are they worth the loss of a friend?  I think not.  

Wishing you all a good week to come and better things beyond.  

From the Lane.....

Sharon

My Word......

 for 2021

accept or support, willingly and enthusiastically

There is much that goes with this one word, much more than the seven letters might suggest....

I have decided to start with Myself.... embracing myself.  Maybe a good place and maybe not but it's often said you must start by loving yourself, so..... 

To embrace yourself means to let go of harsh self-recrimination and happily except your own identity and uniqueness.  

I think I have my work cut out for me, but I am ready to.....

EMBRACE!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thanks to those who have shared your choice of a word for the New Year!  I hope to hear from more of you.  I will post updates on my progress, or lack there of, as the days go by.  Please feel free to share yours as well.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

We actually stayed awake to usher in the New Year last night.  I told BigPops that I was going to make it come hell or high water just to be sure that 2020 took its leave!  It did, and although some of its baggage has followed us into this new territory, we will continue to look ahead to brighter days and signs of hope that things will be good once again.  

Wishing all of you a New Year filled with hope, hope of good things to come and kinder, gentler days, weeks and months ahead.  

Let's embrace this New Year together!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

From the Lane,

Sharon

Word for 2021.......

 well,  first.... I hope you all had a Christmas to remember.  One filled with love, be it from afar, via zoom  or a phone call.  A Christmas filled with love and not loss.... a Christmas of fond memories made.  

Most often by now I have popped in at least a time or two to see if you've chosen a word for the New Year  I think I might be behind on that seeing we have less than a week before said New Year arrives!    

I have several that I'm still tossing around in my mind at this late date.  Sometimes it's just so hard to choose just one.  I'm sure many of you can relate.....  

My word for 2020.... Balance.  Had I only known that trying to make sense of that word in 2020, this year of abnormal....  Little did I know that I would spend the year feeling like a blind folded, one legged gymnast trying to conquer the balance, yes, balance beam, I may have opted for my second choice, that I can't share with you now because it may well be my 2021 choice.  After this year I'm almost thinking of changing the rules and allowing two words instead of just one.... just in case.  

How do you balance the loss of twenty plus people in your life?  Family, friends who count as family, close friends and others you've known your whole life.  Balance the heartache of seeing those you love, near and far go through so much and have no way to comfort them except virtually.  

Okay, I didn't start out with the intention of making this a post to bring you down but I know that you're all here with me on 2020, and I guess for me, I just needed to get this all out there before moving on.  Moving on to a new and better year.  A year of heartache and fear..... changes and loss.....  a year of memories, good and not so much.  A year to make us so want to move on to the new one that is just around the corner.....  and, although not life changing, a word for 2021.  And then again, maybe, just maybe the word you choose will be life changing.  Think about it.  Make a choice.  I have a feeling it will be a life change in the right direction.  Think positive as you make your choice.... negative rarely works and if it does, it's surely not fun!  

As we close out the year, my hope is that we will gather again soon, our losses will become fewer and our happiness be overflowing.  I will be choosing my word with all that in mind...... 

So.... care to share your word of 2021?  

thought this pic might give a bit of a lift to all..... makes me smile every time!

From the Lane.....

Sharon

My oh my......

 where is this month of December going?  Flying by like a bullet for us it seems!  Keeping busy each day with all things Holiday keeps the days busy and move right along, I'm thinking.  

Seems the slideshow I posted worked well for everyone.... thank you all for your kind comments, so happy it was enjoyed by so many.  It sure made the posting much easier for me and hopefully more to enjoy for you all!  

I baked up some Frosted Gingerbread Bars this past weekend.... I had to hide them so we wouldn't just clean out the pan!  They are so, so good, even if I do say so myself!  Now mind you I don't follow a recipe much better than I follow a pattern, and I can't follow a pattern worth a darn, so.....  the bars I baked are a somewhat mixed up combo of three recipes I found and then I added my own tweaks right in!  

Here's what they look like.....

Now you'll just have to bake them up to see how they taste!  

I have the recipe typed up and ready to share with you if you'd like it, all you need to do is shoot me an email at yellowdoglane@gmail.com and I'll send it right back your way with a few tips to boot!  

Although we aren't hustling and bustling around here like in prior years we are still making good memories and enjoying each day.  

We stay home to stay safe and keep others safe...... peeking at that much wanted sight of the light at the end of the tunnel.  It's coming and 2021 is going to be a good year!

I'll be popping back in with more Christmas photos and other news before the big day and maybe another recipe.  Starting to work on a few Valentine items and looking towards spring.  

Tell me what you might like to see more of here......  

I'd love to know so I can try and make it happen!

Until next time..... 

From the Lane,

Sharon

Christmas on the Lane......

 something a bit different this year with our Christmas photo share.  I have always used our PictureTrail site but this year it has given me issue with uploading photos among other things, so.....  I put a slideshow together and we shall see how it goes!

This is a test.... crossing my fingers it will work.  Please let my know your thoughts in the comments here on our Blog.  If it goes as planned, it will be much easier to share fun things with you a bit more often.  

I hope this finds you and yours healthy and safe and enjoying the beauty of the season.  It has been a year of years for certain but we continue to count our blessings for all we have and look forwarder to a brighter, kinder and fun filled year ahead.

From the Lane....

Sharon

..... and the final Holiday Tree!

 

It's a tiny one but the note board next to it holds a mighty message.....  don't you agree?

We do have a couple more trees and I will be sure to share those before years end.... they're simple like the others but still we love them.... for now, the garage looks as if a Christmas blimp of greens somehow got in and imploded, and well..... I'm up to my bum in greens.  Not to mention preparing for the big Thanksgiving celebration!  Ours this year will be very small, just me and BP, and the Girls of course.  The kids all work out of the home, like most, and they feel it best not to bring to us what they may bring home from work.  They have all had the need to be tested once or more and thankfully they have been negative. It will be a different day than past Thanksgivings, we won't give thanks for the extras gathered around our table.  We will count our blessing that they are kind enough, smart enough and care enough about us not to take a chance at passing along to us that which has caused so, so many such suffering and heartbreak... and then we will give great thanks for all of them even though we can't see and hug them.  

We took a short break this morning to make a special delivery to some dear friends.... I almost say family with these two as they treat us as such and the thought of them is a HeartSqueeze each time!  A basket of goodies we carried in and after a cup of Joe, some fresh fruit and white cheddar cheese its, off we went with an armload of goodies headed back home.    

Now I'm sure some of you are thinking.... no Thanksgiving with your family but you're out visiting others.  Well, not that I need to explain, but I'm going to.....  MaMa K and PopsB are retired, they have followed the directions of keeping themselves and others safe to a t..... a t!  BigPops is retired and well, me.....  I'm just temporarily out of work, sorta!!  We follow the direction as well, and have little to no exposure to anyone other than us and if and when we do we are extremely cautious.  We decided we needed to see each other and deemed it safe.  We wore our masks the entire time, except when sipping and munching and we kept the distance then.  Their was laughter, good conversation and a bit of food....  most importantly their was the love of friends..... or might I say family

The two Pops.... sharing deer stories.  And much needed fellowship

If I don't get a chance to pop in before the big day, all of us here on the Lane want to wish you the best Thanksgiving you imagine.....

Count your Blessings!

BigPops, Sharon, Ivy, Lola & Isabelle

Holiday Offerings ~ Part 2......

Tomorrow night, Friday November 13, 7pm eastern

The album will open at 6:30ish with no password needed.  Request to purchase will not be accepted until 7pm.  The early opening is to give you time to browse.  We have lots of great stuff!!

Be sure to read the "How to Purchase" so you don't miss out on what you want.  Many items are one of a kind or in limited quantities.  

We look forward to having you stop in..... just to browse or maybe to buy....

Welcome!

Holiday Trees continued......

and a bit more!  

 

Our sweet tree in the Master Bedroom.  I love how the lights reflect in the window at night and on dark days.....

Another from the Keeping Room.....

Can't forget the garage area!

Just a couple more to share on another day, I would include them now so as not to draw it out so long but I haven't taken time to snap photos of them.  I will do that today and wrap it up soon!

I've been busy getting things finished up for our 

Holiday Offerings Part Two, coming up very soon.  I'm not positive of the date yet but working towards late this week or early next at the latest.  

Lots of Christmas.... unique little trees in antique containers, sweet small wreaths, antique smalls for the holidays and all through the year.  Tinware items priced right to clear out and some other things in this department as well!  

Leaving you with this photo of the Olde St Nick that will be in the offerings as well....

He's definitely one of a kind.  His face is hand sculpted and painted, coat, hood, pants and scarves created from old fabrics of wool and cotton.  The sheep his hand made needle felt.  Just the greens and the tree and snowshoes in his backpack are purchased premade.  

He was a joy to create from top to toe...... we hope you'll love him, too.

Watch for another post soon with all info needed to shop our Holiday Offerings Part 2!

Until then, enjoy your days....

Stay safe and healthy....

From the Lane ~ Sharon

The Holiday Trees, continued......

white lights of hope

Our guest bath.... actually our only bathroom with a tub, a clawfoot that I love.  Our bathroom of small antique mirrors... and what better to mirror than the beauty of these sweet lights.

Another peek at this room... did I say that I love this tub!

The feather tree in our guest room.... it's difficult to light a feather tree and I usually don't but I thought it called for lighting this year.  Do you spy the candles in the windows?  

A candle in the window, God's perfect light.  A candle in the window and peace in your heart

We have more to share and it won't be so long in between this time.  I worked the polls as an election inspector on Tuesday.... and Wednesday also, I guess.  Nineteen + hours and I don't regret a moment of it.  It may take me a few days to get more towards my normal but I'll get there.  

One more thing to touch on before I bid you a good night..... 

Holiday Offering from the Lane are coming tomorrow night, Friday November 6 at 7 pm Eastern

Sydney, Stasha and so much more will be offered to feather your nest for the Holidays!

We hope you'll join us tomorrow at

www.picturetrail.com/yellowdoglane

The album is password protected right now as I add photos and content.  I plan to do something a bit different this time by opening up the Offerings Album at 6:45 pm for viewing but I won't accept any purchase requests until 7 pm.  The How to Purchase Album is open for your viewing anytime and tells you how to go about making a purchase if you choose.  

Wishing you all a good evening and day to come....  I thank you all for your friendship and we hope we bring at least a bit of a twinkle to your heart with our thoughts and posts.

Take Good Care,

Sharon, Wayne, Ivy, Lola & Isabelle

The Holiday Trees.....

 

not yet Christmas trees....  Holiday Trees, our Trees of Hope for 2020

This sweet tree is situated in our Keeping Room here in the Little Cape on the Lane.....

Simple and sweet it is.  No matter how simple the sweetness of it brings us joy.... joy at a time when it is so needed.  

The Pantry Tree is what you see.....  it is wee but mighty, don't you agree?

Just one more for now, with more to come....  

This little beauty shines so bright and sits in the breakfast room and it seems so right!

Now I know I could share them with you all at once but don't you think it will be more fun to share them  more like one by one?  

It might be a day or two before the rest you see.....  they're all in place and twinkling bright but we think we'll wait till the time is just right!

And now you can all chuckle along with me as I think I'm a poet and didn't know it!!  Sort of!

I have a very long day ahead of me tomorrow.  I will be working the polls here in Michigan as an Election Inspector.  It will be a very early morning and most likely a very late night.  I will plan to pop in on Wednesday at some point to share some more joy with you.....

The Holiday Trees, for you to see ❤️

Be safe, Be well....

Sharon

O' Christmas Tree.....

 settle down..... I know it's not even Halloween and all of you who want nothing to do with Christmas prior to Thanksgiving, let alone Halloween, it's all good here.  

I'm not much of a Halloween type decorator, although I do love autumnal decor and always add touches in for Thanksgiving, a special time and day that in my mind just can't be overlooked!

I am an early Christmas decor person compared to some but I have always waited until at least the day after Thanksgiving to deck the halls in our home.  I also undeck it the day after Christmas.  Now I'm sure some of you are shaking your heads at both, but as they say, to each his own.  

Getting to the point of my O' Christmas Tree title.....  I got to thinking the other day when dark had come early evening, how nice it would look once the Christmas trees graced each room of our little Cape here on the Lane.  Then I thought some more about it but knew I would be breaking my own rule of "no Christmas before Thanksgiving"...... and then I thought just a bit more.  I said to myself, and well, to the Girls, because they're always ready to lend an ear to what I have to say, no matter how silly or far fetched it might be.... so, I say, "trees with tiny white lights all aglow aren't Christmas... they really aren't.  Or at least I don't think so, do you?"  Ivy tilted her sweet head and I knew she was saying, "No Mom, not at all" Lola continued snoring.  So anyway, the thinking continued and my thoughts told me how nice it would be to start enjoying the trees with the tiny white lights a little early this year..... being the year that it's been, a little added twinkle, a HeartSqueeze whenever the glow of each tree was viewed, little lights of hope.  Something simple to warm our hearts.  So guess what's happening at our house this week?  Let's just say there is an explosion of pine in our garage right now and that alone makes me happy each time I enter!  We are adding the trees to their designated spots, fluffing them and checking to see that their lights glow just right.....               

Come Saturday evening we will light each tree...... our Holiday Trees is what they'll be, little trees of hope of good things to come.  They will glow for as long as we see fit this year and beyond if it is called for.      We won't be forgetting Halloween, our bowl of candy is ready.  Definitely not skipping over Thanksgiving as the Turkey, Give Thanks, Be Grateful decor will be joining the Holiday Trees come Sunday.  What we will be doing is bringing a bit of joy to our hearts a little bit earlier than usual and for as long as that extra bit is needed.  

Think we're crazy if you must..... we're all entitled to our thoughts.  Come Saturday our thoughts will be lit with visions of joy and hope with our Holiday Trees.....

We promise to share them with all of you come the weekend!  Maybe some of you might be lighting your trees a bit early..... ??

Be well, be safe....

From the Lane ~ Sharon