WKAR Update: I know only those in mid-Michigan probably care about this but WKAR will keep its broadcast spectrum and not be auctioned off. This is a huge relief for our regional PBS viewers and especially for the truly talented men and women who still work there and for whom I have great regard.
I hope your area will maintain it's PBS station -- or any others that are of particular value to you. The FCC quiet period has started which means stations cannot talk about their plans to participate in the auction but you can still comment. 'Nuf on that one!
Google Stuff: I hope you are a follower of The Marmelade Gypsy, either by mail, through Bloglovin' or another service or through Google Friend.
A little bird told me (a little bird named Blogger; many of you may have received the same message) that beginning the week of January 11, they will be removing the ability for people with Twitter, Yahoo, Orkut or other OpenId providers to sign in to Google Friend Connect and follow blogs. At the same time, they will remove non-Google Account profiles, telling us we may see a decrease in our blog follower count.
If you use a non-Google Account to follow The Marmelade Gypsy, you may want to sign up for a Google Account, and re-follow the blog that way. With a Google Account, you'll get blogs added to your Reading List, making it easier to see the latest posts and activity of the blogs you follow.
That said, you can also follow me by mail or through Bloglovin' -- just click on one of the links on the right rail to sign up for that if you like. Doesn't matter to me how you follow, but it's fun when you do!
Christmas Wrap: The trees are coming down. It always takes a long time, partly because there's a lot in the decorating line here and partly because I so hate to say goodbye to the tree. Just about every ornament has a story -- one that reminds me of a trip with Rick, something given to me by one of the kids, a family piece, lots of marmelade cats, pieces from dear friends like Patricia and Mary Jane who are no longer with us and others by real-life, blog and online friends who (thankfully) still are! As I pack it all away, these stories dance through my head like tiny movies, recalling special moments and a life well lived and enriched by those who have been a part of it. Tucking them away for until next November is like saying goodbye.
Well, that was sappy. But very true. And, that said, it will be nice to get the furniture back where it belongs!
Home Front: It's been awfully nice snugging in with the Lizzie-girl this winter. It hasn't been my best. Terrible headaches have been plaguing me almost daily along with some painful leg/knee issues that have been going on for a month. As you know from my baking class post, the kitchen is calling and now I must find something fun to try I've never done before! I'm looking forward to digging into my art journal again and continuing my reading quest. Speaking of that, I can HIGHLY recommend Mitch Albom's new book, "The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto." Very good no matter what -- even better if you know, love and understand music.
Some may remember I met him last summer when his play "Ernie," about Detroit Tigers announcer Ernie Harwell, was at MSU. (Big recommendation -- even if you aren't a baseball fan, if you have the chance to see "Ernie," take it. Excellent play as much about life as baseball. Probably more.) I wish I'd had this book to read then, except he probably couldn't have stood all the gushing.
Valentines for You!
I'm hoping to plan a valentine-making crafternoon soon and was going through a few images. I thought I'd share them with you. After all, you, too, may be making valentines in your near future and it's fun to share.
I wish I could share the credit of where they all came from but I don't know anymore. So just enjoy and say a "thank you, somebody!" -- that's what I'll say!
Have fun!
Keep cozy out there!
I am sorry to hear that you have been plagued by headaches. I know how debilitating those can be so I hope that they go away very very soon. Or I hope you figure out what is causing them! January hasn't been my healthiest month as this head cold just won't go away. I feel better than last week but it just keeps lingering. Phil caught it too so we are both grumbling about how long it's taking to go away completely.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to believe that Valentine's Day is just over a month away! I'll have to figure out what I am going to make for Phil and I as we have a tradition of staying in and making dinner together.
Feel better soon and stay warm! It's bitterly cold here!!
Jeanie, your Christmas tree looks awesome! I love that every piece has a story. That makes it really special and I can imagine how you fondly remember all of them while putting them away. Keith and I started that tradition two years ago of collecting littel pieces with a meaning.
ReplyDeleteWe already put everything away last Friday and it does feel good to have everything back where it belongs ;)
I sure hope you'll feel better soon! Headaches are the worst!
Those Valentine's images are so cute. Thank you for the reminder! I have to think about some ideas, too ;)
Have a wonderful day without headaches!
Lots of love and hugs to you,
Beate
Dear Jeanie,
ReplyDeleteThat is one magnificent tree! I would be tempted to leave it up for a while.
It is always so difficult for me to take things down after Christmas.
Valentines day... I have a feeling this year is going to fly by.. I best get my ducks in a row.
Thank you so much for wandering over to meet Lollipop! She was a joy to create. I am so happy you enjoyed.. And the song. Don't you just love it?
Makes me happy.
blessings,
Penny
Good news about WKAR...and I know I got the email from Google but must admit I didn't pay much attention to it. I guess I should go back and read it more closely.
ReplyDeleteYour tree is beyond gorgeous!! It must take you forever to put it up and take it down.
I hope you're feeling better soon. And thanks for the valentines. It's almost time for them!
Looking back at Christmas, with trees still up, while also looking forward to making Valentines! Makes my head spin. I'll look forward to hearing what you cook and craft.
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
such lovely old fashioned Valentine's!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you have been having some good fun by your photos.
Lovely 2016 to you!
ReplyDeletethe valentines are sweet. I have to start thinking about mine or they'll be as late as my Christmas cards were. I don't understand the Blogger stuff (does this mean I won't get you from Feedblitz anymore? Just keep posting your blog entries on FaceBook and I'll link into them. I'd hate to miss your posts. Glad to hear WKAR will stay.Take care of yourself; I hope you solve the headache issue.
Your tree is beautiful! I love looking at beautiful Christmas trees but decorating them and taking it all down is not my idea of fun. This year I had a mini tree and that suited me fine. Even the decorating of that was a wee challenge, lol.
ReplyDeleteThe vintage VD cards are lovely. They used to be plentiful but are now hard to find. At least in my neck of the woods. So sorry you've been having headaches. I find cats always are so lovely when one isn't feeling well. They will happily lay right down beside you and keep you company. I miss mine. Hugs. xx
Thanks for the update about Google. I will have to get that taken care of. Also, I'm so happy to hear the good news about WKAR! That is great. You really threw your heart and soul into it. I'm sure that all helped.
ReplyDeleteI hope the headaches are starting to leave you alone.
Love, love, love the Valentine cards.
Christmas is coming down but Valentine is on the horizon! Hope you feel better soon, Jeanie. Head pain is awful to live with and joint pain isn't far behind. Hoping for relief for you so you can enjoy your crafts and so can we!
ReplyDeleteI never got that e-mail from Blogger, but it does explain a few things... Like how I somehow went from about 70 followers down to 56 over night. I was worried I'd upset lots of people, though couldn't think how, so I'm glad it wasn't me. Although, I think it's wrong... People should be able to continue using whatever they want to follow and interact with blogs.
ReplyDeleteI have the same thing happen when I'm both getting out and putting away holiday decorations. They have their stories, and I can't help but think of them while I'm handling them.
I hope your headache is better by now, but glad you've been able to enjoy plenty of snuggle time with Lizzie.
I look forward to reading about your kitchen experiments. I'm trying something I've never made before today... Lemon meringue pie. I usually buy it, but I decided to have a go at making it this time.
You look so nice in your green dress. Smile and the whole world smiles with you. Aloha from Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteOh Valentine's Day is one of my favs-it is a no pressure Holiday, so whimsical, fun and full of nonsense and good will!
ReplyDeleteLove your Valentines and I have some wonderful vintage postcards from a very long time ago-
You are soooo pretty!
xo
Jemma
Hello my friend! I do not know if my comment is going to go through so I will just say hello!!
ReplyDeleteTake good care of yourself. The leg and knee issues are not fun to deal with. Take Glucosamine & Chondroitin sulfate combination for your joints as it is an anti-inflamatory. It is expense but well worth the cost. I take 2 tablets every day. And stay off your feet if at all possible when the pain is too intense. You are worth it to yourself!
ReplyDeleteYou tree is so amazing! So stuffed to the brim with goodies! I can imagine taking it all down is a long process.
Thank you for your posts and all the great photos.
Blessings for the New Year!
Teresa in California
Hi Jeannie what a great post....I agree with the Christmas ornaments and tree.....I love looking through all the ornaments and remembering the people or places they came from. Packing them away is like saying good bye again.
ReplyDeleteI have my tree down and now I have valentine stuff up.
Thank you for the vintage valentines you share.
I'm sure glad you have an email follow link, as I want as little to do with Google as possible. Yes, I use gmail, and yes, I search with Google, but otherwise, I try and keep myself free from entanglements with them. No G+, google maps, that sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteI'm all tidied up from Christmas, and happy as can be -- although I'm sure sure how we're already only a month from Valentine's Day. I am glad that your PBS station is safe for the time being. I don't know what happened with ours, but I suspect they probably opted out, too.
I hate that those headaches still are around. I just was thinking today that I haven't suffered yet from the cedar allergies that happen every year. We haven't had enough cold weather to set off the cedar pollen, I guess. They don't pollinate until it gets really cold. It's a little strange, but that's how they do it!
So sorry you have been having headaches, just NO FUN! Take care and more cuddling with your little fur ball is required. Love the Valentine's, especially the tea themed ones. I need to start thinking Valentine's. I do love seeing all the Christmas decorations, but then I love when they come down and everything is fresh and clean. Keep warm and cozy!!
ReplyDeleteAren't old valentines fun . . .
ReplyDeleteAnother collection I am sure!
Sweet Valentine's Jeanie.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful tree (one of your many!)...
must be tempting to leave it up all year round ;-).
Not sure how that Google change affects me with a WordPress blog exactly.
Shame on anyone trying to stifle our fun here across the airwaves (same goes for PBS...I shutter to think of not having it!!!).
Stay warm and cozy as winter settles in.
oxo