Happy Thanksgiving.

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble,

but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.

~Johannes A. Gaertner

a satsuma by any other name..

I am ill.  This is what my husband brought to tempt me:

Isn't it perfect? 

As we approach the holiday season, it reminds me of the apples and oranges we children always found at the bottom of our Christmas stockings, and which still appear in our stockings year after year.  What a thrill it must have been to see such a jewel in your stocking centuries ago.  As we head into the American Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow, today I give thanks for the California farmers and the many others along the way, right up to and including my husband, who played a part in delivering this beautiful get-well satsuma to me.

Al's Plum Blossoms

I really miss Al. He was our neighbor across the street and he passed on just over 2 years ago. Al was a presence in our lives in a number of subtle ways. When we first began homeschooling, Emma and I did a unit on the American homefront in WWII. As part of the unit, we went over to have a talk with Al, who was a WWII vet and who kept a diary of his missions, right after D-Day. We got to read his diary and see his flight jacket, with “Thelma” (his wife's name) stenciled over the heart. Frequently when we were working in our yard, we’d get a visit from Al, and often received great bags of Italian plums from the other plum tree in his back yard. They made up into great jam, which we returned to him, along with other treats, every Christmas Eve. Al had several strokes over the years, and had back issues, but rarely complained and remained vigorous. We even saw him up on the roof of his house not too many years back. He is our role model for growing older.


I think of Al a lot this time of year because his plum trees are in full bloom and they are spectacular. He planted 3 thundercloud plum trees in front of his house many years ago “because Thelma wanted them”. The picture above was taken 2 days ago. We now have the blossom snow and wafting fragrance that these trees bless us with each year. Thanks to Al.

Al’s Plum Blossoms. Vintage Flowerdrop Earrings (below)

Thank you and an Irish Blessing

Our first ever sale was a resounding success! Deep, heartfelt thanks to those of you who purchased, spread the word, and/or sent positive energy in our direction. We are great believers in the power of positive energy...

The beginning sales in a new venture are very, very special. This pendant below, inspired by our gorgeous rhododendron, was photographed by Jim and I remember we were so pleased with how the composition revealed the beautiful "rhodie" flower.

Bird Song, below, wins the prize as the most photographed piece of jewelry in our entire shop. It seemed like Jim took hundreds of photos of this one as he worked out our assorted lighting conditions.

Some of the components of Moon Viewing at the Japanese Garden, below, were given to me as a surprise gift, and it is great to be able to share this generosity.

One of the cool aspects to this sale is that customers were located nearby, so I was able to hand deliver many items. It was great to see the jewelry with the purchaser and to be able to meet and thank customers in person. I learned that Hummingbird, below, is going to a party...

And Crystal Clear, below, is well suited to professional meetings.

Thank you all again. As say the Irish:

May joy and peace surround you,

Contentment latch your door,

And happiness be with you now,

And bless you evermore.