Margo your 'splendor' package arrived today ... a very nice Valentine card with seeds for Pepperbox Poppy (going to wintersow these), Egg gourd, very interesting! and Annatto... never heard of this before and very excited to try these this year, thank you! also a beautiful PINK necklace, a spendorous 'sun catcher' (this is really beautiful Margo) and a sweet note with (4) ornament hangers. I absolutely love these! I am going to add these to our crimson red and white tree. You are very creative and talented Margo, many thanks!

I was able to get your package mailed today as well, so sorry in the delay. I was hoping to mail yours Saturday but forgot my daughter had her NCAA Championship celebration parade.

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Annie outdid herself with her package! She made cards for next year with recycled plus other decorative bits.

And she included some seeds and Christmas candy. Thank you Annie - everything was so nicely wrapped and packaged! I'm anxious to give that tomato (Tasty wine - I'd not heard of it before, apropos name in my area) a try.

Wonderful packages, everyone! I will post a received list later today. Everyone has sent.

Today is my younger daughter's birthday and I can tell it's time to move along and get the swap wrapped up --- so once again, two Bingo words. This is likely the last time I'll draw 23 words this month. Next I'll drop back to one, but that should give someone Bingo by the end of the week.

4. Splendor in the Grass

8. Father Time

I'm not sure if I have "point questions" to go with any of the remaining Bingo words but we'll see as I draw them. I need to update our points scores, too. When someone calls Bingo, the points you have will be the final scores for points even if you don't get a chance to answer the points question that day. So we'll have both games won at the same time.

Sorry to be sluggish getting things posted. It seems once I started to undecorate I got in the mood to clean and declutter. Today for example, I was putting away a kitchen gift and decided to go through things on a shelf in the pantry. Nearly everything on it had expired. Quick way to clean. I'm tempted to keep lots of things, but not expired food!

Have a good day.

Jeanne

We got 6" of snow instead of 14". Yeah! It's very pretty. We all stayed home on Monday. Government shutdown? It's a win-win because nobody could work Monday anyway across the state! Thanksgiving Rabbit stayed in her hole and my Husky dog was made for snow. He'd check on the rabbit, then run and play. He'd come in for a few quick winks and then back out he'd go.

I got some wintersowing done! 18 containers--just before the snow. It's too early to start my indoor germination, but I'm so tempted!

When my mother was writing checks and I was a little girl the date on her checks looked like this ____________, 19___. I thought by now checks would be printed ____________, 20___. Of course who writes checks in this digital age!! Heidi

My "splendor" package from Maggie arrived yesterday...just now opening my mail.

Thank you so much........

**A very sweet fairy card.......I love fairies!!

**Seeds Cosmos Bright Lights

**A lovely Rosewater Sachet......love this!! Smells heavenly!! Love the bag too! How do you make these?

**a sparkly pink heart indoor ornament....did you make this?? Darling!!

This was all inside a red bag.....I don't know what these bags are called but I love them. Whenever I am looking for them in the craft stores, I rarely can find them....need to check Hobby Lobby.

Absoloutley splendid Maggie......

And Heidi, yes, I still write checks once in a while! I would never leave home without my checkbook....LOL!! Or my credit cards or cash!

Happy day!!

Annie

Annie - Thank you! They are organza gift bags in different sizes. I often find them at JoAnn but Oriental Trading and other online places have them as well. I always have some on hand - so handy. http://www.orientaltrading.com/web/search/searchMain?keyword=organza+gift+bags  Yes, I painted and glittered the heart. :-)

Trying to catch up a bit on my posting here. Now I can include Amy's package to Heidi. What fun items everyone sent!

Jeanne
and Shirley (sjc48) will send to each other – Shirley received and sent

Margo
and Jayeanne will send to each other – Jayeanne received and sent

Annie
and Maggie will send to each other – Both received

Amy
and Heidi will send to each other – Both received

I also totaled the points and added in the points for the January questions about birthdays, etc. Annie is still in the lead, but the lead is narrowing. I only came up with points questions for some of the Bingo words so we'll see if I draw another of those before Bingo ends.

Annie 11 points, Amy 9 points, Margo 8 points, Emily 6 points, Maggie 3 points

That's all for now, folks!

Jeanne

Bingo word for today:

21. Midnight Kiss

Yes, there is a point question. If you kissed or were kissed by someone at midnight this New Years, give yourself 1 point. My score is 0 on this one.

And SPLENDOR arrived at my house. Shirley's package to me is here and has so many lovely things - all things that she made - cards, those circle folders, and gift bags! I'll take a picture and post it later. Just beautiful. Thank you so much, Shirley!

Jeanne

It wouldn't be a good New Year if I didn't enter it with a kiss from my husband at midnight.

1 point

Really nice packages getting sent. Margo

Heidi, I see the stone that I glued on the journal, top right fell off. It may be in the bubble envelope. Sorry about that. Take care, Amy

Another point for you, Margo. My husband was in bed and asleep long before midnight. I don't know the last time he has seen midnight, but I'm the same way about dawn. I usually sleep as late as I can in the morning.

Finally here's a picture of the beautiful creations Shirley sent to me. Thanks again, Shirley! (They were bundled so pretty to that I took a picture of that first and then spread them out so you could see them better. Lots of sparkle, glitter, and glam.)

I think Bingo will be called by the end of the week so once that happens I'll try to get in touch with everyone by Message or email to confirm address information and then we'll see what works out best to send a current copy to everyone.

I signed up to take some classes and they begin tomorrow so if I don't make it to post here until after lunch, That's why.

Have a good day tomorrow.

Jeanne

LOL...Nice kiss with the guy I am married to at midnight on New Years.....1 point!!

Annie

And another point for Annie!

Ladies, we are so close to having Bingo. Here is our word for today.

20. Champagne

Time to get myself ready for classes and out the door. I think these will be really interesting and will post about them later.

Jeanne

No kiss for me! I'm not a night owl

No points for me! Just a sip of champagne and opening the door to let the old out and the new in.

Ok folks - do you know what next week is? I myself am busily making the Brigid's cross that is a symbol of protecting the home from fire (much needed here in CA). We touched on some of this lore in the August swap. I never did get around to decorating my well then (it's just a big blue tank with a skinny blue tank and a bunch of pipes inside a very dusty garden shed that we call a pump house) but did go throw a box of mouthballs in there this morning so I can go clean it out in a few days without being covered in bugs.

Imbolc - a Celtic festival of the hearth and home, a celebration of the lengthening days and the early signs of spring. Celebrations often involved hearthfires, special foods (My blog - Bannock recipe & other tidbits on Imbolc https://ceodraiocht.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/of-festivals-and-cakes/), divination or watching for omens, candles or a bonfire if the weather permitted. Fire and purification were an important part of the festival. The lighting of candles and fires represented the return of warmth and the increasing power of the Sun over the coming months (I don't light candles but might pick up a dry load of firewood). A spring cleaning was also customary (Ack! Better get on that one).

Holy wells were visited at Imbolc, and at the other Gaelic festivals of Beltane and Lughnasa. Visitors to holy wells would pray for health while walking 'sunwise' around the well. They would then leave offerings; typically coins or clooties. Water from the well was used to bless the home, family members, livestock and fields.

Imbolc is strongly associated with Saint Brigid. On Imbolc Eve, Brigid was said to visit virtuous households and bless the inhabitants.

Before going to bed, people would leave items of clothing or strips of cloth outside for Brigid to bless. The clothes or strips of cloth would be brought inside, and believed to now have powers of healing and protection. (I suppose if it's raining there's no reason why she couldn't bless items inside a ziploc baggie).

A Brigid's cross usually consists of rushes woven into a square or equilateral cross, although three-armed crosses have also been recorded. They were often hung over doors, windows and stables to welcome Brigid and protect the buildings from fire (yes!) and lightning.

Brigid is considered the patroness of poetry, smithing, medicine, arts and crafts, cattle and other livestock, sacred wells, serpents and the arrival of early spring.

In the Middle Ages, the goddess Brigid was syncretized with the Christian saint of the same name.

Both the goddess and saint are associated with holy wells, at Kildare and many other sites in the Celtic lands. Well dressing, the tying of clooties to the trees next to healing wells, and other methods of petitioning or honoring Brigid still take place in some of the Celtic lands and the diaspora.

Saint Brigid's feast day is on 1 February celebrated as St Brigid's Day in the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church and by the Anglican Communion.

Imbolc has traditionally been celebrated on 1 February. However, because the day was deemed to begin and end at sunset, the celebrations would start on what is now 31 January.

Imbolc is a time for spring cleaning. Some clean their homes, take ritual baths and de-clutter their lives in other ways. This is believed to create space for the goddess to come into people’s live and for new seeds to take root in the coming spring.

Imbolc was traditionally a time of weather divination, and the old tradition of watching to see if serpents or badgers came from their winter dens may be a forerunner of the North American Groundhog Day.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imbolc

I just read on Yahoo News where California has been hit with earthquakes, one as far south as Trabuco Canyon, which is where our member, Annie/canyonwind, lives. Annie, if you can, please let us know what's going and that you are okay.

We have 3 other members in California, hope you are all okay, please let us know.

Shirley

Shirley, you are so sweet! Thank you for the phone call to see if I was OK out here in earthquake country. All if fine!! I did feel it last night around 2am but seeing we are so used to earthquakes out here, I really did not give it a thought. Shirley informed me that the epicenter was close to where I live....I had no idea.

Happy day!!

Annie

I'm just glad you and yours are okay, Annie.

Erica, Maggie and Nicole, hope you are all okay too. If you have time, please let us know. The quakes supposedly hit all up and down the CA coast. Of course, now I can't find the article that I read about them, Yahoo News! Gotta love it.

Earthquakes are something that are very scary to me, so actually speaking to Annie was a good thing for me.

But now I can relax and watch the game. Glad I live in Michigan.

Shirley!

There were quakes here last night? *giggle* Honestly, I didn't know. Thank you so much for thinking of us California girls though. I'm pretty much like Annie, when I do feel them, I don't give them much thought.

The wildfires, on the other hand, were scary.

Also didn't realize it was a quake - not seen any all the way from south of LA to north of Sacramento happening around the same time before. Annie's was the biggest. Northern CA had more 2. somethings.

When I do feel the ones around here - I alway log right into the USGS "Did you feel it?" site - can see the epiccenter, strength and others logging in from around your area (not names, just towns) https://earthquake.usgs.gov/data/dyfi/.

Oh my - I didn't hear about the earthquake in CA either. Glad everyone is okay.

Maggie, thank you for all that information about the wells, St. Brigid, etc. I found it really interesting. I've been working on that "spring cleaning" thing since I took the Christmas decorations down. It's much too hot to do intense cleaning here after about mid-May until very late in the fall. (My excuse and I'm sticking to it!)

I love the new classes I started taking today! They are held at a local church each Thursday for about 6 weeks. I've signed up before (and taught 2 classes there in the fall). These, however, have really surpassed my expectations! One is a summary of the history of SC, one is creative writing, and the other is about de-cluttering and downsizing. I'll keep you posted.

See you tomorrow with another Bingo word. Everyone is very close to winning! The suspense is getting to me.

Jeanne

Today's Bingo word:

12. Black-Eyed Peas

Yes, this is the other local food eaten for luck on the New Year.

Points question:

Rather than asking who has eaten these or eaten these specifically on the New Year, my points question for today is "Have you ever had a black eye"? 1 Point if you have.

A second point if you can tell us how you got that black eye. If you've had a black eye multiple times you can tell about one experience or all of them, but sharing your story is for 1 point.

Anyone looking for 2 more points or simply want to share?

I added in the points for the midnight kisses and here is where we stand:

Annie 13, Margo 10, Amy 9, Emily 6, and Maggie 3.

Maybe we'll see Bingo tomorrow. There are 3 slips of paper still waiting to be picked.

(And yes, I've had a black eye. I was probably in 1st or 2nd grade at the time and got it as the result of a girl who lived in the neighborhood hitting me.)

Jeanne

Yes I have had a black eye. It happened during PE in middle school. We were playing baseball. Someone swung the bat and got me right in the eye. Boy did that hurt. I think it affected my vision too but no one took me to the doctor.

I'm looking pretty boring. No black eyes. I've eaten greens, but not being from the south I have trouble even looking at them. My brain knows they are healthy, but the rest of me says, "Ummm, no thanks!" I have the best black eye story, though. A lady came to work with a black eye. Her boyfriend could barely go anywhere in town. Everyone wanted to beat him up. She had a new puppy. One morning the puppy came in her room to wake her up. She leaned over the side of the bed (laying down) and the puppy jumped up and gave her a big shiner. Of course nobody would believe a cute puppy could do THAT, but a boyfriend--absolutely!!

I've got 1 word left for Bingo. Pick my word! Pick my word!

My husband passed his inspection yesterday so the stress is coming off my shoulders. Didn't really understand how stressed I was. Now waiting for state employee one to write red tape report #3, send to state employee #2 who passes it to state employee #3, creating more red tape...until shazam--state employee #4 sends the magic email delivered by flying unicorns with the secret 007 'number' and my husband can work and make money. (hope you're smiling) Heidi

Heidi, Congratulations! Can you post pictures of the flying unicorn?? Haha

Congratulations to your Hubby, Heidi, and beware the flying unicorn!

Shirley!

Heidi, so glad your hubby passed inspection. Congrats to you both!

Congrats Heidi....

My favorite black eye came after playing tackle football.....of course, no head protection.....with my brothers and all their guy friends, early 70's......I kept up with the boys!! I was very proud of that black eye. Great memories!! 1 or 2 points, not sure!!

Happy Friday!!

Annie

I wear glasses I had them smash into my head/eye when I walked into a pole resulting in a black eye. (Embarrassed)

Think that scores a 2. Margo

Went to Bowling Green this weekend to visit. My friend and I spent the day on outings to various gift shops as well as the Toledo Museum of Art. While out and about, we had the thrill of seeing a couple eagles as well as a nest with an eagle setting. It was a good day. Margo

Sounds like a great day, Margo, where did you see the eagles?

Shirley!

Sorry about those black eyes, but interesting to hear how they happened. I got hit in the face by one of my barn doors once (wind blew it at me when I was cleaning the stall). However, that resulted in stitches and not a black eye. Crazy things happen.

Points game is adding up, but Annie is still in the lead, now with 15 points. Margo has 12, Amy 11, Emily 6 and Maggie 3.

I know it's not quite midnight, but this Bingo suspense is stressing me so I drew the word for tomorrow.

The next Bingo word is: 15. Daylily Hemerocallis Summertime Splendor Let's see if we now have a winner! Jeanne

Bingo!

Way to go Emily....Congrats!!

Shirley, the first eagle was in a tree along the Portage river in pemberville, Ohio and the nest was a couple miles down the river road. The other was north of Toledo flying over I 75 near the Maumee river.

Congrats to Emily.

Congratulations, Emily! Happy you won and happy to complete the game, too. Annie is ahead on points when Bingo was called, so Annie wins the Points Game.

Ladies, I'll get your prizes mailed out next week. Thanks to everyone who played the game - definitely lots of fun!

Jeanne

Congratulations Annie and Emily!!!

I want to let everyone know that I am beginning to send out email or Houzz messages to verify your membership information. I didn't realize there is a quota on how many messages can be sent through Houzz so I hope others will receive my email without a problem. Just let me know if what I send for your review is correct or the updated information. Once I hear back from everyone (I hope by Feb. 2), I will get the revised full list to everyone. (It looks like that will happen through email.)

Jeanne

I've been gone for the last four days and just got back an hour ago. My envie was waiting for me. I will post contents tomorrow. Trying to unpack and get ready for work tomorrow. Thank you jayeanne. Margo

Thanks, Margo. All swaps have now been received and I think they were all wonderful. Our new year is filled with splendor!

Jeanne

Sorry I haven't been on, been having some internet problems, AGAIN, but they are resolved now. This is so stupid.

I still have one word left for Bingo, not that I'll win, just saying.

Jeanne, thank you for being the hostess for January. A great swap, as always!

Who is the hostess for February?

Shirley!

Shirley.....LOL!!! You will not win because Emily already took the BINGO prize!! She called it a few days ago......

Jeanne, THANKS so much for a wonderful month of New Year Splendor.....so enjoyed!!

Happy Monday!!

Annie

February host for FOTESS....just looked it up....the lucky host is Erica!!

I knew I wouldn't win.

It is me! Yes! I will probably be posting our Feb swap on Jan 31st, so keep an eye out!

Good evening, I am sorry it has taken me so long to post my envie. Jayeanne sent me a pretty sparkly snowflake card that she made. (I might add it was full of confetti, lol). She put in a pretty beaded bookmark and calendula, cucumber and african daisy seeds. I will make these a part of my new gardens this year. Thank you Jayeanne

Thanks to Jeanne for the fantastic month of fun. Margo

Prizes should go out tomorrow. Congratulations again, Emily and Annie!

Congratulations Annie, Emily and Heidi. Jeanne, thanks again for another great swap!

I got my prize, Jeanne. I really liked how you were able to combine splendor with Valentine’s Day. Thank you so much!

Jeanne, prize received!! Love it!! Yes, I am ready for Valentines day....a Valentines Day full of Splendor!!

Thank you very much!!

Annie