Happy New Year!

I like celebrating the New Year ... I love to imagine the possibilities!  There are those goals you plan and prepare for ... but the future also brings surprises!

Mr. DD and I don't usually do resolutions, but our fur babies have!  Nissa has resolved to keep growing ...

... and smiling!  She also promises to take me on hundreds of dillydally walks in 2016.

Flicka plans to continue her supervisory responsibilities ... which require her to participate in all of my dillydally activities!

She also plans to do the same with Nissa ... hmmm, I'll keep you posted on how that progresses!  Yep ... that is trepidation you see on Nissa's face ... for good reason!

My wish for you ... embrace 2016 ... believe in the magic of beginnings ... Happy New Year!

Do more of what you love!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

A Box of Kindness!

As the new year approaches, the lyrics of Auld Lang Syne come to mind ... "we'll take a cup of kindness yet" ... recently I received a box of kindness from Metro QBee Mary Ellen!

I first met Mary Ellen in 2010 at an event sponsored by Rosebud's Cottage, back when my dillydally philosophy and lifestyle were just evolving!  Mary Ellen is a true kindred spirit ... I like to tell her that we are sisters from different parents!  

This beautiful box arrived ... that holiday anticipation we felt as children ... it returned upon opening this box ... I could feel the treasure it held!

That treasure begins with the gift of thoughtfulness ... one of life's greatest comforts is knowing that someone thought of you!  Each parcel came with a note ...

... a super sweet holiday pin cushion!

A mini version of Mary Ellen to add to my cheerleading squad here in DillyDallydom!

Perfect!  Mary Ellen has an infectious giggle ... we roomed together during the DillyDally Trail event ... one giant giggle fest!

She does a lot of charity work for a fundraising event that benefits an intercity elementary school.  Love the cowboy boot themed zipper pull and hand knit bottle topper!  Too fun!

We're both Minnesota girls ... forever loyal to the Betty Crocker of our childhood!

Mary Ellen is a true treasure hunter ... she combs through garage sales and antique stores professionally.  Mr. DD has cautioned me that I shouldn't make reference to any wants on any social media sites because Mary Ellen will make it her personal mission to locate it!  ;-)  She really is resourceful ... as evidenced in this post during the Minnesota Shop Hop in 2011!

What a hoot!  Halloween cannot come fast enough, so I wore this last night when Brother and Girlfriend came for dinner!  And no, I had not been drinking cocktails all afternoon ... I think they suspected as much ... Mr. DD just gives me that knowing look ... too fun!  Am going to come up with a way to use this in our guild's Quilter's Anonymous group!  Sew fun!

Mary Ellen belongs to a quilt guild in Wisconsin near her cabin ... I love hearing about their activities.  It really inspires me with ideas for our local guild.  She gifted me with a membership ... I think I should plan to attend at least one meeting!  I need to see what I can do to make that happen in 2016!

My mother always sent me coloring books every Christmas ... this is the first one I've received since her passing in 2006!  Choked back tears when I opened this ... so touching!

Flicka was most interested in the antique kitty greeting card ... she also felt Mary Ellen's warmheartedness!

A box filled with kindness ...

... I am blessed and grateful for the friendship Mary Ellen has brought into my life!  For "Auld Lang Syne" ... I treasure the adventures we've shared and am sure there will be future escapades!

Do what you love!  Appreciate kindness!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally 

   

Merry Christmas 2015

"May Christmas lend a special charm
To all you chance to do.
And may the season light your way
To hopes and dreams anew."
                           -- Garnett Anne Schultz, "My Christmas Wish"

Puppy Shenanigans!

Our days are short ... getting light around 9:30 am and darkness falling by 3:30 pm.  A seven month old puppy has an abundance of energy ...

... multiply that energy by two ...

... and you have none stop entertainment and shenanigans!  We puppy-sat Ari last weekend, it was busy in the most wonderful way possible!

Yesterday, Nissa and I decided to celebrate the winter solstice by spending the afternoon out the road.

Fresh snow had fallen ... and Nissa loves playing in it!

And ... look what her nose found!  Fresh bear tracks!  I couldn't believe it!  I guess this bear missed the memo about hibernation!

While taking a picture, I dropped a mitten.  Nissa snatched it ...

... and the game of "Catch Me If You Can" began!  She is such a delight ... her enthusiasm is infectious!

As Christmas approaches ... the busyness accelerates ... I am busy finishing gifts ...

... with a lot of puppy assistance shenanigans!  Of course!

Do what you love.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Holiday Sewing!

I remain immersed in covert, 007 holiday sewing operations ...

... and cannot share much at this time!

Honestly ... I am not complaining ... this is normal behavior for me.  I really do enjoy it and wouldn't have it any other way!

I am unable to even show hints of the fabric I am using, as that will give too much away ... so I have resorted to posting boring pictures like this on instagram ... to prove that I am alive!

In other dillydally news ... it has gotten colder and our days continue to get shorter.  The light this time of year always intrigues me ... I actually enjoy it.

We have gotten snow!  I hope we get more and that it remains over the holidays!

That's about all I can share at this point.  I love the season and all the hectic sewing ... it is ... after all ... a holiday tradition here in DillyDallydom!

Do what you love.  Sew like crazy!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Cheerleaders

Tis the season of zoom-zoom living ...

... in all the busyness I find the need for quiet contemplation.

It is hard to believe that nine years ago my mother left this earth for her heavenly reward.

It is true ... mothers have special magical powers.  When we're little, their kisses make pain magically disappear!  Mothers do make everything better!  They encourage, inspire, and empower us!  

A mother's support and love is unconditional!  My mother was my coach and head cheerleader.  She believed in me when I doubted my abilities!  Losing her altered my life on so many levels, I had lost my anchor.  Her passing was the catalyst that inspired me to develop the principles of the dillydally lifestyle I promote and try to live.

One of the fundamental dillydally principals is to surround yourself with people who impact you positively!  We are surrounded by people in every aspect of our lives ... look for the cheerleaders!  Serve as a cheerleader for others!

I have shared my thoughts and beliefs on this before ...  here ... as well as here!  When you let go of negative influences ... it is liberating!   It allows more space in your life for the cheerleaders that come along to share your journey.

Too often, I took my mother's support for granted.  We have a habit of doing that ... not any longer for me.  After losing my mother, I value and appreciate the Cheerleaders in my silly dillydally life!  It is an amazing comfort to find those who "get you"!  Empathy, insight and encouragement are precious gifts from our cheer squad ... receiving and giving these gifts are equally empowering!

Love knows no boundaries, I still feel my mother's love and support.  Nothing can replace that relationship, but having allowed new cheerleaders to join my journey is life altering as well!  I am so grateful for the strength they contribute to my life.

Thank your cheerleaders!  They are such a blessing!  Be a cheerleader!  Be a blessing in the lives of others!  Live the dillydally lifestyle!

Do what you love.  Cheer for one another!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

A Thankful Heart!

It has been a week ... but my heart is lingering in the spirit of Thanksgiving.

We kept the celebration small ... the simplicity made it wonderful!  Brother and Girlfriend DD split the cooking responsibilities with us!  That really lightened our intimate holiday.

The four of us leisurely enjoyed appetizers and cocktails while puppies played and the turkey roasted.

On an earlier post, I mentioned the arrival of a dillydally brainstorm ... well, we celebrated the results Thanksgiving Day!

Flicka was involved from the beginning ...

... stitches were cast on and knit ...

... gourds, squash and pumpkins came to life ...

... each one carefully inspected ...

... until our harvest was finally complete!

I used them to decorate our place settings ...

... their modest simplicity mirrored our day.  Family, fur babies and food ... the simple things that make life wonderful!  I am so very grateful for all that is part of my dillydally life.  My heart is full!

Do what you love.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally