5 thing Friday - lapis ring, crockpot chicken, books, cross stitch, Mom's yard

When I was 16, my mother went to San Francisco for a few weeks to learn Ultrasound.  While she was there, she purchased this lapis, intending to set it in a ring someday.  At age 19, I took it to a jeweler and had it set for her in 14kt gold.  To my knowledge, she never wore it, even though she was thrilled to receive it as a Christmas gift. 

I have seen it in her jewelry box for years.  Full circle moment:  it is now my ring, and I have been wearing it here and there, just feeling that connection with her.  Most of the jewelry I inherited from her is hard to wear.  I treasure these items, but I know I would not be able to own them without her death.   

Change of subject.

This chicken recipe from The Crockpot Lady, served alongside a chopped kale and cabbage salad, buttery rice on the side, was a fantastic meal this week. Bubbie told me it tasted like Christmas - the recipe includes allspice and cinnamon.

The Goodwill I shop at is small, but when it comes to the book section, its the place to go!  The lady who works there is so nice that it makes for an enjoyable half an hour, picking up new books to read.  My goal lately is to carve out more time reading, less time scrolling.

  

I would also love to start a new cross stitch project and I am inspired by the pretty projects posted by an old friend.  I am hoping she may share her patterns with me because sketching them out from a photo is challenging!

The evolution of Mom's yard the past few months:

{photos courtesy of nosy neighbor across the street}

Overgrown and neglected yard.

The executor hired a yard crew to mow, remove trash, and cut the oleanders way back - it really needed this.

100+ year old tree, as seen from Mom's driveway before.

Some 20 feet up is the remains of a wire clothesline.

Disaster struck when a storm blew through just as the executor was going to list the house for sale - my mother would have been devastated at the damage to her home and the loss of this tree.

Tree removed, repairs to garage and house being made, yard to be re-sodded.

Tree crisis managed - now will the house sell?

Its like its all still hanging over our heads and we won't truly be able to move on until the estate is settled, once and for all.

Gina