Scenes from the 4th of July

You can see the "Furry One" looking out the door.  :)

We had friends over for dinner Sunday afternoon and then a big 4th of July party for Christopher's friends on Monday.  Which meant days of preparation (mostly for the party) but it was all worth it.  We had a lovely time together on Sunday and the deck party on the 4th was enjoyed by all.

Most of my days were spent in the kitchen baking, cooking, and doing so many loads of dishes that my hands turned to prunes.  Okay, they just got all pruney... Word Check tells me there is no such word but I can assure you that they are pruney.

The guys did all the heavy duty deck cleaning, Miss M. started the decorations, and then I brought out a lot of my Americana accessories from the family room.

Here are some more pictures...

That's Stephanie's vintage fan that I have borrowed and yes... those are Coke bottles holding flags.

I bought the two plastic plates on clearance at Tuesday Morning last year.  The flag "fans" were purchased on clearance a few years ago... Wal Mart I think..

We were blessed with a rain free day.  It was hot but much less heat than earlier in the week.  Just minutes after these pictures were taken, the deck became crowded with hungry people!

Now... I plan to rest for two or three or four days.  ;)

New Year's Day

I love this holiday. It is not one associated with Mother Expectations.

Sub-zero wind chills but sunny...

Christopher bought pizzas for lunch...

The guys watched the University's team on TV... while I napped.

Dinner was cheese and crackers...

Then a solitary evening Tea Time with cinnamon toast and Candy Cane Lane tea...
and
Celtic Women on PBS...

It doesn't get much better than that... I am rested.

Top Picture: Feathered Friends by Mary Smith; allposters.com

Bottom Picture:
Teapot from thrift shop last year; 
matching teacup found at Goodwill last week... 
happy thrifter.

When you think you have nothing to give

Earlier today I wrote how those who "have" at this time can help their friends and family who "have not". So... I wanted to share how you can give when you are the "have not".

In our materialistic society, we most often think we have to make a purchase to give or the gift is will not be appreciated. Actually, I have found that not to be true in most cases. Yes, there are those around who may not appreciate fresh baked cookies but let's be honest... do you want those people as friends? So they are family and you are stuck with them... pray for their materialism and offer them a cookie, anyway. They may learn someday.

Here are some ways I've learned to be a giver, even with a very limited income...

When I do have "extra" cash, I stock the pantry (shelves, frig, deep freeze) with simple items which... when mixed together... create magic (Narnia magic). Isn't it absolutely remarkable the number of recipes which can be made from: eggs, butter, milk or cream, various sugars, flour, flavor extracts, nuts, dried fruit, yeast, etc.?

Throughout the year I'm always looking for inexpensive containers, suitable for giving gifts of baked goods. For instance, last year I hit a clearance sale at Wal Mart and purchased a couple dozen pretty red trays for a dime each. I gave many of them to Stephanie as a gift since she often takes baked goods to people.

When I can get a good deal on fresh fruits, I like to "can" jellies and jams. People love these.

A blog friend sent me honey and homemade soap from her farm... LOVED it!

Other gifts I give with little or no money:

Books from the book sales or purchased with Amazon credit.
Items purchased at garage sales and while thrifting that I know people would love.
A pretty mug or teacup from my own collection with a box of favorite tea or hot chocolate.
A basket filled with a favorite snack (like puppy chow... yum) made "from scratch".

I used to make teddy bears, angels, small quilts, and other sewn items.
My first gift to my husband (before he was my husband) was a crocheted scarf... which he still has. :)
I've given a gift of recipe cards written with favorite family recipes.
My daughter received a "cookbook" from our good friend for a wedding gift that she had written with their favorite recipes... all printed from her computer.

Stuff to do as gifts

Offer to babysit the kiddies.
Sit with an elderly or ill person so their caregiver can get relief.
Read to someone who can't read for themselves... young or old.
Offer to scrub a floor or paint a room.
Trim bushes and trees for someone who can no longer get around easily.

Put up a Christmas tree for a friend who is not handy about such things.
Share extra decorations (that you no longer need or want) with a friend who has none.
Hang the Christmas lights for the elderly neighbor who can no longer hang them.

Write letters to people who would love to hear from you.
Send a pretty card to an elderly relative or friend.
Give forgiveness to someone who needs to hear those words.

Listen to a teenager, really listen.
Ask an elderly relative to share family history and write it down.
Collect family recipes and type them into the computer... give copies to loved ones.

Encourage your children to draw pictures for Grandma and Grandpa... and send them.

If you have a green thumb, take starts from your flowers (in season) and start them in your home, give to a neighbor or family member when they are ready.

Ask your kids for ideas, they tend to be quite creative!

The season of giving

I hope you had a good Thanksgiving. We went out for a fun celebration today, thanks to a gift card given by our pastor. Not only did we enjoy our meal "out" but it meant less dishes for me! Now, that is a a real gift. :)

Which reminds me, I've been asked so often what one can do to reach out to others during Christmas. I've been hesitant to write about it because I don't want anyone to think I'm asking for something. However, knowing so many people are in need right now, I thought I'd answer questions.

I can not begin to tell you what your giving may do for an individual or family. Don't ever underestimate giving... whether a small amount or a larger gift. You are the hands of God in another's life for you are the answer to prayer.

Your gift may keep another from the depths of despair and help them realize God loves them enough to place their needs on another's heart.

- Don't ever feel you will offend someone by giving. Many people in this economy are praying for help and you may just be the answer to those prayers.

- Don't assume everyone is getting government help, most are not. Even if they do receive some government assistance, it usually is not very much... at least with the people I've known.

- Don't judge those who are in need. There for the grace of God Himself... you may be someday.

- Even if another person or family is in need because of their own actions... remember the children. There are ways to directly help the kids.

How can you help?

- Cash, money orders, gift cards, wrapped gifts... all are good in different circumstances.

- Cash or a gas station gift card are always needed by those in need.

- Moms and Dads with limited (or no) income would love a chance to shop for their kids gifts. By giving a gift card as early as this week, you will be the answer to a parent's prayer.

- If you are concerned about your gift going to the children, offer to take a parent (or older sibling) shopping and hand them a gift card to the store when you arrive or pay for the items yourself - or- shop for groceries or give a gift of a grocery store gift card (some stores will not allow alcohol to be purchased with gift cards).

-If you know what a person loves, give them a wrapped gift. So many people in need have nothing under the tree Christmas morning.

- If you want to give a gift of cash but remain anonymous, ask your pastor if the church can act as a "middle man"... you give the check to the church and then they cut a check for the family. We received a couple of gifts like this in past years. Of course, we spent the day wondering who the giver was. :)

- Otherwise... don't worry about being anonymous.

- Provide a gift subscription to their favorite magazine which they will enjoy each time it arrives.

- If a family in need are close friends whose company you enjoy (and they enjoy spending time with you), then take them out for a special meal together. Let them know ahead of time that you will be paying and that their friendship is the only gift you want from them. If needed, provide a babysitter. :)

-Even fast food gift cards are wonderful for those with limited income.

- Elderly friends would love a gift of service... mowing the lawn or clearing snow off the walkway; a few baked goods; an offer to drive them when needed; an offer to fix something broken around the house (if you have skills)... often their needs may not require money but someone with more physical ability and youth. :)

- Purchase tickets to a special concert or the Nutcracker Ballet for those who love music.

- Teenagers would love a gift card or certificate to their favorite clothing store, which will go even farther in after Christmas sales.

- If you want to go together with more people to assemble a huge blessing... a wonderful gift is to put together a few gift cards... examples: a grocery store, a favorite restaurant, Target, Meijer, or Wal Mart, a bookstore or Amazon (if you know they have computer access), a favorite coffee shop, a movie theater, gas station, hobby or sewing shop, gourmet or tea shop, etc.

- Never ever think a gift is too small. Even $5.00 placed in a card may provide milk for the children.

- Of course, it is so much fun to do the shopping yourself for others and arrive at their home with the gifts already wrapped.

- Give a gift to a friend's pet from your own... kibble, canned food, and kitty litter are always welcome (although in the case of pets, it is a good thing to ask what brands they use since some animals only eat what they are used to... a lot like teenagers).

- We were blessed this year with a turkey and canned goods (although I ended up putting the turkey in the freezer to have for Christmas since I was not well).

- Remember strangers this time of year. Many homeless shelters have programs where people can give practical "gifts" to those in need. Quite often the Salvation Army can help locate a good place to give. Also, pastors and youth leaders often know specific needs where you can give while remaining anonymous.

- We loved to assemble the Christmas Shoeboxes when Christopher was younger. Most cities have various Angel Trees and similar programs to purchase for families in need.


I must admit it is more fun to be the person doing the giving. When we had the opportunity, I loved putting together something fun for friends going through a hard time. :)

Pantry Talk: The Holiday kitchen as ministry (Part 2... kind of)

My further ponderings are once again about the kitchen as ministry. For hundreds of years, the knowledge that women were in the kitchen preparing delicious meals and treats during Advent brought smiles on the faces of family and friends. (In some homes, it was Dad or Grandfather who did the baking.) It has only been in the most recent generations that cooking "from scratch" has become a lost art in many homes.

I used to apologize about giving baked goods as presents until I realized people anticipated them each year. I have written about my own favorite childhood gift as my family would look forward to the homemade candy Bonnie's mother-in-law made each year. I've long forgotten most gifts received but I can close my eyes and almost taste that candy.

We may not reach the crowds like Billy Graham or minister to the poorest of the poor as Mother Theresa . However, there is something about the aromas coming from the kitchen that instantly bring comfort to others. We minister to our own family and friends when we offer delicious food, our best offerings of the Season.

There is a reason we love to look through magazines this time of year. So often the pictures are of beautifully set tables, or platters of decorated cookies and cakes, or scenes of loving family and happy friends enjoying food and drink. Perhaps not always reality... but images of what we would like our Holidays to look like.

This is the time of year to put on the apron and look through the spattered index cards for our favorite recipes, those which Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, or Christmas would not be complete if they were not on the table. How important it is to have traditions, those things "we always do" because we are "insert family name".

We all have certain menus or recipes which remind us of a grandparent, parent, friend, and other family members. It is not too soon to make the phone call or e-mail to ask (beg?) favorite traditional recipes from those who have prepared them for us year after year.

While this post is not a what... as in what items to stock up on in the pantry... I hope you will see the why. As you collect the butter, and sugar, and flour, and vanilla... or put together the breakfast casserole the night before... as you baste the turkey and stir the gravy... you are doing something much more important than "just cooking". You are creating fragrant and delicious memories for the years to come.

In a former neighborhood, one of the Dads made a pecan pie each year for friends. It has been nearly nine years since we lived at that address but my family talks about those pies every Christmas.

By placing the candy in a pretty container and cookies on a decorative plate, with a card reminding the receiver this gift is given with love, you are not only baking but offering a remembrance of Holidays past. You... the cook and baker... will not always understand the uniqueness of your gift... but most of your recipients are grateful for that which is homemade.

Never underestimate the delightful gifts of baked goods, home canned jars filled with fruit jams and jellies or pickles and salsa from summer's garden. Perhaps placed in a pretty basket with a favorite book or little New Testament to share the One whose Birthday we celebrate. He who is more than a memory. :)

4th of July - Happy Birthday America!

Okay, I had to post Faith's birthday picture last night. She is so cute, we call her "Tigger" because she is always bouncing around. I have this feeling she may think the entire country celebrates her birthday for awhile, and... yes... she looks so much like her mom did at that age... and me... and Mamaw... generations. :)

I was so excited when Faith was born on the 4th of July. It is such a wonderful holiday. The "American Experiment" is, my friends, (or perhaps... was), a miracle. Forget the revisionist teaching of history in our public schools these days.

Study the American Revolution from good books. America is and was a miracle.

There is just no human reason the rag tag army should have won the revolution. The true stories of the revolution are inspirational and wonderful to read. My sister, Jean, doesn't believe in reading biographies or autobiographies. She thinks they are more fiction than those modern novels she reads.

However, as any good homeschool emeritus type person knows... you get a very good idea of a time and place in history when you read multiple authors (as well as the original documents, diaries, and letters). These men and women were far from perfect but through them a country like no other was born... a melting pot from other countries.

We had our family 4th of July celebration yesterday when Christopher stopped by for Mom's cooking and grilling. Thus... the picture of the strawberry rhubarb pie above (strawberries and rhubarb were both on sale!). I made extra potato salad so C. could take some back to where he is living.

What are we doing on the 4th? We're going to a tea party. :)

Memorial Day

To all of those who gave their time away from family. Thank you...

To the families who gave up their loved ones, who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. God bless you.

The families will remember. We will remember.

Freedom has never... ever... ever... been free.

Picture: War Bonds Iwo Jima; allposters.com

Scenes from Easter Sunday

Setting the table

Congratulations to the winner of the teapot and teacup. The name is in the previous post, just scroll down. I used one of those random generators to find the number.

We had a quiet Easter with a very early dinner served so Christopher could study most of the day on campus.

I love using "great grandmother's china" every Easter, just as my mother-in-law did when she hosted Easter dinners. I love this china, especially in Spring. The flowers are from my back yard.

It's funny to me what a beautifully set table will do to make a Holiday special. My son had so much studying to do that he originally said he would have to eat leftovers in the evening instead of staying home for an Easter "dinner" (really a lunch).

I set the table with Great Grandmother's china and placed the platters and other serving dishes where they would be located. He changed his mind and studied in his room until dinner and then drove to campus for a quiet study room. (Oh, for the days when Spring break was still during Easter week.)

Tradition is lovely and when it involves food and a pretty table... even a young man will change his plans. The Easter bunny almost forgot to give him his basket. Yes, we do the "Easter bunny thing".

I'm so much like Miss Potter, I talk to inanimate objects and animals... the family has considered counseling but they figure it's harmless... or so they hope.

Although I saw a great quote on a church this week, "The Easter Bunny did not raise from the dead". Which put everything in balance. :)

I Have a Dream

Just part of the speech is given here,
it still gives me goosebumps...

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

New Year's Eve

Hello, my friends. I was able to get some grocery shopping done this morning and (with the help of a quick nap) did some more decluttering. This bug still has a hold on me but I'm now treating it with a little more respect than I did before. That is... I'm resting and taking life slower for a few days. I thought I was just having trouble getting over the cold but now I'm positive we are all dealing with a flu virus.

There is always a lot of illness going around this time of year but it definitely seems there are more than usual this December. We've been trying to get together with my sister, Bonnie, and her husband for weeks. She had to call and cancel this morning, saying she was now ill. Hmmm... time to up the Vitamin C!

It felt strange to turn down work at the bookstore for the beginning of the semester. However, given all the germs going around... it was the wisest thing to do. I could turn into Monk. :)

Christopher plans to spend this evening with his friends. The older generation in the house may watch an old movie on TV. I did purchase a favorite Italian sandwich at the grocery store deli, one that is heated at home. That and packaged tossed salad will be our dinner this evening. I hope to cook a special meal for the guys tomorrow.

I'll write more ponderings about the new year tomorrow or Friday. However, I want to thank you so much for your friendship, comments, e-mails (some of which I still need to return lately), etc. With nearly 2 1/2 years of blogging and way over 1,000 posts behind me... the nicest thing about blogs and blogging is meeting... you.

Most of us share the same Christian beliefs but some of us don't. We all share a desire to live life on purpose, caring for family and friends, knowing what we give is what we also receive... creating and enjoying beauty on a budget, the love of books, tea from dainty cups and coffee from huge mugs, and I'm hearing more of you are sharing my passion for "deepening the pantry".

It has been interesting to see numbers go slightly up and down on my rss feeds (and what can make them go down a bit). However, there has been an upward trend since the beginning... which amazes me that I can sit here and share ponderings and people actually READ them. Thank you. :)

Added: I just couldn't help the colorful late-Spring header. Once Christmas is past, I am so ready for Spring.

Picture: The Warmth of Autumn, Susan Rios; Pierside gallery

Happy Hanukkah

Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish and Messianic friends

Pictures: Menorah With Toys; allposters.com

Packing away autumn

How soon it went!

He prepares a table before me

I'm using my blog to show the New England contingent our Thanksgiving festivities. As I LOVE to be nosey and see what other people do, I'm sure most of you won't mind.

It was the above verse from Psalms 23 that I thought of as I called the guys to the dinner table today. I had overheard Christopher tell a friend that we wouldn't have as much this year for Thanksgiving as we usually did.

I smiled as he said that for I knew something he didn't know... God's provision... He literally did prepare a table for us.

Imagine their surprise when they saw this. :)


Below is my second attempt at making a pumpkin pie. I'll tell you later how this will be the year of "Mom's spacing it" while baking.

It is truly funny and I must say the second time was a charm and produced a better looking pie (and definitely the best TASTING).

Hubby teased me about the "falling leaves" on the pumpkin pie. He thought it a very "Martha" thing to do. I asked him where he thought I got the idea! I had extra pie crust and cute little autumn cookie cutters and the rest is history.

Those soup bowls were purchased on clearance at Tuesday Morning last year (if I remember, for sixty cents each... they had been very expensive). I used them for the dessert.

They looked good with my Goodwill transfer ware dishes (LOVE these dishes, will be on the lookout for more transfer ware at thrift stores). The silverware is silver plated, got the entire set at a garage sale over a year ago now. It belonged to the woman's mother but she didn't want to have to mess with it, anymore. Sigh...

Yes, those are paper napkins. I always use cloth napkins but I just loved those turkey paper napkins so I decided to use them this year.

Hubby helped with the dishes but I'm worn out. The guys are watching some football Top Ten shows right now so I'm going to brew myself a cup of tea and read. After two days of cooking (and two attempts at pumpkin pie... sheesh), it is time to rest.

I'm glad I went to that much trouble, especially as the Lord made such a lovely provision. Jean and I have talked a great deal about the need for presenting just as beautiful a table for two or three as if we were having a crowd over for a Holiday.

(That is Jean, my sister who lives in Tampa... Jean who comments, I hope you made yourself a pretty meal even though you were alone.)

Tomorrow... Christmas decorating! Today... rest and leftovers.

By the way, the tablecloth didn't look that wrinkled in person. :)

Let it go

One of my former pastors used to preach the same sermon at the beginning of each Holiday season. He reminded everyone that Holidays for some were times of great stress because you have to be with family and you can't choose family.

I must admit I didn't always look forward to the many (many) years of Thanksgiving with my in-laws for they could be quite critical people. However, once I got there I often had a good time and I think Stephanie has very nice memories of Thanksgiving and Easter at Grandma and Grandpas house. I choose to forget the strained conversations and remember that which was happy.

My family could be really weird and loopy but they were a hugging, kissing, and lovin' kind of weird. I wasn't very close to them after I married. Partly because I lived away most years, a lot had to do with the age difference, and then again... different values. Most were party people with Jack Daniel's as a close friend.

As they grew older, most of them mellowed. A few came to know Christ as Saviour. I prayed for all. Some relationships changed completely. Bonnie's husband was a thorn in my flesh for most of my adult life. Illness and a new found faith changed him. We now count them as close friends as well as family. Never give up praying, for even that one who seems the most unlikely can change completely.

They're mostly gone now. I was born into a large family but very soon each married and started their own life. By the time I started school, none were around as much as they once had been. I miss them very much. I think back and realize the last time I saw each one, I didn't know it would be the last.

Bonnie is my only relative I see very often and since her husband has been ill and can't leave home easily, we don't get together often. We're in the process of working a time to see each other now.

My husband's brother called yesterday. Each December he picks up their sister and drives her back to the town where he lives for a week. He is divorced with no children, she never married. For his Christmas present to his siblings, he usually meets us at a very nice restaurant near the Interstate on their way going to or coming from their home town.

This year he has lost a lot of money in the stock market crash and asked if we'd mind meeting at someplace cheaper. I told him one of our very, very favorite places to go is Cracker Barrel for breakfast... at a fraction of the cost he'd pay for the other place. We're still working out the details on that.

So, for those who still have a lot of family around these Holidays... hug them... lots. I have advice on keeping those family celebrations calm.

Breath in. Breath out. Let it go... Decide ahead of time that there are roads you are not going down this year, regardless of conversations going on around you. Just let it go...

For love will always trump opinions and prayer will change their hearts.

Picture: Sharing Grandma's Cookies; allposters.com

November 22 through time and history

Christopher before he got his hair cut last fall.
This was his "Bjorn Borg" look. :)

Abigail Adams was born...

John F. Kennedy died...

C. S. Lewis died...

My sister and her husband were married...

and most important of all... my son was born!

Happy Birthday, Christopher!!! It can't possibly be nineteen years ago that you came into this world.

We love you very much (even your sister).

(One of his friends took this lopsided picture.)

Signs of a new season

I thought it quite funny when I was reading through some blogs and saw this morning's post on High Desert Home. You can visit there by clicking on... Indoor Signs of Winter.

For that is the same thought I have had for the last few days, except I've been looking out the window, too. (All pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them.)

I can now see my neighbor's barn from my porch.
This picture was taken from the fence on the country road.

Some of my porch "furniture" has been brought inside.
It will soon have Christmas items displayed.

The rocking chair from the porch is now in the family room so the family room rocking chair is now in the living room... did I go too fast on that one?

The centerpiece for Thanksgiving dinner has been made. All the pieces collected over many years, all items originally quite expensive but purchased at garage sales and thrift stores for a song.

(That oval platter retails for $100.00 and I got it for $5.00 at a garage sale in Detroit.) Yes, it is indeed possible to have beautiful things on a budget. :)

Just experimenting with these particular ornaments in a silver bowl.
I like the look.

Another experiment using vintage ornaments found while thrifting.
I saw something like this in a country decorating magazine.
Loving this look, too.

Added Note: I realized if you don't click on the picture of my living room and see that it is a CAT on the sofa, it looks kinda' like a skunk. Sorry Sash... but you really do. :)

In honor of my Vietnam Veteran

Thank you

May you all now have the honor you deserved
but did not receive
when you came home from war

Happy Veteran's Day

Picture: Vietnam Reflections; allposters.com

Rosh Hashanah

A very blessed New Year to my Jewish friends.

Happy Birthday Faith!

Faith with Uncle Christopher just last month

If David is our Hobbit, Faith is Tigger. Tigger's bounce everywhere and so does Faithy.

It is hard to believe it has now been three years since that phone call on July 4th, telling us about this delightful girl (who has now completely stolen her granddad's heart) born on her due date of all things.

When we were at the cottage, she would come up to me and tell me, "Granddad says I cute!". Hehehe... Okay, she does look a lot like her mommy at that age and she was Daddy's Little Girl. :) But Faith is entirely able to win us over on her own, she is so sweet and cute... even if she does wear us out more than any child I've known since her Uncle was that age.

We love you Faith and the entire nation is celebrating your birthday! Okay, so someday you will know that is not true but it is nice to be three years old and think so, anyway.

Happy Mother's Day!

I'll be back later in the day with a Sunday Afternoon Tea post. However, I did so want to wish everyone a blessed Mother's Day. We rarely go out to lunch or dinner on this day since the restaurants are so busy. We may go out Monday, using an Applebee's gift card my hubby received as a birthday present.

Christopher surprised me with this after I picked him up from work Saturday evening (he couldn't wait to give it to me today). It is a really cute Vera Bradley shoulder bag, just the right size when running errands. I trained that boy right. He purchased it on sale at the bookstore. :)

We appear to be in the midst of a monsoon season in the Midwest. I'd like to know when my beautiful May weather is coming back. I think even the farmers have had enough rain.

May your day be blessed. I'll be back later!

Picture: Small Comforts; allposters.com