Blushing Rose

~ Sweet Moments ~ Love Is ... Memory Lane

2012-01-29T00:26:00.000-08:00

Enjoying each season for its reason, I truly look forward to that gorgeous white fluffy flaky stuff.

As a child I would pray for snow & promise God I'd do something special if He would blanket us for Christmas. Now this rarely occurred in WA ST.

This one year ('49) we had a blizzard like no tomorrow. It was splendid, a child's delight. We could barely see over the top of
the shoveled walkway piles of snow. We 5 would build forts & snowmen & snow angels ... hours of cold fun, wet gloves & snow down inside our goulashes. Still we were relentless in staying outside to play. I can't tell you how much fun it was shoveling neighbors sidewalks for a paltry 25 cents (we thought we were rich). And deelish snow ice cream ... can't have winter without it!

Our neighbors teenage sons decided to build a snowman that
beats all snowmen. It was approx. 12' high. I remember them
asking Mother permission to roll the snowballs in/from our yard.

They then hollowed out the center of the snowman, put a ladder inside & pelted snow balls out the eyes/mouth/nose, at passersby.

It was quite the sight, we kids all delighted in the huge snowman ... & it took months for that fella to melt. I remember we walked down to see the last remnants, sadly.

Please join Donna @ brynwood needleworks for Memory Lane Monday.

Our Love Is... ladies ~
Sherry
Anne

PRAYERS ~ Saddle Up For A Country Winter Ride ~

2012-01-27T05:00:00.000-08:00

Nothing more peaceful than a winter's day

***Kerrie @ kerrieskorner.blog
Her prince Bill (her husband)
entered the kingdom of
Heaven to be with God. Please pray
for her.

Decked out in her finest whites

Glistening in the ice coating like diamonds

The gently rippling creeks whispering

Winding thru the awesome countryside

Softly

The resting earth blanketed

Dressed with breathtaking creatures

Spectacular vintage barns stately adorn
the land

Surrounded by white fencing & a manure
cart awaiting the spring

The lightening rods piercing the skies

Adorned with beautiful artwork (probably because we are in Boyds Bear country)

Towering Gettysburg Battlefield memorial

And canons profoundly honor the fallen

That gave their blood for us, brother against brother, father against son ...

Lovely mural honoring the founders of
Emmitsburg MD.

Rolling hills surround the feeding cattle

~ The Greatest Sound Ever To Be Heard ... ~

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Wellllllllll, almost!

It has been a very long 5 weeks ...

Minimal usage ...

A beautiful sight to behold ...

And one muddy mess in the process ..

Lead to the sweetest sound ...

Flush! Flush! Flush! Oh, yes! We can flush, once again.

~ Just For BJ ~ Yummies & Prayers

2012-01-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

Yummy breakfast is ALWAYS a good cup of steeping hot tea & delicious home baked cookies. Everything else comes second ...
right?

Next in line would be cold leftover pizza ... yum!

Please pray for Kerrie & Bill, as he travels
his final earthly journey. We have shared
wonderful moments with them, they are beautiful people. Kerries Korner in SC

Every time I go to my heart Dr. I take a cake or cookies to this precious man, & staff. Dr. Alan LOVES coconut so I always try to find a new recipe that uses coconut.

Seldom do I share a recipe but for sweet BJ @ sweet nothings ... honey, this is the palate delight.

Join our Love Is... ladies ~
Sherry
Anne

Chewy Lime & Coconut Sugar Cookies

2 3/4 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened (Do NOT set it on your foot stool in front of the heater to speed up the soften! It costs a fortune to have the melted butter that ran down the front, cleaned from the fabric!! Sigh!)
1 1/2 c sugar
1 larg egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Zest of one large lime
3 Tbsp lime juice
1/2 cup toasted coconut
1/2 cup sugar for rolling cookies

Over 350.
Line cookie sheets with parchment
In small bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder & salt
Using a mixer, beat together butter & sugar until smooth & very fluffy. Takes a couple minutes.
Beat in egg, vanilla, lime juice & lime zest. Mix well.
Gradually add in dry ingredients & toasted coconut. Mix until combined, don't over mix.
Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of cookie dough into balls. Put sugar in a small bowl & roll cookie dough balls in the sugar. Place on lined cookies sheets about 1 1/2" apart.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. The cookies will start to crack a little bit.
Let stand on cookie sheet 2 mins. Then move to cooling rack.

** To toast coconut place on lined baking sheet, bake for 5 to 8 minutes at 350, tossing a couple times. Remove when light brown.

FROSTING ~
Take a couple Tbsp. butter softened (sometimes I melt it instead). Add to a softened 8 oz cream cheese. Beat with mixer until smooth. Then add some fresh lime juice, maybe 2 Tbsp. or so. Now start adding the powdered sugar (no way to measure this, just keep adding) until you have a creamy but firm spreadable frosting. Occasionally, I will add just a wee bit of coconut also. Glob it on there.

**COOKIE & FROSTING Variations ~
We also made them using orange extract & orange zest. Everyone went wild over them both. Even almond would be fabulous.

~ Albino Hummingbird ~

2012-01-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen an albino hummingbird? Fifteen-year-old Marlin Shank took lots of lovely photographs of this rare white ruby-throated hummingbird he saw at a park in Staunton, Virginia.
~ Enjoy! ~

Thank you Cathy for sharing this.

A true albino hummingbird, one that has white feathers & pink eyes, feet & bill; is
extremely rare. Only a few true albino
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been reported.

Albinism is a genetic condition that results in a lack of pigmentation in the skin, hair, scales or feathers of an animal. Typically an albino creature has blood-red eyes, which adds to its odd, otherwordly appearance.

It's a relatively rare condition, and photographing such an quick-moving example of it as this albino hummingbird is a rare feat indeed. (Animal Planet)

Black Eyed Pea History ~ Civil War

2012-01-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

History of the Black Eyed Pea Tradition

"The Real Story is much more interesting and has gone untold in fear that feelings would be hurt. It's a story of war, the most brutal and bloody war, military might and power pushed upon civilians, women, children and elderly. Never seen as a war crime, this was the policy of the greatest nation on earth trying to maintain that status at all costs. An unhealed wound remains in the hearts of some people of the southern states even today; on the other hand, the policy of slavery has been an open wound that has also been slow to heal but is okay to talk about.

The story of THE BLACK EYED PEA being considered good luck relates directly back to Sherman's Bloody March to the Sea in late 1864. It was called The Savannah Campaign and was lead by Major General William T. Sherman. The Civil War campaign began on 11/15/64 when Sherman 's troops marched from the captured city of Atlanta, Georgia, and ended at the port of Savannah on 12/22/1864.

When the smoke cleared, the southerners who had survived the onslaught came out of hiding. They found that the blue belly aggressors that had looted and stolen everything of value and everything you could eat including all livestock, death and destruction were everywhere. While in hiding, few had enough to eat, and starvation was now upon the survivors.

There was no international aid, no Red Cross meal trucks. The Northern army had taken everything they could carry and eaten everything they could eat. But they couldn't take it all. The devastated people of the south found for some unknown reason that Sherman 's bloodthirsty troops had left silos full of black eyed peas.

At the time in the north, the lowly black eyed pea was only used to feed stock. The northern troops saw it as the thing of least value. Taking grain for their horses and livestock and other crops to feed themselves, they just couldn't take everything. So they left the black eyed peas in great quantities assuming it would be of no use to the survivors, since all the livestock it could feed had either been taken or eaten.

Southerners awoke to face a new year in this devastation and were facing massive starvation if not for the good luck of having the black eyed peas to eat. >From New Years Day 1866 forward, the tradition grew to eat black eyed peas on New Year's Day for good luck."
-- Pass the peas,Please!

~ Love Is... ~ Wedding Wishes

2012-01-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

Ahhhh! for the memories of yore ... my glass runneth over!

Sherry & Tony Smith

Happy blessed 36th sister & brother.

We love you both so much, Sherry & Tony.
Pop over to send them your love ...

Join the love Is... ladies ~
Anne
Sherry
Tete

~ Looking Back, Moving Forward ~

2012-01-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I took down all the old calendars and put up the new ones for 2012. It was nice to see some thing new and fresh hanging in the spots where the old calendars had hung . . . the written over, dog eared and old was gone, replaced with nice pristine, clean and crisp pages. How clean and bright the new ones look!

Marie @ A Year From Oak Cottage
wrote this marvelous piece. With her permission I am sharing this complete MUST read.

They seem to symbolize the high hopes of the new year. As I flicked through the pages of one of them I suddenly became aware of the mysteries of an unknown future . . . all those clean pages representing unlived time, all the promise of the seasons to come and not yet fulfilled dreams of the future . . . days not yet granted, which are still God's secret . . . it is quite awesome and wonderful to think about. What amazing and wonderful things will this year hold for each of us.

We had a very good lesson in Relief Society yesterday. The teacher began by writing these words on the white board: "Look not behind thee." We then read the story of Lot and his family who had been living in the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which were very wicked places and how they had been visited by Angels and told that the Lord was going to destroy those cities, but because they were righteous that they were to flee immediately, leaving everything behind . . . but also warning them not to look back, or they too would be destroyed. When they were fleeing Lot's wife looked back and was turned into a Pillar of salt. You can read the whole story in Genesis, Chapter 19 in the bible. Here are the angel's exact words:

Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

That is some pretty heavy duty warning . . .

For the remainder of the lesson we sat and talked about the ways this warning can still pertain to us today, in today's climate of fear and uncertain times. As I sat there listening to the other sister's speak . . . the thought occurred to me that this story could also be an allegory for our own pasts . . .

We all come with one. Our pasts stretch behind us like the written on pages of a calendar . . . the pages all spotted and tattered . . . words and works scribbled all over them . . . some pages dirtier than others. Sometimes it seems that we can only remember the things that we have done that we may be ashamed of . . . and we carry them into our futures like badges of dishonor, bringing them out every once in a while to beat ourselves with . . . or I do at any rate. I have made some terrible choices and mistakes in the past . . . things I cannot change or undo . . .

Things I am terribly sorry for and that I have repented of . . . but still I cling to them, allowing them to punish me even now. The thought occurred to me as I was sitting there . . . that as long as I clung to the past that I have no power over . . . I risked turning my present and future into a pillar of salt . . . just as Lot's wife had done in turning back to look towards Sodom and Gomorrah as they escaped into the mountains.

When I was Baptised . . . my sins were washed clean from me . . . "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." (Isaiah 1:18) Why do I still lug that past along with me? I have no need to . . . in Baptism I was given a new life . . . a fresh life and I am a new person. It is time to forgive myself, and even if there are still people in my family who wish to use and hold some of these things against me, I just have to move forward and stop looking back at things which I should have done differently, or things I should not have done at all. I should not let the narrow mindedness and unforgiving natures of a few people colour my future or write on my pages. Let this be their sin . . . for it is no longer mine.

Anyways, that was my thoughts . . . and I just wanted to share them with you. We all have a past. We all have a future. Let us move into our futures embracing all the promise and hope that they hold, leaving behind the things we cannot change.

"Look not behind thee." Don't you think it's time?

http://www.ayearfromoakcottage.org/2012/01/look-not-behind-thee.html
~~~~~
Thank you Marie for this beautiful piece & allowing me to share. And may I add, THIS is EXACTLY what we are doing.

We have tried for many years to change things, with deep love & no reciprocation. Our hearts were/are broken but we have to accept what will not be changed despite our love & heart extended hands ... tho we continue to have HOPE & LOVE. May God direct them before it is too late, to resolve for their selves their issues. We are here, still/always/forever/with love.

Love Is... ladies ~
Anne
Sherry
Tete is on break

~ Horse & Buggy or Car Birthday Trip ... ~

2012-01-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

We are taking you to southern Maryland. You have your choice ...

Horse & buggy ... or ...

this hot classic beauty. Ready? Let's go ...

I love crossing this bridge. It spans so beautifully across the bay ...

The girls are all greeting us on the pier

Love this beautiful Victorian home nestled
amongst the small sea village scape.

You see the briars, brambles &

bushes surrounding quaint homes ...

tucked here & there ...

amongst the trees ...

& fields ...

where the farms are still alive ...

but quiet for winter's rest ...

the terrain is relatively flat compared to our 'mountainous' region ...

These are the birthday cupcakes we brought with us for a very special loved lady ...

Marie we met nearly 20 years ago. Our daughter has a lawn service, doing some work for Marie. We fell in love with this sweet lady, becoming fast friends forever.

Marie moved to Florida for awhile. We went to see her there, taking Joshua with us.

Her birthday was this week so the trip was perfect.

Marie hence moved back to Maryland. A few times we wished to go see her health issues for us, or her, hindered this.

We had the most wonderful visit. Love her to pieces.
She looks gorgeous.

The countryside is filled with wonderful
sights, structures & skies.

We wondered if these barns were live stock or tobacco barns. Tobacco was a major crop in southern Maryland.

Some of the farms look abandoned, the overgrowth gives way to beautiful scenes.

Love the patriotism on this wee barn.

Now you KNOW we had to stop & view these canons for Harold.

These canons are many thousands of $$$ if authentic, which Harold said they are.

This is an awesome view about 2 blocks from Marie's home.

Very picturesque marina against the evening sky.

The Christmas tree in the gazebo didn't come out well but pretty with the sunset approaching on the left.

A beautiful church nestled in the middle of town.

Sunset at another marina

Slowly dusk approaches this inlet

As peace settles over the earth

Gently filling the sky

Rich sunlight tucked sweetly behind the
cloud filled sky

As God richly paints the most elegant of skies as the sun gently shadows in each color (center screen you can see soft yellow circle reflections)

~ All Because of This ..... ~

2012-01-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

Chains ...

Attached chains ...

About 300 ft. or more ...

YUP! down septic!
Happy New Year ...

~ Love Is... Wishes For You ~

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

This year we are going to glitter & glow & sparkle & shine & bask with one another in this precious New Year. No set backs. No stumbling blocks. No more forks in that road, as we have taken the turn to the right. This is OUR year ... I love you my precious husband.

Please join our Love Is ladies ...
Sherry
Anne
Tete on break

Blogging sisters ~
I also share with each of you my deep gratitude for your friendship, love & sisterhood. Three years came & went quickly ... seems like I've known you all my life. THANK YOU ALL for the support & joys you have given to me. I am truly blessed.

~ Just A Wee Peek... ~

2011-12-29T01:04:00.000-08:00

You each brighten our world a little more every day. Thank you for being a part of
our lives, I am truly blessed.
Carolyn
Sherry-sis (countrywingsinphoenix)
Celeste (larearose)

Ginger (glitterandroses)

Carol (Buttercup)

Maggie (grandmayellowhair)

Carolyn

A drive down the street ...

that every year delights the wee ones & old
alike

What makes opening your mail delightful. We love you so much Renee (our precious niece)

A simple holiday dinner

Our lovely blessing of the year
Miss Mackenzie Paige (3 mns.)

We are going professional!

Our loves ... Ashley, Joshua & little Miss M

Ansel's school concert (middle row, 3rd from left)

Tatiana's school choir names the Recess
Choir as they give up one day a week of recess to sing in the choir. (2nd row from back, dead center)

Ansel & Tatiana presenting us with our Christmas gifts, artwork they created.

Poppy & Mimi by Tatiana

Mimi by Ansel

Enjoying the stockings from their great-aunt & uncle

Alyssa

James

~ Table & Chairs Memory ~ Love Is...

2011-12-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

We gave our son & d-i-love my G'ma Maggie's dining table & chair set. It is deco inspired from the '30's or '40s. The more I thought about this I kind of remember Mother asking G'ma when she bought it, if memory is correct ... so that would latter 40's.

Oh, so many wonderful memories of home cooked meals & chit chat while seated at this dining set. Even Polly the parrot sat upon her when Uncle Mick left him with G'ma Maggie.

G'ma Maggie kept an oil cloth cover on the table at all times to protect it. Uncle Bill, who resided in the family home until he passed ... when G'ma Maggie joined Jesus, everything in the house stood still. Nothing was moved, nor changed. The calendar was still June 1954.

I asked to receive this set. We gave it to Emery & Cathelene after they bought their first home.

Now time has taken its toll. The chairs have been glued & reglued professionally many times to preserve them usable.

Recently, tho ... it proved impossible. Cathelene found this note from our Tatiana attached to the chairs.

Cation
Chair of death

I am joining Memory Lane with Donna @ http://brynwoodneedleworks.blogspot.com/

Visit our Love Is... ladies ~
Anne
Sherry
Tete is on break

Sincerly
Cation
Chair
of Death or Doom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This cutie pie note will now be placed in our Memory Box for her to chuckle about, years from now.

The chairs are sadly forever gone, the table remains.

~ Christmas Year 'Round ~ Love Is...

2011-12-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

Nothing else needs to be said ...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

~ The Good-o-Meter~

2011-12-21T00:10:00.000-08:00

If you do nothing else today, do click on this below link. It is so worth every second of viewing.

http://www.jesus-loves-you.org/?p=3042&utm_source=jly&utm_medium=fb&utm_term=video&utm_content=goodometer&utm_campaign=12-5-11-7pm

~ A Little Closer Look ~

2011-12-20T00:01:00.001-08:00

Just a little peek-see, not so sure it's me! BUT it is GREEN! Let's take a peek at what else I see ...

Joshua's first Christmas stocking 1991

So enjoyed your visit!
Mele Kalikimaka ... Nollaid Shona Duit ... Vrolijke Kerstmis ... Joyeux Noël

~ Christmas Visit #2 ~ Love Is...

2011-12-18T18:39:00.000-08:00

Thought today I'd don my red Christmas hat to greet you ...

My Christmas wish is God bless one & all. May there be peace on this earth. Joys, wishes & dreams be fulfilled for each of you. Reach out to those in need. Resolve issues left untouched. God has given so much to us, Jesus did so much for us ... I send you love.

Special prayers for my daughter ... I love you always & forever.

Walking around our Christmas tree ... enjoy!

Please join our Love Is ... ladies
Sherry
Anne
Tete is on break

I am joining Cielo @ the house in the roses

~ Christmas Visit ~

2011-12-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas & welcome, sweet friends,
to our simple home filled with the love of 50 wedded years ... that blossoms more each day.

This is a silent tour for you to enjoy ...

Thank you for your sweet friendships.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

~ Arlington Cemetery Christmas, Around The World~

2011-12-17T00:01:00.001-08:00

Arlington Cemetery in the winter, before Christmas is beautiful! (very bottom)

The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington , D.C. , is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the 'Pathway of Peace' represent the 50 U.S. states.
The world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy 's Umbria region. Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the 'tree' is a modern marvel for an ancient city

A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo 's nighttime neon display is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.

Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague's Old Town Square, and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous Christmas market, is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains in the southern Czech Republic.

Venice 's Murano Island renowned throughout the world for its quality glasswork is home to the tallest glass tree in the world. Sculpted by master glass blower Simone Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is a modern reflection of the holiday season.

'Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree': Even in its humblest attire, aglow beside a tiny chapel in Germany 's Karwendel mountains, a Christmas tree is a wondrous sight.

Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on Jan. 7. For weeks beforehand, the city is alive with festivities in anticipation of Father Frost's arrival on his magical troika with the Snow Maiden. He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a fir

The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall) can be found in the Praa do Comrcio in Lisbon , Portugal . Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special enchantment of the city during the holiday season.

Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris , even the Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it's no surprise this show-stopping department store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower

In addition to the Vatican 's heavenly evergreen, St. Peter's Square in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk.

The Christmas tree that greets revelers at the Puerta del Sol is dressed for a party. Madrid 's two-week celebration makes millionaires along with merrymakers. On Dec. 22, a lucky citizen will win El Gordo (the fat one), the world's biggest lottery.

A token of gratitude for Britain 's aid during World War II, the Christmas tree in London 's Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.

Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the Romer, Frankfurt 's city hall since 1405 and enjoy a taste of Christmas past.

Against a backdrop of tall, shadowy firs, a rainbow trio of Christmas trees lights up the night (location unknown).

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

This week, I found out.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.-

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol.

~~~~~

Merry Christmas Everyone

CHRISTMAS AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY

I wonder why the press hasn't enlightened the public about it??

Arlington National Cemetery

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.

Know the line has held, your job is done.

Rest easy, sleep well.

Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.

Peace, peace, and farewell...

You may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine . The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one of the poorest parts of the state.

~ A Found Christmas Treasure ~ Prayers Needed

2011-12-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

November 11, 1945

We just found this fold neatly in a box of paper/cards/etc. from Harold's parents

Simple, sweet ...
Harold would have been 6 yrs. old. What a gem to find his creation.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~

~ SPECIAL PRAYERS & CARD REQUEST ~
Today Anne @ annesphamily wrote ~

Hi sweet friends of mine:
I hope you ladies will help me out. Our billing rep., at my work place, who lives in Cheyenne WY has breast cancer and she is really having a struggle. I am providing her address and ask if you would spread the word for prayer and a card or letter of encouragement.

I hope you will encourage everyone you know to send a card or letter to Teresa.

Teresa Wood
4077 Cherry Wine Drive
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009-8111

~ Let's Take A Christmas Trip Around the World ~

2011-12-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd share with you some of the places I've been ... truly we've been to these countries.

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

(London)

I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

(Brussels)

I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.

(Maastricht, Netherlands)

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

(Ireland)

I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.

(Frankfort, Germany)

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumpsup the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!

I may have been in Continent, but I don't remember what country I was in.

It's an age thing.

(Luxembourg)

Yes, we have been to all these places & more. Hope you enjoyed the diddy as well.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

~ Nativity Collection, Memories, Blessings & Prayers Please~

2011-12-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

There are some things in my life that I just treasure with all my heart ... one being my nativities. They stay out all year round.

This one sits in my kitchen window. It was my Mother's ... it sat in her bookcase & sometimes in her window. It reminds me every day of her & her deep religious commitment. I believe she had it when I was a child.

This nativity is my Irish Belleek. My most
prized Irish purchase. It sits on our mantle in the entry room. I wouldn't think of putting it away.

Some days ... I just like to walk in there & look at it ...

Other days I pray as I fondly enjoy being in its
presence ...

It brings me peace so often.
Belleek is a very fine Parian china ...

So peaceful a setting

This nativity card came from our d-i-love's parents in Haiti. It is hand cut & set. It has moved occasionally throughout the house. This Christmas season it sits with the lovely pieces created by Sandi @ waysidetreasures ... perfect ! A special treasured
gift.

My sister sent this adorable nativity. It stays on the mantle in the den/TV room year round.

This nativity set my sister sent last year has moved around in the house, presently sitting in the foyer to greet you. It is
so sweet.

At one time I collected vintage silhouettes. I had over 800 of them on the walls in our home. When I changed my decor, a good portion I sold. This one, tho, continues after 25+ years to sit in the opposite corner of the kitchen window from the first nativity in this write.

I could never part with it. Many a day He & I have some very long chats at that kitchen window.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

**Please pray for good health for Sherry-sis @ countrywingsinphoenix

~ Giveaway Winner For You ... & Me ~

2011-12-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

Our precious BJ of sweetnothings
is our lucky GIVEAWAY winner.

Thank you all for entering ...
& now for a couple of
lovelies that surprised me!

This parcel arrived & I said
'who on earth?'

Look at the lovely presentation ...

of this lovely gift. It is an apron Heather made out of some feedsack fabric that she has purchased from us. She is such a delightful client.

Thank you sweet Heather. I love it. You were too kind.

And, then this parcel arrived. If you remember I wrote of a wonderful lady named Jean who makes quilts for wounded military personnel. (See links below)

Well, that precious friend made a special quilt for us & used some of our feedsack fabrics she has purchased from us.

Mercy! were we ever stunned. Thank you, sweet Jean. It is awesome & snuggly warm in this chilly weather.

http://blushingrosetoo.blogspot.com/2011/10/love-is-wounded-warrior-quilts-pt-2.html

http://blushingrosetoo.blogspot.com/2011/10/feedsacks-galore-wounded-military.html

~ Antietam Battlefield Illumination ~ Love Is...

2011-12-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

I am Marydon & I will share with you the most highly recommended national tourism event of the year.

For 23 years from incept we have been illuminating Antietam Battlefield.

Every year I prepare enough food for 100 people. They may be one of the thousands of volunteers who come from all over the world that make this event possible, or merely a passer-by. We do 100 hot dogs, a gigantic pot of homemade chicken noodle soup, fresh homemade cookies, cocoa, hot tea, coffee, sodas, snacks, etc.

We have been situated in our location since day one. Everyone knows where to find us yearly. Many request only to work with us.

Our 'troops' & 'vets' gather to share moments of history ...

Our flags are proudly displayed representing different units ...

This scenic farm is part of the property that we adorn with our candles ...

This year I missed the deer romping
across the fields, durnnit!

Our men taking a food break ...

Every year we have many Boys Scouts from various dens join us ... I so love their spirit & enthusiasm in this project.

Another farm just down round the bend on our other section ...

Many of the candles resting gently, representing over 23,000 men who valiantly fought for their beliefs ...

The tourist cars line up starting around noon for the drive thru at 6PM that night ... sometimes they are backed up for 8 to 10 miles. No headlights are allowed as you
drive the 5 mile path through the
lighted fields.

This is an awesome mural on the wall of a home. Every year I go by it, I have to stop
to enjoy the beauty ...

It is as tho they await to welcome us ...

Visit our LOVE IS... ladies
Anne
Sherry
Tete is on break

Antietam is the bloodiest battle in American history. It is also known as Sharpsburg, depending if you are a northerner or southerner.

After pursuing General Robert E Lee into Maryland, Union Army Maj. Gen. George B. McClelland launched attacks against Lee's army, in defensive positions behind Antietam Creek. At dawn on September 17, Maj. Gen. joseph Hooker's corps mounted a powerful assault on Lee's left flank. Attacks and counterattacks swept across Miller's cornfield and fighting swirled around the Dunker Church. Union assaults against the Sunken Road eventually pierced the Confederate center, but the Federal advantage was not followed up. In the afternoon, Union Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside's corps entered the action, capturing a stone bridge over Antietam Creek and advancing against the Confederate right. At a crucial moment, Confederate Maj. Gen. A. P. Hill's division arrived from Harpers Ferry and launched a surprise counterattack, driving back Burnside and ending the battle. Although outnumbered two-to-one, Lee committed his entire force, while McClellan sent in less than three-quarters of his army, enabling Lee to fight the Federals to a standstill. During the night, both armies consolidated their lines. In spite of crippling casualties, Lee continued to skirmish with McClellan throughout September 18, while removing his battered army south of the Potomac River.

Despite having superiority of numbers, McClellan's attacks failed to achieve force concentration, allowing Lee to counter by shifting forces and moving interior lines to meet each challenge. Despite ample reserve forces that could have been deployed to exploit localized successes, McClellan failed to destroy Lee's army. Nevertheless, Lee's invasion of Maryland was ended, and he was able to withdraw his army back to Virginia without interference from the cautious McClellan. Although the battle was tatically inconclusive, it had significance as enough of a victory to give President Abraham Lincoln confidence to announce his Emancipation Proclamation, which discouraged the British and French governments from potential plans for recognition of the Confederacy. (copied from internet history)

Across these fields the bodies laid nearly side by side ... the candles are laid in a
6' grid ...

You can see the wisps of clouds, the day was clear ...

The billowing cloud looks as if smoke from the cannon ...

Slowly dusk gently kisses the sky ...

Ashley & our Joshua. Ashley took some of these pictures for I took little Miss M home to play. TY dd, I so appreciate your
doing this for me. This is Ashley's first
year .

The gentle hush covers the earth ...

As the soft glow rises in the silence ...

Covering the earth with a soft hue ...

Silhouettes ...

Dusk ...

Gently caressed in night ... the bugler
plays Taps.

Each candle ...

Representing a valiant soldier's body ...

These ladies are in mourning ...

As they walk to the memorial ...

They gave their all for their cause.

Oops! My assistant, little Miss M, sleeping on the job!
Joshua attended from birth all but 7 of our events. It is important to start them out right ...

Love you Miss M.

~ Charlie Boots, English Designer ~ Pink Saturday

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

Introducing to you a wonderful designer in England.
The elegant handbag is made from an original 1930’s/40’s cotton feed sack imported from the USA. It also has a royal blue lining with internal pocket. (This is created from one of our feedsacks)

**It is so exciting to see our products used by several national & international designers.

Charlie Boots (named after the Bristol designer behind the project) is an edgy, ethically-minded shop on Broad Street, Bath offering clothing, art, accessories and homewares.

Newly opened, and already enjoying a healthy interest from local fashion-seekers, the shop's ethos focuses on 'conscious design' and favours sustainable, recycled, upcycled accessory brands and the occasional vintage find.

GIVEAWAY END TOMORROW CLICK HERE

As well as offering sustainable womens wear and affordable jewelry from Charlie Boots herself, the space showcases local artists and designers, plus innovative brands such as Elvis & Kresse (upcycled fire hose) - winner of Cartier's Women's Initiative Awards, 2011.

Charlie Boots makes her own limited edition line of ethical womenswear, and also makes jewelery from vintage and recycled materials; she can find potential in the unexpected to create something covetable and unique.

Please join Miss Beverly @ howsweetthesound.typepad.com
Thank you for your hostessing this weekly event.

Cliff belts (sustainably-sourced cork and waxed cotton belts) are exclusively sold in the UK through Charlie Boots.

Mamacha (100% luxurious alpaca knitwear, produced by a Peruvian women's ethical trading initiative) is not available elsewhere in the South West. Amy Yates, founder of Mamacha, is a Future 100 Award winner.

Little Glass Clementine (London based artist, one of Selfridges' Bright Young Things) who makes exquisite jewellery, sells only through Selfridges and Charlie Boots.

About Us:

HJ Taskis is a Bristol-based sustainable fashion consultant and menswear specialist.

Sally Wilde makes beautiful mirrors from broken ceramics and vintage china as well as jewellery from the most unusual glass beads and stones.

Red Bird Makes has a quirky and fun approach to sewing. Her giant bow brooches (made from reclaimed fabrics) can transform any plain item in your wardrobe into a fabulous must-wear piece!

You may find Charlie Boots ~

www.charlieboots.com

Our feedsacks may be viewed ~ blushingroseboutique.com
MERRY CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS!

~ Historical Tidbits ~ GIVEAWAY

2011-12-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

What you always wanted to know, but didn't know to ask ...

Did you know the saying "God willing and the Creeks don't
rise" was in reference to the Creek Indians and not a body
of water? It was written by Benjamin Hawkins in the late
18th century. He was a politician and Indian diplomat.
While in the south, Hawkins was requested by the President
of the U.S. to return to Washington . In his response, he
was said to write, "God willing and the Creeks don't
rise." Because he capitalized the word "Creeks" it is
deduced that he was referring to the Creek Indian tribe and
not a body of water.
************************************************************
GIVEAWAY ends 12/9
************************************************************
In George Washington's days, there were no cameras. One's
image was either sculpted or painted. Some paintings of
George Washington showed him standing behind a desk with
one arm behind his back while others showed both legs and
both arms. Prices charged by painters were not based on
how many people were to be painted, but by how many limbs
were to be painted. Arms and legs are 'limbs,' therefore
painting them would cost the buyer more. Hence the
expression, 'Okay, but it'll cost you an arm and a leg.'
(Artists know hands and arms are more difficult to paint)
******************************
As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only
twice a year (May and October) Women kept their hair
covered, while men shaved their heads (because of lice and
bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy men could afford good wigs
made from wool. They couldn't wash the wigs, so to clean
them they would carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in
the shell, and bake it for 30 minutes. The heat would
make the wig big and fluffy, hence the term 'big wig.. '
Today we often use the term 'here comes the Big Wig'
because someone appears to be or is powerful and wealthy.
************************************************************
In the late 1700's, many houses consisted of a large room
with only one chair. Commonly, a long wide board folded
down from the wall, and was used for dining. The 'head of
the household' always sat in the chair while everyone else
ate sitting on the floor. Occasionally a guest, who was
usually a man, would be invited to sit in this chair
during a meal. To sit in the chair meant you were important
and in charge. They called the one sitting in the chair
the 'chair man.' Today in business, we use the expression
or title 'Chairman' or 'Chairman of the Board.'
************************************************************
Personal hygiene left much room for improvement. As a
result, many women and men had developed acne scars by
adulthood. The women would spread bee's wax over their
facial skin to smooth out their complexions. When they
were speaking to each other, if a woman began to stare at
another woman's face she was told, 'mind your own bee's
wax.' Should the woman smile, the wax would crack, hence
the term 'crack a smile'. In addition, when they sat too
close to the fire, the wax would melt . . . Therefore, the
expression 'losing face.'
********************************************
Ladies wore corsets, which would lace up in the front. A
proper and dignified woman, as in 'straight laced' wore a
tightly tied lace.
************************************************************
Common entertainment included playing cards. However, there
was a tax levied when purchasing playing cards but only
applicable to the 'Ace of Spades..' To avoid paying the
tax, people would purchase 51 cards instead. Yet, since
most games require 52 cards, these people were thought to
be stupid or dumb because they weren't 'playing with a
full deck.'
************************************************************
Early politicians required feedback from the public to
determine what the people considered important. Since
there were no telephones, TV's or radios, the politicians
sent their assistants to local taverns, pubs, and bars.
They were told to 'go sip some Ale and listen to people's
conversations and political concerns. Many assistants were
dispatched at different times. 'You go sip here' and 'You
go sip there.' The two words 'go sip' were eventually
combined when referring to the local opinion and, thus we
have the term 'gossip.'
************************************************************
At local taverns, pubs, and bars, people drank from pint
and quart-sized containers. A bar maid's job was to keep
an eye on the customers and keep the drinks coming. She
had to pay close attention and remember who was drinking in
'pints' and who was drinking in 'quarts,' hence the phrase
'minding your 'P's and Q's'.
************************************************************
One more: bet you didn't know this!

In the heyday of sailing ships, all war ships and many
freighters carried iron cannons. Those cannons fired round
iron cannon balls. It was necessary to keep a good supply
near the cannon. However, how to prevent them from rolling
about the deck? The best storage method devised was a
square-based pyramid with one ball on top, resting on four
resting on nine, which rested on sixteen. Thus, a supply
of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right
next to the cannon. There was only one problem...how to
prevent the bottom layer from sliding or rolling from under
the others. The solution was a metal plate called a
'Monkey' with 16 round indentations. However, if this
plate were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust
to it. The solution to the rusting problem was to make
'Brass Monkeys.' Few landlubbers realize that brass
contracts much more and much faster than iron when
chilled. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far,
the brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannonballs
would come right off the monkey; Thus, it was quite
literally, 'Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass
monkey.' (All this time, you thought that was an improper
expression, didn't you.)

~ In Memory of Pearl Harbor & Our Military ~

2011-12-07T00:39:00.000-08:00

(For those who are unaware: At all military base theaters, the National Anthem is played before the movie begins.)

This is written from a Chaplain in Iraq :

I recently attended a showing of 'Superman 3' here at LSA Anaconda. We have a large auditorium that we use for movies as well as memorial services and other large gatherings.
As is the custom at all military bases, we stood to attention when The National Anthem began before the main feature.
All was going well until three-quarters of the way through The National Anthem, the music stopped.

Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-to-22-year-olds back in the States? I imagine that there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments, and everyone would sit down and yell for the movie to begin. Of course, that is, only if they had stood for The National Anthem in the first place.

Here in Iraq 1,000 soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again, and the soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. Again, though, at the same point, the music stopped. What would you expect 1,000 soldiers standing at attention to do?? Frankly, I expected some laughter, and everyone would eventually sit down and wait for the movie to start.

No!!. . . You could have heard a pin drop while every soldier continued to stand at attention.

Suddenly, there was a lone voice from the front of the auditorium, then a dozen voices, and soon the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off:
"And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say, does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave,
o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave."

It was the most inspiring moment I have had in Iraq , and I wanted you to know what kind of U.S. Soldiers are serving you! Remember them as they fight for us!
Sharing this as a reminder to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. Many have already paid the ultimate price.

Written by Chaplain Jim Higgins, LSA Anaconda is at the Ballad Airport in Iraq , north of Baghdad .

God Bless America and all of our troops serving throughout he world.

God bless those that have given their all, & those who are giving their all!
(Just for you, Ginger!)

GIVEAWAY REMINDER ~ ends Dec. 9 click here

~ Love Is ... ~ Deck the Halls

2011-12-04T18:22:00.000-08:00

Enjoy your stroll thru our foyer, greeting room & office/den.

Please join our Love Is... ladies ~
Sherry had a wee need for a break today
Anne
Tete is on a break

There is nothing more memorable than all the 'firsts' in married life ... that first sweet gentle romantic kiss... memories, love.

Please enter our 3-FOLD GIVEAWAY

Thank you for your visit. Have a lovely week.

~ Country Roads & 3-Fold GIVEAWAY ~

2011-12-02T17:21:00.000-08:00

This GIVEAWAY is for The Wedding Quilt novel (for that fireside respite), (2) Mikasa crystal candle sticks (to adorn your holiday tablescape) & a set of candy striped spreaders (perfect for your Christmas parties).

Sarah McClure arrived at Elm Creek Manor as a newlywed, never suspecting that her quilting lessons with Master Quilter Sylvia Bergstrom Compson would inspire the successful and enduring business Elm Creek Quilts, whose members have nurtured a circle of friendship spanning generations. As the wedding day of Sarah's daugher, Caroline, approaches, Sarah's thoughts are filled with brides of Elm Creek Manor past and present—the traditions they honored, the legacies they bequeathed, the wedding quilts that contain their stories in every stitch.

excerpt ~ Because Sarah learned the craft after her marriage, she had no wedding quilt, only one to commemorate her anniversary. When the young bride confides in her mother a single, fervent wish—"I wish I had a wedding quilt, one I made myself."—Sarah yearns to grant it.

A wedding quilt is a symbol so powerful that even the most talented novice would be daunted by the task of stitching in mere days a masterpiece worthy of the couple's bonds of love, commitment, trust, and hope for the future. Sarah turns to the Elm Creek Quilters, cherished friends who help her create a fitting tribute for a beloved daughter who will soon stand beside her husband in the union of their shared lives.

As they pool their creative gifts, memories of Elm Creek Manor—and of the women who have lived there, in happiness and in sorrow—spill forth, rendering a vivid pastiche of family, friendship, and love in all its varieties.

I apologize for not getting to read this book as my eyes are still healing & it tires them. What slips I have read, I will be reading this book in a few weeks ... but I want you to enjoy it now.

... & now for a little countryside quiet time
to enjoy.

As the gentle morn mist lifts ...

the robin egg blue skies are gently graced with puffy white clouds ...

& the sun filters thru the brilliant colors of autumn ...

as the trees & florals prepare for a long
winters rest ...

after their exquisite show of colors ...

caressed by the fallen leaves ...

how proudly she flies thru the gentle breezes ...

the seeds are tucked beneath the soil to weather the winter, to bloom in
spring ...

warmed by the cool bright rays of sun ...

peeking thru the limbs ...

to return another day in full array ...

as we enjoy the trickling streams never ending travels ...

meandering hither & thither ...

throughout God's peaceful lands ...

quenching the thirst for growth ...

nestling quietly into the winter ...

SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS POST ONLY.

ENDS DEC. 9

WILL SHIP IMMEDIATELY.

SPREAD THE WORD

~ Prepare For Surgery & Warning!! ~

2011-11-30T05:19:00.000-08:00

Crochet hook, YUP! Yarn, Yup! Yahtzee, ABSOLUTELY!! I'm READY Doc!!!

GIVEAWAY coming this weekend.

THANK YOU ALL for your sweet notes, cards & well wishes. Coming along nicely now.

As you may know I had to have both eyes cataracts removed in 6 days time. Marvelous experience & I can see well, now drive without glasses & not worry about my vision. Reading glasses in about 4 weeks.

During this same period my osteo arthritis Dr. found some other concerning medical issues. Sent to an associate who gave me a huge dose of 8,000 i.u. prescribed Vit. D3. As always with all my serious medical issues, I presented to him a copy of my medical file & had an indepth discussion, as I do with all new Drs.

Within 30 minutes of ingesting this Vit. D3 (link attached) I became very ill & continued rapidly to get worse. The Dr. was contacted. I stated I felt like I was 'having a toxic reaction to Vit. D3, & he informed me I had to continue taking this pill. Within a few days I was so sick nearly non-functioning, lost 12#, dizzy spells nearly fainting, 24/7 nausea, etc. Despite phone calls & office visits, I got much worse. Off to my allergist who took me immediately OFF this D3. I had no idea one COULD BE ALLERGIC TO A VITAMIN!!!

Then I had a horrible 5+ hour Atrial Fibrillation spurred by this vitamin. I already have congestive heart failure. I was indeed having a toxic reaction to this Vit. D3.

IF A DR. prescribes Vit. D3 to you in large doses, please read online all the ramifications of this Vit. D3 & discuss this WITH your Dr. before you ingest. It will scare the living daylights out of you & can cause horrible effects to your body.

I don't mind dying by God's choice, but not a Drs.

God protected me. Lifting ... You shall never know the heart love you bring to me. THANK YOU SO MUCH, my lovely friends.

~Our Thankful Joys ... Love Is~

2011-11-27T09:57:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful holiday celebration we had ... & even more so with the addition of our little Miss M (Mackenzie Paige) who is now 2 months old. Busting at the seams love ... you betcha!!

Please join our Love Is ... ladies ~
Anne
Sherry
Tete is on break

We are also joining Memory Lane w/Donna @ Brynwood Needleworks

Marydon, Miss M, Harold & our Joshua
... new memories in the making with our
new little pinky

Ashley & our Alyssa make S'more cupcakes ... what
memories of when our Joshua & I would bake
together. Joshua would have cake mix & frosting
everywhere, licking it off his face & hands. Alyssa is so neat & clean. She had a good teacher with Ashley.
The cupcakes were really great Ashley!

New memories in the making w/Joshua & Ashley

Our Great Uncle Emery & great Aunt Cathelene meeting little Miss M for the first time. Ahhh ... sweet memories

And all our kid-lings. I look at each of our dumplings & recall those first glimpses & that tender cuddle of each ... & look at them now. Oy! James 13, Ansel 10, Tatiana 8 @ Alyssa 5 ... where does the time go. Clinging to those memories as they bring us joy every day.

The guys relaxing after a huge meal ... you know, like on Everybody Loves Raymond! Chuckle!

And, Crazy 8s as they furiously try to WIN!

Remembering the years of my youth as Mother's aromatic pies & sage dressing filled the house ... we kids snitching a piece of her famous homemade peanut butter fudge hoping NOT to get caught ... Uncle Bill telling us to 'pass the crap' & we all about died when we found out he meant Mother's fruit salad (chuckle) ... sweet, warm, loving memories now & then!

~ Blessings, Joys & Happy Thanksgiving ~ Love Is...

2011-11-21T23:59:00.000-08:00

I am grateful for the troops that maintain our freedoms, God bless them!

I am grateful for each of you. You have given me many joys & support ... I am blessed. THANK YOU!

I thank God for all the joys He has given me, each trial He has carried me through & the beauty of His precious love. I appreciate His being patient with me as I learn from Him every day how to continue loving & understand the 'why' things are the way they are.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS!!

~ Love Is ... ~ An Autumn Country Drive

2011-11-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

The mist of an early autumn morn ...

Please join our Love Is... ladies ~
Sherry
Anne
Tete taking a break

there stood a stately southern balconied farm home
in all her grandeur ...

& a horrible fire just a few weeks ago robbed us of
her beauty ...

forever!

One of her outbuildings still remains, nestled in
the outer woods ...

as her ghostly remains stretch sadly into the sky ...

the other building is on the knoll overlooking the grounds.

A wee creek meandering through the countryside aimlessly ...

surrounded by the billowing piles of
autumn leaves ...

& the last of the greens for the season.

This farm is so beautifully groomed & stately in the fields ...

picture perfect barn of yore caressed by the cooling colors of trees.

The corn is now cut, the soybeans are awaiting harvest ...

the hills are alive with touches of fall rapidly preparing the earth for a long snooze.

Water draws me soothingly, ...

with each serene, soft ripple.

How majestic these old barns & silos are, that are left ...

rising powerfully against the heavens.

The fields now rest.

Accordingly to (who knows) ... there is one gentleman in the USA keeping these little advertisings of long ago, freshly painted ...

& it is neat that this part of my youth is recalled, still alive, tho few remain. As children we saw many of these types of ads on barns & buildings & we had a grand time looking for them on our Sunday country rides after Mass.

At first we thought it was a red painted structure ...

tho just a lovely bush turning red, so long ago abandoned.

There are so many sweet streams ...

I love the depth of each ...

the awesome reflections ...

kissed by the sun ...

the ripples of a falling stone ...

the shimmering golden shadows of the trees ...

a tree downed by the late October nor-easter snow storm ...

just missing the entire house by a hair & breath.

A kiss of color blessed by sun ...

as it peeks thru each leaf ...

our backyard show is beyond description

as the colors caress one another ...

for a spectacular presentation.

& just down the road another gorgeous pond ...

nestled gently in the earth ...

where the cattails arise ...

shadows are looming near ...

bringing such a mystery ...

as it continues to cast ...

more depth ...

to the lingering day ...

to soon be nestled ...

in a soft glow ...

giving way to the misty night.

~ Darling Buns ... & Target vs. Salvation Army~

2011-11-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

In church I was surprised to see this note in our bulletin...

~ Our church, St. Peter's, started Mary's House for single mother's. We collect items they need for the babies. The call is for diapers at this time. ~

When we left church I asked my husband about this comment requesting 'that the brand be Walmart's or any other name brand except Target's.' Hubby refreshed me quickly that Target is the one who treated the Salvation Army so poorly & refuses to allow them to collect for the needy at the Target store locations during the holiday shopping season.

~ History ~
I did not realize the following, nor does it matter ... just an FYI. Many people believe that The Salvation Army is as American as apple pie but in actuality it is a global organization with its headquarters in London, England.

It was founded in 1865 in the United Kingdom by William Booth and his wife Catherine as the East London Christian Mission with a quasi-military structure. The theology of the Salvation Army is "mainstream Protestant.

My comment is this ~ the Salvation Army is known for its selfless spending on their organization & leaders who run this organization ... compared to other charities in this country. I was surprised when I got online to see the small salary & expenditures of these marvelous people. I was startled to see how high a % actually goes to '... the people in need' of these collected funds, rather than in the individual pockets of the organization.

I hope you will take note online to personally check out all organizations you donate to & review their expenditures ... especially during the holidays.

I, personally, am very disappointed in Target & will think twice before I shop there.

We will be covering those 'little buns' with diapers for sure. I hope that you will find some 'little buns' to cover, also. We will also help out the Salvation Army as we find a bucket.

Thank you for allowing me to share ...
(preposted)

~ Pumpkin vs. Squash (What ?????)~

2011-11-17T05:08:00.000-08:00

Did you know ...

~ I don't care what it is, as long as it is in a pie crust & has real whipped cream on it! How about you? ~ BUT ~

It turns out that some canned pumpkin is actually – gasp! – squash. Some manufacturers make "pumpkin" puree from one or more kinds of winter squashes such as butternut, Hubbard, and Boston Marrow, which can be less stringy and richer in sweetness and color.

But before we start crying fraud, it is interesting to note the rather fuzzy distinction between pumpkins and squashes. There are three varieties of winter squashes: Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima, and Curcubita moschata. C. pepo includes the gourds we traditionally think of as pumpkins, such as the kind used for jack-o'-lanterns. Hubbard and Boston Marrow squashes fall into the C. maxima category, while C. moschata includes butternut squashes as well as the Dickinson pumpkins used by Libby's, the producer of most of the canned pumpkin in North America.

What do you think? Does it matter whether canned pumpkin is "pumpkin" or another type of squash? Or if you skip the cans altogether and make your pumpkin puree from scratch, what variety of gourd do you use? (internet copied)

(preposted)

~ Love Is... Helpful Hints For Corn ~

2011-11-14T04:34:00.000-08:00

Now who doesn't like corn ... wellllllllllllllllllll, behind every stalk of corn...

there is a great trick to enjoy it even more. Don't miss this tip ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnBF6bv4Oe4
(preposted)

Join our Love Is... ladies ~
Sherry
Anne
Tete ~ taking a wee break

~ A Delightful Parrot, Enjoy ~

2011-11-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/embed/nbrTOcUnjNY

PS I am doing fine, just healing. Will be back soon.

Love Is ... ~ In Honor Of Veterans~

2011-11-11T00:01:00.001-08:00

In memory of they who have gone before us thru wars ...

As new each day dawns on land ...

... & sea

... & sky

... they selfishly give their all

for you & I ...

as each new day dawns. May our Lord God lovingly hold the souls of those that have departed, & bless those that continue to risk their lives for us daily.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
(Preposted)

~ Butlers Orchard Pumpkin Caravan ~

2011-11-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

Many children have never been to a farm much less seen a pumpkin on the vine or been to a pumpkin patch ...

located in Germantown, MD.

This wonderful farm has all kinds of special events for people to attend.

Thousands of pumpkins scattered throughout the dotted orange fields.

They have 14 tractors like this that are a constant caravan throughout daily farm events ...

Hi, honey! Yup! Mr. Harold helping out.

These wagons are full all day long with children & adults heading to the pumpkin patch. You can feel the excitement building
as they get closer to the patch ...

They have a pet farm area for the children to enjoy. Many of these children have never seen a goat, chicken, sheep, etc. They are
hesitant but so thrilled as they feed the animals.

And, then they select that perfect pumpkin. Oh, how hard that decision. Picking one up, then another, then another ... & FINALLY a decision is made ... they have their precious
choice clutched in their hands.

School buses are lined up ... sometimes up to 50 at a time. Many are from Washington, DC. You can hear the fever as the excited children get off, heading to the tractors.

The children bring their sack lunches to eat as they enjoy the beautiful countryside. Autumn is at its peak, the hills alive with
color.

The children also enjoy the huge playground of hay stack jumping, slides, etc. Laughter & squeals fill the air.

Having gathered their pumpkins, eaten their lunches & played for several hours at the farm, they board the buses to go back to their schools.

Thank you Butler's Orchard for providing such an educational & fun filled day for these children, who might never have had this memorable day, if not for your farm.

My honey had a fun time driving tractors for you.
(preposted ~ eye surgery tomorrow morning)

~Love Is... Precious Friends & Update ~

2011-11-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

What a fabulous surprise when I opened
this parcel to find a Love Is... demitasse
cup & saucer.

Our sweet Deb @ garagesalegal.blogspot.com
wrote when she saw it at a garage sale, she just had to purchase it for me.

We have over 1,500 of these lovely Kim Casali cartoons.

I was really tickled when I translated the cup script. Deb does not know my deep heritage & I was pretty sure it was written in Dutch.

heer een rode roos geven translated is ... Mr. give a red rose

How much more precious the gift.

You are a sweet friend, Deb ... this melted my heart.

Truly Love Is... Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Join our Love Is... ladies ~
Anne
Sherry
Tete taking a break

Christmas Cards are done & ready to mail, gifts are wrapped, just the tree to go up on the 23rd. How are you doing?
(pre-posted)

UPDATE ~ I am coming along just fine. No anesthetic just topical eye anesthetic, no iv's, wide awake, new eye surgical machine ... awesome to watch. Eye is regaining its sight. Next surgery on this Thurs., 4 weeks healing time total. THANK YOU ALL for your wonderful notes, comments, cards & calls. You truly lift my heart & spirits, each treasured.

~ Deep Gratitude To You, I'll Be Back Soon ~

2011-11-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

I would like to share all these lovelies that you have showered me with, my sweet 'sisters' in bloggyville. You are so precious to me. Special note at bottom.

Char, someplaceinthyme, is one sweet lady. She
was not able to join our tea when I was in AZ. I
had so wished to meet her.

I received this sweet note ...

& in the parcel were these gorgeous creations she made for me. You must go see all of Char's
gorgeous creations.

Look at the detail. You will be thrilled
with her pretties.

Thank you sweet friend, I adore them.

Well, now how do you think this wee
pinky Miss M slipped in here with her Mini & Poppy. (4 weeks old now)

And, this breath taking bouquet of pink roses tucked amongst the mums ... ahhhhh, the aroma is wonderful on the breakfast table every morn.

THANK YOU sweet sis Sherry & bro Tony!
I love them.

Our witty 'sister' Sandie @ chattycrone
sent me these lovely treasures ...
a red ring, bracelet & darling umbrella charm now on my key chain.

Perfect for my fall wardrobe, Sandie.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH for thinking of me. You are a gem.

You brighten my day with your wisdom & quips.

Toby @ pinkpixieforest.blogspot.com/ sent me these gorgeous creations from her giveaway. This lady is creative with her fabulous fairy fun.

I love this darling cupcake ...

& these precious wee trees will adorn our Christmas decor.

THANK YOU Toby. I love them.

When I opened this parcel & saw PINK fabric, I went WHOA!!! Oh, yes I did.

Jocelyn @ justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

&
happycottagequilter.blogspot.com

hand created this gorgeous gift for me.

Jocelyn said when she saw this pink fabric she knew exactly who she was making it for. Lil ol' me! YIPPY SKIPPY!!! Isn't is the most gorgeous ever!

Jocelyn has been one of my first blogger
friends ... a wonderful sweet lady who quilts & is full of southern hospitality.

All of these ladies are just the best ever. IF you don't know them scoot over & become a friend, you will never regret it.

***** I have surgery on Friday & will not be up for a bit. The following Friday I will be having the second surgery. Will be in touch with you as I can. Need to keep those IRISH EYES in good shape so I can be with you soon *****

~ Love Is... Halloween Memory Lane ~

2011-10-30T19:22:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time we did go to a party ... I went as a 50s gal, he went as a bag of fertilizer. They are fun memories ... but ...

Oh, for the wonderful memories of when Joshua was a wee one ...

This was his first Halloween costume.
We entered him in the local town contest
& he won first prize in his age group.
We had painted little whiskers on him &
had blackened the tip of his nose.

Memories ... how precious for us. Please
join Donna @
http://brynwoodneedleworks.blogspot.com/
as we walk down memory lane.

Every year Joshua helped decorate the house for
every holiday & believe me we decorated & had a
grand time watching him enjoy it all.

This year we held his wee hand & carved the
pumpkins together ... he was so tickled watching
what we created.

Pat, pat ... on the top of that pumpkin.

When we took the pumpkins out to the porch,
he kissed his 'favorite' pumpkin. Precious!!!
You betcha, melting heart moments.

In pre-K he wanted to be a fireman. What a fun day our party was with all the little goblins, pirates, princesses etc.

I sometimes wonder if we didn't have more fun than he did.

Also, pop by our Love Is... ladies ~
Sherry
Anne
Tete is on break

~ Victorian Homes Wonderland ~

2011-10-30T00:01:00.001-07:00

Mother nature brought us the most beautiful silver dollar sized fluffy white snowflakes. I am
doing a happy dance, oh, yes, I am!!

Let's take a ride & see the Victorian homes
as we enjoy the scenery ...

Nothing more beautiful than her flying high & proud thru every storm ...

This is my favorite beauty of yore ...

Tho each one has her own majesty ...

& elegance ...

Enjoy the ride ...

Mt. Airy is a quaint old railroad town ...

It has a railroad tunnel it is built upon ...

There are lots of rolling hills & knolls ...

Now mind you, the day before this storm Harold &
I took up 100+ of my geraniums which I do yearly
to pot & put under lights in the garage for the
winter ...

as they bask in lights & warmth until
spring ...

It was a cool but decent day, occasionally
a drizzle ...

perfect for working in the gardens ...

We even got the lawn mowed, apparently
in the knick of time ...

It felt so good working outdoors, the
fresh crisp autumn air ...

My climbing roses buds are now nestled in bridal
white ...

red dogwood berries stand bright against
the snow ...

this dogwood bows down to the earth as
she is ladened with the weight of snow ...

autumn hasn't even been able to say good night ...

I love the blend of autumn & winter
greeting one another ...

illuminating autumn colors & the purity of
winter to come ...

in the midst of our peak as earth prepares
to nestle quietly ...

nurturing the seeds that rest gently on
the soil ...

awaiting ...

until God wakens rebirth in the spring

~ Country Roads Pt. 3 Flapping In The Wind ~

2011-10-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

We are now up in Amish country in PA. This is not an uncommon scene year round. Love the colorful flapping against the beautiful blue sky ...

The barns are so lovely, but too many are being lost to new structures ...

Love the gentle rolling countryside ...

Wonder often passing by, what animals lived in these barns ...

How many weddings, baptisms, funerals, country Sunday meals took place in these beauties ...

I can see the ladies & children finishing up the canning of summer gardens to carry them thru winter, the aromas filtering thru the home ...

So sad someone has left this fabulous structure to ruins ...

The vines climbing over the walls ...

Farms in PA are so meticulously groomed & kept ... peaceful settings.

So remember those clotheslines from my childhood, wires strung from house to garage ...

The dust from the crops being plowed
under ...

Preparing the soil for winter ...

The girls having some 'chill time' ...

The Susquehanna River flows gently to the rapids ...

Before spilling over the dam ...

Just a kiss of color ...

here & there.

We take these country roads yearly but this year because of my pending eye surgery we traveled a wee bit early, as I didn't want to miss the beauty of God preparing His exquisite land for the winter.

I'll be with you as my eyes permit ...

~ Country Roads Pt. 2, Strawbridge Shrine ~

2011-10-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

It is amazing how many things we do not know exist in our own Maryland. As we headed for our country autumn drive we ran across this out in the middle of no where. Fabulous history link ~

http://www.strawbridgeshrine.org/biography.htm

Please do read the history, so fascinating.

Curiosity killed the cat(s), so we followed the signs onto a gravel road. I do not do well on unpaved roads, but took the gamble .. white knuckled!

We had no idea what we were going to see or any data on this site.

What a beautiful site we came upon. The old log cabin dressed with color ...

A lovely little resting memorial ...

Beautifully kept out buildings ...

Awesome crisp fall skies ...

Autumn trees dressed up in lovely colors ...

The old snake fence surrounding the
property ...

Such a peaceful lovely setting ...

The historical home overlooking the park & grounds ...

The views are spectacular as you stand on the porch, in all directions to behold ...

Plaque next to house ...

The rear of the home overlooking the breathtaking barn ...

Sitting on a slope neath the old tree, sweeping land to the right ...

I could have sat there in reflection all day long but let's go back out front ...

View from the side of the house overlooking the memorial park ...

Do you not feel serenity here?

As I said, curiosity killed the cat ... had to take a peek inside & the picture came out great ...

Plaque on the house ...

Love the way this bank barn sits on this lovely piece of the property ...

Over hill, over dale ...

spectacular God's country in Carroll Co., MD

~ Country Roads Pt. 1 ~ Winners!

2011-10-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

Hop in & let's hit the country roads ...

~~Parsley & Kris are the lucky book Giveaway WINNERS! Congrats ladies.
TY ALL for entering.~~

Please continue to pray for Cindy & her
husband during this time.
http://cindyadkinswhimsicalmusings.blogspot.com/

Just down the road from us is Frank's old
farmette ...

It is just beautiful ...

We so love driving by in the spring & fall ...

Frank got married here several years ago
& it was spectacular ... we had a lovely
time at his wedding.

Such a romantic peaceful setting ...

Now off to parts of PA we've not been before ...
Oops! I see I got some of the pictures out of
sequence ... so you will be seeing both MD & PA.

Sorry! It dosn't change the beauty of the trip.

Every year when the leaves fall, we hit
the road ...

The air is crisp, the skies are blue ...

Colors surround us, birds are chirping,
squirrels are scurrying everywhere ...

Brooks are babbling ...

The buffalo are roaming ... yes, they are
really buffalo, look at those wee ones,
aren't they darling ...

It looks so funny to see a TV antenna atop this old home nestled deep in brush ...

Makes me wonder the history behind these
these walls ... if they could only talk!

Often we ask in the autumn, why do the farmers always leave one row of corn stalks to sway in the wind.

Anyone out there know?

It seems every farmer does this ... so pretty each stand gently kissed by the breezes ...

Pt. 2 historical Strawbridge.

Love Is... ~ Wounded Warrior Quilts Pt. 2 ~

2011-10-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

About couple weeks ago I shared with you about the Quilts for Wounded Warriors. I met Jean when she bought some feedsack fabrics from me for her quilts she makes for our heroes.

The flag quilt is my favorite ... but they are all lovely.

This is Jean's son, Benjamin with a 95-year senior showing off her quilt.

Jean & her son. He was enlisted & then moved on to become an officer in the USN.
We shared family tales & journeys of our USN lives.

As you all know, every time I attempted to sew something I would always hear Mother hollaring 'Mary Donelda, GET THE RIPPER!!!'

Look at the gorgeous feedsack colors ...

But oh, how I enjoy the beauties these wonderful ladies create in quilts.

Just feeling the vintage fabric is wonderful. But the stories that so many share of that
era are even more fascinating.

Remember the story I shared about Hitchin'
& Runnin' in our underwear ... chuckle!
Pretty itchy stuff to a wee one ...

I raise my hand in pure honor to all the women & men who quilt for our troops.
Surely the joy they receive is equaled to the
giving of the quilt to the 'warriors'.

Jean & I chatted on the phone quite a lot.
What a lovely charming lady. Thank you Jean for the wonderful gift of giving you are sharing from your loving heart.

It is our pleasure to send you all the white feedsack fabrics we found.

Saturday last we took a drive up to surprise & meet Jean, taking along the feedsacks. What a delight &
sparkle she is.

She lives in a beautiful way out in the country part of PA. we have not been to before.

(Country roads 3-part series coming soon.)

Jean's son, Benjamin, is holding the camera. He was aboard the USS Eisenhower. Thank you for serving Benjamin.

~ History, Memories ~ GIVEAWAY

2011-10-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Every year Chevy Chase Elementary has
a presentation of history from a family
aspect. Last year I went, it was awesome
what the children brought to school from
family treasures & memories.

~ Go to last post & enter our GIVEAWAY ~
Ends Tonight

Ansel was Abraham Lincoln last year. I was amazed
in 4th grade how he had memorized Lincoln's speech
so beautifully, no prompts needed.

Of course, being the Civil War history family that we
are, buttons were popping.

This year Ansel chose to present his history of my
Uncle Bill who served in WWII. Ansel is wearing
Uncle Bill's hat. Proud, you betcha!!

Uncle Bill was a driver for a famous General. One
night he had to drive back to the compound a very
drunk General. Uncle Bill had quite the sense of
humor, so he drove the fella around for about an
hour rather than the 10 minute drive. The General
finally bellowed, 'Neu, aren't we there yet?!' I can
see the smirk of a chuckle now on Uncle Bill's face
replying, 'no, sir!'

This precious young man has a family
set for 'tea' that he proudly said he would
like to inherit to pass down to his children.
Be still my heart.

All 5th grade classes participate in this
project, gathering in the lunch room for
presentation. Parents & grandparents
gather to visit as many children as they wish.

This was an amazing story of the rosary. It you lifted it to your nose, the aroma of roses would fill your senses.

This sweet young lady had family
heirloom miniatures ...

And, this handsome lad had a pipe hand carved & painted from his family treasures ...

And, this precious princess had earrings that were passed down thru her g'ma to her mother (in pics)
& she was very anxious to become an adult to inherit them.

Awesome presentation to all the marvelous students of this schoo.l Accolades to the school for having this fabulous event.

And this year Poppy was able to join Mini & Ansel. Poppy really enjoyed this wonderful event. And, yes, Mother was able to be there also.

I asked Ansel if Dad would be there. 'No, Mimi, he has an emergency at work', he replied. I said, 'Well, when you are the Director of your company, these things happen, Ansel. When you grow up & are the Director or President of your company, you will have these kinds of things happen & your children will understand.' And only our precious Ansel would do, his hands thrown up in the air, profoundly stated, 'MIMI! I am going to be a SCIENTIST!!' My heart melted, once again.