~ Oh, brother! ~

I have no clue what is going on with this blogger google friend stuff ... but I did add the LINKY to my sidebar, just in case. So if YOU know what is going on & would like, LINKY is there to follow me also ...

OR ...

maybe someone would like to 'splain this whole scenario to me.

Also ~ what is with the 'followers' coming & going & coming & going ... it isn't me doing that. Sheesh!!

These beauties are growing in my garage, from last year. Actually, they are a few years old as I take them up yearly. How sweet to greet when in the garage.

I am trying to catchup with you all & will, so bear with me ... am doing better ... Again, TYSM for your being here for me. Love you all ...

~ Hubby's Surprise ~ Love Is ... Baby

Driving down the road to work, he spied a gigantic stack of bicycles in the local junk yard.

When he came home he mentioned them. I was so surprised that he even remembered that I wanted an old bike. He never ceases to amaze me.








Visit our Love Is... ladies ~
Sherry
Anne
Tete














So he went back, picked out a couple, brought them home, dismantled them & now all I have to do is paint them ... & find a basket for the handle bars.








I am so excited ... & tickled that he even remembered my wish. He is such a gem!

Don't you think a white bike with PINK basket & fender rack will be darling in the garden?!

Maybe even our precious little pinky Miss M will have to take a spot on the seat!!

Mackenzie Paige ~ 5 mns.


PS Thank you for your notes & cards & sweet words. Sunday was the best day in over a week ... hopefully I am over the hump with this bout. Love you all ...

~Hubby Love... Is ~ & Baby

Driving down the road to work, he spied a gigantic stack of bicycles in the local junk yard.

When he came home he mentioned them. I was so surprised that he even remembered that I wanted an old bike. He never ceases to amaze me.








Visit our Love Is... ladies ~
Sherry
Anne
Tete



Visit Donna @ Memory Lane Monday










So he went back, picked out a couple, brought them home, dismantled them & now all I have to do is paint them ... & find a basket for the handle bars.

I remember as a child riding all over town
on my bike on pretty days ... Tuffy, my
buddy, I would wrap up, stick him in the
basket & take him with me. He would
enjoy our travels. Oh, the days of our
youth ... they passed so swiftly.

I am so excited ... & tickled that he even remembered my wish. He is such a gem!

Don't you think a white bike with PINK basket & fender rack will be darling in the garden?!

Maybe even our precious little pinky Miss M will have to take a spot on the seat!!

Mackenzie Paige ~ 5 mns.


PS Thank you for your notes & cards & sweet words. Sunday was the best day in over a week ... hopefully I am over the hump with this bout. Love you all ...

~ Holland's Winter Wonderland ~

This in the east part - province Overijssel., kanaal Almelo - De Haandrik, but it will have been the same all over the Netherlands where canals were frozen en lakes, there's a lot of ice skating in the Netherlands when possible.









While doing my family genealogy in Holland, I was
so fortunate to locate my 'cousin' Jan Middag. Over
the years we have had a beautiful relationship. Jan
sends me pictures of his many travels throughout the world , some of which I have shared with you before.












Harold & I have been to Holland 3 times ... it beckons constantly the beauty of the exquisite country & warm wonderful people. We have spent many weeks going to every inch of this fabulous country. There is no one spot I could ever saw was more beautiful than the other, it is that picturesque.






The highlights of our trips were the Delft factory, literally being invited to watch a master painter at work in the factory.











Seeing the homes of the art masters of the world & their works in museums.












OOPS!! A little slippery there, I'd say ...













Walking through the immaculate streets shopping, seeing the gigantic ships going thru the middle of towns & villages, the canals where the farmers farm, the awesome windmills towering into the heavens ...








The thatched roof homes, the cobbled stone walkways ...












Fields of gorgeous flowers against the skies of blue ... gardens trimmed neatly ...












We were there for every season except late spring when the tulips bloom ... sigh!












I remember coming down a country road & an ice covered pond with children skating, bright neck scarfs wrapped around their wee necks, waving warmly at us & jabbering in Dutch ... such a sight to see.









The street workers in their overalls wearing the klompen (wooden shoe) ...
the 'clog' has been in use for over 700 years
hand carved. Now they are done by machine & still decorated with bright designs.








A very old & exquisite sight is the city of Maastrecht sitting on the coast. It is one of the most architecturally beautiful & very romantic cities we've ever been to. the
history of this city dates back 2,000 years.









Swans floating serenely upon the calm ponds ...












I hope you are enjoying a wee peek at Jan's fabulous pictures ...

~ Your New Bed Partner ~

What to take to bed with you ... of course it has to be PINK!!!

Pretty neat idea. Never thought of it before.

Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr's office, the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.

This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you

start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and

requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking

until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in

your driveway or garage.

If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist

won't stick around. After a few seconds, all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your

car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared

with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.

I think it is fantastic. Would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone. My Mom has suggested to my Dad that he carry his car keys with him in case he falls outside and she doesn't hear him. He can activate the car alarm and then she'll know there's a problem.

Thank you Kerrie (kerrieskorner) for sharing this great idea.

THANK YOU ALL for your sweet notes & calls ... Crohn's area is small that they found.

~ 3 Red Marbles ~ (I'm Down)

IT'S WHAT YOU SCATTER

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes... I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.

**I am having a problem with my Crohn's & another medical issue these past few weeks; today & tomorrow I am definitely out of commission. Y'all have a grand week.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.

Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

'Hello Barry, how are you today?'

'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good'

'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'
'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'
'Good. Anything I can help you with?'
'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'
'Would you like to take some home?' asked Mr. Miller.

'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'

'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'

'All I got's my prize marble here.'

'Is that right? Let me see it', said Miller.

'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'

'I can see that. Hmm mmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.

'Not zackley but almost..'

'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr. Miller told the boy.

'Sure will.. Thanks Mr. Miller.'


Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.

With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.

When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.'

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket.

Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one; each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about..

They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.'

'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho ...'

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral:
We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.

IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER THAT TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED!

~ Winter or Spring ~ Love Is...

Somebody is getting itchy ...


























... about spring arriving ...





















I was sooo surprised to find these so very early, just blooming their little wee heads off ...











A few birds even have sat atop the birdhouse Joshua made in 5th or 6th grade ...

















The kids decided to stop by for a snack ...


















And then the most beautiful fluffy white
flakes decided to dress the earth in an
elegant gown of white ...










They were just gorgeous big soft beauties
falling gently ...












Making my day ...














I can sit all day with a cup of tea, 2 cookies & the fireplace burning, doing nothing but enjoying this
heavenly event of a day ....















As our dull winter landscape is so beautifully showing off her new attire ...











And then the dew kisses growth already showing ...
















Love Is... ladies
Anne
Sherry
















Some areas around here have daffodils already blooming ...










From this crazy winter!

~ Out Of The Mouths Of Babes ~

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY

(Written by Kids)

You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
-- Alan, age 10

-No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
-- Kristen, age 10


2. WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then..
-- Camille, age 10


3. HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8


4. WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8


5. WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
-Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
-- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)

-On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10


6. WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
-When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7 ( Love her )

-The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
- - Curt, age 7

-The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
- - Howard, age 8


7. IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9 (bless you child )


8. HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-- Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 Favourite is .......


9. HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck.
-- Ricky, age 10