Chamomile Nights

There' a new tea in my cupboard
from Stash Tea.
My daughter, Amanda served it to us when we were at her apartment a few weekends ago.
{Thank you, Amanda!}

It's a wonderful blend of chamomile and mint.

...enjoyed during a moment of calm before bed...

We ran many errands after I got home from work today.

At 8pm we were on our way home.

This is the pretty sunset that we enjoyed as we left the last parking lot.

{Taken with my cellphone walking to the car}

...The moon is full tonight...
It looked amazing as it rose over my neighbor's house.
It had a golden glow.
A little over a week ago, it looked like this.

While the moon is slow dancing across the sky,
I'm busy in the kitchen.

Stopping for a little treat

and then another

I'm going to try to make frosting flowers on my cupcakes tomorrow night.
Wilton Sprinkles are standing by "just in case."

It was a very full day, but I'm
relaxing now

with

Dear Family and Friends,

Enjoy the weekend days
and
each "chamomile night."

Thank you to our Sky Watch Friday hosts: 

Klaus Sandy Sylvia Wren Louise Fishing Guy

Goat's Milk + Roses

goat's milk + roses = a fragrant 5 minute get-away.

*

I love all the scents of goat's milk soap

...they take me away to a virtual spa...

{me in the late '70's with one of my in-law's goats, soap from Soaps and Sundries}

*

Rose with rose petals

and

Lily of the Valley

are my favorite soap scents.

*

milk + orange

Orange scent wakes me up!

This comes in handy especially after making 200 mini meatballs this weekend!

{freezing them for the wedding shower}

They'll be in a crock pot of sauce!

Now, that's a different kind of aroma!

...that spells A M O R E  ♥

I hope everyone has a great week!

~ Joy to you all ~

He Made Our Amazing Earth

It is a Gift

this beautiful Earth

{on my way home from work earlier in the week}

* Thinking about Earth today *

~ Some highlights of the year in photos ~

~

{Gorgeous views on the way to and from work}

{Heart in the clouds ~ Indian Lake, Adirondack Mts. NY}

{Summer Sunset ~ Indian Lake, Adirondack Mts. NY}

{Joys and Fruits of Earth}

{Happy Apples}

O God
we thank you for Earth, our home; 
for the wide sky and the blessed sun, 
for the oceans and streams, 
for the towering hills and the whispering wind, 
for the trees and green grass.
 
We thank you for our senses 
by which we hear the songs of birds,
and see the splendor of fields of golden wheat,
and taste autumn's fruit,
and rejoice in the feel of snow,
and smell the breath of spring flowers.

Grant Us

a heart opened wide to all this beauty;
and save us from being so blind
that we pass unseeing
when even the common thornbush
is aflame with your glory.

{http://www.appleseeds.org/earthday.htm}

♫ Singing Our Gratitude ♫

~All things Wise and Wonderful~

*

Thank you to our Sky Watch Friday hosts: 

Klaus Sandy Sylvia Wren Louise Fishing Guy

 
...and to EcoRover 

whose recent post inspired me to look over my year of photographing

this little corner of our beautiful planet...

{Almost ♥ Together}

Sunday was moving day.

...Rachael moved out of her old place...

and into a sweet newlywed apartment

We worked hard all day.

*

...Down all the stairs...

*

...then up all the stairs...

 *

{both second floor apartments}

My sister & brother-in-law gave them their "old" sofa set and dining room table...

Which still look great and are perfect in the new apartment.
 *
~Thank you Doreen & Barry~

I just love the apartment they chose.
Their paint colors are so perfect!

Rachael is there for now.

*

They will be together after the wedding. 
Juan ♥ Rachael

 ~ so very happy ~

{hugs and kisses}

A Game of Tag

Hey Honey Bear!

Yes, Sweetie Bear...

I need to fire up the computer and hunt for a picture.

Koralee at Bluebird Notes got tagged and then

She ran over to Calm Energy

and tagged me!

I need to find the 10th picture in my computer.

But Sweetie Bear...

You have pictures saved everywhere!

I KNOW!

So, I picked the 10th one from the three main places.

*

Here's the 10th one stored right on my desktop.

I'm taking spring blossom photos and this one is fresh from this week.

Our weeping cherry tree.

It looks pretty happy though ;o)

A story about this tree is that it's supposed to be weepy...

but it wants to grow straight up.

Some of the branches are curly and twisted.

It guess it wants to be "unique"

Kind of like the red goldfish that is the tenth photo in my picture file.

Interesting story, isn't it!
*

Here's the 10th one from the external hard drive.

A dogwood blossom from last summer.

So sweet.
Only God can make a flower this perfect!

*

and Here's the 10th one from my picture folder.

It's in the first folder, the 10th picture.

...I know, I know...

It's of gold fish crackers!

This was actually on the cover of our church bulletin

a few months ago.

I thought it was pretty cool looking.

So I snapped a shot of it and saved it for a post I wrote a while back.

"More is Caught than Taught"

Sweetie bear, the Rules say you must tag 5 friends to play along

But Honey bear...

That is so difficult - to choose just 5.

So, I will sit very still and wait quietly

and see who would like to join in.

I won't peek * Promise!

Amanda?  Chris?  Wanda?  Diana?  Barb?  Dianne?  Linda?  Wanda? Marsha? Cindy? Marge?   B'Squared? Duchess? Rebecca?  MonsterMama? Ruth?  Regina?  Sandy?  It's Me?  Sarah?  Yvonne?  Rosie?  Vicki?  The Duchess of Wessex? Lori?  Cathy? Saskia {you're 'it too!} EcoRover? Misty?  New guest? 

Is that you?

*

I know that some of you can't come out to play today, but I'm thinking of you just the same ♥

{Good Morning, Maria}

On Monday of this week,
I woke up early to let Muffin out

~ and this is how God said ~ 

{Good Morning}

 
{listen}

Dear Family and Friends,

This weekend, listen for

God's gentle whisper of

{Good Morning}

Thank you to our Sky Watch Friday hosts: 

Klaus Sandy Sylvia Wren Louise Fishing Guy

Tea with The Duke {of Earl Grey}

I must admit,

I'm now in love with Earl Grey

You can catch me having tea with Earl Grey every day.

and

It's all because of Koralee !

You see,
I've enjoyed tea with Earl Grey for years,
but Koralee explained how wonderful Earl is in a "London Fog."
Now, I can't wait to enjoy a few moments
in a

London Fog.

{I mix a tiny amount of pure vanilla right in the frothy milk before pouring on top of the tea}

Thank you, Koralee for introducing us.

It's the little things in life that keep us smiling, isn't it?

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”  

Robert Brault

* * *

After work today, I'm meeting up with Chris.

We'll go to the P.O. and drop off what we owe Caesar

then spend some time sitting outside at Starbucks.

They're offering FREE COFFEE just because.

It's TAX DAY.

That's nice of them, since half of us will be walking around with empty pockets ;o)

I just love my coffees and teas!

~ Thank God for the little things ~ 

I hope your day is filled with lovely little moments of JOY.

 

Sparkling Joy & Birthday Wishes for Diana!

 A Belated birthday to Diana!

I've been visiting Diana's blog for almost a year!

She is a  wife, mother and grandmother. 

She is a very genuine person...writing from her heart.

She works very hard and puts her all into everything!

My compliments to her Creator!

♥

I hope you had a wonderful Birthday, Diana!

Have a great New Year!

 Love, Maria

~ ~ ~
from Monday:


Having a

Girls Weekend

was

J   O   Y

I  ♥ my  girls

♥

A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be a friend.  

*)( Looking forward to our next girls-weekend )( *

Love ♥ Mom

... the cake ...

It's actually from Martha Stewart Weddings!

...made with 3 hat boxes and vintage lace!

The favors are from M. Stewart also.

They are dahlia bulbs wrapped in tissue paper.

We just loved these ideas!

Wedding Chit-Chat

~ It's a Good Morning ~
~ It's a  G*R*E*A*T  Weekend ~
a girls weekend
at Amanda's !
*
Today
we pick up the wedding dress
And then get together with Juan's mother,
an amazing seamstress
She will make any alterations needed.
*
Kim, Rachael's future sister-in-law,
will also be with us.
She has been so helpful and generous of time and talent.
Thank you, Kim!

I love the wedding stamps!
*

So Happy
*

Happy!

I always say,
The most important accessory we wear
is our

s m i l e


. . . it helps . . .

{May God stay in the center of their life together and may
true JOY fill their hearts}
 

it's a Great Day Today!

*
Dear Family & Friends,
I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

...as they say...

Let's Keep Calm & Carry on.

A Heavenly Sky

*

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Psalms 19:1

Dear Family and Friends,

have a beautiful day tomorrow

*

Let's make time to notice the blossoms

and

look up to the heavens!

~Maria 

Thank you to our Sky Watch Friday hosts: 

Klaus Sandy Sylvia Wren Louise Fishing Guy