Rain, Rain Go Away!

The last few days were hot {85° F. in my classroom}

and very, very humid.

We've had lots of

rain!

I like waving good-bye to that kind of weather.

~ but ~

it's been nothing compared to what the south has endured.

  

 I pray for all of you who have been devastated by the severe weather

and tornadoes.

. . . Wishing all of you sunny weather . . .

. . . and most of all . . . 

wishing you love, comfort and joy,

Visit Sky Watch Friday for amazing skies the world over!

 

Thank you Sky Watch Team!

- Photos taken April 28, 2011 -

Easter Baking Fun!

Robin's egg cupcakes

made with this carrot cake recipe

and inspired by Martha's baby bluebird cupcakes.

{I need to practice making those baby birdies with their cute little beaks!}

A Mother / Daughter baking day with my sister, Doreen.

The sweets and treats were wonderful

but the sweetest treats were the

hugs and kisses

and special

closeness

we felt

with

each other

and

with family and friends

near and far.

♥

I wish you a lovely week filled with

small wonders

that

bloom into big joys!

~Maria

ps. Thank you for the Easter baking ideas, Koralee!

pss. Thank you for sending me your fun cupcake photo, Cassandra!

Happy Easter

May the God of hope fill you with all

joy and peace

as you trust in him,

so that you may overflow with hope by the 

power of the Holy Spirit.

 Romans 15:13

Wishing you

JOY

HOPE

PEACE

Happy Easter to all,

~ the way children hear it ~

"And forgive us our trash baskets

as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."

 

The pastor at the church we often attend is doing a series on The Lord's Prayer.
There have been lots of lessons, big and small,

 . . . like the child's version of this prayer . . .
The "trash basket" quote actually holds quite a lesson for me!
Hanging on to "trash," my own or others, is not a good thing.

This requires a decision.

~ to pray ~

... for help with the messy parts of life...

... so that something beautiful can come from it ... Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.  ~Mark Twain Remembering the One who taught us divine forgiveness. Wishing you love, tenderness and peace of heart, mind and soul. ♥ Love,          Maria

A year ago

...we were planning Rachael's shower...

The girls were here planning

writing out invitations

making phone calls

fixing the printer

so we could finish the envelopes.

*  *  *

I learned how to frost cupcakes with the help of youtube.

Mine did not look like Woman's Weekly,

{which are sooo pretty}

but I gained a lot of confidence making buttercream frosting

assembling the frosting tips

and then

swirling and twirling the frosting

round and round.

Reminiscing today about my girls and such a lovely time in my life.

See more of the shower here.

cookie recipes here

Wishing you a lovely weekend filled with 

all the fun things you love to do

making each day ~ each moment

count as a blessing.

love,

Enjoying all the lovely pink posts with Beverly at

any day

... can be a special occasion ...

when we see the sun shining through rain

to make a rainbow

and skies clear

for a waxing moon

~

Celebrate special occasions every day.

They can happen

any time ~ any place

Running outside with my camera to take pictures of the skies
with everyone else at Sky Watch Friday!

Lasting Legacies

Roots and Wings

I learned sweet lessons from the robins that built this nest the spring of '09.
God teaches us in tender ways ~ I thank Him for gentle lessons.

There is always a moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.

Entering into it with

roots

{faith, family and love}
 and

soaring with wings

{gifts of the Spirit, courage and freedom}

Wishing you all a week of joy and springtime sweetness.

Love,

Maria

Adding Sunshine

and adding hugs

... make lots of smiles ...

A thank you to my family and friends for all the

tender loving care

you add to my life every day

♥

The thoughtful comments you take time to write
and the  lovely cards sent my way
are sweet reminders
of God's beautiful love in the world.

His favorite

We're gathering today to wish our son, Jason,

Happy Trails

He is moving to Texas for a new job.
We are so proud of him,
but we will miss him dearly.

He's getting some favorites for dinner.

Chili

Macaroni and Cheese

{Martha Stewart's amazing recipe}
and his most favorite dessert ever

Apple Pie

My apple slicer made the job super easy.
I filled this up in no time flat

with a little extra for my

cute little "personal" pie dish.

Just right for the leftover apples and pie crust scraps.

Just out of the oven

with some sugar sprinkles on top.

Sprinkling on some love today

and each day of this week.

Sending him off next Saturday.

 {Love goes with him, always}

♥

Have a beautiful Sunday dear friends,

Let's make every minute count

~ filling the day with abounding grace ~