Happy Dance

There are only two words

that describe our summer joy

p e r f e c t l y

 

happy dance

Thank you for teaching me those two words, Koralee.

{happy dance}

They're perfect for the love and sunshine we feel

inside and outside!

~ Come on ~

Let's get out there like the birdies.

Run under the sprinklers ~ run through the water fountains

and do a happy dance!

visit Sky Watch Friday for more happy skies!

Jason Time

Loving Every Minute of Austin, Texas with Jason! 

★

Kayaking on Lady Bird Lake

An Awesome service at Austin Stone

Whole Foods Knocked my Socks OFF!

Now I know why y'all blog about Whole Foods.

Oh the desserts!

 Oh The Produce!!!

Off for a day of walking.

I will stop to smell the flowers!

summer wings

Trading in my
t e n s e
end of school year shoulders for

summer wings!

Time to relax and get lots of family hugs everyone!
Getting a BIG hug from Jason real soon =)

Bless you all!

~Maria

A Sky Watch with a Google Street View

Have you ever followed this car?

It's the Google Street View car!

First I followed it on my way home from work.

Then, a day later, my son in law followed it as it 'rounded the ramp near our shopping mall.

We were soooo excited to see it.

There was a threat of rain when I was behind it and the camera had a raincoat on...

Now you know how Google gets those street view maps.
{this image from Google}

What a car!

What a job!

What a world!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Keep looking forward . . .

you never know what you'll see!

 

Thank you Sky Watch Team!

Hello Summer

"Teddy bears at the beach"
cupcake made by the daughter of one of our faculty for today's luncheon.

Wishing you

a beary nice summer!
  ♥ Maria

 

Quench your thirst

Afternoon tea ~ icy and minty

...with juicy watermelon slices...

to quench your thirst.

Did you know that watermelon is a berry?
{called a pepo}
and - it's a powerhouse!

{over 90% water, only 45 calories per cup

vitamins A, C and disease-fighting lycopene}

It was so much F U N to eat this treat

on Father's Day afternoon
with my Dad.
It's one of his favorite summer treats.
He is visiting us
and his feet were up all weekend...
...enjoying strawberry shortcake, watermelon,
sunshine
and most importantly
family.

Did all the dads in your family have a refreshing weekend too?

Wishing all of you a wonderfully refreshing week!

*)( Maria )(*

Lift your eyes

Thank you for the promise of heaven.

Help me to remember that each day

 

I am not just walking through life, but

through eternity.
Amen

~

Thank you Mixto, for letting me use your beautiful photograph.
Enjoy more beautiful skies from around the world at
Sky Watch Friday.

Strawberry Shortcake Fun

Do we ever outgrow the fun

 of using cookie and biscuit cutters?

These are the Martha Stewart Collection biscuit cutters.

I couldn't resist these either.

They POPPED right in my hands and onto the counter!

Just like those strawberries!

They just POPPED into my shopping cart and then

into the sugary sweet bowl

and onto my plate.

The biscuits were made the day before ~ easy peasy Bisquick shortcakes.

{I always add a couple of tablespoons of butter to the recipe}

Amanda and I had so much fun with the cutters.

...then...

~ Real whipped heavy cream ~ 

a spray can of cream would not do this time!

I am so grateful for these sweet and simple gifts

strawberries

biscuits

cream

...setting the table with vintage things...

but most of all the time spent with family baking and celebrating

and the time spent sharing with

you!

♥

Have a wonderful Wednesday dear friends!

God bless you always,

 ~Maria

For the Love of Strawberries

{I couldn't resist}

...because I love...

strawberries,

vintage

and

linens

Strawberry Quiche plate

{Good Will}

Wilendur strawberry tablecloth

{eBay vintage}

We enjoyed

a strawberry shortcake

birthday celebration this weekend.

  ♥   ♥   ♥  

Here's a peek at our yummy dessert

More strawberry days with recipes to follow.

 

Have a happy week dear friends!

Wishing you much JOY,
  ~ Maria
 

A Mammatus Sky Watch

90 degree weather

+ high humidity

=

thunderstorms and skies to watch.

Thanks to EcoRover, I know what these clouds are called
that bubbled up it our skies last night.

Mammatus!

They are not the ordinary clouds that we see in our very usual
northeast weather.
Our camera did not capture just how low and water laden they were.

You know it just poured.

The lightening was amazing too...
...electric curls spiraled through the mammatus cloud balloons.
{thank you, Chris, for  running out to take these photos}

It will be over 90 degrees in my second floor classroom today.
It's a good day to 'be still.'
I'm so glad that we have several days in the 70's coming our way!
...perfect for baking strawberry shortcake biscuits...

There are more amazing sights to see at

Sky Watch Friday!

Ring, Ring, Ring . . .

have a wonderful week

with lots of sunshine on your face

a little wind in your hair

 

flowers along your paths

and a reason to smile each day

Wishing you joy,

Love,

   ~Maria

Anniversary ♥ wishes

Every moment

is a once in a lifetime

moment.

♥

Happy First Anniversary Rachael and Juan! 

 ♥

“There is no feeling more comforting and consoling

than knowing you are right next to the one you love.”

~
“Love is what makes two people sit in the middle of a bench

when there is plenty of room at both ends”
 

~
“To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven”- Karen Sunde
 

~
“Love is something eternal; the aspect may change, but not the essence”
 -Vincent van Gogh
 

~
“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because 

reality is finally better than your dreams.”- Dr. Seuss quotes  

 Wishing you Joy

Always and Forever,

♥ Mom

Tulip Trees

Liriodendron Tulipifera

"The Lily Tree that produces Tulips."

Carolus Linnaeus, a Swiss botanist, named this

interesting and beautiful tree.

~ ~ ~

Because of it's large trunk and excellent buoyancy,

it was used to make canoes for early explorers and settlers.

This beautiful tulip tree grows at the end of our cul de sac.

It is in full bloom now and is so very

splendid

{photos taken June 2 in the early morning}

{a peek inside the flower of the tulip tree}

It is the state tree of both Kentucky and Tennessee,

but I am so glad we have one here in

New York!

Enjoy your springtime!

Keep cool

Keep calm

Stay refreshed

inside and outside

Wishing you great JOY!

~Maria

There are more beautiful sights to see at

Sky Watch Friday!