Turn, Turn, Turn

Please remember my friend Susan in your prayers today. Yesterday her Mom, Kathy died after a long battle with cancer. Susan and Kathy are my Guild Sisters. Kathy's grace and kindness through her illness is something I will always remember. Life... saying goodbye to a friend, celebrating a baby to be...sad and happy at the same time. To everything there is a season.

Some People Never Change...

...and in the case of our son Jon, that's a very good thing! Jon started out life happy, content, sweet, loving.  He'd look up at me and smile and I knew then that he was someone special. I still get that feeling today as I look at the handsome, talented, happy, content and loving man who is celebrating a birthday today.

This is what I made Jon for his birthday. A case for his iPad. There are many tutorials on the web, but I used this one.

It's always been easy to make this guy happy, and I hope he'll enjoy using this. Happy Birthday Jon Jon, may all your dreams come true!  I love you so!

Test Run

Bear with me one more week, as I prepare for Kristen's Baby Shower. We had guests celebrating Our son Jon's birthday, and he requested death by chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting. I thought it was the perfect opportunity to try out my new Dessert Tower. No where on the box did it say how many cupcakes it would hold, so this was a test run. I had 2 dozen frosted cupcakes and it looked pretty sparse.

Of course at the shower I want it filled, so at least 3 dozen cupcakes are in my future. Sometime I will do a tutorial on fast and neat cupcakes. I've got it down to a science, and can make 3 dozen in a New York minute!

I love this design...it's plastic, but sturdy. It nests for storage and goes together in seconds. I entertain family and friends, not to mention at Guild functions, so this little purchase was worth it, and with a coupon, very reasonable.

I was made aware of a guest that is vegan. So she can be included in the fun and snacks, I made a trip to Whole Foods. Did you know that their chocolate chip cookies are vegan? I found these fruity bears to add to my candy buffet. Something for everyone!

My neighbors successfully built this snowman. Isn't he cute? But he reminds me of someone...I am scratching my temple, trying to remember...It will come to me;-) This might take a while, until next time, enjoy this beautiful day!

Now, This is Love!

I built a snowman...The snow was "good packing" as we used to say when judging the quality of snow for snowballs, forts and such. I filled a large round garbage can with snow and turned it over for the base. I cleaned off my son's car for the snow for the head and arms. I used my hubby's scarf and a top hat from my son. (That barely escaped glittering this Christmas.) Then I went for my camera, noticing a definite lean to "Snowy"...I always name my snowmen. I never even made it to the door..."Snowy" was no more!

Sadness filled my heart...(dramatic, perhaps)

Then my dearest, came out and posed for me, ala "Snowy." Now, this is love! (He's one in a billion, and almost as silly as me!) Have a great day my friends.

Nature is Awesome!

The world outside has gone white with snow, and we are snowbound, by our own choice I must add.

The trees are covered in white and it's still snowing.

All through the night I heard ice breaking, and at 3am it looked as bright as a cloudy morning.

My family is snug and warm here at home and in the city.

Hope you are all safe and warm this morning, and that this day of being snowbound makes for some happy memories at your home too. Enjoy the magnificence of nature!

On the Brink

We are on the brink of a late February snowstorm.  They predict 3 to 6 inches of the heavy white stuff.  I've got projects to keep me busy, but as far as the things I have to do for the shower, the list is slowly being checked off.  I'm working on name tags, suggested by the Mom to be, and finished wrapping the utensils.
I made 5 additional favors this week and still have to put together favors for the small guests  Another request of the Mom to be, for guests to bring their children. (Small guests are our favorite guests!)

I had a small misunderstanding with my little bird, (my great niece, 3 and a 1/2 years old) who took offense when I pulled the heads off my withering roses, including the one she had in her hand.  The tears flowed and I felt bad, but I thought she would soon forget about it.  When Grandma came to pick her up she told the whole sad story, including the one where I cut something in half when she clearly wanted it whole!  As my boys would say, "Busted"!

I was looking in local thrift stores for a clear punch bowl, (which my dear SIL Elizabeth had ;-) when I found these two lost lambs.  These are the same cake molds I already own, that were my Mom's.  I couldn't pass them up for $3 apiece.  Not sure what I am going to use them for, since I've already confessed here that I have never baked a lamb cake that turned out. 

In one of these magazines they filled a similar mold with plaster and used it as a door stop.  The Rediscovered Treasures book was recommended by dear Dawn from the Feathered Nest.  So many great ideas for re purposing, and great photos.  Check out Dawn's post about it here.
My job for today, making a cammo iPad cozy for our son Jon.  It was a special  birthday request, and the web is filled with patterns for just such a thing.  I'm heading to the store before the storm.  The stove needs a pot of something on it, so we can truly enjoy the snowstorm that will be here by lunch.  Local friends, be safe out there, and enjoy this beautiful day.

Happy Paczki Day!

I've had paczki on Fat Tuesday for as long as I can remember. Mom used to fry up a large batch each year, and we'd have them for dessert after dinner. In later years they rarely made it to the table, with five of us kids watching and hoping to get a few as soon as they were cool enough to eat. Keeping the tradition alive for my family does not include me sweating over a deep fryer. I go to the local grocery, and purchase an assortment for my family and my brother Greg's family that live here in town. They will never be as good as fresh from my Mom's kitchen, but then few things are.

I looked up Paczki Day and here's what it said...

Many Polish Americans celebrate Pączki Day on Fat Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday). Traditionally, the reason for making pączki was to use up all the lard, sugar, eggs and fruit in the house, because they were forbidden to be consumed due to Catholic fasting practices during Lent.

Growing up Catholic, Lent was very serious business. No meat on Friday was just the tip of the iceberg, and having the good Sisters at school guiding us through Lent made us pay attention to all the rules.   Lent is very different today, but still a time of reflection.  As time goes by these traditions connect me with my roots, my family and my faith. Today is the last celebration until Easter, so for today, let the good times roll!

Weekend Update

This old girl was spoiled and gifted and showered with flowers.  This little orchid plant was the feather in my birthday bonnet.  My dear pal Jane remembered me with this sweet plant, I don't want to do it in.  I hope it thrives on neglect, the only kind of indoor plants I seem to keep alive.

After a long week indoors, we headed up north for a mental health Sunday ride.  We left a mountain of things undone just to have a little drive, a walk on the lakefront and some fresh cold air.  It was a beautifull Sunday, and we just drove with no destination. 

 The sky was so blue, did you notice, like it was scrubbed clean.

The lake was frozen, and when the sun hit the ice, the glare was blinding.  I had no idea when I aimed my camera what would come out.

Soon the ice will be gone.  Even with the cold temperatures, the sun was warm...and have you noticed how long the days are getting?

The night skies have been so clear this weekend.  Did you see Venus and Jupiter?  At sunset look west, it's spectacular to see these planets, the brightest things in the sky.  For more info check this out!

Happy Presidents Day...  Who is your favorite President?  Mine, if your wondering...Jimmy Carter!  I am not a political person, but I so admire President Carter and the things he's accomplished since he was President.  He works for peace around the world, has eradicated disease, fought for justice. A Nobel prize winner for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts. A great writer, a all around good guy.  Remember when he "lusted in his heart" and felt bad about it.  I love that about him!  Have a great day my friends.

Love at First Sight

These precious girls share the same name. Our little bird wanted her sister to have Jon's sweetheart's name, and Mom and Dad really liked the name too. Now we have two beautiful girls with the same name! I have to come up with a name for her here on my blog.

Jon is smitten...

Michael is in awe!

And the flowers keep coming...

Precious moments, special memories...my heart is full! Enjoy this beautiful day!