Kasey's Easter Wreath

I went and had dinner with Jake and Kasey last night.  Kasey was very excited to show me the Easter wreath that she made.  So simple . . . just a styrofoam wreath, plastic eggs, a bow, and a hot glue gun.  Ashley made one too - after seeing the idea on Pinterest.  It is so bright and fun!  I love it . . . and I love my daughter-in-law!

3 things . . . and corn beef & cabbage

March Photo Challenge - 3/17/15 . . . 3 Things.

These are the three Pandora charms that the all kids gave me for my birthday.  The purple heart represent February . . . Jake picked out the cross - he is very aware of his mother's faith, and Luke chose the Lucky Cat - he knows what I like.  The bracelet is very special to me.

It wouldn't be St. Patrick's Day without corn beef and cabbage.  It is always such a great meal.  Luke added a new salad to the menu this year consisting of cabbage, oven roasted potatoes and carrots and a spicy mustard dressing.  It was delicious . . . we will definitely be making it again next year.  

. . . mashed potatoes, horseradish sauce, soda bread, and a delicious pastry that Jennifer brought for dessert.  As usual, I ask myself . . . why do we only make this meal only once a year?

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Ready to play . . .

Starting a new holiday tradition . . . making ornaments with all the kids.

Ornaments, paint, glue, jewels, button, googly eyes, markers, glitter of course . . . and whatever else I can pull out of my craft room.  It should be a fun night!

4th of July

What a difference a year makes . . . she loved fireworks again this year, but this year she got to hold her own sparkler - with her daddy's help of course.  

more fun today . . .

Thanksgiving Feast . . . with one special little Blue Jay!

Crossing Guards

This is our last day of school before Thanksgiving . . . so our crossing guards have to do their holiday thing this week.  They get quite a response from cars driving by.  Love them!

A little Halloween at work

 I love grinning Jack O' Lanterns . . .

I had a busy week at work . . . but the women I work with know how much I like Halloween and got me moving as far as putting up some decorations.  Even my boss had made a comment that I was behind schedule on the Halloween decorations . . . so we pulled some stuff out, I brought some stuff from home, and I even cut my walk short at lunch to stop  at Pier 1 and pick up a few ornaments for the Halloween tree we have . . . which for some reason I didn't take a picture of yesterday.  We have a few more things we want to do . . . but the office is looking quite festive.  I think we have as many lights as we do at Christmas time.  :)  The kids love it when they come into the office.  The last photo is a flower pen made out of duct tape that our nurse bought for me . . . one of our parents at school makes and sells them.  I don't think I have the patience to make them . . . but I added a link to a YouTube tutorial if you would like to try . . . they are so cute! 

So the Halloween spirit has definitely hit our office.  I have said it many times, but will say it again . . . I work with an amazing group of people that make going to work not seem like work at all. 

Happy 4th of July!

What a wonderful day we had.  A day celebrating with family and old friends . . . actually old friends that are family!

Fun in the sun!

Fun in the water!

Big guys that I love . . .

 . . . and little guys that I love.

Fun and games . . .

. . . and so much great food.  I should have taken more pictures of the food.

The first sunflower of the summer . . . and more on the way.  It is going to be so much fun watching them bloom!  Find JOY in the small stuff . . . it makes life amazing!

Two of my favorite men.  I wish Jake and Kasey could have been here.

Charlotte actually really seemed to enjoy the fireworks . . . I am not sure what this picture is all about.  I think Abbie has another one like this where she looks much happier . . . I will have to get that photo.  I don't like this sad looking little face.

Lily whirled and twirled and had a wonderful 4th of July.  She went home tired and happy!

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays . . . this one was one of the best!  GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving morning . . . is all about the Thanksgiving Day Parade to me.  I remember watching the parade as a child every Thanksgiving.  I remember my mom getting up early to bake and cook.  I am pretty sure we did not eat breakfast in front of the television . . . but once breakfast was finished there I sat in awe of the balloons, the crowd, and the city.  I grew up in a small town in Iowa - so this was a glimpse at a world very different than mine.   Years later, I had a friend who had grown up in New York City . . . she had memories of her father taking her to the parade each year.  I can imagine how  amazed I would have thought that was when I was a child.

I suppose that when I was very young - I watched the parade in black and white.  I can't really remember when we first had a colored tv . . . but I am sure I was in even more in awe of the parade the first time I saw it in color.

I can remember deciding each year which balloon I liked the best and looking forward to seeing Santa Claus at the end of the parade . . . knowing then that Christmas was not far off.  I remember enjoying Thanksgiving . . . for Thanksgiving.  We were not bombarded with Christmas for weeks before - stores were not open on holidays . . .(if you found that you forgot to buy something, you called a neighbor or family member - you did not run to the grocery store . . . it was closed.)   

I remember as the parade rolled on family started to arrive . . . aunts, uncle, and cousins.  What fun we had during those holidays.  It must have been hectic and noisy - even though our house had plenty of room for everyone.  My mom, grandma, and aunts were in the kitchen cooking and doing dishes.  I remember my dads and uncles sitting around the tv - and after we finished eating everyone played cards, ate some more, and visited.  I remember being so excited to have all my cousins around and I remember my uncle Bill always falling asleep on the sofa. : )

I am thankful for my childhood in that small town in Iowa.  It was a wonderful place and time to grow up.  I still enjoy the Thanksgiving Day Parade . . . I am up early like my mother used to be baking and cooking.  We have to move our meal up a few hours . . . one of my sons works in retail and he has to go to work this evening.  I sometime wish we could go back to that way of life when the stores were closed on holidays and the world was a little simpler.  But there are plenty of things to be thankful for still . . . the main ones being the people I will share this holiday with - family and friends.  Here's to a wonderful day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

4th of July

Hung up my large flag for the 4th of July . . . I think I may just leave it up for awhile.  I really like how it looks.  (Although I think I am going to have to move that line running around the house.)  Our weather has been so beautiful.  Usually by now - our temperatures are upper 90's and over 100 by this time of year.  I don't really mind the heat - but upper 80's and 90's with a breeze has been wonderful and I am going to love my gas and electric bill this month - haven't had to run the AC much at all.

We are going to BBQ today of course - may have to make an apple pie. 

Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muretos . . . I'm a little late posting about "Day of the Dead" - but wanted to share this dish that Richard gave me the other day. He knows I have always been fascinated by this holiday and it's traditions. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed - I have always wanted to make an altar, but never seem to get it done . . . I am told it isn't just done for that particular day - and they can be left up all year round. If I get going on that and actually make the time to do it - I will post some pictures.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

In reality . . . if there was a leprechaun on Richard's shoulder - they would be deciding where to go have a beer.

May your blessings outnumber

The shamrocks that grow,

And may trouble avoid you

Wherever you go.

~Irish Blessing

Never Too Old - or Too Young

Here they are - all grown up, but still coloring Easter Eggs!
Well . . . not everyone is grown up.
Both the boys are very big on traditions - which may explain why they still do stuff like this. It is very different from when they were small. There are girlfriends involved, the conversation has changed, the cups of dye don't get spilled - I just love it when we are all together.

Grrr... knitting

I finished my squiggle scarf. I am sure it is riddled with mistakes (one nice thing about this kind of yarn). But I finished the scarf, used up some stuff that I had, actually tried something new by using the circular needles, and I am determined to continue knitting until I get it. Always look for the positive - right? I know these pictures are dark - I am hoping sunshine is in the forecast for tomorrow. This little bag contains a pattern and yarn for a lacy scarf. It was a gift from my cousin Amy. I told myself - not another scarf, but it is such an easy thing to practice on, and I am trying to use some of the stuff that I already have. I started it three times last night. What is with me and knitting. I know what I am supposed to do. I was getting pretty good at it a few years ago, but I seem to make mistakes no matter how hard I try not to. Amy - I need to live closer to you so you can help me. I think I get the most frustrated - because when I do make a mistake - I have not idea how to fix it. When I crochet - a mistake is so simple to fix. I'll wear the yarn out simply by ripping out the first four rows so often. I finally decided I was tired (it was 2:00 in the morning) - so I will start again this morning. I found these little crocheted carrots in a gift shop that I walk by nearly everyday - but rarely go in to shop. I probably should have just walked by this time too - I keep telling myself that I don't need any more "stuff".

This Easter basket was mine when I was small. Made out of plastic, it somehow has survived all these years. It is one of my favorite decorations this time of year. I am going to go pick up my knitting needles again - hopefully with more success today.

"You can do it. It's only one stitch at a time." ~ Myra Hansen

Top o' the Morning!

May God grant you always . . . A sunbeam to warm you,

a moonbeam to charm you,

a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you,

Laughter to cheer you,

Faithful friends near you,

And whenever you pray - Heaven to hear you.

~ Irish Blessing ~

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I brought breakfast into the office this morning - scrambled eggs, a potato casserole, and green bread of course. What a great way to start the day.

Green is my favorite color!

“If you're lucky enough to be Irish,

then you're lucky enough.”

We had our St. Patrick's Day a little early this year. Our friends could not make it for dinner on Tuesday - so I made corned beef and cabbage last night. I will have to come up with another Irish meal for Tuesday.
Our friends have two young boys and I always like to give them something when they come over. These glasses twinkle when you push a button on the bottom - so we filled them up with green soda of course and let them twinkle away.

Green bread of course! This meal is becoming a tradition in our house as big as Thanksgiving. I felt like I had cooked all day - but enjoyed every minute of it. My Grandma Kubicek (who was Irish) - always made green bread on St. Patrick's Day - so I am keeping that tradition going.

Richard was also thinking green this week - he kept bringing home green candy. The shamrock dish full of green Jelly Belly's seems to have disappeared - not only does Jake like Jelly Belly's, but the green watermelon flavored ones are his favorite.

I believe these little shamrock cups belonged to my other grandma (who was German - not Irish, but hey, her last name was "Green"). So we had a wonderful evening - good food, good friends. And we still have St. Patricks' Day to celebrate on Tuesday!!!

May love and laughter light your days,

and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours,

wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world

with joy that long endures.

May all life's passing seasons

bring the best to you and yours!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!
This is such a fun holiday - but then I think every holiday is fun. I do believe in romance - I am a hopeless romantic. But Valentine's Day isn't really about romance to me. (Oh - he has to remember - it isn't like I would let him off the hook on such a holiday). I have been married for 27 years - through ups and downs, good times and bad - I don't really need a holiday to know that I am loved and don't really like to make too big of a deal out of it in that aspect. I probably did more when I was younger, but not so much these days. I get much more excited when I get some silly little surprise from him on a random day - just because he feels like it. Valentine's Day for me is a great day to make heart shaped pancakes, watch silly romantic movies that make me cry, give my kids a little something to remind them that I love them, and if romance finds it way into the picture - I'll take that too. ~ It is a holiday made for "Ooola"

I mentioned something that was inside my Ooola coffee mug the other day - this bracelet. I love it!
"Love is what you've been through with somebody." ~James Thurber, quoted in Life magazine, 1960