Mary Engelbreit and Me!

At the Craft and Hobbie Association Convention in Anaheim, CA I had the honor of meeting Mary Engelbreit!!! Wow, what a thrill; can you tell I was giddy with excitement?!! She was such a sweet woman and was very understanding that thousands love her and her work and are beside themselves with joy to meet her...

After I took this picture, I had to call my sister and Mom to tell them -- You'll never guess who I just met! They were as surprised as I was, since we are all big fans of her work... I never in a million years thought I would ever get the opportunity to meet the wonderful ME...

Super Bowl Sunday

While I was up in N. California, I got to see my grand niece and nephew. It had been around 5 months since I had seen them. They grow so fast, so I was anxious to see how cute they are getting and their latest achievements...

I say, you sure looked dapper for church today Cameron!

Thank goodness he's finally getting to the point where I can get a picture; last time I was there he was too fast for me to catch him...

He's getting to be a good talker too...

You are the sweetest--your smile warms my heart...

Later Grammie and Cameron made a beautiful, delicious carrot cake with yummy frosting! Man, that was good...

That cake plate looked so wrong sitting there empty. I saw it there for a few days and then thought--that really needs something in it!

Now for the close-up!!!

I stealthfully snapped a few pictures during the game...

Leilei and (Grand) Poppa

Sweet Leilei in the big people's rocking chair...

Daddy and Leilei

Mommy and Cameron

Leilei in the high chair...

We all had a great day together; even later in the evening little Cameron still had some smiles for me to capture!!!

Little Leilei was ready to hit the hay! Good night sweet one....

A Spontaneous Tea Party

At the end of January, I went to visit my relatives in Northern California... We were thinking it would be nice to have a tea party while I was there, but didn't make any commitment. The next day my niece called and asked when to come over for the tea... So we went to the store to get something to go with the tea and discovered these delicious maple creme cookies; we thought having a tea would be a good excuse to buy some!

Man those cookies were good with the Pomegranate tea my sister served!

We had a lovely time together at our first tea party ever!!!

Aren't they lovely under glass too? Yumm!!!

Of course, we had to get some pictures of the special occasion--hey Bean, how about posting some of the lovely pictures you took of the tea party or create a photo album so we can see your fabulous work.

I love extreme close-ups; especially when I can find a willing subject...

I caught my other niece mid-sentence, I suppose. It was fun just being together and sharing all the fun things we've been doing and just catching up on things, in general...

Dahling, this tea is marvelous... So glad we actually made the time to do this! If it hadn't been for you, Cutie, it probably wouldn't have happened... Many thanks!!!!

Fun Yard Sale Finds

I was on the way home from the store today and decided to stop at one yard sale... Luck would have it that it was a really good one where I could have done some real damage, but I held myself back--whoa girl!

I ended up purchasing these four adorable Mary Engelbreit tea cups with their colorful, happy saucers...

Since the lady had some pretty quality stuff in good condition at a good price, I didn't mind paying a little more than I usually want to. Tomorrow I may go back to check to see if she will lower her prices...

I think my friends and I (and family when they visit) will get a lot of enjoyment out of them... and that's worth a lot to me.

Don't they just make you smile? They are happy little things... Thank you, God! Thank you, Mary E... Thank you, yard sale lady...

Then I saw these beautiful vintage-look pillow covers and chenille cat and had to get them for my pretty sea cottage-look in the bedroom...

I brought them home, threw them in the washer and dryer, and they're good as new--to me!

Buttons asked if he could get in on the photo shoot, so I said yes... He's such a poser...

Oh yea, the duvet cover, was another fabulous yard sale find from another exciting adventure!!!!

A Sweet V-Day Gift

For Valentine's Day, my Honey let me get this Nick & Nora niteshirt for my gift... I just love the sock monkey themed pjs they've been doing lately. I got the Christmas nightshirt for Christmas too; they're so comfy to sleep in...

Our family has a long history of sock monkey memories way back to our dear Gramma's monkeys that she used to adorn with red, blue, or green pom-poms on the arms, legs, and hat. I have a great picture of her and all the monkeys sitting on her couch ready to be delivered to all her grandchildren.

I know it might sound funny, but the sock monkey has become a symbol of my Gramma's love...even though we moved across the country when I was four and didn't get to know her much in my childhood years...

I'm glad someone out there is keeping the sock monkey alive... I'm sure many people have their own sock monkey memories from their childhoods and may still have fond memories of having them to love also...

Until the S. California weather warms up again, I'll be snuggled up in my monkey jammies at night...

Love From My Mom...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

My sweet Mama, who lives in Rodney, Michigan sent me a fun Valentine's package yesterday. Inside was this beautiful afghan that Mom lovingly knitted for me. I feel wrapped in love when I put it around me...

I just love the cables; aren't they beautiful? Someday I hope to be able to whip out one of these babies just like Mom has been doing for years.

As Mom would say--"It's a smile maker"... I was so pleased to receive it just in time for Valentine's day and while we still have the chilly weather to enjoy such heartwarming things...

Thank you, Mom--You're the best!

Mom even made her own cards this year--so lovely and sweet, just like she is...

Also in the box I found this darling Holly Hobbie heart-handled mug. Just had to do a tea tray picture shoot just for you Mom! Under the mug and teapot are knitted hearts Mom gave me in previous years; can't use them for dish cloths though, they're too pretty!

It's such a nice feeling to have these special things from my Mom to enjoy and to think of all the fun times we've had together...

Hope you enjoyed this Valentine blog, Mom....

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

My February Kitchen

I am trying to take a picture each month of my kitchen to share the different looks it takes on through the year. Mom and my sister, Shell give me the inspiration to do this fun little tradition we have going in our family.

I remember as we were growing up, Mom had a dark brown corkboard covered wall next to the kitchen where she would put up pictures that went with the seasons and the holidays. She'd keep them in folders and would tac them up each month. It was a sweet touch that helped us all appreciate the specialness of that particular time of year. What a fond memory...



Now we get more into the dishes--from thrift stores and garage sales, of course. We find some pretty good stuff for great deals, so it is doable. Good thing some months use the same color dishes. My Honey let me use a cabinet in the garage for the "dishes in waiting".



My sister's yard sailing buddy found me some blocks to spell words around the house. I was hoping to find an "I", but no worries, I found God...



Isn't is nice to know that even though people come and go, and are up and down, and sometimes don't seem to care, that God is always there loving you... Ahhhhhhhhhhhh...............

PS Click on pictures for "jumbotron" view!

Tea Time

Ever since visiting my sister, I've been inspired to take some time to enjoy a little tea time. So when I got home, I got out a tray and my pretty tea cup from my sweet Grandma and my thrift store teapot. My beautiful niece gave me the knit doily dishcloth, but I couldn't bring myself to use it to do the dishes. I'd rather appreciate it's loveliness as I sip my tea and think of what a loving family I am blessed to have in my life...

Keeping the Balls in the Air...

It seems I have gotten behind on everything since I was away for a week in N. California... Trying to play catch-up and all the while keeping the balls in the air is my challenge right now.

I got mad at my computer yesterday after spending 30-40 minutes commenting on a friend's blog and somehow losing it--I wanted to cry, and I couldn't bring myself back after that. Note to self: Copy long comments before pressing button just in case...

Have to get a bone density test today and I can't bring you with me, so I have to get going...

Maybe later.