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Thursday, June 23, 2011

I know she is just a dog . . .

Yes, just a dog  . . .
but she is our "bright spot"
in our day and night too. 



Sometimes she holds still for a pic or two . . .


. . . or three . . .


"Some kind of love"
Snickers June 2011

Nothing fancy . . .

Not too fancy,
certainly quick and easy . . .

Do you like lasagna?  Me too! 
I find this recipe a "quick fix" especially
when there are hungry boys
outdoors helping granny with gardening chores.


Baked Ziti
~
1 lb of Ziti
2 jars of Prego Sauce
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
8-12 slices of mozzarella
8-12 slices of provolone
2 cups of sour cream
Fresh Parmesan

Brown meat and drain, add sauce into meat
Boil Ziti and drain

In large 10x15 pan pour 1/2 meat sauce until it covers bottom of pan.
Place 1/2 of noodles,on top of meat sauce. 
 Then a layer mozzarella cheese 
Then a layer of provolone cheese
Layer of one half of the sour cream.

Repeat meat sauce, noodles, morzzarella, provolone, sour cream

Top with Parmesan. 
Bake at 350 degrees for 1/2 hour
Let stand 10-15 minutes before cutting/serving.



Serve with a salad and enjoy!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Love Is A Special Way Of Feeling . . .


A recent birthday, (my own)
and an upcoming birthday of my daughter
set me on a search for a book. 

I shared part of my birthday this year
on a gorgeous day at the lake with dear friends.
The day made me especially aware of friendships
and a sincere appreciation for
life treasures and blessings.

Tucked away in my collection of books I found,
Love Is A Special Way Of Feeling
Joan Walsh Anglund

Please enjoy this story along with me . . .


Love is a special way of feeling . . . .


It is the safe way we feel when we sit on our mother's lap
with her arms around us tight and close.


It is the good way we feel when we talk to someone
and they want to listen and don't tell us to go away and be quiet. 


It is the happy way we feel when
we save a bird that has been hurt  . . .


or feed a lost cat . . .


or calm a frightened colt. 


Love is found in unexpected places . . .
It is there in the quiet moment
when we first discover a beautiful thing . . .
when we watch a bird soar
high against a pale blue sky . . .


when we see a lovely flower
that no one else has noticed.


when we find a place
that shelters us and is
all our very own.


Love starts in little ways . . .
It may begin the day
we first share our
thoughts with someone else . . .


or help someone who needs us . . .


Or, sometimes, it begins
because, even without words,
we understand how someone feels. 


Love comes quietly . . .
but you know when it is there,
because, suddenly . . .
you are not alone any more . . .
and there is no sadness
inside you. 


Love is a happy feeling
that stays inside your heart for the rest of your life. 
~~~ 
The End

This book was given to my daughter for her birthday many years ago. 

I think she needs to receive this once again
for her July 7, 2011 birthday. don't you?


1977

Friday, June 10, 2011

Shadow . . .


Snickers knows we are going away
and she is NOT HAPPY! 



She is watching and waiting just in case
she might be able to "catch a ride!"


This is her, "I don't think I am going along" look.


This is her,
"I will be a really, really good girl" look. 


She is following me EVERYWHERE!


This is her,
"I think they are leaving" look!

~~~~~

We will be back home soon Snickers!

Have fun with TJ and Paws!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Mary, Mary, how will your garden grow ?

Well I know one thing,
the garden and flowers will grow
BUT
they need plenty of tending and guidance along the way. 

It has been a busy few weeks on Riverwood
as we sort, move, split, edge, weed, fertilize, water and a ton of other stuff. 
And just as we finish and sit back and take a look and enjoy,
it is time to start the process all over again. 

But the rewards are many . . . 


Allium
first bud



Allium
full bloom


Bittersweet vine
the berries are way, way up on top
Darn!


Do you have bundles and bunches of pollen crud?
It billows, blows and sticks on everthing.
It is dreadful around here!!!!


Ostrich Fern


Up the front walkway.


Hosta, Hosta and more Hosta
and a lettuce garden in the black pot



First Japanese Iris in bloom
(more to this story later on)


Another variety of Japanese fern.


A Poppy ready to pop!
(more to this story soon)



This tree is delightful. 
In the Spruce family, slow growing,
and it doesn't get very tall.
Aren't the cones fun?
(The name escapes me, but I will find it!)


Annebelle Hydrangeas everywhere. 
Can you tell green is my favorite color?
This Hydrangea has huge, HUGE white flowers. 
It is in bloom from June into July. 
Gorgeous!


More fern and hosta.


Recycled art and garden benches.

Life is Good!




The Charm Bracelet tells a story . . .

THE CHARM BRACELET

As I passed by my jewelry box the other day
I was struck with a flash of memory about my charm bracelet.
I realized that a chain of charms can
basically tell the story of someones life.. 

I am sure there may be some of you who have not
seen a bracelet like this one. 
BUT, back in the fifities and sixties they were "the thing." 


The bracelet told a story about the
person who was wearing it. 
The things she liked to do, the places she may have visited. 
Favorite family members and memories
were often depicted in a charm in the bracelet.
Some bracelets were in silver and some in gold.

The above bracelet is mine. 
Some of my mom's charms were added
to my bracelet after my mom died.


We were a skiing family and were fortunate to ski in the west many times. 
You can see the skier and a Vail charm in this photo. 

Photography has always been an interest, see the camera charm? 
I certainly don't have the professional touch and style
I find in many of the blogs I follow. 
Aren't some of the photographs just fabulous?
I click, collect and create photo albums,
collage, 50's style and enjoy making
visual and slide shows for the family.


A birthday or anniversary would often bring a gift of a new charm.
So many memories live out in a charm bracelet. 
I guess the word to use here is,  just plain
CHARMING. 


A celtic charm from a trip to Ireland, a St Christopher medal
belonging to my grandmother, the list goes on.


If you look closely in this photo you will see three oblong charms. 
They were given to me by my parents for a birthday when I was five or six. 
They are called "Forget Me Nots." 
I had three, mother, father, brother. 
They were on a thin, black gross grain ribbon. 
They are my most treasured charms.

The baby shoe makes me think of my real life treasures,
Suzie and Scott, my two children. 

Memories are the gifts we never have to give away.