An Apology and The Last Day....

First off my apologies for any of you that received a bogus e-mail from me stating I was in Madrid, stranded and needed money.  I only wish I was in Madrid, and yes, I could always use money, but it was not from me, but from some brainless, too much time on their hands, conniving person looking for snicks and grins or a quick buck.  The good news was that I received e-mails and phone calls from around the world asking if I was OK and making sure I was not in Madrid needing money, I spoke to people I had not heard from in a long time.  But....the bad news was that this conniver erased ALL of my emails and ALL of my contacts....so I am starting all over...clean slate.  YURK!!  I am telling all my local friends that those that wish to donate money for my trip to Madrid, (hee hee) that there is a basket out by the mailbox to drop off their donations....so far the basket remains empty.  

Today was the last day of Bible Study until we resume again in the fall.  But not to worry, a bunch of us still continue to gather each Wednesday at our local Barnes & Noble Book Store to drink coffee/tea/water and to chit chat about our week.  These gatherings are so full of love and energy and our circle continues to grow.  The first year we only had 2/3 or 4, last year it grew to 9-12...wonder what this summer will bring.

This being the last day of Bible Study we ofcourse, reflected on what this study had meant to us and what we took away...the study was on St.Paul's letters to the Philippians and the Colossians.  He wrote both of these books of the New Testament filled with joy and the holy spirit while in a Roman prison encouraging the people of Philippi and Colassae to stay strong, to not falter on their path to Christianity and to use his teachings with wisdom.  I am not so sure how much joy I could find being inprisoned but Paul had such faith and was so determined to spread the word of Christ that joy flowed from his heart.  In ending this discussion our leader quoted the minister in a recent Sunday sermon...."The Bible doesn't prove God, but it is an invitation to respond to what you have heard and read."  I thought that was pretty profound.

Two weeks ago I took my camera to Bible Study (should be no surprise) and by invitation I was asked to take random pics of our Wednesday morning group so we could submit the pics to our local TV station NLTV on their 25th anniversay.  Naperville folks were asked to submit pics or videos as to what we were doing on Wednesday, May 2nd so this is what I did.....

Then, last week we had our luncheon...the tables were beautifully decorated...

Each of us was asked to bring a salad.  There were about 75 women at this luncheon and that meant 75 different salads.  My tummy filled up way too fast, there were far too many to even taste.

After that wonderful food, one of the ladies from the church that works at our local Garden Center did a lovely presentation on container gardening....she summed everything up by saying when planting a container you need a THRILLER, SPILLERS, AND FILLERS....never heard that before but great advice.

A wonderful time was had by all....

Summing all this up I heard another good quote today...."Will what you do today make God smile?"  Something to think about.

Until next time.....

Getting the Garden Ready

I worked outside most of the day, getting the garden ready for summertime, pulling the pots out, setting out the garden ornaments.  This has to be one of the favorite times of the year for me.  Hopefully by the end of the week I will have the pots full of fresh flowers and the porch ready for sitting and sipping.

The hostas are full and lush, the pots are ready for flowers....

The garden ornaments are back out of storage...

The roses are in full bloom....

Linking this to Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday....used 2 of Kim's textures (1) Golden, 1 layer at 100% soft light and (2) Chase also 1 layer at 100% at soft light...

My mystery Iris from last year is back again, this year I think I may get at least 4 flowers instead of the lowly one I had last year....

I have a ton of buds on the Endless Summer Hydrangea....

The porcelain vine on the fence is sprouting new leaves...

Sure looks like something has been chewing on the pansies....

And with me, always by my side is Toby....  He looks as tired as I feel.

Days filled with sun, flowers and favorite companions, I wish for you.....

"My whole life is an adventure.  But you don't have to do something racy and wild to have an adventure.  You can have one in your own backyard."  ~  Gary Paulsen

Until next time.....

The Monday after Mom's Day

We had a beautiful Mother's Day....the sun was shining, the birds were singing, soft breeze blowing, not a cloud in the sky.  God was smiling at us.  My day began as usual, coffee and checking on e-mails, posts, etc and finishing up my Scavenger Hunt Sunday pics.  My sweetie's brother and two sisters came for a really quick visit from Ohio to see him.   I was so hoping that he would be in good spirits and maybe, maybe recognize them.  My prayers were answered, he was both in really good spirits and I do believe he recognized them, a real bonus.  As I was going thru the many, many pictures that I had taken while they were here yesterday morning, a sadness swept over me remembering the Mother Day Sundays when he would always fix me breakfast in bed, present me with a lovely tray loaded with breakfast goodies (he was a whiz at fried eggs) usually a gift of some kind and ofcourse a beautiful card, always reminding me I was NOT his Mother.  Those days are long gone, but I still have wonderful memories, something he has been robbed of.

My man and me....

I finally remembered to take his MP3 player filled with lots of his favorite music...see the look of satisfaction on his face....

I managed to catch all 4 of them smiling with all eyes open....a real trick sometime.

As I set there bawling, the phone rang...it was my daughter calling to invite me to dinner.  The invite helped to get me out of my sadness.  So, tears wiped away, and dressed, I drove up to my daughter's for a pleasant afternoon with my girls...daughter and 2 granddaughters.

A sweet pic of my Mom at 91 on her last Mother's Day, May 9, 2010 with us....she passed away the following November.

And....for Mother's Day, I bought myself this plant.  I love this plant and have been looking for it this spring.  It is sooo photogentic...!!!

Hope your Mother's Day was filled with good memories and a pleasant day.

"Your love for your Mother is something that you never completely comprehend until you are separated by the miles from her warmth and her wonder."  ~  Collin McCarty

Until next time.....