The Blog Community

It all started in 1987, the year I became a mom for the first time.
A lonely isolated time, I was away from home without the
support of family and friends.  True I had a beautiful, healthy,
happy precious baby which is the greatest thing.  Still, I yearned for
a bosom pal to share the adventure.

Country Roads Antiques, Orange, CA

Our little family lived in a bedroom community,
where people spend the night, but
work elsewhere each week day.
My husband, at the time, commuted a long
distance, and otherwise, constantly traveled for work.
He was home on weekends and that was a
blessing but the rest of the time our gang of
three was alone.

My partner is all girlie things. 

It was the three of us at home: a baby
boy; an  American Cocker, named Redd
Button Lucille; and me. Totally unsupervised.

My heart was starved to female companionship.
There were the occasional jaunts to antique fairs,
there was the monthly American Country Living magazine,
and eventually, there was, Susan Branch.
There was I Love Lucy, the reruns I have
been watching since the age of 4, and never grew tired.
There were movies, Anne of Green Gables,
is still a favorite, and books to keep me company.

Eventually, I returned to work outside the home
and make a few friends. I am blessed to still hold some dear.

Meat and more meat - Jacob's favorite

Flash forward to 2007, my  fourth child
and only girl is born.  Instead of feeling isolated,
this time, I found a community of women in bloggyland.
Women who had similar interests.  Homemakers,
artists, crafters, women who thrifted and enjoyed
vintage things. Women who gardened, read books,
cooked, watched BBC, enjoyed old movies, and
journaled in their Bibles.

It was like falling through the rabbit hole to
a wonderland.  Alicia Paulson was the very first blog
I followed. She speaks to my homemaker heart.

Susan Branch inspires.  I have each of her books,
she values girlfriends, homemaking, family and
kitties.

After the birth of my last child, my coworkers
feared I would not return to work.
Honestly, if I could have been creative enough to
develop another means of income...

I would have stayed home with these two.

Christmas Hospitality

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, 

for by so doing some people 

have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 

                             Hebrews 13:2 NIV

One of our Christmas traditions

is to visit my hometown cemetery.
We try to visit prior to the ushering in
of each new year. One year,
we arrived just before midnight
and jumped the gate with flashlights.

Old cemeteries are beautiful.
Our loved ones are laid to rest in a
beautiful peaceful place.

There is only joy in our visits.

Aileen, my friend of over 40 years, walks down the hill with
me to visit  Mrs. Dale, another friend's mother's resting place.

After visiting, our tradition, includes a drive up and down
the U-shaped cemetery road before leaving.

Here's the top:

Descending. Look close, we have visitors.

Turkey hens, out for a December walk in the cemetery sunshine. 

We All Need a Friend

People don't always need advice.
Sometimes all they really need is
a hand to hold, an ear to listen,
and a heart to understand them.
                              Zig Ziglar

My friend, Lori, is that friend. 
Her parents, siblings,
and extended family are remarkable.
An All-American
family: loving, hardworking, inclusive
and supportive.

A few years back, our little family started
joining Lori's family at their
cabin to celebrate 4th of July.

For over 50 years the family has gathered
at the cabin to celebrate. My rendition
of the cabin when Lori's children were
small is depicted below.

Lori's mom entrusted me with her treasured
button box.  In it were more than 50 years
of collected buttons, lace, and snaps. 
I've used some of collection to represent
a winter day at the mountain cabin.

Last Thanksgiving, I asked the family
to each stitch a button unto the canvas.

Wes and Tori 

Stitched with love for a very special friend.
A friend who helped me create through the
darkness back to the light.

Wounded Warrior Chair

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Someone once described me as afflicted.
My girlfriends and I had years of laughter
over that one.
It doesn't even penetrate my armor any
more.  I find well meaning people say the odds things.

I have a colleague who says I watch
too much TV.  This may very well be true,
often while I sit crafting, reading or writing,
I listen to TV.  Most of what we watch is old.
Episodes of  I Love Lucy, Dick Van Dyke, and the
Andy Griffith Show. This colleague drinks every
night but I listened with a smile plastered on my
face and didn't provide a rebuttal. 
 
Another over eater, I can tell because she is
over weigh, too,  described me as a stress eater,
also true, but not something anyone needs to
point out.  I don't seek advise or comments.
I have a tendency to be shy, but open.
Individuals with internal wounds and bullies
alike seem to seek me out.

I feel every comfortable in my skin. In
fact, I like me, my husband says he adores me and my
precious children like me.


Here's what I know of this behavior, people
who point out your flaws are often deeply flawed.
It is their own failings they fear. To distract, they
project their venomous observations on their victims.
Better to turn the other cheek, not engage, and give thanks.

Let their words hang in the air. How do I show compassion,
with all my failings and disabilities,
spread joy?  Through the light of Jesus.

When Birte's husband, Fred,  passed away
she offered me his chair.  She had first
thought to donate it to the Wounded Warrior Project
but then thought I was her wounded warrior.

My affliction, is the result of a degenerative
disease, but she has witnessed the needling and
wanted to provide comfort.

Yes, yes, even in affliction give thanks.

A Grumbler's Paradise

A life spent surrounded by grumblers. 
Nay sayers. 
The glass is half empty types.
Pessimists.  Creatives outlined in darkness.
Silly barkers who lift me up and allow my brightness.

No Jesus fish stickers on my car or
NTW..not of this world decals.
You will know I am Christian
by my love, by my love.  And limited
grumblers. 

Right now, I am reading Delight by J.B. Priesley. 
A grumbler's anthology of good things.  As the proclaimed
Queen of small things the book is a bit of revelry.
 

Love the sarape covered chair.  It would be hard to cut
a perfectly good sarape. 

Manicures all around.

Downtown Los Angeles.

Blast to Graduation 2013

My oldest child, Mark.

My friend, Ana, who stood with me through
the darkest period in my life. 

Mark, Jacob, Holly..Children my greatest achievements.

My in-laws, Priscilla and Jacob, the best Oma and Opa.

Sea of graduates.  Only 17 in my graduate class but 425 undergrads.
Each called up by name.

First on stage.

Hooding ceremony.

My dear Monir. A loyal heart of gold. 

Girlfriends for ever. 

Queen of Simple Pleasures

 Today is my parent's 67th wedding anniversary.


Sentimental and simple. 
Mother was sentimental and Father was a simple man.
They both had loads of friends.  Probably because they were
fiercely loyal. They taught us to be loyal, honest and true.
They were part of the greatest generation.

Lovers of all animals. They both had green thumbs.
And the biggest most generous hearts. 
Sentimental to the core.
Each of us kids inherited a degree of sentimentality.

This morning I woke up with an urgency
to share with you my dear readers.

Friend:  One who knows all about you 
and loves you just the same.
                             Elbert Hubbard

Earlier this week, I received a treasure from
my lifelong friend, Chrisy.  We have
been friends since the age of four.

Long ago, Chrisy gifted this little
book to me.  It's value more precious
then diamonds.

A little tradition started way back in
1978. I am sure she purchased this token
of love with babysitting money.

In all these years, Chrisy's handwriting has not changed.
It is immediately recognizable to me.

This little book was the second book in my
treasure trove. Chrisy didn't date her inscription.

This week the third book arrived in the post,
touched my soul and brought
memories rushing in from long ago.  Our shared
childhood and lives have often run in  parallel.
A kaleidoscope of memories of  childhood,
growing up in a magical small town,
living safe and free. 
A place where the beach and the rolling hills
collide.  Where rain and fog wrapped us
like a comforting blanket.
Where we shared experiences of baking, embroidery,
flowers, and the better things in life.  Where the color
of orange pumpkins illuminates the darkness. 

I didn't understand the color link until this very moment.
The comfort and significance of color and memory.
Orange had never been a favorite color but it definitely represents
a weapon memory and a feeling security.  Wholeness. 
My lightsaver, cane, burns brightly in the color orange.

Eugenia, 
Saw this book and thought of you. 
You are the queen of
simple pleasures 
(pink popcorn, good cup of hot tea, Abba Zabba, etc.)

Much love, 
Chrisy

Only the closest to me would understand the
secrets of my heart.  Abba Zabba still makes my
heart race (the packaging is modern and fresh),
what is prettier than pink popcorn and
hot tea....swoon.

Queen of Simple Pleasures...definitely the title
for my first book. 

Life is precious and fleeting. 

Go seek simple pleasures dear readers.

Rest in Peace

Over eight years ago, I met and immediately co
connected with a colleague.
She was working on her Masters in Public Administration.
She was from the island of Madeira and Portuguese just like me.

So much in common.
She battled breast cancer like a warrior. 
I asked her to continue fighting until her
precious son graduated from high school.

It was not to be.  She grew tired.
She was weary. 
Ready to be called home.

I will miss her.
Until we meet, again.
Rest in peace my dear sweet friend.

Happy Thanksgiving

Whew, what a year indeed.
A year of severe pruning. 
In the end my blessings were there all along.
Love of family and friends.
And the casting of crowns.
Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving. 

Girlfriends playing patty cake...Old Mary Mack

Excitement all around

Holly, Cousin Antonio, Jacob

WEEEEEEE

Joe and I always read in the car.  Smiley faces all around.

Revelations 4:4-10

4.Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, 
and seated on them were twenty-four elders. 
They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.  
5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. 
Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. 
These are the seven spirits of God.  
6 Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, 
clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, 
were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.  
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, 
the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 
 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings 
and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. 
Day and night they never stop saying: 
"HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE Lord GOD ALMIGHTY, 
WHO WAS, AND IS, AND IS TO COME."  
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, 
honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne 
and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the 
twenty-four elders fall down before him 
who sits on the throne, and worship him 
who lives for ever and ever. 
They lay their crowns before the throne and say.

Girlfriend Warriors

This is dedicated to my girlfriend warriors.

What a difference a few months makes.
No matter what is going on in your life.
No matter. This too shall pass.
Everything can and probably will turn in a moment.

Do not despair.
Be secure in your knowledge. 
In my own darkness, I did not despair.
I knew in time, my period of pruning would end,
I would eventually bloom. 

Because my girlfriends stayed the course.
Never lost faith in me.
Always with a word of encouragement.
I am budding now.


 Romans 13:12

The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: 
let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, 
and let us put on the armor of light.

Amen.  My sisters. Amen
.