Beauties and the "Hooch"

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others, for beautiful lips, speak words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."
Audrey Hepburn

Grandmother, granddaughters, the mom and Hooch.
The group picture was snapped after they were checking on "J"
J had the allergic reaction on road trip. 

Hooch is making his second appearance on the blog. Previously, he was the pet of the week. Today, Hooch is joined with the beauties. Hooch remains the gentle and obedient pet.

Grands

"It's such a grand thing to be a mother of a mother - that is why the world calls her grandmother."
Unknown

Grandmothers  hold a special place of honor in our lives. These lovely grandmothers were Flower Grans.

What is a Flower Gran? Grandmothers who replace flower girls. Have they created a new trend or tradition? I love that they had a special place of honor in the wedding. 

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday ... Cake Pull

Exactly what is a Cake Pull?

"Most popular in the South, especially around New Orleans, the Cake Pull gets its roots from an old Victorian tradition of "ribbon pulling". In those days, charms of luck and good fortune were placed inside the wedding cake by the bride for her single friends." (Source: Uncovering Southern Traditions:: Cake Pulls)

 Lisa created a special Cake Pull for Katie's ( her daughter) Bridal Tea.  Tucked inside small envelopes she placed silver charms each with a special meaning. 

This Bridal Cake Pull was as delicious as well as beautiful. 

Lisa is so gifted.  I am blessed to call her friend. 

Monday Musings ... Bridesmaids

Lovely Maid of Honor

"A happy bridesmaid makes a happy bride."
Alfred Lord Tennyson

This week will be a reflection from last Saturday's wedding.

Sister -in- law

hopes all things

I Corinthians 12:31 - 13:8
"Brothers and sisters: Strive eagerly for the greatest gifts. But I shall show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do have have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.  Love is patient, love is kind.  It is not jealous, is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek tis own interests, it not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."

celebrations

Last month, I receive an invitation to attend a Bridal Tea.  I was looking forward with anticipation to the event.  The tea exceeded all of my expectations. What a lovely day for the bride-to-be, her family, bridesmaids, and friends. It was an afternoon filled with love, laughter, and such joy.

Road Trips

"Because the greatest part of a road trip isn't arriving at your destination. It's all the wild stuff that happens along the way."
Curiano.com

Preparing for any trip always lives me frazzled. It is all about the planning, preparing, packing, and cleaning. Add to this... preparing to host a book club the day before you leave. It left me  exhausted.  

Once the luggage is loaded, we are ready to go! What unexpected things will happen along the way? Allergic reactions, trips to drugs stores, and a visit to Care Now Urgent Care. 

Have you seen the movie Hitch? In the movie, Will Smith has an allergic reaction to a food. His face starts to swell... Imagine you are the passenger in a car and your husband's face begins to swell as he drives. 

Yes, it is a bit scary. 

I pray. I am alarmed. Thankfully, we arrive in time to be seen a doctor. After examination, he asks some questions... did you eat anything different today?    ....  We think that the issue has been identified.  I think further testing needs to be explored once we return home.

Whatever situations we encounter, prayer is always vital. 

reflection

On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrated one of the most sacred of times of the year. The Resurrection of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus.  Worldwide Christians took time to mark this holy remembrance. Congregations in our city held sunrise services, watched dramatic presentations from the Bible, sang hymns, and listened to sermons.  Easter Services are over, now what? 

What does it mean for us today? Eugene Peterson poses some suggestions in his book, "Living the Resurrection: The Risen Christ In Everyday Life." In his book, he offers practical suggestions on how our lives might be transformed as we seek to live an intentional life with a biblical worldview.

Our teaching teaching leader in BSF posed an interesting suggestion... Maybe we need to have a time of reflection and put away some habits and practices that are no longer life giving. How does Sunday's celebration impact my everyday life? 

It is finished

We are saved not by

what we do

But by what Christ

Has Done

unknown

Our Redeemer Jesus the Christ

"We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, and ashes. But we live in a world crushed and torn, a world God himself visited to redeem. We received his poured - out life, and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with Him. May then pour ourselves out for others."

Elisabeth Elliot 

josie

josie ...
sweet little dog,  road partner, walking buddy, grass sniffing, barking guard dog, tail wagging, dog food eating, runner, pet of the week... again.

Friendship Friday

I'm on the left. Do you see me peaking? 

In April of 2106   a question was posed on the  Mah Jongg Lifestyle blog, "Rules Schmules - Can't We All Just Have Some Fun?"  For me, the question is easy. We follow the rules and have fun.

I look forward to visiting my Mah Jonng friends each month. Over the past five years, we have developed a sweet friendship. Some players have moved out of the area and others to different groups. What keeps this "original" group together?

I think there are several ingredients. We exhibit kindness, concern,  and a love of laughter.
We often have discussions that extend beyond the game. This can present problems. We ask whose turn is it? Or, what tile did you discard?

While we do have fun. We also like to win.

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday ~ Sage Rabbit

The Sage Rabbit ... What do you anticipate when you hear the word Sage Rabbit?  Do you think it is a poem, a play or a newly released book?  Wonder no longer... The Sage Rabbit is a delightful restaurant in our community. They focus on serving seasonal and local food.

They are open Tuesday - Saturday for lunch and dinner. If you like craft beer and seasonal cocktails, you will enjoy the clever names for their potions. If you just enjoy delicious food, this is a wonderful place to share a meal with friends.

Monday Musings... Sunday School

Sunday School teachers use various techniques to teach God's Word to school age children.
This scripture in Psalm 78:4 is a powerful reason to encourage parents to attend Sunday School with their children.

Psalm 78:4

We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD.

Sunday School classrooms may vary with the age of the students.
I was a substitute teacher in this classroom.
God's truth is applicable for every age.
The truth of God's word transcends every language and ethnic group. 

Work

Psalm 90: 17

"May the favor the of the LORD our God rest on us;

establish the work of our hands for us - 

yes, establish the work of our hands."