Wordless Wednesday: VOTE!

Zachary: All American Baby

He is now #14 out of 1600 babies!!!!

http://photos.parents.com/category/vote/id/4/w/24/y/2010?page=14

Wordless Wednesday

Lemon Tree, Lisbon, Spain

Blogger of the Month: Handmade By Sandi

Our Blogger this month is Sandi, whose shop: http://HandmadebySandy@etsy.com, is mainly filled with her crocheted items, such as hats for both women and men and children; coffee holders; wash cloths; and crocheted chokers. According to Sandi, her love of crocheting was something she learned from her mother many years ago. As you continue to browse through her shop you will some other surprises as well, such as handpainted tote bags, earrings (love her Margaritaville earrings!), oven mitts and aprons.



Sandi comes from Suffolk, Virginia, and has been on Etsy for just a little over a year. A breast cancer survivor, Sandi began to crochet little hats and skull caps to “keep her head warm”, a result of her chemo treatments. Wanting to do something special for others who are suffering from the effects of cancer, once she finished her treatments, Sandi began to crochet hats for other cancer patients. As she says, “What a wonderful feeling to give back for all the help she received!” Besides crocheting, Sandi also loves to sew and her love of different types of earring are also evident in her shop.

Sandi also has a second shop: http://Sandists@etsy.com, also known as “Sandi’s Stash Shop”. Here you will find an array of various fabrics. As one who also sews, I know what it is like to buy extra yards of fabric and then don’t use it. Sandi is making use of her extra fabric by selling it through her stash shop. She also has some blank T-shirts, which you can design yourself.



Happy Birthday Sandi!

Wordless Wednesday: First Visit to Bronx Zoo

Zachary's first day at the Bronx Zoo!

Carnival Blog: Happy Mother's Day!

 

 

Happy Mother’s Day to all my friends reading this blog! This year will be exceptionally special because not only am I am Mother, but this year I became a Grandmother also. Which also means that my daughter, Kelly, will be spending her first Mother’s day with little Zachary, who arrived on October 2. So today my sons and I will be going to her house, and her husband, Danny, will be cooking dinner for the Mom and Grandma! (yes, my sons get to eat also).

Every Mother’s Day I can’t help thinking back on some of the more classic mornings that greeted me – sometimes even at 5am! So I thought I would share a few of these memories with all of you – and I am sure, you all have similar stories to tell. I think the one I tell people the most about is when my son Ryan(who always just thinks a little differently than the rest of us), wakes me up about 6am with the most beautiful bouquet of flowers. Since he might have been just about 10, I knew he didn’t have enough money to buy these; and where could he get these so very early in the morning also. For those of you who know Ryan, you will understand this completely. At about 5am he went up and down the Avenue where we live. This is a very small town with all apartments just a walk from the town, some of which have the most beautiful gardens in front. I guess by now you are putting 2&2 together; yes, he stopped at each building and picked flowers all along the way. I had tulips of every color, daffodils, and lilacs in this beautiful bouquet which he gave me that Mother’s Day! Then there are the many breakfasts I woke up to on many Mother’s Days. I will take a few excerpts of each. As I am sure you have all experienced, those moments lying in bed pretending to be asleep, as you listen to pans being dropped, footsteps running back and forth, kitchen closets opening and closing, only to be awoken with the beautiful sound of “Happy Mother’s Day Mommy!” They would prepare a tray of everything you can imagine; a very large bowl of cereal filled to the brim with an ounce of milk in it, oatmeal made with cold water (if that is possible); 4 slices of blackened toast (they must have been thinking Cajun cooking) with tons of butter and almost a jar of jelly on top of that. Have you ever had day old cold coffee, hopefully you won’t have to experience it either - they didn’t know coffee was supposed to be hot! And then they would sit there with the biggest smiles on their little faces, so pleased with themselves, as they would sit on my bed watching me enjoy this big, scrumptious breakfast. But the saving grace was always the cards they would hand make either in school or at home (all of which I still have) – remember those little framed handprints with the poem? and of course, always the little cards with the drawings of the whole family. These are little memories that we still talk about each year on Mother’s Day, and a memory that a Mother can never forget. I hope my daughter, and somehow I know she will, experience the same joys and memories as each year little Zachary grows more independent, and decides to start helping in the kitchen.


You may be asking yourselves what ever became of those colossal breakfasts that 10 people couldn’t eat. Did I really eat them, well that will always be my secret of how those meals would magically disappear :)

Wordless Wednesday: Bird Watching!

Wordless Wednesday:Happy Birthday Dexter!!!!

Little Baby Dexter all grown up - looks like he over celebrated his Birthday!

Carnival Blog: The Life of a Scorpio

If any of you were a “Flower Child” of the 60’s, you will remember that our whole life revolved around our Astrological Sign. Our anthem was “Aquarius” from Hair (which I saw at least 6 times)! For my 16th birthday I received Linda Goodman’s “Astrological Signs”; I don’t know how we could have existed without reading every page of that book. Starting with our own Sign, then of course who we were or were not compatible with, our colors, personalities, friendships were all based on what we learned from reading this book. Your first question on meeting someone new was “What is your sign”? as if that quickly gained knowledge gave us true insight into that person’s whole psyche!
Born Nov 16th, I am a true Scorpio! We are known to be quite mysterious, never revealing the truth person that lays beneath the surface. We are deeply passionate and emotional not only in relationships, but in everthing we believe in; and we expect the same from our friend. If you are not sincere with your feelings, don't even try to get close to a Scorpio woman. With deep penetrating eyes we can see through almost anyone we meet. Our passionate and deep stare will continue as we are talking to anyone we meet. This is something I have always tended to do without even realizing it to be a true Scorpio trait. When speaking to anyone, I tend to stare directly into their eyes, as if I am reading their minds right down to their soul. Many people I know can attest to what they refer to “as that look”! One may think I am not even listening to them, but I am absorbing every word and meaning behind what they may be saying. We are also deeply sensitive, while putting up that mysterious front, within we are truly emotional and affected by almost every encounter in our lives. The many tears I have shared with many is one trait, I wish I could control, but then it wouldn’t be me or my personality.
A Scorpio’s color is deep red or maroon, which I guess comes from our intense, mysterious and passionate side, which as you have guessed by now is also one of my favorite colors. Once a person gains our confidence and trust, they will have a friend for life. While reading my horoscope a few years ago, in fact on the day of my birthday, I cam across this horoscope, which I cut out and have had it on my refrigerator every since – which makes it something I read everyday”
“It takes a special kind of courage to return one of your unflinching stares, and you know it! Should you encounter someone who can actually do that, better get that person’s number or email address. They are your perfect match.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDRA!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday: Hoppy Easter!

Happy Easter from Zachary & Ava!

Wordless Wednesday: Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Zachary already celebrating! Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Carnival Blog: MagdaleneJewel's Spring

When the night has been too lonely
and the road has been to long,
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong,
just remember in the winter
far beneath the winter snows
lies the seed that with the sun's love
in the spring becomes the rose. …”The Rose”

Nothing conjures up more of a magical feeling within when one see the first buds on the trees; the robin’s call to its mate; the burst of the crocus breaking the winter’s earth. Spring is not just a season to many, but a calling of renewal. The smiles return, the warmth of the sun begins to shine through, thoughts of love in the air filled with the aroma of the flowers of Spring.
So too does beauty exist within many other realms in life. Here I bring forth “like a burst of Spring” a few pieces from my shop, which I hope will bring that warmth of Spring with magic in the air.

Wordless Wednesday: Kitty Love

Kitty and Belle - "Kitty Love"

Blogger of the Month: TiLtCreations

TiLtCreations, http://TiLtCreations,etsy.com, is a shop of various handbags, clutch purses, and backpacks, and is the creation of Teresa our Blogger of the Month. With her hands full as a stay-at-home mom, with a teenage boy, and a 4 yr old (both of which would fill anyone’s day), she still manages to create her one of a kind bags for her shop, and also takes custom orders. Although drawing and painting are her passion, she has found much creativity using different fabrics to create the beautiful bags in her shop.

I particularly loved this little “wristlet” bag. Perfect for those little things that always get lost in your purse – a cell phone, lipstick, credit card. All perfectly lined, she even took the time to add a little attachment inside the purse for those keys that are always getting lost! Another favorite is this brown and green paisley bag, which has been hand embroidered on the top “ultrasuede” flap of the purse. The inside is fully lined (as are all Teresa’s) purses, and has a matching zippered pouch within also.

Tilttoo, http://TiltToo.etsy.com, is Teresa’s “detash” shop. One not to waste anything, Teresa sells not only patterns for everything, but unused fabric from her handbags, backpacks, pouches, etc. from her other shop. As Teresa describes this shop – “a little of this, a little of that…..and a lot of destash”.

When Teresa is not busy watching her boys, are sitting at her sewing machine, she actually has time to write in her blogs –not just one blog, but she actually has four very interesting blogs!
If you hurry up – Teresa is having a BOGO sale (buy one – get one free) in her shop until Feb 28!

Wordless Wednesday: A Day in the Life

Carnival Blog: My Vacation In India

Presentation at St. Mary Magdalene School (me on stage in purple dress)

When I saw our newest topics for our next blog, I thought how easy, I can truly combine both questions into one answer. Of all the places I would have ever want to visit, it would be India; in the past few years I have been lucky enough to visit there twice, each time for a month’s vacation. When my dearest friend, who is from India, moved back about 6 years ago, I thought I would never really ever see him again. When he invited me to visit India, I couldn’t have gotten on the plane fast enough; 26 hours of air flight, but well worth it.

From the second I arrived in Bangalore, India, which is in the southwestern part of India, I was totally in awe and overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of the people. I had no idea my friend Paul had arranged a whole month of traveling and activities, each one a beautiful memory. My first day we left for Goa, which is one the west coast of India, and runs along the Arabian Sea. Dating back to before the 3^rd century, Goa, the smallest state in India is rich with history. I visited many ancient Cathedrals, some dating back to the 13^th Century; one, The Cathedral of St Francis Xavier, actually has St Francis’ body incased in a glass coffin surrounded by gold. I also made friends with 2 gypsies who lived on the beach.

Goa . Arabian Sea St. Francis Xavier (body in casket)

We next traveled to Tamil Nadu, which is in South India, to meet our friend Albert and his family. From there Albert joined us along our journey, where we met up with 4 more of their friends. I then got a tour of all of South India, with it’s many ancient Hindu temples, one of which is the Temple of the Lord Rama; and Catholic Churches dating back to the early centuries. Although we visited the “fertility gods” there, I luckily didn’t need their help! At another Temple I was blessed by an elephant! Another beautiful spot we visited was the Hogenakktal Falls. People go there to get massaged in their waters, or you can walk along the rocks of the Falls (which we did, and yes, I did slip down a rock). From there we traveled to Mysore, to visit the most beautiful palace, which was built in 1897.

\Temple of Lord Rama Inside Temple






Me being blessed by an elephant!







Hagenakkal Falls Paul & I at Falls

Visiting Mysore Palace

Besides all the sightseeing we did, I was lucky enough to visit a few schools, which Paul’s friends own. In one school, which Paul’s sister owns, they dedicated a special day for my visit with children ages 3-7, dancing all the ceremonial dances in their beautiful costumes. As in each ceremony I attended, they always start with a ceremony of lighting a candle in oil, which is a very powerful symbol in human consciousness and enlightenment. Afterwards, I went to each classroom where the children each sang a special song for me, and I in turn taught the children songs that children in American would sing. Most surprising was when Paul told me I was to be the guest of honor at a special ceremony at Albert’s school, St. Mary Magdalene (name sound familiar?) Again, we started with the candle lighting ceremony. As I sat on the stage, I was again entertained with the many ceremonial dances in their beautiful and colorful costumes. Of course, I was not told until that afternoon that as guest of honor, I would have to give a small speech to all the children and their families who were attending this feast. So as I started to write my small speech, Paul mentioned that I would also be speaking it in their native language, which is Tamil. I did actually managed to get through that, and at the end I was presented with a beautiful gift from the children. One thing that did amaze me the most when meeting all these children was just not their excitement of meeting someone from America, but how well they spoke English and their wanting to learn so much knowledge in everything

Children dancing their custom dances Me visiting the children in each class

Since I was there for a total of 2 months, you can imagine that this is just a small sampling of the many beautiful experiences I had, and the many f friends I made while there. Some of which I chat with almost everyday online. Although we only traveled all along the South of India, there is so much more beauty to behold throughout India which I hope to see one day soon.

Wordless Wednesday - Time for a Change!

Belle making herself comfortable on the changing table!

Carnival Blog: Valentine's Day Wish

Valentine’s Day has always been something a little special that we celebrated while I was growing up; and naturally, those special memories are the ones I have carried on when my children were growing up. While young, we would always have a special dinner that evening, followed by a Valentine’s cake or cookies that my grandmother would have made. Also it was that little special gift that you knew came from the heart that would be treasured. The one gift that stands out in my memory, and of which I still have, and continue to wear every year on Valentine’s Day, is a small heart with tiny turquoise stones set within the heart. Continuing the tradition, I have always made Valentine’s Day a special day for my children also when they were young, and still do. About the beginning of February, I would start sneaking little candy hearts into their lunch boxes or put them on the dinner table next to each place setting. On Valentine’s Day I would always go to the bakery down the street and purchase these very large heart cookies which my children loved and would look forward to. Of course, I would have to buy about 12 of them, some for my children, my nephews and nieces, and of course make sure there were extra for their friends that might arrive. My children still expect those big heart cookies even today. When they were younger, I would always buy a little gift, usually a stuffed animal with a heart or a special book. The past 10 years, once they got past that stuffed animal stage, the Valentine’s Day gift tradition were boxers with hearts on them for the boys, and of course that little something extra from Victoria Secret for my daughter. Since we have a new member added to our family, little Zachary, I can’t wait to shop for his first little Valentine stuffed animal! Will my children be getting their traditional gifts this year, or is it time that I do something a little different this year?
As I was thinking what to write, one thought kept coming to my mind. Traditions are all very nice, and wonderful to cherish; but I wondered if those poor children in Haiti, or other countries left in devastation this past year have even heard of Valentine’s Day. I can’t help but thinking, here we are all talking about that one special gift, or dinner, or date we may have had; but what do these poor children have to celebrate. Will they be having a special dinner on Valentine’s Day; will they even have a sip of water to drink? As they sit in the street because they have no home and have lost all of their family and have no where to go, will there be someone there to comfort them, give them a hug, or that special Valentine cookie? Will they be admiring that little special gift we so cherished, or will they have a blanket to keep them warm? I was remembering those little boxes of Valentine’s that we (and my children) would buy to fill out for all of our friends. Do you think anyone will be giving them a Valentine’s Day card? I think this year, I should start a new tradition – I am going to try to get as many people I know to buy that box of 20 Valentine’s, signing each one with a little note to let them know they are loved by so many people around the world. I know the Red Cross is trying to get food, water and medical supplies to them, and perhaps we could send them cards through the Red Cross or some other organization that you might be participating with. Also in breaking tradition, the money that would have been spent for those boxers or Victoria Secret surprise, will instead this year be donated to the Red Cross. If you wish to be willing to break tradition and made a contribution to these needy little children whose hearts are empty, you can go to RedCross.org; each State has their own chapter, and there you will find many different areas that you can contribute to. This year my heart will be with those poor, hungry, homeless little faces looking for someone to let them know they are loved.

*** "All You Need is Love" poster by http://www.sixsixters.etsy.com***

Wordless Wednesday. Peaceful Morning

A view from my Bedroom window. Another Snowy Day!

Blogger of the Month: NicoDesigns

"Live each day as if it was a Gift."
The name “Nico” was a name given to her by her father, who she calls her hero; and, I can bet a lot of her inspiration! As Nico states, “I sew for sanity. Creativity is a great hobby and I encourage everyone to try it.”



Using her family as inspiration, Nico seems to find a creative idea in all that is around us. Things we would dismiss, she seems to find as inspiration. The adorable little shoes in her shop I am sure were inspired by her two infant children. What inspired me most after looking at Nico’s shop, which I admit, I have not visited too often, although her tiny felt shoes caught my eye quite a while ago, was not only her dedication to her work, but her caring attitude.





We often hear of the many organizations that need our help and donations, well, Nico has stepped forward to make donations to many of these organizations through the sales she makes from her shop. For example, one of her items, a tiny bird which turns out to be a pin cushion, created from remnants, 5% of the sale will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House and another 5% will be donated to a Cancer Hospital in memory of a small child who lost her life at the young age of 7. A little soft angel doll called Chloe was handmade and dedication to her memory.





I also noticed a quite attractive handbag in Nico’s shop of light blue with a trellis type print. What amazed me was that this very attractive bag was a “diaper bag”! I am currently watching my newborn grandson and a 1 yr old and find myself stuffing everything into my large bag. The inside of this bag comes with three large pockets, which are perfect to hold sippy cups, a wallet, glasses and a small toy or two. Wow, something I definitely can use. Nico also has a few other great designs of her “classy” diaper bags. All the items in her shop are eco-friendly. The use of 100% cotton and new and recycled materials are also what inspires Nico to not only take what God has given us, but has used them in a positive way; and what is left over or can’t be used is not just discarded, but donated to prevent them from further polluting our earth.So as Nico says, her inspiration is her family, so too do I find her dedication and donations to such very worthy causes is a true inspiration to me.

I also took a second to visit Nico’s blog: http://designsbynico.blogspot.com/, which I am so glad I didn’t miss. It is a blog filled with many tutorials on how to make “Baby Legwarmers”; and yes, I have already made a pair from her great and easy instructions – to – Hats from old Sweaters. A small train set with pieces of left over wood, with a little help from her dad. I sadly admit I have not visited Nico’s blog before, but expect to be an avid follower from now on. I can’t wait to see what she will pull out of her closet for her next creation!

Wordless Wednesday: la dolce vita

Belle living the good life!