Friday, May 28, 2010

Bad Haiku Friday

Images of God
The sunset is glorious
Treasured are these gifts

~~^j^~~
Thanks be to God!!!






Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Rocky Mountain Dreamin'~~Mosaic Monday~~

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Will be leaving on vacation in two days. Will be traveling to Montana to visit Mom and attend Megan's graduation from high school. Then on to Colorado for more visiting and revisiting old memories. God has blessed us abundantly and we are so lucky to be able to travel. Will try to blog along the way, but don't want to make any promises. Will visit you all as often as I can.

~~^j^~~
Thanks be to God!!


Please visit Mary and The Little Red House. Her pictures are grand and so are the pictures of others!

Friday, May 21, 2010

End of the Week Humor


Wishing all a grand weekend
full of laughter and cheer.

~~~^j^~~
Thanks be to God!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

~~Tea Talk~~

A woman is like a tea bag,
you cannot tell how strong she is
until you put her in hot water.
Nancy Reagan

I'm having...Irish Breakfast tea. Refreshing on the morning that is again cloudy. Still have rain in the forecast.

My teacup is...my Irish mug. Thought that was appropriate.

I'm feeling
...excited. Yes indeed, for next week at this time I will be on my way to MT. I will visit with Mom and attend Megan's high school graduation. Family!!!! Isn't it grand?

On my mind...The reunion cookbook is finished!!!! And all that is left to do is to take it to Staples for printing.!!! Praise God!!!

Because I will be traveling beginning next week, I will not be able to post Tea Talk for a couple of weeks. I thought I would leave you with this essay from a wonderful little book called Tea Time With God, published by Honor Books, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

A Little Ceremony, Please

And ye shall find rest unto your soul.
Matthew 11:29


Afternoon tea at London's Ritz Hotel is descried as the last delicious morsel of Edwardian London. Helen Simpson offers this description in the London Ritz Book of Afternoon Tea:

"In the elegantly columned Palm Court, the light is kind, the cakes are frivolous and the temps is calm, confident, and leisurely. Takers of tea perch on rose-colored Louis XVI chairs at marble tables, sipping their teaming cups of tea...There are no clocks, and although it is just possible to glimpse the flash of Piccadilly's taxis and buses if you look hard in the direction of the doors, a strange sense of taking a holiday from time heightens the pleasure of taking tea here. People look more beautiful than they do in real life due to the flattening lighting. Here is one of the few places outside church...where a woman may wear a hat and feel entirely at ease...Those approaching the Palm Court clad in such garments as jeans, shorts or sneakers will be reluctantly turned away--and no one is admitted without a reservation. The dark tea leaves are steeping in boiling water when brought to the table with a selection of tiny finger sandwiches, scones and cakes."

Why all that fuss over a cup of tea and a snack? Because the "ceremony" of drinking afternoon tea provides more refreshment than the food and drink alone can deliver. It requires the participants to cease all other activities for a short period of time, take in a little sustenance, and give attention to others who are sharing the repast. It is an opportunity for one to put down whatever knotty problems have been occupying the day thus far and take up lighter issues for a few minutes. The body gets refreshment and rest (no one stands for tea) and the mind gets a little vacation.

Tea time also provides a natural opportunity for the spirit to be refreshed. Taking tea alone gives one the chance to reflect on the ups and downs of the day in quiet prayer, receiving fuel to move confidently through the rest of the day.

If you are "taking tea" with a friend or friends, why not share one thing that God has done to each of you. Praise at tea time gives a new meaning to the phrase "high tea!"

So I encourage you to offer a bit of praise to God by sharing that wonderful thing he has done for you this day. For me the gift comes in the form of a completed project with less stress then anticipated. Until my return to Tea Talk, may you all be abundantly blessed.

~~^j^~~
Thanks be to God!!!

Now won't you join me and visit Ruth at Celebrate Friendship is hosting Tea Talk at her house? Share a cup of tea with us.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

My Favorite Teacher...


I have struggled with numbers my whole life. In 2nd grade I spent my lunch time catching up on my math. I had trouble adding columns. In third grade it was multiplication times tests and while most of the class was on their 7 tables I was still on the threes...And so it went. My freshman year I had algebra I. I enjoyed it but my test grades were less than stellar. Mr. Downing told my mom that I seemed to comprehend the subject in class, but when I took the test I showed no grasp of the concept.

That brings me to geometry. Mr. Devers taught high school math. He was my geometry teacher that year. He had the patience of Job and a sense of humor as well. I struggled, I mean STRUGGLED in his class. I could not understand or remember axioms. The logic in the whole thing escaped me, for most of the year. But during the last quarter I have to admit I really was not sure I was going to pass. This generous man worked with me all year. After the final exam, a friend and I saw him in the cafeteria. We approached him and I asked how I did on my final. He simply said, "Cathy, I will give you the lowest 'C' I have ever given if you will promise to never take another math class." Yes, he did. He gave me a "C."

I am grateful for his perseverance, understanding and his sense of humor...When numbers get in the way, as they often do, I smile and thank Mr. Devers for being my teacher.

~~^j^~~
Thanks be to God!!!

Now if you'll visit Laura at Catholic Teachers Musings, I'm sure your will be entertained and enlightened by others and their tales of their favorite teacher.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

The Simple Women's Daybook


While it's been a long while since I've done this I do visit those who contribute. So after you visit here please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman and journey along the path of life we all share The Simple Woman's Daybook.

1. I'm thinking...that it has been so long since I've done this. Had not realized how long until I started looking at the ones done earlier...

2. From the Kitchen...there is the smell of cinnamon toast. I do love a good piece of cinnamon toast. I'm considering a Crockpot meal today but don't know which one to fix.

3. I am creating...(knitting) a lap afghan!

4. I'm wearing...my red long sleeved nightgown...It's still cold outside!

5. I am reading..."Her Royal Spyness," a mystery by Rhys Bowen. I'm really enjoying it.

6. I'm hoping...I can get shopping done for birthdays and graduations done today!

7. I am hearing...glorious silence.

8. Around the house...There are signs that Thanksgiving is just around the corner.

9. Few plans for the rest of the week...to finish the Reunion Cookbook (I know I've been saying that for weeks.), prepare the house for our absence while on vacation, and purchase flower for the boxes.

10. One of my favorite things is...watching Master Piece Mystery on PBS. Miss Marple returns on Sunday.

11. Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...


Sammy Cat nesting and resting.
~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

The Garden Revisited~~Mosaic Monday~~

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Grateful for a weekend of companionship, humor and hospitality with the Sisters of Providence, Associates, and Candidates. Community is wonderful when sharing the love of God!

I fancy you may think you have seen these pictures before but indeed I can assure you these are new. It's simply the glorious evolution of the colors, buds and blossoms in the Garden of the Creator.

~~^j^~~
Thanks be to God!


Please visit Mary and The Little Red House. Her pictures are grand and so are the pictures of others!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

~~The Gathering~~

Remember me this weekend as I gather with Sisters of Providence, Associates and Candidates to reflect, pray and support each other. May God bless you all this glorious weekend!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!!


Thursday, May 13, 2010

~~Tea Talk~~

Tea was such a comfort.
Edna St. Vincent Millay

I'm having...Apricot tea steeped for just 2 minutes. Just right

My teacup is...I bought this set on a "Girls Day Out" three years ago. We had such a grand day together. One should always have at least one memory of shopping with the girls in the family...daughters, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters.



~~~~~~

I'm feeling...excited. There is a grand weekend planned here with Providence Associates and the Sisters of Providence. We gather for prayer, conversation and spiritual growth.

On my mind...Getting pictures downloaded and burned to CD so Ron's web page and be opened.

~~^j^~~
Thanks be to God!!!

Now won't you join me and visit Ruth at Celebrate Friendship is hosting Tea Talk at her house? Share a cup of tea with us.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

~Sunshine Award~


I received this beautiful award from very dear friends! It's called the Sunshine Award. It makes me smile and boosts my morale. It fills me with humility that someone would think of me. In this case two very special people Abbey and Brny have offered this award to me and I graciously accept. A wonderful day to ponder sunshine when the report for today is torrential rains!

Here are the rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog and/or within your post.
2. Pass the award on to twelve bloggers.
3. Link to the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and the link to the person from whom you received this award.

So my awards go to...

SuzyQ at Scraps of Starlight
Lisa at Are We There Yet?
Jan at A Tapestry of Life
Doylene at A Gracious Home
Tracy at A Catholic Mom in Minnesota
Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii
Sarah at Prayer 4 the Journey
Queenmother Mawmaw
Eileen at Umma's World
Laura at Catholic Teacher's Musings
Bia at La Dolce Vita: the sweet life with three sons
Carol at Charlie and Me
and three for good measure...
Sarah at My Wonderful Life
Sue at In Him We Live and Move And Have Our Being
Bernie at On My Own

To Abbey and Bryn I say thank you very much!!! To all who visit here and with whom I visit I say thank you, too, for you invariably make my day!!!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!
It has been gently brought to my attention that I missed another who has given me this gift. Anne at Like Showers On the Grass also offered this award. To her a offer a heartfelt thank you and also my apologies. To others, I would ask you to drop by for a visit!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Happy Birthday, Mom!

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Eighty-five years ago one of God's creations arrived. She is beautiful, generous, and tender. She loves her neighbor and is charitable at all times. This is my mother. Thank you for who you are, Mom.


~~~^j^~~~
And
Thanks be to God!!!


Sunday, May 09, 2010

The Day After~~Mosaic Monday~~

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Twas a grand and glorious Mother's Day!
Not only were gorgeous roses delivered to the door,
but the garden displayed her blooms is
beauty and grandeur!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!


Please visit Mary and The Little Red House. Her pictures are grand and so are the pictures of others!

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

~~More Smiles~~

This was a gift to me from my very dear friend, Juliene. Today I offer this as a gift to all who, whether a mother, teacher or caregiver, deserve this thank you!!!


~~~~~~~






Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.


Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night .

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep .



Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom .



Before I was a Mom,

I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy .





Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom


May you always be overwhelmed by the Grace of God rather than by the cares of life.

~~~~~~~

Wishing you all Happy Mothering!!! You are all so very good at it!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Sunday, May 02, 2010

Smiles~~ Mosiaic Monday~~


As I worked on the reunion cookbook this weekend and as I sorted through the picture archives available to me I so enjoyed comparing pictures. Here are just four of many, many that I have been privileged to see. There is such beauty in the smiles and the heritage they contain.
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~~^j^~~
Thanks be to God!


Please visit Mary and The Little Red House. Her pictures are grand and so are the pictures of others!