Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving

1 Chronicles 16:34

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.



I am hobbling around (recovering from a sprained ankle), getting ready. Company will be coming and going starting tomorrow through into next week. So I may be away from the computer for awhile--we'll see. Thanks so much for visiting me and your sweet comments--I really appreciate it!


Praying for you and yours to have a wonderful, peaceful, blessed Thanksgiving.





Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Mind Wide Open..the results

Upon returning from Cancun (where there was no Internet) I was astonished and amazed to find I had won this month's Mind Wide Open challenge! Thank you to all who voted for me and for your kind words of congratulations and encouragement!

I had written in a previous post how Steve often leaves me little love notes around and I've saved them and will now store them in my "Beloved Box". He is a wonderful, loving man and I love him dearly--even more than when we married 30 years ago. That said, I had to show you what note greeted me one morning on the kitchen counter about a month ago--
Hope you all get as much of a chuckle out of it as I did!! ;-)

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Hola! Back from Cancun..


We just returned from spending a week in Cancun, Mexico. As a Christmas gift, Steve's mom, Darlou, paid a portion of our trip to an all-inclusive resort along with Monty (Steve's bro) and his wife, Kathleen.We arrived to balmy breezes and were greeted with margaritas as soon as we checked in.

There were several restaurants to choose from, along with two buffet restaurants. Darlou is on the far right and her friend, Flo, came with her.
Steve and I with Kathleen and Monty--ready for fun and frolic. We ventured into Playa del Carmen-a popular town we're we lunched and shopped.



Monday we all took the tour to the Yucatan to see one of the 7 wonders of the world--Chichen Itza--the Mayan Ruins, built in 900 A.D.






Amazing carvings!


One of the other stops on the way back to Cancun (Yucatan is almost 3 hrs away) we stopped in an old colonial town. While walking along the sidewalk with Steve, I stepped off the curb (not knowing it was the curb) and down I went, spraining my ankle in the process. Several locals came to my aid--the police, who informed me they'd called an ambulance, which I quickly implored them to cancel. Someone showed up with two chairs and I was helped onto and someone else showed up with ice and an ace bandage. Everyone was so helpful. I told the others in the tour group to go on and see the sights and I just sat there to wait with Steve. I asked Steve to take my picture--(ever thinking of my blog!) And, although I was smiling, I was in alotta pain!
The trip back to Cancun was pretty uncomfortable, but we were able to take the toll road which shaved an hour off our trip. The tour guide had informed the hotel and they had a wheelchair ready for me.
That was Monday. The rest of the week was spent at the resort with Steve tootling me around in a wheelchair.

This is what I did on Tuesday....

and Wednesday....
and Thursday. Steve and I were able to finish two books. I finished the 3rd of the Mitford Series.
We had planned to do much more sight-seeing, snorkeling, kayaking, etc, so it was a little disappointing. But I am grateful the injury wasn't worse. Because it could have been, like Darlou.
On our last night there, we had all planned to dine at the Japanese Restaurant. Darlou and Flo were on their way over, when Darlou tripped over an electrical cord and slammed onto the tile floor with such force it dislocated her shoulder!!! That poor woman was in so much pain and there was no doctor on the premises. She had to wait for one to come and then wait for an ambulance to take her in the 30 min trip into the town of Cancun where the hospital was. Monty and Kathleen accompanied Darlou to the hospital and Steve stayed back to take care of the insurance paper work. At first the hotel wanted Steve to sign a release form saying the hotel wasn't responsible. Yeah, right. In the end, after Steve talked to the authorities, they paid for everything---which was such a blessing. The hospital took great care of Darlou. She's doing okay. And even with that, we were thinking it could have been worse. So we praise God for that. He worked everything out.
It's good to be home.



























Friday, November 14, 2008

Best Wishes..

Just to let you know, I'll be incommunicado for awhile...
Thanks again so much for your encouragement and friendship--it's amazing how a few kind words left in the 'comment' box can be such a huge blessing! I really appreciate the time you take to do that.
Blessings to you!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

ATC Swap

For the very first time, I signed up to participate in an ATC swap at Etsy Cottage Style. Choosing the theme, 'Winter', I chose to do it in a 6 X 6. Using a little bit of this and a little bit of that, this is what I came up with. It will be sent off in the mail soon.



An update on Mind Wide Open....I just checked over there and to my astonishment, I might

stand a chance at winning!! I must admit, every time I've entered one of my creations I am gripped with insecurities and self-doubt. I always think other people's work is SO much better than mine. Because of that, it's never entered my mind that I might win someday--I just used it to stretch myself creatively. Anyhoo, just wanted to share that little bit of excitement in my life.

Also, thank you so very much for all your kind comments on my last post--you have encouraged me and blessed me beyond words!

Friday, November 7, 2008

Mind Wide Open Challenge

This is the image that Gail posted at Mind Wide Open for this month's challenge along with the word prompt "Beloved"

And this is my entry.....



I covered a cigar box with decorative paper and embellished the the top with vintage lace, trim, a velvet leaf and black glass buttons. The verse comes from the Song of Solomon ("My beloved is mine and I am his") --Steve often leaves me sweet little notes around the house for me to find and I thought this is the perfect box to store them in!

They're just stashed in my dresser drawer right now! :-/



Gail will be posting everyone's entry tomorrow, November 8 and you can begin voting for your favorite then! Check out all the beautiful creations---they are all so wonderful!



Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Takin' a little break....

...to attend to some domestic responsibilities.....see ya in a few!

P.S. Thank you for all the sweet and kind comments about my wonderful husband...you are right...he IS a keeper!! I am blessed....

Monday, November 3, 2008

Tablescape Tuesday

Welcome to Tablescape Tuesday! This past week I had two occasions to snap a few pics for Tablescape Tuesday...but they are going to have to wait.
I had spent most of Sunday cleaning out my closet and reorganizing it. Steve went out grocery shopping and came home and prepared dinner--his menu of choice--a roast beef dinner--a perfect cozy meal for our cold rainy weekend we were having. When he called me for dinner, I came downstairs and this is what met my eyes. I was so tickled that he put such effort into a pretty place setting I just HAD to grab my camera--much to his chagrin! ;-) I just thought it was so sweet of him! If you look closely--he even sprinkled rose petals on the table!!
We started with a beautiful salad (that's the salad dressing in the little creamer)--yes, he did that, too!! We feasted on roast beef and potatoes after the salad, along with a fine wine, romantic music playing in the background and flickering candles. Sigh.


He even did the dishes! ( I think he was REALLY happy I finally cleaned out my closet!) ;-)
Such a sweetie!
For more fabulous Tablescapes, check out our host, Susan, at Between Naps on The Porch!

TMTA and Fireproof

The theme for 'Think Monday Think ATC" was angels--one of my favorite subjects!! Above is my entry....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another favorite subject of mine is marriage ;-).....
I HIGHLY recommend this movie for every married couple--no matter how long you've been married!! Steve and I LOVED it!!!