Thursday, April 28, 2011

Rain, Rain Go Away!



The last few days were hot {85° F. in my classroom}
and very, very humid.
We've had lots of
rain!


I like waving good-bye to that kind of weather.
~ but ~
it's been nothing compared to what the south has endured.
  
 I pray for all of you who have been devastated by the severe weather
and tornadoes.


. . . Wishing all of you sunny weather . . .

. . . and most of all . . . 
wishing you love, comfort and joy,


Visit Sky Watch Friday for amazing skies the world over!
 Skywatch Friday
Thank you Sky Watch Team!

- Photos taken April 28, 2011 -

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Easter Baking Fun!


Robin's egg cupcakes
made with this carrot cake recipe


and inspired by Martha's baby bluebird cupcakes.
{I need to practice making those baby birdies with their cute little beaks!}


A Mother / Daughter baking day with my sister, Doreen.



The sweets and treats were wonderful
but the sweetest treats were the
hugs and kisses
and special
closeness
we felt
with
each other
and
with family and friends
near and far.


I wish you a lovely week filled with
small wonders
that
bloom into big joys!
~Maria


ps. Thank you for the Easter baking ideas, Koralee!
pss. Thank you for sending me your fun cupcake photo, Cassandra!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Happy Easter


May the God of hope fill you with all

joy and peace

as you trust in him,


so that you may overflow with hope by the 
power of the Holy Spirit.
 Romans 15:13

Wishing you

JOY

HOPE

PEACE

Happy Easter to all,

Monday, April 18, 2011

~ the way children hear it ~


"And forgive us our trash baskets
as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."

 
The pastor at the church we often attend is doing a series on The Lord's Prayer.
There have been lots of lessons, big and small,
 . . . like the child's version of this prayer . . .
The "trash basket" quote actually holds quite a lesson for me!
Hanging on to "trash," my own or others, is not a good thing.

This requires a decision.

~ to pray ~

... for help with the messy parts of life...


... so that something beautiful can come from it ...
Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it. 
~Mark Twain

Remembering the One who taught us divine forgiveness.

Wishing you love, tenderness and peace
of heart, mind and soul.

Love,  
       Maria

Friday, April 15, 2011

A year ago


...we were planning Rachael's shower...

The girls were here planning
writing out invitations
making phone calls
fixing the printer
so we could finish the envelopes.
*  *  *
I learned how to frost cupcakes with the help of youtube.

Mine did not look like Woman's Weekly,
{which are sooo pretty}
but I gained a lot of confidence making buttercream frosting
assembling the frosting tips
and then
swirling and twirling the frosting
round and round.

Reminiscing today about my girls and such a lovely time in my life.

See more of the shower here.

cookie recipes here

Wishing you a lovely weekend filled with 
all the fun things you love to do
making each day ~ each moment
count as a blessing.

love,

Enjoying all the lovely pink posts with Beverly at


Wednesday, April 13, 2011

any day


... can be a special occasion ...


when we see the sun shining through rain


to make a rainbow


and skies clear


for a waxing moon
~

Celebrate special occasions every day.

They can happen

any time ~ any place

Running outside with my camera to take pictures of the skies
with everyone else at Sky Watch Friday!

Monday, April 11, 2011

Lasting Legacies


Roots and Wings


I learned sweet lessons from the robins that built this nest the spring of '09.
God teaches us in tender ways ~ I thank Him for gentle lessons.



There is always a moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.

Entering into it with

roots
{faith, family and love}
 and
soaring with wings
{gifts of the Spirit, courage and freedom}

Wishing you all a week of joy and springtime sweetness.
Love,
Maria

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Adding Sunshine



and adding hugs


... make lots of smiles ...

A thank you to my family and friends for all the
tender loving care
you add to my life every day

The thoughtful comments you take time to write
and the  lovely cards sent my way
are sweet reminders
of God's beautiful love in the world.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

His favorite


We're gathering today to wish our son, Jason,
Happy Trails

He is moving to Texas for a new job.
We are so proud of him,
but we will miss him dearly.

He's getting some favorites for dinner.
Macaroni and Cheese
{Martha Stewart's amazing recipe}
and his most favorite dessert ever
Apple Pie

My apple slicer made the job super easy.
I filled this up in no time flat
with a little extra for my
cute little "personal" pie dish.
Just right for the leftover apples and pie crust scraps.


Just out of the oven
with some sugar sprinkles on top.

Sprinkling on some love today
and each day of this week.

Sending him off next Saturday.
 {Love goes with him, always}
Have a beautiful Sunday dear friends,
Let's make every minute count
~ filling the day with abounding grace ~