Thursday, June 30, 2011

Happy Dance


There are only two words

that describe our summer joy


p e r f e c t l y
 

happy dance


Thank you for teaching me those two words, Koralee.

{happy dance}
They're perfect for the love and sunshine we feel
inside and outside!

~ Come on ~
Let's get out there like the birdies.
Run under the sprinklers ~ run through the water fountains
and do a happy dance!


visit Sky Watch Friday for more happy skies!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Jason Time


Loving Every Minute of Austin, Texas with Jason! 

Kayaking on Lady Bird Lake

An Awesome service at Austin Stone

Whole Foods Knocked my Socks OFF!
Now I know why y'all blog about Whole Foods.

Oh the desserts!

 Oh The Produce!!!


Off for a day of walking.
I will stop to smell the flowers!



Friday, June 24, 2011

summer wings




Trading in my
t e n s e
end of school year shoulders for

summer wings!

Time to relax and get lots of family hugs everyone!
Getting a BIG hug from Jason real soon =)
Bless you all!
~Maria

Thursday, June 23, 2011

A Sky Watch with a Google Street View


Have you ever followed this car?

It's the Google Street View car!
First I followed it on my way home from work.
Then, a day later, my son in law followed it as it 'rounded the ramp near our shopping mall.
We were soooo excited to see it.
There was a threat of rain when I was behind it and the camera had a raincoat on...

Now you know how Google gets those street view maps.
{this image from Google}

What a car!
What a job!
What a world!

Have a great weekend everyone!
Keep looking forward . . .
you never know what you'll see!


 Skywatch Friday
Thank you Sky Watch Team!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Hello Summer



"Teddy bears at the beach"
cupcake made by the daughter of one of our faculty for today's luncheon.

Wishing you
a beary nice summer!
 Maria

 

Monday, June 20, 2011

Quench your thirst


Afternoon tea ~ icy and minty
...with juicy watermelon slices...
to quench your thirst.

Did you know that watermelon is a berry?
{called a pepo}
and - it's a powerhouse!
{over 90% water, only 45 calories per cup
vitamins A, C and disease-fighting lycopene}

It was so much F U N to eat this treat
on Father's Day afternoon
with my Dad.
It's one of his favorite summer treats.
He is visiting us
and his feet were up all weekend...
...enjoying strawberry shortcake, watermelon,
sunshine
and most importantly
family.

Did all the dads in your family have a refreshing weekend too?


Wishing all of you a wonderfully refreshing week!

*)( Maria )(*



Thursday, June 16, 2011

Lift your eyes


Thank you for the promise of heaven.


Help me to remember that each day
 
I am not just walking through life, but


through eternity.

Amen


~

Thank you Mixto, for letting me use your beautiful photograph.
Enjoy more beautiful skies from around the world at
Sky Watch Friday.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Strawberry Shortcake Fun


Do we ever outgrow the fun
 of using cookie and biscuit cutters?

These are the Martha Stewart Collection biscuit cutters.
I couldn't resist these either.

They POPPED right in my hands and onto the counter!

Just like those strawberries!
They just POPPED into my shopping cart and then
into the sugary sweet bowl
and onto my plate.


The biscuits were made the day before ~ easy peasy Bisquick shortcakes.
{I always add a couple of tablespoons of butter to the recipe}
Amanda and I had so much fun with the cutters.

...then...
~ Real whipped heavy cream ~ 
a spray can of cream would not do this time!


I am so grateful for these sweet and simple gifts
strawberries
biscuits
cream
...setting the table with vintage things...
but most of all the time spent with family baking and celebrating
and the time spent sharing with
you!


Have a wonderful Wednesday dear friends!
God bless you always,
 ~Maria

Monday, June 13, 2011

For the Love of Strawberries


{I couldn't resist}
...because I love...

strawberries,
vintage
and
linens

Strawberry Quiche plate
{Good Will}

Wilendur strawberry tablecloth
{eBay vintage}
We enjoyed
a strawberry shortcake
birthday celebration this weekend.

  ♥   ♥   ♥  

Here's a peek at our yummy dessert

More strawberry days with recipes to follow.

 
Have a happy week dear friends!
Wishing you much JOY,
  ~ Maria
 

Thursday, June 9, 2011

A Mammatus Sky Watch


90 degree weather

+ high humidity
=
thunderstorms and skies to watch.


Thanks to EcoRover, I know what these clouds are called
that bubbled up it our skies last night.

Mammatus!

They are not the ordinary clouds that we see in our very usual
northeast weather.
Our camera did not capture just how low and water laden they were.
You know it just poured.
The lightening was amazing too...
...electric curls spiraled through the mammatus cloud balloons.
{thank you, Chris, for  running out to take these photos}

It will be over 90 degrees in my second floor classroom today.
It's a good day to 'be still.'
I'm so glad that we have several days in the 70's coming our way!
...perfect for baking strawberry shortcake biscuits...

There are more amazing sights to see at

Monday, June 6, 2011

Ring, Ring, Ring . . .



have a wonderful week

with lots of sunshine on your face

a little wind in your hair
 
flowers along your paths

and a reason to smile each day

Wishing you joy,
Love,
   ~Maria




Sunday, June 5, 2011

Anniversary ♥ wishes


Every moment


is a once in a lifetime
moment.
Happy First Anniversary Rachael and Juan! 
 
“There is no feeling more comforting and consoling
than knowing you are right next to the one you love.”

~
“Love is what makes two people sit in the middle of a bench
when there is plenty of room at both ends”
 
~
“To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven”
- Karen Sunde
 
~
“Love is something eternal; the aspect may change, but not the essence”
 
-Vincent van Gogh
 
~
“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because 
reality is finally better than your dreams.”- Dr. Seuss quotes  


 Wishing you Joy
Always and Forever,
♥ Mom

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Tulip Trees


Liriodendron Tulipifera
"The Lily Tree that produces Tulips."

Carolus Linnaeus, a Swiss botanist, named this
interesting and beautiful tree.
~ ~ ~
Because of it's large trunk and excellent buoyancy,
it was used to make canoes for early explorers and settlers.

This beautiful tulip tree grows at the end of our cul de sac.
It is in full bloom now and is so very
splendid

{photos taken June 2 in the early morning}

{a peek inside the flower of the tulip tree}

It is the state tree of both Kentucky and Tennessee,
but I am so glad we have one here in
New York!

Enjoy your springtime!
Keep cool
Keep calm
Stay refreshed
inside and outside

Wishing you great JOY!
~Maria


There are more beautiful sights to see at