EASTER MEMORIES....THIS AND THAT

Making baskets for others.............
What did I find in my basket grandma?....
A beautiful Fruit Trifle my daughter made to take to her Sunday School class. She said they ate it all!!! ..... Making the Trifle at 10 PM at night. I helped her some but she did the most. We laughed and had a great time doing this together.
Pasta Salad made for Easter Dinner.... Did you boil any Eggs?? We did for deviled eggs for our Easter dinner.
Grandpa ( He is so handsome) and sweetest girl all ready for Easter Sunday church. " Now baby we will get ready for Easter dinner" I love being a feminine girl all ready for church.

I pray you all had a nice Easter. We had some little events like my son in law getting an abscess tooth and having a tooth pulled right before Easter and then his wife ( my daughter)getting the flu and having to spend the day in bed. Others were busy with their things so my sweetest girl and I busied ourselves getting things ready for Easter dinner.

She helped her grandma make ham; deviled eggs; cookie dough; brownies ( for mommys Sunday School class); pasta salad; mashed potatoes and gravy; and other things.

My son and daughter in law had a beautiful sunrise service at their church and and then the morning service and a large brunch for all to enjoy. The men of the church helped serve and clean up!! My other daughter had her friend over and they made a huge breakfast for their Sunday School class full of good things .
I am so thankful my grown children do for others.

The weather was sky blue here and off to church we went. It was such a nice service and the orchestra played so beautifully.

Now back to normal things in life. I am thankful for the good things God gave. I pray you had a blessed day too.

A BUSY WEEK.......A MOTHERS WORK IS NEVER DONE

SWEETEST GIRL TAKING CARE OF HER
BABIES....SHE WAS ROCKING THEM
BACK AND FORTH....
SUNNY AND WARM IS THE WEATHER
BUSY HERE AND THERE TIDYING THE HOUSE
"LET'S SEE WHAT I HAVE PLANNED
FOR EASTER DINNER...........


It's so wonderfully sweet to watch my granddaughter play and enjoy life. I enjoy seeing how one little life can be taught and trained and loved to care for the many things she will become in
her life.

Easter is coming soon. For many this is a time with family or friends. For some it may be an "empty nest" and plans just for two of you. For some it may be a time of heartache ; time spent in the hospital; time spent alone without a spouse for whatever reasons; time of not knowing where a child or loved one may be spending their Easter. But.........its always so good
to know we have a friend in Jesus. He is my friend through thick and thin. He is there when the news is good or bad. He is there with His bright and shining light through the darkness of days.

I have been watching my little bush in my front yard. Its tiny buds were barely a light green a few weeks ago; then little by little they began to burst forth; and TODAY they are now in a beautiful tiny white flower. Oh..........the endurance some of us must go through. The step day by day until the LIGHT breaks through...........

As I watched my little granddaughter learning each day. Someday she will be like many mothers and begin to prepare for her Easter Dinner with her family. As a grandmother.....I want to try and show an example for her to see and enjoy. This Easter what traditions will you be
passing on???

EASTER BASKETS......

EASTER BASKETS HAVE BEEN A TRADITION
IN MY FAMILY FOR MANY YEARS.....
Back in February, I found a sale on Easter Baskets and bags of Easter grass. I knew in my heart that someone somewhere might need these little baskets filled with love.......
I have all my baskets sitting out; ready to be filled and to go.............
Its a kind of tradition that has been in my family growing up and a joy to children and others at this season.............


It doesnt have to cost too much to fill a basket. You might fill it with some pretty cut out cookies and a pink napkin. You may fill it will candy; a book; a small toy; a baseball; a plant ( for older ladies); or anything you like.

The basket doesnt have to go just to children . You could take a basket to a nursing home; a hospital; an older person; or a friend.

Its a basket filled with "joy" for someone else to enjoy. And.......isnt it fun to bring some "joy" into someone's world??

EASTER 'S ON IT' S WAY............STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

I PURCHASED THE MOST WONDERFUL
STRAWBERRIES FROM "SAM'S CLUB"
THEY WERE HUGE AND MADE A BOWL
FULL.
I ALWAYS SLICE THEM UP AND SPRINKLE
SUGAR ON TOP ( NOW I USE SPLENDA)
I THEN TAKE A FORK ( A POTATO MASHER WORKS
BEST) AND PRESS THEM DOWN TO MAKE
A NICE SWEET JUICE FOR LATER...


OUR GRANDDAUGHTER ENJOYED TASTING
SOME STRAWBERRIES WHILE GRANDMA
WAS GETTING THEM READY FOR THE PARTY.
RUTH'S BIRTHDAY DESSERT. STRAWBERRY
SHORTCAKE. WE SERVED IT ON ANGEL FOOD
CAKE TOPPED OF COURSE WITH WHIPPED CREAM.


Yesterday was my daughter Ruths birthday. We had her favorite dinner. Taco Bell. I went ahead and decorated the table in lime greens with pink paper plates and pink napkins. I then set some small lime green tea lights out for atmosphere. I then took my glass cake stand and put the ( store bought) angel food cake on top of it . When it was time to serve the dessert I used my pretty floral rose glass plates for a pretty dessert. Why do we go to all that trouble for take out and a birthday??? Because I want everyone to feel "special" on their special day whether its a pizza and pop or a nice homemade dinner.

A godly lady taught me many years ago to give God your best. He gives me His best everyday. As I see that beautiful sun rise up above the clouds each and every morning I cant help to say thank you for His best. I see His best in the buds on my trees as they begin to burst forth with a sparkling pink flower. I see His best in the eyes of a little child as they take each breath; and in their own words sing a sweet little song as they twirl around the room. I see His best in the courage of hearts of many a person as they face battles of cancer; loneliness; heartache or pain.

I dont always succeed at giving my best. But.......if ( with Gods strength) I can give to each task at hand I am overjoyed.

Have a great day ahead........

EASTER 'S ON IT' S WAY............

THIS WEEK WILL BE FILLED WITH BAKING
AND COLORING EGGS; GETTING READY
FOR SUNDAY SERVICES AND SUNDAY
DINNER............
I MADE AN APPLE /PEACH CRISP TOPPED
WITH WHIPPED TOPPING.............
I SLICED UP SOME APPLES AHEAD OF
TIME AND ADDED THE SUGAR....
I ENJOY MY "SUSAN BRANCH" CALENDER
FOR THIS MONTH WITH LITTLE BUNNY
GETTING THINGS READY.........


I hope you are getting ready for Easter at your house. We had Snow to fill our lawns...
I remember as a little girl watching my mom. She would boil and color the eggs; Dad would give her the money to go purchase my sister and I new white gloves and a hat and an Easter dress. She would put on her clean apron and get to work making the house
clean and neat; she would make a list of items (with a pencil) for the grocery for Easter dinner; and put on the lace tablecloth and her blue and white dishes and make the table oh so pretty.

A dinner that included a nice spiral ham; homemade potato salad; baked beans; a veggie tray; a glass dish with pickles and olives; deviled eggs ; fresh warm rolls; and a homemade dessert.

We would have an Easter Egg hunt out on the lawn and fill our baskets with these real eggs some chocolates; and plastic eggs. We would then all enjoy the family getting together ; laughing; sharing stories and all the ladies in the kitchen cooking and washing up dishes and chatting together.

Now that I am older my days are filled with my family. This year some have moved farther away; some are visiting their husbands side of the family; so..... it may be smaller but I still bake( give to others); decorate; and plan a nice dinner for those that are here.

A GREAT BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DAUGHTER RUTHIE!!!!

She is a wonderful daughter. Always caring for her family; others and a hard worker.
We love her and pray she has a wonderful day!!

Make a tradition with your own family. What do you do for Easter?

ELIZABETH MONROE .....FIRST LADIES

ELIZABETH MONROE...FIRST LADIES


. Wife of President James Monroe

. Very private person ; kept out of the public eye

. Other people who spoke of her spoke of a beautiful woman who had learned to appriciate
elegant clothing and furniture during her years of her husbands office.

. James and her had 2 daughters ; Eliza and Maria and one son who died at infancy.

. She helped in the release of Madame de Lafayette from prison.

. She preferred not to attend many of the formal functions because of ill health; thus many
of the other ladies did not get to attend with their husbands.

. They painted the outside of the mansion in which her and her husband lived thus calling
it the White House.

. They had the first daughter married in the White House ; Maria.

. They retired in 1825 to Oak Hill, Virginia but grew frail.

. She did at 67 in Oak Hill.

. Her husband went to live with one of their daughters because he was so shaken. He died a year
later.

A SURPRISE IN THE MAIL AND A SPRING WALK...

Yesterday the postman rang the doorbell.
I was so surprised to find this "Easter Box"
from my sister Phyllis.
It was filled with many fun little things to enjoy
and a cute card too..... I loved it all!!
I took my granddaughter on a walk.... We
happened upon these spring flowers and
drank in their beauty!!
I LOVE blue herons! I do not know if this is
a nest they may be building. Does anyone
know? When I see a blue heron to me that is
saying "God loves me!"
I made a few little cards to send out to some
hurting friends..........
I enjoy making "Spring" cards. I enjoy making
each one special.


I was so surprised this week when I recieved a package in the mail filled with "fun" things.
My sisters all spoil me so much. My sister Barbara always makes me have a fun time when I am with her. We laugh and have fun doing whatever we need to do whether taking mom out to lunch or doing our lists and projects together. She gives me special treats and things she knows I would enjoy. My sister Joyce gave me some handbags when I was down and some nice lotions
and such for my face. She is a great teacher on skin care and make up. We had a great time
making cupcakes and snickerdoodles in my other sisters kitchen.
My sister Phyllis lives farther away but is the best "package" sender ( is that a word?) to others.
She writes and calls my mom everyday and loves me by her phone calls and trinkets she sends
to me. She seems to know all the little things others love....

I had fun taking a walk too. My daughter; granddaughter and I all went to a park. We had so much fun swinging; taking pictures; laughing. I also enjoy the buds and the little flowers bursting forth through the dirt bringing sunshine into the normal days..........

I am enjoying the season........and thankful for each day.