This is one of the most beautiful tributes I have ever heard for our servicemen/women that so valiantly guard our safety. ~A parent's prayer for a son (or relative) that is away serving his country~ If you have a moment to listen to this you will not be disappointed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXnRf3TQcpk God bless all those men and women that protect my family, friends and loved ones. Blessings- I hope you have a wonderful MEMORIAL DAY ..read more

   Hooray- Hooray It's Really Is May Here! source I apologize for not being as regular with posting as I was in the past. Hubby is not well and takes a lot more time at this point. However, On with the show...... I was born late in my father's life. He was 53 when I was born- his first child. Born on a farm in Pennsylvania with uncles and aunts that owned farms around, or connected, to ours. Because of my father's age, that meant that I grew up  with cousins that were almost  a full generation  older than I was. So, by the time I was six or so, many of my olde ..read more

Is This Possible? Can I take an almost  DEAD GERANIUM and bring it back into bloom in less than an hour? Well, They say a picture is worth a thousand words. See for yourself! Here are the step-by-step instructions. Try this yourself and see what happens. The plant started out like this. As you can see there are a few spindly, waxy looking leaves. First you must cut them all back. Save these-you may need them later.  Your plant will now look like this. Next- Take a 1875 WATT blow dryer. Place it 7-1/2" from plant and turn it on  HIGH HEAT. Set your timer and  ..read more

  I posted this a few years ago at Easter  but it just so touching to me to see what this little 3 year old girl UNDERSTOOD about Easter. And it almost makes me cry listening to her earnest explanation. If you have a moment it is worth the listen. SweetCheeks opted to ride to brunch with Nana and Papa. We asked her what she had learned about Easter at church this morning...  I do think she might have mixed a little bit of Gulliver's Travels into the the Jesus story!;>) She almost started crying when she thought Jesus might have felt pain. Here it is- Listen up and s ..read more

 March is half over already!! How can that be? AND SUNDAY  is  ST. PATRICK'S DAY! Even all you NON-IRISH pretend to be  Irish   just for a day. Well, except for a few of you English that wouldn't lower yourselves to do so. You know who you are, but being the loving people we are, we forgive ya, and God Bless ya, all the way to the Blarney Stone and back. I grew up in a small Irish Community in Pennsylvania. I believed in leprechauns until I was at least 12... well...maybe older... hmm..matter of fact I'm pretty sure I might STILL BELIEVE in them. So, tod ..read more

 The good: This sweet little  Vintage card. The bad: A real heartbreaker indeed! The ugly: 1980's oversized heart sweater If this is in your closet well... I'm sorry I said anything (NOT) What?  Didn't like THAT sweater? How about  this one? Reminds me of those  Christmas sweaters. How about a heart on a pig? Now THAT'S pretty cute  if you ask me. But the best is yet to come! My favorite? This little Valentine!!!! Couldn't you just eat him up? Looks like somebody tried but couldn't get past the kissing! Hope you have a great day ..read more

 I LOVE READING THROUGH my memories on the blog. This is one of my favorites. Those of you that have followed me since the early days of blogging, will remember all these little girls... now pretty well grown up! So- I dug another post out of the archives to share with you. Grab something with caffeine because you will be tired when you are done reading this. Step One: First you must hang a banner inside  so the grandkids will know which holiday they  are celebrating. Just a word of caution.. If you hang one that looks like the one below.. SOMEONE (who shall remain nameless) w ..read more

  I know Christmas is over BUT--- I do have one more little thing I want to share with you because --Well-- just because! I have a little tree that I  set up in the kitchen that has miniature kitchen tools on it...spatulas and soup ladles and small  cookie cutters. But the best thing this tree holds is memories. These are from some people that are near and dear to my heart....not family...but  even better in some ways. Pretty cute, huh? Or- eh? as you Canadian gals say. I love my little tree.. it reminds me that I am warmly loved. And warmly loved makes me thin ..read more

  I wrote this several years ago but thought I would share it  again in case you didn't see it before. THE CHRISTMAS ROSE There is a legend old as time  about the Christmas Rose, If you've not heard it e'er before~ this is how it goes. The night sky glowed quite splendidly, and the girl could see a Star. It brightly shone upon the land  and beckoned from afar. She left her door step quietly  without a backward glance, She knew that she must follow it and take the risk-the chance. She had heard the shepherds talking  about the child so near, That would cha ..read more

  Every couple of years I post this recipe because people LOVE IT! AND- you can't screw it up.  When I was a kid,  my mother often whipped up a batch  of fudge from scratch after the chores were done on a snowy Pennsylvania night. I make caramels instead. As you can tell, I love to bake and make candy. I don't know how many  caramel recipes I have tried over the years. Some of them called for stirring for what seemed hours and then... they might or might not "turn out". These are quick! Less than 10 minutes from start to finish AND they NEVER FAIL&n ..read more