sunday notebook

Outside my window … 

cicada detritus

I am thinking … 

that every day presents an opportunity to redefine myself

I am thankful for …

the many wishes for a happy birthday with which I was showered on facebook. That made my day!

I am hoping …

that suitable weather emerges soon in order for the grass to get cut. 

On my mind …

the poor and bedraggled in Louisiana, watching their lives sink before their very eyes

Noticing that …

Dust and dog hair don't vanish of their own accord, no matter how many times they wave to a certain spouse

A few plans for the week …

scanning more photographs from the early Melrose albums (1910's and 1920's); taxes; figuring out what I want to do with the rest of my life

From the kitchen … 

so many condiments taking up space in the fridge begs for some creative cooking or baking. Stay tuned!

Around the house …

the usual, sad to say

One of my favorite things …

birthdays! (it was my birthday on Friday, but with blogger being down I had no way to tell you!)

A picture I am sharing …

One of the pictures scanned this past week: my great-grandmother is in the hat (and I think this is a rare picture of her smiling!), my grandmother is third from left.  1919, I think.

sunday notebook

Outside my window … 

the rain is falling gently on freshly mowed grass, less weedy garden beds, and Ken's newly planted, started-from-seed tomato and pepper plants.

I am thinking … 

that in spite of some challenges in our life, I've got decent health and a sharp mind (except when it's not, if you know what I mean)

I am thankful for … 

yesterday's beauty and the endurance to get some necessary yard work done

I am hoping … 

to plan some scrapbook layouts this afternoon

On my mind … 

the people of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and parts of Tennessee who have lost their homes, their loved ones, and their communities

Noticing that … 

it's less than two weeks until my birthday!

A few plans for the week … 

one word: Melrose!

From the kitchen …

leftovers and perishables will go on the road with us

Around the house … 

same old, same old!

One of my favorite things … 

morning quiet, especially this morning as the falling rain is gentle and offers up a soothing melody

A picture I am sharing …

the first G&T of the season, enjoyed out on the deck! 

A word about this glass. My grandparents had barware just like this, with field and waterfowl on them. I have so many memories sharing happy hours with them, and these glasses hold a special, sentimental place in my heart. I have no idea why they had fowl on their glasses. Neither of them hunted or were particularly interested in game.  I don't hunt or have any particular interest in these birds either. The connection to my grandparents are why these are in my possession. And not that it matters, but they were a wedding gift from cousins for whom these glasses also stir memories of my grandparents. Just so you know.

easter notebook

Outside my window … 

a half-mowed front yard (push mower! I only have so much stamina in the heat)

I am thinking … 

about Kenneth and Trisha, celebrating their first anniversary today

I am thankful for …

resurrection

I am hoping …

that the readers of this blog enjoy a blessed Eastertide

On my mind …

empty tombs

Noticing that …

in spite of the fact that I didn't reach my weight goal by Easter, there is evidence of weight loss in how my clothes fit. (BRC didn't do me any favors in terms of gastronomic options, even though we had a cooler of good stuff!)

A few plans for the week …

chilling out after Holy Week and Easter, and looking forward to watching the Royal Wedding

From the kitchen … 

lots of healthy stuff and some diet-friendly recipes to try

Around the house …

the usual: declutter, dust, vacuum, steam-clean

One of my favorite things …

coffee with cinnamon

A picture I am sharing …

some of our Maundy Thursday agape feast

sunday notebook

Outside my window … 

sunny and breezy. perfect.

I am thinking … 

that I need to get back to the gym this week.

I am thankful for …

a good crowd at church this morning. Not to mention that a couple of them are new attender/members!

I am hoping …

to stay awake this afternoon and do some scrapbooking!

On my mind …

that the kingdom Jesus proclaimed has more to do with justice than we acknowledge or model sufficiently

Noticing that …

McKinlee could stand to lose a few pounds

A few plans for the week …

cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning... putting the Christmas boxes back into the attic... making some pastoral and PC calls

From the kitchen …

salmon tonight! 

Around the house …

did I mention cleaning?

One of my favorite things … 

dairy queen's peanut buster parfait. haven't had one in a long time and won't enjoy one for a long time yet, but it's a pleasure to think about savoring one, just the same.

A picture I am sharing …

 a view in the neighborhood

sunday notebook

(True confessions: I stole this from someone's blog that I visited earlier in the week, but I can't remember who it was. I'll try to work on that to give proper attribution)

Outside my window …Bradford Pears are in bloom across the street, daffodils are preening in the yards of my neighbors, and the grass is greening up everywhere!

I am thinking …that military intervention in Libya is madness. 

I am thankful for … the inspiration I find in the lives and work and creations of people I know in real life, and in cyberland.

I am hoping … to stay awake this afternoon and get on the phone to make some Pampered Chef calls.  And get Christmas boxes up to the attic.

On my mind … the people of Japan, Haiti, Libya, and other places who live in ruins, face danger, and are otherwise oppressed.

Noticing that … my pants fit just a bit better today!

A few plans for the week … getting the aforementioned Christmas boxes put away, continuing to clean in my office, church newsletter, the next cross stitch project.

From the kitchen … soup, of some description.

Around the house … deodorizing the evidence of a certain dog.

One of my favorite things … the blooms of spring. I LOVE this time of year!

A picture I am sharing … facebook friends have already seen this, but here is the pre-framed finished birth record for Cross:

I'll post pictures of both birth records in their frames when this one comes back from the framer. 

My wish for you today... a pleasant surprise that plants a big ole smile on your face. Your visit here puts a smile on my face.