Furry Friends Friday

Not braggin' or nothin', but here is my furry little family outside enjoying the 75 degree weather, just lounging on the cool grass in the shade. Sorry for the snow in some of your backyards, but it's beautiful here, just sayin'..........

Grace

A couple weeks ago, I told you I had found a church. Today I'd like to take you on a mini tour of the building and grounds. There are so many more pictures I could have taken, this is just a small sample of the beauty that surrounds me every Sunday.

This is the altar area, it was the middle of the week so the elements were not there, nor the flowers. But still I think the beauty of the church can still be seen. If you click on the pictures, you can see the carved angels that are mounted where the pipes are hidden for the organ, and Pastor peaking from the side. The stained glass windows around the church are magnificent! The corner stone was laid in 1895.

This is the lectern, there are several awesome carvings throughout the sanctuary.

Children at Grace are very well behaved. This is due in part to the children's chapel, where proper church behavior, and respect are taught. This is the window over the alter.

What a beautiful place for Sunday School children to learn.

Alongside the building, is a piece of Heaven in the middle of the city. The wrought iron fencing encloses beautiful gardens and statuary, and benches for those who want to sit and just soak in the beauty of the surroundings. People from the neighborhood are most welcome to come into the garden and enjoy the peace it offers.

This is my favorite spot, the statue of St. Francis of Assisi. As an animal lover, I'm sure you know why. As the gardens come into bloom, I'll show more of the beauty that is Grace.

Baby Shower and Cake Day

Today was the baby shower for my niece/daughter (long story) Becky. Little Preston is due in 5 weeks. I love the way Becky carries her babies, little rockets!

Her favorite color is green so that's the colors I did her cake in. The wheels are made from sugar cookies.

Furry Friends Friday

Mitzi, pretty as a picture!
Last week was her "sister" Molly and this week it's Mitzi, both adopted from my mother.

Special Gift!

Several posts back, I showed the cup and saucer collection I thought I'd lost forever. In the center was this dessert plate and tea cup that were the remainder of my grandmother's china. Diane, of Pinecones and Roses, told me it was lustreware, made in Japan in the 30's and 40's. I set out to find more pieces, and found a sugar bowl and creamer, for $50. I tried to get them, and was so disappointed when she sold them to someone else. Well yesterday, my dear husband sat a huge box in my lap, with "Happy Mother's Day!" (He couldn't wait that long, never was good at keeping surprises.) I opened the box, and here, the tea set for four, I thought I'd never see in my home, as it was sold in auction. I had no idea it was my husband who won it! Not the same color, but I don't care, it's the pattern I loved. This will be a treasure to me always!!! So thank-you Diane, you were right! I didn't get the others for a reason, and best yet, the whole set, in mint condition, was $12 less than just the sugar and creamer! If you had never told me it was lustreware, I never would have found this beautiful set! I'll still add to the other as I find pieces, but this is a definite keeper!

Airport Security Problem Solved!

My sister sent me this e-mail, and I thought I would pass it along. If only it were this simple!

Here is a possible solution to all the controversy over full-body scanners at the airports. Have a booth that you can step into that will not X-ray you, but will detonate any explosive device you may have on you .
It would be a win-win for everyone, and there would be none of this crap about racial profiling, and this method would eliminate a long and expensive trial. Justice would be quick and swift. Case Closed!
This is so simple that it is brilliant. I can see it now: you are in the airport terminal and you hear a muffled explosion. Shortly thereafter, an announcement comes over the PA system, "Attention standby passengers... we now have a seat available on flight number..."

A Sparkly Find

When Ken pulled these from the back of a drawer on his Grandmother's sewing machine, I was really surprised. When I first saw them a couple years ago, they were really cloudy, and I thought they were for darning socks, so I never gave them a second glance. They cleaned up beautifully, and now we have etched glass salt and pepper shakers, I don't know how old they are. The sewing machine spent decades in the attic of the family homestead so I don't know their history either. All I know is they're really pretty. The one on the right still likes to cloud up when it completely dries. That I don't understand since it's crystal clear after soaking in ice water and baking soda. It was nice and bright here, but an hour later it was cloudy again.

Magnolia in Bloom

My sister has this cute cottage home in the city. On her large double lot, is this magnificent magnolia tree, with its interesting twists and curves. It looks so beautiful in full bloom, framing her home perfectly.

The blossoms are huge, and the color, awesome.

The flowers reach to the sky, I've never seen one this spectacular!

Jenna

Great niece Jenna a year ago

Great niece Jenna today. Once a hat girl, always a hat girl.

Furry Friends Friday

Molly is a special little dog. She started out with my son until she was 6 months. With their work schedules, she needed more attention. She lived with Mom and Dad, and after Dad died she stayed with Mom until she could no longer care for her. So that's how Molly came to live with us. Molly was from a breeder who showed AKC dogs, but because of scarring on her face she wasn't show material, so she went to my son and daughter-in-law. Molly is a quiet little dog most of the time, and very easy going. She is about 11 now, and our little sweet heart!

I'm Home!!!!!!

I want to thank all of you for saying prayers for me, it worked because I was able to come home 3 days early!! Dr. Quinn, told Mom that I had lots of crystals in my bladder, but they passed really easy through the catheter and in only one day, I had clear urine! So Mom came and got me, and the first thing I wanted to do was eat since I was to lonely for my Mom to eat at that vet place.
I get to eat this really yummy special cat food now, and was trying to eat when Mitzy decided to get in on the action. She actually had the nerve to keep hitting me in the head with her paw while I was trying to eat.
It's here that I had to take action, and decided to stake my territory. With the last slap, I growled and swatted back. Mom had the camera on us, but it happened so fast that by the time she clicked, I had already fought back and was chasing her out of the room,
leaving my half eaten food behind! Yep! We're fighting already, so everything is back to normal!

Prayers for Andy

Andy had to be taken to the "hospital" this morning, and he needs your prayers. He can't pass urine, and what little he did was blood. He'll be there for several days with a catheter inserted to flush out his bladder, for tests, and hopefully get him stabilized. Needless to say, I'm a wreck. Andy is a one person cat, and I am his faithful follower. I pray he'll be ok, and home with me soon.

Just Bakin' Away!

Saturday, I had to do a wedding shower cake for our friends daughter. Steph is about 26 now, I've known her since she was 2. I don't know where the time went. The first time I saw her, she was playing with her brother in the sand box. Now she's a law school graduate, marrying a medical student graduate! Her brother completes his law classes in May. Great kids, I love them both.
Then today, I have to give a sample of the cake I'll be doing for a wedding in June. This one is a layer of home made carrot and a layer of homemade banana. Cream cheese icing over all and covered in fondant. I made the shells from candy molds and white chocolate, then brushed them with different colors of pearl dust to give them a real feel. The pearls are also fondant rolled in the dust. Of course, this is just a mock up. The real cake will have the pearls put on like strings of pearls, a clam with pearls in it, and I just put the extra chocolates on top, the real cake will have their cake topper. It will be 4 tiers. I'm hoping this is ok, but I'll make any changes they want.

Ducks in a Row

Coming home from the store, I saw this black Muscovy duck alongside the road. I stopped to take a picture, and noticed he wasn't alone.

He was waiting for his heir-um to come out of the ditch, so he could safely walk them across the road! He sure hissed at me, brought back the memory of our goose that would attack when we came near his pen. Many a colander of scraps went flying as I went running back to safety.

Furry Friends Friday

Miss Lucy is laying in the cats bed. Excuse the glowing eyes! At her mouth is a wash cloth, Lucy is always carrying something around, usually a slipper or a sock, sometimes a shoe. When she wants out, she'll come to us with one or more of the above in her mouth, I guess the more urgent she needs to go, the more she grabs! Lucy is quite the character though, love her to pieces.

Cake from Yesteryear

I love to do cakes. This week-end, I have a wedding shower cake, and a sample wedding cake tier to do. I was looking back through my pictures of past cakes, and thought I would share one of my favorites.

This princess cake was done for my grand daughter Tara, several years ago. The carriage is a sugar mold, and the doll body is in royal icing. Some day, I'll have an occasion I hope, to do this one again!


This tree was also a really fun cake, made for my friends birthday. The cake was stacked and cut into shape, then fondant was sculpted around, and the decorations were also in fondant. Click on the picture to see the little squirrels. I'm looking forward to the wedding cake I'll be doing, and will show you a sneak preview this week-end!

Tea Cups and Saucers

Ken finally found my box of cups and saucers, that had been lost in the move in "97". I thought I'd never see them again! The blue in the center is what's left of my grandmother's (Moms Mom) china. I wish I could find more of this blossom pattern, it's so delicate and pretty. The tiny set between them was from my Grandmother on my father's side. The one with the N was from Ken's grandmother, and what's left of her china set. The rest was destroyed in a fire. It's nice to see them all out again, I really missed them. Click on the picture for up close. Eventually, I'll put the rest out.

I Have a Church!

For some time now, I have been visiting different churches, trying to find a new church family. I finally found the perfect fit! Grace Episcopal is the church I have longed for. I have visited a few times now, though I knew the first time I walked through the door I was home. The Gothic architecture, the friendly people, the fantastic pastor, the huge, beautiful choir, amazing pipe organ, the magnificent stained glass windows, and well behaved children; it all added up for me.

Today I attended the most beautiful Easter service, and the impact will never leave me. The brass and percussion accompaniment along with the beautiful hymns and choir anthems left me with goose bumps and tears in my eyes.
The Pastor will be contacting me at the end of the week to discuss becoming a member, and I can't wait. I'm HOME!

Furry Friends Friday

Mitzy is an "up" cat. She loves to be on things, loves to drink out of the faucet, and likes the top of my dad's radio. It was his when he was a boy, listening to all his favorite radio shows. Mitzy will be staying here, but the radio will soon tke a ride to its new home in my brothers cabin. It will fit right in there. As for Mitzy, I'm sure she'll find another "up" place to reside!