Showing posts with label FAMILY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FAMILY. Show all posts

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Mrs. Darcy's Coffee Shop - The Healers Apprentice


Sunshine made the snow covered sidewalk glow in the late afternoon light. She pulled her thick coat tighter. It was cold, but it was still a beautiful day.

"Good morning Lizzy" She called as she stepped through the door and began unwrapping her scarf and removing her coat to hang on the rack by the door. Lizzy poked her head out of the back room and smiled.

"Good morning! A Beautiful day isn't it? What can I get you?" Lizzy ordered. She ordered a chocolate chip cookie and a peppermint tea before scanning the rows of books for the perfect treasure- ahh there! "The Healers Apprentice" snuggling down into a chair by the fire she opened the book and flipped to the first page as she nibbled off the end of her cookie. Outside snow began to fall again...

The Healer's Apprentice written by Melanie Dickerson. This beautiful telling of a Christian fairy-tale loosely based on Sleeping Beauty is one that kept me enthralled until the last page. I love a good fairy-tale and this one was no exception. Of the books I've read by this author this is my favorite (but I could be just a tad prejudiced because I LOVE Sleeping Beauty). I love how believable the characters are. 

Open the cover and dive head first into Rose's world. The daughter of a Woodcutter turned the apprentice of the town's healer and make new friends along the way. But beware not everyone is who they seem to be... 

Click picture to visit Amazon

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Mrs. Darcy's Coffee Shop - Pride and Prejudice


Mrs. Darcy's Coffee Shop... The words hung above the door on an weathered wooden sign. It creaks slightly on its hinges as the cold winter wind push it back and forth. The wind nipped at her face, turning her cheeks a light pink color and tugging at her thick brown sweater. A small pile of snow rested beneath the large window. Pressing her hands like a small child against the panes she looked inside the small brick building. A fire flickered in the large fire place, in front two large chairs called to her. Shelves of books lined the brick walls. A customer stepped out of the door thanking Lizzy for the Coffee, the smell of fresh brewed coffee and sweets floated out on to the cold sidewalk. Something about this shop called her name, like an old friend. Her hand reaches for the door-knob and closes around it stepping into the small brick shop on a cold puff of wind. "Hello, what can I get you?" A smiling young Lady asked from behind the counter. The name tag on her apron read "Lizzy". She stepped up to the polished wood counter and order a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll. "Help yourself to an adventure" Lizzy said as she handed her a plate with one the big cinnamon rolls on it.  Then settled back into one of the big chairs by the fire. Slipping her feet out of her shoes and curled her stocking clad toes beneath her, and began to nibble at the cinnamon roll.

A book on the shelf caught her eye... Carefully she sat the plate on the small table beside her and went to retrieve the book. Pride and Prejudice. She sat back down as Lizzy delivered her cup of steaming hot coffee to the table beside her cinnamon roll. "Ahh one of my favorite..." she nodded to the book "Enjoy." Lizzy called over her shoulder. The book's cover looked ancient... the pages beginning to yellow with age. The coffee shop seemed to fade as she flipped to the first page...


Pride and Prejudice, one of my all time favorite books (and movies for that matter). A classic story of family... It follows the world of Elizabeth Bennet and her four sisters Jane, Mary, Kitty and Lydia as a wealthy young gentlemen named Charles Bingley rents a manor house near their village. Mrs. Bennet's greatest wish is for her daughters to marry well, and much to her delight Jane catches the eye of Mr. Bingley at a local dance. Life takes a dramatic twist as Elizabeth finds herself falling in love with Mr. Bingley's friend Mr. Darcy a man she can't seem to help arguing with... This is definitely a book worth reading!  It will keep you enthralled in this romantic story until the last page... and maybe for a long time after. So order a cup of something hot and maybe something sweet and snuggle into a comfy chair in front of Mrs. Darcy's fire place and enjoy an adventure.

Click on the picture to visit this book on Amazon

Friday, February 6, 2015

California Trip | Day 8


Hi there! Today we are heading home... :( . I don't want to leave!!!!!!!!!! Wahhhhh!!!!!!!! Sorry. I'm ok now. (Wink) Anyway today we are leaving CA. I miss everyone already! Mom and I keep joking that as soon as dad turns around we are going to take off running and go back to the beach. As I sit here, LA County fire department slips in from the boarding terminal to treat an older lady in a wheelchair. She only speaks Spanish so they are having a little bit of a hard time talking to her. I glance over and I can't help but chuckle at the 51 on there hats. Now I have to watch Emergency! Gee I love that show! Have you ever seen it?

Well we're here in Chicago. It's dark and from what I could see while landing its snowy here. The airport is full of people waiting for their flights. We had to run to where our next flight was supposed to be boarding... key word be supposed. In reality our flight was delayed and we got to stretch our legs for about 30 minutes. Next it's about an hour and half flight to Nashville, and then we will be back at our house and we can all go to bed!!!!!! Weeeeeee! Ok yes I am tired... very... ve...ry... tire...d... ZZZZZZZZ.... Hmm... what? Sorry! Our wonderful friend dropped our dog off at our house this morning so she would be there when we got home. Thanks Trish! You're the best! 


Today I am wearing a cream and brown leaf patterned knee length skirt and brown long sleeve top, black shoes, a white and gold necklace and pearl earrings. (Note to self check the weather for when you get home so you aren't freezing while waiting for the airport shuttle to take you to the car ~ Me) 

Shirt: Vintage Store
Skirt: Vintage Store
Shoes: Walmart
Jewelry: Necklace: Burke's 
Earrings: Burke's 


Monday, February 2, 2015

California Trip A Day At The Beach

My Sis and I heading to the beach!
Good morning friends! How are you all? Wow, who knew a week could go by so fast! We are heading back home tomorrow. "Home" that seems so strange to say now... as soon as I stepped onto the beach it felt like home. I hate to leave... I love it here so much! We have had such a great time, but there are still so many things we want to do. So much more time we want to spend with our family. Ahh, another time... So here we are, in Huntington Beach again. The place where my mom grew up. She is smiling again, it has been so long since we have all really laughed. It's such a beautiful place... at least as much as I've seen it from walking on the beach the last two days. Tonight my Aunt Debbie joined us after we dropped a bowl of soup off to our cousin who is pregnant and has a cold. :(. Wish she felt better so she could come with us.  Aunt Debbie is waiting for us at the restaurant to stay out of the breezes (she has a cold too).  She said to take our time, I can't seem to drag myself away.  It is like trying to say goodbye to a very old friend.  People buzz around me asking me to take their photographs too.  Everyone is so friendly and having such a good time. Ahhh, let me memorize the sound of the sea lapping the shore and the gulls flying above.


So, today I am wearing a tan/brown shorts and a white tank, silver cross necklace, and black sunglasses. I also somehow managed to get stuck with a black sweatshirt (weird thing is I didn't bring a sweatshirt my dad did...) and shoes? Umm no they stayed in the car! Sis is wearing a pair of green shorts a white top, black hat with a cross, a shark tooth necklace, and brown sunglasses (and of course it has fancy shiny jewel things on the side. After all we are twins!). She also brought her corduroy jacket.


Me:                                                             Sis:
Shirt: Target                                             Shirt: Target 
Shorts: Vintage Store                             Shorts: Vintage Store
Necklace: Mission San Juan Capistrano     Necklace: SeaWorld
Sunglasses: Ross                                       Sunglasses: Burkes
                                                                  Hat: Ross



See Day 8 Here

Saturday, January 31, 2015

California Trip | Day 6

Good morning! Today we are at the Mission San Juan Capistrano. It is so amazing here! The day was warm and sunny with a gentle cool breeze blowing through the palm trees above us.  It is a beautiful sound. Walking through the ruins of the old stone church was so peaceful, and beautiful. It's the kind of place that makes you want to spend hours there.  If you want to see more photos please check out our other blog (link is at the bottom of this post). 


Mission San Juan Capistrano was first founded October 30th, 1775 by Father Lasuen and a detachment of soldiers. But a few weeks after they received word of a revolt in San Diego, the group returned to San Diego to help. The mission was re-founded on November 1, 1776 (All saints day). It is the seventh of twenty-one to be founded in Alta California


 Like the other six missions, San Juan Capistrano was established to expand the boundaries of Spain and to spread Christianity to the Native peoples of California.The missions were the center of learning and training for the Natives. Over the next thirty years, the Mission grew by leaps and bounds. In 1806 Mission San Juan Capistrano had a population of over 1,000 people, over 10,000 head of cattle and they had completed the "Great Stone Church"


Sadly after 1812 the mission began to decline. An earthquake struck causing the Great Stone Church to cave in during a worship service, killing forty people who tried to escape through the doors that had been twisted in their frames. The Spanish government could not protect and keep the mission's supplied with the supplies they needed. In 1821 Mexico won its independence from Spain, By 1834 the Mexican government decided to end the mission system completely, the land from Mission San Juan Capistrano was divided and sold to twenty prominent Families from California. The Mission was sold at auction to John Forster Governor, Pio Pico's brother-in-law for $710 even though it was valued to be worth more than $54,000. Over the next twenty years, the mission was a private ranch property of the Forster family

In 1848 California became part of the United States as part of the "Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo" Only two years after becoming a territory of the United States in 1850 it became a state. President Lincoln gave the mission back to the Catholic church.


On March 9th, every year at dawn swallows return to the mission to rebuild their mud nests clinging to the shell of the old Stone Church. People from all over the world gather to watch "the miracle of the swallows" as the birds arrive from Argentina. On October 23rd, they take flight again circling the mission twice as if to say goodbye then turn their wings back toward Argentina.  

So today I'm wearing a white knee length skirt, white tank top, tan sandals, dolphin necklace and clear stud earrings.

Skirt: Vintage Store
Shirt: Walmart
Jewelry: Necklace: SeaWorld Earrings:Walmart
Sunglasses: Ross


Our next stop? Huntington beach! I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!


See Day 7 Here

Sunday, January 25, 2015

California Trip | Day 5

"Cheyenne"Cheyenne wake up," My eyes snap open. Morning! SeaWorld! I jump out of bed OK stagger. Stagger is probably is a better word, considering it's still dark and my eyes are still blurry. I finally manage to find my clothes in my very large suitcase and head for the bathroom. Note to self-do not attempt at putting makeup on while still half asleep! The result is... well you can probably guess. So after fixing my makeup, I tracked down my shoes, which I had forgotten and left my the front door. Silly me! I zipped my suitcase back up and grabbed the camera bag and my purse and headed for the car. I feel a lot better today thanks to something mom and dad got for me. It's all foggy and beautiful! Finally, all at once the fog lifts to reveal the mountains and huge boulders.Gorgeous!!!!! 



First, we are heading to a military base to buy tickets. Then we are off to SeaWorld. Ok so we stopped at Starbucks for breakfast... and then drove by the house we lived in when Brianna and I were born and then we headed for the base. :) After that, it was straight on to SeaWorld! We had so much fun, especially when it came to getting in the water with the dolphins! 


For the record (just in case you ever wondered) wet-suits are a pain to get on. Think wet swimsuit and triple it. And yes you still end up wet in them (funny I always thought they were supposed to keep you dry) We walked through a ton of the park looking at all the amazing animals. It was the first time I've seen a lot of them. Some I hope I never get the chance to meet in the wild. Right, about now dad mentions that this was a great way to spend his birthday. Mom gasps, "Shoot! I completely forgot!" Brianna says something about she left his card on her dresser.  Oh man, do we all feel terrible!


We found a water ride, which was really fun but very, very cold! LOL! And of course, I was the one in the seat that no matter how the ride turns got wet... Really?? I think mom and dad forgot we are driving a rental car... We walked around some more and then decide to head back to Uncle Steve and Aunt Kathy's house.   Mom texted her brother and asked where to stop for a cupcake on the way home.  They said not to worry about it and that they would take care of it.  My poor uncle and aunt are sick and still they went out to make sure my dad had a good birthday.  When we got there was a bunch of balloons on the table and a cake with a card and gift. They were so sweet!


 Tomorrow we are heading down (or is it up? Over?) to the beach! On the way, we are stopping at the San Juan Capistrano Mission. I can't wait! But I wish we didn't have to leave Uncle Steve and Aunt Kathy's... Tonight we are watching dolphin tale 2.


Today I am wearing a green and blue skirt, gray shirt, black shoes and anchor earrings.
Skirt: Vintage Store
Shirt: Vintage Store
Purse: A gift
Shoes: Walmart
Jewelry: earrings Clair's Boutique
Sunglasses: Ross

View Day 6 Here

Friday, January 23, 2015

California Trip | Day 4

Well still sick... Fun. Fun. Fun. Brianna and dad went to church with my aunts and my cousin's family. I really wanted to go, but I can't stop coughing. I have been sucking on cough drops like they are candy for the last few days. After they got back we drove down to my Uncle Steve and Aunt Kathy's. It was sad to leave... I haven't seen them in ages... but I can't wait to see Uncle Steve and Aunt Kathy.  The drive to their house was so beautiful! Because of all the rain they have been getting the mountains are all green. It reminded me of Ireland. There were so many rainbows, making me wish I could go trail riding.


Yep, no way I could sleep through this, I'll just have to stay sick. I have never seen that many in a row before. It was stunning! Mom suggested that I lean my chair back and try to take a nap. I looked between her and my window camera still in hand... No way. Way too much to see! Like a Buddhist temple, it looked like it was just dropped down from some far away country (never seen one of those before, but it was quite beautiful!) and rainbows, beautiful big rocks. Oh! and really big mountains with trails winding up them until they disappear into the clouds at the top of them. We finally got there just after dark. By this time, I was slightly wishing I would have taken that nap. Uncle Steve met us at the door and introduced us to Buddy there adorable little dog who was sitting in my cousin's lap. Aunt Kathy came out of the kitchen where she was making a huge meal and hugged us all. It was so nice to see them again!


Dad keeps teasing me that he is going to let my cousin Steve go swim with dolphins since I don't feel good. Between coughs (more like coughing fits... man I hate being sick!) I manage "Not. (hack) On. (Cough Cough) Your. (More coughing) Life." Everyone starts laughing. Aunt Kathy asks what that noise was and someone answers her that that was me (the life of the party *Wink*) coughing. She instantly sets about making my tea and calls it her special recipe.

After Dad and Uncle Steve went to bed we had a girls night with our aunt and watched a movie. She rented a dolphin movie because of our adventure tomorrow.  She gave us popcorn and we all got comfortable for the movie.

I can't wait for tomorrow! It would be nice if I could fall asleep but I can't... go figure. And we have to wake up early tomorrow. Sigh. Oh well, I guess I will be sick and half asleep playing with dolphins. Hey, the cold water should help!
 Today I am wearing a blue and green skirt, cream tank top and turquoise jacket, with a blue scarf with butterflies on it, a necklace with a C on it and starfish earrings. (and I forgot to take pictures of it so I have to use these ones I took while I was packing, hence the fact I'm holding my cat. Every time she sees a camera and me she has to be in the shot...)

Skirt: Vintage Store
Shirt: Vintage Store
Jacket: Vintage Store
Shoes: Ross
Jewelry: Necklace: I made Earrings: A gift


View Day 5 Here


Monday, January 19, 2015

California Trip | Day 3


 Well, I'm still sick... Today was Grandma's Memorial service. It was a really rough day for our family, we miss her so much. But it was so nice to see old family friends and family. It was the first time I've seen most of them in years. After the service, we went to my cousin Eric's house. Dad helped direct parking. It was slightly funny to watch, Picture my dad with a broken foot, lots of traffic.  The funniest part was when My Uncle Paul and Uncle Doug pulled up... it took them at least ten minutes to figure out how to park straight into a dead end part of the street. LOL!  It rained most of the day, but that didn't stop my younger cousins from playing with Eric's two black labs in the back yard during the reception.  After the reception Brianna and I went out to eat with my cousin Brandy and her family. We had such a fun time!


Today I wore a tan, gray and white floral skirt, gray shirt, brown high heels, pearl earrings and a book locket necklace.


Shirt: Vintage Store
Skirt:Vintage Store
Shoes: Vintage Store
Jewelry: Necklace: I Made Earrings, Burkes


My hair is done in a chain at the top and the ends are done in a fishbone braid. 

California Day 4 Here


Saturday, January 17, 2015

California Trip | Day 2


 Jet Lag and a cold! How fun!... ok so not really.

The family came over today... I couldn't stay awake. Why on earth do I have to be sick on vacation? I have been taking sambucol, vitamin c and using Thieves Oil like crazy the weeks before our trip.

Oh well, what can I do but sleep? I woke up a couple times and was able to hang out with everyone a little bit. It was so nice to meet the cousins I have never met and to be able to see the ones I know. My Aunt Teri and her two sons got in today. After everyone left Mom, Brianna and I slipped out to the Jacuzzi. The heat and steam made me feel a lot better. We went out to eat at "In and Out" tonight, it was ok. But I like El Pollo Loco better :)
.

Today I am wearing a red floral patterned knee length skirt and a white tank top. (I forgot my shoes inside when mom took the photos but I was wearing tan sandals.)

Skirt: Vintage Store
Shirt: Walmart


See Day 3 Here



Friday, January 9, 2015

California Trip | Day 1


 Today we flew out to California for my grandma's memorial service. Who knew 6 hours in a plane could be so exhausting. This is our first time traveling this far with all of us, But it went fairly smoothly. For some reason, my suitcase was the heaviest... Oh well, I loved flying!

So here is what I wore on the plane. It was super cold in Tennessee and not so in California so I wore a short skirt and added leggings. The dark brown long sleeve shirt was not overly warm so I layered it  and just removed the layers I didn't need as the climate warmed as I traveled west. I wore it with a snowflake necklace and stud earrings. My mom French braided my hair (I ended up taking the braid out in Texas and leaving the top part and just pulling it back into a ponytail).



Shirt:  Vintage Store
Skirt: Vintage Store 
Jewelry: Necklace: Target Earrings: Walmart

See California Day 2 Here! 



Saturday, December 6, 2014

I Know Just What You'd Say...

The house is so quiet, so still. How can life change so fast? Your clothes are still hanging in your closet. Your bed is still made where I made it the day after you went to the hospital. I walk through your room so still. Everything just the same... or almost just the same.  The night light in the bathroom is off. Your cane rests in the corner of the room instead of in your hand. 

Despite the heater humming your room seems so cold. Like stepping outside on a snowy morning and knowing no one else is out. Your footsteps seem to echo over the frozen ground. 

I can't stand to stay in this room long but sometimes I just can't stay away. I half smile at the boxes of Christmas village stacked in one of your closets that you loved so much. How many years did we put it out together? How much fun we had as I handed you things to put out and smiled up at you telling you if it was "the perfect spot" which of course it was... perching on a ladder with steaming hot cups of cocoa on a freezing morning putting Christmas lights up. 

And then one year we switched, I was the one on the top of the ladder you at the bottom smiling up.  Oh, how you loved Christmas! And then as the years went on, I did more by myself but the light was still there in your eyes. Making you almost look like a small child filled with the magic of Christmas... But as the years went on that to began to dim... until only at certain moments could you see it in your blue eyes. But it was still there. I can almost hear your voice in my mind as I run my hand over the rough cardboard boxes. 

I know just what you’d say…

You’d say “oh my goodness” and “I love you, honey”.  “Do you want to spend the night?”, “Can I pray for you?”. And with that guilty look of yours and a hand over your heart “Who me?” followed by a twinkle in your eye and “How could you think so?” 

“Drive carefully," - even if you’re just walking “I pray a hedge of protection around you and your car” or “Lord surround their car with angels” and “Can I sing you a song?” 

You see Grandma I know just what you'd say... "It so nice to see you,"Do we have anything sweet?"  "Ice Cream sounds good" and "Bless your heart". And "I need to blow my nose."
You would pray every day for your children and grandchildren, on your knees even when it hurt to do so.  When you would hear of a need you were quick to offer help, love, a place for those that needed a home.  You stood in the cold serving food you helped cook for the homeless and you were not afraid to love on the ones that stood before you. Strangers became family in the blink of an eye.  Sailors hundreds of miles away from their family found family in your arms.  Those hurting and needing a home found a place of love and care seldom seen in this world.  Orphans became grandchildren in the blink of an eye.  You held nothing back from anyone.

I can still hear your voice as we sit around the table... and I know just what you'd say... Faith plops down beside me with a sigh and I know just what you'd say, " What's wrong pooch?" 


The Most Important thing to me is ending up in heaven and having all of my children and grandchildren make it there, so be there everyone. - Martha Gibson 1996

Saturday, November 22, 2014

For Everything There Is A Season

We stand around your bed as the sunshine streams in the window with tears running down our faces. The door squeals as it opens and your sweet nurse enters with tears in her eyes, and she joins our huddled group.


Christmas carols play softly. You love Christmas so much... Sirens in the distance mark another ambulance's path and another life forever changed. You have touched so many lives. You are loved so much. A friend slips in and comes to your side, it is agony to watch the monitor as seconds pass without a breath but it's even worse not to watch. How did we get to this point?  I'm so tired.

I'll be home for Christmas... If only in my dreams...

Notifications pop up on my Facebook from friends and family sharing old pictures of you and words that though they are hundreds of miles away to be whispered in your ear.
There is a time for everything,



 and a season for every activity under the heavens:


    a time to be born and a time to die,


 a time to plant and a time to uproot,

    a time to kill and a time to heal,



    a time to tear down and a time to build, 


    a time to weep and a time to laugh,


    a time to mourn and a time to dance,




    a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,



    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,


    a time to search and a time to give up

,


    a time to keep and a time to throw away,





    a time to tear down and a time to mend,


    a time to be silent and a time to speak,




    a time to love and a time to hate,



    a time for war and a time for peace. 


Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 
Goodbye, grandma...