Double Retro

On my very last set of slides to scan . . . relieved that I was pretty well done . . .

 I came across a memory of a bridal shower I had forgotten we had pictures of. 

So, first off, if any of my nieces see this . . . I hope you can handle this with me.

This goes back to the Spring of 2000.

I do not remember the details of how the surprise was worked out, 

but by the pictures I gathered that Kristal, Carolyn and Bonnie 

presented the idea of the theme to Julene as they picked her up at our house.

 It was to be a 1970's themed dress up party, going back to my teen era. 

(By the looks of it, they raided my spare closet.)

I don't think they told her where they were going . . . but she probably had a good idea.

At aunt Elsie's house she had to put on my wedding gown 

and we posed for a mother/daughter shot.

The dress I'm wearing dates back to when I was sixteen or seventeen.

Bride-to be and sister also posed. 

Kristal is wearing one of my bridesmaid's dresses.

 Oh, those were the days!

More cousins played their parts . . .

It's fun to see what good sports they were.

Could it be there is a reason I'm not for much color any more? 

In the middle of the party a special guest arrived . . .

none other but the handsome groom dressed in my H's wedding suit.

(One of these days that spare closet has to be cleaned out.)

He loves to put on a show. 

I do not remember the song he serenaded her with,

but I'm sure it was funny.

As always, there was plenty of food in this beautiful little country kitchen.

The shower cake was a replica of my wedding cake.

And that is probably enough said now!

What I can't help is to realize how the years do go by -
 how, throughout time, young couples in love have grown older together
one day, one year and one decade at a time . . .
wondering how this happened so soon!

No Boys Allowed

A new room needs new rules -

thoroughly thought through as you can tell . . .

but with brother turning seven this week

I'm thinking section 2b of the law will be up for review.

Spring on My Counter Continues

You may remember that a few weeks ago I put some plant cuttings into a jug and placed them beside my canisters. I enjoyed the green for about a week, when I noticed little buds appearing.

 I posted about it here. 

Since then I have re-cut the stems, changed the water and added a wee bit of sugar, 

and watched to see the color appear. 

I kind of expected the buds to fall off at that point . . . 

but for the most part . . . they remained . . .
and the pink petals slowly opened. 

This garden plant, way back in the yard, is far from blooming

but here on my counter it looks like spring! 

A Moment from my Kitchen Window

    . . . where morning dawns, where evening fades,
    you call forth songs of joy.

Psalm 65:8

Still Alice

Photo by Tehya

I just finished reading Lisa Genova's novel, STiLL ALiCE, feeling wrapped up in the complex realities of Alice's diagnosis with early onset of Alzheimer Disease. Maybe you know what I'm talking about, the feeling of being a character within the story and having a hard time shaking it. The book was lent to me by someone who could have guessed at my deep rooted apprehensions and that I'd have a hard time opening it's pages but, once I did, I could hardly put it down for the emotional feelings it evoked.

Early on, in her quest of what is happening and realizing where the disease ends, Alice comes to wish she had cancer instead. Ashamed for even fantasizing about this, she concludes that with cancer she'd have something she could fight and there would be a chance to win.  People would consider her a hero in the fight, and if she lost, she would still be able to look her loved ones in the eye at the time of her goodbye, knowing them. She concludes with the thought that in her given situation, with her vanishing memory and mental instability people would rather keep a certain distance from her. We all know what she means.

The writer does several things very well. Telling the story from Alice's point of view, we feel her despair as she tries to come up with a foolproof plan to personally know when she will no longer be cognitive, by regularly answering certain questions about herself, In the end only the reader sadly realizes what is happening to her responses. Yet, midst the confusion and frustrations, the reader is also able to feel the unexpected joys of a family that compensates and continues to respect and love her as they've known her to be.

This story allows us a peek into a life no one would choose, yet gives insight on how to respond and appreciate the good moments. I am left with a deep desire to pray for a disease altering breakthrough for those living in its genetic shadow.

Now Playing - Downton Abbey

On Sunday, last weekend, just before the time the final show of Season 5 

was being PVR'd at home,

we were having a lot of fun preparing a dinner for some of our church staff.

Richard and Dorothy run a beautiful Bed and Breakfast in town here -

aptly name Sweet Dreams . . .

and a couple of times a year they have invited some friends to 

help them host an appreciation dinner.

The hostess always arranges with a florist friend to 

come in and do the table arrangements with fresh flowers.

You can see how this gal enjoys her work!

We set the table and continued working on the menu at hand . . .

Appetizers:

Artichoke Dip with Crackers

Bacon Wrapped Cocktail Sausages

Mini Pizza Scoops

Punch

Pre - Course:

Roasted Red Pepper Soup

Fan Rolls

Main Course:

Cordon Blue Beef Rolls

Salmon with Sun-dried Tomato Topping

Greek Lemon Roasted Potatoes

Green Beans

Corn

Coleslaw

Dessert:

Strawberry Black Forest Cake

At times when we have served a BBQ, the guys have been busier,

but this time we set them to work on the take-home favors.

(could there be a small learning curve for my Mr H?)

. . . oh  . . . 

and the men served with a smile and did most of the dishes too! 

Have you been following the Downton Abbey drama?

Which story lines intrigue you more -

is it the sagas within  the Crawley family 

or the experiences shared by the servants?

Who makes you laugh . . .

and who makes you relate to someone in your life?

Although I feel safe to say that none of us today

would want to live this kind of life,

it is an escape that has us wanting the story to continue.