The Purple Heart

My friend Ann is an interesting woman, loving person, very giving, extremely smart, so encouraging and just a wonderful friend. I first met Ann a few years back when she joined my Take Peace group. This is a group who loves Tasha Tudor and is keeping her legacy very much alive. I was matched up with her on a Christmas exchange. Group exchanges are so fun as you really get to know your partner. You know how you just kind of click with certain people? Well, Ann and I just clicked.
Last year, we both experienced very difficult health issues. Ann actually almost didn't make it.It's often at those times that you realize how much a friend means to you. Well, the struggles we faced only brought us closer together.
Ann is an Episcopal minister. She retired last year, another difficult part of her journey. We are currently working through the book Woman of the Bible. It's a year long study and it's great to be sharing it with a friend. Her insights on life and her experience as a minister bring a different dimension to our bible study. She is so open and honest.
So, we have become very good friends. We have never met in person yet, but we intend to!
Today, I got a delightful card in the mail with a little purple knitted heart! So sweet. She sent me a print out from her blog about this adventure. She award little hearts to people who do special or caring things and really don't get credit for it. We don't need to get credit or recognition but how nice to be surprised by this sweet little gesture.

So she awarded me with one and it arrived in the mail today. I was so touched, I cried. Things like this are so dear and are very encouraging.

So, go out there and spread some joy or happiness or help. Who knows, you may get a purple heart.
Thank you sweet Ann.

Thursday Treasures....Compliments of a Friend

I received a package the other day from my good friend LaVonne. It wasn't my birthday, it wasn't Christmas, it wasn't a gift exchange, so what could be in this box weighing 14 pounds?
Last summer she had a very magical season with farm helpers and guests. Every Saturday, the gang would go to garage sales and they would have great adventures. Little did I know, that I was joining in the fun each week as they went on the hunt. She was collecting strawberry items FOR ME and they all joined in the fun. Whenever someone would see a strawberry themed item, they would yell out "strawberry"! She kept the goodies in a box all winter, waiting for the season to come around to send me my package. Can you believe all the treasures? I was so surprised and I must say, delighted.

A closer look at some of the fun things in the box from Montana! I really liked the clear glass strawberry bowls.

Can you see the little metal plate hiding with two Strawberry Shortcake dolls?

That's a strawberry kitchen timer along with a strawberry stamp for shortbread cookies and a bar of sweet smelling soap.

I have never seen strawberry tea light candles! One of her guests made me the potholder and I adore the vintage tablecloth.

Paper goods were in the group of  items too...such cute little notecards.

I adore this photo album!

I could believe she found another beautiful strawberry cup and saucer! Now I can have tea for two!

This is the cutest little ceramic strawberry, perfect for jam or jelly.

I had to laugh at this one...a mouse trap. LaVonne actually sent this one to Jimmy. Too funny!

This adorable pink glass punch bowl with matching cups is for my dolls. Can you see the strawberries in the pressed glass? Oh, how I love this gift!!!!

Flip flops too...who knew????

This is a long homemade frock made from a very cute strawberry print fabric. Too bad it didn't fit as I could have worn it and had a good laugh. I guess LaVonne put it on at the garage sale! She is a riot and it made me laugh to imagine her having fun.

How do you thank your friend for such an unexpected and delightful package? Thanks so much...you are so fun and a great friend. 

Tea Time Thursday #96 ~A Birthday for a Friend

Last Friday, I finally was able to take my friend Lynda to tea for her 70th birthday. We have been very good friends for years. I wanted to celebrate her special birthday by going to tea. I took her to Myrtle's Tea House in Washington, only about an half hour from my house. It is my favorite tea shoppe. Elizabeth, the owner, does such a nice job. I love her floral arrangement.

You can see our tea plate and dessert plate in the photo above. Lots of little detail and everything was just delicious. We enjoyed pots of Autumn Cranberry tea.

Linda and Lynda....good friends. Don't you just love to go to tea and have hours to chat and catch up on your families and all! I love that about tea time.

Elizabeth has a lovely gift area in her shoppe. Lots of tempting and seasonal tea time items.

We had such a lovely time  together. it's always special to have tea with a dear friend, especially on her birthday. Happy Tea Time Thursday.

A Special Weekend Away

My very favorite bible study author is Beth Moore. I have worked through many of her studies in two different churches and every time I finish a study, I am looking for another one! You can image how excited I was last December when my good friend Lynda let me know that Beth was going to speak in Seattle in February 2015! Lynda has been my friend for a very long time and we just never get much time together. Can you imagine how delighted we were when we discovered that we were both free on the dates! Lynda was so sweet to book our seats and our hotel room plus she agreed to drive! I am just scared to drive in Seattle. Thank you so much my friend for setting everything up for this weekend trip!

We decided to drive up on Thursday so we would be fresh for the event on Friday. We had lots of time to talk, rest, do a bit of shopping ( I will be sharing a fun blog on Thursday with you) and we even had dinner with Eric and Gina in Bellevue. We met at a wonderful restaurant called Seastar. It was so good to see my kids but I totally forgot to take some pictures~sigh.

So Friday we set out for Overlake Christian Church. It is a beautiful and very large church. Can you imagine 6000 ladies? Can you imagine the lines for the bathrooms on breaks? We all seem to get through it and it certainly was worth it.

This is the front of the sanctuary all set up before we began. Travis Cottrell leads the musical group that  is in charge of worship for these events. He has been with Beth from the beginning~they celebrated their 20th anniversary with Lifeway. He gets the whole arena standing, clapping, singing and yelling! The group is contemporary and loud at times but absolutely fantastic! I love that Travis works in those old Gospel songs too. The sound of all those women singing was like a choir of angels or a rock band!

Here we are...Lynda and Linda! We think we were very blessed with our seating! When Lynda  purchased our tickets, they told her we were in the overflow room. No, we were in the main area, about 20 rows from the front and we had an aisle right in front of us, so we were very close to Beth when she left the stage. As you can see, she is a tiny little live wire! She's from Texas and has quite a sense of humor. She moves so quickly, I'm afraid several of my pictures we too blurry.

The man off to the side would shadow her when she came out in the crowd. We are sure he was a body guard. Sad, but that's the world we live in now.

Travis and the band were rocking! I can still hear it in my head and feel the vibrations.

Lynda and I bought black bags to hold our bibles and workbook, but unfortunately, mine broke. So I purchased this cool bag at the event. They are made in India by woman who need employment to get out of prostitution. A wonderful cause.

My workbook notes. Her main message and instruction was on God's Resting Place and we worked in Isaiah. How wonderful to learn more about God's Resting Place, where and how God rests. It means that He is over us and stays with us not that He has to find a place to nap! I love to learn with Beth as she loves to teach and it's meaningful. Who doesn't want to grow in their faith?

After our break on Saturday morning, Beth came out into the audience to talk with a few women. This was a time to ask questions or just share a story about coming to the event. Several ladies didn't want to come, but found that it was just what they needed. We are all dealing with LIFE. A retreat can be emotionally draining. Everyone is going to take something away with them...soul searching, relief, acceptance, encouragement, renewed hopes and oh many more things. Lots of tears flow but it's all so good. Beth spoke about making plans and following through. This gal had been working on a book for 8 years. She was now ready to get off the internet and finish it up! She had dealt with some mental health issues and wanted to write about it to help other. I love that Beth mentioned creativity several times.

This little gal came with her mama and her grandmother. Beth is a grandmother and was so sweet and gentle with this little one. She then had all the young ladies under 21 stand and spoke to them about social media. Very interesting. She speaks the truth but doesn't condemn.

This sweet lady was a cancer fighter! She really had tears flowing and most of us were reaching for a Kleenex! Can you see Beth stroking her hair and just being to tender with this dear lady?

She would stop after each woman spoke and then she would pray over everyone. There is nothing like a group of women coming together!

I really could go on and on here, however, it's hard to cover so much information in a blog post.
When we were driving out of the parking lot, Lynda asked me what areas in my life were touched during the two days. Oh dear, more tears! I am still sorting things out and just letting some things settle in my heart. I am so thankful for this opportunity to be with my friend, to hear Beth Moore and to think over how this all plays into my life. I got a gift of being alone for awhile. Jim is in Idaho and I had two days to just rest in the Lord and let Him rest upon me. 

Full Moon Tonight and Remembering a Friend

The first FULL MOON of the New Year is tonight. It's called the Wolf Moon. This beautiful photo was found on Pinterest and I love it. I don't know if the clouds will clear enough here in Oregon for me to actually see the moon tonight. Some of the other names are winter, quiet, freezing, cold and staying inside moon.

I am sad tonight. On Saturday, Jim and I were told that a dear friend had taken his life. His dad drove to our home to tell us. I taught with his mom as a young teacher and have known Tim since he was in grade school. He was struggling with things in his life but we thought he was doing better. It will always be a mystery, something we will not be able to understand. He leaves a daughter behind who he loved so dearly. I am praying for all of his family and especially his daughter. So very sad.

I want to thank all my sweet blogger friends who have been so kind to read my blog and leave me messages. It is just hard to keep doing everyday things right now. I will be back soon.

My Friend is Here!

My good friend LaVonne is here from Montana! We had a fun day, as always when she comes to visit.
I just love having her with me. I was so pleased to find this quote as it expresses my feelings for and about my friend.
LaVonne makes me laugh and makes me happy. She understands me so well and just makes me smile.
It's always so happy with LaVonne around.
I thank you for your loyal friendship. Thanks for coming to visit again. I can't wait for tomorrow.

Rhubarb Cobbler~Stephanie's Recipe!

Last week, Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose

posted her yummy recipe for rhubarb cobbler. My hubby loves rhubarb and strawberry pie, so I thought he would like this treat. We were buying some fresh Oregon HOOD strawberries at a stand and they had some rhubarb for sale. I pulled up her blog on my phone to see how much rhubarb I needed for the recipe. I bought some and made the recipe when I got home. It is an easy recipe and the yummiest cobbler I have ever tasted! I did add about a cup of fresh strawberries to the recipe and Jim really liked the addition. I served it with whip cream, but ice cream would be delicious too. So pop on over to her beautiful blog for the recipe and bake up a pan! It is the best cobbler I have ever had.Yummmmmmmy!

Monday Meeting

My friend Lynda lives on the opposite side of Portland OR from me but gets her hair done in my little town of Troutdale. We try to meet for coffee or lunch when she comes my way about every 4-5 weeks.

I found a friendship ball at a sale and thought I would get the "ball" rolling! I used to sell them years ago at my shoppe. You are to fill it with tiny treats and give it to your friend . The next time you are with your friend she is to give it back, filled with something for you! Lynda thought it would be fun too. It will be interesting to see what we come up with for each other. We have known each other for about 30 years. Long time friends are a blessing.

A Treat From New England

Last week the postman left me a sweet little package from across the country.  One of my Tasha friends, Suzanne, from New England sent me a package via "SNAIL MAIL"! How exciting. Don't you just love to get something in the mail? I love emails and text mails and it still amazed me that I can chat with someone in another part of the world instantly, but to discover a letter, a card or a package in my mailbox is the bees knees as they used to say.  Anyway, back to my package. I always like to just look at my gift for a bit before I open it. I like to savor gifts. What did Suzanne send to me?

I love the tiny card with a personal little note from my friend. The charming necklace was tucked into a tiny sack carefully wrapped in red tissue. "Keep Calm and Carry On" You can see some of her other  creations on Etsy under Pretty Darling Things. Take a peak. Thanks so much my friend for thinking of me and blessing me with such a lovely gift. I miss you. Enjoy the summer with your family.

A Surprise From a Friend....

A knock on the door and oh what a pleasant surprise! Our friend Len Otto stopped by with these wonderful fresh local strawberries! When he visiting earlier in the week, he told us about a local grower close to his home who sells lovely strawberries! Yes indeed. Too bad Jim is off in Idaho and they are all mine!

Thanks so much Len. I cleaned them up and have been enjoying them. Good mixed with yogurt for breakfast after an evening treat last night with some Grand Marnier drizzled over them.

We met Len years ago when he was our daughter Angie's kindergarten teacher. A few years later, he taught our other daughter Gina in the second grade. I was a mom helper and down the road, Jim and Len became fishing buddies. They are both retired now and get a bit more fishing in these days.

Troutdale Elementary School..home of the Tigers and lots of very fond memories. Thanks Len for all your hard work.

This is the sweet friend who came and sat with me at the hospital when Jim had his surgery. This is the friend who attends weddings and family functions. This is the friend who delivers strawberries. This is a treasured friend!

Len married his Gloria last June and it was a lovely wedding. I didn't get the best of pictures but you can see their love for each other. Happy "First" Anniversary to you both.

Len has a very interesting retirement business called Honor Your Past. Check out his website...www.honoryourpast.com.

I'd love him to preserve my dad's history. Better take care of it soon. Len is quite the local historian and he knows how to do this right.