Sunday Thoughts

I've been spending time each day on a couple of Lenten devotionals this Lenten season. I haven't done that for a very long time. I was encourage by a few friends to so do and it has made this time before Easter more meaningful for me.

Matthew Kelly has some great thoughts. I didn't buy his book, but I am following him daily on the internet. I quite like his instruction, his thoughtfulness and his delivery.

On of the lessons that hit home this week was one on being spiritually healthy. We spend a great deal of time on our physical health, but do we always work on our spiritual health? The days can slip by and we find that we haven't really worked on becoming healthier spiritually.

One of the ways we can get stronger in our spirit, is spending time every day in prayer. It sounds so easy, but unless we really establish the practice, we don't become spiritually healthy. I have been working on this during Lent and following a program keeps me on track.

Matthew states that the 4 questions we want to be answered are:

Who are we?
What are we here for?
What matters most?
What matters least?

He challenged his readers to think about yesterday and use those 4 questions. Interesting, huh?

By spending time in prayer with God, He will help us to understand these 4 questions. It will happen.
Take the time to pray, listen to God and follow. 

Saturday

I saw this photo on one of my FB sites an it just looks so spring like! I had to share it. We had such a pretty day yesterday...60 degrees and some sunshine. I had the windows open for some fresh air and it was so nice.

I haven't been blogging much. I love it blogging, but it just seems like I don't have the time to do much lately. Ever since my health issues last August, I haven't been able to get back to normal in lots of area. I am feeling so much better now, so hopefully, this spring will bring more restoration in many areas.

I posted some photos of my little Irish doll collection on my Tasha group on Thursday so wanted to share them here. I do have a bit of Irish in me and just LOVE St Patrick's Day. Not sure how I will handle the dinner this year as I can't have corned beef or green cabbage. YIKES!

This first doll is an Avon doll from the 1990's. Her name is Colleen and she really is quite nice for a mass produced doll.

This little wee miss is a clothes pin doll that I found on Etsy. I think she is quite charming.

I'v had this little guy for awhile. He is all dressed in wool and tweed and he just looks Irish to me. Not sure where he is really from, but he seems quite happy living with the St Patty's things.

This little elf looks like he is a member of the Irish, so he likes to come out at this time of the year.

Yep, I am a nut about all things Irish. It's just fun. My youngest daughter has traveled to Ireland. Oh, I wish I could go someday.

Happy Saturday and don't forget to spring ahead tonight with you clocks...daylight savings time begins. I do wish they would just pick one time and stick to it. I don't see the purpose of this anymore. 

Tea Time Tuesday...#153 Time for St Patrick's Fun!

Oh it's March and time for some St Patrick's fun! I think the Irish invaded my home this weekend. With Easter being late this year, I delighted in decoration with my St Pat's goodies. Often, I have to get out the Easter things right after Valentine's to enjoy the Easter items....but not this year!

When I was decorating on Saturday, I discovered that I didn't own a Belleek tea cup. I have a couple teapots and some sweet small pieces of Belleek, but no tea cup! I checked on line, but the freight was pretty high. That's understandable, as Belleek is so fragile. We were exhibiting at the spring Expo antique and collectible show, so I decided to look around for one at the show. Yes! I did find one at a booth run by a darling little couple. The price was very fair and NO freight. I was so excited.

This little vase was a gift from my friend Ann who brought it back to me when she went to Ireland. It's just charming.

My teapot was lonely without a tea cup!

I tried this tea by Twinings.....buttermint. It is sooo yummy. It's a very light and smooth mint tea. I really like it...try it!

This photo shows a few more of my Belleek pieces in my hutch.

I think they're doing a little Irish jig!

An Irish blessing....

Kissing.......

We were busy last week getting ready for the spring show. It's a lot of work, but we did well again and that makes it all so much fun! Jimmy had extra help from our nephews Patrick and Markie, along with Markie's girlfriend Jessica. It's alway fun to have some young blood with you!

Here's some pictures of our booth for you to enjoy.

We had a great show and had some fun along the way. Next show will be in October, but Jim is thinking about doing the city wide garage sale in May!!! 

The Enchanting Rose Tea Cup and Mug Exchange

I just signed up for this lovely teacup and/or mug exchange at Stephanie's blog. I have joined each one and it is a wonderful exchange. Everything is well run and I have met some wonderful people. I especially enjoy the spring exchanges! Hope on over to The Enchanting Rose blog to read details and see if this is something you would like to participate in this time. 

Tea Time Tuesday #152

Tea cups, tea cups and more tea cups! We made a stop at a favorite antique shop when we were up on the Washington peninsula a few weeks back. The shop shop is called The Long Beach Peninsula Trading Post. We stopped there last summer on our vacation and I couldn't wait to return!

Rows and rows of pretty dishes to admire and dream about.

I think I feature this set last summer, but I'm still in love with it all!.

I did find a treasure for spring, so I will feature that in an upcoming blog spot.

Books galore.....

Fishing goodies....

Lots of fun kitchen items....

Kitchen tins....

Lots of dollies...

More dollies....

AND my Jimmy!

Sneaky shot by Jimmy!

Here's the shop!

Long Beach is a really fun ocean spot to visit. It's still family friendly and a bit small town.
We enjoyed some very fine seafood meals too.

Sunday Thoughts

I have shared how I prayed for my little grandson when my daughter was pregnant with him. I still can't believe sometimes that Otto is here and I will always be so thankful that God answered my prayer.
I had a situation happen today that is very sad and upsetting to me. I don't understand the actions of Otto's father. I am Grandma Linda, not Otto's mother, so it is hard. I can voice my opinion and I have, but that is all I do. I can pray and I do pray for that sweet little boy who has stolen my heart. 

Tea Time Tuesday....#151

 It was tea time last Saturday with my Pacific NW Tasha Tudor group. We met at Diane's beautiful home in the country. Look at the beautiful table she had set for us!

My sweet friend Diane and partner in crime....Diane.

Sterling, flowers and pretty pink lusterware. Tasha Tudor had so many sets of pink luster. Several of us are on the hunt for a teapot. They are very hard to find.

Yummy tea time sandwiches....egg salad, curry chicken and salmon delights.

Pretty pink and red decor with a fresh fruit cup to enjoy!

One of our desserts was a cherry almond cake from Tasha Tudor's cookbook. The frosting was very light but it was really delicious.

Here I am with sweet Carla. She is a fellow quilter and quite the gardener.

Connie read us a wonderful essay she wrote about the missing rag doll. It was so touching.

Joyce and Connie enjoying tea time.

After we finished our tea, I shared a little craft with the group. It was fun and easy and everyone enjoyed it.

Susan and her daughter Lily look pretty serious along with Jane!

The little hearts for the dolly Valentine's turned out so cute. Everyone was quite individual. I had very good pupils!