Tickle Me Tuesday ~ Handmade From Artfire

I've been browsing around Artfire lately and found some handmade items that are tickling my fancy.

Linen Fabric Tubby from Tialys

French Countryside Pincushion - Red from Floria

Striped and Checked Lavender Hearts from Bailiwick Studio

I'm joining Sarah at Yes, Teacher for Tickle Me Tuesday.  Join in the fun and show us what has you tickled this week!

Silent Sunday ~ Our Yearly Visitor

He visits every spring!

Have a wonderful Sunday!!!

The Good The Bad and the Three Year Old

My Daughter, Erin, and I decided to take a mini trip after our road trip to Arkansas was canceled due to the flooding of the Mississippi River.  We went to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, one of our favorite places to go when it's not tourist season.  It is Amish country and we have been visiting there for the past 20 years.  Usually it's just a day trip but there's so much to do that we decided to make it four days.  It was not our best trip!

Now don't get me wrong.  It wasn't our worst trip or even a bad trip.  Just not the best!  I forgot what it's like traveling with a three year old who is still in the terrible twos stage.  You know what I mean...temper tantrums, short attention span, temper tantrums, sleep schedule off, temper tantrums!!  And it didn't help that her mama was coming down with a cold either!

We realized by the end of the first day that we weren't going to be able to do everything we wanted to.  So we narrowed it down to a couple of things and tried to enjoy the rest of our time there.  One of our favorite things we did was visit Cafe Chocolate of Lititz.  We had a Dark Chocolate Crepe filled with mascapone cheese, fresh strawberries and dark chocolate truffle ganache, served with strawberries, fresh cream and a dark chocolate drizzle! It was to die for and I don't even like dark chocolate!!

Doesn't it look good? And to wash it down we had a Chocolate Strawberry Lush. It was like drinking chocolate covered strawberries!

We sat outside in the tiny garden and Shylee even helped pick the bluebells that the owner set on our table.

The hotel we stayed at had a playground, a duck pond and a swimming pool, so Shylee got to have some fun too!
These are some of my favorite photos from the trip.

It was nice to go away but it was nice to come home! I think it will just be day trips with Shylee for a couple more years!

Do you have any traveling stories with a 

toddler or preschooler?

Please share!!!

Tickle Me Tuesday ~ Giveaways

Do you love a good giveaway?  I do too.  So today for Tickle Me Tuesday I'm going to point you to a few of the ones I have entered.  I hope they tickle you too!

From Kluless, this sweet Sweetcushion made from a sugar bowl that Kathy found.  It would be right at home in my sewing room!

From My Life Under the Bus, Patty is giving away this beautiful bead she made.  It's just stunning!

Maureen Cracknell Handmade is giving away this fun pillow.  It's fresh and fun and irresistible!

What is tickling your fancy this week?  Join Sarah at Yes Teacher and show us.  And if you have entered any giveaways, share with us in the comments!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!!!

Silent Sunday

I took this photo at the duck pond at the hotel we stayed at in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

I love the coloring of the Mallards.

Have a wonderful Sunday!!!

Happy Birthday!

...to me!  Today is my birthday and I'm still 39!  It's okay if you don't believe me.  My body gives me away a little bit more everyday!  Because my birthday and Mother's Day fall in the same week (and sometimes the same day) we celebrate them both together.  This time we went to Baltimore's National Aquarium and most of my pictures didn't turn out.  But this shot of a dog walking by did turn out and I just love it!  I smile every time I look at it!

I want to let you know I will be away from my blog for a little while.  When you read this, I will be in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania visiting Amish country.  My daughter and granddaughter were going to join me for a road trip to Arkansas to visit family, but due to the flooding of the Mississippi River, we had to cancel that trip.  So instead, we will spend a few days in Pennsylvania.  When I get back, I have some things that need my attention before I get back to blogging.  I will be checking your blogs and commenting when I'm able.  And hopefully I'll have pictures that turn out so I can share my mini vacation with you!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!!

Tickle Me Tuesday

It's Tuesday and that means I'm joining Yes, Teacher! for Tickle Me Tuesday.  This is the day we share what has been tickling our fancy!

First is this apron that my granddaughter, Shylee, finger painted (with the help of mommy) and gave me for Mother's Day.  I love those little hand prints!

And then there are the Godiva Chocolates my daughter, Erin, gave me.  They melted before I got them home to take pictures, but each piece is made of milk chocolate 'clam' shells with a ball of hazelnut chocolate cream in the center.  Think Nutella sandwiched by milk chocolate!  It's chocolate heaven!

And to follow up on last week's post, I found the two flavors of Newtons cookies I was looking for.  The fig and honey tasted like graham crackers and the chocolate raspberry was just divine...my absolute favorite of the four!

What tickles your fancy?  Head over to Yes, Teacher!  and share!!

Happy Mother's Day

Wishing all the Moms a very happy day!!!

XOXOXO

I Love Spring

You might get tired of me saying it, but I can't help it.  Spring is my favorite season.  The temperature slowly climbs upwards so you can venture out without a jacket.  But it's not hot and humid yet.

Everything that was dead and dormant starts coming back to life.  Color begins appearing in all shades of the rainbow.  Birds are singing, the days are longer, people you meet out and about seem happier.

Yes, I love spring and you will probably hear me say it again!  But until then, here are more signs of spring around my yard.

(Except the azaleas which are in my neighbor's yard behind mine!)

I'm joining these very lovely blogs

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Photo Feature Friday at A Rosy Note

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share something I'm thankful for.  I find myself thankful for so many things this week that I can't settle on just one.  So here is the list of things I give thanks for today.

1. Our men and women in uniform
2. The beauty of the season that is all around me
3. My 5 senses that allow me to enjoy my life
4. The encouragement and support I receive from friends I've never met
5. Tornado survivors who show me what courage looks like

What are you thankful for today?

Tickle Me Tuesday ~ Cookies

It's Tickle Me Tuesday again, and again it's all about food for me!  I know!  But these cookies are really good, and I don't usually like store bought cookies.  Unlike the Fig Newton bars of my youth, these cookies, Newtons Fruit Thins, are thin and crisp (which I also don't usually like) and full of flavor.

There are four flavors.  Cranberry Citrus Oat, Blueberry Brown Sugar, Fig and Honey and Raspberry Chocolate.  I have found only the Cranberry and the Blueberry and am on the hunt for the Raspberry Chocolate!  They are perfect with my afternoon tea and could easily become a habit!

I'm hooking up once again with Yes, Teacher! for Tickle Me Tuesday.  Pop on over there and see what has been tickling the fancy of others!

What is tickling your fancy?

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge ~ Soft and Sweet

This week's challenge at I Heart Faces is: Soft and Sweet.  I immediately knew which photo I was going to use. This picture taken of my granddaughter is one of my favorites.  She was napping in a hotel room after a busy morning of shopping while vacationing.

Check out all the "soft and sweet" faces and then add one of your own!

I Heart Macro

This shot really makes me wish I had a macro lens!

I'm joining Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro.  

Take a macro/up-close photo and join the fun!

Happy Sunday!!!