A Special Tea Party

One of my greatest pleasures is having a cup of tea.  The one thing that makes it as special as it can be is having a tea party with people who you enjoy being with the most.  So me, Erin and Shylee had a tea party and it was the most fun!

I couldn't wait til Shylee was old enough to have a real tea set and her fourth birthday this month was the opportunity I was waiting for to give her her first set.  Our little party had a Shylee sized teapot and cup while Erin and I used a teapot from my collection and a milk glass luncheon plate and cup set.

The finger sandwiches, spinach salad, mini cupcakes, and cookies were just perfect with the Constant Comment tea.

Shylee was just tickled to be having a real tea party, but I think I was more tickled to be sharing this first experience with her.  About half way through, she declared, "I like Gramma's house".  She couldn't have given this Gramma a better compliment!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

I Heart Macro

Is that a mouse in the crab apple tree?

Crab apple blossoms

I hope you're having a most wonderful weekend!

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Recovery Is Like A Roller Coaster Ride

Welcome back, friends!  Thank you for taking the time to stop by.  And thank you for the emails, Facebook messages and kind comments concerning my knee and my absence.  I have the very best blog friends and I so appreciate every one of you!

Cyclone Coney Island Roller Coaster 

These last few weeks of recovery have felt like a roller coaster ride with so many ups and downs and highs and lows, and I'm ready to get off!  I've been going to physical therapy and I have definitely improved, but I'm still far from healed.  I do have days where I feel really good so I go to Target or the grocery store or the park and the next day I can barely walk, and it sets me back a week.   Even standing long enough to cook dinner will cause problems.   I guess after this happened over and over, I've finally realized I just have to take it easy whether I feel good or not.  It's just difficult because I thought I would be back to normal by now and I'm far from it.

My lowest point was last weekend when I had to miss Shylee's birthday party.  Erin planned a dragon, knights, and princess party with such incredible detail and handmade goodness.  I was so looking forward to it but I could barely walk and I knew I couldn't handle the two and a half hour drive each way.  It  broke this Grandma's heart to miss that party.

On the up side, Michael bought me an exercise bike which the doctor and physical therapist recommended I use.  It won't be here for another two weeks, but I'm looking forward to getting it and enjoying the benefits not only for my knee but for my overall health.  And, Shylee and her mama are on their way here to spend a couple of days with me.  Shylee helps take my mind off things for a little while which is just what I need!

Have a wonderful Thursday!

I Heart Macro

During Easter weekend, I was able to get out and take pictures for the first time since my knee surgery.  I took an obnoxious amount of pictures of our ornamental cherry tree!  Then today, after taking a week to recover from overdoing it last weekend, I went out and took some more!  My knee is letting me know about it this evening.  I got really excited today when I was able to get a shot of a bee on a dandelion.  I'ts not as macro as I wanted it to be, but my knee could take only so much squatting.

Well, I guess that's enough cherry blossoms for now.  I think that of all the flowering trees, this is my favorite!

I'm joining Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro.

I seem to be having trouble linking to Lori's blog.  I'll provide the link as soon as I'm able.

I Heart Macro ~ Happy Easter

Have a sweet day!

I'm joining Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday, friends!  Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.  

Today I'm thankful I was able to enjoy a day out last weekend.  After being cooped up in the house for weeks, Michael took me to Annapolis where we hung out at Barnes & Noble and had dinner at Macaroni Grill.  I don't think I've enjoyed a day out as much as I did that day.  I've been paying for it ever since with a very sore knee, but it was so worth it!


I'm also thankful for 
     * the sweet aroma of roses
     * cinnamon spice tea
     * my Kindle Fire
     * the power of music to uplift a weary spirit
     * sunsets

What are you thankful for today?

I Heart Macro

From the bouquet my husband gave me for Valentine's Day.

I'm joining Lori at Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro

Have a wonderful Sunday!

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Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday, friends!  Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.  

I am so very thankful for my husband of 33 years.  It's not easy being married, even after all this time.  We have our issues and ups and downs, but we are there for each other.  Michael has taken care of me the last two months while I sit in a chair with first a knee injury and now through my recovery from surgery.  He works full time, yet comes home and cooks dinner and cleans the kitchen, does the laundry, goes grocery shopping, takes me to doctor appointments, fixes me tea, brings me flowers and chocolate, lets me pick the movie we're going to watch, and well, you get the idea.  He even did the Christmas shopping I wasn't able to finish!  He has done all of this without a single complaint.  I know he's tired, and I know he gets frustrated, but he doesn't complain.  I'm thankful he puts up with me!


I'm also thankful for
     * healing...slow but sure
     * the kindness and generosity of friends
     * pain meds
     * a visit from Shylee (and her mom and dad!)
     
If you would like to join me for Thankful Thursday, just link your post to this one.  Then sign in with Mr. Linky below.  (The usual button is broken)

What are you thankful for today?

I Heart Macro

I miss playing with my camera.  I miss doing a lot of things, but I have to let my knee heal.  I had to go through some old pictures to find today's photo.  This is from a bouquet my daughter sent me.  She is the best daughter ever!

I'm joining Lori at Studio Watestone for I Heart Macro

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Have I Really Been MIA This Long?

I have a good excuse for not being around for a while.  I had knee surgery a couple of weeks ago and I just haven't felt up to doing much of anything.

source

Back in December of 2010 I injured my knee and found out I had torn the meniscus.  The only way to fix it is with surgery.  I didn't want to go through it, so I did exercises to strengthen my knee and lived on Tylenol. As the year went on, I was able to do less and less and my quality of life was suffering.  Not to mention, it was keeping my family from doing the things they wanted to do, because I couldn't walk much.

This past November, after turning down the chance to go to NYC to the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, I decided to go ahead and schedule the surgery after the holidays.  But just my luck, in the middle of December, I injured the same knee again.  This time I was completely chair bound barely able to walk.  The doctor confirmed I had torn the meniscus on the other side of the same knee.  There was no more putting off the inevitable.

So, I had the surgery and I'm slowly on the mend.  I hope you will stick with me as I recover and take my time getting back in the swing of things.

Thankful Thursday will return next week.  I hope you will join the linky party and share what you are thankful for!

I Heart Macro

I know these aren't macro, but I haven't had the camera out for a couple of weeks.  I took these last month while playing with the manual settings as I'm trying to break away from the automatic setting!

I'm joining Lori at Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro

Have a wonderful Sunday!

I Heart Macro

There's nothing quite as good as a steaming cup of hot chocolate on a cold wintry day!

Especially with whipped cream and sprinkles!

I'm joining Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro where you will

find some truly spectacular macro and close up photos.

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday, friends!  Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives there is always something to be thankful for.  Always. 

felt hearts

Today I am so very thankful for my heart and that it is healthy.  After an EKG that was abnormal, an echocardiogram and two day stress test, the doctor is satisfied my heart is just fine.  I couldn't be happier.  It's more than a little scary to find out there might be a problem, especially when you have so many risk factors for heart attack or stroke.  

I'm also thankful for

     * friends who pray

     * my warm and comfy house

     * heated seats in the car

     * a husband who knows how to cook

     * Skype so I can visit with my granddaughter

If you would like to link up, just grab the button from the side bar and include it in your blog post or link back to this post.  Then link your post to Mr. Linky down below.

What are you thankful for today?

I Heart Macro

I took these buttons off a blouse and replaced them with the buttons from

 last week's macro shot!

I'm joining Lori at Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro, where you will find some pretty incredible macro and close up photos.

Have a wonderful Sunday! 

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday, friends!  Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives there is always something to be thankful for.  Always. 

Today I'm so very thankful that my nephew is home safely from Afghanistan.  His unit came home over the weekend and my sister was so very happy!  I'm looking forward to seeing him later this year.


I'm also thankful for
     * a wonderful but short weekend visit with my other sister.  We laughed.  A lot.
     * kindness on the other end of the phone.  
     * insulin pumps
     * second chances and sometimes third and fourth

If you would like to link up, just grab the button and include it in your blog post or link back to this post.  Then, link your post to Mr. Linky down below.

    

What are you thankful for today?

Tickle Me Tuesday

I came across a blog post yesterday that really tickled my fancy.  You really must read this post from Crafty Little Gnome.  

She transformed her hallway into a forest using Sharpie markers!  It is just amazing what she did.  There are lots of pictures in the post, so I hope you will take a minute to read it.  I promise you will be glad you did.

I'm joining Sarah at Yes Teacher for Tickle Me Tuesday.  

What is tickling your fancy this week?

The 365 Project

One of my intentions for the new year is to learn how to use my camera.  I found The 365 Project and it appealed to me right away.  They give you a theme for the week along with an educational post with a challenge.   You take pictures everyday and post one picture a day on their Facebook page.  I enjoyed it so much last week and want to share with you my week of photos.

The theme was Good-bye Holidays and the challenge from the post was to learn how to shoot a bokeh.

Day 1 bokeh

Day 2 reflection in the tv

Day 3 ornament

Day 4 trees in front of the tree

Day 5 the skating snowman

Day 6 the last of the holiday chocolate

Day 7 cookies

Whether you know how to use your camera or not, this is a fun way to get used to taking photos every day.  Maybe by the end of the year, I'll actually know what I'm doing!

What is your favorite subject to photograph?

I Heart Macro

This is a regular shot of a 3/8 inch button.  I actually have nine of them for a project.

Here is the macro shot.

What a difference!

I really do heart macro!

I'm joining Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro.

Go ahead and check out the incredible macro and close up photos!

Happy Sunday!

A Big Thank You

I want to take time to say a big thank you to Kara Nina from the Etsy shop, Knme, for featuring one of my gift tags in this great treasury.  It's pretty incredible considering I have only three items in my shop right now!  The best way I can think of to say thanks is to show you a couple of items in her shop.

hand knit scarf

handmade clay buttons

clay pendants

There are so many pretty things in this shop!  I hope you will take a few minutes to show her some treasury love and check out her other items. 

My sister is coming down from NYC to spend the weekend with me!  What are your plans this weekend?

Thankful Thursday

Welcome to the first Thankful Thursday post of 2012!  Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

source

I'm thankful for my electric blanket!  We had such unusually warm temperatures up until this week but it turned oh so cold over night.  I can turn on that blanket before I get in bed and it's all toasty warm when I'm ready to lay down.  Really, it's one of the best ever modern conveniences!

I'm also thankful for
     * time for myself
     * sunshine ~ especially this time of year
     * mindless tv ~ sometimes you just don't want to have to think
     * facebook friends who like to play Scrabble (let me know if you want to play!)

If you would like to link up, just grab the button and include it in your blog post or link back to this post.  Then, link your post to Mr. Linky down below.

What are you thankful for today?

Just a Reminder

Hello friends!  I know you all have something to be thankful for, so I want to invite you to join me tomorrow and every Thursday for Thankful Thursday.  Mr. Linky will be up by 9:00 pm tonight to link your post to.  I sincerely hope to "see" you here as we share what we've been thankful for this past week!

Happy Wednesday!

Tickle Me Tuesday

I'm excited to join Sarah at Yes Teacher for another year of Tickle Me Tuesday!

These winter white items from Etsy are tickling my fancy this week!

linen shoe for baby girl

body powder puff

baby's breath photograph

bird mobile

What's tickling your fancy this week?

My Intentions for The New Year

I have really enjoyed reading about everyone's resolutions for 2012.  Some have been laugh out loud funny and some very serious.  I've also enjoyed reading the words being used for "resolution".  Words like goals, promises, reminders.  My favorite is intentions from Lisa at Grandma's Briefs.  I think that word best describes how I start each new year...with the best of intentions.

This year, I intend to:
     1.  Finish Shylee's quilt.  I started it before she was born and she will be four in April.  Which leads me to #2.
     2.  Procrastinate less.  I didn't used to procrastinate as much as I do these days.  So, I intend to do at least one thing each day instead of putting it off.
     3.  Complain less and be more positive.  Not only will I be happier but so will everyone else around me.
     4.  Learn my camera and photoshop elements.  I spent the last year just playing around with my camera and not really learning anything.  I also have photoshop elements but kept putting off trying to understand it.(see #2)
     5.  Create something handmade for each room of the house.  I read this on another blog (forgive me for not remembering where) and the idea really appeals to me.

I have many more intentions concerning my business and blog, but a girl needs to keep some things to herself!

What are your intentions for this new year?

I Heart Macro ~ Hello 2012

Wishing you, my friends, a new year filled with love, laughter, peace, and happiness!

Happy New Year!!!

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