A Wonderful Valentine's Tea Party and Brunch

Notice off to the left my Hibiscus bloomed for the day.

 The Valentine's Tea Party and Brunch was a huge hit!  The grandkids arrived dressed in their finest outfits and Princess dresses.  They were so thrilled to see the decorations and treats.  All were hungry and so willing to eat their picnic brunch of comfort food, crock pot of chili, and oven baked macaroni and cheese, and then on to the delightful desserts.  I baked cupcakes, and Linzer Tarts.  I made homemade heart shaped sugar cubes for the tea.  We had tea, cocoa, and root beer to drink. Jamiann made mini marshmallows dipped in white chocolate and then heart shaped sprinkles for the cocoa.

After dinner they danced to the sounds of Nat and Alex former Naked Brothers Band, Katy Perry's Fireworks, Lady Gaga, Owl City's Fireflies,  and Hot Chele Rae-Tonight. 

All my hard work and preparation didn't go unnoticed either, besides the ooos and aaaas, I received some nice Valentine's Day gifts.  My husband Roger gave me the lovely pink roses in the pictures and a Russell Stover Heart Box of chocolates, Jennifer and family gave me the top and scarf, and Jamiann and family gave me a pink scented candle.  What a wonderful day today was for my family and I.  I am blessed!

For the recipe for the Linzer Tarts click here: Linzer Tarts
To learn how to make the basket cupcakes or heart shaped sugar cubes click here:  Cupcakes & Sugar Cubes
To learn how to make extraordinary marshmallows to top off a nice cup of hot chocolate click here Mallows With Pizzazz

A Remarkable Young Man and My Hero-Andy Weaver

This is one of my Facebook Friends, the unbelievably remarkable and inspiring Andy Weaver who has been confined to a wheel chair and has been rigorously working with physical therapists to get out of the chair and walk. He does everything with so much enthusiasm, he is my hero! Just look at that crowd cheering him on...Andy you are so loved and admired! Keep up the spirit!

Groundhog Day-Don't Want To Burst Your Bubble But....

For the most part groundhogs hibernate from October and all the way up until April sometimes.  No Groundhog with a lick of sense would come out on February the second.    Most of them build a separate borrow that is dug below the frost line and remains at a stable temp well above freezing during these months. 


I have a groundhog who lives under my shed.  He has been living there for several years.  My neighbor wants him dead as he eats his garden in the summer.  I feel sorry for him, and actually have prayed for him.  I know that is silly.  I really don't mind killing stink bugs though!


Now there you go...the stink bug.  How about Stink Bug Day.  That would definitely be a better choice of predicting the coming of warmer weather.  Whenever we have a warmer day like we had on Sunday the Stink Bug appears.   

Today there is quite an overcast here in Berks County, PA yet they say that Phil saw his shadow in Punxsutawney, PA.  Most likely the result of a barrage of camera flashes!


Happy Groundhog Day!

Re-Post: The Window from which we look

I got the following in an e-mail, and just had to pass it on...

The Window from which we look

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.
The next morning while they are eating breakfast,
The young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.
"That laundry is not very clean", she said.
"She doesn't know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."

Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry,
The young woman would make the same comments.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a
Nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:

"Look, she has learned how to wash correctly.
I wonder who taught her this."

The husband said, "I got up early this morning and
Cleaned our windows."

And so it is with life. What we see when watching others
Depends on the purity of the window through which we look

"Like My Mother Does" The Importace Of A Mother's Unconditional Love and Guidance

Like My Mother Does lyrics
Songwriters: Nathan Chapman;Elisabeth Rose;Nicole Williams

Irene,Diane, Ruth Ann, Mom Easter 1958

People always say I have a laugh
Like my mother does
Guess that makes sense
She taught me how to smile

When things get rough
I've got her spirit, she's always got my back
When I look at her I think
I want to be just like that

When I love I give it all I've got
Like my mother does
When I'm scared, I bow my head and pray
Like my mother does

When I feel weak and unpretty
I know I'm beautiful and strong
Because I see myself
Like my mother does

I've never met a stranger, I can talk to anyone
Like my mother does
I let my temper fly, but she can walk away
When she's had enough

She sees everybody
For who they really are
I'm so thankful for her guidance
She's helped me get this far

When I love I give it all I've got
Like my mother does
When I'm scared I bow my head and pray
Like my mother does

When I feel weak and unpretty
I know I'm beautiful and strong
Because I see myself
Like my mother does

She's a rock, she is grace, she's an angel,
She's my heart and soul, she does it all

When I love, I give it all I've got
Like my mother does
When I'm scared, I bow my head and pray
Like my mother does

When I feel weak and unpretty
I know I'm beautiful and strong
Because I see myself
Like my mother does

Like my mother does
I hear people saying
I'm starting to look
Like my mother does

Me with my two daughters and six grandchildren Family Wedding  2010

Sharing A Great Find: Winnie-The-Pooh: A Valentine For You

I bought this movie for Emily 

 I first watched this movie with my eldest grandchild Emily when she was about two years old, and she is now almost thirteen.  I so love the song Place In The Heart from this movie; a lovely message that is oh so true!

  Places in the Heart (Winnie the Pooh: A Valentine for You)

[Christopher Robin]

(Oh, Pooh.)

There's a place right here
And it's really rather small
But this rather small place
Knows the grandest thing of all

It knows when understanding can be hard to understand
It knows that words aren't needed
When you take somebody's hand

[Pooh]

(Like mine?)

[Christopher Robin]

It knows that you are with me
In everything I do

[Pooh]

(chuckles)

[Christopher Robin]

It's that special corner of my heart
The place that I call Pooh

[Pooh]

(Oh, Christopher.)

[Christopher Robin]

There are places in the heart
That always know a friend
In good and glad and sad times
The heart remembers them

There are new friends yet to meet
There's a place for them to start
But old friends always keep their
Places in the heart

[Pooh]

(Old friends like...)

[Christopher Robin and Pooh]

(Us!)

[Christopher Robin]

(Oh, Pooh. I care just as much about you as I always have.)

[Pooh]

(I guess I thought that, too. Still, it's very nice to hear it said.)

[Christopher Robin]

(chuckles Silly old bear.)

[Christopher Robin, Pooh, Tigger and Rabbit]

There are places in the heart
That always know a friend
In good and glad and sad times
The heart remembers them

There are new friends yet to meet
There's a place for them to start
But old friends always keep their
Places in the heart

[Christopher Robin]


(I love you, Pooh.)






Winnie-The-Pooh: A Valentine For You (First Half) by TheClassicDisneyChannel


Winnie-The-Pooh: A Valentine For You (Second Half) by TheClassicDisneyChannel

IllumiNations, Epcot Reflections Of Earth

This is one of my favorite things to see while visiting Epcot!  It is an amazing live pyrotechnic/fireworks  with laser light, video display images, and a moving musical score; creating an inspirational feeling of deep joy and peace.  I find it quite an emotional experience.  If you do decide to stay after dark, you want to get to the World Showcase Lagoon by at the very least 8:45 PM in order to get that front row position.  Be sure to wear warm clothing if you go during the late fall to winter months.  It can go as low as 40 degrees  by 9PM when the show begins.  

As per Disney this is a three act show:

• Act 1: Chaos — Bear witness to the explosion at the dawn of time that brings about the creation of Earth, where you are invited to observe the Inferno Barge, a liquid-propane mechanism launching balls of fire 60 feet into the air.
• Act 2: Order — Behold the glowing Earth Globe as it glides peacefully to the center of the lagoon, illuminated with—and celebrating—the famous faces and achievements of our time.
• Act 3: Meaning — During this final act, the Earth Globe blossoms to reveal a torch and the glow of a thousand fireworks and laser lights that fill the night sky in a shimmering kaleidoscope of color and sound, propelling us into the future. 

 Each time I had seen it, it was featured at 9PM, however you may want to check this out when arriving at the main gate. 

Reflections of Earth is an outdoor show and subject to cancellation due to inclement weather.