Wednesday and Thursday

Running a little bit late here .....

A week ago we did a we bit of traveling.

We started our Wednesday morning in Phoenix at the funeral of our dear Helen. She was a very dear woman to so many and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew her. We were so pleased that the timing worked out so that we could attend.

We left at the very end of the funeral and headed to the Mesa airport toward Minnesota.

I love this view from the sky. I sort of feel like I was looking at the Alaska coastline instead of a sky with hanging clouds.

We spent Sunday night in St. Cloud and then headed to Sebeka to visit Pekka and Dagmar. This was our first visit with them together. Our first time seeing them as a married couple. The first time we've seen them in their home and interacting with each other. I have to say that we laughed until we nearly cried and left with hearts warmed by new love.

Dagmar loves flowers as much as I do.

I can't wait to go back and visit again sometime soon.

And the rain came ..... as we headed down toward Monticello and the service site where tents waiting thousands of guests.

Yeah .... it's going to be a bit damp but do we care?
Not really.
We don't have littles but we don't have mud boots either.
Going to be interesting!

congrats grads!

'Tis that season again!

This year I may be more on top of it than others.

I spent a few minutes making some cards. My printer won't feed heavy card stock no matter how hard I try. Seriously irritating, but there is always plan B. Cards were made and ready to roll.

Although we can't make it to every party, we have made it to a few so far. This one for our godchild, Emily, who graduated nursing school!! A girl after my own heart.

Lindsey, another special godchild and niece, who graduated high school! So waiting to see where her life's path leads her.

Gods richest blessings to both of these young women in their life's path .... and to every other graduate embarking on a new journey!

moms day

This spring has been so unbelievably beautiful in the valley. The air still cool that I'm nearly at the "pinch me ... is this real?" point. Mother's Day was that kind of day.

Feet that have quickly reached the ground. One week they don't. The next week they reach with sandals on and then voila! bare feet on tile!

Just a little drool going on to complete the day.

Bocce ball in yard that is large enough to present an occasional challenge.

And what little boy doesn't need to make his own little game to rival the big boys? I didn't have a little white ball to complete the game which turned out to be a bit of a disappointment.

Cool enough for warm blankets on cool patio floors?

The most beautiful flowers. Ever.

Over this past weekend I went to hang them to dry them and made an amazing discovery. There are sprouts coming from every rose stem. Whaat?? I have never seen that! Now I don't know what to do. I can't seem to grow anything right now other than pointsettia plants ... roses?! Maybe I'll take the dead heads off and let some sit in water. I recently got rooting hormone ... maybe it is time to try it! If you have any great ideas ... please, please, please share them with me!

Being as I never manage to post anything on time anymore and am always running weeks behind anything ....

Happy Memorial Day! Special heartfelt thanks to those families who have made the ultimate sacrifice to secure our freedoms.

congratulations!

It has been a fun several weeks.

Pictures floated around the world with unbelievable speed.

Just as my children should be allowed to share their joys first with the world before I do, so should my parents be able to do the same.

We received pictures and comments via text and phone calls and played dumb.

This picture was one of them.

This lovely young couple strolling arm in arm were leaving the courthouse after securing their marriage license.

They have been friends for years. They have been friends as couples for years before each lost their spouse several days apart last September. Their spouses were buried one day after the other in different locations. They began life alone in their respective communities and homes after marriages of over 60 years with their loved ones were ended. "Until death do you part" had left each of them without a companion for the rest of their days.

Then God saw fit to bring them together. God saw fit to bless them each with a companion for their remaining walk on this earth. Once they had decided that they wanted to spend their days drinking coffee together ... there was no point in waiting anymore. The 3 month stint in Arizona ended, in typical Pappa fashion, and the planning began.

Last Wednesday, in a private ceremony, they were wed.

 In a world that can be full of so much hate and evil, love still reigns. In world that may at times seem so hopeless, hope still lives. In a world filled with so much sadness and loneliness, there is joy.

There is a sparkle in the eye, a lightness in the step, and a joy in the living for tomorrow.

Congratulations and God's richest blessings to you Pappa and Dagmar.

happy birthday

Long travel days aren't very tolerable anymore, yet his heart still wants to go.

Pappa turned 91 years young on the eve of Palm Sunday and traveled back to Arizona again,

this time with his dear friend Tommi.

This winter in Minnesota has been difficult for many that live there.

It has been especially long for him.

Days are long and lonely when your partner and best friend is recently gone.

The only constants are the "four" walls and the snow that just keeps on coming.

Spring has come to Arizona and the heat isn't far behind.

He plans to enjoy that for a while.

Happy Birthday dear Pappa.

my joy

Little boys who are always on the hunt for something.

Water and trucks.

What else does a little guy need?

Maybe a Papa who climbs into their fort with them?

Sometimes a party is a good thing.

Girls. Games. Chocolate. Coffee.

#smile #icantturnaround

Tia is always good for a trick or joke of some kind.

When the oldest one just might be the youngest one.

I drink my caffeine straight and black.

I prefer to eat my sugar.

How did this world of ours go from just the two of us

to so many hearts to love in what seems like just a few blinks?

Then again, imagine the amount of joy one can experience

in about 56 million blinks.

a few favorites

 The weather wasn't warm, but the hearts made up for it.

christmas

Christmas Dinner with our loved ones that were in town.

This might be the first year in very many that I didn't want to take down Christmas. Something about the peace and calm. I am in love. The tree went away earlier, but much of the rest left Saturday evening. Yesterday was Loppiainen or Epiphany and it is the custom of many localities to remove Christmas decorations on Epiphany Eve. 

Next year ... don't be surprised if they are up in time for Thanksgiving dinner.

Merry Christmas!

May your homes and hearts be filled 

with the peace and love of the Christ child.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Dreams

When we moved into this house, all of the walls were the same color. So was the fireplace. Hubby decided that I really didn't want it ALL white and painted the seat part gray like the walls. It was probably a good idea ... I don't like to dust. So I plunked things in places, not really knowing where they would eventually end up. The outside walls are all block so hanging things requires a little forethought. Which means that things wait even longer.

The fireplace tho'. I have dreamed of a mantle for nigh on a million years or so. I was probably born dreaming of one to be honest. When we were looking at houses, dear hubby was seriously in dislike with any house that had a fireplace. And I was in serious like with them. Oh well. This house came with one and I think he realizes it isn't going anywhere. Ever.

It was just short a mantle.

Several weeks ago he made me one.  This husband of mine is a smart one. Creativity was a requirement of this little project. I did help. Seriously, I did. I've come to the conclusion that dark wood shows every bit of dust and am hopeful that a lighter tone will hide a bit more.

What is not to love about this? Christmas came early for me and I am thrilled.

Things may move around up there on the mantle before Christmas shows up. Short trees might get higher and all that kind of good stuff. If I'm inspired and have extra minutes ... it might just happen.

The stockings were hung. The stockings that probably took decades to finish. The stockings that are going to be with me a very long time. They aren't being filled anymore ... just admired.

Christmas decor may not go down this year.
I really, really like it up there.