Hopeful Friday.....

Welcome to Hopeful Friday, hosted by my friend Cielo, at http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/ This post is dedicated to positive thoughts and inspirational messages. It is a post to celebrate God. Thank you Cielo for hosting this beautiful post. If you would like to join our group, or you would like more information about us, just click on the above link to reach the official Hopeful Friday web site.....


Hospitality.....


"Hospitality means we take people into the space that is our lives and our minds and our hearts and our work and our effort.
Hospitality is the way we come out of ourselves. It is the first step toward
dismantling the barriers of the world. Hospitality is the way we turn a prejudiced world around, one heart at a time"
-Joan D. Chittister, O.S.B
in Wisdom Distilled from the Daily

Happy Hopeful Friday everyone!.....
Peace be with all of you!....
With warmest regards, Carol

Dogs on Thursday......

Welcome to Dogs On Thursday at http://dogsonthursday.blogspot.com/ where a group of dog lovers such as myself get together weekly to write a post about their most precious four legged friends. If you are interested in joining our group, or you would like more information about us, just click on the above link to reach the official Dogs On Thursday web site........

I know I have posted this picture before but I think my daughter Anne is right when she says this picture captures the true essence of Charli.........
Like I've said before, Charli is just a little girl who weighs in at ten pounds, with abnormally HUGE ears, and the most darling little face. She is so sweet and kind, yet she can be very stubborn and opinionated. She is a handful most days, mostly because she is such an anxious little thing, and I sometimes wonder what would have ever happened to her had I not taken her. She is always full of surprises and is the most unusual dog I've ever had. She is my very best friend and I love her with all of my heart.......

It all happened a couple of days ago..........
We have an attached garage and my hubby noticed some evidence of a mouse very near to our back entry. We discussed the possibility of getting a mouse trap. My hubby told me it might be a good idea to set a couple of traps in the house just in case the mouse had already gotten in. I agreed, but said, that they would have to be placed where Charli would never be able to get to them........
Last night I was busy working in my office when I heard my husband yelling at Charli. He was saying "What did you do?'" I yelled, "What's going on? What did she do?" I stood up and started walking to our stairway when I heard him say, "She ate rat poison!".........
My husband is the type of guy who always does things in a big way. I didn't even know he had gone to the store much less what he was doing. He decided to put rat poisoning in the ceiling of our basement just in case the mouse might have come into the house. He started in the bathroom, then went to the bedroom, and was working in the TV area when all of this occurred. For some reason he decided he would slide all of the ceiling panels back when he was completely finished with what he was doing. Some how while he was working in the TV area, one of the bars fell from the ceiling in the bedroom, and Charli found it. When my hubby looked down he saw Charli laying on the floor chewing on a rat poison bar. Two other bars were unaccounted for at that time......
I grabbed the rat poison package, picked up Charli, the keys, my purse, and literally ran out of the house. Luckily I knew where there was an Animal Emergency Hospital close to our house......
Charli was immediately seen at the hospital and her stomach was pumped. She seems to be doing fine. She will be on vitamin K for one month. I am very upset that Charli has to be on vitamin K because of an unnecessary accident but I'm grateful that she's probably not going to have any problems other than the potential side effects of the medication. She has to have some lab work drawn in a couple of weeks.......
I don't think Charli had time to be anxious because everything happened so quickly. The entire staff at the hospital just fell in love with her. They were all petting her and talking to her. What was surprisingly is that she let them! She even allowed the doctor to pick her up! Her ears weren't sticking up and she wasn't shaking at all. I think she knew they had saved her life ♥.....
A very valuable lesson was learned here........
I hope this post will be a helpful learning experience to others out there who might be considering purchasing rat poison or any other type of poison. Accidents can happen in a split second and something like this is just not worth the risk. Many animals are poisoned without their owners knowledge, and in a week, or so, they die, or become very, very ill....... Luckily I got Charli to the hospital when I did.....
I will not be able to completely calm down though until I know my little Charli is 100% OK......

Booking Through Thursday........

Welcome to Booking Through Thursday at http://btt2.wordpress.com/ A post where book lovers like my self get together to answer specific questions related to books. If you would like to join our group, or you would like more information about us, just click on the above link to reach the official Booking Through Thursday web site........


This week our questions are as follows:
Hardcover? Or paperback?
Illustrations? Or just text?
First editions? Or you don't care?
Signed by the author? Or not?



Over all I prefer paper back books because they are cheaper, easier to handle, and less difficult to store. I do refer back to my books, especially if I like a certain paragraph, a quote, or something like that. For those reasons I do like to keep them on hand, rather than giving them away , or throwing them out. However if it is a book with illustrations such as an art, travel, or a book on architecture with lovely old buildings I would definitely prefer the hard cover. These books are usually quite beautiful and over sized. They are the type of books I might consider leaving out on a coffee table or on a bedside table in a guest room.....

I like books with illustrations even if it does happen to be a novel. Many of the books I read are historical fiction and I enjoy seeing pictures of the people, maps, or the towns I am reading about........

As far as first editions are concerned, it really doesn't matter to me......

The only time I might care if a book were signed by an author would be if it was a personal friend who wrote the book, or someone ultra famous that had something profound to say like Eleanor Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, or Ghandi......

Happy BTT everyone!..... I hope you have a wonderful day!.......

With warmest regards, Carol

I am in a quandary........

I am in a quandary............

My camera has been acting up for months. I know I should have been out looking for a new one but I always put it off for one reason or another. Well yesterday my camera completely shut down. The poor thing was so old. It truly was a dinosaur. I really ran it into the ground taking it every where I went and especially since I started blogging. It was one of those big bulky things that I was constantly hitting on things or dropping. It was so old that the chips aren't even sold in the stores any more and have to be special ordered...

After finding out my camera would have to be shipped to another state to be fixed, if possible, and that it would be gone at least ten days I decided it just wasn't worth it. I grabbed my purse and headed out to the store to get a new one....

Buying a camera is serious and complicated business these days. I was told one camera was capable of doing this and that the other camera was capable of doing that. Then I was told that I need to consider this and I need to consider that. The list just goes on and on. Of course there are also the many colors and styles to choose from........

How did buying a simple camera become such a pain staking ordeal. Thanks to the Internet I was able to come home and do a little research of my own. I at least have some idea now of what I'm looking for. I just want a little steam line camera that isn't to expensive but takes nice pictures.......

What about you? Are you pleased with the type of camera you have? I'm looking for all of the suggestions and tips I can get. I would really love to hear from you....

With warmest regards, Carol

Ash Wednesday......

Ash Wednesday.........

Fasting - Praying - Almsgiving (acts of charity).......

Dear Lord,

As I make my Lenten journey with You, send me Your Spirit,

help me to turn away from sin,

and help me to fast and pray, so that I may know You and serve You better.

Let me be renewed through my grace with the world.

Amen

If you would like to learn more about Lent, find daily prayers, and look for activities you can share with your family just click on the purple button on my side bar......

'People of goodwill around the globe are answering the call to be peacemakers by turning to prayerful, peaceful, positive responses'
If you would like to take the written pledge and become a peacemaker just click on the button on my side bar.

"Do people weigh you down?
Don't carry them on your shoulders.
Take them into your heart."
-Dom Helder Camara-

I hope you have a lovely and peaceful day!
With warmest regards, Carol

Thank you Jessica!.......

Thank you Jessica!.......

A couple of days ago I received this lovely award from my beautiful granddaughter Jessica. Thank you so much Jessica!
Jessica has a wonderful blog called 'Inside my head' at http://aaydensmommy.blogspot.com/ Her blog is all about family, school, projects, and juggling her time as a young wife and mother in this fast paced world of ours. She also provides baby updates which I just love. I hope you will stop by and see her.........

Now I'm supposed to pass this pretty award on to ten other blogger's, but being the rebel I am, I'm offering it to all of you ladies who have stopped by to visit. Please except this award from me because I do feel we have a true sister-hood here who support one another in every possible way........
With warmest regards, Carol

Happy Punchki Day!......

Happy Punchki Day!.........

It used to be that I would have to travel to Hamtamck to get an authentic Paczki but these days all I have to do is go to the American Polish Cultural Center right here in my area. Today is a very busy day as people come from miles around to get their Punchki's for Punchki day. Located on the corner of fifteen Mile Rd and Dequindre, in Troy, is a small community of stores where one is able to experience Polish culture and heritage. Although I'm not Polish myself it is one of my very favorite places to go.....

The American Polish Cultural Center is not only a banquet hall, but is also open for lunch and dinner where authentic Polish food is served. Here you can also take dance classes, learn the Polish language, and even play cards. A couple of times a year they put on craft events which is always open to the public. It also boasts of a small library. If you click on this link http://americanpolishcenter.com/ you can learn more about it. The link includes a photo gallery which is quite interesting.....

To the left of the cultural center is a group of buildings that holds the offices of local Polish physicians and a Polish credit Union......

Across the street is a small strip mall where you can make all of your travel arrangements, get your hair done, see an eye doctor, buy books, newspapers, and even rent videos all in the Polish language......

This mall also includes one of my favorite places which is the Polish Market. They specialize in European foods and imports. They have the most amazing things! I could spend hours looking around inside of this store. This is where I'm sure to find my butter lambs every year for Easter. You can get a little peak at all of the wonderful things they offer by clicking on the following link http://thepolishmarketinc.com/

I do hope where ever you are, if you celebrate Punchki Day, you are able to get an authentic Paczki. There is nothing quite like it. They are sooo unbelievably good!

Blessings to all of you on this beautiful sunny Punchki Day!.....

With warmest regards, Carol

Blue Monday.....

Welcome to Blue Monday, a post hosted by my friend Sally, at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/ Every Monday a group of us gals get together to post something blue. Thank you Sally for hosting this fun post. If you would like to join our group, or you would like more information about us, just click on the above link to reach the official Blue Monday web site....

This week I thought I would share my precious homemade doll with you. Isn't she lovely? I just love her! She's one of my very favorite things. I know, I know, I say that all the time, but that's because my home is filled with little treasures that are important to me and have great sentimental value......

My niece Lara gave me this sweet doll one day years ago when she came over for tea. I think I may have mentioned before that I have three nieces who are all nurses. Lara is an ICU nurse and a darn good one. She won the Daisy Award for excellence in Nursing. On her days off she relaxes by making these wonderful little dolls. She doesn't sell them, but rather gives them to fortunate friends and family members like me........

This lovely little girl is decked out with flowers and bows from her head right on down to her ankles. Don't you just love her lace collar? She has an appliqued heart on her apron that matches her flowered dress. All of her clothes are hand sewn and her shoes are even hand painted to match her blue dress. Now how did my niece know that blue is my favorite color?....

Happy Blue Monday everyone!......

I can't wait to stop by and see all your pretty blues.....

With warmest regards, Carol

Getting ready for Mardi Gras!.......

Getting ready for Mardi Gras!.......

When I was growing up we always celebrated 'Punchki Day,' as it was called in our home, or 'Fat Tuesday.' It was a festive day, a celebration of sorts, where we got to eat all of the sweets we wanted in anticipation of the fasting and somber days of Lent. It was a day of discussion as we all talked about the meaning of Lent, what we were going to give up, and why......




My grandmother would usually go to Hamtramck, a local Polish community, and bring us the most delicious jelly donuts you would ever want to eat.....

Although I had heard of Mardi Gras growing up I never celebrated it until this year. Instead, I always followed the Eastern European pre Lent tradition I grew up with. Now thanks to our own little Annie our family is going to have it's very first Mardi Gras celebration! I am so excited!.... You know how I love our family parties!... I'm hoping Mardi Gras will become a new tradition and family favorite.

I have been very busy this weekend getting ready. Hubby and I have our hats, beads, and masks all ready to go......

I made chocolate Fleur-de-lys suckers and wrapped them in the traditional Mardi Gras colors as one of my contributions......
Purple-justice

Green-faith

Gold-power

According to the web sites I visited the Fleur-de-lys, 'flower of the lily', symbolizes many different things. Some people say the Fleur-de-lys symbolizes perfection, light, and life. Others say it's three petals represent the Holy Trinity. The Fleur-de-lys is known to represent the Holy Mother. Still others say it represents the Virgin Saints and Martyrs, especially St. Jeanne d'arc, the maid of Orleans, first patroness Saint of France. Some people believe it represents all of these things and more. The Fleur-de-lys became associated with Louisiana when Louisiana was under French rule....

Charli just loves parties and she is all set to go... She looks sooo New Orleans! Don't you think?....

I wonder if Peeper is going to dress up?.....

I will tell you more about my very first Mardi Gras party in an up coming post. Isn't our Anne just the greatest to host such a fun family event?....
What about all of you? Do you celebrate 'Fat Tuesday'? What are some of your family traditions, new or old?....

I look forward to hearing from you.......

With warmest regards, Carol

Hopeful Friday.....

Welcome to Hopeful Friday, a post hosted by my friend Cielo, at http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/ This post is dedicated to positive thoughts and inspirational messages. It's a post to celebrate God! If you would like to join our group, or you would like more information about us, just click on the above link to reach the official Hopeful Friday web site..........

"The great lesson from the true
mystics..... is that the sacred is IN
the ordinary, that it is to be found in
one's daily life, in one's neighbor's, friends, and family, in one's backyard"
-Abraham H. Maslow-
in Religions, Values, and peak-experiences
'100 ways to keep your soul alive'
Happy Hopeful Friday everyone!.....
May the peace and love of our Lord be with you always!......
With warmest regards, Carol

Dogs on Thursday........

Welcome to Dogs On Thursday at http://dogsonthursday.blogspot.com/ A post where dog lovers like myself get together weekly to talk about our most precious little four legged friends. If you are interested in joining our group, or you would like more information about us, just click on the above link to go to the official Dogs On Thursday web site.....

You are not going to believe what I have to tell you about this week! Remember when I said Charli had been going up into our window ledge and how concerned we were that she would hurt herself? We were also not happy that she was scratching up the wood on our window sill. I'm happy to report that we have successfully trained Charli to go up onto the window ledge safely and we have had our window protected with glass for the past two days. However, Charli has not been up on the window ledge at all. My hubby and I were just saying isn't that like a dog. She's already tired of getting onto the window sill, while we on the other hand have been so worried, that we have spent all of this money and time when we really didn't have to.........
Well, Charli has been very upset again. For the past two days she has been crying, pacing, and refusing to go out unless I go with her. I couldn't imagine what was wrong and I have done just about everything I can think of to pacify her. I was just about ready to make an appointment with our vet when I happened to look out of my kitchen window......

Oh my gosh!..... This is what I saw having lunch in my neighbors front yard! This bird is as big as Charli! It's huge! It sort of looks like the bird I told you about a couple of weeks ago but it's doubled in size. Doubled! Please note what the bird is munching on. It is not a little bird. This guy likes big meals.....

I ran and got my camera but as you know I have been having problems with it. I wish I could have gotten better pictures. If you click on them I think you will be able to see more clearly.........

My little Charli is so smart!......

She wanted me to know that bird has been hanging around our house again. That's why she has been carrying on and fussing like she has. No wonder she didn't want to be seen in the window. She's been in hiding. The minute I said, "Charli I see that bird. Is that what you have been so upset about? You don't have to worry grandma will protect you" she calmed right down. It was amazing.......

The question is how do I protect Charli from this huge over bearing menace of a bird? I'm so concerned! That bird looks big enough to pick her up or cause major damage trying. Does any one have any suggestions as to what I should do? Charli only weighs ten pounds. Do you think she will be safe as long as I'm with her? What if the bird attacks both of us? I look forward to hearing from you.....

I hope all of you as well as your little four legged friends are doing well.....

Our warmest regards,