Happy weekend everyone!......

HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE!

Don't you just love spring? The flowers are beginning to bloom and the air is fresh. We are having a beautiful day in our area. I hope you are having a lovely day in yours as well.

"Well, I don't think it's fair that I have to stay in the house just because grandpa is cutting the grass! Duh... Like I would run into the lawn mower"

"Charli quite complaining"

I hope all of you have a happy and blessed weekend ♥

With warmest regards, Carol

A 45th wedding anniversary!.......

A 45th wedding anniversary!........

With all of the commotion surrounding our dear little pooch Charli I didn't get a chance to tell you my hubby and I recently celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary! Whew...... Where has all of the time gone?

Those of you who follow my blog know that my hubby and I eloped in 1965. Yes we did! We were very young and crazy in love ♥ I had just turned eighteen and was still in high school. My hubby was nineteen. We kept our marriage a secret from everyone for several months because I was afraid if anyone at my school found out I wouldn't be able to graduate. Things were much different back in those days :>)
When we eloped we didn't think to bring a camera so there are no pictures to share. I wore a sailor suit/skirt and white heels. My hubby wore a suit jacket, pants, and tie. I wasn't expecting to get married that day but my hubby called and said that I had two hours to get ready because he had made an appointment with the Judge. We were planning on getting married later that year or early the next year. However, as we began to make our initial wedding plans for a more formal affair it seemed like such a hassle to us. We had taken out a marriage licence and gotten a blood test on a dare from some of our friends who were getting married at the time. Long and silly story, to long to go into here :>)
When we eloped we didn't realize we needed witnesses so we almost couldn't get married but then the secretary at the city hall and a gentleman who was just released from jail agreed to stand up for us. The gentleman's clothes were all in disarray from having spent the night in jail and he still reeked of alcohol. After our little ceremony my hubby and I went home and dyed Easter eggs with my niece and nephew.
On October 1st, 1983 my hubby and I got married again or I guess you could say we renewed our vowls. Again, a very small affair, but this time in church, instead of city hall, and we did have some family members present. We had a few flowers and we even managed to have a small wedding cake :>)
We didn't own a very good camera but we did managed to get some pictures that time.

As a couple we have had our share of ups and downs, our joys, and our sorrows just like anyone else in a long term marriage. Because we were so young, we essentially grew up together. Looking back we both agree we wouldn't have had it any other way. We feel very blessed in that there is still passion in our marriage even after all these years.

My hubby has always written me notes and made me cards through out our years together. This is the front of the card he made me recently. If you click on the image I think you will be able to read what it says. He comes across to the world as this big old macho bear but inside he is a very romantic fellow indeed :>)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY HONEY!!!!
I LOVE YOU VERY, VERY MUCH!!!!!!!!!!

National Poetry Month..... Poem in your Pocket Day

National Poetry Month......

Poem in your Pocket Day!....

As many of you know April is National Poetry Month but did you know that April 29Th is Poem in your Pocket Day? If you would like you can read all about Poem in your Pocket Day by clicking the following link

http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/406

There is still time to participate in this wonderful celebration of poetry day. All you have to do is pick one of your favorite poems, put it in your pocket, and then share it with a friend. Last year I actually hosted a little Poem in your Pocket Day get together which turned out to be a loads of fun.

The poem I chose to share was 'The Children's Hour' which has always been one of my favorites. I made booklets that I used as favors and then placed my poem inside.

Although I am not hosting a Poem in your Pocket Day get together this year I do have a poem ready to slip in my pocket tomorrow.

My love of poetry comes from my mother. She knew so many wonderful poems. She knew them all by heart and would tell them to my brother, sister, and me over and over again. Some of the fondest memories I have of my mother are the days when all of us would snuggle up on the sofa and she would share poems with us. At the time we didn't know she was reciting poetry. We thought they were stories that she had heard somewhere. Some of the poems were very sad while others were joyful. I loved them equally the same. My mother would never tell us where she had heard them and she never mentioned an author. It was only years later that I came across some of the poems in literature books and realized what they were.

"LITTLE BOY BLUE

The little toy dog is covered with dust,

But sturdy and stanch he stands;

And the little toy soldier is red with rust,

And his musket molds in his hands,

Time was when the little toy dog was new

And the soldier was passing fair,

And that was the time when our Little Boy Blue

Kissed them and put them there.

"Now, don't you go till I come," he said,

"And don't you make any noise!"

So toddling of to his trundle-bed

He dreamed of his pretty toys.

And as he was dreaming, and angel song

Awakened our Little Boy Blue-

Oh, the years are many, the years are long,

But the little toy friends are true.

Ay, faithful to Little Boy Blue they stand,

Each in the same old place,

Awaiting the touch of a little hand,

And the smile of a little face.

And they wonder, as waiting those long years through,

In the dust of that little chair.

What has become of our Little Boy Blue

Since he kissed them and put them there."

-Eugene Field-

1850-1895

Do you have a favorite poem from your childhood? Do you celebrate National Poetry Month or Poem in your Pocket Day? If so, I would love to hear from you.

I hope you are having a truly special day ♥

With warmest regards, Carol

A few signs of spring!.......

A few signs of spring!...

Charli and I were on our way to the store this morning and I decided to snap a few pictures along the way. Aren't these tulips just beautiful? You can tell who ever lives in that house works very hard to maintain their yard. Everything is so pretty ♥

All of the trees and liliac bushes in our area are in bloom. The air smells wonderful.

I already had the picture of the robin but I thought I would add it here. I mean what would spring be without robins?

I love this picture :>)

I hope all of you are enjoying the beautiful signs of spring in the area where you live!

Many wishes to you for a joyful and blessed day ♥

With warmest regards, Carol

'And Still They Prospered: Living Through The Great Depression'

'And Still They Prospered: Living Through The Great Depression'

Every year from February through May, The Albert L. Lorenzo Cultural Center, at Macomb Community College, in Macomb Township, here in Michigan has offered incredibly amazing exhibits that are free and open to the public. This year the focus of the exhibit happens to be the Great Depression. In conjunction with the exhibit, the center offers over forty lectures which are given by award winning authors, historians, and professors from colleges and universities all over the country. Most of the lectures are free of charge or are offered at a very minimum fee. Some of the lectures offered in this series include titles like: Quilting in Detroit in the 1930s, The Great Depression Revisited, Gone With The Wind: A Depression Phenomenon, The New Deal and the Future of America, Detroit: The Black Bottom Community, Prohibition in Detroit, The Food of a Younger Land, and Jazz in Detroit during the Great Depression.

The Lorenzo Cultural Center has a knack for exploring history through it's presentations, performances, activities, and exhibits. Each series that the center offers is equally intellectually stimulating and tastefully done. My huband and I feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to visit the center, attend these exhibits, and sit in on some of the fantastic lectures they offer.

I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the pictures I took of the current exhibit. If you click on the pictures you will be able to enlarge them, and if you then zoom in, I think you will be able to read the information on the posters.
"How did Americans in the 1930s do it?

Where did they find the wherewithal to

survive, to maintain hope, to carry on?

What can their ability to band together

to help each other teach us today? Join us
at the Lorenzo Cultural Center to

develop a greater understanding of those challenging times and discover the inspiring

acts that carried people through one of the country's darkest decades."

-The Lorenzo Cultural Center-

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the posters and items on exhibit at the cultural center. As you can see the center not only explored the financial collapse that occurred during the Great Depression but also gave a glimpse into what life was like living in those turbulent and compelling times.

I hope all of you have a beautiful and blessed day ♥

It was rainy here earlier but the sun is out now. Charli is already bugging me to go out and play :>)

With warmest regards, Carol

I'm going to a party!.....

I'm going to a party!....

"Hurry up and take my picture. I'm late for a very important date!"
"Charli why are you in such a hurry? Where are you going?"
"I'm going to our dear friend Anita's birthday party!"
"Well, how are you going to get there?"
"Oh that's easy. All I have to do is click on the link with my paw. See...."
http://wwwcastlescrownscottages.blogspot.com/
"Come on everybody. Anita says she's even gonna have treats!"



HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANITA!
We hope your day is special and blessed in every way ♥
Love, Carol and Charli

Booking Through Thursday......

I have missed participating in weekly book and literature discussions so I thought I would link back up with Booking Through Thursday today at http://btt2.wordpress.com/ If you like literature and book discussions and would also like to join in just click on the above link....

This week our questions are as follows.......

"It's Earth Day....What are you reading? Are your reading habits changing for the sake of the environment? What are you doing for the sake of the planet today?"

Actually I just finished reading 'Skeletons at the Feast' written by Chris Bohjalian. I think it relates to Earth Day in that war always causes the destruction of humanity, the environment, and leaves the world as a whole in a very empty place. "Skeletons at the Feast' is a historical novel that takes place in the final months of World War II in Germany. I hope to post a review here on my blog in the up coming weeks. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the preservation of our world, although I have to warn you, it is not a book for the faint of heart.

I feel each of us has a responsibly to stand up for what we believe in, to try to right wrongs as we see them happening around us, and above all, to make informed and independent decisions rather than finding ourselves caught up in popular choices whether it pertains to the environment or any thing else.

Unfortunately my reading habits have not changed for the sake of the environment. I do read the daily paper on line but at this time I just cannot bring myself to consider purchasing something like a Kindle and I don't usually check books out of the library. I know something like that would be a better choice for the environment but I cannot bring myself to part with owning my own books. However, I do loan my books out to friends on a regular basis and I do borrow books from friends.

For the sake of the planet today I try to reuse and recycle as much as possible. We use very little paper products in our home. I use cloth diapers for most of my cleaning and wipe up needs. We use regular plates and glasses instead of paper. However, when we do have a large group of people over we still use paper plates and napkins on occasion. On those occasions I use the more sturdy plastic silverware which I can wash and reuse. I keep the silverware divided by color in zip lock bags in a large basket in my pantry.

Having a computer has eliminated the need for address books and schedule planners. With the sticky note programs available we have almost completely eliminated the need for note pads. We also use the front and back of the paper if we feel the need to print something for our own use. I send most of my letters and notes via e-mail instead of regular mail. Although, I still like to send some notes and most cards through the mail. I am finding it very difficult to part with that concept.

To help preserve our planet we also maintain a flower garden which attracts bumble bee's and butterflies.

Well, those are just a few of the things we are doing to help save the planet here in our home. What are some of the things you are doing for the sake of our planet? I would love to hear from you.

(Special thanks to Barnes and Noble for the use of the book image)

Happy Earth Day everyone! Happy Booking Through Thursday!

I hope all of you have a lovely and blessed day ♥

Charli and I are off to work in the garden.

With warmest regards, Carol

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bags........

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bags....

"Mom always makes me sandwiches
That no other mom can beat
Her peanut butter and jelly
Is my favorite treat."
-Author unknown-

Does your little one like peanut butter and jelly? If so, why not make them their very own peanut butter and jelly bag?

Care packages such as these are fun to make and are usually much loved and apprieciated. For me these bags started when my hubby's brother Jim was in boot camp years ago. All of us friends would get together and write him letters on a regular basis. Then one day my mother suggested sending him a care package. My Aunt Rose, who was visiting at the time, thought it was a wonderful idea and pretty soon we were all collecting items to send to Jim. After the first package, Jim told us, how much he and his friends had loved recieving the package so we started sending them on a regular basis. We would send soap, magazines, gum, hard candies, candy bars, crackers and just about anything else we thought he might need or like. We always included jokes or some sort of funny sayings to brighten up his day. My mother even sent him home made cookies. All of the guys loved those.

Through out the years I have made my children and friends little packages such as these for this, and that, but the ones I think my children remember the most are what I used to call my 'sunshine packages.' They usually recieved one of those packages when they were not feeling well. It included things like oranges, cough drops, tissues, vitamens, and vernors along with a get well card.

A couple of months ago Aayden happened to tell me that peanut butter and jelly was his very favorite thing to eat. I know Ryan loves peanut butter and jelly too so I thought it might be fun to make them each their very own peanut butter and jelly bag. I made them each special labels, added poems, and filled the bags with all sorts of things they could spread their peanut butter and jelly on.


"911 for Peanut Butter
There among the piles of clutter,
Lay a poor man in the gutter.
I approached and heard him mutter,
Call 9-1-1 for peanut butter!


Sound the siren, lite a flare.
Intentsive peanut butter care.
Bring some liquid that contains
Some peanut butter for my veins!

I'm like him, I do declare.
I need peanut butter care.
Peanut butter's every where.
On my feet and in my hair.

I'm a peanut butter nutter.
Proud old peanut butter strutter.
Heart's a flutter, makes me stutter.
Puh-puh, puh-puh, peanut butter!"
-Grandpa Tucker-


Aayden and Ryan seemed to like they're peanut butter and jelly bags. I'll have to think of another kind of care package to make them soon :>)
How about you? Have you ever made a care package for someone important in your life? If so, why did you make it and what kinds of things did you put in it? I would love to hear from you.
Well, Charli and I are are off for a walk.



I hope all of you have a lovely day ♥
With warmest regards, Carol