I'm a musician... so I am more than thrilled that I won a new CD by Ayiesha Woods from Dawn's blog. I saw the good news when I got online early this morning and when your day is already made at 7 AM, it's a great day! I had tried to win the CD at Antique Mommy's and didn't, so when she clued us in that her friend that went with her to the PhotoShop Conference was giving one too, I jumped. I am so amazed by both of these women. And I really would love to go to that conference.
I am only artistic in the musical realm. My ability to take photos, draw, paint, sew, etc. are zilch.
I've never figured that out. But in the last few years, I've noticed that I have potential with the artistic side of web design. But I have to learn alot first. I am setting a goal right now to change my blog look by Oct. 31st. Hold me accountable, okay?
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
100th Birthday Celebration
When I logged into my blog this morning I noticed I've made 100 posts!! It made me happy to realize how new and old friendships have grown in this online networking. I am indulging myself with a photo post to celebrate the number 100. If you have read why I chose "Dancing with the Daffodils" as my blog title, then you have met my grandmother. We celebrated her 100th birthday 2 years ago!! I want to share some of the pictures of that gathering:
There were more than 80 family members present for the celebration on a beautiful fall day.
There were more than 80 family members present for the celebration on a beautiful fall day.
We gathered from all over at my cousin's farmhouse in NW Florida.
My grandmother with her 3 children. My mom (on left in white) is an identical twin.
Headed to watch the roping show.
Me and my cousins with LouLou. (It was short for Mother Louise and became LouLou)
Lou Lou has always been short and has become even smaller in stature with the passage of time, but she makes our hearts bigger and better, when we are in her presence.
I am so rich to have such a wonderful family! Thanks for stopping in to meet them.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Memories in a Peanut Shell
It’s fall in the panhandle of Florida. The weather is no clue to the season, as it’s hot as blue blazes. But Builderman boiled some green peanuts last week from the fall peanut crop and oh my, they are delicious. I suspect it’s a southern thing, this love of boiled peanuts. Which of course, are loaded with enough fat grams to cause my Weight Watchers diary to explode.
With every bowl of peanuts I’ve had in the past week, I’ve been transported by memories of happy family times. Here’s the simple recipe:
Boiled Peanuts
5 pounds of green peanuts.
Water to cover.
1 and ¼ cup of salt.
Boil for 4-6 hours or until tender.
Do NOT add more salt if you taste-test and they don’t’ seem salty enough. They get saltier by the next day. Store in their own juice. Can be frozen.
I have my great-uncle to thank for my love of peanuts. Uncle Fleming was without a doubt the favorite uncle of my childhood. He is my grandmother’s brother and moved to heaven about 8 years ago. He was a gentleman farmer – I can’t think of anyone who personifies southern Alabama the way he did.
He grew peanuts and cotton and raised cows… he owned a cotton gin, a peanut mill and a feed mill and half the farmland in southern Alabama. (I jest - but it seemed like it to me when we “rode” his land with me and my cousins in the back of his pickup truck.) And he believed that all children should love peanuts, so he bought us Reese’s peanut butter cups, boiled peanuts, roasted peanuts, peanut M & M’s… you get the picture.
My nutshell memories of him include him tossing ice water over the top of the outdoor shower on us when we were at the Beach House in the summer. He loved practical jokes.
His love of black knee-high socks with shorts. No matter what the color of his shorts, he wore those gigantic long socks.
He always bought me coin banks and talked to me about saving money.
He always drove a black pick-up truck. He owned a tiny white poodle that would ride in the front with him. That always cracked me up. You would expect a hound dog or bird dog, not a well-groomed miniature poodle.
To do this day, I think that a cotton field is one of the prettiest sites I’ve ever seen. I absolutely love driving through the country of southern Alabama to go see my grandmother. That’s on the schedule for this coming weekend. I’ll have a bag of peanuts for the road.
With every bowl of peanuts I’ve had in the past week, I’ve been transported by memories of happy family times. Here’s the simple recipe:
Boiled Peanuts
5 pounds of green peanuts.
Water to cover.
1 and ¼ cup of salt.
Boil for 4-6 hours or until tender.
Do NOT add more salt if you taste-test and they don’t’ seem salty enough. They get saltier by the next day. Store in their own juice. Can be frozen.
I have my great-uncle to thank for my love of peanuts. Uncle Fleming was without a doubt the favorite uncle of my childhood. He is my grandmother’s brother and moved to heaven about 8 years ago. He was a gentleman farmer – I can’t think of anyone who personifies southern Alabama the way he did.
He grew peanuts and cotton and raised cows… he owned a cotton gin, a peanut mill and a feed mill and half the farmland in southern Alabama. (I jest - but it seemed like it to me when we “rode” his land with me and my cousins in the back of his pickup truck.) And he believed that all children should love peanuts, so he bought us Reese’s peanut butter cups, boiled peanuts, roasted peanuts, peanut M & M’s… you get the picture.
My nutshell memories of him include him tossing ice water over the top of the outdoor shower on us when we were at the Beach House in the summer. He loved practical jokes.
His love of black knee-high socks with shorts. No matter what the color of his shorts, he wore those gigantic long socks.
He always bought me coin banks and talked to me about saving money.
He always drove a black pick-up truck. He owned a tiny white poodle that would ride in the front with him. That always cracked me up. You would expect a hound dog or bird dog, not a well-groomed miniature poodle.
To do this day, I think that a cotton field is one of the prettiest sites I’ve ever seen. I absolutely love driving through the country of southern Alabama to go see my grandmother. That’s on the schedule for this coming weekend. I’ll have a bag of peanuts for the road.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Once a Mom, Always a Mom
I have been marveling at some of the mysteries of motherhood this week.
Ike is the one that started my introspection. Favorite son and new precious daughter were on their honeymoon down in the Caribbean with Hurricane Ike between us. I did not know the exact day or time of their return, but I really wanted to know they were back safely on the U.S. mainland.
I don’t think of myself as a worrier, but Sunday, I became increasingly nervous as the day progressed and he didn’t respond to my text message or voicemail and Ike swirled nearer. I had to examine my relief when I finally got the text message that they were back.
My mind told me that he is perfectly able to take care of himself and his bride. In fact, he’s professionally trained to handle emergencies and could rescue me! But my heart wanted to know they were safe.
I think that’s the same “Mom radar” you get when they’re born that awakens you from a dead sleep when your baby snuffles around in their crib in a different room. The same radar that woke me every night this summer 15 minutes before Cupcake was due in from her late-night restaurant shift. Builderman would say, “How do you wake up? It’s like you hear an alarm!”
Yes, the mom alarm. Wired between you and your child at birth. It doesn’t disconnect when they turn 18, or 21 or at anytime during this lifetime, I suspect. A marvelous mystery.
Now I finally understand why my Mom always requests an itinerary when I go anywhere, to this day! I’m talking flight numbers, hotel contact information, the whole bit. I always thought it was funny, like she would be watching the news to see if my plane went down. I’m not laughing now. ; )
P.S. If you are a SAHM and want a great job title, try this: Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations. All true.
Ike is the one that started my introspection. Favorite son and new precious daughter were on their honeymoon down in the Caribbean with Hurricane Ike between us. I did not know the exact day or time of their return, but I really wanted to know they were back safely on the U.S. mainland.
I don’t think of myself as a worrier, but Sunday, I became increasingly nervous as the day progressed and he didn’t respond to my text message or voicemail and Ike swirled nearer. I had to examine my relief when I finally got the text message that they were back.
My mind told me that he is perfectly able to take care of himself and his bride. In fact, he’s professionally trained to handle emergencies and could rescue me! But my heart wanted to know they were safe.
I think that’s the same “Mom radar” you get when they’re born that awakens you from a dead sleep when your baby snuffles around in their crib in a different room. The same radar that woke me every night this summer 15 minutes before Cupcake was due in from her late-night restaurant shift. Builderman would say, “How do you wake up? It’s like you hear an alarm!”
Yes, the mom alarm. Wired between you and your child at birth. It doesn’t disconnect when they turn 18, or 21 or at anytime during this lifetime, I suspect. A marvelous mystery.
Now I finally understand why my Mom always requests an itinerary when I go anywhere, to this day! I’m talking flight numbers, hotel contact information, the whole bit. I always thought it was funny, like she would be watching the news to see if my plane went down. I’m not laughing now. ; )
P.S. If you are a SAHM and want a great job title, try this: Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations. All true.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Sarah Palin- A Woman of Substance
I try to avoid discussing politics with my family. We have extremely different views on fundamental things and I don’t like to fight about it. But this blog is a place where I can let you know how I feel and if you want to disagree, you can do so politely in the comments.
I like Sarah Palin. I admire and respect her for a number of reasons. Being in the political spotlight has got to be tough. I wouldn’t want to be in her shoes, but I am thankful she has the courage to stand up in these perilous times and do what she thinks is right. I have read the harsh criticisms of her and know that comes with the territory in politics.
An AP article written by Martha Mendoza describes her as “the ethics-protecting, belt-tightening mom, who easily juggles family and her government job. She switches back and forth between mother and governor without a blink. But details of her life that have emerged under the glare of national attention show that she's a complicated politician. She's disarming and accessible for some, vindictive and hard toward others. She has many loyal friends, tremendous hometown support, and a few fierce enemies.”
Sounds like part of the job description to me. I am looking for leaders who will look to God and listen for His wisdom, rather than catering to popular opinion and special interest groups. I see Sarah Palin as the real deal. She is a woman of God who has made her share of mistakes and will probably make more. But she has my vote. And that’s what I have to say about that.
I like Sarah Palin. I admire and respect her for a number of reasons. Being in the political spotlight has got to be tough. I wouldn’t want to be in her shoes, but I am thankful she has the courage to stand up in these perilous times and do what she thinks is right. I have read the harsh criticisms of her and know that comes with the territory in politics.An AP article written by Martha Mendoza describes her as “the ethics-protecting, belt-tightening mom, who easily juggles family and her government job. She switches back and forth between mother and governor without a blink. But details of her life that have emerged under the glare of national attention show that she's a complicated politician. She's disarming and accessible for some, vindictive and hard toward others. She has many loyal friends, tremendous hometown support, and a few fierce enemies.”
Sounds like part of the job description to me. I am looking for leaders who will look to God and listen for His wisdom, rather than catering to popular opinion and special interest groups. I see Sarah Palin as the real deal. She is a woman of God who has made her share of mistakes and will probably make more. But she has my vote. And that’s what I have to say about that.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Word photos of a Wedding
Every element of this special occasion whispered, “I love you.” It brings to mind a love song we sing in church: There is none like you. No one else can touch my heart like you do. I could search for all eternity long and find, there is none like you.
Here are my pictures of the wondrous event as our son got married:
Beautiful Bridal party photos in the sunshine that miraculously appeared about 2 hours before the wedding. Hurricane bands ceased and we rejoiced in fair weather.
The joy of greeting friends and family in the foyer as a string quartet played gloriously in the church.
Music that soared to the heavens as gifted and annointed April Lupo offered her heart in song, inviting the presence of God.
The innocence & joy of the 4 little flower girls, ages 2-5, and the 3 year old ring bearer who scampered over white marble floors and sat happily on a bench at the front as the ceremony proceeded.
The deep love and emotion on the faces of all as we witnessed the glory of 2 becoming one in the sight of God and man. Covenant love is a wondrous thing.
The love of the bride’s parents expressed in every detail of a reception planned with intricate care.
The fragrance of hundreds of white roses & white orchids creating fountains of floral beauty on every table.
The elegance of chairs decorated in black with blue bows, coupled with black napkins in blue satin ribbons. Each place setting was graced by a silver ice cream scoop favor topped with a blue bow, lovingly tied by the bride’s mother, that read “Love is Delicious.”
A ceiling draped in white silk twinkling with white lights to create a fairytale scene with the bride sparkling like a princess.
A DVD that took untold hours to create that played in the first room of the reception area, showing hundreds of photos of the bride and groom since birth with their family and friends.
Food fit for a king. From the Beef Tenderloin cooked to perfection to the primo pasta to the succulent vegetables and potatoes, it was a banquet that the bride’s dad and brother had planned for months as they welcomed us to their restaurant, Galuppi’s.
Wedding cake, a chocolate fountain, pastries, crème puffs and a tuxedo groom's cake topped off the sweetness of the night.
Dancing and cavorting of guests from 2 to 82 as the celebration of a marriage kicked into high gear.
A happy goodbye through the front door bedecked with a heart made of roses as the bride & groom were whisked away by a limosine. They are now in Jamaica for some much needed relaxation.
Here are my pictures of the wondrous event as our son got married:
Beautiful Bridal party photos in the sunshine that miraculously appeared about 2 hours before the wedding. Hurricane bands ceased and we rejoiced in fair weather.
The joy of greeting friends and family in the foyer as a string quartet played gloriously in the church.
Music that soared to the heavens as gifted and annointed April Lupo offered her heart in song, inviting the presence of God.
The innocence & joy of the 4 little flower girls, ages 2-5, and the 3 year old ring bearer who scampered over white marble floors and sat happily on a bench at the front as the ceremony proceeded.
The deep love and emotion on the faces of all as we witnessed the glory of 2 becoming one in the sight of God and man. Covenant love is a wondrous thing.
The love of the bride’s parents expressed in every detail of a reception planned with intricate care.
The fragrance of hundreds of white roses & white orchids creating fountains of floral beauty on every table.
The elegance of chairs decorated in black with blue bows, coupled with black napkins in blue satin ribbons. Each place setting was graced by a silver ice cream scoop favor topped with a blue bow, lovingly tied by the bride’s mother, that read “Love is Delicious.”
A ceiling draped in white silk twinkling with white lights to create a fairytale scene with the bride sparkling like a princess.
A DVD that took untold hours to create that played in the first room of the reception area, showing hundreds of photos of the bride and groom since birth with their family and friends.
Food fit for a king. From the Beef Tenderloin cooked to perfection to the primo pasta to the succulent vegetables and potatoes, it was a banquet that the bride’s dad and brother had planned for months as they welcomed us to their restaurant, Galuppi’s.
Wedding cake, a chocolate fountain, pastries, crème puffs and a tuxedo groom's cake topped off the sweetness of the night.
Dancing and cavorting of guests from 2 to 82 as the celebration of a marriage kicked into high gear.
A happy goodbye through the front door bedecked with a heart made of roses as the bride & groom were whisked away by a limosine. They are now in Jamaica for some much needed relaxation.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
To Love Extravagantly
Love is the most powerful force on the face of the earth. It can heal, forgive, restore, overcome, repair, compensate, fortify and fulfill. Today is our 30th wedding anniversary. I stand in awe at the wonders of it all.
In a toast at the wedding of her brother on Sunday, Uncommon Blonde said, “This weekend our parents celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary, and in doing so give to us a legacy of commitment. “
I am so grateful that the grace of God has covered all of my weakness and failure and filled me with all the fullness of God, so that I can give away what isn’t even mine. I am truly blessed as I say, “Look what the Lord has done.”
In a toast at the wedding of her brother on Sunday, Uncommon Blonde said, “This weekend our parents celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary, and in doing so give to us a legacy of commitment. “
I am so grateful that the grace of God has covered all of my weakness and failure and filled me with all the fullness of God, so that I can give away what isn’t even mine. I am truly blessed as I say, “Look what the Lord has done.”
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