A yummy surprise for everyone!

I got home first tonight and decided to have a cookout. Grabbing the bag of charcoal from my car, I lit the grill and commenced my plans. My son and I headed for the carryout for hamburger buns, a bag of our favorite BBQ spicy chips and some ice.

Back home there was just enough time to make deviled eggs, a relish tray and slice some onions before the coals were ready. The door chimed (It's alarmed so our son can't accidentally leave at night.), and I met my husband at the door with a glass of diet soda.

I returned to the kitchen and stealthily finished microwaving the bacon and cooking the burgers. Dinner was almost done before my guy figured out that it had been our house that had smelled so good when he pulled in the driveway.

Mission accomplished! Yay for me! What a good surprise! I must say that I usually give hints and give my secrets away before it is time.

Sigh... I love cookouts... love yummy treats... I love warm weather!

If you enjoy outdoor treats as much as I do, grab a bag of charcoal and share something tasty with your dear ones!

Evening falls...

Night is here and I have finalized my lesson plans for the coming week. I am tired,though happy. How are you? I imagine that most of you feel as I do after this lovely weekend. I feel blessed and exhausted. I must confess that playing in the park, walking with my family and working in the yard made me yearn for summer. I do not want to go back to "real school". Sadly, I am sure that my students will be feeling the same (yikes!).

I'm chasing my kiddos to bed and crawling in myself as soon as possible. Good night and God Bless.

Tiny sprouts...

Some things take years to come to fruition. The grapevines I have planted will take a while to produce significant fruit. Our ever expanding raspberry patch will take some time to turn into the cobbler producing thicket I dream of.


What a blessing that not everything in life requires long term patience. This happy sprout is a volunteer sunflower. In just one season... just a matter of a few months our yard will be alive with color. Yellows, oranges and browns will rise above the ground in a triumphant row spreading joy to all who gaze their way.

Yes... I sincerely love sunflowers...

Three cheers for spring and the wonder of new life!

Mud!

Stopping at my parents' house,
I collected the small furry companion called,
"Buddy".

Back in the car,
we headed to Blendon Woods to enjoy its very nice dog path.

As my daughters, my nephew and myself wandered along the trail,
leaves blew.

Our bitty pooch chased them merrily.

Enjoying the sun and the company,
we took the patches of mud in stride
and counted ourselves lucky to be rid of the snow.

The kids and I tried to walk around the muck to varying degrees of success.

The dogs?

The dignified Buddy,
older,
wiser
(and with an intense hatred of mud),
managed to walk around the icky stuff and had perhaps one or two drops of mud on his tummy.

Maggie?

Well...
As you can see from the above picture,
she jumped in every puddle.


She even managed to find two ticks
that tried to hitch a ride on her soft white fur.

Silly pup!
I guess everyone is happy winter is over!

Happy Easter!

All things good come from God.

May you be filled with His peace this happy day.

He can move mountains,
make paths straight
or lead you through the darkest valleys.

He IS...
Now...
Tomorrow...
Forever...
The Way...

Spring has spring!

snuggled on my lap...

Properly chastened for nipping her mom, my furry daughter rests warmly on my lap. Mischief, not meaness leads her to use her teeth for naughtiness and I in return give her a little "wack". Now she sleeps, content in knowing her place in the world. She is not the boss and for the moment, she is ok with that. =-)

Chuckle
Sigh
Shake my head...

Wouldn't it be delightful if, as adults knowing our place and purpose in this world was so easily discovered? Life is a gift... A wonderful adventure... I am not the boss either... Thanks be to God!