Joy of my Heart

3 1/2 years and 8 months

I want to look just like my Mom!

It's funny how when you are young

and people tell you "you look just like your mom!"

that it bugs you...then one day you look in the

mirror and a shock happens...!

You catch a glimpse of your mom!

And then a day comes when you love your Mom

so much and treasure every moment with her

and then you hope you DO look

just like her, because there's no one

on earth who is more beautiful than her.

I'm proud to look like you...

I love you, precious Mother of my heart!

"There are so many hills to climb upward...

I often am longing for rest,

but He who appoints me my pathway,

knows just what is needful and best.

I know in  His word He has promised

that my strength it shall be as my day;

and the toils of the road will seem nothing

when I get to the end of the way."

C.D. Tillman

Oyster Stew

This was a recipe I had been wanting to try 

for a long time and my mystery dinner

gave an opportunity to make it

as it is a very English first course.

Oyster Stew

1/4 c. butter

1 can oysters, undrained

2 c. milk

1/2 c. half and half

1/2 tsp salt

dash of pepper

In 1 1/2 quart saucepan, melt butter over low heat.

Stir in oysters. Cook 2 minutes.

Add remaining ingredients and stir over med-low

heat until steaming hot. 

Serve with oyster crackers.

Everyone liked this and it was easy to make.

It definitely has a strong seafood flavor 

so if you're not a fan you won't like this:)

It's A Mystery!

I have loved the mystery genre since I read

my first Nancy Drew!

It's still my favorite especially if it is combined

with a previous era.

For my birthday this year I asked my kids

to give me a mystery evening...

they were very obliging and came all

dressed for the 1930's and with their 

best deduction caps on.

It was kind of like the game Clue

but acted out in conversations and questions.

I was the housekeeper/maid

so I got to watch and serve.

Setting the Stage

English Mansion 1930

Menu

Traditional English Dinner

Appetizers

Oyster Stew

Sorbet (palette cleanser)

Roast Beef and Gravy

Potatoes

Creamed Carrots

Green Beans

Raspberry Meringue

Characters

 

Cast and Crew

Watersdown Mansion

May 1930

My 49th Birthday -Iris Gardens

It was such a glorious day of sunshine

to continue exploring.

The Schreiner Iris Gardens

are just bursting into bloom

and it was bliss to wander

down the rows and look at all

the beauty and color.

 I remember as a young girl visiting an elderly woman

from our church and walking around in her

iris garden. She had rows and rows of them, 

like I had never seen before.

 It made a huge impact on me and 

I've never forgotten how I felt afterwords, like

something inside of me had expanded.

I think that is where my first love of 

flowers and nature was tapped on the shoulder.

So this visit to the Iris Gardens was a real treat

of memories and fresh inspiration.

My 49th Birthday -Deepwood Estate

I went on a day trip down to Salem on my

birthday this year.

I had wanted to go to the Deepwood Estate

there for years. The house was built in the 

early 1800's. However the displays are

from many eras.

 Picnic on the grounds

 As Louisa May Alcott said "be elegant or die!"

Blog is hiding!

To anyone who is wondering on my lack of

posts lately...

I am unable to view my own blog!

So I have no way of knowing if anyone 

else can either or if any posts have gone

through.

It is a little frustrating to be unable to 

get any help from Blogger-there is not

an easy way to contact an actual person

who can help.

I guess some bloggers have simply woke

up to find their whole blog is gone and

if that happens I will be very sad!

This blog has come to mean a lot

to me in the almost 4 years

I have had it.

If anyone can see it please comment 

so I know you can... Thanks

Sale on Party Baskets for Girls

 "I Love Paris" Party

Perfect for Tweens, teens and girls night out!

 Party in a Box contains:

8 invites and envelopes (5x7)

2 Centerpieces

18 large plates

18 small plates

18 napkins

cookie cutter

8 Favor bags with clothespin closure

24 cupcake papers

16 cupcake toppers

Food tent cards

Banner and ribbon

Container wraps

8 pink and gray straws

8 straw flags

 (click on pictures to enlarge)

$20

 Girl Birthday Party

Party in a Box contains:

8 invites w/ envelopes (5x7)

2 table centerpieces

8 favor cones

8 straws

24 cupcake papers

16 cupcake toppers

8 cake pop sticks

12 cups 

20 napkins

16 large plates

18 small plates

8 name cards and letters

Happy Birthday Banner w/ ribbon

Candy jar wraps

8 water bottle wraps

16 tickets

$20

Please contact me by commenting and leave your

email address if you are interested in

purchasing one of these.