Okay, I am ready for spring now...

Once the holidays are passed, I am ready for spring!! Yes, yes, I know I am rushing things, but you know I am a pink rosy kind of girl and so, this morning I started taking pictures of the things around my home that I love the most. I hope you don't mind me rushing the seasons as it warms my heart to think about spring and my upcoming garden. The sweet, sweet little bird cloche with the cupcake inside was a present from my children, Jeremy and Lindy. It surely reminds me of spring. The rose covered plate was a present I bought for myself. Loved it the minute I saw it. Dear friends, I hope you had the best of Christmases with your family and friends. Wishing you a new year full of peace and love and all of those things you love the most!!

Mary wrapped the greatest present. . .

Merry Christmas to each of you, my dear friends. . .Love and blessings always!

"True Grit!"

I have always loved those two words. I am not sure why. Maybe it is because I can imagine my two pioneer Texas great grandmothers saying them. For sure, they must have had some of that "true grit" to settle in this wild land of Texas!!! As I was watching my neighbors put up their Christmas lights the other day, those two words came to my mind once again. It was mother and son doing the decorating this year. Daddy is far away in Afghanistan serving in our military. He won't be home this year to see the tree and beautiful lights. I am sure momma took plenty of pictures of the Christmas decorations to send to daddy. You see, it is their way of saying: "We are here. We are carrying on while you are away. We are being strong and brave as we anxiously wait for you to come home to us." I see this example of "true grit" time and again here in our military community of Fort Hood, Texas.

"True grit" was definitely in force some two thousand years ago when a young couple made their way to Bethlehem to pay their taxes. They were from a small village making their way to the big city. She was very young and very pregnant. Her husband tried with all his might to find a safe, comfortable place for them to rest that night. Unfortunately, all that was available was a stable. And so amongst the animals in a not so warm and comfortable stable, the Savior was born. I know that the young couple must have rejoiced when their son arrived safely and in good health. Their son, of course, was the One to ultimately show his true grit as he ministered to others here on this earth and give his life for many. Today, I thank God for his unspeakable gift!!

Dear friends, I hope you are enjoying this Christmas season. I am thankful for each one of you and for the difference you make for good in others lives. Have a blessed Sunday and terrific Christmas week.

A Christmas to remember. . .

I was an older teenager when I happened to meet a family who seemingly had nothing for Christmas. I visited their humble home and noticed no tree, no presents, no sign of Christmas at all. I found out that this family had no money for presents or a tree, and so when I left their home, I told my momma about their inability to purchase a tree or presents. She suggested that I call the Sunday School classes at our church to see if they might want to help out. And so, I began to call each teacher. Before I knew it, I had a tree complete with decorations, clothing, shoes, toys for the children. Everything that was needed to make for a merry Christmas time for these folks. My car was loaded down as I drove up to their home. I will never forget the expression on their faces as I was able to help make their holiday a little brighter. But you see, they weren't the ones being blessed the most, I was. As the years have gone by, I realize more than ever what it means when I hear: "It is more blessed to give than receive." I am counting my blessings this time of the year for I have been so richly blessed. I am wishing a blessed holiday season for each of you, my friends. Sometimes the greatest gifts we can give someone is a hug, a smile, a greeting. Life is short. . . love unconditionally, laugh at every opportunity, and forgive quickly.

A few of my favorite things. . .

Stacks of dainty tea cups and a spring basket filled with eggs and flowers...

Decorating my home with tea pots and creamers and sugars and lacy doilies...

A good cup of hot coffee and something gooey to go with it like a hot cinnamon roll...

Roses and handpainted china...

My white hutch filled with whimsical notions...

And, of course, bunnies...

Vintage images...this one is by my favorite illustrator, Eloise Wilkin...

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, dear friends, celebrated with family and friends.

"If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily."~Gerald Good

I am participating in "Tea Cups on Tuesday" this week. I am posting a little early, but if you will go over and visit these lovely ladies on Monday evening or Tuesday morning, you will see all of our tea participants: Sandi @ http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/ Martha @ http://marthasfavorites.com/ and Terri @ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/

Have a terrific week!

Counting my blessings, one by one, at Bunny Cottage...

My handsome son, Jeremy, a gifted musician, and sweet Grace, my dancer extraordinaire...

my sweet, Jake, with a heart full of love and concern for others. . .

my sweet, Luke, in his kindergarten picture. . . he is my "superhero" guy who loves Iron Man, Superman, Spiderman and anything to do with all of these superheroes. . .

Beautiful Grace again and my lovely daughter-in-law, Lindy, who does an excellent job of teaching our young people in school. . .

My beautiful Ally, who loves to "perform" and is my little actress who is never without friends close by. . .

My fun-loving Maggie Zane, named after me. She loves to laugh and loves life like me, too.

My darling, Henna Rose, who melts my heart when she says, "I love you, Gee!"

My handsome son, Aaron, who recently received his law degree and is a terrific lawyer and my lovely daughter-in-law, Corinna, who is a wonderful hair stylist.

And I could not forget, Baby Olivia, our sweetheart who is on the way and will make her debut in February. . .

My beloved sister and best friend, Myra, and my darling niece, Robin. They are my "partners in crime" and we can spend many hours a day just laughing and having a good time!!!

And last but certainly not least, I am counting each of you my friends, who make my life so much richer with your creativity and encouragement and love for life, yes, each of you are a blessing to me... I can hear my momma singing that old hymn, "Count Your Many Blessings" as she lovingly worked around our home taking care of us. I dedicate this post to her and my wonderful daddy. They truly taught me the meaning of a "thankful heart". I will forever be thankful for them. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!!

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was 'thank you', that would suffice."~Meister Eckhart

A tiny rosebud. . .

It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
God opens this flower so easily,
But in my hands they die.


If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?



So I'll trust in God for leading
Each moment of my day.
I will look to God for guidance
In each step of the way.





The path that lies before me,
Only my Lord knows.
I'll trust God to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.

Sending much love and blessings to you, dear friends. Enjoy your weekend!!

Roses are red, my love. . .

Violets are blue. . .

Sugar is sweet, my love,

but not as sweet as you. . .

If you grew up in the 50's and 60's like I did, I am sure you remember the words of this song

sung by Bobby Vinton. Isn't it amazing how a song can take us back in time to the days of our youth?

Thank you, dear friends, for stopping by today for a visit. I am sharing some of my favorite tea things including a favorite violet covered teapot, tray, creamer and sugar, given to me by my sweet sister, Myra, as a Christmas present several years ago. Next to it is a picture of my grandparents on their wedding day. I never met them personally. They went to heaven before I had the opportunity to know them. However, I do know them in my heart of hearts and look forward to seeing them again one day. I feel their presence and the presence of all of my loved ones each and every day. I am participating in the Tuesday Tea Parties so please stop by and see all of the lovely tea things being shared. These sweet ladies are our hostesses each week: Sandi @ http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/ Martha @ http://marthasfavorites.com/ and Terri @ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/ Happy first day of November to you and God bless you all!

Best friends. . .

During my growing up days, my best friend, Pam, and I loved to go shopping on a Saturday afternoon in our small town of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Our first stop was always Woolworths five and ten cent store. Upon our arrival, we headed directly to the jewelry counter. Pam always bought a beautiful "diamond" ring and I a "pearl" ring. These, of course, were our engagement rings (I am pretty sure our boyfriends at elementary school did not know they were "engaged"!) After our ring purchase, we would then peruse the Barbie dolls and all of their lovely adornments. Sometimes, if we had enough money, we would buy paperdolls. These paperdolls gave us endless hours of enjoyment. Last stop for the afternoon was the Corner Drug Store. This was an old-fashioned drug store with a soda fountain. We always ordered a hamburger with chips and a Coke. What a wonderful time we had and how grown up we felt on those magical Saturday afternoons. Even though Pam and I live many miles apart now, I feel like we could start our conversation right where the last one ended. She was and still is a true friend, a friend of the heart and soul. I hope you have enjoyed many friendships throughout your lifetime, dear friends. I count each and everyone as a kind friend who I value very much. Enjoy your lovely autumn weekend as you think on times past! Love and blessings always.

Rosy thoughts for a rosy tea party. . .

Childhood is the most beautiful of all life's seasons. . .

One may live without bread, not without roses. . .

You can complain because roses have thorns, or. . .

you can rejoice because thorns have roses! I choose to rejoice!!

God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December. . .

I'd rather have roses on my table. . .

than diamonds on my neck.

This is the lovely Peggy Martin rose growing in my backyard garden. This beautiful rose is a true survivor having withstood hurricane Katrina. . .We, too, can withstand the storms of life when we have our faith rooted deeply in Him.

Dear friends, thank you so much for coming by for a visit today. I am enjoying my garden during this cooler weather along with my favorite pieces of rose covered china. I hope this note finds you doing well, dear ones. I am participating in "Tea Time" on Tuesdays. Please visit our very kind hostesses and all those who are participating by going here: Sandi @ http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com Martha @ http://marthasfavorites.com/ and Terri @ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com