A few thoughts for today. . .

*Pray all the time. If necessary, use words.
*God forgets the past. Imitate Him.
*Greed is often regretted. Generosity~never.
*Don't ask God to do what you want. Ask God to do what is right.
*No one is useless to God. No one.
*Nails didn't hold God to a cross. Love did.
*You will never forgive anyone more than God has already forgiven you.

These simple thoughts are speaking to me today, dear friends. Maybe one or two will speak to you. The picture is a favorite of mine, two of my granddaughters, Maggie and Ally. Wishing you the best of days and much love.

How do you fall in love? When do you say I do?

When is the perfect time to spend the rest of your life? Seasons may come and go and sometimes it rains and snows. There will be highs and lows so only you will know. You never know just where it will find you because it can come on you so fast. Seems like it takes forever when you want it so bad. But don't ever take it for granted because it's more than sowing some seeds. It takes sun and water so give it what it needs. And that's how you fall in love, that's when you say I do. That's when you know it's time to spend the rest of your life. (One of my favorite love songs by "Alabama")

Hello, sweet friends and welcome. I am participating in Stephanie's "Wedding Party" fun event. After all, June is the month for weddings. I am showing you some things around Bunny Cottage that I have collected over the years that remind me of love and marriage. I am a hopeless romantic so roses, hearts, pretty cakes, little kitty bride with her bridesmaids, a lovely bride pillow~all of these remind me of everlasting love. I am also featuring three of my favorite couples who love each other and take their vows quite seriously: My grandparents, G. W. and Maude May Russell on their wedding day. Don't you love the embellishments on her dress? And then my children, Jeremy and Lindy, and Aaron and Corina. Such sweet, sweet couples.

Please visit Stephanie at http://angelicaccents.blogspot.com/ to find out all of the other participants. Stephanie is a Texas gal like me, and you will love her. She always has beautiful things to share. I am also participating in Pink Saturday after being away for a few weeks. Please visit Ms. Beverly at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/ to see all the fun pink participants. Thank you, Beverly, for hostessing us each week.

I am dedicating my post to all of you sweet couples who love and cherish one another. May God bless you richly. Even though I am a single gal, I am thankful for couples like my parents, and grandparents and children who still honor "the tie that binds". Blessings and love to everyone!

Vintage Alphabet Party and Tea Things on Tuesday. . .

Hello, and thank you for coming by for a visit at Bunny Cottage. Today, I am participating in two "parties", Vintage Alphabet, and Tea Things on Tuesday. For the Vintage Alphabet party on Etsy Cottage Style, our letters this month are "I", "J" and "K". For "I", I chose to show vintage images of my great grandparents, John Dawson Smith, and Roena Josephine White Smith. I know very little about my great grandparents, they were my daddy's grandparents, and you can imagine my joy when I found these pictures of them. I would say it was quite by accident, but I believe God led me to them. I was browsing through some geneaology places on my computer, and lo and behold, I found these wonderful pictures and now know the cemetery in which they are buried. I also know their birthdates and dates of their death. I see my great grandmother loved jewelry as I do, too. For "J", I chose the jewelry that she is wearing. I have always been drawn to antique jewelry or at least jewelry that looks antique. I feel a bond with these two people because we are a part of each other. I celebrate the love they shared for each other. For "K", I chose the kaleidoscope of colors in my vintage style garden. All the flowers I grow are of the antique or old garden variety, and I love the old fashioned names: Rose of Sharon, Pinks, Flags, Bachelor Buttons and so on. For the Tea Party, I am showing a favorite tea cup and creamer and sugar. I hope you have enjoyed our little time together, sweet friends. Wishing you a wonderful week and much happiness and joy~Please visit Etsy Cottage Style for a list of those participants at http://etsycottagestyle.blogspot.com/ Please visit Martha at http://marthasfavorites.com/ and Sandi at http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/ and Katherine at http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/ for the tea party participants.

"For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul."~~Judy Garland

My Daddy, My Hero

With Father's Day approaching this Sunday, my thoughts this evening are turning toward my hero, my daddy. My daddy loved his family and took great pride in providing for his family. He worked all one autumn digging up tree stumps from a farmer's field to have enough money to buy a winter coat for my sister, Myra, when she was just a young girl. My mother had Parkinson's Disease and for the last ten years of her life, my daddy was momma's major caregiver. Daddy had two daughters, Myra and I, and no sons. I suppose I turned out to be his surrogate son. We went fishing together and watched sports together. To this day, I love to go fishing and usually always watch some sporting event on tv and not a whole lot of anything else. Daddy was "Pop" to his grandchildren and let me tell you, he worshipped the ground they walked on. My boys would say, "Pop, have you seen that new Monster Wheels Truck at Wal-Mart?" and daddy would say, "No, I don't think I have. Let's go take a look at one because I think you need one of those." They would soon be back home with the latest Monster Truck one for each, Jeremy and Aaron. Tonight I am thankful for my daddy and the legacy he left for our entire family. He was a man of God and treated all people with respect and dignity. He loved to laugh and have a good time. His presence is with me each day. I have raised two sons, and I can see my daddy in them as they love their families and strive to meet the needs of their wives and children. I am wishing all father's everywhere the happiest of Father's Day and thank you for the positive influences you have made in our lives. Sending love to each of you, sweet friends.

O Fair New Mexico. . .

Hello and welcome, sweet friends. I said I would tell you more about our visit to the beautiful state of New Mexico. We went to Roswell where my youngest son and his family now reside. It was a sort of a homecoming for us all as we lived in Roswell when my sons were in elementary school. We went to Ruidoso, NM, and drove up to almost the summit of Sierra Blanca. My son drove one car, and I drove the other. One beautiful memory that I will always have is singing "Jesus Loves Me" with my grandchildren as we took those hairpin curves up the side of the rugged mountain. It was a calm assurance to know we were in His hands. We all did some hiking there on the side of the mountain. I was very interested in the flowers growing there. I saw what looked like a wild iris. Also, high on the list of things to do was visit the Alien Museum. The children loved it as they got to pose with the aliens in different parts of the museum. We, of course, had to take home some alien souvenirs. Another favorite thing we did was visit the Bottomless Lakes State Park. The water is very cold and crystal clear. They have an area partitioned off for swimmers. This area is not too deep, and my grandchildren could play there. They had a ball. It was wonderful to spend time with my sons and their family. I have been blessed with sons who love their wives and children. I have also been blessed with kind daughters in law. These grandchildren are true blessings from God. I love their sweet, sweet spirits. I am a fifth generation Texan but have lived on and off in NM. My childhood was spent there, and the beautiful Land of Enchantment will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for dropping by for a visit with me. I hope your week is going well and you are enjoying this wonderful life we have been given. Love and blessings always!!

It is good to be back home. . .

Hello, dear friends, I have been on a trip to visit my youngest son, Aaron, and his family in Roswell, NM. Aaron just recently graduated with his law degree from the University of Texas and was hired by a law firm in Roswell. My oldest son, Jeremy, and his children and I went to visit them this past weekend. We had so much fun, and I will tell more about our trip soon. My garden survived the few days that I was away, and it is always good to sleep in my own bed once again. The first picture is the dresser in my bedroom filled with some of my favorite things. The next three pictures are purple coneflowers, daylilies and a hardy hibiscus bloom in my cottage garden. I purchased the three sweet plates from the antique mall in Roswell. They are marked Haviland, France, and I love the combination of tiny pink roses with a blue border. I purchased the little pretty basket from Rhea of "Sweet and Shabby Roses". I purchased the wonderful embellished bottle from Lynn of "Teacup Stitches". Both of these ladies are sweet, kind and super talented. The next picture is a perennial morning glory vine that grows in a corner of my garden. And of course, I always love to share a vintage image in closing. I am getting around to visiting each and every one of you kind friends to catch up on all the news since I have been gone. I have missed you and our visits. I hope you are having a beautiful week!

"What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?"~ George Elliot