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

Autumn Tea Party, and I was "Daisy Mae"!!!

Hello, dear friends, we are having some gloriously cool weather here in Central Texas...

So, I thought it would be fun to have an autumn tea to welcome in the season...Mr. Scarecrow definitely wants to be invited!!

I have one of my very favorite tea cups for you to share some autumn tea from...

My little bunny is out in Farmer McGregor's fall garden so he had to be invited, too...

Along with this sweet and magical and very friendly little witch...

I have one of my comfy chairs waiting for your visit, along with a plate of ghosty cookies...

I know you are thinking what does Daisy Mae have to do with our celebration? Well, she is part of my childhood memories. You see, one year my momma helped me dress as Daisy Mae for Halloween. Yes, I had the cut off jean shorts (not nearly as short as Daisy Mae's, my momma would not have allowed that!!!) and a cute peasant shirt that my mother had sewn for me. It had elastic in the neck so I could wear it off my shoulders like Daisy. I must say, I did not "fill out" my costume nearly as well as Daisy fills hers out, but as a ten or eleven year old girl, I did think I looked pretty cute!! Now there was a rule among girls my age that you could trick or treat until you were in sixth grade. After that, it was considered a little too babyish to trick or treat in junior high. Well, if you know me, you know how I love autumn and Halloween and all of the festivities. When I was in sixth grade, I made the most out of that Halloween, sadly knowing it would be my last time to go out trick or treating. Yes, I was a sad girl the next autumn in 7th grade when I didn't dress up and go out to get treats. However, now that I have grandchildren, it is perfectly normal for grandma to go out with her grandchildren and trick or treat to her heart's desire. Who says there aren't advantages to getting older?

I am participating in this week's tea parties. Please visit these ladies, our faithful hostesses, and all of those who are participating this week: Sandi @ http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/ Martha @ http://marthasfavorites.com/ and Terri @ http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/ I am posting a little early so visit these ladies late Monday evening or early Tuesday morning to see their tea things and all those who participate. Please enjoy your autumn week ahead, sweet and kind friends!!

I get a little sentimental about this time each year. . .

What is it about autumn that is always a little bittersweet to me? I love this wonderful season, in fact, it is my favorite along with spring, and yet I always reminisce about the past and the times of my childhood. Those golden days of turquoise blue skies and fiery red and golden leaves...

I remember~
*fishing for trout on the Pecos River with my daddy on a cool autumn morning. I was so excited when I caught one. We fried them up and ate them, too.
*Friday night football games cheering for our Carlsbad Cavemen team~"Two bits, four bits, six bits, a dollar, All for the Cavemen, stand up and hollar!!!"
*my momma's cornbread dressing, steaming hot with cranberry sauce at our Thanksgiving table. We always used our best china and silver and lace tablecloth, being truly thankful for all we had been blessed with.
*Halloween carnivals at school where we were led blindfolded into the "haunted house" where we touched eyeballs (peeled grapes), intestines (cooked spaghetti) and brains (cold jiggly jello). There was always one room where we could spend a ticket and go inside the room and watch "Spanky and Our Gang" movies, a real treat in those days where movies and videos did not abound.

Yes, these were happy times and still are as I think back to those long ago days. What memories do you have of autumn? Many happy ones, I hope. Thank you so much for stopping by today and allowing me to share some memories with you, sweet friends~Have a happy autumn week!

Tea Party in the garden...September morning and autumn days will soon be here!!!

Grab your straw hat, and let's go into my cottage garden for tea today...

Soothing rains have helped my roses, rose of sharon, and Southern Belle hibiscus to bloom...

I am very fond of these luncheon sets with the plate and tea cup all in one. This is the "moss rose" pattern I believe. Ladies can carry their scones and tea in one trip...

"By all these lovely tokens, September days are here, with summer's best of weather, and autumn's best of cheer."

This is one of my favorite tea pots. It reminds me of tea in an English cottage.

We can sit here on my front porch if you would like. There is usually a cool breeze blowing through.

This pretty teapot and cup for one were painted by Ms. Amy. You will find her here: http://vintageporcelainart.blogspot.com/

I even have teacups and saucers "growing" in my garden.

This sweet little teacup is one of my favorites. It is paper thin and very delicate. No markings on it.

This is where my grandchildren and I have our tea parties in my back yard.

I hope you have enjoyed your tea today. I always enjoy our visits together. I am wishing you the happiest of September days...

I am participating in these tea parties: please join all of us as we celebrate with sandi at http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/ martha at http://marthasfavorites.com/ and terri at http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/ I am posting a little early. The tea posts won't be up until late Monday or early Tuesday.

Angels at Bunny Cottage. . .

Sun is setting in the west. . .

Angels watching over me my Lord. . .

Sleep, my child, and take your rest. . .

Angels watching over me. . .

All night, all day. . .

Angels watching over me my Lord. . .

All night, all day. . .

Yes, angels watching over me and you!

My "Heavenly Blue" morning glory always charm me each year with this gorgeous shade of blue.

Hope you have a "heavenly" day, dear friends. Thank you so much for coming by for a visit.

Let us stand together. . .

I am sure we all remember where we were, what we were doing on that fateful day on September 11. As Americans we pulled together and stood united when our precious and beautiful country was under attack. After all, we are Americans, and that is what Americans do. It is my prayer that we will still stand together, still love each other, still support our country. We are a nation of individuals. We don't all share the same culture, same religion, same political beliefs. This again is what makes us America. We are a vast melting pot of very many people. As we think back to that day that will always live in our memories, let us recommit to our love for our nation and the wonderful people who make up this great nation. We will always remember those we lost that day. We will always be thankful for our brave military men and women who have performed their duties admirably, leaving home and family to protect and defend. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice. Of course, many are still serving in harm's way this very hour. We will always be thankful for those firefighters and police men and women who rushed in to rescue and help while others were rushing to get out. My little granddaughter, Maggie, is having a birthday tomorrow. Yes, on September 11. When I think of her and her sweet life, it is a testimony to me that God is still in the healing business. He is still bringing new life into our world. He still desires for us to love our families, our friends, our fellow country men and women and help each other in every way possible. Yes, even those who may be different than us. I am pretty sure God is looking on the inside of each of us and not on the outside. May we be able to see the same way He does. God bless you all!! Have a blessed weekend~love always to you.