Happy Birthday Blessing's 

America!

Did your Mother teach you to fold a newspaper,

 into "George Washington's" hat? 

Mine did! 

We all used what we had, back in the day!

If we didn't go to see the fireworks,

 we all climbed on the roof of the house! 

We celebrated no matter what!

Our Littlest Grandchild loves The 4th of July!

My Big Grandchildren love The 4th of July!

I am grateful for the gracious blessing of being an American!

May we celebrate, 

No matter what! No matter what!

 The summer of 1776, a group of 56 gentlemen from all  

13 colonies, officially met together in Philadelphia,

to discuss independence from British rule.

  General George Washington could not be there. 

He was fighting a battle at the time. 

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was the author of 

"The United States Declaration of Independence!"

 July 4, 1776 

(Are you ready for goose bumps?)

Our heritage tells us a true story about Thomas Jefferson, 

and John Adams being friends. These two founding Fathers 

were totally different! It was a gradual friendship. 

They were not always in agreement, but grew to have a great friendship. And though they lived far from one another, 

they wrote letters on a constant basis, between visits.  

John Adams

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams 

both died on the same day,

only 5 hours apart!

Wait for it....

On

The 4th of July!

1826

 

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams

both died on,

Wait for it....

 

The 50th Anniversary

of

The 4th of July!

Wow, goosebumps, right?

We would not be here had it not been

for the founding Fathers, 

and the grace of God!

I love our seeing our glorious U.S. Flag fly

 from my Kitchen window everyday!

 

I love sharing The 4th of July 

with my family and friends!

My Married Grandchildren Love the 4th of July!

No wonder we couldn't find it!

 

 All the people on The USS Pringle Battle Ship perished at sea.  

My Great Uncle Welch Bowen was one of those brave soldiers.

I am honored and humbled to be a part of the 

Land of the free, and the home of the brave! 

May God bless and protect our great 

United States of America! 

  

"AS YOU WISH!"

By, Cheryl Harwell Bailey

1970

April 3, 1971

Happy Anniversary Randy!

I know what I have. 

There is no one like you.

I wished for a love like you,
and my wish came true.

I dreamed of a love like you,

and my dream came true.

I prayed for a man like you,
and God answered my prayer! 

When I fell in love with you, 

it was meant to be. 

My love would be for you,
and no other.

After all this time,
49 years of marriage, it just gets sweeter. 

You are my beloved blessing!
My fairy tale, but better!

My Mr. Darcy, but more handsome!

My promise keeper, always!

My tear dryer, "sniff!"

My Knight, and builder of my castle.


My prize fighter protector in armor. 

My confidant.
My chaplain.

My heartbeat.

My California cowboy.
My loyal defender.

My provider.

My wise counselor.

My prayer warrior partner.
My shepherd.

My family.

My faithful husband,

My only love,

And so much more!

I LOVE YOU!

Castle Petite' Spring

I thought you may want to see some gussied up beauty today!
I know how gutsy ya'll are
at such a time as this!

We have had more rain than any other time, since recorded history,
 in the Cherokee National Forest. 
Big and black these clouds may be 
but this too shall pass!
This historical lack of sunshine,
 will not bring me down.
Got my hat, umbrella, Macintosh (raincoat,) and Welly's (rubber boots,)
 short for Wellingtons, named for 
"The Duke of Wellington!"
I always think of England when I wear them. Which makes me think of Winston Churchill!
Whom I greatly admire!
During his heroic WWII speech, he said,
And I quote,
NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER GIVE UP! 
NEVER GIVE UP!

Happiness is a choice, 
most of the time, but not all of the time.
 Save grief for tragedies.

On this first day of Spring, 2020 the world is experiencing a Pandemic.
It is a time of love and loss.
  We must "hunker down"
when we all wish we could "wonder about."
 What should we do?


PRAY!
WASH YOUR HANDS!
NEVER GIVE UP!
LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
BE HAPPY IN YOUR FAMILY CIRCLE!
BE KIND!
TRUST IN THE LORD!
BE DILIGENT!
SING!
DO UNTO OTHERS!
BE CONTENT TO STAY HOME!
STAY WARM!
DON'T PANIC!
READ!
WATCH GREAT CLASSICS!
WRITE! 
LISTEN TO MUSIC!
SHARE FAMILY STORIES!
GARDEN!
FILL IN THE FAMILY TREE!
DANCE!
PLAY GAMES!
LOOK AT FAMILY PHOTOS!
QUILT!
HAVE A BIBLE STUDY!
COOK!
CALL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
MAKE A FAMILY VIDEO!
EXERCISE!
BE GRATEFUL!
DRINK TEA!
WORSHIP AT HOME!
ORGANIZE RECIPES!
BAKE!
WRITE A LETTER TO YOUR FAMILY! 
HAVE A FAMILY TEA PARTY!
EAT HEALTHY!
BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!
SHARE PRECIOUS MEMORIES!
 WALK!
MAKE A VISION BOARD!
PLAN A MONTH OF MENUS!
LAUGH!
GO ON A STAYCATION!
WASH THE CAR!
CONSERVE!
BE WISE!
FEED THE BIRDS!
FEAR NOT!
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!



I am dwelling on the good things of Spring!

I am racing like Ricky Mears to my garden,
 while the sun is shining.
  Bringing in some of the lovely 
 pink Hyacinth, and pink Tulips! 
  

"But first tea!"
This is my "go to" tea pot. 
A treasure from our youngest daughter, Jessica,
for "Mothers Day."
It's ultra sleek modern!
Royal Rose Bud Tea Blend is not just "pretty,"
It's delicious!
I am using the good tea, as I focus on John 3:16.


It is vital for me to have a "Whistling Tea Kettle."
I use it everyday. In the past 50 years,
 I have worn out two. Believe me when I say, though this Kettle may be up there in years, 
she's still got it!
All polished and gussied up, she is ready to shine! 

This is a time to encourage ourselves in the Lord!
In so doing, we bring comfort and joy
 to our loved ones.

Use the fine China!
If not not now, when?
No paper plates or napkins please!
Use what God has blessed you with.
They will notice!
Give them the V.I.P. treatment!
After all, they are!

Randall teaching Conner, to do a "Duke of Windsor," Tie. 

As the sun shines in,
spring clean the house,
Dust every piece and spot, from top to bottom.
Replace lightbulbs, batteries, and whatever else needs to be replaced or repaired.
Shine and polish the furniture, windows, mirrors, silver, crystal, floors, cabinets, hardware, appliances, sinks, countertops, screens, lighting, doors, etc.
Catch up on the laundry, starch and iron the linen.
as if company's coming.
Shall we do it just for us?
Yes!
It will absolutely make you feel better.

 I am scrubbing this Kitchen down!

Between the scent of a polished clean house,
the aroma of yeast bread baking in the oven,
 and the fragrance of flowers from our garden, 
it smells so good to be at home!
I do not want to be anywhere else. 

Instead of worrying, during this Pandemic,
my eyes see the beauty of my favored colors all around me, in the home God hath provided.
Stay focused on all your blessings!
Use what you have.
If not now, when? 
Later, you will be glad you did.

  
I see this as a time to nourish our five senses.

Royal Albert 
"Lady Carlyle," Bone China, made in England.
Makes one just want to reach out, and touch it,
 to see if it is, as smooth as it looks! It is!  
Forever grateful to the ladies of 
"The Solid Rock Church of God!"
For blessing me with something 
I would never think of buying for myself. 
My heart is full when I look at this 
most beautiful gift,
 of many years past. More precious as 
I love and remember each and everyone of you! 
 I close my eyes and see your lovely faces.

Use what you have been gifted with!

That includes your God given talents,

If not now, when?

Erica's Bridesmaids Tea, Spring 2019. 
Still enjoying them! Always will! 

Getting gussied up, is good for us!
It makes us all feel better!

Being born, raised, 
and living most of my life in California, 
I am still a 67 year old
 California girl in my heart.
I did swim, surf, and love the 
Beaches of California!

But still, I had some "Southern Belle"
DNA. And it was evident to all who knew me.
Alway's!
After living in Tennessee the past 15 years, 
it's official. I am now, a Southern Belle 
in my heart as well.  

During this crisis, our houses are literally,
The House of God!
We miss gathering in corporate praise and worship, to fellowship with each other at the Church.
We need an authentic miracle!
That we may be virus free, now, and able to return to the sacred Church Family.
We need to humbly bow down in prayer!
Worship God, 
if not now, when?

I love living in the country,
 especially in the Spring!
The Tulips are not stressed!

During the good and bad times, 
flowers are faithful!  

The Hyacinth too. 

The garden bulbs are bursting! 

Filling the vases!

And jars, toothpick holders too!

Using dried flowers from last year.

Yes, "Mrs. Mountain Bluebird" is expecting!
A nest is under construction! 

I love to put fresh potted flowers everywhere. 
 On all 5 screen doors!

Nearly all textiles look crisp,
  and new when starched and ironed. 
It's so easy! 
 It is something I enjoy doing. One of the many economies I learned from my mother.
"Mommy, I begged let me iron.
Pretend Ironing is for babies."

My brother Stephen, on the rocking horse,
 and me pretending to iron at 3 years old.

I kept begging her to let me try real ironing. 
I was seven when she finally said yes. 
I had to stand on a stool.

1981

2020

The Double Chocolate Chip, Double Chopped California Walnut, Giant Cookies are the winners for the best cookies I ever baked! 
  

Get the old Crystal out girls! 
It's making a comeback!

Use what you have!
If not now.... 
 

Preparing for a Tea,"
 the night before.

 

Look at that moon!
Shining through the vintage voile Priscilla Curtains, from my childhood!
 (See the top left corner.)
 The maker of the Moon,
He is in control! He loves you!
May God bless you and keep you safe!

Time for bed.
We need our sleep!
But first, Sleepy Time Tea!