Life's Journey

Along my life's journey I was detoured.  In March, the elementary school that I worked for  in the past needed my help.  I dropped everything that I was doing to help.  The principal of the school told me that "I  was "intriguing" as I am so open to giving."  After hearing that, I realized that it wasn't a detour, but a path that needed to be taken.   I am here to help people, in life.  I do not look for anything in return.  I just hope that the people that I touch, appreciate the concept of unconditional help towards others.   


I am a third of the way in reaching my blog following goal.  When this blog hits 100 followers, one lucky follower will win a $25.00 american express gift card.  I hope that you will help me, by referring your friends.   


check out freebielovers at momster.com.  click on the link above to hop over to that blog.  Maybe you'll start getting some freebies in your daily mail too.  


oh, and if you're from vocalpoint, welcome to my blog.  I hope to add other give aways in the near future. 

Blooming Free to be Blooming Green

Blooming Free to be Blooming Green: "

A bag that is used over and over should be beautiful enough to use. Sweet Blooming Florals with a message: Blooming Free to be Blooming Green."

Please go and visit the link above and vote for this bag to be the new reusable Bloomingdale Bag.

Time Flies

Just wanted to let you know that though time flies, I drew tgoforth1984 name to win the Martha Stewart Gardening DVD.  Congratulations and enjoy!


I have been away from the computer as I am helping out our local elementary school.  The administrative person's son at the local school was severely hurt in a snowboarding accident at the end of March.  The school called me to help out and what was a 1 1/2 day assignment turned into a long term sub. job.  I am now working from 8 - 4:30.  I will try to be more active in the weeks ahead.  

During this time frame, my two magnolia trees bloomed.  I can't tell you how happy I was driving home each day to see the beautiful of these soft delicate flowers.   also during this time frame, the Bradford pear trees that line my street came to full bloom.  I see cars coming into our neighborhood just to look at the beautiful trees.  Nothing makes me happier than the sight of flowers.  Wishing you all a wonderful spring!

It's a Small World After All

My husband and I decided to have dinner at a local restaurant.  He wanted to sit in the bar to catch some of the March Madness games.  The bartender and the waitstaff was very kind and attentive to us, to the point that my husband said, "You can take their (the couple sitting next to us) order, they were here before us."

At one point, I decided to comment to the bartender that the bar was always so busy in this particular restaurant.  The bartender then said, I haven't seen you and your sister for a long time.  I thought in my head, "Ok, he has me confused with someone else." So I just smiled.  He then said that he knew me back in the 70's when my parents use to bring us to this other restaurant in a different town. He was a waiter back then.  My husband then jumped in and asked "How many sisters does she have?" and he said the correct answer.  So, here it is thirty years later and he recognizes me.  Amazing!  I unfortunately, did not recall him or his name.  It just goes to show you that it is a small world after all.

Do you have amazing connect stories like this one?

A Bit of History

My girlfriends and I went to visit one of our friends that had moved away from our town.  She lives about an hours drive towards the northern part of Massachusetts in the famous town of Salem, where it is known for the witch hunt in the late 19th century.  I was intrigued by the door and the sign that was on her home.  It always amazes me at the history behind a home, such as this.  

Here is the sign that is near the front door. Think of all of the history that is behind those doors.  The other amazing thing was the good feeling that I got when I first walked up to the house.  Notice, the front door and the beautiful cottage lace decorations around the frame.  Come to find out that the door on the house is one of the doors that has been photographed for a  poster called "The Doors of Salem."  


We had a wonderful visit.  Our friend made a delicious lunch and the afternoon passed by so quickly.  The most important thing that I saw and felt was the love that she had for her new home, the town and the people that she has met.  


I thought about how we have a bit of history as friends and how our children spent a great deal of time with each other.  I also smiled at the thought of how she has moved to a town with a great deal of history and will part of the continuing history to this lovely home.  


Do you live in a home of historic value or do you know of someone who does?  

Raffle Give Away: $25.00 American Express Gift Card

Would you like to receive a $25.00 American Express Gift Card?  


All that is required to be placed in this raffle is to subscribe and follow this blog:  "A New Beginning. " and make a comment on one of these posts.   When the blog hits 100 followers/subscribers, a winner will be picked.  Invite your friends to join this blog and be part of the raffle. 


here is the link that you can copy and send to your friends:  http://jou-beee.blogspot.com/2010/03/raffle-give-away-2500-american-express.html

March 20, Official Start of Spring

The winters are long in New England and I always look forward to March 20th, the official start of spring.  Today I saw beautiful soft buds on my magnolia trees, so lovely to see even before they bloom.  


Last year, I was given some seeds to plant from a friend from gather.  I will have to figure out where I stored the seeds and get them into the ground.  

To kick off the spring season, I am raffling off a dvd of Martha Stewart's Gardening tips.  6 hours of Martha's best gardening tips on two dvd discs.  


If you would like to be part of the raffle:
1) Please make sure that you are subscribing and following my blog: a new beginning.


2) Please comment below your favorite gardening tip.  


I will choose the raffle winner on April 10th.  


The $25.00 American Express gift card raffle is still going on, the winner will be drawn when I have reached 100 followers.  Please tell your friends to join.

The Magic of the Ocean

As we begin to talk about finding a place to retire to, I have been on a slow journey in discovering what I love and need in my surroundings.

As an artist, I  know that I need the visuals of water and greenery. I have a passion of the ocean and lakes that surround our states.  I find being able to see or be near water is very soothing to my soul.

Living in Massachusetts with the four season has spoiled us to enjoying the variety of plants and greenery in various stages.  I marvel at the most simple of things, such as a new bud on my magnolia tree, rows of flower beds in a garden, the colors of the leaves in Autumn, the oak tree  branches with a light layer of snow.

Are there environmental qualities that you need in your surroundings?

I would love to hear what visuals you love in the area that you live in.

A true friend shares.

In 1993, when we moved into our new home, my middle son had a friend, whose mother is so sweet.  One day she brought over some bleeding heart roots and lily of the valley.  


When you take something so beautiful out of your yard and pass it onto a friend, it is a true sign of life long friendship through the special gift of sharing.  Though the bleeding hearts did not survive, as I did not plant them in the most optimum location, the thought of the tender pink heart blossoms will stay in my memory forever.  


I took a stab at painting the bleeding hearts with watercolor, but I think I will go back and try the painting with acrylic.  I hope to achieve a softer blend to the petals.


I hope this spring or fall, you will share the gift of transplanting a bud from your garden to a friend's.   Please let me know if this is something that you have done in the past or plan to do in the future. 

I'm on a roll

In the perfect world, I should probably live in a field of flowers.  I love how flowers make me happy and smile.  Today, I was inspired to paint some Japanese Anemones.  I chose to do it in watercolors.  


Living in New England, we won't see an abundance of flowers in our yards until May.  There will be a splattering of colors here and there, but often those will fade away before the real sun decides to visit.  I did see one lonely crocus in my front garden bed the other day.  I think the rain that fell the last three days must have drowned it away.  

When I visited California in February, there were flowers blooming everywhere and pollen on the cars.  My sister's neighbor had a lemon tree that had tiny buds in September and full lemons in February.  The lemons from her neighbor's tree had this unbelievable sharp lemon smell that oozed through the skin.  Nothing like the premature picked lemons that we find in the grocery store in New England.  


I was able to get to the farmer's Market on Saturday while visiting my sister and found rows and rows of fresh cut flowers.  How lucky to be able to grow them so early in the season.  


Do you grow your own flowers?  If so, what do you have in your garden.

Painting is therapeutic.

For anyone that paints, I find it very therapeutic to envision a piece and sketch it out.  Lay out my paints and then begin layering the colors on.  While painting, you have to stop and allow the paint to dry before painting on the next layer of colors.  This gives you time to reflect on your piece and plan a process of steps for each phase.  Today I finished a piece that I had started in the fall of 2009.  It only needed minor adjustments to the border, but it took me a long time to feel that I could finish it.  It is one of my many paintings involving lily pads.  Lily pads have a very zen look to them.  I like the shape, the color, the ability for it to float endlessly on top of the water.  I love Lily pad that bloom beautiful flowers.    


Here is my final piece entitled Lily Pads.  I hope you like it.


Is there something that you look at that makes you feel zen?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 

A Box of Four Leaf Clovers for you.

We celebrated St. Patrick's Day on Sunday at a gathering at my sisters' home.  She made a delicious corn beef and cabbage dinner.  I decided to make a green almond gelatin that tasted better than it looked.


Today,  I was thinking about the four leaf clover and how we use to think it was lucky if you found one.  I wonder if anyone has actually found one.  We spent many a summer day, looking in the grass for four leaf clovers.  Who knew that clovers were weeds and not appreciated by grass aficionados.  We have an acre of "blue grass grown by hydro seeds and I'll tell you, if there is a patch of clovers in the beginning of spring on our lawn, there won't be any by the next month.


Here's wishing that you have a life of finding four leaf clovers, where ever you look.    Please let me know how you are doing on this St. Patrick's day.

Do you gather?

I have been posting my paintings and trying my hand at writing on gather.com for a year now.  The site will pay you points  for the amount of views or comments on your post. When you have a certain amount of points, you can cash them out for gift cards or cash to your paypal account.  If you would like to join gather or check it out, click here to join.

I just finished my first painting in 2010.  While walking through conservation land, there was a beautiful fresh water stream flowing through the marshes.  Here is my take on the stream with moss growing on the top of the water.

I will be posting this painting on gather as well.  Thank you for viewing.

My Painting "Lavender Farm in Tuscany" is featured in Redgage.com

Wahoo! I was honored today by having Redgage.com feature my painting "Lavender Farm in Tuscany" on their "Featured Section."  With it, brought a flurry of views to my painting and comments from some very kind followers.  One of the comments that I received said, "I can almost smell it."  Truly that is one of the best compliments that I have received, as words made my painting come alive.    


The lavender plants are abundant in Tuscany.  They are full, round and fragrant full.  Tiny yellow bees hover over the plant; transporting honey from plant to hive.  This painting makes me feel at home.  I know that there is a farm like this in my future.  


What do you think about owning a lavender farm in Tuscany?  

Hugs with so much meaning

I love hugging and being hugged.  On the first day of our trip to California, we arrived just in time to pick up my niece who is in the 3rd grade.  We went to her school as the children were being dismissed.  She was walking with her back pack. When she saw us, she ran and gave me the biggest hug.  I could see it in her face and could feel it in her hug, how happy she was to see us.

Today, I felt many different types of hugs.  As my sister was returning to work after a four day hiatus, she gave me the longest heartfelt hug.  I will admit, at one point I was about to pull out of our hug, but could feel that she wasn't ready to let go.  The hug ended with tears in our eyes.  Though we will see each other here and there as we live across the united states.  The miles that separate us from seeing each other on a whim is so great that it is hard to say goodbye.  Her son gave me the ol' boys hug. pat pat, yeah, yeah, ok, goodbye.

The other hug was from her daughter as we brought her to school.  As she was going into the building she gave me that "lovey" hug that young girls give unconditionally.

Take the time today to give someone/something a hug with meaning in it and share that hug with me in the comment section.

Raffle Drawing Winner

On February 1st, I started my first "A New Beginning" Raffle Contest.  The raffle prize was   a Valentine Bead Set, includes 56 words, 12 accent beads and 10 feet of cord.  I am happy to announce that the Winner is Heather.   Heather has been contacted and the Valentine beads have been mailed.   Thank you to everyone that commented and joined to follow this blog.  






Roses are Red, 
Violets are Blue, 
Sugar is sweet 
and so are you.  

My first Paraffin and I'm hooked!

My girlfriend had given me a gift certificate to Elizabeth Grady Salon for a paraffin and manicure, in 2007.  With three boys and activities galore, I found it hard to take time for myself.  Fast forward three years later, I realized that I had not cashed in on my gift certificate, so I made an appointment and today I went in to have a manicure and paraffin.  It was my first paraffin and I'm hooked.

When you enter Elizabeth Grady, you are immediately transported into a zen environment with soft music humming in the background.  The walls are pristine and lined with a few of the Elizabeth Grady products. 

My manicurist brought me to a private room.  She began by soaking one of my hands in a warm soapy bowl of water and on the other hand, she filed and buffed my nails. After drying my hands, she applied a hand cream and massaged my lower arms, hands and fingers.  I could feel the tension slowly dissipating from my fingers with each massage.  Next came the paraffin.  She had two warm bags of paraffin, a warm melted thick wax. As she placed my hands' into the paraffin bags, she continued to massage the warm wax into my hands and wrists.  Each hand was then placed in a terry cloth mitt, and I was allowed to sit and relax.  When she took the paraffin off, I could not believe how moisturized my hands looked and felt.  

I chose to have my nails painted with a light soft pink nail polish.  She painted one clear bottom coat enriched with vitamins, 2 layers of light pink nail polish and one layer of fast drying top coat.  I was then allowed to sit and relax as my nail polish set.  The hardest part of my afternoon, was putting on my coat and taking the keys out of my pocket.  I didn't want to smudge my newly painted nails.  The whole process took an hour of my day and was well worth it.  Note: Elizabeth Grady Salon caters to both men and women.

I highly recommend taking the time to pamper yourself, especially during this Valentine month.  Look what I just did, I stretched a celebration day into a month.  If it's not with a manicure, then I would suggest a bubble bath with a good book and a hot cup of tea.  Another idea is to drive to an Audubon area and take a walk or just sit and reflect. 

 Do you have an ideas on how to pamper yourself? 

My Dad had heart

I entered a contest at Ice.com.  My entry is "My Dad had heart".  please click here and go over and vote for my submission. you have to be logged into facebook to vote.  I appreciate all of the support.

Loving Valentine's Day

For as long as I can remember, I have always loved Valentine's Day.  I get giddy when I see pink, red, hearts, and roses.  


When I was younger, my dad would buy his four daughters these red heart jelly chewy candy from a local candy shop, Mrs. Nelson's, located in Chelmsford, Mass.   When I go into Mrs. Nelson's to buy my boys their Valentine candies, I get a tinge of nostalgia and miss my dad and his sweet ways.


When my boys were growing up, I would decorate the kitchen with red hearts.  On Valentine's morning, I would make cinnamon rolls and serve them on these adorable ceramic heart conversation plates.  I would make a big red heart card made of construction paper.  And like their christmas ornament collection, I started a heart collection for them.  Each year, I would find a heart product that I just wanted them to have.  They have paper weights, pillows, and other heart trinkets. 


For many years, I hosted a valentine's card making party.  It was a brunch with a variety of paper products for everyone to share.  We would all make two cards during this brunch.  One to keep and the other to put into our "yankee valentines card swap".   I have a collection of cards that I've made and a set of those that other friends have made.  


What do you do to celebrate Valentine's Day?    Comment below by 2/8/10, for your chance to win a Valentine raffle.  The raffle prize will be a Valentine Bead Set, includes 56 words, 12 accent beads and 10 feet of cord.

Celebrating A New Beginning

When I started this blog, I had expectations that I would be able to blog every day.  As it is, I have many ideas or topics to blog about, but there are days that keep me away from the computer.  I have come to realize that this is not a bad thing in my life.  Everything needs a time and place.  Projects need to be prioritized.  The more that I am away from the computer; the more that I am doing something to experience life.   


Scheduled appoints are easy to keep. They have set parameters.  When you're an at home mom, each day is different.  When I choose to do one thing, often other things will slide.


Do you have a list of things that you want to accomplish each day?  do you set specific times for those tasks?  Feel free to let me know.


~~ Celebrating A New Beginning.  I placed the 15 names that  follow this blog, as of today, into a hat and pulled one name.  Marsha is the winner of a new journal.  

Thank you to all of you for being so kind to follow my blog.  I appreciate it.  Please tell your friends to follow as I will be raffling a  $25.00 American Express Gift Card when I have 100 followers. 

The best things in life are free

One of the most spectacular thing that happens every day in Key West is the magnificent sunsets that begins at 5:50 p.m.  It's free for the viewing and happens slow enough for the human eye to enjoy.  


We watched the sun set from two locations.  The first was on the rooftop of  the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Duval St.  They have a rooftop bar.  If you want a bar stool and table, I recommend that you go at 5:00 p.m. 

The second spot was at the pier.  There is a bar the length of the pier that caters each night to the happy hour sunset clientele.  Each night they have several bands that play for the crowd.  I recommend going at 5:30 and getting a bench along the railing.  The color of the tables and stools were painted in bright pastels.  I enjoyed the visual setting.  

While we were watching the sun set along the pier, there was a man on a surfboard weaving back and forth.  When he came closer to the pier, he told us that he was from Cuba and thanked us for allowing him to live in the United States.  Here is a picture of him.  I love how it became a silhouette.  


When we are in Maine, we often watch the sun set.  Infact, my husband makes it a point to sit by the dock and enjoy the spectacular colors of the sky.  Why is it that during the regular week, we don't take the time to watch the sun set?  


If you have experienced a fantastic sunset, let me know where and when.  I appreciate your comments.

Freebie Lovers

I just added a link under my header called "Freebie Lovers".  I post freebies to "momster.com" which is a beta site for Family Circle Magazine.  If you would like to get freebies, check it out.  You might have to sign up and get an avatar logo. (Mine is 3boysmom)   I check most of the freebies out as I personally do not like "spam" type lures.   I hope you enjoy the freebies that I find.  Click on the pink link above and enjoy!


Note: not responsible for the freebies posted by other members of momster.com

My Heart Beats

Waking up at 4 am to see the world around me being sprinkled with fresh white snow was not how I wanted to start my vacation.  Luckily for my husband and I, though there was only one runway open, we were able to leave the tundra within a few hours of our scheduled flight.

  Once we landed and saw the beauty of our destination, we were able to relax and enjoy the sights.  I saw, met and experienced so many wonderful things. 

 The one that struck me the most can be displayed by this statue in the heart of Key West.  This is how I felt vacationing with my husband. Larger than life.  The center of his attention.  Classy, elegant and special.  This is what our marriage is all about; the perfect dance partner.  A fairy tale with pages being written before our very eyes.  We share endless conversations, sprinkled with a lot of humor.  There is love and acknowledgement when we connect with our eyes.  We are blessed.

Hopefully, many of you have moments like these.  I would love to hear your larger than life moment.

I wrote this poem for my husband in July 2009.  After 24 years of marriage, my heart beats.

~~~

HEARTBEATS

I am sitting at the other end of the table.

I turn my head to hear what you have to say;

Your blue eyes penetrate my heart and soul.

I smile.

You catch my eye and smile in half sentence.

You are mine. I am yours.

My heartbeats.

Crab Fest Gathering

While out in San Francisco, my sister had Dungeness Crabs for dinner.  It was so good that she mentioned it in an e-mail to us and there spawned a saturday night crab fest.  


The crabs were purchased in Boston and steamed at my sister's home.  Our friend, May sauteed a few of the crabs with ginger and scallions.  The sauteed crab had a delicious aroma and taste.   The rest of the family chipped in and brought different dishes to compliment the crab fest.  I made egg rolls and a rice with spinach and chopped chinese sausage.  


For our family, it only takes an inkling to get us to drop everything and gather.  I love how everyone chips in and brings a dish.  On a night like today, there were many other savory foods for those that didn't want to eat crabs.  I realized that eating crabs is a very social experience as you have to have patients in getting all of the meat out of the body and legs.  There is room for talking as you are dismembering the crab.  My sister was deliriously happy with the crabs.  The meat was very sweet and tender.  May's husband said that when his wife heard that we were eating crabs, she said "I'm there."


Do you have a meal that you gather for, I would love to hear about your food fest.

One day rolls right into the next.

Have you ever been so busy that one day seems to roll right into the next and before you know it, the end of the week is here!   I had that happen to me this week.  Here it is TGIF and I haven't written in days. 


In the beginning of the week, I had to ponder on whether to apply for a job position that would have been a no-brainer for me to do. After speaking with my sister, I realized that though this job position would have been easy, it would not have allowed me to continue on my path of finding new beginnings.  The decision became easy, I chose to stay with my creative side.  


On that day, with simply speaking to my sister, my new business was formed.  I am in the process of building a business and will supply more information as soon as all of the parts and pieces are put together.  Each day, I work on a few items to get the business ready.  I am filled with excitement and the ideas are flowing through my mind, endlessly.


I have met many writers on gather that are working on their book/manuscript.  I know that when you are passionately writing from your heart, the days will roll into one.  


Have you ever worked on a project that made the days roll from one to another?  I'd love to hear from you on this subject, feel free to comment below. 


ps.  I just learned that I am being highlighted on Venusity's blog click here.  She appreciated the conversation of being a "skirt" kind of girl.  Check it out as she has highlighted other blogs that you might find interesting.

I'm a skirt kind of girl

Picture on left: Ally MacGraw in Love Story


Today it was in the 20's, very cold with no wind.  Most mornings when I wake up, I chose to wear a skirt.  Today was no exception.  In the winter, I love wearing a skirt with a bulky sweater and thick opaque tights with boots.  Depending upon the wind factor and the amount of errands that I have to run, I choose my coat length accordingly.  


A friends husband asked his wife to wear more skirts.  She said she didn't feel comfortable wearing skirts.  It is all about the comfort and what makes you feel good.   I could be all dressed up and be cleaning my home or blogging on the computer.  
What type of clothes makes you feel comfortable? 


 What kind of girl are you?

Technology at its' best

This weekend my sister went out to california to visit our youngest sister.  While she was there, She was able to set up a webcam on their home computer.  We were able to talk to each other using Skype.


This is definitely technology at its' best.  Who would have thought that not only could we see each other and talk to each other, but there would be no additional cost.  If you have not yet used Skype, you're missing out, especially if you have family that you do not see on a regular basis.   The best thing about skype, is that the program lets the people on your call list know that you are on line and available, even if you're busy checking emails.


Today, my son in Montreal skyped me to let me know that he had fun on his ski trip to Mont Tremblant.  I was able to see his face and know that he didn't get frost bite, (a mother's fear for her son's beautiful face) while snowboarding during the bitter cold weekend.


Even if you do not have a webcam, you can sign up for skype and talk to your friends and family at no cost through the microphone in your computer.  Skype has the ability to do conference calls without the video portion.  Here is the website link:  www.skype.com


Feel free to share your favorite technology?

Reach out and touch, somebody's hand

Traditions create the most amazing life experience.  My son is in the process of getting his confirmation. Today, his class was responsible for greeting the patrons, collecting the offerings, bringing up the offerings and passing out the bulletin.  The confirmation teacher/leader and two mother's, myself and my friend were proud at how mature the teens behaved. 


In our family, we hold hands with each other during mass, while praying the Our Father.  Tonight, five teenage boys and two girls held hands during the prayer.  The teacher was surprised by this gesture.  She thought it was endearing.  I asked her if she does it normally with her family and she said, "no."   I told her that last week my son did this with two of his friends during mass.  In a world where it is not cool for teenage boys to hold their friends hands, it is an accepted gesture of bonding while praying.


Last week, I asked him why they dropped holding hands so quickly.  He replied that his friends' hand was sweaty.  Ok, so the gesture was there and the teen boy tolerance level kicked in also.


"Reach out and touch, somebody's hand, make this world a better place, if you can...." Diana Ross

Savor the Flavor.

Do you have a food item that you don't eat that often, but when you do, you savor the flavor?   My cousin makes a seven treasure steamed dessert that evokes this feeling.  When she brings it to family parties, everyone comments how much they love the dessert.


When I go to the mall, I stop in at the Godiva Store.  They have a wonderful program that allows you to sample their chocolate selection.  In fact, if you join their free club, you can have a free sample once a month.  The other day I went in and picked a praline truffle to sample.  I forgot that I had it and today, while I was doing errands, I saw the tiny Godiva bag in my purse.  The praline truffle (dark chocolate truffle rolled in chopped nuts) tasted heavenly.  


I've included the link to sign up for the club.  Hopefully, you have a Godiva Store that crosses your path, every once in a while.  Godive Store Club  Treat yourself.  You deserve it!


Let me know your special treat that you savor.

It's all about Attitude with a Capital A.

Two days in a row, my sister and I shopped at various stores.  Two days in a row, we saw employees, visibly hating their jobs. I can't imagine the wear and tear that such unhappiness would have on your body and mind. One employee was disturbed that I interrupted her stare into space to ask about a price check.  Clearly, she couldn't help me as she was too busy focusing on air.   I won't dwell on the negative, instead, I'll share what I saw and experienced at lunch.

My sisters and I met at the Cheesecake Factory for lunch.    As one of my sisters and I were walking in from the Mall side of the restaurant, we saw my oldest sister at the hostess station waving us in.  When we approached her, the hostess said, "Lunch for three sisters, follow me" with a huge smile.   She brought us to the table and proceeded to tell all of the waitstaff that we were "three sisters" having lunch, as if, "three sisters lunching" was a novel idea.  Her cheery approach made me comment to one of my sisters, "Did you hear what she said to the staff?  Three sisters having lunch." I said with a giggle.

Our waitress was adorable. She was patient and kind as we were engrossed in each others conversation, instead of the menu.  After our bill was paid, we continued to talk as if we were in one of our own homes. I often say that my sisters and I don't have to go anywhere special to bond, we just love to be together, any where, to talk.  Note: For those foodie lovers, we shared the mini artichoke hearts and the Thai lettuce Wrap.  Unfortunately, I never get to order the cheesecake as I am always too full from the lunch.

The waitress came over to fill our water glass.  I looked up and apologized for staying longer than we should have and told her that we would leave in just a minute.  She said that it was ok that we stayed, and I commented that she was losing out on a potential customer and tip.  She looked at  me with a smile and said, "That is the cutest thing I've heard.  No one has ever said that to me or cared. You can stay as long as you want."  With that sweet little comment, we were able to wrap-up our conversation.  My oldest sister gave our  deserving waitress an additional New Year's bonus for kindness.

It is the smallest gesture of kindness and a wonderful attitude that will get you far in life.

Share with me your snippet of people with a great attitude that has made your day.

Waking up to the scent of citrus

There are certain scents that give you that good old feeling. I particularly love citrus scents as I am allergic to strong flowery scents found in perfumes and candles.  

 In the morning, I use a product from Origins, called "Gloom Away." Funny how the fresh citrus scent of grapefruit can take the gloom away from a hazy morning. I use the scrub and love how it makes my skin feel.  

I also love using the Origins shampoo, "Clear Head" that is fresh and minty.  Perfect for clearing your sinuses in a hot shower. This super large bottle lasts for a year. If you sign up on the Origins website, they will send you a birthday coupon that I look forward to using every year.   (note:These products can be purchased at www.origins.com or in a local Origins store.)

Other scents that are pleasing to me are the scent of a sweet baby, Johnson's baby powder and lotion, the scent of baked bread,  and fresh baked cookies.  

Feel free to comment on the scents that are pleasing to you?

30 degrees with no sign of snow until the weekend

I'm celebrating the fact that I went outside to do errands today and didn't feel the bitter cold that a 30 degree temperature could bring.  There was no wind chill, which helped to make the day feel bearable.  The icicles along my kitchen window were melting and dripping.

While walking to CVS, a few snowflakes fell.  One landed on my eyelash.  I blinked to see if it would move and it stayed on the same eyelash and then melted when I entered the store. One snowflake landed on my cheek and gave it a tiny sting before melting. It felt like a kiss from heaven.  In March, you will hear me complain about the snow and my dreams of it all going away, but today I relish Mother Nature's gift.   What makes them drop from the sky in different lacy patterns?  Why is it so much fun to collect them on your tongue?

If you have never felt snowflakes touch your skin while spiraling down from the sky, you should make it a point to visit one of the many states that has snowfalls in the winter/spring.  I heard this morning that a town in upstate New York has over 4 feet of snow and it has been snowing for 9 days straight.    I'm sure they are not "feeling" the beauty of snow, as I am right now.

The next time a snowflake lands on your cheek or eyelashes, stop and think about the beauty.  Hopefully, it lands while you are on your way out to meet friends versus on your way out to shovel snow for the 10th time of the day.

Share your thoughts about touch with me below.
Tomorrow, I will focus on the scents around me.

Giveaway: Brand New Journal

Giveaway: Brand New Journal

For anyone that joins my blog and comments here as well as on my gather article: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?grpId=3659174697259029&articleId=281474977975895&nav=Groupspace.

your name will be entered in a drawing that will end on 1/31/10 for a brand new journal.  good luck.

Do you hear what I hear?

1/3/09,  It snowed all day today and I had the opportunity to enjoy the lazy day and take a wonderful nap.  When it snows, I often hear the crack of a tree branch in the woods as the snow weighs heavily on its arm.

I heard three amazing things today that I wanted to share with you.  The first was in church, during the youth mass.  The youth choir and band surrounded the mass with songs.  It was when the two young soloists sang, that I actually shifted my seat to take a look at the girls singing their solo parts, with angel like voices.  I fully appreciated their vocal range and talents in singing.  When you hear something so beautiful, it warms your heart to the point that you stop the world around you to take in the beauty of the sound.

The second was during the homily when the priest said, "To show up and be there is not the only thing in life, you need to engage.  Do something to help, to take part."  I heard this loud and clear.  Each day, I need to do one thing to help someone else.  I know that I do this on a daily basis with my family, but will make it a point to reach out to someone else, each day.

Finally, we decided to have dinner at a local diner, "Julie's Place."  When we entered the establishment, the waitress greeted me, with such warmth, brightness and happiness.  She said "Welcome back, it's been a while since you've been here.  I've missed seeing you. Did you get a new coat for Christmas?"  My husband made a joking comment about "She doesn't need christmas to get new coats."  I was taken back by all of this, not by the words that she had said, but by the fact that I looked at her face and didn't recognize her. ( A topic that I am sure will be shared in a future post about aging and memory.) When I was finally able to absorb the words that she said; I realized the importance of being kind to people as they will remember it and will return the kindness back in the future.   Her words and actions throughout the night made for a very sweet and memorable dinner.

Feel free to comment on something that you heard that you would like to remember.
Tommorow's goal is to find the beauty in Touch.

A bit of butter, salt and love sprinkled in.

Although, this is dated 1/4/10, the experience happened on 1/2/10.  I wanted to focus on Taste, to find something that I thought would be memorable.  Too often we go through life, flying from day to day without stopping to experience life's gifts.

I had sent an email to all of my friends and family with a free 4.00 credit to amazon.com video on demand. I suggested that they watch the movie, Julia and Julia.  If you haven't seen it yet, I suggest that you do.  It is light, funny, enjoyable and a feel good movie.  Be prepared to be hungry in the end.

My sister decided to have a potluck game night at her house.  She told me that she was making Beef Bourguignon.  I suggested that she watch the movie, Julia and Julia.  She should then make the Julia Child's version, as the movie made the recipe "to die for."  My older sister decided to make "Coq au Vin" to round out the french culinary meal.

Both sister's labored through Julia's recipe.  My sister that made the Beef Bourguignon shared these words with her guests, "Enjoy this dinner as I will never be making this again.  It had too many steps and was not easy to make."   The Beef bourguignon was tender, tasty and most importantly, made with love.
The Coq au Vin, was just as delicious and again, made with labor of love.  So, is it the taste or the love put behind a dish that is important in life?  I tasted the love that my sisters poured into their dishes that made it ever more so memorable.  It is something that I will remember forever in life.

Feel free to share something a memorable tasting moment.
Tomorrow's journey, will focus on Hearing.