Dandelion

While taking a walk today and looking at all the blooms that spring had to offer me today, I came across this dreaded character. You know the one, it pops up all over the yard masquerading as a "flower." I found this little clump out by my mailbox, and when I did I had to admit how pleasing to the eye it appeared. I thought to myself, awww, it is kinda pretty. They were created by my God, so they HAVE to be good for something. Unless it's just part of His good humour. I do believe my Lord has a sense of humor, but I also know that during His time spent creating He never wasted one moment or one teeny tiny bloom. I knew we could eat them, that's a plus. So, I said to myself, "Self, get online and look 'em up!" So I did. I was very excited when I found out just how healthy they are for us!!! God gave them to us for that purpose, I sincerely believe, among many other reasons I'm sure. Maybe it's just me and I've been in the dark, but I was very excited to learn more about this sweet intruder. Thank you Lord for little dandelions. I will never again look at them the same. Following I copied down what the word "dandelion" actually means. And also I'm placing two websites on here that you can look up and see just what all this little booger can do. PLEASE, do look at these two sites. They are very informative.

The dandelion is one of the most common and recognizable weeds. The official name for the dandelion is "Taraxacum officinale", which means "official remedy for disorders". There are many common names for dandelions, including priest's crown, Irish daisy, monk's head, telltime, blowball, and lion's tooth. http://www.pesticide.org/dandelions.html http://www.my-garden-supplies.com/garden_tips_folder/dandelions.htm I am adding another website that Mary beth told me about. It tells of medicinal uses and also that it's a registered drug in Canada, a diuretic I believe. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dandelion

Christmas in Springtime

The joy of Christmas I believe is a condition of the heart. The joy of giving and of sharing can be felt year round. So I'm going to have a give-a-away to celebrate Christmas in Spring. To be entered for the give-a-way, post your message and tell me how we can have the joy of Christmas light the world year round. April 3rd I will pick a winner. The snowman lamp holds a tealight candle to help the winner light the world with the joy of Christmas EVERY day!

DISHIN' UP DREAMS

Little tin dishes, dressed in their Sunday best. Adorned with tiny blushing flowers. As I wash them, I imagine my life in detail, how I'll be when I'm a grown up. I stop and dip the teacup in the white porcelain dishpan of rinse water, I peek over my shoulder to make sure grandma's not watching and then take a long drink from the cup. I'll pretend it's coffee, yes, it's coffee now. I'm a grown up.
The dishes are washed. I take a walk down the drive, stopping along the creek bank to pick "sour grass". This will be my supper. I push my baby carriage with my sweet baby, she's sleeping softly. I'm a good mommy, I feed her and change her clothes.
Time to eat. The old maple tree stump is my kitchen table. I set my tiny tin dishes on the table and prepare for supper.
Washing the dishes again, I dry them and put them away. I wash my baby's dress in the porcelain dish pan. I gently twist it the way grandma does, and hang it on the line with big peoples clothes. It makes me feel real adult to hang the dress on the clothes line.
The sun is setting, the fireflies begin to blink. I run to catch them. I feel like a little girl again. The day is done. Me and grandma sit on the porch swing, she starts out singing The Old Rugged Cross. As I chime in, I'm happy that I'm a little girl. Today when I look at my little tin dishes, I feel like that same little girl.

Many years ago.....

She was a young girl in love first, then she became my grandma. Here is the story.
About two years ago me and my family cared for my grandpa not long before he passed away. We kept him at home so he was more comfortable and it was such an honor to be able to care for him, each day was precious. I was always close to my grandma, she passed away about 17 years ago. I never thought of grandma or even seen her in any other role other than, "grandma". She'd always been my grandma, she'd always be a grandma. Her and grandpa weren't rich. But they were better off than most people, they always had been. Or had they? Well, here's where the story takes a different turn. Late one night while taking care of papa I got bored and went to the closet. I began to feel and dig around on the top shelf. I found mine and grandma's old checker board and pulled it out. As I did, a heartshaped valentine candy box fell out. I bent down to pick it up. I shook it, I could tell something was in it, so of course I had to be nosy. I knew if there was any candy left it would probably have some type of personality by now. Ewww, scarrrry. I set it down on the bed and removed the lid. A stack of worn and yellowed envelopes lay inside. I squinted to read the faded lead pencil writing on the paper. It read Sylvia Mullins, Hazard Kentucky. Hmmm, that was grandma's maiden name. I pulled one out and it was addressed to my grandpa. I began to read the letters inside and I got to know a very young couple, who was deeply in love. Letters from her to him and from him to her. What a love story began to unfold. They letters began again, on into their marriage, when he had to go out of state to find work. They were then a struggling young family, trying hard to make ends meet. I seen them both in a whole new light. I got to know a side of my grandma that I had never known before. She had been a young woman once, deeply in love. She became a wife, and a mother. In one letter papa told her to have RJ milk the cow for her and shoot some coal out because she had been sick and papa was in Virginia. The next letter I read, grandma said the cow had went dry and the man couldnt shoot the coal out because he'd cut his finger off and was in a bad way himself. I had a wave of emotions reading these letters. They are precious to me. Out of all the nice things of my grandmothers that I have, this little heartshaped valentine box is the greatest treasure of all.

Handknit socks

This is my second favorite pair of socks. First time I used this Opal yarn and I love, love, love it! My favorite pair of socks are made in this same pattern only their ivory colored. I did the ribbing all down the front of the sock to where the toe begins. I thought it makes for a more interesting sock. This yarn is awesome though, I can't wait to get some more!

My sweetheart

Here's my husband, getting ready to go out the door. He's going in early because one of the officers was in a foot pursuit. He is a wonderful husband, and my best friend. He's a good father too. Well, I'll have to come back in a bit and finish working on my blog. My grandbabies just got here. Well, I had fun with the grandkids. Seems like Owen learns more everyday.

Like I was saying, I'm married to a wonderful man. He's very busy and I hate that we don't get to spend much time together with his schedule and the kids. But I'm thankful for every minute. I love him very much, and it was honestly, LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT! No joking. But I love him more today than I did 26 years ago. I am blessed to have him, and I thank my God for him today and everyday. I love you honey!!!

Baby Eli

Eli was smiling and cutting up a sight. He was soooo happy to be home. He missed everyone, he kept holding his tiny hands out and grabbing our faces. As you can see from the incision it was a very invasive surgery. The incision is from one ear all the way around to the other. And he's one tough little man to be as happy as he is. He's had a rough start in life, but he's a real trooper. Eli's mommy is my youngest sister. We're very close, and I worry about her like I do with my own children. But she done really well through it all, her and her hubby both. Me and Jenni (my sis) are very close, and I'm so very proud of her. She's such a good mommy, and I love her very much. As a person, she's probably the best person I know. She has a good heart, a BIG heart! And she's caring, faithful, honest, and the best sister or friend a person could want. I'm so blessed to have her in my life. It hurt me to see her worry about little Eli, but of course we were all scared and worried. I thank the Lord for my family. I know that God has big plans for our little Eli.