Wonderful Concert..

Yep, another Granddaughter blog...We went to her Spring concert and it was wonderful..She had a few solos..Hard getting pictures since it was quite dark in the school..
This chorus is truly wonderful..She is also in the Chamber chorus and they have preformed at the State House, as well as many other places in Maine. The music teacher is out of the ordinary and just a wonderful man..His love for his students and music shows and we are so impressed.
The girls all wear gowns and the boys are in tuxes..It gives them a sense of pride and they act very professional. They are held accountable on their appearance, which is
impressive..
I feel it is always nice to give the youth of today a nice review, because we hear so much negative about them..Yes, I know, one is our granddaughter and are we are very proud of her.
Well, this bragging will continue tomorrow, today we have two little granddaughters receiving their sacraments..Hope you all feel the love and pride in my blog...

Till next time, keep looking up..

The Power of Positive Thinking..

In our world today, it is so easy to be negative, I thought I would list a few positive sentences. Something to think about and to give them a try.
These are from Donny Deutsch, Do's and Don'ts...

Follow Your Passion..every successful person has to do what they love..
Don't Be Afraid of Failure..You can't get greatness, if you don't fail sometimes.
Don't Every Give Up..Take your knocks, pick yourself up and keep going..

One of the biggest do's is ..Just Do It..How many of us, have wonderful ideas and never put them to use..We talk about them and never do it, for whatever reason.

It isn't easy sometimes, but I don't think you would appreciate success if it was easy.Half of the fun in succeeding is getting there.

Hope these little lessons help us all get to where we want to be..

Till next time, keep looking up..

Today, I should be on the Big Island, Hawaii..

Because of all the vog there we canceled our trip. Husband has had heart problems and wouldn't take a chance. Will go to Maui, later this year.
So , todayI share my pictures of Maui and you will see why we love the island..


Till next time, keep looking up..

St. Francis

St. Francis near the flowering bush..I think he looks so nice there..I have moved him all over the yard..but Cara/Jim put him here..and I am very pleased with the look..
Course it wouldn't hurt if I did a little weed whacking next to him, but afraid I might whack him in half..As I have already stated, nothing is safe when I have a weed whacker in hand..
Don't worry St. Francis, I will control myself and keep away..



Till next time, keep looking up..

Shadow Shot..

Hey Harriet, had shadow shot Sunday..So I am giving it a try..Hope you like it..
Thought it was appropriate for this weekend..






till next time, keep looking up..

Another Tribute for Memorial Day.

This tribute is more personal and truly left a scar on my heart..
Specialist Christopher Gelineau..23 years old..died in Mosul, Iraq on April 20, 2004.
The 100th soldier to die in the month of April.
He was in the 133rd Engineer Battalion of the Maine Army National Guard..
Chris and his wife, Lavina, went to college with my youngest daughter and her husband..The four of them were very dear friends..So Chris, today I thank you for all you did to protect our freedom..




Till next time, keep looking up..

God Bless America..

This weekend we celebrate Memorial Day...I dedicate this blog to all our men and woman that are giving their lives for our freedom...God Bless You All...

Till next time, keep looking up..

Fingerprint Friday.

Fingerprint Friday was started by PamperingBeki and it has to do with a song Fingerprints.
by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of god
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of god
And I know its true
Youre a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And youre covered with the fingerprints of god.

I am sure you have heard, Steven Curtis Chapman lost a daughter this week in a tragic accident..The only real picture of a fingerprint I thought would be appropriate
is towards heaven.

Till next time, keep looking up..

What a picture..

This picture came off the internet..I had to put it here for all to enjoy..There wasn't a name on it as to who took it..You have to admit..it gives you a good laugh.

Two different ways of looking at a fish..












Till next time, keep looking up...

Rhubarb Jam

Our rhubarb is coming in and thought I would share a fast jam recipe from a wonderful neighbor that the girls called, Granny Pinkham..She is gone now, but the love she gave to all of us, will always be in our hearts..

Rhubarb Jam
5 cups rhubarb, cut in small pieces
1 cup drained crushed pineapple
4 cups sugar
1 pack strawberry jello ( I used the small one)

Mix rhubarb, sugar and pineapple together in large kettle, let stand for 30 minutes.
Bring slowly to a boil and cook for 12 minutes, remove from heat and stir in jello till dissolved..Pour into sterilized jars..Now she has topped the jars with paraffin. Today things are done different with canning..so do as you see fit..I have to tell you, my mother only used paraffin on all her jellies/jams and never had a problem..but it is not recommended today..
This is more like a loose jam, maybe if you use the large jello package it would set firmer.
No matter what you do with it, it is delicious...

This blog is written with much love for a wonderful woman that was a blessing to this family and is dearly missed everyday of our lives...

Till next time, keep looking up..

The Theme is Orange...

The challenge this week on Skully/Jon's blog is Orange..so I will share my poppies with all of you. I haven't got that many of them .The odd thing is, I got them to grow from seeds, yet I can't do it again. Tells a little about my gardening skills, as you can see, there are a few weeds with the poppies.
Last year, I did a pastel painting of poppies, before I got into the Angels..Hey, I might try an angel with poppies..Poppies from heaven..Now there is a thought. Who would have thought this orange challenge would have sent me in another direction..Thanks Skully/Jon...
Now here is their link, be sure you check out all the beautiful pictures they have in orange...Autonomousartisans

Till next time, keep looking up....

Tagged...Lord, help me...

Have been tagged and you are all in for a ride..

Hello you have been tagged blog buddy!

You know the drill, 7 obscure facts, tag 7 people.

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

7 Facts You May Or May Not Know About Me...


1. Started blogging to keep sane in the winter months..

2. I am a crazy woman with a weed whacker in hand..nothing is safe.

3. In my younger day, was cleared for "Top Secret" at one of my jobs. (It was such a secret, I
didn't know a thing I was doing).

4. Can not stand partiality..even counted M&M's for the girls..all got the same amount.

5. I can whip out my "soap box" when needed..Never will on my blog..refuse to write anything
controversial..

6. Enjoy reading blogs..Everyone is different..but all wonderful..

7..Now this is last but not least..Have been in two convents studying to be a nun..Didn't stay long, in either, but long enough to know that I was not meant to be a nun...Putting up a picture of my last convent..I am the middle one..This photographer won a few awards with this picture...

In my heart I tag you all, I just don't have the nerve to put it in your comments on your blogs..

Thank you Briannuh/Tatyana for tagging me, even though it caused me to let out a yell and my husband to come running..

Till next time, keep looking up...

Ruby -Throated Hummingbirds..

There have been a few pictures, in an email, of a woman and all these Hummingbirds
eating out of her hands..I put up two pictures for you to see..Now they say, she is in a Hummingbird zone and maybe that makes a difference..I can only tell you this..at my Hummingbird feeder, they dive bomb each other and make sure they don't share a drop of food..I have been watching them for quite a few years and it is always the same thing..Had one female sit on a bush and she made sure no one would get near the feeder..soon as they did, she was after them..I took a picture of a male eating, before another came after him..I have been trying to get pictures, but they are too fast for me.
In the spring, I always know when they arrive..one will fly to my door, where I have the feeder every year, then fly away..Letting me know they are here.
As far as sharing, my little friends haven't learned that yet..Have to admit, they do make bird watching exciting.

Till next time, keep looking up..

Wonderful Pictures.

Our life is in such a rush, we sometimes forget to feel the love that is all around us..Hope these pictures make you feel that tender moment.



There is nothing more beautiful than a Mother's love...these pictures say it all..Enjoy.


Till next time, keep looking up..

Fingerprint Friday..

This picture is about a story in Guidepost around 1980. As the story went..Bud Ward a photographer, was recovering from a stroke..He heard a fire alarm go in and went to check out the fire..He then took many pictures of the building..When he was looking at the slides, one of his children came in and asked what Jesus was doing in the building...As he said and I quote, "I took this picture on the 5th day of the 12th month, at 5 minutes after 12. It is the 5th slide of 7..I cannot explain why I took the pictures or what people see in them..I leave the interpretation up to you."
So on this Fingerprint Friday, with Bud Wards picture, I leave the interpretation up to all of you..
My thoughts, when we think we have no hope, something like this picture renews my fire....

Oh, I didn't tell you, Bud Ward's physician said, "This is the first time in my 23 years of practice that I have seen such a spontaneous recovery from a stroke"..

Till next time, keep looking up..

This Fingerprint Friday is all due to PamperingBeki..every week she has a challenge..I can't thank her enough..just a positive blog, check it out for yourself...

Mercury Retrograde is coming...

Just a short note to tell you Mercury Retrograde in Gemini, will be here May 26th to June 19..
I think it is fun to watch and pay close attention to the things you do during this time..They tell you it is all about redoing...replanning, reanything..Sometimes, during this time, if you buy something new/sign contracts you may have to get things redone..Whether you believe in Astrology or not, it is fun to see where this planet will take you..write things down and see if Mercury has caused a little upset.
During the retrograde I will do the same..then we can compare notes.
Always remember, the choice is yours..you rule the stars, the stars do not rule you..

Till next time, keep looking up..

Old Post Cards..

Came across these old cards, that I forgot I had..Didn't get a good picture, but thought you would enjoy the two shots I did get.
These came from my great aunts home and I have had them for a long time.
You have to admit, Christmas/New Year's cards have come a long way, but yet, these are so pretty..Have a few others, but the camera and I are not good friends.
They kind of tell us, about a time when life was much simpler.

Till next time, keep looking up..

Beautiful Pictures...

I am always amazed at the beauty of this earth..Many times taken for granted..then you get to see pictures that are out of the ordinary..and you really start to think about what art is all about..May I say, it keeps one very humble.


Till next time, keep looking up..
isn't that the truth..




These are some of the most beautiful pictures I have seen..The volcano picture is taken from Reuters/Carlos Guierrez, Chile..The other two pictures are from things on the internet..

Tree Swallows

I tried to get a few pictures of the Tree Swallows..They are building a nest in my bluebird house.
No matter what I did, I wasn't getting a good picture..so these two will give you an idea what is happening..When I get better ones, will put them on the blog..
If you could only see what I was going through to get these two shots..So happy the neighbors know me..because I would give them reason to worry..If I am not on the ground trying to get pictures of little flowers, I am in the bushes trying to get pictures of birds..I won't get near the swallows nest, they will dive bomb you..Now just picture that sight..Me running around the yard with a Tree Swallow diving at my head...

Till next time, keep looking up...

Mother's Day Blog..

This is such a beautiful story about a little fawn and a Great Dane..The little fawn was found nearly dead by animal rescue center in England. One of the worker's son had a Great Dane and the little fawn was drawn to the dog.. The Great Dane had pups and took the fawn as one of her own..The pictures tell the wonderful story...

In case you didn't see this story in the paper, I felt it was worth telling..Sometimes there is so much we can learn from animals..
Happy Mother's Day to all....

Till next time, keep looking up.

Alpaca Farm

Thought I would share a few photo's from an Alpaca Farm near us..We went there when they had open house..Never really was close to an alpaca and wanted to see the yarn they were selling..They explained that Alpacas are a herd animal and should be in groups..they really are not meant to be pets. Have to admit, they are cute..As for the yarn..I didn't get any..My knitting skills are not worthy of such wonderful stuff.

Till next time, keep looking up..

My Fingerprint Friday...

My Fingerprint Friday is for all the mothers, aunts, grandmothers and all that have helped children find their purpose on this earth..Every one of you deserve to be recognized.
I have a picture of my mom in her younger days, even though she is gone..she left a mark on me, that I hope I passed on to our girls..Respect, Love and Honesty..
So to all of you, you are my Fingerprint Friday...
Never think your job is meaningless, since it will leave one of the biggest prints on earth..


Till next time, keep looking up...

Our Little Sanctuary

In our lilac bushes we have what we call a sanctuary..which I have to clean out this spring .
The story goes, I wanted a place for all of us to sit and meditate, when we felt like doing so..So my husband, put a large stone for each one of us and took two branches and made a cross..as you can see, nothing fancy, just tied with twine..My oldest daughter was cutting the lawn at the time. My husband no sooner put the cross in place, when our daughter yelled, "Dad there is a bird here that won't get out of the way"...The bird wasn't hurt and not a pet, a wild bird..He stayed with us for the weekend. Every time the girls went outside, there he was.They would feed him bugs, didn't like seed..they called him Sanctuary..It was interesting the bird appeared at the same time the cross went up..We always considered the little bird our gift and were thankful for it visiting us all weekend. Something so small, bought so much joy..

Till next time, keep looking up..

My Fine Feathered Friends..

Every year we get a windsock filled with seeds for the goldfinches ..We get such a laugh at them, hanging upside down and anyway they can to get the seed.
I tried to get a few pictures so you all could enjoy them..

Some just wait in the bushes for a chance to get on the sock..
They are such a happy site, after a long winter..


Till next time, keep looking up...

Hand Challenge.

First are the hands of a child..The hands that are held, kissed when scraped and put around your neck to hug you..Second are the hands of thankfulness..Thankful for all we have..















Now this is going to be the third hand...One none of us want..Broken..Yep, my husband went down the stairs and has two pins in his hand...May none of you ever do this to your hands...

This blog is done because Skully on her blog, here
asked for the hand challenge..I gave it my best shot..Be sure you check out her blog...

Till next time, keep looking up..

First Grandchild's Prom..

Had to have a blog about my "first" granddaughter's prom..She is the one in the blue..her brother is on the left, my oldest grandson..and her best friend is in the other picture, both ready to dance the night away..Don't they all look wonderful?
Her name is Adara, and born in Maui, Hawaii...now in Maine. She will be graduating in June and that will be a great family event..Sometimes, I look at our girls and their families..and I am in awe...I always tell my husband, "we have had a bit of heaven on earth"...What pleases us the most, we all realize what is important, love, respect and living a decent life...When I look at Adara, Ryan, and Bridget, Adara's best friend..I am one proud grandmother..My oldest daughter and her wonderful husband have to be very proud for the job they did as parents.
This is the blog of a shameless, bragging grandmother...couldn't help myself.

Till next time, keep looking up.

One of Today's Many Heros..

The other day I read a story that left me thinking about our purpose on earth..
I am sure many of you read about the Marine that was burned over 90% of his body, had over 100 operations and fought to live, only to die this past week..He overcame
so many odds, but his battle was lost in the end. When you read his story it tells how they never thought he would live from his wounds, only to survive and start a place for children with burns..Now think about that...He lived long enough to do so much good for this earth..The suffering this man must have endured, yet he used all his suffering for something positive.
So many times we all complain about fluff..nothing..Here was a man that could have been bitter with the hand he was dealt, yet he used it to help others..He is one of my hero's and what a mark he left on this earth..

Till next time, keep looking up..

Hawaiian Royal Palm Tree

I am kind of late for the tree challenge..but better late, than never..
This is the Hawaiian Royal Palm. A friend that is Hawaiian, told me, it was for only the Hawaiian Royalty..A beautiful tree and it has a regal look to it. Has red like berries with seed in them. You can just make them out near the bottom of the tree..

I thought this was a worthy tree for the tree challenge..hope you all enjoy it.


Till next time, keep looking up..