I decided to head to the east side of the state (where I was born)…I went to the beach!! Lake Huron in Port Huron…right by Fort Gratiot lighthouse. I brought a book, a beach towel, and a pop…yes, I am a Michigander!!

The beach leads down to the rocky shore just the way I remember. I did not test out the water since I remember how cold it can be even in August!! But there were a few families there with little ones of 2 or 3…wading and playing in the water. They were having the best time!!

I loved seeing the lighthouse. I had 2 different 4th grade classes that went on field trips there…so interesting! The pictures show the Blue Water Bridge in the background…heading straight for Canada.

On the way home, I stopped at the Coney Island in Port Huron…a wonderful landmark for anyone who ever lived there. I took my lunch to Marysville just south of Port Huron and sat along the river enjoying the lovely day before heading back home to reality!!

Going ‘back home again’ is always a delight!!

Happy Parenting!

D and C

love

Every single bite of food was amazing! From scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and wonderful potatoes to jambalaya, shrimp and grits, beef and mashed potatoes, and prime rib. Then to a salad station and a bread station. After eating all this and having unending mimosas…upstairs to a dessert station!! I had bananas foster for the first time…yum!!!

S and L

C and S

Then the architecture…just incredible! Brunch is served in all of the many different rooms….a fireplace in each one, elegant service, happy people. I’d do it again in a minute:))

this is a ceiling!!

stairways and railings...

Maybe you remember how I love piano music….:)  The piano player was stationed right next to us, and I was delighted by his masterful playing along with his absolutely engaging personality ( he just loved playing!)….

celebrating L's birthday...piano player played 'Happy Birthday' for her:))

Happy Parenting!

D and C

But I am grateful and happy for all kinds of things. So I will share some of those with you now under a temoporary name change:)))

1) I actually got to spend some time with my good buddy Bev who now lives in California…she was in the area so I went over to bug her a bit….loved every bit of it:))))

isn't she awesome?

2) I’m still enjoying the green of spring…the flowers on the trees are still hanging in there, so beautiful…and sunshine almost every day. Ahhh, lovely!

lilacs?? ....almost!

this little beauty will be huge!

another one growing its way to beauty

3) I just watched an hour-long program on TV with nothing but Nat King Cole singing. I love his mellow voice!! It made me head to the internet to see if I could find some of his songs to play on the piano!!

some of my dad's old songbooks:)

My head is still confused about how to continue my grateful pages. Hmmm, maybe I won’t name them a specific name. Maybe they’ll just appear whenever they appear!  Unless folks are looking for them, I guess that part doesn’t matter. Are you looking for them under a certain name??

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Hmmmm…I have some words to share, but whether they are actually who I am or who I would like to be …I’m not sure!

Family-oriented

Soft

Strong

Encouraging

Compassionate

Joyful

Particular

Loving

Intuitive

Determined

That’s it!! That’s all I’ve got…what do you think?? Did I sell myself? I guess that depends on …as what…right? Can you tell the subtext on some of the words??  Determined instead of stubborn…particular instead of picky…having both soft and strong together…I obviously am not sure whether my characteristics are perfect for anybody but me. But I do think I like myself as I am:))

yup, that's me:)

Happy Parenting!

D and C

We had brunch where these two will be married this summer:

C and S:

with S’s Mom and Dad:

and her brother and sister (missing one brother)

S and L:

L’s Mom (missing her brother):

This beautiful day included brunch, flowers, wine and very special gifts that only my boys would know that I would LOVE…a weather station to replace a broken one and a very simple bottle of soap with a smell that I love…They always impress me with their caring, loving ways:))

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! Splurge on yourself and have some fun….I love you lots:)))

Everyone….celebrate your moms…they deserve it!

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Today’s topic: What is your favorite quote?

That is not an easy thing for me to answer because I love inspirational quotes of all kinds. But one quote has been a part of my life for what seems like forever:

“DO WHAT’S BEST FOR KIDS!”

In all ways, at all times, by all people…this should be uppermost in all of our minds. Doing what’s right both educationally and emotionally for our kids will lead to the most important characteristics becoming those that lead these kids successfully into the future. Ignoring the academics doesn’t work, but neither does ignoring the emotional. For those who try to maintain a businesslike atmosphere in schools…shame on you! Learning comes in all forms but must be integrated into the whole person and all centers of the brain. Whether you are a parent, teacher, administrator, or businessman on the street….please use your brain and your heart to influence those who influence our children.

Whew! I guess I got that off my chest, huh?

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Anyway, today we celebrate spring in all its glory. We have had the BEST week…warm and sunny and very much appreciated:))

beautiful tulips...just a short burst of loveliness!

the special green of new leaves

some still waiting for the green, some already there!

almost ready for blooms

blossoms a-blooming:)

just amazing!

if only we could call these lil stinkers wildflowers, I'd welcome them into my lawn!

Have a delightful spring day…make the most of the beauty around you!

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Here is Scott’s

7' across and 7' down!!!

And here is Chad’s

same size

After giving my fingers a break, I decided I needed a quilt of my own. So combining F2′s shirts with some of my old shirts also…here is the front of my quilt. I haven’t decided yet what to do with the back…less than I did with the boys, I think.

this was how I started...

good, huh?

And then some up close and personal views…do you recognize any of these??

for my Monfort buddies...and Dave and Jodi:)

for F2's Teke buddies

for my Alpha Chi sisters

for remembering the Crary and Fink boat:)

Memories of all kinds….that’s what it’s all about!!! Make sure you keep every memory you might want later…time is fleeting!! Love my quilt:)))

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Joyful Thursdays #60

Here are three things that make me happy and bring me joy:

Three beautiful quotations for you today!

1) Every day is a gift. Don’t send it back unopened.

2) Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.

3) Do small things with great love.

Finding inspirational quotes always helps to shape my day in a positive way:)))

Happy Parenting!

D and C