Simply Beautiful...

'Evolution of a Rose'

This phenomenal piece of art from his series "Order from Chaos" was done my very dear and special friend, John, who just so happens to be quite a famous artist. World famous, in fact. I love this painting so much that it seems I can almost smell the sweet perfume of the rose when viewing it. For one who needs an explaination, John states:

It is my little slam on the theory of evolution. The same principal applies to this painting as it does to 'natural selection'. The same chance that all life and the amazing creativity and variety that is found there all happened by accidental chance, is the same probability that the rose in this painting just 'happened' out of the chaos of paint in the background. The paint in the background is the same color I used to paint the rose, its just a jumbled, haphazard, accidental application, not the 'masters touch', as it were. To add a little intensity and acidity to the argument, the painting is entitled, 'Evolution of a Rose.'

What a brilliant and special man John is---and he is truly as unique and wonderful as his breathtaking work. I am very, very thankful to call this man 'friend.'

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 23

It's comforting to know my little cottage is considered a soft place to land when a friend is in need of a listening ear.

A friend loveth at all times. Proverbs 17:17

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 9

Happiness is surprising a friend with their favorite dessert.

Biking on the 4th!

The good ol' southern style sweet tea is made, the beans are baked, the potato salad is made and the Honey Bun cake is fresh from the oven. Got fresh tomatoes and crispy banana peppers from the garden as well as loads of roasted garlic for the homemade bread. Just waiting a few friends who will be bringing the meat for the grill. In the meanwhile, I think I'll take a quick ride through the neighborhood and check out the gardens. The weedeaters and mowers were humming bright and early this morning. Gotta have it spiffed up for the 4th.

Home of L.C., my friend and former POW. God bless our servicemen!


Freshly mowed, nice and neat.


Sweet little garden of my friend and neighbor, Hetty.


A nice little elderly couple live here, octogenerians, I think. You'd be hard pressed to find a blade of grass out of place.

Same home, different view.


We're a flag waving bunch around here...and not just on the 4th.


Back to my little cozy, eclectic cottage. Yes, the gardens do indeed need attention.


An old pressed back chair I salvaged from the curbside. Needs a little work...think I'll call my good neighbor L.C. for that task.

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 8

Bubba's bible, with one of my favorites--I John 4:15--circled in red

In his glory days the packed stadium always cheered, "Kill, Bubba, kill!" "Man, I didn't know white girls could cook like this!" Comment by Bubba Smith after the first of many meals he had in my home-- smothered steak & gravy, rice, speckled butter beans, fried okra, sliced tomatoes & cornbread with REAL butter....with sweet tea, of course! Oh, and I forgot to mention the fresh strawberry cake with berries from my garden.

Happiness is reading the notes in the Bible of my friend, Bubba Smith--a real, tried and true Christian. Bubba, former Baltimore Colt and two time Super Bowl star, really knows the word! His mother, Georgia, was my homaking teacher in high school and was truly a mentor for me.

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 4

Dayle and Gayle

A friend loves at all times. Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)

Happiness is reconnecting with friends you haven't seen since high school.

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 3

'...the adversary does everything he can to exxagerate the feeling that things have changed. If we are not careful our closest friends will become strangers to us.'
excerpt from With A Palm And A Willow--authored by my friend, Rex Johnson, regarding the untimely fatal accident of his wife, and my friend, Denise

Happiness is looking at pictures which hold precious memories.

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 2

"Ronni, you have the kind of faith that makes angels weep."
excerpt from letter from John

Happiness is getting a surprise text from a former boyfriend who still addresses you as 'Beautiful'

Thirty Days of Happiness: Day 1

Elizabeth, my best bud

Happiness is having a trusted friend who will cry with you when it seems that your tears alone just aren't quite enough.

I'm back...from a little piece of Heaven on Earth...

Mom's home!
I'm still mad 'cause she stayed so long... "Now she can cook my favorite dinner!"
Andi was one happy little girl when I returned from 18 days in Montana. Look at that shocked expression when I first walked in! She took off running in circles like she was in a marathon then, after pondering a minute, crawled under the bed and sulked before parking her cute little self in a dining room chair. Talk about a grand performance! I missed my baby girl like crazy, but the trip was absolutely wonderful---every minute of it--- and I would give anything if I could simply close my eyes and wake up there again. The breathtaking scenery was a constant reminder of the magnificent vastness of God, the only One who could speak such wonder into being.

Marvelous Montana!

Cookies, Cookies And Yes, More Cookies

Pounds of butter--nothing but the REAL stuff, mountains of sugar, dozens of eggs, chocolate--lots and lots of chocolate--pecans, walnuts, cherries, sprinkles, vanilla--real pure vanilla and, for good measure, a little flour to hold it all together. Gee, I don't know what I would do without my wonderful fire engine red Kitchen Artisan Mixer these days! But everyone loves wonderful, homemade Christmas cookies. I live in an old neighborhood which has a history that runs pretty deep in this city and most of my neighbors are elderly. But my, what a wealth of knowledge they are. Most of the ladies are retired educators and many of the men are retired school principals. Sprinkled among the group are a few doctors from the era when medical offices were in houses right smack in the middle of a residential area. Back in the day when it didn't matter if you had no insurance or if funds were low. They treated you anyway and trusted God to provide when money ran short. Most of them are in or near their 80's now and they're mighty wonderful folk, all of them. And I just can't help but laugh when they call or come by to check on me when the weather is bad or something unusual is on the horizon. So at Christmas I honor them with a little token of something special from my kitchen and, after hours and hours of measuring, baking and festive wrapping, it's time to deliver. This years selection includes:

Peanut Butter Chocolate Stars
Pistachio Mexican Wedding Cookies New Orleans Praline Treats
Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies

A Few Vacation Pic's

Rippin and Runnin'

Running into folk at the bottom of the beautiful Carribean...
Savannah wins the grand prize in a contest on board...
Because we're critically short of L & D nurses, I've had to work 12 hour night shifts for the past three days even though I've been pretty sick with a yucky summer cold. Thankfully, I feel much better today. Shifting gears...I had planned to go through all my vacation pics and try to post the best of them, however, I'm staying closely tuned in to the weather channel and, just to be safe, I think I'll make a quick trip to Sams to stock up on a few supplies just in case the potential hurricane brings wind and rain that may affect the power. I hunkered down and stayed home through category IV Hurricane Rita, without power for about 16 days I might add, and I certainly don't care to ever experience such again. I pray that the Master of the elements speaks peace so that all nations and cities will be protected. In Jesus magnificent name.

T.G.I.F.

After being a day shift nurse for 23 years I decided to take the plunge and transfer to the night shift. I'm a labor and delivery nurse and when I was offered a lucrative shift differential to work from 7 pm to 7 am three nights per week I accepted. I found the pace of nights to be much more subdued than that of the day shift...most of the time. Overall it's been a great trade off---a whole lot more money for a whole lot less stress--- but the really enticing factor was the idea of having more daytime hours at home. I'm a genuine nester at heart (see my Nester post from Sept. 2006) and nothing makes me happier than having lots and lots of time to feather and 're-feather' the nest. I have a nice little stretch of off days :) so from 7 am Friday until 7 pm Tuesday THAT-- nesting!--is exactly what I plan to do. I can hardly wait to begin....I'll take a nice, long aromatic bath, then jump into my favorite Victoria's Secret pajama bottoms with my UT tee-shirt and Croc's. I'll put on some nice, smooth jazz and light my favorite candles before going through each room of my little cottage, fluffing this and rearranging that, until I am perfectly satisfied that my abode feels like a welcome haven of peace and rest. I'll be sure, of course, that there's a lot of love scattered about and that I've strategically sprinkled a wonderful little trail of 'niceties' along the way to pamper and please all who enter the door. In my sweet little cozy kitchen I'll concoct a delectable, homemade organic pizza with fresh basil and tomatoes from my garden.Or maybe some wonderful tacos from the fresh mahi mahi my son caught. I'll check the classifieds for a 'can't miss this one' estate sale going on. Maybe I'll get lucky and find another old treasure like this: I'll scrub and perfume Andi and recruit a little help to move the big pots containing my citrus trees. I'll make a few plans for my soon coming cruise :) and I'll lie on the sofa with my favorite comfy quilt and read a good book or watch a movie. I may even squeeze in time for my coveted monthly foot massage and pedicure, then go for a leisurely stroll through the arboretum..falling love with every flower I meet.
On Sunday I'll go spend some time with God in His house and then have a nice little lunch with a few of the ones I love most of all. I'll drift off Sunday night feeling safe and secure and happy and fulfilled in this life with which I've been blessed. THIS is what I call a wonderful weekend and I can hardly wait for it to begin.

2006 Holy Land Tour

This was the trip of a lifetime! A wonderful journey shared with those whom I love most of all.

Firecracker Salad

It has rained and rained and then rained some more around here and the forecast indicates that we'll see more in days to come. I don't remember the last day that we didn't have rain...it was probably two weeks ago or more. And with the already high humidity of the coastal region, rain and daily temps in the high 90's create a type of humidity that's unlike anything you can imagine. The flower and vegetable gardens are thriving in the near greenhouse climates and as for my curly hair, well, it just gets bigger and more unruly each time I step outside. But today was a great day to gather with a few friends and throw some delectables on the grill. Shish-kabobs, red snapper (thank you, Justin!), grilled corn on the cob, cole slaw, homemade garlic bread, home grown strawberries with fresh whipped cream and iced tea are just a sampling of the things that graced the table. As sunset approached we launched the party boat and floated along the Neches River, watching a better than ever firework show. I love making memories with those whom I hold dear.

Recipe
1 bag frozen corn, defrosted gently in the microwave
4 ripe plum tomatoes, halved, seeds squished out, chopped in small chunks
1/2 red onion, very finely sliced
juice of 1 lime
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp paprika
small handful chopped mint

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together except for the mint. Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes (so that the red onion loses its pungency). Right before serving, mix in the mint.

Southern Friends

FRIENDS: Never ask for food.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Always bring the food. And lots of it.


FRIENDS: Will say "hello".
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Will give you a big hug and a kiss. More than one.


FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Call your parents Mom and Dad, and often.


FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Cry with you. And for you.


FRIENDS: Will eat at your dinner table and leave.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing, and just being together. Then do the dishes before leaving.


FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you. And often times know you better than you know yourself


FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Will kick the whole crowds' back-ends that left you. Then walk beside you in the front of the crowd.



FRIENDS: Would knock on your door.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, "I'm home!" If you are not, they will wait.


FRIENDS: Are for a while.
SOUTHERN FRIENDS: Are for life, and then some.