Happy Birthday New York!

Today is my New York's birthday.

I am so very blessed to have him in my life. I love and absolutely adore him and I am thankful every single day that I have been blessed to have him as my husband.

Several relatives in NY's family have lived to be over 100 years old.

This is a photo of NY with his great-aunt Hattie, who lived to be 108;

and this is us. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEW YORK!!

Photo Hunt - High

HIGH!!

In 1993 our family went on holiday to Yosemite National Park. My oldest son Brian, hiked up to and on to Half Dome. He was seventeen years old and took risks that should of put me in the nut house many times over. At the time I thought it was a great experience; that he was now part of an elite group of people who had actually hiked Half Dome. I even bought him a ridiculously expensive T-shirt that said, "I hiked Half Dome & Survived!". (I had no idea of how significant the word "survived" was)

It wasn't until a week after we returned home and the photographs of our camping holiday were developed that I saw the following photo. Brian is sitting on what is called the "Diving Board". Keep in mind that he is sitting on a narrow piece of rock that is over 4,737 feet high. It is a straight drop down to the valley below.

Okay, so he was seventeen and fearless BUT...his father had taken the photo! (My first husband, not NY) I'm not saying this photo is why we are no longer married however I do believe telling your seventeen year old son to go out and sit on a skinny piece of rock hanging over a death drop is definitely grounds for divorce.

Be sure to visit thnchick, the home of "Photo Hunt".

Aloha Friday

My Aloha Friday question today is...

Do you "Do It Yourself" or do you have a "Gardener"?

We have a Gardener for the basics which leaves us plenty of time for the fun and creative gardening.

Aloha Friday is a laid back, just for fun, meme created by Kailani at An Island Life. She says, "In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing heavy or too thought-provoking."

Visit An Island Life to answer Kailani's question.

An award from Stacey

Blogging Friends

One of the many good things about blogging, is the new friends we can make. Through blogging I have been introduced to people all over the world.

One of my favorite blogging friends is Stacey at Jamee Forever and Nicoal Goes Digi Scrapping. She writes the most entertaining blog that always makes me smile. Stacey recently gave blogging awards and I was honored to be the recipient of the one pictured above, the "Winning Attitude" award. I was so surprised and it gave me "Oh, What a Feeling!"

Thank you Stacey!!

Wordless Wednesday - Mentos & Diet Soda

Wellington, Florida

February 2005

To see more WW participants, stop by 5 Minutes for Mom or the official WW Hub.

Easter Sunday

I've decided that perhaps my entertainment skills are a bit boring. Our snack and dessert table look the same as at Christmas...

...and so does the dinner table. I really do need some inspiration.

The chocolate covered strawberries were a new addition.

After dinner the babies hunted for eggs in the backyard. Monkey Boy thought is was a bit too easy with the eggs in plain sight. Bear had the biggest basket to fill. The Princess had to check the inside of each egg she found. "I got quarters!", she said when she opened her first egg. I didn't know she knew a quarter from a penny. What's a Princess to do when her parents say, "no more candy!"

The Day After Easter

It's very easy to make me happy and to make me laugh!

This is the best cartoon I've seen in a very long time.

I swiped it from here.

Sewing

I love to sew!

When my children were little I made most of their clothes.

Easter 1981

Easter 1982

Easter 1984

Easter 1985

I made some of the boy's clothes and most of Britt's clothes until they were in middle school; and Britt's Prom dresses through high school.

Oh alright, so I kind of understand why the kid's won't let me sew clothes for Monkey Boy and Bear now. But hey, keep in mind these were the styles twenty something years ago.

Britt and her friend Mindy wore the Prom outfits in a fashion show at church; Britt wore her dress and Mindy wore the vest and bow tie that Britt's Prom had date worn.

This is Britt's prom dress from her senior year. The top is made of a jacquard and the skirt is chiffon. Britt loved this dress so much that we buried her it in, not the shoes though; she's barefoot. Sorry, I hope that's not 'TMI'.

Now this is a fun little outfit I made for the Princess last week. I love bright fun fabric on little girls and I bought this fabric over a year ago while on our road trip from Florida to California. NY was like, "umm, the car's kinda full and we still have 2,000 miles to go...."

When the father of the Princess, (our son) saw her, he said that all she needs is a big pair of shoes and a clown nose. Okay, so now we know why I haven't made very many clothes for the grand babies.

Easter Dress

The Princess and the Easter Dress

I've been on a "sewing for the Princess" kick lately and this is her Easter dress.

Why is it that little girls always have to pick their dress up?

I made the Princess a dress for Christmas but it was so big, it fit 4 year old Bear. (He wasn't thrilled about trying it on!!) It was then that I decided to buy her the red pettiskirt outfit instead of trying to alter the dress to fit her. I cut this dress out in a size one. It has always amazed me how pattern sizes are so unrealistic.

GIVEAWAY - Grand Opening - Kennedy Grace -

It's a GIVEAWAY!

"Kennedy Grace" is the name of our new "Etsy" Shop. We carry handmade items that our family has enjoyed over the years. We decided to share our "favorites" for others to enjoy by opening our Etsy Shop. We've only been open for a short time and our inventory is growing daily. In celebration of our Grand Opening we're having a giveaway!

To enter just go to Kennedy Grace and come back here and leave a comment telling us what you think about our new little shop. Our inventory is growing so check back often. Be sure and leave your name and email for the opportunity to win this pink gingham "Crayon apron". Any little girl would have a delightful time showing her creativity while wearing her apron & crayons. The twenty-four (24) Crayola Crayons are included.

The apron measures:

45" from tie end to tie end

11" wide at waist

30" wide at the hem and is 12" long

This giveaway closes at midnight on Sunday March 30th (NY's birthday!)

We're so glad you stopped by and we hope to see you soon at "Kennedy Grace".

The Netti Pot

Because NY has severe allergies, a dear and trusted family member recommended a Netti Pot. I won't go into detail about how to use a Netti Pot. What I will do is post a link to a video on You Tube that explains the benefits and shows how to use it.

Go here to watch it.

The above photo is the Netti Pot we bought and let me say, finding it was not an easy task. Evidently Oprah raved about it on her show which sent America on a Netti Pot craze. After going to several stores, I stopped at Rite Aid as an after thought when driving home. I bought the last one.

My niece in Michigan swears by the Netti Pot and so does my sister and her husband. NY even thinks it's a "good thing" however...I don't recommend using it IF you are sick. I have had a terrible head cold or whatever for several weeks. I went to the doctor Friday and he said, while using the Netti Pot, (which I used in the hope of getting better), the isolated infection in my sinuses spread throughout my head and into my ears. His exact words were, "Your head is a cesspool". Eeewww!

For me the jury is still out on whether the Netti Pot is for me.

NY likes it.

How about you? What do you think??

Photo Hunt - Metal

NY took this photo last Sunday while sitting in the backyard with the grandchildren. A few years ago when Monkey boy was 4 years old, I told him I would buy him anything he wanted in the mall we were shopping at. He chose this "metal" wind ornament. It's truly enjoyable to watch in the sun but Go Figure! He could have picked any toy or book in the entire mall!!

Aloha Friday

The world is filled with a plethora of people, beliefs and lifestyles. This Sunday is a day thought of and celebrated differently by people depending on what they believe.

This Sunday is Easter.

NY and I will attend our Sunday church meetings and then we will celebrate Easter with our children and grandchildren at our home with a Ham dinner. The babies will hunt for eggs in the yard and we will read the Easter story together.

Do you have any Easter Traditions?

Mary and the Resurrected Lord

The Resurrected Jesus Christ

Aloha Friday is a fun meme created by Kailani at An Island Life.

"In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing heavy or too thought-provoking."

Visit An Island Life to answer Kailani's question.

Pictures from the website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Wordless Wednesday

March 23, 2008

Stop by visit the official WW Hub or 5 Minutes for Mom

Viking Husqavarna Platinum 955E

Wow!!

Friday, while running errands, we stopped by Joanns to buy some fabric and so I could sign up for the sewing classes that were included with the serger sewing machine NY bought me last fall. We did buy the fabric and I did sign up for the classes, but what we didn't anticipate was buying a new embroidery sewing machine.

I AM SO EXCITED!

I have yet to figure out exactly how to use the embroidery feature. And it only took me two days to figure out how to make a button hole. Yes, two days! I refused to pick up my previous machine from the floor and use it to make the button holes. The new machine has an electronic button hole attachment. I need only program the button size and...voila! Perfect same size button holes. Unbelievable! The machine has 'cruise control' too! I know that's not what it's really called. Perhaps 'auto-pilot' is better.

I can't wait to start monogramming items for "Kennedy Grace" our Etsy shop. I'm currently making a blanket as a baby gift and I want to put put the baby's name on it.

Wish me luck!!

It's St. Patrick's Day

Leprechauns, 4 leaf clovers and the color Green

Today is St. Patrick's Day. In Ireland, today is a national holiday and in Northern Ireland, it is a bank holiday too.

In Chicago Illinois, the Chicago River is dyed green.

There are parades in New York City, Chicago, Savannah, San Francisco, London any many more cities all over the world. The parade in Sydney, Australia is recorded as being the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.

I love parades. I wish there was a parade near my home. Traditionally in my family, on St. Patrick's Day, we wear green and have corned beef and cabbage for dinner.

What do you do on St. Patrick's Day?

Do you Wii?

Boxing

It's been said that the Nintendo Wii is being used,

"……In therapy, it allows patients to work on weight bearing and increasing coordination, increasing strength and stability, increasing fine and gross motor skills. Any of the games can be used to address problem solving, attention, short-term and long-term memory, decision making and scanning....."

It's also been said that the Wii is being used to aid in weight loss...

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I get tired just watching them play!

Sleep Over

Treasured Times

We had a sleep over with the grand babies last night. It never fails to amaze me how little ones can take something as simple as a linen cupboard and make it a clubhouse...

and how they can use that cupboard as a ladder to climb up where perhaps they don't belong (especially the baby)...

or how the boys can take the new silky charmeuse pillowcases I made for them and immediately put them on and do what they do best... wrestle.

There was a time when we all snuggled in our bed together. As the babies have grown, however, we've found we don't sleep as well as they seem to in a crowded bed. Now, with a thick Amish quilt and a down comforter, we make a big comfy "bed" for them at the foot of ours. We do this even though down the hall the boys have their own room and the Princess has her very own room as well. You see, I have found that children grow up all too quickly. Before long they'll want to be sleeping in those rooms down the hall. So for now, in our room, on the floor AND crowded in our bed, all is well and all are happy.

Photo Hunt - I Spy

The "I Spy" theme gave me some worries before I decided to just go with my take on it. I then realized how much fun it really can be.

I Spy stink bug tracks!

(White Sands, New Mexico - April 2007)

I Spy the wind!

(Hurricane Wilma - October 2005)

I Spy a flying dart! (Christmas 2007) I Spy a sock monkey! (Christmas 2007) What do you Spy?

Aloha Friday

This has been a good week. NY is starting to feel a little bit better (he's been very sick). I accomplished quite a bit of sewing for our new Etsy Shop. We tended the grand babies one day which worked out well. I was able to take photos of both the Bear and the Princess for the Etsy Shop.

Today, however, will not be a favorite day because we have errands to run. I'd much rather be home than out and about. But alas, my car needs to be serviced at the dealer, I have rings that need to be cleaned and serviced, and I need to pick up some things at Joanns.

What is today like for you?

I enjoy Aloha Friday so much and I'd like to thank Kailani at An Island Life and An Island Review for starting this fun "meme".

Wordless Wednesday - Alcatraz Island

February 20, 2008

Spring Blessings

Kari & Kijsa at Ask Kari & Kijsa are looking for Spring. It's only 40 degrees at their place and I do believe I have some good news for them. Today in the lovely valley where I live the temperature will be in the 80's.

Come on over and visit! Your welcome to stay as long as you'd like. Bring the family. We'll play games, eat some good food and have a jolly good time. As you can see, the fruit trees in my backyard are in full bloom.

I'm fortunate to be able to wake up to this is the delightful view every morning and that is one of my "Spring Blessings" that I'd like to share with everyone.

Photo Hunt - Different

This week's Photo Hunt theme is "different".

I've thought about the theme all week and this particular photo kept coming back into my head. This is Tazy and Bayley. They were the best of friends however besides being as different as they are, Bayley is now very different, she's eleven years old and will not have anything to do with any other animal.

October 1998

It's The Ultimate Blog Party

5 Minutes For Mom is hosting the...

Last time I checked there were over 1260 parties going on.

Welcome to my Party!

My name is Cathi, my favorite color is pink, my favorite car is a Jaguar XJ and thus...pinkjagxj. This blog is my journal and the way I see it. The way I see it right now is...let's have some fun.

So grab a plate,

we have chocolate cupcakes, lemon cupcakes and mini cheesecakes with fresh fruit.

We have fresh squeezed juice from orange trees in our garden.

So let's relax and get to know each other!

I am a wife, a mother and a grandmother. I was born in Michigan but I have lived in Southern California since I was three years old. My husband (aka NY) and I did move to South Florida for a few years however we missed our family and while on a trip to Madrid, Spain we were bombed by terrorists, so we moved back home to regroup and recover. We're happy to be home again, however we do miss our tropical home and our friends in Florida.

I recently opened an Etsy Shop

At "Kennedy Grace" there are handmade items that our family has enjoyed over the years. We decided to share our favorites for others to enjoy by opening our Etsy Shop. We've only been open for a short time and our inventory is growing daily. In celebration of our Grand Opening we're having a giveaway. You can enter to win HERE.

I'm so glad you stopped by and I hope to meet with you again either here or at "Kennedy Grace".

Aloha Friday - Week 23

Kailani at An Island Life has a simply delightful weekly meme.

As Kailnai herself says...

"In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing heavy or too thought-provoking."

My simple laid back question this week is...

What is your favorite genre of film, ie. comedy, romance, action/adventure?

Me? I love romantic comedies and plain old comedies. I like a good laugh.

Be sure to visit Kailani at An Island Life.

Wordless Wednesday - Alcatraz

February 20, 2008

Go here to see more of Alcatraz Island.

The Wedding and The Photographer

I just love this photo! The photographer Cheryl of Cheryl's Classic Photos is absolutely incredible. She is in high demand in every field of professional photography. She was my wedding photographer too!

NY wasn't able to attend the above pictured wedding because he was very sick and in bed. I knew I needed a photo or two to show him since the baby girl getting married has lovingly called him "Step dad" since the day he and I became engaged. I didn't want to interfere with Cheryl's work but I was delighted when I saw all the elements of this photo.

Let's Do Lunch!

Between Girlfriends

Today I went to lunch with two of my very dear long-time friends. We decided to make the occasion a celebration of Teri's birthday. Teri, the birthday girl, of course chose the restaurant (if you know her you know why!) It was Mary's and my first time to eat at The Citrus City Grille. I ordered a lovely citrus salad; Teri ordered a pasta dish; and Mary ordered mushroom meatloaf with whipped potatoes and the skinniest onion rings. Oh! were they good. We portioned it all up to share and enjoyed a wonderful meal, delightful company and a very good time. The dessert tray was way too tempting and the crème brule won out. A birthday candle and love between girlfriends made the afternoon a memorable one.

She's A Married Lady

Yesterday a darling almost daughter of mine got married.

She's the baby girl of my very dear friend. I remember when my friend was pregnant with the baby girl. We went to the theater to see "Out of Africa". The theater was packed and we had to sit in the very front. During the "flying over Africa" scenes, our stomachs felt as if we ourselves were on the plane. We had brought oranges to eat and just as we peeled them and were enjoying succulent juicy bites, the film too had oranges on the screen. Those around us wondered just how the film had added such a lovely aroma to the theater.

Best wishes to the "Baby Girl" and her new husband for a life filled with love and laughter!

Darth Vader In The NIght

I am absolutely, totally, over the top in love with my husband! NY like most of us, has funny little quirks that crack me up! He makes me laugh but last night he made me cry.

Actually, he scared the bejeebees out of me!

Our cars each have a portable GPS system. NY is so into these systems he uses them every time we get in the car. The other night he was online updating them and found new voices, Darth Vader and Yoda, that will speak the directions. He's so excited and he can't wait to have the Stars Wars alumni talk in the car to the grand babies. In his excitement, he couldn't wait to show me either. Unfortunately for me, it was after midnight and I had been in a deep sleep for several hours.

Now...I vaguely remember him waking me and showing me the GPS with Darth Vader's head. Evidently, I quickly fell back into my deep sleep until he roused me again with this...

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I screamed...

I cried...

and went back to sleep. Hmmm, I hope I didn't put a damper on his excitement. I just can't wait to see how the grand babies react.

Photo Hunt - Party

New Year's Eve - 1993

A bunch of 12 year old boys having a jolly good "party"

on New Year's Eve!