Perpetual Thanksgiving

Giving thanks today for all God's goodness in my life.
I have dear, huge family to love, and be loved by, sweet grandkids to delight me,
my home, good health,  a fun business I enjoy, and way too many possessions!

But, this is not my normal Thanksgiving Day.
I am having an unusually quiet day, nursing a sore arm, a case of cellulitis.
 Antibiotics and rest will make it better in a couple days.
It's hard to type, and it feels better when I immobilize and elevate my arm.
But I didn't make dinner or any pies, so I feel a little weird.
 Don't worry, I had a feast at my sister's last Saturday, a wonderful gathering and lots of fun!

That's my Mother on the left, so grateful she is still with us!  My sweet sisters and hubs,
nieces and nephews. they're all such a blessing to me!  We have such fun together!

and will celebrate again this Saturday at my daughter's home.
 I am not skipping Thanksgiving traditions, or any meals, that's for sure!
         But it's made me slow down, for a couple days, and gain new insights.
   Stopped in the neighborhood diner, and saw lots of single mothers
 serving food to strangers, wishing they could be home.
 I took notice of many single and older people who are sitting alone for the holiday.
My daughter-in-law just had surgery, so she didn't have her usual get-together.
A friend just called to say his sister died yesterday.
My niece is separated for the first time, from her twin, who just  joined the Navy.
 A favorite aunt lost her grandson recently, and
 My niece's sweet Pop-pop just died this week, and my brother and his wife love him so much
Many have lost loved ones recently, and are sadly looking at the empty chair.

My church had a massive collection of food to make baskets for the needy
 in our community. hard to believe there is such suffering , right in my neighborhood, in this properous country.  Thank God for the outpouring of love at church, people generously sharing.

Almost every person got up and brought forth one or two grocery bags full. Beautiful!
 
All these things are making me think.
Not everyone is having a Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving.
So many are hurting, struggling, lonely, or less fortunate than me.

Dear Lord,      Please help me to stay mindful of others and their needs,

 and give me a spirit of giving to share what I have. Give me eyes to see 

their pain, and help me take the time and do something to help them, 

or cheer them at least.  Don't let me get caught up in the competition
 and rat-race of  "who's got the best Christmas decorations?"

I'll use what I have already, and enjoy simple traditions from my
 family Christmases past, for they are true sentimental treasures. 

 But instead, help me to spread joy and  effectively teach my grandkids
 the true meaning of Christmas.  We will still bake like crazy,
 we'll go see the Christmas displays, and do all the fun stuff,  but now I'll
have deeper gratitude, more compassion,and true understanding of others.
 Thank you Lord,  Amen

Love to you and your family, as you celebrate your blessings!

Linda

Lost in the Fifties

          I just attended Lead East. This is a super big 50's party, we attend every year!

 

 It 'is an incredible weekend of music, dancing,  old cars, fifties fashions, doo wop, karaoke,  and reuniting with friends.  Wow, it is so special, we just don't want it to end! 

If you ever get the chance to come, you'll have a blast!
   Lead East , every Labor Day weekend  in Parsippany, New Jersey.

Lots more details and pictures on Facebook!

It's  like a trip back in time!  When things were simpler, when the country was full of hope, and didn't have a drug abuse epidemic, cell phones,  and racial tensions.

 Love, Linda

Closing up shop

Today I pulled out of the antiques store where I had a booth for over 3 years. 
I couldn't "make my rent"  and I felt like I sold all my best stuff and gave the store back all the money, and then some.
 Sounds pretty stupid, right?  Well I just didn't want to give up.  I liked having a "storefront ", and kept believing it was going to take off.  What a shame. 
 I feel kind of sad, like I failed.  I tried everything. I kept it fresh by moving things around, adding a few new items every week.  I ran sales several times because all the other vendors had 25%, 50%,off  or more. I did sell more items when I ran a sale, but all that amounted to, was lost income. I decorated for every holiday, I had my items priced comparable to the other vendors prices. I carried similar merchandise, and some unique pieces.  I made sure the shop was neat and clean, and interesting.
It had a mix of styles, and something for everybody. I thought it did, but apparently it didn't.

 I just have to move on.   End the problem, I can't keep losing money, and all the time I invested- I must spend my time better.
I will focus more on the online store, because it works.  I can list most of the stock on my Etsy shop.

my Etsy shop

I feel defeated.and disappointed. At least maybe now I can get my house in order. My home is suffering from the clutter from having a business and not enough storage.  I've been removing stuff for a few weeks, a little at a time. I've had  too many things going on at once. and have spent to much energy on making sure the booth was  well stocked. Today, I devoted the whole day to closing up shop, emptying my space and saying goodbye to a dream.
I patched and sanded all the holes, where pictures had hung. I rolled up the rug, removed all the boxed-up goodies and with help lugged the furniture out to the truck to be put away in  storage.
 At least I tried. it was something I always wanted - a store, or the closest thing to one. 
 Maybe one day, I will have a shop, but it will have to be on property that I already own, like a larger home, with an attached shop.  Because the overhead, the rent is just too much.

Peachy Keen Birthday!

                      I just turned 64!
              My daughter bought me this shirt, when I told her that's my theme song this year!

Miss Emilie, my birthday flowers, and some lucious, juicy peaches

  We've been enjoying fresh juicy Jersey peaches. 

We made The Barefoot Contessa's Fresh Peach Cake.

We doubled the recipe,
and it was a big hit!
 We love baking in Julie's big kitchen
 and the children join in too.
And we made peach popsicles,
with  4 peaches, 2 cups Greek yogurt and
a drizzle of agave syrup, just whirl in the blender.
you can leave the skin on, and freeze for about 6 hours.
.

Cinnamon is so good with peaches!

I wanted to preserve some, but we shared, and ate so many out of hand, so they're all gone!

    I had a peachy-keen birthday!   I'm  so blessed!

Love, Linda 

Happy Law Day! May Day!

 


  I just told Miss Emilie that you're supposed to put       

common violet
 Voilet sororia

little baskets of flowers on neighbor's doors
on May Day,  but nobody does that anymore.
The last time I did it was for my elderly friend next door.
 Last fall I lost my dear Doris.
 I guess I'm old-fashioned, but I love those little customs.

 Today, we will take a walk and try to find some
 wildflowers, and make a small bouquet for Mommy.
There are some violets blooming and we can make
candied violets for our cupcakes.
 These are New Jersey's state flower and they come up
  wild in our lawns each spring.
 Learn more  about violets on my blogpost,
"Spring-New Life and Beauty", March 29, 2012





  Did you know that May 1 
       is also Law Day?

It was first established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958,
 "to celebrate the role of law in our society, and to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession." 

 Here's my favorite lawyer, my daughter Amy!

 She is also celebrating a birthday, this week. 

Rutgers Law School Graduation 2014

Amy,  on swearing-in day, as a New Jersey Lawyer

I love to cut some pussy willows and other flowering branches to bring inside 

and force them. We rooted these, and will plant them today!

Ours cuttings are well-rooted and leafing-out!
Read more about Pussy Willows here

   

I had so much fun telling Miss Emilie stories and poems all about pussy willows, 

and how we could get some trees, by rooting them. 

Pussy Willow Legend

    Later we'll go get some plants for the 2 urns on the front porch.

    It's finally warming up,  and time to garden!

   Emily wants to start work on our fairy garden, and plant some zinnia seeds.

    She's an eager helper!  I'm so happy that spring is finally here, because

 Mommy started working the night shift and is sleeping 

    so we have to get outdoors more!

      Emilie is turning 4 this week, and she loves to have tea parties with Grandma!

Guess what!  Happy news!  I am now a great-grandma!
 Baby Johnny has arrived!
 My son , who just celebrated his birthday in Heaven, is now a grandpa!
 I'm sure he's looking down, smiling and so proud!

Baby Johnny, our newest family member
March 27, 2018

                               Emilie and Tommy love their new baby 2nd cousin !

                                        Happy May Day! 

                                                               
                                  I'm going out to play now!

                                               Love, Linda

7 years blogging!

Happy Blog-Anniversary to me!

I  love blogging and visiting all kinds of blogs, but mine has been stagnant
for a while.  On my anniversary,  it's the perfect time to get going again. 

            Often called "lucky 7", seven "means you're literally winning in life".

            On the internet I read, "You're on the right path, keep going forward 
             in the direction you're heading. 

 So, onward and upward! 

This is my mother!

   I started the blog on Mother's 80th birthday,
with my baby grandson on my lap. He's
 now a smart 2nd-grader with a sweet little
3-year old sister, and I'm still their granny-nanny!

  She's celebrating her 87th birthday now. 
It's wonderful that I still have her, after a couple
 difficult years. She's getting older and has some
 health issues and "wear and tear".
    But she's had a marvelous birthday with
 lots of family visits, parties, luncheons,
showers of  love, cards and gifts.
She looks great, and knows how loved she is! 
   I told you, when I was little, I thought she was
 Betty Crocker,  the lady on the cake mix box! 
I wrote about that in January 2013.

  I'm thankful for a loving mother, who loves the 

Lord and is a great encouragement to me! 

We still sing,"Does Jesus Care" together every day!

 So here are some pretty teacups and pots! 

 See more interesting posts  about tea on my facebook page,
Vintage Treasures by Grandmalay .

I've been celebrating all month with tea parties with Miss Emilie, my darling 3 year old granddaughter. I am daily featuring different cups and teas. Lots of fun tea facts and quotes!

 I hope you enjoy my selection. Some are for sale in my online Etsy shop .

Some are just my own personal favorites.

$22.00, plus shipping,  you may order in comments

Some things I learned about tea this month

•  4 major types of tea, black, green and white tea,  are all from the same plant,
• the way the leaves are treated, processed makes the  different types of teas 
•  Charleston Tea Plantation, S.C. is the only place tea is grown in the continental U.S. ( the on mainland, some tea is grown in Hawaii)
• Darjeeling is the "Champagne of tea"

Tea (n.)   a hug in a mug

Little teatime snack in my kitchen. 

chocolate almond spread on croissants

Love  my Christmas angel from DIL Anne,

 she now stays in my kitchen all year long!

 I love my red and white kitchen

 my red and white transferware,

English Chippendale, Johnson  Bros.,  Made in England

I have a whole set of these pretty dishes,  I love using it
 around Christmas and Valentine's Day, especially .

Brown transferware, by Johnson Bros. too.
I love using these dishes in the fall, they're mix-and matched.
 I  just made my daddy his favorite- Peanut Butter Cookies
and I had to sample them before I shipped them . 

cute  altered tea cup wall hanging
 comes ready to hang. www.etsy.com/listing/573828854

heart cup in my Etsy shop
www.etsy.com/listing/57387712

I love tea and thee!

Julie's antique Wedgewood blue transferware teacup
It was her great grandmother's

My little sweetheart, Miss Emilie having a tea party with me

 Pink chintz tea cup, and a delicious strawberry tea!

Royal Victoria
 www.etsy.com/listing/225410710

  Debbie Mumm
$9.99, plus shipping

$22.00, plus shipping

Royal Taunton

Today I'd like to sit and sip,
Forget about the world a bit,
Ignore the things I have to do
And just enjoy a cup or two.
-Author Unknown

Add caption

" Tea is liquid wisdom"
       -Terri Guillemets

"A cup of tea is a cup of peace"
                            -SoshitsaSenXV

"Life is like a cup of tea, 
to be filled to the brim 
and enjoyed with friends"

So have a cup of soothing tea with me and Mother!

 Love, Linda