the pathway to "happy"

The paths in life vary.

Well, there are mental paths and physical paths 

Today I am talking about a physical path.

Little one discovered it..

The  yellow mail box is on the fence between our two yards.  We have had two tea parties there, mostly in their level driveway / yard.   Right below the mailbox is a green chair.  Sometimes I come out for a visit and sit down in the green chair.   The little girls are getting closer and closer.  They know they are to stay 6 feet away, but none of us have been going very far, or being around other people... not quite hugs yet, but I can hardly wait. 

The mailbox is new to us.   Our friend got a locked box so we brought this one home and painted it.  Now I can put some treats inside and put the flag up.  The girls find the treats and sometimes they draw pictures and notes for me. Then the flag is up again 

Ok. kind of hard to read, but you get the idea 

and it gets better

This is the favorite so far   

Well, not long after hubby nailed the mailbox in place, little one found the short cut

You have to look carefully,

and not as easy for the older generation

but, 

just right for little ones to come pay a visit 

their  life does not revolve around me

but sometimes

my joy revolves around them 

Tea Party number two

It started out like the first time...social distancing...getting acquainted with new neighbors.. hubby doing some of the grunt work.

And the party can begin...

 

Since our last tea party, I had noticed that whenever I slipped over to say hello, the girls would run to greet me, and both Mom and Dad would come and say hello too.   Mr and Mrs very social.   So this time I decided to add an extra chair so they both could join the party.  It was the right thing to do.

As I told my friend Martha,  it was a very refreshing two hours.  Yes, we sat together and visited 

Oldest daughter, age 5 ( in 10 days she will be 6) came in a sweet sundress
Little one  came with two different shoes.

Dressed for the occasion, for sure.

Dad, left his seat briefly for a conference call

Mom, left briefly to change a diaper  

I never left my chair 

We talked about the special places to visit here and where they had been so far ( last year their home was Japan )  Since they arrived in December, they had very little time to explore before we entered the new normal.

They shared some things about their family, both come from large Irish families. 

I shared some things about my family...not just my grandchildren.

I listened to them... we were in no hurry... they listened to me...I did not have to talk fast.  There were a couple pauses when older daughter decided to change out of her dress ( daddy offered to help unfasten that tough button ) soon she was on roller blades.  Little one slipped off her chair and mom just scooped her up and hugged her and planted her back on her chair.  

    They helped themselves to treats.  Little one loved the sprinkles more than the cupcakes. Everyone seemed to be very comfortable and happy

Then, it was time to go home.   The whole family helped carry the chairs, tables and umbrellas over to our garage.   

Everyone said a genuine thank you and goodbye

Yes, I will never forget our first tea party but

this is a day I will always remember because I will always remember this family. 

I live an exciting life.

memories are made of this

It started with a text from our neighbor.

He is in Boston, waiting out the virus situation here, and he remembered   that last year at Easter, he spent the day with us.        ( I had forgotten.. I was too absorbed in the now...not able to be with family)
The thing is,  he is not a Christian, but he wrote...Have a blessed Easter.

I was touched.
  I thought it was worth writing about. I was busy in the kitchen and as I headed to the computer I remembered something...my grandpa would say  " you can't cook dinner in the living room"  That was his way of saying that the stove was on and I should be heading back where I was needed.

You know how it is with memory..... sometimes you have it, sometimes not

Hard to forget Easter 2018 .  It started out in a normal sort of way.  We always celebrate here,  and the usual menu.   I was bending down to lift out the clay pot for the ham.   I could not get back up.   The pain was bad.   Very bad. With the help of hubby, we got the ham into the oven.  I stayed home from church. The girls always come early and help.  But, Anita called..".sorry,Christian is sick, I am so sorry, we can't come.  Tiffany is going to bring the salad for me." 
I could not let her know my concerns....
Then,  the doorbell rang  and it was Anita and family   " April Fools".
The rest of the day went well.  With the help of the girls our other guests had no idea what the morning had looked like, or notice my unusual walk.  

here is that pot...

Now you see it...now you don't... gone !




Another Easter memory...  forgetting where I hid the eggs... So Damon took over on the 100 + outside eggs, and I now take pictures of where the inside eggs are  ( they have $$ )

This is always on the menu
Jeanette's recipe.... Carrot cake 

Always on the table...no new ones this year  ( date on his bottom 2013 )   He is a keeper, that Old Bunny   

And there is more to decor than food

Gifted to our kids about 35 years ago
Full of Sees Candy !
Now it houses those yellow Peeps.  The same ones for a few years. No one eats them anymore.  Hmm.  Maybe I should introduce them to the grandkids   

These are also very old.... Solid sugar, me thinks.
No one dares to eat them either 

And pretty much always something "musical"  


One year we invited our neighbor across the street to come for Easter dinner.  He declined,saying he needed to pack, he was moving the next day.  So, our boys ( all the family here that year) headed across the street.  Sure enough, he had not packed yet.  Apparently he could not come to grips with the fact that his house did not sell and he could not make the payments and he needed to be out ! We all lent a hand.  

Then there was the day after Easter..because am sure hubby would not cut wood on Sunday.    Just down the trail, he had been cutting and stacking and on Monday...

But this year, well it will always be remembered.   No egg hunt.  No family gathering. But, wait... 

I put on a spring Sunday dress.... had prepared an almost typical Easter dinner with what I had on hand ... The new family next door have two little girls.  They are 2 and 5 years old.   About 9:00 we got the word that they were heading out to gather eggs.  So, while standing on a step ladder, I peeked over the fence.    It did not take them long to find 17 ( one is still hiding ) colored eggs.  We waved goodbye and headed inside. 

We had our own corned beef dinner and then met with most of the family on Zoom


The boys across the street came to our door with a basket of treats "Pick out something you like"

So this year will indeed be an Easter to remember. And every day we are thankful for the morning, long ago,  when Jesus arose from the grave !   Simply believe and receive the greatest gift of all... Salvation !
Read more in the Bible.  
Need one?    just ask me


I live an exciting life

and thankful

Keeping our distance

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood

and  I was excited

Just last week I met our neighbors. They moved next door in January. Why I only met them this week?   ( I don't want to talk about it )

The mom and dad and two little girls were very friendly and before I knew it, I had told the littles I would have a tea party, by the fence.

Got permission from Mom,  placed the yard sticks on the ground for "good measure"  and today was the day 

                                Invitation accepted.

Hubby helped with some of the grunt work.

Using what is in the cupboard and pleasing a 5 1/2 year old and a two year old means no pressure.   And prepacked, to be safest. 

Social distancing         and

                                               Here they come

Can you see the bubbles?   Well, little one was very impressed with Mickey making bubbles

A little tree climbing

Good conversation

And then... time to say goodbye



My take away:  
  The  simple pleasures of children, priceless.
  The confidence and assurance that  they had permission to help themselves to  all that is set before them...a reflection of the sweet family values.
   When you give a little joy to someone the joy comes right back
  And, a feeling of being..the old lady that lives next door.
(BTW, just found a thank you picture at my front door. And two more pieces of Dove chocolate.  This little gal knows how to spell and draw ... in the picture, her mom in pants, me in a dress, her sister in a pink dress, and she was in  white with blue edge trim.... just like yesterday )

 I am pretty sure we will "party " again, soon.


I live an exciting life

A night to remember

An invitation to dinner at a neighbors turned into a 5 hour evening of delights

A small,, very small hostess gift 

First look....dinning room 

and the living room

( about now, we tell our hostess that hubby should have worn his tux )

Hostess in the kitchen 

Host serving first coarse... Cheeses 

Then the lights were dimmed and the evening was spent by candlelight and
Vivaldi, Mozart and a little Ricky Nelson 

First by the fire and then
to the very elegant table 
A word of thanks

Soup, vegetable, pure 

Our third course,  Salad  

Warmed plates
we serve ourselves

No explanation necessary 

Freshest, sweetest berries,bathed in sweet cream
 Girl scout cookies too



The evening was an unexpected delightful entertaining evening to remember

( unedited...for now..but needed to document the delights )

I live an exciting life....


OK family... name the neighbors
hints:  they live even closer to Cherry Crest than we do
They have 3 gorgeous daughters and one handsome son, like our family
    ( the hosts comment described ours as exquisite )
enough

every year is different

and Thanksgiving 2019 was different

the guest list

the food

and even the beginning.

Yes !   Torches to light the path

Me, the hostess, in my pumpkin apron

Welcome
Christian, Anita, Tanner
( they co-hosted)
Damon
Asha and Arun
( they brought Karthik, but then took him back to his grandparents)
Jim and Shirley

Then  a little football...competition??   

Go Tannerteam !!

Family, neighbors ( now friends )

Did you notice the table?   Turkey,cranberry sauces,  ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, deviled eggs, Brussels sprouts, pineapple, spicy southern spinach delight,  gravy, pickles, olives,rolls, butter, jam, sparkling cider, coffee, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, whipped cream and ice cream.



Very special time 
Much to be thankful for
         beyond food
               It was great
                   But, fellowship is far above


Blessings abound 

It started in the Springtime.

A message about being a good neighbor ....

you know... Love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 22:38 and 39

Then the speaker said to turn the program over
Write your name in the center
Put four boxes around your name
Write  the names of the neighbors living in those "boxes"
Now add something you know about them


For me, most of the boxes were blank.

Pretty embarrassing.
Pathetic

Yes, two of the four are new this summer, but the others...


A couple weeks later, on a Saturday, the boys across the street helped me take scones to the neighbors to the right.
" She is shy, so we came with her"  they said.    That was the truth

A week later we did the same, heading to the left.

That was when I discovered there would be a new member in the neighborhood.
The wheels started spinning and I felt a baby shower would be fun.

That was a few months ago....Baby is now two months old......the shower was last weekend.

My friend Nancy made adorable invitations

I went door to door, by myself, to hand deliver them to the "lady of the house"
Who doesn't love a new baby ?   And who does not want to know who lives next door and across the street and... you get the idea.   

Party favors for all 

Fourteen women gathered in my living room on Saturday morning.
Liz brought cheese ( two large platters of cheese and crackers )
Jane made a huge fresh fruit salad
Barb's bread pudding was great 
Shirley served slightly toasted  croissants
Perfect with my lavender jelly, fig preserves and peach jam 
Irena  brought very moist sweet bread 
More than enough with  monkey bread muffins and egg dish

Shannon brought a beautiful centerpiece 

Coffee, tea, sparkling cider.

and then ...
We used the very old rocking  bassinet my hubby slept in, also  his sister,  our 4 children and about 25 older babies, to hold the gifts for our special guest.    Then, he got to take a ride. Now his name is on the bottom.

I live an exciting life  
and
I am blessed   

Festival of Lights 

They are celebrating in the mall   

These are the ladies that danced...

and free Henna 

But the big event for us, was the invitation to our neighbors to celebrate the
                                          Festival of Lights

Food...lots of food....good and yummy food and very gracious people.

The meal starts with dessert  ( on the left )
It is their way of adding sweetness to  the evening
Starting and ending with sweets.

Chicken, cashews, rice and mint...
They prefer spicy food.  Stronger than served in American food.
Tonight's entree was delicious

"We eat with out hands"
And he did..  and I did
Then   the crepes
dipped in coconut sauce 
and then...

Snacks..crisp..

The final course
Sweet and delicious   

We also learned about India. 
English is taught in all the schools and in college the classes are all taught in English.  British English.  So in the business world, the language is English.  Also, college education  costs less in India, much less.
There is great respect for family members, and friends. You do not call anyone older than yourself by their first name.  So, I am aunt to our host and hostess and Grandma to their little one.

Our host and hostess spoke very easily with us and we had a very special time 

Anticipating more opportunity to learn about our neighbors and appreciate our differences.



I live an exciting life