A Very Good Day

Monday Doug and I drove over to the wonderful old historic town of Carthage, MO. Doug really just needed to pick up a couple of antique pieces he had purchased. Devony didn't want to go with us cause she would rather go to her boyfriends house and Clay wouldn't go with us cause he would rather stay at home and play a computer game with his friends (being the nerd he is ;). So we decided to make it sort of a "date day" and spend the whole afternoon antiquing...just us!

We spent the whole day roaming the isles of Flea Markets and quaint Antique Shops hand in hand, and gazing into each other's eyes...insert screeching-halt sounds here... Actually, it went more like this, Doug went one way-I went the other and eventually would meet in the middle with both of us claiming, "You have to see what I've found!" Of course Doug always thinks he finds the better find. And truth be know...he usually does. He is a natural at that sort of thing (he was a born 'picker')and has a much better eye that me.

I did find two things, all on my own, I was so proud of myself for finding these little Angels before Doug...Hee-Hee. The day I was born, that would be April 9, for any of you who would like to make note of my b-day, my Aunt Claire brought a porcelain Angel figurine to my mother for me. That started what would become my 1st, of many, collections. I've collected them ever since. And now I have close to eighty. Mostly due to my husband who is always on the look-out for them.

And I can tell you the story on every one of them. Many of them have seen better days (I kinda would play with them when I was little when my mother wasn't looking). Some of their wings have been glued back on, a head or two got knock off, but again...glued back on, and perhaps a halo is missing. But as my collections go, the Angel collection is my pride and joy!

I'm so proud to have these two new girls be on display with the others. One of them is musical. She plays Brahms Lullaby, but not to well. It's kind of funny, you wind her up and it sounds like a 45 record on LP speed. But it's not her fault. She is getting up there in age. However, she doesn't look a day over 29!!

The other Angel isn't musical, but she Shines bright all on her own. Just like Angels do!

Last day of Winter

Well...Hello there beautiful, warm, last day of Winter. I'm so glad to see you. Wish you were sticking around longer. Word on the street is you're only here for today and snow is in the forecast. That snowy forecast happens to be for the 1st day of Spring. Ugh! That's not the way I want to embrace the next season! My pansy's are STILL sitting on my dryer. They want to be planted!

Well...I only have this morning to enjoy the sunshine and I'm taking complete advantage of it! Nothing wrong with sun-bathing at 8 am in March is there.

Enjoy the the shine of the sun today. And don't worry Spring really is just around the corner. Today's corner actually!

Paper Seamstress

My new favorite thing to do in scrapbooking is sewing on paper. Yep! I get my big ole sewing machine out and my current layout, and I go to town. The love the texture it brings to my pages. And, it's just 'plain ole fun'! It's like you're doing something you're NOT supposed to do-yet you're not going to get in trouble for it!

Sewing on paper is not a new technique, but I'm ALWAYS behind the times. (Kinda of like when I was in Junior High and pin-stripped jeans became popular. I hated them, thought they were stupid, and swore I would never wear them. Six months later I had five pair. Or the time when all the girls started letting their bangs grow out. Mmm Hmmm, about the time they got theirs all one length-I decided to start that gruelling hair-growing-out process.) Oh dear, am I a...follower? Never mind. That's a whole other blog.

Like I said, this type of embellishing is not new but I'm lovin it! Lovin it enough to blog about it, aaand, share some of my creativeness.

Obviously the blue flower page is not finished. I'm being quite indecisive on photo size and how to arrange them. But here's a hint, shhh, it's about two lovely girls!

My request to everyone today, Shine, Shine, Shine!

Sunshine on a cloudy day

It's not quite officially Spring yet, and it's an incedibly dreary day but I'm pushing the envelope anyway. I'm insisting on wearing short sleeves and flip-flops as much as possible. along with a scarf and parka Overnight my favorite colors have become baby pink, Easter Lily yellow, Robins egg blue, Spring green, Lilacs in bloom lavender...etc, etc.

And of course I'm ready to plant flowers. And lots of them. I don't have a true 'green thumb' but that doesn't stop me. Digging in the dirt just makes me happy. This year Devony and I have decided to start some flowers from seed. Devony is growing Sunflowers, Passion Flowers and Agastache (whatever that is?) I'm growing Snapdragons and Pink Petunias.

On the way out of the greenhouse I spotted some bright yellow Pansy's that I just had to have. Along with all the other colors. :)

Official or not, it's Spring in my world. And in my world it's Shine-ing...sunshine or not!

I have NO excuses

Dear Blog,

I'm so very sorry I've not been writing to you. I wish I had exciting news that would excuse my behavior. But I'm embarrassed to say, I don't. However, I promise I'm going to do better. From now on at least one post a week. I promise. You've been so patient and loyal to listen to my ramblings on about this, that, and the other. This is the least I can do. I feel confidant that I can handle that.

Sincerely,

Creator of Shine

Happy Groundhog Day/Anniversay

Hear ye, hear ye.

It's official. Phil saw his shadow. :( Six more weeks of winter. Oh well, what do we expect? It IS only the 1st week of Feb. Spring doesn't officially start until March 20. I guess the groundhog knows what he's talking about.

Hear ye, hear ye.

Today is our 16th Wedding Anniversary. WOW. I don't really care if we have a few more cold and snowy days, it just gives me an excuse to cuddle with Doug...and the dogs...and the kids. I know what your thinking,"Doesn't sound very romantic." Oh, but it is. In fact, it's perfect.

Be grateful for the loved ones in your life. Show your love and Shine!

I LOVE February

Poor little ol' February usually gets the short end of the stick. In January everyone is still recuperating from the holidays. By the time this month rolls around we are worn out with holidays.-winter has lost it's charm.-and Spring is juuuuust within our reach. So February kind of just 'creeps up on us', and considering it's the shortest month of the year, it's gone before we know it.

This small month really has some big things going for it.

First of all, there's Groundhog's Day. And don't rolls your eyes over that one. We all know that we secretly hope Punsxsutawney Phil doesn't see his shadow. To check out more info on it go to www.groundhog.org/ . It's an amazingly crazy-big event in PA. They say the 'Groundhog cookies' are an absolute must!

Also, on that very day, is Doug's and mines (wait that's not right, Doug's and mines?-Mines and Doug's?-Doug's and I's??) anyway, it's our wedding anniversary. Now don't get me wrong, I love a good groundhog as much as the next girl, but that's so not romantic to have your anniversary on that date!

There's also Lincoln's birthday, our 16th president who has said most of my favorite quotes: "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt.", "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time." and "Whatever you are, be a good one."

And next, there's Valentine's Day. Sigh. Oh, how I love Valentine's Day. Flowers, chocolate, red hearts, pink ribbons and lacy doilies; I'm such a sucker for all that stuff. Valentine's Day is also my father-in-laws birthday, then February 15th is Doug's b-day and my fabulous friend Angie's b-day too. (we're all about having holidays do double-duty around here... Dev's b-day is xmas eve...see what I mean)

Feb. 17th is Ash Wednesday. This is the first day of Lent for the Catholic Church. Lent is the beginning of preparation for Easter Sunday. Yes, I had to Google that.

And last-but-not-least, on Feb. 22nd, our Founding Fathers birthday: George Washington. Oh wait, and there's Leap Year too. Well, once every four years.

For most people, the only thing the second month of the year has going for it is the 14th. But for our family it's a very fun and exciting 28 days. So now you see why I LOVE February.

Fully enjoy this great month. And Shine while you do it!