Signs of Spring

It has been the longest winter in the entire history of the world.  That's why I went to Walmart on Sunday and purchased these pansies.  Had it not been the longest winter in the entire history of the world and had Walmart even had pansies in stock, I would have purchased and planted them on Saint Patrick's Day.  It is a tradition at my house.  No such luck this year.  Mother Nature had other plans.  Mother Marcia says, "They are being planted tomorrow come hell or high water (and I'm not counting high water out)." 

This is my driveway.  I think it's on drugs.  It's time for an intervention...

This Sunday Morning

The sun is shining through my kitchen windows and onto this table where...

papers will be read, laundry will be folded, meals will be eaten, homework will be done, and where daffodils will soon adorn it.

Enjoy your Sunday.

Shall We Go For a Walk

Laddies and Lassies?
I think we shall.
We'll bring along the pups and look for glimpses of green throughout the woodland forest. 

 

Walking the pups and enjoying a bit of the green.
A perfect way to end the week.
Especially an Irish kind of week ;)

Banana Nut Bread

This Sunday morning my family and I enjoyed some homemade banana nut bread that I made using overripe bananas.  The aroma of the bread throughout the house was almost as wonderful as the bread itself.

As I prepared it, I thought about the people in Japan that have been devastated by the earthquake, tsunami and fallout associated with the nuclear power plant meltdown, and I realized how lucky we are.  Sure, we may complain about snow, mud, wind  and rain, but these are nothing compared to what they have gone through.  So many people have been killed, their homes and belongings taken from them in the blink of an eye.  And I complain about the snow?  Puts everything in perspective doesn't it?  I then said a prayer for everyone affected and made sure that I savored every bite of the bread that I prepared in my own little home while snow lightly fell from the sky.  

The recipe is listed under my recipes tab.

Spring Cleaning

What is it about spring cleaning that makes you feel so good? 

I have washed walls, curtains and windows, painted (still need to put the light switch plate back up), and donated three bags of clothing and various household items to the local VOA.  Although it is a lot of work, I find it deeply satisfying.

I also know that by doing it now, it will allow me to be able to spend more time outside when the weather warms.  

Time that I will spend doing yard work, gardening and walking the dogs. 

What's better than that?  

While I prefer cleaning the house and walking, Stripes seems to prefer cleaning himself and.... 

Oliver Wendall - Stripes

Lounging on the couch all afternoon...

Ahhhh, to  lead the life of luxury. 

Friday Night at the Theater

How cultural are we?
Nana was in the play Barcarolle that was written and directed by one of her most favorite people in this world - her professor, Candide Carrasco.  I have to say I think the play was brilliant and beautiful.  And to be part of such a wonderful production, a true privilege.
Without further adieu, I give you Barcarolle.
Even the program was enchanting...

The talented cast...

And the man who created it all...

Who not only put a grateful smile on this performer's beautiful face...

 But also put smiles on her brother's and best friend's faces too...

To everyone involved - Bravo :) 

You made for a most enchanting evening.

A Belated Birthday Party

But a birthday party nonetheless.

Because the Birthday Girl was once again traveling, we could not celebrate her birthday last Monday.  However, we did celebrate on Sunday and we celebrated in high fashion as only Nana would have it.

We enjoyed a home cooked meal as requested...

played games (Bingo :)

devoured a beautifully decorated cake...

and surrounded her with love :)

Just as a birthday party should be :)