Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Such an Honor

Attitude of Gratitude Award
This is an award for people who know how to make lemonade out of the lemons that life sometimes hands you. It is also an award for blogs that have a good Attitude and plenty of Gratitude. Your attitude is not determined by circumstances, but by how you respond to your circumstances. It’s how you react to events, not the events themselves, that determines your attitude.

When I started blogging in January I intended for it to be a blog for my business, Grand Occasions and offer tips and advice on weddings and events, but I quickly discovered many delightful ladies with the same interests as me, so my Grand Occasions turned into a personal blog and a place I come to relax, get inspired, pick up clever ideas and meet new friends. I have gotten to know some very special ladies and I'm looking forward to meeting many more. I've learned they are very patient and understanding friends and continue to visit even when I'm a little slow in publishing new posts.

I would like to introduce you to one of those friends, Sherri at Sharing with Sherri. I was deeply touched when she gave me my very first award this week. It's the Attitude of Gratitude Award! I feel so honored and excited to have been given such a special award. Now, she tells me I have to share what has given me that attitude of gratitude and to be honest, I'm not exactly sure I know except by the grace of God. I don't know if it's something that's been developed or if that's just the way the Lord made me. I was raised by parents that didn't take anything for granted and who expected us to be thankful for and take care of what we had and were given. If you didn't show appreciation or respect for whatever it was, it was taken away and sometimes given to someone else who was in need of it or who would appreciate it. We never felt like we were entitled to things as so many children and adults are today even thought looking back we had more than most. Our parents were older and worked hard for what they had and what was given to us. My mother died when I was 10 and my sister was only 5. Even thought that was very young I had a solid foundation and lot of determination. The Lord provided us with an abundance of godly women to give advice, make costumes, take us shopping, provide a bed or whatever else we were in need of at the time. We loved being with our Daddy and especially loved going to work with him (he owned a beauty salon), but there were just some things a daddy didn't know how to handle like a woman did. As Sherri said there were good times and bad times especially after our daddy re-married, but somehow by the Lord's grace I came out unscathed and ended up with a whole lot of knowledge about a whole lot of things. I think life is short and even though this world we live in is not what it was intended to be it's filled with amazing beauty and a lot to be enjoyed. I'm a people person. They interest me, they are all different, they all have their own unique story and I'll let you in on a little secret...none of them are perfect and every single one of them no matter where they come from, how much they have or don't have, has a problem or two. I am thankful for all of those godly self-less ladies the Lord put in my life and the times they shared with us that sometimes weren't convenient. If I could go back and change things I honestly don't know how much I would change. I've learned valuable lessons that I would otherwise never have learned. The trick is to put into practice what you've learned. Of course you always wonder what if, but remember this, nothing will ever happen in our lives that the Lord doesn't allow. He knows all about it even before it ever happens. He's promised to never leave or forsake us so take hold of His hand and enjoy the stroll. He'll do the leading so you can enjoy the scenery. He didn't promise us a life without lemons, in fact He's told us there would be lots of lemons and He's given us the recipe to make lemonade with them. So if you have bowl full, a bag full or maybe even a whole house full of lemons, start squeezing them and add plenty of sugar you will find that it's very refreshing!


Sherri is a brand new blogger as well, please stop by her blog for a visit and get to know her http://sharingwithsherri.blogspot.com/


Thank you Sherri for this very special award. I feel very honored and blessed to have met you!

Monday, April 27, 2009

A Love As Deep As The Ocean


Photos Can Be Enlarged By Clicking On Them










It was a blue Saturday for Bethany & George, but the only tears were tears of joy as the happy couple said I DO on the beach with the blue Atlantic as their backdrop.


Bethany's love for femininity and Georges love of golf were combined to create a beautiful and whimsical wedding theme for their blue wedding. Under a cloudless blue sky and surrounded by a warm ocean breeze guests celebrated with a couple that was made fore eachother! Congratulations Bethany and George!



It's Blue Monday time!
Hosted by Smiling Sally
@
http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/
Be sure to visit her blog and leave her a message.
Also, check out other participants blogs too!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

The Shirt Off Your Back

Click on photo to enlarge.


Most everyone has heard the saying, "they'd give you the shirt off their back". While I've never actually had anyone do that, I did have a friend give me a shelf right off their wall. While living in Massachusetts I was admiring a friends "teacup shelf" that didn't have a teacup one on it. She said, "oh, is that what that is supposed to be" and laughed. I said yes and almost every Southern girl has one on her wall filled with teacups. I asked her where she had gotten it because I have a teacup collection and was in need of one. She had gotten it from J.C. Penney when she was first married about 22 years earlier. A few days later she came to visit me and what did she have with her? The teacup shelf ! I couldn't believe it. She had cleared out all of her nick nacks, took it off her wall and was giving it to me!! I love that teacup shelf and the memories of my dear and very generous friend. She has even added a teacup to my collection. Truly a gift from the heart and one that suited me to a tea.

Monday, April 13, 2009

One Very Excited Grandmomma!

Anticipated Package
Finally Arrives!

Even The Wrapping Is Beautiful!

Yippee!

Now isn't THIS the most adorable apron you've ever seen?

Many of you may have seen the darling aprons and matching tea towels pictured in Judy's post titled "The Very Fashionable Grandma's Apron" at Just A Little Something For You a couple of weeks ago. They were made by her very talented sister-in-law Julia and purchased by Judy as gifts for the lucky recipients of her pay-it-forward post. I am very happy to be one of the lucky three!!!

NOW, I hate to disagree with Tracy and Kim, BUT, I think you'll just have to agree that "MY" apron is the absolute cutest apron you've ever seen. I'll definitely be one fashionable Grandmomma wearing such an adorable apron. We are expecting a lot of guests this spring and summer and have a lot of get togethers scheduled already with the first one being in about 2 weeks. That should give me plenty of time to find some black flip flops with pink and white polka dot bows!! I can't wait to show off my beautiful apron.

If you've never visited Judy stop over and say hello (http://justalittlesomethingforyou.blogspot.com/) , you're in for a treat. Pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy. I'm so glad I discovered her blog and I think you will be to. Not only have I gotten a lot of great ideas and inspiration, but I've made a very special friend. Thank you Judy for my gorgeous apron and tea towel!! They are absolutely perfect. Tell Julia thanks as well and to keep up the good work.

Speaking of give aways, hop over to http://etiquettewithmissjanice.blogspot.com/ and look at what Miss Janice is giving away!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Easter Story Cookies

Hello friends and visitors! I've been so busy with weddings lately that I haven't had much time to visit my blogging friends or get anything posted. I was trying to think of something I could post this week and when a friend asked me to send her the Easter Cookie Recipe I thought it might be just the thing to share with you this week. I think it's a wonderful Easter activity to do with the special little ones in your life and thought you might enjoy it as well. The recipe isn't my own creation and unfortunately I don't know who the creator is. I did make these with a friend and her son a couple of years ago and it does work. Hope you enjoy sharing the Easter Story with your little ones and hope you have a joyful Easter weekend!
EASTER COOKIE RECIPE

Making cookies with your children
to teach the true meaning of EASTER! The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory,
the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

You Need

Help & permission from Parents!

1- cup whole pecans

1-teaspoon vinegar

3 egg whites

pinch of salt

1-cup sugar

zipper baggie

wooden spoon

tape

Bible


Preheat the oven to 300 (this is important-don't wait 'til you're half-done with the recipe)
1. Place the pecans in the baggie and let the kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.Read John 19:1-3
2. Put the vinegar into a mixing bowl. Let each child smell the vinegar. Explain that when Jesus was on the cross and He became thirsty, He was offered vinegar to drink.Read John 19:28-30
3. Add the egg whites to the vinegar. The eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life so that we could have life.Read John 10:10-11
4. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand and let them taste it. Put the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.Read Luke 23:27
5. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16
6. Beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3
7. Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid to rest.Read Matt. 27:57-60
8. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven off.
9. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed.Read Matt. 27:65-66
10. Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight and that Jesus followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.Read John 16:20-22
11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. the cookies are hollow! ON THE FIRST EASTER, Jesus' followers were amazed to find His tomb empty.Read Matt. 28: 1-9