Amazing Grace

Easter should give us great optimism. It’s life over death! But sometimes it’s hard to find optimism when everything in our life seems to be negative, and we are always the victims.
For some, there are words that describe the dark cloud in your life right now: recession, furlough, lay-off, disease, aging loved one, death, divorce, depression. These words can describe our lives, and
indeed we can feel this is a season of dark clouds in our lives.
But there is good news...The wonder of Easter is that dark clouds can be changed into silver clouds! The silver clouds won’t be because we deserve them or because we necessarily worked for them, but because we are given them in grace.
During this Easter-tide, remember the wonderful blessings we have.

 I spent my Easter Sunday writing in my journal, reading some of my favorite books, and giving thanks for the many blessings.{In addition to my lesson plan for the week}.

The girls had fun helping with the Easter decorations and hunting for eggs. {MEOW!}

Life in Writings

All my journals since 1984...

 Perhaps many of us began blogging at a young age.  But before computers, there was pen and paper.  Can you remember the first time you kept a journal or a diary?  Maybe in middle school or earlier?  Keeping a journal has many positive benefits. Journaling can help with personal growth and development. By regularly recording your thoughts, you will gain insight into your behaviors and moods.  Also, your memories are preserved forever. {Like photography} Maybe you remember your first crush or the first time you slow danced?
I have kept a writing journal since 1983 {missing a few years here and there}.  Some of the books and letters are now lost but I have managed to hang on to a few. I still keep a writing journal to this day. I wanted to share a few keepsakes. Enjoy!

Scrolled pages from 2005 after the spine fell apart

This is an old love letter...look at the date!

This is my oldest piece from 1984 {I was in 8th grade!}  It tells of a tale from the first day of school and my hopes for the weekend.  Look at that old-school cursive! Enjoy the read.

I have kept all of my pocket calendars since 1987.

And of course, Annabel had to get in on the action.  She made herself comfortable on top of the journals and began to knead them!  Animals know. {Meow!}

The Galvez

 It is always important {for all of us} to take some time out.  Rest and reflection are essential to leading a balanced life.  Think about it, we all need a balanced diet {everything in moderation}. And what happens when we eat junk food for months at a time...our bodies will tell let us know!  It's the same with work and play.  It's easy to get caught up in the world's story...{just look at the headlines, which I try not to do so much}.  
I was blessed to spend the weekend at the historic Galvez hotel, opened in 1911, on Galveston island.  In addition to the haunts that live here, this immaculate get-a-way resort is just the prescription for a fatigued mind, body, and soul.  
Where do you like to go to leave the world for a while? 

Miles and miles of chocolate!

6th floor suite {with ocean view} in one of the original parts of the building

And of course, Annabel wanted to tag along...

{MEOW!}

Cats, Stamps, and Coloring

We all collect things.  Over the years, I have collected postage stamps from all parts of the world.  They are most of cats but I do have a extensive collection of world flags.  Stamp collecting seems to be a lost art...there are rarely stores that carry them.  Perhaps no one collects them because no one writes snail mail anymore?  { I love snail mail! Hint, hint} Some of my kindergartners have never even seen or heard of a postage stamp.  I'll have to bring one in to show them.  Also, my latest coloring pages from this past weekend.  Do you like to send snail mail or color?

 Annabel is worn out from reading her cat book!

{MEOW!}

Half the Sugar Oatmeal Cookies

Some years back, I stayed at a B&B in the middle of the Willamette National Forest in Oregon.  My host made the most amazing oatmeal cookies, which contained only half the sugar as normal...{they were outstanding!}  However, I did not get the recipe and have been looking for one since 2007.  Well, after extensive search, I finally found one {that would do...more or less}, but not to the degree that she made them...{ I think her TLC was the secret}. Alas, mine did not even come close; however, I gave it a shot.

1 cup melted butter

1/2 cup sugar in the raw

2 eggs

1/2 tea spoon baking soda

1/4 tea spoon sea salt

1 tea spoon vanilla extract

2 cups whole oats

1 1/2 - 2 cups wheat flour

Combine melted butter and sugar.  Add eggs, baking soda, salt, and vanilla.  Stir in oats and sifted flour until desired dough consistency.  Scoop onto baking sheet leaving 2 inches in between. Bake at 350 8-12 minutes.  I like mine a tad under-done so I go about 6-8 minutes. Enjoy!   

 

 Annabel made sure the plates were all ready to go!

{Meow!}

 

Easter Colors

I could write a sonnet,

about your Easter bonnet,
And of the girl I'm taking
to the Easter parade.

~Irving Berlin

 Love that song! I watched Holiday Inn last night {one of my all-time favorite movies}.  I like it because you can watch it year-round. Easter colors have graced the atelier this passed weekend.  Couldn't resist this bunny candy dish!

What colors are you showing in your home this spring?

 I think Annabel wants an egg!

{Meow!}

Brenham House Tour

Happy Friday!

I wanted to make sure I gave you a tour of the Brenham House {since I was the only guest that day}.  I had access to the entire house with the exception of the other guest rooms, which were locked. 

                        The Antique Rose Room.  

My room had a special charm that is difficult to put in to words.  The rose quilt even had a {musty} smell. 

 The Sun Room

This used to be the back porch and was made part of the house to accommodate a sitting room for guests. This is where I sat enjoying my craft work and reading.

Formal Dining Room

This used to be the chancel area of the church.  It can now seat up to ten guests.

The Living Room

This room was decorated with Easter along with continuous items...

{I sat in every chair and nook I could find}.  The china cabinet contains pieces made of bone china including a kitty magician teapot seen below. {Can you find it!?}

Main Entrance

You can see the sun lighting the Sun Room at the very end.  Although the house looks haunted, I felt no presence of anything paranormal.

 The Bluebonnet is the Texas state flower and is illegal to pick! Washington county is filled with them!

 

Enjoy! :)

The Brenham House

Old houses have so much character. Brenham, TX is filled with houses from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.  This house was a church at one point and then was used as a residence.  Now it's a thriving B&B but still peaceful and off the beaten path and still walking distance to historic downtown, which is lined with antique shops and specialty stores. The owners live off property...I was blessed to be the only guest that evening and had the entire house to myself!! Have you ever stayed at a quaint B&B?  Tell us your story.

 The Antique Rose Room...{my Victorian haven for the evening} Hardwood floors and a private bathroom with a claw-footed tub {of which I used thrice!}

 The house was filled with reading nooks to explore...{perfect for coffee in a bone china cup and journaling}