The 4TH Of July At The Cottage

It's our first Independence Day at Pinehurst Cottage since she's been renovated.  The village is planning a parade, craft fair, farmers market and fireworks at the horse track.  I look forward to experiencing all of the festivities and taking a lot of pictures.  Happy Independence Day and I never take this country for granted and for what she stands for.

 



 

Ragged Old Flag
Johnny Cash

I walked through a county courthouse square, On a park bench an old man was sitting there. I said, "Your old courthouse is kinda run down." He said, "Naw, it'll do for our little town." I said, "Your flagpole has leaned a little bit, And that's a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it." He said, "Have a seat", and I sat down. "Is this the first time you've been to our little town?" I said, "I think it is." He said, "I don't like to brag, But we're kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag. "You see, we got a little hole in that flag there When Washington took it across the Delaware. And it got powder-burned the night Francis Scott Key Sat watching it writing 'Oh Say Can You See.' And it got a bad rip in New Orleans With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams. "And it almost fell at the Alamo Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on through. She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville, And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill. There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg, And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag. "On Flanders Field in World War I She got a big hole from a Bertha gun. She turned blood red in World War II. She hung limp and low by the time it was through. She was in Korea and Vietnam. She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam. "She waved from our ships upon the briny foam, And now they've about quit waving her back here at home. In her own good land she's been abused-- She's been burned, dishonored, denied, and refused. "And the government for which she stands Is scandalized throughout the land. And she's getting threadbare and wearing thin, But she's in good shape for the shape she's in. 'Cause she's been through the fire before, And I believe she can take a whole lot more. "So we raise her up every morning, Take her down every night. We don't let her touch the ground, And we fold her up right. On second thought I do like to brag, 'Cause I'm mighty proud of that Ragged Old Flag."



Love, Hope and Peace

Christ loves us so much...he came to us as a babe.  He's our hope and salvation.  This is something for me not to think about only for today but something to ponder everyday for the rest of my life.

May the baby Jesus lying in the crib in the stable...dwell in your heart today and for always.

Merry Christmas!   Peace. 

Right on Schedule

We finally got the house all dressed up for Christmas.  Cards and Packages are in the mail.  Presents are wrapped.   Now...I've got to bake some cookies and set the table for Christmas Eve.  Feeling right on Schedule. 

An Irish Blessing For You....

Wishing you this Irish Blessing.  I'm not Irish but I celebrate it like I was and on a lighter note...as you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction!  Happy St. Patrick's Day!  ~amy

Blogger Uploaded Picture Correctly In Old Editor

Well...I went back to using old editor and I uploaded the same picture that was uploading sideways on Blogger new editor and the picture positioned correctly. At least now I know... that if my pictures aren't uploading correctly...I can go back and post in old editor and that should take care of the picture uploading sideways problem.

Christmas Evening Stillness

The family is in the den playing Dance Wii.  I'm about to bring dinner out to the table. 

Taking just a moment before Christmas dinner to reflect and being thankful for everything that I've been blessed with.  Wishing your heart the warmth of Christmas peace.  ~amy

This Christmas Eve...From My House To Yours

It's been said that until one feels the spirit of Christmas, there is no Christmas.  All else is outward display...so much tinsel and decorations.  For it isn't the holly, it isn't the snow.  It isn't the tree not the firelight's glow. 

 

It's the warmth that comes to your heart.

Christmas began in the heart of God.  It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man.

Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas.

Not Just For Display

It's been said that someone else's trash is another person's treasure.  I certainly find this to be true.

My eclectic vintage collection of Christmas plates, cups, crystal glasses and silver were enthusiastically and lovingly obtained from garage sales and thrift shops.  Between their age, history, detail and beauty they're fit for a King.  These vintage treasures aren't for eyes only but are actually used.  I'm honored to be able to use them each and every Christmastime for entertaining with family and friends. I hope you enjoy glancing at them.  

Happy Easter

We woke up early this morning and headed out to 8:30 mass.  The weather was a glorious 70 degrees and sunny!

I prepared Easter lunch.  This year it was only the four of us here for Easter but having my daughter home from school was a treat in itself.

Below are a few pics of what we had on our Easter table.

Everything was set on this lovely tablecloth given to me by my mom many years ago.  Mr. and Mrs. Barcley lived next door to us when I was growing up.  They were originally from Scotland and they went back to visit family and friends in Scotland frequently. They would bring back gifts for us.  This tablecloth was one of them.  Another thing they brought back for us were giant fat pepperment sticks. 

On our table we had a few chicks that were checking things out.

A pretty fragrant lilly and

dishes that used to be my grandma's.

My other grandma used to color her Easter eggs by boiling them with onion skins so I did the same this year.

We served a lot of bread along with the

traditional butter lamb.

Plenty of ham and for dessert

tiramisu!

I hope your Easter was happy in so many ways.

Have a blessed Easter!

~amy

Happy New Year

Thought I'd share with you a picture taken in 1967 of my cousin Jan and I at my grandma Buda's apartment on New Year's day. I'm the 'frowner' on the right. Lesson to be learned...don't be grumpy for pictures because they will come back to haunt you.

I'd like to wish all a healthy, safe and happy new year! I hope your heart will be light and your dreams will come true.

Happy Birthday to Mom and Kristi today. I love you. ~amy

Merry Christmas

All In Anticipation & Oplatek

I'm just getting home from mailing the last of the Christmas cards at the post office.

Won't you come in and


sit and have some holiday tea and gingersnap cookies?


Or maybe some delicious cake? It's the season when we should let down our guard and enjoy all things good.


I've decked the halls with boughs of pine and


pretty poinsettias.


I've brought out my favorite vintage ornaments to admire


and love!


The gifts are wrapped.


The tree is trimmed with the children's handmade ornaments and my other beloved ornaments. Each and every ornament stirs up a memory.


The snow has fallen.


The night is glowing.


The yearly picture has been taken.

The table for Christmas Eve is being set.

Around the table on Christmas Eve right before dinner is served...traditions are carried on. In a polish ritual...a wafer...a kind of cracker called oplatek is passed out and everyone gets to make a wish and wish something good for the person seated next to them for the next year.

Similar to a birthday wish. In honor of Christ's birthday.

Around the table we remember and miss those that are no longer with us and thankful for those that are.

In our home this has all been done in anticipation for our dear Saviors birth.

Boughs & Deck The Halls....

Oh...it's been bustling around here. I look forward to stuffing my Christmas vases to the brim with fresh greens each and every year and now it's official all of the decorations are up for the holiday. From our yard I clipped boughs of white pine and I used the left over fir branches from our Christmas tree for the arrangements. I wish I could bottle up the scent and send it to you! To me the scent of pine is just as pretty as the scent of a lilac in the spring or a lovely summer rose.

Like so many Christmas traditions, the custom of decorating with evergreens began long ago, before Christmas was even celebrated. In ancient times, trees were considered magical, and their branches were placed over doors and fireplaces to keep away witches, ghosts and evil spirits. Because trees like pine, fir, balsam, and spruce keep their lush green color and bright red berries even in the bitter cold, they were used in many winter festivals to brighten spirits and remind people that spring was on its way.

Many ancient people used evergreen boughs, holly and mistletoe to decorate their homes during the winter solstice. The Romans used greenery to decorate their temples at the festival of Saturnalia which was a mid winter celebration in honor of the god Saturn. Over time, this 'good luck' greenery would end up as our present day Christmas trees, wreaths and garland.