Thoughts From My Lavender Cottage

snow storm

2012-01-15T02:04:00.001-08:00

How would you

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finish this table?

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T03:53:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

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Secret Santa

2011-12-21T01:48:00.000-08:00

My Secret Santa was awesome. She sent me several snowman themed items and some beautiful Sand dollars. I am so sorry I am late in posting this. Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness. She even included some treats for Rambo. Rambo says Thanks :)
Thank you very much

Christmas 2011

2011-12-03T07:53:00.001-08:00

A few pictures of my tree. My colors are red and white with Santas and Hallmark ornaments

Easy Halloween ideas for two yr olds

2011-10-29T07:12:00.000-07:00

I work in a childcare center with 18month olds to 2 yr. olds. These are a few of the art projects we did. Our lead teacher isa amazing

I

Fall Dec or

2011-10-23T12:32:00.000-07:00

Rambo

2011-10-07T16:05:00.001-07:00

Today I am joining Kelli at kelli's Korner for show us your pet. This is my pomerian Rambo. I started out being his aunt. He was my sister Cathi's dog. Rambo was just like her son. In May of 2010. Cathi passed away from Cerosis of the liver and kidney failure. Cathi and I had been sharing a house together, so there was n o question that Ranbo would become mine. He is now just like my son. I am thankful foer having Rambo. Hew is full of enrgy and will be 10 the end of this month.
Rambo is a MSU Spartan fan:)

my mantle and deer

2011-08-21T10:53:00.000-07:00

I was looking out my back door this morning and saw a mother deer and her two young calfs. By the time I got my camera, the mother deer had disappeared into the trees.

July 4 table

2011-06-29T02:56:00.001-07:00

Today I am linking with Tablescape Thursday. Thank you Susan for hosting

My thrifty tablescape. The birdhouse was my inspiration

July 4 decor

2011-06-26T04:03:00.000-07:00

Just a few pictures of my decor

Papercutz challenge 95

2011-06-11T06:29:00.001-07:00

http://www.papercutzchallenge.blogspot.com/

Today I am entering this card in a color challenge using black, white, and pink

Memorial Day table-patriotic theme

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Today I joining Marty for Tabletop Tuesday

This is a fun table that I wanted to do for Memorial Day

Baby Shower

2011-05-25T03:32:00.001-07:00

Congratulations Jennifer

I attended a Baby shower today at a country club for A friend. This is her second girl.The cupcakes were a yummy lemon flavor and the cake was a marble cake with whipped topping on it We had to guess how big the baby was by using ribbon to measure our guess. We played Baby bingo. We had a blank card and had to fill in what we thought Jennifer might be getting. We used Kisses as our markers. Another guessing game was guessing 8 unlabeled jars of Baby Food.
We brought items for a mom's pamper basket as well as gifts for big sister. Jennifer's chair was decorated with ribbons.
We chose our lunch off of the menu.

Two Birthday card ideas

2011-05-21T03:24:00.000-07:00

These are two simple cards I made this week for a friend and a co-worker

Bringing the outside in

2011-05-19T03:19:00.001-07:00

Today I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the porch for Tablescape Thursday

I found the pitcher at Home Goods and love the blue. I found the plates at Meijer and instantly wanted to do this table. It reminds me of the ocean

Cards

2011-05-17T15:27:00.000-07:00

This is a card that I have made for a senior I know who is graduating.
Congrataulations

First of my Spring Tables

2011-04-07T16:05:00.001-07:00

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Trinity Church

2011-04-01T03:13:00.000-07:00

Today I am Joining Kelly at Kellis corner http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/ for tell us about your church. My home church is Trinity church in Lansing Mi
http://trinitywired.com
I am sorry I do not have pictures of the church itself. Trinity has three services on the weekend. It is a very family oriented church. We have over 700 in the childrens minisry wing. Pastor Marvin Williams is our dynamic pastor. He makes the Word alive. I am involved in women's ministry attend Search the Scriptures with Friends and have been in Beth Moore studies. Trinity is Biblical based in its beliefs. It is a very caring search. Small groups are a vital part of my church. we also are involved in Missions and outreach to the community. Although Trinity is large over 3000, it is a very small church in its friendliness. Our Woship is contemporary. On our website you can listen to full services. Discover, Disciple and Deploy. I hope you will visait Trinitywired.com to see more. I love my church and the fact that it is Biblically based

New kitchen thme for spring

2011-03-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite stores is Yankee Candle. I was in there today and found thse sweet accessories. The lemons and flowers are from another store. The candle is called country lemon

2011-03-27T03:14:00.001-07:00

Happy St Patricks Day

2011-03-17T02:43:00.000-07:00

Showing my green

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Today I am joining Kathleen for Blog Crawlhttp://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Part of my Spring decor

2011-03-13T16:38:00.000-07:00

My first table for St Patricks day

Madi Gras

2011-03-03T03:27:00.000-08:00

I am linking this to Susan's Tablescape Thursday

Thinking Spring

2011-02-23T15:29:00.000-08:00

Today I am linking with Susan's Tablescape Thurs. Please be sure to check out the beautiful tables.
I was in one of my favorite store, HL and saw this pitcher that jumped into my cart. I instantly knew I wanted to do a table based on it.
I developed an invitaion and placecard based on the pitcher Thanks for visiting

President's Day

2011-02-21T05:14:00.000-08:00

Today is Presidents day and I am having cherry pie in honor of the dayI am linking this post with A stroll thru life

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Spring teaser

2011-02-19T04:53:00.000-08:00

It has been mild here the last two days and I couldn't resist thinking Spring

almater

2011-02-18T14:50:00.000-08:00

Today I am linking up with Kelli at Kellis Korner. I attended Spring Arbor University for both my grad and undergrad. I graduated in 2001 with my B. A and in 2006 with my MA Spring Arbor is a small Christian Liberal Arts school in Lansing Mi.

http://www.arbor.edu

paper valentines

2011-02-07T16:41:00.000-08:00

I work at a child care center and each month we decorate our room doors. The love makes the world go around was on the 4 yr old door and the candy heart door was my 2& 3 yr old room

I work with 2 &3 yr olds at a center and they did these heart. They made them out of tissue paper and construction paper

Chocolate fondue and my white birds

2011-02-05T10:30:00.000-08:00

I was trying to decide what to post today so I decided to do a post with my fondue set and thewhite birds I found last week

Easy Valentine card

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I used red cardstock, small heart paper abnd stickers.

my Feb mantle

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I want to thank Seasonal home for the ikdea for my mantle. I have just recently started following her blog and she has great ideas. Thanks for this great idea. I used vases instead of candles

Valentine table for children

2011-02-02T15:01:00.000-08:00

Thank you Susan for hosting. I am linking up with Tablescape Thursdfay. The favor boxes were my inspiration for this table.

It has been awhile since I did a tablescape. I gthougbht this would be a good time to do one

my superbowl tablescape

2011-01-31T03:41:00.001-08:00

This is a very simple idea for a superbowl table.

Pictures from my January mantle

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snow storm and snowmen

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Snow

2011-01-20T10:18:00.000-08:00

Today we are under a winter storm warning. Our center is closing at 3. It looks so pretty out. At the center today we made a snowman for the window seal.

more of my 2010 decor

2011-01-03T06:52:00.000-08:00

I am super excited. My Christmas gift to myself was a new table and chairs. I put it all together, This is the first setting on my new table

Christmas decor

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Happy Thanksgiving

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What are you thankful for today. I am especially thankful that I was able to spend the last six months of my sisters life with her.
I was so proud of how strong she was.
Miss you Cathy

The day the spiders came to lunch

2010-10-30T09:05:00.001-07:00

Ten easy ways to decorate with minimal finances.
1. Use any orsnge items you have.
2. Look also for black.
3. wear orange and black colors
4 use costume jewerly
5. buy candles and decor the year before
6. Use paper decor as often as you can
7. put orange food coloring in food.
8. use your imagination
9. If you have trees in your yard pick up some of the nicer dry colorful leaves
10 use any natural items in your yard

My Halloween menu
Notice that there are no forks or spoons.
my menu was
hot dogs on a roll
carrot sticks
apple slices
raisins
and water

I was looking around my house and I was wondering what I could use for my Halloween party. I discovered that i had alot of items with spiders on them. That was my inspiration.

This says Happy Halloween on the front of the invitation

Sample of the name card I used

Decorating for For fall and Halloween

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My mantle

He keeps an eye on us in the living room

This is part of how I decorated the bathroom

Fall

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Thought this was adorable. I have these arranged on my mantle

I love my scarecrow family.

Through out the fall I will be showing my decorations for the season. I will be using some that belonged to my sister. This wreath was one of hers. It is very special to use hers as a reminder of how much she also loved this time of year.

I was in one of our stores that has wreaths. I loved the size of this one

PartyLite | Our Products | Home Décor | Rustic Christmas

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PartyLite | Our Products | Home Décor | Rustic Christmas

My family

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Rambo loves to sit like thi on the couch

Last night I was sitting on the couch and my cat Syvester was sleeping, next thing I know my dog Rambo who is a pomerian jumped on the couch and laid next to him. The two really get along well together

Simple summer decor

2010-07-17T05:34:00.002-07:00

This is one of my favorite summer foods. It is also a tealight candle holder.

You can't see the garland real well but I have a star garland on my tree.

I fell in love with this pitcher earlier in the year. I have it sitting on the dining room table.

Here are some of my simple ways to decorate

Awesome Bible Study

2010-07-14T04:18:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to the women's Bible Study at Church. It was awesome. For six weeks this summer we have been doing a series of videos feauring different speakers.
Last night we heard Anne Thompson talk on her book, Do you think I am beautiful. It was awesome. It really nmade me think. One of the statements she made that really stood out was that Jesus look at us and calls us beutiful. Media tells us tat we have to wear designer clothes, have this car or be this but Jesus take us where we are
What a awesome fact to know that we ARE beutiful in His eyes.

Make it a great dau

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-04T05:25:00.001-07:00

Happy 4th.Have a great day celebrating. i have been gone for a while due to some family issues. I hope to be able to do better. I am in the process of selling a house, and getting reay to move back to Mi. I had a yard sale yesterday and did fairly well, I am not doing much today.

It has been a long time

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I can't believe it has been since the beginning of January that I have posted. Alot has been happening. I am finally working and getting back to normal. I have decorated the house for Easter and will post pictures.
What are your plans for Easter?

Snow Day

2010-01-07T13:32:00.001-08:00

Snow storm today. It looks so pretty.

Our snow baby Rambo

Daybook

2010-01-04T04:23:00.000-08:00

Today I am joining with the Daybook

FOR TODAY... from Marge's Daybook
Outside my window I am thinking about how cold it is
I am thankful for... my warm house and family
I am wearing... My bathrobe

I am remembering... the good things from last year
I am going... to the mall
I am currently reading...
I am hoping... for a better year this year

On my mind... job hunting
Noticing that... I am enjoying the quiteness of early morning
From the kitchen...

Around the house... cleaning
From my picture journal...

Merry Christmas

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This and that

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I am really excited, i found a place in the house where i can use my computer. I plan to start posting pictures again soon. I updated my background.
Two weeks until Thanksgiving. What are your plans.
Also have you started planning your holidays yet.
In addition to this blog i will also be updating my Christmas blog.
Have a great day

I am back

2009-10-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

What a crazy month this has been. On August 17 I moved from my apartment. I am now working as a caregiver at a Foster home that has six residents. Life has changed dramatically. I live and work at the same place. I am missing my apartment. But i am learning how to make one room MY space. I have decorated for fall and eventually post pictures.
One of the biggest changes is that I do not have internet access so I am going to the coffeeshop

What is your comfort food?

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My brightspot, my marigolds:)

What the rain is doing to my gourds

Outside my living room window

I am sitting at my computer listening to it rain very hard. I got to thinking, I wonder what other's would say their comfort food is.
For me it is hot dogs and beans. I fix the beans with brown sugar, dry mustard, onions and a dash of hot sauce. Quite often on Sat that is what i will have for either luch or dinner.
My second comfort food is cheesecake.
Gotta go it is thundering.

It's August

2009-08-01T10:53:00.000-07:00

Top ofc entertainment center

Dining Room table

coffee table

one of my end tables

my gourds and mini pumpkins

my small garden

Thursday Tablescape-Beach theme

2009-07-30T00:02:00.000-07:00

It is Thursday and time to join Susan for Tablescape Thursday. Check out her blog for some great tables. Enjoy

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

I chose a water theme this week. One of my favorite places is the ocean. This is in honor of that.

What's on your table- Christmas in July

2009-07-26T15:49:00.001-07:00

This shelf is in the corner of my dining room. The Santa ornaments I got from Macy's two years Ago.
What is on your table?

Dog days of summer and Christmas in July. These are pictures from my diningt room table

Praying Friends

2009-07-22T06:17:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for friends that are also prayer warriors. I had a special blessing last night. A friend and I went to our prayer team group last night to pray for our missions team that is going to Ireland. They leave on Thursday morning. After the group was over, my fiend and I went to get ice cream and then came back to my apartment to pray over some special prayer concerns involving family and friends, It was so special to be able to pray with this friend
Today I am going to run errands and hopefully if my computer lets me tonight I want to post a tablescape for tommorow.
Have a great day

Cooking

2009-07-19T11:15:00.000-07:00

One of my hobbies is experimenting with food. One of my favorite foods is BBQ chicken. Only problem is I live in an apartment and cannot have a grill. I was hungry for BBQ chicken today. I was out of sauce. So I made up my own.
I took two tablespoons brown sugar, 1/2 a teaspoon of dijon mustard, shake of dried onion, a shake of tomato seasoning salt free, I don't measure my ingredients. three squirts of hot sauce, and a tablespoon of margarine. I mixed it all and spread it on the chicken breast when the chicken was almost done. I continued cooking until the chicken was done. It gave it a nice color and tasted great. With it I had a Ceasear pasta salad. Yummy!!!!!

Happy Fourth

2009-07-04T03:19:00.001-07:00

Tablescape Thursday

2009-07-01T04:51:00.000-07:00

It is time to join Susan at
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
for Tablescape Thursday

Tablescape Thursday-Americana

2009-06-25T05:07:00.000-07:00

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

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Summer is here

2009-06-23T03:03:00.000-07:00

It has finally gotten warm here. It is going to be in the 80's all week. On wed it is suppose to be 92. I am ready for the weather to say summer.

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T11:37:00.000-07:00

Tribute to a great dad
55 years ago I was born to a couple who were ministers. I am the first born.
My parents took me to church and taught me about Christ. I have fond memories of my dad. Going to the office with him, going to summer music Camp at Allegheny. We also played in band together, We drove to many rehersals together, My dad always put his family first. His greatest joy was having all of his girls home. He taught us to work hard, be honest and respectful. although he loved his girls, he loved his wife more. There was never any doubt that he loved her.
My dad was a people person. He never knew a stranger. He had a strong sense of humor.
Then a bout 9 years ago he developed Parkinsons. It slowly took away my fathers ability to do many things. It changed him. He was able to recognize music.
Then on March 16th2003 Our hevenly Father took him home to be with Him. He was Promoted to glory.
How I miss him. He was a huge Christmas person and I get that from him
So today i want to say thank you for the dad I had.

Americana Decor

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my patio garden

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New Blog dress

2009-06-12T05:50:00.000-07:00

I love my new blog dress. I found this when I was blog surfing
Happy Friday

Recent card

2009-06-09T17:06:00.000-07:00

This is my most recent card. It is black and white. On here it is showing up blue.

Wow

2009-06-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it is June 4th. Today was the last day of school for most of the schools around here. This is going to be a busy weekend. The granddaughter of a couple I am good friends with is graduating from High School this weekend. I am so proud of her. She has high dreams of becoming a chiropractor. She has a full scholarship to the community college here.
Then on Sunday we are having a baby showe for the aunt of the gal who is graduating. This will be grandchil 25 for my friends. I am excited for this baby to be born.
I will post pictures and cards when I have them done.

Paper crafting Wed

2009-05-27T03:10:00.000-07:00

I was going to use these as cards but then decided to use them as decor. I have my living room in a beach theme so I thought I would add these.

PaperCraft Wed,

2009-05-20T01:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you for the comments you are leaving.
Very simple Birthday Card, I am wanting to add to it but not sure what.

This is a card that I am using just for a note card. I love the idea of a hat shape.

Tablescpe Thursday- Gone Fishing

2009-05-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

Please join Susan for Tablescape Thursday
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Papercraft Wednesday

2009-05-12T18:10:00.000-07:00

Today is Paper craft Wed with Kelli. Thanks Kelli for the award. Sorry my pictures are blurry. I am using a small camera and it is difficult to get them to come out right.

Papercraft Wed- Late posting

2009-05-07T03:07:00.000-07:00

This is the post I had wanted to post on Wed, but my wireless wouldn't let me on so I as posting late

This is a card i made for a friend who is just finishing up a tought college course.

I am experimenting with different ideas. This is a possibility for a teen I know

Decorating for May

2009-05-03T10:27:00.000-07:00

For May and most of June I love to decorate with shells and anything beach realted

Part of my bookcase display

This is the display above my entertainment center.

I have fallen in love with butterflys. I put these to on the wall next to my patio door. I love the cheerfulness of them. They make me smile

Paper crafting Wed.

2009-04-28T17:09:00.000-07:00

This week I am joing Kelli at There is no place like home.

I have been in a crafting mood lately. I have wanted to start making cards and I finally have. So far I have made an Easter card, a Birthday Card and Now a Thank you card.

What is your favorite entertaining tip?

2009-04-27T02:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday morning.
I love to entertain and have people over. I live in an apartment so storage space is an issue. So my favorite entertaining tip
Get items that you can use over and over again. I have a rainbow selection of plasticware(OH NO).
I like to have a theme and plan around that
Some themes I have used:
For a Partylite party I did a chocolate and lavender color scheme.
For a Bridal Shower I did an outdoor flower theme
During the summer, I used a fish theme
I also have dode alot of Holiday themed parties.
What is your favorite entertaining tip and party idea?

Blessings

Happy Sunday

2009-04-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

This is the beginning of my patio garden. I live in an apartment so I use containers. I have pansies, marigolds, spearmint, chives, rosemary and dill. I want to add some more, but I am still deciding. Hope everyone has been having a great weekend. Thanks for stopping by. I have been trying to get to other blogs, but my connection keeps dying Have a great Sunday.

Tablescape Thursday

2009-04-22T18:08:00.000-07:00

Thank you for stopping by, and thanks to Susan for hosting this every week

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com

I can't believe It's Sun evening.

2009-04-19T14:43:00.000-07:00

Where did the weekend go? We had georgeous weather Fri and Sat. It was in the low 70's. I put my plants out to enjoy the Sun.
We had a awesome Worship service this morning. Our Admin. pastor spoke on Suffering and was excellent
If you would like to here it go
http://www.trinitywired.com
We also were told that we had over 5000 attend our Worship services Easter weekend.

My new hobbie

2009-04-18T03:48:00.001-07:00

On Thursday I went to one of the craft stores and found these adorable bird houses. I painted them to match my colors. My friends, Shy and Shyer were happy with their new homes.

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday

2009-04-15T18:13:00.000-07:00

It's Thursday and time to see visit Susan and the others for Tablescape Thurs.

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/04/welcome-to-34th-tablescape-thursday.html

.

Target Birdies

2009-04-15T08:22:00.001-07:00

Here we are wishing we could join all the other birds in blogland. Ou House is small and we would really like to get out and see the world. Our names are Shy and Shyer. Miss Marge is to shy to tellour story so we are here just waiting to tell our story.

This is our mom.

One fun thing was swimming.

Here we are sitting at the computer. Miss Marge is getting upset at her computer, because it won't let her post our fun.

Our owner was doing some ironing and we decided to join her. what fun I had sitting oin the cold iron.

Tablescape Thursday. Easter Table

2009-04-09T02:35:00.000-07:00

Thank-you to Susan for hosting Tablescape Thursday

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Spring table

2009-04-07T07:37:00.000-07:00

Extra table ideas for Easter

2009-04-07T07:30:00.001-07:00

I had two visitors hop into see me

2009-04-06T04:52:00.001-07:00

It is suppose to be Spring

2009-04-06T04:48:00.000-07:00

Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week

2009-04-05T03:14:00.000-07:00

For Christians today starts the last week of Jesus life on earth. Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey and was treated as royality. The Crowds shouted Hosanna.
Thursday is Passover. Friday is Good Friday and Sunday Easter. Day of Resurrection.

Tablescape Thursday-Spring time

2009-04-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
It is Thursday and it is time to Join Susan for Tablescape Thursday. Take a look at what others are doing.

Picture of a bunny that came to visit me. He made his home in my basket of eggs.

I fell in love with this butterfly napkin ring.

The shelf above my table.

The corner shelf in my dining room. I am carrying over my Spring theme.

A nest found its way into my home.

A picture of my year round tree dressed for Spring

More of my Spring Decor

2009-03-29T10:28:00.000-07:00

Tablescape Thursday. Very Simple Dinner night

2009-03-25T18:24:00.000-07:00

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
Please Join Susan and many others at Tablescape Thursday.
I chose to do a very simple table this week.

2009-03-23T02:58:00.000-07:00

One of the scenes on my entertaiment center.

This is the scene under the picture.

My favorite pic on the wall next to my microwave

This is the scene on the shelf under my microwave.

I love reading posts on other blogs about thier mantle. I often wondered how I could get a similar effect. I started using the top of my entertainment center. This is a picture of what I have right now

March Madness

2009-03-23T02:49:00.000-07:00

I am very pleased that both MSU men's and women's b-ball teams won on Sunday.
Changing subjects. We had an awesome Worship Service on Sunday. One of our teaching pastors spoke on We are to love one another. His Key phrase:
"It is time for Christians to show love." Allen Cullen Trinity Church. He used selected verses on The Greatest commandment is to love. It was very good.

Tablescape Thursday- Morning has broken

2009-03-18T18:11:00.000-07:00

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
Today is Tablescape Thursday with Susan from Bewtween Naps on the front porch. Please join us. Thanks for stopping by I chose this tablecloth as my inspiration today. I was drawn to both the music notes and the green leaves on it.

Signs of Spring

2009-03-18T10:41:00.001-07:00

I went on a hunt for signs of Spring around my apartment and found some. The first two pictures are some new leaves coming in under some dead leaves, The other two pictures are from next to my steps, showing the beginning of flowers. Yea!!!

St. Patrick's Day

2009-03-17T03:06:00.000-07:00