World Cat Day

A friend of mine pointed out that I missed World Cat Day, which was Friday.  So--in honor of this holiday, I am posting this darling card with its soft eyed kittens.

Have a lovely day, and Happy World Cat Day!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Leigh

It is my youngest sister's birthday today.  I was 14 years old when Leigh was born, and wasn't too much interested in tiny babies.

These days she is all grown up and is one of my dearest friends.  I love her with all my heart.

I wish the very best for you my dear Honey--joy, laughter, sweetness and love, in the years ahead.  I love you, Sissy!

Happy Birthday, Little Buddy!

I am so grateful for friendship.  Today is my friend Theresa's birthday.  She's been my little buddy for over 25 years.  Our children grew up together and played together.  Over the years we've done projects together, spent holidays together, laughed together--cried together.  What a dear gift she has been.

Happy Birthday, Little Buddy!

Birthday Flowers - Guest Heart Thursday

This morning when the phone rang, I had the most marvelous surprise--SISSY was singing Happy Birthday to me.  (grin)  What a great way to start off the day.  And then Mumsie sang to me later on--now that took me back to my girlhood--in church, standing next to Mom, grinning as I listened to her singing the hymns.  It is a little known fact, that many authors and writers are, er, singing impaired!  A few years back I went to a writer's conference with my Mother and to my delight, discovered the true meaning of making a "joyful noise." 

This is a card I "stole" from Sissy.  (grin)  It seemed perfect for today, because not only is it my birthday, but each petal in those beautiful pink flowers, is shaped like a heart.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

 

Happy Birthday, Sissy Boo

It is my darling Sister's birthday.  I am SO grateful to have Clytie in my life.  She has always been my hero, and in many ways, I am only a pale reflection.  She is a wonderful, amazing woman, who's talent and humor knows no bounds.

I am proud to call Clytie my sweet Sis.  Truly she is wise, loving and kind--with a heart which literally encompasses the entire world.  To wish Clytie a happy birthday, visit Sissy at Random Hearts.

Happy birthday SissyBoo!

Happy Birthday, Honey - Pink Saturday

My darling husband's birthday is this Sunday--hence this card with the darling little boy.  I know this sweet fellow is wearing red checks, but all babies are pink--and therefore I felt 'twas a good choice for Pink Saturday!

For more fabulous pink stuff, join Bev at How Sweet the Sound!

With Love to Mother - Sunday Scans

This is one of Grammie's wonderful cards.  I love the flowers and the little bluebirds.  They seem so fat and happy!  The flowers are blooming, the birds are flitting--and miracle of miracles--the sun is shining!  Inside each little bluebird folds back to reveal a sweet message.  This seemed the perfect card for Sunday Scans.

Today is the very first for Al's wonderful new meme.   I think it is a lovely idea--since so many of us use the scanner every day.  Check out "Al's Photography Blog" and his new meme Sunday Scans!

Flowers and Butterflies - Pink Saturday

 This card was given to me by Gramma Gladys. She collected the largest collection of cards I've ever seen--all meticulously organized. I still use those cards--I have boxes of them in my office. I am so honored to have them, and use them.

The older cards I carefully set aside to be a part of my collection of vintage cards. This particular card caught my interest because of its gorgeous butterflies and flowers. I love its' design--haphazardly stacked up across the card, creating a delicate movement of subject, line and color which fills my eyes.

For more wonderful things in pink, visit Beverly at  How Sweet The Sound! 

Roses - Pink Saturday

This wonderful old card came from Gramma Jenny's collection.  I am not sure of its age--but it looks to me to be from the 1960's.  I love the artist's rendition of this pink wind blown rose--utterly lovely and perfect for Pink Saturday!  For more wonderful things in pink, visit Bev at Pink Saturday!

Happy Birthday Honey! - Pink Saturday

I love this wonderful old card.  It is from our Gramma Jenny's collection.  I think she kept it, not only because it is beautiful, but because we all used to attend a church that looked a lot like this--it even had a steeple with a bell we kids took turns ringing on Sunday mornings.

I am one of the most blessed people I know--I have two incredibly wonderful younger sisters!  My youngest sister Honey celebrated her birthday recently.  Honey is so dear to my heart--so precious in my life. She has suffered so much, yet her beauty shines through.  She is lovely in every way and I am in awe of her strength. 

Happy Birthday dearest Honey--and Happy Pink Saturday!

For more wonderful things in pink, visit Bev at Pink Saturday!

Joy and Laughter - Birthday Thoughts

This is one of a collection of wonderful cards given to me by my darling Sissy Clytie.  What a precious gift she is!  She is truly one of my best Friends.  Tch tch tch--she had me in tears this morning, the wench!  I  am so blessed and privileged to have Clytie as MY sweet Sissy!  She and my Sister Leigh are notes of joy intertwining throughout my life--sweet tones of friendship and love.  I think about all my dear brothers and sisters and how each of them in their own way are precious and dear to me.

Today is my birthday.  I am the eldest.   I never thought I would ever get this old.  I still feel quite young on the inside--still in my early 20's.

Fifty-two years ago this moment Mom was, as she says, "working hard."  I was born around 10 p.m. I am very grateful to Mumsie for all the things she instilled into me.  Much of who I am today stems from what she taught me as a small child.

THANK YOU, Mom!  Thank you for all your hard work.  You taught me to see beauty.  Thank you for faithfully loving Dad all these years.  I thank you for your prayer and support throughout my life.  I am truly blessed to have you as my Mom.  Today on my birthday, I think about how wonderful you are--you are God's song of joy and laughter to ME, sweet Mumsie!

Partying Angels on Rollerskates

I can't remember where I got this one--I think my darling Sissy posted it on her blog awhile back.  I am posting this card in honor of my Friend Louree, who turns a youthful 60 years old today!

I adore these little angel's expressive faces, their roller skates, the tripping angel and the colorful dresses they're wearing.  What a darling card--I LOVE this artist's work!

Mum's Amazing Birthday

It is our darling Mumsie's birthday today! 

Mum had six children--which meant she endured teenagers in her home for well over 20 years. 

My youngest sister was born when I was 14! 

Now that I'm a Mom, I am SO appreciative of all she did for us

and the sheer magnitude of what it must have taken to take care of all of us. 

I remember for years and years
Mumsie would doodle 41 inside a heart. 

She always said something amazing
was going to happen on her 41st birthday! 

And it did.

Mount St. Helen's blew her top!

It would make her smile
if you'd all pop on over to wish her a
Happy Birthday

at Everybody Loves a Story today!

Glamorous -- That's You!

This darling birthday card is one of a set of cards given to me by my sweet Sis, Clytie.  The cards are VERY large and came in an elegant cardboard box.  I treasure them, not only because of the wonderful work of this artist, but because they were a gift from my darling Sissy.

Today I am honoring our friend Jann, who is 58 years old.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANN! 

If you get the chance pop on over to wish Forever Jann Happy Birthday, too!

Happy Birthday Son

It seems just yesterday I held my son in my arms for the first time. I will never forget that day. Today he is twenty years old. How quickly the years flew by.

In my mind's eye I see your face and all the good times flash in my mind's eye. You are not a little boy any more.

Happy Birthday Son!

I am so proud of the man you are fast becoming. You are noble, kind and wise. You are persistent and strong. I thank the Lord for you, my Son.

Hope of Happiness

Happy Birthday, my darling little Niece. I remember the day you were born. How you have grown.

We had a wonderful day together. How grateful I am for your loving heart and winsome ways. Somehow you bring healing and happiness in your fingers.

I love you!

Violets and Cherubs

My darling Sissy Clytie gave this card to me last year. I treasure it for its beauty and whimsy. It isn't my birthday--I'm posting this in honor of the brave little violets blooming in my garden.

I'm sure Winter isn't done and we're due for an icy blast or two--I admit it--I admire their pluck!

Howdy!

This darling card was part of my Sister Clytie's extensive collection. When I fell in love with this artist's depictions of little children, she gave the set to me. I am SO privileged, and I treasure them. Not only because the cards are perfectly wonderful, but because they were given to me by my precious sister. You can see her wonderful blog at http://clytie-randomcards.blogspot.com/

Violets and Babes

This beautiful card was given to me by my sweet Sister Clytie, who knows my weakness for all things whimsical, imaginative and faery.

I adore the tiny babes as they pull the ribbon tight to create a fragrant violet bouquet. Their little faces, fat feet and chubby fingers are so delightful. I feel inspired. Oh, to be able to draw like this wonderful artist!!! Thank you, Sissy! I LOVE this card--I will treasure it always.

A Basket of Pansies for my Mumsie

Today is my darling Mumsie's birthday. What a wonderful lady she is! Some of you have had the joy of reading her blog. She is a talented writer, an author and a lovely person. Of course, if you'd like to read some of Mumsie's writings, you can find her blog in the sidebar of this blog under "Everybody Loves a Story." When you visit her, be sure to wish Mom a happy birthday!

On this day of Mumsie's birthday--I was remembering back over the years. Growing up, I did not realize the treasure she truly is. It took becoming an adult with children of my own before I understood her beauty and value.

Some of the happiest years of my life were when my family and I lived in Grammie's basement, next door to Dad and Mom. My husband made an office in the back of my parents home, and our two eldest children went to the school I attended as a child. It was a lovely two years. The children played in the canyons and fields where I played as a child. They found snakes beneath old boards. They made forts in the fruit trees. They loved the ponds with their flirty fish and numerous frogs.

Best of all, I got to spend every morning walking with my Mother. We shared daily quiet times, our hurts, joys and dreams. We laughed, prayed and cried together. What a wonderful time that was.

Mums is interesting and a LOT of fun. Her laughter is raucous, and unmistakable. I LOVE to hear her laugh. She is earthy, wise, compassionate and a little wacky. I treasure her insights. I enjoy hearing about her childhood. I deeply admire her ability to paint a story in words.

Though she has faced (and still faces) tremendous and terrible struggles, Mom rises above them with a beauty not often seen in this day and age.

When I was a little girl, Mumsie showed me the whimsical faces worn by pansies. Since then, I've always loved them.

So, here's a basket of happy pansies for my wonderful, wise, whimsical and wacky Mumsie! Happy Birthday Mums!