Joyful Day

Wishing all a Happy Easter

A Happy Passover

And a Joyful Day!

Love and Hugs, Leena

I'm Dreaming Of A White EASTER?

OK, I give up. I'm been eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring - warmer temperatures, green grass, little flowers popping out to greet the world. This is what I woke up to this morning:

The picture isn't that great as I took it through my bedroom window with my cell phone. Hey, I'm all for good photography, but I'm not about to go out there in my jammies to take pictures! It's still snowing and we're supposed to get 4 inches. At least that's what I last heard. This is more snow than we've gotten all winter and this is supposed to be SPRING!

I've decided that Jack Frost must be holding Mother Nature hostage. I wonder if I can bribe him with jelly beans? Or perhaps he likes Peeps better. I know! Super Easter Bunny will rid us of this frozen fiasco!

Hmmm....this guy look a little questionable. Let's try this one instead...

That's it, Super Easter Bunny! Go for the evil carrot nose of doom! That's where all his power is!

Weather report for the weekend - 70 degrees on Easter Sunday. We're saved! Yay! Good thing too because this spring fever is getting a little out of control! I think I need chocolate bunny therapy, stat!

Thank you for stopping by today! I hope your day is sunny and bright! Hugs, Leena

Blogaversary!

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of my blog! Wow! That time sure went by quickly! I remember sitting at my desk, straining my brain to come up with something to write about and being so nervous about what readers would think, or if there even would be any readers! I was new to social networking and knew absolutely nothing about blogging. I had no idea what direction I wanted to take this online journal in. What I really didn't know was that it would take me in so many different directions!

During the days, weeks, months and now years that passed, I discovered that blogging wasn't just about sitting alone in my office sharing my day; there was a whole world of fellow bloggers out there! I knew they existed, but I had no idea how connected the blogging community is. I have "met" so many kind, compassionate, talented, inspirational, loving, supportive, generous (the list could go on and on) just downright friendly people! The more experienced ones are so willing to assist a newbie like me who was struggling to figure out all the gadgets and gizmos of building a blog. Not only were (and still are) they helpful, they're like ambassadors, welcoming fellow bloggers and encouraging every one's efforts. It's taken me most of my life, but I have finally found my niche! I love helping others, meeting new people, discovering new things and making others happy. I am so comfortable being surrounded by creative people, folks who share many of my interests and who so openly share of themselves. We have traded stories about our families, our dreams, difficult times, blessed experiences, our homes, crafting projects, junking adventures, vacations, recipes, DIY nightmares and triumphs, accomplishments (both personal and professional), so many, many things. Our bond has reached beyond "Blogland" and into numerous social media venues. I am overjoyed to have reconnected with old friends and to have made so many new ones! You just don't know how much of a positive impact this experience has provided me with!

Thank you, to all of you, for making these last two years so incredibly fun, insightful and joyous! Thank you for reading, following and commenting on my posts. Thank you for being you and for allowing me to be me! Love y'all!

Hugs, Leena

Snow? Excuse Me? For Real?

I woke up this morning and peeked out the window to see SNOW! Snow? Are you kidding me? It's March 18th and there's snow on the ground? Walked to the other side of the room, looked out those windows and huh! It was out there too! On the ground, the trees, the fence, the street. I've heard of "frost on the pumpkins" before, but "snow on the shamrocks? What gives, Mother Nature? Is Jack Frost holding spring for ransom? Did you forget to check your date book? Are you suffering from PMS (Postponing My Spring)? They may call this "Northern Virginia" but we're really not in the north. We're basically in the middle of the coast, kind of in a neutral zone (or, as my high school friend said of Switzerland, neutered zone). Please note that at this particular time, I am refusing to make a snowball joke. Down here, we should not be seeing snow.

I hate to complain but is it too much to ask for something warmer than 40 degrees? Maybe a little sunshine now and then? How about a nice, warm breeze and those little bud things on the trees? Some flowers would be nice too, but I won't push it. I just want spring to get here before the heat of summer arrives and we never make it outside in comfortable weather!

I realize that this isn't the most exciting post, but I also know that many of you are experiencing the same spring fever and frustration. I say we band together, we protest! We're mad as heck and we're not taking it any more! There. I feel better now. Hope you do too!

Thanks for visiting! Hugs, Leena

Ashley's Final Wish

I am sure that many of you enjoy reading the blog Fishtail Cottage, written by dear, sweet Tracie. I always look forward to reading her posts and admiring the beautiful pictures or her home and gardens. Today, however, she reported very sad news. Tracie's wonderful friend of 30 years, Ashley, has lost her courageous seven year battle with metastatic melanoma at the age of 40. She was first diagnosed when she was only 33.

Tracie and Ashley, Spring 2010

Ashley was a true sun worshipper who sought a golden bronze tan not only from natural sun light, but also from tanning beds. She never thought about the consequences - not too many people do. Melanoma is not revered as dangerous as other cancers are. Many think "Oh, it's just skin cancer, a little bump that the doctor can remove and then it's gone". It seems that simple. We don't realize how silently this cancer can spread and the devastation that it can cause to the human body, such as the multitude of tumors so numerous, that they paralyzed the right side of Ashley's face.

http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/2013/03/my-friend-ashley.html

Ashley's dying wish was to inform as many people as possible of the dangers of sun and tanning bed exposure; in fact, to outlaw tanning beds completely. She wished that nobody would ever have to go through what she has. Ashley felt that if her story could make a difference in just one person's life, could save that one life, it would be a huge victory.

Please click on the link above to read Ashley's complete story, in her own words and to watch her video. If you can, share the posts with family, friends, on your blog or Face Book page - anywhere that the word will get out, so that her legacy can carry on. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Hugs, Leena

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

May God grant you many years to live,
For sure He must be knowing
The earth has angels all too few
And Heaven is overflowing.
~Irish Blessing

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!

I Joined The Pinterest Party!

I discovered the coolest link party! It's a Pinterest Link Party and is the brain-child of Bev from Flamingo Toes, Michelle from The Scrap Shoppe and Malia from Mine For The Making and is such a neat idea! It works like other link parties, but instead of linking to your blog address, you link to your Pinterest account. This creates a "Master List" of all participants' Pinterest boards, easily accessible for our browsing pleasure! It's a fantastic way to discover boards filled with  creative ideas - from home decor to crafts, recipes, DIY, gardening, fashion - virtually, anything that people are interested in doing and learning more about.

http://www.thescrapshoppeblog.com/2012/03/pinterest-master-list.html

 I used to tear pictures out of magazines, place them into sheet protectors and then categorize them into a 3-ring binder. No more! Now I "pin" them onto my boards which gives me easy access and allows unlimited use of space! It also keeps me from spending countless hours of flipping through magazines in order to save what I'm attracted to, only to find out that I'm attracted to everything and keeping the entire issue! With the Pinterest Link Party Master List, I now have hundreds of boards to choose from, no matter what I'm searching for. Obviously, this is not news to many, as when I say hundreds, I mean it! I was link number 1,783! OK, so I'm a little slow at getting around to reading everything, but I always keep the email notifications and go back to them later......eventually.....some day - like today!

Photo From Pinterest Board "My Etsy Shop"

                                     
Additional cool features of this link party: each week, Malia, Bev or Michelle randomly select a Pinterest account to feature and highlight pin boards from; you only have to link up once; the list shows up on all three blogs and the list stays open indefinitely! So, If you're interested, click on the link above and come join the party! I intend to spend a few hours before bedtime checking out all of these new resources. Enjoy!
Thank you so much for stopping by - I really appreciate your visits! Hugs, Leena

Happy Sunday!

I woke up this morning to bright sunshine rising, birds singing and the promise of temps in the upper 50's! Sounds like spring is making a come-back after our little snow storm of last week and I couldn't be happier! I even spotted a couple of yard sale ads in this week's paper, as well as some tiny purple crocus popping out of the ground - a real sign that warm weather is coming!

This song came to mind and it's perfect for a day like this. It's from the musical Oklahoma! and has put me in a wonderful mood!

There's a bright, golden haze on the meadow
There's a bright, golden haze on the meadow.
The corn is as high as an elephant's eye
And it looks like it's climbing clear up to the sky.

Oh, what a beautiful Mornin'
Oh, what a beautiful day.
I've got a beautiful feelin'
Everything's goin' my way.
Here's wishing  you a beautiful Sunday and a day where everything's goin' your way!

Thanks for visiting! Hugs, Leena

Healthy Eating Can Be Dangerous To Your Health!

I've just joined the Face Book group "Blog Bulge Babes" and am participating in the Blog Bulge Link Party. This is going to be a great way to start and keep healthy eating and lifestyle habits in check, while sharing stories, recipes and experiences with other bloggers and Face Bookers. My next post will concentrate on my personal experience but I thought I'd start out with this chilling tale of healthy eating gone horribly wrong!

A couple of years ago, I embarked upon an eating healthy campaigne. Having no family members who were brave enough to join me, I often figured out ways to use part of what I was cooking for them and modify it to a healthier meal for myself, thus cutting down on my time in the kitchen. One night, I was making spaghetti for my husband and daughter and spaghetti squash for myself. I could use a little of the sauce I was making and still have a healthy meal that "sort of" resembled pasta. Sure, well, at least that's what I was telling myself.

My microwave is above the stove. On the stove at the time was a pot of pasta boiling and a pot of spaghetti sauce simmering. In the microwave, the spaghetti squash was cooking. I had cooked this type of squash many times before, always making sure to pierce the skin before placing it in the microwave and yes, I had done the same this time. I had just walked away from checking the items on the stove, when there was a huge BOOM!

My husband and infant grandson both sat in the family room with expressions of shock and horror on their faces, while I did the old duck and cover. I had no idea what had just exploded behind me and did not want to find out the hard way. For some unknown reason which, to this day, still defies science, the blasted squash had blown up! The microwave door flew open, spewing forth the oozing vegetation onto every surface - the floor, the stove, the pots on the stove, the food in the pots, the ceiling, the walls, EVERYTHING! I just wish that in my "I can't believe that just happened" state of mind, I had taken some pictures before cleaning it all up.

Mine looked MUCH worse than this image from Google, but you get the general idea

The turn table in the microwave only turns when it wants to now and makes this horrible grinding noise while it does, and there is a big, BIG dent in the side of the machine. I was just happy that I had walked away and wasn't standing there when that door flew open - concussion anyone? Maybe I'm not such a fan of pasta, or faux pasta, as I thought I was! At the very least, I think I need to find a less dangerous way of cooking spaghetti squash!

Please join me and other bloggers at the Blog Bulge Link Party by clicking on one of the links within this post, or on the button located on my right sidebar! Healthy never was this much fun!

Magnolia Pearl Give Away from Fiona and Twig!

This is so exciting! The oh so talented Robyn is giving away two of her signature outfits to two lucky winners! Each outfit is valued over $800!!! All of the details can be found by clicking on the button on my side bar, or the Fiona and Twig link! While you're entering, please take a moment to read the blog post and admire Fiona and Twig's gorgeous photography of the Magnolia Pearl ranch! Breath taking to say the least! This is a one-of-a-kind ranch with multiple buildings, filled with original, creative touches and vintage charm throughout! AND, the property is for sale!! Oh I wish, I wish!!


Photo by Magnolia Farm

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day! Love to all! Leena