Sister Fun!

This weekend was amazing!  I drove north of Boston on Saturday to spend the day and evening with my sisters C and D.  D has been up from Alabama for a week visiting.  It was a long tedious ride through the rain but it was so worth it.  We spent the afternoon putting together appetizers for my niece's 30th surprise birthday party.  We laughed, we talked, we painted!

Our pumpkin paintings were completed in record time.  It was interesting how the eldest sister chose to paint 1 pumpkin, the middle sister chose to paint two pumpkins and then the youngest painted three.  I love how they look together. 

S's surprise party was at her future sister in law's home.  What an amazingly welcoming family she is joining.  They truly made everyone feel right at home.  The birthday girl was surprised.  I was thrilled to finally meet little baby L in person.  She is the most precious baby. 

Here I am with the birthday girl and her grandmother.  

Here are all the girls.  How can you not love this picture.  We were enjoying each other's company and celebrating S.  

Here is baby L!  Is she not the cutest little dumpling you have ever seen?  I had forgotten the joy of holding a tiny baby.  The fingers, the toes, the facial expressions.... I could just melt.  

Peace!

Our Word View - Zest

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations for the word of the week are very similar.

This week the word zest was chosen for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week.

My girl n brings out my zest for life.  She challenges me to push myself out of my comfort zone.  We almost always have a blast together at home or out and about.  She is such a blessing in my life!  The year of her birth was the best year and the worst year.  She is however the gift that keeps giving.  I love her more than words can express.

Liz and I have decided to take a break from posting at Our Word View. This will be our last Our World View post for a while.  I am sure we will be back but for now I am hoping to get back to posting regularly again.  I miss my writing practice and hope to make it a priority for myself once again!  

Peace!

Our Word View - Yard

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations for the word of the week are very similar.

This week the word yard  was chosen for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week.

It was hard to choose the just right photo for this interpretation.  I thought I might share pictures of Flicka enjoying our yard but thought that was too easy.  After looking through some images I decided to pick my dream yard.

These plantings are beautiful and the windmill is so cool.  Such a beautiful place to visit.  The grass is a lush green backdrop for the flowers and other foliage.

Peace!

Our Word View - Water

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations for the word of the week are very similar.

This week the word water  was chosen for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week.

Anyone who reads hear knows that water, specifically the ocean calls to me.  I love going to the beach, not necessarily on a beach day but any day when I can sit or walk near the water and settle my soul.
The sunrise is stunning over our neighborhood beach.  It truly takes my breath away.  And the water... oh the beautiful water.

Peace!

Remembering 9/11

The following is a repost from several years ago.  My daughter interviewed me for her civics class last night.  Her class will be learning about 9/11 and discussing the various viewpoints around that day in history.  The bottom line is we are forever changed.  Innocence lost,  security shaken, hearts broken...forever changed.


It is hard to believe it has been 13 years since 9/11.  September 11, 2001 took so much from so many.   The fabric of our lives changed forever on that day.  Too many families lost loved ones while the rest of our country watched in horror and lost our innocence.  The horror of that day will forever be etched in our minds.   I challenge us to remember the people and not the gore and terror of that day.  While we have all continued on with our lives with minor changes in security the families continue to mourn for the loss of their loved ones.  Over the past several years I have posted my memorial for Joseph Roberto as part of the 2996 Project.  I have visited the 'guest book' on legacy.com in the past and it is so apparent that his family still mourns.  His parents and family continue to leave notes to Joseph in that online memorial.  His story is just one of so many.  I pray for healing for his family and all the families.  Let today be the day that healing begins if it has not yet done so for all those who lost their loved ones.

Joseph Roberto

37 years old

Midland, New Jersey

A Family is

a circle of strength and love.

With every birth and every union the circle grows.

Every joy shared adds more love.

Every crisis faced together

makes the circle stronger.

Joseph "Joe" Roberto was a son, brother, uncle, husband, and father.

He was devoted to his family and his family devoted to him.

He was a friend and colleague.

He maintained a solid work ethic and held himself to high expectations.

He enjoyed life: motorcycles, riding his motorcycle and investigating the battlefields in Virginia and West Virginia, exploring nature with his son, collecting coins, putting up his parents holiday decorations and gathering his own.

He is loved.

When I first received my name from the 2996 project I felt an immediate connection to Joseph Roberto as he shares a variation of my father's name. As I started my research I found it difficult to find much information to share, but I continued to dig and search. Finally I found this site and I learned much more about this person whom we all lost on September 11, 2001. I am honored and humbled to share this tribute today on the 8th anniversary of the greatest loss we have felt on our soil. May the Roberto family be blessed and my God bless the United States of America.

Peace

Our Word View - Vivid

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations for the word of the week are very similar.

This week the word vivid  was chosen for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week.

I love the colors in the sky as the sun sets.   They are gorgeous!

Peace!

Our Word View - Unique

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations for the word of the week are very similar.

This week the word unique  was chosen for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week.

I remember taking these shots.  The weather had turned cool and the moss on my back hill was a vibrant green.  These tiny, unique specimens seemed to pop up out of nowhere.  I love how they look like tiny little trees from a fairy village.  They truly make me smile.

Peace!

Our Word View - Tattered

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations for the word of the week are very similar.

This week the word tattered  was chosen for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week.

I had high hopes of getting out for a photo adventure.  Unfortunately an unexpected change in my teaching position prevented me from doing so!  After this week I could simply take a self portrait and that would suffice but I chose to look through my photos instead.   As I perused my images I quickly came across several pictures that showed tattered, spent hydrangea blooms.  Even with their earth tones these flowers hold a lovely beauty that catches my eye.

Peace!

Our Word View - Structure

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations for the word of the week are very similar.

This week the word structure  was chosen for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week.

At first I wanted to use a picture of a home or building for this weeks post but then I started looking at my photos and realized the word structure could be applied to many of my photos.  I took special pleasure in looking at the  following images of flowers that have gone to seed.  I love how they have maintained their structure and beauty even though their color is gone.  These flowers stand next to beautiful purple blooms yet look just as lovely.

Peace!

Our Word View - Grand

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations for the word of the week are very similar.

This week the word grand  was chosen for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week.

Last year at this time we took a trip to visit Rosecliff in Newport, Rhode Island.  When I read this week's word I immediately thought of that visit and of our upcoming visit this week.  The amount of wealth enjoyed by the families who built their summer homes in Newport back in the early 1900's is unfathomable.  To say these homes are grand is a huge understatement.  Rosecliff has amazing frontage on the ocean that does not overshadow the opulence of the home itself.

The exterior presents like a museum!  The stone work and sculptures on the property are breathtaking.  Really, who has a carved nude in their garden?  Amazing.

The stone columns holding the shade structure are ornate and substantial.  

There is no average water fountain at this property.  Along with a gazing pool overlooking the ocean the front of the property was adorned with this gorgeous water feature.

Again beautiful stone work decorates the exterior walls.  Cherubs carved from stone watch over the property.  

Such beauty amazes me!  

Peace!

Our Word View - Flourish

What is Our Word View?  A collaboration between two friends who lost touch over the years but have reconnected online.  We share a love of the ocean, photography, quotes, animals and family.  Often times our photographic interpretations for the word of the week are very similar.

This week the word flourish  was chosen for our photographic interpretation.  I hope you will go over to Our Word View and see what Liz shares this week.

One of my favorite plantings in my yard is my lace cap hydrangea.  It has flourished in my side garden.  At the time I purchased this plant I also purchased two others hydrangeas.  My lace cap is the best of the bunch.  It adds such wonderful interest to the garden.  This year I purchased a strawberry and cream lace cap and am hoping that it will do as well.

Peace!