Colorful Decor Makes Things Pop

 

Favorite colors depend totally on personal preferences.

However, very colorful landscapes, decorative items, and even clothing can be cheerful and pleasant to look at.

Personally, gray is a totally unpleasant color. Froggy green, black, and mustard colors do nothing for me.

Pink is Number 1 fave.

Different shades of blue have become more appealing as I got older.

The colored glass, hanging in front of a window and a crystal cross, are the first things seen in the morning.

There's a stained glass piece above, too, done by my artist sister, Barb. It's very beautiful and one of my all time favorite things.

Then, as shared previously on this blog, when the morning sun hits the transparent cross on the upper window sill, it makes hundreds of rainbows on the bedroom ceiling, walls, and even floor. 

Two small, iron angels sit on the sill, too, and pieces in cobalt blue.

When it comes to color, bring it on!

WHAT COLOR IS PREDOMINENT IN YOUR SPACE?

Delightful Daffodils

 A bouquet of golden daffodils in a pretty vase on a table brings immediate joy to the beholder.

The bright yellow blooms seem to light up an entire room.

Some of them have eye-popping light orange and yellow centers. 

There are 25 or so different kinds of daffodils.

They are cheerful, in addition to being beautiful, with their bright buttercup yellow blossoms.

They are one of the first flowers of spring, symbolizing rebirth, among other things.

That significance is especially felt near Easter.

Keep daffodils away from kitties, though, as many parts of them,  especially the bulbs, are very toxic to cats.

If daffodils grow near where you live, why not pay a little money and get a bunch of them?                                                              

Then you can bring them home to enjoy.

They make terrific self-care purchases as well as nice gifts for friends and family members to welcome spring.

Daffodils are among the many thousands of gifts given to humans, without asking, from the hands of Almighty God.

HAVE YOU EVER GROWN DAFFODILS?

Say It with Flowers

While shopping for fresh, organic veggies in a newly remodeled supermarket, it was a glorious experience to step into the flower department.

The sweet fragrance of some of the blooms wafted through the air.

The colors! The shapes!  The designs!  All were so exquisite.

Seeing such natural beauty definitely lifted the spirit.

We are so blessed to have the blessing of flowers in our lives. 

Buying a bunch of flowers for a kitchen table is a precious gift to give to ourselves.

Flowers are food for the soul.

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE FLOWERS?

Spring Is Still Springing!

  

Today seems to be a glorious day, weather-wise.

The sun is out. The skies are blue and it's on the warmish side.

There's no snow!

 There's no rain!

There are no dark clouds. 

At my dear cousin's house, signs of spring are all over the place.

 Marianne is such a wonderful baker, cook, and home decorator.

We get together monthly, alternating at each other's places.  

It's a great tradition to follow. 

 Our visits are like bright lights in the darkness.

It's just wonderful to be with a person one loves and has a history with.

 We laugh, sometimes we cry, and we just enjoy each other's company.

Aren't some of her decorations adorable?

 HOW DO YOU BRING LIGHT INTO YOUR LIFE?  CAN YOU SHARE?

Now He's with the Angels

 

                                      

This post is being written with great sadness.                                         

Pope Francis, known and loved by millions of Roman Catholics and non-Catholics as well, died the Monday after Easter Sunday.

He had been very ill the past month but seemed to have made it through, with more life to live. 

Now, this dear, compassionate, kind, and loving servant of God has joined his Maker on the other side of life. 

He was the first Latin American pope, having been born in Argentina.

He was a Jesuit and embraced that order's deep humility and service to the downtrodden and marginalized.

He brought deep love and light to the Catholic Church, which was refreshing for younger members. He gave renewed hope to all.

He believed in forgiveness and never judged. 

He embraced all by saying out loud that we are all "children of God."

His contributions to making our world a better, more loving place, are uncountable.

Pope Francis, in my own mind, must have heard those precious words from his Creator Monday morning: 
"WELL DONE, MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT."

He will be so deeply and profoundly missed.

 

 

Alleluia! He Has Risen!

  

ALLELUIA! HE HAS RISEN.

A most Happy Easter to all precious Followers of this blog, friends, family, and everyone.

May the Risen Lord bless each of you,  protect you, and keep you safe.

May He do the same for all members of your treasured family.

ALLELUIA!

A Church Established by Polish Immigrants

  Christians are very close to moving on from sorrow and tears to immense peace, joy, and deep happiness.

Soon they will be rejoicing on Easter Sunday over the news that "He has Risen!"  "He," of course, is Jesus Christ.

 An innocent man, He was crucified on a cross and died for the sins of all His "children."

Photos in this post are of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, in Adams, Massachusetts, established by Polish immigrants and consecrated in 1905.

 The interior of the church is extremely ornate and absolutely breathtaking.

The magnificent church has quite a history so, if interested, read more about St. Stanislaus Koska Church here. 

 Thanks to Polish immigrants, who, like most immigrants, worked hard and sacrificed, the church still stands and is a beacon of hope, perseverance, and beauty for all who walk through its doors. 

Good Friday

 

 

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Beautiful Pink Flowers on Canvas

Holy smokes, time is rushing by so fast it's hard to keep up.

 However, it's important to not ignore the blog, right?  

Our blogs are like our children. They need attention, tending, and love.

So here's today's post, put together in between making cheese braids, (an Easter tradition that has not gone by the wayside.)

 While perusing a store that "used" to sell everything for a dollar, an extremely pretty painting of flowers, mostly in varying shades of pink, caught my eye.

This painting would look gorgeous on the wall of my small apartment. It would blend right in on my primarily pink accessories.

Those are the thoughts that kept flashing in my mind.

The price was right.

Rather than bang nails in a wall that is part of a rental, I attached some of those strips that promise to never damage your wall.

Perfect!

The painting is so pretty. It looks like someone spent a lot of time painting it. 

Sadly, there is no signature.

Oh, well, it definitely brightens the living room. 

The Joy of Easter Cards

Lots of traditions come and go.

Generations differ in what's appealing and worth following and what's not.

Greeting cards seem to have gone out the window with some members of the younger generation.

For myself, an older woman, for sure, I still LOVE greeting cards.

Every time I hear the "clunk" of mail being dropped into the mailbox outside of the apartment,  it makes me happy. 

"Maybe there will be an Easter card today," is the thought that flashes through my mind.

Sure enough, many have definitely come as you can see by all the cards taped to the front door.

However, not all of those are from this year. 

 The tendency to save cards from year to year is definitely part of my traditions. ha ha ha

Here's hoping you have a peaceful and blessed Holy Week.

The Solemnity of Holy Week

 Holy Week, comprising the days before Easter Sunday, is this coming week.

 Today is Palm Sunday.

This is a holy time for Christians.  It's not a week for celebrations.

Instead, it's a week for reflection and remembering the horrendous sacrifice of Christ's life for His children.

Flickering candles, sadness in silence, a mother weeping for her Son, imagining the agony and horror of a death by crucifixion, and hoping for the Resurrection once again----all of these are part of Holy Week.

Today, may your day be blessed.

Where, Oh Where, Are the Daffodils?

What the ?????

Opening the front door this morning revealed a big, chilly surprise.

Snow enveloped the car and covered the sidewalk leading to it.

A huge tree, across from the apartment, looked like a gargantuan winter painting.

Its bare branches held thick layers of icy snow.

Where are the perky, yellow daffodils?

Where are the bright red tulips?

Where are the pale lavender-bluish crocuses?

All are ladies-in-waiting. 

Farmers markets, filled with fresh produce, including early asparagus, will also have to wait to open.

Long sigh.  

Hopefully, one week from Sunday, on Easter Sunday,  people in western Massachusetts will NOT be singing "Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the snowy bunny tail!"

Hippity Hop in a Restaurant's Windows

It's comforting to know that despite the fact there are many really self-absorbed,  heartlessly cruel and hateful people in the world, there are as many or more really good people, too.

 

During several hours of car problems one day this week, many people helped me.  That assistance, given so freely and without even financial gain in mind, renewed my faith in mankind.

 There really are kind people in the world who think of others and help them without as much as a second of wanting something in return.

They care about others and feel deep jabs in their hearts when others are treated with disdain and meanness. 

The bunny photos in this post happen to be in a Western Massachusetts restaurant's windows.

The restaurant is called Ozzie's Steak and Eggs in Hinsdale, Massachusetts.

The well known eatery really does have pretty good food.

A delightful array of big Easter bunnies in the restaurant's front windows could easily serve as "dessert" for the eyes.

 Readers know how bunnies just light up my heart and these window front beauties had me oohing and ahhing. 

Two other sweet, oversized bunnies have been greeting all customers going into a Home Goods store. 

Someone took the time to put them there, almost knowing they would bring many happy smiles from kids of all ages (including some light-hearted seniors!)

 

 It's great some people put such decorations out that really bring smiles and joy to others.                                                                                    

 It is a blessing to be able to meet people like that, people who are warm, sweet, and loving as opposed to being self-centered, mean, and power mongering.                                                                                   

 Just look around.  They are closer to you than you can imagine.          

 If you cannot find one, be one!

WHAT IS ONE WAY YOU CAN BE A BLESSING TO SOMEONE TODAY?

Add a Little Light by Thinking of Others

One lesson it sometimes takes years to learn is to "stay in the moment."

Chaos, disappointments, and fears can be swirling around at any time.

If the difficulties are nothing you can do anything about, the  key is to not let them get to you.

One can go about one's day with a bit of lightness in the heart by staying in the moment.

It's possible to surround one's self with things that make us smile, have a special memory, or are just plain adorable.

Give of yourself, as much as humanly possible, to others.

Nothing kicks a person out of the doldrums faster than doing something good or nice for somebody else.

Thinking of others gets a person out of thinking only about themselves.

It can be as simple as sharing a smile or giving a compliment.  

Today will never come again.  The opportunities are there.  

It's up to us to make the most of every precious second.

Share the laughter, share your light!

WHAT CAN YOU DO TODAY TO THINK OF OTHERS?

Making Do with What One Has

Life has a funny way of making us adjust to what we have now as opposed to lamenting over what we used to have.

For instance, sitting in front of a woodburning fireplace in my former front entry Colonial house brought untold numbers of evenings, filled with comfort and joy.

My late husband would lovingly tend to the building and maintaining of the fire. 

Even if he spent a lot of time in his man cave, he'd come into the living room to make sure the fireplace was roaring. He knew it made me so happy. What a guy he was.

Now he's gone, the fireplace is gone, and the house is gone.

However, all is not lost. While working on the computer the other day, I found a fireplace that crackles with soft, relaxing music playing in the background. 

While working on the budget or other written correspondence, the crackling fire on the computer screen is extremely comforting as is the soft music!

Today I even looked behind the opened computer because the fire was crackling so much it could have been a "real" fire. It wasn't but it sure sounded like it!

So far, two Easter cards have arrived. This year, in the small apartment, all cards will be taped around the bunny plaque on the front door.

See?  Things change as we do, too, but it's best to just make the most of them! 

WHAT IS ONE CHANGE YOU HAVE HAD TO ADJUST TO? WILL YOU SHARE?