Rescue lily, blooming like crazy and so good

- When friend Marty and I were placing Easter lilies in our church sanctuary on Saturday morning (a delightful annual pre-Easter event), I told her, "Uh oh - we have a leaner!"  So I rescued it and took it home, adding a little more dirt to it to keep it from toppling over.  It's still pretty, I think.

- Azaleas from a friend's yard.  They are blooming like crazy in north Georgia and are a little early.  Some friends who are from Augusta, Georgia say that landscapers at Augusta National Golf Course put ice on them so they'll still be blooming for guests and TV cameras for The Masters Golf Tournament, which is coming up next week!

- And a very cute bunny and some Peeps decorated cake at friend Laura's Easter dinner.  The cake was an Italian Cream Cake - it was so good. 

Hippety hoppety, day is done and may the road rise with you

- My favorite local antique shop had a Spring open house last Saturday and I snapped this photo to send to my sister.  She and I both had Easter baskets just like this when we were wee girls.  Easter's on its way!

- On Wednesday, I made my way from northwest Atlanta to my church in Stone Mountain, Georgia for this lovely concert of Spirituals and Hymns, featuring two amazing singers from our church choir.  They are both opera singers on days other than Sunday, and we are so lucky to have them.  It was so lovely to sit with friends and let the music wash over me at the end of a long day.

- And speaking of lucky!  Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day and the world seemed awash in green.  I've had this "Old Gaelic Blessing" (click to enlarge) hanging in my kitchen my whole adult life.  My sister gave it to me when I was very ill the first year I was in college.  This ancient Celtic prayer always makes me feel peaceful.  I love that it is a blessing for ones journey and that it has been with me on my journey along the way.

May the roads rise with you, my friends!  Have a great weekend.

Lessons and carols, ladybug bell and home

- A moment of hilarity among musicians prior to the start of my church's annual Lessons and Carols service.  It was a beautiful service and I was privileged to be one of the readers.  My committee is responsible for decorating the church sanctuary for Advent.  I think it looks enchanting.

- Friend Janice gave me this stained glass ladybug bell for Christmas (the bell hanging at the bottom is a bit obscured in the photo.)  We like ladybugs (long story.)  It's hanging out front where the fern resides during warmer months.  Not that it isn't warm now!  It hardly feels like December.  But the fern is safely ensconced on the covered back porch to protect it from frost.  On the day I took this pic with my phone - last Saturday - I shopped all day for Christmas, wearing Capri pants and flip flops

- And this pre-planted pot of pansies just begged to be taken home.  It was among a few bedraggled pots left at the plant nursery last Saturday.  It seems to like it by my front door.

Another highlight of the week, photos sent from my sister at Dulles Airport in Washington, DC, where niece Carla and great niece Mina arrived from Turkey to spend the holidays with the family in the Shenandoah Valley.  Loved the action shots of Mina running to greet her grandparents.  And also loved the faces of strangers caught in the photos as they smiled at the happy reunion. 

Sentimental journey, pinch hitter and nice surprise

 - It was another rainy Saturday, so I was at home a lot (which is always OK with me.)  I snapped a photo of a section of my bookcase that means much to me.  I like my shelf of books with Flannery O'Connor story collections, as well as books about the state of Georgia.  And that pot with the bird perched on it has an etched line from a hymn that was sung at my mother's funeral, "His Eye is on the Sparrow."  If you click on the red link, you can hear Lauryn Hill and Tanya Blount sing it - so beautiful with its lyric, "I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free..."

- At church on Sunday, some friends placed these beautiful flowers in honor of their late wife and  mother.  This photo taken with my phone does not do them justice.  The pianist is another church member, who was pinch hitting for the music director, absent because he was by his wife's side as she gave birth to their new son. 

- And I found this bottle of wine at my desk on Monday morning - a gift from coworker Joanne, because I worked late on her projects last week.  A nice surprise.  I took it home, but thought about leaving it at work for emergencies.  :) 

Hope you are having a good day!

Hippity hoppety, sweet violets and consider the lilies

- My Saturday morning walk ended up being a solitary one at Lilburn Park.  My walking partners and I got our wires crossed about the walk location, so I walked alone.  You might think that sounds lonely, but it enabled me to listen to music while I walked, as well as take these photos.

- I titled this photo, Sweet Violets, because of the tiny violets growing around this stump.  You would need to click to enlarge to see them better, I think.

 - And after my walk, I met some ladies at the church to place these hothouse lilies around the sanctuary in preparation for the glorious Easter morning worship service. 

There's an article in The New Yorker online, entitled "Barbara Pym and the New Spinster" - you can read the article here.  I liked this quote in the article so much that I have put it on the "about me" section of my blog:   "(In) Pym’s “Less Than Angels” (1955), the protagonist, Catherine Oliphant, reflects that “the smallest things were often so much bigger than the great things … the trivial pleasures like cooking, one’s home, little poems especially sad ones, solitary walks, funny things seen and overheard.”

Unexpected view, the cookies are here and special gift

- Photo of the Georgia State Capitol building taken from a window inside Central Presbyterian Church (founded in 1858!) in Atlanta.  I was there for a meeting of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta last Saturday.  As I was walking up a stairwell, I spotted the view of the capitol from a window.  The building was completed in 1889 and the dome was gilded with native gold leaf from Dahlonega, Georgia in 1958.  I think it's beautiful and always love seeing it from a distance from highways leading into Atlanta. 

- The Girl Scout cookies I bought from two sisters arrived with politely written thank you notes.  I loved that the elder sister completely sold me on the Thin Mints by suggesting I could put them in the freezer.

- Grannie Annie commented a few days ago, after reading my blog post about a book on CD, that she had some that she would send to me.  She emailed at the end of last week and said she was putting them in the mail via the "media mail" rate and couldn't imagine when they would arrive.  But they came on Monday!  It's always so delightful to get a parcel, isn't it?  And this parcel will provide endless hours of commuting entertainment.  Thanks Annie!

One piper piping, glorious dish and happy V day!

- The sanctuary of my church last Saturday morning, after we hung tartans in preparation for our annual Kirking of the Tartans service on Sunday.  Tartan carriers would carry those tartans on the left and right in a solemn procession up the aisle on Sunday morning, accompanied by a piper playing Highland Cathedral.  That's the piper above (click to enlarge) and his proud parents, both recording his practice on their phones.

- How could I not show you the glorious dish of fried lobster I had on Saturday night at my favorite Thai restaurant?  I've always wanted to try this, but wasn't expecting the lobster shell to be on top.  :)  I almost took it home! 

- I'm ignoring that today is Friday the 13th and wishing you a happy day tomorrow with these camellias from my sister's garden.  Happy Valentines Day, y'all!

And hope you have a happy weekend, too!

Chrismon tree, peppermint puffs and little hands

- My committee at church, which I am chairlady of, is responsible for putting up this tall tree, getting it decorated with Chrismons, and putting out poinsettias, etc.  We do a lot of other stuff, but this is the fruit of our recent labors.  The Chrismons were made by the women of the church as a project in the 1970s - a lovely and meaningful project, I think, and a lovely tradition.

- Peppermint puffs were my mother's favorite candy.  We always bought tubs like this for her to have at assisted living.  She kept some in a bowl on a table there to share with assistants and friends, who visited.  Co-worker Joanne brought this one in yesterday and I took a photo with my phone and texted it to my sister, asking, "Who does this make you think of?"  "Awwww!" she replied.

- Two great nephews are already at the farm in Florida to celebrate Christmas with their grandparents, who LOVE to babysit them.  Their mom is there, too, and their dad will be there tomorrow, along with their Great Aunt Lynn.  Monroe, at two years and four months, is just the right age to help decorate cupcakes.  My sister texted this photo last night, saying it "looks like Olaf!"  "Who is Olaf?"  I asked.  "A character in the animated film, Frozen."  I hear so much about that little film that I think I should watch it sometime.

What did we do before texting?  I got a lovely one from Riot Kitty yesterday, saying "I thought of you!"  It was of a sign in a shop window that said, "SHARE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL"  Isn't that nice?  Love happy texts like that.  Thanks friend!

Presiding, framed and all ready

Some fellow church members and I spent a pleasant Saturday morning readying the church sanctuary for Easter morning services.  I took a few photos - the first two are from the many trips back and forth bringing Easter lilies from their holding area down the way from the sanctuary.

- This dogwood presides over the church courtyard, where receptions and such are held.  It's also a good place to just sit and be.  Taken through a hallway window.

 - This pink dogwood is beautifully framed in this window at a stairwell.  The church has a preschool and you can spot some of their play equipment there in the lower left.

- There it is - all ready for Easter morning.  We stood back and admired our work.  The lily pictured in my Sunday post was a reject - what I call a "leaner."  But for a reject - it sure has been pretty sitting outside my front door and I love seeing its blooms when I drive up in the evening.

And here it is the weekend again!  Yahoo!  Hope your weekend is spectacular, my friends. 

Almost like a painting, reflection and colorful

- Such a serene spot, and for it me it always signals that my walk at the park near work is 3/4 done.  It almost looks like a painting, I think.  And there is a marked difference from a photo taken in the same spot almost a month ago.

- You would have to click to enlarge to really see that house across the creek.  I like that it is reflected in the creek below.  I do not remember seeing this house on previous walks in the park and think that it is either new or growth has been cleared from around it.  They sure have a great view from those back windows.

- A Maundy Thursday service in a friend's home.  Everyone brought food for the dinner before and the highlight was truly this wonderful colorful Easter cake that friend Mary and her 6-year-old daughter Isabella made.  Bella was so excited about cutting it to show the layers of color inside.  And it was delicious.

I hope that you are well and happy today.  Have a lovely weekend!

Hopeful, one pound lighter and the moon

- One could hope.

- A woman accosted me at the entrance to the church, asking for money to get home on the bus, so I gave her all my change.  My friends inside said she's been hanging out regularly asking for money and that is what she always says.  I felt a flash of idiocy and then decided it was OK - I helped someone who is about my age who is not as fortunate as me and just hope she used it to get a hot meal somewhere.  And my purse felt about a pound lighter.

- The moon looks beautiful as I leave the meeting.  Waxing Gibbous, the internet tells me.  I love its bright glow that shines over me as I head for home.

Just being, sweet baby and rainy night in Georgia

- This friendly seagull hovered around our sun catching spot on the beach last Sunday and stayed for about an hour, sometimes lifting his / her leg and standing on the other one, but always just looking out at the water - just like us.  Sometimes it's good to just be.

- Ash Wednesday service at church - in the smaller "founders hall" rather than the sanctuary, giving us more close proximity to each other.  A couple with a baby in a stroller sit in front of me - and the baby's placid face and sweet baby smell just make the whole service feel more serene.

- Rescheduling already belated volunteer work and other errands so I can go home.  It was a rainy night in Georgia and the fireplace felt good.  There was nothing for dinner, I thought, but then some Wild Mushroom Ravioli presented itself - so good on some leafy greens, all drizzled with olive oil with shaved Reggiano cheese on top.  A little Thursday night bliss.

Here's some more bliss:  it's Friday!!!  I hope your weekend is filled with Good Things, my friends.

Lady food, anxious to eat that and robin redbreast

- A gathering of friends on Saturday morning for a women's "retreat" - each table had a similar arrangement of early budding flowers, heralding the arrival of spring next month.  Later, at lunch (lots of salads and little sandwiches), friend Beverly says to me, "I love lady food." 

- Definitely not lady food here.  Saturday night dinner with friends, where the featured dish was Paella.  The skillet in the foreground was non-seafood.  That's my hand in background on the serving spoon, ready to dig into the traditional seafood, chicken, sausage paella (photo by friend Bonnie).  This is a dinner group that I had dropped out of and didn't realize how much I had missed it until re-entry. 

-  This morning - 6.45am.  Collecting my purse and making sure I have everything before heading out for the journey to work.  A robin "redbreast", as my mother used to called them, is hopping about on my back porch pecking at seeds that have spilled off the feeder.  He catches sight of me in the kitchen and stands with his head cocked watching.  I quietly turn off the lights and slip out the door. 

Whiskers in the morning, flowers from a friend and Hallelujah

- My favorite shop cat, Whiskers, this time sporting a bejeweled collar for the jewel he is, takes in some morning sun from the front windows.  I had cuddled him earlier, and noticed him later, being carried around by a man who was browsing, who he had persistently followed throughout the shop.

-  Friend Janice (who is married) was so interested in my kitchen flowers that I always buy for myself.  I told her that I learned a long time ago not to wait for flowers.  So when I pick her up for an afternoon tea we are both attending, she presents me with a pot of purple orchids.  Lovely.

- An encounter with a young man with Down's Syndrome, who doesn't often interact with the world, always seemingly deep within himself.  It was my turn to greet at the front door of the church before the service yesterday.  When he came in with his mother, I greeted her and then him by name, and he responded (much to my delight) with, "Hallelujah."

Vintage bouquet, overlooking and warming up a little

- This bouquet was called a "vintage" bouquet - not sure why.  I love purple and blue together, so I was hooked.

- Beautiful fall color on these trees overlooking the empty parking lot of my church.  I was there for a quick meeting with just one other person, and while I waited, had this beauty to keep me company.

- Temperatures in the 40s this morning and not 20s and 30s.  :)

It's been a long week, but it's FRIDAY!!!!  Could I be more excited?  I don't think so.  :)  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and that good things happen to you.

Belated view, growing up and bright star

- View from my aunt and uncle's back porch in Franklin, North Carolina - taken in October when I was up there for the folk school festival.  I had no photo for today and this one seemed like a beautiful choice.

- Running into a former coworker from 2005-08 at the grocery store and finding that her little daughters are in 7th and 9th grades now.  Amazing how that happens.

- Walking into my church for my circle meeting with the busiest woman I know (she really is.)  She points out an especially bright star in the sky and wonders if it is a planet.  I wouldn't have noticed it and was grateful for the quiet moment with a friend looking up at the sky in the crisp, cold night.

I hope amazing things are in store for you this weekend, my friends!

Second day of summer, still happy and chivalry

- A perfect Saturday morning on the back porch after walk and breakfast.  The trees in the back are fully leafed out now - covering the back yards beyond.  I love the wilderness aspect and the quiet back there, so quiet that a bird visited the feeder while I was sitting with my feet in that other chair.

- As I pull into the church parking lot on Sunday, a couple, who are like surrogate parents to me, walking into the church holding hands.

- And another couple pulls up before I get out of the car.  He jumps out and goes to the passenger side, opens the door and extends a hand.  She takes his hand and gets out of the car.  I don't see that often and think it's a beautiful thing and tell them so.

Happy Earth Day!, Na-Nu Na-Nu and true greatness

- While my walking buddy took a (brief) phone call, I turned around and snapped this photo of where we had just been.  So lovely and green on a fresh air Sunday morning, the day before Earth Day.

- Getting to be an extra for the church scenes for the movie that has been filming in our area and this day, at my church (Details here.)  It was a long Friday night, but worth it to see Robin Williams sitting in the pew across the aisle.  And at one point on a break between scenes, showing a child actor how to do the Mork hand signal.  :)

- A church member from my parents' generation, (the greatest, I think), has passed away suddenly.  An always beautifully dressed and coiffed woman, who had a sweet smile.  I walked out of church at the end of services yesterday with two of her friends and remarked that I hadn't known her really.  "Oh - a wonderful lady!"  "She was in our circle and was the Sunshine chairman."  "She truly lived up to that name - Sunshine.  She faithfully sent cards out to everyone all the time."  How wonderful to be thought of like that.

Magic pie, oh say can you see and Palm Sunday

- When the invitation came to join a potluck dinner on Friday night, it came with a suggestion that I pick up a fruit pie at a bakery since I "work all the way across town."  It was just as easy to make my mom's "Magic Pie".  A cup of self-rising flour, a cup of milk, a cup of sugar, a stick of butter and a large can of peaches.  You preheat the oven to 350, letting the butter melt in a casserole dish within.  Mix the flour, milk and sugar and pour into the middle of the dish, on top of the melted butter.  Pour the drained peaches into the middle of that and let it bake for 45 minutes.  The batter rises to the top.  You may also use fresh fruit.  I added fresh blueberries to the peaches.  And it was a hit, served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

- At the end of the evening, the 11-year-old and 8-year-old, the only children in attendance, wanted to sing for us.  They settled on the fireplace hearth side by side.  What would they sing?  The 8-year-old whispered into her older sister's ear (causing a brief eye roll) and then they sang "The Star Spangled Banner."  Beautifully.

- The same two young ladies leading the procession of children up the center aisle of the church on Palm Sunday, waving palm fronds.

Saturday farmers' market, jaunty and surrounded by children

- The Peachtree Road farmers' market inside St. Phillips Cathedral on Saturday.  I got a jar of Strawberry and Lavender jam from the woman beyond those huge mushrooms there.  Should the jam go in someone's Christmas stocking or should I keep it?  I vote for keeping it.  :)

- This purveyor of yogurt was wearing a jaunty straw hat with a sprig of holly in it.  Friend Laura thought he had a vaguely Johnny Depp appearance.  I'll let you decide.  Sorry for the fuzzy iPhone photo - click to enlarge.

- The sanctuary of my church on Sunday morning.  When the service started, I realized the two children in front of me and the one at my side were going to fidget during the whole service.  And then realized how happy I was to be surrounded by fidgeting children.