Rainbows in the clouds

The shower centerpieces

Some cocktails and bubbly for celebrating.

Good morning everyone! I see that as spring comes into full bloom,  many of us are falling behind in blogging, commenting, and probably everything else too!  I just want to say that last night I curled up on my favorite chair with my ipad and read all the past posts. It's only been a week since I wrote last, but so much has happened in the blogging world. So let me just put it in a nutshell and say; yay to Kay for zumbaing and redecorating, congrats to Amber's sister for continued success on her weight loss journey, and glad you had a great time in Hawaii, Amber, love to Jeri who is feeling the blogging blues, keep up the good job Katie and your happy attitude, miss you Dawn and Beth, and big hugs to Rosalie who speaks from the heart in an honest and true to herself fashion. Sorry that you are hurting and you  know you have our continued support. Oh, and hi to Carey ( I think of you everytime I put that smoked gouda cheese into my eggs in a mug recipe!!) and Shawna too. Sorry, sorry, sorry if I forgot anyone.  I love all of you who honestly contribute, read and comment.  I personally feel like I have gotten on a treadmill....a very fast treadmill.... and I can't find the button to slow down the speed. But then I was thinking back, and realizing how often in my life I have thought these very same thoughts. Wishing that life would slow down, that calmness would come over me, and all the pieces of my life would fall into their perfect little places. And so it goes, and here I am.

This past weekend started the six weeks of whirlwind activities.Every weekend there is some wonderful event to celebrate. It was kicked off with bridal shower number one, hosted by my FIL's ( future daughter-in-law) mother. It was a lovely ladies luncheon, with champagne, quiche, cupcakes and presents. Here are a few photos:

Me, and my mom and niece

The lovely tables

Cupcakes...the bride's favorite

Shower favors. Teacups with a candle inside

The delicious buffet

The bride opening her gift from me.

We all had a wonderful time, and from the buffet, I was able to choose some delicious grilled vegtables, a large salad, and two very thin slices of quiche. I left some of the crust. I passed on the croissant sandwiches and the potatoes. Of course I could have taken some of the chicken, shrimp or tuna salad off of the croissant, and it would have been perfectly fine to eat. I decided I had enough with the other items. I even passed on the cupcake. Now the wine was another story. But hey, it's all about choices. You can't have your cake and eat it too!!

After the shower we celebrated my niece's 16th birthday that evening over dinner. She wanted to go to a restaurant and we brought our gifts and a cake. It was a lovely celebration. I could feel the love for her, and I know her mom was watching down on our small, simple, family celebration of this milestone birthday. Before Beth died, there was a large celebration planned. But my niece was adamant that we abandon that plan, and keep it small and just immediate family.I took lots of pictures, but feel that I need to protect their privacy alittle so I'm keeping them private. Here's a picture of the cake. I did have a three bite sliver.  I really didn't want it, but despite all the tactics I have come to learn about refusing food, I knew I had to partipate in this cake eating ritual, when my niece passed me a plate. Rosalie has always said that if you need to eat something that's not on the plan, just have a few bites. And so I did. The day was bittersweet, but that's where we are right now. Taking the bitter along with any sweetness we can find. Maybe we will have a sweet 17th large celebration next year. If it feels right. Sending all of you love and hugs, and blessings to get through the bitter and the sweet moments in your life.

A cake for the sweetest 16 year old.


Thought for the day:  "God puts rainbows in the clouds so that each of us- in the dreariest and most dreaded moments- can see a possibility of hope." Maya Angelou