Aw...Mondays and Blue Monday Fun

Here is a Karaoke Kitty for you on Aw...Mondays . I hope you stop by and say hello to Sandee.

The last movie we saw had this Blue Smurf in the lobby. Stop by and say hello to everyone at Blue Monday. Our oldest daughter Noelle had the largest Smurf collection ever! They were popular when she was small and now they have made a comeback and have had some movies including a brand new one! Do you like little blue smurfs?

Love is...making me think of fresh bread. I have a bread maker and I do not think the bread will make itself so....

s is a great letter. The karaoke kitty is silly and there is a fun S word. How about Smurf, you know the little blue creatures? Sweet is a good s word for Sweet Love is...shares and there it is again! S is for share or sharing. So many words that start with the letter S.

A favorite grandgirl Christal and her sweet hubby Alex. They were baptized this weekend in the Catholic church and on Easter SONday  they were married in their church. Their three children were also baptized and I admire these parents so much. They attend church with their kids each week and they had a lovely wedding. Here is a collage of photos Noelle put together. we had a wonderful time.

Christal is so crafty and she created these sweet centerpieces  for the reception tables and inside those sweet boxes were mini heart shaped cookies. She is a special young woman and I love her so much. Alex too, he loves baseball and who doesn't love America's favorite sport?

Hope your Easter was a beautiful day too.

A Memory of My Father

Today is another bittersweet day for me. 32 years ago today I lost my precious father. My dad was an amazing man, He is pictured here ,the gentleman on the right side leaning on the bat. Anyone who knows me knows how I love baseball and it is Springtime and I miss my dad. He knew everything about the game. He played semi pro ball and was a catcher. That was in the 1930's long before I was born. But everything I know about the game he taught me. He was a NY Yankee fan. He had the pleasure of catching behind the plate when the great Babe Ruth was up to bat during a game. This photo is very special to me. My friend Jacque Pechek, a year ahead of me in school, gave me this photo. Her dad is the man in the middle in the first row. His nickname was Coogan,  All sLOVEnian/BoJon men had nicknames. Several of Jacque's uncles and Coogan's brothers are in this photo too. I do believe the gentleman peeking out from behind my dad and the gentleman to his left, is my Uncle Rudy "Moon". He was dad's older brother who passed away way too young. My sister Mary would tell you, Uncle Moon taught her how to bowl! My phamily loves all sports. Oh, Jacque is a newly retired softball coach and well loved by her former students and players. That BoJon blood bleeds baseball.

I just bought this shirt and it arrived today. My dad must have been thinking of me from heaven.

My dad was a very humble man. He loved my mother and all five of his children. This basbeball quote is perfect to remind me of my dad.

A good reminder of the game and position my dad loved.

Baseball is coming to a stadium near you. You should stop by and enjoy a game. I always wished I could have shared game day with dad. Maybe there is baseball in heaven? Hmmm...

"I" is for .....Welcome March and the World of Tea

I feel Spring in the air! Icy cold drinks like sweet tea and lemonade will fill our days and the weather will warm!

It is still cold outside and we usually get hit with a big snowstorm in March. It is hard to begin planting until around Mother's Day and two years in a row we got snow on Mother's Day! I found these two peeking out from the cold earth this morning. I went to stand up my frog who protects the garden. He is sort of a garden gnome. I found these buds shooting up.

Since I is my letter today I was thinking of snow and icicles. I also had an idea and was going to attempt to redo a French Provencial chest of drawers and  a matching nightstand. I was thinking of using chalk paint. Let me know if you have any ideas to share.  What is your favorite "I" word share.

This tiny blue bird reminds me of Springtime. March is a difficult month for me. My oldest sister Pat had a March 27 birthday which is also the day I was informed, in 1987, that our unborn daughter Rachel had perished in utero. My niece Sarah who left this earth too soon was also a March birthday girl. But my nephew Ryan and several good friends share March as their birth month so I smile more these days. It is a reminder that my favorite feline BFF Boots left this life after a brief but devastating illness. I like to remember those who left before me in a happy way and never forget the beautiful memories I shared with them all.

If you were nearby we could share a teapot shaped cookie and a hot cup of tea or perhaps even coffee together. If you love tea and even coffee come join Stephanie for her 10th annual Teacup/Mug Exchange. If you do not have a blog you can join anyway! She is a beautiful lady and a very gracious hostess. I hope you will come join the fun but hurry over there is a limited amount of time to join the fun!

Enjoy your day and this new month too.

The Gleaners and Other Thoughts for 2017

When I was a child my folks had this painting hanging in our living room. I loved the painting. It was painted by Jean Francois Millet. The French middle class did not like this painting as it depicted the poor "gleaning" the wheat which fell to the ground. I still love it and recently purchased a framed copy of it. As soon as we decide where we would like to hang it, I will snap a photo and share it here.

Here are my folks holding Noelle, the first born of our five siblings. She was just a few days old in December, 1975. This time of year makes me remember my wonderful parents and the happy childhood I shared with them because they were such kind parents. It is always hard to get through the holiday season without them on my mind.

My phamily Christmas 2016. It was a good day. Lots of food and friends with phamily. Our grandson Andrew brings his cousin Robert and this year brought a UPS co worker Davon who shared dinner with us. It was the first Christmas for Jeremy and Brittany as husband and wife. Harrison enjoyed his first Christmas.  Addy enjoyed the company of these phamily cousins too . Cousins Jayden and Michael as well as Jaslin, Alexis and Devon had many good memories. I think we had 27 around two dining tables this year. We keep growing and my folks would smile and love it. Dad always loved the little ones and mom loved cooking, no matter who came to dinner.

Christmas 1993, Oh how they grow up too quickly.

Look at my daddy with his pretty red tie! He was so happy! He loved phamily and we were always together with them all on Christmas.  Mom is on your far right and second row. Uncle Tom Binder is the jester in the brown vest making smiles all around. Gosh I miss them all so much.

Steve is the host of Friday Felines. I got in just under the wire! Love these silly felines! But they are all wishing you a Happy New Year too!

 I am hopeful that 2017 will be a beautiful year filled much goodness, many blessings and good health. Those are our prayers each day. Happy New Year to all and I am hoping to post here and at my Instagram page and Face Book too. I may post here as often as I am able. I will share photos at Instagram and always favorite Scriptures at Face Book. Be safe, be happy and stay healthy in 2017! May God sprinkle many blessings on your lives. Thank you for sticking by my side in 2016.

A Day of Honoring Our Military

My maternal grandmother's cousin, Frances Marijanovic and her only son Bruce Pavlin, US Navy WWII. Unlike my late father-in-law Carl Thomas Robinson, US Navy WWII, Bruce did not return from the war. My husband's great-grandfather Avery Allen Robinson, an Irish immigrant from Ulster Providence Ireland was also a US Navy man. My late mother-in-law had a lovely photo of Grandpa Carl and one of his father and I wish I Had a copy of those photos in their Navy blue dress uniforms.

My Mom's baby sister Jo and her new hubby Thomas P. Binder, US Army Air Corp. , WWII. My Uncle Edward "Munson" Trontel served in the US Army WWII. My Tata Rose's husband John Levstik served in WWI. I will have to remember to look at their headstone when I go home next time. He made it home to his wife and 7 children. To all my relatives who served, thank you. To those gone before us, rest in eternal peace.

To all those who lost their lives in Vietnam including my mom's cousin Hedwig's only son, James Turner USMC. She never smiled after his untimely death. James was the company file clerk. He went on maneuvers in place of a gentleman who had a young wife and child back in the states. James did not return. My nieces Karla and Holly, their late father Robert L. Hoffert, US Army served in Vietnam. Jesse Hoskins, the father of cousins Kristi and Sissy. Perished at a young age. He served in Vietnam and also was a police officer. His younger child Sissy, followed in his footsteps and currently serves in law enforcement. My late brother-in-law Gary C. Ricklefs, US Army. My big sister traveled the world with him during his military career and their first and last son were born in Germany.

My husband had several uncles serve in the US Army and US Navy. His cousin Carolynn Blackwell Simmons served as a nurse during Desert Storm. My friend Kathleen P. O'Gane served US Navy. Even my husband's youngest brother John served in the US Navy.

Lyrics

Some folks are born made to wave the flag
Ooh, they're red, white and blue
And when the band plays "Hail to the chief"
Ooh, they point the cannon at you, Lord

It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no senator's son, son
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, no

Some folks are born silver spoon in hand
Lord, don't they help themselves, oh
But when the taxman comes to the door
Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yes

It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no millionaire's son, no
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, no

Yeah, yeah
Some folks inherit star spangled eyes
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord
And when you ask them, "How much should we give?"
Ooh, they only answer More! more! more! y'all

It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no military son, son
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, one

It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, no no no
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate son, no no no

Written by John C. Fogerty • Copyright © Universal Music Publishing Group, The Bicycle Music Company

Many Veteran's served us so well, others died while serving.  Please take a moment today to thank a Veteran, pray for those still serving us around the world and remember with dignity and respect, those who never came home. Please don't burn our cities down because what we need is people coming together not tearing each other down.

Grateful Post: Aw...Mondays and A Rainy Day Wednesday and Apple Fritter Bread

Grateful for warmth inside my home. This tree sits in my neighbor's front yard across the street from me. The photo does not do the golden leaves justice. Somedays are dark, dreary and rainy day. Others are hot and sunny just like summer.

Rainy days make me want to bake. Here is the yummy loaf of Apple Fritter Bread. A friend shared this and it is delicious. So warm and filled with Granny Smith apples and brown sugar and cinnamon. A few days ago I had some overly ripe bananas. I have been baking banana bread since I was a teen. All three loaves failed! They did not bake through. I was so sad. I am not sure what happened because the oven bakes fine every time and this was such a fluke.

My Tea Mug Exchange lady Cheryl  sent me a beautiful mug with this verse. I have been  drinking some Mint Lemon Verbena tea with honey and lemon slices in my new cup. It is so good.  I am so happy I joined the tea cup/tea mug exchange.

The very best feline friend I knew was Boots and looked very similar to this fellow. I don't understand superstitions especially for beautiful black cats.

This feline must be a follower of the Trekkies! I love this because it brings a big smile. Now stop by Sandee's and join the Aw...Mondays crowd with your favorite shares.

This cup is sweetness. Perhaps they were having a Alice in Wonderland Tea Party.  I thought maybe Jeanne and the folks at Blue Monday would enjoy this blue.

Do you have a favorite tea cup? A favorite color? I love them all but this blue tea cup and matching teapot is really stunning. Lots of beautiful pieces to add to a collection.

I was thinking of my banana bread fail and this popped up! Leave it to Maxine to add things up!

Love is...fit perfectly today. Tea and honey go together so beautifully. I like to purchase locally produced honey as well as other produce and products.

This is my favorite honey, raw and unfiltered.

I hope you have a wonderful day and great week as well.

Grateful BoJon Girl Day One

I am grateful to have made it this far in 2016. What a year it has been. Grateful for my little flower garden and pretty blooms. I love the autumn or Fall, and love seeing the beautiful colors burst forth.

Achy back and all glad to be alive today and enjoy so much of God's goodness. Baby boomers are stronger and more resilient. we have lived through some turbulent times although our generation can not compare to the last. They really were  heroes and encouraging us after what they lived through.

My father was a life long New York Yankee's fan but he would smile if he saw this photo of David Ortiz (Boston Red Sox). I am grateful America still affords us this luxury of freedom. What a first class gentleman and excellent ball player this man is. Born in the Dominican Republic he knows the opportunity the U S A held for him. God Bless Big Papi for respecting the American Flag.

In 1982 Jim Rice, another Boston Red Sox player saved a child's life that had been hit in the head by a foul ball. Jim knew if he got that child into the clubhouse that little one had a chance to live. When asked why he did it he said simply, "I thought about my own children." I remember watching that game with my dad and his smile seeing someone act so quickly and courageously. Back then people weren't troubled by the things that cause such a mess in our society today. I was grateful living in those simpler times.

Grateful every day I live for my faith. I may stumble but I will never stop believing.

My hubby was raised a Baptist and a Nazarene. But he befriended an older Catholic priest. I could write a book about Pastor Edward Pettit. He was a terrific conversationalist. The priest was trying to stop smoking and told my husband he saw a hypnotist! My husband thought the priest was quite silly. Pastor Pettit gave him this verse. They had a little bet between them. My hubby would say "Father if you get to heaven before me put in  good word for me" and the priest would say "Ditto". Pastor left this world after a long career in the priesthood which is says he was inspired by God Himself as a small boy of 8. He told us he felt God called him to do his work. A finer man never wore the collar like Pastor Pettit did. He was a true man of God.

I say it a lot, but very grateful to have been raised by these two incredible examples of God's goodness. My folks were so beautiful and they are here with my two oldest siblings. My father taught me so much about sports, particularly baseball and my mother taught me how to pray. I will always miss them but I would never wish them back into this mixed up world we are living in.

I am very grateful to have been raised as a sLOVEnian a/k/a BoJon Girl and growing up in the best neighborhood in the world. Until next time: