My Resolutions, My Gifts

Last Year, 2016, I had an Epiphany to use the New Year to resolve to do better, and make a change for the better.  The Epiphany is when the Magi set out to find the Christ Child...Following the path to Christ.  That's what resolutions ultimately are...

So as I set out this New 2017 Year, I resolve to do my best to search out Christ in everything and everyone and follow Him in every way, bringing Him my gifts.

~ Mother's Day ~ May 12, 2013

A gift from my son...

Very thoughtful...very sweet (very delicious, too!)  Love the lemon flavor on shortbread.


A gift from my youngest (Little Lamb)...

Cinnamon-y hot chocolate from scratch...Mexican Hot Chocolate!  My fave.

A gift from my Butterfly....an amazing Sunday Brunch for me, my mother-in-law, and sister-in-law...

A gift to all mothers...I LOVE to make flower arrangements.

A gift to Our Lady...Our Mother.

After the lilies have opened up a bit...I believe they are happy being at the foot of Our Lady as she cuddles her Son.

The morning began...listening to my daughters sing in the choir at the Cathedral; while my son served, as our bishop celebrated the Holy Mass. 

Then home, where my husband delighted me with a few of my favorite things...similiar to last years lovely brunch. 

Cookies Hand-made with love from SIL

A Very Blessed Mother's Day to All...

~ Cookie Exchange Extravaganza ~

 

How sweet is this?...Super Sweet

Last night was our Home School Group's 17th Annual Cookie Exchange, which a friend organized and I hosted (at my home).  Praying together is part of our gathering. 

Prayers which lift the mind and heart to God.

Prayers which are much needed.

 

~ The Savory ~
I was able to capture only a few dishes on my camera...

Grape tomatoes, gouda cheese & spanish olives...
hand-made with love by Butterfly and Little Lamb

Spinach & cheese mini-quiche...
not hand-made, but still savory good.

Sweet Potato with Sea Salt

~ Sharing Samples & Recipes ~

remember these?  We decreased the baking time to 8-9 minutes
and increased the chile powder from 1/2 tsp to 1 tsp.

~ The Sweet Swap ~

~ Liquid Refreshments ~
Again, I was not able to capture all the libations drinks

Fresh mint & lemons from the garden...

~ Gifts for moi? ~
Very sweet ladies...surprised me with gifts.  Unexpected. 

Generous Guests ~ Happy Hostess

Green Tea with fresh Jasmine...blooms in hot water.  Fun & enjoyable!

~ Friends & Family Plate or Perpetual Sharing ~
This is a fun and wonderful idea...happy to share! (on the back, I wrote in permanant marker the travels it has made so far...I added our family name and the names of the predecessors.  It will be fun to see where its traveled...who knows, maybe it will come back some year day?

If you would like to organize or host your own cookie Exchange,
here is one method that might help get you started.



Linking up to Sweet Boutique, Super Sweet Saturday...

~ Birthday Blessings ~

My wonderful husband and loving children treated me to a beautiful birthday celebration, this month.

They took me to one of my favorite places...

"It is by far the grandest of all the special temples of nature I was ever permitted to enter."

~  John Muir

I was treated to a lovely breakfast at the magnificent Ahwahnee Hotel. 

A little surprise...

 

...such delightful hospitality.




I love all the little nooks and rustic furnishings, just perfect for sitting and reading...and enjoying the stunning views.

This corner reminds me of a gnomes hat...but this particular *hat* reaches up to about 15 feet.

Spring in Yosemite is spectacular with all the waterfalls at full flow...and Winter is truly an amazing wonderland with everything covered in a blanket of shimmering crystal white.
But the Autumn is my favorite with the color...Oh - the color.  All the colors against the blue sky...

Breathtaking.

"Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space."

~ Ansel Adams

And for the cherry on top...as if it wasn't enough that they treated me like royalty all day long...they gifted me with a reminder of the day.  A Fleur de lys glass with my birthstone and a chocolate truffle to enjoy at the end of my day...so sweet.  I felt like a queen.  And to show me how much they love and need me...they let me cook dinner for them.  It was my honor.  :o)

Birthday gifts...