Lord hear my prayer...

Tonight the house is back in perfect order.  The television in the basement is silent.  Terr is upstairs in his office and I in the Kitchen/Den.  My mother just sent an inspiring forward.   The performers on American’s Got Talent sing and dance.  It’s Tuesday night, Kate and Simon moved on today... westward, to see New Orleans, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona...I miss their essence in the house.

 Eddie, the painter, calls from Northcroft to report his progress on the cabin…Stonehenge gray.  Kimberly called to share another “God” moment with me.  Shannon thinks we are on the same flight to San Francisco this week end where we will go in love and support of Bethann and Adrienne as they celebrate their commitment to each other .


Mike just sent a text message saying good night with a salutation of love that touched my heart…

God, I pray I am doing right by your gifts.  I am so grateful for all you have given me.  Please, protect my dear family and make Your presence known in their lives, for only You are worthy of praise.  May I love fully and without condition, just as you love me.  Thank you. 

Birthday Celebrations

Happy Birthday to my first born, Michael...

and to Aidan who shares this special day.

Kate the Painter!

Last week our Kate went from painting signs on Little Corn Island, Nicaragua, to redecorating the garage for her mother, in Atlanta!  Of course she had a little help from her friend...

Simon, a British friend of Kate's who came to check out the U. S. after being on Little Corn teaching scuba diving for three years.  They decided to do something nice at the Heath while staying here so they took everything out of the garage, scrubbed and power washed the oil stained, concrete floor, painted the walls and wainscoting, then put it all back together again!  Now Terr and I have a nice fresh, clean garage to drive our cars into. :)

Thanks Kate and Simon, you did an excellent job!

This is to honor and mark the passing of Mary's mother, Marlene Lockwood on August 8, 2011.
Marlene gave us Mary and we were grandparents together.
Over the years Marlene joined us for all special occasions and became family to all of us.
Mary, Joe and Isabelle spoke eloquently at her memorial service on August 24th, 2011. She would have been so proud.
Marlene will be missed.

First day of school 2011

I enjoyed seeing the bright, beautiful faces of some of my grandchildren as they headed off for their day of school.  I pray all of you have good teachers, interesting curriculum, and a successful year in the extra activities you participate in.  We are so fortunate to be blessed with such smart children and access to good education.

If any of you have a "First Day of School" photo, send it to me.  I would love to post it!

YAY! Three cheers for a GREAT family vacation!

I love you guys and you make me proud.  God is good!

Delicious Dinner Time at Grayton!

1. Grayton Beach Dinners 2011

Pedersen/Kelley Family

Signature Drink:  French 75

Gazpacho, Crab cakes, Arugula and spinach salad, Faux-tatoes with grilled pesto scallops with balsamic reduction sauce, Parmesan French bread!

Strawberry Short Cake

Regas Family

  Signature drink: Cucumber Gimlets

Poor man’s caviar dip with chips

 SHRIMP BOIL with shrimp, corn, andouille sausage and new potatoes

Ice Cream Sundaes with 10 or more toppings 

Sabonis-Chafee Family

Signature Drink: White wine

Grilled Salmon Sandwiches with Tarragon cream/Brown sugar soy sauces topped with crispy fried shallots.

Lettuce wedge with bacon bits and tomatoes topped with bleu cheese dressing.

Hand-cut parmesan/rosemary/sea salt French fries.

Mississippi Mud pie (made by the girls.)

Shannon Croft Family

Signature drink:  Matador (tequila, agave, lime)

Two kinds of chips and salsa

Posole with chicken and hominy

Shredded pork soft tacos with ALL the fixings

Red tequila beans

Lime and butter soaked grilled corn on the cob

Key Lime Pie and No Bake Chocolate Cookies coated in powdered sugar (by: Morgan, Emily and Isabelle)

Kate Croft

 Signature drinks: Jamaica Tea (Hibiscus flowers) and Nica Libres (Nicaraguan rum, coke and lime)

Ginger Grouper (Homemade Chilero on the table)

Curried couscous and quinoa with tropical fruits

Sautéed asparagus

Apple fennel salad 

Banana pudding a la Magnolia Bakery

WOW!   IT WAS  TOTALLY AWESOME! 

"Booty Camp" at the Beach!

Each morning Mary leads the strong and the brave in a workout program that is not for the faint of heart.  You will find no lack of determination and effort from this group of family members.  I'm told their fearless leader is no softy and has no sympathy for the slackers.  (In her mother's absence, Isabelle offered her leadership in water aerobics!)

Take note that neither Grandad or I participated in this heart-attack-inducing regimen...well, somebody had to take pictures and hold the chairs down at the beach!  Okay, so Grandad did play tennis a couple of times.

First Pictures of Family Vacation 2011!

Almost Grayton time!

Let the excitment build!
One week 'till Grayton!!!

News of Family Birthdays

A big SHOUT-OUT to Ford and Molly for a very
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

(Ford is a mind blowing Sixteenager @#!%&!* and Molly is more beautiful than ever.)

A Wonderful California Visit...

The visit was short but sweet and meant the world to us.  To Kristin, Alan, Beth, Adrienne, Keegan and Aidan:  Thank you for showing us the best parts of your lives and making us feel included in them.  We enjoyed every minute.  Can't wait to see you again in August and September!  You are loved.:)

Summer Camp, Issy and Emily Style!

All grown up and always good friends, cousins and YaYa sisters (along with Morgan) Issy and Emily have taken on, as camp counselors, a summer camp this year full of arts, crafts, water play, music, snacks and lunch for eight little neighborhood girls that attend!

I was quite impressed this morning when I went to photograph and see for myself what Issy and Emily's summer camp was all about.  Today's theme was HOLIDAYS.  The girls had many listed and had fun activities to celebrate each one...

Looking around the room I found all kinds of projects that had gone on before I arrived, including a ping-pong table full of hand painted pillow cases that were laying out to dry...

Camp looked fun and all the little girls looked so happy, especially when it was announced that it was time for Popsicles!

While the girls were busy playing games, Mama Regas was up stairs preparing lunch ( I saw alphabet shaped french fries being prepared that looked really yummy!), so before I left the campers graciously gathered to pose for a picture (less one camper who had to leave briefly for a doctor's appointment).  Then I slipped out to avoid further interruption.

Everyday this week, from 10:00 o'clock to 2:00, Isabelle and Emily have been working; taking on the full responsibility (except for lunch preparation) of running a day camp for girls.  They faithfully clean up when the day is over and then set up for the next day of camp.  From tuition, the girls planned and bought supplies for each activity and will get a pay check from what is left after expenses.  I saw evidence of some really good book keeping too!  From what I witnessed, I'd say the demand for Issy and Emily's camp week will be high in the coming years.  Congratulations girls on a job well done...

  Wish I could come for "water day" tomorrow!

You won't recognize me...

.

We bought a new car yesterday, a 2012 Ford Escape.   I already miss my 1997 Jeep.  This is going to take some getting use to.

July 9, 1977- # Thirty-four!

It's another July celebration, the fireworks are still brightly popping and my love for you never wavers. Thank you for putting up with me for all these years. I know I am not always easy but my heart is right and it's yours. 

Happy Anniversary, Darling.

I can't think of a better way to express my love...it bears repeating:

I love you and YES, I will.

Today at Northcroft...

Nothing more need be said.

To God be the Glory.