Box of Sunshine

We Live in Sunny California

My Nephew is away at school in Chilly Pennsylvania

I remember when I was in college how exciting it was to get something in the mail - especially a package.  I also remember never having anything fun to eat, how hard it was to get to the local store, and not having much money to spend on anything that wasn't a necessity.

So I decided it was a perfect opportunity to send my Nephew a

Once you start looking - it's amazing how many YELLOW snack food items you can find.

My Box contained the following:

Lays Classic Potato Chips

Velveeta Mac and Cheese Cups

Kraft Cheese in a Can

Wheat Thins Crackers

Slim Jims

Primgles Potato Chips

Mr. Goodbar Chocolate

Bumble Bee Tuna Snack

M n M Candies

Dried Pineapple Bits

Everything sweet, salty and completely bad for you that a College Student could ever want.  

There were so many great food choices.  

I was like a crazy woman wandering around the grocery store grabbing anything I could find that was yellow.  Once I realized I would have to SHIP the package....it helped me edit my selections.  
Nothing too heavy, or breakable, or easily smashed.

But if I were delivering this to a local friend....Ohhh the possibilities.  

I filled the shipping box with yellow paper shred and tied yellow bows around several of the boxes.

We wrote a personal message on the back of a Large Sun cut from cardstock and patterned paper.

A few more suns were made from circle and scallop paper punches.

  There was even room for a little light up stress ball animal.  

And then it was all shipped off for my nephew (and his room mates) to enjoy.

This would be a great pick me up for someone who is feeling under the weather and could easily be tailored to the Lucky recipients tastes.   

Who do you know that could use a little Box of Sunshine to brighten their day?

Thirty Days of Gratitude

Several years ago I joined a flickr group that challenged me to find something to be Thankful for - and take a photo - each of the 30 days of November.

I consider myself pretty lucky - I have a great life - not much to complain about. But it's sooo easy to get bogged down by the every day things - and get just a little Cranky. Especially during the busy holiday season.

I love this challenge because it's like a slap in the face for me. Time to take stock in All the wonderful things I have in my life.

Here is a recap of my 30 Days of Gratitude for the past years:
(click on the links below to see more about each of the photos)


2009



1. Happy Thoughts, 2. Just the Girls, 3. Tchotchkes, 4. Time and Tolerance, 5. Wisdom, 6. Intervention, 7. The Beauty of Dance, 8. Reading, 9. Time Together, 10. A Helping Hand, 11. Sweet Girl of Mine, 12. Family History, 13. Going Green, 14. Slow Cooker, 15. It's Time to Decorate, 16. Glitter, 17. A Taste of the World, 18. A Table for Two, 19. Friends and their Babes, 20. Health and Well Being, 21. Sweet Little Mice, 22. The Arizona Biltmore, 23. Sunshine and Rain, 24. In Memory of..., 25. Amazing Night Sky



2010



1. Moderation, 2. A Strong & Pleasant Scent, 3. Friends, 4. Dinner, 5. Moving, 6. Suburbia, 7. Children and the Arts, 8. A Clean House, 9. Grey Hair & Wrinkles, 10. Tooth Fairy, 11. Sweater Weather, 12. Home, 13. Freedom, 14. Game Night, 15. Fun, 16. Unconditional Love, 17. Quiet Time, 18. Nature, 19. Coffee Maker, 20. A Man is Only as Good as His Tools, 21. Inspiration, 22. Moving Cards, 23. Simplify, 24. Sweet Surprises, 25. Lights, 26. Snuggle Time, 27. Warm Cookies and Milk, 28. Willingness, 29. Natures Bounty, 30. December Memories


November will be here in just a few weeks. I plan on playing along again this year.

I invite you to come over to flickr and join this wonderful group with me. No pressure. No worries if you can't post every day (notice my first year didn't have 30 photos).

Hope to see you there.

Happy Housiversary

One year ago - I was standing on the front porch of our new home waiting for the Moving Truck (OK....that would be Moving TruckS) to arrive.

I can hardly believe we have been here for a year now. I still have a few boxes that need to be unpacked - and a long list of home decor and improvement ideas - but I'm feeling very comfortable and settled.

Thought I would share some of the beautiful sights of our new hometown that we have enjoyed over the past year.

Giving Thanks

We are spending Thanksgiving at our new home this year. Just the 3 of us - Little K is going to help me cook, and has requested that we eat dinner early so we can start decorating for Christmas.

I have so many things to be thankful for. It's often easy to get caught up in the stuff that happens unexpectedly, that it's hard to see how much there is to be Grateful for.

This month, I again took the challenge to recognize the gratitude I have around me each and every day.




1. Moderation, 2. A Strong & Pleasant Scent, 3. Friends, 4. Dinner, 5. Moving, 6. Suburbia, 7. Children and the Arts, 8. A Clean House, 9. Grey Hair & Wrinkles, 10. Tooth Fairy, 11. Sweater Weather, 12. Home, 13. Freedom, 14. Game Night, 15. Fun, 16. Unconditional Love, 17. Quiet Time, 18. Nature, 19. Coffee Maker, 20. A Man is Only as Good as His Tools, 21. Inspiration, 22. Moving Cards, 23. Simplify, 24. Sweet Surprises

(click on the links above for details on each photo)


Happy Thanksgiving.

Words of Love

Today, my dear sweet hubby and I are celebrating our 21st Wedding Anniversary.

Here we are - in my parents Home where we were married - on our Wedding Day.

October 20, 1989

Someone please tell me at what point the big hair and big glasses from the 80’s stop being a fashion blunder and start to look like something classic and vintage? I keep waiting. At least my dress has some timeless styling. It could have been worse – Gunne Sax was still quite the rage at this time.

I would love to tell you that I found an amazing gift to give my loved one. Or that he is planning a fantastic surprise for me. The truth is, we don’t celebrate these events with elaborate gifts. Partly – because if we want something, we go and get it for ourselves, which makes surprise purchases difficult. But also, because those are not the things we tend to remember, or what really matter.

I hope that we tell each other, and show each other, the depth of our love on a daily basis – and not just on Birthdays or Anniversaries. Some days I’m better at it than others. My Mom occasionally reminds me not to take for granted what an amazing, forgiving and tolerant man I married. Thanks – I do need that.

I did treat myself to a little gift a few days ago that I could call my Anniversary Present.



The Cricut Create Personal Cutter. I used to have unlimited access to one via my friend and next door neighbor Marni – but now that we have moved….I have to begin stocking my own scrapbooking tools.

You could also say that I got a great gadget for my hubby as an Anniversary Present.



Our 20+ year old Garage Door Opener konked out over the weekend, so I had a brand spankin' shiny new one installed yesterday - including sensors and an outside keypad.

But both of those purchases would have most likely been made whether it was our Anniversary or not.

So to Celebrate our years together – and to look forward to the many years ahead – I wrote him a letter, to make sure I tell him how much I love him (in case I forget to mention it one day).

I bet I'll get some sweet words from him as well - because he's good that way.



He always has been.

I love you, not only for what you are, But for what I am when I am with you ~~ Erich Freid

L O V E

We are all shaped and fashioned by what we Love ~ JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

I'll be spending my Valentines Day cleaning the house. Not my favorite thing to do, but it's looking pretty messy, and starting to bug me, so I'll feel good when it's all done.

But the special treat for the day is that Dear Hubby and Little K have decided to cook dinner tonight. A real dinner - not just frozen pizza or mac and cheese. They already have the needed kitchen utensils laid out on the counter (mini food processor, cutting board, measuring bowl, whisk). I have no idea what they are planning. I haven't noticed any cook books sitting out. They made their shopping list first thing and are at the store now getting their ingredients.

The last time my husband cooked for me was 19 years ago, right after we were first married. He made chicken enchiladas. It took him all day - and when I came home from work he was dressed in a black suit with a towel over his arm ready to seat me at the table, and serve dinner. I didn't have the heart to tell him I don't really like Mexican Food that much.

That dinner was delicious. Not because it tasted good (I can't really remember), but because it was something so far out of his comfort zone, and quite difficult for him to do, and he did it anyway to make me happy. And it did.

I think that might have been when we decided on our current domestic agreement - I cook - he cleans.

I'm excited to see what they come up with - and I know it will be delicious...because it is made with L O V E!

Happy Valentines Day. I hope you all get to do something you Love today.

I Love Packages

It never fails - every time we make a trip home to visit family - we seem to forget something. Luckily my Mom know this, and as she's cleaning up after our onslaught - she simply gathers up the little bits we have left behind - boxes them up - and sends them out to us.

It's nice to have our belongings returned, but it's even nicer when the package contains some extra fun little goodies.

This time - she included these adorable Bendable Kitchen Utensils.

Have you ever seen anything so cute? Look at their feet - they are suction cups so they stick to the counter.

I think she intended for them to be for Little K - but hubby has been having just as much fun with them. Every time I go into the kitchen, they are in a new position.

To answer your question...NO - they have not yet been used for cooking.

So THANKS Mom! The whole family is enjoying your fun surprise package.

THE END

(Sorry - I just couldn't resist)

PS - They are made by Fiesta and they are called "Head Chefs". I found them on Amazon here.

Much To Be Grateful For

I have so many things to be Grateful for this Thanksgiving. These are just a few that I have been reminded of this month.



1. Happy Thoughts, 2. Just the Girls, 3. Tchotchkes, 4. Time and Tolerance, 5. Wisdom, 6. Intervention, 7. The Beauty of Dance, 8. Reading, 9. Time Together, 10. A Helping Hand, 11. Sweet Girl of Mine, 12. Family History, 13. Going Green, 14. Slow Cooker, 15. It's Time to Decorate, 16. Glitter, 17. A Taste of the World, 18. A Table for Two, 19. Friends and their Babes, 20. Health and Well Being

(click on the links for more details)

Enjoy your day, however you choose to celebrate. We'll be letting someone else do the cooking this year and heading out to the Arizona Biltmore for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. I guess that means I can get started decorating for Christmas NOW, since I won't be working in the kitchen.

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

Family Love

I'm so happy to have had my Mum come and stay with us for the past few weeks. We've had loads of fun together. Our closets are bulging, and so are our waistlines...and I can't wait to do it all again!

Friendship

There is a cozy corner, in my heart,
All tucked away,

Warmed by the light of friendship's smile, and song
And laughter, gay.

A secret nook I keep, just for a favorite few,
And there is always Open House
Within that place for you.

A Treat from the Bakery

There is nothing better than yummy Sweet Pastries still warm from the Bakery on a Sunday Morning.

Drinking a cup of coffee, reading the Sunday paper, eating a sweet treat. It's a relaxing way to start the day.

Cherry Turnover for me, Bear Claw for Hubby, Sugar Twist for Little K and one extra just for good measure.

Everyone Should Have Fresh Flowers

I used to buy myself Fresh Flowers at least once a week.

Then somehow I just got too busy, and that went by the wayside along with so many other things (Going to the Gym, Meal Planning, Date Night, doing the Laundry on a regular basis...OK, maybe I never did that last one).

The truth is, you make time for things that you find important...and I think flowers should be one of them!

It's a simple little pleasure, that doesn't cost a lot...they just make me happy.

Newly Laundered Sheets

I've been doing laundry today. I'm tired, it's hot (inside and out), I'm still not finished and I'm a little bit cranky.

But then I'm reminded of how much I love Newly Laundered Sheets.

They are cool & crisp, smell fresh and welcome me to a great nights sleep. I can hardly wait to go to bed tonight...I think I'm ready to go right now.

The Smell of Fresh Brewed Coffee

I love the smell of Fresh Brewed Coffee. Especially if I'm still in bed when the aroma finds it's way to me. That means my sweetie of a husband has let me sleep in. I'm almost embarrassed to say, I get that privilege nearly every weekend.

Happy Thoughts

Years ago my husband and I started writing down things that made us happy. Some were specific memories of special events in our lives, or places we visited, but often they were just things. If I was having a bad day it would help ease my mind by thinking about something else...something that made me happy.

Now it's a family journal, and my daughter not only enjoys making her own entries, but hearing the stories behind the older entries her Dad and I have made.

So this is my visual log of "Happy Thoughts".

Butterflies that choose to visit our yard.