Monday's Musings

Most Memorial Day weekends in our family are quiet and uneventful, but this Memorial Day weekend has been one to remember.  My brother, Antwon, and Roberta were married.

They've been "married" for seven years now, but this weekend made it "official".  I've considered Roberta my sister all these years anyway, but I guess I'm old fashioned - I'm really liking the "official" part!

My "unofficial" daughter-in-law, Heather, made the wedding cake and catered all the food.  The cake was cassata, and it was the only wedding cake in my long history of attending weddings that I've seen literally devoured!   Everything was all absolutely delicious!  We feasted all afternoon long on chicken, pulled pork, pasta salad, garden salad, baked beans, parsley potatoes.....the list goes on and on.

I love my brother and sister.   I feel very fortunate that we're all close.  We've always got each other's backs even though we aren't constantly in touch with each other.

When we do get together, it's always a great time.  Our juvenile antics keep us entertained for hours, and all of that silliness and laughter become memories that make me smile.  I don't think we'll ever grow old.

Weddings are special occasions not just for the bride and groom, but for everyone in attendance.  So much love gathered in one place is a gentle reminder that the only really important thing in life is the love of family and friends.

I'm thrilled that I finally got to meet all my new sisters in person!  Family is such a beautiful thing....

and to see the happy newlyweds really warms my heart.

We were back at the cabin yesterday for my "new niece", Jen's, college graduation party.  I strolled back to the pond that served as a backdrop to Saturday's wedding.  It was quiet, serene and peaceful, and I couldn't help but smile as I remembered the joyous ceremony that had just hours ago taken place.

The hot, humid day gifted us with a sudden downpour of rain.  As we all huddled under the shelter of the tent, I couldn't help but think that just as we seek shelter from the rain, we seek the shelter of our loved ones when "storms" enter our own personal lives.  I thought about how lucky I am to have so many wonderful family and friends to seek shelter with during those bad times.

And when the sun broke through as it was still pouring, I reflected on the fact that there really is a bright spot to focus on even when times are tough.  If we can only change our perspective, we can look past the rain and into the sun....

and realize that just as the flowers need rain as well as sun to bloom, we also need those challenging moments in life to help us grow beyond where we are today.

I hope you've had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, and I hope you are blessed to have a shelter of loving family and friends to help you through your own storms.

CELEBRATE * LOVE * CREATE

Weekend Journal

It's been an extraordinary week for me.  Mike and Nadia arrived safely from California last Saturday, so the entire family has been together for the whole week.  Yes - I'm happy beyond words!  There have been family cookouts and way too much food (but I've enjoyed every calorie!), quiet strolls along the beach, visits to parks, and hours just sitting around reminiscing and laughing.  I really hate to see it come to an end as Mike and Nadia head back to CA tomorrow.

Heather has been making mouth watering desserts for us all week.  My personal favorite - Biscoff Truffles.  Biscoff spread. Cream cheese.  Chocolate.  Speechless goodness.  Heather is amazing with the baked goods and has a wonderful blog: Bake, Run, Live.  If you want to see some great baked goods and sweets and collect some wonderful recipes, this is your ticket!  And the most importantl part - they're "made with love, not calories".  I've been telling myself that all week.

Other family members got in on the sweet action, too.  Mike and Nadia sent Keith this unbelievable box of chocolate covered strawberries from Sheri's Berries for his birthday.  They're deliciously sweet and crazy big!  Sis also contributed awesome chocolate peanut butter brownies to the dessert table.  

And let us not forget Nadia's creamy, luscious homemade flan.  Definitely no calories in this! (Ha!)

Of course, we had to offset all the food (a trip to Melt, breakfast at the 50's Diner, cabbage rolls, chicken curry, etc., etc.....) with some activitiy, and I also had to sneak in some journaling via camera.  Here are some snippets of our trip to the Cleveland Metroparks / North Chagrin Reservation in Willoughby Hills.

Squire's Castle front

Squire's Castle rear right

Looking up through the tower

Crab apple tree blossoms

Red Bud tree

Spring Beauty flowers

Yesterday was all about "the guys" as they washed, polished and "prettied up" the Mustangs.  Four-wheeled Mustangs, that is.  Mike, (videographer extraordinaire), attached his camera to the back window of my car and took video footage of the trip to and from the beach.  I can't wait to see the finished product and I'll be sure to share the link with you.  Here are a couple pictures from yesterday's photo shoot.

Mustang photos:  Keith Thompson

Nick's 99 Saleen, Keith's 69 Coupe and 96 GT Coupe

I have to admit to just a little journaling activity.  Remember the 29 Faces Challenge?  Mike helped me iron out my tech kinks and make a short video of the project.  Here's the finished video.  For the best viewing, watch on YouTube in full screen.

As this week winds down, I hope you are finding ways to not only create, but to celebrate and love this amazing journey we call life.  I hope you're surrounded by loving family and friends, and all the wonderful things that bring you pleasure.

Heather, Nick, Keith, Nadia, Mike

As for me, life just doesn't get any better than this.  I'm an extremely blessed and happy woman.

CELEBRATE * LOVE * CREATE