What a weekend!

Well, Jeff has had the flu off and on now for the past 3 weeks, finally Friday he went to the Dr. I have been doing pretty well till this past week and slowly I could feel my body starting to ache some and having some chills... and basically not feeling well myself. That is why I haven't posted for a few days, hard to be motivating when you feel so crummy!
Luckily I did accomplish a few things, trying to focus on the positive...right?
I finally got up my St. Patrick's Day stuff, better late than never!
I realize that I don't have a ton of stuff and for the past 2 years when I have put it up, I can't find the St. Patrick's Day quilt that I made. I have no idea where it would be. I always have it over this chair in the living room. So until it reappears, I decided to put my crocheted afghan over the chair, and then I made a pillow (out of the left over fabric I had from the quilt). At least it gives me a pop of color there in the chair!

 Then on Friday, I braved the storm to go over to Kamiakin Jr. High School, and take a photo of a mural that my son Bradley did 14 years ago, when he was in school there. How fun to see where Brad is now in his own business in Graphic Design (you can see his work HERE:),

and realize that he has been enjoying ART since he was very young! Humble beginnings!

By Saturday, I knew that this flu bug that was going around, had finally bit me! I was cold and chilled all day. All I wanted was some HOT Chicken Noodle Soup and to call my Mom! Funny how I miss her sooooo much more when I am sick!  My Mom's Birthday was this week, and oh I wish she was still with us. I wish she could have had more time with me, my kids and I would have loved her to meet my sweet grandbabies! She passed away 15 years ago this year and still... what I wouldn't give to pick up the phone and just call her and tell her about my day...like we used to!

Well, after a small pity party, I decided I was going to have to make the Chicken Soup myself, didn't want Jeff to do it... because he still has more germs than I do! :) 

Grateful that my Mom taught me how to cook, she was much better cook than I ever have been. But then again she enjoyed food more than me. I eat to live, instead of living to eat! 

Soon the whole house smelled like my Mom's kitchen and I some how felt... a bit better!

Can't say that I really accomplished anything else on Saturday other than my soup. I did crochet some but mostly I just slept or laid around ( something that I am not really good at! ) 

Sunday morning came and I had to make myself get out of bed and get ready for church. I am sure the time change didn't help!

But I was glad that I made it, because as always ...I am grateful for the Spiritual Uplift it gives me.

 A wind storm came through, while we were at church and I had heard on the radio about the High Wind Warnings. The lights flickered a couple of times but never went out. As soon as I got home I hurried and heated up our soup, just in case the electricity went off. We had no longer finished our lunch than ... the electricity did go off! 

Luckily it wasn't terribly cold because we have a Gas Fireplace down stairs. We also have a lot of laterns and so that helped. Our neighbor has a Generator, and he invited us to come over, so we did for an hour or so to charge our phones and get warm. So nice to have such a thoughtful and generous neighbors! We are very blessed! Still wonder if some day we should invest in a Generator? Not a cheap thing to do, that is for sure. 

All in all, it was a different weekend, not one I would have planned but... we survived and I know I need to just try and count my blessings instead of all my problems.

That reminds me of a song that my Mom always sang to us as kids, if we were down or complaining alot. Here are the lyrics for it...

Count Your Blessings 

1. 
   
2. 1. When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed,
   When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
   Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
   And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
3. (Chorus)
   Count your blessings;
   Name them one by one.
   Count your blessings;
   See what God hath done.
   Count your blessings;
   Name them one by one.
   Count your many blessings;
   See what God hath done.
4. 2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
   Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
   Count your many blessings; ev'ry doubt will fly,
   And you will be singing as the days go by.
5. 3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
   Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
   Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
   Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.
6. 4. So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
   Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
   Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
   Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
7. Text: Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1856-1922
   Music: Edwin O. Excell, 1851-1921


8. (I feel better just from reading the lyrics! Probably why Mom had us sing it so often! :) Mom's are so smart!)
9. 
   
10. 
    
11. 
    
12. 
    

Luck of the Irish to you!

What a fun and busy day it was. First I was able to go out with a friend for her appointment and then we went to lunch. It was great catching up with this dear friend, we are definitely going to have to do that more often. Next Amy and I got things ready for our St. Patrick's Day dinner. She got the Corn Beef, I made Cabbage Soup, we had green salad (that was the easy part) then we decorated the table with Shamrocks. We even had cute dessert plates that were for St. Patrick's Day and green utensils, yes... it was a fun and family filled night. Just wished that Brad, Krystal and Lauren could have been with us. At least they were all together celebrating on their own, in Idaho!.
It is funny that we never really celebrated St. Patrick's Day very much in years past. I might have put some food coloring in a couple of things, but that was about it. Then Krystal ( my daughter-in -law) was here last year on March 17th and she really showed us how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day! It was so much fun, that we made a lot more preparations for it this year. I made pillows, table runners, and a wall quilt out of green materials, Amy made Shamrock banners, I made green wreaths for the front doors and last but not least... I was able to design and make these St. Patrick Day shirts for my granddaughters.

I have my health (which is huge), my family and so many dear friends that I can't hardly count them all.

Yes, I feel like I am one of the Luckiest girls in the world!

I will leave you with an Irish Blessing, and say Good Night dear friends!

  

Irish Blessings
Like the warmth of the sun
And the light of the day,
May the luck of the Irish
shine bright on your way.
May your pockets be heavy-
Your heart be light
And may good luck pursue you
Each morning and night.
May the good saints protect you
And bless you today
And may troubles ignore you
Each step of the way.
May joy and peace surround you,
Contentment latch your door,
And happiness be with you now
And bless you evermore.
May brooks and trees and singing hills
Join in the chorus too,
And every gentle wind that blows
Send happiness to you.
May good luck be your friend
In whatever you do
And may trouble be always
A stranger to you.
May the roads rise to meet you.
May the wind be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
The rain fall soft upon your fields
And, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

"I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it."  ~ Thomas Jefferson

"If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love,  you have to find the courage to live it."  ~ Unknown