Miss Larrisa Rose

Happy Saturday everyone, the best day of the week! For the most part the dream kitchen is done and life is somewhat back to normal. The upside, except for a few small details like a paper towel holder, towel rack and accessorizing we're done...the down side, as mentioned in my last post you don't get to see it yet until after the August reveal...August 27th to be exact :O)

In the meantime, I'm going to veer off course for a less traveled road, well for for me anyway...I decided to do a post about two things I don't normally put much thought into; dolls and the color pink. Not that I don't like either but because I'm too busy thinking up the next remodel project and because I'd rather be organizing my house and creating than playing with dolls which is what this post is all about...two dolls and the color pink. I don't have a lot of pink in my house except in this room which also doubles as a guest room.

So today I've decided to do a post on a lovely little doll that came into my life many years ago and left an indelible memory in my heart forever...

meet sweet Miss Rose with the beautiful smile...

When Rose came into my life 18 years ago I had no idea we would become such good friends and become as close as we did. She was "elderly" if I dare say that, but I mean it in the sense that she was well into her senior years at that time and I was in my 30's which meant we were at different places in our lives chronologically speaking.

But the more I got to know her, the more I soon realized we had much more in common than I could have ever thought possible. She loved her husband and family and she loved to laugh and enjoy each day. She loved to cook, loved celebrating and being with family and loved her home. Most importantly, Rose had a keen sense of humor and the just loved life...simply said, Rose was a women after my own heart and the more I got to know her the more I realized age means nothing when you have kindred spirits and friendship.

When my sweet friend passed away last year at age 96, it was a like loosing a family member and dear friend. I missed our frequent "chats and giggles" as we used to say to each other. I missed her smile and the kindness she always bestowed upon me whenever we saw each other. She had a way of making me feel as if I was the most important person in her life and that I made her day she most certainly always made my day better no matter what was happening in life!

One of the many blessings that came out of my friendship with Rose was getting to know her family and especially her daughter and son-in law...

Shortly after Miss Rose was gone in the month of December, her daughter called and asked if we could meet for lunch. She and her husband picked me up and off we went. The three of us were having a lovely time catching up when they pulled out a beautifully wrapped package...a Christmas gift and a special remembrance of Rose, my sweet friend...

As I opened the gift, I saw this beautiful, beautiful face looking at me, so pretty, so sweet all dressed in pink Moire satin, ribbons and lace...

and her name was

She was just the sweetest thing I had ever seen...from her lovely little bonnet down to her lace covered shoes and crocheted stockings, she was beautiful!

As I began to open the box she "lived in", I noticed in some ways she looked like my friend Rose. She had dark hair like Rose,

and the most beautiful eyes like Rose...

But most of all, she reminded me of Miss Rose because according to her daughter, Rose collected dolls and this was her favorite. Her favorite...and I was being handed this precious gift...Rose's favorite...what a sweet honor to now become her caretaker...

That day, I named this lovely doll, "Larissa Rose" in remembrance of Rose and the memories she'll forever hold in my heart.

Larissa Rose is now residing in my SEWING ROOM 
and when I walk past the room or into it,

I see sweet Larissa Rose smiling back at me and remember a lovely friendship shared and how thankful I am two paths crossed in life to share a little of each other's journey...

joining
Beverly at How Sweet the Sound
for her Pink Saturday
and her birthday!
Happy birthday Beverly 
and thank you for hosting another sweet pink party!

OK so sign me up for any kind of surgery...

Just to get more of this bread!!!!!

My sweet neighbor, Hjordis came over last night with this fresh from the oven, homemade whole wheat bread and it is THE best bread I have ever put in my mouth! No kidding!

She made this from scratch by grinding the wheat fresh yesterday morning...yes you read right...grinding her own whole wheat!!! Then baked it into this beautiful loaf you see here.

I have never in my life made had "real" home baked bread and all I can say is, its a good thing I don't know how to make this because I'd have to live on it!

It is THAT GOOD!

I had the first slice after my neighbor left last night while the hubs was putzin' around. When he walked back into the kitchen he asked "well how is it" and I said; its just awful honey, you won't like it at all, you should just stick to your own "store bought bread" so as not to waste your time on this, but don't worry someone HAS to eat it so it doesn't go bad so I'll do it.

Seriously, he's been so good to me through my surgical recovery, I was trying to spare him the anguish...really...I was honestly!

Well all it took was one teensy weensy little slice with a little of Ms. Sue Bee clover honey on it, which Hjordis also brought along with this lovely loaf...

and he was hooked! Then he had the audacity to tell me I was liar, liar pants on fire and a cheater, cheater, punkin' eater for trying to steal the bread from him!!!! What? I would never do such a thing!

I don't know what he was thinking, I was trying to do him a favor and eat it all up before he tasted it and liked it and was forced to eat it...sheesh any how!!!!

Poor hubs will be working late tonight so guess what I'm having for dinner?? :)

Let's see...toasted cheese Sammie's and salad sounds just delish...then perhaps a slice or two toasted with a little honey for dessert...then perhaps a thin little slice before I get all tucked into bed...then I think I need to hide the rest for tomorrow morning's jam and bread and tell him its all gone...so, so sorry but in my delicate post surgical state, I'm sure he'll understand...

Or not...but oh well someone had to eat it!!!!!!!!

Thank you again my sweet neighbor and friend, Hjordis we love you!!!!



A patient little patient...

Even though HIPPA guidelines prohibit me from discussing or talking about a patient in any way, there are those times it is OK to bend the rules a little and this is one of those times...
I don't have just a "job" per se and sometimes it can actually be fun considering the fact its what I do for a living: working in a very busy Ophthalmology practice. There are days the "train wreck" happens the moment I walk in the door. 
Most of the time I work with some very difficult medical ocular emergencies on a daily basis (nail-gun injury or champagne cork to an eye is considered an emergency in case you're wondering).
Then there are those days the sweetest little patients come through my door and into my practice.

Yesterday was one of those days...

Meet little Gus...

he is an adorable 10 week old English Bulldog that stole my heart!

It just goes to show you, there is a little sweetness in everyday, you just have to look for it and see it!

A walk in the Healing Garden

Yesterday a very dear friend of mine along with her family, had to face a very difficult time; the death of their beloved friend of whom battled Leukemia for the past year. He was twenty nine years old. As I went through the routine of my day, the sadness they are going through weighed heavily on my mind. It reminded me how quickly life changes so I wanted to honor the gift of the day somehow. I decided a walk on campus through "The Healing Garden" was just the thing. I always have my camera with me, (an old hobby I've picked up again since building this blog) so I took the liberty to take in the scenery and enjoy God's indescribable beauty.
Come join me on my walk...its beautiful out!

God and nature are always in complete control...

as I walked through the garden,

the more in awe I was...

at the color and beauty...

as I remember to be thankful for this day...

Healing will come...

Wade, Elizabeth and family,

My thoughts and prayers are with you...