"Grandma,

put these on your blog, OK?"

You bet, Macs, 'cause I *heart* you too!

Crazy Happy Times

That's what my mom titled this picture taken years ago with my DD and SIL. I meant to post the layouts she made about her adventures as Curly the Clown last month as a kind of tribute to her on the anniversary of her death, but I've just been so busy with other "stuff" that I haven't had time to take pictures of them. I'd also intended to participate in Dia de Bloglandia/Day of the Dead the first of this month, etc., etc., etc. Oh well, we can only do so much, right? I figured this is better than nothing!

This is the journaling from her layouts:

"Once upon a time there was a funny grandma that always wanted to be a clown so she talked her daughter-in-law, Mitzi and her granddaughter, Rachel into making clown costumes and off they went to make children laugh and to the rest homes to make the old folks smile. They did this till they got bored and so they went on to other things. But it was fun while it lasted."

"My Rachel is so cute as a clown and the old folks just love her. And OH MY, what a good daughter-in-law will do for her silly ole mother-in-law."

And what I wouldn't give for more crazy happy times with you, my dear sweet mom!

Not your mother's grocery store!

Not mine either, but this brought a smile to my face. I hope it brightens your day too :)

Button Goodness

I made this card using one of the Everyday Button Bits stamps from Papertrey Ink. It's part of a set that includes chicks, flowers, balloons, and much more. So cute and the perfect excuse to buy more buttons!

I just posted this over on the Button Floozies blog and figured I should share it here too :D. My good friend Jill sent me the stamp set for my birthday. The little photo album is for my friend Donna's birthday next month. She's a new grandma so I made it to hold a picture a month for the baby's first year.

Double Nickels Day

Last year was my Beddian Birthday, this year it's my Double Nickels. In other words, as of 7:45 this morning I am now 55! How on earth did that happen?

(I was posting funny quotes on aging here, when I got sidetracked by this and remembered that I am BLESSED to be able to grow old. Then I decided to make a donation for this in honor of my birthday and in hope that these little ones may grow old too.).

Never forget

Here's what's for dinner - all month!

Well, not exactly. But that is what's cooking over at Amy's house. EVERY NIGHT THIS MONTH. Yep, beans & rice. You can read all about it on her blog, Building the Blocks. As for John and me, while we will be eating a lot of beans and rice, we will also be eating what we have on hand all month so we will be able to donate the grocery money saved to Amy's Pass it Forward Adoption Fund. Whew, that was a mouthful!

I'm hoping, praying actually, that you will get excited about what Amy is doing and join me as I join Amy in her goal to bring a child home. If you do, be sure to try this delicious authentic Cuban recipe from our long ago friends and neighbors, Luzma & Alfredo. And won't you please share your fave recipe for beans or rice with me!

{Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight... ~ James 1:27}