Saturday Morning News.

 Saturday Morning News from my little corner of East Texas...

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Well, it's Raining Again!!Not a passing shower, not a sprinkle-and-go kind of morning… but one of those steady, all-day rains that has settled in. The kind that makes you move a little slower, pour another cup of coffee, and listen to it tap against the windows like a familiar song.  I love it!!!  Of course...it's Prom Day at our local Public School and this makes me sad for the kids.  

Now let me tell you about our little "William" and his Easter egg hunt… I think it deserves its own headline.

Picture this:

He spots an egg. Success!

He sets his basket down right where he stands… very official about it.

Opens the egg.

Finds gummies (or something equally exciting).

Eats the treasure immediately—because why wait?

Then… the empty plastic egg? Tossed aside like yesterday’s news.

Basket picked back up. Off he goes to the next one.

I wonder if he actually collected any eggs… or just enjoyed a traveling snack buffet across the yard. Either way, he was living his best life, and honestly, I respect the strategy.

Next in today’s happenings…

Sam and I spotted a squirrel in the parking lot at LongHorn Steakhouse, and let me tell you—this little thing was not shy one bit. It had found itself a meal and was fully committed. No rush, no fear, just sitting there enjoying every bite like it had ordered it medium rare and even paid for it. We just stood there watching, slightly amused and a little impressed by its confidence.

And then comes a tradition that has stood the test of time…

Trista’s annual Easter Bunny Cake.

Twenty-five years she has been making these sweet little bunny cakes. Twenty-five! Her bunny cakes has seen babies grow up, holidays come and go, and still shows up every Easter like a beloved guest who never misses a visit. I love the special family traditions that we have. The kind that quietly stitches memories together year after year.   Just have to add the whiskers!!  

Last but not least.... I'll be in the kitchen this afternoon. 

I'll be preparing a meatloaf that I'll cook in the morning... Getting the Ham ready and dressed for cooking...Making a "Fruit Pizza" inspired by Carrie over at Northwoods Scrapbooks.....

And making some adorable rice crispy bunnies with the recipe coming from Mari over at My little corner of the world. 

Thank you Ladies for the recipes!!

Lots of good things happening around here.  

Blessings for you all as you prepare For Easter Sunday.  

 

 

Good Friday

 

I've often thought about how strange the name sounds....Good Friday.

When you really stop and think about it...the day Jesus was beaten, mocked and crucified.....there doesn't seem to be anything "Good" about it at all. 

If any of us had stood there that day, if any of us had watched it unfold...I don't think we would think of it as good. 

His followers didn't. His friends didn't.

Those who loved Him most...they saw heartbreak, loss and what felt like the end of everything they believed in. 

Can you imagine how terrible that day must have been? A day totally full of sorrow and I'm sure much confusion and darkness.

I'm sure it looked like evil had won!

This day was not an accident and it sure wasn't defeat....it was a decision. 

Jesus did not stay on the cross because He had to...He stayed because He chose to.  The nails did not hold Him there, but LOVE did. 

It was love for His Father and love for you and me.  

Sin didn't win that day and Death didn't win that day.  

....3 days later everything changed!  What seemed like loss turned into VICTORY! What felt like darkness gave way to light...What looked like death, was overcome by life. 

THIS IS WHY WE CALL IT "GOOD FRIDAY." 

Despite its sorrowful nature, Good Friday is considered the "Best Day" for humanity because of the ultimate good..forgiveness and salvation that was given to us through the suffering of Jesus Christ. 

Shug....

Even in the darkest moments...God is still writing something GOOD!

April Flowers and Tiny Wings of Hope

 We have rain this morning!!  So needed!!

I woke up this morning to the soft, steady rhythm of an April shower tapping against the window. I am so loving this gentle blessing falling from the sky.  

I lingered in bed a while longer, listening to the raindrops hitting the roof, the window, and all of the soft places in between.  This is exactly what we have been needing. Woo Hoo!! 

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Y'all....we had our very first hummingbird on Tuesday!!  I was able to snap a picture from my phone, but it is not real clear.  I find it amazing how these tiny birds find the feeders so quickly.  Every year, like clockwork, they show up, and this is something that never gets old. I Love seeing their little wings as they flap in speed of 50 to 80 times per second.  (I had to look this info up)

I've not been able to find the "Esperanza" plant that the hummingbirds love...Still a little early for the nurseries to have them out.  

And our "Turks Caps" are just now leafing out!  I think it might be another month before the hummers can feed on the red and yellow eye catching blooms of these popular plants. 

We usually have both of these beautiful plants planted all around the pool...Adds a lot of color to the back yard and they really attract the butterflies as well as the hummers.  

Hope you all get rain (if you need it) and maybe even a hummingbird or two or three or four, stopping by your place.  

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Sam and I both agreed this morning that we feel "FREE" today!  No appointments of any kind today!!

See Y'all tomorrow!!

Shug..🌺

Our Litttle Artist in the Family!

 We have a new Artist in the family!!  

Our youngest great granddaughter (Emersyn) decided during her Spring Break to do a little painting.  Emersyn is 5 years old..soon to be 6.  

BTW...this picture is painted using her finger prints.  

She sent me a text message with this photo of her holding her art work. She was so happy and excited.  Well..what is a Shug to do when she has a little doll who is so proud of her work??  You buy the art painting!!! $$

She called me on Sunday and wanted to know if there was anything that I wanted her to add to the painting. I told her that I would love to have her signature at the bottom.  

She is going to hold it for me until I am able to fly out there for a visit.  I can't wait to get it and have it framed..  

As I sat there thinking about it later, I realized something a whole lot bigger than just a little painting.  It's not about the colors ... it's about those tiny fingerprints that worked so hard making something beautiful. 

When a child creates something with joy, and then has a look full of pride...what they're saying is..."Do you see me."

And...oh how important it is that we do!!

We don't just hang their artwork on the wall..

We hang their confidence there.  We frame their courage. We preserve a moment where they felt seen, LOVED and celebrated. 

One day this painting might fade just a little, but the memory of being valued never will.  

So yes...we have a new artist in the family and I have a feeling that this will not be the only masterpiece I will proudly hang on my wall.  She has already asked what kind of picture her Pops might like!!

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I'm tossing a handful of happiness your way today!!

Shug!!