Butterfly Reflections

 I looked out and spotted this beautiful Eastern Tiger Swallowtail enjoying one of my flowers. It stayed just long enough for me to grab a picture before fluttering off to its next stop.

Isn’t it amazing how something so small can make you stop what you’re doing and just smile?

I love that these little visitors never send a text to say they’re coming. lol... 😂 They just show up, brighten my day for a few minutes, and leave me hoping they’ll stop by again tomorrow.

_______

A few photos from the backporch.....

We have a cooler morning happening right here in East Texas..  But...the sun popped up and in just a few hours the thermometer will read in the upper 90's or the low 100's.  😬🌞🕶️.

Turk's Caps blooming....

I've already seen several hummingbirds this morning and a red bird.  Guess I need to mention some crows as well.  

My Banana trees are doing great this year...

How sweet it is to be able to sit on the porch and enjoy the beauty.

Now....if only the butterfly could teach the squirrels and hummingbirds to pose for

 pictures....this would make for a fun day...

Y'all have a great day!!

Shug......🦋

A Whistledown Story

 Lady Whistledowns Society Paper....

This weekend, we stepped into the pages of Bridgerton to celebrate our sweet bride-to-be, Tori, with the most enchanting tea party bridal shower.

Daughter Shanda painted the mirror..she did a fabulous job!

The Beautiful Bride to be "Tori" and her mom "Trista"

From the moment we walked in, it felt as though Lady Whistledown herself had planned the afternoon. Delicate pearls were a gift for each attendee along with elegant hats and lovely gloves that all added the perfect touch of sophistication, vintage teacups were filled with steaming hot tea, and every detail whispered timeless charm.

The tables were absolutely breathtaking. Soft pink florals, sparkling glassware, golden accents, and beautiful place setting created a setting fit for royalty. Every tea cup and saucer looked like a work of art, making it almost too pretty to disturb… almost! 

And then there was the food! An entire table overflowed with the most delicious assortment of miniature finger sandwiches, savory bites, sweet treats, and delightful little desserts that disappeared almost as quickly as they were admired.  I was so thankful for my very dear friend "Stacie" who prepared all of the food.  

Each guest was surprised to be given their vintage tea cup and saucer as a gift to take home.  

But as beautiful as the decorations were, the greatest beauty of the day was the love that filled the room. Friends and family gathered to laugh, share stories, celebrate Tori, and shower her with blessings as she prepares for one of life’s greatest adventures.

Some days become memories the moment they happen. This was one of those days—filled with elegance, laughter, friendship, and love… with just a little Bridgerton magic sprinkled in.

Congratulations, Tori! May your happily ever after be every bit as beautiful as the day we celebrated you. 💕☕👒🌸💍

Shug....

Lettter of Life

Good Sunday morning!!

 I’m so thankful to finally be feeling a little better. I’m still dealing with some dizziness, so I’m taking things slow and giving my body the time it needs to heal. It hasn’t been easy for someone who always likes to stay busy, but I’m learning that sometimes resting is part of God’s plan too. My Sam has been so sweet, and my daughters have been wonderful, making sure I’m taking care of myself and not overdoing it. I am incredibly blessed by their love and care.

This morning I heard something that has filled my thoughts..

“What if your life is a letter from God to the world?”

That thought really made me stop and reflect. Every day we are writing something with the way we live. Our words become sentences. Our actions become paragraphs. Our kindness, patience, forgiveness, and faith tell a story that someone else may desperately need to read.

None of us writes a perfect letter. There are crossed-out words, smudged pages, and chapters we’d rather rewrite. But God doesn’t ask us to be perfect—He asks us to let Him continue writing our story. His grace fills in what we lack, and His love shines through even our imperfections.

So today I’m asking myself, If someone “read” my life, what would they discover about God? Would they see hope in difficult seasons? Peace in the middle of uncertainty? Compassion when it’s least expected? A heart that trusts Him, even when life doesn’t make sense?

It’s a beautiful reminder that every conversation, every act of kindness, every prayer, and every moment of faith becomes part of the message we’re sending to the world.

May my life point others to Him—not because I have it all together, but because I know the One who does. And may the letter I’m writing each day tell the story of His goodness, His mercy, and His unfailing love. ❤️

Shug....

Walking in Valleys

 Have you ever found yourself in one of life’s valleys and wondered when you were finally going to see the sunshine again?

The truth is, none of us are promised a life without hardships. There will be days filled with joy and laughter, and there will be days that leave us tired, discouraged, and wondering why the road has become so difficult.

The past few weeks our valley seems to growing and getting deeper and deeper.... I might could even say the past few months.......Yes, most of this year has been a valley.  

Sam has been sick, and for several weeks now, I have not felt well....not felt myself....and have had little energy.   It’s been one of those times when simply getting through the day has taken all the energy I could find.

On Thursday I guess my body had decided on it's own that if I wasn't going to slow down, then it would slow down for me.  Around 9;20 on Thursday morning, things got bad for me.  I had broke out in a full sweat.. sweat dripping from my head and neck, along with feeling clammy all over.  I was nauseous and felt faint.

Suddenly, the room was spinning and I could barely move...My calf muscles were aching and I  did not know what was happening...I made it to the bed, but I couldn't lie back, couldn't stand up and was just frozen still.  Shanda had already gone to the store for me to get me some liquid IV because I felt a little weak, and I knew she would be here soon....when she came in, she could see that I was having problems.  Sam came in and Shanda phoned Trista to come home.

 

They ended up calling an ambulance for me and I did go to the ER..  The doctor was very thorough in making sure I wasn't having a stroke or heart issues.  He did test and ordered a lot of blood work.. I also took in two bags of fluids, some nausea meds and something for the vertigo.

 I was dehydrated, I had a bad UTI and I was having vertigo.  After a day at the hospital and some meds, I came home and have been resting ever since... Hopefully the UTI will get better soon.... I've been drinking lots of water and juice to help with the dehydration.....and the vertigo is better.

If you’ve stopped by my blog lately, you’ve probably noticed something unusual. I haven’t even changed my blog page! Now, if you know me at all, you know that is so unlike me. I love changing it up and making it inviting, but I just haven’t felt well enough to do it.  Could it be STRESS?  You know, stress can do so much harm to our bodies...

I also haven’t had the strength to read your wonderful blogs or leave the comments that I enjoy so much. If I’ve missed your posts or haven’t responded, please know it wasn’t intentional. I just haven't felt well enough to do so.  I truly miss visiting each of you, and I hope you’ll accept my sincere apology. I can’t wait to get back to reading your stories and reconnecting.

As I sat here, God has gently reminded me of a simple but powerful truth.

We all walk through valleys.

Some valleys are caused by illness. Others come through loss, disappointment, worry, or circumstances beyond our control. None of us are exempt.

But here’s what brings me peace: God doesn’t ask us to walk through those valleys alone.

He goes before us.

He walks beside us.

He stays behind us.

There has never been a single moment when God has abandoned one of His children.

Sometimes He calms the storm.

Sometimes He calms His child while the storm continues.

Either way, He is faithful.

I’ve learned that the deepest valleys often become the places where our faith grows the strongest. It’s where we discover that His grace truly is sufficient and that His strength really is made perfect in our weakness.

If you’re in a valley today, don’t give up.

Keep trusting.

Keep praying.

Keep taking one step at a time.

The valley isn’t where your story ends. It’s simply a chapter that God is using to draw you closer to Him.

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” — Psalm 23:4

Thank you for your prayers, your friendship, and your grace during this season. I hope to be back in full blogging mode real soon....For right now, I'll do what I can in posting and in catching up with you all..  One thing that I can say is that even when I feel bad, joy comes to me through my blogging...

Until then, remember this: The God who meets us on the mountaintops is the very same God who walks beside us in the valleys. And He has never failed us yet.

Shug......