Monday Mystery

Tulips are a mystery to me.

So. I got this picture yesterday from Nicky. 

Last year at this time, we were with Nicky and Stephanie on our "Tulip Cruise." The Keukenhof gardens were so beautiful. Stephanie and I picked out dozens of bulbs--carefully planning out what we wanted. At that time, she asked me why I never did tulips. I told her that I had, but didn't have much luck. We were both excited about our $500+combined purchase!! We knew exactly what we were getting. What could go wrong? 

I kept the information, so I knew what each of us got. When the bulbs arrived, I knew which were hers and which were mine. The problem is that we didn't know how they were to be arranged. So now it was going to be "hit or miss!" Nicky sent me the above picture wondering if this was the right color palette. Heck if I know!

I was just thrilled that theirs were up and blooming. 

On the other hand, ours...

aren't looking too swift. In this picture, it looks like there are about 6 of them coming up. 

This is the other side doesn't look much better!

Then I remembered another reason I never had much luck with tulips. SQUIRRELS! And we have many of them! 

Steph and I have many more that should be coming up soon. But most of mine were in the pictures above. I wanted them to be bunched together for a beautiful display that I could enjoy from my kitchen window. 

All I can do at this point is keep my fingers crossed!

One thing is for sure, I'm DONE with tulips--and there's no mystery why!!

Something for Sunday

Do you remember this? This goes all the way back to 2021.

I got this darling, miniature beach house for Christmas.

The level of detail is incredible.

We had so much fun putting it together. 

Well, for Christmas this past year, I got this miniature "Shakespeare" book store.

We spent the last two weeks working on it. Okay, Butch did most of it--all the hard stuff. I punched things out and covered dozens of books.

Once again, it was so much fun. There were a couple times that Butch got frustrated and we had to walk away. But he always figured it out. 

It turned out so cute. There's a little overhead light. There's so much to look at. I thought I would put it in the library, but at least for a little while, I'm going to keep it in the kitchen so everyone can see it.

Now I'm thinking I might need to get something else for us to work on. 

Scrapbook Saturday

While I was in NYC last week, I was already planning my layout. I had a few ideas and couldn't wait to get started.

I had purchased this design from a seller on Etsy a few months ago for $1.99. All I had to do was cut it.

One night, I told Janet that I had an idea for the layout. I wanted to get right on it when I got home so I wouldn't forget my plan. When I was thinking about the fact that we were there for 4 days, my mind automatically organized the layout like this--4 sections--one for each day. I backed the title on black to make a fold-out.

I vaguely remembered these day stamps. They are at least 20 years old and NEVER been used!! I went a step further and embossed them. I don't think I've used my heat gun in 10 years! 

I used yellow and black because of the iconic taxis. 

I just sort of "collaged" the whole thing.

When the fold-out is open--on the left, I told the story of my adventure with Josie and the steps. In the pocket is our itinerary, "peaks and pits," a vinyl sticker and another photo.

The very day I finished the layout--Thursday, I got thank you notes from Janet and each of the girls. That was sweet of them.

But really, the truth is--I'm so happy to have been along! Anyway, the envelope with the notes had that statue of Libery sticker on it. I used a circle punch and added it to that page. It's just a little thing, but still fun to add rather than just throwing it away.

As you are reading this, I am on my way to Mexico Beach with my girlfriends for a week. When I get back from that, I'll be heading back to New York with Sandy, Stephanie, Mindy and Butch.

Then, in just about a month from now, Janet and I will be off again! We're going to England together for a week. 

It's going to be a busy month and will fly by--for sure. 

I hope you have something fun planned for the weekend!

Friday Funnies

What I Buy Wednesday

While we were in New York, we had to have pizza.

We went to Ray's--a hole-in-the-wall type place. You can see how big the pizza slices are.

Evie had TWO of the gigantic slices!! The pizza was very good, but the ambiance (if you can call it that) was ruined by a huge group of kids that came in after us. They took up the whole space--we were the only other ones there. Lots of screaming and crying--which made us eat quickly! Still, I would go back--and might when I'm back there in a little over two weeks with my family!

Now for what I didn't buy! We didn't even go in the store! In all honesty we didn't have the time. But I think you can guess what it is.

This is the Louis Vuitton store on 5th Avenue. The entire store looks like a gigantic stack of LV trunks and suitcases. I don't know if it is still under construction. I don't know if this is just a temporary facade or the actual store. It's pretty darn cool! I think I want to see if the store is open and peek inside. But one thing is for sure--I won't be buying anything here. I am not an LV lover. I'm more of a Kate Spade kind of girl--if we're talking New York. But recently, I am in love with my favorite London find--Kurt Geiger. I owe that to Stephanie. She's the one who took me in to that department in Selfridges! I'm hooked!!

Travel Tuesday

Our trip to New York was packed full of everything you think of when you think of New York. From sightseeing to food, we did it all! I'm going to start with a lot of pictures and then share our itinerary.

Times Square.

Getting ready to get on the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.

On the Empire State Building on St. Patrick's day.

Janet with her grands. 

We had a tour in a pedi-cab through Central Park--very fun!

I was very excited to introduce the girls to a "proper" tea at Alice's Tea Cup. Josie ordered the "wee tea!" So cute.

Jumping in front of the fountain where the "Friends" cast did their jumping and dancing!

I was not about to climb up on this rock. Remember, I don't take any chances!

This was my favorite--the tour of Radio City Music Hall. I had never done this before. It was so interesting. Then we got to meet a Rockette!

We bought the fun digital package at the Empire State Building. There were a lot of fun poses.

I also was excited to introduce the girls to Broadway! We saw The Lion King--perfect for a first show.

Enjoying ice cream at the ice cream museum. This was great fun for kids and plenty of photo-ops.

Janet and I chatting with a couple Empire State Building workers!

This is what our itinerary looked like:

Sunday

Arrive Hilton Garden Inn Times Square

Dinner at Applebees

Carlos Baker for cookies

Monday

Breakfast at the hotel

Hop on Hop off bus

Battery Park

Ferry to the Statue of Liberty

Walk up to the base (216 steps)

Ferry to Ellis Island

Lunch at the cafe

Happy hour in our hotel room

Carmines for dinner

Schmackery’s for cookies

Tuesday

Breakfast at the hotel

Empire State Building

Ice Cream Museum

Walk around Chinatown

Souvenir shopping

Rays for New York Pizza

The Lion King

Junior’s for late night dinner

Wednesday

Zucker’s New York Bagels for breakfast

5 Below

Rockefeller Plaza

St Patrick’s Cathedral

The Plaza Hotel

Pedi-cab tour of Central Park

Alice’s Tea Cup (Josie’s “wee tea”)

The giant carrier pigeon at the Highline

Walk the highline

9/11 Memorial

Reese’s/Hershey Factory

M&M’s store

Olive Garden

Carlos Bakery (cookie for Aunt Barb)

Thursday

Starbucks for breakfast

RISE New York

Radio City Music Hall

Irish Pub for lunch

Tram to Roosevelt Island

Serendipity for frozen hot chocolate 

Back to hotel

Aunt Barb and Josie walk down from the 33rd floor—689 steps

Dinner at Parker & Quinn

As you can see we did a little of everything NYC has to offer. It was so much fun!

And guess what? I get to go again in just 3 weeks! Butch, Sandy, Stephanie, Mindy and I are going. This is the first time that just the 5 of us have taken a trip since the girls were little. We are really looking forward to it.

The day after I got home, I got this surprise!

So beautiful! I loved the note too!

Until I see you again New York!!

Me on Monday

My "travel Tuesday" post is going to be about my trip to New York with these girlies on their Spring Break last week. 

We had a great time--Josie, Me and Evie. But today's post is about this little gal!

Josie was my little buddy. On our last evening, we had a brief--what was supposed to be--rest in our hotel before going to dinner. We were staying on the 33rd floor. Josie wanted to look in the stairwell. I gave her my key and warned her to make sure she could get back inside. 

She came back pretty quick and said that I needed to see the stairs. I went out with her and looked down. It was that sensation of looking into infinity--you could not see the bottom. I said, "OMGosh, this looks amazing! It's so tempting! I think we HAVE to do it!" Her little face lit up! "Really?" Really!

We started down--she counted. Each time she reached 100, she started over. It took quite a while to get down--66 flights because there were 10 steps in each set--2 sets per floor. 

When we got to the bottom, the door was locked! Now, I'm a little worried. I didn't bring my phone. I was worried that we'd have to go all the way back up!! We went up to the next floor. There was an exit door. I made sure that the door wasn't alarmed and carefully opened it. The door opened to the street, but was blocked off. There was about an 6" gap. Teeny, tiny Josie said, "Aunt Barb, I can get through there!" 

I said, "And what? You're going to leave me here?" There was no way I was letting that little girl hit the streets of New York City unattended!!--Even if she had an air-tag on her shoe!

So, we went up another couple of flights and finally found a door unlocked. It opened in to the kitchen of our hotel. We quickly snuck through and made our way to the elevators in the lobby. 

On our way up, I said, "Josie, I want you to always remember this. Your Aunt Barb is 73 and you are 9 years old! We did this--689 steps!"

When we got in the room, Josie was babbling with excitement. She said, "Aunt Barb went really fast!" She was used to hearing Janet and I telling the girls to slow down all week!

Evie wasn't happy to have missed it. I admitted that my legs were quivering. I could not believe it when Josie said hers were too! It was a work out for sure--even if it was going down. Hard on the knees and I definitely felt it for two days!

I can't help it. I'm all about the memories! That little girl will never forget this, when she thinks about her first trip to New York. It was one of her favorite things. Actually, it was one of mine too!

Later, after dinner, we were in our room. I had downloaded some pictures we bought--to Janet's phone. I also set up an album for this trip for her. I was showing her a few other things about her phone. Josie got in on the act. She was showing Janet all kinds of things she could do. 

I was laughing so hard. That little girl doesn't even have a phone, yet she knows more than her "Gram!" So darn funny! 

More about our trip tomorrow!

Scrapbook Saturday

Last week, I scrapbooked some old pictures. This was my baby sister's wedding in 1994.

"1971 was an awesome year!" I got the idea for the mailbox from my friend, Nancy.

I did several layouts with older pictures. I'm just about finished with ALL of my old pictures.

Our first trip to Richmond, VA. We did some geo-caching while we were there.

This was my AYM layout for February--"for the love of scrapbooking!" We have been scrapbooking in February for over 20 years now.

What I Buy Wednesday!

Well, this week I should call this "What I Wasted Wednesday!" 

Currently, I am in NYC with my sister-in-law, Janet and her grands, my great nieces, Evie and Josie. 

Here's the story:

On Saturday, I got an email from SWA that my flight had been canceled! What?? Then I read further to find that not only had my entire flight been canceled because I--are you ready for this?---I DIDN'T SHOW UP! What? I had lost my ENTIRE round-trip airfare of $522 because I made reservations for the wrong day!! OMGosh! I cannot believe I put the wrong date on my flight. I can't believe I lost that money and had to re-book! I did argue about losing the return flight since it hadn't even occurred yet. It didn't do me any good--even when I used my favorite line: "This just isn't right!" (I always try to appeal to the "humanity" in someone I'm negotiating with. It didn't matter as the "gal" trumped me with: "It's policy that if you are a "no show" the whole reservation is canceled. Yeah, once the iron-clad policy card is played, it's all over! Actually, I was pretty lucky that I was able to get on another flight the next day--considering Monday was St. Patrick's Day. 

There's really nothing positive about this story---except the replacement ticket was a little cheaper--$456-- and I was able to get one. I guess that's two positive things, but still doesn't soften the blow of losing 500 bucks! After this, I had Butch make me a double martini! I needed it. I was sick about it.

Upon hearing about it, Stephanie said, "Mom! You have to double-check things from now on!" Gee, thanks Steph, that was helpful. Do you even know me? I double and triple check! I have no idea how this got past me. Now I don't trust myself. I'm going to have someone (Butch) check things from now on before I book. I've already turned over concert tickets to Mindy. Now that I think about it, I don't want to be responsible for booking anything with non-refundable money on the line.

I still cannot believe it! What a waste!

Monday Mystery

Now I've heard it ALL. 

You probably know that we Catholics have a patron saint for everything. Really, a saint for everything! 

Considering it's St. Patrick's Day, did you know that he is the patron saint of Ireland? Of course you did. But he also is the patron saint of migrants. It seems like all the saints have more than one job!

My patron saint--St. Barbara, is known as the patron saint of many groups and causes, including miners, artillerymen, and those who work with explosives. She is also associated with protection from lightning, fire, and explosions. 

There's even a patron saint of television and computer screens--St. Clare of Assisi--I only knew of her brother--St. Francis, patron saint of animals. Okay, only kidding, I don't think they are related. Anyway, it seems quite a mystery as to how a saint from hundreds of years ago before we ever had tv's or computers can be a patron saint of those things. 

Here's the story:

Clare of Assisi is the patron saint of televisions and computer screens, believe it or not. An early follower of St. Francis, Clare founded The Order of Poor Ladies, which eventually became known as the Poor Clares. Late in her life, she fell too ill to attend church, and one day the images and sounds of the entire Mass appeared in full on the wall of her room. This story would have been well-known to Italian native Pope Pius XII, who in 1957 named her the patroness of this new invention—television—that, in his words, “is a wonderful instrument… which can be the source of very great wealth, but also of deep troubles.” St. Clare is also the patron saint of sore eyes and embroidery, so let us invoke her prayers on our behalf as we learn to teach and work online and perhaps cultivate new hobbies. St. Clare of Assisi, pray for us!

Well I guess that solves that mystery. But St. Clare is not really the purpose of this post. It doesn't even involve a saint. Rather it's about Mary--the Blessed Mother and a hundred other names She's known by. But, I just heard of a new one. 

A local priest has requested that we pray a novena to--are you ready for this?: Our Lady--Undoer of Knots--not to be confused with Mary Untier of Knots. They are both the same. 

The story goes that in the 18^th century, a German couple on the verge of divorce prayed for Mary's intercession to untie and smooth all the knots that were causing turmoil in their marriage; when, after 28 days of prayer, their marriage was healed, the Baroque painter Johann Georg Melchior Schmidtner was commissioned. He painted this in honor of Her.

Like I said, now I've heard it all.