Houston, We Have A Problem. . .

Hello, lovely friends!

I am popping in to let you know 

that my computer is not cooperating

so I am taking it to the "doctor" to have it repaired.

Until it's back up and running properly 

it will be rather quiet around here.

Hopefully. . .

I will see you soon

I wanted to thank all of you for the sweet comments on my previous post
"Things That Are Tickling My Fancy."
I am so glad you enjoyed it and I appreciated your feedback.

Also, today is Father's Day and I just want to make known
that I am incredibly grateful for my father.
He is a quiet, but steady man. . .
a man full of wisdom and love. . .
a hard-working and godly man. . .
a man I love and admire.

And on this Father's Day
I can't help but give thanks to the Lord
for blessing me with an extraordinary husband
who is also the father of our precious son.
This man. . .
the love of my life. . .
is a remarkable man 
and it brings me great joy to watch him
in the role of fatherhood.
As I look at these two wonderful men in my life
my heart can't help but overflow with love and gratitude.

This poem is fitting for both my dad and my husband. . .

My hero is the quiet type,
No marching bands, no media hype,
But through my eyes it’s plain to see,
A hero, God has sent to me.

With gentle strength and quiet pride,
All self-concern is set aside,
To reach out to his fellow man,
And be there with a helping hand.

Heroes are a rarity,
A blessing to humanity.
With all they give and all they do,
I’ll bet the thing you never knew,
My hero has always been you.
- Author Unknown -

Love and hugs to you, my friends!

Things That Are Tickling My Fancy

A good day to you,

faithful friends and readers!

Today I have a slightly different post,

but it's one I hope you will enjoy.

I have seen and read several posts 

where the author shares certain things she is enjoying 

during the month of May, June, etc

so I thought I would do the same just for the fun of it.

I gathered up a few items that I am currently loving right now

and they range from hair products to music.

I was introduced to the Moroccan oil a while ago

and since that day my hair met this wonderful hair product

I have been in love.

I am "picky" about what I put on my hair

as it's very thick, straight, and a tad coarse.

I apply the oil to damp hair and massage it in

and oh, what softness awaits me when I'm done styling my hair.

Sometimes I will add a bit of oil 

after I'm done styling for extra shine and softness.
And may I add that the oil does not leave your hair greasy.

The volumizing mousse is amazing

and after applying it to the roots it feels like there is nothing in your hair.
Have you ever noticed how some volumizing mousse 

can leave your hair feeling heavy and "gunky?"

Well, this definitely does not do that.

And the scent of both products is simply delightful.

If you are on Pinterest

you may have seen the many ads for this selfless tanning lotion

from Just Nutritive.

I have seen the ads since last year

and this year I finally decided to give it a try.

Love, love, love it!

You know how it is after a looooong winter. . .

your arms, legs, and face are rather white.

In my case, very white!

This lovely cream worked a miracle on my skin

and gave me a nice sun-kissed glow.

Once I achieved the color I desired

I simply backed off from applying it every day

and now only apply once or twice a week 

to keep the "glow" glowing.

And did I mention this product is all natural.

Ahhh. . .

I can't say enough good things about these peel-off masks.

Have you ever tried one?

If you haven't I highly recommend you do.

They feel ever so good {{smiles}}

I have very sensitive skin,

but these masks don't irritate my face at all.

The other night I used one and my husband was there when I pulled it off.

He looked at my face and was surprised to see how well it worked.

Yes, even he noticed a difference.

You can find them at Wal-Mart for just over $1.00

and from what I can tell they are all-natural.

This particular mask clears the skin and tightens the pores.

Oh, HELLO!

Here is Melly and Duke checking out my next favorite items.

Let's try this again. . .

So my skin tends to be oily

and in the mornings I used to hold off on moisturizer 

due to the oiliness making my makeup look hideous. . .

you know, runny and blotchy.

A few months ago I started using Estee Lauder's DayWear Matte Gel Creme

and my oh my, what a fantastic product!

Before applying my makeup I use this moisturizer along with a primer

{also from Estee Lauder}

and my makeup stays in place all day.

Oh, I might touch it up in the afternoon,

but the oiliness is practically gone.

Also from Estee Lauder is this fantastic Set + Refresh Mist

that feels amazing on the skin.

I use it in the morning and in the afternoon when I need a little pick-me-up

I spritz my face and the finished result is a refreshed face with a soft glow.

And the last item from Estee Lauder is their mascara.

I have used this product since I was in college

and for a few years I stopped using it

because I couldn't find a place nearby to purchase it.

Thanks to online shopping I can now have it delivered right to my home.

I have always thought their mascara to be the best and I still think that.

Thanks to the kittens playing with my backdrop for my pictures

you get to look at them now since they are front and center.

{{smiles}}

Apparently it's nap time. . .

After a little snooze we're back on track.

My husband and son gave me this darling necklace for Mother's Day.

It has officially become my favorite necklace.

On it you will find a Papa Bird, Mama Bird, and Baby Bird.

You can find the necklace on Etsy at Menuet Designs.

At the moment I can't get enough of this lovely fabric

from Sew Stitching Happy on Etsy.

Look closely and you will see tea labels

on the pink fabric.

And the last, but certainly not least thing I am enjoying is

Nocturne in E flat major Op. 9 No. 2 by Frederic Chopin.

Currently I have several songs that I am working on

and this is one of them.

Oh, what a mesmerizing piece!

Click on the video to enjoy the music.

The pianoist adds so much emotion to his performance. . .

you can feel it.

I know this is a rather different post,

but I sincerely hope you enjoyed it.

I would love to hear what things you are enjoying at the moment

so please feel free to share in the comment section.

And please know that I am simply sharing what is "tickling my fancy at the moment"

and I am not being paid for sharing these particular items

nor are the links affiliate links.

Have a beautiful and blessed day!

Love and hugs.

Oh, and one more thing. . .
Here is a photo of Duke
since he hardly got in on the action with the other kittens.
Believe it or not, he was the good boy
which cannot always be said about him - HA!

Happy Flag Day,

my friends!

Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,

O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

- Francis Scott Key -

O To Be Like Thee

Great Master,

teach us with Your skillful hand;

Let not the music that is in us die!

Great Sculptor, hew and polish us;

Nor let hidden and lost,

Your form within us lie!

- Horatius Bonar -

O to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer,

This is my constant longing and prayer;

Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,

Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

O to be like Thee! full of compassion,

Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,

Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,

Seeking the wandering sinner to find.

O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,

Holy and harmless, patient and brave;

Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,

Willing to suffer others to save.

O to be like Thee! Lord, I am coming

Now to receive anointing divine;

All that I am and have I am bringing,

Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.

O to be like Thee! while I am pleading,

Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love;

Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,

Fit me for life and Heaven above.

Chorus

O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee,

Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;

Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;

Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

- Thomas O. Chisholm -

For we are his workmanship, 

created in Christ Jesus unto good works, 

which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

- Ephesians 2:10 -

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the LORD, 

are changed into the same image from glory to glory, 

even as by the Spirit of the LORD.

- 2 Corinthians 3:18 -

We are to daily "put on Christ"

- His love and character -

even as we put on our garments.

But put ye on the LORD Jesus Christ, 

and make not provision for the flesh, 

to fulfil the lusts thereof.

- Romans 13:14 -

Have a blessed and beautiful Lord's Day!

Honoring Friends

Hello, friends!

Yesterday was National Best Friends Day

so in honor of sweet friends around the world

I am offering a special discount at my Etsy shop

today through Sunday ONLY.

Enjoy 25% off your order by using this coupon:

FRIENDS25.

Always free shipping in the USA.

Rose Petal Blessings

At times our own light goes out 

and is rekindled by a spark from another person. 

Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude 

of those who have lighted the flame within us. 

- Albert Schweitzer -

Happy weekend to you,

lovely friends!

{{{ hugs }}}

Sweet Lemon Lush Dessert

Happy day, my friends!

Today I have another delicious treat for you. . .

a sweet lemon lush dessert

that is simply perfect to enjoy during the summertime.

Easy 

peasy

lemon 

squeezy.

For the Crust:

1 cup butter, softened but not to room temperature

2 cup flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 c. pecans, chopped in small pieces

For the Cream Cheese Layer:

2 (8oz) packages Philadelphia cream cheese

1 c. powdered sugar

For the Pudding Layer and Topping

2 small packages Jell-O instant lemon pudding mix

3 1/2 c. cold milk

2 cups freshly whipped cream
3 tablespoons sugar

lemon zest, to garnish (optional)

* * * Live your life with zest * * *

Stir together butter, flour, sugar, and chopped pecans in a mixing bowl. 

Press into a 9x13 baking dish and bake 15-20 minutes at 350°, 

or until a light golden brown. 

Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

Beat together cream cheese and sugar until creamy and smooth. 

Spread over cooled crust.

In another mixing bowl, whisk together pudding mix and milk. 

Allow to sit for 5 minutes to thicken up a little. 

Spread on top of the cream cheese layer. 

Cover and place in the fridge for 1 hour.

Add the 3 tablespoons of sugar to the cream and whip until nice and fluffy.

Spread whipped topping over the pudding layer. 

Cut into 18-24 pieces and garnish with fresh lemon zest.

And now, sweet friends,

simply enjoy!

And just to let you know,

I've added some new handmade treasures to my shop:

Rose Petal Blessings

All kinds of goodies

so stop by for a little peek.

Have a beautiful and blessed day!

{{ hugs }}

* * * * * * * * * * *

My dear friends,

I just found out a good friend of mine in South Africa

just lost her home to a fire.

Many of you know sweet Kelly-Anne

and on her blog this morning was a post about her home burning to the ground.

Thankfully she and her family are safe,

but oh, what heartbreaking news!

You can read about it by clicking HERE

Maybe you could pop over and offer some encouragement

as I know she and her family would appreciate it.