Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Peep Cake!


I saw this posted on the internet and just had to show you a picture of this ADORABLE cake!
I thought it was just a sunflower at first..but then I looked closer..look a the petals..they are PEEPS!
So CUTE!
I love the way they used chocolate chips for the center too..
Looks delicious.
Very creative :)

I think I just might have to make one of these cakes for my family!

Close Companion


Andy is now wanting to be close to us at all times. He is hardly in his cage at all since Sunny has passed. He doesn't screech at all as long as he is with one of us somewhere in the house. On our shoulder, or perhaps close by (on a counter, on a chair). He is presently next to me at the computer while I type, closing his eyes , taking a nap.
I guess he feels more secure knowing we still love him. I know how much he misses Sunny!

Lots to do today.I am cleaning out the house and have so much to do! I will be baking tonight for the church. I love the church we belong to. It is wonderful. We love attending mass each week. The priests make you feel so welcome and you really feel like you are part of a big family.
We also have big future plans coming up in the near future..
Our daughter has worked very hard since last September preparing for receiving the upcoming sacrament of Confirmation in our Catholic church.
We are very proud of her! She has volunteered at nursing homes, shelters, and at the church also. She has also attended retreats.
I will take her soon to pick out a pretty dress.
She has accomplished a lot this year, also made all state for her beautiful voice in treble choir. She was recommended for all honors classes next year.
We are very proud of the young lady she has become!
We are very blessed indeed!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Andy Boy


Well, since our bird Sunny has passed, our other bird "Andy" has been screaming non- stop. He does have a habit of being loud and does scream on and off each day, but not as much as he does now.
It is almost unbearable!
We are thinking perhaps he thinks we took Sunny away from him?
The only time we can quiet him down is when we cover his cage..but we can't leave him covered all day long..
We are at our wits end :(
We have given him treats, let him walk around on our shoulder, paid so much attention to him..then as soon as we put him back in the cage, he is back to SCREECHING again!
UGGH!
It is not a normal whistle, or a cute little noise, it is a loud scream.

Anyways, I had covered him once again for a little while and decided to do some baking!
I made a full Irish soda bread today.
I found the recipe on the internet..and boy did it ever come out delicious!

You can find the recipe on my recipe blog HERE



I do feel badly for Andy, as we also, like him are grieving for the loss of Sunny. We have discussed perhaps maybe buying another bird, but one that won't learn Andy's scream!
(We are thinking a DOVE)! :)

*****EDITED to Add***
Well, it seems as though dear Andy Boy doesn't want to be in his cage without contact at all times! ...I have noticed that every time I have him on my shoulder he does indeed stop screaming. I guess it looks as though I may have a bird attached to me at all times now! :) he is playing with my hair and chewing on my necklace.
He is such a sweetie! I truly believe that Sunny passing has affected him greatly, by the way he is showing it in his actions.


Raggedystitches,

Friday, March 19, 2010

AWARD!



I received the award from Cathryn of Cathryn's Place check out her blog. You won't be sorry. Thank you so much Cathryn, I needed a bit of sunshine after our loss of our dear Sunny.This meant the world to me, more than you know! :)
Now on to my responsibilities for receiving this award. PIF (Pay/Pass it Forward).


1. Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
2. Pass the award to 12 bloggers.
3. Link the nominees within your post.
4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

So, here are my twelve nominees (in no special order)...all of who are positive and creative with their blog posts...all of whom inspire me!


1. Thyme2sow
2. What looks like a crazy ordinary day
3. Quietly Stitching
4. Sharis sharings
5. Annie Beez Folk Art
6. The Main Hoose
7. Shelleens Musing
8. Primitive Bettys
9. Plum Street Samplers
10. Blackbird Designs
11. Amy Stitches
12. Blue Moon River

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

A Very Sad Day


This turned out to be a very sad day. Our dear Pet bird "Sunny" passed away today. He had just turned 24 years old. We are heartbroken :( We bought him when we first married. He has been such a big part of our lives. He whistled the tune "here comes the bride", he loved pizza, pretzels and chips.He gave us kisses and he followed us around the house. Sunny has seen many changes in our lives, good times and sad. He was with us when we moved many times from state to state.
Sunny has always been such a joy to us. He was a big part of our family.
He would eat dinner at the table with us. He saw our children grow up.
He saw us in happy and sad times. I never thought I could become so attached to a pet as I have with "Sunny", but I did.
I can't imagine life without our bird. His whistles, and his ways...
Things won't be the same for quite a while, I am sure of this.
My husband is out of town, and I was so sad to call him with the news of our loss.
There was silence on the other end of the phone, and I just knew how heartbroken he also was. :(
This bird meant the world to us!
We will miss "Sunny"..he left us on Saint Patrick's Day..the same day we lost my dear Father in law.

"Sunny" will forever be in our hearts, and we are grateful to have had 24 years of song and memories..

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Saint Patrick


St. Patrick
Feastday: March 17
Patron of Ireland
b. 387 d.461

St. Patrick
St. Patrick

St. Patrick of Ireland is one of the world's most popular saints.
Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387; died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland, 17 March, 461.

Along with St. Nicholas and St. Valentine, the secular world shares our love of these saints. This is also a day when everyone's Irish.

There are many legends and stories of St. Patrick, but this is his story.

Patrick was born around 385 in Scotland, probably Kilpatrick. His parents were Calpurnius and Conchessa, who were Romans living in Britian in charge of the colonies.

As a boy of fourteen or so, he was captured during a raiding party and taken to Ireland as a slave to herd and tend sheep. Ireland at this time was a land of Druids and pagans. He learned the language and practices of the people who held him.

During his captivity, he turned to God in prayer. He wrote

"The love of God and his fear grew in me more and more, as did the faith, and my soul was rosed, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers and in the night, nearly the same." "I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain."

Patrick's captivity lasted until he was twenty, when he escaped after having a dream from God in which he was told to leave Ireland by going to the coast. There he found some sailors who took him back to Britian, where he reunited with his family.

He had another dream in which the people of Ireland were calling out to him "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more."

He began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained by St. Germanus, the Bishop of Auxerre, whom he had studied under for years.

Later, Patrick was ordained a bishop, and was sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He arrived in Ireland March 25, 433, at Slane. One legend says that he met a chieftain of one of the tribes, who tried to kill Patrick. Patrick converted Dichu (the chieftain) after he was unable to move his arm until he became friendly to Patrick.

Patrick began preaching the Gospel throughout Ireland, converting many. He and his disciples preached and converted thousands and began building churches all over the country. Kings, their families, and entire kingdoms converted to Christianity when hearing Patrick's message.

Patrick by now had many disciples, among them Beningnus, Auxilius, Iserninus, and Fiaac, (all later canonized as well).

Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked many miracles and wrote of his love for God in Confessions. After years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much suffering he died March 17, 461.

He died at Saul, where he had built the first church.
Why a shamrock?

Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Trinity, and has been associated with him and the Irish since that time.
In His Footsteps:

Patrick was a humble, pious, gentle man, whose love and total devotion to and trust in God should be a shining example to each of us. He feared nothing, not even death, so complete was his trust in God, and of the importance of his mission.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Random Threads




I finished up this design yesterday. This is called "Random Threads" by Erica Michaels. I saw this design in a shop on a recent trip with my husband in North Carolina. I decided to purchase it, and I am so glad I did. It stitched up pretty quickly and was a lot of fun to work on.
I decided to use 32 count Cream Lugana with DMC threads, numbers 434 and 898.

Raggedystitches,

Monday, March 8, 2010

Check out this wonderful giveaway!


Carolyn has so generously offered up a beautiful chart on her blog as a giveaway this month. Please go see her wonderful blog and enter for your chance to win!
Thank you Carolyn for the opportunity!
Just One More Stitch Giveaway

Raggedystitches,
Louise

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Raggedy Ann Collector

My stitching friend Debbie loves Raggedy Ann as much as I do!
She recently shared with me some of her wonderful pictures of her collection.
I just had to share with you!

Go to this this link and see the most beautiful collection of Annies you will ever see!

Debbies Raggedy Annies

Thank you Debbie for sharing your love of Annie with me :)

Raggedystitches,
Louise

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Raggedy Ann Room




My little girls room from years past.
I wish I could go back!
She loved all things Raggedy Ann..
Her room is not decorated like this anymore though..my sweet little "Annie" is growing up.
How I will always cherish those Raggedy Ann days.
My daughter will always be my little "Annie" , nothing will ever change that!

RaggedyStitches,
Louise

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Version Mary has arrived!


What a wonderful parcel I received yesterday! I had won yet another (yes, would you believe another!) beautiful gift from the OWOH event that I was a participant in recently with other bloggers. I had posted about this wonderful event previously. It was so much fun and such an enjoyable experience. So uplifting, and so many wonderful new friends!
I appreciate all of your kindness and generosity. This has been such an inspiring experience for me, it truly makes me smile every time I think of all the wonderful bloggers I have visited over the past month.

I received a large envelope with the print "Version Mary" inside. This is a print of a painting done by Zionah, the daughter of Abigail from Rusted Wings Studio
Abigail is a very talented artist, as is her family also!
This is the most beautiful artwork I have ever seen.
I will proudly display this beautiful piece of work in my home.
Thank you so very much Abigail for letting me partake in your wonderful giveaway, and I am so blessed that I was the one chosen to win the beautiful print of Version Mary!

Raggedystitches,
Louise

Every Opening Flower

A new start! Every Opening Flower designed by Brenda Gervais. I am stitching this on 32 count cream Belfast Linen with called for overdyed a...