Tornado a mile from our home this morning

2009 Easter sunrise service at Pier, St. Petersburg, FL

This morning, I found myself hudded into one of our bathrooms, with loving hubby,

praying and singing "How Great Thou Art".

We usually retreat to a hotel around the corner from us when there is a servere

tornado warning,

but

this morning the weather turned so nasty, so fast, such heavy rain and wind

there was no time.

Loving hubby handed me a plastic bag, told me to put all my meds in and my CI

batteries and charger in.

I thought we were off to the hotel.....

but no time for that!

For 40 minutes or so we huddled, prayed and sang.

We learned after, there was a tornado a mile from us.

I praise HIM for keeping us safe and the safety of our family this morning.

Still waiting on family in Lakeland and DIL who was driving home on business...

but appears they are all ok.

Now sings my soul, my Saviour God to thee,

How Great Thou Art!

May you have sunshine and blue skies in your day today.

March 30th celebrations

................

10 years ago.....

My beautiful daughter became Mrs. Michael Danks

(March 30, sorry this is late)

Heather was such a beautiful bride.

The day before and day of their wedding we had torrential rain storms.

They were married on the water....

But when it came time to set up the chairs outside for the ceremony....

the owners did not want to do so, because skies were still cloudy, very cloudy.

In tears, Heather called Mike (you know getting dressed in separate rooms)

She just had to have their wedding in the gazebo.

Mike talked to the owners and accepted responsiblity if it did rain....

Heather went on getting dressed as it WOULD NOT rain on her wedding day!

Not only did the sun come out for the ceremony....

They were able to do the sunset photos after..

(for whatever reason these photos don't show the sunset)

Trust me it was beautiful.

Happy 10th Anniversary Heather and Mike!

May God Bless you both with a lifetime together.

Guess who also celebrated another type of anniversary today?

Yes, us!

17 years ago loving hubby to be officially asked me to marry him.

We were out in a beautiful restaurant with my aunt and uncle.

We had picked out our rings prior to this but mine was getting sized

and I was so unhappy it was not ready so I could show it off that night.

The four of us had a little conversation.....

Then loving hubby to be "signed" I love you!

I smiled, said "I know, I love you too".

Then loving hubby "signed", "Will you marry me"?

I was confused, as to why he was doing this that night.....

Loving hubby to be, smiled his oh so beautiful smile...

Put his hand in his pocket......

With very wide eyes, I squeaked....."what......"

Loving hubby to be pulled out the box, took my beautiful ring

and held it in front of me and again "signed",

"Will you marry me".

When I shook my head yes, tears running down my cheeks,

the restaurant burst into applause and smiles.

Above picture was taken today, spur of the moment with my cell phone camera.

Some of you may not realize that due to loosing my hearing totally at 39, I was deaf when

I met loving hubby to be, and he was "hearing" loving hubby to be.

His promise included, "I will sign and speak to you for the rest of our lives".

5  years into our marriage we found out the cochlear implant

could aid me in hearing again.

On our 10th anniversary, we were in Arkansas.

http://www.thorncrown.com/

We had heard of Thorncrowne Chapel

near Eureka Springs.

This is the most inspiring, beautiful chapel.

To experience all the wonder, majestly and feeling

oh so close to the Lord, one truly needs to visit.

Please see the above for lots more information and  more

truly beautiful photography.

We had wanted to repeat our vows becasue the first time I never "heard" them.

Now with my CI, I could hear my loving hubby say them.

That day I prayed for a time to do this...

The chapel was constantly filled with visitors.

Finally.......

Everyone had left......

we simply sat together on a pew and renewed our wedding vows

to each other,  10 years later.

But this time I HEARD EVERY WORD HE SAID.

Even if today is only the anniversary of our engagement......

Our hearts celebrated how blessed we have been together.

At our wedding this was our favorite hymn.

How Great Thou Art

Still is......

God's love through my grandchildren

It all started with Jacob, born almost 9 years ago!

I love this photo because I will NEVER forget the

feeling of looking down into the face of

"my child's, child".

I have been blessed to have been able to do that 4 more times after Jacob was born.

Jacob's first Christmas.

That same Christmas, my younger daughter, Kellie

and her hubby George were awaiting their first child.

Meet Kaylee Lynn, who became our first and so far only,

princess granddaughter.

Kaylee will be 8 in August.

For three years we just had Jacob and Kaylee Lynn

(she does not use her middle name, but
guess who likes to use it when showing my little namesake?) lol

We are due at Jacob's tournament game in an hour so....

I will need to do this in two parts,

at least, lol.

Forgive a grandmother who loves to brag.

Tomorrow you will meet, Kevin, George and Dylan,

plus the current photos of my handsome grandsons

and princess granddaughters.

Day in the life of a dreamer......

A precious good morning to all of you.

Today is Green Ginger, in my new beautiful spring mug.

I sat down with my tea to read the Sunday paper.

I looked across the room to these delightful mums.......

They grace the table in front of the window.

Last night I was in Barnes and Nobles (yes again) after

our grandson's tournament baseball game and

found a book about the beauty of backlighting...

So.........

Newspaper still untouched....

I pick up my camera (which is always within reach)

and play.....and play.....and play

Which do you like best?

Nope, have not  started reading the paper yet.

Because.......

The sun was streaming through the kitchen windows,

so....

This candle chandy is just sitting on the counter waiting to

go in my "in progress studio"

Just loved playing around with the flowers, the sun on the crystals.....

 Above, spole deeply to me of "romance"

Until I realized the chain was front and center!

In the few minutes difference between photos, the light

had shifted just enough....

so I lost the play of light on the crystals to change the mood.

Beauty fuels my passion.

Light fuels my passion to showcase the beauty I see.

Behind the lens of my camera, I am not just a

dreamer.....

As the sun sets each night,

I hope I can say.....

I was kind, I was caring, I loved

and

always, always that once again through the Grace of God

I was given another day to capture the beauty I see

through my lens.

 

First ever give-away for 100 followers

Before I get to my first ever give-away I am showing my Pink

Penta blossom.  This delicate looking blossom will

actually thrive in the hot, humid, scorching sun of a

coastal Florida summer!

Needless to say, this beauty is my best friend all summer!

On Wednesday my hubby and I gave into our love for books and magazines

and trotted off to our local Barnes and Nobles.

We also had lunch, but did not take pictures, lol.

Since Wednesday was the two year anniversary of mom's passing,

my hubby bought me the new Victoria speciality issue,

Gardens of Bliss.

If you have not seen this yet, be sure to get your copy.

Exquisite photography!

Also he bought me the enchanting new mug, complete

with its own infuser and ceramic top.

Don't you just love a complete mug with infuser for loose tea and a ceramic top

to keep your tea warm while it steeps?

Early morning, when the sun is just coming up, will find me cuddled on the

couch, sipping my newest favorite herbal infusion, Passions by Tazo.

A magical blend of hibiscus, lemongrass, rose hips, mango and

passion fruit flowers.

While savoring Gardens of Bliss photography.

Drum roll please.....

Lynn's first ever give-away in honor of

100 followers.

(ok technically I have 99 right now, lol)

It all started when I saw this fat cheeked little bird

in a shop window on Royal Street in New Orleans

on our recent trip during Mardi Gras celebrations.

I so loved this little bird, but the shop was closed for the day!

I took the picture of the shop name so I could go back....

because I knew this little bird was going to be the

starting point of my very first give-away!

Even on vacation, I was thinking of you!

SECOND DRUM ROLL PLEASE

These are the delightful goodies

I have picked for the lucky winner,

2 plates, 2 french soaps, 1 pillow, 1 bird candle and

a little nest complete with bird and eggs.

All for celebrating both Spring and my wonderful followers.

BTW

the wicker chair and cushion are NOT part of the give-away!

A little closer look at the details of the lovely pillow and

little bird which is actually a candle.

See the wick?

Just had to add this enchanting little nest with bird and two eggs.

Essence of Spring to me.

Closer look at the small french soaps from the same lovely store

as the little bird.

And the TWO charming plates, I could not resist from Pier 1

just for you.

The little nest was also Pier 1.

The pillow was from Cracker Barrel.

Everything except the Pier 1 items were bought on our trip.

I did not forget my loyal, wonderful followers.

RULES ARE SIMPLE:

Just leave a comment between today and midnight March 31st EDST (Eastern daylight savings time)

1 chance for a comment

2 chances if you leave a comment and advise you

have been or are now a follower.

Winner will be drawn by loving hubby

the old fashioned way from cutting strips of comments

into a jar and loving hubby draws one!

Winner will be announced on Friday, April 2.

I am linking with these three parties so that everyone who helped me reach 100

followers has the chance to win the first ever give-away.

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/

http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/

Please drop by each party and see all the wonderful array of goodies which await you.

Most importantly, I thank each of you for being part of my blog, by commenting, by following, by inspiring me through your own blogs. 

I sincerely am blessed by each of you.

Pieces of my heart

Do you believe there is an age where a woman should stop dreaming?

Stop reaching for the elusive piece of her heart that

still wants expression......

I always have imagined  a studio, my studio.....

So I can create "pieces of my heart".

The dream is so close.......

Benjamin Moore's Victorian Mauve

100% non VOC

Beautiful cool grey mauve neutral.

The window faces the living room.

To the left, entrance to kitchen.

Four beautiful windows for light wrap around the front.

Breakfront area will now be my studio.

The mess to the right is stuff from this room sitting around the living room!

It took over 6 months to find the perfect color...
Another two to trust my heart and go with what I truly love..
I so love this color!
Really is difficult to capture its beauty, so rich, so French.
All the trim is going to be BM Snowfall White

I don't believe one size fits all....

for dreams,

for how one should react when life takes turns we do not plan,

I believe sometimes the "lines", shut out the "best" we could be.

They shut out creative visions.

A Christmas gift from my younger daughter two years ago.

Can I be honest?

I am truly busy with grandchildren, loving hubby, photography

up unto this past week lots of blogging.

Yet.......

deep in my heart, I am afraid...

That is why it is taking forever to finish this room as a studio.

What if the "romantic dreamer" I always have been,

always will be....

is all I am, just a dreamer.

What if my dreams do not transcend to a medium

that touches others with simple beauty?

What if I fail.....

to show the world who Lynn truly is

to transcend the deafness I never asked for at 39

and like it or not, does define me to a very hearing world.

I am so scared that the sun will set on my life.....

and only loving hubby will ever truly see who I am

inside my heart.

With all my heart I want to help others understand that

despite the "silent disability" of deafness, the Lord allowed

me to "fine tune" my ability to "see".

I so don't want the pity, I so want to share the beauty......

Happy Spring and priorities

Happy Spring!

I have been busy being simply "Mimi" and "Grammie"

 cheering on my granddaughter

and grandson at their balls games and taking pictures of

my other three younger grandsons at the games,

one who will start his own ball games this Friday.

I was rushing around this morning trying to pull a post together and be able

to link up before we left for the game.....

Trying to continue to visit guests from Pink Saturday........

I found a postcard from Japan my son had sent a few years ago

when he was working in Southern Japan.

It changed everything!

In light of the loss of life, the devastation in Japan.....

I am so blessed to have:

grandchildren to watch play ball,

daughters to spend time with,

sharing pizza and spending the night with my daughter and her family,

a loving hubby

precious followers and blog friends who will understand

That I made a commitment to visit guests on Pink Saturday....

when I went as a guest...

I started visiting late, there were so many wonderful guests..

I am not even half way through my visits......

So I am backing out of the parties just for the rest of this week,

because in good conscience I simply cannot catch up with

all the visits, go to ball games, finish my studio, do all the normal

every day activities

to my "to do"list.

Dear precious followers please come back next Tuesday and you will see

the lovely gifts I have for a lucky winner,

the simple rules for drawing

and a "refreshed vintage" lady who truly thought she could

keep up with all of you while doing 10 other things at the same time!

Spring Blessings to you all.