Another Monday Check-in

How are all my friends in blogland?  It's been a week since I've checked-in, so this is to let you know everything continues to be well in Warren, MI.  It's a blue sky, 50 degree day - a big improvement from last week when we had snow flurries on Thursday and Friday and temps in the low 30's.  We couldn't go anywhere so the weather didn't really spoil any plans, and the snow melted quickly.

I'm still working on my photo project.  630 pictures scanned to date, and I'm finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel [for this time period anyway].  To break up the monotony, I designed one of the Shutterfly album covers. To keep the albums a manageable size there will be three - one album for K-6th grade, another for Jr. High [7-9th grades] and the third 10-12th grades.  Below is the cover for the first Shutterfly album.  It's plain and basic.

Over the weekend I sorted through a big bag of negatives and found a lot of pictures I didn't have prints for.  I wasn't sure if places still exist to make prints from negatives, but after a Google search I discovered photo labs still print from negatives, and fortunately there is a photo lab not far from my house.  I'll be paying them a visit when the lock down is lifted.

My computer gave me a scare this morning when out of nowhere the monitor screen went black.  It wasn't the cable/WiFi because the televisions were working. My hubby made sure all the cords were connected securely, and changed the batteries in the mouse and keyboard, and still nothing.  We left a message for our IT guy, when the screen finally came alive again.   Go figure!  I'm one happy gal.  I can deal with the lock down, but not without my computer!

Are you watching Julian Fellowes new Belgravia series?  I've watched it via Amazon Prime, and it's fantastic!  Amazing how one person can have that much creativity!

[Internet Photos]

There's been tea scenes in both episodes one and two.

In episode one, Anna 7th Duchess of Bedford, the lady credited with popularizing the ritual of Afternoon Tea, was portrayed.

I was blessed to visit Woburn Abbey, the home of Anna, in 2015.  I toured the Blue Drawing Room that is most closely associated with her because it's the room where she had Afternoon Tea with her friends.  You can read that blog post by clicking here.

While we're on the subject of tea, I recently saw these tea-themed leggings advertised on Facebook.  They're called Tea Lover Leggings by Hapava.com.  Aren't they cute?  I haven't ordered a pair yet, but I'm definitely considering it.  They're on sale right now for $34.95 plus shipping.

The cedar wardrobe that my hubby transformed into a beautiful armoire was featured today for Metamorphosis Monday on the blog, Between Naps on the Porch.

Thanks Susan!  She has a beautiful blog.  Check it out.

Tonight is our family Zoom chat at 7:00 p.m.  I'm looking forward to it!

Until next time, be safe and stay well!

He Is Risen!

 ~ Happy Easter ~

We're all spending Easter differently this year, but cloistered inside our homes with a lot more time on our hands, we have opportunity to reflect on with more appreciation than ever the significance and blessing of Easter Sunday.  

There were wonderful worship opportunities on the Internet today.  My son always says 'the church' is more than a building, and we've been learning that firsthand during this time of lock down.

One method our family has initiated to stay in touch [besides Zoom] is an ongoing group text amongst 15 of us.  Since I've been using this down time to scan old photos, I posted an Easter photo from 1999 in one of my texts.  There were only four grandchildren then [now there are eight].

Our oldest grandson, Brandon, has been delivering groceries during the Coronavirus, and unbeknownst to us, he stopped by this afternoon to take a picture on our front porch when he was delivering groceries down the street from us.  He labeled the two pictures "Then and Now".  Who could have ever imagined 21 years later the entire world would be experiencing a deadly pandemic.  In spite of it all, God is Good!

During some of their down time, our daughter-in-law, Samantha, and granddaughters, Isabella and Ellie, have been making hospital approved isolation gowns sponsored by 'Angels Wear Gowns'.  The organization provides the plastic material and a template for the gowns.  Sam said one roll makes 24 gowns.  She sent us a picture of Izzy modeling one of the gowns.

Grandson, Landon, wiped out on his bike Thursday while biking with the family on a nearby trail.  He didn't have his helmet on and scraped his face pretty bad.  I'll spare you the photos.  ;-)  He's healing, feeling better, and participated in an Easter egg hunt his parents had for him and his sisters on their property.  They live on a large lot in a wooded area with plenty of hiding places.   

Granddaughter, Tiffany, posted this cute pic of Evie and Juliette [they call her Jules] on Facebook today.

Love the family pic.

My church doesn't stress giving something up for Lent, but this year I felt impressed to deny myself of something I really enjoy. Anything would pale in comparison to Christ's sacrifice, but I really like chocolate.  Hardly a day would go by when I wouldn't have a piece - so I decided to give it up, contemplating daily what Christ did for me.  It was a new and meaningful experience.  I had my first piece of chocolate today since Ash Wednesday [February 26th], and I have to admit I've never savored a piece of chocolate like I did today!  ;-)

I receive weekly e-mails from The Cultured Cup tea shop in Farmers Branch, Texas.  Last Thursday [April 9th] their theme was Tea in Times of Crisis.  Hopefully it can be accessed from their website: TheCulturedCup.com. They sell Mariage Freres tea, and my favorite is Marco Polo.  Whatever tea is your favorite, may it strengthen and comfort you during this present-day Coronavirus crisis.

DTE, our area energy provider, issued a weather advisory that metro Detroit will experience severe weather with strong damaging winds beginning around 10:00 a.m. tomorrow through 8:00 p.m.  A significant number of power outages may occur.  Another potential dilemma to add to the Coronavirus quarantine. ;-) Sigh... tribulation worketh patience as the Scripture says.

Be safe and stay well! 

Good Friday

I hope this post finds all of you well on Good Friday 2020.  In spite of being quarantined, my hubby and I were able to take communion today from our dining room with the rest of our congregation via Zoom.  Three pages containing a total of 68 squares popped up on our computer screen and there were multiple people in many of the squares.  Our Lord will not be defied or denied by the Coronavirus or any other earthly obstacle!

Hallelujah! for Christ's sacrificial atonement for our sins.  I'm not worthy of His grace and mercy, but I sure am thankful that His plan of salvation included me!

Today is the first day in many days that I haven't scanned a single photograph.  Maybe later tonight, but it just seemed a better use of my time to read the account of Christ's crucifixion from all four of the Gospels in the Bible, and be in an attitude of prayer, reflection and gratitude.  

Yesterday my hubby and I drove to our son Steve's house to give him a photo album that was in my mom's picture tote.  We didn't go inside his house for a visit.  I sent him a phone text that we were outside and he came out and got the album.  Do you remember when the handmade cloth photo album covers were the rage?  A lady from our church made my mom the album for Steve and Sharon's wedding pictures.  It was fitting that he should have it. Both my mom and the lady who made it are in Heaven now, and this brought both of them to our remembrance this Easter.

Granddaughter Brooke is in Romeo High School's graduating class of 2020, but the Coronavirus scrapped commencement exercises and her last drama performance in Legally Blonde. Our creative daughter-in-law, Sharon, put together a PLAYBILL from her high school performances to display on their front door along with her cap and gown.  It was worth the drive to their house just to see it.  Of course I had to have a picture of it to share. The top R [in Romeo] is the academic letter she received as a member of the National Honor Society. Very proud of you, Brooke!

I'm grateful for the kind gestures of friends during this time of confinement.  Thoughtful cards have arrived in the mail.  The card below arrived in today's mail from tea friend, Teresa, in Ohio.

This handcrafted card came from tea friend and tearoom owner Nancy in Pennsylvania.  Her tearoom is closed during this Coronavirus.

A tea themed card from Frieda in Texas, with a note inside, "Warm up the teapot, I'm on the way!"  

Other cards have arrived too...

I've received several Jacquie Lawson animated e-cards also.  I love her cards and have a subscription.  Cristy, from East Lansing [the lady who does the beautiful theme teas], has sent a Jacquie e-card every day this week, and my blog friend, Frieda, in Texas has sent some too.  Thank you one and all!

I can't think of a better way to conclude this post than by sharing a picture of my great-granddaughter, Evie. It's the perfect way to illustrate how children watch us closely and imitate our actions.  I mentioned in a previous post that her daddy is a worship pastor and has been working from home a lot preparing devotions and music for their congregation via the Internet.  Yesterday while John was sitting at his keyboard with his computer and headphones on preparing music for today and Easter Sunday, Evie snuck into his room to watch him.  Then she went to her own little piano to do exactly the same as him with her play computer and headphones.  Unbeknownst to her, Tiffany took her picture and texted it to John.  It was just too precious not to share!

Be safe and stay well!  

Six-day Check-in

This is a six-day check-in since my last post.  It's a beautiful blue sky day in southeastern Michigan with temps in the high 60's.  From my office window spring has sprung and there are no visible signs of our imposed confinement, but a flick of the television remote or computer mouse quickly reveals we are still in the thick of the Coronavirus.

I hope you enjoyed a blessed Palm Sunday as we commemorated the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and the beginning of Holy Week.  "Hosanna" - He is indeed our Savior!

On Monday a plastic bag of communion elements were delivered to our door by a plastic gloved volunteer from our church.  Since we can't physically take communion at our place of worship on Good Friday, we will do it collectively on our computer screens via Zoom.

I continue to occupy my time at home by scanning and editing old photos and am past the 400 count now.  I missed out on Shutterfly's special of unlimited pages and 50% off that ended yesterday, but I'm sure there'll be other specials.  I didn't want to hurry through and leave out any photos that should be included in the book.

Our son, Jeremy, coordinated another family session on Zoom last Saturday and this time there were 13 of us, including our granddaughter, Brianna, in Nashville. Our next Zoom session will be this coming Monday.  It's a very fun way to keep in touch during this time of distancing.

Our daughter-in-law, Samantha, has been keeping our three grandchildren busy by taking them hiking on remote trails near a lake not far from their house.  A great way to get exercise, fresh air, and release cabin fever energy!

[Izzy, Landon, and Ellie]

[Landon and Ellie]

[Izzy and Landon]

There was no big family birthday party for great-granddaughter Juliette's first birthday, but the four of them celebrated at home and we attended vicariously via Facebook photos.

Juliette is walking now and I love the pic below when she spotted her Daddy on the television screen.  [John is a worship pastor at a church in Lansing and has been doing daily devotions for his congregation during the Coronavirus lockdown.]

There was some outdoor time for Evie and Juliette too.

As I close this post I thought I'd amuse you with a few old Easter photos of 'moi'.  

 ~ 1952 - My brother and me ~

1954 - "Where's my slip, Mom?"

~ 1959 - My brother and me ~

1960 - My girlfriend, Elaine, [who I'm still in close contact with] and me.

1961 - Regrettably, hat and gloves [for the most part] are accessories of the past! 

1963 - First Easter with Jerry, but definitely not the last!  Do you like my 'spit-curls'?  ;-)

I saw a graphic on Facebook stating that according to medical specialists, this will be our worst week of the Coronavirus outbreak [currently 20,340 confirmed cases in MI and 960 deaths], but it was also Christ's worst week too!  During Holy Week take time to reflect on Christ's great sacrifice for us and the eternal blessing it provided.  

My hubby is eagerly waiting for me to finish this post so we can go out on our walk, so I'll sign off for now.  Be safe, stay well, and keep drinking tea!

Thursday Check-in

It's a beautiful spring day in Southeastern Michigan - 57 degrees and blue skies.  My hubby and I are going out for our walk as soon as I finish this post.

Michigan continues to be hit hard with the Coronavirus, particularly in the tri-county area surrounding Detroit where I live.  We're fourth after, New York, New Jersey, and California, but it's spreading fast in New Orleans, Louisiana too.  A news message came across my screen a few minutes ago stating 10,700 confirmed cases across our state and 417 deaths. Hospitals are reaching max capacity.  I'm very thankful my family and I continue to remain healthy, and my prayers go out to those who have been impacted by the virus.  The Governor cancelled school for the remainder of this school year.  Our granddaughter, Brooke, is a senior and scheduled to graduate.  I don't know how all that will work out.  Definitely no public commencement exercises unless it's after the virus crisis ends.

I'm still head over heels in my old photo scanning and editing project - 295 photos done with a lot more to go.  I'm glad I have the project to keep me occupied in between household chores.

A sweet letter from granddaughter, Izzy, arrived in the mail today to keep in touch, and our grandson, Brandon, called to see if we needed anything.  So thankful for a caring family.

We attended prayer meeting / Bible study last night in our dining room via Zoom.  Technology is definitely keeping us connected during this time of lockdown.

My granddaughter, Tiffany, posted these pics on her Facebook page recently.  They're so cute and brightened my day.  Juliette will turn one year old tomorrow.

The May/June issue of Tea Time magazine arrived this week, and I'll look through it with a cup of tea soon.  The I Am Patrick DVD that I ordered also arrived.

 

I saw the pic [below] of empty tea shelves in England on Facebook.  The caption was "different priorities for different countries"!  Thankful my tea cupboard is full even if I am running low of Harney's Organic Green w/Citrus and Ginkgo, which is currently out of stock during this health crisis.

Be safe and stay well!