How Sweet The Sound

Pink Saturday

My pink contribution for Pink Saturday is this pincushion doll which belonged to my paternal grandmother.  I keep her in an antique oak side-by-side in our bedroom.  It was quite funny when I opened the cabinet to take her out to photograph, she was facing the rear of the cabinet.  I wonder how long she had been facing in the wrong direction without me noticing.

I remember my grandmother keeping her on top of a dresser which was next to her sewing machine.  She had one of those wonderful old treadle sewing machines which she kept it in the room she referred to as their "everyday living room", and what we all would call our family room or den.  The sewing machine set in front of a window which looked out on her backyard and garden.  I imagine she could sew while watching my father and his three brothers play in the yard.

I think she is so pretty and dainty - the way she has her arms posed.  I just don't have the heart to stick pins in her, even though my grandmother had her skirt filled with pins.  Of course with my "allergy to needles" what would I need pins for anyway.Don't you think I should give her a name?  I think it will be Helen.  Pretty Helen in her pretty pink dress.

This week (even thought it is a holiday weekend) we have thirty-eight participants in Pink Saturday.  I urge all the participants and everyone reading to take the time to visit each blog.  Please leave a comment to let them know you stopped by to enjoy their pink.  And, have fun.

Here are our Pink Saturday participants:

• Dana at The Stone Rabbit
• Heidi at Foxgloves, Fabric and Folly !!
• Holly at Mommy Holly
• Rachel at Pretty in Bleu
• Dawn at Dawn's Daybreak
• Brittainy at The Litany of Brittainy
• Mackenzie at The Kenzie Chronicles
• Donna at Donna's - In The Attic
• Jeanne at Backyard Neighbor
• Joanna at Sweet Finds
• Jan at Jan & Tom's Place
• Connie at Living Beautifully
• Aziah at Fitty's Pinky Rose Cottage
• Sue at Lagniappe
• Stephanie Angelic Accents
• Cami at From The Heart
• Shay at Thirty and Holding
• Vanessa at Vanilla Lavender
• Mary at Across The Pond
• Sharron at Vintage Girl At Heart
• Melissa at MCC - Melissa's blog requires a password, but she definitely wants you to visit.  Just enter: username: mcc    password: lulubelle
• Shirl at Shirl's Rose Cottage
• Mya at Creative Musings With Mya
• Karen at A Scrapbook of Inspiration
• Diane at A Picture Is Worth A 1,000 Words
• Judy at Vintage to Chic
• Nancy at My Crafty Little Page
• Lynn at The Vintage Nest
• Christina at Christina's Blog
• Marina at Only Cute Things
• Anna at Nature Trail
• Carolyn at Wings of Eagles
• Shayla at Diary of Artist Shayla Perrault Newcomb
• Cathi at The Way I See It
• Lori at Oodles of Noodles
• Michelle at Mad Red Hare
• Deborah at Pictures, Pots and Pens

I hope everyone has fun with Pink Saturday.  Even if you couldn't participate today, be sure to go visit those who did, and leave them a comment so they will know your visited.

Get Pink !!!

It's not just a color, it's an attitude.

You are welcome to use the Pink Saturday button to display on your blog.  Pink Saturday girls are fun.  I've already spotted it on a few blogs.  Do you have yours yet?  Our numbers are growing.

God Bless America

The Star-Spangled Banner
Our National Anthem
(click to listen)

God has truly blessed our country.
My thanks and prayers to all of the brave men and women and their families that protect our freedoms.

May we all spend this day honoring and remember all that we have.

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Just a reminder that Pink Saturday is tomorrow.  Please e-mail today to let me know if you are going to participate.  Last Saturday we had forty-four contributors, and I already have thirty-five for tomorrow.

Help yourself to the Pink Saturday button to put on your blogs if you like.  It is at the top of my blog in the right sidebar.

Wondering what Pink Saturday is?  Please refer to the feature in my right sidebar near the top of my blog.

We're Showing Our Colors

Red, white and blue.
We're ready for July Fourth.  We've put out our buntings.
For more red, white & blue visit the girls over at Ask Kari & Kijsa.

We're anticipating the day.
 
Uncle Sam is waiting to greet you.

And, our flag is proudly waving in the breeze.

We're proud to be Americans, and we're wearing our colors.
America The Beautiful

*************************************************************************************************************************Just Just a reminder that Pink Saturday is just a few days away.  Please e-mail me by this Friday to let me know if you are going to participate.  Last Saturday we had forty-four  fantastic contributors.

Wondering what Pink Saturday is?  Please refer to the feature button in my right sidebar near the top of my blog.  And, feel free to display the Pink Saturday button on your blog.

What Is Your Favorite?

Today is question day, and I want to know what is your favorite when you want something cold and creamy.  You know like ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, gelato or frozen custard.  What is your favorite flavor?  And, how do you like it?  Are you a cone, sundae, banana split, milkshake, or maybe an ice cream sandwich kind of person.

Something cold and creamy is so good during the hot months of summer.  So, please tell me what suits your fancy.

Me?
I love Haagen Dazs Rum Raisin.
I like mine served in a pretty green glass bowl.

Enjoying The Green

We finally got some rain Sunday night.  In fact we had a lot of rain - in the form of thunderstorms.  Even though we are not in the severe drought conditions we were last year, we are still below the average.  Yes, the rain we had was so welcome.  Everything looked so much greener that I had to go outside and take a picture.  Just taking the time to enjoy and be grateful for that blessing.

Be sure to stop back by tomorrow.  Tomorrow is Wednesday, and that means I have a question for you.

Happy Canada Day!!!
To Our Northern Neighbors

   

Summer Recipe Swap

Kathy at Kathy's Cottage is hosting a Summer Recipe Swap today.  I wanted to share something new I tried - and this is delicious.  I found the recipe on Food Network.  I love looking there for new recipes, and they have a great feature which allows you to print the recipe in different sizes that accommodate the way you store your recipes.

Give this recipe for Snapper with Roast Grape Tomatoes, Garlic and Basil a try.  It is rich in flavor while still being an easy to prepare and light summer meal.

Thanks, Kathy.

2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
Pinch red pepper flakes
Kosher salt
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
4 (6-ounce) snapper fillets, with skin
Freshly ground black pepper

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.

Toss the tomatoes with 1 tbsp of olive oil, garlic, vinegar, pepper flakes, and salt. Spread on baking sheet and roast about 15 minutes. Transfer tomatoes to a bowl and toss with the basil.

Dry the fish very well. To keep the fish from curling in the pan, lightly slash a cross-hatch pattern into the skin of the fish with a sharp knife. Brush the rounded flesh side of the fish with remaining olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Heat non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Place the fish, seasoned side down, in the oil, and cook undisturbed over high heat, until the fish turns both opaque along the edges and golden on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Lightly salt the skin side of the fish. Flip the snapper and turn off the heat and let the fish cook in the residual heat of the pan until the fillets are firm but still juicy, about 1 minute more.

Divide the fish among 4 plates. Top with the tomatoes and serve.

How Great Thou Art

Just those words stir the souls of most.  One of my favorite versions of this hymn is still one of the first I ever remember hearing.  George Beverly Shea singing How Great Thou Art (click to listen).

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

Pink Saturday

My pink contribution for Pink Saturday is this watercolor painted by my father when he was ten years old.  The lower right corner has his initials and grade five.

This painting was in the home of my  grandmother's until she passed away almost thirty years ago.  I was so thrilled to receive this painting by my father, and I never fail to be impressed by the fact he was only ten years old when he painted it.  Pretty amazing!

The painting was in an old black frame, and I wanted to have it framed in a way to accentuate the beautiful colors.  No surprise that I chose a pink mat to pick up the pinks of the cherry blossoms.

This painting now has a special place in one of our hallways, and it will always be a treasure to me.

This week we have forty-four fabulous participants in Pink Saturday.  I want to urge all the participants and everyone reading to take the time to visit each one.  Please leave a comment to let them know you stopped by to enjoy their pink.  And, have fun.

Here are our fabulous forty-four:

• Holly at Mommy Holly
• Heidi at Foxgloves, Fabric and Folly !!
• Dawn at Dawn's Daybreak
• Brittainy at The Litany of Brittainy
• Mackenzie at The Kenzie Chronicles
• Donna at Donna's - In The Attic
• Jeanne at Backyard Neighbor
• Rhonda at Scooterblu's Whimsy
• Joanna at Sweet Finds
• Jan at Jan & Tom's Place
• Connie at Living Beautifully
• Aziah at Fitty's Pinky Rose Cottage
• Sue at Lagniappe
• Stephanie Angelic Accents
• Gabriela at Gabriela Delworth
• Cami at From The Heart
• Shay at Thirty and Holding
• Marianne at Lil Bits of Me
• Vanessa at Vanilla Lavender
• Mary at Across The Pond
• Sharron at Vintage Girl At Heart
• Melissa at MCC - Melissa's blog requires a password, but she definitely wants you to visit.  Just enter: username: mcc    password: lulubelle
• Shirl at Shirl's Rose Cottage
• Mya at Creative Musings With Mya
• Teresa at Plum Water Cottage
• Karen at A Scrapbook of Inspiration
• Tracy at Pink Purl
• Laura at Amongst The Oaks
• Diane at A Picture Is Worth A 1,000 Words
• Judy at Vintage to Chic
• Nancy at My Crafty Little Page
• Lynn at The Vintage Nest
• Kari & Kijsa at Ask Kari & Kijsa
• Christina at Christina's Blog
• Sue at My Arts Desire
• Marina at Only Cute Things
• Alaura at Cottage Rose
• Maryjane at The Beehive Cottage
• Dana at The Stone Rabbit
• Lucy at Lucy Bloom
• Rosie at Rosie's Whimsy
• Anna at Nature Trail
• Deb at Posted From Home
• Carolyn at Wings of Eagles

I hope everyone has fun with Pink Saturday.  Even if you couldn't participate today, be sure to go visit those who did.  And, please join in next Saturday.

Get Pink !!!

It's not just a color, it's an attitude.

You are welcome to use the Pink Saturday button to display on your blog.  Pink Saturday girls are fun.  I've already spotted it on a few blogs.  Do you have yours yet?  Our numbers are growing.

Something New

I just wanted to show you this large finial I purchased to go in our sunroom.

I saw it at Home Goods, and I knew it had to come home with me.

I just love it!

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Just a reminder that Pink Saturday is tomorrow.  Please e-mail me today to let me know if you are going to participate.  Last Saturday we had forty fantastic contributors, and I already have twenty-three for tomorrow.  Where are you going to be Saturday?

Please help yourself to the Pink Saturday button to put on your blogs if you like.  It is at the top of my blog in the right sidebar.

Wondering what Pink Saturday is?  Please refer to the feature in my right sidebar near the top of my blog.

My "Vacation"

Holly at Mommy Holly and Heidi at Foxgloves, Fabric and Folly!! have invited us to take a fantasy or virtual vacation.  Thanks to Holly and Heidi for this adventure and time to relax.

You just can't imagine how much I need a vacation, but unfortunately due to work, it is not something I can make happen any time soon.  I can't even let myself imagine anywhere far away and exotic, but I have always wanted to visit New England in autumn.

 

I want to see the coast of Maine -

 

The covered bridges of New Hampshire -

 

The quaint towns of Vermont -

 

Friends living in Cape Cod -

 

Newport, Rhode Island -

 

And, I want to see the beautiful sights in Connecticut -

Yes, one of these days I am going - in reality, that is.  But, for now just dreaming about it will have to be enough.

*************************************************************************************************************************

Just a reminder that Pink Saturday is just a few days away.  Please e-mail me by this Friday to let me know if you are going to participate.  Last Saturday we had forty fantastic contributors.

Wondering what Pink Saturday is?  Please refer to the feature in my right sidebar near the top of my blog.