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| Proverbs 31:28 |
Showing posts with label Mother's Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mother's Day. Show all posts
May 10, 2026
May 9, 2026
My Mother's Garden...
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| Brynwood Needleworks "My Mother's Garden" Sampler |
I designed this sampler in 1992 to honor my mum. It names my British Nanny (grandmother), Mum, and then shows my name as next in line.
The verse on this sampler is:
"If you've a mother with silvery hair, Love one another and treat her with care.
And as you grow older, the least you can do, is to do unto Mother as she did for you."
This is a verse Mum often repeated when I was growing up, and seemed fitting for this sampler.
This is one of my designs being converted to a pdf format to list in my Etsy shop very soon. It seemed appropriate to share with you this weekend.
I wish all my friends who are moms, stepmoms, or moms by heart have a Happy Mother's Day weekend.
May 11, 2025
May 10, 2025
Saturday Silliness...
I'm going to spend this entire weekend just doing what makes me happy. I hope you have the same plans.
To all the moms, stepmoms (like me), grandmas, and those who have angel babies (you're moms forever, too)...
Happy Mother's Day Weekend!!
May 12, 2024
May 9, 2021
Sunday Scripture - Happy Mother's Day...
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| Brynwood Needleworks - Proverbs 31:25 |
Happy Mother's Day to our two beautiful daughters-in-law.
May 10, 2020
May 13, 2019
A Wonderful Weekend...
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| Brynwood Needleworks - Beautiful Mother's Day Flowers |
After all the excitement of Friday night, it was hard to come back to earth on Saturday. I drove to town to help our nephew and his fiance' move into their first home. It's older than our farmhouse, and needs some TLC, but they're up to the challenge, and it's large enough for their family of six. They're so excited to be there, and their enthusiasm was contagious.
I arrived with a large crock-full of homemade chili, chili toppings (diced onions, shredded cheese and sour cream), rolls and chips. Handsome and I made it after we got home from the banquet on Friday night, and it cooked in the slow cooker overnight. There was plenty for everyone who came to work - plus the bit I put aside for our dinner when I got back home.
There were lots of boxes to unpack, so I thought I'd help where I could (without lifting those boxes). I washed all the cabinetry in the kitchen, and then I tackled windows and doors. When my niece got back to the house, the cabinets were ready for her to decide where things will start in the kitchen. I told her not to sweat it too much, because she'll likely change everything around once she starts actually working in the space. By the time I left, everything was put away.
My nephew's dad, and his future wife's dad both tackled the large fenced-in back yard first, mowing and picking up debris left over from winter. Then they mowed the front yard. Their property looked 100% better - and loved - by the time they were finished.
When I got back home late afternoon, there had been a flower delivery for me from our younger son, his wife and our granddaughters. They're so beautiful, fragrant...and perfect!
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| Brynwood Needleworks - Lilacs In Bud |
Handsome and I spent most of our day outdoors on Sunday. We mowed the lower yard, leaving the dandelions in bloom on the upper hillside for the emerging bees and butterflies. We also did some maintenance on the large pole barn doors and gutters, and then ate lunch outside.
The lilac bushes are all greening out and
budding. I can't imagine blossoms won't be far behind, which means lilac
jelly in the next month. Yum!
It must have worked, because when I looked outside before going to bed, she was curled up on the stairs to the porch. Yep. Right outside the house. Short memory or no fear? Your guess is as good as mine.
Tag will see you tomorrow. He had fun outside this weekend, too. I'll let him tell you about it. See you Wednesday!
May 12, 2019
May 13, 2018
Sunday Scripture - Happy Mother's Day...
Happy Mother's Day to all my mom friends and family. That includes birth
moms, stepmoms, mommas whose babies are in Heaven...or still stars in
the sky, and moms-by-choice or love.
Special wishes to our two daughters-in-love; my sisters, Diana and Jan; and my nieces, Stephanie and Alexandria. Love you all for the extraordinary children you are raising, or have raised. I miss you, always, Mom Grace. Happy Mother's Day in Heaven.
May 15, 2017
Farmhouse China Hutch - Finished...
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| Hickory Hill Farm China Hutch |
When Handsome arrived at the farm, he carried the last of our china with him. This is the set we purchased shortly after our marriage to be "our" wedding china. I didn't want it damaged in transit, so we kept possession of it ourselves to keep it safe.
We brought the (heavy) box into the farmhouse when he arrived, and I unpacked the contents yesterday. I carefully unwrapped every single piece, and we were happy and relieved to find that everything got here just as it left Florida.
I'd left "place keepers" in the hutch that I removed, and then I started placing the last of our china where I'd imagined it would go.
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| Farmhouse China Hutch Inside Left Side |
The plates standing on the second shelf are our wedding plates. They're Spode "Gamebirds" plates, and they represented the best of both worlds for us. The gamebirds were the outdoor touch that Handsome and I both love, while the floral border was a more "traditional" touch. It speaks perfectly to who we are, and I'm so glad it arrived intact.
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| Farmhouse China Hutch Inside Right Side |
Now, everything is here and it's all in the hutch. Please don't judge. I know I have at least three complete china sets, plus a Scottish tea set and two different Spode "sampler" sets. There are also a few odd, precious pieces, like the little lavender-colored, acorn and oak leaf honey pot in front. It was a gift from my dear friend, Denise.
I've also placed our gamebird glassware - which used to belong to Handsome's parents - in this cabinet. We have used it nearly every day since it came to us thirty four years ago. While it's in the china hutch now, once our kitchen is renovated, it will reside there to use with our everyday sets.
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| Tom Beardsley Carved Farmer Mouse |
Handsome and I also emptied out the cargo trailer he pulled behind him this last trip. It was filled with all of his percussion equipment (which also arrived safely), along with things he needed to have with him for the last weeks he spent in Florida. It also held all our outdoor equipment from our little shed behind the house. Garden tools have arrived just in time!
Our little mouse was a present from a talented wood carver and dear friend, Tom Beardsley, here in Wisconsin. We have a number of pieces, all of which we cherish, created by his gifted hands. Sadly, Tom passed while we lived in Florida. It's hard to believe that there will never be a new piece in our collection, and that we'll never share an afternoon or evening with him again. We'll miss him.
By the time we were finished unpacking, we were both tired. I made dinner for the
two of us, and then, like Tom's tiny, carved farmer mouse, we decided to
put our feet up and relax. It was a fitting end to our first, lovely Mother's Day weekend at Hickory Hill Farm.
May 14, 2017
May 7, 2016
Sunday Scripture - Mother's Day...
May 9, 2015
May 8, 2015
Mother's Day Eve...
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| Image from JenniferPosada.com |
I would have ordered a lush arrangement, brimming with daisies to be delivered today. They were Grace's favorite flowers...the unassuming, unpretentious daisy. I was honored to be able to gift her with an arrangement on every special holiday. She was always so grateful, and often told me, "I knew you wouldn't forget me." She was so right.
Not a single day passes that I don't think of her and wish that I could simply pick up the telephone and speak with her. I'd love to hear her voice, her laugh and her thoughts.
This is our first Mother's Day without her. I'll call Sis to let her know she's in my thoughts this weekend, and we'll probably shed a tear or two together. Then we'll tell each other how Mom is so much happier now that she can spend Mother's Day - and every day - in Heaven, pain-free and whole.
If the person you call "Mom" is in Heaven, you know how I feel. If she's still here with you (and you share a loving relationship), I hope you'll be able to spend part of your day together. At the very least, give her a call and tell her how much she means to you.
I know there are some who don't have that loving relationship, even if their mother is still alive. To you, I would say, "Buy a small bouquet of daisies to share with a woman you love and admire, or give her a call and tell her what she means to you." She'll appreciate your thoughtfulness.
To all my blog friends who are moms, I want to take a moment to tell you that you're special and loved. Whether you spend the day with your kids or not, trust that you're in their thoughts.
I know that I'm a day early, but not all of you come to visit with me on Sundays. Mother's Day blessings to each of you - now and always.
May 10, 2014
Sunday Scripture - Happy Mother's Day...
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| Proverbs 31:25-26 |
May 11, 2013
Mothers Day - With Quiet Courage...
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| Irene May Palmer |
As I reflected on a Mother's Day post, I decided that I wanted
to pay special tribute to my British grandmother...my Nanny.
Her name was Irene May Palmer. She was born on November 10, 1915 and
died on November 1, 1961 only 9 short days before her 46th Birthday. She
was taken all too soon by ovarian cancer, passing at her home in England.
I was only seven years old when she died, but I remember that day vividly.
I was only seven years old when she died, but I remember that day vividly.
I think this first photograph is one of my favorites. There aren't many of
her, but this one was taken at a wedding only months before my birth.
I can see the gentleness in her eyes and her smile is almost "Mona Lisa-esque".
I can see the gentleness in her eyes and her smile is almost "Mona Lisa-esque".
Nanny was one of six children. She had four sisters and one brother.
She was second in birth order to Francis (Frannie). After her came Nell; Lily
(whose nickname was Bobbie because of her hairstyle); brother Arthur (Art) and
youngest sister, Margaret (Marg) who is still living in England. (You'll remember,
I have another Aunty Margaret, so I call Nanny's sister "Aunty Margaret Senior".)
Don't you just love those names?
I've tried to locate a photograph of all of them together, but many of the old pictures
were lost to the war (World War II). "Things" were just not as important as "people",
and Nanny preferred to spend her precious days caring for her family.
I have another Aunty Margaret, so I call Nanny's sister "Aunty Margaret Senior".)
Don't you just love those names?
I've tried to locate a photograph of all of them together, but many of the old pictures
were lost to the war (World War II). "Things" were just not as important as "people",
and Nanny preferred to spend her precious days caring for her family.
I showed you this image not long ago. It's the lid to a box in which I keep treasured
letters from my Nanny to my mother (and me) written so many years ago.
letters from my Nanny to my mother (and me) written so many years ago.
Inside, I keep not only the letters, but an old bottle of "Evening in Paris"
perfume, which was my grandmother's favorite fragrance. When I sit
and read her letters (which I've done frequently in recent weeks), I will
occasionally open the bottle, close my eyes and imagine Nan sitting with me.
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| Nanny with her first grandchild - me. circa 1955 |
Nan was married more than once and lived a short, difficult life. She had
four children...one girl (my mother) and three boys, Richard, John and Trevor.
She was a kind and honest woman who worked hard, loved her children and
adored me and her other grandchildren. She only met two of us in person
four children...one girl (my mother) and three boys, Richard, John and Trevor.
She was a kind and honest woman who worked hard, loved her children and
adored me and her other grandchildren. She only met two of us in person
before she passed...me (her first) and my cousin, Dawn who was also born in
England - and still lives there with her husband and family.
England - and still lives there with her husband and family.
In reading her letters, I learned that she often called me "Dee Dee". I smiled
when I realized that. To this day, no one else has used that nickname for me.
My Uncle Larry called me "Dee", but that's as close as anyone else came to it.
when I realized that. To this day, no one else has used that nickname for me.
My Uncle Larry called me "Dee", but that's as close as anyone else came to it.
As I grew older, I would also write to her, and it's fun for me to go back and read
her reactions to my childish notes. I wish I remembered more of those days, but
her letters help to remind me - and I'm able to know her better through her words.
I've often wondered what I would say to her now if I had the chance to sit
face-to-face with her and hold her hand in mine. Many times I've felt her presence
in my life. Her sister has said that she would be proud of the woman I've become.
I feel that in her letters, and I know that she watches over me and smiles.
in my life. Her sister has said that she would be proud of the woman I've become.
I feel that in her letters, and I know that she watches over me and smiles.
At Handsome's last Suncoast Concert Band concert, conductor Bob Stoll
read a passage that was written by composer Larry Daehn for a piece of
music he wrote in tribute to his own mother. The piece is called
"With Quiet Courage", and when I heard these words, Nanny immediately
came to mind. By the time the music was finished, I had tears streaming
down my cheeks. I'd like to share Mr. Daehn's words and music as tribute
to my loving, sweet Nanny and her beautiful life ended decades too soon.
With Quiet Courage
by Larry Daehn
"Her life was heroic, but without fanfare.
She worked and hoped and inspired.
She loved and was loved.
Her life was a noble song of quiet courage."
******
Happy Mother's Day, Dear Nanny.
I miss you and love you always.
This is the music if you'd like to hear it...
(Turn up your sound and sit back. You might want to grab a Kleenex, too.)
I miss you and love you always.
This is the music if you'd like to hear it...
(Turn up your sound and sit back. You might want to grab a Kleenex, too.)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9uc_qW1vOU)
Happy Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day!
May 12, 2012
Sunday Scripture - Happy Mother's Day...
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| Image courtesy of The Graphics Fairy |
"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
I give thanks to my God upon every remembrance of you."
~Philippians 1:2-3
Happy Mother's Day!
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