Beautiful Flower

At the beginning of the year, I told you that I wanted to buy more flowers for myself this year.  Well, it's time, and I just bought another bouquet.  You all know how much I love red roses, but there is another rose that is a favorite of mine - the pink rose.  The color is beautiful, they remind me of spring, and they brighten up the house.

"I'd rather have roses

on my table

than diamonds

on my neck."

~Emma Goldman

"Won't you come into the garden?

I would like my roses to see you."

~Richard B Sheridan

Do you have a favorite color of rose?

~Sheri

Grandma's Enchiladas

When I was growing up, my Grandma made THE BEST enchiladas.
  

She was a great cook in general and whenever we came to visit, she would feed us until we were about to pop.  When my mom was young, she used to make everything in the enchiladas from scratch, from grinding the chili powder to preparing the fresh and soft tortillas.
  

Grandma's enchiladas were served at all family gatherings: holidays, birthdays, and every other get-together.  Everyone in the family loved them, and to this day I have yet to taste a better enchilada.

I was told to keep this special recipe within the family, but I will tell you that black olives provide the perfect touch.
  

In the last few years, we have tried to carry on the tradition of making Grandma's enchiladas for special occasions.  Every time we find ourselves in the kitchen, stirring the homemade sauce, rolling every last tortilla, and tasting that first bite, we think of our beautiful, loving, and strong-willed Grandma Peg. 

I hope to pass this recipe on to my future family.  


Do you have any special family recipes?   

~Jess

Reconnecting with an Old Friend

It’s my favorite time of the spring semester…

When I get to begin teaching one of my favorite books…

Life of Pi by Yann Martel.

It’s a wondrous and magical story about a little boy from India named Pi who finds himself stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

But it’s really about so much more than that.

It’s a story about choosing faith over doubt.

"The lower you are, the higher your mind will want to soar.

It was natural that, bereft and desperate as I was,

in the throes of unremitting suffering, I should turn to God."

(Life of Pi, Chapter 93)

It’s about seeing God in all things.

“The presence of God is the finest of rewards.”

(Life of Pi, Chapter 20)

It’s about creating connections instead of dwelling on differences.

“When I corrected her, I told her that, in fact, she was not so wrong, that Hindus, in their capacity for love, are indeed hairless Christians, just as Muslims, in the way they see God in everything, are bearded Hindus, and Christians, in their devotion to God, are hat-wearing Muslims.”

(Life of Pi, Chapter 50)

And most of all, it’s about choosing the better story.

“So tell me, since it makes no factual difference to you and you can’t prove the question either way, which story do you prefer?

Which is the better the story…?”

(Life of Pi, Chapter 99)

I’ve learned a lot from Pi over the years I’ve had the privilege of teaching this beautiful book, and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with him this spring.

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.”

(Charles W. Eliot)

Have you read any good books lately?

~ Nel ~

P.S. Fun Fact: All the photos for this post were taken from the books on my shelves. ( :

Just Give Me Some Kind Of Sign

As you know, I have a thing for signs.  As I was driving through this charming town,

I noticed these signs...

Right when I saw this sign,

I thought of You.

You're in my heart always.

~Sheri

I do believe we're all

connected.  I do believe

in positive energy.  I do

believe in the power of

prayer.  I do believe in

putting good out into the

world.  And I believe in

taking care of each other.

~Harvey  Fierstein

Have a sweet day.

~Sheri

St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

"May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.

May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!" 

~Old Irish Blessing

For breakfast, I will be having one of my favorite cereals as a child, Lucky Charms.

Later, Nel and I will be drinking green beer and enjoying a day of Irish fun!

I hope you have a very lucky day ♣

 

~Jess 

A Peaceful Place To Go

Me and my husband went to the park the other day.  I have special memories of the park because I used to take my kids there all the time when they were little.  Now for me, it is a place to think, pray, and slow down.

While my husband took a walk along the nicely groomed trails,

I thought I'd take some pictures of flowers.

One of my kid's favorite things to do was go on the swings.  With their feet up in the air and their hair flying in the wind, they couldn't get enough of this.  I would often join them in their play.

We're never too old to swing.

~Sheri



Spring

Spring is right around the corner.

The flowers are blooming.

The sun is shining.

We welcome a new season of life and love.

 
Has Spring appeared in your area?

~Jess

You Are My SONshine

This little boy looks very much like my son when he was little.  I used to see these pictures, and my heart would sing because the resemblance was surprising to me.

Don't let these sweet pictures fool you though.  He used to play football and rugby for many years.

Tough he may be, but also has a gentle spirit.

I protected and cherished him when he was a boy, and I am pleased with the man he is becoming.

To all the sons...

You are special.

You are brave.

You are funny.

You are loved.

~Sheri

Pacific Coast Highway

One of my favorite things to do is to take a drive down Pacific Coast Highway (PCH).

I love observing the ocean, the palm trees, and all of the people enjoying a beautiful day outdoors.

Sometimes my boyfriend and I take the beach cruisers out for a ride along the sand until we reach the pier.

He loves to walk along the pier, all the way to the windy edge.  

There, we are accompanied by the smell of cheeseburgers on the grill and the sound of vintage music coming from Ruby's 50's style diner. 

A ride along PCH is a special treat indeed.  

~Jess