In The City For My Birthday

 People have wondered through the years why I like to spend so much time with my kids and do things with them, but they have always been my best friends.  I spent a lot of time with them growing up, and honestly as much time as a mother can spend with her kids.  They make me laugh, and know and tolerate my funky ways.

  I had the pleasure of being with my best friend on my birthday last week, my son.  I really didn't want to drive to the city, but I was glad I did, cause I had the best day.  I went to all the shops, went to the theatre and watched a movie (which wasn't that good, but the popcorn made up for it), went out to lunch, did some more shopping, and came home with lots of birthday goodies.  Jess' package came, and it was filled with many thoughtful gifts; a pair of slip-on tennis shoes in a mint color (very cute), a tin of See's candy, English Breakfast tea, a drawing that Francesca made, and this sweet mon cheri pillow, which means "my dear."

A pretty card from my best friend.  I love Papyrus cards.

And Nel made this card.  She is teaching her students a program, and she created this for me.

In the city, I went to Starbuck's, Target, Hobby Lobby, Home Goods, Michael's, World Market, and JCPenney.  Hobby Lobby is my happy place, and I found this cute vintage 4th of July girl ornament.  I had the best 4th of Julys growing up, so I had to get her.

Some of you know that I love the ladybug.  There is a story about Mother Mary and the ladybug that I've shared before.  When I walked inside World Market, I first noticed the coffee kias, and this ladybug cup was hanging there along with coffee samples to try out.  I immediately put it in my cart and kept shopping.  ; )

We went to a favorite Mexican restaurant for lunch.  I wanted to go somewhere festive and fun, and you can't get much more festive than this one.

These are my birthday goodies.  My son bought me a chocolate cake with vanilla frosting.  I was so tired when I got home, and it was the perfect end to the day with a cup of coffee.

I had a nice visit with my neighbor, and we caught up on each other's lives.  While I don't like to drive long distances, she doesn't mind, and just returned from a long road trip to see her family.  We both, however, appreciate being home after such a trip.  It was starting to get so warm in the city at the end of the day, and there was a nice breeze driving back up the mountain.  It was actually chilly last weekend, and I had to put on a sweater.  I had a visit from the California Quail on my birthday week too.

Have you ever noticed that the coffee and tea you drink taste better in your favorite cup?

And for my birthday month, I put a few things out on my hutch and call it my "her hutch".......everything I love.

If you didn't hear the story of the ladybug, I'll share it with you now. 🐞

The story goes that in Europe during the Middle Ages, swarms of pesky insects (probably aphids) destroyed crops and threatened faithful farming communities with starvation.

In desperation, the farmers, who had a devotion to the Blessed Mother, turned to the Virgin Mary for help!

Soon after, a cloud of black-spotted, red-orange insects came and devoured the plant-destroying pests, saving the crops!

The farmers considered this an answer to their prayers and a sign of Our Lady’s intercession. They began referring to these life-saving, beautiful insects as “Our Lady’s Bugs.”