Finally! Some Clothes!

Back when I used to play...prior to John's passing. This was first scheduled for May 23, 2016. 
***

~new "spring" outfits~
Tammy's skirt is similar to mine, though her top is made from an old handkerchief. We especially love the little embroidered flowers and the trim on the bottom of her skirt.

Vee found this broken baby ring in an old jewelry box. It  makes a pretty bracelet for Tammy.

I'm wearing a bracelet, too. Around my neck. Vee thinks it is the bracelet that her mama bought while on her senior class trip to the White Mountains way back in 1952. 
Guess that's all you'll see from Tammy and me until we get more outfits. My guess is that Vee is not in the mood for playing just now and we'd better resign ourselves to these dresses for some time.
Have a great day!

A Dollar Short and a Week Late

You know that I always go to the Hodge Podge if I need a jumpstart, kickstart, something. And the thing is, Joyce isn't even having a Hodge Podge this week so I am off the hook for linking and participating. I'm just using last week's for blog fodder. 

1. If you could sit beside and/or jump in any lake in the whole wide world today, which lake would you choose and why?

I would swim in a lake I love in New Brunswick, Canada. I enjoy swimming in lakes over swimming in pools or the ocean. I have even swum in a Great Lake (Erie), which was as close to swimming in the ocean as I like to be...very brrrisk! 

2. What's your favorite 'fruity' drink? 

Lemonade

3. I read a list here of thirteen things to do right now to simplify your life. They were-

clean as you go, re-evaluate your relationships (cut toxic ties), unsubscribe (too many blogs and websites), de-clutter, write down your daily goals, reply to emails right away, forget multitasking, create a morning routine, re-evaluate your commitments (which hobbies and responsibilities are most important to you), say no, clean up your computer, and plan your day ahead

Which of the tasks listed do you currently find most helpful in keeping life simple? Which item on the list should you adopt in order to simplify your life this month?

I like all of those ideas and follow many of them most of the time. There's going to be an entire summer of cleaning up and sorting ahead from barns to basements. I'd like to give up multi-tasking, but it just seems to be something I must do and probably because I have the attention span of a gnat.

4. What did you do the summer after you graduated from high school? 

Since I would be off to college in the fall, I worked that summer cashiering at a grocery store. I also dated a lot that summer as I'd be saying goodbye to my boyfriend at the end of summer. He remained behind for a year and then joined the Army so there were many goodbyes through our dating years. Yes, I eventually married him and, though the marriage failed, I have two wonderful children and two wonderful grands so I'd not change my circumstances.

5. Are you a fan of podcasts? If so what's a favorite? 

Have listened to some I have liked, but can't remember them and don't listen regularly.

6. Do you think today's fathers have it harder, easier, or just different than fathers in the past?

Different and harder. Nothing is getting easier in this crazy society of ours.

7. Tell us one way you're like your father? Or not at all like your father if that's easier?

I have often been told that I am quite like my father in temperament. We seem to share a little issue called "directness." This is also known as not having a filter. Oh dear. My pastor once told me that I was very like my father in the nicest possible way. Ahem. =/

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

So many random thoughts swirling the brain. Let me keep it to one! 

I have been working on memory boards for John's service and so have been wading through this remarkable life of his with all the family, friends,  and experiences of a lifetime. Would you like to see some photos?

John on the cliffs of Grand Manan

John and sisters at their grandparents' 51st wedding anniversary party back in the day

Do all 12 year old boys look alike?

 One of 8 memory boards... This is looking a bit sparse to me so must add a few more photos, if I can find some.

my cluttered work corner

Thank you for the ongoing prayers. I truly need them and feel  sustained by them. Now I have a question for you: is it going to make you feel uncomfortable if I continue to chat about John? Needless to say, he is very much on my mind, but I don't want to cause you to worry about my mental health or when I'll get on with this life that is, after all, for the living.

Missing John

How blessed I was! 

John 1944–2016

The good thing was that I knew that every. single. day. I loved him; he loved me; 'twas all that mattered. I know that I will miss him until the day I join him.

~love light in his eyes~or maybe a leave me alone~trying to get ready for church~

So we, my family and I, are finding our way through the grief of losing John. I have sometimes heard Christians huff that their loved ones are not "lost." While we know that John is safely home with The Lord, he is definitely lost to us here on earth. 
Sam and Jakob, my grandsons, have struggled a fair bit. John is their first loss; they have not even suffered the loss of a pet to prepare them for this thing — death. We met with John's pastor and the pastor's wife on the Sunday afternoon just after John passed and talked things through. When the pastor was readying to leave, he said that he would pray when Jakob interrupted asking if he could himself pray. The pastor said, "Sure, Jakob, would you like to pray first?"
Jakob's prayer:

Thank you, God,  for John in our lives. We know that he is still with us in our hearts and that one day soon we will see him again. Well, in that day. 

Not a dry eye in the room...
Dear Ones, I want to thank you for the love and support, prayers, cards, calls, and emails, and for reading here at A Haven for Vee. A special thank you to Abby at Little Birdie Blessings for holding down the fort when I had to remind myself to even breathe. I do not know what the future holds for blogging because, as Sam says, "Everything was better with John." I do have some stories to tell, though, so perhaps I will find my way back one day.

This was John on a hot day in May holding a bookmark the Texas Quads made. He was so pleased to have it and called it a real "day brightener." He sure loved my little corner of Blogdom and all the dear folks in it. This was the last photo I took of him. 
Closing with a reminder from Lorrie who had been doing some reading in my archives. Precious reminder!

As we strode along the path through the cemetery just enjoying the close of day and being together, John leaned down a bit and whispered, "Every grave will open one day." That's a thought worth getting excited about! Then we passed a grave well over a hundred years old where the inscription read Meet Me There. I can't think of a much better message to those of us following after.

August 3, 2008 

Guest Post ~ God Will Take Care of You

Dear friends of "A Haven for Vee", I'm Abby from Little Birdie Blessings, writing a guest post here at Vee's request.

So many of you have been praying and concerned for Vee and her husband since she last wrote on her blog. She would like you to know that her beloved John was called home to be with the Lord on May 28th. She is very appreciative of all the prayers that were spoken on their behalf, and has said she could feel them.

Vee is feeling quite overwhelmed and has chosen to close comments. I do believe in time, she will be able to share again here at "A Haven for Vee". Please keep Vee and her family in your prayers as they mourn.

Vee's favorite color is yellow and I thought the hymn "God Will Take Care of You" was one Vee could cling to during this time of sadness.  Perhaps it will be a comfort to you as well for whatever trials face you today.

This is a photo collage of a day last summer, Vee and John traveled to my home for a visit. A day I'll always cherish. Here is Vee's account of that day:  Meeting Abby and Bill

Thank you again for your prayers at this time for Vee and her family. She is very appreciative of them and wants you to know that. 

Blessings to you all dear ones. 

Lilacs Will Bloom Again

A Gloomy Gus who is prone to making a fuss...that pretty much describes my temperament.  The good news is that I  never have any doubts that I need The Savior. I am not one  who wrongly believes that she is going to heaven based on her sweet nature or good works. I am going because I know in Whom I have believed and all that He did for me (and you) on the cross.
It has been discussed before, but one of my favorite sermons (I only remember two or three after a lifetime of listening to them) is "Roses Will Bloom Again." You can see the connection. 
When spring looked doubtful, and it's still looking pretty shaky, I fretted. My fretting and whining and complaining did not change a thing. The lilacs are blooming in spite of it all. God is good. He's always on time. He doesn't change.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22–23

☼
This week, and just for this week, I am trying to post every single day.  I'm going to try because I am feeling chatty and don't want to overload any one post with an excess of hodge podge as I have done in past weeks. I do not expect anyone to visit more often or comment more often. In fact, like today's post, I may just shut comments off altogether except for Tuesday's post.  Still looking for the balance. That way, you can look (if you want) and then scamper off to springtime pursuits, presuming that spring has actually arrived where you live. ☺
Today I have seen the hand of God in everything. One miracle after another. I am afraid that I won't be keeping my promise about posting this week because of pressing concerns. John is in cardiac care after suffering a tear in his aorta. He was airlifted to a major medical center where he was in surgery for six hours this afternoon and evening. If you are a praying person, I covet your prayers for him. We know that he is a blessed man for having been in the right places at the right times with the right people able to help. When I can, I'll provide an update.

It Gets Worse Every Week

Thank you to those who agreed with me that my red posies from John were some sort of begonia. Alas, we were wrong. Very. They are, in fact, New Guinea Impatiens, not impatience as I once thought; impatiens = the correct spelling. Depending on your source, they either do or don't like sunshine. Everyone seems to agree that they like a lot of water. Thank you for all the information! I appreciate  the help. ☺
You can see the flower baskets hanging outside in the header photo. It was a much warmer day. They are back inside these days because the weather has turned chilly again. Birds seem to be highly attracted to these orange red flowers, I have even had birds try to fly through the French doors. Silly things. Can't they see the mullions?  Here's where I'll get you to agree or disagree with my identifications. I believe this bird is an oriole. If you only knew all that I went through to capture this terrible shot. 

 













I am guessing that the bird above is a warbling vireo. I have a better picture...

Okay all this ID stuff is for the birds... 
Let's see...what can I rattle on about? You'd think that, after a week goes by, I would have a lot to say. Nope. It gets worse every week.

Last week, when we had a few warm summer-like days, John and I enjoyed a picnic at the lake. Picnic is too fancy a description; we had a fast-food lunch at the lake. It was so pretty that day... the water was choppy, the breeze was refreshing, and the blues were beautiful. 
(Speaking of blue, I was reading at Temple Grandin's site that some people find reading a stark white page very challenging. I am wondering how people find reading a blue page as I am having trouble finding just the right, light enough shade.)

Getting back to the lake, it was just the thing to do after a rather long, chilly spring. Where would you run off to for a quick, less than an hour, getaway?
Goodness. Am I already completely out of things to say? Wait, no, I'll add that last night for supper we had the most delicious  new-to-us salad. We had never eaten bok choy

 before, but thanks to Susan at Savoring Time in the Kitchen, we tried it and loved that crunchy, mildly flavored bok choy. I  like saying it. You can find the recipe for  Firefly Crunch Salad right here. (I have also pinned it on my Salads Folder.)

A happy week to you and a Happy Victoria Day weekend to my Canadian friends and family. (Memorial Day is the following weekend for us in the US.) Hope that the weather moderates for us all. ☺



P.S. Anyone ever had a pop-up with this message appear over your post while trying to edit it?  I am documenting because sometimes groogle needs a screen shot. The pop-up won't stay put when I want to take a screen shot, but will not allow me to make an edit. Always something in Blogdom!

Food and Flowers, Boys and Baseball, Givers and Gifts

What a valuable resource a blog can be! For example, when my son brought this yellow flowering plant by on Sunday afternoon saying that he had no idea what it was, I could tell him because he brought the same kind of plant by one other Mother's Day. It is Lemon Chiffon Superbells. Now if only John had given me one of the red plants before. Neither of us knows what it is. A begonia of some sort? Anyone know?

Because of unseasonably cold weather this week, the plants must live inside. 

Eventually, I'll move the Chiffon Bells to the front yard, probably where the Morning Glories used to live behind the mailbox there. I no longer grow Morning Glories because they are only around for six short weeks. Not enough color for May, June, and July. They proved to be more trouble than they were worth, but I did love them.

Sam found this bird bath (I have zero intention of providing a buffet for the squirrels) at the local Flea Market. He loves Cardinals, both the baseball variety and the birds. This is made using a deck spindle for the base...very sweet! 

Laurel gave me this pretty little bedside lamp with a USB charger built right in. I have never had a bedside lamp before. Now that I have used it for two nights, I am totally sold on a bedside lamp.

The best gifts of Mother's Day are always my visitors . I am blessed to live in the same town where both my adult children live. I see my grandchildren weekly, especially in spring when they are playing baseball. (It may not look like it in the photo to the left, but they were playing baseball online and loving it.)

 

Someday, I won't be so antisocial, but these games are played in the evening when it is cold. The car is cozy enough and this vantage point right behind home plate has proven to be my favorite. I believe that Jake is on the pitcher's mound as he is pitching this year. Sam made Little League so he's busy playing second base. This week, I have four home games to attend. Two for each grandson. John loves that I am out of the house for the evening news. Now he can watch in peace. ☺

~*~*~*~

 ~Waiting for Breakfast~

~Delicious!~

I tried a couple of new recipes this week so am sharing. The first has already been baked twice so they are a keeper.  The grands liked them and you can find the recipe at Life is Good. Look around! Karen's photos are wonderful and Maryland is beautiful.

~Karen's Chocolate Chippers~

           

This Pinterest recipe is being shared because it is such an easy way to prepare  tacos for a family. I love ease. We did not enjoy this batch as much as we would have IF I had purchased a truly mild salsa. My error. I'll do it correctly next time because it was not only easy, it was good. It can easily be adjusted to suit your family's tastes. Find the recipe on Pinterest under Taco Bake or here.

A wonderful week to you!

Mother's Day Greeting

The sweetest sounds to mortals given 

Are heard in Mother, Home, and Heaven

~William Goldsmith Brown

If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go  where a prayer has not already been. 
~Robert Brault

♥Happy Mother's Day!♥

Meeting Donna

It’s so much fun to meet a blogger. Donna of Cottage Days and Journeys is the ninth whom I have been privileged to meet in person. A meeting is an extension of the friendship that has already been established for some years.  We all say that. Meeting seems just as natural as natural can be. If you ever get the chance to meet a fellow blogger, grab it!

Donna was in Maine with a group of photographers taking pictures of iconic Maine. I am so looking forward to seeing some of the photos that she took while here. I have one and here it is…

This is one that Donna took with her iPhone and shared with me via email. She did not give me permission to use it here so I'll have to beg her forgiveness. It is just so cool! It's the kind of photo that one can expect to see at Cottage Days...

This is another, the only photo taken at our meeting. It was almost an afterthought and a way to prove that we actually had been there at the same time in the same place.

She wants me to tell you this: Please remind everyone that I am NOT a portrait photographer, nor do I take selfies. What an embarrassment for my standard of photographic quality!  Hahaha...  The photo simply documents two dear blogging friends who finally met in person (after many, many years) and loved each other more as a result.

I can’t say it any better than that.

We met in Freeport (home of L.L. Bean’s flagship store) at a pizza bistro where we enjoyed yummy brick oven pizzas. No pics. Sorry! We were there after lunch and a few hours before supper so it worked out well for us to chat and chat.  Donna is just as cute and vibrant as she can be. She was dressed as she would be in the field — like the photographer that she is. She had been up before the dawn to take pictures of the sunrise at Pemaquid and still she was soldiering on through a blogging meet after a long drive. Our conversation was our own and I am blessed that we had it. I’ll not soon forget all that Donna shared.

~Jams and Donna's own photography in Note Cards~

After saying our goodbyes, I left with gifts and a full heart and the determination to get John into the car for a drive the following day. 

I’m happy to report that the drive happened and John and I had a lovely forsythia seeking adventure culminating with supper out. Meals out two days in a row...woot!

~forsythia~

~a yard full of daffodils~

~looking down upon our town~

Thank you, Donna, for everything. It would be lovely if our paths should cross again!

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A Brighter Day

Just can't leave the blog as I did yesterday. Talk about mortification...I truly am...mortified that is. I am blaming a snowstorm and my being prone to think the worst first. You'd think that I would have learned by now for I have always been proven wrong by doing that, given enough time. The blog was an easy fix once I settled down long enough to figure it out.

"It will pass, the sun will break through..."

Okay, moving right along with something brighter...

Yes, it did snow all day yesterday accumulating about four inches. It won't last this day. Funny how snow in December seems good and fine, but at the end of April it is terribly discouraging. Though it may look like winter outside and, while I am hearing the steady run of melting snow from the roofs,  inside it is spring. Further, snow does not compare to tornadoes, floods, hail or many of the foul weather systems that some have faced recently. Spring has always had a mind of its own.

~a simple centerpiece~

Besides, since the first robin has been spotted, it must be spring!

Of this photo, John says that my ink blot profile must be off the chart. (Hmmm...wonder what he means by that.) This is a marble birthday cake made by my grandson and me for his dad's birthday. When it came out of the oven, I called Jakob over to see what he had to say about the picture on the top. We see a rabbit on skis. It looks as if he is tossing globs of chocolate into his mouth. One can even see the motion marks. Jakob said that since he was responsible for the chocolate part of the marbling that he is obviously responsible for this picture. We got a kick out of it.

My gift to you today is closing comments so that you may skip along with all due apologies for yesterday. Gheesh. 

See you next week, The Lord willing and my wits stay intact.

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