I Love Thursday #105 Blessings Galore

This is the 105th post of things we love for the week.  We post these loves each Thursday along with LeeAnna on her blog at Not Afraid of Color.  Several additional friends also share on a weekly basis – be sure to check them out.  You will surely find something to inspire you.  Warning – photo heavy post again.  Sorry, I just can’t help myself.

Love #1

Learning while reading!  I’m reading a nice little cozy mystery called Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander.  I have been waiting to read it since June – it took that long to become available from the library.  Anyway, it mentions a quote from Shakespeare, “everyone is above the salt”.  I had heard of that quote before but didn’t know what it meant.  Apparently, back in Shakespeare’s time salt was rare and saw as a special seasoning.  When it was shared on the table, it was placed near the King and his family so that they could easily use it.  Everyone else was seated below the salt.  Therefore, if you are considered above the salt it is a fabulous compliment.  Now, back to the book – it is the first in a series and the second when came out in September.  Yippee!

Love #2

October leaves!  I would love to be able to say that this photo is mine and it’s my street.  That would be a total lie, and worse yet, I have no idea who’s photo it is.  My very first house had a backyard similar to this with whirly-bird trees (Oak maybe??) that didn’t release their leaves until the end of November.  Usually, the very night before we received 200 inches of snow the next day.  MANY – so very many – times Sue and I spent Thanksgiving afternoon raking, and raking, and raking, and raking the leaves into the street to make the last pickup of leaves for the year. 

Stuffing them in between parked cars that belong to neighbors’ family members and friends who were having FUN.  We used a tarp to cart them back and forth which was pretty ingenious if I do say so myself.  Or, because of said 200 inches of snow, we skipped it in Fall and did it in the Spring.  The quantity didn’t diminish at all in spite of the fact that they were wet and limp, and half-frozen.  Not one bit.  Well-meaning friends said, “leave them – they’re good nutrition for the grass”  although they kill the grass if too thick.  Therefore, I look at this beautiful photo and think, “that’s a whole heck of a lot of leaves to rake.”  Oh yeah, it’s also stunningly beautiful once I get past the fact that we don’t have to rake them.

Love #3

Lantern Festival at the zoo!  Another slide show this week and it isn’t one of Dominic and Addison!  Our local Racine Zoological Society is hosting a Chinese Lantern Festival.  Should you be anywhere near Racine, Wisconsin before the end of the year (2019), this might be a festival you wouldn’t want to miss.  The zoo itself is located right on the shores of Lake Michigan.  It has gentle sloped walking paths that are generous enough for two strollers to walk side-by-side.  And now, throughout the grounds are these amazing lanterns. 

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The opening night firework show that went off without a hitch in spite of the week being filled with monsoon rains each day was spectacular.  The sun actually shined on this event, literally.  I included the panda shot just for our great-niece Mikaela!  These photos are from the Racine Journal Times.

Love #4

Conference fun!  Sue had to attend a conference in the Wisconsin Dells, and she went with our friend, Rosalie.  Both of them said it was the best conference they had attended in recent memory, which is just fabulous.  Another participant snapped this photo of the two of them on the last morning of the conference.  It is a very cute Fall display, don’t you think?!

Rosalie and Sue – homeward bound!

Love #5 – A Lot of Photos, again

Dominic enjoyed his birthday present from grandma last weekend.  He got to see Sesame Street Live with mom and dad – no baby sister anywhere in sight.  As they cleared security, there was a Sesame Street explosion of items to buy.  Our sweet boy thought they should get them all and he was happy to show them which one struck his fancy.  A Cookie Monster head filled with cookies and an Abbie head for Addison was purchased.  Dominic thought he should step up and eat Addison’s cookies.  We wouldn’t want her to choke on them – she’s only got a few teeth so far.  Better safe than sorry, right?!  Once the show started he was enthralled.  He could stand and see, or even better yet, sit on dad’s lap.  It must have been a good show because neither one of them knew they were photographed.  After a short nap on the way to Red Robin for lunch, it was time to pick up Addison and take a nap.  

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The next day it was time to visit Auntie Sue and Auntie Rose.  Rocking in the rocking chair, one at a time please, required restraint by grandma of Addison.  When it was Addison’s turn, Auntie Sue shared some fresh baked cookies with Dominic to stave off any fights!  Addison pulled out her new trick of saying “Hi” to Oscar with a sweet smile.  She had a pink explosion with her new pink slippers and ruffles on her pants.  Finally, Addison performed the clever trick and our newest favorite one – baby in a basket.  Those new slippers tripped her up a bit, but grandma was right there with a helping hand.  Yeah, we love our peeps!  ♥ ♥ ♥

I could also use a few prayers for family members – my sister has a blockage near her heart and my nephew has kidney cancer.  Any prayers you can send their way would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.  ♥ ♥  Update:  My sister doesn’t need a stent.  Thank you for her prayers – they worked.  ~smile~ Roseanne

Our other Linky Parties can be found by clicking the link above or along the sidebar on our website for more quilting fun – check out what our friends are up to.  Like/follow us on our Facebook page and you can share your photos of what you’re working on.  We would love to see them!