Today I remember my father and his service to the country he loved

Joseph V. Korzecki, 1911 - 1999, WWII Pacific Theater

Not a bear hibernatin' but a kitty cat-nappin' - see you soon dear friends...

Almost done with my summertime nap. Be back very soon. Lots of wonderful ideas, recipes and poetry to share along with summer family get-togethers and events. See you as soon as I wake up...hope you still remember me!

Remembrance - one of those special times when just reading isn't enough

Every now and then I read something that soothes my soul and makes me smile and gives me comfort. The following is one of those special times. I hope you enjoy Remembrance as much as I did.

Remembrance
When I am gone,
Please remember me;
as a heartfelt laugh, as a tenderness.
Hold fast to the image of me
when my soul was on fire;
the light of love shining through my eyes.
Remember me when I was singing
and seemed to know my way.
Remember always when we were together
and time stood still.
Remember most not what I did,
or who I was.
Oh, please remember me for
what I always desired to be.
A smile on the face of God.
~David Robert Brooks

Red - White - Blue 4th of July Bottle Cap Wreath - recycle, reuse, repurpose

Forget about tossing your bottle caps into the trash. Put a little bowl on your kitchen counter reminding friends and family to help you collect supplies for your next craft project! Too close to the 4th to gather up enough to make this wonderful wreath? Give friends and family a jingle and ask them to help your cause! If you end up with too many caps - have a party in your back yard in celebration of Independence Day - hand out the necessary supplies and make several - what a sweet idea for guests, family and friends to take home a crafting project!

YOU WILL NEED:
bottle caps
circular wooden frame or foam wreath
2 cans white gloss spray paint
1 can red gloss spray paint
1 can blue gloss spray paint
old sheet
industrial strength glue
white ribbon
nail
hammer

DIRECTIONS
1. On a section of the sheet, spray the wooden frame with white spray paint. Make sure to cover front and sides. It will require two coats allowing to dry between coats.
2. Lay out bottle caps in three piles with the the tops face down. You will need twice as many bottle caps for the white caps than red and blue ones. Spray each group twice, make sure dry between coats. Flip bottle caps over and spray again twice.
3. Glue a single layer of white bottle caps (face down) in a single layer to the frame. Let dry.
4. Alternating blue and red bottle caps (second layer) glue on top of the first layer. Let dry
5. Add several white caps (third layer) on top of red and blue layer.
6. Wrap ribbon around wreath and tie on top in a bow. Nail to door through the back of the ribbon.

Just like the pioneers that traveled across the United States or today’s cowboys, the red bandanna is an iconic symbol of the American spirit.  For the Fourth of July use RED BANDANNAS AS NAPKINS (just like our forefathers) and tie with twine.  Include a map of the United States and ask guests to name as many states as possible in five minutes.  By adding a prize it will kick off the Fourth in a fun with lots of fun and - a little insight as to who stayed awake in American History class☺

Brave - remarkable - devoted - focused: Mothers are cut from sturdy and resilient cloth

A dear friend sent this video to me this morning. As I was watching it my heart began to swell with pride - and, quite frankly a little tear caught at the corner of my eye. Mothers belong to a remarkable sorority. A group of individuals who have the courage to brave possible death at the hands of giants (human beings in this case) to care for their babies. I, for one, am proud to be part of a group that counts this little hummingbird momma as one of its members.

Mothers don't have to give birth to belong to this exclusive sorority. All a female has to do is love another deeply and completely and without question and her dues are paid in full.

Thank you to all who have died for our freedom...