Where in the world has Lori been...???

I know my blog writing days are definitely slowing down.  I initially began a blog to record family memories.  Well... I now have Instagram and chat books.  You see, every 60 posts to Instagram, alerts Chat Books to print and send me a tiny book. 

Thus, my blogging activity has slowed to a crawl. 

So, what have I been up to? See below:

Our youngest got MARRIED!  On a beach, in Cancun, in February and it was a spectacular week.

 I scanned and downloaded 1200 family slides to share with family and friends.

Now I know where I get my sunglasses love from.. dear Mom.

 My nephew Alex, graduated high school and heads to my Alma Mater, Louisiana Tech, in the fall. 

Lynn planted and I enjoyed fifty daffodil blooms. 

 Lake time for the fourth of July.  Count em', yep that five littles swimming, splashing and sharing forever memories.  And we are so excited that number six arrives right before Christmas!  Can't wait to snuggle on MrCashJohsnon.

Napkins I used over the summer, the palm fronds, reminded me of the Cancun wedding. 

 Lots of cooking and baking, but, one of my favorites was this Cabana cake. pineapple, cherries, coconut, macadamia nuts, butter!! 

So, hang in there... I may still post occasionally or at least I hope to.

The Easter Egg

In many cultures around the world, the egg is a symbol of new life, fertility and rebirth. For Christians, the Easter egg is symbolic of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 I love my bowls and bowls of Easter eggs.  This silver pedastaled bowl was a gift from young

 teen-aged girls when I worked at the YWCA.   

My dough bowl was a Round Top Texas find. 

However you display them, don't they just make you smile?

Everyone enjoy your Easter Week and I will be looking forward to Easter Sunday!
May you and your families be blessed and I hope you are able to spend time with family and friends.
Happy Easter

Beatrix Potter figurines...and a family tradition

British author Beatrix Potter wrote and illustrated more than 20 children's books starring Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, and Benjamin Bunny.

Born July 28, 1866, Beatrix Potter spent a solitary childhood with long holidays in the country. She loved to sketch animals and later invented stories about them. In 1902, Potter published The Tale of Peter Rabbit, which launched her career as a children's author. More than 20 other books for young audiences soon followed. Potter's tales of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Benjamin Bunny and others have become children's classics. She died in 1943.

 I began a tradition to add a single figurine to my three daughter's Easter baskets.  My youngest daughter just married and since she and Mr.Casey are living in an apartment, I get to store and at Easter display MsLynley's figurines. 

Do you see the "very bad bunny" and Jemima Puddle-duck?

They blend in well with some of my tea cup collection. 

 One of my favorite's below.

 I kind of miss the excitement of filling their baskets after they had gone to bed.  Our family traditions was for the Easter Bunny to hide their filled basket and they had to search for them the next morning before Easter Sunday Mass. Do you have an Easter family tradition?

Figurines by Royal Albert, England

In this collection

And this Pig had none

Hunch Munca

Jemima Puddle-Duck

Flopsy Mopsy and Cottontail

Fierce Bad Rabbit

Little Pig Robinson

Miss Moppet

Tom Kitten

My forever baby got married!

And just like that, I have three married daughters and three great son-in-laws! My youngest daughter, who will forever be my baby, got married to her love. It was a destination wedding in Cancun! Destination weddings are like a week long family reunion, they are fabulous. 

My sisters and their families were there to help celebrate. And our first wedding where the groom's family outnumbered us. Well, by two anyway.
The bride, me in red and my sisters below!

I think the Johnson clan are pretty lucky to call Lynley one of them!

May God be with you and bless you.

May see your children's children.

May you be poor in misfortunes

and rich in blessings.

May you know nothing but happiness 

from this day forward. 

A "grand" Valentine's luncheon

At the very last minute, I decided to have the grands over for a Valentine's Luncheon.

It is not too late for you to plan one!  My inspiration was a children's book, Lilly's Chocolate Heart, by Kevin Henkes.

My grands love this little book and all year long we read the book together, right before they head home.  Then they each get a chocolate heart to gobble down at the end of the reading.

After the luncheon this year, they presented a dramatic play, while I read the book.  Their Mom's, Aunt and Papa were the audience. 

Let me present our "Love Lunch"

(obviously, I don't know how to attach a video, MissLayton and MissRaylyn were saying cheers!)

It all started with a couple cookie cutters and some cheese. 

Menu

Heart shaped all, PB&J sandwiches, cheese quesadillas, cucumbers, watermelon

Round turkey Pepperoni, too small to use the cookie cutter.  

Strawberries

Pink Lemonade (the grand babies felt so grown up, "in REAL glasses")

Velvet cake

 My book for the party inspiration. 

 Girls boxed chocolates and one for Mr. Hayes.

 "Velvet" cake for dessert.  MissLayton says (red) velvet cake is her Dad's favorite. 

 Yes, at MrHayes place setting you can find a finger monster. 

 More hearts, please!  Loved this little tiny garland.

 Pink Lemonade was served too, in those "real" Fostoria glasses. 

Happy Valentine's Day!