Ana Surprized Me Today!

I turned 55 today: )  Ana Maria surprized me with a special delivery: an Incredible Edible arrangement!  I was in a meeting in Raleigh when the delivery was made.  Thank you, Sweetheart, and to all who had a hand in this covert operation!

Turning 55 on Wednesday...

In honor of my 55th birthday this coming Wednesday, I decided to post this image of my 3rd grade school picture.  They just don't make ties like this anymore :)

Snow Cream!

Ana Maria had her first taste of snow cream yesterday: ) It is a treat from my childhood days. Mom made us snow cream every time it snowed deep enough to get "clean" snow. RECIPE: clean white snow, vanilla extract (to taste), condensed milk, sugar, a little bit of milk. Mix by hand or blender (Ana used a hand blender - perfect!) ...until it becomes a nice think cream. All ingredients should be added according to your taste. We topped it off with cinnamon. We also experimented by topping it with maple syrup and then molasses. YUMMY! Enjoy next snow! :)

A Beautiful Snow Day for a Stroll...

We allow our snow people to stroll around as long as they do not venture out too far. They have gotten as far as the edge of the front lawn...Aren't they just the cutest couple? :-)

Snow People...

We have very fashionable snowmen,...er..ah...snow people :-) The lady snow person couldn't decide whether to wear a scarf or a hat... You can decide which you like best!

Our little snow family.. :-) The Jar-Snow-mans. I don't think the male snow person looks like me, but the female snow person is a dead ringer for Ana Maria, don't you think? Check out her big smile and her grabbing the other snow person's hand.. :-)

Now here's a real snow man :-)

SNOW! (The Morning After..)

It was amazing waking up to the silence and beauty of a winter wonderland this morning! As soon as I got up from bed, I began taking pictures from the windows. After the initial excitement, Ana and I settled down to enjoy a really delicious breakfast! She always adds a bit of Portuguese flair to her cooking.

Baby Shower for Grace!

Here are a few pictures from the baby shower.  Natalie looked lovely as a mommy-to-be:)  I don't think I've ever seen her more beautiful and radiantl than she is right now:)  In the picture of Natalie, Mom, and me, Natalie is holding a quilt Mom made for me when I was an infant.  I've passed it to Natalie with the hopes she will comfort Baby Grace on those chilly evenings, and then one day, pass it on to Grace to share with her own daughter.

Souvenir from the Baby Shower..

I love this little bird's nest and eggs:)  Ana picked up these little souvenirs from the baby shower - a sweet reminder of the stork's impending delivery!

A Great Image of Grace!

This image really really reveals alot about Grace's facial features! It's clear -- She is going to be a beauty!

Birthday Dinner

For her birthday dinner, Ana Maria chose The Old Siam resturant.  She looks lovely as usual, waiting for our first course.  Happy birthday to a wonderful companion and sweetheart.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Our first stop on the birthday celebration train was the White Oak Bakery for brunch!  Ana is holding the remainder of a delicious eclair (aka birthday cake: )) with a candle.  Mom and Dad joined us a little later before we left the bakery.

From My Armchair...

A quiet moment to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate!
.

From My Armchair. .

A quiet moment to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate!

A Blue Moon..

Early this evening, as I was driving home from work, I took this picture of the blue moon!  This picture just doesn't do the scene justice.

Kennedy all Dolled Up...

Kennedy looks so sweet in her winter garb, all dolled for holiday celebrations!

Salvation Army Band and Us...

Ana and I weren't able to ring the bell for the Salvation Army this year due to the weather. As a matter of fact, we were supposed to ring the bell today, but due to the drizzling rain, we weren't able to do it. Here is a picture that Nicole took of us with the Salvation Army Band at the Jacksonville Mall just a few weeks ago. We were glad to help out with the program.

Christmas Photo!

Meredith took Kennedy to the mall for her "Santa Picture". What a cutie pie!

Our Nephew's Wedding..

Rui, Ana's sister's son, is getting married today in Brazil. We wish Rui and Cristiane a lifelong of happiness and God's blessings! Congratulations!

Stopping by the Music Shoppe..

Music Shoppe Vendor..

Ana Maria is minding the music store in the little town of Bethlehem. We had a wonderful time recreating a street in Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born. Our church, Bethlehem Baptist, really came together for a wonderful production!

Unholy Speech..

I recently heard a pastor at IOP speak about another priest who tended to use "spicy" language in the pulpit.  As a matter of fact, when that particular priest was to observe Mass on TV on one occasion, the local bishop was concerned that he might bring embarrassment to the church.  As the story was told about how this particular priest spoke on the TV program, folks in the congregation chuckled at the story.  I reached over to a parishioner next to me and asked, "Was that priest really a man of God?"  To my disappointment, the point was missed, because he replied, "Oh yes, he used to be a priest here."   You know, we all sin.  We all fall short of the glory of God.  But when "church" people use words that are not considered polite, or appropriate, and we think nothing of it, what does that say about our own hearts?  To accept the sub-righteous language of a "man of God" and to say "that's just the way he is" reveals a serious spiritual problem.  I mean, we sometimes use the phrase, "What would Jesus do?"  Would Jesus use "spicy" language to get his point across.  Would he degrade himself to fit in with people around him?  I think not!  Jesus mingled with the lowliest of us, but He kept his own integrity and righteousness!   It bothers me when "Christians" speak, write, or act in ways that are not in keeping with their profession.  I don't mean that any of us are perfect, as I mentioned, but when we applaud or think there is nothing wrong with the words we choose, is our heart in the right place? are we really Christian?  When we stand before Him, how will we explain this cavalier attitude towards unholy speech?    Psalms 19:14 -- Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Guess Who Turned One on Monday!

Kennedy had her first birthday this past Monday! Yay! Yep, she really is a princess:) We're celebrating on Saturday!

A Cup of Coffee on the Deck..

I'm enjoying a cup of French Vanilla coffee on a cloudless autumn day on our deck! Aaahh, what flavor...what a beautiful day! :)

On the Balcony at the Hotel in Boone!

Ana posed for this picture on our hotel balcony this evening. We just got back from having an Italian supper of calzone and coke at a local cafe. It was a beautiful day and a lovely evening in Boone, North Carolina!

Soup in Some Very Important Bowls!

We had soup last night, using the very bowls we ate from that fateful day at the Council For The Arts :) The first soup I ate soup from that bowl was Portuguese Collard Soup!

Stopped by Coastal Community College..

Ana and I stopped by CCCC yesterday to commemorate the days we spent in college there. That was almost 20 years ago! Ana took this pic of me in the cafeteria where we both spent many hours studying!

Coffee at the Bakery!

A kind patron took this picture yesterday at White Oak Bakery! Ana and I shared coffee, sandwiches and eclairs, celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary. I'm holding a mug that says "15 Years!" hmmm.. What's that all about..?