New Beginnings!

Welcome!

Winter is almost over, and spring is just around the corner, in a couple of weeks! Yea!

While we don't want to wish our lives away, there's nothing wrong with having something nice to look forward to!

Winter does have some bright spots-some nice holidays, fun in the snow, hot chocolate by a warm fireplace, etc. (Guess winter's not so bad after all! We can find the good in everything!)

The last holiday of winter is St. Patrick's Day where for that day at least, we can all become a bit more Irish, if we wish. My mother always loved Ireland, and I guess I get that same love from her. Part of our family heritage is Irish.

What's not to like about Ireland? The gorgeous scenery, the great food, Irish dancing, the haunting music!

And who can forget the wonderful Irish blessings, sayings, and prayers!

"An Irish Prayer"

"May God give you, for every storm, a rainbow,

For every tear, a smile,

For every care, a promise,

And a blessing in each trial.

For every problem life sends, A faithful friend to share,

For every sigh, a sweet song,

And an answer for each prayer."

We can make the best of things whatever the season, but some of us prefer the warmer months of spring and summer when you can get out more and enjoy the beautiful sunshine and warmer temperatures.

It's out with the old-winter, and in with the new-spring!

Pretty Spring Flowers in Our Yard

There are plenty of wonderful spring celebrations like Easter, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and Father's Day.

In years past, on May 1, even in the United States for a while, there was another holiday, May Day, in which there was singing and dancing around the maypole, which was a tall pole decorated with flowers and colorful ribbons. There was a May queen. May baskets were taken around and hung on people's doors. (From theholidayspot.com)

May Day is still celebrated in places like the quaint little village of Rugby, Tennessee. Greg and I went to this celebration a few years ago, and we loved it!

Another small town in Tennessee, Bell Buckle, has a yearly festival, "Daffodil Day," which celebrates the arrival of spring. During the time of the festival, six miles of colorful daffodils line the road which leads to Bell Buckle. This year (2018), the festival is on Saturday, March 17.

Also, I recently read an interesting, helpful article by author and life coach, Valorie Burton, who asked "What are you tolerating?" She wanted you to think about what it is in your life that you are putting up with needlessly that you need to change.

For example, clear out the clutter, replace or repair old worn out furniture, work on unsatisfactory relationships, etc.

It's good to make out a to-do list of all of the things that you have been tolerating since they can really drag you down. Handling these issues should give you more energy and less stress.

This does work, because I went through our house and other facets of my life, and found some things that needed attention, and after I'd taken care of them, I felt so much better, and more positive.

So, throw off the cloak of winter, and embrace spring and new beginnings!

Positive thought: "Every ending is creating the space and opening for an amazing new beginning."
-Bryant McGill
Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, April 1, 2018, Becky

Positive St. Patrick's Day!

"St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time-a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic."
-Author Unknown

My mother always thought that Southwest Virginia, where I grew up, looks a lot like Ireland.  I'll have to agree with that.  That's probably why so many Irish people settled in that region.

Riddle: "What do you get when you cross poison ivy with a four-leaf clover?  A rash of good luck."
-Author Unknown

Positive observation: Spring is just around the corner (on March 20!) , and here's proof in the pictures that I took here in Tennessee a few days ago-

Positive tidbit:
Little tricks I use to make daily "chores" more pleasant:
-I make a game out of doing them, like seeing if I can fit all of the dirty dishes into the dishwasher without them touching each other (except for the flatware). (It's somewhat like working a jigsaw puzzle.)
-I sometimes enjoy singing or saying positive affirmations while I work.
-Brainstorming ideas while working can be a positive thing to do.
-I usually give myself a little reward when I get done.  The reward can range from a pat on the back to watching a DVD according to the difficulty of the activity.
-Even going with the flow and being in a meditative state while working can be beneficial.
(However, at the same time, while doing the above, one needs to be consciously aware of  what what you are doing, for the project to turn out well!)

Positive thought:
"For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way-
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day."
-Author Unknown

Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky

A Few of My Favorite Things

Welcome!

Just like the song says, in one of my favorite movies, The Sound of Music , "These are a few of my favorite things," is the subject of this blog post.  I'd like to share some of the little things that have made my life a little happier and more positive with an emphasis on things Irish, as St. Patrick's Day is this Sunday, March 17.

First of all, Greg and I both have Irish blood flowing through our veins, as do most people in our Southwest Virginia-East Tennessee region.  So, how could we not love things from the Irish culture?
(In fact, so much of our area reminds me of Ireland.)

Just a couple of my favorite Irish quotes are these:

"St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time-a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic."
-Adrienne Cook

"May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of St. Patrick behold you."
-Irish Blessing

Some of my non-Irish favorites are:

We couldn't believe it when we came across these cookies from Australia which bore our name, which is not a common last name.  It's not only great fun because of the name on the package; these cookies are actually delicious.  (And, I don't get a dime for saying so.  Shucks!)

Another of my favorites is animals.  To me, they are fascinating.  We can learn a lot about people by observing them.

Greg and I are both fans of warm, sunny weather.  In fact, Greg jokes that if he were a TV weather man, he'd like to be a fair-weather specialist.

Well, that's my short list of favorites.  What are some of yours?

Positive thought:  May the leprechauns be near you,
                             To spread good luck your way.
                             And may all the Irish angels,
                             Smile upon you St. Patrick's Day. 
                            -Irish Blessing
Beannachtam na Femle Padraig (Happy St. Patrick's Day!)

Thanks for visiting!  "And until we meet again (next Sunday) may God hold you in the palm of his hand." -From "An Irish Blessing," Becky