~ In Remembrance of My Sister ~

I thought of you today, but that is nothing new.  I thought about you yesterday, and days before that too.  I think of you in silence, I often speak your name.  All I have are memories and a picture in a frame. 
Your memory is a keepsake, from which I'll never part. God has you in His arms. 
I have you in my heart.  

In Loving Memory of My Sister 
~ Sherry Colleen Curtis ~
April 23, 1957 - September 22, 2013

Celebration of Life for Sherry

"FOOTPRINTS" was a favorite of Sherry's, she had plaques and photos of it around her home.  It was used in the Stevens Mortuary pamphlet for the Funeral Service information, along with a photo of Sherry.

~.~.~   ~.~.~   ~.~.~

~ In Loving Memory of Sister ~

My Dear Sister, I know there is another angel in heaven today, and you have a new pair of angel’s wings. You have been released from pain and suffering, you have been set free. Go on and fly freely Sherry, soar higher than the rainbows and far beyond those stars. I'll miss your smile and your infectious laughter. I know you will always be around us, engulfing us with your love. Gone from sight but never from my heart, where you will live on forever. Rest in peace sweet Sister. I miss you. I love you, always! ~Tammy

image source

'Maters and Memories...

Tomatoes are another great thing that I love about the summertime!

I love tomatoes, especially fresh tomatoes. I picked up these lovely tomatoes at the local farmer's market.  I really do love me some fresh summer tomatoes, ehem ...tomaters or 'maters as some call them!  These were huge and they smell and taste wonderful, they're very delicious.  There is the whole argument of whether they are a fruit, or are they a vegetable?  Either way I love 'em just the same!

The smell of fresh tomatoes always brings back fond childhood memories of my grandmother, and of her walking with me through her garden.  She would pick us a fresh tomato from the vine, and she was on the ready with a dish towel tucked to her somewhere, along with a salt shaker.  She would carefully wipe the tomato clean, and then we would sprinkle them with salt and eat the tomatoes right then and there!...mmmm All the while the wonderful aroma of the tomato plants and fresh tomatoes surrounded us as we enjoyed the warmth of a summer's day, as we shared in our love for tomatoes!

These also remind me of the tomatoes my Mother and Father-in-law would grow.  But theirs were the biggest tomatoes I have ever seen!  I remember a photo of one of their tomatoes sitting over the opening of a one gallon paint can, that's how big humongous those tomatoes were!  They had lots of fresh tomatoes, and also canned quite a bit of them.  I remember those jars of tomatoes being proudly on display, on shelves in the kitchen.  They always shared those tasty canned tomatoes and still gave away plenty of fresh tomatoes too.  Their tomatoes were awesome, and very delicious.  I was always delighted when their tomatoes were ready to eat, and also when I was given those jars of tomatoes that had been prepared with love, with those tomatoes grown with love!  Maybe that was the secret?! *wink*

  

That is a 9 oz paper cup to give a little perspective.

 Look at that deliciousness!  This was the largest one all sliced up and on a saucer.  Yum!

I think I should make some yummy Bruschetta with these!  Oh yes, and Tomato, Cucumber and Onion Salad!
(I'll post the recipes for these soon)

These are mouth watering goodness!
Definitely drool worthy!...
~ Tammy ~



Here's a fun video I found about homegrown tomaters!
Enjoy!!

Flowers for me?

It's really very nice when your Honey brings you flowers!  Out of the blue, no special occasion or anything even.  I was feeling quite pleased and appreciative, but then suddenly I find my self wondering, "What have I done?"  Wait a minute, more to the truth is I'm wondering, "Hmmm, what has he done?"*tapping my fingers*  I actually said both thoughts out loud and he quickly replied while sporting a big ole smile, "Nothing, I just wanted to get you flowers and to tell you how much I love you."   Aww, be still my beating heart!  Well, while feeling quite surprised and grateful, with a school girl blush and flirty glance I smiled and replied, "Thanks Honey, that was very nice of you.  I love you too."  Pretty sweet actually, and he definitely earned some Hubby points.  He had simply gone to the store to pick up a few breakfast items and returned with flowers too!  Oh and he also cooked breakfast, so I was feeling especially pampered!  What a guy, he sure does have his moments!  Yeah, gotta love it when they pitter-pat that heart, ya know?!*wink*   

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Sometimes it's those little unexpected things that make an ordinary day, extraordinary!...

~ Tammy ~

Christmas Surprises

A couple of my favorite Christmas gifts this year.

I'm so thankful for everything I received this Christmas and I'm feeling very blessed.  I am also very grateful to have had my loved ones put some extra thought into my surprises.  My daughters both spoiled me with many nice gifts, and I had a couple of favorites I wanted to share.  I especially loved a gift from my oldest Daughter and her husband, a family photo collage.  I love it, and I must admit it made me cry when I saw it, happy tears of course.  It's really nice and I know they spent time on it for me.  

I also especially loved a gift from our other Daughter, of a beautiful hand knitted scarf that she made for me, I know she spent time on it for me too and it is so perfectly me, I love it!  Hubby gave me something very special that sparkles, and also a new laptop that I love and am enjoying everyday, and also sometimes into the wee hours of the morning such as right now{*yawn*}, as I type away on this blog post, but I really wanted to share this.  My eye lids may be a bit heavy right now, but my smile is wide and my heart is full.

Family Photo Collage

So many great photos and they did such a great job on it.  I love all the photos they chose to use.  

Our parents placed beside us on the top row, my parents in the upper left corner and Hubby with his parents in the upper right corner (from a trip they took to Yosemite).  I love that they also added a wedding photo of us, and included our beloved dog Jake (who was part of our family, and shared life with us for almost 14 yrs), and the rest of the photos of daughters, son-in-law and granddaughters, and a group photo in the center.  The photos of our granddaughters sitting in leaves shaped into hearts (I love hearts!) are a couple of my favorite recent photos of them too.  And the phrase just completes this.  "Family memories are always close at heart." 

Hand Knitted Scarf

This is a beautiful scarf.  

This is an interesting and different type of yarn and knitting technique.  (I'm hoping you can see the detail of it, maybe I should have photographed it on a white background?)  She did a very fine job on this, and it's a one of kind made just for me!  I love it and that it really is so perfectly me.  Black and gold are two of my favorite colors and combinations.  I love how it sparkles too.  Its a big HUG around my neck from her each time I put it on!  

Heartfelt Hugs & Smiles...

Twelve Days of Christmas - My True Love Gave to Me

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Actually I gave to my true love twelve days of gifts.  In the spirit of giving I did this last year for my husband on the twelve days leading up to Christmas, beginning on December 13th.  He was like a little boy enjoying each day, also looking forward to the next day's surprise.  I had a fun time and really enjoyed doing it, and spoiling him a bit!  Funny thing also, my daughter had planned this for me too, and I didn't know it.  She had hidden little things around my house when she was here for Thanksgiving, so sneaky and very clever!  So I got to give and receive each day as well!  It's not too late for you to start this fun way to share in some Christmas cheer, and show that special someone you are thinking of them each day with a little something.  It can be what ever, and how much you make of it.  Enjoy!  

Here are some helpful ideas for you to plan your twelve days of Christmas for your true love.
(my examples are for a male, but could be adapted for a female)

-Day One - A single object, a book or a bible, a special ornament for the tree, or perhaps that one special item you know he wanted or something he likes... Go on let him have it early!

-Day Two - Think items in pairs, gloves, or anything that has a set of two, or two of something, two tickets to a movie or concert...

-Day Three, Four, Five, and Six - A packaged set, maybe briefs, or socks, five "honey do" exemption coupons, six pack of beverage...

-Day Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten and Eleven - think creatively since these are larger numbers, seven or eight different candy bars or snacks he likes, a CD with ten songs on it perhaps...

-Day Twelve - think dozen, a dozen of his favorite cookies, or two six packed items...


After I planned the what to give on what days, I planned the how to give them.  A gift under his seat in the car, a note telling him where to look for a gift, or I would have a gift ready to hand him when he got home from work, or I chose a moment after dinner or before bedtime.  This kept him guessing and wondering too.  

I started on December 13th as the first day and planned gifts to give accordingly on the remaining days.  I also added a little poem for each day, and tucked it in with the gift.

On the 1st day of Christmas your true love gives to thee...

A partridge in a pear tree I don't have for you today!

Instead I will give you a nice bottle of Taqueray! :o)

A bottle of Tanqueray Gin

On the 2nd day of Christmas your true love gives to thee...

Two turtle doves might be something you could love.

Two Turtles & Dove candy I'm sure you will love!

Turtles Candy and Dove Candy

On the 3rd day of Christmas your true love gives to thee...

Three French hens I gave them a thought,

but my better judgment said "Better not!"

So instead I will give you 3 Hanes comfort t-shirts,

you like these 'cause they're tag-less and your neck won't hurt!

3 Hanes T-Shirts

On the 4th day of Christmas your true love gives to thee...

4 calling birds must have been called off to somewhere,

you can look all you want, but you won't find them here!

you'll be much happier with what is inside,

and now your excitement must be building, tomorrow is day 5!

2 Shirts & 2 Lounge Pants

On the 5th day of Christmas your true love gives to thee...

5 golden rings?
Nope, that might seem a bit strange,

but these 5 packs of targets can be used at the range!

5 packs of Targets

On the 6th day of Christmas your true love gives to thee...

Six geese a-laying, that would be funny indeed!

I'd rather give you something I know that you need!

This goes with day one it's not ironic,

today I give you 6 bottles of Tonic!

6 pack of Sweppes Tonic Water

On the 7th day of Christmas your true love gives to thee...

Seven swans a-swimming would be a pretty sight,

but that's not what you're going to find here tonight!

Today being day 7 you know I'm not finished yet,

today I give you a 7 piece shot glass set!

7 piece Shot Glass Set

On the 8th day of Christmas your true love gives to thee...

8 maids a-milking, oh no not a chance!

No maids of any kind will you glance!

8 Milk Duds or Rolos?  I just couldn't choose,

with these, I knew I just couldn't lose!

8 Candy Bars

On the 9th day of Christmas your true love gives to thee...

9 ladies dancing, that is not going to happen and you know it!

So if you're disappointed, you better not show it! :o)~

Although there's not 9 you'll think it's real fine,

a Wine Areator to aerate our wine!

Vinturi Wine Areator

On the 10th day of Christmas your true love gives to thee...

Ten lords a-leaping where and how high,

I would sure like to know and I sure wonder why?

On this 10th day of Christmas I wondered what to do,

so these 10 things I decided I would give to you.

(-no photo for this gift, a box containing 10 items:
2 Shirts, 1 DVD, 1 CD, 1 Gift card, 1 barrel of Pretzels, 
1 bag of Pistachios, 1 bottle of Margarita mix, 
1 jar of large Olives, 1 pack of Microfiber cloths-)

On the 11th day of Christmas your true love gives to thee...

11 pipers piping would be too many to keep up with!

So I decided to keep it simple with a simple gift!

On this 11th day of Christmas it will soon be Christmas night,

I give you these 5-11 sunglasses to protect your sight!

5-11 Sunglasses

On the 12th day of Christmas your true love gives to thee...

On this 12th day of Christmas 12 things you'll find in here.

Given with much love and hope that I've brought to you great cheer!

May you always have this memory as you travel onward through your life,

the joy you had experiencing The Twelve Days of Christmas from your wife!

12 bottles of his favorite wine

** Merry Chrismas  **

With Love

~Tammy~

A Christmas memory a true love will enjoy!...
Merry Christmas!

clipart image source

Jake - Remembering Jake



~ Jacob Valentino ~

2-14-98  ~ 12-23-11

Born on Valentine's day February 14, 1998

Six weeks old

 Jake our beloved pet dog, he was with us for almost 14 years. 

    

Hearts, Roses and a Bear, Oh My...Valentine!

My Hubby gave me this adorable gift for Valentine's day!  He was all smiles and said "I know how you love purple, so, see I pay attention!"  It was nice of him and very sweet indeed!  

I took this picture so I could see and always remember those beautiful roses!

Thanks Babe, you've always been my Valentine! :o)

Feeling Loved! <3 ...="" p="">