Mail from Marilyn

One of my first blogging friends was Marilyn from Our Victorian Cottage. While in NY this summer, I snapped this painting in a thrift shop as it made me think of her.

She actually used a photo of Marilyn Monroe as her profile picture. Although she is no longer blogging, we have kept in touch by email and recently I received a package from her that included crochet patterns -- each one nicely tucked inside plastic sleeves with a little note on each pattern as to why she sent it.

A handwritten notecard from a collection called Little Sniffles put out by Moda Company that includes a reproduction children's hankie from the 1930s to 1950s.

And the Attitude of Gratitude issue of MaryJanesFarm that is a magazine devoted to organic living. It's even printed on recycled paper.

Isn't it amazing that you can meet someone virtually and yet feel like you've known them for years? Diane from Pinecones & Roses calls her blogger friends kindred spirits. I've certainly come across many of you who are just that.

My cousin Gwen, who started me blogging in the first place and who had shut down her blog, has recently started another one called Gwenny's Place. I'm glad she's back!

Gratitude preserves old friendships, and procures new.

Hope everyone is having a terrific Tuesday! Friendship blessings, Tammy

It's Been One of Those Days

I donned my chauffeur hat for this day. I have been to school and back home. From home to baseball where I dropped Zack and then back to school to pick up Yusef. Back home for a quick, late lunch, and then back to baseball for Zack. Then, one last trip to school again for the first band concert of the year. Only the 9th grade choir (6 students) performed and the 10th grade band (which most of Yusef's friends are in). Do you know how hard it is to get a 15 year old to take a picture with his mom?

I think we are both having bad hair days! HA!

The first instrumental of the evening was a solo played by Senior Ademiwalore Mojiminiyi who played the Marimba.

Demi, as they call him, is from Nigeria and a fabulous musician.
The 10th Grade Band played Regal March, Sahara, and Battle of the Samurai (which turned out to be a really fun song with hand clapping and sound effects).

Yusef is still playing the trombone. It wasn't his instrument of choice but he seems to be doing well with it.

This is the first time I've sat down at home today and it is 10:00 pm. All the boys are in bed and that's where I'm heading after I get school uniforms out of the dryer. Even Jingles is already sleeping!

I hope your week is off to a great start. Friendship blessings, Tammy

Sunday Spotlight

My Aunt Elaine is my mom's sister. Every year when the boys and I head to the States, Aunt Elaine puts up with us and puts us up for a good part of the summer.

On Thursday I received a box of goodies from her filled with Christmas cross-stitch kits and a notebook ...

bits of material ...

fun crafting accessories ...

a handmade glass Santa broach ...

a Santa pencil and crazy bands for the kids.

Everything was wrapped in Christmas napkins and tissue paper and you can bet I will use every little scrap of it to make something. Thanks Aunt Elaine! You can visit her blog At Home With Elaine and tell her I said hi.

Sending warm hugs and smiles your way for a wonderful Sunday! Friendship blessings, Tammy

Saturday Salutations

I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving. My family was thankful for the turkey that I ordered from our local supermarket deli. Turkey with all the fixens. I'm vegetarian, they are not! :) Zack is my major meat eater.

My contribution to the meal was pumpkin pie I made the nite before. It just isn't Thanksgiving around here if there's no pumpkin pie.

Growing up, every Thanksgiving that I can remember was spent with Mammaw, my dad's mom. Family gathered, a wonderful meal, and always, football games in the background.

I have never been much of a sports fan. I never really watched the games. I was usually taking a nap in Mammaw's guest room. But the sound of the game, the voice of the announcer, until this day always takes me back to Thanksgiving past.

Mammaw died in March of 1988 and things were never the same again.

Holidays are always a time of reflection. Wishing you and yours a memorable season to come. Friendship blessings, Tammy

Happy Thanksgiving!

Each day offers us the gift of being a special occasion if we can simply learn that as well as giving, it is blessed to receive with grace and a grateful heart. Sarah Ban Breathnach


Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light. Albert Schweitzer



Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow. ~Edward Sandford Martin

Wishing you and yours the happiest of days. Friendship blessings, Tammy

Wednesday Wishes

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul. ~Henry Ward Beecher

Wishing you a wonderful day! Friendship blessings, Tammy

Tiles on Tuesday

From the 17th century, these tiles from Iran were on display at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha.

They are earthenware, color-glazed.

I loved the colors.

And the simple designs.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Leonardo Da Vinci

Have a terrific Tuesday! Friendship Blessings, Tammy

Monday at the Museum

Designed by architect I. M. Pei, The Museum of Islamic Art has "one of the world’s most complete collections of Islamic artifacts, ranging from Spain to Egypt to Iran, Iraq, Turkey, India and Central Asia."

"At the age of 91, Pei had to be coaxed out of retirement to undertake this enterprise. He traveled throughout the Muslim world on a six month quest to learn about Muslim architecture and history and read Muslim texts to draw inspiration for his design."

The museum officially opened to the public on December 1, 2008. Below are some of the treasures we were able to view. My eye is always drawn to shades of red and blue ...




Some items I photographed along with their descriptions ...





... while some I took pictures of purely for their aesthetic appeal.
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"History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity." Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC), Pro Publio Sestio
Wishing you all a wonderful week! Friendship blessings, Tammy

Spotlight Sunday

THANKS ...

... to the lovely Zuzu at a Cottage in the Woods and this post, I am reading Tuesdays with Morrie. I've heard of the book and seen many interviews with the author, but until now hadn't read it. An easy, inspirational read that kept me occupied during the wait in the airport and on the flight back home.

... to my friend, Renee, I am enjoying this delicious green tea by Twinings.

... to Glor at Crochet Galore for her Victorian motif post, I made the little crocheted piece that, although it didn't turn out quite right, will be used to embellish something.

... and to this little guy for finally saying CHEESE! This is Melissa's 4-1/2 year old son, Nasser, with Zack. Every time we tried to take photos he would hide his face with his hands.

Finally, our last day together, he decided to cooperate. Zack just loves the little guy.

Wishing you a wonderful day filled with sunshine and smiles. Friendship blessings, Tammy

Sightseeing Saturday

An old friend met in a far country is like rain after a drought. (Chinese proverb)

We had a lovely time in Qatar. Our friend, Melissa, was also able to join us with her family from Kuwait.

Qatar is a bidding nation for the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Huge soccer balls can be found all around the country that have the most wonderful quotations on them.

Keep your feet on the ground but let your heart soar as high as it will.

Mine and Renee's boys and husbands went to see a friendly game between Argentina and Brazil in Khalifa Stadium.

Yusef said the game was the best part of the trip but not a one of them took along a camera.


We visited the Museum of Islamic Art

An old souk called Souk Waqif (the standing market) which is around a 100 years old and has recently been restored.

And made a couple of trips to Villagio.

This mall is designed to look like an outdoor shopping area. Blue skies and clouds included.

You can even pretend you are in Venice and take a gondola ride down the canal that is found in the middle of the mall.

We arrived home late last nite. Thankfully we have this day to recoup before heading back to school tomorrow. I hope everyone had a great week. Happy weekend wishes! Friendship blessings, Tammy