It's Puppy Mania!!!

Wow! I've never had such a huge response to one of my posts before. I would love to think that it's my brilliant writing skills or my quick wit or my artistic photography or my dry humor; but alas...I know it's puppy mania.

But I really can't be too "alas" about it cause she is a great subject. I'm contemplating just posting cute puppy pictures for my future blog career :-)

Thanks to everyone for all the comments and compliments and kind words. My daughter April was really thrilled that everyone had such a great response for Chorizo/Precious.

Here's some photos taken by April from her IPhone. Enjoy and for a little bit, just bear with me and the fact that I will probably bore you all to death with puppy talk. I promise for Iwanna Wednesday I won't post puppy pics. Well maybe one, but c'mon...she's soooooooo cute!



She's only a bit bigger than a calculator, that should give you an idea of how teenie-tiny she is.

Thanks again to everyone and you know...as long as you're here, you could hit the follow button over there in the sidebar and be guaranteed to be notified every time there's a puppy post :0)

Veni Redemptor Gentium

Veni, redemptor gentium,
ostende partum Virginis;
miretur omne saeculum:
talis decet partus Deum.

Non ex virili semine,
sed mystico spiramine
Verbum Dei factum est caro
fructusque ventris floruit.

Alvus tumescit Virginis,
claustrum pudoris permanet,
vexilla virtutum micant,
versatur in templo Deus.

Procedat e thalamo suo,
pudoris aula regia,
geminae gigas substantiae
alacris ut currat viam.

Aequalis aeterno Patri,
carnis tropaeo cingere,
infirma nostri corporis
virtute firmans perpeti.

Praesepe iam fulget tuum
lumenque nox spirat novum,
quod nulla nox interpolet
fideque iugi luceat.

Sit, Christe, rex piissime,
tibi Patrique gloria
cum Spiritu Paraclito,
in sempiterna saecula. Amen.

Plainchant
Text: St. Ambrose of Milan

See my other blog postings in the plainchant series.

Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (Germany)

See also the English version: Saviour of the Nations, Come

Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland,
Der Jungfrauen Kind erkannt!
Dass sich wundre alle Welt,
Gott solch' Geburt ihm bestellt.

Nicht von Mann's Blut noch von Fleisch,
Allein von dem Heil'gen Geist
Ist Gott's Wort worden ein Mensch
Und blüht ein' Frucht Weibesfleisch.

Der Jungfrau Leib schwanger ward,
Doch blieb Keuschheit rein bewahrt,
Leucht't hervor manch' Tugend schön,
Gott da war in seinem Thron.

Er ging aus der Kammer sein,
Dem kön'glichen Saal so rein,
Gott von Art und Mensch ein Held,
Sein'n Weg er zu laufen eilt.

Sein Lauf kam vom Vater her
Und kehrt' wieder zum Vater,
Fuhr hinunter zu der Höll'
Und wieder zu Gottes Stuhl.

Der du bist dem Vater gleich,
Führ' hinaus den Sieg im Fleisch,
Dass dein' ew'ge Gott'sgewalt
In uns das krank' Fleisch erhalt'.

Dein' Krippe glaenzt hell und klar,
Die Nacht gibt ein neu Licht dar,
Dunkel mus nicht kommen drein,
Der Glaub' bleibt immer im Schein

Lob sei Gott dem Vater g'tan,
Lob sei Gott sein'm ein'gen Sohn,
Lob sei Gott dem Heil'gen Geist
Immer und in Ewigkeit.

See also the English version: Saviour of the Nations, Come

Paraphrase of St Ambrose, Veni Redemptor Gentium

Text: Martin Luther (1524)
Music: Einsiedeln (12th century)/Geystliche gesangk Buchleyn, Wittenberg (1524)

Mosaic Monday - I fell in love during Thanksgiving!

Yes, it finally happened. It happened to me and I can't believe it! I fell in love, madly in love over the Thanksgiving Holiday!

I fell in love with a guest that my daughter brought home with her to share our Thanksgiving Day. A surprise guest that I was not expecting, but from first sight that guest will be in my heart forever!

Let me introduce you to this new love of mine. (Click to enlarge photos)

Isn't she adorable? This is Chorizo (I did not choose the name, I call her Precious). Chorizo is a spicy Spanish pork sausage, but Chorizo from now on to me is my daughter's new puppy.

If you know me, then you know that I am not a dog person. At the risk of insulting every dog person out there...I am a cat person. But actually I'm not really a pet person at all. But Chorizo/Precious has changed all that. I love this puppy. Look at that face? How could you not love her? And she's so smart and has such a great disposition and her own sweet little personality even though she's only 8 weeks old.

I spent a lot of time with Precious as my daughter went to Black Friday sales and slept most of Saturday so I had a lot of time to bond with her. And bond I did; when April left with her last night I cried myself to sleep!

Chorizo/Precious is a Shih Tzu-Poodle mix breed. They are great dogs for people with allergies as they shed very little. She has the cuteness of the ShihTzu and the intelligence and hypoallergenic qualities of the poodle.

All I know is she's stolen my heart and I can't wait to see her at Christmas. For now April is under strict instructions that she must email me a picture a day!

Please visit Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday and see what else everyone else is sharing.



I'm sure there will be lots of holiday photos and ideas for Christmas decorating; but I couldn't wait to share my love for this sweet little puppy. Have a great week eveyone!

O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf (Germany)

See also the English translation: O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide

O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf,
Herab, herab, vom Himmel lauf!
Reiß ab vom Himmel Tor und Tür,
Reiß ab, wo Schloß und Riegel für!

O Gott, ein’ Tau vom Himmel gieß;
Im Tau herab, o Heiland, fließ.
Ihr Wolken, brecht und regnet aus
Den König über Jakobs Haus.

O Erd’, schlag aus, schlag aus, o Erd’,
Daß Berg und Tal grün alles werd’
O Erd’, herfür dies Blümlein bring,
O Heiland, aus der Erden spring.

Wo bleibst du, Trost der ganzen Welt,
Darauf sie all’ ihr’ Hoffnung stellt?
O komm, ach komm vom höchsten Saal,
Komm tröst uns hie im Jammertal.

O klare Sonn’, du schöner Stern,
Dich wollten wir anschauen gern.
O Sonn’, geh auf, ohn’ deinen Schein
In Finsternis wir alle sein.

Hie leiden wir die größte Not,
Vor Augen steht der ewig’ Tod;
Ach komm, führ uns mit starker Hand
Vom Elend zu dem Vaterland.

Da wollen wir all’ danken dir,
Unserm Erlöser, für und für.
Da wollen wir all’ loben dich
Je allzeit immer und ewiglich.

See also the English translation: O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide

Paraphrase of Rorate caeli desuper

Text: Friedrich Spee (1622)
Tune: Rheinfelsisches Gesangbuch (1666)

Villancico Yaucano (Puerto Rico)

Quisiera niño besarte,
y San José no me deja,
dice que te haré llorar,
¿Verdad que aún así me dejas?...

Ha nacido en un portal,
llenito de telarañas,
entre la mula y el buey,
el redentor de las almas.

En Belén tocan a fuego,
del portal sale la llama;
Es una estrella en el cielo
que ha caído entre las pajas.

Yo soy un pobre yaucano,
que vengo de Yauco aquí,
y a mi niño Dios le traigo
un gallo ki-ki-ri-kí.

Ya lo sabes niño hermoso
soy del pueblo del café
por si quieres dos saquitos
también yo te los traeré...

Yo soy Juan el verdulero,
que vengo de la montaña,
y te traigo viandas buenas
desde mi humilde cabaña...

Al niño recién nacido
todos le ofrecen un don...
Yo como no tengo nada
le ofrezco mi corazón.

Macht hoch die Tür (Germany)

See also the English translation: Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates

1. Macht hoch die Tür, die Tor macht weit,
Es kommt der Herr der Herrlichkeit,
Ein König aller Königreich,
Ein Heiland aller Welt zugleich,
Der Heil und Leben mit sich bringt;
Derhalben jauchzt, mit Freuden singt:
Gelobet sei mein Gott,
Mein Schöpfer, reich von Rat.

2. Er ist gerecht, ein Helfer wert,
Sanftmütigkeit ist sein Gefährt,
Sein Königskron ist Heiligkeit,
Sein Zepter ist Barmherzigkeit.
All unsre Not zum End er bringt.
Derhalben jauchzt, mit Freuden singt:
Gelobet sei mein Gott,
Mein Heiland, groß von Tat.

3. O wohl dem Land, o wohl der Stadt,
So diesen König bei sich hat.
Wohl allen Herzen insgemein,
Da dieser König ziehet ein.
Er ist die rechte Freudensonn,
Bringt mit sich lauter Freud und Wonn.
Gelobet sei mein Gott,
Mein Tröster, früh und spat.

4. Macht hoch die Tür, die Tor' macht weit,
Eu'r Herz zum Tempel zubereitt´.
Die Zweiglein der Gottseligkeit
Steckt auf mit Andacht, Lust und Freud;
So kommt der König auch zu euch,
Ja, Heil und Leben mit zugleich.
Gelobet sei mein Gott,
Voll Rat, voll Tat, voll Gnad.

5. Komm, o mein Heiland Jesu Christ,
Meins Herzens Tür dir offen ist.
Ach zeuch mit deiner Gnade ein;
Dein Freundlichkeit auch uns erschein.
Dein Heilger Geist uns führ und leit
Den Weg zur ewgen Seligkeit.
Dem Namen dein, o Herr,
Sei ewig Preis und Ehr.

PDF: Music Notation

See also the English translation: Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates

Paraphrase of Ps. 24:7-10
Text: Georg Weissel (1623)
Tune: Johann A. Freylinghausen (1704)

Alabare A Mi Señor (Mexico)

CHORUS:

ALABARE, ALABARE, ALABARE,
ALABARE, ALABARE A MI SEÑOR (repeat)

Juan vió al número de los redimidos.
Todos adoraban al Señor.... See More
Unos oraban, otros cantaban.
Todos alababan al Señor. (Chorus)

Somos tus hijos, Dios Padre eterno,
Tú nos has creado por amor.
Te adoramos, te bendecimos.
Todos cantamos en tu honor. (Chorus)

Todos unidos, siempre cantaremos
glorias y alabanzas al Señor.
Gloria al Padre, gloria al Hijo,
gloria al Espíritu de Amor. (Chorus)

Composer: Mariano de Blas

Papuri Sa Diyos (Philippines)

Papuri sa Diyos (3x) sa kaitaasan
At sa lupa'y kapayapaan (2x)
sa mga taong kinalulugdan N'ya
Pinupuri Ka namin, dinarangal Ka namin
Sinasamba Ka namin ipinagbubunyi Ka namin
Pinasasalamatan Ka namin
Dahil sa dakila Mong angking kapurihan Panginoong Diyos hari ng langit
Diyos Amang makapangyarihan sa lahat
Panginoong Hesukristo, bugtong na Anak
Panginoong Diyos Kordero ng Diyos, Anak ng Ama
Papuri sa Diyos (2x) Papuri sa Diyos sa kaitaasan

Ikaw na nagaalis ng mga kasalanan ng sanlibutan
Maawa Ka (2x) sa amin
lkaw na nag-aalis ng mga kasalanan ng sanlibutan
Tanggapin Mo ang aming kahilingan (2x)
Ikaw na naluluklok sa kanan ng Ama
maawa Ka (2x) sa amin

Papuri sa Diyos (2x) sa kaitaasan
Sapagkat Ikaw lamang ang banal at ang Kataastaasan
Ikaw lamang 0 Hesukristo ang Panginoon
Kasama ng Espiritu Santo sa kadakilaan
ng Diyos Ama. Amen (2x)
Papuri sa Diyos (3x) sa kaitaasan

Composer: Eduado P. Hontiveros, SJ

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Salamat Sa Iyo (Philippines)

Salamat sa Iyo
Aking Panginoong Hesus
Ako'y inibig mo
At inangking lubos

Chorus:

Ang tanging alay ko
Sa Iyo aking Ama
Ang buong buhay ko
Puso at kaluluwa
Hindi makayanang maipagkaloob
Mamahaling hiyas o gintong sinukob
Ang tanging dalangin
O Diyos ay tanggapin
Ang tanging alay ko
Nawa ay gamitin
Ito lamang Ama wala nang iba pa
Akong hinihiling

Di ko akalain
Na ako ay 'Yong bigyang pansin
Ang taong tulad ko'y
Di dapat mahalin
Chorus

Aking hinihintay
Ang Iyong pagbabalik, Hesus
Ang makapiling Ka'y
Kagalakang lubos
Chorus
Di dapat mahalin

Pananagutan (Philippines)

Walang sinuman ang nabubuhay
Para sa sarili lamang
Walang sinuman ang namamatay
Para sa sarili lamang

Chorus:

Tayong lahat ay may pananagutan sa isa't-isa
Tayong lahat ay tinipon ng Diyos
na kapiling N'ya

Sa ating pagmamahalan
At paglilingkod kanino man
Tayo ay nagdadala ng balita ng kaligtasan
(Chorus)

Sabay-sabay ngang mag-aawitan
Ang mga bansa
Tayo'y tinuring ng Panginoon
Bilang mga anak
(Chorus)

Composer: Eduardo P. Hontiveros, SJ

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Tuhan Sumber Gembiraku (Indonesia)

Refrain:

Semua bunga ikut bernyanyi
Gembira hatiku
Segala rumput pun riang tia
Tuhan sumber gembiraku

Semua jalan di dunia menuntunmu ke surga
Desiran angin nan mesra mengayunmu ke surga Refrain

Semua lorong di bumi haruslah kau jalani
Bersama dengan sesama menuju pada Bapa Refrain

Semua pematang sawah menanti telapakmu
Derita ria bersama meringankan langkahmu Refrain

Semua roda hidupmu mendambakan imanmu
Di perjamuan abadi Bapa sudah menanti Refrain

Iwanna Wednesday - Random Wants

I always tell everyone that I have the world at my fingertips when I'm sitting at my computer. Almost anything I can think of someone has already dreamed of and invented. So today Iwanna share some unique things I've found online in my travels.

For instance, Light Bites. Handy little forks that you can use to hold the candles on the cake and then use to eat the cake! How cool are they? Iwanna some of these for my next birthday! Wouldn't they make it much more fun? You can find these at Fred & Friends.



And don't you just hate plain old brown bandages when you have a boo-boo? Iwanna some cool ones like these next time I have a cut, it would almost make it worthwhile to get a boo-boo or two! You can find these at Archie McPhee & Co. They also have lots of other unique items.







Iwanna all of these. Aren't they sooooooo cute? I don't do much grating, but I think if I had these I would. I'd be making hash browns and grated cheese, and, and, ummm, I'd make, ummm, well grated stuff. These can be found at Art Effect Chicago.

And you know how hard it can be to get kids to eat certain things? I think even my 24 year old son and my 28 year old daughter would eat almost anything I put in front of them if I had one of these they could use. I found this at CoolBusinessIdeas.com.



And I know many parents don't want their children or grandchildren playing with guns so Iwanna show you these versions of condiment dispensers:

Ketchup Charlie!



and Mustard Marvin! You can actually just attach these two guys to your ketchup or mustard bottle. Pretty cool huh? I found these at Spread Heads!


But all kidding aside. I really do Iwanna one of these, actually Iwanna two of them. One for under my chair at home and one for under my chair at work. Aren't they super awesome? Have you ever heard or seen these? You can even customize one with photos of your family! I found these at UnderMats.



Iwanna also wish everyone a great Thanksgiving Day. Iwanna everyone to be surrounded by those they love and that love them back. Iwanna everyone to have delicious food. And Iwanna thank everyone who follows my blog and comments to me in person, in emails and in the blog comments.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING
FROM IWANNA!

Sunday Favorites - Coffeelicious!

It's time again for Sunday Favorites. I love Sunday favorites because there are so many posts that I've written that I've forgotten about. So I get to go back and reminisce. I hope you enjoy the one I'm sharing today that I write on November 21, 2008. Remember to visit Chari at Happy to Design to see what everyone else has shared for today!

Post from November 21, 2008

This photo needs no words. How did they do this?

If you were amazed by that, how did they do this?

Isn't human creativity and imagination amazing?

Coffee smells like freshly ground heaven. ~Jessi Lane Adams

Book Review - "I know this much is true"

I just finished reading a pretty good book and I realized I've read 24 books now and I've never mentioned or reviewed one of them. And I've read a lot of good ones this year.

Currently I'm reading a book my sister gave me called "Love, Ellen" written by Ellen DeGeneres's mom Betty. But that's not the one I want to talk about today.

I want to talk about this one:



"I know this much is true" by Wally Lamb is a book about two twin brothers. Two brothers growing up together in a home with an abusive step-father and a loving but weak-willed and weak-minded mother.

The oldest brother, Thomas is a paranoid schizophrenic. His disease does not begin to appear or to affect him until he leaves home to go to college. But Thomas has always been fragile and weak and therefore his mother's favorite. The book starts with Thomas after his illness has hit him full force sawing off his own arm in a public library.

The younger twin, Dominick is the normal brother; or at least more normal than Thomas. He doesn't get abused as much by their stepfather Ray, but life is still not easy for him. The hardest part for Dominick is that he is never just Dominick, he's one of the twins. And once his mother passes away and Thomas' disease becomes full-blown; Dominick cannot live his life for himself but has to live it in order to take care of his brother; after promising his mother Concettina who dies of cancer that he always would.

The story also involves Concettina's father, Domenico Onofrio Tempesta, a Sicilian immigrant who probably is mentally unbalanced himself. He comes to America leaving his mother to live and die alone in Sicily. He brings his two brothers, one a Don Juan and one a simpleton. Domenico is a vain, stupid man who makes everyone who comes into contact with him miserable. Yet his daughter loves him unconditionally.

Throughout the book, Domenico writes the story of his life, a lesson and guide to the Sons of Italy in how to become a success in America. While reading Domenico's story I would get so angry that this man was so abusive to his brothers, his wife and her friends and then later on to his daughter Concettina, mother of the twins who is born cursed with a harelip. I really disliked this man!

The book is pretty long and the stories weave in and out through different time periods, but it was a good book and kept my interest. I haven't even mentioned half the characters in the book. If you have a chance to read it, let me know what you think.

So what have you been reading? What book would you recommend?

Iwanna Wednesday - It's a Bangle Thang!

Lately I've been on a jewelry kick. I think it all started a few Friday's ago when my sister Lisa and I went to Macy's and I wandered around in the jewelry department. I think I caught a virus, a jewelry "bug".

And you know that they say about jewelry. Oh...you don't? Well what they say is:

"Jewelry takes people's minds off your wrinkles" ~Sonja Henie

So in the spirit of taking people's minds off my wrinkles (not that I actually have any) and being that this is Iwanna Wednesday and I can Iwanna anything; be it imaginary, extravagent, not invented yet...pretty much anything IWANNA, what Iwanna is. BANGLE BRACELETS!!!

When I was in high school, I remember having one exactly like this one. I loved it. I wore it every single day. But somewhere between high school and today (and no, we don't have to know how many years that was) I lost it. So Iwanna just a simple gold bangle like this one.

Or maybe Iwanna one like this. Still very simple and elegant and something I can wear everyday with almost anything right?


But then I got a little greedy and I thought to myself, "Self...if one bangle is good, wouldn't a whole bunch of them be better?" So Iwanna these now. Hmmm, maybe these on the right arm and the two above on the left arm? Hey...it's my Iwanna Wednesday, why not. And they're solid gold so I could wear them without fear of any nickel allergy.
Well, then again...you know what they say about Gold right? You don't? Oh geesh, alright, well let me fill you in.

Gold! gold! gold! gold! Bright and yellow, hard and cold! ~Thomas Hood

That makes sense, right, hard and cold. Maybe since the weather is getting colder and clothes are getting bulkier, maybe Iwanna something like these.

Bold and Bulky! Now Iwanna won't be Sulky! ~ Iwanna

Huh? What do you mean that's cheesy? I thought it was rather clever!

But as it's almost time for the holidays, how about these below? These are perfect with all the colors of Christmas, I think Iwanna these instead.


But then again, you know what they say (why do "they" always have so much to say?)

"Don't miss all the colors of the Rainbow looking for that Pot of Gold"

Maybe I should listen to they and look for something a little more colorful. I think Iwanna some of these. Aren't they beautiful?

"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." ~Irish Blessing

Iwanna so many pretty things, but always remember, even when you Iwanna everything. . .

I would rather be adorned by beauty of character than jewels. Jewels are the gift of fortune, while character comes from within. ~ Titus Maccius Plautus

I've been featured at Blog Brew Review!!!

Imagine my surprise today when I took a little break from the Salt Mines to check my email and I had an email from Summur over at BRALEY MAMA letting me know that she had featured my blog over at Blog Brew Review!!!

I was overwhelmed by her kind words and her review of my blog. Please everyone head over there and check out the lovely things Summur said about my blog and also head over and visit Summur's blog. I've mentioned her before on my blog cause she has the cutest little baby girls ever in Blogland!

She also has one of the best Mama blogs for mama's of all ages! Thank you Summur! Your kind words and recognition mean so much to me!

A Blog of Note for Bill from Affordable Accoutrements!!

Every now and again I check Bloggers Blogs of Note and find a pretty good blog to follow, but imagine my surprise to find as Blog of Note for November 12th a blog that I've been following for quite a few months now.

I clapped my hands with Glee!!! Literally!

Bill from Affordable Accoutrements!!

Bill has such a wonderful blog and I especially love his tablescapes. He fills his table with romance and the grace and elegance of "olden days". Not only is his blog beautiful; it's also educational and historical as he goes into a lot of detail as to who and where his dishes, glassware, silverware, everything came from. He also makes a mean mojito!

If you want to follow a blog that will fill you with Awe and make you go *sigh* please run over there right now!

Congratulations Bill! Good work and I hope to enjoy your gorgeous tablescapes for many years to come!

Mosaic Monday - Things Treasured

Many people have questioned my passion for collecting trinkets,
baubles, curios and doodads.

Junk, jewelry, novelties and whatnot's.
Many people have scoffed at the idea of traipsing
through someones home at an estate sale,
or spend a Saturday touring thrift stores.
They wonder how it could possibly bring me pleasure
to go through someones things.

"Doesn't it make you sad?" they ask.
"To rifle, go through, grab, pillage and plunder
someones possessions?
Someone who is now dead and gone?
Someone you never knew?"

My theory is a simple one.
The joy, pleasure and sheer ecstasy I feel when I find a treasure;
I know that someone else upon my death will find that same
joy, pleasure and sheer ecstasy in rifling, pillaging and plundering
through my treasures.
That's it...simple enough.

And someday, when someone goes through my things, perhaps,
perchance; it will be a kindred spirit of mine.
Someone who also will consider my death not as an end
but as an beginning to inherit and cherish the items
I collected
with
J O Y

Please be sure to visit Mary at Little Red House for lots of other beautiful mosaics on this Mosaic Monday!

It's a Cloche Party and you're all invited!!!

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life is hosting a Holiday Cloche Party and I can't wait! I had so much fun last time and now with holiday decorating to inspire us the sky's the limit!

Please click here for more details and feel free to grab Marty's button below and spread the word!

Sunday Favorites - A Repeat of a Favorite Post from the Past

It's time again for Sunday Favorites hosted by Chari at Happy to Design.

This a favorite post from September 18, 2008 entitled
Store Bought Dresses of my Youth or (What a Selfish Child was I?)

I was reading a super funny blog today that I’ve been reading for a couple of days now. See I’m anal and when I read one I like I have to go way back to the very first posting they wrote to find out why they started blogging and then continue on to the present in an attempt to get to know them better before I just start up reading in the very middle of their lives. I’m kind of just as anal about movies because I can’t just start watching one in the middle and I can’t miss any words, so if I can’t rewind them to hear every single word then I just won’t watch it.

Anyway, more about my OCD later, for right now I was reading this. The writer, Tammy writes, “When I was a little girl, I remember my mom going to great pains to make birthday cakes for my sister and me. By most reasonable standards, they were whimsical and delicious. Birthdays were one of the only times I was allowed to have sugar, so I should have been grateful. Instead, I was pissed. The cake didn’t look at all like the ones at the grocery store, or the ones at every other birthday party I attended. I felt cheated.”

It brought back memories of my childhood and the dresses that my mom would sew with so much love and detail for me and my sister. Sometimes she would sew the same exact dress for herself too and we would all go to church matching. It seems so sweet and loving and mommyish to me now. But back then I was pissed! I didn’t want home made dresses; I wanted the store-bought dresses my cousin Elpedia wore. I felt cheated!

Elpedia was blessed (I thought) with a mom who bought her beautiful, girlish, pink, chiffon and satin dresses with ribbons and lace, while I wore stupid cotton frocks that tied in the back and matched my little sister. I wanted “vestidos de la tienda”.

How selfish and childish were we when we were children, or was it just me that was selfish? I guess that’s why they called us children isn’t it? Now I see that my dresses were made by my mom’s loving hands, created in her head and heart by her love for us. No store bought dress could ever compete with that.

My daughter April was fortunate to have received many of these "labors of love" from my mom. I have pictures and pictures of her in dresses made by my mom, but what I don't have is a stinking scanner! I did take the first picture below by taking a picture with my camera of a picture hanging on my wall. April is the oldest grandchild (she's 27 now) and she's wearing a red velvet Christmas dress made for her by her Nana. April was probably about 2 in this picture.

The next picture is of the youngest and probably last grandchild my mom will ever have, Melissa. Melissa is also blessed to have received home-made, love-made dresses from Nana such as the Dora the Explorer sundress she's wearing that her daddy is trying to fluff up for the picture. My mom was not only talented but she's in the swing of things and knows who Dora the Explorer is, plus she thinks Melissa looks like Dora. Oh...and the chili pepper curtains you see to the right in Melissa's pictures were also made by my mom, because you just can't find chili pepper curtains and she's the Queen of the Chili Colorado!

And the girls in the family weren't the only ones to benefit from my mom's love and talent for sewing. In the next picture is my son Jim, her oldest grandson who is now 23. She sewed this Babe Ruth costume for him for a play at school where he had to be, what else? Babe Ruth. He still remembers this costume and I'm sure I have it tucked away somewhere in a box, as I do many other things, but that's a whole different OCD/packrat story for later.