Simply Brilliant

Song - Graduation Day by The Beach Boys

Our family enjoyed a MBA graduation over the weekend.....

it was our daughter-in-law-to-be....Ashley!!!!

She is the one in the black mortarboard and red & blue sash........see her?.....she's right there!!!

There she is waiting patiently to go up the ramp to receive her diploma........

She is looking very serious and a little nervous.........

....perhaps they made a mistake?

There she is......smiling now that she spotted Andy who was standing right next to me!  Isn't she a doll?  (I promise that I'm not partial in anyway!)

She's got it!!!  

Time to celebrate and party!

Here Ashley is with her dad and mom in front of  St. Mary's College.

Ashley with friends and family-to-be!

With Mr. B and myself........

And walking toward the future with our son Andy.......couldn't be more proud of both of them!

Congratulations Ashley - well earned!

"It's not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves."

 --William Shakespeare

Radiant Heart

Song - "These Are the Days" by Van Morrison

Last Saturday my future daughter-in-law's family threw an engagement party at a local park for Andy and Ashley.

Toasts were made....

Some kissing may have occurred.......

Prime spots were reserved for Bocce Ball.....

Games were enjoyed.....

Families spent time together.....

Some delicious margarita's were enjoyed.....

MOG and MOB got to hug the happy groom-to-be.....

Babies were held.......

Welcome to the world Nicholas! Four weeks old!......

Ashley, my mom & "Reverend" Jodi got to visit....

MOB, FOG and the "Reverend" enjoy the sunny day....

My mom made mini apple pie's for dessert.....yumm.....

Love and Laughter were ever present.....

Now I am off to cry some happy tears for these two dear ones!

Congratulations Andy and Ashley.

Furry things.....

Song - Hug You, Squeeze You by Stevie Ray Vaughan


We all need something cozy to enjoy at times....

Mika snuggling with her new Christmas-furry-squeeky-donkey.

Ashley snuggling with my furry hatted son, Andy.

(Mr. B said hatted is a real word)!!!

Hope you have a furry Sunday!

“We'll be Friends Forever, won't we, Pooh?' asked Piglet.

Even longer,' Pooh answered.” 

 --A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

Kindergarten

 Song - Better Together by Jack Johnson

Do you remember your first day of Kindergarten?  

Cots & blankets, graham crackers & milk, the play ground, monkey bars, "duck, duck, goose", new crayons & trying to stay inside the lines, new friends, hand prints in plaster, learning to use scissors, using "inside voices", wooden blocks and a teacher that made you feel special?

Or the first day you dropped your child off for Kindergarten and cried all of the way home?

My son's girlfriend, Ashley will be starting her first day of Kindergarten in a few days - as a new teacher.  She is creative, tender, smart and dear so I know her "children" will be well taken care of.

I just wanted to send her my love and support on this very special day! Also, to those of you who may be sending your children back to school soon - it will all be fine.

First Day of Kindergarten

I gave you a little wink and smile
as you entered my room today.
For I know how hard it is to leave
and know your child must stay.

You’ve been with him for five years now
and have been a loving guide,
But now, alas, the time has come
to leave him at my side.

Just know that as you drive away
and tears down your cheeks may flow
I’ll love him as I would my own
and help him learn and grow.

So please put your mind at ease
and cry those tears no more
For I will love him and take him in
when you leave him at my door.

“It is hard to be brave, when you're only a Very Small Animal.” - Winnie the Pooh

Birthday Party Time

 Song - Happy Birthday - The Beatles

Last evening we had a quadruple birthday celebration BBQ.

A very happy birthday to Tyler, Ashley, Tom & Barbara!
 
The weather was beautiful, the company divine, the food was delicious and the birthday's were celebrated with a few close friends. 

What more does one need?

Oh yeah....a martini....remember that martini I told you about last month when Mr. B and I were in Arizona.  Well, I decided it would be fun to greet people as they arrived with a "Summer Solstice Martini".  Mmmmm....so good!

So I thought I would share the recipe with you and see what you think?


SUMMER SOLSTICE MARTINI - Inspired by AZ88

• 2 1/2 ounces raspberry vodka
• 1 ounce Cointreau
• 1 ounce Rose's lime juice
• 1/2 ounce cranberry juice
• 2 ounces orange juice 
• Place in an ice filled martini shaker and give it a good shake.  Pour into martini glass and add a slice of orange.  Enjoy!

Hope you try it sometime this summer!

"I bought a piano once because I had the dream of playing As Time Goes By as some girl's leaning on it drinking a martini. Great image. But none of it worked out. I can't even play Chopsticks. But I've got a nice piano at my house!"  -- George Clooney