Happy Easter

 

 

 

 

Wishing you a Blessed Easter

 

Happy Spring!

 

Celestina Marie

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Last pic courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES DEAR SON~

Dear Son,
It is hard to believe the years have gone by so quickly, and today is your birthday. What a blessing you are to both your Dad and I.


The day was a warm August 10th  when I heard your first cry and counted your little fingers and toes. I was already in love with you before birth and meeting you in person was the greatest joy of my life.

From the time you were born, your wonderful ways taught us so much. Your constant staying power has lead you to great success in your life.
You have brought us joys untold and shown through your spirit your big heart and kindness in all situations.



I remember a time when you were a young teen. We went to lunch for a quick sandwich after school supply shopping. As we left the restaurant, you spotted a young mentally challenged boy trying to empty his tray. As we walked by you said, “hang on a minute mom” as I watched, you went over to the boy, helped him and then walked back over to me as we proceeded to leave. I knew then, you were very special and had a big heart, nearly the size of Texas.



Through the years you have always shown love of family. Ready to help in any way. I am forever grateful for the help you always gave when Grandma was sick. She loved you and your care in her last days were more help then you will ever know.
You have always come to my rescue too, like the time the hot water tank burst and water was spraying all over, the time when the frig broke down and the kitchen flooded with water from the ice maker, and when the long black snake was stretched out across the driveway and I feared it went in my studio. I could go on and on, but you know the times and for your love and support, I am deeply thankful.


You always amaze us with your knowledge and wealth of information. Your patience is something I admire about you so much. Oh we’ve had our growing pains through the years as a teen and so on, but you always showed great respect for your dad and I and held back comments or rolling your eyes when we weren’t so cool. I always knew when you were being nice, and love you for that. With each and every work related move through the years, you held your courage, even when I knew it was hard for you to leave your friends and start over in a new school. I don’t know if I could have been so strong. In fact, I know I could not.

Now at this time and place, as you face another birthday, I pray that God continue to bless your journey and the life he has created for you to follow. Stay true to who you are, never forget where you came from and where you are going with God’s direction.
Talk to God often and remember to listen for direction. Care with your heart, it will keep you humble and remember to show compassion for your fellow man. Give all that you can to those that need your help and grateful for all your blessings. And as Grandpa always said, “never let your wants, be greater then your needs.”



Enjoy your birthday to the fullest and know you are loved very much for the little boy you were, the wonderful grown son you are now and the blessing you will always be.

Love you, Always, Mom

Touched By Grace~"Sing to the back row honey"~

Recently, as I continue to change rooms around (something that seems to be on going with me) I gave this wood and iron sign a little redo in a shabby romantic rose direction. Displaying Grace in pink with cottage white iron and roses, it reminds me how blessed I am ~ through God's Grace from above.

Today, as I give thanks for my blessings this beautiful Sunday, I recall back to a time in the 60's when I was just ten years old and sang in my neighbors church one Sunday evening service.
My next door neighbor, in my home state of Michigan, was like a second grandma to me and such a best friend to my mother. I always loved to sing with her as she played the piano. She taught me many hymns and was one of the most beautiful christian women I have ever known, next to my own mother and grandmother.

I was raised Catholic and love my faith, but I was also blessed to visit, on occasion, in my neighbors church which was Baptist.

Now my neighbor was called, by everyone that loved her, Big Momma. She was a beautiful heavy set women, and so goes the nickname. But for me, I could never bring myself to say her name as Big Momma or Big Mom. I was always taught to refer to those older then me as, Mr. or Mrs ~ and their sir name. So I always talked to her using her real name of Mrs. Taylor. She always understood and I would catch her smile when I said Mrs. Taylor. She knew I was afraid of hurting her feelings although she made clear, it would not.

Oh the wonderful times I had with her family and her grandchildren. I was an only child so maybe she felt like she always wanted to include me in some of their gatherings. Not sure really, but I loved it and my parents knew I was in the company of a wonderful human being.

Sunday mornings you could hear her warming up on the piano and singing before church. She sang loud and clear and I was always sure God could hear her voice and praises as far away as heaven.

The Summer I was ten she taught me the hymn, "There's A God Somewhere" I sang and sang and learned every word. I loved music, played the piano too and so this was just pure fun for me.

One afternoon when we were enjoying our musical singing time, she asked me if I would like to sing a special in her church. I was so excited, but said, I would have to ask my parents first. Of course Mrs. Taylor knew that and had already asked my mother and dad if I could. They said yes, so the special was planned.

The evening of the singing, I was a little nervous and scared when I saw all the people filling up the church. Dressed in a little pink dress, I sat next to my parents and Mrs. Taylor as the service began. If only I had some pics of that time.

Anyway, it was my time for my special song and as I took my place next to the piano and the introduction was being played by my beloved older friend, Mrs. Taylor, she whispered to me in her sweet southern voice, "sing to the back row honey."

I quickly realized she wanted me to be heard, so sing to the back row I did.
All my nervous went away as I sang out God's praises. As I looked out over the congregation, I saw smiles and tears. When my song was finished, I heard dozens of AMENS from every part of the church. I went down to my seat where my parents were sitting and they were also crying. I wasn't exactly sure why all the tears, maybe they felt sorry for me I thought. LOL or maybe they were happy and crying tears of joy felt within their hearts.

For me the experience was forever changing ~ for even at ten years old, I knew that by the Grace of God, I was able to sing and share God's praises in song. I knew, "There Was A God Somewhere"

Each day the sun, comes out to shine, the stars and moon they leave on time.
The winds they blow we list~eth where we breathe the living air.
The flowers grow and do not toil, they do not spin or work at all.
The birds they live and get their care,
There must be a God somewhere.

There's A God Somewhere, There's A God Somewhere~ He helps me when my load is hard to bear. When I rise from dark despair and surmount my every care, My heart, tells me surely There is a God Somewhere.

The only thing that I can see that worries God is you and me.
When we are burdened down with care He never leaves us there~
If we call upon His name, wrong or right He's just the same,
Ready to help our burdens share so there must be a God somewhere.

There's A God Somewhere, There's A God Somewhere~ He helps me when my load is hard to bear. When I rise from dark despair and surmount my every care, My heart, tells me surely There is a God Somewhere.
written by: Thomas Dorsey 1951.


Mrs. T~ knew it was a fitting hymn for a little girl to sing. When she moved away and back to her home state of Tennessee, I was around 15 years old. I cried and cried when she left. I loved her so. Before she moved she gave me her original music of that hymn which was already worn and well loved from years of faithful use. I still have it and it has always been very special to me as her initials are written on the front lower right hand corner. MBT~~ Mary Billie Taylor.



Over the years, Mrs. Taylor came back to Michigan for many visits and even to my wedding. We stayed in touch through phone calls and letters until the day she passed away. I will always be thankful to her for the love she shared and the Grace she was so heavenly blessed with.
I know she lives with God.



May Grace be yours this Sunday and beyond.
With blessings and love, Celestina Marie

This Grace sign so happily fills a shelf in my etsy shop. I hope it will bless someone with joys, as much as I was blessed to redesign it.

God's Gift of Friendship

Christmas came early for me last weekend as I had the wonderful opportunity to meet a dear friend and blogger, Ginny, from "Faith Hope and Tea Therapy."She is a beautiful, charming, and delightful christian lady inside and out. Our meeting was like we have been friends our whole life and visiting over lunch made us realize how our lives had mirrored each others, both being originally from Michigan.

Ginny's purpose traveling to Texas, was to be with her dear friend Sue to celebrate the anniversary of Sue's brother Mike's 10 years of priesthood, in the Catholic Faith. It was an amazing day as my best guy and I, being near by, went to meet Ginny for lunch and on to church and the celebration for Father Mike after wards. The Mass was Spirit filled and the love shown to this wonderful priest was heart warming and inspiring. Sue and Mike's brother Don also traveled from California to attend the celebration.
Here is a picture of the wonderful family with Ginny kneeling on the left.

I am sorry to say, I did not get a pic of Father Mike, but I am sure that Ginny will have one and share on her blog later.

Our lunch was delicious and we all tried, for the most part, to eat a healthy meal consisting of chicken, fish, veggies and rice. Followed by~~~~ this!!!!!!!!!!!!!


You know, Everything is BIG IN TEXAS!! So yummy and enough for all three of us with lots left over.
We exchanged gifts and Ginny gave me a bit of my old home state with the gift of Sander's Chocolate Sauce. This is a rare treat as Sander's, an old vintage soda fountain and bakery, is no longer in business in Michigan although the products are now being sold in grocery stores. I used to go to Sander's as a child and carry many happy memories of good times spent in that heavenly place!! Hubby is delighted and can't wait to have his ice cream and chocolate sauce. Sander's was known and famous for a creme puff filled with vanilla ice cream and this chocolate sauce poured over top. WOW, I can feel myself gaining 5 pounds just thinking of it!!

Next Ginny presented me with this box and I was just overwhelmed at the site of it, knowing another treat was upon me.

Bronner's is a wonderland of Christmas delight shared in darling shoppes that line vintage style streets. I have not been there in years. What could be inside this box.
Oh my goodness, a snow angel kneeling with her sweet little deer friend and bundled up for the winter cold and Christmas day with wings of glass and snow laced. It is gorgeous and I simply love it. She will share space among my angel collectibles forever.

And if that was not enough, Ginny gave to me a beautiful hematite bead rosary. It is simply gorgeous and means so very much to me as I collect these spiritual wonders. Later after church, Father Mike said a blessing over my new rosary. It was very special and a time I will hold dear always!

Our time together with Ginny flew by all to quick. By the time you read this post, she will be gone from Texas and back home in Michigan with her dear hubby and family. I miss her already and look forward to another visit in the future. Till then, I will hold close our kindred spirits, love of our Saviour and memories made while praying together in church. There is something so special when you worship with a girlfriend.
I know our meeting was blessed from above and nothing happens without purpose. Take a moment and visit Ginny at her lovely blog. She is a marvelous writer and you will receive a blessing in her spirit filled posts that take everyday life and incorporate God's teachings in our world today.

Yes, Christmas came early in meeting and visiting with Ginny and I thank God for the Gift of Friendship!


I hope you have an amazing week as we approach Thanksgiving and your day filled with all God's blessings with family and friends. I will be taking a little time off this week, but back in my next post to share my Christmas giveaway just for you in Thanksgiving to all my blog friends.
See you soon and Blessings always.
Hugs, Celestina Marie

Sending Best Wishes.........

for a very Happy Thanksgiving to all my American blogging friends.

Yes, this time has rolled around again and how fast the seasons come and go. This year, like none before, seem to be busier then ever. I do not remember a time my studio has been so crazy busy!! Having said that, also come many thanks for the blessings God has given over this past year.

As 2009 comes close to an end, I can't help but reflect on the joys this year has brought to myself, family and friends. Too many to list, but felt in the heart and seen everyday.

Thanksgiving was always a special time when I was growing up. My Mother and Dad prepared for a big day and wonderful dinner for a large family and friends that would gather at our home.
Mom would prepare for days ahead after work, making special dishes, cookies, cleaning and setting the perfect table to hold many.

We lived in a small sweet 1949 cottage bungalow with 3 floors. But we always had plenty of room in the basement that dad finished, with room to hold many guests.

In the center, was a large table where our feast would take place. Once everyone arrived and the turkey was baked, we took our places at the large table, held hands and dad said grace. Thankful for our loved ones and the food set before us once again. It was a special time full of love and peace right there in the basement.

Through the years this tradition continued. There were times the snow was knee deep, times dear loved ones had passed away, times when tough events would fall on family members. But through it all, in sickness and health, we looked forward to gathering together to give thanks.

In our home today, my Best Guy and I, still carry those same traditions. We are so thankful for blessings that we see and feel within our hearts. The love that fills our home is very special. Although we don't have knee deep snow, we share the same message my mother and dad displayed so many years ago.

I hope for you, this holiday is special. Wherever you are and however you celebrate Thanksgiving, may it be one that is blessed with plenty and hope for the future.

We plan a special week with a long time family friend who is coming to visit. I have been preparing many days while working, just like mom used to do. Thankful for the season and thankful for time to share our blessings with others.

Over the past couple weeks I have missed having the time to visit all my blog friends. Missed my daily posts too, as it seems I paint, ship and start all over again. This season is wonderful proof that more peeps are shopping on line like never before. I look forward to getting back to a normal routine after the holidays and for Christmas sharing lots of holiday decor and hand painted treasures in posts still to come.

In the meantime, Best Wishes for a special and Happy Thanksgiving!
Love to you and blessings be yours, Celestina Marie