Celebrations, Anniversaries, Remembering...

Isn't it such fun when the week begins with celebrations?  On Monday morning Kate, Kiera, and I celebrated Alex's birthday with a birthday breakfast at Blue Willow.

Kiera, Alex, Kate

Yummy breakfasts

AND Presents!!!

Tuesday celebrations continued when I trekked out to Dunham Elementary to share a special lunch with 7 of my former students who were being rewarded for PERFECT on-time homework turn-ins for the whole school year!!!  I met them at

and got the warmest, most amazing welcome filled with screams and squeals!!  I have to thank Ms. Blee for the invitation.  She invited me because this special "Lunch with Teacher" was my brainchild, and I honored these homework heroes every year that I taught school.  I have to also mention that Gini Blee is a most special friend and colleague...I really miss her!

I stayed for the rest of the school day to visit with my former students and listen to their speeches prior to their Promotion that night.

May is a month of anniversaries...as you know Ron and I celebrated 41 years of wedded bliss,

and I am celebrating my first anniversary of RETIREMENT!!  Golly, a whole year...where has it gone???

So many folks ask me "How did you do all this (my art) when you worked?"  Well, truth be told ~ I didn't!!  I could never have experienced the guilty pleasures of limitless discretionary time for my craft, creating inventory for a store, writing a blog, and more!  I am SO blessed to be living this extraordinary life!

The weekend was spent "moving" me into my new studio.  I absolutely cannot take credit for any of the preparation.  My devoted husband worked for two weekends moving, clearing, cleaning out our garage and storage room to prepare for this.  The following photos are my office/workspace in our home ~ BEFORE the move...

And this is the brand new Studio!! (without the rug....rug arrives today)

first leg of the move

figuring out the closets

first section completed

2nd sections completed

sewing area completed (moving sewing machine in today)

everything visible and handy

a surprise for me from my sweet hubby!

I'm so excited I can hardly wait to get back to work!  Hmmm ~ don't think I ever said that before!!

It's a holiday today, so no recipe...no craft...just peace and thanksgiving to all who've given their lives for our freedom.
 A parting shot of me, age 7, Brownie scout representing all Brownie Scouts from East Meadow at the annual East Meadow Memorial Day Parade, East Meadow, N.Y. - May 31, 1955.

Have a safe and very happy day today, remembering....

See you next Monday, and have an awesome week!  Happy Birthday hugs and kisses to my bestie, Martha....love you sistah!!!

xoxo

Karen