Shiny, Sweet, and Amazing

 Today I accompanied A to get her 1st C19 vax.  Her appointment time was 10:45 and we never  finished until almost noon!  I guess the key is to schedule in late afternoon if you don’t want to wait in line forever.  We made up for it with a trip to HomeGoods where I found these darling pink bunnies (and some other goodies too!). It was my first time in HG since February 2020.  Afterwards, we had a lovely patio lunch at Beyond Bread which was yummy.  

We’re hosting Easter brunch so I had to clean up my nemesis ~ the silver tea service. UGH! I try to do this only twice a year, before holidays, and each time I tell myself, “That’s it! I’m getting rid of it!”  But then, it looks so pretty and shiny and I cave!

This is the MOST amazing orchid I’ve ever owned.  It blooms at least once a year with a minimum of 4-5 blooms per stem.  It just sits on my kitchen window sill happy in the eastern exposure.  Life is good.  So is my friend Lauri who gifted it to me.

May your Easter or Passover be blessed!

Karen

Happy, Happy Birthday Baaaaby

 Stepped out last night to a very new and different Tucson.  Masks seemed to be hit or miss with folks walking around downtown.  The Governor relaxed restrictions last week and basically is leaving it up to the individual businesses to choose their path.  The metro transit had a bold sign at the top of the street car, "Masks Required."  Our restaurant seemed to be going with a different vibe, although employees were masked.  It will be interesting to see where all this goes.  I must admit, there's a nagging fear at the back of my brain that we may become too relaxed and see the C19 numbers rise.  UGH!!!!

On a happier note, our youngest is celebrating her birthday and her sweet fiance's in another week.  Eric's brother was in town for the weekend, so we joined them for a celebration at Charro Steak.  Delicious food, amazing company, a lot of laughing....who could ask for more?

Except maybe a Cake in a Box from Aunt Debbie and Uncle Mark!

 

Happiest of Birthdays to this beautiful couple!

Praying you all have a beautiful Holy Week.

XO

Karen🐝

Veiling ~ Why?

 Today is the vigil of Palm Sunday and while I should have taken to veiling last Sunday, Passiontide, life got in the way and it didn't happen.  So, this morning I spent an hour veiling 19 holy images, statues and crucifixes in anticipation of tomorrow, and the start of Holy Week.  The teeny tiny ones I just tucked away in a drawer.

On Good Friday, the 8 crucifixes will be unveiled at 3pm, the time our Lord breathed His last.  On Holy Saturday, the remaining 11 statues and images will be unveiled and I will sit with the Holy Mother, reflecting on what she was feeling, mourning, and suffering.

So, why do I bother with this Catholic tradition while so many of our parishes have done away with it, not to mention homes that no longer practice it, you ask?

Here's my reason ~ I get to suffer the loneliness of being unable to gaze upon the One who sacrificed His life for our salvation ~ being unable to glance up at His Beloved Mother, who prays for you and me ~ being unable to look at the sweet saints I love, who answer my prayers and intercede for me and my family.

Lent has been a wonderful practice of prayer, Mass, abstinence, and reflection.  Yet, it is a gradual process ~ day by day. Now the week ahead will have a POW, BAM!! effect on me.  Those things I smile at will be hidden.  

I will be reminded of the hypocrisy of the people of Palm Sunday, the Suffering in the Garden, the physical beating, crowning and abuse, the long and painful journey to Calvary, and the abominable Crucifixion.  The unimaginable feelings of abandonment at the Tomb.  Lent will have it's grand finale!

Easter will dawn and the sweetness of the Resurrection will be beyond words! 

I pray that your Easter brings you love and peace and new beginnings!