Joy in my Days ~

Joy to you my lovely friends!

These past few days I have been enjoying the link up party over at

Stephanie's  The Enchanting Rose.

What a fabulous party!!

If you have yet to visit her Blog and the other ladies,

I would encourage you to pour yourself a spot of tea in your prettiest tea cup

and take some time just looking at all the sweet gifts that were

both given and received, and maybe visit those dear ladies who have linked up

and share in their joy.

This was my dear Stephanie's last exchange

and all 12 of her exchanges have been tremendously organized 

bringing so many dear ladies together through a teacup or mug.

It was beautiful while it lasted,

but I certainly understand her need in stepping away.

As I look into my china cabinet, I see love and friendships

in every tea cup that I have been given

and I will cherish those memories that have been made for years to come.
These are just a few of the teacups I have been gifted.

It's that time once again when my husband and I pack up the

Motor Home and enjoy some time away in Canada.

The first weekend in June is always the 

World Crokinole Championships 

when my dear husband and his dad look forward to this time spent together.
Here's a video you can watch if you are unfamiliar with crokinole .
By the way ~ the board that is being used for this particular tournament in this video
 is one of my dear husband's hand crafted boards.
My husband makes crokinole boards as a hobby and sells them.
*Colorado Crokinole Boards*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub9fLkc-wLg&t=521s

While we are there visiting my husband and his dad will enjoy their day's together

while I enjoy some quiet, God and I time
bike rides along the lake front and walks with Donatella on the beautiful rail trail.

It's a win-win time away for the two of us.

Over the next couple of months you will find that my posts may be sparse, 
but hey ~ Summer is just around the corner
and I know most of you are out and about enjoying the beauty
that surrounds you on these bright and warmer days
leaving  your computer's inside where they belong.

When I return home my knee surgery will soon follow, *July 9*

so...once again... I will be in and out with my Blog.

This knee replacement should have been done 3 1/2 years ago,

but life just happens, doesn't it?

I can honestly say that I'm more than ready!

May I please ask for your prayers?

While I trust the Lord completely, things can happen

and I know that God would have us to pray one for another.

Thank you!

~ ☆ ☆ ♡♡♡ ☆ ☆ ~

It's been awhile since I have given an up-date on mom
and I am happy to tell you that she has done remarkably 
on her own in Arizona!
I am doing my own personal {{praise & happy dance}} each and every day!!
A few weeks after I left mom she and her care-giver went out together
and mom did some driving, it wasn't too long after wards
that mom began driving on her own.
Mom has truly been amazing!
Mom's "other Debbie" is still looking in on her a couple of days a week,
and for that I am very grateful.
As I shared before, while I was getting mom settled
I prayed for peace, a peace that would assure me that I could come home
and rest knowing that My God was going to look after mom.
Well...its been 2 1/2 months since my return home
and there has not been one single day that I have wondered
or stressed over the fact that mom is living alone.
God continues to strengthen mom's body day by day
and He certainly has His eye on His sparrow
and watches over her.

~ ☆ ☆ ♡♡♡ ☆ ☆ ~

While many of you have enjoyed the gorgeous blossoms
on your trees, we are just beginning to see our buds open.
This is our Crab Apple tree and any day now it will be in full glorious bloom.
I've been praying that it happens soon
so we can enjoy it's beauty before we leave.
Here in Colorado, especially in the mountains, I believe June is the prettiest month.
Everything is new ~ fresh ~ green ~ alive and the temperature is perfect.

For Mother's Day my daughter Stephanie gifted me with the sweetest book!
"Happy Day"
Turn this book into a bouquet ~ By Molly Hatch
"Around the world and across time, flowers have always been deeply symbolic. 
They help us celebrate, commemorate, and communicate
 beyond the limitations of words."
This book is quite unique ~ the author shares facts about a flower
with inspiring words and a flower then pops up creating 
a beautiful bouquet in the vase.
The vase is on the front cover of the book, pretty clever.
Now it sits on my kitchen counter near the bright window
reminding me of my daughter's love. ♡
This beautiful bouquet will never have to be thrown out.
Did you know that the Daisy opens its petals in the morning with the sun
and closes them at night?
Daisies look on the bright side ~ in fact, they do not open on cloudy days.
"This flower tells us to take pleasure in daily rituals that help us feel
grounded, and to simplify our lives where ever possible."

The world is full of hurting people,
lets make it a daily habit to pour out our lives, building others up
and strengthening them through positive and encouraging words
showing love through Christ's example.

Joy to you!
~ Debbie ~

Friends though a Teacup ♡

" With smiles and prayers I send this off to you."

These are the closing words in Debra's hand written letter

she enclosed with my teacup and treasures that 

she sent for Stephanie's 12th teacup exchange

I knew right a way that I wanted to become friends with Debra,

I mean...with those precious words, who wouldn't want to be her friend?
Are you like me ~ sometimes when you meet someone for the first time
you just know in your heart that you want to be their friend?
Often times you will hear me say,
"I just want to be their friend."
My dear Stephanie can attest to that ~

~ ☆ ☆ ♡♡♡ ☆ ☆ ~

As I opened my gift box, I could feel the love that was tucked inside.

Surprise after surprise after surprise!

I was beginning to think that her box was like Mary Poppins bag,

it had no bottom, the treasures just kept coming.

Debra created and gathered gifts that she believed I would enjoy

and all in {{pink}}!!

Oh...the beauty of pink!

Debra certainly did her homework and took the time to personalize 

every single gift that was so carefully packaged up for my delight.

Debra ~ thank you for sharing your love with me!
I appreciated each and every gift that you poured yourself into. 

~ ☆ ☆ ♡♡♡ ☆ ☆ ~

Just look at this fine bone china teacup from England
with its dainty floral design, isn't she lovely?
And Debra's hand crafted mug-rug edged with pretty lace, so unique.

Debra's beautifully hand written letter graced with sweet words ~

Everything was so beautiful ~
Many of these gifts were hand crafted by Debra's very own hands.
You will notice in the upper corner of the left side of the one photo
some very unique handmade picks for adding that special touch
to your tea sandwiches or dessert dainties.
Adorable!

I LOVE this book!
I have already read many of these stories with much laughter and a tear or two.
Debra made the bookmark and pretty pink runner.

Many afternoons I have enjoyed myself  with a cup of tea and a tiny piece of this divine chocolate reading a story or two next to the fire.
Yes, I said fire!
While it is Spring time, we still enjoy the fire in our country mountain home.

~ ☆ ☆ ♡♡♡ ☆ ☆ ~

 For my lady ~ I had the joy of putting together a package
themed with what I believed Cheryl over at
Molly's Kitchen would enjoy.
I went with baking items after reading her blog and saw her creative baking skills
and then added some extra items for inspiration.
I learned on Cheryl's blog that she is recently a widow
and I wanted to spoil her with a little extra love.
Cheryl's blog is new to me and I'm looking forward to
following along with her and prayerfully making a new friend
through Stephanie's teacup exchange.
My gift for Cheryl ~

Grace~beauty~gentleness~sweet spirit~generous~organized
and filled with the love of God~
This would be my dear Stephanie!
Once again ~ our lives have been enriched through Stephanie's
time, effort and incredible organizational skills as she 
 pulls together yet another, teacup exchange.
Stephanie, thank you for all that you do, with a joyful heart,
so that those of us who enjoy this exchange may be blessed,
not only with a teacup to add to our collection, but in the making of new friends.
Your hard work and time consuming efforts
will not go unnoticed.
God bless you, as you have blessed us.

~ ☆ ☆ ♡♡♡ ☆ ☆ ~

" With thankful hearts, let us praise the Lord."

Joy!
~ Debbie ~