Better Book Titles Strikes Again

Have I ever told you how much I love BETTER BOOK TITLES? They take famous books and give them a more.....accurate...title.  This is just what I needed today:

(Actual book title: ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE,  HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY...one of my childhood favorites)

Reflection

‎"I will mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."

Martin Luther King Jr.

Royal Wedding Tea

A lovely day at the Crown and Crumpet....


(P.S.   I got my fabulous fascinator here.)

 

I'm Off to the Royal Wedding (sort of)

Tomorrow, I am taking the day off and heading to San Francisco with my friend Paula for a special wedding tea at the Crown and Crumpet.  Some of you may have read about this lovely tea room on other blogs.  I hosted my mother's 65th birthday party there. (See photos here)

Crown and Crumpet is teaming with the new Acme Party Box to host a special Royal Wedding tea. I know lots of people feel the hullabaloo around this wedding is silly. Especially with everything going on in the world right now. I agree. It is a bit silly. But I think it's also a lovely form of escapism. I can't wait to eat scones and wedding cake with one of my best girlfriends while dressed up in our Sunday best. I even ordered a new hat for the festivities. (hopefully, it will arrive in time!)

Saw this on Facebook:
"What's your royal wedding guest name? Start with either Lord or Lady. Your first name is one of your grandparents' names. Your surname is the name of your first pet, double-barrelled with the name of the street you grew up on."

That would make me Lady Elizabeth Buttercup-Amherst.  Maybe that is who I will be tomorrow!

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and I'll be back Monday with photos.

Halloween in April?

Amy clued everyone in to a special sale going on at Bayberry Cove right now.  Everything is 50% off!!!

I dearly love Halloween so I snapped up these cuties:

I think the cat might stay with us and the witch might go to Grandma's house. If I can bear to part with her!!!

Find your own holiday treasures here.

Thought for Today

(Image Source)

"In a way nobody sees a flower really, it is so small,
we haven't the time---
and to see takes time,
like to have a friend takes time." 
 -Georgia O'Keeffe

Take time to stop and smell the flowers today. And take time to be a good friend.

love--Amy

Day 9--9 Days of Easter Swap

The last day brings an adorable pin from my dear friend Monique--

It's made of rick rack and I just love it!  Monique doesn't have a blog which is too bad because I'd love for you to see all the creative things she does. I am lucky to call her "friend."

I also got a sweet bag of notions from Wanda as a hostess gift:

What a lovely way to end the week!  Thank you to all of my swapper friends. I hope you had as much fun as I did!!!  HAPPY EASTER!!!

Day 8---9 Days of Easter Swap

For the 8th day, Sara created these adorable chick bags for everyone!

(photo borrowed from the Tattered Quilt Cottage)

However, she was sweet enough to make something special just for me. I got a BUNNY bag!!!

Sara, these are absolutely amazing!  I can't believe all the work you put into these. Thank you so much!!!

Very Good Friday Indeed

Every year during Lent, I revisit the LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST in either movie or book form. I know some of you have strong feelings about this book/movie.  I have no wish to offend anyone but I hope that on this Good Friday you will let me share with you why I love it so much.

When I saw the film, it was truly a revelation for me. When the movie first came out in 1988, many people told me that it was the work of the devil. I heard crazy things like "Jesus has sex with Mary Magdalene on the cross!" What?!!! I was 13 years old and actually SCARED to see the movie. Then, in college, my pastor had a screening at the chapel. It became clear to me that none of the people who warned me about the film had actually SEEN it.


The film (and the book) reveals the human side of Jesus. If any god were omnipotent and "died" for us, it wouldn't seem to be *that* big of a deal. I mean, how much of a sacrifice is it if the god in question feels no pain and dying is no big thing. But what if the deity can feel things like rage and fear and pain? Because He is part human? That's a whole different story. The film also brings out the fact that Judas may be the most misunderstand individual in the Bible. If he had not followed through with his mission, where would we all be? In the movie, Judas is Jesus' conscience. He makes sure that Jesus fufills his duty on earth. Remember that Jesus was still struggling with his holy mission when he was in the garden of Gethsemane.  Matthew 26:39 tells us "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt]." Judas helped Jesus to fulfill his holy mission and because he loves Jesus, that duty is especially painful. This movie/book imagines the "last" temptation as a chance for Jesus to live a normal life. The devil tries to convince Him that He can get off the cross instead of a being a sacrifice for humankind. And He is tempted to do so. After all, He is human as well as divine. But Judas helps Him to see that He must complete His journey to the cross to save all of us. And that is a very powerful thing. It's a real sacrifice. But when Jesus says "it is accomplished," our relationship with God takes on a whole new meaning. The slate is wiped clean and we are blessed with grace. The ultimate sacrifice has been made.  Hallelujah!

I hope that whatever your faith and whatever your beliefs that you will all have a very blessed Easter!

Day 6---9 Days of Easter Swap

Again, my camera is broken. So I am borrowing this photo from Wanda of the THE RAT'S PAJAMAS. 

Wanda made us these sweet little safety pin baskets! I got a lavender one and each one had a sweet little chocolate bunny in it.  I'll give you three guesses (and the first two don't count) as to what happened to that chocolate bunny.    (wink)


There is no Day 7 because poor Lisa had pneumonia and had to drop out.