Wind Surfing in Florida

While in Florida, we visited Hutchinson Island and the Jetty so I could say hello to the sea. We visited at a perfect time because there was a group of windsurfers there at the same time.

I love the Bright Colors

Doesn't this look fun?!

I will be visiting the following blog parties:

Blue Monday at Smiling Sally
Mosaic Monday at Little Red House
Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer
Watery Wednesday

The Week Ahead

How much enthusiasm will you bring to the work week? You have the power to set the tone.

Make it a great week!

Working for the Weekend!

TGIF!

Yahoo!

This has been the L—O—N—G—E—S—T week. I much prefer two – day work weeks like last week. So without further ado, let’s get this weekend started!

Grab a drink….

Have some crackers and cheese…

And relax ~


What will you do this weekend?

Will you sleep in?

Will you go to the beach...

a farmers market...

or for a walk in the woods?

What are your plans?

Answering the Call to Duty: Brandy Winfield

Hello Friends.

Six years ago today, our community was brought to its knees by the murder of an on-duty deputy. Brandy Winfield was only 29 years old and was the loving father of two precious little boys.

Brandy was a friend of my nephew, BJ. I first met Brandy when he was a dispatcher at the Marion County Sheriff Department. He was so anxious to become a road officer and worked very hard to achieve his goal.

If you ask anyone who knew him what you most remember about him, without exception they will say his smile. He had a smile that went from ear-to-ear and he flashed it often as he had a wicked sense of humor. He was fun-loving, generous, and dedicated to his community.

Brandy's death was tragic not only because he had a young family and was young himself. His death was tragic and senseless because he was not on a man-hunt, he wasn't chasing a fugitive, and he wasn't shot during a domestic dispute; Brandy was murdered while offering roadside assistance to a man with a disabled vehicle. His oh so typical willingness to help others, put him in harm's way. Not knowing he was helping a cowardice murderer, he let his guard down.

Brandy was found in his cruiser upside down in a ravine. He had been shot, but still had a weak pulse. He later died at the hospital.

God's Hero in Blue

He walked his life's lonely path with honor, Lord,
Protecting those you sent his way...
Until, at last, with task well done,
Your call is heard today.

We hear you saying:
"Come, my friend, with me apart...from years of service rest.
You've helped the poor, protected all, you've passed Life's every test.
You did not falter, did not fail though weary was your soul
I saw your tears, I felt your fears...I helped you toward your goal.

Beneath that badge beat a heart, strong, courageous, true...
When duty called, you answered, my hero dressed in blue!
Come, my friend, your reward awaits: the law you did obey.
Faithful through life's endless storms you showed my people the way.
Your beat is ended; roll calls done! Now, rest on Heaven's shore.
The good you did so willingly will remain forevermore."

Thank you; Father, for your great love as we cherish his memory dear
We offer this brave soul to you...be with him ever near.
And when, at last, we hear your call may we each take our place
On Heaven's shore, eternal home, beneath your kindly gaze.

~Sister Ann Stamm~

Today, thank a law enforcement officer for their service.

Special Request: Postcards from the Heart

Hello Friends!

I need your help. I received this email from a co-worker who knows the wonderful and inspiring teacher who wrote the following request. Please take a moment to make a difference in this little girl's life. Feel free to spread the word, too. Thank-you from the bottom of my heart. La

I am a fifth grade teacher in London, Ohio, and one of my most sincere and joyous students, Reagyn, has a brain tumor. It is now in stage three, and her family is being forced to move to Virginia for a few months so she can receive proton radiation from one of the best doctors in the country. Reagyn remains optimistic and spreads positive energy everywhere she goes. She helps others and puts everyone before herself. In fact, last week she headed a school wide campaign to start saving pop tabs so that Ronald McDonald would visit Children's Hospital in Columbus. Needless to say, there are a few thousand pop tabs already. Recently, we had a conversation about what she collects, and she said nothing, well except for SillyBandz; but what fifth grader doesn't? Then I asked her what she has always wanted to collect but never got the opportunity. She told me she wished she could receive "postcards from all over the world." Let's make this happen!

This is where my favor comes into play. We are asking anybody and everybody to send a little note of support and/or telling her something about your location on a POSTCARD. My entire class and our wonderful secretaries are helping Reagyn fulfill this dream. Please, please pass this email on to everyone you know. It would make a huge difference in Reagyn's life. She received her first postcard today from London, England!

She now has her own website at www.reagynsworld.weebly.com Feel free to leave her a short blog of support on her website.

All postcards can be sent to London Elementary at:

Reagyn Semler
c/o London Elementary
380 Elm Street
London, Ohio 43140


Thank you for your support!
Chad Reeser
5th grade teacher
London Elementary School
www.mrreesersclassroom.weebly.com



Special thanks to BJ at Sweet Nothings for making this button for my side bar.

Alphabe Thursday: Letter D (Florida Pictures too)

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Miss Jenny, I’m sorry I missed class last week. I overslept, I mean I was sick, I mean I was kidnapped, …ummmm …ok, I was on vacation in Florida, but I promise not to let it happen again. I was in Florida researching this week’s meme....yeah, that's it!

D is for Delicious, Delectable, and Decadent Floridian Dinners. While in Florida last week, I threw caution to the wind and enjoyed fabulous food and Drink. I enjoyed everything from fish tacos in Orlando to my cousin, Melanie’s Mediterranean Veggie Pizza and her husband, Kurt’s grilled steak.

One night, we had dinner on Hutchinson Island at a waterfront tiki restaurant where we enjoyed a beautiful sunset,

while sipping Rum Runners. I ordered the stuffed chicken with grilled vegetables. The skinless chicken breast was stuffed with sun dried tomatoes, goat cheese, and andouille sausage. It was fabulous!

The next day, my Aunt Cheryl and I went to Vero Beach and ate at the Oceanside Grill, which sets right on the beach. The food, Décor, and view at this restaurant are amazing.

I ordered the Crab au Gratin (Blue crab in a cream sherry sauce with a Parmesan cheese crust) and Southern Rice. Check out the view from our table…

When was the last time I had

such beautiful scenery while eating?

Nevermore, quoth the raven.

I’ve never seen a restaurant so elaborately Decorated for Halloween. Check it out…

I wonder what they do for Christmas?

Mom's Kitchen and Babe's Cake

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Hello Friends!

I’m joining Sheila for her Heart of the Home Party. Sheila asked us to submit posts about the heart of our homes, the kitchen.

When my mother was alive, our kitchen was always a hub of activity. She was always cooking or baking something delicious. My mother’s home was always open to family, friends, and neighbors. She was Mom to a lot of people, whether they were related or not.

In my twenties, every Friday we would gather around our kitchen table and celebrate the end of another work week. These TGIF parties were popular with everyone. Back then, my work week ended at 2:00 in the afternoon….and then the party was on.

Each week, my mother would fix different appetizers and we would choose a drink of the week. I can remember putting bottles of wine in the snow to chill. It didn’t take long for it to cool in the frigid Ohio temperatures and knee-deep snow.

My friend/neighbor who now lives in Indiana, Lanila (Babe), used to make a vodka lemonade slush that she would make in a Tupperware cake container. She would haul that cake container down the street to our house and tell the neighbors she was taking a cake to the Grubers’.

My mother’s been gone for almost 12 years now. Still, when I see an old friend they always say, Remember your mom’s TGIF parties? Those are some great memories!

I don’t have any kitchen pictures for you today because my kitchen is on my remodeling to do list. I do, however, have a recipe for you. Here’s the recipe for Babe’s Cake.

Babe’s Vodka Slush Cake

3 1/2 Cups Water

1 Cup Sugar

Bring to a boil and set aside to cool. Once it is cooled, add:

1 - 6 Ounce Frozen Lemonade

1 - 6 Ounce Frozen Orange Juice

1 Cup vodka

Mix together and freeze (this will take quite a while so plan ahead). Before serving, scrape with a fork. Enjoy! TGIF!


I'm also linking to Story Tellers. Come over for a story or two.

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to visit these parties