surrounding myself with wonderful, good, people. They lift me up and inspire me to be a better "me". They help me realize what is truly important in this life, and I know that I need gentle reminders from time to time ( I like the gentle reminders vs. you know that harsh, slap me in the face kind, lol.)
I have lots to write tonight for some crazy reason, so hang in there---I've posted a card waaaaaay down at the bottom, so if you want to scroll past my blabbing, it won't hurt my feelings, lol.
One of my brothers is always sending me jokes via email---and because he never reads my blog, let alone even knows I have one, I can say I hit delete right off the bat---I don't really have time to read his corny jokes---but probably wouldn't even understand them anyway, lol. BUT, today he sent me this and for some reason I read it and am so glad I did. Get a Kleenex, it's so sweet and heartwarming.
What would you do? You make the choice. Don't look for a punch line,
>there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the
>same choice?
>
>At a fund raising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled
>children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that
>would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school
>and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: "When not interfered
>with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with
>perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do.
>He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural
>order of things in my son?"
>
>The audience was stilled by the query.
>
>The father continued. "I believe that when a child like Shay,
>physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity
>to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way
>other people treat that child."
>
>Then he told the following story:
>
>Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew
>were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?"
>Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like
>Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were
>allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and
>some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
>
>Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not
>expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance
>and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth
>inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat
>in the ninth h inning."
>
>Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on
>a team shirt. His Father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth
>in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted.
>In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but
>was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a
>glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way,
>he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field,
>grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In
>the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two
>outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and
>Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.
>
>At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win
>the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat.Everyone knew that a hit
>was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat
>properly, much less connect with the ball.
>
>However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that
>the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life,
>moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least
>make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.
>The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly
>towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a
>slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
>
>The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and
>could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have
>been out and that would have been the end of the game.
>
>Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head,
>out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams
>started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never in his life
>had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered
>down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
>
>Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!" Catching his breath,
>Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to
>the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right
>fielder had the ball ... the smallest guy on their team who now had his
>first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball
>to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's
>intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over
>the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the
>runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.
>
>All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay"
>
>Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him
>by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to
>third! Shay, run to third!"
>
>As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators,
>were on their feet screaming, "Shay, run home! Run home!" Shay ran to
>home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the
>grand slam and won the game for his team.
>
>"That day", said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face,
>"the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity
>into this world".
>
>Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never
>forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy, and coming home
>and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
sigh...this is the world I want my little girl to grow up in. I would give anything to have her surrounded by others that are filled with the spirit of love and kindness and charity. Thanks to my big brother for this gentle reminder today.
Also, I have become quite a fan of a wonderfully talented woman named Christy Tomlinson. She recently just started a new kit club called The Scarlet Lime. Today as I was catching up reading her blog, she stated that she had listed some of her favorite kit clubs on the blog of The Scarlet Lime. So I hop on over to that particular blog, and sure enough---she had listed quite a few other kit clubs that she had found and was promoting them, and not her own. What a treat to have her show her admiration and appreciation for this hobby we all love by supporting others instead of competing with them---just a tiny little thing, I know, but it registered with me and I appreciate her for her genuine goodness.
Now---I promised my fried Shellie a Peach Pie recipe, so this is for her and for any of you lucky birds out there who can actually get fresh peaches, lol.
Try this one from Homestead Farm---it's YUM--tried and true, and I don't even like Peach Pie, lol.
Deep Dish Peach Pie
|
|
Make favorite 2-crust pastry recipe. Roll out both crusts. Fit bottom crust loosely in deep pan.
3 lbs. peaches
1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar
4 T flour (may substitute 2 tablespoons cornstarch or tapioca if desired)
2 T butter
Nutmeg and Cinnamon
|
- Peel and slice peaches.
- Combine sugar and starch.
- Combine peaches and sugar mixture. Pour into pastry shell.
- Sprinkle with spices and dot with butter.
- Add top crust – either lattice style or solid top with lots of steam slashes.
- Bake 35 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees F or until golden brown.
|
Well....I think that's it for tonight---so many happy thoughts running through my mind all day.
Tomorrow I want to make Linda's salsa! I'll let you know how it goes. The few little tomato plants we planted this year are enormous bushes filled with more maters than I know what to do with.
Here is my card for the day---using some sweet papers and die-cuts from K&Co.
I'm off to work on some assignments.
Hope you are happy and well!
night.
Melis
Here's a little peek of a card I made using stamps by Kim Hughes for Cornish Heritage Farms---oh...and a tiny peek of my fireplace mantle. I'm really stinky when it comes to taking pictures---but I promise I'll try and take some of my porch and inside fall stuff tomorrow. 
I am crazy in love with her sweet, little stamps---the images are just fun and playful. So, be sure to check out her blog for all of the details regarding the release of her stamp sets--I'm so excited for her.
and other Design Team members posted right now.
