Simple fun

Monday I had volunteered to take a friend to a doctor's appointment over in Orlando. So I took mom along for the ride and while our friend was at her appointment, we went over to the downtown library.

We used to love going to this library. Mom, Russ, and I loved to haunt the used bookstore as well. I snagged four Dean Koontz books on this particular trip!
The other thing we loved was their AWESOME kid's section.

On Tuesday, I had the brilliant idea to take a road trip to St. Augustine. I had heard an ad on the local public radio station about a Pablo Picasso exhibit at the visitor's center.  Shirley got to come along for the ride!
So here's some pics of that fun. . .

Castillo de San Marcos and lunch at the Spanish Bakery

Pics in front of the fountain. . .

Fun wandering around the old city. . .tacky tchotchkes, an old old old cemetery. . .

Pigeons EVERYWHERE. . .and a look down St. George street. . .

 Mom and I hamming it up in front of the Fuente de los Canos de San Francisco. . .

 Now, the real reason we came to Northeast Florida for the day. . .
This particular show for Picasso's work focused on his prints regarding bull fighting in Spain.
It was neat for me, because I actually have experience making lithographs. . .although I wasn't really any good at it. Plus, my back could not handle the weight of the stone or the continual bending over.
Anyways, though mom and Shirley weren't really thrilled with the show, I loved being able to see some of his not so popular work. It made it that much more interesting to me to be able to dive into the lines and shapes.

"The world today doesn't make much sense, so why should I paint pictures that do?"
Loved this quote!

After viewing the art, we strolled down to Kilwins to buy fudge slabs, required for every trip to St. Augustine.
Then, we took a moment to sit at an outside table and enjoy the wonderful weather and each others company.

Shirley and mom talking

Shopped a little more, but my feet and knee were killing me.
So, here's a little backyard garden at the art glass shop to end with. This is what I want my yard to eventually feel like.

Exhausted by corn

First off, the steps to my front door rotted through at the platform.

So, we called Richard in to build me a new set. I got the opportunity to request a wider platform and more shallow steps. So happy with my new set of stairs!

 Pics of my old and new steps, and the wood spirit face that features at the bottom of my railing post!

Freaky, huh?

Now, on to the corniness of the weekend. . .
Julie and I got the privilege of bringing the rest of the corn crates down to our festival site on Sunday morning. Upon starting to go down the sidewalk I heard Julie say from behind me "Oh, oh, oh no. . .no. . .Jamie . .Oh man!" and I turned around and saw this. . .they fell down off that cart exactly like you see in the picture.

Here's a couple more candid shots from our booth. . .

 And, to tie it up. . .I bought the first and really thought about buying the second. . .or maybe making it myself!

Air plant hanging for my swing

Old gas can bird house

Enjoy those little moments. . .you'll need the memory later

Wow. . .what a weekend.

Thursday included a mid-week worship service.

Logo made by Jamie. . .lol

Always nice to get to sing praise songs on Thursday, whether it's at Praise Team Practice or at worship service. Plus, we got to share communion. So, fellowship, singing, communion, and coffee. Good Thursday in my opinion.

Friday had a Wedding rehearsal at 6:00p.
Then Richard and I met up down at Downtown Disney's House of Blues to see JJ GREY AND MOFRO!

Here's a few captures from that evening.

 I pinched the knuckle of my middle finger on my left hand in between the van door and some contraption that dad had in the garage. It looked worse than it actually felt. A kid at the wedding rehearsal actually thought that it was my broken finger (not my pinky).

Sat outside House of Blues at their outdoor bar and listened to a pretty good guitarist do covers while I waited for Rich to show up. The cold front that came through on Thursday brought some chillier temps by Friday evening, so it got a tad bit uncomfortable after a while.

If you like blues, honky tonk, "Blues Traveler", CCR, or the Blues Brothers you would love JJ Grey and Mofro. I first heard of them on "E-Town", and absolutely loved them. What an amazing show! I'm still riding the good feelings from the concert!!

Saturday morning came a lot quicker than I would have liked, seeing as how my head didn't hit the pillow the night before until well after midnight.

At 10:30a I attended a "Senior/Birthday Brunch" for a youth. We had a wonderful time eating at Mimi's and trading stories about Emily. I will truly miss having her around next year.

The wedding that I mentioned earlier was for one of my best friends. Shannon had moved to New York, and then Ohio about four years ago, but her family still lived here in Florida. So, they had the wedding here at the church. I was given the gift of running the sound board for the ceremony.

I did not get to attend the reception afterwards. I've been dog/house sitting for the past several days, so instead I got to return home to my third job.

This morning I woke early so that I might take care of the dogs again and be able to get ready for church in time.

Every Sunday starts pretty much the same way, but this morning was particularly gorgeous.

I treated myself to a Panera breakfast. Not in any way healthy, but COMPLETELY enjoyable.

I entered into worship this morning feeling full of the Spirit. Still feeling that way. Think I'll stop by LOWE's and check out the dead plant section. The yard is calling my name. Hope your week was wonderful, and that you find peace this weekend.

Start off your Monday with a song on your lips and with the assurance that you are TRULY loved by God.

If you're interested, check out JJ Grey.

Jesus is Risen!

Couldn't have happened soon enough.
I was so wiped after Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday. I'm still not totally sure how I made it to bed on Sunday night.

Anyways, here's a few bits that I caught between Thursday and Sunday with my phone. Nothing life altering, just little things.

Filling communion cups for prayer stations

Good Friday black and crown of thorns

We had prayer stations set up on Thursday and Friday, and then had a "Tenebrae" service on Friday evening.
Saturday was actually my "free" day, although I still ended up having to take mom to the Lion's Club Easter Egg Hunt down at Lake Apopka. She had fun organizing the Special Needs egg hunt which took place in the parking lot.

Resurrection Sunday started at O Dark Thirty, meaning I got up at 5:00a to walk Toby and get ready for the Sunrise Service.  I dress the cross during Holy Week, so it gets changed from purple, to black, to white.

Sunrise was followed by the 9:00a service, Sunday School, and the 11:15a service.  Then I WAS FREE.
Oh PRAISEALLEUIA!!!!

I was so tired by this point, my whole body ached.

Went home for Easter lunch with mom and dad.  Then it was off to Lake Hickory Nut to hang out with the Branom family.

Toby goes just about everywhere with me. Therein, he got to come out to the lake with me. His current favorite thing to do is "chase lizards". So he was in pure heaven hanging out on Terril and Louise's back porch.

As long as I kept an eye on him I was able to let him have fun and spend time talking with Steve, Julie, Louise, and Jesse. Julie and I stood out on the dock and watched the shell crackers and brim get chased around by huge bass. I could just hear summer coming as the cicadas began to sing in the trees.

Oh, and I thoroughly enjoyed both Julie's grape salad and Louise's REALLY GOOD banana pudding. YUM!

A few more shots, just so you can fully understand how much I'm enjoying being free of the cold of winter and the stress of Holy Week.

I can smell spring in these shots.

Any clue what kind of spider this is?

Mom's flowers are GORGEOUS right now!

Walking Toby in SHORTS!!

Green Anoles peeking out EVERYWHERE!!

Toby, lizard hunting, AGAIN!

I've got dirt under my finger nails most days now.
Happy and Warm days to you all!!

Palm Sunday moments

Today is Palm Sunday.
I share a few pics, just so you can get the general feel of my day.

Palm Sunday altar that I set up

Children processed with palms

Two worship services, filled with palm fronds, special music, and an infant baptism. It was a long morning.
Then, Danny and I  rescued a dog running around in the parking lot at Fowler Groves, went to Jersey Mike's for lunch, and experienced a sandwich made "Mike's Way". If you haven't tried Jersey Mike's yet, you should.

Upon returning home, I grabbed Toby to take him for a walk up the hill.

Horse and cow, braving the stormy weather.

This horse and cow are all alone in their pasture. Toby has desperately wanted me to let him meet the horse, but it wasn't all he thought it was going to be.

As you can tell, a storm was moving in. Not long after this, West Orange County was put under a "Tornado Warning". Toby and I were in my car on our way to Twistee Treat, so I made the quick decision to go park under an overpass. We watched as the rain poured down, the wind pushed the car backwards, and we avoided any hailstones.

So, today was fun.
Can't wait for the rest of Holy Week.