Happy Late Easter

 Dear Friends,

After a grueling week-long sewing marathon, Easter Sunday finally arrived with everyone wearing their mostly matching clothing (except for the gentlemen's ties, which I couldn't make since I bought Heat-n-Bond instead of fusible interfacing at the last minute). Of course the effort was all worth it to see everyone so sweet and cheery whilst celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

After church services we had a luncheon of flat bread, goat cheese, fish (fillets, since we forgot to buy real fish), salad with chick peas, and honeycomb to try to recreate what Jesus may have eaten in His day. It really did help to feel like we were part of something special!

Here are some of the best photos of the day. We are grateful to our neighbors, who allowed us to use their flowering quince as a back drop!

 

 

In other news, the girls have finally finished their first feature length movie, for which they have posted a trailer on YouTube. I am quite impressed with their talent, and what they have been able to accomplish being self-taught!

Here's to the hope of Life Eternal!

Love,

Marqueta

Birthday Delight

Dear friends,

This Tuesday we celebrated my forty-first trip around the sun. No wonder I'm so tired! :) The day was spent being with those I love best here at home (we were going to go to a botanical garden, but it was too cold to take Hyrum outside). 

Frankie made me a paper farm, the next best thing to a real one. Evangeline made me a book commemorating our parakeet Peet, who passed away in March. Rebecca drew me "lots of little baby chicks and three foxes". Tasha gave me some service coupons, and Audrey wrote a parody of Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven. Oh, yes, and AnnaMarie spent the day before cleaning the kitchen and made the birthday meal!

 To top it all off, I was blessed with a Pink Full Moon, which was a lovely way to end a lovely day.

 

Blessings to you today,

Marqueta

Master Franklin Has a Birthday

 Dear Friends,

Oh my, can Frankie really be seven already? He loves African animals lately, so we made him a rhino cake with bananas for horns (so creative, I know). The ice cream topping melted quickly, so the photo doesn't look its best, but at least Frankie liked it!

Frankie wanted to go to the zoo to see the African animals, but we went to a nature center instead, since it was supposed to rain. The day after his birthday was nice and sunny, however, so he finally got to go see everything in its animal glory. I think that a person could do worse than be in love with animals!

Here are a few photos from his special day, for you to enjoy:~

 

Seven Times One

Jean Ingelow

THERE’S no dew left on the daisies and clover,
There’s no rain left in heaven.
I ’ve said my “seven times” over and over,—
Seven times one are seven.
I am old,—so old I can write a letter;
My birthday lessons are done.
The lambs play always,—they know no better;
They are only one times one.
O Moon! in the night I have seen you sailing
And shining so round and low.
You were bright—ah, bright—but your light is failing;
You are nothing now but a bow.
You Moon! have you done something wrong in heaven,
That God has hidden your face?
I hope, if you have, you will soon be forgiven,
And shine again in your place.
O velvet Bee! you ’re a dusty fellow,—
You ’ve powdered your legs with gold.
O brave marsh Mary-buds, rich and yellow,
Give me your money to hold!
O Columbine! open your folded wrapper,
Where two twin turtle-doves dwell!
O Cuckoo-pint! toll me the purple clapper
That hangs in your clear green bell!
And show me your nest with the young ones in it,—
I will not steal them away;
I am old! you may trust me, linnet, linnet!
I am seven times one to-day.

Love, 

Marqueta

Farewell to a Dear Grandmother

Dear Friends,

Yesterday marked the first anniversary of my mother-in-law's going on to her eternal reward. It was also the day that her mother joined her there, after suffering for many years. Her husband has been gone for 15 years, so I'm sure there was a wonderful reunion for their family on the other side of the veil!

The magnolias and daffodils are just starting to open their eyes around town, reminding us of the Savior's promise of new life and hope in times of loss. How grateful we are to know that there is much more than this life, and that if we hold out faithful until the end, we shall see our loved ones again and hear the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Love,

Marqueta