Jeanne's Bliss Blog

Thursday, March 31, 2011



It is in the shelter of each other that we live.”
Irish Proverb


My friend Martha is shown here (blonde hair)
God bless her and all the angels who help these precious animals


Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields...Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness."
— Mary Oliver


Love this song


Enjoy every ounce of spring

Spring is the Queen of all seasons.



Fields of Gold by Sting

I love Sting

Kindness

KINDNESS


Even the smallest act of kindness says, "I care," says, "You matter," says, "I thought of you."

Jenny Devries


Civilization is a just a slow process of learning to be kind.

Charles L. Lucas


Out of this world

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Five Simple Rules for Happiness



Me and my Son on his Wedding day in Seoul


Five Simple Rules for Happiness:

Free your heart from hatred
Free your mind from worries
Live simply
Give more
Expect less♥


Love -- a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker.
~Author Unknown

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´
¸.•´ ¸.•*¨)¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´(¸.• (¸.•´¸¸.•¨¯`•.¸¸.♥

"Love is the ultimate meaning of everything around us. It is not a mere sentiment; it is truth; it is the joy that is at the root of all creation."

- Rabindranath Tagore

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

God loves it when we sing and dance


As seen on Musings blog


God loves it when we sing and dance♥

We can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise if we have waited in the darkness”


Thanks for putting a song in my heart



In loving memory

Cynthis Canty from Detroit Magic 105.1
Her son Brendan this was his late former Sister in law

is coloring on your day! ((̲̅ ̲̅(̲̅C̲̅r̲̅a̲̅y̲̅o̲̅l̲̲̅̅a̲̅( ̲̅̅((>

Monday, March 28, 2011

Baby you are a Star


Photograph from the Detroit Magic website
Thanks Cyndy♥

Shower♥ the people you love with love
Show them the way you feel........"
James taylor


Put♥ this ♥ on ♥ anyone's ♥ blog ♥ who ♥ made ♥ you ♥ smile ♥ somewhere ♥ sometime ♥ in ♥ your ♥ life. ♥ It ♥ may ♥ surprise ♥ you ♥ but ♥ check ♥out ♥ how ♥ many ♥ come ♥ back. ♥ Thanks ♥ alot ♥ for ♥ making ♥ me ♥ smile! ♥



Cyndy YoU ARE a STAR



Thanks for always putting a song in my heart all the wonderful ones at Detroit Magic


She is a bright shining star to us all.
The world is a much better place with you in it♥

Thanks for all the joy and love and laughter
and MAGIC you bring and all the people at Detroit Magic 105.1 FM
WE love you all♥


Sweet picture of the children looking at candy

Brings back many memories




Spring Fashions



Fashions



Time began in a garden

Sunday, March 27, 2011

The Wish


The Wish



A lot of people in this world fear change and growth and even love. Sometimes when you start to walk into the light you might have to let go of a few hands trying to pull you back into the darkness. Just remember that even on the road less traveled, you never walk alone. ~Joseph Mazzella

Thursday, March 24, 2011

On Spring Fling Hiatus

Let us go for a ride and find more spring.

Spring time and the world is alive with brand new beginnings.

On a Hiatus while I go and enjoy every ounce of this spring.
I have waited so very long.
Life is short
Make FUN of it.

Celebrate you and surround yourself with people that DO
Love you
Take very good care
As if I were there♥



Photograph taken by my son in Seoul, South Korea

A story like mine should never be told. For my world is as forbidden as it is fragile. Without its mysteries it cannot survive. I certainly wasn't born to the life of a geisha. Like so much in my strange life, I was carried there by the cur...rent.
Memoirs of a Geisha


Love this song

Thanks for all those that put a song in my heart♥

Enjoyed all the songs of Motown on American Idol last night.
Hitsville is in Detroit
Not a superb

Every song brings a thousand beautiful memories comining back.
Detroit I hope you can revitalize♥

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Love Sweet Love



Happy Birthday to my lovely Aunt Mary
May Heaven hear your every wish♥

I love you dearly♥



Love Song by Adele





To love a person is to learn the song that is in their heart, and to sing it to them when they have forgotten.
Thanks Shelley for this quote♥


The greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love and be loved in return♥


Linda McCartney




My Mom loved Elizabeth Taylor

Rest in peace dear Lady
Thanks Shelley for the link♥


Please visit my fabulous friends website

Her creations are fabulous and so is she.
I love you Chel♥

Love and prayers continue for all the people in Japan

THIS WONDERFUL PRAYER WAS PASSED ON TO US SO WE ARE PASSING IT ON. EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS!



















Lord, I just want to say THANK YOU,

Because this morning I woke up and knew where my children were.



Because this morning my home was still standing,

Because this morning I am not crying

Because my spouse, my child, my brother or sister, my parent does not need to be buried

or to be pulled out from underneath a pile of concrete,

Because this morning I was able to drink a glass of water,

Because this morning I was able to turn on the light,

Because this morning I was able to take a shower,

Because this morning I was not planning a funeral,



But most of all I thank you this morning because I still have life and a voice to cry out for the people of Japan .

Lord I cry out to you, the One that makes the impossible, possible,

The One that turns darkness in to light,

I cry out that You give those mothers strength,





That You give them peace that surpasses all understanding,

That You may open the streets so that help can come,

That You may provide doctors, nurses, food, water, and all that they need in a blink of an eye.





For all those that have lost family members, give them peace, give them hope, give them courage to continue to go on!

Protect the children and shield them with your power.

I pray all this in the name of Jesus!!!





To all our email friends, please continue to forward this so that we can pray together for the people in Japan


Also keeping those in Christchurch in my daily prayers as they continue to rebuild their lives after earthquakes♥
.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Thanks for putting a song in my heart♥



Amanda with her parents and her brother



Thanks for putting a song in my heart


Our young family member Amanda singing this song.
We love it.
We are all so proud of her and everyone in our family



Thanks to Suzanne for reminding me of this song

Monday, March 21, 2011

Happy Birthday to my Fabulous Husband



This is one funny picture
WE were dining with Ahram and Justin in Seoul and we love all the restaurants
we were trying to eat and smile at the same time.
Too priceless
September, 2010 Seoul South Korea


Love is one of life's most beautiful gifts.
It often comes as a surprise filling the heart with joy.
Selfless giving. Love places the happiness of another above our own.It inspires
with its own passion nurturing with its generosity and enriches with its spirit.
There is no limit to its magic.
Love is eternal.

I love you my fabulous husband.
May God bless you with lasting love health peace and joy and everything that makes you smile♥

To my darling husband
Thank you for your love and for you
Each and every day of the year!
When we are born, the soul we are given
Splits apart and half of it is given to someone else
So all of our lives we are looking
for the other half of our soul
And if we are lucky enough to ever find that person
Our soul says, "At last, I can rest.
I have found my missing half."
Then, it is said, we have found our soul mate
and we are happy and at peace
When I saw you, when we first met
You were familiar, you were known
When I saw you, when we first met
My heart recognized you as part of its own!
I love you with all of my heart!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Let's go for a ride and go find Spring



Photograph taken by me a few spring times ago in a field near our home♥

In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful. ~Abram L. Urban~

Beautiful gardens


Let's go for a ride and go and find spring♥


Girl in a sports car


The Super Moon last night was fabulous
It is still up in the early early morning sky
5:00 AM

Close your eyes And do not peek And I'll rub "spring" Across your cheek. Soft as velvet Smooth and sleek Close your eyes And do not peek.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Starbucks is taking donations for the relief fund for Japan

“... calamities have always been and will continue to be the lot of God’s chosen ones. Therefore, blessed is the one who is satisfied with and thankful for all that hath visited him. For nothing from God touches a person except what is best for him of all that hath been created between the heavens and the earth. Since people are unaware of this mystery and its secrets, they are saddened when calamity strikes. God willing, thou wilt be always seated upon the seat of assurance and nourished with the fruits of understanding. Verily, He is the best of all providers and protectors. May the Spirit and Glory be upon thee and upon those who are with thee, and upon every believing servant. Praised be God, the Lord of all worlds.”

From my dear friend Nooshin

Turn our mourning into gladness
and our sorrows into wholeness.”
from ~the book of Esther


Soup puts the heart at ease, calms down the violence of hunger, eliminates the tension of the day, and awakens and refines the appetite.
~Auguste Escoffier


Weekend weekend cha cha cha
glorious spring like weather
Big full moon in the night sky
Every bird is singing a lovers conerto
Am I delighted Spring is almost here?
Need I say more.

Continued prayers for all those in Japan and Christchurch
a very touching ceremony from Prince William in Christchurch

He quoted his Grandmother saying grief is the price we pay for love♥

Have you made your donation at Starbucks for the relief for Japan fund?

"My foes are many, they rise against me
But I will hold my ground
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way


Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always


Troubles surround me, chaos abounding
My soul will rest in You
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way


Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always


I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord"


We are all praying for Japan and all those in Christchurch and all those suffering in our world


Tonight there will be a super moon in the night sky


Super Moon




Gorgeous Easter Things



A Voice in the clouds blog


posted this

I just read a story about a 9 year-old boy in Sendai. He was at the end of a queue for food and a police saw him with just shorts and tshirt on, came by and gave him his jacket and his food and said: " i think the food may run out before your turn. so it's mine. have it". the boy said thank you and suddenly went directly to the table where they were delivering food and put the biscuits there and said to the police: "there are people who need it more than me. it should be fair for everyone". His father, who drove to school in the attempt to pick up his son after the earthquake, was killed by the tsunami. his mom and sister also died as their house was on the beach. i am just speechless right now...


Comment excerpt taken from The Daily Mail.

Sad soul, take comfort, nor forget
That sunrise never failed us yet
Celia Thaxter


Please Help Japan

Thursday, March 17, 2011

For Japan With Love And Continued Prayer for Christchurch





Blogggers day of Silence

March 18, 2011


For Japan with Love


Bloggers Day of Silence:
Anyone that has a blog can help out with this one.
The aim is just raise awareness and respect and acknowledge the devastation going on in Japan.


Bloggers day of silence


Her words and guidelines for March 18, 2011 Bloggers day of Silence from above blog link

The guidelines are simple.
1. This coming Friday, March 18th, no posts at all on your blog.
2. Please post a blog post about what you will be doing this Friday whenever possible in hopes to spread the word and whoever else would like to join in.
You all can check out what I did for mine here or Utterly Engaged's here and do it your way if you'd like.
I'll be posting a reminder post on Thursday evening on my blog too.
3. Tweet and Re-Tweet the shiznit out of the link to http://www.forjapanwithlove.com please.
4. Encourage your readers to contribute to donate shelter to Japan.
Whatever anyone can contribute will be appreciated.
Every little helps.

Feel free to ask other bloggers you like to join in on this. Whatever impact we can make will be so awesome.


If you'd like to join in, please leave a comment with your blog name and a link too.
We would like to acknowledge who will be participating and give them our thanks.
Grab the flyer above and either of the two badges below and feel free to use it in your post.





Letter from Sendai


To Pray is to
laugh
whistle
dance on happy feet
sing
shout
and jump---higher than ever before
But it is also to
whisper
wonder
stumble in dark places
cry
scream
or just hold a worried head
in tired hands and wait......
Prayer is our tired reaching out
to the One
who holds us closer
and loves us more
than we would dare imagine.
~Greta Schumm
(This to pray To Pray is was seen on my dear friend Marilyn's blog)


♥•´¯`•.´¯`•.¸.•´¯`•.¸PRAYER WAVE¸.•´¯`•.´¯`•.¸.•´¯`•.Going out to Japan, the Pacific •´¯`•.´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.to everyone & everywhere¸.•´¯`•.´¯`•.¸¸.•
¸.•´¯`•.affected by the earthquake & tsunami and nuclear radiation and all those who have lost their loved ones and still searching for loved ones¸.•´¯`•.¸PRAYERS¸.•´¯`•.
¸.•´¯`•.¸.•´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸.Keep the PRAYER WAVE going¸.•´¯`•.¸.•´¯`•.¸¸.♥


“ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families around the world who are affected by disasters at the time when they need it the most. Each large, green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.” (via ever ours) If you’d like to contribute, click here. Every little bit helps. Please help spread the word. We can all make a difference together!



Continued prayers for those in Christchurch New Zealand trying to rebuild their lives as well after earthquakes recently as well♥

My friends blog has a video and prayers and love to you all



This blog offers information for helping those in Christchurch



Please help Japan

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Life is Short







The Bus Ride Movie

Life is Short
Make FUN of it and enjoy it

I shall pass through this world but once
any good that I may do let me do it now
Let me not defer it nor neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.


♥•´¯`•.´¯`•.¸.•´¯`•.¸PRAYER WAVE¸.•´¯`•.´¯`•.¸.•´¯`•.Going out to Japan, the Pacific •´¯`•.´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.to everyone & everywhere¸.•´¯`•.´¯`•.¸¸.•
¸.•´¯`•.affected by the earthquake & tsunami¸.•´¯`•.¸PRAYERS¸.•´¯`•.
¸.•´¯`•.¸.•´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸.Keep the PRAYER WAVE going¸.•´¯`•.¸.•´¯`•.¸¸.♥


We are family


We are family

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Buddhist Prayer for Peace



Photograph taken by my Son

Buddhist Prayer for Peace:

"May all beings everywhere plagued with sufferings of body and mind quickly be freed from their illnesses. May those frightened cease to be afraid, and may those bound be free. May the powerless find power, and may people think of befriending one another. May those who find themselves in trackless, fearful wilderness-- the children, the aged, the unprotected-- be guarded by beneficent celestials, and may they swiftly attain Buddhahood."


I love these images

Monday, March 14, 2011

Swing into Spring



Swing into Spring♥



I love this song



A little girl went
to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet.


She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three
times, even.. The total had to be exactly perfect.. No chance here for mistakes.


Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she
slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with
the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.

She waited patiently for
the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment.
Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat
with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally she took a
quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!


'And what do you want?' the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of
voice.. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages,' he
said without waiting for a reply to his question.

'Well, I want to talk
to you about my brother,' Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. 'He's
really, really sick....and I want to buy a miracle.'

'I beg your pardon?'
said the pharmacist.

'His name is Andrew and he has something bad
growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how
much does a miracle cost?'

'We don't sell miracles here, little girl.
I'm sorry but I can't help you,' the pharmacist said, softening a little.


'Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get
the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.'

The pharmacist's brother was
a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, 'What kind of a
miracle does your brother need?'

' I don't know,' Tess replied with her
eyes welling up. I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an
operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money..'


'How much do you have?' asked the man from Chicago .

'One dollar
and eleven cents,' Tess answered barely audible.

'And it's all the money
I have, but I can get some more if I need to.'

'Well, what a
coincidence,' smiled the man. 'A dollar and eleven cents---the exact price of a
miracle for little brothers.'

He took her money in one hand and with
the other hand he grasped her mitten and said 'Take me to where you live. I want
to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need.'

That well-dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon,
specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it
wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well.

Mom and Dad were
happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.


'That surgery,' her Mom whispered. 'was a real miracle. I wonder how
much it would have cost?'

Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a
miracle cost....one dollar and eleven cents...plus the faith of a little child.


In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need.

A
miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law.
I know you'll keep the ball moving!

Here it goes. Throw it back to
someone who means something to you!

A ball is a circle, no beginning, no
end. It keeps us together like our Circle of Friends. But the treasure inside
for you to see is the treasure of friendship you've granted to me.

Today
I pass the friendship ball to you.

Pass it on to someone who is a friend
to you.

MY OATH TO YOU...

When you are sad.....I will dry your
tears.

When you are scared.....I will comfort your fears.

When
you are worried......I will give you hope.

When you are confused.....I
will help you cope.

And when you are lost...and can't see the light, I
shall be your beacon...shining ever so bright.

This is my oath.....I
pledge till the end.

Why you may ask?....Because you're my friend.


Signed: GOD

Monday♥



Cristo Redentor
Rio Brazil
Photograph taken by my Son
Summer of 2006


(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´
¸.•´ ¸.•*¨)¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´(¸.• (¸.•´¸¸.•¨¯`•.¸¸.♥Please keep this heart balloon traveling around the world. Show your support for the victims in the Japan Earthquake & Tsunami during this devastating time~♥
and also keeping in our prayers all those in Christchurch as well and all the people who are suffering in the world♥

I met my husband Paul on this day in 1993
God has blessed us well.

For all that we have been
For all the we have become
For all that we are yet to be

I love you with all my heart♥

In true love the smallest distance is too great, and the greatest distance can be bridged.
~Hans Nouwens

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Sunday♥

I make a choice everyDAY
regarding the attitude i will embrace
for that day.
I can not change the past......
I can not change the fact that people will act in
a certain way.
I can not change the inevitable.....
the only thing i can do is play on the
on string I have
and that is my attitude
{ Dr. Charles Swindoll}

As read on the beautiful blog Bluebird Notes


Bluebird Notes


Kindess is the highest form of wisdom


The End of Suffering

For all those in Japan and all those suffering throughout the world.

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
~2 Timothy 1:7


Did you remember to spring forward my darlings?

When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry give life a thousand reasons to be happy and rejoice and say thank you♥


Help Japan

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Love



Me and my fabulous husband♥


Oh My Love




It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble, how hopeless the outlook how muddled the tangle, how great the mistake. A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all

On the 12th of every month Paul and I celebrate our love as we do everyday
We married on February 12, 1994

I first met him on March 14, 1993

God blessed the day I found you
I love you with all my heart♥

Be sure to visit my fabulous friend Shelley's blog


Please visit her beautiful blog
Every Yesterday


First robin of the season spotted today♥
Spring forward with our clocks tonight♥

A Change In The Year


It is the first mild day of March
Each minute is sweeter that before,
The redbreast sings from the tall larch
That stands beside our door.


There is a blessing in the air,
Which seems a sense of joy to yield
To the bare trees and mountains bare;
And grass in the green field.
--William Wordsworth

A beautiful poem I seen posted on my dear friend Shelley's blog
Please visit her beautiful blog.
Every Yesterday link above and in the side bar♥

Friday, March 11, 2011

Praying for all



Photograph taken by my Son

Every picture tells a story

Praying for all in Japan
and all those affected by the Tsunami across the Pacific





How fragile life is.
Everything can change in an instant.

Tsunami Alert for New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, and others. Waves expected over the next few hours, caused by 8.9 earthquake in Japan.


Prayers for Comfort


·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸PRAYER WAVE¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸ Going out to all those affected in Japan, the Pacific and everywhere else affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Keep this going Please.

Help us to be ever faithful gardeners of
the spirit, who know that without
darkness nothing comes to birth,
and without light nothing flowers.
~May Sarton

Thursday, March 10, 2011

I Won't Let Go by Rascal Flatts

It’s like a storm
That cuts a path
It’s breaks your will
It feels like that

You think your lost
But your not lost on your own
Your not alone
I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
If you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I wont let go

It hurts my heart
To see you cry
I know it’s dark
This part of life
Oh it finds us all
And we’re too small
To stop the rain
Oh but when it rains

I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight

http://www.hotnewsonglyrics.com/rascal-flatts-i-wont-let-go-lyrics.html

And I wont let you fall
Don’t be afraid to fall
I’m right here to catch you
I wont let you down
It wont get you down
Your gonna make it
Yea I know you can make it

Cause I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
And I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I wont let go
Oh I’m gonna hold you
And I wont let go
Wont let you go
No I wont

Rascal Flatts – I Won’t Let Go Lyrics

I love this song


I Won't Let Go by Rascal Flatts


I love this new Jennifer Lopez music video


On the floor Jennifer Lopez

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Ash Wednesday Prayer



Image from a Google Search

Ash Wednesday Prayer

Father in Heaven,
the light of your truth bestows sight
to the darkness of sinful eyes.
May this season of repentance
bring us the blessing of Your forgiveness
and the gift of Your light.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.


Lent


Remember you are dust and it is to dust you shall be returned.

This Lent work metanoia on me
by turning: pride into humility,
anxiety into acceptance,
frugality into generosity,
criticism into praise,
...coldness into warmth,
neglect into concern,
indifference into love,
grudges into joy,
ingratitude into thankfulness,
prayerlessness into devotion
at the foot of the cross.
Lord take the clay,
Begin the shaping in preparation
for the wedding feast of the Lamb.

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Starbuck's 40th year anniversary this month


Starbuck's celebrates its 40th year anniversary this month



Five Fantastic Reasons to Drink Coffee (Out of a Million)
Published on: January 3, 2007


During 2006, we reported on many studies that showed the various wonderful health benefits of drinking coffee. The common thread throughout all these reports is that drinking a few cups of coffee throughout the day will benefit us all through our lives. Here are the Top Five Health Benefits:


Protects against diabetes.
Diabetes is a severe disease that compromises the entire body making diabetics at risk for gangrene in the feet and legs, at a higher-than-normal risk for blindness, and can result in a shorter life span compared to people who do not have the disease. Type 2 diabetes, which does not always require insulin but can be treated with medicine, is nonetheless at such epidemic proportions that it has become the number one concern for the medical community. The escalation of obesity in both children and adults is a contributing factor, so eating a more balanced diet, exercising, and getting plenty of rest are essential. What researches have also discovered is that drinking coffee is a positive addition to the lifestyle for those at-risk or who already have diabetes. Anywhere from two to six cups a day have proven beneficial. The reason? Antioxidants plus other chemical elements in the complex profile of coffee. Risk factors are reduced up to 30 percent, and scientists believe that the body's metabolism of sugar is balanced by the compounds found in coffee. While the recommendations have been from two to six cups a day, all the scientists agree that it is best to space the consumption out over the day as the compounds are eliminated rather quickly and do not remain in the body for great lengths of time even though they are beneficial while consumed.


Protects against liver disease.
The liver is the largest glandular organ in the body at three pounds, and it is absolutely the workhorse of the magic of the human body. Its task is to be the filter of toxins and the other detritus that accumulate from the natural functions of drinking and eating. The blood is carried from the intestines by two main arteries (the hepatic and the portal vein) to the liver where the blood is cleansed. Liver tissue is composed of thousands of lobules, and each lobule is made up of hepatic cells, the basic metabolic cells of the liver. When these cells are compromised, liver disease can occur and, since we only have one, that makes for a life-threatening situation. Cirrhosis of the liver is most frequently caused by excessive alcohol drinking, but some cases do develop among non-drinkers. Recent studies have indicated that it is not the caffeine that helps prevent cirrhosis but the combination of other compounds in coffee. Two recent studies by Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program cohorts revealed that subjects who drank four or more cups of coffee per day had upwards of 80 percent less chance of developing liver cirrhosis than non-coffee drinkers. In another study, death from the disease was reduced 23 percent. (Cirrhosis caused by Hepatitis C appears to be unaffected by coffee consumption.) Another study, in Norway, showed that cancer of the liver can be reduced by drinking coffee. Those in the study who drank coffee regularly versus those who never or hardly ever drank coffee developed only 214.6 cases versus 547.2 of those who did (per 100,000 people).


Caffeine in coffee can rev up the body and keep the mind alert.
One of coffee's main compounds, caffeine, does not have specific nutritional value, yet it does demonstrate medicinal properties. It is particularly helpful in keeping the mind alert and the body action-ready. Several recent studies reported the therapeutic value of coffee and caffeine for protecting against the onset of dementia and/or Alzheimer's, which affects the mind. Scientists now believe that caffeine can stimulate the brain cells to stimulate choline, a necessary element in making "neurotransmitters" which are greatly reduced in dementia patients. Caffeine also helps Parkinson's patients who experience a lack of dopamine in the brain, which causes tremors and general mobility problems. The explanation for caffeine efficacy may be that it is a phytochemical (a plant-derivative chemical) and phytochemicals are well known for therapeutic, medical properties.


Coffee has powerful antioxidants.
Antioxidants, plentiful in fruits and vegetables, are absolutely vital for excellent health and appear in high levels in coffee. Antioxidants are chemical compounds that fight free radicals, which, if allowed to grow, will attack our body and cause disease, most commonly cancer. Fats and sugars elevate free radicals, so it makes good sense to eat high amounts of fruits and vegetables daily - at least five servings - plus drink two cups of coffee per day. This guideline will definitely help the body build disease-fighting antioxidants in the body. Last year, a study from the University of Scranton showed that Americans' number one source for antioxidants is coffee, more so than any other diet source. And, that goes for caffeinated coffee and decaffeinated!


Protects against gallstones.
In two separate studies, one on men and one on women, caffeinated coffee appears to help reduce the symptoms of gallstones. Men have a 4 percent lower risk of developing them when they drink two or three cups of caffeinated coffee per day; however, men who drink four or more cups reduce the risk up to 45 percent over those men who do not drink coffee. These are the conclusions from a Harvard School of Public Health study that involved 46,000 male participants over a ten-year period. The men were ages 40 to 75 and had no gallstone disease at the beginning of the study. The study did not include women who, ironically, develop two-thirds of all reported gallstones; the reason is most likely because of the estrogen-cholesterol relationship. Vitamin C therapy appears to work well for women prone to stones but does seem to impact men. A separate study done by the Harvard Nurses’ Health Study followed 80,000 women for 20 years and reported that coffee reduces the risk of gallstones among women by 25 percent when they drink four or more cups a day, compared to those women who did not drink any coffee. The gallbladder stores the digestive fluid made by the liver, bile, and sometimes cholesterol and other substances that crystallize into stones. While they do not cause many symptoms, they can grow large enough to block the ducts that carry the bile from the liver to the small intestines. When that occurs, pain is quite intense and may be felt in the right side or the upper abdomen and travel to the right shoulder or between the shoulder blades. Researchers believe that caffeine in coffee helps lower cholesterol concentrations in the bile although caffeinated tea and soda do not have the same effect. It is also true that you can live without a gallbladder but it’s a lot easier to change your diet than go through any operation to remove it, doctors warn. Medical doctors and nutritional experts caution that eating enough fiber and drinking enough water, about 64 ounces a day, are the two best ways to prevent gallstones along with a well-balanced diet without excess salt or fat.


Happy Shrove Tuesday or fat Tuesday

Paczki's anyone?

Monday, March 07, 2011

Bless Shoe



Photograph taken by me


Give a girl the right shoes and she'll conquer the world"~ Bette Midler

One Shoe can change a life
Cinderella♥

Dedicated to my fabulous niece Erica and her future husband Scott on their engagement.
Congratulations♥

Saturday, March 05, 2011

Saturday






My Son and his bride have a new home.......
Spring a time of new begninnings

Been thinking of you today
Wondering how you are
Though distance separates us
You're always in my heart
I pray that you will always know
How much you mean to me
And that the Lord loves you so
And He's all you'll ever need.


M.S. Lowndes

Although we are many millions of miles apart
We are next door neighbors of the heart♥



Marriage should be a duet - when one sings, the other claps.
--Joe Murray


Love.
Fall in love and stay in love.
Write only what you love, and love what you write.
The key word is love.
You have to get up in the morning and write something you love,
...something to live for.
~Ray Bradbury~

The Tenors sang so beautiful at Ahram and Justin's wedding

Thanks for putting such a glorious song in our hearts♥



A mother's joy begins when new life is stirring inside... when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time, and a playful kick reminds her that she is never alone.
~Author Unknown

Looking forward to the birth of Spring and several special babies due to arrive this Spring..........

New life, new beginnings what joy abounds.

Sophia is crawling♥



Say Hey



Kindness is the highest form of wisdom

Friday, March 04, 2011

Friday Weekend Weekend Cha Cha Cha



I will be so happy to welcome Spring

Spring is the Queen of all seasons and Easter is her crown.





China Town by Vancouver based group
Destroyer


If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."~
Mother Teresa



I love this video


"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart,
and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."

Thursday, March 03, 2011

Happy Thursday



Photograph taken by me a few weeks ago


It has been my experience that whenever one human being reaches out to another in compassion, a bridge is built. A bridge which leads out of despair, into the light of hope and the possibility that tomorrow will hold a few less tears than yesterday” ~Dr. Maithri Goonetilleke

Beginning the day,
I see that life is a miracle
Attentive to each moment,
I keep my mind clear like a calm river
Waking up this morning, I smile
Twenty-four brand new hours are before me
I vow to live fully in each moment
and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion
~Thich Nhat Hanh

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Double Double on the Double


Oh My



To attain knowledge, add things everyday. To attain wisdom, remove things every day."
— Laozi

My cousin has already seen two robins..........
It is a gorgeous day with the sun shining and more snow melting away.
So anxious for Spring.

I can taste it♥

I ˙·٠•●❤ LOVE ❤●•٠·˙ a day when I have no where to go and nothing to do and
I have all day to do it!!! Whhheeeeee .....

Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Rabbit Rabbit




Rabbit Rabbit

May our month be full of many blessings

Faith is being sure of what we hope for
and cerain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

It is the first day of March
Each minute sweeter than before
There is a blessing in the air
William Wordsworth

March arrives, the last hurrah of winter and the first whisper of spring.
Slowly our spirits reawaken, along with the natural world, from a long winter's slumber.
Branches that just days ago were bare, now blossom with new growth. Deep within
we feel stirrings of hope. Turn over the earth and the inner garden.
This month we plant seeds of the thoughts of spring on the horizon.

Quote (all but for the last line)
from the book Simple Abundance
A daybook of Comfort and Joy
Sarah Ban Breathnach