Candles and a Honeymoon

I had wondered what had happened to a nice gift I had given to Lily on her birthday last year.  A wooden, heart-shaped, hand-poured soy candle with a delicious aroma called Sweet Lemon. 

Was it given away, quickly used up, or forgotten in a corner?? No --- Lily saved it 😊  For several months! 👍

She took it with her for their wedding honeymoon in Tennessee. They had rented a cabin for a week. 

My respect for her self-control and ability to wait to use it for a worthwhile, memorable event went up several notches. 

So happy for our son.  He is blessed of the Lord thru Lily.

**

Fine Art: Agnes Rathonyi, Part 2

 Update on recent beautiful Modern Art from Canadian artist, Agnes Rathonyi. The "apples" below were a gift for my birthday.  I am beyond thrilled ❤😍

the Blue colors match!

Below is a small sampling of beautiful works by Agnes  R. owned by other family members.

Wish List!

**

Apple Crisp, etc

3 of my Birthday gifts:
A. Daughter baked dessert. It was consumed and enjoyed quickly and was especially good eaten with Vanilla Ice Cream.

link
Apple Crisp Recipe

B. Hubby let me bid on this ring thru eBay as my birthday gift in advance:

Link
This Diamond Ring

C. Youngest son contributed some of his hard-earned Summer-job money to add  to my MacKenzie-Childs collection:

Thank You, Lord Jesus Christ!

31.9.5.18

Real Money

 I'm excited about this. I received several birthday gifts which were generous and sweet, but this one in particular was a first.  I had mentioned it in passing a couple of weeks previously as a "good" gift. I did not say where it could be purchased, nor how much it would cost.  Lo and behold, two of the kids actually heard, and followed through. Woohooo!

The Silver American Eagle Coin is legal tender and has a face value of $1.  It contains 1 troy ounce (31.1 grams) of .999 fine Silver.  The rest of the coin is Copper for durability. Why has this coin found favor in my eyes in recent months?  It is  affordable -- Silver's spot price is currently hovering @ $17 per ounce;  it is real money; and it is the world's only Silver bullion coin whose weight, content, and purity are guaranteed by the government of the United States. That can not ever be said of the trillions (Quadrillions??  Quintillions??)  of US paper money  floating around.  Yes, further research on my part is needed as to the place Silver can play in our portfolio which is currently heavy on the equity market. It goes without saying that I do value my husband's advice, and the wisdom found in God's Word:

Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.  Ecclesiastes 11:2

My special day was topped off by the good company of old friends, one of whom bought me & R a strawberry cake from a long-time favorite bakery, Lutz Cafe & Pastry Shop .  Oh, yesss! 

***

Jillian's Birthday

Happy Birthday to our daughter, Jillian. We love you, honey.
The Lord Jesus Christ has given us a terrific, multi-talented daughter. We bless His name and thank Him for our Jill-Dill.

Jillian is...

A great Pianist after many years of lessons (may the Lord continue to provide)

A sharp-shooter who is willing to learn only from the best (her brother Jared, and Brian M.) A hard-working Fencer

A pretty girl
and a cutie-pie since forever, as evidenced by the picture below
(green silk dress sewn by Mommy)

The girl's name Jillian \j(il)-lian\ is pronounced JIL-ee-an. Variant of Gillian, from Julian; diminutive of Juliana (Latin) "youthful"

The girl's name Ruby \r(u)-by\ ... is pronounced ROO-bee. It is of English origin, and its meaning is "the red gemstone". Jewel name first used in the 1870s.

Her birthday presents:

1. 
   
   Twizzlers Candy from FJE
   
   
2. 
   
   Nightmare Academy book from AJE
   
   
3. 
   
   Superchick (autographed, wooohooo!!) CD from KJE
   
   
4. 
   
   Mirror's Edge PC Game from CGE
   
   
5. 
   
   Coconut (real) from JSE
   
   
6. 
   
   Cash from Grandpa/Grandma
   
   
7. 
   
   Cash, Tanzanite Ring, & Dogtag Necklace from Mom/Dad