I thought I loved you then

Yesterday was the epitome of a ‘picture perfect’ day.  Blue skies, sunshine and seventy something.  The kind of day that reminds us to live in the moment.  Close our eyes; feel the cool breeze and the warm sunshine on our face.  Deep breath.  Ahhh…  Perfection.

The groom was all smiles and the bride was absolutely breathtaking… her gown a soft creamy white with delicate jewels and a veil that sparkled in the sunlight.  It was a glorious day for a wedding.

Weddings are magical.  A window into that fresh, warm feeling of new love. Just sitting there in the church, you could feel the happiness, the excitement, the anticipation… I started to reminisce about that day, our day, over twenty-eight years ago.  About to say “I do” to the man who I loved more than anything.  Yes.  There would be hard times, we were warned.  Marriage is a roller coaster.  Ups. Downs.  Some really sharp turns.  Sure.  Life happens.  You learn to hold each other close during the good times, and even closer in the bad.  Yet; as I sat there yesterday, filled with emotion, I realized something very important.  In all of the advice that we received… Everyone had failed to mention one very unexpected consequence of marriage.  When I was waiting to walk down the aisle on our wedding day, I was as happy as you can be without exploding out of your own skin.  Yes.  That happy.  I was absolutely certain that I could never love this man any more than I did at that very moment. 

I was so wrong. 

“I thought I loved you then”.  My thoughts, put to music by Brad Paisley.  Listen with your heart.  If your eyes fill with tears when you hear this song, then I pray that you, my friend, feel blessed as well.  And so I feel a certain sense sense of responsibility to forewarn our newlyweds… This is (if you are so blessed) an unforeseen consequence to a long and happy marriage.  So consider yourself warned.  As for us, this is a marriage that (God willing) still has a long, long way to go.

“What I can’t see is how I’m ever gonna love you more; but I’ve said that before.  Now you’re my whole life; now you’re my whole world.  I just can’t believe the way I feel about you, girl.  We’ll look back someday at this moment that we’re in.  And I’ll look at you and say…

and “I thought I loved you then”.   Brad Paisley

(french) deals and donuts

For those of you who are “Kansas City friends”… You are probably aware of the fact that I have a booth out at Trendz Market.  Well, I have to let you in on some breaking news.  This week (thru next Tuesday), I have the “item of the week” (big gasp; then silence…)  Yes.  It’s true.  While you are sitting here reading my blog post, you could be up at Trendz saving 20% on anything french…!  Oooo la la, my friends.  (Click on my Facebook page if you want a “sneak peek” at some of the featured items!  For store hours and info, click on “shop with me at Trendz” link at the top of my blog site)  OK.  Maybe you are not here in Kansas City, or you are a new reader of my blog, and therefore have no idea what Trendz is…  No worries.  Simply click on the links at the top of this blog page…”who is creations by cathy” and “shop with me at trendz”.  That should get you up-to-date.  So now you’re sad.  You wish that you lived here so that you could stop by Trendz and check it out.  I’m sorry.  I do, however, have two bits of good news that might cheer you up a bit.

Number one; I am working on getting a little shopping page together so that I can share some of my Creations goodies with all of my friends, near or far. It will be the “shop now” link at the top of this blog site.  I will keep you posted.

And reason number two (the more delicious of the two); I found this yummy looking recipe at Camille Styles blog site.  (Thank you, Camille!)  Indulge and enjoy…

Baked French Breakfast Donuts

Adapted from Cooks.com

  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup milk (I used whole milk)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat donut pan generously with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add egg; mix well.
  3. Sift flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg together. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk.
  4. Fill donut tins half full. Bake 15-20 minutes. Take out of pan immediately and swirl tops into melted butter, then sugar and cinnamon mixture. Makes 6-7 big donuts.

*Note:  These work just as well in a muffin tin, too!

live happy… laugh, love, dream, create

“girl’s night in”

So we watched “Bridesmaids” again this weekend when my daughter was home for the weekend… oh my!  Then I saw this blog post on my Pinterest page this morning from a fun site; “Pizzazzerie“.  That got my creative planning juices going.  “Girl’s Night In”.  OMGosh… what a fun idea!!  That is SO going on my bucket list (that I am currently “drafting”.  More on that later!!)

“If you laugh really loud, talk spontaneously and you don’t care what your face looks like… You’re probably with your real friends.”  – unknown

It’s time to invite the girlfriends over and host a girl’s night in! I’m sharing 10 ways to entertain the gals in style. From the perfect movies to the perfect food, you won’t ever regret “girl-time”. I love designing parties around colors so this one was naturally PINK!

1. THE INVITATION – I am head-over-heels in LOVE with Polka Dot Design’s new glitter line! Seriously it is so cute. I already ordered address labels. Customize this one for the perfect Girl’s Night in Party! This helped set my color scheme of pink + gold!

2. NAIL POLISH – Pick up some fun nail polish colors for manicures! I love Essie’s All Tied Up + Essie’s Golden Nuggets

3. CUPCAKE TIME – Making cupcakes or other sweet dessert is a total must for a successful girl’s night in! Add some pizzazz with gold disco dust or gold luster dust for some pretty shine!

4. TASSEL GARLAND – I have a turquoise version of this garland in my office. Pick it up in pink + gold for your Girl’s Night In! Hang it from the doorway, in the dining room, the mantle, or wherever else you’re celebrating with the gals! Find this one at The Flair Exchange!

5. SIGNATURE COCKTAIL – Weddings aren’t the only events that call for a signature cocktail! I love this Pink Lemonade Cocktail on Somewhere Splendid!

6. DECORATE – Add a framed print to your coffee table or dining room table! I love this one! Find the sign here!

7. MOVIE TIME – While the cupcakes are cooling and nails are drying, turn on some fave flicks like Bridesmaids or Sixteen Candles!

8. PHOTO STRIP FUN – I love this app – Pocketbooth – that lets you create photo strips and even has a print-and-mail function! Your girlfriends will love documenting the fun night!

9. TABLE DECOR – A pink tablecloth and striped runner will add lots of pretty flair for your dinner table! Or keep it casual and lounge on the couch for dinner but either way, add some pops of color! {Tablescape via 100 Layer Cake}

10. FAVORS – My favorite part of EVERY party! Girl’s Night In favors can be anything from a cute nail polish, a bag of sweet treats, or a grab bag of cute craft supplies (think gold glitter and pink ribbon!).

live happy… laugh, love, dream, create

mama quotes

So today is for all of the mamas out there…  Motherhood is, by far, the greatest gift that I was EVER given.  Even though my babies are now 22,  they will always be “my babies“.

It’s been a rough month for me, as you know if you have been following this blog.  Today, though, is different…  My baby girl is coming home for the holiday weekend – and I am so excited to see her!!  We didn’t get to see her much this summer, and I SO missed her…

Yep.  Today is a GOOD day! 

things that make me happy…

So what do you do at the end of one of the most emotionally draining months of your life?  My therapy was blogging about it – and I thank you for listening.  And caring.

So how about a “happy blog“.  The first of many more to come!  No long, drawn out explanation necessary – These are just a (very) small sampling of things off my Pinterest boards.  Things that make me happy.  Enough said.

live happy… laugh, love, dream, create

if heaven wasn’t so far away

So the funeral was today.  I watched, in pain, as my friend said goodbye to her husband; the father of her beautiful children.  Oh my gosh – How does this happen?  In an instant, your life is completely upside down.  Inside out.  Changed forever.  Just. Like. That.

At times like these, we are called to pause and reflect on our own lives.  What, or who, have we been taking for granted??  We all get busy.  Busy, busy, busy.  So much to do; so little time. Right?  So what would change if we really knew what “so little time” really meant?

We complain that our husbands leave the toilet seat up, snore so loud that the walls vibrate and never buy us flowers.  So go out and buy yourself a bunch of flowers – and a pair of earplugs while you’re at it.  And please note that it takes less than five seconds to put a toilet seat down.  Seriously.  Husbands complain that their wives never stop talking.  Talking while they are watching sports. Talking while they are (trying to) read the paper. Talking, talking, talking.   But what if that talking was truly silenced.  Forever.

“If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away”, a song chosen by his kids to accompany the video…. a picture diary of a life well lived, but cut way too short. Click on the link.  Watch the video.  The words remind us how fragile and fleeting life can be.  We can’t go back.  Once our loved ones are gone, they are gone forever.  Today is a gift from God…. so love with all your heart.

cleaning sinks; making muffins

Some things in life are straight forward, clear cut, black and white.  You know what to do, maybe you’ve even been there before.  Everything just seems to make sense.

Some things don’t.

Last Friday morning my friend’s husband passed away very suddenly.  He was only 58.  We are a group of friends and neighbors, all in our 50’s, kids close in ages.  We “girls” get together regularly for “coffee”… which is really just codeword for “therapy”.  We have been there for each other through thick and thin, laughter and tears… We are a diverse group.  Very diverse.  And that really works for us. Never, however, have we had to be there for each other like this.

So what to do…?  Your mind fills with a laundry list of things you can’t do.  You can’t bring him back.  You can’t turn back time.  You can’t take away her pain.  So you do what you can.  Whatever “that” is.  For me, it was helping to clean her house for the onslaught of people who would converge on her in the coming days.  Then I made muffins… and casseroles… and phone calls… and trips to Target.  In my state of “helplessness”; I found great strength in the “doing”.

So our little group has suffered a terrible blow. Times two. The devastating loss of a treasured husband and father last Friday, and then our friend, Mary, left on Monday to follow her heart, and her dreams, to Maine. (See previous post; the “Maine” goodbye)  We will, obviously, never be the same – but we will survive.  This is definitely unchartered territory, so we will just have to “wing it” I guess.  We will be there to help in any way that we can in the days, weeks, months to come…  Though we are all very different, we will do whatever we can; what we do best… whatever “that” is.

Banana Nut Muffins

2 c. flour

1 T. baking powder

½ t. salt

½ c. butter

3/4 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 1/3 c. ripe banana, mashed

1 c. chopped toasted pecans

Sift together dry ingredients and set aside.  Cream butter and sugar.  Beat in eggs, one at a time.  Stir in mashed bananas.  Add dry ingredients all at once, stirring just enough to moisten.  Gently stir in nuts.  Spoon into greased muffin tins, filling about 2/3 full. (about 15-18 muffins)  Bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.

looking for a rainbow

I will be honest with you – My posts have been kinda tough to write lately.  OK…really tough.  And there is an impossible one coming tomorrow.  People that I love are going through some very, very difficult times… and that hurts me deep down in my heart.  So today I wanted to share a pic of one of my very favorite things, rainbows… along with two of my favorite songs made into one.  Less than five minutes to watch this peaceful little video.  You have five minutes.  Do it.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow ~ What a Wonderful World (click here and enjoy…)

the “Maine” goodbye…

We have said “goodbye” so many times over the past couple of months, but I always knew there would be one last goodbye before she left…

My dear friend, Mary, is moving to Maine with her hubbie.  They moved out of their house (only one house between us) and into temporary housing a couple of months ago.  We said goodbye.  The neighbors had a going away party.  We said goodbye.  We got our little “girl’s group” together for one last coffee.  We said goodbye.  Went out for Indian food with our hubbies, one last time.  We said goodbye.  Finally – we met up briefly at a neighbor’s house last night for one final goodbye…

I cried each time, but tried to keep it “polite and reasonable”.  I reserved my gut wrenching “throw yourself on the floor” sobs for private home time.  The truth is – Mary doesn’t do the whole crying thing.  She is “matter-of-fact”, positive and reasonable… on just about everything.  Her determination and positive “never-give-up” attitude helped her survive cancer.  Three times.  Oh ya… and a miracle.  You see, “medically”… Mary really should not be here.  Doctors still have no explanation as to how or why she survived her most serious bout with cancer.  But I do.

And so my heart is filled with an explosive mixture of happy and sad, all combusting within me at the same time.  I am (selfishly) very deep down in my soul sad.  But, in the same breath,  I am absolutely ecstatic for Mary.  She so deserves this happiness.  She has been given the precious gift of time to follow her dreams.  And that is exactly what she is doing.  She is not the kind to sit around worrying and “what iffing”.  She appreciates and savors each moment as it is in front of her.  I’m gonna let you in on a little secret, however; She’s not perfect.  She does have one well known shortcoming…. Mary loves doughnuts.  A lot.

So this morning I am (sobbing) in the shower (which, by the way, works very well).  We said our final goodbyes last night.  Right…?  No!  I have to see her one more time.  One more hug.  One more goodbye.  So I get an idea.  Unfortunately for Mary, I know where she is going to be at exactly 9:30.  I have one stop to make on the way there and miss her by a hair.  Panic mode sets in.  In the end, we meet briefly in a grocery store parking lot for a quick chat and one more hug.  I present her with one little gift for the road… doughnuts.

And we say our final, final goodbye.

She tells me “No crying” (ya. right.) and I get back in my car and watch as her car disappears from my rear view mirror.  As she drives away, I realize that she has left me with a hole in my heart… and I believe it to be about the size of a doughnut hole.

God speed, Mary. 
Your rainbow is waiting…
live happy… laugh, love dream, create

blessed with babies

How can you not smile when you look at this sweet little face…

Goodness gracious; I have had babies on my mind lately.  Between our two families, we have three little ones turning one within a month and a half of each other.  And, on top of that, we just welcomed another precious little one into the family this month!  Fourteen nieces and nephews.  We are so blessed.

Distance; and time…  they are the enemies.  On my side of the family, every single one of my nieces and nephews is far away. That is just so very hard for me.  There are so many milestones, moments and memories that pass… without me.  Sometimes I just have an “Aunt Cathy hug” deep inside that makes me feel like I am going to explode if I can’t deliver it!!  Ya – I know.  I’m their aunt… not their mom.  But for me it goes really, really deep.  I would do anything for any of them, as if they were my very own.  Because they are.  They are family… and there is nothing more precious in all the world.

live happy… laugh, love, dream, create