I have always loved the shapes and swirls of

ampersands.

I also adore collecting "things."

It matters not one whit what "it" is...
{that is a mouthful! try three times, aloud}

soaps, spices, seashells and postcards from around the world,

pens, markers, notecards, fabrics, rickrack...

whatever.

I do believe if I am going to collect the above

mentioned scribal symbol for "and"

I shall need a carrying case~

& we all know deluxe is always best!

If you would like to borrow it, please let me know.

I do want everyone to share in its pizaaz--

I love it!

Enjoy all things you adore for a

way good day!

{and remember to always share...it makes life more fun!}

{ampersand from rustique furniture in the UK; drawing by marc johns}

Your rainbow is slightly shaded green.

What is says about you: You are an intelligent person. You feel strong ties to nature and your mood changes with its cycles. Those around you admire your fresh outlook and vitality.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

On a rainy, Monday, spring day, here's a fun color "quiz" to participate in by choosing various colors to answer the questions and then reading the results that supposedly tell you about yourself.
I wonder if the results will widely differ if I take it tomorrow.
(It could spit out...You are a numskull and boring...blah.)
I'll stick with today's results, thank you very much.
{The truth probably lies somewhere between the two.}
Enjoy the colors of your world for a way good day!

Handsome Mr R at the doors of
Saint Joseph Cathedral
on Good Friday.

It was a reverent time to contemplate the

stories told in the stained glass windows.

{We were an hour and a half early.}

The candles were lit before the service began.

Each candle was gradually extinguished throughout the
"Tenebrae" as the choir sang, all in Latin,
of Jesus' impending death by Crucifixion,
until the cathedral was cast into total darkness
as the one remaining candle was removed.
We, the congregation, then provided the strepitus,
by loudly making a sustained noise by
pounding on the pews with our hands or books
until the last candle was returned.

The return of the single light symbolizes
His Triumph and Resurrection.
Happy Easter!
{photo five by flickr Irayholly}

Mr R and I will be attending a Good Friday church service and choral event with the theme concerning the triumph of light, Tenebrae (Latin for darkness) this evening downtown at St. Joseph's Cathedral.
Candles are extinguished during the 80-minute service as the choir sings and chants Renaissance-period works. Toward the end, the last candle will be removed and the congregation asked to provide the strepitus (a loud noise, imitating the earthquake mentioned in the Bible after the Crucifixion) until the light is returned.
The single candle symbolizes the Resurrection and constant presence of Christ.
Tenebrae is a tradition that dates from the fifth century!
If you are interested, it begins at 8 pm with a $10 suggested donation. (212 E Broad St).
The article clearly states the church service and choral event is for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
I thoroughly enjoy learning of others and their beliefs; I believe it shrinks the world and increases our humanity.
All information from The Columbus Dispatch, Thursday, April 9, 2009 article by Gary Budzak.
Enjoy a way good day!
{flickr photo by Matt Cline}

The Columbus Blue Jackets are
in the NHL playoffs!
[Tis the first time since the
teams inception eight years ago.]

Captain Rick Nash shall lead his team to the
Stanley Cup playoffs!
May it be a long journey.
It is a way good day!

{photo one by flickr beantownkid10}

My sistah sent this to me a few weeks ago.
I think it is incredibly lovely.
Enjoy this fawn, kitty cat and bunny...
along with Louis Armstrong.
The TLC is truly uplifting.
"It is a Wonderful World"
and a way good spring day!
{Your children will watch it a zillion times.}

Still in the hunt for a great Easter basket?
I heart this "intricately hand-woven, 

New England style egg basket
that provides a nest for a milk chocolate hen and
her clutch of Italian gianduja filled eggs 

with pastel candy shells," from Dean and Deluca.
Cute, cute, cute!
Send to someone or enjoy with your own family 

for a way good day!

As it is spring I am trying to widen my horizons,
open my blinders a little wider.
One specific area is food.
On Saturday I blurted, "Let's try salmon."
Mr R looked at me through blinking eyes
as if he was seeing a mirage.
Seafood is not of my taste bud liking.

He went to the fish counter and requested their freshest salmon.
I like to envision it was caught in the best of circumstances
by a handsome fellow such as this chap.
It was certainly purchased and
delivered home in its paper wrapper
by such a gentleman!

I was a little squirmy as I prepared it for baking.

Then I declared it was really not much different
than wrapping all the pink gifts I wrap.
Mr R was roaring with laughter and declared,
"This is worth the price of admission."

Ours looked quite like the plate pictured.
Thank goodness for the fresh vegetables and
delish mashed potatoes Mr R prepared.
It actually was pretty good!
We may prepare this a variety of ways for
way good summer eating days!
Perhaps wider perspectives are on the horizon.
{photo three by flickr cathy.bluteau; photo four by flickr nettsu}

What a wonderful time we had when my mother came to visit!

She knew there was a job jar awaiting.
Nothing with just her name on it...I would never do that to her.
Besides, I never let her out of my sight!
I had cleaned and scrubbed before her arrival,
as we all do when our mamas come for a visit,

but I needed her special touch
on a few things..

to achieve that "H" sparkle!

One of the days we counted plates and forks and glasses,

then went to the movie in the evening
where I promptly fell asleep.

I learned that my mom runs circles around me!
Her stamina is astounding.

After the movie (and a nice nap), we went to

Johnny Rockets for malts and milkshakes.

So fun to put nickels in the juke box and

hear my mom reminiscence

about doing the same activity as a teenager!

On her departure eve, we went to the Blue Jackets game.

Did we ever have fun!

There were fights galore,
too many for my liking and I relish ice hockey fighting.

A Blue Jacket player accused of abusing an official

received a three game suspension.
Notice the gloves, sticks and helmets on the ice.

Victory!
The Blue Jackets were more than up to the task
of overwhelming the Calgary Flames as they
won 5 - 0.
[Free Wendy's chili!]

I drove my mother to the airport in the fog
and was in a bit of one myself for a few days after her departure.
How I love and appreciate her.
We had a way good day each day she was here!
Thank you for coming to visit us, Mom!

Today,
on the second day of April,
we celebrate the birth of our youngest daughter,
Jessica!

Oh how this photo reflects how
delightful, fun and adventurous
you have been each day of your life!
{A sister, tutus, rain boots

and an eye for puddles = Y-O-U}

From a child,
always being as girly as you are
as well as down to earth;
so funny, thoughtful, caring and kind;
to Homecoming Queen and now

Anatomy Lab Head TA and
grad school candidate of Neuroscience,
it is a joy to call you daughter!

May you have a wonderful day
and year ahead as you continue to radiate light!
Jessica,
we wish you a most happy, 

festive,
way good
BIRTHDAY!!!!

{photo one by flickr amberferrell; photo two by flickr Matthew A;

and, photo three by flickr QTR}

Chocolate Enrichment was wonderful!
Everyone created amazing desserts!

After school I baked a cake...chocolate, of course!

I let it cool, cut it into bite sized pieces
then put the morsels into the chocolate tulip bowls.

Made mousse with heavy cream which
I then piped into the cups...

topped each with a fresh raspberry and mint leaf
then served them on the pink cake stand from my girls.

Chocolate doughnuts!
Sometimes we don't have time to make something amazing...
serve doughnuts on a cake stand.
Mmmmm.
Hand dipped pretzels drizzled in pink chocolate!
How I wish I had taken photos of the offerings!
There was a chocolate fountain, frozen hot chocolate,
super rich cheesecake, hand dipped strawberries,
cookies, bars, cake balls, chocolate milk,
dishes and bowls of chocolates; all sorts,
and many others!

Good friends doing what ladies do best--
eating chocolate and chatting!

More ladies nibbling chocolate and visiting.

I had made each participant a goodie bag to take home
to enjoy and share with their family
for letting them come enjoy a fun night!
I admire and adore each person who was here.
Each has such gifts and talents to share
as well as many who have struggled and some whom are still coping with trials.
I hope we all celebrated, uplifted and comforted each other
and felt loved.
What an honor it was to open our home to all who came.

Then my dear Mr R arrived home to help me
wash each plate, dry and tuck them away until next time.
I believe it was a way good "Chocolate" Enrichment Night
due to all the lovely ladies!

This evening is "Chocolate" Enrichment...in our home. I am so excited to host the ladies of our church and their friends and neighbors that may be joining us. It is actually a recipe sharing/exchange night we have once a month. I choose the theme chocolate; thus, the women will bring an item made or purchased with chocolate and the recipe. Soon after, a gal on the committee of these events will type all the submitted recipes and send them to us via our church email list. I hope everyone has a way good evening of chocolate heaven! Feel free to join us at 7:00 if you live in the area!
{flicker photo by Gryfan}

We love celebrating birthdays!Jessica,
enjoy a most joyous,
way good birthday week!
{banner by etsy shop PolkaDotsandPirates}

Who's here to visit the week of Spring Break?

I'll give you three guesses!

[name that book]

She arrived via airplane...
loves to hold hands and has lots of kisses...
is classy, dignified and full of wisdom?
My mother!
I am thrilled to have her in our home and
shall be enjoying every minute creating memories with her;
thus, I will not be posting this week.
We will indeed enjoy a way good week; I wish the same for you!
{photo one by flickr Juggling Frogs (clkl)'s; photo two by flickr birdlike;
photo three by flickr moniverse[away]}

A new dawn...

a new season...
a new perspective.
Welcome Spring!
Enjoy a way good weekend!
{flickr photo by rasone}