Monday, July 20, 2009

Blue Monday


It's BLUE MONDAY
here in blogger land.

Glad you are here for a visit.
Be sure to go on over to
Smilin' Sallys
and see all the other blues too.

Thanks for being such a great hostess Sally.

--------------------

I'm being a bit sentimental today,
so will show you a precious gift from my daughter
for my 50th birthday.
( a few years ago in September) =0))

This is what she made.
It is a booklet,
hand designed and made by her.
(scripture on side is a bonus) =0)


Here is the contents page:
Here is a close up of one of the chapter headings.

And inside there are pages of kind thoughts and remembrances.
She creatively used all kinds of different fonts and cute layouts.
All black and white, but it has certainly colored my world for many years now.

Each section has 50 of whatever that chapter is about.
Here is an example of each chapter.

50 Things to be Proud of and Grateful For
Your church
Your marriage
Your calzone making ability
Your wood working skills
Your smile
your time
your joy

And, your 50 years!

50 Things I Remember Fondly
Special cookies in Yachats
Driving me to my friend's house
Having a manger instead of a Christmas tree.
Playing in the park.
Pineapple and orange smoothies at Courtsports.
Having you paint flowers on my fingernails.
Popcorn, and so on....

one thing i love about this section;
it is not things i bought, or huge things we did
(although there was a trip to Disneyland in there),
but it was everyday, simple little things that she remembers.

50 Adjectives about Barbara Jean
Sincere, observant... and so on...
and number 50.
"Honorable, Calm, Comforting, Passionate,
Compassionate, Talented, Creative, Radiant, Artistic,
Beautiful.... Mother."

(I think beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
This is certainly not how i see myself!)

The last chapter is the
Proverbs 31 woman
certainly a goal for all of us to aim for.


I love the thoughtfulness of this gift.
It was no overnight project.
A lot of planning, time, and love went into it,
and I cherish it and the memories it brings back.

Thank you sweet daughter.

---------

And here is a bit more blue.
Another gift from our daughter (and son-in-law) =0)


this is Remy, our only grandson, now two and a half.



And here is his sweet smile that just lights up my day!!

blessings to all, and may your Monday be filled with smiles and sunshine.

Barbara Jean



19 comments:

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Barabara Jean,
A belated Happy Birthday to you. What a beautiful and very thoughtful birthday present! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day and a Happy Blue Monday.

Blessings,
Sandi

Mary said...

Hi Barbara Jean!
What a thoughtful and creative gift from your daughter! A treasure for sure!
Remy is SO adorable! 2 1/2 is such a fun age! Love his hat!
Happy Blue Monday!
Mary :)

SmilingSally said...

Great gifts--including the best one--the grandson! I have just loaded your link. Happy Blue Monday.

ClassyChassy said...

Nice blues for the day!!! What a smiley little boy - precious! Have a great Monday!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Barbara Jean... this is the sweetest post! What a dear gift from your daughter, and I think that Remy is certainly the ultimate gift! Loved reading this.

Happy Blue Monday to you!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Denise Marie said...

Barbara, what a wonderful post. My mom would love if I did that for her...maybe I'll start collecting ideas for next June when she turns 65. I could jumble it all together and call it 65 things to love about Leona...thanks for the inspiration. :0)

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a lovely birthday remembrance. You're fortunate to be surrounded by such loving people. That little guy is just as cute as a button. Have a wonderful day.

Rebecca Nelson said...

Dear BJ...This is the sweetest thing ever. Precious daughter...precious mother. A keepsake for all times.

I turned the big 50 last December. My hubby of 30 years wrote me a poem and read it aloud in the restaurant we were at. I was crying...the whole place was crying...

Isn't God good to allow people we love to love us back?

Happy day.

Love, Rebecca

Joan@anythinggoeshere said...

Happy belated birthday. What a nice gift that your daughter made you. I am having a blue giveaway so you might want to stop on by.

stefanie said...

boys in blue, the cutest!!!!

pam said...

That book is SO COOL...and that grandchild is SO ADORABLE...what a cutie.

The Feathered Nest said...

Oh Barb...he's just PRECIOUS!!! I know that smile melts your heart ~ hope you have a wonderful, creative week sweetie, xxoo, Dawn

Coloradolady said...

What a sweet and thoughtful gift. How lucky you and your daughter are to share a special relationship. Have a great week!

Knitty said...

Such lovely gifts, with Remy being the greatest! What a smile that young man has!

Chrissy...The Apothecary Shop said...

Wow,that is the coolest gift ever..and your grandson is so cute!! I just wanted to say thanks for always leaving me such sweet notes, they really do mean alot to me,all the best,Chrissy

Anonymous said...

Your grandson is such a cutie!!

bj said...

Oh, my...what a sweet birthday gift. and happy belated birthday to you!
That little fella is sure a keeper. I know...I have 3 of them.
Along with the 7 girls, they keep me either smiling or laying down on my bed trying to get enuf rest to stay up with them...:O)

Terry said...

Howdy Sweet Lady
I tried to leave everyone a comment earlier but blogger was not being nice .
So I am back out visiting again ,yes I can be determined :)
Anyway happy Blue Monday to you.
What a wonderful post.
I love this precious gift .
What an awesome birthday gift to recieve.
Barbara Jean you are so special it is easy to see where your daughter got her creative inspiration for this special gift.
You are just so amazing .
I do hope all is going well and your getting lots of rest as well as accomplishing your summer goals.
God be with you through the rest of the week.
Blessings to you and yours .
Big Hugs
Happy Trails

Becky K. said...

How very sweet! Gifts from the heart...both of them.

Your Grandson is adorable.

Becky K.
Hospitality Lane