Sunday Smiles in spite of concerns

I enjoy every holiday.
They give me good excuses to decorate my holiday tree.
Some people think that having a Christmas tree once a year is enough...
but not me...
...no...no...no
I decorate this little tree for every holiday and season...
... and that makes me smile.

Holidays also give me excuses to set pretty tables with a theme.
I just love setting pretty tables.

It is such fun for me to make each place setting special.
My mom made very little money when I was growing up,
but she always tried to set a nice table with what she had.
She said even hot dogs taste great when served at a pretty table.
I feel thankful that I have been able to collect quite a variety
of pretty dishes and linens.
My mom could not afford fine china or
crystal except for pieces she found at garage sales.
Each time I set a pretty table I think of her and smile.
I think that she looks down and smiles with me too.
I even smile more when I can have friends and family join me for meals.
Mindy and family will be joining me later today for our St. Patrick's
traditional corned beef dinner.
We could not get together on the 17th but today will do.
However, I did have a lovely St. Patrick's theme luncheon with my dear friends
Kris and Jan.
I made Irish stew which I served in homemade bread bowls.
...
(Actually it was just regular stew but I called it Irish in honor of the holiday.)
I wanted to dye the orange freezes green with food coloring but I controlled myself.

After having our stew we went into the dinning room for
our dessert and herbal tea party.

Kris and Jan are the queens of tea parties...
...as you know if you have looked at my past blogs.

After all the hospitality that they have shown me,

I was happy that I could take a turn.

Being together as friends and having a tea party made us all smile.
...
However, today we were not smiling as much.

It was a bit scary for us.

Jan passed out several times during church this morning.

She did not want to go to the hospital.
With all of her health problems she was afraid they would keep her there if she went.

However, the paramedics convinced her that she should go be checked out.

In spite of it all Jan had a smile for her blog friends.

I stayed with Jan and Kris a few hours until Kris's husband,Craig, arrived.
They would only allow 2 people in with Jan so I came home.
(Jan will tell you more about it on her blog when she is up to it.)

...
Kris just called to tell me that Jan is back home now.

She passed all of the hospital tests.

They wanted to keep her overnight but she wanted to go back to Kris's.

She will be well cared for there.

Seeing the love, concern and care Kris and Craig

give Jan makes me smile.

(Read Jan's last post and you will see what I mean.)

Jan feeling better also makes me smile.
...
My sweet friend, Marie, has had such a hard week.

In the midst of losing her job and her home and packing up
to leave Oak Cottage, her beloved dog Jess died.
However, in spite of the tears and worry, Marie

found reasons to smile.

She is an inspiration and example for me.
(Read her post and you will understand why I say that.)

Having Marie for a friend makes me smile.

...
Claire and E.J. also made me smile this week.

I will tell you about that next time.

Until then, I hope that you have a good week....

...full of hope.... and love.... and smiles.

Hugs, Lura