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Merry 'Christ'mas
 Merry Christmas to all. May the love of Jesus Christ fill your hearts with joy and peace at Christmas and always. As for us, we are blessed beyond compare this Christmas because we have and treasure each family member and friend, and the unique way each one enriches our lives beyond compare. Thank you. Labels: Christ, family, love, Maggie Summers, Merry Christmas
Holidays
 K and I taken during the holidays spent with my family. Spending time with family means more to me than anything. I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful family and extended family. Some recent photos taken over the holidays, moments I will always cherish! Labels: family, holidays
Freezer Jam
 When my parents were here for a visit, Mom left us some of her homemade freezer jam. It was so delicious that when we got down to the bottom of the jar I had to do something quick, (lest we have mutiny on our hands!) so I made a dozen jars of strawberry freezer jam. As long as I can remember, my mom, my grandmother, and great aunt, have been making homemade freezer jam from the fruits of their gardens, so I'm carrying the torch. The batch I made was so yummy too, and as you can see, I made it just in time for my birthday. "Why not treat myself?" I said. :)
It's been fun giving away more than we've eaten so far, but don't you think sharing things that make you happy, give you more happiness in return? I do. Have a great weekend! Labels: "family traditions", "strawberry freezer jam", family, homemade, Maggie Summers, preserves, strawberries
Fridayness
 I was feeling inspired yesterday and created this fun illustration. My SIL has a collection of cobalt blue dishes and vases. My brother and SIL live in tropical weather and love to fish and also collect decor with a tropical feel to it. For a larger image visit here. The photos may take a moment to load, then just mouse over the top left thumbnail. Have an awesome Friday! Labels: "illustration", "Margaret Albert Summers", cobalt blue, family, fish, Maggie Summers, tropical
Ocean Views
 While on vacation visiting my brother and sister (IL) every day was packed with fun and relaxation. We spent time at the ocean, frolicking in the waves and enjoyed the warm sun and sand. We ate at an oceanside restaurant that served scruptious seafood. Oysters on the half shell, smoked fish dip, crab cakes, shrimp, scallops - you name it. Yum!  My brother B taught my husband (above) and I the art of catching fish from shore. We had a blast catching fish and a few other sea creatures. B, with a background in DNR and wildlife conservation, was ever so careful to let the creatures go, administering as little contact and trauma to them as possible.
 We caught whiting and pompano fish, a sting ray and this fellow, an electric torpedo ray. At first, we thought it was a version of a sting ray, however my brother, while trying to remove the hook, was stunned by a good dose of electric current. Torpedo rays have electric organs in their wings that generate electric current they use as a defense mechanism and to stun their prey. After the initial jolt, B cautiously pushed this fellow back out to sea.  This man brought his pet goose teathered on a leash to the ocean for a swim. It was quite evident that the goose loved the ocean, as he swam and paddled along, bobbing and riding the waves, oblivious of the fact that there weren't any other geese enjoying the same. He'd wade onto the beach, only to go back for more.  Offshore the shrimp boats had their nets strung out and we enjoyed watching them move back and forth across the ocean gathering their haul for the day. 
The waves were incredible and the surfer's were enjoying a perfectly beautiful day. Now if you could do this every day, or every weekend, why would you want to live anywhere else?
 Labels: "Great Outdoors Restaurant", Best Friend, family, florida, goose, Maggie Summers, ocean, shrimp boats, surfing, torpedo ray
Lovin IT! & Injuries Recovery 4
 I am rebelling and want to wear my bikini under my clothes to work, I still want to be on vacation! Slowly going through the mass of photos we took while on vacation. Reminising along the way as I look at each one of them. Ok, B & NJ, I will get the photos to you, but I am not sending the whole shebang, so it is taking a bit of time. K and I talk every day about what you are up to and we agree, every moment of the trip spent with the two of you was just so awesome-you're the greatest tour guides ever and we learned so much!
While taking photos we saw the coolest grasshopper. Yes, he really is as big as pictured here. They were everywhere and as we walked along, many jumped around us. While I understand they are a nuisance, they're still really colorful and it's not every day you get to see one this big.  Update on my hand and arm: diagnosis, Carpal TunnelI already suspected I had carpal tunnel in my hand but never went to see a doctor to confirm it until now. He put me in a splint for 30 days at night time. While on vacation, I didn't have any pain but he said I still have inflamation around the nerves. Now that I am back to work, the pain has returned. Hopefully the splint will help; I started wearing it to work to see if I can speed my recovery along. The splint is a bit big (even though it is for a small hand like mine) and is rubbing the skin off one of my knuckles, so I am a bit challenged at the moment. I just finished the bi-monthly newsletter (that I am editor of) and have a brochure to create by the 27th and I hope I can manage through it all. Think positive- I know I can! I am off to bed for some rest to see if that will help too. Labels: "carpal tunnel", "Maggie Summers", family, grasshopper, injury, ocean, recovery, vacation
Lovin' IT!
 We're lovin' it here on the ocean, enjoying a well deserved vacation with my brother and sister-in-law! We're having such a great time with them and we've done so many awesome things. The weather is great and the ocean is so warm. Now off for something to eat-and more incredible adventures! See you soon! Labels: brother, family, florida, ocean, sister, vacation
Proud and Tall - Mother's Gifts
 We recently returned from our trip to Canada and Michigan, where my family spent some very precious time together. It was perfect and I cherished every moment-can't you tell? Every time I look at my sons, a non-stop video plays in my head filled with moments from the time they were born to the present and I am SO proud of the young men they have become. Their wit and charm, love and compassion makes me all teary-eyed and leaves me smiling from ear to ear. I am the shrimp now, they all tower over me and here I am wearing 2 1/2 inch heels! Happy Mother's Day to Me- I am so blessed! Happy Mother's Day to you too! Labels: "best friends", "Proud Mom", family, husband, Mother, sons
Happy Birthday My Sweet Valentine!
 My first son was born on Valentines Day and so this day is one of a kind and very special for me. He has his own home now so I called him to wish him a happy birthday much earlier than I normally would. I knew he was not awake and had every intention of leaving him a voicemail. I was quite silly in my message and I told him that prior to his birth he had kept me up all night and what time he was born, very early in the morning, so I thought I would call and wake him up to tell him how much I love him and I wasn't about to wait a minute longer. He said he really enjoyed my message and said he didn't know what time he was born at that time in the morning. In his baby album we even have a photo of the clock at that exact time. Funny, I guess I never told him. I think I will get the kids baby books out and share some other facts with them that they don't know surrounded the time of their births. Labels: "children's illustration", birthday, dancing, family, Illustration Friday, son, stitch, valentine, vintage
A Special Day of Celebration
Traditions
 We still have all our Christmas decorations up; as it's another tradition I hold fast to. My youngest son's birthday is in January and we customarily keep the decorations up until after his birthday. It's so hard to put everything away and go back to being what feels like bare though it's far from it. That and the fact that due to the "project" I can't get to my Christmas boxes yet. Yippee, I can put it off until next weekend! Labels: "holiday traditions", antiques, family
Home For Christmas
 Watching their planes take off never gets any easier... We're so thankful and blessed that two of our four children, Alex and Brandon, were able to be home with us for Christmas this year. The both flew in last Saturday and left just a day apart this week. We had such a fun time, but the time flew by way too quickly. It seems so hard to get all 4 of our children here at the same time. Last year our son Adam and daughter Niki made it home, though they missed each other by one day due to the fact that they weren't able to match up their schedules. We love and miss you two so much and wish you could have been here too! K's parents and sister and her husband also came and we had such a great time. We watched quite a few movies in the evening and several shows of the Survivor and Dog Whisperer. I now feel confident I can collect rain water should I be lost on a deserted island and tame all the wild animals with my "Ceasar- Shhsh!" We celebrated Alex's birthday early (his birthday is in the first week of January) and presented him with a cake and candles to blow out and little did anyone know; they were "trick" candles. We laughed and laughed when the candles kept relighting themselves and Alex had to continually blow them out. He replied that his wish wasn't going to come true because he had to keep blowing them out. It caught us all off gaurd and I am so glad we have it all recorded on video. I had grabbed the candles while at the grocery store and did not pay attention to the fine print! On a side note, the "project" was and is still underway but became "livable" last Sunday morning just in time for the boys arrival. Talk about timing it right down to the 11th hour! There is still so much to be done and is yet to be ready for entertaining. Labels: blessing, Christmas, family
We're Back!
 We're back from our trip to California where we were able to spend time with two of our four children: son Brandon and daughter Niki, and our dear friends the Rogers family. We lived in California before being transferred to the midwest three years ago. Our son Brandon decided to stay in CA when we moved. We flew our daughter in as she lives in another state too attending college. We headed for the coast right away and spent time in Monterey, Carmel and Pebble Beach. When we lived in CA, we often went there on the weekends so we were no strangers to the beautiful coastal areas but you can just never get enough of it. It was a beautiful day in Carmel and the weather was so warm we played in the waves and enjoyed the sun. In front of our favorite Monterey Deli. Their sandwiches are yummy! We are so proud of all of our children and want the very best for each of them as they venture into life taking new paths and following their own dreams. Our dear friends the Rogers, their son Josh and daughter Rachel. Sherry is also an illustrator. We met through an illustration board several years ago. We were both members and found out that we lived just 15 minutes from each other. We met one day at Starbucks and became fast friends. It's all been a lot of fast talkin' ever since! :) The four of us share so many mutual interests that we've enjoyed so many good times together and we are so blessed to have such wonderful friends. We all went to dinner and had such a lovely time celebrating being together again and Kevin's birthday. Pictured here are Kevin and Dale.Thanks so much Rogers family for the great time and for your generous hospitality. You will always have a special place in our hearts! For more photos click here.Labels: "best friends", "Maggie Summers", "Margaret Albert Summers", "Soul Mates", California, family, friends
Moving Day
 We are thrilled for our son Adam (21) who bought his first home and moves in today! Congratulations Adam! What an exciting time for you. We love you so much and know you'll really love your new home!  Adam's and his girlfriend Cassie, who we think is just the sweetest young woman; have been out shopping and found this adorable puppy that is soon to be part of their lives. They're naming her "Dairy" because she looks like a little cow. :) She's a "pugle"(pronounced pyou-gull), part pug and part beagle. Isn't she just the cutest?!    This means I'll have to share my son with another woman, but I couldn't think of a nicer young woman than Cassie! All the very best Adam and Cassie, we love you! We as parents pray for the faith, happiness and success of all of our children and we are so proud of each one of their accomplishments. To all of our children, keep your faith and follow your dreams and you'll find true happiness! Labels: "Proud Mom", accomplishments, family, Proud Parent, son
More Family Blessings
 Dad, we want to wish you a very special Father's Day and we want you to know how very much we love you and are thinking of you today as every day.My husband's parents who are also Dad and Mom to me are such a blessing in our lives. We are so thankful for all their love and support, and my husband is the man he is today because of them. Thank you for being such wonderful parents to us and grandparents to our children. God Bless You always, Your Kids Labels: family
Blessings On This Day
  I am SO thankful and blessed to have such amazing parents. Mom and Dad, thank you for giving me such a wonderful life and always supporting me in all that I do. As parents and grandparents, as family and as a friend to others, you have enriched the lives of so many by your love and giving hearts. This day is to celebrate both of you Mother and Father, since we could not be with you both on either day, you are always in our thoughts and hearts. God Bless you always. All our love, XOXOX Your Family Labels: accomplishments, family, graduation, son
So Proud
 Such a long awaited moment. Our youngest son Alex's senior prom and graduation. The last of our four to take the step into adulthood. We are so very proud of him and all his accomplishments. Congratulations Alex-you made it! We love you so much!  Alex's graduation gift-something he has wanted for a long time-what a sweet ride!  The smile tells it all-- he's one happy young man.  Prom Photos: Alex is so handsome! Of course he wouldn't want me to say that but I can, I am his mother! 
Labels: "Proud Mom", accomplishments, family, graduation, prom, Proud Parent
Happy Mother's Day Mom!
I am so fortunate to be blessed with the most wonderful mother in the whole world. She has been an endless source of beauty, creativity, support and encouragement throughout my entire life. She is so caring and gives so much of herself and her time, not to mention she is an amazing cook. My greatest example of a woman has always been my mother. Today is all about you Mom and I thank God that I am so truly blessed to be your daughter. I wish I could be there to spend this day with you and celebrate with you and Dad today. You are always in my thoughts and prayers and I'll be home in 3 weeks! XOXOXOX Labels: blessing, cherished, family, Mom, Mother, wonderful cherished
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Merry Christmas to all. May the love of Jesus Christ fill your hearts with joy and peace at Christmas and always. As for us, we are blessed beyond compare this Christmas because we have and treasure each family member and friend, and the unique way each one enriches our lives beyond compare. Thank you.
