More Mimi's Cafe'

(click on the bottom photo to get a closer look at the Acoustic Bass, or is it a Cello? with Harlequins painted on it, if you'd like)

And isn't the Rooster a handsome fellow?

Can you tell we had a good time at Mimi's Cafe'?

(and it is a chain of restaurants based in California, but it was really good....)

Mimi's Cafe

(Click on photos for a closer look, if you'd like)

This weekend I fell in love with this fabulous "Chandi" at Mimi's Cafe'...... what a wonderful meal we had! Mimi's is a Jazz cafe..... not only was the decor chock full of country French and New Orleans flavor, Jazz music was also playing softly in the background..... sigh..... it was great!

Our server told me that much of the lighting and other decorations are antiques.... and I just drooled over this gorgeous chandelier. So of course I had to snap away and share it with you all.

The food was Fab, too.... they bring out a big 'ol basket of rolls, banana bread, and carrot bread, yumm...... our closest Mimi's are located in Pearland (and San Antonio, as well) so I know we will hopefully be making many return trips.....

Note: I just noticed that I captured a unique rendering of a French man and woman on the right in the top picture.... they are located just above the big gold Fleur-de-Lis, and below the photo of the kissing couple.... do you see them???

**Smiles**

"God On The Mountain"

(Another picture from our 2009 family reunion in Broken Bow Ok. Click on pic for a closer look, if you'd like. See if you can spot the rushing stream to the left of the photo.)

I thought that I would share the lyrics to another old song that has meant a lot to me personally.

"God On The Mountain" By the McKameys

Life is easy, When you're up on the mountain

And you've got peace of mind, Like you've never known

But then things change, and you're down in the valley

But don't lose Faith, For you're never alone

For the God on the Mountain, Is still God in the Valley

When things go wrong, He'll make it right

And the God of the good times

Is still God in the bad times

And the God of the Day

Is still God in the Night

You talk of Faith, When you're up on the mountain

Oh the talk comes so easy, When life's at it's best

But it's down in the Valley, of trials and temptations

That's when Faith is, Really put to the test

An Update....

Thank you all for all of the concern and prayers for my Jazzy - man..... We really appreciate it!

He went in to the Vet's office, this morning, and Doc said he feels the seizures are due to the increased dosage of Metronidizole. So he totally stopped the Metronidizole for a while, and put him on some Valium today, and said we are to give give him more valium if he starts up with the seizures again. He has been sleeping and resting for hours, but has had no more seizures, and is getting up to potty just fine. He is also eating and drinking just fine.

Praise the Lord! Last night, during the seizures, in the worst part, we would say loudly: "Jesus! Please touch him right now, in Jesus' Name!" and he would start coming out of it and open his eyes! I am just telling you all what happened. There is so much power in the Mighty Name of Jesus! And I know for a fact that He does care about His creation, both great and small.... He is so very kind and Good.....and Comforting......

Something interesting has come from all of this. We have a dear young lady at our Church whose precious little girl has multiple seizures, some days. She has just been diagnosed with Dravets Syndrome. As all of this in our world was transpiring last night and this morning... that baby girl and her Momma were heavy on my mind.

In the gray light of morning this a.m. I looked at my mother, with tears in my eyes, and said: "Mom. Jazz is a DOG. Can You imagine how one would feel if it was their BABY that this was happening to? I think I learned something."

Mom replied: "I think I have learned something too."

I can tell you that my prayers will have a different ring to them, now, when I pray for that dear and precious and weary little family......

With Love, Jenni

A long, and frightening night

I am so scared. My Jazz, my baby, my lambiekin, my sunshine boy, has been having seizures all night long....... it has been so scary.......

To be helpless while he gasps and jerks and drools and paddles his legs and thrashes about is horrible.......

I am crying as I type this......

We think we know what is wrong. The Vet has increased the dosage on the medicine for his auto - immune disease, and we were just reading on the 'net that one of the side effects can be seizures......

Jazz has just come out of a seizure, and the Vet opens in a few minutes. Hopefully, we will get some answers and some help.

I am praying for my "baby". I know God can heal human beings, and I know He can heal all of His Creation, as well. I am trusting Him......

Splashes of Spring - y Joy

(Click on photo for a closer look, if you'd like)

I am slowly learning, dear friends! (and still hoping to take an art class) I have been "playing" with my brushes and watercolors..... can't call it painting, because I don't know how... LOL! (as I mentioned in a previous post, I have no art training whatsoever..... but I do have the desire to learn, and it's FUN) Since several of you had mentioned wanting to see more of my "progress", I thought I would share more of my happy "splashes" with you........ And thanks so much for all of the kind words and encouragement!

Have a wonderful day...... Spring is on the way!

The Tearoom

I thought I would share another picture from my fabulous trip to Chicago in 2008. My dear friend Heidi took me (along with her daughter Khyri and Khyri's chum Meg) to have lunch at a wonderful Tearoom near Chicago. I can't remember the name of the place, but I enjoyed it very much! Here is part of our lunch, I took a pic because I thought the food looked so pretty and colorful on the plate....... can you see that one of the muffins has already been pounced upon? LOL! The tea itself was wonderful too........ Aren't tearooms fun?

Fun in Chicago

(click on photo for a closer look, if you'd like)

Isn't friendship a wonderful thing? I am so thankful for all of the friends that God has placed in my life...... some are nearby, and some are thousands of miles away. Through it all, however, that bond of friendship endures.

As I had mentioned before, I have been going through all kinds of vacation photos, and came across this one of my friend Heidi and I, (we've been friends since sixth - grade orchestra class) standing in front of a big water wall in downtown Chicago, in 2008.

What a fun trip that was......I am greatful for the pictures, and the memories, and, most of all, for my friend......

Life Giving Water......

(Another photo from our 2009 family Reunion in Broken Bow Ok.)

I have been thinking today, about how that water; Rivers, streams, and wells of water hold special significance in the Bible. It was (and still is) essential and life sustaining; one cannot live without "life giving water". I would like to share the lyrics to one of my favorite old songs with all of you:

"Come To The Water" by The Hinsons

There is a well that the thirsty soul can drink from
And the purity it brings will ever stay
Not one drop there is wasted
For all who have tasted
Come back to the water
Every day
Come to the life giving water
Just one sip will cleanse the soul from every sin
There's just something 'bout the water
That makes everybody long to come again

Here are some wonderful scriptures about Jesus Christ, Who is that "life giving water"............
John 7:36 - 39 says:
37: "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38: "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39: "(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"
We know that the fulfillment of these scriptures in John occured after Jesus' death and resurrection, when His disciples were tarrying in the upper room in the Book of Acts, chapter 2.
How thankful I am for every drink from the Well of God's Spirit! Nothing, and I mean NOTHING will ever satisfy the thirsty soul like HE does.......

Another Bow Project......

(Click on pic for a closer look if you'd like)

As I have mentioned before when sharing crafty projects, baskets, gift bags, or Bows with you all; creating things with my hands gives me a special joy...

So I thought I would share a photo of a current project with all of you.... this is to go on a basket (after I make it's twin sister) for someone very special......

I found the gorgeous leopard print ribbon at Dillard's after Christmas sale... and just knew that I could make something pretty with it..... bought the other ribbons and the flower at Hobby Lobby...... also gave the Flower a nice mist with the gold glitter spray, although you can't tell it from the picture....

I hope this makes the recipient of the basket smile.....

Baby it's cold outside........

(This is a picture from 2009, actually, of my sister's mailbox in the snow)

Just like much of the United States, we in coastal Texas are experiencing a spell of cold weather.... Here in the Houston area, for days now, the children have been hoping, wishing, and waiting for snow to begin falling from the sky.

It is snowing to the north of Houston tonight, but we here in my hometown are experiencing mostly freezing rain and ice thus far..... I hope everyone is careful in the morning...... traveling on icy roads is NOT generally a good idea...

Our Bird bath is frozen solid, and I saw a squirrel perched on it's edge earlier today, trying to get a drink... I felt so sorry for him, poor little thing..... so I filled up a pitcher of water and took it out there, but he did not come back down again..... I also put some pecans out for him. Maybe he will find them tomorrow..... I hope he is snuggled up somewhere right now with his fuzzy tail wrapped around him like a quilt.......

Tonight I am thanking God for a toasty - warm home; and a soft, cozy bed piled high with blankets.....Thank you Lord.... there so many others that do not have these things.... please help me not to forget them.......

Part of the Family.....

(Click on photo for a closer look at that sweet face, if you'd like)

(This is another picture of Jazz, taken this past Christmas)

If you are a pet lover like me, you know without doubt that they become part of the family! I am so thankful for the joy that my black Labrador Jazz has brought to our lives. We found him starving on street near our house when he was a wee pup, and he wrapped the entire family around his little paw very quickly......... he has been having a bit of sickness for the last few months, (flare ups of his inflamatory bowel disease, and some stiffness in his joints) and the vet, (who has become a friend to our family) gently reminded us that he is eleven years old now, and that we need to remember that he will not be with us forever.........he has been on steroids for years now, and that does take a toll......

But oh how dear he is to me....... I do believe that God will allow him to be with us for a while longer at least........ but, no matter what, he will always be my "baby"........

If you have a cherished pet, be sure to give them all the love you can while you can.......... and be thankful they are a part of your family........

More Watercolors to Share......

Brrrr..... it's cold here! Yes, even in Texas it gets realllly cold! LOL! I think it's around 25 degrees at the moment, and the windchill is making it feel more like 14 degrees.... (or that's what the forecast says) and they are even forecasting Snow and Sleet for the next couple of days....

So maybe that's one reason I have been in the mood to watercolor brightly colored Summery flowers.... as I stated in my post yesterday..... I so want to learn to paint! Thanks so much for letting me share some of my "happy moments" spent trying to learn "which end of the brush is the correct one" with you all........

Even though much of the United States is a deep freeze right now, I hope your hearts are warmed by the knowledge that God loves you... and cares about what happens in your life. Please read His Word the Bible and learn more about Him.......He can take the coldest, most sorrowful soul and warm it with His Wonderful Love, Joy and Peace.........