Monday, March 6, 2017

What Constitutes Success?


What constitutes success?  She has achieved success who has lived well; laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent people and the love of little children; who has filled her niche and accomplished her task; who has left the world better than she found it;...who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty, or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given the best she had. 
-Bessie Stanley


The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.           
 -Albert Schweitzer


 My mom turned 87 last month!  We did a little homie lunch just me and our four girls.  Homie things are best I think. : )

 Mar helping out a bit...

 Lea looking on...Let's see, what is this?

Mother, Mar and our married daughter, Michelle, sometimes we call her Delle because that is what Baby Becca used to call her. ; )  For over a year it has been a trial for Michelle healthwise but she is doing so much better now thank God.  Oh wow, talk about why mother's get grey!  Becca had to leave for work this day so we won't see her in the pics. 

 Someone said something really funny and Mother cracked up!  (really cute I think)  I love it when people are cracking up so hard they get that look!

Okay, time to calm down and look pretty. ; )  Yes, Mother is 87.  A friend of mine attending Michelle's wedding asked Mother if she had had a face lift.  No! With a big smile, she answered, feeling quite flattered!


Oh that quote up at the top?  Yes, that describes my mom quite a bit.  Quite a bit.


I found the material for the table up in the closet and as I sat and looked at it?  I decided it would make an awfully pretty skirt...

We served a nice meal of  my grandma from Naples' Eggplant Pasta.  The cake is gluten-free sweetened with stevia!   Marianna made the cake and helped me with the eggplant.  She also made a whip of coconut milk flavored with stevia and cocoa powder.   It's much like a cool luscious mousse.

I think everything was plumb luverly.

Stay, stay at home, my heart, and rest;
Home-keeping hearts are happiest,
For those that wander they know not where
Are full of trouble and full of care;
To stay at home is best.  
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I hope everyone is doing well, I'll start the close with music my mom and our entire family likes!   Things are plodding along, many Mitford-like stories I observe and hear that I will be sharing...


 





6 comments:

Linda said...

Dearest Amelia, this is such a sweet post! I love all your photos, and everyone looks beautiful! Happy Birthday to your mother, she looks radiant! I agree that time at home with loved ones is time well spent. It looks like a wonderful time. Thank you so much for sharing, your post has touched my heart!

Amelia said...

Well thank you Linda! : ) Thank you for your heartfelt comment, I really appreciate it! You are such a thoughtful person Linda and that is a blessing.

Barbara said...

Your mother is indeed a beautiful woman. I wish her Happy Birthday. I enjoyed this post so much. Your daughters are lovely as well.

Love the quote by Longfellow. I have not seen it in some time. It is good to read it again.

Amelia said...

Thank you so much Barbara! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed the post. : )

Isn't that a great quote by Longfellow? I have always remembered that one too.

So great to hear from you, I hope you're doing well!

Mrs. White said...

What a wonderful birthday! Your Mom looks beautiful and happy!

Thank you for sharing this!

Blessings!

Amelia said...

Thank you Mrs. White! It's so sweet of you to stop by!

Blessings to you!