STEEL MAGNOLIAS

I still can remember Shelby.  Steel Magnolias was a popular movie in the late 80's, Steel Magnolias. The movie was shot in Natchitoches, Louisiana. We went to visit last Christmas and the house of Shelby is now a bed and breakfast inn. I love staying at bed and breakfast places. Fresh linens, nice bed, no kids allowed? Gourmet food, freshly baked bread and squeezed juice. Afternoon tea, chocolate tasting and dressing up to the nines. I can only enjoy it once in awhile. We try to go out on an annual get away for a retreat , to bond and strengthen our marriage as well as to hear God's visions for us, things that He wants us to do. It is a nice and romantic place. I invite you to visit... you will fall in love. Try their famous Louisiana meat pies. Merci Beaucoup ( the resto) is also a great restaurant. Fried and blackened alligator , anyone? 

They have specialty stores as well . Maybe check out some Vera Bradley bags ? Or their Lampe Berger scents for true and ultimate Southern hospitality .

Dating for couples is recommended . It is where you can build and get to know a person deeper and better. But when a couple is married , it is a must. It is a thing that you do intentional. Make time for it. Get a babysitter. A strong and healthy relationship is a model that kids look up to.It is a fortress.  

Bonding through dating and going out enhances a relationship. Be creative . Be fun . It is ok to have fun with your spouse. Life is not all about bills and work and household chores. Nor even stuff. Memories of loved ones are the ones always remembered . A woman once in a nursing home cherishes all of her family photos and talked about a past with family, never even said anything more about other things but that. The happiest thought can always almost relate to a thought of good relationship with others. The eternal joy is related to a personal relationship with the Bearer of Joy, Jesus. Do you have Him? Invite an intimate relationship with Him....

Merci Beaucoup

Photo taken using Nikon D80

f/1.4 50mm AD

BIG HEART IS A MERRY HEART

 The love month almost past by so swiftly. It seems as I have still have a lot to write on love. Iam blessed to be around a loving family, friends, and  community.

God is teaching me how to have a big heart. We can pray for wisdom and He gives it, but we might as well pray for patience and understanding. When we love sometimes we do not get it back the way we want it or expect it to be. Having a big heart means, having compassion for people and situations that are not perfect in our sight. A life of surrendering to the source of love, God, is a life of obeying and letting Him direct us from day to day and touching people at that certain moment. As if it will be the only or last time we will touch them. Thirteen years ago ,I vowed before God to marry a man, submit to Him be trustworthy of his love and surrender a life of self-centeredness and let God mold me into a character of a supportive partner to my husband. It is commanded that we love one another as we love ourselves. This is firstly applied to our partners in life, our spouse. But how easily  we forget ? 

A big heart is a merry heart! Forget about rationalizing and analyzing. Love starts in the house as they say,  the miracle starts in the house. I was blessed to have read a life goal of a friend, Joseph which goes " I want to walk hand in hand with my partner in the beach, even at the age of 70" .

The tides maybe strong . Storms may come. Birthing and falling. Good times. I want to say I will walk with my husband still madly in love with him through God's mighty blessings and grace even when Iam old...

Merci Beaucoup

Models: Arma and Rey Veneracion

Photo taken using Nikon D80

f/1.4 50mm AD

LOVE LETTERS TO HEAVEN

If I write a letter to God, will He read it? Do I need stamps to mail it to Him? When does He receive it? What if I don't know what to say? Sounds like a child asking  his mom . God reads all of our prayers. He listens to us. Seek and we shall find. Ask and we shall receive. There are no ground nor express rate to heaven. A prayer that comes sincerely from the heart is heard. God looks at the heart and not at the outward appearance. He answers in His own sweet time. His timing is always the best timing. God does not want repetitious prayers. He desires for us to draw near to Him..be intimate with Him. Like a child talking to a Father. 

When no one is around. When everyone is busy to listen. When everyone has turned away. When the cell phones are not ringing. When the system is down. When text messages are not being answered.When there is a strike at the post office. When there is no money to buy. When the lights are off. When the night is cold . When . When. God is there. Come to Him. He loves you.He is waiting for your  love letters to heaven...

Merci Beaucoup

Photo taken using Nikon D80

f/1.4 50mm AD

SWEETS FOR MY SWEETS,SUGAR FOR MY SUGAR

So how do we really want to say it? With candies, cupcakes, cookies, flowers? Is it a romantic dinner? Or a stargazing evening? Love is patient, love is kind, it does not boast. Love is made known through actions, through kind words. It does not wait for a reciprocal action. It knows how to give, to serve . God loves us that He gave His Son Jesus that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but will have eternal life. How do I relate to this? Iam saved by His grace..for me not to boast..it is not by my good works. Mercy came running to me when I needed it. Even if Iam not worthy..God loves us. Sometimes I really ask why me? Iam nobody. God tells me" you are" I already planned you before you were even conceived. I know the day of your birthday. I know your undergoings, your pains even if you have not experienced it yet. I know you.Iam concerned about you. For this alone,  I know that Iam loved, by the true source of love. The cross is the picture of the agape love of God. Is this easy to do in our generation? I bet not. How many times did we get mad at the road for someone who cuts our way? How many times did we expected something in return of our love? Love can move mountains, yes! True love never dies! One realization that me and my husband have made this year is to never shout or scream at each other. Even our kids are being taught this. With trying this, respect is shown to one another and it eliminates some stress in the house. What the world needs is love sweet love.That's the only way...

Merci Beaucoup

Photo taken using Nikon D80

f/1.4 50mm AD

ROMANCE IS IN THE LAND: WAYS TO SPREAD LOVE WITHOUT SPENDING

Have you ever been caught in a romantic mood? Want to be child again? Youthful and carefree?

Mel and I went on a vacation last year and he decided to use our nieces bike, notice it is purple. It has been a long time since we have done something like this. We were caught in a life of routine at one point. It is fun to have fun ! Out in the country we went riding . I will guide you to on how to be romantic this season of the year without hurting your pockets

          SAY IT!

1. SAY I LOVE YOU IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND WAYS. TEXT, WRITE, HIDE THE NOTE UNDER THE DINNER PLATE, CALL, E MAIL, SEND IT THROUGH A BLOG NOTE OR CALL THE RADIO STATION.  BUT SAY IT!
2. COMPLIMENT THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE, YOUR SPOUSE, FRIEND, CHILDREN, FAMILY, CO WORKERS, MENTOR. SAY SOMETHING THAT WILL BE REMEMBERED. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO USE CUTE WORDS. CUTE CAN BE CUTE! ADDRESS THEM LIKE A QUEEN, A KING, A PRINCESS OR A PRINCE!
3. MAKE A COMMITMENT TO PRAY FOR YOUR LOVED ONES FOR FOURTEEN DAYS AND KEEP TRACK ON HOW GOD ANSWERS YOUR PRAYERS.
4. RECITE A LOVE POEM OR A LOVE STORY IN FRONT OF THE SPECIAL SOMEONE.
5. RECORD A CD OR VIDEO WITH A SPECIAL LOVE SONG.WITH YOU SINGING THE SONG. THIS WILL BRING A GOOD LAUGH!
6. BE SPECIFIC ON HOW YOU PRAISE SOMEONE, AND DO NOT HESITATE TO DO IT IN PUBLIC.USE WORDS LIKE TERRIFIC, FABULOUS, LOVING, ADORABLE, ANYTHING . JUST PRAISE.
7. POST IT EVERYWHERE THOSE LOVE NOTES. USE PINK !
8. ENCOURAGE WITH A LOVE SCRIPTURE.
9. MAIL A CARD EVEN IF YOU LIVE WITH THIS SOMEONE.IT BRINGS PIZAZZ TO THE CARD.
10. ASK THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE ON HOW YOU CAN LOVE MORE WITHOUT GETTING SOMETHING.

Merci Beaucoup

Photos taken using Nikon D80

f/1.4 50mm AD

TOUCHED BY ANGELS

After nineteen years , God has blessed us with three precious jewels. Our firstborn Hannah, sugar and spice and everything nice. She is our sweet angel, very smart. We already called her by name before she was even conceived. She is gifted in music, likes to sing and has an eye for the arts. She always has the sparkle of diamonds in her eyes, very light spirited and excited. This gal will usher hope to your heart...

     Our second angel is Ethan. A boy after God's own heart. Very compassionate, selfless individual. We waited for him for five years. His antics will melt one's heart and his caring spirit will capture you...

     Our baby angel is Isaac. Joyful in heart . This one is the huggable one. Very strong and athletic. He can dribble a ball even at the young age of one. He is bold and tenacious. His smile and touch will captivate you...

Merci Beaucoup

Picture taken using Nikon D80 

f/1. 4 50mm AD

                                                                                                           

LOVE AFFAIR

     I thought it is a brilliant idea to tell you my love story, my love affair to the man I love and ended up marrying twice. I like to introduce to you my love crew. The reason why my heart keeps on pumping and will keep on pumping. The gifts of God to me my husband and my kids.

     I met Mel nineteen years ago. I saw him in a tiny town called Laguna, saw him first, very vividly up to this day, I can recall what he was wearing, and he had the most beautiful smile. Next thing I know, he was my college dorm neighbor, your typical real deal boy next door. I called him "red shorts" for he was always wearing one. If ever Iam gonna make a movie of this so called love affair with him, it will be entitled Red Shorts! 

     He is my bestfriend. We almost do all things together. Amazingly, we are opposites in a lot of ways. We were put together for a precious reason, we compliment one another!

     I have told you mine. What is your love story? ( I suggest you write it down and daydream in the next few minutes )

Merci Beaucoup

THE LOVE BOAT WILL SET SAIL

    I chose to start my first ever post in the month of February because it is traditionally the "Love Month". What an exciting time of the year! Red , red , red, they say paint the town red and we will in this blog site. Hopefully by the end of the month we will be all be breathing red. I will be reviewing books which will pump the hearts. Movies to rekindle a first and last love, the endless love. places to go where I have been. Romantic ways to celebrate love. Things to do on Valentines day on a budget. Gifts to give. Crafty and cute ideas to remember someone. Watch out cold hearted generation. 

     The Love Boat was a popular show when I was growing up . I could still hear the theme song as Iam writing this blog. I wish I can sing. Maybe not. From kindergarten up to the present time, I recall looking forward for a treat on this month. Candies, roses, concerts, fancy dinners, dressing up, cards and letters. It is for all ages. May you be married or single, young or old. No one can be immune to love, we all need to love and be loved. 

     It happened to Romeo and Juliet before, it is still the same now. We will all set sail. Many of us will fall again ...on the love boat.

 Merci Beaucoup