Newsletter 31 – October 16, 2008

Perfect Joy   Carving Pumpkins   House Plants   Turtle Pumpkin Pie

“Today I’m going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far:

the accomplishments, the many blessings.

Today I will share my excitement for life with other people.

(Today, I hope) I’ll make someone smile.”

The Best Day of My Life by Gregory M Lousignont

Perfect Joy

By Bev Wilson

This past weekend, my joy ‘quota’ went off the scale as my son wed the perfect girl, on the perfect day, in the perfect setting.  The simplicity and beauty of the ceremony, music and vows left me speechless.  What an indescribable joy – to see my children so incredibly happy!  To see them surrounded by their huge network of family and friends, all of who are delighted with their love.

I had the privilege of spending the days before the ceremonies with my new daughter and her attendants.  We did the nails and the toes, we lunched, we were made-up and our hair was styled – all in preparation for the main event.  But prepared I was not, for the emotion that welled within me when my son, along with the soloist, sang “When You Say Nothing at All” to his beautiful bride.  And when she sang back, it took my breath away.

There were so many things they wanted to say to each other, that they worked with the minister to personalize their vows.  The last vow they made to each other was, “As I have given you my heart, I give you my life.”  There was not a dry eye among those of us who had watched these ‘not so young’ people struggle over the years as they searched for their perfect mate.

The social gathering that followed the ceremony was filled with laughter and tears. With hugs from friends and family I hadn’t seen in years.  We ate, we toasted, we danced, we shared a time that was so incredibly special I have no words to describe it.  Like the bride and groom before them, the families and friends became one.

My hope for all of you who have already experienced this joy is that you will smile, with a tear in your eye, as you recall your own wonderful memories. For those who haven’t yet had this experience, I pray your children will someday know the depth of love my son and his bride have found in each other.

I want to say a big “Thank You” to all my friends, who faithfully read my words each week, for being there and giving me an audience to share my perfect joy. 

 “A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love.”

 Mother Teresa

Late Season Mums

Are always the biggest and brightest of them all.  America’s Best has several of these late varieties left to bring beauty and color to your landscape.

Buy 1- 4 Mums     Pay 9.59 each

Buy 5- 9 Mums     Pay 7.99 each

Buy 10-19 Mums       Pay 6.99 each

Buy Over 20 Mums           Pay 5.99 each

I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island,

but he turned out to be an optical Aleutian.. joke 1

Ready, Set, CARVE!

To add a little fun to the season, America’s Best Flowers is sponsoring a Pumpkin Carving Contest for kids of all ages.  Everyone who enters will receive a prize.  It’s easy to enter.  Just pick up an entry blank at America’s Best, decorate your pumpkin, and bring your creation back by Sunday, October 19 for judging.  Pumpkins can be carved, painted, or decorated in any crafty way you like.  There will be special prizes for the winners.  Prizes will be provided by Papa Jimmy’s Pizzeria, Door Creek Pharmacy, Subway, Dairy Queen, Pizza Hut and The Bank of Sun Prairie. Pumpkins can be picked up after the contest, if you like, beginning October 21.

Although carving a pumpkin is not rocket science, a little pre-planning will really increase your success.  Visit http://www.pumpkincarving101.com/ for ideas.

A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering. joke 3

Do You Love Plants?

For most of us, the end of the outdoor gardening season provides us the opportunity to spend more time with our houseplants.  Over the past couple of weeks, the night time temperatures have dropped into the range that has sent a lot of plants from the garden to the house.  Growing plants inside is a somewhat different process than growing them out.  No longer can we count on moisture falling from the sky, nor the summer breeze blowing away the dry leaves.  These jobs now fall to us.

Houseplants provide us with a ‘green’ environment to live in and enjoy throughout the winter months.  It’s time to fill your homes with the foliage of houseplants now available at America’s Best Flowers.  You will find links following this article for photos, but you really have to see them in person to appreciate how lush our plants are.  We invite you to come out today and choose your favorites.  During the cold winter days ahead, you’ll be so glad you did.

To see a Boston Fern: http://www.pbase.com/portaloha/image/65642578

Wandering jew: http://www.denverplants.com/foliage/html/jewzeb.htm

Tahitian bridal veil: http://www.hear.org/starr/plants/images/image/?q=070906-8791

Two silk worms had a race.

They ended up in a silk tie.joke 2

Do You Like to Play Games On-line?

For several weeks I’ve been including links to games.  Many of you have clicked on them, so here’s one more. http://www.brandextract.com/catbowling/

The roundest knight at King Arthur’s round table was Sir Cumference.

He acquired his size from too much pi. joke 3

BONNIE’S KITCHEN

I saw this in the new Family Circle, and it’s a good twist on the traditional pumpkin pie!

Turtle Pumpkin Pie

1/4 cup plus 2 T caramel ice cream topping, divided

Graham cracker pie crust, purchased

1/2 cup plus 2 T pecan pieces, divided

1 cup cold milk

2 pkg. (3.4 oz.) vanilla instant pudding

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 t ground cinnamon

1/2 t ground nutmeg

1 tub (8 oz.) whipped topping, thawed, divided

Pour 1/4 cup caramel topping into crust; sprinkle with 1/2 cup pecans

Beat milk, pudding mixes, pumpkin and spices with whisk until blended. Stir in 1 1/2 cups whipped topping. Spread into crust.

Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Top with remaining whipped topping. Drizzle the caramel topping over top, and top with pecans, just before serving.

A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital.

When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was,

the nurse said, “No change yet.” joke 4

SEE YOU SOON!!!

Since Halloween is coming, here are some spooky jokes for you:

What do you call a dog owned by Dracula?

A blood hound.  Joke 5

Why did the vampire’s lunch give her heartburn?

It was a stake sandwich..  joke 6

How do witches keep their hair in place while they are flying?

With scare spray. joke 7

What do you get when you cross a werewolf and a vampire?

A fur coat that fangs around your neck.. joke 8

What is a vampire’s favorite sport

Casketball. joke 9

What do you call someone who puts poison in a person’s corn flakes?

A cereal killer.joke 10

What kind of car does a ghost drive?

A Boo-ick.  joke 11

And the all time worst Halloween joke ever!

What’s a vampire’s favorite fast food?

A guy with very high blood pressure.  joke 12