Designs By Alfreda

On December 3, 2018, my Mother left this present world.  It was hard saying goodbye.  She was a great mother.  She wasn’t perfect, but no one is, yet she did the best she could with what she had and knew.  I cherish her memories.  She lived on this earth for 91 years.  She lived to see her children grow up, to see her grandchildren even up to her great great grandchildren.  For this I’m truly grateful.

There are so many memories to cherish of her.  She will forever be in my heart.  Her legacy lives on in me.  It lives in the lessons she taught me and the kindness she showed to others.  It lives in her zest for life–enjoying good food and good company, laughter, the joy of travel, the joy of volunteering and helping others.  I’m forever thankful to God for giving me her as a mom.  Thank you God for the years she was here.  Thank you for letting me see her and spend time with her before she left this world.  You are an awesome God and I thank you for my mother.  

Now I only have memories and pictures to share.  I will no longer be able to hear her voice except from a voicemail or two that is still on my phone.  I will miss her smile and sense of humor.  There will no longer be meals that we will sit down together to share.  Yet dear Jesus help me to have time for and show love to my family that I can still see and hear.  Let me be grateful and to remember to give them their flowers while they are able to see and smell them.  Please God.  Thank you.

As I write this evening, I’m writing thinking of my Mother.  My Mother was blessed to turn 91 this past September.  We had an awesome celebration for her.  Her birthday was celebrated with many family and friends.  My mother is much loved.  I’m thanking God for her. Whenever I talk to her I always end the conversation by saying I love you.  I appreciate my Mother.  I appreciate the food she cooked for me, her encouragement and how she took care of my hair as I was growing up.  If you are fortunate enough to still have your Mother with you, please do not fail to let her know you love her and you care.  Give her the flowers while she can smell them so to speak.  Have a Good Night!

Sunday mornings can be so relaxing.  You’re not bothered by having to get out of the door early morning.  You sit and relax.  Have a cup of coffee and likely read the news on the internet.  Back in the day it was the Sunday morning newspaper you held in your hand.  People lived for that cup of coffee and Sunday morning newspaper.

I know first hand about that Sunday morning newspaper.  Not necessarily reading it, but having a paperboy in my home.  My oldest son delivered newspaper as a teenager.  His route was in our neighborhood.  Wow!  If some people’s newspaper was two minutes late getting to them, the Ann Arbor News was calling our house.  For the most part, he got them out on time but occasionally ran behind.

Sunday mornings for us are relaxing.  My husband and I get up and have our quiet time.   Then on to breakfast with a nice cup of coffee and tea.  I drink coffee and my husband drinks tea.  However, we both like our hazlenut creamer added to our hot cup of liquids.  After preparation we head for church.  We attend church with a very lovely congregation.  Church service is always something we look forward to and is a jump start to our week.

What does your Sunday mornings consist us?  Do you try to relax?  Do you like getting the news first thing on Sundays?  Is attending church part of your Sundays?  However you use your Sundays, let it be a time to refresh and relax.  Take good care of yourself and make it a great day!

Creating baby gift baskets are one of my favorite gifts to design.  In creating them you can add so many items a mom will need for her new little one.  If you are a mom, what are some of the items you received as gifts for your baby that were beneficial or were very helpful and needful for you?  What kinds of baby gifts have you given to other new moms?  

Baby gift registries from various department stores are nice and helpful.  However, gift baskets are special because not only do they come filled with practical gifts they make a spectacular presentation.  The gift basket or container the items come in can be used for storage.

Baby gift baskets are unique.  There’s an array of containers that are used  Some come in the shape of bassinets while other containers are themed gift boxes.

The next time you have the opportunity to get a baby gift, consider a gift basket.  Even if you buy from the baby registry, consider packaging it in a gift basket or gift box and make it a special presentation.