Sharing one of my faves...the Prayer Angel

“Prayers go up and blessings come down.”

We're often asked to pray for a loved one or to keep someone in our prayers. This prayer list seems to grow as my kids grow.....all of us having networks of friends and acquaintances....online prayer chains inundating us with those in need.  I hate to be a 'downer' but there's a lot of sickness and death out there lately!  On the other hand, we also have many blessings to be thankful for ~ an abundance of goodness that comes into our lives and reasons for celebration!  That being said, how do you remind yourself and your family to pray for those who need it ~ outside of Church? With our crazy busy lives, we don't eat together every night ~ Kate is off to volleyball, Dan is at swim practice, Kevin is traveling ~ how do we set a good example.....and remind ourselves to honor those who deserve it and have positive thoughts for those who need it?  Drum roll.........My new fave ~ the Prayer Angel!

A simple little porcelain figurine now sits on our kitchen counter with my hand-written "Prayer List".  She is only about four inches high and you can slip a card or photo in her hands ~ she's great for birthday cards too.  The Prayer Angel has really made a difference for us ~ reigns us in bit and serves as a reminder to pause and have a good thought or prayer for someone.

"I often pray, though I'm not really sure Anyone's listening; 

and I phrase it carefully, just in case He's literary."  

~Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic's Notebook, 1966

Signs of Spring!

It was sunny and 70 degrees in Atlanta yesterday and I must admit, I got my first pedicure of the season....so excited! We may have a few more chilly days but I'm daydreaming about the months ahead.  I took these pics of my garden last May and they are inspiring me to plan this year's garden...Enjoy!

"Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle 

... a seed waiting to sprout,

a bulb opening to the light,

a bud straining to unfurl.  

And the anticipation nurtures our dream."

-   Barbara Winkler

"Where flowers bloom so does hope."

-Lady Bird Johnson

Comfort Coffee

"Never forget the days I spent with you. 

Continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours."
---Ludwig Van Beethoven

When I'm missing my long distance girlfriends, I'll have a cup off coffee using the mug they gave me! I swear to you ~ it got me through some rough patches when I first moved to Georgia.  My family, of course, makes fun of me.  I'll mention that I'm having a cup of coffee with Kelly.....sipping from the 'shoe girl' mug that she gave me years ago....or tea with Dara in the tall angel mug...  Just to take a moment in the morning and think about how lucky I am to have such an incredible group of girlfriends...makes me smile and feel thankful. I'm lucky that I happen to have a  great relationship with my husband and my kids but I often wonder if it's because of my girlfriends ~ for their guidance and counsel....for their coaching and honest advice.  Here's to you ladies! Thanks for always being there!

“Truly great friends are hard to find, 

difficult to leave, 

and impossible to forget.”

HELP! I need a Technology Intervention!

You know you’ve hit rock bottom when your iphone charger is next to your bed …just in case an opponent should make a move in the middle of the night !  That’s right –

“Hi.  My name is Lisa and I am addicted to Online Scrabble and Words With Friends.”

I am not in the least bit a “techie” but I am attempting to remain somewhat hip by trying to keep up with my kids at least.  It probably started when I had to stalk my oldest son on Facebook – years ago – to keep a watchful eye on him.  That led me to my own personal Facebook and then to my Red Tulips Facebook page and now all of a sudden I’m tweeting, blogging and hiding in the bathroom playing word games on my iphone!  This is crazy!  I text my kids to take out the garbage and they’re in the basement – a yelling distance away! 

Is this the new ‘normal’? Is this how other families operate these days? I need feedback!  When I’m dead and gone will my kids say  “I miss Mom texting me to 'make good choices'” or “Mom came up with the highest word points ever!” ?!?!

Needless to say, I’m concerned.  Should we have a no phone/no computer time maybe on Sundays? Be careful what you wish right? ~ I’m not sure if I can go cold turkey!

The only thing I'm sure of (today anyway) ~ you can’t call me on my Kindle!

Happy Friday!

Well, I'm still not entirely sure how and when to blog but I'm definitely on the road to figuring it out! Sending positive thoughts your way!

Lucky 3-Legged Pigs! Who knew?!

This has got to be one of the most darling little good luck charms I've ever seen! 

In the small village of Pomaire, Chile, it is believed that “chanchitos,” or little pigs, bring good luck. Three legged pigs are considered to be especially lucky and are traditionally given to friends as a token of goodwill and love.

These adorably cute ~ and lucky ~ 3 legged pigs measure about 1-1/2" tall and about 1-3/4" long.  Hand made of clay in Chile, each little piggie is formed, dried, then smoothed and burnished with an agate stone before being fired. No glaze or varnish is used, the only ingredient is lead free clay. This is a hand made item, so no two are exactly alike, and each one has it's own blemishes and shades of color.


I am completely  fascinated by different culture's good luck charms!  What a darling gift for a friend going on an interview or a student taking a test or trying out for the soccer team.  Of course I've ordered many, many little 3-legged pigs as we need all the luck we can get.


I'll keep you posted. And PLEASE ~ give me any suggestions you might have for other uniquely interesting  and meaningful items for Red Tulips.

(On a side note do you think the term "break a leg"

directly affected the 3-legged pig?! 

Same concept....I'm just sayin'.)

Sand Dollars

Always in search of new products that have special meaning ~ and attempting to ignore the MISERABLE weather we're having in Georgia this week (I know...be thankful it's not snow), I was dreaming about the beach today, actually the ocean.  One of the first times we brought the kids to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, we were happily sitting by the the water until the Lifeguard's whistle blew and blew and blew........at MY daughter, Kate, and her girlfriend!!!!  Completely dumbfounded and embarrassed, I discovered they were getting "busted" for taking Sand Dollars out of the ocean.  Apparently, they are "protected" and you cannot remove them from the water.  This, of course, was news to me.  The girls returned the Sand Dollars to the ocean. Months later, I researched the legends of the Sand Dollar and they now hold a whole new meaning for me! No wonder they're very collectible. 


"The Sand Dollar is actually the skeleton of a small marine creature, related to the starfish, the sea cucumber, the sea urchin and the sea lily. It has a fascinating petal pattern on it, which are made by five sets of pores on the upper surface. These are actually pores which sea water moves in and out of, allowing it to move."


 These are a few beliefs I dug up ~ what you believe is up to you! (If you have any other lore to share, please comment!)


>>>Sand Dollars are the coins of mermaids, who accidentally drop them, and which are then washed ashore on stormy nights.

>>>Several of the legends tell of 5 little doves, hidden inside the sand dollar. These are often difficult to find as you need to break open the sand dollar. In fact they are the 5 jaws of the sand dollar, joined together in a circle, which, when broken apart, become individual dove-shaped pieces. I have only seen a picture of this, but they are remarkably like little birds. 

This is my favorite:
>>>It is said that Christ left the sand dollar as a symbol to help the evangelists teach the faith. The five holes commemorate the five wounds of Christ, while at the center on one side blooms the Easter Lily, and at the lily's heart is the Star of Bethlehem. The Christmas poinsettia is etched on the other side, a reminder of Christ's birth. According to this legend, if you break the center, five white doves will be released to spread goodwill and peace.



Needless to say, I have found a few products for Red Tulips that incorporate the Sand Dollar and will let you know when they arrive!


Have a great weekend!


Lisa