Easter Excitement

Just some of our Eggs-tra sweet moments this past weekend. You will notice someone is absent! Our son, Daniel, has been in Pittsburgh, PA visiting some friends. This was the only chance they all had to get together in awhile and he is having a wonderful time. We missed him but he has really enjoyed seeing the sights and getting together with his friends and their families. He has a few Easter goodies awaiting his arrival back home!

Bunnies of all kinds visit Rabbit Run at Easter time! These were ever so sweet.

And this bunny enjoyed all the baking and cooking that goes into Easter goodies.

Ssh. An artist is hard at work... "Mommy! I swear I did not chase the Easter Bunny! I look guilty? No way! This is my innocent look...I have it down to a science! It was the cats! I swear it was the cats!!" Oh did Grace get goodies from a certain rabbit. Odd fellow that he is, he made quite a mess of some carrots, left a piece of lettuce on the rug and got paw prints just inside the back door! But he did leave some fun things...and Kipper had a field day sniffing his trail. Not bad loot. An egg hiding here... An egg hiding there.We attended the 9:15 am service at our church. The program was amazing. Our choir director is a wonderful and very creative musician as is the music coordinator/organist/pianist. It was uplifting and beautiful. The sun was shining and the skies were blue! It was chilly but you could feel Spring in the air! After church, Grace opened up her Easter goodies from Grandma and Uncle Jim and Aunt Lisa! We all went to brunch at the Yankee Trace Community Country Club. It is such a lovely spot and the food is always so good. I tried to hide this rabbit under my coat but my shivering gave me away... My brother Jim and our Mom Miriam. Brady and his Mommy Lisa. Boo and his Daddy Who is that behind the Foster Grants? Mom got a chuckle out of Boo's silliness! My Mom, the rabbit...and no. She did not have anything stronger to drink than iced tea! This family was at the next table and we all got such a kick out of their Easter bonnets! Aren't they cute? Bye Bye Auntie Sue! We will see you at my house in a little while! Easter brunch was just wonderful... ...at the Yankee Trace Community Country Club. Lisa the Easter Bunny and Grace playing a game. Here Gram, this is for you from me! My sweet girl Another picture of the pretty primroses on my sis in law's table. Posing for Easter pictures...my brother and sis in law keep a beautiful yard and garden. I will have to show you pictures when things begin to bloom! As you can see, Spring has yet to hop into the Miami Valley! But we are keeping an eye out...it has warmed up and the sun was out on Easter Sunday...it IS on it's way! "Hey Gracie! Can I get in on some of this picture action?" Casey is our newest family member...my brother and sis in law's new puppy. Brady says, "Spin me Grace! Spin me!" What can match the exuberance of a 6 month old puppy and a 10 year old girl? Not much! A boy and his dog! And a girl that gets silly behind her Uncle's back!Chase me Grace, says Boo... ...and spin me again!See? I really AM the Mother Bunny! And here is the Daddy bunny with our girl! And my nephew bunny saying, "Is it all over already?"" Auntie Sue! No more kissing and hugging! Go on home already!" We hope your Easter was as happy as ours was! The weekend was busy and full and fun! The only thing that would have made it even better were if Danny had been home....oh, that and Brian Dennehy stopping by to see me. I wish you all a sweet week filled with smiles and hugs and laughter! Love, Susie Q

Lord Of The Dance

Springsteen Saturday Night

The next several posts will be about our Saturday night with The Boss! If you wish to hear the videos below, just press the mute button on the music player. Of course, The E Street Band is wonderfully loud so it may well drown out the lovely New York Philharmonic strings anyhoo! Here is a review from Ron Rollins of the Dayton Daily:

Springsteen in Cincinnati, March 22

By Ron Rollins | Sunday, March 23, 2008, 09:56 AM

There were a couple of nice surprises at Bruce Springsteen’s US Bank Arena show Saturday night, including a version of “Lost in the Flood,” from his earliest days and which he doesn’t perform very often.

The initial reports on the show on the irritatingly complete fansite http://www.backstreets.com assessed the concert as a disappointment … judged mostly from the pacing and speed with which Bruce tore through some of the songs. One fan called the show “perfunctory.”

Maybe, but I think you’d have to be a hardest of hardcore to feel that way. The crowd was very into it, and was appreciative of Springsteen’s efforts — which, while they aren’t what they were when the guy was a bit more spry, were more than satisfying in my book.

Springsteen mixed up the set list as he’s known to do, bringing in good stuff from all through his varied career, and reminding one and all just how much material he has to choose from. From the heavy guitar clang of “Radio Nowhere,” off his newest CD, “Magic,” to the cool-as-ice, jazzy jam of the oldie “Kitty’s Back,” with tons of good stuff sandwiched in between, he and the deservedly fabled E Streeters put on a great show.

Hey! Yours truly stumbled into some tix for the Columbus show on Monday, so I’ll bring in another report.

Here, meanwhile, is the Cincy setlist, courtesy of backstreets:

Darlington County

Radio Nowhere

Lonesome Day

Gypsy Biker

Magic

Reason to Believe

Candy’s Room

Prove It All Night

She’s the One

Livin’ in the Future

The Promised Land

Be True

Lost in the Flood

Devil’s Arcade

The Rising

Last to Die

Long Walk Home

Badlands

---

Glory Days

Born to Run

Dancing in the Dark

American Land

---

Kitty’s Back

We had a wonderful Saturday night thanks to my brother and sis in law. On Christmas they gave us Springsteen concert tickets and a gift certificate to The Hofbrauhaus , a restaurant just over the state line into Kentucky at "Newport on the Levee". We enjoyed a delicious dinner, traditional German music and just being by ourselves for a change! It was like being 20 and on a date again! Okay, except for the bad knees and the extra weight...so it was ALMOST like being 20 again. Baby, I was "born to run"! Then it was onto the US Bank Arena to see Bruce Springsteen and the *Original * E Street Band! The crowd was the best I have ever seen at a concert. No wild partying, no drunks, no smoking. Just thousands of happy people there to hear fantastic music and see one of the greatest bands ever. Bruce is 58 years old and the guy can still do it all. Am I gushing? Super concert and a sweet night with my darlin' husband. I have lots of pictures from the rest of our Easter weekend to share. I also have some from last week...and such a busy week it was! From "Lord of the Dance" to "The Boss", it was 7 days of music, dance and good food. Happy smiles and a blissfully happy Susie Q. One for the books. I hope your weekend was a sweet one too. I will be hopping by to visit soon! Until then, stay well and be good to yourself!

Love and Hugs, Susie Q

One Of The Best Moments Of The Night!

Don't forget to mute the music player if you want to hear this video! It was a sweet moment!

Where We Were Saturday Night!

I was tryin' to find my way home But all I heard was a drone Bouncing off a satellite Crushin' the last lone American night This is radio nowhere, is there anybody alive out there? This is radio nowhere, is there anybody alive out there?

~Radio Nowhere by Bruce Springsteen

Wishing You All Blessings...

...and

I may be off line for most of the next 2 days so I wanted to hop in now and wish you all lots of sunny skies & sweet smiles. May the joy of Easter be yours. Love and Hugs to you all, Susie Q

The Queen of Scrapbooking

Photo: Sweet Encounters ...just turned 40. Now, does she LOOK 40? Heck no. She certainly does not look old enough to be the Mom of all those gorgeous boys or the grandmom of those 2 precious little guys. Jolene is the home maker supreme, the reigning Queen of Scrapbooking (and every Queen needs a castle right?) and a blessing to all of us. Happy Birthday dear heart...and Happy Anniversary a few days late! I am slow but, like that old turtle, I get to it in the end! We love ya!

Getting Ready...

Adding the Easter touches to Rabbit Run...

I will be back soon! I hope you are having a lovely Good Friday. Blessings to you all! Love and Hugs, Sue

The Library

Just a couple of photos of our tiny "library". You know, the "library". There ARE books in there...okay, the *powder room*. No! It is the LOO! Just off the living room, the little spot you go to...to...um...refresh yourself. I wanted to show you the most precious gift I received from our Cassie. Cassie is one of the most generous women, talented, creative, lovely and funny. She also has glorious flea market treasures you can buy via her web space. Stop by and visit her if you have yet to do so. Her sweet Mom has recently been ill so I know Cassie would appreciate your prayers too.

Doesn't this sweet tin make you smile? Grace has named the dog "Princess" so what better spot to place her than next to a painting of a very young Queen Victoria. Doesn't every loo need a painting of a Queen? And a dog named Princess? Thank you so much Cassie. You are a sweetheart!

Isn't this bunny fingertip towel precious? It came from the sweet hands of Kari and Kijsa and if you do not know about their shop and art and *fantabulous* creations, hop straight on over and see! Each piece they make is as delightful as they themselves are! Thank you Kari and Kijsa! Now, unfortunately, I do not have a fireplace in my Loo Library (if there was room, I would so put one in there!) so we are now back in the living room. I wanted you to meet Beau. Beau is a creation from Donna. Is he not scrumptious? Donna has the most delicious site and an *Etsy* site as well. Do hop over to see the wonderful work that she and her husband create! This was a Beau I received just prior to Valentine's day but he is too special to box away until next year. He remains out, in a little nest, wearing his proverbial heart on his sleeve. Dear Beau....dear, dear Donna! It is raining, no, pouring again today. Poor Kipper may soon reach maximum capacity as he refuses to *go* outside. How I wish he could use our library! Tonight we are off to the Schuster Center to see Michael Flatley's "Lord of the Dance". I saw it 4 years ago and it was spellbinding. I am excited to share this with Grace, Mom and 2 of my buddies. Stay well, happy and safe. See you soon....

Love and Hugs, Susie Q

Cluttered?

Tiny. Minuscule. Full to the brim. Stuffed? Overdone. Uh huh. I know that these terms were used when we tried to sell our house a year ago. Bill was working in Virginia and we had decided to go there and join him. I say this with all sincerity, thank goodness it did NOT sell! A few months after that difficult decision TO move was made, Bill was offered the job here and we are all thrilled that we would stay put. Rabbit Run Cottage remained in our family as it should be. So, some say our home is cluttered. Hmmm....I say "cozy". Okay, so I would love to have a few more square feet in the living room but hey. It's ours, it keeps us warm and dry, safe and sheltered and I love it. The living room couch is down filled and so soft to sink into. The perfect spot for movie viewing and cuddling. And we are surrounded with things that mean so much to us. Treasures bright home from our travels and from the many places where we have lived. Each item contains a story patiently awaiting an audience. We have bathrooms and a kitchen in which to cook and beds in which to sleep. What else could we possibly need? I have a list 436 miles long of things that I want to add to this home or change about this sweet place. Still, it IS home in every sense of the word. Children run in and out of the back door, banging it each time they enter and leave. Dogs drool and cats shed. Friends leave muddy footprints in the foyer and husbands toss their coats across the kitchen table. Sometimes those lovely sofa pillows are used to further the fine art of fort constructing and trampoline practice. Showers have been given for new babies and brides. Birthday parties have been thrown for the very young and the, well, not so young. This cottage has listened to gales of laughter and sharp cries of sorrow. Sweet words of love and grumpy morning quarrels. Baby's wails and dogs that howl. Newspapers have been strewn about, lamp shades knocked askew. Puppy nose prints have been left on the windows along with little girl's condensation art. Stray weeds pop up in the yard and grass pushes it's way into the brick walk cracks. Dishwashers have overflowed and bathroom drains clogged. Our home has smelled of cinnamon, cabbage, pizza baking, coffee brewing and fresh paint. It has weathered a tornado, flooding rains, high winds, blizzards, jungle heat and arctic cold. It is, in short, a home. In every sense of the word.

Can It Now Be Spring?

A light exists in spring Not present on the year At any other period. When March is scarcely here A color stands abroad On solitary hills That silence cannot overtake, But human nature feels. It waits upon the lawn; It shows the furthest tree Upon the furthest slope we know; It almost speaks to me. Then, as horizons step, Or noons report away, Without the formula of sound, It passes, and we stay: A quality of loss Affecting our content, As trade had suddenly encroached Upon a sacrament. ~Emily Dickinson

Easter Basket Cupcakes

	A box of Betty Crocker SuperMoist cake mix (you choose your flavor!)
	Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
	Shoestring licorice
	Jelly beans or other desired candy

	Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Make and cool cake as directed on box for 24 cupcakes.
	Frost with frosting. Use licorice for handle on each. Decorate with jelly beans. Store loosely covered.

A Little Irish Revelry...

...was found at Rabbit Run Cottage this past Saturday evening! We had our family and a few great friends over for a bit of Irish cheer. Everyone came dressed in something green and were filled to the brim with the St. Patrick's Day spirit! It was a sweet evenin' to be sure!

You have to have something sugary don'tcha know!

And goody bags are a must! Everyone took home little bags of green and gold wrapped candies, gold chocolate coins, silk shamrocks and little St. Patrick's Day pins all tied up with green checked ribbon!

This is a girl who loves a holiday! She always decks out in the *dress style of the day* and on *this* particular day, it was the "wearin' o' the green"!

Why, even our Kipper got into the spirit!

Hey Kip! How do you feel now that St. Patrick's Day is almost at an end? "PFHTTTTTTTTTTTTT............................" Ah...that's what I thought you would say...he so loves a good holiday! Don't worry sweet boy. Easter is only a few days away! WHAT?? Uh oh. I better get to work clearing away the shamrocks and get to work adding a rabbit here and a chick there. An egg here and a basket there... I hope your weekend and your St. Patrick's Day were lovely! Blessings, love and hugs to you all! Susie Q

Will You Be Wearin' Of The Green?

St. Patrick's Day is almost here! Isn't it fun to celebrate with a few special extra touches? Life is meant to be enjoyed and a little *Irish Spirit* can be yours easily and for very little money! Just have fun with it...holidays are meant to be savored~

On March 17th, all of us are just a wee bit Irish! The three-leaf clover, or shamrock, became linked with Ireland through the missionary work of Saint Patrick, who used its trefoil pattern to symbolize Christianity's Holy Trinity. In celebration of the holiday that commemorates the saint's death (March 17)

Isn't this cupcake sweet? Just bake some cupcakes using your favorite cake mixes or recipe. Ice and add a tiny spring of clover. Just remember to remove it before you take a nibble! Or sprinkle a bit of green sugar on top...green M & Ms would also be fun! Or, for the shamrock, flatten 3 green gumdrops or spearmint leaves with a rolling pin (sprinkle on a little sugar, if necessary, to keep the candies from sticking). Use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut a heart from each flattened leaf. Place the hearts together on the cupcake to form a shamrock. Cut a stem from the excess of one of the flattened candies and set it in place below the 3 hearts. Voila! A shamrock you CAN eat!

Set a sweet "Wearin' Of The Green" table ever so easily...In expensive green glassware can be found so many places. I found some very pretty ones at our local dollar store! I got green glass plates from good old Walmart and have seen them at our K Mart as well. Create a centerpiece from pots of shamrocks (clover) that can often be found at this time of the year in local supermarkets. A green or white table cloth and napkins will do the trick! Tie green ribbon or raffia around the napkins. Gather some greenery from out of doors or from your local florist. Toss a few green apples in a bowl. Choose a few of them to hollow out and place tea lights inside. And don't forget the Leprechaun's gold! Gold foil-covered chocolate coins can be added to your table decorations! Hey! Even a few green Jelly beans tossed around the table would be cute!

~Leprechaun's Lemonade~

Mix 2 parts lemonade,

1 part lemon-lime soda,

and 1 part Surge soft drink.

My wish for all of of you, my dear, dear friends... May you always have Walls for the winds, A roof for the rain, Tea beside the fire, Laughter to cheer you, Those you love near you, And all your heart might desire! Blessings to you all! Love and hugs, Susie Q

A List, A List, My Kingdom For A List!

Our lovely Cielo has tagged me with a this list game. I am much delayed in doing it so I do hope she will forgive me that! First, the instructions: 1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person that tagged you 2. Post these rules on your blog. 3. List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself. 4. Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. 5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog. Hm...now, what can I possibly tell you about myself that you do not already know? I am weird, odd and quite silly. I think that has been very well documented. Ahem. So, what 7 things can I relate that you have not already noticed.... 1. I write poetry. Not so silly? Well, most of it IS rather silly, fun and a bit off center. I once wrote an epic poem about Monty Python that included all of their films, skits, shows and characters. It was up on The Daily Llama, a web space for Monty Python. I can usually put a poem together rather quickly, or used to. That was BG, or Before Grace. Now my head swims with Hannah Montana lyrics and school schedules and who is cuter, Zac or Cody from the Disney Channel. Maybe I should write a poem about that...Oh Cody fair I think I'll cry, if I ever meet you, I'd surely die. How's that for a starter. Yeah, I think it is pretty bad too. I will work on it. 2. I have no fear at all of animals. Of any animals. Big ones, small ones, wild or domestic...I got that from my Dad. I used to get myself in all sorts of predicaments with animals but have never been so much as scratched. I guess it is true about being able to sense fear...that and dumb animals. ME being the dumb animal...the other non human animals figure out pretty quickly I am no threat at all. They know a dumb animal (Me) when they see one. Now, I have no fear of animals but ask me about reptiles and I will give you a far different answer. 3. I wanted to be a commercial artist at one time. I always intended to go to a 2 year art school but my Dad had such high hopes of me going to a 4 year University. Mom had a Bachelors but Dad never finished and wanted his kids to do that. I took Fine Arts in college and quickly grew tired of the classes. I had a group of professors who were very avant garde and actually discussed how all the great (so called in their eyes) art museums around the world could burn to the ground and nothing of any real value would be lost. Little ol' unsophisticated me could never agree with such statements. So I went into Art Education and minored in that. I also minored in Education but finished my Bachelor's in Sociology with the intention of getting my Master's in Social Work while working at the University. Then that cute guy named Bill came along, he joined the Navy and the rest is history. Or a bore. But I do have one little story about being an Art major. One evening during my Freshman year Mom came into my room and said, "Your Daddy has his feelings hurt because you never show him your portfolio." "But Mom!", I said. "You KNOW why!" And she did. Still, she encouraged me to show Dad and "get it over with!". So I did. I was taking a required course, "Full Figure Drawing" and knew how my Dad would feel about it..."Daddy? I was afraid you would be upset if I showed you my sketches. You see, the class is using nude models." Dad smiled and said, "I am not THAT backward sweetie. I KNOW they use nude female models in art classes." "Um Daddy? They aren't exactly using *FE*males." Nope. The were using young male models. Not particularly attractive young male models. IN fact, they were rather dirty and scruffy looking male models who reeked of cigarette smoke and beer. And they were nude. Naked. Buck naked. I was a young college Freshman, I had not yet turned 18 and my poor Dad just about choked. Gagged. Sputtered. Well, you get the picture. And no. He never did look at those pictures. And I think he gave a silent sigh when I switched into Art Ed. No nude drawing there. Dang it. 4. I have seen 42 different rock bands/acts in concert. I used to go with groups of friends in High School, in college and into adulthood. Bill and I have seen a few by ourselves and I have attended many with my brother and sister in law. Yes, I know the smell of pot well. I was a child of the 70s remember? But I never smoked it. Nope. It was passed down rows in front of me many a time but it never interested me. I guess I really am a goody two shoes huh? Never been drunk either. Never smoked a cigarette. Egad I am boring! Oh, you already KNEW that huh? But I loved concerts. We used to go early and sit outside and wait till the doors opened. Such were the days of *festival seating*. I was pushed against many a stage and never feared being hurt until we saw The Who in concert. It was in Cincinnati and quite scary for a time. Truly frightening. Over crowded and wild, the crowd kept surging toward the front. We were pinned against the concrete barricades surrounding the front of the stage. Thankfully, security moved in and forced the crowd back. I had nightmares about what *could* have happened. A couple of years later, in 1979, at that same venue, 11 young people were killed at another Who concert. I never again attended a *festival seating* event. And I never threw any undergarments at a rocker. Really! No matter what you heard. I am a goody goody remember? 5. I love museums. Art, History, Aircraft, Military...it matters not. I love to go inside and just walk...walk and look...walk and read...walk and think and absorb. It makes me really, really happy. 6. I was once so smitten with the television show, High Chaparral, that I lived and dreamed and breathed it. We even acted out episodes on the elementary school playground. I recorded every single episode on my little audio tape recorder. I thought I was living the high life. Can you imagine! Having actual audio of your favorite TV shows! What? Huh? You mean they have VIDEO now?? Sheesh...where was THAT when Uncle Buck, Blue and Manolito were riding the range. Sheesh. 7. I know just about every single fact there is to know about Brian Dennehy. Really, Ask me. Go ahead. Ask me. Yes, yes, I know you know that I adore him but did you know I have one of the biggest collections of BD paraphernalia in the entire United States? It is a sickness really...very silly and lots of fun and totally harmless. I collect his theater, film and television paraphernalia. Perhaps I should open the Museum of Dennehy and combine 2 of my joys! I could charge $2 to enter and sell souvenirs. Key rings, coffee mugs, window decals. And hot dogs. You have to have concessions right? Do you think Brian would come to the unveiling? Huh? His lawyers would? Oh...those pesky royalties...*sigh* Now...who wants to play? I am to list 7 friends...I closed my eyes, spun around 3 times and picked: Valerie, Cheryl, Wendster, Pea, Robin, Teresa in California and Sandi Tag! You are IT! Love and Hugs, Susie Q

*Sigh*

So many of you asked about the inside, so here is a peek, directly from the web site. Dear Roosky Cottage...

Nestled amongst the picturesque farmlands of Leitrim County, Ireland, under "Sheenun", the "Hill of the Fairies" and above the shores of Lough Melvin, stands charming Roosky Cottage. This traditional 19th century thatched cottage, the symbol of Irish Life, provides a quiet and peaceful oasis for you amid the surrounding lakeside, moorland and rolling hills.

The home is ideally situated within a 15 minute drive of the Atlantic seaside town of Bundoran and a ½ hour from the bustling towns of Sligo and Donegal. Roosky Cottage is 3 hours from Dublin, 2 hours from Belfast and 4 hours from Shannon. The home is ideally situated within a 15 minute drive of the Atlantic seaside town of Bundoran and a ½ hour from the bustling towns of Sligo and Donegal. Roosky Cottage is 3 hours from Dublin, 2 hours from Belfast and 4 hours from Shannon. Shall we all take a deep breath and sigh....?

Oh Ireland...

Ah...would any of you like to join me in renting this little place for a week? Such a grand cottage in which to spend St. Patrick's Day. Sweet Roosky Cottage, just 1/2 hour from Sligo and Donegal. Any takers? Ah...*sigh*

Gretchen, Dear Gretchen...

Image from: Poppytalk

...I had posted this greeting, or thought I did, last week. Now, where did it go? Or, better question, where did my MIND go? Gretchen had a birthday!! Let's all sing and whistle and shout! She is an amazing woman, a gentle spirit and funny as heck. Beautiful and wise and a darned good friend. Happy Belated Birthday Gretchen. You are a treasure!

Love and Hugs, Susie Q