Pink Saturday: Life Is But A Dream

Hello friends,

During the month of September my local grocery store was sponsoring the Early Childhood Literacy Program.  They were offering books on sale alone, or for free paired with other purchased items.

I just love children’s books, so it wasn’t long before I was checking them out.  I had never heard of Trace Moroney before, but her beautifully illustrated versions of some children’s classics like “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”, and “Row, Row Your Boat” immediately caught my eye and I was enamored! I had to have them for myself, and I couldn’t imagine a child going without these sweet books.

So without further ado I purchased 6 books for 59 cents each!.  3 to donate in the donation box at the store, and 3 to keep for myself – to keep the child within me alive.

The little pink book “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” was the first one which caught my attention and it was love at first sight with the little puppy and his brown circled eye.  Trace Moroney is from New Zealand and is a children’s book author and illustrator.  Many of you may be quite familiar with her work, but unless somewhere in my son’s old books there is one of her’s, I believe this was my first introduction to her.

I can’t help but smile when I see these.  And I read myself “Teddy Bear Teddy Bear” before going to sleep.  How could you not have good dreams after that.

I’m joining Beverly, at How Sweet the Sound, for Pink Saturday.  Be sure to stop by and say ‘hello’ to her.

Thank you for strolling on Leisure Lane.  Don’t forget to visit the other residences along the lane.  And until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

REVISION…….S P E A K I N G   O F    D R E A M S!!!

I love to help make dreams come true, so after reading about sweet Elizabeth’s cause from My Sweet Prairie Home, I wanted to help.  Since I don’t have any fabric pieces big enough or suitable for pillow cases, I decided that during the month of October I will donate 50% of my profits from the sale of my book, The Christmas Pin Society, to “Elizabeth’s Hand’s for Christ”.  That could help her to purchase some of the fabric she needs to make the pillow cases.

To learn more about Elizabeth’s Hands for Christ and all the wonderful help it has offered others, stop by My Sweet Prairie Home.  Thank you….Marianne

Mommies Make It Better

Good day, Friends,

I believe this naughty cold is packing its bags.  I’m feeling much better today, and I’d like to thank all of you for your kind wishes.

The other evening when I was feeling all stuffy, achy, and generally not so good, I texted my sister, Denise, with a “iiingh… mommy…”   And though I meant to add some humor to the situation, in a way that’s how I really felt..I wanted my mommy, even at this ripe age.

My sister understood because, though our dear mother’s been in a home for a quite a few years now, we both miss the way she used to be very much.  The first thing she would say when I had a cold was ‘keep gargling with salt water, dear”, and remembering that in my less than perky situation,  I also couldn’t help but remember her tender loving care throughout the years.

Denise texted me back with this lovely comment that I’d like to share with you now.  I thought her sentiment was perfectly put.

“There is never one so compassionate for us all  – as our mommy.
There is never one..who never rolls her eyes when we call, or show up at her door – as our mother”.  Denise Palermo

For those of you who still have your mothers, embrace the slight faults with the good…because one day you’ll only remember the good, and you’ll wish she was there with you again, even with her slight faults.

Thank you for visiting Leisure Lane…and until next time may happy AND HEALTHY days abound!

Marianne ☺

Image above is a detail from the “Get Well” painting from The Knittington Fairies series by Marianne Coyne

Liebster Blog Award

Hello friends, and welcome to Leisure Lane,

I still have the sniffles, but I expect in a day or two I’ll be on the downside of it all.  I received a special surprise, and wanted to share it with you as well as continue it.

Thank you, Yvette!

My blogger friend, creative photographer, and kitchen whiz, Yvette from Twistedvines has graciously nominated me for the Liebster Award.  Be sure to stop by and give her a big “hello”.  Liebster means ‘beloved’ in German, and the award is intended to bring additional traffic to blogs with less than 200 followers.

Regardless of how many followers the following blogs have, I’m delighted to link them to the chain of love by nominating them for the Liebster Blog Award.  When you receive this award link back to the blogger who sent it to you, and nominate 5 more blogs.  Be sure to notify the bloggers you nominate.  If you don’t wish to or can’t participate, you will still receive an increase in traffic to your site – it’s all about love!

Here are some of my “beloved” blogs:

Down Memory La La Lane – meet Brenda
Tea Diary – meet Miss Tea
Cottage and Creek – meet Lynn
Artful Affirmations – meet Terri
Bee Happy – meet ‘Bee’

Don’t forget to stop by and say ‘hello’ to these lovely ladies.  And until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

Aaaa-CHOO!

Guess what’s going around….you’ve guessed!  Colds – and now I’m ‘It’.  The naughty thing thinks it’s got me all wrapped up, but I’ve got my arsenal in tow;  a hot cup of Jasmine Green Tea, vitamins, an apple, and something soft for my nose.

This is not exactly how I wanted to spend my three days off.  I actually requested an extra day for just needed relaxation.   But with a little help from my friends, pictured above, and prayer, I’ll let God do the rest.

I hope all of you are feeling in tip-top shape.  Stay healthy, my friends, and until next time, may happy days abound.

Marianne ☺

“The Christmas Pin Society” Book

Good day, friends…

Welcome to Leisure Lane where I am happy to announce that my story, The Christmas Pin Society, is now available in book form.

A heartwarming story of hope, faith, love, (and collecting Christmas pins), The Christmas Pin Society is sure to be an inspiration to its readers for years to come.  Click on Novella Gallery to read the synopsis and to order.

All orders will be autographed.   If you are giving the book as a gift and would like it autographed to the name of the recipient, please specify during ordering process.

A*N*D!!!     A Big…                                                

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS TEA!

Stop by Tea Diary to wish her a happy birthday, and see her fun blog.

Thank you for visiting Leisure Lane.  We invite you to stroll around the Lane and enjoy yourself.

Until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne

Some Good News…and Some Good News

Good day, friends…and welcome to Leisure Lane,

I’ve got some good news, and some good news to share with you today.  The good news is that Brenda, a very dear friend of mine, has started a blog called Down Memory La La Lane, where she will be writing about her journey on the path to well being and self discovery.

Brenda and I have been friends for about 13 years or more, and I can easily say that she is a beautiful woman with a grand heart, and a love of family and God.  I’m excited about following her journey, and gleaning some interesting things which I may be able to incorporate into my own life.  I encourage you to visit her as well; you might find there a kindred spirit.

The other good news is that I just came back from the printers, and my story, The Christmas Pin Society, should be up on Leisure Lane either tomorrow or within the week – so stay tuned!  I’ll be posting it very soon in time for Christmas ordering.

Thank you for visiting today, and until next time, may happy days abound!

Marianne ☼

In Honor Of Matthew C. Sellitto

Matthew Carmen Sellitto
Age 23
September 11, 2001

I was saving my 100th post to announce something a little more in tune with the theme of the blog – something a little more selfish, I suppose.  But when Beverly, at How Sweet the Sound, announced that she would like to post a tribute to 9/11 and welcomed others to do the same for Pink Saturday, I thought that a tribute to my mother’s cousin’s son would be a more humble entry.

When I first found out that Matthew was a victim of the towers I realized how true the words of someone were; that this tragedy could be connected to just about everyone’s family in one way or another.

My greatest wish for my country and the world is that we could all learn to ‘pull together’, to have compassion, to love one another and do good towards one another in good times – not only in bad times.  And I know that it begins with me.  Can you imagine what a wonderful world it could be?  Please, please…can we work toward that?  I ask this from the depth of my heart.

Marianne♥

Goodbye Summer!

Goodbye Summer!
You were grand
With my toes in warm, soft sand;
But ta-ta, adieu, goodbye…
Now Fall’s the apple of my eye.

Happy Pink Saturday all!  Stop by to see Beverly, the gracious host of Pink Saturday, and other wonderful blogs at How Sweet the Sound.

Until next time, may happy days abound.

Marianne

“Goodbye Summer” by Marianne Coyne copyright©2011

Stay Tuned!

Stay tuned, friends…

Wow! I’ve been busy, but The Christmas Pin Society is nearly ready in format to bring to the printers.  So I’m pleased to say that it should be available within the month – just in time for Christmas orders!

If you want to read the synopsis and reviews click Novella Gallery:Original Stories.

I’ll post a photo of the book when it’s available.  Thank you for visiting Leisure Lane.

Until next time, may happy days abound.

Marianne