I Leave For Ireland, 7-31-08 and Return 8-09-08

Well, today's the day! In a few hours I'll be heading to Ireland! I can't believe the day has finally arrived.

My friend Maura is already in Ireland, visiting her family. My sister Beth is coming in from Alaska. Beth and I will meet at the Airport in Dublin tomorrow morning. Then we'll be renting a car and meeting Maura at our first stop, The Fitzgerald Castle Hotel.

Yes, we're renting a car. Beth and I will be driving on the wrong side of the road for ten days...AGH!! She's an old (but young) pro at it, it's my first try.

Please keep us in your prayers, especially on our traveling days: July 31 and August 9. Of course, since Bethie and I will be driving...PLEASE don't forget to pray for our safety on the days that fall between those dates!!! LOL No, but I'm serious about the prayer! Irish roads are supposedly narrow and we are not accustom to the car and road on the opposite side.

I'll post our pictures and adventures just as soon as I can.
Love to you all-Lisa

My Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday! I had a great dinner at La Bamba, a Mexican restaurant in town. I love their tamales and salsa. But the best part of the dinner was the company.

Me, my sister Melanie and my nephew, Micah

My brother-in-law, Robert, along with my sister-of-the-heart, Julie and her husband, Jack

Sister Jewels, the birthday girl and Mel

As some of you know, there are FOUR Sisters-of-the-heart and ONE of them was missing. But because she is ALWAYS in our hearts and minds, we have saved a place for her.

This book, The Shack, was a gift from Jewels. It's such an awesome book, like no other. She loaned me her copy which I read in 24 hours, just couldn't put it down. God was speaking to me on just about every page! This copy I can keep, reread and mark up with a pink highlighter! If you haven't read this book, get it. It's truly amazing. I'd loan you mine but I'm taking it to Ireland with me and I can't promise that it will be coming home. I've already given away 3 of them. It's just a book that I want to share because God touched me in such a unique way and most everyone who reads it has a similar experience.

The Swallowtail Cycle

If you remember an earlier post about the Swallowtail cocoon and wondered about them...let's just say things did not go well for them. However, thanks to my sister Melanie's parsley, I am now able to show you the (almost) complete cycle of a swallowtail.

After the egg hatched, it grew in to this beautiful yellow, green and black caterpillar. He is eating his way through Melanie's parsley.

While one brother is still eating, the other has attached himself in order to begin his metamorphosis.

Another view

And about a week later, we have a BIRTH! I forgot to check to see if we have a girl or a boy.

Here's a close up and aren't the colors beautiful. To the left you can see the abandoned chrysalis. After her/his wings dried, she/he just flew away. So now I'll trim up the parsley and return it to Mel. I suggest if she wants to EAT the parsley she should move it into the screened porch...if not , better watch out for very small yellow eggs and/or little crawling things. Or...she good just consider getting her protein in the same bite as her vegies!

My Flowers

Weeping Golden Dew Drop petals along the path.

Pink Pinta

Pink climbing rose near the front door.

Pink Gerber Daisey

More PINK (Do you see a pattern here?) to greet you at the front door. Recognize anything, Brandy?

I've been lax on adding to my blog so tonight's the night to catch up. My new friend in England has the most beautiful garden and I enjoy looking at her photograph's. Well, it's summer in Florida and too hot for a beautiful garden. However I have found some lovely BLOOMS to share with you. Hope you enjoy my blooms.

Why is there a clock with the time in Ireland on my Blog?

The reason I've added a clock with the time in Dublin, Ireland is so that all of you will be able to keep up with me. That's right, I'm going to Ireland! I'll be leaving on July 31, returning on August 9. Please keep me in your prayers and I'll keep you posted on my BLOG.

Lillian's Photo Shoot With Caroline Johnson

Caroline Johnson and Lillian Masie...AGH! The most amazing photographer I've EVER seen...I take her picture and give she and Lillian RED EYES!!!

My beautiful daughter in a Caroline Johnson Photo.

My favorite photo of Lillian.

My daughter Lillian would like to become an actress, which now-a-days is referred to as an ACTOR. So we did a photo shoot in Gainesville, FL with Caroline Johnson. We met Caroline when she photographed Meghan (Lillian's sister) and James' wedding. Her work is so very special, just like she is. So naturally, we turned to Caroline for Lillian's head shots/portfolio.

I've posted our day as well as some of the end results. It was a long and FUN day. What a joy to watch Lillian respond to the camera. And what a privilege to watch Caroline work. She sees things in such a special way! If you've got an event planned and need a photographer...you NEED Caroline!! Please go to her blog and check out more examples of her photography...she travels all over the world photographing weddings. --lifewithcaroline.com

Please enjoy the photos and keep an eye out for the up-and-coming, Lillian Masie and the rising-ever-higher, Caroline Johnson.

Photo-Shoot, Take One

On location...does this LOOK glamorous???

Caroline's satisfied with the hair, now how about the EYES?

And so it begins...the HAIR.

The genius photographer gets ready for the day.

Accessorizing options.

Photo Shoot-take two

Multi-tasking Marmie! Mom, photographer's assistant And stylist's baby-sitter.

Caroline and Lillian at work.

Make-up to match this wild look. Caroline looks on to make sure the make-up completes the look she's after.

Did you know Caroline does HAIR as well?

A close up of the girls at work.

Lillian's Photo Shoot

Lillian's Photo Shoot

Lillian in ALADDIN, jr

Lillian, on stage as the Magic Carpet

Signing autographs

Taking pictures with adoring fans

Another adoring fan...Grandmother Eddings

MORE adoring fans...Lillian's family

This week end Lillian starred as the Magic Carpet in the Cocoa Village Playhouse's production of ALADDIN, Jr. There were four performances in all. After the show, the performers are available for pictures and autographs. It's so adorable to watch the young children interact with their favorite characters. And I'M totally filled with pride watching my precious daughter SIGN AUTOGRAPHS! Lily enjoys every minute of her time spent working on a play. From the audition to the time on stage to the autographs at the end...she's in heaven!