Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Friday, May 14, 2010

Things that Make My Heart Beat!


There are so many things in my life which make me happy. It's hard to put them into a single blog post. But today, since it is my youngest son's 39th birthday, I wanted to talk a little about some of the important things in my life. Above is a favorite of mine each year.. Do you like to walk along the beach, feel the sand between your toes, or just sit and listen to the waves as they roar??? Ocean Isle Beach definitely makes me happy!





Another thing that makes me happy is seeing a gorgeous waterfall. This one is in beautiful Tallulah Gorge, Georgia. OH--my Heart!!!!!!! Wow!





My beautiful yard and home ---and our flowers, especially the Hybrid Tea ROSES, make my heart go pitter-pat. And my Sweetie spoils me by bringing a beautiful fragrant rose into the house almost every day during this time of year--just for ME. Above is a picture of the roses sitting on our table now. Aren't they just marvelous?




Here are more reasons for my happiness... These are my 3 sons: seated from left to right: Bert --age 46 and Mark--age 40; standing is Jeff--age 39 TODAY!!!! I am so blessed to have three wonderful young men in my life. They definitely have my heart. I am so proud of all of them!




Having a wonderful visit with son Jeff on Mother's Day certainly brought me SO much happiness. And --look what he brought me. This hanging basket is VERBENA. Isn't it beautiful??? I love the little pink flowers.




This little beauty is a FUCHSIA. I have never had either of these flowers before --and absolutely love both of them. They look so good hanging on our deck. Thanks Jeff!!!!




This young man above is my life... He definitely has my heart ----and makes me happier than I've ever been in my entire life. Thanks George for coming into my life --and making my heart flutter!!! I love you, Sweetheart!!! Thanks for giving me an incredible life.

Hope you enjoyed hearing just some of the things which make me happy and make my heart beat with LOVE. There obviously are many more --including my grands, but that is for another blog post.

Hugs,
P.S. Happy Birthday Jeff!!!!! I love you with all of my heart and soul!

71 comments:

Nana said...

Betsy,
Thanks for sharing so much of your sweet, wonderful life with all of us.
Your flowers are so pretty. I always enjoy seeing flowers. Even though I live in a coastal county, I'm not much of a beach goer. Be still my heart when I come upon a waterfall in the middle of nowhere, though. Waterfalls remind me of my beloved Tennessee which always brings a smile to my face. :)

Lest I forget, may I just say -
Happy Birthday, Jeff!

Have a wonderful day.

penny said...

You are truly blessed to have so much beauty and love in your life, Betsy. It is all well deserved, my friend. You are a loving and caring person.

be Well, be Happy :)

Jayne said...

Lots of things to be joyful about Betsy. You are truly blessed indeed. :c)

June said...

Happy Birthday to Jeff!
You know and I know...that your true and biggest blessing is not a flower or any person...but the ability to appreciate all of it. :-)

jabblog said...

What a very heart-warming post. I love all of your photos. Happy Birthday to Jeff, too.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Betsy: I can only imagine how much joy these loved ones mean to you, and you to them...
You have a wonderful, active life, your positive attitude spills out onto your blog pages everyday, it's the reason you are always my first read of the day !
Happy Birthday dear Jeff !! I hope your day is a wonderful one.
Love the roses and hanging baskets, so colorful, and George, well I don't think they come any sweeter ;)
Hugs,
Jo

~mel said...

Beautiful post ~~ I can feel the LOVE all the way up here in northern Wisconsin!
Happy Birthday to your Jeff!!! AND yes! He did good on the Mother's Day plants ~ verbena and fuschia are two of my favorites. Keep dead heading them and give them a drink of miracle grow in a few weeks and they'll bloom all summer.
I LOVE the roses you have sitting on your table ~ it's so sweet of George to bring them in for you. My hubby too has a soft spot for flowers :)

pam said...

Happy Birthday to your son!

I have on my list to get a fuschia basket, I was planning on going to the garden shop this weekend. I've heard that hummingbirds love them.

Valerie said...

Betsy you brought me to tears this morning! How wonderful to see your sons and the things and people you love!

Your first photo reminded me of the beach in Virginia when we lived down there, how I miss those carefree and leisure days of being home with my sons and knowing all that I had to accomplish, but not being under the gun of losing my job if I didn't get them done.

I long for the summer - when there is a time of rest and recharching!

soon, I know!

linda m said...

Thank you for sharing. It brought tears to my eyes. The love just flows from every word on your page. I was very lucky this Spring, my husband and I were able to visit Tallulah Gorge with my son and his family. It is breath taking. Happy Birthday to your son.

Arkansas Patti said...

Beautiful post Betsy. You are truly blessed and even more so that you know you are. I knew George would feature as well as your young'uns.
Happy Birthday shout out to Jeff.

Randy said...

Everyone should be so appreciative for the simple pleasures in their lives. Wonder post, Betsy!-- Randy

Catherine said...

Dear Sweet Betsy,

Clearly there are so many wonderful beautiful things to be thankful for in your life. How lucky you are to have such wonderful men in your life ~ especially that George ~ I think he's a keeper huh? :)

A very Happy Birthday to your son!
xo Catherine

PS ~ I am trying to get used to my iMac. It's not easy after being a PC user for so long though. Lots of things I like ~ lots of things I miss. The hardest is getting used to this teeny tiny keyboard with my arthritis. But...it will come I am sure. I am going to read "iMac for Dummies" this weekend. Hopefully I will learn some tricks! :)

Have a lovely weekend friend!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

As I was reading this post,I had a smile on my face.I could see the smile on yours,and you have every reason to be happy.God has blessed you richly.
The Hummingbirds should like that Fuchsia.
Blessings,Ruth

Busy Bee Suz said...

This is so sweet Betsy.
You have your priorities straight...people and nature. Those are the best things in life!!!

Small City Scenes said...

What a wonderful post!!! I hear the Pitty-pat of your heart way out here. AND
Happy birthday to Jeff.
Roses out here are not blooming yet. Yours are gorgeous. MB

Susie said...

It really is the simple things that make me happiest. This is a really sweet post Betsy!

Hope you guys have a great weekend!

Karin said...

Your heartbeat was heard all the way up to Alberta, Canada! A loving, caring, grateful heart - that's yours! Happy Birthday to your son! May he be 39 and holding for a long time! Our middle daughter turns 38 tomorrow! Where have the years gone!

Love those flowers - lots of dead heading though as they are profuse bloomers!

Blessings to you two love-birds and have a fabulous week-end!

Jo said...

Oh Betsy, that is so beautiful. The photos, your words, all precious. Happy birthday Jeff. You have a wonderful mama! And hugs to your sweetie. You and he are a stunning couple and bless so many around you. Have a wonderful day, my friend. (((Hugs))) Jo

aysegul said...

Hii Betsy,

I become very happy in your blog.
I wiil be 23 one month later..an old
girl is your blog friend :Pp
It's realy a magical post :DDD

I love you :)))

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

Betsy, You have a beautiful family!
Blessed woman, you are :)
You chose such wonderful things to share, too!

I am leaving a link for you. You may have seen it. Tammy at Flat Creek Farm has a few questions about an owl. You will love the pics she shared, too!

http://flatcreekfarm.blogspot.com/2010/05/every-once-in-awhile.html

Have a wonderful weekend!
xo, misha

Joe Todd said...

Betsy beautiful post hope you and George have a great weekend. I'm smiling more ( Linda is back from Indiana)

Janice K said...

We are "Blessed to be a Blessing".....and that certainly holds true in your life!

Have a Happy Day

Roses and Lilacs said...

Happy birthday Jeff!!!

Your sons look so much alike:)

Counting our blessings often is something we all should do. I know it's the simple things like you mentioned that make me the happiest.
Marnie

Cicero Sings said...

What a blessed lady to have so many wonderful men in her life! Sure can tell you are bursting with love.

MadSnapper said...

there is nothing that is better than finding a HAPPY blog. all the things you listed would make me happy too, but I only have 2 sons, 43 and 45 not three like you do. and i did notice it is not THINGS that make you happy but love and family and Gods Creation.

Snap said...

Lovely post, Betsy. No wonder your heart sings! :D :D

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

You have created your life's masterpieces and know how to enjoy them! Bliss!

Diane said...

Very lovely post, Betsy. I may copy you sometime. These things do make us happy and they're so important to keep uppermost in our minds. I can smell the roses from here. Diane

Anonymous said...

What a nice post, Betsy! This is the first time I've seen a picture of your three sons. You should come up this way sometime. I'll take you and George to some of my favorite waterfalls. I hope to visit some of them sometime this year. Have a great weekend!

Glenda said...

Such a grateful and beautiful post - both the photos and your words! You do have a blessed life! What a blessing your wonderful family must be; I know you are so proud of them, and I sense your love for them.

Your roses are absolutely gorgeous!

Have a wonderful weekend! If we all would stop and count our blessings as you have, we would realize that every day is a reason to celebrate!

imac said...

Init funny - how us DH's always come last,lol, just joking Betsy.

Love to see the things that make your heart beat and flutter, I too love water,nature, family.

Flat Creek Farm said...

What a sweet post! Looks and sounds to me like you have a wonderful family to be proud of.

Thanks for the blog visit and input on the baby owl! Yes, indeed, without seeing the parents it's hard to make a positive i.d. My mom is on the lookout! Most think he/she is either a Spotted or Barred. Nice to 'meet' you! -Tammy

DIGITAL WORLD PAGES ARCHIVE said...

Beautiful photos!
Beautiful flowers!
Beautiful places!
Happy birthday!

nanny said...

The beach, sand between my toes, waterfalls, flowers, family....amen, they definitely make my heart beat!!! Great Pictures.......

Love Of Quilts said...

What a good life you have...and I love reading about it and sharing it with you...thank you for sharing it with me. God Bless Trish

Ginny Hartzler said...

A wonderful, heartwarming post! Oh, the location you must have taken that apectacular waterfall picture from! I don't even want to think! It looks like it was taken from a helicopter, it's just so breathtaking. Knowing you and George, you probably found some scarily high overlook where eagles nested to snap this! I can see it now! Such a wonderful picture of your three sons all together, I finally get to see them!! Is this a very recent pic? And your son sure knows what makes his mom's heart beat, flowers!! Such beautiful baskets, did he give you both? My son is 39, as well, so there's something we have in common! I think all three sons live rather far away?

Sunny said...

Your post is so heartwarming (no pun intended). You are truly a blessed lady.
Happy weekend.
Sunny :)

carolina nana said...

Happy Birthday to Jeff! You have a wonderful family Betsy. Those 4 men look like you have made them happy also. That beach photo is beautiful. We are having a heat wave here today.hope it doesn't turn into severe storms this evening. Blessings to you. Marilyn

Peggy said...

what wonderful blessings! Your photos of things you love are beautiful. Happy Birthday Jeff

Cheryl said...

Oh my Betsy, you have such a wonderful family and your dear sweetie, George! Your post today is so beautiful and full of love! I am so happy that you have so much happiness, joy and love in your life. And your blog always brings me happiness!

Anonymous said...

You have very beautiful roses Betsy! I enjoy reading your blog entries daily. Glad to see such wonderful photographs!

Dar said...

Don't you just love all that makes us smile? Your boys look as happy as you and George. Wonderful that George brings you a lovely rose each day. What a keeper he is. Happy Birthday to your Jeff.
BlessYourHearts

Chris said...

What a lovely blog Betsy. I love all your photos. The beach looks great and I love the waterfall. Lucky you to have fresh roses nearly every day. I wish Jeff a Happy Birthday.

SquirrelQueen said...

Happy Birthday Jeff!

What a wonderful post Betsy, it is filled with so much love and happiness. To answer your question, I love walking on the beach. Waterfalls make me smile (I found one during our trip, I will post the photos next week).

Have a fantastic weekend.
Judy

SquirrelQueen said...

Oops, I almost forgot. Since you are a fellow bird lover you might enjoy this post I found. Photos and a video of a baby hummingbird and its mom.
http://bossybetty.blogspot.com/2010/05/happy-mothers-day-hummingbird-update.html

Kay said...

I especially like the canyon shot with the water fall.

The Retired One said...

A very sweet post,Betsy...I am so glad that your life is filled with such joy,happiness, love and gratitude..you so deserve it!

Shelley said...

Betsy - you exude happiness, warmth and joy in this post!That Georgia waterfall took my breath away! And I bet your 3 wonderful sons have you to thank for being so wonderful! And the love story of you and George is such an inspiration.
Big warm hugs to the both of you my friends!!
Shelley

Connie said...

Betsy, I enjoyed seeing your pictures and hearing about all the things you love. You have much to be grateful for. We all do, I think. Hope you have a nice weekend! :D

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

I would be very happy too if I have George. Congratulations!!!!!

You must have been a proud Mother all along with my 3 sons.

diane b said...

It is so nice to read such a happy blog. It is great to see the wonderful things that make you happy.

wildcatwoods said...

Lovely post..your son Bert looks like a customer I had last night at the Grove Park Inn...was it him? I almost went to Ocean Isle but got sick ad had to cancel..will try again..have heard lots of good things.

Diane AZ said...

Fantastic post! What a blessing to have a wonderful family and beautiful flowers too! :)

Mary said...

Best heart exercise in the world...letting the people and things that you love keep your heart racing with joy:-) What wonderful blessings you have and even better that you know they are blessings and tell them so! Wonderful post!

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Hi Betsy,

I love reading your sappy posts. ♥

You've got three handsome sons there..I know you were tickled to have Jeff there for Mother's Day...the flowers are lovely..I love the fushia!

We are both testament that "there is light at the end of the tunnel"!! :0)

Life is good...
Hugs,
Stephanie ♥

Rose said...

Hi. Betsy! Sorry it has taken me so long to get here...I have just caught up on all your posts but not taking time to comment on each individually...I loved the woodpeckers. Love your Pileated Pal.

And absolutely loved your post/photos about the beach before and after the rain.

And this post about what makes your heart beat is very nice.

Tipper said...

Oh I loved seeing some of the things that makes your heart beat-some of the same things makes mine beat too : )

HUGS

nanny said...

I'm with you on the squirrel issue. I don't like them either. I may have to get the 22 out...ha
I thinned them out a couple of years ago but the population is getting high again. My husband said the season opened today so they better beware....they are a nuisance!!!!

Velva said...

You are so blessed. I enjoy when you share your blessed life with us.

Velva said...

You are so blessed. I enjoy when you share your blessed life with us.

Velva said...

You are so blessed. I enjoy when you share your blessed life with us.

From the Old InkWell said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Janie said...

Happy birthday to your son. You have a wonderful family and much to celebrate.

Carletta said...

What a sweet, sweet post Betsy!
It's good to read something so loving and heartfelt. This puts a good feeling to my end of the day. :)
Happy Birthday to Jeff!

Rosa said...

I enjoy all those too! Oh, that fuschia! So pretty this time of year.

Anonymous said...

What a nice post. Shows your good thinking.

LV said...

It is wonderful you have three great sons. I was just about to get on your case, when You finally added the greatest man in your life. Never leave him out. You are so blessed.

Elenka said...

wow, I can feel the love all over the place. Good for you, Betsy from Tennessee!

Becky said...

Happy Birthday to Jeff! I hope he had a wonderful day!

I enjoyed this post. Sometimes we forget all we have to be thankful for, thanks for the reminder. Now I am off to count my blessings!

Take care

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Wonderful post Betsy! Happy birthday to your handsome son. You are indeed blessed to have such loving sons and a husband who adores you! Hope you had a beautiful Mohter's Day and a happy vacation. I have been so busy since I got back from that whilrwind trip to LA --my Mom became ill and I've been helping her a lot thsee past few days. I'm a little worried about her as she is losing weight so I'm bringing her to the doctor this week.
xxoo Pat