"Yoji and I had many fun memories with our old car. Now, we are saying "Hello!" to our new car. And, we are looking forward to many new happy memories."

"Yoji and I had many fun memories with our old car. Now, we are saying "Hello!" to our new car. And, we are looking forward to many new happy memories."

~ martian cat in Japan

creating memories...

Thanks for stopping by

and God Bless,

hugs, Chris

more later

"Santa Claus always comes for Christmas Day!"

"Santa Claus always comes for Christmas Day!"

~ martian cat

Thanks for stopping by

and God Bless,

Hugs, Chris

more later...

"Celebrating my 66th Birthday with my Husband on 7/23/20!"

"Celebrating my 66th Birthday with my Husband on 7/23/20!"

Thanks for stopping by

and God Bless,

Always, Chris

(aka) martian cat in Japan

more later...

"The secret of success is constancy to purpose."

"The secret of success is constancy to purpose."
~ Benjamin Disreali



My Dad passed away over 20 years ago (in 1999). However, the last time I visited my Dad and my Step-Mom in the States (on my 44th Birthday in 1998), he gave me this lovely orchid's leaf which was legally prepared for me to carry thru Customs in Japan.

I have been nurturing this Epithelium Angulier orchid cactus and this is the first time to have a flower blossom that opened!

Thank you Daddy for your love and all of the lessons you taught me about growing orchid cactus.


Thanks for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs, Chris



more later...

"These teddy bears are helping me celebrate my Happy 65th Birthday and their names are Corwin and Carmen."

"These teddy bears are helping me celebrate my Happy 65th Birthday and their names are Corwin and Carmen."
~ martian cat in Japan


......................


1. "I am (aka martian cat) Celebrating my Happy 65th Birthday with my teddy bears!",

2. "Introducing my Teddy Bear whose name is Corwin & his name means Heart's Friend.",

3. "Introducing my Teddy Bear whose name is Carmen & her name means Song.",

4. "Introducing my Teddy Bears whose names are Corwin & Carmen."


......................

Also, these bears are wearing clothes made by me. And, their sweaters were made by a friend.


Thanks for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs, Chris


more later...

"There's only one problem with the beauty of Springtime — always running out of film!"

"There's only one problem with the beauty of Springtime — always running out of film!"
~ Terri Guillemets

........................


1. “Springtime flowers bloom like colorful arrows piercing their way to the sun.", 

2. “Whatever befalls in accordance with Nature shall be accounted good.", 

3. “Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.", 

4. “Spring flowers' beauty is lovely.”, 

5. “All Nature is but Art, unknown to thee; All Chance, Direction, which thou canst not see.”, 

6. “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.”, 

7. “I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden.", 

8. “Spring translates earth's happiness into colorful flowers.", 

9. “Thank the warming Spring weather to show how lovely flowers are.”
 

........................


memories from my balcony garden


Thanks for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs, Chris



more later....

"Wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July!"

"Wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July!"
~ martian cat in Japan



Thanks for stopping by
and God Bless
hugs, Chris




more later...

Happy 4th of July... America's Independence Day

Happy 4th of July... America's Independence Day
~ Anonymous

Hi! My name is Johnny.
Johnny is celebrating the 4th of July.

Johnny is a teddy bear which I dressed. And, his name, Johnny, is in honor my Dad.
My Dad was a member of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars).

Thanks for stopping by
and God Bless,
Hugs, Chris


more later....

"The beauty of rain dancing as it lands from a downspout waterfalls is amazing."

"The beauty of rain dancing as it lands from a downspout waterfalls is amazing."
~ Anonymous


memories from Yokohama...


Thanks for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs, Chris




more later...

Happy New Year

Happy New Year


creativity...


Thanks for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs, Chris



more later...

"Eileen enjoys holding Penny while enjoying the sunshine on the balcony."

Eileen was my toddler sister and she was big enough to
hold my baby-doll, Penny. 

Both of these dolls are 58 years old.

Thanks for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs, Chris



more later...

"It is so beautiful to watch water drops fall and bounce as they land."

 

"It is so beautiful to watch water drops fall and bounce as they land."
~ a friend


Memories from the Inage Floral Museum, Chiba, Japan


Thanks for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs, Chris


more later...

"Happy Anniversary ~ 28 years ~ November 8, 1987"

My husband and I are celebrating our 28th Wedding Anniversary this year!



Thanks for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs, Chris and Yoji



more later...

"Share kindness and encouragement with your friends."

 


"Share kindness and encouragement with your friends."
~ Anonymous

.............


1. "We all have the ability to offer hope with our friends.",
2. title,
3. "We all have the ability to offer love with our friends.", 
4. "We all have the ability to offer acceptance with our friends."



.............


memories, memories, memories...



Thanks for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs, Chris




more later...

"Take nothing but pictures."

 


"Take nothing but pictures."
~ Anonymous



Thanks for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs, Chris



more later...

"Every drop in the ocean counts."

 


"Every drop in the ocean counts." 
~ Yoko Ono  



Thanks for stopping by 
and God Bless, 
 hugs, Chris


more later...

"The world was not left to us by our parents, it was lent to us by our children."

"The world was not left to us by our parents, it was lent to us by our children."
~ Author Unknown


memories, memories, memories...



Thanks for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs, Chris



more later...

"To my Mama, "Happy Birthday!" ~ Love Megumi"

Megumi sent me a birthday card... my birthday is 23rd July.


Thanks for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs and purrs from Megumi



more later...

"Valentine desserts have delicious endings."

"Valentine desserts have delicious endings."
~ Author Unknown



Happy Valentine's Greetings
and thanks for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs, Chris


PS This cake was delicious with original decorations.




more later...

♫ HO-HO-HO ♫ MERRY CHRISTMAS ♫

Merry Christmas... 




more later...

Happy Father's Day

more later...

"Happy Father's Day ~ my husband's Dad"

more later...

"A mom's hug lasts long after she lets go."

"A mom's hug lasts long after she lets go."
~ Author Unknown


This is a photo of my Mama who passed away in 1971.

framed at imikimi.com/




more later...

Happy Easter

Have a Blessed
Easter and
God Bless,

hugs, Chris





more later...

"Just like the petals on a delicate red rose... all little things matter."

"Just like the petals on a delicate red rose... all little things matter."
~ unknown




more later...

“Love is the dawning of a new day."

“Love is the dawning of a new day."
~ Anonymous




more later...

Merry Christmas 2011

My Christmas tree this year (2011).

Thanks for stopping by
and remember the reasons
for the season...

hugs, Chris



more later...

My Irish Family

I am back from my trip to the UK. Here is a family photo that was put together using some of my photos from my visit.

Thank you, franomilano (aka Ron) and his lovely wife, Mary, for letting me stay with them in N. Ireland.

And, a big thank you to Ron for making a photo that includes (on the wall) a photo of Joyce [(aka) fantartsy JJ] and her husband, Mike, as we are all family.

left to right:
back: Ron [(aka) franomilano], Fred [(aka) Fred the Man], and Margaret (Fred's wife)
front: Mary (Ron's wife) is holding Roxy, little Lexi is with her Mum, and me [(aka) martian cat in Japan]



more later...

"With hope people dream."

"With hope people dream."
~ Charles Sawyer





more later

What Is A Dad?

What Is A Dad?

"A dad is someone who
wants to catch you before you fall
but instead picks you up,
brushes you off,
and lets you try again.

A dad is someone who
wants to keep you from making mistakes
but instead lets you find your own way,
even though his heart breaks in silence
when you get hurt.

A dad is someone who
holds you when you cry,
scolds you when you break the rules,
shines with pride when you succeed,
and has faith in you even when you fail."

~ Unknown



My Papa loved tulips... they were the start of Spring.

Note: this is the original color of this tulip.




more later...

"As a man is, so he sees."

"As a man is, so he sees."
~ William Blake




more later...

Happy Mother's Day

more later...

"The moment may be temporary, but the memory lasts forever."

"The moment may be temporary, but the memory lasts forever."
~ Bud Meyer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


To My Dear flickr family and friends,

Thank you for my Happy Birthday Blessings!
I am so truly blessed to have such wonderful memories
from my birthday last week.

And, special thank yous to:
♡ fantartsy JJ (Joyce)
♡ ♫ joyousjoym~Blessings♥ (Joy)
♡ tracyhughes2_7 (Tracy)
♡ ღ ~❀~ CHARMERS ~❀~ ღ (Delta)
♡ mimitalks, married w/children (Mandy)
♡ sylkky2 (Sylvia)
♡ Roxie
♡ franomilano ~ (aka) Roxie's Dad, Ron
♡ forglemmigej 726 ~ (aka) Senia
for the gorgeous cards you sent and made for me.
Plus, there were many others who sent me beautiful email cards, too!

My birthday has been so wonderful with reading all the messages on your cards. And, to the friends who signed the cards that are linked above... thank you sooooo much!

I love you all...
hugs, Chris




more later...

Happy Father's Day

THE FAMILY

"The family is like a book:
The children are the leaves,
The parents are the cover,
Which protective beauty gives.

At first the pages of the book
Are bland and smooth and fair;
But time soon writeth memories
And painteth pictures there.

Love is the little golden clasp
That bindeth up the trust.
Oh, break it not, lest all the leaves
Should scatter and be lost."
~ anonymous

The above photo is my Dad and my Gram (his Mama) was recently sent to me by my step-Mom. My Gram passed away over 22 years ago and my Dad passed away in 1999. And, I still miss both of them...

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads... you helped create a family book.




more later...

"Life is a great big canvas,..."

"Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can."
~ Danny Kaye


Today (21 Jan 2010), I received my Honorary Life Membership certificate from the Yokohama International Women's Club.

To be eligible, you must be an active member in the Club for 20 years. This last Spring, I became eligible for this honor. I joined the organization within one month of arriving in Japan. And, this March, I will be in Japan 21 years.

Sometimes, it is hard to believe that I have been here this many years...



more later...

a lovely flutter-by

Dear Ron,
thanks for this amazing and surprising gift...
I cannot believe that he made my butterfly move!
Love ya and heaps of hugs, Chris


using my original mosaic's pics...


more later...

A friend can always make your days worthwhile.

"A friend can always make your days worthwhile."
~ a friend


more later...

SIMPLE GIFTS

SIMPLE GIFTS



1. 'Tis a gift to be simple,
2. 'Tis a gift to be free,
3. 'Tis a gift to come down,
4. Where we ought to be,
5. And when we find ourselves,
6. In the place that's right,
7. 'Twill be in the valley,
8. Of love and delight

~ Ninteenth~ Century Shaker Hymn


more later...

Prayers not felt by us are seldom heard by God.

"Prayers not felt by us are seldom heard by God."
~ Philip Henry


more later...

To Everything There is a Season And a Time to Every Purpose

I have many handicrafts as decorations in our apartment.
This is a cross-stitch embroidery that I made in 1994.


more later...

"I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks."

"I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks."
~ William Shakespeare


................................................................

Dear friends,

It seems so hard to imagine that my birthday has passed. I really cannot thank everyone enough for all of the lovely cards and messages.

You always help make my flickr days the wonderful!

Thank you for your thoughtfulness!

Love ya and heaps of hugs, Chris


more later...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

WHAT IS A MOTHER
by Helen Steiner Rice

"It takes a Mother's Love
to make a house a home,
A place to be remembered,
no matter where we roam.

It takes a Mother's Patience,
to bring a child up right,
And her Courage and her Cheerfulness
to make a dark day bright.

It takes a Mother's Thoughtfulness
to mend the heart's deep "hurts,"
And her Skill and her Endurance
to mend little socks and shirts.

It takes a Mother's Kindness
to forgive us when we err,
To sympathize in trouble
and bow her head in prayer.

It takes a Mother's Wisdom
to recognize our needs
And to give us reassurance
by her loving words and deeds.

It takes a Mother's Endless Faith,
her Confidence and Trust
To guide us through the pitfalls
of selfishness and lust.

And that is why in all this world
there could not be another
Who could fulfill God's purpose
as completely as a MOTHER!"






more later...

"A single rose can be my garden... a single friend, my world."

"A single rose can be my garden... a single friend, my world."
~ Leo Buscaglia


more later...

I'm Celebrating my 4 year flickrversary!

On 29th April, 2005... I joined flickr...

I'm Celebrating! It is my 4 year flickrversary!

It doesn't seem that long ago... How time flies when I'm having fun!



more later...

To my Dad, as little girl, I was always his Princess.

This is a scanned photo of me (martian cat) at the age of 6 years old.

My Dad always treated me like his little Princess.

I scanned it for use with the 2009 Digital Quilting Project... We are all in this together...


Childhood memories are what you cherish so much!



more later...

To dream the impossible dream...

a much younger me...




more later...

Habit of Singing

Habit of Singing

1. Make a habit of singing,
The day won't seem so long,

2. As you sing, or even whisper
The words of a beautiful song,

3. For God has given us music
And has taught us how to sing,

4. To chase away our worries and
Find good in everything.

written by Helen Marshall Van Pelt



memories from a flower museum in Chiba, Japan...



more later...

Our Christmas cake...

In Japan, it is a tradition to have a special cake for Christmas.
These cakes are lovely to look at and delicious to eat!

This is the cake that my hubby and I shared on Christmas eve.


more later...

To a friend who needs our love...

The sentimental meaning happens to be close to my heart.

Please cherish each and every day... they are your treasure...


more later...

Keeping your eyes on the cure...

Please do not overlook the examinations that everyone (men and women) should have to keep their eye on their own health conditions.

hugs...


memories... more later...