Home & Family – Page 3 – Signora Sheila

August: a Month of Birthdays and Weddings

Man stands on a sunlit brick terrace overlooking a blue ocean, curving coastline, lush greenery, and flowering planters in a serene setting.

August was a busy month for us. We had to get our guest house ready for numerous guests, and attend two weddings. Then I got the flu, which knocked me out. Because of all that, I fell behind with my Bible school classes and had to catch up. Weddings! If you’ve never been to anContinueContinue reading “August: a Month of Birthdays and Weddings”

Summer Heat and Visitors

Woman in a floral dress holds an open book, gently turning its pages in warm natural light, creating a calm, reflective reading scene.

It’s been a busy summer so far. We started by installing our first-ever air conditioner and a short trip to our summer house. Next, we got our guest home ready for many dinner and house guests. This included Hubby’s niece and family from New York. As you can imagine, with all of our family livingContinueContinue reading “Summer Heat and Visitors”

In Our Brokenness: The Night Watches

Warm, moody room with a glowing table lamp; an outstretched arm reaches toward a small red object on the wooden table.

As I lay there in the middle of the night, plagued by pain, fear, and doubt, I had to force myself to stop checking the time. It was too demoralizing. Endless thoughts, mostly fears, swirled through my mind, swooping in like pigeons on newly seeded fields. Would I ever be able to walk again andContinueContinue reading “In Our Brokenness: The Night Watches”

Buddy, Grandma, and the Cleaning Parties

Decorative floral teapot sits on a heart-shaped placemat beside quilted potholders on a warm wooden table, creating a cozy vintage mood.

My maternal grandmother was a wonderful grandma, especially considering her high tolerance for rambunctious children. Now, don’t get me wrong. I like kids. But I don’t like having a dozen of them around at the same time, which is what often happened at my grandparents’ home during summer vacations. Then again, Grandma was a littleContinueContinue reading “Buddy, Grandma, and the Cleaning Parties”

The Night After Christmas: A Poem

Festive red-and-white striped socks frame a red polka-dot gift box topped with a bright green bow, creating a cheerful holiday scene.

‘Twas the night after Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was hungry, not even a mouse; The stockings still hung there, all limp and bare, With hopes that no tummy aches would soon appear. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, With visions of presents flying through their heads; AndContinueContinue reading “The Night After Christmas: A Poem”

The Coming of Mr. Pemberton: A Christmas Story

Snow-covered stone mansion entrance with ornate yellow doors, statues, urns, and hedges lining the steps in a serene winter scene.

Everyone wondered, but no one knew – knew who Mr. Pemberton was, that is. Oh, they all knew of the Pemberton family. At least the older ones did. They remembered the cranky old man who used to throw things at them when they were kids. Just because they passed his house! Not because they stoleContinueContinue reading “The Coming of Mr. Pemberton: A Christmas Story”