The Pineapple

I don't know if I've mentioned the pineapple and what it means. Being in real estate I love everything to do with homes and the history of New England homes in particular. Did you know the pineapple is the symbol of "hospitality" In the "olden-days" the 16th century it was the "pyne fruit" from the Caribbean. Our sea captains brought the pyne fruit over thinking it could be harvested here in Virginia. Well, later the pineapple became a symbol of hospitality amongst the colonial settlers. When sea captains returned from their over seas voyages they would cut a pineapple in half and hang it on their gates to show that he was home and that all were welcomed to come in to visit. Most likely he discussed his voyage across the ocean to far off lands with buying exotic wares and spices to bring back to the New land, New England, and it's sister coast land up the Eastern Coast.

Now folks put decorative pineapples on their front doors. Do they know it has a meaning for their precious home? It's a warm feeling that I get when I see the pineapple adorning someones door, kind of like the red door or the white picket fence. So that is why I like the pineapple symbol on my site, it says come on and sit with your favorite hot, or cold beverage and read my blog and look at my site. Until again, blessings to you , Karen

Going off to college

It's August oh my! My son and his new bride are entering their fourth month of marriage. Amazing. My youngest has graduated High School, had her graduation/going away to college party. Now we are getting ready for sending her off to college in sunny California. No more rides to school at 7:00am, that is over now. We are buying plane tickets and planning when our daughter can come home (it won't be till Christmas), I can do this I know I can.:) All her dorm things will be bought out there in Cal. Kayla got $$ and gift cards to stores, located not far from her college, (thanks to the Internet). Kay is excited and a bit scared (weren't we all at the venture of going off to college)? Go my child with God's Hand upon you! Do your best, we are always here, do well and learn much, accomplish your dreams. Love you MOM oh , and you better send me an email now and again and give me a call. :) My oldest will complete her last year in the Fall at a local college. After her graduation she is then applying to dental school. Very proud of our kids.

So this means mom has to do something new. What will I do? Well my eyes are always peeled out for any curb-side items left out for the taking. I have a couple of items I need to spruce up and get them on my Karens Korner Shoppe. What I will do is try to put more time into this small business of mine. We are told by the experts to do what you love, so I love antiques, and turning old thrown-away furniture into reusable shabby chic furniture. What better way to go "green", fix-up, re-paint, re-design, and re-sell for "new" enjoyment for someone else.

I also want to invest more time into my real estate business. I am in a new season in my life. "What do I want to do now"? So the above mentioned is what I want to do and spend more time in doing them.

New "seasons", for many of us, accept your season. If it's a hard season right now, you can receive God's grace to go thru it. If it's an enjoyable season, enjoy it well. Karen

Spring-New England-New Life

Spring in New England, I will never tire of our four seasons here in the North East. Everything is in full bloom, the trees have sprung their green leaves. The flowers planted last Fall, are up and showing off their color and style. The blossoming cherry trees, dog wood trees what beauty, and color. Oh, and of course the most fantastic, breath taking Spring Blossom of all this Spring..... is my new daughter-in-law, Kristen Marie Bonitto and her most handsome husband in his dress blues our Louie on their wedding day. May 2nd was just a gorgeous day, the sun came out after several days of rain, and shined brightly on this most joyeous occasion. The bridesmaids, and groomsmen, the flower girl and the ring carriers all did their part. The pastors who performed the ceremony, shared great wisdom on marriage. The parents so proud, and the guests so excited to attend with all eyes on the bride and groom.

After the wedding the reception was held at Barkers Tavern located in Scituate, Ma right across from Scituate Harbor. Such a scenic place, a New England town with it's harbor view, to host a wedding reception. The Tavern dates back to the 1700's I believe, and the wedding pictures were taken by a running brook on the grounds. The reception was festive, food and dancing , families, and friends gathered to celebrate.

Words are hard to find to explain what goes on in a mothers heart when her child gets married. So many emotions, memories, hopes for a beautiful future. A new journey for the bride and groom begins! So does a new journey begin for "mom". Her son is grown, and gone away to live with his beautiful bride in another state serving his country in the U.S. Marine Corp. "Lord be with them always", is my hearts cry. I know they will be fine. This is part of the journey of a mom her "babies" grow and leave the next. All which is perfectly normal, its bittersweet but yet awesome and wonderful at the same time. I am happy, and blessed, and have gained a daughter-in-law who is beautiful, and so good to my son. My son, may you treat your wife like the most precious gift that she is.

May they live life well together!!!!


Oh, yes, and I want grandbabies. I can wait, but I want them. (Smile) From the blogger, aka Karen, Mom, Moma B and someday ......Nona, Grammie, Gramma, (haven't decided yet)

Wedding Bliss

Autumn in New England

It's October in case you did not know........Autumn in New England, there's nothing like it. This is why we live in New England for days like today. The sun was perfect, those of you from here know what I mean. It was not too warm and comfortably cool. Black Dog sweat shirt weather, I like to call days like today. Just took a stroll with my teenage daughter and her two of her friends in our local cemetery. It is located just up the street. This cemetery is very beautiful actually, and well walked through by the locals. Nothing disrespectful, just tranquil. Well, the foliage is so beautiful, the trees are mostly maple. Vibrant oranges, yellows and reds......breath taking. On our walk we would call out the names on the head stones, some very interesting to pronounce. We also looking at the dates, (some dates went way back), would calculate ages of the dearly departed,and would wonder...... were these folks well known in the community? Some were teachers, pastors, owners of stores. Some stones were adorned with beautiful carvings of Jesus, or Mary. Some affectionately mentioned their "Beloved,......mother, father, son or daughter" Death really is such a part of life. After all, Autumn.............it's beautiful colors are actually the trees leaves "dying" and before they fall..............they go out gloriously!! Pictures to follow.

Old dog needs to learn new tricks.

Ok so I haven't blogged in a bit. Busy, busy. I've been also enjoying this summer's weather. My youngest daughter is roughing it over on The Vineyard for the next two weeks. I am so happy she could go and be a nanny for some family members. Our family has gone over to The Vineyard, mainly Oak Bluffs for years. My husband and I haven't recently, but we will again just post phoned for a bit.
Old dog needs to learn new tricks. That is referring to me. I am very challenged when it comes to "tech-stuff", so my "boss" who does not know right at this moment is going to teach me how to post pics on my blog. (Wink, wink boss),smile. Believe me my "boss" and I tease because my "boss" is my precious friend, has great patience with me, God bless her for that ! So watch this old dog's blog soon and watch her go with taking and posting "fab" pics for her blog.
If any one is reading this blog........take in all of God's beauty out there this summer. I'll be back soon! Karen

Beginning a new Season in more ways than one!

Wow, it's been busy, weddings, graduations, this is the time of year. Only three more weeks and my youngest, will be done with her Jr. year in High School. My baby will be a Sr. this Fall. My son who is in the U.S. Marines stationed in Cherry Point, N.C. visited us this past Memorial Day weekend. It was a short visit but a good one. We are blessed our son is serving in the USA, he does have buddies who go over to the Middle East, and our hearts and prayers are with them and their families. My oldest well we are darn proud of her too going to U-MASS studying to be a dentist. (She will be a student for some time):) All this to say more reason for me to get busy with my life. What am I going to do now with my life with child rearing years done? Most women come to this cross road in their lives. Let's say I am discovering new things about myself and the old ideas and dreams are resurfacing. It's exciting. Spending time on what I like to do,( venture into antique stores, going to yard sales, picking up "junk" on the side of the road and having the ol creative juices going). Of course I'm still MOM but in a different way. I do miss the younger years of my children but I am an enjoying this new season in my life too.