For the past three years, I have have had the privilege to co lead a small group Bible study of high school girls. We have been meeting weekly since these now seniors were just "lowly freshmen". On Thursday night, they planned a birthday celebration for me- complete with flowers, a HUGE singing card (which continues to make me smile everytime I open it), a chocolate ice cream cake, and gift cards from my two favorite places- Target and Michaels. (They know me well!)
Each week we eat, study, and pray for one another.
Katie was working at Young Life camp when the group pic was taken this summer... so I wanted to post this one from Christmas.And Crystal was away for the summer... Meghan is giving Crystal a "tummy hug?"
Each of these precious girls have been such a blessing in my life. Thanks, girls, you made my day!
It's true... the dining room is out of control! For several years now, I have spent hours looking at my favorite blogs, reading about creative endeavors and looking at great photos. I don't recall ever seeing a mess so I thought I'd break the mold and show a really BIG MESS! (Will I regret this?)
Ever since school began in late August, my piles have multiplied. I seem to grab a few minutes to sew and I'm in such a production mode that I work to the very last second then shut down without reorganizing. It, of course, gets to the point that I can't work around that much mess, so I'll stop and clean up.
What I need to do is not work in the dining room. After all, it is for dining! My goal is to clean it up and clean it out. I'm having a bridal shower here in 5 days.....followed by Jack's 1st birthday and then Thanksgiving. So... I'm going to start digging out....
About a thousand pumpkins......"The Cottage Gals" brought home two truck loads of the most beautiful and unusual pumpkins from the Amish country in PA. The cottage looks amazing! Last week after school, I stopped by to take some pictures before all the pumpkins were gone. Tomorrow, I am planning to bring some home for our porch.
We had some friends over tonight for dinner and Jack arrived in his Chicago Bears jersey. He looked too cute for words and like such a little boy! His daddy was happy because the Bears WON!
Jack Cat had a rough day....he accidentally got left outside Saturday night, so he spent most of the day catching up on his sleep...
My friend, Hillary, has encouraged me to take my soldering to a new height. So I have been busy, busy making these pendants. It's been such fun finding the images and looking for just the right babbles to compliment them. These are much more time consuming than the little initials I have made for years now, but oh such fun! They will be selling this week at the Chick's Picks sale.
Tried and true... initials. Babbles just waiting their turn!
I am always working a season ahead! Well, not always, I've been know to make one more "something" in the last hour. Halloween and fall are already selling atThe Cottage. So today I stopped by and snapped these pictures before everything gets picked over. This year I made a double set of vintage Halloween blocks, one to sell and one to keep. The Cottage only has three left...maybe I should get one more set finished!
The Cottage has lots of really unique Halloween decor!
I got word this afternoon that Ann and Linda were heading home with two trucks filled with mums and amazing pumpkins.... straight from the farm.
We have three cats, Jill, Beast (I didn't name that one) and Jack. We've had Jack and Jill for who knows how long, maybe going on 10 years now. When grandson, Jack was born, Nathan suggested that we change Jack the cat's name to something like "Pumpkin". Although he does look like a giant, fluffy, pumpkin, he has so far retained his name. We now just have two Jacks- Jack and Jack Cat. Jack Cat is gentle and huge. He sleeps a lot and for the past several months I've been taking some really fun pictures of where he finds to nap. Here's the first two of many.....
Yesterday I picked flowers from the garden for probably the last time this season.
I'm not much of a gardener, although I love seeing the results. I have such vivid memories of spending hours and hours helping my daddy in our family garden. (I would pick rocks out of the dirt and get paid ten cents per bucket!)
Years ago, I cleared a little patch for my own garden. I wanted to create memories for my children. They never became terribly interested, maybe because it's never been much of a garden. I always have high hopes when I am planting but somehow, as summer passes, my little garden always gets neglected. So I was pleased with enough tomatoes for our family and these precious tiny zinnias. Next summer...I'll plant again because honestly, almost every time I go to the garden, I think of daddy.
I can't remember the last time we left home for Labor Day weekend. (I always felt that if we're home we would be better prepared for the first day of school) But it was the perfect window of time to drive to Columbia and switch cars with Ben.
On the way down, Sissy called and we spontaneously decided to meet at USC. She, Marsha and my 6 week old great nephew met us at Ben's fraternity house. We had a wonderful visit and dinner together before they headed back to Pickens. Davis is precious and I'm so thankful I got to see him when he was till tiny.
After dinner, Ben took us on a walking tour of the University of South Carolina.
Saturday morning, Ed, Ben and I drove an hour and 1/2 to Charleston for a day of shopping and sightseeing. (I made them promise to be patient with the shopping piece!) Ben was familiar with the city and first took us the "the market". It became hot and crowded, but I did buy a few Christmas gifts. While Ed waited for us to be seated for lunch, Ben and I walked down along the water. These precious little girls were having such fun in the cool fountain, I just had to snap their picture! Notice the shower caps!
After a yummie lunch- (New Jersey boy, Ed, LOVED the shrimp and grits), we walked and walked and walked. Soft faded pastel homes with lazy porches and amazing landscaping captivated our attention for hours. Ben would notice something beautiful and say, "Mom, look at this!" I felt so satisfied that he noticed the details.
The day ended with a 20 min. drive to the beach and around 6pm the boys somehow changed into their bathing suits and dove into the ocean for a final summer swim.
After Sunday brunch and hugs and kisses, Ed and I said goodbye to Ben and were back on the road, heading to Raleigh NC for dinner with his brother's family. LOTS of car time and time to reflect...
Lessons learned from a road trip with the boys~
Being without the girls was OK after all
Ed and Ben can be fun shoppers (Ed always needs to have a newspaper and a chair)
Don't inquire about sticky fraternity hall floors...
I need to work on my college football conversation skills
Each week we eat, study, and pray for one another.
Katie was working at Young Life camp when the group pic was taken this summer... so I wanted to post this one from Christmas.
And Crystal was away for the summer... Meghan is giving Crystal a "tummy hug?"
Each of these precious girls have been such a blessing in my life.
