The Gospel According to Charlie Brown

Charlie Brown: I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn't have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don't know what Christmas is all about.
[shouting in desperation]
Charlie Brown: Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?
Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.
[moves toward the center of the stage]
Linus Van Pelt: Lights, please.
[a spotlight shines on Linus]
Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"
[Linus picks up his blanket and walks back towards Charlie Brown]
Linus Van Pelt: That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Advent Conspiracy- Are you in?

A Charlie Brown Christmas

If there is anything I've learned from living in the Midwest, it is to take advantage of the first nice weekend in November to get your outdoor Christmas decorating done. I learned this lesson after a few frost-bitten fingers that were determined to wait until after Thanksgiving Day to decorate for Christmas.
I was pretty sure I had erred once again when my Florida vacation and another trip out of state for Thanksgiving prevented me from doing my outdoor decorating. Fortunately, the weather man gave me a couple of warm days to work with and I now have a few white lights and greenery to show for my labor.
I was afraid it was going to be a Charlie Brown Christmas. A few years ago I purchased some outdoor miniature trees to line my walkway. I was too conservative at the time and only purchased one set of three trees. Last year one of the pre-lit trees bit the dust and I was could not find another set to augment. Fast forward to Black Friday 09--I'm visiting family in Texas and I spot a set of similar trees at the chain store where I purchased the original set at. I was excited about beefing up my miniature forest but I had a dilemma--our vehicle was packed to the roof. There was NO ROOM for another suitcase or package much less a couple of boxes of miniature trees. So I left them behind in hopes that the store in my town had the same merchandise. On Monday I found and purchased the trees. It was too good to be true. They were a bargain price for a reason...they are the scrawniest miniature trees I've ever seen! I strategically placed them in front of some thicker bushes so they don't look so wimpy and at night no one is the wiser. Except for you...

Merry Christmas to you!
Gina

30 Days of Gratitude, Finishing Well

Day 24 Safe travel to see family
Day 25 A walk with The Princess around my college campus
Day 26 Thanksgiving lunch and dinner with both sides of the family
Day 27 The thrill of early morning bargains on Black Friday with The Princess
Day 28 A visit with dear friends from the past
Day 29 A hubby who willingly drives ALL the way back home, another safe day of travel...and sleeping in my own bed!
Day 30 A quiet day of catching up on 2 weeks of work!

There is so much to give thanks for. This little exercise has taught me to look each day for the blessings all around.

30 Days of Gratitude, Days 18-23

While I was away on vacation, I kept up my gratitude list but lost internet connection after the first post. So here's what I was thankful for...

sunset walks on the beach...









white sandy beaches and blue water...









Benadryl for the bug bites
(I'll spare you the visual)

Key Lime Pie...









the amazing variety of shells I found...












flights that were NOT missed...
and my very own bed to sleep in!

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 17

Today I am grateful for
a good book
an evening walk with my hubby
Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream

30 Days of Gratitude, Catching Up...

Iam grateful that you are a grace-filled community of readers.
I've lost track, gotten behind, been a little busy. So like I told the gals that attended the journaling class I led last weekend--don't beat yourself up if you have lapses, just start again.

Today I am grateful for...
palm trees
ocean breezes
and key lime pie!

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 11

On this day that we honor all those who have served our country or are in active duty, I am grateful for freedom. Freedom is never really free, it cost someone something along the way. While I live in a country that holds those freedoms in high regard and i benefit daily from the sacrifice of others, I am most grateful for another kind of freedom. I am grateful that I am free from the law of sin and death and can experience life at it's fullest.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." Galatians 5:1

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 10

Sunshine and Sonic.
It was 60 degrees and sunshine today which is above average for this time of year where I live. I was out running work errands and thought lunch at Sonic was in order. My last trip there (Sonic is on the other side of town from my house and too far to drive on a whim) proved to be disappointing so I was hoping for a good experience this time.
Sun roof open, combo meal delivered as ordered, lemon-berry slush with Sonic crushed ice. All was right with the world for those 20 minutes!

What do you order at Sonic?

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 9

Today I am grateful for comfort food.
Yesterday I was cranky, out of sorts, "ill" as my southern friends might say. A demanding (but fun) weekend coupled with some late nights preparing for a speaking engagement and a family vacation took me out of my usual "happy place".
Somehow macaroni and cheese sounded like the solution to the problem. Wisconsin white cheddar and shell macaroni courtesy of Panera Bread hit the spot and got me out of my funk or maybe it the unexpected conversation with a friend and Bible study later that night that did it.
There's no denying the power of food in my life.
Soup
Cookies
Meatloaf
Cheese
Pasta
Ice cream...
These are a few of my favorite things.

What's your favorite food?

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 8

Today I am grateful for music.

"Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul"

"Music is what feelings sound like"

I have long been the only non-iPod user in my family. Until now.
I got one for my birthday. Up until now, I willingly shelled out $15 for a cd when I usually only listened to one or two tracks. Now I can pick and choose from millions of songs and make them mine for a mere .99 each. How cool is that? And podcasts- all topics will now be at my fingertips. Hubby has the fancy iTouch but I thought I should start more simply so got a new Nano. These pod making people are pretty smart and so is the Nano. It takes video and I can even listen to the radio with it. There's a tiny little speaker so I don't even have to wear the earbuds if I don't want to (although the sound is much better with them IN).

So as fond as I am of my new little toy, it's caused a dilemma. What do I put on it? I love ALL kinds of music. I like music that moves me and music that makes me want to move. I'm a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll. I love the oldies but have fun finding the newbies.
It's a big, big music world out there and I've got an empty iPod waiting to be filled!

What's on your playlist?

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 7

Today I am grateful for friends.
There are the "old" friends that knew me "back when". Some of them were a part of the growing up process and all contributed in some way to making me who I am today. There are the friends that stumbled along with me through those teenage years. Thanks to Facebook, I've re-connected with them and am happy to see that we all made it out of those years mostly unscathed. There were the friends who despite being in another stage of life than me, allowed me into their lives and served as mentors through the early years of marriage and child-rearing. To this day, their advice and example do not go disregarded in my life.

Then there are the "now" friends that share with me "up close and personal" what is going on in my life. We laugh and cry together and count on each other for prayers, for recipes, and for encouragement. We help each other with mid-life issues, and teenager/letting go issues, and show each other how to Facebook and tie a scarf. A few are the ones who you let in your house when it's dirty, who will give you a honest answer regarding your hairstyle or wardrobe, and who will listen to you rant without judgement.

From a birthday card I received last week:

"Forget the calories. Forget the years. If you must count something, count your friends"

30 Days of Gratitude, Days 4, 5, 6

Oops, playing catch up here! This is harder than I thought--not finding things to be thankful for but sitting down and capturing those thankful thoughts on paper, er- computer screen. It has been a challenge with my schedule this particular week.

Sooooo, I'm giving you three for one...

Today I am grateful for my children (there are other days this gratefulness could be a challenging concept).

Today is #1 son's birthday. It was a sunny fall day such as the one I am experiencing today that he chose to come in to this world 25 years ago. He was a calm, scheduled baby and a compliant, easy going child through elementary school. He is the athlete of the family and we spent many memorable days and nights doing bleacher time watching him play football, basketball, and baseball. Today he is generous and fun-loving--a big man with a big heart. There have been some bumps along the way in this process of growing up but God has helped me see the prodigal tendancies in my own life and each day I have the privilege of praying for him and encouraging him as the opportunity is given.

College Boy is the middle child. He is shy but witty and smart. He likes reading the classics, listening to obscure celtic bands, and taking things apart! I've known from his earliest years that he was wired to be an engineer. He is graduating from college this May and my prayer for him is that he would be established in his career and life in a way that is honoring to God.

The Princess. When I was pregnant with #3, I wanted to know the gender and my husband did not. I was perfectly content with the idea that I might have all boys and at that time was pretty confident that I had it all together in the parenting realm (what's the verse about pride going before a fall?). But I wanted to be prepared for what #3 would be and so with hubby's approval, I found out the gender but had to keep it to myself. I soooooo get the verse where Mary, the mother of Christ, "treasured these things in her heart". It was the hardest secret to keep! My OB appointments were in another town so I would buy pink with abandon and kept it locked away for safe keeping. The Princess came into our world on Christmas eve eve and we gave her the middle name "Joy". For the most part that is what she has been to our family-pure joy. She was girlie to the boys brawn, ruffly to their rough, but not necessarily quiet to their loud. She had a way of making her presence known and used far more words in the first 3 years of life than her brothers combined! Today, she is driven and determined. She is talented and beautiful. I will miss her terribly when she graduates and goes off to college. My prayer for her is that God would protect her heart and guide her path--she is His princess as well!

I'm now a teary-eyed mess.

I would be grateful for your thoughts and prayers this weekend. I've been asked to speak at a women's retreat on the topic of journaling/blogging. Naturally, when you are talking about "using words", you want to "use your words well" so if you think of it, pray for me!

Blessings,
Gina

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 3

On this my 52nd birthday, I must say I am grateful for my parents. They gave me life, they gave me direction, and they pointed me to Christ.
I am grateful for the continued health and life they have and regret that I do not live close enough to be there for them.
I hope that the best of what they did for me has been passed on to my children.

Thirty Days of Gratitude, Day 2

It's Monday, so today's topic of gratitude is

Work, Job, Ministry

I am blessed to work where I worship. That can be tricky sometimes. As I said yesterday, "no church is perfect" and sometimes "sheep bite" but overall, I love what I do and am blessed to be working where grace abounds.

My job is ministry--that's actually true for anyone who follows Christ but somehow I am blessed to get to do what I love and get paid for it!

So here's some of my top reasons why I love my job:

• It's never the same. I get bored with routine so I love that each day brings new challenges even if there is a regular rhythm to our ministry schedule.

• There's always food. We have a fairly large staff so someone is always bringing in birthday treats, or there's leftovers from potlucks, brunches and other meetings. I count on a leftover donut each Wednesday morning from Men's Fraternity to be my breakfast.

• I work for and with GREAT people. It really is a place I enjoy coming to everyday. We work in a supportive and grace-filled environment but we also have fun. Lots of laughter and some really great staff parties!

• What I do matters. There is nothing wrong with bottom lines and soaring profits but I'm not really wired that way. I love that what I do helps facilitate ministry to PEOPLE and that lives are impacted by what we do.

Thirty Days of Gratitude, Day 1

It’s November and in the United States this is the traditional month of Thanksgiving. So if you will indulge me for the next 29 days, I’d like to tell you what I am thankful for.

Since it is Sunday, I’ll start with…

Church

Mine is not perfect and if it were, I couldn’t attend! But I am blessed to be a part of a community of committed believers who are led by servant leaders who are intentional about encouraging us to a deeper walk of faith.

I love how God’s Word is taught with clarity and relevance.

I love how there is opportunity to pursue a passion to serve whether it be across the world, across the street, or in the nursery.

I love guitar driven worship, and brass line Sundays, and orchestra weeks, and BIG BAND! I love the kids choirs and the adult choir, and my peeps on vocal teams!

From the Psalms of Ascent--

“I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.” 122:1

Bless Her Heart

“Blessed are the optimistic, for they will not be disappointed”

                                                                                    --mistranslation mine

I knew we were headed for an adventure when The Princess called me at work to ask if we still had “that sewing machine”. 

“Why do you ask sweetie?”

“We’re at Hancock’s buying fabric for Halloween costumes'”, she replied.  “Thanks, I’ll see you later”.

I thought my Halloween costume days were over but apparently high school seniors are not too old or too cool to participate in a little Halloween fun.   Bless her heart…

I’ve never been a fan of store bought costumes so through the years, I managed to create outfits out of things around the house or with very few purchased items.  I also managed to put them together with pins, glue, tape and staples.  I can hem but I do not really sew even though my sainted mother tried to show me how.  Bless her heart…

With one quarter of a semester class called “Family Consumer Science”, my daughter has more sewing experience than I have at 50- something (I’m embarrassed to say).  So with much enthusiasm and optimism, The Princess made her fabric choices and brought them home to create.   Bless her heart…

I got home from work to find this:

 

And this:

 

 

She had no pattern.  She wanted no help.  Bless her heart…

She did have satin, and some kind of tulle, sequins, and…

A ZIPPER.  Bless her heart…

 

And with great determination (and a small amount of frustration), two days later  she had this…

 

 

Isn’t she the cutest Tinkerbell you’ve ever seen?

I couldn’t have done a better job myself…bless her heart!

I know! I seriously need to stop this obsession with all things Fall. But it's how I cope. It's how I cope with the fact that this southern gal has lived for 10 years on the frozen tundra of the midwest. It's how I cope with the fact that winter is coming. Long winters with lots of snow and little sunshine. Bulky coats and practical boots. Snow shovels and arctic temperatures.

So let me linger a little longer in the sunshine of fall.


The trees in my yard are still young. Their leaves do change color and fall but they do not produce massive amounts of leaves that require raking. Living on the open plains has it's advantages--whatever leaves that do fall from my trees are blown into the neighbors yards. So I go a little nuts when I see the leaves that fall from the mature trees outside my workplace. Some are bigger than my hands.

They are beautiful...

Do you see the cute animal print shoes? Do you see any socks or tights? No, it's an October miracle--warm enough to go bare footed!

Happy Fall,

Gina

Fall Transformation

I know I promised to post pictures when the fabulous Fall Porch Transformation was complete but there were a few hitches in my plan…lack of time, lack of talent, uncooperative weather, and high expectations to name a few.  When I was unable to replicate this photo from the Pottery Barn catalog,

I resorted to what worked for me last year with a few twists. 

So join me for a little Fall Transformation Tour…

 

Front Porch this summer…

 

Kept the spikes and ivy in the concrete planter but took out the dying summer flowers for some mums:

Close up of the straw bale arrangement:

The clay jack ‘o lanterns were purchased YEARS ago when we lived in Georgia where they were made.  They have survived 4 moves and have graced my front porch fall decor for 20 years.  After Halloween, they go back into hiding and are replaced with something else.

Here’s the moss basket out by the walkway…

Summer view…

First stage of transformation…

Final version…

The only crafting I did was these candles that I wrapped in burlap and placed in my bargain lanterns from Walmart…

Been moving them around to decide where I like them best.

Here’s a last minute project for the back deck which I can enjoy the view more than the front porch…

I added an old grapevine wreath to the top of the clay pot that held geraniums this summer.  I left the english ivy and fern but replaced the summer spikes with this fall grass.  I filled the empty spaces with pumpkins and gourds to finish off the fall look.

Here’s another view

It makes me smile as I pass by the sliding doors to the deck.

Here’s something else that makes me smile.  The Princess has some decorating talent of her own.

Speaking of transformations, my Creator God does some spectacular work everyday whether we recognize it or not.  Sometimes it’s in the hearts of His children who allow Him to change us and then in every season He works transforming wonders in His creation.

 

Blessings,

Gina

That’s a Wrap

The Homecoming festivities and activities have come to an end.  Now we can return to normal—whatever that is.  No more tie-dying in the front yard… no more pajama days at school. 

The cheer dinner is done and the pasta bar was a hit.  All the moms packed a goodie bag for each girl.  They also received a personalized photo frame and a crown!

The big game ended in our first loss of the season so there were a few tears--however, THE dress arrived in time and The Princess did indeed look like one. 

 

 

That’s enough for one old mom to deal with in one week.  I’m going to bed- wake me up when it’s May.

We Got Robbed!

No first place ribbon for the cheer moms float this year but I thought it was the best and several parade attenders all agreed! You can't see the sign in this photo but it says "You can run but you can't hide from the Lion pride". Thanks to one of the hunter dads for the duck boat. Don't we look cute in our cheer mom shirts? We took the picture before we donned our camo bandanas--we were stylin. Our float is one of the crowd favorites since we throw out little footballs like the girls do at the games. It was a fun walk and the weather turned in our favor--to bad the judges didn't do the same!

Fall Tour

My preoccupation with hunting canned pumpkin briefly distracted me from fall decorating.  There was also a couple of days of cold and rain that delayed my outdoor work but it's all good now.  A warm day and an impending event I'm hosting at my house got me motivated to decorate.

Here’s my table with the pumpkin and pine cone candles  that I purchased at Pottery Barn last year.  The pumpkins are in the catalog this fall as well.  I can’t bring myself to actually burning them!

 

A little randomness on my kitchen island.  There was a smaller glass pumpkin filled with tootsie rolls but The Princess got this cute bag for homecoming activities this week so we switched it out for the smaller pumpkin (not to mention that we ate all the tootsie rolls).

 

Here’s a ceramic bowl that I purchased way back in my Texas days on a visit to Canton.  I created a pedestal for it by turning a stoneware bowl upside down and setting the Trick or Treat bowl on top. 

 

Photos from Halloweens of Yore.  I’m no seamstress but always favored imagination and using what we had around the house in favor of store bought costumes.  We had some great ones throughout the years.  The bottom picture is my favorite.  A pirate, Robin Hood, and baby Princess as Minnie Mouse!

 

My porch is still in process.  This picture was my inspiration but re-creating it has escaped my grasp for this year. I’ll post the porch picture when it’s done.

I’m a little late to the party, but be sure to stop by Southern Hospitality for some other fall decorating ideas.  I have Rhoda to thank for clueing me into Windows Live Writer.  This is my second post using it and it has made posting with pictures SOOOOO much easier.  You can read her post about it here as well as other blogging tips.

Gina

It Was a Grande Day

I awoke this morning to rain and cold so I turned to the weatherman to see how bad it was going to be. Bad news--it's all downhill from here weather wise. He even used the "s" word for next week's forecast. This just can't be--I wish to linger in Fall until about March if that's okay with you.

So off I go with that dark cloud hanging over my head and proceeded directly to my favorite drive-thru before work. Due to cost and calories, I usually limit myself to just one of those sweet, caffeinated concoctions per week. It's usually a good week if I can hold out to Friday but it's Tuesday, and I'm giving in.

Double shot, extra whip and make it a Grande please.

Good thing I did. Got to work and our server was down. Not great news when 90% of my job is web based.

At least I had a hot drink.

When the Frost is on the Punkin

When I was in college, my children’s literature professor could quote this poem by James Whitcomb Riley.  I was reminded of  the opening stanza this morning as I shuttled things out to my car in the crisp morning air.  Frost warnings went out last night but a low blanket of clouds kept temperatures above the frost zone.  For this I am glad because I have not yet been able to get some new Spring bulbs in the ground and also because frost is a foretaste of Winter to come (shudder).

Just in case you haven’t heard the poem, I’d like to share it with you and because I just may or may not have an obsession with all things pumpkin. 

 

WHEN the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock,
And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin' turkey-cock,
And the clackin' of the guineys, and the cluckin' of the hens,
And the rooster's hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;
O, it's then the time a feller is a-feelin' at his best, 
With the risin' sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,
As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

They's something kindo' harty-like about the atmusfere

When the heat of summer's over and the coolin' fall is here— 
  Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossoms on the trees,
And the mumble of the hummin'-birds and buzzin' of the bees;
But the air's so appetizin'; and the landscape through the haze
Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days
Is a pictur' that no painter has the colorin' to mock—
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

The husky, rusty russel of the tossels of the corn,
And the raspin' of the tangled leaves as golden as the morn;
The stubble in the furries—kindo' lonesome-like, but still
A-preachin' sermuns to us of the barns they growed to fill;
  The strawstack in the medder, and the reaper in the shed;
The hosses in theyr stalls below—the clover overhead!—
O, it sets my hart a-clickin' like the tickin' of a clock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

Then your apples all is gethered, and the ones a feller keeps
Is poured around the cellar-floor in red and yaller heaps;
And your cider-makin's over, and your wimmern-folks is through
With theyr mince and apple-butter, and theyr souse and sausage too!...
I don't know how to tell it—but ef such a thing could be
As the angels wantin' boardin', and they'd call around on me—
I'd want to 'commodate 'em—all the whole-indurin' flock—

When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

Because You Asked

Because several of you asked for the cookie/pumpkin dip recipe and because you asked so nicely, how could I refuse?

The cookie recipe came to me from one of my Texas friends and they were called Gladewater Gingersnaps. Truth is that they are not supposed to be crisp cookies so gingersnap is a bit deceiving. I renamed them Molasses cookies but are also known as Almost Famous Cookies because I usually get a request for the recipe whenever I serve them. It is one of my favorite Fall cookies.

Almost Famous Cookies
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup Crisco
1 egg
4 TB molasses
2 cups flour
2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt

Cream sugar and Crisco. Beat in egg and molasses.
Add dry ingredients and chill 30 minutes.
Roll into 1 inch balls and roll in granulated sugar.
Bake for 11 minutes at 350 degrees. Cookies will "erupt" on top but should not be crisp.

Pumpkin Dip
2 cups powdered sugar
1 8 oz. cream cheese
1 15 oz can of pure packed pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger

Combine sugar and cream cheese. Beat until well blended.
Beat in remaining ingredients. Store in airtight container and refrigerate.
Serving idea:
Serve dip in a small hollowed out pumpkin. Cookies can be dipped or can be "iced" with pumpkin dip.
1 recipe of dip is usually plenty for a double batch of cookies.

Happy Fall Ya'll
Gina

It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

A co-worker presented me with 2 cans of pumpkin when I arrived at work today. She found them at the next store on my list to search. For .79 each they could be mine.

I am happy to report that no babies or brides were blackmailed in the process.

Let the cookie baking begin.

Pumpkin Update

I may have been exaggerating when I said I would not sleep until I found a can of pumpkin. Here's an update for all you who have expressed an interest in my mission...

2 stores searched, resulting in only cans of organic pumpkin, $3.29 each. Carving and gutting a real pumpkin is looking more appealing to me.

One of my duties at work is scheduling child dedications and weddings. In a church the size of ours sometimes desired openings for these two events are hard to come by. Perhaps I could show favor to those who bring a can of pumpkin with their request.

Ahhh, but again, I exaggerate.

Or not.

Gina

I'm On a Mission

Apparently we are having a pumpkin shortage. A wet growing season and a run on the product last holiday season has resulted in a shortage of canned pumpkin this year. This is not good news especially when I've been requested to prepare my nearly famous molasses cookies. They are wonderfully delicious on their own but even better when served with a pumpkin frosting/dip recipe that requires, of all things, pure packed pumpkin. I had hoped that I had a can in reserve but when I searched the black hole that is my pantry I came out empty handed.
News agencies and grocery store managers assure the public that there will be an ample supply available the first of October but that doesn't help me now. I'm not desperate enough to scrape out my own pumpkin but I will not sleep until I get my hands on a can.

See you on aisle 9.
Gina

What I Love about Fall, Ya'll

My in-laws have been here for a visit from Arkansas this past week. My friends said I started talking southern while they were here. Maybe so. After 10 years living in the Midwest, I am afraid I've lost my "ya'll". I haven't forgotten how to call the hogs though--too bad it wasn't enough to pull out a win on Saturday.


This is my 100th post!
One year ago I thought I'd try this new fangled thing called "blogging". It's been a creative outlet for me as well as proof positive that you can, indeed, teach an old dog a new trick. So for my 100th blog post, I wanted to share with you my favorite things of my favorite season of the year...Fall.

• Pumpkin Spiced Lattes from Starbucks

• Apple crisp, apples and caramel dip, apple cider, cream cheese stuffed apples, Fuji apple chicken salad at Panera Bread Company (it's actually offered year 'round--I was just on a roll with the apple thing)
  

• Mums- all colors. Decorated front porches. I'd like mine to look like this from the Pottery Barn catalog:
  

• Trees changing colors and falling leaves

• Fire pits and fireplaces

• Football games

• Yankee candle in Spiced Pumpkin (my standard fall fragrance; the new fall scents were great too)
  

• Candy corn and dry roasted peanuts

• Warm days and crisp nights

• Molasses cookies with Pumpkin dip

• Fall fabrics and colors

• Soup and chili recipes

• Start up of Women's Bible studies-- I'm doing these two:

We all have a time of year that we enjoy the most but I hope you can find wonder and beauty and joy in whatever season you are in.

So what do you love about this time of year?
Gina

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words?

Have you missed me?
I know, it's been sometime since my last post and I'm so close to post #100!Well I've been busy and I thought I'd let some pictures tell the story...

5 year anniversary. August marked my 5th year anniversary serving on staff at New Covenant Bible Church. I love my job and the people I work with. This plaque is what every staff member receives on their 5 year anniversary. I have looked forward to receiving my own print. The artist is Timothy Botts and I have admired his calligraphy for many years and have a couple of his books. I am blessed to work in a healthy environment and know that what I do helps make a kingdom difference!


Labor Day weekend in Chicago! This was the view from our hotel room. If ever I move to Chicago and live in an apartment downtown, I want to live here.More fun- delicious steak dinner at Gibson's, nighttime view of the city from the observation floor at the John Hancock building, late night stop at Starbucks, a stroll on the Magnificent Mile, lunch at California Pizza Kitchen then a train/subway ride to the baseball game between Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox.





Football season has begun. We are an SEC family living in Big 10 country. We don't have any strong allegiance to our state's college teams so we love watching high school football. Our local high school is known more for it's basketball championships than football but the year is starting out great. They are 4-0 even after facing their strongest opponents. It's been great fun to watch a winning team and there's a cheerleader on the sidelines that I could watch all day long.


Projects. I've had a few projects around the house that I've finally wrapped up.

Changing over my closet...I love Fall colors and fabrics!
Put husband's divot tool collection in a shadow box.
Wall stencil over kitchen door.



Senioritis. 4 years ago I had a great plan that we would scrapbook through The Princess's high school years as the events happened. We inherited supplies from my mom and bought a book to get us started. What we soon discovered is that neither The Princess nor I much liked scrapbooking. We only got a third of the way through her freshman year and then lapsed into just making a pile of programs and pictures and dried up corsages. Now that she's a senior and a graduation party will be here before I know it, I have tackled that pile and am resolute to get it into some form of display. It will be hard to stay motivated when the professionals are turning out great pictures like this one:
I think one picture is worth a thousand scrapbook pages, don't you?

Gina