31 Days, Fall Flowers

 

One of my favorites are the beautiful flowers that can be seen this time of year. This confederate rose blooms in the fall, and such beauty!

 

This flower is special. It came from a cutting of another one like this. The dear lady who's original bush this one came from employed my daughter when she was just 12 years old.

 

I remember it like yesterday.  My daughter wanted to get a job for the summer. Being the optimistic Mom that I am, told her that no one would hire a 12 year old. She was actually

turning 12 in July of that summer. But I jumped in to actually help confirm that we would not be able to find her a job.

 

Lyons Nursery was actually one of the first places I thought of, and she called to see if they needed any help. I figured she could surely water plants. Much to my surprise they told her to come out and talk to them. They previously had an older lady helping them who was having health problems.

 

Much to my surprise they hired her! It wasn't long before her part time turned into almost a regular 40 hour week. This local nursery was known for quality plants and was pretty busy most of the time. Mrs. James took my daughter under her wings and taught her all she knew about potting plants, plant care, rooting plants and running the nursery in general.

 It was like having a special grandmother teach her granddaughter. I guess you could call her our adopted grandmother.

 

My daughter worked at the nursery on a regular basis right on through high school and off and on into her college years. She has a talent for gardening, and loves plants all because one special person took the time with a 12 year old who wanted a summer job.

 

Mrs. James has been gone for quite some time but we will be forever grateful for the influence that she had on our lives.

 

I hope some of your favorite things are the people who have touched your life in a special way. If they are still with you, I hope you will take time to thank them today.



Trying Not to Think About It

Right now, at this moment the townhouse inspection is happening. I would like to say no big deal, but we have been trying to sell for over a year now, BIG DEAL. Do I know that God is in control? YES, absolutely! I still have a tendency to worry, and have to keep reminding myself,

"HE really IS in control"

So with that being said, I am trying to work on other things, for example the shower that I am doing for my best friend. Her second son is getting married.

Here are my good ole standby decorations. I have learned from the many showers I have given and helped give, it is best to keep it simple so I can actually have fun doing it.

This is a church-wide shower, so the menu will be simple:

Cupcakes

Cheese Wafers

Nuts

Lemonade

I like to practice my decor a little before hand so I don't end up w/ surprises. There will be some aqua gingham on the tables as well, and the tables are larger so the gingham will actually just be a square topper. I love being a part of blessing a new couple as they start their life together.

Now I think I will go clean some in the kitchen, while I am trying not to think about IT!

Showers of blessing!

Yesterday we were able to make a surprise visit to our girl. We arrived just in time for one of her baby showers. They have been so blessed by friends and family. Thought you might enjoy some highlights .

I have not mentioned his name yet, but we are ready to welcome Baby Judah!

One of the hostesses  printed these cute thank-you notes, and had all of those in attendance to address an

envelope.  I want to be sure to remember this the next time I help with a shower. 

Here's the huge diaper cake with a little owl right on top.

I guess by now you realize she will be having an owl or two in the nursery.

Delicious!

Check out the tiered platter made with flower pots, and flower pot plates.

Yes, I did complete the crib skirt, and hopefully we will have bumper pads by this weekend.

This cute block was painted an assortment of blues, pinks, greens etc. before she changed the colors to match the nursery. The lid opens up, and can be used for storage.

She will be here next weekend for another shower, so I will be sewing until......... well until I finish those bumper pads. 

And no, I did not get one picture of the mom to be! When they started taking pictures, I was not able to get to my camera. I will try to do better next weekend.

Have a wonderful week! 

My Cup Is Filled

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the ladies conference, "Womanhood: What Am I Missing?" at Southern Evangelical Seminary, Charlotte, NC. The topics included were for women of every walk in life, whether single, married, young mothers or an empty nester like me. The best way to sum it up is that, It encouraged and challenged us for the times in which we live. We laughed and enjoyed each other's company, but most of all we were challenged to live godly lives as a woman of God, in a culture that encourages us to do just the opposite.

My accomodations were the best! One of my very best friends is Dean to Women at the seminary, and I stayed with her. It is not often that we get to see each other, but we seem to pick up right where we left off, as if we have never been apart. I hope you are blessed with at least one friend like this. Did I mention that her husband cooked breakfast for us both mornings? One great guy! We did a lot of catching up, but most of all I was encouraged not only by their love and hospitality to me, but the love they both have for the Lord, and for people. How many people do you know that, at the age of 50 will quit their job, move from a house that they designed and built, had just completed a beautiful remodel, to return to school to get their Masters Degree in Christianity, and dedicate themselves to teaching others to defend the faith, always desiring to share the gospel with those around them?

Go here  to see all that they are involved in, to reach the world for Christ.

God always knows what we need, when we need it, and this was just what I needed. I am refreshed, challenged and encouraged to dig deeper. I challenge you to encourage someone with the love of Christ this week.

Jackie

Here We Go Again

This past Thursday a few of us ladies got together again for a light meal and  fellowship. We had a wonderful time! We had some of the same ladies as before, and some new friends that joined us this time.  Even when I was limited on time to prepare, I kept it simple, and with the help of my wonderful husband, everything was ready with time to spare.

I pulled out the Blue Willow dishes with navy placemats.

Found these little notes at Hobby Lobby. I divided the large package, and made individual sets for each lady with a few little lifesavers tucked inside.  Iencouraged each lady to write a note to someone that God brings to mind in the next couple of weeks.

Glass hurricanes used at my daughter's wedding.

Yard sale bird nests.

Thrift store eggs.

River rock and moss that I had on hand.

Snipped a little ivy and peach blossoms to tuck inside.

Result: A quick and easy springy table centerpiece.

Have a blessed week!

Jackie

Friendship and Fun

     One of the things God has impressed upon my heart is to open my home to other ladies for fellowship and encouragement.

     Last night we got together for the first time. Seven of us enjoyed a light meal and just getting to know each other better.

     Keeping it simple was key for me being able to enjoy the evening. Our meal consisted of Baked Potatoes w/ toppings, green salad w/ homemade dressing and topped w/ mandarin oranges, and for dessert apple dumplings with ice cream.

     Was it perfect? No, but then again it's not about being perfect, its about being available for God to use me. My perfectionist ways have hindered me for far too long, and with God's help, I am getting over it! I want Him to use me to be a blessing to others.

     I used what I had, and even the paper napkins were pretty ones that I had left over from Christmas. The camelias were from a friends yard, and they added a pretty touch to the table with no cost at all. 

     I am interested in any ideas that you might have . How are you reaching out to others for times of fun and fellowship together.

     Have a blessed weekend! Jackie 

Revealing the Mystery

Remember when I gave you a little peek at a few things for a project that I have been working on here and here? It was finally complete around the time my computer decided to die. I can now share the details since the new computer is here.

For several years I have decorated a table for a Ladies Christmas gathering at the church where I participate in Bible studies. It was so neat to watch it all come together. This year's theme was" Wise Women Seek Him" and our speaker was Jan Silvious. In the beginning I committed to pray for each lady that the Lord wanted me to invite and I did just that. It was neat to see how He showed me specifically each person that I should invite.

 I initially started looking at table decorations, figured I would pick out a picture, and go with it, UNTIL.......the Lord gave me another idea. I went back to thoughts of my grandmother. She has been gone for quite a long time, but I still miss her, and am reminded of the wisdom that she showed, and thus my table idea began. This wonderful blog friend took her time to send her wonderful ideas, and helped me to know that I was on the right track.

The picture you originally saw was my grandmother's sewing machine. This one I happened upon at our thrift store, my husband encouraged me to purchase it, and I did, for half of what they were asking.This way he did not have to dismantle my grandmothers to display. This was my table centerpiece. I spent many times at her sewing machine pretending that I could sew just like her.

The quilt piece that you see was an old pillow w/ quilted top that I purchased from the thrift store for .49. The number 28 was my table number, so I stitched it on an old piece of embroidery also purchased from the thrift store.

These were pin cushions that I made for the place cards. I was even able to stitch each lady's name.

Here's a look at the table with a few of my guests. I couldn't get anyone to look at the same time, or smile together. I wanted to use plain dishes, which I realized after the fact that I did not have 8 of everything, so I headed to Wal-Mart and purchased some plain off white dishes that they had in the Christmas section. I knew that I would use these regularly. By the time I figured I would purchase them, they had no coffee cups to match. What was I going to do? I went to the Dollar Tree, and they had mugs in the same off white color with similar beading around the top. Hooray!  Everything on the table was a reminder of a wise woman that I knew, my Grandmother.

 These Christmas cactuses were similar to the ones my grandmother used to grow. At Christmas when we would visit she had a room full and we always enjoyed seeing the beautiful blooms. I guess without realizing it,  I have inherited her love for growing these. I have six, all in full bloom, and I had purchased a small one to sit on the table. Along with the pincushions, and an old thimble each lady received a cutting to take home with her. I wrote a letter sharing about my grandmother, and shared a small portion of the story that she wrote to us before she passed away. Her letter closed with the words,"May all of you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior is my prayer." I had so much fun preparing this table and was so blessed by the ladies that accepted my invitation. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Jackie

Tasty Tuesday- Graduation Treats

My best friend's son graduated this weekend, and I volunteered for brownies. Rather than just a plain brownie, I made the brownies in mini muffin pans, then while they were still warm, I made a little indention in the top to hold a cherry or a Hershey kiss. Everyone liked them, and a little more than just a plain square brownie. A friend made a variety for the chocolate bar @ my daughters wedding. You can add a strawberry slice, a dollop of cool whip to dress up a plain brownie mix. I had also seen these on Bakerella, and wanted to give them a try. Mine however do not look quite as wonderful as hers, but everyone loved them! She had put hers on lollipop sticks, but I couldn't find anything that would hold these, and the humidity was so high I was afraid that they might fall apart, so the cake platter was the best choice. Next time I will do them a little bit differently, but I had fun with them just the same. In a small town I am very limited to what I had to work with, so I made the best of it.

Chocolate Graduation Hats

Now head on over to Jen's to see what else is cooking.
Jackie

Homecoming

We spent Sunday afternoon catching up with old friends that we had not seen in almost 20 years! It is hard to believe that much time has passed. A few weeks ago we were invited to Homecoming at the church where we were members before we moved here. We have seen some of them here and there, but because of the distance many of them we have not seen at all. I was like a little kid not knowing what to expect but excited all the same. We arrived right on time to a packed sanctuary. There were so many new faces, many whom I did not recognize, but as I sat there, I began to pick out those faces that were familiar and Oh the joy to see those folks again!

Our former pastor was the guest speaker, and our former minister of music led the music. His wife and I were pregnant at the same time . We both had boys within a week and a half of each other. How thrilling it was to share about our families and how things have changed! When we moved away we both had toddlers that kept us so busy, and now have young adults that are following the Lord.
It was a time of joy and refreshment as we spent time with those dear friends. Just a little glimpse of what heaven will be like.
I am reminded of the priceless blessing of friendship. Have a blessed day. Jackie