Thanksgiving Weekend 2014

 We don't have to go over any rivers or through any woods

to get to "Grandmother's House".

But we do walk down this sweet country-ish road

to get there from our house.

It was a lovely day for this walk as we 

carried our green bean casserole contribution

to the annual feast.

With the only downer being my mother's cold, 

which she didn't complain about one bit, 

we had such a lovely day.

I have no photos of the meal....

but trust me it was amazing.

Our "events planner", Chelsea, wanted to go to Longwood Gardens

to see the first day of the Christmas Lights display.

So off we went.

Poor Warren has a sprained ankle so we moved slowly

in the COLD night toward the Conservatory.

It looked so festive.

And when we got inside we saw that it truly was

in a very party kind of a mood.

Inside the music room.

All decked out for a dinner party in Peacock.

I don't think I am going to edit any of the photos found in this post

in the interest of getting this post up. 

(This dark photo is killing me....) 

These days are absolutely so crazy busy with candle business.

What a fantastic year this has been 

So....please just accept the beauty for what it is...

through a camera lens in the raw.

 Longwood showed its sense of humor with 

Penguins in the desert.

Fun!

And a recap with some new sights added.

All of the above photos were taken with my cell phone.

The following were taken with my Canon point and shoot.

 There are so many details on the many, many 

decorated trees.

I loved the lacy shadows on the floor.

 Gotta love the vintage....

And the sparkle....

Golden Paper roses....uh-huh!

And then it was time to go.

Chelsea and her friend both had huge three show

days to work Friday and Saturday so we headed out

at a reasonable time.

What a wonderful day.

So special and packed with happy memories.

I had two shows over the weekend that were incredibly exciting and fun.

Lime Valley Mill Conservation Society

hosted its 17th Annual three day Holiday Craft Show.

This year they invited me at the last minute when their usual candle

person had something come up.

I was so happy to get to know them even as I scrambled to 

have/make enough inventory to fill the generous space I was given.

Most nights I went to sleep with my head literally spinning from exhaustion.

The reward came on Saturday when I worked a four hour shift 

at check out at the mill.  

Meeting the customers, other crafters and getting 

to know the delightful 

caretakers of the mill.

An experience to treasure.

I'll be delighted if they ask me back next year.

We'll see.

One other crafter cracked me up when she said,

"You are in like Flynn!".

Love her optimism.

My second show this weekend was an emotionally special one.

My friend, Katie, is raising money in order to be able to run

100 miles in an event in California organized to raise money to prevent suicide.

Her family was personally touched by the tragedy of suicide so 

it was very special to help this lovely woman on her first step to 

such a huge goal.

A treat and honor came also this weekend when my friend Carol 

wrote about the candles on her blog.

You can see that sweet post here.

Thank you, Carol.

What a treasure and precious friend you have become to me...

and the family members who were blessed to meet you

on our trip to NYC this past summer.

Mom continues to be sick which caused a run to Urgent Care

yesterday.  The doctor diagnosed Pneumonia and mom is under treatment

for that right now.  She will see her family doctor this week to see how 

that is progressing.  Jonathan and my brother both managed to catch the 

bug....we are hoping and praying it stays out of their lungs.

We would appreciate any prayers about that....

and that the rest of us could somehow avoid it.

It may be asking too much...

but I can't help it.

With so much to do it would really make things

difficult.

Thanks for visiting.

I've missed blogging regularly.

Maybe one day I'll be back at it again.

But for this day and this week I hope to be back 

with some photos of our annual ladies tea

to be held this evening

at Creekside Cottage.

She is getting ready for us 

with such delightful 

decor.

I need to figure out what goodie I'll be taking to share.

And picking up the unsold candles at the mill.

And checking in on Mom.

And shipping orders.

And playing with my puppies..aka...old dogs.

And cleaning the messes made all week last week in the

mad rush.

And loving on my sick son....poor dude.

He must be sick, he called off work.

That never happens.

Yep..busy life.

Real life!

Good life.

See you soon!