Longwood Gardens After Dark

Monday evening found us back at
Longwood Gardens for a special Member only night.

I thought this might mean fewer people.

Well, I suppose as the season goes it was 

pretty light but it was definitely busy.

We enjoyed it nonetheless.

Thanks for bearing with my mostly photo post...

things are hopping here at
Hospitality Lane.

Candle making,,,,,Chelsea's Australian Mission trip planning.

It is crazy.

In fact yesterday Georgia was supposed to 

have a cataract surgery 

but after we got there she found out that 

she couldn't have it due to an unexpected 

complication.

Nothing too serious...

but no surgery on that day.

As God would have it, though, 

because we headed out early because of a random snow storm

we happened to be killing time at a local Christian Bookstore

just as Rick Santorum was holding a book signing.

How cool is that?

I wanted him to be our next president.

But that didn't quite work out.

I'm so happy that he didn't roll up in a big ball 

of self pity....

He's working hard to educate Americans 

about our heritage....and more.

Good stuff.

Anyway, I didn't get to talk to him 

but I was able to leave a book for him to sign

and he did.

Color me happy.

And with that....

I'm off!

Enjoy the beauty of the gardens......

 Out at the trains.....

A replica of the Conservatory.

The moon was making a statement 

all its own.

So bright and beautiful.

The dinner table after dark.

 How gorgeous is this????  

Oh my.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland......

Superb Giveaway You'll Not Want to Miss

You know my dear friend, Mrs. Rabe?

She's at Creekside Cottage.

As I have mentioned a few times before

she is also the owner of a most adorable

shoppe in downtown Lancaster.

Just last week 

a beautifully working website was 

launched which allows 

people around the world to discover

the excellent product and prices

to be had at Fab Fashion.

When we were on vacation 

in Virginia and then again in Missouri 

we had opportunity to do some 

price comparisons.

Wow!

The handbags at other shops

which are either identical of very similar

were nearly double the prices 

that are offered at 

Fab Fashion.

I was convinced.

Research will do that.

I now own a computer bag, 

a handbag and a scarf from the 

Lancaster shoppe.

Now, if you will pop over to 

the Creekside Cottage Blog

you'll find an opportunity to win one of 

three fabulous items.

Three people are going to be 

winners....

pretty good odds.

I'd go if I were you.

Why are you still here?

Oh, I should quit writing now?

You got it.

Go.

A Delightful Thanksgiving and Beyond.....

One of the best things about blogging is the relationships.

Those that are new, those that are old

and those that are renewed.

My younger cousin, PJ, is also a blogger

and she and I have reconnected after 

years of going separate ways due to age difference, 

geographic distance and life in general.

It is so awesome to get to know the young

lady that PJ has become.

She is vibrant, full of life

and confident.

She and her husband, Tim, came to spend

Thanksgiving with us this year.

Can I just insert a little yum in here.

We had a delicious Thanksgiving Day Dinner.

Friday found PJ and I out and about Lancaster County.

We carefully avoided the Black Friday shoppers

as we enjoyed lunch with another blogger,

Mrs. Rabe, who happens to be a real life

friend of mine and a bloggy friend of PJ's.

PJ and I visited a couple of antique stores

and then a very large thrift shop

in New Holland.

It was there that we found our goodies.

Mine were all containers for candle making

while PJ picked up a very vintage working

food scale at a great price.

Her happiness was catching.

On Saturday evening we took 

Tim and PJ to see Jonah

at Sight and Sound Theater.

PJ is involved in her local theater

through both acting and costuming.

She was 

thrilled to see the show.

Warren and I had fun too.

Of course every time I see Jonah

I notice more depth in the story.

Who wouldn't relate to Jonah's desire to 

see his enemies destroyed?

Isn't it great that God put 

these examples out there for us?

Jonah was a prophet of God

and even so was very flawed.

God loved him and brought healing 

in his life in such a wonderful way.

such lengths He went to too.

He'll do the same for us.

Dramas such as these remind us

of God's love and that people 

are pretty much the same

whether born now

or thousands of years ago.

Yesterday Pastor Mike 

preached about righteousness and how

we just don't have it on our own.

Our righteousness is ALL Jesus.

He spoke of a day to come when we

will enjoy a new earth 

where we will no longer bear the scars of 

Adam's sin.

No more grudges.

No more jealousy.

No more sin or sorrow or pain.

What an encouragement.

So, while we wait for that day to come

we are invited to accept the righteousness offered

to us, in Jesus, so that one day 

we can enjoy eternal joy and peace.

Isn't that just perfect for heading into 

the Christmas celebrations?

This was the key song of the day 

yesterday......

Love it!

I'm Working In Between The Play Times.....

I've got to get ready to leave here soon but

I wanted to pop on and get some opinions.

I'm making some centerpieces for a very 

wonderful customer of mine.

Well, actually she just wants one 

but I wanted her to have options.

I'm going to show her three 

to see if any of them are what she 

might be looking for.

I'll list the others in my Etsy shop.

Here are the first two that I have completed.

 The one above was fun without the greenery with some water and cranberries

floating in the bowl. 

For those that prefer a more simple and clean look.

This is simple but so eye catching.

The Ikea container is just perfect with my palm pillar candle.

The final one is not built yet.

It is going to be a silver votive holder with 

a candle ring to dress it up.

So, what do you think?

Do you like fancy?

Old Fashioned?

Sleek?

Simple?

Over the Top?

What's your style?

Longwood Gardens Celebrates Christmas 2012

I know it is Thanksgiving Day.

Some would wish I would hold off on Christmas for

at least one more day.

But...it is quiet in my house right now.

It won't be later.

So....

I'm going for it.

I'm going to share some of the pictures I took 

at Longwood Gardens yesterday.

We got to see the preview.

Quite by accident, really.

Its just how it worked out

but it was so much fun to see all of the 

Longwood employees milling about,

chattering and taking photos of the 

amazing display in the Conservatory.

 Now this is a tablescape!

 Did you see the fantastic bows on each chair?

Love, Love!

This feels like enough photos for one 

day, but I'll share more soon.

It is so lovely in the gardens.

Oh.my.goodness!

So lovely.

I didn't want to leave yesterday.

Definitely a happy place.

A Tease....

Longwood Gardens Christmas 2012 is unbelievable.

Can't wait to show you more!!

But for now I have some cleaning to do before our 

Thanksgiving guests arrive.

Have a very blessed Thanksgiving Day.

I pray that you are with friends or family.

If you are not for some reason....

know that I have said a prayer for you.

More Excited Than Ever....

It must be an illness.

Perhaps an addiction.....

I'm not sure.

But, as I sit here and think about the future

of Good Neighbors Candle Co.

I am so excited.

What's crazy about this is that there is a 

very real chance that I will be 

ending the company in January.

And for very valid reasons.

However, 

If I don't I've got ideas and plans 

that will make this year look like child's play.

Therein lies the dilemma.

How to continue to create and develop,

to fulfill the vision I have for this little company

while actually turning a profit

and spending time with my family.

It just might be possible.

We shall see.

With the addition of wood and cotton wicks,

further development and creation of baby shower favors, 

refining of shop and salon programs,

and tweaking of the fundraiser programs

just to name a few I see the possibilities for 

serious expansion and growth.

Is this what we want?

Hmmmm........

It looks as if

Chelsea will be heading 

to the other side of the world 

for most of my busy season next year.

I'll have to do something.

Warren is a bit worried about what I would 

fill all of this time up with if I were to 

give it up.

A very legitimate concern, 

I'll agree.

And then there is the fact that 

people are already contacting me to book Spring Fundraisers.

Yikes!

And we are talking about another Handmade Marketplace

in Chambersburg

before Mother's Day.

Ummm......

Yes, the time is coming when 

we must make a 

decision.

In...or Out.

That is the question.

Right now I'd have to say the 

scale is tipping toward

In....but I remain open to all options.

 I have promised Warren

we will talk about it in 

January.

So.we.will!