You Are Invited....Blog Meet at Longwood Gardens

Edited: A California Blogger may be joining us.
A date will be chosen soon.
I'll let you know as soon as I know....
I think a Saturday will work best for the most people.

If you have read here much
you know that our family is quite taken
with the beauty to be found
in Kennett Square, PA.

It is the ideal place to meet
as walking and talking are so
low key and easy.

A small group of us did this last
year and vowed then to do it again.
JD, of the Ribbon Challenged Blog,
is reminding me that it is time to
get it on the schedule.

This was our group last year.



Bloggers attending were Mrs. Rabe of Creekside Cottage,
My girl, Chelsea, of It's About Friends,
I am behind her,
Jill of Ribbon Challenged
and Karen of Nittany Inspirations.

Jill's husband, Jim, and my husband,Warren, were there
and enjoyed the day as well.
They even had their
own table at lunch.


These were some of the sights we saw
in the Spring of last year.











This year's feature is all about Fragrance.
Everything has been planted with thought to
how the fragrances blend.

To find more about Longwood Gardens and
ticket pricing you can see their website
here....

All Bloggers are invited.

You can email me at beckypfa(at)yahoo(dot)com.
Please let me know what days of the week are
best for you....

I'll be anxiously waiting for your responses.

Now I am off to my kitchen to
make nearly fifty candles.

Hugs!

A Blog Story

The story I am about to share is very
humbling. One that I wouldn't share but
I think it is a very good reminder.

To be honest I was feeling pretty good
about things here at the blog. I have
made so many remarkable friends.
This week I made a couple of purchases
from blogs I love. This was a first.
One item arrived and exceeded my
expectations.
I'll be sharing it soon.

It has been a desire of mine to
surprise someone with a candle (or
candles) on a regular basis until the
weather gets hot and I can't ship them.

This week it was Vee, who has been in
pain with her back and just generally not
feeling too perky. I was in the zone of
happiness that giving gives
when I received an email.

It was from a blog friend that I
accidentally hurt.

My last two comments to her had been
written in a hurry. I had not expressed
myself well. She was hurt because the meaning
she took was not at all what I intended.

I'll tell you friends,
my heart sunk!

However, I am so very grateful that this friend
took the time and risk to send an email
asking about these comments.
I respect her so much for not just
"clicking" me out of her life.
That would have been so easy.

This beautiful lady and I are fine and
all is understood now, but I will be
more cautious in the future. I will
think through my comments more carefully.

Know this.

If I leave you a comment that seems negative
I did not intend it that way. I believe
that it is better to say something positive
or say nothing at all. At the same time,
if you see that I have been to your blog
and have not left a comment...please do not
assume that I don't like what I have seen or
read. Most likely I am just too much on the
run to leave a comment that day.

Blog relationships are tricky.
We know just enough about each other
to be dangerous.
That is what we used to say about new
co-workers in the financial field.
Oyyy! When possible here go for
experience....I am sure I will hear
about this!

But, what I mean is that we don't know
each others joke style or what triggers
memories or pain for each other.

I promise to be more careful in the future.

Thank You for every comment that you leave.
For me, blogging is worth the work and the
time invested getting to know each other.
There is so much encouragement, inspiration
and joy to be found in this community.

I appreciate each of you.
Those who comment and those who don't.
You are a huge part of my day.

By the way...all of the bunny photos you
have seen this week, including the one above,
were taken last year at Longwood Garden's Gift
Shop....

On another note: I will resume the living
room series when something else changes.
We are in the crush of ending the school year,
Jonathan's Birthday, Graduation and more.
Time and money to invest in this project are
scarce. However, I am not giving up on it.
There is more to be done. I'll share it on
Thursdays as I do it!

Friendships

When I started blogging
I had absolutely no idea
what to expect.

My friend, Mrs. Rabe, introduced
me to the idea by showing me her
blog. As a person who has always
loved to write this seemed like a
great opportunity for a creative
outlet. I had hoped a few people
would read and comment but never
anticipated the real friendships
that our blogs can bring about.

One Friday I posted about a desire
to learn how to bake my own bread.
Next thing I knew Karen, at Blue
Barn Bulletin, had sent me some awesome
recipes. Soon a friendship was born.

Later, Chelsea was going through a
hard time after the loss of a friendship.
Having read Karen's blog for quite a while
I thought that her daughter, Julianne, and Chelsea
might really hit it off as pen pals.

It was a good idea.
Even if I do say so myself...smile.

They have much in common and have
developed a very nice friendship.
Not only that but Chelsea has gotten
to know Allison as well. I keep
suggesting Lancaster County as a wonderful
summer vacation destination....
We were considering a puppy that
is in a rescue in Michigan with
thoughts of possibly getting to
meet our friends in person if we
went to get her...but that didn't
work out.

All of that to explain how I came to
have a wonderful little gift called
the Corn Cuddler.



Our families exchanged Christmas boxes
this year. Tucked in the box from Karen
to me was this adorable and most thoughtful
gift.

So far, we have only used it heated.
First on Warren's stressed neck...
Sight and Sound is in changeover between
shows right now and things are very busy.



Yesterday, on my neck. I had one of those
headaches that starts in your neck.
This and a couple of Tylenol did the
trick. I am back to "normal"...whatever
that is for me. lol

There are many of you who have become
dear friends to me. I will not attempt
to list you...you know who you are.

Thanks for the bloggy love and encouragement.
Getting to know some of you in real life
has been a huge highlight this past year.

And it is not about the gifts...
Love them...but...

It is about knowing that you care enough to
read, comment and pray for our family.

Know that you are loved and appreciated!

Becky

Keeping all of the Balls in the Air...

So far, I have nearly dropped
several of the balls I am attempting
to keep juggling in this thing called
life. If I can just hang in there through
this week, and next, some major things will
be accomplished...

Jonathan and Chelsea will be done working...
this brings much relief. I enjoy the drive
but don't need that added stress of wondering
about their schedule...will it change...must check
the computer...etc.

The Fall Concert will be done as of Next Friday,
the 14th!

Getting these two things done and behind me will
free up several gigabytes in my brain.

Oh, Warren would be proud of that analogy.

But seriously, every waking moment I have thoughts
just swirling and doubts about how it will all be accomplished.
Sigh...it will be accomplished and it will be fine!

I even had a nightmare about the concert that one young boy
stood up to sing and could not do it. Couldn't remember how
the song went so I stumbled to the piano and I fumbled over
the keys in an attempt to help him and just made things worse.
I know this won't happen because there are no young men singing
solos...whew!

Just a stage to set, music levels and sound to work out, teenage
girls who are afraid to sing out during their solo parts...little
stuff like that.

Anxiety...it will pass.

I must get back to my candle factory... in the kitchen. I have
several orders to finish up for delivery today.

I hope you have a great day.

I'll be popping in to read here and there.

Don't forget to join my Followers, if you are so inclined.
It is fun to see those who read here. It gives me another
quick way to get to your blog and for others to discover you.

Blessings,
Becky K.

Wanting to Cry

This is a terrible Monday morning post.

I know it!

I don't want to be down on a Monday...
I want to be happy and uplifting.

But then life creeps in and I have to
be real. If I am not real here, why
write the blog?

The pain has gotten so much worse.

I don't even want to get out of bed.

A huge pain pill and a long, long
sleep sound really good right now.

Not gonna happen.

We have a shot at a full school day today...
no one works... except Mikey, after lunch.

I have candles to make.

A house that needs attention.

My Mother-in-law, Georgia,
and I spent a few hours in the ER with Mikey
on Saturday night for a gusher of a bloody nose.
He gets bloody noses frequently but this was the
first that needed immediate medical attention.
Poor guy! He was scared...as was I.
I'll leave out the gory details.

We watched Penn State beat Ohio on the TV in the
waiting room after they handed the kid a basin and
more gauze and sent us to wait.

From there another TV was turned on to the Phillies
in the World Series...we watched that across the room
until our pager went off. By then the bleeding had
stopped but, after much delay, the Doctor,(a Red Sox fan),
finally cauterized the offensive vessel and we were on our way home shortly
after 1:00 am.

So...today I will contact my family doctor and see if he will order an
MRI on my hip to be sure the pain is not coming from there.

I will do the things that need to be done and I will pray for the
grace to do things well and cheerfully.

Wow! I am asking a lot of Him.

Maybe I should just pray that I can get things done...

Then I think of my friend Deena and I am put to shame.

That is a serious trial...Cancer.

She is such a trooper.

You should go over and sign her guest book.
That would be such a blessing to her.

So, all things in perspective,
my struggles aren't that bad.

Thanks for putting up with this morning's
therapy...

Blessings!

Becky K.

A Surprise in My Mailbox!

This is what came in my mail yesterday!



A sweet piece from Miss Paula at Gathering of Friends. She sent it for my
birthday...what a special surprise!

Here is a close up so you can see all the teeny tiny stitches.



I love this, Miss Paula!!!

You are sooo thoughtful.

On a completely different thought...

Would you please be in prayer for Deena?
She has been fighting cancer for almost one
year and was recently diagnosed with 8 more brain
tumors. She is undergoing treatments for them which
will likely cause her to lose her nice new hair.

The treatments will sap her energy and at this time
she is facing the fact that she is in the fight of her
life...but by God's Grace Deena has stated that whether
she defeats this cancer or not...she wins!

This Godly woman has been a very dear blog friend to
both Chelsea and I. We love and respect her so much.

So, if you would add your prayers to ours for peace,
comfort and pain relief it would mean the world to us.
Pray that the radiation zaps those tumors to extinction!

I am counting my many joys today...in honor of Deena:

Crisp Fall Air

3 wonderful children

A husband who cares well for me

Bagels with Cream Cheese

Pumpkins piled high on a wagon

Corn stalks crisp and fragrant

Can you count your joys with us??
Please?
For Deena!

Let me know if you do.
I want to read them!



Becky K.

Awards...

Last night I dreamed that Miss Paula
could access posting on this blog
and that she just kept posting
things...

Glad it was a dream.

She is not like that at all.

She does nice things like
giving me awards!

Like this one:

Isn't this adorable????

While I love being awarded, I am terrible at playing by the rules. So I offer this award to you today if you are feeling lovable.
...Or if you are feeling you could use a hug...please take this award and feel loved.
...Or if you have ever been loveable...please, it is on me!




Then there is this award...


It's rules go like this:
Here are the rules:
- Only 5 people are allowed to receive this award.
- 4 of them followers of your blog.
- One has to be new to your blog and live in another part of the World!


Do I know five people? Ahhh...I am blessed with so many, many bloggy friends. I would not trade one of you!

Let me think if I have to choose...uggghhh, I hate choosing!

Robin - Bittersweet Punkin - Ever the encourager!

Gayla - For teaching for "umpteen" years and still having such a heart for those kids!

Terri - For being that sweet voice that pops up with awesome encouragement just when I need it...how do you know?

Alicia - You have been such a blessing to me as the young wife and Mommy to Be that you are! Keep it up! You guys have got it right!

Bonus!
Mrs. Rabe - I'm sending it to you anyway even though you have already received it from Miss Paula. You certainly fit the BFF qualifications!


International???? New???? Hmmmm....

Nope! Got no one. At least no new readers from other countries are commenting...
I do totally love Melissa, (Elijah's Adventures in Ireland) and Tracy, (Pink Purl in Norway). I am going to send this their way...even though they are not new.

I told you I am not good at playing by the rules.

I kept looking at the blog rolls and wanting to add all of you...Hint...frequent commenters get more awards...we love our comments. It helps us know our readers.
Please do not hesitate to leave a comment any time at Hospitality Lane. I love to hear from you.

Well, I must get the kids to work. Farms don't follow school hours so we will do a couple of subjects here before we leave and finish later. Thankfully Chelsea is good at keeping me on task!

Have a blessed day...

Becky K.

Time with Miss Paula

A highlight of this week has been getting to spend time with Miss Paula, of Gathering of Friends. It is so easy to just chat away. Sometimes it feels like I have known her for a long time. I guess in a way I have, through the blog.

Monday we went to Longwood, as I told you.

Thursday Paula and her dear MIL, Phyllis, joined Myself, Chelsea and my MIL, Georgia at a local family restaurant called C.R. Lapps. It was a very good time. I have really enjoyed getting to know Phyllis at our weekly bowling challenges and am claiming her as a member of my family. Chelsea is always so excited to see her too.
It was Grandma Phyllis who hosted the surprise Birthday Party for Chelsea in July. She scored really big points for that!

Anyway, here are some of the pictures Chelsea and I took at our little luncheon.

Miss Paula...I tried to take an interesting camera angle and got a great shot of her glass and the ceiling. But she is pretty, right?


Georgia, you can't tell that she is saying.."Noooo"....




Chelsea spilled her full glass of water and was not amused. Poor kid.
I was just glad it was water.


Grandma Phyllis and I solving the world's problems.
So have no fear...we are here!
I can't get over how serious we look...




It was fun.

Paula and I both enjoyed the salad featured that day. It was huge! A bowl of mixed greens with toffee cashews, craisins, cheddar cheese, and cherry tomatoes as toppers. It was a great combination. We both agreed that we loved it.

Well, as usual Saturday is a busy day around here. Sunday is just around the corner and there is music to prepare, the church to "ready", and kids to take to their various jobs. So I am off.

Have a great Day!

Becky K.

Blogworld vs. Real Life

When your blog life and your real life come together it is a bit surreal.

A couple of weekends ago that happened when Alan and Katie Smith happened to be in our area and made contact with our church. Mrs. Rabe posted about that here. It was so neat to meet this sweet young couple and their two boys. Dancing English Country Dance to the sound of Alan's Violin/fiddle was so much fun. Holding young Roni and watching little Brett play was great.

Today, a blog friend that I have not met in person will be arriving in PA from CA.
Only yesterday I was concerned as I read on her blog about the proximity of the epicenter of the earthquake in Chino Hills, CA. Now, in the next day or so, I will be giving Miss Paula a real life welcoming hug. Wow! That is so cool.

We have emailed our prayer requests and concerns to each other. We have had behind the scenes debates and discussions about church and our preferences therein. We have rejoiced in the lives of our children and sometimes tearfully shared concerns about the same. I feel as if Miss Paula and I are already great friends.

I wonder if our meeting will help or hinder our blog friendship. I am guessing it will make it stronger and help us to know each other's communication style. Often times when things are written it is easy to take it in a way that is not intended as we do not know the one who is writing. We do not know their inflections, sense of humor and background. Knowing these things can be helpful when reading another's blog.

I will never forget in my early blogging days, I commented to a dear woman who's daughter was going through "endo" (endometriosis). I had been an endodontic assistant in the dental field for a couple of years and immediately thought she meant her daughter was going to have a root canal. I told her that I hoped her daughter's endo would be behind her soon and that her mouth would feel better soon. I received a kind but perplexed response regarding my comment. Her daughter has endometriosis and it is not "in her mouth". We got a chuckle out of it and have built a friendship that may never have happened were it not for my misunderstanding. I am so glad this sweet lady said, "Huh?" O.k., if you knew her you would know she would never be so blunt. But, the point being that she followed up and did not allow my seemingly strange comment to sit be misunderstood.

I am ready to meet Miss Paula. Even though my home is not in its shiniest form...the Church looks good, though...all of my energy seems to be going there, of late. That is nearing completion.

By the way, as an aside, soon after my children, myself and two extra friends reached the bowling alley yesterday and had begun our first games, the trucking company called to say that the truck carrying the next load of church chairs was sitting at the church and wanted someone to come unload them. Frustration set in as I had been carefully waiting for this call but made the choice to attempt to go to bowling for just a couple of hours. Thankfully my dear husband was able to leave work and go meet the truck. Sigh....

Occasionally I read of another pair of bloggers who meet up, intentionally or otherwise. Those stories fascinate me. Part of the "fun" of blogging is being anonymous...but that does not last long. We are relational people and we tend to reach out to those who share our interests and we make friends. We find ourselves caring about chemo and radiation treatments, about each other's homemaking skills and techniques, decorating tips and so much more. We become a part of each other's lives....usually this is virtual.

Have you met up with a blog friend?

What did it mean to you?
Leave me a comment...and have a great day!

Note: I would not be quick to meet a virtual stranger, however, I am already great friends with her family locally so I am very sure of the person that I will meet in person. I would urge caution in meeting "virtual friends".

Progress...People

A small corner of this huge room is beginning to take on personality.
I will be searching for a cover for the futon today.
Pillows will be put into the shams that are just
lying there so lazy at this point.
These pictures will get bigger if you click on them.

This is a close-up of the border.
Remember it was 50 cents per roll.

Aren't these girls absolutely dear?

They enjoyed playing together while the adults worked last evening.
They played...after they helped Grandma Ruth weed the flower bed!

Sometimes our real world and our blog worlds collide.
Last night this happened in the neatest way.

We received a call that a young couple was passing through
our area for the weekend. They are over the road truck drivers.
The father of the young man is the owner of the truck company
and he was seeking out hospitality and a church for this sweet
couple and their two baby boys to visit as they were in the area.

We invited them to join us at the church for our work/fellowship
night.

Soon we received a phone call that they were stuck at an underpass
and needed assistance finding another way.

Mr. Rabe offered to go and lead them back to the church. As I was saying
their names Mrs. Rabe said, "I read their Blog!" To offer more proof she told us the name of their youngest child. She was absolutely right!
We were completely amazed!
It was them! From Griffin Georgia, this absolutely wonderful
young couple spent the evening with us and now are being cared for
over at Creekside Cottage. I am a bit miffed that we didn't have
space for the truck in our neighborhood. But I am happy for Mrs. Rabe.
She and the young mother will have a wonderful time today...in fellowship!

We will love seeing them all again on Sunday Morning for worship.

I will leave the posting of names and details to Mrs. Rabe, should she care to
do that. But, isn't God amazing? Isn't this blog world amazing?

Too cool!

Well, I have a bazillion things to get done today!
Truly.
Have a great weekend!

Meet Flat Breanna

My friend, Shelley, sent this to me.

Flat Breanna came from a 5th grade class in
California. I am going to gather some interesting
information from Lancaster County, PA to send to
the class.

The purpose of Flat Breanna is to gather
interesting facts about various places
so the class can find them on the map
and do an interesting geography study.

I am posting this is because
Flat Breanna did not have the opportunity
to visit many people and so I was wondering...
Would You say Hello to Flat Breanna and tell
her what State or Country you are in?

I will print out the comments and send them back to
the class.

Thanks!

Unexpected Blessings

If you don't know Daisy over at a A Daisy a Day it is time to go and get introduced.
So many times I read this blog and think
hey, that's me!
I so relate to this woman.

Her site takes a while to open...
but it is worth it.

Anyway, yesterday I commented on a book
that she featured.
Next thing I know she is offering me the
book.
I am looking forward to receiving and reading
this book from cover to cover...
then I will pass it on.
So, stay tuned for that one.

Then, last evening I came home from a
meeting...quite frustrated, I must admit.

There was an email from Paula, at Gathering
of Friends. She had spent some time working on the
sizing of my header.
Apparently it bothered her that it was
a little too big for its britches...lol.

Now, I knew I could react one of two ways...
be offended or "Wow! She cared enough to take
time to help me out!"

I choose that latter! Isn't it amazing how
the people in our blog community care about
each other and show it?

Lovely!

Thank you Daisy and Paula.

The Lord used both of you in my life yesterday!

Blessings!