So Sweet - Tea and Fellowship

If you thought you heard a huge
sigh from the Northeast this morning
it was probably me...

I am so delighted that the tea is
behind us...but more than that...
it was wonderful!!!!

There were four bloggers in attendance.
Someone got a picture of us...I think it
was Kelly so we will probably be appearing
on Cozy Comforts at some point over the
next few days....I was very happy to meet
Tracy, from Tracy's Corner.
She is sweet.

As for the preparations:
The work day began at 9:00am as Mikey and
I were attempting to find a tree.
I was "multi-tasking" in church on
Sunday and decided that a real tree
with the names of Jesus on it would
be just the thing!
So Mikey and I borrowed Georgia's
truck and headed over to a tree
"Store" set up nearby.
Apparently it was too early and there
was no one there.
This was a very good thing because later
when Mrs. Rabe got to the church she mentioned
a place that she had just passed and we found
the perfect tree there. Mikey picked it out,
set it up, and put the lights in the middle
of the tree for us before he had to leave for
work.

The paper star/snowflake on the top is a Chinese
decoration. One of our friends is Chinese and showed
us how to make this Sunday after Church. It is so
delicate but only takes two pieces of paper to make.
This makes it very economical. Jenny said that the
people of China love to decorate but they have been
very poor...so they have been very creative.

Preparing for the tea was time consuming.
Mrs. Rabe does nothing half way.
She brought her tablecloths, glass dishes,
silverware, and punch cups.

We began setting the tables.
I got this shot in the very beginning
before we added punch cups, teacups, teapot, discard
plate, fork and spoon, napkin and bell...
the tables were lovely and full.


A sweet vignette on the food table...

The food...

We had scones, fudge, cookies,
sausage cheddar balls, two veggie trays,
crab dip, shrimp dip, a Chinese dessert which
you can see in the punch bowl,
crackers and cheese. Wow!
What a nice assortment provided
by the ladies of the church.
Chelsea was busy all of yesterday
afternoon making the fudge
and the sausage balls.


After the eating and chatting

Deanna gave a brief talk about
Keeping Christ in Christmas throughout
the Christmas Season. She told us
some of their family traditions and
opened it up for others to share theirs.

It was neat to hear what was shared.

We ended the evening with Christmas Carols.
How pretty to hear the ladies voices....

Finally, it was time to undo all that had
been done. Here I have to tell you a funny
story.

I had been a bit hesitant to tell our Pastor
that we planned to have the tea in the Sanctuary.
I figured that afterwards would be soon enough and
less time for him to worry that we would spill
on the carpet or anything like that.

So we were having a grand time thinking we were
"getting away" with this. That he did not know.

Shortly before the tea was to begin I looked down
on the table that we were using as our staging point
and what did I find? A note from Pastor Mike!
It said..."It looks great! All of the floors
are vacuumed and cleaned for you! Have a great
evening! Mike"

We were busted!

Better yet...he had sacrificed his own time
and energy to make our evening even nicer!
He shampooed spots out of the carpet in the
fellowship hall...even after he obviously knew
we weren't using it...

What a blessing that was to Deanna and I.
His approval and his service.
Thanks Mike!
Oh, did we laugh!
Big time!

The rest of our guys got involved after
the ladies had gone home when they came over
and helped return all of the chairs and tables
to their rightful places. We are very blessed
to have husbands and sons who are willing to
serve in this way.

Well, this has been long...but it only scratches
the surface of this wonderful evening.


The men wonder at how we can enjoy something
that takes so much planning and preparation
and then is done in a couple of hours.

I don't know.

We just do!

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Pictures for my Friend, Terri ~ You can peek too!

If you read the comments from the last post you
saw Terri buttering me up with a nice
comment about my writing and then the "order" to
get her some pictures.

I am obedient...and besides I truly did
want to show it off anyway....

Thanks Terri!

Here are some pictures from the church.

I took the camera along tonight as Warren
and I got the last minute cleaning, music,
bulletins and Sunday School stuff ready. So many
little details, I tell you!

Anyway Here we go!

These crazy poles. We are ending up spending a lot of energy on trying to make them less of an eyesore. But this is what we came up with for Christmas. That means that I tore down the grapevines that had been hotglued on just six months ago. I think we will be dreaming about what to do with them after Christmas.


The Advent Wreath and candles. I spent a small fortune on these candles today...but I think they are worth it. Because I found them at the second store I went to and these were the last purple ones in the whole store! I did not want to drive 20 minutes back up the road from which I had just come. We helped a friend move today and I stayed longer than I should have given everything that needed to be done. By the time I got to this store my head was throbbing so badly that all I wanted to do was lie down in a dark room...so again I say...they were worth every penny!


I love this candle hurricane thingy! Just love it. It is very pretty in person. I am finding that glass is not so photogenic. Anyway...I prelit the candle so that I could heat the bottom end to get it to stay upright in the holder. It is very wiggly and that took care of that!
I threw some gold balls in the base of it just to add some sparkle. Mrs. Rabe approved. ((grin))



So many times it is better to keep it simple. While it is tempting to add lots of things to wreaths...sometimes just a pretty ribbon is all it needs.


We are so into these easy phrases. They can come and they can go and there are no marks left on the wall. Me thinks Mrs. Rabe did not think too highly of my little floral arrangement here...but I can live with that... I like it. So bright and cheery. I tell you that in case you don't care for it...wouldn't want you to think Mrs. Rabe had bad taste...nope that is all mine.


Finally, my favorite. This basket is just too pretty!
I wish you could see the details in the glassware nativity.
So nice. Oh well. I am sure you have seen similar things before
so you'll just have to imagine! Very sparkly, indeed.


And a little closer...



Thanks for taking the tour. Since it was pitch black outside I think I will wait to
take a picture of the wreaths out front...and there will be a little blankie coming to cover the "feet" of the Charlie Brown tree grouping...so I'll try to snap a better shot of them tomorrow...or at least sometime soon.

Thanks for looking.

It was so much fun to hang out with Mrs. Rabe and pretty up the church again.

Have a blessed Sunday!

As Promised...Two Books

My friend, Carol, showed up on Sunday
morning all a~flutter carrying a cute, cute
gift bag which she presented with a flourish.

Inside this lovely bag was a very adorable,
very me, book.



Inside Patsy chats away about all kinds of things related to teas.
There are recipes for goodies to be served at your tea party.


This sweet prayer that too often can be true for any of us busy moms and grandmoms.

There are photos that are so beautiful they make you want to cry.


Why is that, anyway? Why do we cry when we are happy, sad, mad...
Inquiring husbands would like to know the answer to that question.


I highly recommend this book for yourself or as a gift to a dear friend.
She will appreciate it...and maybe she will invite you to tea.


The second book that I am enjoying, immensely, and will be purchasing
a copy of is this Reader's Digest Guide to Care Free Plants.



As so often happens, because we homeschool, I learn as much or more than the kids.
I got this book for Mikey to study from and I have spent more time with it than he, so far. It has all of the perennials that I have planted...and so much more.
I am learning how to start my own, move them and divide them.
It is like candy!!!
So much sweet information all in one place.

Someone gave me poppy seeds one time but they did not come up.
I am not sure what I did wrong....but I may try again.
They are so brilliant.

Yesterday, the kids and I cut back
all of the huge hostas by the deck.
They had suffered a lot of hail damage
a few weeks ago and were not nice anymore.

We are dividing the hostas and
putting some out in the front flower beds
and will move several plants further out
into the yard where they will
enjoy more sunlight.
I am taking a hint since all of those
plants are leaning forward...
perhaps they like the light?!
Ha! I am sharp like that!

This does mean that I will
have to expand that front
bed significantly.
Yay!
Thank the Lord for three
strong children who know
how to remove sod!

Speaking of those children...
They are all still snoozing and
we must start school.

I'll be back tomorrow,
Lord willing... with more profundity!

That should keep you in stitches
until tomorrow...profundity...right!

Blessings,
Becky K.

The Riding Lesson

It had rained the whole night before so there was
trepidation as to whether it might be too wet to
experience this first lesson.

(This butterfly was taking
a drink after the rain from a
butterfly bush at Creekside Cottage.)

However, the phone call came around 9:00 am that it
looked good. Not too wet.

I think Grandma Ruth must have been excited about the
lesson because she was ready in plenty of time.

Chelsea was a bit more sedate.

Grandma Georgia came along for the fun. She is an experienced
horse woman, having owned her own horse for 25 years. She now
finds herself volunteering at a horse rescue. A fabulous answer
to prayer. After losing her husband Georgia has needed a
purpose. The horse farm truly helps.

When we arrived at Creekside Cottage the horses were in the ring.
They were not yet saddled having needed a little grooming for
Cheyenne. Turns out she loves a good roll in the mud. Apparently
white horses love to have brown spots. So Miss Lindsay and her
grandfather had been brushing mud out of her white coat.

The lesson began as we learned about saddling up. Cinching the
saddle "thingy" until it seems just right and then walking the
horse until it exhales...seems the silly critters are smart
enough to hold their breath so the saddle is not too tight.
If you exercise it enough before getting on the horse will have
to let that air out and you can re-cinch the saddle. Cool!
Even I learned something.

Here are the pictures from the morning...

Meet Sandy...Mrs. Rabe says Sandy has a bit of the attitude of a Queen. She is a lovely horse who is oh so gentle, however. A very smart animal.



Both horses grab a last minute snack before the bits go in their mouths.


Then Chelsea and Grandpa Bob get them to exhale. Don't want that saddle coming off mid lesson!



I, of course took a couple more pictures of Chelsea than Grandpa Bob. Even though I like Grandpa Bob just fine...he has a tendency to beat me at bowling....maybe that is why I slighted him on pictures...one never knows...


Grandma Ruth get her helmet in place. Look at that face!

And then she is on the horse! Miss Lindsay is an excellent instructor. Chelsea wants more of her time in the next lesson...she loves Lindsay! Lindsay has been thoroughly interested in all things "horse" since I met her nearly eight years ago.
She is the reason Creekside Cottage has horses.


Chelsea rides...with instruction from Grandma Georgia.




Miss Sarah kept an eye on everything...


A sweet picture of Grandpa Bob, Rachel and Cheyenne. Grandpa Bob is the proud owner of this very gentle horse.


Miss Emily was a great big sister to Kyle and took him on the swings. He wanted Emily to "Watch me swing!" He then splashed in the puddles as he came by while wearing the most adorable rain boots. Great kids!!!!!


I did exactly what I told myself I would not do. I allowed myself to impose on Mrs. Rabe's hospitality and ended up inside Creekside Cottage for a nice visit. Poor Mrs. Rabe. An hour lost to conversation. Well, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The fact that Grandma Phyllis was there was a wonderful bonus. She is such a sweetie.

Then it was back to the "real world". Getting Mikey off to work.

What fun!

Thanks Lindsay, Grandpa Bob, Mrs. Rabe, Rachel, Sarah, Emily, Kyle and Grandma Phyllis. We enjoyed ourselves.

A Gift of Friendship

There I was
just a minding my business
in the Library,
with kids at my side.

Along came a warning,
from young ones of mine,
"Beware, strangers behind!"
I knew from their tone
quite the opposite was true
and was blessed as I turned
and I spied,
Mrs. Rabe and Dear Emily beside.

They smiled as they said,
"We were headed your way
with something
to brighten your day."

How sweet, I thought,
as I finished my task
and received back
our books by the stack.

We headed outside and Miss Emily brought
something sweet, oh so sweet,
to place in my willing hands.

Yes, dear friends, Mrs. Rabe has
shared something lovely with me,
a cutting from her rose peony.

Look, it is here...



Amazing color, and the smell simply bliss.
Better yet, the love, that comes with the gift.
To think that this friend was thinking of
me as she cut and so carefully carried
these blooms over winding, bumpy roads
to a chance meeting at our shared library.

I thank God for her, and for Emily dear,
for these are the blessings so rare.
Friends who go beyond just a cursory glance.
Who share kindness...
naturally as breathing in air.

Gratitude!

My last post was a "bit" whiney...

I have much to be thankful for!

I am thankful this surgery was completed
laparoscopically, I just need to remember
the work done was very involved and should/will
hurt for a while.

I am thankful for the blessing of friends:

Friends like Judy, who blessed our family with a
wonderful chicken quesadilla casserole. It not
only tasted great but was a demonstration of the
caring of a wonderful neighbor.

Friends like Belinda, Emily and Liza who made
and brought two kinds of soup, bread, chicken salad,
chocolate rice crispy treats, sodas for the kids and
Turkey Hill Tea for Warren, a gerbera daisy plant, and
a huge hug! Loved all of it!

Friends like the Rabe Family who scooped up my kids
yesterday and took them to see Prince Caspian. Something
a good homeschool Mom should be doing for her children...
they created the opportunity for fellowship with a couple
of families. I was blessed and the kids enjoyed themselves...
so much.

The Rabes struck in kindness again by blessing Chelsea with two
huge bags of clothes...courtesy of Miss Emily Rabe. They are
simply adorable and Chelsea is enjoying them so much. I had
a shopping trip on the short list of things to do when I can "go"
again. Now the cost of that will be greatly diminished! Thank you,
friends!

I am thankful for my Mom. She has blessed us by helping get meals put together here, getting Mikey to and from work and by her concern and advice.
Love this woman and I am so glad she lives close.

I am thankful for Warren's Mom who caught me feeling down yesterday and
held me while I had a pity party. We have been through so much together the past couple of years...she also prepared a stellar meal last night with the participation
of my Mom, once again. What an awesome team these two women are!

We are truly blessed and I know that whatever plans God holds for us will be just fine. Might not LOVE them...but they will be ok.

There is just so much to be grateful for. I didn't want to leave it on that
sour note from the last post!

Blessings on your day!

Luncheon Fun!

I had a delightful luncheon with Mrs. Rabe
from Creekside Cottage.
We met at the Cracker Barrel,
amazingly arriving at virtually the same time
from opposite directions.

I enjoyed a cheddar bacon burger,
eating it open-faced with fork and knife,
leaving the top bun.
It is just too
big...

Mrs. Rabe loves their
grilled chicken tenderloin salad.

We had an interesting server who
apparently could not stand to have
anything out of order on our table.
She picked up even the smallest piece
of straw wrapper, leaving our table
completely clean. She even swept under
our table while we were still sitting
at it. Hmmm...wonder if we overstayed
our welcome. This server also stopped filling
our glasses after the first refill.
Again I say, Hmmm...


Well, I would do it again.
When Mrs. Rabe and I get together we
could just talk non-stop for hours...
and we did!

I looked at the BLT salad on the menu
to keep that three letter theme going,
from my last post...but I just don't like to
get into a rut. :-)

We thought of Miss Paula, Gathering of Friends,
who will be crossing this huge country to visit this summer
as we walked onto the "Front Porch" of the restaurant.

This is why:


Isn't it something that we will have to do, Paula?

Sit on this Front Porch.


Mrs. Rabe and I are waving to you...
well, she is waving
you can see me holding the camera up.
You can see the reflection of the
American Music Theatre in the
background.


Have a great day, everyone.