Family Celebrations Commence

Micah and Ben came home early to celebrate Thanksgiving. Rhyne joined later in the week after concluding a conference. We had a wonderful visit and I meant to post a few pictures and update, but as is the norm, my good intentions were sidelined when my life got busier. Here are just a couple of shots.

Since Thanksgiving, we've had the Living Christmas Tree at church, attended the Riceland banquet, I've been to basketball games, weathered a mini ice and snow vacation from school, attended a school Christmas program, decorated the house and done Christmas shopping.

This is my short list. There have been a number of other things going on as well.

However, to get to the main point of interest, the Putman family is home from NOLA to celebrate Christmas and we are delighted to have them back. While they have other family to visit, we were blessed to enjoy Sunday lunch together with my mom and dad. Here we are before sitting down to a wonderful lunch. My mom is still the best cook in the world. We had to trade out to see all the family so Collin is in one picture and I'm in another. Ben was really hungry and he continued to eat one of Grandmother's rolls. We couldn't possibly interrupt such a high priority task for a Kodak moment.

After lunch, we grabbed a few quick photos before the Putmans had to run to make another family Christmas get-together. 

We'll have more excitement in the next few days.   We hope your holidays are special.

Marcia

Busy Times

It has been another busy week full of activity and as the holidays approach, there is more to look forward to and lots of excitement. Last week was busy at RCS. I had several appointments and meetings not to mention that basketball is in full swing. It is not uncommon for me to pull two to three nights a week of basketball. Jr. and Sr. high boys and girls plays as well as elementary teams. I'm not complaining--I enjoy watching the kids play, visiting with parents, and the overall excitement of the season. Thursday I left home at 6:30 a.m. for an all day meeting in Little Rock, got back to the gym parking lot at 4:05 p.m. and took in four basketball games. My day ended around 9:00 p.m. I had no trouble sleeping. Being at RCS is a blessing every day. All of our basketball games end like this.

The scene never gets old; it touches my heart every game. You will not see this or experience this outside of a private Christian school.

It was a wonderful weekend.  Collin went hunting again and I did several things on the home front. I managed to watch some movies, read, and wrap packages in the Santa's workshop area I created last week. What fun! I've started humming Christmas music. I concluded for the day around 4:30 p.m. and decided to make a WalMart run. I needed some groceries and had a few Christmas gift items on my list. I made it back in about 7:30 and popped a pizza in the oven. I had to buy some special treats for my best little guy. I'm so excited--Tuesday, Micah and Ben are coming home early to celebrate Thanksgiving. This is Ben's stash.

I picked up a couple of his momma's favorites, too. Rhyne will be here over the weekend.

We had wonderful services at church this morning. Walnut St. is celebrating 100 years this month. We have former ministers and guests preaching four Sundays. Last week, Tommy and Joyce Snyder were our guests, and today we welcomed Bruce and Donna Raley. Everything is beginning to look like Christmas at the church. The 30th Annual Living Christmas is on the horizon and the tree went up this week. I helped decorate it and at the end of the day it looked like this.

The lights were on the morning for the worship hour and some additional work had been completed. 

The presentation is the first weekend in December and we hope to have many guests.  This is our gift to the community for the Christmas season.  I hope you'll come.   

It is truly the most wonderful time of the year. I'm looking forward to the days ahead with all the celebrations and family events. Next week, I'll share the adventures of Ben at Grammie's house.

Marcia

Coming Off a Great Weekend

It was a great weekend. Collin got a chance to deer hunt a few days and that gave me a chance to do a few things that I wanted to do like reading and watching some movies.

Friday night, I sat up shop for a Christmas wrapping station. I've cleared out a spot in the downstairs area and borrowed Mom's card table. Several days ago, Bryan helped me bring in boxes, tissue paper, sacks, bows, and the like from storage. I collected scissors, tape, pens, etc., and I have started wrapping a few presents. The best part is that I can leave out all the stuff in an out-of-the-way place and not have to drag out and put away all the time. It's so much easier to wrap as you go and not spend a full day or several nights trying to conceal all the surprises. When the tree go up, I'll have something to go under it.

Saturday, mom and I went shopping and had a great time. Sunday, we had a wonderful service at church.

Today was special at school. Our Interact Club advised by our history teacher, hosted the annual RCS Veteran's Day Celebration. The choir sang, we had a guest speaker, and a number of veterans came as guests. My dad was in the navy and served during WWII. I was so pleased to have him and my mom at the celebration today.

Good thing I got some rest over the weekend because the calendar for this week is full.

Marcia

At Home in Autumn

The colors of Autumn are my favorites and decorating the house for the season is something I always look forward to and enjoy. When it comes to shopping, I could visit Hobby Lobby and Kirklands every Saturday of the year. I always see something new that I didn't notice the time before and they always seem to have something I would really enjoy adding to my collections. This year was no exception--I found several new things, but did shop the sales. I can enjoy my finds a bit more guilt free if I've been a frugile shopper.

I thought this week, I'd open our home to friends and family with a little tour.

If you stop at the front drive, you'll be greeted by our friendly scarecrow and his stash of pumpkins.

Most everyone is so comfortable they just come in the garage entrance through my laundry room. I've learned to keep it spruced up a bit and find a way to welcome our company. I have come to the conclusion that its a compliment if folks are comfortable to enter by the back door and make themselves at home.

Of course everyone knows the heart of the home is the kitchen so maybe leaving the laundry room to enter directly into the kitchen is preferred. My family has spent a lot of time at this bar. We shared many meals and much laughter here, but have also done many projects, completed lots of homework, and memorized multiplication tables and spelling words.

There aren't too many walls in our family living area. Directly across from the bar is our dining area for bigger meals as our family has expanded and we celebrate special occasions. From the dining area, we move on into the family room.

We're pretty comfortable and relaxed by nature. There are some favored traditions and collections that make the holidays for us. Our focal point is wrapped around the fireplace and mantle. Nothing warms up our home quite like the fireplace with hearth and mantle that holds a number of favorite photos of my bunch.

The chairs and coffee table provide a spot for everyone to gather and enjoy relaxed conversation, a good movie, or the warmth of the fire.

The built-ins on either side of the fireplace hold tractors and a truck that I've bought for Bryan in recent years. I'm always on the lookout for new pieces.

I love scarecrows and have collected these little guys for myself over the time.

This year, my piano hosts everything "Thanksgiving."

And the final stop in our living area is the foyer table by the front door. Remember, it you choose the front entrance, you'll be greeted by Autumn just as if you came in by the back.

The tour is over just yet. We wouldn't want you to miss our outdoor room. Even when the air is cool and crisp, Collin and I bundle up and enjoy the colorful leaves and scenery from the patio. We spend hours on the swing. (The inspiration for my blog title.)

I know--its a lot of pumpkins. That's a whole other story and I'm going to share some of these treasures that were given to me.  We're hoping to roast hotdogs over the firepit very soon.

I hope you've enjoyed the tour and may you have a blessed season.

Marcia

Fun-Filled Weekend

It was a busy week--professionally and personally. There were lots of appointments on the calendar during the school day and after school. This type of schedule makes the week pass quickly and serves as a reminder that the last quarter of the year is slipping away. The weekend was no less hectic.

Yesterday was a big day--the annual Fall Festival at Ridgefield and what a fun day is was. There were games for the little ones along with bouncy houses. The outdoor stage hosted karoke, a pet pageant, pie eating contest, and a "kiss the pig" event. There was no shortage of animals--a petting zoo and pony rides. Older kiddos could enjoy the game truck. The Kountry Kitchen had great bar-b-q and nachos inviting you to eat under the big tent. And then, we must not forget the snow cones. Sadly, because of gusty winds, the hot air balloon was unable to launch anyone for a ride.

On the inside, there all kinds of delectable treats at the bake sale. There were dozens of silent auction items and 27 craft venders from the area joined the festivities with their wares. I spent a little money. The temptation was too much. (Micah, I just might have a surprize for you.) It was a fun, fun day and I didn't even mention everything.

And, it wasn't over. When I got home around 2:00, I picked up mom and we headed to Jonesboro to shop a little more. When we got home around 5:00, I layed down a took a nap. I NEVER nap. I must have really been tired. I take it as a sign that I need to slow down a little and relax.

I plan to do just that.  My two new November magazines have arrived and I can hardly wait to get into them and see new holiday ideas.

What did you do this week?

Marcia

When Things Don't Go Quite as Planned

As previously posted, I spent a great fall break in NOLA. I drove home Sunday afternoon with big plans for the following week. I had a full work schedule beginning at 8:00 a.m. Monday morning and I had already envisioned the week ahead. Not only did I have big plans for work, my NOLA family was coming for their fall break and I expected to do some fun family things the

last part of the week.

WRONG!

We make plans and God laughs. I woke up at 1:00 a.m. Monday morning extremely ill and did not go back to school for three days. Nor did I get to host my guest family at my house the last part of the week and enjoy family time with great-grandparents and lots of other special things I had hoped for and expected. To say the least, it was a huge disappointment. Rhyne, Micah, and Ben did make a trip to St. Elizabeth's to visit Papaw Bob who is doing rehabilitation work preparing to come home. During that little visit, they also got to see Mamaw Joyce and Papa. Before leaving for home, they also got in a short visit with Papaw, Grandmother, and Bryan. I missed all of this.

What I did get to enjoy was an impromptu visit by Micah and Ben at school for a few minutes Thursday morning where I got to introduce them to a few of the school folk. I also got to go along for Ben's first haircut. It's amazing how the clip of a few precious curls can instantly make a big difference in a little guy's appearance. He suddenly looked even more like a little man. He did a great job being cooperative with our very special Lisa, who has been cutting our family hair for 25 years.

The Putmans decided to leave on Friday and that left Saturday open so Collin and I got a number of things accomplished on the home front that had been slippig. We picked up the yard and mowed, cleaned out another portion of our garden, and hauled and stacked our wood pellets for the insert preparing for the cool days of winter that will be fast approaching.

While not one of my better weeks, and after being not merely slowed down, but actually halted, I looked back on my blessings and reflected upon God's purpose in mandatory life pauses. Today, I'm thankful that I feel good, am healthy, and free of pain; that food tastes good again and that I want to eat; that I got time with my NOLA family the week before because I missed most of it this week; and that yesterday, the sun shined, I had my energy back, and that I could spend the day with Collin and complete some projects at home.

Behind the clouds are the silver linings.

Marcia

Fall Break Visit to New Orleans

Last Wednesday morning, I pitched a couple of bags in the trunk of my car and headed south. We had a three day break from school. I hadn't seen my New Orleans family since July and it was time. Collin didn't get to go with me as originally planned, but I needed a change of scenery, some time to relax, and play time with Ben. He was a sweetheart and told me to head out.

And that's about all I did while I was there--play with Ben. I ditched the professional role of administrator and simply became "Grammie" for three days and it was wonderful. Micah and I got to visit and spend some quality time together which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Our days were spent playing at the neighborhood park.

We tried out the merry-go-round for the first time. . .

and went down the slide frequently.

Early mornings and late nights, we hopped in the stroller and walked the 1 1/2 mile loop of the NOBTS campus. All we had to do was ask Ben if he wanted to go outside and he would run to the stroller and wait somewhat IMpatiently by the front door.

Micah and I went shopping Saturday afternoon for a couple of hours.  

Sunday morning I headed back home to J'town. It was a great trip.

This week is Rhyne's fall break and they are headed home for a visit of their own. How luckly--I get to see them again. The rest of my family is anxious for their arrival. Are they in for a treat!

Marcia 

Welcome Fall

It is a beautiful sunny day, but with a slightly chilly breeze in the air. With temperatures in the 60's, and an ever so slight change being seen in a few leaves, you know Autumn has officially arrived in the south. We recognize it in a number of ways.

Football seems to usher in the season, but it becomes more real to me by the change in nature, in decoration of lawn and home, changing clothing attire to warmer selections, thoughts of holiday cooking and shopping, and definitely by my boys as they make the necessary preparations for hunting. Yesterday morning as I was enjoying the cool crisp air from sitting on the patio, Collin asked me to help him with a project in the shop. He needed a second set of hands to help finish attaching the motors to his corn feeders. (As afore mentioned, we're getting ready for deer season.) He had also lit our fire pit. I absolutely breathed in Fall as I smelled the "woodsy" aroma and watched several leaves gently float to the ground in the breeze. It was so peaceful and relaxing--it whispered, "Fall."

After some time, Collin finished up and left for the afternoon. Bryan was already gone for the day joining friends to dove hunt. (Again, as afore mentioned--hunting season. The ducks should also be put on alert.) Alone at home, I ditched the idea of shopping in town due to a rainy afternoon and the desire to be warm and cozy rather than wet and cool. I was drawn to the kitchen and the end result was a pumpkin pie. The spicy scent filled the house as an accompaniment to the candle warmers already plugged in and burning in several rooms of the house.  (I should have made the photo right out of the oven.  It was much prettier.)

My house is decorated for the season. Fall colors are my favorites. Around and about, you'll see pumpkins, scarecrow figurines, acorns, leaves, and candles. I'll share a tour of my home on another post. When November arrives, I add turkeys and pilgrams. I also enjoy pumpkins and mums on the outside. Collin has always said that Halloween is kind of the first celebration of the season with many more to come, and as you can see, while we don't make much of Halloween, we are ready.

The best part of the season is family gatherings. We get to see more of our children in the fall and we have more family get-togethers with lots of seasonal dishes. You can't be southern and not have huge meals at family gatherings. Along with the pumpkin pie, we'll add on the pecan pie and the mincemeat just for my mom and dad.

Autumn! What a picturesque time of the year, how inspirational as we slow down to consider our blessings, and how warm that we pause to share love, warmth, and laughter with our family.

Warmest Wishes,

Marcia