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