Showers of Sweetness

K was blessed with several showers before the wedding, which of course always included yummy food being served!

That's chocolate cheesecake you see here!

After the shower at A's home church, we spent the afternoon making mints. This does not show the actual brightness of the pink mints, and the center ones were white not yellow, but the blue is pretty accurate. With these we didn't dare go any closer toward navy blue.

This homemade apron was a shower gift.

We made numerous batches of homemade ice cream to serve at the reception.

We also made candy for reception favors.

Each guest received a bag like this.

Yes--it took much time to make the candy, print and cut the cards, and fill and tie the bags, but we had some good help with the final evening of work putting together the programs and fixing the favor bags.




Peanut butter, chocolate cream cheese, and chocolate chip cookie dough centers!
Yummm!

A Wedding!

Did I mention there was a June wedding in our family? I claim that as reason for being AWOL from the blog so much lately. : ) But now, the excuse is no longer valid.

I figured the day would fly by when it actually arrived, and that is just what it did! All of the preparations--planning, deciding, shopping, gathering, cooking, arranging--came together on June 5 when K and A exchanged their lifelong vows before God in a beautiful ceremony in our home church. It was such a joyous time, made all the more special by being surrounded by so many wonderful friends and family members!

I didn't take any pictures during the wedding or reception. Guess that's why you hire someone for that job! (Don't have those back yet.) But I did take them beforehand and once the reception was done. Plus, B's sister graciously shared those she took with us. So.... I'll just use this one photo she took for now, and try to chronicle more in some forthcoming posts.

Turning Twenty

We celebrated T's birthday (which is today) when we were with her on Saturday.

Happy Birthday, T! We love you!

Time goes by in a blur!

It seems like we just made the trip across the state to visit the junior college that T. ultimately chose to attend for her studies. But that was two years ago, and now this past weekend we made the trip again, this time to watch as she crossed the stage to receive her Associate of Arts degree.

We went out to eat after the ceremony, then had a slice of cake to celebrate.

Congratulations, T, we're PROUD of you!

Spring Blooms

I took photos of flowers.
I planned to blog.
It didn't happen.
But when I saw the asparagus was up and ready to eat, there was no doubt that Spring had happened, and I knew I'd better get something posted before it's suddenly Summer!

Related?

Done! Tomorrow morning, even though I may wake up at 6:30 like the alarm has insisted I do these past six week, I will not necessarily get up right away. Probably should just stay in the habit, but we'll see. ;)

Kindergarteners are an interesting age. Their emotions and words to match are always right there, ready to burst out, whether it's joy, anger, goofiness, hurt, pride, or whatever the current mood brings. For the most part they are eager to please, but need oh so much guidance. I hurt for some of them, all of them actually. By the things some of them talk about, it is obvious that they have been exposed to SO much (not necessarily good stuff) early in their lives. It is refreshing to be around the 5-year olds who are just, well, 5-year olds!
These are a few of the "self portraits" I asked the students to draw for me on my last day with them. The artist of the one in the lower right told me, "The second person is you, and we're both wearing high heels."

I have to share an ah-ha! moment one of them had. A little girl was printing her name, when a lightbulb went on for her. She exclaimed, "I'm related to Monday! My name begins with M-o-n, too!" That kind of comment just makes my day!

Another thing that is a definite "day maker" is getting 22 sweet hugs to close out a long-term job!

A Singing Surprise

Did I say snowed under? Yep, that's how it's been, especially the last three weeks. I've spent all of those days, except weekends, with 22 kindergarten students, as I've been filling in for a teacher on maternity leave. Three more weeks to go! They're a good group, and I do have a full-time aide, which is a definite blessing!

On Friday, just as we were starting a lesson with them all gathered around on the carpet, we had visitors in the room. It seems that someone had ordered a singing valentine to be delivered to me at school. (a rose and card, two songs by the barbershop quartet, and a packet of chocolate kisses) Several people commented how special they thought that was, and I do agree. : )

Thank you, B.
I love you too!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Now Let It Go!

Did I really say "hooray" for the snow in my last post? Well, we've definitely been getting it since then, along with major wind, drifting and low temps.

Feeling a little snowed under right now. Don't give up on me. I'll dig out from under everything and post again one of these days!

It's Beginning

Yep, it's beginning to feel like Christmas.

The nativity scene on the buffet, the inside tree, and the outside lights have been up since Thanksgiving weekend. But hadn't done much holiday-wise since then, until I finally started some baking this past week. I really need to bring the boxes from the attic and start some inside decorating. Hopefully this week!

This afternoon/evening my church circle did our annual caroling, followed by soup, goodies (cheesy, bacon cracker dip pictured here), and fellowship. It even started to snow today! Not enough yet to make driving bad, just enough to make it feel seasonal. Hooray!

I love the huge advent wreath that goes on our porch roof every year. The second candle was lit today. (This photo was from a few years back on Christmas Day, so it shows all five candles lit.)

Note to Self

Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18