Sunday, November 30, 2014

The Last Week

This is it!!......the last week for me to get everything in place and get ready for the big event.  

Next Sunday afternoon is the beginning of the Christmas Tour...This particular afternoon is reserved for those who have homes in the tour, along with the "WUF" group which sponsors this event.  {WUF...stands for "Women's Unity Fellowship") 

I think that I mentioned before....that the money raised from the tour, goes to the "Brenda Epperson" memorial scholarship fund.  

Monday night, the tour is open for the rest of the community.  They can purchase tickets at several different locations in town, or there will be tickets at each of the homes in the tour. 

Our home is completely decorated....all I have to do now, is deep clean, bake cookies and double check myself....to make sure I have everything in place!!

Wish me luck...that all the lights work...and NO fuse is blown!!  lol.

It sure looks like Christmas around here..

shug  
  



Thursday, November 27, 2014

All in a day!

Today has been a truly Beautiful day!!  Blessing beyond what we could all imagine have been bestowed upon our family....

Extremely thankful to celebrate Thanksgiving dinner with Sam's parents and my dad.  


My dad and Shanda....


Sam's mom and dad...

Yes....I wanted a family photo, but there was too much going on and I never could get them to all gather for just ONE picture..

They were all...way too busy... playing washers, EATING, playing horseshoes, football, jumping on the trampoline, EATING, sitting around the outdoor fire pit, climbing trees, or taking a nap.






Mylee had so much fun playing in the leaves...

Today was a wonderful day!!

I'm not sure that I have ever seen an East Texas FALL as beautiful as this one!!  The trees are so full of color....and very unique this year.   

Many of the trees are yellow underneath and then they burst into gorgeous reds and oranges at the top!!  Very Pretty!!



Well....it's bedtime for me!!  I have to get up EARLY in the morning for our "Black Friday" shopping!!  I can't wait!!

Blessing dear friends..

shug

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Can you feel the warmth of the fire in my header?  I absolutely LOVE....sitting out in the cold....by a hot fire!!

Add a  nice hot cup of cocoa and a s'more or two...and boy howdy, life is sweet!!  


Happy Thanksgiving to all my USA Blogging friends!!

I've been in the kitchen for a good portion of the day.

I made several pans of cornbread......after all, this is the main ingredient in Southern style "DRESSING!"

My onions and celery (for the Dressing) have all been chopped.....the sweet potato casserole is made......the Cherry fluff is in the refrigerator....Ham is ready to be popped into the oven.

Tomorrow morning, I'll finish the Dressing, make a Banana Pudding and fix the deviled eggs!

The girls are cooking everything else! Woo Hoo...

Literally....."Over the river and through the woods"  to Trista's house we will go!!!

We have so very much to be Thankful for.....

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!!

Shug





Sunday, November 23, 2014

Buzzard on my lights.


This thing appeared out of no where and decided to land on our 10 foot pole out in the back yard.

A few weeks ago, Sam put this pole up for me so that I could hang Christmas Lights in the backyard.   
I suppose this Buzzard found it to be a great resting spot!!

*****
Is the weekend really over?  This one passed by...way too fast! I spent the day yesterday, attending a Pampered Chef party that Trista was hosting.  GREAT Party....she received over $300.00 in FREE kitchen stuff!!  

Today....I attended Church and then it was home to watch Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel.   I so enjoy watching these movies!!

Sam was hunting this afternoon and I took advantage of my alone time ....what better thing to do, than to watch "A Royal Christmas!"


This will be a busy week....I have a lot of Cooking to do in order to get ready for Thanksgiving.  We are going to Ty and Trista's NEW, beautiful home, to eat....however, I will be bringing several dishes.

and of course...on Friday, the girls and I will do our "Black Friday" thing!





Pictures of Black Friday's Past!!

Are Y'all excited??  I am!!

Shug ~


Friday, November 21, 2014

Catch-Up

Good morning friends...

It's a rainy day here in East Texas and there are a whole lot of leaves that have fallen to the ground.   

As hard as I try to keep the leaves raked up and away from the doors, there always seems to be a few that makes their way just inside the entrance.  I suppose they stick to the bottom of shoes or pants legs....and in they come!

Thanksgiving is next week and I'm very excited.   This year...we are having our family Thanksgiving Dinner at Ty and Trista's house. The kids love all the land that they have out back, and they so enjoy the PIGS!!  Yep...we have three new show pigs out there.

I'm still making the Dressing and the sweet potato casserole....along with bringing the Ham and a few desserts.  The girls are taking care of the rest of the meal....  I can't wait!!!

Our home is ready for the Christmas Tour...can't mess it up before the big day.  LOL!!

Had an incident happen day before yesterday.   All of a sudden...the dining room light started making this weird sound, and suddenly...one of the lights just burst into flames!!  Skeered me so much.   I shut off the breaker and Tori climbed up on the table and blew out the flames!! 

I dare to think about what could have happened had we not been here. I do believe we would be homeless today!! 

The electrician came and the light fixture has now been replaced.  They checked the wiring and it turned out to be a faulty wire in that particular arm of the chandelier.  Might I add...I loved that light fixture!!  

We have much to be Thankful for!!!

Well....I hope each of you have a wonderful day.   Stay warm and don't forget to do something good for yourself today!!  You deserve it!!  

I plan to do some Catching-Up today...by reading lots of your post.  

hugs,
shug




Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Love and Laughter

Oh my goodness.....what a fun afternoon I had...Yesterday!  Who knew that I would experience so much joy while taking my dad to the doctor.



It was just a routine appointment...but it was one that allowed me to see a joyful child in a 83 year old man.

Upon our arrival at the doctors office....the receptionist ask for my dad's insurance cards.....to my amazement, he calmly told me that he threw them away!  My first thought was..."You threw them AWAY?"...."What?"

All I could do was look into those beautiful eyes and smile....He wanted to know if he didn't have them, was the doctor going to put him in jail.   All the while that my face showed laughter....my heart was heavy and longed for the "detailed" man that once existed.... before he became a victim of Alzheimer's!

There was so much warmth and gentleness in his tone.....and I sensed that he felt as if he had done something wrong.  I assured him that all was good.  So, he continued our conversation with a story that I have heard a gazillion times!!  

Today was different....I didn't mind hearing that old story AGAIN!
I listened as if it were the very first time that he had ever shared the words with me.

On our way home....he insisted that I had taken him to places that he had never been before...Oh yes...he has spent a life time riding up and down that old 31, but to him...on this particular day... it was unknown...it was something new!

Another moment that cracked me up, was his participation in making the red lights.....turn green!  What can I say...it worked many times!  As we approached a red light...he would gently blow a puff of wind...and the light would turn GREEN!  I'm not sure who laughed more...Him or Me.

The entire afternoon was filled with precious words and gestures. Things that I will never forget....a time that I will always hold dear to my heart.



I would say to my dad.....

Not everyone will understand this journey that you are on....But that is OK...I love you and I understand!   I will walk beside you...... I will hold your hand. 

           Forever Blessed
               Shug....

Monday, November 17, 2014

Refreshing River Waters.....

It's no surprise to my family and friends.....just how much I truly "LOVE" ...... Rivers!!  

Exception:
Here in East Texas...we have a few small rivers, but I must say...  I'm NOT super fond of them.  Our small rivers are more like muddy waters!!


Tranquility fills my soul when I think of clear, refreshing waters 
as they run through a serene landscape.  


It is a wonderful feeling to experience the flow of God's refreshing waters as they cover me with such sweet PEACE! 

HIS amazing Love can replenish my thirst, even in times of being tested. This is the very reason that I need to be soaked in God's refreshing waters....everyday!



Just yesterday....during my Praise and Worship ...I found myself completely absorbed in my Praising God for all of HIS goodness.  In no time at all...I was lost...only to find myself, standing near a stream, in a plush forest of spruce trees. 


The fragrance was that of pure sweetness and I could feel myself leaning in the everlasting arms of Jesus.  How awesome is this? 

Oh my...what a glorious experience!  Yes, I could move to the mountains or the hills...I could surround my days with such splendid landscapes, and I know without a doubt...my heart would be so full of joy!!  God's creation is so splendid.

All the same....I am Blessed by the move of the Holy Spirit, which allows me to experience all these things....right here, in my own being, right where I'm at.    I am so in love with my Heavenly Father!!!

Just Words from my heart!
Shug ~

             Whoever believes in me, as scripture has said, rivers of water will flow from within them.....

                                                                 John 7:38

Friday, November 14, 2014

Be Still.....Until it's your time to dance...

Brrr...there's a chill in the air!



Chilly evenings and hot cocoa....it makes me happy!!


Borrowed photo.....


The obscurity of a single leaf....
it goes unnoticed but yet....it has so much to say!!

When the winds come against us and the storms are way too strong...  God says....look at Me...listen to My voice...BE STILL.....just as the leaf remains still on the tree.

God gives us the strength to hold on!!!!

Even when a leaf falls....there is still a dance to dance!    

The spectacular beauty of a leaf as it gently rides in the wind, is reminder to me, that the Spirit of God....gently guides me.

The wind itself, can not be seen...but yet it moves the leaf to and fro.   The Holy Spirit, I do not see....but I know when God is leading ..me in a certain direction.   How Beautiful is the Holy Spirit of God!!!!!

WE....I must learn to be still, until it is my time to dance!

Blessings my sweet friends..

shug ~ 






Tuesday, November 11, 2014

My Day.....

Today, I attended the funeral for the husband, of one of my very dear friends.  Her husband's death was unexpected and I'm not sure that reality has really set in for her.      

You know....we all are aware that death comes as it is a part of living.  If you live, you die!  We have a lifetime to prepare....yet none of us are really mentally prepared for the day.   

My heart is very heavy for my precious friend.  Big Hugs to you MA...I love you! 

            *********

I spent my morning..cleaning out my humongous closet!!  Great gads...it's a chore to re-organize and put up the Summer clothes!  I'm almost done!!


The "Christmas Tour of Homes" is on December 8th....and as crazy as it sounds...it's important for me to know that my closets are just as clean as the rest of my house!!

Who knows....someone might decide to take a sneak peak in my closet and I would hate for it to be a mess...


I am beginning to get excited about this event.....{Did I really just say that?}

REALLY....I've been working on so many projects for the tour.  Most of the decorations in our home....are all homemade.

My Florist days have really come in handy!! Making bows...making arrangements....doing crafts....these things come easy for me and it really helps with the cost!!

The Best thing of all is that our home is decorated with much love!  I'm not a fancy kind of decorator...it's just not me.  I prefer the more rustic and unique look. 

I love picking up something out of the garage, and making my own style!!  

I'm itching to show you all some of my photos...however, I have several friends who read my blog and I don't want to spoil the "Tour" for them.  

******

Are you all prepared for the COLD weather?  I AM!!  I'm excited about waking up in the morning to temps in the 30's!!   

Stay warm and eat lots of good ol' comfort food!!

Shug.....   





 

 

 



 

Monday, November 10, 2014

It's Sweet to Be Back....

Have you ever "Bobbed" for apples?

This is fun stuff...I remember doing this as a child, and I can definitely say...None of us cared if our hair got one bit wet!


Here is Mylee Jo....Bobbing for an apple!! 

Geez....it's hard to believe that I am so far behind in my blogging.

First of all...I want to say THANK YOU for all of your prayers!!  I truly have been a sick cookie for the past 10-12 days.

I wouldn't go as far as to say that I'm back to Normal...but I do feel much better!  I'm still watching very closely, to not eat anything that might not be good for my colon.

*******

Many thanks for your prayers for our grandson Tucker.....for those of you who might not know, this past Thursday, Tucker had a very serious accident.  His Truck was totaled!!!  Praise God, he walked away with a minor bump to the head and a sore body.  I have to give all glory and praise to God!!  I know that guardian angels were protecting Tucker!


We have so very much to be thankful for!!  This young man has already been through so much in his YOUNG life...I know that God must have something mighty big planned for Tucker's life!!

              ******

I have been a busy BEE today.  I lost about 10 days of getting ready for the "Christmas Tour" so I am playing catch up right now!

Most of the stuff that I am using in our home....{for the Christmas Tour}....is actually homemade...By ME!  It's true...I'm making a lot of my decorations and I have so enjoyed using some of my crafting skills to make our home warm and welcoming...

            ******

I have a lot of catching up to do on my reading of your blogs...I hope to get this done soon!

For now...let me say, it's sweet to be back!

Hugs,
shug










Monday, November 3, 2014

Under the Weather...

I'm feeling a little under the weather....

Remember that post I did last week about WATER?  I can officially say that at this moment....I am almost sick from drinking so much water!

But...Water is what it takes to flush out this terrible "mess" in my colon!  I will honestly tell you.... I feel terrible.  

Of course, these are not the kinds of things that I like to talk about on my blog..  

I prefer uplifting topics!!

I'm just posting to let you all know that I don't plan on going anywhere....but, I just don't have the energy to write any post this week.

Prayers please, that this goes away SOON!

Sweet hugs to you all....
Shug ~  



Sunday, November 2, 2014

Did someone say November....


Did someone say November?

It is here folks...and along with it came some much cooler weather!


Not much going on here today....
other than me feeling pretty yucky!

I have a good case of the big D.
Not diarrhea.....NO....I have the dreaded....

Diverticulitis!!

Fever, chills, and the whole nine yards!  I've had it a few days now and am currently taking the meds necessary to make this go away!

Feeling much better today....as a matter of fact, this is the first day that I've opened my laptop...since the middle of last week.  

My fever broke during the wee morning hours and I woke up with a wet hair and kicking the cover off of me.   

I'm pushing the liquids and I have the BEST nurse ever!!  Sam is doing an awesome job at taking care of me....

This explains why I have not been visiting any of you...I hope to get caught up today!!  After all, I need to rest and I can do so by sitting in my chair with my laptop at hand.

Hoping you all have a wonderful Sunday.....It's a BEAUTIFUL day!

Shug ~




Sunday Thinking

  Happy St. Patricks Day!   🍀 Tomorrow, I will be filling my hummingbird feeders.  The little beauties should be arriving any day now.  I a...