A bit of sad news....

Mr. Bingley came down with puppy strangles and I won't be getting him now.
I'm already cried out.
There is however a blonde female that I will go and see Sunday. She's fine.
Will let you know then.

Bringing Home Bingley!

Woohoo! Sunday afternoon we're bringing Mr. Bingley home! I am quite beside myself and feel I've waited such a l-o-n-g time for him! As you can see we're ready...thanks to my sister, Denise who gave us the crate and crate bed. And yesterday I wandered all over the Dog section at Petsmart and came home with the rest. Oh, yeah- Monday night after Makenna's ballet class, April, Makenna and I went to Target and I found two doggie outfits...a Christmas sweater and a blue hoodie that has a snowflake and says "Let it snow"! Cute! (Mr. B will model them for you at a later date.)
Yes...I'm going to spoil him but plan on being firm and fair in "bringing up baby"!
I'll post pictures of his homecoming Sunday night so get ready to see the cutest puppy ever!
(okay, I'm prejudice but hey, I think all baby animals are adorable!)

Autumn

"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile."

William Cullen Bryant

"Morning" glory

This morning as I pulled back our bedroom curtains at 7 am, this is the view that greeted me. Morning glory!
Wow! I am SO in my element! I feel that I am surrounded by God's majesty at every turn...looking out every window, driving down every road. His holiness pervades me, encircles me and I just bask in it.
There are no words to really describe these moments and I so delight in them. I feel as though I pass from one "magical" day into another.
It's wonderful to have these days especially when the "busyness" of life tugs a bit harder. It reminds us to "stop and smell the roses"...to enjoy the journey.
Our calendar for November and December are practically full, every weekend has its festivities already lined up with activities we enjoy...sharing meals with dear friends, celebrating with our families, The Nutcracker Ballet, Clara's Tea which this year is a dinner at a farm and is next Saturday for April, Makenna and I; preparing Thanksgiving baskets at our church for those who need a bit of help this year, getting ready for our Indian Summer Thanksgiving we host for 40+ in our backyard with my side of the family complete with bouncer for the children, delicious food and a marshmallow roast on the 19th, then Thanksgiving lunch here with Mike's side of the family and our girls and their families; and that evening I will begin to decorate for Christmas, transforming our home into a winter wonderland! I enjoy it all! Is it hard work? Of course but it's so worth it to me. The results..."magical",
quite "magical", ushering in the beauty of a merry Christmas...reflections on the birth of our precious Savior and how His one solitary life has impacted a world...our world.
Now that I think on it, His life makes each and every season special...reflections of His holiness abound...day in and day out. You just have to slow down... open your eyes and your heart.

An Autumn Afternoon Tea

Yesterday afternoon I attended a special tea with some "old" friends and some new ones!
My dear friend, Ruth hosted a table at her church and invited me and 6 other friends/family.
As you can see, Ruth's table was beautiful and so reflected Ruth! The food, fellowship and the guest speaker were all blessings. I even won a door prize!

There were 15 tables, each uniquely decorated by their hostesses and the ladies at their church created such a beautiful setting complete with heavenly fragrances! Lovely way to spend an Autumn afternoon......hmmmm.

A Favorite Prospect!

This has been my favorite place to be in the late afternoons, just before dusk.
I just sit and gaze out at Fall! I watch the leaves dancing down to the ground and ponder the majestic
colors unfolding. Such a peace comes over me; I delight in the sweet presence of my loving Father
and think on all the blessings that are mine.

Confessions of a.....

Hallmark Movie Channel junkie! Yikes! Okay I know many of these movies are "fluffy" and "gooey" but sometimes I'm in the mood for that! Ever since I had heard there was a special channel I wanted it.
But with the satellite service we had it was more expensive and we were already paying too much.
We had suspended our service for some months and then several weeks ago a Time Warner Rep knocked on our door. I liked her immediately and she made us an offer we couldn't refuse!
We're getting HD TV at no extra charge and yes...the Hallmark Movie channel at no extra charge!
(all of which was extra with our old service) And a DVR! Woohoo!
Now the true confession time...OMG...I find myself being drawn to the TV too much. After I realized that I could sit and watch 2 movies in a row and that the fairies weren't cleaning the house I am rescheduling myself. I may even have it playing and wander in and out of the room while I'm doing what needs to be done in the house but I am getting back on track!
Another point to make is that I can only do this during the week since Mike cannot stand Hallmark movies! It's working! I get my "fix" and the weekends are his!
Except I just remembered that this weekend is the Winter Wonderland preview...CHRISTMAS movies and I love Christmas movies. Oh well, they will come on again...during the week I'm sure!
Actually beginning Monday, November 14th from 10 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday. Maybe I should finally figure out to to record on our DVD player!