Happy Days!

Happy 54th wedding anniversary to my parents....yesterday, and Happy Leap Day to us all -- today.

I can feel the blog posts in me about to come forth...please stay tuned!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Isn't She Lovely...?

I have a new addition to my counter top. I have waited a VERY long time for this addition and even today, as I sit and type with her sitting right her next to me...I still can't believe it is true.

Behold...my newest kitchen assistant.....

Her name is Giada...I am  looking forward to many happy days in the kitchen with my new friend!

It Is A New Year People!!

So...hey!

I feel like a really bad friend...I have abandoned you all...and I really didn't intend to do that!

The holidays around here were peaceful and lazy and full of lots of fun that did not involve the computer. I hope yours was the same.

Now that Christmas and New Year are behind us, I promise, I will try and visit here on a more regular basis. I truly miss my time here...thanks for visiting - hope you come back soon!

Bev

Such A Fun Morning!

They saw you can never go home again...but today, Sunday, I managed to do it! 

For most of my formative teenage years, my daddy was the pastor of this church. All my teenage triumphs and angst happened on this corner it seems.  Today marked the 65th anniversary of the church and I am so happy to have had it as part of my life. The friends I made here -- are my friends for life. They are family to me.

My family and I got to return for service here this morning and fellowship meal afterwards. It was great to see everyone...I was hit by emotions I didn't expect, but oh, so happy for them all.   

After church and lunch  my old youth group got together for a photo op! Such fun to see them all...I love them and all our shared memories so much!

Oh -- and the picture of the church was taken by my daughter...she is developing a really good eye for picture taking...don't you think? 

Feeling Crafty On A Saturday!

I made a book page wreath! So pretty -- but oh how my hands hurt from the hot glue...OUCH!!!!

And I made this for my front door!

Have a great weekend!

Bev

I haven't been here in a while...life is just busy and once the day is through -- I am not keen on sitting and writing anymore!  This afternoon though, after a pretty restful morning, I felt the urge to come and visit. Rather than suffer through a few borning paragraphs (cause let's face it...I am a little rusty at the writing these days) I decided to just do a list of few of my favorite things at this moment in time!

Here we go...

1. Fires in a fireplace.  I have a fireplace and this year, I intend that we will use it. We also have an outside fireplace and this year, we have already used it.  The time for warmth has come!

2. Footloose soundtrack. Both the old one for the traditionalist that lives inside of me and the new one for the country girl who can appreciate all types of music.  Saw the movie last night too--I wasn't expecting to like it - but I did!  Go see it.

3. Fruit in my tea. This summer we (my little family) discovered Raspberry Tea at a diner in Pennsylvania. It was dE-Vine! Now, I have to have fruit in my tea- I like raspberry and peach tea....anyone else have a favorite you would like to share. We are currently using the Crystal Light mix packets. Love, love, love!!

4. Fresh laundry. No doubt about it - there is nothing like it - today was laundry day so my sheets and towels are smelling so fresh...it makes me wish everyday was laundry day...well, not really - but still I love fresh laundry.

did ya'll notice I am stuck on F's today?  Weird huh?  Well, not to be undone...here is one more.

5. Forgiveness Matters.  Forgiveness is big in my world right now. Both needing it and giving it. I wear a braclet on my wrist that reminds me every time I see it that I am forgiven. I need that reminding daily - the devil tries really hard to rob me of my every joy -- I use it as a weapon againist him.  I hope you get this message...there is forgiveness for you as well. I hope you find it. I really do.

Happily!
Bev

5.

Friends ARE Friends Forever...

Before I was the me I am today, I was part of a really neat WE. Before life had really gotten started for me, I was BLESSED with friendship. From the church infant nursery I was given a best friend for life. From the horrors of a high school chemistry class, I was given three more. The five awkward, naive, teenage kids, became the Fab Five.The five of us, became a WE - we went to prayer breakfasts, football games, Pizza Hut, the Mall, the movies, the Prom, each other's homes. We rode in carpool, we "rolled" mailboxes, we laughed, we laughed and then we laughed some more. We pouted, we hugged, we worried, we cried. We fought, we made up, we played pranks and wrote notes. We had favorite songs, we went to concerts and we sang...a lot. The five of us -- we were a WE! And we loved it, we loved each other, and we held on to the friendship when time and space tried to take it away.

Twenty five years ago we went on a beach trip and posed for this picture...

Then life happened...we moved, we grew up, we married, had kids, had careers, found other friends.

But this weekend, this marvelous weekend in September, full of crisp air and hints of sweet sunshine, the five of us became WE again. Boys came home, took planes and cars to meet the girls for a day full of memories and fun and laughter, so much laughter. We are lucky...twenty-five years did nothing to us but give us all a few wrinkles, some "laugh" lines, new hairstyles, and a need for reading glasses in dimly lit restuarants...the bond we had is still there...it took two seconds to fall back into the familiar rhythms, the years between us started to disappear and we were once again a group of friends, connected by our hearts. Time and distance sad, defeated competitors to try and take it away.

What an amazing weekend. What amazing friends I am blessed to call mine.
I wish this type of friendship for everyone who reads this...God is good...all the time!

Happily!
Bev

Seems Just Like It Was Yesterday...

Just an ordinary day, just an ordinary road trip.

It was a trip I have made hundreds of times in my life, across my state, through one other and halfway through the next one. I could do the drive in my sleep.


This Tuesday drive was different. This trip was completely different. I felt like we were traveling a road that we had never seen before, that the hours were dragging by and flying past all at the same time. We were on the road to parenthood. Our hoped for child would be born in less than twenty-four hours and we were hurrying to be there on time. It was surreal.
I wish I could adequately sum up the feelings that were going through my mind that day. We had our car packed to the roof, we had our sweet old dog Jake snoozing in the back and we were being followed by my parents in their car. I remember being excited, the thought that parenthood was finally upon us was exhilarating. I remember being nervous, after all this child would not know us, not know the sound of our voices, we would be strangers. Would we be able to comfort and soothe the newborn cries? I remember being so sad that our daughter’s birthmom had to make this decision. I remember thinking how bittersweet that day must have been for her. I knew from speaking with her that she was looking forward to having the process over with the next day, but at the same time, it was the last day she had that sweet baby with her. I remember being scared that even though all seemed well, nothing seemed to indicate that the placement would not go through, there was still a thought in my head that my hubby and I could be heading for certain heartbreak and bringing our family and friends right along with us for the ride. It felt a bit overwhelming.

So many thoughts and fears, so much love, so many moments anticipated, it was a ride that I will never forget.

I remember arriving at our destination, unpacking and just sitting on the bed, shaking with all of these emotions racing through me. I remember eating Kentucky Fried Chicken through the lump in my throat, counting down the hours until 5:00 AM the next day, when we would make one last trip, to a hospital to await the birth of a little girl.   


I wrote that post three years ago. I decided to re-run it this morning, seven years after the birth of that little baby girl...who is now sweetly sleeping in her bed tonight, thoughts of her soon to come birthday party drifting in her head.

We were so blessed seven years ago and each year on the days leading up to her birthday I cannot help but  remember and be grateful and re-visit all the emotions of that time of our lives.

Happily,
Beverly

Life with a 6 (ALMOST 7!!) Year Old...The Chore Pack

Child Labor Laws....WHAT?????

Not around this little house on the lane!  We have instituted the Chore Pack at our home and I am so happy to report that it is a great success for us. My child is learning some much needed self-discipline, homemaking skills and general responsibility -- not to mention she is earning an allowance for the first time, and Mommy -- well, I am catching up on the sitting on the couch, watching tv, eating bon bons portion of my life!! (Ha - not really, but it is giving me a few minutes of peace through out the day!!) 

Check back tomorrow for an explanation of the Chore Pack - you might be interested in it for your little household!

Happily!
Bev

Two, Four, Six, Eight -- Cheer Camp Has Been Great!

This week has been a busy one, with a week of work for me and a week of Cheer Camp for Hannah!

We are going to savor the next few weeks as our summer is coming to an end and we are both sad about that.

Here is my little cheerleader at the Parent Pep Rally this afternoon...ain't she cute???

The Streets of Philadelphia!

Last Monday we were walking the streets of Philly!
Here is a little photo peek at what we saw...

Hannah in front of a really cool cardboard city display!!

Ben Franklin's Grave

Hannah at Betsy Ross's house...that is a story teller in the background...he make things out of animal horns!

Flag flying at Betsy Ross's house....so pretty!

You didn't think my child would go to Philly and not find a dog to pet, did you?  This was a seeing eye dog -- so sweet!

Hannah helping the Duck Boat Captain steer on the Delaware River.

Steeple of Christ Church - we never actually found it to visit - but we saw the steeple from our Duck Tour.

Ben Franklin's post office, book bindery and house.

This was the room where a little something called the Declaration of Independence was signed!

Posing at Congress Hall, where our cousin George was inaugarated as the 1st Pres of the US

The ruins of George's house in front of Independence Hall.

Waiting on the Train!!!

We loved Philly!!





A Southerner in a Yankee Land...Our Latest Adventure!

For more than three years I have had a friend...a modern "pen pal".  We have emailed, face booked, blog commented our way through the last three years. I have shared happy and sad moments of her life, and she has done the same with me. It almost came as a shock to me that I had never met her in RL (real life!). I know her -- could have picked her out of a crowd with ease, and yet, up until this week - I had never heard her voice or sat next to her! The Internet -- it is a fascinating friendship vehicle! We have been Internet friends for so long and through so much that we can't even remember how we actually "met" online...but Tuesday, July 12th now can be listed in our chronicles as the day we officially met in REAL LIFE.

Thanks to an advantageous vacation opportunity with my husband's family who live in Pennsylvania, my family and I make the 12 hour trek up to Yankee Land last Friday. We spent the weekend visiting our family and then spent Monday visiting our nation's most historic and treasured landmarks in downtown Philly. Tuesday morning took us to Valley Forge, PA and a visit to our most famous cousin's winter time encampment in 1777. After lunch and a quick drive --- my little gang got to meet The Gang at Momma's house!! How fun it was to see her home, her flowers, her children and watch the images from my lap top's screen come to vivid life! Three years of Internet friendship helped me feel as comfortable as if she were my next door neighbor almost instantly. Her sweet hospitality gave my child an afternoon of fun in the sun in her swimming pool and the feeling of being in a home after a week of hotel life! It was one of the highlights of our trip and my husband, child and I are so thankful for Gang's Momma and the Gang for opening their home to some strangers from the South. It was a surreal afternoon and evening, we will never forget it and we look forward to the Gang coming down South one day so we can return the hospitality!

LOVE you, my sweet Yankee Twin... so glad we finally got to meet!

Me and My Pen Pal...together at last!!

Happily,
Bev

Happy Fourth of July!

Okay -- here's the truth...I can't decide which picture I like better, so I just posted all of our Sunday Morning before July 4th, pictures.

 My daughter has discovered curlers...help us all! The tomboy with the curls...it is a most interesting combination, but I must admit - I love it.  I love that she wants curly hair (like me) and I love it that she is excited about making herself look presentable before leaving the house!!

We will have a quiet 4th of July, gearing up for our family trip to the birthplace of our nation in a few days...

Have a Happy 4th of July from our house to yours!
Bev

A Strange (But True) Friendship!

Breakfast time - always a good time to catch up with your best friend!



Here's a close up of what the two best friends look like...yep - one is a cat and one is a lizard!! Who said they can't be friends? Not me, they meet every morning at the kitchen window...



Blackberry (my cat) wanted you to see a close-up shot of his besty...I have no idea what the lizard's name is...I am sure it is something like Slimey or Greeny - I don't think the lizard world has a lot of creativity!!

Blackberry was listening intently on their conversation - or maybe he was just getting ready to pounce at the window - it is just a little game they play - no harm to anyone - really - honest -- there is a BIG window pane between them.

Oh - yeah - it was a pounce not a stare....or maybe this is just their way of exchanging a good morning hug?

Of course it was a hug...see - back to intense cat/lizard conversation - these two could probably solve
any problem you might have...



And then, just as suddenly as he always appears, our friend the lizard took his leave and all Blackberry could do was wave goodbye! See ya tomorrow morning, same time, same place!



So... can you get off that computer and scratch my head?

Gotta love having an animal in the house...there is never a dull moment!

Happy, Happy!
Bev



Peace

Be still and know that I am God... Psalms 46:10

This is where I find my peace, and where I have been for the past week. Such quiet and calm come into my world when I am here. I can't spend a minute on the beach watching the waves without knowing that God is God and ever present in every moment of my life. I always come home from the beach with joy and peace reigning all over my world. 

Abiding happily in that joy and peace, I came home tonight to the news that a friend's parent has passed away after a long battle. While it saddens me to know that people I care about are hurting from loss, I rejoice with them in the knowledge that their father and husband is home with our Father and eternally without pain. My wish is that they will know the peace of God, allow it to reign in their hearts and minds and feel the prayers of their family and friends during this time. Many hugs and love to you guys - from my side of the river to yours!

Bev

The Art of A Snooze!

"There is a time for many words and then there is a time for sleep."  Homer 

Just couldn't resist taking the picture of my girl who talks much and has mastered the art of summertime sleep as well!!

Happy, Happy!
Bev

In the Good Ole Summertime!

Can I just say -- I am LOVING this summer! Oh my goodness - the joy of staying up late, sleeping in and lazily getting the day started is on my list of favorite moments in life!! I remember last summer when my child thought 6 AM was a good time to start the day --- and I mostly woke up angry and cross-eyed and spent the day that way. It is with such heartfelt thanks that I am able to say this year - she has learned the art of sleeping past 9 AM and it has drastically changed our relationship!!

As I write this, it is 10:30 AM, we are still in pj's, sitting on the couch eating breakfast and watching 80's videos!! It is bliss -- bliss I tell you!

Later, we are going to bake cupcakes for our Build a Bear birthday -- aren't you jealous of our exciting life?

I say all of this to say that I love these summer days....I am thankful for every moment -- so very thankful!

Hope you are enjoying your happy moments of summer!
Bev

"Pardon Me Enos, Will You Please Ask John Boy to Pass the Biscuits?"

Television in our house is tricky these long days of summer. My sweet child has all but outgrown the Seasame Street type of programming and there is just not a lot to choose from on the programming guide for her age.

I have begun to introduce her to shows that still around in syndication from my childhood. We have been able to pick up some very affordable sesason on dvd of "I Dream of Jeannie", "Bewitched," and even "Petticoat Junction!" These have come in handy in our car for certain. We have also found several shows to watch during the daytime such as The Waltons and Little House... I am so thankful for these timeless shows that are now entertaining my child as much as they entertained me!

This all wonderful, but for one thing.

Last night I dreamed that I was married to this man...

(this would be Enos from "The Dukes of Hazzard" for those of you who may have forgotten!)

and we had dinner at this house...

with these people...

Perhaps today we shall  leave the tv turned off! I think my poor, tired brain needs a bit of rest!

Happily,
Bev 

The Simple Pleasures



A simple lunch of peanut butter, blackberry preserves on the heels of bread and iced tea in a mason jar!



My child, playing in our humble backyard pool!

My mom - always making me smile!

Green things popping up all over my Peace Garden!

A Memorial Day celebration and my bandanna tablecloth! (and yes, I did make it!!)

These are just a small glimpse of the simple pleasures that have highlighted my last two days, these days are hard for me, but it helps to look for God in the happy and simple moments...I just have to keep reminding myself of this fact, over and over and over again!

Living it out - one moment at a time!
Bev

Til Then

I have tried to write for the past two days....can't do it.
Life is too short -- I need to play and swim and sing and dance and read a book to my girl. I'll be back -- just give me a few days to process life and loss and the why(???) that is permeating my mind right now.

See ya then,
Bev

Summer Hair

Lately I have been having hair issues!

The last seven years have been the best hair years of my life...and then suddenly a month or so ago, I began experiencing some minor hair troubles. I won't go into detail here - but it has weirded me out! Now that summer is officially here and there is no office to go to each day, I am returning to my summer hair style and trying to embrace the hair God gave me! No more straightening irons and blow dryers and crazy hair products....for most days in the next few months, unless it is Sunday or some other more formal day, those who see me are going to be seeing me like this...

I am hoping a few days of week of my natural style will help out on the days when I work hard to get the "natural" out of it!!

Curly, But STILL Happily,

Bev



Just a Little Catch Up!

WOW! So much has happened since I was here last!

My kiddo ending her first grade year with a BANG! She was awarded two awards at the !st Grade Recognition ceremony, one for reading and one for singing! She's a STAR - we are so proud of  you!!

We left the day after school was out for the Great Smokey Mountains and The Smokey Mountain Car Show ---- all 55, 56 and 57 Chevy's --- my hubby was in heaven!

Our first official week of summer has started out slowing...catching up on laundry, trying to keep our flowers and garden watered in 100 degree weather and fighting off a stomach bug that has attacked my daughter. We are looking forward to a pool date at the end of the week, praying for wellness by then!

Hope your summer is off to a great start!

Happily,
Bev

Bunny's Eye View

My kiddo got my camera and snapped a few bunny shots in her room the other. I just wondering what in the WORLD poor Henry had running through his mind...especially in the last shot...it looks like he is striking the universal sign for STOP!!

Things around here = never dull!!

Happily!
Bev