Do you want instant chills?!?!

Then listen to this.....

O Holy Night

(I apologize for this being a link and not a video -- but blogger hasn't cooperated with me the past couple of days.)

The voice of an angel singing one of the most beautiful Christmas carols of all! (Gives me chill bumps and teary eyes every time!)

As we are caught up in the hustle and bustle of errands, travels, etc., this song can make us all relate the joy that "weary world" felt when the "new and glorious morn" came -- and that the true meaning to this hectic month is to praise that "Holy Night!"


So take a minute to listen and soak it in!

Oh Night Divine~
Laurie

Thankfulness

He who thanks but with the lips
Thanks but in part;
The full, the true Thanksgiving
Comes from the heart.
~J.A. Shedd

It's a simple thing to teach your children; it's something that we have to repeat to them and remind them to say on a regular basis; it's two small words...but they should be backed with gratitude when being said..."Thank You".

I wait for a few seconds to see if the kids will says these words at the proper times. Usually they do, but sometimes I'll have to prompt them with the "And what do you say?" question. These two words are commonly heard, but is there really feeling behind them? Is it coming from the heart?

I even catch myself just saying them, not feeling them. Today for example, I said it with feeling and it struck me. With Sam being sick, I asked one of my fellow preschool moms if she would mind driving Lily to school, so I wouldn't have to get Sam out in the rain. She said that she would be happy to and when she came to get her, she said that she would bring her home, too. "THANK YOU"! It's a little out of her way, but she insisted that it wouldn't be a burden. For good friends, I am thankful!

I made a Thanksgiving garland to decorate our foyer and had the kids write what they are thankful for. I wanted to make it more elaborate, but this was all I could muster up. I think it's cute and it's a reminder of what this season is about.

Sam's list included: Mom, Dad, Bear and God. (Poor Lily got left off -- I guess God - or Bear - took her place.)

Lily's list included: The beach, Disney, flowers and God.

So now, as I walk by my stairs, I'm going to remind myself to make my "thank you's" heartfelt and full of gratitude!

Thank You~
Laurie

P.S. As I sit at my desk, this is my view...



I am thankful for God's beauty, right outside my front door!

Home with a sicky

That's the reason why I have time to get caught up on the ol' blog. Poor Sam fell victim to an icky stomach bug yesterday, so little man has to stay home with me today. But, it's rainy and chilly outside, so I'll definitely take this opportunity to stay in and be productive.

Let's see, where did I leave off?!? Oh....

Our neighborhood had a scarecrow contest again and it brought out smiles as we drove around! Not a whole lot of participation this year, but the one's that played a part were great! Here are some of the best:

There was a juggling clown...

Linus waiting for the great pumpkin...


Our creation -- E.T!

But the winner was....the "mooning gardener"! HA!



This was the first year that the kids really got into carving the pumpkin. Usually they get grossed out at the cleaning of it and leave the room for me to finish. But this year, they helped pick out the design and helped me gut the big guy. Don't worry, I did the carving.


The kids wanted a scary face this year! Boo!


Then we seasoned and toasted the pumpkin seeds. They were delicious! Thanks to a recipe from Emeril!


Halloween brought everyone out for the traditional chili dinner before the trick or treating rounds. And once again, Lily was photographed with her 12 male companions. (Sam is the fierce ninja.)


Luckily, when it came time to trick or treat, she was able to walk with two pretty Indian princesses and a creepy/evil clown!


And the evening was a success, don't ya think?!?


Now the jack-o-lanterns and the witches are put away and we move our focus to all of the things that we are thankful for. And there is sooooo much for which to be thankful!

On to Thanksgiving~
Laurie

Every lady wants a castle....

Did you know that I drive by this on a regular basis?!?!



It's sits just around the corner from our neighborhood! Quite the interesting sight to see! Rumor has it that it was built by a loving husband (who was a truck driver) for his wife. The house comes complete with a moat that is actually a pool and smiling gnomes that smile at those who pass by!



Here's a little more info and more pictures if you are interested!

Fairy tales can come true~
Laurie

P.S. I guess I should mention, not that you wouldn't totally assume it -- the kids LOVE it!

Watching the colors change

It has been a hectic past few weeks, but all good, fun things! I'm in the van a lot...to school, to the preschool, to the gym, to the grocery store, to the dry cleaners, to the after-school activities, etc., etc. But one thing about this time of year that makes my driving around so wonderful is the beautiful changing of the leaves! Sometimes I'll be stopped at a red light and I'll be in complete awe of my surroundings. The beauty just amazes me (and makes my "shuttle service" a little more bearable!)



We've been up to a lot of fun things the past few weeks. Let me catch you up!

We went to the infamous "Burt's Pumpkin Patch" up near Amicalola Falls. This place has the largest collection of pumpkins that I've ever seen! Colors, shapes, sizes -- you name it, they have it.

Lots of orange.....


John's muscles always come in handy....


My three punkin's!!!


After our trip to the pumpkin patch, we drove through some back roads and forest service roads and did a little hiking in the woods! The fall days have been perfect! Here are some of the sights...

We happened upon this "wildlife viewing field" and I snapped a shot of my own "wildlife"!


Before my time, but does anyone remember seeing this truck coming down the street?!?


I guess they never made it back to fill up the tank.....



Lily Clare had a sweet little Halloween celebration at her preschool. It was a western theme complete with a hay ride, petting zoo and - oh yeah - rain. So they had their trick-or-treating inside, but that didn't spoil the fun!

Yee-Haw!

Lily and her friend, Claire!

Yes, she is brushing a pig!



I know I have more to post, but that's about all I can gather up right now. I need to focus my attention on the CMA's!!!! (Sugarland makes me nauseous; Kenny Chesney makes me giddy!)

Check ya tomorrow~
Laurie

Somebody stop me.......

Actually, please don't! I'm on a crafting roll and I love it! Seriously, I don't know where I've found the time to be crafty (queing Beastie Boys) but I've found it and it's made me happy!

In my blog surfing, I stumble across several creative ladies who are so gracious to share their ideas! (So, I do not claim these crafts to be my own creation!) But, I see their ideas and I get so inspired! So, let me show what I've been up to this past few days.........

CUTE t-shirts for my girlie and me!!!




I'm finally getting to use my Williams-Sonoma acorn cakelet pan! I got his neat little pan at the end of Fall last year and I've been waiting for the chance to use it! Well, the weather has chilled and I feel that an acorn shaped treat is fitting! So, I found a recipe for pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and just knew that I needed to make them into cute little acorn shapes!


And, last but not least...my Goodwill challenge! I came across a blog that shows people how to find items at Goodwill and convert them into functional, cute items! Here's my first transformation....

I spent $4 on a circa. 1980 cheese dome and candlestick (complete with lots of dust!)

I hated to cover these beautiful daisies! NOT!

I added some black spray paint and Gorilla Glue -- added some Halloween spooky stuff and voila~~~

The kids love it! And I think it's pretty darn cute, as well!

I'm crafty...I get around~
Laurie

The feel of Fall!

This morning, as I opened the door to make my 6:50 shuttle to the bus stop, I paused...what is that I feel? The hot, humid, mugginess of Summer?!?!? Nope! It was the crisp, cool, relief of Fall! Oh what a way to start the day!


The change of seasons is kinda like a "New Year" celebration to me. When you feel the temperature change, when you see the difference in the foliage, it's like a rebirth of your everyday life! Fall feels like the beginning of slower weekends, leisurely drives admiring the changing of the leaves and crisp outdoor evenings by an open-air fire. (And from my "girly side" - pulling out the sweaters and jeans, buying a new pair of boots and donning the cute lightweight jackets that have been packed away for a while!)

As I searched for an Autumn quote, I happened upon this poem and fell in love! Oh, how Mr. Cooper put into words an incredible account of this wonderful season! And what a perfect way to ring in October..........

October's Party

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came —
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.

The Chestnuts came in yellow,
The Oaks in crimson dressed;
The lovely Misses Maple
In scarlet looked their best;
All balanced to their partners,
And gaily fluttered by;
The sight was like a rainbow
New fallen from the sky.

Then, in the rustic hollow, At hide-and-seek they played, The party closed at sundown, And everybody stayed. Professor Wind played louder; They flew along the ground; And then the party ended In jolly "hands around.

~ George Cooper

And before I sign off, let me introduce you to my newest love for Fall! This candle....
Nature's Wick "Bonfire Nights"

Ever have a candle that you don't want to burn, because you don't want it to go away?!? This is it for me. So, I will take a jaunt to my nearest Target and clean their shelves of this little guy! It's wonderful!

Smiles~
Laurie