One Thousand Gifts

Today I began reading "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp.  I will be participating in an online Bible Study and this is the featured book.  The Bible Study is a reminder for us to be grateful.  What better time to do that than during the month of November.  It actually runs from November 18 - December 22.  That's good!  It will bring into focus another Gift, the absolute best Gift ever, that was given to us, I'm sure!  You can find out more about the Bible Study HERE. 

When I purchased the book and Bible Study guide, I also bought a gratitude journal.  I began reading the book today and made my first entry into the journal.  It's never too early to be thankful, right?

Today I am grateful for "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp because I'm reminded why I'm not writing my story, (and I quote)....."He (God) knows how it all works out, where it all leads, what it all means.  I don't."  Hopefully, prayerfully, I will be even more thankful from now on for the story He is writing!

Thank You, Lord, for the blessings You have written into my story!  Help me to remember You are the One Who knows how it all works out!  "For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."  Jeremiah 29:11

Fire Pit

We are really enjoying the fire pit!  Especially the food that is cooked over it!  Last night we fixed pork chops, mixed veggies and garlic toast.  YUM!  It was DELICIOUS!  No leftovers tonight!

The Menu, all seasoned and ready to go!

It was a beautiful evening!

Building the fire to get some good cooking coals!

Mark watched the garlic toast closely while I worked on the pork.

He also helped keeping the mixed veggies stirred.

Still don't know why the Lord blessed me with two good men!  So much more than I deserve!

Mark did a lot of work cutting down and chopping up trees that had fallen and brush and debris that had come down during last week's rains.  Some of it is still damp and does a lot of smoking when added to the fire, til the moisture is burned off!

Well, the Christmas wrapping has begun!  The last several of years money has been the gift to the grandchildren.  This year there will be gifts.

Let the gatherings begin!  I thought this cartoon was so funny.....and true!  Christmas is WAY TOO COMMERCIALIZED!  It is time for Americans to get back to remembering to be thankful for all that the Lord has done for our Country!  And, PLEASE don't call it turkey day........it is THANKSGIVING!!!!

Mooney Up There!

Today began with a trip to Tanglewood where a craft show would take place.  Southern Charm at the Farm happens twice a year.....April and October. 

"Southern Charm at the Farm is the premier Artisan Show of the South East!  Boasting over 250 talented vendors, Food Trucks and Live Music - this show has something for everyone!

Our vendors feature items that are vintage, handmade or repurposed in a wide variety of categories.  A portion of our ticket sales go to benefit The Dragonfly House Children's Advocacy Center in Mocksville, NC.  We do everything in our power to support our vendor family of Mom & Pop shops, and encourage shopping small business all year round.

This event is RAIN OR SHINE, and there are no refunds offered on tickets.

Early Bird tickets are $20 - these ticket holders receive exclusive early entry to our show, along with an awesome swag bag in one of our full color logo shopping bags.  General admission shopping is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Ages 5 and older require a ticket, under 5 is free!

Please check out our website for FAW's for additional information!

Tanglewood is a pet friendly venue, however each vendor has different rules regarding pets in their booth space."

Tents galore (vendors)

I love weeping willow trees

 People entering the event

 Lunch tent

 Live music.....Bluegrass style

 Food vendors

 Leaving was not so much fun!

Not everyone was polite in taking turns merging.

When we got home, we went to the woods to gather some wood for crafting projects.....handles for more fire pit skewers, yule logs, and some repurposed shutters.  We decided to cook hamburgers down at the fire pit tonight, so when we got back to the house, we played some cards for a time before going back to the woods for supper.  We had corn on the cob and I also grilled some peppers and onions.  YUM!

 Such a beautiful afternoon/evening!

 Mark gathering some wood.

 Maple trees growing from an old stump in a 4 wheeler path.  

I took a picture before Mark cut them down.

 The spread for supper!

 Playing cards.  Mark won.

 The coals are ready for cooking!

 Dying embers and time to clean up

and return to the house.

The moon is full tonight and the clouds rolling around in front of it looked very cool, so I took my tripod out and waited patiently to get some good shots.

Here's a video of the clouds rolling in front of the moon.

Thank You, LORD, for a wonderful day!

Over The River and Through The Woods.............

Well, not exactly!  But to Grandma's house they DID go!  And we WERE in the woods!  And, I guess, actually they DID cross over a river, the Yadkin, on their way here tonight.

My day started out by going to Rockwell Christian to enjoy a program put on by the K-5 grades for their grandparents in celebration of Grandparents' Day.  After the program, the grandparents are allowed to take their grandchild(ren) away from school to spend the day with them.  Abby and I went to Zaxby's for lunch and then went to her house.  We changed clothes and then just hung out together.  We played some games while we enjoyed being outside on the swing.  While we were not playing games, we played with our tablet/phone.  At one point we went for some ice cream at the end of their road.

Watching the program always brings tears to my eyes

as I remember how great it is to be a Grandparent!

It was wonderful to watch the kids come into the auditorium 

searching out their grandparents and waving to them!

At her desk

Zaxby's

Papaw said to give Abby a hug for him, so I did!  :D

I whooped up on her in Connect 4!

Faking!

 

Abby took this picture and did a good job of it!

After Elisabeth got home with Ryan and Hannah, they changed clothes and I brought them back to our house with me.  Liz and Brad came later after Brad got home from work.  We roasted chicken tenders over the fire pit and had potato salad and mac and cheese......before the smores!  And then we just relaxed around the warm fire with wonderful conversation.  It was such a beautiful day and a beautiful evening, too!  Thank You, LORD, for the blessing of family!  Thank You for allowing us to have the property in the woods to enjoy!

Getting so big!  Ryan is taller than Hannah now!

Chicken

The table spread

The correct way to eat marshmallows, right?!  :D