The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ September

 

  For Today...Tuesday, September 22

 

Outside my window...It's been a rainy week so far, and clouds and fog were over the mountains again today. A cool day in the low 60s kept us inside listening to Christmas music (yes, we start early!) while we worked on various wedding planning for Sarah and Eric.

 

I am thinking...of the good time of renewed friendship we had last week with our friends, Kim and Annie, missionaries on furlough from Papua New Guinea.They stopped by for an overnight visit and showed us the printed gospel of John they've recently finished for the Tami people.

 

Here's Kim showing Tom some scriptures:

We are so very encouraged whenever we hear of the ministry they are doing among people in a faraway village whom we will never have the chance to see or talk with. Thank you, Kim and Annie, for your faithful diligence these many years in Papua New Guinea:

I am thankful...for the couples who came to our neighborhood ice cream social on Sunday evening. A new ice cream flag announced the event on our back deck as we waited for folks to arrive:

We've wanted to bring the neighbors together for quite a while, and five families took us up on our offer of homemade ice cream with all the toppings:

The light began to fade, but everyone was having such good conversations they stayed on to get better acquainted. And a good time was had by all....

I was delighted...when my cousin and her husband came last week to visit Granny. Granny always loves company and had looked forward to Carolyn and Bud's visit for a long time:

I am wearing...a red skirt, white top, and hand-me-down leopard bedroom slippers.

 

I am creating...a blog post--finally! Life has been quite busy with regular life and...all things wedding related!! Checking out a wedding venue, house-hunting in Georgia with Sarah and Eric's family, furniture buying, bridesmaids' dress fabric purchasing, wedding dress fittings, considering possible flowers for the reception, and deciding on food for the guests have filled our days.

 

Fun Times...here are Sarah and Eric picking out fabric for free pillows to match their sofa:

Eric, his sister Abby, and Sarah also picked out some favorite colors to repaint some of the rooms in the home they purchased:

Here's Sarah standing in front of her future home:

I am going...to be one happy Mama and one sad Mama...what bittersweet days. (Send tissues, please!) For those of you who've already gone through giving your baby daughter away, please share with me how I'll ever manage to cope...especially in the kitchen! 

 

In the kitchen...lots of pies filled the kitchen table this past weekend! A bride hired Sarah to bake 15 pies for her wedding on Saturday...apple, blueberry, chocolate pecan, and lemon meringue are pies the customer picked. Whew! I was glad when Sarah delivered all the pies intact!

 

I am re-living...our 35th anniversary trip one month ago. I never posted on our travels to Alexandria, Virginia, but here we are enjoying ourselves in Old Town:

We visited historic Christ Church, took a walking tour of Old Town, toured Mount Vernon, and cruised on the Potomac River:

In the Mount Vernon garden...while on our tour of Mount Vernon, I especially enjoyed the gardens and all the flowers on the property, even though our tour guide told us the gardens were past peak and overgrown. Here's one of the more formal gardens:

A peek into one of my days...Granny wanted me to drive her back to her hometown of South Boston recently. One of my dear friends invited us to spend the night with her. Here we are enjoying a very encouraging time with Carolyn and Garnett:

And Carolyn happened to overhear Granny say she loved buttered biscuits, so she made sure she fixed some biscuits especially for Granny the next morning. Don't they look delicious? (Thank you, Carolyn!):

Another friend and faithful blog reader in South Boston--Carolyn's sister, Doris--came over to visit while we were there (Hi, Doris!):

One of my favorite things...visiting Toots Creek whenever I'm in South Boston. I've written about Toots Creek before, and I always enjoy the treasures I find there:

 

A favorite quote for today... 

 

"hello. pumpkins. warm sweatshirts. apple cider. hayrides. falling leaves. cinnamon. hello, fall."

 

 

 

 

You can check out more September Daybook entries over at The Simple Woman's Daybook blog.

 

~Deb

Comments

[Rose]

Now that's a post and a half Deb! What fun to catch up with all your doings. Sarah's house looks lovely -- as does Sarah of course. It's good to see Granny enjoying everything, please tell her I sent my love to her and to all of you.

[Tammy C]

Nice pictures.Way too early for Christmas music.You are almost the stores with the Christmas creep.

Wow that is a nice house for Sarah's future.When is the wedding?

Way cool about the neighborhood ice cream social.As always nice to see pictures of Kim and Annie.

[Rhonda in Western NY]

We've had a lot of changes in 2015, but no weddings! What a blessing to start your marriage with a nice house. My "baby" girl got married in 2007 when she was 21. It was very difficult as they only had a 6 week engagement and got married on Dec. 15th. BUT, she only moved 2 blocks down the street in a small apt. I cried every time I walked past her fairly empty bedroom. Of course between the Christmas holiday and my Italian roots I was very melancholy. I finally gave it to the Lord after a few week and prayed he would take away that dark cloud following me...and He did!! Plus I have an awesome son-in-law! Is Sarah getting married in Atlanta? Before Jonathan?

PS....we start the Christmas music very early too!! Very nice, 70 and sunny her all week.

[Danielle]

My mom just left a post I see, we must be having the same idea! :) I'm so happy for you all and for Sarah - what wonderful news. Sarah looks so happy. Wow, two upcoming weddings for your family! Everyone must be sooo busy making plans for the celebrations... Thanks for sharing all your pictures with us. I loved seeing the one with Sarah and her father hugging, how sweet! God bless!

[Krista Ehlinger]

Dear Deb,

It is very hard to have your little girl leave home...especially in the kitchen. Sigh. It looks like she is going to be so very, very happy. That is worth it all and you will have fun kitchen time on visits. I know you will look forward to those.

Praying for you and for all the fun preparations!!

Love,
Krista

[victoria]

Your energy constantly amazes me Deb. The wedding is going to be so beautiful but I know it will be hard for you to see your sweet baby girl leave home. Don't worry though as I told Eric he needs to bring her back home for lots and lots of visits. :)
Praying for both of them as they prepare for their big day and for Jonathan and Bethany too.

[Tori]

That was a great Daybook! You've been one busy lady. How special to have missionaries come to visit, I love missionaries! *Ü*
I'm just dealing with baby girl leaving the house and going to college so I can't with giving your girl away but I'll be back to learn what you learned when the time comes.
I love peeking into your life. Thanks!

[Holly]

My mom once told my husband, "You're everything we ever prayed for for our daughter...I just never thought to pray that you would live closer." I am so thankful we live in the days of phone calls and skype. We also have family that are Bible translators in Mexico. I often think of how things were in the "good old days" when missionaries often went years without seeing family and friends from "home". We are so thankful that we can have regular contact with our family so far away. :)

[Dorothy]

Wow! You have been sooooo busy! All good and exciting things going on with your family! It is nice to see pics of Granny and her visits with friends and family. I know that brings her great joy. :) Praying for both upcoming weddings and couples. And I have to say that you look great, Deb! You are an inspiration to me. Love and miss you!

[Rhonda from Western NY]

Your Hannah looks so much like Granny!