And the Tradition Continues~

Pie Party 2012  is over and done with, but the memories linger forever! I am so blessed to count these lovely ladies as my friends. We do our annual Farm Chick trip together and also Lynda's annual pie party. You can see our previous parties here and here, and also here. Lynda was made to host parties as she is the very best!!!

As usual, the table setting was divine! Those little gingham napkins and the lovely gift awaiting each of us!

A gloriously set table~

And the dearest of friends~Karen, Lynda and Terry.

There was a delicious sausage, potato soup, homemade rolls and a wonderful salad...not many leftovers!

There is much laughter...and a few tears, as our hearts are always sharing~

Miss Terry brought me a lovely, little gift~

The most adorable Hallmark ornament ever made!

Can't wait to put it on my tree! Still dreaming about the full sized addition!

We played a rousing game of Autumn Pictionary!

Isn't Lynda adorable?!!!

Karen was the winner and went home with a lovely prize!

As we do every year, we all brought pie...isn't this just the best party idea?! Terry and I thought alike and brought Rustic Apple pies...I used the Pioneer Woman's recipe from her cookbook. Terry's had a little "accident" on the way in, but tasted delicious. Karen made a fabulous Blackberry Pie, and Lynda made a "to die for" Butterscotch Meringue Pie, Everything was so YUMMY!! We all share and take home some of everyone else's pies.

 We all worked on our traditional fall stitcherie's that Lynda put together, but I forgot to take a picture of that. Instead I took one of what Lynda is working on now. Isn't it cute? I want to make it too! 

Thank you Lynda, for bringing us together once again. This is such a fun tradition...one we look forward too all year!

I'm so thankful for dear friends!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Pie Party 2011

Although it is still technically fall, there is a winter feeling in the air. My home is (mostly) decorated for Christmas and I feel the need to hunker down, watch movies and sip a variety of hot drinks!!

But before I settle into the Christmas season,  I get to enjoy one of my favorite things...Lynda's annual Pie Party! A last chance to gather with friends before the hustle and bustle of the season begins.

There are four of us who gather, although there have been others who have dropped in now and then, and we so cherish this special time of togetherness. To reconnect as friends and sisters, share our hearts and laugh together...a lot!!!

We all bring a pie, and I have to admit that mine was store-bought! Just not enough time to make one, but it was still really good!!

Hot cider greeted us as we walked in and Lynda had prepared a wonderful lunch of homemade pizza and a salad that we just couldn't get enough of!!

The table was darling!!

Lynda read verses that she had picked out for each one of us and said a beautiful prayer over us and the meal.

We played a little game and each got a little gift...a can of T.J.'s organic pumpkin!!!!

We all worked on a little stitchery she designed for us and we all took home a sampling of pie. While it only lasted a few hours, it was balm for the soul. A special time to gather and reflect, stitch and break bread together. Just like the quilting bees of old. We women depend on each other and have so much more to offer others when we take a little time for ourselves.

The simple beauty of God's creation, wonderful friends and family...does it get any better than that?

Happenings this Week...and an Update

It's been a busy week around here...projects, school conferences, work, Christmas open houses, craft fairs, football and volleyball, plus a host of other things!!!

Remember neighbor Ken??? He came over this week and made my garden pretty again!!! Yea!!

I know I should cut down my mums, but as long as their is a little bit of color, I just can't do it!!!! We'd like to get a cover crop on the garden, but I think it's too late. It's supposed to get very cold here by the end of the week, but maybe that will at least keep the weeds from growing back!!
My dear Lynda had her annual "Pie Party"!! It just sounds so nice doesn't it??? We were missing Karen this year, but Terry and I were there with eager anticipation! This lovely sight greeted me as I arrived!!

Lynda set a festive table, served a great salad and a yummy soup that she got the recipe for off of "Behind My Red Door".

We each had a little goodie at our place setting...

And of course, the pies!! Terry made a very rich and tasty chocolate pie, Lynda made my favorite, pecan pie and I "brought" a peach pie from Costco...more about that later!!!

This weekend Ashleigh came home and brought her 13 year old "sister", Georgia. I thought I had taken pictures of them, but no, not one!! They were so cute too!!! Ashleigh reads to her every night!! They are reading the Harry Potter books right now!! Ashleigh loves to read and Georgia loves to be read to!!

They also talked me into getting into the attic and getting down all the American Girl dolls and paraphernalia!!! We haven't gone through this stuff in years!!! They "played" with it for hours!!!! (me too!!)

They weren't very tidy...

She got to visit with lots of friends and family, went to our old church, had coffee at Woods with her brother, went to Grandiflora with me, played games and hopefully had fun while she was here!!

Miss you Ash!! Come back soon!!!




A little update on the bedroom make-over...

Walls painted...window and door trim up...

Furniture painted, but not sealed...

Battens started...
Chair rail up...

While I've been blogging, Brian got most of the battens up and things caulked. We have someone coming in to lay a new floor in the bathroom and then we can get the trim nailed up in there too. We're waiting for an order of wood and then we'll spray the room with paint, move the furniture in and....decorated it for Christmas!!!!!

Remember the Kitty, Miss Abby??? Well, we had to put her down a few nights ago. Tyler accidentally hit her with his car as he was pulling into the garage. He (and I) was so sad. He stayed with her the whole time and buried her in the garden next to Bailey. We did have a laugh though, as the vet told us Abby was really an Abner!! Oops!!

That was the reason for the Costco pie. Sorry Jayme, I really wanted to try your recipe!!

RIP Abby...