This Christmas season began with a fun party at my cousin's family home. Besides the fun of just getting a group of gals together, we had a project to complete...Wreath making 101!

As I was thinking about the Advent season this year, I saw a Christmas card that highlighted the words from a favorite Christmas Carol, O Holy Night. The words...a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices...just seemed to leap off the card and resonated with me. After the recent shootings in Paris, Colorado, and California, the world feels weary, broken, hopeless.

Last Thursday, I shared a devotional at an early morning women's group I attend once a month. Two friends of mine formed the group several years ago, reaching out primarily to business women,  looking for an opportunity to share faith and life together before the start of the work day. From the very first meeting, these women were open, authentic, trust worthy, and intent about living a life that reflects faith in Jesus Christ. 

With Halloween just around the corner, I finally ventured out to a local pumpkin patch to gather some pumpkins. I must admit sometimes I am tempted to just pick up a few pumpkins from one of the grocery markets, but then I remember all the trips over the years to a local farm and I just have to go...schlepping through the mud and straw to find that perfect pumpkin...or two or three! 

When fall comes, I'm always drawn to apples. I love the different  variaties, the crunch, the taste...especially Honey Crisp. Apples can be found in abundance near Cashmere and Wenatchee at this time of year, and even our local grocery markets lower their prices. Perfect time to go buy a bag or a box!

I was sitting on our front porch one morning recently, thinking back over the summer. If you've been reading along with this blog for a while, you know that I am a "summer" girl. I love the sunshine, blue skies, and any possible time I can spend enjoying the water. The past summer was certainly full of sunshine, a record breaker for the Seattle area...no complaints from me! 

Well, did you see the bridal shower post from the other day? I promised to follow up with the wedding so here goes! As I mentioned before, Abby is the daughter of our pastor, Mark, and his wife, Lori. She is the youngest of their five children...yes, their "baby."

A young woman who grew up in our church was getting married. Two friends and I decided we should throw a bridal shower for her and arranged a date. The bride, Abby,  just happens to be our pastor's daughter and is beloved by many in our congregation.  She and her family came to Lake Stevens when she was just 5 years old so we have all had the pleasure of watching her grow up and mature into the lovely woman she is today. Abby is one of those young women that you can't help but admire!

Just returned home from staging another cabin like home in the Plain, just around the corner from Leavenworth, WA. The home is located on the Wenatchee River, in the Ponderosa, a large development of over 600 homes, many of them cabins for recreational use.

Don't you love waking up in the morning feeling refreshed from a good night of sleep? That is one of the things I love about spending time in Plain. The nights are so quiet and peaceful so a good night of sleep is a pretty safe bet.

After many days spent working away on the loft cabin (Hans Olaf Loft) in Plain over the past two years, we can finally say it is done! What a labor of love...lots and lots of labor...for my builder husband. He milled and planed and sanded and stained and finished almost every piece of  wood that was installed

Journeying to Minnesota and Wisconsin a week ago, I once again experienced that sense in the depth of my being that we all crave...that of being deeply loved.  I drove up the winding driveway through the trees to the door of my aunt and uncle's home on Red Cedar Lake on that Thursday evening and my aunt Connie and several cousins came running out the door to greet me. What a welcome!

"End of the spring and here she comes back, Hi, Hi, Hi, Hi there, them summer days, those summer days..." Traditionally in the Puget Sound area, summer doesn't truly start until the 4th of July has past, but not this year. We had the hottest June on record, with many days in the 80's and 90's....yes, 90's! 

Last week was the culmination of months of meetings, of planning, for the annual conference of the our national church body (the AFLC). Sometime last fall, our pastor had emailed me and asked me to consider taking on the "decor" for several events at the conference, to be held at the Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center. After praying about this "opportunity," and recruiting a couple of friends to help me, I said yes.

Not long ago, I followed the recommendation of a friend and stopped by Mon Amie, a coffee shop/bakery in Mill Creek. I'm don't speak french, so I looked up the meaning of mon amie, and found out that it means "my (female) friend." I had invited my friend, Pam, along with me so I felt like my little venture was fulfilling the meaning of the cafe's name.