Ahhhhh....Lynchburg!

We just returned from another fun trip to Lynchburg, Virginia! It was once again, almost... magical.

We were in town to attend the wedding of two "kids" that met while working at our camp! (wedding post to come)

Scott and I stayed in Forest, Virginia at the home of our Liberty University college roommates...his AND mine, Scott and Julie (Wolff) Lawrenson.

Julie and I also went to high school together at Christian High in San Diego and Scott Lawrenson and Scott went to high school together at Lynchburg Christian Academy in Lynchburg!

Scott and Julie have a beautiful home in Forest, Virginia. They made us feel so at home! The highlight for me...Julie's {unbelievably delicious} apple cider every morning and each evening!

I tried to talk Julie into starting a blog. She has an effortless eye for decorating! Her home is so welcoming and surrounded with warmth, just like it's residents! Julie has her plate quite full at Liberty University, though, helping kids {like mine!} find their direction in life at the career center~and she worked VERY hard attaining that Master's degree with which to do it, so blogging will have to wait until retirement!

Check out this porch!!! Straight out of a magazine, I tell ya! Wish I had taken of the picture of the view we looked upon while sipping cider and coffee one morning.

I loved this sweet bench!

Here is the guest room we stayed in. Julie has an eye for cool furniture and has several cabinets that are really cool!

(excuse our mess!)

Here is a perfect example of Julie's "effortless" way of decorating. I am TOTALLY copying this burlap idea!

We ate delicious meals at this table. Scott and Julie knew how busy we were with the wedding and seeing Lynchburg peeps but they checked in with us each day and offered to meet us for a meal or cook for us if we didn't have plans.

This picture shows what I think was Scott's favorite part of our trip. This is what these two used to do in their college dorm room just a few years ago! {Scott Lawrenson is an unbelievably gifted guitar player and Scott Luff is JEALOUS! But he did get to play the guitar that Garth Brooks gave to Scott Lawrenson while he was the trainer for the New York Mets}.

What memories we have with Scott and Julie. There is something so comforting about being with people that you have history with. If only we lived in the same town!

I am so thankful that Shae has both Scott and Julie right on campus if she were to need anything. Julie has been so helpful to her when she has been confused about which classes to take or even which major to declare. But I really think it is comforting to Shae to know that there is a Mom available to her!

Scott is the trainer for the LU baseball team so Shae sees him almost daily. I find comfort in knowing that he will be looking out for Shae around all those boys!

27 years ago, who would have known that this friendship would still be so precious!

Thank you Scott and Julie, for a wonderful visit! You made us feel so at home (even better than home, actually) We cherish your friendship!

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One Step Ahead of The Game

This year I had to be extra organized when it came to Christmas cards since Shae left town in August to go to college.

I was so lucky that a very special photographer, Ryan Alexander (he was in 5th grade while I was teaching 4th grade at the same school...ouch!) came up to camp (from Tennessee!) with his family over the summer to help run a week of camp. He and his wife, Marty took the time to take family pictures for us!

{here are a couple of "samples"}

We took the pictures in front of one of the lakes at camp around dusk and it was beautiful! They were quick and my family didn't have too much too complain about! Just the whole getting ready thing....

But, too bad so sad to my complainers....I got some good ones!

Wait till you see my Christmas Cards! I have started addressing the 200 envelopes this week!

Yippee!

{If you aren't on my list and want to be...let me know!}

Yay for getting something done ahead of time!!

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It's Right Around the Corner....

The Annual "House of Design Christmas Open House" started this week, so Dottie and I drove to Red Bluff to fill our eyes with Christmas splendor on Thursday!

It is SHOCKING that Christmas is upon us!

The House of Design does not disappoint when it comes to Christmas decor. Those ladies must work for days getting it all together.

As you walk in the door, the smell of Christmas overtakes you and you magically get into the holiday spirit!

Walking through the store once just doesn't allow you to take it all in. You have to go around several times to catch all the special little touches everywhere. The hot apple cider and yummy cookies force you to really take your time and enjoy the experience.

I always try to get fresh ideas for my own Christmas trees. It would be such a luxury to have someone come in and decorate my house for me, but that will never be the case, so onward I trudge with my camera.

The silver this year has overtaken my soul. It is just gorgeous! I did get some new silvery goodness for my own living room tree!

Without self control {well, my husband's voice of reason in my head} I could have spent my grocery money for the whole month of November... maybe my peeps would eat spaghetti for a month!

There are lots and lots of practical ideas displayed, using things I already own, so reality quickly sets in and doesn't seem so bad.

Apothecary jars...yep, I own, uh, some of those. I can do this!

The mantles are what inspires me. I struggle with my mantle. I am not mantle-gifted. at.all.

When you look at it piece by piece, it becomes do-able!

{and I already own lots of things to use too!}

I am so glad The House of Design doesn't forget about Jesus. He is the whole reason we celebrate after all.

{and a cake pedestal with a nativity on it~genius!}

Dottie and I ate a quick bite for lunch and decided to check out one of our favorite stores, Dandelion, before heading home. Not much inspiration there this year but we did LOVE this fireplace/mantle display.

On another note, Scott and I are headed to Lynchburg this week to attend Jenn and Joe's wedding (and see a little college girl who is IN the wedding!) However, I don't think I can bring any clothes this time. I had the old "Mom, can you make a couple blankets for the coaches?" phone call. "Sure Shae, how many?" "Um, six..." (And on a few of them I DID embroider "Liberty Baseball" with my new machine!)

Somehow she thought of 4 more (with specific colors or "hobbies", thus the camo blanket) that she "needed" for some other people too. So there are 10 blankets flying out with us...somehow.

I can't say one.single.word. either. My mom did it for me, for my friends. So many of my high school and college friends still have the blankets my precious, thoughtful, giving Mom made for them, uh.....a couple years ago. :)

In my book, it's not a bad thing to be like MY MOM, at all.

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Cheap Thrills

My friend, Judy Harper, comes out to California from Georgia to work at camp during the summers. She always brings me something wonderful and southern when she comes.

Two years ago she brought me the greatest cookbook.

"A Taste of Georgia" by the Newnan Junior Service League, Inc.

in Judy's hometown of Newnan, Georgia.

When I want to make something new, it is the first cookbook to look in! (and Judy is a fabulous cook so I know it has great recipes in it!)

I wanted to make something yummy {and of course, cute!} for the teachers this week and I knew the pumpkin bread recipe would be good. It did not disappoint!

I got these darling stoneware mini loaf pans at Michael's for .... $1.00, can you believe it!?

Baked that bread right in them, cooled it and wrapped up the pumpkin-y goodness for some beloved teachers this week!

A Taste of Georgia's Pumpkin Bread

4 eggs

1 cup cooking oil (I have also used applesauce)

2/3 cup water

1 (1 pound) can pumpkin

3 1/2 cups flour

Pinch of cloves

1 cup nuts (optional)

3 cups sugar

2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp nutmeg

Beat eggs; add oil, water and the can of pumpkin. Mix well. Add the dry ingredients and mix well. Pour into generously greased and floured pans. Bake at 350 for at least an hour (this time is based on a large loaf pan, so you will have to adjust for smaller pans). Test with a toothpick. If still moist, try another 15 minutes. Let cool.

Judy, thank you for this gift that "keeps on giving" !!!

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Let the Wedding Festivities Begin!

This summer we had a VERY special event take place at camp.

Joseph Parra asked Jenn Dangc to marry him!!!

{This is Joseph, Groom-to-be with Tyler~behind the scenes (behind the tree) engagement cameraman}

Everyone FLIPPED OUT when they came back and showed us the ring! Then we all looked at the precious pictures on a tiny camera!! So cute!

{and I have to say that "it was about time!" Because Joseph had that ring forever and even gave it to ME to keep until he was ready...I was about to die until he finally said, "Hey, I need that thing you have been holding for me!!!}

It was so precious how all the staff was so excited. We live so closely all summer and it really is very much like a family, that is one of my favorite things about my life.

Jenn has been so busy doing all the planning for their November 13th wedding in Lynchburg, Virginia. I can't wait to go! There is one bridesmaid that I especially want to see!! I am thrilled that we get to go, but I wish Lindsay and Anna could be there too.

Jenn has done a wonderful job putting it all together, it is going to be beautiful.

Today I had a bridal shower for this very special girl.

I wish my house was a little bigger to accommodate crowds a little more comfortably, but it all worked out and my trusty card table came in handy to hold the gifts.

I decided to serve the food from my dining room table instead of the counter to make more space and it worked out nicely. I think I will do it the same way for Thanksgiving and use my Costco tables to eat on!

I sent Anna to the attic to look in my Valentine's Day box and get my silver "Love" letters.

I printed some quotes about love and put them around. (and look at those cute napkins from Michaels!)

Jenn brought me some of her engagement pictures {they are so GOOD} to display. They had them done in Lynchburg by the same girl who will be doing the wedding pictures. I can't wait to see how they turn out!!!

I made sugar cookies to use as favors...that yummy "Paradise Bakery" recipe!!

We had fresh lemonade, Italian soda and water bottles (coffee too) available.

It was fun to see Jenn open her gifts. I remember how fun it was to start my "grown up" life with my very own dishes!!

Jenn got pots and pans, a vacuum cleaner and lots of beautiful serving dishes...I can't wait to be invited over for dinner! {and I am so happy they will be living in Redding!}

Dottie and Carolyn {2 of my favorites} with the Bride-to-be.

Jenn's Aunt, cousin, Mom and 2 of her sisters.

Here are some of our camp girls that came. Leanne (uh, where are you in this picture by the way, Leanne??) and Shannon came over early and calmed me down from my FrEnZy. I love girls who just look around and DO what needs to be done without me even asking! Phew!! That's how we teach 'em up at good 'ole Lassen Pines!

It was fun to honor Jenn today. She will be a beautiful bride and a wonderful wife. She has been a godly influence on so many girls over the years at camp, including mine. It is a blessing to see how God is blessing her life with a wonderful man.

Love Sweet Love

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Frustration!

We love this little chocolate chip cookie eating, mess making girl.

But, there are a few things that are extremely frustrating about her!

Taking pictures of her is so extremely frustrating, it is hard to even explain.

For some reason, she will not pose, look at the camera and smile all at the same time.

(yes, I know she is "legally blind" and all, but she does know where I am standing..helloooo)

Unless you make a crude noise or talk about "tooting"...

See what I mean? She gets it in her head that she is NOT going to do it...and she doesn't.

I end up all sweaty and emotional from the huge effort I have to put forth.

And then Anna breaks out a pose and smile that makes me forget all my anxiety.

God knew what He was doing when He gave me her. I love this girl.

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