It's Fall Ya'll!! I'm lovin' the weather!

The last time I made a blog post was at the beginning of my summer....it is now the beginning of my fall . . . so where has the time gone?  I have no idea!!  My summer was full of lots of things, not to mention computer problems, so every day my posting was put on the back burner.  Now that I have a new computer I have got to get out of the habit of moving things to that back burner!  I have so many things I want to share I am committing myself to post more regularly and it is starting today! 

Cool air is creeping into South Carolina and I am so ready for it.  This has been one of the hottest summers I have ever lived through.  It has been said that the only thing between Columbia, South Carolina and Hell is a screen door and honey, I am here to tell you that is so true!  Another reason for not posting much during the summer.  My computer is in my room over the garage and even though it is air-conditioned up there the hot Carolina sun beams down on that roof and it's never cool enough to stay up there more than 10-15 minutes.  I even had to drag my sewing machine downstairs to a bedroom so I could work in comfort!!  But the hot days are coming to end this weekend and Carolina breezes are starting to blow.  My creative juices are starting to flow and after decorating with  pumpkins and fall decor on the inside I can't wait to work on adding a fall flair to my screen porch.  My porch is my haven...mostly in spring and fall because it is much more bearable.  Cool mornings and evenings are calling my name!  I have some ideas for making pillows and maybe placements using this graphic . . .

Have you ever used heat transfers with graphics?  I've been doing it for years...long before there was ever a Silhouette machine!  And speaking of Silhouette, I treated myself with a little surcie by purchasing one of these babies when they went on sale this summer!  I am so excited about learning about this machine and finding some good projects.  If anyone has ideas they would like to pass on, please send me the link! 

And finally . . . I have some exciting news!  My daughter Brooke is engaged!  My new son (I don't like the term son-in-law) will be Brice Sprayberry and we couldn't be more thrilled!  Brice surprised us all when he asked Brooke to be his bride at Battery Park in Charleston on September 15 . . . but I wasn't surprised at all when she said YES!  They are the perfect couple and I pray God's blessings on them both for a long, wonderful life together!  Thanks for spending a little time with me today!  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend....fall is in the air!

It's Fall Ya'll!

Fall has finally arrived in South Carolina and I am excited! I do love summer, but after months of humid 90-100 degree temperatures the chilly winds of fall are a welcomed relief. I love living in the south because we get to experience all the seasons! Spring and fall are two of my favorite times of year because there is a distinct change in temperature. This past weekend was wonderful. Temperatures were very cold at night and pretty chilly during the day which gets my mind in gear for winter foods! My husband made a huge pot of his famous chili that we enjoyed while watching football and my kitchen was filled with the smell of cinnamon candles as I put out my Thanksgiving decorations and started thinking of our next holiday. Thanksgiving is such a special time of year and although I count my blessings everyday, the season just helps me get everything into perspective and I think of all that God has blessed me with all through the year. I went to Walmart on Saturday and was shocked to see Christmas trees already up before the Halloween decorations were put away...it makes me sad because sometimes I think Thanksgiving is the forgotten holiday. We go from Halloween straight to Christmas. We have many fun Thanksgiving traditions in our family but this year things will be a little different. My aunt, uncle and cousin from Atlanta have spent Thanksgiving with us for as long as I can remember. My parents live in my neighborhood but Thanksgiving is always held at my house. We girls (my mother, daughter, aunt, cousin and myself) have special traditions that we have practiced for a long time. We always meet at my mother's house for Chuck's (my husband) chili on Wednesday night. Then, Thursday everyone comes to my house for the big dinner. We usually have about 15 people total but for me, the more the merrier! We start off with apps and hot spiced cider and then dive into the traditional Thanksgiving foods of turkey, dressing, giblet gravey, veggies and of course dessert! Later in the evening while all the men are sacked out watching football the ladies gather around the dining room table and sip Amaretto while clipping coupons and mapping out our plan for the day after Thanksgiving sales! This is probably one of the best of our traditions. We all get up early, put on our Christmas sweaters and hit the mall!! This really gets me in the Christmas spirit! We have done this for many years but this year it will be different and I feel a little sad inside since it won't be the same. My daughter will be in Atlanta with her boyfriend and his family and my cousin won't be able to make the trip this year. I know sometimes traditions have to take a detour and I'm okay with that...I will just miss our "girltime"!

I have already started thinking of the appetizers I will be serving and the desserts I will prepare. One dessert that is sure to be a hit is my carrot cake. I made this one a few weeks ago for a dear friend's birthday and have decided it will definitely be on the list for Thanksgiving! I'm still looking for some good appetizer recipes so if anyone has one to share I would appreciate it! For now I have plenty to keep me busy the rest of the week...finishing a dress for my daughter, making monogrammed cookies...yes, even a cookie needs a monogram, and baking a red velvet cake for my daughter's 27th birthday! Happy Birthday Brooke! That's about all for now...I need to get busy...I have lots to do! ~Becky