New Traditions

We had the first annual progressive dinner in Boiling Springs last night. It was so much fun to get together with coffee shop friends and enjoy and evening of food and good company.

Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres were at our house. It's fun to dress up the house for a party, so we had candles and crystal and lots of Christmas everywhere.

And my first ever Martini experience. They were chocolate, pomegranate or lime (red, green and chocolate... that's Christmas!). Anyway, they were a hit, as was the food.

By the way, I got those fabulous martini glasses at Gabe's 4/$5!!!






Dinner was at Becky and Bob's beautiful house (and no one remembered to take a picture...) and we had real authentic Southwestern YUMMY food. Becky loves to cook...and boy does she do it well!!

Our final stop was at Linda's and we ate some of the best deep dish apple pie I've ever had. And played some pool. And, courtesy of Mark, sang some Christmas carols.

Finally there was a group photo, which I'll post soon.

You know, we get so involved in all the 'things' of Christmas... the gifts and plans. We hurry and we stress. Family and traditions are what it is all about. But I just realized that we need to keep our minds and eyes open for new traditions. This, I think will be one of them. We may not live in Boiling Springs next year, but I hope it happens again. And if it does... we'll be back!!

What's it gonna be?

Decisions decisions....

Once in a while in life you are faced with an opportunity for change. It's the Road Less Traveled thing again. Only this time it's this...

or this...

So...Love it here
Friends
Picturesque
Warmer winter
Small town life



Love it here
Friends
Exciting
City life



Oh yeah... the other thing?

---------->
(among others)

Three hours away (and Erie just one)...
or
Seven hours away...



Decision?
by a landslide.

In our small town

We live in a small town. Norman Rockwell must have been here. There is a lake in the middle of town with a gazebo on the opposite side. At Christmas time, candles are lit in containers around the shoreline and the Christmas tree floats in the middle of the lake. Santa even rows across the lake for the annual beginning of the Christmas season.




We care about each other in this small town. Even as relative newcomers, we share in the sense of small town-ness.


This morning we heard some heartbreaking news about some friends (in any other town, they would be acquaintances, but, as I said, this small town has this sense...). They have suffered a devastating loss, the death of their unborn child. As he told me, my heart ached. I saw his heart in his eyes and it was aching too. All I could think was "God's purpose". How can we know His purpose in things like this. We can't. More than once, in difficult times, I've been given a peace that the situation didn't warrant. I'm grateful that these friends know that His love is boundless and that His purpose is always perfect too, because without that love and assurance to rest on, how could you bear the pain?