Bookshelf!!

I'm a bookworm and I don't apologize at all for my addiction! Other then the purchases I made at Ikea and the Container Store books were the only other thing I picked up while on vacation! Notice a pattern?? I mean why wouldn't a wedding planner want to read about weddings??  lol The larger book on the left had a whole series of books and I plan to go back and get the rest if I like this one! I don't know if you have an Ollie's in your area but if you do next to the thrift shop this is one if the best places to pick up books for cheap. None if these books cost more then $4.00 each! They also have a slew of cookbooks, coffee table books, travel books, fiction as well as autobiographical books and tons of children's books. They are usually discontinued books but you can't beat the prices. And it has one of the largest fictional Christian book collections I've ever come across.  

Ikea and Container Store Haul

Its almost fall and around that time I start getting the organizational itch again so being at the container store this weekend gave me an opportunity to pick up some shoe boxes so I can finish organizing my bedroom closets! I also so this little cord wrap thingy and took the plunge (a whopping $3.00...lol) and added it to my cart !

A few years ago I picked up a bunch of these packing bags for Marc and I but I was still short a few after using them a couple of times so I picked up an additional set this weekend. The ones I originally brought were navy blue to match my luggage but they didn't have those this time so I grabbed the pink ones. 

I've been really into fresh herbs this year but I suck at keeping plants alive. I thought maybe if I brought this cute green watering can that I might be more motivated to stay on top of the job!! 

If you haven't figured out by now I'm a bag and box person. I've been known to get more excited about what the gift is on rather then the gift! So when I saw this cutie for $1.00 I couldn't pass it up! I can carry it around in my bag for emergency shopping trips!! 

My last purchase of the day was this rod and hooks. I'm going to use it on an upcoming kitchen project!! 

I hemmed and hawed about purchasing this large wooden cutting board but for $10 Marc said I would be crazy to leave it behind (I was considering purchasing a much much smaller one for $6.00). I'm so glad I listened to him. It's huge and it fits perfectly over my counter (it has a lip at the end). I've been wanting a large wooden board for a while but the prices for them were outrageous! But this one...well you couldn't beat that price with a stick!! lol 

I usually love shopping but this trip I was more excited about exploring then buying a bunch a stuff. The purchases I did make were well thought out and were things I thought would add to my life rather then just add more clutter! 

Stayvavation: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday!

Wednesday Marc and I went back over to Yorktown to walk at the waterside.

We met my mom, cousin and my godmother for lunch and then headed to Colonial Williamsburg to walk around.

Originally we had hoped to vacation in North Carolina and tour the Biltmore Estate and other local landmarks but that just wasn't in the budget this year.

Thankfully my mom allows us to come and stay at her country estate whenever we would like. LOL On Thursday morning we packed up and headed up to Northern VA to visit a family friend in the hospital. The traffic was crazy coming back (as usual) so we stopped at The Container Store and Ikea before heading back home. As of right now we don't have any further vacation plans as Marc is about to head back to school next month to finish up his final year before graduating in May with a Masters Degree in Theology. After that we "plan" to take a family cruise (hopefully with Disney for the first time)!!!! 

Now though its back to the daily grime, which meant grocery shopping on yesterday and hopefully back to eating some healthier meals.

Stay vacation! Sunday through Tuesday!

This past weekend we traveled to my home county for a family celebration and my home church Homecoming service. On Saturday we celebrated the 1 year anniversary of my cousin Trice and her husband Andy. On Sunday we attended service in the church that I grew up in, was baptized at and first learned how to serve.

Monday morning we went to breakfast with family and chilled the rest of the day at my mom's.

Tuesday Marc, my mom and I explored Yorktown.

 

Sometimes I forget how much history was made in my backyard. LOL

After we sent sightseeing we had lunch at a hotel that I know has been around since I was a child.

It had been raining off and on all day but it cleared up briefly and allowed us to visit the Nancy Thomas gallery.

That evening we hung out with more family at (93 years young) aunt's home! I love spending time in her company! 

Celebrating A Legacy

Last weekend I attended a celebration with Marc that highlighted the families in the area in which we live, including his grandparents. This is Marc and I after he received a plaque in their honor. It was actually one of the few neighborhoods in this area at the time that black families owned property. Today we live on that same street in which he grew up on family land.

Marc with his aunt who was honored as being one of the long tine seniors of this community. 

This picture shows Marc's paternal grandparents. There were several dignitaries there including Pat Robinson (CBN Founder), Phillup Kellam (Commissioner of Revenue), Mayor William D. Sessoms, Sandra Brandt (Congressional District Chair), and several pastors from within the neighborhood. Marc is actually the Civic Leaque President for our area and did the opening prayer.

Our Women's Ministry Workshop

This past weekend we held our annual Women's Ministry workshop. The theme this year was "Garden Getaway...where women walk with God". I love using the retreat kits from Group Publishing. I'm always amazed at how well the themes are received by our women. This year we even incorporated the songs. My favorite by far was 10,00 Reasons (Bless The Lord Oh My Soul).

Registration and Continental breakfast was served that morning at 8:30 AM.

After a time of worship and a praise dance by a family friend we started our sessions.

Our first session was about Exploring the seasons of our lives.

My favorite part of the workshops were the group sessions. I made an effort this year to put down my camera and join in with the other ladies. This is very rare for me in the 6 years that we have been doing the workshops. I'm trying to be more like Mary and less like Martha. LOL

Our second session was all about inner beauty. How often do we focus on the inner beauty giving little or no time to the beauty God wants for us inside our hearts! Or even the beauty that is around us?

After the second session we served the ladies a bag lunch.

After lunch we discussed walking with God. The ladies were given time to walk around the building and spend a little time conversing with God by themselves. Originally they were to go outside but the rain made that impossible so we played soft music in the background while the women moved from one area to another every few minutes after a prompt from the facilitator.

One of my favorite things about the kits from group are the service projects session. I love that we are encouraged to give back to someone else.

In this case we created a special gift to give to women who may be going through a difficult time. This session was all about caring for those in a season of need.

I know the ladies enjoyed this session because it spilled over into the time for session 5! LOL

Session 5 focused on the difficult seasons of life! This session was very interactive and allowed the women once again to be an active participant!  

I led the last session which was all about recognizing the joy in every season and celebrating that! 

Setting up a workshop like this is super easy and in most cases budget friendly. Group provides everything you will need that day from workshop materials to music, to promo material. Of course you can add your own touches as I have done. The best part is that you don't need big name artist or speakers and you can ask friends, family or women at your church to facilitate each session (that material is provided as well). Like I said we have been using them for over six years and I am never disappointed with the outcome. Whether you have a small group of women like us or a larger congregation you can benefit from these kits and your ladies (of all ages) will love them! You also do not need a large facility to pull this off. Most of our sessions were done in the sanctuary with the exception of the service project which required some table space.

Of course I can't just do a workshop without adding decorations! If you would like some ideas for a Garden themed event you can check out my "Treasured Creations" blog.