Today was the first baby shower for Benjamin Thomas!  It was given by the members of our son-in-law's parents' church family.  Joshua was a member there for years as well as their youth pastor.

 The theme was ducks.  It was inspired by a punch recipe.  I don't know what their proportions were today but I know they used the blue Hawaiian Punch, White Grape Juice, a soda like Sprite, and vanilla ice cream.

 At first I wasn't sure what I was going to think of the taste but this was DELICIOUS!   I highly recommend it if you need it for any theme dealing with blue - - - even a beach theme.

 My husband and I were thankful to be included with this group who loves our "kids".  They  did a beautiful job and also gave them some very nice and useful gifts.  And as a bonus, we got to eat lunch at "Mamaw's house" before the baby shower.  She is does an amazing job of cooking for her family every Sunday.

Last night was all about the grandson, too.  Amanda and I went to a BIG consignment sale.  We had early admission since she is a consignor and Bill and I are helping with the clean-up for this next weekend.  I was able to get furniture type items for our home that retail for $270  - - - - for only $118.   Those in town know the Ashley-Lauren Sale being held this next week.  You can see pictures if you go to the link.  Not shown on their website is the furniture in the outside tent.

Yesterday - - before last night's sale - - - we worked in the yard.  My contribution is to weed eat and cut "volunteers"  for up to an hour each week.  Even at that, it is going to be amazing if I ever get my part done.  Bill does mowing and clearing - - sticks, limbs, and tree trash on the roof.  It is very difficult on his sinus at this time of year - - - however now is the time for the most moderate temperatures.   What you see below is just a very small portion of what was on the roof and in the gutters.

 We won't even have the discussion about gutters and stuff not getting in them, etc.   We have a history with that, too.   Instead I will say it has been a great weekend - - a bit tiring - - - but Praise God for health and energy to do these things!

. . . . for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.  Psalm 43:5b

Friends

Today my younger daughter and I went to the wedding of family friends.  The bride was in Bible Study with Amanda as well as having university connections.  The wedding was at Lee University Chapel.  It's the first time we had seen it since it was built.  It is GORGEOUS!

The reception was held in a renovated barn.  The owners also have a plant nursery.  Although I took the pictures with my phone, perhaps you can still get an idea of how beautifully it was decorated.  Both sides of the long barn had azaleas, lilacs, green trees, and trees that were just branches which were decorated with lights.

It was exquisite both visually as well as in fragrance.  The lilacs' aroma was delicious!

This was one of the most organized weddings & receptions I have attended.  We had an extremely enjoyable time - - - - - got to meet some new friends at our table who liked to converse as much as me!

The flowers above were given to me earlier this week by the grandmother of the bride.  She and I became friends in the library when she moved here almost ten years ago.  It is a bouquet for Easter.  The vase was scalloped at the top to look like a broken eggshell.  For those who live in Cleveland, Perry's Petals did this arrangement.

A co-worker friend had a significant birthday this week.  One of her friends gave her a balloon bouquet.

When she entered the front door - - - as seen here in the top of the picture, she was greeted by paper footprints leading to the library door.   The footprints were numbered beginning with "one".

They ended with her new age!  For those who know her, they would tell you she does not look five decades old!  She liked our footprint joke.

And tomorrow we will be with more friends - - - our son-in-law's family.  We will first worship with him and our daughter before joining all of them for lunch.

This week has been very good - - - - I hesitate to say it's almost been normal because the last time I said that, it got a bit hectic and crazy again.    We have some more construction that needs completion at our house but can schedule it is when it is convenient for us now - - rather than because it is an emergency.

However, the weekends keep us VERY busy with the usual chores and occasionally we complete an optional project.  It's nice to do optional.  My sweet husband worked extremely hard today.  This morning was a bit easy.  It was the annual (free) Hazardous Waste Day where multiple organizations combine to collect trash that needs special disposal - - - - - like paints, chemicals, medicines, computer monitors.  Then this afternoon and evening, Bill mowed our "new yard" for the first time.  It was very tiring as the ground is still settling so it is more than a little lumpy in spots.  He is so precious.

 - - - and it's time to hang up - - - gave you more to read than you might have bargained on.

  A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly : and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.    Proverbs 18:24