Anticipation

I am looking forward to our upcoming vacation in North Carolina. Part of our vacation will be visiting Biltmore Estates, Charlotte, state capitol at Raleigh (I collect capitol pictures), the Outer Banks, and visiting friends we haven't seen in a long while. We're making our reservations for hotels and rental car, I'm packing and making lists on what to pack -- so my excitement is building up.

Anyone have any suggestions on what we should make sure we don't miss? Any great places to see in the Outer Banks? I'm looking forward to seeing the beach, sticking my toes in the sand and water, and taking many, many pictures of the ocean, lighthouses, the Biltmore, the Capitol, and anything else that comes into view!

Daniel

I've begun a new Bible Study on the book of Daniel. We meet every Monday evening for a little over an hour. I've been with the study group before and I always enjoy the study time and the insights from each woman. This study is from the "Community Bible Study" series. A few things that I jotted down in my notes from our first lesson from Daniel 1:1-2:23:

• God's in control.


• God's love isn't based on how many good or bad choices you make.


• Don't panic, pray.


• Panic confirms hopelessness, prayer confirms hope in God.

Thank you Lord for directing me back to this study group and for your continued love.

Golden Books

Sorry I have not posted lately. I have had a killer cold. First a head cold and now a chest cold. Seemed to start out as an allergy and then got continuously worse. I think I'm on the road to recovery today and hopefully the yuks are behind me.

I have been picking up Little Golden Books lately at garage sales and antique stores. It has been fun looking for the older ones for my collection. My oldest book was published in 1948. These stories never get old. Great illustrations too.

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again

As I read about many of the bloggers who are sending their children to school or preparing to be new mothers and as I think about the days gone by with my own children and prepare for a new grandbaby, these words ring true.

From “If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again”

If I had my child to raise all over again,

I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I’d finger-paint more, and point the finger less.

I would do less correcting and more connecting.

I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.

I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I’d do more hugging and less tugging.

~Diane Loomans

Charlotte - Here We Come

We are taking a trip at the end of September to Charlotte, North Carolina. Do any readers live in Charlotte or have vacationed there? What should we make sure we see and do? Any and all help would be appreciated. My hubby is attending a conference and I'm tagging along. I'm excited about the time away.

Back Home

We are back from our Labor Day travels. Antiquing, golfing, watching baseball, riding on a riverboat, visiting relatives, viewing museums, and feeding trout. Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

This is a picnic basket that I bought from the antique mall. It has a pie shelf inside. I have several picnic baskets but my first one with a pie shelf.

My hubby and I went golfing after antiquing at a 9-hole golf course. He golfed and I drove the cart! It was a fun afternoon and beautiful area.

The next day we went to a Cardinals game. They beat Cincinnatti 3-2. Great game! But boy was it warm in our seats. We never got any shade. I got a little bit of a sunburn on my neck and shoulders. First one of the season.

Prior to the game we rode a riverboat on the Mississippi River. I got a really nice picture of the arch.

On Monday, we visited with my parents and had lunch with our son and then went to a nearby spring to feed the trout. Some very beautiful scenery.

Overall - great weekend and very relaxing. Hope you had the same.