We Have A Winner!

We held a very official drawing on Sunday for the Yankee Candle Giveaway...

Meaning... I wrote down names on notepaper...

put them in a pretty basket...

and had my Madison draw one name.

Because that is how we do it around here. : )

And the winner is...

Lisa from one catholic girl! Lisa is a new friend I have recently met and blogs here. 

Congratulations!!!!

Lisa...please email me with your address so I can get it in the mail. : )

And thank you all for indulging me in all my crazy ideas!

Have a wonderful day. : )

Thursday Thoughts

Today I'm thinking about...


...How quickly time goes by. I am remembering spending summers at the lake when I was young. We spent entire summers at our lake house when I was young, and I remember how happy and safe and comfortable I felt being there with my family. My grandma also had a cottage there, and my mother, sisters and I would spend evenings around her kitchen table playing cards. Now... I am the mother, and my mother is the grandmother. Life goes on, and we grow and change, and I am realizing that I am but one link in the chain of mothers and children that will go on and on. And that makes me happy.


...The fact that school will be starting soon. And I am glad! There is something about a brand new year that gets me so excited to begin teaching and learning with my kids. I just love the feeling of a fresh start...the sharp, new crayons and bright red apples and shorter, cooler days...All these things make me happy to be a mom. And a teacher. : )


...The weekend ahead and how few plans we have. I hope to spend it with my family, relishing the beauty of summer as it begins to fade into fall. My favorite. : )


Here are some pictures of the past week around our house...

Steve brought home some peaches...

which we promptly turned into this. : )

My little lady was excited to go to Steve's family reunion...

and wanted to wear her finest dress.

It poured the whole way there, but held off for the afternoon and the view from my seat was gorgeous!

Then, God gave us a rainbow on the way home. : )

We have been cooking with zucchini. And pasta. And garlic, fresh herbs, and cheeses, of course.

I got my nails done at the spa. And I took this picture because they will not look this good for a long, long time. : )

Leaving you with a shot of my girl. We have been spending mornings on the porch lately. And she loves it.

Oh, and in case you missed it...in celebration of this little old blog's 2nd Birthday, I am giving this amazing candle away. If you want to have a chance to add this to your cozy evenings, just leave a comment here.

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!

Overnight Getaway

Once in awhile, Steve and I take a quick getaway together. It is good for us, and good for the kids. We are fortunate to have this lovely resort within driving distance...If you ever find yourself in Central Pennsylvania, Bedford Springs Resort is worth a try. Promise.

It is charming, beautiful, cozy, and full of history.

We arrived just in time for a quick lunch by the pool...

then I visited the spa while Steve took a long walk.

Our room was so cozy. And clean. A must, right?

And we had a private balcony complete with comfy rockers.

This was the view from our rockers. We just sat and visited and relaxed. And rested.

The inside of the resort is just as beautiful. This is the walkway near the indoor pool.

Saturday morning we had a delicious room service breakfast and headed home...refreshed and renewed...and mindful of how blessed we are to have our little family waiting at home for us. : )

Remember to take time for you and your spouse. I think it is one of the best gift we can give our children...the gift of an example of a loving marriage. : )

Happy 2nd Birthday Little Blog!

That's right! This little old blog is turning two. And unlike last year, I actually remembered the correct date. : ) I want to thank each of you for sharing your lives here with me. For the friendships I have made, the knowledge I have gained, the love and support I have received...I say Thank You! I celebrate you! And how do we do that? With a gift, of course! I have a beautiful, wonderful smelling candle that needs a home. Want to see?

I have one that burns every evening in our family room, and it smells amazing!

If you would like to claim this candle, which will fill your home with an amazing scent of chocolate, just leave a comment below. And in true Billie Jo form, I will draw a winner. From names written on paper. Who needs technology? The winner will be drawn on Sunday, August 10, and I will post the name soon after. Soooo good luck!

And again, thanks for visiting!