Youth, Braves Baseball and Newsboys

We did absolutely nothing on Labor Day.

Guess what we did on Sunday?

After church we boarded the church van

and went to the Braves game with a

rowdy bunch of teenagers.

Not really rowdy.  Just teenagers.

Some of the best days of our lives have been spent with youth.

Anyway, Mr. H is the biggest kid of all.

My mind says YES, my body says NO!

I can tell you, I don't do cramped up, 

hot and thirsty and humid on a bus.

It didn't seem to bother these guys one bit.

There was a great breeze up top.

And I can tell you we were up top!

The guy on the right?
Our new youth pastor, James Pendell.
YEY!

An Atlanta school choral group sang the National Anthem. 

It was absolutely the best I have ever heard. 

Simply beautifully done!

We had nosebleed seats, and

I was scared to death!

I could hear the crackle of knees and the pounding of my heart.

Can't you see a big blur of red, white and blue

rolling into the first base line?

I am hyperventilating just thinking about it.

The Faces of the Game

The Crazy Kids

The Other Bunch

Sane?  

Naaaa!

I love these guys. 

So sad that they are back in the real world of college

and employment. 

SIGH!

Thankful for the ones who will stay and will miss the ones who go.

The Post Game Concert 

featured 

NEWSBOYS!

It was awesome to see at least 20,000 youth

worshiping and singing praises to our Lord Jesus Christ.

The 90's crowd rocked the stadium as

Michael Tait writer and singer

 for the former DC Talk sang

JESUS FREAK.

I stood with chills as I watched the entire 

stadium proclaim 

I believe in God the Father

I believe in Jesus Christ

I believe in the Holy Spirit 

and He's giving us to new life.

I BELIEVE!

Wow!  What an experience!
What a way to end the summer!

Glad I went, 

Bonnie:)

Oh yeah, we hit a deer on the way home.

A Mid-Life Moment???

This time last week I was in Nashville. 

Tonight I'm somewhat melancholy for many reasons, 

some of which I can not express. 

I've never believed much in 

what people call "A mid-life crisis."

I mean, who really knows when mid-life is?

However, I'm beginning to understand more 

what that means, at least for me. 

All that once felt new, 

is beginning to feel old. 

That's okay when we're talking about old scales, old tins, 

old crates and old boxes.

I love the old, repurposed, cleaned, dusted, 

painted and usable again.

We work so hard to make the old look new, 

but why the new look old?

We do that, don't we?

I know, I do.

Sometimes, I honestly can't tell which is which.

Is this really old or new?

On the closest observation, I can't see what is the real thing

and what is not. 

Do you find it easy to see what is truly hidden

behind the gloss and shine?

Now days, I look closer at other women.

How old is she?

I know I'm rambling.

Just feeling like I need a do-over.

I look around and see women who are older than I. 

Through my eyes they look flawless, without lines, 

tucked, trimmed and toned. 

And, I feel weather-worn, sun-aged, and saggy.

So many products out three to add flavor. 

We can choose

hot or mild

sweet or sour.

Some women are called HOT!

Some of are sweet!

Some of us are neither.

At least that's how I feel today.

Sometimes I feel like I've been grounded, pounded, 

and poured-

into a mold that others want for me, 

or into a pair of pants that no longer fit

-or both.

Am I having a mid-life moment?

Granny would say, grab that apron over 

there and let's get to work.

I honestly believe that age is an attitude.

I feel 35, in my head, that is. 

Why do I look 64 and in my body feel 74???

while I am almost 54???

I need to grab an apron and get to work,

lose 50 pounds, of which 20 of that 

I carry on my shoulders.

Need to lose some of this weight-

emotional and physical.

The above photos were taken 

at Marche Artisan Foods

where we had Saturday brunch.

I had a veggie quiche

and yummy french toast. 

Yes, both!

It's been a tough week!

Maybe I'll feel and look younger in the morning.

Have a good weekend,

Bonnie

We're In Italy!

We're On Our Way to Italy

Linda at Simply Linda called and said, "Hey, want to go to Italy."  I was like, "What??? You have got to be kidding.  I was just thinking about that. I'm soooo having a Calgon moment and ready to get away from it all."  

So I hopped on a plane from Atlanta and met her in New York.

This was the view from my window.

So, here we are!

Did you know that Italy in one of the top European destinations. 

Our first stop was Verona.What a villa we have!  

The mountains on one side and the sea on the other.  

I once worked with a guy who had lived half of his life in Italy so I know a little about what to expect.  He called me something and did the kissy-finger-thingy (no, not that finger!).  I said, "What did you say?"  He said, "It means you are a little stout lady."  I was livid.  What????  He said, " In Italy that is a compliment and I meant it as a compliment."  I said, "We're not in Italy."  

But now I am, so I think I'll fit in just fine. I'm a Signora Bella for now.

Now I know that Italy has a reputation for being expensive and you pay big bucks for the wine, but Linda and I found the neatest little eateries on the back streets of Venice.

Gotta keep her away from the wine

or I'll be carrying her on my back.

I forgot to show you the inside of our villa.

Linda has the bed. 

It's only fair since she planned most of the itinerary.

I just love the cobblestone paths

of Taormina.

The countryside, the small towns, oh and the 

Piazzas!

The sights, tastes, smells-ahhhhhh.

Eat, drink and be merry!

I eat, she drinks and we both are merry!

(I'm teasing, Linda.  What goes on in Italy, stays in Italy.  I'm not telling a thing!)

I sure hope I get to take a Gondola ride on 

the back canals of Venice.

Linda's trying to keep me away from the 

Italian men!

Oh my goodness!

Mama Mia!

Delish!

We're in Rome now.

This is a collage that I made of the city.

Shops for days, food for hours, 

and cobblestone gardens that 

I'd like to bring home with me. 

Linda says there's more to see so

you'll want to drop by her place and see 

the second leg of our journey.

Wish You Were Here, 

Bonnie:)

So, just so you know.
This was a "virtual" vacation.
Linda is not a wine-o, and
I am still lusting after Italian men.

It's been fun!

A Front Porch Nook Inspired by Art and Sand

Art and Sand: My Inspiration

As you know,
I don't know a thing about flowers.

My front porch is in the afternoon sun
and I come home to wilted flowers every day.

But I'm determined to create
a front porch that is bright.

I just love the ideas from Art and Sand.

She uses red, yellow and blue in
most of her vignettes.

So I tried some new things today.

The flowers in the large pot with the burlap "H" flag
were red, white and blue.

Don't look too closely.
I free-handed the "H".
I figured, "Who could see it from the road."

They were beyond recognition.
I put in the larger pot with more dirt.
They revived a little.

I spray painted the wrought iron patio chair
that I found by the side of the road.
The bottom has rusted out some,
but it's great for holding a plant.

This is the look from Fall.

This was the Spring look.
The patio chair and lantern just blended in.

Will find some pillows and may paint the bench.


Thanks Art and Sand for the inspiration.

Bonnie:)

I Am Featured on Saturday Spotlight with Kris at Junk Chic Cottage

Saturday Spotlight with Kris at Junk Chic Cottage

Don't know what the weekend is going to be like so I decided to go ahead and post the pleasure of being chosen as a Saturday Spotlight.

When Kris contacted me and said that she wanted to feature me in the Saturday Spotlight, my response was, "Me?  You have got to be kidding."  She was one of the first blogs that I followed when I started blogging.

All the white is what drew me to her. I could just sink into some of her slip covered chairs and spend the day reading between naps and nods.  When I visit I get that "peaceful, easy feeling."  Yes, I know, I'm about to break out in song. She's so sweet and she makes me feel this way.

Thank you Kris for hosting Saturday Spotlight and thanks for including me. Thanks for dropping by. Thanks, Kris for the feature.

Happy 4th to all my friends out there.  Hope you visit my cottage sometime.  Just teasing, I don't have one, but here are a few ways that I may celebrate the holiday if I had one.

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Of course, it would already be white.  I'd just have to add a touch of red and blue.  I'd have to ask Kris to help with the flowers and the garden.

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This would be my Connor man's room. I'd have to repaint the walls white.

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You are welcome to watch the fireworks from my porch.  Ahhhh!  Can't you just feel it! Just needs a little more white, right Kris?

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I'd even pass the cart around and serve you while you enjoy the festivities.

Kellie at Sweet Something Design

sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com 

But, I just can't do a table, so we'd drop by Kellie's place at Sweet Something Design and eat dinner with her.

Thanks again, for stopping by.  Thanks again, Kris for the feature. 

So thankful for all the freedoms that we so easily take for granted.  Lee Greenwood's song always brings tears to my eyes.

God Bless the USA, 

Bonnie

To all my Canada friends, you feel like you belong to us:)

Ya"ll Come Back Now

The sweet little home 

in the country

hosted a cook out for the 

college and career youth.

We drank Southern sweet tea and pink lemonade

out of jars and  

ate wild plums with our hands. 

Everything had a vintage feel to it.

Of course, I was right at home. 

Hydrangeas in blue Ball jars is always a go!

Gotta have lots of red and a little white and blue.
Wire baskets are pretty practicals.

The guys cooked and talked hunting and fishing,

or texted and talked.

See the yellow chair that goes with the glider?
I want, I want, I want.
I think I envy, envy, envy.

Some of the girls talked softball, 

and everyone got a shot at cornhole.

"Now, where do you say the bag was supposed to go???"

We played wiffle ball???

Yes, I got a few hits, but I can't do the run-thing anymore.
(It's a woman-after-fifty thang)
I pitched.  I am sore tooooooooooooday!

No more playing, when it came time to eat. 

Some sat in the other rooms and some enjoyed their meal outside.

The menu:

Grilled Chicken
Creole Shrimp (Big Ones!)
Mac and Cheese
Green Beans
Pasta Salad
Fresh Pineapple
Cake and Brownies

YUMMY!

Take your shoes off.
Ya'll Come Back Now,
Ya Here,

Bonnie:)