GIRLS JUST WANTA HAVE FUN!

Girl's Weekend

Girls are all about secrets and giggles

texting and wifi

music and mystery

laughter and tears.

I love the canvas above.

The youth leader found it for $5 at Bell's Outlet.

It was a door prize.

My favorite is "I believe a smile is what makes a girl pretty."

Can you believe I got early AM SMILES?

These two are real princesses:)

The house smelled of cookies.

They look a mess but they were YUMMY!

Played a few games of UNO.

My girls (15 years ago!) played UNO all night!

I found that UNO can't compete with WIFI.

Yes, they were yacking at 2 AM:)

Gotta love me some girlies!

(Yes, my tree is still up! LOVE IT!)

8 AM Bible Study came kinda early.

I spoke on Labels that often Define us-

Stupid, Fat, Rejected, Ugly, Dumb, Anorexic,

Trashy.....

Who Satan, the one who comes to steal, kill, and destroy

says we are.

But they discovered Who JESUS says we are!

They expressed themselves in many ways-

PAINTED

and 

DOODLED

ABOUT WHO THEY ARE!

We treated them to a SPA.

Each girl came as a princess

and left

A QUEEN!

After all, they are DAUGHTERS OF THE KING!

BIG Thanks to MRS. YOUTH DIRECTOR

for putting this great weekend together 

for our girls!

A September Wedding of Rustic Charm

A September Wedding...

Specht Farm...

A Blank Canvas...

Let the creative juices flow and the fun begin!

Joy said, 

"The chandelier was an unexpected element of surprise

once you pulled into the pecan orchard."

The antique dresser and mirror, table and chairs with 

vintage linen, and a chalkboard sign were all touches of 

the rustic charm the bride was looking for.

The painted plant stands were the perfect

pops of color needed for the fern baskets.

Love the lanterns atop the natural wooden fence.

The fruit tray looks scrumptious and compliments

the colors in the floral bouquets.

A galvanized bucket full of shrimp.

Yuuuuuummmmy!

Wooden barrels make great serving tables.

Cascading lights....

May I have this dance for the rest of my life?

Thanks, Joy for allowing me to eavesdrop on some of your magical moments.

Hopefully, more to come:)

Bonnie

"A Taste of the Perfect Southern Wedding"

I have been strolling among 

my friends on Facebook

looking for new ideas.

I'd hit a Blogger's "blank"

and needed some inspiration

when I stumbled upon some 

incredible wedding photos.

To my delight and surprise, 

I discovered that 

my friend, Joy Lord

is a magnificent artist.

When we consider art, 

our imaginations are drawn to galleries of 

sculptures, framed photography or 

displays of ink, pencil, oil, and watercolor.

However, according to Webster, 

an artist is an expert, authority, guru, crackerjack,

or master skilled in a particular area

by experience, study, or observation.

I don't know how Joy came to aquire such talent,

whether it was a natural gift or an aquired skill.

Nevertheless, she has the gift of design.

A true artist, she is in every sense of the word.

The Bride is a very practical, quiet, fun-loving 

southern girl.

Not much into flowers, she likes to hunt, 

fish and play sports.

When I asked Joy where she got her inspiration, 

she said, 

"My niece wanted 'simple' so I pulled out 

the mason jars and went to pick cotton for a taste

of the perfect southern wedding."

This photograph, by Natalie McDonald,

another friend, 

captured the true rustic elogance of the moment.

The chandelier in the corner, the upclose branch of cotton,

and beautiful vignette of cotton and candles on the mantle, 

the hanging wooden initials-all sweet tastes of Southern flair.

White Fenton, hobnail vases, brown paper bags, 

and a stem of cotton-

all elements of vintage design.

A sweet thank-you to "momma and daddy,"

sentiments of a true southern belle.

Joy says, "I try to hear what my brides are telling me and 

create a fairy tale wedding for them."

I feel "fairy tale" written all over this, don't you?

More to Come, 

Bonnie:)

Thanks Joy for allowing me to share.

Meet Becky Doughty, BRAVEHEART

A few months ago, 

I received an email from another blogger,

Becky Doughty

AKA

BRAVEHEART.

She wanted to feature my post on Sisters.

I was so honored and so humbled.

My writing is not sugar and spice and everything nice.

I just try to be REAL.

Sometimes I find that others can not take my brutal honesty.

Becky is real.

I guess that's why I like her.

This is one of my favorite posts...

November 19, 2012 · 9:28 am

Some Days He Whispers Loudly

I’m one of those people who is fairly familiar with the Bible. I grew up on the mission field, raised with the Bread of Life on my plate every single day. It was a privilege and a great honor, but one that took me years (and years) to appreciate.
Even now, I find myself “gearing up” (translate: sighs and clock-watching, guilt over wishing I could ask for a rain-check), for my devotions, or skimming over things because “I know this already….”
In fact, do you want to know something? It is rare that I hurry to meet with the Lord. My heart doesn’t often race at the thought of setting aside one-on-one time to spend with Him. In fact, most of my days are so full from the moment I awake to the moment I put my head on my pillow and pass out, that I feel like He’s just one more item on my daily planner to check off the list.
More often than not, I am driven by my KNOWLEDGE that I need Him, rather than by a desire to seek Him out and simply enjoy Him.
But guess what? HE knows how awesome He is, even when I forget. And HIS heart DOES race at the thought of meeting with me. And He NEVER asks me for a rain-check. Never. Because HE knows far better than I do JUST HOW MUCH I need Him, how much my heart longs to hear from Him.
And sometimes, when I stop my busy scrambling and time-keeping, He whispers to me between the familiar words of His Word, just how THRILLED He is to see me coming to spend time with Him.
Song of Solomon 6:10 “Who is this that grows like the dawn, as beautiful as the full moon, as pure as the sun, as awesome as an army with banners?”

http://www.christianphotos.net

That’s ME He’s talking about! That’s YOU He’s talking about!
How can I resist such adoration from the Lover of my soul?

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Hope you will enjoy reading Becky's posts.

I think you'll find something that speaks to you.

Will post about my girl's weekend  next.

Bonnie :)

http://beckydoughty.com/2013/01/25/sisters-a-story-of-grace/

A Touch of Pink and a Girlie Sleepover

I love a touch of Pink.

You'd think from looking

at my entire decorating scheme

that BLUE is my color of choice.

I actually have one special room 

in the house for me-

it is my PINK ROOM

in vintage style.

It makes me feel at peace.

In this crazy, busy world

we all need a place of comfort.

On this Holiday off, 

I've been cleaning like crazy.

Gotta get it all pretty for

some sweet girls

from our church youth group.

So, I picked up some things at the shop

that haven't sold in months.

These will go in my Pretty Pink room 

when I decide how to display them.

Don't think my teenage girls will be trying on these,

but they are lovely.

I know I'll have to set the alarm.

I'm sure they'll be sharing

secrets until the wee hours of the morning.

Nothing as sweet as girl talk.

Seems like only yesterday

that my girl was sharing secrets

with her church girls.

Been reminiscing about those days.

Good years, fun times

when the girls stayed up 

til the early morning

playing cards

and singing, 

"This Kiss," by Faith Hill

Hope my girls never forget those days. 

My baby girl has been married almost 9 years.

I can't believe it!

and my daughter in love and son have been married

almost 5 years!

(Photos above)

Do you have a special room?

Do you have moments and memories of your girl talks?

Please share. 

I'd like to hear from you!

Bonnie:)

Who Am I???

Wow!

I have made so many GREAT, new friends

in Blogland.

I was recently honored and humbled

when one of my blog buddies,

Becky Doughty 

from 

BRAVEHEART

asked if she could use one of my posts.

She has the gift of words-inspired and beautiful.

She is using my post "Sisters by Chance, Friends by Choice."

She asks for me to write a little about myself.

I am a  WIFE and  MOTHER of two-a boy and a girl, 

the young man on the left and the young lady on my left.

I think they look alike.

My Beautiful Girl

My Handsome Boy

As little ones, their pictures looked the same,

especially with heads in towels and bottoms covered:)

I am BonBon to the cutest little man you have ever seen.

This photo was taken on last year's beach trip.

Look at him now. 

Can't you tell that he melts my heart.

Okay, so he's what Becky is looking for...
I am a SISTER.

We try new things together.
Yes, she's the crafty one!

And the goofy one:)

Guess that may be debatable, depending on the day!

We have a brother too.
He's the most talented, handsome, crazy/fun brother in the world
We had a jam session at Christmas.

I am "Aunt Bonnie" to many, many nieces and nephews on my husband's side

and 2 nieces and 2 nephews on my side.

Since this article is about the relationship that I share with my sister,

I thought I'd post a photo of me with her little girl. 

Can you tell, she's my heart?

Since our parents died, I'm the only grammy that she has.

She likes calling me BonBon too!

These are my sister, Beverli's two.

So glad they came later.

At one time, my sister and I thought

we wanted each other's life.

So glad we chose differently.

The choice enriched both of our lives in many ways.

WHO AM I???

I am, first and foremost, 

A CHILD OF THE MOST HIGH GOD

ADOPTED INTO THE FAMILY

CHOSEN BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH

REDEEMED

SAVED

HEALED

AND 

DELIVERED.

PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!

Hope is like Sweet Kisses on an Ironstone Platter

Healing may come in like a flood.

Healing may be just around the corner.

Healing may be a journey.

Either way, healing will come.

I am in the process of healing.

I received a facebook message from a friend this week

"Your cries have awakened the Master."

I cried, I praised, I rejoiced because

I know she hears from the Master.

My friend teaches like Beth Moore,

loves like Anne Graham Lotz,

and is passionate like Joyce Meyers.

Our Bible Study this week was the little BIG book of Habakkuk.

Habakkuk was not afraid to ask the hard questions!

He poured out his heart.

He asked WHY???

Why injustice?

Why destruction and violence?

Why strife and conflict?

We may ask...

Why the killing of innocent children?

Why the plight of the homeless?

Why aborted babies and babies born to mothers who don't want them

when my baby can't have a baby?

WHY???

I mean, God, we need a miracle and we need it now.

As the Israelites cried out, I cry, 

"Lord, for the sake of your name answer.

Lord, my baby is hurting and I'm afraid.

Lord, for the sake of your name!"

I ask the hard questions!

He can take it!

Habakkuk got a divine response.

THE LORD ANSWERS and HE GIVES HOPE!

"Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed,

For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe,

even if you were told."  1:5

God is going to answer in a way that there will be no doubt that it is GOD!

We will be utterly amazed

The answer will come.

"For the revelation awaits an appointed time,

it speaks to an end and will not prove false.

Though it linger, wait for it.

It will certainly come and will not delay."  2:3

God is mindful of You, my friend.

Whatever your "WHY", it is gonna end well

and bring glory to God.

There is an appointed time.

This hope feels like sweet kisses on an ironstone platter:)

(Photo taken of a photo by Rachel Ashwell)

In Jesus Name, 

WE PRESS ON! 

Child's Play and a Tea Set

So, I have a day off and what do I do?

Play House.

My table resembles a child tea set-

a little of this, a little of that.

Mama loved a tea set.  

Maybe it was because she never had one as a little girl.

But she made sure that we got a new one every year. 

Good thing, because I broke or lost a few

and wound up with bits and pieces of this and that.

So, I guess I can call this

child's play.

The temperature in central GA is a whopping 83 degrees.

If it's this warm, why not some beach days.

The seashells have been collected over the years from Hilton Head Island

from our annual beach trips.

I keep them in this tarnished silver bowl.

I like it unpolished. 

A hint of blue peeks through the metal

and makes me think of the ocean.

I picked up the blue salad plates at Goodwill today

for 50 cents a piece.

Good deal, huh?

Not just cheap, "Made in China" stuff either.

Once in a while I take out my hobnail goblets.

I love milk glass.

The table cloth I picked up from a local shop,

an estate find.

Isn't she lovely?

No, I'm not an interior decorator.

But a little girl can pretend, 

Right?