Our Back Porch

Saturday, December 19, 2009

A Family Tradition

This week for Pink Saturday, we are to share a Christmas tradition.

One of my family's tradition is to attend the Christmas Eve candle light service at church.

A time to come together for the real meaning of Christmas and to sing Christmas carols together.

At the end everyone lights their candle {that they received when they came in} and sing Silent Night.

{always my favorite!!}

Then we head back home where we sit around the Christmas tree singing together as a family as the guys play their guitars. Our boys then exchange the gifts they got each other. This is always such a special time with my family. Even now that our boys are grown, we still enjoy doing this. I suppose when they are married, their wives will join in on this special time as well.

Be sure to go by Beverly's to see what traditions others are sharing this week.

God Bless and Merry Christmas!

Rebecca

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Petticoat Junction As Promised...PART 1

Several of you have commented and emailed me about sharing pics of our faculty/staff Christmas Luncheon at Petticoat Junction. So grab a snack and a cuppa your fav and enjoy a little tour of Petticoat Junction!

First off, Bonnie is the sweetest thing. Petticoat Junction is a dream that is coming true for her. As I mentioned before, Petticoat Junction is located in the sleepy little railroad town of Normandy, Tennessee...an 1892 Victorian beauty...an all inclusive Retreat House...and just about 20 min. from my home. *insert screams here* The owner, Bonnie, a retired teacher herself, had dreamed of opening a "Girls' Retreat" in an old Victorian home. When we learned that our Christmas Luncheon would be held here, we were ecstatic!

So without further ado...here's Petticoat Junction Part 1

The Christmas tree is the first thing you see when you enter Petticoat Junction.

I love the little glitter "P J " letters on the tree!

A shot of the foyer taken from the staircase.

Below is a closeup of a shelf that holds old photos in Mason jars. Cute idea!

The sitting room is to the left of the foyer. French doors in this room lead to the dining area where we were served.

After receiving out wonderful plate, we climbed the stairs to "Inspiration Station" that is the usual place for crafting. However, they had tables set up for us to all eat together.

OMGosh! This "Girly Girl" room is TDF!!! Just take a looksy...

This room will sleep four.

Sweet Dreams For Sure!

~Precious~

Well, that is the end of Part 1 of the Petticoat Junction tour Be sure to come back soon, as I will share more pics of this special little place!

Back Porch Blessings,

Rebecca

Monday, December 7, 2009

Christmas Decorating Part 1

Happy Monday everyone! Hope your week started off great, and hope it only gets better each day!

Today, your hostess is Miss Maggie Bleu, herself. She is anxiously waiting for Santa's visit on Christmas Eve. She hopes Santa brings her lots of treats, and a new "dolly".

She would like to share a few more pics with you of our Christmas decor. So sit back and enjoy some Christmas fun as Maggie takes you on a small tour in Part 1 of Christmas Decorating!

This is what my Momma calls our "Country Christmas Tree". It's in our Family Room by the fireplace. There are lots of fun goodies on this tree, and many look like they could be fun toys for me to play with. However, Momma says not to bother the tree, so I mind her really well, 'cause I want Santa to see how good I am!

Momma says she really likes this boy and girl because they look old-fashioned. All I know is, I am not suppose to bother them. So, I don't!

This guy in red must be pretty special 'cause my Momma has soooo many of these all over the place. These are just a few of the ones on our mantel. They are too high for me to count, but trust me...Momma put a bunch of them up there!!

This picture was taken in our kitchen. You can see the Family Room in the distance and the tree that my Momma calls "The Gingerbread Tree". There are lots of yummies on this tree but Momma said they are not for eating. They are just for looking at. I don't know...I may need to sample one or two of these sugary treats and find out for myself.

Well, that is all Momma said to show for today. Come back again, and we will continue the tour...we have lots more to see and several more trees!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Childhood Christmas Memory and Pink Saturday

Who says Christmas has to be JUST red and green? Surely not me! I think pink has a place too! Just take a look at my vintage Christmas ornaments. I love these so much! They sit on a counter in my kitchen so I can see them all the time! Gotta love those pink sparkling glitter balls!

A few more up close. Of course the pink one is my favorite!

*A Christmas Memory*

My sister and I shared a room as children. I remember us talking and giggling in the dark at night. However, there were never more talk and giggles than on Christmas Eve each year. Many years a new doll was on my Christmas list. After we were silent, I would imagine what my new doll would look like, what I would name her, what we would do together. I always loved this night!! Here is a picture of my sister and me on Christmas morning, December 1973. You can see me proudly holding my new dolly.

Ok, I'm sneaking in one more *giggles*, our parents let my sister and me decorate the tree, Here is a angel ornament that we always put on the tree. She now proudly hangs on my "Bethlehem Tree" each year. She always takes me back to Christmastime in my childhood.

Want more pink or more Christmas memories? Head on over to Beverly's to check out more!

Happy Pink Saturday and Happy Christmas Memories!

Rebecca

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

Hello all. I canNOT believe how much time has gone by! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that it was the end of October since I had posted. And now we are almost to the end of November! Sheesh! You have been waiting quite a while to see what I was going to do with the items I posted. So, I shall not keep you waiting any longer!!

Our church did a Trunk-Or-Treat on Halloween. It was sooooo much fun! Each Sunday School or Bible Study group chose a theme...Our's was Medieval Times. Our backdrop was a huge castle! We even had a dragon! Lots of knights, princesses, and even a traveling minstrel made this a hit! Just take a look...

Princess Rebecca

I'm so in love with that traveling minstrel!

That minstrel is so silly!

Oooooh, what a scary dragon!

The princesses

Lisa~Christy~Rebecca~Renee

Our group minus me...I had gone back to the car to get something.

Slaying the dragon

Ahhhh, the minstrel singing me a love song as we watch the moonlight.

*giggle*

It was SOOOOO MUCH fun!!

All of the neighborhood kids loved it! There were games, food, prizes, and loads of fun!

Hope you had a fun and safe Halloween!

On November 23, we celebrated our youngest son's birthday...the BIG 22.

Oh, how my baby has grown up! He is such an awesome, caring, talented young man!

We love you Blake!

And today is my parents' anniversary.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad

{aka Nanny and Grandad}!

We love you!

Have a blessed day everyone!

Friday, October 30, 2009

Mirror MirrorPink SaturdayAn Award

Happy Weekend Everyone! My post is going to be in three parts...

1} Mirror Mirror 2} Pink Saturday 3} An Award

Mirror Mirror On The Wall...or the vanity...or the...

I sooo love mirror! I know that sounds kind of vai

n *giggle* but I love them for other reasons that looking at myself. *wink*

I have a wall of mirrors in my foyer...

In my Craft Room...

On my dresser...

On the vanity in the bathroom...

When I go by a mirror I have to stop and look. No, not to check out myself...ok, maybe a little. I'm always on the lookout for a new mirror to add to my collection. How about you? How do you use mirrors?

***Pink Saturday***

Hope you are doing well on this PINK SATURDAY!!

Today, I have some sweet little pinks to share.

Do you remember my PS Post about a baby girl's pink room?

{If not, you can find it here.}

Well, this is a special gift for this precious little girl!

It's an Etsy find...don't ya just ❤ Etsy??☺

These were in this sweet shop.

Just look at that sweet ribbonwork. Awesome!

And speaking of sweet babies...

Maggie wants you to see her pretty pink collar.

She likes pink too! ☺

Here's something else I want to share with you.

Can you guess what I might be doing with these? Ok, here's another shot for ya.

Well, you'll have to wait for another post to see what these are for!

Don't ya just hate that? *giggle*

Now, go on over to Beverly's to check out more pink posts!

Now for AN AWARD!!!

I received an Award last week, and just now getting a chance to show and share. Jil from Say It With Roses chose me for this sweet blog award. Thank you so much Jil!! When you accept this award, this is what you need to do...

1} Show the image of the award and state the rules.

2} Post the link of the person who gave you the award.

3} Display 10 blogs in which you grant the award.

4} Inform the blogs listed.

And here is who I picked.....

Have a blessed weekend everyone!

Happy Pink Saturday Everyone!

and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Back Porch Smiles,

Rebecca

Friday, October 23, 2009

A Pink Post and Prayers Please

Good morning on this Pink Saturday. I am actually posting this Friday night because tomorrow is going to be a tough day. I will get to my pink post soon, but first, please say a prayer for us.

Here's why...

This most wonderfully amazing young man has been called home and is in the presence of our Lord. His name is Andrew, and he was 25 years old. Andrew is the son of our literacy leader at the school where I work. He was also an {amazing keyboardist and singer} in the Christian rock band, Raimah, with both of my sons. He was like a brother to my boys, along with 2 other members of the band. He was a man after God's own heart! I am sure the Lord is saying, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Andrew had battled cancer several years. He was in remission for a while but then cancer reared its ugly head again! We are all hurting so much at this loss, but we are rejoicing with Andrew because he is CANCER FREE and in no pain! And I bet he is playing in the ultimate band! Please pray for Andrew's family, and his girlfriend who has been by him throughout this whole ordeal! Also, please pray for my boys. They are taking it very hard and are going to be playing at his memorial service on Saturday afternoon. Thank you so much!

Now on to Pink Saturday...

This is Petticoat Junction located in the sleepy little railroad town of Normandy, Tennessee...an 1892 Victorian beauty...an all inclusive Retreat House...and just about 20 min. from my home. *insert screams here* We recently learned of its opening when we received an announcement that our Faculty/Staff Christmas party is going to be held here. The owner, Bonnie, a retired teacher herself, had dreamed of opening a "Girls' Retreat" in an old Victorian home. Her dream is coming true! Just take a look.

Petticoat Junction Retreat House and Scrapbooking Haven is the perfect place for a "girl's getaway", wedding/baby showers, church groups, etc. etc. You can rent for a day, a couple of nights, or more. You can reserve it just for special luncheons or teas. Now, with out further ado...here is Petticoat Junction Retreat House in all its glory...

There are 4 bedrooms...I'm only showing the pink ones...but the others are as equally as cute!!

There are two bathrooms.

And I saved the girliest bedroom for last...

OMGosh! TDF!!!

There's a sunroom too!

I can't forget to tell you that you can get pampered too...pedicures and massages!

There are many other rooms that I will share for another post, as they aren't pink. lol

Also, be watching because I will be coming up on my 200th post very soon!

Now, for Beverly's Challenge...

A blog that I visited last week and want to spotlight is "A Charming Home". And Gwendolyn's home is charming for sure! Go by and visit her sweet blog, and tell her I sent you.

Happy Pink Saturday.

Thanks again for the prayers!

Now, go on over to Beverly's to check out more pink posts!

Back Porch Blessings,

Rebecca

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Happy Pink Saturday

I am running a bit slow today on my Pink Saturday post...but here it is now!☺

These are lovely Danseur Rhinestone Roses from Shabbyfufu.

Aren't they gorgeous?!? They can be pinned on your favorite jacket or dress, used in one of your creations, or placed on a choker to make a unique necklace.

In this picture, you can see my "Love" slide {on one of my pink vintage hankies}. I wear this on my choker or a chain.

Beverly has challenged us to spotlight another Pink Saturday Blogger. This week, I'd like to share Suzanne's blog. Her post last week was the sweetest little pink kids! Head on over and pay Suzanne a visit at The Shabby Tiara. You'll be glad you did!

Hope you have a lovely Pink Saturday!

Make sure you go by Beverly's for more lovely pink posts!

Back Porch Blessings,

Rebecca

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Fall Break Part 2

Well, I am nearing the end of week 2 of my Fall Break. Monday morning, it will be back to work I go! I always enjoy going back and hearing what my students did over break, but it sure is hard to get back on that schedule. Here are some things that I did this week...

Visited with my sister and my great-niece. I had some presents for my great niece's birthday.

{Sorry, these next few pics are blurry. My camera was acting funky that day!}

She's soooooo beautiful!

She LOVES monkeys, and particularly Bobby Jack!

I love you Giovanna!

Added some Halloween decorations...

Do your candy dishes look like mine?

Empty?

I can't resist getting a handful of candy corn EVERY time I go by them. I'm worse than the kids! HeeHee

A face only a mother could love! HeeHee

This witch is AWESOME! With the flick of a

switch, her eyes start shooting blue beams, her body starts to shake all over, and she begins this ear-piercing screaming!

OMGosh! Maggie does NOT like this witch! She wishes she would go back where she came from...and she tells her that every time someone gets her going!!

~Been baking goodies~