Chili, How I Love Thee!

It's time.

Let your heart feel the happiness in those words:  it's time.  Time for what, you ask?

Time for chili, friends.

We have an Atchley tradition.  We stop eating chili when the weather warms up, long about middle April.  We don't let a bite of that magical stuff pass our lips until the weather reports forecast the evening temperatures to dip into the 40's.

A forecasted low of 49 is just enough.  For 49 degrees, we'll pull all the makin's for chili out of the cupboard.

Tonight, for the first time since last early-spring, the temperatures are going to dip all the way down to about 47 degrees.  There is anticipation in the very air in the cottage today. 

It's time.

For more about chili, click here.

Are you ready to speak in strange tongues?  How hot can you stand it?

My Two Bluebirds...

Did you know that Eastern Bluebird babies grow up, leave the nest, and then some actually return to the nest to help the parents take care of the next wave of hatchlings?

I didn't know that. But the fact reminds me of both my girls.

They've grown up, left the nest, and yet have stationed themselves nearby (and in Hannah's case, has physically returned to the "nest" for a short time) in order to help the family thrive and flourish.

Believe me, I know how rare and wonderful that is. I am overwhelmed by God's goodness in it. I was thinking yesterday, how that in my fondest dreams I dreamed when these girls were babies, I couldn't have imagined the sweetness we share today. The togetherness. The sense of friendship and respect and the sense that we are now working together to achieve certain goals.

It's the grace of God, pure and simple. I did nothing so wise or so right as to deserve the sort of relationship our whole family shares together. We absolutely enjoy just hanging out.

Those bluebird-daughters of mine and their bluebird-husbands are contributing to the welfare of their younger siblings (and their parents) in spiritually enduring, substantial ways...and by this, they contribute to the well being of an entire church.

My best prayer for you, daughters of mine, is that God gives you bluebirds of your own. Only then can you possibly know the blessing you are to me!

What's New...In Pictures

BIG NEWS, friends...Hannah (my daughter, who is expecting our first grandbaby) is two weeks further along than we thought!

::cheers, confetti::

Sooooo...Grandaddy and I are thinking we could even have a "Thanksgiving Baby" - it's possible!  At any rate, our little Timothy Paul is a big 'un.  I've finally been able to feel him kick!  For the loooooongest time, every single time I would put my hand on Hannah's belly, he would get completely still.

Every.  Time.

It actually got a little weird - it seemed like he knew his Nana wanted very, very badly to feel him moving, and so he decided to play Mean Grandson Tricks.  But we've been able to outsmart him a few times, now.

Hannah came up with a brilliant idea for a bedskirt for her crib.  We've looked and looked at what is out there in the stores, and nothing was "right".  Hannah isn't interested in a "theme" for the nursery, nor does she want anything saccharin sweet - she wants to go with a vintage look for her baby's room.  Every bedskirt we have seen was either too thin, too cutesy, or themed.

(By the way, we've come to the conclusion that the best way to go is to find a twin sized "regular" bedskirt that you really love, and just modify it...or, of course, sew your own.)

This past Saturday, she pulled out all the burlap I have - the color is a deep chocolate brown, and the texture is so rustic and charming.  She arranged and rearranged it, and voila....the perfect bedskirt for her crib!  It looks amazing.  The girl is a gifted designer, able to fabricate what she needs with the materials she finds.

Notice the velvet bear...he is so cute, and so vintage-looking!

Here is our latest antique store aquisition...

The excitement around here is...well, it is extremely sweet.  Lovin' life...I'm just lovin' my life.

It so rocks to be me.

A Lifetime of Love

Come with me, on a warm night in late September, to the Bower's Farm...

As you approach the farmhouse, you see them in the distance, and you stop and smile...already getting misty-eyed...

Barron and Linda Wheeler...it is their 50th wedding anniversary.  That is the dress she wore 50 years ago!

Let's go find a seat on the beautiful, undulating flagstone porch...there's plenty of chairs, spilling out onto the lawn beyond - there's going to be plenty of guests!

Pastor Tim welcomes everyone, and officiates the anniversary ceremony...

At the close, the whole family, Barron, Linda, children, and grandchildren gather to sing "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" together with all their guests...

"All Because Two People Fell In Love!"

Now, it's time to head to the famous barn, for dinner and plenty of dancing to tunes from the 50's and 60's!  (Seeing my own parents dancing together to "Unchained Melody" was a definite highlight of the evening...)


I hope you enjoyed getting to "go with me" to the celebration last night.  Thanks for hanging in there with me as we served punch together, and helped clean up afterwards!  If you are anything like me, you are kinda tired today...

But wasn't it worth it?

Fifty years.  Imagine that.  Congratulations, Barron and Linda and family!



Preparing for the Party Tonight

...a 50th anniversary party!

Two of our dear friends, members of our church, leaders who serve faithfully and with continuity, are celebrating 50 years of married life this night.  The party starts in only a couple of hours...

So, as you can imagine, it has been a busy day for many of us in Harvest.  And now it is time for me to put on my party dress, pack my apron (since I think I am "Punch Lady") and remember to take all of you along with me, via digital camera. 

Camera is in purse, "locked and loaded", ready to shoot some fun pictures...

...see you at The Bower's Barn!

A picture from Sarah's wedding reception this past March - as she shared a private moment with her grandparents...The Point Is - you can barely, sort of see the big blue barn, trimmed in red, in the back ground, behind the horse stable...a beautiful post-and-beam constructed barn, a perfect (and very sought after!) location for any celebration.

(Have I said lately how much I love church life??)

A Mind At The Mercy of Its Associations

What do these three images have in common?

A geometry triangle

Candy Corn...  (this picture is from the blog Organize Your Stuff  Now - check it out when you can, you'll enjoy it!)

and lastly, this ~

American Eagle men's jeans.

Yeah.  Tell me what these three images have in common.  Nothing, right?  There is no common link between these images in anyone's mind....except my youngest son's mind.

I was reviewing some Geometry with him the other day, prepping him for the ACT.  Halfway through, I could tell I'd lost his attention...so I paused, and sure enough he looked straight at me and said, "Mom...I need new clothes."

So I asked.  I shouldn't have.  But I asked.

"Please tell me, how did you get from Geometry to Clothes?"

He became embarrassed, and hemmed and haw'ed and finally confessed:

"I was paying attention, I promise!  But the triangle made me think of candy corn, and candy corn made me think of Halloween, and Halloween made me think of fall, and fall made me think of colder weather, and colder weather made me realize I don't have any fall or winter clothes that fit anymore!  And I really want some new American Eagle jeans."

Not.  Even.  Kidding you.  That is what the boy said, word for word.  I just sat there, with my mouth hanging open, unable to say anything.

What must it be like, to live inside his head, every day?  Most importantly, where does he get it?

Which reminds me, I need to paint my toenails today.

500th Post Party - Blogs I Love

In celebration of my 500th post (can you believe it?) and well over a thousand profile views, I decided I'd share a few of my best kept secrets with you...some of my favorite blogs (besides the blogs of our Harvest members, which will always, always be my truly favorite blogs...I'm partial like that).

Don't you just love a good blog?  A blogger who takes great pictures, writes reasonably well, and posts pretty much every day about things that interest me is hard to find, and when I find her, I keep her. 

And today, I want to share her.  Trust me, you'll want to hug and kiss me for introducing you to some of these amazing blogs and the women behind them!

First, my daughter Sarah and her artist-husband Jonathan have a new blog - please visit and leave some love behind!  And if you ever want to commission a portrait or painting, I promise you, this young man is the man to call on.  His art is gaining recognition all over this area - carried in exclusive design stores.

Next,you will love "My French Country Home".  Yes, she is French, and yes, she really does live in a beautiful estate-home in France.  This blog will take you away on vacation, every time.

Hmmmmm.  Which one to share next?  This really does feel like I am sharing some of my best kept secrets...

Melissa over at The Inspired Room is an all-time fav of mine...



She is also a pastor's wife, and the most gracious blogger I know!

Oh, and Trina over at A Country Farmhouse is a-mazing.  She's expecting twins soon, and her Oregon Farmhouse is the prettiest thing, inside and out, you've ever seen.

Flower Patch Farmgirl writes beautifully about the miracle of adoption, and all things home and hearth.  Her wit will leave you smiling...this is a blog you truly savor and enjoy.

Last of all, you cannot believe the chicken coop over at The Fancy Farmgirl.  Seriously.  It is the most beautiful chicken coop you have ever laid your wondering eyes on, I promise.  ("What to my wondering eyes did appear?  A chicken coop with a chandelier!")

Pinky swear.  It.  Has.  A.  Chandelier.  Visit this blog - you'll like it.

Come back and tell me what you think - 'cause I think, if you haven't discovered these great blogs yet, I've just made your day!