Happy Halloween & Pumpkin Decorating

 Happy Halloween!  This is an extra special one not because it is 2020 and who knows what might happen.  It is special because Halloween has fallen on a Saturday, it is a Full Moon (a Blue Moon) and we set our clocks back an hour tonight which gives us more time to celebrate Halloween.  Today we have a Soccer game then trick or treating later on and yes, we are going trick or treating and we are passing out candy.  This is a kids holiday and they deserve it!

Last night we had a Pumpkin decorating party.  We ordered Pizza and it was cool enough to sit out in the porch to decorate.  I got a big pumpkin because I love to roast the pumpkin seeds so I carved mine.  Everyone else painted their pumpkins and/or decorated with stickers.  I guess I am still a traditionist when it comes to pumpkins at Halloween.  It was fun and all are so different!  Happy Halloween!

Trunk Or Treat - Pandemic Style

COVID is trying so hard to ruin 2020 for all of the U.S.A.  Heck, we didn't need help from the Chinese to develop COVID and let it spread to us just to ruin 2020, our elections this year already did that.  I cannot wait for all this election stuff to go away.  Of course, we also know that it will be awhile, this time, to call the race. I already voted so now all I can do is hope and pray my candidate wins.  If the opponent wins life here in the U.S.A is going to get scary!  Enough of this talk, on with what this blog is really about! 

The talk right now is about Halloween and whether kids should go trick or treating.  My church put on their annual Trunk or Treat...COVID style a couple of nights ago.  We only had half the trunks as last year because of social distancing and we served dinner after the fun (they took it home with them).  There was a magic show, the audience was social distanced, then the participants went out to the cars and chose one to stand at first.  There was a bullhorn that went off which meant to rotate so the kids would have the least amount of contact as possible.  It worked well and everyone felt safe.  Rory dressed as Olaf from "Frozen" and Emmy and Caroline were Elsa and Anna. They looked adorable together.  They had fun and that is what it is all about.  Tomorrow is Halloween and yes, we are trick or treating AND  we are passing out candy.  It's Halloween, it is outside, masks will be worn; All will be good!

Park Day For Rory

 On Friday, it was a planning day for the schools so Rory, Jenny and I decided to meet Nate for lunch then we took Rory to a really cool town park.  It is Spring Park in Green Cove Springs.  It sits right on the St. John's river and also has a natural spring that runs right into the pool then into the St. John's.  It has picnic pavilions, a gazebo with a stage, a fantastic playground, a fishing pier, lots of walking trails and room to relax.  The views of the river are nice and relaxing.  We had an added bonus while at the park; live music.  There were a group of musicians in one of the pavilions playing classic country music.  It was a come and join to play and sing.  It was a great day at the park and we managed to kill a few hours there.  Rory had fun which makes the day even better!

Rory & Gamma Time

 Rory and I had an evening to ourselves.  Mommy & Daddy went on a double date night.  When the parents are away the kids will play; we did too!  We ordered pizza...for me.  Rory does not like pizza so she had chicken that I had cooked a couple of days ago.  After Dinner we watched the new Olaf short on Disney +; it was cute but it took two times to watch because we got distracted during the first time.  We then decided to make sugar cookies, with sprinkles, of course.  They turned out delicious!  Making cookies took more time then we thought so we had to change our "Movie night" into a Pixar "shorts night." We watched at least 10 of them; most run 4 - 6 minutes.  It was fun and then it was bedtime. It was a good night but any night spent with Rory is a good night!

The COVID Carolers

 The COVID Carolers are made up of the Music Center staff.  Our Director of Music Ministry, Our Assistant Director of Music Ministry and myself, the Administrative Assistant.  Mark and Martha made up lyrics to some well know Christmas songs that pertained to COVID.  We then dressed in our COVID tour shirts and goofy hats and went caroling to our shut ins from church.  We had about 4 songs and we had fun driving from house to house to hopefully brighten up their day and let them know we love and miss them.  It was a fun day and seeing the smiles on all those faces made our day brighter!

A Fun Filled Autumn Saturday!

 With Florida opening up it has allowed some normal things to happen.  We visited my church's Pumpkin Patch yesterday and picked out a few pumpkins.  These will be featured new week end!  After playing around the Pumpkin Patch for a little bit we headed across the street to Orange Park's Fall Festival.  This has been an annual event that has been going on for as long as I can remember.  We have been attending it since we moved here.  It has lots of craft booths, food and entertainment.  It is a full day of fun and we had it.  We did have to leave a bit earlier than usual because Rory had a soccer game.  The best thing about the day is that Florida finally broke with the heat and humidity.  It was beautiful 75 degrees with little humidity and a light breeze.  It was the perfect Fall day for Florida.  Rory won her soccer game and after the game it was time for her cousin's birthday party.  It was a full day.  When we got home Rory and I received a gift in the mail.  My friend from California sent us some masks. I got a couple of great Hawaiian themed masks and Rory got a Halloween themed mask and one California themed mask.  Thanks Pat, we love them. I was also able to squeeze in the designing of two more Door Prizes for my sister's SAS.  It was full day but a good day!

Amazing Grace Corn Maze

 The Amazing Grace Corn Maze is a great place for families to celebrate the Fall harvest.  It is a local family farm that has been transformed into a Fall festival full of activities.  There is, of course, the corn maze which is huge.  We thought we had done a big portion of it but when we got out we barely touched it.  It was fun and my family decided to play Marco Polo with others.  Every time Jason yelled out "Marco" we got a whole bunch of "Polos" from all over the maze. I think everyone enjoyed it because afterwards there was always laughter.  The girls had so much fun playing on the playground, the jump pad, the bouncing coral, tug a war, and more.  The pumpkin patch was nice but we are going to get ours from my church's pumpkin patch today.  The food is really good there with an assortment to chose from.  The temperature when we got there was a bit warm but once the sun set it cooled off to a comfortable temperature and we were treated to a nice sunset from the corn maze.  It was a good night with my family!

Another Fun Craft Night

 I know I have talked about Kristy's Craft Life (subscription) but right now it is open to anyone who would like to join it through today.  Go on Facebook and search Kristy's Craft Room and look for a link to sign up or follow her from her page and watch her craft for free. Kristy is very good at taking regular items from Dollar Tree and Hobby Lobby and turning them into decorations for the home.  So, if you like to craft, save money and have fun you should try it.  This is what we made last night with a hanging sign, burlap, paint stick, paint and flowers.  It was fun and is a great Fall decoration.  Thanks Kristy!

Creating Door Prizes

 I had the chance to create some more Door Prizes for my sister's stamping event in November.  I will actually be at this one so I am trying to get everything done early so that I can send it in advance and so it will not be last minute.  I created two door prizes yesterday and tonight I will working on a third. I do enjoy doing this and since it helps my sister I will continue to do so.  She is so great to me and I can never give her what she gives me but at least I can help her out.  Love ya Pam!  

A Great Reason To Celebrate

 You all know my daughter, Jenny, had a brain tumor removed in July and she just had her first scan since surgery.  We received some wonderful news...she is residue free of the tumor and little to no scar tissue.  She will not need to see her neurosurgeon for a year!  This is huge and we are so happy.  She has recovered pretty good from the surgery and we are hoping she will get the vision she has lost back in time.

Last night we went to the Sunset Tiki Bar for a family celebration.  Jessica, Jenny's best friend, and I put our heads together and planned a small celebration. I made up a sign with some quotes from her instagram followers and made brain cupcakes.  I also got a bottle of sparkling wine (we do not like Champagne) too.  Jessica got her a t-shirt, flowers, a balloon and glasses for the wine.  We enjoyed what was left of the sunset (really cloudy), enjoyed some drinks, food from the food trucks and a live band.  It was a nice night and a great reason for the celebration!  Love you Jenny!

Another Great Craft Night

 The subscription craft group I am on through Facebook is so much fun.  It is Kristy's Craft Life and we craft together once a week.  Kristy has her own Facebook page - Kristy's Craft Room.  She is so creative and really a nice person, down to earth and just enjoys making crafts from items she picks up at Dollar Tree or Hobby Lobby.  Last night's list of supplies was using a truck off a yard stick.  We totally transformed the truck into a Christmas decoration.  Check out my creation.  It was fun!

My Pumpkin Cluster

 On the last blog I said I would post a picture of my finished craft project from my on line crafting group when I completed it.  I finished it and I am quite happy on how it turned out.  I will need to refresh my paint because it took too many coats to cover what needed to be covered and I need to invest in a good craft saw or very sharp razor knife.  Either would of made the job so much easier.  Anyway, check out the picture of my cluster of pumpkins.

Craft Night

 I joined a Facebook Live craft group (Subscription) and I am really enjoying it.  We have only had two nights but so far it has been great.  We get the list of items we need for the craft and then make it together in our own homes.  We do chat back and forth using the comments and it is fun.  This particular group I am in, Kristy's Craft Life, you pay $20 a month and craft together once a week.  There is a free FB site Kristy's Craft Room, where three times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri) she does a live craft but you do not know what she will be using.  Kristy has been doing this for a year and she is great.  She uses items she gets from Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Hobby Lobby, and more and creates some great decorations.  Check her out some time.  If  you like crafting, having fun and learning all at the same time then Kristy is your gal. I am in the middle of Friday nights crafting so the picture is only partially done.  Can you figure out what I am making.  Check back in a couple of days and I will post pictures of the finished project.  I want to make a special shout out to Kristy and Kristy's Craft Room on Facebook; Thank you Kristy for your site, your creativity and the fun you put into it all!  I am looking forward to more!

20th Anniversary Surprise

I work for a wonderful man who was a friend for 18 years then became my boss; we are still friends. Doc has been the Director of Music Ministry at my church for 20 years.  He has been the best thing that has happened to the church.  He has consistently been there for the church and church family through many great moments and some bad moments too.  He is a inspiration to many, a leader, a friend, and a man of God.  He is incredible and once COVID is contained we will have a huge party for him.  

I put together a book of memories with the memories submitted by choir members, past choir members, etc.  Along with the book he also received a gift card, lunch and cake.  He was even sung to by a "couple" of "approved" choir members.  It was all a surprise too!  We are hoping for many more years! So Happy Anniversary Mark!  We are so blessed to have you in our lives and know you are LOVED!