Give thanks!

In the wee hours of the morning this past Thursday, my cousin Erica had her first baby, a beautiful little boy named Mason Curtis. I went to meet him on Friday! :-) He is so precious, I couldn't help but share!

In other news, THANKSGIVING IS HERE!!!! This holiday always seems to sneak up on me for some reason. This year we're going to my grandparents' house, where the whole Beeson family will be in attendance- all 43 of us! It's been quite a while since I've seen everybody, so I'm very excited. This will also be the first year that I have to bring food! Guess I'll have to get up early so I can still watch most of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade ('cause it's just not Thanksgiving without it.). I've been charged to bring a chicken casserole (eh no biggie) and.... dun dun DUN!... pumpkin pie!! I've never made a pumpkin pie in my life. Never cooked a pumpkin anything in fact, but I'm going to give it my best shot! I'm planning to go by Daniel's Grandma Ritchey's recipe, which Daniel has assured me is awesome. I'm really hoping mine turns out as well as hers, since it will be making its debut at the Thanksgiving feast. I'll make sure to have a big tub of cool whip along side it, just in case. That evening I'll peruse the sale papers with Momma and make plans to join the madness that is Black Friday. :-D Yep, I'm one of those people. We always have a blast- it's so fun!! After the shopping extravaganza, I'll head to my other Grandma's to help her prepare for the Thanksgiving feast there. YAY! It'll be a miracle if I haven't gained 10 pounds by Saturday. Hope everyone has a wonderful time at all the various Thanksgiving celebrations!

One of the ladies' groups at church sang this song last night, and I just love it.

Thank You Lord

For making the sun to shine, putting the stars in the sky.

For the flowers that bloom, the ocean so blue, thank you Lord

For the sparrow that sings, it makes sweet melody

For rivers that flow, the rain and the snow, thank you Lord.

I just want to thank you Lord, I just want to thank you Lord.

For everything that you've done for me, thank you Lord.

I just want to thank you Lord, I just want to thank you Lord.

For making me whole, saving my soul, thank you Lord.

For my home and family, For life's joys that you've given me.

For shoes on my feet, plenty to eat thank you Lord.

For this church to worship and praise, for the freedom we have today.

Sweet spirit I feel Your presence so real, thank you Lord.

I just want to thank you Lord, I just want to thank you Lord.

For everything that you've done for me, thank you Lord.

I just want to thank you Lord, I just want to thank you Lord.

For making me whole, saving my soul, thank you Lord.

For being a friend so dear, giving my sad heart cheer.

For holding my hand when I could not stand, thank you Lord.

For giving your life for me on the cross of Calvary.

For taking my place, for mercy and grace, thank you Lord.

I just want to thank you Lord, I just want to thank you Lord.

For everything that you've done for me, thank you Lord.

I just want to thank you Lord, I just want to thank you Lord.

For making me whole, saving my soul, thank you Lord.

Ren Fest!!!

Today I had the privilege of experiencing the Renaissance Festival for the first time!! I loved every minute of it! My geekified self was delighted by all the medieval awesomeness. I had a blast, in spite of being ridiculously cold most of the day. Perhaps next year, it will be warmer and I'll go in costume! HUZZAH!!

The joust was my favorite part!

Maximilian!!!

Max speaking with the master of arms.

The ancient art of falconry

The Cast in Bronze act. This instrument is a carillon.

It weighs 4 tons, has 35 bells, and is played with fists and feet on a modified keyboard by that fellow in the middle of it. Really neat sound.

Sword Swallowing. Ouch.

Dragons!! Shop was full of 'em. Love it.

So, I'm a fan of steam-punk.

(I know you can't see, but the belt buckle is made of watch parts. Coolness!)

And look at these monacle goggles!!! :-D Ever so much fun.

The lovely wood-fairy!!

Mommy and I modeling chain mail headbands :-) They double as necklaces, and I'm still wondering if perhaps I should have purchased one.

oldyweds

Woah... you get a 2-fer today!... but i just saw this quote and it's too cute not to mention...

"Newlyweds become oldyweds, and oldyweds are the reasons that families work"

-Annonymous

...Or maybe I just like the word "oldyweds."

Good reading

This poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning was included in a book I just finished (The Mapping of Love and Death, a Maisie Dobbs novel). Today was a great day for curling up in a blanket and reading- cold and rainy. I absolutely love it, so I thought I'd share.

"The Best Thing in the World"

What's the best thing in the world?

June-rose, by May-dew impearled;

Sweet south-wind, that means no rain;

Truth, not cruel to a friend;

Pleasure, not in haste to end;

Beauty, not self-decked and curled

Till its pride is over-plain;

Love, when, so, you're loved again.

What's the best thing in the world?

--Something out of it, I think.

I would definitely recommend the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. Read them in order, or you'll be a bit lost as to character development. Great characters, plots, and themes abound in this series detailing the life of Maisie Dobbs, psychologist and investigator, set in England following WWI (20's & 30's).

I scream, you scream...

Just thought you should know... Ben & Jerry's "Chocolate Therapy" ice cream is all kinds of scrumptious; especially in a waffle cone. We had the fortune of visiting B & J's last night after church, since our traditional ice cream stop- The Sweet Spot (a cute little shop with all kinds of candy, salt-water taffy, "beachy" paraphernalia, and of course, yummy ice cream)- was inexplicably closed. B & J's across the street was a magnificent alternative.

By the way, if you're ever vacationing in Emerald Isle, and need a good church to visit, go to Emmanuel Baptist on Bell St. in Swansboro. There you'll find wonderful preaching, singing, and people.

It has been a beautiful week here in EI. Clear and sunny, mid-upper 70's, and they've even caught a few fish!

The Joys of Fall

Leaves of red on the sidewalk,

A growing chill in the air,

Pumpkins smiling on porches,

Caramel apples at the fair.

Gathering close 'round a bonfire,

Roasting marshmallows on sticks,

Pulling on jackets and jeans,

Game winning field-goal kicks.

Tales of ghosts and wild costumes,

Gorging on Halloween candy,

Piling a feast on the table,

Giving thanks with the family.

Fall is a season of changing,

Of leaves, of air, of light,

Into a winter of resting,

Till buds spring into sight.

23!!

I had an absolutely lovely birthday yesterday! My mom saved me from spending the daytime hours alone- we went to lunch at Leon's (great burger!) then walked around and browsed some shops in downtown Mt. Airy. It was a gorgeous fall day! That evening Daniel and I went to a wedding, out to eat at Texas Roadhouse (mmm... NY strip!), then "window shopping" at the mall (where I was allowed to choose my birthday gift- a fabulous eggplant colored fleece all-weather jacket from Eddie Bauer- on sale!), and finally a quick stop at Walmart to get a few supplies to stock up for our upcoming fishing trip (which we are REALLY looking forward to!). I'm excited to see what this next year of my life will bring.