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Girl’s Getaway

This past weekend I gathered with the above group of wonderful women for our annual getaway.

We started this tradition a few years back at as a one-time get together. But we enjoyed it so much, it has become something we all look forward to each year. Last year, I highlighted our past excursions as Gallivanting Goddesses.

This year, we added my cousin’s fiancée to the group and she had the misfortune of rooming with me. I hope she has by now recovered.

For my part, though, I loved spending time not only with her, but the rest of our group.

These women know how to laugh and cry. They know how to offer encouragement and support. They know how to tease. And they really know how to shop.

A lot.

As we packed up our cars and prepared to head our separate ways toward home, we were already discussing plans for next year.

I think we all look forward to it and just enjoy that special time we have to connect, relate, and deepen our bonds of kinship and friendship.

No matter if you gather with one or a dozen, whether they are family or friends, I think everyone needs a special weekend now and again to reconnect, to grow, to just be.

She Who Loves This Group of Amazing Women

Our County Fair is officially under way today.

For me, that means Captain Cavedweller will drag me to the fair after work, make me walk through every animal barn, look at every display and force me to eat a corn dog while he scarfs down some barbecue-type sandwich and a pile of curly fries. We won’t be able to leave until he was acquired a bag of kettle corn and an elephant ear. Ah, the joys of the fair.

And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

It reminds me too much of some of the fun experiences I had when I was much younger and attending the fair. My dad often competed in the tractor pulling events while my brother and sister-in-law were known to get in one the horse racing action. Several of my cousins could be found showing sheep or steers and there would be a number of entries from family members in the produce and baked goods areas.

The fair was a great time to connect with family and friends alike. To slow down the hectic pace of summer and just relax and enjoy for an hour or two.

And indulge in deep fried food that I can feel clogging my arteries as I ate it.

Fair time is definitely a fun time full of great memories.

If you have the opportunity to attend a small-town county fair, take advantage of it.

And it a corn dog for me.

She Who Wants An Elephant Ear

Labor Day Party

Today I’m sharing a post from last year with some Labor Day party theme ideas.

Enjoy!

 

Labor Day Party Theme Ideas

 

Labor Day is coming right up. How is that possible? Where did the summer go? If you find it, let me know. I’m convinced I didn’t get my full share of summer-time fun this year.

Since we can’t bring summer back, instead think ahead and plan a Labor Day party for the long weekend. The key is to keep it casual and relaxed.

The Labor Day holiday was first celebrated in the early 1880s  as a way to honor workers for all of their contributions to the strength and well-being of our nation. In that spirit, encourage honor your guests with a relaxing party. Fill your outdoor gathering area with lawn blankets, comfy chairs, and oodles of pillows.  The theme of the day is taking it easy!

Patriotic decorations are perfect for Labor Day. Mix things up a bit by adding a warm gold or bright yellow color to the red, white and blue  scheme. Use candles and flowers from your garden for decorations. Keep it simple by slipping cut stems into mason jars or empty tin cans with the labels removed. Tie with a raffia ribbon close to the top of the container.

Your invitations could have a barbecue theme, patriotic colors, stars, flip flops or paper lanterns. Just choose something fun that speaks to you.

If your event will last into the evening hours, make sure you have plenty of warm light through tiki torches, lanterns, garden stakes, hanging lights, or candles. Also, make sure you have citronella candles strategically placed throughout the area to thwart the insects.

The menu should be foods that are simple and easy. You can go potluck or go the route of a traditional barbecue with hamburgers and hotdogs. Just remember your condiment rules. You could also barbecue skewers. Keep the menu simple and easy for you. Round out your main dish with a  big green salad, a loaf of french bread, watermelon slices and a slam-bang dessert like decadent chocolate cake.

Make one or two signature beverages instead of offering a bunch of options. Fill a bucket, kids wagon or large bowl with ice and set in individual bottles. Have pitchers or jars of ice water. Whatever beverages you decide to offer, just make sure you have gracious plenty.

You can have games available like lawn croquet or horseshoes. If you have a large gathering you could split the attendees into two teams and play a game of flag football, softball or volleyball. Just remember to have fun!

Don’t forget the music. You can play some theme-appropriate tunes like “She Works Hard for the Money,” “Working 9 to 5,” and “Working in  Coal Mine.”

Do as much prep work as you can ahead of time so once your guests arrive, you are focused on them, not on the 36 things that you don’t have done.

Sit back, relax, take a deep breath and enjoy this last hurrah of summer-time entertaining.

Happy Entertaining!

 

I beg forgiveness for my shameless self-promotion today, but hope you will bear with me…

On Friday, my short story The Women of Tenacity, was listed for free at Amazon’s Kindle Store.

By Saturday, it had climbed to #27 on the free bestseller list.

This morning, it is listed at #13!

I can’t tell you how excited I am about all this.

But I do have a favor to ask…

A big favor…

If you have read the short story, could you please go to Amazon and post a review? It would be a big help in boosting my ratings and I’d appreciate it so much.

Really, I would!

And thank you to everyone who has encouraged and supported my writing endeavors. You  are absolutely awesome!