Currently {August 2017}

It's been a whirlwind summer with camps and VBS and more.  I feel like I'm in recovery mode for getting it all back together so we can begin our new school year.  How's your August going so far?

Here's a look at what is currently on my mind . . .

Snacking (on):  My all-time favorite snack is Salt and Vinegar chips.  There's just something about them that I can't get enough of.  I've done so well choosing healthy options, drinking tons of water, and walking, walking, walking . . . but sometimes I just need those chips.  Yummy!

Anticipating:  a possible trip to the beach, a kidmin conference, a women's ministry event, AND a trip to NYC with my Girl Scout 

Borrowing:  mostly I'm borrowing time.  I know there are only 24 hours in a day, but seems like I keep squeezing more and more stuff in to do.  I may need a reality check.  How about you?

Admiring:  the craziest thing has been happening in my front yard and I can't help but admire the little guy to pieces.  There's a HUGE pine tree and a tiny squirrel and he makes multiple trips up and down that tree to build his nest.  It's amazing to watch him scurry down, grab something in his mouth, and scurry right back up to deposit it in the growing nest.

Purchasing:  nothing at all right now.  Remember those "anticipating" events I mentioned above?  Yep, I'm saving up for those.  But I did get a new cut and fresh color yesterday, so maybe that counts, too.  

currently, this month has great potential.




I'm linking up with Anne and Shea to share what is currently going on in the world around me.  Join us?  Check back in on September 6 when we'll be sharing what we're currently celebrating, watching, welcoming, preparing, and photographing.

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Currently {May 2017}

This is a month of celebration for our family.  We celebrate 3 birthdays and a Graduation.  There's a holdover Sweet 16 and we celebrated a Gold Award Ceremony on Sunday.  Life is full and we are blessed.  How often I forget.

Here's a look at what is currently on my mind . . .

Baking:  I'm not a big baker, but I do have a friend baking me a cake.  I'll take that!  I DID try out the "million dollar chicken" recipe that I saw on Facebook Monday and it was definitely a hit at my house.

Listening:  to the pitter-patter of rain falling outside and the gentle strands of music floating through the house as my 16-year-old practices piano while I anxiously await the sounds of my eldest daughter's vehicle coming down the driveway.  

Loving:  that I can celebrate life this week with my family.  So many good things to enjoy.  I've got to remember to take time to be "in the moment."  Saturday afternoon will find all of my children together again.  It's been way too long since I had all four kids AND the sons-in-law under the same roof at the same time.  I can't wait to celebrate alongside of them.

Planting:  GRACE and HOPE and watching it grow.

Remembering:  the days of little kids and great-grandparents and vacations and silly girls and crazy costumes and fire trucks and hugs and kisses and fun and laughter as I go through boxes of pictures to find just the right ones to include in my son's graduation video.  It's bittersweet.  This life is a vapor and when we are walking the day-to-day we often don't see the forest for the trees.  I can't even grasp where the time went.  Hold on tight, moms.  Hold on tight.

currently, this month has great potential.




I linking up with Anne and Nancy to share what is currently going on in the world around me.  Join us?  Check back in on June 7 when we'll be sharing what we're currently planning, wishing, learning, browsing, and going.

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currently {February 2017}

I love the beautiful weather that has come our way with the month of February.  I think we've pretty much skipped winter and I'm perfectly fine with that.  I spent time filling all of my bird feeders today and getting the hummingbird feeders cleaned up and ready for those little visitors.  And I'm back to walking, walking, walking.  I do love it when the temps hit the mid 70s.

Here's a look at what is currently on my mind . . .

packing:  I'm still trying to sort through stuff from our New Year's Eve wedding.  There are boxes of stuff in my foyer, my dining room, and the bride's old bedroom.  I've got a LOT to do -- and still have some Christmas decorations that need to come down.  How about you?

jonesing:  Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips.  Oh, my stars.  I crave those silly things.

texting:  ALL.OF.THE.TIME.  Seriously, what did we do before text?  Actual face-to-face conversation??

reading:  I have a HUGE stack of books that I'm planning to read this year.  HUGE.  The three I've got going right now are Rick Lawrence's The JESUS-Centered Life, Jill Rigby's Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World, and Anne Voskamp's The Broken Way.

hearting:  my crew.  Man, how I love them.  They have no idea how much I like having them around.

currently, this month has great potential.




I linking up with Anne and Erin to share what is currently going on in the world around me.  Join us?  Check back in on March 1st..

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currently {March 2016}

Welcome, MARCH!  New green grass is starting to peek through dead yard and flowers are in bloom.  Life is good.  I love SPRING.

Here's a look at what is currently on my mind . . . 

Wishing:  for more time in my day, organizational skills I used to have, and that the world would slow down.  Oh, and I'm also wishing for a fitbit band of some kind.

Craving:  a box of Girl Scout Cookies.  Trefoils, Samoas, Tagalongs . . . any of them would make me smile.  Truly, if I opened one box, I could eat the entire thing -- by myself.  No sharing.  I WANT them -- but I've really been working on making wise choices and haven't quite reached the point where I'd be able to taste in moderation.  

Going:  to South Super Regionals in San Antonio, Texas NEXT WEEK with Blue Crew, Too.  I love these kids.

Wearing:  a smaller size than a month ago.  Whoop!  I'm also wearing my tennis shoes daily as I walk and walk and walk.  But it will soon be time to pull out the flip flops.  I do love that.

Learning:  to be patient in all things, to offer grace, and to keep some opinions to myself.  It makes for a happier life.  

currently, this month has great potential.

I linking up with Jenna and Anne to share what is currently going on in the world around me.  Join us?  Check back in on April 6th when I share what I'm currently making, wishlisting, cleaning, posting, and tasting.

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currently {February 2016}

Welcome, FEBRUARY!  Love is in the air and Spring is just around the corner.  Fun!

Here's a look at what is currently on my mind . . . 

Sending:  a box of fun to my sweet niece in North Carolina.  I should have mailed it weeks ago, but I'm always a bit late.  There's a indoor snowball fight waiting to happen and felt foods for her restaurant.  I can't wait to hear what she thinks.  Oh, how I love that little girl!

Eating:  healthy options are on my menu.  It's time to get rid of the winter blahs and I'm exercising, too.  BUT we did make some Cheesy Pull Apart Pizza and Sugar Cookie Puppy Chow last week at Kid's Night Out and they were winners.  Just a small taste for me was enough to make me smile.

Dreaming:  of warmer days and sunshine, a bit of a tan so I don't scare folks, relaxation

Smelling:  I received LOTS of candles for Christmas and I'm rotating the yummy smells throughout my house.  The Bath & Body Works "London" candle is one of my favorites at the moment.  The simple smell takes me back to our trip almost 30 years ago.  It's on my list to visit again one day.

Hearting:  the MainMost, the McBlessings (including the men who love my daughters), and this silly dog

currently, this month has great potential.

I linking up with Jenna and Anne to share what is currently going on in the world around me.  Join us?  Check back in on March 2nd when I share what I'm currently wishing, craving, going, wearing, and learning.

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currently {January 2016}

Happy New Year!   Welcome, JANUARY!  What a wonderful month as we step boldly into a new year. I can't help but wonder what this new year will bring as 2015 was big and bold in all that it had to  offer.

Here's a look at what is currently on my mind . . . 

Resolving:  to LIVE BLESSED this year.

Reading:  I've decided to try and read 5 books a month and post about them on the last day of each month in a Reading Roundup.  I've purposed to read one book for each of these categories:

1.  Just for Fun

2.  For a Better Me

3.  Ministry-minded

4.  Inspiration Needed

5.  A Childhood Treasure

Organizing:   Hmmm . . . Organizing is my downfall.  I used to be such a great "keep it all together" person and now I'm not.  I have been working on my ministry calendar  at church and getting it ready for the new year.  

There's also a bedroom in the back of the house that needs my attention since one daughter moved to grad school, one got married and moved into her own home, and we played fruit basket turnover for the other.  Organizing is definitely in my future.

Loving:  A new peace that seems to have settled over me.  Maybe it was a weekend away at Passion 2016 that allowed for a great start to a new year as GOD poured LOVE and gave REST for my soul.

Craving:  water, water, and more water.  I think my body knows it's time to get serious about better health.

currently, this month has great potential.


I linking up with Jenna and Anne to share what is currently going on in the world around me.  Join us?  Check back in on February 3rd when I share what I'm currently sending, eating, dreaming, smelling, and hearting.

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currently {December 2015}

Welcome, DECEMBER!   It's the most wonderful time of the year, right?  For us it's kind of crazy.  I've managed to get wreaths on the doors, but that's about it.  Hopefully there will be some Christmas cheer around here in the next week or so.  How about you?  Are all of your decorations in place? 

Here's a look at what is currently on my mind . . . 

Wishing:  I had a clean house and all the laundry was done so that I could focus on making it magical for the holidays.

Remembering:  to seek JOY and find PEACE in the weeks ahead

Wrapping:   I have not actually bought one gift for my family yet this year.  I need to get started on that!  I spent some time Saturday night wrapping advent books to give as gifts to Sunday School teachers and nursery workers at church on Sunday.   I pray those little books will help them remember that they are HIS as they countdown the days until we celebrate HIS arrival.

Baking:  I'll soon be baking cheese crackers for our JA Christmas party and we'll be eating my favorite cake this season.  But, baking can't officially begin until after the robotics competition this weekend.  THEN we'll be ready.

Decorating:  I've been standing in my living room trying to decide what to do this year as far as decorations go.  Where is the tree going to go?  How would I like the mantle to look?  What would make our place look cozy and inviting?  My Christmas "stuff" is mostly a hodge-podge of style -- things that were on my tree as a little girl, things my children have made for me over the years, things that spoke to me and beckoned me to take them home.  I guess our house will never step off of the pages of a magazine, but each and every thing we have reminds me of happy times.  I like that.

currently, this month has great potential.


I linking up with Jenna and Anne to share what is currently going on in the world around me.  Join us?  Check back in on January 6th when I share what I'm currently resolving, reading, organizing, loving, and craving.

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currently {November 2015}

Welcome, NOVEMBER!  What a wonderful month.  We'll spend time this month enjoying family and food -- and we'll take our annual big family picture on the front porch of Granny's homeplace. 

Here's a look at what is currently on my mind . . . 

Cooking:  in my oven again!  Woo-hoo!  The MainMost fixed the oven just in time for the holiday season.  We had a brown sugar glazed, spiral ham last night.  YUMMY!

Planning:  a family trip to Atlanta in September 2016.  A bit of a way off, but I love the planning part.  I'm also planning to be a part of the #30daysoflist December Challenge so I have to get my Christmas scrapbook ready.  And goodness gracious, I need to start planning for Christmas.  It's fast approaching and I've done nothing to prepare this year.

Smelling:  My favorite new candle has my house smelling delicious when you walk through the doors.  What I like most about the candle though is that its purchase helps feed those without food.  How cool is that?  I can burn candles AND help others all at the same time.   

Appreciating:  a DIY living room/dining room/kitchen re-do that is coming soon.  I'm ready for a change and I'm starting with totally different paint colors, including painting the wainscoting in my living room and dining room white.  I want to rearrange the entire house and see if I can make it work better for us.  I just know there's a better way to orientate the rooms, but I sure wish I had help deciding what to do where.  Stay tuned for pictures as we step-by-step our way through it all.

Anticipating:  ONE, the Lifeway Women's Ministry Forum that I'm attending with my friend next week.  ONE is in the Nashville area, so we are heading out Wednesday morning and coming home Saturday evening.  We are both super-excited for the opportunity to hang out with other women in ministry and share ideas, strategies, information, and inspiration.  We plan to soak it all in.

currently, this month has great potential.


I linking up with Jenna and Anne to share what is currently going on in the world around me.  Join us?  Check back in on December 2nd when I share what I'm currently wishing, remembering, wrapping, baking, and decorating.

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currently {October 2015}

We made it through the wedding and welcomed Fall.  

Here's a look at what is currently on my mind . . . 

Eating:  We had Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole for supper last night and it remains a family favorite.  There was a short burst of cool weather last week and we made a few soups.  We LOVE soups.  Although it's 90 degrees here today, we are excited that soup weather is coming.

I will pick up our apples and apple cider tomorrow so we'll soon be eating apples, applesauce, apple butter, and apple pies.  YUMMY!

Exploring:  I like to plan so we're discussing where we'd like our next vacation to take us.  I'm itching to explore something new.  Where should we go?  Disneyworld?  Washington, D.C.?  or is a visit to the mountains in Arkansas in store?  So many places to explore.  What's your favorite spot?

Wearing:  We are in the middle of changing seasons and that's a slow process here in southwest Mississippi.  Shorts and flip flops are still just fine most of the time although when the temperature dipped down last week we pulled out jeans and tennis shoes, boots and jackets.  It was short-lived, but it's coming.

Admiring:  a few leaves are beginning to change from greens to yellows and oranges.  That mean reds and browns are just around the corner.  Ah, to welcome FALL!

Collecting:  laundry from all over the house to wash and dry, appropriate smelling candles to burn as we enter a new season (I'm weird enough that I can only burn certain scents at specific times of the year), new recipes to share with my family, candy for our family fun night at church, gifts to put away for Christmas 

currently, this month has great potential.


I linking up with Jenna and Anne to share what is currently going on in the world around me.  Join us?  Check back in on November 4th when I share what I'm currently cooking, planning, smelling, appreciating, and anticipating.

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currently {September 2015}

There's a wedding this month so you can imagine that we're a bit busy around here.

Here's a look at what is currently on my mind . . . 

Reading:  not much of anything right now.  I'm too busy addressing invitations and making lists.  But I'm looking forward to diving into a few new books after the wedding has passed.  Share your favorites with me in the comments so I'll know what to start with on September 21.

Making:  final wedding plans -- working on boutonnières, bouquets, and decorations for both the Sanctuary and the fellowship hall.  There's quite a bit of spray painting to be done and I'm still planning the menu for the reception.

Pinning:  ideas for an UP-inspired, vintage wedding (Yes, I'm still pinning away and seeing what all we can do to make the day as special as possible for our girl.)

Anticipating:  a beautiful celebration filled with love, laughter, friends, and family.  We'd love to have you join us.

Loving:  the smiles of sheer delight that accompany this exciting time and late-night conversations as we find the perfect music to make her dreams come true

currently, this month has great potential.


I linking up with Jenna and Anne to share what is currently going on in the world around me.  Join us?  Check back in on October 7th (my mom's birthday) when I share what I'm currently eating, exploring, wearing, admiring, and collecting.

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currently {August 2015}

Here's a look at what is currently on my mind . . . 

Creating:  calm in the chaos, painting the outside of the house, clean spaces of respite

Wishlisting:  a vacation of some sort or sleep as it seems to continually elude me. downtime -- I need downtime, and I need to find my Mother-of-the-Bride dress for the wedding.  I'm definitely wishing for that shopping trip to go smoothly.

Hoping:  smooth transitions, wedding checklists completed

Eating:  salad.  Cool, crisp lettuce tastes delicious in this hot, humid weather

Watching:  the dogs play in the early morning and late afternoon, soccer practice for the Eagle Scout, hummingbirds outside the window, bluejays stealing food from the dog bowl

currently, this month has great potential.


I linking up with Jenna and Anne to share what is currently going on in the world around me.  Join us?  Check back in on September 2nd (only 17 days until the wedding) when I share what I'm currently reading,  making,  pinning,  anticipating, and loving.

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currently {July 2015}

Here's a look at what is currently on my mind . . . 

Craving:  You remember I quit Cokes in March?  I've been doing so well with that, too.  THEN my 14-year-old talked me into trying a McDonald's caramel frappe.  LOVELY.  Now I crave the silly things like crazy.  Grrr . . .

I'm also craving  little down time.  It's just been CRAZY around here since January.  Whew!  How about you?  Is there any "white space" of nothing on your calendar?

ARGH . . . I can't get enough of these.

Grilling:  The only thing we've grilled so far is burgers.  And only once -- last weekend when we played volleyball in the mud with the middle schoolers.  That's not like us either.  We are usually grilling up a storm around here.  I'm sure our grilling hours will pick up now that July is here.  

Burgers and Volleyball

Listening:  We are in the middle of a fun review and are listening to their latest audiodrama.  With Lee in Virginia by Heirloom Audio Productions is MARVELOUS audio theatre and it's the perfect thing to listen to on these hot days of Summer.  There's nothing better than folding a HUGE stack of clothes together while we listen along.

Adventure at its finest

Planning:  I'm making final plans for Camp Sunshine -- it's NEXT week!  It's hard to believe I've been planning this for an entire YEAR and now the time has finally arrived.  I'm praying over this week at camp that each camper, counselor, volunteer will be blessed as we head out on this adventure of Oh, the Places You'll Go!  

We're also working on the wedding plans for my girl.  We have her dress, the bridesmaid's dresses, and most of the tuxes ordered.  Now to do EVERYTHING ELSE.

Decorating:  Hmmm . . . I'm not much of a decorator, but I aspire to be.  I decorated for VBS a few weeks ago.  Does that count?  I'll be decorating for Camp Sunshine on Monday and Tuesday of next week.  And I really need to just clean up this house and start from scratch on the decorating around here.   Whew!  Talk about needing a makeover.  We've been here for over 16 years with four kids and too many pets to count -- it's about time I claimed it as my own.  Can you relate?

Have a beautiful day and an awesome month, my friends.  And stop back by for my July Blogging Challenge. The very first post went live today -- and it's a super easy one to do.  I'd love to have you join us whenever you can this month.

currently, this month has great potential.


I linking up with Jenna and Anne to share what is currently going on in the world around me.  Join us?  Check back in on August 5th (my little brother's birthday) when I share what I'm currently creating,  wishlisting,  hoping,  eating, and watching.

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currently {June 2015}

Greetings from a bus filled with middle schoolers headed to Camp.  What an amazing week we are anticipating as GOD shows up. 

Here's a look at what is currently on my mind . . . 

Playing:  it's almost time for my annual game of Bazooka Ball at StudentLife Camp.  I'll be the one winning because I'm the self-proclaimed Bazooka Ball Queen.  I even have a trophy, although the middle schoolers say I cheat.  I also have my Phase 10 cards.  Love to play that game!  Who's up for an all-night Phase 10 marathon?

Going:  to StudentLife Camp @ Shocco Springs with some of my favorite kids.  We'll be worshiping along to Rush of Fools and hearing GOD speak.  THEN, I'm coming home and heading off to the Edison Electric Institute Annual Convention in New Orleans with Blue Crew, Too.  How fun to get to share the robot and our love of FIRST with over 900 electricity execs.  Rumor has it we'll be meeting the CEO/CFO of Entergy and the CEO of Tesla Motors.  Pics and details to follow.

Wearing:  matching t-shirts -- 'cause that's how we roll at StudentLife Camp -- shorts, flip flops, and tennis shoes, too.  This year's shirts are neon green, sky blue, and charcoal.   Check out my Facebook page to see pics of us in action this week.

Sipping:  Skinny Girl Sparklers -- they're my favorite right now -- and tons of water.  I've got to get ready for my girl's wedding

Reading:  my Bible, The Nightingale, a little Salty to cut the Sweet, and looking for other good summer reads.  What other books would you suggest?

currently, this month has great potential.


I linking up with Jenna and Anne to share what is currently going on in the world around me.  Join us?  Check back in on July 1st when I share what I'm currently craving, grilling, listening, planning, and decorating. Pin It Now!

currently {May 2015}

Greetings from Chicago.  After months of anticipation, we've finally arrived for our BIG TRIP, and we are having a great time together.  Oh, how I love this city!

Here's a look at what is currently on my mind . . . 

Designing:  decorations for Camp Sunshine, t-shirts for StudentLife

Enjoying:  quality time with my youngest two children.  I'm reminded that they really do like each other as they laugh and hang out together on this trip.  It's a good break away from our norm and provides learning, too.

Ordering:  supplies for both camps and VBS, learning to better order my days

Celebrating:  birthdays, graduate school acceptance letters, good grades in online Physics, fun wins at the World Championship, weddings, love

Blue Crew, Too

Tasting:  real Chicago pizza pie, custard, Memphis barbecue

Giordano's Pizza Pie

currently, this month has great potential.


I linking up with Jenna and Anne to share what is currently going on in the world around me.  Join us?  Check back in on June 3rd when I share what I'm currently playing, going,wearing, sipping, and reading. Pin It Now!

currently {April 2015}

Here's a look at what is currently on my mind . . . 

Wearing:  FLIP FLOPS . . . Finally it's warm again.  It's like Aslan has arrived back in Narnia as the dreary gray is overtaken by glorious green and the flowers begin to bloom and birds chirp their happy arrival.  THIS is my season.  I LOVE it.

Sipping:  water, water, everywhere.  I'm drinking 96 - 112 ounces a day and walking 3 - 5 miles a day.  There's a wedding coming up, you know?  This Mother-of-the-Bride doesn't want to embarrass her daughter.

Wish Listing:  More than anything, I need more time.  Oh, how I WISH I could go back and spend some of my time differently.  My children are growing up/almost grown and I'm not sure we made enough memories.  Did we laugh enough?  Did we explore enough?  Did we enjoy life enough?

Writing:  Long, lovely blog posts in my head as I walk.  Not having much luck actually typing them out and posting them, but know that I am thinking about you.  

Exploring:  the Internet in search of great ideas for all of the upcoming festivities and camps, checking out maps and places to visit in Chicago

currently, this month has great potential.


I linking up with Jenna and Anne to share what is currently going on in the world around me.  Join us?  Check back in on May 6th when I share what I'm currently designing, enjoying, ordering, celebrating, and tasting. Pin It Now!

currently {March 2015}

Here's a look at what is currently on my mind . . . 

Dreaming:  of green grass, flowers, sunshine, SPRING

Planning:  South Super Regional FTC robotics competition {Next week}, a September wedding, Camp Sunshine, StudentLife Camp, and Vacation Bible School

Making:  not one thing.  I seriously can't think of one thing I am currently making.  How sad is that?  I'm not the least bit creative these days.  But I am making a tiny little dent in the laundry, so that surely counts for something.  Right?

Baking:  I have an afflicted oven these days so baking is kept to a bare minimum.  The silly thing cuts itself off more than it stays on.  I was successful in making pumpkin bars on Sunday though and they were yummy. 

Watching:  The MainMost and I have been series-binging Call the Midwife and Friends on Netflix.  Talk about good tv.  Call the Midwife is a poignant look at midwifery and family in 1950s London and Friends just makes us laugh.  I highly recommend both.  I've also been watching a Great Courses Anatomy and Physiology set with my daughter.  Interesting stuff.

currently, this month has great potential.


I linking up with Jenna and Anne to share what is currently going on in the world around me.  Join us?  Check back in on April 1st when I share what I'm currently  wearing,  sipping,  wish listing, writing, exploring. Pin It Now!

currently {February 2015}

Here's a look at what is currently on my mind . . . 

Hearting:  the MainMost, my children, men that love my daughters, kittens, life

Reading:  Soup Recipes, TeamUs:  Marriage Together, email, Runaway Radical, Motivate Your Child, Where a Man Stands, and Glimpses of Grace

Pinning:  ideas for Camp Sunshine (a week-long overnight camp experience for mentally- and physically- challenged children and adults)  I'm mostly pinning decoration ideas so that campers and counselors step into the magical world of Dr. Seuss as we enjoy "Oh, the Places You'll Go."

Eating:  caramel popcorn rice cakes, Oikos yogurt, and anything I can get my hands on.  Scary, huh? I'm sure I would be better served with healthy options, but Little Debbie Red Velvet Heart Cakes make my stomach flip with joy.  

Anticipating:  the FTC State Robotics Championship with my youngest two children, our trip to Chicago, summer camps, AND a wedding.  Oh, my stars, my daughter is getting married.

currently, this month has great potential.

I linking up with Jenna and Anne to see what is currently going on in the world around me.  Join us?

Check back in on March 4th when I share what I'm currently  dreaming,  planning,  making, baking, watching.

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