Now that we are halfway through June, I guess it’s time to share What I Learned in May. I actually had company most of the first part of this month and we’ve been vacationing together in places where my Internet was sooooo . . . slow that I gave up and decided to wait until I was home sweet home again 🙂
May began with some great news which quickly turned into some very surprising news about the new pup we had been hoping for, waiting for, longing for . . . especially the hubs, who is the biggest lover of cute puppies I know!
The news? Danny, the name the host family had given our new puppy, would be ready to come home with us the first Saturday of the month. Hooray!!!
We had plans to rename Danny of course, as that was the temporary kennel name, and the name we had chosen was Charlie, in memory of my dear Irish daddy. It was love at first sight when we saw this photo of our soon-to-be pup.
Then came the surprise!
The night before we were to pick up our little Danny/Charlie, the breeder (Best Goldendoodles) left an urgent message on our recorder saying that Danny with a “y” was actually Danni with an “i”. Yes, our boy pup was suddenly a girl! What???
This breeder places all his mama dogs in host homes where they are hand raised with families instead of in kennels. The host family had named all the pups and the breeder assumed that Danny was a boy by the spelling of the name. He apologized profusely and offered to let us back out of the deal, or to take the little girl at the price he would normally charge for a male. You see, female dogs are usually more expensive than male dogs. 😉
What did we do when we learned that Danny was Danni? Are you kidding me? How could we pass on a sweet face like this? So Danny, who’d become Charlie, became CharliGirl.
And she has planted her little puppy self firmly in our hearts.
Sasha wasn’t sure about this little fluff ball when we brought her home but she has grown quite fond of her as well.
The month of May was perfect. Warm days and pleasant nights, with plenty of rain to cause all the flora and fauna to burst with new life.
As my plants began to wake up I was happy to see many of the plants that I’d previously planted thriving, but, because of the drought last Summer, some of my plants didn’t pull through.
Those that I planted two years ago though, seemed to come back better than ever.
I learned, from talking to the locals, that it generally takes about 3 years for plants to get a strong foothold in the red clay dirt of Upstate SC.
I also learned that Charli is a photo bomber. She seems to know what I’m doing when I pick up the camera and takes every opportunity to jump into the picture. I have a feeling you’ll be hearing a lot more from this little girl.
During the month of May I got to travel to Winston-Salem, NC to spend a few days with some other writer friends, Holly Barrett, Mary Geisen, and Debbie Kitterman. These are dear friends I’ve previously traveled with, done a Podcast with, and with whom I recently collaborated on a series about Perseverance.
This is Holly’s screened porch where the four of us spent hours in hours in deep conversation (and eating food of course).
When I knew we were going to Holly’s I asked if we would meet her mom Rachel Solomon, who is a bit of a celebrity. She has several U-Tube videos at GrayHairTalking.com, and two books she has co-authored with Holly.
NOTE: You can purchase Rachel and Holly’s books by clicking on the pictures below. If you make a purchase from my site I receive a small commission but it does not make the cost of the book any more expensive to you.
A 30-day devotional
And a 12-week video driven group Bible study
Upon meeting Rachel I learned that not only is she a woman of wisdom but she is pretty darn cute too. Crisp blue jeans, a flowy flowered vest over a white shirt, a trendy bob and red lipstick. It was a delight to share a meal with her and her hubby Tal.
Holly’s home is on the property of Crossnore School & Children’s Home.
I learned that their mission is to grow healthy futures for children and families by providing a Christian sanctuary of hope and healing. They do that by offering residential homes on campus for children in foster care, community-based foster care and adoptions, educational services, and therapeutic services.
I also learned that Crossnore has a working farm . . .
. . . with a sweet Farm Store where they sell a variety of gifts and home grown goodies.
I was especially attracted to this old cabinet with its great patina but it wasn’t for sale! Reminder to me: Pin this to my Furniture Painting Ideas board on Pinterest.
While at Holly’s, Holly, Debbie and I visited Old Salem which is a village settled by the Moravian Church. Many of the original shops and homes are still in place. It was fun to see people dressed in period costume and working in the shops. They were so much in character that at times it was hard to tell if they were employees in costume or if they really lived and worked there.
Warning: About a gazillion pictures follow. If you like pictures, great. Otherwise breeze on through to my final May moment, which was a real treat!
I learned about the Moravians at every stop along the way but I won’t make this post longer than it already is by sharing that with you today.
And last, one of the highlights of my trip, the chance to meet a much admired blogger friend face-to-face. Richella Parham of Imparting Grace is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. I learned that not only is she as wonderful as I always suspected she was, but she’s written a book, and she brought along a copy for each of us.
Click on the picture for ordering information.
This book, A Spiritual Formation Primer explains the disciplines and attitudes of becoming more Christ-like. I’m sure that Christ followers of all degrees of maturity would benefit from reading this book and I’ve added it to my own Summer reading list!
Well folks, that’s all for May. I learned quite a lot, which is good, because learning helps keep one’s brain young. At my age I need as much help as I can get!
Upward and onward, into the lazy days of Summer!
Blessings friends,
I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:
TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, SilverPenniesSundays, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays, GiveMeGrace
Monday:
IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor, TheDedicatedHouse, Dwellings, ProjectInspired, InspireMeMonday, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, CelebrateYourStory, Making Your Home Sing Mondays, What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings, Darling Downs Diaries, The Art of Homemaking, SmallWonder, MomentsOfHope, Glimpses, SittingAmongFriends
Tuesday:
TalkOfTheTown, HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, CoastalCharm, CedarHillFarmhouse, TuesdaysAtOurHome, TheWinthropChronicles, Rich Faith Rising Unite Linky, Testimony Tuesday,Cheerleaders of Faith,Tell His Story
Wednesday:
SavvySouthernStyle, Posed Perfection, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesdays, ChristianBloggerLinkup, Mom’s Morning Coffee, Women with Intention, Coffee for Your Heart, MessyMarriage, ThreeWordWednesday
Thursday:
ShareYourStyle, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, MyRepurposedLife, ADelightsomeLife, KatherinesCorner, I Choose Joy, Thought Provoking Thursday, SincerelyPaulas, ThankfulThursdays, ThoughtfulThursday, Tune-inThursday
Friday:
FrenchCountryCottage, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme, TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday, ShabbyliciousFriday, Sweet Inspiration, Faith’nFriends, Missional Women Faith Filled Fridays, Dance With Jesus FreshMarketFriday
Saturday:
FunkyJunkInteriors, OneMoreTimeEvents, SaturdaySparks, TheInspirationGallery, Make My Saturday Sweet
Good Morning Patti ~
As I look at the pictures of the village people, I am reminded of our past.
Last year I became to know the Holy Spirit and all I kept hearing is “Go back to your roots”
Did not know what that ment at the time, but through the year I have learned to make more things with my hands, using the sewing machine as well, but I have learned to embroider and to make little heart pillows using stitching by hand.
Every one I have made makes me smile, and I know the Holy Spirit is guiding me along this path
Have a wonderful day, and thank you for sharing your story.
Much love,
Rose
That is so cool Rose. There is something very special and fulfilling about working with our hands to create something of beauty isn’t there. No surprise there though as God is the Creator and we are made in His image to also create.
Darling friend, I can’t tell you how proud I am to make an appearance in this post! May 31 was one of the BEST days of this spring for me, for sure! I so enjoyed spending time with you three girls. . . what an inspiring bunch of ladies!! I hope that lunch was just the first of many more opportunities to be together.
Thank you so much for mentioning my book–how kind of you! I hope it’s a blessing to you.
Your CharliGirl is so adorable. . . wish I could rub her tummy right now. 🙂
Blessings to you as you begin your SUMMER. Hard to believe that “official” summertime is practically here, isn’t it?
You are so sweet Richella! As we walked away from the restaurant that day Debbie said to me, “I think this was a God appointed encounter today.” I agreed with her. It is so good to be with those of like mind. Iron sharpening iron. Blessings to you to dear one.
Thank you for sharing all you learned. Loved the pictures. Happy June!
Happy June Debbie!
Enjoyed your post, and the pictures. And your new puppy? Adorable!
Thank you Terry! Happy Summer days 🙂
I loved the pix…especially Charligirl. She is just TOO cute. I love all dogs but a partial to all pups fluffy or curly. LOL
We have a mini Schnoodle photo bomber named Quincy. (His kennel name). He was a rescue.
We kept the name…it fit. I love watching Quincy, M.E. reruns. That Quincy is always investigating and never quits.
Same with our Quincy. Probably why they gave him that name. LOL
Quincy tends to ONLY photo bomb while I am taking pix for eBay selling.
So I have to tell him to G’ON GIT! hahaha
I love handcrafted items and get inspired when I see them. I would love to sit with people who do it OLD SCHOOL.
I am a craft-a-holic. I am crocheting a baby blanket…needed ASAP for a gift. I had to put down my crochet-along project from Furls Crochet to do the baby blanket. I put down my red/white/blue blanket project to start the Furls project. I have a list of crochet-do-dos about 7 mile long. Then there are the OTHER crafts and home improvement things I want to do….I need a staff!!! LOL Thanks for all the great posts you post!!!
Oh Robin, I’ve never had a fluffy haired pup before and what fun she is. As her hair grows longer it gets curlier and sometimes I can barely see those sweet brown eyes peering out at me from under all that hair. It will be time for a trim soon.
Quincy, what a cute name for a dog. What color is he? He must be adorable.
You are so funny Robin and so like me. I have a few too many unfinished projects on my list. Sometimes when they get near the end I get bored and move on to the next thing, especially when they are complete enough to look finished to those who don’t know! Bad Patti!
Thanks for coming by and commenting my friend. HUGS!
You look so happy in those pictures….truly happy! And I am so glad for you, Patti. What a treat this trip was for you and I can only imagine the blessings shared with one another. God appointed, I’m sure.
CharliGirl is looking bigger all the time! And oh my, Sasha has a look that might be saying….seriously? You want me to do what with that….that fluff ball?
Hahaha, blessings to you friend.
Thank you Sharon! I think getting away from home and away from “real” life is always a good thing. Spending time with positive and affirming women can’t help but make one happy either. Women who are kind of like YOU!
The dogs are doing famously after a questionable beginning. Questionable for Sasha, not for CharliGirl, who loved Sasha from the start. She is such a sweetie!
Thank you for the update. What a sweet pup. And I love the working farm: what a place of healing. xo
Our new pup is SO sweet Jen. I don’t think I’ve had a puppy with a better nature.
As for the farm, you can feel the peace when you drive onto the grounds. I’m a wee bit jealous of my friend, as her home is right in the middle of the farm. She calls it farm life in the city. They do great work there and she does an excellent job of writing and advertising for Crossnore.
Patti, what a wonderful trip that must have been. I, for one, loved all the photos. Hope your June is just as exciting!
Thank you Donna. It was a wonderful trip. So good to get away with good friends. 🙂
Patti: What a lovely trip and I do know it was a memorable one for you. Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos and friends with all of us.
Love that precious new baby girl – she will bring you many laughs as well as devoted friendship!
Have a lovely weekend – Blessings to you and yours.
Sandra
Thank you sweet Sandra. Dogs bring so much joy into our lives. I don’t know how I’d live without them!
Blessings back to you 🙂
Oh my, what beautiful pictures and that Charligirl is something else. I get the impression there is a reason you have that pup at this particular time. I’ll look forward to her photo bombing (Sasha too) Everything ‘s better with a dog.
Thanks for sharing and bless your family.
Thank you PJ. This little dog is bringing us so much joy. We’ve never had a pup so easy and so smart. She has definitely found her place in the pack 🙂
Patti, how fun that you spent time with friends! Looks like you had a wonderful time. Charli girl is so cute! I would not have been able to say no to that face either. Oh, and I noticed the patina on that cupboard right off the bat too. 🙂 Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thanks friend. I always love coming over to your place for a party and a share!
CharliGirl is so adorable! I love when plants come back each year. I had some that didn’t make it from last year either, but most of them did. Love seeing the pictures of you ladies. Beautiful inside and out!
You are a dear Lisa <3
Patti…. Charli is adorable and she looks like a cute stuff animal in your garden. So much fun!!
What a great month! And how wonderful for you to get to connect with so many fabulous friends. Seems like that is the blessing of living where you do. Have a blessed weekend, my friend!
The South seems to be full of great blogger Diane. I don’t think I’d have ever made so many connections back in Washington. Love it! You too have a blessed weekend <3
CharliGirl is adorable! Who can resist that face? Loved hearing about all you’ve learned and your photos are incredible. Yay for meet up with blog friends too!
Amen to that Barbie!