As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Friday, October 6, 2017

Fall Getaway


As Bekah was telling our granddaughter Nora (8) about our family's plans for a little getaway, Nora wondered what we were going to do. Bekah told her we were going to go antiquing and do a little shopping.

Nora's response: "That's a long way to go for stores."

I suppose Nora has a point. But that's just the kind of outing that we do best.

Especially when your shopping destination is surrounded by gorgeous countryside AND your sweet blog friend lives nearby and you have plans to meet for dinner!

* * *

Deanna of Creekside Cottage and her husband Tim treated us to dinner (thanks again, guys!) and we sat at the table and talked until the hour was late. That's the kind of friendship we share . . . the kind where you can just pick up where you left off and not run out of things to talk about.

(I wrote about our first "in real life" meeting here. Hard to believe it's been five years, but we all look five years different!)

But not one single picture did we take. (What kind of bloggers are we anyway?!) Fortunately, we also had plans to meet up the next day to exchange birthday gifts, so Deanna and I posed for this one. 
I stole this photo from Deanna's Instagram because the ones on my own phone were dark, even after I edited them to the best of my ability! 
In addition to Deanna and Tim, we also saw Deanna's mom Phyllis and had a chance meeting of Emma and Isla (Deanna's daughter and granddaughter) while we waited in line at Chick-fil-A! CrAzY!

* * * 

Our outing was not just shopping. In addition to sharing time with friends, there was coffee . . .


 . . . and the girls loved feeding these darling pygmy goats. Several dear little goats were inside the fence, but the instant that a quarter was put into the feeding machine, goats came out of the woodwork! They poked their heads through the fence and ate pellets from the girls' hands. About two dollars later, they were all fast friends. :) 

But, yes, we also did some shopping. 

Here we are in front of one of my favorite stores in Lancaster: Olde Mill House Shoppes

And this one is fun too . . .

. . . especially if you have a napkin fetish.
Honestly, I did not buy all of the napkins I am holding in this photo. I was making my selections. :) 

We were only away for a couple of days. We had both obligations and house projects to call us home. (Ron is still working on some outdoor painting and repairs before cold weather arrives.) But we came away with a few treasures and some treasured memories. 



27 comments:

  1. Sounds like our kind of get away and what could be better for shopping and beautiful countryside than where you went. I smiled at the napkin picture as I always admire your napkins at your celebrations! I hope there was some pretty fall color to enjoy as well! Nice to see you two girls together!

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    1. It was a great couple of days!

      There were the beginnings of fall color. And fall decorations everywhere! Glad you like the napkins! It's a pretty cheap hobby. :)

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  2. oh what a fun getaway!
    napkin fetish? me too :)
    starbucks yUmmy drinks?
    dinner with deanna and her hubs?
    seeing emma and isla?
    all priceless. all of it. ♥

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  3. Dear Cheryl your fall getaway looks wonderful. I would have certainly enjoyed those shops. Read your previous post about morning times - what a great way to start your day. Take care and have a blessed weekend. Hugs!

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    1. There are some great shops in Lancaster! And, yes, Morning Time has been a wonderful thing for us!

      Thanks for stopping by, Debbie!

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  4. Christmas Tree Shops is my go to place for napkins! You inspired me about having fun seasonal napkins years ago!

    Five years! It seems as if we've always known you, though. I am happy we got to spend time together! As Sherry said, "Priceless!"

    We'll come your way next. You'll have to show us your favorite places to shop!

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    1. Napkins are such fun! I always say that they are a really cheap hobby.

      "Priceless" indeed! ♥

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  5. I am so NOT a shopper but I'm BIG on outings and friends, so I totally "get" what a fine excursion this was (especially after having the joy of meeting Deanna in person myself a couple of months ago! Now, if you're ever in NE Indiana..... :

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    1. If only we had been traveling at the same time . . . that would have been great fun!

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  6. With all the gatherings you have, you nEeD all those napkins! Aren’t you sorry that you left some behind? 😉 I always think it is serendipitous to meet up with favorite people when we least expect to. Glad that you got to meet Baby Isla.

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    1. I like the way you think, Vee! Yes, I do nEeD all the napkins! :)

      (I did bring quite a few home . . . and Deanna had some tucked into my bag of birthday goodies.)

      Baby Isla is darling!

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  7. Sounds like a great fall getaway. I really enjoy meeting up with bloggy friends. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. It was a great little trip! Weekend blessings to you too, Ellen!

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  8. Hi Cheryl, what a fun getaway! The shops you visited sound like my kind of places to visit. And I love pretty napkins, too. Glad you got to see your friend, Deanna, again. I'll have to visit her blog, I don't think I've been by there yet. Have a nice weekend!

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    1. Another napkin buddy! :)

      Yes, do visit Deanna! She is a sweetheart!

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  9. What fun, family, friends, food, shopping, feeding critters. I'd love to visit the Christmas Shop.

    Have a lovely weekend ~ FlowerLady

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  10. Cheryl, what fun! And I can't see pygmy goats without thinking of when my mother brought one home and it kept growing and growing. When it became obvious she had been pranked by the person who sold her the goat, she had to find a new home for it.

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    1. Jean, that is a funny story! Hopefully, your "big" goat was able to find a home with a "big goat" family. :)

      Pygmy goats are adorable! I think the girls would have brought one home given a chance.

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  11. What a delightful post, Cheryl, I too have always measured my true friendships as you do, just picking up right where we left off, you and Deanna, have such a friendship! I haven't had the privilege of actually meeting friends here in blogland, but you and Deanna would be two of those.

    The Christmas Tree Shoppe is one of my favorite shops, I also loved your granddaughter's perspective about out of town shopping, one day soon she will actually know this fun experience.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings,
    Sue

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    1. Sue, it would certainly be a privilege to meet you! You were one of my earliest friends in Blogland!

      Nora just doesn't know what she's missing, does she? :)

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  12. I am behind as usual but I sure enjoyed this. Yes, my kind of get away for sure. I'd love to meet some of my fellow bloggers...maybe some day. I can see you were in "napkin" heaven there, lol. Glad you enjoyed your little get away!

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    1. I have only met two blogging friends in person, but I can assure you that both meetings were delightful and that both bloggers were exactly who I thought they would be from reading their blogs!

      My favorite getaways these days are simple ones. It doesn't take a "big deal" to make me happy!

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  13. Oh what fun! I read Deanna's post last week and then went and read about your first visit too! I have only met one blogger so far but will be living very close to another when we move to TN. I know both of your families are enjoying the memories you are making! HUGS!

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    1. I love living not-too-far from Deanna! Hope you make a good blogging friend in your new place!

      (((Hugs)))) back!

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  14. I hope my comment published. It suddenly disappeared. :-(

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