Book Club Project!!

Hi, All! For those of you who are familiar with my little summer workshop, Friends in the Park Book Club, you know that our members, 13 girls in 7th grade, share their summers with me by discussing their summer reads and learning various forms of art, as well as incorpoating their projects into a community service project.

This summer, the girls wrote & illustrated their very own children's stories, which we have compiled into an anthology for publication. Please note ... ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE SALES OF THIS BOOK WILL BE DONATED TO Make-A-Wish Foundation. In order to self-publish their works, the girls created hand-strung stone bracelets that were sold at our town's September by the River Festival. Because of the support of our community, friends & family ... this endeavor was a success!

I am thrilled to announce that the book is now in the process of being published and a book release/signing event has been scheduled! In addition to the book sale & signing, the girls will be presenting Storytime readings from their collective book during this special weekend. The have also been formally invited to participate in Make-A-Wish's Light Up A Child's Life campaign, whereby they will be interviewed about their efforts.

To make this project as successful as possible, we have decided to host a Pre-Sale Book Order and offer a savings of $5 per book! That's 13 stories for just $10!!

To place your order, kindly hit the "Buy Now" button on the sidebar to make your purchase through PayPal.

The books will be available for mailing on December 2nd ... plenty of time for gift giving!!!

I assure you that this book will bring you comfort & joy by knowing that your purchase has helped in the efforts of making a child's wish come true. It also would make a wonderful Christmas present to share! Please consider helping us by placing an order and sharing in the gift of giving.

We would be grateful if you would pass this message & offer along ... thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Autumn about town ...

Well .... I've almost missed this season all together! Not only, here on my blog, but here at home, too. I know that it has been some time since my last post, but it has been a whirlwind of sickness, surgery, recovery and sickness again - - all of it, experienced by my dear daughter. She's still not up to par, but in school again today ... so, fingers crossed - I'm sending my prayers up that she's turned the corner and will be back to her lovely self soon :) Poor thing has missed SOOO much school, cheer season, girl scout outings, Halloween parade, and recently the Halloween dance ... it makes my heart ache. However, there are always blessings in the mix to be so very thankful - - and I count them everyday!

With most of September and October taking care of my girl, we have missed so much of this beautiful season. So, I decided to grab my camera this morning and take a walk through our local town. I bundled up in layers of sweaters, a hat, and a scarf and drove into town. I used to do this much more often when the kids were younger ... I would be strolling or pulling them through town, taking in the sites and decor, and finding the wonder that I always do with this place. Perhaps, it is because I've lived here for most of my life. I don't know. But, I like to look for the special nooks that one might not notice when driving by ... or the interesting details that make our little world here unique.

So, here is what captured my heart this morning ...

scarecrows greeting passersby at every corner in town ...

One of my favorite homes in town ... artistic, eclectic and sooo whimsical!

... makes me want to curl up with an old quilt and a good book :)

I loved this tree with its beautiful, reddish leaves draping over the welcome walk and scattering its hues about ...

Although this photo is not particularly artistic, I had to captue it! This pumpkin has been lit in front of this house since I was a small child, and perhaps even earlier than that!

It makes my heart smile with remembrance ...

One of the last, golden beauties on one of my favorite streets ...

... another fall marvel gracing the yard of our historical homes.

... when I see this home ... I am transported into a storybook. Wish this one would go on sale!!

These pics above are of a home that is a ritual part of our town walks ... mostly because of the magic found in the backyard ...

... how about that when I took these photos, I didn't event see the ducks!!

look at that gorgeous chicken!!

the "barn" in the back - - how sweet!

... A special treat from our newest art gallery, The Canvas.

... another gem - - The Red Rover. A great little find for gift basket giving :)

... one of our treasures - Simple Gatherings, filled with unique & seasonal treats for your home!

love this door & lanterns
... light posts make my heart happy :)

I'm glad that I fought off the urge to just stay home in my pjs and get to work, but instead took the time this morning to savor the last bits of fall (you know, we had our first snow this weekend!). I encourage you to take the time ... seek out the wonderment of the day ... and savor the beauty and blessings in your life. Days go by too quickly ...

The one red leaf, the last of its clan,

That dances as often as dance it can,

Hanging so light, and hanging so high,

On the topmost twig, that looks up to the sky!

- Samuel Taylor Coleridge