Travels with Marci on Highway 412

My full time job (besides blogging) has me on the road quite a bit these days, regularly buzzing around eight different counties here in Arkansas.  I am so very blessed to live in a beautiful area.  When something catches my eye, I snap a picture or two with my phone.

This beautiful ranch is on Highway 412 east of Huntsville.

Looking Back at Favorite Family Recipes

My favorite thing about blogging is meeting other bloggers and being challenged by their ideas.  One series of posts in 2017 was for Favorite Family Recipes.  

I am such a sentimental person, I pulled handwritten recipes from our family folder.

  

It brought back so many sweet memories of these people as their recipe was scanned and shared.

Tuesdays with a Twist Link Party

Our news this week...  We celebrated Christmas with our family and had a wonderful time!

 I am so glad you are here today!  There is no limit on links as long as they are family friendly including giveaways, Etsy shops and other link parties.  Please remember to visit some fellow party animals and leave positive comments!

Our Family thru the Years

Merry Christmas!

;-)  -Marci

You're the Star Blog Hop

Welcome to the link party today!  Do you know I also co-host a link party on Tuesdays?  I hope you can come back tomorrow! 



(Sometimes we will have 5 Mondays in a month - these 5th special Mondays are called "EXTRA feature" days)

Travels with Marci at Beulah Union Church

My full time job (besides blogging) has me on the road quite a bit these days, regularly buzzing around eight different counties here in Arkansas.  I am so very blessed to live in a beautiful area.  When something catches my eye, I snap a picture or two with my phone.

I love quaint old churches.  This one sits on top of a hill with an incredible view.  Can you see the barn to the left?

Do you love me this much?

This post is about a very sentimental gift.  We've known this sweet girl since she was two and she has been special to us ever since.

Winter Holiday Link Party Features

'Sending a big thank you to everyone who participated in our Holiday Link Party, especially all the co-hosts:

Across the Boulevard

My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies

Two Chicks and a Mom

Sew Crafty Crochet

Dazzle While Frazzled

The Boondocks Blog

Purple Hues and Me  

Olives & Okra

Let's Party! Tuesdays with a Twist

Our news this week...  The weekend was filled with grand daughters so we had a wonderful time!  They are such sweet girls.  Saturday, gingerbread was decorated and poppers were made.  Sunday was a shopping trip with a December Birthday Girl.  Whew!  I was tired after that!  ;-)

  Did you notice the Winter Holiday Link Party that began just before Thanksgiving?  You are welcome to link any posts relevant to the theme that are family friendly.  I am so glad you are here today for this party.  There is no limit on links as long as they are family friendly including giveaways, Etsy shops and other link parties.  Please remember to visit some fellow party animals and leave positive comments!

Gathered Skirt & Monthly De Stash Challenge

Today, I'm showing you a project our cute little grand daughters designed!

When we attended the Fin & Feather Fall Festival (say that three times fast) we noticed a family wearing beautiful skirts.  I'm guessing the group was a grandmother, her two daughters and five granddaughters.  It looked like maybe the granddaughters had attended a sewing class, as their skirts were the same pattern, but different fabrics.  My little grand ones wanted something similar.  Back at my house, they chose fabric from my stash and I got busy.  If you'd like to see the free tutorial I used, just click HERE!

Six Year Old fabric choices.

You're the Star {December}

WELCOME to the December "You're the Star" Blog Hop!  Are we really only one week away from Christmas?!



There is one online order left to arrive and we will be ready!  I get so excited to see everyone.  Did you notice my post where I wrote about my big family and The Holiday Menu that works for us?  If you're interested,  just click HERE!  Merry Christmas!

Green Friday at Hobbs State Park

When our sweet granddaughter asked to spend the night after Thanksgiving dinner, we of course said "yes" and started looking for something to do the next day.  Hobbs State Park was one of the first spots we checked.  Thankfully, they offer a wonderful program called Green Friday!

The feathered welcoming committee consisted of a beautiful Barred Owl and native Turkey Vulture!  As cars were pulling in, these friendly birds were waving and smiling.  What fun costumes!  The excitement began before we had even unbuckled!

Garden Guest: Tired Tiger?

The north side of our front yard is a certified  National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat.  Really!  We have a certificate!  You can do the same by providing food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise their young.  It is so much fun to see all of the critters that stop by for a visit.  I have a series of posts to show you our Garden Guests.  If you would like to see more posts like this one, please hop over to my Garden Page.

When these shots were being snapped, the creamy color made me think this beauty was a Zebra Swallowtail.

It's Party Time! Tuesdays with a Twist Link Party

Our news this week...  December weather has arrived and we spent most of the weekend inside.  I finished a couple of sewing projects and did quite a bit of wrapping.  We are on the very edge of being ready for Christmas and getting excited!

  Did you notice the Winter Holiday Link Party that began just before Thanksgiving?  You are welcome to link any posts relevant to the theme that are family friendly.  I am so glad you are here today for this party.  There is no limit on links as long as they are family friendly including giveaways, Etsy shops and other link parties.  Please remember to visit some fellow party animals and leave positive comments!

Glitzy Clip Board *Fail* - Dollar Store Craft Challenge

It's time for another Dollar Store Craft Challenge!  I love partnering with this talented group of bloggers! 

Across the Boulevard
Dazzled While Frazzled 
My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies
Purple Hues and Me
Sew Crafty Crochet
The Boondocks Blog
Two Chicks and a Mom

My project begins with a very humble clip board from our nearby dollar store.  It was only $3.50 and I actually need one for a couple of places I visit for my job outside the blog.  I thought this would be quick and simple.   Wrong!

You're the Star {December} Merry Christmas!

WELCOME to FAMILY feature week of the

December "You're the STAR" blog hop!

Travels with Marci at Crystal Lake

My full time job (besides blogging) has me on the road quite a bit these days, regularly buzzing around eight different counties here in Arkansas.  I am so very blessed to live in a beautiful area.  When something catches my eye, I snap a picture or two with my phone.

There's really no telling what I might photograph!  

Big Family Holiday Menu

My family is BIG!  I am the youngest child of six as is my mother.

My dad is the youngest child of eight.  (Some are missing in the photo below)  These days, our daughter and son-in-law are foster parents, so the number of grandchildren we have can change at just about any time.  'Told you my family is big!  ;-)  That moment of the holidays where you notice the house is too hot, too loud and way too full of people, well, that's my favorite part!  It makes me feel at home!

   It's become our tradition to host Thanksgiving dinner.  Everyone is invited even if they can only stop by for dessert.  I have a wonderful time!  Handsome Husband can feel a little overwhelmed, but doesn't complain.  I'm glad he is on my team!

This menu worked really well for both of us this year.  Quite a bit of prep was done each evening a few days before.  During crunch time, OUR KITCHEN was all mine and Handsome Husband was outside with the smoker.  This may just be our "Go To Menu" forever!  I wanted to post it so I can remember for next time!  ;-)  This little blog is a handy reference tool for me.  ;-)

Big Family Holiday Menu: 

Appetizers:

Our Daughter's Cheese Ball

Deviled Eggs

Relish Tray

Cracker Tray

Main Course and Sides:

Smoked Turkey

Smoked Brisket

Mashed Potatoes

Gravy

Green Beans

Corn Casserole

Cornbread Stuffing
Rolls
Cornbread

Desserts:

Peanut Butter Pie

Lemon Meringue Pie

Coconut Cream Pie

Sweet Tea, of course!

As I read thru the list, I think I should publish some of these recipes!  How big is your family?

;-)  -Marci

Gift Wrap Theme for 2017

Our Christmas shopping is almost complete, so wrapping has begun!

I'm generally not a big fan of traditional paper, but

Tuesdays with a Twist Linky Party & Happy December!

Our news this week...  We enjoyed a little weekend getaway to nearby Branson, Missouri.  Our agenda included a bit of Christmas shopping, but mostly just relaxing.  Handsome Husband and I are The Worst about getting all wrapped up with work, chores and other daily tasks instead of remembering the importance of our relationship.  It was nice to have a couple days reconnecting and resting.  Photos coming soon!  ;-)  Did you notice the Winter Holiday Link Party that began just before Thanksgiving?  You are welcome to link any posts relevant to the theme that are family friendly.

 I am so glad you are here today for this party.  There is no limit on links as long as they are family friendly including giveaways, Etsy shops and other link parties.  Please remember to visit some fellow party animals and leave positive comments!

You're the Star Blog Hop {December}

Welcome to a new week and new features for this little blog hop!



Before we continue onto the Linky party 




Link Party Feature!

Exciting news!

My Favorite Things DIY Pillow Covers

post is being featured at

Snickerdoodle Create Bake and Make Link Party!

I am so very honored! 

;-)  -Marci

Travels with Marci A Windmill

My full time job (besides blogging) has me on the road quite a bit these days, regularly buzzing around eight different counties here in Arkansas.  I am so very blessed to live in a beautiful area.  When something catches my eye, I snap a picture or two with my phone.

How pretty is this spot?  This is another shot on Highway 103 which has to be one of the prettiest drives in Arkansas.  Where is your favorite scenery in or near your home?

;-)  -Marci

Book Review: The Mountaintop School for Dogs

and other second chances

by Ellen Cooney

PHOTO SOURCE

A partial synopsis from GOOD READS:  The Sanctuary. High up on the mountain, the Sanctuary is a place of refuge. It is a place where humans save dogs, who, in turn, save the humans. It is a place where the past does not exist, where hopelessness is chased away, where the future hasn’t been written, where orphans and strays can begin to imagine a new meaning for “family.” 

My thoughts:  I did not want this book to end.  It will have me thinking about the characters for quite some time, imagining the next chapter in their stories.  Where are they now, I wonder?  That's my favorite kind of book!  Giant George completely stole my heart and made me cry with his gentle generosity.  Evie's curiosity and resilience is really quite remarkable especially the last few pages of the book.  Everyone deserves a second chance, don't you think?  I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs or stories of rehabilitation.

What have you been reading?

;-)  -Marci