A New School Year For Jess

Well, school has started and Jess is back teaching her grade school students for the year.  She said the first week went pretty well, and she thinks she will have a good bunch of kids this year.  The parents seem to be involved too.  Every year is different she said.

I remember going to kindergarten the first day.  Girls usually know who they want to be friends with right away.  Me and a friend started talking, and right away we became best friends.  Her name was Tina, and she was the prettiest thing.  We remained best friends all through eighth grade.

I always wanted a red plaid lunch pail and thermos.   But of course, I just had the regular brown lunch bags that my mom would pack every day.  She filled them with good and wholesome foods, hardly ever twinkies, ho hos, and other store bought goodies.
 

Nel was always an excellent student.  She was teased by this one bully girl one year because I always walked her to the bus stop and made sure she got on it.  But boy, did she stand up for herself one day, and after that, no more bullying.  ; )  Jess was a very good student as well, made friends quickly, and still has the same best friend that she had in kindergarten.  Now, my son didn't like school much, as most boys don't, and he was tearful every day in the beginning of his kindergarten year.  It got better as the years passed, and he made very good grades, played sports, and would you believe he still has the same best friend that he had in kindergarten?

 

Oh, those school days.

Do you have any stories

about grade school

that you'd like to share?

I'd love to hear.

 

~Sheri

The Scent And Taste Of Cinnamon

There is an Ashland candle collection at Michaels, and I noticed them when I was out shopping the other day.  One of the candles was a spice scent, with a hint of Cinnamon.  It had the strongest scent of spices that I've ever smelled, and I had to get it for my kitchen.

Every time I used to go over my sister's house, her kitchen was filled with the scent of Cinnamon.  She used to put the sticks in bundles, and would also take oranges and stick cloves in them.  Her kitchen smelled so good, I'll never forget it.  

Sometimes I put Cinnamon in my oatmeal, which makes it taste even better.

There's starting to be a nip in the air early in the mornings, and it's finally getting cooler here.

Are you a Cinnamon lover like me?

Have a restful weekend,

friends.

 

~Sheri

A Helping Hand

I was in the town next over to mine.  I love this town, as it has rolling hills and is pretty, making it a great place to take photos.  I was at the park enjoying my morning coffee.  A man gets into his car with his BIG dog, and tries to start his car.  It wouldn't start.  He tried many times after that, and I was getting ready to see if I could help.  He must have tried to start it 30 times, but nothing....dead.  I saw a city worker and thought he might have jumper cables to help this man.  I got out of my car to ask him, and if he didn't have any, I was going to use my own.  The minute I stepped out of my car and asked the city worker if he had jumper cables, the man's car started up.  We both smiled and went on our way.

We are all called to help others.  There are some people who don't want to be bothered.  You've heard the familiar sayings before,

I'm too busy

I don't want to get involved

It won't do any good

I've got too much going on myself
 

No one wants to get involved in a messy situation, but we must always help others when we can.  Someday we may find ourselves in a messy situation and may need the help of others as well.
 

End of the Summer photos.

 

 

thank you to my brother for helping,
and to Nel for trying.

~Sheri

One Room at a Time

Greetings from Georgia, friends! My, how these past few weeks have flown by. When I last left you, I was buried in boxes...

This summer has been busy for the girls at Red Rose Alley. But now that we've successfully sent Jess off into married life, I'm turning my attention to settling into my new sweet southern home. 

Now we're just renting, so I have to help myself from getting too attached, but there are so many features I love about this charming house. We tend to see multi-resident mail units in our California cities and suburbs, so I was delighted by this traditional mailbox in front of the house!   

This is the beautiful bay window I look out of while I'm reading on the couch.

I just adore this stylish arched doorway leading into the spacious kitchen, and it's so nice to have room to cook! (Our previous apartment was a bit cramped.)

I can't wait until it gets cooler and we can light a cozy fire in our brick fireplace. For now, it's a convenient place to keep the chess board. 

But my favorite feature of the entire house has to be the window above the kitchen sink, where I can look out into the backyard and watch the bunnies and birds hopping around the lawn while I wash dishes in the morning. 

I'm slowly but surely starting to decorate, one room at a time. Here's a pretty French-inspired soap dispenser I found at Home Goods (love that store!). 

And here's the new comforter set I bought for the master bedroom. I'm planning to color the room in mauve, cream, and white, with gold accents.

I'll post more photos as I continue to make each room of this darling house our own (a little teaser...I have plans for restoring an antique dresser and turning the Harry Potter closet under the stairs into a secret reading nook!). In the meantime, I hope you enjoyed this post-move-in peek into our new home.

~ Nel ~

Grade School Friend

I met my friend, Mireya, for coffee yesterday.

I've known Mireya since our grade school days, and we've been friends ever since.  We kind of went our separate ways in high school and met new friends along the way, but we've always remained friends.  Here we are in eighth grade.

She was the first one to introduce me to the fascinating world of jewelry.

When we were young girls, she used to go to the local bead shop and buy all kinds of beads and jewels and make her own bracelets, necklaces, etc.

She is taking care of her mom and dad right now, which I admire so much.  Her dad is very ill, and this has been a difficult time for her.  She's a pretty knowledgeable business woman.  She ran her parent's business for years and is sharp with finances.

I have been meeting up with her frequently so we can have some girl time  while she's taking care of her parents.   I enjoy it so much; she always has funny and interesting stories to tell.  She's a good friend, and she has been on my mind lately.

~Sheri

Rainbow Toadstools

After the wedding festivities, all I wanted to do was get in my car and take a drive in the country.  Well, I did just that, and I noticed a delightful nursery in the town of Loomis.   I've seen it before many times from the road, but this time, I stepped inside.

To my surprise was an enchanting nursery filled with all kinds of trees, flowers, and wonder.  I didn't want to leave.

As I was walking through the nursery, mist started to fill the air.  It was so pretty.

Around the corner glass toadstools caught my eye.

More pictures of the mist.

These purple petunias draped the awning that lead to another area of the nursery.

I noticed they had a little restaurant next to it, and I'd like to come back soon for breakfast.

We see so many

beautiful things when we

leave the comfort
of our own towns and
explore another.

 

 

~Sheri

I, Jessica, Take You, Brian

Well, I told you I'd share some pictures of the wedding, so here they are.   We will get the pictures back from the photographer in a few weeks, but until then, you can see some that were taken by me and family.

This was at the grounds of the Reception area.  I love the water fountain in front.

Jess bought gifts for all her bridesmaids, and even her mom and dad.  They were such thoughtful presents too, given to us at the rehearsal dinner.

These were the flowers that were on the guest book table when you first walked in the door.

Something old.......my sister made the ring bearer's pillow, and she used the same fabric that I had for my wedding dress.   She's such a talented seamstress.

Nel spent a couple hours creating all the signs for the reception.

These flowers were at the chocolate table.

Jess' garter and purse.

The beautiful veil.

Mother-of-the Bride and dear friends. (I'm in the middle).

The little flower girl's dress.

The maid of honor's bouquet.  Jess wanted Nel's to be all white.

The Bride and Groom.

Sisters......Jess and Brian's sisters.

The cake.   Can you believe Brian's mom made the cake?  She worked so hard on it, and it was delicious.  It was three tiers of chocolate cake with vanilla frosting and red velvet cake.

The *sparklers* were so beautiful at the end.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures of Jess' wedding.  It was a fun and wonderful day.  And now, they're off on their honeymoon for two weeks in marital bliss.

*Dear Jess, you may have a

new husband, but

I'm still the best man

love, Teddy*

 

~Sheri