Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Autumn's Party with Friends



“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.” Galatians 6:10



Having just my 4 little blessings and my protector husband is all I need for days on end.  Yes, you got me – I’m a loner. Love being home. Although, having taken testing before marriage, it showed that, at times, being with people energizes me. (I just might need a week off after the fact!)




This brings me back to the topic. I love coming up with table décor for get-togethers. Yes, it’s exhausting and a lot of work, but it is an outlet of me – Melanie.  (Not me – Mommy.  Remember my day job!) So I decided I wanted to invite all the wonderful ladies of our church to my home for an evening of relaxing fun. Just chatting and eating snacks were the only items on the “list of things to do.” 



I am a very scheduled person (sometimes, much to my husband’s dismay); naturally, I got certain things together earlier than the day of the event. Of course, not everything can be done on the day, so thanks to school (two boys there) and a willing mother (2 more kiddos with her) I finished several tasks in speedy order. I think I paused my ladies fall gathering prep for one hour total that day. 



Finally, the table décor was ready. Pumpkin dip nestled in a real pumpkin, mini apple pies ready to be devoured, celery sticks, crackers and chips ready to coordinate with bacon cheese dip, clusters of grapes and caramel, and cashew-covered pears perched on their pedestal eagerly awaiting their taker. Warm wassail (a holiday tradition started in our family by Janet Sankey) was ready to be poured into glass cups.



The woodstove was ready to welcome the ladies with warmth that the snowy outside could not give. My guests walked down the candlelit sidewalk and eagerly came inside to begin an evening of fellowship. I had been so excited about the party -- and there was no disappointment. What fun we had laughing and chatting!


Burlap bags filled with Homemade Granola
Click here for recipe

All the energy I had put into my evening was well worth it. I had more energy during that one day than I do in an entire week. (Maybe the procrastinator in me is usually at work…!?!) But listen to this quote: “The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.” –Norman Vincent Peale- So true!




This is a fun way for God to use me in blessing others. But wait. Something else happened! In turn, the ladies blessed me. I was focused on making them feel special, but they sheltered me with their warm hugs, expressions of gratefulness and relaxed, smiling faces. One sweet friend bring me a gorgeous gift in beautiful presentation styling. Of course I told her I was ready to throw another party if it meant wonderful treats like that!


To the ladies who were there and might read this post: “Thank you for your sheltering. I loved giving of my time to help you enjoy an evening in which you felt like a special creation of God.”




30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Everything looks beautiful! A precious time of fellowship together.

Wishing you and yours a blessed Thanksgiving.

Anonymous said...

Melanie, you are a fabulous hostess. Your house was beautiful as ever, decorated wonderfully, and the evening was seasoned with the tastes of fall and topped off with friendship and sisterly love. What a blessing it was!! Such a blessing to attend church with you and call you friend. Tyanks for your sheltering!!!
Love, Krista

Clint said...

What a wonderful time of fellowship and friendship.

Blessings...

Anonymous said...

Awesome! And the feel of warmth is evident from the pictures you shared! What a blessed people are those that surroud your life...
Happy Thanksgiving

Jane said...

You have a lovely home and it sound like lovely friends. Sounds like a joyous time!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had much fun and shared much love at your fellowship event. Everything looked and sounded so good! I enjoyed the pictures as well.

Oh, I am a Loaner too. I'm glad I'm not the only one. :)

Just Be Real said...

A lovely setting Pamela. Thank you for sharing in words and pictures. Blessings.

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

I think I have a similar personality, Melanie. Lovely post ~ I like your dip recipe. I didn't really love the recipe I have although my husband did.

Sweet stopping by!
Kindly, Lorraine

Patty Marker said...

What a beautiful post. I try to host my bible study ladies once during the holiday season and your right the best gift comes from the "warmth sheltering" they give me. Your blog is beautiful. I can't wait to get to know you better. Patty

Anonymous said...

beautiful picture of hospitality...this is my prayer...all who enter my home will feel loved and welcomed...I love your word...sheltering...
Blessings to you....

Karen said...

What a lovely table and the pumpkin dip looks inviting in the pumpkin container! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Esther Asbury said...

Isn't it neat that when we shelter others it ends up being a blessing to us in return?!
Your party looks lovely -- you do a fabulous job at decorating!

Anonymous said...

This is a fabulous way to entertain in HIS name. I confess I too am much a homebody and I love it. My body fails me most days so I've made peace with my surroundings & I'm happy for it. It sounds like your celebration went over beautifully. Blessings to you. Hugs. Tammy

Blue Cotton Memory said...

I love that quote - pouring more of myself into something bigger than me gives me more energy! I felt that this week! Wish I felt that energy surge more!

Amy said...

What a great way to serve and have fellowship! Our lovely Church ladies met up last week at Cracker Barrel and enjoyed some coffee and dessert. It was so nice to sit down with just the gals and chat about everything. I love spending time with my sisters in Christ!

Nikki (Sarah) said...

Everything in your home looks so warm and inviting. glad you had such a great time. It's fun entertaining although before people come over I sometimes stress too much over it

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

You made this a beautiful and bountiful party, Pamela! I'm sure your guuest appreciated all you did. I like your pumpkin dip recipe and the way you presented it!

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Your home is so lovely! I agree what a great way to have fellowship.

Amrita said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

Everything look wonderful !You did a great job, very inspiring!
Happy thanksgiving ! Blessings

Ruth said...

How fun! Thanks for sharing your ideas and illustrations of how you put it all together. Women sharing God together can't be beat!

Anonymous said...

What a great event! Of course, I love the Dr. Peale quote! I am sure everyone felt so warm and welcomed....it is interesting how we can be solitary and not realize the value of a gathering until we do it!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and thanks so much for stopping by~

love, kelee Katillac

Melanie N. Brasher said...

Wow, everything looks gorgeous! Have a great Thanksgiving.

Mel

Kandi said...

Melanie,

I am Popping over from Pamela's comment she left on my blog, I am so happy she stopped by so I could find you. It has been poking around your blog reading some past posts, you have a lovely place over here. You decorated your home so beautifully and what a wonderful inspiring way to spend an evening in fellowship. I love how when we intend to be a blessing to other people we find ourselves so immensely blesssed in return. Happy Thanksgiving, and so glad to have met you.

Kandi

Charlotte said...

What a blessing you are to others. Hospitality is something that God definitely blesses. Love the pictures. The light fixture in the kitchen looks like the cream colored one we recently put in our entry way. We have white cabinets too. We must have similar tastes.
Thank you for sharing.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Marisa and Brittany said...

Aww... what a precious moment you shared to be treasured in the heart as a wonderful memory with dear and precious friends. Does it get much better than that?! Thanks Pamela for sharing this special occasion with all the rest of us and inspiring us to share in the gift of hospitality :))

Marisa

Shanda said...

It looks so perfect. I wish I could have been a guest! I love entertaining but it also leaves me exhausted!! But so worth it. Thank you for sharing the recipe.

Kaye Swain - SandwichINK for the Sandwich Generation said...

What a delightful time you and your friends all had! Such fun family and friend memories to treasure for decades to come. And thank you so much for sharing this with us. Such creative ideas. Have a blessed Thanksgiving! :)

Esther Joy said...

I needed to hear that quote - "The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.” –Norman Vincent Peale
...So Thank You!

The pumpkin dip sounds awesome, and what a neat way to serve it!

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