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.”

Sitting Under the Shelter Tree

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.  ~Leo Buscaglia

Encouraging Others

What I love about shelter sightings is that everyone's tree looks just a bit different. I sit under Avis' tree and am blessed by her appreciation of my writings. I sit under Melanie's tree and am sheltered with fun surprises -- a magazine, a container of cookies she baked for her family, a blog link she knows I'll love. I think sometimes we think sheltering is just the big blessings, the big gifts. To me, it's primarily the little things. It's Joann sheltering with a hug, my mother celebrating my writing accomplishments, Janene's "I'm praying for you," and Emily's "Sit still, Momma, I'll get it."

One Autumn sighting I've had is on Stephanie's Somewhat Simple blog. Stephanie came up with a special way to shelter her family by making a fun pumpkin garland. This is what she says: 

This garland is not only cute and festive, it is a sweet reminder of what we love about each person in our family. Now everyone in my family has their own hanging pumpkin telling them just a few of the reasons why their family members love them!

The second sighting is Stacey from A Delightful Home. One of the best things a momma can teach her children is to shelter. I was delighted to find this tree (you know my fixation on trees) card her children made for special people in their lives. She says:

[This is] a sweet (and earth-friendly way) the kids can show love and gratitude to special people in their life. Help your child think of specific things they appreciate about an individual and write them inside. (This is my favorite part. It is always fun to hear what children come up with!)

I've been sheltered the last couple weeks -- among them an invitation to dinner, crisp delicious apples, sweet blog comments and a letter from a blog friend.

I hope reading of these sightings will bless you as well as spark a few ideas of your own. I'd love to hear about them. Remember, it's the love bundled into the gift that blesses -- or as George MacDonald says, “the loving thought.” If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give.

God's heart smiles when we shelter.

* * * * *

Pumpkin Chocolate Bread

This is one of my new favorite shelter idea. I made it and believe me when I say it’s delicious! No reason for me to recopy the recipe. Go to Amy’s blog at My Name is Snickerdoodle. It makes a large heavy loaf. Next time I’m going to make it in smaller pans.  

And for a gift tag idea, check out these from Esther's at Shoregirl's Creations.   

This Seat is Taken

What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet.

~William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

After 6 1/2 years of marriage, our family moved from our mobile home into the beautiful house Shawn built. Blessed with room to entertain, we were able to host the Cessna Clan Thanksgiving. I made sure the counter tops and furniture--what little we had--were sparkling. I vacuumed and even cleaned the hardwood floors and all other tile, etc., on my hands and knees so my house would be ready for guests.

But, if you know me, I couldn't just set out plates, glasses, napkins and silverware and call it done. No, no. One of the reasons I enjoy hosting is to be able to decorate my table. [And possibly to make myself go crazy in the meantime!]

Place cards can really help when trying to figure out the seating and will make your guests feel extra welcome knowing you have already taken the time to plan ahead with a special place for each one.

I went to our local Glass Factory where you can buy inexpensive candles, decorative plates and glass items. After making this purchase, my mom whipped up an attractive font and printed on vellum paper a Scripture verse under each name. I wrapped the glass cup, placed a tea light in each cup and presto--a personalized place for everyone at the table.

As G. K. Chesterton said, "[we are]...proud of seeing our names in print." God had a special name picked for His Son. Jesus didn't died on the cross just so the Lamb's Book of Life could read: "John #1, John #2, John #3...Susie #53, Susie #54, Susie #55, enter into the joy of the Lord." No, our name gives us special recognition for things we have done. So we can say, "I'm so-and-so's mother," etc., and someone knows immediately who we are referring to. But most importantly, our names give us the thrill to be able to stand on judgment day and hear our name read loud and clear without thought of who is being referred to. "Melanie Lynn Clemens, you are welcomed into Heaven." "[Add your name here], you are welcomed into Heaven." Wow! Goosebumps!

Each seat around my table at Thanksgiving was reserved ahead of time for a precious family member. How much sweeter will it be to see our names printed in the Book of Life! Is your seat reserved the that great gathering in the sky?

Feeling at Home--Away from Home

All that this world knows of living lies in giving--and more giving;
He that keeps, be sure he loses--Friendship grows by what it uses. ~Alexander MacLaren


One of my highest marks after taking the Five Love Languages Test is in "Receiving Gifts." Combine this with the fact that my mother, along with her mother, feel the same about receiving gifts and you will see that I get a bit excited about, well, gifts. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that I feel others should enjoy receiving gifts.

Whenever guests stay overnight, I always enjoy making sure they feel welcome, at home and extra special. Making sure they have their own note and gift on their bed helps me get this point across. Take a look at the gift that welcomed our most recent company.

Since it is fall (and our house is surrounded by trees and fallen leaves), choosing a theme was a no-brainer. A little twine and a couple fake leaves (hole punched) helped to complete this look. I also had some handmade coffee-stained gift cards left from last year that I used for the note. Shawn's Aunt Regina---who, I might add, is incredibly talented in making you feel special with her own ideas you'll find at their Serenity Log Cabins, was so thrilled about her gift. I wasn't on the receiving end of the actual material gift, but being the recipient of the kind words and hearing the excitement in her voice as she thanked me--that was a gift to me.

So I will leaf you with this challenge: Fall into giving with me! And for those who appreciate optimism I will go ahead and add--Thanks for giving!

Other "gift on the bed" ideas:

Bottled water and Granola Bars

Color-coordinated Goodies--Box of Milk Duds for parents (yellow box) and Rubber Duckies for small children, wrapped with multiple colors of curly ribbon.



Suggestions:

• You can never go wrong with CANDY for the men...the ladies love socks, candles, lotion, magazines, etc.
• Target has the fabulous Dollar Spot which is great for this kind of gift giving.