Party Success!

Mountain Man & I, were invited to a very fun costume party at my son, Cale, and daughter-in-love, Cassie's, home!  It was such a success!  There were great outdoor decorations!

The host & hostess looked somewhat familiar.

The Grandkids were delightful of course.  

Check out these cool decorations...

Our other Son, Vince and daughter-in-love, Michelle. 

Last but definitely not least, just look at that spread!

Ways to ensure that you will have an A-mazing party turnout:

1. Send out cool party invitations.
2. Give plenty of time to get your costumes together or anything else needed
3.  Plan the food ahead of time.
4.  Incorporate friends, family, & kids in the planning and preparation. (It will keep there excitement up.)
5.  Be detailed in the decorations.
6.  If possible, buy your decorations the year before. I know that is a bit far fetched for some people but it will really help you save a lot of money. 
7. A nice touch is to have a takeout box for people to take home left over food or prizes.

These are some special touches that will lead you straight to having your very own party success!


Do you have any tips that I didn't list?  Please tell!

Go App!!

 Best weekend ever!! Why, you ask? Because it was...

Parent Weekend!  Football Weekend! See our daughter, Lydia, Weekend!  Anyway you look at it, it was a Great Weekend!



We headed out Saturday morning for Appalachian State University, Lydia's home away from home.  We saw so many beautiful sights as we rode the 
 high roads.  It was questionable weather with clouds hanging owe the mountains.  I told my Mountain Man, Rick, "Our daughter is getting an education in the heavens."

When we arrived in Boone, we had time for a little lunch and we were off to the game!  It was so exciting!  Our first college game!

Leaves were beginning to change.  The sun was shining bright, showing off all the beautiful fall colors in the scenery.  The weather turned out to be perfect.

Walking to our seats, Mountain Man Rick, (my Hubby) was checking out how the score boards were turning out with all the college teams.  App is definitely up there!  They are doing well so far. :) 


There was so much excitement in the air!  Almost everyone was in their team colors and really into the game.  The students were dressed in some of their best attire to support their team. Tee-hee 

Here were some more of the "Happy Apper's". :)












We had a little time to spend with Lydia's friends after the game. 









We had such a blast and can not wait to go back!

Labor Day

Here are just a few of the flags flying proudly that I captured over the past week!

 

We are proud of our mountain families, towns, and businesses showing their patriotism.
God bless you all this Labor Day!

Bee Keepers

Appalachia was once home to a rich bee population.  However, 1980 brought a devastating wipe out of much of the regions bees due to an infestation of mites.  Today many locations along the Appalachian Mountain range try to reintroduce mite resistant bees.  One effort is by Coal Country Beesworks of Virginia and Kentucky who has put into practice what they call apiforestation. Apiforestation reclaim land used for coal mining by planting honey trees.  To read more, click here.

In the picture below you can see Wayne Suddreth, my dad, and I checking out 2 of our bee stands.  There has been a lot of rain this year and insects in general have been more prevalent.  Bee sure to check out my  Creativity section for cool ideas regarding bee keeping.