This is just the best! I won't forget this day for a long time. It started out as sort of a mission of mercy. A friend of mine cleans houses with her friend, and her friend was under the weather. I offered to help her clean today. I was looking forward to spending time together and being able to bless her.
On the way to clean the house this morning I had the most wonderful drive. I would never have imagined that driving across 116th St. between Carmel and Fishers at 7:30 am on a Friday morning could be so beautiful and enjoyable! The flowers on the Carmel side are just amazing. I even saw a yellow finch perched in the tall heather-like purple flowers! As I crossed the river it was foggy and the sun was coming through the fog in rays. It was beautiful! What a gift!
I arrived a few minutes before my friend. People were moving out of the house we were cleaning and there was a dumpster in the driveway. So, of course, I had to peek in to see if there was anything of interest. JACKPOT! There was some Longaberger baskets in there! I have not been a fan of the baskets for decorating...but I love them for their utility. I have received some as gifts....but I don't think I ever purchased one.
We did check to make sure that this really was a throw-away dumpster and we dived to get these three baskets and two pyrex lidded casseroles. As a pyrex collector I was so excited...also they are in two of my favorite colors! I couldn't get my friend to take any of the baskets. I think she just wanted me to be blessed with them. Enjoying God's creation, working with and enjoying a dear friend, and getting a super treat!
It was a God-Smile to me.
This is a project Leesa and I worked on a few weeks ago. These are packages of gift tags. We decided to go ahead and work on some Christmas gifts for next year. Each package has ten gift tags in it. We now have a Sizzix cutter. It is so much fun! It is great to start a project and complete it in one afternoon. We are trying to stock pile some gifty items.
Mom, Leesa and Grace
Leesa's Pistachio Pudding Dessert
My kitchen counter tree with vintage ornaments. Messy counter!
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Today we went to the 2009 Brickyard 400 here in Indy. I want to share with you a neat memory that we won't forget for a long time. I wish I was a good writer so that I could convey the beauty and encouragement of the scene that we saw today. This year our seats were across from the infield and we could see the people all sitting on the grass and watching the race. It caught my eye that a group of men in camo dress were walking together near the edge of the fence. What I saw next was much more interesting than the Nascar race. I saw people coming up to these military men to shake their hands. People were asking them to have their pictures taken with them. People were waving to them. I watched for quite a while. I thought back to days when people respected and honored those in the military. Maybe it's not so different today. It was really a wonderful sight. Young and old coming towards, or maybe just raising their hand in a gesture of thanks. I wish my photos were better, but wanted to share it with you.
Pictures of the Rupp girl cousins singing "Count Your Blessings". June 20, 2009. A repeat performance from Grandma and Grandpa Rupp's 50th wedding anniversary circa 1960. Several of us "Outlaws" have been warmly welcomed to this amazing group of girl cousins.
Cousin Brenda is keeping an eye on cousin Linda...who is counting her blessings that she made it through the weddings of both of her daughters last year. One in July and one in December. 
We finally dragged Carma into the front row. She is the tiny one and was hiding.....note this next picture....
I still can't see cousin Marleen, she is behind someone in every picture! It is such a blessing to see the cousins! They are all so wonderful! And if I remember correctly this is just a little over half of them. 
