Every day is an opportunity to learn a life lesson.  The holiday season sort of amplifies those opportunities.  Helen Keller said, “Be of good cheer, Do not think of today’s failures but of the success that may come tomorrow.  You have set yourselves difficult tasks but you will succeed if you persevere and you will find joy in overcoming obstacles. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.”  Many people find the holidays depressing for one reason or another. We are grateful to be happy and healthy and full of good cheer.

Those of you that follow the blog regularly know that we have a home in rural Mississippi and a loft in downtown Memphis. This post will serve to demonstrate the two extremes.

Monday evening our Supper Club met in the home of friends in East Memphis.  This tree stands in the entry of their beautifully appointed home.

Today, we attended the customer appreciation lunch at Wood’s Farm Supply in Warsaw, MS.  This tree was in the “dining room” that often serves as a farm supply storage building.

This is the centerpiece I did for our friends Sunday evening party.  We got to enjoy it on the hors d’oeuvres table on Monday night.

The baby Jesus was the centerpiece at lunch…watching over the cupcakes.

 

This was the opulent dining table on Monday evening.

…today’s beverage station.

Our Monday evening host was stylish in Stubbs and Wootten Cocktail Slippers.

Wrangler, Carhartt and Justin were the fashion choices for today’s lunch.

Our friends have a NYC Christmas tree with ornaments collected over 30 years and many trips to The Big Apple.

Today we were entertained by a 1.5 HP “hit or miss” motor that was upwards of 130 years old.  I tell you the truth…men stood around it as if it might levitate.

 

Monday evening we enjoyed Roquefort Palmiers, Butternut Squash and Apple Bruschetta, Sesame Noodles with Roasted Duck and Beef Tenderloin with Creme Fraiche and Horseradish.  We also had an amazing Seafood Spread but I was too busy eating it to take a photo.  We were seated for a Festive Salad, Pollo con Arroz and a “handcrafted” dessert platter.

Today…

 

…BBQ from Tommy Woods BBQ team, Fried Quail, Homemade Peanut Brittle, Baby Jesus’ Cupcakes and

…a Slogan Cake??? Hmmmmm!!!!

So you see, we are blessed! We stand ready to learn life lessons.  We believe “to whom much is given; much is expected”. We offer love and support as often as we can. And, in all we are thankful and of good cheer.  

We have the best of the city and our loving friends as well as the country with gracious and interesting neighbors.  And, yes, in each environment the house/barn was lovely and a good time was had by all!!!