Chocolate Boutique™ and Other Assorted Things

First things first! I have been so honored to be given the Christmas Spirit Award by Groovy, Michelle, and by Angela. What a blessing! Thank you so much!

This award is for those who talk about and show the spirit of Christmas in their blogs. What is the Spirit of Christmas you ask?Quite simply it is those that have a generous and giving nature. Those who care about others. Those who have a kind word to say or a broad shoulder to lean on in the times that others need that. Those who display the "Spirit of Christmas".

Groovy said this when she gave me this gift:

I can't pass over Grandma Dawn. She has been such a support and blessing to me through some difficult moments. I 'm getting kinda teary just thinking about it! She's kinda like my internet Mommy (though she's young enough to be my sister!). I love you Dawn!

Groovy makes me laugh every day, but this almost made me cry! Thank you all. I just hope it gets me in the Christmas mood soon!

Autumn has been so beautiful this year. I posted mountain pictures a couple of weeks ago. But the drive to work has been equally wonderful in the morning sun. I particularly love this tree in our neighborhood.

Last week-end I spent a few wonderful hours with two dozen women from my church at the YMCA of the Rockies. Our retreat plan was from Group Publishing, Christian publishing company that started in the owner's basement here in our town and now is worldwide - your church quite possibly has used their Bible School plan at some time or another.

Last year's retreat centered around scents - I can't remember what it was called, but I couldn't go because of my horrendous allergy to anything perfumed. So imagine my delight when I learned that this year's retreat was called Chocolate for the Heart, from the Chocolate Boutique™. Barb is probably thinking right now that she would not have enjoyed this one! Most of us who went are admitted chocoholics, and thought this would be a pretty amazing way to spend a week-end. Truthfully, you were only "officially" offered about 3 pieces of chocolate during the sessions. We also had a chocolate judging session where we scored white chocolate, dark chocolate, filled chocolate, and milk chocolate - with saltines between each to "cleanse our palates". But it was everywhere! I have to admit, I had reached saturation point by the time we left on Saturday afternoon. I thought I was cured. I even had a headache.

Unfortunately, I have relapsed. But, back to the program --

The focus of the retreat was from John 2. We spent the 3 sessions discussing trust, the first miracle of Jesus, if Mary had any idea what Jesus would do when she asked him to help the host of the wedding, what the miracle helped us understand about Jesus, the changes in our life that were because of God's grace. The most interesting object lesson was when we held a Hershey's Kiss in our hands throughout the presentation. It showed us what a mess we can make when we hold on to something we should just trust God and turn over to Him.

The view when I got up on Saturday morning was wonderful. It brought back such great memories of the years when DC and I went to Laymen's Retreat in the same location at the same time of the year. It was great to be back up there for a few hours.

That's me sticking up above everyone else!

Below is the youngest and only male in our group. He was perfect! (But then I wasn't in his room during the night!)

If you're at all interested in checking in to this for your women's ministries group, go to http://www.group.com/.

The following two shots are just some that I took on my way to work early one morning. I can't resist a good sunrise shot! Kristen asked me how many sunrise and sunset pictures I could possibly take. I told her - "as many as God makes!"