A little ditty from Forsyth Magazines to you!

This Friday, Mistletoe Dance! Don’t miss the fun!

Get into the festive spirit by joining us at the Mistletoe Magic Holiday Party, December 9th, WinMock at Kinderton. A perfect excuse to get dressed up and celebrate the holidays in style. Tickets are priced at $48 pp and includes dinner, arrival drinks, live entertainment featuring “The Groovin Band” other entertainment throughout the evening! What makes this party even more special is that all proceeds from fund-raising that evening will be donated to The Children’s Home, just in time for the holiday season. The event will also kick off with a Toys for Tots drive. Don’t miss out on this great event email or call us for tickets now 336 473 2944 or faye@coordinatingdreams.com

Seagrove Potters Open House this Saturday!

Please Help Meals on Wheels!

Hot-Meal Volunteers Needed

There are many frail elderly in Forsyth County that are suffering from malnutrition because they are unable to obtain or prepare a nutritious meal for themselves. The Meals-on-Wheels’ program would not be possible without the assistance of our wonderful volunteers. We rely on them to deliver nearly 1200 hot lunchtime meals Monday through Friday to the frail elderly in our community.  The volunteers not only provide a nutritious meal to our meal recipients, they also provide a warm smile and for many, it is the only social contact they have all day. The volunteers develop meaningful relationships and truly make a difference in the lives of these seniors in need.

Each morning, Monday through Friday, between 9:45 A.M. and 11:00 A.M., volunteers gather at Senior Services or one of the 12 satellite locations to begin their routes. They pick up the meals and route sheets for their assigned areas and make the deliveries in their own cars. Each route sheet contains pertinent information about the recipients and written directions to each home.

Volunteers deliver as their schedules allow (once a week, once a month or anything in between), and many choose the geographic area of the county they prefer. Delivery time for each route is approximately 90 minutes.

Please contact Leslie Smith at 336-721-6910 or lsmith@seniorservicesinc.org for more information or to express interest in helping.

Deals on Wheels!!

How Credit Unions Can Save You More on Your Monthly Car Payment

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…for car dealerships and purveyors of SUV-sized gift bows. It’s the time of year when dealerships will do just about anything to get you in a car today. Well, anything except offer a new or used auto loan that’s the smartest financial choice for you.

For a loan option that ensures your days will be merry and bright for years to come, you have to turn to the experts at a credit union. Why a credit union? Unlike banks, which are businesses that exist to generate profit for their shareholders, credit unions are not-for-profit organizations that exist to serve the financial needs of their members. Any profit that a credit union generates is returned to its members in the form of lower rates on loans, as well as countless other money-saving products and services.

Applying for a new or used auto loan at a credit union can be done in minutes, even if you aren’t already a member. It’s easy to join, and you’ll feel a lot smarter driving your new (or new-to-you) set of wheels knowing you got a great rate on your loan.

But what if there’s nothing wrong with your current vehicle—except the rate on your loan? Don’t worry. A credit union can put substantial savings in your stocking, too.

Credit unions offer you the opportunity to refinance your existing auto loan, which may lower your monthly car payment and save you thousands in interest over the life of the loan. The process is simple: First, your new lender will pay off the old loan for you. Then, they will create a new loan at a lower interest rate. The costs associated with auto refinancing, such as the transfer of lien and in-state re-registration fees, are low, especially compared to how much you could save.

With all the spending that happens this time of year, refinancing your auto loan is an easy way to increase your saving. Right now, some credit unions are offering new and refinanced auto loan rates as low as 2.99% APR for qualified applicants.

If you’re still not sure whether refinancing is the right option for you, consider this, some experts suggest that if refinancing your auto loan can help you lower your annual interest payments by as little as 1%, it is still a worthwhile option. Obviously, the bigger the drop in interest rate, the bigger the savings you’ll enjoy.

There are a variety of auto refinancing strategies to consider, each with it’s own unique benefits and savings. The amount you save by refinancing your existing auto loan depends on a number of factors besides interest rates, such as the remaining balance on your loan and the terms of your new loan. The Loan Specialists at your nearest credit union can show you all of your options and help you choose the one that best meets your financial goals.

Whether you’re in the market for a new car this holiday season—or just a new rate on your loan—stop by Allegacy or visit AllegacyFCU.org to apply for a loan or get more information on how you could start saving money on your car payment.

Prayer Matters ~ 100th and Last Blog

I decided that 100 blog entries was enough for anyone to write and I wanted to end on something that really makes a difference in my life as a woman, mother, grandmother, wife, daughter, sister and friend.

Prayer matters, I do not really understand how it works, but I know it matters in my life and it matters in the world. Even those who do not believe in prayer or say they have never uttered a prayer ~ I believe that there is a prayer within them and when we are silent and pay attention, we will begin to recognize the prayer that is coming from the depths of our being.

What is your prayer this day?

While prayer at its best is very personal and involves ordinary words and thoughts, I have found written prayers to be of great encouragement to me. As I write my last blog, I leave you with some of my favorite written prayers.

*   *   *   *   *

The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26, The Holy Bible

*    *    *    *    *

God bless the path on which you go
God bless the earth beneath your feet
God bless your destination
God be a smooth way before you
A guiding star above you
A keen eye behind you
This day, this night and forever.
God be with you whatever you pass
Jesus be with you whatever you climb
Spirit be with you wherever you stay.
(Celtic Blessing)

*    *    *    *   *

May you be blessed with the understanding of how much God delights in how he made you. You are one of his masterpieces. You are his song to be sung in a key of music that is unique to you, in a rhythm, a harmony, and an orchestration that God rejoices to sing inside of you. The music of heaven graces your life as others see and hear and touch God’s creation in you. (Adapted from: Blessing Your Spirit by Sylvia Gunter)

Wisdom From Around the World

EUROPE
He who attempts too much seldom succeeds (Netherlands)
In every woman there is a Queen. Speak to the Queen and the Queen will answer. (Norway)
The greatest love is a mother’s, then a dog’s, then a sweetheart’s. (Poland)
Fear less, hope more, eat less, chew more, whine less, berathe more, talk less, say more, hate less, love more, and all good things will be yours. (Sweden)
Those who wish to sing always find a song. (Sweden)
When a proud man hears another praised, he feels himself injured. (English)
There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience (France)

NORTH AMERICA
After all is said and done, more is said than done. (United States)

SOUTH AMERICA
No woman can make a wise man out of a fool, but every woman can change a wise man into a fool. (Aregentina)

CARRIBEAN SEA
Listen to what they say of the others and you will know what they say about you. (Cuba)
A man with trousers that are too short should wear long suspenders. (Jamaica)

AFRICA
If you can walk you can dance. If you can talk you can sing. (Zimbabwe)

Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped. (African Proverb)
Only a fool tests the depth of the water with both feet. (Ghana)
The barking of a dog does not disturb the man on a camel (Egypt)
Words are like eggs: when they are hatched they have wings. (Madagascar)

MIDDLE EAST
Lower your voice and strengthen your argument (Lebanon)

ASIA
If you make a habit of buying things you do not need, you will soon be selling things you do. ( Philippines )
Never rely on the glory of the morning or the smiles of your mother-n-law (Japan)
A courtyard common to all will be swept by none. (Chinese Proverb)
A rumor goes in one ear and out many mouths. (Chinese Proverb)

SOUTHPACIFIC OCEAN
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. (New Zealand)

Pumpkin Soup, Pumpkin Candles & Pumpkin Spice Coffee!

What do you love about fall? What do you enjoy — only during the fall? Everyone loves the Christmas Season, but do not let the Fall Season sneak by before enjoying all that it offers. Below is a list of things to enjoy now:

1. Pumpkin Soup  

2. Pumpkin Spice Coffee   

3. Pumpkin Candles

4. Cool breezes, Colorful Trees & Falling Leaves

5. Pumpkin Ice Cream

6. Honeycrisp Apples

7. Fall Festivals      

8. NO BUGS!

9. Outdoor Fire Pit    (This past weekend my husband and I purchased an outdoor fire pit for our backyard. Honestly, this might be one of our best investments of the year.)

10. Great Hair!    (All of my frizzy haired sisters know what I am talking about. Fall is the beginning of the “good hair season!”)

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. 

~A Camus

I have left out something that will be obvious to many, but I just do not enjoy it. What do you enjoy during the fall? What would you add to the list? What do you think I purposely left off?

MMMmm Monday and Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere!

It is Fall, and all around you will find PUMPKINS!! They are everywhere, so why not put one on your table for dessert? This Libby’s recipe is by far the easiest and tastiest one I have used. Just follow the directions and it is sure to be a hit! The great thing about this recipe is it’s wonderful to rollover into the Winter Holidays.
Ingredients
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup LIBBY’S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (optional)
Directions
PREHEAT oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle towel with powdered sugar.
COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.
BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.
BEAT cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake; remove towel. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
This recipe and more can be found at: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/libbys-pumpkin-roll-with-cream-cheese-filling/detail.aspx .

My 100th blog coming soon!

Today is the 97th blog entry I have written for Forsyth Woman Magazine.  I just can’t believe I will be writing blog 100 in three weeks!  What should this blog be about?  Should it really matter, should it be serious or silly, meaningful, reflective or should I give away something free!   Do you have any suggestions?

Historically speaking and based on website comments, hits, Face book comments and reshares, the following links are blogs that seemed to matter most to others:

The Great Silent Loss – Miscarriage

Pet Peeves

A Giant Hug from heaven (Easter)

A New Family Tradition (Christmas)

Wednesday Word Series

Hope
Priorities
Gratitude
Neighbors
Service
Breathe

The Perfect Wedding ~ NOT!

A Woman’s Stress Less List

Is A Tidy House Good Enough?

Do you have any suggestions for my 100th blog entry?