{a BERRY good thing...}

Years ago, I had a wonderful job as Director of Volunteer Services and Gift Shop Manager at our local hospital. I worked with a terrific group of retired ladies, and was quite sad to leave my position. Ironically, since it is Mother's Day Weekend, my last day was a week before David was born. I left my job for "motherhood duties!"  Ashley was in kindergarten at the time, but during her first five years, I stayed at home with her, and wanted to do the same for David. From time to time, I am still called back to help with special projects, and this past Tuesday, one of those arose. ....to be a consultant and help with the District Meeting our local Auxiliary was hosting, which they do every 5-7 years.

The meeting consisted of a day of workshops and lunch, held in the old train depot downtown which has been renovated for such functions in our town. It is a beautiful old building!

Below are baskets we fixed for the speaker's gifts. You'll see a little lower, that they were filled with sweet, beautiful freshly picked red strawberries.

(Our theme was "Berries.")

The baskets were found at AC Moore for $2.99, and topped with a bow. Burlap and red cellophane were added to the inside.

(We were on a tight budget and  trying to stretch it!)
One of the ladies found plastic red strawberries, which were the cutest accent!
We hot-glued them to the centers.

We made goodie bags for each person attending, which contained a 1 ounce jar of Strawberry Jam, strawberry hard candy, and green package filler. The jam was small but cute, and found online at Cudge.net. (Quickly shipped!)
On each table, we used a basket of red begonias, surrounded by red package filler. The baskets were later given away as door prizes.

The baskets for the speakers again, filled with strawberries....

I had the pleasure of introducing the speaker below, Bill Thompson, who is local, but also well-known over the state as an author and writer/contributor for Our State Magazine.

Two of the books he has written are "Sweet Tea, Fried Chicken, & Lazy Dogs," and "Pearl's Pork Palace."

The ladies laughed the entire 45 minutes he spoke, as he delighted them with quirky tales of the south.

Our local Sheriff, below, did a workshop on Identity Theft, which was very informative.

I had a wonderful time working with the Volunteers once again. :)

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On Another Note....

I've also been working on some Mother's Day Projects this week.

I can't post them yet, because for one, I'm not quite finished. And secondly, a certain "mother" might see them here and not be surprised! "smiles"

I'll give you all just a sneak peek below....

Is your curiosity up? :)

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I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Mother's Day!

~God Bless, Rhonda

{I predict the cartoon below will be David and I in about 30 years! LOL!}