Our anniversary is coming up soon so we planned an overnight trip to celebrate.
We left Sunday morning and drove to Lancaster Pennsylvania for our anniversary getaway, enjoying the pastoral scenes that are everywhere in this beautiful area. After checking into a hotel, we headed to Longhorn Steakhouse for lunch using a gift card my daughter gave me for my birthday!
The reason for our early anniversary getaway was because I had bought tickets to see Michael W. Smith in concert.
Easy picnic basket dinner
Then, for a relaxed and inexpensive after-concert snack back at the hotel, I packed an easy picnic. Even though it looks complicated it went together quickly with just some cheese, crackers, jam, fruit and cookies. We set it up on the hotel coffee table and nibbled as we chilled and watched tv. We did this the last time we were away and it’s fun.
Evening with friends
But, by far the very best part of our getaway was a visit with a very sweet blogging friend and her husband. Judy (Just a little something for you!) and her husband, John, are warm and friendly and made us feel so welcome! They went out of their way to make the evening a most special one.
We instantly felt like old friends even though we had just met in person. Our husbands connected and we all sat and chatted about our kids and grandchildren and how the Lord blesses us with such abundance. What a blessing the evening was to us!
This thoughtful lady not only prepared a most delicious dinner and dessert, she even sent us home with a heart-shaped apple cake on a pretty plate along with a beautiful card she made so that I can add an anniversary photo of John and I.
Yes, she is too sweet!
Our Newsletter is published once every three weeks. Each issue is timely and helpful, jam-packed with food, crafts, occasional DIY, gardening and faith resources. Relevant and seasonal posts to inspire and guide you with current trends. Available only to those who request it, so please accept our invitation to stay connected and join the Grateful Prayer Thankful Heart community. Just click the subscribe button below.
Gypsy Heart says
Oh my, your packed picnic looks like something from a magazine! You just have talent in every direction ~ 🙂
Such a lovely get together ~ so glad all of you could meet!
xo
Pat
Jeane` says
Lorraine…
Like I said to my mom, you both also share a common ability to look FAR younger than the young(ish) age you actually are!! 😉
She thoroughly anticipated and enjoyed your visit. Your blog is beautiful as ever, glad I took some time to sit down and read it again!
Warmly,
Jeane`
renée @ Singing With Birds says
I love this Lorraine! Blog friends are real and happy, happy anniversary to you and John. Next year about a trip to Idaho, I'll roll out the red carpet for the two of you! xoxo
corners of my life says
Such a special meet-up. I am a bit jealous here. Bloggers do seem like friends don't they?
kitty says
Happy anniversary to you and your sweetie! What a nice getaway and fun to meet a fellow blogger. xo
Kathy MomOfNine says
Happy Anniversary! What a lovely get away trip you enjoyed. I think it's so lovely that you were able to meet in person and spend time with a blogging friend! What a blessing. Your picnic looked beautiful, classy, and delicious.
Kathy MomOfNine says
Happy Anniversary! What a lovely get away trip you enjoyed. I think it's so lovely that you were able to meet in person and spend time with a blogging friend! What a blessing. Your picnic looked beautiful, classy, and delicious.
Heather says
Every good and perfect gift comes from above!! Love Heather
p.s. Happy Anniversary
Olga says
Hi Lorraine, congratulations on your upcoming anniversary! Your trip sounds like a lot of fun. I love your idea of a picnic style snacks. They looks so luxurious and beautiful in your pictures. Great idea that I'm going to use too.
Lady Lilith BloodCrave says
Nice. Looks like you had a really fun time. Everyone deserves to get away every now and again.
Sue says
Happy Anniversary, this is a perfect anniversary gift,So nice that you met Judy and her husband.
Debbie Huffaker says
What a sweet get-a-way…and I'm a bit envious that you got to see Michael W. Smith!! 😉 Happy Anniversary and may you be blessed with many more precious years together!!!
Debbie Petras says
What a lovely get away! And how fun to spend time with this couple. I love the photos of your picnic. I had to agree that it looks like it came right out of Victoria magazine. I loved reading that one.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
SarahGeorge says
Hello dear Lorraine!
Your Anniversary is coming up soon! Ours too 🙂 Oh Wow! I'm so happy to hear that:) And what a blessed getaway is that! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed this post:) What a blessing to meet a beautiful blog friend too! She has an amazing blog as well! Blessed friends. Wish you a very very Happy Anniversary from all of us!
Cheryl says
Oh my goodness! We just got back from a little trip to Lancaster too! And we also met with a dear blogging friend! It seems like blogging makes the world a bit smaller, doesn't it?
Your picnic is beautiful! What a lovely idea!
Mari @ Once Upon a Plate says
Happy Anniversary Lorraine and John!
What a lovely trip, and topped off by a wonderful dinner with Judy and John. I'm always happy to read about bloggers meeting up; and getting to know each other a little better, so sweet to learn you have so much in common!
I've had a few meet-ups in the past few years with other bloggers and it has always been so much fun as well, happy memories!
Ann says
Happy Anniversary. Sounds like a very nice celebration. That picnic snack you packed looks awesome
Nonnie says
Happy Anniversary. I think it looks like you enjoyed a very memorable anniversary.
You and your husband look great and really, you and your blogging friend look like you could be sisters.
Doris says
Happy Anniversary! You celebrated in my 'neck of the woods' =) I've lived in Lancaster County my whole life. So happy you had a pleasant time here!
Blessings to you today!
Adrienne says
Happy Anniversary, my friend! I can't imagine a better celebration trip than you had. I love Lancaster County – the beauty and the Amish influence. What a treat to spend time with a blog friend. The concert was wonderful, I know – and I'm certain it was a blessing. Your snack looks wonderful – I thought it was a 'professional' photo of something prepared by the hotel. You did a great job!
~Adrienne~
Pondside says
It's such a treat to meet a blogging friend and find that you really ARE friends! I've read Judy's blog too, over the years.
Lancaster is a beautiful place for a celebratory weekend. I wish you and your husband all the best as you get ready to mark your anniversary. We will celebrate 40 years on the weekend. How many years will you be marking? We must be close!
Debby Ray says
What a wonderful anniversary trip! Amish country had to be just gorgeous this time of year and getting to see Michael W. Smith… well, that's just awesome! Your picnic did look like something from a magazine 🙂 So sweet that you met your blogging buddy too!
Maria says
What a fun getaway! I love Lancaster, it's so much fun driving through the beautiful countryside and stopping at all the little shops and bakeries and restaurants! And how fun to have a little picnic, I'll have to plan that next time we go away too! 🙂 Have a great week!
Blackberry Lane says
Wonderful photos of you all. I know the concert was a blessing, too. The picnic looks so delicious!
Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness says
How romantic your picnic set up is/was. Simple but oh so elegant.
You are truly blessed with family and friends. Judy looks as though she could be your blood sister. We are already sisters in Christ.
What a lovely way to spend an early anniversary.
I see you have more talents, YOU are way too creative, you make lovely cards too…
Debbie says
All of this sounds soo wonderful. Seeing Michael W. Smith would have just been awesome..love him! But meeting Judy would have truly been a blessing. Love her blog! Glad you enjoyed!
Maryann says
Sounds like such a fun weekend. Happy Anniversary to you and your husband
Just a little something from Judy says
We were so blessed by your visit. What fun it was to meet both of you and to sit and share together. The discussions flowed from one topic to another, and before we knew it, you said your goodbyes. We were both touched by your kindness and your friendliness, and your sincere faith in our God. We treasure our memories.
Your packed picnic does look like a picture from one of my Victoria Magazines.