This week I had the pleasure of going to Beth Beasley’s lovely home in Athens.

Beth invited me to a sweet swap, which is a party to exchange baked goodies and recipes instead of traditional gifts. Her mother, Linda, has been hosting the get-together for the last 44 years. But, this year, Beth hosted the party at her home in honor of Linda.

Beth is a native of Athens. Beth’s grandfather, James Edward Beasley Jr., started the Sweet Sue company.

She graduated from Athens High School and has two bachelor’s degrees — in interior design from Auburn University and in architecture from South California Institute of Architecture. She’s been a furniture designer for Galerkin Design & Manufacturing, Pop Culture Inc. and the famous Gehry Partners LLP.

Despite working with some of the best names in the business, the home she loves most is the one she is restoring in Athens. It’s called The Wallace House, designed by architect Paul Rudolph. Built for Francis and John Wallace, the home was featured on the cover of Life magazine in 1965.

As the story goes, Paul Rudolph and Francis Wallace were classmates in Athens. Rudolph’s father lived in the storied Founders Hall at Athens State University. When it came up for sale, Beth bought the house from Stuart Wallace.

Though she enjoys her work, her real pride and joy are the twins she adopted from China, BiBi and Maxine. They are precious. They sing in our Wesley Choir at Athens First United Methodist Church and are also in the Children’s Heritage Chorale.

One of the family’s favorite things to do is ride Tennessee Walking Horses in competition. Maxine and her horse, Inception, showed 16 times this year with 13 of those performances in the 11-and-under class. She was awarded The Walking Horse Report’s High Point Champion with a total of 188 points. Maxine and Inception were also awarded the International High Point Award for all youth riders by Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association and won a Reserve World Grand Championship this year at the Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration.

BiBi and her horse, Tommy Lee Jones, showed 12 times, with nine of their performances in the Youth Pony Class. She was also awarded The Walking Horse Report’s High Point Champion with 99 points.

Beth says she’s proud of her daughters for working hard, never giving up and being good sports when things didn’t go their way. Beth rides Swing Batter Batter, Swing, a 17 hand-high chestnut horse and was third points for the Amateur Specialty Division.

Back at home, Beth says her family enjoys going to several local restaurants in Athens, but LuVici’s is their favorite.

Please be in prayer for Beth’s mother, Linda. She has had an extended illness and we hope she feels better soon.

Finally, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Upcoming events:

• Sunday, Dec. 25 — Christmas services at Athens First United Methodist Church at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary.

• Saturday, Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve and candlelight service at Full Gospel Tabernacle from 7 p.m. – 1 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 1

If you have any news to share or a special event in your life, email me at agibbs@my.athens.edu, or write to me at P.O. Box 553 Athens, AL 35612-0553. I hope to hear from you soon.

One more thing, when you finish reading this article, please call your mother and tell her you love her. I sure wish I could call mine.