More bits of fall

Last day of September?  Our last couple of days here in Spokane have been in the upper 70's and upper 40's at night, it hasn't felt like fall at all.  I have been sick with a sore throat and no voice so I've been laying low and staying quiet.  It is HARD to not talk on the phone when your children call especially when it is a big part of your day.  I did step outside for a little bit to enjoy a bit of sun, the colors are so beautiful this time of year.

Then I came in and baked Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread, the only thing I changed in the recipe on the breat was from a 1 1/2 cups oil to 1 1/4 cups it didn't seem to make much of a differance.  Both you say?  Yes, one is easy for the kids to grab and go, to the bus when they are running late.  The other is good sliced thick and toasted.  As of this morning one loaf is already gone with the second already cut into.  It is like a potato chip, once you start eating it you can't seem to stop!

Tomorrow October LOAD is on my list of things to do.  There is still time for you to sign up so come join us, we do have a lot of fun and learn things about ourselves along the way! 

Looks of Fall

The wind kicked up this afternoon and left these behind, pine needles. 

They add a differant smell to the fall air when they get a little warm in the sun.  I do wish fall could stay around a little bit longer.  I'm not ready or am never ready to have things all closed up for the winter.  Fall means; tea in the evenings, marching band practice twice a week for my children, pep band for football games and marching band competitions until the end of October.  It all goes so fast, let's all just slow down long enough to enjoy the mild breeze and the smells of fall.

Friendship

Two girls that are best friends, they are so much alike it is scary. 

They are already making plans to go on a road trip after graduation, they want to be in each others weddings, to live somewhere around each other so there husbands can be friends too and they want to have babies around the same time so there kids will be friends.  Big thoughts and Big dreams!  I want it to work out for them both BUT right now we are just working on Homecoming.

We went shopping Sunday afternoon to a local thrift store for Homecoming dresses........spent $23.00 on 4!  Yes, you read it correctly $23.00 for 4 dresses.  Gotta LOVE 60% off sales!!  Then each girl found one's that were a little more expensive at $15 and $20, grand total for 6.....$58.00 plus $10 for shoes. Not bad I say! These two even wear the same size dress and can share each of them.

Now deciding which dress will be worn first, hair style and all the other lovely stuff.  They have both decided to take each other and have fun without the pressure of their first dates.  My handsome husband wants to chaperon the dance so he can take them.....dang it.....need to find him something to wear!   

simple

Right now I am enjoying simple pleasures, things that make me feel warm and fuzzy.

*My brand new booty slippers!  I've been without a pair for two years.

*Turned on the lights in my fire place.  It pretty when there are candles in there too.

*Pears that I made into a lovely Pear crisp, with just the right amount of topping. 

Scraps

A little more sewing to add to the list of things done.  I've wanted to finish these for a long time, they make me so happy.  I LOVE these potholders!  I made a few for my girls years ago and now finally have my own.  They are nice and thick and you only have one seam all the way around, which it makes really easy for anyone to create.  Darn it, I didn't put my coffee one in the picture.  Table runners have to be the best things for scraps of fabric and using scraps makes me feel good instead of throwing them all away.

My other big project that I have started on is making jean rag quilts for each of my children.  I have been saving my husband's jeans for years(with a few of the kids pairs thrown in) and it is time to start cutting them up.  I do believe that it is going to be time consuming!!  At least it is a start to getting one more box of stuff out of the garage ;o)  Now, if I can just learn to use my scraps of paper like my scraps of fabric, it will all be good!  Speaking of using scraps of paper it is almost time for the LOAD challenge!  You can find out more information here.  Hope you decide to join us, it is always alot of fun.

A bit of creating

As I am learning to be alone, learning to enjoy the company of myself and the company of silence, I have been spending less on my scrapbooking and craft supplies by shopping in my garage.  I realize that sounds funny and it is even funnier to say but it is happening.  It all started this spring with Shimelle's class, Something for nothing.  It started to feel good to start to get out of the habit of purchasing the next and best thing.  I started to evaluate what works well for me in my space, the things I use most often and the things I don't use at all.  As I am going through things my pile of I need to get rid of stuff is growing, it feels so good!

While shopping in my garage I am finding things I have wanted to do for me.  These are just a few of the things I have been up to.  In exactly two weeks it will be October 1 and time for a Layout a Day Challenge soooo keep a look out for what I'm doing. 

A $1 frame from Michael's painted with Claudine Helmuth paints.  Then I added some rubons and matching bling.  I have got to have a cute frame for the gorgeous Grandbabies of mine!!  Then a little painted birdhouse complete with crackle painted roof and buttons.

Then we have a quilt I am sorry to say it has taken me 23 years to finish.  I started it for my daughter Nicole before she was even born, now that it is finished it will be given to her to give to my Granddaugher Sage.

More to come later on!

Listening

I have so much I want to say but I can't seem to get it out so it all makes sense.  So I am listening and learning again.

Don't miss it!

I LOVE it when you have one of those days that you feel no one is really listening to you.  This past Saturday was one of those days for me.  The BIG thing for me was that morning I read this on the Brave Girls website. Melody was talking about being reminded that in our life we get to choose to bloom in the midst of the rocks. I thought it was interesting and I have been there many times in my life.  Then God reaches down and says, "I see you. I am aware you are hurting. I am right here making sure you realize how much I love you".    

That is what happened when I was out on our family hike and I didn't really want to go hiking where the rest of the family wanted to go.  I really had the I don't want to be doing this but I will anyway attitude.  Then I looked and I found these........flowers in the midst of all the rocks. 

Then in the middle of the rocks where we were walking my son saw this one.........a heart.  These two things really made me change my attitude.  I realized I was being seen and it made the world a better place because I slowed down enough to REALLY see.  That God took the time to single me out just when I needed it the most.  So take some time in the coming weeks to slow down long enough and look around.  You will be pleasantly surprised like I was in what you find or what He leaves for you.   

The last weekend

It has been a good 6 days not to mention a good weekend.  Fall has arrived, the nights are cooler....time for another blanket on the bed , the days are perfect with light breezes and the only draw back is it is getting darker at night.......it makes you think you should be already in bed and it is only 8pm.

We took some time on Saturday and did some hiking around the river that runs straight through town.  One of the wonders of this area is you have the woods within just a 15 minute drive.  It really was the perfect day, one I will not soon forget.

A friend of mine this summer helped me to move my Clematis from the side of the garage to its new home in the rock garden.  It was so emotionally hard to cut it so far back but I am happy to report that it is growning!  I am looking forward to seeing it next spring.

What do you see?

Beauty is all around us, most of the time we have to slow down long enough to enjoy it.  This summer I am glad I was able to do that so I didn't miss this in my garden.  What did you see this summer that you will never forget?

On my trip to Nebraska we had a chance to go to the zoo.  One of my most favorite places was the butterfly garden, it was so peaceful.  I enjoyed every little butterfly.  I was really hoping one would land on me or my daughter Michaela but no such luck.  When you first go in to the garden you step into this closed off little room with sliding doors on each side.  They only take a few people at a time because the garden can get pretty crowded.  You are told to watch for butterflies on the path so you don't step on them. 

It was also intersting that there were bird baths filled with fruit and honey water.  The butterflies love these.  Then when you leave, again you are asked to step inside a little room. This time however it is full of mirrors so you can do a butterfly check.