Catching Up

Goodness - it's been a while since I visited my own blog!  We've had a busy last week or two!  Hubby went out of town - to Dallas - on a business trip all last week.  I have to confess that I don't function all that well when my sweetie is gone (I don't know how you do it Cinnamon!)  It's just sorta survival mode around here when he's away!  I will say that usually do better but this time I went into his trip not feeling at all well!!  Something about feeling very queasy most all day and very, very in need of a nap (or two) during the day...can you guess :0)?!!!!  But home, my honey, came on Friday night and we got to pick him up at the airport with hugs all around - it was a wonderful way to celebrate my birthday!!

We had a lovely weekend just being together.  Ruthie and I got to go to a wonderful vintage craft type fair together and had so much fun being inspired towards making homemaking into an art!!!  The things people can do with buttons, bits of fabric and string!!  :0)!!

Our weekend was topped off with a beautiful, Godly fun wedding of a young man my boys have grown up with.  Oh, the bride was so beautiful - the ceremony was simple, lovely and God filled and the reception was so much fun!!!  Then our family went for a Sunday afternoon ride - to see all the fall colors and the snow dusted peaks of our Cascade Mountains.  Fabulous!!  The only downside to this whole weekend - I FORGOT my camera the whole time!!!!  Silly me!!!

So now I enter the week with my senses filled to the brim with lovely things and I'm ready to face this new week - wanting to glorify God with the job he has given me (with a few naps spinkled in :0)!!!)

Blessings,
Christine

Rejoicing!!!

Oh my goodness!!  I just can't believe it is Monday again!!  Time goes by so fast! 

This last week we had some joyful news in our family.  I am an Auntie again!!  Yay!!!  My sister had a beautiful baby girl on Tuesday morning.  This sweet little girl has been a miracle from the very beginning and we are utterly delighted that she is finally snuggled up in her Mama's arms!  My sister and her dear husband have waited for years for a baby of their own and God surprised them with this sweet little girl when they least expected it!!  He is so good!!!

I have been working madly on a baby blanket every chance I got and except for a bit of trouble on the border (which my dear friend who taught me to crochet - and blog :0) rescued me from) I finally finished it and it will be in the mail tomorrow!!  I can't wait for my sweet new niece to be snuggled all up in it - it will be a hug from her auntie since I can't be there in person to give her a little cuddle!!

I had enough yarn to do a tiny hat to match

Oh I so hope to meet this wee one before she gets too big!!  I am rejoicing today for my sister and brother-in-love!!  God is so good!!

Blessings,
Christine

Monday Stuff

For this Day...October 4, 2010

Outside My Window...A cloudy day, my little maple tree is still beautifully green.

I Am Thankful For...God's provision!!  My pantry is full of good food to feed my family well this week!

I Am Remembering...the lovely "date" my hubby and I had yesterday.  We ran down to the grocery store - got a soda and sat in a nearby parking lot with my notebook and planned our schedule and menus for the week.  No interruptions - just sweet conversation with my honey!!  A funny kind of date - but really - to start the week knowing each other's plans and thoughts sure makes life easier!!!

I Am Creating...Still working on my sister's baby blanket.  I'm so close to being done I can taste it!!  Having a little trouble with the border but I think it'll be okay.

I Am Reading...my Bible and a sweet book by Grace Livingston Hill - love, love, love her books!!!

I Am Hoping...the colds in our home go away quick!!!

On My Mind...All the little things that need my touch on this Monday!!  It's going to be a busy day!!

From The Learning Rooms...We are starting Geography today.  I am excited - I love maps and such and enjoy teaching it to my kids.

I Am Pondering...honestly, not much!!  I am actually trying not to think too much this morning.  My heart is anxious and I find if I think too much instead of "just doing the next thing" my silly old heart just gets to stewing!

From The Kitchen...I need to make yogurt today, make a double batch of bread and for dinner tonight - Potato Soup, Salad and Bread - yum!

Around The House...General tidy and get going on a deeper clean on the kitchen after all that canning - there are some sticky surfaces that need my attention (I did do a good cleaning but really, I need to do more)!

One Of My Favorite Things...Ever!!! is going to the thrift store.  I hope to go today for just a few minutes - I saw a bag with fun yarn and bright green knitting needles.  Ruthie was all over getting  new pair of needles (especially bright green) so we are going to run over and pick them up!!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Not much, just a fairly regular week - which I like - not to much running around - Yay!!!

A Picture to Share... 

A Few of my Autumn decorations.

For more Simple Woman inspiration go to http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Blessings,
Christine

Applesauce!

We spent a few days making applesauce. 

Gala apples ready to cook

Using my grandma's Foley Food Mill - this mill has seen many, many, many bushels of apples in it's years!!

Stirring in the spices



My tiny taste-tester



Bottling up the yumminess!!

After putting up 125 lbs of apples I have no more jars for anything else this year!!  I will be looking for more jars in thrift stores so that I can do even more next Fall (home canned food goes fast around here!!).  So the next preserving project is pies - for my hubby.  The girls and I, on some rainy Saturday (not difficult to find around here :0)!!!) will spend the day making and freezing as many pies as possible.  So nice on a chilly winter evening to pull a pie out of the freezer and pop into the oven!! I love this time of year - putting up the harvest in preparation for winter!!!

Blessings,
Christine