Wordless Wednesday...well almost!

Secret project revealed!  My first MAJOR alteration adventure.  A friend gave me this lovely coat (a great blessing!) several weeks ago.  The shoulders and chest were about 2 inches too wide on both sides, so naturally, something had to be done!  I just stared at it for several days, terrified at the thought of ripping open a store bought coat.  But, once I actually took hold of the seam ripper it was very smooth sailing.  I'm very pleased with the outcome!

blessed productivity...

Read, bake sourdough bread, clean/vacuum kitchen cabinets and organize drawers while searching for the illusive part to the mixer, cook lunch, study, work on Sarah's history curriculum, indulge in my obsession with taking pictures, finish up sewing project,  trip to the chiropractor, piano lesson, more reading, more sewing...and so on and so forth.  And people say that I need to get a life!  Unfortunately, not having a life takes up so much of my time, that I really can't afford to "have a life", whatever that means!

Well, I had some pictures that I was going to post, but unfortunately, my computer is acting up and they won't load properly.  I suppose that means I have to wait until tomorrow to reveal my special sewing project!

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Random side note. ;)

I was thrilled this morning when I actually got to see the Duggar family on the Today show this morning.  I'd heard that they were making a "special announcement" so I didn't want to miss it.  Thankfully, it came on before I had to leave for town.  And guess what the special announcement was?  They're expecting!  It was exciting for me to actually get to watch the announcement live.  We don't have cable or anything so I have to wait until someone posts the episodes on YouTube several weeks after they actually air.  I really feel blessed to be able to watch their show 19 Kids and Counting (soon to be 20 Kids and Counting!).  It is so encouraging to see that there really are other families out there with similar beliefs to ours.  I would love to actually meet them in person one day.

a peek into my week

This week has been pretty busy.  Aside from the normal day to day stuff that goes on around here, I've been doing other things as well.  This is going to be pretty random, so hold on!

I finally decided that I could no longer stand the state of my closet.  I knew that there was a floor in there somewhere and the time had come to dig down to the bottom and let the carpet breathe.  That's always been a huge weakness of mine.  It's so easy for me to just shut the door and forget about it.  Out of sight, out of mind, you know.  Anyway, I finally tackled the assortment of clothes and shoes, etc. and now I am very proud to have a clean and organized closet.  Now, I just have to keep it that way!

Oh, and did I mention that I color coded my clothes?  I guess I got a little carried away...

The autumn colors around the house are at their peak right now.  Every time the sunlight is just so, I'll grab the camera and dash outside.  One day, after raining all day long, the sun finally started peeking through the clouds and making everything look so fresh and shiny. 

Yesterday, I got to spend the whole day with Jennifer.  We went to Sweetwater and took pictures.  I grew up in Sweetwater, but never before had I walked from one end of town to the other.  Until yesterday, that is!  We had loads of fun.  I'm so glad I got to go up there, especially since we don't get to see each other very often.  I love spending time with Jennifer!

Isn't she lovely?

I've also had a special project going in the sewing room all week.  Well, two projects actually.  The first was a rearranging/reorganizing operation.  My sister, Kim, gave me a sewing table that I had to make room for.   The new arrangement is so much better than before.  Now, I don't feel quite as cramped while I'm working.  Unfortunately, my easel had to retire to my closet, but I suppose I can live with that.  The second project is actually a surprise.  I don't want to show it to you until I'm completely finished with it.  My goal is to be finished by Monday.  We shall see!  Here is a sneek peak:

Any guesses? ;)

100 things I'm thankful for - Part 1

During the month of Thanksgiving I have decided that every Thursday I am going to write out 25 things that I am thankful for.  Three weeks from now, on Thanksgiving Day (can you believe it's so close?), I will have listed 100 things that I am thankful to God for.  Now, I realize that 100 is a very small number when we are talking about thankfulness, but since I don't really have time to blog every day I thought it would a reasonable amount for posting.

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1.  I am thankful for a relationship with my Heavenly Father that continues to blossom and grow stronger each and every day.

2.  Loving parents who guided me, and continue to guide me on life's journey.

3.  My wonderful, crazy (and occasionally annoying) siblings. ;)

4.  Four lovely nieces and a nephew who are growing up way too fast!

5.  I am thankful for the trials that God put me through in order to turn my heart back to home.

6.  The ability and freedom to read God's Word every single day.

7.  The sacrifices my parents made in order to keep Sarah and I at home and educate us themselves.

8.  Hearth and home. <3 

9.  Sweet friends who know the "real me", good, bad, and ugly, and still love me anyway!

10.  Books of admonition and encouragement.

11. The gift of music.

12. The smell of a wood fire on a cold and rainy afternoon.

13. The fragrance of spice candles.

14. Coffee.........with lots of cream!

15. Fuzzy blankets to cuddle with by the fireside.

16. Getting to talk to a dear friend that I haven't seen in several years.

17. The winter coat that the Lord graciously provided.

18. A new sewing table from my sister that fits my machine perfectly.

19. Fresh eggs in the mornings.

20. Wonderful recorded messages to listen to while working around the house and while driving.

21. Encouraging blogs written by lovely daughters of the Lord.

22. The sound of rain on the roof.

23. The sound of leaves crunching under your feet.

24. The smell of fresh bread, just out of the oven.

25. A heater for my little sewing room.

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...giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father

 in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ...

Ephesians 5:20