Hearts for Home

Today I am joining in with Gae from Cherished Hearts at Home . She has a weekly post called Hearts for Home which is open for others to link up with and share some thoughts on home-centred ways. She encourages us to think of 4-6 things to commit to each week to make homelife special and to bless us as keepers at home.

Well, I did finally get our next semester planned out.  I have to admit I did end up leaving it to the end of the week and was finishing it Monday morning, but I got it done.  I still have a lot to do in the garden as I didn't get much done this last week.  I did get the verandah decorated and I am happy with the results and I had so much fun doing it.

This week I commit to:-

1. Garden.  Since I didn't get it finished last week it is definately a priority this week.

2. Back entry.  I want the back door to look as nice as the front so I hope to get that decorated for fall as well.  I found a few items on the weekend for it and it will be simple so its just finding the time to do it.
3. We have a chair being delivered this week so I want to make sure that the spot for the chair is ready which means I need to do a bit of rearranging in the living room.  I probably won't be home for the delivery which means hubby will have to get up (he's working nights so he's sleeping during the day) and take the delivery so I want to make it as quick and easy for them as possible.

4. Plan the birthday/Thanksgiving Day menu.  I think we will combine the celebrations, my son and my birthday is Saturday and Thanksgiving is Monday but hubby is off Saturday and working both Sunday and Monday so it makes sense to combine the celebration.  Now, to plan the menu and the cake.

5. Make some apple juice.  I have some apples still sitting in the fridge and I need to get them made into juice.  Homemade apple juice is one of my family's favorites.

               ~Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest~
                                                                                    (Maricar Macalincag)

Priorities

All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

(2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Priorities.  I've already cut back on a lot of my outside activities in order to focus on keeping my family and home - making them a priority.  I used to go and do things or say "yes" to things without really thinking about it.  The resulting consequence of that was that when I got done with all of my "outside" activities I was too tired to focus on my "home" activities.  Now, I'm finding out what my limitations are and that I can't do everything.  There are days my family needs me more than other days and if I am going to be there for them I have to say "no" to other things.  It's about finding a balance and its about having a well-maintained schedule/organizer.  With a well maintained oraganized I can better plan and anticipate my family's needs.  Like yesterday, there was a one day job fair and my daughter wanted me to go with her.  She ended up dropping off eight resumes and we had some good mother/daughter time.  Hubby and son went home and had some father/son time on the Wii (love the basement room I finished).  But I knew I couldn't get home and then turn right around and head back out again for small group night.  If I did, I would be too physically exhausted for today which was full.  So, it calls for some sacrifices but the benefits I see in our family far outweight any sacrifice and make it so worthwhile.  Yes, I do wish I had more physical energy but right now the key is to know my limitations and work within them.  I can't have it all,

but I can choose to have what is best.

Taking A Stroll

What a beautiful day here today.  The sun was shining, it was warm and calm and so, so peaceful.  I couldn't ask for a better Sunday.  I thought I'd share some pictures I took yesterday while walking in the river bottom with dear hubby.

"Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flower."

(Albert Camus)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Saturday, October 2, 2010


Outside my window... dark.


I am thinking... of how tired I am and all the things I still need to do, if I will have enough energy for tomorrow, how my daughter wants to go in to a job fair, the fun I had with hubby as we walked in the river bottom.


I am thankful for... the fact that I am SAHM.


From the learning rooms... English 20 and Biology 20.


From the kitchen... It was family movie night so we had pizza, wings & garlic bread with Mississipi Mud Pie for dessert.  Will be going down soon to make some Plum Roiboos Tea.


I am wearing... jeans & a long sleeved t-shirt.


I am creating...a winter plant holder and will be working on decorating the back door for fall.  Found a great candle lampstand that I will use as my focal point.


I am going...to go to bed soon.


I am reading... Life Management for Busy Woman by Elizabeth George.


I am praying for... strength.


Pondering these words... Eliminate physical clutter.  More importantly, eliminate spiritual clutter.  (Terri Guillemets)  


I am STILL hoping... I can go to the mountains this fall.


I am hearing... noise from the movie hubby & son are watching, keyboard typing, computers running, daugter writing.

Around the house... was gone all day so I need to catch up on some housework - again.


One of my favorite things... relaxing with a blanket and a good book.


A few plans for the rest of the week...  school with daughter, get ready for Thanksgiving & sons birthday, meeting with our school facilitator.


Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

                                    Took this this morning while on our walk in the river bottom.

Thank you Peggy for the The Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.

Show and Tell Friday

Welcome.  I had so much fun decorating the front for fall.

I was going to use two large vases for the dried corn stalks but could only find one.  So, I had to improvise.  After rooting around I discovered some square containers that some roses came in.  They actually are more stable and worked better than what I originally had in mind.  I put some rocks in the bottom to make them more stable and added the corn stalks from our garden.  It needed a bit of color so I cut some branches off of our ornamental apple tree to add in.

Then it was off to the pumpkin farm to find some pumpkins.  The gentleman was generous and threw in a few free pumpkins :)  Some of the pumpkins had beautiful green designs on the top which I've never seen before.  Hubby thought I had stenciled them on but it is all natural.

After placing the pumpkins I added a couple of lamps.

And I am done - for now ;)

I hope you enjoyed my fall front porch.  I am joining in with Cindy at My Romatic Home for Show and Tell Friday.