Return of Winter

Winter has returned with a vengeance.  We've been having such a beautiful fall that we were lulled into the false sense of hope that it would just continue on.  Unfortunately, we awoke to the jarring reality of winter.

Who needs a gym membership when you get to shovel out the driveway by hand.

The only one who was really happy with the snow and cold was our dog.

It was a perfect day to make some soup.

I do have to admit that with the snow it is much easier to think about Christmas.  I made some Christmas gift tags out of some leftover scrapbooking paper and stickers.  These are a few of my favorite ones.

This past weekend was my dad's birthday.  We had a wonderful day on Sunday celebrating and visiting.  It will be three years in January since his heart attack and we almost lost him then and many more times in the past three years.  I am so thankful for this time we are able to share.

"The family is a haven in a heartless world."

-attributed to Christopher Lasch

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.

Last time I posted I wanted to get the kitchen info center cleaned up.  Not only did I get that done but I also got my kitchen cupboards cleaned and organzied.  I also cleaned the bathroom walls.  There is also some semblence of order on my desk but it still needs some work.  As for working on being positive, well, let's just say I'm workin on it :)
So, for this week here are a few things I would like to focus on.

1.  I read something today that made me really think.  It was a list of priorities with God first and further down the list was spiritual growth.  I've always lumped the two together so I got thinking about what does it really mean to make God the #1 priority in my life.  Since it is a relationship that needs to be built the act of communing with God would be a #1 priority.  So this week I want every morning to begin with my thoughts turned toward God and every evening to end again with my thoughts turned toward God.

2.  This week I also want to do something special for my hubby each day.  Today I shovelled the driveway (uggh, yes, we got snow, and a lot of it) and made sure it was clear all around the car he will be taking in the morning.  As well, tonight his favorite show is on so I will make sure I have popcorn for him to enjoy.  Something small to show him he's special each and every day this week.

3.  Baking.  I would really like to get a start on some Christmas baking.

4.  Get caught up on laundry and some basic housework that has slipped in the past week with being out so much.

                                      ~Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, A dearer,

sweeter spot than all the rest~

                                                                                    (Maricar Macalincag)

A Little of This & That

After the busyness of last week I have to admit that I crashed this week.  Today is the actually the first day where I feel more like my normal self again.  So, today was a busy day with a lot of it being catch up.

While I was having some down time this week I did work on my schedule, tweaking it once again.  My daughter has been working for about a month now and there is a pattern to her work hours.  That has been most helpful in adjusting my schedule around her work and still being able to get her school work done.  As well, I had spots in my schedule for "extra cleaning".  That time was to be used for all those extra things like cleaning walls, cupboard, fridge, stove, etc.  Unfortunately, it just wasn't happening.  So now I have put the specific jobs into the schedule.  No more "extra cleaning" in the schedule.  Now there are specific jobs to do like dust blinds in the living room.  I am hoping this will keep me more focused.

I also cleaned up and put away all the outside fall decorations.  My house looks naked - lol.  I am hoping to take a day this next week and start putting up some outside Christmas decorations with hubby.  There is snow in the forecast though so I guess I will have to wait and see how it all works out.

Basement Room Finale

We have been happily enjoying our basement room makeover and now I have finally taken the last few finishing touch pictures.  However, I thought I would start at the very beginning. 

My goal was to reclaim this room and make it usable.

The most surprising part of the job was that it went so much quicker than I thought it would,

  once I got busy that is ;)

Once it was cleaned up the fun part began - getting creative.

And then for the finishing touches.  The guys wanted to be able to block out all light for gaming purposes so I ended up putting a rollerblind.  I am still looking for a different curtain to put over top of that but I may have to end up making one.

I also added a little carpet to warm up the room.

And finally, clean, cozy and very usable.

We have been enjoying using this room so much and hubby has thanked me many times over for cleaning it out and making it usable.  Now, he is busy working on the main family room. Who knows, it may even be ready before Christmas.  Now that would be a treat indeed :)

I am joining in at "The Shabby Chic Cottage" for Transformation Thursdays .  So many creative people and so many amazing transformations.  It's worth stopping by for a visit.

I am also joining in at "My Romantic Home" for Show and Tell Friday  Another great place to visit with so many beautiful things to see.  Definately take some time to check it out if you can.



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.

Take 2 - Yesterday while working on this post my computer crashed so hopefully the glitches are worked out and everything will be fine today.

Last time I posted I was working on adjusting our schedule.  That has gone well and with everone's schedule constantly changing it has made me really focus on working from my schedule instead of from my head and I have to admit I do seem to get more done.

So, for this week here are a few things I would like to focus on.

1. The information center in the kitchen area needs a clean-up and overhaul.

2. I need to catch up on the pile of paperwork that accumulated on my desk when my computer was down last week.

3. These next few weeks are busy, busy, busy and when I get stressed I can get negative.  So I want to focus on the positives.

4. Clean the bathroom walls.

               ~Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, A dearer,

sweeter spot than all the rest~

                                                                                    (Maricar Macalincag)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Saturday, October 23, 2010


Outside my window... The sun is shining, the sky is blue and there is a cloudy haze on the horizon.

I am thinking...  wondering what today will hold, the upcoming week and whether or not I should go out Thursday evening.


I am thankful for... quietness.


From the learning rooms... English - essay on gender roles and Biology - unit quiz coming up on photosynthesis.

From the kitchen... Not sure yet.


I am wearing... Still in my housecoat, it is a slow, quiet Saturday morning.

I am creating... a x-stitch picture (almost finished) and will be starting on some Christmas projects.

I am going... to possibly go shopping this afternoon with my daughter.


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


I am praying for... wisdom.


Pondering these words... "Love is the world's most powerful motivator.  So if we love our home, love there and love managing it, building it, watching over it, and keeping it, then love will conquer all.  No task will be too difiicult and no job will be too menial (or meaningless!) but love will enable us and empower us to tackle it, master it, and excel at it."  (Elizabeth George)

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


I am hearing... silence.  Hubby is at work and the kids are still sleeping.

Around the house... I need to do some basic housework today and maybe get caught up on the pile of papers that have accumulated as my computer was down most of this week.

One of my favorite things... walks in the park.

A few plans for the rest of the week...  Staying on track with my routine and schedule.


Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Hubby snapped this picture while a few years ago.

I love the peacefulness of the picture.

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

Show and Tell Friday

I found these beautiful lamps at a garage sale about a month ago.  The lady was moving cross country and everything had to go.  We got there at the end of the day and she sold them to me at a price even I could afford.

Thank you for visiting my back door.  I am joining in with Cindy at My Romatic Home for Show and Tell Friday.