Quiet Sunday

It's been a beautiful Fall weekend here- sunny but very crisp & cold outside. Every Fall day should be like this! 

Despite the lovely weather I've been feeling a little down- just many things on my mind, twice as many things I'd like to accomplish and dallop a nice dose of daily "situations" (school drama, job drama, kid drama, health drama, pet drama, house drama.... I think that covers it nicely).  Trying to let go & just vent at (aka cry, whine, wonder, yell) AND trust the Man Upstairs. I know from experience that He knows what's best for me & my family. That He allows circumstances to occur in order to stretch us in character & lean on Him. I get it. I appreciate it when I stop to think of it that way. However...I'm human. And I do have my moments where I just wonder WHY and HOW LONG must I endure versus live a little more peacefully. Don't we all have those moments?? (This is where you reassure me versus tsk tsk for losing it).
 

I've admittedly wallowed in it a little this weekend. And while wallowing I've indulged in a lot of coffee, tea, Hallmark Christmas movies & my beloved back issues of Nov/Dec DOMINO, COTTAGE LIVING, and BLUEPRINT. Had a couple taquitos for brunch. With more coffee. And it has done my soul good. I have done very little beyond that. And I'm okay with it. 




But after some quiet time this morning, I got rolling with writing down some thoughts and ideas. Got some laundry going. Did some dishes. Put together a new batch of homemade holiday air freshener to simmer on the stove. I have the Food Network's LIVE THANKSGIVING on for company...it's amusing to see Bobby Flay, Giada, Ina Gartin & Alton Brown interrupt each other. 

 

I'm officially done wallowing for now. It happens. I'm done. Now it's time to gear up for the week ahead, which includes work, the husbands knee scope surgery & recoop, Thanksgiving & Christmas decorating! Overall I'm looking forward to it all. The kids are on Thanksgiving break (lucky ducks!) and the husband is off due to his surgery & will be laid up the majority of the time. I work a few days this week but it should go quickly. 

Pulling the Christmas bins up this evening to get the ball rolling on making the house LOOK as festive as it smells right now. And yes, I'll be watching another Hallmark movie while I do it. All that's missing is EGGNOG! I must pick that up tomorrow...

In case you're wondering about the homemade air freshener here's how I do it. Its VERY easy and smells amazing. I don't use any oils in mine (that WOULD make it a bit more fragrant but you'd also need a dedicated pan with that method) yet the fragrance still makes its way throughout the house in no time and in NOT using the oils I'm able to grab a little saucepan in the kitchen.

Take a small saucepan and fill 3/4 full with water. Toss in either a cut up orange or if you're pushing oranges on your kids to boost their Vit.C like I am, take their rinds and toss 'em in.
 

I then sprinkle in a good amount of Allspice..no measurements..just whatever feels right.

 

Then pour in some vanilla. Not a ton. Just a couple tablespoons maybe. And yes..I went a little crazy with the allspice and tossed it all over the stove...




Then I put 2-3 cinnamon sticks and a pinch or two of cloves  & stir it up.





Bring this to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.  Keep it going ALL day & don't forget to check it now and then to add water (or a splash of orange juice!). 




I'm able to use a batch for a couple days before it gets a little funky. Then toss and throw in a new batch!

We did some other fun things this weekend too. Found some Christmas wrap, got books from the library and went to see CATCHING FIRE as a family. It was very well done!








 And now, I'm off to pack away the Fall decor and grab another Christmas bin! 

XOXO
~S

Homecoming 2013

We had an eventful end to last week.  Heavy homework nights due to the end of the quarter drawing close, including huge book report projects that were pushed off until the last minute. Oh, how I love those.

Late Thursday night Bob got up to get a drink and heard a huge pop, which came from his knee. These knees have been through it, let me tell you. Multiple injuries and subsequent surgeries.  The ER docs said the same after looking at his x-rays, when we took him in on Friday due to pain and inability to walk on it.  We were the recipients of an apparent miracle, as we were able to get a follow up appointment to see an ortho doc this coming week. It typically takes weeks to be seen by VA orthopedics. So we counted our blessings as we wheeled him out of the ER and giggled as he tried to get into the car with an immobilizer on his leg (picture a 6'3" big guy here). All of this is a one minute summary of a day spent at the VA from approximately 9:20am to 2:45pm...in the ER. 

We zipped down I-5 in time to pick up the kids and grab an early dinner. 

Josie and I went to the Homecoming game a little while later.  Though I was tired from the days events, I still thought it would be an enjoyable way to end the evening.  And it didn't disappoint!  The coronation ceremony was lovely with all the funny quirks that come with them, like the court being driven around the track in classic cars waving to the crowd, microphones shorting out during speeches, long formal dresses getting stepped on by football cleats, and the crown slipping from the head of the sheepish King, still sweaty from the first half of the game.

 


   


 



 

Speaking of the first half... our team was on fire and slayed our poor opponents. Once the coronation was over at half time Josie and I left.  It was a safe bet since this was the scoreboard at half time.



Overall- a very full, but blessed day to look back on. 

XOXO
~S 

Fall 2013

We had a few crazy storms this September.  One afternoon we watched the street fill, and the sidewalks disappear in a matter of minutes.  The winds pounded the Summer dust right off the windows and blew down a portion of our backyard fence as well.  Several thunder & lightening storms occurred as well- which we enjoyed!  We don't get those very often in the Pacific Northwest, so when they happen they're a bit of a novelty!




Our house sits up off the street so we didn't think we had much to worry about...until we went out to the garage, where we discovered water pouring in under our back door from the backyard. Lovely. Especially considering our garage is still full of boxes yet to be unpacked. Then we ventured out into the backyard and found that the gutter was blocked on the corner, and water was hitting the gutter and bouncing out- hitting the ground two stories below so hard that it was throwing mud up onto the side of the house. So FUN! 

  

The stormy days meant lots of coffee, cocoa & cider. Stormy weather & warm drinks in mugs go hand in hand, don't they?

 

And on those stormy, wet days we all find things that we cozy up and enjoy doing.. reading, watching movies, playing games...

  

  

Probably should've spent more time tackling these boxes that still abound but...nah. They'll keep.

  

Here's a few more random shots from around the house...

  

 

 

  

  

 In October, Josie had a birthday party to attend at Bauman Farms.  We had not visited there before but I now plan for us to return as a family to enjoy it. I took a stroll through their garden area before we left. SO beautiful!

  

  

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Gorgeous, yes??

I loved all of the succulents and the planters. Beautiful.

'til next time...(whenever that may be)

4th of July

The last few years we've been invited to my brother-in-laws parents house for a 4th of July dinner & fireworks. It's a low-key, enjoyable evening that we look forward to! BBQ burgers, salads, watermelon, treats galore & lots of visiting time while we wait for the sun to set!