Daybook - A Wedding Edition (part 1)

Photo credit JLScott Photography

Giving thanks - for cool Autumn weather, nature’s dazzling color display , farmers harvesting their crops and preparing the fields for a long winter’s nap, and cozy blankets making their welcome appearance as we all buckle down for the crazy ride we call The Holidays. 

For the wonderful memories that were made during Wedding Week - and I cannot believe it has been just over two weeks since - and feeling utterly steeped in love and kindness and joy. Oh the things I wish I could find the right words to say. There was, after all, dancing!

For old friends, and new friends, and longtime family and new family. Birthday parties and made from scratch cupcakes. Facetime and Snapchat (oh yes, you read that right), phone calls and text messages. Movie nights in pajamas and ice cream before bed.

For all these things and so much more.

I am profoundly grateful for an ordinary life filled with extraordinary love.

Outside my window - It’s a sunny, crisp November day. I finally had to turn the heat on for the first time this season. There are still leaves on some of the trees, and green grass is still peaking out from under the piles of leaves that gather on the lawn. The garden has been cleaned up and prepared for winter. Our yard has never looked better. Well, I should say it’s starting to finally look the way we always hoped it would - a place of welcome, rest, and play. 

Clothing myself in - black denim capris. I actually don’t own many full length jeans and this might be an issue as the temperatures keep dipping lower and lower. I love my loungewear but sometimes I will be forced to leave the house. I borrowed a white t-shirt from dear husband because, well, because I miss wearing white (I can never find anything thick enough to feel comfortable wearing it) and know there is housework to be done. Comfort rules today. Oh, and dragons dangling from my ears. I’m wearing a pair of cute dragon earrings that Mandie made. Love them!

In the kitchen - Rachel and I have been stirring up some good stuff in there! Regular daily meals have been lacking a bit, but I’m determined to make improvements in that area. We have a menu plan for the week and chicken is thawing as I write this. I’m making one of Josh’s favorite meals - Chicken Lombardy. It’s easy, tastes delicious, and is really good as leftovers. Josh will be happy.

Although I’m running behind a little, I challenged myself to make November a from-scratch month. I think this plan will end up extending itself into the new year. With the cost of groceries at an all time high and every family member motivated to save money and eat well, from scratch is a very wise choice. I’m planning a meal co-op among family members interested in participating. I’ll update as the plan moves forward.

I posted on Instagram recently the list of good things (made from scratch) coming from our kitchen. They included: turkey cranberry sliders, turkey cranberry meatballs, butter pecan cupcakes, fresh bread, pizza, compound butter, carrot cake, and creme brulee. Carry on!

Writing - I’m trying to resume morning pages even though they remain typed rather than hand-written. I figure it’s still better than not doing them at all, which was happening entirely too much these last few months. 

Attempting to get back to the blog posts, obviously. I’m initiating our Mastermind meetings as of next week. 

Reading - Wow - so much! Christina’s book club idea is definitely a success. It didn't go quite the direction she planned, but it has evolved and has been a great motivator for a sizable group of friends and family to read more and to read things outside our normal comfort zone. I’ve been increasingly using Good Reads to document my progress and plans. She also discovered a new app called Fable. We are learning to use it to discuss our current books. 

The most recent book(s) are One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns (only the first was a book of the month read but it was so good I couldn’t wait to read the second). The House in the Pines, The Last Thing He Told Me, and Where the Forest Meets the Stars. I didn’t read Starling House but I did First Lie Wins. Tea & Treachery was not a favorite among our group - I think it was a little too tame. 🙂

Watching - rewatching several series, but I’m learning to tune out the television so I can read more. This is a good thing! Hallmark season is upon us. I wonder what it will be like without Mama to guide our viewing. ☹️

Listening - I have decided that country is my favorite genre of music. I like most music and will occasionally switch to different playlists, but my favorites are country. Many people declare that modern country isn’t really country - it’s more like southern rock - I’m okay with that. I like it best when the story points me to Jesus. 

Making - There is work happening in our house to repurpose rooms. Our oldest daughter was able to find a new apartment and has moved out, making our space in the basement available for all things crafting, sewing, and quilting! We (meaning all the crafty girls in the family) are very excited about this new development! Planning for the best use of the space is in progress, along with Rachel painting cabinets that are being moved upstairs for our new multi-purpose front room. The pieces are all coming together quite nicely. Josh worked on our board and batten wall this past weekend. He wasn’t able to finish it but there is significant progress. We hope to have it all completed before Thanksgiving. Right Josh? 

For a few days, some of us discussed the possibility of a brick and mortar business. We have a beautiful vision that we believe would make a great addition to our local downtown mainstreet. But reality flooded my mind and I realized there is a reason we have not done this already. I already have a full time job that I love and would not trade. The things I would have to give up in order to make this happen are not acceptable to me. So we are giving it some space and time to see if the idea evolves into anything more acceptable.

Camp - The newlyweds enjoyed nearly two full weeks of honeymoon at our camp home. It’s closed up for the year now, winterizing all done, and yet another look under the hood of the golf cart that stopped working midway through their time there. We have no idea why this little golf cart is so temperamental, but she sure is - that’s our little Tilly. You know, like the Little Engine That Could. 

The week ahead - Housework, several appointments, mastermind, euchre night, and more. Rain is in the forecast. Apparently I need to be thinking about Christmas shopping LOL. I hope to get some kids’ Christmas books recorded before the end of the month. Oh, and advent calendar projects made (if I can collect enough TP rolls!)

Loving God and loving people - this is my full time job, the one I’m not willing to compromise to have a brick and mortar business. Having a business does not preclude such love, of course, but I have been called to this particular vocation, the one where being available to serve my family and friends is the mission.