Jacket Required

It was a bit nippy (56) on the deck this morning with my first cup of coffee (and my second!). Not only was a jacket required but also a pair of sweat pants, but I do still have on my flip flops! I just hate giving up the porch time, so a girl does what ever it takes to hang on a bit longer. The sun finally peeked through the morning haze around 10 am. But even now it is still not strong and bright.

This has been a crazy week with car issues and my not being able to attend a show I had scheduled. A dear friend just did not understand that for what ever reason I am home from this show and this is right where God wants me to be. So there is no better place.

This is an item that came off my plate this weekend. I finished it yesterday.

I have another show in 2 weeks and hopefully all the vechile woes woll be over by then. In the mean time I am working to complete several mote items to take along.

Dinner menues for this coming week are as follows.

Monday----a big salad with a salsa chicken quesidilla

Tuesday-----grilled veggies(yellow squash, baby bella mushrooms, bell peppers) and turkey veggie burger grilled w/o a bun.

Wednesday----homemade chili(venison) with chopped fried cabbage added. Don't knock it till you try it!

Thursday------grilled turkey keilbasa with a big salad.

Friday-----homemade veggie pizza

Saturday-----breakfast for dinner. Veggie hash with a small amount of ham chopped for flavor and fried eggs.

Sunday----a big pot of something? Just not sure whats in the pot yet.

Now please tell me whats on your menu this week. 

Sunday Sunrise

I was sitting on the porch this morning with my first cup of coffee. Waiting for the sun to begin it climb. The air was thick with moisture, the leaves on the trees turning upward from the wind and the impending call for rain. I had plans today to get outside and finish up some painting, but those plans have changed.

I have plenty of tasks to achieve inside so I am glad for the change to my plans.

I am trying to slow down in life a bit and this is yet another reminder for me that the good Lord above is still in control.

The leaves are starting to change and fall.

I am noticing my dogs are shedding less as they prepare their coats for the winter ahead.

And I found this outside the other evening.

Now in my "neck of the woods" we take a solid black woolly worm as the sign of a hard winter ahead. Some may view this as an old wives tale, but I have seen them a dark caramel color and the winters were mild. So I am just sayin'.........!

Shorter days and cooler nights are also a reminder of his control and not ours. I am thankful for these signs. It allows me a certain peace of knowing I can let go and let God have the reins.

September......ain't it great!

September has got to be the greatest month, after all I was born in September! But seriously, I wake up to upper 50's every morning. Which means the heat pump is turned off and getting a much needed rest after all the heat of the summer.

The sun shines so pretty and adds warmth as the day gets along.

The humidity is low, low, low. And there seems to always be a slight breeze.

With the change  in weather, the grass is not growing as fast and once a week mowings is all it takes to keep up.

Things just seem to slow down a bit and that makes it easier to slow down myself. Although I can always find plenty to do, it seems like less pressure to "hurry up" with each task.

I also love being able to spend more time outside than I could on the heat of summer.

I also love all the fall festivals, some I just like to attend. But a few I actually sell at. I have one next weekend and I have been finishing up some little things to help fill tables. Here is what I finished yestetday.

So how about you, what do you love about fall?

Take a Clue

Sometimes I run around like a chicken with my head cut off! Never getting the list completed and adding more to it with each passing hour of the day. Do you have days like this too?

I am trying to make myself slow down and smell the roses!

Sometimes the Lord sends me gentle reminders to do so. When I saw this I knew exactly what it meant. And I went out on the deck, sat in a chair and propped my feet up for at least 15 minutes! But I really relaxed for the whole time. Well its a start!

Miz Maggie and Lil' Bit don't have to be reminded to seek out the warmth of the sunshine and relax awhile.

Monday Morning

I woke up to 49 degrees this morning with the fog just starting to lift. So a big cup of hot coffee was in order.

So hot coffee with pumpkin spice creamer and....yes I still read the morning paper. Then my morning devotion and I am off and running.

Lots of plans for a Monday, I have a show coming up the last weekend of the month so lots of painting to do to get ready. My show is in Lucasville OH. It will be at the fairgrounds so if you can, stop by and see us.

This is a busy week so I have my menus planned for the week. Breakfast is Greek yogurt with fruit and homemade granola or veggie omelets.

Lunch is always fruit with nuts or whole grain crackers with cheese or nut butters.

Dinners this week are as follows..... Monday-----large chopped salad with homemade BBQ venison chunks.

Tuesday-----chopped salad with home canned cabbage rolls.

Wednesday-----salad with whole grain pasta/home canned sauce

Thursday-----large chopped salad with tuna, cheese and sunflower seeds.

Friday------chopped salad with homemade pizza with a thin sourdough crust and lots of veggies.

Saturday-----dinner with friends.

Sunday-----turkey breast, fresh cooked greens and roasted corn.

Now I really have to get going. One load of laundry is on the line but the second one is about to be ready to hang.

Fall Like Stuff

A trip around my yard this morning revealed more "fall" looking stuff than I really wanted to see. 

I still had to admire the vibrance of the colors.

My grandmother always called this light purple flower " the last bloomer". As it is the last of the summer flowers to start to bloom in my garden. Also notice the spider web in the middle.

This little web has a tunnel right in the middle. See it? It is in the middle of the yard. There were several of them throughout the yard.

As you can see on close inspection, the Four O'Clocks are going to seed. I still like looking at them though. Later this week the temps are going to drop and night times will be in the 50's. So football weather is upon us.

I may not be ready to give up my flip flops. Or my tank tops! And I probably won't! But I will embrace the change and ready myself and my home for what is ahead.

So tell me what signs of fall are you seeing?

Relax and Create

Being at the beach is relaxing in itself.

Enjoying time with family is alway a good thing.

But we had to mix the two with some creative time. This is what my SIL and I did one afternoon.

This is what I made with one of my painted rocks.