Currently... October 2017

October and November are my two favorite months of the year.  Maybe because fall is my favorite season and these are its peak months.  Maybe because during these two months the Man of the House and I both have birthdays and we celebrate out anniversary.  Maybe because of Halloween and Thanksgiving.  Or because it's the calm before the holiday whirlwind begins.  It's probably a combination of ALL those things!

Reading:  My reading slowed down a little in September.  I finished Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris, which I didn't start out liking very much - but ended up enjoying much more than expected.   Since then I have been reading  The Secret History of the Mongol Queens: How the Daughters of Genghis Khan Rescued His Empire by Jack Weatherford.  Despite being a little dry and slow going in some parts, it has been quite interesting to see the important role of women in the leadership of the Mongol empire (a historical period I admittedly don't know much about).  Unfortunately, the book had to be returned and had another hold waiting which prevented me from renewing it, so I am having to wait to complete it.  Until then I am reading The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena.  I had plans to read The Boleyn King by Laura Anderson last month, but my hold didn't become available until today.  So, that's next up on the October TBR list.

I am also still working my way through She's Still There by Chrystal Evans Hurst with the Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study.  Oh my goodness gracious.  Just...  So, SO good!!


Eating:  *sigh*...  Here we go again.  Honestly, I haven't been eating a ton of bad stuff.  But I haven't exactly been healthy either.  The Man of the House and I are planning to work on that this month.  So, hopefully I'll have something that's not completely embarrassing to report at the beginning of November.

Working On:  You think I'm going to say "washcloths", dont' you?  I don't blame you.  That has been the answer for months and months.  But I am happy to say that NO, I am not currently working on washcloths.  I finally completed my big wholesale order and have moved on.  Right now the popular item seems to be tiger hats.

Enjoying:  Some pleasant fall temperatures. Finally!!  I was so over all those 80+ degree days.  I'm ready for some boot and sweater weather.  I'm such a fall girl.  Seriously.

Anticipating:  Celebrating the Man of the House's birthday this weekend.  And hopefully some more autumn hikes.  I'd like to take the grand kid to an apple orchard for some fall fun also.

Feeling:  hmmm... that's quite a good question.  I haven't really given it much real thought recently.  Which I suppose is a good thing.  If I cant' complain, I must be doing pretty well.  So, there ya go!

The week has just begun and October is already looking like a wonderful month for me!  How is your October currently looking?

When You Need A Breath of Fresh Air

The Man of the House and I are trying... trying... to get back on track with healthier habits.   He's always much better about it than I am.  Honestly, if it weren't for his encouragement I would quite possibly be a giant couch potato who existed on Cheetos and ice cream.

Part of those healthier habits is moving more.  An area where I seriously lack motivation and discipline.  So, last week when he asked if I wanted to go for a hike on Saturday, I knew I should say yes.   The weather was supposed to be cooler and sunny and I could use a little fresh air and sunshine -  so, I jumped at the chance.  Plus...  who wouldn't want to be alone in the woods with this handsome guy?

We headed north on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Craven Gap Trail.  The website where I was looking at local hiking trails listed this as an "Easy" hike.  Um... I disagree.  I personally believe it should be rated as closer to moderate.  But, no one asked me.

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There isn't much fall color change going on around here yet. But there were some pretty late summer wildflowers around.

There's a little cave alongside the trail.  Did I explore closer?  No, I did not!  Who knows what might be living in there?  (probably nothing being so close to the trail)

We found a nice rock-face where we sat to eat our picnic lunch.  And found a patch of prickly pear cactus.  Who knew that was growing wild in the mountains of western North Carolina?  Not me!

And we had a nice view while we enjoyed our food.  Bonus!!

On the way home we stopped off at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitors Center because neither one of us has ever been there.  We also made another stop at Highland Brewing Company where we relaxed with a cold beverage for a bit.

A nice way to spend a sunny Autumn Saturday afternoon!

Sunday Inspiration: The Best Cure

It's Friday... right?

I feel as if it has been both the longest week and the shortest week all at the same time.  I can't explain why it feels that way.  It's not as if anything especially drastic, or terrible, or exciting has happened.  It's just been one of those weeks.

I went and had my flu shot yesterday.  So... yay, me!  Today I'm feeling a little tired and headachy.  And  my arm is sore.  You know, typical post-flu-shot type stuff.

I'm going to take a moment and complain just a little.  I am pretty much sick and tired of this heat.  It's almost October.  I'm ready for some sweater weather already!  However the temperatures this week have been in the 80s.  Thanks global warming.  : /

Fortunately, that is all supposed to change.  Tomorrow is only supposed to be in the low 70s and gorgeous.  With overnight lows in the 40s and  highs in the 60s on Sunday.  Yippee!!

I hope each of you has a wonderful weekend. See you in October!!

Sunday Inspiration: A New Season

A Spirit of Gratitude: September 21

It's been a week of contrasts.  A balance of the good with the maybe-not-so-good.  The leaves are starting to change (good) , but the temperatures have felt more like July than September (maybe-not-so-good).  I finished a huge wholesale order (good), which kept me up very late and deprived me of sleep (maybe-not-so-good).  The Male Offspring got a job offer (good), but getting all his paper work completed so he can start has been one challenge after another (maybe not so good).

These are the times when attitude is everything.  You can focus either on the good or the maybe-not-so-good.  Where you decide to direct your focus can affect everything around you.  If you select the good, you will see more and more good.  If you look more at the maybe-not-so-good, you're going to notice a whole lot of maybe-not-so-good.  This can affect your mood, your attitude, your productivity, how you treat others - and more.  

I choose to be intentional about looking at the good.  Which will you choose?

I Am Thankful For:

Dinner and a movie with the Man of the House

The Male Offspring was offered a job

The Panthers win 2 in a row

The grand kid drawing a picture of his uncle

Putting out my autumn home decorations

Silly pets

The first signs of fall color

Finally finishing a huge order

Having the Female Offspring and the grand kid over for dinner

The Male Offspring asking us to watch a movie with him

20 Joyful Fall Activities

I know fall doesn't officially start until Friday, but I am all kinds of ready for the season!  This is my favorite time of year, y'all!  To celebrate, I've put together a list of some of my favorite autumn activities - which I plan to enjoy to the fullest.  Which will you be participating in this year?

20 Joy-filled Autumn Activities

1. Make pumpkin muffins
2. Read outside
3. Go for a hike
4. Enjoy a pumpkin spice latte
5. Make a big pot of chili
6. Watch a football game 
7. Paint your nails a fall color
8. Decorate the front door for fall
9. Eat candy corn 
10. Burn cinnamon apple and/or pumpkin spice candles and wax melts 
11. Go for a scenic drive to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage
12. Take pictures of the fall colors
13. Watch a scary movie
14. Wear a comfy sweater and the perfect pair of boots
15. Decorate the mantle with autumn touches
16. Drink warm spiced apple cider
17. Walk through crunchy fallen leaves
18. Made a delicious soup in the crockpot
19. Snuggle under a blanket with a cup of tea and read a book on a chilly afternoon
20. Celebrate my birthday in style

(Later in the season, I'll be sharing an update post of how I experienced many of these fun fall activities)

Sunday Inspiration: Believe

A Spirit of Gratitude: September 14

I Am Thankful For:

The start of football season

The Panthers starting the season with a win

A beautiful weekend before the storm

The Man of the House's relatives in Florida are safe

The storm wasn't too bad when it moved through here

Late nights

Rainy afternoons

Sleeping in a little later

An unexpected day with the grand kid

Sunday Inspiration: Notice More

A Spirit of Gratitude: September 7, 2017

Eeeekk!!  This week is getting away from me.  I didn't even think about today being Thursday and needing to get a gratitude list posted.  Maybe I'm enjoying the beautiful fall-ish weather we've been having a little too much...  

I Am Thankful For:

The Man of the House coming home from his business trip
Making a cake with the grand kid
Grand kid sleepovers
A Labor Day weekend cookout
Chilly mornings
Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Sunday Inspiration: Show Them

Currently... September 2017

September has arrived.  It's almost Fall, y'all!!

Reading:  I did quite a bit of reading in August .  And read some really good books!  After completing My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry and A Man Called Ove , Fredrik Backman has joined my list of favorite authors. I can't wait to read more of his work!  

I just finished Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate - a fictionalized story based on the shocking real life Tennessee Children's Home Society (an organization headed by Georgia Tann which often lied or otherwise tricked birth parents into surrendering their children for adoption.  Even going so far as to kidnap children, or steal newborns while the mother was still under labor anesthesia, later telling them that their babies had died in childbirth.  She then charged adoptive parents exorbitant fees.  It was a terrible story, and a very good book.  Any novel which leaves me wanting to know more about the real life events on which was based is a good book in my opinion! 

Now I'm on to Then We Came to the End  by Joshua Ferris and The Boleyn King by Laura Andersen.  

My non-fiction this month is She's Still There by Chrystal Evans Hurst.  I will also be participating in the Proverbs 31 Ministries on-line Bible study based on this book.  

Eating:  Ugh...  maybe I should just stop including this section. It's honestly getting embarrassing to have to admit month after month how terrible I have been eating.  Of course, the easy remedy would be to just start eating better.  But...  

Working On:  I'll give you one guess.  Did you say "washcloths"?  dingdingdingding  You got it!  It seems as if the stream of washcloth orders is never ending.  I also have a newborn football cocoon set to  work on.  

Enjoying:  The feeling I got from doing some good by giving blood yesterday.

Anticipating:  The best thing I am anticipating is that my handsome husband gets home from New York today!  It's only been a few days, but I've missed him bunches.

Feeling:  A little overwhelmed by the "free" time I seem to have during the day now that the grand kid is in kindergarten and I'm not watching him while his mom is at work.  Right now, I have had enough work to keep me busy and occupied.  If things start to slow down, I'm considering finding a knit and crochet group or something to join.