Thanksgiving 2015

We had our big family and friends gathering at our "neutral location" . It was beautifully decorated , wonderfully fragrant and overflowing with abundance ! We had about 20 people in attendance and fed almost 30 people !
It was still pretty painful , the missing loved ones are still much missed , but this day we choose to love , to celebrate LIFE and GRACE and each other. It was good . God was there with us . Encouraging us to LOVE and serve . And sometimes it is His holy nudge that keeps us going and doing .
There was a lot of action and laughs today . The type that life with a toddler , who has been aptly named "Ms. Busy" , brings about . I think my favorites were when she found the cranberry jel , left with-in her reach and cut into tantalizing little fist sized globs. She ate several handfuls ! And we were thankful that her Thanksgiving dress was appropriately ...cranberry colored ! ;-)
My , wind knocked out moment was at the end of the afternoon . I was placing dishes into the piles to make sure they went home with the right people and there was a smallish crock-pot on the counter. I turned it around to see who's it was and it had my moms name on the top , in her handwriting . I sucked in a big breath and bit back the tears that sprang to my throat .
Altogether a rousing success. I have threatened that next year we are doing tacos. The whole traditional thing is SO involved ! I love it all right up to the day of . Well , actually , I am that way about a lot of things!
Better close off . Hubby is dozing in the corner of the couch .He has been working some weird shifts and I know he is tired! Poor guy !

He's two picture to complete todays post.....

Old homestead

I have realized why old farm houses that sit by themselves speak to my heart. 

You see I live in a sub-division. It's an older sub-division so we do have a respectable amount of space. And there are bout 4 styles of houses and slight variations there of. So they are not the cookie-cutter block situation. But that being said these houses were made by a builder. The original owners (some of them) got to pick from the choices available and include a couple customization details. We are not the original owners- there are definitely things I would do differently. Number one being the kitchen. The stove is right next to the refrigerator- I mean , who does that?! It makes no sense. 

But when I see an old farm house my heart stirs. I realize I do not have the skill or drive to own and take care of one but ... Oh , my heart! That was someone's dream. Literally blood, sweat and tears. The kitchen window was place just so ... For the wife's own reasons. Facing the sunset, or maybe the family cemetery. Or the gate that her husband would be walking in and out of at the beginning and end of every day.

Yes, indeed, I know why old farmhouses speak to my heart! 

Signs I painted

I mentioned the painting I was doing in my day book this week but I forgot to put a picture! 

This is one sign painted on both side. One for fall , one for Christmas!

I am really happy with it so far. I hope to put wording on it with vinyl cut on my silhouette next week. I'll post pics if I do!

Rain-y days and Mondays

Thank you for stopping by for a blog visit ! I hope you enjoy my Day Book . Find more about Day books and many other ones to read HERE

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For Today... I am all by myself. Everyone is working and it is not a day I have my grand daughter. I have a LOT I could be , should be doing but ....

Outside my window... Yuck. It is chilly (low 60's) and it is a constant misty rain . It is a total motivation squelching day. I just can't get started! So...here I am blogging. LOL

I am thinking...About how excited I am for the work that will be done on our home ...and how much work I have to get done before then ! Seriously overwhelming . Everywhere I look I see something else. I have learned that I am drowning in clothes. I have a hallway full of things that need to go away...but it's raining. Blah.

I am thankful...For a good weekend with my husband . Getting to see our family yesterday. Getting to participate in all night prayer and corprate worship. Seeing an old friend. 

I am wearing...Faded black yoga pant capris and a spiffy purple sports tank. No socks or shoes, but I will be finding those soon! It is nippy and I will also need to be in the garage soon to take down a load of laundry. (more clothes!)

I am creating...Some neat wooden signs ! Thank you Paige !

I am going...To a couple Apple Barns in North GA tomorrow! I will bring home about 20lbs of apples to can !

I am wondering...How to get my kitchen clean and Keep it clean so that I can enjoy cooking for my family again. There is just too much stuff in the way . 

I am reading...by Mark Rutland. It is SUCH a good book ! I highly reccommend it !! A small book with such astounding revelations waiting to be uncovered!

I am hoping...To get my sewing machine working. It has been a process of trial and error and finding problems and ordering parts. Waiting on parts etc....All I want to do is so simple projects!

I am learning...that as hard as it is to adjust to limitations of an injury , it can be just as hard to adjust to incremental healing. 

In my garden...

The last hurrah of the begonias and impatiens ! 

In my kitchen...I made Chicken and dumpling this weekend . It's a seriously big deal around here ! LOL . I am thinking about some french toast casserole for tonight. It's just me and the prince tonight. Mr. Wonderful is out of town.

A favorite quote for today...

A peek into one of my days...

my fur-friends reaction to this rain-y day! 

One of my favorite things...cool , sunny fall days!

From the board room...http://www.colorworldhousepainting.com/2015-exterior-house-painting-trends/
this is approximately the color our house will be ! 

What's in a name?

My beautiful grand daughter calls me Ama . She came up with it all on her own. I was originally shooting for Gemma. But Ama is unique and she has stuck with it.

While playing one of my favorite games today (words with friends) I played the word Amas . Which led me to thinking if Ama was a real word somewhere besides our little world. It turns out it is!

AMA is an abbreviation meaning ask me anything. And ironically I am kind of infamous for answering honestly even when it isn't easy.(or popular)

And Ama is a South African name that mean born on Saturday. And I WAS born on Saturday!! How cool is that! 

Many blessings Lora (aka Ama) 😍

New title

This earned us a text declaring "#bestparentsever" lol 

I'll take it! This kid loves those orange cream shakes! 

Creative elements challenge

I found a post on Instagram today about a creative daily challenge. Doodles and lettering I believe. There is a different prompt each day. Today was hearts. I got all the way until the end of the day before I decide why not?!

Terrible picture, but here is this one. I may or may not get the rest of them but I did today and it was therapy for me! So...Dawnnicole.com thank you for the inspiration!