Intentional Summer Planning-

 

I’ve been hopping around reading and catching up on my blog reading--

I sent an email to my friend Gail (Hi Gail!) and told her how I missed blogging and the camaraderie! I miss gardening and crafting and projects--- and I mentioned how I hoped to dabble in all of it over the summer break.

She said, “ I hope you plan your summer… don’t let it just come and go, then regret not having fun and doing what you want when fall arrives.”

Well, … I have considered these words since I received that email reply… and I love her message back to me and appreciate her words so much! 

I’ve given it thought and really, I think her words apply to all of life, NOT just the coming summer months. I think it’s so important these days to live INTENTIONALLY! Not wasting any time and remembering that even time spent resting, considering scripture and the LORD and his Word is time well spent!

At the moment—nothing is set in stone, except the first day of school, come Fall.

 

Meaning: I have no plans.

I do have a few ideas though. On the top of the list:

Reading. Years ago, I read for leisure. Why did I stop doing that? I hardly picked up a book to read… ok, that’s not exactly true. I read many non-fiction type books. I enjoy reading analytical type stuff. Seriously, I can stand in the canned good isle at the grocer and read ingredients list, become so absorbed in it and lose complete track of time!

What I’m talking about is literature—fictional stories (and true!), the kind that move you to another place and another time; mostly, I’m talking about filling in some gaps with classical pieces of literature that slipped by me in my younger years and I want to read them. Some more current books I want to read that also were missed.

Crafts:I also have some crafting that I want to get done.  Some crocheting and sewing. If time allows—I might work on my dollhouse. I have some projects to finish up there and it’s been on the back burner for a long time now.

Household:

Whoa! the list of ideas is never-ending there. First and foremost (once the rains let up) Painting the house. We started it a couple of years ago (hangs head) and really need to finish it.

Gardening is out, in the way of planting and cultivating. But there are some areas that need tending and cleaning. We’ll probably get to some of that.

Anyway, I’m taking Gail’s advice and planning the summer months…but not over planning. I hope to do just enough to be satisfied and rested when school starts! Thanks Gail!  (*edited to say:  Speaking of Gail… if you like listening to POD casts and you like repurposing and DIY tips then you’ll love listening to her on the new Pod Casts she is doing… DIY with MRL.  Follow the link here and her pod cast is linking at the bottom of that post!)

For now, the last few weeks of May… are casual and I’m easing into Summer.

Oh! and I plan on blogging some of it… so come back and see me!

 

‘Til then, be blessed!

Patricia

:: A Relaxing Sunday

 

This is how the Honey and I have spent our day so far! Only picture me with a crochet hook (and a little less than dolled up!)  ;and him with his iPhone!

 

Source:  google images

Another cool day—it is supposed to warm up—but the house stays chilly; especially when it’s breezy out. So we already have the fire going; both yesterday and today.

It’s not roaring—but it’s enough to knock the chill down.

I’ve got beans on the stove and cornbread in the oven… it helps to warm the home; and our bellies! 

I’ll be sitting down in a bit to make out new menus for November—and we’ll probably be hitting the grocery store later in the week.

Have a great week!

‘Til next time, Be Blessed!
           Patricia



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Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. ~ Titus 2: 3-5

:: Packing, Donating, REcycling and Awards

 
 
I spent the better part of the weekend, packing.  I also took the time to load boxes of things I do NOT want to move. I cleaned out cupboards—and oh, this was pretty simple because some of these cupboards I had already cleaned and organized over the HOT summer months.   However, I came across one item—that is an item of necessity for this family and is used at all large gatherings. 
I thought I’d share a cute little text exchange I had with my oldest daughter this afternoon; after all, she is the PARTY PLANNER in the family.

As with many things that are handed down from one generation to the next- it is my honor to dub thee "GLUE" that holds this family and all that it stands for "together".  So on this auspicious occasion you are awarded,not just any award, not a statue, or even a plaque; No.
You are awarded

The Punch Bowl --

So that on many occasions when We gather under your roof and at your precious PARTY PLANNING HANDS, with family and friends;  there may be EATING, DRINKING, and Merry MAKING!
She text me back promptly (because she is prompt)
YES! I ACCEPT.

**** In other news--- I loaded the trunk of my car and took 5 boxes, 1 electric skillet, and 1 broken Scanner/Printer (for recycling) to Goodwill.  I’m not going into the whole Goodwill profits or nonprofits, etc.  I called them and they take electronics for recycling, did you know that?  I didn’t—but I saw an ad for a Goodwill in a paper from another city advertising this, I called our local shop and they told me they’d take them. So—that’s what I did.  I also called the nearest Office Depot and they’ll take your recyclable electronics but you have to pay according to the size box it fits into?!?! What, really?   So—I took it to the questionable for profit Goodwill organization—for FREE!



‘Til next time, Be Blessed!
                 Patricia



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"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:9

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I'm participating in Nester's annual -31 Days of writing

:: Easily Distracted from My Duties-

It’s almost Fall! 

This weekend’s plans are to prep the beds for a Fall garden, turn the soil mix in some compost and decide what cool weather veggies I want to grow.  The chicken coop needs cleaning out – having no Littles  this weekend will possibly mean we can make quick work of it and I can work in my craft room UNINTERRUPTED!

I want to sew! Last week sometime I received this in my email …

Courtesy of Groupon and my iPhone.

:: Fall is Like a Second Chance Spring Cleaning

This is the view across the room this evening.  A peaceful place in my home to let my eyes rest. 



I’m not going to lie.  There aren’t many corners of my home right now that I would call restful. Busy, busy, busy; every single corner. It seems the more I try to create a haven; the more I struggle with it.  It just doesn’t come easy for me now days.

The whole dynamic of our home life shifted after The Honey retired in 2009.   I remember days when he’d get up and go to work; for me that meant—I’ve got a set number of hours to get things done.   Then once he came through those doors; the shift was togetherness.  Supper, evening routine, shower and bed.

It’s not like that for me now.  After all these years I’ve still not adjusted to having him home ALL. THE. TIME.  It’s like I’m always on a break.  Time has gotten away from me and so has my house work… 

There are things I have wanted to do… and didn’t. (here/ UPDATES)  It won’t be long Fall will be here; and we’ll be entering into the last quarter of this year!  I’m finally getting some work done in my craft room.  Slowly, but surely, I’m getting some of my busy corners organized and settled.
    
I found this list of Pre-Holiday Room by Room Cleaning (tasks) Plan @ Sunny Simple life… I pinned it am using it!  If you’ve not read Elaine’s blog—go there! She has wonderful household tips on cleaning, organizing and MYO (make you own) cleaning supplies!

I seem to get this way every year about this time!  Fall is the time of year, to me …like a second SPRING CLEANING!  Checking the list that was made so early in the year…last minute preparations- Getting ready for Winter and of course all the Holidays that are coming with it.
Is it like that for you?

Til next time, Be Blessed!



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Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanks giving let your request be made unto to God; And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will guard your heart and minds in Christ Jesus.  ~~ Philippians 4:6-7

Wire Basket Don’t-Torial

This project was "Caught" here:
 


Thanks Gail!

I am still plugging away on barn projects.  I  showed you my shelf unit at the end of last week.  I had 2 other projects to unveil…but wasn’t quite finished with one.

Now on with the DIY portion of today’s post—WIRE BASKETS! How NOT TO MAKE THEM.

:: Small Changes

JUST A REMINDER; some of the links in this post are in fact sponsored links and go to help support our family, thanks!

I’ve been doing this for almost 2 months now. Living with T2 Diabetes..

:: Summer, Flightiness, Ruellia and Gratitude

It’s a new week and a new month—I’ve got things that I want to get done before the Fall. Yes! Fall.  I’m not ready for it yet. We’ve had such an uncommon summer; with rainy days, weeks even!  We’ve had cool temps. So much so, that I’ve had the A/C off for days at a time during July! I’m not complaining. I truly don’t mind the heat—but it just seems like this season has passed too quickly.

I like summer.

A New Normal ?

This was my glucose reading this afternoon. It’s the lowest reading I’ve had since the diagnosis of Diabetes, just over a month ago.  It is within normal range! 

::Before Pallet Sheds were Cool ::

Friday Night—the girls came with their families…both my sons work, though I had my oldest son’s kids--
We spent time in the pool and then had Chili Dogs- Chips and Cookies—
by evening
We had FIRECRACKERS FOR THE KIDS!


Saturday was spent outside—working to tear down the old shed!

:: Patriotic Flowers-

I wish these flowers didn’t have to fade. 
They are beautiful.
 
***********RED

:: Entertaining an Idea--

I never ever in my wildest dreams thought I’d show you this picture again.
But… here it is.

:: Observing ::

I woke up this morning with the cattle lowing in the back pasture. They sounded distant yet echoe-y.
(yes, I just made that up…someone notify the spell-check minions)
As I lay in bed listening to the sounds of the morning; and George, crowing his wake up call—I heard the cattle again.
Only it didn’t sound so distant.
Or Echoe-y …there it is again, the word, the cow.
I got up and made my way to bathroom—pulled up the blind and had a peek out the window.
There it was---  FOG.
I could make out the shapes of the cattle in the field next door. NEXT DOOR?! what?


That can’t be right. Why is there a herd of cows in Ms. Betty’s pasture?
I just love it here you know?  Never a dull moment.

By the time we got dressed and headed that way, Ms. Betty decided to leave early for church—she stopped the car to tell TH that she was afraid if she 

“didn't get in the car to leave now, the stray cows would be up under my car port and at my sliding glass door again” ~Ms. Betty

(this isn’t the first time a cow has been where it shouldn’t be); so she decided to just leave. Basically, she bugged-out!  Hehehehe!

That’s ok. We took care of it. We called the County and they got a hold of the man who owns the cows and the property behind us… (he didn’t always, so we had no way of contacting him; but I made sure and got his number today)

We ‘cow-sat’ until he got here.  All he needed was a bucket of something to shake at them and they just followed him right back the way they came… funny, I grew up in a country setting and the Metropolis grew up around me and before I turned 18 I was living in a suburban area.
Here—it was country when we got to this house. It’s still country. 

But sometimes I don’t FEEL like I LIVE a country life. I feel like I have “ a house in the country” …and I’m just observing.

So like many things in my life lately… I’m just observing.

I haven’t blogged much lately –but I am observing you, my readers and followers.  I have popped in from time to time to see how you all are doing.
I have a blog in the world wide web—I just haven’t been blogging. But I am observing.
Am I leaving? 
Like Ms. Betty—am I going to grab my bug-out bag and leave blogging before something bigger comes along and impedes my efforts? 

No probably not.  For now, I’m just going to leave some of the blogging matters up to you.  I will read and visit around and go about my way…observing. I’m going to take some time to read  leisurely and study for spiritual growth. Spend some time with the LORD and observe.  I think I’m going to fill my bucket.
When I have something to shout out or share…
You’ll see me in your mail box …OR in your feed…
I’ll be there ...shaking a bucket
… hopefully, you’ll come meandering your way back.
Hopefully, I’ll have something worth while to share!

Til next time, Be Blessed!



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"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."
~ Matthew 7: 7-8 




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* by clicking on affiliate links (and making a purchase at Amazon) in the post or any other post on this blog you help this blogger earn a little bit of income for her family WITHOUT IT COSTING YOU A PENNY!

:: Pantry Findings- Part 1 ::

..."Saving Money with an organized clutter free Pantry" 

For the new year, I made a list of things I wanted to see happen in and around my home in 2014—one of those ‘Inside-the-home-items’ on the list was

• Create a standing PANTRY IN THE KITCHEN--

Several of my readers asked that I would show how I go about meeting my goals for the year.  I can’t promise it will be riveting or have you sitting on the edge of your seat—but you might find a tip or two for meeting your own goals…
One thing I’ve done is bought a Day Planner for the year—I’ve divided-up my home like points on a map and each week of each month I PINPOINT THAT ROOM AS MY TARGET AREA.  I continue to maintain the rest of my home and duties…but I hit the TARGET AREA HARD AND HEAVY THAT WEEK.

This is the second full week of doing this…and my TARGET:  The Kitchen  FOCUS: RE-Organizing

I HAD thought I wanted to ADD  a piece of furniture to the kitchen to serve as standing cupboard as Pantry.  Fitting another piece of furniture into my ‘unfitted- kitchen’ shouldn’t be too challenging as I only have ONE WALL of ‘built-ins’; and  most of my work stations are pieced in with various furnishings.

You can see my pinterest board on UnFitted Kitchens  HERE @ :: FREESTANDING AND UNFit ::
I will tell you—it took years before I found JOY in this type of set up. Many years I longed for a perfect kitchen…but then I realized I already had one.  I can make my kitchen however;  just by moving things around.  It’s perfect and I’m loving my kitchen more and more all the time!

So onto the Pantry Saga::

I make no excuse for this blurry picture- this is just some of the contents I began cleaning out on Sunday.

It’s just lots of baking items, seasonings, canning parts and organizing tools.
I found 4 …yes, FOUR! opened containers of Cocoa in my cupboard; and the red basket is actually 2- one is stacked inside the other. (I bought those 27 years ago…I know because they were used to hold nursery items in my oldest daughters room)  I’ve always  had an organized streak—it ebbs and flows, I guess.
I emptied 3 or the Cocoa’s  into one container. The last one was almost full and was placed back into my cabinet as over flow. For now.


I made Homemade Baking mix and have the ingredients for more on the top shelf behind this door.
The hanging basket has un opened packages of pasta that would not fit…
here in my newly REPURPOSED CANISTERS.

I’ve had those 3 wall mounted canisters for years and have used them for Hot chocolate mixes, extra condiments for eating out, spare tea bags… Not anymore. 
I took all the pasta out of the packaging and filled the canisters with them.  Now I can see when I need to restock the pasta—and they’re Pretty! 
Basically, behind each of these doors I incorporated free CLEAR containers---lots of recycling. I’m visual so seeing the level of these contents at a glance will help me in knowing when to purchase more. 
Behind the second/middle door.

The soda bottles on top hold an assortment of beans and a bottle of rice. More organizing tools,  I found a small ‘lazy susan’ IN THIS CABINET; standing on its side inside another red basket.  Well… I’m using it now!

The last door—holds cookbooks and a recipe file box on the bottom shelf. Middle shelf  has unopened spices that I bought when the grocer was going out of business the first of January; along with over-flow of other baking items I didn’t know I had!   Things like brown sugar, and 2  bags powder sugar, unopened Soy Sauce, etc. 
The plan is to use what I have before making anymore purchases and freeing up even more space. 
I currently have my slow cooker and large Crock pot on the top shelf.  I’m planning to move those in the next phase of the Pantry Saga.
I have a plan for re-arranging just about ever section of this kitchen.  I think it is going to eliminate the need to ADD any furniture for a pantry.  So, I’ll be marking that off the list.
Now look at that, just by doing some clearing out ( I threw away 1 whole trash bag full of packaging and wrappers)  I decided that if I had containers to store items—I should empty the contents of the packages and free up space.  It is so nice to open up my cupboards now, and see all that I have.
My Pantry Findings were

• Space
• Groceries, I didn’t know I had.
• Eliminating the ‘need’ to spend money.
• Checking an item off the list! Freeing up time to work on something else.

This month marks the 18th year to be living in here in our home. I’ve reorganized and cleaned and cleared out plenty of times.  But this is really, the first time—to revamp this part of my kitchen since the kids all moved out.  I’m looking at my kitchen with empty-nester eyes now…but keeping in mind that I do have my littles here day in and day out.  I have a new idea about how I want my kitchen to operate. 
Less is more.
and
the simpler the better.  Free is great! 
Don’t you love how a project starts out like it’s going to cost something; but in the end, you don’t have spend and you EVEN SAVE by reorganizing?  I feel like I’m winning!

FGFbloghop @ DJDH



Til next time, Be Blessed!



Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.~ Joshua 1:9

:: Little Tick Marks, Little Changes, Thrifty Finds ::

   One of my goals for 2014 has been realized ALREADY… it’s just a small thing.  But HEY!—who doesn't love crossing something off the their ‘TO-DO’ list? 

I listed clean off kitchen counters for a “less is more” look.
In an effort to get ready to finish painting the kitchen…another goal on the daunting list…

:: Revising my 2014 Goals to include Finances ::

I have lots of things to tell you—but first, I hope you are warm or comfortable where ever you are right now.  I hope you have all that you need and you know that you ARE LOVED.
We’ve rounded the corner into a new year, and a zeal for life!  I think whether you make resolutions or stand firm in your conviction NOT to make a resolution---we can all agree that we start a new year with the feeling of hope and wonder on the horizon; and THEN we begin!
I sat down the other day and wrote out my goals for 2014—the list was long and the list was broad too.
So much to do—where to start?  One of you, my faithful readers mentioned that my list was daunting and encouraged me to do well with it.  I am soo hoping to do that—and yes, it is daunting.  But, If I don’t write it down---I have nothing to aim for; and I get so sidetracked.
Thank you all so much for your encouragement.  

I was talking with my brother on his morning commute today- and we talked about the difference in making goals and accomplishing them.  I must say, we both agreed that in order to accomplish anything at all; you can NOT just give lip service.  You must be about the business of getting up and doing things and marking them off the list. No matter how big or small---doing makes all the difference.  I found that out last October when I participated in 31 days of Blogging and wrote my series on “From TO-DO 2 TO-DONE”

Then, I was recently asked if I’d share how I’m doing with my list.  OF COURSE!  you know I will.  This is my life and it is what I write about.

:: Making it SNUGGER- Preparing for the Cold ::

We’re getting ready to have some of the coldest temps we’ve had here in quite a few years.  We’re not getting anywhere near the cold temps that some of you are getting. Nothing below zero…for sure.  But with the wind-chills factored in; it will be a LOT colder than I am used to having.
I for one don’t like the cold.   That’s why when they said that the 16° overnight temps were coming and that north wind started to blow…



I pulled all my furniture in and

:: 2014’s Word for the Year ::

 
I really can’t say how long I’ve been picking “a word for the year”. I know I began doing it years ago before I ever started blogging. I have some of them written down in journals…but some of them I didn’t pick for myself. Some of them were just recurring themes really.  That I would finally notice about 2 or 3 months into the year and off I’d go on the way to noticing it again and again for the rest of the year.

It’s funny because I mentioned it to a friend of mine once and she told me “Oh, I noticed that about you a long time ago.  It’s because your a WORD PERSON.” 

Honestly, I think I do a word for the year because I’m terrible at keeping a NEW YEARS RESOLUTION.

I start thinking about my Word for the New Year… probably after Thanksgiving sometime…and reflecting on my current word as well.
This year my word was ‘SIMPLE’ ---I think it helped me to focus on doing things the easiest way possible.
“Slow and steady wins the race” you know? 

For 2014—It came to me while I was writing my last post really.  The contrast between Reflection and Anticipation… I learned a lot about myself this year. I saw things from my past a little more clearly.  I saw things differently; in a way that really mattered to me.

I saw some,wasted moments, wasted days, Wasted spaces, and WASTED WORDS.  I think I might have even written some wasted words here on this very blog.
I am very much looking forward to the turning of the calendar…to a new year.
So anyway—On with the WORD!
I’m looking forward to making some corrections in my personal life, spiritual life and effecting change around me. I cannot do that without BALANCE.

bal·ance

• BEING UPRIGHT AND STEADY
• EQUAL AND CORRECT IN PROPORTION
• TO PUT IN A STEADY POSITION SO AS NOT TO FALL (STABILIZE)
• TO OFFSET or COMPARE THE VALUE of one thing WITH ANOTHER

 


So I sit here this evening…
The EVE of the New Year;
The last night of the old year…
Waiting as the clock ticks…
As if to BALANCE  on the very precipice of TIME.

I hear this clock ticking very near where I’m sitting.  I took this picture hours ago…and I see the scripture written out in my own hand…it is an appropriate reminder to me as the new year comes—give my days to LORD, so that at the end of each new day I have something to give back to HIM.

I cannot wait to begin anew and fresh!

On the one hand I want to  stay up and count down the hours, minutes and seconds; I want to savor every last minute of this old year. There is so much to remember about it and learn from it. I am  ANTICIPATING EVERY CHANGING SECOND.
On the other hand…I am wanting TO PUT THIS YEAR TO BED! I want to rise early and see the sun coming up through the trees; bringing the dawn of a New Year with it!  I still find this night so exciting!
How about you, do you have a word to let be your focus—something that has special meaning? Will you share it in the comments?

My hope and my prayer for you dear reader – is that you have a Happy and Blessed 2014.
May you find Balance through the Word EACH AND EVERY DAY!

Til next time, Be Blessed!



So teach us to number our days. That we may present to thee a heart of Wisdom. ~ Psalm 90:12