~ What I'm loving this week....

Beautiful jar of faux lemons on the island, and a vase filled with babies breath.

Ingredients for protein bites: Almond butter, raw honey, organic unsweetened coconut, ground flax, black chia seeds, organic dried cranberries, honey roasted almonds, rolled oatmeal, and mini 'Enjoy Life' brand of mini chocolate chips.

A new apron in a sage and white check.

An enjoyable book series. I've been reading a ton this winter.

A thrifted rocking chair getting a chalk paint makeover.

Our thrifted kitchen table also got a chalk paint makeover. We gifted our rather large kitchen table to our youngest son and his wife. It was a massive table and we simply did not need such a large table anymore. This smaller double drop leaf table we bought at a yard sale a few years ago. It's perfect. I will also be painting the chairs to match the table.

Attitude of gratitude:

Last night, as we were bringing home our new trailer, we got about 40 miles into our 55~60 mile trip home, when we heard a loud 'pop'. 

Fearing something had gone terribly wrong, we pulled over... thankfully there was a spot perfect to pull our Yukon and trailer over and get off the highway. 

The 'dummy' light indicated that our hood was unlatched. Evidently, the hood didn't get shut tight enough,  when the dealership was installing our brake assist, and it was a simple fix to open the hood and slam it shut. 

I feel so grateful that it wasn't anything serious, and that the hood stayed shut and didn't fly open on the highway in a spot where we wouldn't have been able to pull over. 

Prayers are answered!!

We said a prayer before we went to pick up the trailer, and we said a prayer before we left the dealership to travel back home with the trailer. Heavenly Father watches over us and for safe travels I am grateful!!

~Whistle while you work~

 Fall energizes me; nearly as much as springtime does.
I've been working away. 
Getting things organized, cleaning everything, and paring down.
I cleaned out the deep freezers. 
With just the two of us at home, there isn't any need for us to have two deep freezers. My goal is to plan our menus and meals out of what is currently in our freezers and pantries. 
I hope to only use what we have on hand, and eventually unplug at least one of the freezers.
Getting used to cooking smaller amounts is a challenge for me.

 We put chicken wire and stakes around some of our more vulnerable trees and shrubs, as the deer are moving into the yards, and they can really damage shrubs and trees.

Spending my days cleaning out my office. Wow, have I ever accumulated a ton of stuff!
I'm cleaning out scrapbooking supplies, and stamping supplies, fabric, etc. 
I even disassembled the desk~top computer. I don't think I've even turned that computer on in two years. I will put it away, but the odds of getting rid of it all together are high. I have used a laptop for years now.  I hope to get everything boxed up and ready to donate by weeks end.
We also gave our large dining table to our youngest son and his wife. 
We are working on downsizing our stuff and simplifying!
The next project on my list is to paint and put up wainscot in the den. 
Love being busy fluffing our nest! It puts a smile in my heart to have everything organized and neat and tidy.

 "I've decided life is too fragile to finish a book I dislike just because it costs sixteen dollars and ninety-five cents and everyone else loved it, or eat a fried egg with a broken yolk (which I hate) when the dog would leap over the St. Louis Arch for it".
                           ~ Erma Bombeck 

Attitude of gratitude:
~Thankful for my amazing and sweet husband. I celebrated a birthday this past week, and he took me on not only one, but two road trips! 
We shopped and went to lunch at favourite places. 
~Grateful for prayers answered. Prayers have been said on behalf of friends that have had trials and tribulations and prayers have been answered and those friends have been greatly blessed. I am so grateful for a loving Father in heaven!!

Praying for "Peace and Comfort to all"

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/first-presidency-expresses-condolences-in-wake-of-connecticut-shooting

Amen....