Joy in the Ordinary

 Some ordinary, yet joyful moments from my week.

An ordinary cupcake feels like fall with the addition of candy corn. Simple, easy, yet festive. 

Can you tell which one isn't a stuffed animal? *smile*

I adore toddler crafts! Ben was having fun until he got glue on his fingers. Oops!

The glow of flameless candles makes my home feel super cozy this time of year. 

Look around, really look around and you will find joy.. joy in the every day, joy in the ordinary things.

Wendi 

A Fall Weekend

It feels like fall is finally here to stay. Although I imagine we will have a few warm days here and there. It seems the trees started changing over night. I awoke and it looked like someone had been painting the green leaves. Simply beautiful!

The weatherman had indicated that our warm spell would end, so we made the most of the what might be our last 80 degree day. Chuck decided that he would burn a pile of brush Friday evening. A bonfire means roasted hot dogs and smores. 

The kids from next door were more then happy to come join us. That meant lots of burnt marshmallows! It's crazy how fast they go from golden brown to burnt to a crisp. 

It was such a lovely evening. We enjoyed the sunset and then sent the kids home. Chuck and I sat around the fire until it burned down. It was delightful!

Saturday we tackled a bunch of yardwork. Chuck tilled our garden and my parents. Spent flowers were removed, a little mulch was put down and weeds were pulled. There is probably one more Saturday of yardwork before we are ready for the winter season. 

I also put the last coat of stain on the shelves Chuck made for Megan. 

Saturday evening we received some much needed rain. It rained off and on Sunday which led to a temperature drop and a cool, blustery day. It was a great afternoon to work on laundry and make some comfort food. 

Fall break is over for our local school, which means little Ben will be returning after a two week break. It's back to the grind around here.

Wendi 

Joy in the Ordinary

TAs the keeper of the home, it's easy to get lost in the mundane.  To lose sight of joy as we are bogged down in the every day. One way to combat that is to stop and find joy in the ordinary moments.  I personally know that isn't always easy.  What I do know is that when I am intentional about slowing down and finding joy it changes my perspective. 

Some ordinary, yet joyful moments from my week.

While on our night away I picked up this book.

 

Lauraine Snelling is my favorite author. I had no idea she had a new book out. Squeal! I have been sneaking onto the back porch to read a chapter here and there.

The dishwasher would not start. 

Neither the timer or the pushing the start button worked. The dishwasher was full of dirty dishes and so was the sink. It was time to wash them the old fashioned way! I'm happy to report that it was a minor fix and I am back in business. 

Fall cleaning is under way. 

As Chuck cleaning the outside of the windows I worked on the inside. I love, love having clean, clear windows during the winter months. 

Sharing a treat with my guy at a local fall festival. 

Look around, really look around and you will find joy... joy in the every day... joy in the ordinary things. 

Wendi

A Night Away

 I woke up one morning and my computer wouldn't fire up and that was it. No accessing the internet, no accessing files. Such a bummer! Good news is I have a new laptop and am back in business. Thank goodness since all of our financials were on that computer. 

At the last minute I checked rates at a state park inn. Next thing I know the room is booked, Chuck was home at 5 and we were on the road about 5:45! I am not usually this spontaneous!  

We arrived after dark and got settled into our room. We went for a little hike on the paved road that leads to the inn. That is until I heard the coyotes. That was it for me and I suggested (strongly) we head back. 

We spent the evening exploring the inn, sitting in rocking chairs on the porch, watching TV and catching up. This is the first over night trip we have taken by ourselves since Megan came into our lives nineteen years ago. 

This is view that greeted us from our window the next morning. 

We had a leisurely breakfast, kicked around the inn for a little bit and then hit the road close to 11. We drove through the park and stopped to take a walk to the lake. The view was breathtaking!

The inn isn't far from a cute little town. We stopped and browsed cute shops. 

Then we hit the country roads for a little drive. 

We drove through wooded areas, fields being harvested and passed a few places that use to belong to family members. Our country drive ended with a drive through an area of Amish farms. 

Notice the laundry hanging from the back porch to the barn? 

We didn't see any of the Amish harvesting, but there were signs that they had been busy. 

We ran across an Amish green house that we might return to in the spring. 

The apple orchard was next on our list. I came home with caramel apples and honey crisp apples. Yum!

Before we hit the road to head home we meet up with some local family members for dinner. This was much needed break from the every day. I can't wait to be spontaneous again!

Wendi