Joy in the Ordinary

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

Leisurely weekend breakfast.  I have mentioned before that we cook our bacon on the grill.

I thought I would clarify that it is made in a pan on the grill and not literally on the grill. I wouldn't want someone to put it directly on the grill. Oh how dangerous that could be with the grease and the open flame!

Chuck and his dad replaced the center of Megan's window. The seal had broken and moisture had gotten in the middle of the two panes of glass. It resulted in yuck growing. Originally we were told by the hardware store that our window was not under warranty. When we ordered the replacement window we received a call from the manufactuer asking for some numbers off of the window. It was under warranty and the replacement window was free!! 

Helping Daddy build new gates. 

A rare Sunday afternoon date! We shared a small pizza at our favorite pizza place and enjoyed great conversation. :)

I am currently waiting for Chuck to return from a doctors appointment (routine) with Megan who was at a sleep over last night. I can't wait for them all to be home! Then we will begin our long, lazy weekend. Yeah!

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

Orchard Day!

We finally made it to the apple orchard! 

My nieces were picked up and the we went to the grocery store for some supplies, had lunch and then hit the orchard. 

It is a little late in the season around here. Most of the apples had been picked and they were moving on to pumpkin season. 

We picked up a bag of apples, mini pumpkins and the kids enjoyed apple cider slushes. 

Doesn't this sign make you smile? 

So long orchard, we will see you next year!

After leaving the orchard we headed home to make caramel apples. 

For time saving purposes we used premade caramels that we melted. 

When we were finished we set out to deliver apples. You know an apple a day keeps the doctor away, especially if it is covered in caramel! ;)

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

A Day in My Life #6

Today is the first day of fall break! Chuck came in to say good-bye to be about 6:30. I was awake and thought I might get up in a few. Not happening since I went back to sleep and was shocked when I woke up and it was 8:46!! I guess I needed the sleep.

I was surprised Megan hadn't come in. I found her snuggled in bed watching How Its Made on YouTube. (Don't worry there are only certain things she allowed to watch and she knows what those shows are.) I hopped in the shower and then started laundry. 

Megan and I had a treat for breakfast. 

I had forgotten how terrible it makes me feel when I have sugar for breakfast. Ugh. 

Before we headed to my parents Megan and I sat outback enjoying the beautiful morning. She was snapping pictures of us. There are some doozies!

We arrived at my parents about 11. They have been working on digging a trench for drainage and Megan wanted to help. 

While Megan helped out I enjoyed this beautiful view while reading and chatting with my parents. 

About noon mom and I headed out to bring in lunch and then it was right back to work. 

My niece, Katie, stopped by which delighted Megan. They have always had a special bond. 

Katie and Megan made plans for dinner and by now it is 3. I need to head home and tell Megan she must come home for a shower before dinner. She looks like she has had a dust bath!

Once home Megan takes a shower and I fold laundry. Katie comes to pick Megan us a little after 4 and they head out to O'Charleys. 

I look at some blogs and step out to water flowers. They are still hanging on even though I can tell the change of season is affecting them. 

 Chuck and I chat before he heads home. When I tell him it is just the two of us for dinner Chuck offers to he bring home a burger and fries. Yes, please! It is a treat as Megan doesn't like burgers.

We finish up dinner about 5:45. By this time Megan is back home and she rides her bike as Chuck and I take a walk. I certainly need to exercise after my awful eating today!

 
 We are back home by 6:25 and go into the back yard for a little bit. We spend some time swinging.

 Chuck then goes to work on a project. He is building a couple of gates to replace some that are sagging. While he is working on that I have some quiet time.

 By 7:30 we are inside for family devotions. We then play a game together.

It is now 8:20 and Megan is in her room creating. 

Lights are out for Megan at 9. Chuck and I are going to watch some TV and I will also check out some blogs. By 10 we'll be in bed also.

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

Love Your Life...

Anyone who has read my Day in the Life of Me post know that when I am waiting to pick up Megan I listen to Dave Ramsey. Lately he has been promoting his daughters book. The title has made me pause and really think.

Love Your Life... Not Theirs.

Doesn't that title just speak to you? Now, I can't say anything about the book itself because I haven't read it. I do love life, my life, but...  oh yes, there is a big but coming!

Do you sometimes read a blog and think but my life would be better if I had a home that is as beautiful, large and tidy as her home.

Do you sometimes look at FB and think but I want to go on a vacation like that!

Do you sometimes sit in church and think I am not enough but if I had that many friends coming up to speak to me, invite me out to lunch or over for an afternoon I would feel like enough.

Do you ever look at a magazine and think but if only I were beautiful and thin like these women my live would be better.

Do you leave a friends home and sigh and think but what if my life were as good as hers?

If you say you have never felt any of these things I am not sure I would believe you. We are human and it is hard not to envy what other people have. I can honestly say I have felt all of these things and more!

When you stop and think about each of these things you can see that they are generally not true. That beautiful vacation you wish was yours cost them thousands of dollars that was put on a credit card.

That person who looks like the queen of social at church is fake and gossips about the people around her when they are not there.

Those beautiful, thin women on the magazine covers aren't as beautiful as they seem. If we went to the hairdresser, make-up artist and then used a photo edit program we could get a picture like that also. Well, maybe! ;)

Let me tell you a story. I have a long time friend, L. (Don't worry she doesn't know I have a blog!) We have been friends since 5th grade. For a long time I was jealous of the life she had. She was married, living in a nice house, had a baby, didn't work outside of her home and never had to worry about money. Her husband was a hard worker, very handy and both of them were loved by lots of people. I spent many hours socializing at their home with them and with others. Her life seemed perfect! There lies the problem... no one has a "perfect" life.

She called me one day and told me that she was leaving her husband. She told we what a controlling man he was. How unhappy she had been for a long time. I was heartbroken. For their broken marriage. For their two children. I was also broken for the shattered image that I had of their "perfect" life.  They divorced and I continued to pray for them. L told me about a year after their divorce that they were getting married again. I was rejoicing! Sadly the marriage didn't even last a year.

It is easy to see the life of someone else and let it make you envious and discontent with what God has given you. My point is that if we are always looking on the other side of the fence or for the greener grass we will miss what is right in front of us. Now, there is nothing wrong with gleaning ideas from blogs, magazines, social media and friends unless it causes you to lose sight of your life. So let's start this week off with an attitude of loving our lives... not theirs!

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!

A Nip is in the Air

Although spring is my favorite season, fall is a very, very close second. I am not a cold weather girl and I know that is coming so it dampens my joy for fall a little bit. Right now we are enjoing my favorite weather. Cool mornings, warm afternoons and chilly nights. Awe... how this type of weather soothes me!

Here are some things I am loving at the moment.

 Changing trees and beautiful blue skies.

 The way the sunrise changes with the seasons. 

 Cool mornings. 

Warm, savory, comforting meals. 

 Apples straight from the orchard.

Beautiful mums.

May your day be filled with joy and contentment!