Freshening Up the Swing

 

 

Our white porch swing was looking a bit rough around the edges and so, on a whim, we decided to paint it black.  I really love how it turned out!  I had originally wanted it to be black, but white matched our previous house a little better.  Now I have the color I wanted and the swing looks great with the color and hardware of the rectory.

Dress Shopping

 

My sisters, mother, and I converged to a little shop in a small coastal town to pick out and buy Anna's wedding dress today!  Because the appointment for the shop was at 2 pm, the children and I woke up very early and drove to one of my favorite churches for Sunday Liturgy.  Afterward, we met up with everyone and ate a delicious lunch at a diner where we were treated like long-lost family!  The atmosphere was so great!

Anna tried on a few dresses and by the end of our appointment, she had picked the winner!  She looks so gorgeous in the gown and I can't wait to show you photographs of her in it in the spring.  We'll be getting together soon to choose bridesmaid dresses and outfits for the children.  Weddings are such exciting times!

We all went our separate ways after the dress appointment and I decided to treat the children to dinner at their favorite restaurant as a reward for being so helpful and good humored during the long drive, church, and dress shopping.

This Week's Menu

Breakfasts
Cereal
Toasted Bagels
Toasted Apple Bread
Waffles and Bacon

Lunches
Leftovers
Salads
Chick-fil-A
Bean Burritos 
Sandwiches
 
Dinners
Chicken Stew and Buttermilk Biscuits
Steak, Potatoes, and Veggies with Dip 
Ravioli with Meat Sauce and  Salad
Tuna on Toast 
Chicken and Mushrooms over Egg Noodles
Vegetable Fajitas

Desserts
Ice Cream
Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

Oh, I Do Love Saturday

 

 

I find that it is only when school is in session that I am able to fully enjoy Saturday.  There's time for a leisurely breakfast, mid-morning baths, a relaxed wander through my favorite grocery store for necessities like Olives!  Flowers! Fresh Rolls!, and an afternoon sprawled out on the bed with a good book.  

What are you up to tomorrow? 

Autumn, at Last

I am made for autumn. Summer and I have a fickle relationship, but everything about autumn is perfect to me. Wooly jumpers, Wellington boots, scarves, thin first, then thick, socks. The low slanting light, the crisp mornings, the chill in my fingers, those last warm sunny days before the rain and the wind. Her moody hues and subdued palate punctuated every now and again by a brilliant orange, scarlet or copper goodbye. She is my true love.”

Alys Fowler

Our Thanksgiving Menu

   

Each year we celebrate Thanksgiving early with my husband's side of the family.  Rather than holding our festivities in the beginning of November as we usually do, we will have our meal on October 2nd.  Here is our menu:

Hors d'oeuvres

Vegetable and Dip Platter

Bacon Onion Dip 

Cheese Platter

Sausage Stuffed Jalapeno and Sweet Peppers

Main Course

Turkey (as long as I can find one!)

Mashed Potatoes

Gravy

Cranberry Sauce

Christmas Cauliflower

Squash Casserole

Grean Bean Casserole

Pumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good

Creamed Onions

Dessert

Monica's Pumpkin Pie

Sour Cream Apple Pie

Vanilla Ice Cream 

On a Gloomy Tuesday...

 

Today was sneaker shopping day.  Two children found what they were looking for and we ended up ordering Little Man's online.  He's disappointed to have to wait, but it'll be worth it when they arrive!  Homeschool gym class starts on Thursday and the children cannot wait.  Gym day is their favorite.  

Father John is finally starting to really feel like himself after his surgery on September 1st.  Today was the first day that he did a full day of work and though he is tired, he was able to accomplish quite a bit.  It's amazing how much surgery takes a toll on a person.  We are so thankful that he was healed and is doing well.

Though it is still warm and humid outdoors, autumn is just around the corner!  I was able to snag the very last beeswax pumpkin candle at our health food store today, which makes me very happy.  I'm looking forward to lighting it for the first time on Thursday morn.