Nap Time Reading...

We received this book through Paperback Swap a few weeks ago. Because the mail comes just before naptime, I read a few of the Bible Stories before the babies fell asleep that day. Since then, We've read a story or two from this children's Bible before nearly ever nap and love our new little habit!

The Fun of Being Thoughful...

Articles on Femininity...

Thanks to a comment she made on this blog, I came across a lovely blog by Penelope. She is a new bride whose blog covers everything from homemaking and cooking ideas to articles on femininity and accepting people as they are. I truly enjoyed her posts on femininity... so much so that they are printed and stashed away for easy access. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I did!!

Femininity Part One
Femininity Part Two

Marriage 101: Priming the Pump...

Bonnet Tip to Betty Beguiles!

Thank You!

The past few weeks, I've received several awards from a few different bloggers.

Thank you PurpleFlowerPatch!!

Thank you, Tracy!!

"Premio al Esfuerzo Personal" ~ Prize for Personal Effort.
Thank you, Tiffany!!

Thank you, Mrs. L and PurpleFlowerPatch!

I appreciate this awards so much! Thank you for thinking of me and my blog! I feel like I've met so many kindred spirits through the blog-o-sphere!

Signs of Autumn in Our Home...

Though I had my doubts, it seems like Autumn has begun! Here are the things we have been busying ourselves with the past few days as we enjoy the cooler weather...

Harvest Reading

New shoes for our little girl (note the scuffs already!) and new long-sleeve shirts for Mama

Switching my lightweight summer handbag for a more substantial cold weather one

Cinnamon doughnuts for snacking

Seasonal crafts

Our Autumn wreath made from odds and ends around the house

Cinnamon Buns fresh from the oven

Pumpkins!

An Autumn Meme...

I found this Meme on Dawn's blog. She created it last year. I had a lot of fun filling it out!

When does fall begin for you? I start to feel like it is fall when the temperature turns cooler and becomes more crisp.

What is your favorite aspect of fall? I love the instinct I have to nest and snuggle down in our home.

What is your favorite fall memory? The early days of my relationship with my hubby... we started dating in the fall and he asked me to marry him in October.

What do you like to drink in the fall? I love hot chocolate and really cold apple cider.

What's your favorite fall food? I love meaty stews and soups, hot muffins and warm breads, cinnamon donuts, apples, crisps, cobblers, and cinnamon rolls...

What is fall weather like where you live? It air is nice and cool, the sky is often blue, and the leaves change nicely.

What color is fall? Browns, purples, reds, and orange.

What does fall smell like? Apples, cinnamon, smoke, and straw.

Holiday shopping in fall: yes or no? Not really... I think about it and then I wait until the last minute.

If you could go anywhere in the fall, where would you go? Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island... the typical fall foliage states.

What is your favorite fall sport? I'm starting to like football... GO GIANTS!!

Do you have a favorite fall chore? I like putting u the decorations, changing the clothing over (when I don't have to organize it!) and bedding, shopping for school supplies and cool weather clothing.

What is your least favorite thing about fall? That it sometimes takes too long to get here and is over so quickly!

What is your favorite fall holiday? Thanksgiving Day.

What's your favorite kind of pie? Apple with a strudel topping.

Which do you prefer, the Farm or the Fair? I've only ever been to Farms, but I'd love to try a fair!

Do you have a favorite fall book? For some reason, I like to read the Mitford books in the Autumn.

How about a favorite fall poem or quote?

"Delicious Autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." - George Eliot

I hope you enjoyed this meme! If you do it at your blog, please leave a comment

Happy Fall!

How to be Well Groomed...

Wednesday's Feminine Tip...

Before you go to bed tonight, lay out your clothing for tomorrow. Choose an outfit that is a little more feminine than one you might normally wear. Perhaps you'll opt for a string of beads to go with your white tee. Maybe your new ballet flats would look good with that skirt. Dress up for your life... even if you're just staying home!

Table Manners...

Monday's Feminine Tip...

Take your time while eating! Though there are often many things vying for our attention during meals )children, pets, chores, tv, deadlines, etc.), it is not a pretty sight to see someone shoveling food into their mouth!

September 14th...

It's time for another Commitment to Loveliness! This is a fun way to increase femininity and beauty in our lives each week without even trying! All you have to do is choose five things that you would like to work on or do during the week that will increase the loveliness in your life!

Here is my list for this week:

1. Finish putting up Autumn decorations and putting away Summer ones.
2. Organize seasonal clothing (again!).
3. Gather and preserve some colorful fall leaves in beeswax.
4. De-clutter all bathroom cupboards.
5. If the weather is warm, go swimming... time is running out!

Once you have chosen five simple things, post them on your blog and link to this post in your post, and then post the direct link to your Commitment to Loveliness post in the comments section. If you do not have a blog, but have a commitment to share, please post them in the comments section. I'll link to your Commitments on this post as I get them

Autumn Touches...

Remembering Our Honeymoon: Day Nine...

The last day of our honeymoon was spent visiting Fr. John's godmother (I love her!) and Fort Ross (beyond interesting!). We had our dinner in a restaurant overlooking the ocean and took a long walk around the city that evening.

Thank you for letting me reminisce about my honeymoon!

New Baskets...

At $5 and $6, these baskets from the Autumn section of Walmart are the perfect accent to our home! I can see the fruit basket brimming with juicy, red apples!

Noah's Ark Icon...

If you'd like to purchase the Noah's Ark icon, you can do it through Holy Transfiguration Monastery. I plan on giving this icon as my signature baby gift to friends and family! Thanks to Agape for reminding me to post the link!!

Remembering Our Honeymoon: Day Seven...

Our seventh day was full! We spent the morning and afternoon in Napa Valley where we had lunch overlooking a vineyard (I wish I had picture of the lunch... it was gourmet food served cafeteria style, but the trays were shallow wicker baskets rather than plastic or metal!). We sampled a very tiny bit of wine (neither of us like the taste of alchohol) and had a juicy orange right off a tree. Our evening was spent at Alcatrez... possibly my favorite tour the whole trip! It was a little creepy going there in the fog at night! Our tour guide was phenominal!

Memory Eternal!

The Children's New Work Space...

Check out our new and improved area for art!! Our daughter loves her new easel (a generous gift from my best friend's father and mother!). It came with a chalkboard, washable magnet board, paper roll, and felt banner (the felt sticks better AND it has three pockets for storage!!). I used our "old" felt board to display some of our little girl's art work. We are really having a blast with our projects now!

Our Noah's Ark icon

Mama's New Work Space...

There's something about September that gets me in the mood to organize. We have this wonderful little desk in our kitchen and though it is very handy, it rarely looks nice. I decided to paint the two paper organizers black (they were white), hang the chalkboard, and move my herbs inside. I really like how it turned out. Everything looks more pleasing to my eye and that's a huge motivator to work there and keep things looking nice!!