Rain, Rain Go Away, Come Again Another Day!

It's been raining for almost forty-eight hours here. Everything is saturated and although I'm certain that it will make for a beautiful fall scenery whenever the sun does come back, right now it's sort of dreadful!

HOWEVER: on the upside of things, I have two large bowels sitting on my counter top full of sourdough bread batter on the rise! One I am going to roll out super thin and brush butter and sprinkle seasoning on top before baking to try my hand at home made crackers. The other will become pita bread and flat bread!

I am a fanatic about saving every dime where ever I am able and one of our biggest dependencies on store-bought snack foods is crackers. I don't know why I haven't tried making them before now. The pita and flat breads are just what we like in a bread because of their sizes but I never took the time to make them; just always the large regular loaves that are still so delicious but not as much "fun".

So while the rain comes down, I will be in my kitchen all warm and cozy, counting my Blessings and smelling that enticing aroma of freshness seeping from the oven!

HAPPY AUTUMN!!

Wow, I can't believe that it is Fall already. The temperature here has been absolutely fabulous; mid to upper 70's and lows in the 50's. Doesn't the sky seem bluer in the fall than any other time of the year? I think so!

Today was a day spent in the kitchen. We had an annual Beekeepers meeting this p.m. and I needed to bring some carry-in dishes. I opted for a jello and carrot with peaches salad as well as a pumpkin bunt cake with cream cheese frosting. Both were a hit at the meeting! I also had set my sour dough starter out last night so needed to get some yummy bread made today, too. It is scrumptious!

It's definitely "nesting" time for me. I find myself doing some of the chores that sneak up on me so rapidly. Like painting the laundry room after nine years. Then once that got started, it's funny how I noticed that the bedroom needed some lifting as well, so did some major re-organizing there too. Of course this involved painting shutters for a headboard and moving furniture and stuff. Hmmm, side tracked... just a little.

I always feel better when I get things accomplished and as always, a woman's work is never EVER done.

Good to be back!!

Weekends

I love harvest times of the year!

Since starting Keepsake Designs, I have been so consumed with trying to build it into a business where everything will be just as I dream it will be. I've made notes on little bits of paper, napkins, and other things whenever ideas come to mind. Just one of those important things is to not lose sight of God, Family & Life. Those are very important to me and will keep me on track AND from getting burnt out.

I sometimes struggle with time management issues, because I am a multi-tasker and can get side-tracked with all those many day-to-day tasks (down-side of working from home) that seem to constantly jump out screaming at me "pick me, pick me"! On my way to fetch something, I see something out of place and then while straightening that I pick something else up or wipe that spill and then, oh while I'm here, I may as well do this and get it over with... A little OCD...probably! I'm getting better at ignoring until the "work-day" is done.

I didn't allow myself to go into my studio over the weekend. Apples were ready and Tim & I picked about four bushels. We also went to Farmers Market, ran errands and of course household chores. We also took a nice nap on Saturday; "ahh". Sunday, we traveled to Siloam Springs state park in search of blackberries. The weather was perfect and we took the dog and enjoyed the beautiful outdoors, hiking and viewing. Our own blackberries barely survived a very harsh winter and what little plants we have left are just getting ripened, so I was hoping I didn't miss the season altogether. The park's patches were not to be found.

So harvest time at present consists of green beans, tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers apples, and two supers of honey that all need to be worked up this week. I am very thankful. I also need to finish a Quilt of Valor and get started on some gift designs for show and for the up coming Holidays.

Today is my catch-up on social media Monday, so a nice quiet morning that I am having before the busywork starts. I am excited about this up coming Autumn season and the ideas are in over-drive! Let us get this party started!

Have a great Monday!

In the Garden

This morning was comfortably cool for late July. I decided to go outside with my first cup of coffee and breath in that fresh morning air. The walk way in front of our house is full of flowers that I've planted in the nine years since we built our house. I sat on the steps of the porch and admired. Then I looked up and saw clouds just gently floating over from NW to SE and I could almost reach up and touch them. I was in awe thinking how generous God is for letting my life be filled with so many beautiful things/experiences. Sometimes I think people take too many things for granted when those simple daily blessings are right before us and it only takes a second to say "Thank you, God".