Stuff I Like

1. I really like this cute guy.  He works so hard for our family and is intentional about parenting.  I love how he has a unique relationship with each of our kids.  He still makes my heart flutter.

2. Our church collected shoe boxes and giant Ziploc bags for Kenya.  So much love packed into those boxes and bags!   Oh to see their faces!  I've had a desire for a long time to go on a mission trip, but so far the Lord hasn't opened the door.  I'm still hoping...

3. Caribou Coffee brought back the Spicy Mocha.  I may have done a happy dance with the barista.  She totally got my exuberance.

3. Finishing up our study on Ancient Egypt with a trip to the Art Museum.  I finally learned my lesson and fed everyone on the way.  No more I-can't-focus-because-I'm-starving.

4. November's gift:

I eat a ton of these during the months of November/December.  Aldi has them for .50 so my mom stocked up for me.  Thanks, mom!  I've enjoyed every delicious bite!

5. Killing time at Target.  I rarely have time to just meander.  I had an hour to myself and took full advantage.

 New carts made me very happy.  It's the little things.

 This mug.  I didn't buy it, but it sure made me smile!

 I love this cute JOY series!  Such fun colors!

6. This pup.

We *almost* decided to keep this foster pup.  Some sweet friends of ours are adopting her so we get to watch her grow up.  She is precious!

Happy Monday!

New Ball Mason Jars in Blue

Have you discovered them yet?  Ball is celebrating their 100th anniversary with brand new blue Perfect Mason jars.  My first glimpse was in Target a few months ago.  I fell head over heels.  I resisted the urge of an impulse purchase but knew they had my name on them.

And then along came Richella.  Bless her sweet soul.  She posted about the beautiful new jars and the makers of the Ball Perfect Mason contacted her.  The sweet people in the Ball office allowed her to do a drawing/giveaway for a set of jars.

AND I WON!!! 

 I didn't win just any ole set.  I won the 64th of the first 100 produced!  It even came with a certificate of authenticity.

Richella had asked her readers how they would use the jars if they won and I replied:
They would be perfect drinking glasses for our new house on the farm.

Yes, they are.  Perfect. In. Every. Way.

Low and behold, the next week, I received a second set of jars from the wonderful people at Ball.  I nearly fell over.  We now have enough jars to serve guests and allow them to truly experience farm life!  

  

I love the details.  The 100 year anniversary date and precise measuring lines carved into the glass are truly... well, perfect!

 Next time you stop by the farm, I'll serve some tea or lemonade in a gorgeous glass.

 Thank you Richella and Ball for the amazing giveaway.  We are having a ball enjoying them!

If you would like a set of new Ball mason jars in blue, click here.

*this is not an affiliate post.  I just happen to be in love with the product.

My Summer Reading List

What are you reading this summer?  I'd really like to know.
These are the books on my list.  Right now I am half way through three of them.  One is checked off the list and the other is still waiting patiently to be chosen.
I flew through The Devil in Pew Number Seven.  It takes place in NC.  I love reading books that take place in settings I'm familiar with.  How about you?   I never read biographies.  Ever.  I don't know why.  Maybe this is the start of a new me.  Hmm...
I'm halfway through Tidewater Inn and it is definitely a good summer read.  It takes place on the NC coast.
The hardest books for me to read are thinky books.  I labor through them.  Maybe it's because I don't want to miss something important.  Maybe it's because it feels too much like work.  Ha!  Tough Guys and Drama Queens is definitely worth the effort.  If you have a teen, pre-teen or a child approaching those ages, I HIGHLY recommend it.
If you are a mom of a boy, I also highly recommend Six Ways to Keep the Good In Your Boy.  It's a sweet, thought-provoking read.
I have always loved a good mystery.  Terri Blackstock is one of my favorite authors.  I can't wait to crack open Truth Stained Lies.  I think it will be a good by-the-pool book!

It's your turn!  Tell me what your favorite summer book is.  Pretty please?!

New Around Here

 Our egg business is booming, so we are expanding the areas for our chickens to free-range.  We've put in a lot of hours creating fences.  I'd much rather do it now with a big jacket and gloves than when it is 95 degrees and the bugs are chewing on every inch of exposed flesh.  Nope, not a fan.

Working with the church youth group has its fringe benefits.  We enlisted some free help to dig fence posts.  My kids even admitted how fun the "work" was when it involved friends.  Their reward was playtime on the 4wheelers and a hot lunch when they finished.

Speaking of rewards, I felt like I discovered the 1st golden nugget in 1849 the other day when I happened upon these:

 Wow.  One of my favorite candy bars in egg form.  Yes, I do love spring!

We have a new set of foster pups at the farm.  They are big bundles of sweetness.  Their momma was a gentle German Shepherd.  I never knew German Shepherds could be so sweet!  Three girls and a boy.  They sure are a lot more calm that our last little yapperoos!

We are goat-sitting for my husband's boss.  Rocky and Niecy have joined the farm.

I'm not gonna lie.  Their horns scare me a little, but so far they've proven to be gentle.

Are you a  Moon Pie fan?  I'm not so much, but this coffee caught my eye the other day. I know Beth Moore loves Moon Pies and coffee.  Wonder if she's discovered this...

 Speaking of discoveries, I nearly popped a wheelie with my Target cart the other day.  My favorite Easter season candy is Cadbury Mini Eggs.  I didn't think it could get better than their crunchy sugar shells and melt-in-your-mouth chocolatey center until...
Until I discovered they are now available in DARK chocolate.

Yes, I know the package in the picture is a mess.  That is what happens when you have to crumple the package into a tiny space to hide them from your ferrel children who steal chocolate.  Most candy I'm willing to sacrifice.  Not this one.
What's your favorite candy of the season?

Friday Favorites

 I love mugs.  Not just any mug, but pretty, functional mugs.  My mother-in-law gave me a pair of these a few years ago and I use them every week.  Big enough to hold a "large" Keurig cup, pretty enough to make me smile.  Plus, they say Starbucks on the bottom, so some mornings I imagine I am in a little bistro in Germany sipping java.

Do you belong to Costco?  If so, these trash bags are da bomb.  Is that phrase out?  I'm sure it's not cool anymore.  But anyways, they are rad.  Ok maybe they're not ALL THAT, but I like them.  They don't break.  They fit my tall trash can and they are a GREAT price.  Plus, there are 200 in a box so I'm not constantly buying more bags.

 My husband surprised me at Christmas with an iPad.  Totally surprised.  He said, "I didn't get you a cover for it because I knew you'd want a cute one."  That man knows me so well.  All of the iPad covers in the local stores were $39+.  Seriously.  I just want a cute one that is functional.  Kinda like my mugs.  I found this one online for $16.  I love it a hundred different ways.

Speaking of love.  My sweet man noticed my excitement over these paper goods from Target.  I found this gift bag on my front seat, filled with happiness (and the sweetest love note) a few days later.  I am truly blessed to be his wife.

 When the sonic facial cleaners first came out, I might have scoffed, mostly because of the price.  But I have a dear friend that got one for Christmas (albeit hers was much better quality than the store brand knock off I got) and she sung its praises over a cup of coffee one evening.  So I put it on my "I'd like to try it" list.  Do you have one of those?   I came across this one, it was a good price, plus I had a crazy coupon, so I gave it a try.
I LOVE THIS MACHINE!!!
I could tell a huge difference in the feel of my skin after the first use!

For my birthday, my parents gave me some cash for a new pair of cowgirl boots.  After trying on a bazillion pairs, I couldn't find the perfect ones.  So, with their blessing, I split the money between a fun pair of winter boots and these:

I needed something to wear with my skinny jeans that would be more casual than ballet flats.  Bringing back the Chucks! ;)

 I used the last of my birthday money to get a new purse and wallet.  I really NEEDED a wallet but I didn't want to get a new one, because my old one was like a second skin to me.  Everything fit so well, but it was beginning to look like my grandmother's wallet: cracked and 100 years old.  She loved hers for so long, she held it together by a rubber band. Isn't that adorable? Target has a special right now, on purses and wallets: by one get one 1/2 off.  I have admired this hobo bag for awhile, but there were so many great colors to choose from.  I had my girls make the final decision for me.  They chose well!

 Last but not least, this little rug makes me smile.  I found it at the most unexpected place: Dollar General.  Can you believe that?  My girls discovered it when we were buying paper towels.  It's a great little pop of color below my kitchen sink... and machine washable!
Happy Friday!

November Tidings

 It's hard to believe that fall is quietly slipping out like a tender leaf in a cascade of water.

The Christmas season is whispering my name, but I'm holding onto November for a few more days.

We have savored autumn, enjoying the everyday moments as if they are little nuggets of gold to be treasured.

The game of UNO has reappeared like a long lost friend.  I find the kids sneaking in a game between lunch and afternoon studies.  I love the laughter it brings to this house we're making into a home.  

 My children often surprise me with their interests.  My sweet boy, who is ALL boy, asked me to teach him to sew this week.  An hour later, I walked in on this:

He was passing the lesson on to his oldest sister.  Be still my heart.

I've found a favorite fall/winter scent.  I was skeptical, so I bought a tiny one as a trial.  Yesterday, I went back for a large one and walked out with several for gifts.  Walmart, you surprised me!

Little touches of fall fill our home from top to bottom.

We've had the joy of sharing our home with so many friends, old and new, this fall.

 May your home be filled with love and fall delights today.

Happy Little Things

 We've been on fall break and I'm trying to savor every single moment.  Even though I still have boxes calling my name, I'm trying to just enjoy each day and not become overwhelmed.  I unpacked this scale and decided that my mother's dish belonged on there.

Do you remember those bowls?  I have no idea what the name of the style is, but I DO have fond memories of my mom making dinner using this one, and it's brown counterpart.

I've been trying a low-carb eating plan.  I couldn't find our scales when I started the plan, so I'm not going by the pounds I lose, but rather the jeans I can fit into.  :)

These have helped me get over the "munchies."  So far, my favorite is the Cinnamon Roast.  If you live in the region, Harris Teeter has them on sale buy 2 get 3 free (but the sale only lasts through today, so get over there!)

Have you seen these Andy Worhol soup cans?  I walked past the display in Target, sucked in air, and backed up the cart.  My kids thought I was crazy because none of us eats canned tomato soup.  Silly children, they're not for eating, they're for decorating!

I captured this wondrous beauty early one morning.  It truly made me stop and praise the Creator.

Airing My Dirty Laundry

Are there certain things in your house that you kind of ignore?  I do.  One of them is my washing machine.  I should take better care of her because she's been a vital part of this family for 13+ years.  I don't know about you, but most days, my laundry room is the busiest room in my home.  With 3 kids who like to get dirty play hard and a husband that works outside, my washing machine works overtime.
So I came across "How to Clean Your Washing Machine" on the internets last week and thought, "hmm, I wonder if my washing machine is dirty?"

Grody, gross, gross GROSS!!!!

Um.  Yeah.  How could I be using it multiple times a day without noticing the nastiness that had built up?  I could totally use this as a good analogy for my heart...

So I quickly checked out the directions and got busy.
It's an easy 2-step process.

1. Set the washer on a medium size HOT load.  Add 2 cups vinegar.  The original directions said to let it sit for an hour for each step, but since this was an intervention a spur of the moment cleansing, I didn't have time for that.  While the washer was steamy from the hot water, I used a towel to wipe the upper edges and lid.

2. Run a second medium size HOT load.  Add 2 cups bleach.  I ran one more "rinse" cycle to be sure the bleach was gone.

That's it!  Here's the result:

I was amazed.
Yes, there are still some stains around the base of the agitator, but we have hard/well water so there's not much I can do about that.  Besides, I have a few more "stains" on my own body than I did 13 years ago.  ;)



I'm linking up with:

Show and Tell with Mrs. Hines