and the winner is...

Melanie!

Congratulations Melanie! I will contact you for shipping information.

Well, that was fun! Thanks for all the nice comments.

It has been really busy around here these last few weeks. We are now in full swing with the oldest two and all there school, work, activities, etc.

This would have been little one's first day of preschool had I not changed my mind a few days ago about sending her. Her teacher came to the house two weeks ago for a little visit, we had open house last week, which was all good. We met the parents, the children, we did some cute activities, all nice enough. Then we got into the car and I had an epiphany of sorts and realized I really did not want to send her to this or any other preschool, for this year anyway. My patient and supportive husband is completely on board with the new plan for which I am so very grateful. I bounced back and forth on this decision all summer. I think I drove my wonderful, patient, always supportive husband a little crazy. Once the decision was made, the call to the school to opt out completed, I was finally peaceful.

We have lots of great activities planned for home, out in the community and with friends. I am confident it is the best thing for her this year.

give-away...

I have been wanting to say thank you to all who stop by this blog, it really makes it fun when you take the time to read what we are up to here. Thank you for your kindness and support. To those who leave comments, thank you-I love that! Some don't-that's fine too. Blogger does not allow me to reply to comments directly, at least not that I have figured out. I'm sorry I didn't realize this sooner, but I can just leave a comment after you leave a comment so I think I will just do that.

That said, I am long overdue on a give-away. So here it is. This little purse/tote is made of decorator fabric and lined, so it is pretty sturdy. The inside is lined with the textured wine colored fabric and has a pocket inside for cell phone, keys, etc. I took a picture inside and outside to try and get the true colors. I just love this fabric for fall.

Just leave a comment and you have a chance to win. The drawing will be within the week. To make it a little more interesting, link this post on your blog and get an additional chance to win. If you have a blog or not, each time someone leaves a comment to enter and mentions your name, gives you an additional chance to win.Have a fabulous Monday!

it's a God thing....

Every Wednesday, my daughter and I go to my friends house to say the Rosary with a group of moms from church. The moms pray , the kids play. It is always a nice morning.
This morning as I was tidying the kitchen, I had a thought to make a banana bread to bring over, so I did. I called my friend and told her I had a banana bread in the oven, so don't bother to make anything. She was really surprised because she had planned on making one this morning when she woke up, but her husband ate the bananas. She really didn't have the supplies in the house to make anything else so she was going to pull some a pie out of the freezer, which I'm sure would have been fine.
I know this is kind of a silly story and you may be wondering why on earth I felt the need to share this with you, but here's the thing. To me and my friend it served as yet another big reminder through the smallest of details how much God cares for our every need. It reminds me to listen to the still small voice of God that leads and guides me.
If I feel compelled to make banana bread, I should make banana bread. If someone keeps coming to my mind, maybe I need to call them or better yet pray for them. That's how God works, that's how he uses us to help others. In my life right now, with my primary focus being a wife and mother, I may not be able to work in a soup kitchen or volunteer at the hospital, but I can do things like these. I just have to be quiet enough so I can hear Him.
Anyhow, here is the recipe. It comes from a little cookbook by the Sisters of St. Dominic.

Banana Bread

1/2 c. butter or margarine
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
2 c. flour
3 very ripe bananas-the riper the better
1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, salt and vanilla. Sift flour and baking soda and add to mixture. Add bananas and nuts. Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour.

enjoy, it's moist and delicious.

new year...

Well, the older two are off to their Sophomore and Junior years today. School officially starts tomorrow but they are both Student Ambassadors so they have to help out with freshman orientation. It is always a mixed blessing when they go back. It marks the end of leisurely summer days, time in the pool, quality family time and then the start of what seems like never ending activity, carpooling, carpooling and more carpooling. We have had a good summer and I am grateful.

On my sister's last visit she brought me these goodies. They are not your ordinary cleaning products, they are more natural and better for the environment than most others, and they smell amazing! Once I get started with these, I can't stop myself. I think it's the smell. This is the geranium scent. They contain essential oils so the smell lingers a bit longer too.

I was scrubbing down the dining room chairs and table yesterday, spindles, legs, you know, a good cleaning, and before I knew it I was on my hands and knees doing the cabinets, appliances and floor. Any product that can encourage me to do all that is worth it's weight in gold!

As does January, the new school year inspires me to nest, to clean, to bring more order to our home, and to re-evaluate things.

I do love this time of year, but I miss the kids.......a little (just kidding).

inspiration...

Beth just told me about a great Blog, By Sun and Candlelight. It is just what I have been needing lately, and filled with inspiring ideas. Check it out if you have the chance. On this blog, I came across a tutorial for making a prayer journal. I couldn't wait to make one for myself. So before the sun was up, or anyone else for that matter I did, this morning. My mom had sent my daughter a ton of scrapbooking supplies and I just rummaged through those and came up with this...I have been journaling for about 10 years and have found it to be tremendously beneficial for both emotional and spiritual growthI found a way to incorporate some buttons. I just love buttons.
I co-coordinate the Mothers group at my church. The theme of the September meeting will be "Lighten the Load". The girl I work with will focus on the physical aspects of our theme through a discussion on healthy food and excercise and I will focus on the emotional/spiritual ways we can "lighten our loads" through prayer, the Sacraments and journaling. When I saw the tutorial for the prayer journal, I instantly thought the moms in our group might really enjoy making one of their own, so I think we will.

It has been an absolutely gloriorus cool late August day. Speaking of inspiration, this weather inspires me. I went through and organized my fabric stash today. I also went through little one's clothes to see what she has for the cooler weather. I picked up some great fabrics this morning at a garage sale, the house of a seamstress. I have a load of corduroy in the wash and soon I will begin working on some new things for her. Fun, fun, fun!

Hope you are having a fabulous weekend!

ahhh, summer...

Beth and I did New Holland Market yesterday. Not a good market day but it was great fun chatting with my friend all morning. This is one of Beth's quilts, love it!

After spending so much time surrounded by these beautiful quilts, I am determined to learn this art.
Here are some of my bib and burp cloth sets.
Sorry for the sideways picture. Some of hubby's pretty flowers and yummy tomatoes.
Here are some bib cloth sets. I will be listing things on the etsy shop sometime this week.
We have friends coming tomorrow to stay for a couple of days. We haven't seen them in 4 years and we are really looking forward to the visit.

It's hard to believe school begins in 2 weeks. It has been a wonderful summer. What I love most about summer...the sun, the garden, the pool, spending good quality time with my family, less carpooling. As much as I love summer, every year about this time I begin to long for a little more structure in the schedule, I look forward to the fresh slate and new opportunities that a new school year brings.

And let's be honest, I look forward to the house being a little less messy and a little more quiet.

I thought you might like to know...

I finally added a list of "sites I like" to the side bar. You'll see some friends and others that inspire me daily.
I stop by Catholic Exchange for the daily Mass readings and reflections as well as some great articles. When I was working full time I would take a few minutes each day and pop into Sacred Space-It really helped me stay centered. When The teenagers want to see a movie we always check on Dove.org first. This site is great. It tells you exactly what a Christian might consider inappropriate for family viewing, then you can make an educated decision. My coupons has saved us lots of money. Organized home has lots of great ideas on organizing-I'm not sure if I will ever get that down. But I'm always trying. Tumble books is e-books for children. My little one enjoys this once in a while.
Hope you are having a fabulous Sunday!