Return of Creativity

Lately, I've been feeling a desire to create... so I decided to put together more baby blankets for upcoming shower/baby gifts. Even though the blankets are not difficult to make, I enjoy putting love into a cuddly blanket for a sweet new little person... and figuring out which fabrics to put together!


Owls, polka dots and bright, fun colors with a soft, green backing.

Pumpkin Carving with Powertools

This last week, in honor of fall, we got together with some friends to enjoy pumpkin carving, homemade chili and apple cider. Chet and I didn't choose to carve pumpkins (neither of us is that in to pumpkin carving currently... i prefer to bake with them) but we enjoyed watching and making interesting commentary. Our friends James and Terice brought out the big guns and used powertools to carve their pumpkin, which, needless to say, brought the adventure factor up a big for the night. They used a large drill bit to make tons of holes in a pattern... and there were spirals of pumpkin across the basement! It was such a great idea though (one I may use in the future!).

Blessings right now...

For some reason, I was just thinking about things I love and am thankful for this week. There are some weeks where I feel so restless in my life and wish for something different, but I'm trying to be content with the life God has given me and see all of His blessings... no matter how big or small! So, here are some of my current blessings!

1. I am thankful for... a warm cozy home to share with my hubby. A recent fall storm brought wind and lots of rain and it just felt so good to be inside baking with candles and fun music playing. Growing up, my mom always made our house a home and some of my fondest memories were in the fall with all the yummy smells coming from the kitchen and that same sense of security and love. I'm so glad to have that now in my own home!

2. I am in love with... food blogs! As I continue to wait for a new job, I have more time to cook and bake. This is especially glorious as I love the flavors of fall. The food blogs I have found usually post season friendly recipes and I've been getting so many ideas (which most have turned out to be really good!). For example, I found pumpkin streusel muffins, pumpkin granola bars and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies... yum! My three favorite food blogs currently are Finding Joy in My Kitchen, Two Peas and Their Pod, and The Cooking Photographer. Check them out!

3. I am glad for... our marriage LifeGroup at church! What a great group of people and amazing discussions. I love the chance to learn how to better love in our marriage and share in the joys/struggles in each couple's life.

4. I am excited for... a chance to serve on our upcoming trip to El Salvador. Eleven of us from our church are headed off for a medical mission trip with King's Castle in El Salvador next week! It is such a blessing that Chet and I are both able to go as, since we met, we had talked about doing some kind of medical mission trip. Though we will be sleeping in different dorms (boys and girls), I am looking forward to serving with him in this way and sharing this experience.

5. I am enjoying... going to the gym! I joined the YMCA back in June when our old gym closed and I couldn't be happier! Both my body and mood feel better when I am exercising and they have so many different activities so I don't get bored! Also, now that my friend Faith is a member, I have a workout buddy so it is doubly fun.

6. And, for a final list here are other things that make me happy right now... homemade pumpkin puree, roasted pumpkin seeds, spice and/or apple candles, fires in our firepit, crock-pot meals, a new window/trim in the back bedroom, weekly walks around Greenlake with friends and their babies, job possibilities, Pandora radio blasting through the house, library books, mulled apple cider, fall leaves and even a bit of rain/fall storms.

Fall walks with cute babies!

Earlier this week, I met up with a couple of friends and their very cute babies for a walk around Greenlake. Such a classic Seattle activity... get the strollers out and walk/talk on the pleasant loop around the lake. It was a perfect fall day and both the babies were so good the whole time. Oh, and I got my baby fix getting to hold and snuggle both Paige and Tuckerman.




The last picture is definitely my favorite where Tuckerman looks like he is about to lick Paige! And Paige looks a little nervous about that whole idea! What sweet kiddos! Thanks to Nancy and Erin for such a fun day!

Happy 22nd Birthday Jordy!

Fall is a season of celebrating birthdays for my family... and we recently got to celebrate my younger brother's 22nd birthday! How did he get to be so old?!? We had a great time of hanging out, eating lots of yummy bbq food and cheesecake. He is such an amazing guy and it was a joy to get to celebrate with him. Happy 22nd Jordan! Love you!

Veggies!

My garden is getting toward the end and I tried to pick the remainder of some of the veggies last night. Then we made a veggie pizza with all the garden stuff for dinner! Yum!

Fishing

The other morning, Chet and his friend Mark went up fishing near Mount Vernon for salmon. I tagged along since I had nothing else to do and I wanted to be outside with my hubby. It was a beautiful morning! We met up with Chet's Uncle Mark... it was great to see him as it has been awhile.

We ended up with a couple fish to smoke... yay! We love smoked salmon (and my dad is fabulous at smoking salmon). It made me wish I had a fishing permit though... :) I was sad to be stuck without a fishing pole. Maybe on the next fishing trip!