Bathrooms - Barns - Detours - Delights

Our week has been busy and full with many things to do. I think I like it like that! Seems that I never have to wonder what I need to do - and I find I am never bored. So much of life to live - so much to do and accomplish.



"The best laid plans of mice and men..." -
Oh, how we would like to get the outside of the house painted and finished; but the temperatures have started to drop and we are having to pick and choose the days that we will paint based on the thermometer on the outside porch. We awoke to cloudy skies and chilly temps - causing my husband to choose to start on the next home project on his list! Our last major indoor project on the house - - the upstairs bathroom. My husband and son walked into the bathroom this morning - crowbar, and hammer in hand. By mid afternoon I had a hole in the wall of my bathroom - making two exits from the small quarters. One through a normal door; and one straight down the basement stairs. But, at the rate they are going - I should have a bathroom closet sometime Saturday morning!

The stovetop held a pot of bubbling tomatoes ready for their entrance into the awaiting hot jars. I was able to can up some tomatoes that my father in law sent our way. This canning stuff is all new to me; but I have enjoyed it a lot! A few more things left to can before the winter hits. I think I may get in a few quarts of applesauce and perhaps some jam from some strawberries frozen away from early summer. I am realizing that my canning season is coming to a close for the year. Already plans for a garden are forming in my head for next summer!!



I took my oldest to violin lessons and was able to sneak out and get some pictures of the country side while she was busy with her teacher. I love the farm land that surrounds us - old barns and homesteads seem to be my favorites!

The old country road that I was sure would lead us right to home - was not the country road I was thinking of! It lead us right to a dead end - that looked like it had not seen traffic for many a day! We turned around and headed back another country road - that did not lead us right to home; but dumped us out onto a road that was familiar and close to home. I could not believe that I could get lost coming home from violin lessons - - don't I go there every other week?

We started dinner later than normal; with my little "detour" and my men still working on the bathroom hole - I mean closet :) We decided to put in frozen pizza's for dinner. After cleanup, and getting Zak tucked in for the night; we sat down to a board game where we laughed and played together. Oh how blessed to be in a family where we learn together, play together and work together. "God setteth the solitary in families..." I am so glad for mine.

I saved my favorite country picture for last. It reminded me of one of my favorite poems. I thought I would share both with you now.

The Road Not Traveled

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveller, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference...

Robert Frost

I trust you had a wonderful day. Thanks so much for stopping by and enjoying mine with me!

God Bless,

Jane

Guests are ALWAYS Welcome!

Kelli over at "There's No Place Like Home" hosts a show and tell every Friday. Hop on over and see her special treasures along with links from others who participate in this fun little activity!


This Friday for show and tell I thought I would show you my fall decorations that adorn my "new" entry. My steps are now finished and painted - and I was able to use them for my ladies Bible study on Tuesday night. I got the decorations up outside. I was able to purchase a beautiful mum for the outdoor steps. I also placed a few pumpkins around it.

Welcome inside my house. This is now my entry way for my guests. The family will continue to use the mudroom entry for our main entrance; but now our guests will have their own special place to enter.

Here I have a corner shelf with a little lamp that sends a welcoming glow. Beside the lamp I have a little picture that I purchased years ago - with a husband and wife that says: "Welcome to our Home" Beside this picture I have the most yummy smelling candle that I have ever smelt! It makes the room smell like fresh made apple cider.

On the second shelf I have some fall gourds that I picked up at a local pumpkin stand. I think they make the entryway so "fall" looking. Isn't God good to give us so many beautiful plants and nature decorations? Imagine how boring it would be if He had created everything black and white! I love the artistic beauty of a magnificent God - especially during the fall season.

The last shelf is a fall bird house that is entwined with fall flowers growing up around it. A dear friend gave that to me several years ago after I had a minor surgery. (She also brought a hot meal and cleaned my house for me!) How wonderful to have reminders of friends sitting around my home. Such good memories surround me!

On the wall as you walk in - is the Bible verse: "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it." Amen and Amen! I could not even begin to know where to start with my family if it was not for the Lord and His wisdom. How thankful I am that He cares about my home and the dear family members that reside within the wall of this old house.


I love my new entry way! I trust when people enter our home they feel welcomed and also have a clear understanding that Christ is honored and loved here!

Thanks for stopping by on this chilly fall day! See you next week!

Jane

Time Together - as a Family

It seems fall is always the busiest times of the year. I thought when my husband took the senior pastorate that fall would not be so crazy. I always thought that the reason this time of year was so hectic was because my husband was a youth pastor -- but that has proven not to be the case. This year has not been an exception! We have been able to do so many things as a family though. We have had a lot of memorable outings here in the last month that I am sure we will remember for years to come!

It seems each fall, there are several conferences that get booked into our calendar. We were recently at one of these conferences, and while waiting for a session to begin I began taking pictures of the family. I thought I would share the progression of the kids' photos - as they made me laugh and showed how much fun we really were having! (Amazing all the things that kids can do in just a few seconds!) --- Oh, and if you wonder where our little Zak has disappeared to - - he skipped out on this particular conference and stayed with his Nana and Papa for the week. (I am thinking that he had a lot more fun there - than he would have had sitting in meetings. It was nice not to have a little one to look after during the conference; but I really missed him!

I loved this picture of my Hubie! - - He was getting a kick out of the kids and their little act of picture posing. I flashed a quick one without him knowing! (I am absolutely in love with this man; and so thankful that God has given me a wonderful husband!!)

Well, after I got the picture of Dad, the kids thought it was not fair if I did not have my picture taken too!! I tried to talk them out of it; but I was out numbered.

We have had some wonderful meetings. I am so thankful that I have a family with whom I can share special times! God has been working so greatly on my heart to be the mom and wife that I need to be! Such a priceless gift that my Father has given me - my family. I am blessed beyond what words can say! The prayer of my heart is that I am a picture of Christ to my family first; and then to others with whom God allows me to meet.

We are all home now - - unpacked and back in the swing of the school schedule. Zak was retrieved from Nana's and has us laughing and running all the time! It is good to be back together as a family again - in our old farm house - that continues to be painted - - when the rain stays away - and the temperatures stay warm - and our conferences have all come to a close. Ah, Home Sweet Home!!

Thanks for stopping by -

Jane