Autumn...pause and enjoy :)

We had our first frost this morning..well the car windows were slightly frosted, and it was cold when I woke up..does that count ? My lovely husband lit the wood burner before he went to work, so I got to enjoy its warmth and lovely sounds of wood crackling and hissing in the warm glow as I went about my tasks of cleaning and baking. 

Proverbs 31

V 17:She sets about her work vigourously; her arms are strong for her tasks

v 27: She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness

 As I worked diligently, dusting, polishing, vacuuming, mopping and redoing vases with greenery - I thought to myself; I really like this !!!  My home feels so cared for, sparkling and fresh. My mum loves to clean her home, and I think I inherit that satisfaction I feel from her :)  I never once heard her complain about homemaking and actually just took a clean, neat home for granted as a child; not really realizing at the time, that a lot of hard work went into it all.

Psalm 90:17

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us; yes establish the work of our hands.

~ I like to light candles, even in the daytime; for their fragrance and glow. It gives me
a feeling of calm and warmth ~

~ 'In list form - the work of my hands this week' ~

1. Packaging soap: I'm slowly getting around to wrapping all the soaps I've made over the last month or so. I went with a new label for this Goats Milk one and I really like the pretty soft blue colour. 

2. Gathering : I love going out to the garden this time of year..so many changes are happening daily. More branches are bare, the sun doesn't stay out as long and its getting cold by about 3,30 most afternoons. The garden always beckons me to come and weed, cut back...tidy it away for winter and I will get there..its on my list :) Today I went to investigate why the branches on the Feijoa tree were hanging so low to the ground, thinking maybe one was broken; but they were merley laden with fruit (more blessings). I spent some time just looking, gathering bits and pieces..smelling those Autumn smells, feeling leaves beneath my feet and feeling thankful I have time to pause this year and truly appreciate this season.

art by Serena Curmi

3. Picking Feijoas and Autumn flowers..Chrystanthemums and Cosmos:)

4. Baking: Cornmeal Muffins that accompanied Bean & Bacon Soup. I added 1/2 cup of leftover mashed potato (frugal gal that I am)

They were deliciously fluffy and soft

Baking Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

~Yum ~

Baking Raspberry Cheesecake Slice

5. I've been doing a lot of reading lately..my usual Amish novels, plus different books I've bought from Amazon (via birthday money from my son :) isn't reading just delicious !!! I'm consciously trying to make a lot more time for it, instead of flipping open my laptop where I invariably end up working on something..instead I reach for a book..ahhh instant relaxation. Two books from my Amazon haul that I'm currently enjoying:

1.How to be a Wildflower: What a delight. For all those who love to forage, explore, wander, get lost in the garden, walk in the woods and appreciate simplicity, nature and art..

2.Forgotten Ways for Modern Days: I initially checked this book out of the library, but quickly realised it was far to amazing to return, so I needed to purchase my own copy. Its for the eco homemaker, recipes for everything homemade in the way of cleaning products and allsorts of quirky craft ideas and tips  just fabulous.

6. Images that make my heart to a double flip :)

(My lovely daughter Katie and wee grand daughter Poppy May all bundled up today)

 Art by Claudia Tremblay 'Our Walk'

When I saw this piece of art via Pintrest, I immediately thought of my daughter Katie and our walk in Christ together. While I have so many things I am grateful for in this life; to have my daughter love the Lord like I do and be able to have such deep spiritual talks together is a very rich blessing I hardly have words to describe... (Thankful)

Buy for now..blessings to all

please feel free to leave a comment :)