"Ah, lovely October..."

 "...as you usher in the season that awakens my soul, your awesome beauty compels my spirit to soar like a leaf caught in an autumn breeze and my heart to sing like a heavenly choir." 

~ Peggy Toney Horton

Warm hellos from chilly Western Pennsylvania! 

I thought I'd drop in quickly to say hello! I have some clothes to fold and floors to sweep before I head into the gym this evening but wanted to stop by my blog and share some photos from lately! :o) 

October has started out wonderfully for us in PA weather-wise. We enjoyed comfortable temperatures and lots of sunshine. The temps have now gone down and it's starting to feel more like fall! I love how autumn makes me feel....all cozy and cheerful. I don't know *what* it is...I just really enjoy this weather. I guess I like not being so hot that you feel grumpy and yet, not being so cold that you can't put on an extra layer and still sit outside in the rocking chair!

I've got fall candles burning. The boys finished their schoolwork and headed off to work a short time ago. So I've got the afternoon to finish my housework and then head into the Y to exercise and teach spin. Speaking of exercise...Chris, talented and handy man that he is, made us these racks for our weights in our basement gym...

If you go HERE you can see a pic of our gym if you missed it! Oh...I almost forgot to tell you about that top photo! That is an upside down cake I made to celebrate a birthday here at our house this past weekend. Madelyn's beau turns 20 this week but with his work schedule, we decided to celebrate it early! It is absolutely delicious (and yes, even I had a piece!). You can find the recipe HERE if you are interested! 

Anyone who has read my blog for a while knows I'm not a huge fan of Halloween. I just act like it doesn't exist. I'm not into gory decorations and costumes etc. It's just not my thing. Morgan (X's girlfriend) loves to carve pumpkins though. She and her dad grew some huge ones in their garden and brought them up for the kids to carve. (She also brought me smaller ones to decorate with!) So below are some pics from yesterday afternoon. First we had worship at church in the morning...followed by tomato soup and grilled cheese for lunch. Then out to the porch we went. It was *cold* out there....but they carved on...

Me and Madelyn (can you even believe this girl of mine is 20!?)...

 

Me with our cocker spaniel, Mickey (yes...I was decked out in sweats ~ it was SO cold outside!)....

So, absent from these photos is my son, Xavier. He and Morgan had carved pumpkins at her house a week or two ago so he opted to work on his truck instead. So, we have Morgan on the right, in the background there. To the left in the black sweatshirt is Madelyn's beau, Caleb....then Madelyn and closest to us (in a TSHIRT no less!) is Jaxson! 

I tried to convince Jax to put a sweatshirt on but he claimed he was totally fine...meanwhile, I'm freezing sitting in my rocking chair and watching...

The porch with the small pumpkins Morgan gave me to decorate with...

And the finished pumpkins...aren't they huge!? And bonus: Cash in the background...haha! He's 14 yrs old! I think he may just live forever! 

I hope you each are doing well and enjoying October. I know things in the world are crazy right now...but we just keep living. We just keep doing our thing. We take each day as it comes...glorifying the Lord in all we do and keeping our eyes constantly on Him. Isn't it so nice to know our hope lies in the sovereign Creator? The omnipotent King that is in complete control....always faithful. 

Thank you for stopping by today. I have housework to finish so I best be scooting off this computer! I hope you will come by again soon! I'll try not to be so long between posting....but I can't make any promises! :o) 

Warmly,

Katy

With Joy...

 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 

~Ephesians 5:22-28

By God's grace, Chris and I celebrated 21 years of marriage yesterday! I couldn't be more grateful for the man the Lord gave me. Our years have been filled with love, patience, kindness, forgiveness, understanding, growing, and striving to honor the Lord together! Ups and downs....through hard times and easy...it's always been us ~ together. The Lord gave us to each other for His perfect reasons. In the wise words of our son, Xavier, "He's my best" (When X was little he would speak of something that was his favorite by saying: "It's my best". :o) 

Today is a beautiful fall day, blue skies and sun with a cool breeze. I hung out some laundry but did so in a fleece hoodie as it's chilly outside ~ but I'm loving it! I have candles lit throughout the house and have been getting a lot of housework done. I need to check the boys' schoolwork as well as plan the next week's work. We'll be busy tomorrow getting logs and starting to get our wood shed filled for the winter! 

Here are a few photos of my porch...(I'm hoping to get the floor stained next spring/summer. I didn't get it done this year!): 

I need to get going...still much to accomplish today. But I just wanted to drop by and check in and share my joy in my wedding anniversary! I hope you all are doing well! Thank you so much for dropping by! I know I am not the best blogger! I hope you will come by again soon! 

Joyfully,

Katy

"Summer afternoon -- Summer afternoon..."

 ....to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language."

~ Henry James

Ok, so I must confess...summer isn't my favorite season (despite the quote I posted above) but I have come to the conclusion that I don't have a favorite season anymore. I used to say it was the lovely autumn that was my favorite....but now, I truly must admit that I love each season for the different blessings they bring (but also each has it's not-so-great things about them too)! 

Summer is a time of gardening, being outside, swimming, sun, and fun! But it's also a time of heat (sometimes unbearable) and for me ~ bug bites! Oh, how they love to get me! My husband barely gets a bite. We enjoy sitting on our Amish rocking chairs on our back porch some evenings...but I just can't stand getting so bit up! Chris lights a citronella candle....but it doesn't help. I am not super fond of the bug off sprays either....unless I *have* to wear them. 

I'll have to photograph our vegetable garden to share with you. We have lots of corn and green beans growing! Above I shared some of my perennials as well as an area we just finished planting and mulching in! It was a lot of work (and sweat) but I'm so happy with how it turned out!

I always have people tell me how much they enjoy seeing photos from inside my home. It's humble and simple....but warm and cozy. It's our "place" and I am so thankful the Lord blessed us with it! 

In the kitchen  (those floors used to be covered in carpet when we moved here 20 years ago...then underneath that was tile...and more tile underneath that...and then the whole wood floor was covered in tar paper!! It was awful! During lockdown from COVID last year, we worked hard to get all those tiles and tar paper off. It was back-breaking, knee pain! But it was worth it! Now it looks like a farmhouse floor which I love! It's not the most beautiful floor and maybe one day we will cover it....but for now, it works for us and has an old, rugged, farmhouse look to it and I love that!)....

And here's a picture of the dining room (dog toys on the floor and all!). Our hand-me-down chairs that we had for years and years finally bit the dust so we had to purchase some. We decided to get four solid wood chairs and a bench....

Although not a "pretty" picture....here's the gym Chris and I have put together over the past year. I still use our local Y most days....but it is so nice to have our own place to workout when we want. Chris uses it often! It's nice and cool in this room because it's the basement! Our newest addition to the gym is the battle ropes at the bottom of the picture! 

Stella-cat....in all her glory! She and Winnie-the-Cat enjoy sleeping through the day in our air-conditioned bedroom. They sure do have it rough, huh? 

The last photos I have to share are from our 4th of July. A local parade was held on Saturday the 3rd. My dad took one of his tow trucks through it. Jaxson (my youngest) and my sister and her children rode through on it. Xavier rode with the volunteer fire company he is part of and Madelyn just sat and watched the parade, I think (she was at the other end of the parade so I didn't see her). 

Here is Jaxson, Eloise and Audra throwing candy... (Dinah, my sister and Dusten were on the other side of the truck)...

On the actual 4th, we attended Sunday School and Church, had a light lunch and then Chris and I headed out on a bike ride on a local trail! We workout together in some way or another every Sunday afternoon! 

So that's just a wee update of life lately. Truly....tons has been going on....so much I can share. I will try to come back and share soon. This week is super busy but I wanted to pop on really quick and say hello! 

Thanks so much for stopping by and hopefully I will be back soon with more of what's been going on here! 

Warmly,

Katy

My New Home Office

 I couple weeks ago, I rearranged my home office area. It's where I check my computer, pay bills, plan in my planner, make stickers, plan school etc! It works wonderfully for me now how I have it set up. It's organized and cozy and I love it! I took some pictures to share:

The baby picture below (on my desk) is of Jaxson when he was wee. Now he's 14.5 years old!!

Our electric went out the other day. It was quite warm out and uncomfortable...so Jaxson, the dogs and I sat out on the porch for a bit. Everyone else was busy that night and didn't get home til a bit later. It came back on around 9:30pm...then went back out again in the wee hours. I must admit...having electric really does spoil us! 

There's Mickey on the porch and Cash out in the yard...(yes...Cash is still ticking! The old boy is closing in on 13, I think! You can see him as a pup HERE.)

Luckily for our family...I love candles and oil lamps...so we just light 'em up when it gets dark! :)

I hope your week is going well! Chris has been working on siding the dormers in the evenings...it's such a process! But it's happening...we are so, so close to be done! I can't wait! 

Veggie beef soup in the crock pot for supper last night....and tonight I'm making french toast! What's on the menu at your house? 

We started our homeschool year this past Monday. I can hardly believe Madelyn is done. She is off to work most days. The boys do their schooling in the mornings and then are off to work most afternoons. Seasons of life change so quickly, don't they? 

I gotta run...it's been a busy day and I have more to do but I wanted to pop a few pictures and a post on while I had a chance! I'll share more soon! Happy Wednesday!

Warmly,

Katy

"Trust in the Lord and do good...

...dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture."

Psalm 37:3

May I recommend, if you feel a burdened heart and heaviness in your spirit because of the chaos in the world today....read Psalm 37. I read it last night and found it so encouraging. Our Lord is sovereign...which means He is in control. We can rest in that! 

The Lord makes firm the steps

 of the one who delights in Him; 

though he may stumble, he will not fall, 

for the Lord upholds him with His hand.

Psalm 37: 23-24

Our garden is growing well. I'm really excited about the corn! It's growing quickly...these pics were taken a few days ago and already the corn is taller! It will only be enough for a couple meals....nothing to can or freeze...but that's ok. It will still be fantastic to eat something we grew! We've already eaten some of the green beans from our garden and they were delicious! How is your garden growing? 

This picture is from my phone...so it's not the best quality...but Chris made us a dutch door for between our living room and kitchen! We still have to figure out how we want to do the latch for the door...but for now, here it is! I love it! :)

I love this walkway when the hosta is grown and in bloom...

Just a quick picture of Jaxson (he's 14 now!). He has had to get glasses....you can see them on the top of his head below ;) ....

Xavier did 4H this year...it wasn't too thrilling though considering all the COVID lockdowns and restrictions...but he raised his sheep (he named him Stymie). He is showing him tonight and the auction is tomorrow! I hope it goes well!

I have been busy today with laundry, washing bedding, feeding the chickens, etc. I need to get to the gym soon and a friend is dropping off cookies for our homeschool co-op's formal we're having on Saturday. Many moms have offered to make cookies to donate which is fantastic. (My mom and I are doing the rest of the food and decorations. Some of the moms have offered to come help me iron tablecloths too! That sounds so boring...but oh, what a help that is! We are hoping to make it a nice time for the kids!) ....later today I have to get food to prepare for the formal and then have Xavier's 4H show this evening! I wanted to pop on and try to keep up with posting though! :)

Madelyn turned 19 earlier this week! She had the day off work so I took her to lunch and we had a nice time! It was nice just to visit together...sometimes I feel like we miss each other since she works a lot now. Xavier works a lot too....and Jaxson has been helping a lot at my dad's garage as well. He likes working on VWs and my dad has some in there that need attention. I feel like I'm starting to already suffer from empty nest syndrome! Ack! I love watching my children grow...but oh how I miss when they were little! I feel incredibly blessed to have watched them grow into teenagers/young adults. I know this is how it goes....God intends for us to grow and mature! But, I sure do miss them being wee and playing make believe! All seasons of life are such a gift.

I need to get going! I have much to get done today! I hope you are well! Thank you for stopping to visit! I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead!

Warmly,
Katy

Pictures of Home, Field Trips and Life Lately!

 Hello and happy last day of September to you! I don't know where the month went! Life has been busy with homeschooling, a field trip, the start of our homeschool co-op class days, working out and teaching classes at the Y and more! Chris and the boys have kept busy in the evenings and on Saturdays working at filling our wood shed for winter (I have helped stack as well. Madelyn works a lot, as well as does her schoolwork and babysitting....so she's quite the busy girl lately!).

Some field trip pics:

Madelyn was there too...but she wouldn't let me take her picture (typical of an 18 year old, eh?)...but here is one she took of us (and obviously used a filter on..haha ~ I look so young and fresh-faced!)...

The photos below are from in my dining room. The doily runner along my table was made by my grandpop's mother, Sheena. I never knew her but I love the runner and am glad to have it! We use our dining room table a lot so the runner gets folded up and moved often...but when the table isn't in use, I like to see it out and displayed! The candlestick holders are from that side of the family as well. I forget who they are from...although my grammie would know. Although her body has slowed down with age, her memory is amazing! She can tell stories and recall details of things that surprise me!!

Here are some photos from the living room. The flash on the camera makes the room seem quite bright....but this room in actuality is usually pretty dark...only getting sun as it sets in the evening through the west window. Although I do love a bright, sunny, cheerful room....I like this relaxed, soft, dimmed room too. It is a nice place of respite! The dog bed isn't exactly a lovely piece...but our dogs need a place of rest too, right? And this one serves them well!

This is the window that the sun comes in as it is setting in the later afternoon/evening time...

Chris and I tried square dancing the other night at a local community gathering. It was hot, I got dizzy twirling so many times and I couldn't figure out where to put my hands quite often. I got anxious and overwhelmed easily and gave up. I should have watched videos prior to going so I could learn some of it. Madelyn and Xavier go quite often and have a grand time! They know what they are doing. They make it look fun! :o) I didn't love having to twirl and hold hands with men other than my husband either...it just felt a little uncomfortable even though they were men I knew.

So, for me, that night was a disappointing fail. *But*...I had a fun time yesterday. Rarely do I miss our worship service at church. But yesterday I did since I was invited to go with some girl friends to a Pirates baseball game in Pittsburgh. That sounds silly and frivolous of a reason for me to miss church...but Chris and my children encouraged me to go since I don't really ever go out with girl friends and just enjoy time away. So four of us went....unfortunately I got terribly car sick on the almost 2 hr drive down (and also on the way back). I even sat in the front seat....but the road was wind-y and I wasn't used to my friend's driving. Thankfully, while we were actually at the game, I felt ok! We had awesome seats....just behind home plate! We could see everything so well! I don't like watching baseball on television...but in person, it was enjoyable! If I can go again, I definitely want Chris and I to go together! He would like it too....we would enjoy it together! :)

Speaking of Chris...we celebrated 19 years of marriage a week ago! I tried to get a few pics together...and Chris kept being goofy...so this is what I got:

I made a Chicken Pot Pie Casserole earlier this week...Here is a picture of it and the recipe below if you would like to try it!

I'm still trying to recuperate after being so car sick last night. I still just feel *off* a bit....but I teach spin tonight and need to get a good workout in...so I'm gonna have to just suck it up! ;) Maybe I need a bit of a nap and that will help? I don't know...we'll see!

And quickly...I wanted to share this photo...Jaxson saved up his money and bought a digital drawing tablet that hooks up to the computer. He drew these awesome housework/chore drawings and I made them into stickers! They are in my shop if you are interested! I think he did awesome with them!! :)

Thanks so much for coming by! I hope you have enjoyed your time here as I caught up a bit.
I hope your week is going well and that your moments honor our Lord each and every day. That is my own prayer daily....knowing that I always fall short....but thankful for His grace!

Warmly,
Katy