The Warmth of Home

We love our little home and it is hard to think about moving in the next year. As I think about the many memories we have here I realize we carry those with us no matter where we go. I have all my wonderful memories from my childhood that I carry with me as I make my own home a nourishing place for my family. Another warm quilt gets added each winter now, pretty colored preserved foods line the pantry shelves as fall approaches, book reading at bedtime, snuggles, and learning where ever we go. I am trying to cherish every moment as each day passes by. Here are some photos to warm your thoughts on a rainy day.

Our sanctuary (excuse the mess at the end of the bed)

Yummy homemade hot cocoa

warm soda bread

A quilt that took 19 years to finish!

waiting to become chili 

The Rhythm of Family

Enjoying my copy of Amanda and Stephen Soule's new book "The Rhythm of Family. Reading it brings back memories I didn't realize were fading. I am thankful they brought words and photos to the seasons and moments that I cherish as well. A wonderful book with activities and reminders of the wonderful changing creation around us. God is good!
So around here I am starting to feel the cool dewy mornings of fall creeping into the end of the summer. Even though questions of our future pop in now and then we try to live fully today. Mornings are my time to reflect and hug the moments I cherish most in my heart. Finishing projects that are long overdue and starting Christmas gifts is what happens around here the end of summer. It gives me time to be creative and let things develop. I love when the kids peak and ask if something is for them. They love my handmade gifts. Gavin has caught the spirit and bought a book to make softies. He is filled with ideas for gifts. Today momma promised to wash his fabric so he can start cutting. Yeah, I love when creativity is contagious..... now only if the reading would catch on.

My stash of some yummy fabrics and some of my favorite books for sewing.  

A Scattered Life

Feeling a little scattered at the moment.... why you might ask.

• trying to figure out why spell check said almost every word was wrong.... it was on German setting!
• reading to many books at one time
• even after cleaning out the whole house top to bottom with things I won't use... I still have enough winter projects for the next few years
• trying to figure out what I want to can this late summer since I am feeling like I don't know when the Lord may move us (hoping for spring and not late fall to winter)
• not knowing if we are staying here in Pa or moving to Maine (faith like a mustard seed, right)
• we are into a rhythm with each subject(homeschool) but trying to set-up our day so I can spend time with each child..... I only have 2 and I can't imagine having more to schedule
• lastly trying to schedule 4 home remodeling adventures for the next 12 weeks(roof, basement windows, kitchen, and yard overhaul) 
• planning on making up 60 mason jar meals to have on our pantry shelves for winter but found I only have 2 cases of jars left

As we exit summer to glide through fall and into winter I hope the calm and rhythm of home sets in for what I consider to be "stay at home" days. Dreams of hot cocoa, leaves or snow falling, warm meals, warm sweaters, stocked pantry shelves, lots of books and new knitting projects! Ok, now I am feeling a bit more focused!
When do you feel scattered and overwhelmed?

Where will our next nest be? (this is an osprey nest in Maine)