An October Daybook

Outside my window...It's a absolutely beautiful fall day, bright blue sky, warm sunshine, crunchy fallen leaves on the ground, and a few trees with bright yellow and reddish leaves still hanging on.  Fall work on the farm is still going on, I took Graham his lunch out in one of the fields earlier, and then came home and spent as much time as I could outside with the children before coming in for their nap.  We probably only have a few more days of such nice weather, and I want to take full advantage of it, spending time outdoors before winter weather arrives. 

I am thankful...for my hardworking husband, despite the looong days of a long drawn out harvest, and now fall work, he is not a complainer, and has done an incredible job running things on the farm. 

In the kitchen...Not much is happening in the kitchen at the moment. Earlier, I pan seared a steak, and baked up a pan shortbread for Graham's lunch though. 

I am wearing...A black shirt and jean skirt. At 28 weeks into my pregnancy, I'm well into wearing maternity clothes. I'm excitedly awaiting a box of new maternity skirts, tops and dresses to arrive in the mail soon!  I'm hoping it gets here before we leave for my sister-in-laws wedding coming up in early November (I can use a few new outfits to wear on the trip. :) 

I am creating...humm, I haven't been too creative lately, not much to report here. :)  

I am going... Nowhere at the moment.  I stopped by the store today, so we should be good as far as groceries go for a few days.  Our shopping trip was interesting today, with all four kids, ages four and under, there is never a dull moment. :)  Today, the youngest got a hold of a bottle of syrup and dropped it in one of the aisles, yes it broke, leaving a big puddle of stickiness on the floor.  The worker I told was very kind, but I was left with very sticky hands for the remainder of our time in the store.  I also got asked the now used to question: "Are they [the children] all yours!?!?" Yes, they are, and I love them all dearly. ;) 

I am wondering...the best way to organize all the children's books we've accumulated!  With the two youngest, the books tend to get scattered on the floor a lot.  Totally changing subjects, I am also wondering where all these houseflies in my house are coming from! Ug! 

I am reading...I recently bought a bunch of homeschool, and parenting resource books from a new website I found (here in Canada, yay!)  I have plenty to read, now I just to find a bit of free time to do it in. :)  I did start on one book called: "The Mother At Home" by John S.C. Abbott. The book was first published in 1833, and what I have read thus far has been very good. 

I am hoping...To finish putting up a new clothes rod in my closet and getting the rest of my clothes moved out of a different smaller closet, and then organizing everything better!  Last week, I moved the girls clothing out of our room and also made a big thrift store shopping trip. I was thankful to find almost all I needed for the children's clothing switch to bigger sizes and warmer clothes for fall/winter! Love thrift stores! :) 

I am looking forward to...Having a bonfire with the kids sometime this week, I bought some marshmallows and hotdogs today; it should be fun! 

I am happy...and feeling super accomplished, lol, that I got the floor mopped and the laundry done all in one day yesterday!  Oh the sweet feeling of victory over housework, haha  - for a few minutes anyway. :) 

I am pondering...words from a convincing preaching message I watched during the children's nap time yesterday. It was on the Sermon on the Mount, and after watching, I was left convicted and in awe of God's greatness, mercy, and grace, toward me a sinner. 

One of my favorite things...Snuggling with my baby boy in the morning when he is still sleepy. :) He will be one year old in just a few days; where did the year go?

A few plans for the rest of the week...I have a midwife appt. on Friday, other than that, I don't have anything planned. 

A peek into my day...

Four little children having fun in the leaves! :) 

Trust; Not Fear and Worry

A picture I took while on our vacation a few months ago. I love going to the mountains!! :) 

If we trust, we do not worry.

If we worry, we do not trust.

Faith begins where worry ends,

Worry ends, where faith begins.

-Unknown

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18

Encounter With a Little Bird

A few Sundays ago, we were by our open front door ready to leave for church when Abby (4), and Willy (3), started telling me excitedly about "the little bird outside" I didn't pay a whole lot of attention other then to reply about how neat birds were and "yes, there are lots of birds outside." Well when a few minutes later Abby then tells me that she was "patting the bird" I took more notice. lol :) Looking out on the step, I saw a female Dark Eyed Junco (a kind of sparrow) huddled on the concrete.  I went and picked her up and she just perched on my finger not trying to fly away at all.  It was neat as it's not often one gets to hold a wild bird. :)  Thinking she was possibly stunned from hitting the window, I put her in our garage so our dog could not get her and we left for church. 

The next morning, she was flying around the garage looking fully recovered and when I opened the door she flew out.  It was a neat encounter with one of the little sparrows that God said "...shall not fall on the ground without your Father." (Matthew 10:29) 

Soft Dinner Rolls

There is something just so good about freshly made bread! It's actually been a long while since I did any real baking, I used to make this roll recipe quite often and thought I'd go ahead and try it again tonight,  as it was always a hit before. :) 

Soft Dinner Rolls

5 Tbsp. yeast

1 c. warm water

1/2 c. sugar

1/4  c. milk powder 

3 eggs

1/2 c. oil

1 tsp. salt

Enough flour to make a soft dough

In a bowl, mix the yeast and warm water together. Add in the sugar, milk powder, eggs, oil, and salt. Mix well.  Stir in enough flour to form a soft dough and knead about ten minutes. Place in a greased bowl and let rise until doubled.  Punch dough down and shape into 20 rolls. Bake at 350 for around 15 minutes, or until done. Enjoy! :)