It's Hot!

Combination high temps + high humidity + 9 months pregnant = cranky mama! I'm praising God for the grace to apologize and start over. Here are some things I'm grateful for in spite of the heat!

433. My mother coming
434. The garden all planted and growing
435. The house ready for the baby
436. Fans! Fans! Fans!
437. A meal in an air-conditioned building
438. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families
439. Insight into my children
440. Just a little more time to get some things done
441. Playing outside with the kids
442. Little sprouts in the herb pots

A Return

I have realized of late that I have been neglecting my spiritual discipline of thanksgiving. It's not Monday (my former usual day), but tonight I feel the need to put down in writing some things that I am most grateful for.

419. The newest Rose baby's approaching due date
420. My husband who never rolls his eyes at me
421. Snuggles with Ian and Emma
422. Riding lessons for the girls
423. Inexpensive antibiotics
424. Peas springing up in the garden
425. Getting to eat nearly every meal every day with the whole family
426. The success at the end of the year for my highschooler
427. Dishwashers
428. Whatever job God has waiting for Rob
429. Cool early mornings
430. The energy to complete one task this morning
431. The desire once again to say "Thank you."
432. A long talk with a dear friend

It's good to be back.

Purely Selfish Motivation

So, I've entered to win a new Kitchenaid mixer (mine is being weird) and a year's supply of my favourite flour and a little cash. If you enter to win and say that I referred you, and then you win, I win, too! So, totally selfishly (plus I love to get people hooked on King Arthur flour), enter to win!! And good luck!

Sarah

Enter here:

Sugaring Off

There's a double meaning in that....

So, for part of my Lent practices this year, I'm beginning anew my commitment to a sugar-free lifestyle. To kick that off we spent yesterday (and I mean all of yesterday) making syrup. Ironic, isn't it? About three weeks ago we tapped our maple tree. Ideal weather this week has meant that we've been bringing in buckets of sap at least once a day. We began yesterday's work with almost five gallons of maple sap. After much boiling and measuring and filtering we ended up with this: about two cups of the most delicious pure maple syrup ever! We enjoyed it on our pancakes this morning and we'll probably be having pancakes every morning until the syrup is gone. Then we'll have get the next batch made up!

Works in Progress

So, I promise this won't turn into a quilting blog. There are too many wonderful examples of those already and I've been enjoying some of them this week. But there are a few of you out there who occasionally like to see what I've been up to. I've finally finished a whole quilt top and I've started another (three blocks done already). I've joined in a quilt-along and the goal is to be making two blocks a week. Seems like a daunting prospect, but so far it's been fun! I'm terrified to begin the actual quilting part of my first quilt, but I look forward to having it complete.

This new inspiration has been a good activity for me to take my mind off of the stressful events surrounding us right now. I'm grateful that I have something to do with my hands that will provide warmth and beauty in our household (or someone else's). Thanks, all, for your prayers and interest. I'll be back when I've got some more done!