Thankful Days 17 & 18

Thankful Day 17:  I'm thankful for a warm, comfy bed.  (A bed that usually has an adorable pup in it.)

Thankful Day 18:  Today I'm thankful I made it to work safely.  Freezing rain made driving conditions less than ideal; I passed four accidents on my five mile route.  I'm also thankful for the cautious drivers that were on the road with me.

Thankful Days 12 Through 16

Thankful Day 12:  Today I'm thankful for those little acts of kindness from strangers that put a smile on your face all day long.

This morning on my way to work I let a truck merge into my lane when no one else would, despite the fact that he was signalling and driving politely (that can't be said for most people at that time of day).  The driver merged over again and as we passed one another, he looked over smiling and gave me a thumbs-up.  It's all about small gestures to make each other's days a little brighter.

Thankful Day 13:  On heartbreaking days like today, I'm thankful for those who are spreading love instead of hate.  Sending prayers to Paris.

Thankful Day 14:  I'm thankful for all the laughter in my life.  I'm blessed to know so many people with such wonderful senses of humor.

Thankful Day 15:  I'm thankful I an do laundry from the comfort and convenience of my own home.

Thankful Day 16:  I'm thankful for the beautiful weather we are having this month.

Thankful Days 7 & 8

Thankful Day 7:  Today I'm thankful for Saturday morning breakfasts with my husband and parents.

My parents have long been "regulars" at the diner we frequent Saturday mornings and Mitch and I have joined those ranks during this past year or so.  The waitresses and cooks know all our names and orders, share stories about their lives with us.  It makes the experience even more enjoyable.  And did I mention the food is absolutely wonderful?  Diners are the best!

Thankful Day 8:  Today I'm thankful for sunny Sunday afternoons.

One of the little reasons I enjoy weekends is being home to watch the sunshine travel through the house.

Sunday Smile

Yep, hahaha!  Happy time change!

Fall Book Sale 2015

Today was one of the best days of the year: the library's used book sale!  I spent my lunch break perusing the fiction section of the sale and walked away with 25 books for $20.00 ($0.80 per book!).  You simply cannot beat the fun of the search and the finds you bring home for that price!  As always, the list:

The Christmas Train by David Baldacci.  I plan to read some Christmas novels during the holiday season (actually, I don't think I have a choice - it's on my 101 in 1001 list!) so I thought I'd grab this one.  I've never really read any holiday novels so I'm skeptical as to how Christmas-y they can feel.

One Summer by David Baldacci.  This book was already on my to-read list and will join Wish You Well, the only other Baldacci novel (Christmas reads excluded, of course) that I have any interest in reading and one I bought several book sales ago.

Expecting Adam by Martha Beck.  I didn't realize this was a memoir until I checked out Beck's website.

Hold Tight by Harlan Coben.  I picked this one up when I accidentally wandered out of the general fiction section into the mystery section but I don't think that was necessarily a bad thing.

The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns by Margaret Dilloway.

The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer.

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. Another novel already on my to-read list.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.  I've read this book before and really enjoyed it so I decided to add it to my collection.  I hope to re-read it someday.

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline.  Yet another on my to-read list.

Sweet Water by Christina Baker Kline.

A Christmas Blizzard by Garrison Keillor.  A thought this sounded like a cutesy Christmas read.

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.  Another book I've read but really enjoyed so wanted to have a copy in my library.  Also another one I hope to re-read someday.

I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb.  I ran into a friend at the book sale and she said I should grab this one.  I'd heard of this novel but never read the synopsis until today and I must say I think it sounds wonderful!  I'm glad someone told me to to finally look into this novel.

To Kill a Mockingbird.  I actually just finished re-reading this book a couple of weeks ago and needed to have this classic in my home.

Wicked by Gregory Maguire.  This novel wasn't actually on my to-read list but I've been interested in reading it for quite some time.  Pretty excited to hear the wicked witch's side of the story!

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton.  I haven't read anything by Morton but The Secret Keeper is on my to-read list.

Things I Want My Daughters to Know by Elizabeth Noble.

Songs WIthout Words by Ann Packer.  I read The Dive From Clausen's Pier ages ago and remember enjoying it so I thought I'd try another novel by Packer.

Run by Ann Patchett.

Swamplandia! by Karen Russell.  I thought this book sounded very unique!

Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld.  I have American Wife on my shelf but haven't yet read it and I think it will probably have to wait because I'll be reading Sisterland first.

Opening Skinner's Box: Great Psychology Experiments of the Twentieth Century by Lauren Slater.  I'm leery about books like this but if nothing else, I feel like I will come away with interesting tidbits that I can research on my own to get facts.

Reunion by Lauraine Snelling.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  I already own this book but it was the movie adaptation cover (book snob, I know!) and I wanted the prettier bird cover.

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.  I've heard great things about this memoir.


Happy reading!

Thursday 13: Fall 2015 on Etsy

Since yesterday was the first official day of autumn I had no other choice than to do an Etsy finds for this edition of Thursday 13.  Etsy, fall, and lists - a magnificent trio!  So, here are the items I fell in love with when I typed in the keyword "fall." (All photos from the Etsy shops.  Click on description to visit the shop.)


1.  Pretty fall leaf necklace.

2.  This adorable checkered dress looks so comfortable.  (I would need leggings, though!)

3.  Can I jump into this painting and walk down that path?  I can imagine the fresh, crisp smells filling my nose, hear the leaves crunching under my feet. *Sigh*

4.  Lovely painted mason jars.  Also, if I could get those flowers along with the jars that would be great because they look perfect together.

5.  How beautiful is this chevron blanket?  I'd love to curl up with a book under this beauty.

6.  Stunning amber earrings.

7.  The colors and patterns on these pumpkins are wonderful.

8.  This felt leaf burlap garland is so festive!

9.  Love the fun color blocking on this sweater.

10.  Beautiful wheat wreath.

11.  Gorgeous batik lidded basket.

12.  I'm not good at styling my hair but I would try really hard with this autumn leaf hair cup.  Such a pretty, unique accessory!

13.  How charming is this canvas?

101 in 1001, Round 2 - 100 Happy Days, Days 91 Through 99

Days 91 Through 99 of the 100 Happy Days Challenge!  (Descriptions left to right, top to bottom.)

Day 91:  A little activity that allowed me to use the scale ruler from my college days in the architecture program.  Still love using it.

Day 92:  A popsicle on this warm evening.

Day 93:  Pretty foggy mornings on the way to work.

Day 94:  This instagram account fills my heart with so much joy.  If you don't follow @wolfgang2242, you should!  So wonderful!

Day 95:  When you're doing a deposit at work and start writing your library card number instead of the bank account number.

Day 96:  My fall decorations have come out!

Day 97:  Sunday night dinners and Mexican Train with my husband and father-in-law.

Day 98:  A cool rainy day followed by a gorgeous sunny evening.  I love the fall season!

Day 99:  My parents gave me three boxes of my childhood books today.  So many amazing memories as I go through them; feeling so blessed to have had such a wonderful childhood wiht parents who instilled in me a love of books and reading.

101 in 1001, Round 2 - 100 Happy Days, Days 73 Through 81

Days 73 Through 81 of the 100 Happy Days Challenge!  (Descriptions left to right, top to bottom.)

Day 73:  My favorite thrift store's Halloween shop is open!  Had the little shop to myself today and scored 23 items for $35.  So much fun!  (Stay tuned for photos.  I'm super excited to share my great finds!)

Day 74:  Air conditioning on ridiculously hot days like today makes me so comfortably happy.

Day 75:  Waking up to this face.  The best way to start the day.

Day 76:  Facebook's 'On This Day' feature.  I shared this photo and caption a year ago today:
"Had to take a break from my reading this evening to get a photo with the hubs."

Day 77:  Not being able to decide what to read next (because too many books sound good!).  It's one of the best "problems" to have.

Day 78:  Lunch at my parent's house with mom's homemade peach pie for dessert.  So delicious!

Day 79:  The dictionary app on my phone.  Words are wonderful.

Day 80:  A little girl's night out with some wonderful ladies.

Day 81:  A super fun mail day!  Doesn't get much better than a book of quotes and a couple of gnome prints for my library!

October Mish-Mash

Here we are in the last week of October!  Can you believe Saturday brings the eleventh month of the year?  This year is sure flying!

Here's a mish-mash of snapshots from my life this month:


1.  We've had a gorgeous October here in North Dakota.

The weather has been warm and mild overall; we couldn't have asked for a better fall season.

And the nice weather means more quality time on family evening walks.

2.  I have been using Instagram for quite some time for the filters and frames.   Around mid-August, I decided to actually start posting photos to my account and following other accounts.  Somehow I stumbled upon a huge Cavalier King Charles Spaniel community; my account quickly became all about Crickett and 99% the accounts I began following were dog accounts.  It's so much fun interacting with other people who are as obsessed with their pups as I am with mine.  I'm currently debating whether I should open another account for myself, a place to post "non-Crickett" photos and follow "non-dog" folk!

3.  I'd been in a bit of a thrifting slump in regards to finding good items (or even good priced items) during my spring and summer outings but earlier this month my luck changed.  I walked away with some great finds at great prices.  Thirteen dollars total for a dress ($3 after a coupon!  Can you believe a thrift store has coupons?!), sweater, and two shirts!  Pretty pleased with myself!

4.  Speaking of slumps, I can't seem to figure out what to do with The House of Sand and Fog.  I started reading the novel back in June and made it to page 211 before I had to quit and move on to other (good!) books.  I feel like I'm too far into the novel to quit but I find the writing extremely boring and repetitive and I don't like any of the characters or really care what happens to them.  I'm curious to know how the book concludes but I know I could easily find that information online and save myself the time and agony that reading this novel requires.  Stay tuned for my decision! (I know you're sitting at the edge of your seat!)

5.  Several big home improvement projects going on around here.  After spending a good chunk of time staining the fence this summer, Mitch has moved into the house with a paintbrush.  I haven't reported much on the progress of our basement but, long story short, it has been dry-walled, textured, and now we are on to the painting phase.  I'm pretty excited about all the colors we've chosen and will post an update once the rooms have been completed.

6.  Mitch purchased our 2014 Hallmark Keepsake Christmas ornament (I will post a photo once it's actually time for it to be displayed) and we are currently on the hunt for a new Christmas tree.  I better decide soon since the day after Thanksgiving - aka: Holly's time to start decorating for Christmas - will be here before I know it!

 7.  And last, but not least, Mitch and I have booked our 2015 vacation!  We will be enjoying ourselves on an Alaskan cruise come May!  So very exciting!!!

First Day of Autumn

More Fall Shadows

Still loving the fall sunshine and the shadows it creates in my house.

Time has been moving at warp speed lately and I can't seem to catch my breath. When life gets crazy this poor blog gets neglected; I am definitely missing this place.

Fall Shadows

Oh how I love fall sunshine and the beautiful shadows it creates in my home.

Happy Friday!

Sunday Smile

Sunday Smile

Cannot believe it has been a week since I last posted.  Time sure is flying lately.  Hoping to be a better blogger this week!

We lost a lot of leaves from the trees this week.  I love watching them tumble across the ground on a windy day and hearing them crunch under my feet on my way to class.  Two thumbs up for fall.

Snapshot Saturday:

falling leaves
hide the path
so quietly
~John Bailey~

Snapshot Saturday: October's Party

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.
~George Cooper, "October's Party"~

Snapshot Saturday: Colors of Autumn

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.
~George Eliot~

Fall is Officially Here

Happy first day of fall!

Pumpkin Patch 2009

On Sunday, the in-laws, Mitch, Crickett, and I headed out to the pumpkin patch. It was a very chilly day, but great nonetheless. I love visiting the pumpkin patch; it's a wonderful celebration of fall.

Mitch and Crickett playing on the hay bales.

Crickett enjoying the fun festivities.

A happy family.

Crickett by the peanut pumpkins. Aren't they neat?

Autumn Arrives

We have officially entered the fall season! I can honestly say that I'm not disappointed to see summer go. It wasn't an impressive summer and I adore autumn. I'm excited for all that is fall: crisp air, vibrant colors, the pumpkin patch and corn maze.

Every year I proclaim spring as my favorite season. Somehow I always manage to forget what an incredible season autumn is and how beautiful it makes me feel. I'm going to have to reevaluate my choice.