he loves home, and other little things

 

 it's friday and the little things are pouring over...

pretty blouses.
messy side buns.
lemon Lara Bars.

coffee shop work time.

husband bringing his slippers to me as he heads out the door to work,

(not because I don't have my own, but because he knows I prefer his).

my children singing along to radio worship music.

 

listening to Brooklynn read.

having the dentist say Asher was "shockingly great," during his appointment.

our dog, Jet, returning home on his own accord, after he's taken off up the mountain--

he must like home.

husband saying he loves being home.

it's words like these that make a homemaker swoon.

cowboy boots.

the random folk song on the radio.

talking writing dreams with a friend.

old friends moving home.

my 8 year old WSU sweats.

racing the crossfit clock.

short texts from my sister saying, "I'm shopping and wish you were here!"
my teacher friend who keeps me updated on her class lessons
and leaves the door open for me any day that I visit.
salted carmel lattes.  today, that was delightful.

What are your little things?

 

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Today is World Kindness Day!

I just caught wind that today is "World Kindness Day."  What a great day!  Since Oprah made the "Pay it Forward," random act of kindness pretty big a few years ago, I've wanted to take part in a day like this.  I'm racking my brain on what random act of kindness I can do, today, that might make someone's day--something small and smile provoking. 

 

What about you?  Any plans of your own today?  Have you ever been the receiver of a random act of kindness?  I'd love to hear!  Once, a stranger handed me a $20 bill at the grocery store as I was walking to checkout.  She handed me the envelope, smiled and walked away.  I was stunned, while it warmed my heart.

 

Thank you, Ann, of Jeremiah's Hope for Kindness for keeping up on all things kind in the world!

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Monday Mentions: bits and curiosities from the around the web

Happy Monday, friends!  I've gathered a few links that may perk you up this morning.  Mondays tend to need an extra element of excitement and curiosity, no?

These 18 color coded bookshelves that will make your heart sing.

It's chic, cheap and all the craze, so why not express your love or decorate your favorite mug with chalkboard art? 

Fear.  It can be an illusive subject to tackle.  I contemplated and shared my best 10 tips for overcoming the scary and daunting over here.  Tell me what you think in the comment section!

Sometimes we, writers, need it socked to us.  Here's Dear Sugar's advice on how not to write like a girl.  Thanks, Candace.

Does anyone else find ordering cappuccinos whilst standing in flood waters peculiar?  I'm in awe over this "Floating City".

Rainbows and books make great art. 

Hey! Ex-Anthro display designer!  I'm now stalking your blog! 

I'm pretty even keel, but I was pissed when I read this.

Want to learn how great bloggers are taking great photographs?  Me too.  This e-course just landed on the top of my wish list.

I was moved by this beautiful Veterans Day tribute.   I'm so thankful to all the veterans who have sacrificed so much being of service to our country.  There aren't enough thanks to give.

I hope you had a great weekend!

30 Days of Thanks

I've been posting daily thanks on my personal Facebook page this November.  Since that page isn't public (but this one is!) I thought I'd document them here, too.  There is an abundance of things to be grateful for, and just like documenting the little things, writing them down helps keep my heart full of gratitude and happiness.

Day 1.  I'm thankful for my handyman. ♥ He can fix just about anything and it sure makes life easier.
Day 2.  I am thankful for and love my spiritual mentor. She sends me home with pocketfuls of wisdom and hope each time we meet.
Day 3.  I'm thankful for the majority of the year that we aren't sick! The flu is no fun.
Day 4.  I'm thankful for my brothers and sisters on both sides. Everything is way more fun family-style!
Day 5.  I'm thankful for friends. The ones that I've bonded with over country living, English essays, blogging, getting fit and The Word; those I've known since the second grade, the ones who saw me through the college years, the ones who now teach and celebrate my own children and me theirs, the ones across the country, in another state, those hours away, and the ones down the street. I'm even thankful for the friend who is crashing on my couch tonight for his bi-annual month-or-two-long visit (you never know with him). Friends--you are grand!
Day 6.  I'm thankful that the election is over.
Day 7.  I'm thankful for sun breaks on rainy days.
Day 8.  I'm thankful for Crossfit workouts that push my "limits" mentally and physically.

Have you been documenting 30 days of thanks? If you have a link, please share!

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An Apple Harvest & Sour Cream Apple Pie

One of my most favorite things about living on this piece of property, is the apple trees out the kitchen window.  Here, as I sit on the couch, I can see tree limbs weighed down by golden bursts of fruit, and it near sends me into a frenzy as I don't want any one of them to go to waste!!

Last week we had just the opportunity to use said apples.  We made last-minute dinner plans with friends, and because the days have felt short and crazy lately, I opted for this slow-cooked meal and decided it was time for an apple dessert or bust! 

{Insert heaven in a pie pan.} 
{Insert another reason why I need Crossfit this holiday season.}

So upon Husband's return from work that day, I sent him and Uncle Tim to the trees with the golden bursts of fruit, and told them dessert was in their hands, and they did not disappoint.  Nor did the littles.  Which is why we made two pies!

Adapted from All Recipes 
INGREDIENTS:
1 unbaked 9 in. pie crust                              2 1/4 C. diced apples
3/4 C. sugar                                                          
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour                               TOPPING:
1/8 tsp. salt                                                  1/3 C. sugar
1 C. high quality sour cream                          1/3 C. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract                                   1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 egg                                                         1/3 C. chilled butter, diced

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Press pie crust into and up the sides of a 9 inch pie pan OR use Marie Calendar's ready-made pie crust like I did.
2.  In a medium bowl, stir together 3/4 C. sugar, 2 Tbsp. of flour and salt.  Mix in the sour cream, egg and vanilla until smooth.  Add apples, and stir to coat.  Scrape the mixture into the pie shell.
3.  Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, then reduce heat to 350 degrees F, and continue baking for 30 minutes more.
4.  While the pie is baking, prepare the topping in a medium bowl.  Stir together 1/3 C. of flour, 1/3 C. sugar, and cinnamon.  Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
5.  After the 30 minute bake time has passed, cover the top of the pie with the crumb topping, and continue to bake for 15 minutes, or until the topping is lightly browned.  Allow the pie to cool, then refrigerate until chilled before serving.   Serve a la mode with vanilla ice cream or with a dollop of homemade whipped cream.  

Do you have any apple recipes that I should know about?  Do share!

 

Would you like to receive a parcel of handmade Christmas goods from Between the Lines?

Friends,  there is a great online auction beginning tomorrow, November 2nd at 10am and runs through November 7 until 10pm PST.  All proceeds will benefit the Salisa Bana project with Hope for the Children Orphanage, located in a village outside of Kinshasa.  My friend, Chelese, who has adopted from the DRC (Congo) has helped coordinate this auction and has a great missionary and mother's heart for those children.

Check out the album of items being auctioned--from Amazon and Build a Bear gift cards to Coach purses, Etsy shop gift cards and much more!  It's a great time to shop for Christmas gifts, too!  You do need to be on Facebook to be part of the auction/to view items. 

The above items are what my shop, Between the Lines has donated and will be auctioned beginning tomorrow.  I'll also be adding a few little surprises, so if you're interested in some handmade holiday cheer please do bid!  I'd love to bless a reader and a giver with some treasures from my shop!  You can see details on size/dimensions of items online.

Lastly, keep your eyes peeled for Etsy shop updates!  My holiday line is beginning to trickle into the shop.  Stay tuned by adding Between the Lines to your Etsy circle. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks so much for helping me bless the orphans of Africa!  You guys are awesome!