Just a lot on my mind lately

No, I am not going to rant or rave about politics or the strange world in which we live these days. Nor will I comment on the students on campus and how they were (or were not as the case may be) dressed this morning for the first home football game. My mind is full of possibilities that come with this new season (autumn for us, spring for my far southern friends!).

I know in our calendar and culture, January is considered the beginning of the new year. As a homeschooling mom, September trumps January any year for the joy of a clean slate. (I also will not rant about school starting in the hot days of August, not in this home!) I'm an old fashioned type of mom who does have control over my school calendar and we do not begin until after Labor Day. Well, the Jr. College did but my classes didn't.

September in my home is the beginning of my favorite quarter of the year. It brings with it the renewed joys of "making things with one's hands". I suppose it has been that way for me since I used to sell folk art/craft items during the Holiday craft sales. By September, one was already deep in fabric and fiberfill, sewing needles and threads... as have generations past as men and women worked on handmade gifts by light of the fireplace and candles.

I already have a few projects in mind, now I have need of prioritizing as far as time and the small amount of money I would need for extra supplies. I'm convinced this return to "making things" also has something to do with early memories of Kindergarten. :)

The cooler weather draws me back into the kitchen with a corresponding pondering time on my sofa... cookbooks surround me, a few magazines (especially Taste of Home), my recipe cards, print outs from favorite Food Channel chefs, and my recipe scrapbook (shown below).

I'm certain the guys are quite happy my thoughts are once again turning to cooking!

Late summer evenings have been spent polishing the silverware and cutting out "pictures and prose" to work on my scrapbook like Jewels, which is a refinement of the type of scrapbook I've been doing for years. I just never thought of using it as a daily journal at the same time... brilliant.

Along with all the cooking, crafts, and other projects, there is seasonal decorating to do as I add the colors of rust, gold, deep reds, and pumpkin around the house. There is the continual sweeping of leaves off the porch while pondering deep wonders of Him who made me as I watch the seasons change in the midst of the forest... as well as the joys cooler weather brings by sitting on my rocking chair or on my deck for early morning Bible reading and prayer to give me strength to meet challenges which abound.

Life is far from perfect but I will add beauty and peace to the little part of the planet for which I have some control. Life can be hard but it doesn't have to be bleak, not when one can place a rose on the table or a picture on the wall that brings peace just from gazing at its beauty.

Now to brew some decaf coffee and begin the work that is set before me. Perhaps there will be time to take some more pictures. Thank you again to my dear blog friend for giving me the camera!