The air is crisp, leaves are changing colors and falling and fall is in the air.  There is just something about this time of year.  It starts getting darker earlier and I have to say that I love it.  By this time in the year I am ready to slow down and spend some time in the evening relaxing. 

I wanted to share some ideas I have come across for making your home comfy and warm this autumn season.

1.  Decorate your home.  Pumpkins, acorns, pine cones, and leaves strategically placed through your home gives it that cozy feeling.  It also creates an atmosphere that says welcome.   Candle light is always a favorite.  Place a candle in the center of your table and light them at dinner.  It is calming.  You can use coffee beans or ground unmade coffee to help hold candles.  If you have a mantel (we will in our next home and I am so stinking excited)  decorate it with mini lights and all kinds of fall decor.  There are tons of photo’s on the Internet that can give you ideas. 

2.  Get together your favorite recipes, sit down at the table and plan your menu’s.  Pick out old and new tasty creations to try.  Invite some friends over for coffee, hot tea, or cider and swap recipes.  What a great time to catch up and fill your recipe bin.  Stews, casseroles, roasted veggies, pumpkin crunch, homemade apple butter, main courses and hearty breakfasts.  Fill up those recipe books. 

3.  It is time to clean out the freezer and fridge so you will have room to make and store meals, holiday cookies, and homemade gifts.  Also remember to clean out that pantry.  Look at expiration dates and half used bags of rice, cornmeal, flour and such. 

4.  Stock up.   When you go to the grocery pick up a few  items that you know you will be using this holiday season.  This helps keep your budget in check because you are not spending your entire grocery allowance on baking and cooking items.  Pumpkin, spices, apples, hot chocolate, cranberry sauce, flour, cooking spray, chocolate chips.  Start picking up plastic containers and ziploc bags too. 

5.  Go through closets and donate unwanted items.  There is always someone that can use something.  Coats, mittens, scarves, snow boots…look at what you have, what you don’t need and think of someone to bless with it. 

6.  Look for pumpkin patches and apple orchards in your home town.  These are great day trips.  I know that the pumpkin patches in our town offer hay rides, greenhouses, homemade goodies, some have petting zoo and than everyone gets to pick their own pumpkin.  I have heard that we have a great apple orchard that makes fresh, hot apple fritters on Saturdays.  Yum Yum

7.  Count your blessings daily!!  Remember to look at each day as a gift.  In some way or another we are all blessed.  Pray that God shows you how you can bless others.  Cultivate a thankful heart.  Each day write down 2-3 things your are thankful for.  It could be as simple as the crisp morning air.  The beautiful sunset.  Stop and be aware of your blessing and praise Jesus for what he has done. 

Hopefully you have some ideas to get your home in order so you can enjoy and relax this holiday season.  My next post is going to start a series of posts about the ways we can create a fun, creative, peacefull and memoriable  holiday season.  I really want to learn from one another and so please feel free to post ideas, recipes, thoughts.

Phoebe had her friend birthday party and had a blast.  Here are some photos,

Natalie, life of the party

decorating empty pizza boxes to keep treasures in

making a wish

Phoebe had so much fun with her friends and she is enjoying playing the games and crafts she received.

This past weekend Elliott and I celebrated 11 years of marriage.  We went to the Creation Museum.  This is a breathtaking place and I encourage you to go. It is operated by Answers in Genesis, a bible based foundation.   I know that the prices are a deterrent,  but trust me, you will be blessed!  It is such an incredible experience.  They have 3 movies you can see based on the great flood, creation and why we need Christ, a planetarium, that is remarkable,  gardens that are beautiful with waterfalls, a swaying bridge and babbling brooks.  There is a petting zoo with several different animals (the gardens and petting zoo are free).  You can pack a picnic lunch, there are picnic shelters throughout the gardens.  Side note, I believe you need at least 5 hours to go through.   Plus during the holiday season they offer a “walk through Bethlehem”  We cannot wait to take our family! 

After that we went to dinner and a movie.  It was nice to spend time together.  Marriage can be tough, but with Christ all things are possible.  We get bogged down in life and discouraged.  We look to our spouse to fill voids only Christ can fill.    We need to let him fill those voids, which in turn will change our outlook. 

I am loving stampin.  I have found my new “passion”.  It has allowed me to use my creativity.  Plus some of my dearest friends do it too and we all know that doing hobbies is better when done with friends.  It has also show me a way that I can bless others.  I love to encourage.  So to send a homemade card to someone,   to bless their day, that is what I enjoy doing.  I also enjoy getting them too.  Now, I am not brave enough to post any of my creations but in due time I will.  My stampin mentor is going to show me some techniques and tips, I am so excited.  This gal ROCKS at making cards.  One of those people that can look at an idea than turn around and make it.  She is good!  Inspiring and creative. 

So what are your hobbies or outlet?  How do you encourage others?  What brings you joy?