Currently on the Final Sunday of September

 

The weather was warm, yet cloudy today.  Yesterday it was 94 degrees and today it was about 90. The forecast it for only 80 degrees tomorrow, which will be nice.  It has been very warm for late September the past few days. 

In my garden the pumpkins have now all been harvested. A couple are on my front porch and the rest were given to our grandchildren and are on their front porch waiting to be carved. 

I'm reading four different books right now -  three nonfiction and on historical fiction.  The Founder of Our Peace by John Hilton III,  Charlotte's Rose by A.E. Cannon, When Harry Became Sally by Ryan T. Anderson and The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt.  All of the books I quite good and I plan to complete them in October. Later this coming week, I will post about the eight books I completed in September. 

I've been watching The Chosen Season Four.  We rewatched episode #1, the death of John the Baptist,  as we ate our lunch on Sunday. 

I've been listening to/watching some awesome Christian Youtubes and podcasts.  

I've been working on getting my new 2025 planner all set up - especially entering important dates like family birthdays and wedding anniversaries. 

We've been enjoying watching The Perfect Couple on Netflix.  It's a pretty good mystery based on the book by Elin Hilderbrand. 

I'm loving a few fall/Halloween decorations that I put out on my front porch.

I also put a few fall decorations (mostly scarecrows) in my living room. 

In the kitchen, I made a double batch of pumpkin/cake mix muffins Sunday afternoon. They were super good and very easy!

Here is the recipe to the muffins.  If you click on the picture, the recipe will be bigger and easier to read. 

We've been celebrating our son-in-law's birthday. We took him out to breakfast for his birthday, as we do with all members of our family.  We also took him some Crumbl Cookies and this book about BYU football because he is a BYU alum and a huge fan.  

I'm grateful that we were able to spend some time with our daughter's family on Saturday. Our granddaughters had a lemonade and jewelry stand in front of their house.  They have been doing this all summer, and these budding entrepreneurs have made quite a bit of $$$! 

Here are my 10-year-old and almost six-year-old granddaughters with some of the jewelry they made.  Yes, their grandma came home with some new bracelets! 

While his sisters were selling jewelry and lemonade, our 13-year-old grandson completed a weeding chore he had in his own yard, then took a break to ride his scooter.  Later in the day, we went to his football game, but the camera in my phone was acting up due to the fact that I set my phone on the metal bleachers we were sitting on, and my phone overheated.  It was a very warm day. 

Grandpa spent some time with our new grand kitty, Missy, who is a sweet and lovable furry addition to the family. 

After we left out daughter's home, we went to one of our favorite used bookstores because it was having a 40% off sale on all fiction books.  

I was pleased to find some volumes of old Nancy Drew Mysteries and Hardy Boys books to add to my growing collection.  I remember reading Nancy Drew books when I was young and I really enjoyed them.  My blogging friend Karen over at Life is Good is collecting old Nancy Drew books and she inspired me.  While I was at it, I decided to get Hardy Boys books too, which are from the same time period and much more available.  

It's been a good weekend. I hope that your weekend has also been a good one. Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy the week ahead.

Until next time,

😊Deb💖

"Stay positive. The only difference 

between a good day and a bad day

is your attitude."

~Dennis S. Brown

 

Best of the First Week of Fall

Welcome to Friday, when I share some of the best moments of my week, and remember the positive with gratitude.   I am linking up once again with Susanne over at Living to Tell the Story for Friday's Fave Five. 

😊 It's that season when, although I have to drive to school in the dark, I get to see some amazing sunrises once I am there.  This was the sunrise on Thursday morning.  It always makes my morning go better when I can experience the beauty of God's creation.  I am grateful that I get to see some amazing sunrises from my classroom window. 

😊 One of my students in my first period class gave me this Take Heart Rock.  There is a whole story behind the rocks.  Basically, these heart shaped rocks are "physical reminders that you matter, that you are loved and that you are not alone."  The man who makes these heart rocks gives them away to spread kindness and love.  His story is quite amazing and you can read it here.  I didn't think that the student who gave me the heart rock liked me or my class, so I was very touched when she came up to my desk and asked if she could give me the rock.  I had heard the story of Take Heart Rocks before and I was very grateful for this kind and thoughtful gesture from one of my students.

😊 I finished writing a batch of "get out the vote" postcards this week.  These cards, each with a hand-written personal note, remind the recipients how important voting is, and gives them a QR code where they can find more voting information specific to their locale.  I am grateful for the opportunity to spend a little time encouraging people to vote to preserve our rights and freedoms.  

😊  I finished two more books this week, which brings me to 50 books completed so far this year.  I am grateful for my love of reading and access to many wonderful books of all kinds.

😊 We had some WiFi outages at school this week, which basically meant that no one (teachers or students) could access any of the planned lessons or materials.  I was very grateful when a kind colleague helped me find a work-around to the problem so I could teach the lessons I had planned. 

😊 I had another physical therapy appointment on Thursday afternoon.  I had overdone things a bit on Wednesday and was in some pain, so the physical therapist checked everything out thoroughly, then told me I had just over done, not damaged anything.  He suggested ice on my back and rest for a couple of days.  I put in for a sick day off on Friday so I could do just that.  The physical therapist told me to slow down a bit and make sure that I do all of the exercises correctly, and remember "I'm not 30 any more."  I am grateful for a good physical therapist and for the good news that my back is healing.  

That's all for this first Friday Favorite's post of the fall.  Thanks for stopping by to share the good. Have a good weekend!

Until next time,

😊Deb💖

Tuesday 4 - Happy Fall Y'All!

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4... are you ready for Autumn?

Sunday September 22 was the Autumnal Equinox, the first day of the Autumn season,so today's questions are about autumn.  

1. Are there pumpkins or chrysanthemums on your porch or are you planning on putting some out?  

I have mums on my front porch.  I bought two large pots of mums last year and they survived the winter and now that the weather is cooling off, they are coming out in flower again.  Sometime this week, I will probably put a few Halloween decorations out on my porch.  

2. What seasonal changes are you noticing in your part of the world? 

I love the beautiful fall leaves.  There are a lot of leaves changing color in the mountains to the east of where I live. They are lovely and will be a the peak later this week, according to our local news.  The temperatures were cooler last week, but are warmer, up into the upper 80s, this week.  I would like to have the temperatures more fall-like, but I supposed that will come with time.

3. Is pumpkin pie on the menu for you this fall?  How about pumpkin spice or pumpkin latte coffee flavors? Are you a fan?   Spiced teas?  What do you like?    

I love pumpkin pie, but we probably won't have it until Thanksgiving.  My husband bakes delicious pumpkin pie. I was going to make some pumpkin muffins over the weekend, but simply ran out of time.  I am not much of a coffee or tea drinker. I have several nice large pumpkins in my garden (as shown in the picture above) and they will go to my grandchildren to carve.   We will use canned pumpkin to make muffins and pies.   

4. If there was a free week long tour of New England, complete with peak colors and a trip to Plymouth, Massachusetts (the colony site with historical players), would you come along?  If that doesn't suit, where would you like to go for your Autumn trip?

I would love to see New England in the fall, and visit historic Plymouth Massachusetts, but our fall break trip this year will be much closer to home. We are planning fall trip to Idaho to see Josh and visit and hike at Craters of the Moon National Monument and possibly Yellowstone National Park. 

That's all for this Tuesday 4 post.  Have a good week!

Until next time,

🎃Deb🎃

“Autumn teaches us the beauty of letting go. 

Growth requires release - it's what the trees do."

~ Ka'ala

Last of Summer, First of Fall

This weekend was half in summer and half in fall, but it is all good.  Here's what was going on in my world. 

Friday was a comp day off for me.  Our district gave us the day off after the two 12-hour parent-teacher conferences.   An elderly friend wanted my to go to a movie with her, because her husband doesn't get around well any more and won't go to movies. We went to see the new Matt Walsh movie, Am I a Racist, together in the morning. That movie had some sarcastically funny moments, but I found it somewhat boring. When I came home, I told Charly about the preview of the movie Reagan with Dennis Quaid.  Our son Josh had seen it and highly recommended it, so Charly and I decided to go to it Friday afternoon.  It was an excellent movie and we really enjoyed it.  I would highly recommend it, especially to anyone who remembers the 1980s and the Ronald Reagan years in this nation.  

Saturday morning, we went to the rec. center and had a good work out. I walked two miles and then worked out on the recumbent bicycle.  Riding the recumbent bike at the rec. center really helps my back feel good.  I wish I had one at home. 

Saturday afternoon, it was football time once again. We enjoy watching our grandson's team play and Saturday they won! 

We also enjoy seeing our little granddaughters at the game as well.This is our granddaughter who is almost six, and very precocious and full of energy.  

This is our ten-year-old granddaughter, who is lovely, fun and very kind. We always enjoy seeing our grandchildren. 

Meanwhile, our daughter was home helping our 16-year-old granddaughter get ready for her homecoming date. This is a picture of her and her date. I am sure I am prejudiced, but I think our granddaughter is beautiful. She and her date make a handsome couple.  I heard that her date was a gentleman and a good time was had by all.

Saturday night, after the game and after dinner, Charly and I went to a worship service at a nearby temple.   We didn't get home until about 9:30 p.m. and I was exhausted, but I am always glad that we took the time for temple worship. 

Sunday, we had our children's program. The children and their teachers in our congregation provided all the messages and music and it was a wonderful worship service. 

Sunday afternoon, Charly and I went to the Millcreek Rehab and Nursing Center to help with the worship service for the residence there.  This was our last Sunday to help there until January.  Our church congregation changes off with another nearby congregation in three month intervals.  We had a lovely service and I enjoyed seeing and visiting with the nursing home residents who came to worship. 

This is what we had for dinner - a pasta and bean crock pot dish that was quite good.  I am not going to share the recipe, because there are a few changes I want to make to it for next time, and hopefully it will be even better! We had salad and crescent roles with it. 

After dinner, I went for a walk.  It was a beautiful evening. 

Weekend gratitude

• Having an extra day off (Friday).
• Seeing our grandchildren.
• Worshipping at the temple. 
• Experiencing a wonderful children's worship service at church.
• Having a good conversation with Josh.  He seemed hopeful and happy.  

Coming up this week:

Wednesday - Charly routine dental check-up

Thursday - Appointment with physical therapist

Saturday - Birthday breakfast with our son-in-law

Saturday - Grandson's football game

That's all for now. Thanks for stopping by for a weekend visit. Happy fall and enjoy the week ahead!

💖Deb😊

"The heart is like a garden.  

It can grow compassion or fear, resentment or love.  

What seeds will you plant there this week?"

~anon.

 

 

Best Parts of a Busy Week

This week was another busy one!  I had two 12-hour, back-to-back, parent-teacher conference days, and tonight, as I begin this post, I feel like my brain is a little fried.  Still, it's always good to take a few minutes to remember the good parts of the past week, so I am linking again with Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for Friday's Fave Five.

😊We had some rain this week, which was good because we needed the moisture after a dry July and August.  This storm brought the first snow to the ski resorts in the mountains and lowered our temperatures to a more fall like range.  I am grateful for the rain and cooler temps. 

😊 We got this sweet, heartfelt thank you card from our daughter and grandchildren.  Each one wrote a personal note on the card.  I loved the messages and I am so grateful for the people who wrote them!

😊 Josh started what will probably be his final semester at BYU-Idaho last week.  He is on track to graduate in December, so this will probably be his final semester there.  He said that everything is going well, and when he paid his tuition, he was surprised to find that he had been awarded a BYU Idaho Scholarship!  He was pleased and so were we!  I am grateful for the wonderful educational experience he has had at BYU Idaho over the last two years! 

😊 I got this lovely thank you card from my blogging friend Faith over at Gold in the Clouds.  She was thanking me for giving her a few tips on signing up for Medicare, something I did last summer as I anticipate my 65th birthday, now less than a month a way.  Faith made a donation in my name to the Arbor Day Foundation as an early birthday gift.  A tree will be planted in my name in a national forest.  What a neat, thoughtful gift! I am so grateful for wonderful, kind, thoughtful blogging friends like Faith!  My blogging buddies are some of the best people I know!

😊 About a year ago, I found this little antique rocking chair at a thrift store for a bargain price.  It fits me perfectly and is super comfortable, especially with the back issues I have been having.  A couple of weeks ago, a screw came out of one of the support pieces, so I couldn't use it.  My sweet husband found a skilled furniture repair craftsman and took the chair to him for the needed repairs.  Charly went and picked up the chair this week and I am so grateful to have my comfy little rocking chair back.  I am so grateful to my husband and the repairman who skillfully fixed my antique rocking chair. 

😊Our school always provides dinner for us on parent-teacher conference night.  I am grateful for that because it is so helpful not to have to run out and get fast food in the hour between when school ends and parent-teacher conferences begin.   Usually the food is catered and quite good, like this lasagna, pasta, salad and bread stick from the Olive Garden.

😊 Fall parent-teacher conferences are finished as of tonight at 7 p.m. and I get tomorrow off as a comp day.  For that I am truly grateful!  

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you have also had much to be grateful for this week!  Have a good weekend!

Until next time,

😊Deb💖

"There shall be eternal summer

in the grateful heart."

~Celia Thaxter

Mid-September Weekkend

 Here are the highlights of our mid-September Weekend. 

Friday was my birth mother's 85th birthday.  She lives in Denver so I wasn't with her, but my sister sent me this picture via text.  My sister (on the right in the picture) threw my mother a party for her birthday, which was very nice.  I'm sure I'm prejudiced, but I think my mom looks pretty good for 85.   Gratefully, she is also pretty healthy. 

Saturday morning, we got up early because I had a morning appointment to get the oil changed in our Honda. We dropped the vehicle off shortly after 8 a.m..

White the car's oil was being changed, Charly and I went over to the Fashion Place Mall and walked for about a mile and a half before any of the stores were open. 

Later, Saturday afternoon, I worked out in my garden clearing out some of the unproductive vines and plants.  I found six ripening pumpkins and two cucumbers.  Now that some of the dead plants are cleared out, I hope that the tomatoes in the garden will get some more sunlight and will ripen. 

I completely filled up our garbage cans with dead and dying vines from the garden. 

After working in the yard, I was tired and took a little nap, which felt good.  When we got up, Charly and went to a couple of thrift stores.  The main thing I got was this brand new, blue hoodie with one of my favorite scriptures on it. This will definitely come in handy now that the temperatures are cooling off a bit. 

For dinner on Saturday night, we had chicken stir fry and green salad with one of the cucumbers I found from my garden.  I put blu cheese crumbles on my salad, which I really enjoy. 

After dinner, I went out for a walk around the neighborhood.  It was a lovely evening and it is starting to look like fall.

Sunday we attended church and sang hymns of praise and heard excellent, inspirational messages.  In the afternoon, we helped with the sacrament worship service at the nursing home/care center located a few blocks from our home.

I wanted to go for a walk Sunday evening, but the sky darkened, the wind kicked up and we had quite a storm.  Needless to say, I didn't go out for a walk right then. 

Sunday dinner was crock pot beef stew and green salad, which was very good.  I also made some cornbread and cinnamon muffins which were a tasty side.  

After dinner, we watched our scripture study class and also another Faith Matters talk about "messy families" that was excellent. 

A little later, the rain stopped and the skies cleared up, so I decided to go out for a short walk.  It was already starting to get dusk, so I didn't go far.  It was time to come home and start getting ready for the busy work week.

After I finish this post, I plan to put on my pjs and relax and do some reading.  It has been a good Sunday. 

Weekend Gratitude:

• We got a lot done this weekend - including a needed oil change for the car. 
• Josh found out that he got a scholarship to help pay his tuition this semester. Fall semester starts tomorrow at BYU-Idaho where he is going to school.  
• Josh had a nice hiking date, which he seemed to enjoy.
• We were inspired by the messages at church and those that we watched later on Youtube. 
• We had some rain Sunday that cooled our temperatures. 

Coming up this week:

Tuesday - Women's Group activity at church.

Wednesday & Thursday- Fall Parent Teacher Conferences at school.

Friday - Comp. day off to make up for 12 hour days for Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Saturday - Our grandson's football game.

That's all for this weekend. Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great week!

Until next time,

😊Deb💖

"Embrace the new week with open arms."

~anon.