{ The past few weeks in photos }

Hello everyone, welcome back to my little corner of the world.  You may have to dust off the cobwebs or maybe even machete yourself across the dense jungle, for it's been quite a while since I've actually sat down and compiled a little update post.

Life has been, well, LIFE.

It's 2020, and that is all I need to say.  I'm sure you can nod along and completely understand that life has just been completely unexplained and unexpected and crazy.

So, I've been in hiding, behind God's word, behind my four walls and allowing myself to stay focused on positivity without allowing the insane outside world to creep into my life.

You know what I mean?

I think at this point we are all in some sort of limbo here and there, and just looking to make it through the last few months of 2020, until we can come out the other side breathing, alive and thankful for surviving the craziest year of all.

In the meantime, while doing background things behind the blog lens, I've taken photos here and there, shared some Instagram stories, cooked and baked and so on.

Not much has changed over here on the blog, aside form the header, I try to switch it out every few months so it doesn't get boring.  I also added a pretty floral background, and I've also started using Amazon Associates Program, just to try and bring in a little change here and there.  Trust me, I don't plan on getting rich over anything, but I get asked often about the things I have at home, or where I got a certain book or kitchen gadget, so I figured I can start linking to them and maybe making a little and I mean little, commission here and there.

Please don't feel that you have to click on anything or buy anything, I won't be offended at all if you don't want to do any of that. :)

But I did feel I should let you know that any link I put up, is an affiliate link.

A few months ago, I heard the phrase "We are all in the same storm, but in different boats."

I found it so poignant to our lives, because though we are all in this crazy year together, the truth is that we come from different backgrounds, we have different needs, different wants, different houses, different lives and so on.

Some people find that strange, but I find a certain beauty to it all.  Each individual doing their own thing, living their life happily in their environment, albeit under the same cloud of darkness.

Deep down we all want the same thing.  To live a happy, healthy, long life with our families.  At least that's what I want, I don't want to be rich, never have, but have always wanted to have enough money to pay my bills and buy food and a just a little extra for this or that.

Some people take vacations all the time, we have never been in the position to do so.  Some people have lush gorgeous huge mansions, we have always lived quite simply.
Some have beautiful landscaped gardens, I aspire to have one, one day, but for me it's always been about prioritizing, one thing at a time.

Dreams I have many, but I will achieve each and every one, at a slower pace, all in God's timing.

I am just happy and content living in my little bubble, and that really is the ticket to a happy life isn't it?  Contentment and joy, even through hard times.

My girl is so sweet and has the most beautiful giving heart.  She is always coming home with something for me or her dad, mostly me, but I think it's because she knows I love little things for the kitchen, for the bath or the home.

The past week or so, my perimenopause has been brutal, the symptoms have hit me again full force and throw on top of that allergies, and I've just not been feeling very well.

She came home from work the other day and handed me a bag and said "I was going to buy myself some more work shoes, but I put them back and got you something instead because I know you're not feeling well momma."

It was the most beautiful bible case, with such a perfect scripture for our current life situation.

Walk by Faith from 2 Corinthians 5:7

How sweet is that?  How may times do we question if we're doing the right thing, being the right parent, teaching them the right ways?  Then they grow up and show you in these small gestures, that the morals and values you instilled in them from childhood, are alive and well.

Makes this momma's heart very happy.

Lots of crocheting has been happening too.  Some stuff for selling, and a new blanket for myself.  I can't believe how much I had missed crocheting, and only wish I hadn't stopped for almost 2 years, but I think we all go through these phases in life, when something just seems to drop off in lieu of other priorities and then life calms down a bit or something happens that makes you go back and grab that very dropped art, for comfort and joy.

Crochet has been that for me.

Sitting at night with the hook in hand, working a row or two has been pure bliss for my soul.

Lots of reading going on as well, in my daily Bible reading, I am now in 1 Samuel, having started from Genesis back in beginning of June, and am really loving it.

Also working my way through my pile of review books.  Currently finishing off Say Yes to What's Next.  It is a quick read and filled with little tidbits and information and tips for us older ladies.  I can't wait to review it for you all.

This one above just came in on Thursday.  Loving Well in a Broken World:  Discover the Hidden Power of Empathy by Lauren Casper.  Boy is that one needed for our current world situation isn't it?

I often say the problem we are facing right now is not color or political party derived, but rather a heart problem.  There is no empathy anymore, it's quite sad.

These last two above are not review books, but we popped to Tractor Supply earlier to get some Wasp killer, boy are the wasps angry this year, aren't they?  We just can't seem to keep them under control.

But, anyway, there is a small thrift store nearby, and we hadn't been in there in a very long time, so popped in just to have a browse and I grabbed these two books.

I love Beverly Lewis and anything Amish so of course October Song had to come home with me, as well as the Martha Peace book The Excellent Wife.

I said to my husband "Oh look I'm taking this one, I'll finally be a good wife to you.", to which he quickly replied "Well it's about time."  Hahahahahah

Love this man LOL

Anyway, I just wanted to come in real quick, have a chit chat and show some photos and share a little of what I've been up to.

Oh also making yummy food while trying to keep a pretty low grocery budget, which has been great.  I haven't bought a lot of meat for the past 2 months.

Last night I made some Copycat Wingers Sticky Fingers and they were divine and an immediate hit with the family.  It will be up on the food blog today, and is now on our list of must makes.

I'll leave you with that image, and I'm popping off into the garden to water it (it's been extremely hot around here) and to see if I have any zucchini ready for harvest.

Have a blessed weekend friends.