Thankful for Where We Live

Where we live in Virginia we are only an hour from the University of Virginia, 30 minutes from Liberty University and countless other colleges in Lynchburg. But, a little gem hidden in the woods only 15-20 minutes from our house is Sweet Briar College. Yes, 15 minutes from the house is very close for where we live!

This college is an all girls school that is hidden away in the woods and has an expansive campus, with horse stables and many hiking trails. And the locals are welcome to come and use the campus and enjoy all that is available.

We were recently able to get Faith into their dance classes. As an opportunity for their dance major students to get teaching experience, they provide dance classes. So once a week she goes to dance class for an hour and I've been able to enjoy their new indoor track that is in the building right next door.

(Forgive the quality of my phone camera, and my desire to not slow my pace.)

Although most days I love where we now live, secluded and remote, the biggest adjustment and frustration has been where we live, secluded and remote. It's the little things like enjoying the Sweet Briar Campus that make me thankful where we live.

Thank you Lord for the little things!

So Yummy! Gotta give these a try!

No that is not little bits of mold growing in those cookies! They are mint chips!

I discovered yesterday that Nestle came out with a seasonal Dark Chocolate & Mint Morsels! Not sure why it possessed me to buy them (most likely because I hadn't eat lunch before entering the store and they were on sale). But, I bought them and baked these little gems last night! Oh my, oh my, they are just too yummy and I had to share this with you.

If you like "grasshopper" cookies or girl scout's thin mint cookies you're gonna love these! Go out and buy a bag (in fact stock up because they are seasonal and you won't get them again until next year). Make the recipe on the back of the bag "Mint Chocolate Delights", and let me know what you think.

Let me also share with you my secret to getting perfect chocolate chip cookies every time. I use 3 cups of flour not just the 2 1/4 on the recipe. (With these I used all whole wheat, you can't taste any difference.) I also add 1 tsp. of baking powder to the dough.

One last suggestion: Call the 800 number for Nestles on the bag, tell them how much you enjoy them and they will send you some coupons for more!! (Can you guess what I did today? Tah hee hee)

Small Successes

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that.

1. I finished knitting a pair of socks that will be for Haley for Christmas. Didn't the yarn work up into a beautiful pattern?

2. Mike and I joined the gym for the remainder of October. We'll see how it goes. I was also able to find time to get there 3x this week! I realize this doesn't sound like much, but with Mike having worked the last 6 days (and probably the next 5) having to leave Jake to watch Faith so I can go. This is really good! (Amazing how much guilt a mother can feel when doing something simple for herself.)

3. Was able to bake bread this week. Although the weather hasn't cooled to "fall" temperatures yet it was pleasant enough, and I found the time.

If you would like to participate in Small Successes on your blog visit Faith and Family Live or click on the Small Success button on the top of the post. If you don't have a blog please feel free to put your successes in a comment to this post.

Have a GREAT week everyone!

The Forgotten Man - Jon McNaughton

A Knitting Mom's Special Moment

I don't have make up on and my hair isn't fixed up all pretty, but the moment was too special to me not to have a photo of it, and share.

Small Successes

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that.

1. On Friday I ordered the kids curriculum and school books. Finally!!

2. Curriculum and books arrived Monday, we started school Tuesday. When you wait until October to start school thought it would be best not to put it off any longer. So far... we're settling back in.

3. Mike and I decided to try a free week at the local 24 hour gym. It is especially nice because Jacob and Haley are old enough to go too. Consider it P.E. class. We'll see how it goes...

Comments on Home Schooling

The most common reply I get when telling people we home school our kids is, "I could never do that I don't have the patience."

If they only knew how little patience I have, is all I can think. I'm not one of those wonderful home schooling moms who can leave the laundry until later, or can have a sink with dirty dishes in it and know I can get to it at some point. I've said it before, I'm an A-type personality and I like things to be "just so".

This is our 7th year home schooling and I still pray for patience (and blinders) EVERY day. I try to look at it as my way of learning and growing within myself. And although I still have a lot to learn, "I've come a long way baby!"

Today we started school. Yeah, yeah, I know it is October!! Figured it was time. Jacob (15 yo) told me this morning, he hates some of the reactions he gets when he tells other kids he's home schooled. Especially, "I could never do that! I'd miss out on so much." Jacob can't understand what he's missing out on. He has plenty of friends and a pretty active social life.

Haley's comment to this was, "You mean they don't want to be with their parents all day most likely." My kids agreed that was something they liked most about home schooling. I was so pleased!! I guess even when I'm having a "bad" day they don't mind me so much.

What are some of the worst comments you hear? Other than the usual: "What about socialization?"

Tying One On

Have I ever shared with you that I make rosaries? They are twine rosaries and I learned how at rosaryarmy.com

At Haley's christening (now 12), a dear friend of ours gave her a sweet little pink rosary as a gift. The note inside said she had prayed each day on the rosary for Haley while she was in the NICU after being born. It brought tears to my eyes then and still warms my heart when I think of it. Haley still prays on this same rosary now! It is a twine rosary my friend had made.

Years later I found out how to make them and purchased my own supply of twine. For several months the kids and I made rosaries, prayed on them, and some were even given as gifts. My father was a recipient of one, and prayed on them up until the day he died.

Now that I spend most of my free time knitting I haven't made any rosaries in few years. Yesterday while praying the thought of the rosaries came flooding back to me. So.... I pulled out my twine and made a set. It felt good!! Although I probably won't go full throttle into the rosary making realm again, I may "tie" a few more than I have been...

I'm Riding the High

This is how I've been feeling lately! Like I'm on air!

I've always been a person who is easily stressed, and worries about everything, and I also know that if I can just put a little exercise into my routine it helps so much with all of that. Prayer helps too, but I really need the endorphins released with exercise. The only problem is, I hate exercise!!

Well, for now I'm on a good routine and I'm riding the high!

October 1, Feast of St. Therese

Today is the feast of St. Therese. Some of you may already have ideas on how you will celebrate this special saint. So that I'm not reinventing the wheel, here is a blog by Jessica that I read frequently she has put together an abundance of ideas on ways to celebrate St. Therese.

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.