Excuses, Excuses

So much for posting something every week ...

How is it that life just runs wildly away with me?  I can blame it on the canning season, being largely pregnant and getting ready for baby #5, the to-do list that just grows longer and longer with the end of the summer, home schooling started, being just plain tired, practically anything.  But the reality is that we make time for those things that are important to us, which is why my house is in total disarray: 10 loads of laundry that's been sitting on my couch, unfolded for the last 2 weeks, finally got put into drawers (well, the kids stuff at least) just yesterday, my counters are cluttered with dirty dishes and kettles because the sinks are overflowing with more dirty dishes and kettles (why am I sitting here at the computer again?),  the floors have tumble weeds of pet hair and only God knows what my two year old has tried and tasted, my husband even condemned (seriously but oh so humorously) our back room where the kids play, no, throw their toys around and wreck any semblance of order to my crafty storage space, I have tomatoes that need my attention before I have to start throwing them away AND I want/need to get applesauce canned and pears done.  I'd love to get more tomatoes for making into sauce and try my hand at ketchup (our tomatoes aren't doing so well this year ... ), the benefit concert for our local City Mission is tomorrow night, etc. etc. etc.

BUT, and it's a big one!  My husband is joyful, my kids are enjoying themselves to the fullest as all kids seem to know how to do without being taught, and I am loving life like I've never loved it before.  Do I get stressed out and feel like I just can't function anymore when my living space gets like this.  Absolutely!  And unfortunately, some of my closest friends get the brunt of my frustration and craziness.  Through the years I have been learning what is important, I am beginning to see that this time I have with my children and my husband is so much more precious than a sparkling bathroom, or a spotless kitchen.  I am learning to do what I can, be all that I am, every single second of every single day ... and be happy with it!  Even if the to-do list grows and only a little gets marked off (isn't that what winter is for anyway?).  Soon I'll be tucked inside our home, snuggling with a new born baby, while the trees turn vibrant shades of color and eventually get covered in fluffy white stuff.  So, with the holidays fast approaching, we'll soon be enjoying the fruits of all our hard work this past summer with flavored vinegars, pickles, jams, pumpkin pies, applesauce, cobblers and crisps ... I just have to share this necklace.  This is the time of year I had in mind when I made it!

I love the vintage metal buttons and chocolate brown, the golden accents with a splash of cream spattered in there.  It just makes me want to grab a cup of creamy java, snuggle in with a warm blanket, and love on my kids while we escape into a good movie and eat pumpkin pie.  I just have to say, I love this time of year. Hopefully, you will too!  Enjoy wrapping up your summer activities and look forward to celebrating the end of another year lived with those that you love.