A Walk on a Wintry Day

The morning was bright and crisp, but I stayed inside with a feverish child.  My early workout beckoned ~ I could not come.  And I was off to such a great new years start too!  Redemption for the lost plans came mercifully, through a friends invitation for a walk in the country.  It was very cold but also dreamy.  We walked briskly, enjoying the most picturesque views of fields, hills, mountains and sunset in all directions, chatting all the way!  It was pure grace for my winter weary soul!

How do you embrace winter in all it holds?

Life on a Budget

I have definetly caught the budgeting bug!

I swear to you for the first time in my life I actually look forward to getting our bills each month.  Can you believe it?  I know, me either.

We have been working hard to keep our heat turned down, our wood stove cranked up, lights off and spending to a minimum.  Our children are adjusting as they at first couldn't understand why we just don't run out for ice cream or a new sweater or .... "fill in the blank" like we used to.  I have reduced my drive thru coffee habit - down to about once every two months.  Scott has trimmed his eating out budget to a fraction of what it used to be.

Here are the top reasons I am so thankful for our new budget:
1.  I feel like a grown up.
2.  It has caused me to be more organized with paperwork than ever before.  I even know what we paid for utilities for the past 2 years so I can have an idea what to actually budget for each month!
3.  We can be more purposeful in our giving!!!
4.  Choosing where to spend our money is empowering!
5.  We can make our dollars stretch farther when we respect them more!
6.   Prioritizing our personal expenses means nothing truly important gets left out at the expense of something less important!
7.  I am more thankful for the conveniences and goods we exchange our money for - heat, services rendered, internet and more.

For our family being thrifty and purposeful during the winter months is absolutely essential as our business slows way down from the full and bustling summer and fall.  While we have more time together we have much less money to spend, it's feast or famine!  I will take the family time and enjoy it more when I realize we  have prepared well!

How about your family - do you budget?  What are your tips and tricks to staying on track?


I use Dave Ramsey's online budget worksheets printed right off of his website for free in order to make a monthly budget.  

More Than Enough

I woke up this morning knowing we have an abundance.  We have enough for today which means we are satisfied.  We even have enough for tomorrow, which is an abundance.  When I realize this and the fact that we are so fortunate in America, it causes me to wonder - why?  Why do we have enough when others don't?
The answer to this question is not a simple one.  Yet, I came to the profound reason of freedom.  We have more prosperity in America than anywhere else because we have more FREEDOM in America than anywhere else.  The two go hand in hand.  And why do we have the freedom we have?
Because brave men and women stood up to tyranny in 1776 and we still stand up to it today.  Our freedom was and still is hard-won, it has and continues to cost untold numbers of lives.  Sometimes we think freedom is free or at the least, some of us take it for granted.   Many in America today don't even remember our country's history or how far we have come.  So today, when I think of the fact that we have all we need I will be mindful of the cost - and not in dollars and cents but in loss and struggle resulting in triumph.
Blessings,
Olivia
   

Inspired by...

I recently found myself smitten with the well-known blog soulemama and loved the way she presents her life in these snippets.  I thought I would try it myself!
listening... to the sound of my husband and children enjoying Nanna & Poppa who've come to town for a visit
eating... chinese food they brought to share
feeling... blessed that the warm sun came out to show her face today
working on... spring cleaning before summer commences!
loving... cuddling up my littlest one on my lap while I type because she's sleepy
appreciating... examples of other momma's loving their role and living it up
dreaming... of getting my studio set up to make soaps, melts & candles
plotting... a little weekend road trip to find the warmth and sunshine we've been craving
enjoying... that their only little for a little while
thinking... this is gonna be a busy week
planning... a summer full of adventure, nature and good books
creating... a new menu plan for meals
looking... for inspiration, always, it's how I get by in life!
treasuring... the way our little cozy yellow house welcomes us home and brightens even a grey day (or as it may be, many grey days in a row)
wishing... you a lovely week
blessings,
olivia

Memories with my girls

There's a funny thing about having two precious girls who bookend rambuctious boys in one family.  Time spent with each one is amazingly fulfilling and beautiful but in completely different ways.  This momma is feeling pretty blessed right now to say the least. 

Last night Anna & I had the most memorable evening together at a Taylor Swift concert.  Out on the town enjoying the lights, glitter and glamour of it all with my eleven year old girl.  (Well, first we stopped off for a burger ~ you know, kid food)

The show was impressive from the elaborate sets and special effects to the dancing and instrumental aspects.  It almost had a broadway theme.  Taylor made a point to come out into the middle and perform up close and personal to the crowd!  Anna was able to shake her hand as she came by in front of us! 

We both dressed up in our country best with cowgirl boots and such!  (She is even wearing a Taylor Swift dress!)

And then there is another kind of sweet, a kind of memory made of pure goodness and joy with all the simplicities of home.  A quiet morning after a dazzling night.   A gentle breeze and pretty light shimmering through falling leaves.  AND... a lovely angel adorned with curls and a pretty smile softly swaying on a swing, to and fro.

Goodness in the evening and goodness in the morn.

Blessed.

A Full Heart Kind of Day

Today the sun was shining. 
I managed to stay home almost the entire day organizing and tackling little projects around the house.  I love ending the day with the dishwasher going with every dish in the house and the last load of laundry started in the washer!  The house is clean, this time it would more than pass the "dim the lights" test!  Yesterday the grass had it's first mow so the view down to the shop was springy and nice! 
After painting the trim white in the fall and not seeing the sun since (almost joking) I didn't realize just how cheerful our house looks when you pull up! 
Anyway, for tonight all is well.  My family are almost all tucked in our beds!  It was a quiet, peaceful and accomplishment full kind of day!  Thank the Lord!

A tribute to talent!

This is just a little post in honor of my husband who is having his birthday this week and we are also celebrating our 11th Anniversary!  He is so talented and these photos are just a few from a recent local event we catered!  "We" meaning I printed menu's, chatted with the staff and ate!  (that's not all I do though!)

Even from the beginning his career made an impact on me.  As soon as I met him and he told me he cooked he had me hook line & sinker.  I didn't know he was this good!  The pictures are pretty but the taste is amazing!  I am so thankful for the way he provides for our family but also for the success he has carved out in his career.   I am so thankful for the kind of dad he is to our children, he is fun and active always teaching them important skills and lessons! 

And I am also thankful that when he offers to cook dinner for the night it isn't boxed macaroni and cheese but more like braised cabbage & slow cooked ribs or .... any number of flavorful dishes!

Thank you God for my husband, & thank you honey for choosing me!

Blessings,

Olivia

Gifts that are made to last

Sisters

the joy we share

friends forever

memories

The only kind of gifts that last are the ones He gives. 

Merry Christmas,

Olivia

Make New Friends, But Keep the Old

One is silver and the others gold. 

It has unfortunately taken me most of my life to get this right. 

Today, I was so incredibly fortunate to have a dear lifelong friend Wendy come to my home to enjoy a morning of coffee, shared company and a lovely lunch together.  She brought her two littlest girls to play with mine and it was so sweet.  She mentioned wanting to meet my newest friend, my neighbor Nicole who I've been talking about quite a bit.  You see I am so thankful for her!  I had been looking for someone to go walking with every day.  To get outside and enjoy a brisk walk in nature, and we do, sometimes in a neighborhood and often out in the countryside.  What a treasure!  And even better we are kindred spirits, our conversations flow naturally and we find ourselves with always something more to be said!  The combination of good conversation and breathing fresh air is good for the soul and I am the better for it!

With all that said, I called Nicole to invite her to come over for lunch to meet Wendy and she accepted!  It was a meeting of two very dear friends and an impromptu celebration of friendship in general.  Wendy and I actually used to be neighbors at one point in our friendship!  At that time, she was my walking friend and I have missed having someone to share that with for 8 long years since we both moved!  What I haven't missed in those years is her actual friendship.  We have through the telephone (and infrequent visits) literally comforted, complained and commiserated through marriage, babies, work, and pretty much all of life together! 

My heart is full!  And most importantly I think I have finally matured to know how to value each friendship and it's place in my heart!  I am someone who likes and needs to simplify.  I do this routinely throughout my home and tend to get overwhelmed and try to streamline my heart too.  There is however, a new concept I am pursuing these days and it's all about a sense of community!  There will be no more streamlining of my heart!  Only always room for more!

Blessings,

Olivia

I know a place

As I sit to write this post and the little one starts to wail in the background for some yet unknown reason... 

 I am "posting" ( which is just another way of saying "postponing") 

 I should be:

digging into the laundry that never was started

starting a homework lesson

cleaning the floors which of course look as though they haven't been swept in a week.

This has been one of those out and about kind of days - the kind when you've been gone so long you just can't quite settle into to start chores that should have started hours ago. 

But...in spite of the mess...

I know a place were there is at least one child asleep at my bedside when my eyes open in the morning.

I know a place where the little one stands in the window sill to wave bye to siblings zooming away in the school bus.

I know a place when naptime is a heavenly lull in the noise at midday.

I know a place where a little voice sweetly says "momma" as she wakes again too soon!

I know a place where growing feet pound up the stairs and through the door at 4:03

I know a place overflowing with laughter while 8 feet circle the hallwaylivingroomdiningroomkitchen for the hundred millionth time

I know a place where quiet prayers and lullabies are sung and little boys dont forget to ask God to make them strong and brave

I know a place.... it's HOME

(this post was inspired by one of my favorite children's books, but adapted to my own home)

Why I love this time of year!

Okay, so I've been noticing a few starting to get a bit down about fall fading into Winter.  First of all I understand because I did have one fleeting thought this week "Oh no after the holidays it stays miserable for sooooo long"...but I quickly pushed it out of my head.  Let tomorrow worry about tomorrow I said & then went along happily because we are still in the season I love. 
So, these are the things I love:
I love it when the rain pours down and the wind blows all around while I am inside my cozy house with the woodstove warmth wrapping me like a wool blanket.  It makes me so thankful to have shelter!

I love it when my children are all home from school in the evening & we have just had a fallish dinner of Ginger Carrot Soup with Turkey & Swiss Grilled Sandwiches.  We putter about satisfied and resting wrapped in dark with glowing lamp light to cozy up to.

I love making gift lists for the holidays (I always start early because just like my pumpkins come out in early Sept. my sparkly things start coming out before Thanksgiving!)  I LOVE CHRISTMAS.  It makes my heart glad.

I love bundling up to go out in sweats & ugg boots and sweaters with vests and knit hats.  It doesn't get better than that - except when I feel like going less casual and get to wear my favorite brown boots with jeans & a cute jacket!

I love the sunny days that break in and surprise me so I can't help but going out for a walk and feeling so blessed to have another gorgeous day - we have more nice days in fall than any other time of the year in the NW I think.

I love to hope for the first snow!

I could go on and on I think but that might be a real bore!  Just had to share why my heart is still full (and I'm so thankful it is!)

And come on - who wouldn't love this!  My little pooch Opal shows how to get really comfy on a drizzly day.
Blessings,
Olivia

Anna is 10!

Our oldest, our daughter Anna has entered the double digits and is now 10!  This feels big and in many ways is big!  I cannot believe it has only taken 10 years (and it has felt like less) for our baby girl who we adored and treasured and cuddled in our arms to be big enough to stand only a head shorter than me!  She is still treasured for sure and I wanted to share some of the celebration we had for her birthday!

We celebrated with a "Spa Birthday" at her Grandma & Auntie's Salon with 3 of her friends from school - so fun!  They had their nails done, their hair styled (soooo cute) and relaxing mini-facials!  They also enjoyed sweets & treats & sparkling martinelli's.  I love little girls chatter, I loved to see her carefree and enjoying time with them & it blessed my heart that she had a special birthday!  

 

Thank you to the girls who came and made her day so special and also, thank you so much to her Auntie's Jeneah, Sara, & Tara and Grandma Jill for each contributing and doing your special part for these girls! 

We ended the fun time with a little trip to Claire's and picked out a trinket for each girl! 

In addition, Anna asked for a bedroom makeover for her birthday!  She picked out such darling room and lots of people pitched in to make the changes come to life!  Since she is not a "little girl" anymore she was craving sophistication!  Here is how it turned out!

She says it is "awesome" and amazing and she loves it!  I love it too (even though it departs from my typical faded blues and yellows and beiges)!  A big thank you to Aunt Mary Claire, Nanna, Grammy (with our contribution also) for completing the transformation for our girl! 

I did want to add one thing!  This year has been a very celebratory year for our family!  Carolyn turned 1 and Anna 10 - both special milestones and the boys turned 5 & 7.  We celebrated with real and over the top birthday parties because this is the last year we are celebrating this way!  At this point, we really feel that we can mark birthdays with a special type of family day that gives each child a memory unique to their interests and age.  Birthday parties are fun yes, but also extremely expensive and for me as a mom (the kids though too) they can be stressful!  I for one am really looking forward to a new way of welcoming each new age! So while Anna's "Spa Party", the boys "Pool Parties" and Carolyn's 1 year old Bash were maybe a bit over the top, we are certainly moving into a new tradition of simple abundance.

What's Going On at Our House?

Well, Carolyn, the littlest one in the house has been causing quite a commotion, that's what!  Whew,  all the sudden as we are approaching 18 months old this darling tiny girl is turning out to be a bit of a handful even for this seasoned momma of 4!  She has me a bit worn out right now admittedly, which might explain the length of time since my last post!  We are busy busy busy!  She is either chatting to us, whining at us or squealing, fussing or giggling, but always something!  This little girl is a fiesty one too (exagerated by having older brothers who don't exactly play gently, and a puppy her same size) and ready to let us know what she does and doesn't like!  I fondly refer to her as my teeny weeny tiny one, itty bitty whiney one.  

On a positive note, I know this is just a phase and it wont last!  I remember with my first 2 toddlers when we went through difficult phases I didn't know how short they usually are!  Within a few weeks we will be on to something new and past this particular season!  I am so thankful that God made the hard parts short so we can endure them and I'm also thankful to be past that new momma phase so I know what to expect! 

Counting my blessings

No really. I am truly counting my blessings tonight. Honestly I have heard about so much hurt and tragedy in the past week. I will spare the details because they are weighing heavily on me, I can't seem to shake them...

Probably because it's a reminder to me. Of what? That each new day is a gift. Fragile and precious. That the beautiful people God has lovingly created & put in my life, my home and my heart are his and not mine to keep. We are like "blades of grass, the wind blows over us and we are no more(for this world anyway)" yet from ever lasting to ever lasting the Lord's love is with those who fear Him and his righteousness is with their children's children. (from Psalm 103, paraphrased some) This scripture always reminds me that this world is our temporary home. We are not humans trying to be spiritual but spirits trying to be human. This life is short but there is an eternity to follow. One that I can hardly imagine but believe in whole heartedly!

Even my own life is not my own because I am a creation of the living God who loves me, formed me, and has a plan for my life. I am thankful, so thankful. Tonight all my children are tucked safely in bed, warm and cozy and well fed. Can you tell I have a thing about things needing to be cozy!

Tonight we are all healthy. This simple statement is profound. When I am healthy I don't always notice it, but I certainly notice when I'm sick. Right now I am filled with gratitude because what more can we ask for than being well? It is a form of wealth if you ask me!

I know that in my future there will be days of worry, days where I can't say everyone is under my roof and sleeping soundly and safely, days when things are difficult. But I will not worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will worry about itself. So now I will go and lie down and sleep in peace. Blessings to you and I hope you can say with me that you and yours are well and safe and have much to be thankful for!

Olivia

P.S. While I'm writing this I have had alicew.typepad.com open so I can listen to her pretty calming music. I haven't figured out how to add any tunes yet but I do recommend some of her choices! They are pretty and relaxing and full of feeling! Feel free to try it, and browse her blog too, it's sweet!