From The Archives: My Favorite Summer Movies

Last summer my husband and I worked our way through my boxed set of beach movies. Every Monday night is "Old Movie Monday" at our house, and even though we had watched a few of these before, we decided this summer to watch them all, and in the order they were released. So far we've watched

- Beach Party (1963)

- Muscle Beach Party (1964)

- Bikini Beach (1964)

and 

- Ski Party (1965) which is technically not a beach movie, but it is included in the box set, and is actually one of my favorites.

These movies are campy, but I love them! I actually have very fond memories of watching them with my mom. Her favorite was How To Stuff A Wild Bikini and Pajama Party, which, sadly, is not included in the box set.

If you've never seen them, or you just want to take a little trip down memory lane, you can watch them online, most of them for free!

- Beach Party

- Muscle Beach Party

- Bikini Beach

- Pajama Party (only available on Prime)

- Beach Blanket Bingo - one of my personal favorites!

- Ski Party - another favorite!

- How To Stuff A Wild Bikini - and yet another favorite!

There are also two movies in the boxed set that I couldn't find free online, Thunder Alley and Fireball 500, both of which are about racing, which makes them less desireable to watch, at least for me.

Another movie with a beach theme that I love is Summer of 42, which is the story of a young boy who develops an innocent love for a young woman whose husband is in the military. It stars a young Jennifer O'Neill, who has always been one of my favorites. I especially remember the Theme From Summer of '42, which was sung by my mother's favorite crooner, Andy Williams, and I absoutely love this instrumental version. 

There are a number of movies with a summer theme or setting, such as;

- American Graffitti (Netflix)

- The Parent Trap (1961) - (Disney)

- Rear Window  - my all time favorite Alfred Hitchcock! (Netflix)

- To Catch a Thief - summer on the French Riviera! (Pluto)

- A Summer Place - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 (Daily Motion)

And then there's always my favorite summer movie, Gidget, which I wrote about, here.

Hopefully I've listed at a least a few that may be new to you that you can enjoy as hot days of summer amp up. What about you? Do you have any favorite movies you watch in this season? I'm always looking for new recommendations!

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Recipes From Grandma's KitchenA Summer Stand-By - Texas Pulled Pork!

If you're looking for a stand-by recipe for all your summer gatherings, this pulled pork fits the bill! Slathered in a spicy chipotle-coffee rub and slow cooked to perfection, when topped with copycat Mission BBQ Texas Twang Barbecue Sauce, it will quickly become a family favorite! Combined with my recipe for potato salad and baked beans (coming soon!), you can't miss with this tastebud-tantalizing trio!

❊ TEXAS PULLED PORK
1 4 lb. pork butt

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup black pepper

1/4 cup finely ground dark coffee

1/4 cup smoked paprika 

2 tablespoons kosher salt

1 tablespoon chipotle powder

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons cumin

2 teaspoons allspice

To make the rub, combine the brown sugar, black pepper, coffee, salt and spices. Coat the pork on all sides. Wrap in plastic wrap and place on large plate or cookie sheet. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

Remove pork from refrigerator and bring to room temperature, about 1/2 and hour. Pre-heat oven to 250.

Place pork in lightly oiled (about 1 teaspoon canola oil) roasting pan or dutch oven and cook uncovered fat side up for 8 hours or about 2 hours per pound.

After the pork has cooked, remove the meat from the oven and let sit for 30 mins to 1 hours. The pork will appear to be black, which is the natural color the rub takes on when cooked. It is not burned! Using two forks, pull the meat into strands being sure to incorporate the black rub in with the meat. and coat with about a cup of barbecue sauce, or as desired. Serve additional sauce on the side. 

Serve on a bun with cole slaw or pickled jalapenos.

Serves 

4 adults with plenty of leftovers

6 adults with comfortable servings

8 adults with moderate servings + sides

❊ COPYCAT MISSION BBQ TEXAS TWANG BARBECUE SAUCE

1 cup ketchup

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup yellow mustard

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons molasses

1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon liquid smoke

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon black pepper 

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for heat)

1/2 teaspoon salt

Pinch of crushed red pepper for extra bite (optional)

Add everything to a saucepan over medium heat.

Whisk until smooth and fully combined.

Bring to a gentle simmer then reduce heat to low.

Cook uncovered 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. It should thicken slightly but still stay pourable. This sauce isn't thick.

Taste and adjust.

More vinegar - sharper twang.

More brown sugar - softer, sweeter edge

More cayenne pepper - sharper bite.

~ Enjoy!

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Join Me This Summer For The Summer Bingo Challenge!

 

Well my friends, it's June and summer will officially arrive on Sunday, June 21! To be honest, it's a little hard for me to wrap my mind around that we are nearing the half way mark of the year! And while the "official" first day of summer is still a few weeks away, in our home the summer season is marked by two holidays, Memorial Day in late May and Labor Day in early September.  We've observed it this way for more than a decade now and I still prefer it.

All that to say, a few years ago as these days were approaching,  I realized that if we are not intentional, summer was going to slip by us before we even knew it and we might miss out on some fun seasonal activities and traditions. And though there is always work to do, for me, it's important to keep a balance between work and play. I get burned out quickly if I don't set aside time to engage in more leisurely activities. And so I decided to create a fun Summer Bingo Challenge. In each square I listed an activity that I would like to be intentional about doing over the summer season, with the goal being if not to achieve a blackout, to at least score a couple of bingos. Then, come September, I can look back at all the happy memories we made together!

As before, I thought it might be fun to share it hear with you! I created a personal copy for me, and then another with a few blank spaces for you to be able to write in your own ideas. You can find the link below. If you need some inspiration, just click on the image of my personal copy at the top of this post and you'll be able to see what I included in mine. If you find that some of the activities that I've included add too much going and doing to your already busy schedule, you can choose others that you can do at home. In the end the goal isn't even about getting a bingo, but about being intentional with how we spend our time in this season, and I know for me, having it written down where I can see it is half the plan to getting there!

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday, my friends! 

Ordinary Days Of Small Things 2026 Summer Bingo Challenge

You also might enjoy my Summer Tic Tac Toe

a little simpler take on the season with fewer ideas!

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Now Available - The Ordinary Days of Small Things Summer Day Keeper

Many years ago, I began creating seasonal planners as a way to be more intentional about making lasting memories with my family. Over time, these planners evolved into what I now call Day Keepers. Each Day Keeper follows the natural rhythm of the four seasons — beginning in Spring with (March, April, May) continuing through Summer (June, July, August), Autumn (September, October, November), and Winter (December, January, February).

Rather than following the calendar year, I chose to begin each Day Keeper in the Spring, a season of fresh starts, new beginnings, and the planting of seeds — both literal and metaphorical. The year then flows naturally through each season, ending in Winter — a time for rest, reflection, and restorative peace. This cycle mirrors the rhythm of life itself, giving space for growth, change, and renewal.

Over time, I began offering the Day Keepers here on my blog, and they quickly became a popular resource for those looking to live more intentionally and savor life’s everyday moments. It has been a few years since I last shared them, but this year felt right to give them a fresh update and bring them back for you.

I have always made these planners available free of charge, and I will continue to do so this year. However, as much of the content is now being reframed and expanded for my upcoming book, What We Keep: Making Time For What Truly Matters, this will be the last year the Day Keepers are available free of charge. In the future, they will likely be offered as a companion piece to the book. So for now, this is your last opportunity to download them without cost.

If you’ve been longing for a way to live more intentionally, make lasting memories, and follow the natural rhythm of the seasons, I invite you to download your Day Keeper today and begin your year with intention.

Download the The Summer Day Keeper Here

Download the Summer Quarter 2026 Calendars Here

Download the Summer Phenology Wheels Here

Print one phenology wheel for each month and record daily moon phase, weather, sunrise and sunset, high and low temperature, sketch flora and fauna and anything native to your location. The possibilities are endless!

May this planner guide you in noticing what matters, celebrating the small moments, and carrying intention into every day of your year.

A Holy Reordering: Recovering Peace Room By RoomThe Living Room - Hospitality Without Performance

This week, we move into the living room—or, as we call it, the family room. It is a space where life gathers in all its textures: the soft murmur of conversation, the shuffle of feet, the quiet pauses that slip unnoticed between activities. Lent calls us to enter this space differently—not to rush, not to impress, not to judge—but to notice what it carries and how our hearts move within it.

“Do everything in love.”

— 1 Corinthians 16:14

True hospitality begins quietly. It is in the pause before someone enters, the mindful clearing of surfaces that distract, the careful placement of objects that invite connection rather than admiration. Letting go of aesthetic pressure does not make the room less beautiful; it frees it to be alive, open, and welcoming. In this space, the spirit of welcome is not written in perfection—it is breathed into the air through our attention, our presence, our willingness to see and receive others without judgment.

The living room often reflects what we carry most. A space filled with visual noise or clutter can mirror inner tension, while a room arranged with intention reflects calm and attention. Conversation flows more freely when cushions are inviting rather than rigidly aligned. Energy softens when we allow imperfection and embrace what is present, rather than what we wish to display. And sometimes, the room holds more than we realize: our hurried minds, our quiet frustrations, our unspoken expectations. Lent asks us to notice these, without condemnation, and to respond with grace.

Hospitality is a rhythm, not a task. It begins in the heart, in the willingness to slow down, to observe, to create spaces that reflect care. It is present in the movement of a chair toward a circle of friends, the gentle clearing of a table before someone sits, the intentional arrangement of light and shadow to invite comfort. Each thoughtful act, no matter how small, becomes a prayer of presence—a whisper that says, you are welcome here, you are safe, you are seen.

❊ A Whispered Practice

Today, move through the living room with quiet attention. Notice what draws your eye, what feels heavy, what invites pause. Straighten a blanket, clear a tabletop, or simply sit in a corner for a few deep breaths. Let your movements be gentle, deliberate, and unhurried. As you do, offer this prayer softly:

“May this room speak welcome to all who enter. May my presence reflect patience, care, and love. May I notice what is truly important, and let go of what distracts from connection.”

There is no expectation of perfection here. This is not about how the room looks, but how it feels. Observe how a small act—a moved chair, a cleared surface, a softened corner—changes the energy. Notice how your own spirit shifts when you align your attention with the space. In this quiet tending, the room becomes more than furniture and decor. It becomes a reflection of presence, of intention, of love flowing outward from a heart willing to be still and attentive.

Next week, as we enter Holy Week, we will conclude our series, preparing our homes for The Resurrection and Easter Sunday. Together, we will explore how caring for each space with intention allows our homes to reflect the hope, joy, and renewal of Easter, bringing God’s presence into every corner of our hearts and lives.

Step into the living room today. Move slowly, breathe fully, and offer presence.

Room by room.

Heart first.

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A Holy Reordering: Recovering Peace Room By Room- The Bedroom — Rest as a Spiritual Discipline

The bedroom is a threshold. It is the place where the day ends, a space where the quiet can feel holy—or it can feel heavy, depending on what we carry in our hands, in our minds, in our hearts. Lent asks us not to rush past this room, but to pause. To notice where we have held on too tightly, where we have expected rest without receiving it, where our souls have gone unnoticed even as we prepared the space for sleep.

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

— Matthew 11:28

Even a room that looks calm can carry the imprint of a restless spirit. The sheets may be folded, the surfaces cleared, but the tension that we have carried all day lingers in the air. The bedroom is honest in this way: it reflects what is inside before we even lay down. And it offers a gift: the opportunity to release, to receive, to let stillness settle.

Soft linens, gentle light, surfaces tended with care—these are not signs of perfection, but invitations. Each small gesture of attention can become a prayer, a quiet alignment of the outer room with the inner spirit. Lent calls us to notice the edges where tension lingers, not with judgment, but with tenderness.

A hurried heart unsettles even the coziest sheets.

An anxious mind can make the softest blankets feel heavy.

A spirit carrying burdens cannot yet rest fully.

❊ A Gentle Evening Offering

Tonight, linger in your bedroom. Fold a blanket, clear a nightstand, or move objects with attention. As you do, breathe slowly and whisper:

“As this space rests, may my heart rest with You.”

No rush. No striving. No expectation of perfection. Just presence. Let the act reflect the spiritual invitation to release tension, receive calm, and welcome Sabbath.

Notice how the room feels lighter, how the quiet begins to settle, how your own spirit echoes that stillness. When rest begins in the heart, the home follows naturally. The bedroom becomes more than a room—it becomes a sanctuary, a mirror of the Sabbath God offers freely.

Next Monday, we will turn to the living room—or, as some call it, the family room—a space of gathering, conversation, and shared life. We will explore how tending this space with intention nurtures calm, rhythm, and hospitality in the heart of the home.

Tonight, step slowly into your bedroom. Move with awareness. Breathe. Receive rest.

Room by room.

Heart first.

A Holy Reordering: Recovering Peace Room by Room– The Kitchen: Where Nourishment Shapes Atmosphere

Before the day begins in earnest, step into the heart of the home: the kitchen. Not just the place where meals are prepared, but the space where nourishment, rhythm, and family culture intersect.

“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

— 1 Corinthians 10:31

David began with his heart. As homemakers, we begin here too — not with a sparkling counter or a reorganized pantry, but with awareness of how our inner life shapes this central space.

A hurried spirit rushes the morning coffee.

A distracted mind leaves counters cluttered and meals unappreciated.

A resentful heart makes the table feel heavy, even when the meal is simple.

The kitchen is more than functionality. It is atmosphere. And atmosphere is the reflection of the spirit within us.

“Do everything in love.”

— 1 Corinthians 16:14

This week, Lent invites a small, holy practice: to clear, reorder, and notice.

❊ Today’s Lenten Kitchen Practice

Clearing counters and surfaces slowly — Remove items not used daily. Let each clearing be accompanied by a soft prayer:

“As this surface is cleared, steady my spirit and prepare my heart for nourishment and care.”

Reordering pantry and fridge intentionally — Consider not only what is stored, but how it is stored. Ask: Does this arrangement make preparation joyful or stressful? Can this rhythm serve the family without straining me?

Evaluating meal rhythms — Look at the flow of breakfasts, lunches, dinners. Can one adjustment ease the pace? Bring gratitude into the rhythm, remembering: even a simple meal is a gift and an offering.

Noticing how food shapes family culture — A meal is not just fuel. It is conversation, connection, and comfort. The way we nourish others reflects the care we carry in our hearts.

Start small. One countertop. One shelf. One drawer. And as you do, breathe and pray. Let Psalm 51:10 echo softly: 

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

The goal is not a perfect kitchen. It is a settled spirit flowing into the spaces we inhabit. When we bring attention, care, and gratitude to the center of the home, the ripple reaches everywhere — the table, the counters, the pantry, and our hearts.

This Lent, let the kitchen become a sanctuary of rhythm, patience, and holy offering. One cleared space, one reordered shelf, one grateful meal at a time.

Begin here. Slowly. Quietly. Prayerfully.

Room by room.

Heart first.

Next Monday, we will step into the bedrooms, exploring how the personal spaces of the home — where rest, retreat, and restoration converge — can become vessels of peace and intentional presence.

Small Things - Second Saturday of February 2026

 "Life is not, for most of us, a pageant of splendor, but is made up of many small things, rather like an old-fashioned piecework quilt. No two people have the same, but we all have our own, whether it be listening to Beethoven's fifth with a beloved friend, or seeing a neighbor at the back door with a basket of white dahlias. Or after a long, hard day, having the family say, "That was a good supper."

- GLADYS TABER

In no particular order, here are six small things that inspired me this week.

1. A Spirituality of Homemaking

I really enjoyed reading this article by Samantha Stephenson.  "Homemaking is more than just a set of tasks or chores. It is a noble and sacred vocation."

2. Wintering At Home

Did you know that around February 3-4 we reach the mid-point between winter and spring? The Spring Equinox will occur on March 20, which means we are quickly coming up the final stretch of winter, my friends! Here the snow on the ground is finally beginning to melt from the big storm that came through three weeks ago. This has been the winter of my lifetime and I've enjoyed every minute of it! I'm ready for spring, longer days and warmer weather, but if I'm honest, I'm also trying to savor these last few weeks of restfulness. This post mentions three books, Wintering by Katherine May, which I own but have not yet read, and two other books The Joy of Wintering by Erin Nimi Longhurst and How To Winter by Kari Leibowitz, which I think I'll add to my reading list, perhaps at the end of the year. If you're like me and wanting to soak in the last of the winter days, you may find some enjoyment in these book, as well.

3. Seasonal Homemaking: Last Days of Winter

And speaking of moving into the last days of winter, I found this article over at A Quaint Life timely!

4. Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Muffins

I've been looking for some fun recipes for breakfasts on the weekend, and these muffins caught my eye! I might make up a batch soon!

5. How To Start A Commonplace Book

I started the year off strong, writing in my commonplace book, but in recent weeks I've slacked a little. This article inspired me to pick it up again. It truly is one of my favorite things. Do you keep a commonplace book?

6. And finally, I may have found my favorite You Tube channel of all time this week, The Odelier. The video below is from the selection, Heidi's Winter: The Alpine Atelier. Heidi was one of the first chapter books I remember reading as a child, perhaps it's time to revisit it.

A Snowy, Frigid Start To The New Year

This year may go on record as being the coldest of my lifetime, and as a born and bred Texas girl, I'm not complaining! We've had five rounds of snow since early December which has kept our land almost consistently white! Even today they are calling for a few more inches, and then they say the snow pattern will stop for awhile. Other than the difficulty it presents in getting our car up and down our very steep gravel driveway, I've loved every minute of it! 

Something about having snow on the ground has made me reluctant to take the Christmas decorations down, but I finally began that in earnest this week. I've been slowly moving pieces into the guest bedroom until we could get the storage boxes from the attic without risking hypothermia! At this point we'll have to push through, because I have to get it packed away before Saturday as our daughter and her husband are coming in for the Super Bowl. I'm honestly not a football fan, quite the opposite, really, but the Super Bowl makes it worth it for me because of the commercials, and the food!

Since we haven't been able to get out much it's necessitated eating what we have on hand, which thankfully, has been plenty! I've really enjoyed the creativity of it, and plan to continue on for as long as the larder sustains me. I've got a package of 4 chicken breasts that I plan to divide up and see if I can come up with four different meals. Since my husband is on a very strict diet, I'm only feeding myself these days so one chicken breast is typically plenty to make a meal. I'll share the results with you here, if that sort of thing interests you.

And now before I sign off, I thought I would leave you with this cute little poem I came across on Pinterest just yesterday! I've been much more intentional with my Commonplace book of late, which I suppose being stuck at home will do for you! If you keep a commonplace book, perhaps this little poem will suit you too!

Quaint

Quaint

is a small wooden cottage

filled with snuggly nooks,

a tablecloth your grandma sewed,

dusty, well loved books.

Quaint

is a candlelit dinner,

quilts on a canopy bed,

an arch of blooming roses

high above your head.

Quaint

is charming, old fashioned,

an echo of days gone by.

Modern life is convenient,

but quaint should never die.

- AMY LUDWIG VANDERWATER

And now I'm off, to do all the quaint, homey things the day has in store for me! What quaint things are you doing today?

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Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas!

 I wanted to pop in here for just a few minutes this morning to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! I've been dealing with another round of sciatic nerve pain this past week which has really put me behind. I'm still in a little pain, and it is definitely slowing me down, but I was able to get a few things done yesterday, so that was a relief! We have company coming Christmas day and the kids are coming home this coming weekend and will be here through New Years day, which we are really looking forward to! I pray you all will have a blessed holiday season! I'll be back soon, and can't wait to visit with you again!

A Little House Christmas

 If you grew up in the 70's, like me, then most likely you grew up watching Little House on the Prairie. It was a staple in our home, and still a favorite that I enjoy rewatching to this day.

Recently I came across some **free** books and other resources that I wanted to share with you here today. I realize Christmas is just a week away, but even if you don't use these this Christmas, you could bookmark them for next season.

❉ A Little House Christmas
In her beloved Little House books, Laura Ingalls Wilder describes some of the Christmases she and her family celebrate on the frontier. Even if they don't have much money for presents, they always have one another, and that's enough to make any Christmas merry. This lavish gift book gathers together five of Laura's classic Christmas stories from Little House in the Big Woods, Little Houes on the Prairie, and On the Banks of Plum Creek, and is illustrated with gently colorized versions of Garth Williams' original art. 

Available for **FREE** from the Internet Archives, just click the link below.

A Little House Christmas

❉ A Little House Christmas - Volume II

The follow-up to the best-selling A Little House Christmas, here’s another chance to celebrate the special magic of the merry Christmases Laura and her family shared by the shores of Silver Lake, and during the happy golden years in De Smet, as well as Almanzo’s special Christmas days spent in upstate New York. With foil-stamped and embossed title type, a Christmasy green background and holly border, lavish cream-colored paper, and full-color Garth Williams cover and interior artwork, here’s a classic Christmas story collection that will be treasured year after year.

Available for **FREE** from the Internet Archives, just click the link below.

A Little House Christmas - Volume II

If you have younger children or grandchildren you might enjoy some of the My First Little House Book Series, including Christmas in the Big Woods, Winter Days In The Big Woods, and Sugar Snow.

IMBD TV is a free streaming channel available with Amazon Prime. All of the seasons of Little House are included and I'm linking below to three of the Christmas episodes.

- Christmas At Plum Creek (Season 1)

- Blizzard (Season 3)

- A Christmas They Never Forgot (Season 8)

~ Enjoy!

More Cozy Christmas Ambiance

 Anne of Green Gables: Cozy Christmas

 

 A Cozy Animal Christmas in Northwood

 

The Coziest Woodland Storybook Christmas

   

 Little Women: Christmas Morning

 

My Favoite Songs - Christmas Edition

I was listening to my Classic Christmas playlist on Spotify today, and came across several of my favoirite songs that I don't think are widely known by many people. The reason I say this is because up until a few years ago, I hadn't heard of them either. Back when we were living in an apartment a few years ago our cable provider also had music channels, and during the holidays there was one channel in particular that played almost day and night. It included all my favorite crooners from the 60's, and introduced me to artists that I wasn't as familiar with. That was how I was first introduced to the songs I'm going to share with you today, I hope you'll enjoy them, and perhaps find a few that are new to you, as well.

Christmas Eve in My Hometown 

by Eddie Fisher

This selection was written by two GI's, Stan Zabka and Don Upton, and is a heartfelt song that was written for the troops during the Korean War  Zabka was a news chief with The American Forces Network and served alongside Eddie Fisher during the war. They were stationed in Germany, where Fisher first recorded the song. It was a huge hit with the servicemen and acrossEurope before it was commercially released in 1951. Kate Smith later recorded the song, which was a hit for her, as well, though I prefer the original version.

Love In A Home

by Perry Como

Before listening to the music channel I mentioned above, I'd never really given Perry Como much thought. I think I might have been familiar with his name, but had certainly never listened to any of his work. To be honest, aside from his Christmas albums, I still don't think I have, but I like his sound so maybe after the holidays I should look at some of his other offerings.

Though there's nothing in the lyrics to suggest that this is a Christmas song, it is featured on Perry's Christmas album, A Perry Como Christmas. The song itself was originally written for the musical Lil'Abner. Still, I love the idea of home as a place of love that these lyrics depict. It became a favorite the first time I heard it.

An Old Fashioned Christmas

by Frank Sinatra

And finally, it wouldn't be Christmas without a song from "The Voice", and this one is one of my favorites. An Old Fashioned Christmas is a wistful 1960 recording of a classic tune written by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen and featured on Frank's first Reprise Christmas album, 12 Songs of Christmas.

As you might have guessed, I love these songs for the common thread they share of Christmas at home, the lyrics depicting such lovely images of memories and longings for Christmas at home, the way we remember it. I know this time of year stirs a lot of fond memories of the Christmas of my own childhood. I hope you've enjoyed this post and perhaps found a new favorite tune to add to your own holiday playlist. If you have any obscure favorites, be sure to comment and share! I'm always looking for new selections! 

 

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Small Things - The Vacation Edition #6

"Life is not, for most of us, a pageant of splendor, but is made up of many small things, rather like an old fashioned piecework quilt. No two people have the same, but we all have our own, whether it be listening to Beethoven's fifth with a beloved friend, or seeing a neighbor at the back door with a basket of white dahlias. Or after a long, hard day, having the family say, "That was a good supper."

- GLADYS TABER

In no particular order, here are three small things that inspired me recently;

1. Come On Home

Jessica Smartt's new book is out now! I've had my copy pre-ordered for several weeks now, and can not wait to dive in! My husband and I are considering foster care again. We did it for about seven years when our girls were young, and now that we are empty nesters it's something we're considering again. With that, I've been re-reading some of my favorite parenting / mothering books recently to re-ground myself in some essential basic truths. I was so blessed by her previous book, Let Them Be Kids, and I'm sure I'll be equally blessed by her latest offering!

2. A List of Attainments For Homeschool Mothers

I've been blessed by Beth's offerings for several years now. Following the model and philosophy of Charlotte Mason, Beth creates resources for homeschooling children and their mother's to guide and encourage them on their journey. If you're familiar with Charlotte Mason, then you probably know about her List of Attainments for Children of Six and Twelve. But Beth has produced a list for homeschooling mom's as well. While we won't be homeschooling foster children, I do hope to incorporate things like nature study, seasonal handcrafts etc. into the time they are with us. With that, I've been brushing up on my Charlotte Mason and found these resources inspiring! If you're interested in learning more about Charlotte Mason and/or Mother Culture, consider becoming a member of The Mother's Circle!

3. Halfway to Cozy - Welcoming Autumn!

This is one of my favorite YouTube accounts! Pour yourself a cup of tea, sit back, relax and enjoy!

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Small Things - The Vacation Edition #5

"Life is not, for most of us, a pageant of splendor, but is made up of many small things, rather like an old fashioned piecework quilt. No two people have the same, but we all have our own, whether it be listening to Beethoven's fifth with a beloved friend, or seeing a neighbor at the back door with a basket of white dahlias. Or after a long, hard day, having the family say, "That was a good supper."

- GLADYS TABER

In no particular order, here are three small things that inspired me recently;

1. Sunshine Valley

I just recently discovered Amanda's blog, and I love just about everything about it! Here are a few of my favorite posts so far;

- 5 Ways To Add Old-Fashioned Fall Charm To Your Home

- Homemaking With Purpose and Prayer

- Simple Ways For Finding Rest As A Christian Homemaker

2. Joyful Mothers

I am uplifted and encouraged every time I visit Rachels Instagram account. This post in particular;

"Take your fears about what the world is becoming, and convert them into a passion to make your own little world - your home - into a refuge for your beloved children. Create a haven that is overflowing with the Word of God, riddled with truth love and joy in Jesus."

3. It's that time of year again, for my favorite childhood book, Miss Suzy!

Small Things - The Vacation Edition #4

"Life is not, for most of us, a pageant of splendor, but is made up of many small things, rather like an old fashioned piecework quilt. No two people have the same, but we all have our own, whether it be listening to Beethoven's fifth with a beloved friend, or seeing a neighbor at the back door with a basket of white dahlias. Or after a long, hard day, having the family say, "That was a good supper."

- GLADYS TABER

In no particular order, here are three small things that inspired me recently;

1. Crocheted Saltbox Houses

I just love these little crocheted saltbox houses. Definitely saving whipping some of these up soon!

2. Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate Mix

Thinking about giving this recipe a try once we return from vacation.

3. Autumn 1940's Jazz Ambiance

Small Things - The Vacation Edition #1

 

I honestly didn't intend to be absent from this space last week. Autumn and Winter are equally my favorite seasons and I have so many ideas for things I want to share. But like so many of you, I'm sure, this past week has been hard, with the news of new tragedies filling our Facebook feed almost daily. I'm not really sure why, but for some reason coming here and sharing about my life just seemed wrong, as if I was oblivious to the deep hurts of so many. My heart, in particular, was so broken for the young woman whose life was taken in North Carolina. It's all just senseless, and a reflection of the broken, hurting world in which we live. I wasn't really sure what to do with myself, I can't change the world, but in the end I knew the one thing I could do is to continue to do what I do every day, try to make a our home a safe refuge for the ones I love, and intentionally focus on beauty. 

Now that we are empty nesters we're making some changes around the homestead. Our house is small with only two bedrooms, and because of that for the past three years our daughter occupied the larger bedroom because she had more furniture and clothes than my husband and I combined! But with her recent marriage, we are now moving into the larger bedroom, and since I am a lover a color the first thing on the agenda was to paint! I've known from the first day we moved into this house that once this room was ours I would paint the walls in my favorite shade of rusty red, and that's exactly what I did, for three days! Yesterday my husband and I undertook the task of switching out the beds, and today we'll move in some other furniture and perhaps add a few decorative touches, as well. Eventually I'll make a valance for the window, but even with only the bed and nightstands in the room we are loving it already! So as you can see, my days have been quite busy, and by evening I was too tired to even think of composing a post!

I wish I could say that the coming weeks looked more promising, but we are actually leaving this coming Saturday for Texas to visit family and will likely be gone for 10-12 days. It saddened me a little to think of not posting here regularly during that time, and then today I had an idea!  Why not write several posts similar to my weekly Small Things series (which I actually missed last Saturday!), and schedule them while I'm away? And so that's is exactly what I am going to do. Today is the first in the "Vacation Edition" series, and there will be two more this week, on Wednesday and then on Saturday, and then it will repeat again for next week on Monday/Wednesday and Saturday. Our plan is to be back around the 1st of October, but as it stands right now we don't really have a set date, because . . . we're empty nesters now, and we can! It's my hope that this will give you a little something to look forward to while I'm away and **maybe** when I get back things will actually slow down a little. I have decided that since I'll be posting these three times a week, rather than six links, each post will only inlude three. And so, without further delay, here is this week's first installment;

Here are three small things that inspired me this week . . .

1. Notes For Her Heart

I only recently discovered Christina's Instagram account, but it has quickly become a favorite! I particularly liked this post, The Door Stays Open, Always! I actually shared it with our newly married daughter this past weekend. I hope she always feels that our home is always still her home!

2. eunoia

I am a lover of words (I actually have an entire Pinterest board full of them!) and when I came across this word this past week it seemed appropriate. It means "a well mind, good thinking or beautiful thinking" In a conversation I had with my daughter last week about how heavy the world feels right now, I encouraged her to step away from her phone and social media, even for a few hours. There's a reason why Philippians 4:8 instructs us;

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

3. Autumn Days: Stories of Everyday Wonder and Coziness

I came across this book on Amazon this past week. It's included with a Kindle Unlimited subscription, and so I downloaded it. I haven't had a chance to look through it much, but I plan to read it on the long drive to Texas.

And that's it for now, my friends! Be sure to check back on Wednesday for the next edition!

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Autumn 2025 Calendars and Phenology Wheels - FREE Download!

September is here, my friends, which in our house is the official start of Autumn! My husband and I sat down yesterday and planned out an upcoming vacation to Texas, as well as some other fun outings for for the season! He asked if I could print out some blank calendars, and since I've had these made up and saved in my files for years, it was an easy ask. I've shared these here with you in the past, so I figured while I was at it, I'd do so again!  You'll find the link below.

I've also decided to **TRY** to begin keeping a monthly phenology wheel again, so I updated them, as well.

If you aren't familiar with keeping a phenology wheel, a quick google search should provide with all the information you need, including a few other free printables with a slightly different format.  If I'm successful in actually remembering to keep up with it this time around, I'll write up a post  and explain how I use it!

Here are the links to the calendars and the wheels. 

~ Enjoy!

Autumn 2025 Calendars

Autumn 2025 Phenology Wheels

Small Things - Last Saturday of August 2025The days are getting shorter!

Life is not, for most of us, a pageant of splendor, but is made up of many small things, rather like an old fashioned piecework quilt. No two people have the same, but we all have our own, whether it be listening to Beethoven's fifth with a beloved friend, or seeing a neighbor at the back door with a basket of white dahlias. Or after a long, hard day, having the family say, "That was a good supper."

- GLADYS TABER

In no particular order, here are six things that inspired me this week.

1. Discipling the Home

I just discovered Kate's lovely Instagram account this week. Such a soothing place to stop and reflect.

2. 7 Simple and Natural Ways To Make Your Home Cozy for Fall

I'm always inspired by Katie at Heart's Content Farmhouse, and since I've been decorating for autumn this week (sounds so much prettier than fall!), I enjoyed this post.

3. Vanilla Hot Cocoa Mix

I don't usually sip hot cocoa until it gets colder, not sure why, it's just always been more of a December, winter beverage for me. But when I came across this recipe for vanilla hot cocoa this week, I was intrigued. I've got the ingredients on my grocery list. I'll let you know what I think when I make it!

4. Fire Roasted Chocolate Chipotle Chili

Thinking of adding this to my autumn menu.  Cincinnati chili has chocolate in it and I love it!

5. September Garden Tasks

 I love these monthly garden tasks I found on Pinterest. I saved all twelve months to my Garden board.

6. 19 Autumn Carols to Keep You Cozy This Season

What a lovely post, and an even lovelier site! Going to spend more time here in the very near future!

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