Happy Homemaker Monday~ 2

 Hello Beautiful friends! I hope you all had a lovely weekend. I had a beautiful Slow All Things Cozy Saturday where I said YES to things I wanted to do. I will share that tomorrow with you, but for today, I want to join Sandra at the Diary of a Stay as Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday! Check out Saturday and Sunday posts! I am glad to be back from our vacation. I hope to share more about our adventures this week. 

The weather in my neck of the woods ~

HOT! That is all I can y'all! It is HOT! I am craving cool air!!!! Highs are the 90's all week and no rain. Lows 60's.

As I look at my window ~

It is partly cloudy with a little sun shining. Green leaves are starting to get more lighter!! Hope for fall coming!!

Right now I am ~

Finishing up my quiet time while listening to my instrumental cozy music. About to get moving and tackle the to do list!

Something fun to share (a blog, video, or tip) ~

Thinking and pondering ~

I am thinking about the deep cleaning and home projects I want to do and plan for the month, along with items I need to replace this year for fall needs. I am also thinking about all the busy things that are planned for this time of year that I have to organize for church and family. 

I am thinking of creating a fall bucket list.

Planning my fall hikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On my bedside table ~

My Kindle and current reading and a cup of coffee with water bottle

What I am currently reading ~

I am starting to read all things cozy mysteries for the fall!!!! Check this one out here!

On my TV ~

YouTube instrumental fall and cozy playlists 

Listening to ~

One of my favorite things is to have instrumental music playing throughout my day. Piano, indie folk, jazz or Christian instrumental music. I love Cozy folk indie by Andrew Gialanella and Solo Moody Modern Pianist James Malikey.

On the Menu this week ~

Monday- Seasoned Chicken Breast, Veggies, and Sweet Potatoes 

Tuesday- No Cooking (Hubby has a work dinner & I have a dinner & movie with our daughter)

Wednesday- Smothered Chicken and Rice with veggies

Thursday- No Cooking (Hubby & Sons dinner out, and I have a church ladies dinner)

Friday- Sheet Pan Ham & Pineapple, green beans, baby potatoes with parmesan 

Apple Dumplings for dessert

Saturday- Homemade pizza night

On my to-do list ~

Personal quiet time

I have a lot of church bookkeeping to catch up on since I was on vacation for 10 days 

Laundry

Do checkbook and pay bills

Vacuum

Start getting fall boxes down from the attic

wash car (it is covered in bugs from our trip)

make church deposit

water plants

grocery shop

Pick up some medication

Walking

What I am creating ~

I am working on a book nook. These are little things you build and create that are like miniature bookstores that light up. If you are a book lover, then you will love these little nooks to add to your shelves. I am almost finished with this one.

My simple pleasure ~

This week, it is cozying up with a book or watching an inspirational YouTube video and some chocolate. 

I would love to hit a trail. Nature and hiking are calling my name.

Looking around the house ~

I see subtle hints of cozy as I slowly transition from late summer to fall. I see a collection of cozy books, fall candles, and new soft white bedding that I am planning to add "fallish" color throws and pillows to add the autumnal feel. I also see very neglected windows that need a good scrubbing on the outside. 

From the camera ~

Cozy at its best! Isn't this lighting divine?

Bible Verse, Prayer, Journaling, or special devotional ~

I hope you have a fantastic Monday!!! Go pop in by Sandra's sweet spot (Link above) and join in. I love reading about others' day and weekly menu plans. 

With Love,

Chrissy T

A Manatee, Gators, Eagle, Anhinga, & more...Oh MY! Saturday Critters

 This past week we explored many areas of Florida. From a Manatee, gators, and Anhinga (snake bird or water turkey) to an Eagle, more gators and birds at St. Mark's National Wildlife Refuge, to again MORE gators at the Everglades along with more birds.....

My first time seeing sweet manatees!!! I learned some great facts about these precious "sea cows.:

The Anhinga was showing off!

Do you see what I see????? Having a little sunny sun! 

The eagle is one of my favorite birds! For the first time ever, I got to see one so close! It made my day. It was literally right by the road, enjoying its view!

Another precious friend at St. Mark's NWR. 

The Everglades National Park was a nice experience! Hot as all get out, though. 

Look Close!!!!!! Oh, this critter is just soaking!!!! 

I am linking and joining up with Eileen at Saturday Critters!!! I love seeing all of the wonderful posts of nature and creatures!!!

Please go join in or explore!!!!

With  Love, 

Chrissy

Longing for Cool Autumn in the Sweaty South~

Hello, beautiful friends! I am back!!! Back from a VERY HOT vacation. I'm eager to share our trip experience. I also cannot wait to share all things FALL. This time of year, many of us are bombarded with Autumn posts, ideas, videos, and so much more. Guess what...Well, I will be bombarding here and there as well. :) Today, I want to share a few favorite fall quotes, sayings, and ideas as I sit here dreaming of the days that feel cool. Because right now I am crisping in the heat 😅. The South is not for the faint of heart. Our fall really doesn't feel like autumn until October. So, to me, fall is October. I consider September late summer and preparation time for fall....

Do you have a favorite from list above that you like to bake this time of year? I want to try the Apple Cinnamon Donuts this year. I also plan to do Apple Butter this month and Pumpkin Butter next month. It is a tradition for me. 

I want to interject here.... Thank you for the kind encouragement and prayers for our son, who had a wreck a few weeks back. I appreciate those who understand having a prodigal and the worry and scare it can cause. TO THE RUDE COMMENTOR....

Your comment was not published (well, it was removed). Apparently, you are perfect and truly never made a mistake in your life (tell us your secret), or you have forgotten grace and life lessons. Why make a comment if you are going to punch a little harder in the gut of a mama that has just already been gut punched, that we could have lost our child? Also, if you have to make yourself anonymous, then you hide who you really are and aren't brave enough to show your true rude colors.  Mama bear will come out.... Just saying. 

BACK TO POSITIVITY.....

I found this super neat printable on Pinterest. They actually have them for each month. I will be putting this into action this month. 

~What is your favorite and least favorite fall chore?~

My favorite chore to do when fall arrives (this means when cool fall weather arrives for me) is to clean and freshen our front porch. I love going to a local produce stand and getting a few plants, changing out our front door wreath & rug, washing the porch, cleaning the windows & door, and making it welcoming. 

My least favorite chore is getting into the attic to get my decorations down for the fall. It is just tedious but well worth it. 

I love having Bucket List! I have a yearly one and I made a graphic for my wallpaper on my computer for the year. I have done all but two things for 2025! I can't wait to share. 

A photo challenge sounds fun!!!!! I may do a little of this!!! Do you like doing photo challenges?!

As I wrap up this post, I want to share, I have so many fun posts planned for the next few weeks and a GIVEAWAY!!!

I love the old format of traditional blogging. For those who have that nostalgic heart and miss that, you have come to the right spot!

Until next time....

With Love,

Chrissy T 🍂🌻🍎

A Topsy Turvy Weekend~ Our Son is Alive

Good day, beautiful friends! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and Labor Day. I have been busy preparing for our vacation. We leave on Wednesday and will be away for quite a while. I will not have internet access very much. But when I get back, I will be so happy to share our adventures.

 This weekend was a very challenging one. I will always try to share joy and positivity in this little space BUT I do think authenticity is important. I want to share a miracle and how my mama's heart is so thankful. 

This verse hits close to home Sunday. We had a busy weekend preparing for church and for our long vacation. In the middle of that, we had planned a family day on Sunday following church. We had all kinds of yummy food planned and a special movie time with all our young adult kids and their significant others. I got up Sunday morning around 6:15 to begin cooking and to get ready stuff before church. I had to lead worship and be at church early. It was just one of those BLESSED but BUSY "planned" days. 

I got a phone call from our youngest son (he is a prodigal) and it was at 6:38 a.m. while I was cooking.  I knew something was wrong instantly. He had been in a wreck. He didn't really know what happened fully.  He had ended up in a parking lot but didn't know how he even got there. He wasn't sure when he had the wreck, he just knew that his head and face hurt very bad and his car was damaged. He says he feels he remembers running into a concrete barrier on his driver's side, but he said it was very vague. Nobody else was involved or hurt. No other vehicles either. We believe he fell asleep. 

To keep this post short.... IF IT WASN'T for the GRACE, MERCY, PATIENCE, GOD'S PROTECTION, MAMA'S PRAYERS, GOD's DEEP LOVE, DADDY's PRAYERS, FASTING, and HIS WINGS COVERING our youngest son, we know that I could be writing a different post. 

Our minds and hearts are in so many places right now. There was much more to the story and the hardship we had to endure that is related to this, but to respect the privacy of our son, I will not go any further. I will say I PRAISE the LORD for His love and patience with our son. I praise Him because I know he hears my husband's and my prayers. His siblings had to go through a lot this weekend, knowing this could have been a tragic thing. Our family and our children are very close. So, it was a very upsetting weekend. One thing I do believe it did was give a little wake-up call to our son. Which was needed. Please be in prayer for him. His name is Kyle. He is an amazing beyond talented individual. I have faith the Lord will lead Him back to Him. 

Thank you for understanding my lack of posting over the past few days. It may be sporadic until I return from vacation. I will be honest, we have really been worried about leaving with the current situation. But it really isn't a way to cancel. We have made sure he is safe and his older siblings are in their early and mid 20's so we know they are available for him locally 24/7.

I hope to tag in tomorrow!!! 

With Love, 

Chrissy T

This Time Last Year~ A Majestic Place

 Hello, Beautiful friends! I hope you have lovely weekend planned. Maybe it is going to be slow and cozy or packed full of life (nicer way to say you are busy😁) I hope it is filled with joy. With further ado, I would like to share a small post about where I was last year at this time. I would like to keep it as a memory on my blog. So, enjoy and share if you have been before to the place before!!

Our daughter last year did an internship in Estes Park, Colorado, for the Rocky National Park. We are deep southern people, so this was a wonderful experience. We took a road trip to see her this time last year. I have soooo many pictures and so many more beautiful ones compared to these. But the ones I am sharing are the ones that are easily accessible and have a special moment. I will probably do a longer post about my experience but for today a short glimpse is all I planning to share. 

I love to hike. I have been hiking on and off for years but over the last two years I have hiked consistently and experienced so many amazing places. This was my first time visiting the Rocky Mountain National Park. A picture COULD NEVER explain the way I felt. This was literally one of the most beautiful and refreshing places I have ever visited. I loved the hikes and the view. We drove a sketchy road all the way to the Alpine Center at 11, 796 ft above sea level. It was fantastic. Oh, and yes, you will see me in shades a lot even when it is cloudy. I was having major altitude sickness and vertigo. Keeping my shades helped alleviate the brightness from the clouds. I know that makes no sense. But it did. 

The weather was nothing I like I have ever experienced. One-minute, warm 70's and sunny and then in a few minutes it would be snowing and 28. It was majorly overwhelming hiking like that. It would rain one minute, snow mix one minute, sunshine and beautiful one minute. I am serious all in one day and all in a few hours. 

We came across a moose literally right in front of us. Like 30 ft away. We had stay put for a long time to let it cross. We came across two elk bugling and fighting. It was rutting time. Literally, they were locking antlers. It was pretty nerve wracking. We also had to stand still for a long time until they moved off the path. If you have never heard an elk bugle. Look it up. It can be intimidating for sure.

I love funny hiking shirts. I also collect Bigfoot things!!! I just think it is fun and cheesy!!!

While this saying is funny, it can actually be dangerous. :) 

This photo was after I finished a hike. It was an achievement. A moment I will treasure. 

Last year (2024), I hiked 168 miles total. I hiked in Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Colorado. I set goals every season of miles I wanted to hike. It was a great challenge and one I hope to do again next year. I took a break last year just to enjoy hikes and not focus so much on clocking mileage. I also burned myself out a little. I have hiked a good bit this year BUT NOTHING like last year. We also had a milder summer last year opposed to this summer. I did a ton of hiking last summer. But this summer was very minimal. I try to hike at least weekly during my hiking seasons. In the hot summer months, I like to hike at least one hike a month, but I like to hike two times. I didn't do that this year. My last hike was the last week of June. I am itching to get on the trail. I can't wait...

Floridia Hiking is coming up in a few days. I will hit a state park and then hike some in Everglades National Park. 🥾 

DO YOU HIKE? DO LIKE NATURE WALKS? ARE YOU AN OUTDOORSY GIRL? HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO THE EOCKY MOUNTAINS? MAYBE YOU ARE A WATERFALL CHASER??? I would love to know your answers!!!

With Love,

Chrissy T

Early Fall Finds ~ Still Loving My Word Wall Art ~ Baked Potato Bar ~ Lunch Date

Hello Beautiful Friends! I hope this Friday finds you SUPER well. If not, His mercies are new every morning and His Oil of Joy never runs out. Run to the Father. I have a "little" of a lot of different topics here today! Get cozy and visit with me!!

This week has been a little pleasantly busy. My last few weeks have been slower. I am preparing for a vacation soon. Preparing and returning from a vacation is a lot of work. Sometimes I question the vacation, but I am excited! I have a lot to do beforehand to prepare to leave because I am the bookkeeper for our church and secretary as well as a Pastor's wife. It takes a lot to juggle and prepare for us to leave. We are actually going to be gone longer than we have ever been before. So, a lot of prep work has to be done!!!

Anyhoooo....while preparing and shopping for vacation needs some fall things caught my eye. I am not one that really likes to overspend or go overboard on seasonal decor. I try to be mindful and use what I already own or use natural elements. But there are times you need a cozy sweater, candle or a pillow. Something that just celebrates the New Season coming. 

I always like to get one or two festive seasonal shirts. Look at this DARLING LIGHT SWEATER!!!!! Hello Pumpkin.....

I also found the SOFTEST COZIEST not over the top "fallish" throw pillows. I have had my previous pillows for years. I knew that this year I would replace them! These can transition to winter. They are so SOFT and just my color scheme. Soft and neutral with a little interest. 

I had blue and white throw pillows from the spring and summer. They were actually throw pillow covers. I usually like to use throw pillow covers as they are cheaper and washable. 

Yesterday, I met up with my daughter for lunch on her lunch break. She works as an orthodontist assistant.  She really likes her new job. But the co-workers haven't been the best. Working in an office with women can be challenging. She is learning this. She has been so blessed working mainly alone or with extremely great co-workers. These are just life lessons that young adults have to learn. Please pray for her though. She breaks out in hives on her way to work so nervous and anxious about them. We have been praying together by phone every morning on her way to work. This week, God has stepped in and heard our prayers. I will share later what happened!

We went to one of our traditional places that we like to have lunch at.....none other than Panera Bread Co. It was a nice time. I surprised her with her first little fall kitchen hand towel for her new little home. She loved it. 

I think it is important to give young adults their space but I also think it is important to have set aside time to catch up and invest. This season has been a lot of mentoring. It can be challenging as I want to tell her what to do, but I know that I have to approach it in a mentoring way and let her decide. 

Tonight, we had our baked potato bar. It was so good!! We had some fresh hot bacon, seasoned chicken, diced ham, cheese, chives, and other toppings. French bread and salad were also in the lineup!

In closing, I want to share how I have decided that I am just going to like what I like and not worry about things. I have been reading and watching for about two years how people laugh, make fun, and even say people that use wall art signs with sayings or words on them are out of date. One designer said it was tacky. Well, being one who usually marches to my own beat, took it to heart. I slowly little by little began to take down my little signs that have verses on them and sayings that mean a lot to me, etc. I mean I didn't want my home to be TACKY. 🤣

But over the last few weeks, I just missed seeing this sign that I took down in my entry. You see, it has been my LIFE VERSE over the last three years. I have had some of the roughest years of my life in the past three years. Darkest, deepest desert moments! But the Lord sustained me with this verse. Every morning, I would wake up and see this as I came into the area, and my heart would smile or I would burst out in tears. I needed this hope and reminder. Well, my husband preached something last night at church and reminded me about it. I decided to put it back up. I guess I will just be TACKY. 🤣

The luxury of our homes is just that....THEY ARE OUR HOMES. We create our homes to fit our styles. So.....that BABY is BACK UP! 

I need it now as I needed it then. It may not always stay here. But I feel it is what this spot needs!!!

I love how it greets me!!!! 

I hope you all have a wonderful, wonderous weekend!!!! 

With Love, 

Chrissy T

Wordless Wednesday ~ 2

Hi Beautiful friends......

Pop over to Comedy Plus and join in on Wordless Wednesday!!!!

With Love, 

Chrissy T