Currently: Vol 8

A few weeks ago, I started joining Hannah at Joyful Life with her "Currently" posts.  I look forward to linking up with her each week with an everyday post of our lives.

Hannah, from Joyful Life has been on vacation all week. I decided to post some  of my favorite pictures so far, from my "30 Days of Thankfulness" on Instagram!

"Home"

"Small"

"Tradition"

"Luxury"

"Health"

"Happiness"

"Everyday"

 To follow the rest of the "30 Days of Thankfulness"  rachylea83

This Old House: Vol 8

 

 

This week, I am dreaming of redoing our half bath on the main floor.  My sister is currently painting her bathroom, and was sending me pictures.  This got me thinking about our bathroom that guests use. 

Years ago, it had a nasty green sink and toilet, so I tried to figure out something to make it fun.  Rubber ducks were really popular at the time....

It was fun at the time, but 10+ years later, the toilet and sink have been replaced, and the kids have managed to start pulling the border down!

So, pintrest here I come for ideas! 

I was thinking of painting it the same orange as the nursery, which is attached to the bathroom. 

I would love to put wainscoting on the bottom half of the walls.  Maybe I should paint the trim, cabinet, and wainscoting white, to lighten the room up and bring some "time era" back to the room.

via pinterest

Maybe add some fun printables, to go along with the coloring/nursery theme.  It might be nice, being able to change them out when the room next to it isn't the owl nursery anymore. 

via pinterest

via pinterest

I've realized over the years, I need change every so often!!!!! My poor hubby doesn't do well with change, unfortunately.

Currently: Vol 7

A few weeks ago, I started joining Hannah at Joyful Life with her "Currently" posts.  I look forward to linking up with her each week with an everyday post of our lives.

What a crazy few days.  I've started this post a few times, and not finished it!   Hannah took a vacation from her "Currently" post and I seriously considered following her.  Instead, I decided to quickly post....

Memories from this week!

Last Tuesday was a snow day for the kids!

And, what better to do on a snow day, than mix up some cookies!

My parent's 46th Wedding Anniversary

My sister and I cooked a meal, and brought it over to them.

Baby Girl giggled every time the monkey's popped out of the card.

.

Sabbath morning, I curled up on the couch with the older kids and colored!

Some days, it is just the little moments,

that create memories, that last a lifetime!!!!

-Rachel

This Old House: Vol 7

Baking/cooking frenzy happening in "This Old House" today.

My dad asked my sister and I earlier this week if we would surprise my mom with bringing them supper for their anniversary today.  So, I've been baking and cooking all morning.

Ran out of counter space in the kitchen !!!

Hershey chocolate cake for my nieces birthday party tomorrow, apple crisp, and buns.

Meat Loaf in the crock pot.

Favorite Cookbooks

At my bridal shower, I was given the bottom cookbook with a recipe from each person.  Such a neat book to have.  Betty Crocker is always a favorite of mine also, especially this one, that use to be my Grandma Mom's

 My Helper

So maybe not much help, at least she is cute!

Recipes from today:

Now, if the kitchen would magically clean itself, that would be perfect!

1st Snow Day with Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies

Today school was cancelled for the older kids. 

We have had a lazy day, video games, movies, and baking oatmeal butterscotch cookies.

Recipe: Best Ever Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies

Summary: These oh-so-yummy cookies freeze beautifully, making them the perfect lunchbox treat!

Ingredients

• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 3 1/4 cups old fashioned oats
• 1 bag butterscotch chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees;In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars until creamy.
2. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
3. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well.
4. Add oats and chips; mix well.
5. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
6. Bake 8-10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets;remove to wire rack. Cool completely.

Preparation time: 5-7 minutes
Cooking time: 8-10 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 48

via 

Currently: Vol 6

A few weeks ago, I started joining Hannah at Joyful Life with her "Currently" posts.  I look forward to linking up with her each week with an everyday post of our lives.

Moment of the Week! 

Grandma put her in the sink.  She thought it was best thing ever!

This weeks topics are....


Thinking about:  The early snow that is falling outside!   Yesterday, we took time to pick up the yard, so we are physically ready.  Yet mentally I am NOT ready. As I look outside, I am wishing it was December 10th and snow, instead of November 10th.  They are talking about 10-14 inches falling through the day, until tomorrow morning.

Brr what happened to November?!??!

Thankful for:  Everyone feeling healthier in the house.  The cold they all had was a bad one!  Lasted over a week, then ends in an ear infection. 

 

One night I took the 

kids out for supper 

after visiting Grandma 

in the hospital. 

Learning:  To be even more content where I am right now.  The devotion we are through in Mom's Group is amazing!  So are the ladies that attend.  Disappointed to miss again this week (yes I am being a chicken and not going out in the weather today!)

Hoping:  Hmmm, a productive week.  Currently my list consists of a couple house projects, schedule a couple doTERRA classes, data entry, and menu planning.  Part of me is also hoping for a snow day tomorrow for the older kids.  So we can make cookies, play games, and build snowmen!

where we share a bit of our lives with each other and build online community each week. Link up your post below and spend some time reading others posts as well. Thanks for joining us!  - See more at: http://www.hannahsjoyfullife.com/2014/11/currently-vol-5.html#sthash.oeBDBRhb.dpuf

where we share a bit of our lives with each other and build online community each week. Link up your post below and spend some time reading others posts as well. Thanks for joining us!  - See more at: http://www.hannahsjoyfullife.com/2014/11/currently-vol-5.html#sthash.oeBDBRhb.dpuf

Come join us, where we share a bit of our lives with each other and build online community each week.  Link up at Joylife Life and spend some time reading others posts as well. 

Hi! welcome to currently where we share a bit of our lives with each other and build online community each week. Link up your post below and spend some time reading others posts as well. Thanks for joining us!  - See more at: http://www.hannahsjoyfullife.com/2014/11/currently-vol-5.html#sthash.oeBDBRhb.dpuf

Hi! welcome to currently where we share a bit of our lives with each other and build online community each week. Link up your post below and spend some time reading others posts as well. Thanks for joining us!  - See more at: http://www.hannahsjoyfullife.com/2014/11/currently-vol-5.html#sthash.oeBDBRhb.dpuf

Hi! welcome to currently where we share a bit of our lives with each other and build online community each week. Link up your post below and spend some time reading others posts as well. Thanks for joining us!  - See more at: http://www.hannahsjoyfullife.com/2014/11/currently-vol-5.html#sthash.oeBDBRhb.dpuf

Hi! welcome to currently where we share a bit of our lives with each other and build online community each week. Link up your post below and spend some time reading others posts as well. Thanks for joining us!  - See more at: http://www.hannahsjoyfullife.com/2014/11/currently-vol-5.html#sthash.oeBDBRhb.dpuf

Hi! welcome to currently where we share a bit of our lives with each other and build online community each week. Link up your post below and spend some time reading others posts as well. Thanks for joining us!  - See more at: http://www.hannahsjoyfullife.com/2014/11/currently-vol-5.html#sthash.oeBDBRhb.dpuf

Hi! welcome to currently where we share a bit of our lives with each other and build online community each week. Link up your post below and spend some time reading others posts as well. Thanks for joining us!  - See more at: http://www.hannahsjoyfullife.com/2014/11/currently-vol-5.html#sthash.oeBDBRhb.dpuf

Hi! welcome to currently where we share a bit of our lives with each other and build online community each week. Link up your post below and spend some time reading others posts as well. Thanks for joining us!  - See more at: http://www.hannahsjoyfullife.com/2014/11/currently-vol-5.html#sthash.oeBDBRhb.dpuf

Hi! welcome to currently where we share a bit of our lives with each other and build online community each week. Link up your post below and spend some time reading others posts as well. Thanks for joining us!  - See more at: http://www.hannahsjoyfullife.com/2014/11/currently-vol-5.html#sthash.oeBDBRhb.dpuf

Hi! welcome to currently where we share a bit of our lives with each other and build online community each week. Link up your post below and spend some time reading others posts as well. Thanks for joining us!  - See more at: http://www.hannahsjoyfullife.com/2014/11/currently-vol-5.html#sthash.oeBDBRhb.dpuf

Hi! welcome to currently where we share a bit of our lives with each other and build online community each week. Link up your post below and spend some time reading others posts as well. Thanks for joining us!  - See more at: http://www.hannahsjoyfullife.com/2014/11/currently-vol-5.html#sthash.oeBDBRhb.dpuf

Hi! welcome to currently where we share a bit of our lives with each other and build online community each week. Link up your post below and spend some time reading others posts as well. Thanks for joining us!  - See more at: http://www.hannahsjoyfullife.com/2014/11/currently-vol-5.html#sthash.oeBDBRhb.dpuf

Hi! welcome to currently where we share a bit of our lives with each other and build online community each week. Link up your post below and spend some time reading others posts as well. Thanks for joining us!  - See more at: http://www.hannahsjoyfullife.com/2014/11/currently-vol-5.html#sthash.oeBDBRhb.dpuf

This Old House: Vol 6 Fall House Tour

It most definitely feels like fall outside this morning!  Since I haven't done any new projects this week in the house, you get to take a fall tour through "This Old House".

WELCOME to THIS OLD HOUSE FALL TOUR

The mums died early this year on me.  Funny part, is the plants that were originally in the pots came back to life and bloomed again! 

Fall flowers, and Canning Jar Ring Pumpkin on the sideboard that holds the kids hats and mittens in the entry way. 

Canning Jar Ring Pumpkin

Favorite spot in the house right now, the Thankful banner with owl from baby girl's birthday party.

Dining room table.  Tin tub, and felt pumpkins from Target's dollar section. It's a fun addition this year to the fall decorations.  My flowers from my birthday are on their last day in my house, but love the additional color from them.

On the tin, I added a burlap bow for the party that held the paper plates, forks, napkins, etc.  After the party I thought it might work well for our cloth napkins on the table and it is PERFECT!

Fall is my favorite time of year to decorate for in the house.  Baby girl's party this year had some fall theme decorations which was fun, so after the party I just moved a few things around.

Thank you for joining me in my short tour.  With little exploring hands this year, I stuck to only two rooms to decorate!

-Rachel

More ideas, explanations on "how to" on my Fall/Thanksgiving Pinterest Board.

Choosing Happiness: Vol 4

Today is the 4th week I'm joining Becky at Choose Happy.

This Link Up is intended to learn more about what makes everyone happy, what happiness is to different people & learn how we can share our happiness with those around us. I hope this post series inspires you to Choose Happiness & to help spread it those around you.

 This week's topic is, "What did you learn from the Happiness Link up? ".

The song "Happiness is the Lord" keeps running through my head.  

"Happiness Is The Lord"
By Ira Stanphill

Happiness is to know the Savior,
Living a life within His favor
Having a change in my behavior,
Happiness is the Lord

Happiness is a new creation,
Jesus and me in close relation
Having a part in His salvation,
Happiness is the Lord

Real joy is mine,
no matter if teardrops start
I've found the secret
It's Jesus in my heart
Happiness is to be forgiven,
Living a life that's worth the livin'
Taking a trip that leads to heaven,
Happiness is the Lord

Sometimes, I need that simple reminder!

I ended up joining the link up a couple weeks late.   Here are the highlights from my 3 weeks I joined.

Week 1:  Really was focused around my family.  They are my happiness, I get my happiness from them, and I drive to show them how to be happy.

Week 2:   Was mine and baby girl's 1st birthday!  It brought such joy for the day.

Week 3:  Blessings from God.  My favorite quote from the week was verse from Psalms.  "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the delights of your heart".  Psalm 37:4  

 
Check out Choose Happy to see what she has learned during her link up!

 

Currently: Vol 5

This week Hannah with Joyful Life is doing her 1st Instagram Edition.  I'm pretty new to Instagram, so it might take me all week to figure it all out.
This weeks topics are "watching", "doing", "loving", "making", "thankful for".

You are welcome to follow me  http://instagram.com/rachylea83 

I love this time of the year, thinking of all the things I am thankful for.  Sunday I hung our "Thankful" banner up in the dining room.

 

I'm also participating in a "November Photo A Day Challenge:  30 Days of Thankfulness".

" Watching" , "Doing", "Loving", "Making", "Thankful For"  - See more at: http://www.hannahsjoyfullife.com/2014/11/currently-instagram-edition.html#sthash.1j2TG12a.dpuf

" Watching" , "Doing", "Loving", "Making", "Thankful For"  - See more at: http://www.hannahsjoyfullife.com/2014/11/currently-instagram-edition.html#sthash.1j2TG12a.dpuf

" Watching" , "Doing", "Loving", "Making", "Thankful For"  - See more at: http://www.hannahsjoyfullife.com/2014/11/currently-instagram-edition.html#sthash.1j2TG12a.dpuf

CURRENTLY | Instagram Edition!

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CURRENTLY | Instagram Edition!