by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
I don’t know what it is about Fall. Maybe it’s the cool breezes or the fact that I love layered clothing but nonetheless, when a new season approaches it’s time to take stock of what we have, what we need, and what we can share with others.
This particular season is a new one for me. I’ve lost 30 pounds since April 2015. Nothing much fits anymore so my hubby encouraged me to buy new clothes and get the other multiple sizes out of the house. I’m happy to report that I was a submissive wife. 🙂
So, I’m now I’m working on my own closet this week and thought it would be a good opportunity to invite you to join in the process I plan to follow.
1. Pull everything out of the closet. The floor should be clear as well. (Can I just say I dread this part?)
2. As we pull out our summer clothes, it’s the perfect time to toss over-worn clothes and donate the no-longer-worn. For those kept, clean if necessary before storing them away in labeled storage containers. We store our containers in the attic but they can also be stored on the top shelf of your closet, depending on how many clothes you have, or slip them under every bed in the house. One more place is a restored armoire.
3. Before adding Fall components, take inventory. Again, it’s a good time to ween out the worn, outdated, and unworn. If you have multiples of a particular item, you can take note of it so there’s less opportunities for impulse purchases.
4. Keep a small separate tote for gloves, mittens, hats, headbands, etc. I use an over-the-door hook rack for my scarves.
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| Organize Your Stuff Now |
5. For the first time in a very long time (sad, I know) I purchased boots. Umm, multiple pairs of boots. And I’m not a shoe person! But it didn’t take long to see the benefit of having boot shapers. One pair I purchased from Target had them already inserted into the boots. I realized later it was probably because I took the display pair. Oops. So now I’m searching for ways to make my own. Maybe you are too. If so, check out Leanne’s Organize Your Stuff Now.
And finally, there’s this: Life Hack – How to Shop From Your Own Closet to Save Money.
I hope you’ll join me tomorrow as I share my Five Favorite Fall Finds. But for now, I’d love for you to share your favorite tip when it comes to switching out seasonal clothing in the comment section. I have a lot to learn.
Thanks for stopping by!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Did you know that the word “pumpkin” showed up for the first time in the fairy tale Cinderella, according to Good Housekeeping?
Yep, today we’re talking pumpkins, fall’s favorite fruit, and unique ways we can use them to bless others.
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| Thistle Wood Farms |
1. Gather neighbors, family and friends for a game night. Nothing builds community like informal gatherings, food, and fun! If your gathering falls on a Bible study night, use the letters to spell out certain key words in your passage. Searching for a unique conversation piece, centerpiece, and game all in one?
Kari Anne over at Thistle Wood Farms has you covered. Simply scatter the chalk and let the games begin.
Chalkboard Word Finder Pumpkin
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| mywedding.com |
2. Nothing says you are welcome in this place than seeing your name placed on the table, reserving your special spot. Place cards, however, need not be fancy. In fact, the more unique, the better.
If you’re searching for inspiration for your next tea or friendly gathering, Mywedding.com has a plethora of unique fallish ideas—but here’s the pumpkin favorite!
3. Honey Roasted Pumpkin Seeds. Yes, honey roasted. Yum.
Get the children or grandchildren involved in the process by separating the seeds once removed from the pumpkin. Cook, cool, and then place scoops in cellophane bags, tie with an orange ribbon, and secretly bless someone by dropping off a bag at a friend’s doorstep with a handwritten prayer and the link for the recipe.
The Clever Carrot {healthy comfort food} has nailed this one, among many other fall faves. If you’ve never visited this site, do so immediately!
I hope you find a favorite among one of these. Leave a comment letting me know which of the three is your fave — or if you have another. Please share!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
I want to be adventurous. I really do.
I look at my friends and wish I could live vicariously through them but the truth is, my idea of adventure is trying a new latte flavor at Starbucks. Sad, I know.
Today I asked the Barista to create a short Toasted Graham Latte instead of my normal Skinny Vanilla Latte. I knew I was in trouble (Weight Watchers point-wise) when she swirled a bit of whip cream on top and sprinkled tiny bits of graham cracker on top, but I gulped it down took one for the team, and let me just say…it was worth every single point. Yum to the max, my friend!
Fall is the perfect season for us to venture out — turning onto an unknown back road, taking up a new hobby, or going to a place we’ve always wanted to visit but haven’t. Or, for the more adventurous at heart, trying a new Fall flavor latte at Starbucks. 🙂
Now there’s no way I could tempt you with such a delight without offering an opportunity to win a cup of your own, so simply fill in the blank below via the comment section, and you’ll be signed up for a random drawing being held Wednesday, October 14th.
(If you’re not a Google user and it shows as Anonymous, please FB message me or email me via the button on my side bar so I’ll have your address if you’re the winner!)
Just one more way to love, love, love this spectacular season.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
You know the old adage:
The way to a man’s heart is
through his stomach.
Thankfully for me, the way to Brian’s heart wasn’t through food but a solid friendship and a goofy sense of humor.
Still, a girl needs to cook, even the empty-nester type, like myself. As you may know from past posts, I’ve been doing Weight Watchers since April. I’m learning that healthier food doesn’t have to look or taste all that different. Take this classic Fall dessert, Apple Crisp, for instance:
Ingredients:
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5 medium fresh peeled apple slice(s)
{I used Honeycrisp}
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3 tsp sugar
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2 Tbsp packed brown sugar
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2 Tbsp regular butter
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3/4 cup(s) uncooked oatmeal
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1/4 cup(s) all-purpose flour
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1 tsp ground cinnamon
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2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions:
- Arrange sliced, peeled apples in 11×7 baking dish sprayed with
cooking spray. Combine all other ingredients together to form crumbs,
scatter evenly over the top. Bake at 350 for 30 min. DELICIOUS!
Serves 6, at 5 points+ per plentiful serving. Top with Fat Free Whipped Topping for 0 points. Yes, life is good.
— recipe posted by Laura, Fairfax VA, Weight Watchers site, 2013
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Is anything more awe-stirring than an Autumn evening?
Moonlit skies ripe with vibrant stars, crisp light winds brisk enough to warrant warm sweaters and soft scarves.
So bundle up and head outdoors. Lay in the bed of your truck or spread out your blanket on a soft patch of grass. Look up! Gaze and marvel at the wonder God has created.
Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who
brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by
name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is
missing. Isaiah 40:26
As you point towards all the different stars, remember this…God calls each by name.
“The beloved of the Lord dwells in safety.”
Deuteronomy 33:12
“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings.”
Psalm 17:8
“… but I have called you friends…”
John 15:15
Before heading inside for a cup of cocoa, let us consider the names that the God of the universe calls us. Is there anything more personal? Spend a few moments thanking Him for desiring—pursuing—such a personal relationship with you.
The above are just three names of many but is there one that resonates with you more today? Please share in the comment section.
1. Pull everything out of the closet. The floor should be clear as well. (Can I just say I dread this part?)
