{Domestic Diva in the Making}

Awhile back my friend, Marilee, made a list on her blog of things she wanted to accomplish, things that when she finished, she would have earned the title of Domestic Diva! I'm far from considering myself a Domestic Diva, but I'm working on it.

When I posted my Halloween table runner, my friend Tauna wondered what I was going to come up with for Thanksgiving. She was expecting something, and I couldn't disappoint her. After a bit of thought and scrounging through my fabric stash, I decided to try a rag quilt style runner. I had most of the fabric I needed and only had to get some batting and the fall-ish leaves fabric.
I also stitched up the same pumpkin from the pillow I made last month on each end.... not to shabby, if I don't say so myself!
Have I ever mentioned I love my little town? Well, I do. I was gifted with some pumpkins from a family here. When I said I'd like some, I was totally planning to set them on the porch to decorate with. When they were delivered (yep, they even delivered them) I was asked if I was going to bottle them? Hadn't crossed my mind, but maybe? Hmmm? Maybe I shouldn't just waste them. I guess I could freeze them? So I cleaned them out, cut them up, baked them (for what seemed like forever) cut off the rind and mashed them a bit before sticking them in the blender..... where I learned,

that my blender HATED my favorite plastic spoon.......
and a pretty good wooden one too! I also, learned that my blender STINKS! Thankfully my mama lives just a hop, skip and a jump up the road and hers is a tiny bit better, but I still had to add some water to the pumpkin.

After much blending, I poured some of the the puree into muffin tins then freezing them to make perfect 1/2 cup bricks, I also did some larger bags. I can't wait to pull some out and make cookies. I ended up with at least 25-30 cups of frozen pumpkin from ONE medium pumpkin?!? What on earth am I going to do with the other THREE?

Seeing as how my sewing machine was still on my table (a week or so after I finished my table runner) I decided to finish up a pillow I'd cut out for Carlie's room.... months ago! TA-DA! (Pretend if you will, that it has a cute fabric covered button in the center, that sinks the center in and makes it look all cute and puffy, cause it will as soon as I can find the fabric button kit and get that done!)

Do I consider myself a Domestic Diva now? Not by a long shot (my kitchen is a mess and I have to step over piles of stuff in the office, so I've got a ways to go). Do I feel like I accomplished a few good things this week? Sure do! So, we're good!

{Today I Am Thankfull For....}

It's been way too long since I've blog and even worse since I've done a gratitude post. I have MUCH to be thankful for, and what better way to start November and jump back into blogging (I optimistically hope) than by sharing just a few things I'm truly thankful for!

Fall

I love fall... I'm a spring and fall type of gal. I love the crisp cool weather, the colors and smells. My dad tilled and planted the field next to our house this last week, it looked so pretty and ready for change. Not to mention fall makes me want to craft, and I did, and it made me happy. Happy that this........
became this, my first pieced and machine quilted table runner!

and I had time to whip up a new SPOOKY banner.
Also, my friend Ann gifted me with a cute pumpkin pillow kit, long ago. It took awhile to get around to it, but once I did, it quickly became the cute pillow on my desk seat in the first picture above.

Great Examples that Touch my Life

My first grade teacher past away, very unexpectedly this past week. He not only taught me, but both my boys. I had the opportunity to be an aide in his summer school class the year Derrick and I were engaged. During that time, he went from being my former teacher to someone I considered a friend. I will forever be grateful for the impact he had on not only my life, but the lives of my children as well.

Barq's Red Creme Soda

I love it, yes I do!

Primary

My time in the Primary has come to an end. Yes, I am sad. I am also eternally grateful for these past few years. Those sweet children taught me more than I'm sure I ever did them, and my family was overwhelmingly blessed during this time.

A Day Date with my Man

That he planned.

We did a session at the Temple, had lunch at Kneaders Bakery complete with a fruit tart, and then went to the snowmobile show to check out all the latest and greatest before the winter season (while I'm excited about fall, my man is just excited for snow). It was a fabulous day! As we sat in the temple, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. What a blessing to be there with my husband. As special as our family day at the temple was, I've enjoyed trips back with Derrick even more.

My Grandparents

As my my kids were trick or treating at my grandparents last night, I couldn't help but think how blessed we are to have them so close. I love that they are a part of my children's lives and are creating memories with them.

(Check out the decorations hanging from the stairs. My Grandma has had them since I was a little girl and I adore them..... so many memories!)

Sweet, Uplifting Blog Comments

Each of the comments left on my previous post truly touched me. What a blessing each of you are in my life.... a blessing I am grateful for.

and last but not at all least......

A Vacation to Look Forward to!