Outside my window . . . our fourth wet and rainy day in a row! grey skies and rain droplets abound. all the leaves are fallen and puddles are collecting. a day to be cozy inside.

Praising God for . . . hmmm. not enough, likely.

In prayer for . . . my parents and what would be most helpful to them as they seek to make some business/financial changes in their lives at this time.

I am thinking . . . that I just want to go back to bed and listen to the rain.

I am thankful for . . . again, not enough. but I am grateful for the way my life is held, how things go on and we are so comfortably blessed.

From the learning rooms . . . school is just starting back up and i'm considering what changes should be made, what to study beyond our everyday basics. the oldest two start their next semester of on-line college courses next week. the middle three went back to mathnasium this week, it being sage's first time there. i'm thinking of putting the baby into preschool a few days a week just for fun.

From the kitchen . . . made quick and easy (but culinarily lame) cheese crisps for lunch out of Costco self-cook tortillas and shredded mex cheese, standard pantry items around here. dinner should be Smitten Kitchen Chicken Chili, if I go put it in the crockpot now.

What i'm wearing . . . what I wore to bed: long sleeve, heathered grey top layered over a white tee, charcoal grey yoga/pj pants, grey argyle socks

I am creating . . . plodding along on oldest son's wonky blue and orange quilt. took a break from that to make some sugar flower pinwheels for a valentine's throw quilt I started last year

I am going . . . on a business cruise for 5 days with husband and extended family in a few weeks, but no plans between now and then. staying put, cozy at home!

I am reading . . . Cabin Lessons by Spike Carleson, a memoir of his family building their own cabin together. And a few other cabin idea and construction books.  all in relation to our Greer cabin, of course.

Scriptures I am studying . . . October 2015 General Conference talks

Family scripture study . . . Mosiah 18, story of Abinadi, Noah, Limhi, Alma

I am hoping . . . Adam and Colton are safe and happy on the slopes of Sunrise

I am hearing . . . Macey and Abbey listen to the newest One Direction album as they eat lunch ("Olivia" and "For Your Eyes Only"); three little girls yammer and play with the contectagons in the family room

Around the house . . . awaiting barn door installation on the dining room, which we are converting to my sewing room. Dadam has led a decluttering charge the last few weeks and we are seeing space open up, but there is still far too much stuff in this house

One of my favorite things . . . wool socks to keep my feet warm when i'm not stomping around in my Ugg boots

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . other than staying cozy at home, I will likely be working on Colton's quilt, which is weighing on me to be finished. a date night would be nice. and i'm expected at a siblings meeting about my parents' situation on Friday


Picture thought I am sharing . . .

a view of the sinking sun on the road home from the cabin on December 31, 2015, taken by Grace, my only car companion as everyone else had already gone home with Dadam. she entertained herself the last hour of the trip by taking endless phone photos and talking to Siri.