Finding A Sweet Spot

Last year, on a whim, we left one campground for another while following my little brothers around. One was visiting from SoCal and we wanted as much time with him, and with my other brother, as we could have. We went to the basic area they had in mind -- and discovered one of the best camping spots we have ever found.

We have since referred to it as “The Sweet Spot”

That’s where we are supposed to be this week if it weren’t for the gosh-dawg weather.

I can’t always be gallivanting about, but I do have Sweet Spots here and there around our home and property, that I can enjoy most every day. Some of them are areas where I have put things I love and provided with chairs and what-not (don’t you love when people use the word “what-not”? Once, when we were at a campground listening to a ranger give a talk, we counted how many times he said “what-not” and it was over 20! So I am using it here just for my enjoyment!).

There are other areas I love even passing by or walking to and sitting on the ground, or just standing and taking in the view and what-not.

View from my new Morning Sweet Spot

This morning I sat in a newly created Sweet Spot. Outside. Because my favorite Sweet Spots are usually outside. It was somewhat brisk, so I wore my (husband’s grandfather’s) old wool shirt over my pj’s and had a blanket (crocheted by my late step-grandmother) around me.

Someone gave us the table when they were moving, and I spray painted it lime green. Someone else who was moving gave us the cute Indian Blue papasan lawn chairs. They really are too low for this table, but I rarely read or use my computer on a tabletop anyway. I just need a place to set my books and coffee.

The pile of books I am currently working on

I found the quaint tablecloth for ten dollars. I love birds. Embroidered birds are especially sweet. And I think I mentioned that I have been falling in love with old linens. I was just thinking of how I wished I had one I love for that table and, out-of-the-blue, on an unexpected side trip from taking my son to lunch on Saturday, I found it – the perfect size and practically custom made to my preferences.

Each little piece of this spot has it’s own story – bought at the beach, love the size and shape, found at the GW and works great for this or that – but my post would be too long and boring if I told you all about each of them.

Today I even had my own special soundtrack. These two boys were having a crow-off.

You can see who got the girls…

I was rewarded for getting up early by this gorgeous, naturally framed sunrise behind my left shoulder…

And by getting a glimpse of this little volunteer who has been trying to bloom for weeks.

Being a morning person has it’s perks

I love that, no matter what our lack of budget, we can create little spaces that are our own, where the things we place there help us relax, breathe in the good things in life and reflect on sweet memories.

Where we love to be.

I hope that today you can find your very own Sweet Spot… and what-not. Enjoy your view!

Happy Labor Day!

Busy, Busy...

Hi ya'all. Busy, busy. Yep. STILL working on projects. Namely the Homeschool Room. Though even the name is getting a bit boring. So I think I will copy what someone, somewhere in Blogland called it, and say I am working on the Learning Lounge.

Anyhew, I decided to post about our little wannabe farm today and thought it fitting that I post it on our family blog. And I really can't blog to two places in one day. Cuz, I am busy, busy. So, if ya wanna getta glimpse, feel free to go on over and check it out at You Should Be So Lucky!


I sure hope your part of the world smells as good as mine does this week with all of those luscious blackberries hanging in the sun!

All Is Calm, All Is Bright

As I trudged up our long driveway, pulling my legs out of a foot of snow at each uphill step, I second guessed the groceries I had purchased, weighing their value against the work it was to get them back home.

Drawing near the top I realized something had changed. I was surrounded by a rosy glow.

Amazing how much faster I moved when I had to hurry to get the camera!

Soup's On! Saturday, Pumpkin Chili

(photo from Vegan Visitor where original recipe is posted)


Where I live, in the Pacific Northwest, a storm blew through this week and it rained quite a bit, but the air continued to stay somewhat balmy, especially for how wet is was. Although, thinking of my husband who has been in Florida for work all week, maybe "balmy" isn't the right word.

Today the weather is sunny, but not warm. Looking over the valley below us, nestled between the pockets of fog, there is an ever changing patchwork in varying shades of vibrant autumn hues.


Fall is beautiful and the pictures I see through my window are changing daily. Ah, Autumn. (By the time I took this picture the fog had evaporated. Did I say "ever changing"?) Do you see Mt. St. Helens in the background to the right?


Last week my friend Julie C. posted a link to her blog for a delightfully seasonal Pumpkin Chili. Those of us who know her have the secret code to get in. But woe to you who do not! So I decided to post it here on my blog for this week's Soup's On! Saturday (If you are a first time visitor to this blog, you can read about Soup's On! Saturday here). Oh, and if you are looking for past week's recipes, I am working on a link list. Look over to the right, in my sidebar, for the links I have so far.

I made this chili this week and it was yummy. I had to adjust the spices because my (old) coriander was not fragrant or flavorful and did not provide any flavor at all. But I am a huge fan of cumin so didn't mind any extra cumin flavor.

Julie said she didn't have carrots, I didn't have celery when I made it. We both started with dry beans too. It turned out well for both of us. So don't be shy. If you have beans of any variety, dried or canned, and you have pumpkin, you can play around with this recipe. You can view the original recipe by clicking on the link under the picture above.


Would you please pray for my friend Elizabeth? She has recently found out about some health problems which are looming large. They have to make decisions about how to proceed with treatments, as well as how to deal with all of the challenges it may bring. Please pray for a miracle of healing, for peace and for clarity. And maybe you could even leave her an encouraging comment so she knows you are praying for her:)

Enjoy Julie's recipe below and then link your own, or email it to me so I can post it here.

Have a wonderfully cozy week. May you find rest in knowing you are being held by the Creator of the Universe.

Pumpkin Chili

2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
1 Onion, finely diced
2 Medium Carrots, peeled and finely diced
1 Stalk Celery, finely diced
3 cups Tomato Sauce
3 cups Fresh Tomatoes, skinned and chopped or 1 - 28oz can diced tomatoes
5 cups beans, soaked and cooked (I mixed red and pinto beans this time)
(could sub 2- 19oz cans beans, drained and well rinsed)
1/2 teaspoon Salt
Crack of Black Pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon Dried Thyme, scant
1 teaspoon Ground Coriander Seed
1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin
1 Cup Dice Pumpkin, roasted


Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
Clean and cube half a good baking pumpkin.
Using about 1 tablespoon of the olive oil lightly cover the pumpkin, tossing to coat.
Roast in the oven for about 30 minutes or until tender.
Heat the remaining oil in a large stockpot and add the diced onion, carrots and celery.
Sauté the vegetables until slightly softened and the onions are transparent.
Add the chopped tomatoes, sauce and spices then bring everything to a simmer.
Stir in drained, rinsed beans and continue to simmer for an additional 20 minutes or until the carrots are soft.
Add the cubed pumpkin.