The weather in my neck of the woods:

A beautiful fall day!!! Couldn’t ask for a more perfect day.

A simple pleasure:

Enjoying a morning cup of Costa Rica Decaf with Peppermint Mocha creamer and a pumpkin donut.

I am thankful:

That my mornings no longer involve a quick look at my appointment schedule and a rush out the door to counsel 20 something clients.

From the kitchen:

Again, still not much going on there. I am getting my list together for my Thanksgiving dish: pumpkin dump cake. A hit at our family Thanksgiving meal.

Creative Corner:

Working on:

• scrapbooking

• personal photo portfolio

From the learning rooms:

Sam is continuing to explore the benefits of Florida Virtual School. Some days she is good with it and other days our arguments raise the roof an inch or so. Like when Algebra is on the schedule.

I am not reading (in one sitting):

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. Although it is an incredibly good book, I am finding that it gets a bit melodramatic and overwhelming. That’s when I take a break and sit down with my new favorite series: The Southern Vampire Mysteries.

I am now reading:

The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff. It is really good. Too bad I am so tired when I go to bed at night that I can only get through a couple of pages.

On My Mind:

Looking forward to wrapping up the Fall Semester and settling in to enjoy the holidays.

Hearth and Home:

Keeping the holidays SIMPLE this year. Been thinking about getting a pink Christmas tree rather than hauling the traditional one down from the attic.

I laugh:

Because a dear friend’s fourteen year old daughter just sent me a Facebook friend request ~ and I’m excited because we can be FarmVille neighbors.

A Picture thought I’m sharing:

Went fishing this weekend. Only caught one fish – a Redfish – but it was a blessing to be out on the water enjoying such a beautiful day. I can remember when I used to sit on the shore daydreaming about being on a boat ~ and now it is a reality. We are truly blessed.

Devotional/Scripture Readings/Key Verses

Found two awesome devotionals this week. I am not big on reading devotions. I much prefer reading my Life Application Bible. However the following two devotions had God’s thumbprints all over them after the past two weeks of major decision making:

Moments with You by Dennis and Barbara Rainey:

“I believe there is nothing more powerful on Earth than family. It is the single most influential force for good (or for evil) in all human existence.

From birth, it marks you. Your family crafts your conscience and shapes your soul. At home you learn life’s lessons and begin the art of practicing them. At home you learn to love and to do what’s right.  Truly, nothing compares to the strength of being tightly wrapped in the protective fiber of family. It’s who you are. It’s where you belong.

In what ways past and present has God blessed your life through your family? Thank God for the gift of your family, regardless of its inadequacies and failures.”

God’s Purpose for Every Woman by Lysa Terkeurst:

“When you’re with those you love – be there. Let the legacy you are creating with your family be one of love and attention, not a completed task list.

Take an honest look at your to-do list today. Prioritize your list into three categories: Must Do, Want to Do, Can Wait if Necessary. Then make an honest assessment of the time you’ll be with your family and purpose to fully be there.”

What does your Daybook look like?