Happy Thanksgiving to All!

May we all remember that our bounty comes from God's hand- and no other place!

Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 124:8

These are a few...

of my favorite things! Emily inspired me to write my very own "favorite natural things" list- and being as that I am *so* exhausted all the time, and I'm certainly not crafting anything lately... here goes!

1. Origins Organics Foaming Face Wash
My sometimes fitful skin that can't decide if it's oily (with breakouts) or dry (with eczema patches on my eyelids!) loves this stuff. It's expensive, but I use one pump a night, and I think the bottle with last me at least six months. Which makes it LESS expensive than the other stuff I was using!

2. Origins Totally Pure Organic Deoderant
Lets just say... I need deoderant. I've tried other natural brands, like Tom's of Maine. They don't touch me. So I switched back to the regular stuff- but when I found out about our wee one, I decided to give this a shot- and I *love* it. It works. It really, really works.

3. Tom's of Maine Lavender Body Wash
The most cost effective natural soap I've found out there, and a lovely smell. :)

4. EO Lavender Hand Soap
Nice and foaming, too! I was convinced to buy this after reading a regular hand soap label. Ew. Yuck. Chemicals galore!

5. Seventh Generation Kitchen Spray
This has hydrogen peroxide in it, which helps with those icky white countertops they feel the need to put in apartments. One drop of tea or juice will dye the countertop in approximately 4 seconds.

6. Seventh Generation Dish Soap
Lemongrass and Clementine, and it works like a charm. I didn't have alot of luck with the dishwasher soap though... it may be because our dishwasher is older and apartment brand... but it didn't work out.

7. Pure and Basic Lavender Body Lotion
Hmmm, I could only find a link to the body wash online, but you get the basic idea :)

Today I bought my first natural shampoo and conditioner. I guess my nose has gotten more sensitive because of baby- but my other shampoo... the smell now makes me sick. So, I'm going to give this a shot too! It's the Whole Foods 365 brand and it's the natural mint scent. I have my first midwife appointment on monday- I would really appreciate prayers! :)

Baby!!!

We are so thankful, and so blessed, and so happy to announce...

that we are expecting our first blessing!!!

Praise be to God!!! :) I've been feeling a little unwell in the mornings, but I really don't mind that much. I am so happy to be pregnant!

Psalm 117

O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

Come What May

This is a wonderful, pro-life movie made by a group of homeschoolers. I was so impressed by the whole movie! The storyline was great, and I thought the acting was very professionally done. May I recommend you watch it for free online? And spread the word!!

Tag, you're it! :)

Oh, my poor neglected blog :) It's been very busy- and very blessed around here- but I really do need to keep this up more!

I have been tagged by Alli, Amy, and Tiffany to write six random facts about myself!

The rules are:

-Link to the person who tagged you.
-Post the rules on your blog.
-Write Six Random Things about yourself.
-Tag six-or-so other people at the bottom of the post.
-Leave comments on their blogs, letting them know they've been tagged!
-Let the person who tagged you know when you've written the post.

Here we go! :)

1. I love watching the sun rise on a cool morning.

Living in Texas, and not being a morning person (who now officially drinks no caffeine) makes this a rare event... so it's even more special when it happens :)

2. I can watch a few movies over and over and over again.

These movies would be: Sense and Sensibility (either version), Pride and Prejudice, Emma (with Kate Beckinsale), Northanger Abbey, and You've Got Mail.

3. I have all of my teeth... including 5 wisdom teeth!

Poor hubby doesn't get to keep his though... out they come next week. Eek!

4. I own four pairs of the same tennies. In lilac, blue, brown, and grey with pink.

Don't worry... I bought them mostly all for less than half price. Who can resist a cute little feminine tennis shoe? :) Even though I don't play tennis... lol.

5. I love wraps.

It's rarely cold enough here for a coat, so a pretty little wrap is just right on Sunday mornings.

6. I speak more French than I understand, and I understand more Spanish than I speak.

Sigh... I must work on my Spanish more. Living in South Texas, it's really important to be able to at least carry on a basic conversation in Spanish. As long as no one speaks *too* quickly, I'm usually okay- but I'm no where near where I'd like to be!

Now for tagging. I think *everyone* I know blog-wise has been tagged- but if you haven't been... consider yourself tagged as of now! :)

Very Easy Muff: My First Tutorial

A long time ago, I was given a lovely fur muff to match my Samantha doll. Paired with a winter dress coat, it was the most feminine thing in the world! :) It no longer fits me- so I was inspired to make a new one. Of course we must remember that according to Anne of Windy Poplars, a muff is only to be worn when its Zero degrees.

"'The old porch thermometer says it's zero and the new side-door one says it's ten above,' remarked Anne, one frosty December night. 'So I don't know whether to take my muff or not.'"

Well, I might not stick to that- since it almost *never* gets that cold in Texas! With no further ado- here is my very first tutorial.

Using two different yarns (Lion Chunky Wool- for warmth- and Lion Cameo- for softness) and my trusty 9 mm crochet hook.


I then made a large square piece- about 25 single crochet across, and then the size around you'd like your muff. Not too large, so it won't be drafty... but you don't want it to be too small, either!


Then I stitched it together, making a tube.


...and drew up the sides with cord elastic.



You don't want to make it too tight- it should fit around your wrist comfortably, but once again... don't let any drafts in!


Now you'll need to make a matching hat and scarf. I hope you enjoyed my first tutorial! I'll post a picture of the whole set when I'm finished :)

Sweet Babies

I was thrilled to spend the weekend with my darling, darling nephew, Noah.


Trying to get a picture of five brothers... and the newest member of the next generation... all on one couch... is difficult.


From Right to Left is Danny, Noah (Danny's son), Charlie (the youngest), Steven, Hubby (the oldest), and Joey.
Poor Charlie is squished terribly! :) But what precious memories.