Harvest Lane Cottage: Fall Bucket List 2018

Once again this promises to be a Fall like no other.

I'll be having breast reconstruction revision surgery on October 10th. 

I've made an ambitious list, I know. 

I want to squeeze all the joy I can from the season.

I thank God that Autumn has come again for me.
We think we plan our lives,
but we know not how many
Autumns we have left.

I'll change each item to italics as I complete it. It is easier to read than crossing them out. How many of these things are on your list?

• Write my fall bucket list
• Celebrate First Day of Fall September 22nd
• Enjoy candy pumpkins
• Drink homemade hot cocoa
• Fall decorating ~ not much this year
• Maple Leaf Parade
• Burn a cinnamony, pumpkiny, spicy fall candle - My son just brought me one!
• September Sewing Challenge
• Knit a hat for me
• Knit hats for charity - Operation Christmas Child, chemo patients, and the Community Clinic
• Bake cookies with Amy.
• Volunteer for a political campaign (Don't worry, I just helped with some postcards!)
• Listen to Christmas music
• Reconstruction revision surgery October 10th - It went great!!!
• Take a drive to look at fall foliage 
• Curl up with a terrific book
• Enjoy a candle lit evening
• Try a new soup or stew  
• Take a walk and enjoy the maple leaves
• Read a wonderful Christmas book ~ Christmas by the Sea 
• Worship God under the stars
• Drink eggnog
• Collect leaves to decorate
• Go to a bonfire or enjoy our outdoor fireplace
• S'mores
• Knit hats for charity
• Make apple crisp
• Knit a sweater for Penny, my little dog 
• Hurrah for the pecan pie!
• Read by candlelight or lamplight
• Make friendship tea 
• Bake pumpkin shaped cut out sugar cookies
• Bake bread  
• Queen's Apples - apple slices with caramel and pecans
• Plan Christmas gifts
• Watch Christmas movies*  
• Destination Unknown with the kids - I'm thinking about a destination.
• Make Christmas gifts
• Gaze into the fire in our woodstove
• Enjoy pumpkin pie
• Harvest Celebration Cake
• Sip apple cider
• Celebrate Thanksgiving
• Decorate Christmas tree with the kids Thanksgiving weekend

Have you made a Fall Bucket List?
Please share your link in the comments.

Thank you for your prayers.

Laura
Squeezing Out the Joy

*
Christmas movies I've watched this Fall:
White Christmas
Holiday Inn
Christmas in Connecticut

Christmas books I've read this Fall:
Christmas by the Sea
Catching Christmas
The Christmas Dog 



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A Christmas by the Sea by Melody Carlson

Here we are! Last weekend of September. First Christmas book review. I love Melody Carlson Christmas books! A Christmas by the Sea is no exception. I consider reading Melody's Christmas books a tradition. They are just plain good!

From the publisher:

When Wendy Harper inherits her family's beach side cottage in Seaside, Maine, she sees it as a way to finally pay off the debts that have mounted since her husband died. But before it can be sold, the neglected property must be renovated. She and her 12-year-old son Jackson move in--temporarily, she reminds him--in order to do the work themselves, even though Christmas is coming. The charming town, along with local craftsman Caleb Colton, pulls on both Wendy and Jackson, who even registers himself for school in a bid to get his mom to move them there permanently. Wendy knows that the most responsible thing to do is to sell the cottage and return to Ohio, but the lure of the sea is hard to resist.

Join award-winning author Melody Carlson for a Christmas story that will warm your heart and have you dreaming of your own enchanted seaside holiday.


My thoughts:
This is my favorite Melody Carlson Christmas novella yet!

• Melody paints the mood in color as the Harpers drive along towards Seaside. The tension in Wendy is high as fears and doubts fill her mind about how to provide for her son. Excitement fills Jackson as he thinks about the town and the new home and adventure that await. 
• Melody paints the setting in color as she describes the town, the cottage, the beach, the sights, and the smell of the sea. 
• Melody paints the characters vividly with words and emotion. New characters are introduced in some unusual ways. 

This is a light, relaxing holiday novella that will help you unwind after a day of fall or Christmas preparations.  Read this book. You won't be sorry. ~smile~

Read my reviews: 
The Christmas Angel Project
The Christmas Joy Ride
The Christmas Blessing 

I've also read:
The Gift of Christmas Present
The Christmas Bus
The Christmas Shoppe and
Christmas at Harringtons

An early happy Christmas to you all!

P.S. I start reading Christmas books in September for reviews. You may wait until October or November if you wish. ~smile~

Disclosure: I was sent a Net Galley e-book sample of this product for review purposes only. I was not compensated in any way. All opinions are my own based on my experience with this product. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

A Bit of the Sewing Challenge Progress

September is National Sewing Month.

It is Sewing Challenge Month at Harvest Lane Cottage.

I decided to keep a list of the things I do each day. It keeps me accountable. ~smile~ Read all about the challenge.

September 

1    Mended stars shirt

2    Altered gray shirt

      Cut threads tan shorts

3    Mended shirt pocket
      Mended pockets in gray shorts
4    Mended pocket in 2nd pair gray shorts
5    Sewed a button on my dress
6    Finished a baby quilt* and worked on another
7    Finished two more baby quilts*
      Mended my son's work shirt
8    Mended my husband's hoody
9    Planned more baby quilts and possibly some bowl huggers
10  Sewed quilt blocks together for bowl huggers
      Sewed blocks together for baby quilt*
11  No sewing but lots of knitting. I was away from home all day and evening.
12  No sewing, but I knit, and I wrote off recipes for my daughter's birthday.

Alright. I need to have a reset! I got distracted in preparing for my daughter's birthday, an unexpected afternoon and evening away from home. I am usually stressed about things like this. I have chosen to give myself grace and keep going!

13  Repaired my husband's slacks pockets
      Sewed a small baby quilt top*
      Began sewing a second baby quilt top*
      Repaired a rice bag that had a hole in it.
14  Ironed several items for sewing, and sewed a couple baby quilt tops*
15  Sewed some squares together for yet another baby quilt top*
16  Basted shoulders on one of my tops
17  Hand sewed shoulder on my top
      Looked through fabric for pieces for a handbag

~~~~~~~~

From the archive

Read more of my progress on the Sewing Challenge page.

* These are little quilts for babies who are stillborn or die as small infants. A man at our church manages a local cemetery, and he gives these to parents to wrap their babies in.



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Happy Homemaker Monday ~ September 17, 2018

As I write ...   Sunday evening

The weather.... Beautiful compared to the Carolinas. 

Right now I am... just finished eating a very late supper. I was talking with a friend on the phone long-distance when supper time came.

Thinking... I need to sort a few fabrics tonight. I'm not going to sew, but sorting fabrics is part of the process. I have in mind to make a handbag this week, but I need to see if I have fabrics that I want to use. If not, the project will go on the back burner for awhile.

A quote to share... 

♥♥♥♥♥

 ♥♥♥♥♥ 

On my reading pile...   I'm still reading the same books.

Favorite blog posts last week...  

• The Door Will Open When it is Time
• What is the Little Ball for?

For those of you wondering if I'm going to make a Fall Bucket List this year, YES! It should come out on or before the first of Fall.

Something fun to share... 

On my to do list...  Check out my sewing challenge progress in the tab above!

• Photograph sewing projects
• Plan school and sewing projects
• Laundry
• Cooking with prayer for creativity
• Sewing
• Knitting
• Reading
• Writing

On the needles...  

• A Warm One hat for charity
• I received my size 9 needles so that I can make a sweater for my little dog.
• I'm making a Copy Cat CC Beanie using this pattern and this tutorial.

Looking forward to this week...

• Monday -  Planning, laundry, cooking
• Tuesday -  Knitting group 
• Wednesday -  Journey to the Center of the Earth class for Amy and Church 
• Thursday -  Coffee shop with dear friend
• Friday -   Thrifty Friday post
• Saturday -  

Looking around the house...  I hope to begin some fall decorating soon.

From the camera... 

My hair is growing.

Devotional...   

• I Love You Lord My Strength, Finding Strength for Troubled Times

On my prayer list...

• Florence and those in her path

• Approval from insurance company for my upcoming reconstruction surgery

• Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation

• Relief from the side effects of my treatments ~ regain full range of movement in arm without pain across all the radiated area.

• Peace of Jerusalem and Israel

• Wisdom, health, and protection for President Trump, Vice-President Pence, and their families. 

• Good, godly, brave people to be elected to serve in Congress and across our nation according to The Constitution. 

My prayer for you, my dear reader...

Dear Jesus,
It seems like everyone has something she is worrying about these days. You told us not to worry but to trust you. Father help us to look to you for our every need.
Father, I ask that whatever that need is—provision for a bill, for food, for education or whatever—healing for herself or a loved one—relief from pain, or fear, or anxiety—reconciliation with a loved one or between family members—salvation for someone they care about—I ask you to meet her needs. Holy Spirit, please wrap your loving arms around each reader. Speak truth to them. Bring salvation, bring peace, bring faith, bring hope. Thank you so much for your provision of salvation and everything we need. I bless your Holy Name Jesus! Amen.

Your kindness to me in writing back really encourages me. Thank you so much for taking the extra time to comment.

Laura
Trusting in God's timing, provision, and healing power

Joining with Sandra at Happy Homemaker Monday.

~~~~~

Joining with Peggy

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Happy Homemaker Monday ~ September 10, 2018

As I write ...   Sunday evening

The weather.... Very cool... I'll need a blanket tonight.

Right now I am... achy because I've been leaning over the table planning and sewing.

Thinking... I need to be in bed. I've been staying up too late lately.

A quote to share... 

♥♥♥♥♥

"The greater part of our happiness or misery 
depends upon our dispositions, and not upon
our circumstances." 

Martha Washington

 ♥♥♥♥♥ 

On my reading pile...   

Favorite blog posts last week...  

• Is it This Simple?
• 30 Ideas for Letters to Write and Send
• 10 Things to Do in September
• My Autumn Bucket List by Amy

For those of you wondering if I'm going to make a Fall Bucket List this year, YES! It should come out on or before the first of Fall.

Something fun to share... 

On my to do list...  Check out my sewing challenge progress in the tab above!

• Cleaning
• Planning
• Laundry
• Focus
• Cooking
• Teaching
• Sewing
• Knitting
• Reading
• Writing

On the needles...  

• A Warm One hat for charity
• Planning to order size 9 needles so that I can make a sweater for my little dog.

Looking forward to this week...

• Monday -  Planning
• Tuesday -  Knitting group 
• Wednesday -  Church
• Thursday -  Errands & coffee shop with dear friend
• Friday -  
• Saturday -  

Looking around the house...  I've made a big mess with my sewing things on the kitchen table.

From the camera... 

Love the colors in this bag I sewed.

Devotional...   

• Sunshine and Jesus and Prayer

On my prayer list...

• A family member has been in the hospital for nearly a week after emergency surgery and has been diagnosed with diabetes. Healing.

• Approval from insurance company for my upcoming reconstruction surgery

• Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation

• Relief from the side effects of my treatments ~ regain full range of movement in arm without pain across all the radiated area.

• Peace of Jerusalem and Israel

• Wisdom, health, and protection for President Trump, Vice-President Pence, and their families. 

• Good, godly, brave people to be elected to serve in Congress and across our nation according to The Constitution. 

My prayer for you, my dear reader...

Father God, most likely each of my readers has something heavy on her heart. Father, I ask that whatever that need is—provision for a bill, for food, for education or whatever—healing for herself or a loved one—relief from pain, or fear, or anxiety—reconciliation with a loved one or between family members—salvation for someone they care about—I ask you to meet her needs. Holy Spirit, please make your presence known. Bring salvation, bring peace, bring faith, bring hope. Thank you so much for your provision of salvation and everything we need. I bless your Holy Name Jesus! Amen.

Thank you all for dropping in.
Please take a few moments and jot me a note. 

Laura
Trusting in God's timing, provision, and healing power

Joining with Sandra at Happy Homemaker Monday.

~~~~~

Joining with Peggy

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September is National Sewing Month... It's Sewing Challenge Month at Harvest Lane Cottage

Did you know that September is National Sewing Month? I enjoy sewing, but I haven't sewn for many months.  While going through breast cancer treatment, just pulling out the machine felt like too much trouble. 

When I found the lump, I just put away the quilt I was hand quilting, the apron I was making, my crochet, my knitting, everything. Nothing seemed important knowing that I might not see the next season.

Chemotherapy was rough. It took more out of me than I realized, and the side effects were horrible. Still through it all, I did my best to spread sunshine, happiness, and the love of God with others especially at the cancer center.

Knitting chemo hats was the first creative thing I did. After I knit a couple for me, I started knitting for other patients. My nurse saw me knitting and invited me to come knit with her weekly knitting group. I didn't feel like getting out and meeting new people. When you lose your hair from chemo, and you look sick, people tend to avoid talking to you. They don't know what to say. It's a lonely time. I took a proactive approach and spoke first most of the time if I felt well enough. Fast forward.

A few months later, during treatment, another of my nurses invited me, and I decided to try it. Surprisingly, the ladies saw me as a person not a cancer patient! The group accepted me and befriended me quickly. It was a turning point in my mental recovery from cancer. I began to knit more and learned new techniques. It's been good for me. Tuesday Knit Night is now a priority. Now it's time to begin sewing again, too.

When I sew, I feel like I am doing something that God created me to do. My mother and a very good high school sewing teacher taught me most of what I know. I used the money I received at high school graduation to buy myself a sewing machine. I couldn't imagine going off to college without one! 

My treatments are over now, so I am challenging myself to sew every day in September. Even a few minutes will count. I hope to get back in the habit. I found a local friend to whom I can be accountable for the challenge. Thanks Carla! Tomorrow I will probably mend. I haven't kept up like I should.

I'm going to try to post some photos and write about what I'm up to. I may share projects, ideas, tools, or great websites that I've found.

How about you? Do you sew? Are you up for the challenge of sewing just a bit or maybe a lot each day of September? I'm going to try. I may change that if I end up having surgery this month. We shall see.

Join me?

Laura
Trying to get back to me

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