Halfway Through December!

Hello, folks! How is your December going? Mine has had a lot of lovely in it ... I really feel I've seen people way more this month than I usually do. *grins* So yay!

Going to do another post of pictures and snippets from my life. So here we go!

Saturday, 17th of November: I made a batch of hot-process charcoal soap, because I had some orders for it.

Sunday, 18th of November: Family Bible study! My sister and I drove together. I ended up feeling a bit sick. I don't know if it was because I hadn't had enough protein, or I was getting a migraine. Anyway, I took some Advil and did get to enjoy the evening!

Starting to get ready for Thanksgiving Day! My mom made homemade stuffing ...

And sweet potatoes, turkey and gravy, and pies, and such! I made a gf apple pie, gf rolls, and a Paleo dessert. Unfortunately, the Paleo dessert was a bit of a flop. *sad face* It wasn't a complete disaster ... just didn't taste as good as I had hoped. I'm actually thinking it might have still had too much sugar with the honey and coconut sugar combination! Or maybe because we did lemon instead of lime.

Later, my sister and I ran to town to pick up a few ingredients we were missing.

Thursday, 22nd of November: My outfit for the day! If you want to see better pictures of it, follow the new fashion Instagram account my sister and I started!

Happy Thanksgiving! I had such a sweet and lovely day with family and friends. Good food, lots of laughter. Just a pleasant, joyful and relaxing time.

The next day, all of us ladies went out for lunch, and then did a tiny bit of shopping. It was very nice. I enjoy hanging out with my mom, sister, aunts, and grandma!

Wednesday, 28th of November: Ladies' Bible study!

Book mail!!!! Who loves getting books in the mail? ^_^ I got Buttermilk Sky by Jan Watson for free from Reader's Rewards. Go sign up if you want free books! I love the cover and title of this book. And I love the story inside! Such a great series ... and I've almost collected them all now!

Thursday, 29th of November: My sister and I made a hot-process batch of peppermint pumice soap (this is our most popular kind thus far). And a cold-process batch of orange peppermint.

Then we spent time labeling soaps ...

And making lip balm! Clove-orange, hot chocolate, and peppermint shimmer!

And also body butter and salt scrubs. I didn't do much with these two besides whipping up the body butter, which took a good while!

Ready to sell some things! We really enjoyed having a table at a bazaar ... Talking to people, selling soap, and seeing what everyone else was selling!

Sunday, 2nd of December: We started an Advent family devotional! This is the first time my family has participated in Advent. I found a study on YouVersion called Advent: Christ is Coming!

We read Scripture, discuss, pray, and sing! And eat snacks! One night we had a veggie tray and ranch dip. Christmas cookies. Sparkling water with fruit in it. Hot apple cider. Fruit bowl. Etc.

It has been a blessing.

Tuesday, 4th of December: I made a hot-process batch of lavender soap! A couple people had requested this one as well. It smells amazing. I love lavender.

Met with some of my Bible study ladies at Starbucks! ^_^ It was so fun chatting and getting to know them a little better. 

Set up a Christmas tree one of these days! I love Christmas traditions ... and pray that my light for Christ will shine like these sparkling lights and draw people to the beauty that is our Lord!

I made yummy mashed sweet potatoes to go with supper one night. Who else enjoys cooking? ^_^

I watched Holiday Inn with almost all six of my younger siblings, and quite enjoyed it! *grins* It was a bit silly, but ultimately quite sweet. And I loved all the dancing! Such fun. It's definitely a movie I would watch again - especially with my siblings.

Sunday, 9th of December: Out to eat with Sunday school group. Family Bible study later. Great conversations with my ladies. Great food. Just such good fellowship with these families. I'm so grateful that God brought us all into this group.

And ... I've been shopping a lot. Searching for fun, unique things to make up a family Christmas gift. Also, finding deals on clothes & books at Goodwill. *grins* I bought two nice shirts and three books (one for someone else) for about $7. And grocery shopping.

I brought my siblings to a meeting of a group they're part of. Went to my ladies' Bible study. Went to a cookie exchange. Lots of fun Christmas cookies! (Nearly all that I couldn't eat, but they were still lovely to look at!)

Sold some more soap. Got orders online. Packed up boxes of soap to ship out. Figured out how much money my sister, my mom, and myself each made. More organizing, and calculating, delivering orders, and such ...

Also, sang with some families at nursing homes. I really enjoy singing Christmas songs, and then chatting a little with these dear folk.

I love Christmas season! Can't believe December is almost halfway over! Looking forward to doing some lovely things on my birthday. *smiles* And looking forward to celebrating with family on Christmas Day.

Hallelujah! Christ is King forever! <3

HOW HAS YOUR LIFE BEEN?

A Little Post About Vacation

Oh, but I think a part of me will always long for my childhood home.

A part of my heart belongs there. And it makes me ache to think about it and know that I will never be completely fulfilled ... Yet that reminds me another reason why heaven will be so precious!

Ah. Another trip to the west coast. I adore these trips. And never quite ready to leave!

I saw my older brother! <3 My aunt and uncle and cousins who I lived with once (my second family!!). My grandparents. Some more aunts and uncles and cousins from all over the country (they came for the wedding of my uncle). Dear friends. And countless other relatives. *winks*

I went kayaking. Which was like the best experience ever! Summer at its finest. Floating down the river beneath the towering pine trees. Oh, it was beautiful. And invigorating. And just simply lovely. I couldn't help thinking of the people who must have canoed down that river years ago ... native Americans? Early settlers? I love my "home"!

Right before kayaking, I was swimming with my cousins, sister, and aunt. That was really fun, too! The water was so cold! But once I actually ducked under, I quickly warmed up. We swam out to giant, floating logs and sat on them. I didn't get any pictures of this day, but it was so wonderful.

And the wedding. Simply beautiful. I was so honored and blessed to attend! Such a fun time with family.

Staying at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Getting to know my lovely, new aunt. (who's my age)

Helping my cousin set up a blog.

Shopping trips.

Going out to eat.

Reconnecting with my childhood best friend and talking about all manner of things. ^_^

Crazy scavenger hunt on the "last night out".

Sitting in my older brother's room and talking with him and my mom.

Laughing.

Playing games.

Hanging out with fun people.

Riding in my older brother's cool car and listening to cool music. *smiles*

Refreshing walks.

Talking with my aunt (my second mom *winks*)

Picking blackberries and thimble berries.

Hiking.

Swimming.

Kayaking.

Long conversations with LaKaysha.

Birthdays.

Wedding.

Exploring and adventuring with older brother, mom, and the rest of the siblings.

Washing Grandpa and Grandma's white fence with all the cousins.

Hanging out with all the family.

Holding babies.  (My aunt's baby and my friend's baby)

Staying at aunt & uncle's I used to live with. (I felt a little nostalgic)

Oh. All the adventures. Can't wait until the next trip! *winks*

Here are a couple pictures ... (I was so excited to have a decent camera on my phone, finally. But it turns I don't take very many pictures anyway.)

At the airport. I felt so sick on the first flight. 'Twas not fun. Not fun at all.

Costco shopping trip! *grins* We packed the car quite full of groceries!

Because what's better than natural sour gummy worms? *heart eyes*

Staying at Grandma's house

Love waterfalls!

Time to climb this rock. We didn't go up that way. *winks*

Hiking with all the family

I was totally blessed to get together with LaKaysha three or four times! I love hanging out with that girl! We can just talk on for hours and have great conversations! It was good to share from my heart with her. <33 One day we took a nice walk and then went out and got smoothies. Mine was called west coast berry or something.

Going home. :'(

So many people to miss!

So talk to me, y'all!

WHERE DO YOU LOVE TO VACATION?

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY FROM THIS SUMMER?

DO YOU GET SICK ON AIRPLANES?

HAVE YOU BEEN TO A WEDDING RECENTLY?

DO YOU LIKE KAYAKING?

SOUR GUMMY WORMS?? *winks*

May God bless your weekend!