Unscripted October Moments

October 2020

How quicky time pass us by. I wrote down in my agenda about, "how quickly October seem to come around". This is the reason why I try my best to live intentionally. To not live life with haste. To live in the present. To document life from the ordinary mundane moments to fun outings. And this is why I don't ever rush time by saying, "oh, I wish it was Friday, or I wish it was summer, or I wish it was Christmas break". Because I know better. When you think that way it prevents you from living in the present moment.

There's a pumpkin patch about five minutes from our house. Around early October is when you spot a tractor pulling a wagon filled with a huge load of pumpkins driving from their pumpkin patch to several blocks down the road toward their farm store. These were huge pumpkins.

For a few months I began to notice my eyes becoming a little blurry and burn when I read so, Jacob and I both went to see the optometrist. We got our eyes checked and we were both prescribed reading glasses, unfortunately. Fast forward six years to today and we still think having to rely on reading glasses to look at small print is a big inconvenience. I'm still not used to the idea of having reading glasses.

It is such a de-stresser to me to take the backroads whenever possible when I'm feeling overburdened. Driving along pine trees and seeing farm animals lifts my spirits, more so when it is cloudy. I'm keenly aware of my surroundings, observant, and I'm very detailed oriented so at times too much mental overload tends to cause overwhelm. Thankfully, I also know healthy ways on how to relax and decompress.  

This girl, wherever I go especially when I rest, she's sure to follow and lay next to me. I love her fur. She's got a very soft coat. I like to say she's my comfort animal because she feels so familiar to me. She's very patient when I'm holding her and loving on her. I wish she was just as loving towards other cats though.

For those of us that appreciate cloudy weather this scene never gets old. I get excited about cloudy weather as if this type of weather hardly happens, but we know that cloudy weather is a staple in the PNW, still it gets me every time. 

The above cloudy weather brought on a storm. It rained hard late at night which caused a power outage. Power came back on around 5:00 am. I'm glad it did because a cookie bake was planned on this Saturday. 

Riley enjoys helping his dad bake cookies. Sydna grabbing some lunch.

Now adding the icing. I failed to write down what type of cookies they made so I don't have a clue what they're called but I'm sure they were tasty.

This one I know. It was pumpkin cheesecake with crumble. It looks amazing! and I'm sure it was. 

Lila looking pretty.

I had a birthday in October. Riley had the day off for school. After a delicious breakfast we headed N to Redmond and Woodenville. We like taking the scenic route. 

The gorgeous colors of autumn leaves just beg to be displayed.

One of the coziest things to do when it's cloudy and cold is to curl up on the couch and watch a good movie.

After a while though I do feel the need to get up and move around, so we went on a long walk around a couple of neighborhoods.

Spotted these two pretty flowers.

Slow living isn't about doing less; it's about being present in everything you do. It's about connecting deeply with loved ones, nature, and the quiet beauty of daily life. 

This time it was Lila who wanted to sit near me. She's giving me side eye. I love her furry paws. 

Taking the back roads near our home just so I can look at these beauties. Such gorgeous trees.

Nathan dressed up as Bob Ross. So silly.

All ready to head out to a Halloween party.

The devotional book I was reading at the time. (I read it as a book not one devotion a day.) This devotion really caught my attention. We should all heed what it's talking about. We cannot do life on our own. At some point we have to realize that we cannot do life without God.

October was a fun month. It is my favorite month of the year. Anytime I can spend time by the water is always a relaxing enjoyable time for me.

Our lives are made up of time, and the quality of

our existence depends on our wise use of the moments we are given.

July Recap 2020

The beginning of July was cool and cloudy. I call that perfect summer weather. However, it began to warm up by mid-July but it was still comfortable, in the mid 70's. Still, not bad at all. But, by the end of July it had definitely warmed up, in the mid 80's. You'd be surprised, not many people realize that WA can get pretty hot in the summer, sometimes 90+ degrees. The good part is that the hot weather doesn't last too long.

This was my book haul for the month of July. I definitely spot a theme, American history. It's important we know about our country's past, both good and bad. 

It's always a good idea to bring a book along with me when we go on outings. Although I can't read in the car because I get carsick there's still a chance that there will be some quiet time where I can get some reading done.

And now that I've finished reading this book, I can say that I did enjoy it. It was a cozy read for me. I gave it four stars on Goodreads.

I think it's cute when cats spread their toe beans to groom them, it makes me giggle. And how they bite their back claws to remove the old sheath is interesting to see. 

While Jacob worked from home and Riley being on summer break, I have to find ways to keep him entertained so on this day I decided to take Riley on a short hike. The trail was partially shaded. Thankfully, it was a fresh day so it made for a pleasant hike.

After pulling weeds in the backyard during the morning and after my second shower Riley and I got cozy and watched The Goonies together. I love this movie. I've been watching it since I was a kid. 

Every once in a while, I'll make onion dip. We both enjoy this treat. We ate it out in our front porch while enjoying a nice breeze.

Other times, when I need time alone I either go book shopping or I get a few things for the house. How cute is that dish towel?  I love it!

I bought Riley a book on the Attributes of God. After each exercise it gave a verse to look up and study. I also read him the Case for Grace for Kids by Lee Strobel. 

He also had karate twice a week in the evening which was good. It gave us all something to look forward to, especially during those days when we stayed home all day. 

Weekday park visits were a regular rotation during summer break as well.

I sometimes came along, sought the shade and read. 

In this home I had modular bookshelves. So, naturally I needed bookends to prevent books from falling over to the ground. I got so excited when they arrived.

What I also do to decompress is journal. I either read my Bible or a devotional or a book and journal things that stand out to me. This activity is very calming to me plus it has its health benefits as well. Writing on paper as opposed to typing is better for eye coordination and exercises your brain by improving memory. I truly do love doing this plus I get so engrossed in writing/journaling that I don't notice how fast time passes by.

And summer is the perfect time to make ceviche. Jacob often craves it, so I make it several times a year. 

I am as contented being a homebody as I am exploring the great outdoors.

September's Simple Pleasures

2018

Last year, Autumn made itself visible several weeks early. Leaves began to change color by mid August and by mid September they were already falling.

I always smile when I see the pretty Autumn colors all over the ground and I love it when leaves are falling as I drive by rows of deciduous trees with my windows down. This scene gives out a feeling that one would get from a loved ones hug. In my case this would be God giving me a hug. I do thank Him for all that is pretty and so thankful that we do have beautiful things in this world to enjoy especially during those difficult times that we all go through from time to time. It is a reprieve from the hard times and beautiful scenery gives us hope, hope for better days to come ... and they will ... in time.

Seeing a cloudy sky never gets old for me and if it's a moody sky then it is even more worthy to photograph.

I took a picture of this poem from one of Riley's books called The Children's Book of Virtues. Isn't it good? I think I may print it and frame it.

Typically it doesn't rain hard in WA, it's usually a steady light rain or drizzle but on occasion we do get a lot of rain and it reminds me of the torrential rains we would get during the monsoon season in Tucson. We even had thunder! That's another rarity. Whenever it does rain hard we step out on the front porch and watch it for a while.

I sometimes plan little outings for myself during the day. Sometimes I'll treat myself to breakfast. I bring a book with me, I read while I eat. I just love solitude! Other times like in this case I went to our local country store and bought several size and color pumpkins then I drove to Redondo beach and sat on a bench and read, looking up occasionally to take in the views. It was enjoyable and quite relaxing.

This is how the sky looked like as I was getting closer to home ... a big difference from the cloudless sky out by the water. I think this is one of the reasons why I can handle cloudy days ... because of the variety in the weather. Everything is all about balance, and perspective. And not to mention that I do have a great affection for cloudy stormy skies.

This boy has always been so active and very hands on and always wants to be doing something. As you can imagine, after a while it can be tiring and mentally draining. On days when we want to relax at home during the evenings we have him play board games. I'm so grateful that Jacob likes to play board games too. I like to sit with Riley while he's reading and help him with difficult words and to remind him to pause at commas and stop at periods or else everything sounds like a run on sentence, lol.
We do tell him that it's perfectly ok to be bored. There's times when we say no tv or electronics and that he needs to entertain himself without making a mess. At first he'll complain but then I remind him of how blessed he is to have toys and books. After a few minutes the house is quiet and when I checked on him he's immersed with his hot wheel cars or playing with his army men. I think it's important that he learns to keep himself busy in constructive play.

And ohmygoodness, just look at my super cute Sophie! Isn't if funny how cats will make themselves feel right at home next to books? Like, it happens every time. I didn't put her in front of my books she just likes to sit by them or on top of them, like when I'm reading or the ones on my desk. I can't even with cats ... they can be the cutest! Some cats that is. I'm just so thankful that Sophie lets us pick her up whenever we want. She's very loving.

Still, with the remainder of the apples from apple picking, Jacob baked an apple banana bread with pecan crumble. It was so moist and delicious.

One of my favorite breakfast is hash brown casserole, eggs, bacon and biscuits and gravy. Sometimes we even add this meal on our dinner menu.

Another book stack. All great books by biblical authors. I am SO thankful God opened my eyes to discern between biblical and unbiblical authors. I no longer just buy a Christian book just because the book is placed in the Christian/religion genre. Although I hold biblically sound authors in high regard not one of them replaces the truth that can only be found in Scripture.

During mid mornings I take time to do Bible study. Reading slow and with intention has been engrossing. The more you learn God's truth the more you want to keep learning and the more fun it becomes.

Sometimes after dinner we head out by the water and breathe some fresh air. I think it's nice to be out in nature especially after a long day. It is refreshing and necessary and it definitely breaks up the monotony. It is up to us to make our life interesting and fun ... you have to be intentional.

Such a pretty serene scene.

On August 31st, 2018 my sister texted me and said that my dad wasn't feeling well. He felt a heaviness on his chest so my sister took him to the ER. They ran tests and dad ended up staying overnight for observation. Doctor's concluded that even though my dad did not have the typical symptoms of a heart attack they determined that he did in fact had a mild one and had 100% blockage so the Doctor placed two stints in his left artery.
I am just so thankful that my sister was available and took him to the ER immediately. I spoke with dad the day after his surgery and said he was doing better and sounded in good spirits. I'm grateful to God for allowing dad to stay with us a while longer.

Mom was blessed to have another birthday last September. My sister got her the prettiest cake. Here is dad after his surgery. He lost weight but looks good. I wish I could have been there but grateful that my sister includes me by texting me pictures of important celebrations. I'm happy she's there ... always being a helping hand to them.

Living slower requires living with intention. And to live with 

intention means to make little daily choices that resonate deeply in our souls.