{Aprons, Aprons, Aprons} ~ 10/22/19

 

I set my sewing machine up this morning and sewed away!  It was nice to switch things up a bit and play with beautiful fabrics :)

Really quickly, I want to show you the new APRONS that I added to Colletta's Kitchen Sink Shop!

~First the Fall-ish aprons:

~Next are the Christmas-y Aprons:

~Last, is a pattern that I bought because I really liked it.  I call it Postcards from Paris :

These aprons are all one-size-fits-all with extra long apron strings for easy adjustment at the neck and waist. 

***

Thank you all so much for supporting me on my blog and in my shop!

 

Colletta

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 10/21/19

 

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The weather outside is::::

The temperatures have taken a major dip into the low 30's at night.  I even had to defrost my car on Saturday morning before going to my WW Workshop.
 



 

On my breakfast plate:

English Muffin, Vanilla Chai Tea

As I look around the house::::

Saturday was "work around the house" day at our house so I'm feeling pretty good with how it looks.  It just feels better knowing that everything is nice and clean also.

On today's to do list::::

I need to make a menu and grocery list for the week before going for groceries tomorrow.

I also need to sweep the floors.  AGAIN!  I'd almost swear that I could make a small dog out of all the hair I sweep up every other day.

 

Happening this week::::

 

Devotions:  I missed a few days last week as I wasn't feeling very well.  I'll be getting back on track this week though.

WW:  I lost 21.4 lbs so far on WW.  I lost 1 lb again this week!  WW is going to be rolling out some new plans November 11th, so if you've been thinking of joining, it would be a good time.

Exercise:  I failed, majorly, with getting my exercise this past week.  This week, however, I'm feeling better and I've scheduled exercise time on my calendar.  I think mixing up my exercise routing a bit will help.  Some days I'll go to Planet Fitness, other days a Leslie Sansone DVD and when it is nice out I hope to walk outside.

Housework:  I mentioned above that we accomplished a lot this weekend, so I just need to keep up on the day-to-day maintenance.

Bills:  Not a pay week.

Doug:  Douglas actually let me take him to the Dr on Friday.  (He must have really been feeling poorly!)  Turns out he had bronchitis and the dr. fixed him up with some meds.  He's feeling much better now :)

Kaylee:  Kaylee had a little spaz-out on Friday.  She took a Financial Accounting test and thought for sure that she failed!  She ended up getting an 84%!  As her daddy likes to tell her:  "C's get degrees!"

Laken:  Tonight is Laken's last Volleyball game for the season!  Whoohoo!  I love watching her play but I need a break from driving 30 minutes one-way to pick her up from practice and games each night.

Currently reading::::

 

I've decided to move onto the next book to see if I can get out of my reading funk.  That book is:

 

 

 On the TV::::

Home & Family
All the NCIS's
All Rise
Buff City Law
Stumptown

Movies:

Toy Story 4
Run the Race

Listening to:

Sirius XM The Message
Sirius XM The Highway
KLOVE
 
On the menu this week::::

 

Monday -  Chinese, Rice

Tuesday - Chili, Cornbread
Wednesday -  Weiner Winks, Curly Fries
Thursday  - Ravioli, Garlic Bread
Friday -  Chicken, Chessy Pots
Saturday -  Pork Chops, Homemade Mac-n-cheese
Sunday - Potluck at Church

What I am creating at the moment::::

 

I finished the Think Pink Prayer Shawl as well as a Heather Gray Prayer Shawl.  I'm currently working on a Christmas Baby Blanket to add to Colletta's Kitchen Sink Shop.  Hopefully, I can show you a picture of the finished project next week :) 

 

Picture From the Camera

 

 

Devotion/Inspiration

"The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

 

Proverbs 18:10 NIV

 

 

Colletta

Scripture Memory Verse ~ 10/20/19

This Week's Memory Verse:

"Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.  How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!"

Luke 1:46-47 NLT

Father, God,

I want to be so enamored with You that my soul basks in Your presence, even when my mind is elsewhere.

 

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Colletta

Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 ~ Check In ~ Week 7

.

 

I'm so excited to be hosting the

Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019!

It will run from September 1st - November 30th. 

The Challenge is super simple and there is still time to join in:

Here's the Sign-up post !

Here's the Landing Page where you can see the participant's!

You can read about my goal HERE!

Each week, on Saturday, I'll have a Check In post where we can link up any reviews written about our Fall Into Reading 2019 books.  You can leave a link to your Check In post or you can also stop by just to say "Hey!" and let us know how you're doing with the Challenge.  We're even going to have prizes and giveaways!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

My Check In:

I didn't do any better this week with my reading.  :(

I think I'm going to move on to the next book on my shelf and hope that it will give me the inspiration to stay up late and read a bit each night :)

That book will be:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

I can't wait to read everyone's Check In Posts and Reviews!

 

Remember, it isn't too late to join the challenge!  We still have plenty of Fall left :)

 

Happy Reading!

Colletta

{Shop Updates} ~ 10/18/19

I thought I'd create a post showing you some of the new items in my shop:  Colletta's Kitchen Sink .

First, I'd like to mention that there are still a few APRONS left in my shop.  I've marked them down to $14 with free shipping.  (In fact everything in my shop has free shipping!!!)  I'll also be adding some Christmas aprons as soon as I get time to sit down at my sewing machine :)

Next, I'd like to show an example of the baby blankets/afghans that I've made for the shop.  This blanket is a Dr. Seuss inspired blanket.  I love the red and turquoise together!  I have other color combinations in my shop and can also make CUSTOM blankets in the colors of your choice.

Finally, I want to show you what I've been working on lately.  My newest items are Prayer Shawls. I've made an all white Bridal/Prayer Shawl with a granny stitch as well as some textured Prayer Shawls in other colors.  Again, I offer a CUSTOM listing to make this item in any color you would desire.  I'm considering creating a Striped Prayer Shawl in multiple colors.  I just need to find the time :)

P.S.  I also added some Earwarmer Headbands to the shop but need to get some better pictures :)

***

Thank you all so much for supporting me on my blog and in my shop!

 

Colletta

Thankful Thursday ~ 10/17/19

 

Here are some things that made me thankful or smile this week:

 

~Fall Foliage Festival!  Bedford has an annual Fall Foliage Festival with tons of food and tons of booths of decorations, jewelry and basically anything you could think of.  Saturday, Laken and I went to the Festival.  Just the two of us.  We had a great time.  It felt so good to have some one-on-one time with Laken as she's been so busy with school and Volleyball these past few months :)

~Kona's toy!  I love that kids and dogs don't need expensive toys.  Doug gave Kona an empty pop bottle to play with and she was in her glory!  Don't worry.  We kept our eye on her and when she had chewed it enough to have sharp edges we got rid of it.  But she loved it while she had it :)  I wish everyone was so easy to please!

~Last week of Volleyball!  Don't get me wrong!  I absolutely LOVE watching Laken play Volleyball and love that she loves playing.  But, this is the last week of Volleyball and I sure am looking forward to some nice quiet evenings.  I'm also looking forward to having everyone sit at the supper table at the same time :)

~The hubby went to the Chiropractor!  You don't know what a feat this was!  Doug pulled his back last weekend and I guess it finally got painful enough for him to let me take him to my Chiropractor.  15 minutes in with the Dr. and he is feeling so much better :)

~I've lost 20 lbs!  If you didn't read my "Weekly Weigh In" post yesterday, I have lost 20.4 lbs since returning to WW 2.5 months ago.  I'm so excited that the program is working for me.  I have a long way to go, but 20 lbs!  :)


What are you thankful for or made you smile today?

Colletta

Weekly Weigh In ~ 10/16/19

I was so worried to go to my Workshop on Saturday!  After missing last week's Workshop, I didn't feel like I did very well with my eating and definitely didn't meet my fitness goals.

However, when I got on the scale I had lost 2 lbs!  I don't feel like 2 lbs in 2 weeks is a GREAT loss but at least I lost and didn't gain!

AND, I hit 20 lbs lost!  20.4 lbs to be exact.

I'm so close to being in the 260's and really want to make that my goal this week.

The Workshop itself was about "stress eating" and we had a very good talk about stressors and what to do instead of stress eating.  Here are WW's suggestions:

1.  Just breathe
2.  Git a hit of nature
3.  Use your tools
4.  Reach out

I can honestly say that I don't do enough of any of these when I get stressed but now I have something to focus on instead of stress eating!

Now,

On to the weigh in:

Starting Weight ~ 7/27/19 ~ 290.8 lbs

Last Week's Weight ~ 9/28/19 ~ 272.4 lbs

This Week's Weight ~ 10/12/19 ~  270.4lbs

This Week's Total:  -2.0  lbs

 
Grand Total: -20.4 lbs


I'll be weighing in on Saturdays and posting my results on Wednesday.  If you'd like to join in on the journey, I'd love to have some weight loss friends! 

 
Colletta

October Goals ~ Mid-month Check In

Can you believe we're halfway through October already?!?  The weather is finally feeling like Fall and I'm loving it!

I thought I'd do a mid-month check in to show you how I'm doing with my October goals.


~ Lose 8.2 lbs for the October 3% Challenge

So far I've lost 2 lbs this month.  I don't know if I'm going to hit the 8.2 lbs goal :(

~ Continue growing out hair

So far, so good!

~ Get a filling fixed

This is happening this afternoon...

~ Go to Homecoming

October 5th was my hometown's Homecoming.  I wasn't feeling very well that day but I did make it to the gathering for a few hours.  It was a fun time of looking at the booths and catching up with friends.

~ Go to the Fall Foliage Festival

The Bedford Fall Foliage Festival is always the first 2 weekends in October.  I took Laken to the festival on Saturday, October 12th.  Kaylee went with Shawn, her boyfriend, and Doug's back was hurting so he stayed home.  Laken and I ate, shopped and browsed the hundreds of booths.  It was nice to spend some one-on-one time with my youngest.  I need to do the same with Kaylee sometime.

~ Make Pies

Our Harvester Class (Ladies Class at Church) made 45 pies to sell at Homecoming.  Friday, the 4th was "Pie Day".  There were 4 ladies + my dad there to make the pies.  It was a long day, but we had fun :)  I do have some apples here at home that I'd like to make into either pies or dumplings when I get the chance.

~ Carve Pumpkins with the girls

Still plan on doing this

~ Attend each week's WW Workshop this month

I actually missed my first workshop of October due to being sick :(

~ Get exercise back on track

Need to work on this.

~ Continue working on my Etsy shop (if you want to stop by it is www.etsy.com/shop/collettakay )

I've been working away on my items for the Etsy shop.  There are still items on my to do list so I won't mark it off yet.


Have a great second half of October!

Colletta

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 10/14/19

 

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The weather outside is::::

Wonderfully Fall-like!  I love it :)
 



 

On my breakfast plate:

English Muffin

As I look around the house::::

I have a basket of laundry to fold and a whole pile of folded clothes to hang up in my closet.  For some reason, this is something I procrastinate about.

I also need to change the bedding.  How often do you change YOUR bedding???

On today's to do list::::

The girls are both off school today so I'm hoping to spend a Girl's Day with them.  I'm not sure what we're going to do but I don't waste the day doing nothing.  Then again, nothing sounds kinda good!

 

Happening this week::::

 

Devotions:  I've been doing a devotional called "From God's Word to a Woman's Heart" by Janice Thompson.  I'm really enjoying it.

WW:  I lost 20.4 lbs so far on WW.  I've been doing the Freestyle Program for about 2.5 months.  I'm hoping to get to at least 30-40 lbs lost by the end of the year.

Exercise:  I must.  I must.  I must increase my exercise!  My plan is to go to Planet Fitness 3 times a week.  Now to implement the plan...

Housework:  I need to make a menu and grocery list for my grocery shopping excursion tomorrow.  I'm back to doing my grocery shopping on Tuesdays.  Tuesdays work for me better than Monday.  Monday is just too hectic with coming off the weekend.

Bills:  Thursday is Bill Day (aka pay day).  I'll need to fill out our budget and then write bills.  I'll need to make stops at the bank and the post office also.

Doug:  Doug put in for a new position at his company and got it!  He is now a "TPO" (whatever that means, something "production operator")  He may be going back to swing shift but we're not sure at this point...

Kaylee:  Kaylee's Fall Break is today and tomorrow.  She really needs it.  She is adjusting well to College but has a ton of work to do each day and even on the weekends.  As I mentioned above, I'd like to do something fun today.

Laken:  This is Laken's last week of Volleyball.  It really is bittersweet.  I love watching the girls play but the running in the evenings is getting wearisome.  We'll have a break for the winter and then she has to decide if she'll be playing softball this Spring.

Currently reading::::

 

Right now, I'm stuck.  I've just gotten in a bit of a reading rut and haven't been taking the time to pick up a book.  My current read is "Gunpowder Tea" but I think I may go to the next book and come back to this one.

 

 

 Up next is (maybe sooner rather than later...)  I've read the first three books of this series and really want to finish the series out.  Hopefully it hooks me!

 

 

 On the TV::::

Home & Family
All the NCIS's
All Rise
Buff City Law
Stumptown

Listening to:

Sirius XM The Message
Sirius XM The Highway
KLOVE
 
On the menu this week::::

 

Monday -  Ham, Fried Potatoes

Tuesday - Harvester's Meeting Potluck
Wednesday -  Sausage Gravy, Biscuits
Thursday  -OUT
Friday -  SOS, Mashed Potatoes
Saturday -  Breakfast for Dinner
Sunday - Potluck at Church

What I am creating at the moment::::

 

I've been crocheting, crocheting and crocheting lately.  I've been adding items to my Etsy Shop.  The link is www.etsy.com/shop/collettakay in case you want to stop by.  I have baby blankets, apron and some prayer shawls listed so far.  Here are some shawls I made this week.  I can make it in any color and am currently working on a Think Pink Prayer Shawl.  It should be done very soon!

 

 

 

 

Picture From the Camera

 

 Nothing this week.

Devotion/Inspiration

"We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

 

1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV

 

 

Colletta

Scripture Memory Verse ~ 10/13/19

This Week's Memory Verse:

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

Dear Lord,

Help me to be kind, Father, just as You are kind.  Help me to be tender-hearted and forgiving, just like You.

 

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Colletta

Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 ~ Check In ~ Week 6

.

 

I'm so excited to be hosting the

Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019!

It will run from September 1st - November 30th. 

The Challenge is super simple and there is still time to join in:

Here's the Sign-up post !

Here's the Landing Page where you can see the participant's!

You can read about my goal HERE!

Each week, on Saturday, I'll have a Check In post where we can link up any reviews written about our Fall Into Reading 2019 books.  You can leave a link to your Check In post or you can also stop by just to say "Hey!" and let us know how you're doing with the Challenge.  We're even going to have prizes and giveaways!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

My Check In:

People.  I am doing horribly with this challenge!  I am going through a reading funk and just not taking the time to pick up a book.  I'm still on "Gunpowder Tea" but I'm thinking of picking up another book and then coming back to this one in the future.

My goal WAS 10 books but I think I might have to back that down to 5.  I'll see what happens in the next few weeks.

Hopefully the next book I pick up will hook me!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

I can't wait to read everyone's Check In Posts and Reviews!

 

Remember, it isn't too late to join the challenge!  We still have plenty of Fall left :)

 

Happy Reading!

Colletta

First Lines Friday & 56 ~ 10/11/19

I'm still reading "Gunpowder Tea" as I've been busy creating new items for my Etsy shop.  If you'd like to check it out here is the link  www.etsy.com/shop/collettakay .  The lines are NEW!  Thanks :)

Today's "First Lines" and "56" are from:

 



 

First Lines

Pinkerton National Detective Agency:  We never sleep.

 

NEW ORLEANS, 1897

 

Miranda Hunt drew a linen handkerchief from the sleeve of her black mourning frock and dabbed the corner of her eye.

 Page 56

 

Miss Walker took a sip of the hot beverage and wrinkled her nose before pushing the cup away.

"Dishwater couldn't taste worse."  

Colletta 

Also linking up to:

 

Thankful Thursday ~ 10/10/19

 

 

~Homecoming!  We had our town's Homecoming celebration on Saturday.  It was a great time of fellowship and fun :)

~Home & Family!  I've discovered the daily show "Home & Family" on Hallmark.  I think I've become addicted!  I usually crochet while I watch it or just have it on in the background. Baking, DIY, puppies and great guests...what more could you want from a show?

~Antibiotics!  I wasn't feeling well this past weekend.  I even missed Church on Sunday morning.  Thankfully my dr. sent in a prescription for me to treat my ailments and I'm feeling much better.

~An Etsy sale!  I've been working on adding items to my Etsy shop and I finally had a sale on Wednesday!  Yoohoo!  So far I have baby blankets, aprons and prayer shawls listed.  If you want to check out my shop go to www.etsy.com/shop/collettakay .

~Fall!  I love this Fall weather :)


What are you thankful for today?

Colletta

Weekly Weigh In ~ Week 11 ~ 10/9/19

I'm going to keep this short and sweet this week.

I didn't make it to my Workshop on Saturday morning as I was sick :(  I have no idea if I lost, gained or maintained last week.

I did make an effort to get back to the gym and get some exercise in.  So that is a good start.

Now,

On to the weigh in:

Starting Weight ~ 7/27/19 ~ 290.8 lbs

Last Week's Weight ~ 9/21/19 ~ 273.4 lbs

This Week's Weight ~ 10/5/19 ~ ? lbs

This Week's Total:  -?  lbs

 
Grand Total: -18.4 lbs


I'll be weighing in on Saturdays and posting my results on Wednesday.  If you'd like to join in on the journey, I'd love to have some weight loss friends! 

 
Colletta

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? ~ 10/7/19

 

 

It's Monday!  What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.  It is a place to share what you've read, what you are reading and what you are about to read.

 

~~~~~

 

 In Life

 

 Things have been going at such a fast pace in life that it makes no wonder that I got sick this weekend.  I stayed in bed most of the weekend and didn't even make it to Church Sunday morning!  That doesn't happen very often.

 

I love watching Laken play Volleyball, but I'll be glad when the season is over so we can have some quiet evenings again.  I'm kinda glad that she isn't playing a Winter sport and Softball in the Spring is up in the air.  She's not sure if she wants to play or not.  I told her that she has lots of time to think about it so we'll see.

 

Kaylee is busy, busy, busy with College and homework.  October 14th and 15th is her Fall Break which I think she's looking forward to.  Then it will be time to decide what she wants to major in so lots of decisions coming soon.

 

The hubby was working lots of overtime but he actually got the whole weekend off!  I'm not sure what his schedule looks like for this week.  He got a new position at work and is probably going to have to go back to swing shift.  He's been working solid third shift for about a year now so that will be an adjustment.

 

I have been working on my Etsy shop.  If you'd like to visit the link is www.etsy.com/collettakay !

 

Now:

  

Onto the books!

 

What I Read Last Week:

 

 I finished nothing last week and got very little reading squeezed in.  I am hoping to MAKE the time to read this week!

 

What I'm Reading Now:

The book that I did start reading is "Gunpowder Tea".  It has been interesting so far but I just need more time!

What's Up Next?:

 

I'm really looking forward to reading "Dead Drift" by Dani Pettrey!
 

 

 

What are you reading? 

 

Colletta

Also linking up to the following:

 

Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 ~ Check In ~ Week 5

.

 

I'm so excited to be hosting the

Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019!

It will run from September 1st - November 30th. 

The Challenge is super simple and there is still time to join in:

Here's the Sign-up post !

Here's the Landing Page where you can see the participant's!

You can read about my goal HERE!

Each week, on Saturday, I'll have a Check In post where we can link up any reviews written about our Fall Into Reading 2019 books.  You can leave a link to your Check In post or you can also stop by just to say "Hey!" and let us know how you're doing with the Challenge.  We're even going to have prizes and giveaways!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

My Check In:

I've gotten close to NO reading done this week.  I could make a bunch of excuses but I just haven't taken the time to really pick up a book other than one afternoon while cooking dinner.  I'm going to have a lot of catch-up to do if I hope to get 10 books read this Fall.

The book I am reading seems really interesting so far.  I love reading about people in disguise!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

I can't wait to read everyone's Check In Posts and Reviews!

 

Remember, it isn't too late to join the challenge!  We still have plenty of Fall left :)

 

Happy Reading!

Colletta

Scripture Memory Verse ~ 10/6/19

This Week's Memory Verse:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28 NIV

 

 

Remind me, Lord, when I feel anxious about my life and my future, that You've got it all under control.

 

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Colletta