Today.....

FOR TODAY.....

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW.... the leaves on our pear trees are trying to change colors.  We've had such a bizarre fall season with periods of insane amounts of rain and then the crazy flip-flopping between sweltering heat one day and arctic chill the next.  All of which have not done good things for good fall color.  Our trees are usually so pretty by this time.  They're trying. That's about it.

I AM THINKING.... about how much we have going on in the next few weeks.  All incredibly good things; some fantastically good things; but all requiring lots of traveling. And packing. And laundry. But all totally and confoundedly worth it.

FROM THE KITCHEN.... nothing is cookin' right this second, but Sawyer's deer is still sittin' pretty in my fridge waiting to be butchered up.  How's that for fresh meat?

I AM CREATING.....nothing at the moment.  I'm still hard at work on the quilt for my mama, but I am very excited about working on my family's new Muffin Tin Advent Calendar.  I've wanted one for a long time, but just have never taken the time to sit down and make one.   I've found lots of really cute patterns and ideas, and I can't wait to get started!  This one is my favorite right now....but I'm sure I'll change my mind once I sit down with all my goodies and get started.  And that I'm making one with a fantabulous friend of mine makes it even better!!

I AM GOING......to sit back and enjoy the lights of our Christmas tree and drink a hot cup of coffee.  We put our tree up last night, and I was quickly reminded how much I adore this season.  I love the specialness of the time with family, both close and extended.  I love the magic of gift-giving.  I love the smells.  And the sounds.  And the music.  And the clothes.  And the laughter.  And, of course, the way my heart smiles all over itself at the mention of our Dear Savior's birth.  It's just precious.  So today...I'm going to soak it up.

I AM WEARING..... plaid lime-green jammie pants and an old VBS tee-shirt. 

I AM READING.... What Difference Does It Make? by Ron Hall & Denver Moore.  My dear sweetie-pie friend, Elizabeth, sent me Same Kind of Different As Me a couple of months ago, and I loved every word of that dear story. (Speaking of...Elizabeth, I need to actually mail the package that has been sitting on my bar for a month now!)  Anyway, another sweet friend of mine, Ashley, actually sent me this sequel book all the way from Germany!!  And it is amazing, also.  Must reads, for sure.

I AM HOPING.... for peace to surround so many people who are hurting and wondering and waiting today.  So many friends are on my heart:  waiting for babies, losing loved ones, battling illnesses, enduring painful personal situations.  Today I am praying for each of them as they come to my mind and praying that the warmth of our Father's arms will just swallow them whole.

I AM HEARING..... my children cackle to dvr'd episodes of America's Funniest Home Videos.  Their laughter is so contagious.  I'm giggling, and I have no idea what I'm even snickering about.  If I would have to guess, I'm sure someone just got hit in the groin....tends to be what gets them riled up the most.  Boys.

AROUND THE HOUSE..... are legos.  And forts.  And hideouts.  And, my personal favorite, secret lairs.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS..... is that Homer Simpson is hanging amongst Scooby Doo and Santa and snowmen and the Nativity on our tree.  I love how hodgepodged and us it is.  I'll be talking a lot about my tree in the coming weeks, because I'm so in love with it, but if you want to get a sneak peek at some of our favorite ornaments, you can go here.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF MY WEEK..... Laundry. And packing. And laundry. And more packing.  We're heading out to spend the holidays with all the family, and somehow we keep wearing the clothes that we need to be packing.  I'm thinking about just taking big trash sacks full of dirty duds to my mama's and making full use of her laundry room. 

HERE IS  A PICTURE I THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE WITH YOU....

Because I have been desperately awaiting the arrival of this movie!  I will see it.  Pronto.

And there you have it.  Today according to me.  Now...your turn.  Since we don't have time or space in the comments for you to list them all out....how 'bout you try this one on for size.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING RIGHT THIS SECOND?