the Weekender

Happy hello’s from Rogersville! It’s been a couple of weeks, so we have some catching up to do. First things first, Happy November! Can you even believe it?!?!?

Close-up of dark, moody harvest flowers in rich shades of maroon, orange, and gold, softly lit to highlight their autumnal texture and warmth.

Doesn’t this photograph feel like autumn itself — rich, moody, and full of quiet beauty? The deep maroons, burnt oranges, and golden yellows speak the language of harvest season — a soft reminder that even as the world slows down, there’s still so much life and color to be found. These blooms capture that cozy in-between: where summer fades, gratitude grows, and we start leaning into warmth, reflection, and thankfulness.

It provides a moment that invites you to pause — to breathe in the goodness of change and the quiet joy of seasons shifting.

Miscellany:

1. I have very few fall traditions, but one is welcoming in the cooler temps with a warm bowl of chili. A week or so ago, I made my first batch of chili. Woo-hoo. I also made Famous Dave’s Cornbread muffins to pair with it. Soooo good! It’s the perfect way to usher in the cooler temps.

2. I think I’ve hit a plateau in my weight loss journey as the scale is barely moving. I just need to keep evaluating what I’m eating and my gym activity. Pivoting as necessary. Right?

However, with Thanksgiving and Christmas entering the picture — along with a lot of my favorite foods, discipline is going to be key. I know that I’ll add some outdoor walking to the mix now that it’s a little cooler, too. Slow and steady.

3. If you’re a pumpkin and cinnamon roll fan — give this Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Scone recipe a try. OMG. They were so good. I made them on a Friday for my cheat day and enjoyed a ~~couple~~ few. Ha ha. These would be great if you’re having company over Thanksgiving. Pair with coffee, perfection is served.

4. Life is hard for some of us, and I know this government shutdown has thrown a lot of us for a loop and left many feeling uncertain, stretched thin, and just plain weary. I wanted to pause for a moment and remind you of a post we shared over at your favourite spot (here’s the link again: Facing Infertility post) — and especially the powerful echo of Daniel 3:18 “And if not, He is still good.“

Here’s what I want you to hold onto: even if things don’t turn out the way you hoped (a pay-check delay, a savings gap, a job change you didn’t ask for), God is still good. The three who faced the fiery furnace didn’t know what the outcome would be, but they trusted anyway. And so can we. In this moment of struggling, you’re not alone. Your hope isn’t in circumstances, it’s in the One who holds those circumstances.

Take a deep breath. Give yourself grace. And lean in — maybe with a friend, maybe in a quiet moment — and say softly: “Even if things don’t go like I planned, God is still good, and my hope is in Him.”

You’ve got this — and we’ve got each other.

5. I’m excited to share five ornament crafts with you over the next several weeks. YAY! I hope you enjoy them as much as I have. Stay tuned!! Eeks.

6. I did a couple of fall crafts for the sheer joy of it. Some headaches were had, and tears were almost shed, but I pressed on. I shared them on social media and wanted to share them with you, too. Mmmkay?

Fall Plaque

I saw a Hearth and Hand plaque earlier this fall and decided to make it instead of buying it. That’s how I roll. I

Anyway, I thought it would be an easy Mod Podge project. I would recreate the leaf with AI or graphics and Mod Podge it to the painted wood plaque.

Nope. Miserably failed at applying the graphic with Mod Podge.

So, I decided to hand-paint the leaf. And, I honestly think it turned out better than I thought.

A side-by-side comparison of two oval leaf art pieces — one from Hearth & Hand and a handmade version displayed on a small stand in front of a potted fern. The DIY leaf art features a rustic brown leaf painted on a dark background, blending perfectly with cozy fall home décor.

Air-Dry Pumpkin Magnets

I saw a reel on Instagram showing how to make these cute thumbprint pumpkin magnets. It looked easy enough, so I bought the supplies the gal recommended and went to work. FAIL. Surprise, surprise.

I made the pumpkins using air-dry clay, painted them, added some resin, and placed them under a UV lamp. A week later, the resin still wasn’t dry. It was tacky. Sigh.

The recommended resin and lamp were junk. So I started over and bought this UV Resin Kit —voilà. Everything dried to perfection. I attached magnets, and all was well in the world. Hee-hee.

A cozy refrigerator display featuring a smiling couple’s photo held up by handmade ceramic pumpkin magnets in autumn hues of orange, cream, and mint. Above the photo is a “All Oopsies, No Daisies” sticker with a bear holding a daisy, and beside it sits a small dish with a pheasant illustration labeled “Autumn Blessings.”

Aren’t they the cutest? Should I share the tutorial for these pumpkins here on the blog?

7. I mentioned that Bentley had kennel cough a couple of weeks ago, and he was on the mend — but he keeps coughing/sneezing. We picked up a different prescription from the vet yesterday to see if it will do the trick. Say a little prayer for Sweet Bentley.

I feel like our dogs are keeping us on our toes these days (insert face palm). Nash has had to wear an onsie for two weeks because he licked his underbelly raw in a couple of spots. What the heck, right? It’s weird.

And if I’m being honest, I don’t think what we’ve been doing will fix the problem. I keep wondering if it’s just a weird habit or tic. I may be wrong, but if I take the onesie off, he licks. 🤷🏼‍♀️

8. This week, I discovered that 7 Brew sells the Breve coffee drink. OMG! I was so excited.

I mentioned several weeks ago that I tried it for the first time at a local coffee shop and loved it. I like mine unsweetened, but if you’ve never had the Breve and you live near a 7 Brew — give it a try.

9. What I’m currently watching or I’ve watched.

Nobody Wants This S2 (Netflix) – OMG! I love this series. A romantic comedy with lots of little life lessons about love, friendships, religion, and more.
The Diplomat S3 (Netflix) – This show never disappoints. A great political thriller.
The Gilmore Girls (Hulu) – I’m still plugging away, slowly but surely. I’m only on Season 2.
Married at First Sight is back on — on a new network! They moved from Lifetime to Bravo. I love this show — a reality show that’s 99% drama. And I’m here for it. Ha.
Countdown to Christmas has started on Hallmark. I’m currently just recording them as they’re released.