lately...

As you can see, the weather has been absolutely gorgeous lately! I believe that fall has finally made its appearance! Hallelujah! Fall is my favorite season!

 Here's a little something I put together on my kitchen island the other day to welcome Fall. :)

 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a HARVEST if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

I took advantage of the beautiful weather this weekend and went for a walk/jog outside. 

It was so nice! Did a quick two miles.

Definitely breaking in my fancy new running shoes! 

(Thanks to my brother Paul and my parents who so generously helped me buy them! I had to get new shoes because I wore holes in my old ones! haha)

I don't normally take dressing room photos, but I had to document this one! I went shopping at JCPenney the other day to try to find some new clothes for me to wear at my booth at Harvest Fest. I brought back this dress to the room in a size 12, hoping I would be able to fit into a size down from my normal 14 (the size i wore before i started working out, etc). It was way too big! I went back out in the store to find a size 10. They only had an 8. I brought it back anyway, knowing it would be too tight. It fit perfectly. I was crying in the dressing room! Total shock and total joy.

I cut my thumb pretty badly last Thursday night, so I wasn't able to make make any jewelry over the weekend. I used the time to go shopping for supplies instead. I went to one of my favorite little antique shops called The Knife Shop. The 90 year old owner, Bill, has lots and lots of great vintage and antique jewelry. I always find the best stuff in there!

Here are some of my newest treasures from The Knife Shop and from my sweet friend, Jenniffer. (She sent me a box filled with vintage jewelry that arrived just after I got home from the antique store.  What an amazing friend!) So now I have lots and lots of awesome goodies to create with and add to my stamped pieces and antique key necklaces! I cannot wait to sit down and create with these one of a kind pieces!!!! 

I sat down last night for the first time in four days to try to make some jewelry. I made this necklace using one of the vintage chains that I found at The Knife Shop. I also used an antique key and made a hammered pendant that I handstamped with "revival". It felt so good to create again!

"If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." II Chron 7:14 

And here's a pic of me yesterday. I got dressed up for church and I felt pretty in my new top (that I got for $4 at JCPenney!) and a gorgeous necklace that my friend Allison gave me. I am feeling so good in my new body! As of this morning, I've got 11.5 pounds! The diet and exercise is really paying off! And I feel GREAT. I am so so thankful to the Lord for all of His help in my efforts to get healthy. It's been amazing!!

I'll leave you with a photo of my new spruced up wreath on my front door. I wanted to decorate it a little bit for Fall. I used a bit of antiqued crocheted lace, an antique key, a handmade bird, a handmade brooch my friend Joy gave me. I love how it turned out! 

I am so thankful that we are entering Fall. It's such a wonderful time of year for me! Harvest Fest is in only a week and a half. I have so much to do to get ready, but I know that God will help me accomplish all that He wants me to do! And I am very expectant - I know He is going to do amazing things!!I would love your prayers for strength and stamina and grace as I prepare! And more importantly, that God would use me to bring hope and encouragement to His daughters!