Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Thursday (September 22) is the first official day of autumn in this part of the world...how will you welcome the season? I know some of you have been celebrating way too early, but it's official now so permission granted. House Beautiful recently listed ten ways to make your home smell like fall (you can read the list here) What's a scent you love this time of year and how will you add it to your home?

The leaves here have already started changing a while ago. I go by them, more than I go by a calendar regarding the arrival of fall.

I love, love the air during fall. To get my house smelling that way is quite simple, really. All I need to do is open all the windows and let it inside.

2. Apple pie or pumpkin pie? Apple cake or pumpkin bread? Warm apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte?

Apple everything. I do like some pumpkin things. Cookies and certain kinds of pumpkin pie. Definitely not the run of the mill heavy, orange, pumpkin-y pumpkin pie though. Ugh. And I certainly won't be trying pumpkin spiced drinks of any kind. I like apple cider, but I want mine nice and cold.
 

3. Do you suffer from what is sometimes referred to as an afternoon slump? What helps ward it off before it hits and/or tell us what helps you shake it off once it's here?

I don't have a problem with the afternoon slumps like I used to. Since I no longer crave sugar, I have found those slumps don't happen any longer. I'm really happy about that!

4. Ladies-how have your friendships with women inspired you or made you a better person? For the men here today- how have your friendships with men inspired you or made you a better person?

I have been blessed in the friend department. I find it encouraging to have women in my life who also have God and family as their most important focus in life.

5. Are you a people pleaser? If you said yes, do you think that's a good or bad thing? If you said no, do you wish you were more of a people pleaser? 

I'm a recovering people pleaser. It used to be very hard for me to say "no" to people, but I'm learning.

Life is so much better when you don't worry about what others think, as long as you're doing what is best for you and your family.
 

6. The seasons are a-changin'...share a favorite song relating in some way to change (not necessarily seasonal change, it could be change of any kind).
 

7. What do you wish would never change? 

I have so enjoyed being a mother. Having all our children here with me is something I wish would never change. At the same time I don't. I want them to be able to go out on their own and lead Godly, productive lives.

I guess since I can't freeze time to keep them with me. I really hope that we will always be close. And not let anything damage our relationships with each other.
 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

With cooler days of fall upon us, I'm getting that yearly fall housecleaning urge. I started .. gently ... yesterday, instead of diving in headfirst like I have done in the past.