Pine, Arizona

Pin It Now! The desires of my heart were gratified this Saturday in Pine. Just look at us surrounded by the amazing autumn beauty!! My soul feels revived after drinking in the incredible views.


There was a cool breeze, so it felt like fall. The leaves crunching beneath our feet made it sound like fall. There were lots of evergreens and a few campfires, so it smelled like fall, too. And with all the fiery colors, it definitely looked like fall! The only things missing were my homemade Pumpkin Bread and my homemade Harvest Apple Cider, and then it would have tasted like fall!!
Shiloh and the boys had a blast just throwing rocks into the stream. Experiencing nature in Pine on Saturday was definitely worth the 2 hour drive.

Looking For Fall in All the Wrong Places

Pin It Now! My heart aches to see the beautiful colors of Autumn. My search has been in vain thus far.




Nope, not here. Summer flowers are still in bloom.

Not here either. And this is the tree in our backyard that is supposed to change colors. I guess this happens much later here in the desert.

I found no sign of Fall while out in my backyard. I could have stayed out and gotten a really nice tan, though.

These 4 beautiful, orange pumpkins and rust colored mums adorning our front "porch" are the only visual clues that fall has actually arrived.

At least the temperatures have fallen a little and have given us some relief. It is nice to be able to open the doors and windows in the mornings.

Thanks Babe!

Pin It Now! Just wanted to say thanks to my ragamuffinwriter for making my header on his lunch break! I think it looks great. I didn't even tell him which picture to use or which font to pick, but I love it!

Diaper Trivia

Pin It Now! Dedicated to all of us mamas changing the world one diaper at a time!!


Did you know: Americans throw away 570 diapers per second? That's 49 million diapers per day!! Wow!!

But, I have to say I am VERY thankful for disposable diapers, aren't you?

Works For Me Wednesday: Lavender

Pin It Now! Lavender has become one of my very best friends, in fact my hubby as referred to me once or twice as the "Lavender Lady". A few years ago I began using a homemade lavender spray to disinfect my home instead of Lysol. I just fill a 20 oz. spray bottle with water and add about 10 drops of lavender oil. Swish and you are ready to mist just about any surface! I do avoid getting it on the wooden furniture,though. I lightly mist couches, door knobs, bedding, bathroom surfaces, stuffed animals, the "air" in general, and I even use it to clean my kitchen counters, the fridge, etc, etc... The best part is, you don't have to worry about it being toxic to your kids. In fact sometimes I mist them!! Inhaling the fumes leaves you feeling calm and relaxed.




You can find the essential oil of lavender at most health food stores. Here is a photo of the kind I buy. (Aura Cacia) There are many other great brands, though. Just depends on what your local health food store carries.








Here are a few facts about the pure essential oil of lavender for those who may not be familiar with it.





*natural antibiotic


*natural antiseptic


*natural sedative


*natural detoxifier


*promotes healing and prevents scarring


*stimulates immune system





**Though most essential oils are considered safe when used correctly, always keep out of reach of children. Most oils should not be used unless they are first diluted.

One of the books that I have found most helpful concerning the subject of essential oils is, The Complete Book Of Essential Oils & Aromatherapy, by Valerie Ann Worwood.

For more Works For Me Wednesdays, go here.