where my focus shouldn't be...

we had wonderful weather this last week and i know that our outdoor work time is running out. that is really where i should have been spending my time. tidying up and tucking in my flower beds that i worked so hard on in the spring. trimming the overgrown roses and rhododendrons. the carport needs to be readied for the winter (it's purpose completely transforms in the cold and rainy months). we also need to finish up that fence extension project. 

yes, that is where my focus should have been...

but instead... 

...it has been completely indoors.

 purging and organizing bedrooms that desperately needed it. they always get into this chaotic state of disarray each summer and at some point in the fall months we must always go through and get things back in order. 

i do feel a tinge of regret looking at the forecast ahead and how small our windows of good weather are growing... but... i still think the time was well spent, and the kids are very grateful.

that little "family" display above... layla did that on her own... i helped a bit... per her request.

she chose the quote below as well. i used to have that one posted in my kitchen. i may need to put that little reminder up again.

i'm really enjoying watching the way that their rooms are slowly coming together, especially in layla's room. we have made most of the "decorations" together over time, and other things we either slowly acquired, or were gifted.  

next summer this desk is going to get a few coats of white paint and that chair will be teal... i am so nervous and excited to dive into furniture painting. i have painted a few things now, but nothing this big and extensive. 

another "inside" project i have been focusing on is some fall stamp carving.

these leaves and pumpkins are on their way to my friend summer, in exchange for some of her adorable peg people. i have traded with summer before here, and the peg family she made for us is one of my kids most loved possessions.

i am also planning to carve a few of the fall leaf sets next week and release them for sale at the beginning of november. this will be my first time doing any sort of sale that isn't a special request. i am excited about giving this a try. i feel it will work much better for me, carving and releasing on my own time. i plan to calculate my price for each set by recording the amount of time i put into each carving and of course my cost for materials. i am going to come up with a price that i feel is a fair trade for the time/money put in and i will release four or five sets for that price. i will be giving notifications on this blog, facebook, and instagram before i actually release the sets so that anyone who wants one will have a chance. i feel like i have absolutely no idea how this will go down... they could sell out immediately or sit for weeks. it will be quite the experiment. 

the little ladies' room.

their "art clothes line" is the best thing i have ever implemented in a bedroom. these girls make a lot of art and being able to display that art... on their own... in their own room... gets them all sorts of excited.

and now i'm off to press apples in the pouring rain... 

because my focus should be inside today...

 and apparently i am running completely backwards in these ways.