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Hey Sugar Pie! I’m back again with more of my summer decorating, but this time it’s a VIDEO TOUR!!!

Here is the link to my YouTube video of my Good Ol’ Summertime Decorating…Sugar Pie Farmhouse Style!  After you watch it come back here ‘cuz I’ve got some more stuff to chat about!

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Well, here in the Ozarks we’ve had a good amount of summer storms! Living up on a ridge we have a panoramic view of the billowy, gray clouds that roll in. We also get front row seats of the lightning as it flashes across the sky. It’s absolutely stunning but when the thunder and lightning bolts close to the house…eeeek! We’ve had the power to our well knocked out twice this season, which means no water…at all. For that reason I keep four one gallon containers on hand so we can at least brush our teeth, wash our face and have some to drink. Fortunately, our well guy “Lefty” comes out within a few hours to fix it. It sure gives me a secure feeling though to have some things stocked up in case of an emergency. I almost think it would be a good idea to have a manually operated water pump. I’ll have to talk to the Mr. about that. I’m curious, are any of y’all preppers, even in a small way? Would love to hear your thoughts on stocking up things for emergencies.

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In other news, I was at Hobby Lobby and saw that they already have their fall and Christmas merchandise out. Even Cracker Barrel Restaurant has their fall display up. Now I know that it bothers a lot of gals to see seasonal things up so early, but I really don’t mind, mainly because I love those seasons to the moon and back. But I’m certainly not ready to say goodbye to summer yet ( I waited the whole winter long for it for crying out loud! Lol). Since it’s been so hot outside during the day I’ve actually been doing a ton of decluttering in my house. I’ve made about four trips to our local thrift store to donate several boxes and bags of stuff. It feels so good to simplify and freshen up the rooms in my home. And I’m thankful that the things I’m donating are going to bless someone else. But seeing the autumn decorations out in the stores got me thinking… you know, this really is a good time to clear the clutter before the hustle and bustle of fall and Christmas get here…and it’s just around the corner! Just sayin’! Lol!

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Wouldn’t it be great to get a head start… to have our homes clean and tidy and clutter free by the time we’re ready to bring out our pumpkins and fall leaves?  Well, I think so. I know for myself that I don’t like the feeling of being behind on things. I want to be prepared and organized. Not that I always am…quite the opposite! I have so many things on my plate that it’s easy for me to get behind on stuff, then I feel rushed and anxious. When that happens I feel like I’m missing out on living in the moment and fully experiencing the joy because I wasn’t quite ready for it. I hope that makes sense. That’s the drawback of being a perfectionist I guess! Lol! That’s why I like having a head start if I can! Yup, I’m a big fan of planning ahead.

Here’s the great news Sugar! We have plenty of time right now to tidy up our homes because, as I’m writing this, we have 7 weeks until September. Now I’m not saying to spend the rest of the summer cleaning! Goodness no!  Especially if you have little ones at home, your time is going to be limited, plus you should be enjoying this season to the fullest. But maybe, just choose an area that could use some attention and do a little at a time. If you take the time now to begin preparing and planning for the upcoming season and the memories you hope to create it will be like planting happy-home seeds that will bring you a harvest of bountiful joy!

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I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Now this may sound ridiculous to you but I’ll put Christmas music on when I have a big cleaning job to do. Yes even in the summertime. I know. I know. You’re probably rolling your eyes. Lol! But that’s ok, it works for me!  Somehow it gets me in the mood and makes me feel happy!  That just happens to be my cup of tea! Life is short and many times hard so anytime we can add some whimsy and delight into our lives why not? ( The soundtrack to Little Women and Pride and Prejudice works too!!)

“The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.”~Buddy the Elf

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Well, I do want you to enjoy this wonderful summertime! Go get an ice cream cone, run through the sprinklers with the kids, go for a walk at sunset, sit on the front porch and enjoy the aroma of fresh cut grass, eat a sun-warmed tomato from the garden, enjoy a trip to the farmer’s market…and make happy memories! Keep your home bright in your heart. By that I mean to always be thinking (and thinking ahead) of things you can do to create a place your family feels loved in. Not just the decorations but the feeling of love, warmth, belonging, comfort and cozyness. Everything you do and say is like a seed that you plant and will eventually harvest.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

So go plant some happy home seeds!

For some more thoughts on Home Sweet Home, here are some of my  posts you may enjoy:

5  Simple Things You Can Do To Make Home Sweeter

5 Ways to Make Your Home Warm and Wonderful

Sweet Goodness

Stocking up for Emergencies: A Good Mama is Prepared

Well, thanks so much for stopping by!

God bless your darlin’ heart Sugar Pie,

Aunt Ruthie

 

 

 

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