Outside my window, an empty porch waiting for Christmas decorations. I am thinking about the L.SAT- coming up soon! I am thankful for my home and excited to get it ready for the upcoming holiday. I am wearing my Dansko mary janes, black cable knit cotton tights, denim skirt, white v-neck t-shirt, black wrap-around sweater, rhinestone earrings; hair in a knot with a small bump. I am creating an Advent wreath. I am going to the main library to study and to First Church to meditate. I am reading "Dinosaurs in the Attic," by Douglas Preston; it's an amazing history of the American Museum of Natural History in New York. I am hoping the holiday decorating is completed soon! I am hearing "Will & G.race," on L.ifetime. Around the house, things are coming together. One of my favorite things is cooking dinner at home. A few plans for the week- study, study, study. L.SAT is Saturday!

Outside my window; drizzle, grey skies and wind. I am thinking about New Moon- Robert Pa.ttinson is on the Today Show. I am thankful for my home; for my kitchen and the loveliness of what I have created here. I am wearing M's old Diesel jeans, grey "Short North Arts District" t-shirt, grey cardigan with blue polka dots and white birds, black flats; hair in a knot with pink and blue headbands. I am creating (will be creating) cookies and assorted baked goods for the Pilot Dogs bake sale tomorrow. I am going to the library to pick reserves and maybe to Joann's to look for an Advent wreath base. I am reading "In Defense of Food," by Michael Pollan. I am hoping for a wonderful weekend with M's dad and friends; and an OSU win over Michigan! I am hearing commercials, which I mostly find annoying. Around the house, things are quiet. I closed the door to my craft room last night and this morning discovered that it is locked! I am planning to take it off it's hinges later. One of my favorite things is planning my Christmas decorations! I am ready, but always wait until after Thanksgiving. A few plans for the week- bake today; OSU v Michigan game on Saturday; start planning for Hilton Head trip!

be present.

remember how important it is to just be present in your life.

remind yourself of the wonderful things happening, focus on the ideas and thoughts that bring those to mind. be present in every moment.

Mini apple pies!

These are my mini apple pies. I made No Roll pie crust from Joy the Baker. It is so so so delicious and easy! Since there are only 2 of us, I decided to make mini pies rather than 1 big pie that we'd never finish and would probably go to waste. I figured I could freeze, or at lease refrigerate the little ones. I pressed the crust into greased muffin tins. The filling is a mix of Winesap and Goldrush apples we picked at a nearby orchard; cinnamon, sugar and lemon juice. I placed a small pat of butter and more cinnamon and sugar on top and put them in the oven. They came out wonderfully. The crust is crumbly and buttery, absolutely amazing for no rolling!

Outside my window, trees are bare and dried leaves cover the sidewalks. I am thinking about what my fall wreath is going to look like and whether I can use what I have, rather than buying new. I am thankful for friends and family; looking forward to celebrating our 3 year anniversary with J&A and heading to M's mom's in Hilton Head for Thanksgiving. I am wearing M's old Diesel jeans, a long pink tank with a white v-neck t and a beautiful pink, red and purple knitted sweater coat; fuchsia flats with a big button and a ruffle, dangly purple earrings; hair up in a loose knot. I am creating a new fall wreath. I am going to the library to return books and pick up reserves. I am reading "Cult Insanity," by Irene Spencer; her memoir of life as a plural wife with the LeBarons. I am hoping for inspiration for dinner! I am hearing my dog snuffling and snoring. Around the house, it is quiet and still. One of my favorite things, is cooking dinner and baking for my wife. A few plans for the rest of the week; BMV for a new license, start logic workbook for LSAT, complete the Kaleidoscope, contact Rev. Ahrens.

Less waste

I made the first step yesterday in our quest to minimize waste in the house. We used the last sponge; so instead of purchasing more sponges, I bought washable dishcloths! 2 packs, one soft cloths and 1 scrubby. Under the sink, I have a pan of water with Oxy dissolved in it. Once they've been used a couple times and are ready to be washed, they are tossed in there to soak, until it's time for laundry! Paper towels have been gone for a while (we keep a roll or 2 in the basement for dog accidents.) Once the paper napkins are finished up, we'll be switching to cloth napkins. They'll also go in the Oxy pan to soak once used. We've had this plan for a few months. Unfortunately, we tend to buy in bulk so it took a while to get through the disposables that we had on hand. I am so excited about this!

Outside my window, leaves are changing. It looks like fall, but feels like summer- high 60's! I am thinking about the tasks I need to finish today. I am thankful for my home, which is coming together beautifully. I am also thankful for the new neighbors, a lovely butch-femme couple moving in a few months! I am wearing my April Cornell, long black cotton skirt; grey "Short North Arts District" t-shirt and Clarks red leather flats. I am creating yo-yo's to embellish my cotton totes. I am going nowhere today. Maybe on a walk to the ravine. I am reading "Thunderhead," by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Childs. I am hoping to hear from potential employers. I am hearing a silly commercials for all kinds of disposable things. Around the house, rooms are waiting to be tidied. One of my favorite things is walking through the house, tidying with the windows open and Rosemary Clooney on my iPhone. A few plans for the rest of the week; Highball Halloween with Jessie and Amanda tomorrow; study for the LSAT; complete the application for Kaleidoscope Youth Coalition.

Outside my window, not much! It's a little early for action, especially living so near a university. I am thinking about the things I need to complete around the house today. I am thankful for my wife and her support of my leaving my job. I am wearing a ruffled nightgown and fuzzy slippers. I am creating tote bags from old t-shirts; in my head right now, trying to configure a different handle. I am going to the salon today for color! I am reading nothing right now. I am hoping for interview request and job offers. I am hearing cars driving by and my lovely dog chewing intently on his bone. Around the house, there are still boxes; lots to organize and tidy. One of my favorite things right now is my morning cup of tea, Tazo Awake with lemon in my pink Paula Deen mug. My plans for the weekend are apple picking and the pumpkin patch on Saturday and church Sunday morning. I'm sure more tidying and organizing will occur, along with at least one trip to the Goodwill with more things I find to donate.

Not surprisingly, most of my homemaking inspiration blogs are maintained by women who believe (most likely) that I am going to hell. Tips and ideas that have inspired me to become a better homemaker, for myself and my wife, are found on the blogs of Christian homemakers. The religions vary- Jewish, Baptist, Orthodox Christian, Presbyterian- but they are all stay-at-home moms, who believe in keeping a happy home for their families. I believe in keeping a happy home for my family, as well. My family right now is just myself, M and our dog. One day I hope to have children and stay home with them. I am queer and have known that my entire adult life. I also believe in God, I am a Christian. I want to be a homemaker and keep a loving, beautiful home for my family. But, I believe that these women would not see me as anything but a sinner, an evil person bent on ruining their world. The tips I have gleaned from these women are amazing. They advocate frugality and beauty. They recycle and reuse in ways I never would've thought of. The path I want, staying home for my family, is not typical; especially not in my community; but when I think about what I want to do with my life, what feels right for my future, keeping home is it.

We just moved into a new place and I am currently in job limbo, so I am spending a lot more time at home. Getting us settled in, cleaning, always tidying, finishing up some long overdue projects and making this lovely house a home for us to enjoy. So many things left to do, but it is becoming a comfortable, lovely place to live.