What Does Your Home Say About You?

So I went to the $3 book store last week. <LOVE that place!> and got Moll Anderson ' s Change Your Home Change Your Life for FREE! Yay!

And she asks, "What does your home say about you?"

Mine says,

I live for my kids. 

And I let them decorate. 

And I love it!

Happy Halloween

The last day of my favorite month should rightly be celebrated. If it was just me, I would enjoy this evening with a good book, a nice fire (I wish- FLORIDA), and a cup of coffee. But since I have such cute and creative kids, I think we will go trick-or-treating.
Happy Halloween!

Loral is a "blue butterfly" (her idea), Lyli is a "mommy kangaroo" (her design), and Eliott is a beach boy (cute and comfortable).

Clothespin Bag

I don’t remember where I first saw this- probably Pinterest or a BlogHop. My dear friend Mary knits me the cutest stuff for my babies. But my knitting skills are limited. So, to return the favor, I made a clothespin bag for her. (And one for me, too, because I found these adorable Mermaid overalls at the thrift store.) You just buy some cute overalls (I chose a gorgeous baby-dress for Mary) and sew up the bottom. Hang it on a hanger, fill it with clothespins and it is ready to go.

If you’ve read my first novel, you know about Mermaids. I am a Mermaid. If you’re heart has ever been broken, you are a Mermaid, too. My book is available on Kindle here: http://www.amazon.com/Invitation-Ocean-How-Became-Mermaid-ebook/dp/B00B8I9DL0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414166250&sr=8-1&keywords=mermaid+beach+ebook+phyllis+franklin

Am I shamelessly plugging my novel? Yes! But it fit so perfectly into this post, please forgive me.

Unassisted HomeBirth—A Collection of Real Life Stories

The HomeBirth book I co-authored with Amanda H. has been doing quite well on Kindle. So, I decided to publish a print version. Mainly because I want to save one for each of my two unassisted homebirth babies.

It can be purchased at CreateSpace (an Amazon company) here:

https://www.createspace.com/5033096

It will be available on Amazon in a couple of days, and of course, it is still available on Kindle.

The Kindle cover looks slightly different than the print version. Here is the link to the Kindle eBook:

http://www.amazon.com/Unassisted-HomeBirth-Collection-Real-Stories-ebook/dp/B00HTO770Q/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1414114544&sr=8-5&keywords=phyllis+franklin

If you’d like to order a signed copy, please email me at PhyllisWrites@yahoo.com.

Swamp Planting

Here on Soggy Bottom Mini Farm, we have lots of water. We have low areas, ponds, and high-clay soils.
To best utilize these natural features, I planted some pumpkins and Hubbard squash in containers with drain holes in the bottom, then set them in the swamp. TaDa!  Raised bed self watering container!

Windows Open – September 24

Ahhhhh. The temperatures finally dipped below 90 on the 21st, prompting me to take these pictures.

It was a beautiful day for walking…

 

or fishing…

 

or bike riding.

And now, this morning, I was finally able to open the windows to a nice cool breeze.

I wait all summer for this moment. My windows will be open on every nice (not rainy) day from now till May (or April) when it once again becomes too hot and humid.

My favorite month is coming, and bringing with it our 11th Wedding Anniversary.

Lovely Autumn Blessings to you all!

-Phyllis

It Feels Like September

I love this time of year. There is finally a breeze after a long hot stifling summer. I can work in the garden again- weeding, replenishing, sowing, planting. And there is a stillness in the air, a quietness that I can feel in my soul, refreshing my energy and lifting my spirit.