The Bright Eyed Brunette

 Happy Monday, friends! I am running behind on getting this post up. That has been my mantra lately.  We had a fantastic weekend here on the homestead. Harvest 2025 is complete, which means Carl is finished working on weekends (PTL!). My mom and dad hosted a Halloween party for our family. My sister and two of her three kids were with us. It was a lot of fun. I dressed up like a taco simply because I had it from last year's trunk or treat. Wrenley thought it was hilarious. She dressed up as a princess (imagine that!). She also loved that my brother-in-law, Tim, dressed up like a banana :) Trey came as a cowboy and brought Maggie, wearing her pretty red bandana. Elijah wore the unicorn costume; Ellie Kate was Alice from Alice in Wonderland, and Jamie (I didn't get her picture) was a pirate. We had punch, lots of sweets, and Pizza Hut Pizza. We also played games and decorated cookies. It rained, so we weren't able to carve our pumpkins (my dad didn't want a mess in his sh...

Mercy sounds beautiful when we're the ones receiving it. But when it's our turn to show mercy? That's when it gets real. Maybe it's someone who hurt you deeply and never apologized. Maybe it's that family member who tests your patience every holiday. Or maybe it's just the person who cut you off in traffic and maybe made you late. Mercy doesn't always come naturally--but it's exactly what Jesus asks of us. In Luke 6:36, He says, "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." That verse hit hard because it reminds us that mercy isn't about who deserves it--it's about reflecting God's heart. Showing mercy means choosing compassion over judgment. It's giving someone grace instead of payback. It's remembering that we've all needed second chances (and third and fourth ones too). Sometimes showing mercy looks like letting go of the need to have the last word. Sometimes it's forgiving someone who never even said "sorr...

There is a kind of ache that comes when God disciplines us; when He closes a door we were sure was meant for us, exposes something in us that needs fixing, or allows a hard season that humbles us. It's not easy. In fact, sometimes it feels unfair or confusing. If we take a closer look, we realize that His discipline is never just about punishment. It's about love. Hebrews 12:6 says, " For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child."   That verse hits hard, doesn't it? It reminds us that being corrected by God isn't rejection, it's confirmation that we belong to Him. A parent doesn't discipline a stranger's child; they correct their own because they care about their growth and well-being. I can think of times when God's discipline looked like delay. I was frustrated, praying for things that didn't happen, only to later realize He was protecting me from something I couldn't see. Other times, it l...

"Lord, fix me because sometimes I'm the problem".  There are moments in life when it's easier to point fingers than to look in the mirror. We notice what others did wrong, how they hurt us, or how they made life harder. But if I'm being honest, sometimes the biggest problem in my life...is me. I don't like admitting that. It's uncomfortable to say, "Lord, I've got attitudes, habits, and patterns that are standing in the way of peace and growth." But the truth is, I don't just need God to fix situations; I need Him to fix me. It's humbling to realize that I can be short-tempered, unforgiving, stubborn, or even blind to the ways I hurt others. Sometimes my words cut deeper than I intended. Sometimes I hold grudges a little too long. And sometimes, instead of praying for God to change me , I pray for Him to change everyone else . But the Holy Spirit reminds me that real transformation begins with me. Psalm 139:23-24 says, "Search me...

 There's something about sitting down to a meal that brings the whole household together. It doesn't have to be fancy--sometimes the simplest dishes become the most memorable. One of my favorite go-to family meals is Cheesy Baked Ziti. It's quick enough for a weeknight, comforting enough for Sunday dinner, and almost guaranteed to leave everyone asking for seconds. This can be a very customizable meal. Add meat, go vegetarian or sneak in extra veggies. It's kid-approved and makes for great leftovers. Ingredients 1 pound ziti or penne pasta 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (optional) 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Salt and pepper to taste Instructions Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a skillet, brown the meat (if using) with garlic, seasoning, salt, and pepper. Drain excess...

I haven't done a post about the books I've read in a while. And while I haven't read as many as I should have at this point in the year, here are of few of my latest page turners. First up is The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I know I am a little behind on the Kristin Hannah train, but finally, I have arrived! If you love historical fiction, this a great read.  With powerful insight, Kristin Hannah captures the epic panorama of War World II and highlights an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women's war. This is the story of two sisters, separated by years of experience, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path towards survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France. It celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. An absolute must-read! Next up, Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney They don't call Alice Feeney the "Queen of Twists" for nothing. This is a thriller about marriage...an...