A Few Fun Goodies + Plans for November
Happy Friday guys! Gosh, it’s been a crazy busy week around here. If you’ve been watching my stories over on Instagram you know that our entire week has been consumed with getting our new countertops installed in the kitchen. The original plan was for them to come Tuesday, but then it got pushed back to Wednesday. Then again to Thursday. Well they finally came late yesterday afternoon and it actually didn’t get done until 8:30 last night, which was a bit ridiculous. And since we took our old countertops out on Sunday, it was pretty challenging to have a kitchen with no countertops for almost an entire week. Oy. But the tops are finally in and they look awesome. They’ve completely transformed our kitchen, even with the wonky backsplash. I cannot wait to share it with you guys, but today is all about my favorites from the week. I have a few fun things to share with you today and something that I’m really excited about starting in November, so lets jump on into it.
A Fun New Mug
Ok, you guys know how much I love my coffee and that love for caffeine trickles over into my love of cute coffee mugs. Well I recently had one made by this really cool Etsy shop called Sweet Mint Handmade. They’ll basically put anything you want on a mug, plus they also do fun things like customizable flatware. Here’s the mug I had made:
“Always caffeinated and usually sarcastic”. How darn perfect is that?! My husband and I always joke about how much caffeine I consume. And I pretty much drive him crazy with how sarcastic I am, so I thought it would be fun to put this little saying on a coffee mug just for a good laugh. I mean, who doesn’t love a their own personalized coffee mug?
Farmhouse Creamery Sign
I don’t think I ever shared this new creamery sign I got for the kitchen with you guys. I saw one like this on Pinterest a while back and I fell in love with it.
You guys know by now that I have a huge sweet tooth, so having a sign that says “butter ice cream” in my kitchen seems really fitting. And we decided to name the cow Bessie. She looks like a Bessie, right?
Farmhouse Style Calligraphy Scrolls
So I have recently developed an obsession with the large farmhouse style scrolls that you hang up on the wall. I’ve seen them all over Pinterest and Instagram lately and I loooooove them. I found a few from this really cute shop on Etsy and I’m trying to decide if I should snag one. Or two. Here are a few of my favorites:
This one has one of my favorite sayings EVER. And I love the cursive writing. So gorgeous!
You guys know I’m a homebody to my core and this one definitely caught my eye. Home is my happy place, so this is absolutely perfect for me.
I also really love this one with the Silent Night hymn. I think this would look awesome hanging in our front room for Christmas. I just love the vintage feel of these scrolls. They are so beautiful and timeless.
Dolls for a Cause
I was recently contacted by the company Cuddle + Kind about the amazing work they do to provide meals to kids in need around the world. They sell these adorable hand-knit dolls and for every doll sold, they provide 10 meals to a child in need. Pretty awesome, right? I love their mission, but I also love the fact that each doll is handcrafted by women artisans in Peru, providing them with a sustainable, fair trade income. Overall the work they’re doing is amazing. This week we received Charlotte the Dog and my girls absolutely LOVE it.
This smiley girl is getting hard to photograph, she never stops moving! But she sure is a happy little thing and she seems to love this cute doll. I can’t wait to watch her play with it when she gets bigger–that is if her older sister decides to share! Sidenote: look at those sweet, chubby thighs. Gah!
I love the work Cuddle + Kind is doing and I think the dolls they sell are absolutely adorable. Perfect for any little girl. And it’s never too soon to start thinking about Christmas gifts, right?!
New Book & Online Study
I just ordered this book, Anxious for Nothing, and I’m really looking forward to reading it. I even signed up for a 4-week online Bible study using this book. It’s a free study through Proverbs 31 Ministries and it starts in November. Have you done any of their studies? This will be my first one and I’m really excited about it. I’ve always been an anxious person by nature, but it seems like after having kids my anxiety can sometimes get the best of me. I watch the news and hear about all the awful things happening in the world–tragic accidents, natural disasters, etc–and then I let fear occupy my thoughts more than I’d like to admit. I fear that something terrible will happen to my precious kids, my husband (who works in a very dangerous job), my parents, on and on. I’m just a sensitive, emotional person and a worry-wart through and through. I can work myself up into a tizzy worrying about the what-if’s and things that will likely never happen. Do you ever do that? It’s not good. But I’ve learned that giving my worries and fears over to God is the only thing that really brings me true peace. And it’s the best kind of peace. I’m getting better at it, but I still need a lot of work. I think this book and study in November will be really good for me.
Well that’s it for me today guys. I have some exciting things to share with you all soon (like my new countertops!!) so I’ll see you back here next week. I hope you all have a fabulous weekend and thank you SO much for stopping in everyday and following along. I really do appreciate it! xoxo
Other Friday Favorites you might want to check out:
Friday Favorites: A Vintage Scale, Hanging Baskets + More
The Comments
Jeanette
Learning to be occupied with Christ instead of with anxiety and fears has been a lifelong process for me. I think you’re doing the right thing by turning to His Word. I’ve learned it’s the place to find peace, hope, and courage.
Sarah
> JeanetteAmen to that Jeanette. I’m grateful that my anxiety can be remedied by studying the word and praying. God is good!
Vick
Love your favorites! I have seen ads on FB for the dolls, and love that you are giving back by making a purchase. I have a one year old great-niece who may just get one of those for Christmas! Also, I can totally relate to the anxiety and “what-ifs” that can consume me, so the book may be something I could totally use. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah
> VickSo glad you enjoyed the post! And yes, definitely check out that book if you’re a worry-er like me. I started it this weekend and I am loving it already!
Julie Briones
LOVE that mug! Glad you are doing the Bible study. 🙂 I have done any of the Proverbs 31 studies, but I did do the Comparison Trap and the At the Picket Fence during the summer. They were both quite good!
Sarah
> Julie BrionesOh I haven’t heard of those Julie, I’ll have to check them out. Thanks for sharing!
Liz
That’s one cute baby! Love the kitchen decor. Very inspirational as we enter the holiday season of baking and cooking.
Sarah
> LizThank you Liz! xo
Deedra
Love your post today! I’m definitely going to order the Charlotte doll as a baby gift for a little baby girl on the way and love that the purchase gives back!! Also I receive Proverbs 31 ministries devotions and I was thrilled with the new online study. I too suffer from anxiety at times and I know that trusting God is the first line of defense against it. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah
> DeedraThank you Deedra, so happy you enjoyed the post. And high five for being a fellow Proverbs 31 gal!
Rhonda S
Take it from an old worry wart, hon, worry only robs you of the peace and joy of today. I try to remember the verse in Psalms 118:8, right smack in the middle of the Bible that says, “It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man.” Helps me get my focus back when I remember Who is in charge! I just love the new creamery sign with Bessie, in your kitchen… and those farmhouse calligraphy scrolls, just gorgeous! Precious little Ava is growing and looks so dear next to that new doll! Just sweet that you look for ways to help others, Sarah! Have a great weekend as you work on the kitchen~ can’t wait to see it.
Sarah
> Rhonda SI completely agree Rhonda–worrying doesn’t get me anywhere. I hate that I have those tendencies, but it’s just the way I am. However I’m learning more and more that God is ultimately in control and my worry is only a waste of my time!
Amy
I’m doing the Anxious For Nothing study too! Love Max Lucado and can’t wait to start this book and study. Have done others with P31 and have enjoyed them. Love tge scrolls….I checked their site out last week as am considering one for a gift. Thanks for sharing info. on the dolls. Have a baby gift to get and this will be perfect!!
Sarah
> AmyThat’s awesome Amy, I’m so glad you’ll be doing it too. I started reading the book this weekend and I already love it. SO good!
Angie Ash
Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog. My husband and I bought a 1800s fixer-upper farmhouse and can’t wait to restore and renovate it. I love the design inspiration your blog provides and hearing about you. Great personal touch!
Sarah
> Angie AshOh thank you so much Angie, I really appreciate that! So happy to have you here.
Brenda Johnson
I love everything! I think I need to get one of those dolls for my youngest grand-daughter for Christmas, she will be one Dec. 10. I have done the Prov. 31 studies before and they are great! It’s so hard not to struggle with anxiety in this crazy world, but through Christ we can deal with it so much easier, so I hope this study really helps you, and who doesn’t love Max Lucado! Started watching your InstaStories today….the countertops are amazing…so happy for you.
Sarah
> Brenda JohnsonThat’s awesome you’ve done a study with Prov. 31 Ministries. This will be my first study with them and I’m really looking forward to it. I already started the book this weekend and it’s awesome so far!
sarah berner
oh, the baby is gorgeous. and those thighs. love the dolls. will get a couple for xmas. thanks for sharing.
Sarah
> sarah bernerThat’s a great idea Sarah, I think those cute dolls would make the best Christmas gifts!
Mary Kaiser
Thanks for sharing. I went on and ordered the book and signed up for the bible study. Cute baby girl, love the cute chubby thighs!!
Sarah
> Mary KaiserOh that is awesome Mary!! So glad you’ll be doing it too.
Sherri
Little Ava is growing like crazy Sarah, I can’t believe how long she is now! Those dolls are super cute! I love the new sign & I think those scrolls are so neat! Can’t wait to see your kitchen all finished (you probably can’t either, lol)
I can relate to the worry thing, that is me! I have a spot in my stomach that is always irritated from worrying about things, it’s a wonder it hasn’t turned into an ulcer! And last year during all the election stuff I had myself so worked up for so long I ended up with shingles (even though I had gotten the shot the year before to keep from getting them)…Hard to get a handle on some days 😕
Sherri
> SherriI forgot to tell you…Those scrolls made by CottonwoodShanty…comes from the county I live in! How cool is that! 😊
Sarah
> SherriOh that is so cool Sherri! I just love those scrolls.
Sarah
> SherriIsn’t she getting so big?! I wish time would slow down but it just keeps rolling on by. Glad to hear I’m not the only one that worries too much–it’s a struggle at times but the more I give it over to God the better off I am!
Beth Tebaldi
This is totally off topic, but I’m wondering. A few months ago I think it was your blog but I’m not sure; there was a chair-and a half that you shared, other people asking you where you got it. Now I may be totally wrong. But I’m desperately looking for either a chair and a half or a Farmhouse loveseat.
Sarah
> Beth TebaldiHi Beth! I got that chair from a store here local in Colorado, but this one is gorgeous and very similar: https://rstyle.me/n/cthum4b6hgf
You can also find some great options here: https://sarahjoyblog.com/farmhouse-style-oversized-chairs/ and here: https://sarahjoyblog.com/affordable-farmhouse-style-sofas/
Teresa O'Connor
Love the Silent Night one … Might try get that one myself and that little lady of yours is getting bigger and cuter by the day!