The Saturday Six

 

One.

I clicked on this post (found it on Pinterest) because I wanted to see her fall decor, but what I ended up loving most was the gate she hung over the fireplace, which she then used to feature wreaths. So cute!! Ideas I'm filing away in case I ever have a fireplace...

Two.

I think this recipe looks really intriguing! I love anything that includes a sheet pan these days...makes cooking go so much faster! I confess to being a bit scared at first - I thought the pasta went on the sheet pan too. Didn't seem like that would make it very tender. Turns out you do boil it separately. ;) 

Three.

I was talking to a friend of mine this week about healthy lunches that aren't boring. They can be tough to find, whether you're trying to pack lunches for your kids or for yourself! (Or, like us, you might not be packing lunches at all, but you have to have quick options! I found this post particularly helpful! Lots of good ideas in there. (PS: any of you experts in making sourdough bread? It intrigues me.) 

Four.

This isn't the brand of oils I use, but I did enjoy learning a few more things about some of the essential oils mentioned, and I always love finding fall-themed recipes for my diffuser. There is something extra amazing about using our diffuser in the fall. I probably am more consistent with my usage then than any other season. Check it out! :) 

Five.

Hey Fixer Upper fans!! The Harp House is for sale! The price tag is a few (hundred) (thousand) dollars above our price range, but it sure was fun to see it again!!

Six.

Today marks 33 years since my little nephew was stillborn. You've read so much about him over the years, and his life still marks mine in such profound ways. It was the joy of my heart earlier this year to meet his namesake. (His nephew now bears his name!)

Two babies. One name. Thirty-three years apart. 

Over the years, I've also told you about different organizations that walk with grieving parents. I wanted to mention a few again. My biggest hope is that you never need to know this information. But if you do, I want you to have it!

* Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep: Volunteer photographers who provide families with photos of their sweet babies. This organization didn't exist 33 years ago, so our photos are a bit grainy. What a gift this group provides to people now! 

* Cuddle Cots: These are cooling pads that can be placed inside Moses baskets so parents can be given more time with their babies before they have to say that final physical goodbye. If you Google, you can find many foundations and organizations that collect for Cuddle Cots in memory of specific babies, but my link here is straight to their site. 

* Bridget's Cradles: I learned about this organization relatively recently. They provide hand-knit tiny cradles to hold babies born during the second trimester. This makes it easier for their grieving parents to hold them, even though they are so tiny and fragile. 

* Angel Gown Program: I haven't written about this one before (and again, there are multiple organizations that offer something similar to this) but I have heard about it and wanted to mention it! This organization makes burial gowns from bridal gowns donated by brides after their wedding day. If you have a dress you're no longer using, you can donate it for baby gowns. 

* No Footprint Too Small Bears: I also haven't featured this one before, but I have heard the concept presented. These bears are handmade to carry the same weight as the child lost. Their name and vitals are added as an additional memorial. 

I'm so glad that so many bereaved families have allowed their losses to share hope with others facing similar pain. I'm so glad this has grown so much since we said our goodbye 33 years ago!