I've Signed Up for the Bead Hoarders Blog Hop!

Despite everything else currently going on (Moving! National Novel Writing Month! Holidays!), I've decided to sign up for another Blog Hop!

The second annual Bead Hoarders Blog Hop, to be precise.

The idea behind this hop is to encourage people to use some of those beads that they've been holding onto for whatever reason--whether they think the beads are too pricey, or too precious, or too special. I did this hop last year, and really enjoyed it. 

So, I thought... why not?

Come back on December 6th to see what I end up making!

The Jenny Monthly Challenge - November Edition!

Well, it's time!

I'm sure you're all waiting with bated breath to find out just what my November challenge is--and what in the world the below tree picture has to do with anything. 

Read on, and you will find out!

Well, guess what... that's the tree located right next to our new house.

That's right! After years of dreaming, and months of working, today my husband and I signed all of the papers (so many papers) and closed on our very first house. 

And I love it.

I love it, love it, love it.

I also figured that closing on a house--all the paperwork and appointments and walk-throughs and phone calls and inspections--definitely counts as enough of a challenge for this month!

We're still working on the whole moving in part (it's immediately occupiable; we're just going in stages as to not lose our minds), so the process isn't over yet. Is it worth it, though? Definitely!

But, enough of me blabbing. It's time for pictures!

It has a fireplace! A genuine wood-burning Rookwood Fireplace, to be precise.

Close-up of one of the knights on our fireplace... So incredibly fitting,
for anyone who knows me and my husband!

Close-up of the fancyschmancy window in the formal dining room.

Ceiling fan! ...Also in the formal dining room.
You can't quite tell in this picture, but the ceiling has beautiful touches of gold.

There's an upstairs!

It's an older house, and almost all of the interior doors have the original glass doorknobs.

'Tis the land of ceiling fans! This one is in the master bedroom.

As I said, it's an older house... But in wonderful condition. (The inspection report was admittedly a bit daunting, but the seller took care of most of it--what's left is simple fixes.) And, honestly, the whole house is just filled with charm and personality--and the location definitely fits our needs.

It even has space for a craft room, and a mancave, and a guest room--and there's a place for a garden!

Ahem. Did I mention that I love it?

So, yeah. This is the main reason that I've been so incredibly busy the last few months (well, that and the aforementioned family medical emergencies). It's also the reason that my challenge last month was to make a necklace that said "Dreams." Because dreams do come true--they just take a lot of work!

...And they are definitely, definitely worth it in the end!

Thank you so much for joining me for this announcement... And now, to keep working on the next step: moving. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

The Jenny Monthly Challenge - November Edition... Teaser!

I realize that I've been a bit late in announcing my Monthly Challenge for November.

...That's because it's going to be a good one!*

This is actually a hint... A very obscure, hard-to-guess, not-really-related hint.

This time next week, check back here... I'm going to be doing both the Challenge announcement and the reveal at the same time. Hurray!

Hope everyone is having a good Saturday!

---

* - Well, it's also due to life being ridiculously busy--namely, there have been three family medical emergencies within the last four weeks. Thankfully, everyone is doing all right... my mother-in-law who had a stroke is doing amazing well; my brother-in-law who had a horrible case of bacterial meningitis is now off antibiotics and hospital-free. Still, trips to the ER and to the hospital do not leave a lot of time for blogging!

Hello, November!

November, I have one rule--don't be anything like October.

Seriously. Don't do it.

Something happy that happened this month--
I carved my first pumpkin!
That's a symbol from the game StarCraft 2. 

The pumpkin all lit up!

...Here is to hoping that this month is much, much less stressful.