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Hello Reader,

Thanksgiving is still two weeks away, but we're already busy planning menus, ordering groceries, and getting things ready.

My daughter-in-law Emi established a sisters' pie baking event almost as soon as she joined the family, so we have that to look forward to, too. She's polling the family and collecting recipes even now, and told me Sunday she already feels a little behind this year.

In the past, I've waited until Thanksgiving week to share resources like the ones you'll find below, but I've realized that lots of my readers are more like my daughter-in-law and like to have their ducks in a row long before their guests begin to arrive. So I'm sending them to you early this year. I hope that will help you relax and enjoy the holiday with the satisfaction that comes with planning and preparing ahead.

Free resources for you this week:

• ​Hymns of Thanksgiving - use these booklets to sing some songs of praise & gratitude
• ​Thanksgiving Wreaths - these printables make pretty greeting cards or table decor
• ​Thanksgiving Trivia Test - how much do you know about the history of this holiday?
• ​Thanksgiving I Spy - a fun activity to occupy little ones until dinner's ready to eat
• ​5 Kernels of Corn - another inspiring story and meaningful family tradition
• ​In Everything Give Thanks Coloring Page - sweet illustration of 1 Thessalonians 5:18

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What I'm reading this week:

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My daughter and I are one chapter away from finishing Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice together this week, as the book was assigned in one of her co-op classes. Of course, we were already familiar with the storyline, having watched the 2005 film version. But as is so often the case, the book was far richer and provided fuller descriptions of every character and scene. I especially enjoyed the witty exchanges between Elizabeth and her father. I was more deeply appalled by the entitled prejudices of her mother and younger sister. And I found the slow and steady growth of respect, understanding, and finally love between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy heartwarmingly beautiful.

This week's reader request:

One of my sweet subscribers asked me to take a look at a coloring and devotional book she wrote for young girls called Proverbs 31 for Little Ladies, which I most happily did. Geared for ages 5-11, it is full of memory verses, coloring pages, Bible stories and studies, puzzles and games, as well as suggestions for cooking, sewing, craft, and other projects designed to help young girls gain proficiency in a variety of homemaking skills.

If you have a daughter or granddaughter this age, I suggest you check out this fun resource. It would make a lovely Christmas gift for the right girl. (One of my own granddaughters will be getting this copy in her Christmas stocking this year.) 😊

On the podcast this week:

Loving Life at Home: Episode 66 ​MARRIAGE TO A DIFFICULT MAN​ Living at peace with a spouse who is a fellow sinner is an undertaking full of challenges (just ask your husband)! But there are several things wives can do to make marriage to a difficult man a little easier and a lot more fulfilling. I hope you'll listen in as I discuss a long list of such suggestions on today's podcast. Listen Now

Progress on last week's goals:

I got a little sidetracked last week with projects that weren't on my published list, so I didn't finish all my stated goals, but made decent progress: I ✅ enjoyed a short trip to Branson, ✅ decorated the Christmas tree in our dining room, ✅ cleared more than 300 emails out of my inbox, and ✅ created some fun new Bible memory resources (although I ❌ have not yet added them to our shop).

Everything else is getting bumped to this week. And -- true confession -- my bedroom closet and desk both look worse now than when I started trying to organize them three weeks ago. But I'm determined to deal with the mess once and for all THIS WEEK. No more excuses!

Personal goals for this week:

• outline script for a STEM video I need to record before Thanksgiving
• make a new wreath for our door
• send a new memory challenge to family
• add Bible Memory print packs to our online shop
• wrap and send all Christmas gifts that need to be mailed
• send box of donations to Goodwill
• clear out desk and closet
• put up Christmas tree in the den