Hello, Reader.

Happy Veterans Day! Today we honor the members of our US Military who've so selflessly fought to secure and protect our God-given rights as enumerated in the Declaration of Independence. These, of course, include the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

I know I already shared some free Veterans Day resources last week (though they've been updated since then), so this week I'd like to focus on the last part of the list above: the pursuit of happiness.

What is happiness? Where, ultimately, can we find it? And why does happiness seem to elude so many people?

Those are the topics of this week's link list, along with some free printables related to that same thing. I pray God grants you every blessing that will lead to your true and eternal happiness! ❤️

Free resources for you this week:

• ​How to Find Lasting Happiness: 6 simple secrets of extremely happy people
• ​50+ Happiness Quotes: several dozen of my favorite quotes & verses about joy & happiness
• ​Joyful Heart Coloring Page: "a joyful heart is good medicine; a broken spirit dries up the bones"
• ​Happy Face Bookmarks: these bright colors & Bible verses will put a smile on your face
• ​Hints for Happier Home Life: for any mom who craves a calm, peaceful, joy-filled home
• ​Joy to the World Pennant Banner: in case you want a head-start on decorating for Christmas
• ​Rejoice and Be Glad Coloring Page: because you always have a choice to complain or rejoice

What I'm reading this week:

I purchased a copy of The 7 Skills to Lasting Health by Pearl Barrett and Serene Allison at a homeschool conference this summer, but am only now getting around to reading it. It offers a concise, well-organized summary of the principal tenets of the Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle. I never felt like taking time to read the enormous tomes these girls have published in the past. But I enjoyed hearing them speak at the coference and appreciated this new quick, easy read with so many common sense suggestions for healthy living.

What we're watching this week:

My husband took me to see Jimmy in theaters over the weekend. I've long been a fan of Jimmy Stewart's films and have enjoyed many of the 80 films he made over the years. That includes, of course, an annual viewing of his personal favorite and mine, It's a Wonderful Life.

I knew he fought in WWII, but didn't realize before seeing this movie that he remained in the reserves and flew his last mission in Vietnam.

This week's reader request:

I'm already receiving requests, not just for my free printable 2027 calendars (which have been out for over a year already), but for my 2028 calendars, as well. I finished those this week, so if you like to plan waaaay in advance, they're now ready and waiting for you on the blog.

On the podcast this week:

Loving Life at Home: Episode 121 ​FREE PRINTABLES & OTHER RESOURCES​ I’ve had several different people tell me they've only recently “discovered” my library of free printables, so I decided to raise awareness while answering the messages on that topic that have been piling up in my inbox lately. Tune in for all the details (or read the full transcript for Episode 121 below show notes). Listen Now

Progress on last week's goals:

I only finished half of last week's to-do list: I ✅ recorded an interview, ✅ finished craft fair​ projects, ✅ printed ​conversation starters​ for craft class, and ✅ did some more (but ❌ didn't finish) my Christmas shopping.

However, I have not ❌ put up my Christmas tree, ❌ recorded any Christmas letters​, or ❌ posted any product reviews. And I'm not adding any of those things to my list again until I first mark off the following goals....

Personal goals for this week:

• participate in Handmade Holiday Craft Fair​
• attend Pajama Day at our homeschool co-op
• finish remaining Christmas shopping
• finish writing annual Christmas letter

If you enjoy this newsletter and would like to support my work, there are six ways for you to do that:

1. Say a prayer for me & my family 🙏
2. Invite a friend to subscribe to this newsletter 📭
3. Subscribe to my podcast on your favorite platform 🎧
4. Follow me on Instagram 📸
5. Buy & review one of my books 📚
6. Hit reply and tell me your favorite section of my newsletters ❤️ (I'm planning for next year and want to make sure I serve my readers well. Is there something you'd like me to add? take out?)

Thanks so much for all your help! I'll be back next week with more links, reviews, and resources. If you have any special requests, hit reply and let me know. 😊