It's Thanksgiving week here in the USA which adds its own set of goals into the usual mix.  It will just be Ken and I around our table this year but that is not stopping me from going big with our traditional dinner.  Yes, we will have lots of leftovers because I love stuffing so much, and it tastes so much better cooked in the bird, that I always get the largest that will fit into my oven.  I am that person.  I am perfectly fine with eating leftovers for awhile and not having to spend time out of my day cooking.  It's how I normally operate anyway.

But there are other things I need to accomplish this week as well.  All too soon after Thanksgiving on Thursday comes Dec 1st.  A whole new set of activities come with Advent, but I am getting ahead of myself.  Dec. 1st is also the release of the final block in this year's BOM, Star Light, Star Bright.  So, near the top of my list is getting that blog post written.  I have some items to get out to my pattern testers as well.  And this week I also have some newsletters to write- for my own newsletter, ans I also do the newsletter for our local Audubon chapter.

I am trying to get back into the Flylady habit.  For those that are not familiar, Flylady is a site dedicated mainly to keeping a clean home.  This week she has us focused on the master bedroom...I will be doing a LOT of de-cluttering in there for sure.  It seems to be my dumping ground when I don't want to take time to find a proper home for things.

With the coming of winter comes my commitment to doing a citizen science project Ken and I have participated in for the last two years.  Winter Raptor surveys.  We have two routes that we cover which total almost 200 miles.    The purpose of this survey is to collect data on the numbers of raptors, (hawks, eagles, owls) that winter in the area.  The area being covered extends from our home state of Oregon into California, Washington and Idaho.  Our area of the state is the winter home to hundreds of Bald Eagles so we get such a thrill going out to see how many we can see.  And then there are the occasional surprises of rare bird sightings as well.  We will need to fit that in this week as well.

Somewhere in there I need to make time just to relax and do something that restores my soul as well.  So, all in all, I think I have plenty to keep me busy this week.  I have laid out my plan.  Now on to meeting the goals I have set for myself.  What do you have on tap to accomplish this week?

How did you do on this week's goals?  I cannot share many of mine as they are for future publication.  However I did spend some time this week learning my way around a new publishing program I am using and among other things came up with a couple of Thanksgiving themed images. You can download them by clicking on the photos below. 
These are jpeg files (photo files).  They need to be printed in landscape mode and I get the best results by using photo paper.   You can print them any size; it will work as as long as the dimensions stay the same...6 x 4, 7 x 5, 10 x 8, 13 x 11, etc.   This is something new I am trying, sharing photo files.  When I tested it what worked for me was to save the file to my computer and then print it from there.  The photos you receive will not have my watermark on them like they do here.

Hard to believe the end of November is fast approaching.  Still so much to do, but each day I make a little more progress towards my goals and I have to constantly remind myself that God's grace is sufficient for each day. 
I find myself struggling with distractions.  Not important distractions, just little things that end up eating way too much time out of my day.  I have identified the culprits, now I just need the will to overcome.  I know these particular distractions are just a temporary reprieve that ultimately do not bring lasting joy.  And while they are  not bad in and of themselves, they do keep from things that should be the main things in my life right now.  I see I already have the makings of one of next week's personal goals.
How did your week go?.  Did you accomplish what you set out to do?  If not, can you identify what got in your way?  I really do want to hear from you. I really do mean it when I say let's share our struggles in this area and support and encourage one another along the way.

Did you miss the We Can Build a Snowman BOM?  Now is the time to pick up the pattern.

Do you need some small gifts to share?  I recommend my Nordic Christmas ornament series.  They can also be put together to make a cute table topper like one of my pattern testers, Susie, did with her blocks.

Or maybe you just want to join me in being more productive with one of my 2021 Daily planners.

Whatever you decide, you will get 30% off your total order by using the coupon code "blackfriday" through the end of November. And you can use it as many times as you like. I hope you will find something to add to your quilting pleasure this holiday season.  Thank you for being here with me on this quilting journey!