Saturday, December 13, 2025

Saddleback Leather





I love purses and bags!  I was excited to have the opportunity to review something from Saddleback Leather.  

As I took the bag out of the box, it smelled so wonderful.  I love the smell of leather! 


This is a very nice bag and looks to be well made.  It is a great size that is big enough to hold your important items but not overly bulky.  It's even a good size to carry a book along with you while you are waiting at appointments.  




Also it has a nice pouch on the inside plus notice there is one outside as well.  This bag has an adjustable strap too.  You can choose the color you want.  



Saddleback Leather has products for both men and women.  My husband was looking at the briefcases.  

Visit the website and find a nice gift for yourself or someone you love.  There is a range of prices for your budget.  They have backpacks, briefcases, totes, purses, travel accessories, notebooks, and more.  The sheepskin slippers look so soft and comfortable! 




About Saddleback: 
Saddleback Leather is not simply a brand. It is the realization of one man’s vision to build leather goods so durable and purposeful that they become part of your story. Founded in Texas, the company has made its mark by committing to full-grain leather, rugged construction, and no breakable parts. Their promise is bold: “They’ll fight over it when you’re dead.” That reflects the confidence in what they make and the legacy each piece is meant to carry. 

From backpacks and briefcases to wallets, belts, boots and accessories, every Saddleback Leather item is built to age beautifully and perform reliably. The brand stands behind its craftsmanship with a 100-year warranty, a rare guarantee that speaks to the quality of design and materials. 

Beyond material excellence, Saddleback Leather holds a deeper purpose. They integrate faith, service, and community into the business model, connecting each purchase with living out values that matter. Their Love 41 initiative partners with people caring for the vulnerable and marginalized.


Go here to purchase.  


#ChristmasGift #SaddlebackLeather #LeatherBag
Have a day of blessings! 
 Bethany

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Thankful Thursday







This week I am thankful for...

~ my husband checking on insurance prices for us and handling that.

~ when I see pictures of our oldest from FB memories and send them to him! How fast time goes!

~ when our DIL sends me pictures of the cats or dogs. One of the cats was in the (empty) dog water bowl resting in the sunshine.  

~ that our youngest got better after 4 days of sickness.  I'm thankful I could take care of him as well.  

~ being able to volunteer at school when the teachers had their Christmas party.

~ being able to buy presents for a couple senior citizens through a local program.

~ working on our Christmas letter/picture to get in the mail and finding Christmas stamps.

Enjoy the holiday season!







Have a day of blessings! 

 Bethany

Thursday, December 4, 2025

Thankful Thursday





December is here!  We have a cold day.  I've been keeping my robe on and enjoyed some hot cocoa. 

Today I am thankful for...

~ my husband putting out and checking the mouse traps (and emptying them as needed)....getting rid of them and making sure all the outside holes are sealed up.  

~ that our oldest got to go hunting as he loves to do after Thanksgiving.

~ another yummy bowl of soup for me from our DIL.

~ grin and excitement on the face of our youngest when he was decorating for Christmas.  

~ having things I've made to hang and use during the holidays as decorations.  I guess each year I add a little more.  

~ fun surprise in the mail from a friend who sent me things she makes....crochet and painting.

~ getting to order Christmas presents online and having the boxes start arriving! 



Have a day of blessings!

 Bethany

Monday, December 1, 2025

Giving Thanks Challenge 2025


A tradition I have in November is to post one thing I’m thankful for each day on Facebook.  

Giving Thanks Challenge
November 2025

1 ACU memories
2 the Bible
3 washing machine and dryer
4 my Dad
5 the moon
6 my van
7 our school
8 to have a phone
9  colorful fall leaves 🍂
10 marvelous Monday
11 ladies’ class
12 early dismissal day and porch talks with my sweet daughter in love
13  getting our family pictures back
14 new donations for OS dinner silent auction.
15 yummy lasagna dinner (and the lovely people we got to share it with)
16 the people who have helped with the goats
17 warm sunshine in the middle of November
18 the library
19 the sweet baby girl I got to hold
20 that my husband got a paycheck
21 Caleb…..for the days I get to see him and he unexpectedly comes in the house….for the blessing he is to us all and that he is helpful big brother. 
22 Titus….I’m proud of him for trying something new with showing goats….for his caring heart….for the joy he brings.
23 Sydney…for her love and support of Caleb….for the ways she is such a great “big sis” to Titus….for the encouragement she is to me. Thank you for being you, Sydney. 
24 for my husband ….. the way he takes care of me…prays for me…supports me in everything I do….makes my dreams come true…tells me I’m beautiful….asks me daily “how can I help you?”
While the shutdown was stressful, having him home was time I wouldn’t trade for anything.
25 getting to visit my Dad.
26 yummy treats from the bakery
27 my Mom fixing good food for lunch and the leftovers.
28 a day at home
29 to listen to Christmas music while I worked on Christmas things.
30 new battery for my van

Have a day of blessings! Bethany

Thursday, November 27, 2025

Thankful Thursday



Happy Thanksgiving!  Hope you have had a nice day.  

This week I am thankful for...

~ my sweet husband driving me to see my Dad and helping to work out the plan for that.  

~ our oldest helping his brother get the goats ready for the show and give him tips.

~ that our DIL liked her birthday presents!  

~ that our youngest felt better after having a stomach bug on Sunday.  I was glad I was able to take care of him.  We missed going to a family Thanksgiving though. Also, that I got to see him show his goats Saturday.  We are so proud of him doing something new and the things he has learned.  And that the goats cooperated.  

~ getting to see my Dad and spend some time with him in the rehab place this week.  I'm thankful he is doing well.

~ getting fun treats at two different bakeries while we were on our little trip.  

~ the good food my Mom made for Thanksgiving.  And the leftovers.





Have a day of blessings! 
 Bethany

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Thankful Thursday









~ that my husband got a pay check today after the shutdown.  I think it was October 14 we got the last partial one.

~ when I see pictures of our oldest from his sessions with the non-profit.

~ another birthday for our sweet DIL.  She is a blessing!

~ our boy being able to attend a goat clinic and learn new things and get some practice. 

~ that it was just wax in my ear and not an infection or something when it was feeling weird this week.  

~ working on Christmas picture card!  I'm already seeing sales so I'm going to get them ordered.

~ fruit pizza we had at church this week.  So good!  And they are pretty to make.




Have a day of blessings!
 Bethany

Monday, November 17, 2025

Children's book review: Kid the Goat Won't Wear His Christmas Coat




About the book:

This romping Christmas tale is a kid-approved reminder to wear your winter coat! Lana Stenner of the Grace-Filled Homestead (which is also filled with goats, chickens, and sheep) shares this hilarious story about a young goat who would rather stay in his pajamas than wear his coat at Christmastime.

Kid the Goat runs to the Christmas tree to open his presents and saves the biggest for last. What could be inside such a big box? After ripping off—and snacking on—the wrapping paper, Kid opens the box and finds . . . a winter coat. Clothes for Christmas? What a bu-u-ummer! When Kid refuses to wear his coat, Maa-a-a makes Kid stay inside while the rest of the family enjoys Christmas Day outside. How can Kid make ice skating, building snowmen, sledding, and caroling just as fun while inside the house by himself?

Filled with cute and cuddly artwork, this relatable and laugh-out-loud rhyming story

  • is for ages 0 to 4,
  • shows kids the consequences of not dressing for the weather, and
  • is a perfect gift for Christmas and Advent.

Grab a copy for your coat-averse children today. They will Totes McGotes love this book!


My thoughts:
The goat on the front and in the title caught my eye on this one.  How cute is the little goat in his pajamas!

The illustrations are fun in this board book that will be enjoyed by toddlers and preschoolers.  It has rhyming text.  

I feel like there could be several different lessons to create conversation with this book.  It is unclear which lesson the author is aiming to get across though in my opinion.  As a parent I would definitely want to talk about how Kid the goat was sassy and disobeyed.  I feel like the book would be better if it wasn't a board book and had a few more pages to draw out the story.  It felt rushed and in a hurry to end.  While the illustrations are cute and it could be a fun story with great Christmas time lesson, it feels like something is missing for me. 

It would be a cute stocking stuffer for a little one that likes goats.

I received a copy of this from the publisher and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

Have a day of blessings! 
 Bethany