Unexpected Blessings

Sometimes when you start on a journey, you never know how the Lord will choose to bless you...and that was the case this year for our family. This past Monday we had the ultrasound for our little blessing on the way. My daughter, Elauna, has been praying for a baby sister. (She also prayed for twins in the beginning....I wasn't sure I was ready for two, but then she decided a sister would be fun). We kept telling her we would be happy with whatever God decided to give us. She would smile and say she would be happy, but that she still wanted a sister. We tried!!!

Elauna had big eyes in the office as the doctor started the ultrasound, and when the picture of baby showed up on the screen she was very excited. Frederick wasn't sure what he was watching, but at least the picture kept moving so he was interested. It didn't take long to find out baby's gender. I am always amazed at how God answer's little children's prayers, because we are having a girl. Elauna is SO happy she is having a baby sister. She was calling her Sissy Baby today.

Our little blessing is due December 1, but we are expecting somewhere around December 12 since I always go late....12 days late to be exact. They all have been healthy, so we are thankful.

Here is our beautiful girl!!

26 for the heart

Have you ever had times when you are so overwhelmed or burdened that you cannot remember simple things? I had a situation like this years ago where I woke in the middle of the night, and while I was trying to pray Scripture, I couldn't bring it to mind. This just made my situation worse. So I spent the next day putting a verse to each letter of the alphabet. (I use the alphabet as a mental trigger). I designed cards with each letter, so I could carry them with me, but I also memorized the 26. The Bible says to hide God's word in our heart so we might not sin against him. Now I always have at least 26 verses that I can pull to mind using the alphabet.


A - All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
B - Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved - you and your household. Acts 16:31
C - Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3
D - Depart from evil and do good. Psalm 34:14
E - Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right. Proverbs 20:11
F - For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
G - God is love. I John 4:16
H - Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up. James 4:10
I - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
J - Judge not and you shall not be judged; condemn not and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37
K - Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3
L - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30
M - My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8
N - Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5
O - Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. Hebrews 13:17
P - Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Psalm 103:1
Q - Quench not the Spirit. I Thessalonians 5:19
R - Remain in me and I will remain in you. John 15:4
S - So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31
T - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
U - Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it. Proverbs 16:22
V - Vengeance is mine; I will repay sayeth the Lord. Romans 12:19
W - Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind your saying, "This is the way, walk in it." Isaiah 30:21
X - eXamine me, O Lord, and prove me. Psalm 26:2
Y - You give me your shield of victory, your right hand sustains me. Psalm 18:35
Z - come and see my Zeal for the Lord. 2 Kings 10:16

a grateful wife

Jeremy had the opportunity to go to Whistler, BC for his birthday and ski where the 2010 Winter Olympics were held. He had such a wonderful time. Jeremy was powder skiing and had fresh snow on some of the mornings; the mountains looked amazing. (I'm not the world's greatest skiier, so I am glad he enjoyed himself.) Jeremy makes it look so effortless. 

Today is rather a quiet day, as I have just Frederick with me. Elauna was invited to help her Daddy deliver mulch today. She gets so excited about being Daddy's helper, and it is such a help to me as well. She is very proud of her Daddy, and is the only 3 year old I know who can name construction equipment and farm machinery when she sees them. My favorite is when she says excavator, as it comes out "es-cuh-bay-dor." What a doll.

I so appreciate all the hard work Jeremy does for our family, and the countless hours he puts in working. It is special to me that he takes our children with him, to teach them the value of hard work...which is best learned first hand.  Thanks honey, for being a great hubby!

gardening 101

I remember when I was growing up that my mom would plant a garden, and I seemed to take for granted how she did it. When I finally started planting on my own, I was a little in the dark about annuals versus perennials, zones, and other gardening basics. After my beloved flowers did not come up the next year, I learned the difference between an annual and a perennial. I love fresh produce, and am trying each year to get a better grasp on the green thumb, because it is my desire to grow my own food, preserve it, and provide fresh, healthy food for my family. I think there is great value in being self-reliant, and knowing the value of hard work. These are things I would like to pass on to my children.

So here are a few of those things in which I needed a refresher course:

• Annuals last only 1 year and the frost normally kills them. Most vegetables are annuals. Think petunias, geraniums, and sunflowers.
• Perennials come up every year. Think coneflowers, lilies, columbine, and hostas.
• Here in Ohio, we are in zone 5.
• Bulb depth matters here where it freezes, or your pretty flowers may not come back the next year.
• For those saving their seeds each year to plant for the next, you need to buy heirloom varieties. For example, tomato variety Mortgage Lifter is an heirloom variety that was developed in the 1930s. You can save the seeds and replant the following year. Non-heirloom varieties, or hybrids, will not reproduce. Heirlooms seeds are great for homesteaders planting each year. Check out www.heirloomseeds.com
• Sometimes you will come across the terms "determinate" and  "indeterminate" when ordering tomatoes, beans, etc. Determinate means that all the produce will be ripe at the same time...there is a determined end time. Some tomato varieties are determinate. Indeterminate means that the plant will continue to produce, either until the plant dies or there is a frost. (for Ohioans) Most bush beans are indeterminate. When a label says they will produce "all season long," they are indeterminate.
• Self-pollinating fruits trees are wonderful, because they do not need another tree to help them produce. If you buy trees that need a pollinator, make sure you get the correct match, and appropriate for your zone. We like fruit trees from Stark, as they are hardy and well grown when they arrive. www.starkbros.com

Happy planting....

the victorian bed

I like to look for good deals at garage sales, and this particular item I had driven past the entire Memorial Day weekend...trying to convince myself to stop. Finally, on the last day they were closing up and it was still there. A bed. It needed refinished and needed siderails, but I loved the way it looked. Victorian design, black walnut, double book-matched veneers, beautiful carvings...I had convinced myself to stop and make them an offer. And so I bought a bed for $150.00. I had thought it would be nice to give each of my children something that I had refinished with my own two hands; something they could appreciate and take with them later in life. This bed I chose for Elauna as it looked more feminine.

It sat in the garage for a year and a half (mostly because I was pregnant, then raising an infant and toddler) so the dedication wasn't there that I needed. Last fall I decided to tackle the job. I used blades and scrapers and stripped the bed...hours of handwork, then getting the small details ready before I sanded. My dad gave invaluable advice while I worked on the bed. (He is a Master patternmaker, and an extremely skilled woodworker. He makes using a chisel look so effortless.) I learned so much while I restored this project, and am pretty pleased with the results.

Jeremy sprayed each piece; the intial coat required another sanding, then two more top coats. He did a beautiful job! The bed is now in Elauna's room and she feels like such a big girl!

o sunny day

As I am eagerly anticipating the return of warm weather and sunshine, I was reminded of a warm day at the start of last summer. My hubby was working hard and I was home with our little ones, my daughter then 2 and my son, 6 months. We were sitting under our cedar tree, laying on the quilt and enjoying the breeze. Frederick couldn't crawl yet, so he just sat there smiling, his little bucket hat shading his eyes. Elauna had seen me watering flowers earlier in the morning, so she started playing with the hose and figured out how to operate the nozzle. She giggled each time she sprayed and then she decided to water everything....the grass, the sidewalk, and occasionally the flowers.

I pulled her toddler pool outside and showed her that if she sprayed in one spot, it would start to fill the pool. She wanted to go swimming. Though the water in the hose was cold by now, I thought it would warm up from the sun and she could wade later. I asked Elauna if she wanted me to get her swimsuit....of course! I ran inside and grabbed her suit and swim diaper and headed back to the door. In the short time, very short time, I was inside, she had taken off her clothes and was sitting in her little pool stark naked in only two inches of water.

raisin apple bread pudding

raisin apple bread pudding
4 cups white bread, cubed
1 cup apple, chopped
1 1/2 cups raisins
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup apple juice
1 1/2 cup carnation evaporated milk
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Combine bread, apple, and raisins in large bowl. Beat eggs in medium bowl. Stir in sugar, evaporated milk, apple juice, and cinnamon. Mix well. Pour egg mixture over bread mixture. Let stand 10 minutes. Lightly spray 9-inch square baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Pour mixture into dish. Bake in preheated 350 oven for 40-45 minutes or until set and apples are tender. Serve warm with ice cream. Yum!!!

when Real Simple was simple

Back in the day I used to subscribe to Real Simple magazine, and as it has been several years since my subscription expired, I decided to pick up a copy (and because I had a $1 off coupon).

Back in the day is was simple...beautiful photography, few ads, and the articles could easily be moved from print to life. Fast forward to today's Simple and it isn't so simple. Loads of ads, inserts, cluttered articles and very little stand alone photography worthy of the art desk. In fact, the best photos were clothing ads; no surprise.

With my vent session over, I will list my three favorite things from the April 2011 issue I purchased:

1. Kate Spade New York dress (don't worry...at $395.00 I won't be buying it as it is well out of my budget for a dress, but the bold print was eye-catching). Maybe I'll just make one like it!
2. Cottage entrance. Like the look for a garden shed. Stone steps leading to a white cedar shingle house, lite green door, pots of lavender and vines climbing from a terra cotta pot. Wellies on the step. Very me. Casual and comfortable.
3. So very wrong! A short blurb questions whether it was ethical to check your spouse's credit card and account balances. Seems it was only OK if you suspected him of acting in a fiscally irresponsible manner or running massive debts (and you were legally responsible of paying if he couldn't pay)....but you don't have the right without his consent. What has happened to marriage and finances??? Since when is it acceptable to live separate lives, unaccountable, untrusting of one another? Wow, I was blown away by such a tiny little article. BTW, a Christian marriage is where two become one, love, support, and share with one another....including finances.

So if you really want to have a real simple life, skip the magazine. Psalm 15 has always spoken a simple, yet strong message to me.

"Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, and who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man, but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his oath, even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken."

He who does these things will never be shaken. That's a promise!!!

manners

The recent Parents magazine had a list of 25 manners children should know by the age of 9. (Read it at www.parents.com/manners-list ). As I was reading over the 25 manners, it occurred to me that many adults do not even use appropriate manners. In this culture of have-it-quick, have-it-my-way, we have begun to let common courtesy and politeness lag, and the result is a disinterest in the effect our behaviour has on others. Courtesy and manners are especially important in the home, as it is the training ground for interaction with the rest of the world. When children are disrespectful at home, they will most certainly be in public, for there is a much larger and attentive audience for which they can "perform." I am constantly in awe of how perceptive little children are, even at a very young age, at noticing when you want them on their "best behaviour." And that seems to be when they test your sincerity and commitment to discipline. :-) (Experience talking....)

Some of the 25 I especially like, as well as a few we use in our home:

• When you ask for something, say "Please"; when receiving something, say "Thank you."
• "Yes, ma'am" and "Yes, sir" when an adult asks you to do something.
• Do not interrupt. If you need someone's attention, say "excuse me."
• Ask permission; do not assume you are allowed to do something. "May I please..."
• Do not comment on people's physical appearance unless, of course, it is to compliment them.
• Do not call people mean names or make fun. Teasing shows you are weak.
• Even if something is boring, sit through it quietly and pretend you are interested.
• If you bump into someone, say "excuse me."
• Cover your mouth when you sneeze; do not pick, scratch, etc in public.
• When an adult asks you for a favor, do it without grumbling and with a smile.
• Use eating utensils properly. Chew with your mouth closed. Elbows off the table.
• Keep a napkin in your lap; use it to wipe your mouth clean when necessary.
• Do not talk on the phone or text while at the table. Do not read at the table.
• Do not reach for things at the table; ask to have them passed.
• When you are a guest in someone's home, thank them for having you over and for the good time you had.
• Clean up after yourself. Do not leave a mess for someone else to clean.

I would like to add that there is a difference between having a mannerly child and stifling your child from having enjoyment in life. Children ought to enjoy life and childhood! I knew one mother when I was growing up who was so concerned that her son act properly that she would never let him get dirty, and she was appalled when he came home muddy from a scouting trip. There is a big difference between washing a pair of jeans, and asking forgiveness for a cruel word said. Perspective is a great clarifier. I would rather my daughter feel the joy of dancing at church (even though that might not be acceptable to everyone) than to stifle her and make her feel that church is all about performance.

From Proverbs..."Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

garden scrapbook and companion planting

I was updating my garden scrapbook today, and ran across my list of planting guidelines / plant compatibility. For those of you who don't have a garden scrapbook, it is a great way to keep track of all those plant tags, plant locations, etc....and it is even a neat way to track plants that have been given to you as a gift, or from a family garden. I cut out the nice pictures and descriptions in the garden magazines sent out each spring, as that normally covers most of what I need to know about the plant, and it only takes a small space in my book. I also sketch each garden and the location of plants. If I know the year I planted a tree or shrub, I put the date next to it as well. Just fun stuff like that!

As I mentioned at the start, I found my plant compatibility chart I made a few years ago....which I added to my scrapbook. Planting for compatibility is also known as companion planting, where plants are put near one another based on how they react to one another. (I will do a post later about planting by the moon and crop rotation) Following are a few of the most common:

• Beans - plant near corn, carrots, cabbage and tomatoes
• Carrots - plant near tomatoes, cucumber, peas, sage and onion
• Chives - plant near carrots, tomatoes; do NOT plant near beans or peas
• Corn - plant near beans, melons, cucumbers, peas, squash, sunflowers
• Dill - plant near cabbage family, corn, lettuce, onion; do NOT plant near carrots, tomatoes
• Peas - plant near corn, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes
• Peppers - plant near carrots, onions, basil, oregano; do NOT plant near beans
• Potatoes - do not plant near apples or pears
• Tomatoes - plant near cabbage family, carrots, asparagus, dill, basil, parsley, sage; do NOT plant near potatoes
• Watermelon - plant near mint, beans, corn, catnip, sunflowers; do NOT plant near potatoes

One aspect to note when planting next to one another is root depth. A shallow-rooted plant can normally be planted next to a deep-rooted one, because they will not interfere with each other. Some plants help repel pests or bugs, aiding the plants next to it. For example, Dill and Mints attract beneficial insects. Anise and Coriander also attract good insects. Mints spread, so they should be placed in a container before planted, otherwise they will take over....unless, of course, you want them spreading. If you just want pretty flowers in your vegetable garden, delphiniums, larkspur, marigolds, and roses are nice options that typically react well. Most herbs add a pleasing effect to a garden, with the softer leaves and delicate flowers. They also can react with vegetables, so plant them with an appropriate companion.

Fruit trees react to other plants and trees around them too. My mom planted a cherry tree when we were younger, and we never had any cherries. It was a few years ago that I read that cherry trees react negatively to nut trees, which would explain why we never had any cherries. Our little cherry tree was graced by a beautiful backdrop of oak trees, walnut trees, and hickory trees. The poor thing never stood a chance!

easter dress

All this rainy weather has me thinking of spring, lovely flowers, and Easter. I remember every year as a little girl looking forward to Easter as I would be able to put on my best dress for Sunday, and what fun it was to look extra special. My little doll and I went to the sweetest tea party today and it was so cute to see all the little girls dressed up like princesses, eating dainty hors d'oeuvres and sipping their raspberry tea. (Kudos to the ladies who made it so special for the birthday girl....you did a lovely job!)

My friend Jill inspired me today. As we were discussing sewing and patterns, it occurred to me that I might make my daughter's dress for Easter. Jill said she makes her things without patterns, and just makes it to her liking. Brilliant! I keep thinking I need to start with a pattern and make a variation, but I have a little model right in front of me I can simply fit everything to her size. So I begin today.

The dress is sketched and I have my material (from some in my to-use-someday-pile ... because it is so cute). Yea...nothing to buy!!! White crinkle material with brown polka dots. I am thinking a small waist with capped sleeves and fluffy layers for the skirt. Possibly some small flowers of the same material.

And if I'm very industrious, I'll make a matching one for Dollie.

thirty-one 26

I was reading through Proverbs 31 (v10-31) again this morning and I wanted to find one verse that closely fit my personality, to find the one that would describe me the best. I read each verse, and liked several, but I landed on verse 26. "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue." This suited me. And then it was as if a light bulb turned on and I saw Proverbs 31 in a whole new light. Each woman has a gift, spiritual and/or by a given talent, and this gift reflects who God has made her to be. The verses of Proverbs 31 represent several gifts, and the fruits thereof.

A few examples
Compassion, Helps (v20) she opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy
Craftsmanship (v13, 22, 24) works with eager hands, makes coverings for her bed, makes linen garments, etc
Leadership (27) watches over the affairs of her household, manages her servant girls

I believe this is a painting of a woman through stages of her life. The strength and energy of youth; the ingenuity and hard work of a businesswoman; the dedication and compassion of a mother; the wisdom and grace of a God-fearing wife. It truly is a beautiful painting.

God has gifted each woman and given her a task for a time. Sometimes we can wish away the "time" we are in for another. Embrace the time you are in and know God's will is for your complete trust in him as he guides you...guides me. Be confident of this, "that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion." (Phil 1:6)