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.