Some Firsts...

Here is a glimpse of some of our firsts. 

My oldest sons first job is the ultimate first job.  Wouldn't you have loved to learn to ride and get paid for it?  I tell him all the time that I'm so jealous of this amazing opportunity that has been given to him...(I'm not really jealous...very happy for him.)  This is probably one of his favorite things about his first job....chasing the cattle.

My oldest sons first real cowboy shirt....which is required for him to show his market steer at the fair.  I'd say - he's one handsome cowboy!

Here is a first for me...cast iron pans!  I know that my dear friend over at:  http://mylifeonataffypull.blogspot.com/ will be so thrilled for us.  She got a set of cast iron a few months ago and loves them.  So here is the blessing in them - my husband was contracted to do some labor for the local food bank / thrift store and these pans came into the thrift store.  So he was able to barter some of his hours for them.  I was more than thrilled.  They are Lodge brand and are really heavy. 

Think my first meal in them will be eggs and sausage - oh, yum!  I have to look on-line to see how to clean and then re-season them as they need a bit of care. 

And lastly my first attempt at making an easy child's apron.  Easy because there is no tying bows so little people can easily slip the apron on.  Also, because it is lined I was able to make it reversible.  Gotta love easy!  Here is where I found the instructions for this apron. http://sewliberated.typepad.com/Montessori%20Childs%20Apron.pdf
Obviously I have a bit of adjusting to do...way to long and ummm well doesn't look very "manly" to me, even though the prints are airplane and fire.  My little guy was just thrilled though - because of the fire print - he thinks it is super cool! 

Thank you for stopping by - have a fantastic week. 

Another Finished Apron

You know the old saying "Diamonds are a girls best friend"....well my personal saying is "Aprons are my best friend". 

I LOVE aprons, as I've expressed in other posts.  Since I love aprons, I am convinced that a woman can never have too many aprons...and if anyone saw my apron stash they might think I've gone just a bit overboard!  One of the reasons I love to have a stash of aprons is - company!  If anyone shows up and I'm cookin' then they can pick an apron and join in the joy of cooking with me.

Since I stand in this conviction, anytime I come across cute material I instantly thing - APRON!!!!  This is what I thought when I saw this material.  I really like this cheerful material and really am happy with the way this apron turned out.  Think I might enter this one in the fair also.

Someday...someday when the Lord sees fit to bless us with a bigger kitchen this will be my kitchen colors...yellow and blue with splashes of rusted stuff here and there...and lots of chicken items (of course).  Not sure I could ever bring myself to actually cook anything in this apron so wouldn't it look cute just hung on a hook in the kitchen?  I could use it to serve in....teee-heee!

.






Here is what I did:  I made a pattern from an old apron I had (basically a square top and rectangle bottom), cut the pocket and belt loop from one of my scrap jeans.  I doubled the top to give it a heavier hold.  I added three layers of ruffles to give the apron a real feminine flair.  My favorite part of this apron is the tie.  I made the tie really long...like dragging on the floor long!  Why did I do this?  Because, I think a big bow and long ties make the apron!  This way I can bow it to the side, middle or wrap twice around and bow in the back...super cute right?  I also made a matching towel to hang in the loop...got the idea from looking at Jessie Steel aprons (wow these are amazing...but ummmm very spendy)

Do you have aprons?  What is your favorite pattern? 

Thanks for stopping by...have a blessed day!

Ahhh...Cherries

It is cherry season and my husband LOVES to can (aren't I a lucky gal)... 

We live in a farming community and one of the farmers has taken a liking to my hubby and for the past few years we have been able to have first pick at his orchard...and right now cherries are ripe for the pickin'.  He picked well over 30 lbs of cherries - yep you read that right!  So we've been a canning crew for a few days.


He even found this web site:  http://www.simplebites.net/?s=canning+cherry+pie+filling This is where he found this fantastic canned cherry pie filling recipe...and bonus we had enough left over from canning to try it out.  Let me tell you - this was the best cherry pie I've ever had (could have been the crust...teee-heee).  If you want a great cherry pie go to the link and follow the directions, it really is fantastic and easy!

If any of you know my husband, you know that even though he may love to can, his heart truly LOVES to have a well stocked pantry...because during the holidays he really enjoys a table filled with foods that we harvested and processed.  (Gosh, I love this attribute of my husband...suppose I should tell him!)

What have you been canning up?  Do you like to have a well stocked pantry?  Do you like having a holiday table filled with foods you grew, harvest and preserved? 







And this is what our children, (who did help pick, pit and process) did through out the 90 degree day.  Another "thank you" is due to my husband who sacrificed something really needed to keep a promise to his family...a promise made in the early summer to set up the pool.  It has been four summers since we have had this much fun in our pool...and we are so thankful! 

Lastly our daughter who has really bloomed in the kitchen over the past few months begged me to help her make cabbage soup for dinner.  We were given a cabbage from a neighbors garden so we fried up hamburger, added leftover corn, purple potatoes (I love using these potatoes - just look at the punch of color they added to the soup), as well as stewed tomatoes, yams, other veggies - oh, and wild rice.  It was very tasty - even though it was close to 90 degrees outside! 



Storms All Around...

Come visit me today over at:
http://www.renewinghousewives.com/2012/07/guest-postthe-peace-that-passes-all.html 

Where I'm guest posting and encouraging you to stand in the peace that passes all understanding...  See you there!

New Mother....

I love the glow that surrounds a new mom.  They are so excited at the anticipation of being a mother.  In my book being a mother is a high calling...the most important thing a woman can ever accomplish.

We have some acquaintances that just announced that they are expecting.

Not having a whole lot of resources at the moment I had to get creative so I could bless this young mother and knowing that her and her husband are very into the whole "green" movement I decided that she would love these....A complete set of "sanitary napkins" for after baby arrives, since her body will be cleaning the womb for a few days.

Set of four - two large and two small

One thing this couple has requested, is that any gifts be either used, recycled, or reclaimed.  So these sanitary napkins I made from scraps of material, old jeans, and used flannel.  The waterproof cloth was from lightly used baby changing pad.

I got inspired to continue the "green" theme, and made a bow from scrap material and used a grocery sack for wrapping the napkins in as well as making a cute little card. 

I'm not sure I'd make these for every new mother...but I might!  Using sanitary napkins are so healthy and eco-friendly (if your into that kind of thing).

My friend over at My Life On A Taffy Pull did a superb job on a post about sanitary napkins, here is a link to her post: http://mylifeonataffypull.blogspot.com/search/label/Health

I got my pattern from this web site:  http://home.comcast.net/~askpauline/crafts/pads/pads.html

The most comfortable material is jean, sweatshirt or flannel.  For the layers inside I use old towels or flannel.  For the waterproof material I've used PUL that I purchased at: http://www.sewbaby.com/shopbaby/index2.php?cPath=244_320 as well as using old baby changing pads (the kind that one keeps in the diaper bag for moments when there is no place to change a baby).  Depending on what I have I'll use either snaps or velcro to secure the pad.

I personally have been using home made sanitary napkins for about 7 years now and really like them.  I've never had any leaks.  My menstrual cycle has lessened over the years, the cramps are not as intense, and to be honest...the "smell" is gone.
Inspired?  Good!  Hope you make lots of pads, use them yourself and eventually make some for a new mother.

Modesty...Modesty...Modesty

Modest Maidens?   Shorts, skirts, pants, Bermuda shorts, capri, button up blouses, tank tops, swim suits, bikini's, the list goes on and on...so many opinions...what is one to do?  What is the answer to being a modest maiden? 

Modesty can not, and will never be defined because there are so many opinions about it.  Many preach that dressing immodest is sinful and unpleasing to the Lord.  Is this true?  Is it just about how we dress?  Or is it deeper than that?  Doesn't the Psalm 139:23 ask the Lord.."Search me oh God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts". 

This seems to be the hot topic in our little blogging world.  So many good posts have been published...ones I wish I would have saved and linked to.  In light of those posts, here is my two cents worth and I want to know your two cents worth - so please comment. 

The other day I listened to an acquaintance who expounded on the fact that she was brought up in a "Christian" home where modesty was applied in the strictest sense.  I listened to this gal explain that she was never allowed to let shoulders show, wear bikini's, short shorts, or even tank tops...she was lamenting the fact that she never experienced wearing such things and now that she was older and had lost weight and had "form" she wasn't going to hide her figure any more.... Quote, "I'm trying get over having to be modest all my life and am learning that I can be more free - after all I have a shape now and don't intend to keep it hidden"...Whoa Really????!!!!! 

Alarm bells went off as I looked over at my daughter who was intently listening to this "freedom from having to be modest" speech.  What was she thinking?  Seems as though more and more women are throwing off this "bondage of modesty".  But is it bondage?  Or is it beautiful freedom to be who the Lord created us to be.  Titus 2:5 "To be discrete, chaste..."

We dress modest...probably not as modest as others...but we are covered.  Our swim wear is basically swim shorts and swim halter top...modest right?  I don't think I even own a low shirt...or a tight pair of jeans (well not on purpose anyway - LOL too many cookies)...or a bikini.  I don't wear those things because I'm 40 something and feel very uncomfortable in them...and Titus 2 has convicted me to want to be a woman after God's heart.

My husband and I have always been careful to not let our daughter be "immodest" in her dress and now we see the benefit of doing this,  as at age 11 she is conscientious about how she dresses...but does she know why?  Or is she just dressing modestly UNTIL she leaves our home and can "throw off the modesty teachings".  Scary thought!  Will I one day see my daughter throwing off all modest dress because she saw it as bondage?  Or will she embrace it and enjoy being modest - seeing the beauty and protection in it?

I have always said that modesty is a heart issue...something that comes from walking in the Spirit...for if we are walking in this way our hearts will be modest, sensitive to the Spirits leading about dress, we will have hearts that follow and will be circumcised for Christ! 

There are those who dress modest yet have a heart far from the Lord - having a religious piety about them...while there are those who might wear a bikini - yet their hearts are striving towards Him.  I know a young mama who does wear a bikini, yet, she has a delightful Godly spirit and modest heart..a heart that is always striving to be a true daughter of the King. 

For the past month or so I have felt the Lord tug on my heart to study up on modesty.  As I ponder this issue I recall that not so long ago...about a 50+ years or so...all of us...you, me, the ladies at the beach, the ladies in the malls, the ladies at Bible study...we would all be considered very immodest.  So where does one draw the line?  What about men?  What if you were called to be a missionary in Saudi Arabia - you would have to wear more than a light dress or skirt on a 100+ day.  Being completely covered would be what you would wear or risk being offensive to those around you.  What about those women in Africa who wear almost nothing...but this is their culture...and if they don't they will overheat and cause skin infections. 

My question and concern with the modesty "mantra" being preached as sin is, will this "preaching" be life changing to a mama in Africa?  Will their hearts be won for Christ after they are dressed "properly"...does the Lord not love them just as much as He loves one here in America dressed modestly?  Where do we draw the line?  Are we missing the bigger picture?
 

My blessings, freshly soaked by the water sprinkler.

From a Godly man's point of view:  My husband says that modestly dressed women are more attractive and classy.  He would never want myself or our daughter wearing "scantily" dressed clothing or a bikini for the fact that there is so much immorality in our country.  So it is for our protection that he likes to see us dress modestly.

He also discussed with me how modest dressing can be used by others to manipulate and control.  When he was a young man, he dressed weird - tire tread jeans with huge holes, weird hair, mixed shoes...etc.., (not very manly or modest)...there were some who talked to the pastor about their concerns over his attire because he always sat in the front pews...he was a distraction they said...but what they failed to see was his heart and that he was bringing MANY to hear the word of God.  God was using this "inappropriately" dressed young man for His glory. 

Another point that we discussed was the issue of tightness.  Some clothing is very tight and shouldn't be warn...but what about the woman who gained some weight and there is no money to purchase new, better fitting clothing?  (I've been there and it is humiliating to have to traipse around in tight fitting clothing...getting the "looks" and feeling horrible because we really had no extra to spend on clothes for me...)  Before we judge someone we better stop that judgemental attitude and pray for them...pray for the Lord to open their eyes and for the Lord to provide what they need. 

So at the end of this post I have to conclude that modesty is an issue that is only between you and your Creator...not you and those around you...not you and the pastor's wife...not you and anyone else...simply you and your Creator - that is it! 
*Note:  As a married woman, God will speak through my husband about dress...and I need to listen to what he is saying...for instance my husband prefers jeans on me because skirts are not flattering.

Here is a blog I really appreciate, as this young lady is such an inspiration to those her age and even us older gals....her clothes are delightfully modest...but what is more is that her heart seems to be delightfully modest - LOVE IT!  http://freshmodesty.blogspot.com/ 
(Strawberry, I think you will really enjoy this blog...I thought of you while visiting it.)

A note to me from a friend:

"You wrote about your leanings toward Biblical modesty as a woman. I encourage you wholeheartedly in that direction. Our attire is such a statement about our principles and priorities. As mothers, we are setting the standard of a godly wife to our sons, and obviously also to daughters. I think of how I’m creating an appetite in my sons for the women they will be attracted to: Am I lovely in modesty? Am I delightful to be around? Do I care more about the standards around me or the standards God has given? Am I feminine (not frail!), which is naturally attractive to a masculine man? We are not just a shapely version of a man – we are created unique as women, and our family should see that God-ordained difference every day in their mother." - Well said dear friend of mine!

I really want to know your thoughts as I am going to begin a study...so please leave me a comment!  And as always thank you so much for taking the time to visit and read my post. 

Nothing to do...HA

Oh, what a glorious summer we've had....even though it hasn't really been "lake" weather.  For the first month my children were content to just "be", to not have an adjenda, to go explore the woods - which we live smack in the middle of....BUT...ahhh always a "but". 
These past few weeks have been "Can I watch a movie?...Can I play video game?.. - ugh over and over and over again these questions come at me from all four children.

During the school season my children are only alowed to watch or play video game on Saturdays only - and even then it is limited.  They must have thought it to be a "summer free for all" - well they were wrong!  I said "no, not today".  I got disobiedient replies..."BUT Mom there is nothing to do..." (not from my oldest) 

Look what my children did inspite of the fact that there was "Nothing to do...."

They went fishing - aren't they cute!  I love the creativeness and I love that they played "fishing" for well over an hour before going onto frog hunting...then on to a few runs in the sprinkler and other various "things" to do...

I found my oldest working in the garden while our daughter was busy with a craft. 

It was a perfect summer day!  I'm so glad I said "No"...I'm looking forward to many more perfect summer days.

Are you saying "no"?  Pray and ask the Lord for guidance on what to limit - He will faithfully show you.

Link-Up Treasure Trove

Wow wow wow!!!!  This week was an amazing week for "treasure". 

My favorite treasure this week is this beautiful bread box.  I will trust the Lord to someday fulfill my farm house dream so that this litte treasure will go perfectly in the kitchen...along with this nifty antique strainer...Yes, I'm one of those that goes "nutty" over antiques.  My husband introduced me to the beauty of antiques...it was during our "dating" months that he often took me antique shopping....and for our wedding gifts to one another, we purchased an antique trunk and a Greek Key patterned oil lamp while on our honeymoon.  The neatest thing about these two items is I know the house they came from...a beautiful rolling hilled farm with the perfect white with black trimed farm house on it, which is surrounded with big maples...oh it is beautiful!

These cards are so neat to me...not sure if I will use them or frame them to go with some "liberty" decor we have.

Here are the most amazing finds this week...clothing galore!  All these clothes were at the thrift store that my daughter and I volunteer at.  We were so blessed and bonus all most all of them fit perfectly.

What did you find this week?  If you want to share your treasures you should join us as we share over at  http://www.mylifeonataffypull.blogspot.com/

Don't be shy we'd love to see what the Lord is blessing you with!  While there snoop around...you will find more than treasure sharing and I guarentee you will be blessed and encouraged.

Sew Happy Finished Project

Sewing is one of my passions...especially aprons. 

It has been four long years since I sat at my sewing machine....life has been more than strange. 

I'm so glad to be back at it again...makes my heart sing. 

Since getting back into sewing I've sewn some fun projects, but this one has to be my favorite thus far.  Because it involved teaching my daughter the beauty of sewing.  She has sewn very small, no pattern or instructions to follow type sewing projects.  So this was a big project for her.

She helped me make a pattern from one of my aprons.  We drew what she wanted the end project to look like...this included where she thought the pockets, embellishments like buttons and the big bow should be placed, as well as where to add a ruffle.

Something new for me was using piping.  I googled how to attach and finish off piping - amazing how much you can learn just by typing in simple words.  So this part of the project was a new learning experience for us both.  We both really like how the piping set the ruffle off from the apron skirt...thinking piping is my new best friend! 

Since this was her project for learning, I asked her to do most of the tracing, cutting, pinning and sewing from start to finish.  She learned about adding pleats (don't ya just love pleats), how a lined project will lay nicer, and how finishing touches like top-stitching make the project have a "fancy" flair.



Adding buttons...see the piping?

I'm so proud of her and know she will be a master seamstress someday.

Homemaking Is For Life

Renewing Housewives: Homemaking Is For Life#c7092534930776496697

Ohhhhhh...I really love this post!  My heart just rejoices with this beautiful list...why because our Lord values us so much, and He knows we can do it...for His glory! 

Here is what I wrote in response to the above post: 

I have a LOT of work to do....we went grocery shopping yesterday and since my husband was with us and really dislikes grocery shopping because he gets "bored" - I gave him a list of his own and we had a race to see who could make it to the check-out the first - HA!  Anyway, why do I have a lot of work???  In my husbands cart I noticed a lot of easy, fast, packaged foods (yuko - things I would never never never purchase)...I didn't say anything in the store but asked him why on earth he purchased those items?  The answer was SHOCKING...the answer he gave made my heart sink!  He looked at me and smiled and said..."I was just trying to make your job easier because last week you COMPLAINED about having to be in the kitchen ALL THE TIME...eeek!!!!!  Ohhhhhh I did complain about being in the kitchen all the time...I did complain about having to make all of our meals from scratch...I did complain...and my dear husband was listening and wanted to solve it - but what I got from complaining was what I've been avoiding all these years...yikes! 

If my husband was listening....hmmmm so were my children...I have a LOT of work to do and will be praying for the Lord to give me a cheerful heart while doing it! 

The truth is I love cooking and baking for my family...I love feeding them well with healthy, "scratch" meals...ugh I wish I would never have breathed those complaints! 

The past few meals I have been voicing how I love cooking and making them healthy meals...how it makes me happy to fill their bellies.

One day there won't be the big meals, one day there won't be the messy house and piles of laundry, one day my house will be a "museum".  My hearts desire is for my children to have fond memories of good, healthy foods eaten in a delightfully cleaned and organized home...which they helped keep!  One day I want my children to WANT to bring their little ones to "grandpa's and grandma's house" because I will involve their children in all that I do...and I want to be the fun, joyful grandma who has a joyful twinkle in her eye!

Thankfulness and joyfulness is what the Lord wants from me...He wants me to learn to be content in all things - especially in my God given right as Keeper!

Hope you enjoyed the post at Renewing Housewives as much as I did.  I hope it encouraged you to be the woman God called you to be!

Training My Son

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." - Proverbs 22:6  

Every day...all day we are either training our children to be about their Lord's business...or training them to be about their business.  Here is an example of how to train your children to be about their business...may it give you wisdom and encourage your heart to choose a better way...to train them to be about the Lord's business.

 I was gone helping out at the thrift store for about four hours.  On my arrival home my very sweet and compassionate son came skipping down the hill where he and his father were working on setting up new cow fencing...he came into our home saying "Hi MOM" and proceeded to walk across the room...in his dirty shoes...and reached out to give me a hug with his dirty self (he was filthy)...and did I return his joy at seeing him?  Did I reach out to receive his precious gift of a welcome home hug?  Did I train him correctly - teaching him that people are more important than dirt?  NOPE...I did not!  Instead I said, "Oh, you are so dirty...outside with you"....My face was not full of joy - there probably wasn't even a smile on it...instead I'm sure I had a scowl that said "ugh..more dirt to clean up"!
 

"These are the ones who give without counting the cost."

I should have had a face full joy to see my son who so loves and accepts me...he tells me often that I am beautiful ( even when I've been working out in the garden and am covered in...DIRT ) and that he loves me.

You should have seen his shoulders droop, his eyes shadow, his smile diminish...all because of a little dirt!  What I wouldn't give for a "start over" button..."re-do"..."scratch that moment"...but the damage was done.

Wow, I failed big time!  I did apologized and explained to him that I was wrong and should not have worried about the dirt...but oh, I will never get that moment back again.  And I trained him to think being clean and "perfectly" presentable is how you will be accepted and loved...oh the damage! 

However, I believe the Holy Spirit pricked my heart right then and there and I was able to take a broken hearted boy, who had been rejected by his mom, and turn it into a lesson.  A lesson that showed my son that dirt is just dirt...and that people are valuable. 

This outcome would not have come about if I had not been seeking the Lord, reading His word, and asking Him to create in me a clean heart - daily.  Do you have a heart that is walking after His spirit?  Whom will the Lord send your way today?  Whom do you need to ask for forgiveness from? 

Mamas - treasure your moments with your young men, don't throw them away like I did, cherish them, embrace them...ask the Lord to help you to train them. 

For these young men, the ones who are so loving and compassionate, are our doctors, teachers, veteranarians, pastors...these are the men that fall on the grenade to save the battalion...these are the ones who give without counting the cost, because their mamas trained them to be about their Lord's business.

All my "men" going for an overnight camping trip

Would You...Could You...Stand Guest Post...

Home Sweet Home

Would you...could you stand with your man if you were asked to go where you did not want to go? What if going would make your relationship stronger in the Lord? What if going would mean that you would have to learn a completely new way of living...off grid? What if going would create in you a clean heart - just like you had been praying all these years? What if going would mean that ALL of your "stuff" would be in storage for years? What if going would mean no more favorite things like sewing, baking when you wanted, or scrap booking? What if going would bring your family closer together - even though you would not see it for many years? What if going would bring immense stress on your marriage? What if going would make you think thoughts you never thought you'd ever think? What if going would teach you what it means to have a heart that cries "Your Will Lord, Not Mine?"

From this lovely home...

Want to finish?  The rest of  my message is here at http://www.renewinghousewives.com/, where I'm guest posting today - such an honor.  Please come on over and visit me there.  I hope what I have to say will inspire you to stand for God's word!

Beyond Treasure...Blessings

As most of my treasure hunting has been...a huge blessing.  This is yet another one of those "blessed treasure" kinda posts. 

My daughter and I have been volunteering at our little thrift store in our little town...and have been blessed big time!  We aren't volunteering to get "things", we are doing it because it is something we love to do...organize and clean!  We have been blessed by helping people find things they need and blessed by finding some treasure for us too. 

One huge blessing...a box FULL of home-made aprons just waiting for us to discover them.  They are from the 50's and are so delightful.  My daughter and I went ga-ga over them...aren't they adorable!



These are my favorites...especially the blue one!

I have looked all over the web for this pattern...voila! 
Now I can wear this pretty green one and make a pattern from it for future aprons...how cool is that?

They belonged to the lady who owns the thrift store.  Some of them were made by her aunt.  I was more than thrilled to know who used them before me...I love nostalgia!

Speaking of aprons have been working on this one with material and notions which I received for next to nothing from various places.  I made this reversible.  I even made up my own pattern, traced from one of my "trusty" aprons.  I used old jeans for the ties, neck straps and a fun pocket on the red one.  I love embellishments so I used buttons at corners and such...I think it turned out so very cute.  I don't think I'll wear this yet so I can enter it into our one day fair.

And these are my three trusty aprons that have seen me through failed bread, glorious cupcakes and special dinners!  These aprons have a special place in my heart as they were given to me by three special people...a friend whom I'm so blessed to still have in my life (cancer survivor), my husband,  and another special friend - here is her blog spot:  http://intercessionwithsally.blogspot.com/.

I also found this gorgeous plate.  It will go great with my favorite print of George Washington crossing the Delaware.

And lastly...be still my heart!!!  I love bucket hats! 

What treasures did you find this week?

If you need some inspiration to get out there and go treasure hunting here is a great place to find that inspiration:  http://www.mylifeonataffypull.blogspot.com/

Thank you for stopping by and have a blessed day!