Day 3 of Femine Attire

Day 3 of Femine Attire

Wednesday March 25

Today my dear husband wants me to

get the lettuce in the ground. We are

getting our spring planting done. I figured

its moist outside what a good day for planting.

The garden is starting to come alive here on the

east coast. Although, this is one of our first days

of rain. Not a very wet spring so far.

The beige skirt I am wearing I found at a thrift

store. It works for just being around the house.

I like to wear brown in all various ways.

I like being a lady even when I am out in

Gods kingdom.

Day 2 Femine Attire

Day 2 of Femine Attire

Tuesday March 23

Being a keeper of the home can be so rewarding.

Today I am feeling very relaxed and I am looking

forward to some time sewing. The one rule about

sewing time is I have to make sure the kitchen is

clean and the counter is clear.

This frees my mind up from the acitivites in the

kitchen.

The black skirt I am wearing I

made at christmas time. It is just

a drawstring skirt just a little

different from my jean skirt from

yesterday. It is very free flowing

and this one is also lined.

A keeper of the home has the freedom to use her

time as she chooses.

We can learn to make things and be creative. We just have

to be willing to put the time in.

Day 1 of Femine Attire

Day 1 of Femine Attire

Monday March 23

Today is Monday and we are busy this morning.

I went out to feed chickens and ducks at 8 am.
Then I came in and had breakfast. My jean skirt
works perfect today.

Doing outside work in the morning. This skirt gives me plenty of room to
work in.



My jean skirt was one of my first types of skirts I made.
It is a simple skirt and relatively fast one to make.
Below I am working on making some sandwich bread.

My Week of Femine Dress

My Week of Femine Dress

Friday March 20

For the next week I will post pictures of my femine attire. I will be taking a break on my
normal schedule of topics.

Below is a link to Emily's blog, as this was her idea of hearing from other ladies who dress in femine attire.
http://emsbingy.blogspot.com/2009/03/week-of-femininity.html


As a little girl I loved dressing up and always wearing a dress. My mom never
seemed to mind as she was seamstress. I would love to be in the kitchen
with my Mom. Learning to cook at a very early age probably gave me
great pleasure in making things in the kitchen.

This little girl reminds me of my Mom sending me to get apples
for dinner.

Little Girl Clutching Apples, 1895

Frugal Tip of the Week

Frugal Tip of the Week

Wednesday March 18





Frugal is what I have grown up with. As an adult I strive to continue to be frugal. Three years ago when my son Andrew decided to go to a christian college. I knew my frugal ways were
going to be put to the test. Today we are able to send our son to Philadelphia Biblical University. When he started talking about going to this school I told him it was to expensive.
We could never afford for him to go there. Andrew is now a been there for two years. We have managed to pay for his school so far due to being frugal.

I must tell you that God continues to show me ways where I am spending and could be saving.
Everyday I must ask myself whats really important. Sending my son to college is very important as God is training Andrew to effect his generation.











One of my favorite blogs to read I have a link below.
The title of her topic is "1001 ways to save money"
Although I do not agree with everything she says but, overall she has very good points.


http://togodbethegloryhomemaking.blogspot.com/2008/12/1001-ways-to-save-money-frugal-living.html



.

What do I know of Calvary Love

In The Orangery

Monday March 16

IF

If I belittle those whom I am called to serve,

talk of thier weak points

in contrast perhaps with what I

think of as my strong points;

if I adopt a superior attitude,

forgetting "who made thee to differ?

and what hast thou that thou hast

not recieved?"

than I know nothing of Calvary Love.

IF by Amy Carmichael

Sewing

Sewing

Thursday March 12

Sewing my new skirt. This is the second time

I have used this pattern. The first time was an

experience. Now that I made it twice I feel I am

learning new techniques. This skirt has a waist band

a zipper and pockets. Below are a few pictures to show

some detail I added with this tool I have for making binding.

I also lined the skirt as I feel it helps the way your finished

garment looks. The material is a linen I picked up and the

lining is made from broadcloth.

I have decided to make it one more time. Till the next project gets

finished.

Frugal Tip of the Week

Old Mason Jars

Tuesday March 10
Frugal Tip of the Week


Mason Jars what can we do with them?



I use them to store anything from beans,

grain, milk I buy from the farm, left overs.

You get the idea!

The one good reason I like to use mason jars

is that they are glass. The don't keep smells

in and you can sterilize them.

The second good reason is they take up less

room in the refrigerator or cabinet.

The third good reason is I just like the way

they look in my cabinet.

The only bad part I see in using Mason Jars

is they do break. So, be careful about putting

them in your dishwasher if you use one.

The old stand by of washing by hand will

keep their life longer.


I have to tell you I am always on the search for Mason

Jars. Where I live people are always throwing them

away. My husband goes on craig's list as you can list

items for sale or for free.

Pioneer women used what they had and never

threw anything away!

What do I know of Calvary Love

Black Brook

If

I have not compassion on my fellow servant,

even as my Lord had pity on me,

then I know nothing of Calvary love.

Taken from IF by Amy Carmichal

Frugal tip of the week

Frugal Tip of the week

Chili for dinner. This was my quick dinner. Due to it being

Monday and everything is in disray. I knew I needed something that

did not take a long time to make.

I had ground pork in the freezer. That was taken out

early in the day. This way it could defrost with out

any help. Sometimes in the past I used the microwave

to help defrost frozen items. Due to my vow of

not using the microwave.

This perty much freed my day up. Technically, I did not

start dinner until 430.

I took the cast iron pan and heated it up.

While, the pan was heating up, I began chopping one small onion

and two garlic cloves. When, the pan was heated I added olive oil

to the pan and then toss any the onion and garlic. Let that saute

for a couple of minutes. I took my cooked pinto beans out of the

refrigerator and drianed them from their juice. The amount was

3 cups of dried beans, which I cooked a couple of days in advance.

Add all of the beans except 2 cups and reserve them.

While the beans are sauteing I open a can

of whole stewed tomatoes and tossed 3/4 of them into

the magic bullet. The vegatables have now sauted, now I added a

little corn meal and some extra olive oil. Let this simmer for a couple

of minutes, then add your broth. Oh no, you don't have any.

I solved that problem, the night before we had pasta and I saved

the water. Which by the way acts as a thickner along with the

cornmeal. Now, add your tomato mixture, along with oregano, cumin,

salt ( I use Kosher salt due to it being larger so you don't use so

much.)Let this simmer on low. Then add your beans

While this is simmering I mixed up corn bread.

Turn your oven on now so the oven will be heated by the time

your finished mixing.

This is my all time favorite corn bread recipe.

From Marsha Adams book of Heirloom recipes.

1 1/2 cups of cornmeal

1 cup of flour

1 1/2 tsp of baking soda

1 tsp of baking powder

1 tsp of salt

1 1/2 cups of buttermilk

1 egg

5 Tablespoons of oil( Canola or corn)

3 Tablespoons of honey

While my oven is heating I take my square cast iron pan out

and put it in the oven to heat. When its hot I put a tablespoon

of bacon greese in the pan. Now, where did I get that from.

The last time you made bacon for your family for breakfast what

did you do with the greese in the pan. I don't throw it away, I get a

jar out and pour in the greese. Put it in the refrigerator for safe

keepings. Now, I put the bacon greese in the pan and it melts

since the pan is already hot. Smear it around so the whole pan

is well greased. Now, your pan is ready as soon as your done

mixing the batter. Just remember when your mix together the

dry and wet ingredients don't over mix. This is where you could

end up with a dry cornbread. The cornbread is baking in the oven.

Mash the reserved beans and add them to the pot which also adds as

a thickner. Just continue to simmer while the cornbread is cooking

and your done.

When the men walk into the house, what a great smell they get as

theycome home from the office.

It is now time to eat.

Now for the cost of dinner.

My organic pinto beans cost me 1.19 a lb when I bought in bulk.

I bought organic ground porkfrom a local farm. That cost me 9.00

and the tomatoes cost me 2.29 due to having already run out of my

own canned tomatoes. But, I did not use the whole can. Cornmeal

which was used as a thickner is a staple item I keep in the house.

Olive oil is also a staple food. Since, I don't buy stock and used

the pasta water that didn't cost me anything. I would say

this is a frugal quick dinner.

Corn bread is also a frugal item to make. It will also fill

everyone up and it makes everything smell nice.

What Do I know of Calvary Love

There are times when something comes into our


lives which is charged with love in such a way that


it seems to open the Eternal to us for a moment, or


at leaset some of the Eternal things, and the greatest

of these is love.

It may be a small and intimate touch upon on us or

our affairs, light as the touch of the dawn wind on the

leaves of the tree, somethin not to be captured and

told to another in words. But we know that it is our

Lord. And then perhaps the room where we are with

its furniture and books and flowers, seems less "present"

than His Presence, and the heart is drawn into that

sweetness of which the old hymn sings



The love of Jesus, what is is

None but His loved ones know.



Or it is the dear human love about us that bathes

us as in summer seas and rests us through and

through. Can we ever cease to wonder at the love

of our companions? And then suddenly we

recognize our Lord in them. It is His love they

lavish upon us.

O Love of God made manifest in Thy lovers,

we worship Thee.

Or (not often, perhaps, for dimness seems to

be more wholesome for us here, but sometimes,

because our Lord is very merciful) it is given to

us to look up through the blue air and see the love

of God. And yet, after all, hoe little we see!

"That ye may be able to comprehend what is the

breadth and length and depth and height and to

know the love of Christ which passeth knoeledge"

the words are to great for us. What do we comprehend,

what do we know? Confounded and abases, we enter

into the Rock and hide us in the dust before the glory

of the Majesty of love the love whose symbol is the

cross.

And a question pierces then:

What do I know of Calvary love?


Written by Amy Carmichael
Taken from the book IF

Making a nightgown

Making a nightgown

For the past couple of weeks I have been slowly working on a

new nightgown. No pattern, my husband said, just use the old one.

The first week I slowly took apart the nightgown. My husband told

me he originally paid 40 dollars for my favorite nightgown. That price

alone kept me inspired to make this nightgown.

The original nightgown was a very thin knit. The stores call

that a winter material, it did not keep me warm. Due to heating

with only wood we keep the upstairs cool.

The second week I began cutting the material for the new nightgown.

The third week the nightgown started to go together quite easily.

I started with the bodice and did the basting all at once.

Since, the original garment had slits at the bottom of the nightgown

I kept it that way. After sewing the bodice together I basted the

slits and then sewed them. The one thing I have learned about

sewing with knits is basting always helps keep the material in place.

Then came the arms, after sewing the arm material together

I basted the hem of the sleeve. Before, putting it on the machine

I loosened the tension on the machine. Then, sewed the hem on the sleeve.

The last part putting binding around the base of the neck line.

To cut the binding out. First , I cut the material on the bias.

Then, I ran it through my liitle tool I have. Which makes it

quite easy to make bias tape.

The one thing that seemed to take me a long time was putting

the binding around the collar area of the garment.

I wanted to mention the lady who sparked my interest in making

my nightgown. Below is the link to her blog.

Thank you for the inspiration.

http://suchtreasures.com/2008/09/16/how-to-make-knit-nightgowns-from-thrift-store-heets/

Money Growers Manual

I came across this picture what an idea.

Selling plants and vegetables

from your backyard. I always have lots of left over plants, why not sell

the extras. Last year I potted about 15 chive plants that had grown in

a herb bed. Growing scented geranium plants is another novel

idea I had.

I am always propagating these little gems. Right now I have all my

geraniums in my bathroom where there is lots of light. Plus it is cool

up there, geraniums do not like the heat of the house.

Last year I was at a garden center and they were selling one of my

geraniums for 15 dollars a piece. I bought one of those plant from a

mail order catalog called Select Seeds. They only sell heirloom plants

and seeds. For 5.00 dollars I purchased one of three varities and I am

propagating these little gems.

We will see what this growing season will bring us.

Geneticaly Modified Foods

Geneticaly Modified Foods

Watch this video!

If we care about the foods that we eat!

Action needs to be taken!

http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=35a4l23hf9

Giveaways

Giveaways

I ran across this blog the other day and wanted to share.

This blog talks about authors such as Amy Carmichal whom I love

to continue to learn from. Elizabeth Printisss is another author she

talks about and my daughter and recently finished reading Stepping

Heavenward. This was truly a inspiring book to read for me as well

as my daughter. Elizabeth Elliot is another author I have read, she has

a book called Let Me Be Woman. These are all great books for the woman

seeking to live for Jesus Christ.

Below is a Giveaway this blog is giving away.

Just thought I would share!

http://www.xanga.com/a_sweet_fragrance

Giveaway! Free Downloadable Book by Elizabeth Prentiss
I own a small book that is a collection of poems and writings by Elizabeth Prentiss. It's called Thoughts Concerning the King and it is not currently in print. This book has blessed me tremendously, so much so that I have decided to share it with as many people as possible this week! I have scanned this old book and created an ebook from it.
This is a "free for all" giveaway! That means that anybody who asks for this ebook between now and 8 pm on Saturday, February 7, will receive it!

Path to Freedom

Path to freedom

This is the name of this video I came across.

What can we do this year?

Check this video out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCPEBM5ol0Q&feature=PlayList&p=33B0FAF643177515&index=0

Now tell me will you ever look at your front lawn the same?

Food or grass!

Making Clothes

I wanted to share with you some sewing projects from this past year.

This outfit was made for christmas. My mom

always made us a new outfit for christmas.

I was very pleased with the way this outfit came out.

Learning to sew with knit was just one more technique for

me to learn.

My husband and I took our family to a musical concert at my son's college.

This gave me an oppurtunity to get a nice skirt made.

I lined it with a black broadcloth which makes it very warm.

I like to line the outfits I make due to they just lay better.

Cleaning Products

Homemade Cleaning Products

Making cleaning products is just one more way for

homemakers to think about what we breath in . You can

also know the items that are going into your product.

The aroma is always a extra benefit, which comes from

essential oils

Essential Oils

What can they do for us!

Lavender oil is by far my favorite essential oil.

The pure aroma of this essential oil can calm your senses.

Peppermint oil can perk your senses.

Here are a few recipes to get you started.

All Purpose Cleaner

2 cups of water

1 Teaspoon of borax

2 Tablespoon white vinegar

1 Teaspoon of Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate

1/4 Teaspoon of eucalyptus essential oil

1/4 Teaspoon of lavender essential oil

3 drops of tea tree oil

Mix all ingredients and stir, make sure your water is

at room temperture.

Window Cleaner

Juice of 1 lemon

2 cups of water

1/2 Teaspoon of peppermint essential oil

1 Teaspoon of cornstarch

Mix in jar and stir.

I always try to use glass jars to store these cleaning products in.

The reason is that plastic will retain the smells.

Frugal tip on the day: When you buy products from the store

they usually are made in glass jars. Wash them out and save

them for another use. Instead of buying a plastic container.

It works for me!

Enjoy the aroma while you clean!

Soap Making

Soap Selection I

Making soap is a great project for the homemaker. We must care about what we put on our skin. As we care about the food that goes into our bodies. Soap is truly just oils and lye and water mixed. The nice part about making your own soap is the choice of which oils to use.

There are many oils to choose from. Coconut oil is one of my favorite oils to go into my soap.It has some great properties. It hardens the soap bar, it lathers very nicely, and oh what it can do for your skin. It helps with the aid of your skin wrinkling.

Olive oil is one of the other important oils used in skin products.It is probably an oil that is used in many areas of our lives. We cook with it and we use it our skin and hair.There are many uses of olive oil in the bath.When you get out of the bath apply olive oil on your skin while your skin is still warm.

These are bar soaps I made recently.

You can also make soap in shapes, this happens to be one of my favorites

The heart shape has always been a winner in gift stores that I sell to.

This flower soap shape is a gift soap as its small.

This shell shape is also a gift soap. I made these for a bridal shower in the past.

Winter

Kansas, Winter Farm Scene, Snowy Weather

Winter is a time of rest for the farmers. Making bread inside while the winds are howling across the plains. The hot soupis on the stove for the noon day meal.


As January rolls around it is time to start planning for the
next growing season. Getting the graph paper out to visualize
what this years garden will look like. What did not work out
last year, like the voles eating all the onions. What are we going
to do about that problem?

Growing onions this year is going to be a focus of mine.

This is one crop I feel I should be growing in large amounts.

Due to this being something my family uses in large quanities.

Starting from onion seeds is the way I am going to take.

It is the most economical way to go.

The heirloom onions I am looking at growing is called Australian Brown.

Pionneer Women

Pioneer Women


Pioneer Woman Getting Water from a Well Near Her Log Cabin, Carolina

Taulua Bottoms Legacy: The Story of Talula Gilbert Bottoms and Her Quilts (Needlework and Quilting) Nancilu Burdick

Last year when my mother came to visit for the holidays she brought this book.

I had such a joy reading this book with my daughter, mother and my Aunt.

We always get together in the kitchen taking turns reading outloud to each other.

I am always interested in learning how women survived.

If you have not been inspired lately and are feeling overwhelmed.

Read this womens story and you will be changed forever.

Did you have a mother who trained you in homemaking skills?

Try to imagine you are living in the 1800's and you get married

and know nothing. Luckily, she married a man that lived with

his mother. This woman became her mother, what wonderful

experience the Lord gave her. She went on to learn not only

the joys of homemaking but learning the art of quilting.

She made over 125 quilts in her life time. Imagine how

she must of had to get her work done early enough to also

be able to find time to quilt.

Let me ask you why are we not making our own quilts?

Sewing For my daughter

Sewing for me is something that allows you to express your creative side of your mind. I made this dress two years ago for Easter. This is my daughter Rachel she is growing into a young woman.

This was one of the first successful spring dresses I made for my daughter.

My prayer is by posting the outfits I make will inspire one more woman to come back to sewing for her family's needs. If I did not have a machine to sew on I believe I would probably handsew the clothes I make.

This dress was made late this summer. I really like this style as it fit her very well. With all her dresses I like to add length to them. Over the spring vacation I made this same pattern in a blouse. I did handsew the blouse as we took Rachel to Historical Williamsburg. I had a large amount of sitting time and since I did not bring my machine with me hand sewing came in handy. It only made me understand how hard it was for women to do all the sewing for their families.

Lancaster Pennsylvania

My Trip to Lancaster Pennsylvania




Amish Children, Lancaster County, PA


The day I was out there was snow covering the landscape and what a view it was.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Day Book

Monday September 15, 2008

http://www.thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

Today

Outside my Window...People are speeding past going somewhere in a

hurry. I am so happy I am not one of those people.

I am thinking...How my life is centered in the home.

From the learning rooms...School is session.

I am thankful for...for a home to take care of, a garden to nurture,

children to care for.

From the kitchen..blueberry muffins are being made. Chicken pot

pie for dinner.

I am wearing...a long flowered blue skirt with a purple top.

For I am reading... Psalms 101-111 as I am studying the character

David. The Flower Farmer An Organic Grower's Guide to Raising

and Selling Cut Flowers by Lynn Byczynksi.

I am hoping...To hear God's voice today. Maybe, a day just sitting and

watching the birds.

I am creating...I have been copying down some herbal recipes to use

and try out.

I am hearing...the quietness of the morning.

Around the house...there are books to be put away from a weekend

of learning of new ways to do things. My husband favorite book by

John Seymoor is still on the coffee table.

One of my favorite things...is to make something out of nothing. When

you buy material it is just material until you make something out of it.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...to work on getting the lettuce

planted. To work on a menu for the rest of the week. To write some

goals out for the next month.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

These are a rare Vermont Cranberry Bean I am growing.

They really are a red bean and they are the best tasting

dried bean I have ever had. They are also a unique type

of bean to grow. I like the stripes on the pod.

Simple Ways

Saturday September 13, 2008

Simple Ways

Simple ways are just ideas in which are lives can become more simplified.

In July I talked about simplifying my life in the house so I could work

more outside. I have spent the summer doing just that. Here is one

way, the Lord helped me this year. First I started going back to

planning my week. What do I want to accomplish this week? If we set

goals, we will work toward those goals. Last week I wanted to work in

my garden all week. The whole week I strived to work in the garden.

There were certain tasks I had to accomplish in the house before I

could do that. There were tomatoes to process, so first I had to get that

done. I also went back to making bread so that needed to be done. School

is back in session so the morning are dedicated to teaching and keeping my

daughter on task. Now, that the house was more in order, I found one

morning where I was able to work in the garden.

Planning is the key!

Watching my mother as a child I think has helped me in many ways.

She planned her day according to what needed to get done. First, meals

had to be planned and made on to be on the table.

Second, she made most of the clothes for our family. She also had to

make time for sewing. Third, there was a budget to follow. My mom had a

budget of 5o dollars every two weeks to feed 6 people. Fourth, she had to

grow as much food as she could.

Now that I am an adult I can say what worked for her can work

for me.

Thank you God, for our mothers.

Apple of Her Eye

The Rain has come

Pelargonium Apple Blossom

Friday September 12, 2008

The rain is has come to supply us with moisture today. I have

noticed the plants have perked up due to the rains that have come.

The geraniums I have on the deck are beginning to flower again.

I bought them in the spring for 5.00 and they are still flowering.

The great thing about these plants as you can make more

plants from one. With a little patience and time instead of just one

on my deck I can have as many as I desire. Or place them in pots

where ever I want some more color.

To make more plants from the one you have just pinch.

Pinching gives you a fuller plant also and encourages growth.

Geraniums are the one plant I bring in for winter. I figure why leave

it outside to die, when you can keep it alive inside. The 5.00 I spent

can be streached year after year by keeping the plants alive. This year

I am happy to say I only bought a few select plants. A Skelton rose,

Apple Blossom, and Gardner's Joy. The Gardner's Joy is said to be

from 1870' from England. Apple Blossom is also said to be from the

1870's and to of been Queen Victoria 's favorite. The Skelton rose has

a very pungent scent in the leaves. Everytime you walk by you can

get a scent from the plant. The nice thing about scented geraniums

is they're leaves can be used in recipes in the kitchen.

Rose Geranium Jelly

an old grandmother favorite

Taken from Marcia Adam's Heirloom Favorites

Scented geraniums were a favorite houseplants at the turn of the

century, and in many old recipes their leaves were used to flavor

foods such as angel food cake and cream-based puddings. This jelly is

very attractive, with an intriguing flavor.

4 cups bottled apple juice

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

10 cups sugar

8 large fresh rose geranium leaves

1/2 teaspoon butter

1 package powdered pectin

In a large kettle, combine the apple juice, lemon juice, sugar, and

rose geranium leaves. Bring to a full boil over high heat, stirring

constantly. Boil 1 minute. Add pectin all at once and continue to stir

and boil hard for an additional minute. Remove from the heat.

Skim off the foam and remove the geranium leaves with tongs and

discard. Ladle into hot sterlized jelly glasses, leaving a 1/4 inch

space at the top of the jars. Seal with sterlized rings and caps and

process 5 minutes in a boiling water bath, counting the time

after the water again come to a boil after the jars are immersed.

Remove to a towel-lined rack. Store in a cool place.

September is the month to consider what your bring in for the winter!

This is the month that I wash all the geraniums and put them in

sterile soil. You do this process in September to get your plants

ready to come in by October which will be our first frost date.

Phyliss Shaudys wrote a book called

The Pleasure of Herbs A month by month guide to growing

using, and enjoying herbs.

This is one of my resources for taking care of scented geraniums.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

September 8, 2008

Outside my window...the sun is coming up around the side of the

house. The sun is in a different spot now that fall has arrived.

I am thinking... how nice it was to go down to Kentucky over the

Labor Day weekend. We had a great time looking around at property

and visiting with family.

I am thankful... God gave us an opportunity to be with my family

and spend quality time with my husband.

From the kitchen...there are bowls of tomatoes, cucumbers,

peppers on the counter waiting to be put away. Dinner will be light

tonight as my daughter and I will have a quiet night.

I am creating... a bouquet of flowers to sit on the table. Sunflowers

and Russian Sage will adorn us with their beauty.

I am going...to be home today as I will need to get ready for

my Bible study this evening. We are on day 47 of the David study.

I am wearing... a green top with my jean skirt.

I am reading...Psalms right now along with IF What do I know of

Calvary Love? By Amy Carmichael. Along with The Self Sufficient

Life and How to Live it by John Seymour. My husband and also like

to read from Small Farmer's Journal. It is a great magazine for

farmers using horses to farm with.

I am hoping... to work in the garden this week.

I am hearing... my daughter flip pages in the other room.

I am smelling... the scent of lavender coming through my window.

When there is a breeze outside I put Lavender essential oil on a

saucer and place it in the window.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Well I am not sure what but

the School is in session so the mornings are dedicated to learning.

The afternoons are for gardening, cooking, or sewing. Not quite sure as of yet.

Here is a picture thought...

This is a picture of an interesting place we passed by

while driving around in Kentucky. My idea of a nice

homestead.

Growing Corn

Growing Corn

Friday September 5, 2008

In the winter I love to pull corn out of my freezer. When I was a kid

my mom and my siblings would spend a lot of time gathering and

freezing corn. This year I was delighted to have 8 rows of corn. The

picture above is the final growing stage of growing the corn. It is sad

to say I did not have a good harvest. Most of the corn was small but

it was tasty.

I do buy produce from a local Organic Farm called Silverton Farms.

Over the past 5 years my husband and I have gotten to know the

farmer. Sometime this month I will be getting a bushel of corn

from him. I will freeze this for my family for the winter.

One day I hope to grow corn as a crop, but until that day I will

continue to learn the art of growing vegetables on a small scale.

Below is a picture of a field of corn like the one I used to pick from in

Kansas as a child. We were lucky enough to have relatives who let us

pick as much as we wanted.

Vase of Flowers, 1887

Friday August 29, 2008

You are responsible to do the best

you can with what you've got

for as long as you're able

Charles Swindoll

This is today's reading from a little calender that

sits on my window sill in the kitchen. It is such

a refreshing reading while your standing at

the sink doing your morning dishes.

REFRESH Your Soul daily meditations of peace and renewal

Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

August 18, 2008

Outside my window... I can see the tips of the corn stalks.

This year we planted 12 rows of corn. I say we because in

June when it was time to plant corn, I broke my thumb. I

did not know how I was going to plant my corn. After

pondering about my problem I began praying. Asking my

Lord how he was going to solve this problem. Well, a friend

from my church came over and planted 4 rows of corn, while

I sat there with my broken thumb. What a blessing. Then

my son finished planting the rest of the rows.

I am thinking...about all the ways the Lord has blessed me

this summer. It is truly amazing that He has taken me off

seizure medicine and I am able to live fully again. This was

my first summer in over 10 years that medicine has not

controled my mind.

I am thankful... for my life. I can breathe, and walk and love.

The Lord showed me LOVE.

From the kitchen...there are no pots on the stove and no dishes

in the sink. On Saturday my daughter and I made waffles.

That gave us breakfast for 3 days.

I am creating...a curriculum for the school year 2008-09.

I am wearing... a green skirt with a beige sweater.

I am reading...Isaiah 8

I am hoping... for a great school year with my daughter.

I am hearing...the quietness of the day.

One of my favorite things...is finding rest.

A few plans for the rest of the week... there are poems to be

read and music to be played and a mind to be educated. I am

so glad I am able to home educate my daughter.

It was a wonderful thing, this plant of mine.

I did not know its name, and the plant did not bloom.

All I know is that I planted something apparently as

lifeless as a grain of sand and there came forth a green and

living thing unlike the see, unlike the soil in which it stood,

unlike the air into which it grew.

No one could tell me why it grew, nor how.

It had secrets all its own, secrets that baffle the wisest men;

yet this plant was my friend.

It faded when I withheld the light, it wilted when I neglected

to give it water, it flourished when I supplied its simple needs.

One week I went away on a vacation, and when I returned the

plant was dead; and I missed it.

Although, my little plant had died so soon, it had taught me a

lesson;

and the lesson is worth while to have a plant.

"The Nature Study Idea,"

L.H. Bailey

Here is a picture thought...

These are four o' clock marbles I planted from seed.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes






Tomatoes are a fruit I grow in our garden here in New Jersey. We begin our plants from seeds that we purchase from http://www.seedsavers.org/, or http://www.seedsofchange.com/. In January we are spending time looking over our catalogs for our prized fruit. I only buy from companies that have heirloom varieties. Heirloom seeds are seeds that are handed down from one person to another. You might just be growing a plant that your great grandfather grew.





By May we are putting our first tomatoes in the ground. We try to get them in as early as we can. This year we were harvesting our first tomato by the tenth of July. The total tomato plants we put in for the year of 2008 is 150 plants.


This year I have choose to keep track of my harvest. Here is the tally so far.


Paste Tomatoes 460


Regular Tomatoes 60





We have canned 13 jars of paste tomatoes so far.

Happy Harvesting!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

August 11, 2008

Outside my window... it has gotten quite sunny since this morning. When we

got up today it was cloudy and looked like it would rain. It did rain for about

five minutes and now it is sunny and humid.

I am thinking...it will be quiet for the next couple of days as my

dearest sweetheart will be in Texas.

I am thankful... the weekend is over, as I did a lot of entertaining this past week.

It is always great to be with people, but you know when you need some down

time.

From the kitchen...the kitchen is closed today.

I am wearing... my favorite jean skirt and a striped blue and white top. My hair is

pinned up today.

I am reading...Psalms 67 thru 77 as we are studying David in my study.

I am still reading Abigail Adams as she inspires me everyday. The

Flower Farmer is another book I have been reading through.

I am hoping...for some time to write my thoughts this week. I did

not get time to write last week and I sure did miss it.

I am hearing...it is very quiet in the house as my daughter is doing her math.

Around the house... the books are still on the table as we have started

doing school work again.

One of my favorite things...is reading as it uses my brain.

A few plans for this week...Bible study is tonight, processing peaches into

preserves, Dentist appointments on Thursday, continue to harvest tomatoes.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

These are my peaches that my daughter and I went to pick

on Friday.