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.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Monday July 28, 2008

Outside my window..the leaves on the trees are so still this afternoon.

I am thinking... how nice it is we have trees to shade us from the hot sun.

I am thankful...for the rest I had this morning, just sitting on the deck reading.

From the kitchen...my daughter is making zucchini fritters as the

garden is producing plenty of good vegetables.

I am creating...a nice flower arrangement with the cosmos from the garden.

I am going... to have a busy week. My Welcome Home meeting is

this Thursday. I will be spending time getting ready for that. This is a

woman outreach the Lord has chosen me to run.

I am wearing... my blue jean skirt and a light weight blue sweater. My hair is pinned up as it keeps me cool in the hot summer.

I am reading... through Psalms and I am still reading Abigail Adams.

I did pick up a new book from the library this past week, The Flower Farmer. Which I have been enjoying and learning from, as this year I have planted lots of flowers from seed. I thought it would be good for me to grow more cut flowers. Then, I will have plenty of choices to bring into the house.

I am hoping... I will get a hoop house up this fall. This something my

husband and I are trying to extend the growing season here in New Jersey.

I am hearing... my daughter is talking to me as I write.

Around the house...there are books lying about as we are readers here in this house.

One of my favorite things... is growing beautiful flowers and vegetables.

A few plans for the rest of the week... I will be out a lot this week.

I am going to a Beth Moore Simulcast this weekend.

I won't be working in the garden much this week. I will catch up on

some things in the house. Maybe, I will get my soap made, this week.

Here is a picture thought.. this is my garden on the right side of the

yard. Enjoy.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Monday July 21, 2008

Outside my window...All the geraniums are blooming in different shades of pink.

There are scented geraniums like Rose Geranium so when you walk by you get a

fragrance of rose. Gardners Joy is one of my favorite scented geraniums. It has

nice leaves and has a two toned bloom.

I am thinking...What a blessing it is that God gives us beautiful flowers to admire.

I am thankful...that I have a wonderful husband. He will be returning from Atlanta on
Tuesday.

From the kitchen... there are plum tomatoes on the counter that I brought in from the garden. It is wonderful to see that red color in the kitchen once again. I told my family no tomatoes
out of season in this house. We can our tomatoes for the winter months ahead.

I am creating... a tea from my lavender plants today to use in my soap recipes. The extracts
from the plant add properties to the soap. Which in turn will nourish your skin.

I am going...spend time indoors today planning my my menu for the week.

I am wearing... my jean skirt and my black sweater.

I am reading...studying Psalms for my Bible study as we are learning about David's character.

I am hoping...to have a restful day.

I am hearing...the kids chatter in the background.

Around the house...the summer colors are all around us. The pink roses I brought in from the
garden in the front foyer. The bouquet of Russian sage purple flowers are in the family room.

One of my favorite things...is creating something from nothing.

A few plans for the rest of the week... getting ready for my daughters pool party on Thursday.


Here is a picture thought...Flowers on the deck right outside my window, what a joy.

Simplifying Life

Simplifying Life is what I strive for this year. When you simplify your

life you have time for the desires of your heart. Learning to get rid

of activities and stuff in your life can be hard to do in the beginning.

After, you evaluate whats in your life and is it worthy of your time.

Fruits of the Earth

Getting rid of stress is one way to put order in your life.

Doctors always tell their patients get rid of stress. Easier

to say then to actually put into action. It has almost been one

year since my husband and I choose to have only one car. The one

car is for my son to take to college. You can bacically say we have

choosen to cut back on expenses to loose stress in our lives.

We have been blessed with having a company car for my husband to

use. Fruits of the Earth, this picture touches my heart. I feel as the

Lord has given me a gift of growing fruit. I seem to just strive on

growing and tending to fruits of the field. Simplifying my life in the

house allows me to work in the garden more.

I believe it is my job as a home keeper to provide nourishing

meals for my family. What better way then to grow it yourself. God

has given us the hands to work with.

In the rose garden

Tuesday July 15, 2008

In the rose garden I go to visit with my Lord.

Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done.

The things you planned for us no one can recount to you;

were I to speak and tell of them they would to many to declare.

Sacrifice and offerings you did not desire, but my ears you have

pierced burnt offerings and sin offferings you did not require.

Then I said, "Here I am , I have come

it is written about me in the scroll. Psalm 40:5-7

Studying through the bible study David written by Beth Moore,

has been a great eye opener to my Lords heart.

The picture depicts a women going to meet with her Lord. She is

dressed in a beautiful dress to go before her God. That is how

I want to go to the garden. The Lord gets to be with us at our best.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Monday July 14, 2008

Outside my window... the rain is splattering on the deck. I am

admiring the bubbles the rain is making on the deck. I find it

amazing today how the rain just comes flowing down from the

sky.

I am thinking... what a great love Jesus has shown us. In

yesterday's sermon, the youth pastor spoke. God was just

speaking through this man's mouth. I just kept hearing him

say "Do you really love me?" It occurred to me Jesus said

those same words to Peter. Do you love me?

I am thankful... for my life with my family, as a young women

that is all I wanted. The Lord so graciously gave it to me.

From the kitchen...my son and I shared breakfast together

this morning. We maid omletes and fried bacon over conversation.

I am creating...my daughter and I are making a tiered skirt for her. These

seem to be in style this summer.

I am going... to start planting my fall garden and envisioning

the winter garden.

I am wearing... my brown flowing skirt with a beige sweater.

I am reading... From 1 Peter this morning and doing a little studying as

I will be teaching Bible study this evening on David. I am also reading

Abigail Adams a book I got from the library.

I am hoping... for a peaceful day.

I am hearing... a song playing called Grace Flows Down.

Around the house... it is quiet this morning.

One of my favorite things... is looking at old women praire pictures.

A few plans for the rest of the week...getting my husband ready for his

business trip to Atlanta on Thursday. Making time for sewing, and working

on the strawberry bed this week.

Here is a picture thought...

My first tomato of the season. It was a great joy to pick your very first
tomato.

The Simple Woman http://www.thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

The Simple Woman' s Daybook

Monday July 7, 2008

Outside my window... I am watching the little wren's come up on the

deck and get a drop of water for a drink. Have ever watched a bird

get a drink, they look so dainty. They dip thier beak into the water and

push back their necks.

I am thinking... What shall my husband and I do today as he is on vacation.

I am thankful... We are Americans in this great country. My family had just

watched the John Adams film the HBO mini series. What great timing as

it so wonderful we can learn from our Founding Fathers.

From the kitchen... I am freezing my rasberries as I pick them.

I am creating...a new flower arrangement to bring into the house. I love

having flowers at the front door. I sometimes like to walk in the front

to see what has come in from the garden. Today the Lavender plant and

roses will dazzle us with their splendor.

I am reading... Psalms from the Bible with my daughter. If is a little book written by

Amy Carmichal I like to read a few lines a day. Revoulutionary Mothers by Carol Berkin

what an inspiration of what we can do. I have picked up my Small Farmer's Journal

from the book shelf. It continues to inspire me.

I am wearing... my favorite long blue jean skirt, with a black shirt.

I am hoping...for some time for sewing today. Now, that I have caught up

with weeding in the garden.

One of my favorite things...is being able to grow vegetables and be able to

store things up for the winter months.

A few plans for the rest of the week...is just spending time with my dear husband.

Here is a picture thought...This is my Dahlia, that I happy to present.

I planted these from seed and they are just now starting to bloom.

This one sits right in front of the large strawberry bed. When you

look outside the kitchen window you can see this little flower. God has

given us great beauty to look at. Flowers add such delight to our lives.

Here is the link for this project

The Simple Woman http://www.thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

Seeking His Face

Sunday July 6, 2008

I am seeking my Lord.

Oh where I go He will show up.

In the kitchen, he sits with me, and talks with me.

As I do the dishes he comforts me.

When, I am sweeping the floor he sings to me.

Oh where I go He will show up.

Out to the garden to tend to His world.

The flowers are showing their colors,

He surrounds us with His love.

Oh where I go He will show up.

In the sewing room with my daughter,

I help her learn an art of stiching,

she has a willing heart that the Lord

gave her, bless her soul.

Oh where I go He will show up.

As I prepare dinner he comes to sit.

While, I set the table he blesses my time.

The family comes in and fills the house.

How precious this time to have while

the boys are still amungst us.

My daughter fills my days as I train her

up to be a lady.

The Lord is always with us wherever we go.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Day Book

Monday June 30, 2008

For Today

Outside my window... The birds are singing as if they are

as happy as I am that we had rain last night. The leaves on

the Dogwood tree are still wet this morning. There is a small

cool breeze coming in through the window. God is good, he

takes care of the plants growing outside.

I am thinking...how happy I will be in a few days when my

husband returns to us after being away for 8 days.

I am thankful...for the gift from God of being homekeeper in

this modern world.

From the kitchen... I am baking cornbread and coffee cake

muffins. Cornbread for dinner and coffee cake for Bible study

this evening. Potato salad and barbeque chicken for dinner with

my cornbread.

I am creating... a bedspread for the winter months.

I am going...to teach my daughter how to sew her own jean

skirt today. As she is now 12 and it is time for her to begin

sewing her own things. We will have to begin making items for

her Hope Chest soon.

I am wearing... a long beige skirt with a black short sleeve

sweater, and my hair is extra curly today.

I am reading... The Daily Bible with my daughter along with

Psalms, I read 1 Corinthians chapters 3-5. Rose From

Brier by Amy Carmichael, is a little read for the rest I

need in the afternoon. The Four Season Harvest by

Elliot Coleman which helps me stay on schedule for

planting in the garden.

I am hoping...to listen for Gods guidance through my day.

One of my favorite things...is remembering my visit with my family in Kentucky. As I cherish those visits so close to my heart. Being away from them most of the year. It is so nice that my brother and I were able to go fishing together with our girls. My Aunt and Mom were able to have girl talks this visit.

A few plans for the rest of the week...I would like to accomplish getting some progress done on my bedspread. Getting my daughter to finish her paper she has been working on, continueing organzing papers.

Here is a picture thought...

These are my prized strawberries this year. I grew ten rows

about 15 feet long the past two years. I made sure and cut off all

the runners to get good quality fruit. It shows when you really

take the time for something. My harvest this year gave me about

6 quarts of strawberries . I am very pleased with the size

of the strawberries, there were some that were quite large. Now I will have

to plant a cover crop as I sure don't want to pull weeds in this plot

the rest of the summer.

To go to the originator of this cooperative daybook: http://www.thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/