Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

ABC's of housework


Aprons – Yes or No? 
Yes, full body, old fashioned style aprons are my favorite. Though  I too often forget to put one on until I am in the middle of a messy cooking adventure.
Bathrooms – How many do you have?
Two indoor and one outhouse.
Clothesline – Do you have one?
Yes, we use it often but not exclusively.
Dusting – How often?
Three times per week is our goal in different areas of the house each time with our Norwex dusting mitt.
Everyday – One housekeeping task you do everyday?
Make lunch.
Family – Does your family help with household chores?
Yes, most definitely.
Garbage Disposal – Do you have one?
No.  We have a compost-type area out back.
Home Management Notebook – Do you use one? What’s in it?
I have tried that,.. but on my own can't make them work for me.
Ironing – Love it or hate it?
I am thankful that I can still do it.  Though, I am glad that I don't have to iron everything like the old days.
Junk Drawer – Where is it?
In the kitchen/computer area of our house.
Kitchen – Design and decor?
50's/French eclectic style.
Love – What is your favorite part of homemaking?
Around 4 or 5 pm when we are all working on the evening meal either washing up piles of prep.items or setting the table or chopping up an ingredient for the main course....all sorts of activities happening together along with visiting or listening to some inspiring music together as we work.
Mopping – How often does it get done?
Maybe once a week.
Natural Cleaning Products– Do you use them?
Yes. Yes!  We use Norwex cleaning products.  They clean without chemicals..just the cloths and water.
Overwhelmed – What part of homemaking stresses you out the most?
Clutter.
Pets – Do you have any mess-making critters in the house?
Yes a small dog.
Quiet – What do you enjoy doing when you get a quiet moment?
Sitting on the glider in the living room with a recent magazine like Victoria or Tea Time; my mini-vacation.
Recipes – How do you organize them?
Three-ring binders.
Style of House – What kind of home do you live in?
One level, rambler type.
Tablecloth – Do you use one on a regular basis?
We usually have woven place mats on the table instead.
Under the Kitchen Sink – What do you have under there?
Vases, soaps and misc. cleaning stuff.
Vacuuming – How many times a week does it get done?
Three.
Washing Clothes – How many loads do you do a week?
Three to five.
X’s – Do you keep a to-do list and cross the tasks off?
No, but I should.
Yard Work – Who does what?
We all do.
ZZZ’s – What is your last housekeeping task of the day?
Getting the kitchen tidied up and some prep for breakfast.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Amy on her Birthday!


 She is a sweetheart of a daughter...who always seems to have an optimistic 
view of life. 
A quote she has in her room reveals
 her thoughts well..
"Its a wonderful life"!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Alyssa's Birthday

Her Rose.
Cashew Chicken..her meal pick.
Her birthday candles smoking.
Amy and Ana  with the birthday girl.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Autumn ..Warm Memories..Aglow

This photo was taken a year ago in the home of Texas friends. They have many guests in their home and we were blessed to be able to stay with them more than once last year. They shine with hospitality much like this glowing candle captured one evening in their home.!

Today, we are enjoying the warmth and beauty of a blazing fire on a quiet Sunday afternoon with family, good books, and hot chocolate ( homemade marshmallow atop). 

Both thoughts, past and present, are shining pleasures this autumn season. 


Sunday, January 29, 2012

From The Past

This was taken several years ago before we moved to Vermont. It was maybe 16 years ago.
There sure were a lot of smiles.
Happy times!

Friday, December 30, 2011

Time To Do This Life Well

The girls together on Alyssa's birthday, 2011.
“I don’t really want more time;
I just want enough time.
Time to breathe deep & time to see real & time to laugh long, time to give You glory & rest deep & sing joy…
I just want time to do my one life well.
Life at its fullest is this sensitive, detonating sphere —
and it can be carried only in the hands of the unhurried and reverential—
a bubble held in awe.”

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

CHRISTmas 2011

This is a Christmas tree decoration that I found in a second-hand store or a garage sale a year or two ago. 

 Someone made it and enjoyed it for a time and now we are
glad to have it among our ornaments.

The creativeness of mankind - God's creation - makes
me step back and marvel. 

 I love works of art such as this!

I love the idea of re-using Christmas cards
that are going to be discarded!


Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Growing or declining??


Alyssa reading in our front yard.
Every individual is growing, changing, developing,
or declining—intellectually, emotionally, spiritually,
physically, and psychologically.
A family is a grouping of individuals who are affecting
each other intellectually, emotionally, spiritually,
physically, psychologically.
~ Edith Schaeffer, What Is a Family?

Monday, October 31, 2011

A Trip ...

Can you find at least one hint in either of these pictures 
 of our destination state?

Thursday, October 13, 2011

The Importance of Our Choices Each Day

A lovely wedding we recently attended!

 The setting..

 Quiet wonder..

  
Ready and waiting..

The joining...


 Afterwards...
.......................................
There are a good many things which would not be worth bothering about
if I were going to live only 70 years,
but which I had better bother about very seriously
 if I am going to live forever. 
~ C. S. Lewis
MERE CHRISTIANITY

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Fall

 Walking down our driveway with the little dogs.

 Some leaves near the house in the early morning light.

Later in the day...

We have many trees around our home and therefore many leaves to rake. We have enjoyed the pleasant fall weather the Lord has given us this year.

Monday, September 5, 2011

While walking one day...

...the girls captured a picture of Rich and me. 
I like the hues in this photo and the smiles.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Family Religion

"We must have a special eye upon families,
to see that they are well-ordered,
 and the duties of each relation performed.
 The life of religion,
and the welfare and glory of both
the Church and the State,
depend much on family government and duty.
 If we suffer the neglect of this,
we shall undo all.
I beseech you, therefore,
if you desire the reformation and welfare of your people do all you can to promote family religion."
 --Richard Baxter

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

An Outing

 Rich and I went on an outing last week.  We traveled to the Buckwheat Growers mill to purchase organic grain for our small goat herd. After that was accomplished, we traveled to the village of Ottertail.  The main reason for coming here was to have lunch and enjoy The Williams Company Store. While there I asked the pleasant clerk for permission to take a few pictures.  
                                                                                                       
So here they are...pictures of a very favorite store in our area.

A front shot of The Williams Company Store...very inviting!

We ordered lunch:  a sandwich and a wrap. This was taken from our table which was located in the far corner of the shop.


..a large cup of freshly made coffee...it was very flavorful!
Rich's plate..the other part of the sandwich was being eaten as I took this!

...another quick picture.(the front door is to the left.) The case to the right has jewelery and misc small items..

..standing toward the back of the store facing the front door.. are soaps, candles, lotions, cards, journals, and many  unique decorative and bathroom  items.
Rich..paying for our lunch..This lady was most diligent in her work and very gracious in serving us.

 The lunch was delicious! This store enhances my homey creative focus. Now we will be heading back home.  One last picture in front of our pickup and a couple of other nice shops near The Williams Company Store are behind the pickup.
This was a most enjoyable little day trip...why go across the country for a respite.  It was like a breath of fresh air!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day

 The top picture is of my mom
when she was young amongst some chickens.
The bottom picture is of her mom feeding some chickens.
 I'm posting them in remembrance of both for this Mother's Day.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Our home; the Entrance.

 Integrated into this entryway is much of our life. The quilt on the wall behind the bench, was made by my oldest daughter Alyssa. Many pieces from our jumpers, blouses, and dresses and other creative projects from previous years are sewn into this wall hanging quilt.

Two special pillows on the bench in the entryway. The "Rejoice" pillow on the left was made for me for Christmas by my youngest daughter Ana. The "Give Thanks" pillow on the right was a gift from friends who live in Vermont. 
 
Then in an opposite corner; pantry shelves of some of our bulk food alongside gardening and animal care books.  These shelves tell a lot about our days here... living the country life.


Several friendly books have helped us with many an animal and garden crises.

I am thankful for this multipurpose room where many visitors are greeted.  

Deep Roots At Home

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Happy Birthday, Amy Joy !

....Amy Joy.............
      Happy Birthday today to you sweet daughter!
                          The joy of Christ shines in your life...
....may it ever be so!

"..and the joy of the LORD is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10b

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Saturday....Together..

the setting sun in the west at our place
Earlier today we had our typical Saturday lunch:  baked  potatoes with various toppings, which we ate while watching an old VHS of "This Old House".  This 'old house' in Massachusetts had termites!  We have enjoyed this old program for many years together.

Now we are bustling in the warm kitchen; Christmas music is playing as we visit and make supper. Outdoors the sky is gray and the landscape white. A neighbor family stopped by earlier to deliver a plate of Christmas cookies and wish us a Merry Christmas.


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The following photos are of miscellaneous happenings and projects of the past week or so.


~ Peppermint ice cream cake~made for my birthday! ~

..making Mozzarella cheese..

~ A Christmas Tea at a friend's home! ~


~ a plate of cookies they made ~

~ the festive table ~

~Below are some items we have been working on to sell on Etsy~


~ one of the felted wool pincushions ~
~ pink royal icing flowers atop frosted cupcakes ~
                     


~ a table runner..pieced and hand quilted ~
~ a purple hand-knit neck scarf  ~