Thursday Happenings

Good Day Dear Ones!

Another routine Thursday.

It did have some highlights though. The sun shone again-spifferoo! Lovely! Always welcome in my book!

Noticing the girls out in their shed all hoping for a turn in the sunlight, I decided to let them have a turnabout scritchity-scratching around the yard. They really enjoy roaming about the yard and taking their sunbaths-no matter how chill the air. As much as a hen can enjoy herself-I think it is quite enjoyable for a feathered girl to roam free and spy a speck and scratch at it, and peck and poke at it. I think it gives a feathery girl as much joy as can be had-for one with aviary inclinations.

See here as they run fast and free into the leafy, dull yard as if it were streets of gold!

They don't seem to mind the many shades of brown, brown, brown as they huntscratchspypeck, huntscratchspypeck. The boring brownness is way too bland for my taste though. Way too! They were so busy scratching, they didn't even pose for their photgraph!

Here I am for your viewing pleasure doing my 'Peter Pan' impression. The girls are securing my shadow to the ground before I lose it again! (It's OK if you have no clue what I'm talking about-I get that a lot! ) I put this here for you Mom (one of my biggest fans!)-and those of you who love me know what an aversion I have to getting my picture taken!

Another Sweet-Thing that happened today was this cuteness overload,(it was taken through the back door window-so it's got a bit of a blur-bear with us-it's too cute not to share).

Picture #1:

Picture #2:

Of course, we have much squirrel-love around here! It wasn't always so, but we are 'nuts' about them!!! What a pretty girl.

Some would be totally perturbed that she got into their chicken feed, but some would have put the feed right away and it would not have been an issue! Still, I do not mind sharing some pellets with this furry chunk of sweetness!

I thought I'd share a little sampling of a project I am working on, not quite sure just how it will work out, although I'd like to make a couple of half-panels for the Dining Room windows in front of the sewing station.

Really, really liking the colors-fit right in with my 'decor'...and I am making them with yarn, not thread, they are a bit bulkier and chunkier, but not too much. This book appeals to me in many ways, I would have taken a couple of inside photos to share, but the camera batteries died and I was called away to other things. Maybe when I get a bit farther.

On another note, the book is written entirely in Japanese-which really makes it challenging if you'd like to know hook size, when to turn, etc. The pattern is not written out, it is in chart form, but it would be nice to know what symbols stand for what. At any rate, I just did what I thought to do from the chart, and this is what I got. Acceptable to me, so I wrote down as I went along so I can do it again and again.

One more fun thing, my cousin came over and we went to visit a nearby farm here. Freedom Hill Farm is owned and operated by Rick and Julie Vreeland-very lovely folks! And most beloved to us-family really! :) So long since I've seen Julie and we talked and chatted and caught up and then Rick joined us and we talked about all the wonderful things the Lord is doing! So very encouraging! Julie asked about all my family (Mom, sisters, brother, etc...) and it was such a blessing to hear all their news too!

Ah Lord, you give us so many blessings in one day-sometimes your goodness overwhelms me! I am so thankful for the opportunity to visit loved ones and enjoy your creation! How wonderful are your works Lord!

What good things has the Lord done for you today? Remember to be thankful as you enjoy the blessings each day inside and outside your own Home-Sweet Things!

Perfectly Spiffy and Sunshiny!

It was a perfectly spiffy, sunshiny day today! So thankful! Sunshine does always seem to pull one out of the doldrums-grey has its purpose, it makes things more restful-but I like a good sunshiny day!

I worked a bit on my sewing station move-about before my visitor came. Pulling something away from a wall, when it's been there a while, always reveals dust bunnies and certain items you wish you knew how they got there. Amongst all the dust was an acorn. Why? I am sure I will never know! At any rate, I got the freezer pulled out and it will be moved down to the basement tonight. A good time to do freezer inventory for my Grocery/Pantry Binder.


I had to paint the wall I took a shelf off over the weekend and put in my kitchen. It holds more and since we have become quite the tea collectors, I needed more room for all the varieties we have. There is nothing quite like a good cuppa in the late morning or afternoon, and then at evening, now is there?


So, the freezer will be moved and the wall is painted. I need to get in the basement and clear the wall for the freezer and also decide what bookshelf I will use to hold fabrics and necessary, needful handiwork items I'll be using. Whatever I decide to use, I may go to the thrift store or to Craig's List to find a glass front cabinet. Maybe. I just haven't decided yet. Whatever I choose, it will be at a thrifty price-I don't want this to cost anything if I can help it-at least not more than it should! Trying to save for some supplies to work on the inside of the house! (This comes from my newfound knowledge of Dave Ramsey and the 'envelope system' and working on making it happen.)


Since my #2 Son is not at home this evening, I had to forgo my freezer basement placement, but this gives me a better chance to do inventory at a less frantic pace. So, inventory in the a.m., moving the freezer to the front porch where it will be ready when it's time to move. Yes, there is an outlet on the porch, so all is well inside the freezer.


Now, my booklist. I think it is quite large. If I get to actually read ALL of these books I will be very happy.


My long list of books (after the Bible) includes (but is not limited to):


Practice of the Presence of God
Forgotten God/Francis Chan
Erasing Hell/Francis Chan
Assembling Together/Watchman Nee
Not I But Christ/Watchman Nee
Do All To The Glory of God/Watchman Nee
Love One Another/Watchman Nee
Shepherding A Child's Heart
The Long Road Home/Pablo Yoder
Tears of the Rain/Ruth Ann Stelfox
The Pilgrim Church/Broadbent

 Laura The Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder/Donald Zochert
Gardening when it counts/Steve Solomon
You Can Farm/Joel Salatin
Four-Season Harvest/Eliot Coleman

That's my list and my stack of all stacks of books I'd like to read this year. At this time, at the same time, right now, I am reading Forgotten God, Practice of the Presence of God, Assembling Together and Tears of the Rain. I do not mix them up-I simply have different times I read them throughout the week. So, at that rate, it shouldn't take me long to read most of them.


The Nee books, I mark in (yes, I am a 'book marker'!!!)-there are such a richness of things I want to remember in them, to look back upon and meditate on, chew on. I'm sure I'll mark Shepherding a Child's Heart and possibly the gardening books. Well, if there's something I want to remember, I expect I'll be marking any book if I own it! I always seem to reference back to things I've read and share them with other people.


What will you be reading this year? Have you picked out a few books?


Father, You told us in Your Word that there is no end to the writing of books. Looking at the stack here in front of me, and all the books on my shelves, I can understand why you said that. Still, I pray for a mind that can glean all that You would have me learn in them. May I grow more like You in the reading, and again, learn that it is just not about me-but it is always and at all times, about You! In Jesus' Name, Amen.


Take time, get a cuppa, sit down in a comfy spot and make the time to read. Whether it's the Word of God, a testimony, or some other edifying piece of literature, Whatever you read, read it to God's glory and let it work out as a blessing to those in your Home-Sweet!

Tuesday Bright Ideas and a Small Sewing Spot

I had a 6 a.m. bright idea this morning between sunrise and coffee time. I thoughtfully pondered setting up a sewing station for myself. Whilst running my mind through the various rooms in the house, there was nary a one I could use. Every one of our 5 bedrooms has an occupant. No room for Mama's sewing machine.

Upon further contemplations, I struck on a wonderful place! My Dining Room!! It has the brightest light with two windows side by side and is still in the hub of the house.



It would take some rearranging, (something I am noted for) but I was determined now.


After driving my eldest son to meet his boss, and feeding and watering the outdoor and indoor animals, and tending to the fire, I set about my much-anticipated task. It was now 9:00 a.m. Floors to sweep and give a mopping, cupboards to move, tables to find, machines to settle, little tables to situate.

Of course, since it's winter, darkness was upon me and so, I had to give up finishing my happy beginnings and will continue tomorrow.

The Dining Room has been in a state of remodel, for quite a while now. There were other things, outdoors to attend to, and as long as the necessaries indoors work, men tend to think out of doors is most important first. I suppose they are right, for if the roof is leaking and the foundation needs mending, the rest of the house may fare badly! And so, one who peruses this blog, will have to excuse the floors and the ceilings and the lack of window frames. There is nothing to be done for it right now. Still, I will focus on the positive: I shall be sewing and crafting and stitching and creating to my heart's content.

So, somehow, while I expect a visitor tomorrow, I will try to fit in more sewing station goodness-but alas, I fear I may have to wait until Friday to work on it again. In the meantime, I shall dream of appropriate shelf space and the banishment of my deep freeze to the basement. Thank the Lord for two strong sons who can do the job successfully.

I have a photo to share of the little bit I've set up so far, some things just to try color and others to just see how they might fit together. At any rate, there will be little spurts of moving about until it gets situated.

I've been also gathering books together today to share tomorrow. Books I intend to read this year.
List coming tomorrow, and pictures to share dreams of a work station for my faithful 'Mathilda'...who never complains when awakened at a moment's notice to make a stitch or two upon one thing or another. I plan to make her a spiffy cover to keep her from getting dusty, now that she'll be living out of the cabinet.

Are you planning to do some spiffy new move-abouts in your home this new year?

Heavenly Father, thank you for creativity, the blessing to enjoy making something and sharing it with the family or those you put in our path. Please bless our endeavors and give us strength to bring it all to swift completion. All for your glory Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen

Praise God for a new year and new beginnings. Remember that this is the day that the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it. Enjoy your Home-Sweet and bless your hands as you work in it!

Sunday Meditation

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

Show-Me Saturday

Since Saturday is a day when we are all at home working on projects, I thought it would be good to make it a day to share some photos of the Home-Sweet!

This is Bloo Bunny. She is quite content in her spiffy bunny house!

This pretty girl is wearing two of my favorite colors-white and red!

These girls are eager to get out to peck and scratch!

Here are our muscovy ducks. 3 Hens and a Drake basking in the sun.

Here is their duck motel! A camper upcycled!

I was enjoying the colors in this dish drainer!

Have a great day and God bless your Home-Sweet Things today!

Home, Homestead and Handiwork Goals Revisited

This is a long post, but wanted to share some things I plan to do in more detail.

Tomorrow I will post some photos of some of the things I've discussed here.

I've been reading other blogs and been inspired again to think about some of the projects I want to work on this year. I do have some DIY projects for the house, but also on the 'homestead' too. There are also some handiwork things I'd like to do throughout the year.

So some of my list for now is:

House Projects:

Kitchen-entire, massive project!

I have quite a mess at my kitchen window! Sheet rock missing and insulation hanging out all over since we did a replacement. It just needs to be given a temporary 'makeover' until one day we get to redo our kitchen. I've lived here for 23 years and this kitchen is very different from when we moved in-we changed a lot.

Still, anyone who has lived in a trailer knows how it goes with them. They are just not meant to last. The whole entire kitchen needs gutting and updating! My idea of updating is probably not normal ordinary though.
When I cleaned out a house, I was able to acquire an old porcelain sink, a really heavy one! It has a cabinet underneath that I'm not sure I'll use, but that is what I want to replace  the sink I have now. It's so old fashioned! Then I want to move my fridge and add some more windows on that wall. Maybe a garden window so I can put plants in it. We'll see how it all goes. For now, I have to get that budget going to save for it all!

DR and Kitchen-floors and ceilings-big project(!)
They are on the trailer side of the house and just need to be updated. The ceilings are that horrible trailer popcorn ceiling. If you happen to raise your hands and move them you may be cut on the sharpness...I want to cover it up with beaded ceiling panels.
We were blessed with land from Dave's family's farm property 24 years ago, and being a young couple (then!), bought a brand new trailer to put on it. Not what I would do now, but at the time, it was a Godsend!


Years later we added on 2 bedrooms and a large living room with a full basement under it.


We are still working on finishing it all-years later! But I am really feeling much better than I have in years-thanks to a HUGE diet change due to systemic candida. I've lost about 50-60 lbs and actually need to make some new skirts as my old ones are way too big now!


Tomorrow I will take a photo of my sorry kitchen window and try to come up with a plan to get it looking better. I have some old wainscot I got somewhere-at a yard sale or out of a basement or garage when I was selling real estate and doing a 'clean sweep' so the sale would go through. But not sure that's what I want to do with my wainscot. This weekend I am going to decide and will blog it.


Living Room Floor and moulding around ceiling

These are huge projects and most likely will only be done bit by bit, but writing them down makes me happy and gives me a visual.
I have started my Home Improvement Binder with a tab page divider for each room and have constructed a page where I can write notes for each room and measurements, etc... (Again, I'll share as soon as I figure out how to add PDF files to blog pages. If anyone cares to send info, please do!)

Homestead Projects:

Hoop House for birds (chickens, turkeys, ducks, roosters) - OR  small houses for turkeys and roosters to live in
Chicken Tractors
Make housing for milk goats
Move 4 raised beds
Move sidewalk blocks to make new walk to front door
Rebuild stone wall in front of house
Move all perennials and plants to front of house
Make site for cold frames
Move clothesline
Enlarge Garden


Handiwork Projects:

Work on rugs
Figure out how to warp my looms
Make new skirts and try my hand at jumpers for Lydia and I
Make draft dodgers for windows in Lydia's room
Knit socks
Make one chair slipcover
Make a quilt for oldest son, Brendt
Time for cross-stitching project I bought 2 years ago because I really liked it and have not started it yet
Finish afghan I started for Lydia's bed when she had a twin, now she has a full
Start my woodworking projects-should be first on the list because it is the most needful right now-need to get in basement and bring saws in and set up cutting area (yes, I do use all types of saws and can work in a workshop quite well!)
As I see them again, I need to get some things done right now on the Handiwork Projects List-like draft dodgers, I was in Lydia's room today doing a bit of clean up while she wasn't home and thinking about posting about 'Getting a Teen To Clean'...and the wind was howling up a storm. This was not good because we just put those windows in a couple of summers ago. But howl, howl, howl! They were not locked, and even when I locked them, they were not airtight! So, I will make some little window draft dodgers for the rest of the winter so the howling winter wind cannot sneak into her room.

I will also take some photos of my peg loom Dave built me and show the rug I have on there now. I want to make some rugs and put them either on the new site or in my new etsy shop. I'll let you know where it's all going. There is something about rugs that I really like and want to make lots and lots of them! I want to try to make them in all types of fabrics too. Will keep you posted!

That is a bit of my long and tedious to-do list-again-for 2012. These are things that I will enjoy doing-if the Lord grants me strength! I try to upcycle/recycle too, so it will be challenging to do some of this using old stuff.

It is enjoyable to dream of the things we'd like to do in our Home-Sweet, yet let's keep it all in proper perspective. This 'kingdom' is but a temporal one, God's Kingdom is eternal, let us remember to put our hearts where true treasure is and not substitute the temporal for reality!

Father, help me to set my hands to fulfill your desires and create a home to show hospitality to others thereby bringing glory to your name. Let me do any Home-Sweet task considering others and using good stewardship of your money and time. May those weary souls who visit us find rest and comfort and the burdened receive joy and peace. In Jesus Holy Name, Amen

Defining My Day

I'm trying to 'Define My Day' and not having a very easy time of it. I read about doing this back when I ordered a copy of 'Managers of Their Homes' and began using the charts and setting up a schedule. Then there were numerous blogs that offerered free charts that I found around August of 2011. I know it was August of 2011 because that's when I started my Homemaking Binder.

Just making a daily to-do list was a challenge for me, but having that simple binder did help me keep many things together that formerly were quite scatterred.

Not being a 'Type A' personality, I just have a hard time sticking to a schedule rigidly. I am easily distracted, I admit it. Some may call that 'flexible'. I do agree that we must not be so rigid that we cannot be led by the Holy Spirit to drop everything to go minister to others, or weep with those who weep, etc. I had company all day and did not even get to look at my Daily Goal/Habit/Discipline List...maybe I'm afraid of it. I think I might be. Still, like all medicine, it doesn't always taste good, but it helps you get better!

I see peace and joy in a day that is set in order and has in it certain accomplishments that bring blessings to our homes. I believe that's part of what God knew would be the joy of the Proverbs 31 woman-whom I still look at in amazement.

I am so very far away from being 'that woman' that it sometimes discourages me. Still, I know she is shown to us as a standard of a righteous woman. I fall very short-but have to always keep in perspective that the Author and Finisher of my faith is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, and He is always revealing to me that in this daily walk, I am being transformed into His image each moment. It's not so much the 'doing' or the 'not doing' and then praising or beating myself up for the consequences, it's walking in His presence, communing with Him and learning to say 'Yes, Lord' in every detail, no matter how mundane I think it is. He gives me strength to make it through.

I think I may read Brother Lawrence's book "The Practice of the Presence of God" once again. It's been a long time since I've read it and could use a good reminder that it's all for the glory of the Lord and simply enjoying His presence in every situation.

As soon as I learn how to stick a PDF file in here, I will share the 'Yes, Lord' phrase for you to print out. Hang several of them here and there throughout your house as a reminder that whatever we do in word or deed, we do it unto the Lord. That particular phrase is borrowed from Amy Carmichael and ever since I saw it, I try to bring it to mind as often as necessary.

For one of my January to-do's...I called Territorial Seed Co. and requested another catalog. I was on their list, but did not receive my 2012 catalog. My Sister-in-law has the greenest thumb I've ever seen. I'll tell more about her and her planting schedules and such tomorrow. In fact, I am going to try to meet with her to find out when she's going to start her seeds this year. I try to follow her methods because she has such good results. She feeds her entire family ONLY on what she grows, bakes and their livestock. She comes from a family background of this and has carried it on-many times out of necessity. A good example of diligence in my opinion! It humbles me.

Lord, Help me get honest with myself and tough on myself and get these hourly/daily/weekly/monthly yearly commitments documented so I can do the things that need to get done this year. Please give me strength and a mind to get it on paper so I can see it and use it daily. Please remind me often that it is by your grace that I even breathe each moment. Give me a heart attitude that always says to you, 'Yes, Lord' no matter what my flesh is telling me to say.

Take heart Dear Ones, even in the smallest Home-Sweet tasks we are very near the Lord and His desire is unbroken communion with us every moment.

Goals By Month...Sort Of

Today I made some progress in filing my goals under the appropriate month it should be done. I'll print this out and put it in my Homemaking Binder to keep at a glance if I need it.


January -
-make sure garden catalogs are ordered
-go through binders and get them in order
-decide what I will plant this year
-plot garden
-plan garden enlargement/make list of supplies needed to move    electric fence
-order seeds
-study breeds of turkeys
-decide when to order roosters
-check out hoophouses and purchase needed item
-Newsletter
-Plan items to launch wood biz

February -
-organize planting tools and gather all necessary supplies
-plot new flower bed
-plan where to move clothesline
-decide/ask Arlene-when to plant what and chart dates

March -
-move electric fence and wires in vegetable garden
-raking and yard cleanup
-clean chicken and duck coops
-spring cleaning inside house

April -
-prepare vegetable beds/till new or turn over soil
-prepare new herb garden boxes (if I use them again)
-move perennials to front
-prepare for turkeys and roosters
-plant peas

May -
-plant annuals
-plant veggies

June -
-prepare hog pens
-clean chicken and duck coops

July -
-can green beans
-freeze zucchini
-freeze yellow squash

August -
-can peaches
-make jam

September -
-tomatoes
-clean chicken and duck coops

October -
-

November -
-

December -
-butcher hogs

As you can see, I don't quite have all my months figured out. I have never written down everything that needed to be done before and I'm seriously trying to remember what to do when! Isn't that bizarre! At any rate, I have this month figured out and I can add to this list as I go. I need to talk to Dave about where to put some things we're planning on doing.

So that is that, tomorrow I will try to get some daily things worked out. I have homeschool and home chores to fill in along with many other daily activities. This task really is good though because it's making me way more accountable and forcing me to keep on top of things.

Here on the home-sweet I did manage to maintain what I've started and got a couple of loads of laundry done. Another good clothesline day. Tomorrow we'll have rain/ice so I'll have to hang everything in the basement.

One thing we're planning on doing, Lord willing, is to start a small business selling handmade wooden furniture and accessories. I can tell more about it later, I'm excited about it all. I don't have the site ready yet, there's another thing to add. I mention it on the side bar, it's Home Sweet Things dot com .It will be benches, stools, laundry items, tables and candle holders, window boxes and such. Also in the mix I'd like to do some crochet and fabric work. Big plans that will only work if things are very organized!

The photos in this post were taken of my flowers and gardens in 2007! I thought it would be a nice remembrance and also makes me think of my garden plot makeover in the front of my yard to make room for animals this year!

I want to take this time to thank God for showing me all the areas I need to concentrate on to make this Home-Sweet run smoothly and peacefully. He never leaves us in our mess, but wants us to succeed in Him. Praise Him!

Home-Sweet Things 2012 Goal List

I thought today I would share my 'goal' progress.

There are a lot of things I'd love to accomplish over time, but right now I have to pick the ones that must be done this coming year. I cannot bite off more than I can chew-as they say. While I hate to admit it, I do have physical limitations, and lots of the moving needs to be done before the heat of the season kicks in. Still, I hate having limitations and will push myself to get things done!

This year we'll have a lot of moving around to do if we are to make room for either a hoop house or more animals or both. I also want to expand my vegetable garden. This will require me to move my in-ground clothesline and totally revamp the electric fencing. I will also have to move the four raised bed boxes that were for an herb garden, but last year were for a weed garden! Except for the perennial herbs, not much else got planted out there. This year will be different, Lord willing. I may incorporate them into my perennial beds and just not mess with raised beds at all.

I haven't quite tweaked my daily list of things to be done, I have used a routine list, but haven't stuck to it very well every single day. So, I should evaluate it and decide what to keep and what to remove.

I do have 7 areas I want to consider and keep track of in the upcoming year that in the past I have just let things come as they are-however they worked out is how I let them be-fixing what needed fixing and dropping what did not work. I will simply say, this is not good. Things just don't fully get accomplished this way. It's good to have a plan. Other times I would plan, and then the tyranny of the urgent would take its place. No more! This is not to say true emergencies will not arise now and then, but on a daily basis...again I say, "No more!"

My areas are:

Bible/Prayer/Ministry - Read through the Bible in a year/Study at least 12 topics like a Berean/Pray faithfully for those on my prayer list/Send encouraging notes to others/Pray about name for and begin Newsletter/Choose a list of faith-building books to read

Dave and I - Keep on top of health issues for both of us/Keep searching medicinal alternatives for ailments/Have a date night every other week/Save for anniversary getaway (make envelope!)/Read together more/Pray together more

Children/Homeschool - Continue encouraging Lydia to study in the areas she feels the Lord is leading her to study/More life skills studies/More homemaking skills/Continue encouraging our grown children to give their lives to the Lord/Show them the fruit of the Spirit at all times

Home/Home Improvements - Continue and Upgrade Cleaning Schedule/Work on menu plans/Organize Recipes/Organize Binders/Stock Pantry/Freezer Inventory/Continue Decluttering/Organize with 'margins'/Add basement as a Zone/Make a doable list of handiwork to accomplish-at least 2 items per month!/Finish soffits and gable ends of house/Dream about and find photos of kitchen remodel/Dining Room and Kitchen Floors/DR and Kitchen Ceilings/Decipher which projects I can do myself and which Dave has to do/Organize Home Improvement Binder

Finances - start envelope system and make it work!/Pick two ministries to give to on a regular basis

Business - Blog each day/Pick 6 items to write an ebook or homeschool curriculum ebook about/Make items to share tutorials with/Make items to sell

Homestead - 6 Turkeys this year/Meat Roosters/Enlarge Garden/Move all perennial beds to front of house/Build Chicken Tractors/Cold Frames/Start Seedlings/Hoop House hopefully

Book List - Choose and share at least 12 (if not more books) for 2012 (may include faith-building)

This list is a quick overview of my goals in each main category for 2012. Some things are more detailed than others. They may be added to when I get them written in my Goal Binder. As I add to them, I will update here.I've got a bunch of things to organize this year. I just have to realize that it will take time.

I think the next post will be the specific organization of things and the month allotted for each. I almost have all my monthly goals broken up and many of these things are distributed that way. Having it all broken down though and seeing all the things I'd like to accomplish this year will help me stay focused and make it a point to keep on top of it all.

I know there are times I will have to push myself. This week I am not feeling well. On top of this systemic candida I've been fighting since the spring of 2011, I am dealing with fibro pain or a flu trying to come on-so between the two I have to take little rests and eat lots of garlic!

I am so thankful that I discovered the order of Goal Setting, it is really helping to put the new year in perspective.

Thank you Father that you give us all things pertaining to life and Godliness in Christ! Help me to place all my plans before you. Please, do not let me get so wrapped up in lists and plans that I miss you Lord. Blessed be Your Name. Amen

That Elephant Sure Looks Awful Large...

It's the second week of January.




I am still working on how to put the rest of the year together amidst the daily hustle and bustle of life that needs sorting too.



I got up early and got myself going. I mean I took out my 'Home Blessing Hour' to-do list and went to town!




I tried not to obsess-honest I did, but some of the details proved too hard to ignore. So I spent a good hour in my room and the master bath-obsessing. But it looks good and my sheets went through the wash, dried on the clothesline and are back on the bed.




On to the kitchen, which for me is Zone 2. I didn't worry as bad in there since it's Kitchen Week and I'll be in there doing all the little extras that get overlooked on regular weeks. I did get all dishes done (the soaking pans), the counters wiped, the washer and dryer washed off and the floor mopped. Hopefully, I will get to work on those curtains I've been trying to get going for a few weeks now. Just trying to dress it up in there until we can get to the remodeling project we always talk about.




That was the extent of my Home Blessing Hour (which took more than an hour). I had to take my Mother-in-Law to her Doctor appointment. That cut my day, but I got to spend time with her, which is something I enjoy very much.




I got home at 4:15 and set to making dinner-leftovers for the most part. I know some people who throw all their leftovers away. That does not happen here! We try to be very frugal and not waste any food. If something is not finished, which does not happen very often, it goes to the chickens or pigs, if we have any growing.




I did manage to get two more loads of laundry done to hang down in the basement by the woodstove. Clotheslines, racks and hangers. I love hanging laundry. We stopped using the dryer for the most part, unless there is a very random emergency we don't even think about it. Propane is way too expensive and we use it for hot water and the stove. Dave put in sufficient clothesline for me and I can easily do many loads if necessary. I love to iron too-I know, I'm strange!




So...I am still working on these hourly activity sheets, daily activity sheets, monthly activity sheets, yearly activity sheets, print outs, downloads, ebooks, planners, binders and the like! Whew!!! I hope I can get it all together before June! This is just so new to me and waaaayyyy over my head. I am sort of a 'spur of the moment' type girl.




So, knowing my thirst for the latest life-changing reading material, I'd like to mention another read I can't help myself over.


I got a little tidbit in my email from Crystal Paine at Money Saving Mom. She's offering an ebook that appeals to my ever growing collection of life-changing ebooks. It's called 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life. Most likely I can glean many things from it and apply them. Since I'm in the middle of major-life-overhaul, I may as well go for the gusto!




BUT...what I'm really looking forward to is her book coming out The Money Saving Mom's Budget. I have never had a budget. There I've said it. And yes, my finances show for it. And yes, it's even harder since we decided I would be a keeper at home (but well worth it I might add)! Still, on top of that, all overtime at work has been squashed. And we still have 6 of us here at home! So, it's something I am looking forward to reading too. Crystal (and some other bloggers that I will mention over time I'm sure) has been a Godsend to me. She is generous and shares her information quite freely. She is truly a blessing. So, click the link and go pre-order. The book comes out on January 10th, 2012-that's tomorrow!




Tomorrow I hope to really sit down with what I've accomplished schedule-wise so far and get it on here to share with you all. Nothing will be set in stone and things may move around, but it will be further than I've ever been, and I'm totally thrilled about that!




So many things to get in order! I'm tired of winging it! Can't wait to see all we accomplish this year! We have lots of plans and ideas, so many things have changed in our lives that it makes it necessary to do things a bit differently than we've done in the past. But with the Lord's help, we can do anything!

Father, I praise you for your order and discipline in this life, that we may be all the more useful for your Kingdom as we live out those principles here, for all the world to see.

Praise Him for the grace and strength to be honest with yourself as you are called to die, fall in the ground and grow to a strong tree, able to bend with life's storms and yet grow fruit fit for the Master's use. It is no small thing to serve God in the Home-Sweet Things.

Sunday Meditation

(38)For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

(39)Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

Commit Your Way and Works to the Lord

Commit your way to the Lord; trust also in Him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:15

Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts shall be established. Proverbs 16:3

Commit your way and works to the Lord; your thoughts shall be established; he shall bring it to pass.

These scriptures came to mind whilst I was outside working on some tasks that needed doing. In all my thoughts about goals, plans, and organization for this coming year, I've been praying about how to put it all together, but today I have realized the necessity of sincerely placing each one before the Lord and asking which ones are acceptable and worthy of the time He gives me each day (all of us each day): 24 hours.

This putting together of my year is so new to me. I have been organizing my home, which was no small feat. Anyone who has truly been a clutter-bug can appreciate how long it takes to truly come to terms with decluttering. How difficult it can be to figure out what to keep, what to give away, what to throw away and what to sell. It took a long time and a whole lot of effort to get as far as I have-through major flare-ups of fibromyalgia and other life dealings. God be praised! He blessed me with the strength to do it and the presence of mind to keep things in eternal perspective, always keeping in front of my mind the scripture telling us to "love not the world or the or the things of the world, for if you do the love of the Father is not in you".

At any rate, organizing my time is an altogether new concept for me. Wow! And how could I not understand God's heart in the matter? Am I slow or what? God, in His unfathomable mercy has now given me a new task. That of fulfilling Psalm 90:12, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom." This I cannot do in my own strength-no way!! I need the wisdom of the One who knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). And so, with that to ponder, I turn all my works and ways over to my Father who knows infinitely more than my simple brain can imagine, Whose ways are higher than my ways and Whose thoughts are higher than mine.

It may take me longer than some of the ladies I've been reading about, who have a bit more experience with time organization than I do. But I am determined to utilize the time I have left in life for God's glory, each nanosecond, if it's in my capacity. I honestly do not wish any longer to waste time with stupidity or frivolity, frittering away time as if I've got loads of it. At my age, if God permits, and I live as a blade of grass, the sun is up and shining and the day is nearing it's mid-to-late afternoon. There really are some things I'd like to accomplish while here and if I keep it as it's going, I realize that may not happen.

We are not stewards of our time, we are stewards of God's time, of the time He allows us, of the time He grants us. And when my little tiny brain, in comparison to God's infinite wisdom ponders Psalm 90:12, I cannot help but place myself in the palm of God's all-sufficient, merciful hand and beg forgiveness for the time I've wasted and humbly ask that He teach me to 'number my days, that I may apply my heart to wisdom'.

To Him Be All The Glory as I place this insignificant life in His mighty hand to do His all-knowing will. May I be a vessel for honor, to honor my King. Amen.

Seek the Lord, Who alone grants wisdom and blesses us with learning time on earth to bring Him glory in our Home-Sweet Things.

Thoughts, Plans, Ponderings and Goals for 2012

I have spent this first week of 2012 reading blogs I enjoy and receiving much encouragement and inspiration for the year ahead. Many of them are sharing their Home-Sweet goals for 2012 and showing how they work it out throughout the year. My heart is full to overflowing with all the things I would like to accomplish here at my own Home-Sweet.

I was tossing around the idea to start a new blog. A blog to talk about loving the Lord and our family. To share handiwork, homesteading, frugality, recipes, books and articles that are pertinent to keepers at home. A blog that offers encouragement to women who are just discovering God's design for His daughters even though they've attended church for years. A blog that walks women through the process of making their home a priority. A place where sisters can share their own testimonies and encourage one another in the Lord.

Then I realized that this very blog is the ideal place to do all of that. I have not been as consistent as I would have liked blogwise in the past. I have not shared all the things that might have inspired you as I walked through my last years imperfectly. It's been a process, this conversion experience, and the Lord has patiently led me and guided me along this path.

I believe that God has opened the door and has given me the 'go ahead' to begin blogging and sharing on a daily basis. There is so much I desire to share. Even things that seem small to me may bless someone somewhere who is having a hard time of it.

So, while I should have posted my thoughts, plans, ponderings and goals all this week, I will share some next week and then get on with the process.

My hope is to inspire you and cheer you on to humbly walk this straight, narrow and difficult path-our Lord's Way with a heart to learn of Him and be transformed into His image. He is altogether lovely and He makes all things beautiful in His time. He is all about taking our ashes and giving us beauty, giving us the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Why? That we might be trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that HE may be glorified!

I am looking forward to walking this year out following my Savior, Jesus Christ!

Most Hallowed, Heavenly Father, I commit all my thoughts, plans, ponderings and goals to You. Please help me to drop those things that are not what You have in mind for me and help me to obey the leading of Your Holy Spirit each day. Help all my Sisters who are also Followers of 'The Way' to do the same. Help us to grow and be willing to go through the fire. Burn off the dross so only Your image and likeness are seen. Thank you that you are the Author and Finisher of our faith and that You will never leave us nor forsake us. We praise you and love you because You first loved us. In Jesus Name we pray that Your Kingdom would come and Your will would be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Thank you Lord-Amen

Seek the Lord as you prepare another year to be a blessing in the Home-Sweet Things.

Happy Anniversary

Yesterday was our 30th wedding anniversary.

We did not feel the need to go out to spend money we do not have on exotic foods or appetizers (not that I can eat any sort of wonderfully, yummy comfort-type food anyway right now!), we simply stayed home and dined on a dinner of roast duck, sweet potatoes and green salad.

We took a quick little 'questionnaire' we got at the couple's dinner from February in Lancaster. It was amazing to me how well we know each other after being together for so long. Why it was amazing I cannot tell you-I should think after over 30 years you get to know someone, but it really gave me a sense of satisfaction.

It brings me such joy to know that Dave and I know each other so well. Yes, the little 'his' and 'hers' pamphlets that were given to us were supposed to be filled in way before November 14th, I'm sure. But I'm happy we waited.

My very thoughtful cousin gave us gift certificates to a local restaurant and we will go soon, but this was nice. It was home and we had a lovely, colorful dinner and laughed about how well we knew each other. He left two questions blank, not knowing how to answer and I left one blank. But we each left the same one blank!

The question asked: What ice cream flavor would you use to describe your last date?

(a) Vanilla

(b) Rocky Roads

(c) Superman (I ask you...is this really an ice cream flavor???)

(d) Double chocolate fudge mousse

And we both left it blank. We laughed about that. You see, we don't go out on dates very often. We can rate it when we go out to lunch or dinner with our thoughtful gift. It does make us chuckle though. And, I will add, that I felt a small surge of-dare I say pride-when he said that I was practical, like a mini-van.

So, we have now come to the point in our wedded bliss where we also think alike, which for Dave, is a very scary thought!

I know God gave Dave to me because he is my complete opposite! He is so balanced in every way I need balancing! He has been such a blessing to me through the years and has worked so hard to take care of the children and I. Mostly, I am thankful to the Lord for not only blessing me with such a wonderful husband, but also for revealing His salvation to him in the Lord Jesus Christ that we can walk the narrow road together.

Honestly, he is also very patient. Being married to me, I'm sure, has not been a picnic all the time! I had no idea what godly submission was and have been learning to submit myself to the Lord and learn of His Kingdom rules and how that in effect comes out to my husband, my family and the world around me. Like Christ, I desire to be meek, gentle and humble.

On a much more domestic note:

...we spent the day before our anniversary pressure canning 21 quarts of duck and turkey broth, and our anniversary finishing up with 6 more quarts.

"How wonderfully romantic", you say.

I say, 'Yes, it is!"

"How so?", you ask quizzically.

Well, when you can with a pressure canner, you have to stay and watch it the entire time so the pressure does not get too high. We sat and listened to a couple of early church teachings and talked about Bible doctrine and other things while we cooked duck stock with carcasses my sister-in-law blessed us with. I did not count how many, but there were enough to make 27 quarts of broth with a bit of turkey stock mixed in the last batch.

So, we spent our time frugally and happy in the Lord, working together in the kitchen-which is really something we've discovered in the last 10 years that we enjoy doing. We have a baking and making schedule we seem to follow and we thoroughly enjoy our kitchen time together. Would that be considered a date? Probably not. But it is time we spend together doing something we enjoy.

So, here it is a day later and I am still basking in the goodness of God.

I do have photos of duck stock canning, and will post them tomorrow.

Reflecting on the Home-Sweet Things and rejoicing in a Heavenly Father that knows our needs way before we do!

I've Done It Again...

...had too many days between posts.

The thing is, there is always so much going on here and it takes me some time to sit and say the things that are worthy of sharing that I do not get to it. Maybe I need to simplify here too!

I have found some good blogs these past months and enjoy reading them. I will post them on the sidebar for easy access.



Right now, we are having another snowstorm. It has already snowed overnight-4 or 5 inches. I'll be out shoveling all the paths to the chickens and wild birds, the bunny and the basement door to the woodshed. I acutally enjoy shoveling. There is something-don't know what it is-about clearing the paths of the snow-to make the walk easier.

Maybe it's some kind of life-thing for me...'the clear path makes the life-walk easier'. The only clear path I know of is the path of Christ-the Narrow Way-the Good Way. The path that narrows as you walk it-the difficult way. Yet, with Jesus to guide us, the great cloud of witnesses to cheer us on...the 'Follow Me' is not too hard when we keep our eyes on the Prize!

It reminds me of the Scripture from the Psalms (119:105):

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."

Shoveling in the still, snowy, gray daylight, where all the sounds are close and low, gives me time to ponder things that are taking place here at home, around the globe with my loved ones and brethren. It gives me time for clear, uninterrupted thinking and even time to pray without interruption. Yes, I think I enjoy shoveling very much!

I do have to locate my mittens though, I dropped them on the ground, I think, and two little chihuahuas have taken them out into the yard. I suppose I will find them in the spring! So, when I come inside and have time to 'set a spell', I will attempt to crochet a new pair. I'll let you know how that works out!



Off to begin shoveling before it turns to ice as predicted!

God bless you as you walk the Narrow Path with the Light of Christ guiding you; as you begin your daily tasks and enjoy your every moment today knowing you are surrounded by that great cloud of witnesses (found in Hebrews)! Let the 'Home-Sweet Things' be a joy to you as you offer them to our Great God and Father in Heaven! Amen

P.S. Since I haven't blogged in quite a while and haven't been tallying my 'One Thousand Gifts' steadily since...who knows when?? I am going to start all over and get on with it from here. I have sincerely been thankful for many things over the past couple of years, I just have not posted them faithfully.

So, let's begin again.

Right now, I am thankful for:

#1. The strength to shovel!
#2. Daughter #1 was home and spent time with us.
#3. Enjoyment of God's gift of outdoor beauty and wildlife.
#4. Chicken feed in both hoppers!
#5. A warm, cozy house to dry off in and hot tea to sip, warm up, relax and count my blessings. :)