Monday, November 7, 2011

To post or not to post, that is the question!

Hmmm...writing blog posts...

I struggle with how often to post and what to post. I nearly always have something I could post but yet neglect to post. (Seriously, did I use the word post enough?? ~smile)

I have over twenty posts in draft form and many more I have posted and then removed.

Why am I this way?

Sometimes I feel that what I have to share no one would really be interested in...
Sometimes just writing a "draft" is all I need for me... the need to write is fulfilled.


So, what will you read here on this blog?

That's a tough call.

There are bound to be plenty of ramblings (usually snippets of my complete thoughts on a subject).
I would love to say that anyone could come here to read great words of wisdom but since I am firmly grounded in reality... you may get my take on wisdom for what it is worth... (~smile)

However, I can assure you that when I post from the Word,
IT (The Bible)
is
true
wisdom.

I hope to share more practical tips..
making soap,
salves,
recipes,
natural cleaner how-to's, etc.,

Possibly I will share some sage advice from a veteran home educator (~smile).

Even though I am not sure what exactly I will share in the future here on this blog, I do have one over-arching goal and desire for this, my little place on the web. ~~My one greatest desire with my blog is that all I would write would bring glory to Christ and that I would post nothing that would be a stumbling block to a fellow believer or someone seeking Christ or that anything I would post here would in any way hurt my precious Lord and Savior.

Thanks so much for reading....

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Every woman



Found this quote on Simply Vintage Girl. It really makes me think about how much influence I have on those around me...
 
"Every woman, whether rich or poor, married or single, has a circle of influence within which, according to her character, she is exerting a certain amount of power for good or harm. Every woman by her virtue or her vice, by her wisdom or her folly, by her dignity or her levity is adding something to our national elevation or degradation." —John Angell James

Friday, October 21, 2011

Man, I just want to moan and complain!

When you realize how temporal this life here on earth is-- how very short it is in comparison to all of eternity, it changes your perspective quite a bit.

This life isn't about me - 

I am to live it 

and 

God expects me to live it with 

joy! 

But it really is all about Him. 


So what if there are problems, issues, arguments, criticisms? -- We have all of eternity to live in the totally blessed wonderfulness of His love. 

Oh there is much work here on earth to be done... showing His love to others... listening... giving... going out of our comfort zones...pushing through when tired...no time for a break...always more to do... and I get tired, selfish, angry, and want to moan. But I have all of eternity to rest in Him!! All of eternity to feel the physical presence of His love. 

I can be so prone to fussing over my problems in this life. 
I want... 
I need...


Yet,
in 100 years they will not matter in the least... 

then I will be with Him...




Friday, October 14, 2011

Free-falling

 Today's "Five Minute Friday" word is catch.

"On Fridays around these parts we stop, drop, and write. We write bold and beautiful and free. Unscripted and unedited. We just write without worrying if it’s just right or not."  I did however correct one typo - it wouldn't have made sense otherwise. It is really hard for me to post something that I haven't edited at all- this post is like one big rambling thought.
When thinking of the word catch, this is what came to my mind...






Catch.

Free-falling. Sometimes in this life we feel alone don't we? We feel like we are free-falling. Falling down, down, down.... when will we stop? When will it end? It is a scary and alone feeling. No one else there, just you and all this empty space.

Who will catch me when I'm falling? Who is there? Is there a big hand that will reach out and grab me just before I hit the ground? Or am I to hit and smash into a thousand pieces?

We are given all these thoughts and emotions by God so we can fully live this life. Sometimes our feelings are raw and painful. It is how we are as people. Everything thought, every moment is not all daisys and lollipops. Sometimes we do indeed feel as though we are free-falling.

Thankfully when we have Christ, He IS there. We need not crash-- we can accept these emotions for what they are- just feelings. We are not alone. He is with us.

I am so thankful to be peacefully resting in His hands today......


To read other posts visit:  Five Minute Friday

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Gifts!!

Yesterday, my son and daughter in law stopped by my house to give me a little gift. 
I opened the package to find a bib that said,  
"I Love Grandma" 

Wow. 

I wept tears of joy.

There are times in life when I wonder why am I so blessed? Why has God seen fit to bless me so? To think that a little child will join our family next June, the joy of that thought is so wonderful I am nearly ready to burst.

I have been blessed with two wonderful sons and had prayed to be blessed with more children (through adoption if possible), this has been my earnest prayer for many years now. God has not blessed me with more children of my own, but He has seen fit to bring along a little grandbaby. Ooooo! I realize I will have to share this little one with his/her parents and another set of grandparents, but just the thought-- a cuddly sweet little child - possibly a bouncing little boy like his Daddy or pretty little girl like her Mommy. To realize that God already knows this little one. He has known him or her since the beginning of time! How wonderful! And next June I will hold this little one in my arms. Oh, isn't that amazing?!

Oh my son and his wife, his beautiful little wifey, as he calls her, are young and as poor as church mice. It is true. But they love each other and they are so happy about this little one coming along. A baby born into a house full of love, that is something money can not buy.

I purchased my first little gift for this sweet little grandbaby today. The book, God Gave Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren. It is the story of a little polar bear. She asks her Mama, "Mama, where did I come from?" Her mother tells her, "from God." Mama tells her little cub the story of her pregnancy and how when she first heard Little Cub's heartbeat, "I cried happy tears then." "Why?" the little one asked her... "Because God had given us you," Mama bear told her. It is a beautiful story and the illustrations are lovely.

I am so very, very glad my precious little grandbaby, 
growing inside your Mommy's belly, 
that God has given us 
YOU. 



Monday, October 3, 2011

Salvation is so easy.... ??? Really?



Someone made a comment recently that salvation is simple, easy. Although I do understand their reasoning, I disagree.

Christ suffered death.
 
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

At no time do I think of death as easy.

And considering HOW Christ died, and what He went through prior to his death, neither simple nor easy come to my mind.

Read along with me the following verse:

"And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified." Mark 15:15

Scourged him... are you familiar with the term? To scourge is to whip, but this was no ordinary whip. Wikipedia gives a bit more thorough definition of scourge:   Scourge . Does that sound like an easy thing to endure??

They had only just begun:

"And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!" Matthew 27:28 & 29

Doesn't that sound nice? They placed upon his raw (likely down to the bone in many places) and bleeding back a robe. Imagine how it would sting- imagine also after a while how it would feel to have His clothes removed once the blood had begun to clot against them. ...

Let's consider that crown as well....  

One of the most vivid symbols of Christianity is the crown of thorns, which Jesus wore before his crucifixion. The scripture text tells us that the soldiers "platted a crown of thorns", that is, they braided long vines of thorns together to form a crown. There are two types of thorn plants that grow around the Holy Land, one called the Zizyphus Spina Christi and the other qundaul. Both have long, flexible twigs that can be woven into crowns, however, the qundaul has the harshest thorns of the two. Considering the cruelty of the soldiers, most theologians believe that the qundaul plant was used, with its spikes of 1 to 1 ½ inch long. The Roman soldiers had to weave this plant very carefully. If they were careless, they would be wounded just as easily as they wounded Jesus. One must ask, “What purpose drove the Romans to take that extra step of torture?” Such an undertaking to braid the thorns was certainly work and not pleasure. This was not something easily accomplished in a few moments. It was not something accomplished without risk to the soldiers. Weaving the thorns into the shape of a crown would have been a toilsome task.
                                                                     -Dan Southern

How about that crown-- it wasn't easy to wear and it wasn't easy to make.

The Bible tells us more of his crucifixion, I've only just touched at the beginning. I encourage you to read more of it for yourself.

Now, I must ask you. Does any of this sound easy? How about simple??


Let's look at the other side for a moment, the receiving end. This is where it gets simple right?
Now I'm just going to summarize what happened for me.

Acknowledging and repenting of my sin.
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 5:23

Ah... I don't know about you, but this is not a simple thing for me. I have realized it and Christ has forgiven  my sins.. but easy... hmm....no.

Next consider that as a person I am to give up control of my life and turn over the reigns to God.

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" 1 Corinthians 6:19

My body not my own??? Excuse me?? Well... I'm a little bit stubborn and a wee bit mistrusting... and I am supposed to let someone else tell me what to do, rule my life, be my Master??? Hey, I'm an American. I was born to be free. Right?

Thankfully in Christ is freedom. 
TOTAL freedom. 
REAL freedom. 

And

REAL peace

And

REAL love.

No, I do not call salvation easy. I do not call it simple. 

It is

Amazing

Awesome

Wonderful

It is beyond description.
and I am SO thankful that He offers it freely.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Apple Crisp

Apple Crisp


This is a recipe I have used for 20+ years. The original called for using less apples, more sugar, and putting this in a 9 x 9 pan. I found that to be too sweet for us, so I modified it into a healthier version.



Begin with 7 -8  large washed apples.

Peel, slice. and core the apples. Put the apple slices in a 9 x 13 pan or equivalent.  This should fill the dish at least half full.

Sprinkle apples with 1/4 c of white sugar. Then sprinkle 1/2 to 1 tsp of cinnamon over the apples as well. I like the cinnamon flavor so I use 1 tsp.

In a large mixing bowl place:
1 stick of butter (only REAL butter will do- both for taste and for your health's sake!)
1 c of brown sugar
3/4 c of flour
1 c of rolled oats (I prefer the quick oats vs the steel cut for texture.)
Cut these together well with a pastry cutter until the mixture is crumbly.

Sprinkle oat mixture evenly over apples and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until the apples are  tender and have bubbled up into the oat mixture a bit.


Enjoy!


Note: As I prefer to eat this as a breakfast dish as well....many times when I make this I use 10 apples, filling the pan nearly full.

Yummy.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Life's Colorful Choices-- Fading, Dull, or Vibrant?

The leaves are starting to change color here in Maine. What was once such a beautiful, delicate green in early spring, is now changing to the colors of a vibrant fire...orange, yellow, and red. Each so amazingly beautiful... some leaves with a spectrum of all 3 colors combined with a little leftover green. And yet, on occasion we come across a branch with a crinkly, leaf devoid of any real beauty. One that has seemingly skipped that vibrant stage and went on to a very dull brown instead.  In spite of the occasional dull leaf, Autumn is a lovely time of year in Maine.

For me this is a melancholy time and I become retrospective. I tend to be of this sort of mind anyway, but in the fall these feelings are magnified.  As I walk about outside with leaves crunching under my feet, I think about my purpose in this life, my purpose for the rest of 2011, and my purpose for today. What have I accomplished this year? What can I accomplish in the time remaining in this year? What have I been doing and what should I be doing?

My life is at a crossroads, as much as the earth is starting the new season of autumn, I am starting a new season as well. Will I start it with vibrantly beautiful colors or will I hold onto the fading pale green that used to be? Or will I instead choose the dull, dead brown color that some leaves change to rather quickly? The choice is mine... will I hold onto the past, trying to live in it, crippled by it? Will I sulk and worry about the future, give up entirely on today and live a dull, colorless life? Or will I choose to live my life vibrantly, with passion, enjoying every moment, seizing every opportunity God gives me? The choice is indeed mine....


Found the Marbles

Friday, September 23, 2011

Growing

Growing

Time spent with Him
Growing, growing, 
Getting to know Him more.
So much more growing to do.

He prunes.. there is so much for Him to prune.
I want to grow lots of fruit...fruit for Him.
To grow properly, He must prune.
And it HURTS.

Growing in Him.
In His wisdom.
In His Love.
Learning.

So happy to know the Master.
to be pruned by His loving Hand.


This week's 5 minute Friday at  the gypsy mama was once again a stretching exercise for me. I enjoy these, makes me think on the spot. Although I did delete 2 lines (oops!) as I typed. I forgot I wasn't suppose to. And I sure do hate to leave typos..
Check out the link. It is interesting how a number of people can write on the same word for 5 minutes and have such different takes on it.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Real Men Love Pink

Just found this website through another blog:

There is only one problem I have with the site, it should be called "Real Men and Women Love Pink". 


Image title: Pink Smile

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Love... cont'd in song...

 The sincere humility Keith Green sang with is evident. His music gave all glory to Christ and truly edified believers. 

I was exposed to his music after his death... one wonders why the Lord called him home so early, but thankfully, due in large part to the internet, we can still sing along with Keith. 

What glory it will be one day to sing praises to our precious Heavenly Father together....


Tuesday, September 20, 2011

He loves me!! I want to shout it from the mountain tops.

"The joy is in having the Beloved, not in loving what we have."

   Mmmm.... 
the Beloved...


 
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering." Colossians 3:12 King James


The ESV words it this way:
"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience."

Beloved....

Loved by God..

Think of that with me for a moment, will you? How incredible is it that I (and YOU) are God's beloved? The God who created all the universe... (everything that IS.. is because of Him)... 
and He loves me!





Why would He love me? Because I am so wonderful? No... matter of fact I could very well have penned the words of Romans 7:19 "For the good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do."  
He doesn't love me for what I've done -- thankfully. 

He loves me because...
He is the One who created me...
made me... 
Colossians 1:16b "All things were created by him, and for him." 
He created me... 
for Himself. (Awesome thought!)

And He sent His Son to die for me (and you!) 
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (payment) for our sins." 1 Jn 4:10

Such love!
"We love Him, because He first loved us." 1 John 1:19
He loves me... 
He loves me!! 
I want to shout it from the mountain tops.  




Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Paradigm Shift--- A life-changing truth has burst through to my mind.

I have had an epiphany.

A life-changing truth has burst through to my mind.

For sometime now I have been struggling with an issue. My mind and heart have been consumed with the thought of it.

Tonight, quite out of the blue, the Lord made a truth known to me.

If something is to happen in my life... whether or not a hope is to come true... it is all in the Lord's hands. 
He has made it very clear to me that He loves me so very much and KNOWS what is best for me. 

If He wants me to have something, it will happen. 
If it isn't in His will, it will not happen. 
Period.

No longer do I need to think I want, I want, I want, nor do I need to beat myself up for thinking it. I can go about my days joyfully thanking Him for what He has done for me and I can rest knowing that He lovingly has the very best planned for me (in order to bring Him glory-- which is what this life is all about.)

This is indeed a paradigm shift for me. --One in which once again God has broke through and showed me His awesome love for me.
It is so good to know Him...



Monday, August 22, 2011

On a new journey....

Being in the season of life I am is a bit scary, yet it is exciting too. Any new journey holds elements of both emotions-- apprehension over what is to come and excitement at the thought of something new.

I've gone from career woman to stay at home Mom to home educator and now my role is mostly one of homemaker. I enjoy my life. I do. Matter of fact, I think for the most part, I am living the good life.

I am not one who cares for material things (I have other vices, let me assure you.). As long as basic needs are met financially, I'm a happy woman. I am very content to do the majority of my clothes shopping at Thrift Stores. I love the challenge of finding something cute that fits.  At my favorite shop, all the clothes are 50 cents a piece. Fantastic. Even my limited budget allows that. Also, I enjoy gardening and freeze and can nearly all our veggies for the winter months from my one small garden. Throughout the summer, we eat a lot of salad made with fresh greens... I plan to plant some nice dark greens inside this fall to enjoy throughout the winter as well. (I had poor results with this attempt last winter but am determined to try again.) Wild game is frequently on my dinner menu, although I do enjoy a good beef hamburger on occasion. I would really like to raise a meat goat or 2 and some chickens for meat as well. Right now, I have 8 beautiful Rhode Island Red ladies that are getting older but still producing all our egg needs plus about an extra 2 dozen or so a week I either sell or give a way. So, with these needs met, I have no desire to go back out into the career world for monetary reasons.

Each day tends to be filled with opportunity and I enjoy a variety of activities. A good deal of my time is spent on household chores, cooking, and gardening, but I do have time for other pursuits as well....

Reading. Casually, yes, but mostly for research. I have an unquenchable desire for knowledge that I must always keep in check or else I would spend too much time learning about various subjects that have no real application to my life (Re: the life of Voltaire, nuclear fision, the Spanish inquisition, etc.)

Writing. I have had a few bits published and would enjoy pursuing that a bit more but at present I am content just writing little blog posts and notes in my notebooks.

Making all-natural soaps. My favorite is a coconut and olive oil soap with calendula blossums and clove bud essential oil. Smells amazing and is so good for your skin!

Baking bread. I love to experiment with artisan type breads and multi-grains. If I had a market for these, I would enjoy baking and selling a few dozen loaves a week.

Working with children and volunteering in my community. I love people! I so enjoy meeting new and different people, chatting with them and hopefully having the opportunity to share a little bit about my precious Lord and what He has done for us.  I look forward to being involved with a new children's ministry at my church this fall and enjoy working in the ladies' ministry at my church.

Kayaking and firearms. New passions... so fun!!

Making handbags from upcycled materials. It is so fun to go into a thrift shop and look at clothes and see a potential handbag. This is a creative-bent I greatly enjoy. Although, I mainly enjoy sewing in the fall and winter, having little desire for it in the warmer months.

So as you can see, my life is anything but dull...being a homemaker is fun, inventive, challenging, tiring, dirty, hard work, satisfying, fulfilling.... hmmm... maybe this new season isn't so bad after all.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Where do I go from here?

 

In less than three weeks, my youngest son will be married. In May, my oldest son graduated from college. He is recently engaged and will be married July 2012. 

Wow. 

It is not that I am not happy for my sons and these changes in their lives but I'm not sure if I'm ready for the transition in MY life. That may be a selfish admission but it is the truth.

Having become a mother for the first time at age 19, it seems as though I have always defined myself as a mother. Certainly this is true for my adult years. Although I would have planned on waiting a bit longer to start the journey of motherhood, I did expect to travel this road a bit longer than I have (with more children was my hope.) Many of my peers have younger children and are still in the thick of it, while I am at the end of the road. 


I went from being a single, working Mother to a cloth-diapering, breast-feeding, at-home Momma to a home-educating Mom. Those transitions were natural and I embraced them. (I loved being on the cusp of the home education movement. Others having blazed the trail before me. I have always enjoyed doing things a bit out of the main-stream.) But now.... 



How do I define myself now? What is my purpose? In this new season of life, what exactly is the next journey I am setting out on?




Saturday, August 20, 2011

Thankfulness - Eucharisteo


I have been reading
One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.



Each page is like poetry...so deep..so thoughtful.

This book has struck a (deep) chord with me.
Making me inspect my thankfulness in a new light... 
Am I truly thankful to God for what He has so generously given me? 

"Charis. Grace. 
Eucharisteo. Thanksgiving.
Chara. Joy.  

A triplet of stars, a constellation in the black.

A threefold cord that might hold a life? Offer a way up into the fullest life?

Grace, thanksgiving, joy.

Eucharisteo.

A Greek word...

that might make meaning of everything?" p.33

Thursday, August 11, 2011

The Maine Woods, Simply Beautiful

I'm just back from a walk in the woods. 
Everything is so beautiful out there right now... 
From the lush green of the moss carpeting the path...to the rain drops sparkling on the ferns...to the dappling sunshine on the birch trees... 
~overwhelming beauty given to us from God.
I don't need to travel the world to see great examples of art and beauty. 
They are literally out my back door.
~~~~~~~~
Thankful Thursday

Friday, July 29, 2011

Still...

Still...

"Be still and know that I am God."

Be still.... 
slow down... 
even in my mind not just externally.

Be entirely still. 
And know the He IS God. 
Still...
quiet, thoughtfulness, not for just the purpose of being quiet but being still to KNOW Him. Be quiet to hear His "still small voice." 

Busyness of mind, 
busyness of hands and actions 
will hinder us from hearing. 

My heart... 
my mind... 
must be still.

Thank you, Lord that busyness does not equate holiness to you. Thank you, Lord that you want me to be still and KNOW You. That in order to choose the "good part" as Mary did, I must come to You and be still.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 


I wrote this post as part of "5 minute Friday." 
It was so much fun! 
I didn't use a stop clock so mine may be more of a 4.5 or 6 minute Friday link-up, but I did enjoy doing it... it was a great little mind exercise.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

The weird, the bizarre, the unusual ... the real me.

I have read other bloggers' "10 guilty pleasures", this is my take on it.


Bugs, snakes, spiders... you know, all that stuff girls are supposed to be afraid of... I am drawn to them. While other women shriek and run away from them, I clap with joy and run to them!

Thunderstorms....lightening to be exact. I have an incredible urge every time I see lightening to run outside to an open space with arms outstretched so I can feel it. I have resisted this urge thus far in my life, but if in the future you hear of a woman burnt to a crisp on her front lawn during a thunderstorm... you'll know I gave in!

Non-fiction...I have a very hard time reading fiction, unless it is written pre-1900. When I have an hour or two to read, I nearly always read non-fiction, many times taking notes. This may sound like a round-about way to brag but honestly it isn't..it makes me feel a bit "out of it" at times. It can also be a bit annoying. Friends recommend books to me, I check them out from the library, and I have all I can do most times to manage to get through the first chapter. I want to read the latest and greatest, too... but instead I'm stuck back in 1850.

Facebook... Okay, this isn't weird or strange.... unless you don't get it. THEN, it may seem odd. I do not spend hours on there each day, but I do enjoy reading the statuses and articles posted. I work on a project for an hour or two and if I'm home I'll check Facebook for 5 minutes or so. It is a fun little addition to my life!

Notebooks...I nearly always have a notebook with me. It is rare for me not to. I have little ones (yes, two) I carry in my handbag (which is quite small itself!) I am always jotting down notes and thoughts and have notebooks full of a paragraph or two of random thoughts.

Boxes...I collect unusual or cute-to-me boxes. Yeah, boxes. I have to be careful or I will have quite a stack. About once a year or so, I go through the ones I am not using and burn most of them. I use them to organize papers, and etc.

I sing to myself...nearly all the time when I am alone. A few times I have been caught doing this within hearing range of others.. I hum, too. I try not to when others are around but sometimes....My boys grew up listening to me sing and singing with me... I remember when they were young, an Amy Grant song came on the radio and my youngest son thought it was me singing... ah the ears of love! Now mostly just my guinea pig must endure it although on occasion I have been caught singing to my chickens!!

Why?.... I want to know the reasoning behind things. I can seldom take anything at face value, everything must be researched before I can call it my own. And conversely, I find fascinating what many find dull... to know that the base of much modern thought actually goes back centuries is so interesting to me! Much of what we think or how things are done today is because of the ideas of men many years ago. To me, that kind of stuff is cool. (Note: If you are looking for the Truth, look no further than the Word of God, the Bible. Authors like Francis Schaeffer can help you "put it all together" as well. We must have a solid base!)

Well, that is all I can come up with for now... there are not 10... I may add on eventually or maybe not, maybe I'll keep the rest a secret. ~smile


.

Friday, July 22, 2011

You've Got Mail

Mmmm.... a letter from the One I love most. I have to read it again and again.

 
Have you ever received a letter (or email) from someone you love or admire? You read it once through quickly, then again slowly, then again and again until it is nearly memorized. You never tire of reading those words written by the One you love.

It is like that with God's Word. His precious Word for us. 

Never dull,

never boring,

filled with love,

and always just what I need to hear.

There have been times in my life when I have neglected reading the Bible.  Always the Holy Spirit draws me back to it... after a few days I literally thirst for it, the need is so great. At times reading it has been painful, yet as I weep tears of sorrow, He turns them to joy.

Knowing my Lord loves me so... His Word is so dear.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1

.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Mmmm... a really good book

For the past few months I have been reading Francis A. Schaeffer's 
How Should We Then Live

Yes.

I said...

the last few months

No, I am not a beginning reader and English is not my second language. I am going at this pace on purpose.  I'm going slowly, taking notes, reading about 1 chapter a week or so. 

 I really enjoy F.A. Schaeffer's literary style. He makes meaty content so enjoyable to read. While reading this book, I feel almost as though someone is present with me explaining the details to me in a way that is both interesting and memorable.

 How Should We Then Live is basically an brief synopsis of history from the beginning of time until it was written in 1976. What I am enjoying so much about this book is the way it brings so much of history together- showing how the past and the present (and hence the future) are interrelated. 

For example:
Were you aware that Voltaire's humanist thoughts and writings were what lead the French to a horrible blood bath with many dead and ultimately left them under the authoritarian rule of Napoleon Bonaparte instead of to an eutopia of human enlightenment as he had hoped? Do you know why?
And did you realize that Machiavelli's book The Prince, a book said to tell how to improve society, is what both Mussolini and Hitler based much of their political practices on?
Well... maybe you don't really care, but I'll tell you... this book is so well written, I bet you'll be saying "I had no idea!" within the few first pages AND that you'll want to continue on reading. Really, I bet you will! ~smile

There are so many interesting treasures in HSWTL. I could go on and on.

But instead, I'll leave the rest for you to discover on your own. 
Happy reading.


Monday, July 11, 2011

Want to look GREAT?? Then you really do need to have these.

In my last post I spoke a little about "frumpiness". It was a light-hearted post and said a bit with tongue-in-cheek. Today I want to share what I believe are the two most important fashion assets any woman (or man for that matter) can have. Want to look GREAT?? Then you really do need to have these.

1. A smile.
Not a fake, pasted-on, "I really can't stand you but am smiling anyway" smile, but rather a sincere smile that comes from peace and joy deep in our hearts. The kind of smile that says "all is well with my soul". A smile that adds a twinkle to our eyes and a spring to our step! Do you know that a smile makes you look younger? It may add "smile lines" but a smile makes other wrinkles less noticeable. There really is nothing quite so attractive as a woman or man whose joy of life shows in their face. Attractive is an apt term to describe a person who has a wonderful smile- people are literally drawn to them. A smile is free and makes you feel great as well.

2. A servant's heart.
 A woman who serves and sincerely cares for others is BEAUTIFUL. I know several women like this. They give, give, give and they never let on to others how much they are serving... you never hear them "brag" and seldom do you even hear them mention in passing what they are doing to serve..     

....And you know what? Even though they may not wear the latest fashions, wear little or no make-up, have simple hair styles, etc., they are honestly beautiful.

It is a beauty that comes from within.

It can not be faked,  no make-up can give the appearance that it is there when it isn't...
but you can not mistake this kind of beauty when you see it.

I have noticed women like this before and for a few brief moments I have thought... "if that woman just shortened her shirt a bit so it wasn't pulled so tightly down over her stomach, wore a different height of heel, applied a little mascara...." then as I watched her with others... watched as she served when tired...with a smile.. I realized she didn't need anything else to look more attractive. She was beautiful.


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Friday, July 8, 2011

Feminine not frumpy!!

I've previously mentioned in this post Why I wear skirts alot that I enjoy wearing skirts

a lot

I love to look "girly". I wear a skirt while cleaning out my hen house, hoeing in my garden, working in the woods (working on  firewood), shoveling gravel, shoveling snow, etc, etc.... you get the idea. I wear them nearly all the time!

One thing I am conscious of beyond the modesty question is...
I hate to look frumpy. 
Oh, ugh, how I hate frumpiness!! 
Oh yes, I do. 

I HATE it!!

God wants us to be modest but it is not immodest to look attractive! 
Ayuh!

I'll tell you, it is very difficult as a full-figured women wearing skirts to NOT look frumpy. I do so enjoy "cute" fashions....something with a little style... yet, I am not a trendy type dresser. I have neither the desire or the money to wear the latest fashions, but I am conscious as I dress each day to try to look as pleasant as my situation allows, --yes, even to just go split wood. ~Smile

Recently, I came across the blog of one young woman that truly inspires me fashion-wise. (She is not plus sized, but many of her fashion choices would look lovely on larger gals, too.) She is stylish, cute, and.... 

of all things... 

you just won't believe it.....

modest!!

I absolutely adore her style. AND there is not even the tiniest bit of frumpiness in any of her posts that I have seen!

You really must have a little look at her blog, whether you enjoy wearing skirts or not.....If you think modest clothing has to be frumpy, boring, or outdated... think again!!

Warning!!! Looking at her blog may change how YOU feel about wearing skirts. ~smile

Monday, July 4, 2011

7-4-2011





 (This says all verses. In fact, it is only two. Our national anthem contains four verses.)

"May the Heaven-rescued land, praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!"


Have a wonderful


.