Something New

I've added a link to my blog storing my creative writing works. Click on the "Big Chief Tablet" in the side bar if you'd like to visit. This new blog is still under construction, so if there isn't anything posted yet, please check back later.

Girl Before A Mirror

I look at myself in the mirror and I like what I see.

I see someone who takes up more space than she used to but I also see

long, blond hair that turns my husband on.

I see blue eyes that try to look for the best in all people.

I see a nose that loves the aroma of my mom’s peanut butter cookies.

I see full lips that like to sing praises to Christ Jesus.

I see two ears that delight in the sound of my children’s laughter.

I see shoulders that sometimes feel the weight of the world.

I see two strong arms that ache to hold a newborn just one more time.

I see breasts that nourished and nurtured three miracles.

I see a waist that can still be embraced in my husband’s arms.

I see full hips that made the perfect seat for a curious baby.

I see long legs that will stand up for what is right.

I see feet that will go the extra mile for those I love.

A Common Kitchen Utensil

I am the boss in this kitchen.

I am rather expensive but I’m worth it.

I am built well and made to last.

I am a heavy duty machine—stable and sturdy!

I am a classic. Kitchen gadgets may come and go but I am here to stay!

I am self-motivated.

I can be set to a task and will work well.

I don’t require anyone standing over me making sure I do my job.

I can do big jobs or small ones.

I am versatile and I have more than one speed:

I can take it nice and slow or, I can turn it up several notches depending on the task.

I have the ability to add some sweetness to people’s lives.

I can also put some savory flavors into the mix.

I say, “When things get tough, buckle down and keep going!”

I might groan a little but I keep on spinning.

I spin until the work is done… and I look good doing it!

I am indispensible now that I’ve been here all these years.

I am a KitchenAid mixer and I am the boss in this kitchen.

A Yearning

Rick and I have always said we think we were born "too late." Now, really, I know that my Creator has a plan for me and I know He didn't mess up. And I know He set me on this Earth in 1968-to be in the "prime of my life" during the 21st century-for a reason. However, I still long for "the good ol' days." I like being a housewife. I like being a full-time mom. I like baking. I like cooking from scratch. I like wearing aprons. I like pearls. I love June Cleaver's style in Leave It To Beaver even though I am built more like Larry Mondello's mom. LOL We LIKE tradition here. We strive to hold on to those old ways where father does know best. And ya know, the weirder this world gets the tighter I am holding on.

I went to a yard sale yesterday and bought a whole garbage sack full of patterns (for $10--I KNOW! I love my tips from the BBQ joint!!) and there are a few gems in there. There are a couple "mail order" patterns from The Weekly Star Farmer (newspaper) Pattern Department. It is a pattern for a lovely button down blouse with 3 styles. I don't see a date on it anywhere but I think it's safe to assume that it is genuine vintage. It's for a size 12 and I suppose that the size 12 "back in the day" is not the size 12 of today.

There is another jewel in the bag of patterns: Another "mail order" pattern from the Marian Martin Pattern Department in New York City. This one is for a dress that I've fallen in love with! It too is a size 12 and well, um....well, I'm a bit more voluptuous than a 21st century size 12 so I'm sure this vintage size 12 won't work.

Then, (yes! There is more!!) I came across a McCalls dress pattern from 1960 (size 12 ) that features 3 simply adorable dresses with "choice of three bodices"). The original price for the pattern is 65 cents!!! Isn't that a riot!?? There are about 20 dress patterns for little girls...oh so sweet! Some craft patterns and a couple wedding dress patterns...and then there are several (6-8??) patterns for costumes including Renaissance period and what I call the "Hello Dolly!" period.

Then there are a few 80's patterns; however, I'm not so excited about those because I had enough of the 80's big hair, big earrings, shoulder pads and jelly shoes. Oh well.

I think I'll have some fun with this treasure.

Pie Fixes Everything!

Between homeschool lessons, Memorial Day activities (wait 'til you see pictures I took of all the gorgeous peonies at the cemeteries!!), and wrangling my boys and their friends who are out of school for the summer I've been away from MTJABM. Oh, I guess I should admit that I've been enjoying some time at "Aunt Ruthie's Sugar Pie Farmhouse". She just has so many fun ideas for decorating, great recipes, homemaker product reviews, and more. Bop on over and see what I'm talkin' about. I've also been busy transfering all my recipes over to Love From A Red Kitchen which is my 21st century cookbook.

Getting to THE HEART OF THE MATTER

Heart of the Matter hosts a weekly meme and gives a topic for readers/participants to write about. This is my first time participating in this "meme." This week's topic is:

End of the Year Reflection:

Biggest Triumphs and Biggest Challenges

Obviously, this is to be about the end of a school year. We've had a different kind of homeschool year this year. But then again, every year has had a different flavor. We've been homeschoolers for five full years now and each year I think I have it figured out and each year I learn I still have a lot to learn.

Ethan has matured so much this year. For one, he is taller than his mama! He has gained much more self-control and he has a "let's buckle down and get lessons done first so we can goof around" attitude. That's nice. He has improved so much on penmanship. And math. And reading! Oh my gosh it's so nice to hear his confidence when he reads aloud. I see and understand now about "better late than early" when it comes to some children and reading. This is one child who thrives on the inordinary. Football? No. Swimming? No. Jumping stilts? YES! I love that about this son of mine.

Eli has become much more serious in his studies. He definitely has his favored topics --don't we all! His reading has always been top notch and he has always appreciated math and science so much more than other fields of learning. He is the kind of child for which unit studies work very well. If it's a subject he has interest in, I can pull every single discipline into it--even if it's by just a thread--and he's reveling in it! Semi trucks, heavy equipment, motorcycles. We spent many hours with "story problems" for math that included bills of lading, freight weights, and truck driver log books. This is one kid who "kinesthetic" education was designed for! I love his energy and his desire to please me is prolific!

Our biggest challenge this year has been me. I hit what I guess you'd call "burnout" in October and it's been hard to get me out of that. It's not like we were really doing "too much" either. I have a great curriculum so it's not that. I think it's the things of this world that just wear me down mentally and I have a hard time finding energy to continue with what has been my focus for the last 4 years. Things have been "out of sync" in my home and in my life--with my friends and with changes in our family dynamics and it's been a struggle for me to stay focused on what's important and not just what's urgent. Some days I think I have really short-changed my sons in their education. Some days we just don't get anything done--we don't crack a book. That's not the normal day but I still feel like if the public school principal was looking in our windows on that day he'd be knocking on my door in a heartbeat!

Now, with all that said, I must admit that I don't have a real worry about it. My concept of "home school" and what it really means when you get to the heart of the matter (no pun intended, really) is that we are a family. We are together. We are available and able to be with Morgan (either through cell phone or in person) when she needs us. We are learning together about life and what it means to live for Christ.

Friday

my boy stands at the

gate in the cold and whispers,

"Mommy? Mommy soon?"

Protecting His Mama!

This is a feel-good story. Rick and I watched this piece on GMA this morning. It's about the German shepherd dog that kept NYC police officers away from a dog that had been hit by a car. Our daughter's dog Scout (a "Puggle"--Beagle and Pug) was sitting just outside the open kitchen door. Rick is sure Scout was listening in on the story. In his witty and funny "Scout" voice, Rick said, "Okay...go ahead. Take the cape." It made me laugh out loud! Poor Scout.

Thursday

Thank you Lynn for this Thankful Thursday meme. Join in the gratfulness by clicking on her name of the picture under Thursday at the left and follow the guidelines.

1. Thankful for new mercies every morning. Some days just don't end on such a good note but after a night of sleep things always look a bit less daunting the next day. This comes from Jesus.

2. My children are healthy! Thank you God for protecting them and keeping them safe and healthy.

3. I'm so thankful to be the mom of these kids. They are precious. They are awesome creatures. I enjoy watching them grow into who God wants them to be. Do I feel like I'm being pecked to death by chickens? Yes, most days in fact. However, I'm the MAMA HEN and I know they're just trying to find their way.

4. Thank you God for our freedom. I believe it was Thomas Jefferson that said, "A government that is big enough to give you everything you want it big enough to take away everything you have." Scary thought. I appreciate that I have the freedom to worship and follow Jesus Christ. I am thankful that I have the freedom to educate my children here at home and teach them the most important lessons.

5. My husband. Oh how I love that man! He inspires me. He makes me laugh. He protects me. He supports me and my hairbrained ideas. He adores me and makes me feel like I am worth more than rubies and diamonds!

6. My part time job. It's perfect for this time in my life and I truly enjoy the work.

7. My itsy bitsy house. You've heard the saying, "Love grows best in little houses." Well, if that is true (and it is) there is so much lovin' goin' on 'cause this house is tiny! Little homes are nice because: you don't "lose" anyone, there isn't much to keep up with and you have to remember not to acquire too much "stuff", and everyone knows when supper is ready!

8. My desire to exercise. Thank you Lord for putting this desire in my heart. It makes taking a daily walk or going to Curves much easier when the desire is there. Exercise has helped improve my health: my blood pressure has gone down and I was able to cut my meds by half, I've lost about 12 pounds and 13.5 inches!! and my mind is clearer and firing with all cylinders now. Yay!

9. Thank you Lord for that very first Garden. . . Eden. When I read about the paradise you gave Adam and his helpmate Eve I long for something similar in my back yard. Okay...so it won't be that wonderful (nothing will be that wonderful until Christ Jesus returns) but I do thank you for the hobby of gardening--growing food and flowers. Dirt smells so good and so...so...earthy! Dirt feels so good on my hands and the shower at the end of a day of gardening and yard work is refreshing...kinda like those mercies that are new every day.

10. Thank you for excellent homeschool curriculum choices! Apologia's BOTANY is an awesome go-along with real-live gardening in the Spring and Summer! Beyond FIAR is so full of important stuff to hang in our minds! I love that it all comes from reading kids' books and reaching for more!

11. Sunshine! Lord, the winter is so long for me. I struggle January, February, and March and those three months seem like they take forever! I am so thankful for more hours of sunlight. I feel like a totally new person come April and when May hits...I'm beyond thrilled.

12. Cell phones. I like being able to text and chat with Morgan even when she is in class. I am thankful that she is just a speed dial button away and that I'm number #2 on her list of speed dials. These past two years of college for her have been terribly hard and Lord, I thank for your keeping us connected through technology.

13. Blogging! Silly as that may be I am thankful for this outlet. I can write what I want (freedom of speech!!), and I have a place to store my thoughts. It's a great place to reflect.

Square Foot Gardening

So far...so good. Ethan built my first 4x4' box a few weeks ago and after giving up the search for vermiculite I purchased four bags of Miracle Gro Garden Soil on Mother's Day because I was determined to get my seeds sown this week.

Today Eli and I marked off our 16 square foot sections and planted a variety of seeds for a "Salad Garden." We planted 2 squares of green beans, 2 squares of cukes, 2 squares of leaf lettuces (mixed variety), 2 squares of spinach, 1 square of carrots, 2 squares of pickling cukes, and 2 squares of onions, and 1 square of bell peppers. That leaves 2 squares for tomato plants. I didn't get any seeds started indoors so we'll have to buy a couple or three tomato plants and go from there.

Tonight Rick made me two more 4x4' boxes and I am seriously considering making one of those nothing but sweet corn and the other one nothing but more tomatoes. I'm still researching the wisdom of this thought.

I have one more 4x4' box that has 10" sides that I thought about planting potatoes in. The verdict is still out on that thought though too.

I have chives, oregano, spearmint, rosemary, thyme, and sage also started (again!) and hope they will come to fruition. I really need to grow some dill for all those pickler cukes that are going to grow!

I would also like to grow some strawberries (maybe the 10" box??), and my dad really likes radishes. I'd also like to have some iceberg lettuce, broccoli, and cauliflower to harvest too. In all the gardening books I've consulted it seems one underlying theme is consistent: Plant what you continually buy at the grocery store.

What Is It?

Leave your guess in the comment section. You must be very specific.

The first one to leave the correct guess will win a heart wall hanging made from a vintage quilt.

If you'd like to join me with a What Is It? photo contest of your own on your blog, please do so but link it back to this Mister Linky and mention me as the hostess of this meme.

(You will be responsible for your own prizes should you choose to offer one for correct guesses.)

This tip for Tuesday's Tip Jar meme (hosted by Blog Mommas --click to participate!) comes from a few years experience. If you have a neighbor that you like and your family's tastes are similar you can save some time in the kitchen by organizing a Supper Club. That's what we were doing last night with the Low Country Boil. (Except last night was with a twist which I will explain later.)

For a Supper Club you need at least 2 families who are willing to participate. Three families is ideal and four families is workable although you need a bit more planning and organizing to execute a four-family Supper Club.

This is how it works: Each family cook chooses one day of the week as "her day." On that day she cooks for her family AND the other families in the Supper Club. Now, it does take some time to prepare a couple more dinners but the beauty of it is you get your cooking done in one day...and then you're done for the week. The next night someone else is bringing your family a nice meal.

You save some money too because you can purchase grocery items on sale in bulk. If you have any questions about the particulars about a Supper Swap leave me a comment.

The Supper Club I am in now is comprised of my family and the B family. It's working like a charm! Last night's Low Country Boil was a tad different because we took the entire meal to the B's house and joined them at their table instead of just delivering the meal and coming back to our house to enjoy ours. Last night we added fellowship into the mix.

Low Country Boil

Friends + Food = Fun

What do you get when you mix some smoked sausage, cobs of corn, some red taters and jumbo shrimp in a huge pot of water with some Cajun spices then you dump it all out on a newspaper-covered picnic table and surround it with a half dozen kids and one brand-new teenager, two moms and two dads?

You get this:

After!

And then we had dessert!

What Is It? Wednesday

My husband enjoys photography. I think pictures should have PEOPLE in them (preferably people we know). He thinks pictures should be of whatever catches the photographer's eye. Ahem. He has a point. Rick gets quite creative with his camera. He's had some awesome shots. He has several photographs featured in our county's tourism brochures. He has a file of pictures that he's taken of extreme closeups of subjects and has presented me with one and the question: What is it?

I thought that would be a fun photo meme for Wednesdays. So, come this Wednesday check back and see if you can figure out what the posted picture is. I will have a give-away for the first person who posts the correct answer.

If you have your own file of "What Is It?" photos and would like to participate in this meme please link back to this page of my blog and comment so I know you were here. I'd love to visit your blog and guess at your "What Is It?" picture!

Monday

If you'd like to participate in the Menu Plan Monday meme hosted by Laura at Organized Junkie click on her name or the apron picture at the left under the heading "Monday" and follow the guidelines. All of my meal plan recipes can be found by clicking on the meal title.

Monday 11th: Low Country Boil with Friends! I am doing the cooking and my family will join her family tonight at their house with this big pot of yumminess. We are going to cover her large family-size indoor picnic table with old newspapers and then cover that with a plastic table cloth. We're going to dump the (well-drained) contents of the big pot right in the center of the table and dig in! She and her husband have 5 children and two of our three will join us so we'll have a jam-packed dining room and lots of laughs!

Tuesday 12th: Tacos, Cheese, Tomatoes, Salsa, Lettuce, Sour Cream, Dill Pickles! Yeah, we like chopped dill pickles on our tacos. Try it! You might like it. I'm not linking a recipe for tacos. I think every family has their own version of what a taco is. Far be it from me to lead you astray!

Wednesday 13th: Burger of the Week Smoky Double Cheeseburger (It's # 2 in the slide show)

Thursday 14th: Goulash, Buttered Corn, Cooked Carrots Garlic Bread! No recipe for Goulash either...see "Taco" above for reason.

Friday 15th: Pizza and Salad! Don't get excited. Around here it's frozen pizza and usually Salad a la bag!

Saturday 16th: Leftovers from the week

Sunday 17th: Beef Tips and Rice, Green Beans, Asparagus! A favorite of my daughter's. Miss M will be home for the weekend and I'll treat her to this. It's sirloin steak cut into bite size pieces, dredged in seasoned flour and fried. A brown gravy is added and simmered. It's served over cooked rice. Comfort food.

Electricity Costs Going Up.

Yeah...but isn't everything? I was thinking this morning how we in our family can head off some of the increase in our utility bills. The thought occured to me that possibly having one day a week where only the barest of electic power usage might be a way. Might be rather a fun challenge too. Then again, it might be more difficult than I am considering. I think I'll propose the idea to Rick and see what he thinks.

What would we lose? We would experience no lights on during the day, going to bed earlier, no hair dryer, no laundry (washing at least--I could wash the day before and hang the clothes to dry), no cooking (except on the BBQ grill), no television, radio/cd's (unless battery operated), no video games, no pumping gas, no grocery shopping (oh darn! LOL), no charging cell phones, no blogging, no message boards, no internet surfing, no dishwasher, no vacuuming (how sad! NOT!) and a bunch more no no no's. But it might just be a fun challenge.

What would we gain? Some frustration I'm sure but also some laughs, realization of just how much power we do rely on each day, more time outdoors gardening and at the park. We'd play more board games, read more, enjoy the scent of a nice candle, a picnic, read more, visit more and all around just spend more time t-o-g-e-t-h-e-r. Who knows, doing this once a week just might show a monetary savings at the end of the month when the electric bill comes in the mail.

How would we execute this idea? Well, I'd start by unplugging from the electric outlets everything that could be disconnected safely: That's about everything but the refrigerator. Then I would put some tape on each light switch in the off position to remind us not to flip the switch out of habit. I would put a list of all non-electrical activities we can do--and it just might include washing dishes by hand, sorting through all old periodicals, dusting the furniture, playing the piano, playing the xylophone (yes, we really do have one), taking a walk with Jorja, weeding the garden, making sandwiches and going on a picnic,...now if I can just talk them into it.

Saturday Psalm & Praise

Post a psalm or other hymn of praise and worship.

AGNUS DEI Lyrics & Music by Michael W. Smith
WORTHY Lyrics & Music by Don Moen
Sung by THIRD DAY This version of Agnus Dei just really gets to my soul. I don't know if it's Mac Powell's smooth voice or if it is the WORTHY lyrics tucked in among Agnus Dei...maybe it's both. Well whatever it is, it is amazing and my soul sings out in praise of my Almighty Jesus. If you scroll way down to the end of this page you should be able to click on this song in my playlist and hear for yourself. Praising God this day.

Alleluia, Alleluia
For our Lord God Almighty reigns
Alleluia, Alleluia
For our Lord God Almighty reigns

Holy, Holy
Are You Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
You are Holy
HolyAre You Lord God Almighty
Worthy Is the Lamb
Worthy Is the Lamb
Amen

Holy, You are holy
King of kings, Lord of lords
You are holy
Holy, you are holy
King of kings, Lord of lords
I worship you

*~The Simple Woman~*: Introduction And Prayer~Part 1

*~The Simple Woman~*: Introduction And Prayer~Part 1

This is the homeMAKING Bible study I want to begin. I've already read through many of the lessons and begun to ponder.

Renewing My Mind

I have been thirsting for a Bible study. Seriously, it is not in the budget to purchase an online study although I have done so in the past. I want something that will encourage me as a woman-a housekeeper, wife, mother, homeschooler, and daughter of the King. I think I've found one. I'm posting a link to the site in case you need what I need. It's right above this post. Be blessed.

I like this picture of Morgan. We gave her a cell phone for Christmas and hid it in a bag of 100 hair bands. Rick had it activated prior to that and when she was tearing the wrapping paper off he called her new phone number. It was fun to watch her dig through all those hair bands to get to her phone.

This is my great uncle Floyd. He makes Root Beer every year at our family reunion. Kids line up for a cup of this spicy-sweet ice cold treat. He is mixing it in a 5-gallon bucket with "the root

beer stick" and has dry ice in there to frost it quick. Talk about a frosty mug of root beer now. YUMMM! August hurry up!

This is by far one of my most favorite pictures of my guys. Needless to say, that was a peaceful afternoon.

And then the berries were made into a lovely pie.

Last summer I went blackberry picking at a friend's place. I came home with a tub full of berries and had some fun "styling" them.

Our small town has a yearly celebration in the summer and while the parade down Main Street is not long nor very exciting it IS tradition. Our "Red Hat Society" always participates by riding in an area farmer's "Pickle Barrel Train."

I took this photo last spring. I am glad to share it now. This little bird was perched upon the little red wagon just outside our front door.

FRIDAY 5

Friday's Meme is brought to you by Shannon. Please pop on over and grab the Friday meme for your own blog!

Games People Play

What’s your favorite card game? Phase 10
What’s your favorite roll-the-dice-and-move game? Settlers of Catan
What’s your favorite playground game? Dodgeball!
What’s your favorite party game? Norwegian Etiquette (Leave me a comment if you'd like instructions for this game. I cannot find any information on the web about it.)
What’s your favorite computer game? ZUMA

My Favorite Things

20 Of My Favorite Things

1. Color-purple.

2. Dessert-Vanilla Ice Cream with Hershey's Chocolate Syrup and Chopped Walnuts (Unless it's my birthday and then I want Mississippi Mud!) Incidentally, I have been known to enjoy both of these (not at the same time) for breakfast.

3. Smell-my freshly showered husband.

4. Flower-anything fresh cut

5. Animal-Yorkies!

6. Month-June (I married the love of my life in June.)

7. Beverage-freshly brewed ice tea (Unless it's three in the afternoon and then I prefer hot tea with honey.)

8. Pair of shoes-Tan leather BASS Mary Jane style from my sophomore year in high school. If I could EVER find another new pair of them I'd buy them in an instant!

9. Snack-LOL S'mores! Duh!!

10. Song-More Than Just a Beautiful Mess by Matthew West.

11. Book-Besides the Holy Bible? Hmmmm.......

12. Fruit-Red Grapes

13. Hairstyle-Long and Straight-no bangs.

14. Piece of clothing-Christopher & Banks denim capris with tiny buttons on cuffs.

15. Store to clothes shop-Thrift Stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army, ARC--great bargains to be found if I have the time to browse!)

16. Season-Spring

17. Hobby-Do I have a hobby? How sad is that!??

18. Thing to collect-Vintage Pyrex in Solid Colors (no patterns)

19. Movie-The Notebook

20. Restaurant-Panara Bread for a chain restaurant/Smokin' Willy's for a local place.

Here is a picture thought I want to share with you. Does it make you laugh out loud too?