Wednesday Blessings

A Plaque That Hangs
On Our Kitchen Wall

Good afternoon, Sweet Ladies! 💗

It's not often that I get a chance to post during the middle of the week, but today is one of those rare and quiet days where I have opportunity, so I'm taking advantage of it.

How has your week been thus far? Mine has been good...busy, but I'm learning to relax and pace myself...to enjoy, and truly be thankful, for the work itself...not just be glad when a job is over and what was accomplished in the doing of it. 

After I finished my post on Monday, I went to the closet to gather hangers and grab the basket of dirty clothes so I could get the laundry started and I got side-tracked...in a good way. While there I started going through clothes. I ended up emptying the closet and sorting out, and packing up the winter clothes (most of them anyway) and pulling out the summer ones. In the process, I pulled out two bags of clothes from both piles to be taken to the second-hand shop and I know exactly what I've got and what I need before going into warmer weather. I did keep out my two favorite long-sleeved, snuggly-type shirts, and a couple of warmer nightgowns, but, other than that, the winter stuff is history! 😊 

Of course, after I did that the weather forecast changed and it's gotten colder again. In fact, yesterday afternoon it was SNOWING! Not alot...just a few big fluffy flakes, but still!!! 😲 LOL!

My schedule has changed this week somewhat (the boss needs me to work tomorrow), so I decided to go ahead and pull out the St. Patrick's Day decorations yesterday and got most of them put up. 

St. Patrick's Day is a big day around here! Actually, we always celebrate the Wednesday before (unless the 17th happens to fall on a Wednesday, of course) because that the only time our youngest daughter and her husband can make it down. In keeping with our family tradition, we have corned beef and cabbage, baked potatoes, and Emerald Isle Cake every year and the whole clan is invited. It's a fun time for the children and it always makes for a good excuse to spend a little extra time with family. 🍀

Well, Ladies, it's time to fix supper, so I guess that's it for today. You all have a great rest of the week and I'll talk to you again soon!

Love and blessings to all...
~Rebecca

Recent posts that you might enjoy reading...

Happy Homemaking Monday - March 5, 2018

Happy Homemaking Monday - February 26, 2018

Valentine's Day 2018

Welcome November!

Hello November

Good morning, Sweet Readers! And HAPPY NOVEMBER!

It's hard to believe that most of 2017 is behind us and that the holiday season is upon us again already! Where on earth does the time go? 😲

Yesterday finished up the Write 31 Days writing challenge and I was so glad to be a part of it. I don't know how good the subject matter was or how interesting the posts were, but it really did challenge me to stay on topic, and stay focused on putting something out every day. Now I don't want to lose the momentum. Not that I'll put something out every day, but the challenge definitely got me into the habit of blogging again and, for that, I am thankful!

Yesterday, of course, was Halloween and the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. We handed out candy and tracts to what few trick-or-treaters we had and watched Luther with Joseph Fiennes. After that we went over to our daughter and son-in-law's and watched KJB: The Book That Changed The World with John Rhys Davies. We had never seen it before and, must say, they did an excellent job with it. We got home and to bed late.

This morning for breakfast I made Trim Healthy Mama's Apple Cinnamon Swirl Muffins (page 280 of the THM Cookbook) and served them with Triple Zero vanilla yogurt on the side. I did change the recipe up a bit by adding the second half of the apple into the muffin mixture, rather than eating it on the side, and it was absolutely delicious! It was like eating apple pie for breakfast! 🍎 

Now...for the rest of the day. I don't have a lot planned. I do need to go help my neighbor with a project that she's got pending, then I think I'll go ahead and figure November's bills and get that out of the way. Then I'll get a jump on my fall cleaning as I look ahead to the holidays. 

Have a blessed day everyone! And enjoy your Wednesday!

Until next time,
~Rebecca 

P.S. - As we enter the holiday season, what is the one thing that you are looking forward to the most?

Recent posts that you might be interested in reading...

Happy Homemaker Monday - October 30, 2017

31 Days of the Joys of Autumn - Chili

31 Days of the Joys of Autumn - Preparing For Winter

Good TUESDAY Morning!

In My Kitchen

Good Morning, Sweet Ladies!

It's been over a week since I've posted and I feel like I'm missing in action. I thought I better take a minute to check in and give you a quick update. 

The past week has been full of adventures...some of them good...some of them not so good, but praise God! His mercy endureth forever and I praise Him for His mighty hand of protection over all!

On Wednesday of last week, I went with my friend, Laura, to her last chemo treatment. She's done so well with all of this and I'm super proud of her! Thankfully, she is getting a bit of a break before having surgery the first week of October. I ask that you all continue to remember her in your prayers as the Lord leads.

On Thursday our flower bed and the neighbor's tree caught on fire due to a neighbor across the way's burning brush piles. Needless to say, that led to quite a bit of excitement, but it all ended well and with an impromptu pizza party at our house. (How in the world did THAT happen??? 😲 LOL! 😆)

I worked Friday and Saturday. Friday was quiet and Saturday was golden! I didn't get a lot accomplished with what I needed to be working on, but it was the best work week I've had in a long time! I will share more about that later.

We had a good church service Sunday morning and then I worked again Sunday afternoon. It was good. Not many people, but accomplished more than the previous two days combined.

Then, yesterday! Yesterday I took a friend to town to pick up her senior box and go grocery shopping and ended up in the ER after having a severe allergic reaction to the food I was eating while having lunch out. I have a lot more to share about this later, too, but it will be after I get a little further down the road. I just praise God, again, for His mighty hand of protection! It was bad, but He was there. Praise His holy name!

As for now, I need to go. I just wanted to drop in and touch base. I have several posts in the works and hope that things slow down soon so I can get back on track with everything. Until then, please, pray for me and know that I am thinking of and praying over each and every one of you. 

Until next time...
~Rebecca

Past posts that you might enjoy...

HEARTH AND HOME - September 3, 2011

Delicious Homemade Recipes For Using Apples! (Living On A Dime) - September 27, 2012

Welcome, Autumn! - September 22, 2013

The First Saturday Of Autumn 2013/Recipe For Mini Baked Pumpkin Cake Doughnuts



Good Morning, Dear Sisters!

 

On my way home from Pittsburg this morning I noticed the beauty of God's creation all around me. Far overhead a vulture with his wings spread wide circled, glided, and rode the unseen air currents above me, the prairie grasses, their heads heavy with seed, waved in one, continuous, unending billow like waves on a large body of water, sumac blazed fiery red along the roadways, and thick, black clouds overtook the sky.

 

Soon after I got home it began to rain heavy and it's still raining now. The wind is gently blowing and I hear the occasional thud of a walnut as it drops from the tree outside our backdoor and hits the roof above me. All these things signal that autumn has arrived and that winter is just around the corner, and it leaves me thinking of the warm, cozy evenings to come. I'm so glad that the cooler weather has arrived! With it my senses have come alive!

 

I just lit a candle in the kitchen and am going over my menu for company supper tonight...nothing fancy, but very fallish...chili dogs, chips, apples, popcorn, and apple cider. I was hoping for a bonfire tonight, but with the rain now, I doubt that that happens. Oh, well! :)

 

As a last minute afterthought I decided to make another fall family favorite...mini baked pumpkin cake doughnuts. I know I've posted these before, but, it's been a while, so, with the autumn season fresh on everyone's mind, I thought I'd share again. They're so yummy and so easy to make!

 

Enjoy your Saturday and I will talk to you again soon!

 

All My Love,

~Rebecca

 

Mini Baked Pumpkin Cake Doughnuts

 

 

MINI BAKED PUMPKIN CAKE DOUGHNUTS 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil

3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 15-oz. can of pumpkin
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ginger
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 3/4 cups + 2 Tablespoons unbleached flour

COATING

2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray mini doughnut pans with pan spray. Beat together oil, eggs, sugar, pumpkin, spices, salt, and baking powder until smooth. Add flour, stirring just until smooth. Fill the wells of the doughnut pans about 3/4 full. Bake doughnuts for about 8 to 10 minutes or until done. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before transferring them to a cooling rack. While doughnuts are still warm, gently shake them in a bag with cinnamon-sugar coating. Cool completely and wrap airtight; store at room temperature for several days. Makes approximately 3 1/2 dozen. 


One Thousand Gifts - #301 - the stars in the heavens, #305 - pears!, #306 fall rains - so beautiful!

Cultivating A Grateful Heart Combined With Childhood Memories

One Thousand Gifts Devotional

For over a year now I have purposely been working on cultivating a more grateful heart. There's been plenty of roadblocks and failures along the way, but I will not allow them to stop my pursuit!

This morning I was reading Devotional 4 - Thinking Grace out of Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts Devotional and, in it, Ann was talking about watching her son, Levi, sledding straight out to the sheer edge and going down it "...more than once or twice." She talked about waiting for the tears, and realizing that it wasn't about that. It was about the wonder of it all...seeing it in Levi's eyes...the thrill of trying what doesn't seem possible, and noting that "...that's always where fear meets faith and the face of God."

As Ann talked about this wondrous winter scene, she challenged me, once again, to be grateful in all things. As I read, my mind wandered back to a day long ago, when I was just a girl myself. I was 11, I think.

We had one of those really snowy winters and it lasted long, and the snow was deep. I remember bundling up warm one day and traipsing through the nearly foot-deep snow...out the gate...across the lot...down the winding path...past the old oak tree that marked the spot where my childhood pet, Frisky, was buried...and round the hill to the open field where we gardened in summer.

I remember the open, empty space stretching out before me. It was edged with autumn's weeds along two sides, but now they were caked in icy whiteness. The highway lay beyond and below the old garden spot and fencerow. The bluebird houses that my dad had stationed along the path and on the fence posts were empty now...their summer residences flown away, and the forested hill rose high above me.

I grew up under this hill and I loved it! Every season it offered up new and wondrous gifts to anyone who would take the time to enjoy them, and it offered quiet solitude and solace to all who chose to partake of it. But I had never seen the hill like this!

The whole wintery scene lay open, yet covered, before me! The garden area was one solid blanket of deep, undisturbed, whiteness. The forest trees, each outlined in thick, icy hoariness stood tall above me and beyond that and overhead was the brilliant blueness of a cloudless sky. Below the trees the forest floor lay hidden except for an occasional twig or bush that stubbornly protruded through here or there. Grape vines looped and wound through the trees, hanging low in places, as did bittersweet and other vining plants, but they, too, were outlined in thick, icy hoariness.

And oh! How it sparkled! Everything sparkled! Everything sparkled because the sun was shining and God's creation hadn't been disturbed! I remember stopping right then and there...thanking God for allowing me to witness the beauty of His creation in such a new and wondrous way!

Everything was so still! So un-messed up! So clean! So fresh! And I'm thinking now...just like the start of each new day. Just like a clean heart before God (Psalm 51).

And, yes, I was grateful! I have carried the memory (and the quiet, and the solitude) of that one beautiful day that was, and it has been, literally, etched in my heart, for over 40 years now and, still, I am grateful to God for it! I will continue to be grateful for it, and will visit as often as the Lord allows it to enter my mind, for as long as I live!

Have a blessed day!

~Rebecca <3

One Thousand Gifts - #283 - lost ground (reclaiming it), #284 - Christ's work on the cross, #288 - mosquitoes in the back yard (Are they really a gift? Oh, yes! Bat food!) :)
 

Today

Today.

Today is one of those hard days. One of those too-little-sleep-the-night-before, haven't-had-a-shower-since-yesterday-morning, am-still-in-yesterday's-dirty-clothes, dirt-in-my-hair-from-cleaning-out-the-chicken-pen, my-family-is-really-hurting kind of days.

But today is also one of the perfectly beautiful, spring days. It's one of those the-sun-is-shining, the-grass-is-green, the-birds-are-singing, the-purple-irises-are-blooming, my-family-is-rejoicing, it's-a-good-day-to-just-go-someplace, kind of days.

I saw her last night...late...9:30...10:00...until around 11:00, I guess. Her face was flushed red, and she lay still in the bed and slept. A deep, restful sleep. I hadn't seen her like that in a long time.  Pain, you know. Pain and restlessness. There was always something else to do. And she had waited on him...for months. And, finally, he had come to see her. She could rest now...and she was doing just that. Resting.

When I got ready to leave I kissed her on the forehead and told her I loved her. Her skin was cool. Really cool. And she didn't stir like she normally did when I got ready to leave. My heart ached just a bit. Oh! To just have her say, in her gentle way, "Good night, Darlin'! I'll see you later!" But, no. She was resting.

I called this morning to see how the night had gone. Not good. She had been unresponsive since about...9:30...last night. Arrangements were being made to take her to the hospital. Still wearing yesterday's clothes...no shower...foul-smelling, I'm sure, and still smelling of fowl...dirty straw and cobwebs in my hair from cleaning out the hen house...I went...grabbing one of those beautiful purple irises from our flower bed on the way. They're her favorites, you know...purple irises are. :)

She was still lying there. Just like I had seen her the night before. Her boys...four of them...all there...another niece from the other side of the family...her closest friend...and others...in and out. Each one talking to her in turn...each hoping for a response...but there was none. I even held the purple iris right close under her nose and told her to drink in the smell of purple. Her breath came faster...deeper...just for a moment. Just like it did in response to each one's offering in turn. We believe she could hear us. But, other than that...no response.

We waited. We waited for the call. Yes, the paperwork was in place, the room readied. An ambulance was on it's way to transport. When they arrived, it wasn't easy. She was unresponsive and could not help at all. One more strong back...just in time...and she was loaded.

Where it goes from here? At this point only God knows. But, be it minutes, hours, days, or weeks, of one thing I am sure...today is a hard day. A beautiful woman that has been a pillar of strength and encouragement to countless others over the years lays silent...hovering somewhere between life and life eternal. No more uplifting words of encouragement to sooth a confused and angry spirit. No more words of good advice from one who's been there my entire life to cheer me up, slap me down when I needed it, and cheer me on when no one else would. No, that beautiful woman is soon to meet the Lover of her soul...face-to-face. Perhaps she is already there with Him...talking things over...making their plans for the rest of eternity.

Yet, today is a perfect day! Because it's one of those the-sun-is-shining, the-grass-is-green, the-birds-are-singing, the-purple-irises-are-blooming, my-family-is-rejoicing, it's-a-good-day-just-to-go-someplace, kind of days.

No matter when you go, my dear, loving, and most precious aunt, remember that I love you with all my heart! And wherever you go...whether it be with Jesus now, or, God-willing, back home to Liberal...wherever your journey takes you...my love travels with you! Pleasant journey, Aunt! I love you!  <3

Please keep my Aunt Linda, her boys, their wives, her grandchildren, and the rest of our family in your prayers. No matter what happens today, I'm sure that more hard, yet perfect, days lie ahead for all of us. God bless all here!

All My Love,
~Rebecca

A Saturday Afternoon Getaway

Things have been pretty hectic here this week, so my husband and I decided to take a little jaunt out to Prairie State Park as a mini getaway. It is only about five miles from our house and our family has spent a lot of time out there over the past 17 years. Three of our children have worked (or are working) there full-time and I think just about everyone in our family has volunteered there at one event or another. Anyway, John and I went out to see how the gayfeather (a.k.a. blazing star) was coming along and took a few pics. I thought that I'd share them with you and I hope you enjoy this little taste of Missouri's Tallgrass Prairie on a hot summer day!

Ladies Tresses Orchid - A friend in MDC told us that this is a pretty rare find!

 

 

Gayfeather - Not quite bloomed out yet, but still very pretty!

Sunflower - I'm not sure what variety, but it is definitely a sunflower!

Rattlesnake Master - An odd looking fellow!  Don't you agree?

Black-Eyed Susans - A very common prairie flower.

Vervain - Growing in front of the Visitor Center. Isn't it gorgeous?

Not a wildflower, but saw this shaggy beast (bison) grazing a ways from the herd. 

The Bison Herd - An enjoyable site at PSP...IF you're fortunate enough to encounter them...which, today, we were! 

Gray-Headed Cone Flowers - Growing along the roadside on the way home.

This, That, And The Other

Today has been one of those days that are kind of relaxing, enabling me to get caught up on some of the things that I've been wanting to do, but never have time for.

The morning started off with a trip to Denny's for a belated birthday breakfast with our daughter-in-law and granddaughter. (It was my daughter-in-law's birthday that I missed...not the other way around.) After that it was a quick trip to Wal-mart where I picked up a new door mat and some petunias.

The reason for a new door mat? Both of our door mats are old and yucky, but one of them...the back door mat... was so old and yucky that all the fibers that were originally there to catch the dirt were gone and all that was left was the black, rubber backing. I finally threw it away yesterday and, today, moved the front door mat to the back door and put the new, pretty mat at the front door. I also arranged the petunias that I bought into two baskets...one for the front and one for the back. Neither basket looks like much now, but, with time and a little TLC, and as the flowers grow and fill in I'm sure they'll get prettier.

I moved this basket of impatients that my daughter and son-in-law got me for Mother's Day to the front porch as well.

Here are some little herb-garden markers that I got last week on sale at the Hallmark store in Lamar. I had forgotten that I even bought them until today.

Speaking of herbs...I've got mint drying in the oven now and have a batch of mint and strawberry top Frozen Ice Pops  going in the freezer for the hens. Yes, you read that right...for the hens. I got the idea from Fresh Eggs Daily. We'll find out how they like them shortly! :)

And my son helped me out today by repainting this wind chime that was given to us by a neighbor as a going away present when we moved from Blue Springs to Liberal 16 years ago. Originally it was white, but, over time, it had rusted. All we had on hand was black spray paint, so that's what my son painted it. Either way, I still think it's cute!

Well, that's my day thus far. How's your Tuesday going? Have a blessed rest of the week!

All My Love,
~Rebecca

Calling All Families, Moms, and Homeschoolers!

Sally Clarkson of I Take Joy has asked for help in supporting her son, Nathan, and his dream of influencing Hollywood. Nathan's goal is to send a message that quality, wholesome films with a good, moral message are important to us, and I'm passing Sally's call to arms along to you!

Here’s how you can help:

1. Nathan has had an opportunity to work as a consultant on the movie Dolphin Tale, which releases in theaters (US and Canada) on September 23rd. The goal is to get 150,000 people minimum in attendance to the movie on release day. You can be one of those 150,000 plus!



2. Blog about it and/or e-mail your fellow homeschoolers and Christian friends about this fantastic opportunity. Encourage them to get involved, spread the word, and attend the movie.

In case you’re wondering, Dolphin Tale is a fantastic family movie which will “inspire, instruct, and bring you to tears because of the great story line.” And...can you believe it? Two home educated children play the main roles!

Bonus: Sally and her husband, Clay, are giving away Dolphin Tale prize packs as a thank you for helping to spread the word. To find out more and enter visit Sally's site, I Take Joy today!

Good SATURDAY Morning! - 8/20/11

Magnificent Double Rainbow Photographed 8/7/11

Good Morning, Dear Friends!

I can't believe that it's been over a week since I've been with you all. I've been so busy with life that I haven't even had time to sit down and post. Since it's quiet this morning, and nothing is going on (at the moment), I thought I'd grab a quick cup of tea and see if I couldn't catch up with you all. I've missed you!

This past week has been one of the most busiest (and one of the most blessed) that I've ever had. A week ago today I celebrated my 50th birthday. It's been a milestone that I've both looked forward to, and dreaded, at the same time, but, now that it's come and gone...I'm ready to move on full-steam ahead! I didn't want a big to-do made about it...no big party or anything like that, and, respectfully, my family adhered to my wishes. They did, however, honor me with lots of calls, cards, visits, and tokens of their love. I am, indeed, blessed to have such a beautiful and wonderful family! And friends, too! I am blessed with so many beautiful friends and I am truly thankful for each and every one of them. Thank you to each and everyone of you who helped to make my 50th birthday so special! I will never forget it!

As of Monday school is back in session for Tony and I. It's going to be a long, intense, but enjoyable, year for us. For Tony, if he does as well as his dad and I think he's going to, it will be his last year of  formal education at home; for me it is the last year, by law, that I have to keep school records and I am ecstatic! I can hardly believe that at the end of this year...after keeping school records for 365-day-a-year...as in accordance with Missouri State Law...for nearly a quarter-of-a-century...I will be done! Unfathomable!!! Anyway, we put in a great first week! Definitely intense, but definitely great at the same time! I think we both came away very pleased with the direction that we're heading!

Also, this week, John got the Mediterranean diet unit study sample packets done and I got them out in the mail for him yesterday. They went out a few days later than we had planned, but, nevertheless, go out they did! For those of you who are waiting on them, they should arrive within a few days. This is something that John's wanted to do for a long time and, finally, it is in the works. After he gets feedback back on these, then he can start work on the final product. At least that's the plan at this time and I wish him well with it. :)

Well, alas, I am out of time already. It's been good to sit down and chat with you a bit. I hope to get on a better posting schedule this fall and winter, but, until then, I'll just keep posting bits and pieces as I can. I love and miss you all!

Until Next Time...
~Rebecca

There'll Be No Grape Jelly This Year

Grapes This Year - Summer of 2011

The grapes are gone. They're dried to hard, little, purple raisins on the vine and even they don't taste good. It makes me sad, but I've got a feeling that there's going to be a lot of that this year.

Grapes Last Year - Summer of 2010

 

Good TUESDAY Morning! - 8/2/11 - Heat, Garden, 2011-2012 Homeschool Schedule

Good Morning, Dear Friends!

Just thought I'd pop in early and share a bit. I'm trying to get a jump on the day while it's as cool as it's going to be. Today is supposed to be our hottest yet with temps falling somewhere between 109 to 112 degrees. Please pray for all those that have to be out working in this, as well as for all the animals that have to endure it. It's going to be terribly hot today.

Our garden is just about gone. The only things left are tomatoes and peppers. I put up another 6 quarts of tomatoes yesterday and will work on peppers today. They are small, compared to usual, but they're big enough to work with and they're flavorful. My husband still holds out hope for a nice fall garden, but we'll just have to wait and see. According to our weatherman these excessive temperatures are supposed to continue through August. I pray that he's wrong.

I can hardly believe that we've been at it for 23 years now, but today I start planning our 2011-2012 school schedule. Tony and I are both excited about the subjects that we will be covering this year. They include Kings of the Old Testament, Literary Lessons From Lord of the Rings,  Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, biology, and World History and Cultures. Today my plan is to lay out a tentative schedule for the first month or so of lesson plans, so...bring on the tea! It's going to be a long day!

Well, Sweet Sisters, I suppose I should get busy. You all have a wonderful day and I will talk with you again soon. God bless all here! And, for those of you in the drought and excessive heat areas, stay cool! I love you all!

Love and Hugs,
~Rebecca

Good MONDAY Morning! - 8/1/11 - Current Projects, Heat, Weight-loss Update

Good Morning, Dear Friends!

Life is just whizzing by and it seems like such a long time since I've had a chance to just sit down and visit with you. I thought I'd take advantage of my morning teatime and share it with YOU!

How are you? And how is life in your corner of world?

Here in southwest Missouri we've been busy with several projects...inside and out. My husband has been working for a friend of ours, writing his new Mediterranean Diet homeschool curriculum, and taking care of the garden, while I've been busy deep-cleaning certain areas of our home, preparing for the coming 2011-2012 school year, and canning. Our son is getting ready to help out with VBS at his sister and brother-in-law's church in Minden.

Due to extremely hot temperatures and dry conditions, I think that's canning season is about over with for me. Temps have been in the triple digits as is for weeks, but now things are really getting ready to heat up! Temperatures this week are supposed to be between 105 and 110 every day. Hot! Hot! Hot! And getting hotter! Arrghh!


A while back I shared with you all about my struggles with weight-loss. At that time I had lost 10 pounds and was 8/10 of a pound from reaching my first goal of 247.0 pounds. As of today I am down by 20 pounds, am about ready to go into a size clothing that I've not been in since John and I got married, and am 3 lbs. away of reaching my second goal of 234 pounds by my birthday. I've got almost 2 weeks in which to lose them. Please pray with me that I do it. It's very important to me and, with the Lord's help, I know I can do it! Since the 6th of June I have lost a total of 18 inches.

Well, I would love to share more, but my tea is gone and the day is getting away from me. It's time to go hang sheets on the line and can tomatoes. You all have an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day in the Lord and I will talk to you again soon. God bless all here!

All My Love and Big (((HUGS))),
~Rebecca

Good THURSDAY Morning! - 7/14/11

Good Morning, Dear Friends!

What a beautiful morning it is! Hot, yes! But beautiful nonetheless!

I've got so many things...have had so many things...to share over the past few weeks and have gotten around to next to none of them...including the latest edition of HEARTH AND HOME. I keep hoping that opportunity will arise and I will do so soon, but, thus far, it hasn't happened. So, I just decided to pop in here and share what I can in the few minutes that I have while I drink my morning cup of hot tea and enjoy an English muffin spread peanut butter. Yum!

So...how are you? Are you enjoying your summer?

Here we're in the midst of a six-week break before the new school year begins and there's a lot that I hope to accomplish within it. Of course, things don't normally go as planned and, for that, we must make allowances, but, thus far, things are going well. So far, I have managed to start my deep cleaning (something that rarely happens) and I've managed to make lists of what I want to do, what I hope to do, things we need, things I hope to look for at yard sales and thrift stores, etc. I've even managed to mark a few things off of some of those lists! YEAH! 

I've had several people write and ask me how our holiday (Independence Day) weekend was. It was good! We were waiting on the baby, so we didn't actually buy our fireworks until the morning of the 4th, because we didn't know for sure that we'd even be able to shoot them off. Our daughter technically started into labor on Saturday the 2nd, but the baby didn't arrive until Tuesday the 5th. We spent Sunday afternoon and evening in Springfield with them, but by the time the baby was born, our daughter and our son-in-law had spent most of the weekend at the hospital in Springfield (although she wasn't admitted and given any relief at all until...like...three hours before he was born!!!), but Grandpa and I just ended up just keeping the children up here with us over the 4th.


Anyway, we didn't buy our fireworks and holiday foods until the morning of the 4th. I cooked a small holiday meal for us here, then we went over to our son and daughter-in-law's that evening. They had invited us and the children over to their house to shoot off fireworks and share ice cream and cake with them. Audrey and Silas had a great time, but they were exhausted by the time we got them home and in bed. The next morning we took them down to be with their mom and dad and meet their new little brother (we were actually on the road headed to Springfield when we got the call that he had arrived). We spent the night with them in Springfield.

Over this past weekend the family gathered at our daughter and son-in-law's house to celebrate our granddaughter's birthday and, as much as anything, to see the baby, I think. It was wonderful to have all of our grandchildren together under one roof. I don't think that that's happened since our family Christmas get-together back in December.

The garden is producing, but not like it should be. The weather has been extremely hot and most days lately have been hovering around the 100 degree mark or above and it's wreaking havoc for plants and animals alike. Our chickens have slowed their egg production, the cucumbers and green beans have about played out, and the onions and potatoes are rotting in the ground. We've been getting a few tomatoes along and a couple of zucchini here and there, but for the most part, things aren't going as well as my husband would have liked. He is hoping for a better garden in the fall.

Well, I've rambled on long enough for one sitting and I need to get to work. You all have a great day and I'll talk to you all again soon. God bless all here!

All My Love,
~Rebecca

If Jesus Said It

I was reading my Nancy Campbell "100 Days Of Blessing" devotional this morning and she shared the words of what, I think, is an old song or poem one, but I loved the words and thought I'd share them here. They say...

"If Jesus said it, I'll believe it,

I'll believe it till I die!

It is written in the Bible,

His Word can never lie!

Though the mountains be removed

And cast into the sea,

If Jesus said it, I'll believe it,

I'll believe eternally!"

Happy First Day Of Summer!

Good TUESDAY afternoon, dear friends! And HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SUMMER! I pray that this post finds you happy, healthy, and serving the Lord with gladness...praising Him in all things!

The past few days have been a blur! As already stated in an earlier post, Tony had his surgery on Friday. His finger is healing nicely, but he is still unable to bend it. He's afraid that it's locked up, but I'm sure that, as soon as the swelling goes out of it, it will be fine and he will regain the use of it. Please pray that I'm right about that.

Saturday afternoon the girls at the bank (where our son-in-law works) had a baby shower for Amber. She and Patrick's baby isn't due until the 8th of July, but the doctor believes that little Isaiah Andrew might arrive ahead of schedule. As of Friday, Amber was dilated to 1 1/2 and the doctor said she'd either see her again this week with the baby, or she'd see her for her regular appointment. It could go either way. This is grandbaby #10 for John and I and we are greatly looking forward to his arrival!

"But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting

upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's

children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that 

remember his commandments to do them" (Psalm 103:17-18).

Sunday, of course, was Father's Day. After church I put a loaf of French bread on to make in the bread machine for supper, then we took my dad out for lunch. After we got home the rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing. I was asleep on the couch when our son and his family dropped in to wish John a Happy Father's Day. For supper, it was my intent to make John a 'dish of the regular' (his favorite)...pasta and sauce. I'm not quite sure what happened, but, for the first time in my life! (John taught me to cook sauce when I was 11-years-old) I burnt the sauce!!! And I mean burnt it...and not just a little, either! I burnt it a lot! We ate some of it, but it tasted like Woody's Smokehouse BBQ-ed Sauce...if you can imagine that! It was awful! And we all felt sick after eating it. If I can avoid it, I never throw food out, but I had to throw this out. It was terrible! But the chickens enjoyed it! (At least I'm guessing they did. They ate it all up in a matter of minutes! LOL!) Oh, well! Like John said...that's not a bad track record...23 years of marriage and that's the first time I ever burnt the sauce! (But...on Father's Day? Arrghhh!) LOL!  Not good!

Monday was good. I didn't walk over the weekend and I was feeling it. Come Monday morning everything was back on track...diet, exercise, and school. Only a few more sessions and we are done with the 2010-2011 school year. Tony, nor I, either one, can wait. It's been a very long...very tedious year!

A funny thing happened while ago...I had just finished doing my daily Bible study and reading from my Nancy Campbell "100 Days of Praise" devotional. Today's entry was entitled 'Born To Look Up' and it was based on Psalm 5:3. Immediately afterwards, I checked my e-mail and I had a post from a person that I had never heard from before. Their ID really grabbed my attention! It was 'lookup_above'! Isn't it amazing how God can use the littlest things to get our attention and give us a second confirmation of what He's trying to get across to us? Incredible!

Well...that's all for now, Ladies! I hope that you all are having a nice day! Enjoy the longest day of the year to the fullest and I'll talk to you again soon! God bless!

All My Love,
~Rebecca

An Excerpt From Nancy Campbell of Above Rubies

'100 Days of Blessing'

"Dear precious mother, from what position do you run your home? From the bottom of the barrel? Are you looking up at all you have to do? Are you submerged by all your worries and concerns? Or do you run your home from your legal position (which has nothing to do with your feelings) of sitting together with Christ at the right hand of the throne of God? In this position you look down on your problems. You have victory over them. In this position in Christ, all things are under your feet. From this location you take dominion over all the inroads of the enemy that seek to take over your marriage and your home. Read Ephesians 1:17-23 and Romans 6:4." 
         
~ Nancy Campbell  '100 Days of Blessing - Devotions for Wives and Mothers'

(My best friend got a copy of this devotional for me for Christmas and, oh! What a blessing it has been, and is, to me! I recommend it highly! ~Rebecca)

Princess Kate A Keeper Of The Home? And Feminism Dead?

I ran across a couple of interesting articles this afternoon, quite by accident really, and, while I doubt that either of them were written with a Biblical worldview in mind, both of them made my heart leap with joy. I couldn't help but think about the possibilities of the world to come for girls who are young now, and for those who haven't even arrived on the world scene yet.

I couldn't help but think, "Is this a sign that the pendulum on feminism truly is swinging back towards good, old-fashioned values...to a time when women realized where their true strength and power lay, and they were content to play out their God-given role as wife, mother, and keeper-of-the-home? Will the families of the future be able to deliberately make a choice for the wife be a keeper of the home without being made to feel inferior by their working peers and be ridiculed for it?"

Here are a couple of excerpts, along with a link where you can read both articles in full...

Excerpt #1 From the Anne of Green Gables Blog

"In addition to the normal (rather, abnormal) amount of media attention showered upon Kate Middleton throughout her courtship and marriage to Prince William, it seems the latest topic of discussion revolves around her choice to stay home and manage their small rented cottage in Wales while William continues his career as a RAF search and rescue pilot.

Just recently, I heard a radio commentator relate this story of Kate deciding to be a housewife for the time being, by saying, “Hello, 1960 called…”.  Not too long ago (and still today in some circles) women were criticized for their decision to pursue a career instead of a family or to do both.  Now, tides have turned and what has typically been considered a worthy path in life – to provide a home for your loved ones – is being criticized and deemed unimportant.

Yes, it is true that with Kate’s new status and educational background she could yield a position in a career of her choosing.  But just because a person can do something, does it mean they necessarily should?"


To read the full article CLICK HERE.

Excerpt #2 from The Belfast Telegraph 

"A recent report by the eminent LSE sociologist Catherine Kakim suggests that feminism is dead and most women now want to marry a rich husband and stay at home.

This sparked a huge media debate with Grazia magazine asking its readers to choose between ambition and “man-bition”.

With equality of opportunity for women so hard fought for, the pendulum now seems to have swung so far in the opposite direction that even though we now have the luxury of choice; there is something of a stigma attached to those women opting to look after hubby and home."

To read the full article CLICK HERE.

So, after reading both articles, what do you think? What do you think of Princess Kate's decision to keep house? And do you think that the pendulum on feminism truly is swinging back the other way? Feel free to share your comments.

Create Your Own 'Nutmeg Notes Kitchen Scrapbook' by Sandy Willoughby

Every once in awhile a post comes along that really sticks in my head...something that I've read that others have written about that sparks an idea of something that I would like to try or incorporate into my own life...something I want to learn how to do...or, in this case, something I want to make one day. 

This is a post that was first posted by my friend, Sandy, several years ago on her Nutmeg Notes site. Creating a 'Nutmeg Notes Kitchen Scrapbook' is something that I would someday like to create for myself, as well as one for each of my daughters and daughters-in-law.

I hope you enjoy reading Sandy's post as much as I did...

Dear Creative Ones by God's grace and gifts,

Have you ever been in awe over what goes on in a kitchen and/or dining room? There are so many things that transform from one fairly plain and simple "something" to a dish that feeds a family, a soup that soothes a weary soul, or a beverage that comforts with the warmth it gives.

Over the years, the Lord has just given me... as I've heard the same of with others...recipe after recipe thrown together that became instant favorites. He has shown me grand meals from a needy pantry, given me grace to offer a chair to a tired friend, relative, and stranger, and provided what I've needed to serve not only beverages and meals but hospitality and hope.

In an effort to preserve some of these recipes, sentimental moments, ideas, and creative gifts from God over the years, I have started many little kitchen notebooks. There have been notes jotted in spiral notebooks, papers punched and placed in three ring binders, folders filled until they became so stuffed I couldn't keep up with them, and more.

I finally think I know the best way to preserve these! I can make a Nutmeg Notes Scrapbook! I had already decided to change my Home Notes Journal into a scrap book and realized that one specifically for the kitchen and dining would be a great addition:)

It has dawned on me that not only would these books be a wonderful way to hand our family blessings down the line and for enjoyment by us as the years go by... but this might serve many a need in the long run. When someone asked: "Whatever happened to that recipe for.... ?" maybe it will be in one of those pages! If we are trying to remember the circumstances around a time God sent someone to our table over coffee that served like an angel... maybe they'll have been journaled right in our little (or huge) book!

(To finish reading Sandy's article, please, click HERE....)

God's Judgment Upon Our Nation?

"And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:3).

 Last night's tornado in Joplin, Missouri is being deemed "the single worst tornado in U.S.A. history since 1947." That means that it is the single worst tornado in the U.S.A. history since Israel became a nation May 15, 1948...and it hit right in the heart of our nation.

May 19, 2011 - Obama's Speech

May 22, 2011 - Joplin Tornado

 Are these two events connected? If so, what's it going to take?