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Priorities, Guests, and Sick Babies

June 9, 2010

Monday we welcomed an out-of-town (actually, out-of-country) guest into our home for the week. 

Monday also happened to be the day our youngest son was sick with fever.

At four o'clock this morning, my oldest son awoke, screaming from a nightmare and burning with fever, too.

Needless to say, I may not be posting here much the next day or two; my apologies in advance.  I do have so much to share but priorities must be, well... priorities.

In the meantime, I invite you to check out Generation Cedar's recent post on modesty, and my dear friend June's series in-progress titled "She Looketh Well."  Both are thought-provoking.

Now, back to being mama, aka nurse :o)  Have a blessed, sunshiney day!

         Warmly,
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Filed Under: Hospitality, Nurturing Family 1 Comment

Summer Fun

June 8, 2010

We love to be outdoors.

Since the weather has warmed up here in the Midwest, we have enjoyed many bike rides, hikes, and walks.  This past weekend we ventured away to a new county park.  Hubby packed the bikes and bike trailer, and off we went.

The boys stumbled upon this quaint little country playground while we were there; maybe you know the kind... not too big, simple playthings, with lots of room to roam.

This little saucer-seat contraption provided quite a bit of fun for them, and many tears-in-our-eyes laughs for us.  It would spin VERY quickly with minimal effort.  I was dizzy just watching!  Have you ever seen one of these?

What does your family love to do in these warmer months?

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Filed Under: Nurturing Family, Simple Pleasures 1 Comment

Precious Time With My Children

May 24, 2010

"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth." Psalm 127: 4-5

Children are a blessing... a reward.  We believe that, and we cherish our time with our two boys.

That's why, when SarahMae offered this challenge, I just had to join in.

One day?  Anything my lovelies wanted?  Precious time with them while being completely present?  Surely I could give them one day. 

And so we played in the backyard while our large lilac bush was in full bloom and so very fragrant.

We had water fights with the garden hose.  Splashed in the kiddie pool.  Chased each other.  Got in Daddy's way as his strong arms pushed the lawnmower through 90 degree heat.  Drank icy cold drinks together.  Scribbled chalk on the patio.  Lounged on lawn chairs.  Crawled through tunnels.  Blew bubbles.

And it was wonderful.

Think you might want to do it, too?

      Warmly,
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Filed Under: Frugal Living, Nurturing Family, Practicing Faith 17 Comments

Stay Awhile

May 4, 2010
Painting by Frederick Daniel Hardy

"Put on your jammies."

"Have a snack before bed, honey.  Bread?  Milk?"

"Don't forget to brush your teeth."

"Ready for your Bible story?"

"Come on, I'll tuck you into bed."

This is our usual bedtime routine.  It has become, well, routine.  Do one thing, then the next, and the next...  Off to bed they go.  Kiss on the forehead and turn out the light.

Tonight, though, was different.

"Mommy, can I sleep with you?"  he asked me.

"Not tonight, honey."  I looked into his eyes and saw rejection.  It pierced me.

"Come here and let me hold you for awhile," I said. 

He crawled in to my arms.

I rocked him, sang softly to him... remembering what it was like to hold him when he was so much smaller.

As he began to fall asleep, I nudged him.  "Let me carry you to bed and I'll lay with you for a little while."

We crawled into bed.  I kissed his little boy cheeks, rubbed his head, traced my finger on his nose.

After awhile, I began to gently slip my leg out from under the covers.

His little hand clenched my shirt.

"Don't go," he whispered.

And so I stayed awhile longer.

Our time with these precious blessings slips by so quickly.  Lord, help me to treasure every moment.  Help me to be wholly present.

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Filed Under: Nurturing Family 13 Comments

The Purpose of Our Home

April 21, 2010
Photo credit here  7K3JU6EF2CFR

"Every wise woman buildeth her house..."
Proverbs 14:1

As a Christian, what is the purpose of our home? 

Is it to be used as fuel for competition with the Joneses, or to burden us with unnecessary cares and countless hours of work?

"If our view of our homes is shortsighted, there is no motivation to accomplish the menial tasks of maintaining it. If we don’t cultivate a high and holy design for our homes, it is easy to slip into thoughts of frustration, comparison, or purposelessness.

If we view our homes as a place of hospitality – to welcome our families and the hurting around us – there will be so much more strength and motivation to keep it clean, organized, and prepared."

Most importantly, what does the Bible say about our home?

Read the rest of the blog post at Passionate Homemaking by clicking here.

Have you given much thought to the purpose of your home?

Filed Under: Biblical Womanhood, Homekeeping, Hospitality, Practicing Faith Leave a Comment

Vintage Books, Cookbooks, and the Great Depression

April 19, 2010

I love books.  Especially vintage books, pre-1950s.  And if they're cookbooks from the Great Depression or earlier, I love them even more. 

They feel wonderful, as they are usually covered with cloth of some sort.  The smell is somehow sentimental, with an aura of history and richness, serving as a reminder of a past era, another lifetime.

The Longfellow book, simply titled "Poems" (pictured above), is perhaps the oldest we own.  It is so old that it is an undated copy, but after researching the publishing company (which existed from 1892-1902) and the cover style used, it appears to be from 1901.

Then, there's another favorite:  Edgar Allen Poe's works, dated 1905.

How could I forget an early edition of Emily Post's classic, Etiquette, in pristine condition...

It would be a treasure find a vintage Bible, perhaps from the early 1900s or so, one that was well-loved with the markings to prove it, don't you think?

Vintage cookbooks are also a rare treasure in this day and age.  Once upon a time, homemakers used real foods for cooking, rather than the chemical-laden, processed concoctions marketed as food today.

These vintage cookbooks span from 1931-1941, right from the era of the Great Depression.

And, since we are discussing Great Depression cooking, have you met Clara, of Great Depression Cooking with Clara?  I think you'll enjoy her and some of her ideas!

What do you collect?  What is precious to you?
Filed Under: Books Worth Reading, Eating Real Foods, Frugal Living, Homekeeping 6 Comments