Siblings on Facebook

You must understand, my son rarely comments on his sister's Facebook page (although he says she stalks him on Facebook).

So, you can imagine my smile when I read this ummm... conversation?  A friend had asked Stephanie what math curriculum they use for homeschooling. 

Christopher says:

It's a mystical math curriculum that was forged in the fiery pits of mount Doom. It includes calculus freshman year of high school, linear algebra sophomore year, complex analysis junior year, and finish with a bang with Introduction to Chaos Theory senior year (it was forged in the fiery pits of mount doom, only fitting).

I probably should say that Stephanie's husband has a PhD in math (statistics)...

Added:  The math students in question are only six (almost seven now) and eight years old.  :)

Springtime of the soul

He knows it is scary to be us... that was a statement by Beth Moore in her teachings on TV early this morning (she is on Jame's Robison's Life Today show each Wednesday).  Actually, someone else made that statement to her and she found it to be profound.  As so often is the case, the simplicity of a statement can sink in quickly and I can assure you... this one did with me.  He does know it is scary to be us...

He has walked this path before, having entered Time and History at Advent and living among us in the flesh.  He feels my frustration as I fight through the fatigue of a winter filled with illness to do that which is before me.  Not only the "gotta do's" of home, garden, and lawn work but the "wanna do's" like baking. 

He knows how it feels when life's unexpected "issues" arrive...

Christopher's car is in the shop, waiting for the parts to arrive to fix a front fender smashed in while parked on campus.  Since the other person did not leave a note, we are out a few hundred dollars for the deductible (and the damage was such it had to be fixed). 

The Buick is making noises that will require it to pay a visit to our mechanic as soon as the other car is out of the garage.  Neither of these repairs were in the budget, once again requiring a simple prayer... "HELP!".  :)

But He knows...

I forgot to remove the commuter tag from his car to place on ours so he can't park on campus.  He was able to find other parking on Monday but I had to drive him in on Tuesday.  I stopped by Goodwill on the way home, having a few dollars in my pocket and a need to unwind. 

Nothing interesting was found within my available cash limit until I perused the books and found a copy of Elizabeth George's Loving God With All Your Mind, a book I loved so much I shared it with another (meaning I had no copy at home, anymore).  Even with tax, my total was less than a dollar. 

This book was just what I needed right now.  It never fails to surprise me how I could have read a book at least twice before and it is still new and fresh when read again.  I find most of George's books like that, a reason why they find a place in my quiet time basket quite often.  I used reading it as a reward for a half an hour of yard work (pruning the remainder of the bushes near the air conditioner). 

As I read, the truth of the teaching that we must guard against believing the lies which the enemy of our souls whispers in our mind.  How important it is to ground ourselves in God's Word, especially as we walk through a world that can be... scary.  Peace, He brings real and true peace.  If we are not experiencing that peace, we are believing the wrong words.

We have record setting heat arriving.  I'll take advantage of the sunshine to do a little more lawn work before all the greenery pops.  The daffodils have been blooming, I'm enjoying my second bouquet this week... sitting beside the sink to enjoy as I cook and do dishes.  The warmth will bring out even more new life... a good thing but making it necessary to finish raking dead leaves from the fence line today.

If you are reading from the blog site, you will see I reached another compromise in my blog redecoration... one I can live with.  I combined the original template with a few changes I liked from the newer options.  The Pages section is now on the sidebar instead of underneath the header.  The fonts were increased and some colors tweaked, a picture on the sidebar removed... all to make it appear a little less cluttered.  Not as visually amazing as a couple other options but pretty...  it will stay for awhile.

Now, I must throw a load of laundry in the dryer, do a little dusting, and pick up the rake from the front porch for a little lawn work.  Then I will curl up on the sofa to absorb more wisdom from Loving God With All Your Mind, my Bible at my side, a notebook and pen... feeling the strength return to dry bones. 

Picture: Shady Patio; allposters.com

The defective gene in my family

That's what you have been experiencing while I have been driving myself a little nutzo changing the template and all that goes with it.

For you see, the females in my family tend to have very strong opinions about those large issues of life... politics, religion, educational choices... and which British actress played Miss Marple the best on PBS.  But when it comes to those rather unimportant bits and pieces of life... we can be somewhat wishy washy.

For instance, when Stephanie still lived in the same town, we would meet for lunch and spend the first five minutes or so deciding where to eat.  The conversation usually went, "Well, where do you want to go?  I don't care, where do you want to go?  Are you hungry for anything special?  No, how about you?"  This didn't happen when the guys were with us.

There is only one female I know in my family whose personality caused the gene not to stick and that is my sister, Jean.  For, you see, Jean was and is and has been what I call the... B.O.S.S.  Which is, Bossy Oldest Sister Syndrome.  Jean has definite views about everything.  Jean is not the oldest of the original kids (as I was the only child of my parent's marriage in their 40s... Mom's first husband having died in his 30s) but she is the oldest girl.

One of her favorite stories to tell me has to do with the last time all the girls (except me, I lived in a different state and had a new baby at the time) were back in town visiting our mother.  Our mother and three of our sisters were standing by Mom's car and um... discussing... where to go for lunch.  The conversation was going much the same as with Stephanie and I making that same decision.

Jean tells me she took the keys from our mother and had her sit in the passenger seat, pushing our three sisters in the back seat and informing them she'll decide where they are going and if they don't like it, it is there own fault!  What was so funny (to both Jean and me) is that they all did as they were told without saying a thing.

Jean doesn't go near a computer since Uncle Gibby passed away.  I could have used her opinion about the template.

This and that and books

Thank you for the kind comments about the "new look".    Blogger assured me the new templates were easy so it gave me the confidence to give it a try, especially when they said I can try it out first before making the change permanent. 

I've heard too many horror stories over the years of fellow bloggers losing information (at least) and at times... their entire blogs deleted when changing templates... to attempt a change before.

As it turned out, the hardest part of the change was making a final decision on which one I liked the most.  I thought this one was nice and springtime fresh.  Blogger has come a long way since I started using it when it was not nearly as "user friendly".

Thank you again to everyone who entered Amazon through my widget.  I was able to order a Franklin Springs West Lady DVD about canning.  Most of the time I stretch my credit by buying used items but I'm hoping to purchase a few of these West Lady DVDs which add to my homemaking education.  There is always something to learn. 

Oh, regarding how my blog looks when you receive it through e-mail... try unsubscribing and then subscribe again.  I don't know why but for some servers, the picture gets all jumbled when a change has been made to the structure of the blog.  I suppose this new template could really mess things up.  I receive the e-mail posts and there was no problem with the latest change but it is different with each server (and I suspect e-mail provider).  When others have had the same problem in the past, unsubscribing and re-subscribing helped to solve it.

I wanted to read one more D. E. Stevenson book before the end of the month so I chose one of the three unread books on my shelf.  I started Still Glides the Stream and was so happy I'd made that choice.  It is completely different than the other three Stevenson books I read as it doesn't have the humor but it is such a good story. 

I had ordered it from Amazon at one time (to add to my collection) only because it was so inexpensive (and some of hers are way out of my budget).  Then, as I did some research on Stevenson's books, I noticed it was on a favorites list of many of her fans. 

I have enjoyed L'Engle's books. Thanks for mentioning them in comments.  I've only read a few of her nonfiction books but liked them very much.  It has been awhile since I read them.  I know some people are concerned about her writing, thinking she's too much on the "liberal" side of theology but I'm pretty conservative and found nothing in the books I read to be troubling.  She is one of those writers whose prose is as beautiful as poetry.  I appreciated it when she was in the old Victoria magazine quite often.

I love, love, love her "Time" books, especially A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, and A Swiftly Tilting Planet.  I've also read the fourth in the series but have never read the fifth, which she wrote much later.  The mother in the books (Mrs. Murry) is one of my favorite fictional characters. 

While the Time books are considered children's classics, they make for interesting grown up reading.  My daughter read them when she was young and encouraged me to read them when I had the opportunity to purchase the Time Quartet when we were still in homeschooling mode.  I have since re-read them a few times.

As with most science fiction and fantasy books for children, I would read them before giving them to the kids to read so you're ready to have a conversation about them.  Of course, if you are reading the Time books aloud to the kids, questions can be answered at that time.

Some families choose not to read science fiction or fantasy and I do understand that decision.  Parents know instinctively what is good for their own children.  I was an original Trekkie (Star Trek obsessive fan) and both of my children inherited the gene.  :)

Sunday Afternoon Tea

My Heart Can Understand

I do not wish to gather fame or fortune,

I am content with what each morning brings,

My place in life is small and not noteworthy,

I’m happiest among the quiet things.

The garden swing at twilight is my blessing,

The smell of roses and the song of birds…

The pines against the evening sky are patterned

In colors far too beautiful for words.

My house is warm with friends and filled with music,

A favorite book is always close at hand,

A cup of tea, an open fire…daydreaming…

These are the things my heart can understand.

Carol Besset Hayman

I posted this poem a few years ago but it is worth repeating today.  Good thoughts for a Sunday afternoon tea time.  :)

Picture: Nostalgia-Mini: allposters.com

Come Saturday morning

It is such a lovely morning here, I plan to spend a little more time in the yard pruning away winter to make room for spring.  The daffodils have started to bloom, a bouquet of flowers has been brightening my day as I wash dishes and cook, the first blooms of the season.

While cold-ish for a few days, the forecast is for quite warm weather to move in to the Midwest.  That means new life will begin to spring up where I'm currently able to walk safely to prune and rake.   All the more reason to chip away at the outdoor gotta do's.

Do you remember me talking about the robin contest we have each spring?  Well, it became quite interesting when I heard our car screech to a stop (on gravel) as my husband was leaving to run errands one day.  Within seconds he was running in the door and pulling me to the front window to see a flock of birds, which he insisted included a robin or two.

For the sake of safety, I umm... encouraged... him to return to the car which was in the middle of the gravel lane and promised to keep watching the flock.  We don't get a lot of cars coming through but neither neighbor would expect the Buick to be blocking their path.  I did see a robin or two in the midst of the birds and when he returned, the Beanie Baby robin was sitting on his desk.  You would think he had won an Oscar or something.

While it is true my daughter did see the first robin of the season, he insists it doesn't count because one... it was a New England robin, and two... as it was 1,000 miles away there was no way to verify it.  She insists it does count.  Have I ever mentioned they are both rather competitive?   This is the same Dad who insisted he'd capture the moon for her if he could but will not give up the Beanie Baby robin.

As for me, when I did see a robin outside my kitchen window, I asked him (her?) where he'd been all spring and was quite miffed he would appear before me in front of the window so late.  I think I insulted him as he flew off immediately and didn't return.

Said daughter has wanted to write on her blog but finds herself in the midst of a lot of craziness right now.  Within the next month they will be moving (God willing and everything runs smoothly) and soon thereafter, a baby girl will arrive.  I moved when Stephanie was three months old to another state and then moved to another state ten days after Christopher was born... both by C-section.  Neither of us planned babies or moves very well, did we? Planned???

I finished Mrs. Tim night before last.  Was hoping to find The Two Mrs. Abbotts at the library but their selection of D. E. Stevenson books did not include that one.  I think I'm interested in it enough to order it through inter library loan, since it is the third in the Miss Buncle series.  I really liked Miss Buncle's Book and Miss Buncle Married because of their very amusing take on English village life.  Although, Mrs. Tim is good and quite funny.

As mentioned before, Stevenson's books I've read so far (having read only those three) remind me a great deal of Barbara Pym's books, all having a lot of clever and amusing conversations and insight into English society at the time the books are written.

I'm not sure what type of book I'll concentrate on for April, except it is a nonfiction month.  When I was in my teens and early twenties, I concentrated a lot on fiction.  Then I entered a period of life when I mostly read nonfiction.  Now I'm combining the two.  Hmmm... time to peruse the bookshelves.

Added Note:  Mrs. Rabe, yes that is a song by The Association... Come Saturday Morning.  :)

Miracles do happen - my home

 Front yard in summer

Like you, I think my yard is beautiful even if it is a lot of work.  That fence which goes around two sides of our property has bushes, greenery, and such which all need attention each spring and a little throughout the summer and fall.  Not to mention the area around the deck and near the house... all put in by previous owners for our enjoyment today.

 One small section of the fence line

Hubby has to fix the wooden fence off and on throughout the year, there are no less than four places this year to fix.  I call it "mending the back forty".   Then there is the grass mowing and we're (I think) the only family of our immediate neighbors who do not have a riding lawn mower... and we have the largest amount of lawn.  Keeps hubby in shape!

Building the raised bed garden Year 1

Our addition (so far) is the building of the raised bed garden.  It must be enclosed by simple fencing due to the rather large amount of critters who... in past growing seasons... assumed I had planted a buffet for their pleasure.  We will be adding another raised bed in the garden this year and hope to expand it in future seasons.

View from my front porch in summer

I have written many times about God's provision of this house.  I can assure you there is hardly a week go by that I walk onto the porch and through the front door without thanking Him or look around as I'm reading on the sofa and feeling so safe and comfy and cozy in my home.

 Front porch 2008

There are rare times when I miss the big home we had to give up many years ago after a "year with no income".  Mostly what I miss is having plenty of room when people come over (especially having a large family room and a formal dining room which had doors I could shut after setting the table).

I miss being able to get away to the master bedroom on the second floor and not hearing what is going on in the rest of the house.  I miss the huge finished basement with the extra room I used as a pantry.  I don't miss cleaning it.

Why didn't God just intervene so we didn't have to sell our former house (at a loss after paying Realtor fees)?  I don't know and I learned long ago not to even attempt to figure out how God works.

My neighbor's barn made closer by the camera lens

However, I love... love... love my small-ish house at the edge of the forest (small-ish house... big yard).  Each morning I look out the front window and see my neighbor's lovely red barn in the distance.  It makes me feel I'm way out in the country, even though I'm not only at the edge of a forest, I'm at the edge of a rather large neighborhood of homes.

 Our dogwood in bloom

Our purchase of this home came after a time of great distress, when we moved back home with no money but lots of faith and God provided each day (many times at the last moment).  We lived in a hotel room for a few months and then were able to move into a townhouse surrounded by drug dealers, meth lab, and drunks.

It was in a strange location as this one bad apartment-townhouse complex was at the corner of one of the nicest neighborhoods in town (can we say absent landlord?).  All three of us enjoyed getting our daily exercise by walking in that neighborhood.

God had already shown me in decades past that we were to be salt and light where He planted us and I really did try to do my best, showing my neighbors love and kindness as well as fixing up our place to be pretty.  There was a huge trash container by each door when you entered the townhouses but I found a pretty bench to set under our window and kept flowers on it.  We cannot choose our circumstances but God taught me that we can choose our attitude within those circumstances.

So... how did we get our house in the country?  Well... I almost died.  Uh... huh.  It's amazing how God works.  My husband had been fired from his job at Lowe's but was still in denial about being able to work.  I ended up in the emergency room and intensive care as a result of the diabetes and it was a wake up call to my husband that he had to do something.

It was a very hard decision for us to have him apply for Disability.  It's a long story but he did apply and was accepted immediately due to his life long paper trail of dealing with his illness and the realization he was getting worse.  Also, since he had already attempted another job besides engineering (working at Lowe's) and not being able to handle it... he was accepted the first time he applied.

About the house... before the Disability checks started, we had to get assistance to pay utilities and we ended up at the Salvation Army offices.  The woman there heard our story (and said we should be teaching people how to budget with little and no income, hehehe) and told us about a United States Department of Agriculture program which we qualified for now that he was on Social Security Disability.

It was a program which helped low income families purchase houses in rural areas.  It was beyond my wildest dreams (I often prayed that all I wanted was a home of my own again) but it eventually did happen.  We were able to purchase a home first because of the special USDA program and second... my husband had kept in constant contact with our few creditors as to what was going on in our life when we would get behind on bills.  Also, he wrote a letter to the various credit agencies explaining our financial circumstances.

Now, another important fact that helped us purchase this particular house... we live in a part of the United States where rural (non-farming) land is still quite reasonable.  Our house payment, taxes, and insurance combined on this house each month was less than the rent we were paying for a small townhouse in a very scary environment "in town". 

I think one of the reasons I loved Goudge's books so much was she understood what I feel about houses and homes.  I feel such a connection to the families who lived in this house before me, each one adding something significant to the house... the young family who lived here before us in particular.  My family enjoys each day the fruit of their labor in making a simple ranch style home something special.

Our journey has been very difficult at times and for some reason, God did not choose to heal my husband.  Quite the opposite, I developed a chronic illness and both of my children suffer from the same environmental allergies (thankfully, not to the extent he has them).

Just this week, he had to cancel plans already made as he cannot function do to the spring mold allergies (among others).  He is having a difficult time getting out of bed (the severe environmental allergies make his brain swell).

This house... to me... is a little down payment on Heaven.  It was the Father saying He understood my longing for Home and he made a way for me to have the desire of my heart... in the midst of difficult circumstances.  He tells us that in this world we will have tribulation... we do still live in a fallen world.  I believe we have an enemy of our souls who wars against us in this world.  It isn't Heaven, yet.

Yet, in the midst of it all... He speaks.  Somehow and somewhere... He lets each of us know we are not alone or forgotten.  In my case, it was the provision of a home at the edge of a forest... across from a lovely red barn.

Whatever your story, you are part of His Story and you can know whatever the present circumstances look like, there is absolutely nothing impossible with Him.  When I sit on my deck in warm weather or autumn, under the red umbrella, sipping morning coffee or afternoon tea...  I am reminded that miracles happen if we keep our heart open and do not allow bitterness to enter our soul.

Memories of summers past

I think I overdid it a tad yesterday.  The only thing I could accomplish today was to put together a sausage lentil soup for tonight's dinner.  That seemingly a good idea for two reasons... one, I knew I wasn't feeling well so having dinner made ahead of time would be a good thing and... two, I happened to notice the canister of lentils and that I had half a pound of sausage left over in the same two minute span of time.

I did manage to finish Miss Buncle Married and I'm getting ready to read Mrs. Tim Christie.  Laying on the sofa with a fluffy pillow, a soft throw freshly washed, and a good book is a hard job but somebody has to do it.

Christopher called last night to let me know his Calculus test had not gone well (not a really smart idea for a professor to give a mid-term exam two days after spring break...).  He was coming straight home to mope (he didn't say that mind you).  Fortunately, I had made a favorite crock pot beef dish (a thick round steak we had been given slow cooked all day with two cans of cream of mushroom soup... no water added... served over brown rice) which warmed up nicely for a healthy dinner.

Then he asked if he gave me the money, I could go to the grocery store for a bag of potato chips and a box of Little Debbie cakes.  Hubby looked appalled but I understood as only a fellow carb addict could... thus the trip to the grocery store at sunset.  Sometimes only junk food can quell the solemn spirit of a test gone bad.

Even given the not-so-pleasant circumstances, it was nice having him at home last night.  Studying late will resume tonight.  Once he downed a little dinner, potato chips, and a couple Little Debbie Easter Basket cakes, he joined me in the living room to sit in the wingback chair and chat. 

Kind of the college age equivalent of when they are toddlers and have a fever and are forced to stay still for awhile... take advantage of the mood and enjoy chatting together while one watched Abbie make a guest appearance on NCIS Los Angeles.  A good evening...

Pictures:  My deck and backyard last summer... to give you something nice to look at while I ramble on.

Taking advantage of sunny weather

 July, 2009

How wonderful it was when part of this morning could be spent in the yard pruning bushes.  It wasn't hard work so I could stay with it about an hour before having to rest.  I started out putting it all in the wheelbarrow, forgetting that it is much easier to move once it all dies back and dries a little. Otherwise we're making a dozen trips to either the edge of the forest or the compost pile, according to what the wheelbarrow carries.

This afternoon I went out to trim the bushes by the air conditioner (which did not get pruned last year and grew way to large).  That proved to be quite exhausting so once I trimmed the bush by the AC, I left the others for tomorrow and moved to the backyard where the ornamental grasses needed clearing.   After about five minutes of that struggle... discretion got the better part of me and I went back inside.  Sometimes you just know when you are about to overdo it!

July, 2009

I must admit to standing at the fence of our raised bed garden and longing for the day we can plant (which will be around Mother's Day).  Not to mention the day we can start harvesting.  As a long time foodie, I know fresh food is not only healthier but has so much flavor... and how wonderful to be able to pick fresh veggies when income is limited.  Hubby has already bought the lumber to build the second raised bed, which we didn't have the funds to finish last year.

Another sunny day is expected tomorrow before a period of rain settles in.  I need to get as much pruning, raking, and generally clearing finished tomorrow as possible.  Hopefully, hubby will soon be able to get outside and start clearing what I threw on the lawn.  I need to clear all the old leaves and brush first (he is highly allergic to leaf mold).

This, that, and books

I'm always surprised when people commend me for being transparent.  Probably because one of my biggest um... issues... with the church today is when people put a mask on and act as if they never have dry seasons when they feel their prayers hit the ceiling.   How much better to share the ups and downs of the Christian life so one can have hope that faith follows frustration. 

I am more than willing to share my own struggles and successes as long as they don't cross the privacy of my family. Well, except when I told you I thought Stephanie was crazy driving to North Carolina alone.  Sometimes it is too hard to resist.

I have found it amusing that people love the Mitford series or they... don't.  In her book Honey For a Woman's Heart, Gladys Hunt has a chapter which begins how she shared a book she loved with a friend only to have the friend not care for it so much.  I don't remember the exact words but she went on to talk about how one person can think a book is wonderful and another (who also has great taste) will read the same book and find it lacking.

I've mentioned that Hunt's book is a favorite of mine that I go back to all the time but my daughter gave her copy away.  She didn't care for it at all.  Gladys was right.  :)

I would suggest to one who started the Mitford books but didn't really enjoy them, skip to the final Mitford book called Light From Heaven.  In this book, she takes great care to wrap up all the story lines. 

My own thinking is that life is too short to finish a book I don't like... or long Russian novels that are taking too long to come to the interesting parts.

Picture: At a Book; allposters.com

Sunday Afternoon Tea

The flowers are springing up, 

the season of singing birds has come,
      and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air.

Song of Solomon 2:12

There was something different about a morning this past week.  As usual, I pushed the button to start the coffee maker, took my thyroid medicine, and looked to see where Miss Victoria had parked herself (usually viewing only her back side as she's perched on the back of the sofa looking at the outside world through the curtains).  But this morning... what was it that I hadn't noticed before?

Birds... the predawn symphony of bird songs.  Oh, I'd seen many more birds and I'd heard them on my walk down the gravel road to the rural mailbox but this was the first morning I heard them singing before dawn.  I smiled as I knew (despite the weather forecast) spring had truly arrived.

My soul is beginning to come out of its' late winter slump.  As I wrote a dear friend recently, I've felt so far from God.  My Bible had not been moved in weeks and I'd not been able to read any devotional books.  I was dry and parched and it felt like the chill went through to my spirit.

My heart would cry out, asking Him what there was that had come between us... deliberate sin, unknown trespasses, unforgiveness, not dotting an i or crossing a t?

I believe I knew in my heart that it was none of the above.  Yes... it is true that one's heart grows cold as one does not read the Word or talk to Him.  Not due to some legalism or rule but having everything to do with the fact Christianity is a relationship with a real Person.  One grows further apart from anyone they do not communicate with...

It wasn't until I heard the singing of the birds and felt the warmth of sunshine as I gently worked the soil... pulling the old dead away to make room for new life with my rake... that nature helped me know.  My soul felt like that which was dead but I knew differently.  In truth, it was much more like the greeness of new life peeking up through the dirt.  It was coming awake after the long, dark, cold, difficult winter in which illness started in my flesh and affected my spirit.

As a young Christian, newly coming to know Him in the Jesus Movement, I heard those who were my age now talk about finishing strong.  I couldn't comprehend what they meant.  How could one who walked with Him ever become lukewarm... or worse... walk away?  It didn't make sense.

Until one walks many miles on life's journey and has had (what they believe is) one too many storms ravaging their path... winds and rain and hail and desert and darkness and loneliness and loss and the cold of winter and the heat of the summer sun... all along the path of their life.  As they journey from youth into middle age and then into old age, they feel they have been chewed up and spit out by Life.

Those who finish well come to understand that His mercies are new every morning.  They look forward to "the time of the singing birds".  They learn in their journey not to fear the cold but to realize they must keep walking the path until the time of refreshing begins.  In spite of how they feel... there is life within... His life.

Those who finish well do not finish perfectly, they will enter Heaven out of breath with bruises and scratches.  Only those who do not make the journey... or who walk away from it... do not show the affects of that walk.

Those who finish well know the crown does not go the fastest or the strongest... but to the person who crosses the finish line... who has not given up in the darkness of the winter days of their life. 

As life returns all around me... life is flowing back to the soul.  Spring has come.  I know I can finish the journey.

More about gardens and Mitford

I always find it amazing what one can accomplish just a little at a time.  I was able to clear old brush, stubble, and leaves from an entire section of the fence and deck yesterday afternoon.  The area by the fence is a priority since it can grow quickly, making it difficult (if not impossible) to clear.  Just the aroma of dirt and wet leaves (both in the soil and then sweeping leaves from the deck) made spring very real.  The rest of the family are highly allergic to leaf mold so I'm the only one who appreciates the aroma.  :)

Some of the daffodils are ready to bloom.  Their early appearance (along with the crocus which bloomed earlier in the week) always surprises me.  I am blessed with enough daffodils in the yard that the lovely yellow blossoms are able to be cut for bouquets inside and plenty left to enjoy out the kitchen window.  By next weekend, there should be lots of blooms.

I am physically weak from so much sofa time this winter but I look at the gardening as free physical therapy.  Very soon I'll be able to start walking at least a few times a week on the bicycle trail.

Yes... I do agree with the comments about the first Mitford book.  I think you can tell it was Jan Karon's first book and she definitely got better with the second book.  It reminds me a lot of the Joel Rosenberg series I enjoy so much.  His first book (The Last Jihad) was rather difficult to slug through but he became better with every book in the series.  By his third book (The Ezekiel Option), he had really come a long way.

I also think I like the Mitford series better once he meets Cynthia and especially after they are married.  My least favorite of all the books is A New Song, where they take a short term position elsewhere.  Not that it isn't a good book, for it is a good read.  I just thought it confused the flow of the novels.  I love Shepherds Abiding, it has such a great Christmas message.  I've recommended it to people who didn't want to read all the Mitford books and as a gift for someone who hadn't read the other books.

I can see where Jan Karon was influenced by the Miss Read books.   So many of us read Miss Read after Jan Karon recommended them that many were put back in print.

Today will find me in the yard off and on.  Christopher and two friends are driving back from Florida so I'll be praying a lot!  He's had a relaxing week, just what he needed before finishing a difficult semester.  I know he'll appreciate memories made this week, especially if he's working an internship and not able to get away during spring break again. 

Now... back to the gotta do's of the day.

Gardens and more books

I have been keeping watch of our long term forecast for awhile, making the sign of the cross with my fingers and hoping to keep the cold away as one would, say... vampires.  Not that I'm concerned about such creatures... Bigfoot, yes... vampires, no.  But I digress... all this nonsense only to say we have snow again in the forecast.  Short lived, of course... it will melt quickly... but still... sigh.

So, I must spend some time outside today picking up all those big and little branches which have fallen with the winter's winds (work done a little at a time has great results in the long run).  This year I'm not letting the early spring pass without clearing the necessary brush and old greenery before the new growth becomes too big.  Last year we ended up with so much rain, we ran out of time to clear the brush..  Lesson learned... take advantage of each nice day early.

I'll have to write the two pantry posts next week and (again, God willing and the creek don't rise)... I'll be able to take advantage of the new desktop computer and finish the Book Recommendations post.  It will most likely appear just before I ask for new recommendations for summer reading. Thanks for the book recommendations in comments recently.  I'm going to add them to the new Book Recommendations list.

Regarding the Mitford books... they are my very favorite series.  I just love them and I feel Father Tim is a member of the family.  The rest of the family never really enjoyed them (I think my husband and daughter didn't even get beyond the first few chapters of the first book.)  It just goes to show you who has the best taste in the family.  :)

However, hubby very much enjoyed Jan Karon's post-Mitford Series book about Father Tim called Home to Holly Springs.  I think because it is all about Father Tim and not as much about small town life (which is what I loved about the original series).  I believe the second book in this new Father Tim series is due out in October.  It is said to take place in Ireland.

The directions for making Posts below your header follows below...

Directions for making pages below your header (Blogger)

It really is as simple as writing a new post, once you find where to write them.  It now seems obvious but not so much when I was looking for the tab!

Click on either Customize (upper right hand corner) or Dashboard.

Click on the Posting tab.

Click on the Edit Pages (or just Pages) option (between Edit Posts and Comment Moderation).

There will be an option for New Page and as you write the pages, there will be options to edit those you have already written.  I ended up changing the titles of a couple pages and it was quite simple to edit.

Each page is written just as you were putting together a blog post except when you click on publish, it will appear under the header.  If you don't see it, then you hit something else other than publish (ask me how I know).

You can make up to 10 pages.

Of books and bloggy business

I've spent some time in the past few days doing some blog remodeling.  Once warmer weather is here for good, there is less time for indoor activities... now is the time to finish some work I've been wanting to do since Blogger gave us new options.

You will notice there are now numerous pages underneath the blog header.  By making these available, it will simplify locating archives for favorite subjects.  I'm impressed (and humbled) by those who have read through 3 1/2 years worth of posts but I'm hoping this will help a lot.

All the pages are ready except My Home and Family, those pictures will be available very soon.  By putting together these pages, I was able to declutter the sidebar a lot. 

I didn't have a lot of reading time recently but I did finish Miss Buncle's Book and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I think I smiled most of the way through it, especially the second half.  I hope to begin Miss Buncle Married today.  Stevenson is a brilliant writer.  This book reminded me of Barbara Pym's writing which combines good literature and wit.  I'm also planning on reading Mrs. Tim Christie before the month ends and one or two more if time permits.  I can't thank my blog friends who gifted these to me enough, lovely author!

I'm not certain what nonfiction author I'll concentrate on in April but May is looking like the month when I'll re-read Jan Karon's Mitford novels.  May is the big gardening month here so the Mitford books will be just right... light and wonderful to re-read while resting from putting the raised bed garden in.  :)

The lost-to-me title of the book I read which inspired the "living off the financial grid" way of life is still lost.  My good friend, BB, is also helping by researching as I try to research and remember. 

Recession Ponderings - Revisiting the priority list

I know I've written about the importance of a written priority list before but it is always a good subject to revisit.  Most people know we live on a fixed income and after losing a third of the Social Security when our son turned eighteen combined with unexpected medical expenses... there are months we have little or no cash left after paying very basic bills.

Thus, a priority list became essential. 

What is a priority list?
It is the budget equivalent of decluttering our house or looking through our Week at a Glance and realizing we need to prioritize our time.   We write down a list of needs for when we have the money to make a purchase and then prioritize them as to what goes to the top of the list, what is next most important, etc.

How does a priority list work?
When we receive any income beyond our monthly Social Security Disability check, a little goes into savings and then we look through the Priority List before making purchases.  We make the most important purchase, or repair, or maintenance on the house and car.  Then we go down the list as far as we can until we come to the smaller needs (like a haircut).

Is the priority list a constant?
It can change all the time.  For instance, we were just making purchases from the tax refund this past month (which is why I had a little more thrift shopping funds).  A stove had been at the top of our list since only two burners now work on our old stove.  About a week before the tax refund was to come in, the desktop computer died... thus, going to the top of the list and making a new stove impossible right now.

Some items have stayed on the list but near the bottom for years... items needed but not essential... or perhaps just wanted and not needed?

Is there any item always on the list?
A priority is always to purchase meat on sale for the freezer and basic pantry items.  We can no longer keep as deep a pantry as we used to do but we like having at least one extra of many items (and lots of canned tomatoes!).

Also, essential car and household maintenance take priority over most other purchases.  If there is an outstanding bill that has not been paid, it also goes on the list.  Since I am uninsured, my doctor's visits can add up so a priority with the tax refund was to pay off that bill.   

How do we make certain the money goes where it is budgeted?
One thing we like to do if we have enough money (for instance, when my husband gets a few weeks work at the bookstore seasonally) is to put aside some money for groceries during those months we have no extra from our monthly check.  The problem was, it would end up getting used for another need!

Then I came up with the idea of purchasing a grocery store gift card with the budgeted money, either our favorite "neighborhood" grocery store in town or a bigger store like Meijers or Target.  By putting around $100 on a card, it gives us budgeted money for items like milk, eggs, salad ingredients, and fresh fruit.  Obviously not a lot... but enough.

One could do the same with gasoline gift cards and such.  

Do we always agree on what is a priority?
No.  :)

Are any fun items on the list?
Definitely!  We try to include having a family dinner "out".  If there is a library sale coming up, we often will budget some money for that to find some great books for very little money.  With the tax refund, my husband gave me a little money for some thrift shopping.

I no longer shop very many garage sales during the warm weather season.  A combination of a small-ish house and thirty years of housekeeping equals... enough.  There are a few neighborhood garage sales which happen each year where I do like to go. If possible, I'll set aside a little cash for these sales.  I find walking in these neighborhood sales to be relaxing, especially since I'm usually only looking for teacups, Johnson Bros. china (to add to my autumn collection), good children's books, etc.

One thing we found in the extremely lean years was that a family (or individual) has to budget some recreation in their life or they will go absolutely bonkers.  During one very bad "year with no income", my dear friends that I met online in the 1990s would send a surprise $10.00 or $20.00 once in awhile... with a message that it must be spent on something fun.  Christopher was still young enough that McDonald's was a treat and you'd be surprised how much fun fast food can be when you don't eat it often.  :)

I can also assure you the purchase of a great family DVD (which can be enjoyed often) is extremely important if that is a way your family relaxes.  For your family it may be a new CD or giving the kids a little money and spending Saturday morning at some garage sales... but do know one must have a little guilt free fun to keep their sanity in very hard times.

Priority Lists and Holidays
One thing I budgeted for with our tax refund was to purchase some candy for an Easter basket for my son this year (who was quite sad we didn't have enough money last year).  One never knows what is really important to your kids (even if they are grown up).  My sister put together an Easter basket for her daughter until she was married and had her own children.

This is where a gift card to someplace like Target or Wal Mart would come in handy to set aside money for upcoming holiday or birthday treats which can't be kept in the pantry (I've heard some mothers have been known to eat holiday chocolates if they are in the pantry). 

Although, of course, such mothers would never admit it.  :)

I hope this post about keeping a priority list will inspire your imagination!

New Brenda made banner

 
I learned how to make this (instructions for Blogger)... here.

Hat tip to Kimberly's blog... here.
Kimberly used the same instructions but made a different collage... cool.

A chilly and raw Monday

I remind myself that spring begins officially this week even though snow is in the long range forecast.  Which isn't unexpected... some of our biggest snow and ice storms come during high school basketball sectional times. 

If I remember correctly, there is a scene in Hoosiers (a wonderful movie) where cars and buses are making their way to their state tournament finals... a scene which repeats itself throughout all the Midwest.  It would have been even more realistic if there had been a little ice here and there....

Before I know it, the trees will bud and a few hot days will cause leaves and daffodils and rhubarb to "pop".  Why is it that the black and white sculpture of trees against blue sky which I adore in January can make me sad in March? 

The turn of the planet, the placement of stars and sun in the sky... all internally tell me it is time for a change of seasons.  By October I will once again look forward to chilly nights and pullover sweaters.  :)

I lived vicariously through the miracle of the cell phone as Stephanie attended the Mother Heart conference in North Carolina and then stayed in Williamsburg, Virginia overnight.  We shared a moment of distress when she couldn't find her Emma DVD and the next day shopped together in the quaint stores near historical Williamsburg... someday hoping to tour them together in real life.

I may mention that time was spent on the cell phone as she made her way in the rain one evening, down dark unknown roads on another, and driving into the City (New York area) the third night... fortunately I was asleep and didn't know it took her until the wee hours of this morning to arrive home.  I'm certain her family was thrilled to see her and she is quite refreshed (with the possible exception of all that driving).

It was fun to hear so many of you came up to her as she sat with Sarah Clarkson at their book table, to tell her they recognized her from this blog and her own poor neglected online journal.  Okay, so she's expecting her fifth baby and getting a house ready to sell and now showing the house... not to mention homeschooling children... who doesn't have time to write?  Stephanie tells me I must read Sarah's new book.

Speaking of this blog, my apologies to you who have sent me an e-mail this winter and not heard back from me.  I became so far behind when I was sick, I don't know if I'll ever catch up.  You are very welcome to write again as it will be easier to start writing back now that I'm better.

Thank you for your kind comments about yesterday's Sunday Afternoon Tea.  These were ponderings which had been on my heart this past week.  This subject is perhaps my deepest passion.  It is only in recent generations that society does not recognize the importance of the person making a home.  Perhaps that is why I love vintage children's books and readers which show neighborhoods as they used to be... not perfect as depicted but quite good.

This week I'll be posting a few recession style and pantry posts... God willing and the creek don't rise... which is possible with all the rain this past week.

Picture: Afternoon Light;allposters.com

Sunday Afternoon Tea

I feel rather decadent, having shopped at Goodwill and a book sale in the same weekend.  However, I'm very thankful that I had a little extra cash just when wonderful books and vintage items were available.  Both are important items in creating the atmosphere I love in our home.

Isn't it true that we all need a sense of place, where we can walk through a door and feel there is nowhere in the world which makes us feel quite as comfortable and content. Our Lord understood our desire for Home. He tells us He is going to prepare a Place.  I must admit to more than a little time pondering about my Eternal dwelling place.  Imagine one that is created by a Master Carpenter and Designer who knows us more than we know ourselves.

I'm certain when I step through the front door of that Home, I will know for the first time that sense of truly belonging... for this will be my destination and the one Place my heart has desired all these years.

Whether it is an entire house or our half of a room we share, we so need a place to call our own.  The world today is in such chaos, not to mention everything seems to be changing every day.  If nothing else, I can't keep up with technology.  Since our son is taking the Buick on his vacation, we're using his little car.  I stopped by Culligan to purchase bags of water softener salt yesterday and had to have the men put the heavy bags in the back seat because I couldn't figure out how to open the trunk of his car... sigh.  :)

My home is a place where I have some amount of control, in which the way it is decorated can bring peace and calm and a sense of vintage past (at least my style).  It is my responsibility (and those who live with me) to keep it as clutter free as possible.  There are seasons when home just gets messy because people (and at least one animal) live here.  Especially when we've been ill or other experiences of life which take us off our normal routines.  But we try to get back to a sense of order so we can enjoy our surroundings... except just closing the door of my son's room.

There is a reason there are those (often women but a few men here and there) who love making their home a canvas for their creativity.  God created... and we are made in His image.  He planted a garden and placed in the heart of men that desire for Place.

When we come across beautiful china at a price we can afford, place books on the shelf to be enjoyed, set the table with a lace tablecloth, serve milk from a pretty pitcher instead of a carton at the breakfast table, sew beautiful curtains, make our bed with a pretty cover, bake a pie to be served with tea, awake to the aroma of bacon and eggs and coffee made by someone we love... all are just a shadow of the Beauty which is to come in the Home which will be forever ours, in whose City the Builder and Architect is God.

Until that day when perfection is possible, we just enjoy the journey and the contentment that can come with creating a sanctuary for ourselves, family, and friends... that place where one can leave the world behind feeling warm and cozy and safe.  In the midst of imperfect people and difficult circumstances, we choose to use those God given gifts to provide a sense of His presence.

Never underestimate the importance of a domestic missionary, with an apron around her waist, love in her heart, and wisdom in her words.  :)

Saturday morning at the library sale

There is not much that would get me out of a warm bed on a cold, rainy morning.  A library sale is one of those events.  One of the libraries in a nearby community was having a special sale of old books (all 50 cents each) and I was hoping to find Goudge and Stevenson.

While standing in line, I texted Stephanie at the conference.  I was standing in a cold rain and she texted back that she was listening to a talk by Tracey Klicka.  Now, besides hearing Sally and Sarah, that is a lady I'd love to hear.  Her husband is a hero in my book.  :)

Anyhoo, while not finding any books I was actually looking for, I did find some goodies including Kristin Labransdatter, Hillyer's A Child's Geography of the World, The Oxford History of the American People, a vintage Anne of Green Gables, At The Foot of the Rainbow by Gene Stratton-Porter, a few Churchill books, and a Helen MacInnes mystery (another writer I've just begun to look for at library sales).  How lovely to find good books for less than a fast food meal.

I will take pictures of the vintage linens as soon as Christopher brings the camera back home.  Since they were only $1.99 each, it was worth buying all three tablecloths.  Even my slim budget could handle those prices.  I love vintage linens and have been fortunate enough to purchase them at amazingly low prices at garage sales through the years.  I always offer Stephanie any she would like (her tastes going towards red and lighter greens where I love red and yellow).

She framed a lovely embroidered linen and hung it over their piano... it was from a stack of vintage linens I purchased at a Detroit garage sale for 25 cents to $1.00 each (mostly a quarter, though).  When you think of all the work that went into that piece...  When we lived in the Detroit area, Christopher and I would walk to garage sales on Friday mornings and then have lunch "out", a tradition that still brings fond memories.  Since my husband was almost always traveling for his job, we had to walk but felt quite secure in daylight (stayed home after dark!!!).

Speaking of traveling... which I don't do... I am, however, a master packer.  With a husband who traveled a great deal over the years for his job, I learned to pack long ago.  Since Christopher still had mid-terms as late as yesterday and a wedding rehearsal last night (not his, hehehe)... I did most of his packing.  I left a note of travel reminders on his Mac (a place I knew he'd find it) before heading out to the library sale.  Only two cell phone calls were required from him before he left.  I call that successful packing.  He was gone before I arrived home and he and his friend will be leaving for Florida immediately after their friend's wedding.  (The second wedding from their homeschool crowd!)

Sigh... it is such a "raw" day outside with more rain and chilly temperatures.  Soon I will brew some hot tea... mine in the small teapot with its' sweater-like tea cozy keeping it warm... hubby's in a boring mug (but that's what he prefers).  Tea and books and a few pieces of chocolate and a cat stretched out by my feet... Heaven on Earth.

All prayers for my traveling children are appreciated.  Okay, so they are all grown up but you know how it is.  :)

Picture: A Good Book; allposters.com

Nothing special today...

It is rather chilly and rainy and I want to take a nap.  However, napping around dinner time is not prudent.  Ask me how I know?  How many ways can we spell "wide awake" all night?  Instead of napping I thought I'd write... not a lot to write about but it is better than sleeping at the moment.

I did get out of the house late yesterday afternoon, in the midst of thunderstorms and commuters on their way home from work.  One really has a case of cabin fever to find the need to leave a warm and cozy home in those circumstances!  I really, really wanted a good salad for dinner and had none of the ingredients in the refrigerator.

I figured a trip to Goodwill was in order first... a good choice.  I found three vintage tablecloths, a red and white vintage potholder like I have hanging in my kitchen, a pretty baby quilt for the expected baby girl, and an Eloise Wilkins book... all for a little over $10.00.  I've learned to look for glimpses of red and/or yellow quickly (thus the vintage items for my kitchen and table) and I always peruse the picture books for the kids.  After stopping by and not finding much for weeks, this was a good visit. :)

Since it was almost time for the sun to slip below the horizon, I rushed through the grocery store for salad ingredients and ice cream (my dinner and treat for being home all alone) and cough syrup... arriving home just before the heavens opened and the thunder boomed... again.  :)

I was asked what the china pattern is called and it is a W. S. George company Radisson style called Regina.  I had to do a lot of research to find out Radisson was not the name of the piece but the shape.  Weird... they stamped the shape name and company name on the back.  Regina appears to be quite rare so it was most likely one of their very earliest pieces (perhaps 1920s at the latest). 

My research explained the unusual feel of these dishes as the are not stoneware and not pure porcelain but a partial porcelain.  They are slightly heavier than my English china or my Noritake wedding china but still feel quite elegant.

Oh, I loved the comment about filling out FAFSA forms for the college bound student while your baby was napping.  I had one child starting college the same day the other started kindergarten.. I say the timing was God's sense of humor.  :)

I chatted with Steph a couple times to keep her awake on her nine hour drive and was relieved to receive a text this evening that she was safe and sound with the Clarksons.  Sigh... sounds like lots of fun. In the meantime, I'm staying inside where it is nice and dry.  Here's hoping the early spring-late winter rains turn to sunshine again. 

I stay home and pray

There is a gentle thunderstorm rumbling through our neighborhood.  Now, there is a sound of spring here in the Midwest.  I love the sound of thunder and rain when it is not severe... not so much when there is a tornado watch or warning.  :)

Christopher is in the midst of midterms with a two hour physics exam last night.  This particular class is known as THE flunkout course at the University so he was quite relieved when it was over and he thinks he did well.  His test ended late and he had to finish a computer program so he stayed with a friend on campus.  Thus, I got to sleep in this morning!  Rain and sleep... now, that is a wonderful combination.

Stephanie informed me yesterday that in the midst of all that work on the house, having their house up for sale, homeschooling, and recent family illness... she is driving to North Carolina to attend Sally Clarkson's conference this weekend.

Half of me is jealous but the Mom half of me asked her if she is crazy.  However, I can see how getting away by herself and spending time with our dear friends and other likeminded women is worth a six month pregnant woman making the trip.  (Today is their anniversary... have a happy day!)

So... I will be praying for both my kids as they drive.  Christopher and a homeschool pal (who is also at the University) are driving to Florida this weekend for Spring Break.  He was offered a free stay at a time share condo owned by another friend's family (while a group of guys will be there, family will be close by) so his only cost will be gas and food (he's taking a cooler full of groceries).

Sigh... once again the Mom part of me wants to say don't go but the side which remembers what it is like to be young knows it is exactly the kind of adventure one remembers later in years.  They are looking forward to warm weather on a beach and a trip to Epcot (these are science and engineering students). Remind me not to watch Where the Boys Are while he is in Florida. I can hear Connie Francis singing already...  :)

So, I pray... lots.

Hubby arrived home last night after spending time in his hometown near Chicago.  He combined a visit with his sister with business for his former fraternity (he is on their alumni board).  It is good for him to have these outside interests and when he is feeling well enough to make such trips.

He is leaving for Indianapolis after being offered a ride and tickets with his friend from the fraternity alumni board.  It is quite amusing as his friend was his "big brother" when they were both in the fraternity (when the earth was yet young, hehehe).  He had tickets to all of the games at the Big Ten tournament (did I mention he was financially successful?) so he's taking hubby with him to today's games.  His wife wasn't interested in three days of travel and basketball games.  I can understand...

I just stay home and pray for all their safe travels... and catch up on a mountain of laundry.  Isn't it FlyLady who is famous for saying "nothing says love like clean underwear"?

I'm still getting tired quite easily but now able to accomplish work a little at a time.  Also, I'm tweaking decorations in my home as this new season is anticipated.  When I took the teapots from their cake stands in the china cabinet, I replaced them with two smaller teapots and this...

This casserole dish is part of the turn-of-the-century Victorian china I inherited from my mother-in-law when she passed away in the 1990s.  This china was the only thing I particularly asked for of all her things (hubby chose the furniture he wanted).

Table set for Easter 2008

This china always made me happy with the springtime flowers when it was used at my in-law's each Easter.  I use it at Easter and for other spring meals now.  It had originally belonged to my mother-in-law's mother.  I've always thought it interesting that Victorian dish sets usually have between eight and twelve place settings... larger families back then or more given to hospitality... or both?

Photos may be enlarged by clicking on them.

Frugal beauty

Hmmm... it seems recently instead of my usual "all over the place" blogging, I have tended to get into ruts which last for awhile.  I spent a season in a bookish mood and most recently frugal living (with a deepening the pantry post still waiting to put pen mouse to paper laptop).

My soul wants to take part in some deep theological ponderings but the brain and the flesh are not in the mood... yet.  Perhaps as Easter approaches, my inner spiritual Due North will turn toward the things of the Cross.  In the meantime, I'm in a frugal rut... not necessarily a bad place to be.

So... this combination of frugal thinking and still feeling the fatigue of a long period of illness sent me looking through my home... camera locked and loaded... to locate frugal beauty (much easier than trying to write when one's mind was still rather fuzzy).

I showed this springtime venue on the buffet at the top of the last Sunday Afternoon Tea post.  The silk flowers (shown in that picture) were from Goodwill and a garage sale.  The cruets in the back are Goodwill, originally purchased to take to Stephanie for tea times but I forgot them when visiting last fall.  Too bad... they look so nice here they may remain.  (The silver tea strainer was one of the gifts Steph brought me from England.)

The above pictures shows a close up of my three favorite teapots.  The one in the middle was a gift from Stephanie when she worked in a coffee (and tea) shop while attending college.  The pretty teapot on the left was $5.00 at a garage sale and the teapot on the right was $2.99 at Goodwill.

This beauty was a Goodwill find a few weeks ago (a whopping $3.99 but worth it).  I just love the French Country look it adds to my living room.

The picture doesn't do justice to this sweet footstool.  It was purchased two or three years ago at Goodwill for just a few dollars.  The tapestry lid is worn but beautiful and the books (library sales) cover it, anyway.  The candleholder is a thrift shop find... I think I paid full price for the candle.  :)

Stephanie called from a tag sale in New England to ask if I wanted this folk art tree.  It was exactly like one on display at the cabin we stayed in when visiting Lancaster County.  The set of boxes were from a garage sale.  I paid full price for the little vintage signs but they were only $1.00 each.  :)

I really should have dusted before taking these pictures.  Anyhoo, I've probably had more comments from visitors to our home about this sewing machine than anything else.  It belonged to my mother-in-law and it could not be fixed to actually use.  So... I cut it out of the cabinet and have used it as a piece of beautiful vintage sculpture ever since... love it!  The wooden bird actually goes with the tree but I like it better out in the open... poor birdy.

I love to decorate with old books.  These two books were $3.00 each, purchased at the used book room in my library.  I adored the titles, which were part of a series when written.  As with all the photos, you can click on the picture to enlarge and actually read the cute titles.  The books are also fascinating to actually read.

I thought this breakfront picture shows a variety of objects... most found while thrifting, the wooden "dish" was full price but one of my souvenirs of Lancaster County, the brown crock was free (found with a few more crocks in my in-law's shed while preparing their house to sell), the two Easter mugs were full price but really cheap at Cracker Barrel.  I had a little credit left on a gift card and thought they would add a touch of spring to the breakfront (the picture doesn't show how gorgeous they are, either).

This is what I usually display on the buffet.  I wanted to show the silver tea service (sugar bowl and creamer are in a cabinet to make room for cruets).  I love the look of beautiful silver but obviously cannot afford it brand new (or even at most antique stores).  This set was purchased about five years ago, only $25.00 at an antique mall.  I took a chance as it was sadly tarnished but I could tell it was not pitted... as it turned out, it shined up beautifully.

These are just a few items for a "show and tell" of bringing beauty into our home on a very tight budget.  Edith Schaeffer wrote a book called A Way of Seeing and I think of that title often when decorating frugally.  It truly does become a way of seeing... that combination of expectation and experience when one comes to love the hunt.

Whether we purchase for pennies on the dollar, create our own beauty by  knitting or quilting or painting or growing flowers or sewing or weaving rugs... you get the idea; or think of new ways to use what we already own... it is truly possible to live surrounded by beauty.

Kim, over at Daisy Cottage wrote a great post about how she finds lovely items for her house.  It's pretty much the same thing I do.  You can find that post... here.  Kim's blog, along with my friend Manuela's (which can be found... here), are two of my favorites for finding ideas on how to decorate beautifully on a budget.  Both show lots of pictures (and I am a very visual learner).  :)