Parenting Ponderings - Part One

I was thinking about the recent post about raising kids when the three of us were having another heated discussion over lunch. Not heated as in arguing (much)... heated as in three opinions on a hot subject merging together to understand each other. That being stem cell research.

As one who suffers greatly from a disease stem cell research might cure, I could be the middle man (middle mom?) and think through how people may feel one way or another. Of course, all three of us are pro life and always filter discussions through those lens but I love to look at how others come to their conclusions (via their own worldview). It's a little harder for my black and white, perfectionist, engineer husband to even admit there are areas of gray in any argument. :)

As both my kids grew older, I think they knew there were no subjects we couldn't discuss. It didn't matter if I homeschooled all day or all the hours they were home (for we are all homeschoolers even if we don't teach their math and science)... I wanted our life together to be a continuous conversation... and a safe place for ideas, questions, and thinking out loud.

As I look back, there are a few things I realize turned out good that didn't look that way as we were going through them. As a young wife and mom, I had a mental blueprint of the kind of life I wanted to live in which I would bring up my many children. Life didn't follow as I thought... one child in Heaven, another born the next year... the third coming along twelve years later (God had to laugh at that one as he planned Christopher's arrival).

I can also say in fifty-plus years of living, I have never lived one perfect day. I thought I would, at one time I assumed there would come a time in my life when circumstances would be perfect and that would be best for the children. It never happened... and once I realized it wouldn't then I could relax a little and enjoy life as it was and not the way I wanted it to be.

As it turned out, the very challenges we met through the years were the seeds planted which produced two great adults now... my kids. How I thank God now that our quest for professional and financial blessings did not happen as we thought and we found instead that the journey was the blessing... not anything we would achieve (or not). :)

I should have known. God placed a man and woman in Perfection. He was the perfect "parent". They still rebelled... which gives relief and hope to any parent who has done all they could and children still flee the nest to go their own way... and have to learn for themselves before returning to open arms and forgiveness... just as He meets us when we return.

There is something about human nature that brings us together as we must meet the challenges of this world as a family. This is the schoolroom where children learn the lessons needed for life as they work with us to provide food by planting a garden or watching for bargains, care for the loved one who is ill, pray for the one whose place at the table is empty (whether a child or a parent who has gone prodigal).

It is good when kids learn to pray for Dad's safe arrival home when work demands a great deal of travel, to pick flowers for a depressed neighbor, read a book to one whose eyes have grown dim, bring water to the one with a fever, and mostly... watching how parents (grandparents, aunts and uncles, grandparents, cousins, neighbors) meet the challenges found so often in life.

Of course, those times of "success" can bring their own challenges as we have busy schedules and travel or two jobs (Mom and Dad) and all the juggling that takes. We've had seasons of life where there was "more than enough" financially as well as having lived in a large house (exactly the floor plan I'd always wanted).

Keeping children grounded can be even more difficult in affluent neighborhoods when everyone around them finds happiness and satisfaction in what the world offers. To be honest, I found keeping the family close was easier in the lean years with less distractions offered for our time and money. My daily mantra during the lean days has been... "Let's see what miracle God does today!".

Sigh... I'm still pondering and this is far from finished. Part Two tomorrow? That is, if anyone really cares for I am just thinking out loud while typing. :)

Picture: I'm Suzy Book2

Indian summer and cozy reading

Technically it is not Indian summer because we haven't had our first freeze but it has been in the 40s at night. Today we are to reach a near record high of 85 but there is frost and even snow in the long term forecast.

I have last night's roasted chicken simmering on the stove and in spite of the brief warm up outside, I will be serving chicken noodle soup after church tomorrow. I had a couple of whole chickens in my freezer, purchased when they were on sale. I can get two or three meals out of each. So many of our meals are now eaten in the family room as Christopher is not home for dinner. I'm thinking tomorrow's meal will be served in the dining room with good china and soup served in the soup tureen.

Last year I purchased bowls with an Autumn/Thanksgiving theme for about fifty cents each when they were on clearance at Tuesday Morning. I'll pull out the thrifted Johnson Brothers plates with these bowls sitting on them. Hopefully the guys won't ask who is coming for dinner. Mothers have to make the nest worth coming home to when their young ones start spending more time at the University and both of my children have an eye for beauty and design (and good food).

I finished the hours being the nursing school "project" with my young friend from church yesterday (at my age, twenty-seven is very young). :) I originally agreed to take part just to help her out for this class. However, a friendship has blossomed and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed our time together. We spent most of the day together on Friday and ended it with her treating me to a Grande' Pumpkin Spice Latte at Barnes & Noble while we went through our wrap up interview (of course, the latte' makes anything much better).

She also gave me a gift of Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin aroma house spray and hand soap (as well as a practical pedometer). Oh, my... I had heard of that Bed and Bath product and now I am so taken with it. Heavenly! I placed the hand soap dispenser at my kitchen sink where I wash my hands all day.

She learned a lot about Type 1 diabetes and she helped me in many ways, including looking at my diet closer. As it turned out, I'm not getting enough carbs so I need to add more whole grains. I also need more fresh fruits and vegetables but that is a budget challenge right now. My doctor increased my long term insulin by a lot when we had my bg numbers checked yesterday. We'll continue to "tweak" the insulin until we get it right.

I'm enjoying darkness coming earlier these days. (Although by February I will be looking forward to the long days of sunshine again.) Once the dinner dishes are drying, I can enjoy the reading times that are only found when one is curled up in a favorite place with the light of a nearby lamp and a cup of tea. It didn't take long to read White Christmas Pie and I enjoyed it very much. I haven't read many of the fictional books about the Amish like my husband has but this one is a "stand alone" book and not part of a series.

As I mentioned before, it takes place in an area I have been many times. Although there is a recipe at the end of the book, you can do a search for White Christmas Pie and end up with a few versions. I printed off two, one which was very easy and another similar to the one in the book which takes more time.

Now I'm reading What the Land Already Knows; Winter's Sacred Days by Phyllis Tickle. Now, I know in her nonfiction books she has a liberal theology but I'd heard this little book was very good and I have to agree. So far I find it lovely as she describes what it was like on their farm in Lucy, Tennessee when her children were growing up.

Her background is much more liturgical than my own so some of the Advent preparations are not what one would find in my own church... but nevertheless they are well written and I haven't found anything offensive to one who is much more conservative. She writes in the style of Gladys Taber.

I think next I'll begin re-reading the two books of letters by Edith Schaeffer (listed on the side bar) as well as a few more library cooking and decorating books. Speaking of which, I am off to the library now to pick up the DVD of Wives and Daughters they are holding. I haven't seen it yet but I absolutely loved the BBC version of North and South.

I'll look forward to watching it soon... perhaps Sunday afternoon. When we arrive home today, we are going to take advantage of this warm weather to do more pruning and to change the filters for our well. One must make hay while the sun shines... so to speak. When the sun goes down and the work is done, the tea will steep and books will be read. :)

Picture: Raking Leaves by Mary Smith; allposters.com

Friday night after a very long week

I can't tell you how blessed I am by your e-mails, comments and even GIFTS! My husband has found me sniveling over a card or package more than once this week and talking about how wonderful it will be to meet friends in person someday... here or There. I am deeply touched. I also appreciate the prayers said on my behalf as I've been walking through this unexpected and painful procedure.

Speaking of said husband... after I spent the entire day running past due errands in the heat and humidity (I even spent $1.75 on a a big bottle of water and I complain about $3.00 a case at Wal Mart!), he was reminding me late this afternoon that I still had to work on the t.r.a.n.s.c.r.i.p.t. and that it would have been easier if I hadn't lost the hard copy that he had given me of the Freshman and Sophomore years.

I figured I did lose them. I'm actually a very organized person but when it came to homeschool records, I lost it. Literally... on the computer and in my files. I have no psychological reason behind this because I enjoyed homeschooling, I just didn't enjoy documenting it. As I mentioned before, I wish I had done more documentation and not only for college purposes but to have more to remind me of the fun we had (as well as hard work).

Well... I was resting after dinner when said husband handed me a file which contained the transcript I had (supposedly) lost as well as all of Christopher's community college class records. I had not lost them. I had not been GIVEN them in the first place. However, it is easy to forgive when one has just cut your work load in half (and the worst half at that). Hallelujah!

Tomorrow I will be pulling out books from all sorts of hiding places to make long lists. Hopefully they will be dazzled by all that reading enough to overcome any prejudice against our lack of textbook use in subjects such as History. I think having fencing as his Phys Ed for two years should raise some eyebrows, too. Not to mention Asian studies and Worldview courses. That's why I'm going to give them an Appendix to the transcript with titles of books read... I'm impressed and I want "the person who won't accept five semesters of classes at the college as transcripts enough thank you very much" to be impressed.

There is still some attitude in there, isn't there?

I can't blame coming off of the pain pills. I'm still in pain but only Migraine Strength Excedrin pain and not "give me the hard stuff" pain of earlier. There is one more antibiotic to be taken before bedtime... only one. That is a very good thing.

I don't think I mentioned that five year old David is also going through a regime of antibiotics and has an abscessed area around his two front baby teeth. He will have them removed next week. I keep telling his mother to give him hugs and tell him Grammie oh so understands what he is going through.

So for this evening, I am not reading any more blogs or e-mails. The computer will be shut down for the day. I am taking a few magazines, a cup of tea, a book, and reading glasses to my room while the already mentioned husband watches the White Sox playing on TV. Christopher is spending most of the evening with two of his best friends (Sheila's boys) before one of the twins return to college at Northwestern (the other twin attends the University) so he won't be home until late.

A good night to spend in the company of tea, lots of good stuff to read, and a cat...

Thursday night and no transcripts

It is almost bedtime and I haven't started putting together the needed information. It will have to wait until tomorrow. The guy from the financial aid department returned our call today after we left (yet another) message as to why we haven't heard about our financial aid situation. He said he didn't have our papers. We told him we have given the papers to him... twice. Fool us once and make us think we didn't give all of them to you but not twice. He found them. He's had them since early Spring.

I've known the entire college entrance process to bring strong men to their knees, crying Uncle and begging to be put out of their misery. Add dental surgery and antibiotic nausea to that and one may qualify to be put away for awhile... just send me someplace where there is an ocean breeze and a non-alcoholic no-sugar tropical drink with a little umbrella.

We made the decision for Christopher to spend another year at the community college when his advisor (for his major which he can't declare until admissions gets the transcript) told him he already has half the classes necessary to receive his CAD certification. This will make him eligible for a good paying part-time job when he transfers to the University or give him excellent job training in a field for which he is gifted (should he decide to follow that path).

As for me, once I finished shopping for just a few groceries and essentials like kitty litter, I was miserable and my mouth was hurting again. Dinner was sandwiches, fruit, and chips... and I couldn't even make the sandwich (except my own). With apologies to the menfolk, I left the ingredients for dinner on the kitchen counter and headed for the Lazy Boy to watch episodes of Christy on DVD and try to keep my head still. Hubby washed the dishes for me. They have stopped saying such things as, "you don't look so good".

I'm at that point where I'm wanting to do something "interesting" to the house... just a little tweaking here and there -- or -- bake something ... but my body is saying it has to have a few more days R&R. That's a good sign, though. Much better than over the weekend when I just wanted to be put out of my misery.

I may take one more day of sofa time and watch British flicks instead of pulling books off of numerous shelves for titles and publishers names, crawling under Christopher's bed to pull out the container of Sonlight Curriculum books, and sorting through my drawer of the file cabinet to see if I kept hard copies of anything from the homeschool co-op.

I know I should have been backing up everything and keeping copies. If I had it to do over again, I'd have made extensive lists of books read, projects completed, and co-op lessons taken but when you're living that life one day at a time, the thought it will come to an end and you will need transcripts for college seems so far away. Then... overnight... you've gone from the fifth grade to a high school senior and (when did that happen?)... well, it would have been a good idea to have documented the process somewhere other than in Word and Excel. Sigh...

A busy Monday morning

My husband had an appointment "Downtown" this morning so I dropped him off and drove to the County Library (an easy walk for him when he finished his meeting). The library always brings back such good memories as Christopher and I spent many hours there, not only as a homeschooling family but also as volunteers. Walking through and perusing the books made me miss that time until a preschool boy started screaming while having a tantrum. I definitely do not miss going to the library with preschool boys. :)

I was there long enough to choose one novel (a Laura Child's Tea Room Mystery) and five (count them... FIVE) cookbooks. I can always tell what mood I'm in at the time of a library visit by what I check out. Three of these books were all about baking bread (including muffins, etc.), one was a book about the Shakers... complete with recipes, and the third was one of my all time favorite cookbooks called The Amish Cook. I can't tell you how many times I've checked it out of the library. I need to purchase that one someday.

I'm not usually one for checking out cookbooks about baking in July. However, I'm wondering if it is more about the pull of home and hearth that made these look interesting... or perhaps it was just that I was hungry.

When my husband found me, I was sitting at a table in the magazine/newspaper section with the stack of books to check out beside me and the latest issues of Practical Homeschooling and The Weekly Standard open in front of me. What can I say? I'm no longer "officially" homeschooling or involved in conservative politics but I am still interested in following what is going on with both. :)

I'm going to rest a bit and then head outside to do some necessary weeding and pruning. The temperatures as well as humidity are both giving us a brief respite in this July weather. I also need to sweep the deck again as trees have been dropping thingies from them. I'm sure there is a technical term and I could look it up in one of my husband's Forestry textbooks (but most of them show trees under the microscope, anyway) but I don't care enough to do it. I have to sweep them, no matter what their appropriate name would be... so they are thingies that need to be swept... an entire layer of them over everything.

Thank you for the comments about my delightful yard. Everything shown is just the way they were on Thursday, except the pink peonies. They have now stopped flowering (it is too hot) but left behind a very pretty bush. The two container plants I showed on the deck are the geraniums and the zinnias that I planted especially to look nice for the graduation open house. I like them so much that I'll plant them just like that each Spring... beautiful! Otherwise, I reap the benefits of previous owners with perennials, bushes, and of course (living where a forest once covered this entire land)... trees.

Freddie, I do understand what you were saying in the Comments of the last Sunday Afternoon Tea. I hear people say they "hear from God" or "God told them" all the time and I wonder if He really DID (especially when I hear what He was suppose to have told them). Yet, I know many people who have heard that "still small Voice of God" in their life. I didn't hear an actual voice as such... but I'd call it the "echo" of a Voice. Just like Abraham could not look at the face of God but only saw the back of Him as He walked by him... there are times I just know I hear His thoughts toward me.

Some people may not use the term "Voice" but instead... Calling. Mother Theresa knew the Call of God for where He wanted her to minister. I believe we see the same thing with Brother Lawrence in "Practicing the Presence of God" where he felt the Presence. I've only read a little of the Desert Fathers but it seems like they could discern what God was saying to them. If I feel I've heard from Him that He wants me to do something in particular, I always go to the Bible and wait for Him to speak to me through the wisdom of Scripture, too. I truly understand where you are coming from. :)

I have dinner in the Crock Pot so washing up should be simple this evening. It all depends if I decide to bake something for the guys in late afternoon. Just in case, I have butter coming to room temperature. After all, I do have FIVE extra cookbooks now.

I hope to get the time to write the next pantry post in the morning. This one will take the most thought of all... I also will attempt to get caught up on my e-mails this week. But not this evening. I'm certain it will find me outside in such gorgeous weather (with no rain!!)... either working along the fence line while my husband is mowing or taking advantage of a beautiful day by reading under the umbrella at a table... with my scrapbook journal, a book, a cup of tea, and a cookie for dessert at my side.

Photo: A Good Book; allposters.com

More economic shakings

Yikes! Have you been watching any of the news today? If not, I'd say do something else... like listen to music or put a British Flick in the DVD player. It seems Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are in deep kim chee. The analyst I was listening to on Fox News said he doesn't think people understand how serious this could be if the government has to step in and bail these two mortgage giants out... it would DOUBLE THE NATIONAL DEBT as they own more than 50% of all mortgages in the U.S.

He also said we would not be looking at the "R" word but the "D" word. That's exactly what Donald Trump called a Depression a few months back... the "D" word. He thought is was entirely possible because of the real estate mess. It was interesting that another headline on Fox right after that was that crude oil was reaching another all time high. Hmmm... where is that Pride & Prejudice DVD?

We had our own financial shaking today when my husband visited the Social Security Office. Contrary to what he had been told by someone at the office, our monthly check for Christopher ended this month. (We had been told it would continue through college.) It appears this is not true for S.S. Disability. We are surprisingly calm, having about a third of our income suddenly vanish. God has always provided in some rather unusual ways and we know He will continue.

I guess that is why even when I get that feeling in the pit of my stomach when watching national news that I can still trust in Him (lots of practice). From the first moment I accepted Christ and chose to live my life for Him (in my early-mid teens), it was all or nothing. I gave up too much to be lukewarm.

Ironically, I've been reading T. Davis Bunn's books The Warning and The Ultimatum (about a financial crash and the after affects). I had read the first book but not the sequel. Both are based on the premise of a "quiet guy" banker being made a prophet to warn people of an upcoming severe economic crash. Bunn does an excellent job (as usual) and leaves one on the edge of their seats as to what happens next.

The two books I decided to order with my Amazon credit arrived yesterday. They are A Life That Says Welcome; Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others and Keeping House; The Litany of Everyday Life (authors given on the sidebar). Both books have been highly recommended on other blogs.

I started reading the first book last night as I needed a break from the suspense of the Bunn novel. I like it very much. Some books of that genre are way too general and I come away thinking I already knew a lot of what they were saying. This one is full of good information and is a good read. I'm half way through already and yes, I did stay up past midnight because it was that good. I'll be sending it to Stephanie, once I finish it and copy some of the recipes.

I'm looking forward to reading Keeping House soon. It is much, shall we say... deeper... but it is also just what I needed right now. I'm spending more time in Quiet Time, reading, and pondering than usual. I need it.

I will (hopefully) be able to write more about stocking up the pantry tomorrow. That post will be about how I stock the pantry with food stuff aside from my bread and baking supplies. I haven't a clue what to chat about on Sunday Afternoon Tea, yet. Hmmm...

Note: I'm way behind on answering e-mails but don't give up, I'll eventually get to them. :)

Picture: Just a still life from my family room

Rainy day ponderings

I really was going to take some pictures of the pantry shelves in my garage today... but nature got in the way. We've had rain and storms come through most of the day, the few minutes of sunshine this morning was soon replaced by shadows.

That's okay, it was one of those days that rain was welcome. I didn't have anyplace away from home that I needed to be, although it was a good thing I did have to take a letter out to the mailbox.

I had heard a loud boom this morning and our electricity went off. I assumed the Rural Electric Co-op guy was looking into the situation but when I walked down the gravel lane, I noticed my nearest neighbor had lights on! LIGHTS, how could that be?

So... I called the Rural Electric people and sure enough, they had no reports of any outages. They assured me one of their guys would be on the way, especially when I explained that loud boom sound. He arrived about thirty minutes later and his assessment of the situation was the same as my husband's, there probably is a fried squirrel somewhere out there. Within a few minutes, the problem was fixed and I had power for the first time in hours.

Then, big storms came through and knocked out the satellite and the Internet for awhile. It was a good time to fold and hang up all the laundry I had finished so far. Speaking of which, Stephanie called this morning while I was on the porch reading Genesis, rocking, and waiting for the Rural Electric guy to arrive. Her new washer and dryer had been delivered and she was waxing poetic about the clean laundry. When one has four little children, one gets all excited about washers and dryers that work. When they had extra money come in, this was at the top of their priority list. (I am thankful taking a vacation with us was on that list!)

That's one of the things I've been doing this week, writing in my scrapbook journal and tweaking some of my lists. Thanks to a lovely Target gift card, I was able to purchase a few items from my list (that's what I often use gift cards for, purchasing items I can't from the family budget). I was able to bring home two good size containers to hold my unbleached and bread flour, and an excellent Henkel bread knife that Target sells for a great price (my bread knife is over thirty years old and I had just added a new bread knife to my list!)

I also found the cutest cupcake holder for the open house, the kind that makes a "cupcake tree". Even Christopher thought it was "cool", and that is from a teenage boy. It wasn't on my priority list but when I saw it at the store (it was very inexpensive), I knew it would be something festive for this party. I made yellow cupcakes with vanilla frosting and then sprinkled colored sugar on each (purchased in bulk at the Amish grocery store on vacation for 80 cents). It looked great. I was so thankful for that gift. :)

Over the next week or so, I plan to talk a bit more about recession proofing and stocking up (did you hear today that a gallon of gas may go up to $7.00?), review a delightful child's book, and perhaps chat about a couple other books I'm reading. Hmmm... I know there was something else I was thinking of... oh yes, when I'm taking pictures of my pantry shelves, I want to take some pictures of what my scrapbook journal looks like and how I have the pictures I use organized. They have worked out so well in this new system.

Now I must check the potatoes boiling on top of the stove and finish dinner. I am not a great Summer cook since I tend to not be hungry much when it is hot outside and I still have to make certain there is some kind of sustenance for all of us each evening. It's just the opposite in cold weather when I'm in the kitchen all the time. Now, what to serve with the potatoes?

Picture: Afternoon Light by Susan Rios

At least making an attempt to simplify

I promise to upload some pictures soon. I didn't take very many as I was so busy with hostessing duties. Everyone liked the food but the two "stars" of the day were the key lime bars and an open face vegetarian sandwich I put together. My husband was amazed at the number of lentil salad fans there were but wasn't surprised at how many people loved the potato salad. There is a reason I've used that recipe since the mid '80s (recipes available on my recipe blog, link on side bar).

I had a lot of cleaning to do today, with my husband's help. There was no time to do the dishes yesterday so I stacked them in a box and put all the silver ware and serving pieces in a bucket of hot, sudsy water overnight (all in the garage!). I wouldn't do that to them often but I figured once in awhile wouldn't hurt.

I knew today still had a rather long "to do" list attached... not only the dishes but putting the house back together for everyday living... so I stopped by Panera this morning after dropping Christopher off for work. I enjoyed a bagel and coffee while reading and "thinking" for awhile. One nice thing about places like Panera, I could refill my coffee cup with decaf and cream to take home to my husband (to be warmed up later for an afternoon treat).

I enjoyed looking through magazines at Border's but didn't buy anything... just too expensive right now. We just found out our car is going to cost over $430 to be fixed, yikes! The coffee and bagel was a much needed treat for my mental and emotional, if not physical... health. (I took extra insulin knowing I was going to have a bagel, though.)

I haven't been stopping by the thrift stores or garage sales much this summer. However, I stopped by Goodwill on the way home just to see if they had anything in my price range that I needed (as in a few dollars). I found a perfect punch bowl and cups for only $2.99. I'd seen a lot of them but nothing that was what I was looking for and here (the day after the open house), I found a set I liked very much. It has thick, chunky glass cups and a heavier than usual bowl. For that price, it came home with me to be ready for another get-together.

As I told one of the women who works at Goodwill this morning, you know money is tight when you can't afford the thrift stores. However, God is very faithful and has provided all necessities. I have nothing to complain about. :)

Part of what I was thinking about... pondering so to speak... this morning was how so many of us really are living a life of our own decisions. Oh, there are events that happen like illness and job loss that many have no control over. At one time, a person lost their job mainly because they were bad at it. For about the last twenty years, people have been losing jobs because they have been going overseas or being bought out by bigger companies (but we won't go down that road today).

No, today I was thinking how we can choose a life of busy-ness or simplicity. I have been very busy with "good things" the past two months. Lovely trips to see friends and family, a graduation, an open house, birthdays, making the house pretty (and everyone commented on how nice it looked), planting flowers in containers for the front porch and deck... creating an backdrop of all things pretty for family and friends to enjoy. Christopher thanked me over and over for the food and how nice everything looked.

The season of busy-ness was well worth it but now I must balance it all with a season of rest and reflection. I could accept more work at the bookstore to help pay for the car repair and rising cost of... everything. However, in the long run that would not be good for me or the family. There comes a time when we have to say "enough is enough" because there will always be something more that should be done, or purchased, fixed, mended, etc. No, I have drawn the proverbial line in the sand and said... enough for now.

I need a season of simplicity to do some Bible study, reading, pondering, reflecting, and generally getting a great deal of rest. In the past, I could keep going like the Energizer Bunny but these days that would be foolish. I don't take heat well, anymore, so July and August become to me what January and February are in mid-winter... time to retrench... this year not only on my "to do" list but also with all spending. I still have places in the grocery budget I can simplify to make more space for "stocking up".

Slowing down my pace for awhile will help me have time to work on some warm weather menus and think of even more ways to economize. When my work was done today, I spent an hour on the living room sofa with my feet propped up (another reason for a sturdy, thrift store coffee table!), writing down thoughts and recipes in my scrapbook journal (including the graduation open house menu so I'll remember it). How good it was to read through the pages where I had my list of "things to pack" for Lancaster County as well as my various "to do" lists here at home... those items which can now be checked off as done. :)

Checking off items on the "to do" list... now that is truly a good thing.

Photo: Grandma's Garden by Robert Duncan; available at allposters.com

Left with a lot of work...

The Windy City
We will borrow the name for awhile

I normally like to wait until Monday evening to post anything new, leaving the Sunday Afternoon Tea "new" for as long as possible. However, once I start working today I'm not certain there will be computer time later this evening. Do leave a book recommendation on the Sunday Afternoon Tea post if you like. I'll be watching for comments all week and pointing them out as the days go on. We could all use good recommendations for reading!

I was working on the computer late yesterday afternoon when the lights started flickering off and on. I've never seen the electricity act as it did, usually it just goes off without a warning. My husband was in the garage and he thought I was turning the lights off and on to get him to come in the house! I was able to push the button on the computer during the few seconds it came back on (I'm certain those kinds of power surges are not good for computers, even if they are hooked up to surge protectors). I unplugged our computer, my son's computer (he was at a Bible study in town), and the TV.

I should have been watching the little TV as we were under a moderate risk of severe weather. With the trees fully mature now, we can't see the western sky or storms approaching from that area. Which, of course, is where many approach in our part of the world. All of a sudden we were hit with hurricane force winds that seemed to come out of nowhere. The sky was sunny one moment and black the next.

We have one big branch down, sitting on a small tree next to the fence line... hoping there is no damage to the fence. Another big branch fell down across the entry to the gravel lane. I called Christopher on the cell phone (moving to the country was our decision to pay the money for cell phones, we didn't need them when we lived in town) and told him what was happening and to be very careful when he turned onto our lane. He said the lights were out in town, too. His Bible study teacher decided this would be a great time for a prayer meeting even though at least one young man (mine) would loved to have gone home once it was safe. So... instead of a Bible study, they were having a prayer meeting... in the dark. As it turned out, our neighbors had cleared the big branch from the road by the time he could get away. I asked him why he didn't just leave but you know... guys just don't do that.

We are left with a lawn full of smaller branches to pick up, as well as leaves sticking to everything (on the deck, on windows, and the front porch). I was sipping my second cup of coffee and talking to Christopher before he left for work this morning, while perusing the damage. Nothing serious, thank God. When one lives with this many trees around them, one learns to pray for strong angels to protect them. :) But the decluttering of the outside will be added to cleaning the house and baking projects... getting ready for a crowd on Saturday. Monday is laundry day, too. Hubby plans to mow today so I know what will take priority.

Sigh, instead of thinking of the extra work, I am going to be very thankful that there was no serious damage done, at least from what I can see. That was some fierce wind blowing through. Which reminds me, I must remember to plug in our NOAA Weather Radio the next time there is a possibility of bad weather. That way, it would not have been a surprise. I usually just use it if we are under a Storm or Tornado Watch at night.

I did "survive" work on Saturday. I was asked if I minded working in the Textbook Department. I loved the idea, since it is one of the few places one can sit at least part of the time. Christopher was concerned that I hadn't brought a book with me (as Textbooks in the Summer can be like Siberia and one finds themselves with no customers). I must have looked at him rather funny because we were in a bookstore. Even if most titles have something to do with Calculus and Thermodynamics, an experienced Textbook worker knows where to look... the English and History Departments!

I found a C. S. Lewis book almost immediately, The Abolition of Man... found in the English 120 stacks. The first chapter is the famous "Men Without Chests" essay. I was able to finish it and get a little into the second essay before we became busy. As I read it, I kept wondering what had taken me so long. Here this essay (and I assume the remainder of the book) spoke to my very concerns about modern education and it was written in the middle of the last century. I kept thinking about England's evolution from the home of many great Christian leaders to a post-modern country today. The roots are explained in this book, as the change was in full force. Great book! I'll have to read the rest of it someday.

I was quite tired when Christopher and I arrived home (he works every Saturday). He left to "work out" and I headed for the sofa. :)

Now... to work here at home!

Added: I'll write more tomorrow about Stephanie's wedding open house and what I'm fixing for Saturday.

Picture: Chicago; available at allposters.com

Of floods and freezers...

It is another dreary looking day outside and I am having a difficult time coming awake, even though I have been up for hours! Believe me, I had two cups of coffee and then two cups of tea just to keep my eyes open. I'm certain it is the weather.

As our local weatherman said on the news last night, "It is Friday so that means another round of severe weather". It has been that way so often this Spring, although there was a little over a week where we were under a tornado watch (or warning) just about every day. It looks like another one will be issued later this afternoon. Next week looks good, I think I'll plan on having lunch out on the deck one day.

We continue to be flooded in our area but nothing like what Eastern Iowa is experiencing. How my heart goes out to those people, what a feeling of deja vu many of them must be experiencing. We lived near Muscatine for almost four years and were there during the huge "one hundred year" floods of 1993. They are calling this a "five hundred year" flood. I remember hearing people say silly things like "they shouldn't have built so close to the river if they didn't want to be flooded". Well, our house was two or three miles from the river and we would have been flooded if one of the dikes broke (as many did).

All of this severe weather does not look good for future food prices. I've mentioned before that corn crops have been wiped out around here and now on the national news, I heard much of what is flooding in other Midwest states are areas where corn is grown. Add that to gasoline prices rising to $4.19 a gallon and well... it looks like we are a long way from returning to any sense of normal. How happy I am that I am a "tested and true" believer that my God shall supply. :)

Christopher asked me this morning how I plan to have food for the Open House next weekend. I reminded him of his sister's wedding Open House (although he was only about ten years old at the time, he does remember there was plenty food). Stephanie's wedding took place during one of our "years with no income" (and when I was dreadfully ill and "homeschooling" from the sofa) but together we did a lot of baking, served inexpensive sandwiches... beautifully, and I can't quite remember what we had for liquid refreshments but I'm thinking it may have been lemonade and coffee. I plan to serve lemonade next week.

I wish she were here with me. She helped me a great deal when Mamaw's (my mom) funeral lunch was served in our home. Our church provided the food but Steph took over the hostess duties since I was busy with out of town guests, as well as my brothers and sisters. One of my nephews commented about how good she was at the job considering she was still a teenager at the time. He asked me how she did it and I commented with a smart alec (but true) answer... "training". :)

One premium I had then, which I don't have now, was space... lots and lots of big rooms. That is why I am praying for good weather! Our deck will be just what we need for additional space. Although, I'm not expecting nearly the amount of people we had for the wedding Open House (there were over one hundred come and go throughout the day).

If God has blessed you with a big house and a firm financial foundation, enjoy using it to bless others. What a gift it is to be able to open your doors and be hospitable to others. Of course, there are different seasons in life. Right now I couldn't host a Mothers of Preschooler Bible Study due to lack of a play space, too many breakables around, and a complete lack of energy to run after little ones. I could do so when I had young children and the house was set up for kids. :)

I can handle teenagers and college students, though. I loved it when Christopher's Hindu friend came over one evening and was looking at all of the books in our house. Believe me, some of the titles made for interesting conversation. I truly love to be around teenagers. A lot of the people coming to this Open House will be Christopher's friends.

As for the remainder of the day, I'm going to spend the afternoon doing some more baking for the freezer. Of course, I have to make certain there is something in the "there and now" for the guys. It is quite disappointing to have the aroma of something baking in the oven, only to find it is not for you to enjoy.

I'm finding having a deep freeze again is well worth the price paid (a little over a week of working at the bookstore last year... after taxes). Yesterday I took out a bag of frozen chicken breasts I had purchased on sale during the Winter, layered them in the Crock Pot (still frozen), sprinkled some Mrs. Dash and salt on top, and then poured a box of MSG free chicken broth on them (from the pantry). Later in the day, I let them cool on a plate and then transferred them to three separate Zip Lock bags, one to go in the kitchen freezer (in the frig) and two others to be used in recipes today and over the weekend.

Which reminds me, I'd better make certain the butter is coming to room temperature (also frozen after purchasing on sale). I think I'm going to make another pound cake and perhaps some pecan bars (the pecans purchased on sale a few weeks ago... are we seeing a pattern here?). Since I can't get outside to do any weeding or make an attempt at planting those last clearance perennials, I'm going to enjoy reading in between baking and cooking. Sounds like a good day to me, as long as tornadoes stay away (yikes!).

Rescuing sons and pruning gardens

Well, I'd planned on planting the other package of clearance bulbs this morning before the heat set in but Christopher called to tell me he had locked the keys in the car! They had fallen out of his pocket onto the floor of the car and he had shut the door just as he realized what happened. How thankful I am that we have our old car and enough gas in it to rescue him.

I hate to spend that much gas only to open a car door so I'm writing down a list of things I can do on that side of the County. I know hubby wanted me to make some copies of his mom's death certificate so I will take that with me, as well as an overdue library book that must be returned (thankfully the County library gives a very generous grace period).

A friend of ours was looking through the State's unclaimed property website for his own parents and found my mother-in-law had a few hundred dollars listed from the early 1990s (she passed away in the mid- 90's). For the small cost of sending for an additional death certificate, there will be a little over $100.00 each for the three kids. Nothing to sneeze at these days.

I'm still deepening the pantry each month as I find items on sale. I am hoping to get a picture of my pantry area taken this afternoon but only if there is enough sunlight. I'm going to post a few more book suggestions today about "stocking up" and I'll do some more research next week.

It is amazing to me how many people on TV and radio are talking about the need to "stock up", at least a little at a time. I was listening to a Bible teacher recently who feels very strongly that people should be setting aside some of their grocery budget each week to stock up on essentials. Of course, Glen Beck has been saying that for months now. We can't do much but every little bit counts!

I spent a lot of time outside yesterday doing some lawn work, taking care of the "deck plants", planting the perennials (the plant and the clearance packages, I finished all but one package), and finally mulching the area in front of the porch. It looks so much better, I would have done it a couple weeks ago but the weather did not cooperate. Isn't it amazing the difference mulch can make in an area? One of my favorite gardening shows is Gardening By the Yard on HGTV. He had an entire show just on mulch recently. :)

I also spent some time pruning the lower branches of the two trees in front of the house, as well as the evergreen border trying to take over our sidewalk. I don't know if I've mentioned my love-hate relationship with technology. I obviously love the Internet but hate it when my computer gives me problems. It is the same with gardening equipment. I've been putting off borrowing my friend's power trimmers to use on that evergreen border as they are very cumbersome and they make my arm ache (it is not something I would ask the guys to do as it would throw them into an allergic reaction!).

Yesterday I tripped on the sidewalk because I was avoiding the evergreen monster, which made me realize it was time to tackle it... I didn't want people showing up for the graduation open house ending up flat on their face in my lawn! So, I was pondering... what did people use before power garden equipment? Pruners... manual labor... the same thing I'm doing with the trees. I took my hand pruners (the small ones I use on bushes, not the huge tree pruners) and started snipping away. I've mentioned before that I love to prune, it has the same affect on me that stomping cans and milk cartons for recycling does for my husband.

Before I knew it, I had the side of the bushes pruned back about six inches and it looked... beautiful. I liked the results much better than the choppy butcher job the power shears leave behind (another reason I hate to use them). I'll need to work on it a little at a time over the next week but the evergreen monster has been very well tamed. It is beautiful and all but no one wants to be grabbed by their greenery.

My baking for the freezer ended up being Sheila's Cake, a favorite of all I know. I'll make another one for the freezer, too. Especially since I kept half of it out for the family to enjoy now. If I bake something every day, catering the open house won't be too difficult.

My reward for work well done? I started going through the first folder of Laine's Letters. I already have three of them set aside with recipes I want to try. I also worked on a Question & Answers post that will (hopefully) be ready later today. Wow, two posts in one day? You can tell I'm staying at home a lot more! :)

Picture: Faith, Family, Friends; available at allposters.com

A cool and cozy home

I appreciated the comments about my house looking "warm and cozy". This past week I've been striving for COOL and cozy. When I talked to Stephanie yesterday, she said people in New England are having a difficult time with the 98 degree temperatures. While our part of the country doesn't usually get as hot as say... Texas... it can become hot and humid enough to be uncomfortable throughout the Summer. So I'm all about cooling off these days.

Last night I was sharing the sofa with Sasha and reading the last couple of chapters of Beautiful in God's Eyes; The Treasures of the Proverbs 31 Woman (by Elizabeth George). It has been on my current reading list on the side bar now for quite awhile. This is probably the third time I've read it and I tend to pick it up when I have a short amount of time to read. Her books are great for such times as each chapter can be read and pondered individually. Except for her original A Woman After God's Own Heart, this is my favorite E. George book. She talks a lot about the importance of making a home "cool and cozy" and Christ centered.

The only challenge I have with her books is her teaching that we need to be working all the time. As one who is genetically disposed to sit and ponder once in awhile, I do not fall into that Energizer Bunny category. She has got to be a first born girl with a "Type A" personality, hehehe. I just overlook that part of each book and take it for what it is worth to me, I understand what she is saying... don't be lazy!

As I read, I looked around my living room/dining room area. I once again realized how truly beautiful it is (at least to me). No other area in the whole world (except my vintage kitchen) more reflects my personality, nowhere else do I feel as secure. I am so thankful for Steph & J.'s generosity that allowed us not only to take the trip to Lancaster but to bring home a few small items which add to the beauty and memories.

I have one more "souvenir of the trip" coming to me at Christmas. Stephanie purchased a framed reproduction of a child's needlework for me at one of the last stores we visited. She said she knew I'd forget about it by Christmas so it would be a surprise. She knows me well, I already forgot what the words were. :)

I encourage you today to do one thing that will bring order and beauty to your home. I have a box of papers I need to go through, most of which can be thrown away. It still surprises me how much can be accomplished by just doing a little at a time. One good thing about decluttering, it doesn't cost us anything except time (and perhaps a couple trash bags!). When finished, it is always a good feeling to have a clean canvas which our treasures can show up better. I don't know about you but when my house gets messy, I don't notice the flowers on the table or the shine of silver and teacups.

I have the butter coming to room temperature and a few recipes to look over, deciding what to bake this morning for the freezer. I already know I'll be baking muffins for the guys to snack on but I'm not certain what will be baked for the freezer. Probably some cookies as I plan to serve a variety of them for the open house. I also need to get outside before it gets too hot to do a little lawn and garden work.

My reward this afternoon... I'm pulling out my files of Laine's Letters to read through and find some good frugal living ideas. I started receiving her letters many years ago, when she was still sending out two or three each week. I printed them out immediately and read them when I had a quiet moment.

They are full of frugal treasures and one gets to feel Laine lived next door. If you click on the picture, it will take you to her "In My Home This Week" archives. Just start with the first one and go through... they are full of frugal ideas. By clicking on the notepad, you will find yourself in her "Letters" archives. You can begin by reading the first letter and going on from there or by clicking on a subject you'd be interested in reading about. It would be well worth your time and printer ink to print out a few at a time, brewing a cup of tea (cold tea?), and reading these letters from a true Proverbs 31 woman. I love her honesty, the fact she also has to work "just a little at a time", and how she shares what she has learned as she was on the path to becoming more frugal.

I'll be posting some of my favorite money saving recipes on the recipe blog soon. In the meantime, click on the recipe box at Laine's Letters where she has lots of very yummy and low cost recipes.

Now, I had better get to work before it gets too hot in the kitchen!

Picture: Shady Patio; allposters.com

Gardening on the cheap

The beginning of our fence line
The left of the fence is our neighbor's property
The right is ours
I work hard to keep this looking good!

The backyard fence line
or part of it
I've given up trying to keep it weeded
I may plant ground cover there someday

Thank you for the comments about our home and past trials. It is good for me to build altars of remembrance of that which God has brought us through. God truly is always good even when He has me baffled. As I was writing to a friend recently, I often think of the piece of tapestry Corrie Ten Boom carried with her and showed to people when she spoke to them about trials and the love of God (and she should know, at least I didn't go through the Holocaust!) ... we see the tangled strings below but He is viewing the beautiful finished artwork of our lives from above. :)

I've received a lot of questions in Comments and I plan to respond more as this week progresses. Since we've finally had a break in the humidity, I must begin to bake for the freezer (to get ready for Christopher's graduation open house in a couple of weeks) and to spend some times resting and reading this afternoon. Yesterday I worked for a couple of hours in the heat and humidity while we had a break from thunderstorms. I am feeling it today!

I got everything finished except for planting the one perennial I purchased a couple weeks ago (it sits in a pot in front of my porch, showing up on recent pictures) and those listed below. It was very inexpensive and I'm trying to plant more perennials near the fence line. I purchased three veggies to plant when they went on clearance last week for $2.00 each (one zucchini plant, one yellow squash plant, and one green pepper plant). A friend had just given me three big garden pots that she found on her morning run, someone had set them out with the trash. My only real expense was stopping by Wal Mart for some soil yesterday. While there, I noticed they had a few perennials on clearance for 75 cents and $1.00 (the kind that are planted as a root). I figured for a couple of dollars total I could take a chance, especially since one of them showed a picture of a beautiful peony bush.

The veggie plants look like they are going to be very healthy, even though they were drooping terribly when I planted them in the heat and humidity. I also purchased a few yellow garden mum plants for fifty cents each and I had enough soil left over to plant them. They were clearanced since the flowers had dried out but when I looked at them closer, the greenery was very healthy. Mums are one of my favorite flowers so once again, it was worth the cost.

This is a great time to begin stopping by the places that sell flowers and vegetable plants (in our part of the country, areas to the south and far west are probably past this point). I had to spend a fraction of what I could last year and even then, I couldn't plant what I would have loved to put out for perennials. These veggies and perennials together cost around $10.00 so I figured even if none of the root perennials "take", it is still a bargain. Especially if the veggies provide food later this summer. I couldn't purchase herbs to plant this year.

Everything (except the perennials) are in containers this year so I can move them around for more sunlight (those on the deck). I have a good collection of containers, including the three large containers Susie gave me and quite a few I purchased at a garage sale a few years ago.

The flowers in the front, both on the porch and in front of it, are looking great. They have had some amount of protection from the week and a half of severe storms and flooding rains that have gone through. My deck flowers have lost most of their blooms, however. They should start blooming again soon, if we could have this persistent weather system finally move away.

Christopher drove about thirty-five miles to a homeschool friend's graduation party on Sunday. He said the corn fields look like mini lakes everywhere. It is probably too late for many farmers to re-plant corn. If the fields drain in time, they probably can plant soybeans as they have a shorter growing time. Hey, I'm not a real farmer but one does pick up knowledge from listening to the real McCoy. I also watch U. S. Farm Report for their weather reports. :)

Such is the life growing up in a Farm State...

Recent good things

Quiet time on the porch... reading the Word
watching baby squirrels and baby birds
tiny hummingbirds and hurried chipmunks

Getting out in the early morning to plant flowers in containers

Hubby doing a load of dishes while I was outside

Lunch at a Mediterranean restaurant with old friends

Chatting with my daughter about a new scone recipe

A package arriving from a dear blog friend

Finding a book I thought I had lost

Washing a "new" Goodwill denim skirt
and finding it fit perfectly

A Comment from Sally
(on yesterday's post)

Leftovers for dinner

Cuddling with Sasha and a book

Going to bed with a clean kitchen

When the slate is clean!

I awoke today with such a sense of freedom. For the first time in months, I don't have any major event or project hanging over my head. While there are plenty of items on my "To Do" list, none have any looming deadline attached. That, my friend, is a very good thing.

Christopher's graduation day was amazingly wonderful. I'll share more about it this week. All the extra work and stress of the past couple of months resulted in more than one joyful and memorable event (or produced the money needed as in working full time at the bookstore at the end of the semester).

Today I need to make out a grocery list for our "stock up" days, most likely tomorrow and Wednesday. I don't have much wiggle room in the food budget this month so I've set aside only $20.00 (for now) to use for deepening the pantry. I'll peruse the sales brochures for the grocery stores to see if there are any deep discounts (like I found last month). If there are none in the foods I use often, I'll probably purchase a container of canola oil, one container of coffee, my favorite herbal tea (still at a great price at Target), and perhaps Seventh Generation dish washing liquid.

Either that or I'll order a few bottles of my favorite Mrs. Meyers dish washing liquid, just to have a nice selection of aromas as I stand over the hot suds! Since I get such a great price on the Seventh Generation at Target, Mrs. Meyers is half again as expensive. However, it is so concentrated that I use much less so it comes out fairly even in cost. So, why not save money and use something like Dawn? I spend a lot of time doing dishes and I like the fact these products are environmentally friendly (to me especially) and the aromas make me happy... even when doing dishes. They say you can't buy happiness, "they" haven't been at the sink over hot, sudsy water late in the evening. :)

I'm heading out to my front porch now to read a few Psalms, a chapter of the Elizabeth George Proverbs 31 book, write a grocery list, and perhaps adding to my scrapbook journal... especially a list of project ideas I want to work on this summer. I can see an hour or so of reading when the daily "to do's" have been marked off.

I may begin baking to stock the freezer today, while the weather is only warm (it can get hot quickly). I know I'm going to peruse my two Marcia Adams Amish cookbooks and perhaps my Mennonite cookbook (which was a gift from us to my mother-in-law long ago). There are already a couple of recipes I want to try from the Amish cooking brochures I brought home from Lancaster county.

It sounds like a full day already but it is full of my choices and on my schedule. I can feel the tension easing already. :)

Picture: Spring Front Porch; allposters.com

Taking charge of my surroundings

Well, my part of the garage is all organized... four sets of shelves (with four or five shelves each). I got up very early this morning to finish kitchen clean up and then tackle the garage again.

My husband is amazed, he absolutely can't believe the difference. I've cleaned the garage the past two spring cleanings but never like this where I went through all the boxes and decided to get rid of most of the things I was holding onto since living in the "bigger house".

We took over a "back seat full" of boxes and brown paper grocery bags to Goodwill today (on top of everything that went yesterday). Tomorrow I'm dropping off some books for the next library sale at the library near campus. In a couple of weeks I'll take all my Saxon math and Apologia science curriculum to the Christian bookstore to sell (putting a fair price on them). It's hard to believe those years are now behind...

As I was cleaning yesterday, the thought was constantly in my mind that we truly are in charge of our surroundings. For the most part, it is our choice to either hold onto "stuff" or to get rid of what we truly don't need. How silly of me to spend precious time each week trying to figure out how to rearrange "stuff" to make it look less cluttered. Ummm, Brenda, perhaps the only way to look less cluttered is to... get rid of stuff. Okay, so I am a slow learner at times... eventually I get it. Now I have what I truly love...

Oh, I kept important items and those things that would cost way too much money should I decide to use them again soon (like my bear-making accessories, I definitely kept them). But I truly found I needed only about a quarter of the items I've been holding onto.

Hubby and I will go through the remaining boxes together soon, all of those containing papers and cards and such... deciding what to keep and what to throw away from nearly 34 years of marriage. He also has a box of his brother's things... those items precious to a little boy who died of cancer when his life was just beginning. Our Christopher is named after him. I think he is now ready to throw away most of those, keeping only the very few items not falling apart. We inherited that box when his mother died in a car accident in the 90's... only now is he ready to part with them. She never could...

We will keep our daughter's college papers and drawings (until she wants them). She had told her dad to get rid of them upon graduation and was quite happy this past winter to find out he didn't... he couldn't. Upon opening one of our "memory boxes" this morning, I found the cutest little boy stuff... we'll go through them, too... memories of our own Christopher's childhood. Some things are worth finding room to keep.

I put aside the remainder of homeschool books which I want to give to Stephanie. Along with taking the high school books to sell, that means everything has been accounted for and either stored in Christopher's room for his kids someday... or on their way to New England for the present homeschool generation.

A new season upon me with the past all accounted for... a good thing.

Picture: George Leslie (artist); allposters.com

Jumping in head first

Cleaning my garage that is...

It was time to do something with... the garage. I was tired of moving "stuff" from one shelf to another, tripping over things, not being able to find what I needed, and generally feeling uneasy by the chaos and clutter. I knew we were looking at more than the usual spring garage clean up... it was time to take everything off the shelves (except the pantry shelves), go through each and every box... and start an enormous Goodwill pile.

What started with just putting a few groceries away became an all-day event. I finished just a little before 4:00 when hubby and I had to take the car in for an oil change appointment. I took about seven brown paper grocery bags with me to Goodwill. There will be at least another seven tomorrow. I got to the point where I was donating things I still liked. However, if I didn't have room for them... out they went.

This is the third (or fourth?) time I downsized "stuff" since moving out of our really big house. It honestly didn't seem like I owned that much "stuff" when we lived there. However, I had kept everything from when I had a small business making craft items and teddy bears, all of my sewing and quilting supplies, all of our homeschooling "stuff", more than one collection belonging to four different people, hundreds... no, thousands... of books, almost all of my in-laws papers and such "inherited" after they died, and just lots of my other much loved "stuff".

There's nothing like having to move "stuff" to make you lose your grip on it, so what was left at this time was basically those items remaining after three "downsizes". I've reached a point in life where one decides they are not going to buy another shelf!

Oh, there are some things I would obviously keep even if they had no use because they belonged to someone I loved. There are others that don't take much space and would require quite a bit of money to replace someday should I need them. However, there was a lot that, as I went through everything, I wondered why I was taking up so much space to keep them?

It has been downright emotionally freeing... giddy perhaps?... getting rid of excess and unneeded stuff. Not only do I not need to buy more shelves, there is space on existing shelves for some stock up items to "recession proof" a tad more (next month). I can even see the top of my clothes dryer, which has had Christmas "stuff" piled on it since January (blush...). You see, it sits right next to the "Christmas shelves" in the garage and, well... now part of it is at Goodwill and only what I absolutely adore is back on the Christmas shelves.

I found a few items I had "lost"... like my Spring & Easter decorations. Compared to all other seasons, there isn't much... just one small box. That's how it had gotten lost, in with Christmas "stuff". There is more work to be done tomorrow but I'm hoping by the end of the day to have transformed the garage into a Christian form of a zen garden. Okay, at least it will be clean.

More spring cleaning

I am so behind in my laundry and housework after working last week, visiting friends over the weekend, and doing some stock up shopping earlier this week. There were organization projects to be started on top of the weekly work... so the tension which comes with too much to do and low energy started this morning.

I dropped Christopher off at work and stopped by a garage sale in an "upscale" neighborhood on the way home. The prices were very cheap and I was very happy to find a few items I needed. After arriving home, I started dishes soaking in hot, soapy dishwasher while I began tackling the immediate chore at hand... continuing to organize the pantry shelves in the garage and put away what I'd purchased during my monthly "stock up" earlier this week..

We have only one set of shelves set aside as an additional pantry and one for additional kitchen/canning "stuff" but they are sturdy and deep (Gorilla Shelves). We had them in our bigger house and moved them with us as they were quite pricey to begin with. They are heavy enough and deep enough to hold the items and their protective containers.

That chore is almost done (organizing the garage "pantry" shelves) and I need to re-organize the other shelves in the garage soon. Some household work I don't like to call "chores" because I enjoy seeing everything get clean and sparkly. However, anytime I'm reorganizing and cleaning the garage... it is definitely a chore. Fortunately, my husband has already organized his part of the garage!

I used this time to set out two fresh mouse kibble containers on the lower shelves. I have a "live and let live" attitude towards varmints and critters outside my house but when they cross that line into the garage or the house... their days are numbered.

By chipping away at everything, I now have most of those shelves organized (a bit of "tweaking" is still needed), the bathroom linen closet completely reorganized, which also meant going through the family first aid kit and seeing what is missing, reorganizing the food shelves in the kitchen, and straightening one shelf of the yellow pantry. Oh yeah, I did the dishes. Now I'm getting some computer time before putting away a load of laundry.

By reorganizing various shelves, I made spaces to put some items I'm "putting back", like extra dish washing liquid, Crisco, a couple gallon size containers of canola oil, etc. Since most are going to the dark recesses of the corners in my lower kitchen cabinets, I wrote on a 3 x 5 card what is stored there (and taped it on the inside of the cabinet door) so I'll remember and not have to get down on hands and knees at a future date, wondering what is there when I need an item.

I finished organizing my side of our clothes closet last week when I purchased more of the hangers that are replacing my padded hangers (providing a whole lot more space). Using those Space Bags I bought at Target last month also freed up more shelf space. They are great for out of season clothing (or those extra kids clothes you are buying at garage sales and such). If you don't have the kind of vacuum cleaner needed to take the air out of them... just mosey on down to the car wash and use that ultra powerful vacuum cleaner! I think they were $12.95 for a box of three bags but well worth the money... and they can be re-used.

I listened to Neal Cavuto talking with some other financial experts this morning on Fox... while doing dishes. My ears perked up when I heard them give various opinions about the availability of food in the future. If I heard correctly (I was running water at the time), they all thought there were going to be food shortages even here in the USA which will mean continuing higher prices in the future. That group rarely agrees on anything... How happy I am that God is my provider! I have a small budget and a small house so I can only do what I'm able... and trust Him for the rest.

Do feel free to leave a comment or suggestion on any of the Recession Proofing posts. There have been great ideas, I incorporated a few today. I have the laundry in a basket and draped over a chair... waiting until I rest and have an afternoon snack (and perhaps some tea)... my reward to sticking with the daily chores until they were almost finished. It has been cold and rainy here which means putting a throw around me and curling up on my bed with fluffed up pillows to re-read Elizabeth George's book about the Proverbs 31 woman (title given in my sidebar). I have two of her books going right now, there is a reason she is one of my favorites. :)

I am not fearful of the future but I am doing what I can, using some of my money earned at the bookstore (and the tax check) to deepen the pantry a bit and get some needed maintenance accomplished. The deck has been power cleaned but it has been too rainy to continue staining. I'm keeping an eye on the priority list for other necessities as the funds are provided (the tax check and my paycheck from working last week). I have added getting my sewing machine serviced and hubby added having Culligan check our under- the- sink filters. God continues to lead me toward great bargains to stretch our income as well as gifts received (C.'s summer school expenses at the community college have been provided~!!).

All we can do is... what we can do. I know on the days I do not take the time to spend in the Word and talking to Him, that is when I begin to get tense. There is the real priority. :)

Picture: Rooster and Four Chickens; allposters.com

Fabric love

Click to see more details...

I've admitted to book love... and dish love... now I must admit to fabric love. I haven't indulged my love of fabric for years but a certain daughter (and the world's best son-in-law) sent me some spending money for my day in Shipshewana. Since our friends paid for our dinner, our only costs were gasoline and a couple of lunches. Definitely a gift from God through the hands of others.

I made a few small purchases including half of a yard of a Susan Branch fabric, another yard of fabric on clearance that will look beautiful for "bear dresses" when I get my sewing machine fixed (which is going in soon as it is a priority), and twelve fat quarters. They were on sale for only $1.00 each if you purchase at least twelve... at least???... do you know any quilter who has trouble purchasing... at least?

I put them together in a little basket I already had in the garage. Aren't they pretty? I think I'll leave them like this instead of putting them in with other fat quarters. Kind of like a cotton fabric bouquet... I'm thinking they will look pretty in my bedroom. I haven't made a quilt in years or sewed one of my special teddy bears. This new season of my life has cotton batting written all over it. :)

I also purchased four tiny tea cups and saucers which can be used for Christmas ornaments. I forgot to take a picture of them but I will soon. I had enough of my gift money left to indulge in two of my favorite magazines.

Click to enlarge

Later this evening, I plan to curl up on my sofa with an elderly cat, a cup of tea, the latest Tea Time, and the new Mary Jane's Farm... oh, and a few Dove Milk Chocolates. Does life get any better?

Thank you to the New England blessings!

Shipshewana

Click on any photo to get a better view!

Only a trip to the Shipshewana Festival in Northern Indiana could get me up after six hours of sleep Saturday morning! We had planned this trip to visit our friends who live near Ft. Wayne a few months ago.

They actually live on eighty acres (originally one hundred) just a couple of miles from Gene Stratton-Porter's home (not the Geneva home where the Limberlost museum is located). As we walked through their property and then drove around the Stratton-Porter acreage, I could envision how she came to write her books.

I can't begin to tell you how lovely it is in that area of the country. The Amish farmhouses, the "English" ranches and farms, beautiful Victorian homes in small towns... like looking at a continuously changing still life.

We lived near this area many years ago so we were looking forward to dining at one of our all time favorite restaurants... Das Dutchman Essenhaus... Saturday evening (our friends were treating us to a meal there). My husband and I hadn't been there since I was expecting Christopher and it did not disappoint. Yum... There were hundreds of people there but this place is used to large crowds. We were seated immediately and had salads, homemade bread, and coffee in front of us within minutes.

The meal came after a day in Shipshewana. I had planned to take many more pictures but somehow got distracted. We laughed on the way home, realizing I had taken a lot of pictures of horses rumps and none of our friends!

I find it fascinating that many of the Amish ladies in that area wear dresses made of very bright pastel colors. The Amish women in our area continue to wear darker dresses. I wish I had taken pictures of the young people and kids (adults do not want their pictures taken).

My hubby and Dan took in all the "guy" exhibits while we ladies visited every fabric store in walking distance (and being an Amish and Mennonite community, there were a plethora). I also was drawn to anything "tea time".

We awoke this morning to a breakfast table set with china and real linen napkins, sourdough pancakes, homemade grape juice (made with Splenda!), and coffee. By the time we left for home (very early this morning), I could tell I had worked five days of long hours combined with a long (if short in duration) road trip. Believe me, it was good to arrive home to see my boy and Sasha... and to prop my feet up!

Included are the few pictures I took. The apron "curtains" were in the windows of a diner where we ate lunch... in some small town on the way to Shipshewana. I asked permission to take a picture since it was so unique. The scene from the mural was from a very small section of it but one I thought interesting. It was in the same small town.

The horse and buggies... well, I just couldn't resist taking those pictures. They are from two different parking lots in Shipshewana. My feet are complaining that I have abused them in the past seven days. They will get it over it, about the time I lose weight from eating all weekend!