Christmas Peacefulness

Courtesy of Graphics Fairy

I just love this time of year.  The leaves have fallen, the snow is here.  It's time to snuggle in and be cozy.  It's also a season for celebrating "the most wonderful time of year" - Christmas.  The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As many of us are aware the Christmas season can quickly become chalk full of "to-do's" and "you must go see's" and a sprinkle of fun get togethers with friends and family.  It doesn't help that Christmas decorations are put out in Sept.  to help get us in the mood.  With only 29 days from Thanksgiving to Christmas, that is a lot of events to squeeze into 29 days so I have my own tradition of being done with my shopping by the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Yep!  This year, Nov 21 is my target.  So far I am on time.

This tradition started when we were stationed overseas.  The mailing cut off to get to the states in time was something ridiculous like Nov 30 for standard and Dec 5 for priority.  Anything after Dec 13, forget about it. Unless you wanted to pay more for shipping than  the gift!

I have slipped in my tradition a few times.  And always pay for it in stress and crazy behavior.  I'm not a pleasant person when I have too much on my plate, especially around Christmas.  Christmas means so much to me and I like to enjoy the season.

So, my shopping is done except for stocking stuffers (I'll share what our family does about that later.).  Having my shopping done allows me to go into Thanksgiving with ease and get my cards and packages mailed the first week of December.

When the kids were little we did cards the day after Thanksgiving and each signed their name ( I don't sign for everyone, it takes away the specialness of receiving something with each person taking the time to sign.)

After packages are mailed, I can breath and embrace all the traditions the history of the Church has had the we do.  Like Advent, the Jesse Tree, St Nicholas, St Lucy - I love this one! On this day you plant wheat seeds and they will sprout in time for Christmas.  Just in time for hay for baby Jesus to lay on!

I don't shop on Black Friday, and I usually don't do Cyber Monday either.  Why? I'm done by then.  I save some by the deals I do come across, most of all I save my sanity and peace.  I know a few women that start the day after Thanksgiving and end Dec 24. That is their Advent tradition, and they don't get out to family get togethers or socials or Christmas events like the Nutcracker.  That's for them, not me.

For me, today, I have one more gift for my son-in-law and stocking stuffers for my husband.  I'm looking forward to decorating, and celebrating through the month...and it feels great!

Couples Gathering

Beautiful tulips from a friends garden.

Last night we had a lovely gathering of couples from church.  In todays world my husband and I find it so necessary to be around others who are like minded and seeking the Lord in their life.  One Sunday drive in the country we both shared the desire to start a monthly couples dinner group.  Not for gossip or what ever, but to uplift and support each other. To be able to talk about Jesus and not feel ridiculed.

We had a wonderful evening.  I wish I would have taken pictures, but your imagination will have to do.  We had a tasty grilled chicken made with a homemade rub seasoning mix that I make, a mango slaw that one woman brought, roasted sweet potatoes and broccoli (very delicious roasted), and gluten free brownies since 2 of us are gluten free.  We laughed and shared and the women gathered in the kitchen to share.  Giving tips on kitchen gadgets and past kitchens we have lived in.  My last kitchen in Ohio had 2 cupboards and 1 drawer, so my gadgets were at a bare minimum.

It is so important to gather and support each other in our faith walk.  My husband and I have found this is a wonderful way to start.

Planting Day

A peak into my garden.

Today is planting day for Fall.  I have tried planting by the moon for this garden season and I find it difficult to plant on the EXACT dates for the best harvest. Exact anything is always a challenge since God is the only one that can produce exact.  So, I have humbly learned that my strengths lay with "roughly" and let God handle the rest.

At least the seeds are in the ground!  Isn't this true with many areas of life?  For me as long as I DO IT. It doesn't have to be exact, just starting is half the battle.  This applies to many areas for me.  Like finishing decluttering 20 yrs of pictures.  That's for another post, but finishing is my challenge right now.  Also, jumping back into basket weaving.  I love the finished product, but carving out the time.  

Hmm. Sometimes the things I love and really want to do get put on that back burner.  In my prayer time this morning the words that came to my heart, after meditating on the woman who had the courage in the midst of the crowd to touch Jesus' cloak,  was action with faith.  Take action. DO something! and do it with Faith.  He needs something to work with.  We have to participate in some way rather than sit back on our laurels and wait for Him to work.  

Ha!! Here's a funny image. I can go and sit out in my garden and wait for God to grow something.  Keep in mind, this is a blank slate. No planting no anything.  Just soil.  And waiting.  Sitting back waiting for Him to answer my prayers.  I might be waiting a really long time. But, if I do SOMETHING.  Even if it's just dropping seeds on top, by His grace and choice there will be something that grows.  It may not be all of it, and it may not be what I want, but there will be plants that grow. 

Rather than waiting I can do something.  This is a beautiful reflection that correlates to my health recovery as well.  I can push myself daily past the point of exhaustion and develop all the cascade of symptoms, simply because I didn't take care of me.  I didn't rest, or chase out the negative thinking, or eat on time.  I just push and push.  Yet, I pray "please heal me God."  Please heal me.  Yet let me run around like a chicken with my head cut off all day and do ALL I want.  In the midst of that, please God heal me. 

Am I not doing the same action.  Not doing anything to help my healing, rather doing all the things that keep God from doing any work because I insist in my will being done through the day.  So, today I took 30 min, got my game plan and went to plant. And, today I will be practicing 2 rests a day so as to start with SOMETHING so I can heal.  So I can give Him fertile ground to work with, rather than being dog tired and mentally zipped out!

Today I got Kale, Collards, Peas, Broccoli, Turnips, Carrots, and fun radishes planted.  Some will grow into the early winter, some are an experiment to see how far I can push the growing season.  Hmm, pushing my limits :-)  Sounds like a pattern.

Happy garden day!

Dee

Peace in our Hearts

I am writing about a sensitive topic today.  I had the inspiration Monday, but the day got a way from me.  Upon hearing of the Supreme Court's decision on marriage, my first thoughts were "Oh Lord, what have we done!" Then "May God have mercy on us."  This, interestingly was the same thought of a beautiful young Catholic wife from "The Catholic Lady" blog. She writes: "May God have mercy on us! When people scorn biological truth, natural law and divine order to such an extent, surely we ask for the chastisement of the Divine Providence?!"

My mind started to wonder, far into the future and it scared me.  What, socially, will happen to our country. To families. To morals and etiquette.  The basic principles that founded our country. Then God spoke to me the same words as the title of her post: God's law trumps human law.  This gave me a huge sense of peace.  Yes we will have to go through many trials and tribulations because of this, but as a God fearing woman, I have to keep the reality closer to my heart than my fears. The reality that "God is over the just and the unjust" Mt 5:45.

So, it is not up to me to judge, it is not up to me to control, have a cow, jump up and down and scream, rant, or call others names.  My part, my part is to act the way I am taught.  With charity, compassion, love and peace in my heart.  Quietly.  Not loud like a gong.  For it is the quietness that we can hear God speak to our hearts.  It is in the quietness that seeds can be planted. And it is in the quietness that we are humbled to say "Not my will but Yours be done."

May God's peace reign in your heart.

Taking Tea

Today during my daily break I made my self a tea tray with peppermint tea and a small snack.  I have found through the years many wise women encouraging an afternoon break of some sort before the evening meal and family time.  This gives the homemaker a bit of quiet time to herself.  A time to refresh her self.

Mine usually consists of a short rest and then making tea and a snack.  Sometimes I eat my snack and take my tea outside to just sit and enjoy the afternoon. Sometimes, as today, I sit in my living room and read.

The fascinating book I am reading is by Emily Barnes called " Simple Secrets to a Beautiful Home."  It is stiring the creativity in me, though I do better with pictures for examples, I am enjoyed a different perspective on tending the house.

Mrs. Barnes encouragement to make the home welcoming from the time you walk UP TO the door and inside, really has me looking at my overly plain entry.  There really is nothing there except a cute bench I found at a the Mission when we lived in Ohio.  A great place to start with stirring up some loveliness and sense of welcome.

As she writes about creativity, I find I alway lean towards the thinking "oh, she is talking about painting, or pottery, or the baskets I weave."  But really she goes to explain " you don't have to be an artist to infuse your home and life with creativity." I have struggled to find time to create for the home, create for gifts, and weave the baskets I enjoy making.  This particular chapter brings much joy if you look at it as creativity and be  brought into everyday life.  Whether it's how you arrange a center piece on the table, or re-arrange your furniture, or even making a tea tray for you daily break.

It's a fun way to be creative and give back to the One who created us.  In His beauty all around, the bits of creativity we do, even hand making a card for a family members B-day, these are all ways we can give back.

Check out these creative ways that these beautiful women give back:

FlowerLady'sMusings

Home Living

I hope you enjoyed a break and will consider bringing a bit of creativity in your day.

~Dee

Flag Day

Last Sunday was Flag Day.  As I brought out our rough old flag and set it up, a feeling of being proud came about.  One that brings memories and feelings of people pulling together in rough times.  People really do care, deep down. But how do we show it in our day to day life?

Christ asks us to be charitable, not just in crisis, but daily...when there is a need.  I find my heart moved by the charity and sacrifice of folks as I stood back and looked at the flag.

Traditions are important.  They give us something to ground in, to look forward to, and to talk about and pass down.  I find much enjoyment in pulling out our flag even if only a few folks see it it due to where we live.  It's something that is important to me.  And, I wanted to share that with you.

As I set up the flag, I had to improvise but always making sure it doesn't touch the ground.  Tradition for "flag care".  It's the little things that make the difference.


Peace be with you,
Dee

Happy Anniversary

We celebrated 23 yrs Saturday and chose a very non-traditional way to celebrate.  We went to a local chuckwagon and had a great time. It's one of our favorite places to go when we used to visit here, before we moved here.  The picture is of the chapel on the grounds and they had this beautiful heart made with flowers.  With the waterfall near me when I took the picture, it was beautiful.

We visited some of the shops, but since we live nearby I didn't feel compelled to buy. Funny, tourist shops tend to draw you to spend.  Thankfully, we didn't.

We brought our own blanket and jackets, as it is still getting down to the 40's at night.  The show is always wonderful and the "wranglers" as they call themselves, always play God bless America in honor of all the veterans present and past.  EVERYONE stands, it's very moving.

They also sing some very silly cowboy songs.  Each season most of the songs are different so it was fun to hear what they came up with in the winter.

Visitors

Baby foxes (or "kits")

I thought I'd share a cute picture of little visitors to our subdivision last night.  My husband and I were coming home and stopped to get the mail as we drove in.  When I looked over to my right, there in the ditch were these cute little mischief makers.  Hopping and pouncing on each other.  They hide in the ground but couldn't help popping up to see who we were.  Curiosity.  As I spoke softly to them their little ears just twitched back and forth very fast, I knew they could hear me.  We think they are living across the large pasture under an old barn.  This guess is because we saw kits (baby foxes) playing under and around the old barn on our way into town a few days ago.  Cute little ones.  They remind me to not take life so seriously. To have fun.

Blessings.

Getting ready for gardening

Well hello!  I have been getting ready for garden season and I had two helpers building my hoops!  My husband and his son were willing to get the work started while he was here visiting us.  I was so excited.

The idea is called a French Chenille system.  I got the idea from Christine and Right to Thrive blog.
It involves making hoops then using either greenhouse glazing or shade cloth and having string criss-crossed across the hoops like a shoe lace.  It easily slides up and down so I can work, yet protects our little gems from the intense sun.

Since the hoop systems are still being built, I started seeds inside.  How fun!  I don't usually do this, I like to keep things simple and just plant in the garden when the time is right, but I found a neat idea I wanted to try.  Taking eggshells, rinse them out, poke a hole in the bottom and fill with starter dirt, then plant your seeds.  When the time is right for them to go into the garden, just gently crush the shell and insert the whole thing!  How cool.

My experiment with the shells is going along nicely. Though I have found the seeds in the little containers are growing more robust than the ones in the shells.  Not sure why, but I suspect it's the soil depth.  There really isn't much depth in the egg shells.  Well, it was a fun experiment.

I am also trying something new this year, gardening by the moon cycle.  So my starts are root vegetables and were started 2 days after the last full moon. (Actually it was an amazing lunar eclipse).  The next day was Sunday and we try very hard to honor the Lord's day, planting seeds didn't fit into that "necessary" category.

Tomorrow the leafy ones are up for the next planting.  I have a few more seeds to get and will probably use what I have until I can order the ones I want.  I am excited to grow a few things rather than the whole list of wants.  Trying to keep it simple.  I have a tendency to want the whole kit and caboodle, but get overwhelmed then stressed because I can't "do it all".  Hence, my drive for simplicity.

I've choose 7 for the cool season the will add 3 more in late May.  I like what I read recently that in gardening you have to have leeway for mistakes and things that just don't work.  I like that it relieves me of the stress to do it all and do it right.  So, plant what I can, enjoy the garden and have fun watching God work.

Yeah garden season is coming and I'm excited!

Hugs to you,
Dee

Easter at our place

It's a neat feeling to be back home, close enough that our oldest daughter wanted Easter at our place.  With enough space for an egg hunt, that was the plan.  God blessed us with an afternoon of no wind.  It was chilly, but thankfully no wind.  I am learning the wind is a normal part of spring here on the mesa in southern Colorado.

We had 15 family members here, what a blessing!  My husband and I stood back and just was moved with gratitude.  Two tables set up side by side allowed us to have a sit down meal.  After, the little ones - grandchildren and our nephew- hunted for Easter eggs.  Then they wanted to hide them for the adults.  THAT was fun!  Even my mother-in-law was hunting for eggs!

What fun, to have adults hunt for eggs too. Each of the eggs was filled with a scripture or inspirational quote, or a little something from the dollar store.

I hope you had a lovely Easter.  We celebrate it for a full 8 days after.  The church actually celebrates Easter for 40 days after. Lent for 40 days before, and celebrate for 40 days after.

Grounding and Gratitude

Kodak standing with me, grounding. Max was nearby, but more interested in getting us to come and play!

Recently I have been introduced to something called grounding. Grounding is simple.  You walk outside, onto bare ground (grass or dirt) and stand for 15 - 30 min a day.  I am told it's suppose to help calm your insides with the earth's energy.   At first I thought it was really weird, but was willing to try it since all I had to do was stand on bare ground.  It sounded almost too simple.  The idea is that we become so enmeshed  with electronic gadgets that our own electrical being gets stuck on "go!". (Yes we are electrical. Our brains, our heart, our nervous system runs like that.)

Anyways, grounding helps to calm that part of our system down that is stuck on go, go, go.  I don't know how it works, but I know it does.  And it's amazing.

I have tried to make a point to walk outside for at least 15 minutes a day to just be, my bare feet and the earth God made.  The very first time I did it, I could FEEL the earth.  The layers of warmth, then standing there for a few minutes the colder layer underneath.  I have always heard that people could tell when Spring or Winter was coming by walking barefooted on the ground.  They could feel the earth's warm layer underneath or the cold layer.  Fascinating.

 My husband has been calling me his gypsy sunflower.  I go outside all bundled up, with bare feet.  In  southern Colorado it's really not that bad.  Especially for this cold natured girl.  Anyways, I stand there, face in the sun, and feet in the dirt....loving life.  All the nervous energy inside me melts away! All of it!  I have sometimes sat down, just like you may have done as a kid. Walked outside, stood there in the warm sun with cool breeze and sat right there in the middle of our backyard.  Then something amazing happened.

Being.  Just being.  Allowed me to look up and thank God for His creation.  His amazing wisdom, to give something so simple the ability to calm my insides and allow healing.  I found myself praising God for the sun, for the earth, for the trees, for the seasons, for my body responding so well to His creation.  All because I stepped outside barefooted.

Like I said, I don't know how it works, but I do know it does.  I don't care how it does either.  It reminds me to take time each day to "be" and give gratitude to God.  None of which can be done while "plugged in".

Try it.  You might be amazed and find your heart singing gratitude to God as well!

~Dee

Getting back to less

My necessary "scratch" papers that were transferred to my home management binder & the pile that went to recycle.

A piles of pens that went to the donation box.  How many pens do I really need?

Yesterday while reviewing ways to manage stress and my chronic illness, I was reminded how too many choices and clutter contribute to our stress in our lives.  Courtney at Bemorewithless.com wrote that grocery stores back in the 1950's had roughly 8,000 items in them, today we have a whopping 47,000 items.  This has astonished me. And held true even at Office Depot.  I went to get sheet protectors. They had an entire isle filled with various sheet protectors!  Talk about overwhelming.

I took some time to look at what is cluttering my life right now.  What are my immediate stressors?  I had to laugh.  I had just had a conversation with a friend in Ohio about "death by scratch paper".  I have found it every frugal to repurpose paper that the back of it can be used for something else.  So I would tear it into 4ths and put it into the "pile" for later use.  The problem: I grab the scratch paper to write down notes of whatever and have these torn papers littered through my house, on my bulletin board, in my home-mangement binder and in my inbox.  All with something I thought was important at the time, but as time went on, truthfully I can't even remember what's on 90% of them.

So, today I grabbed 95% of my stacks, including the ones in my husbands office that have been there for 6 years, and they all went to recycle.  Simplicity and freeing. The new plan is if it is important enough, I will write it in my Moleskin organizer for this week, in the small space I have allowed for notes for the week.  If that's not going to work, do I need it?  Can I save it to the computer and properly reference it so I can find it again?  Which is another topic for a later date, computer clutter!

It feels good to get the scratch paper out and to choose either a nice pad of paper, pretty paper purchased for notes, or my organizer.  I probably won't be purchasing pretty paper for notes, as the same habit would still be there.  I hope to learn a new habit:  asking - do I need this information?, will I remember this or apply this at a later date?  or is it just good info that fascinates me.

Courtney's blog has inspired me for years.  I have done the 3-33 for 3 years now. :-)   I will write on that later too, but if you feel you have too much choice in your life, look at what the stressors are.  Courtney's principle and basic guidelines for 3-33 can be applied to anything.  Today I am going to start on the kitchen challenge.  To par down my grocery items to the necessary.  I don't know it I can get to 33 items, but I love the idea of simplicity in my kitchen and my meal planning.

~Dee

Being a woman

deeprootsathome.com

Reflecting on the a scripture passage about Peter's mother-in-law, I saw how Jesus lovingly took this woman's hand and healed her. Her gift in return was serving Him.  It's her role or her calling if you will, in her life.  A very noble calling.

Woman was created as God's final creation.  Not because she is last. When an artist is creating, he will go through several very wonderful creations before he gets to the one He considers special.  God created the world, the animals, man, then finally woman and said "it is good."  He didn't create any more.  The pinnacle of creation, I have heard it called before.

Our dignity and honor as women have been sorely distorted by our culture today.  The slight change from thriving and loving being a woman to a fierce battle to show the world that we are equal.  I think it's more in the heart. Does your heart believe you are created with dignity...just because you breathe?  You were!  Just because you breath. Not because you got the job as the assistant bank manager, or the top designer, or because you can hold 3 jobs but because when you woke up this morning, you were breathing.  Our dignity as women has nothing to do with how clean our house is or  how well dressed we are.

It is a high calling to embrace being a woman and serving the Lord through others within this calling.  I don't think that this woman that Jesus healed or Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary or Mary's mom would have ran around ragged, overtired, stressed and always trying to "get more done" or do more than was outside what they accepted as their abilities.  I'm sure there was some of it, but not to the point of their health being sacrificed.

I believe the woman that Jesus healed from the fever, had faith in God.  She was a woman who knew God's promises, and His commands.   She spent time learning about Him.

As I look on my life today, and how different I am from the ways I was raised in, I see such a beauty and gift to live in femininity. The place from the heart that sees peace, charity and beauty and tries to bring that into the surroundings of her home and into her family.  This is what I aspire. Such models as these women in the Bible are an inspiration to women today.  Look at the heart.  See the simplicity and enjoy His love for you.

~Dee

Tea Party

Just over a week ago my 2 daughters organized a surprise tea party, my favorite thing to do!  Since my birthday was earlier in the week, and my husband had been sick, the party was on the weekend.  So everyone could come!  We had many types of tea, little sandwiches, fruit, treats and oh my! the "cake".  So I am gluten, dairy and 99% sugar free...except for tea parties!  They made everything that I could eat, and made the cake from chocolate biscotti's with a center piece called Hail Merry's cup.  IT was a chocolate & almond butter cup.  Oh, and it is so delicious and sweet we divided it amongst 8 people.  Teeny slices!

We all had old fashioned hats to wear, and we were all dressed nice.  It was an amazing day.  Pouring tea, chatting.  My husband sat at the table, while Kim's husband rested on the couch.  He has just had knee surgery.  His post on Facebook (from what I hear) was about how he had never seen girls get so into something like this and how neat it was to see the child in all of us.

Do you have something that make you happy inside?

Have a great day.

Peace to you,
Dee

Christmas Traditions fill our tree

Our ornament this year.                                                    

Danielle's bell.

                                                                   
We have taken down most of the Christmas decorations after the Epiphany (the 6th) except the manger scene.  It will stay up until Feb. 2nd. The traditional Presentation or also known as Candalmas.  This is the day to get a blessed candle from your priest/pastor, or make one of your own out of beeswax, to represent the Light of Christ for your family for the coming year.  Putting away the nativity scene and setting out the candle for Sunday dinners is our tradition.  A small reminder of the Light and being called to BE a light in a world of darkness.  To live in a way that supports our faith, not what the neighbor says we SHOULD be doing.  I usually go against the grain, most of the time.  I like traditional ways. I like to dress femininely.  And I like to talk about the Lord.  Most people will say, "oh don't say that you'll offend someone".  "oh, you shouldn't dress like that it makes others uncomfortable."  Well, tell them don't look!

We have an amazing tradition I started years ago with our family. Living in many places of the world while my husband was active duty, I collected an ornament from each place we lived.  We would sign the back and write the location and the year.  So my tree has become a memory tree for Christmas.  Ornaments from when I was in Girls Scouts as a little girl. Ornaments like the second picture, of a simple string of yarn and a bell.  There are several of these on the tree from when Danielle (my youngest step-daughter) was in 2nd grade and sang in a school musical. All the kids got to shake the bells during Jingle Bells!  How cute.  This always reminds me of that day.

This year being closer to family for the first time in years, the girls came over and showed husbands, boyfriends and grandkids all the ones they made and what the ornaments were for.  It was wonderful.  This year I couldn't find an ornament for where we live. This is a very old western town that is touristy because of the history, but no ornament.  It was just last Sunday after some of us stayed to clean up from Christmas mass that I found the gold crown ornament laying on a platform.  I had asked about it and the woman organizing the cleanup asked "didn't you get one" I had replied no.  She said then it was mine!  God is good!  I got my memory ornament, and we have signed the back and put the year and location.  Of course, there is a story with that one too now.  And it was free.

I hope you will look for a major event in your year to collect an ornament for your Christmas tree.  Start a new tradition and see what unfolds through the years.

Wishing you peace,

Dee

Afternoon Tea Party

                                          The biscotti's are already gone.  And were yummy!

This afternoon, for my birthday, my husband joined me for a simple tea party.  I pulled out my fancy tea cup I got for my birthday a few years ago, a tea pot Chris bought me while we were in Okinawa, and a silver plater from the Dollar Tree :-)  Love the Dollar Tree.  I served some amazing gluten-free chocolate biscotti's and we sat a visited in the sunshine here in our living room.  It was chilly outside but very warm inside in the sun.

I love having tea parties, even the simplest ones.  It is something I learned, the afternoon tea at 3pm portion, from a British lady across the street from me while I was growing up.  She had afternoon tea daily.  When I was young, I always enjoyed heading over to Blanche's house for tea in her garden with her boxer, Jeannie.  This was a frequent event in my life.  One year she made homemade applesauce for all the neighbors and I had told her (in the innocence of a child) I didn't like the peel in the applesauce.  The next season, she made one batch just for me with out peel.  What a sweet woman.

Recently I have been inspired to "dress up" my tea time from Lydia at Home Living.  She is a beautiful woman who inspires me to look differently at the feminine details of my home.  I have learned to set up my tea tray the night before or in the morning, complete with cloth napkin and a dish for my snack.  A very untraditional snack, since I need protein in the afternoons.  Having this ready gives me a boost and something to look forward too in the afternoon.  In particular, the reminder through the day to take a break!  Housekeeping and managing can run from the time the feet hit the floor until the time you drop into bed at night.  It's important to take time for yourself in the afternoon.

May your day be blessed with peace.

Dee

Our simple life in southern Colorado

(We are blessed and grateful everyday.)
Living a traditionally simple life in southern Colorado.

This has been a blessing.  After many days/months praying about what to write on, and being inspired by a few of my favorites, I realized I can only write about who I naturally am and not creating something that I want to be.  

I hope to write on all the things God has brought into my our life and inspire you to seek the person you were created to be, or maybe open your heart to living more traditionally.  Going against the grain of society - if you will.  I pray God bless you and keeps you and grants you His peace.

Dee

Coming out of blog retirement

It has been many years since I have blogged, and let me say much has changed on blogger since then.   Navigating this new format is going to be fun.  

I left blogging for many personal reasons and have found for the past 2 years I have longed to have a way to teach other homemakers from my experience.  In the past several years I have mentored many young ladies, been friends with other like minded homemakers who respect their husbands, and my husband and I have mentored young couples before marriage.  All the while I have longed to create a sort of newsletter or mini-magazine for homemakers especially those home with older children or no children and still choose to be home.  It is our God given place to be filled with blessings and to bless others. I decided to start with blogging. Fine tune some writing then pray for the knowledge of God's will to start a magazine.   

Today, I open my blog back up, knowing there are many people who dis-agree with me and that's ok. There are other blogs that will suit them.  The new journey or season today is with a focus on creating beauty and order, while remaining feminine.  I enjoy gardening and crafting as well as finding ways to live balanced in my days so my heart is always on the Lord and a smile on my face.  That is a sweet place to be.  

We have moved and currently live in Colorado. I also have 2 grandchildren and one on the way.  My husband is very supportive of my blog.  To live in a place of such dignity that with the noise of the world it's easy to miss the whisper in the quiet.  Remember Elijah?  That whisper is there, we just need to keep our hearts focused on Him.

May God have the glory for  my musings and my you be inspired in some way.

Blessings to you,

Dee

On dressing modestly

Just something to think about.

"WHY DO WOMEN WANT TO DRESS LIKE MEN WHEN THEY’RE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE WOMEN? WHY LOSE FEMININITY, WHICH IS ONE OF OUR GREATEST CHARMS? WE GET MORE ACCOMPLISHED BY BEING CHARMING THAN WE WOULD BE FLAUNTING AROUND IN PANTS AND SMOKING. I’M VERY FOND OF MEN. I THINK THEY ARE WONDERFUL CREATURES. I LOVE THEM DEARLY. BUT I DON’T WANT TO LOOK LIKE ONE. WHEN WOMEN GAVE UP THEIR LONG SKIRTS, THEY MADE A GRAVE ERROR…" ~TASHA TUDOR

For those who are interested in the scientific proof of men's brains being affected"

http://chastity.com/chastity-qa/how-far-too-far/modesty/it-wrong-wear-bikini/it-

From Catholic Alive.com:

Since sensuality, which is oriented towards "the body as an object of enjoyment" is in general strong­er and more important in men, modesty and shame-the tendency to conceal sexual values specifically connected with the body-must be more pro­nounced in girls and women.

Pope John Paul II pointed out in Love and Res­ponsibility (henceforth, L&R; p. 176, 177)

Yet, since the woman is not nearly as "visual" in her attraction as the man is, she who has more reason to be modest, often does not feel the need for modesty. John Paul concluded, then, that "The evolution of modesty in woman requires some initial insight into the male psychology" (L&R p. 177) Women often have no clue as to how men are stirred by them.

And, many young men (who believe in chastity) have never thought about modest dress in women. Some are perfectly ready to visually exploit a woman in a short skirt or bikini, though not physically. Often as they begin to think about the root causes of lust, they start to recognize the negative effect immod­est dress has on them.

We might close our eyes to this, but the merchants don't. And the fortunes they make by putting their theories into practice prove they know what they are doing.

Does dressing in a sexy way give a woman a certain power over men? It sure does. But, it's an expensive power. It's like the power a person gets from taking drugs: it comes with a heavy price. A certain type of man, will be powerfully drawn to an immodestly dressed woman, the type of man who sees women as sex objects, not as potential spouses.

Marriage Monday

Today is Monday and I am enjoying the thought of making Monday's devoted to your Marriage.  What a great way to start your week, right after the Lord's Day of course!  Sunday we start our week, praising God and giving thanks for our salvation through Jesus.

Monday, right ofter we honor our Lord, gives us the opportunity to honor our husband (or wife) and do something that says "I love you" and "you are important to me".  Take a moment today to find something little that will lift the spirit of your husband and say "I appreciate you".

Have you ever heard of the S.H.M.I.L.Y. story?


For prayers and wonderful ideas for Marriage Monday visit Generational Womanhood

"We housewives often in the course of our work come up to bare unwitting prospects and we exclaim, “Oh, it’s perfect drudgery!” But stay, come round this way, view your work from another standpoint. Ah, what a change! Heavens light is upon it; sacred memories arise, glad songs are heard and we trace where high art has been at work. Best of all, our work need not be likened to a ruin, but a place filled with happy human souls. Don’t have one-sided views of your work, view it all round. Have a truly high idea of  your work, and you will never commit the great mistake of thinking it drudgery."

By Charlotte Skinner,  The Housewife, 1886.

Do visit Brocante Home for the entire essay!

Drying your harvest

Heres' a link to a great sheet on preserving and drying your harvest. It even gives guidance if you don't have a dehydrator.

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/foodnut/09308.pdf

Is it life-giving?

Be mindful of what you find life-giving.
What lightens your gait, enlightens your heart, brightens your soul?
These practices need to figure into your day.
Don’t just wait for the weekend, or for vacation or retreat time to savor life.
Choose life daily.
Infuse your day with some practices that you find delightful.
These alone will not take away the huge challenges of life,
though this lightening will change your perspective considerably
for the better…

Curtis G. Almquist, SSJE

The last post

Hello all!

I have come to the decision to close my blog. At least for public viewing for now. I've been blogging for along time and have found the Spirit of God moving me to constantly look at my motives and the issue of Pride. One of the 7 deadly sins. It is VERY difficult and I constantly try to negotiate a middle ground with God. Guess how that goes?!

Within the past 2 weeks I have read several things on being busy in other peoples business. If I tend to my own shortcomings and my own spiritual life, I don't have any need to meddle or "be busy" with others business.

Ouch! Let me tell you, I don't like it either, but the urgency or prompting is strong and cannot be avoided.

May God grant you peace and may you always hunger for His presence in every moment and every decision you make. I wish you the grace of God to know yourself, find Him and fall in love with His mercy, and be His hands and feet during your time here.

Remember, we are not here for our own will and pleasure. We are here to serve Him.

Peace,

Dee

PS Funny in looking back. My first post was on Jan 25. A full circle.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I haven't been on in a while, just too busy. We are getting ready to completely remodel our bathroom...pray for us that it all goes as God's plan. We started the process about 2 mths ago and we have been shopping, talking, and meeting with our contractor along with Thanksgiving and Christmas. I will be glad when it's mid- Feb and the project is done.

So here are some updates of what we've been doing for the past month or so:

Here is my collection from the fall walks I did each morning. I like to pick up something, usually just one a day, that stands out to me. My favorite? There are several (grin, that's why I pick them up!) but the one standing up in the back reminds me of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was a perfect heart and red. The other fav, a ginormous leaf that was yellow, orange and brown. How cool is that!

My better half cutting down our Christmas tree. We choose a certain day to go. Lo and behold the Lord had plans that day for freezing rain! and wind when you are on top of the hills. Well, the fire and hot cocoa back at the tree farm cabin was all the more sweeter...literally.

Isn't he cute!

This was a few days after Christmas. Trust me when I say we had a blast! We hadn't been sledding since the kids were little and we lived in CA. We had so much fun, even though there wasn't much snow. The first run (we rode together, hey if I'm going down so is he!) I screamed all the way down. The kids going down next to us just stopped and watched. Then when we got to the bottom, I was laughing so hard I couldn't get up!! Humility kicked in when I saw the older teen at the top shaking his head. C and I just looked at each other and laughed. What a glorious moment to praise God for a bit of snow, a neighbor's sled, and courage! Next time we both agree pillows are a must :-)

I will post pictures of the bathroom as it gets underway.

I hope you had a great Christmas. Don't let those who call it a Holiday get to you. God is much bigger than that and we know the truth in our hearts.

Peace,

Dee

A blustery day

This is from my file of last year. I'm not real fond of goin' out to take a picture in 15 degrees!

I hear it is the same in most of the NE, but for our little town in OH ...folks it is just plain ol' COLD!!!!!!!! As I type it's 15 degrees and that is not counting the strong wind blowing. Hmm, I think I will pray for our heater before I go to bed. Pray for it to stay running and praise God in gratitude. Silly, yep! Stupid, nope. I've got heat!! and some folks don't.

Peace,

D

update: so I just checked weather.com: It's 13 degrees with winds up to 20 mph which makes the temp -4. MINUS FOUR!!! Yikes

Happy 235th Birthday Marines!

Happy 235th Birthday Marines!

This day 20 years ago was my first date with C. :-) A lot has changed in 20 years, but the places we've been and the wonderful people I've met have been a blessing.

I love you C! Thanks for the adventure's during the last 20 years!

Simple dinners

For several years my eating has been void of dairy, wheat, soy and sugar due to health reasons. And when I tell people that I get the strangest looks, usually with the comment "then what DO you eat?" I've posted some of that here before, but wanted to share a simple dinner.

Turkey stir-fry. Easy-peasy. Cut up turkey breast into bit size pieces and lightly cook, just until center is just a bit pink. Add a sprinkling of soy sauce (organic is best) and some garlic and already cooked rice. At the last second toss in some spinach (since that's what's in season right now, otherwise I like to green beans or peas.) Stir it all up with a dash of salt and pepper and add the finishing touch of fresh toasted walnuts! Viola! A tasty, filling and most important, nutritious meal.

I am a simple person. I like simple things, and most of all simple meals. I actually think complicated meals can create more problems (and stress) than necessary.

Something I read recently from a book Unplugged Kitchen (a favorite of High Desert Home). Viana La Place says in regards to simple cooking "It's like the difference between walking and driving. Driving may get you there faster. But walking opens up to the scent of a flower, observations of the veining in a green leaf, and the sheer joy of moving your body." She likens simple cooking to this way of life that many of us have lost touch with. We don't need all the fancy gadgets and electrical hoopla to make a good, nutritous meal.

I get rambunctious now and then, pulling out a recipe book to try some exotic recipe or plan for a fancy meal one night. Being that it's God's plan that actually happens, not Dee's, I run around at the last minute trying to cut corners or better yet trying to MAKE the meal happen. Frazzled, hurried, and hap-hazard the meal is served...at 7:00pm.

"Many of us suffer from mental stress and physical fatigue...a little pounding in the mortar might help you feel better...not in an agressive manor, but in a calming, rythmical way." Another gem from the book Unplugged. A calming rythmic way. How can creating a masterpiece with 16 ingredients, cook this, blend this, cook it some more, strain this, add this, and then bake for 2 hrs be calming and rythmic. It sure isn't to me.

Simple. Nice, but simple. That's me. Hmm, now if I can get my home in that state I'd be a happy girl.

Peace be with you!

Out and about

Last Saturday we went to Amish country (Sugarcreek, Charm, Berlin) mainly to go to Keim Lumber. If you live near, or are any where in the area...it is worth the trip. I have never seen such a beautiful lumber store. Handmade doors, flooring amongst several other hardware norms.

We are preparing to renovate our bathroom and our contractor had us go to look for "inside" doors. While they are all beautiful, we have opted to use the door that we will lose when we combine 2 rooms. Our home is 87 yrs old and all the wood and doors are original. We are trying to keep it that way.

So, since we were there, I went ahead and got my chicken for the next many weeks, and made a stop at the bulk food store. The buggy in the picture is the norm there. Actually this day, there were also many "mini" open buggy's that ladies where driving with a donkey. Unusual, but still there were many.

Thought I'd share the picture. It's snowed here for the first time this morning. That time of year. Don't forget to turn your clock back!

Peace,

Dee

Seasons

The cooler temperature and shorter days are the first signs of the changing seasons. Then there is also the desire of my body to slow down, stay inside (for the most part), and find a quiet peaceful routine to settle into for the winter. My body is also wanting more sleep.

I don't know much, but I do know, from my own experience, it sure seems like God knew what He was doing when He created the eb and flow of seasons and days. There is a reason we have the seasons. Our food is grown accordingly as well. It is so important to eat with the seasons and give into the needs of our body during changes. For me, that is the need for more rest and changing our meals to more warm and wholesome meals. And our days. Shorter days, longer nights. Morning, afternoon, evening. These all represent a time and a rythm. I am still working on a rythm for my home, but it's getting fine tuned as I go. Progress not perfection.

Fall creates a sense of crisp excitment for me. I never got to play in fall leaves growing up, so you know what I do three times a week when I go for my walk? Play in the leaves! Sometimes if C is with me I love to grab a handful and throw them at him...then run like crazy! It is a great time of year.

This is our tree. It's one of the last ones to change colors.

Our neighbor's tree, a true sign the season is changing.

My puppy! (I know, he's 4 he's not a puppy! But he will always be "puppy" to me.)

Me with Molly, my girl. Doing the final clean out of the herbs in the garden. She likes to come in and wonder around my garden while I work. Sometimes comes up close to see what I'm doing. I found out she likes the smell of Basil, but not the taste! Oh, you should have seen her face crinkle up when she tasted the Basil. "Ick!"

Molly, my garden helper, cuddler, hugger, and friend.

There are a few things changing that fits right into our seasonal changes. Here are a few:

*The garden is preped and ready for spring, sanz the carrots, spinach, kale and garlic.

*The clothes are changed out in our closets to reflect the changing needs of the season.

* The basket with all of our gloves, hats and scarves are out and by the door.

* The cars still need winterized.

* The patio furniture still needs covered.

*Our bathroom renovation is just opening up for serious consideration. We were waiting for winter since it's an inside job. But oh what a job it will be. More later on that.

*Menu's are changing to reflect the fall harvest: parsips, broccoli, potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squash, carrots, apples (ooh..I have a great recipe for apple crisp that uses honey rather than sugar!), pomegranetes, and nuts. Mmmm. I think Hot cocoa should be on there too.

Happy Fall ya'll~

Dee

Today's pickin's

The herbs are fresh: some parsley, basil, oregano, and sage. The lone carrot was an oops.

Howdy! Here's a glimpse of today's pickin's. We are eating the harvest as quick as it comes in. I suppose that's good, though I have hopes to have enough to last a few months. But it is so yummy! The peas have been eatin before they even make it in the house...they are so sweet.

So, check out the purple beans. These are soo cool. They grow purple, but when cooked turn green and you never even know the difference. :-) Something fun for me, yet not funky for the husband! :-) Gotta love the folks at Territorial Seed for that one.

Going to try to freeze the basil. Last year I dried it and it lost so much flavor. I had to take out 2 sunflower plants. The carrots and onions were getting too much shade. And the tomatoes got a haircut and a discussion about living in your own "hula hoop" as I call living in your own space.

Every year I am amazed at what the garden teaches me. I have learned the corralation in the Bible between a garden and our soul. The weeds, well, can you guess. Those are those character defects that pop up and keep us from living God's will. The harvest that must be maintained, is just that...maintained, nurtured, watered, fed. The seed that God made is what grows. He makes it grow. There is nothing I can do, no dance, no amount of finger shaking, no "discussions" about who is in who's space that can make the tiny seed itself grow. Now, don't get me wrong, I know about watering, nurturing, tending, cutting back, etc. But the seed itself, He grows. He is the Master gardener. I am just the humble servent trying to tend to my own garden. Not yours. :-) So today, I live in my own hula hoop and try to keep the weeds out, while cutting back and nurturing so I will grow.

This is my typical Sunday morning breakfast, though this was extra special. Homegrown blueberries. YUM! They were tasty on top of my buckwheat waffle.

Check them out. My first blueberry harvest. In my hands it looked like a lot more. No matter, there gone now :-)

God's peace,

Dee

Grow garden, grow..

I am late in posting pictures of my garden this year, and it's funny to me that people are saying "I haven't seen any pic's of your garden? What's up?" Well...I'm gardening, LOL. Really though, just busy. With adding in basket making in my week and MAJOR decluttering and looking at my habits that make the clutter...I have been busy. Here are a few recent one's:
We done some updates since last year. Recovered the ground and finally added cedar bark. It smells great when it rains, and helps with bugs. A few stepping stones are added too. (The gate I brought from my garden in GA. C made it for me :-)

On the right I have two kinds of green beans growing: Lazy Housewife (what can I say) and a purple kind that turns green when cooked. The garlic is already pulled. Next to the green beans is peas...which are dying quickly because of the heat.

On the right is two kinds of heirloom tomatoes, carrots, onions, herbs: sage, oregano, basil, then some lettuce - 2 kinds which are about done, and sunflowers. Huge sunflowers.. they will grow to 7 ft and the heads will get 12 inches across. Just looking at the picture and what they are today they have already grown another foot. I had planned on potatoes in the space on the left, but my organic red potato didn't sprout. Oh well. Next time. Gardening is suppose to be fun, not stressful! If it's stressful, why are you doing it?

Here are my first fruits, early last week. I was eating the parsley while I was picking. Parsley is soo good for you, especially as a tea.

Other than my Serenity space above, I have been recouping from 2 weeks of bumps in the road...or journey. Literally. Two weeks ago I was in an accident. Someone ran a stop sign right here at the end of my street. God in His awesome power, protected me from serious injury. I saw him cross the white line at the stop sign and I pressed on the brakes, then thought"he has the stop sign" so I kept going. Slam!! my L front tire smushed in!! If I wouldn't have braked, that would have been my door!!

So, then 1 week later, I was hurrying (is that a word? today it is!) down the stairs to get the phone. In socks. On wood stairs. Yikes. Bump, bump, bump, bump. That's for the last 4 stairs I hit going down. My right, um, bum, took the brunt. I have a black line that looks like the stair tried to cut my muscle in half. I haven't been able to drive since last Thurs, the pressure to sit back sends me through the roof. My right arm got the next bit. Though the raspberry is healed the underlying bruise is slow to heal. I am grateful, even in this event. Sometimes it takes dramatic things for me to get the point. A) slow down...what are you in a hurry for Dee? I have a quote I've added to my signature on my email "Nature doesn't hurry, yet all things are accomplished" from a tea bag tag years ago. Today, I am living by that. and B) I think God wants me to spend some time just being. No car, and unable to drive...for now.

All things have a season. This is my season to contemplate on the awesomeness and mercy of God....and exactly how powerless I am!