To market, to market....

I made these super easy shopping totes out of thrifted pillowcases. I came across the idea a few months ago in Martha Stewart Living magazine. She also has a tutorial online. I made mine reversible, so I had to alter the construction a bit, but overall using Martha's directions will work great.

Aren't my models too cute :~)

Now, if I can just remember to keep them in my van :~) It never fails that I run out the door and completely forget to bring my totes......LOL.

I pray that you all are having a blessed Monday. We have sunshine! Yay!

In God's Immense Love, Tami

Soul Food

“I must have the hands of Martha,
Hands that scrub and cook and sew-
I can have the heart of Mary
While I do these things, you know.
Though my hands are in the dishpan,
This soul of mine can soar
And in thoughts sublime and lofty
Go right up to heaven’s door.
I must cook, oh endless dinners,
For my dear ones have to eat;
But my soul need not be cooking-
It can sit at Jesus’ feet!
Help me God, while doing duties
Against which my soul rebels,
But meekly still to peel potatoes,
But not grovel in the shells.
Grant me, God, mid things prosaic
Ere to choose the better part;
Grant that while I must be Martha,
I may have the Mary heart.”
–Author Unknown

I pray these words feed you, like they do me. I came across this poem at a lovely blog called Laura at Harvest Lane Cottage. A lovely place to visit.

Have a blessed Saturday.

In God's Love, Tami

Snow......in March!?!?

It is snowing as I type. Not just a little flurry, it is sticky. I cannot remember a time, in my entire life, when it has snowed this close to April. We get a bit of snow during the winter, that lasts a few days, but never in the Spring. We live in the Puget Sound and are pretty sheltered from extreme seasonal conditions, the summers are never scorching and the winters are never frigid. Our big issue is the rain.......

So here is the proof. We have snow.

Have a blessed weekend. In God's Love, Tami

Sweetness

"Thank you for the world so sweet,

Thank you for the food we eat.

Thank you for the birds that sing,

Thank you, God, for everything."

I love their sweet little prayers, the ones they know, and

most of all the prayers they *just speak from their hearts*.

Have a blessed day with your sweet treasures.

In God's Love, Tami

Keep on Cookin'

I have been reading a book called "Something From the Oven: Reinventing Dinner in 1950's America" by Laura Shapiro.

Little Jenny Wren recommended it, and is it ever an eye-opener.

I grew up during the 1970's, and I would say that most of our meals were packaged and or assembled from packaged ingredients. I really never realized until adulthood, that food is so much better for you if you make it yourself. I also realized that my grocery budget could be drastically reduced by making my own bread, granola, sauces, dressings, etc. And they taste so much better too!

There are a few very interesting things, that really made me think.

"Factory conditions imposed strict limits on the sensory qualities possible in packaged foods, making them predominantly very sweet, very salty, or very bland. The more such qualities were reflected in a family's home cooking, the more acceptable they became-so much so that in the worst of the nations cooking, even dishes made from scratch paid homage to factory flavors."

and

"During the first decades of the twentieth century millions of American palates adjusted to artificial flavors and then welcomed them; and consumers started to let the food industry make a great many decisions on matters of taste that people in the past had always made for themselves."

And did you know that convenience foods really started to take off after WWII because the companies that made military rations didn't want to go out of business, so they repackaged them as "a homemaker's best friend" ?!!!?

What really gets me is now we all have a taste for bad food! My family is not the first to prefer pancakes made with Krusteaz, instead of my whole wheat variety. And don't even get me started about fake maple syrup and how my family prefers it over the real thing. After reading this book I feel like we've been tricked by the food industry.

One thing I do know, the more I prepare wholesome made-from-scratch meals, the more my family has a taste for it. Just like millions of Americans have grown accustomed to the taste of artificial food, my family has now grown accustomed to food made from scratch. It has taken years though.

What really saddens me is that it takes alot of will-power and determination to resist the temptation. It would be sooooooooo easy to just grab a quick meal from the nearest grocery store. They really do make it too easy. Sometimes I wish there weren't so many choices.

What keeps me cooking, is the peace of mind I get from knowing I am feeding my family the best way I know how. They are thriving, strong, healthy, bright, and beautiful. Healthy and whole foods are a big part of the reason.

I would highly recommend reading this book. Beware though.......you will be very dis-enchanted with the food industry :~)

I pray that you are having a healthy and happy week. In God's Love, Tami

Grateful Friday

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Phillippians 4:6

I am grateful, most of all, that my husband

started a new job this week.

Thank you all for the prayers said on our behalf.

I appreciate you all so much.

Have a blessed weekend and a beautiful Easter.

In God's Immense Love, Tami

Home

"Be grateful for the home you have,

knowing that at this moment,

all you have is all you need."

~Sarah Ban Breathnach

Lots of books to pour over and read (and re-read).

Piles of homemade-with-love friends to play with.

A comfy chair in the sunlight for relaxing, cuddling, reading, mending, and knitting.

Fresh bread.

A warm and inviting bed to sink into each night.

~and sometimes during the day :~)

Quilts laying around waiting to be grabbed up and cuddled.
And most of all I am grateful for my family, who make my house a home.

I pray that you all find comfort in your homes today.
Have a blessed and peaceful day!

In God's Love, Tami

Grateful Friday

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." ~Melody Beattie

• I am grateful that health is being restored to my home.
• I am grateful that the flowers are beginning to bloom.
• I am grateful for God's provision and providence.

Have a blessed Friday. In God's Love, Tami

An Ounce of Prevention

If you get a chance check out Aimee's blog and to read the post she did on "Precycling". Somehow just recycling doesn't do it for me. I want to avoid buying the packaging and unnecessary items in the first place.

I love the idea of precycling because it *prevents* certain items from coming in to my home. Even if the plastic packaging might be recyclable, it does take energy and it does impact the environment to recycle the plastic. It really makes me stop and analyze needs vs. wants.

The joy is in the journey, and I am far from *arriving*. Each day I just try my best.

I pray that you are all having a lovely day.

In God's Love, Tami

And the Winner is......

KAREN!

A big thanks to each of you who take the time to visit. I really appreciate all of you.

Your prayers have been so appreciated.

We are all down with a bug this week. Lots of cuddling and lots of tummy tea going around. My kiddos refer to Chamomile tea with milk and honey as "Tummy Tea". We are all on the mend it seems, and I am so ready to get out of the house and into the yard.

The early flowering shrubs are starting to bloom here! Camillia is my absolute favorite. I will post a photo of mine in bloom next time.

Karen, I will email you for your address! Congratulations!

Have a beautiful and blessed day in the Lord. In God's Love, Tami

Grateful Friday

This week I am grateful for:

• Warmer temperatures and less rain.
• Garden plans, that are coming along nicely.
• A hard working husband sending out lots of resumes.
• A productive week of homeschooling, with lots of joyous learning.
• Time to work on fun sewing projects.
• Time catch up on my reading.
• Lots of laughter with children who are *best friends*.
• Quiet time by candlelight with Jesus before my family wakes.
• Grace and provision.

Thank you again for your prayers. Make sure that you leave a comment after my "give-away" post. I will be drawing a name next Wednesday.

Have a beautiful and blessed weekend.

In God's Immense Love, Tami

My 100th Post & a Give-away

Well, it took me a while to get here, but I have arrived at my 100th post! I am grateful for a place to come and share bits and pieces of our days. I have enjoyed having a place to share special photos, recipes, scripture, special times, prayer requests, our home, and a glimpse into the joyful noise that my family surrounds me with daily. I have been so blessed in *meeting* many of you, I have made a few very special friends along the way.

I have decided to do my first give-away in honor of my 100th blog post.

First, is this small handmade journal that an artist-friend of mine made. It is just so beautiful in real life. There are lots of different trims and fabrics adorning it too. Pen included!

Next, is this beautiful book full of gorgeous Victorian images and lots of family activities to do throughout the year. It is by the same author that wrote "Simple Abundance". The book is called "Mrs. Sharp's Traditions". Just a really fun book to look at, and I get a giggle out of some of the old fashioned traditions.

I just wanted to thank you all for the constant inspiration and support during these past months. This drawing is just a small token of my thankfulness.

I will be drawing a name on Wednesday, March 12. One week from today. Just leave a comment at the end of this post and I will draw the winner next Wednesday.

Thank you all again for the prayers sent up on our behalf. I am so grateful to have you all.

Have a wonderful and restful night. In God's Love, Tami

He Upholds All Those Who Fall

Ladies, I come before you again asking for prayer.

My husband was laid off yesterday from his newest job. He is beginning to think that the technology industry is not a safe place to be right now.

3 lay-offs in one year......scary.

He is a very strong and hard-working man,

and his spirit is holding up.

He is taking a step back to really see what direction to head in. I am at peace, knowing and truly believing in God's mighty provision. He has been so faithful to us through our most recent trials, and always.

Psalm 145:13-16

"The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.

The Lord upholds all those who fall, and lifts up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to you and you give them their food at the proper time.

You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing."

Your prayers are so appreciated. I am so grateful for you all.

In God's Love, Tami