Joyful Noise

::for baby::

2012-01-30T09:21:00.000-08:00

My littlest niece is due to be born here in a few weeks.
It has been 8 long years since we've had a baby born into the family. Everybody is so excited.
It is their firstborn. Having my first seems like a lifetime ago.

My sister's baby shower was yesterday. Anya and I went and had a little girl time. Anya is the youngest of the cousins and of our close friends, so she hadn't been to a shower.
She loved it! And she won a game, too.

I made this little knitted mouse from a pattern I found on Ravelry.
I think it came out quite well, and hopefully baby will love it.
I also added a few treasures that I thrifted. A cute vintage pottery mug and a Beatrix Potter treasury.
I made another of my handmade boxes out of 12x12 scrapbook paper. It turned out the perfect size for the baby mug. I will definitely make more of these in the future.

We had a great day and it was so wonderful to be with family and friends.
I can't wait to hold that baby when she's born!

Have a blessed day.
Tami

::the food we eat::

2012-01-27T09:13:00.000-08:00

{homemade granola}

I will admit that I make compromises with the food I buy.
I hate to admit that, but I am sure that I am not alone.
There are so many factors to consider when choosing the best food.
My choices also go beyond the actual food.
When I am buying groceries these are some of the questions that I ask myself :

Is this real food ?
Will it optimally nourish my family?
Is this food organically grown?
Does the company that makes this food steward the environment?
Does this food come in packaging?
Does this food come in non-recyclable packaging?
How far away does this food come from?
Am I supporting a small, local company?
Was the animal that produced this food treated humanely?
Does this non-organic food contain GMO ingredients?

And so on........

I can usually answer yes to the first 2 questions, because that is totally in my control.
Adhering to a value system in the food we buy can be confusing, time consuming and expensive.
If my only consideration was the first 2 questions, I'd have it made, no problem.
Because I have so many other considerations, I struggle making them all come together, and the biggest question, Can we afford it?

I truly believe that where we spend our money is where our values are. It really goes against our values to give money to companies that don't live up to them.

I cringe at the idea of not being able to afford the best food possible. I feel so strongly about all of the values we've placed on food purchasing. Each compromise affects a living system.
Humans, animals, and/or the Earth.

There are a lot of contradictions in food production. The one that troubles me the most is buying organic and free range meats that are packaged in plastic and styrofoam! You'd think that those companies could come up with some other option. Meats that are bought on the butcher block, that I can put in glass jars, are always more expensive and my choices are sometimes limited to lesser quality meats. This is a big problem for me.

I can save money and buy the best quality, if I buy packaged items. I hate packaging. It is forever marring the landscape of the Earth. Garbage, and more garbage. This is what I mean by compromise. There is always a compromise, and one that hurts something or somebody.

I have a large(ish) family and a strict grocery budget. I refuse to feed them junky non-food, in order to save money. This means buying less meat, cooking more from scratch, and growing some of our own food. This is the way we've been living for the last few years. Lately, we have seen a tremendous rise in the cost of food, which has brought me to this place. Compromise. It seems that hitting on all of our values all the time, just isn't realistic for us right now.
Perhaps I could create a list of of food purchasing values in order of importance. There would be times we could fulfil all on the list and sometimes not.

My main objective is to raise our family with the best nutrition possible within our budget, teach them that the food choices we make affect many living systems, and give them the knowledge to grow some of their own food.

This is where I will begin.

Coincidentally, I need to go grocery shopping today :~)

Have a blessed day, Tami

::a new notebook::

2012-01-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

I am really into composition books. You know the old school ones with the marbled covers.
I love that these books are really sturdy and have a lot of room in them. Many people use them for art journaling because they hold up really well. In the public schools around here, they are used instead of spiral notebooks. At back-to-school sales, I stock up on them, they are incredibly inexpensive. I love that composition books don't take up much room and they sit neatly on my bookshelf. That makes the minimalist/organizer/simplifier in me so happy.

I have several that I use here at home. I have 4 basic notebooks. A bible study book, a Christmas planner, a finance/budget notebook, and a home & garden notebook. I would love to add a design/inspiration notebook next. I have tried so many different binders, notebook, planners, etc. and I am so happy to have found a system that works for me.

I just started my home & garden notebook. For a long time I just jotted down notes and collected pictures here and there. Now I have a place to put it all down. I will add tabs like I did with my Christmas planner. I like designating a good number of pages to each section, this makes the notebook more flexible and useful for many years. I figure that my Christmas planner will last until my kids are grown. I left enough pages in the kids and gift sections to get me through for a very long time. I like being able to refer back to past year's gift giving. Closer to the holidays, I will post more specifically about how I use my Christmas planner.

In my home & garden book I hope to include things like household tips, a gardening schedule and journal area, ideas for zero waste and green living, photos and scans for inspiration, a section for keeping chickens, my bulk shopping list, cost-per-meal calculations, grocery budgeting, notes from seminars and articles, and so on. This will be a great resource for me and will allow me to simplify my information.

I have decorated my notebooks with magazine cutouts and printable quotes. I like making them pretty to look at, somehow it gives me more incentive to use them. It invests me in the process of getting organized.
I am off now to work on my notebook. I love January for getting organized.

Blessings, Tami

::random::

2012-01-24T08:44:00.000-08:00

I love my gallery wall, I am thinking of painting more of the frames white, and adding a few new photos. I love framing our yearly Christmas *floor* picture to enjoy. My favorite photos of the kids are on this wall. We also have a few old family photos and some of just Eric and I, so the kids can see Mama and Daddy when they were young(er).

I am making crockpot yogurt today. We've been making it this way for about a year. Try it, it's so easy and saves so much money. We use our favorite glass bottled milk.

I have enjoyed beautiful walks in the morning the last few days, the rain is returning now so I am back to snuggling up inside. I will be inside now until the end of February {LOL}. We will have straight rain until then. Oh, how I love February in the Pacific NW! My chicken friends were out all day yesterday soaking up the sun, and loved every moment of it.

I have been enjoying several little handiwork projects lately ~ crochet, knitting, and making a hexagon quilt. The hex quilt might just turn into a hex quilt block, that is some close-up hand stitching! I used a printable template from MaryJane's Farm magazine.

Wanting to start planning our vegetable garden. It will be time to plant snap peas in a few weeks. Can it possibly be !? We loved planting Yukon Gold's for the first time last year. We will definitely do potatoes again. I am thinking the tower method using hardware cloth. We are also going to be creating a "chicken garden". We have the perfect space for it, an enclosed patio garden off of our kitchen. The best part, the coop and run are already located there. I can't wait.

We are taking a good hard look at our budget this year and trying to make room for some dream planning and saving. So nice to have that in motion. Attending a few Financial Peace University meetings. too.

I have been thoroughly loving "The Head and The Heart" radio on Pandora. How did I not discover Pandora earlier? It is making kitchen time so lovely.

I am off to enjoy a cup of coffee and dive into a huge pile of laundry.

Have a blessed day,

Tami

::kitchen praise::

2012-01-23T10:30:00.000-08:00

You know when your kitchen isn't exactly how you would like it?

It's sometimes hard to spend so many hours in a space that you don't love.

There are so many things that I would change about my kitchen, (like the cabinets I want Eric to build for me) ~but the fact is, it's probably not changing any time soon.

Because I am so ashamed to be complaining about a perfectly useful space,

one that I should be so grateful for every moment I spend in it........

It's time that I started appreciating the wonderful things about my kitchen.

So here it goes.

{very real photo - hello dishes in the sink}

My prep area. Enough room to make a bundle of sandwiches for sure.

I love my beadboard backsplash and my old bread board. I love my super deep sink.

I bathed my babies in this sink, it was so handy.

{this is Gigi our Giant Blue Cochen}

I have a patio and a "chicken" garden off of my kitchen. I love this.

Probably one of my favorite parts of my kitchen.

I often imagined having chickens would be hilarious.

I imagined that they would come up to the back doors and look in.

It was a silly thing, that I thought would be cute, and it really is.

I can be working in the kitchen and they come up and peck on the door.

I love chickens, they are so full of entertainment *and* eggs! You've got to love them!

{mixing up pancakes}

I love that we have a big table with benches to seat our family, and extras too.

When we entertain there is plenty of room for the whole crowd.

Hospitality is very important to me and being able to seat everyone is a top priority.

I love that I can do that.

{i love my mismatched chairs}

I love that my kitchen has a lot of natural light.

I have big windows on 3 walls, it is the brightest room in the house.

It is in the lower part of our house on a slab foundation with slate floors.

It is the most cool and pleasant room to be in during the summer.

In the winter it is cold, but the light is beautiful.

Even though I would love for my husband to make me new cupboards,

I have to admit that these "big box" store cabinets are very low maintenance.

I just wipe them down. At this point in my life that is a good thing.

My stove. My 1955 Hotpoint stainless steel, double ovened, deep-well adorned monster of a range.

I do love this stove. We bought it 8 years ago on Craigslist for $65.00.

Granted, it was half taken apart and I had to put it back together, but still very worth it.

It has it's quirks that I have learned to love and live with.

In 1955, stainless steel would have been a special order finish.

I have never seen another vintage range like it. So very ahead of it's time.

The window above my sink.

My view is not ideal (hello urban landscape), but it let's so much light into my kitchen.

During the summer, my Wisteria vine camouflages the building next door,

and I get lovely little bird friends that visit me outside my window.

A pleasant way to do the dishes, I'd say.

I am feeling better about my kitchen attitude already.

Just for fun though, indulge me in a little dreaming.

I would love this table instead of an island for sure.

This stove is a beauty.

A fireplace in the kitchen. Yes, please.

I love open shelving.

These cabinets are stunning.

I am so grateful for what I have now, it's fun to dream though.

I am off to make something in my wonderful kitchen.

Blessings, Tami

::a wonderful week::

2012-01-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

The rain showed up at lunchtime on Friday.
All the beautiful snow, turned to slush so quickly.
We spent a lot of time outdoors the past week, but had much cozy time indoors, too.

{lots of game playing}

{homemade hot cocoa mix ~ yum}

{crochet for a change}

{a little Pinewood derby painting}

{movies, popcorn, tea, and yarn ~ perfect}

Happy Saturday!

Blessings, Tami

::one more::

2012-01-20T09:35:00.000-08:00

I know that it will soon be gone.
One more post showing all the wonderful snow.
I will miss it.
This has been one to remember.

Have a super cozy day!

Blessings, Tami

::winter corners::

2012-01-19T09:09:00.000-08:00

A look at a few winter spots and corners of our home.

{teenage boy corners}

{little girl corners}

{little boy corners, and in every corner of our home, LOL}

{a cozy spot to sit}

{my sweet Jasper, always my companion}

{my little knitting spot}

We are having another *snow day* today.
I love having the kids home.
We went on a wonderful long walk yesterday and visited the "donut store" as my kids call it.
It was about the only business open in our little downtown.
Bless them for being open, we were very happy.
We finished off the day with yummy Taco soup. That warmed us up for sure.

Have a blessed day.
Tami

::white out::

2012-01-18T10:29:00.000-08:00

It is still coming down pretty heavily here.
My kids are in heaven.
We are heading outside for a walk in the coveted white stuff, for before we know it, it will be gone. We are enjoying every moment of it.
I am thinking a big pot of soup is a good plan.
Knitting by the fire, another good plan.
Stay warm today!

Blessings, Tami

::around the house::

2012-01-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

We've been spending time around the house being cozy.
A little sewing, puzzle making, cooking, eating, and playing in the snow.
I love winter.
I pray that you are all warm and cozy, too.

Blessings, Tami

::snow::

2012-01-16T12:18:00.000-08:00

We finally got a little snow! I am so happy.

Out came the snow gear, out went the kids!

We are cozied up in our old cottage, and enjoying every moment of the white stuff.

It is expected to snow off and on for the next few days.

Can you say *snow day*.

The kids would love to be off another day to enjoy it.

I think some comfort food is in order. Yes.

Blessings, Tami

::My Life Verse::

2012-01-13T06:30:00.000-08:00

I have been praying in earnest for the Lord to give life verses for my boys.
My daughter has always had a life verse that we have spoken over her.
As it happens so often with us mama's, we think of ourselves last.
Well, it's time for me to have a life verse.
A promise to stand on and to work toward, having my identity firmly rooted in Christ.
For the Lord to tell me what to BE.
So often I focus on what I'm doing in the Lord, that I forget to BE in the Lord.
As I have been praying about this, He delivered a verse and a message.
So here is my life verse.

Psalm 27:7-8
"Hear my voice when I call, O Lord;
Be merciful to me and answer me.
My heart says of you, Seek His face!
Your face Lord, I will seek."

So simple isn't it, but how easily we forget.

The Lord also spoke something very interesting to me.
The message is that if He tells me who I am to BE, will I then stop seeking Him?
Am I content to just go with it? Can I accept that what I am to BE can change from day to day?
Very interesting stuff to pray about.

Do you have a life verse?

Have a blessed day, Tami

::look what I made::

2012-01-12T06:56:00.000-08:00

{I love the look of this vintage book}

One of my surprises of Christmas happened after Christmas.
Specifically a fabulous after Christmas sale.

{loving Pandora indie radio}

Eric bought me a Kindle Fire !

Wow is this thing cool.
Of course, I needed a case.
And of course, I had to make one.

Here it is.

I love it!
I took a vintage book, ripped out the guts, and made the inside look pretty.
With a bit of hot glue, fabric scraps, cardboard, elastic, and foam ~ Voila!
I didn't find any tutorials on the subject, so I had to rely on a few photos out there for how to construct it. I think it came out very well.

{can you spot it on the bookshelf ?}

It sits on the bookshelf and looks like a vintage book.
Yes.

Blessings, Tami

::I heart books::

2012-01-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

I like to know how to do stuff. And I like to read about other people doing cool stuff. And I like to be transported away (for a bit) by a fantastic story.

This is why I love books, and not so much ebooks, but touch them, smell them books. I like seeing them all lined up (sometimes by color arranged like a rainbow). I just love books.

We do not have an enormous collection of books, but the ones we do have are well loved for sure. We love the library, too. I should be a librarian sometime. Yeah, I'd be good at that.

Children's books are my all time favorites. The artwork is such a gift . The art makes reading them such an enormous pleasure. I would love to be skilled enough to write and illustrate a children's book. Writing one is definitely on my life list.

I recently had all of my 2007-2009 blog posts bound into a hardcover book through Blurb.
I have used them before and find it pretty straight-forward. I had to spend a few days
editing to get it to look just right. What a treasure this will be in the years to come.

I have no idea what the future holds for Joyful Noise, but I like knowing my words are forever on our bookshelf. I enjoy seeing my kids look at it, it's a book about them and they like that.

No matter what the future brings technology-wise, I will always own books.

I like having words and knowledge at my fingertips. Their physical presence in our home speaks coziness and comfort to me.

I heart books.

Blessings, Tami

::Skirts for My Girl::

2012-01-10T07:30:00.000-08:00

I had given up hope that my daughter would ever let me make clothes for her again.

She has always had very strong opinions about how she is dressed.
When she was 5, (she is now 8) I made her some clothes for preschool.
I upcycled, refashioned, and made a few new things. It was so much fun.
At 8, she is less easy to persuade.

I offered to buy her 3 pieces of fabric from our favorite little store in Country Village,
called Keepsake Cottage Fabrics. The bribe worked.
The next challenge is to see if she will actually wear them!
I am hoping that if she has enough creative input and participation,
that she will love them and want to wear them.
This would be the start to something very cool for she and I. Making clothes together. Yes.

Blessings, Tami

::Victory::

2012-01-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

I had a moment of victory in the kitchen today.

Rafe says, "Mom, your pancakes are the very best, even better than Denny's!"

Wow, now this could just be that he is the sweetest boy in the whole world, and would tell me this to make me feel happy, but he did devour the whole plate.

My whole-wheat "healthy" pancakes are now a favorite. I am, of course, discounting the possibility that it's the syrup, but that's part of the package right? :~)

I am one of those mom's who gets a bit of grief in the kitchen, trying to feed my family right.
It's nice to get some positive feedback once in awhile.

Feeding one's family in the very healthiest way is sometimes a thankless endeavor. But I press on, knowing that I am responsible for growing healthy adults. I pray that they look back and appreciate all the effort, and that it shows in their healthy eating habits as adults.

I just know, that like all kids that are now adults, we look back and think that our moms were *the best* cooks. We have a blissfully selective memory that brings back the good food memories, even though I know that I probably gave my mom a hard time too. :~)

We moms haven't changed much over the generations, we do the very best we can. The kids, haven't changed much either, they will still manage to complain LOL!

There are little victories. Maybe next time someone will think my lentils are the best, Yeah!

Bless you,
Tami

::Family Crest::

2012-01-07T07:30:00.000-08:00

We worked on a very special family art project over Christmas break.

I was inspired to do this project in two ways. I love the idea of having a family crest to establish the identity and values of our family. I was also inspired by Soulemama's "family art" post from awhile back. This is what we came up with. I love it!

Each member came up with words and images to contribute that were meaningful to them. It was a slightly structured endeavor. I had to really keep my *design eye* under control in order to not hinder any creativeness on the kids parts. It 's hard to give up control.......but freeing at the same time.

I painted the background and the crest, the tree branches with the little birds were my contribution, along with the words, "Live Simply, Expect Little, Give Much, Love Extravagantly".

Eric chose his favorite quote by Albert Einstein, "Imagination is more important than knowledge."
I am so pleased with the ideas that the kids came up with.

We are almost finished with it. Just a few more family values to write around the edges of the crest.

This has become family crest, meets family rules and values, meets mixed-media collage art.

The kids are so excited to display this for everyone to see!

Have a blessed day,
Tami

::Quiet House::

2012-01-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

{A Christmas gift from Rafe}

The kids went back to school two days ago.

I *really* enjoyed having them home, and Eric too! He was home the entire week before Christmas.
We did have such a wonderful time together. We baked, and ate, crafted and created, did puzzles, ate more, and spent much time with friends and family.

My house is now quiet.

There is always such an adjustment period after the kids go back to school.
When everyone is at home there is sound, not like noise, but the underlying hum of family life.
I love this, it calms me and uplifts me.

It's way too quiet now.

Now it's time to organize, plan, budget, and give my time to my kids in their classrooms.
I can think off all sorts of things that I can do to keep me busy.
The fact is that I miss their little faces during the day.

I am still finding my way, my rhythm. It's uncomfortable. But change usually is.
I do know this, God will use this to grow me and to stretch me in ways that I cannot even imagine.
And that is good.

Blessings to you,
Tami

One Thing the project

2012-01-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

After I posted yesterday, I started thinking that I should keep track of my *one things*.
I am in a rather forgetful state these days (hello 40) and I am finding that when I write things down they *stick* better.
I am going to keep track in a daily journal, but I will also post them every so often on
my One Thing tab at the top of my home page.
My only criteria for *the thing*:

My one thing has to add to the happiness, health, and/or well being of my family, my community, and/or the Earth.

My goal is to document this everyday for a year and then to look back and be encouraged at what has actually been accomplished, versus feeling like I never do enough.
Many of the things I will list are already established into the everyday life of our family, I still want to document them anyway, even if they are not new habits, they are worth noticing and remembering.
I started this on January 1st, so there are a few entries already.

If you'd like to join me please do, I would love it! Please just link back to this post. Thanks!

I hope this project to be a blessing and an encouragement to anyone who reads about it or even participates! Change really does start one thing at a time.

Bless you today, Tami

::One Thing::

2012-01-03T10:30:00.000-08:00

The new year always puts me in a place of contemplation. It's such a great time to really examine your life and to make changes.

If you could do one thing today to change your life or our planet for the better, what would it be?
There are so many things that I want to do to tread more lightly, that it becomes overwhelming.
But change happens one thing at a time. I constantly have to remind myself of that.
This journey that we are on takes a whole life to finish.

One Thing.

I will do one thing today that brings me closer the my goal of wasting less, consuming less,
having less, and loving more.

Just one thing. I can do that.

Have a blessed day,
Tami

::Mr. Talented::

2012-01-02T07:30:00.000-08:00

{This is a forever piece of furniture, I love it so much!}

{Eric left all of the cool knots and holes)

{Reclaimed pallet wood}

{My Mama Box ~ a place for all the letters, notes, pictures, and *paper love* my kids bestow upon me}

Have I ever mentioned how talented my husband is ? A jack-of-all-trades man for sure.
Last summer, he made me the most beautiful console table out of mostly reclaimed lumber.
It was an attempt to distract me from the *ahem* very large black box hanging on the wall
above it......need I say more. Well, it worked because every time I walk by, I take notice of his work of craftsmanship, and nothing else.

He also made me a super deep medicine cabinet and mirrored door for for our master bathroom, out of reclaimed pallet wood and a reused mirror. So very cool right?

A few Christmases ago he made me my most cherished piece, my Mama Box.
I am blessed and honored to receive all manner of paper bits, I love you's, and handrawn masterpieces throughout my mothering career. I felt like I needed a special place to keep them, where the kids could deliver their special creations, and where I could have easy access to savoring them. The box sits atop my cedar chest that I use as a bedside table. At some point, I plan to paint something wonderful on the outside of it, until then it is a distressed black color.

A great guy, my husband. I love that he makes us very cool furniture for our home, but I also love that he takes the time to seek out materials unconventionally. Resourcefulness is one of the many things that I love about that man.
Have a blessed day!
Tami

::Orderliness::

2012-01-01T07:43:00.000-08:00

Every January I get the itch to organize. Clear out the unwanted and unnecessary, plan meals, examine our spending (code for getting or grocery bill under control), and re-organize spaces.

Creating some after Christmas order in my home.

I have been thinking a lot about orderliness. This goes along with all the time I spend thinking about *stuff* and how we have too much of it.

I believe God is a God of order, and I believe that I best function in some sort of orderliness. I believe that my lack of preparedness makes my life harder than it needs to be. I believe that God is calling me to work on this area of my life. So here it is, no more excuses for me.

"He who every morning plans the transaction of the day and follows out that plan carries a thread that will guide him through the labyrinth of the most busy life... But where not plan is laid... chaos will soon reign."~ Victor Hugo

Preparing myself and my surroundings so that I will achieve the greatest efficiency - I Corinthians 14:40 (IBLP)

I found this article very interesting. It mostly addresses homeschooling and not all of it spoke to me but, I found this part of it particularly convicting:

"Our God is a God of order and we are made in His image; therefore we are to be learning about and growing in the character quality of orderliness. I know some of you don't want to hear that, but it is the truth. It is wrong when we try to opt out of practicing any of His character qualities by saying, "Well, that doesn't really apply to me because I was not made with an orderly bent." The truth is that sin has marred the world and our own character, and thus you may well not have a bent toward orderliness, but that is beside the point. We are to be working on all the elements of godly character. So there you have it; no escape clause!"

When I am prepared, I am more calm. When I am calm, I have a happy family. End of story. :~)
God wants order in my life, to open me to all He has to tell me. Chaos distracts us from hearing and seeing all that is for us, all the blessings waiting to be given, all of the lessons to be learned, all of the
joy to be felt.

Now, I am not talking about extreme orderliness. I do not need every minute detail of my life planned out........But my efforts to be orderly, however small do always pay off.
A tidy home, a meal planned, and an organized calendar do give me a sense of freedom and peace. Peace is good.

I do not need perfect orderliness, but when I am feeling frazzled, I will seek a little order. I can do one little thing to bring peace, and that one little thing will make a difference in my day.

I pray that you are having a peaceful and productive day, Tami

::Christmas 2011::

2011-12-31T07:30:00.000-08:00

{my beautiful new pendant from my family~a peace dove}

Here's a recap of the gifting that went on around here.

Some handmades made their way into the mix. I would have liked to have done more, maybe next year. I really enjoyed making monogram mugs using thrift store mugs and a porcelain pen. (via Designmom) On Christmas morning, the mugs were waiting for the kids with hot cocoa mix and a candy cane.
I knitted a Mario hat for a Rafe (the Mario graphic based on this pattern) and knitted a tiny doll cardigan for Anya's new dollie. We made homemade gift boxes out of scrapbook paper (instructions here), and some new Christmas Eve birdy earrings for my Anya.
My husband and kiddos gave me the most beautiful silver dove pendant and farmer's egg crates (found here) for all of the beautiful eggs our chickens give us. My sweetie daughter upcycled a thrift store bracelet by adding the charms. This was a special mama gift for me and I love it. I am hoping that she will bring me little treasures to put on it every so often.
Anya is the one who gets the most into gift giving. On Christmas morning she makes sure that everybody has lots of little treasures to open. Chocolate bars, nearly spent gift cards, plastic toy rings, handmade ornaments, coins ~all wrapped~(with gift tags) something for each of us. She is so special in that way. Always thinking of others.
The chunky turquoise and red coral bracelet ~ my 81 year old grandma made this for me~She is hip!
The few electronics and games that we got seemed to rule Christmas Day........I am okay with that.
Hubby Eric is custom fabricating a recumbent bike, so we got him a bike seat and wireless odometer. He was happy.
I purchased some doll dresses on Etsy ( here ) for Anya's doll to go with the sweater I knitted.
Grandma knitted a doll blanket and made a pillowslip. She is in doll heaven.
The boys, did I already mention electronics and games? Oh, and BB guns ~ enough said.

We had such a lovely Christmas. It already feels like it's weeks in the past. I love the peace and quiet after the holidays, but I wish Christmas would linger a little longer.

Have a very Happy New Year's Eve!

I pray that 2012 holds many wonderful memories to be made, new things to learn, and lots of special times with friends and family.

Blessings in the new year!
Tami

::Joyful::

2011-12-26T10:35:00.000-08:00

{Can you see Mario?}

{Christmas Eve}

{Christmas Morning}

{Beautiful view on Christmas Eve}

We had so much joy this Christmas season.
I pray that each of you had just as much and even more.
I am going to enjoy this quiet time with my family cooking, knitting, sewing, and cuddling with my favorite little (and big) ones.
We'll talk again after the New Year.
Blessings,
Tami

::Granola::

2011-12-23T12:01:00.000-08:00

Honey Almond Granola

6 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup sliced raw almonds

Combine these first 5 ingredients in a large bowl.
In a small saucepan over medium heat combine:

1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter (yowza!)
1/2 cup honey

When the butter/honey mixture is melted, pour it over the oats mixture. Stir to coat all the oats.
Spread granola onto a parchment lined large jellyroll pan. (or use 2 medium pans)
Bake @ 350 degrees for a total of 35-40 minutes. Lightly stir every 10 minutes to keep the browning even. Oats should be a toasty color and the sugar caramelized.
Completely cool on pan. Break up into smaller pieces and store in airtight container.

I usually add the yummy stuff in after baking:
dried cranberries
chopped dried apricots
chopped crystalized ginger
shredded coconut

This is very gift-worthy granola. Our daily granola recipe is a little less *rich*.
This is a terrific treat though.
Enjoy!
Tami

::Whole Lotta Baking Goin On::

2011-12-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

We are in the final stretch!
We've made Honey Almond Granola (not the lowfat version BTW-hello butter!), PB Blossoms, Pretzel Kisses, Christmas cut-out cookies (my grandma's recipe), Chocolate Crinkle cookies, & Rice Crispy Treats. I might throw in a little fudge, too.
When I get a chance, I'll put the granola recipe in the recipes tab at the top of the page. It is so good and totally gift-worthy.
The next few days are a whirlwind of family, friends, food, and fun.
I pray that you all have a blessed and very Merry Christmas with your loved ones.
Peace, joy, and love~
Tami

::Reality::

2011-12-22T07:30:00.000-08:00

{Anya having her little Christmas cry in 2004}

Well, it happened. My annual 3 days before Christmas cry. It's where my plans to keep it simple collide with the reality of having a large and extended family.
There. Done. Let's move on.
I hope that you are all having a joyous and productive day, with or without tears :)
Blessings, Tami

::Christmas Corners::

2011-12-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

{Advent candles before dawn}

{Our tree}

A look at a few of the Christmas corners in our home.
I love bringing nature inside during the holidays. We collected these greens and berries from around our neighborhood. This is something we do every year.
I wrapped most all of our gifts with craft paper and printed off some lovely free labels from the wonderful artists on the web.
Our stockings are handmade using old felted sweaters. They are made in a patchwork design. I then embroidered each child's inital on the front. They are sturdy, and rustic, and mama-made with lots of love.
I was looking over our home and I realized that we keep our decorations very simple. Our home is small and becomes quickly overwhelmed when all the surfaces are overtaken with stuff. Simple seems just perfect for us though.
I am off to finish the gift baking with my kiddos.

{Our stockings}

Sorry for the terrible pictures it is really hard to get good photos when it is so gray outside :)

Have a blessed day, Tami

::Follow the Sun::

2011-12-19T09:49:00.000-08:00

Here in the Pacific NW the sun is a rare sight during the very dim and gray winter months. When the sun comes out it changes my whole day. I snapped a few photos the other day, it was just so wonderful.

Today, the gray and the rain resume. You'd think after my whole life here that I would be used to it. I *am* thankful for the marked change in seasons in these parts. It makes me appreciate the sunshine so much more. I say that now, but come February ask me again. (It rains nearly every day in February).
A little snow would be nice to get everybody in the Christmas spirit. Not likely, but it would be such a delight!

notice the dust.......you can actually see it when it's sunny!

A few years ago, we had a 2 feet of snow during December. I loved it so much. I didn't drive anywhere for 2 weeks, we walked to get our groceries, the kids played all day long on their sleds, and we stayed dry and warm in our cozy old cottage. I would love that again some time.

I know my chickers love the sun!

I am off now to enjoy having my family home for the next 2 weeks! That's what gets me in the Christmas spirit!
Have a blessed Monday! Tami

::Some thoughts::

2011-12-18T07:09:00.000-08:00

     I think so much about how I would like to spend the precious amount of time I have after the days tasks are completed.
     I know that I love to write. Blogging and journaling satisfy me in that.
     I would also like to be a person that teaches. I don't want to be a teacher, as in college degree, but a person that folks can come to if they want to learn something. Does this make sense?
Mostly, I would like to help people learn skills, homemaking arts, etc. I can see teaching knitting, sewing, bread making, soapmaking, or canning. Knowledge I believe is useful, knowledge that is being lost because it is not being handed down through the generations anymore.
     I love to make things. Having a creative outlet is very important for me. Being able to create everyday is vital for me. I don't generally sell the items I make though. Mostly, I love to make things that bless my family and gifts for loved ones. I do sell a few things through Etsy, and I find that fun.
     I actually sounds like I have a pretty good idea of what I want.
Now I will just pray for direction. And that's a good place to start.
Have a blessed day, Tami

::Christmas::

2011-12-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

Our traditional on the floor photo 2011

Here's a little peek at the Christmas goings on at our house.
Our Christmas Photo.
There's a funny story behind taking the kids photo on the floor every year.
When Rafe and Anya were tiny babies, a month old to be precise, I could not for the life of me figure out how to get a Christmas picture done, let alone get out of the house :)
The babies were too little to crawl away, Kane was 7 and would stay where I put him, so I only had to contend with a very wiggly 2 year old Gage.
We managed to get a decent photo that year and I was so thankful.

2004

The only year we didn't get a floor photo was when the babies had just turned one. I had to strap them in their highchairs in front of the Christmas tree to keep them in the photo!

This is one of our loveliest Christmas traditions.

Have a blessed Christmas! Tami

::Ready::

2011-12-16T06:28:00.000-08:00

I am ready to start writing again.

The last 2 years have seen a great deal of change for me. With my children in public school full-time, I am at home alone during the day (I am forgetting to mention, of course, 3 loyal dogs that follow my every move ).

I am still struggling to find my way, without my children here during the day I have had to adjust my idea of what I AM during the hours that they are away. My days were filled with their "joyful noise", now it is quiet. I *am* slowly learning to enjoy the quiet.

My family's presence gives me wholeness in the truest sense. I was created to be a mother. What is my purpose apart from that? I would like to know. First and foremost I am a wife and mother. Beyond the most important part of my life, my family and my home, I would like to do something that brings me joy.

Maybe writing will help me find my way.

You'll hear from me again soon.

Have a blessed weekend, Tami

A Very Merry Christmas!

2009-12-23T09:16:00.000-08:00

I thought it was very much time to pop in and wish you all the Merriest of Christmases. Things are buzzing along this 2 days before Christmas. We are busy baking, crafting, and tidying in preparation for the big day. We have had the most delightful season filled with Advent celebrations at church every Wednesday night, sharing a soup and bread meal in sweet fellowship. We've celebrated with neighbors and extended family, and now we are looking forward to our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day festivities.

I am unusually prepared this year, only having a few details to take care of. I have enjoyed this so much, it gives me so much more time for reflection on the reason for our celebrating. Simple pleasures and meaningful traditions are savored so much more without all the chasing around. There is a quiet calm that it befitting as we await the celebration of a joyous birth. A calm expectancy instead of a flurry of chaos. I like it this way.
I pray that you all have the most wonderful holiday. I will try and pop back in more often. I have so many wonderful photos to share of our summer trip to Hawaii. It was so wonderful.
In God's Love,
Tami

::Hello::

2009-04-13T10:35:00.000-07:00

I has been awhile. Can I just tell you how much I've enjoyed being on vacation from my computer?

I have a love/hate relationship with the internet.

It is a total time-suck when I am not self-moderated, and a great blessing to a mama who doesn't like to do a lot of "running around". I have grappled with this dilemma for years......

Around the beginning of Lent, it occurred to me that this would be my fast. The internet.

It has gone very well and a habit for me to happily break.

Breaking this habit means less of me on the internet, therefore less of me blogging and commenting. My plans are to blog whenever an inspiration strikes or something really big happens, but for now I am going to enjoy being unplugged.

My home is tidy, I am rediscovering my love for reading and music. I am content. My family needs all of me, body and mind.

The future may bring more time in my day to blog and journal, but for now I am full.

Stop by and comment anytime, I love to hear from you all.

Have a truly blessed and productive Monday.

In God's Love, Tami

Within Means

2009-03-02T07:03:00.000-08:00

{Art by Thomas Kinkade}

I have been thinking a lot lately about living within our means. We have, at times, over the last 17 years lived beyond our financial means. But what a beautiful thing it is to grow and mature, learn lessons, and make mistakes. We've come to a place where we get by without debt and borrowing.

There are other ways of living beyond ones means. By living beyond our space. By cramming loads of un-needed stuff into a space that might otherwise fit our family just fine. Thus the bigger, better saga begins.

This has been a much harder lesson to learn for me. I am a reformed collector and generally a vintage housewares junkie. Anything that caught my eye I wanted to collect. It never dawned on me that I might just be able to have that ONE thing, and not an entire collection. For many years, I stuffed our home with those things I found beautiful, but not necessarily useful. It has taken me a long time to let go. When I go *treasure~hunting* now, I have more purpose in mind. More needs in mind, instead if wants. That sounds funny to me though, because *really*, what do I need. At any rate, I have had a shift in mindset, and that is progress.

I think back to those years and wish I had known better. Feeling cramped in a 700 sq. foot house that would have suited our family just fine, had I not been keeping so much we didn't need. I long to talk some sense into my younger self. As you might expect, after we had a few more kids, we enlarged our house and bought even more stuff. Our house is now 1600 sq. feet. I am very grateful for the extra space, but feel it might have been unnecessary, had I known what I know now. Hindsight is 20/20, you know. LOL.

For the past 2 or 3 years I have been on a mission to rid our home of stuff, while still keeping it warm, cozy, and inviting. I have been freed from the burden of caring for things and enjoy caring for my family instead. We are living within our spacial means and I am so happy.

I have to keep at this daily, ever mindful of too much stuff creeping in. I have gotten really good at giving things away, and I am still not done. My children understand that it we don't need or use an item, we pass it on to bless someone else.

We are having a lovely and productive day, and I hope you are too.

In God's Love, Tami

The Birds Return

2009-03-01T06:30:00.000-08:00

The truth is that they never *completely* go away. But wow, are the masses back. We had seven different varieties hanging around our feeder the other morning. Most of them were in flocks, so there were a lot of birds. We love to gather around our dining room window and watch them interact.

We had tons of Robins, Stellar Jays, Juncos, Chickadees, Starlings, House Sparrows, and Wrens. I think the birds were a little excited about the recently filled feeders.

This blurry picture is of a Dark-Eyed Junco. These little guys are so cute, and everywhere.

These are our two favorite bird books. I especially love the Reader's Digest book. Beautiful illustrations.

A perfect opportunity to get out our nature journals and draw those cute critters.

We can look forward to the next three seasons of bird watching, feeding, and marveling. Our resident pair of House Sparrows will start with their first batch of babies in late April. They usually have 3 or 4 batches. This is so exciting for my kiddos. We got to witness 2 fledglings leaving the nest for the first time last Mother's Day. That was very special.

Spring is very close. I can't wait.

Have a blessed and productive day.

In God's Love, Tami

::February::

2009-02-26T08:59:00.000-08:00

Ah February, you are nearly gone. You are the longest short month of the year. Lots of rain, grayness, and cold, but still so much to love.
I was extremely excited to find a new*to*me sofa this month. (We love Craigslist). I wanted a vintage style sofa with the convenience of newer upholstery. And here it is. Can I just say what a blessing it was to find it for $60.00. The wool granny square afghan was a find at a thrift store for $6.00. You can see behind the couch a hint of my new lighter paint. The color before was a peachy-brown. I am very happy with how things are coming along with paring down and lightening up.

Beautiful flowers showing up to brighten our days. What a blessing.

A rediscovered favorite, *Ants on a Log*- adding a little excitement to snacktime around here- YUM!

The joy of a tidy kitchen. Makes me want to cook. I find it quite odd that I dislike preparing food in a messy kitchen. I spend a lot of time cleaning it up before I mess it up again~LOL.

A long held favorite in our house, nearly indestructible. Vintage restaurant-ware. I love this stuff. I am always on the lookout for these gems at thrift stores. I found a stack of salad plates recently for next to nothing. I love that.

Another thrift store find. I figure it is from the 40's (my favorite decade). The entire lamp is metal and painted this sweet green color. The perforations on the top of the shade cast the most beautiful pattern on the ceiling at night.

In anticipation of our resident hummingbirds returning, I thought I'd show off my Christmas gift from the children. Vintage of course, it sits in my kitchen window, greeting me sweetly each day.

We've been up to some organizing this month. These plastic document boxes, one for each child, will be tucked away in my computer hutch. I plan to use these for report cards, important documents, medical papers, all in one spot. This will help me cut down on paper clutter tremendously.

Beautiful Valentine's Day roses. I have a very sweet hubby.

We have plans to make one of these cool teardrop trailers for summer camping. The inside compartment houses a full size bed, perfect for hubby and I, and perfect for transporting camping gear. The backend is a kitchen, I love it! We already have a flatbed trailer and my hubby will build the body. I can hardly wait.

I have been doing some serious knitting this month. Stashing lots of gifts for next Christmas. I really enjoyed the simplicity of last Christmas, having all our gifts ready before December. We spent the Christmas holiday enjoying one another and more focused on it's meaning.

We've had some snow today. Quite a change from all the rain we've been having. I love the brightness the snow brings.

I am off to fix my kids some hot cocoa and toast. Perfect for a cozy day.

I pray that you are all having a blessed and productive (and cozy) week.

March is almost here, can anyone say *salad garden* YAY!

In God's Love, Tami

::Knitting Therapy::

2009-01-31T07:31:00.000-08:00

I have found that during these long, dark, and sometimes dreary winter months that I require more therapeutic activities. The time that I spend in the Word, journaling, knitting, reading, cuddling, and baking are like therapy to me.

I was reading "The Creative Family" last week and stumbled across the section on knitting. (forgive me but I already returned the book and now can't reference the page numbers). Amanda wrote about her very beautiful experiences with knitting, and it is clear that I feel the very same. The rhythm, the quietness, the moving of hands while the heart and mind are still. I can pray, contemplate, plan, dream. Knitting is *it* for me. My first choice of creative activities, especially when I get to rock a little in my new~to~me rocking chair. Oh and of course, I have to sit by the fireplace with a creamy cup of coffee :~)

When the dark winter months are over and we are spending *all* of our time outdoors, I will look forward to the cooler months that always come. Months that I spend rocking away, knitting in front of a warm fire. My therapy.

Have a blessed Saturday and enjoy lots of cozy activities with your treasures.

In God's Love, Tami

Playing Around

2009-01-30T10:23:00.000-08:00

What do you all think of the new look? I have never really changed it, so this is fun.

In God's Love, Tami

Better Late Than Never

2009-01-30T09:03:00.000-08:00

I know that Christmas is a distant thought in most of your minds, but I had to tell you of a wonderful book and movie we discovered.

I waited and waited most of December for the dvd to come to us from the library and it just now came available. So worth the wait.

We actually received a beautiful copy of the book as a Christmas gift. Seriously, I can't get through it without a little happy cry. (as my kiddos call it).

The title is "The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey". Find it and watch it or read it.

We are ending our week with errands this morning. Then back home where I am continuing on my decluttering and simplifying. I am pretty sure that simplifying is a journey rather than a destination. There is always more to do.

I pray that you are all having a blessed and productive week.

In God's Love, Tami

While I've Been Away

2009-01-17T08:25:00.000-08:00

{Artist: Carl Larsson}

I am enjoying a slower rhythm this month. Like all of you we were very busy in December. I am one of those people who will say yes to a certain number of obligations, but when I start to feel like it's all to much, I retreat completely. This usually happens to me in January after all the busyness and celebration of our *birthday season*, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I long to rest.

January is a month of introspection and introversion to an extent. A time to draw inside, cozy up and re-access life here in our little cottage. I often wish that we celebrated "Boxing Day" here in the US, I would fit right in. There I am the day after Christmas, boxing up and clearing out, getting ready for a sparkly new year.

January is a month of few school obligations, there are no sports for us, no extra classes. I love that. It gives me a chance to spend a lot of time at home decluttering, organizing and creating a tidy home full of those things that are beautiful and useful.

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." ~William Morris

I spent the whole day yesterday with the *assistance* of some wonderful helpers, reorganizing the closet that my hubby and I share. It is a walk in, but small and very quirky. Boy, did that feel good to go through every inch of it and pass on what we no longer use. It looks so tidy and pretty.

The children's rooms are another area that I try really hard to keep up on. I truly believe that we do no favor to our children by letting them have *so* much stuff. My daughter constantly needs reassurance that she *does not* need to keep every little thing. I really hesitate to let her buy toys or stuffed animals because she becomes very emotionally attached, then she will end up with a room piled high and the inability to separate herself from these things she *loves*. We are really trying to talk to her little 5 year old heart about what's important. I was very proud of her last week when she passed on a paper bag full of little stuffed toys, it was very hard for her, but she is assured that these will bless another little person very much.

As part of blessing my home this month, I am going to do some painting. It's been awhile and I am tired of some of darker colors we chose a few years ago. I have one very long wall that is a dark rust color, that I think will become a lighter camel color. I want to do this in the dining room especially where we don't get as much natural light. Lately, I have been very interested in Swedish Country design. Sweden gets very little daylight during the winter months. Their use of lighter colors and woods helps to reflect as much light around the house as possible. I love that. I have already painted the kitchen a beautiful butter color (not yellow, but a warm beige) and I really love it, even on the grayest, icky Washington day, it glows.

I am inspired by what these ladies are doing this month.

Michelle at Be Still is decluttering and clearing out.

Amy at Amy's Humble Musings and Sandi at A Mother's Musings are doing the 12 week challenge.

Artsy Mama is getting creative with color.

Stacy at With Great Joy is memorizing scripture all this year.

I hope and pray that each of you is having a wonderful January. I will end this month feeling refreshed and recentered, and ready to take on the busyness of the rest of the year.

I can hardly wait to get to vegetable gardening!

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

Almost a New Year

2008-12-29T09:42:00.000-08:00

Did you all have a wonderful Christmas? I know we did. We are slowly returning to a rhythm around here, not the same one though, a *it's almost a new year* rhythm. A fresh start.

Jenny at Little Jenny Wren had a wonderful post today about this very subject.

I love her peaceful and eloquent words, she stirs me on the blessed tasks of the day. (Even though we are now hit with torrential type rains here, and I just want cuddle up in my favorite robe and knit~LOL)

Today, we have several kid visitors in our home, which makes for a fun day, albeit inside fun. I am going to get some tidying done, plan out a grocery list, and hopefully the rains will melt the remainder of the snow around my van so that I can get out this week. Our cupboards are in need of replenishing.

After all of the making and crafting of Christmas, I generally take a break for awhile. I am itching though to start work on a new patchwork quilt for the livingroom. Not a huge undertaking, more of a lap quilt. I have most of the squares already cut, so it should come together pretty quickly. I also have a sweet little embroidery project I want to do for my sweet daughter.

For the past few months I have been working on a shawl based on Jewels' daughter Rosie's design. Whenever I have a spare moment I rattle off a few rows. I am getting near to completing this, it will be perfect for the Spring when a bulky woolen sweater is too much.

I pray that you are all enjoying the prospect of a new year, a fresh start, and looking forward to all of the blessings that lie ahead.

I know that I am looking forward to fresh lettuce, spinach, and carrots as soon as the ground is workable in a few months.

Have a blessed and productive Monday in your cozy homes.

In God's Love, Tami

::Snowy Days::

2008-12-24T08:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Christmas Eve!

These are some photos from this past week. We enjoyed lots of indoor and lots of outdoor fun.

I love the snow and I am so thankful we are having a white Christmas.

We are off to our Christmas Eve dinner in a few hours. All of our preparations have been lovingly completed.

Only a night of restful sleep is ahead, then the early morning excitement begins!

Have a wonderful Christmas! In God's Love, Tami

::Cozy::

2008-12-23T08:37:00.001-08:00

We've had record amounts of snowfall this last week. A truly stunning 12+ inches where I live. (There are some winters that we never see any snow, so 12 inches is very unusual.)

We are truly blessed to be having a white Christmas.

We are planning a short trip to my Mom's house for Christmas Eve dinner, hopefully our van will cooperate in the snow.

Today, I have a lot of baking and making to do. Fudge, Rice Crispy treats, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, and maybe some cookies.

It is times like these that I am so aware of how the Lord provides for our needs.

The gift of warmth on a bitter cold day, nourishing food to keep our bodies healthy during times of winter illnesses, loving families to cuddle up with on a stormy night, the gift of our Savior.

I pray that you are all having a blessed and peaceful Christmas.

In God's Love, Tami

Our December

2008-12-11T14:02:00.001-08:00

I truly love this time of the year. I love celebrating the birth of Jesus, I love giving to others, I love Advent, I love Christmas programs at church, I love traditions.
Above is a photo of our sweet and simple little tree, decorated mostly with homemade-with-love treasures and vintage ornaments.

Our table centerpiece, a gift from my mom a few years ago. My favorite thrifted cotton tablecloth.

My treasured Mary and Jesus carving, a heirloom from my husband's family. A few Christmas candles lending a warm glow to mostly gray days.

Our Christmas village, a source of enjoyment for sure. My kiddos spend hours playing here and love making new pieces each year. We made the blue house out of a cardboard box last year. It reminds me of the beautiful Mica houses from the 1930-50's.

Another simple centerpiece. I love using natural (in this case natural looking) materials when decorating for Christmas. Pine cones, pine boughs, berries, straw ornaments,metal and wood. It brings me back to Christmases long ago when families looked only to Creation for inspiration.

My sweet daughter made this angel at preschool. Her traced hands are the wings and her traced foot makes the angels body-so cute! Don't you love the face, quite a happy angel. LOL.

I am of mostly Swedish descent. I love how most of the Swedish Christmas traditions began with Christ as their inspiration. One thing I would like to make or purchase for next year is a Advent Star (aka Swedish Star, Welcome Star) Here is the one I love. Maybe my dear hubby can figure out a way to make me one.

I will be mostly away from the computer the rest of the month. I pray that you are all blessed this Christmas season.

In God's Love, Tami

Thanks::Days 28-30

2008-11-30T07:25:00.000-08:00

I has been a beautiful month, full of thankfulness for all we are blessed with. I am so excited for it to almost be December. I *love* Christmas. We were so excited that we put up our tree yesterday. We will finish the rest of the decorating today. We've enjoyed a blessed and restful 4 day weekend. I am truly refreshed after a very busy month. Bring on the Christmas festivities!

I am thankful for:

28. A clean house that recovered nicely from our houseful on Thanksgiving.

29. All Christmas gifts that are nearly completed, right on schedule.

30. For the gift of our Lord and Savior, and for this season of celebration.

I pray that you are all having a blessed and restful weekend.

In God's Love, Tami

Thanks::Days 22-27

2008-11-27T07:18:00.000-08:00

This last week has been a whirl of loving preparations.
We are ready here to host 35 loved ones and spend a lovely afternoon together.
Good food, good companionship, yummy pies ~ BLISS.

I am thankful for:

22. The beautiful 23lb. turkey that my Mom brought to me today.
23. My dear hubby and children who helped clean our house this week.
24. Bits of sunshine and warmth breaking through the rain.
25. God's loving provision everyday, in every way.
26. My mom spending the entire day before Thanksgiving helping me prepare.
27. A beautiful evening church service - truly a blessing.

I pray that you are all having a blessed Thanksgiving. I am thankful for all of you.
In God's Love, Tami

Thanks::Days 19-21

2008-11-21T12:22:00.000-08:00

Today........

19. I am thankful for my sweet neighbor and friend that brought us dinner Tuesday night.

20. I am thankful that this year's "birthday season" was such a special time for the children, and I am thankful it is over~I am one caked-out mama.

21. I am thankful for so many simple blessings that come our way~day to day.

I pray that you all have a blessed and restful weekend. In God's Love, Tami

Thanks::Days 15~18

2008-11-18T12:00:00.000-08:00

We were hit by the sickness bug last weekend. I am attempting thankfulness amidst sick kiddos and a sick mama anyway. Actually, it's not too hard to find things to be thankful for especially when we are sick.

15. I am thankful for a husband that is home on the weekends to bring me mashed potatoes when I am sick. He loves me.

16. I am thankful for the comfort of my home and a husband that does the dishes :~)

17. I am thankful that our doctor was able to get a very sick almost 7 year old in yesterday. Poor little guy has a double ear infection. Oh so grateful for medical technology.

18. I am so thankful that God gave us the miracle of our second son, 7 years ago today.

Lots and lots to be thankful for. God is so good.

Have a blessed and productive Tuesday. In God's Love, Tami

Thanks::Day 14

2008-11-14T09:24:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful that I get to spend my days at home with my children. Their presence is so life-giving and entertaining at the same time. There is never a dull moment :~).
When I look through their eyes I see a world of hope and possibility.

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew Verse 18

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

30 Days of Thanks

2008-11-13T10:18:00.000-08:00

::I am a little late getting started so I will wrap up the first 13 days in this one post.::

I am so thankful for:

The Lord's love and forgiveness given so freely.

A warm, dry, and cozy home on these rainy days.

A wonderfully loving and hardworking husband.

Our freedom to choose the leaders of our country.

A incredibly loving and welcoming new church.

The beautiful colors of God's creation during the Fall.

A cup of coffee and knitting with a good friend.

Morning cuddles with sweet babes.

God's sweet gift of a daughter.

The loving provision of nourishing food.

The endless kisses given by my children.

Little peeks of sunshine through the rain.

The gift of motherhood, to my oldest son, 12 years ago today.

I love November. We have a lot of celebrating to do. I am so thankful everyday for the wonderful and precious ones that God has placed in my life.

Celebrating our lives and loved ones is one of my favorite ways to bring glory to God, a celebration of His gifts and His love. My thankful heart overflows.

I pray that you are all having a blessed Thursday. In God's Love, Tami

Vote & Pray

2008-11-04T07:10:00.000-08:00

I pray that God's hand will be in this election today, and that no matter the outcome, that His will be done and His glory be magnified.

Lord, place your hand on our new president, and place his feet firmly in You.

In God's Love, Tami

November

2008-11-03T06:47:00.000-08:00

I would have to say that November is the busiest month of the year for us.

We have 3 of our children's birthdays, followed closely by Thanksgiving (that we are hosting this year-nearly 40 people......eek!) and I am spending every bit of spare time creating handmade-with-love Christmas gifts for friends and family. If I get all the gifts made and wrapped by the end of November that means a lovely December full of baking yummy treats, snuggling by the fire, crafting fun decorations, reading Christmas stories, cookie exchanges, and lots of knitting just for fun. Sounds simply wonderful to me.

I pray that a little planning ahead makes for a stress free and simply beautiful Christmas.

I pray that you are having a blessed and productive Monday.

In God's Love, Tami

Sola Fide

2008-10-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

"By Faith Alone"

Ephesians 2:8-10:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Beautiful.

Have a blessed and beautiful Lord's Day.
In His Love, Tami

Knitting and Kiddos

2008-10-24T09:38:00.000-07:00

I have been knitting a lot lately. I am loving the book

"Last Minute Knitted Gifts" by Joelle Hoverson so much.

This cute little hat on my sweety is a variation on the

rolled brim hat in the book. So, so easy and cute.

My oldest son snapped this photo of me for my avatar, I thought he did a great job! I am wearing the cowl I knitted from the book. I am making several of these for Christmas gifts.
It is so strange to post pictures of myself, even if the kiddos did take them. Feels a bit strange. I am so used to showing off photos of everything else but me.

Every so often I hand my camera over to one of the kids. I love the way children freely flitter about snapping photos of what interests them. I get a precious glimpse into their hearts and minds. Today, what interested my daughter was me knitting. A common sight this time of the year, here I am making another cowl.
She instructed me to make *heart-hands*,
a favorite way to say *I Love You*.

I love this close-up she took. My hands look so hard-working, not pretty hands that's for sure.

I don't mind though, they are hardworking and strong.

I pray that you are all having a blessed and productive Friday. In God's Love, Tami

A Pretty Place to Sit

2008-10-21T07:48:00.000-07:00

In my world of big comfy overstuffed furniture, sometimes I crave a pretty spot to sit that fits me (and a few little people too).
A spot by the light of our front window that I can knit by or read by or just sit.

I came across this wonderful little settee at a thrift store last week. It screams grandma's house and I think that's why I love it so much. And the price, a smallish $19.99. It is beautifully constructed and fully worth reupholstering when the time comes.
In the meantime, I am happy to throw a few afghans and pillows at it and sit for awhile.

I bought this funny pillow a few days later and loved it. It is made from burgundy velvet and has vintage clothing labels embroidered to it. I had a friend tell me that she did a project like this in Girl Scouts way back when. I love it even more, made by the hands of an aspiring crafter.

Well I am off to start my day, a busy one, but I will look forward to giving my new little sofa a sit when the day is done.

I pray that you are all having a blessed and productive day. In God's Love, Tami

7 Things

2008-10-20T09:36:00.000-07:00

Laura at Harvest Lane Cottage tagged me for 7 random things.......

1. I would love to learn to play piano.

2. I have been married nearly half my life.

3. I love sushi with lots of wasabi & soy sauce.

4. My favorite color is green.

5. I would live off the grid in a heartbeat.

6. My favorite fashion era is the 1940's.

7. I love peanut butter and maple syrup on my pancakes.

There you have it. I am officially tagging anyone who wants to play along. I would love to learn more about each of you.

Have a blessed Monday. I am off to spend a little time schooling and a little time knitting.

In God's Love, Tami

Take a Look

2008-10-19T12:44:00.000-07:00

Mrs. M has many wonderful words and a great link to a article about living a simple and uncluttered life. The article especially speaks to me because I am a reformed "keeper". I would keep the silliest things just in case. I now realize that depending fully on God means that he will provide *if* those things are needed in the future. I say *if* because there are so many things that we have that we don't really need, and many times the things I kept never did find a purpose. There is a fine balance for me between good stewardship and not trusting God to provide. Thanks Mrs. M for the encouragement, and congrats on that beautiful new baby BOY!

I pray that you all are having a blessed Sunday. In God's Love, Tami

Autumn Corners

2008-10-10T07:10:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've shown the little corners of my home. Not much changes as far as decor goes, but I do start to see signs of Autumn all around. Signs like a refreshed supply of wonderful yarn to make lots of gifts for birthdays and Christmas.

The comfy quilts come out, ready for a little person to come snuggle in Daddy's big chair.
The canner, a constant sight on my stove right now. So many wonderful jams and sauces put up for the winter.
An art box that stays out full time now, ready for any little project.
The last of summer's *mama flowers* given to me by my little princess. SO sweet.

Some of my other Autumn loves:
~big bright candles~a softly glowing fireplace~piles of pinecones brought in from our nature adventures~the smell of cooked apples and cinnamon~jars of beautiful canned food put up for winter~half finished projects waiting to made into gifts~our birthday season~more time inside doing puzzles and playing games~the wonderful crispness in the air~fragrant stews and soups simmering in the pot~bright red, orange, and yellow maple leaves in vases~slowing down the pace~
I pray that you are having a blessed and productive week. In God's Love, Tami

Tomato Frenzy

2008-10-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

September was all about tomatoes. They are still everywhere!

Look at this funny little tomato. Isn't it cute!
These little tomatoes in front are Red Currants, they are so great for salads and for snacking.
One of our favorite side dishes. Fresh homegrown zucchini, green beans, and Sweet Chelsea tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. SO yummy.
I am roasting tomatoes here. We made some yummy sauce with these babies. Aren't the beautiful? This recipe is from "Back to the Table" by Art Smith. A very beautiful book.
Now that the rains have come, I am pulling all the remaining tomatoes. I should be able to finish ripening them nicely.
Well, I am off to do a little knitting or maybe peel a few apples for apple crisp tonight.
Have a truly blessed Monday. In God's Love, Tami

~Yummy Quiche~

2008-10-04T07:09:00.000-07:00

We made Jewels' quiche this past week. Oh, it was so yummy. We definitely need to make more than one next time. It was delicious served with coleslaw and warm rolls.

We are having a lazy Saturday here. The rain has come and is here to stay. We'll see lots of gray sky for the next several months. This time of the year, I love to get out all my pillar candles and group them on the dining table for a beautiful and warm glow to offset the grayness outside.

I pray that you all are having a blessed Saturday! In God's Love, Tami

All Settled In

2008-10-03T06:39:00.000-07:00

We are all settled into Autumn now. I was a nice little blog break I had, and I have so much to share.
We have been sewing, knitting, canning, baking and cooking intermixed with homeschooling, reading, hanging wash, and tidying. All of that daily wonderfulness that I love.

The children and I are all settled into our Autumn routines. It feels so good to change gears and settle into a slow pace. I try and leave Thursdays and Fridays for *no running around* days. It is a nice starting point for the weekend when my hard-working hubby is home.

Well my hubby finally gave in and fixed the clothes dryer. I am a little relieved and a little sad. I have enjoyed so immensely the pleasure of hanging wash. I am grateful though that over the many, many rainy weeks we have here in Washington that I have the luxury of a dryer. After living without a dryer for the first time ever in my life, I am so much more aware of just how easy my laundry was and how I took it for granted. Never again. I am all about being grateful.
I will go back to hanging 100% of our wash in the Spring, but for now I will dry the majority of it. If you remember I also gave up the automatic dishwasher. I am sticking with that, except for on the rare occasion that I make such an incredible mess that I see no way out of it by hand-washing........which is about once a week :~)

We've turned on our gas fireplace a few times already, oh do I love a warm fire. Bliss.

We have had so many apples around here lately. What a blessing it is to be able to put up applesauce, cut apples, and apple jelly.

Here is some of our homemade applesauce. I have another huge basket of apples to process this week. With the price of apples this year, I am so grateful for all the apples we've received and have been able to pick.
Plums from our beautiful Italian Plum tree. We look so forward to these every year. YUM.
I pureed some of the plums and canned them for later use in muffins and quick breads. I can also add a little sweetener and use it like jam.
I am spending much of my spare time getting ready for the "birthday season". My 4 children were born in October and November, so I am busy making gifts and decorations for celebrating.
I am planning on having all Christmas gift preparations completed by November. I am loosely following the Organized Christmas plan to help me stay organized.
I pray that you are all having a blessed and productive week. I am glad to be back.
In God's Love, Tami

Hello October!

2008-10-01T08:32:00.000-07:00

I am back with lots to share. We have been busy doing wonderful Autumn things!

I will write and show lots of photos in the next several days.

Have a blessed and productive Wednesday!

In God's Love, Tami

Changing Rhythm

2008-09-09T19:35:00.000-07:00

Since I am smack dab in the middle of what has become a blogging break, I think I will take the rest of September off and get better acquainted with the changing rhythm of the fall. We have been busy getting settled into new routines. I will have lots of pictures and some recipes to share. See you all in October! (or maybe sooner if I can't stand it :~)

Bless you all during this transition into autumn, my favorite season of the year.

In God's Love, Tami

Let's See......

2008-08-25T16:12:00.000-07:00

We have been so busy getting ready for a shift in routines. I can feel it in the air, Fall is on its way. Maybe it's all of the rain we've had the last few days. It makes me want to curl up with a quilt and a good book. Cozy.

It's a little discouraging that my big tomatoes have not ripened yet. I have a few tricks up my sleeve if we end up with a bunch of green tomatoes. :~)
I am gearing up to do a little sewing, repurposing some clothing, making dolly quilts, making birthday gifts for the "birthday season" we have during October and November. I have lots of ideas. We'll see if I can fit it all in.
We are contemplating buying a Aladdin Oil Lamp to help reduce our energy usage further. We are managing to keep most of the lights turned off during the day, we have converted all our light to CFL's, and we have unplugged those things not in use. During the evening hours it would help to have a oil lamp that did a good job of illuminating our livingroom.
Does anybody have any experience with the Aladdin brand lamps?
We are starting our gift plans for Christmas. I have found that I enjoy the season so much more if I have all of the extended family gifts taken care of before November. I also like to take our Christmas photo early enough to make out our Christmas cards and have them ready to mail. This way I can enjoy Christmas for it's true meaning and our family can spend lots of unhurried time celebrating and creating.
I will spend this next week preparing for the school year and try to simplify some of our routines to cut down on too much running around. I also have some baking and canning to do.
I am continuing to de-clutter and simplify. The grocery store prices are shocking and I am making nearly everything from scratch. We are fortunate to have so many apple trees around and friendly neighbors that don't mind sharing. We have lots of wild blackberry bushes too. I foresee a pie or two in our future. :~)
Well that's about all we've been up to. I pray that you all have a blessed and productive week.

In God's Love, Tami

One Year Ago Today

2008-08-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

I made my first journal entry one year ago today.

Wow ~ I could not have imagined this world that has opened up to me. So many wonderful people from so many different places and walks of life. This small world that we call the blogsphere. It still amazes me every time I come across somebody new and they have the very same favorite blogs that I do. I have been so blessed, encouraged, and inspired by the women I have met.

Thanks to each and every person that reads my ramblings. I love your comments and love to hear from you.

I pray that you come away from here inspired and encouraged also.

Have a wonderful and restful weekend.

In God's Love, Tami

Busy Baker

2008-08-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

I have been busy baking this week. Being in the kitchen is not complete without one of my favorite aprons, made from a thrifted skirt. I just love aprons I will *show & tell* my favorites sometime.

My mom came over and we spent the whole day baking breakfast muffins to freeze. We made Plum Buttermilk Muffins, Chocolate Zucchini Muffins, and Morning Glory Muffins. I will post recipes as soon as I tweak the ingredients a little bit more.
Our favorite Whole Wheat bread. Crystal Miller's recipe for the Bosch.
We have had such a wonderful week with warm temperatures and lots of sunshine. I pray that you all have a blessed Friday. In God's Love, Tami

Big Thank You!

2008-08-14T07:10:00.000-07:00

Mrs. B has so kindly bestowed this honor on me. Thank you so much! Please visit her blog, you will come away inspired and encouraged.

I will pass the award onto:

Mari
Mari is a kindred spirit and her journey toward simplicity is inspiring.
Sandra
Sandra is a gifted photographer and a beautiful lady inside and out.
Carrie
Carrie is one of my favorite people and such a sweet mama.
Michelle
Michelle has such a gift for writing and is such a dedicated homeschool mom.
Laura
Laura has such a love for family and home, she is such a encouragement.

Rules:

1. Select five (5) other recipients for this award. You may select them for creativity, design, content or contributions to the blogging community & they can be in any language.
2. Name each nominee and link to his/her blog.
3. Show the award and include the name and link to his/her blog of whomever presented you with this award.
4. Link to the Arte y Pico blog so everyone knows the origin of this award.
5. Post these rules.

Thanks again Mrs. B ! Have a blessed and productive Thursday! In God's Love, Tami

More Garden Progress :~)

2008-08-13T14:24:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the progress we have made in the kitchen garden.
It's hard to see but we have one cinderblock terraced bed nearly completed and a large wooden raised bed finished. I have 3 oak half barrels with 2 of my tomato plants and our zucchini plants. In the lower left hand corner you can see the beginnings of a Flame grape vine. We will let the grapes grow up and over the gateway arbor. The other night my dear hubby decided that in the spring we will expand this garden area another 5 feet. YAY!

We salvaged the large 4x6 timbers for the large raised bed from a local demo site. All we paid for was the screws to put it together. Praise God.

The smaller terraced bed will be cinderblock for now. We need to buy a few more to finish it off. If we come across any more salvaged wood we will remake it next Spring.

I have some pole beans growing, my tomatoes and zucchini are doing well, and the strawberries are pretty much done for the season.

I can hardly wait to get the garden soil put in the beds, give it a heavy dose of compost, and put in some lettuce, spinach, and cabbage for the cooler months ahead.

The deepest end of the big raised bed will be perfect for carrots. The shallow end gets more sun, so I will have to decide what to put there. Maybe my fall salad greens under a cloche? We will have to see.

For any of you who live in the Pacific Northwest, I came across a wonderful book that has helped me so much. It is by Steve Solomon and is called "Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades". I was able to get it very easily from the library.

This sweet little flower grew from seed. My 6 year old little man planted it as a Mother's Day present for me. SO sweet.
We are getting this much Zucchini daily now. What a blessing. I have been trying out all sorts of recipes. I will post a few of our favorites soon.
Our beans are lagging a little behind, but I have hope that we will still have a decent harvest.
This is a homemade rain barrel that feeds rain water from one of our garage gutters. I would so love one of these oak barrel ones. Maybe next year.

I pray that you all are having a blessed and fun-filled Wednesday. In God's Love, Tami

Welcome Back Jewels!

2008-08-05T18:55:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to tell everyone that Jewels from "Eyes of Wonder" blog has decided to start blogging again.

Welcome back Jewels, my friend, I have missed our *visits* so much.

I pray that everyone has had a blessed and productive Tuesday.

In God's Love, Tami

Yum

2008-08-04T09:18:00.000-07:00

This is one of my family's favorite meals.
I like to serve it with warm garlic bread and a big yummy salad.

*Pasta Lasagna*
3/4 lb. whole wheat penne pasta
1 lb. ground beef (we use organic)
1 (26 oz.) jar pasta sauce
1 (15 oz.) container of lowfat cottage cheese or ricotta (I usually go for organic cottage cheese, because it is less expensive)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 chopped fresh or frozen spinach

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cook penne pasta until al dente; drain.

In a large skillet cook beef until brown; drain. Season to your liking and stir in pasta sauce; remove from heat.

In bowl combine cottage cheese (or ricotta), mozzarella, Parmesan, beaten egg, and spinach. Stir until well combined.

In a 3 quart baking dish layer half the pasta, half the sauce, and half the cheese mixture. Repeat. Top with about 1/4 cup additional mozzarella.

Bake in the 350 degree oven for 30-40 minutes until hot and bubbly. Enjoy!

This recipe will serve a family of 6, with leftovers, if your kiddos are little. If you have teenagers it will be devoured :~)
We are having major progress in the kitchen garden this week. I will post pictures soon.
I pray that you all have a blessed and productive Monday. In God's Love, Tami

Grateful Friday

2008-08-01T07:43:00.000-07:00

{This is a Painted Lady Butterfly that we raised from a caterpillar and then set free. Isn't she beautiful!}

{Here is one of our little hummingbird friends that *love* our Crocosmia flowers- SO pretty}

Today I am so grateful for:

My family and the life that we have here.

Firm ground to stand on during these strained economic times.

Beautiful weather that draws us outside everyday.

Lots of dirty feet to bathe at the end of the day.

Time for sewing and altering some day-dresses for myself.

A garden that is almost finished. (Just in time for fall planting....LOL)

I am so very grateful for a God that loves me right where I am.

Have a truly blessed Friday! In God's Love, Tami

Watching

2008-07-31T13:31:00.000-07:00

Just watching my littlest guy having

a quiet moment in the Nature Box.

What a privilege it is to witness the little moments.

I pray that you all have many treasured moments today.

In God's Love, Tami

Keeping House

2008-07-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

As I adjust to line drying all of our washing, I am soaking up every bit of encouragement I can find. "Keeping House - The Litany of Everyday Life" by Margaret Kim Peterson is a book that was recommended awhile back by Little Jenny Wren???? I can't remember.

I have been reading the chapter on "Clothing a Household". On page 100 I found a little gem of encouragement that I needed.
"Putting away things that get daily or weekly use is a way to exercise a kind of providential forsight. We will, in fact, need these things. Every morning, people need something to put on. Having clothes ready to wear in the drawer or in the closet is part of creating a expectation that in this home we care for one another. Our needs are not a personal emergency but are anticipated and provided for ahead of time as a matter of course".
AMEN! I really needed to hear this.
and on page 102:
"Clothing is so basic a reality that simply making sure everyone has something to wear can be a powerful way of making a home a nurturing and hospitable place, a place that helps us remember that we are all on pilgrimage together."
We are adjusting well to our new routines, and it feels so wonderful to not be using so much electricity. We are also handwashing all of our dishes now. The dishwasher has been working poorly for a long time. It requires me to basically prewash all of the dishes anyway, so I am now using the dishwasher only as a giant drying-rack.
Cutting back on our electricity usage in these ways really is fulfilling. We are trying to think of creative ways to simplify just about everything these days.
I pray that you are all having a blessed and productive week. We are enjoying a little bit of rain the past few days. A relief after a month with no rain. Our garden is so grateful.
In God's Love, Tami

Rocks In My Dryer

2008-07-22T13:46:00.000-07:00

...not literally, but it sure sounds like it.

My clothes dryer has seen better days and I am sad to report it needs a costly repair. I am nearly positive that the repair man is going to tell us a new one would be cheaper. UGH!
Our dryer does get a mighty workout, so I am not surprised.

I would really like to know if there are any families out there that *do not* use a clothes dryer at all.

During the summer months I would say that I use my clothesline about 80% of the time. I am wondering how hard it would be to just line dry all of my clothes, even inside during the winter.

Any tips, suggestions, and equipment ideas would be so helpful.

We are having a lovely and much cooler day here. I am thinking of making a yummy *Pasta Lasagna* for dinner. It is a family favorite. I will post a recipe later.

I pray that you are all having a blessed and productive Tuesday. In God's Love,Tami

Five Things

2008-07-21T10:05:00.001-07:00

I have not been the best at keeping up with tags and memes. This season has been so full that I find little time for extras. My apologies to the sweet ladies who have nominated and included me. I truly appreciate your kindness.

I have a few minutes today to participate in a "5 favorite things" (excluding family) tag. Mrs B. from Her Peculiar Life tagged me.

Let's see........

1. Top of the list always is the freedom, love, and salvation that I receive from our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. The warm summer sun on my face with just a whisper of wind to keep me cool.

3. Waking up before my family to the quiet stillness of my home, and having Jesus welcome me to this new day.

4. Watching my children play together and grow in love and friendship.

5. God's faithful provision of food and shelter for my family.

Anybody who wants to join in please do. This is an informal invitation to all who read. What are your five favorite things? Enjoy!

Have a truly blessed and productive Monday! In God's Love, Tami

Around the Gardens

2008-07-20T23:23:00.000-07:00

There are so many beautiful colors exploding right now.

These are my beautiful Crocosmia. The hummingbirds cannot resist the little trumpet shaped blooms. We here the little clicking chirps of the hummingbirds and know they are around.

Every fall I dig up the bulbs and redistribute them around our courtyard garden. What A delight it is to see them multiply.

We put together this little birdbath out of a 12" terracotta saucer and the base of an old parlor stool. I just love reusing old things in the garden.

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

Above Rubies

2008-07-17T10:05:00.000-07:00

I received the latest issue of "Above Rubies" magazine this last week. Can I tell you just how much of an encouragement this magazine is to me. I was reading through the first article titled "From Our Home to Yours" and was immediately convicted and encouraged at the same time.

Nancy writes:

"I wrote about catching moments to pray and read the Word of God even in the midst of mothering your little children. When raising my little ones I could not leave and go off to have a Quiet Time. I had to do it in the midst of noise and everything happening around me. I remember one time feeling such a need to pray. I went to my bedroom, taking my little ones with me. They played with toys while I kneeled at my bed and prayed. I was enjoying the presence of the Lord and oblivious to their noise....Don't despair dear mother. God created you with the ability to do many things at once! You can cope! The only thing that stops you from coping is your negative thinking! Believe that you can do it. Rejoice in everything that is happening. Embrace your motherhood and have a great time!"

Somewhere along the line I have convinced myself that if I don't have my quiet time in the morning before my family rises, that it isn't good enough. UGH!

God wants me all the time, any time.

I am a person that has internal dialogue with God all day long. I am very good at "tuning out" the background noise. Until now I didn't realize that some days this *is* my Quiet Time with the Lord.

I realize now how hard I have been on myself regarding my morning quiet time. Failing at that has made me less likely to seek Him at other times of the day, as if it's not the right time for Him. But, I can seek Him anytime and He is there.

If you would like to subscribe to Nancy Campbell's magazine "Above Rubies" I would so encourage you to do so. Go to http://www.aboverubies.org/ - this is a free publication and they rely solely on the grace of God and the generosity of their readers to make the magazine.

I pray that you are all having a beautiful and blessed week. In God's Love, Tami

The Best of Days

2008-07-08T12:33:00.000-07:00

Oh, the sweet smell of laundry dried on the line. My husband says it reminds him of summertime as a child. Every summer spent at his grandparents house in Hawaii, his grandmother line drying each and every bit of washing.

A good breeze and the warmth of the morning sun.

Our strawberries are starting to ripen. I hope to have a larger strawberry garden next year with lots of yummy jam an syrup to make.

Oh how I love Sugar Snap peas. They rarely even make it into the house. We gobble them up right off of the vine. I planted 8 plants this year. I will triple that next year.

Ahhhh. Watermelon. Need I say more.

Enjoying a week of simple summer pleasures. I pray that all is well.

In God's Love, Tami

Camping Fun !

2008-07-07T20:39:00.000-07:00

Here we are all ready to go! I think the dogs were just as excited as the kids. If you can believe it we crammed 6 people, 2 dogs, and all the camping gear including 2 coolers, 6 chairs, a huge tent, a portable canopy, 6 sleeping bags, 6 pillows, assorted blankies, etc.....into and on top of our mini-van! It was an amazing and truly hysterical sight to see.

Isn't this just gorgeous. Washington State has some of the most beautiful land that God ever created. Just breathtaking.

I love all of the old homesteads. Red barns are my favorite.

Here is where we stayed. A place called Lake Pearrygin in a cute little city called Winthrop. It was such a beautiful and fun filled weekend. Aside from a little sunburn and mosquito bite epidemic, we had a perfect time. We hope to make this a yearly trip. It had been 10 years since the last time we stayed here.

All has been busy, busy around here. The weather has been just beautiful and we are soaking up every moment of it.

In response to a few requests for my biscuit recipe. I am still tinkering with it, and will post when I've got it just right. And yes, I did add whole wheat flour in a 1 to 4 ratio. But thank you for asking, and I will post the recipe soon.

Enjoy all of the wonderful joys of summer! Bless you all this week. In God's Love, Tami

Randomly

2008-06-26T09:28:00.001-07:00

We have had a splendid week outdoors. Lots of yard work, hanging laundry, and sitting on the patio folding it with a beautiful view to my courtyard garden.

We had some yummy sausage, egg, & cheese biscuits one morning for breakfast. What a hit they were! They are the *best* when they are homemade-with-love.

We are harvesting the last of our lettuces, spinach, and chard. I need to find a different spot for them next year to try and extend their season. I will be planting more of these salad greens when the weather cools down a bit.

I am hoping that my sweet hubby will build me some of these in the coming weeks........My vegetable garden is ready for them, yay! We have decided to build a custom chicken coop to fit into a different area of the yard. I have a lovely area in my enclosed courtyard garden where we can have the chickens, and they can scratch around during the day protected from our dogs. We will be a little closer to them and better able to enjoy them too.

I am busy, busy, busy today packing for our weekend camping trip. What excitement! We are going with a large group of neighbors and friends. There will be 19 children and 12 adults. Today I am finishing with the food preparations and freezing as much as I can to act as ice would in the coolers. The temperatures are supposed to be in the 90's where we are going, hot by our standards here is Washington State. I can hardly wait to leave in the morning.

I pray that you all have a blessed weekend! Enjoy your sweet treasures, and I will fill you in with all of the camping fun next week. In God's Love, Tami

Summer Sweetness

2008-06-20T11:33:00.001-07:00

Sweet angels in gingham dresses.

Buzzing bees on beautiful lavender.

All of God's creatures, great and small.

Tomatoes blooming with the promise of fruit.

Hummingbird-loving Torch flowers (Kniphofia).

All of those summer feet.

Tiny apples growing rapidly in the sun.

Have a beautiful and peaceful weekend!

We are outside in the beautiful Western Washington weather soaking up every ounce of sunshine, just waiting for the inevitable rain to come. What a blessing the rain is though. It nourishes and refreshes God's splendid creation.

In God's Love, Tami

Days Gone By

2008-06-13T09:45:00.000-07:00

I am so fascinated by the past. I am especially interested in the lives of women. How wives and mamas lived, what they wore, and how they cared for their families.
My two favorite periods of time are the pioneer times (the Laura Ingalls Wilder in me) and the 1940's, particularly during WWII.
I am drawn to the pioneer times by the wonderful "Little House" books that we read daily in our home, the "Love Comes Softly" series of books and movies that I adore, and a sense that these simpler times, though hard, were so full of joy.
My love of the 1940's has come from my paternal grandma. She was a young bride during the onset of WWII. My grandfather did not go to war because of vision problems. (Praise God). My dad was born in 1944. My grandpa, a talented carpenter, built their first tiny home stick by stick, as used supplies became available, because building materials were so hard to come by. My sweet grandma still lives in that home today, although they did make it bigger as their family grew. I have heard so many stories from my grandma about the war, the rationing, the shortages, but all along she was just so grateful to have her little family and her little home.

I recently borrowed a sweet movie from the library called, "The Magic of Ordinary Days". It is a Hallmark movie and for the most part is family suitable. If you decide to watch it please preview it before letting your children watch the beginning, as it may raise questions. The rest of the movie I would say is just fine. The other series is "1940's house", a PBS series that shows the war from a British families point of view. It is very fascinating how they recreated the whole house just like the 40's.

I realize that overall these two periods of time were full of hard times. But families found joy. The circumstances forced people to be simple in their lives. They (hopefully) had all that they needed, and that was enough. Families made due. What is the old saying, "Use it up-wear it out-make it do!". I am also so interested in how we have come to this place as a society where we are so into overabundance, and that we feel entitled to live this way. How did it come to this?

All in all, I am so grateful to be living when I do, with our medical technology and advancements. We can learn so much though from how others have lived before us. That is ultimately what draws me to the past.

Have a very blessed weekend. After a week of rain we finally have sun! YAY!

In God's Love, Tami

More on Stuff

2008-06-06T09:00:00.001-07:00

It seems that I have taken a bit of a blog break :~)

I can't believe how quickly time is passing, with all the activities of Spring. We are spending every available moment outside breathing in God's creation.

Last month I read, and am now re-reading a book called "It's All Too Much" by Peter Walsh. He is one of the organizers on a cable program called "Clean Sweep". After my post on *stuff*, this book was one I stumbled upon. It has been extremely helpful for me to truly separate needs vs. wants, and to separate myself a little from my *extreme sentimentality*. Mind you, I am very organized, and therefore come up with all sorts of clever ways to *hide* all my stuff. What I am in the process of doing now is actually going through all of it and very closely examining why I am keeping it. We are 2 large boxes and (4 )30 gallon garbage bags full of donations lighter. I am feeling so much lighter emotionally and I have only done the master bedroom and closet. Well it's nearly finished.....still some tweaking to do to create a calm, restful, uncluttered place to breath and restore. I am going to work on one area at a time. My oldest son's room is next.

My decluttering has been taking a huge chunk of mine time lately. I am trying to see to the end of the tunnel when decluttering will be maintenance and won't be such a focus in our home. I would much rather have my focus on more *precious* things - like my 4 sweet treasures and my one fabulous husband. Not to mention, a clear and uncluttered focus on the Lord, when my mind is not filled with *stuff*. That is the best reward of all.

I pray that you all have a blessed Friday.

It is raining non-stop here today, so we are off to the local children's museum to run off some of this kid energy :~)

In God's Love, Tami

Progress

2008-05-27T15:41:00.001-07:00

Our little potager is coming along nicely. This past weekend we finished contructing the lattice tops and the shorter border fence. My dear hubby and I need to clear out the sod, reposition the chicken coop, build the chicken run, the beds, and a garden gate. There will be 2 raised beds for vegetables and the chicken coop and run will be housed in the garden. I am beyond excited to finally have an area carved out just for this purpose. A dream come true.

The children helped paint this very colorful birdhouse. There will be 2 more houses on the other posts also. We are hopeful the birdhouses will get utilized, maybe as winter roosts, because the sun is way too hot for nesting where they are.
I put my tomato plants out this past weekend. I have 3 varieties this year. I love using bamboo and jute twine to make my tomato cages. You can add support wherever you need it throughout the growing season.
I can see all the sweet little apples growing on our tree.
Our salad garden is filling in so nicely. We are enjoying nightly salads. Yummy! The strawberries are fruiting. I cannot wait to enjoy them.
We are having lovely weather here this week. There has been enough refreshing rain in the nighttime hours to nourish the plants and beautiful sunshine during the day. I think Spring has finally come to Washington.
I pray that you are all having a blessed and productive week. In God's Love, Tami

Just A Peek

2008-05-24T10:51:00.000-07:00

Each of my children has a *treasure box* where they keep their most prized possessions.

It is such a treat to peek inside their little lives and see what they consider treasure.

This is my sweet daughter's box. It is a shabby green vintage jewelry box with bright pink lining. She loved it the moment she saw it, and had to have it for her treasures.

She left her box open and as I walked by I was delighted to sneak a peek inside her box and her little life.

her "Pretty" handpainted rock
a construction paper flower
a homemade bead necklace
a *kiss* photo of Daddy and I
a collection of pennies
lots of little papers and notes
her ABC photo book that I made

I noticed that most of the items in her box are gifts given to her. Her love language possibly?

The boys have equally interesting stuff in their boxes. My kids really enjoy having a place to save those things that have meaning to them at this moment. I can imagine that over the years the contents will change. I will treasure being able to have a glimpse into their lives at each stage.

Have a blessed Saturday and a restful weekend.

In God's Love, Tami

The Un-Microwaved Life

2008-05-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

We got rid of our microwave about a year ago. We had all sorts of reasons why. Possible health risks? Toxins? Altered food taste? Better safe than sorry?

Mostly I just hated what our microwave represented in our lives. Quick, quick, quick.

We settled for bad tasting and low quality cooking because it was fast.

How many other areas of my life are microwaved. Instant gratification. Have it fast and have it now. What happens to children who never have to wait for anything? Scary.

Patience is almost always learned. Not many people come by it naturally. I think that patience is beautiful, because it produces such sweet rewards.

Mostly I want a life that is savored and experienced fully. Taking time to notice and experience every little detail, even the most basic activities in my day. There is beauty to be found when we take the time to notice.

I love the way a hearty stew comes together, the browning of the beef turning the stew a deep rich brown, chopping the beautiful vegetables, combining all their vibrant colors in my big shiny pot, the wonderful smells and as it cooks down, all the ingredients seem to meld together. This takes all day, and it is wonderful.

Things that some to quickly to us, make us miss out on the process, and the beauty in the becoming.

That is why I don't like microwaves. I miss the *making*. The *process* and it's beauty.

I want the experience, the journey, just as much as I want the end result.

This applies to my food, and it most certainly applies to my life.

I pray that you have a blessed and productive day.

In God's Love, Tami

My Morning Basket

2008-05-22T20:55:00.000-07:00

One of the areas that I struggle with in my life is *lack of preparedness*. You would think that with 4 kiddos that I would be motivated to be more prepared. Nope........
So I decided to put forth a valiant effort to be prepared for once. I put together a "morning basket" with all the essentials that I need to wake early and meet the Lord. I often pray for the Lord to wake me in the night to meet with Him. He constantly answers my prayer and then I find myself unprepared. Not any more.
This handy little basket sits right next to my bed, ready to be scooped up at any hour.
I have my bible, my prayer journal, my ipod, loads of pens, matches, and a scented candle in a mason jar. Oh how I love to read the bible by candlelight. The pages of most bibles are so thin that candlelight shines right through the pages and makes them glow. It is truly beautiful.
So there you have it. No more excuses. I am prepared Lord. Beckon me softly from my sleep, Lord. Amen.
Have a restful night and a blessed Friday.
In God's Love, Tami

One of My Favorites

2008-05-18T17:34:00.000-07:00

I love getting *mama-flowers*.

I pray that you all had a blessed and restful Sunday.

In God's Love, Tami

Simply Spring

2008-05-16T13:40:00.000-07:00

Oh, has Spring ever hit Western Washington. It is 80 degrees today!
Break out the summer skirts, I am in heaven.
We spent this morning at the park with preschool friends.
Now the children are enjoying a little quiet time, and I have a moment to write about our week.
A few weeks ago we made these yummy Chocolate Sugar Cookies. They are Martha Stewart's recipe and we love them. They are so rich, that one is plenty. Make sure that you use unsalted butter, I used salted the first time and unsalted is much better.
Our little children's garden is coming along nicely, salad gardens fill in so quickly, and are an instant reward. I love that.
My bigger garden is coming along also. We have moved our fence out to the very back of the property line. The back of our lot faces an alley. We park back there sometimes. We are converting that back parking area and some of the grass in to my *bigger* garden and the chicken area. I am so excited! You can see my coop in the photo, just waiting to be moved to it's new home as soon as we finish moving the fence. We also need to finish the demo of the old fence, but you can see the new fence in the background. It will have a panel of lattice on the top for light to filter through.
I am a country girl at heart. We bought our home 14 years ago, in an urban housing neighborhood in a smallish town. We love our town, but I yearn for more open space. My dear hubby has put so much of his heart and soul into making our home a beautiful one, which makes the thought of ever moving a painful one. We are here for the long haul, so I am choosing to grow where I am planted~literally. I am trying to reclaim some unused areas of our lot and make them *work* for us. I guess we are what you would call "urban homesteaders". My vision would be to grow the majority of our own produce and have fresh eggs. This garden is a small step in that big dream of mine.
On Mother's Day our first baby birds of the season took flight for the first time. It is so cute to see them flutter around while the Mama and Daddy feed them and gently guide them in their first flying lessons. This bird house hangs in our large Sweet Gum tree. We have a *birds-eye* view of the lives of these sweet little creatures outside our dining room window. This is the 6th year that we have had nesting birds in the birdhouse. Each year the pair have 4 hatchings, one each month from April until July. I am so blessed to be able to witness this miracle with my children. Birdwatching is one of our favorite things to do.
This weekend will be spent getting closer to having a real garden, and we are sure to be blessed with beautiful weather. Yay!
I can feel our homeschool year winding down, as every moment of free time beckons us outdoors. There is so much energy in the air. So much inspiration, I love this time of the year.
Well I am headed outside to enjoy the rest of this blessed day. Have a wonderful weekend.
In God's Love, Tami

Middle Time

2008-05-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

I came across this beautiful poem on Laurie Elliot's blog, Blue Forest Soapbox. I just had to share.

MIDDLE TIME

Between the exhilaration of Beginning

and the satisfaction of Concluding

is the Middle Time

of enduring, changing, trying,

despairing, continuing, becoming.

Jesus Christ was the man of God’s Middle Time

between Creation and . . . Accomplishment.

Through him God said of Creation,“Without mistake.”

And of Accomplishment,“Without doubt.”

And we, in our Middle Times

of wondering, waiting, hurrying,

hesitating, regretting, revising;

We who have begun many things—

and seen but few completed;

We who are becoming more—and less;

through the evidence of God’s Middle Time

have a stabilizing hint

that we are not mistakes,

that we are irreplaceable,

that our Being is of interest

and our Doing is of purpose,

that our Being and our Doing

are surrounded by AMEN.

Jesus Christ is the Completer

of unfinished people

with unfinished work

in unfinished times.

May he keep us from sinking, ceasing,

wasting, solidifying—that we may be for him

experimenters, enablers, encouragers,

and associates in Accomplishment.
-- Lona Fowler

Isn't that just the most beautiful. It inspires me beyond words. Thank you Laurie for letting me share it.

I pray that you all have a blessed and peaceful day. (she types as her children are all wrestling on the floor and creating the utmost in joyful noise......LOL)

In God's Immense Love, Tami

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T14:22:00.000-07:00

"A mother's love is like a circle, it has no beginning and no ending. It keeps going around and around, ever expanding, touching everyone who comes in contact with it. Engulfing them like the morning's mist, warming them like the noontime sun, and covering them like a blanket of evening stars. ~ Art Urban

This quote comes from a book called "Little Spoonfuls of Chicken Soup for the Mothers' Soul". My dad gave this little book to me 8 years ago, while he was suffering with Pancreatic cancer. Little did he know how often I would refer to it's pages and be comforted by it's words.
My dad was a man of few words. This sweet little book was his way of encouraging me as a young mama, knowing that he wouldn't be there to encourage me as the years passed on. The Lord took my dad Home in January 2001, a few months after he gave this book to me. So this Mother's Day, in addition to celebrating my mom and mother-in-law, I am thinking of my dad and how much I miss him, and how much he taught me about being a good parent.

I pray that you are all having a blessed Mother's Day and a restful Sunday.

P.S. My dear husband's gift to me was getting seriously busy with my expanded vegetable garden and future home to our chickens! Yay! What a wonderful gift! The children blessed me with gardening tools that I appreciate so very much.

In God's Immense Love, Tami

One of My Favorites

2008-05-04T18:40:00.000-07:00

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature." ~ Anne Frank

I came across this quote at Seaside Enchantment.

This quote is absolutely how I feel, when I am in nature, experiencing God's creation.

I pray that you all have a restful Sunday.

In God's Love, Tami

Where Did All This Stuff Come From?

2008-05-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

Title: "Overabundance"

"Where did all this stuff some from?" -This is a question I often ask myself.

Another is, "Why are we keeping these things?"

We have *so* much more than we need, and this bothers me. We are not big consumers. I would even call our family anti-consumeristic. But, we still have lots of *stuff*, truly unecessary stuff.

I de-clutter *a lot*. Always a big bag waiting in the laundry room to be donated. And still too much.

I find that tidying stuff, keeps me from actually cleaning. It seems that, by the time I am done tidying in order to then clean, my time is all eaten up. I want time for tidy and clean.

I am by nature, orderly. I've discovered, a person can be orderly with much and orderly with little. It seems to me it would be less time consuming to be orderly with little. This would free up time. A precious commodity for all of us. Precious time with Jesus, my children, my husband, my friends & family.

My perfect home would have blank spaces ~ breathing room. Cupboards that are tidy but not full, drawers that are neatly arranged but not full, a few blank walls, everything in its place.

Ah ~ BLISS.

Room to breath, room to imagine, room to grow.

I came across this excerpt from an essay entitled Stuff, by Paul Graham.

"I have too much stuff. Most people in America do. In fact, the poorer people are, the more stuff they seem to have. Hardly anyone is so poor that they can’t afford a front yard full of old cars.
It wasn’t always this way. Stuff used to be rare and valuable. You can still see evidence of that if you look for it. For example, in my house in Cambridge, which was built in 1876, the bedrooms don’t have closets. In those days people’s stuff fit in a chest of drawers. Even as recently as a few decades ago there was a lot less stuff. When I look back at photos from the 1970s, I’m surprised how empty houses look. As a kid I had what I thought was a huge fleet of toy cars, but they’d be dwarfed by the number of toys my nephews have. All together my Matchboxes and Corgis took up about a third of the surface of my bed. In my nephews’ rooms the bed is the only clear space. Stuff has gotten a lot cheaper, but our attitudes toward it haven’t changed correspondingly. We overvalue stuff."

If you go to Paul Graham's whole essay, it is such a good read. So much of it rings true of me, the eternal treasure hunter and bargain shopper.

Have we become numb to our over-abundant lifestyles. Has this way of life crept in and taken over. I say time and time again, "I do not remember having this much stuff growing up." Talking, of course, about the mounds of children's toys at my house. (Even after down-sizing my kids have way more than we ever had, I think my kids still have too much).

"Things" are too easily accessible. If we want more, we can have it, and cheaply I might add. It is very easy to attain too much in today's times. It is hard to resist the temptation to have things just because we can.

It takes courage to let go of things. It also takes faith. Faith in our Lord God, that he will provide for our needs.

It's hard to rationalize getting rid of something that you may need some day. Is keeping it being a good steward or is keeping it not trusting God? This is a question I grapple with often. I am still grappling, as I still have a cupboards full of stuff I am keeping just in case.

I am not a wasteful person, this adds to my indecision. If we have spent money unwisely on something, and really don't use it, do we keep it? Should we give this unused item away or sell it, and learn a lesson in unwise spending?

I am thinking that all of these unanswered questions of mine are the reason we have too much stuff. We haven't learned the answers to our questions yet.

I am pretty sure I know where it all comes from , we bring it in. It is not reproducing under the beds, although this is a pretty good theory :~)

And now after this lengthy internal dialogue, I am pretty sure that I know why we keep it. We are torn. We are sentimental. We are undecided. We don't know where to begin.

I think the answer for me begin with not bringing in anymore stuff in that we do not *need*. I have a healthy grasp on what a real need is, so I won't be trying to convince myself that I *need* one more vintage mixing bowl :~)

My plan is that when we have a handle on this, I can then begin to weed through our stuff and decide what we really use.

Ahhhhhh, I feel so much better. A plan.

For me, to be freed from excessive possessions means, a clearer more open path to relationship with our Lord, more time for my family and friends, and an uncluttered mind, body, and soul.

When I have fewer *things* to care for, I have more time for the most important calling of my life, to be a servant of the King, a wife and mama to my family, and to be a light to my friends.

Thank you for bearing with me as I muddle through the *clutter* in my head. I appreciate you all, and you are a blessing to me.

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

She Made My Day

2008-05-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

Last week, Laura at Harvest Lane Cottage bestowed this sweet award upon me.
Her blog is wonderful and she is a delightful lady.
There are countless bloggers out there that make my day.
It's hard to only choose six.

I think I will pass this on to:

Carrie at Pine Meadow Chronicles
Peggy at The Simple Woman
Stacy at With Great Joy
Amy at Living, Learning, and Loving Simply
Andrea at The Flourishing Mother
Heather at Homemade Joys

If you 6 ladies feel like joining in, just pass this award onto 6 bloggers that make your day.
Have a blessed and productive Thursday!
In God's Love, Tami

"Little Things"

2008-04-30T20:18:00.000-07:00

"Little Things" by Elisabeth Elliot
When we were growing up our parents taught us, by both word and example, to pay attention to little things.

If you do a thing at all, do it thoroughly: make the sheets really smooth on the bed, sweep all the corners and move all the chairs when you sweep the kitchen, roll the toothpaste tube neatly and put the cap back on, clean the hair out of your brush each time you use it, hang your towels straight on the rod, fold your napkin and put it into the silver ring before you leave the table, never wet your finger when you turn pages.

They kept promises made to us as faithfully as they kept those made to adults. They taught us to do the same. You didn't accept an invitation to a party and then not turn up, or agree to help with a Vacation Bible School and back out because a more interesting activity presented itself...

When I went to boarding school the same principles I had been taught at home were emphasized. There was a hallway with small oriental rugs which we called "Character Hall" because the headmistress, Mrs. DuBose, could look down that hall from the armchair where she sat in the lobby and spot any student who kicked up a corner of the rug and did not replace it. She would call out to correct him, "It's those tiny little things in your life which will crack you up when you get out of this school!"

In the little things our character was revealed. Our response would make our break us. "Don't go around with a Bible under your arm if you didn't sweep under the bed," she said, for she would have no pious talk coming out of a messy room.

"Great thoughts go best with common duties. Whatever therefore may be your office regard it as a fragment in an immeasurable ministry of love" (Bishop Brooke Foss Westcott, b. 1825).

It is not easy to find children or adults who are dependable, careful, thorough, and faithful. So many lives seem honeycombed with small failures, neglectful of the little things that make the difference between order and chaos. Perhaps it is because they are so seldom taught that visible things are signs of an invisible reality; that common duties may be "an immeasurable ministry of love."

The spiritual training of souls must be inseparable from practical disciplines, as Jesus so plainly taught; "the man who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great; the man who is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in great. If then you cannot be trusted with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches! And if you cannot be trusted with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?" (Luke 16:10-12 JB).

From "Keep a Quiet Heart" by Elisabeth Elliot

What a wonderful passage to ponder again and again.

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

Our TV-free Week

2008-04-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

This is the "children's" vegetable patch that we built and planted this week. We planted sugar snap peas, romaine lettuce, spinach, rainbow chard, broccoli, and there are strawberries planted in the holes of the cinder blocks. We will be adding some marigolds and pansies for color. I cannot wait for it to fill in. It will be bursting with yummy things to eat.

Our week "unplugged" included me making some interesting observations:

I can mix up, in my Bosch, 6 loaves of bread dough and get it divided and ready for rising in the 30 minutes I usually spend on the internet after breakfast. Big conviction for me, especially since I cannot "find" the time to bake bread quite often. Our computer hutch looks much better closed. It is usually open with the laptop *ready* for me to jump on and get any information I need.
Speaking of computer time~ This week made me realize that the internet is a valuable means for finding information and for communicating. It is vital to our homeschooling. It is useful for our finances. It is something, when well managed, can be a great asset to me, instead of an idol. That is the ticket after all. Putting Christ first, and all else after.
We don't listen to near enough music. My children were accustomed to watching a little TV in the mornings before breakfast. I walked downstairs this morning to find they had turned on the CD player and were singing and dancing to "I Will Sing of Your Love Forever" ~ Oh, does that bless my mama-heart.
I also realized that we are actually less plugged in than I thought. The transition was the most difficult for my 11 year old son, who spends much of his free time dreaming of video games and what movie he might want to watch on the weekend. It will take him awhile to adjust to the permanent changes that are a result of last week.
1- There will be no more TV watching in the daytime hours. When Daddy gets home he likes to watch TV. Unless on the rare occasion when I am feeling ill and we all snuggle in the big bed together and watch a DVD.
2- We will keep our "Family Movie Night" on Saturdays. We enjoy picking out a DVD and making appetizer type food to enjoy together while watching a family movie.
3- Computer time for my son will be allowed but monitored. He uses an online curriculum for some of his schoolwork and also enjoys Zoo Tycoon. He use the internet quite often to look up animals and that type of thing to draw. All of those things are learning experiences, so permitted in moderation.
4- Video games are limited to 30 minutes per day.
All in all, I am so glad that we did this. When we pull back completely and then add back screen time sparingly it is so much easier, in my opinion, than just cutting back.
I pray that you all had a blessed week. In God's Love, Tami

To Say Hello :~)

2008-04-27T13:29:00.000-07:00

Coming by to say a quick hello, and to say I have missed being here this week.

The weekend is quickly passing by and has been filled with lots of wonderful family time outdoors.

I had thought I would be posting yesterday, but I think I will continue to gather my thoughts on being TV-free for one more day.

I have lots of pictures to show of what we've been up to this past week.

I pray that you are all having a blessed and restful weekend.
In God's Love, Tami

Unplugged

2008-04-21T07:35:00.000-07:00

We are unplugging this week.

I am going to be checking email daily, and I'll reply to any emails this weekend.

We are going to be participating Monday through Friday.

We are unplugging the TV, video games, and the computer.

(except for bill-paying and homeschool lessons)

Check out this website and feel free to join in!

I'll post on Saturday and let you know how it goes.

Have a blessed and productive week.

In God's Love, Tami

One of My Favorites

2008-04-20T08:19:00.000-07:00

I thank You God for most this amazing
E.E. Cummings

I thank You God for most this amazing day:

for the leaping greenly spirits of trees

and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything

which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(I who have died am alive again today,

And this is the sun's birthday;

this is the birthday of life and of love and wings:

and of the gay great happening illimitably earth)

How should tasting touching hearing seeing

breathing any--lifted from the no of all nothing--

Human merely being doubt unimaginable You?

(Now the ears of my ears awake and

Now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

This has to be one of my favorite poems of all time. In high school, I chose this poem to interpret, and to create a collage from.

Cummings' words just make me want to go outside and experience all of God's glorious creation.

Green is my *favorite* color. Green has always been that color that makes me feel alive. So much of God's creation is green, and lush, and beautiful.

We are having a truly relaxing weekend. So nice, so leisurely, so simple. We tidied our nest yesterday, and now today, rest. And maybe some baking :~)

I pray that you all have a glorious and restful Sunday. In God's Love, Tami

Joyful Noise

::for baby::

::the food we eat::

::a new notebook::

::random::

::kitchen praise::

::a wonderful week::

::one more::

::winter corners::

::white out::

::around the house::

::snow::

::My Life Verse::

::look what I made::

::I heart books::

::Skirts for My Girl::

::Victory::

::Family Crest::

::Quiet House::

*One Thing* the project

::One Thing::

::Mr. Talented::

::Orderliness::

::Christmas 2011::

::Joyful::

::Granola::

::Whole Lotta Baking Goin On::

::Reality::

::Christmas Corners::

::Follow the Sun::

::Some thoughts::

::Christmas::

::Ready::

A Very Merry Christmas!

::Hello::

Within Means

The Birds Return

::February::

::Knitting Therapy::

*Playing Around*

Better Late Than Never

While I've Been Away

Almost a New Year

::Snowy Days::

::Cozy::

Our December

Thanks::Days 28-30

Thanks::Days 22-27

Thanks::Days 19-21

Thanks::Days 15~18

Thanks::Day 14

30 Days of Thanks

Vote & Pray

November

Sola Fide

Knitting and Kiddos

A Pretty Place to Sit

7 Things

Take a Look

Autumn Corners

Tomato Frenzy

~Yummy Quiche~

All Settled In

Hello October!

Changing Rhythm

Let's See......

One Year Ago Today

Busy Baker

Big Thank You!

More Garden Progress :~)

Welcome Back Jewels!

*Yum*

Grateful Friday

Watching

Keeping House

Rocks In My Dryer

Five Things

Around the Gardens

Above Rubies

The Best of Days

One Thing the project

Playing Around

Yum

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