Serving at Home

(Dad and I )

I'm so grateful that I'm able to use this time to be a stay-at-home daughter. I sincerely do feel like I've been given a great opportunity, and my relationship with my parents is continuing to grow closer, as I strive to honor them.

Today's society seems to see this as a step-backward, but if my goal is not to be a fast paced career woman, wouldn't it be more prudent for me to spend my time doing what will benefit me in the future? There is so much I desire and need to learn, so this bit of time is spent growing in character, convictions, home skills and ((gathering)) wisdom from the older generation!

The question of, "What will you do now that you've graduated?" has been brought up many times, but what concerns me is that 'serving at home until marriage' isn't viewed as a respectable option anymore. How unfortunate! Using my time at home is something I chose to do, and desire to do as a career--I personally believe it to be a noble calling!

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Media Review

I watched this dvd, "To be One" a few months ago, and I'd definitely recommend it for those who want to learn more about courtship! I think many have a misconception of what courtship/betrothal means, but this dvd really highlights the differences. The beauty was showing all three weddings...in each, you could tell the atmosphere was so sweet :) I also enjoyed the interviewing before and after marriage. They all stayed true to guarding their hearts, and I learned more about the symbolic parallel of Christ and His Bride. Link to website: HERE

~ I just discovered a new magazine called "SALT" and it's such a delightful read! It's run by a family (now expecting 13th child!) with great articles on Homemaking, Courtship, Family, Education and more. I really like the humor throughout, and they offer a *free* magazine HERE if you're interested! We're planning on supporting the ministry, please join us! It encourages me so much to see and hear of families who are training their young men to be providers and their young women to be homemakers.

Hmm, We all seem to be S P R E A D apart (location-wise) though!

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Visiting Friends

A fortnight ago, we traveled up to spend the day with a dear family (who follow my blog) whom we'd met through other blog readers, and it was a delight!

~We had wonderful fellowship at their home, then we walked through the historic town for a local festival!We enjoyed ourselves so much! We hope it won't be too long before we get-together again :)

The above photo is of an older woman churning butter *sigh* I love her classic hairstyle and dress...I hardly ever see older women dressed modestly/femininely anymore....


I decided to make butter yesterday!
1. Pour 32 oz room-temperature heavy-whipping cream in 2 jars (half-full)
2. Shake! I shook the jars for about an hour
3. Start pressing & 'rinsing' the butter with ice cold water...this removes the buttermilk.
4. I added: 1/2 tsp salt, 1 TBsp raw honey, and 1 tsp dried rosemary. Wrapped the butter up until use.

Done! I made 1 lb. butter using 32 oz of cream.
It's *delicious*
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In the Garden


I remove the old (lettuce) leaves so that the nutrients focus on new growth.
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Lettuce and tomato plant...
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Bell peppers..
They're small, but packed with flavor!
I guess that's the story with organic gardening....
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I'm really excited about next years garden because we're going to do alot more...
I've been doing alot of research on what will grow best for our area, and how much we'd need to be self-sufficient, so that's exciting :)

Don't let the pictures fool you, the temperature is dropping, and it's starting to get cold!

So much to do!!

Sleepy days...

For the past few days, we've been receiving rain non-stop, and it's been wonderful!

Slumbering to the natural sound of rain ceaselessly pouring on the tin roof & waking to the beginnings of rain showers...Because we couldn't go outside, it was a great opportunty to spend more time "making home" as my Mother says!

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I use vinegar/baking soda to deep clean the chopping board...
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My sister & I baked cupcakes together...

I've been making so many pumpkin/apple/sweet potato recipes, that I was happy to taste just good, old-fashioned vanilla!

2 cups flour

1.5 cups sugar

2.5 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup shortening

3/4 cup cream (or milk)

1 TBsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs

Combine wet ingredients...add dry ingredients

Pour into paper-lined muffin cups; Bake in 350 degree oven for 20 mins.

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We baked quite a bit of cupcakes! I tripled the recipe :)

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How do you like "Cupcake Mountain?" hehe

I didn't make all these for dessert, they're to be frozen for later!
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Cupcakes keep for up to a few months (although I don't think these will last that long!)

I individually wrapped each one, sealed in container, then a freezer bag. To make it airtight, I used a straw to withdraw the extra air in the bag...

In total, we baked 58 cupcakes!! This was a great, basic recipe :)

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Potato Soup w/ salad

Here's my favorite Italian (House) dressing I created last year...

1/2 cup each: olive and vegetable oil

1/4 cup each: red wine and apple cider vinegar

1/2 tsp each: pepper, onion powder, ginger powder

2 TBsp powdered/fresh Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup water
1.5 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp dried oregano

5 tsp sugar
2 tsp salt
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A delightful read:

I paged through Victoria magazines from the early 90's....
They're so feminine!

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~Lovely~

Antique books...
I love reading books written 75+ years ago--
All the books on this table are copy written circa 1840-1930
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Handwritten:

"Presented

Mary I. Chloe (sp?)

her grandmother

on her 9th birthday

June 13th 1876"

"The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest." ~Thomas Moore

Q&A and a review of my day...

"...do you (or your sister and mother) wear crocheted ponchos or sweaters throughout the day?" *A.J.

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Yes, I've bought a few crocheted sweaters/shawls, but my sister wears her handmade sweater she finished last year. She's currently working on another project now that her blanket is finished! I've crocheted scarves, but I'm not diligent like she is! Wearing shawls is a must during the winter months! :)

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"Just found your blog...and Love it! Does your family watch tv? What's a typical evening for you?" Anonymous

Our family has chosen not to watch television, but we do watch movies together! We specifically review & choose our movies through Netflix and it's a delight to have them sent directly to our cottage! We used to go to the video store to rent dvd's, but as you know dear reader, the advertisements and selection are not family friendly! So they unofficially succeeded in scaring us away! Plus, we love BBC period drama's, vintage classics, and christian films which are most often in stock via Netflix.

A typical evening for us is usually spent in fellowship! When my father comes home, he works outside for a while, then we eat dinner together in the parlour. A variety of subjects are brought up, then we usually discuss for quite a while! Also, if a dvd happened to arrive that day, most often we'll bring in dessert, then watch the movie together. PS) We do stay up (moderately) late! :)
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"....my question is how to stay warm and wear skirts/dresses i live in a very WINDY cold place I wear 2/3 layers of thermals and jeans over the top and still can be cold any ideas?" *Anonymous
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Great question! Here's what helped me when I wore skirts during our *cold* trip to St.Louis, MO during the winter:

*A good pair of COTTON tights....those thin nylon/poly whatevers don't do a thing! The only problem is that cotton doesn't have alot of "stretch" so you often have to purchase larger sizes...but the warmth is great!

*A warm pair of flannel-like capri's...sweatpants are fine, but in public I wouldn't risk the chance of someone spying the pant leg! lol So I like capri's to wear under calf/ankle length skirts.

*Heavy Skirt--Corduroy, Wool or Denim are great types of heavy material. Even though I love cotton skirts, they just aren't heavy/warm enough (for me) during the months of January and February!

*100% Wool-Blend socks--They're expensive so I bought ours in bulk for a discount price from Ebay. They feel 10x warmer than traditional socks...Oh, make sure they're Men's socks..they're better!

*Get rid of the jeans--Jeans are much colder than skirts! I won't go into detail, but believe it or not, skirts keep in/circulate warmth, while jeans actually leave you exposed to the cold! I found that for my own experience, there wasn't any need for jeans under my skirt- however your preference may differ of course! :)

*Try petticoats (cotton slips) It's what women have done for years and it works great!

*A good pair of boots..(I found mine secondhand for $5) I put away my flats and wear nice boots instead! They're warm and I like the old-fashioned look.

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"...it looks like you have the same texture hair is me. Do you do anything for frizziness? Or to calm to curl so they will lay flatter? Just wondering!" *Shani

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Yes, I once heard someone say "Treat your hair like fine lace!" and so that often comes to mind when I style my hair--although it doesn't have to be taken literally, I try to take my time to preserve length (I decided to grow out my hair..no more hair cuts!). It's hard to tame frizziness because often it's determined by weather (from the windy city of Chicago, to the humidity of the South) But here's what I try to incorporate regularly:

*Deep Condition often. This strengthens the hair & 'calms the curl' for me. Normally I use natural or homemade products.


*Use heavy conditioner instead of gel/mousse--I'm sure this won't work for everyone, but this "weighs down" the hair for me, reduces "frizz" and defines curls. Great on dry or wet hair. Herbal Essence works best as a heavy conditioner. This is my only store bought product for hair I consistently use.

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"What is your daily routine on a "normal" day..." *Rhonda Jean
Fun question! In response, I decided to document my day through pictures:

We do things by "homeschool time", so it's really relaxed here, no rigid schedule! :)

~Thursday, November 5th~

7:15 am
Good morning!

7:30 am

Run outside to feed the cats and dog, complete devotions, shower, iron clothes for the day.
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Dew laden grass...

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In response to those who asked about everyday feminine attire..here's what I wore:

*Ruffle long sleeved blouse w/ high collar folded down
*Dress & matching belt *Brown shawl *Black lace up boots

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My Mother made french toast for breakfast, but on a whim I decided to invent a pumpkin pancake syrup! It was scrumptious!!

Heat in a small saucepan:

1/2 cup milk till very hot

1/4 cup plus 1 TBsp Pumpkin puree

1 TBsp sugar

1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, ginger,cloves

Add 1/2 cup pumpkin mix to 1/2 cup pancake syrup.

Turned out wonderful, perfect for an Autumn breakfast!

9:15 am Finished Breakfast, read a chapter from the Word

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9:45 am Homeschool Lessons

We laid out a blanket, and I taught my brother's lessons outdoors. Here's how we do the nature studies:

At the library, I asked my brother what new subject he'd like to learn about, and he chose the Rainforest! So we looked through multiple books on the subject, and chose the most interesting (with best photo's!) I then learn about Rainforest's myself, then choose what I'd like to focus on. I like to have a measuring tape nearby, so he can visualize how big the creatures are.

I read some, then ask him questions...He reads, then does copy-work in his notebook.

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While he was writing, my sister joined us outside, and the two of us had a bible study. We simply picked Psalm 119 and read 5 verses each until the chapter was done. Wow, it's beautiful, long, and full of good truths to ponder on! By the time we were done, my brother completely finished his work.

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11:00 am Bike riding

After lessons, the three of us went bike-riding through the neighborhood. Even though this morning was chilly, it did warm up!

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11:30 am

When we came back, my brother had received his package in the mail--The Chronicles of Narnia dvd! He placed a bid on Ebay for the first time, and won! It was a great deal: $1.98 with Free Shipping!
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11:35 am

Usually during this time I sew or play piano, so I decided to practice piano...

12 pm: Lunch! We usually sit on the front porch to eat and talk for a while

12:30-2 pm: My Blog, e-mail, and research :)

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I set aside time to do photography:

My blonde cat, Jessie
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He is Exalted

The king is exalted on high

I will praise Him

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He is exalted forever exalted

I will praise His Name!

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I walked up to the back of the property and started singing this as loud as I possibly could! I started to raise my hands, and at that vulnerable moment, everything seemed to just fade away... and all I could hear was praise ringing through the trees!
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Texture of the overlooked
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Sunlight pouring through the barn...
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Last of the roses....

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3 pm: Homeschool Lessons with Mother

My Mother teaches spelling, reading, writing, & math to my brother. He uses the revised McGuffey readers.
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During this time, I'm overseeing my sisters' work.

She's working out of the Far above Rubies unit study.
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Feminine Hairstyle

4:30 pm

Here's a favorite style of mine, that I usually use for re-enacting.

The previous night, I twist many sections of damp hair, then put up in a bun.

In the morning, I take out the twists so that my hair is now wavy.

Roll up hair ends, then pin directly in the back.Take pieces of hair from the sides to pin in the middle.

Here's what I base it upon:

4:45-6 pm We used this time to eat supper & prepare for the Little Women production at 7 pm. My sister and I dressed in our 1860's style dresses and also wore our shawls. It was at a Historic Church, and it was delightful to come as a spectator completely in costume!

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7:00 pm

The audience of family and friends were really engaged and in-tune to the flow of the story, and the 1 act play was well done by the students!

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A snapshot: 'Jo' March and 'Laurie' Laurence

8:45 pm- Arrived home

9:00 pm- I made some homemade Kettle Corn and my Mother, Sister and I watched a bit of BBC's Wives and Daughters before retiring for the night!

That was our day!

An evening to process Chickens

*To my dear vegetarian readers please feel free to skip this post, as I'd never want to upset you in any way!!

It's that time! Yesterday our chickens were processed!

It was done the old-fashioned way, and it wasn't *that* bad :)

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We've all really enjoyed having chickens. They were free range during the day, then followed one of us back to the chicken house to roost at night. They *literally* crossed the road, and wouldn't want to come back, so we would send "Ol'Yeller" and they'd be round up, sheepdog style!

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At the Chicken Coop...

A friend of ours came to give us instruction since we're beginners, and my father & brother assisted him.

I, ...er, watched from far away!

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Here he is about to...*ahem* start. He did it on a cut log which I thought was old-fashioned, (ok, so I was searching for the bright side of the situation) lol! My father's in the foreground holding the...hatchet. heh.

BUT It wasn't messy because instead of letting the chicken frantically run around (and get stains everywhere) He placed the chicken in a clean rubbage bin/trash can to flap around until their life ceased.

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Seriously though, you should've seen me...I was taking deep breaths, pacing around trying to convince myself how Pioneer style this is...lol! I got used to it though, and the whole family worked together, and it was done quickly. I thought it was good that our instructor showed us what to do, and left us to do it ourselves. I think we all feel prepared enough to do this again in the future.
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We were completely finished by sundown, and we'll probably sample one this weekend, and freeze the rest. Oh, just in case you're wondering, we processed 6 organic chickens, and they're all about 5-6 lbs each.
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So that's our babystep towards self-sufficiency!

A walk around the Cottage/Living Simply

A peek out our kitchen window...

Our cottage has truly been a blessing, but I've become aware that it may seem a bit "cleaned up" or "perfect" here, and dear reader, that isn't the case! Our days filled with homeschooling are often boisterous and carefree, and not quite so scheduled! But whether we're quick to hop on our bikes to enjoy the sunset, or watch a beautiful movie on a sleepy, rainy day; we do invest time with each other!

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I'm so blessed to have Visionary parents...the decisions my Father makes for our family direction is in our best interest, even if I don't see it at the time lol! They're quick to go to the Word for leading, and always challenge us (especially me) in different areas of our thinking, which I appreciate.
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The reason we call our current home a Cottage, is because it's an endearment :)

Like the word "Darling", it isn't necessary, but shows affection.

Our cottage was built in 1940, and is very small; but we love it!

Although it needed loads of TLC, our family saw past the imperfections and we continually work toward making our tiny home cozy, judged on it's warmth and not square-footage.

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December 2008

Kitchen wall

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November 2009

It only took my Dad a few hours to build these shelves around the wall
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December 2008

Part of the Kitchen counters/cabinets

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November 2009
We love that these windows face the front of the Cottage! The canister on the chopping board is filled with vegetable scraps for the compost outside.
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One of the Flylady tips my Mother uses for organizing is the "27 fling boogie". Everyone in the house collects 27 items each to give away to a good thrift store. It's a great way to de-clutter, and bless others in need! I'll confess this is so hard for me, as I have quite a bit of SecondHand Treasures that I love! I did end up giving away 27 items & a few extra blouses/skirts, as I have too many.
Would y'all be interested in a giveaway of some Treasures? :)
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Making Pretzels together...

I think I've mentioned this before, but I now see the value of homeschooling and being together all day. As an older sibling, I learn to practice patience and other values that will benefit me in the future. As the eldest daughter, I'm continuing to learn true submission to my parents, and I'm so grateful for this time to grow so that I will be better prepared!

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We all became interested in "Simple Living" a few years before moving into the cottage...we had always had a small garden, but desired to have a larger one. We shopped second-hand, My Mother sewed and used a clothesline, I made soaps, we did square-foot organic gardening and in the midst of suburbia we created a mini-homestead :) Now that we're out in the country, we have more room to have farm animals/garden/greenhouse etc.

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"...The LORD has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm,

And the clouds are the dust of His feet." Nahum 1:3

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Now's the time for fresh pecans!
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Ahh, it's baking season! My favorite spread:

Honey Butter Recipe

4 TBsp (softened) Butter+ 1 TBsp Honey= 1/4 cup
or doubled:
1 Stick (softened) Butter+ 2 TBsp Honey= 1/2 cup
This is so delicious on Scones/Biscuits or even baked Sweet Potatoes!
. An Old-Fashioned scale to weigh ingredients...

This is such a fun kitchen item, it's accurate too!

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An Open door...

We've had quite a few unexpected visits lately, and although its been a blessing, it does challenge me to be better prepared to recieve guests at any time! Here's what I want to have done:

*Frozen Meals

*Parlour always tidy

*Extra baked goods wrapped and put away

*Homemade tea concentrate for quick batches of Sweet tea

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So much to do before the cold weather moves in...

Finished Crocheted project

Although I only helped crochet the easy parts (hehe) my sister did the majority of it! The beret was crocheted quickly(in 1 day) and I've enjoyed wearing it. When we go bike riding, I wear it as a "snood" so my hair isn't exposed to the wind!

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Puff Slouchy Hat (beret)

From the back...
It looks slightly different from the original pattern because of the material/hook size

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Upclose...

Now that we're familiar with the pattern, we'll make adjustments to the next few!
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I really appreciate your comments/suggestions/questions at my last update, and I'm looking forward to the upcoming posts, especially answering a few questions! Please continue to stop by :)

I'd like to hear from you!

Dear Readers,
I'd like to get your opinion on what type of posts you're interested to see in the future! I do this every once in a while :) So if you've ever thought, "I wish Mia would post about _______" Here's an opportunity for me to try and incorporate a few fun questions, facts, topics etc. on anything!
For example, my Mother has been mentioning if I'd incorporate more homemaking posts, which I'll be doing soon!
Ideas/Posts on:
*My attire or hair care/styles
*Homemaking/decor/cleaning
*Encouragement for stay at home daughters
*More about my family or extended family
*My thoughts on youth today
*Reviews on dvd's/books
*(Or just any random question!)

Please leave a comment (come out of lurking! lol)
I love hearing from you!

A Crisp, Fall day for an Old Fashioned Picnic

The picnic was a small gathering of families whom we knew, and it was a delightful day--we had so much fun! Here are a few snapshots:
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Table setting

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A young lady dressed for the occasion
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We had simple decor--everyday things from the cottage. One family brought a CD player & so Mozart was played as delightful background music the entire time :)
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I don't have an upclose picture, but this blouse is an Original shirtwaist from the late 1890's! I bought it off Ebay for a bargain price, and *love* the authentic look! It's interesting--The cotton material seems to have a firm/tighter weave and has a unique feel compared to modern cotton blouses. I'll be washing it by hand only.

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The ground was dry (it had rained the night before) so we decided to spread out the blankets/quilts and picnic the old fashioned way! After the prayer, we ate together and had really good fellowship...At one point my dad asked us, "what event or invention can you share about that happened in the 1800's?" This sparked fun conversation :)
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Beautiful Bonnet

(Her grandmother made it for her)
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Another Badminton game :)
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These two went exploring for Mica rocks

My Mother and I

Nearby Woodlands

My sister knitting--Her hands are always busy!

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The weather stayed at around 70 degrees & was partially cloudy--perfect for today! I didn't capture everything we did at the picnic, as we also had other fun games and even bubbles for the younger ones {ok, I'll admit I loved the bubbles too! } There was a wedding at the stone pavilion, and a few curious guests seem to enjoy the picnic scene/music/us running around in hats swinging badminton rackets lol. They even tried to discreetly take pictures from their cars!

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After we packed up everything to make the journey home, my Mother commented saying, "What made this unique is that its something we've always wanted to do, and done in a way we always pictured an old fashioned picnic to be like (compared to old-fashioned=grilling out, BBQ potluck etc.)" And for me, I really appreciated that everyone took the extra step to dress in attire that reflected the theme!!

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Last Thursday

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About a week ago, our family was out shopping, and stopped in an antique mall. We really enjoyed ourselves, and before we left, we were approached by an older gentleman. He said he was encouraged by our family because we were all modestly dressed and could tell we were Christians! He talked with my dad for a while, then invited us to his home & exchanged contact info before we all parted. So on Thursday, we visited their homestead! They live way out in the country, and it was so beautiful!

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Their sons are in the Dairy business, so there were dozens of cows, one of which gave birth right before we came! They showed us the garden and orchard, and offered collard/lettuce plants for us to take home!

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Butter crunch & Red leaf Lettuce

They've been homesteading there for over 30 years and own many acres of land, so it was simply inspiring to ask questions on self sufficiency and fellowship with the family!

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A Trip to Town

On Friday, my dad had the day off, so we all got ready to plant the lettuce & collards. Well, to make room, we'd have to dig up a few sweet potatoes...and we didn't have a pitchfork! So we spontaneously jumped in the car, even took the dog with us, and drove to "town" to visit the local hardware stores. We drove into the super small town 20 mins away, compared prices, then purchased the tool needed. Dad took long, scenic roads back to the cottage! What made it fun is how focused/purposeful the trip to town was-- we drove all that way for one tool!
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Here's one of the potatoes we uprooted...Most of the potato plants we'll leave alone until mid-November.

These are ready to be planted!
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Dew drops
*~*

Planting...
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"Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour" 1 Corinthians 3:8

Simply Wednesday

The OldFashioned Picnic is still scheduled for this Saturday--Oct 24th.

11 am-3 pm at Indian Springs Park

A time for fellowship and a few games :)

We look forward to seeing you there, *please* remember to email me if you're planning on attending! And feel free to dress up if you'd like! :)

Melodytoharmony (at) Gmail.com
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This morning my sister continued working on a Slouch Beret she's crocheting for me :)

After breakfast, we sat outside and had a lovely time!
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Tom Kitten says, "I think you skipped a stitch!"

To see the pattern, click Here (The pattern turned out to be small, so she increased to make it larger.)
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While my sister crocheted, I read out-loud a chapter of 'The Last Sin Eater' by Francine Rivers.

It's an excellent book, and we took turns reading and crocheting together.

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I've been blessed to have such a lovely sister. We're complete opposites in personalities(harmoniously compatible!), but she laughs at all my jokes, accents and stories (hehe) and I know that if I need her help during the most inconvenient time, or opinion on a song I wrote, she's always willing to sacrifice her time for others... A blessing indeed. Hope y'all have had a great week thus far!

"That you also aspire to...

Lead a quiet life...

Being at home doesn't necessarily mean you're guaranteed a "quiet life". Distractions can easily pull oneself away from the home, even if it's a good thing. I've learned that we're not obligated to sign up for every little get-together or event :) Even though that sounds elementary, at first it was difficult to say "No" to the temptations of spontaneous invitations or events. Even though it could be great, sometimes it's not worth the stress of a late night, or a kitchen left in disrepair due to leaving in haste! --But it's been wonderful to spend most of the week at home doing projects, and not constantly being out.

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Mind your own business...

"Be still, and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10

Wrapped in a shawl, I sipped on hot tea as I searched the scriptures--And I always find it so relaxing to take as much time as needed to literally "be still" and read with an open heart.

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And to work with your own hands...

"I believe that when one can grow to the point where he loves his work, this gives him a kind of strength

that is most valuable." Booker T. Washington

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I had mentioned in a previous post that as I use this time at home to learn and grow, my short-comings are addressed (by my parents), and I receive any advice/helpful instruction from there, as they know my heart and have my best interests in mind . This is so beneficial! If I become dissatisfied or lazy in my work, I have to remember to do everything unto the Lord-- enjoying being at home, and eager to learn and work with my hands. Doing things the right way isn't always the quickest and easiest..but in the long run? A blessing.

..as we commanded you." 1 Thessalonians 4:11

I don't know about you, but I find this "command" beautiful!

When I think of 'Living a quiet life', I think of

Rest, peace, assurance, hard work, and a pleasant countenance.

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Today I decided to bake bread, and it turned out perfect!!

Dutch Apple Bread

In a large bowl:

*1 stick butter

*1/2 cup oil

*2 cups homemade brown sugar
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Homemade Brown Sugar recipe:

Have you ever looked at the ingredients in packaged brown sugar? It's corn syrup solids!! As a delicious alternative, I make my own brown sugar. It's super easy, fast, and gives desserts the "old fashioned" taste.

Ingredients: 1.5 TBsp Molasses + 1 cup Sugar=1 cup Brown sugar. That's it!

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After mixing the butter, oil and sugar together, I add:

*4 large eggs

*3 tsp vanilla

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In a separate bowl, I sift together:

*4 cups wheat flour

*2 tsp baking soda

*1/2 tsp salt

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This is optional, but I highly recommend it!

In a small bowl add:

*1/2 cup dried cranberries (Craisins)

Pour hot water over the cranberries(not too much) and cover bowl with plastic wrap.

This process is often used for raisins to "plump" them up before use in baking :)

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Alternately pour into butter/sugar mixture:

*2/3 cup apple juice

*Dry ingredients

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Chop 2 apples (I used Gala & Granny Smith) into small pieces:

*about 2.5 cups

Then fold apples into batter...

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Drain cranberry liquid elsewhere, then add berries to mixture.

*Pour batter into 2 greased and floured loaf pans

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Crumb Topping:

3/4 cup flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

3 tsp Cinnamon

6 TBsp Butter pieces

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Add crumb topping to the tops of bread before putting loaves into oven!

(I didn't use all of the topping)

Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 45 mins or until done.

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Ahh, the smell of bread baking is so comforting!! lol

It turned out delicious--not too dense, but warm and flavorful, without being heavy. My dad especially enjoyed this, so I'll try this recipe in muffin form so he can take some to work!

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In Preparation

"How often do you/your family use candles instead of electric lights? Do you heat the house with wood?" *AJ from Texas

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This question goes perfectly with what my family has been discussing lately--but first, I'll answer:

During this time of year(especially winter) Almost everyday. We often use candles instead of lights during the evening, especially while we're eating a meal. There's something about that rich glow that makes the family meal table more special.

We've made it through the past winter without central heating (only a few electric space heaters) and that worked out well--Although we've talked of using the fireplace for heat this year, we still have to have it cleaned. Until then, we'll go without central heat in the following months.

We had a family discussion about preparation, and I wanted to share a few things we talked about!
We're always on the lookout for books, and enjoy having many on different subjects! My Dad mentioned this: "If the libraries shut down or closed for most of the week, would we have sufficient reading material at home?"
This also convicted me to not put so much dependency on the digital world...I'll admit, I have many more digital photos on the computer, than photos that are printed! It's interesting, the physical communication/escape (hand-written letters & recipes, pictures, "visiting" a friend, reading books) can all be accomplished online. Just a thought!
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*What if your electricity went out for 3 days? How would you prepare meals and does this affect your well/tap water supply?
*Do you have enough candles or kerosene lamps at home for each room?
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I know we've all had "power outages" at one time or another :) No matter how long or short it goes on for, whether you panic or get excited, Its just all-around comforting to feel (somewhat) prepared.
We have well water, so unfortunately if the power goes out....the water stops. You know that feeling of suddenly becoming extremely thirsty...lol

So we're keeping jugs of water in the cabinet for reserve.
I didn't go too far into this topic, but I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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Natural Decor

Braiding the Goldenrod blooms...

After braiding with Goldenrod into a wreath, my sister hung it upon the door. Afterwards, we went out to the field to pick more flowers :)

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My curious cat loves to help...

Looking for more areas to harvest flowers....

My sister picked a beautiful bouquet...

When we came inside, I caught my Mother on her way outside. She inspires me daily as she delights in her role as Help meet, Mother & Friend

After braiding the tall grass, my sister arranged the flowers together...

Into a lovely wreath!

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8

A beautiful day

On Saturday morning, we woke up early to go to yard sales..We went through a few small towns, and we were amazed at the multitude of locals who set up their tables with treasures to sell (They set up at gas stations, shopping centers etc.) ..It actually looked very much like the above photo, except there were cars :) It was very busy!

My Finds:

I bought this collection of 4 old-fashioned dress figurines,

2 purses and 2 treasure boxes for $0.25 each!

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At one of the gas station set-ups (lol) I spotted this beautiful box and asked the price..I was told $0.75! I almost gave myself a paper cut, as I pulled out my dollar with lightening speed! The handle is really heavy, which is nice. The box measures 10" wide.

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There was an open house/Estate sale down the street, so we stopped by. I'm guessing the house was probably built in the 1930s. Inside the power was off, so she literally handed us a flashlight to go through the rooms PACKED with 40+ years of vintage goodness! I ended up buying this straw hat for $1.00. The back is folded up, which I like. After I paid for it, I immediately put it on!

A nearby church was in on the fun and hosted a garage sale as well..I found this shawl there for $1.00. Its worn and a neutral color, which will be perfect for the chilly days ahead.
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One place was having a sale by donations only...So I bought two sweaters and this hat all for $2.00!

So in total today I spent less than $7.oo!

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Gathering Flowers
When we came home, my sister spent time in the back gathering this bunch of flowers. I love the vibrant color, and sometime soon hope to try my hand at dyeing fabrics using plants.

Visiting with New Friends...

A month or two ago, we were at a Christian event, and I was approached by a family who recognised me from my blog! They ended up not living too far from us, and invited us over to their Homestead! When we came yesterday, they also had another dear family there who reads my blog as well!
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A few Country girls...
It encouraged me so much to spend time with the girls! They told me about their love for old-fashioned things, and even had civil war and regency dresses that they wore that evening!!


My mother talking to the Ladies^
We all conversed on the front porch, and it was delightful! Sharing stories, insights, prayer requests...it was a blessing :)

Beautiful tables and decor...

Sunkissed Zinnias at the picket fence...

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Touring the Hen House...

Fellowship before the meal...

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During the meal, we had wonderful conversation...

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After dessert, I brought out my guitar, and we gathered

around the fireplace and worshipped the Lord together.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Colossians 3:16

A sweet gift... Apple butter, cookies, wall decor, and a candle! We truly had a memorable day :)

I want to take a moment to ((Thank you)) for reading my blog! Through it, I've been able to meet some of you and look forward to more opportunities in the future! Also, your comments encourage me so much :)

I'll be back soon with more updates!

Learning the art of Homemaking...

"Housekeeping is an art; Such knowledge is drawn from practical experience, family traditions, the natural and social sciences, and many other stores of understanding and information."

A quote from "Home Comforts: The art & science of keeping house" by Cheryl Mendelson
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What I love about being a Stay-at-home daughter is that it's continual learning. I have this opportunity to learn from my Mother the art of Homemaking. She imparts to me tips on housework...how to go the extra step to make the job excellent--not just do the minimum or what's required.

I was recently talking to a young mother who has 3 children, and asked her advice on preparation as I wait on the Lord. She encouraged me to make the most of my time now, and serve my family/sacrifice & yeild my wants for the wants of others-- as this will be very helpful when (if it's the Lords will) I'm a wife/mother someday. I really appreciate talks like this, because if this is what I aspire to be, I want to learn all that I can now. (While I still have "free time" to grow in the Lord in my fathers household)

A part of this training is Meal Planning. My Mother has been an excellent guide in this, as she directs me in getting the most Nutritional value out of meals as well.

Today my Mother and I sat outside with our cups of tea (Apple spice!), Notebooks, cookbooks and ideas to discuss our upcoming weekly menu's for the season. The goal is to plan our meals ahead, to avoid impulse meal planning (walk into the kitchen wondering what's for dinner). To do this frugally while eating fruits/vegetables that are Seasonal.

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I put together an Inventory of Vegetables/Dairy/Meat/Fruit/Pasta/Dry Goods so we could see on paper what we have!

As we purchased food, we bought in "bulk" so that we could divide ingredients into different meals. For example, I shopped the sales and bought an 8lb roast for $8.00. I cooked it slow for 6 hours, then divided it up into 4 pieces. I used it in 4 different meals, and so it ended up costing only $2 per meal for my family!

A few Cookbooks we use:

"The Vegetarian Mother's Cookbook" by Cathe Olson & "More with Less Cookbook": (suggestions by Mennonites on how to eat better and consume less of the world's limited food resources) by Doris Longacre
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Hospitality

No matter how elaborate or frugal, challenging or easy--Meals are one of the most necessary parts of "Everyday". Lately I've been making desserts (pound cake, cookies, brownies) in the morning--I individually wrap each piece, and put it away. We recently had un-expected guests visit at the cottage, and it was a delight to offer a meal and have dessert and coffee available at a moments notice. I'm hoping to also do extra freezer meals for this reason as well!

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As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galations 6:10

A lovely day trip...

Today our family took a day trip!
We planned to meet a few re-enactors (to participate with in upcoming events) at a Living history museum, attend local festivities and of course tour the historic small towns!

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19th Century Village

The Courthouse

Our guide for the beginning of the tour...We went through a shoemakers shop and wood-working shop as well.

Inside an 1840's bedroom..I love the simple interior

In the sewing room, a woman and her daughter were demonstrating the weaving process and even the finish product! Afterward, we also toured servants quarters, the Cotton mill and the bale press.

A true cotton blossom

Our next tour guide was very informative! She showed us a few homes, the General store, a handmade pottery kiln and school-house.

Flowers in the kitchen garden...

Lovely walls

Autumn hydrangeas

I was able to meet and chat with the other re-enactors, and enjoyed touring the town with my family. It's a much better experience to be in 19th century attire. I must say, the corset & multiple petticoats definitely made me "feel the part" as the weather inched above 95 degrees. Although cotton "breathes" (heh..that's debatable) its quite hot and bothersome when you're wearing three layers of it!

Autumn reflections...

A few leaves had fallen into the antique wash buckets outside

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Small town Fair

Throughout GA, many small towns are centered around the local railroad station. The first "rails" were built in Georgia in the 1830's. Through successes and trials, more tracks were constructed and continued into the strong, 5000 mile network we know today! (Just a little history!)

Many people from the town gathered for the festivities, as there was music, craft and food vendors, and of course, nearby shoppes! I wore my 19th century dress though, because I didn't like the fact of feeling like I had to change (which includes)

1. Grab a "change of clothes"{a.k.a super wrinkled top and skirt}

2. Run across the lot to a restroom

3. Remove about 30 lbs (lol exaggeration!) of 19th century attire

4. Run back across the parking lot to put clothes into car

5. Try to catch up with my family as I run across the street with wrinkled clothes and flyaway hair

Why. Simply because of caring what others think!?

So as I'm sure you, dear reader, see my reasoning..I decided to keep on my dress and leisurely enjoy the small town. I received interesting reactions, to put it simply!

I want to encourage you to develop convictions & wear what you love, even if it goes against what other's consider "normal". This used to be a stronghold for me, as it's easier to go with the grain than against it. Oh, I have so much I'd like to share on this subject, but I'll leave it for another time :)

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Mother browsing through the antiques...

We had a full day, and it's nice to reflect on todays adventures

from the comforts of...Home.

'Ponder the path of your feet,

And let all your ways be established.' Proverbs 4:26

*~Welcome Autumn*~

The lifestyle Tasha Tudor led was an inspiration. As the mornings grow cool and the leaves begin to turn brilliant colors...I think of her delightful books and find a quiet corner to read and enjoy hot tea. She's inspired me to trade jackets for shawls, lamps for candles, and makes living electricity-free look delightful.

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What scents say "Autumn" to you?

I think of pumpkin, apple pie, wood-smoke, chai tea, and orange. Share with me your favorites!

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We recently visited with blogger friends who traveled from MN! As a gift, we were given Maple Syrup(from a company in MN) and also Wild Rice! The syrup is *delicious* and both are perfect to celebrate Autumn!

It amazes me how dying leaves are so beautiful and interesting.

I love how artistic our Creator is!

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Peppers...

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Autumn brings the village of mystical Mushrooms...


This morning I was enjoying the dew-laden grass and truly wild flowers! lol


Yellows and Creams..

It's interesting--I saw the colors(the paint splotches, bright yellow, textures) before realising...I'm looking at a flowering weed in front of abandoned paint cans! I had walked to the very edge of our property(we're still cleaning the mess from the previous home owner) and came across these paint cans and couldn't resist capturing the beauty in the midst of imperfection.

From a dear reader...

"Beautiful pictures! :) I have a 'strange' request... can you take a close picture of cotton blossoms and a plant with cotton on it for me to see? I have never seen either... :P"
*Ms. Clara Van Nattan

A withering cotton blossom... After flowering (in beautful shades of pink and cream) the plant directs the nutrients to the developing Boll, so the flower eventually ceases.

About 50 days after pollination, the Boll starts to open up to expose the Cotton fiber.

The enlargement phase of the Boll lasts approximately 3 weeks

As the capsule walls of the Boll dry, it causes the cells to shrink unevenly. This shrinking causes it to split, then open, to expose the cotton fiber!

The cotton is generally planted 3 plants per foot(per row). And the rows...well, they go on for dozens of acres!



The growth stage takes 140 days--then it's ready to harvest! Cotton is cleaned and spun into thread, then woven into cloth.

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Cotton is an amazing plant--I'm hoping to learn how to spin this month using the "drop spindle" method for my own pleasure and re-enactment events!


The little plants have really enjoyed the rain--and have grown! Sorry the rows look so picked over, we try to harvest as often as possible :) There's nothing like home-grown vegetables!

Our family had a "work day" where we all cleaned up around the property or finished up projects. I moved these huge containers into the greenhouse. We'll fill them with water for the plants during the winter. Anyway, I moved all 8 containers in, and dug out areas for them to sit evenly. From the door you can see the steps we dug out..I love how it sits below ground level.

'He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.' Psalm 91:4

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A sign of His promise...

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Blushing pink...

I anticipate the days ahead :)
As the afternoons get cooler, there will be more recipes posted!

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A un-expectantly Rainy weekend

I regret to announce that because of stormy weather conditions upon GA this weekend, we'll have to re-schedule the Old Fashioned Picnic to October. The date will most likely be Oct. 24th, hopefully that will give you all enough time. I am so sorry for this sudden change, but "flood conditions" are never what happy picnics are made of! I just know it wouldn't be fair to have miserable weather conditions on that day...Those who are traveling great distances, I'll be contacting you personally, and please feel free to email me. I'll be posting more information soon!

Kindredly Yours,

*Mia

Washing...the old fashioned way

~Above photo is from Flickr~

Last weekend we participated in a Living History event focusing on house servants during the 1800's. Along with cooking and chores, one of the things we did was to set up our washtub, clothesline, washboard and homemade soap to demonstrate the "old fashioned way" of washing clothes. As my sister washed, I frequently ran back and forth into the house to fetch boiling water. It was a great experience, and we enjoyed sharing facts about the time period to those who stopped by. While my Mother was cooking, one of the tourists from Britain asked,{insert accent} "Is that made from scratch? That potato soup is made from scratch!? That's how they used to do it, eh? and look there--I'm used to my auto-matic washing machine at home!"

So today I decided to wash one of my skirts by hand--it had a large grease-stain on it, and although I've used the washing machine many times(to no avail), I was curious to see if washing it the old fashioned way would make a difference.

Using hot water, I scrubbed the skirt and basically washed it for about 15 minutes. (I used regular soap powder & baking soda) I rinsed in cold water, and dried it on the line...

The grease stain is *gone*! For months, I've washed this skirt repeatedly in the washer, and the grease stain has still been there. So I guess it was the hard scrubbing that removed it? I hope this encourages you to try washing by hand if you have hard-to-remove-stains on your clothing.

I love this picture--It's a kindergarten class

learning how to wash clothes and iron!~

'And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us,

And establish the work of our hands for us;

Yes, establish the work of our hands.' Psalm 90:17

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A walk around the Cottage...

Here are a few snapshots I wanted to share!

Tom kitten--He's really affectionate and "cries"/meows all the time :) He was following me through the tall grass, so I interrupted him rudely in mid-meow by taking his photo.
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English Lavender

Wall inspiration...

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SecondHand Treasures

We recently went to a thrift store, and found some great buys!

Basket: $0.25

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Enamel bowls: $0.10 each

Hat/Coat stand: $2.00

I saw this beautiful wooden stand (it's over 6 ft. tall) and asked the employee the price. Because one wooden piece had split on top, he marked it as "broken" for $2. lol Do you think I could leave it sitting there? I lifted it up and went across the store with it! :) Actually because I have SO many hats now, it's practically loaded with them. I took off a few so the poor stand could look normal, and you'd be able to see it.

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After tea, we went over the plans for the Picnic, and went through a variety of books and magazines for inspiration. We're also watching various movies that have picnic scenes.

My sister crocheted these, which I thought was very creative since she didn't use a pattern! One is a cover for a glass soda bottle, and another is a "treasure box". The box & bottom half of the bottle is outdoor twine, and the upper half is wool yarn. She finished both in about 3-4 hours.

Food really is an interesting subject!

There's garlic, rosemary and onions in the basket; Ok, I know you may dislike onions, but didn't you want to know what was on the counter? ;)

Can you believe Autumn is almost here? I've had to delay my dress I'm working on because it lost a "needle pin" or something like that..so until we purchase the part, I'll be sewing by hand.

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Sunset over Cotton blossoms...

A quick Recipe: Chewy Granola Bars

Ah, it's that time again..start pulling out the jars of homemade jellies...

We've had a very busy week! My Grandmother visited us un-expectedly and stayed for a few days, then we went out of town. So for a few nights in a row it was, "go to bed late, wake up early, go to bed late, wake up late, get up early..." So we're back on schedule & today was overcast but peaceful; After lessons I started baking!

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Granola Bars

Mix:

*1/3 cup brown sugar

*2/3 cup Crunchy peanut butter

*3/4 cup Honey

*2 tsp. Vanilla extract

*Add 1/4 cup Apricot jelly/preserves (*optional)

I use Apricot because its so mild and goes well with peanut butter!
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Stir in:

*2.5 cups Old fashioned rolled oats

*1 cup Whole Wheat Flour

*1/4 cup wheat germ (I crushed up Bran flakes)

*1/3 cup Sunflower seeds

*2 TBsp Milled Flax seed

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*Add 1 cup semi sweet Chocolate Chips...

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...And 1/2 cup raisins.
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Pour mixture into 9x13 pan

Then press the granola evenly into the pan. Bake on 325 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden!

Cut into bars while still warm; Let pan cool completely before removing the Granola bars.

Everyone really enjoyed the Granola bars..they're chewy but not too sweet. It's more like a "trail mix style" granola bar :) I'll definetely make these again soon..I may try adding more brown sugar next time and add cinnamon/nutmeg!

Words of Wisdom

"I thought, 'Age should speak; advanced years should teach wisdom." Job 32:7

As I think back on it, it has really been a blessing to have been exposed to the company of older, more vintage adults. I can truly see the value of just listening. Asking questions. Being observant and genuine.
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As I reflect back on it, there was a time when age-segregation was very appealing to me, and much preferred. Not desiring wisdom from the older generation at all.

This was my foolish worldview {before Christ}. My first year of Homeschooling, my family became friends with an elderly widow next door, who often invited us in for tea and to "chat". Well it would last for HOURS. Although it was hard to sit still for so long at first, over time it really trained me to listen and become interested in "bygone days".
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(Now that I think about it....she had a hope-chest!
I regret I never asked her about it.....)

I love this picture, because it's so encouraging to see vintage couples who have been married for decades and trust in the Lord with all their heart. The blessings of Godly wisdom they've learned from over the years...

Recently we were over at a family's home, and after dinner all the parents went into the parlor to talk. I sat in with them, and it was an absolute blessing to just be able to hear about different topics discussed, as they searched the scriptures and shared on different life experiences. Just to sit and listen was great.
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I know this was different, but recently it was on my heart to do a topic on this :) It may seem like it has nothing to do with homemaking/marriage/self sufficiency/waiting on the Lord, but the more I thought on it....

Isn't Godly wisdom needed in all aspects of life? So many skills can be taught and much wisdom bestowed upon us from the older generation!

"For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it." Proverbs 8:11

"When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee." Proverbs 9:10-11

"How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!" Proverbs 16:16

The reason this really excites me is because worldly wisdom is everywhere! This scripture is so true: "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God" 1 Cor. 3:19 I have many relatives who have only known 'the wisdom of the world' and live by it. So it's refreshing to be among those who are desiring wisdom and understanding!

What words of Godly advice/wisdom given to you has impacted you most? I do hope you'll share!!