New Year Greeting

4 Jan posted by

My, it’s been so long since I posted! I have meant to post every day, but life got in the way! I had so much I wanted to share in December regarding Christmas.:(

Snowman Couple
My favorite ornaments!

We had a very good Christmas. We are most thankful that we were not sick this year! For many years, we have all been sick during Christmas, and the flu delayed our Christmas celebrations with our family last year. This season, I was very purposely about saying “no” to as many things as I could, even though it almost seemed impossible to avoid them. I made sure we got plenty of rest and took our Influenza Drops from our health food store. Ultimately it was the Lord Who kept us well this year!

This was the first year we had a real Christmas tree! I had put it off so many years because I wanted things to be perfect–me married and us going as a family to get our tree. I finally decided that we need to enjoy life now, and that there will be plenty of first times to enjoy when I get married.:)

Christmas Tree

After much reading on Money Saving Mom, I have been working on new goals for this year. I am not calling them resolutions, so as hopefully not to discourage myself when I miss them. Here are some personal goals I’ve written down.

  • Read 1 chapter of the Bible daily, in addition to personal devotions, family devotions, and couple reading with my Sweetheart.
  • Read 1 chapter of fiction.
  • Read 1 chapter of nonfiction.
  • Eat healthy – choose healthy snacks like nuts and fruit, drink more water, eat slow, and make wise choices.
  • Exercise daily.
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Blog daily.

Yes, I have already messed up on all these, but knowing that they are goals, not resolutions, is helping me to keep trying. I also have a list of business goals. I probably need to write some homeschooling goals as well.:)

Camellias

Our dryer is out, so we are hanging clothes on the line this week. It’s been mighty cold out, but it’s been good for us. The fresh, brisk air and the exercise energizes us, although the girls hate “crunchy” towels and clothes, as they call it. We hang the linens on the line, and hang regular clothes in the bathrooms to dry overnight. So far, this system is working well for us. Not having a dryer really makes me have to keep the laundry up. It’s not fun to hang clothes on the line in the dark, and I’ve got to be sure we have what we need when we need it.:)

We have had some conflicts with others in the last week. Oh, it’s been so very hard to the point of physical sickness for me and others! The first situation was caused by certain Christian beliefs that someone could not accept. The situation caused us deep hurt. The Lord gave me a couple of verses that greatly helped me. “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:25-26). Although these verses are directed to pastors dealing with lost people, I felt God was telling me that I need to meekly explain my position, and then be quiet and let God bring about the change of heart, if a change is needed. This dear one did not mean to hurt us, but was trying to uphold convictions that they had. After a good, calm, gracious conversation, we both felt so much better. I better understood this dear one, even though we still could not agree.

The second situation was definitely caused by me jumping to conclusions and misjudging a sister in Christ. I didn’t do what a former pastor told me years ago–when you hear or read something that upsets you, ask that person what they meant. If I had done that I would have saved us all a lot of worry and pain. Things on the computer just don’t convey the same as they do in person. I hope I will remember this from here on out!

Due to the problems mentioned above, we could not handle things we needed to last week. We have been working on them the last few days and have gotten a lot accomplished. Now we can start our homeschooling back next week, Lord willing.:)

How was your Christmas? How is your new year starting out?

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Filed Under: Christian Life, Christmas, Home Business, Homemaking, Life at Hidden Pines, New Year's

A Rainy Monday

28 Nov posted by

“She went about the familiar task of making biscuits. The feel of the flour and golden butter as she worked them together the big mixing bowl was good again . . . .

She smiled dreamily as she measured the water, ice cold from the spring in the back yard, and stirred her batter daintily with a silver knife, touching it lightly as if she were weaving a charm over it.”
–Grace Livingston Hill, Blue Ruin
(Quote found at Pleasant View Schoolhouse, I think!)

Making Biscuits

Today we girls have been very busy at home. It was a cool, rainy day which made it so comfortable to be inside. My middle daughter baked Chewy Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies, my youngest daughter made a double-batch of Chocolate Sauce for chocolate milk and hot chocolate, and I made 4 dozen of Paula Deen’s Basic Biscuits. My oldest daughter swept the entire house (minus the 2 rooms that are carpeted) so that I could mop every room. It feels good to have accomplished so much today.

For the last several months, I’ve been having a lot of trouble with my thumb. I have been unable to do simple things, like writing or turning doorknobs without severe, intense pain. My chiropractor had adjusted it a couple of times, but last week found it was out of joint. He yanked it so hard, I cried, but knew it had to be done. It’s gradually gotten better and better. I thank the Lord for this vast improvement! It truly feels like a miracle to be able to function without pain. I’m still having a lot of trouble with my back, and still cannot sit in the pews at church. I pray that it will get well for good!

Tomorrow a friend is taking me out for my birthday. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen my friend and I’m looking forward to spending some time with her. She is a like-minded woman; she believes in being a keeper of her home. It will be a joy to have some godly edification.

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Filed Under: Encouraging Quotes, Homemaking, Life at Hidden Pines, Recipes

A Beautiful Autumn

26 Nov posted by

“To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter . . . to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring—these are some of the rewards of the simple life.”
—John Burroughs

It has been a quiet, but productive day here. My girls have been with their father and his family all afternoon and evening. I’ve relished the quiet and have gotten a lot done. I do miss my girls and am looking forward to hearing about their adventures. They should be very chatty, especially since they’ve gone to the mall.:)

I’ve spent much time on video chat with my man, so that we can keep each other company. It is very enjoyable to go about our routines and visit with each other. We used to call through Skype, but have found that Google Video through Gmail is more reliable for us.

I wanted to share some pictures of Fall around Hidden Pines. Although not nearly as vibrant as that in other parts of our country, I still love the beauty that God has given us right here.

Very soon, my friend Autumn will kiss us goodbye and Winter will take its place. I’m going to think Autumn thoughts for a few more days.:)

“Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.”
—William Cullen Bryant

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Filed Under: Autumn, Life at Hidden Pines, My Life

A Wonderful Fall

25 Nov posted by

It is good to be up in the quiet this morning, after such a busy Thanksgiving Day yesterday. I have been longing to get up before my family to have some time to think and just be. Although my children are not young and as needy as they once were, I find that I still do better as a mother when I get a head start on the day alone. I’m an introvert and need a lot of time to myself.

Autumn Overpass

It’s cool this morning, and the sun has come up beautifully to greet the blue sky. I’m so glad to be home today. I’ve made a list of things I need to get done. I’ve not been getting much done lately, and I’m hoping getting up before everyone else will help remedy that. There will be no Black Friday shopping for me. I’d much rather pay a bit more for something, and get it in peace, than to have to fight crowds and traffic.:)

Flaming Trees of Autumn

I’m excited for all the goodness my Lord has bestowed on us in the last few months. It looks like I will not be a single woman for much longer. I’ve been on my own for 11 years now. I’m so weary. (Sometimes I wonder if that may be why I don’t feel as motivated as I used to.) The man I have loved for many years now is preparing for our future. He lives in another state, and it’s been very hard not to see each other often like “normal” couples. We will not know how to act, to be able to see each other every day. It can’t happen soon enough. Holidays have been the worst. I cannot wait to spend a normal holiday season with him. My girls are so excited. They love him dearly. He’s done so much for them in so many ways. He is a wise man that they respect and can seek advice from and Christian counsel. The rest of my family, along with my friends, is very excited, too.

Fall Leaves on Pavement

I recently visited my Tim for my birthday. Even though it was late in the season, I was just mesmerized by the beauty of the foliage there. We have some autumn beauty here, but nothing like what I saw there. What a gift God has given us in the different seasons! All of the pictures on this entry are from my trip there. Click on them for a larger view.:)

Autumn Bridge

For my birthday, Tim took me to see the Titanic Artifact Exhibition. I’ve been very interested in the story of Titanic for many years, so it was so fascinating to see actual artifacts brought up from so deep in the ocean. Tim and I were given tickets with actual passenger names and information. I was a Miss Jean in first class, while Tim was a Mr. Richard in second class. After the tour, you could check the passenger list to see if you survived or not. I survived, while Tim did not. After the tour, we got to visit a zoo. I loved seeing the animals, but enjoyed the leaves so much more. I took so many pictures and am awaiting my printed photos to be delivered so I can work on my scrapbook.

Fall Tree Closeup

What did you have on your Thanksgiving menu? My parents made a ham, butter beans, stuffing, and sweet tea. My sister-in-law made her wonderful mashed potatoes (My youngest daughter and I can make a meal off them!), and some ready-made key lime pie and cheesecake and lemonade. My middle daughter made homemade yeast rolls with honey butter and a Honey Bun Cake (We use a recipe similar to this one.). My youngest daughter made 2 Hershey Bar Pies. I roasted the turkey and made Sweet Potato Soufflé, and bought a ready-made pecan pie. We ate so much that many of us could not eat supper! We had a blessed time with our dear family. My girls will be having another Thanksgiving feast with their father and his family tomorrow. I will take the advice of my friend, Mary Jo Tate at Single Parents At Home, and will not be sad, but make the most of it and enjoy myself.

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Filed Under: Life at Hidden Pines, My Life, Recipes, Single Mothers, Thanksgiving

A Quiet Saturday

6 Aug posted by

It is a quiet Saturday compared to last Saturday, when we had a big birthday party for my daughters. We had not had a party in over 10 years, nor do we regularly have guests over, so we spent 2 weeks preparing the house. We do a good job keeping the house surface cleaned, but not company cleaned. We had 25 guests and so much fun, that we want to have people over regularly. As I mentioned before, I feel so lonely lately, and also am craving good Christian fellowship, where Christ and other facets of the Christian life are discussed. I want and need to be uplifted in the faith.

Autumn Sitting at the Pond

Having so many people over for the party scared Autumn. He left for nearly 24 hours to pull himself back together. He is terribly afraid of men in particular. We were so worried about him and prayed for the Lord to bring him back.

This week we haven’t done much of anything in relation to the house. After those 2 weeks of hard work, we deserved it, I think! We have loved just looking at how nice everything is. I especially love looking at my newly redesigned bookcases. Beloved books and neatly folded quilts on shelves are just lovely to me.

Books

“After Laura and Mary had washed and wiped the dishes, swept the floor, made their bed, and dusted, they settled down with their books. But the house was so cozy and pretty that Laura kept looking up at it.”
—Laura Ingalls Wilder, On the Banks of Plum Creek

Books

I have several bookcases in the living room with books on the Christian life, homemaking, the family, homeschooling, fiction, science, history, readers, biographies, reference books, and others. I think a home should be full of books.

My Dad comes once a week to help us mow grass. There is quite a lot to mow here. Even though I like it, I used to dread Saturdays when I had to spend hours mowing. I didn’t feel I ever had a day to just relax. I’m glad my Daddy likes to mow.:) He doesn’t mind doing it all. My middle daughter enjoys mowing, but she enjoys sleeping in on Saturdays more.:)

Peachy Wildflowers

These wildflowers are everywhere around our house and in the woods. They are small, delicate little things and are a faint peachy color. The butterflies love them. I wish I knew what they are called. I have always been fascinated with people who knew the names of plant and bird species.:)

White Crepe Myrtle

I have seen many baby crepe myrtles growing wild around here. We have several pink ones in our yard, but I love the white ones I find growing wild. I’m going to have to find a way to keep the men from mowing them down or burning them when they tend to the land.

Mushroom

It was so dry for so long, but we have started to get more rain. Little mushrooms are finally popping back up.

I awoke from my nap this afternoon hearing tinkling sounds from the kitchen. I knew it had to be my middle daughter baking up treats for us. She received a Hershey’s cookbook for her birthday and has kept us well-supplied in cookies. She made Double Chocolate Chip cookies last night to take to my brother’s home. He said they were the best cookies he’d ever had in his life! I will try to take pictures and post the recipe sometime. As my Mama would say, “They are worth getting fat over!” If something is good, but not delicious, we say, “It’s not worth getting fat over.”:) Did anyone else’s mothers say that, too?

I was seeing the chiropractor twice a week for my back, then once a week, and now I’ve moved back to every 2 weeks. I’m glad to be getting better. I have had to sit in the back of our church in a different chair than the pews, because the pews are causing me great pain. I’m hoping to be back in my regular pew with my family soon. My hand is getting better, too, and I’ve started back working slowly on my website designing.

Butterfly on Wildflowers

My girls will go eat supper with their Daddy soon, so I will have a lot of quiet. I need to do some work for clients, but also would like to get some reading done. I have printed a lot from the Internet to read in a more comfortable place. I also have some books I’m working on. My sister-in-law sent grilled hamburgers home with us last night, so that will probably be my supper.

How is your Saturday going?

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Filed Under: Life at Hidden Pines

A Quiet Evening

23 Jul posted by


I took a picture of this print hanging over my sewing desk. My mom gave it to me. I just love it!

“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.“
—Desmond Tutu

It has been a quiet afternoon and evening. The girls have been gone to have supper with their daddy and to visit awhile. For many years, they did not hear from him, but he’s been trying hard to be a good father in recent years. I’m so thankful for that. They need him and he needs them. He is doing a real good job. The Lord has really changed him in so many ways.

I used to feel so worried, sad, and lonely when the girls left to spend a few hours with their dad, but I have been trying to adopt the practice of my friend Mary Jo Tate. She used to feel the same way when her boys left for their dad’s home at Christmas, but she started her own traditions and joys with herself, like reading books by the fire to her heart’s content. I’m going to enjoy the quiet, even though I’d much rather the girls be here. I’m so glad they are getting to be with their father.

In the quiet, I’ve been doing a few things around the house. I’ve been so tired lately but am trying to push myself. We have been deep cleaning the house to prepare for the girls’ birthday party. We’ve not had a party in several years, so this is an undertaking. It’s such a blessing to get the house in order and get to projects that have needed it for a while.

I’ve injured my mousing hand, so have had to take off from work and from blogging to let it rest. I have had carpel tunnel syndrome for years, but further injured it when trimming hedges about a month ago. I’ve had to baby my hand around the house, and that has dampened my cleaning efforts. The girls have been stepping up to help me. I am slowly getting better. I’ve been seeing the chiropractor for my back and my arm. I’ve got so many problems in both in addition to the previously mentioned problems, but hopefully they can be corrected soon. Please pray for me if the Lord lays you on my heart.

The doctor recommended me getting a computer chair that has adjustable armrests (or none at all). The armrests on my chair were not adjustable or removable, and they were cramping my shoulders and causing problems. I didn’t have the money to get another chair, and was worried about it. I tried to entrust my situation to the Lord. One evening this week, my girls presented me with the money and would not tell me where they had gotten it. They made me cry for their lovingkindness to me. It is rare these days for 3 teenage girls to care about anyone other than themselves. I got the chair yesterday, and my middle daughter put it together for me. It has already made such a difference in my shoulders and arm! I can hardly believe it. My desk is awful because there is no way to push a chair underneath it so that I can get comfortable, but my youngest daughter helped me take it apart to make it much more comfortable and ergonomic for me. I’m so thankful for my dear girls who generously share and show forth their love for me. They are truly unselfish young ladies.

The pets and I (except for Henry the rabbit) went for a peaceful walk around the pond in the woods in back of the house. We could only hear the birds twittering, while normally we can at least hear vehicles going up and down the roads or the neighbors busying themselves in their yards. It was so very quiet that it made me wonder if the Lord had come back, but I know He won’t leave me here.:) His Word promises me that!

I have been craving cake, but have been fighting it for over a week. Tonight I succumbed and made Banana Layer Cake. The girls will be surprised when they come home.

May you have a glorious Sunday in the Lord’s house if you are able to be there!

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Filed Under: Life at Hidden Pines, Single Mothers

Summer Bounty

2 Jul posted by

“The garden was growing now. In tiny rows of different greens, the radishes, lettuce, onions, were up. The first crumpled leaves of peas were pushing upward. The young tomatoes stood on thin stems, spreading out their lacy foliage.”
—Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little Town on the Prairie

We have been enjoying the bounty of summer lately. We went twice to pick blueberries, once just us girls and once with good friends.


(This is an old, but favorite picture from blueberry picking a few years back.)

At church a friend brought a loaded-down vehicle full of freshly picked sweet corn, free for anyone who wanted them. We put up 105 ears in our freezer. We are so thankful for the kindness and thoughtfulness of others!

Today I put up some strawberries I’d bought from the grocery store. I froze some whole and some sliced with sugar. They are so hard not to eat up all at once! I hope to stock up on more while there are such good prices.

Are you growing or putting up any fresh fruit or vegetables?

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Filed Under: Homemaking, Life at Hidden Pines

Our Newest Family Member

7 May posted by

Henry

Henry

Henry joined our family earlier this year. My middle daughter was headed to the store to buy some Wilton’s cake decorating supplies, but got sidetracked at a stop to the pet shop. She spent her money on him.:) He is quite a joy to us—when he’s not eating books.

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Filed Under: Animals, Life at Hidden Pines

A Lullaby

19 Jan posted by
DSCN3777

I have been working later than I intended tonight, but am now off to bed with the lullaby of a soft falling rain on our tin roof. It is good not to need the heater tonight, too.

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Filed Under: Life at Hidden Pines

A Lovely Day at Home

3 Jan posted by

“Peace—that was the other name for home.”
—Kathleen Norris

Today was such a lovely home day. The girls and I got up earlier than we had been (due to the holidays and being sick) and got a lot done. We had our devotions first, and then got our chores done. I cleaned my bathroom sink and mirror, and worked on our hall closet, which is also my sewing room. It is the closet for my oldest daughters, who do not have a closet upstairs in their loft bedroom. There is a full-length mirror there where they do their hair and makeup. There is also a built-in cabinet where I keep extra linens, our towels and washcloths, and my fabric and sewing notions. There is enough room for my mama’s antique desk on which I keep my sewing machine. Above this desk, my dad installed a light so that I could see better as I sew. Above the light is a solid wood, handcrafted cabinet that was built for me when I graduated from high school. I use it to house all my candles. The desk was covered with clothes, makeup, Christmas wrapping supplies, and other things dumped there. I got the hall looking so good, and I’ve gone back to it several times today to see how nice it looks. I’ve also almost got all the laundry caught up. I have done at least 30 loads since Friday. This includes stripping all the covers off all the sick beds. My middle daughter usually handles the laundry, but I have been doing it to get us caught back up.

We are not officially starting back school until next week. This week, my younger girls are catching up on some school work they are behind on, while we also have home projects to catch up on. We need to get the Christmas tree and decorations put away, and I would really like to finish the curtains I cut out and started sewing about a year ago! There are also yearly checkups for the girls this week. I will feel more peaceful knowing these things are already completed when we start back on our lessons.

I’m still struggling with energy and other symptoms from being sick, so I took a nice long nap today. I normally take a daily nap, but not for this long. For supper we had ham steaks cooked with crushed pineapples (my go-to for quick suppers!), baked potatoes, and leftover biscuits from Popeyes. It was a good, simple supper with good comfort foods after so much juice and soup and sandwiches during our illness.

I’ve written down all my Christmas gifts so that I can detail them in my journal soon. I have encouraged my daughters to write down everything they received. It will be a joy for them to read years down the road. It is important to document the history of your life and family.

Right now there is a fire in the fireplace, and the dining room and kitchen are clean except for the dishes being washed. Two daughters are working on online guitar lessons. The girls found a nice student guitar at a consignment shop. They’ve wanted to learn for so long! I’m working on getting my desk cleaned off so that I can work better here at my computer. Receipts, Post-it notes, and other papers pile up so fast on my desk! I use Microsoft OneNote
for my notes, but I need to input them more often! I have a beautiful new Susan Branch calendar up on my wall beside my desk. I was delighted when I found it at our Big Lot’s. I need to order a 2011 engagement planner soon to keep myself organized.

I hope your 2011 has started out to be lovely!

*Quote found at ButtonWillowCottage.

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Filed Under: Encouraging Quotes, Homemaking, Life at Hidden Pines, Sewing, Simple Living
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