“On a chilly night when the family will arrive home cold and weary, see that the table has a bright cloth and add, perhaps, some fresh evergreens in a low container as a centerpiece. Don’t ever think of husband and children as ‘just the family.’ Fuss a bit for them and you will be rewarded. Be sure the silver is straight and even at each place, and the napkins folded neatly. Make each meal the most important task you have ever undertaken. See that all the family members eat at the same time if possible. This is an important factor for a growing family, for nothing can take the place of togetherness. And when your children have grown up and look back to these memories, a glow will fill their hearts that will spill over into their own family life.”

Thyra Ferré Bjorn, The Home Has a Heart

A couple of months ago, I was inspired to do something about our breakfasts. Since we have so much to do in the mornings, cereal was almost a constant fixture for our morning meal. After reading Anna’s post on breakfasts, I have been making more effort, while keeping things as simple as possible. I try to always include some sort of protein. Our breakfasts meals have included homemade blueberry muffins, scrambled eggs, and juice; cooked grits with ham cut up in it, fresh fruit, juice; cereal, ham, and juice; pancakes, bacon, fruit, and juice. When we went through times where there was no time for me to cook, my oldest said, “What happened to our good meals?”:) I try to set the table with placemats and cloth napkins that I purchased at the thrift store. They don’t really match my decor, but I guess that makes it shabby chic.:) Guests feel so spoiled and pampered when they eat at our table with these simple touches. I find that my daughters try harder to be careful about spills and their manners when the table is nicely set.

Today’s breakfast was biscuits with pear honey or blueberry jam, sausage patties, and orange juice. I am still not good at making biscuits, so these were the store-bought frozen ones. I will keep trying though! I think it’s important to cook from scratch as much as possible because of health issues mainly, but also due to food costs.

As the above quote says, you will be rewarded when you sacrifice for your family and do your best. My daughters appreciate what I do for them and show it to me, oftentimes with sweet little letters or kind comments. If I’m overwhelmed with my business or other things, or am tired, my middle daughter will make delicious meals, putting together things I don’t think of and setting a nice table. My oldest daughter will cheerfully fix anything I ask of her. She’s always glad to help. My youngest is just getting into fixing simple things for me now. It is awesome to watch my baby grow into a young lady.

By the way, it pays off to teach your children how to cook and keep house. I was very ill back in February and could not cook, let alone eat. My daughters cooked all the meals and did the housework and their lessons without me. They told me that it was a good thing that I had taught them to cook; they realized that it was a good and valuable thing. It was in that moment that I realized that all the years of hard work (mostly alone) is paying off. I thank you, my dear Lord.

Posted under Encouraging Quotes, Homemaking, Mothering, Recommended Reading, The Family
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YIELDS 12-16 HALF-PINT JARS

One 20-ounce can crushed      pineapple with syrup 8 cups (about 3 pounds) peeled,      cored, and chopped pears

10 cups sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Mix all ingredients and cook until pears are tender and mixture thickens, approximately 30 minutes. Place in sterilized jars and seal while still hot.

From The Lady and Sons Savannah Country Cookbook by Paula H. Deen

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I purchased a jar of pear honey from a church friend. She suggested to eat pear honey on top of hot biscuits because this honey is very sweet. She was right- it’s SO GOOD on hot biscuits. My friend is going to show me how to make preserves, something I’ve always wanted to do, but have been so afraid of trying! She loaned me her cookbook, so I plan to spend some time copying recipes to try.

Posted under Recipes, Recommended Reading
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Wildflowers in a Tin Can on a Windowsill

“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 cosy and pretty that Laura kept looking up at it.

“The black stove was polished till it gleamed. A kettle of beans was bubbling on its top and bread was baking in the oven. Sunshine slanted through the shining windows between the pink-edged curtains. The red-checked cloth was on the table. Beside the clock on its shelf stood Carrie’s brown-and-white-dog, and Laura’s sweet jewel-box. And the little pink-and-white shepherdess stood smiling on the wood-brown bracket.

“Ma had brought her mending-basket to her rocking-chair by the window, and Carrie sat on the footstool by her knee. While Ma rocked and mended, she heard Carrie say her letters in the primer. Carrie told big A and little a, big B and little b, then she laughed and talked and looked at the pictures. She was still so little that she did not have to keep quiet and study.”

“The clock struck twelve. Laura watched its pendulum wagging, and the black hands moving on the round white face. It was time for Pa to come home. The beans were cooked, the bread was baked. Everything was ready for Pa’s dinner.”

On the Banks of Plum Creek, p. 301-302
by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Posted under Encouraging Quotes, Homemaking, Homeschooling, Recommended Reading
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Posted under Current Events, Frugality, Mothering, News, Recommended Reading
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While about my house, I kept hearing a voice calling very loudly and noticed that it sounded like it was coming from a pipe. I found this little friend in a steel pipe outside.

Posted under Life at Hidden Pines
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