winter home economics

This is "me" still attempting to maintain some sort of walking schedule on the slippery snowy ice! One gingerly placed foot at a time and plenty of warm clothes.

Arising... with shining being a bonus.

This morning I got out of bed earlier than my usual 6:15 or so. I read once if you are rested and awake why not just get up. Though it was still dark outside, in the early morning sky I observe twinkly stars and the planet Venus, a tiny spot residing beside the waning moon. The snow on the ground gives off that faint magical glow. 

I am perking my coffee these mornings in a *Presto percolator. The main reason I purchased this percolator is because I like hot coffee; percolators seem to do a much better job of not only brewing it hotter, but keeping the coffee hot until it is unplugged. But then I am by no means a coffee connoisseur. I simply enjoy my morning coffee hot and strong.

I stir the hot coals in the wood stove and carefully lay on a small log to get the fire aroused. I light a few candles until it is time to switch on the table side light in order to read the Word. Then I begin to stretch, those "old-fashioned" stretches that can't be beat for waking up the joints and muscles.

Home tending...I make a home and I tend it too.

Laundry is always on the Monday list, more than likely because I  happen to do less laundering over the weekends.

I decided it was time to go through both freezers that are in the house and get a perfect inventory of what foods are in the freezers and what foods need to be eaten sooner than later, or even thrown out if they have reached that point of no return. This did not take as long as I anticipated,  probably due to the cold frozen food on my hands and the annoying alarm on the freezer. But my frozen foods are now organized and my menu planning for this week and even into the weeks ahead are tentatively planned.

Cooking and Preparing...getting a start on some food prep for the week and managing my ferments.

*1/2 chicken boiled,  for chicken and dumplings along with the chicken bone broth that was in the freezer

*Sausage browned, for pizza and I also found frozen homemade  pizza dough that was pulled out to thaw in refrigerator.

*Dried lima beans to soak. I like to keep beans or a dish containing beans in the refrigerator every week. 

*Cabbage made into sauerkraut.

*A batch of water kefir was made.

And now a poem from Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, 

                                     Songs of A Housewife.

                       

                                                  Winter Sun.

There's not much of it- that may be

Why it is welcome, since it's rare;

And why it seems a bar of gold, 

Lying across the table there.

Over my kitchen pots and pans

It trails its shiny finger-tips.

Spills over in the living-room,

And in my hands, like honey, drips.

A Winter sun, like memory,

Brings back the thought of Summer haze.

Remembrance of the birds and flowers,

The ecstasy of August days.

A handful of such sun would seem

All that the Heavens can afford,

In Winter-time. Consider me

Most grateful for small favors, Lord!

                                                                        January 5, 1925

If the name Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings rings a bell, she is the authoress of 

 The Yearling and Cross Creek, both well-known novels.

A footnote: At least two blogs I enjoy reading are no longer available, as in removed. Some of the wording suggests it might not come from the blogger? This makes me sad. If you are one of those bloggers, please know I will miss you greatly.

a return of sorts

 What a smorgasbord of things are on my mind this January day when the cold of winter doth blow and we are bundling up once again with woolies.

 It is not as if I have been around much lately, but as you my blogger friends know we do tend to create posts either in our busy minds or drafted to the computer though certain posts will never see the open page or be read by anyone.

I truly am not that complicated nor is my life one that others would entitle exceptional, but as Thoreau once said,

• “It’s not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, what are we busy about?” 
• The truth of the matter, my particular busy was people,  wonderful people visiting, people celebrating and then when the holidays arrived people coming and going. And with all the people came cooking, washing up, decorating, visiting, sitting around the table, worshipping. A beautiful and wonderful life to live.
•                                    But blogging...nil.
• But that does not mean I didn't miss creating posts or that I did not miss all of you.       
• Enough said about that.
• 
  
   Claire baked this most beautiful and delicious German Chocolate cake for me back in December for my birthday. She could open a bakery and sell cakes if she wasn't doing the most worthy thing in the world, providing a home for her family and raising my grandchildren full-time.

I worked on this post on and off for awhile thinking I would do one large catch-up post. Not the best idea I ever had, so here it is just as it was written earlier in time and I hope to be posting more regularly soon, that is my plan anyway. 

 

because every picture tells a story

You will be seeing some photos I downloaded onto this post. Continue on until you get to my actual explanations. All of these pictures are years gone by (from 2017 to 2024), but each one tells a story to replay sweet memories. 

One of Charlotte's Senior High School shots of 2021.

Dad and daughter learning the tango step. Remember how I have said how Charlotte and her Dad enjoy dancing together? Always have.

                                                         One  past Christmas Morning.

 Thank you to all whom comment on my humble posts. I am always happy to see and read your blog posts and I do love commenting to let you know I am reading and enjoying them very much. Some days however, I do not even open my laptop computer, which is the only place I will read blogs. I never use my phone for doing so.

I realized one day I had so little photo material to share as an addendum to my post, not hardly a picture that related, I just forget to take applicable photos. And to add fire to that fact, I prefer not to carry my phone around with me if not absolutely necessary. EMFs and all that. Though my husband insists I take it along on my woodsy walks. There have been times I have even left the house without my phone... now this is 2025 for heaven's sake! But to give myself some merit to speak of...I would miss having my phone eventually. And I have gone back home to get it if I recognize I forgot it before getting too far down the road.

I possess a Canon Rebel, bought over fifteen years ago, and I do like taking photos with this camera, but it takes quite a bit longer to load them onto my computer. I have a small window to blog and read posts, those quick automatic downloads from my phone are handy to say the least. Maybe some of you could share how you make photos for your blog. And even add a bit of your blogging habits. Now this could be a sharing blog post idea...what do you think?

In every picture a memory waits to be relived.

autumn's robust tokens

"Even is something is left undone, 

everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn."  

 ~Elizabeth Lawrence

Grand Birthday Gatherings to celebrate Witt, Claire, and Breanna the last weekend in October which also included an afternoon hayride.

Then just as quickly as tipping October slid into the gorgeous palate that November brought we headed to Lexington, Kentucky. We visited with Isaac and Charlotte at their new home and ate epic tacos and popular local sandwiches We drove the scenic byways to behold the acres and acres of rolling pasturelands
wanting to cry tears of joy at such beauty.

"How beautiful leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days."

John Burrough

                       And she calmly stated, "Most assuredly".

awareness of the beauty of life

And yet all we need is an awareness of the beauty in life to make us richly content. 

~Gladys Taber

There is much work to do.

 On some Saturdays you might find us working across the street at Good Drop Ridge. Since I went to my High School Reunion last weekend, my husband stayed home and decided he would do a few things that needed tending to, but I was a bit unnerved after his confession ...like being out on the tin roof cleaning the gutters... alone. 

My childhood friend and her husband are trying to encourage us to open and provide Good Drop as a airbnb. I am not completely convinced I want to open my little rural countryside cottage to those I don't know, but my husband is more open to possibly  doing so in the future. However, I  know I would definitely enjoy being a hostess welcoming overnight guests.

This day we carried the table from the sunporch and enjoyed the dappling of sunshine alongside a few appetizers in the pleasing autumnal afternoon.

I had a bit of time to review my James 1 scriptures too.

Sometime this week I hope to share with you how I am personally going about Bible memorization. There are countless expressive remarks encountered when someone hears about active Bible Memorization. I want to encourage others to memorize God's Word not in any way discourage it.

Thy Word have hid in mine heart 

that I might not sin against Thee.

Psalm 119:11

Blessings!

a simple pear dessert

The pear harvest is now in full swing and I thought I would share this recipe with you. It is simple and it is delicious.  

Begin by slicing a pear in half, removing the stem and core. You can either peel it or leave the skin on, I have done it both ways. It really just depends on your preference.

In a small saucepan melt:

1-2 Tablespoons of butter

2 teaspoons of maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1-2 teaspoons of brown sugar

 A dash of vanilla extract

Place the pear in a baking dish, flesh-side up. Pour the cinnamon syrup over the pear. Turn it over and coat both sides well. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.

Serve topped with vanilla ice cream, whipping cream, or yogurt. I like to add a few pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup.

I usually  prepare this dessert using two pears, one for me and one for my husband. I double the syrup mixture, of course! 

a daybook entry

 I keep journals. I keep daybooks. Somewhere in betwixt it all there is a blending with piecing my days much like a beautiful, quotidian quilt... one that is much loved and much used.

Since I have enjoyed reading some of your similar posts regarding your days and since I have included a label saying"daybook" on my sidebar, I believe it is proper on this lovely Monday in October to do a daybook entry. 

Outside:

The weather is still pleasant and calming to one's soul, "specially ordered" I am thinking. The luminous full moon shines in the evening's sky alongside the pinky-colored glow of the setting sun. I look forward to beholding it again later today. 

Gardening:

Finally, I planted the little pansy plants into the long planter. I bought these plants several weeks ago, I have watched them grow while watering them, but not until today did I successfully plant them in the intended place. Certainly, they are ready to be cut back at this stage. Also, I am cleaning up the cutting garden, gleaning a few peppers, okra, and herbs. The blackberry bushes are awaiting my pruning , hopefully later this week.

I removed the leaves from the dried oregano stems that were cut back in June.

In the Kitchen:

Canning pears. I declare I believe pears are one of my most favorite fruits, pommes for sure. I ordered 20 pounds from Azure this past month and I have them on my October order too. We eat pears daily and I preserve the rest. 

Menu Planning:

An easy week of meal planning overall. My husband is out of town tonight, then on Wednesday we eat at church. That only leaves three nights with two meals of leftovers already covered in the refrigerator, chicken pie and spaghetti.

Reading:

 Reading biographies are a favorite genre of mine especially those that have the addition of material depicting a particular historical time frame.  I read The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson about two months ago. It is about Winston Churchill and England during the beginning of WWII. I found it quite interesting and informative. From there I decided to read a book about his wife, Clementine (pronounced "Clementeen").  

I am also reading His Word in My Heart By Janet Pope and Spiritual Warfare, The Battle for God's Glory by Jerry Rankin. The later is one my Sunday school class decided to read.

Handiwork:

Continuing on with the embroidery project I have shown in the past, but I am now back to knitting a carry- along project, a simple sock using # 2 double points and Patons Kroy FX yarn. Today, I brought down from my third floor sewing room the quilt I promised my husband last winter. It is ready to be pinned together for the forthcoming hand quilting to begin. I am looking forward to the cooler evenings and the engagement of that peaceful endeavor.

Venturing:

I walked the ridge, but that is not actually getting into the car and driving anywhere, though I will be taking Ivy to Swimming practice around 5:30 today.

Planning:

My high School 50th Reunion is this weekend. The only reason I agreed to go is because my dear childhood friend ask me to go with her so she would not have to go alone. Though it will be nice to walk those halls of my high school memories after so many years.

Bible and Memorization:

We are studying the book of Daniel in Precepts this year. I am continuing with my James study and hope to have it completed by early November. My daily devotional includes Acts and John at the present. I am currently memorizing James 1:1-14.

Around the House:

  An itch I get ever so often...rearranging furniture in certain rooms of my house. 

Quote:

"In the rush and n rise of life, as you have intervals, be still. Wait  upon God and feel His presence; this will carry you evenly through your day's business."     -William Penn

hiding God's Word in your heart

"Systematic memorization of Scripture is a discipline that every Christian should practice. It is a powerful weapon in the spiritual battle"

-John MacArthur

I grew up in a church that promoted memorizing scripture. I was taught Bible verses through song and constant repeating in Sunday school classes, in the lists of scriptures to learn with fun challenges through Vacation Bible School, and when acquiring the next step up in GA's I was required to memorize larger passages of Scripture.

 Though the years into adulthood I have never lost my desire to be a memorizer of God's Word, but I have not had a true systematic way that I have continued in over time. During the summers when I homeschooled my children, we would use the Scripture Memory Fellowship resources. That was fun, and if we found another family to participate with us that added to the motivation. I would continue throughout the year using various SMF materials that were very helpful and at the least kept me trying to memorize with some form of success.
I am older now. There are no excuses left of why I can not take the time to focus on letting Bible Memorization become a daily lifetime discipline in my life. I have more alone time to review and less years to see all the rich benefits to my life that memorizing God's Word will provide, both spiritually and in general.
I like listening to others that have prioritized memorizing God's Word. I am journeying on to the next step of memorizing an entire book of the Bible. Since I began a Bible Study this summer in the book of James, that is the book I am presently memorizing.
Is it easy? No. It is a discipline. But I can tell you with complete confidence, it does get easier. You witness the delight of those verses staying with you throughout the day. You find opportunities to pray  specific verses in a particular situation. You meditate on God's Word constantly and it changes your thinking, more importantly, it changes you.

I would love to hear from any of you highlighting your stories and experiences of memorizing God's Word. It has never been an easy task to get a great deal of active support with memorization of the Scriptures. Many women want this discipline very much, but more times than I want to count start off with, " I just can not do it". I say we can.

a day at home and a poem

 Morning by morning new mercies I see. Observing the sun rise just outside the dining room's east facing window, though the sun comes up much later these late September days.  I am once again arising and coming down the stairs while it is still dark. 

 This was the first year I was able to purchase from a local nursery a common rue plant, also called the "Herb of Grace".  The plant being young did not yield the spring blooming yellow flowers but the bluish green foliage is beautiful...and tasty nourishment if you are a swallowtail caterpillar! This was a delightful discovery...rue is a host for the black and giant swallowtail both of which I was able to distinguish.

With needle and thread in hand I continue stitching tiny garden flowers on linen of teal allowing quiet moments of creative peace to my day.

There is a day

when the road neither

comes nor goes, and the way

is not a way but a place.

                                                      -Wendell Berry

for who has known the mind of the Lord?

Romans 11:33-36  is one of the places in the Word that I automatically find myself in when I do not understand, but yet I know He is sovereign and whatever He ordains is right. Only the believer can be assured of this doctrinal truth and continue to trust our loving God whatever befalls. 

I sing this hymn as I go about my autumnal days, finally succumbing to schedules once again, and as I am observing the last of the hummingbirds, the last of the butterflies, and the" mental sound" of the swallowtail caterpillars munching on this year's garden parsley.

1 Whate'er my God ordains is right:
his holy will abideth;
I will be still, whate'er he doth,
and follow where he guideth.
He is my God; though dark my road,
he holds me that I shall not fall:
wherefore to him I leave it all.

2 Whate'er my God ordains is right:
he never will deceive me;
he leads me by the proper path;
I know he will not leave me.
I take, content, what he hath sent;
his hand can turn my griefs away,
and patiently I wait his day.

3 Whate'er my God ordains is right:
though now this cup, in drinking,
may bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew
sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
and pain and sorrow shall depart.

4 Whate'er my God ordains is right:
here shall my stand be taken;
though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
yet am I not forsaken.
My Father's care is round me there;
he holds me that I shall not fall:
and so to him I leave it all.

This Hymn was written by German born Samuel Rodigast in 1676 in order to give comfort to a sick friend. 

Psalm 112:1

"Praise the LORD!

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,

Who delights greatly in His commandments."

May this beautiful hymn fill you with His sovereign peace and assurance.

this is just to say...extraordinary

This is Just to Say

by William Carlos Williams

I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox

and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast

Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold

The fruits we are enjoying these days are extraordinary. When I say that word I always think of Ramona and Beezus (as in Beverly Cleary). It is not a word I use causally. The plentiful pop in your mouth blueberries of early July and the rich candied taste of the cherries in early August have now morphed into the arrival of plums...sweet, perfectly ripe, delicious plums. I broke down and bought some organic ones at the market a couple of weeks ago. They were okay. You knew they had been picked not ripe, packaged and shipped to sit on the grocer's shelf until purchased. But you really do not know what a good plum truly tastes like unless they are picked ripe from the tree and enjoyed as soon as possible. My husband ate the one that I had picked out of the recently purchased batch as overly ripe. "This," he says with the juice running down his hand," is just like the delicious plums I picked off my neighbor's tree as a boy."

Now I have a batch of ripe plums, all sizes, as naturally grown plums should be. We are eating them quickly, but I desire to bake a plum dessert for the weekend, just as I have made a special dessert with all the fruits of the season. A plum tart was stewing in my brain... I think I might use this recipe because it contains a cream-filled part. What do you think? 

INA'S PLUM TATIN

Recipe lightly adapted from Ina Garten

Don't omit the extra step of lining the cake pan with parchment paper. It will help ensure the plums don't stick to the bottom. I ended up being low on all-purpose flour the day I baked this, and used half spelt instead. The results were wonderful.

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter; room temperature
1 pound plums, pitted and sliced into 1/2-inch pieces (about 5 to 6)
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2  teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Whipping cream, for serving

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.

Combine 1 cup of the sugar and 1/3 cup water in a small saucepan. Cook over high heat, until it turns a warm amber color and registers about 360°F on a candy thermometer. Swirl the pan, and pour evenly over the plums.

While the caramel bubbles, cream the butter and remaining 3/4 cup of  sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. On low speed, beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the sour cream, zest, and vanilla. Stir the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl, then add it to the mixer while on low speed; mix until just combined.

Pour the cake batter evenly over the plums and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. (My cake was perfect at 35 minutes) Cool for 20 minutes, then invert the cake onto a flat plate and remove the parchment paper. Serve warm or at room temperature, with a dollop of whipped cream.