something lovely to look at, something lovely to listen to

"One can always find something lovely to look at or listen to."

                                                                   ~L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Windy Poplars

The sedum in the back garden was falling over with the weight of its heavily producing blooms. What a happy plant sedum is with its many clusters of little star-shaped flowers! I thought the color was perfectly contrasted against the 

cherry- wooded dining room table.

I found a podcast I wanted to share. I have enjoyed listening to this weekly podcast while I go about my homemaking duties,

The Art of Home.

helping with Miss Marion

This photo was taken back in the early spring.

Caregiving an elderly family member could possibly become a part of your life, and many times it comes unexpectedly.

I have a small blog I entitled Shadow Pearls for the seventeen months I was the prime caregiver for both of my parents. It was sometimes the best of times and sometimes the worst of times. And my attitude and trust in the Lord is what helped to make it something I can now look back on with the blessing it did give me and my family overall. It was not a worldly blessing at all, it was downright hard, yet the blessing received was deep, wide and rich because to care for those who need you, those who cared for you when you needed them, comes around to a full circle and you see the Lord's abundant grace and  never ending mercy. I was glad when I was doing it and I am even more glad now that I was able to do it then.

There is a family in my church that cares for his mother in their home. She has dementia. My heart knows what they are living day by day, evening by evening. It is such a privilege to give them a bit of time so they can at the least pretend life is "normal". I tell the daughter-in-law that while others have no framework to understand what they are doing, I do understand and it is a joy for me to come alongside them in little ways.

This past Saturday Miss Marion came to our home and my husband and I kept her all day so this family could go with their visiting daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter for a day of fun and adventure. I love her and she has paved a grove in my heart. 

philomath

                      

 a lover of learning  

This could also be entitled Homeschooling Yourself.

On Happy Homemakers Monday on the last Monday of August I explained I would give some details concerning my new learning plan, a self-imposed objective to extend my own personal learning. Homeschooling myself, so to speak. It is quite simple and while I am not a slave to this plan or the schedule, still I have always done better when I keep a rhythm to my days by having an intentional plan. I definitely did this when I homeschooled my children so it works for me now too.

 The plan is not in cement, it might change a bit depending on the season, yet without any sort of set schedule or plan, I do not believe I would have reasonable amounts of success to accomplishing my goals. 

 Some of these things were already in my daily life, but adding them to "the plan" lends a recorded purpose to my learning curve.

             Four main parts:

I. Literature Reading/Vocabulary

II. Geography/History/Science facts

III. Greek Study

IV. Scripture Memorization 

I. Literature/Vocabulary:

I already have a reading list, but by practicing any new vocabulary I've acquired from reading is necessary if I want to retain the meaning of these words, especially with the hopes of assimilating them into my daily vocabulary.  I allow myself to concentrate on three words weekly. I usually get these words from reading material. I will write sentences for each word and try to use them throughout the week.

II. Geography/History/Science:

This one is fun and my husband has joined me. It does require me to either make a weekly page of facts or information to learn and know or in a pinch I can open one of the several geography/history/science books we have in the library and begin reading and studying any information.  

III. Greek Study:

This is a subject that has been dangling around in the back of the closet for some time. When Charlotte was in middle school, we began a study of Greek with her and a friend using Koine Greek for Beginners.

 This involved learning the Greek alphabet then moving on to the grammar lessons. Since both students had already studied Latin it was much easier to advance in the grammar lessons. This study also included Greek vocabulary words to learn and decline.

  With great expectations of continuing with Greek, I ordered this curriculum of Greek study from Memoria Press. However, due to demands from other subjects for Charlotte  in high school we never and got around to any further formal Greek study. 

But I never lost the idea that I would open those books and  study Greek for myself in the future. What better time than the present? However, I needed a thorough review of basic Greek so I am back in Koine For Beginners once again. This week I am re-learning the Greek alphabet.  After the initial four letters, I add up to three new ones daily. This also includes writing the alphabet every day.

IV. Scripture Memorization 

Most of what I am memorizing presently is in Hebrews since I do lead a Precepts Bible study starting back this Friday. Scripture memorization takes quite a bit of work and persistence. But it is so worth the effort! I can not stress memorizing the Word of God enough. It certainly takes daily practice and review. I might not add but one new verse a week, but I continue with repetition until my brain seems to know it rather well, then the rest of the time is spent reviewing other chapters and verses.

A loose-leaf binder notebook holds all this homeschooling together so I can grab it easily. Usually, as of late summer  I am doing most of my homeschooling in the evening after dinner.

How are you being a philomath? 

 

The ridge

  Walking the ridge has been written about and posted on this blog several times this past year. I do believe it is time I shared a bit about this special piece of land and guest house we purchased almost two years ago. 

 It is located across the street from our home and property consisting of 3 1/2 acres with a little cottage that we have been busily renovating. More will be shared with the house renovations on another post, but today I want to share why the ridge is so important to me and why I walk the ridge almost daily.

1) The View. 

It is only a ridge, but the view is quite beautiful what ever the season. 

2) The Exercise

When the ridge is walked briskly, it gives just enough uphill and downhill to make a it good cardio- effective exercise. The curve of the driveway helps to make it not too steep.

"Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: Thou settles the furrows thereof: Thou makes it soft with showers: Thou blessest the springing thereof."    Psalm 66:10

blueberry morning

Happy Homemakers Monday

It is heating up again. This week we will zoom up into the 90's during the day. The AC is still off thus far, it is now lunchtime, but it could be switched on by tonight or tomorrow. I find it takes a couple of days for the changing of the temps to affect the inside of the house fully. There is a slight breeze now though.

I am siting on the screened porch watching the butterflies flit from butterfly bush to zinnia drinking sweet nectar, all in the bright sunshine. The tufted titmouse's are feeding on the feeder at my side and I hear their chatter. 

The farmer in the field next to our home is cutting his hay for the second time this year. I love to hear the sounds of the tractors and just thinking about harvesting in general always gives me a lift of hope. There is a substantial hedgerow there that borders our property with this field so I only glimpse the very small part of the tractor in certain areas of our yard. I was upstairs and glanced out the window to see his red tractor go by earlier. It is a huge field so it takes quite some time for him to get back around to our border.

The blueberries have been in abundance this year and I have had the opportunity to pick sweet delicious organic berries at a friend's house, her treat. This morning I baked a dozen blueberry muffin for breakfast. My freezer is packed with blueberries for the coming year.

I feel rich.

I have  been quite active this morning already. A long walk at the ridge and then some gardening, picking beans and pulling up a patch of dead sunflowers stalks out front. I had dressed in a green cotton skirt and a linen top for my morning's outside work. 

Venturing 

I will be leaving the house around 3:30 this afternoon heading to a town about an hour away for an Investment Club I am still a member of though I have moved out of state. I have thought of selling out, but I do enjoy this group of ladies and I am actively learning about the stock market which I am sure I would not be doing if I was not involved with this group on a monthly basis. We have an advisor from Merrill Lynch who keeps us on our toes, especially when we get assigned to the Portfolio and New Investment committees.

Menu Planning this week. Well, we have foods in the freezer from last year that need to be eaten now, like kale, swiss chard, turnip greens, and field peas. These are some foods we are preparing our soil for a fall planting this week. Ergo, my menu plans will incorporate these foods. The greens foods are easy as a side dish or if even thawed and cooked they can be tossed in with certain pasta or egg dishes. And we will be having egg dishes this week too due to the abundance of eggs.

This is last year's turnips.

My husband has requested spaghetti so that will be on our plates  this week.

And I have so many cans of salmon. We enjoy salmon patties and I can prepare this meal in a short period of time served alongside potatoes and probably one of the greens, kale, from the freezer.

Reading

I posted my 2024 Reading List. I am happy to report that when I finish East Of Eden I will have completed all the books on this list. 

Planning

Without fail I am embraced by feelings from my past regarding what happened at this time of year for over thirty years. I would spend the summer months planning our homeschool curriculum and just about now we would be  ready to open the new materials and begin a fresh new school year. It was one of the most exciting times for me personally. But that has been four years since I had as student in the home so this year in a burst of mind activity I decided why should I stop! I've always loved learning, that is what I attempted to teach my children, to be lifetime learners.

But, I need a plan to stick with and this was the year to do so without any reservations. I will be blogging a post on the specifics later this week if anyone is interested. But I am already  super motivated. I am even enlisting my husband to go along with me with one of the subjects.

Embroidering/Sewing

I finished the Thimble Pip. By the way this pattern is the second stitching item I have completed from Lorna Bateman's book, Country Gardens. 

I sit on the porch for a little while every early evening and hand quilt while listening to a new podcast I just discovered.

The Art of Home.

Bible and Memorization

 Daily devotional reading: I Kings 13 and II Thessalonians 5

I have memorized up to Hebrews 3:1-4. For my method of Scripture memorization I learn at least a new verse every day or two. And I review what I have already memorized. This takes about 15- 20 minutes a day of concentrated work. During the day you can use some mind time going over whatever verses you would like.

"Give me a moment to cry for joy. 

It's so delicious to cry for joy."

~Charles Dickens

Our Mutual Friend

After I had left the front porch where I had sat while doing my quiet time, this is what I saw from the front door, my two outside cats enjoying the morning sun.

Louie is the red hairy one in the top, he is old.

And Myrtle, the tabby who we adopted when we moved here. She must have belonged to the man who last lived here and died; she welcomed and loved us from the beginning.

I am on to my housekeeping chore of the day, ironing.

my reading list

"The world was hers for the reading"

           Betty Smith A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

I still take the time to create an annual reading list. There are two parts to this, the pursuit of good books to read and the pleasure of reading them. I recently read that if you would read 10 pages a day then you would have read 15 books(adult-size) in a year likewise 20 pages a day would add to up to 30 books a year. 

In order to keep my reading varied I choose certain genres of books.

Here is the much belated Reading List for 2024.  I find the summer months are a good time to assess how I am accomplishing this self-imposed reading assignment.

*19th Century Classic: Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen

 While I have read several Jane Austen books in the past and I    am well-familiarized with P&P, still I had never actually sat down and read it cover to cover.

*20th Century Classic: East of Eden John Steinback

*Mystery: At Bertram's Hotel Agatha Christie

*Biography: No One Gardens Alone A life of Elizabeth Lawrence        Emily Herring Wilson

*Christian Non-Fiction: Gentle and Lowly Dane Ortlund

*Childrens' Classic: Anne and the House of Dreams     L.M.Montgomery 

*Novel in Translation: Dawn Elie Wiesel

*Modern Novel: The Homecoming Kate Morton

*Re-Read: Stepping Heavenward Elizabeth Prentiss

*A Charles Dickens Novel: A Tale of Two Cities

I also realized just this year I had never actually read a Charles Dickens novel, though I have read and even studied parts of his writings. Alan recommended this one as a "primer". At first I had to acclimate myself to his way of writing. He had many characters and would call the same person another name from time to time. How wearisome! If I did not have bibliophile tenacity I might have possibly given up in the middle. But as I continued on I got hooked on the story and could not put the book down! I am looking forward to reading another novel by Dickens next year.

And I do read several other books not on this list throughout the year because this list is not long enough by far for my reading. And you never know when someone will introduce you to a new book. 

What good books have you been reading this year? 

"The whole world was opened to me 

when I learned to read."

                                                                       Mary McLeod Bethune

 

 

                                                               

today with Happy Homemaker Monday

G.K. Chesterton says,

“There are two ways of getting home; and one of them is to stay there. The other is to walk round the whole world till we come back to the same place ...”

                                                  one morning at sunrise

Happy Homemaker Monday

In keeping with the dominant calling, or I will even go as far as to call it a dominant purpose/role in my life, which is to celebrate being the woman God created me to be and through the careful study  and instruction of His Word to live as a woman content as being foremost a keeper of the home. I am as an older woman even told to encourage the younger woman in her godly role.

So I decided this was a solid place to post what most of us know to be the best calling. Thank you Sandra for getting us all connected!

*Outside 

It is still hot, yet the mornings give a bit of a reprieve. Only 68 degrees this morning. The weather channel online reports even cooler mornings this week, dipping down in the high 50's. Daytime temps will adjust to high 70's low 80's. Bring it on!!!!

*What concerns me right now in attention and thoughts

Preparing for a major change in my husband and my lives as we forego application for SSA and Medicare. When did this all come to be????? Let me warn you ladies it takes some research and counsel with options and such, especially the Medicare that is not free and is basically a socialist program that has evolved over the years. I do not have enough points to claim SSA on my own, yet our government still allows me to receive half of my husband's FRA and Medicare on his account.

My husband and I have been careful with spending and and we have been able to save for our retirement accounts through the years. We are very thankful. I know how hard it can be when you are younger and everything is so expensive and you have mouths to feed and bodies to clothe and braces and... but you will appreciate any effort you made it in the days ahead. Make a plan and do not get carried away with the culture's idea of "living only for the moment" and the need to be spending money you do not really have to spend. Staying home helps😊. And maybe heavily limiting shopping on Amazon and online sites. Your plan is individual for sure and you might not be able to save much, but do make a plan...every bit you manage to save adds up over time.

Food: Preserving and Daily Preparation

The summer garden is slowing down, that is all but the green beans that have taken on new life with all the rain. I pick about every other day. I pressure can pint jars with the extras, and I am  thinking of making a few jars of dilly beans with the next pickings.  We continue to eat delicious servings of greens beans with our meals.

Today I plan to take some chicken breasts and prepare a chicken fry with onions, peppers, garlic, red, yellow and orange peppers, curry paste, and zucchini. This will be served over rice alongside a green salad.

Breakfasts mostly consist of eggs and toast. Though I am hankering for a bowl of oatmeal. We just have so many fresh eggs from the hens.

Lunch is dependent if my husband is here for lunch, then I must be more intentional. Today was tuna salad with crackers, watermelon and pears.

As for the rest of the week's dinner menus:

Tuesday...Fried chicken  with mashed potatoes/gravy and you guessed it, green beans.

My husband has been asking me to fry some pieces of chicken for dinner. I will cut up a whole chicken and fry half of it saving the other half for another dish. I use either coconut oil or palm fruit shortening for frying.

Wednesday... I thinking of serving a one dish meal that I found on Pinterest. Lemon Ricotta  Pasta with arugula

Served with fruit.

Thursday...salmon cakes/potato salad/greens

Friday...Pizza using this cottage cheese crust.

 Cottage Cheese Recipe

1 cup cottage cheese. Process in food processor until smooth.

Add 4 eggs

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

1/4 cup almond flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning. Mix this all together with the smooth cottage cheese.

Spread ins a parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees 20-25 minutes. Check as it cooks, it should just golden brown.

 Pull it out of the oven and add any sauce, cheese, and other toppings. I made one using an olive oil base with pesto,  sliced tomatoes, feta cheese. It was quite delicious.

*Reading

I am presently reading two books that are a part of my 2024 Reading List. This list will be posted sometime this week on this blog. If you would like to read the list you might want to check back...

East of Eden by John Steinback

Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss

*Gentle Arts

My hands have been itching to begin some new stitching ventures. But first I must complete several things I have been working on, or at least complete most of the things I have started.

This needle pip that my sewing guild began last spring is first on the list. The embroidery has been done on both sides and the construction of the pip is complete.  I am embroidering Palestrina stitch around the outside.  

Excuse the lighting. A storm had come up quickly. we even lost power for a bit and I had to delay finishing this post.

Also, cotton dish cloths are knitted as I travel in the car on short trips. So easy and mindless and very practical in the finished item. I am knitting them in yellows and blues, using up balls that I had in my stash.

The quilt I hand pieced throughout the cold winter months and began hand quilting just as spring arrived has been existing a dormant life over the summer, but just recently I have picked it up to do some handquilting a few evenings...so much pleasure in that craft.

The natural light from the window in the corner of the dining room was an excellent place to quilt. Here I was also altering Ivy's flower girl dress for Charlotte's wedding. back in April.

I begin most mornings outside on the front porch where many mornings I behold the sunrise.I sing praises to my LORD and I pray and read HIs word. I have been in Hebrews and I Thessalonians. I am memorizing Hebrews chapter 2.

"Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people" (verse 17).

                                       

  Blessings!

listening to the stories of Rosie Boom

 A few of the blogs I read, especially if they are specific blogs talking about books, mention that they enjoy listening to books being read on audible or librivox...or some such downloadable program. In years past I have tried to do this, but truthfully it only produced a list of half listened to books. I have given some thought to why I was unsuccessful while others enjoyed this platform and I do believe it has to do with more than just one factor.

     But I have experienced the true enjoyment of listening to Rosie Boom read her book,  Where Lions Roar at Night. She posted one wonderful chapter of her reading per week and the chapters were just long enough for me to get totally engaged in the story while doing a few chores in the kitchen before going on to other things. Then there is the added bonus of hearing her delightful New Zealand accent.

 I am leaving a link to Chapter One where you can go to YouTube now and hear all thirty-six chapters. I believe you will find as much delight in them as I did. 

 

A

their dance

"Give her away so someone else can witness her wonder".

                                                                                                           ~Anonymous

 

Charlotte is a dancer, trained in classical ballet. She has had the most wonderful opportunity to teach classes to younger girls during the school year while at college.  

She and her father have always enjoyed dancing together. For quite some time they planned to dance to "My Girl"  at the wedding because it was a song he would sing to her when she was young. Years elapsed before she realized he did not make that song up specifically for her!

But in the last few weeks before the wedding they practiced dancing to this song. And in the end it won out mainly because it also gives honor to the one whom her father was entrusting his daughter to in holy matrimony.

And as always I loved watching them dance together.

then the rains came

We grow green beans in our garden. I have been known to refer to them as "tribulation food" since they are so easy to grow and usually produce a good and abundant crop over the summer months. What we do not eat or give away I preserve by canning. But when you have several long rows and opportune weather you will be dealing with beans almost every day. We planted beans this year and I even canned some at the first of the summer. Then the drought came the beans became leggy, the Japanese beetles were unrelinquishing in eating away on the leaves while bean production became almost dormant, but the weeds continued to grow wild amongst the bean plants. 

My husband was looking for the time to go out and till them all under so we could use the space to plant for the fall. 

Then the rains came. And the beans revived. It is a grassy mess out there, but I have beans again!

a weekend holiday

Vacation. A word which usually denotes getting away to spend some time doing something that is different from the ordinary. A time to travel and see things or just to leave home for a rest and to recharge. Maybe even visit those you do not see often during the year.

But like so many other things in life, the meaning of a vacation switches gears and you might find yourself not going away to do something you would plan and want to do, or you might not have the time or finances to invest in going to a place where you would really like to go.

We have chosen to not go on a true vacation for the past two years. There are several reasons why and all make perfect sense and we are fine with it.  Though the main reason has to do with my husband's job and the always being available world we now find ourselves living in. We love being home and we love all the things that keep us close to home.

Yet...there comes a day you gaze over at each other across the table and your minds are thinking the same thing. "Let's take a weekend holiday!" No traveling too far away from home. A nice hotel with good food and excellent service. No other destination or need required. Just a small bag and each other.

(This post was to be posted on August 10.It seems rather ambitious posting two on one day!)🙄