A Little Man

Sitting in his Case tractor chair "reading" The Western Producer. :)

I think he is pretty cute:) :)

Indestructible Books

I was going to invent these myself, but someone beat me to it. :)  Both my husband and I love for our children to have books, lots of them; the problem? Well, the children (at least the two that are under two years old) are rough on books, very rough.  So I was excited to find these indestructible baby/toddler books! Yes, they claim they are tear resistant, and water proof (teething baby's can chew on them, and they can even be washed in the dishwasher!).  I don't have any yet, but I am looking forward to ordering and trying them out! You can look them up HERE if you like. :)

Ideas for the Attic

 Sometimes time goes way to fast! How did a month go by since I last posted? I think I have a good excuse though, with three kids ages:  2, 1 and 6 months I stay kind of busy! :)  I've been giving some more thought to fixing up our attic lately.  I still don't know if it will happen or not, but it's fun to think of ideas. :)                                      

Here are some pictures of what it looks like now...

                                                            It would need work...

One of the corners.

Its a bit hard to tell from the picture, but two windows could be put here and maybe a window seat added.

And now for some ideas as to  what it could be turned into, a little ambitious maybe, but why not think big? :)

Can never have too many books, even in the attic:)

I'd love to make a window seat!

I thought the stairway looked nice how it was finished in this photo.

Our attic also has a chimney going up through the middle of it. I like how cheerful and bright this one is!

I love the look of this one! If you know what you are doing, it's neat how much stuff can fit into a small space and look great.

February Daybook

 

Outside my window... Its cold -10 F. Warmer then yesterday though! The snow is pretty deep and drifted in some spots.

I am thinking...Of all kinds of projects I can do to fix-up/make our home more welcoming and nice. Lately I have been excited about our living room, I am trying to make it kind of a history library theme with maps, a globe, tall ships, framed pictures of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution etc.

I am thankful...For God’s commands to husbands and wives and how amazing marriage can be if they are followed and obeyed by His grace. I am so thankful for a godly husband; I feel humbled to be his wife. God is good.

In the kitchen...Everything is quiet and clean, we had some Chinese food for lunch so I didn’t have to make anything. For supper, I’m planning on making baked chicken.
 
I am wearing.. . A green and yellow shirt with dark denim skirt I got at Catos last time I was in the States for my brothers wedding.

I am going...to try and get my grocery list, and meal plan finished before we go shopping tomorrow.

I am wondering...if it will work to fix up our attic, I discovered the old part of the house has a nice big attic space that would make a awesome kids playroom. J

I am hoping...To make a home planning notebook soon with a cleaning schedule etc.

I am looking forward to...Figuring out better ways to organize my kitchen cabinets and drawers. Right now I don’t have things arranged very well to make the best use of the space I have available.

Around the house...It’s pretty quite, William is napping, and Abby and Lydia are laying quietly in their beds.

One of my favorite things...Seeing how the children get all excited and run to meet Graham when he comes in the house yelling “Daddy! Daddy!”

A few plans for the rest of the week: Do some cleaning, vacuuming, and plan the meal for Sundays lunch.

A peek into my day...

Willy, playing peek-a-boo with me. :) Graham bought this cardboard castle for the children to play in. They love it! :) Its neat because  they can use colored pencils and crayons to color it in, and they have spent hours doing so.

On Being Content

''Discontentment is not a product of circumstances; it is the state of the soul.''

 ~Debi Pearl

Part of my flower garden two summers ago:)

 

''But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.''

 

~1 Timothy 6:6-8

Precious Little Girls

Lydia Faith

Sweet sisters :)

Four months old already!

Love these girls:)

Beautiful blue eyes and look at that hair! :):)

-The Touch of the Masters Hand-

 My sister, told me about this poem by Myra Brooks Welch, after reading it I liked it so much I thought I would share it here. :)
 

The Touch of the Master's Hand

 

'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer

 Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
  But he held it up with a smile.

"What am I bidden, good folks?" he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me? 

A dollar, a dollar, - now two, only two
 Two dollars, who'll make it three?"

                            "Three dollars once, three dollars twice,                                   

Going for three"- but no!
    From the room far back a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
   Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet,
As sweet as the angel sings.

 

The music ceased, and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: "What am I bid for the old violin?"
                             As he held it aloft with the bow.                             

A thousand dollars- and who'll make it two?
    "Two thousand, Who'll makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, and three thousand twice,
Going and gone!" said he.

The  people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand-
"What changed it's worth?" The man replied:
     "The Touch of the Masters Hand!"

                          

And many a man with life out of tune
And battered and torn with sin
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game-and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
                         He is going-and almost gone.                            

But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Masters' Hand.

 

-Myra Brooks Welch-

Quote for Today

 

"We all have our discouraging days, when things do not go well. Young

people fail school lessons although they have studied hard and done their

best. Homemakers and executives grow tired. Parents struggle to control

their children. It may seem impossible to keep a good perspective, to

maintain a loving disposition so essential to a pleasant day. Try as you

will to be gentle, kind, and patient, your mind is clouded. You come to

the close of a long, unhappy day disturbed, defeated, and discouraged. You

have done your best, but you feel like a failure. You fall upon your knees

with only tears for a prayer. Lift up your eyes and see who will help.

Before His sweet smile the shadows flee away; at His Word new strength is

given. Your work is easier, and life is better again."

 

       ~J.R. Miller

Kitchen Hints and Tips

 

To roast garlic, sprinkle the bulb with a little olive oil, salt and pepper, wrap it in tin foil and roast in a 350 degree oven for approximately one hour.

Mushrooms should be wiped off with a damp cloth and not washed under the faucet since they are like sponges and will absorb the water.

For a shiny bread crust, brush the top with a mixture of 1 beaten egg and 1 tablespoon of milk before baking.

To neutralize burnt food odors in the house, mix 1/2 cup whole cloves with 2 cups water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer cloves for 15-30 minutes. The house smells wonderful and the burnt odor is gone

To get your copper pot looking great, use ketchup, wipe it on, rub until clean, rinse and buff. The acid from the tomatoes removes the tarnish.

Shine your windows with newspaper instead of paper towels - its a lot cheaper.

Make your own window cleaner spray - Fill a spray bottle with 3 tablespoons of ammonia, 1 tablespoon of vinegar and water to fill.

Red Roses

I have the best husband in the world; sorry to all you other ladies out there, but it's true. :):):) A little while ago he brought me these beautiful roses. Aren't they pretty?

 

Thank you Graham, I love you!