This Fine Talent

"Louisa May Alcott once wrote that "there is one very excellent, necessary, . . . accomplishment that no (one) should be without, for it is a help to rich and poor, and the comfort of families depends upon it. This fine talent (home keeping) is neglected nowadays and considered old-fashioned, which is a sad mistake. . . It is the most beautiful as well as useful of all arts . . . Not so romantic, perhaps, as singing, painting, writing, or teaching, but one that makes many people happy and comfortable, and home the sweetest place in the world."

-- Tracey McBride, Frugal Luxuries - Simple Pleasures to Enhance Your Life and Comfort Your Soul

Homemade Autumn Carpet Fresh

This "recipe" comes from the blog, Heritage Schoolhouse, which I visit from time to time. I mixed up a batch of Mrs. H.'s Autumn Carpet Fresh and was pleasantly surprised at our how nice the living room smelled for awhile after vacuuming the carpet. The only thing I plan to change next time is to add more cinnamon - the scent is lovely but I couldn't smell any of the cinnamon, just the powder. Eli was eager to sprinkle this on the carpet for me with a small strainer. Mrs. H. suggests a plastic bag with holes poked in, but I think the ideal container would be an empty Parmesan cheese jar.

Homemade Autumn Carpet Fresh

3/4 C. baking soda
1/4 C. talcum powder
2 tabl. cornstarch
1 tsp. cinnamon

Sprinkle over carpet (keep your container close to the floor so as to spread the cleaner on the carpet only versus the rest of the furniture - ask me how I know!) and let sit for 15 minutes. Vacuum. (NOTE: This made enough to do my living room carpet two times - of course, it might be different for you depending on the size of your flooring.)

Harvest Home Basket

This afternoon I had the fun of putting together my basket for Harvest Home Sunday tomorrow at church. The congregation is invited to put a meal together to share with those less fortunate. I put together a spaghetti supper complete with hamburger, salad fixings and garlic bread.

Several years ago, April, the young woman in charge of Harvest Home Sunday, decided to have people put together complete dinners versus just bringing in odds and ends of groceries. Providing the meat for a meal is especially encouraged as it can be the most expensive part of a meal and difficult for those to afford with limited incomes. Instead of a meal, some choose to purchase grocery store gift cards or donate money for April to buy groceries and/or gift cards. The dinners go to a variety of families in the community who would benefit by a meal as well as relatives and/or friends that the congregation suggests. April told me that she receives an amazing blessing in seeing the faces of the people when they open the door. I selfishly told her that if she needs help, I would deliver meals, too.

Pizza Burgers

I made this recipe from our church cookbook the other night, and it was a hit. Quick, easy and it makes a lot - a perfect combo.

Pizza Burgers

1 lb. hamburger
1/2 lb. chunk of longhorn cheese, grated
1/2 lb. chipped ham, cut further into smaller pieces
1 tsp. parsley
1 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoing
16 oz. pizza sauce (I only used 1/2 a can.)
Small can of tomato sauce
Hamburger rolls, split
Mozzarella cheese (I didn't add this.)

Brown hamburger; drain then mix in longhorn and ham. Add seasonings and sauces. Heat until warm. Spread mixture on top of roll halves lined on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese, if desired. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes (or until buns are toasted). Makes approximately 24 pizzas. (We had left-overs and I stored them this way - allow to cool completely before placing in a single layer in a closed container. Place in frig. To reheat, bake at 350 for a few minutes until buns are toasted again, then place in microwave for 10 seconds so meat is heated.)

Caleb's Latest Project

This stool is one of Caleb's latest projects. When he brought it in the house to show me, I immediately loved it and asked if I could have it as a stool for at my sewing machine. It's the perfect height and looks just right there.

Caleb always has a project going - in the past week or so, he's repaired and painted a door for the cabin, made an axe handle and shovel handle, is helping tear down and put back together Ben's room renovation, and is working on an idea for an "On Air" sign for our church's Christmas play that's set like an old radio show. He sure is a busy beaver and his handiwork amazes me.

A Terrarium

Eli and I made this terrarium the other evening after being inspired by this lovely post. It's a rather simple one but one that we enjoyed putting together - together! We just used an old dinner plate I picked up at a thrift store for a few cents and a glass cover that typically is put over a round, wooden board for cheese. We layered some gravel then potting soil on top and added a few baby aloe plants from a large pot in the living room. A stone and several plastic frogs finished our display. We mist it occasionally and enjoy the look of it sitting on top of the piano. A simple but nice project to do with children -

Dancing

Lest you think that my life is all tea parties, read-alouds on the sofa, and porch swinging, we do have the occasional argument around here. For example, last evening I had a row with one of my sons that my husband had to referee. Though I won’t air our dirty laundry, suffice it to say, my son is learning to take greater responsibilities and I am learning to give up greater responsibilities. Enough said.

You know, the dance I do each day with my sons looks different than it did a few years ago. Then it involved a mommy and her three little boys. Now it involves a mother and her three young men. And so we dance. Trying to get it right. Trying to figure out how our roles in this season look – my role as a mother, and their’s as young men.

And the dance goes on. Sometimes we step on each other’s toes. Sometimes things get ugly. But always, always we come back together – taking one another’s hands and beginning our awkward steps again. I realize that I’m working my way out of this dance instructor job. For one day my sons will begin a new dance – with a different lady in their arms – and I will bittersweetly hand off my dance partners.

And the dance goes on.

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

I made these for breakfast one day last week, and they made the house smell so yummy. Perfect for an autumn morning. Next time I'll probably add another apple from our bountiful store to the mix -

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

1 C. white flour & 1/2 C. whole wheat flour
1/4 C. sugar
1 3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 egg
1/2 C. milk
3 tabl. canola oil
3 tabl. unsweetened applesauce
1 medium apple, peeled and grated

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl beat together the egg, milk, oil, applesauce and grated apple. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Pour into greased muffin tins. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes. Makes 12-14 muffins.

Jesse Tree Ornaments - Finished!

They're done! The boys helped me finish making our felt Jesse Tree ornaments this past weekend. I also finished working on the explanation of a Jesse Tree and the planned readings for each day of December. (You'll find that information below.) Now come Christmastime, we'll have another tradition set in place to help us focus on the true and precious meaning of the season.

The Jesse Tree serves as a visual reminder of anticipation in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It recounts God’s faithfulness throughout the centuries in providing a line of descendants through whom the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would come. The symbols hung on the branches of the Jesse Tree represent many of those descendants, as well as others who were part of the Plan.

The significance of the name, Jesse Tree, comes from the verse, Isaiah 11:1: “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” Jesus Christ is a descendant of King David, the youngest son of the man named Jesse. A new shoot is a symbol of hope and anticipation in that which will come. We celebrate in anticipation of the Second Coming the Hope that is found in the Person of Jesus Christ.

December 1 – The Branch – Jesse
Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10 and I Samuel 16:1-13

December 2 – The World – God
Reading: Genesis 1:1-2:3

December 3 – The Snake & The Apple – Adam & Eve
Reading: Genesis 2:4-3:24

December 4 – The Ark – Noah
Reading: Genesis 6:9-9:17

December 5 – The Star – Abraham
Reading: Genesis 12:1-7 and 15:1-6

December 6 – The Ram – Isaac
Reading: Genesis 22:1-19

December 7 – The Ladder – Jacob
Reading: Genesis 27:41-28:22

December 8 – The Coat – Joseph
Reading: Genesis 37 and 45

December 9 – The Burning Bush – Moses
Reading: Exodus 2 and 3

December 10 – The Lamb - Moses & Aaron
Reading: Exodus 12:1-13:10


December 11 – The Tablets – Moses & God
Reading: Exodus 19:1-20:17

December 12 – The City Wall – Joshua
Reading: Joshua 1:1-11, 6:1-20

December 13 – The Water Pitcher – Gideon
Reading: Judges 7

December 14 – The Crown – Samuel
Reading: I Samuel 3:1-31, 9:1-10:9

December 15 – The Shepherd’s Crook – David
Reading: I Samuel 16:1-13 and II Samuel 5:1-5

December 16 – The Stone Altar – Elijah
Reading: I Kings 18:17-46

December 17 – The Tent – Hezekiah
Reading: II Kings 18:1-18, 19:32-37

December 18 – The Whale – Jonah
Reading: Jonah 1 and 2

December 19 – The Watch Tower – Habakkuk
Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-2:1, 3:16-19

December 20 – The Sandals – John the Baptist
Reading: Luke 3:1-20

December 21 – The Heart – Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Reading: Luke 1:26-38, 2:15-20

December 22 – The Hammer – Joseph, the Father of Jesus
Reading: Matthew 1:19-25

December 23 – The Light That Guides – The Three Magi
Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

December 24 – The Cradle – The Baby Jesus
Reading: Luke 2:1-17

December 25 – The Cross – The Son of God
Reading: John 1:1-34

An Early Autumn Supper

Last evening was the perfect night to have someone for supper. It was a bit cool and drizzly which made the house seem even cozier. With a vanilla candle burning in one room and a spaghetti supper simmering in the kitchen, the house smelled like autumn. Then when our guests showed up at the door with a huge pot of mums for me, it made the house look like autumn, too.

Our supper menu:

* Large pot of Spaghetti with Meatballs
* Tossed Salad
* Chunks of Watermelon
* Hot Tea with Pieces of Sock-It-To-Me Cake

Inspiring

Photo by E.

(This almost looks fake, doesn't it?!)

Sunday

This morning during my quiet time, I was reflecting back over the events of yesterday with a heart of thankfulness. You know how every now and then you have a day that's pretty near perfect in every way? Yesterday was one of those days, and I decided to chronicle some of its' highlights here with a few notes for remembrance.

* We awoke to the welcome pitter-patter of rain after weeks of none. It wasn't a deluge to drench us or a fine mist that doesn't accomplish much, but a perfect amount to water the earth and create a thankfulness in our hearts.

* I decided to make Apple-Cinnamon Pancakes for breakfast to use some of our bumper crop of Golden Delicious apples. Most of them are stored in the basement right now and when you go down there, it smells likes an apple orchard. To make Apple-Cinnamon Pancakes, mix up your regular batch of pancakes, sprinkle in a desired amount of cinnamon (the more the better in my book) and throw in several handfuls of small pieces of diced apples. The pancakes, for some reason, get a little drier than normal with these additions but a bit of fresh maple syrup helps that right along.

* We enjoyed a sweet time of fellowship at our little church on a rainy day in September. The Sunday School discussion was excellent on the principles and relevance of the 10 Commandments. And the sermon from I Timothy 2 on the role of women within the church was humbly and obediently preached. After worship, we enjoyed a variety of conversations with a variety of brothers and sisters - I'm so thankful for the people of God. What a joy and encouragement it is to spend time in the house of the Lord with like believers each week. Next week we look forward to a Creation seminar on Saturday and Sunday with a dinner together and ice cream social afterward.

* M. grilled steaks for dinner and to that I added boiled asparagus, homemade applesauce and Rice Krispies Treats to top it off. The guys then decided on a movie marathon of some of the old Star Wars movies intermixed with a card game of "Hearts." While they played, I read some of "No Ordinary Home - The Uncommon Art of Christ-centered Homemaking" by Carol Brazo. I find her book compelling because of her honesty, transparency and thought-provoking style of writing. One of the ideas I gleaned yesterday is one I want to mull over for a few months. She mentioned that she and her family camp out on a different character of the Christmas story each year. Something struck a chord with me in that idea, and I want to think on and pray about what God would have me do with that.

* I also had time to sort through some recipes and dig through some cookbooks. This time of year always revives me and inspires me to create some different menu ideas. I came across a recipe I've been wanting to try, so I popped Crusty Potato Rounds into the oven for supper. A definite keeper -

Crusty Potato Rounds

10-12 new potatoes
Butter
Seasoned salt

Place washed potatoes in steamer over boiling water for 20 minutes or until tender when pierced (not too soft). Cool a bit and cut into 1/4" slices. Place close together on a large, greased cookie sheet and brush with butter. Place as close to the broiler as possible until crusty and golden. (This takes awhile - keep an eye on them and rotate occasionally so as not to burn the middle ones.) When crusty, flip over and brush the other side with butter and sprinkle with seasoned salt. Broil this side as well until crusty and golden.

* Ben and Caleb helped me finish up making our felt Jesse Tree ornaments, and I wrote up an explanation of the Jesse Tree as well as Scripture readings to go with each ornament. (I'll post the ornaments and readings later this week.) It feels good to have this project finished and in plenty of time for December. The next project on my list is to make a terrarium with Eli.

* Later in the evening, M.'s sister and her boys (plus two little ones they were babysitting) stopped in for their weekly Sunday visit. The adults spent most of the time in conversation about our recent trip to the cabin as well as the funeral and memories of a dear family friend. The little visitors contentedly played with our marble toys, and the big boys caught up with each other. It was a good visit.

* We finished the evening with popcorn and an episode of the old "Lucy Show" which my sister-in-law picked up at a yard sale for me. (Thanks, A. - for the videos AND the visit!)

And thank You, Lord, for such a sweet Sabbath.

Caught Between the Two

There's a hint of autumn in the air . . .



But summer's not quite gone yet!

The Holy Work of Home

"It's I," said Lamb a little dolefully, "that they can't be very proud of. You see I have only planned to stay home and help keep house, and of course there isn't anything very special about that."

"Isn't there?" demanded Constance. "Well, Eunice Lamb Newman, you just see all that Miss Abitha Bean has done; and all she planned was just to keep house, but she learned everything she could, and did all she could for other people. Do you suppose Dannie would ever have discovered what he could do if Miss Abitha hadn't known just how to help him? Do you suppose -" But Miss Abitha laughingly protested, and interrupted Constance's list of her accomplishments.

"But I want Lamb to realize that she can stay right here and be just as wonderful, and do just as much for the world as if she were a professor in a college," persisted the elder girl.

"Why, yes," agreed Miss Abitha, "that is what I always believed. It always seemed to me that to stay with the people you love best, and make them happy, and learn all you could about the place where your home is, its flowers and woods, its birds and stars, would give any of us our best blessings."

-- Alice Turner Curtis, Grandpa's Little Girls and Miss Abitha, 1911

A Long Labor Day Weekend

We spent a long weekend playing and working at the cabin.

Dinner out at Happy Acres . . .


Visiting a quaint gift shop . . .


Sticky buns along the river at a boat regatta . . .



Another weekend made of sweet memories. Priceless.

A Houseful of Teenagers

The last of my babies turned 13 on Friday. The house is now full of three handsome, helpful, growing-wise young men. Praise God!


But Heaven help my grocery bill.

Photos by Eli

Scalloped Chicken

I made this new recipe on Monday evening for supper, and everyone enjoyed it. Eli liked it as it was, but the rest of us thought it needed a little final doctoring. A sprinkle of Old Bay or seasoned salt on each individual portion did the trick, and they licked the pan clean!

Scalloped Chicken

3 tabl. butter
1 small onion, diced
3 tabl. flour
2 C. chicken broth
1 C. milk
Salt and pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
4 C. cooked brown rice
3 C. cooked, shredded chicken
4 slices of lightly buttered multi-grain bread, cut into small cubes

Melt butter and saute onions for a few minutes over low heat in a medium saucepan. Stir in flour, blending well. Add chicken broth, milk, and spices. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened over medium high heat.

Butter a 13x9" casserole dish. Spread half of the rice in the bottom; top with half of the chicken and then half of the sauce. Repeat layers; sprinkle with bread cubes. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Can sprinkle individual portions with Old Bay or seasoned salt, if desired.