Strange Feeling

It is funny the way that life twists and turns.

When I look around at my home, my pantry, my yard, my calendar,

it is odd to see how my life, my tastes and my priorities have changed.

I once imagined a home full of children - about 20 boys.

My home is typically pretty quiet with only the occasional young guest. 

At one point, I imagined my home in the "Victorian" style -

deep greens, burgundies, and florals.

Now - more of a lodge coloring with more rustic accents.

My pantry, once filled with sugared cereals, processed white flours, and chocolate,

now home to gluten-free food, non gmos, organic this, and natural that.

I still get my fair share of sugar, but am more conscious than I ever imagined.

Hubby has been weaning me off of microwave use,

and last month I got rid of it completely.

I never would have imagined that!

At the beginning of the week,

I mentioned looking for a natural deodorant recipe.

My interest was peeked when a friend bought some at a farmer's market.

It was labeled as coconut and tea tree oil.

The proprietors said that the other ingredients were baking soda and cornstarch.

I had all those ingredients!

After finding the recipe on Pinterest,

I made a batch and have been using it all week.

Wow!

I feel like a "granola" with homemade deodorant,

but it really works for more than 24 hours, even in the southern heat.

Pumpkins and Huge Puzzles

I am thinking pumpkin again - 

though it does not feel like fall yet,

I know that it is the season for the fall flavors of 

pumpkin,

apple,

cinnamon,

nutmeg ...

Enjoyed pumpkin pancakes this morning,

with homemade pumpkin creamer in my coffee.

We relished a pumpkin pie last week,

and maybe I will make another while hubby works this weekend.

I am thankful for the changing seasons.

I love the promise of cooler temps,

and the changes in available fruits and veggies.

What about the huge puzzle?

I am thankful that we have rounded up the parts to put a friend's car back together.

She had a little fender-bender at the start of the school year,

and hubby is making the car usable and safe again.

I am thankful for the internet - which connected us with some of the parts,

and a very helpful and knowledgable clerk 

at the local auto parts store (you don't always get one).

Better is ... Part IV

Proverbs 17:1 

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, 

than an house full of sacrifices with strife.

For the fourth time, Solomon reminds us of what true riches look like.

... the fear of the Lord (15:16)

... love (15:17)

... righteousness (16:8)

and now 

... quietness

It is easy to be taken in by covetousness,

but there are things that money can not buy that are available to all -

or at least all who will turn to God.

Quietness is a true gift.

Only God can give true peace.

Do you cultivate peace in your home through a genuine relationship with God?

Is there an air of rest?

Are you a calming influence or an escalator of stress in the home?

Do the children know how to be still?

Do you soothe stress or encourage strife?

Better is little, a dinner of herbs, and a dry morsel

with the fruits of a godly home ...

Can't Hide it Any Longer

With only two areas left to share,

I could hold it off no longer.

The laundry "room" provides necessary storage

which saved my sanity in the move,

but it is not the most beautiful room.

sorry about the quality of this one

Pantry behind brown curtain,
step ladder, tray tables, and white plastic drawers under pantry
hot water tank behind door
the white bucket - carrots that need to be tended to

It houses just about everything -

rarely used small appliances,

pantry items, 

cook books,

cleaning supplies,

mailing supplies,

and a few junk drawers ...

The washer and dryer are a real blessing.

I don't use a dryer much unless dry cleaning at home,

but the high efficiency, water sensing washer - 

a real gift.

Recipe for a Full Day

Plant green beans and carrots in new garden,

plant an herb garden in small bed,

clean the house,

attempt to make gluten free matza for Communion at church,

get quotes for windshield replacement for a friend's car,

experiment with a natural deodorant recipe,

start removing paint from shower walls.

Off I go!

Garden Thoughts

You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt. 

~Author Unknown

The garden is the poor man's apothecary. 

~German Proverb

Gardening is cheaper than therapy 

and you get tomatoes.  

~Author Unknown

More Simple Pleasures

I am enjoying these orchids,

a gift from some church friends.

I am thankful for their uniqueness,

the bright color,

and the oxygen they provide.

I am also thankful for the new border on the front flower bed.

I have been eyeing these borders for years, but it was never a spending priority.

Then a church family offered me this one.

It was the perfect length for the front bed - 

Woo Hoo!

I installed it on Tuesday.
So happy for the clear edging - it will be so much easier to keep neat and trim.

I am also thankful that my new vegetable garden is taking shape.

It was a garden before, but had grown over in the 10 months that the house sat empty.
So far it is about 2/3 of the original size.

You can tell it was worked before, or the freshly turned earth would be red clay.
The tarps are down to kill the grass/weeds beneath.

I wanted to prepare it this fall, so that we can feed it compost and leaves this winter.

I may stick some pole beans in early next week for fall harvesting.

Do You Need Some Exercise?

There are some folks who think that I LOVE exercise.

I do not like the process, and the soreness the next day,

but I do appreciate the results.

I like to have toned muscles.

I like to fit in everyday clothes.  

I like to be able to work beside my hubby.

I like to be able to do the work around my home and gardens.

While reading through Proverbs this week, 

I was reminded of another strength that I should be developing.

These are traits of the truly strong woman.

Proverbs 16:32 

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; 

and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

... slow to anger

... ruling my spirit

How often do I fly off the handle?

Usually when things are not going as I planned.

My selfishness and pride show my weakness.

Do I rule my spirit?

The sin nature wants to rule my spirit.

It wants me to get angry,

to be lazy,

to covet,

to speak ill of others ... .

I want to be a strong woman - 

physically and spiritually.

So I must bring my weakness to the Savior

who can help me control my temper

and rule my spirit.

What's Cooking?

You have already seen it in parts,

but I would like to welcome you to my kitchen.

You know that we were pleased with the outcome of the countertops and cabinets.

It is always nice to have new appliances.

We had purchased the range for our last rental when the rental only had 3 working burners,

but the refrigerator is new.

I am thrilled for a working exhaust fan.

There is less cabinet space,

but somehow everything has a place now.

I love having a large silverware drawer ...

I even brought out my wedding registry silver for everyday now that I have more room.

The side counter below is my "office."

Phone,

pens and pencils,

my budget worksheet,

and a basket of coupons, notes, mail, receipts, things to be dealt with...

You Catch More Flies with ...

Apple Cider Vinegar!

It is the season for battling with the fruit flies.

They love the garden tomatoes and the bananas ...

and anything else that they can snack on.

They also like cider vinegar.

I make my own fruit fly traps.

A custard cup,

with a little apple cider vinegar,

covered with plastic wrap,

with tiny holes poked in the top.

It works great.

When it seems to lose effectiveness,

just change the vinegar.