A Week of Simple Pleasures :: Day 6

We have so enjoyed watching Season 1 and now we are in the middle of Season 2 of Little House on the Prairie. I think I pretty much cry through every episode. I love the relationships, the simple living (as in uncluttered because it certainly isn't easy!), the morals, the realness. It's just wholesome viewing for our family. It's so hard to find shows or movies that we can all watch together, and this is definitely one of them. All of my kids love it and my husband and I smile, wink, and get teary as we watch Ma and Pa weather the joys and the storms of raising a family.


And Michael Landon Jr. is the director for these wonderful movies based on the book series by Janette Oke. I read these when I was in high school and loved them so much. To now watch them on DVD is a treasure and is just wonderful and heart-warming. My husband and I put the whole series in our Netflix queue and he and I spent the early part of this summer watching each one in the evening after the children were in bed...we will definitely be buying these. Check them out!

Thank you Lord for even using things like movies or TV shows to tap into our hearts and show us greater realities about You. You speak in creative and powerful ways...help me to look and listen for You in all that I watch and view.

A Week of Simple Pleasures :: Day 5

Water with lime.

If you are friend of mine and go with me to a restaurant, then you know that this is what I always order. My water with lime usually finds its home in a goblet...I love drinking out of goblets and always drink my Southern sweet tea in a goblet. But now my water with lime has found a new home in a Ball canning jar. I buy raw local honey and it always comes packaged in these wonderful jars...over time I have collected enough to have my own set of drinkin' jars! And let me just say that the water just tastes better coming out of one of these jars. And it just feels homey. And I like the re-purposing of it all. It's just a simple summer pleasure.

Lord, thank you for being Living Water that quenches my deepest thirsts. Keep me from drinking from another Source but You. Fill me to overflowing so that others may be splashed by Your Life and Love coursing through me. Flow, Spirit, Flow!

A Week of Simple Pleasures :: Day 4

Finding organic goods at Kroger on Manager's Special is definitely a simple pleasure for me. I am always excited to make a bee-line to the organic section to see if anything is reduced for a quick sale...with our family of six, we go through organic milk and eggs quickly so to find a deal is pure delight!!

And blessed cherries!! We have gone through 3 lbs. of them this past week because I was able to get them through my Co-op for only $1.25/lb!! They are so sweet and delicious and beautiful...their season is so short-lived that I eat as many as I possibly can.

Thank you Lord for your grace in providing us wholesome foods...and in a way that I can afford. I love that you delight to grace us in the little things...even as I purchase our food. And above all these things, You are the One who truly satisfies my hunger and fills my soul.

A Week of Simple Pleasures :: Day 3

I planted these Gerbera Daisies last year and thought that they were annuals. I was delightfully surprised when they all started popping up their lovely heads again this summer because they are definitely my favorite flower. Cheery and bright! I love to put one in a small vase on the windowsill by my kitchen sink...an another beside my bed...and I tuck them into the ribbons on top of gifts for friends. These were an unexpected pleasure!


This is by one of our fences...last fall we left our pumpkins there, and one day my five-year-old John smashed them up. We just left them there to "compost" and guess what happened?! We now have an unexpected pumpkin patch! I can't wait to see if those big pretty blooms actually become our very own pumpkins.

Two unexpected gifts from the garden. Flowers and pumpkins. They just make me happy!

Lord, thank you for unexpected bursts of beauty...and that from tiny seeds You grow amazing things...not only in gardens, but in my own life as well.

A Week of Simple Pleasures :: Day 2

I was greeted early this morning with Sweet William snuggles. This is a simple pleasure that I know is fleeting all too quickly. Lots of "Mama, Mama!" Lots of wet kisses. Lots of pudgy hugs.

Then it was time for one of my dearest Sabbath pleasures...walking to church. Two of my boys grabbed each other's hands and ran as fast as they could for the 1/3 mile to church.

And me? I just strolled. Enjoying the sights, the passing friends in their cars, and the privilege to begin my time of worship as a walk...to pause, to thank, to praise.

Lord, thank you for a quiet Sabbath.
For blessed children.
For beautiful creation.
For bountiful care.

A Week of Simple Pleasures :: Day 1

My bed covered with ultra-soft red and cream blankets, the beginnings of learning to knit, and the lovely inspiration of Edith Schaeffer's book...The Hidden Art of Homemaking.

Lord, thank you for warmth and comfort, the ability to create and reflect You as a Creator, and for the faithful women who have gone before me in making their homes places of beauty and rest, welcome and peace.

A Week of Simple Pleasures

"When I stop speeding through life, I find the joy in each day's doings, in the life that cannot be bought, but only discovered, created, savored, and lived."

--from Mitten Strings for God by Katrina Kenison

I thought it would be fun to share a photo every day for the next seven days of what I would deem a "simple pleasure" for that particular day. I am not a great photographer, so these are just humble attempts at sharing a slice of my life with you and for us to enjoy together all the wonderful simple things the Lord gives us daily.

My prayer is that I will have "eyes to see" all the everyday miracles and gifts that He bestows, and in turn, give Him greater glory for His goodness and love and beauty.

Would you like to join in and do the same?

Simple Body Care

Now I haven't tried many simple, homemade recipes for body care, but I am definitely intrigued. The thought of not putting chemicals on my body is certainly motivating. The thought of saving money on bunches of beauty products is definitely motivating. And any opportunity that I can find to reduce my environmental impact by not buying more plastic bottles of stuff is clearly motivating. Not to mention the aesthetic and creative pleasures of making something all by yourself for yourself. That's empowering and cool.

Can you imagine never using shampoo again? Apparently there is a "no 'poo" movement that is growing, and the participants promise that their hair is healthier, shinier, and more beautiful that ever. Here are two links for you to read how to try it for yourself. You simply start using only baking soda on your scalp and some apple cider vinegar on your ends. Another article suggests just using a washcloth on your wet hair to wipe the oil from the scalp down to the ends...100 strokes on both sides of your head. I definitely want to try these methods and get free of the shampoo chains....I swore off conditioner a few years ago along with all those fancy shower gels and lotions. I am just using a bottle of Aubrey Organics shampoo and a bar of locally made soap when I shower...and then I use Dr. Bronner's and Sun Dog's Magic Organic Lotion.

I also found a another website today with recipes for making your own deodorant and toothpaste! I have tried every natural deodorant on the market (not really, but it feels that way :), and I would just love to begin making my own. There is something so nurturing and real about making homemade concoctions for your family. After recently using Jason's brand of deodorant (in which I ended up smelling WORSE than usual) and also giving up on my deodorant stone, I started using this and it's worked the best of anything "natural" to prevent stinkage. Since that recipe calls for baking soda (which is the basis for the one I use), I might as well give it a go. And I am tired of spending about $6 for a tube of Tom's toothpaste so this will definitely be a money-saver for me as prices seem to keep going up and up.

So although my products of choice already seem pretty basic to me, making-my-own seems like a fun experiment...and I am always up for an adventure no matter how small it may be :).

What simple body-care products do you use? Any recipes of your own to share?


photo courtesy of Flickr

Thought for the Day

“Go back to simple food, simple clothes, simple pleasures.

Pray hard, work hard, sleep hard and play hard.

Do it all courageously and cheerfully.”

–Herbert Hoover

picture from allposters.com

Homemaking 101

I have really been enjoying "keeping house" this past month. I have found a rhythm with it all that feels right and satisfying. Everything is about 15 minutes away from being clean at any time. The chores are getting done as needed. And the ritual of routine is keeping the laundry and dishes flowing as they should.

Here are a few ideas that I have on why things tend to be running more smoothly for me:

Summer De-cluttering. I have been going through every closet and purging clothes, toys, trash and random clutter (fast food toys, birthday party favors, dollar stores items) and taking them swiftly to a local charity (except the junk :) Mike and I have also tackled 3 small storage closets that we have and rid ourselves of most of it....when it sits behind closed doors almost indefinitely, do I really need it?? This was mainly baby paraphernalia, office stuff, and toys. When there is less stuff, then you can keep things picked up and put away easier.

Furniture/Room Rearranging. We have been switching things around with our living room, office, and playroom. It's amazing when you do a new arrangement that really pleases you that you really want to keep it looking nice. When our home starts feeling stale, then I don't take as much pleasure in keeping it. Our "new" surroundings have given me a renewed sense of order and loveliness.

Fresh flowers. I planted some zinnias in galvanized pails on our front porch and some butter daisies along one of our fence lines in our back entry...it's amazing how that little bit of beauty motivates me to keep the porches swept and clean and looking fresh. Before the flowers came, it all looked dusty and sad. It seems that adding beauty is a great motivation to then bringing in even more order and beauty. Instead of allowing all the dirt and dust to spur me on, the beauty beckoned me to work towards more order. I like that.

Morning Routine. Flylady really taught me the value of routine. Every morning I drink my coffee, reflect, pray. Then I hit the laundry room with my first load of the day, and then proceed to empty the dishwasher. I cook breakfast, do the breakfast dishes, and then switch the wet laundry to the dryer. We all get dressed, make our beds, and begin taking a look at what chores need to be done. We all know that when we finish, the reward is a clean home, a trip to the library or pool or park, and then we arrive back here to rest and peace. When I fall out of my morning routine, the whole day gets off kilter and it's hard for me to get back on track. Routine brings peace because there is always a knowing that things will get done and now it truly is autopilot for me.

Afternoon Pick-Ups. Right after lunch and then right before dinner, pick up the main living areas...living room, dining room, and kitchen. Then everything is ready for you and your family to relax for afternoon quiet times or later when dinner and dishes are through. Have the children go do a 5-minute room pick-up of books and toys. Having these two pick-up times in the day keep our home comfortable and relaxing...with six of us, we must do this. It teaches us to love and respect each other (our need for space and relaxing spots) and also allows us to invite others in at a moment's notice.

Intuitive Cleaning. There was a great blog post that I read a while back that I have searched for and can't seem to find. A woman was musing at why we obsess with cleaning schedules of what to clean which day of the week. She said that our grandmothers didn't use day timers or elaborate scheduling for their housework. They just cleaned as things got dirty. Why clean the blinds on Tuesday if they aren't dusty? Why mop the floors every Saturday if this week they may need it twice? Her premise was that we should stop complicating our housekeeping and just clean as the need arises. Wake up, see what needs to be done, and do it. Is that simple living or what? I began cleaning intuitively and boy, I began to really enjoy myself. I saw that the master bathroom needing some sprucing, so I did it. I saw that the front of my kitchen cabinets needing wiping, so I did it. I saw that just the little boys' room needed vacuuming, so I did it. I didn't go hunting for jobs, I just saw needs as I went about my day and took a moment to meet them. It has been very freeing and enjoyable. And actually the house seems cleaner than ever! I just am doing "here a little, there a little"...doing the next thing as it shows itself. Even as I sit here I am noticing the computer is dusty, so when I am done here, I will grab a cloth and give it a little care.

Simple Tools. I use microfiber cloths for cleaning everything...windows, dusting, floors, bathrooms. It sure does simplify my life and does a great job. Tools that work well are always worth investing in. A good sturdy broom. Vinegar/water. Thick dishcloths. A watering can. These are just a few simple things that I use well and often.

Finally, a few great resources. Because you know I love great resources. This book is always very inspiring and I can't wait to give it a re-read. I finally bought it about a year or so ago and am so glad that I did. A once-a-year reading seems about right. Also I bought a monthly $5 subscription to Homemaker's Mentor to learn some great "vintage" skills that seem to be lost with my generation. You can also just purchase individual lessons according to your interests.

Clean simply and intuitively...switch things up a little bit....purge the unneeded...add some beauty along the way. Sounds like good living to me.

Simple Embroidery

Like I said in my last post, I am enjoying embroidering some dishtowels for my home right now. I also look forward to adding some small touches to pillowcases and t-shirts, and I always receive much appreciation when I cross-stitch a simple baby gift for a friend (usually a bib or burp cloth with the baby's name). I gather and keep my current project's supplies in a round basket that I can carry around the home with me...by my bed, on the coffee table, out on the front porch, or in the hammock. It's also something I grab when we are going on the trip to do as we talk in the car.

Why embroidering?

I have always found any kind of handwork to add a softness, warmth and detail to a home. It evokes in me a sense of nurture and tenderness. It communicates a love for the home, for family, and for comfort. It just seems gentle...which is the kind of woman I long to be. When I have needle and floss in hand, I become calmer, more reflective/contemplative, and slow down. I am able to listen better to the children because I am less distracted. And I have been finding that I instruct them and teach them more about the Lord and life when I am sitting and working with my hands.

It's simple and easy to learn. It's easy to pick up when you have a few free moments and then set it down again as other needs arise. It doesn't take much time or energy to learn a few basic stitches that you can use to outline just about anything. I bought this book and it taught me the split stitch, stem stitch, and backstitch which I use for just about everything. It's a wonderful beginner's primer and I refer to it constantly. I also found this awesome reference book at a yard sale for $1 and encourage you to keep your eye out for it. It has inspired me to learn even more forms of needlework! And this book is on my wish list right now, and I just can't wait to get my hands on it.

It's inexpensive. Most crafty hobbies today can put a serious strain on the budget. That's another reason for my stitching addiction right now...I can afford it! A simple 6 inch wooden hoop cost $1. Floss is about 30 cents a color. My flour sack towels are $2.50 each and if they are on sale (which is frequent) they are even less. A bib or burp cloth costs about $6. Embroidery needles are under $2. Hot Iron Transfers are about $1. I did splurge and buy Gingher embroidery scissors and I love them. Well worth the investment (and you'll have them forever).

So there you have my advertisement for adding embroidery to your life. It's seems to me to be just about the perfect hobby for those that love simple living, an unhurried lifestyle, mindfulness, care, frugality, and the need for daily creativity. And it's really cute too :)

Happy Stitching!

Ten Simple Things

I got inspired to share with you ten things that I'm loving right now...

1. Local organic blueberries for only $1/lb. We have already picked 8 lbs and are going back tomorrow night for another 10 lbs. They are the biggest, sweetest, juiciest blueberries on the planet and I plan to fill my freezer full of them!

2. Being consistently on top of my laundry. I am serious when I say that I don't think I have been consistently on top of it the whole 11 years I have been married. My bedroom is now...a bedroom! Not an extension of the laundry room!


3. Simplicity 3835 and 4881. This top is so cute and I can't wait to make many of them (with correct sizing this time!). And the skirt is just a simple A-line but cut-on-the-bias which makes it fall just right over my hips. I'll be making plenty of them too. New uniforms :)

4. New-to-me couch and matching love seat that I found at the thrift for $100. It adds more seating to our living room and our "play room" upstairs. With our hosting a small group through our church and our heart to open our doors to college students, these are just perfect. They look a lot like this.


5. Aunt Martha's Vintage hot iron transfers of the months of the year. I am transferring each one to a flour sack towel and embroidering them for the kitchen. Having homemade touches around my home is important to me...it makes things warmer, cheerier and welcoming. Right now I am working on July and would love to get August done next week!

6. My freezer is currently filled with 14 meals for grilling...salmon, tilapia, steak, fajitas, hamburgers, and chicken all in delicious from-scratch marinades. Can I tell you how much easier life is with plenty of choices ready-to-go in my freezer? I just got this new book and can't wait to begin using it for freezer cooking. I've already seen some fabulous money-saving ideas in there.

7. Afternoon naps in my happy striped hammock. In the late afternoon before I start dinner preparations and a house pick-up, I allow the children to watch a video (this past week it's been Little House on the Prairie Season 1) and I steal away to the quiet and solitude of the hammock. Just birdies chirping and leaves rustling and I fall fast asleep. Twenty minutes later I am refreshed and ready for the "final push" of the day. It's the best $15 I have ever spent (hallelujah for the clearance section :)

8. Having a pool membership. Our stimulus check bought us a membership to a local swim and racquet club and it's the best purchasing decision of the summer. I actually feel like I am getting a summer vacation! The kids splash and play and are getting great exercise...and I can rest, relax, swim, and just be.


9. My Rainbow flip-flops. THE staple of my summer wardrobe. Worn with shorts, skirts, jeans and to church on Sunday. This is summer #3 for these and they are still going strong.

10. God's daily unconditional love and grace and forgiveness. Need I say more?

What are you lovin' during these sweet summer days?

Simple Laundry

I have actually been on top of my laundry for 2 whole weeks. And let me tell you, that is no small feat. I am good at keeping the clothes clean, but oh the piles of clean clothes that sit in my bedroom! I just haven't mastered a good system that seemed to work or a workable routine or any reminder system. But two weeks ago I stumbled upon the key for me to keep the laundry running seamlessly...and it totally may be a no-brainer for you, but it was a giant aha! moment for me.

Fold it as it comes directly out of the dryer.

I had always just take the clean clothes out, put them in a basket and tossed the basket in my bedroom. Then the clothes always got nice and wrinkled and just sat there until I "found the time" (yeah right!) to deal with them. And then the amount of clean clothes sitting there would have to multiply 4 times before it would bug me enough to deal with them.

Now that they are promptly folded when the drying cycle ends (and it takes me LESS time to fold because I am wanting to get the items that are in the washer moved there quickly), they are not as wrinkled, and I then feel motivated to just go start putting it all away. No more piles, no more stacks, no more "do I have any clean undies?"

And another tip I figured out in the midst of my recent laundry success is to loosely shake out the wet clothes from the washer as I am putting them in the dryer. Having them loosened up is actually reducing my drying time by 10 minutes! And it's helping with less wrinkles. I also use that time to make sure everything is right-side-out so when I fold it will be easier.

My last simple laundry tip is to learn the power of Biz. I got a wonderful natural cotton twill sofa and love seat from the thrift store for $100. It had some staining on the pillows and cushion covers. I allowed them to soak in Biz in my bathtub overnight and then hung them out on the clothesline. Beautiful and restored! And I have been using a small amount of it mixed with water to form a paste to pre-treat stains...works magically! And the extra bonus is that it keeps icky bleach out of my home.

Small laundry successes, but big emotional pay-off.

And now there is more time to do what I really want to do...to sew and to swim and to snuggle away all summer.

** photo edited to one of my own laundry line taken by Sara :)