Orderliness and Routine

Last year, Cherry presented the idea of choosing a word for the year. I chose two for 2008:

streamline and organize.

It seems having a word or two to focus on worked. I streamlined and organized a lot this year. We had a big garage sale and took truckloads of stuff to Goodwill. I try to continue to take a bag or two every few weeks. I minimized clothing and streamlined my laundry routine. I organized my pantry and other key areas, although there's still a long way to go. (I did not, however, streamline my cooking. Healthful meals and food allergies don't go very well with minimal time in the kitchen.)

This year I'm choosing two words as well:

orderliness and routine.

These words run on a parallel track to the words I chose last year, I think. They will keep me moving in the same direction. Besides the simple fact that it's good for grownups to have well-ordered surroundings and a workable routine, it's especially important for my kids. And out of my kids, there's one in particular who needs more order and structure. So that is my direction for the year.

The domestic work of Carl Larsson personifies this kind of order to me. I love his work pictured above, "Flowers on the Windowsill." It's tidy and peaceful, full of the routine of daily living. It's a visual reminder of the qualities I hope my life will one day embody.

Simple Woman's Daybook

Each Monday Peggy hosts The Simple Woman's Daybook. I decided to participate this week.

For Today...December 22

Outside my window...it's gray and chilly. Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 70's though!

I am thinking... how glad I am that I mixed and froze cookie dough next week for stress-free baking this week!

From the learning rooms...free reading this week since we are on Christmas break.

I am thankful for...my sweet husband and precious children who have gone Christmas shopping for me. :)

From the kitchen... pie crust for sweet potato pies. Fajitas for supper. Christmas cookies!

I am wearing... fave Keen shoes.

I am reading... Nourishing Traditions.

I am hoping... to get all my Christmas prep done in time for a peaceful holiday.

I am creating... a fruit of the Spirit quilt for my oldest girl, a little blue purse for my middle girl, and a secret gift for my son.

I am hearing... Baby fussing on my lap...she is so sleepy.

Around the house... laundry, holiday cleaning for a tidy Christmas, wrapping gifts.

One of my favorite things... quilts handmade by Grandma.

A few plans for the rest of the week... cooking.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Thanksgiving at Grandpa's

I'm a little late posting pictures from our Thanksgiving visit to my mom and dad's farm. These are my mom's sheep.

Well house

Mouser Kitty cat

I love the barn!

Grandpa took all the kids on a hay ride. Do you think these cousins have something in common?

This is my dad's old horse, Drifter. Drifter is 25. That's very old in horse years.

We had an entourage for the hay ride.

For these guys, the emphasis was on "hay."

Yummy!

For more pictures of Grandpa and Grandma's farm, go here and here.

Biscuits for Breakfast

We traditionally have a big breakfast on one of Billy's days off (Friday or Saturday). Lately I've been learning how to make biscuits. Good ones. Like his grandma used to make. Mmmmm...

If You're Here for A Day in My Life...

Scroll down past the Christmas meme. It's here, just a bit buried! Welcome, Little Jenny Wren readers!

Christmas Meme

I was tagged for this meme via email by my good friend Jenny. I figured I'd just post it to my blog!

1. What do you use, wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper. I get nice, heavy paper on clearance at places like Hobby Lobby. My favorite in recent history looks like old-fashioned sheet music for Jingle Bells!

2. Real tree or artificial? I love a real tree but succumbed to the lure of artificial when our allergies got too bad year before last. It's pretty, but it has no smell.

3. When do you put up the tree? Early! This year it was before we left for Thanksgiving vacation.

4. When do you take the tree down? Whenever we get around to it. Last year it was February.

5. What is your favorite Christmas beverage? Nonalcoholic eggnog. I haven't had it in years though. I keep thinking about making my own.

6. Favorite gift(s) received as a child? A babydoll I named Blanche (WHAT was I thinking???!!!) that I got on the only white Christmas I ever had. A whole stack of books by the tree. A diary when I was 9. That started my love affair with journaling. The pearl earrings Billy gave me on our first Christmas. Oh wait, I wasn't a child then. Although at age 22 I might as well have been.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Billy, I guess. Sometimes he just tells me what he would like for Christmas and truthfully I like that. It helps me know, and then he gets something he really wants anyway. But I'm also getting better at guessing what he'd like so there are some surprises.

8. Easiest person(s) to buy for? My kids, of course.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes,actually two. One is a Willow Tree nativity and the other is white and gold porcelain.

10. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards? Email. I used to send cards but somehow I never get around to it any more.

11. Worst Christmas gift(s) you ever received? Honestly, I don't ever recall getting a bad gift. I'm fortunate! Also, my parents taught me to be thankful for whatever I got, so I learned to always love the gifts others give me.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Charlie Brown Christmas

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Theoretically all through the year. In reality, we shop online after Thanksgiving. We don't fight Christmas crowds anymore. Next year I'd like to make a lot of my gifts. Maybe I can carve out the time if I start in January.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I'm sure I probably have. (I know, tacky tacky.)

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Pie. Fudge. Oranges. I guess I have a sweet tooth.

16. Lights on the tree? Yes! My favorites are the big colored retro lights I grew up with. White lights are pretty too, though.

17. Favorite Christmas song? I love them all. I can't choose.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We have usually traveled in the past. Last year we stayed home and it was such a peaceful Christmas. There are positives about both. We miss seeing family when we don't travel, but it's really nice to have a quiet day at home too. Of course I am a homebody anyway!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? I don't know.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A pretty metal star from Bass Pro Shop. It's not camouflage, I promise.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? People who overload themselves with stress and obligations to the point that they say, "I can't wait for Christmas to be over." Also, people who let you know they are disappointed with the gift you gave them. It's so rude. My pet peeve.

23. Favorite Christmas ornament or theme or decorations? Vintage glass from the 1940's.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Billy's cooking. I don't care what he makes as long as he makes it. He's an excellent cook. Last year he made some amazing spaghetti and meatballs.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? What I want most is to get our 3 years worth of digital pictures developed. I'm not a materialistic person, but I do keep thinking of silly things I'd like to have, like a tempered glass cutting board or particular books or cd's. Normally I can't think of anything, though, and if I were asked I'd forget all those silly things I thought of earlier.

Gosh, did I just sit here and answer 25 Christmas questions when I should have been washing dishes? Thanks, Jenny! That was fun!

A Day in My Life--December

On Sunday mornings I usually get up early and get myself ready about an hour before the kids get up. This makes our Sundays go so much more smoothly, since we attend the early service at 8:30. However, Sarah (my 3 year old) was up several times last night complaining of a sore throat, and sure enough, she is sick this morning. So I changed out of my church clothes and into jeans in preparation for a day at home.

After I fed the children, I put some turkey bones on to boil. I'm a huge fan of the Nourishing Traditions way of eating, and I've found homemade soup from bone broth very comforting and healing when we're sick. My kids look forward to it too. I made this little bouquet garni to add flavor. The rosemary is from my tiny herb bed, and the bay is from an elderly friend's huge bay tree. He gave me a six-foot branch and told me it's the most fragrant variety of bay.

Then I spent some time reading my Bible. I've been mulling over Psalm 119, which is a long treatise on God's Law. This verse (37) jumped out at me: "Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things." As a busy mom of 4 small children, time management is my greatest challenge. It's a struggle to know where to devote my limited energies because there are so many worthy things calling for my attention. I need God's help to know which things are "worthless" and which things deserve a second look.

This question was especially on my mind this morning as I spent a few minutes reading blogs. I find these journals of the wonderful things people do so inspiring, but at the same time I must understand that I can't do it all. So when I have a few minutes to read for inspiration, where should I go? Blogs about crafting, frugality and simplicity, homemaking, homeschooling, health, cooking, gardening??? Should I read for pleasure or simply for information? I wonder.

The kids and I had a little church/Sunday School time here at home. I plunked out a few songs on the piano (and plunk is right--Elizabeth says, "Mama, you need some more practice!") and Silas strummed his guitar and we make a joyful noise. Elizabeth read us the creation story and we talked about things God made and their Proverb from church Wednesday night. Then we prayed and they watched Veggie Tales. (OK, so Veggie Tales isn't part of the church thing--that's simple entertainment.)

Through the rest of the morning I rearranged the dining room, did laundry and cleaned, and finished the soup, as well as staying in touch with a couple friends via facebook. My sick baby didn't want to stay in the living room alone, so she brought a beanbag chair and the basket of Christmas books to the kitchen where I was.

Then Billy came home and we ate together before I tackled the pile of dishes on the counter. The afternoon was filled with mundane little things. One included the collapse of my cookbook book case. It's been wobbly for awhile, but it finally fell apart altogether. I guess I'll have to find a new place for my books, or get a new little book case.

Before I knew it it was time for Billy and the older kids to go to our church school's Christmas musical, leaving me with the little ones.

I plan to keep working on the house this evening, so it's tidy for a new week. There's bread in the machine and Sarah is watching Spot. Later, I'll feed everybody a light supper and we'll all head to bed.

Hope you all had a lovely Sunday!

Read more "A Day in My Life" posts at Little Jenny Wren!

Books I'd Love to Own

I've been keeping a running list of books I'd like to have, as I think of them. So often I think of a book I'd like and then forget about it because I don't write it down. Here's a portion of the list, so far.

Seventeenth Summer
We Had Everything But Money
The "Have More" Plan
Hungry Planet
Material World
Don't Make Me Count to Three
Leading Little Ones to God
Practical Herbalism
The Herbal Home Remedy Book
The How-To Herb Book
Square Foot Gardening

By Elizabeth Goudge:

A City of Bells
The Scent of Water
The Rosemary Tree

By Grace Livingston Hill:

The Enchanted Barn
A Daily Rate
Found Treasure
Cloudy Jewel
The Cloudy Jewel
The Seventh Hour
Re-Creations
April Gold
Brentwood
The Prodigal Girl
Partners
The Christmas Bride
The Gold Shoe
Astra
The Substitute Guest
The Patch of Blue
The Strange Proposal
Mary Arden
Beauty for Ashes
Crimson Roses

Seven Random Things

1. Well, I was on a roll when we went on vacation and I got sick. Yes, simultaneously.

Billy's also recovering, I'm still hacking, and the kids are snotty, so life is in the slow lane. Grace isn't complaining, but she's been up a lot at night and I'm a zombie. Billy ordered me to drink tea and watch TV today (awwww...sweet...), and I'm loosely interpreting that to mean clean the bedroom so I don' t want to cry/have a panic attack/throw up every time I peek in the door and blog. My brain is working in a very low gear, but those are two things I can't mess up too badly, I guess.

2. It's satsuma season again. I love those little easy-to-peel mandarins. So do my kids. We went through half a five-gallon bucket (from a friend's tree) in about 2 days.

3. I love my new Ergo! Wearing baby is so much more comfortable than any other carrier I've used, and she's much happier too.

4. For those of you who know my sister or used to read her blog, she has a new baby boy. This makes boy #3 and he is such a cutie! I was sufficiently recovered to see him on Thanksgiving day (two days after his home birth), but I didn't get too close and I certainly didn't hold him. Didn't want to take chances. I enjoyed him from afar, though.

5. I organized my pantry. That's another thing that was just about giving me panic attacks. Considering the frequent disarray of various areas of our home, I'm sure my husband doesn't believe me when I say disorganized messes make me physically ill. They just paralyze me, which is why they stay the way they do. I feel so happy every time I look into that orderly pantry!

6. I got pantry organizers in a most unorthodox way. Our freezer died (probably from power surges during Hurricane Gustav) and we had to get a new one. The wire baskets from the old freezer were perfect for the pantry shelves.

7. I've come up with a non-food reward for myself when I'm working through a really big job. I don't have time to sit down and read blogs like I used to, so I treat myself to a crafty or homey blog when I've finished a work milestone. Just one. Then on to the next chunk of work.

It suppose it's silly, but I get to read the blogs I love, my work gets done (somewhat), and it's noncaloric. I've lost 10 pounds in the last couple months, so I guess it's working.

Savoring Autumn

September to Christmas has always been my favorite, favorite time of year. Hurricane Gustav stole about 4 weeks of our fall this year, though. The Christmas season is almost upon us, and I don't feel ready. I who usually can't wait for Christmas! I'd like a little more fall, please.

In the warm climate where I've lived for years (three different states, all growing zones 8 or 9), it's finally chilly enough for a cup of tea in the morning. As the season goes on, we pull out jeans and sweaters, and occasionally even coats.

I'm squeezing out the last bit of fall pleasure before Thanksgiving. It's not Christmas yet!

New Orleans Streetscapes

Recently Rebecca posted "Maybe I'm an Impressionist," where she took on the idea of global thinkers as opposed to detail people. I concluded that I'm definitely a global thinker. My (detail-oriented) husband could have told you I'm not about details. It's the big picture, people.

So now I'm noticing this difference everywhere I go. And sometimes, like today, it makes me laugh.

We got new furniture yesterday, a barter with a friend who's moving. It's not what I would have chosen if I were going to pick all by myself, but it's very beautiful. It's definitely Billy's style: traditional and a little ornate. I can't help but love it. Especially since it replaces the freecycle futon we've had for so long.

I told Billy it looks like married people live here now. Now that we have furniture, I'm thinking about paint and curtains. And art. I could picture exactly what I wanted. A New Orleans streetscape. Deep, saturated color. Oils.

So Billy and I browsed Allposters together. "That doesn't match our furniture," he said. "It's sort of weird and ethereal. See?" Then he found some different prints. "This is nice. Clean, straight lines."

And, I noticed, details. Traditional, realistic details.

How funny that this idea of global versus detail thinkers came full circle when we were looking at paintings.

We haven't purchased any art. Maybe another day. Maybe we'll find just the right thing that's a perfect blend of what we both like. Or not.

Blue Autumn Sky

Photo by Elizabeth, age 7

Windows of New Orleans

We went to New Orleans a few weeks ago.

I've only been there a few times, although Billy went a lot when he was in school.

I love the building colors.

I'd love to incorporate them into my home.

I think a New Orleans style house would be beautiful, if it wasn't too stereotypical.

French vintage beauty.

(Photos by my husband)

I *Heart* Bargains

Funky shoes.

$5.00 on clearance.

The pink ones are Keds.

The brown ones were $40 before they went on sale.

I've wanted to buy some cute lightweight shoes for a long time. But I knew they wouldn't last long, so I couldn't even really justify $15 at Wal-Mart. It seemed a little ridiculous.

Isn't it amazing how God cares for the silliest little details of life?

Blessings

I made this simple banner for autumn. I actually started a tutorial, and then forgot I started it and completed the banner without taking pictures of the process. Long story short: Cut paper squares in graduating sizes and glue them together. (Click picture for a better look.) I used a utility knife to cut slits for the ribbon. Easy peasy. However, since I don't have much time for crafting lately, it still took me several weeks to complete! Oh well. I'm just glad I got to make something pretty.

Stunningly Accurate

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Audrey!

You are an Audrey -- "I am at peace"

Audreys are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.

How to Get Along with Me

• * If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure


• * I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this


• * Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit


• * Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and nonjudgmentally


• * Ask me questions to help me get clear


• * Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery


• * Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings


• * I like a good discussion but not a confrontation


• * Let me know you like what I've done or said


• * Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life

What I Like About Being an Audrey

• * being nonjudgmental and accepting


• * caring for and being concerned about others


• * being able to relax and have a good time


• * knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around


• * my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good mediator and facilitator


• * my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and now


• * being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe

What's Hard About Being an Audrey

• * being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive


• * being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline


• * being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch of the mouth personally


• * being confused about what I really want


• * caring too much about what others will think of me


• * not being listened to or taken seriously

Audreys as Children Often

• * feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant


• * tune out a lot, especially when others argue


• * are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves

Audreys as Parents

• * are supportive, kind, and warm


• * are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

This stinkin' two question test is astonishing. This describes me very closely. Probably the biggest thing that's not me is the part about not knowing what I want. I have to mull it over for awhile, but once I make a decision, I stick to it. I don't think I'm overly sensitive unless I'm very tired, but others might disagree. However, I won't open the floor for discussion on that one. *wink* This was fun.

Voting

Well, I typically try to keep this blog a "safe" place from potentially controversial subjects like politics. In fact, I left the days of political activism behind long ago, and I haven't had much interest in politics for years...Until this election. It's been a fascinating one. And since presidential elections don't happen every day, I'm breaking my political silence just for a moment.

As long as I have the freedom and right to vote, I plan to exercise that freedom. My philosophy is pretty simple. I vote for the person whose values and beliefs most closely align with mine.

This year that person is John McCain. I'm not voting for him because I think he'll necessarily be an exceptional president if elected. I put my hope in God, not in politicians. However, I do believe that a person of strong moral principles will be a better leader in all areas than one whose values stand in opposition to Christian moral beliefs. I have always admired McCain's war record, and I'm a fan of Sarah Palin, because of her strong faith and conservative values.

I've heard smart and sophisticated conservatives say that they are bowing out of this election because they don't see any great change that would come out of a McCain win and that Obama is exactly what we deserve. I guess I don't understand that kind of pessimism. Perhaps it sounds as though I'm speaking in platitudes here, but like I said, I'm simple. There are two choices, and I choose the one I believe is the better of the two.

Wonderful, Challenging Food

This week we've learned what we suspected for some time...It's almost certain that one of our children has a dairy allergy, as well as a sensitivity to high fructose corn syrup. We had two bad, bad weeks, and after we removed the dairy, we had the best week we've had in...I don't even remember how long. So this discovery, while not what we'd prefer for our little one, is a relief. Having a good week has been awesome.

Nevertheless, dealing with a food allergy (or sensitivity of any kind) is really overwhelming. Cooking is already--bar none--the most stressful part of my homemaking job. Cooking food that my family likes, that doesn't contain ingredients we already try to avoid, that doesn't keep me in the kitchen all day long, on a budget, is daunting. Add no dairy whatsoever to the mix, and it gets really challenging. Well, I'll just be honest, I'm stressed out about food already, and when this came up I was so overwhelmed I had a good cry.

But this is a time when I'm so thankful to live in the information age. I was expressing my frustration to God the thought popped into my mind to check food blogs. A quick google for "dairy free blogs" turned up treasure troves of information. Twenty minutes reading the wisdom of people who have been there put me in a much more cheerful frame of mind.

Here are a few:

Kids Food Allergies Blog

Sakura's Baking Blog

Go Dairy Free

Stuffed Chicken Breast

Yesterday I was able to spend a little more time on supper and make something that was actually different and good, as opposed to the frantic meals I usually prepare. (Feels like everything is frantic and half-done these days...)

It was easy though--stuffed chicken breast. Here's what I did, so I have it for future reference. Maybe you'll enjoy it too!

8 chicken breasts

1 batch cornbread (The recipe took 2 cups--that size of a batch.)
1/2 red bell pepper
1/2 green bell pepper
1 small onion
poultry seasoning (about 1 T)
sage (about 1 t)
salt and pepper
chicken broth to moisten
1 egg

I sauteed the veggies in a bit of olive oil till soft. (some celery, mushrooms, or pimiento would be good too, I think...)

Then crumbled the cornbread in.

Added dry ingredients.

Stirred in enough broth to make it moist.

Then I tasted it--before I put the egg in. (I'm weird that way. I don't eat raw cookie dough either.)

Added the egg and mixed really well.

Slit and stuffed the chicken breasts. Put them on a big cookie sheet.

Put the leftover dressing around them. Put a bit of water in the pan so they wouldn't stick and dry out.

Covered and baked at 350 for about 1 hour.

Yum!

Would have been even better with gravy. But it was fine this way too.

Strength

He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak.

Isaiah 40:29

Finding My Way

It's amazing how quickly things return to "normal." On the other hand, it's amazing how long it takes to find one's rhythm again after a natural disaster like a hurricane.

The area is being cleaned up and repaired as quickly as can be expected, thanks to a well-planned infrastructure and the dedicated work of many volunteers bringing help and relief supplies. Electricity is back (except for some of those whose homes were flooded or destroyed with the water from Ike...a double whammy), and most of the stores are open that will be re-opening--which is nearly all. The mountains of fallen trees that lined both sides of our street have been picked up. People go about their daily lives as normal, for the most part. This was our first rodeo, so it's amazing to see recovery happen. People who have lived here all their lives have stories to tell of many storms they've weathered. I told Billy, it's no wonder some of them begin to feel that they're bulletproof.

We're finally establishing a groove after our homeschool year got off to a rocky start. We had school even while we were evacuated, but it's hard to give it 100% when things aren't normal. I feel fortunate though--local schools were closed for weeks.

I've worked out something of a routine...a flexible schedule of sorts. We hurry with morning chores and start school shortly after Billy leaves for work. I get Elizabeth started and when she's able to work alone I work with the middle ones on phonics, math, and other pre-K and Kindergarten skills. We work hard and try to finish the most intensive part of our work by noon. That (theoretically) frees the afternoon for housework, as well as tea parties and other such fun. Fall is here! Time for tea!

I find that Elizabeth, especially, thrives on routine. It feels good to know what to expect, what's going to happen next. I think it's particularly helpful after a month of limbo.

This has been far more boring than I intended. Now that we're functioning at something more like normal, I hope to resurrect this blog and write lots more often. I love to write here...It's the only real hobby I indulge right now, except for the every-so-often crafting. See you around!

Post Up at Blissfully Domestic!

Woohoo!!! My first post is up at Blissfully Domestic!

It will look familiar to those of you who have been around here for awhile...It was so popular that it seemed like just the thing for BD.

10 Ways to Help Your Kids During Times of Stress

1. Model trust in God. When our children see that we are not afraid because we believe with all our hearts that God is in control, they will be more at peace. It will help their faith grow.

2. Give them spiritual encouragement. Read and memorize scripture together. Psalm 23 and Psalm 91 are great places to start. Pray for and with them.

3. Keep a peaceful atmosphere. Play calming music and minimize chaos and excessive noise.

4. Don’t take your stress out on them. It’s easy to become testy or withdrawn when we feel tense or concerned. Our kids need us to be even-tempered and approachable during times of stress more than ever.

5. Spend time together. Talk, read aloud, play games, go for a walk. This helps our kids feel secure.

6. Reassure. Encourage your children with your words, but also give lots and lots of hugs.

7. Establish some sort of routine. As a crisis drags out, it’s comforting to have a routine and a general plan for each day, as much as possible.

8. Feed them healthfully. Make sure they get a balanced diet, not too many weird or new foods, and not too much sugar. Keep them hydrated with plenty of water.

9. Make sure they get adequate rest. Not only do they need a usual amount of sleep, they may need an extra nap or early bedtime. Stress is exhausting.

10. Turn off the TV! In times of natural disaster, viewing destruction will only make your children feel powerless and afraid, especially if they know it’s where their homes, friends and family are. They don’t have the emotional filters we adults have, and it’s detrimental to allow devastating images to play in front of them over and over.

After Hurricane Gustav

Hurricane Gustav was a natural disaster second only to Hurricane Katrina. Why aren't you hearing this on the news? I don't know. Maybe because this is not New Orleans, because it "wasn't as bad as expected," because it's an election year and it's political, or because there are more sensational stories. Who knows.

Life is slowly returning to normal. Many, many people are still without power across the southern portion of the state. We anticipated a month to six weeks without power, so when the lights came on four hours after we returned home, we considered ourselves incredibly blessed!

A few more stores open each day. Some grocery stores are open, but every line at every register stretches to the back of the store. We were fortunate to be able to pick up a few items to carry us through until things are a bit more normal. I don't plan to shop for awhile. Although most people have been amazingly patient, tensions are still high for some. I feel more comfortable staying in, plus I don't want to wait in line for 2 hours with 4 little kids. During our evacuation, Billy's mom picked us a bunch of beautiful pears from the old pear trees on family property, so we're blessed with fresh fruit. These pears are a hard variety that last a long time.

By the time we returned, a lot of cleanup had already taken place, so the roads were at least passable. There are still huge trees down everywhere. Yesterday Billy and some other staff members from our church helped a lady whose home was destroyed by an enormous oak. Billy said it was so big two men reaching around it could barely touch hands.

We'll finally be able to have church services again Sunday. Sunday is also my 30th birthday, and I can't think of a better gift!

I'm A Blissfully Domestic Contributor!!!

Woohoo!!! Power is back MUCH sooner than anticipated and things are getting back to normal just a bit.

I recently discovered the wonderful world of Blissfully Domestic and I was thrilled to death when the opportunity came up to become a contributor to their home and garden channel. I'm a little behind the rest of the new contributors (thanks to Gustav), but I should have something up soon.

Gustav

Hello everyone, our home was in the path of Hurricane Gustav so I won't be able to post for 4-6 weeks. God was very good and we are all fine, but life won't be back to normal for some time. I will post on CharityGrace as soon as I can!

Window Mistreatment

Blogger's acting wonky, so let's try this one more time!

The Nesting Place is hosting a Window Mistreatment Party. Wonder what window mistreatment is? Here are her definitions:

Mistreatment: (n). covering for a window that is quick, cheap and pretty. may or may not need hardware does not require sewing. a real designer's worst nightmare.

Mistreating: (v). the act of treating a window with dignity and respect without use of the following: hundreds of dollars, sewing, time, crying, divorce, child neglect...

Here's a window mistreatment of my own. It's just an (unironed) old tablecloth and a couple lengths of grosgrain from my stash, hung over an existing rod. And now it's the only window in my house with a curtain. (In the ugly bathroom at that!) But with all the great ideas I got at the party, that's about to change!