Creekside Cottage

We Have More Than We Need

2012-02-19T07:53:00.000-05:00

I was reading a great post over at Melissa's lovely blog this morning. It was by Meagan Francis of The Happiest Mom. I have never read her blog before, but what she spoke about had me nodding in agreement and got my brain going.

In our culture, we get the message that we must have more, be more, do more....

Our homes, our lives, our clothes, our blogs must be a certain way or we certainly can't be happy or satisfied with it all.

We are some of the world's wealthiest people. Our poorest people here have so much more than many folks around the world.

A few years back, my younger girls and I were talking at bedtime. I regularly climb on their bed at night and we talk for a while before I pray with them. This particular night they were talking about how they wanted their own bedrooms, etc. I listened for a while - it's okay for a kid to dream - but when the tone got 'poor me-ish', I said, "Hold on! Let's just think about all that you have. In fact, you have so much, it is spilling out onto your floor!"

I proceeded to have the each say three things they had that were a blessing, not a need. Now often when I pray with them I start out thanking God for all we have and I make a list:

A warm and cozy home.

Food to eat.

Clean water to drink.

Water than we can access by turning on a faucet. We didn't have to walk to creek and bring it back by the bucket full.

Clothes.

Shoes.

A bed with a mattress.

The cushy 2 inch memory foam on the bed.

Warm blankets.

Pillows.

Electricity.

Books to read.

Stories and music to listen to.

Family.

Two vehicles.

Horses.

Dogs.

Our cat.

Our health.

Jesus....

We have so much more than we need, or deserve and I want to remember and I want my children to remember to be THANKFUL and to know who it comes from.

Making our list at least once a week helps us to keep it all in perspective. It helps me to be grateful.

When I read other blogs and see the amazing houses, or fantastic gardens, I can truly enjoy them and be inspired by them, but I am not envious, because God has been teaching my heart to rejoice and give thanks for what I have.

It is so much more than we need.

Creativity.....

2012-02-17T22:48:00.000-05:00

I haven't spread my creative wings for a while, and wanted something pretty for the store, but not overwhelming and something that would transition from Spring to Summer, as well.

Lindsay made the grapevine wreath for me several years ago, and I recently purchased silk flowers for it. I put it together today, and I really like it.

Also just because I am crazy, I did fix the right side there that seems a tad barren!

Homemade Laundry Soap

2012-02-17T00:42:00.000-05:00

We started to make our own laundry detergent several years ago, after we got a new washing machine. After using two washing machines for about two years, my husband grew concerned about how much water we were using (we have a well, and a drain field) and we wanted something much more efficient. Tim researched and came up with a machine from Staber.

He liked them because they are made in America, they are a simple machine - no computer in them - and he can fix it easily. Also they use very little water or detergent.

We were using just an ounce of liquid detergent and our clothes were coming out very clean and our black clothing no longer had white marks from laundry soap that didn't get rinsed out!

About that time I came across a recipe for making your own laundry soap and decided to give it a try. It couldn't be easier.

We use the following recipe

1 cup washing soda - Arm and Hammer brand found at Wal-Mart. This is not baking soda!

1/2 - 1 cup of borax - I buy it at Target.

1 bar of soap. You can use any kind of soap, but I like the Fels Naptha laundry soap bar. I find it at Wal-Mart for 97 cents.

You use only 1-2 tablespoons of laundry per load! This stuff lasts quite a while.

My kids make it up regularly - it is simple and non toxic.

These photos were from a few years ago.

My niece in law uses this recipe too, as she wanted to cut back on expenses and she has two little boys. She doesn't worry about what she is putting next to their skin!

Do any of you make your own laundry soap? I next want to make my own liquid hand soap! Any recipes to share?

Blog Issues - Update!

2012-02-16T10:57:00.001-05:00

I believe the malware issue is taken care of! Vee mentioned that her warning was tied to a certain blog, and that the blog had been notified of having malware on their blog. This blog was on my sidebar so I removed it and then Vee had no problem opening my blog and reading. Thanks for your help Vee and Debbie, too!

Now, I am off to finish my blog reading AND to hopefully find a background I am happy with!

A few ladies told me that they get a malware warning when they pull up my blog. My anti-virus is showing nothing is wrong. I am trying to change my background and just put up something for now.

I also am going to check links. If you are having this issue would you email me at tdrabe@aol.com and let me know the following:

1. What browser you are using; Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox

2. Did this happen since I changed my background to the Valentine's background, or have you had this message previously?

3. Are you getting the message when trying to open the blog or just a specific post?

I am thinking that it may be linked to the background I used...

Thanks!

LOVE

2012-02-14T08:36:00.000-05:00

I have been making cards for Tim since last week, tucking them in the mirror where he is sure to see them. I decided to romance him a bit. We are crazy about each other, some would just say we are crazy, but we are not a mushy, sappy couple. We love each other and we say it multiple times a day - when we leave to go somewhere, before we say goodbye on the phone, before we go to sleep at night....and we have also learned to say "I forgive." Both are equally important in any marriage.

We are not afraid to show affection to one another in front of the children - in fact they like to pretend horror and say "Ewww, their kissing...again!" We want our children to know that God made men and women for each other - it is good and it is His plan.

He is my best friend, my husband, my lover.

Happy Valentine's Day Tim, you love me well.

The Weekend Didn't Go Exactly As I Planned...

2012-02-13T14:17:00.000-05:00

This is just a fun photo that has nothing to do with the rest of the post, but in a way is a preview if you see all the mud under the snow.

We have had a mild winter here in Lancaster County. Really mild, but we have continued with the rainy pattern that started mid August. So, though we have enjoyed many sunny, mild days that felt like spring, we also have not had the blessing of frozen ground. That means parts of the pasture are a huge muddy, wet mess, some of the yard is squishy, and lots of the lovely stuff is being dragged in on a daily basis. Joy.

Remember how I did that sweet post about Tim being under the weather and resting on Saturday? Well, I ended up in the store on Saturday since Lindsay was under the weather as well.

I called home to find out how everyone was doing. Was Dad resting?

No, Dad was clearing out somethings in the pasture and making a burn pile. Did I mention it was rainy and snowy?

Emily likes to help her Dad outside. Here she is working to get a huge grapevine out of a tree...

Yeah, she's a bit nutsy...

Look how wet and muddy it is in this low section...

There is our Christmas tree on the pile - it's been out in the pasture for the last month and a half.

I won't tell you that they nearly forgot to come get me, and that no one made dinner, so guess who cooked dinner after being in the store all day....sigh.

I will say that he did rest on Sunday and even stayed home with those with poison ivy, colds and general not feeling well stuff. Only Emily, Kyle and I went to church. Then we went to lunch with friends, while the gang at home got subs with our friend Denny.

We spent the evening watching Dr. Who - with David Tennant. Lindsay's friend Sarah got her the complete David Tennant years for her birthday. Even those non sci-fi fans here are really enjoying it.

So while the weekend didn't go as planned, it was still good.

Under The Weather

2012-02-11T08:21:00.000-05:00

www.allposters.com

My sweetheart is a bit under the weather. He has quite the head cold. He works so hard and usually just keeps going. He is home this weekend and I intend to have him REST! A bit of spoiling is needed.

We are also under the weather in a meteorological way. We have about 2-3 inches of snow! It started falling last night covering the trees and ground beautifully. It's a winter wonderland.

I am headed into the store with Lindsay this morning. Her cold is hanging on and I am going to stay until we see if she is fully up to being there. If she is, I'll head home, if not, I'll stay and she'll head home. Emily will be here soon, to feed everyone and make dinner, if needed.

How are you all feeling?

Random Things

2012-02-09T09:13:00.001-05:00

A blogging friend Lisa did a post about random things and I thought it was fun, so I decided to do one too.

I don't know how many random things I have rolling around in this brain of mine but here goes....

1. My friend Jane says that I have a "trivial mind." I remember trivial facts that now one else cares about.

2. I wonder why people have standards for others to uphold, that they don't require of themselves.

3. Three of my daughters wear a bigger shoe size than me. The one who doesn't is 9 years old.

4. My spiritual gift is discernment. I think that is a tough one, I'd rather have the gift of Mercy.

5. I am two years older than Tim.

6. I used to follow the British Royal family very closely during the Diana years.

7. I am largely self taught.

8. Many people over the years have thought I trained for being a nurse or at least went to college.

9. I didn't go to college.

10. I went to a 2 year Bible School where I met my husband.

11. Tim and I trained to be linguists. We have the skills to take an unwritten language and develop an alphabet for that language.

12. I always wanted to be a wife and mother.

13. This is going to be a painting and refreshing year for our house!

14. I am addicted to Coca-Cola.

15. I recently have been on a reading tear! I have read 5 books in the last 4 weeks!

16. I have great online friends and count them as some of my dearest friends.

17. I am a big Chick-fil-A fan and am so happy that one opened up in our area!

18. I love history.

19. I made a video and posted it on my Facebook page yesterday. Of me talking. If I could figure out how to get it posted on my blog I would post it for you. Isn't that weird? A few years ago I would never have done that!

20. After 24 years of marriage, I love my husband now more than ever!

21. My kids are kind of okay too. :)

22. I am the only daughter in my family. I always wanted a sister, but God gave me 4 daughters instead!

23. My sons are bookends - 16 years apart with 4 sisters in between them!

24. I am not a big pet person, but we have 3 horses, 2 dogs, 1 cat and 1 chicken!

25. I want more chickens.

Well, there you have it for now. My brain was full of randomness until I said I was going to write it down - then it flew away! I have to head out to drop Emily at the store and go by the bank.

Have a wonderful day!

Last Evening...

2012-02-08T01:04:00.001-05:00

We had 13 people at the table for dinner. I cooked a ham and made some cheesy potatoes and also green beans. It was a lot of fun to have my parents, Nate and Denny enjoy dinner with us. We did a lot of talking!

After dishes were all done, Emily got Kyle to help her make Cappuccino muffins. I had asked her to make some the other day to have on hand for breakfasts and snacks.

Sarah made a fresh pot of coffee

Kamryn was having fun at the table...

I couldn't get her to hold still...

These two were hanging out in the living room -

So were they! My favorite dad brought me See's Candy! Out of his own share of a box they ordered online! California Brittle! The best candy ever! That is why he is my favorite!

As you can see Sarah was getting around - she actually had to plug Grandma's ipod in to charge it so she moved over to sit by Kay and the computer! :) Our family loves technology!

Great Grandma was taking advantage of Kamryn wanting to be held...

Denny was watching Bocce Ball videos on YouTube.

It was a really good day - I got to go to a wholesale place with Becky - I found some nice earrings for the store, she found some great things for her candles, I got to spend time with my parents, have a big family dinner, hang out and talk and then watch Goodbye Mr. Chips - the 1939 version. This is a really neat movie.

Today I need to run Rachel to the dentist - she chipped her tooth again, then I am going into the store. It is a short day, and the kids are being left with school work that they can do under Emily and Lindsay's supervision, besides math it will be an art, music and learning games day! Those are fun!

We are supposed to get some snow this afternoon. Kind of crazy since it has been 51 degrees the last two days....

What are you up to?

Tim And Dan

2012-02-06T08:18:00.000-05:00

This is a photo of my husband (in the green shirt for those of you new to the blog) and his brother Dan. Rachel quickly snapped the shot on Friday night. Dan and Sharon are missionaries in Senegal, West Africa. That is where Tim and Dan grew up - their parents being missionaries there.

Dan was home for leadership meetings in Florida, and Sharon had been home to help their daughter Shelly with some health issues.

We were blessed to have spent time with Sharon while she was home, but Dan had been in Florida and then Missouri. They stopped by on Friday for about an hour. We were so glad for the time that we had.

They left yesterday to go back to Senegal. They love their work there and the Africans that they work and worship with. They love the missionaries who are co-laborers with them. But when they return to Senegal, they leave behind two of their four daughters.

These two live and work here. They must be separated from them, though these days they have Skype and can talk to them face to face, it is hard. Their other two daughters are in Senegal - one lives with them and is in high school, the other is a missionary herself and lives many hours and rough roads away from them. They will get to see her in April when the missionaries there get together for a field conference.

Tim, Lindsay and Emily are planning to be there, too. They will be making a special trip to Senegal in early April. For Tim to visit the place he grew up - they will get to spend the night in the village where his parents lived and where he grew up until he was 12. For the girls it is a chance to not only see where their Dad grew up, but it is a chance to travel, to meet missionaries, and to see a land that is a part of their family heritage. They have two uncles buried there - one as a infant and one as a ten year old boy - Tim and Dan's brothers David and Joey.

These losses, as well as their life in Senegal shaped the men that Dan and Tim have become. They are gifted with different strengths but both learned from their parents to put others first. They both have hearts to serve the Lord.

They are looking forward to the trip - they are in the process with their passports, and starting to think of what they need to take. It will be here before we know it.

We are praying for the elections that will take place in March - there is always some unrest, but their has been more this time due to the current president deciding to run again. We pray that this country, which has had great stability, can continue to be an example to other African countries in this way and that the unrest will settle down quickly after elections.

Dan and Sharon will be home by now. Back to their everyday lives there and missing their girls here very much, and their parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, and now even great nieces and nephews.

We pray for the Lord to bless them and encourage them.

Heart Garlands

2012-02-03T15:06:00.001-05:00

Okay, first of all, this is a bad photo - it is hard to take photos in our hall bathroom due to the red color and the lighting. But I really wanted to show you the cute garland hanging in front of the mirror! It is so cute and cheery. I usually don't do much decorating for Valentine's Day but I was inspired by Pinterest the other day and the girls had a great time with it!

They made a few huge garlands and this shelf over the basement stairs is a great place to hang one!

More of a close up view - aren't they cute?

A smallish one over the kitchen sink...

In the front window...it hangs in the window behind the curtain.

Up close!

The whole front window...

An all red one in front of Rachel and Sarah's bedroom door.

We used craft weight paper, not construction paper and we used double sided tape.

Are you doing any decorating for Valentine's? These were inspired from something I saw on Pinterest as well.

Sprinkles in a tea light holder - I used my heart shaped ones in pink, red, and white.

Aren't they sweet?

Garden Seeds

2012-02-02T08:56:00.000-05:00

We are so excited to plant our garden this year. We are trying a few new items, but definitely going with some tried and true veggies. The Flat of Italy onions grew wonderfully - we loved them. I am such a nerd...but I love cooking with things I've grown!

The Buff Contender beans grew really well last year, but the Violet Jasper tomato is new to us this year. Lindsay and I like unusual looking but normal veggies.

We had trouble with peppers last year - hoping they will do better this year.

The carrots did well too, in fact yesterday Lindsay pulled one from the garden! We have had such a mild winter. Our famous ground hog says six more weeks of winter, with as mild as it has been, there are no tears here! The broccoli grew well too, but that freak snowstorm in October killed it. We are going to try to do an early planting and a fall planting.

Our other tried and true veggies are the yellow summer squash, Blue Lake green beans, spinach, lettuce, parsley, cilantro.

This last year we had a prolific crop of grape tomatoes, which we love, but our bigger tomatoes took forever to ripen....

What veggies do you grow? What have been successes and/or failures? What are your plans for your garden this year?

My New Normal

2012-02-01T14:27:00.000-05:00

Sorry for my lack of posting. Monday we were on a buying trip for our store and yesterday, I was in the store for a few hours. We got some really nice things, new handbags, and some beautiful sterling silver necklaces and sets.

Some days my life feels "normal" I am home, doing school with the kids, cooking, baking, planning the garden for Spring. Other days, I am in the 'big city' and buying merchandise for our store, in downtown Lancaster.

We sell these Brighton style watches

This is my new normal.

It has become a comfortable thing to hop in the car and hit the turnpike for a day in the 'big city.' We drive through the tunnel, hit "our" parking lot, walk over a block to our favorite food place with - and this is the most important thing - the cleanest bathrooms in that part of the city! After a stop there we are off - handbags first, as they are bulky and hard to carry. We get those first, stop back by the car in the protected parking lot, and leave the bags in the car. Then we are off to look at jewelry, totes, and scarves.

Great magnetic clasps!

Buying for the store is fun, but it is work. We have to know our customer and what they are looking for when they come into our store. We need to think ahead to the next season and keep our eye out for the right colors. We need to remember the classic pieces that always sell, as well as find those fun, trendy items, and to know when the trend is over. We are always learning.

At home we are always learning too. Bible, history, science, math, language arts. Today we did a fun Valentine art project. I am going to try my blogging friend Cheryl's Sally Lunn bread - you can find the recipe here. Vee posted about it yesterday and it made me want to try this recipe! The kids are learning more skill at horseback riding - the weather has been Spring like this week.

At home I am cleaning and refreshing things, and we do that at the store as well. It has become a part of our family life just as much as home education has become our life. It is a branching out, so to speak, a new area of learning and possibilities.

Most days I am at home and able to keep to my responsibilities here, and either Lindsay or Emily are in the store. I do all the paperwork for the store from home, and will do some of the online store work from home as well.

Speaking of the online store...I need to go and get some information to send to our web guy...Tomorrow we'll talk about seeds!

My Creative Kids

2012-01-28T08:06:00.000-05:00

My kids love to make movies...yesterday Lindsay told them they she wanted to do a short film with them! They even passed up a trip to the library with me to do this! Can you guess what they chose?

Kyle as Tintin...

Sarah was both Thompson and Thomson...she changed her mustache for each role...Rachel was the legs and feet for one of them when Lindsay filmed a walking scene...

Movie still...Tintin and Snowy...

What do you think? I love it and I love their creativity...they worked on it for hours! When Lindsay gets it edited I'll make sure to show you!

Have a delightful weekend!

Kamryn and Grandma

2012-01-26T22:28:00.000-05:00

I had a visitor this evening while I was at my desk! Kamryn came in to see what I was doing.

Here she is checking out what's on my computer screen...

Photos of her cousin Logan! She and I both think he is cute!

Kamryn doesn't always want to take the time to sit with me, and I was so glad she did. Last night she brought me her blankey and a book and climbed up on my lap! I love that!

Did you see the manila envelope on my desk? Our seed order came already! I'll show you some of what we ordered soon!

Glow Pots

2012-01-26T09:34:00.000-05:00

The girls have been busy making what we call "glow pots."

Beeswax from the natural foods store, a water balloon dipped into the melted wax...

Delightful on a winter morning...

Let's Talk Herbs

2012-01-24T09:11:00.000-05:00

www.allposters.com

When Lindsay and I placed our seed order the other evening, we made sure to order herbs this year.

Now I should qualify that to say that we have ordered some herbs in the past, cilantro and parsley, and they have grown very well for us. In fact we were able to save seed from our cilantro! We just love it in fresh salsa! And we use our parsley fresh and dried in our homemade buttermilk ranch salad dressing!

But this year we longed for more and decided that we are going to do a separate section just for herbs in our garden. We ordered lavender, basil, chamomile, a new variety of parsley and we also ordered Echinacea.

Technically, Echinacea is a flower but it has great medicinal properties, so I wanted to grow some to use in tea or to grind up the root to use in capsules to help build up the immune system. All the echinacea that I have grown in the past have been from commercial growers. The ones we will grow are heirloom seeds!

Echinacea in my garden in June 2011

I also am going to add feverfew to the herb garden, but that I will transplant from my cottage garden!

Feverfew in my garden 2011

I have never grown Chamomile but it is a good plant for tea! Very soothing, and relaxing. I am realizing that I will need to keep my chamomile and my feverfew planted in different sections so as to not confuse the kids...or myself!

www.allposters.com

I have grown lavender before. Mostly the English variety Munstead. I am not sure what the heirloom variety will be like.

www.allposters.com

I do know that lavender smells fantastic and is easy to dry and make into sachets for your closet or drawers. You can also use it in baking, and in soaps and bath salts. Lots of variety!

Do you grow herbs? What kinds of herbs do you grow? Do you have an herb garden or a few pots in your kitchen? If I didn't have space for a garden, I would definitely put some herbs in pots in the kitchen! So great for cooking!

Here are a couple of great resources for learning about growing and using herbs.

The Bulk Herb Store - Has a great dvd on Making Herbs Simple. I learned a lot of fun things to do with herbs from the dvd I have - hair treatments and more!

The West Ladies - Vickie, Hannah, Cecilia and Jasmine are a mother and her daughters that we just love! They are very down home and we love that they live the things they teach. Their Homestead Blessings dvd by Franklin Springs are great!

Esther Bolick's Orange Marmalade Cake

2012-01-22T23:34:00.000-05:00

I have been a big Mitford fan since I read the first book in the series, many years ago. I love how she makes all these characters come to life and you feel as if they are real people. Over the years I have read all about Esther Bolick's Orange Marmalade cake and wondered what it tasted like.

Right before Christmas, I made a quick stop at our local library and while there I popped into the little used book store. I found this gem and another Mitford Christmas book called The Mitford Snowmen. They are both just short stories, but a sweet read non the less.

I am sure you can guess what this one is about...

In the back is the recipe and instructions for baking this cake. I just had to try it, so I bought all the ingredients. They sat in my cupboards for a few weeks until Saturday.

Saturday I got out the cake flour, which I had never used before...

I baked the cake in two 9 inch pans and after a bit of cooling, poked a bunch of holes in them to pour the orange syrup (orange juice and sugar) over the cake and let it soak in.

I warmed up the Orange Marmalade...

I put marmalade on one cake and stacked the two layers of cake...

I whipped whipping cream, sugar and sour cream together to use as a frosting...put it in the fridge to chill for 2 hours and then after our family worship time last night, we tasted it!

It was delicious and today Becky and Pastor Mike each had some and really liked it too. Is it thud worthy? I don't know...I actually love Becky's mother in laws' lemon blueberry cake better, I think. But this is one delicious cake.

So Mitford fans, there you have it. Esther Bolick made these for special occasions and for Christmas gifts, and I made ours to have with our evening tea after dinner.

Let me know if you want the recipe and if you have tried it and liked it - or didn't like it!

ps - Focus on the Family's Radio Theater has a wonderful audio drama of some of the Mitford books combined. My kids love them, and loved getting to try Esther's cake last night!

Snow Day, But Looking Ahead...

2012-01-21T08:47:00.002-05:00

Tim and Lindsay are both off to work this morning. Not sure that we will have any customers today, but the farmer's market was open so we opened too.

For a while this morning we were getting sleet but then it turned back to all snow...

We have about 3-4 inches.

I loved Maxx's paw prints on the deck!

The view out of my front window...don't look too closely - we need to scrape paint and put a fresh coat on the window sill. I actually would like to replace this window...

Now thinking ahead...Lindsay and I worked on our garden plans last evening. We went over what we planted last year, what grew well, what didn't, what we would like for this year. We are only keeping our raised beds for our strawberries this year, and are going to plow up a bigger space. We also are going to grow some heirloom corn this year!

We made our list, I got online at www.rareseeds.com and placed our order! Love the convenience of technology!

Do you garden? If so, do you save seeds? Do you can your produce or just eat it fresh? What is your favorite thing to grow?

Hiding God's Word In Their Hearts

2012-01-20T17:03:00.000-05:00

A Few Great Quotes And A Thought From My Husband....

2012-01-18T21:00:00.001-05:00

www.allposters.com

Une Petite Fille - William Adolphe Bouguereau

Christ will be master of the heart, and sin must be mortified. If your life is unholy, then your heart is unchanged, and you are an unsaved person. The Savior will sanctify His people, renew them, give them a hatred of sin, and a love of holiness. The grace that does not make a man better than others is a worthless counterfeit. Christ saves His people, not IN their sins, but FROM their sins. Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.

~Charles Spurgeon

Sometimes it seems that the American church’s highest value is what Francis Schaeffer called “personal peace and affluence.” We want to be accepted. We don’t want to be controversial. Above all, we don’t want to suffer. It is time for Christ-followers to stand up and say, “We must do what is right, regardless of the consequences.” “But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men’” (Acts. 5:29).

~Randy Alcorn

My blogging friend, the sweet, tenderhearted Katy, shared these

quotes on her blog The Country Blossom.

I read them to my husband and he commented on the Act 5:29

verse saying that the thing with the apostles is that those who were

persecuting them took note that "they had been with Jesus." Then

he said "The problem with believers today is that "we haven't really

been with Jesus."

I thought that was very challenging, and true.

May you delight in being with Jesus today!

We've Been Watching A Lot Of This

2012-01-17T07:47:00.000-05:00

Are you familiar with Tin Tin? A lot of people we know have never heard of him. Our friend Denny said " I've heard of Rin Tin Tin." We laughed.

www.images.google.com

We discovered Tin Tin when our son Nate was younger and looking for something interesting for a boy to read from the library. He really enjoyed reading these stories. A few years later we discovered a cartoon series of the Adventures of Tin Tin.

After Christmas we decided to see a film as a family and we choose Tin Tin - though the girls had all seen it. We enjoyed it very much, especially Kyle. So when he was looking to use his Target gift card last week, and not being able to find a toy he wanted in his price range, we headed over to the dvd section to see what he might find. (I find that most of it is, to borrow Charlotte Mason's term, "twaddle.") Just when we thought he would have to give up his search I spied "The Adventures of Tin Tin," season one of the animated series!

He and Sarah and Rachel have been enjoying them. If you are interested in reading more about Herge' and Tin Tin I found the Wikipedia page very good. Here is the link - Tin Tin.

www.images.google.com

Have a wonderful day. Thanks for all your sweet comments and encouragement yesterday.

Challenges

2012-01-15T22:58:00.000-05:00

Life is filled with challenges. Sometimes they are harsh challenges and sometimes they are just a bunch of little things....

Right now dear friends in California are asking for prayer as their dear mother/grandma, who is elderly and suffering from dementia may be near the end of her journey here on earth.

We are busy with the store and learning so much. I ask that you would pray for us to continue to work well together and to enjoy the process.

We are so blessed with a wonderful church fellowship. Today was communion and a meal together. A long afternoon of fellowship was followed by coming home to a house full of young people! Nate's good friend whom we used to call Dreadlock John is in town. He is a Marine now and is in training to be a crew chief on a C130. I looked at him tonight - he is a man now, who serves his nation at a challenging time. Pray for him - he grew up in a Christian home but I am not sure where he is at with the Lord right now.

Tim's work rotation changes this week and they are now on required A-B weekends. This means that he works every other weekend, instead of every third weekend. 12 days of work to get 2 days off. Sigh. We are not very happy about this. Pray for wisdom for us in this if you will.

Pray for me as I have some challenging relationships with my extended family. Right now I am hurting. I keep giving it to the Lord, but sometimes I take it back. Pray that I will be able to truly let it go into His hands. He loves me - I can rest in that.

On the other hand...

Things are very good right now. The store is doing well for January. Things usually pick up in late March/April depending on the weather. Our children are growing in every way....taller, gaining wisdom, expanding their circles of influence. We are all in good health.

God is helping us to grow through our challenges. One day we will be with Him and will no longer struggle, for we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is! 1 John 3:2.

Bookcases and Books...

2012-01-13T20:53:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago Brenda @ Coffee, Tea, Books and Me showed us some of her bookshelves. Being an avid reader, I love to see what other readers have on their shelves. I thought that you might like to see some of the books that I have on my shelves. These shelves are from the bookcase in the hallway, and house books I like to keep close at hand...

Health For Godly Generations by Renee DeGroot is an thoughtful book about making wise food choices. So is the book Real Food,by Jessie Hawkins. Biblical Womanhood in the Home by Nancy Leigh DeMoss is excellent as well. What Makes A Man Feel Loved by Bob Barnes (husband of Emilie) is one I always recommend to young women who are getting married or even women who have been married for a while.

These are books that have challenged me and encouraged me. I don't necessarily endorse every thing in every book. There. That is my disclaimer.

This shelf houses current homeschool materials...

This is our huge bookcase downstairs. I have been organizing many of our books on these shelves.

I have all my Jane Austen upstairs but on these shelves I have my Jane Austen sequels...I really like the Diaries of Mr. Darcy, Mr. Knightly, Capt. Wentworth...by Amanda Grange. They give you the story from the man's point of view! Also my Mitford books! Finally a place to keep them where I can just grab one!

Some Beverly Lewis and my Lori Wick books. I am finding them bit by bit at used bookstores, thrift stores, etc.

These are my Nancy Drew books. When I was around 10 my mom signed up for a summer book club for me. These books came every two weeks maybe and have two stories in them. I would finish them in just a few days. My poor mom - I was always clamoring for something to read! Now I am reading them aloud to the younger set.

My Dee Henderson books...love those O'Malley's!

Thomas Kinkade, Emilie Barnes, who was a mentor to me through her books, Karla Dornacher - I love her art and the sweet words that accompany her art in her books.

Gilbert Morris - I have most of the House of Winslow...but stopped trying to keep up. I have all the Cheney Duval books he wrote. Then he started writing them with his daughter, and after three books they stopped. I wished they had continued, I felt as if it was unfinished.

Precious books - Little House and Anne of Green Gables.

Lamplighter books...

Cherry Ames, a few Nancy Drew, Cheaper by the Dozen and Belles on their Toes...

Grace Livingston Hill, G.A.Henty, Hinds Feet in High Places.

Well, that is all for now...many, many of the characters in these books are dear old friends. It is fun to read them over again and remember why you liked them in the first place.

Another day I will show you my main school bookcase....

Date At Home

2012-01-12T23:16:00.000-05:00

I had an inspiration this afternoon - a few text messages later I had arranged for everyone to go to my parents for the evening. Everyone except Tim and I.

He was sleeping in his cave (he is on third shift) and had no idea. With a busy household, time to talk and remember why we love each other is scarce. I had the genius idea to have a date, but one where we wouldn't have to get dressed up, go out, or spend any money. I made Ziti and a great green salad for dinner and after the kids ate they left. I read and in a short time I heard Tim come upstairs.

"Where is everyone?" said he.

"I sent them away...they are all at my parents house." I smiled.

He smiled back.

It is so important to take the time to let our husbands know how important they are to us. It was lovely.

When the kids were all much younger we used to do deck dates - we would sit outside on our deck in the evening with a cup of coffee and tea after the kids were in bed. Those were lovely times too.

Last Night...

2012-01-12T08:18:00.000-05:00

we went to dinner at the home of a lovely family from our church. This is a young family with 5 children and one on the way. You would think that they would hesitate to have our family over, but they didn't. I am so glad! We had a lovely meal, delightful pie, and wonderful fellowship.

Can I say that I would have gone just for the fellowship? The conversation was wonderful and encouraging.

Also sweet was sitting in the back row of the van next to my little man. He was tired and snuggled up close. He held my hand and whispered "I love you." Know wonder he has my heart.

Thank you, friends for pursuing us, for the invitation to dinner and for your friendship. It is a treasure.

Happenings

2012-01-11T08:54:00.000-05:00

Lindsay took Rachel and Sarah on a trail ride yesterday. Liberty is waiting patiently to go.

Rachel loves to ride and is very confident.

She loves her pony...notice she rode bareback.

Sandy is the grand dame of our horses. She is getting older, but she is still large and in charge, if you know what I mean. She and Lindsay are best friends.

This photo makes me so happy - Sarah has always been more timid around the horses and has been nipped and one of the horses started to roll when she was riding several years ago, so she was afraid to ride. Her sisters and her dearest friends all ride so she decided she must conquer this fear.

Cheyenne, sweet, laid back mare that she is, has helped Sarah learn to love riding and gain confidence. Look at Sarah go!

Lindsay always makes them do ground work with the horses before they ride. It helps the horses to engage their brains, and be ready to have you ride them.

Here they are heading down the road...

Shifting gears I thought I would show you some random things going on yesterday.

Kamryn eating her lunch - leftover pizza from her aunties Bonfire the evening before. The girls invited lots of friends from church and work to come have a bonfire. They had a great time. These are wonderful lovely young adults and Tim and I enjoy having them here!

My little man...

Maxx came up to check out my camera - curious kitty...

We took all the Christmas greens and village down yesterday. I decided to do all white for the rest of January...

What's been happening at your home?

Getting Into A Routine

2012-01-08T22:12:00.000-05:00

is high on my agenda for this month.

We need to get back to a good cleaning schedule, school routine, meal planning, etc.

It often falls apart during the Christmas season when we are celebrating and off our regular schedule, but this year it was even more crazy, because we bought the store.

I have been feeling the need to get very organized here at home so everything flows well. We are organized for the business, so I want it to carry over at home. Not one of my natural strengths, as I am a 'fly by the seat of my pants' kinda gal...I know that will send you planners over the edge, but it's true!

Tomorrow we will be back to a full schedule of school. We have to put in 180 days here in Pennsylvania and we already have 97 days finished! We have been having fun this year and I'm so happy to have this time with my children. Years of learning and loving together that I wouldn't trade for anything!

With all of us working together we should be able to get our chores here at home done in short order by doing a morning and afternoon clean up. I have enjoyed reading Kim Brenneman's book Large Family Logistics and she has a blog of the same name. There are a lot of really great ideas in this book and she really gets to the heart of the why in this book. The desire to serve our families and make our homes places of order and welcome.

We have been so encouraged in our new adventure of a family business - our 86 year old associate pastor prayed for us today in taking "a bold step and buying the business."

We had a great day at church and then as we did not have a fellowship meal today, several families went out to lunch. It was fun, and the kids were all so well behaved. We are so blessed to have a great church family. We are going to dinner this week at one family's home - we are excited to spend time with them. They are such a sweet and precious family, and are expecting a new little blessing in August! When they announced it today everyone cheered and clapped! Joy!

Well, I feel as if I am rambling so I should stop writing now. Have a wonderful week.

A Day At Home...

2012-01-06T08:11:00.000-05:00

I woke up very early (5:15 am) by a dog who was pacing around and apparently needed a trip outdoors. So put on my boots and coat, grabbed a flashlight and headed out. Once the other dog and the cat realized we were headed outside, they decided to come along too!

It was cold but not freezing and the sky at that time was clear and beautiful. I love the sky at night when it is still absolutely dark out.

I came back inside, made up a pan of baked oatmeal, read a bit online, and have now started bread to rise.

The sunrise was so spectacular this morning. I couldn't quite capture the deep red of the sky, but it was gorgeous.

I am hoping to organize my bookcases today, do a bit of reading, pick up the girls friends this afternoon for a sleepover. I am going to take Emily into the store today and I will be there for a little bit. I want to get completely acclimated to the whole thing.

What are you doing today?

Thankful

2012-01-05T07:54:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, we were in the big city to do a bit of buying. It was freezing cold, but we were excited and got it done.

It was fun to see Lindsay and Emily blossoming and on this our fourth trip (we tagged a long the other times with our friend Denny) they showed that they have a good eye for details. We found a few new styles of handbags which we are excited about, and some really awesome sterling silver necklace and earring sets!

On these trips we also have to buy packaging materials, boxes this time for earrings and necklaces. Lots of details to think of.

Tim and Denny were with us and Denny was very encouraging to us that we did well, and everything is going to sell! That is key, you know!

I have a thankful heart this morning.

Thankful for a husband who desires for us to work together and to grow. Also thankful that he has been wise with our finances.

Thankful for a friend and brother in Denny. He has truly walked us through this process.

Thankful for Lindsay and Emily who know how to work hard, and are excited for this opportunity to be entrepreneurial.

Thankful for the Lord using this opportunity to stretch us - I now know why He lead me to step down from our homeschool co-op leadership.

Thankful for my parents encouragement and practical help with sleepovers for the younger set when we go on buying trips!

I never dreamed of owning a handbag, jewelry and ladies accessories store, but I did dream of a family business. The Lord has been so good to us, and I am looking forward to all He has for us in this opportunity.

What are you thankful for today?

Fab Fashion

2012-01-03T07:59:00.000-05:00

Located in downtown Lancaster, PA.

We were in yesterday just to clean and price merchandise...

Beautiful handbags, jewelry, sunglasses, scarves, wraps...

One of my favorite handbag styles...

Wonderful bracelets with magnetic clasps!

These turquoise pieces are beautiful...

We have Laurel Birch bags for you cat lovers...

More photos in the days to come! Emily and I are headed to the store this morning.

Excited...

2012-01-02T09:07:00.000-05:00

When we thought and prayed about a family business, we pictured it being something Tim worked at and we supported or that the girls and I would have an Etsy store and make and sew things for it. That is what we knew.

We never imagined a store that would be 'owned' by me and that the girls and I would work. God has interesting ways.

Let me tell you more of how this came to be. We've known Denny for almost 4 years and over that time, as is our custom to open our home, he would come over on Sundays and fellowship with everyone. Over time we all clicked, my kids enjoyed him and started to call him Uncle Denny. He started to come by during the week and hang out, watch a movie, eat dinner, etc. We became family to him and he to us. We have one other couple with that kind of relationship, our dear friends Rick and Jane. They are aunt and uncle to our kids too.

Three years ago the girls worked in the store for Denny when he traveled to Israel. Then another time when he went to Florida for a long weekend. They loved it and he thought they did a great job!

When he had the opportunity to do work as a partner in a business with the friend who lead him to the Lord, he approached us about buying the business. We were shocked! We prayed about it. Was this the Lord's answer to our prayers?

We felt yes. We see the Lord in it. Denny has held our hand and walked us through the process. We will be stepping into an already established business with a client base. The only change is in ownership.

We are excited about working together - the girls and I have been learning to be buyers, to trust our instincts, to navigate NYC even! Tim is still going to be working at his regular job, and yet be involved in the whole thing - giving oversight, helping with shipping for the online store, taking buying trips with us. It is truly a family business.

My main work will still be in the home. I am still the home educating Momma to three children. They are excited about the store as well. They are learning a lot and can help with packing orders and shipping. Rachel at 12 will get to come and help in the store sometimes, too!

The girls are hoping to keep their other jobs at the Christian theatre here, but with reduced hours, of course. They are on a two and a half month break while the new show is prepped so this is a good time to see what is doable with their schedules. Lindsay still intends to teach her riding students this Spring through the Fall....We still intend to expand our garden and get more chickens...

We will be busy - but with all working together we can do it. Of course we will need to be a bit more organized, but many hands make light work!

I want to share a bit of the vision that we have for our business, well, at least for some of the profits. First we feel like the Lord has given us the opportunity and we want to honor him with the way we use it. We want to be involved with helping people adopt children. We also want to pay off our mortgage, we still have grave concerns about our economy and are so happy that we have little debt, but we want to rid ourselves of all debt. We want to help others.

When God is in something there is no limit to the incredible opportunities. We are looking forward to walking alongside Him while he works through us and in us in this new path.

I do intend to continue to blog quite regularly. I am so thankful for the women who walk beside me here in blog land. I am so blessed by our friendships!

To God be the Glory!

Anniversary Gift!

2012-01-01T00:38:00.000-05:00

Usually for my birthday or Christmas or our anniversary, Tim will stop by our friend Denny's store and buy me a handbag or earrings or a bracelet.

For our anniversary this year he out did himself...He bought the whole store!

Yes, really, he bought the store!

We are now the excited owners of Fab Fashion! Denny approached us this summer about it and were we surprised! We prayed about it and the timing seemed right, so we said "yes!" We are grateful to him for helping us learn the business...we've been to NYC several times since Thanksgiving week, and only once was it for sight seeing!

We are excited about this wonderful opportunity. We feel like the Lord answered our prayer that we have been praying for years about having a business of our own. We are so blessed to be the owners of a well established business. Basically we will walk through the door as owners but it is the same store that Denny started. Over time somethings may change, after all, styles come and go, but the basic business principles will remain. Great products and great service. Oh, and for those of you not in the area we will be launching our web store this week! You can preview it now by going to www.fabfashionpa.com.

Denny says the girls and I will have an advantage that he didn't have - we can actually wear the jewelry, scarves, sunglasses and carry the handbags!

So, that is our excitement for the new year. We would appreciate your prayers...

Deanna

Ringing In The New Year...

2011-12-31T11:29:00.000-05:00

We've had a lot going on around here lately, Tim and the girls have put in many extra hours at work, we have taken fun trips, celebrated my husband's birthday, then Christmas.

So I think tonight we are going to lay low. We were going to do a big party like we used too, and then let Lindsay open gifts at midnight, but with New Year's Day being Sunday - we had to let that idea go. So for tonight we will eat taquitos and won tons, chips and dip, chocolate cake and who knows what else. We have our sparkling red grape juice, and Mexican Coca-Cola.

We'll probably watch a movie and maybe play a few games! When midnight hits we will hug and kiss, wish each other "Happy New Year" and the kids will jump into bed and hopefully they will be able to wake up easily for church tomorrow!

I like the start of a New Year! Everything is fresh and exciting. There will be challenges and changes, joys and sorrows, and well, life. I am so thankful for the Lord and His goodness and His mercies which are new every morning.

Lamentations 3:22 - 23 says - Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not, They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

Happy New Year! I am so thankful for your friendship and encouragement. Thank you for dropping by my cottage and chatting! You've all been a great blessing to me this year!

Love,
Deanna

Playing With My New Camera

2011-12-29T17:46:00.000-05:00

Sarah sleeping away in my bed the other evening while I was reading...

My favorite lantern - it makes it's way around the house - currently on my desk.

I rearranged my room this week and I am enjoying it very much. This is a photo of my new camera. Panasonic Lumix with a Leica lens...

I was reading a few favorite bloggers...Melissa, my niece

And Rosie, my friend.

Today it snowed a bit, very soft, light snow...

My lamppost in all it's Christmas finery...

and the garland, lights and bows. These will stay up for a while, even though the tree came down today.

In my bathroom...

Holly over the kitchen table...

Sarah's new walking stick...

Maxx asleep on my bed...

Festive garland and lights over our bed...

Greetings from friends far away...

I am enjoying learning to use the camera. Thanks for letting me try it out on you!

The Fun Continues

2011-12-28T01:40:00.000-05:00

From far away my tree is still so beautiful...

Up close the poor thing is so dry and the needles are falling fast!

The fact that the tree is able to hold the ornaments and other decorations is amazing.

I really should take it down, and I will....soon.

Right now though we have been having fun - we went to see Tin Tin on Monday night, and Tuesday my mom came and hung out with us, after we finished school. Then we watched the old BBC miniseries Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy with our friend Denny. We actually started it Christmas night but it is 6 hours so we did half then and half tonight. It was good, in a slow moving, espionage kind of way.

Tomorrow when Tim gets off from work we are headed up to Cabela's with my folks.

Yep, that tree is going to have to wait.

Afterglow...

2011-12-27T00:52:00.000-05:00

We had a lovely Christmas...

Sarah

Rachel

Kyle

Lindsay

Mom and Dad

The Family

Emily

Anniversary's coming...

Nate, Kamryn, and Kayleigh

We finally got our family photos done...we usually do them around Thanksgiving...oh, well.

I guess people will be getting their cards for New Year's this year!

More to come in the next few days....

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T09:12:00.000-05:00

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

www.allposters.com

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

www.allposters.com

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

The older I get the deeper I feel Christmas...it is not all lightheartedness - it is deeper a joy that is increased by knowing that there is much sorrow.
Among the new babies and marriages, there are those who have lost dearest loved ones and they hurt. This is why Jesus came...to save us, to bind up our broken hearts, to free us.
I am full of deep joy...I pray you are too!

Blessings...

Deanna

Welcome Winter

2011-12-22T00:15:00.000-05:00

www.allposters.com

Winter has come, at least to the Mid-West. Here in the Mid-Atlantic it is so mild. In fact it is so mild that the Swallowtail Butterfly that spun a late chrysalis emerged today. She is beautiful, but we do not know how it will survive - there are no flowers to get nectar from.

www.allposters.com

Instead of the lovely snow in these paintings, we have rain. We are running around in light coats or sweaters instead of wool coats.

www.allposters.com

Christmas is just days away and I must say that I am excited. It is a wonderful holiday - one in which we celebrate the coming of our Lord Jesus. We went to Sight and Sound yesterday to see The Miracle of Christmas. It was very good and an excellent way for the kids to be reminded again about why He came.

The next few days are pretty relaxed but then Tim's birthday, Christmas, and the next weekend Lindsay's 20th birthday and our 24th anniversary. I will try to blog as much as I can, but with so much going on (as well as school here) it may not happen.

I want to thank you all for reading here, for your friendships and encouragement to me! What a blessing you have been!

Christmastime In New York City

2011-12-20T23:46:00.000-05:00

We took a trip into New York City on Monday. Yes, I drove. Once we got into the city our friend Denny and I traded places. He used to live there and knows the city very well.

Here is the Freedom Tower on the site of the World Trade Center.
It will be a total of 1776 feet when it is completed.

Lady Liberty...

The girls shoes with a tiny Statue of Liberty in the background...

Brooklyn Bridge...

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Denny had a bit of shopping for his store to do, so Emily and Tim goofed off....

I had taken Rachel and Sarah to the American Girl Store which is only a block away from...

Rockefeller Center...Sarah wanted to skate there very badly, but did I mention how crowded it was in the city yesterday?

Woody was hanging around so I got their photo with him. We took it for Kyle who spent the night with our good friends the Eldredges! He had a blast! Thanks so much!

Watching the skaters at Rockefeller Center...

The photos do not do justice to the beautiful windows in St. Patrick's Cathedral.

She had a really great time - fell asleep about 5 minutes after we got in the car to head home.

They have a cool Lego store right at Rockefeller Center.

These are bins of Lego pieces. You get containers and fill them up!

This mosaic is all Legos.

I like this photo Rachel got at dusk...

There were about 8 of these guys out in front of this place...

Lindsay is a huge Apple fan...she was happy to see this place...

Take a look inside - below street level..

This building was across from Trump Tower and Tiffany's.

This was at the corner hanging over the intersection...

The windows at Tiffany's were my favorite - the outsides looked just like parts of a carousel and inside they had these little horses with jewelry on them...

Inside Trump Tower - the tree is huge we are on the street level from this view point. We went down to where these tables were and had a coke and the younger girls had ice cream. Very beautiful.

There is so much to see that we didn't get to see - we walked past Central Park, but didn't have time to go in as it was getting dark, at around 4:00 pm.

We walked all over the city and saw Carnegie Hall, The Russian Tea Room, we saw Times Square (the traffic was crazy and so were the crowds of people!), we saw the ball up on the building waiting for New Year's Eve...we walked across the red carpet where Tom Cruise's premier was for his new movie. We saw Radio City Music Hall, Saks Fifth Avenue.

If I was going to go at Christmastime again, I would go earlier in the month. We had a wonderful time. Would I want to live in the City? No. I would like to visit again though. Now that we've been I am sure we'll be going back a time or two.

All photos were taken by Lindsay and Rachel. Thanks girls for sharing with me!

A Bit O' Sight Seein'

2011-12-18T22:18:00.000-05:00

google images

Tomorrow we are heading NYC to do a bit of Christmas sight seeing.

We also will be stopping in at the American Girl store. Rachel and Sarah have always wanted to go! It's going to be fun!

It is supposed to be cold in the city tomorrow so we will be bundled up!

How are you going to spend your day?

One Week...

2011-12-17T10:03:00.000-05:00

until Christmas Eve! I'm excited, are you?

I am hoping my poor tree lasts until Christmas! It is DRY....

You know, we have a tree every year because it is our family tradition. I love to decorate it and have the lights add a special glow in the house, during these months when the sun sets early and the nights are cold and dark. It adds to our sense of celebration! And celebrate we do! For us, we celebrate Jesus's birth.

As Kyle says "We don't need the tree or lights to celebrate Jesus's birth" but we like them! We also like singing Christmas Carols and baking special cookies, we like buying gifts for each other. It's fun. For us we like to give gifts that will be special to the person to honor the Greatest gift.

We have friends who don't really celebrate in the way we do. That's not a problem for them or us - we still really like each other. They don't get upset when they come to our house and we have a tree, nor do we take offense that they don't have one.

We have two birthdays and an anniversary in our family during the week between Christmas Eve and January 2nd. We really celebrate at this time of year! For Christmas we do focus on Jesus - as we do all year long - but we take this time set aside to celebrate His Advent - His coming.

We are so thankful for His coming. It changed the world, by changing the hearts of those receive Him!

We should be shouting "Joy To The World!"

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

We are celebrating here, how about you?

A Hard Day But A Good Day

2011-12-15T17:41:00.000-05:00

I'll start with the good first. We delivered the gift bags today to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia! They are very organized to accept gifts like this, and it was quick and easy to make the delivery. We are praying that these gifts will be a blessing to the parents who are going through such difficult things with ill children.

The bad...Kay's dog Khloe had to be put down. Khloe was a Pit Bull, German Shepherd, Rottweiler mix. This to me is irresponsible breeding. Kay got this dog not long before her mother died 2 years ago, and loved on this dog while grieving for her mother.

In this last year Khloe started to nip people - once she even gave Kyle a puncture wound on his hand. We knew that Khloe was dangerous - we had many conversations with Kay about this, but her heart wouldn't allow her to see this.

A few weeks ago, she attacked our lab mix Samantha one of the most laid back of dogs. I was present and Sam had done nothing to bring on the attack. We got a bit more adamant about Khloe needing to go somewhere other than here where we have children and friends children in our home.

Last night, we went to look at the Christmas Lights that are part of our yearly tradition. If you click on the link you will go to an old post about this tradition. Kay and Kamryn were going to come along but Kamryn was not feeling well, so they stayed home. While out we got a call that Khloe had bitten Kamryn. This was not the first time.

Kay knew that the time had come. I think it helped her to realize that it was that Khloe was a bad dog, she was simply a product of her breeding. Being a dog and not a person she could not change her way of being.

It is hard - we are sad and grieving with Kay.

10 Days...

2011-12-14T08:47:00.000-05:00

Until my sweetheart's birthday...

This is our photo from last year. We need to make time this week to take photos...the issue is work schedules.

11 more days until Christmas...I have a wee bit of shopping to do yet. Today, is the day.

18 more days until Lindsay's birthday! She will no longer be a teenager!

19 more days until our 24th anniversary!

Lots going on around here, as always. I must run....I have a breakfast date!

In The Bleak Mid Winter

2011-12-11T23:43:00.000-05:00

It is not bleak or mid winter here, but this song is so beautiful I have to share it every year.

I also wanted to share a post Lindsay blogged about a sketch she did last evening. I am in awe of how gifted she is...

Saturday

2011-12-10T13:10:00.000-05:00

What started out as this

Is now this! A sweet, perfect wee hat for my darling grandgirlie...

I wasn't sure where to hang our stockings this year, and Lindsay came up with this idea! It is hanging on our front door which is rarely used but is right where we can see them all the time! I got these great stockings for Rachel, Sarah and Kyle several years ago from the Pottery Barn Kids Outlet store! All the rest of our stockings are hanging behind them.

They are hung in age order Rachel's, Sarah's, and Kyle's.

I am sewing today - Christmas dresses for Rachel and Sarah. This is Rachel's choice for fabric - it is a deep red (as you know my camera has issues).

This is what I chose for Sarah - she didn't care. When I showed her she got very excited.

I am using Jennie Chancey's 1780's Portrait Dress Pattern. This is a photo from the Sense and Sensibility Patterns website! Isn't it cute?

These babies needed a good cleaning so the girls got baking soda and warm water and a soft cloth and cleaned them up. They look so much better!

Oh, and for those of you who are interested in how Katerina is doing click here. I am in awe of this living example of how God rescues us. Katerina did not know she needed rescuing. She was living the only life she knew - but God reached down and saved her. I am deeply grateful to my Savior for His tender mercies...

Organization

2011-12-08T19:38:00.000-05:00

I've mentioned a few times this year that I am working on doing some reorganizing around our cottage. It has been slow going as we knew we were in need of bookcases and storage space, and yet did not have the funds to make these purchases. We kept looking at thrift stores, newspaper ads, etc. So we waited. Well, today the Lord provided what we needed!
We have had a local Christian Library for about 10 years and recently they have moved it from it's own location to the campus of a local bible college. I had an email recently stating that they were selling everything, bookcases included. We were unable to go and I forgot about it. Today I received another email stating that today was the last day, and that they still had bookcases! Tim and I went over there and we ended up with the bookcases above which are three separate bookcases that interlock, the storage cabinets below, and a cherry file cabinet! Very reasonably priced...Tim is wishing we had purchased another set of bookcases but by the time we left the building everything was sold!

They are all in our basement and that is a work in progress! We are going to paint the red this winter into a lighter more neutral color for this space. The white dresser holds fabric and one of these cupboards is going to be holding baskets or bins with patterns in them - all organized and easily accessible.

I would like to do faux board and batten on the walls like Tracy did here. Isn't her bedroom gorgeous? So is her living room! I think I would keep the red on top in our family room! It would be so nice don't you think?

I digging out all the hidden books from boxes and under beds, to fill up those shelves...they make me so happy! I am working to be a good steward of what the Lord has given us, and to make full use of our home and not just have a basement space that is for junk....

Did I mention that our wood stove is in this area? It's a very cozy place to read - can't you just see it? A library with a roaring fire! Delightful!

It's not there yet but I'm working on it!

My Newest Great Nephew

2011-12-07T08:28:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to my niece Jillian and her husband Rodney on the birth of their first son, Logan Maliik!

And congratulations to my brother Robert and my sister in law Paula on their 3rd grandson! Here is a photo of their other grandsons, brothers Cayden and Camden!

Christmas is going to be so fun this year at your house!

Our Christmas Tea

2011-12-06T10:26:00.000-05:00

Freshly baked scones,

Mock Devonshire Cream, homemade Lemon Curd, and organic strawberry jam.

Everyone brought food - these are always popular...

Cream Cheese and jalapeno jam...

Lindsay brought our favorite tea...

Mmmm Fererro Roche and a clementine...

I wanted the tables to have a fine restaurant feel...white table clothes and soft lamps for ambient lighting...

Sarah and a friend busy with their activity bags...

The lovely ladies from Hospitality Lane! Becky did a great post about the tea today too!

Gift bags from our project for families at CHOP...

Becky and I checking them all out after the clean up...

We hope these bags will bless the families that have children in the ICU...it's always hard when your children are sick but so difficult when they are very ill at during the holidays all the emotions are just so tender...

My heart is full.

I felt very casual about this tea in many ways - I didn't stress about it...good thing, too. I got a decent cold this past weekend, that has be tired out. God knew. However it was lovely - I loved the way the tables looked. I know that everyone had a good time and that they really enjoyed putting together those gift bags. What a special group of women we have at our church. We missed a few ladies who were unable to be there, but there is always next year.

If you are interested in my scone recipe and the Mock Devonshire cream you can find them here. Oh, and the ever popular Christmas Tea. Here is the recipe:

5 teabags of black tea

2 cups boiling water

2 cups of sugar

6 oz can of frozen orange juice concentrate

6 oz can of frozen lemonade concentrate

1 tsp of cinnamon

1/4 tsp of cloves (I leave this out)

Steep the teabags in the boiling water for 15 minutes - you are making a strong tea base for this drink. Remove the teabags and add the sugar while the water is still hot, so the sugar dissolves. Add the frozen juice concentrates and the spices. Mix well. This makes a concentrate. If you are making it for a group event the proportions are 1 cup of concentrate to 5 cups of HOT water. But if you are leaving the concentrate in the fridge and just want to use it for a hot spiced drink you can use 3 tablespoons concentrate to 1 cup of water. It is delicious and tastes similar to a spiced cider!

Off to run an errand of love and then home to rest on the couch while I read to the kids and help them with their math. I am also keeping an eye on Facebook today, my niece is having her first baby, Logan today! Since they are on the other side of the continent we are keeping in touch online. Also I want to wish my niece in love Alicia a very happy birthday! She is going to be an auntie for the first time and she and Logan will share a birthday!

What a beautiful life I have! I hope you are similarly blessed!

We're In The Kitchen Baking...

2011-12-05T15:16:00.000-05:00

for our tea tonight at church.

Lindsay has scones ready, and is making lemon curd. We have the cream ready too. Emily is making her world famous Lemon Bars and we are making Brenda's Cowboy Cookies, for the cookie exchange. Like all cooks we have tweaked the recipe a bit leaving out the coconut as I am not such a fan of grated coconut.

I will get Lindsay to take photos and I will post tomorrow!

Rejoice, Rejoice, Rejoice

2011-12-04T11:39:00.000-05:00

A Night Out With My Girls...

2011-12-03T10:26:00.000-05:00

We went to a tea last night with the ladies from my Mom's church. This is the tea cup Rachel chose to take...

This is the tea cup Sarah chose to take.

This is the one I chose to take! It is a variation of Royal Doulton's Old Country Roses and has ornaments in place of the flowers! It sweet isn't it?
Several of you commented on the aqua tea cup with the raised pattern. If you want to know more about it you can read the post here. I do love that cup and it is a very fine cup.

Here is my Momma - Rachel took this photo of her across the table and between the centerpiece on the table. Is it cute?

The girls and I...

Kim Goss sang and her husband Matt played his guitar and sang with her. Matt is the worship leader at a BIG church here in our county.

It was fun to see so many ladies that we used to go to church with. Now my focus will be on the tea for our church ladies on Monday.

I have to get out glass plates, pack up tea cups, and tea pots, creamers and sugar bowls....get napkins, gift bags, etc....if you don't hear from me for a few days, you'll know why!

Tea

2011-12-02T06:53:00.000-05:00

Tonight I am going to tea with my Mom, Rachel and Sarah. This tea is organized by the Women's Ministry at my Mom's church. I used to serve on this committee and in fact organized the first 3 or 4 teas. It started out with about 30 ladies coming. Then word went around of how fun it was and we started to have 100 ladies. My favorite year was the year we did our version of "Oprah's Favorite Things" and gave stuff away! Wow! Women get excited about this kind of thing!

The last several years they have moved the location from their church building to a larger one so they can accommodate more ladies and girls of are able to come at a younger age.

This year we are to bring our own teacups...Rachel and Sarah have theirs ready to go, but I haven't chosen one yet...

I don't know which one to choose...what do you think?

Happy December!

2011-12-01T01:01:00.001-05:00

The work of decorating the house is done, but the enjoyment has only begun! I love turning on the lights in the early morning and lighting the candles and oil lamps at night.

It is so enjoyable to read near the tree and to spend time in the evenings together too.

I have been doing a fair bit of online shopping, taking advantage of sales and free shipping!

One place I love to buy from every year is Vision Forum. They have great products for the family and great resources for learning.

I like to buy some things locally and also to make some items - I am working on a knitted hat, shawl a few aprons, and a quilted bag. I am doing things like piping which I have never done before, so it is a bit nerve wracking but it is turning out well, and I am happy with it.

I am in the throws of some work on our Annual Ladies Tea at church. This year we are also going to have a cookie exchange (it was a request) and we are going to be putting together gift bags for families who have children in the ICU at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). This is where the Musser family's new daughter is right now. She is doing well, and we are thanking God for all He is doing in her life. Being a close church we have become aware of the needs of families who are staying at the hospital for an extended period and we want to bless them with some things that are practical and things that are a bit pampering! I am hoping it all turns out well...

By the way - if you are interested in helping with a donation to our project you can contact me and if you are local I would love to invite you to attend our tea on December 5th! Contact me if you want to come!

Ordinary Days...

2011-11-29T10:00:00.000-05:00

We had a fun and busy weekend. We cleaned up after our decorating day on Friday, we hosted several families on Sunday afternoon into the evening. All four girls went to stay at our friends house, with their daughters, while the parents went on a short anniversary trip and their sons were on a hunting trip with their granddad.

Yesterday, I went to breakfast with my men (that live at home), did a bit of shopping, and then came home to make some Christmas gifts.

Today, my younger girls are home with their friends, and Lindsay and Emily are at work. There is baking going on, friendship being shared, and lots of happy smiles.

I also did a bit of knitting...

And a bit of gift wrapping...

Nothing earth shattering going on here, just the beauty of ordinary days...

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas....

2011-11-26T09:40:00.000-05:00

Emily, Sarah, Kyle, Tim and I went to pick out a tree yesterday. This is the one we chose.

Emily found it and pointed it out to us...

Here it is this morning...so beautiful with the morning light streaming in through the windows...

I really like the top of the piano...

And the bookcase at the end of the hallway...

I have some wreaths and garlands for outdoors yet and then I'm done. Sarah, Kyle, Kayleigh and I all worked hard yesterday. I like to get it done early and then really enjoy it all season!

We host a lot of people during the holidays and it is beginning tonight with a friends' birthday! Just a small gathering but it'll be fun.

Are you decorating yet, or do you like to wait until later in the month?

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T09:07:00.001-05:00

Village Squire Entertaining The New Minister - Edward Lamson Henry

The turkey is slow roasting, the smell spreading through the house. Everyone is still snug in bed, savoring the chance to sleep in.

I have been thinking about the Pilgrims, who risked everything to come to a new world in order to have the freedom to worship the Lord differently than the way the official church was worshiping. I wonder if I would have that kind of courage.

We will be feasting today, and giving thanks for the abundant blessings we have been given,

Salvation

God's Word

Freedom

Family

Our home

Two vehicles

3 horses

2 dogs

1 cat

Clothes

Comfy beds

Warm blankets

Shoes - more than one pair

Food

Friends

The list of course could go on and on...

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Influence

2011-11-22T09:17:00.000-05:00

Be as careful of the books you read, as the company you keep; for your habits and character will be as much influenced by the former as by the latter.

~Paxton Hood

www.allposters.com

I read the above quote on a Katy's post yesterday, and I thought it was so good.

I have been pondering the seeming lack of discernment these days toward media in all forms. I find myself in this category at times and have had to stop and ask myself why I am supporting, by viewing, a certain movie or tv series.

There are times when we choose to watch certain things, knowing they are not "perfect" but we do it with discretion and lots of discussion. Other things we stay far away from.

I will come out and say that I have been amazed by how many Christian women I know that are taken with the series of books and movies about a girl and her love for a vampire and a werewolf. Should we be dabbling in these kinds of things, as Christian women?

There is always so much to reevaluate - I used to watch things that now make me embarrassed. Why would I ever have wanted to watch such things as extramarital affairs, deception, fornication just because it was on a tv series or a movie and wasn't a real life thing?

I find that we are easily influenced by what we imput into our minds. School children are influenced by the world view of their teachers, and the materials they use, and by what their parents are watching and listening to at home. Adults by the books they are reading, movies and tv they are viewing.

I've been delighted at some of the discussions our teens have had at church regarding these matters. Some of them have been influenced by Phillip Telfer and his ministry Media Talk 101. We have watched a dvd of his in Sunday School and it was good and challenging.

It is challenging as our children grow to control who and what is influencing them, which is natural, and yet you hope that you have done a good job of preparing them to be discerning. Our family likes some Sci-Fi, Star Trek (TNG), Star Gate, Dr. Who, and in this area especially you have to watch for things like pantheism, and wide ranging moral equivalencies. We have found that a lot of discussion and analyzing of media makes a huge difference in what they are allowing to influence them.

In the last few years the Lord has challenged me to check what I am watching by the guideline of 'how does it line up with my Biblical Worldview?' and if it doesn't why? Sometimes you may be learning about history and watching a documentary about the Egyptians or Romans and what their lives were like and what they believed. Naturally their belief in many gods doesn't align with my belief in the One True God. That doesn't mean I can't watch it and learn from it.

We tell our children that everyone has a worldview. Those who write books or movies or tv series are all wanting to influence you with their worldview. That is why we must ask God to give wisdom and discernment to us and to our children and young adults, because the company we keep with these characters in books and movies are an influence on us, and what I allow myself to watch influences my family.

Deep thoughts for a Tuesday...

Off On An Adventure Today...

2011-11-21T00:00:00.001-05:00

So I leave you with this photo taken on photobox...

Makes me laugh hysterically every time I see it!

A Lovely Day

2011-11-19T20:24:00.000-05:00

www.allposters.com

We had a lovely day.

Tim and I took Lindsay to work then went to breakfast. He has to work two 12 hour days this weekend, so we squeezed in some time together.

After he left for work - our farrier, arrived with his sons to file and clip the horses hooves. We chatted about some issues Cheyenne is having with a crack on her hoof. It is a relief to know that he feels it is not serious, and should grow out.

Then the youngest kids, Kay and Kamryn and I ran errands, fun ones. We went to JoAnn's and got some things for Christmas gifts we are making.

Then off to an Amish hardware store to pick up a gift for Tim and my Dad that Kyle and Sarah have been saving their own money to buy. They are so excited!

Home again, finally to do a bit of sewing, knitting, advising, guiding etc...

I am thankful.

They Are Heading Home

2011-11-19T07:35:00.000-05:00

www.theblessingofverity.com

The Lord brought this beautiful family into our lives this year when they began to attend our church. They have 10 children ages 17 to 1. They have just added this beautiful 9 and a half year old daughter, Katerina Hope Musser.

If you haven't heard of their journey, I hope you will take sometime to read at their blog The Blessing Of Verity and see what our redeeming God has been up to!

Praying today for their journey home, which will mean landing at the airport and heading straight to the Children's Hospital. They are waiting for this wee girl.

Thinkin' About Christmas

2011-11-17T20:09:00.000-05:00

Our tree from last year!

Don't worry. I am still embracing Thanksgiving. It is such a special holiday. A set apart day to give Thanks to our God for all His blessings.

However you do all realize that with Thanksgiving only 1 week away - that means the next day will be decorating day! Oh, yeah!

I really like a natural look for Christmas - along with red plaid, and that is what I will do again this year. No lime green or aqua colors for our holiday decor (though we love to wear those colors!).

The way I change things up is to use my things in a different way each year, or perhaps move something to a different room. Every room gets some Christmas cheer, even if it is just some greens or lights.

So let's chat. Do you decorate for the whole season, wait until just before Christmas, or not at all? What is your style? This is my favorite time of year celebrating the birth of our Savior!

Baby Quilt

2011-11-16T14:46:00.000-05:00

My niece Jill and her husband Rodney are going to be parents very soon.

Their little boy, Logan, is due in early December.

Being a great Auntie means lots of homemade gifts for the sweet grand nephews and Logan is no exception! I love working on gifts for them and thinking and praying for them while I work...

This fabric is so cheerful and fun...it is showing lighter on the computer than it is in real life.

This last photo shows the color much better...

I made it a rag quilt because I wanted it to be a 'toss on the floor for the baby to lay on' kind of quilt. I made it with turtles because they have chosen the most delightful baby bedding!

Turtle Reef from Target.com - isn't it the cutest?

I need to pop it into the mail so it can arrive before Logan does!

Thanksgiving Plan

2011-11-15T01:09:00.001-05:00


www.allposters.com

Even though I adore Christmas, I never rush the season.

I want us to celebrate all we have to be thankful for - we have been given so much!

I love the pilgrims, who came here as separatists from the Church of England. They had been in Holland for many years and were concerned with the culture and how their children were being influenced by it.

The risked so much to come and make a new place. A place where they could worship God in freedom. I love my children knowing the history of Thanksgiving and that it is not about football and shopping. It is a day to be remember to be Thankful!

Mom and I talked about our menu today - Turkey, of course. I always slow roast my turkeys overnight. Here is a link to a post on how I do this.

Emily is going to make mashed potatoes. She loves them and has been the potato masher for the last several years! We are also going to do sweet potatoes roasted in a bit of honey and cinnamon. Stuffing, is a must and my mom is going to make corn, cranberry salad, a pumpkin roll and pumpkin pie. I am going to make English apple pie and chocolate pie. We may do a homemade roll too, but not sure yet.

We will be inviting a few others to join us on this special day as well.

We will, of course, set the table beautifully - china, cloth napkins, candles, beautiful glasses, as we like it to be special - a real feast.

What are your plans for Thanksgiving?

I am joining Debbie today for a Thanksgiving link up! Let's not forget Thanksgiving!

This Week....

2011-11-14T09:40:00.000-05:00

I am working on plans for Thanksgiving - you'll hear more about that tomorrow.

I am also working on our Ladies Christmas Tea at church. This year will be a bit different - we will be doing a really special project - hoping to bless some of the families in the hospital where are friends the Mussers' will be with their adopted daughter Katerina. Their blog The Blessing of Verity has the ongoing story. They get to go to the orphanage today and get her! We realize that families with sick children are under a lot of stress, and we want to be able to bless them!

The girls are working a lot this week - the Christmas show has begun....

Lots to do, so I must run....

Have a wonderful day!

Gaming Show - Update!

2011-11-12T15:17:00.000-05:00

Last Gaming Show

2011-11-12T07:25:00.001-05:00

These photos are from July...

Today will be much colder, and breezy. Brrr.

Lindsay and Rachel are very excited. It will be just us girls today, as Tim and Kyle are off to a Father/Son event and my Dad is at his church's Men's Retreat.

What's on your schedule for today?

The Blessing Of A Multigenerational Family

2011-11-10T09:04:00.000-05:00

One of the things we firmly believe is in the blessings that come from having a multi-generational vision. It was a deliberate decision on our part when my parents moved to Pennsylvania to include them in our lives.

My husband works hard at work and at home. One of the things he does at home is to provide firewood for us to burn in our wood stove during the late fall and winter. He also decided a few years ago to make sure my parents had a full supply of firewood to burn as well. Yesterday was delivery day.

Here is the wood piled up in the back of my husband's truck. I know he had plans to move the leftover wood from last year into the wood rack in the utility room at my parent's home, and then load this wood into the racks in the garage. That way my parents don't have to go outside to get wood in the middle of the winter!

He took a posse with him - Lindsay stayed to help me with garden work here and to help with lunch. Emily and Rachel riding in the backseat of the truck - sharing the ipod! Can you tell the windows are open?

Kyle must have taken this photo...he wore that headband most of the day yesterday - he looked half ninja and half 80' workout dude! Made me laugh!

Part of the beautiful drive to my parents home...

After they did the wood, they took the time to help out with a few other projects...

The view from the roof of Grandpa in the backyard. Their maple trees are so big - look at all the leaves! Good thing he has a handy dandy gadget to collect all those and doesn't have to rake them by hand...

The posse on the roof - here at the back of the house the roof is only about 6ft off the ground, in the front it would be two stories! And from the back of the garage it is only 3 ft to the ground.

They cleaned out the gutters too, and Tim blew leaves down on my Mom's head...he loves to tease her!

Rachel's art - all these photos are hers. I really like this one...

Emily must have taken this one - Rachel relaxing on the roof.

The view of the Amish neighbors farm from the roof. It's wedding season here in Lancaster County. Our farrier's daughter is getting married today. The Amish are good with multi-generational living living, too. Caring for their parents and grandparents, all working together. This is a blessing to everyone, young and old. This however does not mean that there is never any problems or issues that could come up, after all we are all human. But, differences are not the end of the world.

One day my parents will come to live with us. They will add on a 'Dawdi Haus'. They will be a doorway away from us. If Kay and Kamryn are still living with us then, that would make four generations under one roof. This used to be more common, and I think it may become common again in the future, especially with the economy being so difficult. The kids say we will be like The Waltons. My dad's Amish friends say we're Amish. Either way, we are happy to work together and help my parents as needed.

On A November Evening...

2011-11-09T07:11:00.000-05:00

Sarah conquered a bit of fear...She road Cheyenne beautifully and had so much fun.

She was so pleased and proud of herself.

The confident equestrians were bareback - practicing for a gaming show this weekend and the dollar bareback event.

This is Sandy - Lindsay's horse.

This is Liberty - a sweet but ornery pony. Rachel is crazy about her!

Beautiful Lindsay - look at Sandy's eye...weird. It is a bit of the reflection of the sunset...kinda creepy looking, if you ask me.

Kyle and Kay, then later Nate were raking leaves. "Hey guys, don't worry about that! I am going to mulch them tomorrow, with the mower." "We want to make a pile to play in." "Ah, okay."

The first one in...

She didn't really like it too much, but she sure looked cute!

Kyle and Nate wanted to surprise Kamryn.

"Where's Uncle Kyle?"

"Here he is!"

Was she impressed? No, not really - but she is so, so cute!

Putting The Garden To Bed

2011-11-08T09:23:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I did a bit of cutting back and trimming work in the front garden. This is my hydrangea in the front - didn't touch that beautiful girl - the flowers bloom on old growth. The hibiscus in the background however, got a good cutting back. I like when it is up and over the walkway, not out into the walkway.

As I sat in the chill of the morning, I was watching and listening to the leaves fall off the Red Sunset Maples in the front yard.

Since I came back into the house, this tree has been dropping leaves fast.

The kids raked the leaves out front yesterday...today I think I will use the riding mower to mulch them...

The Feverfew is still in bloom...

Behind this boxwood was a huge daisy mum...the snow last week hurt the plants and they were looking bad, so they got cut back.

I need to look into how to prune or if I prune my Gold Mound Spirea. I never have but it has gotten so big....

Today the butterfly bushes need to be cut back and my pink rose by the deck. Lindsay spent the night with her grandparents so when she gets home I am going to have her work on the veggie garden. We have broccoli still but everything else is done and needs to be cleaned out.

Also, I am debating cutting my lilacs down. I know they bloom on old growth but this last year they didn't bloom much at all, even though I didn't cut it back at all. Do any of you grow lilacs? I love them and hate to lose them but we are thinking of taking them out from where they are and then replacing them with new ones in a different location.
Any advice for me, fellow gardeners?