Blog Cleanup and an "old friend"

In case you couldn't tell, I have been changing somethings around my blog. I have added a few names to my "Worth a Daily Visit" list of blogs and removed a few as well. In one case I removed a dear friend. Why? Well, she moved her blog to a mac site and I can not ever read it and it always ends up locking up my computer. I am sad to not be able to keep up with her. Email me Pauleen!

The ones I have added are Kathy's Cottage and Blue Barn Bulletin. These sister in laws are fun and have tons of creativity! I wrote about them in the past.

The other one I added was Eyes of Wonder. This is an "old friend" and she took about a year off of blogging. Several weeks ago word spread like wildfire in the blog world "Jewels is back!" Welcome back, dear friend. If you do not know Jewels or her blog it is a breath of fresh sweetness.

Feminine Friday

One of my favorite finds for this year is Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer. The only color I have tried is "Fig", which I love. I like that my lips are moisturized and soft while having a hint of lovely color. I am definitely not a drippy lip kind of girl, and the Burt's Bees works well for me!

Like Corner Pillars

poster www.allposters.com

The ladies at "girl talk", Carolyn Mahaney and her daughters, have been doing a series on teaching our daughters homemaking, to love the home.

It is very good, I think, and is a lot to think on.

Our desire is for our daughters to love the home, to serve those within and without, and to love the Lord. May they grow up to be like "corner pillars cut for a structure of a palace". Psalm 144:12.

Happy Birthday, Tasha Tudor

Today is Tasha Tudor's birthday, she would be 93 years old.


Photo copywrite Richard Martin


When I was a girl, this was one of my favorite books, Take Joy! by Tasha Tudor.

It is full of beautiful stories, Christmas carols and Tasha's artwork.

I love the beauty and yet simplicity of the people she chose to draw and paint.

Even the black and white drawings, are full of detail. She was known for her borders around the edges of her pages.

I think that Tasha appealed to so many because we liked the glimpse of the quiet, simple life she lived. Afternoon tea, home cooked meals, sewing your own clothes....We can learn a lot from how she lived her life...to slow down, to enjoy simple things.

Tasha was a homemaker, she excelled in cooking, canning, even cheese making for her goat's milk. She sewed and made her own clothing, she kept chickens, gardened.

We are often so busy in our lives, rushing from one thing to another. Today, I will slow down, enjoy my dear family, cook something wonderful, work in my garden or sew.

And Take Joy! in it.

Cletus Take The Wheel....

More craziness from Tim Hawkins.....

Bloggie Awards

Blog awards galore today!

This first one is from Alicia, my dear niece in law! You can find her blog "Renewed in Him" on my sidebar.

Then two from Miss Paula, my sister in law and friend!

Thank you dear ones, you are so kind.

Makes Me Laugh Everytime!

The Real Women's Liberation Movement

Please check out this wonderful post by Stacey McDonald regarding what Christianity has done for women's rights. Here is a bit of her post:

Our God is a creative God. He has made us each so unique and, in His wisdom, given us such wonderful roles. His created order is a stunning choreographed work of artistic beauty. As husband and wife, we complete one another in amazing ways. Why do we continue to insist on questioning His work—and cheapening His masterpiece?

As a result of the teachings of Jesus Christ, women enjoy far better treatment than they have ever before known. But even today, in countries where Christianity has very little influence, women are treated as animals and slaves—sometimes even worse.

Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist countries are known for their shameful and degrading treatment of women. Not only is polygamy, “temporary marriage,” clitoral mutilation, foot binding, and female slavery still practiced in many of these countries, there is an attempt to revive the barbaric practice of “suttee” (the burning of widows) in India. To this day, there are reports of unpunished public beatings, abuse, rapes, and even murder against women.

Thanks For Praying

Thank you for praying for me yesterday.

Everything went really well. It was fun and encouraging. God went before me with a devotional on Joshua 1:1-9 "Be Strong and Courageous." Often times we home educating parents worry that we are going to miss giving our children something in their education that they need, etc...or we get exhausted by being both mom and teacher. I encouraged them to remember the great task that God has given us, the privilege we have to be the primary influencer of our children, and to disciple them as well. God wants us to be strong and very courageous! Do not fear!

The photo is of some of the women who have planned classes to teach to the kids. They came early for a teacher's meeting. Later parents from almost all of our 59 families, came for the main meeting, which was fun. We got our kids all signed up for their classes for the year.

Thank you Lord, for answered prayer!

Prayer Please

If you think about it today, please lift me up in prayer. I have our first parents meeting for our co-op tonight, and so far my printer is being ornery, and I have several errands to run. I have been working to refresh our meetings which, of course, are mostly attended by moms. I want to make them more fun and encouraging. So, things will be a bit different tonight.

Pray for peace and for the Lord to go before us tonight, so that we may walk in unity this year, once again, by His Grace!

Feminine Friday

This is my favorite perfume.

Everytime I wear it, my husband says "You smell good!" I smile, as it is all thanks to him. He keeps me supplied!

About a month ago, I used my last bit of "Beautiful" and mentioned it in passing to him. Not like "you need to go buy me more!", but just in passing.

This last week, my darling completely surprised me by stopping by the perfume shoppe and buying me a new bottle!

That said love to me.

And now I smell "Beautiful" again!

Planetary Viewing

Last night my Dad brought over his telescope and we had a great look at Jupiter. It was awesome! You could see the bands of storms that encircle Jupiter and you could see many of its moons, including the Galilean moons (the ones that Galileo "found") Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.

Thanks Dad.

Autumn In the Air

Nothing makes me long to be outside more than a touch of Autumn in the air. We are currently having Autumn weather in August in Pennsylvania. Highly unusual. We turned the a/c off. Highly unusual! For this time of year anyway!

Yesterday, after dropping the girls off at work, the little ones and I went and kidnapped my mom for the day. We did a little bit of shopping, and then home to lunch and an afternoon on the deck. The sun was still bright so we used the umbrella, but it was so lovely outside I could have napped!

Rachel talked Grandma into a game of Monopoly (horse edition) and they played for hours!

Here, Rachel shows of her "money."

Soon everyone was home from work and Tim and I and my parents went to dinner. That is a rare treat to go on a double date with Mom and Dad. When we got back, the kids were ready for bed, but we changed plans and sat outside on the deck.

We all bundled up to ward off the chill of the night, but it was so beautiful and clear out. We saw satellites and meteorites go by in the sky...of course there were many airplanes on their routes to places far away...hot tea and hot coffee to warm ourselves, little ones to share laps and snuggle with, Sarah fell asleep on Grandma's lap and then Kyle went to sleep on Papa's lap. It was tough, but they handled it well!

We are so blessed......

Homekeeping II

Yesterday, after we completed school, I refreshed our bedroom by moving some furniture around.

Recently the bed was in front of the window and we had a larger bookcase in our room as well.

Moving the bed on an angle opened up the room.

I like the space I have now between the bed and dresser. The room is less cluttered and more restful now.

Here is the bookcase in the hall.

We are enjoying the change very much.

Big Boy Bike

Last evening, the weather was fine, and Daddy took the opportunity to play with the kids. They rode bikes and rollerbladed and then a bike ride for just Emily and Dad. They all had such fun.

Kyle, who got a big boy bike for his birthday, learned how to pedal yesterday! It is always hard for them to get the hang of the pedals, especially because if you pedal backwards it puts the brake on!

Here is some cute video.

Homekeeping

"Lunchtime Preparations", by William Blacklock
www.allposters.com


Today I get to do something I love...puttering around my house! There is much tidying to do and then I have some rearranging, organizing, and freshening to do.

We also will be freezing corn to enjoy in the middle of winter in yummy soups.

I love having charge of my home and making it a warm, welcoming, lovely place to be.

Enjoy your day!

A Little Bit of Jane

I am preparing for my co-op class on "Emma" by Jane Austen, so I am in the Jane Austen mood. I also regularly receive a email newsletter from the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, England. One thing that was in this issue was a link to scenes from Jane Austen films put to modern music.

I liked this one...

Heartstrings

This visit with some of our family has continued to tie the heartstrings of cousins, aunties, uncles, grandmas and grandpas.....

Emily and Kaitlin

Katie and Kyle

At the Delaware River

Evan and Kyle, who couldn't stop climbing and jumping on and banging into his big cousin!

Love and trust between Lindsay and her baby brother...

Evan and Sarah today before "cousins" left - He is an adored person in our household.

Auntie Paula and her fans...

Heartstrings were also tied between loving friends - Becky and I surprised Paula with some artwork from one of her favorite artists, Alice in Paris.

Last night, Becky, Paula and I went for one last hurrah at Cracker Barrel. We talked, laughed, shared our hearts and took pictures of each other taking pictures!

I am so thankful for my dear friends!

The family left today, it is hard for them and us! Pray for their safe trip home and for an easy transition back into life at home! Check out Miss Paula's blog, to see what her husband, my brother has been up to while they were here visiting!

We miss you all already!

Technology

I know it looks like Evan is preaching - he's not, however he has his awesome camera in his hand. That is the thing I noticed this year, is the prevalence of technology in our time together.



He also has this nifty flip camera that takes video...Miss Paula has one in pink and an awesome pink laptop....I have decided that I could use one in red....

Evan has been generous, letting even Rachel try out his camera.

We have had alot of texting and talking on the cell phone....by everyone!

We are SUCH a hip family....well at least our relatives are!

Evan And The Girls

Friday, Evan took the girls out. After alot of discussion, they ended up getting pizza, and playing miniature golf.

Then they took a run to Grandpa and Grandma's to pick up some dvds and came back for late night movie watching.



Evan was the scorekeeper - somehow Emily won. Evan says he wrote down what Emily told him.....

Lindsay was happy to be out with her cousins.

Kaitlin looks very happy and cute.

Emily thinks mini golf is the greatest!

They had a wonderful time. We are so thankful for the friendships between these cousins.

What's Happening In Washington, D.C.

There is a revolt happening in Washington, D.C. these days. The Republican members of the House of Representatives are showing some backbone, and standing up to the Speaker of the House, Mrs. Pelosi.

As Speaker, Mrs. Pelosi is the one who determines what bills come up for discussion and when. She is the one who recesses the Congress, etc...A week ago on August 1, the Republican representatives were on the floor ready to begin their 5 minute speeches discussing why America needs to start drilling in Anwar, as well as develope alternative sources of energy. Before the first one could start Mrs. Pelosi declared the House in recess and ordered the cameras turned off and the lights off too.

The Republicans were dumbfounded. So the first representative started speaking to the gallery. Normally, you don't do this, nor is the gallery able to respond to what is happening on the floor. HOWEVER, since the House was in recess...the gallery started to applaud and ask questions. Before long more Representatives came to the House floor.

We were there on Thursday and were taken in and sat in the same chairs that the Representatives sit in. We were where the President gives the State of the Union speech. AWESOME!

The main reason for the revolt is that the House minority is tired of being blocked by Mrs. Pelosi. She is unwilling to put up for debate anything that will benefit the Republican party in anyway, even if it means that the People of America have to pay more for energy etc...

All they want to be able to do is to have both sides debate and then do an up or down vote.

Mrs. Pelosi was on George Stephanopoulos's Sunday show and he asked her this question; "But why not allow votes on all that? When you came in as speaker, you promised in your commitment book, "A New Direction For America," let me show our viewers, you said that "bills should generally come to the floor under a procedure that allows open, full, fair debate, consisting of a full amendment process that grants the minority the right to offer its alternatives." If they want to offer a drilling proposal, why can't they have a vote?"

MRS. PELOSI (taken from the transcript of the show): "They'll have to use their imagination as to how they can get a vote, and they may get a vote. But I have tried, you know, we have serious policy issues in our country. The President of the United States has presented this but for this, our economy would be booming. But for this, gas would be cheaper at the pump. It's simple not true and even the President himself in his statement yesterday and before then has said there is no quick fix for this by drilling."

G.S. - "So you will not permit a vote. You may get beat, but you're not going to permit a vote on your own?"

PELOSI: "Well, again, we take this one step at a time. But why we're spending all this time on a parliamentary tactic when nothin less is at stake than the planet, the air we breathe, our children breathe?

I find that truly amazing - she has no real answer. Reminds me of Mr. Obama when asked by the little girl this week, why he wanted to be president. He hemmed and hawed, ummmmm - since it wasn't written down he didn't know what or how to say it. Amazing! But remember "We are the change we have been looking for!"

Ok - I am stepping down from my soapbox now.

It was awesome to be in D.C. - to hear these men, speak with such reverence for the "People's House" and to be serving their constituents. It has renewed my hope.

Those of us sitting in listening - were engaged in what was going on - young, old, American, tourists etc...there was cheering, several standing ovations!

One of the Representatives who has recently been to ANWAR said that this region was set aside in the '70's by the Carter Administration as a place to drill for oil. If you look at Anwar as say a football field, then the area they want to drill is like placing a postage stamp on the football field. That's it. It is in the coastal region of this area. Below I have included a diagram.

I encourage you to look into this and to contact your Representative.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to go, and to see what is happening in Washington this summer!

Check Out The Homeschool Blog

My friend Becky and I have a homeschooling blog. Check it out here for some inspiration regarding getting started with a new year of learning!

Guess What I'm Doing Tomorrow

Roy Blunt, Minority Whip of the United States House of Representatives, has issued an invitation to witness the actions of House members as they continue to speak to the American people about the need to act on our energy situation.

This is an opportunity for your children to see an unprecedented form of action on the part of our elected officials. If you are able to make the journey, HSLDA encourages your family to make the trip to the Capitol building.

Attendees should go to the Independence Avenue side of the Capitol and tell the Capitol Hill police they are going to HC-9. You will need a photo-identification for entrance. Cameras and cell phones will not be permitted in the chamber, but there will be a person in HC-9 to watch purses, bags etc.

If you have any problems once you arrive you should contact Melanie Looney of the Whip's office at 202-225-0197. House members will again take to the House floor beginning at the following times:Thursday, August 7, at 11:00 a.m. EasternFriday, August 8, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern

Hope you choose to take advantage of this opportunity.

Sincerely,

J. Michael Smith
HSLDA President

The Beautiful Gardens

It was such a beautiful day, yesterday. Warm sun, blue skies, a lovely breeze....

So much to look at, such lovely flowers...

Interesting water platters....

Miss Paula, inspired by it all, dreaming of her man...

It is such a joy to see the evidence of a Creator God, in all the beauty, diversity, and cleverness that can be seen in nature. Thank you God, for your Creativity!

Birthday Train Ride

Our little guy loves trains! Big surprise I'm sure, as so many little boys are fascinated with them! There is a local railroad that runs steam engines, and Sunday we took the birthday boy and one of his sisters for a ride.




Here he is with his ticket to ride.





Watching for the other steam engine, they pass each other along the way.

Taking it all in. I took this photo by reaching out through my window, I love how it turned out.

A beautiful young lady joined us on this special trip.

One very well pleased little man. Happy Birthday Kyle - we love you so.