Simple summer pleasures...

Thru out the summer, I want to journal some simple summer pleasures we are enjoying. As this is our family (and my personal) photo journal, I like documenting the old-fashioned fun times we have as well as the milestones and memories in our family. I remember being a little girl and running thru my Gram's clothesline on a hot day...lying under the shade of the sheets, playing hide and seek and marveling at how the wind would make those sweet smelling sheets swell and billow like sails on a ship...yesterday, I had the chance to experience this same wonderful memory with my own children and little nephew.
Anna and Ty ran thru the sheets, chasing each other and hiding from each other, squealing with joy the whole time...it was so precious to watch!

The other evening, Sara & Ronnie ran and hollered and played in a drenching, warm rain storm...having a blast and making fun memories...

When everyone tired out, Sara used some of the sheets and made a shelter where these 3 lay down, watched the clouds and Sara told stories to the little ones.

~Just one of my simple summer pleasures I enjoy...my clothesline, watching my children making memories...sitting in the shade of a maple tree, with a cold drink, maybe some knitting or crochet, enjoying the peace and watching my children play . What a nice way to take a break from the work and heat of the day! I'll be posting more of our summer pleasures soon. What are some of your summer pleasures? Have a blessed day! ~Sue~

Our Garden! One small change for June....

~One small change....really does make a world of difference! While trying to be a good steward of what the Lord has blessed me with, I've realized that teaching my children to be good stewards is one of the things of utmost importance to me. To worship and love God...to be in awe of and take good care of His creation...for us, lots of discussions of nature and creation have been going on around here as well as being good stewards. We all have worked so hard (and made wonderful memories) with our garden this year!With 2 raised beds, using a combination of square foot gardening and lasagna gardening...our soil this year is so rich from compost! Ron & Ronnie have been working hard to get our beds ready and prepare the soil. We've started a large compost bin as well.
Anna was so happy planting and working along side me...she was so careful with the plants and planting the seeds....she can't wait till the seeds that she and I planted start to sprout!

I left just a little bit of room for some celery in this bed. We had so much celery last year that we could pick it as needed straight thru until it snowed!

Ronnie! He dug, he planted, he lugged a heavy watering can....I"m so proud of how hard he has been working! He has now taken over all garbage at our house! (Ron is very pleased!) Ronnie has also been eating us out of house and home! LOL He and Anna are my primary composters!

We planted around a dozen zucchini plants around our little front 'stoop'. I'm trying something new this year...since they seem to do better by climbing and take so much space...we decided to train them up the railings...we also have many perennial herbs that will be in this spot as well for 'ground' cover, along with flowers for splashes of color. Hopefully, the deer will leave the herbs and zucchini alone!

Our "green acres" pose!

We are also adding a lot of herbs to our herb garden....we will have chamomile, spearmint, peppermint, orange mint and apple mint to dry for teas. Lemon balm and lavender for sachets. Basil, chives, garlic chives, thyme, sage, parsley and cilantro. Yum!
My little herb garden..I will be transplanting a lot of these in the next few days and spreading them around.

And...just because I love them...my beloved red geraniums!

~So....for 2010 our garden will have lots of herbs to dry, tomatoes, green beans, peppers, hot peppers, butternut squash, cabbage, celery, cucumbers, pickling cucumbers, cantelope, jalepino peppers...and I'm hoping to get a couple berry bushes to put in with a gift certificate I have to a local nursery. The girls and I plan on having the dehydrator going, lots of canning and some freezing...can you tell I'm hoping for a lot of zucchini? LOL

We will also be going strawberry picking soon and plan on making lots of jam for the stocking the pantry. What is one small change that you can make? ~Sue~

P.S. I have to tell you all ...ever since my husband put in our outdoor clothesline...we have to laugh because my laundry is up to date! I am LOOKING for things to make a full load, and am LOVING hanging and taking down my laundry outside with my precious children helping me! I enjoy it so much! Ron is putting up a line just for Anna at her level because she loves it as much as I do!

Turning everything into a reason to give thanks!

~So...corn-on-the cob...well, we had a visiting pastor at church on Sunday who told the following story:

As some of you know, this winter in Pittsburgh, Pa. we had a record amount of snowfall...as a matter of fact, in February is snowed for 23 consecutive days...after the starting amount of 23 inches in a 24 hour period....so lots and lots of shoveling, lots of slippery roads and lots of gray skyes. Well, our pastor Mark Altroggee was telling the story of he purposed years ago to look for anything good, anything to give thanks for, to Praise for in the midst of trials or hard times...so he said as he shoved his driveway for the 14th time in 2 days, he kept telling himself "this will make the corn really good this year!"...."this will raise the water table and give us the best corn on the cob we've had in years!"....see, his favorite food is (you guessed it) corn on the cob! I'm sure he was also thanking God that he was able to shovel, able to get out, grateful for heat and warm food....but he was looking past the present trying circumstances and looking to the harvest of blessings that he knew would come.

This hit home so much for me! Seems I was in a very weary place...weary of illness, fatigue, gray skys....and one of my favorite foods is corn-on-the cob as well! (it made me smile)

Years ago, when my older girls were little, we loved to watch the old "Pollyanna" movie...and play the "glad game"....looking for reasons to cultivate gratefulness, thankfulness and joy. I guess I've gotten away from that these past few years, but the Lord has graciously reminded me to 'count it all joy'...and to again....play the "glad game"! Here are some thoughts that stood out to me from the preaching:


~Christians should be the most CHEERFUL people on the face of the earth!

~We should try and consciously turn everything into a reason to praise and be thankful.

~Remember God's care and provision of us during our desert times...and remember His goodness during our times of abundance....everything good and perfect in our lives comes from Him...not our own efforts. Prosperity can cause us to forget His love and care.

~A quote from C.S. Lewis says this " You have no more right to be proud of your skills or accomplishments than of the color of your eyes!" Who we are and the gifts and skills we possess are given to us from God!

~He talked about the saying "proud as a peacock"....proudly strutting around showing off his beautiful feathers...but he didnt' do anything to make them so beautiful...he didn't paint them, arrange them and stick them in his back....

~Anna (my 5 year old) says...."well, God just made me this way, I guess"!

~Give up running our own lives, give up trying to be 'good enough'....remember, only God sustains us.

~We are to be abounding in thanksgiving at all times!


~Don't take God for granted...no grumbling or complaining!

~This world does not satisfy...(our possesions, jobs, homes) only God's living word, (daily manna for us) our relationship with Jesus satisfys our souls.

~God teaches us to depend on His word. Speak the psalms to ourselves....

~Deuteronomy 8:1-20....remember the lessons learned in the desert places....lessons to humble us, to draw us closer to Him, to cause us to depend on Him...to prove His faithfulness to us.

~Thru trials and trying times...trust God, thank Him, praise Him.
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For me, this sermon was HUGE! Such a refreshing time....almost felt like a washing the 'gunk' off...the bad attitudes, the wearyness was all washed away and I feel renewed again...I could have listened to him speak more of this for hours.

I've been smiling everytime I think of corn-on-the-cob lately...and know that this summer, when I am sick from the heat and humidity (I get so sick from heat/humidity)....that He will bring refreshing rains....and cozy snow storms this winter as well....I've learned so many lessons this year! I am realizing that times of testing, for me, are usually not short...but being able to remember what I've learned....being grateful for the times of refining, humbling, testing times...and learning to be thankful, grateful and praising Him in the storms of life....He is my all in all!

I just wanted to share this with all of you! If you would like to listen to this teaching, you can go to http://www.provchurch.org/messages/ and listen to May 23rd.

May you all have a blessed day....and give thanks in ALL circumstances! ~Sue~

A Piece of my joy!

There is no greater joy than walking with my Lord! No greater joy than being with my husband and children! I am blessed! Here are some pieces of our week.

This has been a week of "getting back to normal"...actually, for figuring out what the new normal was! LOL I feel as if I've gotten my joy back again! We've been finishing up our end of the year schooling, planning for next year and getting the house and yard in order. I've loving hanging out clothes on my new clothes line...and enjoying doing it with my girls. I've been enjoying all the tough, "guy" things my son has been doing and helping his dad with . Finally feeling as I'm coming out from under a cloud.

Tomorrow, I'm packing up the kids and driving an hour to spend the day with my mom and step-dad! We can't wait...picking up my niece Tina on the way, having sandwiches and going to a lake to play and walk and just enjoy each others company.

I'm leaving my oldest daughters, Meghan & Sara, there for 4 days. They call it their 'vacation'....they love staying there! Lots of movies, card playing, laughing, cooking and shopping will be going on. I'm going to miss them so much! But, am looking forward to doing some special things with my little ones while the big ones are gone. Life is just moving so fast! Meghan graduates next year, and Sara the year after. Ronnie is getting so tall and is involved in so many activities...hockey, cubscouts, basketball...and he loves working with his hands and nature. Anna is finishing kindergarten and "this close" to reading on her own....first grade will be here soon.

This week we've had wonderful opportunities to spend time with precious friends that we haven't seen in a while...the girls had a sleepover and a leisurely day with the Goettels....and had a special visit today with our friends, the William's.....some of our very best friends.

Had the opportunity to see my special nephew, Shayne, go to his Senior prom today. He looked so handsome in his tux...a little nervous, but so handsome and grown up!

Just been spending time with my family...getting into new routines, focusing on character building, teaching new skills....and enjoying this weather. Learning new knitting techniques..loving some new yarn...have some sewing projects going on....it's almost strawberry picking time! Will be focusing on getting the garden in soon...and looking forward to good friends coming in from Ohio for Memorial day weekend. Many blessings to everyone!
Have a very blessed weekend! ~Sue~

Why I do what I do...

I had such a special, wonderful Mother's Day yesterday! My family...I am so very blessed! At one time, I thought I may never have children of my own...it was heartbreaking, as all I had ever wanted to be was a wife and mother...I never had a 'calling' to be anything else.
My oldest daughter, Meghan, made me a vintage 1940's apron! She "highjacked" my pattern that I had been meaning to sew up (but never got around to it) and found this cool fabric in my favorite color (it has roosters on it), matched it up with the black and white gingham and made this for me in secret. I am so proud of the job that she did! I love it!

My Sara made me a "comfort bag" with a washable 'pillowcase'....I love keeping this in the freezer...it really helps when the pain in my neck gets bad. What a great job she did!

My son...what a priviledge it is to raise each of these children for God! Having a son, and raising him as a Godly young man is a priviledge and a challange...and I cherish him everyday!

My littlest girl....what a gift these last 2 children are! (They all are, of course, but we thought we were done after Meghan and Sara)...My little Anna....she is so precious and brings such joy and laughter to us all!
My mom....my mentor....my best friend! We've always been close and she is the woman that I want to share everything with, do things with , spend time with...along with my husband and children....we just enjoy each other's company so much! I am blessed to be her daughter!

My blessings...at the end of a long, busy Mother's Day....can't imagine what my life would be without being their mother!

~I am reading a book right now called "Worldliness" authored by a number of people and edited by C.J. Mahaney.....I cannot tell you how convicted I am by this book!

I have been taken in by the world so insidiously that I didn't even realize in how many ways! Some questions that just about JUMPED OFF the PAGE this morning were " What worldview is being presented? Am I seeking to escape something by watching/doing this activity? Am I doing it because I am bored or lazy? Is so, what does that reveal about my heart? Am I watching/doing simply because others are? Am I trying to "fit in"? How has my online activity affected my soul? What motivates me to blog, read blogs, Facebook or surf the web?

All of these questions have been leading up to questions that I've been asking myself lately....so (I'm not sure how many readers I have or not), but these questions, I feel are a way of God showing me time wasters in my life...almost "virtual reality" instead of living the life He gave me, for His glory.

Ephesians 4:1 tells us to 'walk in a manner that is worthy of the calling He's given us"....I know that my calling as a wife, mother and homeschooling mom, is the most important calling He has given me...I also admit that time spend on the computer is, for me....basically a huge time waster and (I'll admit) sometimes an 'escape'. Well....I feel as if I've been given a reprieve...a wakeup call....another chance. I am called to be a loving, supportive help-meet to my husband....to build him up, encourage, love and support him. I'm called to love my children...to spend time with them, and I am called to teach them...first about Him and His world & word....then academics...from a biblical worldview. I know that I don't possibly have time to do all of those things if I am blogging, reading blogs, surfing the internet or on facebook.....so...I am not going to say this blog is closed....I'm not going to say I'm shutting the computer down or that I will never be on facebook again....but I feel no "calling" to post on this blog or on facebook right now. Maybe the Lord will prompt me to write something someday...and when He does, I'll obey...for now....I have a new excitement...a renewed spirit to be the woman...wife/mother that God wants me to be...fully present with my family...enjoying the special life He has blessed me with! God bless you all! ~Sue~

Things...

... I love about my mom. Hello, Sara here. I have hijacked my mom's blog to tell you what I love about my mom! Here we go!

• She is...pretty (the most beautiful woman in the entire world)
• She is... amazingly creative! Crocheting, Quilting, knitting, cooking... a master of anything she does! (You should see her track record for making up better recipes for Chopped!)
• She is... faithful, even in the toughest storm
• She is... the best teacher in the entire universe! And who else can get up and hug their teacher whenever they want? Not anyone I can think of!
• She is... THE BEST MOM IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!

Happy Mothers Day Mom! Sorry for stealing your blog! I love you soooooooooooo much!

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

May you all have a wonderful, blessed Mother's Day!!!!

~Sue~

Love is....

Love is....a multitude of things...but one of the things love is, is.....serving....selfless giving of our time, our resources....giving of ourselves. That is what my husband has been doing for me lately. Some of these things will sound so silly to most people, but to me they are precious. He (along with my 8 year old son) built me this clothesline in the yard. I have been wanting one for years, and have missed having one for over 4 years since we moved...and now....over 80 feet of line space! I've so loved hanging my wash out for the past couple of days! The warmth, the breeze, the quiet, the smell...and remembering my doing this with my beloved Gram...all fill me with peace and a quiet happiness.

My husband has just shaken his head and murmurs that he can't believe the things that make me happy....my wonderful clothesline....a new tilt wheel column in our 1987 plymouth (makes it much more comfortable for me to drive and get in/out of)....hearing how much fun he and the kids had going shopping for mother's day....having free firewood...a new knitting book or cookbook...the feel of yarn....

With my health not being well for a while, my husband has offered to help out in any way he can...from carrying heavy laundry baskets up and down 2 flights of stairs, to making a grocery run, driving the kids to activities...and being willing to order out a pizza once in a while.

My husband is not a demonstrative man....he is not an emotional man, he won't talk about 'deep feelings'...is uncomfortable in serious discussions....likes his world ordered, calm and the same...he is not adventurous or risky at all....but he is steady....he is a very hard worker....and for almost 24 years....he has loved me. Thanks, Honey for my clothesline...and for all that you do! I love you! ~Sue~