I found a giveaway!

I entered a giveaway and wanted all of you to have a chance at winning too! This post is purely for selfish reasons, as the blogger will enter me twice if I post about it! Hee Hee Hee! Anyway...
Here is the link to the giveaway post so ya'll can enter: http://hannahbearsblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-first-giveaway.html
and here is a picture of what you would win:

An excerpt from the post: "You can enter to win these two bars of homemade glycerin soaps. Both of these soaps are antibacterial. I love to make soap and I decided on these two because they smell the very best. The large square is coconut lime verbena with coconut flakes at the bottom of the bar. The round one is goats milk and honey with a little bit of oats and some vanilla. The giveaway includes both of these soaps so their will only be one winner."

So go try your hand at giveaways... this one definitely takes the cake (get it, cakes of soap? Yeah, I know lame!).

Movie Review Friday

I'm going to copy my friend Ella by doing one or two old movie reviews every Friday. I might break from the old movie cycle by occasionally throwing in something from 'this century.' :) Sometimes there will be musicals, dramas, or just family favorites. I could drone, er, talk about old movies for hours so if these posts are a weeee bit long, bear with me. :)

Today I'm going to review one of my favorite musicals: Till the Clouds Roll By (1946)

Cast: Robert Walker, Van Heflin, Lucille Bremer, Judy Garland and the MGM star parade.

This movie is a lovely bio-pic about Jerome Kern. I first heard of Jerome Kern through this movie, and absolutely fell in love with his songs. It is a movie that is mostly fiction based on fact. MGM puts sparkle and fun into everything, no matter about how accurate (or not accurate) it may be. Robert Walker plays the young Jerome Kern, just starting out in the music business. He writes melodies to songs and he goes to Jim Hessler (Van Heflin) to help with writing the score and 'getting it out there.' The majority of the movie is clips of Jerome's Kern's songs that MGM stars sing and dance to. The title song, Till the Clouds Roll By, is sung by Ray McDonald while he dances with June Allyson on a stage in plastic rain coats, umbrellas and, of course, rain. This movie has MGM's star power, glitz, sparkle and charisma at every turn.

The beginning of the movie shows an older Jerome Kern (Robert Walker) watching the play "Showboat" he and Oscar Hammerstein put together based on the novel by Edna Ferber. MGM stars are cast in the show within the movie. Lena Horne sings, "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man of Mine" as Julie Laverne. Viginia O'Brien sings, "Life Upon the Wicked Stage" very humorously. And, my personal favorite part of this segment of the movie, is when Kathryn Grayson and Tony Martin, as Magnolia and Gaylord, sing "Make Believe." Kathryn Grayson went on to star in the movie version of Showboat a few years later. As Jerome Kern is being driven to the after-party, he begins a retrospect as he passes the house where his good friend, Jim Hessler had lived when he (Jerome Kern) was just starting out.

Through out the movie, stars such as Angela Lansbury, Kathryn Grayson, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Shore, Cyd Charisse, Tony Martin, Ray McDonald, June Allyson, Judy Garland, Virginia O'Brien, the Wilde Twins and Lena Horne, all have beautifully choreographed and directed musical numbers singing Jerome Kern's timeless songs. This movie is a feast for the eyes and ears for any musical enthusiast.

Can you tell I love this movie yet? :) Just kidding. See you next Friday!

Rest...and refreshment...

We have been staying home...almost exclusively since the day after Christmas, when a stomach virus started around our family....it's a strange one, too....one child had it 24 hours, another is still wiped out and if he does any exertion, he is done for and needs to rest. Well...at the same time, I developed a Fibromyalgia flareup that has not gone away. After being awake for over 3 hours last night, and in a lot of pain today...I've done a lot of thinking about ( and praying about) a lot of things...our home, our routines, our health...and what is God's will for our family at this time.

Here is an excerpt from the classic devotional book 'Streams in the Desert'. I just love this devotional and it never fails to speak to my heart...and quiet, strengthen and comfort me.

"(1Kings 19:7) "The journey is too much for me...." What did God do with Elijah, his tired servant? He allowed him to sleep and gave him something good to eat. Elijah had done a tremendous work and in his excitement, he had run "ahead of Ahab's chariot all the way to Jezreel" (1kings 18:46) But the run had been too much for him and had sapped his physical strength...ultimately causing him to become depressed. Just as others in this condition need sleep and want their conditions treated, Elijah's physical requirements needed to be met. When this happens to us, the words of the Master are very soothing, "Get up and eat for the journey is too much for you". In other words, " I am going to refresh you." Therefore, may we never confuse physical weariness with spiritual weariness.

~ It is really hard, sometimes, I think, when you are physically weary, wornout and in pain to NOT become spiritually weary...but the Lord IS so faithful to me...He meets me in the middle of the night...in the middle of my pain...in worshipping Him...even if it is resting under blankets....He also refreshes my spirit by putting opportunities for me to serve Him....even thru flareups of my illness....sometimes by sitting quietly and crocheting while laughing and watching a family movie, sometimes by snuggling and reading books with my little ones....even thru serving by making meals for others....not much more work to double a recipe...and meals for others are really a family ministry. The girls help with all the prep work and sometimes make certain parts of the meal themselves and Ron never minds delivering them for us. It's a nice way we can all serve...in spite of physical limitations or pain.

Sometimes, too, when we are forced to stay home...I find I actually have much more time to read the Word...to listen to worship while preparing a meal...or just to sit quietly and pray...spend time with my Father...resting in His unique care for me...remembering always, that He knows my needs before we ever need them...and gives us what we need.

I was supposed to go to our small group tonight...and was really looking forward to it. One of the things we were supposed to come prepared to share were a couple of our favorite scriptures that we turn to often. Here are a few of mine:

Deuteronomy 33:25 "As your days, so shall your strength be"

Phillipians 4:11 "For I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content"

Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord..."

And...1Timothy 6:6-8 "Now Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And, having food and clothing, with these we shall be content."

Of course, I love all of God's love letter to me...I can get lost in Psalms...I'm enthralled by Genesis, convicted by Deuteronomy and the commandments, in awe of everything of Jesus' life...and I am comforted and encouraged by Job and Revelation....I am learning to take these times of 'enforced' rest...and rest in my Father's arms....to listen to His still small voice when I am not running around to a lot of commitments....and really appreciating and enjoying the family that He has blessed me with. I've come to realize that God's plan for everyone is different...Oh, how He lavishes His BEST on us....how foolish we are when we are 'too busy' to see it or often comparing our lives, our homes and our families with someone elses!!! How ungrateful! I'm going to go now, heat up some leftovers for the kids and I since Ron got called into work an extra shift.
( Thanks, Lord, for the extra work...it's greatly appreciated!)...and maybe light a fire tonight and enjoy my children...while resting. May you all have a restful evening and be blessed! ~Sue~

I Love Bread Making!

On Jasmine Baucham's blog (click here) a few weeks ago, she posted a post that announced that Franklin Springs Media was hosting an essay contest. Well, I didn't win, but I thought a good post would be to post my essay and see what everyone thinks! Can't wait until a new contest from them, their DVD's are phenomenal. Here is my essay, on the joys of breadmaking. Sorry that it is kind short; the guideline was 250 words or less... thats kind of short for me!

Why I love bread making
An essay written by Sara Gorecki
I love to make homemade bread for many reasons. The smell, the feel, and the taste contribute to it, but my favorite thing about making bread is the feeling of productivity in serving my family. Our family has six people, and two children under the age of ten, so we go through a lot of PBJ sandwiches and quick lunches using bread. With all the preservatives in store bought bread, we have chosen to make homemade bread as well as grinding our own grain into flour. There is something about walking into a kitchen and smelling fresh baked bread!

Serving my family is one of my highest priorities, so any time I can serve them, I do. Bread making is one of the ways I can help my mother, who does so much for us. I remember when I was little my mother would let my sister and I help knead the dough and use the big wooden spoon to stir the dough. That precious memory has carried on to my younger siblings as well, especially our ‘little mother’ who is four and loves to be a mommy. Bread making has benefits for your health, but it also has benefits for your soul. Comfort food is food that feeds your soul, and what does that more than homemade bread?

I did it!!! Gluten Free pie crust!!!

I can't begin to tell you all how very excited (and gratified!) that I am right now. I've been trying for years to make a gluten free pie crust that you could work with, was mostly whole grain and TASTED like regular pie crust....well, it's happened, folks! Everyone in the family rated it a hit...especially hubby who gave it the ultimate compliment..."you'd never know it wasn't real". Just had to share! This was a turkey pot pie done in a 9x13 pan...can't wait to bake an apple pie! Here is the recipe if anyone would like it....it really DOES taste like the old-fashioned kind! Blessings! ~Sue~

Wonderful Gluten Free Pie Crust

This is what I made and it made a medium thickness crust for a top and bottom of a 9x13 pan.

3 cups sweet brown rice flour 2 cups tapioca flour
2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp plain gelatin

*mix together well in large bowl, then I dumped it into my rather large food processor...or you can keep it in the bowl if you don't have a food processor.

If using food processor, add 1 8oz block of lite cream cheese, 2 sticks of butter (slightly softened)....process until looks like little peas. ( if no processor...use a pastry blender or 2 butter knives and do the same thing)....then add 2 beaten eggs and 4 beaten egg yolks, and 7 tablespoons of icewater. ( I saved the egg yolks to make a chocolate angel food cake) Anyway...pulse, then process until it just comes together. ( if no processor, you would stir until it comes together.)

Wrap in waxed paper and chill for at least a couple hours. Divide into balls and roll out on waxed paper dusted with tapioca starch....turn once or twice and keep everything nicely dusted with the tapioca starch...then simply use as normal. You CANNOT fold this and place in pan...you have to either flip it into the pan or slide it into the pan...depending on how much tapioca starch you used. This is not as easy to work with as typical pie crust made from wheat flour, but is the easiest I've ever worked with that is gluten free! Happy baking!

Simple blessings...

The sign above is on the wall above my rocking chair...and is a wonderful, visual reminder of God's simple blessings...and to count them daily.

I had mentioned in a previous post that the Lord has been leading me on a journey to contentment, gratefulness and simplicity...and I believe, health as well.( my journey towards natural health is ongoing and will be the subject of many future posts, I'm sure!)

Below are some of the books that the Lord 'dropped into my lap', so to speak, I feel, to teach me and inspire me to true, simple, grateful, creative living...naturally. Thru much prayer, study, more prayer and discussion with my husband and children...we have been led to simplify our lives...and continue to do so in so many areas. The humbling lessons that He is teaching us sometimes are hard...and sometimes challenging, but always beneficial and filled with blessings.

A friend recently mentioned New Year resolutions...or not making them, and it led me to think about a journal entry from January 2007...the Lord put on my heart, little by little, that I needed to make some changes...in my thinking, what I valued, and in our home. I read a blog post by Julie over at Seeking the Old Paths, and she mentioned the book 'Henry and the Great Society" by H.L. Roush, Sr...and how it changed her life. Well... I ordered it, and it changed my life as well. I actually read it out loud to my children and my older daughters and I discussed it and what the Lord was trying to show us for our family. The basic premise is this: Henry and his wife, inherited a small family farm, had 2 children and lived very simply...without technology or progress...they lived just like their parents and grandparents did. Once a paved road came thru, then electric lines were put up and they got electricity...and a car. Then the book goes on from there, clearly showing how each supposedly 'little' decision to move forward technilogically affected their family life....their marriage...and ultimately, what it did to Henry. Deeply convicting book. Which led me to another book: "Better Off" by Eric Brende. This MIT grad student and his new bride decide to live "off the grid" among a community of people similar to the Amish. They had no electricity, no technology or automobil for one year....and how they adapted and what their experiences taught them...and from there, the Lord kept putting more and more books and articles into my path...to live simply, gratefully and naturally.

Because we are a one income family of 6, and between income going down and prices going up...( like everyone else) frugality is called for. I had been studying frugality for years...from the 'Tightwad Gazette" series of books to studying the Great Depression during our homeschooling and collecting lots of cookbooks and stories from that era...which I still find fascinating...now the Lord started showing me 'creative frugality' and doing it joyfully. I consider it a challenge to save money, be creative and to do it in a healthy manner for my family. That is when I discovered the 'Frugal Luxuries' books from Tracey McBride...what creative, inspirational books! They take the approach from during the Great Depression years to use what you have, be creative and make your home lovely, warm and homey...on a budget!

Just a year ago, I discovered 'MaryJane's Farm'. These magazines are now bi-monthly and I look forward anxiously to when they come. MaryJane Butters is an organic farm in Idaho who is resurrecting 'Farmgirl' charm, frugality and creativity...all with a focus on organic, natural living. She has also published 3 books, 2 of which I own and share here. Reading her magazines and books inspires me to simplify...contentedly and creatively. To appreciate the wonderful creation that our Creator gave us to enjoy...and to share it with my children.

Her latest magazine arrived today...on a dark, grey, cold, wet day in Pittsburgh...complete with freezing rain. After having my son awake until 1:45am vomiting, then waking up at 5am and not being able to go back to sleep, the new magazine was especially welcome today! Just reading natural recipes, not just for food but for lipbalm and headaches, the health benefits of honey, as well as the importance of bees to our Earth, wonderful pictures and articles on homemade sourdough bread and the care & feeding of the "mother"...I was refreshed, inspired and comforted on this grey day...I highly recommend, if you are able, to get a copy of 'MaryJane's Farm Magazine'...and/or check out her website for even more inspiration and information at www.MaryJanesFarm.org.

Wow! This wasn't supposed to be this long, but I guess the Lord wanted me to share all of this with you...and to encourage you to simple, natural, grateful living....His way for your family. May you be abundantly blessed by Him! ~Sue~

Taste Tester Tuesday #2

*If ya'll want to read a super looooooooooong post by Megs, scroll down. If not, enjoy!*
Here we are again, with another taste tester Tuesday. Today we have a recipe sent in from Hannah Goettel and since I haven't tried it yet, I cannot guarantee how it will taste, but it sounds mighty good!

Apricot Crostata

By: Hannah Goettel

1 3/4 cups flour

2 TBSP sugar

grated zest of 1 lemon

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

1 1/4 sticks of butter (chilled and cut into 1/2 in. pieces)

3 tbsp. ice water

3/4 cup apricot jam/jelly/preserves

powdered sugar for dusting

Combine flour, sugar, lemon zest, and salt into the food processor then pulse until blended. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles a course meal. Add the water bit by bit, pulsing until moist clumps form. Gather the dough into a ball;flatten it into a disk. Wrap the dough in plastic and refridgerate until firm, about 1 hour. (Do not slip this step; if not cold enough the dough will fall apart and stick to everything!)

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees. Roll out the dough onto a large piece of parchment paper, to an eleven inch round. Transfer the dough with the paper to a large heavy baking sheet. Spread the preserves onto the dough, leaving a 2 inch border. Fold the dough border over the filling to form an eight inch round, pleating the crust loosely and pinching any cracks in the dough.

Bake the crostata until the crust is golden, about forty minutes. Put the baking sheet onto the rack to cool for 10 minutes, then slide a metal spatula under the crust to free the crostata from the paper. Let it cool to lukewarm and sprinkle with powdered sugar and almonds (optional) then serve.

ENJOY!

*By the way, we have not actually tried this, so technically this shouldn't be under taste tester tuesdays, but oh well.*

Little Women: the book, personal lessons and the movies

*Updated: If you don't feel like reading an insanely long post right now, scroll down and watch a hilarious video by my sister Sara!*

I recently have been re-reading the book "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott. This is a favorite of mine but I hadn't read it for a few years; it is a timeless classic. We have a few study guides and informational books about Little Women and one antique copy. However I dearly 'fancied' a copy for myself and decided to purchase one while out with a friend this past Friday.

My 'Poohbear' and new copy of Little Women

I immediately flipped to my favorite chapters when I spotted it on the shelf:

"Meg Goes to Vanity Fair;"

"Aunt March Settles the Question" and

"The First Wedding."

For those who know me well, they will sigh and say, "Oh, that's so Meghan!" And if you did not read my last post, the fifteen random things about me, one of them was I am sentimental and romantic. I justified my spending money on the book by thinking, "For my hopechest and future home." Which.....isn't entirely true because I do not have a hopechest but I am collecting things for my future home. When Meg goes to 'vanity fair' as Ms. Alcott aptly calls the holiday at the Gardiners, she is tempted by the wealth of her 'friends' and feels very discontent and unhappy with her life. She is then "powdered, and squeezed and frizzled, and made (to) look like a fashion plate." In short, she gives into Satan's wiles and webs of discontentment and also gives into peer pressure. Lately, contentment has been a lesson I have been learning. Reading of the four March sisters' trials and scrapes, has prompted me to relate them to my own life. I love books where you can relate to a character in the story! I find I am much like Meg (big surprise!) in her domestic tendencies, quiet, motherly and lady-like nature. *Ahem!* But most especially her tendencies towards discontentment, comparing her family and home to others and vanity. In my faults I find I am like almost all of the March sisters. I need to learn to tame my tongue and be patient as Jo did. I need to think of others more than myself and to not be shy, as Beth did. My own dear "Marmee" has shown me the error of my ways and has encouraged and exhorted me to do better in my sin areas-as Mrs. March did in the novel. I am so thankful for my wonderful mother!

God's faithfulness is displayed through sometimes the simplest things...He reveals my heart through reading a favorite book, listening to a certain song, talking with my 'Mum....' He is so good!

On a lighter note, I also found that my varying interests go along with each March girl.

~I cannot wait to be a homemaker, I love to embroider and crochet....as Meg did

~I love to write! I love to think up plots and subplots in my head and talk my poor family's ears off about my novels.....as Jo did

~I love piano! And I do still love my dolls.....as Beth did

~I enjoy sketching occasionally.....though I tend to be a perfectionist and take way too much time on my sketches and drawings.....as Amy did

While I'm on the subject of Little Women, I can't NOT mention the three movie adaptions!

Little Women, 1933

Starring (off the top of my head): Katharine Hepburn (Jo), Joan Bennet (Amy), Edna Mae Oliver (Aunt March), Frances Dee (Meg) and Spring Byington (Marmee). These are the better known actresses that are in the film. This film is very similar to the book but, with all film adaptions of great novels, leaves alot out of the movie. Katharine Hepburn is very funny as Jo but in my opinion, isn't quite the right type to play the tomboyish and 'romping' Jo March.

Little Women, 1949

Starring: Janet Leigh (Meg), June Allyson (Jo), Margaret O'Brien (Beth), Elizabeth Taylor (Amy...yes, blond) Mary Astor (Marmee), Leon Ames (Father March).......AND (as if this wasn't a superb cast already!) PETER LAWFORD as Laurie!!!!!!! I love Peter Lawford! He was perfect for the role of Laurie, in my opinion, anyway. This one, in mine and Mum's opinions, is the best adaptation to the book. June Allyson is perfectly delightful as Jo! Four people out of the entire cast were all together for the first time in Meet Me In St. Louis playing family members! Odd coincedence. :) This is my favorite version because I love everyone who is in it! And, (my partiality is showing again!) it was made by MGM.

Little Women, 1994

Starring: Winona Ryder (Jo), Susan Sarandon (Marmee), Trini Alvarado (Meg), Kirsten Dunst (Amy), Claire Danes (Beth) and Christian Bale (Laurie).

This is a wonderful adaptation as well. It is probably the closest to the book and the most dramatic. The second version was the most lighthearted and fun, the first was, well, the first. But this one was the most serious one but it was very enjoyable. Winona Ryder made a great Jo and her acting job was very well done. Claire Danes played Beth the best, in my opinion. She did a really great job doing the very sad (not to mention hard) dying scenes. Yes I know....morbid! But she did do a wonderful job on a rather hard scene to do. Christian Bale was really good as Laurie-very charismatic and a wonderful acting job.....Its hard to decide between him and Peter Lawford......nah, Peter Lawford's much better looking. :)

Have any of you ever read and/or watched Little Women? What character(s) is/are your favorite? A favorite part or chapter of yours?