Time to get Creative

I love cookbooks but have a pretty small kitchen. Almost every nook and cranny is storing something already so I had to get creative to find some extra space for my favorite Gooseberry Patch cookbooks. I started with a plain wooden crate. Added some paint to match my kitchen as well as a cute little design via stencils and VOILA, extra space for some of my cookbooks. I think these crates would make great gifts as well. My sister-in-law is expecting a baby in march and I think once she finds out what she is having I will pick one up paint it accordingly and stock it full with little baby treasures. So exciting. Wonderful for Christmas too! Happy creating everyone! :)

Jodi

Fall is in the Air!!

Fall is certainly my favorite season. Cooler days, relaxation, the thought of spending endless hours in the kitchen making comfort foods such as rhubarb pie, cookies, banana bread, soup, homemade white bread, the list could go on. A nice evening sipping hot apple cider, tea or hot cocoa. Mmmm...I love autumn. Reds, browns, golds and a hint of orange. Our home will be resplendant when it is decked out in those colors, sunflowers adorning the kitchen table. Trips to the pumpkin patch, lazy afternoons spent with the kids outside collecting leaves for a wax paper picture or jumping in the big pile that daddy just raked up. A hint of sadness as we watch our beautiful roses go dormant for the winter and as we harvest the last of our summer garden to be preserved. These are the days I love so much and wait for all year long. The air even has a distinct smell and you just get the feeling in the marrow of your bones that yes indeed, fall is on its way in all of its glorious spendor.

A Poem

A boy of three, a girl of four,

Were playing house one day,

They played that they were man

and wife,

And they were going away.

They knocked upon the neighbor's

door, The little girl bowed low,

"This is my husband; I'm his wife

We're visiting you know."

"Come in, come in" the lady said

"And take yourself a seat,

I'll bring you both some lemonade

And something good to eat."

She gave them each a big tall glass

A cookie and a plate,

She offered them a second cup of

fresh lemonade.

"Oh no, thank you," the wee lass said

As she took the small boy's hand:

"We really have to go now,

my husband wet his pants."

Author Unknown

Candy Apple Jelly...Yummy!

Picking sweet corn at the farm!

Fear!!!

I am trying to let go of the stronghold that fear has in my life and it is not by any means "simple" I am finding. Honestly, after lots of reflection on the subject I think it is a generational thing in my family. I can't prove that for sure but it sure seems as though it is. I remind myself of the verse in Exodus that says, "for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who lov eme and keep my commandments."

I am reminded of it almost daily although some days are worse than others. I am slowly learning to hand my fear over to God and am so thankful that he is so patient with me. What a wonderful God I serve and pray that I can break this stronghold of fear before I pass it on to my kids.

The Sun is Shining in Montana!

The sun is shining today and I am getting ready to can dilly beans. Really spicy ones that my hubby loves. It's amazing the kind of transformation a person can begin to undergo in just a days time. Yesterday I was still fuming and angry over the situation with my brother. Now after prayer, self reflexion, my hubby telling me gently some things I need to work on, and a good chat with my brother on the phone, things seem to be looking up. I just wish now that the rest of my family would be able to put aside any bitterness they have towards others in the family and take a deep look within themselves and try to change things for the good. Really humble themselves and take a good look. It's amazing what happens when you do just that. Life really is more "simple"! God is great and I am so thankful that He is with us through all of the ups and downs.

A New Beginning...Again

Today I begin my journey away from facebook once again. I tried once before and failed miserably. I have been disobedient to the Holy Spirit for the last several months in staying on facebook. Well, yesterday it catipulted into a downward spiral after I put something on there directed at my brother and it took a turn for the worse. I have since apologized for it and can only hope and pray that he will forgive me. If I have any advice to give you today, it is to be completely, 100% obedient to the Holy Spirit when you feel his prompting in your life. I truly believe that it is of utmost importance to our walk with Jesus. If anyone has a struggle that they feel the Holy Spirit is speaking to them about but aren't sure how to address it, would be more than willing to talk to you. Have a blessed and beautiful summer day!
~Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
James 4:17~

Canning in Full Swing Soon

Well, starting in a day or two canning will be in full swing in our house well into fall. Dilly beans, plain green beans, tomatoes, salsa, grape jelly, candy apple jelly and what ever else I can fit in. The veggies in our garden are becoming ready to pick. Now it is just waiting until we have enough to get things rolling. I love this time of year so much! Canning is a true joy for me and leaves me with such a feeling of accomplishment! Knowing that I made wholesome things that I can feed my family and that we grew ourselves. Ahhh...there's nothing better in my opinion.

Simple is not so simple today!

So here I sit in front of this silly computer trying to figure this whole blog thing out. Meanwhile, my house is in a shambles and so is my heart. It is just one of those days I guess. Thank goodness we have tomorrow to look forward to. I often think of what the Lord tells us in 1 Peter 5:7~Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. What a blessing!

Simplifying Life

One thing that I have become sure of is that life can be too busy and complicated. The nice thing is that we have the ability and freedom to choose how busy it is. We recently decided to homeschool our son this fall. For us the pros highly outweighed the cons and it adds to the simpleness that we want to have in our lives. While not everyone agrees with us, we know that it is what is best for our family and is God's plan for us now. I am very fascinated with the Amish way of life. I think they have it all figured out and to top it off they live and breathe God's will in their lives. When I get too busy and life is moving too fast I try to find the hidden Amish in me and try to slow things down a bit. Not to mention they are great cooks! I love the way they embrace the simple things in life and in turn LIVE the simple life. As I strive to find God's will for my life I also strive to keep things simple. I don't think God meant for our lives to be so busy and complex that we forget to stop and admire the simple things that he created for us to slow down and see. These are usually the things that really matter and are the most important!