Where Has The Time Gone?

I looked at my blog today and was shocked to see that my last post was on September 17th! We have been happily busy over here in the "No Idle Bread" household and I must say that God is good. Here is a bit of an update . . .



My children have been working diligently at their school work and chores around the house. They are really reading everything they get their hands on! LOL I usually try to read a few chapters ahead of them if it's a book I even read yet. But I can barely stay ahead of them! According to the kids, they are having fun and I am blessed by that. Here are some books we've been reading. . .

 

 

 

 

 

My little baby boy is a few days shy of 10 months old and WOW has time flown by! He is trying so desperately to walk. My 3 older children didn't walk until after their 1st birthdays, and none of them crawled. This little guy, on the other hand, is crawling EVERYWHERE, pulling up on EVERYTHING and is even climbing the stairs!!! He definitely keeps me on my toes. :o)

The weather has changed and fall is certainly in the air. I've decorated my home for the season--I love fall! It is my favorite season--pumpkin spice, candles, apples, baking, orange/red leaves, my favorite tea. . .just a few things I usually enjoy about this season. Some things I haven't yet delved into like I've wanted (such as baking and apple picking), but hopefully I will soon.



I've been crocheting a fall wrap to wear this year and I'm just about finished with it (see below). I also hope to soon crochet a few toys for my girls as Christmas presents (teacups, pastries, dolls, etc.).







My dear Husband is also doing well. Often us Moms talk alot about home and children, but hubby is special, too! ;o) He's been working so hard and I am encouraging him to take a vacation. I am so blessed to have a man who works hard to provide for his family. But, I have to remind him that God approves of rest when we need it, and that taking a break isn't being lazy. My sweetheart, he knows that and he's working on it! (LOL)



Well, I hope to have more to share in the coming days. . .





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Receiving Correction

Just a simple thought. . . .



Today, I was showing my daughter a better way to clean the bathroom sink. She's 7 folks and sometimes details elude her! (smile) So, I called her downstairs to show her the stains in the sink that had been left behind after she "cleaned"it. I showed her how to spray the cleaner, and showed her which side of the sponge was best to use. I cleaned the sink and showed her the job from start to finish. (Not the first time we'd been over this, but sometimes part of training is saying things over and over again.)

She looked at me, smiled and said, "Thanks for the information, Mommy!" And then bounced her way back upstairs. It made me smile because I was thankful in that moment for a child who was willing to receive instruction and correction. Thankful for a child who did not take the correction as something "bad" and was quite okay with it. I thanked God that I was able to correct her in a way that she could receive it. I had "proud parent" written all over my face. . .



. . . Until I realized that there was much more for me to consider in this brief encounter. God is a far better Parent than I ever could be. He always knows what's best; He always gets it right. Why then is my attitude toward God not more like my daughter's when it's my turn to be corrected? Why don't I respond more often like she did--"Thank you God, for that correction!" with a smile on my face? Because, trust and believe, there certainly are things God has had to tell me over and over and over again before I get it right.



God's correction, His instruction, His direction always comes from a pure place of Love.

Dear God, when you correct me, help me to have my daughter's attitude.

READ MORE - Receiving Correction

School is Underway

Hello friends!!



The children and I at Chelmont Academy Homeschool just completed our 1st week this school year! We have had a good week.



We started off the week with a trip to the doctors office. . .all is well, but such is life!

Then, Tuesday through Thursday, we tried to establish a bit of a new routine and it's been going pretty well. My oldest daughter (4th grade) is becoming more independent in her work, especially in English. My youngest daughter (2nd grade) has improved nicely with her Spelling. Both girls are beginning a new writing program (just because writing is their "thing!") and they are enjoying it so far.

My oldest son is officially in kindergarten this year and he is trying to convince me that playing the computer and the Wii are great ideas for school work! LOL In other words, he is still transitioning a bit, since he has more of a structured day. But overall, he is doing well and is SUPER excited about Math. He wants to keep going and going and that is fine by me!

On Friday, we took a break from Grammar, Math, History and Science, to focus on a few other things. We talked about the digestive system (Health) and we listened to a Kids' Song CD ("If You're Happy and You Know It," "Whistle While You Work," "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," etc.) more for my son's sake, but the girls joined in and began to dance and get a little silly. It was fun, though!



We finished our Friday up with an art project--the kids made robins from their footprints. I found a site through Pinterest with art projects made from either hand prints or foot prints. Lots of fun. It's so neat how every one's pictures turned out differently. This is not one of ours, but it's an example from the site.





Then to round out the week, Daddy surprised everyone with a trip to Six Flags! The kids were SUPER THRILLED because that was a major item on their summer bucket list. They had so much fun and my oldest daughter even conquered a few rides that she wouldn't have dreamed of going on before. There were smiles on every face and lots of laughter. Even the baby was so content to be pushed around the park in the stroller, getting to have a taste of Mommy's Slurpee every now and then. I think the highlight of the day for the kids was the water ride. At first the kids stood on a bridge to get splashed from the water ride as the boat went by. Once they were soaked, they thought, let's just get on the boat, too. Oh, boy! It was so funny to see their faces and hear those screams and giggles! It was a great family day. We all slept very soundly that Saturday night. (Sorry, no pictures. . .I forgot the camera!)



So there you have it, a bit of an update from my home to yours. More updates to come!

READ MORE - School is Underway

Brownies, Chick-Fil-A, and a Generator

In my life this week…

God is showing me how to trust in Him. As a song once said, "I'm leaning, depending on Jesus, every step of the way. . ."

Also, we are having a generator installed (as I type this). The black out we experienced early last month was such a doozey for our family, my husband could take it no longer. The power always goes out in our area--just let one little wind gust come through and it's over! But this time around, we lost so much food, gas stations were running out of gas, hotels were completely booked, grocery stores and restaurants were closed. . .it was pretty chaotic.

In our homeschool this week…

Lots of math. My girls are little math machines! And, we're continuing to learning about ancient Rome and Julius Caesar. Caesar was one character! New materials for the upcoming year are starting to arrive in the mail--exciting!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

We went to Chick-Fil-A on Wednesday to show our support for a Christian who was unashamed to share his religious convictions concerning a Biblical definition of marriage--one man, one woman. My children and I went for lunch and my husband went after dinner. We were both supported and attacked for our actions. But, our conviction about marriage remains. . .God's Word cannot lie.

My favorite thing this week was…

Talking to my brother on the phone. We live in different states (13 hour drive!) and I miss him dearly.

What’s working/not working for us…

Scripture memory is working very well for all, including me. Memorizing the books of the Bible is going well, too. So far, we're all the way up to Ezra. It's amazing how much little ones can memorize!

Things I’m working on…

Trying to flesh out a new daily school schedule for the fall, since my little JR will officially be in kindergarten this year. I'm also trying to take the time to plan art, music, and health a bit more thoroughly than last year, especially art. It does NOT come naturally to me, but my oldest has natural talent. So she's pushing me to stay on top of things! 

I’m crocheting…

A little bag that I can use to store all of my grocery bags in. I reuse and recycle all plastic shopping bags, but I need a better way to store them.  The pattern is originally meant to hold a 2-liter soda bottle, but I thought it would be great for the plastic bags. I'm making the one on the left, except I'm using all blue.

"Americana Evaporative Beverage Cooler"

from lionbrand.com.

I’m cooking…

The girls and I made brownies! We got the recipe from Pinterest and it's so yummy. The only thing I would change is the salt--I'd halve it or ditch it altogether, but other than that, it's a keeper. More than half the pan is gone and we just made them Wednesday night! Go HERE for the recipe.








This pic is from the original recipe blog post.

Don't they look good?

I’m grateful for…

so many things; if I had ten thousand tongues it still wouldn't be enough to say, "Thank You, Lord!"

I’m praying for…

my Dad.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Heather @ The Blessings Pour Out has a homeschool for free website that has many great resources.

READ MORE - Brownies, Chick-Fil-A, and a Generator

Busyness and a Birthday

In my life the past couple of weeks…

There seemed to be a lot of busyness. Just regular errands, grocery shopping, doctor's appointments, helping my husband in the yard, laundry, etc. It seems like we were trying to get things back on track after having lost power for so long. We finally got someone to come out and cut down our tree that was damaged during the storm. The great thing about it was that the tree company shredded the tree and gave us all of the wood chips from it. My husband was thrilled about that because that saved us a good chunk of change that would have been spent on buying mulch. The pile of wood chips was HUGE!

We all pitched in to help my husband lay the mulch around the various bushes and trees in our front and back yards. After that there was still enough left over for a friend of ours to load up the back of his pick-up truck so he could use it in his yard. After that, there was still enough for my father-in-law to take 3 loads in my husband's pick-up truck to use at his mother's house. After that, there is still enough left over that my husband's friend wants to come back for another load. We are thankful for the way God has blessed us to give and share.



We also planted a new tree in place of the old one. We planted a Crepe Myrtle that will blossom pink.

In our homeschool this week…

We are progressing well considering many of the interruptions over the past few weeks. My oldest daughter is resuming Latin, which is fun. She is also taking flute lessons and she is super excited about that. My younger daughter is eager to begin reading Peter Pan. We listened to it on CD earlier in the year, but she wants to read it herself. My son is having a ball! What I am pleased about is his increased interest to read on his own. We are also beginning to memorize the books of the Bible.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

1. If it works for you and your family, stick with it!

2. Consider joining online groups for homeschooling, such as Yahoo Groups. I joined one for a group in my area so I could know about local homeschool events and resources. I also joined another for Biblioplan, which we used for Ancient History. It's great because I can ask the authors questions about the materials before I make a purchase.

I am inspired by…

My children, who have learned at an early age how to swim. This is big for me, someone who is not a strong swimmer and who did not learn until adulthood. My son is still learning how to do rhythmic breathing, but he has no fear of the water. My girls just blow me away. Both of them are now able to swim the length of the pool, freestyle and backstroke, without assistance, in deep water!!!  I don't think they realize how much they are teaching their Mama about swimming and conquering fears. I am so glad that they have a life-saving skill.

My favorite thing from a week ago was…

My son turned 5!!!!!! His only request: a dark blue birthday cake! LOL So we certainly obliged. Did Mama make a cake from scratch? Nope, not this year! My husband picked out a dark blue cake that even had the Avenger's superheroes on it!

The Avengers decoration actually lights up!

Now my son plays with it all the time.









My sweet boy, JR. . .











being goofy. . .











and really silly! LOL











This is one of the shirts my parents sent him for his birthday.

He ran upstairs to change into it, and asked me to take a picture.

This is the pose he struck! Funny!

What’s working/not working for us…

We do bible study at breakfast, before school starts. We've been using a book called The Wonder Devotional Book 1, that our church gave to my girls upon accepting Christ and being baptized. It's good because it covers meaty topics which is great for the girls' developing faith, but it is given in bite-sized pieces so that my son is not totally lost. (I don't know why I'm using food metaphors, but you know what I mean!) Anyway, what isn't working is that as soon as I begin to read from the book, the baby starts babbling. Loudly. And it is hilarious! So, we're working on that!

Things I’m working on…

Still finalizing my curriculum for the upcoming school year. I have most things squared away, just trying to find the best deals so the budget remains under control

I’m reading…

The Resurrection of Nat Turner by Sharon Ewell Foster

It is not an easy topic, the subject of slavery in our country. But it is one that must be told, in truth, in the Light of God's Word. Ms. Foster does that quite well; so far so good.

I’m cooking…

I made deep dish pizza for lunch today, using my cast iron skillet. Yummy!

I’m grateful for…

Prayer with my husband.

I’m praying for…

The people of Colorado.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." -Romans 12:2 (New Living Translation)

This particular translation of this verse really struck a chord with me.

READ MORE - Busyness and a Birthday

Thunderstorms = No Electricity

In my life this week…

We were without electricity from Fri. 6/29 until Wed. 7/5. A major thunderstorm with hurricane speed winds paid our region a visit on Friday. We live in a neighborhood with lots of mature trees and those trees knocked down utility poles and power lines all throughout our city and state. Restaurants and stores were closed, traffic signals were out, hotels (that were up and running) were completely booked. And to top it off, we haven't had a day under 95 degrees in about 2 weeks. It was stressful in many, many ways. The tree in the front yard suffered some damage and we had a few stray limbs in the back yard. Considering the magnitude of the storm, we are so blessed. I am so thankful that my family is well and my home isn't damaged. God is so good.

Pictures of the fallen tree limb in my front yard:

The lighter green leaves you see in the center, at the top

are actually from my neighbor's tree.

Our tree looks a bit weird because it is so thin at the top.



This lamp post is about 15 feet away

from the trunk of the tree. This branch

is pretty big.

In our homeschool this week…

Well, not much schooling going on this week. We managed to squeeze in a few math worksheets and some reading. . .lots of reading, actually.



I am inspired by…

Crochet patterns! I receive various crochet patterns by email from Lion Brand Yarn and I've found some neat things on Pinterest, too. They are inspiring me to begin a crochet project. I usually do my crocheting during the cooler months, but I for some reason, I'm ready to grab a hook and some yarn and go at it!! Here are some pretty pieces I'd like to try:



I'm hoping I have enough yarn on hand

to get started on this now.



This is really pretty.

This seems perfect for the fall.

This is actually a crochet/knit combo.

I can't knit well, but one day I'll tackle it!

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

This week was tough, but my in-laws came through for us. They only lost power for about 24 hours, so we were able to stay in their home while our power was out. It was such a blessing because it has been so hot and it was hard to keep everyone cool, especially the baby. It was great because it helped my children through a tough time, especially my son. Thunderstorms and no electricity don't just "bother him" but they really scare him. So the distraction of being at Grand-Dad and Grand-Ma's house was just what he needed.



My least favorite thing this week was…

Getting rid of most of the food in my refrigerator and freezer. It was such a painful process to see so much wasted. I'm sad about it because I keep wondering what I could have done differently to keep more. But with the temps soaring to about 100 degrees each day, the food spoiled so quickly. Husband is in the process of trying to get a stationary generator installed so that we don't waste this much food again.



Questions/thoughts I have…

Wondering about the next school year. I'm still piecing together my curriculum choices. I'm also wondering about ways to help implement a bit of independence in our school days...I'm not sure. I've heard of people doing "work boxes" and having everything laid out for the school year ahead of time. That way, the child is able to just grab all assignments for the day and work through them. Our schedule just doesn't flow that way. Any thoughts?





Things I’m working on…

I'm working on thinning out last year's school work (except for the really important things), and filing it way with our homeschool review forms. All you homeschool moms out there: How much school work do you keep each year? How do you file it all away? Do you file it away at all?



I’m reading…

The Resurrection of Nat Turner, Part One: The Witnesses by Sharon Ewell Foster. I signed up for the summer reading program at library, right along with my children! Sharon Ewell Foster is one of my favorite Christian, historical fiction authors.



I’m cooking…

Nothing much. Heating up left overs from when we ate out this week. We tried to purchase "family style" meals this week rather than "fast food" so that it would last us longer.

The inside of my empty freezer. :(

I’m grateful for…

My life, health, strength, my family and my home. . .and for electricity.



I’m praying for…

Those still suffering from the storm, my great-uncle who's in the hospital.



A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

A pretty song.

READ MORE - Thunderstorms = No Electricity

Break: Week 1

In my life this week…

I've been cleaning!!! I have been so glad to tackle my housework head on. I know that sounds strange--who wants to scrub toilets?! But, seriously, I'm glad to get my house in order again. No matter how many children you already have, having a baby changes everything!



In our homeschool this week…

We've completed week 1 of our 2 week break! No school work, but everyone does have to read each day. And, the girls still practice piano! The kids are really enjoying the break. They've been watching a few of their favorite shows and movies, playing lots of board games, pretending the laundry room is a clubhouse, eating popsicles at bedtime, and they even got to play outside again!



Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Don't be afraid to take a break! I was, for fear that we wouldn't finish everything. When the baby was born, we took about 5 weeks off and I've felt like we've been behind ever since. But, we've worked hard and are due a bit of rest.



I am inspired by…

Christian wives and mothers who are willing to honestly share their journeys. . . there is so much to learn when we open up to each other.



Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

Pediatrician and ENT for baby JD. . .praise the Lord, he is well!



My favorite thing this week was…

I've been able to sleep in a few days this week, and getting back to more routine exercise.



What’s working for us…

A Scripture memory system, found HERE. We needed a better way to memorize Scripture and this works so well for us. This system, at first glance may seem complicated, but it really isn't. If you're looking to memorize Scripture, please check the site out; there's even a video explaining it all!



Things I’m working on…

Piecing together new curriculum materials for the next level. It's exciting this time around because I have a better idea of what works for us and what does not, and what I need to do differently. Year 2 of homeschooling, here we come!!!



I’m grateful for…

The love my Saviour has for me.



I’m praying for…

Husband, children, parents, brother.



A photo, video, link, or quote to share…



"Hiding God’s Word in your heart is not a race; it’s a lifelong habit."

READ MORE - Break: Week 1

How to Make Homemade Laundry Soap

There seems to be HUNDREDS of blogs and websites that tell you how to make your own laundry soap. After a few tries, I was excited to find this recipe for homemade laundry soap through Pinterest. So, if you're like me when I first heard of homemade laundry soap, you're probably asking, "What in the world do you use to make your own laundry soap?"

You'll need 3 products, all found in the laundry section of the grocery store:

• Fels Naptha Laundry Soap (1 bar grated)


• Borax (1 1/2 Cup)


• Washing Soda (NOT to be confused with Baking Soda) (1 1/2 Cup)

Purchasing all 3 items cost me under $8! If it doesn't work for you, don't worry! You haven't wasted your money because you can use Borax and Washing Soda for many other household cleaning tasks!

You'll also need 2 empty gallon sized containers to store your laundry soap in. I used 2 left over, "family sized" plastic ice cream pails, which are just a little over 1 gallon each.

Ice cream pails. . .of laundry soap!

Don't worry about exact container sizes or precise amounts of water. What I've learned is that the process isn't an "exact science," which is something that frustrated me when I first tried to make it.  I am so glad I found this recipe because for some reason, it all made sense! So, the only thing I changed was the container size. The original recipe makes 5 gallons and I don't have a 5 gallon bucket, so I used what I had. That simply means mine is more concentrated.



Directions:

• Grate a bar of Fels Naptha, just like you would a block of cheese (or use your food processor if you'd like).


• Fill a dutch oven type of pot half way with WARM water (about 2-3 quarts) and put on medium heat; add grated soap.

This is the pot I used. . . nothing fancy.

• Stir until the soap is melted. Then add the Borax and the Washing soda. Stir just enough to combine the ingredients evenly. *Keep a watchful eye to prevent the overflow of suds all over the place. If it starts to bubble up, lower the heat setting.


• Once the soap has melted, turn the heat down to medium-low and let the pot of soap sit on the stove for 20-30 minutes so that it thickens.


• Meanwhile, BOIL a tea kettle full of water. Again, no exact measurement, but I filled mine up to just under the spout. (Turns out it's about 6 cups, or 1.5 quarts.)


• Place your empty containers in the sink for safe pouring and mixing. Pour the boiled water evenly into the 2 containers, then add the soap in equal amounts to each pail. Stir well.


• Next, fill each pail up gradually with COLD water from the faucet, continuing to mix well as you fill. It will make a few suds, but just stir the suds right back into the soap mixture.


• You should end up with a thick, almost gel or custard-like consistency. Let the soap sit uncovered overnight (24 hrs.) to set.

Custard look of the finished product.

Again my "recipe" is more concentrated but so far, so good. It works well, even on my husband's stinky exercise clothes! (Sorry, honey--LOL!) I use 1/8 to 1/4 cup per load, depending on size and how soiled the laundry is. I still use my other laundry additives as I always do (such as bleach, ammonia, dryer sheets, etc.). I'm working on homemade alternatives for those! :o)



I was intrigued by making my own laundry soap simply because I found the whole process interesting! Who knew? I'd been walking past these items for years in the store and never knew what they could be when mixed together. Also, making your own soap is cost effective. Laundry detergent can be extremely expensive, especially when you have kiddos and loads that seem to never end! If you go to the original recipe, you'll find a general break down of how much it costs per load--I'm talking cents per load!!

My daughters decorated the lids. :o)

I'm not an expert at this, but I'll be glad to answer as many questions as I can.

Happy Laundering!



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School Year Winds Down







In my life this week…

I was very busy preparing for our homeschool portfolio review meeting. This can be stressful in many ways because I'm compiling materials, filling out forms, and lugging it all to the library for the meeting. Then to top it all off, there was some confusion about the day/time for my appointment and I ended up being double-booked with someone else. So, after about 2 1/2 hours I was finally able to get my portfolio approved and get back home. It went well, though, and I am thankful.

In our homeschool this week…

We are finishing up our first, official year of homeschooling!! I am so grateful for the way the Lord has brought us through and showed us a different path for educating our children. We will continue with a lighter schedule throughout the summer (continuing to focus on Bible, math, and grammar). But for now, we have declared a 2 week break!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Practice piano in the morning!! I found that works best for us, while I'm feeding the baby/cooking breakfast. The kids are fresh and willing to give it full attention. We used to do it at the end of our school day and I saw that by then, the kids were losing focus . . .or we began to neglect it. Also, everyone is wide awake. (Translation: No more interrupting baby's afternoon nap!)

I am inspired by…

...my children's developing faith in God.

Things I’m working on…

Since my sweet baby boy was born right in the middle of our school year, my house is in NEED of a good, thorough, top to bottom, room to room, deep cleaning. We've also been schooling temporarily in the kitchen since the baby was born, so I'm moving things back to the school room. The kids miss it in there. So, guess what I'll be doing during our 2 week break???????

I’m cooking…

...cream cheese biscuits. I found them on the beloved Pinterest!

Recipe & Photo Credit

 Also, my daughters and I are supposed to make berry smoothies tomorrow from a cookbook they got from the library. They're so excited! :)

I’m grateful for…

...every blessing God gives.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

My boys :)



Photo Credit



READ MORE - School Year Winds Down

A Snake and My New Best Friend

So, the kiddos and I were in the back yard, tending to our vegetables. I thought I was so cool and clever, because I was able to double gardening with a science lesson for the day. We had been discussing plant life and various bugs that were helpful or harmful to gardens. I thought, "I'm going to round this lesson out with lettuce picking. I'll show them those big, fat juicy green caterpillars that eat little holes in the lettuce. We'll talk about the way God made those caterpillars green so that they blend so well with the lettuce." I just knew this was going to go so smoothly.

So, there we were picking lettuce. Every thing is going great! As is my habit, I let the dogs eat any leaves that are a little wilted or yellowing on the edges. They love it and think lettuce picking is really treat time for them. Well, while we're discussing the bugs we were finding, one of our dogs begins to run over to a corner of the yard and back to me . . .he keeps doing this, back and forth, with a bark each time. Now mind you, this little dog of ours isn't my 1st choice in a companion, and honestly he irks me most days. But he stays because my daughter would be heartbroken without him.



Anyway, I ignored him because he sometimes barks randomly at any and everything. So there I am talking bugs and plants, when my oldest daughter says, "Mommy, I don't know why Wimbley keeps barking. Maybe he wants you to give him more lettuce." I'm like, yeah probably so. So when I turn to offer him another piece, I see him run to the corner of the yard to bark at something. So I'm like, what is he barking at this time.



I go a little closer, and my first thought is, "Is that a vacuum hose? Why would my husband leave a vacuum hose curled up in the corner of the yard?" My next thought (very brief next thought) was what type of yard equipment would require a hose??? Then it clicks, "Stacie, you are staring at a black snake that is all coiled up." I do NOT tolerate snakes AT ALL, so in my head I screamed, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"



But to my children I said, "Everybody inside now! Everybody inside now!" I didn't yell and scream and kick and run the way I wanted to, but my point was clear. They all went inside without a word. When we got inside, I was shaking and completely outdone by the nerve of a snake to show up in my back yard!!!! My daughter told me, "Mommy, I didn't know why you told us to go in, but when I heard your voice, I thought there could be danger." (Later, my mom told me that what my daughter said reminded her of the Scripture that says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." -John 10:27) Thankful for children who obey (most of the time)! :)



Well, a few panicky hours later, and after a phone call to animal control, I know now that the "Black Snake" is apparently not harmful or poisonous, and is common in our area (although we've lived here for 7 years and this is our first encounter). Apparently, this snake is good for catching field mice and the like. I also now know that it was apparently coming out to warm itself in the sun, which is apparently normal this time of year. All of these "apparent" facts don't make me like the snake any more, and I never want to see it again, but at least the panicky shakes are gone. And eventually, one day, the kids can go outside to play again, eventually. LOL!!! I can laugh at myself now, especially the part when I asked myself, "Is that a vacuum hose?!" LOL!!!!



Meanwhile, I have forgiven Wimbley of all his "irk-iness." He's now welcome to stay in the family. Although I now know my fear of the snake was "apparently" unwarranted, I am so glad Wimbley was there to warn us. I know that he will try to protect us. . .even me, the one who has never really been too fond of him. Wimbley, my new best friend!!! ;)

READ MORE - A Snake and My New Best Friend

A New Heart

My day had been full . . . .piano, math, reading, orthodontist appointment, cranky-eared baby, sleepy baby, lunch time, grammar, art, and cleaning and so forth.



I thought I handled it all well.



Then, the dog killed a mole in the back yard, the other dog made a mess in the laundry room. So my afternoon was taking care of the mole situation, dog baths, cleaning floors, gathering trash, rushing to prepare Husband's after work snack (Yes, I spoil him!), getting the baby's applesauce and peas together before he starts to cry, and by the time the spoonful of baby peas went splat on my kitchen rug, I was a wee bit stressed.



So, I let out a very aggravated sigh, groan, grunt. . .some kind of noise that meant FRUSTRATED! I complained, "Mommy is having a tough time this afternoon!"



Immediately, my 4 year old son comes rushing in the kitchen as I wiped peas out of the rug. He said, "Here Mommy, I have a new heart for you. Here you go!" And he places my "new heart" on my chest. He said, "Take this new heart Mommy, then your heart won't be sad anymore." In that moment, I recalled the Scripture, (and read it since it was right above my head, hanging up in my kitchen!), "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right spirit within me." -Psalm 51:10



Mmm, seems like Mommy needs to read that verse a little more often! :o) None of my tasks were "end of the world" situations and I had allowed them to get the better of me.



So, I thanked my sweet boy for my "new haert." And I thanked my Heavenly Father for the funny ways in which He works on me through my children. God is always standing there, offering a new heart in exchange for the old one; if only we would just receive it.



I thanked Him for my new heart's attitude, a right spirit. I collected myself, took a deep breath, chuckled at my son, and started afresh . . .

A little bit of "Change My Heart, O God"

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Cast Iron Memories

My dear Granny, God rest her soul, used to cook with cast iron ALL. THE. TIME.' My Granny was originally from the deep south, Mississippi to be exact, before moving north. When I was younger, she would tell me stories that began with, "Girl, way down in the country. . . " Any time I see a cast iron skillet, I think of her, corn bread, Sunday dinners, the way she sang, how she walked, what her hands were like, her facial expression when she'd look up from reading her Bible or the newspaper (smile!). . .a cast iron skillet just brings back all these memories for me.



Well, fast forward some years, and I'm in my mother-in-law's kitchen, new to the family, helping out with dinner. There my mother-in-law is at her stove, frying chicken drumettes (VERY good I might add!), with a fork and a cast iron skillet. I was flooded with memories all over again.



Last Thanksgiving, my mother-in-law, sister-in-law and I were talking about various cookware, and looking through those wild Black Friday ads. I was telling them about my Granny's cast iron, the good food she cooked, and how it always reminded me of her. I said I would love to have a few pieces from my Granny's set from back home (she had cast iron cookware in all shapes and sizes), but the shipping cost alone for something like that would be outrageous.



Fast forward a few months. . .it's my birthday. My mother-in-law ordered a few pieces of cast iron cookware as a gift for me. I was completely surprised but even more, I was touched that she even remembered that from our conversation. SO SWEET and so unexpected! So, I got on the phone with my dad (who is "Mr. Everything-I-cook-could-be-on-Food-Network!") to double check what I could cook in it, what I couldn't, how to clean it and care for it. . . and after all, I knew he would know because my Granny was his mother.



So, I tried just a few things so far. . .nothing spectacular. But I'm so thrilled just to know it's in my kitchen! Who would think that a cast iron skillet could make a woman so happy?

Baked chicken on top of

carrotts, celery, and green pepers

in the Dutch oven

And the beloved skillet,

full of biscuits!







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