Hearts for Home

Today I am joining in with Gae from Cherished Hearts at Home . She has a weekly post called Hearts for Home which is open for others to link up with and share some thoughts on home-centred ways. She encourages us to think of 4-6 things to commit to each week to make homelife special and to bless us as keepers at home.

Take 2 - Yesterday while working on this post my computer crashed so hopefully the glitches are worked out and everything will be fine today.

Last time I posted I was working on adjusting our schedule.  That has gone well and with everone's schedule constantly changing it has made me really focus on working from my schedule instead of from my head and I have to admit I do seem to get more done.

So, for this week here are a few things I would like to focus on.

1. The information center in the kitchen area needs a clean-up and overhaul.

2. I need to catch up on the pile of paperwork that accumulated on my desk when my computer was down last week.

3. These next few weeks are busy, busy, busy and when I get stressed I can get negative.  So I want to focus on the positives.

4. Clean the bathroom walls.

               ~Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, A dearer,

sweeter spot than all the rest~

                                                                                    (Maricar Macalincag)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Saturday, October 23, 2010


Outside my window... The sun is shining, the sky is blue and there is a cloudy haze on the horizon.

I am thinking...  wondering what today will hold, the upcoming week and whether or not I should go out Thursday evening.


I am thankful for... quietness.


From the learning rooms... English - essay on gender roles and Biology - unit quiz coming up on photosynthesis.

From the kitchen... Not sure yet.


I am wearing... Still in my housecoat, it is a slow, quiet Saturday morning.

I am creating... a x-stitch picture (almost finished) and will be starting on some Christmas projects.

I am going... to possibly go shopping this afternoon with my daughter.


I am reading... Life Management for Busy Woman by Elizabeth George.


I am praying for... wisdom.


Pondering these words... "Love is the world's most powerful motivator.  So if we love our home, love there and love managing it, building it, watching over it, and keeping it, then love will conquer all.  No task will be too difiicult and no job will be too menial (or meaningless!) but love will enable us and empower us to tackle it, master it, and excel at it."  (Elizabeth George)

I am STILL hoping... I can go to the mountains this fall.


I am hearing... silence.  Hubby is at work and the kids are still sleeping.

Around the house... I need to do some basic housework today and maybe get caught up on the pile of papers that have accumulated as my computer was down most of this week.

One of my favorite things... walks in the park.

A few plans for the rest of the week...  Staying on track with my routine and schedule.


Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Hubby snapped this picture while a few years ago.

I love the peacefulness of the picture.

Thank you Peggy for the The Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.

Show and Tell Friday

I found these beautiful lamps at a garage sale about a month ago.  The lady was moving cross country and everything had to go.  We got there at the end of the day and she sold them to me at a price even I could afford.

Thank you for visiting my back door.  I am joining in with Cindy at My Romatic Home for Show and Tell Friday.

Idle Hands

Whenever I read a book set in the past or a book based on the Amish I'm always struck by the fact that the majority of time their social time is also working time.  Barn raising, quilting bees, helping neighbors and friends with the canning or getting together to bake.  Even their sitting down time seems to be productive with mending, stitching or knitting.  It makes me think about how much our modern society has changed.  Idleness seems to be a given today and it's so very easy for me to be idle.  But I don't want to be a woman who "eats the bread of idleness" so what can I do to change my idleness into productivity?

First, I guess I need to identiy my idle times.  Watching TV and surfing the net are probably the two main areas where I am idle.  First TV.  Is it realistic to eliminate TV watching all together?  I don't think it would work very well in our home beause there are certain shows that we watch together as a family.  However, I can use the time to be productive.  I could work on a small craft or on my x-stitch while we're watching.  I need to make some tags for Christmas gifts - what a perfect time to do it.  What about surfing the net?  I usually end up doing that during school time while my daughter is reading or working but I need to stay close by if she needs help.  Why can't I work on my recipe book or scrapbook some pictures?  Right now the biggest hindrance to that is the state of the room.  So, why don't I use that time and start to clean and organize it a bit at a time?  I spend alot of time in that room each day so why don't I make it a room that is lovely to be in?

I am sure as I become more watchful about being idle I will find many more places that I can improve on.  But for now I've got  a place to start.  I want to honor God and bless my family with my work and as I strive toward that goal I know God will be faithfull.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

(Proverbs 31:27)

Tablescape Thursdays

This is my first time posting a Tablescape and I thought I would share

my combination thanksgiving/birthday table. 

Started off with a new fall tablecloth that I found at Wal-Mart.

I loved the pattern.

I added a lace runner that was given to me a few years ago.

Then came the centerpiece I made a few weeks ago. 

Followed by some leaves and candles.

and of course, a few pumpkins to complete the look.

Then I added the dishes.

I kept it fairly simple with simple white and added color from the napkin.

I added a special birthday decoration for those of us who were celebrating birthdays.

And used pumpkins with our names written on them for name places.

And a decoration hanging from the fan for fun :)

It was time to light the candles and set the mood.

Candles always make things prettier.

I hope you enjoyed my first tablescape, thanksgiving with a splash of birthday.  I'm participating in Tablescape Thursdays at Between Naps on the Porch.  Go check it out to see some amazing tablescapes.

Building A Home

They've been building a new home across the street.  Watching them put it up has made me think about how I am to "build my home".  In order to begin, I need a stong, firm foundation - Christ.  With that firm foundation the house will stand tall and strong through the storms.  I watched as they put in the foundation.  It took time, effort and plain old hard work.  It didn't happen all in one day.  Am I putting time, effort and work into my foundation?

Next came the building.  I again watched as day after day, wind, rain or shine, hot or cold, the men worked diligently and faithfully to build the house.  They were there at the crack of dawn and stayed until late at night.  Am I being that diligent in building my own home?  Am I up in the morning and working throughout the day into the evening?  Do I work no matter what the the mood of the moment is?  Am I being faithful in my building?

Then came the windows, doors and shingles to protect the home not only from the elements but intruders as well.  Am I sepnding time teaching and training my children?  Am I diligent in keeping my own thoughts and actions pure?  Do I protect my family and take care of what intrudes into our home through books, TV, computers and conversations?  Windows and doors are a big investment.  Am I investing in mine?

Finally, the house was built and then came the interior work.  Interesting thought that the interior work can't begin until the foundation is poured and the walls, roof and windows are done.  Do I try to do interior work while there are holes in my walls or cracks in my foundation?  I need to be diligent and faithful in my time with God. 

Unfortunately, I don't get to see the interior of thise house - maybe at some time in the future, but not right now.  However, the planning that went into it - types of floors, cabinets, lighting, paint, floor layout, etc.obviously was planned for in detail and ahead of time.  Can you image the painter showing up and the colors still hadn't been decided upon?  I may not see the inside of the home but I do see the results of the time they took in planning and preparing.  The busyness of the people coming and going gives evidence to their preparation beforehand, everything organized and planned.  What about me?  Am I organized and have I planned ahead?  What does the evidence show about my interior work?  Does my family benefit from my planning?

Now, the house is built and the interior is completed and the family has moved in.  They could stop there.  They could enjoy their new home.  But they continue on to the finishing details, the siding, the landscaping, etc. It's all those final details that make the house a home.  Am I putting on the finishing details?  Am I reaching out to others and sharing God's love .  Am I using my home, built on a firm foundation to share God's love with those around me?

As I look at the new home across the street may I daily be reminded of the lessons I've learned on home building.

"Every wise woman builds her house."

(Proverbs 14:1a)



Juggling

What a day it is turning out to be.  It seems that just as things are running smoothly and you're getting into a comfortable routine, things change.  Even with hubby on shifts we do get into a rhythm, but now with my son going from full-time to part-time work and our daughter starting a part-time job that rhythm has been disrupted.  I seriously think there should be a mandatory juggling course for mothers because I am going to have to become a master juggler of our schedule as we will be schooling around my daughter's work and activity schedule as well as juggling hubby and sons schedule.  To make it just a tad more interesting, hubby has been called in alot because of the many problems they're having at his job.  Like this morning, he ended getting called into work because of problems and they just have too many inexperienced guys who can't fix the problems.  They're learning but it is a process.  In order to handle all the changes to my rhythm I need to be diligent with my schedule but flexible in juggling things around.  It may mean moving things around, changing things from one day to another, and saying no to some other things.  This is not my natural bent, not at all.  It is going to be a challenge, a challenge that will make me a better wife, mother and person. 



Hearts for Home

Today I am joining in with Gae from Cherished Hearts at Home . She has a weekly post called Hearts for Home which is open for others to link up with and share some thoughts on home-centred ways. She encourages us to think of 4-6 things to commit to each week to make homelife special and to bless us as keepers at home.

Well, I did get a lot done in the garden this week although it is not yet completely finished.  Everything else I did accomplish except the apple juice.  Unfortunately, due to the time spent getting ready for Thanksgiving/Birthday celebrations I just didn't have time to get it done.
This week I commit to:-

1. Well, after sitting down with my schedule for the week I realized it is actually a very busy week for me so my one goal is to just keep up with the basics.

2. Despite the busyness of the week to keep my focus and heart on the home.

3. Staying focused on the school work that needs to be done.
4. Spend some time with hubby.
5. Our schedule needs some tweeks so I want to get that worked out this week.
               ~Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest~
                                                                                    (Maricar Macalincag)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Saturday, October 9, 2010


Outside my window... It is a sunny day with a brisk breeze and not too warm and not too cold.


I am thinking... of the birthday/thanksgiving supper we are going to have tonight with my parents, of where I've been, where I am and where I am going - birthday's make me do that, how much my son has grown, of getting the table ready for tonight, yup, I got a lot going on in there LOL

I am thankful for... celebrations with family.


From the learning rooms... No school Monday, both the teacher and the student are looking forward to the day off ;)


From the kitchen... Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, homemade buns, tossed salad, glazed carrots, corn, and a Smartie Blizzard Cake for the birthday boy.

I am wearing... black jeans and a turquoise shirt.  One of my favorite outfits.  I also have matching opal necklace and earrings that go with the turquoise beautifully and hubby bought for me when we were first married.


I am creating... working on a x-stitch picture and maybe one more fall item.


I am going...to open presents tonight :) (It is both my birthday and my son's birthday today)

I am reading... Life Management for Busy Woman by Elizabeth George.


I am praying for... family and the upcoming year with its many changes.


Pondering these words... It's not the years in your life that count, but the life in your years. (unknown)


I am STILL hoping... I can go to the mountains this fall.


I am hearing... computers running, daughter typing, music from the radio.


Around the house... I have finished cleaning it for this evening, still need to sweep the back door, get the table ready and finish the cooking, and then I can relax and enjoy the food, company and celebrating.


One of my favorite things... spending time with family.


A few plans for the rest of the week...  shopping with daughter for a few things she needs before she starts her new job, school, lunch out with my mom at our favorite tea room - I think it's going to be a fun week.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

My daughter said it looked like the tree was wrapped in a blanket. 

It reminds me of how God surrounds us with his love.

                                 

Thank you Peggy for the The Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.

Show and Tell Friday

Friends are always welcome at the back door.  In fact, I think the only people who actually use the front door are the delivery guys, and some of them even use the back door so I thought I should decorate it fall and make it more welcoming.  I got so engrossed in my project that I forgot to take a before picture, but you're not missing much since all there was before was the purple petunias and the BBQ.  So, welcome friends, to my back door :)

Similar to the front porch idea, I took a pot and added corn tops, ornamental apple brances and some stems from a shrub to balance out the look.  The petunias were given to me in the early summer by my mother-in-law and they have such a beautiful fragrance as you come in or out the door.

I don't think we're going to be doing much BBQ'ng ;)

I found this lamp at a garage sale for a steal and when I saw it I knew I wanted it for the back door.  The vine of leaves I got at Dollarama.

I found these Mums at Wal-Mart and they were the only ones in that color, so of course I went for it.  I just love their brilliance.

You've seen this from a previous project and he looks so cute out here.

Some beans and tealights to make it look for like fall.

I love the owls.  I found them when I helped hubby clean out the garage and they were the perfect addition for my back door look.

My three foot sunflowers grew to over nine feet.  I think the wrong seed got into the package but they are beautiful.

I added the table and chairs to complete the warm, inviting look. 

As you can see, our pup feels right at home.

Again, I found this at a garage sale.

And, the evening glow.

Thank you for visiting my back door.  I am joining in with Cindy at My Romatic Home for Show and Tell Friday.