How He Climbs

If climbing up won't work...

...then climbing in will do.

Honestly, I think he was as surprised as I was...

3

My kids keep growing, in spite my pleas to just "slow down!", and so it wasn't too long ago that I started noticing that Ellie's pants/trousers were looking more like britches. Time for some new bottoms.

One of the best things about these pants is that all the fabric was either donated to the cause of keeping my family in clothes, or leftovers from other projects.

Free clothes are not to be sniffed at!

And at the end of all the modelling, she had to check that her belly button was still there. You know, just in case.

Whew! What a relief...

Some worthy reading material

In no particular order:

Teaching the Trivium - An excellent, biblical homeschooling reference, walking through the classical homeschool method. Part 1 is theory - the "why" to homeschool and do it according to the classical method. Part 2 is practical - this is what it looks like through the ages and stages. Part 3 is reference, from articles to resource lists. Overall, I think it's safe to say that it's changing the way we homeschool.

Practicing Hospitality - Another good reference, particularly if you are not terribly confident in the whole "showing hospitality" area. A selection of recipes scattered throughout, each chapter focuses on a different aspect of hospitality, "Hospitality + Culture/Ministry/Family/Church". I can't say I learned anything dreadfully new, but it was good to be reminded of some things and I definitely picked up a few tips along the way.

Start your Family - A little late for the lady with 5 kids, I know, but what can I say - it came out a little late for my benefit! A good look at the many reasons we like to put off having children and why they are often unbiblical. It wasn't as gospel-centered as I would have hoped, but overall it did a good job of lining the thinking of popular culture up next to Scripture and pointing out the flaws. A good book for newlyweds or anyone else who is thinking about when they should...start their family.

Wisdom from Proverbs - A short little devotional on the book of Proverbs, geared toward the homeschooling mom, though I'm sure many others would benefit. Great for application of various proverbs, with additional helpful verses in each reading. I'm not a big one for devotionals, generally - I find I'm reading about the Bible more than I am reading the Bible - but this was good, short, to the point. Do what I did and make it part of your before bed reading, rather than quiet time reading, and you're good to go!

Daughters of Hope - Not a comfortable read. The authors basically went around the world to some of the countries most hostile to Christianity to speak with women about their experiences as believers and most, if not all, of the stories would be best described as "harrowing". And yet they do not give up. Read it, if only to inform your prayers for the persecuted church and remember that faith isn't always free.

Now it's your turn - any good books to add to my list?

Projects that I've been waiting to share for ages

The girls needed pencil cases, as directed by the Daddy - I think he got tired of hearing pencils rain down on the floor. It would seem that it's not actually a school day in the Gayner household without children losing control of errant writing impliments. But I digress...

Thanks to another fabric donation (apparently I run a fabric orphanage), the girls were the happy recipents of bi-colored pouches.

Also, in a fit of experimentation and "I bought the book so I'd better use it"-ness, I now have a gardening apron.

Funky vintage fabric from grandmom, and bias tape. That's pretty much it. It's got lovely large pockets and loops for tools - should make my job out there a little easier (when I actually get around to going out there, that is). It would also make a good all-around craft apron - just don't stab yourself in the leg with scissors pointed the wrong way...

Rooibos

It's finally finished! Actually, it's been finished for a couple weeks, but now I am finally able to take photos and post about it!

I love it. It was straightforward to make, though the increases around the neck began to feel a little tedious, but by that time, it was time to begin the stockinette stitch.

I loved not having to do any seaming and minimal finishing.

And I love the buttons I found in my stash! Just right, me thinks.

I made the sleeves a little longer than 3/4 length, but shorter than the pattern suggested - if I had followed the instructions for the size, the sleeves would have been well past my fingertips! (Have I mentioned I have the habit of knitting too large for myself?)

The yarn I worked with was lovely, but am now seeing lots of pilling in evidence. If I had it to do over again, I probably would use a smoother yarn, something like this or this.

And for the unaware, Rooibos is a South African tea, meaning "red bush". So now you know.

Dan-Dan

Has a year ever gone by so quickly? I think not...

Happy Birthday, my sweet boy.

Kindred Spirits

"Miss Patty and Miss Maria are hardly such stuff as dreams are made of," laughed Anne. "Can you fancy them 'globe-trotting' - especially in those shawls and caps?"

"I suppose they'll take them off when they really begin to trot," said Priscilla, "but I know they'll take their knitting with them everywhere. They simply couldn't be parted from it. They will walk about Westminster Abbey and knit, I feel sure."

~Anne of the Island

Slow Cookin'

In response to some requests for good slow cooker recipes, here are a few of my family's favorites:

Slow Cooked Chili - cheap to make and is hands-down my favorite chili.

Crock Pot Enchiladas - wonderful recipe, used so many times, from a wonderful blog!

Wanda's Chicken and Rice Casserole - great for using up leftovers:

Combine 1 cup of uncooked rice, 3 cups water, 2 tsp chicken stock granules, one can cream of chicken soup, 1 lb bag of frozen broccoli or other veg, 2 cups chopped cooked chicken, 1/4tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion salt and 1 cup grated cheddar cheese. Cook on high for 3-4 hours. Serves 4-6 people.

Savory Chicken and Vegetables - soooo good.

Put 8 chicken thighs in slow cooker. Add 2 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 8 oz pearl onions (or dice one regular onion), 6 slices cooked and crumbled bacon, 2 cloves chopped garlic, one bouquet garni (or 1 tbsp italian seasoning) and a bag of baby carrots.

Cook it on low for 8-10 hours.

Before serving, remove the bouquet garni (if using) and skim any visible fat. Stir in 1 lb button mushrooms. Mis 2 tbsp flour and 2 tbsp cold water and stir into chicken. Turn to high and cook for another 30 min.

Of course, I have been known to forget to add anything after the inital cooking and served it up as is - so you know you have options...

Let me know if anyone gets around to trying any of these and how they turn out!

Boys...

...they love to wrestle......in their new pair of Quick Change Trousers!

Overwhelmed

Due to some recent schedule changes, extra outside commitments, the need for greater organizing in my world and the ever-present broken nights' sleep, I've been finding myself feeling overwhelmed. My husband counsels me that this sensation is often indicitive of trying to meet needs and conquer challenges in my own strength, and he's right, of course (as usual).

So what do I do? These are real challenges that need real solutions. But it doesn't take long for God, in His kindness, to remind me of what has become one of my favorite passages in all Scripture. 2 Chronicles 20 is a record of King Jehoshaphat’s prayer when faced with an approaching army bent on destruction; the whole thing is amazing, but it's verse 12 that really gets me:

For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.

What can they do? Nothing, on their own. But coming to God, they trust Him, praise and worship Him, and have the privledge of watching His deliverance. It's a marvel to me - when I am totally out of my depth and feeling completely powerless, I can look to Christ, and knowing that He has already met my greatest need on Calvary, I am comforted that He knows and provides for any need that I might face. And all I need to do is keep my eyes on Him.