tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66308294300199687622024-03-04T23:32:10.997-06:00Comin' HomeSharing the Art and Heart of HomemakingDonnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.comBlogger606125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-1082525817554245742020-04-29T19:44:00.002-05:002020-09-13T20:30:42.069-05:00Thinning, Harvesting, and Repotting Herbs - It's Spring!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Spring has just about played out for the year. I’ve been so busy sewing masks that I hadn't realized the flowerbed was overrun!<br />
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I’m a terribly negligent gardener, so if an herb survived the winter at my place, you know it’s easy to grow!<br />
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The winners...thyme and chocolate mint! They smell amazing and they're so pretty too!<br />
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I had so much that I had to repot a bunch in miscellaneous pots around the porch. How thrifty too 'cause I was just about to go buy something to put in the pots. How cool is that?<br />
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My neighbor, Glenn, gave me an itty bitty bay leaf tree in the fall. He bought two in the hopes that one of us could keep ours alive through the winter. I have to say that I baby this little tree! It didn’t grow a speck for months! But the moment the spring sunshine kicked in, it exploded too. So excited about that tree! Bay leaves are awesome!<br />
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So what are your favorite herbs to grow? I need to plant a couple more before it gets too hot.<br />
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Hope you're enjoying the great outdoors this week!<br />
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Donna :)Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-75699196297355074352020-04-07T00:05:00.001-05:002020-04-07T11:31:42.732-05:00Sewing Fabric Face Masks for Vulnerable Family and Friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What a month! It's hard to believe that we are all 'holed up', hopefully safely, in our homes for the foreseeable future. At first, to be honest, I was kinda depressed. I had been watching the virus devastate Italy long before most Americans were really concerned.<br />
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The reason is that I've been working on my art degree for the last four years, and <a href="http://www.classicalsculpting.com/" target="_blank">learning sculpting </a>(like my father) from Mike Kirby at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Sculpture+Workshop/@29.8180199,-95.3968898,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x8640c7530087c959:0x82be3778b95a0d45!8m2!3d29.8226943!4d-95.3998636?hl=en-US" target="_blank">The Sculpture Workshop</a>in Houston. One of the last goals for my degree was to make an art trip to Italy. So my friend Chris and I purchased our tickets in August of last year. It's hard to imagine that that trip is canceled now, but how my heart goes out to everyone there! Chris and I have been praying for them since Day 1. But we also were trying to figure out whether or not our month long stay in Florence, Rome, and Venice was really a wash or not. It was. We are hoping to get credits for our tickets.<br />
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At first I did what I'm sure most of you did--stock up! I probably started a bit sooner than most of you due to keeping a watchful eye on Italy in early February. Eventually, my husband Tim came home and set up a home office. He's been working in Houston for the last seven years, but all of a sudden he's home again. Yay!<br />
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My youngest son got activated in the Texas Army National Guard. He's helping direct traffic at Huntsville Memorial Hospital where they are testing about 250 people a day. He can't come home and doesn't want to out of concern for us. So I was missing him too! I was really at loose ends at that point.<br />
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I don't know why it took so long, but eventually it occurred to me that I should sew some fabric masks. I knew I ought to--not that many people are super 'in' to sewing, but I am certainly one of them! :) At first, I just thought I'd help with the <a href="http://makemasks2020.org/">MakeMasks2020.org</a> movement. But before sewing for them, I offered to make some fabric masks for the most vulnerable friends in our church at <a href="http://www.koinoniachurchinfo.org/" target="_blank">Koinonia</a> and extended family in need. I got a lot of takers on that offer. It made me so happy to offer that peace of mind to my dear church family.<br />
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On Saturday, I made eight masks using the pattern suggested by <a href="http://www.makemasks2020.org/" target="_blank">MakeMasks2020</a>. A friend donated two bags of quilt scraps, and another friend donated probably 30 spools of ribbon! Sewing ties (since the elastic is gone) doubled the time it takes for me to make one of these.<br />
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What started out as a 'whim' turned into a totally unexpected opportunity to bless others in need. When the President and the CDC said, "Ok--wear masks." most people didn't have one. <br />
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After posting some photos on Instagram and Facebook--I ended up with 56 orders! Friends, neighbors, and family started messaging me asking if I could make a few for them. I am even making a couple of masks for my good blogging friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/glorv1/" target="_blank">Gloria </a>and her mom. She's an amazing artist and a kind woman caring for her elderly mother.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/glorv1/" target="_blank">by GloriaV</a></div>
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Isn't it funny how the Lord just directs you.. even when you have no idea what you are called to do to contribute during a crisis? So I sewed 20 masks today and delivered four. I bought a postage scale and set up an account with stamps.com, so I don't have to go to the post office to ship stuff and bought 30 envelopes. Hopefully I'll be shipping out my first 'orders' this Friday!<br />
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We can't do much against this virus but stay home--and that's huge! And we can pray and encourage each other online. But for me, it was time to sew! I feel so glad to be able to do my part for the elderly, friends with asthma and serious lung issues, family with vulnerable children, a friend undergoing chemo, and friends with diabetes. <br />
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The <a href="http://makemask2020.org/">MakeMask2020.org</a> project's purpose is to sew fabric masks and send them to companies who have N95 masks in stock, but don't really need medical grade masks. We sew fabric masks for them so they can send their medical grade masks to local hospitals. What a great idea! After I send mine to my friends, I'll start sewing for them.I delivered four masks today and mostly finished another 15! Tomorrow I'll keep working. I've made about 20 total and have about 40 to go!<br />
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If you are interested in sewing for them, please check out their site! Or maybe, like me, you have friends and family who suddenly find themselves needing a mask, but can't buy one. Either way, it's a great way to bless others in this difficult time. Let me know if you decide to jump on the sewing bandwagon this month!<br />
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Praying for you and yours!<br />
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Happy Homemaking!<br />
Donna<br />
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<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-25928444138266537812016-03-11T20:54:00.000-06:002020-03-31T09:35:26.007-05:00Grandmother's Garden Postage Stamp Quilt - The Project of Four Generations - Finished At Last!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Blogging Friends,<br />
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It's been a long time since I posted, but today is such a special day, I just had to share it with you! Yesterday I made the last quilting stitch on a quilt I've shared with you several times in the last eight years. I am celebrating! :)<br />
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Ten years ago, my dear grandmother, Dola, passed away. In her cedar chest, I found a vintage quilt top made of flour sacks.<br />
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After much discussion with my Aunt (Grandma's daughter-in-law), we realized that it was Dola's mother, Grandma Pherigo, who must have pieced it. There is no doubt that the fabric is old flour sacks. It is far too aged and retro in style to be anything else.<br />
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Grandma Wood was not a big 'quilter' though she quilted as well as most women do. However, according to my Aunt Joan, Grandma Pherigo was an avid quilter. So the mystery of who pieced this exquisite quilt was finally solved just last month! I felt incredibly honored to be the one to add the border and hand-quilt this family treasure.<br />
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Quilts like this are very unusual and quite rare. They are called <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/judymartinquilt/postage-stamp-quilts-exceptional-ones/" target="_blank">postage stamp quilts</a> because every piece was no bigger than a postage stamp. I'm sure you can tell these pieces are even smaller than that. Each hexagon is made of six tiny triangles!<br />
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I'm certain this quilt was meant to be her 'masterpiece' quilt. Women often worked hard in a spirit of friendly competition to make a quilt with as many pieces as possible. I've yet to see a quilt anywhere with this many pieces --around 7,000+ or to see them pieced, by hand, so accurately.<br />
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I was extremely busy homeschooling 5 kids at the time of my Grandmother's passing, but I agreed to quilt this for my Aunt so it would be quilted by someone 'in the family' but warned her it could take awhile. Yipes--it took ten years!<br />
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Year after year, I've quilted--bit by bit--and finally it is done! I'm meeting my Aunt on her way to her sister's home to hand it off to her. All I have to do is make the signature block telling the story of this special quilt to hand-applique to the back.<br />
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I used the needle-turn applique method to stitch the delicate top to a muslin border to attempt to square it up a bit since it came out a bit wider on one end than on the other. For the border, I decided to make my own template and carry out the flower garden pattern I'd been quilting over and over since it only showed on the back.</div>
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My Aunt promised that she will leave it to me one day but I'm happy to hand off this treasure to her tomorrow.<br />
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What a blessing it was to find out she had ordered me a sewing machine that has quilting and piecing stitches and a long quilting plate as a 'thank you' for my years of labor! I can even do free-motion quilting with it! I can't wait to share all the fun I've been having with my new machine with you. :) PS. It's a great price too!<br />
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If you've never quilted, don't be afraid to start! I learned at my local quilt store and the six weeks of lessons I took were worth every penny! In case you are interested, here's the book I'm sending to my daughter to help her learn to quilt too. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1564771989/ref=rdr_ext_tmb" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Your First Quilt Book (or it should be!)</a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Remember~You're never too old to learn something new!</span></h3>
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Hope your day is special and that you are inspired to try quilting some day too.</div>
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<i>Happy Homemaking!</i><i><br /></i><i>Donna</i></h4>
Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-18719632945021378302015-08-04T14:43:00.001-05:002015-08-04T14:45:28.874-05:00It's Time to Expand--Join Me in My First Hive Inspection ~Video!<br />
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It's hard to believe that my bees are doing so well! I did a hive inspection early this past week and was thrilled to find frames filled with capped honey, lots of bees, capped brood and a busy queen. It's only the beginning of August and they have already used up almost every frame. I knew it was time to do something. Either we had to add a 2nd hive so they could make honey for me to extract or we needed to split the hive and give them both empty frames.<br />
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We sure don't want them to swarm due to lack of growing room!<br />
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Sadly, I think my hive near the house got robbed. One minute I had a seemingly healthy hive, and the next day--they were all gone and the hive is absolutely empty--picked clean. We are afraid the local wasp population overpowered them. We have a lot of wasps around here.<br />
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However, the hive I installed in Montgomery at the womens' home is thriving!<br />
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That's one great advantage of having two bee hives your first year--having a back up hive. Sometimes things just go wrong. I'm pretty sure my queen wasn't very productive at the home hive and to be honest it never seemed like that hive was thriving.<br />
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So my bee mentor, Bill, wants me to order a couple of extra queens, and we are going to split the hive at Montgomery into two new ones.<br />
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He has 14 hives all thriving and is going to donate bees to me to use in my abandoned hive near the house and we will add a new queen to it. He said we have plenty of time for them to get established before winter.<br />
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I have never done anything so fascinating in my life as to raise bees. Lots of prayer and feeding the hive with sugar water has insured that one of my hives has prospered. If we didn't want to expand, Bill says we could harvest about 60 pounds of honey by this fall and still leave plenty for them to live on for the winter.<br />
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But since I know Miss Dottie wants to have several hives, he feels it's best we just split the hives and let the bees put their energies into building solid colonies and plenty of honey for food before cool weather hits. Here in Houston, that will be a while! We are in a drought and temperatures are in the 98-100 range every day.<br />
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Still, I'm just counting my blessings today! What a great first year as a new beekeeper! If you would like to learn more just <a href="http://www.cominhome.net/2015/05/7-steps-for-getting-started-with.html">click here.</a> I list what all I had to do to get started and where to get supplies. Plan now and you could order your batch this winter. :)<br />
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<i>Happy Homemaking!</i><br />
<i>Donna</i>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-39526329434612017332015-05-26T16:47:00.003-05:002020-04-02T00:02:00.194-05:00How to Find the Time, Space, and Money to Sew<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
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<h3>
<b> </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">In my opinion, sewing is the most useful hobby you will ever pursue. I truly feel everyone should learn to sew, but many people don't feel it's economical or feasible for various reasons.</span></h3>
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It's a shame that so few people get to enjoy the pleasure and the benefits of sewing. So many things in our home can be sewn rather than purchased! Think about all of the items in your home that can be or are made of fabric--bedding, furniture covers, pillows, tablecloths, curtains, clothing, purses, tote bags, toys, journals, gift items and much more!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of these was denim blue and the other hot pink corduroy. I used old curtains to recover them. It only took 3 hours!</td></tr>
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Think of the sense of accomplishment you would feel if you could make all these things yourself! You would not be left to the mercy of stuff-mart's limited selections or a department store's prices. <br />
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Not only can sewing help you provide for the needs of your home more inexpensively, but you can add that special 'touch' that uniquely represents <i>your</i> decorating style. This is something that you simply cannot buy in a store. Anything you make yourself is probably going to be of better quality construction and fabric.<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">I get one of these four responses every single time I mention how wonderful it is to sew...</span></h4>
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<li>It's too expensive. People say that by the time you pay for fabric and a pattern, you could have purchased the same item several times over on clearance. </li>
<li>They don't have enough time.</li>
<li>They don't have enough space.</li>
<li>Their sewing machine doesn't work well. The bobbin is messed up or it skips a stitch.</li>
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I used to say the same exact thing every time I saw my sister's five girls in new dresses that she had sewn herself. Ditto for her pillow shams, curtains, tablecloths, couch pillows etc. She sewed for herself, for my children, for friends and on and on. <b> </b><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Rather than run to the store, she ran to the sewing machine! </span></blockquote>
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All I could think of was the $16.00 patterns and $6.00/yard fabric plus $1.73 for thread, $1.24 for zipper, and the .65 cents for buttons. In my mind, every dress, pair of pants, or shirt would cost a minimum of $32.00 plus tax! If you are thinking that, then I hope this article will give you a new perspective on the art and feasibility of sewing. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Can't Afford to Sew? Think again!</span></h3>
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Stocking Up on Clearance Fabric</h4>
My daughter and I sew regularly We're always planning ahead for the next clothing or household item needed (like seasonal items, gifts, or a party dress). We have the same mindset when buying cloth and patterns that many of you do when you buy clothes.<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"> The first secret to budget friendly sewing is to stock up</span> <span style="font-size: medium;">while patterns are on sale and the seasonal cloth is on clearance. </span></blockquote>
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Every fall, winter, spring, or summer, seasonal fabric is put on sale at local fabric stores. It's at exactly the same time that clothes go on sale. We buy our fabric for $1.00 to $3.00 a yard. A summer blouse need not cost any more than $3.00 if you have a couple of stylish patterns on hand (purchased at a $1.00 each on sale).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCzS_cQLR2TkGHZ29Hdsq0ibCNLYR-rB_mY5xYJBbHghyphenhyphentn6ZNuISNgscYMfTMiCqk5ikkQK8G_-489WTK1G4YQdX_-oPFKTAmkZIhTK576a59rCiAyBa7DeSbU871dy7WOQ-x0QeO6Gl/s1600/fabric+giveaway+011-3000%255B3%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCzS_cQLR2TkGHZ29Hdsq0ibCNLYR-rB_mY5xYJBbHghyphenhyphentn6ZNuISNgscYMfTMiCqk5ikkQK8G_-489WTK1G4YQdX_-oPFKTAmkZIhTK576a59rCiAyBa7DeSbU871dy7WOQ-x0QeO6Gl/s1600/fabric+giveaway+011-3000%255B3%255D.jpg" /></a><br />
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We stock up on fabric once every season--stuff that we like...for skirts, blouses, capris, or just because we love it! Not a whole lot but a few yards of good solid basics--summer cotton prints and twills, knits, denims, khaki, and guazy or silky stuff for nice skirts. Then we store it in a cubby hole shelf divided by fabric type, until needed. (My sister used an old dresser for the same purpose.) A tower drawer organizer works too.<br />
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<b>Don't overstock--keep good fabric not stuff you know you won't use!</b> And don't forget to sign up for emails or newsletters from your closest fabric stores. I save my coupons every month just in case I have a sudden fabric need. That's at least 40% off! (Love the new barcodes for online coupons on mobile apps!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Zuwy5gyTSBdEJ3TpnUAvboNeSSI4WHXzOoAK6CjNa8Ln5V1nqI0rJjXkIf9S768_qYJReC-uaYkmFC6HTsCgSd-q-vw62Ei7cDZYrbhLJUTvqB4piJimaLOINg1X0Si4sAgfFyxFyijq/s1600/purple+yellow+aprons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Zuwy5gyTSBdEJ3TpnUAvboNeSSI4WHXzOoAK6CjNa8Ln5V1nqI0rJjXkIf9S768_qYJReC-uaYkmFC6HTsCgSd-q-vw62Ei7cDZYrbhLJUTvqB4piJimaLOINg1X0Si4sAgfFyxFyijq/s640/purple+yellow+aprons.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother-Daughter aprons made from a $3.00 skirt at the thrift store.</td></tr>
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<b>Fabric from Re-fashioning</b></h4>
We also save old dresses, curtains, jeans, shirts, tablecloths etc. rather than throw them out, and sort them according to fabric type once we are tired of them in their current form. Later, we 're-fashion' them. Thrift stores sell fabric, clothes, and tablecloths and throws very cheap...lots of great fabric!<br />
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We save our scraps to make small gift items..hair scrunchies, yo-yo's for embellishments, tote bags, fabric bows for gifts, journal covers, drawstring gift bags etc. (appliques too!)--not to mention for the time honored scrap quilt for the last bits!<br />
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<b> Cheap or Practically Free Patterns </b></h4>
<b> </b>We also stock up on patterns that are stylish but simple. They cover the basics...blouses with variations, skirts, and capris or shorts, and a dress or two. We spent $14.00 total one summer and got seven patterns each (with lots of options) and have been sewing for the last few years off of these. <b> </b><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">If we need something specific, <i>now</i>, we buy the $1.99 </span><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MU3G8G/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B000MU3G8G&link_code=as3&tag=coho-20&linkId=CRWQ2OOOKFKYBXXR" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">IT'S SO EASY</a> <span style="font-size: medium;"> patterns from Simplicity...</span></blockquote>
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or something along those lines. You don't get as many options, but you do get a cheap pattern for what you need, when you need it. Also, thrift stores sell patterns too at great prices I might add!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two blouses at the bottom were copies of the blouse at the top purchased from a department store.</td></tr>
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And if you are really tight on funds, check out my post on <a href="http://thehomemakingarts.blogspot.com/2009/11/copying-store-bought-clothes.htmlhttp://www.cominhome.net/2009/11/copying-store-bought-clothes.html"><b>how to make a pattern from a favorite blouse or skirt</b>,</a> without ripping it apart! That costs nothing but the paper you trace the pieces onto!<br />
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<b>Cheap Sewing Machine</b><br />
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<b></b>Craig's List to the Rescue! Thrift stores are also great! You can't imagine how cheaply I once bought a great ewing machine for $35.00 plus had eight additional feet..gatherer, hemming, blind stitch etc. Sewing machines are almost universally cheap on Craig's list. And thrift stores are overrun with perfectly useable sewing machines.<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">You don't need an expensive machine--mine cost under $150.00. A </span><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VWXZQ0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B003VWXZQ0&link_code=as3&tag=coho-20&linkId=Y273T53SNHDXLO4O" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">basic Singer sewing machine </a> <span style="font-size: medium;">with a few specialty feet has served all of my sewing needs perfectly from clothes, to upholstery covers, to curtains, and quilting.</span></blockquote>
I've used a basic Singer for years. I sewed ball gowns, wedding dresses, convention booth tablecloths, furniture covers, dress pants, worship banners and quilts...using nothing but a basic, plain Jane machine. You need to be able to sew a straight stitch, zig-zag and a button hole. You need a zipper foot. You need heavy needles for leather and denim, light needles for satin or light knit, and medium size needles for cotton etc. You can monogram and applique with a zig-zag stitch. Almost any machine will do what you need!<br />
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<b>Number One FIX for a 'broken' Sewing Machine</b></h4>
I am not a sewing machine repair person, but I have almost NEVER found a sewing machine that I couldn't fix! I once taught 14 girls and moms how to sew. At least six of their machines weren't working well. What was wrong? Simple, the bobbin thread had gotten jammed up underneath or the machine was incorrectly threaded. Whenever I have a problem, even with my own machine....<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">The first thing I do is re-thread it! Most of the time, this is the only problem.</span></blockquote>
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This is especially true if the thread is breaking or the wheel won't turn. Often, the bobbin case get's jammed with bunched up thread. Pull the whole thing out, pull out all the loose threads inside. Re-thread the bobbin and re-thread the spool of thread on the top. Then see if it doesn't fix the problem. Also, make sure the tension is set on 5 or the middle and that the stitch witdth is set on 3. Then oil your machine in all the holes. So far, only one machine out of the 18 machines of my friends that I have looked at, could not be fixed doing these things.<br />
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<b>But Donna, I don't have TIME to sew!</b> Okay, if you have babies or toddlers, I understand. It was hard for me to and to be honest I didn't do a lot of sewing. But I do know that my sister did find time even while all five of her girls were aged baby to 11yr. old. <br />
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I'm swamped too! With several volunteer projects going and two college age boys at home, plus a website to run, there is constant demand. But I used some of that time I would have spent on a movie, or surfing the web to sew. When Hubby and the boys are goofing around watching youtube videos or playing computer games, I can get out the sewing machine and sew! Even an hour's worth of work will allow me to make some real progress!<br />
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In <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1558703616/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=1558703616&link_code=as3&tag=coho-20&linkId=UL33ZU4T6FSBMEHI" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Confessions of an Organized Homemaker</a>, (my absolute favorite homemaking book of all time!), Denise Schofield said,<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The biggest part of any job is the <b> get ready</b> time and the <b>put away </b>and <b>clean up</b> time which</span> is the key to finding time to sew! </blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiU-OVoY1CSxXpWVFhjW1jq9Z13T33mDK0BvUj58jCi2GoPiBW1C3m3ooG-ZyDbGcl5lHQWNTaW4cYrYa8WBn6p8cOwT0rIwSo9afl2Mnk0Jd_26r8YV4g_SVsLObPlMIEKjVNwAw0NFr/s1600/DSC00184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiU-OVoY1CSxXpWVFhjW1jq9Z13T33mDK0BvUj58jCi2GoPiBW1C3m3ooG-ZyDbGcl5lHQWNTaW4cYrYa8WBn6p8cOwT0rIwSo9afl2Mnk0Jd_26r8YV4g_SVsLObPlMIEKjVNwAw0NFr/s640/DSC00184.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I didn't manage to find time to sew, until I made a permanent place to do it. The best sewing table is a small two to four drawer DESK--again, from Craig's list! I paid $20.00 for my sewing 'desk'. The file cabinet is full of patterns--and that is all the patterns I need--only current trendy ones, plus patterns for curtains, other home furnishings and baby gift items or clothes. The top left drawer is for the current sewing project ( so you can put it away when you aren't working on it.) The other two to three drawers on the left are for scissors, thread, buttons, stitch witchery, notions, interfacing, bobbins and other sewing items. Use drawer dividers!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8P1LMNAw6FfHH79Wsiiq2rg5zVj04MYyQQUwEivHURLz0Ul-Lx5zXygqIEarlRqBrhJfL5TxhksBGAk5uVsH2W7XS1Snti3W83wsRys6FRFZTgKSuUPsR4lotga1ZzKmMvJSwk7RMkWYg/s1600/CAM02022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8P1LMNAw6FfHH79Wsiiq2rg5zVj04MYyQQUwEivHURLz0Ul-Lx5zXygqIEarlRqBrhJfL5TxhksBGAk5uVsH2W7XS1Snti3W83wsRys6FRFZTgKSuUPsR4lotga1ZzKmMvJSwk7RMkWYg/s640/CAM02022.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">If you use a regular desk for sewing, </span><span style="font-size: medium;">all can be out of sight but convenient...</span></h4>
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not too tempting to little hands or distracting, regardless of what room you put the desk in. Make a nice fabric cover for the machine so it doesn't distract from the room. Dining rooms are the best place for sewing--because you have a table right there for working on! Bedrooms work great too, just get a a <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000G6DY2Y/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B000G6DY2Y&link_code=as3&tag=coho-20&linkId=667ERGKF5CWAPGVC" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Cardboard Pattern Sewing Cutting Board-36"X60"</a>that covers the whole bed for under $6.00!<br />
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Tuck it under the bed when you are through cutting out the pieces. Put the pieces in the drawer and it's all out of sight for the evening. Remember, though, that if you can <i>leave part of your project out</i> on the desk, it will help you want to keep working on it too! If you have to get out your sewing machine and put it on the table and pull out the sewing box from the closet, and hunt for a good pair of scissors, and go buy cloth and a pattern--at full price--you will never have the time, money or space to sew!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivK_MM6eMsz_BYI4CyxRSaxAp4nCb842ddnJGx3W-xPTVlYTmjXe3Kyh6dMk2pYvlbOdXGSoednLpYH3aOLPNrXEDUm_n6rpMwl4P6Cc_-4r0KN9AD2lGEfa2Nq5IdmRIWc2Hpg3UcN5wk/s1600/ItSoEasy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivK_MM6eMsz_BYI4CyxRSaxAp4nCb842ddnJGx3W-xPTVlYTmjXe3Kyh6dMk2pYvlbOdXGSoednLpYH3aOLPNrXEDUm_n6rpMwl4P6Cc_-4r0KN9AD2lGEfa2Nq5IdmRIWc2Hpg3UcN5wk/s640/ItSoEasy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Pick Easy Patterns--They take less time! </b><br />
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I was such a dummy, always picking elaborate things to sew...super fancy dresses, skirts with pockets, zippers and buttons! I don't know why! One summer, though, I needed a bunch of clothes fast..for a trip to Hawaii. I went and bought a simple skirt, capris, shorts and blouse pattern and made several variations of each. With a friend's help surging seams, we made eight clothing items in one day!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCT8UKgtmIdJZS-gdvvQ1YR7FqGdB_b5K6dIWJRpX_DIm3i1F6ImqKZwYLANLjAev92q9dV60eKPUZZwAkeHGh5wfVhvQfwbL2qwy3ZWrF7OcWXm8v66Wnv7LsSV4bVzlqMPvnU32iSxa/s1600/Sewing+Class.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCT8UKgtmIdJZS-gdvvQ1YR7FqGdB_b5K6dIWJRpX_DIm3i1F6ImqKZwYLANLjAev92q9dV60eKPUZZwAkeHGh5wfVhvQfwbL2qwy3ZWrF7OcWXm8v66Wnv7LsSV4bVzlqMPvnU32iSxa/s640/Sewing+Class.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The patterns were easy--that was the trick. I taught these girls and their moms to sew using only 2 patterns! One was a </span><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D1V8ZHK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00D1V8ZHK&link_code=as3&tag=coho-20&linkId=NVSXBOLT7EC5FKDL" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Straight Pencil Skirt</a><span style="font-size: medium;"> and the other a </span><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00889S0RA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00889S0RA&link_code=as3&tag=coho-20&linkId=M2RGSVAVMS5XT6FC" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">tiered skirt</a> . </blockquote>
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A skirt, shorts, blouse, or capris can easily take less than an hour to make! Try <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00889S0RA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00889S0RA&link_code=as3&tag=coho-20&linkId=M2RGSVAVMS5XT6FC" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Kwik Sew </a>or It's So Easy. You can certainly make one of these items in the time it takes the family to watch a movie. <br />
<h4>
Why go to all this trouble? </h4>
Because a nice dress costs at least $15.00 even on sale, fabric gifts made from scraps cost almost nothing, curtains, couch pillows cost a fortune. And store-bought clothes are often low on fabric and not worth the clearance price you paid for them...flimsy and poorly designed.<br />
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Can't Sew? Practice Makes Perfect</h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">If you start with a simple pattern and cheap cloth you can teach yourself to sew. :) I learned more by practicing than by anything anyone actually taught me. 90% of what I know about sewing I taught myself just by practicing and yes, failing sometimes.</span></blockquote>
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Of course a good teacher is worth the paying if you can afford it. Any fabric store will have teachers and it will be a great investment in a hobby that is more far reaching and practical in it's scope than any that I know of and more rewarding than I can even begin to describe. If you have kids, sign up together! You'll be glad you did! If you can't afford lessons, at least start with a super easy project like a straight skirt or pillow cover. Then work your way up to more difficult projects. I learned most of what I know by sewing. Patterns are great teaching tools!<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: medium;">If you will set up a permanent place that allows you to put everything out of sight, so that sewing is EASY, </span><span style="font-size: medium;">you will find both the time and money to sew! I promise!</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Happy Homemaking!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Donna </b></i></span></div>
Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-15221962274100220942015-05-20T19:01:00.005-05:002015-05-20T19:23:54.709-05:00A New Home Management Chart to Help Busy Ladies Get 'Caught Up' Fast!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglW-XalqSpLOi98kOrl1kELTwKw5EJiguMv2zBoCqI68BlvqAn-zjLjrCUU6dshOvSK-5WtLOm9wJTw1pZGF5acEF0K9gemm-sI6U1QwY-IxdOtv2q5d5ZMPDfq0xksTBnmq0eOIF7hfm4/s1600/BusyMe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglW-XalqSpLOi98kOrl1kELTwKw5EJiguMv2zBoCqI68BlvqAn-zjLjrCUU6dshOvSK-5WtLOm9wJTw1pZGF5acEF0K9gemm-sI6U1QwY-IxdOtv2q5d5ZMPDfq0xksTBnmq0eOIF7hfm4/s640/BusyMe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I don't know about you, but I always feel like I'm juggling so many areas at the same time that it's hard to feel like I'm ever 'caught up'.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVH8uKGs1CsbrJFwq7l2v525mvHrjzSbmb6ztSfIuO8AwTTQFTmMdjAgKTStxJ0zYGtbotKIkiJdjzjzUS2GHhVsXvOLw3O6rtdVxkfEuWqV-XKq1jiO41MUJJWLeXOU1oSala5MzbB2j/s1600/10409418_870548606311111_3246625125147168977_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVH8uKGs1CsbrJFwq7l2v525mvHrjzSbmb6ztSfIuO8AwTTQFTmMdjAgKTStxJ0zYGtbotKIkiJdjzjzUS2GHhVsXvOLw3O6rtdVxkfEuWqV-XKq1jiO41MUJJWLeXOU1oSala5MzbB2j/s1600/10409418_870548606311111_3246625125147168977_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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Supposedly I was 'retired' at least from homeschooling and child-rearing. Umm.. not quite! My daughter said she knew she shouldn't have worried what I was going to do when they all 'grew up'. I know I wasn't confused about that. Haha! She is impressed with all the fun stuff I have going.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRNfmmT_L_knkRHhT2mLfPHzXLJc1_BnYbhPRORZ1ADIRGGz9b0H4UTfgaPs4HmUgBQ8fvLoKoTQrZ46IvXMM0Src5Vunv5xU58zu23swb3mPFnb3Oi8VI0OstkPDmGim6XrtddwhI0HC/s1600/10356027_961620083870629_7784529825298124506_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRNfmmT_L_knkRHhT2mLfPHzXLJc1_BnYbhPRORZ1ADIRGGz9b0H4UTfgaPs4HmUgBQ8fvLoKoTQrZ46IvXMM0Src5Vunv5xU58zu23swb3mPFnb3Oi8VI0OstkPDmGim6XrtddwhI0HC/s640/10356027_961620083870629_7784529825298124506_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The fact is that I <i>do</i> have more time but I'm still feeding a hubby and two big college boys. "What's for Dinner, Mom?" is normally the burning question on everybody's mind. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCKmH7JR2IvdMcdAEerUOi4ucznJjesL39hJtXpGEkuZ0UI4asLpX4iUtm-uKz6EDlymJ8dAln0AkZEUP0Tpfu387hl61Y3jsDJ1i-heglnylumIjPme-hob-AA1C4539g8gI9r5fMmvI/s1600/11160668_950544411644863_8166384528251427229_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCKmH7JR2IvdMcdAEerUOi4ucznJjesL39hJtXpGEkuZ0UI4asLpX4iUtm-uKz6EDlymJ8dAln0AkZEUP0Tpfu387hl61Y3jsDJ1i-heglnylumIjPme-hob-AA1C4539g8gI9r5fMmvI/s640/11160668_950544411644863_8166384528251427229_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sewing for grandkids, gardening, beekeeping, quilting projects, home repairs, house-cleaning, errands, blogging, bible study, and bills all beg for attention. The fact that I'm also running gardens, chickens and bees for a ministry an hour away just adds to the need for a good plan!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cuu9ro1awha7QVi0stKL0J6___YDIR907mWW37Fe3MexySezzNiz8JCzOzaY14-BmGadIHVbB08wnjpRZe5J3IYmTtl1AtiW4z36hDrh6k5f8EKPLUsfFkEBm6hGZG8UvrrDDgWmcvim/s1600/100_1180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cuu9ro1awha7QVi0stKL0J6___YDIR907mWW37Fe3MexySezzNiz8JCzOzaY14-BmGadIHVbB08wnjpRZe5J3IYmTtl1AtiW4z36hDrh6k5f8EKPLUsfFkEBm6hGZG8UvrrDDgWmcvim/s640/100_1180.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm also the Media Director for <a href="http://www.mcrtlife.com/" target="_blank">Montgomery County Right to Life</a> , so sometimes life can get downright crazy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TEtHJV4e2Q4l6YVrC2hSACO85-lX8Jxae_PF5XHN45pyarwlS5vCT0w3Ut5nj0_OSbRR3ZZlduVg1aBh-F_lTzxly3a0ZKcgyHN0eLP-9z0Nse_C7Qh0VSEGQFPhyphenhyphennw7VUkTEV7jQTXz/s1600/10888484_888728327826472_4847338046387066113_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TEtHJV4e2Q4l6YVrC2hSACO85-lX8Jxae_PF5XHN45pyarwlS5vCT0w3Ut5nj0_OSbRR3ZZlduVg1aBh-F_lTzxly3a0ZKcgyHN0eLP-9z0Nse_C7Qh0VSEGQFPhyphenhyphennw7VUkTEV7jQTXz/s640/10888484_888728327826472_4847338046387066113_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My Dear Hubby <i>also</i> mentioned this week that he hoped I could start decluttering/Ebaying to help streamline our storage and bring in a little cash as we'd planned. We have an extra bit of debt (partly due to installing a septic line to the apartment on our land) and want to tackle it the <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1595555277/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=1595555277&link_code=as3&tag=coho-20&linkId=P6YOICSZ54B576YW" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Dave Ramsey</a> way--put every dollar you can earn or save towards it! We love his approach to getting debt free!<br />
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So to help me manage all the varied pursuits in my day, I made a little chart which you can open<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r_B1gCAPcJuOIgha3d96y5JomcQ4RPsBRbFMQkK9eF0/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"> here</a> and edit if you like.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhav89fwm5IswnrWL-8SJkc2DnUl3Zr1pTjUF3a_guuRWqEQ3VUApSC4LvNNQ1THq2rz9kloLUdGHdokSEdn9VOo3MuT_TmoeGIXI0WCchTTXtivoeB7E9l72ruc6Mtgs7krkfTV0LPnIfw/s1600/Weekly+High+Priority+Planner+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhav89fwm5IswnrWL-8SJkc2DnUl3Zr1pTjUF3a_guuRWqEQ3VUApSC4LvNNQ1THq2rz9kloLUdGHdokSEdn9VOo3MuT_TmoeGIXI0WCchTTXtivoeB7E9l72ruc6Mtgs7krkfTV0LPnIfw/s640/Weekly+High+Priority+Planner+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The idea is to list all the areas you manage in a day on the left and then fill in the highest priority tasks over the course of the next week.<br />
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The result is that on any given day you do the highest priority task <i>in each area </i>on your that particular day of the week. In only <i>one day</i>, your stress level will drop considerably!</blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dPaMrNp_JeTqfrULKXi9GRnUiZCa3Kib4jFqCttIQcNqzipVZf618ZpUA-5MHwnmtzCXbFLs8AhYE7UbPSW0w4eo06JsHl0JT8XSjNEG3gtf1Ad9pXDyTS_T6HXrLT4cdBaGkdOqfyKr/s1600/Todolist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dPaMrNp_JeTqfrULKXi9GRnUiZCa3Kib4jFqCttIQcNqzipVZf618ZpUA-5MHwnmtzCXbFLs8AhYE7UbPSW0w4eo06JsHl0JT8XSjNEG3gtf1Ad9pXDyTS_T6HXrLT4cdBaGkdOqfyKr/s640/Todolist.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here's what my list for today looked like. You can see that I have tasks related to sewing, the garden, house cleaning, devotions, chickens/bees, blogging, my website management work, cooking, deskwork, finances etc. By the time I was finished, I felt like a new woman!<br />
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<h4>
If Procrastination is a problem for you..</h4>
Now there is one little catch. If you're struggling with self-discipline and it's hard to get things done once they are on a list, you might want to read a blog post I wrote about <a href="http://www.athomewithgod.net/2014/06/gods-gift-of-self-discipline-freedom.html?q=happy+in+the+lord" target="_blank">procrastination</a>.<br />
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One of the most transforming things I've learned during my two year 'bloggy break' is that procrastination is simply a fear of the unknown or even (yipes!) a bit of good old fashioned laziness.<br />
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When I started spending every morning--waaay before the family got up or the phone started ringing--<i>with the Lord</i>, getting my needs met or getting '<a href="http://www.athomewithgod.net/2013/05/getting-happy-in-lord.html?q=happy+in+the+lord" target="_blank">happy in the Lord</a>" as George Mueller calls it, I found that I really started to grow in this area. I found the strength to quit giving into the temptation to put things off.<br />
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What a joy it is now to be able to make myself 'do what I don't want to do".</blockquote>
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I do hope this method helps you get some of those monkeys off your back. I feel like it's incredibly efficient. Even if you didn't get it all done in one day, you'd still be taking a more balanced approach to getting caught up.<br />
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My old method of just spending the day cleaning, baking, sewing, or gardening, tended to leave a lot of things hanging over my head. This new approach really seems to help me!<br />
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Happy Homemaking!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Donna</i></div>
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<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-19903080943080837462015-05-20T15:28:00.001-05:002015-05-20T15:36:25.485-05:00Harvest Time! Where Was That Zucchini Hiding All This Time?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaPhMlhdXKm9zM6OnS-L2R9STes4vtDsaZptjDDWdctHfP2RN55y-cLDG0pAyggToj20CLRokBdjWmLBhUXcQsr0-75vHwi6DzDTtUdyLCPGXaHrklCsJzU8lWKD1MZhJ2024esFnMTPH/s1600/CAM05107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQaPhMlhdXKm9zM6OnS-L2R9STes4vtDsaZptjDDWdctHfP2RN55y-cLDG0pAyggToj20CLRokBdjWmLBhUXcQsr0-75vHwi6DzDTtUdyLCPGXaHrklCsJzU8lWKD1MZhJ2024esFnMTPH/s640/CAM05107.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first zucchini--oops! A little overgrown...</td></tr>
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I guess it's understandable that I didn't find this 1.15 lb zucchini considering how big my zucchini plants are! </div>
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I've been busy hunting for the deadly cutter bugs that have killed two of these plants and spreading diatomaceous earth all around.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's picking of Bush Beans</td></tr>
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And I never saw these green beans! Almost a pound and ready to steam or roast for supper tonight! I'm so excited!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry Tomatos</td></tr>
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These cherry tomatoes are already starting to ripen!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Boy Beefy Tomatoes</td></tr>
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I'm just going to have to be patient a wee bit more with these tomatoes. I added some mulch/compost around them this week so they develop roots further up the stem. The cutter worms ate two of them right off at the base. I have them soaking in a five gallon bucket. I do hope they survive.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Bell Peppers</td></tr>
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These are <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013KFIQC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B0013KFIQC&link_code=as3&tag=coho-20&linkId=R2THUVY5AXCGSDML" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #e47911; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Bell Peppers</a> and I can't wait for them to 'fatten up'. I planted five more newer plants so altogether I have ten. I adore bell peppers and I want to donate some to the New Life garden since they can't grow them in their shady garden.<br />
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I've been so busy mulching, wrapping, <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RNENU8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B000RNENU8&link_code=as3&tag=coho-20&linkId=MAWXLOFEY3QSBFM2" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #e47911; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">fertilizing</a>, treating for pests with <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FN3LNLY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00FN3LNLY&link_code=as3&tag=coho-20&linkId=OXZVFWVI65Q5VXGY" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">diatomaceous earth</a>, and weeding, that I didn't realize harvest time was already upon us! <br />
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How's your garden doing? Have you had any pest troubles? I'd love to hear from you!<br />
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Happy Homemaking!</div>
<i><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Donna</i></div>
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<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-34784374676996878942015-05-14T10:52:00.004-05:002015-05-14T10:52:56.352-05:00Loving Those Who've Hurt You <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vBZCHatPWXDRefrnGylOW09XYdvmwkNbzoSOdbbSeMgm1u4mogrjvgK2zK0WP0BtSF1jQDVEx8D4GYQVXDVYQjjhevem1RmGYSEX-fCaoxSV9QTdPy4APiBWbY9tEVn85ItN4CGVTJps/s1600/AbortionRecovery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vBZCHatPWXDRefrnGylOW09XYdvmwkNbzoSOdbbSeMgm1u4mogrjvgK2zK0WP0BtSF1jQDVEx8D4GYQVXDVYQjjhevem1RmGYSEX-fCaoxSV9QTdPy4APiBWbY9tEVn85ItN4CGVTJps/s640/AbortionRecovery.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="color: #0b5394;">He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loves his brother stays in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hates his brother is in darkness, and walks in darkness, and knows not where he goes, because that darkness has blinded his eyes. 1 John 2:9-11</span></i></blockquote>
Last year, I attended a political event, and while there saw someone I hadn't seen in many years. The Lord had been working in a powerful way in my heart that year, and I knew I ought to go say 'Hi'. But to my shame, I didn't. This person was a brother in Christ--someone who had hurt me and my family repeatedly but unknowingly through their own foolishness and dysfunctional situation. It had become an 'infamous moment' in our family history--that month when we opened our home to strangers.<br />
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This morning, as I was reading these verses, that scenario immediately popped in my head. I was convicted. In my own mind, there was no one that I was aware of whom I 'hated'. I certainly didn't <i>think</i> I 'hated' them, I just didn't particularly 'like' them. I certainly didn't want to have fellowship with them.<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
To be honest, I was deceiving myself, but it took looking in the mirror of God's word, to be reminded of my lack of love and my disobedience to the Lord's command.</h4>
'Not hating a brother' is not going far enough. Jesus' command was that we actively 'love' our brothers. In fact I've discovered that the easiest way to get over bad feelings for someone is to start blessing them as Jesus commanded us to do to our enemies.--to pray for them and do them good.<br />
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Everyone has someone they're tempted to hate--someone who has hurt them--maybe repeatedly. If we don't have Christ's love empowering us and we've never accepted the love of Christ, then there is no way we could ever forgive them.<br />
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Jesus commands are, to be quite honest, impossible for non-Christians to fulfill. They are also impossible for we Christians to fulfill apart from His grace.<br />
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<a href="http://www.athomewithgod.net/2015/05/the-impossible-command-of-jesus-love.html" target="_blank">Read More...</a><br />
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<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-74447860823161558382015-05-11T21:46:00.005-05:002015-05-13T13:36:51.810-05:00Princess Dress with a Little Extra 'Pizzazz"- Simplicity 2569 with Online Shopping List!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeHp7scK1ftdvuzkmsu2WCWlhzHsJgZpOLdRuKRCKcqpVW430wqLw-1_GvxVQZK42Mk7v0Wo7l9rfwFPLoMeskNfAYrxYONRLl5cKoEOhNxQuppTiLsN8mcB9QMvgDFQxDbgRH4q3FxMV/s1600/1010072_712453028787337_1598848911_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeHp7scK1ftdvuzkmsu2WCWlhzHsJgZpOLdRuKRCKcqpVW430wqLw-1_GvxVQZK42Mk7v0Wo7l9rfwFPLoMeskNfAYrxYONRLl5cKoEOhNxQuppTiLsN8mcB9QMvgDFQxDbgRH4q3FxMV/s1600/1010072_712453028787337_1598848911_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet granddaughter, Lena.</td></tr>
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My daughter-in-law, Elisabeth, wondered if I could make the granddaughters, Lena (5) and Lillie (1), princess dresses for Christmas. I thought that would be so fun and it was! I fell in love with this <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004N3AXCK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B004N3AXCK&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=DLM5OZJXRJUOTULT" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Simplicity Sewing Pattern 2569</a>.<br />
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While scanning the clearance aisles, I found some luminescent organza fabric and decided to substitute it for half the tulle. It was a bit more pricey, but on sale was not too bad and--wow--it really did add a lot of 'pizazz' to what would have been a fairly plain skirt.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TwhNqyf_UYs/UsMwNWSwJPI/AAAAAAAAV7I/YXhgCQiAHJ4/s1600/2013-12-21+10.29.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TwhNqyf_UYs/UsMwNWSwJPI/AAAAAAAAV7I/YXhgCQiAHJ4/s640/2013-12-21+10.29.38.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Turns out the first dress was a bit too small for Lena so little Lillie will get the shorter pink one. I shortened the skirt because her mom thought it might be too much to manage for a toddler.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdmU_RSjQjTxc9AXXG-XX_4aaedofWneir9rpaNucL9rwaUfyN8OaTkb9N1epCXYNKXVF3ZtkS2asg7O8UwkY0Fb3AJFyAngreaKBBpbrKN-OfI0_o9Df18TClzMt6_RLR7F8SfJBE12A/s1600/photo_1387637715414+2+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdmU_RSjQjTxc9AXXG-XX_4aaedofWneir9rpaNucL9rwaUfyN8OaTkb9N1epCXYNKXVF3ZtkS2asg7O8UwkY0Fb3AJFyAngreaKBBpbrKN-OfI0_o9Df18TClzMt6_RLR7F8SfJBE12A/s640/photo_1387637715414+2+(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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However, Lena, begged for a longer skirt and as I had to lengthen the bodice for her long torso anyway, I made her dress the length called for by the pattern. Her dress was all in purples. It's hard to say which I like better!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FEpc1MgfOL8/UsMwJUioIVI/AAAAAAAAV64/hGmJgktOyU4/s1600/2013-12-21+10.29.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FEpc1MgfOL8/UsMwJUioIVI/AAAAAAAAV64/hGmJgktOyU4/s640/2013-12-21+10.29.11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Matching up the skirt to gather proved to be a big challenge but gathering was very easy--surprisingly so. For this second skirt, I just sewed two long rows of stitching as it gathered so easily.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8tpQiD1plsg/UsMwWCZmRTI/AAAAAAAAV7g/htiz0brRzVs/s1600/2013-12-21+13.06.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8tpQiD1plsg/UsMwWCZmRTI/AAAAAAAAV7g/htiz0brRzVs/s640/2013-12-21+13.06.31.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This part was the hardest--stitching the gathered skirt to the lining, but even that went pretty well considering the thickness. The netting crushes down pretty flat when you actually stitch through all the layers.</div>
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If you are making the smallest size, I'd suggest trying to take out a bit of the width of the peplum because it's very wide on a toddler. I'm saving the scraps to make 18" doll dresses to match for their birthdays. </div>
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<h3>
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91I4j5JuzFL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91I4j5JuzFL._SL1500_.jpg" height="407" width="640" /></a></h3>
<h3>
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<h3>
Here's the shopping list for this pattern:</h3>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Note: If you want to see a picture of an item, just hover over the link and it will pop-up. If it doesn't, you may need to disable adblock for my website.)</span></div>
<h4>
For the pink dress </h4>
<b>Fabric:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Satin - <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GMVVX70/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00GMVVX70&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=WZIWH4QKQJPIRNBP" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">60" Hot Pink Charmeuse Satin Fabric by the Yard- 1 Yard</a></li>
<li>Shiny Organza - <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U9O0R6E/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00U9O0R6E&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=CDCO4A6KJSGEDPKD" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Translucent Iridescent Stretch Lamé Organza Fuchsia 44 Inch Wide Fabric by the Yard (F.E.®)</a> (the shiny stuff)</li>
<li>Glitter Tulle - <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I80P6PS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00I80P6PS&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=62QUI33VOAXZYRPS" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Bubblegum Pink Glitter Tulle Fabric - by the Yard</a></li>
<li>Pink Tissue Lame - (for belt and hat) <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RH1P0KK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00RH1P0KK&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=Q3A6CFDW6JFQSOHU" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Tissue Lame Pink Fabric</a> or <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DLJPZ2A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00DLJPZ2A&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=AIS7PTN75XKNFPKD" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Tissue Lame Fuchsia Fabric </a> <span style="text-align: center;"> </span></li>
<li>Lining - <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SA7U186/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00SA7U186&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=3VM3ATNLUW2PCXGY" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Lining Fabric, Quality Polyester Lining for Clothes, 60" wide, 2 Yard Lot, Pink</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Notions:</b></div>
<ul>
<li>3/4" <a href="http://www.amazon.com/venise-polyester-floral-trimming-supply/dp/B00NJLCYDI/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1431391742&sr=8-18&keywords=3%2F4%22+wide+floral+trim+pink" target="_blank">Pink floral trim</a> (This link is for 5 yards. Trimcraft also sells purple flowers.)</li>
<li><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WAAXKFU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00WAAXKFU&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=E5NJK5GZAYJBHGHF" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Pink Dual Duty XP All Purpose Thread</a></li>
<li><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B837BU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B000B837BU&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=MIN4MZCH2ZZO4V2Z" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Coats Thread & Zippers Coil Separating Zipper, 12-Inch, Light Pink</a> or</li>
<li><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B8378S/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B000B8378S&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=KIGJK422VWTIKI66" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">COATS&CLARK Coil Separating Zipper 14-Inch, Light Pink</a></li>
<li><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004CTPIPW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B004CTPIPW&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=L75R7LDZ52R7SQKJ" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Dritz 9530W Braided Elastic, White, 8-Yard by 1/4-Inch</a></li>
<li><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F3IT4BU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00F3IT4BU&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=BUW2NW33Z6WZNHHT" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Dyno Merchandise Singer Hook and Loop Adhesive Back Tape, 3/4 by 24-Inch, White</a><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DNGYE3C/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00DNGYE3C&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=32XD4AQ6QXCVHMYP" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank"> </a> For the purple dress</li>
<li><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V3QP8DE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00V3QP8DE&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=4FMVUCFM6GCLC7YL" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Pellon Sof-Shape Light Fusible Interfacing White 20" Wide By The Yard</a></li>
<li><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EZQKJ60/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00EZQKJ60&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=XEOV3BLVYQ5Q5FPS" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Disney Princess Sofia the First Tiara and Wand Set - Silver and Purple</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<h4>
For the purple dress</h4>
Fabric:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Light Purple Satin - <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GMVW02W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00GMVW02W&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=5V6LPYD7C36W56GN" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">60" Light Purple Charmeuse Satin Fabric by the Yard- 1 Yard</a></li>
<li>Silver Lame - <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A0DP1EW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00A0DP1EW&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=KNMYT2VAWZQGWVU7" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Tissue Lame Silver 44 Inch Wide Fabric By the Yard (F.E.®)</a></li>
<li>Deep Purple Tulle - <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I80PIJ2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00I80PIJ2&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=QCQPSZYA62RSGVHN" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Purple Glitter Tulle Fabric - by the Yard</a></li>
<li>Deep Blue Iridescent Lame Organza (under skirt) <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U9OHFIM/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00U9OHFIM&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=GJLUTYIJESAJCEIL" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Translucent Iridescent Stretch Lamé Organza Royal Blue 44 Inch Wide Fabric by the Yard (F.E.®)</a> <i> (You could use white or fuschia)</i></li>
<li>Lining - <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EEFF5RU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00EEFF5RU&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=575HM6U7JA6OCQIR" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">60" Wide Purple Lining Fabric by the Yard</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br />
Notions:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NMVVFHG" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; vertical-align: top;" target="_blank">Altotux 7/8" White Ivory Venice Lace Flower Sequins Bead Floral Trim 3/8" Ribbon (White)</a></li>
<li><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WABC6EA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00WABC6EA&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=D5RKSJAICMGMKK6W" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Light Purple Dual Duty XP All Purpose Thread</a> or</li>
<li><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WABBU88/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00WABBU88&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=QYD2PTEJTLHBKEWA" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Lavender Dual Duty XP All Purpose Thread</a></li>
<li><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I1KRFY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B000I1KRFY&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=ZDR77J2SEJXHR7NF" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Coats Thread & Zippers All-Purpose Plastic Zipper, 12-Inch, Purple</a> or</li>
<li><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BNC792/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B001BNC792&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=OAHVBBGAW6Z2EWFY" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">COATS&CLARK All-Purpose Plastic Zipper, 14-Inch, Purple</a></li>
<li><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004CTPIPW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B004CTPIPW&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=L75R7LDZ52R7SQKJ" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Dritz 9530W Braided Elastic, White, 8-Yard by 1/4-Inch</a></li>
<li><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F3IT4BU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00F3IT4BU&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=BUW2NW33Z6WZNHHT" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Dyno Merchandise Singer Hook and Loop Adhesive Back Tape, 3/4 by 24-Inch, White</a></li>
<li><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V3QP8DE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00V3QP8DE&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=4FMVUCFM6GCLC7YL" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Pellon Sof-Shape Light Fusible Interfacing White 20" Wide By The Yard</a></li>
<li><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CO831G/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B001CO831G&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=HP5G5T3IFESQG6FN" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Offray Single Face Satin Craft Ribbon, 7/8-Inch x 18-Feet, Regal Purple</a></li>
<li><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EZQKJ60/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00EZQKJ60&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=XEOV3BLVYQ5Q5FPS" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Disney Princess Sofia the First Tiara and Wand Set - Silver and Purple</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK64EBx5awXqiFeWyAh9wgJiIzP2htV8ORDfqRZojXpSSWqIPENxXeOOpFDyblqUCNu3XRIxVhqP_CXGsEpeJLwB_jIzsgWm4vLMxYY1zVKjprO81_eAttTZIJ5sNThOcWpbQCFbgQbUV/s1600/1625655_712453118787328_2008106430_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK64EBx5awXqiFeWyAh9wgJiIzP2htV8ORDfqRZojXpSSWqIPENxXeOOpFDyblqUCNu3XRIxVhqP_CXGsEpeJLwB_jIzsgWm4vLMxYY1zVKjprO81_eAttTZIJ5sNThOcWpbQCFbgQbUV/s640/1625655_712453118787328_2008106430_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lillie, now 3, wearing dress B, and Lena, 5, wearing dress A.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On Skype, Lena and Lillie were prancing and dancing all over the living room! They were so enchanted with their new dresses. Her mom said Lena never took her dress off all day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's so fun sewing for grandchildren! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you have a princess dress you've sewn and would like to share, send me the link on my contact form below. I'd love to see it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Homemaking!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Donna</span></i></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dear Readers, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> If you would like to be able to see pictures of the products I recommend by hovering over the links, you'll need to disable ad block for my page. I try to find the best prices possible for the projects I list to save you the trouble of shopping. If I wouldn't buy it, I promise I won't link to it. ~ xo Donna</span></span></i></blockquote>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-21696161822637782762015-05-11T15:25:00.002-05:002015-08-04T14:46:40.972-05:0010 Steps for Getting Started with Beekeeping - My Bees Have Arrived!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZMyeUvOJDeX1BKMS9ccncTt8xv5Mim8P6lx6evrllSk_C-wQshMIujsroe2e8nkyCvVhItNisTYGFnqJjY74bcQMRWzARYXDxW4VXsVah4N7svpf54SpLZ7o_tSjJuDLsCIVmyRQx3f_/s1600/11205015_959903404042297_8574610093228909033_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZMyeUvOJDeX1BKMS9ccncTt8xv5Mim8P6lx6evrllSk_C-wQshMIujsroe2e8nkyCvVhItNisTYGFnqJjY74bcQMRWzARYXDxW4VXsVah4N7svpf54SpLZ7o_tSjJuDLsCIVmyRQx3f_/s1600/11205015_959903404042297_8574610093228909033_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Beekeeping is a grand adventure that I just started on this January! I was asked to help a ministry start beekeeping and told the director, "Sure--I can learn!" And so a mad race began that has led to this moment--the arrival of 20,000 bees this Friday morning!<br />
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For those interested in beekeeping, to be honest, it's as much an art as a science. I'm starting two hives--one in Montgomery and one in my backyard. It took a lot of research to get to this point and I thought I'd share the steps I've taken so far, in case you are looking into this fascinating hobby for next year.<br />
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It's pretty much too late to start for this year as your new hive needs the whole summer to prepare for it's first winter. Most apiaries don't sell bees except in the early spring. In fact, you have to pre-order to get your batch reserved in January! I managed to grab a last couple of packages in February when NLWC decided I could 'go ahead' and start.<br />
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These are the steps I've taken so far:</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnao65b4KZc6xzXQ138MkUNIKe4agARM6O3tkEhLPdcbT-yfyaGAe9b9D_cttxCjGQt2iJAHTLBSGE5OQXbaJii4hlYPXuLTCVHiGxSf7XEqNFrM4y-_Ekh8z9bS6keqzkeVvj17Ilf2z/s1600/CAM03641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnao65b4KZc6xzXQ138MkUNIKe4agARM6O3tkEhLPdcbT-yfyaGAe9b9D_cttxCjGQt2iJAHTLBSGE5OQXbaJii4hlYPXuLTCVHiGxSf7XEqNFrM4y-_Ekh8z9bS6keqzkeVvj17Ilf2z/s1600/CAM03641.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Montgomery County Beekeepers Club</td></tr>
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<br /><br />1. First and most important--join a beekeeping club!</h4>
The fact is that you really do need to be 'mentored' and taught. This is a community project and you need all the advice and encouragement and teaching you can get. Many folks join the local bee keeping club a year before they start so they can learn as much as possible before starting. You spend a lot of money on beekeeping supplies and bees, so you don't want to start out wrong.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My neighbors helped me install the women's center bees last week. </td></tr>
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Beekeepers are the nicest people I know! I joined <a href="http://www.mocobees.com/" target="_blank">MOCOBees</a> in Montgomery County, right away, and started attending meetings. Wow--talk about informative! And my neighbors agreed to 'mentor' me. They are even helping me install my bees at both locations!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texas Beekeepers Association Summer Clinic</td></tr>
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Also the beekeeping clubs are basically support clubs--sharing advice, training, and even honey extraction equipment! Through them I also learned about the <a href="http://texasbeekeepers.org/" target="_blank">Texas Beekeepers Association</a> and am attending their state convention this summer which happens to be local this year.<br />
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2. Research! Get a few books, a hot latte, and sit down for a nice evening (or maybe a lot of evenings) of learning all about bees. </h4>
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Read all you can get your hands on and watch all the videos you can find. Learn about the types of hives, breeds of bees, and how to do each step in the beekeeping process. I spent all of January and February doing nothing but reading. My favorite books were <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1118945468/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=1118945468&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=M2ZC53DWLZOLSNBA" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Beekeeping For Dummies</a> and <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0915698129/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0915698129&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=THXW2H3DRIQ6CIAG" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">First Lessons in Beekeeping</a>. But please, remember to take the internet advice with a grain of salt. Word of mouth advice from your local beekeepers is much more dependable!<br />
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Here are a few website links I loved:<br />
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<a href="http://www.mocobees.com/" target="_blank">Montgomery County Beekeepers Association</a><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://www.dadant.com/" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Dadant & Sons: Beekeeping Equipment </a><a href="http://texasbeekeepers.org/" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Texas Beekeepers Association</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.beewilde.com/" target="_blank">Bee Wilde</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding the queen before we add her to the hive.</td></tr>
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3. Make sure it's ok with your city and/or the neighbors. </h4>
Your bees are going to be flying a long ways from home. It's a good thing to make sure you can actually keep bees in your neighborhood, city or county before investing in them. It also helps to check with the neighbors and do a little friendly educating if you are in a residential neighborhood. Offers of free honey are a super idea!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our bees took a back seat in our car while we were driving home last Friday. They kept up a steady but quiet hum all the way. Love it!<br />
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4. Pre-Order Your Bees - Find a local apiary if you can.</h4>
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I bought mine from <a href="http://rweaver.com/" target="_blank">RWeaver Apiaries</a> because a friend recommended them and they were local. I prefer doing that rather than having them shipped through the postal system.<br />
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Decide if you want to buy a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuc" target="_blank">nuc</a> (small established colony in four frames) or a package of bees in a screened box like I am--cheaper but the results are not as dependable. If I had to do it over again, I'd have splurged on Nucs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both hives before I had painted the bottom boards, 2 gallon feeder, or honey super. I also cleaned and repainted the hive boxes.</td></tr>
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5. Buy your equipment and prepare it. </h4>
Take some time to research. Do you want a traditional <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B8L5ZJ6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00B8L5ZJ6&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=K2KM5ZKOURT2MIQJ" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">10-Frame Hive</a>, a <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UK83QDU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00UK83QDU&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=FYM7OZ5IOBULIENJ" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Warre Hive </a>or a <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NT9ZBTE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00NT9ZBTE&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=IWMS7HEMI5IJDM3N" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Top Bar Bee Hive Plans_</a>? The link for the topbar, which we may do next year, is for only $99.00 but you have to be good at assembling things yourself. Amazon actually had some great bargains and local stores also had some. I did a lot of price checking between Amazon and bee supply companies like Dadant. Don't wait till a week before the bees arrive! You may have to do some assembly.<br />
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6. Buy protective clothing.</div>
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In spite of what people on youtube say, beginners ought to have at least a bee jacket and veil and preferably gloves too as a new beekeeper--especially when the bees are a bit fiestier in the summer. If you don't have protective clothing, you're liable to rush when inspecting your hive to avoid getting stung which means you won't see the needs of your hive and you're in danger of cooling off the hive too much. When you get better at it, you might could skip the gloves and there are some advantages according to some pros to going gloveless. But most beekeepers I know wear them.<br />
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I've had to paint stuff, clean old hives that my neighbor sold me, find pallets to set the hives on, set up a hive 'kit' to hold all my equipment, get sugar to make the sugar water to feed them etc. etc.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hubby, Tim, added sides to the cover and metal tops to protect the hives from rain.</td></tr>
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It takes a lot to get it all ordered and some things have to be assembled with nails and glue.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRRtFQcAnbnLLY-CvfS1tQLQzwkv81DUGlaY5TxGO6PDbAusMGX5sXknza1DFEgS0IzN2vXSEKQRAzR5aMb_E8K3yXTFANlXD3szZyGozig8zsdwklxTXdhjR5IiWDwLF7GbAmIAZ9hjQ/s1600/71wduuUhaTL._SL1200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRRtFQcAnbnLLY-CvfS1tQLQzwkv81DUGlaY5TxGO6PDbAusMGX5sXknza1DFEgS0IzN2vXSEKQRAzR5aMb_E8K3yXTFANlXD3szZyGozig8zsdwklxTXdhjR5IiWDwLF7GbAmIAZ9hjQ/s640/71wduuUhaTL._SL1200_.jpg" width="598" /></a></div>
<h4>
Here's my supply list:</h4>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><b>Hive and Components</b></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B8L5ZJ6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00B8L5ZJ6&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=6FBAJPU2GBGEBJJN" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">10-Frame Traditional Complete Hive Kit, Painted Wood-Frames, 9-5/8-Inch</a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"> with Cover, </span>Screened Bottom Board and...</div>
<div class="p2">
Metal Cover for Telescoping Cover (reflects heat, keeps wooden cover from weathering in the rain)</div>
<div class="p2">
Entrance Reducer ( so they have a smaller entrance to protect as a new hive)</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PX9405Y/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00PX9405Y&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=GWKTAEOPYGJDVXSG" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Bee Bucket Feeder, 2-Gallon</a> (for more time between feedings)</div>
<div class="p2">
<a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PX94GDK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00PX94GDK&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=OOY4VMRMABVYSBNN" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank"> Frame Feeder, 3-Quart</a>(if you are feeding daily--less expensive) </div>
<div class="p2">
(I use a pallet or you can use cinder blocks instead of purchasing a hive stand.)</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<b>Protective Clothing</b></div>
<div class="p2">
<a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GX3KNIW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00GX3KNIW&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=XZGXZCWLHZRDXT4Y" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">MANN LAKE Professional Beekeeper Jacket with Self Supporting Veil, X-Large</a></div>
<div class="p2">
<a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X7CKH24/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00X7CKH24&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=4WYD247LHRVZR3WU" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Light Beekeeping Suit</a> (lighter and much less expensive) </div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QPBPLZW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00QPBPLZW&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=4CPHYXQ73CYOGD5I" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">BEEKEEPING GLOVES - GOATSKIN - SMALL </a>Leather</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006JG47Z8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B006JG47Z8&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=LKG5V3ZV3YTSCIH2" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Beekeeping Gloves - Goatskin (Medium)</a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OT8JLGS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00OT8JLGS&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=S3JTTGOAMRFZ37NO" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">BESTOPE® 1 Pair Beekeeping Protective Gloves w/ Vented Long Sleeves 4.33</a> (cheap version)</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<b>Tools:</b></div>
<div class="p1">
<a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009Z1SLQK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B009Z1SLQK&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=5XA5BJVVLN43BPSU" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Smoker Stainless Steel w/Heat Shield </a></div>
<div class="p1">
<a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MWOQ4OS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00MWOQ4OS&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=M2LRBPMNO5JSJPUU" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Bee Hive Brush</a></div>
<div class="p1">
<a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B8L5YFQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00B8L5YFQ&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=6X6RELK4RKA2KFRM" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Steel Standard Hive Tool, 9-Inch</a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<b>Supplies:</b></div>
<div class="p1">
25 pounds sugar (local Sam's club or Costco)</div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DFVZK0Q/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00DFVZK0Q&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=PV27COIADH4PJIRT" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Mite Varroa Strip for Bee Beekeeping Pest Control</a> </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
If this seems a bit complicated, you can just buy a <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B8L5ZJG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00B8L5ZJG&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=HXSB2LGMKXBDXULO" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">10-Frame Traditional Basic Starter Kit</a> </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbMK7nQow0UGRYjo8r_pfX_c3Cw_59M81Q0NFB_NItL2RHU-gXl7u0kwfRIVaTD2M7O5NuqLjeVY4E0SHxXiBJq3EaqmYWAe_ON7_3Rg1UJ90pRyGeF26RslhnFee1p4Y1wHlcBYTiPQr/s1600/CAM04737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbMK7nQow0UGRYjo8r_pfX_c3Cw_59M81Q0NFB_NItL2RHU-gXl7u0kwfRIVaTD2M7O5NuqLjeVY4E0SHxXiBJq3EaqmYWAe_ON7_3Rg1UJ90pRyGeF26RslhnFee1p4Y1wHlcBYTiPQr/s640/CAM04737.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melting bees wax to coat the plastic frames.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62xLy2dmArWgozkvTSUi_u4IgjOL-ApRZ9HgvlUZdwgJmmUpK99CSdCTpeh6R28oGSnxWVMqenux2CDEBXRfsZ-iOhyphenhyphen4xNJOkqZYsEjH2C5RL364oCkdvhLK9pzYdNMDioxdPkT6GUeXI/s1600/CAM04738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi62xLy2dmArWgozkvTSUi_u4IgjOL-ApRZ9HgvlUZdwgJmmUpK99CSdCTpeh6R28oGSnxWVMqenux2CDEBXRfsZ-iOhyphenhyphen4xNJOkqZYsEjH2C5RL364oCkdvhLK9pzYdNMDioxdPkT6GUeXI/s640/CAM04738.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee frames with added wax.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I also bought bees'wax and painted my plastic foundations with melted wax per advice of my mentor. He said it gives the package bees a month and a half's head start!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQukL2TiH50-BkzgGypLgUnQ11wFXyZbtUv2ajrEWZ1nDwweRoVsqZYgw0ySeeWmBWNrJL9024UaBZv6-tHK1s5Mth-IV_I6VqwYUd3TQhw3WZu2_ZAmEmBfEYD4kuFQJPS1WyUsoIIFXa/s1600/CAM04876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQukL2TiH50-BkzgGypLgUnQ11wFXyZbtUv2ajrEWZ1nDwweRoVsqZYgw0ySeeWmBWNrJL9024UaBZv6-tHK1s5Mth-IV_I6VqwYUd3TQhw3WZu2_ZAmEmBfEYD4kuFQJPS1WyUsoIIFXa/s640/CAM04876.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Women's Center Bees<i> </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
7. Decide on the proper location. </h4>
They need to be close to a water supply, or you need to plan to provide one. My beehives are being set on pallets so the ants can't easily find their way in. It's important that they face the right direction and are not too close to people. Their flight path needs to be away from the home but facing the morning sun. Be sure it's not in too sunny of a place. We moved this one under a tree so they won't get too hot in our Houston heat. If you are in a cooler location, maybe out in the sun is better. If you have cold winters, that is another thing to keep in mind. A natural windbreak is helpful. I have lots of pines behind my hive.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2S3nitJzl4am2a0op9rz5vmdSeEO5rErA2HXJD1Ht4fqb4GFEa33zd3D04T7K6T75mFi7FUrOcrJIa_VR_Xn0pbnGxJUepK3IMXH8m3JTJpCyJigHZP-J_Qyc7M5ujZ_IFdReHECEFB-/s1600/CAM04919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2S3nitJzl4am2a0op9rz5vmdSeEO5rErA2HXJD1Ht4fqb4GFEa33zd3D04T7K6T75mFi7FUrOcrJIa_VR_Xn0pbnGxJUepK3IMXH8m3JTJpCyJigHZP-J_Qyc7M5ujZ_IFdReHECEFB-/s640/CAM04919.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Home Hive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
There's a lot to consider as regards a location so be sure to research this! It's very important not to move your hive once you've chosen a spot. They get easily confused--even by 6"! You need to make sure you can easily get to your chosen spot too. One of the hives I manage is quite a hike pulling a heavy duty wagon. At some point you'll be taking a hive super full of honey to the house or garage (like next year haha!) and that's a good 50lbs of weight!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2r-PPeeu2yf6SkC3ACA1WBCXSOKgH7dco0k8of95Y4tosQSq7joJ2oUqpJnG1TKemPGdj3VCyNgZsEjV68HapbQH0r9lSHjyRAAxWMPGoMvCQMEDMRbj8ikEHvGspsvs8OSub-bXeh1zD/s1600/CAM04698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2r-PPeeu2yf6SkC3ACA1WBCXSOKgH7dco0k8of95Y4tosQSq7joJ2oUqpJnG1TKemPGdj3VCyNgZsEjV68HapbQH0r9lSHjyRAAxWMPGoMvCQMEDMRbj8ikEHvGspsvs8OSub-bXeh1zD/s640/CAM04698.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<h4>
8. Set up your hive and get your sugar water prepared for feeding. </h4>
Just like you want the bassinet in place and the formula ready before the baby arrives, you want to have the bees' new home all ready before you drive to get your bees. I started keeping a running list of all the tips I'd been picking up at bee meetings like--put rubber bands, grocery bags, and duct tape in your kit to help seal your clothes.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FA_W48dnOKk/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FA_W48dnOKk?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<h4>
9. Watch videos on how to install your bees! </h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I am watching and reading and still I am so glad to have my neighbors' help.</span></h4>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHDJPHCaBLbLozkVQJuBbnPdY6J3DRFzfW3PjyqhZxsQed2j7-4X35ypOOEonXdF9iJ3CAD_0D2UaK99-pGeNvt84MbnU7MSe5mGKuNmxnUFcW4Cg_f59vvZG0W14p2X6KvFYoK99OTmD/s1600/CAM04920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHDJPHCaBLbLozkVQJuBbnPdY6J3DRFzfW3PjyqhZxsQed2j7-4X35ypOOEonXdF9iJ3CAD_0D2UaK99-pGeNvt84MbnU7MSe5mGKuNmxnUFcW4Cg_f59vvZG0W14p2X6KvFYoK99OTmD/s640/CAM04920.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My smoker with plentiful kindling. I ditched the matches and switched to a bic lighter. That's why we practice! I hadn't tried to do this on a windy day before.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h4>
10. Do a dry run. Practice lighting and working with your smoker.</h4>
I plan to practice going through all the steps in my beekeeping book. I also bought 2 suits--one for me and one for my son, so I don't have to go alone. I am going to suit up, light the smoker, practice using the smoker, and the whole nine yards. I may do several to feel more comfortable.<br />
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLG8YqBHCcvEg7KmZ4bSCiHVi5DROYeFnbsNNGcMgHiUiIkrZV9nGRbKZ8RCeru2Ev7xHDPp4CVWfDDQQZFd4B7F7IAxQfG01x5tJFzeP_dCI40h8C5nfpneNsUHPrb2dI-qME-CvMOYg/s1600/CAM04939+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLG8YqBHCcvEg7KmZ4bSCiHVi5DROYeFnbsNNGcMgHiUiIkrZV9nGRbKZ8RCeru2Ev7xHDPp4CVWfDDQQZFd4B7F7IAxQfG01x5tJFzeP_dCI40h8C5nfpneNsUHPrb2dI-qME-CvMOYg/s640/CAM04939+(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></i></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
So these are some of the steps to get ready for beekeeping, but that's only the beginning! There is so much more to it! Believe me, we are just barely scratching the surface here.<br />
<br />
I'm really looking forward to our next bee meeting about pest problems. Last month we covered how to do a proper hive inspection. Monthly information meetings are only one of the many benefits of joining a beekeeping club.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPsHkjM_Sx16tPzaFk7xTgxX5CuXnHg8az4DCihjiV0D7K8TN_qM-EnkmPyROOjlBx8Zd7kHddvv0uuD93gEWMALDYIkL_YBBBHieaxBNtaFRqAoXkkNt5BWPMwIkw8zJpkTwQeuHx1rb/s1600/CAM04950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPsHkjM_Sx16tPzaFk7xTgxX5CuXnHg8az4DCihjiV0D7K8TN_qM-EnkmPyROOjlBx8Zd7kHddvv0uuD93gEWMALDYIkL_YBBBHieaxBNtaFRqAoXkkNt5BWPMwIkw8zJpkTwQeuHx1rb/s640/CAM04950.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bees just after we 'dumped' them onto the frames of my hive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's about the most challenging hobby I can imagine taking on but also seems to be one of the most rewarding! My new friends tell me that you can care for bees all your life and still be surprised.<br />
<br />
I hope my post has given you at least an interest in the hobby and if you don't feel ready to take it on or can't, then at least you can enjoy my updates from a safe distance. I'll be posting updates as I go!<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<br />Happy Homemaking!<br /><i><span style="color: #b45f06; font-weight: normal;">Donna</span></i></h4>
<script src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/s/ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-73583458741112374082015-05-06T15:57:00.000-05:002015-05-11T23:42:16.109-05:00Adorable Sock Monkeys - You Can't Make Just One!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNUKQXkQwyw98VCph2-A4VyXZWXBhD6oRj-Q2js8tqURqwr-PJvxS8YJ48Ton9OLesVfDuWPmNERp-jYJTNEf4PdqiHAuW6TgJYe1uRIIlHxkPJTjor2beTLhWGA0KP4fQQx6_nR5_uze/s1600/CAM03460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNUKQXkQwyw98VCph2-A4VyXZWXBhD6oRj-Q2js8tqURqwr-PJvxS8YJ48Ton9OLesVfDuWPmNERp-jYJTNEf4PdqiHAuW6TgJYe1uRIIlHxkPJTjor2beTLhWGA0KP4fQQx6_nR5_uze/s1600/CAM03460.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hate to admit it but I have an addiction--Sock Monkeys! Last Christmas my daughter, who is a big Pinterest fan, called on Skype and said, "Momma,we're making sock monkeys! Here's the <a href="http://ike%20behar%20men%27s%203%20pack%20colorful%20patterned%20crew%20dress%20socks%20%28true%20blue%20blocks%29/">link to some mens' socks </a>from Amazon." So of course I agreed to do it. I'm not one to skip a chance to make something crafty!</div>
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She told me to buy men's large colorful dress socks. I bought this collection of <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DYF100W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00DYF100W&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=CNXGL3FSW7FQTGQD" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">fancy stripe colorful cotton socks</a> because I needed at least 8 pair! </div>
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Aren't they so cuUute??!</div>
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You see, she knew I was facing a year of grandbaby birthdays-- eight to be exact and we miss sewing together so much! Sock monkey making was the perfect mother-daughter activity. So we hung out via Skype, sewed a few monkeys and had a fun girly afternoon. I sure miss my girl!<br />
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These monkeys are just adorable! (Not referring to the grandkids here. Haha!) My grandkids love them and boy do their monkeys get a workout! Be sure to sew sturdy stitches! I've made several but have about five more to do.<br />
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The funny part is how much grown ups like these cuties. I had a blast taking pictures and posing these guys. I know. I'm not supposed to be playing with toys, but I never had a sock monkey and now <i>I</i> want one.<br />
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<i>Amanda with River holding her brother's monkey.</i></div>
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In fact, a month ago I ran out of gas right in front of an antique shop--boo-hoo! lol I got to chatting with the store owner while waiting for my son to pick me up and showed her this fella on my phone and she ordered one for herself and asked me to make several to try to sell in the shop. Sweeet!<br />
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All you need for this <a href="http://www.craftpassion.com/2012/04/how-to-sew-sock-monkey.html/2">fabulous tutorial by Craftpassion.com</a> is <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DYF100W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00DYF100W&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=CNXGL3FSW7FQTGQD" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">socks</a>, <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J8MO1NS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00J8MO1NS&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=DLRCWJPI4AZOWYMJ" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">fiber poly-fil</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Stylish-Resin-Buttons-Black/dp/B00QTCPFIA/ref=sr_1_36?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1430944831&sr=1-36&keywords=black+buttons+1%2F2+inch">buttons</a>, <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FZYTUNE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00FZYTUNE&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=5334ZIMHIACBZIE2" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank"> felt</a>, and <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001689HY0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B001689HY0&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=SXBZK2RGK5SMA4T6" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">embroidery </a>thread.</div>
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Tip: It really helps to use a <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002EZRV4C/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B002EZRV4C&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=7QC3EQSXBPJWOODH" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">walking foot</a>. Quilters use them a lot so I had one on hand. Be sure to get one that will fit your machine. The one I linked to is for Singers.</div>
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My sister called saying she was having a lot of trouble and it turned out she just needed that foot so that both the upper fabric and lower fabric move beneath the needle at the same speed.</div>
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Everyone needs a sock monkey in my opinion or maybe several! Don't you think?</div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white;">Happy Homemaking!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white;">Donna</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ425EojKYs/VUpnX7brc_I/AAAAAAAAgU0/B9b5LjU3pEk/s1600/20150423_164558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ425EojKYs/VUpnX7brc_I/AAAAAAAAgU0/B9b5LjU3pEk/s1600/20150423_164558.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> Photo by my son, Christian Rodgers</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9</i></span></blockquote>
What an incredible promise this is! I am filled with awe and wonder at having experienced this promise to the full this last couple of years.<br />
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As you know, I've been doing a ton of gardening this year and am learning the hard way that however much I work to fertilize, water, prune, compost, hoe, or plant, I cannot make plants grow. I can't make the sunshine and I can't force plants to grow. It's all up to the Lord!<br />
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Admittedly, if I don't do all those things, those plants will not survive. God has given us gardeners a lot to do! And if we are lazy or slack, all the sunshine in the world and rain will not produce much. </div>
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Last year's garden did produce some, but it was a weedy mess and never lived up to it's full potential. The Lord did HIS part, but I was careless in doing mine.</div>
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This year, I've been much more diligent and consistent and am running two gardens! But the one that is in a shady place and getting too much rain, is simply stunted. My garden at home is in a sunny place and getting the same care and the plants are growing and thriving!</div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">but it was God who made it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6</span></div>
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Confession</h4>
Confession according to my verse for the day--is our part--planting, watering, fertilizing and staying in the sunshine (the light). If you don't do it, you will not prosper. That's a fact! Like most people, I understood and embraced the injunction here to confess my sins. In fact I've been confessing them daily now for two years! There is nothing more freeing than to 'agree' with my heavenly Father that I have indeed sinned when my conscience or the Word pricks my heart.<br />
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It's the most freeing and comforting thing in the world to see, and acknowledge the error of my ways!What we don't know about our sinful nature will indeed hurt us and everyone around us. That's a critical reason for coming to the Lord every day. We need to look into the mirror of God's word and see what is out of order.<br />
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Our responsibility is to acknowledge and agree with the Lord that what we are convicted of we are indeed guilty of. That's what the Greek word confess actually means--to agree with another.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #552200; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px;">homologeó: to speak the same, to agree</span></div>
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If we confess our sins - If, from a deep sense of our guilt, impurity, and helplessness, we humble ourselves before God, acknowledging our iniquity, his holiness, and our own utter helplessness, and implore mercy for his sake who has died for us; he is faithful, because to such he has promised mercy, Psalm 32:5; Proverbs 28:13; and just, for Christ has died for us, and thus made an atonement to the Divine justice; so that God can now be just, and yet the justifier of him who believeth in Jesus. </blockquote>
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<i>And to cleanse us from all unrighteousness</i> - Not only to forgive the sin, but to purify the heart. ~ Adam Clarke</blockquote>
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Forgiveness based on God's character and Christ's Sacrifice</h4>
God promises to forgive us when we confess and acknowledge that sin. It says He is both faithful and just to do so! Faithful meaning that he will never change his mind and Just in that Jesus died for our sins therefore it is only just to remit our sins based on the Lord's sacrifice on our behalf.<br />
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Cleansing from ALL Unrighteousness</h4>
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This is the part that caught my attention though. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We sometimes take too much on ourselves and start to think that we are<i> also</i> responsible for the <i>growth</i>. If we can't make plants grow--how can we make ourselves grow? We can't.</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We can do everything to make spiritual growth possible, but then we must wait patiently for God to give the increase.</span></blockquote>
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How many of us confess our sins and accept the gracious gift of forgiveness that the Lord promises--yet struggle with the inherent sin patterns that Paul says so weigh us down?<br />
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Read the rest on <a href="http://songsofhome.blogspot.com/2015/05/only-god-can-give-increase-or-produce.html">At Home With God.</a></div>
Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-28863923021227645012015-05-05T15:44:00.000-05:002015-05-27T09:47:51.221-05:00Gardening Tips for Shady Places<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are two critical things you need for a successful garden--water and sun. Lack of water is easily remedied but lack of sunshine? That's a tough problem for gardeners as I'm learning this spring.<br />
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I have to admit that last year's garden didn't do so well ... sigh.. as I was in the middle of getting ready for my daughter's wedding (which was beautiful!) but this year my garden has been thriving! Unfortunately I can't say the same for the raised garden beds I'm managing for a women's ministry about an hour from our home. <br />
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Their winter garden was absolutely gorgeous! But I discovered that the summer one will not be quite as prolific. At first I just couldn't figure out what was wrong with the squash and cucumbers. I tried fertilizing, transplanting into hills that were higher than the surface level to increase drainage and mulching, but so far, nothing has helped.<br />
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It occurred to me that the culprit was shade and waaay too much rain. Pooey! In the winter, their beds have plenty of sunshine, but in the summer their beautiful grounds are covered several hours worth of shade.<br />
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Some of the beds get plenty of sunshine and some get very little. With our very damp and cool weather this spring, the sunlight loving plants have hardly grown at all.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">My potatoes and green beans did really well in spite of partial shade.</span></i></div>
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So I headed to Google--my go to place for quick answers-- and found some solutions and thought I'd share them with you. Hopefully, if you are fighting lack of sun in parts of your garden, my tips will help you. :)<br />
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<h3>
Tips for Gardening in the Shade from <a href="http://www.harvesttotable.com/2012/04/vegetables-for-growing-in-shade/">Harvest to Table</a></h3>
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1. Plant vegetables that like shade or do well in partial shade.</h4>
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My potatoes are thriving! I've never planted potatoes before and am really excited about how well they are growing. The green beans like partial shade as well and seem to be tolerating the conditions.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Vegetable grown for their leaves and roots are the best choices for shady gardens. Salad greens such as lettuce, spinach, cabbage, and celery can be grown in shaded gardens. Roots crops such as beets, leeks, potatoes, and turnips can be grown in shady gardens.</i></span></blockquote>
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2. Don't plant vegetables that need lots of sunshine. </h4>
My tomatoes are growing super slow and the cucumber and squashes seem miserable. I did skip the peppers and eggplants in the New Life Women's Center garden and instead planted them in my home garden where there's plenty of light.<br />
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<i>Fruiting vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants are not good choices for shady sites; fruit-setting crops prefer eight or more hours of direct sun each day. But some varieties of fruiting vegetables—determinate or bush tomatoes, for example, and tomatoes adapted to cool conditions—can grow where there are as few as five to six hours of direct sun.</i></blockquote>
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3. Fertilize squash and tomatoes to help speed up growth. </h4>
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=coho0a-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000JJAVPQ" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
These squash were doing so bad, that even though I composted the beds with c<a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KL5FP4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B000KL5FP4&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=YHO2BPNJXO7GOAWA" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">ompost </a>in January, I decided to add some <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GTDI0XG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00GTDI0XG&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=GXMKOVCMWUEFFMQI" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Miracle-gro garden soil</a> too. I just wasn't sure what else to do and was getting desperate. Yipes!<br />
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PS.What sweet friends and kiddos to help me--love my church!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZpd9laBqUenDYEt26Ou-dXoyzyW9BuGoumsvYHfwKO6aks3v9dzDqeNkmIYiRHZ3QKyXfHhX6L2zGzs-ddzmk7E7F2y0GaowAEdBGLshTeMdi2l5RwutFBDHS4J8f5S-4U7VPUWoOrR_/s1600/CAM04643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZpd9laBqUenDYEt26Ou-dXoyzyW9BuGoumsvYHfwKO6aks3v9dzDqeNkmIYiRHZ3QKyXfHhX6L2zGzs-ddzmk7E7F2y0GaowAEdBGLshTeMdi2l5RwutFBDHS4J8f5S-4U7VPUWoOrR_/s1600/CAM04643.jpg" /></a></div>
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I also fertilized with <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RNENU8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B000RNENU8&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=DSGDSKT3JTN4VNLH" id="static_txt_preview" style="color: #996633;" target="_blank">Miracle-Gro</a> and homemade compost tea. My tea was my neighbor's idea and is made up of eggshells, tea and coffee grounds, banana peels and <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JJAVPQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B000JJAVPQ&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=JK4QMMBXJXQJRLS3" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">epsom salt</a>. Let it sit out in the sun and stir every day for a week or so. Be sure to dilute it before pouring on your plants! <br />
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Also, my super amazing neighbor whose garden would just astonish you said to make a spray in an empty <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CYC4EI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B001CYC4EI&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=XYD5O4F662RH4ZPJ" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank"> spray bottle </a>out of the epsom salts and water to spray your tomato leaves and that will green them right up!<br />
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4. Use plastic mulch!</h4>
Mulch holds the warmth and moisture in and keeps some bugs out. I am a big fan of <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BG9ANA6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00BG9ANA6&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=4R35LC55HNWPKT6G" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">black plastic mulch </a>and it works fine for most things but <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BD70XB0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00BD70XB0&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=OGPSB4EQIFTHDQJD" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">red plastic mulch </a> in particular is supposed to be especially good for tomatoes because it reflects red light onto the leaves and helps them get as much benefit as possible from the sun. By the way, I've tried several kinds of pegs and the best are just simple <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CSN6Q0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B000CSN6Q0&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=4FNNJMJUQLOMCBDX" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">garden staples</a>. I linked to the best bargain for those that I could find so you don't have to hunt for them. I used some really big plastic spikes last year and they were a hassle.<br />
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5. Try aluminum foil around squash and other plants that are growing slowly. </h4>
It could help reflect light and heat on to the plants. I can't wait to try this idea and plan to lay out foil and red plastic later this week.<br />
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<h4>
6. Plant near a white wall (or make a 'fence' nearby) to reflect heat and light on your garden. </h4>
Too bad this is not an option for my situation.<br />
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<h4>
7. Try planting cool weather vegetables.</h4>
My lettuces did great in my sunny garden--but I bet they won't last long. :( So I transplanted about 50 of my 'thinnings' to the New Life garden where they ought to thrive! This <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004RA45/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00004RA45&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=LL3SJU6H7CMPWC3I" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">seed starter greenhouse</a> was extremely helpful! Lettuces are supposed to do well in the summer--leaf lettuce in particular. I also have six cabbages growing in my 'sunny' garden, and have decided to transplant them to the girls' damp and shady garden where they may actually survive our Texas heat.<br />
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<h4>
8. Plant some things in containers and just move into the sun. </h4>
This is a great idea for small scale gardeners! Tomatoes and Malabar spinach--even squash would do great I would think.<br />
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One thing I especially wanted to grow for my girls was some kind of spinach but I needed something that would grow in the summer. I'm buying a version of spinach that my local feed store guy said ought to do well. It's called Malabar Spinach and sounds like the perfect solution for us! I'm going to take out the cucumber and replace it with the <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DYH9Y30/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00DYH9Y30&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=Q2GWAJ2VGNCKB5NO" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank"> spinach</a>. It's a vining style spinach from India. Since I already built my fence out of <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XFX6TY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B000XFX6TY&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=LEB7K7VJVSZRKVH2" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank"> chicken wire</a> for the cucumber, I think growing the vine style spinach up it should be perfect! <br />
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(Ps. I am using the rest of the chicken wire for a small fence around my home garden. Pesky rabbits! I did buy a bottle of <a class="amzn-pp-active" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E819GWK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00E819GWK&link_code=as3&tag=coho0a-20&linkId=EALGXDBB3STQITIH" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">small animal repellent </a> per advice of a different neighbor but not sure it will work.)<br />
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I'm so grateful the Lord inspired me to go ahead and start a home garden even though I was going to have my hands full with the women's center garden. Having a back up place to grow vegetables that needed the sun was a big help too.<br />
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I sure hope these ideas help you if you are 'blessed' with too much shade. Let me know if you have any more tips! This is our first year to grow a summer garden in their new location.<br />
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Really, the rest is up to the Lord and I know He will bless our gardening efforts! I take every thing to Him and literally pray for increase in my garden. I am not a great gardener so I'm relying on the advice of good friends and the Lord's help and inspiration every step of the way.<br />
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It's been so long since I posted but I am going back to it now that I have time again. I've been busy with lots of fun projects while offline and hope you will enjoy the next month's posts on beekeeping, sock monkeys, recovering cushions, sewing banners, and a cool Mother's Day coffee cake with almond flour! <br />
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I miss all my blogging friends and can't wait to hear from you.<br />
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><i>Happy Homemaking!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;"><i>Donna</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6<span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"> </span></span></span></i></blockquote>
Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-11711043007364347972015-05-02T10:48:00.000-05:002015-05-27T09:51:35.618-05:00The Hidden Value of a Stay-at-Home Wife or Mother<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Hey Comin' Home friends! </i></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> I know it's been a long time.. a very long time lol. But this post I wrote for my devotional blog, <a href="http://www.athomewithgod.blogspot.com/">At Home with God</a>, seemed so appropriate for Comin' Home, that I thought I'd share it, in case it would encourage some of you. :) </i><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm in the middle of wedding prepartions for my daughter, so I really can't write in both places, but thought this might be helpful.</i></div>
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<i>Blessings, Donna </i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></i> <i><span style="color: #0b5394;"> <b>The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike."</b> 1 Samuel 30:22-24</span></i><br />
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</span></i> I never expected to find myself shaken about my belief in the value of my role as a stay at home wife.<br />
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Being a stay at home<i> mom </i>makes sense to most people. You might not choose to take that route, but if you do, most people agree that it's a valuable role. Who could question the validity of caring for your children?<br />
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But mine are grown now....<br />
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At the moment, I have a husband, and three adult children living at home. They are all out of high school. Two of the kids here at home have started careers which are flourishing. One is in college, doing well, and pursuing a degree as well as managing a college club and working a part time job.<br />
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Conversations around the dinner table often reflect the work news of the day.<br />
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How I rejoice! It truly makes my heart sing to hear the news that each of our kids is doing well or making progress in their jobs. I don't care what the job is--that they are making progress and feeling good about their efforts is huge to me. :)<br />
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But of course, I have nothing to add to that kind of conversation. I don't have a 'career'... at least not a paying one. lol<br />
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Laundry, dishes, yard work, bill-paying, car repairs, tax keeping, grocery shopping, letter-writing, and sending gifts and cards, just doesn't normally add up to 'career' in the eyes of most people.<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Being a very ordinary human person however, I have the same need for 'validation', wife and mom that I am, that everyone else does. </span></blockquote>
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The mommy part has changed a lot. Hungry grown kids show up regularly... they whisk off to their jobs.. and whisk back in at some point later in the day.<br />
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Occasionally, they don't even show up at all lol. <br />
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I have more than once posted, "Has anyone seen my son?" on Facebook hoping that one of my youngest's friends will get the word out that his cell phone is out of power and I wonder.. should I worry or not? He's the baby at 19 so we aren't quite out of the mommy-son stage yet. I figure if the police call then I have grounds for worry--otherwise I assume they just forgot to call. lol<br />
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So, I'm facing the reality that soon there won't be any 'kids'. Can I justify staying home when they are gone? This was the question looming on the back burner of my mind today.<br />
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I once had grand dreams... I went to college for Accounting--but never finished school, was certain I'd be a published poet, musician, or at least a secretary. Eventually, I did some measure of all of those things. For about five years, I climbed the secretary ladder.<br />
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Then I married, had children, started homeschooling... and the great race of mommy-hood began.. plus teaching. I didn't do all that to near the standard that I had hoped to. <br />
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27 years are gone now and of course, as I listen to the excited chatter of our children's dreams, and watch them and my husband climb the corporate ladder, and read friends's posts about their careers, I feel very happy for them but just a tad bit like an odd fish in today's corporate pool.<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">In a world where your whole life's worth can easily be summed up in terms of a job title and a hourly or yearly amount of money, it could be very easy to see little if any value in a woman choosing to stay at home and manage it for the sake of others.</span></blockquote>
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At one time, that wasn't the case. Many women did exactly that. Most people didn't question the value of a having one adult choose to maintain a comforting and supportive place to come home to at night for the sake of the wage earner (i.e. hubby).<br />
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So, perhaps you can't relate to my dilemma, but for those of you who are newly married and don't have children yet, or for young mothers who are struggling with your value in a world that values people mostly based off of their education or salary, I hope this devotional will help.<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The fact is that my real identity is in Christ. Frankly, everyone's is.<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">What if you had to work a blue collar job all your life? Basically I do. My job is 75% physical labor. What if you lost your job? What if you were sick most of your life? What if you were handicapped and couldn't 'contribute'?</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Does our value and identity really reside in job titles and salaries or even talents? No of course not. </span></blockquote>
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<b>Ultimately our value comes from the fact that the Lord loves us.. and He put us here to bring Him glory.. not ourselves. </b> I am so grateful that I don't have to have anyone else's approval or appreciation to recognize that I mean a whole lot to my Heavenly father and to the Lord (not to mention my husband and family).<br />
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We are here on the Lord's business. If that means being married, having children, or working, then so be it. I will remain in whatever calling I have been called to. No need to change now.<br />
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For me, that calling is, at least for now, a stay at home wife. Might I ever 'work'? Maybe. :) Maybe not.<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Everyone should remain after God calls him in the station or condition of life in which the summons found him.</i><i><br />
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</i><span class="text 1Cor-7-21" id="en-AMP-28507"><i>Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let that trouble you. But if you are able to gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity. 1 Corinthians 7:20-21</i></span></span></blockquote>
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The Lord knows best and my husband or I might decide for me to do that. The implication here is that remaining in your calling is not some 'legal requirement' but that we ought not to be so quick to jump into something else, just because we are a Christian.<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"> In other words, what job you have is not the most important thing... Where you can best serve Christ<i> is the key</i>.</span></blockquote>
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I volunteer in my spare time, as I have for many years in some form or other, and what a blessing that is to others as well. If we all work, who will do those things that no one can afford to pay someone to do?<br />
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But the Lord knew I was feeling a little unsure of my earthly calling.. of being a stay at home wife. How gracious He was to give me the assurance that even in the world's eyes, my job in a 'support' role was immensely valuable.. salary or not.<br />
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In a world of stress, and busy schedules... what a privilege it is to have someone willing to 'stay home with the baggage'. There have actually been studies done on the value of having someone who can flex constantly and relieve the pressure. I am that someone.. and proud to be. :)<br />
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Need the mail picked up, a spare car, someone to run down to pay a bill, pick up a spare part or a package or a prescription, take a meal to a sick friend, lend a listening ear? Everyone in my family seems to need that. One of the most difficult things for those who work outside the home, is not having that 'someone' who can do all of those things.<br />
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My dear Hubby has the most difficult sort of job I can imagine. He's only home <i>one hour</i> per day. I can't even fathom the constant stress that means. Some guys have it worse. So do some women.<br />
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Can you even imagine what that means for a man though? He can't fix our cars or arrange for them to get fixed. He can't deal with bills or manage our property (seven acres worth) or home repairs, unless he uses his entire weekend to do that. That would amount to zero rest or down time.<br />
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So I do all of that and <i>delight</i> in it. I even have figured out how to maintain our computers, set them up, install the OS, and do all sort of other computer related tasks.<br />
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I also support my adult kids by providing a clean, orderly, pretty home and most of the times food--food is important. Most evenings, I've cooked something they can come home and graze off of.<br />
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Our meals are very weird now...I never know who is going to be home when. But I cook stuff assuming that <i>someone</i>.. perhaps with friends in tow.. will want to eat it. lol<br />
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Until this morning, I had never really thought seriously about the value of a 'support' role of SAHW, but it is hugely important. I needed to have peace about that.<br />
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One of my favorite books, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Comforts-Science-Keeping-House/dp/0743272862">Home Comforts</a>, talks about the incredible need our society has.. for a home.. not just a house in its introduction. Clean food, clothes, and life happening in that home... someone to come home to who <i>cares</i>. That's my job.<br />
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I do get paid of course.. in seeing the success of my children in their careers, in their desire to 'have coffee' with me in the morning, and especially in seeing that quiet smile of relief when Hubby comes home and we have that one priceless hour of 'home time'. This youtube video a young friend sent me, made me cry. It was what kind of brought to the forefront this nagging doubt I had not even recognized till today. <br />
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Today, I will be encouraged, by the Lord's gracious thoughtfulness in sending David's 'ordinance' my way.. that those who stay with the baggage, are just as valuable as those that bring home the 'booty'. lol We may not be worth much in today's cultural estimation, but in God's eyes, our role is just as valuable. If you struggle with this.. your value.. or you're just plain exhausted and feel you can't live up to some indefinable standard.. this book might encourage you. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB3xM93rXbY">One Way Love: Inexhaustable Love for an Exhausted World</a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"> Ultimately, our value is not in our role at the moment, (man or woman)--it's in Christ's death and resurrection and our pursuit of <i>Him</i>. Jesus can and will use us wherever we happen to be in life if we'll let Him.</span></blockquote>
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<i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God.</span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/luke/12-7.htm" style="text-decoration: none;">7</a></span><span class="highl" style="background-color: #fff4ec; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Luke 12:7,8</span></span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>Dear Lord,</i><i> </i></span> <span style="color: #a64d79;"><i> </i></span> <span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>Whatever our earthly calling, whatever our roles, whatever our income or lack thereof...thank you that we are precious in your eyes. You didn't have to comfort me or assure me of that, yet you took the trouble this morning to do exactly that. Thank you!</i></span> <br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>For my friends who might be reading, regardless of their earthly situation, poor or rich, employed or not, cook, baker, candle-stick maker, we are all disciples of Christ and children of a King!</i></span> <br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>Our jobs and salaries can change in a moment, yet we are still valuable in your eyes. Help us, like Paul, to be content whatever our situation.</i></span> <br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>Thank you that you never leave us nor forsake us and that you look on our hearts not our outward situation or appearance.</i></span> <br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>May we do our best in your strength to honor you.. whether slave or 'free' as Paul once reminded new Christians in Acts. </i></span> <br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>Our life is hidden in you and no one truly knows our personal worth or value but you. Thank you for caring for us. Help us to trust you and obey you in whatever calling we may be.</i></span> <br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>In Your precious name I pray, </i><i>Amen</i></span> <span style="color: #a64d79;"><i> </i></span> <span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>Donna ~ <a href="mailto:www.songsofhome@blogspot.com">At Home with God</a></i></span> <br />
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-21950480417389204652015-05-01T12:30:00.000-05:002015-05-27T09:51:16.390-05:00Introducing 365 Less things.. a Decluttering Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bz2vRKl6Pq6_X5q0xdNgkqGtkiDoBo_MvMqWY9jLHb4QW0a7cGar7OEjYzfpxPtOGFa2GE30X1WDK2QhGHFeBHFBSqW4VfbOA9LEV0hfTlIkDfnzC0csPZl8uAqrRapaN8sN_-eZjoRZ/s1600/Photo2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bz2vRKl6Pq6_X5q0xdNgkqGtkiDoBo_MvMqWY9jLHb4QW0a7cGar7OEjYzfpxPtOGFa2GE30X1WDK2QhGHFeBHFBSqW4VfbOA9LEV0hfTlIkDfnzC0csPZl8uAqrRapaN8sN_-eZjoRZ/s640/Photo2014.jpg" width="480" /></a><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u> </u></span></div>
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I'm facing a pretty tough de-cluttering challenge this week. We are moving back to our country home in September. But we are bringing the equivalent of a 2nd household's worth of 'stuff' with us. Yipes!<br />
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There are a few things that make this task pretty daunting.<br />
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One, I can only just 'hobble' about with a fractured left toe and a booted right foot..with a broken bone that is still healing.<br />
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The other is that I'm 'between homes'.. staying at the country house temporarily to get some things done.. but going back and forth.. so we have to have some bare minimum of stuff at both places.<br />
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On top of that I can't drive.. to get boxes or ship things or whatever. My son has to take me wherever I go.<br />
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Hubby's request is that I somehow 'make room' because he plans to move us in stages. This is akin to having surgery.. on a weekly basis. Not the kind of misery you want to 'stretch out' lol.<br />
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My brain..sort of rebels at this plan. It isn't like life suddenly 'stops' for these kinds of 'events'.<br />
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Honestly, I wasn't quite sure how I was gonna do it. Then I stumbled (thank you Lord :) over this blog..<br />
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Here are a few tips from her introductory post....<br />
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<ul>
<li><b>Keep it simple..</b></li>
<li><b>Pledge to remove, on average, at least one item a day </b></li>
<li><b>The departure point ~ </b>Designate
an out of the way area to place your decluttered items until you are
ready to take the next step. The next step might be to through it in the
bin, recycle it, sell it or donate it.</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>There is no speed limit</strong>
~ If one thing a day is too slow for you declutter as many things as
you like just be sure to keep within your comfort limit. Try to
do something everyday to maintain your momentum.<strong> </strong></div>
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<strong>Be mindful about your decision making</strong> - make sure you don't get rid of something you'll need later</div>
</li>
</ul>
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You can read the rest <a href="http://www.365lessthings.com/the-basics-of-everyday-decluttering/">here. </a><br />
I really really like the idea of breaking down the decluttering process into such tiny baby steps. The best part is making a daily habit of it. You'd never have to get overwhelmed by this process again!<br />
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So I'm getting rid of a few things in these areas this week..<br />
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<ul>
<li>Teas</li>
<li>Shoes</li>
<li>Books</li>
<li>Grandchildren items (sniff.. all living long distance now)</li>
<li>Jewelry</li>
<li>Desk Caddy papers</li>
</ul>
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She posted a challenge today and suggested we get rid of duplicates like scissors too. I might add scissors and pens to that list.<br />
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I may make my schedule 3 items a day instead of 1 since.. I'm a bit behind lol.<br />
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After all.. it <i>is</i> August and she started in <i>January.</i><br />
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But I am so excited about the idea that if I got rid of 3 items a day for the next six months.. my new year would be a lot brighter! That's 3 x180 = 550 items gone out of my house!<br />
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If I also put a 'moratorium' on bringing stuff in, the reality of a 'simplified, clutter-free home', could be mine..and yours. <br />
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Be sure to check out that blog and get inspired. I'll let you know how it goes on my end.<br />
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Clutter free.. here I come! <br />
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<i> Happy Homemaking :)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Donna</i><br />
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<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-39232774926730164892014-05-22T14:18:00.001-05:002014-05-22T15:49:33.661-05:00Reclaiming My Fruitful but Neglected Garden...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Beware of neighbors bearing tractors....</div>
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Because sometimes, even if you have a wedding looming on the horizon...they will talk you into letting them 'try out' their tractor.. in <i>your </i>pasture..</div>
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And because it's Soooo much fun.. they might just till up a 60 x 30' garden.. <i>far</i> from the house.</div>
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Then they will bug you as to whether you have planted or not.. till you give in...</div>
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and then you buy plants.. and seeds... and fertilizer...</div>
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And your hubby wonders 'out loud' if perhaps you have lost your mind...</div>
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You spend a lot of time and some money...</div>
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and now you're committed. lol</div>
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<i> Eggplant with two inch long fruit</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
This is what happened to me this spring. To be honest I am NOT a gardener.<br />
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I have no self-discipline as regards gardening at all. So you can say this is a small form of a miracle that I am even attempting to keep up with this at all. I talked about that <a href="http://songsofhome.blogspot.com/2014/03/walking-in-spirit-and-not-in-flesh.html">here</a>.<br />
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I have to say, though, that there is no better form of exercise considering the calories you burn.. up to 300 per hour.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I discovered, to my amazement, that I really really love gardening! There was a secret dormant gardening gene hiding somewhere in my heredity (probably my mom lol ).</span></blockquote>
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<i>Bell Peppers from seed</i></div>
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However, I am also getting our property ready for company both inside and out and doing a ton of other stuff, so I never did get all the plastic down for weed control.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ut2zB52nn1GCv3oyq5hORciltEUrlu_DNRFyg6s03h-DBtFfjOvdFNCbFL9c0250vcSEFejY6GmpIaLamFPZFC2PD1YOEn0j7f6wHUDsEhWY8PXc7weVcwCvQSPOqVTl-Orgueg3K20f/s1600/2014-05-22+12.46.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVoSRJlUhg1oeyoVyyKSuTWoh_SpAPglqcVQP0AXjVVbAXBhW9DCfivtB3Vd_JeHgolqPSEvTN2CNQkrqGvNkpIfP-wGc4ywq8lOROWulhAj8tx380lzqZWfZj5xRwT91gBjsQM9eZbhj/s1600/photo_1400763186276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVoSRJlUhg1oeyoVyyKSuTWoh_SpAPglqcVQP0AXjVVbAXBhW9DCfivtB3Vd_JeHgolqPSEvTN2CNQkrqGvNkpIfP-wGc4ywq8lOROWulhAj8tx380lzqZWfZj5xRwT91gBjsQM9eZbhj/s1600/photo_1400763186276.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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As you can see, this stuff really does work! I am laying down more tomorrow evening after I give the garden one last run over with the tiller. (Helpful neighbor also has an old tiller. lol )<br />
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This really is one sad garden considering it could be a lot better.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ut2zB52nn1GCv3oyq5hORciltEUrlu_DNRFyg6s03h-DBtFfjOvdFNCbFL9c0250vcSEFejY6GmpIaLamFPZFC2PD1YOEn0j7f6wHUDsEhWY8PXc7weVcwCvQSPOqVTl-Orgueg3K20f/s1600/2014-05-22+12.46.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ut2zB52nn1GCv3oyq5hORciltEUrlu_DNRFyg6s03h-DBtFfjOvdFNCbFL9c0250vcSEFejY6GmpIaLamFPZFC2PD1YOEn0j7f6wHUDsEhWY8PXc7weVcwCvQSPOqVTl-Orgueg3K20f/s1600/2014-05-22+12.46.14.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Newly weeded Jalapeño plants</i></div>
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What you can't see is all the green onions, pepper plants, basil plants, and green beans that are about 6-8" tall and surrounded by weeds.<br />
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Until this week, I haven't touched this garden since planting it. <br />
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In only one week, some of the plants that the sprinkler couldn't reach are getting tons of water now. I invested in a timer. This was a brilliant move.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUaIEco45ILFmJU3o1l9803edGRg-46Fp6yg6ANO4tgdQSVIN6UgzFeslktCMi-AAWSvwkvOkStZklJGc7kLDBtf1VnPRhYwHnIQfBeU04hTzAYTRgGsjLce5afvljy-dSYagTFngq_W5/s1600/2014-04-14+14.15.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwUaIEco45ILFmJU3o1l9803edGRg-46Fp6yg6ANO4tgdQSVIN6UgzFeslktCMi-AAWSvwkvOkStZklJGc7kLDBtf1VnPRhYwHnIQfBeU04hTzAYTRgGsjLce5afvljy-dSYagTFngq_W5/s1600/2014-04-14+14.15.32.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i> Strawberries in the flower bed </i></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">Being a very new and excessively busy gardener, I made a few mistakes which hopefully you can avoid. :)</span></blockquote>
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1. Soak your seeds when you plant by seed. I didn't do this and most of my green beans, basil, and cantaloupe did not ever sprout. I'm gonna replant green beans as there should be time to get a crop, now that I'm home and paying attention.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZU4aom3a4ubncKgscCLpBt1af5QV8qR07ZAbKhQD0JUbNRr_4yVqrAdIvdT2d0GdWy0cLZry0UHN9W_vIsojpQrYy6JjhUNBY59r2eqn1GfCFd1NaUDpYdvdqUO5o6o_giWWRqkbWRjo/s1600/2014-05-22+12.42.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixZU4aom3a4ubncKgscCLpBt1af5QV8qR07ZAbKhQD0JUbNRr_4yVqrAdIvdT2d0GdWy0cLZry0UHN9W_vIsojpQrYy6JjhUNBY59r2eqn1GfCFd1NaUDpYdvdqUO5o6o_giWWRqkbWRjo/s1600/2014-05-22+12.42.32.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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2. Water.. you MUST have water.. Anything that my sprinkler could reach (only the middle mostly) thrived.. and all the rest is tiny. Lesson learned. Water is the key ingredient. If you have a drought, you must get sprinklers going. We had a drought this spring.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS8DL2Rbgg2xIpjzQc9x_mdyY2dNgodSDwJ83fxLALT2MFcM54XUMVZeUVNin_w0j9p_XHEkEswV7e7kJAEhdE5xuDRq2iLcC1z0-tU4RefAORxquuq4gR8C03NMMSTCTq2KcF1l_WZtA/s1600/2014-05-22+12.48.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS8DL2Rbgg2xIpjzQc9x_mdyY2dNgodSDwJ83fxLALT2MFcM54XUMVZeUVNin_w0j9p_XHEkEswV7e7kJAEhdE5xuDRq2iLcC1z0-tU4RefAORxquuq4gR8C03NMMSTCTq2KcF1l_WZtA/s1600/2014-05-22+12.48.21.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Plastic for weed control works great!</i></div>
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3. Weed control... either lay down plastic (and buy plenty of pegs to hold them down), or make sure you can run a tiller between the rows. I had to borrow my neighbors, and due to a week and half long trip right after we put the garden in, I didn't get the plastic down in time for the whole thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QecSsU57Cd8E0AUdCqIwqpxCURLAJYz5uspFL9wvx7I18fZ71_VtapuGb8xckaL-GrJ1pPEBIw9bTyIJlHG_AXU6C9sRjiX5GV9dVGeqOnh61N8j6mQRYMvbQEFmPZURYweNmNoSyqsa/s1600/photo_1400762854560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QecSsU57Cd8E0AUdCqIwqpxCURLAJYz5uspFL9wvx7I18fZ71_VtapuGb8xckaL-GrJ1pPEBIw9bTyIJlHG_AXU6C9sRjiX5GV9dVGeqOnh61N8j6mQRYMvbQEFmPZURYweNmNoSyqsa/s1600/photo_1400762854560.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<i style="text-align: center;"> Overgrown Garden ... before tilling</i><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">It rained for exactly </span><i style="text-align: center;">one week</i><span style="text-align: center;"> after we got home, so then I was swamped with wedding stuff and a major fundraiser for the group I volunteer with, and ... sigh... weeds. Tons!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVYmrFdB0g-LZ9IsLklH8AaG5iUxtv_ZC5V7y1MLoE-Dp8quWszLoH0XeLhMOeWuV_y4NthDZThVkmpJwYDI4SmKWuyJFa7vVLocbZ9InqITG2t-VDjedsNnw4erbrO_4hqY8aeKyGUbE/s1600/CAM01739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVYmrFdB0g-LZ9IsLklH8AaG5iUxtv_ZC5V7y1MLoE-Dp8quWszLoH0XeLhMOeWuV_y4NthDZThVkmpJwYDI4SmKWuyJFa7vVLocbZ9InqITG2t-VDjedsNnw4erbrO_4hqY8aeKyGUbE/s1600/CAM01739.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Things I did right... </span></div>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li>Buy PLANTS... already sprouted. </li>
<li>Plant with room for tilling. </li>
<li>Use plastic for weed control.</li>
<li>Use a bit of epsom salts in the ground where you plant.</li>
<li>Pick plants your neighbors are already successfully growing.</li>
<li>Plant when everyone else does. If it's still for sale at the store, you're probably safe. :)</li>
<li>Have a helpful neighbor lol. </li>
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So what to do about my overgrown garden?</div>
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First I will till the weeds up.. actually I already did. I'm gonna do one more time, then get the rest of that plastic down.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mfs1vX3g7p2HcpQ18WvCcS3qQjZvFdWuL8ffDES4b0RCeQVLCUcV_UeEW8GjeZbbY4jtlTplUf1OGzS9aGwVadD0h5LLA3Vl2cKbUUNemXoZHe3jD2Gfm4HFn4zlKxaeS8zTmQtt8BG1/s1600/CAM01741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mfs1vX3g7p2HcpQ18WvCcS3qQjZvFdWuL8ffDES4b0RCeQVLCUcV_UeEW8GjeZbbY4jtlTplUf1OGzS9aGwVadD0h5LLA3Vl2cKbUUNemXoZHe3jD2Gfm4HFn4zlKxaeS8zTmQtt8BG1/s1600/CAM01741.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fresh basil from seed...</div>
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Two, I'm setting up a second sprinkler on my timer to get the whole garden. Water is the magic ingredient to a thriving garden.</div>
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Three, weeding.. tons of weeding.</div>
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and lastly, do a little seven dusting for bugs, and stake my tomatoes.</div>
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I hope to add some fertilizer here soon and be careful to pick as we go. I also plan to replant a bunch of greenbeans.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1U4E9wDl0-EX2GXd86aXb3eUZ4oDE-ySAVBr3RO2-pEda4f9kF-t8-FmUBbdPbpZJi0ozMvvnQsKeDSZszJ9fWZ660ULkv-cuI98FfOWqr_zwRtv6JwP4ANuSPf3-VpigaFHka5uPea5/s1600/2014-05-22+13.01.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1U4E9wDl0-EX2GXd86aXb3eUZ4oDE-ySAVBr3RO2-pEda4f9kF-t8-FmUBbdPbpZJi0ozMvvnQsKeDSZszJ9fWZ660ULkv-cuI98FfOWqr_zwRtv6JwP4ANuSPf3-VpigaFHka5uPea5/s1600/2014-05-22+13.01.13.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Newly tilled garden</i></div>
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Hopefully, I'll still be able to rescue my beloved garden. Next year.. I'm planting only HALF this garden. Glenn can have the rest if he wants it. Haha!</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14.44444465637207px; line-height: 20px;"><i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24 </span></i></span></blockquote>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;">Happy Homemaking...</span></h2>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Donna</span></i></div>
Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-71728881826452271052013-12-06T16:22:00.002-06:002013-12-06T16:23:18.190-06:00A Snowy Welcome in Oklahoma!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This weekend, Hubby is doing a little work in Tulsa. Remember all<a href="http://www.thehomemakingarts.blogspot.com/2013/07/visiting-cathedral-square-in-tulsa.html"> the cathedrals</a> I showed you this summer? I do hope we can attend church in the biggest one, but that may not be possible.<br />
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I little thought when I arrived that it would be snowing! What a treat for this Houston gal to have snow.. maybe a bit too much snow! HaHa! <br />
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You can't help but remember Bing Crosby's version of Silver Bells walking down the snow covered city streets. :) <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PZeAImrvtqw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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We South Texas girls are not used to bundling up, sloshing through brown snow and protecting ourselves from a wintery blast on cold city streets! <br />
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<br />
But I have to say Tulsa has it's consolations in winter.<br />
<br />
Real winter beauty is something we don't get to admire very often in our little country home in Willis, Tx.<br />
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Snuggled down in a city wrapped in snow and Christmas finery made me smile. I could not have asked for a more pleasant way to spend the weekend such a short time before Christmas. :)<br />
<br />
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
<h1 class="TITLE">
Winter-Time</h1>
by <a href="http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/137">Robert Louis Stevenson</a>
<br />
<pre>Late lies the wintry sun a-bed,
A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;
Blinks but an hour or two; and then,
A blood-red orange, sets again.
Before the stars have left the skies,
At morning in the dark I rise;
And shivering in my nakedness,
By the cold candle, bathe and dress.
Close by the jolly fire I sit
To warm my frozen bones a bit;
Or with a reindeer-sled, explore
The colder countries round the door.
When to go out, my nurse doth wrap
Me in my comforter and cap;
The cold wind burns my face, and blows
Its frosty pepper up my nose.
Black are my steps on silver sod;
Thick blows my frosty breath abroad;
And tree and house, and hill and lake,
Are frosted like a wedding-cake.</pre>
- See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19310#sthash.os1Rur47.dpuf</div>
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<br />
Though the weather outside is pretty frightful, it's quite delightful in our warm cozy hotel. I am sipping warm coffee, listening to Christmas music, and happily bundled away from the wintery blast.<br />
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The next couple of days, I'll be addressing Christmas cards from my hotel room and it does seem strange to feel as if I literally 'stepped' into a live one!<br />
<br />
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
Late lies the wintry sun a-bed,
A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;
Blinks but an hour or two; and then,
A blood-red orange, sets again.
Before the stars have left the skies,
At morning in the dark I rise;
And shivering in my nakedness,
By the cold candle, bathe and dress.
Close by the jolly fire I sit
To warm my frozen bones a bit;
Or with a reindeer-sled, explore
The colder countries round the door.
When to go out, my nurse doth wrap
Me in my comforter and cap;
The cold wind burns my face, and blows
Its frosty pepper up my nose.
Black are my steps on silver sod;
Thick blows my frosty breath abroad;
And tree and house, and hill and lake,
Are frosted like a wedding-cake. - See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19310#sthash.os1Rur47.dpuf</div>
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<br />
Taking in all the snow and the bright Christmas ornaments..and the tall city skyscrapers made me think of this poem... <br />
<h2 class="title" itemprop="name" style="text-align: center;">
Winter-Time</h2>
<div style="margin-top: 20px; min-height: 570px; text-align: center;">
<div class="KonaBody">
Late lies the wintry sun a-bed, <br />
A frosty, fiery sleepy-head; <br />
Blinks but an hour or two; and then, <br />
A blood-red orange, sets again. <br />
<br />
Before the stars have left the skies, <br />
At morning in the dark I rise; <br />
And shivering in my nakedness, <br />
By the cold candle, bathe and dress. <br />
<br />
Close by the jolly fire I sit <br />
To warm my frozen bones a bit; <br />
Or with a reindeer-sled, explore <br />
The colder countries round the door. <br />
<br />
When to go out, my nurse doth wrap <br />
Me in my comforter and cap; <br />
The cold wind burns my face, and blows <br />
Its frosty pepper up my nose. <br />
<br />
Black are my steps on silver sod; <br />
Thick blows my frosty breath abroad; <br />
And tree and house, and hill and lake, <br />
Are frosted like a wedding cake.
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="poet" itemprop="author">
Robert Louis Stevenson</div>
<div class="poet" itemprop="author">
</div>
<div class="poet" itemprop="author">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf83AOdWBisPXzbxtqCgt17g07YlvlFahiARQ_seYiQ1zmC9Usi2xhVA9Q_dLW6Tk78X6WreSwZZKZ-LEDHher1k9i6fLXKCRUnPMAHsdI3f3y22xYW6yJNIR3v6qcE2IGJ6Iqf6ypQvyG/s1600/2013-12-06+10.19.52.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf83AOdWBisPXzbxtqCgt17g07YlvlFahiARQ_seYiQ1zmC9Usi2xhVA9Q_dLW6Tk78X6WreSwZZKZ-LEDHher1k9i6fLXKCRUnPMAHsdI3f3y22xYW6yJNIR3v6qcE2IGJ6Iqf6ypQvyG/s640/2013-12-06+10.19.52.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div>
<div class="poet" itemprop="author">
<br /></div>
<div class="poet" itemprop="author">
I hope you are enjoying your Christmas preparations too.. and if it's not a white Christmas where you are this evening.. you can always borrow mine. :)</div>
<div class="poet" itemprop="author">
<br /></div>
<div class="poet" itemprop="author">
Have a lovely day...</div>
<div class="poet" itemprop="author">
<br /></div>
<div class="poet" itemprop="author">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Homemaking,</span></span></i></div>
<div class="poet" itemprop="author">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Donna </span></span></i></div>
</div>
Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-84844296017040051982013-12-05T17:12:00.002-06:002013-12-05T17:12:30.404-06:00The Heart of Joyful Gift Giving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
A reader from <a href="http://aprimitivehomestead.blogspot.com/">Primitive Homestead</a> brought up a very important problem that we often have to deal with at Christmas--the promotion of materialism. It is sad that gift giving sometimes comes down to just the price tag, the brand name or even one-upping others by our gifts.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But we can take a different approach to gift-giving</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">--it's all up to the giver. </span></div>
<br />
There is no question that stores promote the 'love of stuff' to a degree that could leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth. I'm sure it's a bigger problem here than in any other country on the planet! <br />
<br />
That being said though, I <i>do</i> think that it is important to reflect on the true meaning of giving at Christmas.. at least what <i>I</i> see as the real meaning behind giving gifts.<br />
<br />
<br />
In many ways God set the example of gift giving by giving his
Son's life.. for us. In fact, he commanded us to 'love one another as I
have loved you'. Regardless of <i>why</i> we celebrate His birth by giving
gifts to others, the fact is that giving to others in the right spirit is always a
good thing!<br />
<br />
<br />
It takes a certain amount of unselfishness to give anything to anyone. There is something just intrinsically good for the soul in giving. :)<br />
<br />
Here's what the bible says about giving...<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="hdg"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/9.htm">God Loves a Cheerful Giver</a></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">… <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/9-6.htm"></a></span>Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/9-7.htm"></a></span><span class="highl">Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.</span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/9-8.htm"></a></span>And
God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all
sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good
deed;…</span></blockquote>
<br />
Admittedly, this refers to giving to God and to those in need.. but if our hearts are right, we can give to others in His name and it is the same thing. We should do everything as 'unto the Lord and not unto men.'.. even in giving Christmas gifts. Generosity is <i>always </i>praised in scripture.. and selfishness, or stinginess is always condemned.<br />
<br />
Even if we have two coats...the bible says we should share with someone who has none. I have been trying to put that into practice. I found out very quickly that I don't like giving as much as I thought I did. lol I had to learn to be more selfless--it sure doesn't come naturally. I wrote about that struggle on my devotional blog on a post called--<a href="http://songsofhome.blogspot.com/2013/10/surrendering-my-love-of-money.html">Surrendering my love of money.</a><br />
<br />
I can remember times when gift giving at Christmas seemed like a daunting task.. especially when we had so little.. and it was hard not to feel embarrassed or pained at our lack of 'splash'. Still, as I tried to teach my children, giving is good for everyone and regardless of how little we have, we can always give a little. :)<br />
</div>
As far as traditional secular gift giving during a holiday, I for one am so glad that
people have one day a year where they would feel awful if they didn't
give<i> something</i> of their worldly goods.. to someone else. It really does shine a little light of love and joy when we learn the joy of giving.<br /><br />Otherwise
some people might spend every year just being selfish with their stuff.
I do hate how businesses capitalize on that by promoting stuff to the
point of materialism, but that shouldn't ruin the heart of our holiday
giving. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Giving gifts is a love language and something
mentioned often in the bible. God loves giving gifts to men. And He
commanded us to love one another as He loved us and to emulate him. He
gives freely to us and wants us to give freely to others.<br />
<br />
Jesus himself
said, give to him that asks of thee, and to him that would borrow..
turn not away. In another passage, he says our Heavenly Father gives
good things to those who ask .. not to consume on our own 'passions' but
still.. giving to others is a beautiful way to show God's love.. and
what better time than Christmas? <br /><br />However, it is sad that it's
been so commercialized. We are challenged by the Lord to give to those
who cannot give back and for many Christian families, we consider
Christmas the best time of the year to do that. Angel Tree, Operation
Christmas Child, Salvation army, needy folks in our neighborhood and
church.. are all ways to do that.<br /><br />But just to give simple gifts
from the heart to those we love, once or twice a year, could never be a
bad thing. Our gifts for others don't have to be expensive.. but always
say--you are special in my life and I want to bless you. :)<br />
<br />
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<br /><br /> If
you are giving from the heart, and you love the Lord with all your
heart, then you need not fear that there is anything at all wrong with
gift-giving at Christmas time.<br /><br />So even if the world
commercializes it, and tries to change the name from Merry Christmas to
Happy Holidays.. I for one am <i>glad</i> because for so many Christians this
is one chance of all others..like Easter.. to share the good news
without any compunction whatsoever. Many more ears are open to that
truth at this time than any other.<br />
<br />
My prayer, is that we can demonstrate to the world, the true spirit of Christian love by giving in such a way, that the recipient knows he is loved with uncommon love.. in a way that honors the God of the bible and not the 'god' of this world.<br />
<br />
Our family has always been careful to give as we have been blessed through the year. We have never had much in the way of funds, but we gave the best we could.. without any desire or need to give the perfect gift or to give beyond our means.. which would not be a blessing to anyone.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWTl0jzbmRCHOTBN_l6LKlTAzj_aA9engDaovRmttRjanTxdGdE9H-E29l9ioX-DpqJUgC336qIaNtd4dxsY2eBqCb41sKvLcxFypqxccE6ZZDcZAMDrqdaycoAmfyrZufffbnMs2rCcO/s1600/2013-12-05+12.44.07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWTl0jzbmRCHOTBN_l6LKlTAzj_aA9engDaovRmttRjanTxdGdE9H-E29l9ioX-DpqJUgC336qIaNtd4dxsY2eBqCb41sKvLcxFypqxccE6ZZDcZAMDrqdaycoAmfyrZufffbnMs2rCcO/s640/2013-12-05+12.44.07.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
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As I'm sure my readers know, giving is a chance to think about and care for someone else and say I love you in a tangible way. It really is the thought that counts. This year I tried to give a lot more thought to my gifts. That way they truly were a blessing. The pottery above was purchased from art students on our college campus for $4-7 per item. I am giving them to our Deacons at church as a thank you for all their faithful service all year.<br />
<br />
Some of the best gifts have more to do with heart and thought than time... gifts of service, photographs and videos for loved ones living far away, gifts that grow, or handmade gifts. Sometimes we even have to be a bit sneaky and find out.. what does that person like to do.. what makes them smile.<br />
<br />
This year, I tried to focus on only one person or family per shopping day as I hunted for gifts, so that I could give them my whole heart and attention. It really did change my perspective on gift giving. :) <br />
<br />
May the Lord help you to give in His name for the sake of blessing those who receive your gifts and may you be double blessed by having a joyful attitude as you do so. Be sure to find someone who won't be getting gifts or is in need too. Such a wonderful way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.<br />
<br />
Happy Homemaking and Merry Christmas!<br />
<br />
Donna :)<br />
<br />
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<span class="item-control"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/delete-comment.g?blogID=6630829430019968762&postID=7210795077728559896" style="border: none;" title="Delete Comment"><img alt="Delete" class="icon_delete" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" style="border: none;" /></a></span>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-58246782941473943262013-12-03T19:42:00.001-06:002013-12-03T19:59:25.282-06:00Eliminating Stress, Worry, and Frustration During The Holidays <br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">I don't know what it is but despite the joy we want to feel and are supposed to feel at Christmas, that is often not our experience is it? Somehow the stress rises with every passing day, even hour. But this year I have a secret source of help to get through the hustle and bustle with not only a good measure of peace, but true joy!</span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Sunday, we had our first advent celebration and the focus was on John the Baptist's impending birth. Because the Lord sent him to 'prepare the way' for the Lord, we decided, as a family, that our first advent candle this year represented<i> preparation. </i> </span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">It occurred to me that if we do what we usually do.. jump headlong into the Christmas to do's without heart preparation, this Christmas will be just as stressful and 'un-joyful' as all the others have been </span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> at times</span>.</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>
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<br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">So as a family we agreed to do all we can to <i> stay focused </i>on the REAL reason for Christmas.. the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus. We are reading daily from an online advent devotional plan by John Piper called <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/good-news-of-great-joy-daily-readings-for-advent">Good News of Great Joy: Daily Readings for Advent.</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">As long as we focus on the best gift of all.. the birth of our Lord and his coming down to earth to bring salvation to a hurt and dying world, we have done the most important thing on our Christmas list. :) Everything else is extra.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">However, in spite of our good intentions, for some reason, a whole list of projects, concerns, and tasks were on
everyone's minds
this morning at my house. The<i> sheer weight of all those things that needed to be
done</i>, must be done, and weren't yet done, caused a bit of tension to
hover just on the edge of the various conversations we were having.</span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">I
felt such an intense pressure! Before I started seeking Jesus with my whole heart, I would
have had a few sharp retorts to throw into the mix, or just curled up on
the bed for a little pity party. </span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">But no.. <i>the daily time in the Lord's presence</i> that I keep so faithfully in times of ease, trusting the Lord was changing and filling my soul.... <i>paid off beautifully</i>
under the pressure of everyone's anxious thoughts as to all the needs
looming on the horizon, and their fears that all might not get taken
care of. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">The Holy Spirit immediately brought this verse to my
mind, when I was tempted to get weighed down by it all. I chose to grab on to
and rely on it's <span class="text_exposed_show">precious truth! </span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">You will keep him in perfect peace <i> </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>whose mind is stayed on you</i>, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">because he<i> trusts in You</i>. Isaiah 26:3</span></span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">All
the future and it's details are in God's capable hands. We have no
reason to fear, when we choose to walk by <i>Faith.</i></span></span></span></div>
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"> I had to laugh when I
finally read the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/athomewGod" target="_blank"> assigned bible reading </a>for
the morning and there was the <i>very verse </i>the Lord had reminded
me of! It's amazing how He really does bring all things to our
remembrance just when we need it.</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<b><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">A few thoughts on what this verse really means...</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><b>keep</b>- maintain and hold fast</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><b>perfect peace</b> - no fear, no doubt, steady and dependable, unshakeable</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><b>mind</b> - a mental focus, all our thoughts, hopes, imaginations, understanding</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><b>stayed</b>- focused, glued, concentrated (no wandering or doubting)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><b>on thee </b>- God himself</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><b>trusts -</b> Has faith, knows that God is trustworthy </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">and will keep his word and knows what is best for us </span></span></div>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">A simple summary is that as long as we have FAITH in God and<i> keep our eyes on Him</i>
and his wishes for us, refusing to doubt or entertain sinful or
fearful thoughts, God will guard our peace and keep our hearts tranquil
and at ease. Nothing will be able to shake us.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">God
will do the keeping.. but we must believe (inspite of any evidence to
the contrary) and take captive our thoughts and imaginations and force
them to stay focused on the truth of God's strength, love, capability to
provide, and his sovereign plan for our day and our future.</span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="font-size: small;"><span class="text_exposed_show">Worry is the result of doubt and self reliance. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="font-size: small;"><span class="text_exposed_show">Peace is the result of relying on God day in and day out and having faith in Him and his provision and guidance.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"> We must stay close to the Lord and seek Him daily, if we want to walk in faith and enjoy peace in the midst of difficulties.</span></span></span></div>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">Don't
let your mind wander from God's 'reality' to the long list to be done.
Instead, accept each day's work as God's assignment to you, trusting
that he will make you able to do it.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">Do the next thing and leave the list in God's hands. Worry won't get it done--but it will freeze you in your tracks. </span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">Nothing wastes more time than anger, worry, self-pity, and fear.</span></span></span></div>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">If you must waste time.. <i>do it with God.</i> You will be so full of peace, joy, and self-control, that you will whip that list out in no time!</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">If it doesn't get done, then the Lord didn't want you to do it. :)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do the Next Thing" </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">From an old English parsonage down by the sea</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">There came in the twilight a message to me;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">And on through the doors the quiet words ring</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Like a low inspiration: “do the next thing.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>Many a questioning, many a fear,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.<br />Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,<br />Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.<br />Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,<br />Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing.<br /><br />Do it immediately, do it with prayer;<br />Do it reliantly, casting all care;<br />Do it with reverence, tracing His hand<br />Who placed it before thee with earnest command.<br />Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,<br />Leave all results, do the next thing.<br /><br />Looking for Jesus, ever serener,<br />Working or suffering, be thy demeanor;<br />In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,<br />The light of His countenance be thy psalm,<br />Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.<br />Then, as He beckons thee, do the next thing.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">~Author Unknown </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><i><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">Dear
Lord, We thank you for your promise to give us your perfect peace to
preserve and
protect our joy, when our minds want to derail us with doubt, fear, and
discouragement. And if we are not stressed right now, may we take the
time to seek your face and 'store up' good treasure against the days of
storm which will certainly come in time.</span></span></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><i><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"> Lord,
help us to press in, by faith, to Your grace to enable us to withstand
the temptation to worry or get frustrated over others lack of
cooperation. You will not give us too much to bear. Grow our faith so we
can honor You today in everything we do. Amen </span></span></i></span>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-17784924319308341242013-11-28T17:16:00.002-06:002013-11-28T18:42:58.509-06:00When the Holidays Don't Feel Quite so Bright...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For most of us the holidays are a wonderful time to enjoy our family, friends, good food, special memories and to recount the blessings of the year and thank God for them. May we count our blessings till our joy is more than we can bear! Truly God is good!<br />
<br />
But for some of you, the holidays are not so joyful right now are they? For you, this may be a sad or lonely season. Or perhaps you don't have much in the way of blessings.<br />
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<br />
Has this year been one of trial? Do you dread the thought of family tension, or lack of funds at the next family get together. Or perhaps your year has been one of difficulty after difficulty. Perhaps you or someone you love is ill or even gone.<br />
<br />
I do not know where my post today will find you, Friend, but I <i>do</i> have one suggestion that might make your holidays a little more bearable.<br />
<br />
I'd like to help you have a little holiday cheer too. :)<br />
<br />
The first thing I'd suggest is simply this. In the midst of your bad things.. can you thank God for just <i>one</i> good thing?<br />
<br />
When my husband had cancer, the baby had club foot, and we were facing $100,000 dollars of medical debt, the cps was making 'friendly 'visits to our house over concern for our home birth (while we were homeschooling in a seriously unfriendly state to homeschoolers), <i>and </i>we were driving our dilapidated 79 pontiac station wagon, facing no medical insurance, and unsure from day to day whether Tim would get fired or not due to the effects of chemotheraphy....<br />
<br />
No, our holidays did not feel too cheerful.<br />
<br />
I remember sitting in the livingroom, feeling as if all the joy of Thanksgiving and Christmas, was just <i>gone</i>. How does one celebrate in such a state as that?<br />
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How I wanted 'normal' back. I ached for it. Yet that was not the 'cup' the Lord had given us to drink from that year.<br />
<br />
The one thing I recall most was that we had to <i>focus on the good that was there</i>--our children's shining faces, Tim's prognosis helped (95% cure rate), that we could still homeschool, that God was there and that He loved us. We learned to walk by faith that year.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Where misery abounds, God's grace abounds more. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He is there when we suffer and He cares about you. </span></div>
<br />
Holidays (Holy days) are truly <i>about God </i>and not so much <i>about us.</i> We have one thing we can thank God for.. and that is that He always cares for us and will never let us go.<br />
<br />
<i>He asks us to turn to Him in our darkest hour and he will bring back joy.</i><br />
<br />
What if there was no God? That would be very bad. But He<i> is</i> there and he <i>does </i>love us and He <i>will </i>get you through! I promise that.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Count your blessings today. Find at least one. </span></div>
<br />
It's so <i>hard</i> when we suffer trials and that can spoil the joy, but He will carry you through them. Holidays are days to thank the Lord for gifts that cannot be taken away.<br />
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Of all the people who can truly understand the true meaning of a holiday--those who suffer can. Because the temporal things that can be removed from our lives don't cloud the true meaning.<br />
<br />
Our first Christmas as a married couple, was in a two room married student housing unit. We had a toddler because I had been an unwed mother when I met my young husband at a little church--five months pregnant.<br />
<br />
He made $5.00 per hour! Yes.. and he wanted me to stay home to take care of little Matthew.<br />
<br />
That Christmas I did crossstitch the whole first year, as cheaply as possible.. mostly just bible verses. We framed them. I also made jars of grape jelly (don't need a pressure cooker) and I collected baby food jars and made construction paper silhouettes for tea candles to shine through. It was either that or have nothing to give our relatives for Christmas.<br />
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I am certain that at least a couple were not impressed with our meagre gifts. But I was so happy making and giving them. :) It was the best Christmas ever! We had only a nativity set.. no lights, no tree and I don't remember any turkeys. But how happy we were in each other! :)<br />
<br />
We counted the blessings we had and thanked God for those we didn't.<br />
<br />
Yes, that's the 2nd step. Thank God for the bad things too! That year in Florida, when Tim had no insurance and cancer, we had lost an important job right before the move. It would have given us $3000.00 to pay for a midwife after getting to Florida. We didn't know he would get cancer or that his company would fail to add him to the insurance policy in time.<br />
<br />
I remember the day Tim told me that his last attempt to finish a job that would have earned him the money had fallen through. The program crashed. The moving truck was packed. He delivered our baby via instructions from the midwife over the speaker phone two months later.<br />
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But that night, I hung up the phone.. and I was certain the Lord said--thank me. So I did.. through the tears and the uncertainty.. I offered a sacrifice of praise and thanked him for the 'bad news'.<br />
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12 months to the day later I found out WHY God wanted me to thank him and trust him. If we had made <i>$3,000.00 more</i> in that 12 month period than we did.. <b>we would not have qualified to have $100,000.00 of medical bills written off. </b> Yes--God knew what we did not--that we should thank him for everything... even the bad.<br />
<br />
If you are dreading the holidays because of financial lack, distress, grief, burdens, family contention.. whatever it might be...<br />
<br />
<i>Come to Jesus.. and ask Him to help you</i>. Look to <i>Him</i> for your joy.<br />
<br />
As the Dr. Suess's Whoville learned, Christmas doesn't come in packages or bags..<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<i>And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood
puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It
came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he
puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought
of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t
come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?</i></blockquote>
Don't let circumstances 'steal your joy'. We can always find<i> something</i> to be thankful for.<br />
<br />
And if you want <i>real</i> joy, thank Him for the <i>bad</i> things because...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;">And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28</span></span><span class="p"><br /></span></div>
<br />
Praying you will see a little light in your dark world.. if that world is dark today. :)<br />
<br />
With much love,<br />
Donna <br />
<br />
PS. Here's the<a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/walnut-streusel-coffee-cake"> link to the Walnut-Streussel coffee cake</a> I made. It's a Taste of Home recipe. :) Frugal and delicious!<br />
<br />
Links that might help you if you're struggling...<br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://songsofhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/he-took-on-himself-form-of-servant.html">The Sacredness of Circumstances</a></i><br />
<i><a href="http://songsofhome.blogspot.com/2013/10/faith-vs-facts-god-wins-every-time.html">Faith vs. Facts </a></i><br />
<i><a href="http://songsofhome.blogspot.com/2013/09/when-god-says-not-yet-true-story.html">When God Says, Not Yet</a></i><br />
<i><a href="http://songsofhome.blogspot.com/2013/09/god-grieves-with-us.html">God Grieves With Us</a></i><br />
<i><a href="http://songsofhome.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-problem-of-pain.html">Why Bad Things Happen (sometimes)</a></i><br />
<a href="http://songsofhome.blogspot.com/2013/11/suffering-that-honors-god.html">Suffering that Honors God</a><br />
Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-59282166649427622022013-07-30T09:29:00.001-05:002013-09-24T10:24:34.082-05:00Do We Spend Too Much Time Online?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Dear Friends, </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>I'm sure you may have wondered what 'happened to me' when I disappeared from the blog. I made excuses and tried to post.. but the truth was I got caught up in a seemingly innocent thing.. and it really did derail my life for a solid year. I have hesitated to post this. I buried the post at the bottom of my <a href="http://www.songsofhome.blogspot.com/">devotional blog</a>. But when I think of<b> how many people might be struggling with some form of online addiction </b>whether it be facebook, games, surfing, texting, or even blogging, then I feel I have no choice but to be transparent with you. </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>If this doesn't help you, you may have a teen or a spouse or friend who could be helped by it. Please, pass the word. This form of addiction doesn't go away by accident. </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Lovingly,</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Donna</i></span><br />
<br />
<b>How I have wept over my lost year</b>...a year of
ignoring the regular pleas of my children to give up the online
community and game that they had all grown tired of long before I did. <b>I did not in any way want to share this story with anyone. Never have I failed in such a way in my life.</b><br />
<br />
<b> </b>If you can hang in there through the story below.. I will
explain.. what caused me to even consider that I was 'addicted' and then
how I was able to get free. It all started with a bible passage I was
reading that appeared to having nothing at all to do with the problem...<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><i>2 Samuel The anger of the Lord burned against Israel when Satan
tempted David, saying "Go and take a census of Israel and Judah". So the
king said to Joab and the army commanders with him, "go throughout the
tribes of Israel... and enroll all the fighting men, so that I may know
how many there are." But Joab replied to the king, "May the Lord your
God multiply the troops a hundred times over and may the eyes of my lord
the king see it. But why does my Lord the king want to do such a thing?
The king's word overruled Joab and the commanders: so they left to go
enroll (count) the fighting men.It took 9 months and 20 days to count
all David's troops. And Then he repented when he realized what he had
done.</i></span></blockquote>
<br />
A few things stood out to me so starkly in this story... <br />
<br />
<i> First,what was it that compelled him to count those men? I realized..it was pride.. and self-worth.. wanting to enjoy what 'he' had accomplished in his kingdom.</i>
No doubt it made sense and it seems a 'small sin' to us that he wanted
to count his men. But I also knew that in God's eyes this was a HUGE
thing. <br />
<br />
<i>Second was his staunch determination to do what he knew to be wrong
in spite of the clear and desperate protests those closest to him.</i> This was not an 'accidental' sin.. or a complete blindspot as the men he relied on most were calling him out on it.<br />
<br />
<i>Lastly, what shocked me most.. was not only did he</i> <i>willfully and stubbornly determine to do this against all reason and right and knowing God's heart on the matter.</i>.in
spite of loud protests and begging by those under him to choose the
right path and honor God, he did it for NINE MONTHS and 20 days. <br />
<br />
<i>Can someone who loved God more than anyone else recorded in the
bible, David, really have done this so blatantly and for so long and
been so oblivious to the consequences? </i>Self-deception is the only
way I can fathom being able to persist so long in known sin. Perhaps he
didn't 'see' it as sin...just felt it was the most sensible course for
organizing his armies.<br />
<br />
<b> So... a surprising story... and I can only imagine how awful he must
have felt when the full realization of his decision and the course of
that nine months finally came to a halt.</b><br />
<br />
<b>What does all this have to do with you? or with me?</b> As I was
sharing this story with my husband and wondering why in the world the
Lord might pick this as his 'word to me', suddenly, with
horror, I saw it all. Just as David did not SEE his sin with Bathsheba.. till Nathan told him the story of the sheep,<b> I had not seen the full ramifications.. of my own sin this last year.. not in this light.</b><br />
<br />
I have spent my whole adult life doing my very best to love the Lord
and serve him with my whole heart and to help my children do the same. <b> I was the one begging, pleading, reminding my family not to spend all
day online.</b> My family, husband and kids, have loved and played computer
games for years and years. I could not see what it was that they liked
about them. It puzzled me completely.. until this year.<br />
<br />
<b>I had given up blogging </b>(which I now see was where this started--a bit of hypocrisy here) because the kids hated
that too. <b>They felt I was giving too much attention to the women on the
blog and not enough to them.</b> They were right. Sadly so. <b>But I could not
see it. I was 'helping' others. Or so I thought. </b>When I finally gave it
up.. the family had just discovered a new game that was online and they
could all play together. After several weeks of sitting in the
living room in the evening by myself I decided to 'try' it and join with
them.<br />
<br />
<b>What I found was that online games.. can be very very fun.</b> The
sense of accomplishment, purpose, living in a 'beautiful home' (we had a
very mediocre one), having a beautiful character, and even playing
together in this amazing world with scenery beyond one's imagining..
(Lord of the Rings online), was a zillion times more fun than a movie or
a book.<br />
<br />
<b>At first it was fine, we all had a great time laughing </b>and everyone thought it was so funny how scared I was of fighting the bad guys or dangerous creatures. <b>Mom was playing a computer game and how fun was that? :) </b> <b>But what they could not know was the slippery slope I was on.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Coming from the background I did, I had a huge need for praise. </b>And accomplishment was my
medicine of choice for feelings of insignificance. After Lotro, one of
our sons told us about another game we could play as a family called
Minecraft and we got it for Christmas. <b> So that we could all play
together, even though this son lived long distance, and a daughter was
moving out, we decided to get on a 'public server' </b>so we could still
play this game of survival in the elements and building beautiful homes
of virtual blocks and we could all 'log on' together. <br />
<br />
<b>Whereas Lotro lost my attention pretty quickly, building beautiful homes in Minecraft fascinated me.</b>
The owners, two older teenage boys, were so impressed with my building
skills that we were invited to move to a 'city' on the server. When I
finished the 2 story English home , the owner made me 'admin' which
meant help manage the server and the players.<br />
<br />
<b>The world of an online server can be so so addictive. The game is..
the community is.. and the positions of rank and leadership.. all are<i> incredibly attractive</i>.</b> But because life was normal.. the game stayed in it's proper place. We only played at night.. and it was just fun.<br />
<br />
<b>But then Tim got a new job, and I broke my arm</b> and could not do
anything but sit around, and Tim and our 20 yr old daughter (after 15
yrs working at home) decided to move closer to the new job as we
couldn't sell our country house right away things changed dramatically.
That same month, my other son Jacob moved to his first apt with
friends. It was down to me and Christian (our expert gaming child) in a
house.. all alone... with a broken arm and an empty nest. <b>Meeting on the server seemed like a perfect plan</b> until the house could get sold and our family could be reunited.<br />
<br />
<b> I feel so much better giving all my excuses...but sadly.. that's all they are-- excuses.</b><br />
<br />
<b>I was already entranced by the game before all this happened </b>..
it's just that it would probably never gotten so bad but for the
situation. Tim and I both thought.. oh how fun--we'll keep playing on
our land, building our house, caving in the underground caves, mining
for gold and iron etc (his favorite part) and on the server we can
'meet' every night.<br />
<br />
I guess you can see where this is headed. The pain of losing my hubby's
companionship after 15 years of being together day and night.. and kids
was huge. My whole role in life changed from busy mother of teens, on
the go all the time, just dissipated into nothing over night. I could
only be with Tim on the weekends. <b> Every Friday night was heaven.. and Sunday was a day of grieving... and the game and the little friends became a solace.</b><br />
<br />
Later, on a much more mature server, I ended up with a lot of friends
who were much older than the young teens, so it was quite a fun group.
We all loved to create beautiful things.. cities, massive
structures...anything you could imagine.. we built it. Lots of fun
banter but.. almost all non-Christian. :(<br />
<br />
What was probably more insidious is that being a part of their lives felt like a ministry too. So
many lost, desperate, lonely teens with no one to advise or comfort them
but their own friends. My heart aches for them. <b>But that element of the scenario helped me 'justify' the addiction. How deceitful our hearts can be. </b>:( It's not ministry if it's not God's will and your heart is not right or your family suffers. Enough said about that.<br />
<br />
<b>Hours slipped into days.. into weeks.. into months. But so did my heart, my affections, my time with the Lord, and my focus</b>. <b> Getting back to real life was the hardest thing I ever did </b>and
only the conviction of the Holy Spirit, the constant kind encouragement
of my daughter and another Christian friend who was on the server with
me (he was 22), could bring me out of it. <b>Both regularly challenged me on my time with the Lord, his word, and getting my 'real life' work done.</b><br />
<br />
Until I 'woke up' as David did, I had no idea just how awful the consequences had been. <b>How
much I regret the things I didn't do that year.. that the Lord would
have liked for me to do. How different my testimony could have been if I
had turned to the Lord to meet my deepest needs...instead of a worldly
substitute.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Thankfully, Debbie and Laurie took me out to lunch one day and challenged me to tell Tim--look things have gotta change</b>. We managed to get an apt together even though the house had not yet sold.. but that was seven months later.<br />
<br />
<b>But my sin was OH so like David's. </b> I turned to my own
resources.. and to worldly accomplishment and tons of praise and
adulation instead of to the Lord in my great need. The kids adored me
and the owner who was in school all day was thrilled to have a mom who
could help manage the server during the day while he was gone.<br />
<br />
<b>This is truly the heart of idolatry and the fuel for addiction...turning to something else for your happiness and significance</b>.
David turned to his armies for security and validation.. I turned to an
online community. Either way, the Lord got left out altogether. <br />
<br />
How I wanted to not share this story!<b> I wanted to hide my sin... I wanted to repent and fix it but never have to tell anyone. :( But the Lord will not let me.</b>
Our ladies' bible study lesson on repentance...is staring me in the
face. And I can't ignore it. How many tears I cried over whether or not
to share this.<br />
<br />
But I know I must.. that however awful I am.. or have been.. or how
badly I failed.. I know I am not alone. For the sake of others who
might have failed in some other way, I will make a fool of myself here
publically (thank goodness it's a small crowd ) and share the shame...
but also.. the glory.<br />
<br />
<b>How God has restored.. and changed me!</b> I have no words. The
peace and joy are beyond description. The fellowship with the Lord I
have now is so much more amazing than when I first became a Christian. I
am walking in the spirit strictly because of the overwhelming quantity
of grace God is pouring out on me.<br />
<br />
<b>In order to break free, I had to cry out to God day and night.. over
and over till I could 'tie my 'happy' to Jesus instead of to players on
the server. </b> Never in a million years could I have imagined a scenario like the one above happening to me.<br />
<br />
How many of us can imagine doing what David did... like committing adultery. I can't. You<b>
can't. But yes, even if you love the Lord very very much.. you can get
so busy.. doing the things you believe God has called you to do.. that
you start slipping... and getting busy.</b>.. which before this year was
happening to me. And you don't realize you are relying on your own
strength.Then the temptations come and you hardly realize what has
happened.<br />
<br />
<b>All I can say is that the Lord has restored me... and brought me
closer than I have been to him in the whole of my adult life with the
Lord</b>. He has changed my focus so much that my life at home has truly been transformed.<br />
<br />
I've learned to love his word like the very air we breathe.. like the food we eat. Without Him, I cannot be happy.<b>
I discovered what it really means to 'walk in the spirit' and you WILL
NOT fulfill the lusts of the flesh. This is a reality every day for
me..and it can be for you too. </b><br />
<br />
This is terribly long but the Lord seemed to want me to write it so here
it is... and my reputation along with it such as it was. But I leave
the results to Him for his praise is all I want or ever need. If you or
someone you love is addicted to online games, facebook, texting,
blogging, or even alcohol.. please consider this website, <a href="http://www.olganon.org/">www.olganon.org</a> .<br />
<br />
Love in Christ,<br />
DonnaDonnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-32962223916178858352013-07-29T14:29:00.002-05:002013-07-29T14:36:51.600-05:00Visiting Cathedral Square in Tulsa Oklahoma<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You know, when you go on a road trip... a place like Tulsa, Ok is <i>not</i> at the top of the average traveler's list of 'places I am <i>dying</i> to go see. ' In fact I am<i> certain</i> it never would have made the list at all. </div>
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It was, however, the unforseen jewel that turned up at the end of our 20,000 mile, ten day trek. We got to the hotel late in the evening and crashed in our 11th floor hotel room at the end of the longest trip we've ever made. I was thoroughly tired of sitting in that truck however much I adore my dear hubby. lol</div>
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But I was indeed rewarded for my flexibility and patience. Who would have guessed what I would discover out my window the next morning! :)</div>
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There are at least seven cathedrals in this sleepy little town (little as compared to Houston.) I'd love to find out the story behind this massive investiture in architectural beauty!</div>
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Honestly it was so hot, dry and barren, at least downtown, that I really expected there to be nothing worth seeing while we were there.</div>
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Tim was doing a little job for his former boss so we tacked on an extra day to the trip to help him out. I am so so glad we did!</div>
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I really was in heaven.. being the architecture 'buff' that I am. :) </div>
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It must have been 115 degrees outside--I mean baking hot. I got sunburned and almost over did it in the 45 minutes that I trekked around the block of our hotel--but I just couldn't refrain from snapping pictures left and right.You can see even more from other photographers at <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=cathedralsquare&w=dscott28604&adv=1&mt=all&ct=6&m=tags">flicker.</a></div>
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It was absolutely worth it! Tulsa, Ok now holds a special place in my heart. :) </div>
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Cathedral square.. the hidden jewel of Oklahoma. </div>
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If you happen to be passing through that state.. stop and visit. :)</div>
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Happy Homemaking..</div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Donna</span></i></div>
Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-5957704809972743922013-07-29T13:54:00.000-05:002013-07-29T13:57:39.130-05:00Alone with God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="uc">
<i class="uc"><span class="uc"><sup>6<span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></sup><span style="color: #0b5394;">My eyes will
watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land.
I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not
uproot them.</span></span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> <span class="uc"><sup>7 </sup>I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the <span class="uc">Lord</span>. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.Jeremiah 25:6,7</span></span></i></div>
<div class="uc">
<i class="uc"><span class="uc"><br class="uc" /></span></i><span class="uc">I
was reading this out on the deck this morning.. the first morning home
but without my hubby. It’s his 50th birthday.. and I had hoped to do
something special with him. It was hard saying good-bye last night. </span><br />
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<br />
<span class="uc">I can’t help but remember when<a href="http://thehomemakingarts.blogspot.com/2012/01/li.html" target="_blank"> I broke my wrist last year.</a>. and then Tim got the wonderful job but had to move
away.. and the kids moved out to their new homes.. and it was just me
and my 18yr old son for seven months—hubby only coming home on weekends.</span></div>
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<span class="uc"><br class="uc" /></span></div>
<div class="uc">
<span class="uc">The Lord wanted me to turn my heart to
<i>him</i> in my trial of aloneness and instead I turned to the <i>world..</i> to a
game and an online community. I didn’t intend to. It was a family game
and we chose to meet online during the seperation. Sadly, I used an
earthly means to meet my needs instead of turning to the Lord in my
loneliness.</span></div>
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<br />
<span class="uc">It didn’t work and you can read about it in this post..<a class="uc" href="http://songsofhome.blogspot.com/2013/05/blind-spots-and-willful-sin.html"> the amazing miracle God </a>did
to bring me out of it. Sadly, I told no one until this February when
the Lord answered my plea to help me. He had been working on me through
January.. but Feb. 5th was emancipation day for me. </span></div>
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<span class="uc">This morning I sat on the deck, looking
out at the amazing green of our forest, listening to the myriad of
sounds of nature surrounding me, feeling the gentle breezes of an early
morning in the woods, and marveling at God’s grace..and just worshiping
Him.</span></div>
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<span class="uc"> I told him, "Thank you Lord for these broken feet. For giving me a 2nd chance to<i class="uc"> this time</i>..turn to you. <i class="uc">This time</i>, through the amazing grace of your Holy Spirit enabling me, I <i class="uc">won’t</i> fall apart.. and cry through every weekend of hello and good-bye.</span></div>
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<span class="uc"><i class="uc">This time</i> I will embrace the chance to be ‘alone with you’ and even <i class="uc">rejoice</i> in it.<i class="uc"> This</i> time I will turn my ears to you and my heart and learn the lessons you tried to teach me a year and a half ago."</span></div>
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<span class="uc" style="font-size: large;"><span class="uc">Really .. we aren’t alone .. it’s just we’re alone with<i class="uc"> Him</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span class="uc"><b class="uc"> </b> </span></div>
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<span class="uc">The context of these verses in Jeremiah
is that the Lord commanded the disobedient children of Israel to
surrender to the Chaldeans.. as he had decided this was for their ‘best’
and for their good. In the vision of the good and bad figs,
one group submitted to the Lord’s disipline.. and the temporary
captivity.. and the other refused to leave their stronghold.. .. they
were the bad figs. Unwillling to give up their ‘safety’ and really pride
and position, the Lord set his face against them.</span></div>
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<span class="uc">How I have embraced the Lord’s call to be
alone for the next few weeks.. and am so grateful that is the work of
His holy spirit in me. </span><br />
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<span class="uc"> During this ‘alone’ time I know he
will build me up and plant me and cause me to love Him even more.
Surrendering whole-heartedly to His will for me.. and praying for grace
for my family as they ‘cover’ for me. </span></div>
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<span class="uc">Praying the Lord will keep me focused on Him and not the circumstances.. for his <span class="uc">GLORY</span>..
and not mine. Last year, you got to see the evidence of how ‘Donna’
handles crisis like being alone. So don’t think for one minute that ‘I’
did anything. </span></div>
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<span class="uc">The 'real me' blew it big time and always
will. It is only in seeking the Lord and God’s amazing grace that we
walk in the spirit during trials rather than walk in my own strength. I do hope my story will help anyone who is struggling in a similar way.</span></div>
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<span class="uc">Now that I will be sewing more and sitting more, I have a feeling I'll have a bit more time too and perhaps can take up regular posting again. It'd be nice to stay in touch with all of you more regularly. We have finished a 60 hour round trip visit to the kids and grandkids, I've done a lot of wedding sewing, and have plenty of time for tea with you! </span></div>
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<span class="uc">Blessing to each of you,</span></div>
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<span class="uc">Donna :) </span><span class="uc"></span></div>
Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-69180031386018587972013-07-27T11:16:00.002-05:002015-05-09T02:12:57.124-05:00Jesus is Knocking...Can You Spend A Little Time with Him?<h1 class="title entry-title" itemprop="name">
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i class="uc"><span class="uc"><span class="uc">I</span></span> slept but my heart was awake. Listen! My beloved is knocking:“Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my flawless one. Songs 5:2</i></span></span></h4>
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Today, I had coffee and prayer time on the back deck and had a great time with the Lord. The breezes, the green, the pines and towering oaks made <a href="http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/esv-study-bible/" target="_blank">Song of Solomon</a> come alive this morning. :)</div>
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Sometimes, though our heart belongs to Jesus, we ‘sleep’..
assuming all is well. Our hearing gets dull.. our minds distracted..and
we aren’t paying attention. In this chapter the Lord shows us that he
is knocking, that he delights in our praise and fellowship, and is just
waiting for us to open the door.</div>
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I am praying that you and I will not be like the Shunnamite woman who makes
excuses, " my hair is damp, my feet will get dirty, I don’t want to
have to get dressed again.. when the Lord knocks. "<br />
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So much joy, peace, compassion, acceptance.. all waiting
at the door if only we will say Yes. So much trouble (the watchman beat
her while she is hunting for her beloved—the one she spurned) could be
avoided.<br />
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So much joy is waiting on the other side of that knock.</div>
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Praying we will seek the Lord daily.. not just read.. not
just obey.. but really worship and adore the Lord and respond to the
Holy Spirit who wants our attention and our praise..the perfume of our
lips.</div>
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Yes we are 'black' in our flesh and sinful nature..but in Christ’s robes of
righteousness, in our born again state, we are pure and beautiful in His eyes. So we can have
fellowship with Him and it will meet the deepest needs of our souls and
transform us.. and grow lilies to share with others.</div>
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Just so in love with this book! I’’m reading it out loud
to Him today on the deck under the trees and in the midst of the
sweetest breezes ever. What a wonderful first day back home. :) </div>
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<i>Love,</i></div>
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<i>Donna </i></div>
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<i>Ps. I broke both feet and had to move back to the country house for the next couple of months.. without Tim sadly. But knowing the Lord is in control. This is an excerpt from my devotional blog, <a href="http://www.songsofhome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">At Home With God.</a> </i></div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6630829430019968762.post-62392011553560387322013-06-05T09:21:00.002-05:002013-06-05T09:21:35.658-05:00Treasure Hunting for Wisdom --Not for the Faint of Heart <h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
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Dear blogging friends, </div>
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I just wanted to send out a quick note to let you know that I have not disappeared. :) I am just at an extremely busy season of life.. which will slow down <i>after</i> our trip in July to help my daughter move to North Carolina. </div>
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I have not been posting because all I'm really getting done is my daily devotions which I share on my devotional blog, "At Home With God".</div>
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I do miss you all so much and look forward to sharing projects with you. But for now there is not time and not a lot of 'blog worthy' projects going on. My last child, Christian, just graduated and is at RTL camp. He just won a scholarship and this is part of his training.</div>
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So today, I thought I'd share one of my posts from <a href="http://songsofhome.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">At Home with God.</a> I have hesitated to post here because it is a homemaking blog.. and not specifically focused on the Lord. But if you want to chat or read my posts.. I do post daily there.</div>
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Looking forward to many fun times here.. when the dust settles lol. :)</div>
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Love you all,</div>
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Donna </div>
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<b>From At Home with God...</b></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173"><span class="reftext"><b> </b></span></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173"><span class="reftext"><b> </b></span></span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173"><span class="reftext"><b> </b></span></span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173"><a href="http://bibleapps.com/proverbs/2-1.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="reftext"><b> </b></span>My son, if you will receive my words, and hide my commandments with you;</a> </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173"><a href="http://bibleapps.com/proverbs/2-2.htm" style="text-decoration: none;">So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;</a></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173"> <a href="http://bibleapps.com/proverbs/2-3.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="reftext"></span>Yes, if you cry after knowledge, and lift up your voice for understanding;</a> I<a href="http://bibleapps.com/proverbs/2-4.htm" style="background-color: #fff7f0; text-decoration: none;">f you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hid treasures;</a></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173"> <a href="http://bibleapps.com/proverbs/2-5.htm" style="text-decoration: none;">Then shall you understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.</a> <a href="http://bibleapps.com/proverbs/2-6.htm" style="text-decoration: none;">For the LORD gives wisdom: out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:1-8</a></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">Did
you know that God has commanded us to seek wisdom from Him yet He
purposefully makes it hard to get.. and even hard to find? He wants
'our all' and doesn't give away His secret treasures of Wisdom to just
anyone, or even to the casual reader. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">I sure didn't know that. There's something about a treasure hunt that appeals to me very much. Doesn't it intrigue you too?</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">Some of the questions that immediately popped in my head as I was reading these verses were..</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">What is wisdom?</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">Why do I want it?</span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">How do I get it?</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"></span></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">I
learned some amazing things about wisdom today from studying related verses.. and just can't stop thinking about it.
:) </span></span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span><a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/m/isaiah/45.htm" style="color: #001320;">I
will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that
you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by
name.</a></i><span class="p"><i>Isaiah 45:3</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">For one thing.. did you know God purposely HIDES his wisdom and makes it hard to find? <a href="http://bibleapps.com/tsk/job/17-4.htm" target="_blank">Job 17:4</a></span></span></span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;"> Also that he 'stores it up' and it's just sort of 'on-stand-by' for those who come hunting it.<a href="http://bibleapps.com/proverbs/2-7.htm" target="_blank"> Prov. 2:7</a> How did I manage to miss this? </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">Wow.. to think the Lord wants us to be that dependent..</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;"> and that focused on Him and His commands, </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">That He purposely makes his wisdom hard to get</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;">and then tells us to search, beg, and do whatever it takes to get it.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">Why do we need Wisdom?</span></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">One
of the oddest quirks of my personality.. is a tendency to lack 'common
sense'. My mother often complained that for someone as 'smart' as I
was, it was astonishing how little sense I had. Not only that, but I'm
pretty good at putting my foot in my mouth. Sigh..</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">So
this passage is especially meaningful to me. Of all the 'side-benefits'
of seeking the Lord this year that I have experienced.. discretion has
probably been the most meaningful one. He slows me down and holds me
back somehow.. giving me a chance to 'think through' what I'm about to
say or do.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">Though this passage is not primarily about discretion, it IS part of what you gain with wisdom and understanding.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"></span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Prov-2-9" id="en-ERV-16181"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><span style="color: #a64d79;">The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is the source of wisdom; knowledge and understanding come from his mouth... <i><sup class="versenum"> </sup>If you listen to him, you will understand what is just and fair and how to do what is right.</i></span></span><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i> </i><sup> </sup><span class="text Prov-2-10" id="en-ERV-16182"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>You will gain wisdom, and knowledge will bring you joy.</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">So what IS wisdom? </span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5">And to man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, <i>that is wisdom</i>; </span></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;">and to depart from evil is understanding. Job 28:23</span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><b><span style="color: #a64d79;"> </span></b></span></span><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="toptitle2">chokmah: wisdom</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="tophdg">Original Word: </span><span class="hebrew">חָכְמָה</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>isdom</em>, ethical and religious: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #552200;"><b>a.</b></span> <span><b>of God, as a divine attribute or energy</b></span> it is with him <a href="http://bibleapps.com/job/12-13.htm">Job 12:13</a>; not to be found by the most persevering human search <a href="http://bibleapps.com/job/28-12.htm">Job 28:12,20</a>; he alone knows it <a href="http://bibleapps.com/job/28-23.htm">Job 28:23</a>; gives it <a href="http://bibleapps.com/proverbs/2-6.htm">Proverbs 2:6</a>; and shows its secrets <a href="http://bibleapps.com/job/11-6.htm">Job 11:6</a>. </div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> How do we get it?</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></b></span></i></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173"><a href="http://bibleapps.com/proverbs/2-1.htm" style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none;">My son, if you will receive my words, and hide my commandments with you<b> </b></a></span></i></span></span> </span></b><a href="http://bibleapps.com/proverbs/2-6.htm" style="color: #001320; text-decoration: none;">For the LORD gives wisdom: out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. </a></span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173"><br /></span></i></span></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173">When I looked up the key word RECEIVE.. I was amazed at what it meant!</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="toptitle2">laqach:</span><span class="hebrew"><span class="hebrew2"> לָקַח</span> <span style="color: #552200;"><b>verb</b></span> <span><b>take</b></span> (Late Hebrew <em>id.</em>, especially <em>buy</em>, and (Niph`al) <em>be taken in marriage</em>; MI<sup>17; 20</sup> Imperfect <span class="hebrew2">ואקח</span>; Phoenician <span class="hebrew2">לקח</span>; Assyrian <i><em>li‡û, la‡û</em></i> Dl<sup>HWB 384</sup>; Arabic <img src="http://bibleapps.com/bdbgif/bdb054206.gif" /> <em>conceive</em> (of female), IV. <em>impregnate</em>;</span> <span class="hebrew">לָקַח</span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173"></span></i></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173">The
idea is that we 'get married' to God's commands, his laws, his words..
binding them on our hearts and wearing them around our necks. And then..
God plants his words in us.. literally impregnating us with his words..
and they give birth to Wisdom.. God's wisdom in our lives. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173">But
first we have to read, memorize and obey God's word. We also have to
study, seek, apply our hearts and minds... our whole will and focus on
what HE says.. and then do what we can to obey.. and pray for
understanding.. pray and beg and even cry out for this understanding and
the ability to obey.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Folks, It's time to get <i>obsessed</i>!<i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is one place where you can safely 'camp' as my spiritual mom, Karen, once told me.</span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Prov-2-1" id="en-ERV-16173"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-size: medium;">I have not departed from the commands of his lips; </span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<i><span style="font-size: medium;">I have treasured the words of his mouth</span></i></blockquote>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
<i><span style="font-size: medium;"> more than my daily bread.</span></i><span class="p"><br /></span></blockquote>
<br />
<b>The heart of wisdom is seeking and then hearing what God wants and doing it.</b><br />
<b> The result.. is Wisdom. </b><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">Dear friends.. this occupation.. and the treasure at the end of the rainbow is not for the uncommitted. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">You have to want it.. and you have to work for it. We have a part to do. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">God
commands us.. but He can give you the desire and will if you ask, seek
and knock. Start with your bible. Open it up for just a little bit each
day.. every day. Before you know it, you will long for more. You will
get hungry.. and then He will fill you. I promise. He promises. :)</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">Are you ready to join the 'treasure hunt'?</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5">Dear
Lord, However dry we may feel.. however much the words on the page
look lifeless and meaningless, you can bring them to life in us. And we
know they WILL bear fruit in us. When we move from READING to DOING..
from at least attempting to do.. then You light our path.. and You lead
us.. and make us WANT to seek your face and your truth. I am so
grateful that You have lit that fire in my heart.. and I pray you will
light it in their hearts too. Amen.</span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">Love,</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><span style="color: black;">Donna</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Prov-2-5"><br /></span></span></b></span>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0