Haven at Home Happenings...

Life has been quite eventful lately.
Last Thursday I was able to attend our state's
homeschool conference with two ladies from church.
It was a blessing that Daddy took a few days off
so I could go (though we do love going together, too!).
It was a very busy few days
of getting up early, staying up late,
attending workshops, and lots of shopping down
aisles and aisles of homeschool materials!
What a delight it was!
We were, also, blessed with a cozy room
at a nearby bed and breakfast.
After a long day at the conference,
it was a joy to return to a place
that was so welcoming!


A view of the bedroom


A view of the sitting room


While I was away, Daddy enjoyed the children
and the children enjoyed Daddy!
They even blessed Mama with a
really clean house (Marine Corps style). ;o)
What a blessing that was!

While I was gone, Ally made a cake
for my friend's sister's college graduation
reception that was at our church last night.
She did such a lovely job on the cake!




Today, the children and I took it easy,
as I am not feeling too well
and my voice has escaped me.
We enjoyed lounging around the house.
I have been working on uploading photos
and ordering prints for Ally's photo books
that will be displayed at her graduation
(in only two weeks!).
There are SO many photos!
But what a bittersweet joy it has been
as I've looked through them all.

Life will continue to be somewhat busy
the next few weeks as we prepare
for upcoming activities at church,
family coming in from out-of-state (yea!),
Ally's graduation and fellowship,
and much else that life entails. ;o)


"Blessed be the Lord,
who daily loadeth us with benefits,
even the God of our salvation. Selah."
~ Psalm 68:19

Fruit of Our Labors...

The jars of jam our visit to the strawberry farm yielded...



“And the Quangle Wangle said
To himself on the Crumpetty Tree,--
'Jam; and Jelly; and bread;
Are the best of food for me!”
Edward Lear (1812-1888) 'The Quangle Wangle's Hat'

Strawberryin' Snapshots...

We enjoyed a lovely day of picking strawberries yesterday!
It was a blessing to be out-of-doors
and to collect so many beautiful berries!
We plan to eat, freeze, eat, and jam them! Yum!!

The children enjoyed filling their buckets...






















Five buckets full!!



Big, ripe, juicy, and sweet! Mmmmm!!!


"We are bound by a small,
sometimes magical fruit called the strawberry.
This fruit has the power to make tears dry up,
make friends with enemies, make sick people feel better,
make the elderly feel younger by bringing back
pleasant memories of days gone by,
make acquaintances of strangers,
and above all make little children smile.
What other fruit has that power?"
~ Marvin Brown

Taking Tea...

Last week, when we had friends visiting,
the children enjoyed taking tea (for the first time)
with the mamas...









It was a sweet time of fellowship with our sweeties
and a real blessing to include them as we enjoyed our tea!


Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time
the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company.
~Author Unknown

My Mother's Prayer...

Our eldest and her friend singing "My Mother's Prayer"
in church on Mother's Day...
(Brought tears to my eyes)


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Sharing Seaside Snapshots...

From our trip to the ocean Friday morning...















We enjoyed a beautiful day at the ocean!
Lots of sun, water, sand, and fun!

On the way home we saw one of the objects
responsible for the 'booms' we frequently hear...

a howitzer... which Will was very quick to identify


"The heavens declare his righteousness,
and all the people see his glory." ~ Psalm 97:6

Simple Woman's Daybook...

For today... May 11, 2009


Outside my window...
gray, overcasted sky...
drizzling has turned to rain


I am thinking...
of what needs to be done this week


I am thankful for...
the Lord blessing me and giving me
the ministry of motherhood
and how He used motherhood
to change my life completely


From the learning rooms...
History/Ancient Egypt through Exodus;
finish our study in Israel; nature study;
miscellaneous seatwork


From the kitchen...
Ally is giving a blessing {cleaning} by doing the dishes
On the Menu:
M~ Tacos
T ~ Chicken & Pasta with veggies
W ~ BBQ Sandwiches/baked potatoes
Th ~ Stir fry and brown rice
F ~ Church fellowship/couples night out


I am wearing...
dark blue/green checkered, collared neck dress


I am creating...
nothing right now... perhaps a new dress


I am reading...
my KJ Bible through in a year,
currently in Joshua, Psalms, Luke;
Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola;
Praying the Entire Bible for My Family by Joe Zichterman;
Holy Women by James Knox


I am hoping (praying)...
for the hearts of family and friends;
for out-of-state family to be able to
make it to Ally's graduation in a few weeks


I am hearing...
Ally doing dishes in the kitchen,
music playing from the cd player,
and the younger ones playing in the reading room


Around the house...
a blessing {cleaning} is needed
and Mount Washmore needs a chiseling


One of my favorite things...
singing and giving praise to God


A few plans for the rest of the week...
go to piano lessons that our eldest teaches;
go to post office to mail back our annual tests;
attend our midweek service;
enjoy our couples night out at church;
learn with and enjoy the children


Here is picture thought I am sharing...

"Let not the waterflood overflow me,
neither let the deep swallow me up,
and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good:
turn unto me according to the multitude
of thy tender mercies." ~ Psalm 69:15-16

Praise God in the midst of it all, He is there...
holding us up in His love and mercy!

Happy Mother's Day

To all ladies with a mother's heart,
whether a mother, soon-to-be mother,
wanted-to-be mother, or hope-to-be mother...



"... a woman that feareth the LORD,
she shall be praised." ~ Proverbs 31:30

Have a blessed Mother's Day!

A Shelter in the Time of Storm...

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

A shade by day, defense by night,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes afright,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

The raging storms may round us beat,
A Shelter in the time of storm
We’ll never leave our safe retreat,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our Helper ever near,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

Lyrics: Vernon Charlesworth, ca. 1880. Composer: Ira Sankey, ca. 1885.



Singing praises (the above song) while sitting in the hall
during a tornado warning this evening.

There are times in our lives when we have to realize
that faith involves accepting whatever may happen
and trusting that Jesus Christ is in control
and works all things for His good.
Tornado warnings are such a time like that.
We have no control and it can be easy
to run away with our fears of the unknown possiblities.
Life is like that, too. It is full of uncertanties.
We have no control. God is in control.
Praise Him for Who He is.
Rejoice in those times when we cannot do anything
except trust and rest in Him!
Accept whatever circumstances
or unknown thing that may happen,
knowing that He in control and will perform His will.
What peace we can have in the storms!


"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." Psalm 56:3

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee." ~ Isaiah 26:3

Of God's Creation...

Last week was a busy one in our backyard,
as our Creator provided wonderful opportunities
to marvel, up close, at His creation.
One of the things that I love about nature (creation) study
is how the children are able to develop a deeper sense
of awe for our Creator as we study His handywork
and how they develop relationships and appreciation
for what He has created. I, too, marvel at His hand.

Sharing snapshots from our studies...


Carolynne found this inchworm on a twig
and was observing how it resembled the twig itself!




Will found a moth on the side of our house
and couldn't wait to show all of us
and take a photo of his found 'treasure'...




Baby black-capped chickadees fell from our large oak tree
as they spent their first day learning to fly.
What a delight it was to follow them around the yard...


Climbing the wall, preparing for take off again



Resting in between flights



A final rest before returning home


One of these poor babies got stuck in my beloved's motorcycle
and spent the night in our garage without our knowing
until the next morning when Ally was able to pursuade
the frightened baby out of its dangerous hiding place
so she could return it to its home...


Cupped in Ally's hand before its return



Singing its praises of freedom and calling for its family,
which soon answered and led it home.


"Let them at once get into touch with nature,
and a habit is formed which will be
a source of delight through life.
We are all meant to be naturalists, each in his own degree,
and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of
the marvels of plant and animal life
and to care for none of these things." ~ Charlotte Mason


"Because that which may be known of God
is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
For the invisible things of him
from the creation of the world are clearly seen,
being understood by the things that are made,
even his eternal power and Godhead;
so that they are without excuse:" ~ Romans 1:19-20

"The works of the LORD are great,
sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
His work is honourable and glorious:
and his righteousness endureth for ever."
~ Psalm 111:2-3

Simple Woman's Daybook...

For today... May 4, 2009


Outside my window...
the sun is shining behind gray clouds
and the birds are joyfully singing


I am thinking...
of who I am in Christ
and how I am nothing without Him


I am thankful for...
our church home where the Truth in God's Word
is boldly and faithfully preached
and for the love of our church family


From the learning rooms...
needing to get 'on the ball' to progress
in our History study in Exodus;
continue of Proverbs study;
and awaiting annual required tests to arrive


From the kitchen...
a blessing {cleaning} is needed from the weekend
On the Menu:
M~ Taco Rice Tacos
T ~ Lentil Spaghetti
W ~ Wild Rice Soup
Th ~ Zuchinni Chicken Rice Bake
F ~ Pizza at our church fellowship


I am wearing...
newly made light green paisley square neck dress


I am creating...
dresses for the lil' girls to wear on Mother's Day


I am reading...
my KJ Bible through in a year,
currently in Joshua, Psalms, Luke;
Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola;
Praying the Entire Bible for My Family by Joe Zichterman;
Holy Women by James Knox


I am hoping (praying)...
for my beloved as he is away;
for the Lord to continue working
in loved ones' lives
and that He will get all the glory


I am hearing...
the younger children talking in the living room


Around the house...
a blessing {cleaning} is needed
and Mount Washmore needs a chiseling,
but all is well


One of my favorite things...
meditating on God's Word
and gaining a deeper understanding


A few plans for the rest of the week...
go to piano lessons that our eldest teaches;
get my sutures removed (after two weeks!!);
attend our midweek service at church;
put our new license plates on our vehicles
when they arrive in the mail;
learn with the children; sew for the lil' girls;
attend a 'half and half' fellowship at church


Here is picture thought I am sharing...

"Behold the fowls of the air:
for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns;
yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.
Are ye not much better than they?" ~ Matthew 6:26

Praise God He cares for us so much!