Of Baby Dolls and Frontiersmen...

This week I was able to finish a few sewing projects,
which are gifts for the younger ones.

For the lil' girls, I was able to
sew new dresses for their baby dolls.
{click pic to enlarge}



Similar to the kind they wear (collars, gathered skirts, zipper backs).
It's a delight, as a little girl, to wear similar clothes as dolly.
Just as it's a delight for mamas to match their daughters. ;o)


For Will, I made my first project without an actual pattern.
For MONTHS, he has asked me to make him
a frontiersman's shirt like he sees
in one of the history books that he reads so often.
The book explained (vaguely) how to make the pattern & shirt
and I was thrilled to complete such a task!



I used a thicker muslin and traced one of his larger shirts
on the fabric, adding a little for a seam allowance.
I simply sewed the sides and arms together,
then made the two collars for the neck line,
sewed them on and fringed the edges.

It was a blessing to get a few projects done this week!
I look forward to seeing them gets lots of use.


"She seeketh wool, and flax,
and worketh willingly with her hands."
~ Proverbs 31:13

Good-bye Bug and More...

It seems our bug may have left us.
Thank you for your prayers.
We all seem to be feeling much better now.
I wasn't feeling well on Sunday & Monday
and it was such a blessing that the Lord gave Ally strength
to take care of the household while I was down.
She even did a few loads of laundry, took it to the rooms,
did a couple loads of dishes, cleaned the kitchen counters,
swept (including under furniture), made meals, and so much more.
What a blessing it was!
It's been quite some time since she's been able
to be up so long and work like that!

She and I, also, spent time sewing together this week.
She finished a dress for herself
and I finished two doll dresses for the lil' girls
(their Christmas gifts).
I hope to sew two more this week and other gifts,
including, Will a frontier's man's shirt,
and make 'something' for Ally to get all of our sewing completed
before we leave for our upcoming trip.

The children have enjoyed their days of natural learning
and have been filling their time well...


Hours of Playdough fun!



A precious sight it was to see them all
on the couch reading together!

Suzie, too, has enoyed herself and her new toy...

It claimed to be long lasting but she had it
torn apart within the hour of receiving it. Ü

My beloved brightened my day late last week
and they continue to brighten my days
as he is away for a few days...



I just love "Just because"

Ally arranged a surprise "Just because", too.
This is what I saw as I sat down to sew the other day...



The Lord has blessed me with a house
full of thoughful ones. What a blessing it is!

I hope you are enjoying your week, too.

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

Family Photos 2008

"They shall abundantly utter
the memory of thy great goodness,
and shall sing of thy righteousness."
~ Psalm 145:7

Simple Woman's Daybook...

For Today... December 8, 2008


Outside my window...
the sun is shining in a bright, blue sky


I am thinking...
about our upcoming events this month


From the learning rooms...
continue with more natural learning
and hope to begin a new read aloud


I am thankful for...
our church home and the visitors we had
for our Pig Pickin' yesterday


From the kitchen...
dishes fill the sink from weekend cooking
and a fresh pot of coffee calls my name


I am wearing...
my new red dress with snowflakes


I am reading...
the book of 2 Samuel and John {KJB} ,
Laying Down the Rails (a book on habit training)


I am hoping (praying)...
for our church families,
for my beloved's safety while traveling,
and that this 'bug' will leave our home completely


I am creating...
nothing, yet, but hope to work on our family newsletter
and maybe a couple of sewing projects


I am hearing...
Will and Carolynne talk about chess as they play a game


Around the house...
Ally and Beth are sleeping in,
Mount Washmore awaits more chiseling
and our home needs blessing. ;o)


One of my favorite things...
fellowshipping with other like-minded believers


A few plans for the rest of the week...
go to my dentist appointment,
'extra' bless our home, work on our newsletter
and send out our Christmas cards,
make lists and begin packing for our upcoming trip


Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...



This is a photo of my beloved a few years ago
when he and I went to Medieval Times together.
He IS my knight in shining armour!
"I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine"
Song of Solomon 6:3

Bug, Bug, Go Away...

... Don't Come Back Another Day

There's a stomach bug visiting our house.
It began with Beth on Friday night and Saturday.
It continued with Will on Monday night and Tuesday.
And it continues today with Ally.
No fever, no sniffles, no ear aches, no coughs...
But lots of reappearing meals!

What a blessing it is when children are well
and it is not necessary to clean vomit
from beds, floors, walls, clothing, toys, and faces.
What a blessing it is when linens are freshly washed,
after spraying the vomit from them with the outside hose.
Better days are coming...
and we look forward to them. ;o)


"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind,
meekness, longsuffering" ~ Colossians 3:12




graphic from allposters.com

A Week in Photos...

Last week was pretty busy for us,
as this upcoming month will be.
Since I don't have a lot of time to post,
I wanted to share some photos from our past week...


The children enjoyed fellowshipping with friends...

UNO fun for more than one! ;o)


Wagon fun with friends and Suzie...



Will was teaching himself how to skate...

(using Dad's skates from MANY years ago!)


Conquering the world... through RISK...



Beth had a little under-the-table reading...



Loving on Suzie...






Just playing around...






Ally sewed poinsettas on the tree skirt she made for me...




Ally was swept off her feet during a fellowship at church...


She and Daddy had a good laugh, too.


After our Thanksgiving supper with friends,
we enjoyed a bonfire...
















On Friday, Daddy took Will to the shooting range
along with some menfolk from church...





They had a great father/son time together.

Thank you for sharing our week with us.
I hope y'all enjoyed yours
and that you enjoy this upcoming week, too!


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

Simple Woman's Daybook...

For Today... December 1, 2008


Outside my window...
it's a beautiful 53 degrees,
the sun is brightly shining,
and the wind is blowing


I am thinking...
about what I need to do this week


From the learning rooms...
light, individual work, Will continues to memorize
the portion of Scripture for the children's choir Christmas singing,
continue with more natural learning
as we continue with holiday preparations


I am thankful for...
God's Perfect Word, our church home,
that He hears and answers prayer,
that He loves us when we are unloveable,
He is faithful to us when we are not,
that "Jesus Christ the same yesterday,
and to day, and for ever." {Hebrews 13:8}


From the kitchen...
dishes fill the sink from the weekend
and the fridge is awaiting a new menu


I am wearing...
my light blue, paisley dress with 3/4 sleeves


I am reading...
the book of 2 Samuel and John{KJB} ,
Laying Down the Rails (a book on habit training)


I am hoping (praying)...
for our church families


I am creating...
our matching Christmas clothing for our family pics


I am hearing...
the children playing in the living room


Around the house...
Mount Washmore awaits chiseling
and more blessing of our home is needed ;o)


One of my favorite things...
spending the day together as a family
when Daddy has the day off


A few plans for the rest of the week...
piano lessons that Ally teaches,
dentist appointments for the lil' girls,
finish our Christmas clothing & take family pics,
and work on a few Christmas gifts


Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
{click to enlarge}

May we be faithful in spreading the Gospel,
to rescue the perishing, and lead them to
a saving faith in Jesus Christ.


"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. "
~ Mark 9:44