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!

Simple Woman's Daybook...

For today... April 27, 2009


Outside my window...
the sun is shining brightly,
promising for a beautiful day


I am thinking...
of what we will focus
on accomplishing this week


I am thankful for...
my salvation and how it is a free gift
through my Saviour Jesus Christ;
how He saved me from what I was,
saves me from what I could be,
and will save me from what I deserve


From the learning rooms...
aim to get 'back on the ball' this week;
continue with our Proverbs study;
History in Exodus;
geography/missions in Israel;
and miscellaneous seatwork


From the kitchen...
a blessing {cleaning} is needed from the weekend


I am wearing...
a red floral print, collared, button-up, cotton house dress


I am creating...
a new dress for myself (matching Ally's)


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;
Order in the Court by Sherry Huston Camperson;
Holy Women by James Knox


I am hoping (praying)...
the Lord will continue His work
in family/friends' lives that I've been praying for


I am hearing...
the younger children playing outside,
Will play his harmonica,
and the shower running


Around the house...
a little blessing is needed from the weekend


One of my favorite things...
how our church uses the month of April
to focus on one 'topic' each Sunday.
This Sunday was So Great Salvation Sunday
where we focused on our great salvation.
What a blessing it was to sing songs of our salvation
and share testimonies of our salvation!


A few plans for the rest of the week...
focus on keeping our home and on our learning;
take Suzie to the vet; attend our midweek service;
make a new nursery schedule for church;
go to Ally's check-up endocrin appointment;
go to our homeschool park day;
focus on eating better, again, this week


Here is picture thought I am sharing...


"In God is my salvation and my glory:
the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. " Psalm 62:7

Praise God for Who He is!

Sharing Sewing Patterns...

Recently, someone asked if I could share
what patterns I use for my dresses.
I thought I would list them in a post.


One of the patterns that I use often is for a regency gown.
It is not a very difficult pattern
but is a little more challenging than others.
I have adapted it by using a zipper
instead of the buttons in the back,
which works well for me.
I have, also, used the sleeves of this dress
and attached them to a different bodice.
I do love the look of this dress, though,
especially, with the higher neck line.
For this dress, I use
Sense & Sensibility's regency gown pattern.


Another dress I enjoy is a collar dress.
This one is fairly easy and has a zipper back.
The pattern, also, includes darts,
which I have skipped in the past
but are a lovely addition.
For this dress, I use
Common Sense's Women's Lace Collar Dress


Another dress that I like but have only made once
is a historical civil war-type costume dress.
This one has darts in the front and back,
a zipper closure, 3/4 length sleeves,
and a very poofy skirt.
Making this one, again, I will likely
use a different skirt since I do not
wear a hoop skirt under my dresses. ;o)
But I do like the pattern and it is not too hard.
For this dress, I use Butterick's B3992.
It seems to be out-of-print
but I'm sure there are other similar patterns.


My final (and I would have to say favorite to use) pattern
would be the square neck dress.
This pattern is the easiest pattern we have.
It has no zipper, it just slips over the head.
It does have darts but I have not used them.
We do enjoy adding the tie occasionally
and sometimes I like to use a six-panel skirt.
But the skirt that comes with it is a good one, too,
just a simple two panel.
It, also, is great with pockets.
For this dress, I use
Common Sense's Women's Square Neck Dress


Sewing has been such a blessing for our family.
I didn't always know how to sew.
As a matter of fact, I didn't learn to sew
until about 8 years ago, before our lil' girls were born.
I took an evening class at a local sewing supplies store
to learn some basics...
the rest has been trial and error. ;o)
It has been worth every effort, though,
as I am able to provide modest clothing, more inexpensively,
for my family, which, I believe, honors the Lord.

I hope this list of patterns is helpful
and will be a blessing to someone.


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

"She layeth her hands to the spindle,
and her hands hold the distaff."
~ Proverbs 31:19

Haven at Home Happenings...

It has been a very laid back kind of week for us
as Daddy had the beginning of the week off
and Mama has been resting since Wednesday
after a minor outpatient procedure.
We've enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere.

I don't have much to share, really,
but had a few snapshots I wanted to post.

On Monday, we took Suzie to the groomers.
It's always fun to pick up your pet
and see her new look and we like to share
photos of her so Gramma and Great-Gramma can see...

Here she is last week with her long hair (which I do like)...


And here she is Monday after her new hair cut...

We all loved the cute little green bows!

Here she was showing the neighbor dog her new 'do'...


Ally finally admitting that Suzie is cute... lol


Enjoying a treat...

The children are loving her new look. ;o)

In learning this week, Ally has worked on her Greek,
as she is finished with all other subjects;
Will worked on his seatwork and began some copywork
this week about what the Bible says about our speech.
It will be his copywork for the next month
and he is memorizing a few new Scriptures meanwhile. ;o)
And even Suzie enjoyed learning with Will...



The lil' girls did some seatwork, too, and Carolynne
finished her Language Lessons book, while Beth
is very close to being finished.
We, also, worked with our phonics lessons a little, too.

Other than that, the children have been enjoying
a lot of time out-of-doors in the beautiful weather.
The Lord provided us with a wonderful opportunity
to study caterpillars this week
as a hatched nest of them were at the bottom
of the oak tree in our back yard...


We think they are tent caterpillars.
The children have enjoyed watching them all week...



Observing God's creation is such a blessing
and what a delight it has been this week
to spend time in the wonderful outdoors doing so!

I hope y'all have enjoyed your week, too!


"Praise ye the LORD:
for it is good to sing praises unto our God;
for it is pleasant; and praise is comely."
~ Psalm 147:1

"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 1:20