27 April 2012

Joy is more than a smile, it is an attitude of the heart which permeates your entire being. It affects all of life, how you handle situations, and how you reach out to others. As Mum said, “[joy] is internal and eternal.” And there’s only one place to find and have true joy – it is found in the Lord.

“You make known to me the path of life;
in Your presence there is fullness of joy;
at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
—Psalm 16:11

Click here to read Mum’s post about cultivating and filling our days with joy.

This month’s free pattern from Clementine Patterns features several delightful graphics for Joy – download the PDF pattern for free and embroider your own version of “Joy”! (For personal use only. This PDF pattern is available for free download for two weeks – now through May 12th.)

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
—James 1:2-3

Don’t miss out on next month’s free embroidery pattern…
you can subscribe here to be notified when it’s released!

P.S. Missed last month’s “love” pattern? No worries – it is now available as a PDF download in our Etsy shop!

[13] Comments » | Categories: Encouragement, Handmade, The Home

12 April 2012

Every spring I look forward to snipping lilac bunches from our bush for an overflowing bouquet of purple lovelies. It’s amazing to see how much beauty God puts into a single lilac with its breathtaking aroma.

The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.
—Isaiah 40:8

P.S. Six Angles is back!

[27] Comments » | Categories: God's Creation, Inspirations, Life, The Home

29 March 2012

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
—Galatians 5:22-23

This is the first in our series of embroidery patterns based on the fruit of the Spirit.

Every month – over the next nine – we’ll be offering a free pattern based on a fruit of the Spirit! They will accompany my dear mum’s posts at Raising Homemakers.

This month’s post is on love.

Brought to you by Clementine Patterns, each embroidery is a beautiful reminder to diligently cultivate the fruit of the Spirit. (They also make for perfect mother-daughter projects!)

This month’s pattern features several graphics for Love - download the PDF pattern for free and embroider your own version of “Love”! (For personal use only. This PDF pattern is available for free download for two weeks – now through April 12th.) UPDATE: Now available here!

Make sure you don’t miss out on next month’s free embroidery pattern by subscribing here!

[23] Comments » | Categories: Encouragement, Handmade, Inspirations, The Home

26 March 2012

Have you ever planted seeds in eggshells? This spring we’re trying a new-to-us way of starting seeds inside. We’ve tried other ways in the past, all to no avail – this time we’re hoping the story will end with a “happily ever after” (plants growing strong, maturing, and bearing fruit in season).

The process of planting was most enjoyable. (Excepting, of course, for the centipede squirming around in the bucket of dirt.) A few easy-to-come-by “ingredients” were needed:

• Eggshells & Egg-trays
• Bucket of dirt
• Seeds
• Water

We filled the shells in the kitchen – and even our dog Bently seemed to enjoy the process by sneaking a few bites of dirt. (Perhaps he’s low on some minerals?)

Following is a pictorial version of the seed-planting process…

A hole was poked into the bottom of each one so that any excess water could drain. When it comes time to transplant them to the garden, we will simply crunch the shell so that the roots can exit and plant the whole thing.

It’s fascinating to think that something as small as a seed will grow into many meals come summertime. God works wonders!

Have you started planting your garden? Do you start your seeds inside or outside?

[23] Comments » | Categories: Food, God's Creation, Life, The Home

7 March 2012

A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of visiting friends for a time of delightful fellowship. While we were there, we met their farm’s latest additions: lambs.

The mothers ate while the babies watched us in their own cautiously inquisitive way.

I became fast friends with this wee one. He was most charming
and enjoyed a good, long rub on the noggin.

Mrs. Mendenhall petting my new friend.

Spring is here with new life – beautiful new life!

P.S. Did I mention that the owner of these darling lambs has an Etsy shop & blog? I think you will like them.

[22] Comments » | Categories: God's Creation, Inspirations, Life, The Home

27 February 2012

I remember first delving into the world of photography and wondering what “aperture” was and how could a “wide aperture” be f/1.4 and a “narrow aperture” be f/16 – when the numbers seem to contradict their name?

Or why would I shoot manual – I’d just be adjusting the settings all the time, right?

If you’re in that spot, do not fear. Enter…

“The Beginner’s Guide to Portrait Photography”, an eBook by Lauren Hope which offers wonderfully helpful information which you can apply to improve and excel in photography.

Although this book was not available when I started learning about photography (as much as I wish it was), it is available now as a most valuable tool for all of you who are interested in portrait photography (even if it’s just a hobby!).

A snippet from the foreword, which Lauren so graciously gave me the opportunity to write:

[Lauren] covers the basics from the technical side of camera functions, to helping your subjects feel comfortable and relaxed, to making the most of your surroundings for captivating and engaging portraits… read more.

Click here to learn more about this tip- and technique-filled book! Save 25% through February 29th and purchase this eBook for only $6 – just a couple days left to save!

Keep smiling and keep practicing,

[3] Comments » | Categories: Life, Photography, Reviews

20 February 2012

…you know someone put him there.”

This is a handmade turtle. Breezy created it using reference photos of Painted turtles, foil, paper maché, gesso, and acrylic paint.

The main purpose of the turtle was to be a prop for a talk Dad gave at work, focusing on the sovereignty of God and His Providential hand. “If you see a turtle on a fencepost, you know someone put him there”, was the concluding remark as he placed the handmade turtle on a fencepost.

Now we get to have Mr. Turtle stick around longer than any of our previous wild “pet” turtles who needed to find new homes… he currently sits atop one of our bookshelves. (And, as much as I like turtles, when I forget he’s up there – or find him somewhere else – he takes me by surprise.)

[20] Comments » | Categories: Family, God's Creation, Handmade, Inspirations, Life

16 February 2012

I had my doubts about this one. Hamburger – yes! Quiche - yes! But, spinach? In a quiche?

It wasn’t until two years ago when I went gluten-free that I started branching out of the standard American diet (which, in my case, was almost veggie-free).

My mindset when it comes to food has entirely changed since then. The Lord has amazingly adjusted my appetite and attitude towards nutritious eating. But there are still occasional times (such as when it came to a spinach quiche) where I wonder – can that really be good?

But this recipe, like so many up to this point, proved my hesitation wrong.

This is delicious! A new family favorite. It may even make it onto our weekly menu. We’ll see.

Hesitating? Go ahead – try this recipe and enjoy! (Updated link – we simply leave out the crust, making it wonderfully gluten-free!)

[21] Comments » | Categories: Food, Gluten-Free

25 January 2012

Our latest embroidery pattern is up in the shop! Mum did a lovely job stitching this one, wouldn’t you say? It is a beautiful and cheerful reminder to…

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice!”
—Philippians 4:4

We’re looking forward to rearranging the art, pictures, and handiwork on our walls to make room for some of our latest embroideries.

[24] Comments » | Categories: Encouragement, Family, Handmade, The Home