31 July 2008
Homemaking is a very wide subject, with all kinds of twists and turns in it. Being a homemaker in training, I’m realizing how many things it really encompasses. I will never stop learning more about homemaking, keeping a home, cooking, etc. There is always something more to learn!
I have started a Homemaker Journal. I keep it in my room in a cozy place, and before I go to bed each night, I journal what things I did that day concerning homemaking. At the end of each entry, if anything went wrong – homemaking wise – I make a note saying what I can do to improve in my homemaking skills in that area.
This journal has actually made me keep in mind throughout the day what I can do to work on my homemaking skills, so that I’ll have something to write down that evening.
The journal is similar to my Homemaking Notebook, yet the journal is easier to get to and write in. I’m not keeping up very well with my Homemaking Notebook, but I hope to pull it back out, and continue to fill it with different things and ideas for the home.
If you would like to view other’s Homemaker In Training posts, you can visit Eyebright’s blog.
28 July 2008
Feelin’ Feminine is a new site created to encourage, inspire, and challenge ladies to wear modest feminine clothing. In today’s culture the beauty and elegance of modest femininity has been lost. Looking back to before the 1950′s it is evident that there was a sense of modesty and loveliness about the clothing that women wore, yet today, that has disappeared. At this site, you will find encouraging posts on femininity, inspirations to practice femininity in your daily lives, as well as a challenge to dress in modest feminine apparel.
Sense and Sensibility is a beautiful site where you can find patterns for ladies clothing. Mrs. Chancey has patterns on her site from the Regency Era of the 1800′s to the Swing Era of the 1940′s. You will find ladies’ stories about the dresses they have made from her patterns, as well as a whole section devoted to vintage images. Mrs. Chancey also owns and runs Ladies Against Feminism, a site where ladies are encouraged in their walk with the Lord, and the Biblical role of womanhood.
In early Spring, Eyebright started Homemaker in Training Thursday. When time allows, on Thursdays she posts about how she is preparing to be a homemaker. On each post there is a Mr. Linky, and she encourages others to post what they are learning while training to be a homemaker. It is nice to read and learn from what other young ladies are learning. Click here to see her first post about it. These posts have encouraged me to continue in my training to be a homemaker, and it’s been enjoyable to write about what I’m learning as well.
Hallie at Confessions from the Rubber Room has started a new Photography “school” called Through the Lens. In the lessons that she gives, she helps you to become a better photographer. The assignments so far are Getting to Know Your Camera, and Understanding White Balance. Her tips are very helpful, and I look forward to more of the lessons.
Homeschool Share is a great place for resources on lapbooking and notebooking pages. This site is run by a very dear friend of mine, and the site has grown and taken flight since she started it. Lapbook templates and studies are sent to them from all over, and when approved are posted on the site. Everything on the site is free, and there all kinds of lapbook subjects. A while back we took a little “class” from her where she showed us the different booklets that can go into a lapbook. Lapbooking has become very popular, and now I know why. All of the information on a subject goes into a folder that is easy to look at, and a great way to share your knowledge with others (it’s fun too!).
HSLDA is holding a photo contest for homeschool students! This is an annual contest, and has been taking place for the past three years. There are three categories, according to your age. Use your own creativity to display what your category topic is.
Gentleness (ages 7 to 11 as of July 1, 2008),
Faithfulness (ages 12 to 15 as of July 1, 2008), and
Self-Control (ages 16 to 19 as of July 1, 2008).
There is a $10 entry fee for HSLDA members, and a $15 entry fee for non-HSLDA members. If you would like to see the contest results from previous years, here are the links: 2005, 2006, and 2007. Contest ends this Thursday (must be post marked by then)!
26 July 2008
The Supplies ▼
The Outcome ▼
This little pouch is great for taking on adventures and expeditions! It is wonderful for holding pebbles, treasures, and even (strangely enough) bugs and toads. If you’d like to know how to make your own, click here to see my directions at The Backyard (you have to be logged in at HSB to view).
24 July 2008
“Know well condition of your flocks,
And pay attention to your herds;
For riches are not forever,
Nor does a crown endure to all generations.
When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen
And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,
The lambs will be for your clothing,
And the goats will bring the price of a field,
And there will be goats’ milk enough for your food,
For the food of your household,
And sustenance for your maidens.” – Proverbs 27:23-27
Being thrifty with the money God has blessed us with is very important. Though sometimes it is hard to restrain oneself from buying something, we shouldn’t just buy on impulse when we don’t have the money for the particular item(s).
The best way to make sure you don’t spend money on unnecessary things is to pray. Ask God to help you spend your money wisely, and to find good bargains.
Praying about my purchases has been a wonderful blessing. For instance, a few years ago I saw a sewing bag at JoAnn’s that I really liked. I had received some birthday money, so we went to the craft store to purchase it. On the way there I was really excited about it, but when we got in the store and I picked up the bag, I suddenly started to have doubts about whether I should get it or not. I prayed for wisdom, and God graciously gave it to me. I concluded that I wouldn’t buy it, and I’d save the money for something else. Now I’m truly glad I didn’t get it, I doubt I would’ve used the bag for more than a month. Now I keep my sewing supplies in a basket I made for that purpose.
We should pray before we make any purchases, that God would give us wisdom and discernment. When in doubt – pray. He is there to listen to the prayers of His children.
For more Homemaker in Training Thursday Posts, visit Eyebright’s Blog.
21 July 2008
This fine lookin’ plant,
may look sweet and innocent, and it very well may be, but lurkin’ be’ind it is an incredibly dangerous plant
that will cause unmistakable red itchy splotches on yer skin wherever it wills.
The question, “To pick, or not to pick?”
Dare ye pick yonder flow’r, yer frail skin may come in touch with the despised poisonous plant behind.
The flower may be pretty, but is it worth it?
I think not.
Poison Ivy is mighty unpleasant.
Please keep yer eyes open for these perilous plants, they just might get ye when ye ain’t lookin’.
19 July 2008
Iced lemonade in a blue Ball jar with a zinc lid.
With the weather warming up, a nice glass of lemonade is quite refreshing. One can’t help but wish for seconds. That is when the Ball jar comes in handy.
14 July 2008
God has blessed me greatly with a wonderful godly family. They are my best friends and confidants. Being together as a family means so much to me. At church, at home, around the dinner table, every spare moment. Being in one another’s company is a sweet assembly. Together we work as a family unit, to be hospitable and rightly represent Christ. He is what we are all about. Blessed be His name!
12 July 2008
When you first hear “Turkey Run” you may assume that it’s a song or a game. But actually it’s a State Park, here in Indiana, and a beautiful one at that. A couple weeks ago we took a short trip to Turkey Run, and walked the trails. There are eleven trails to pick from, all spread throughout a forest with deep ravines. Here are a few of the shots I captured while there.
A bit of fungi growing on the side of a tree with drops of dew suspended from it’s edges.
I like the way this one turned out. He crawled in circles up and around the tree. Quite a cute little feller.
The first, at left, is one of the stone walls that keeps one from falling down into the ravine.
In the background of the second – with the punch bowl sign – you can see my daddy, momma, and sister, posing in the ravine.
The last is the side of one of the stone walls, all grown over with moss.
If you ever have the chance to visit Turkey Run, don’t miss the opportunity, it is a lovely site to behold!
9 July 2008
This little guy was found in my granny’s garden. He hopped around quite a bit, being a toad and all, but now and then he held still enough for me to capture a photo of him.
After the photo shoot was over, he was gingerly placed at the bottom of a plant near the garden, but not without first falling from a great height.
These wee feller’s are always so cute to watch, with their small toes, and beady eyes. He was about 3/4 of an inch long, with legs held close. With legs stretched out, I don’t know how long he would be, but at least an inch more would be added.
He was quite photogenic.
