3 September 2011

Once upon a time there lived a little girl whose mum was an embroiderer. The little girl began to embroider, being taught by her Mum while sitting by her side watching every stitch and creation of detail.

When this little girl saw her mother’s box of embroidery floss, she was quite perplexed – how could someone find the color they needed when the colors were so terribly out of order? So she made up her mind to solve the problem.

She moved quickly, wanting to surprise her mum with a newly sorted embroidery box – in perfect color coordination.

As she finished, her mum entered the room to see what the little girl was working on. As the little girl looked up in delight, the mother’s response was one of great surprise!

As you might’ve guessed, years ago that little girl was me. A kind gesture, without all the facts, wasn’t exactly interpreted as kind. But the problem was easily solved. And, one by one, I put them back in order – by number – so that when it was time to work from a pattern, the colors would be easily discovered.

Yet now, after all these years of number-organized colors, we’ve switched them back to the way they seemed like they should’ve been all the while.

Organized by color.

[20] Comments » | Categories: Family, Handmade, Inspirations, The Home

22 August 2011

“There would be no joy, no fulfillment in marriage unless it was unto the Lord.”

As unmarried young women, we look forward to the times when – Lord willing – we’ll be the God-given helpmeets to our husbands and the mothers to our young blessings.

What are we doing right now to prepare for this? Are we planning our kitchens, how we’ll organize the home, how we’ll do our hair every morning? Although those things have their place, marriage is about much, much more than how we will keep the home and how we will look.

Last Monday we began listening to the “Marrying Well” webinar which has already provided encouraging practical wisdom on marriage, preparation, courtship, selfless love, prayer, and much more! This five-week webinar (an online conference of sorts) is given by Geoffrey Botkin and his wife Victoria, David Botkin and his wife Nadia, and Benjamin Botkin and his wife Audri. Many self-examining questions have come to mind, which I believe are important for us all to ask ourselves.

What are we doing right now to serve Christ and His kingdom? Every season is a time and opportunity for ministry. Are we missing opportunities to bless others by letting the possibility of a servant’s heart lay dormant? Are we seeking ways to disciple others in obedience to our Lord?

If we are not doing these things now, do we think things will “magically” change after we marry?

Right now is the time to cultivate a servant’s heart. Right now is the time to minister to others. Right now is the time to die to self and love selflessly, setting aside our own wishes.

We must look for ways to bless others, to cultivate a joyful attitude, to be content (no matter what season we’re in, most likely we’ll be waiting for something), and trust in the Lord and His perfect plan. He will never call us to do something that He cannot give us the strength to persevere in.
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Tonight David & Nadia Botkin (above) will be sharing about how the Lord brought them together. Also to be addressed will be how to evaluate suitors and prepare children for marriage from a young age.

Click here to find out more about “Marrying Well” and to register!
(Everyone who registers will have access to the MP3 recordings – including the first session last week – so no worries if you aren’t available on Monday nights!)

[15] Comments » | Categories: Encouragement, Family, Inspirations, Life

8 August 2011

Harvesting (scanning) textures and graphics out of a stack of old books from my collection. Stepping Heavenward is a wonderful book – if you find a copy, whether it be new or old, I highly recommend you pick it up and read it!

Making French Toast out of our gluten-free almond bread. Delicious! I believe it had been a little too long since making French Toast.

Smiling at Mum’s Toad-in-the-Hole creation for Dad’s breakfast. (Yes, that would be gluten-rich bread – homemade whole-wheat bread, to be exact.)

And also cooking up some ideas for re-opening the Etsy shop! Stay tuned!

[15] Comments » | Categories: Design, Food, Inspirations, Life, The Home, Vintage

2 August 2011

[17] Comments » | Categories: God's Creation, Inspirations, Life, Vintage

18 July 2011

When we switched to gluten-free eating over a year ago, there were three main foods we wanted to find excellent gluten-free recipes for: bread, pancakes, and pizza crust.

After a disappointing experience with a box-mix pizza crust (tasting similar to what I would think cardboard tastes like), I was left with little hope. Mum, on the other hand, persevered and the next week found a recipe. And it was delicious, aside from being soggy and flimsy.

Since then I’ve created a new recipe, based on the original. Below you will find my finished creation which makes for a thin, crispy, delicious gluten-free pizza crust!
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The Best Gluten-Free Pizza Crust
(even gluten-eaters like it!) Makes: 2 large crusts

DRY Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups brown rice flour*
1 1/3 cups tapioca flour/starch
2 teaspoon xanthan gum
2 teaspoon (1 packet) gelatin
4 tablespoon dry milk powder
2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt

WET Ingredients:
1 cup water
2 egg whites
1 whole egg
3 tablespoon olive oil

*To make this recipe grain-free, use almond flour instead of brown rice flour.

Mix wet ingredients in mixer. Combine dry ingredients in medium bowl. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in mixer and beat on high for 3 1/2 minutes.

Divide dough onto two well-greased pizza pans…

If you’ve worked with gluten-free dough before, you already realize how sticky it can be. For this reason, the best way to roll out the pizza dough is to drop it in dollops on a well-greased pizza stone and then roll it out until smooth. (It’ll be well worth the extra work of smoothing it out.)

Bake for 10 minutes at 400°F.

Remove from oven, flip the crust, and bake for another 8 minutes at 400°F. (Since this recipe makes two crusts, you might as well go ahead and bake the second one on both sides, too, before adding the toppings.)

(The apron in the upper left corner is a creation of the delightful Marie-Madeline Studio!)

Remove crust(s) from oven, and spread desired sauce (no need to let cool).

Add desired toppings. (We stick with the basics – simple yet delicious!)

Bake for 8-12 minutes at 400°F, depending on desired softness or crispiness.

There you have it! Want a slice? Enjoy!

P.S. The baked crusts freeze very well. We usually freeze the second crust in a turkey oven bag (which we reuse) – the one bag we found that fits the diameter of the crust. When you’re ready to use the frozen crust, let it sit out for a few minutes on the pizza pan/stoneware. Then add the toppings and bake for 10-12 minutes at 400°F.

[34] Comments » | Categories: Food, Gluten-Free, The Home

11 July 2011

It wasn’t the fireworks that lit up the sky that night, even though they could be seen above the horizon. No, that night there was a greater show, a mightier display. It was a display speaking loudly, declaring the glory of God.

It was a glorious sight to behold the strength of these bolts which lingered oh-so-briefly before our eyes, with nearly blinding shocks of light.

“His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.”

—Psalm 97:4

P.S. You can view a closer glimpse of the lightning bolts here.

[24] Comments » | Categories: Encouragement, God's Creation, Life

8 July 2011

Freshly-picked, these berries are a portion of our largest – though still rather small – harvest we have had to date. We’re not professional raspberry-growers, but we do enjoy the trickling of berries we’re blessed to have from our bushes.

“[The righteous] still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
to declare that the Lord is upright;
He is my rock, and there is no
unrighteousness in Him.”

—Psalm 92:14-15

[13] Comments » | Categories: Food, Gluten-Free, God's Creation, Life, The Home, Vintage

3 July 2011

This is Will and Bethany Joy.

They were joined as husband and wife on June 25th. On that day was much joy, love, beauty, thanksgiving, and most importantly the love of Christ.

At their wedding they shared their first kiss. Their commitment to purity displayed the loveliness in keeping oneself pure until marriage for the one who the Lord has for you to marry.

The ceremony reflected the love of Christ, displayed the importance of serving one other, and was filled with the blessing of the parents as a new family was founded.

The sign welcoming the guests. There were three sections of chairs set up and in front of each section were quilts laid out on the ground for the children and a closer view.

Joy taking the arm of her father as they approach her groom.

Prayer for their new life together.

My dear father was a groomsman in the wedding (he is farthest left in the group of men at right.)

Their FIRST kiss.

Mr. & Mrs. William A. Smith, III. Happily wed.

Flower girls rejoicing with the bride and groom.

Although I was not an official photographer, Kristi was very kind to let me tag along and act as an unofficial second-shooter. It was delightful!

Only the beginning.

The stunningly beautiful bride, Mrs. Smith.

After the wedding the guests and wedding party boarded the “Dixie”, a paddle boat from the 1920′s, while the bride and groom’s portraits were taken. There was great cheering when the newlyweds appeared and boarded the boat.

The icing flowers were made by the bride, the cake was made by her mother, and the log-stand was decorated by my sister, Breezy.

The bride and groom’s first dance was choreographed to “Lucky.” (But, of course, everyone would agree that they are blessed.)

Instead of birdseed or bubbles, lavender was handed out to the guests to be tossed at Will & Bethany as they departed.

Mr. & Mrs. Wm A. Smith, III.

Balloons were released…

…and they “sailed” off on a speedboat.

We’re excited to see how the Lord will use this couple in the furtherance of His Kingdom!
(We love you, Will & Joy!)

[Find a few more pictures from the wedding here.]

[33] Comments » | Categories: Encouragement, Family, Food, Handmade, Inspirations, Life, Portfolio, Vintage

2 July 2011

At the rehearsal dinner. The next day Will would gain a wife and Joy would gain a husband before God and man, to glorify God and further the dominion mandate.

The wedding rehearsal.

Will with my dear father. They first met two years ago when Will began working for the same company alongside Dad. Their friendship has only grown since then. Dad was honored to be asked to stand with Will as one of his groomsman and gladly accepted.

[More pictures from the wedding coming soon!]

[4] Comments » | Categories: Encouragement, Family, Inspirations, Life, Portfolio