Harvest Lane Cottage

I'm sitting in the library staring at a blank page. I don't exactly have writer's block; but, nothing is coming easily to my mind this morning. I'm going to do a little stream of consciousness writing like we did in college. Have you ever done that? It's just writing whatever thoughts come into your mind. The idea behind it is to get you writing something, anything, to push through the blank page problem and get your mind working. I remember when I was younger, thinking that I think best with a pencil in my hand, or a pen, or now a keyboard! It's almost as though the very act of moving my fingers helps me to think more clearly, to focus my thoughts. I think that is why I also enjoy needlework. When I quilt, for instance, I am able to lose myself deep within my thoughts as my fingers move meditatively through the motions of making the tiny stitches. The stitches must be tiny, not toenail catchers, as my quilting teacher told me. My grandma used to loo...

Outside my window... a light rain. It rained all night. Everything is so lush. I can see a bird flying about and the song of a few more. I am thinking... I've got to get ready for that yard sale! I'm in more of a mess than I started with. There is just too much stuff in this house! I am thankful that... my oldest son is home from school for a few days. I am wearing... blush-my nightgown. I am creating... this blog and this blog and more items for my shop . I am going... nowhere that I know of. Happy dance! I am reading... Calm my Anxious Heart, Linda Dillow...still. I've also started 1776. I cannot remember the author. I'm terrible about reading several books at a time! ~smile~ I am hoping... to go for a walk this morning. The air is so cool and fresh. I am hearing... my children stirring about the house as they wake up late after a late night interrupted by the sounds of the thunderstorm. Around the house.....

This is my Lowell . He's the man whom I've been living my happily ever after with for the past 22 years. We have had good years and bad years, good months and bad months, good weeks and bad weeks, good days and bad days. We are committed until death do us part to live all of our remaining years, months, weeks, and days together...forever...no matter what! That is what makes this our happily ever after ...not our circumstances but our commitment to each other and to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Shared at Marriage Monday .

"Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic?" Phil. 2:1 I think that having friends is one of God's most loving ways of giving us encouragement. Friends can give a listening ear, a word of encouragement, an understanding nod, a compassionate hug, a card or letter at just the right moment, a gentle word of reproof, just being there during a difficult time. Our best friends speak our names in prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us be that kind of friends. Speak your friends' names in prayer. Now, go see what our hostess, Peggy has to say!

Outside my window... the breeze is blowing the leaves and branches. The sky is partly cloudy. All in all, it's a beautiful Spring day. I am thinking... I really must get started on my to do list! I'm so glad school is almost out for my teenager. We will continue a shortened homeschool schedule for the others...Bible, math, an hour of silent reading, and language arts. I'm sure we'll do some read aloud also. I am thankful that... we had friends with us to help us when our car broke down two hours from home over the weekend. Good friends are one of life's best treasures. From the kitchen... Salad for lunch, "Stuff", a meatloaf /vegetable dish for dinner, and I may make a batch of brown sugar granola. I am wearing... a blue denim dress with embroidery on the bodice and my feet are still in my fuzzy slippers. I am creating... I plan to crochet a bit on a cotton dish cloth for my shop. I hope to take a look at a skirt pattern tha...

I had a most delightful experience this afternoon. I went to the park, sat on the ground, and watched my children, ages 6-17 climb an enormous tree. My son told me it was a sugar maple. The branches were perfect for climbing and massive enough to hold them all at once without a sigh. After awhile, I called my six year old over and began to show her how to make a chain with clover flowers. I was thrilled that I figured out how to close the chain. As we were finishing the first chain, my little one said, "I'm going to remember this forever." Goodness, how that touched this momma's heart! We made chains for some time, teaching my other children how to do it, also. Then, four little girls, ages 5-7, came over to see what we were doing. I offered to teach them, too. None of them had seen a clover flower chain before! It was a tender moment for me as I passed on a "skill" of girlhood to all of these children, my own, and the others. I wonder ho...

Image Copyright 2013 Amy Lane Photography  “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8 Philippians 4 has a treasure trove of verses that I have clung to during difficult times. I really needed this reminder to go back and read and think about these verses again. I heard Thelma Wells speak about verse 6 a few years ago. She used the version that says "Be anxious for nothing...", only she very adamantly and enthusiastically pronounced it... "Be anxious for NO THING..." Good point, eh? The part of the chapter that really stands out to me states in NIV, "4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Gee, how would my life change if I really rej...

For My Birthday May 12th... Outside My Window... lots of green grass and trees, a pile of branches from the ice storm a couple of months ago that need to be burned. I am thinking... about reaching middle age, about my life, things I like about it, things I don't, things I'd like to change, who I am, what does God want to do in my life? I am thankful that... the terrible destructive tornadoes, that killed many in Southwest Missouri and Northeast Oklahoma and destroyed untold numbers of homes, Saturday missed us. God has mercifully protected us. I feel spoiled and humbled by His protection. From the kitchen... I'm off kitchen duty today! My dear friend Beth took me out for a big breakfast and a much needed chat, the kids got their own peanut butter sandwiches for lunch, and my husband is taking me out to my favorite restaurant for dinner. My Emily will be making me a birthday cake sometime this afternoon, too. I am wearing... An old faded peach flowered...

Spicy Bean Soup 2 lbs red beans 2 onions, chopped 3-4 cloves of garlic 1 green pepper, chopped olive oil 2 cans Rotel 2 T salt or to taste 4 T chili powder 1 teaspoon cumin (optional) Saute onion, garlic. and green pepper in small amount of olive oil. Add beans and enough water to cover 3-4 inches (more if you like a lot of broth). Do not add salt or tomatoes at this time. These ingredients will prevent the beans from softening. Bring to a boil and simmer around 3 hours, or until the beans are soft. After the beans are soft enough for your taste, add the Rotel; I use the store brand. Add the chili powder and salt also to taste. Sometimes I'll add a little cumin or taco seasoning. We like this with cornbread, or homemade bread and butter. You could also eat it with tortilla or corn chips. I hope you enjoy it! Laura Happy at Home ~~~~~ May I suggest? I Believe ~~~~~

We are having the most beautiful day here in Southwest Missouri. A gentle spring rain has been falling since early this morning. Many folks just don't like rainy days. Sometimes it seems like rainy days just spoil our plans. Many many years ago I made a choice. I chose to embrace the rainy days, to enjoy them as fully as I can. I love living in a house with an overhanging roof. It allows me to open the windows in all but the worst of storms. I love listening to the rain as it falls. To me, it's such a calm, peaceful, restful sound. Of course, sometimes we have quite a storm. I'm always glad my Lowell is home when it gets loud. I used to have quite a fear of thunderstorms. I grew up in Topeka, Kansas, where thunderstorms often meant a trip to the basement. Over the years, I've come to fear them less. I think we must if we are to show faith in God's protection to our children. I'm trying to teach my children to enjoy rainy days as well. Their favorite part is th...

FOR TODAY May 5th... Outside My Window...darkness. I'm writing late at night before I go to bed. I am thinking... What am I doing up this late? I am thankful for... A cozy safe house to sleep in. From the kitchen... Homemade cocoa today and a pot roast. I am wearing... A knit purple knit jumper and a blue t-shirt. It should be my nightgown. ~wink~ I am creating... This new blog. I am going... Nowhere. It was a day at home. I am reading... Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow. I am hoping... To get lots of work done this week now that my sprained ankle is healing. I am hearing... The hum of the computer, the fan, and the television in the background. Around the house... My husband is watching something on television; the children are snug in their beds. One of my favorite things... Lilacs. I've loved seeing and smelling them the last couple of weeks. A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Catching up ...

Our town is enveloped in yard sale fever this weekend. It's the annual city garage sale . I have been trying to clean out the clutter lately. I decided to wait a couple of more weeks for my sale to give myself time to go through as much as possible. I went to several sales today and got some gifts, a nice pink check jumper for my 10 year old daughter, some candles, some great books, and a few fun odds and ends. I limited myself to those things I really thought we'd use. My favorite find was a red painted wooden sign lettered, " Always Kiss Me Goodnight ." I've seen these country primitive style signs before; and, I just really like them. Are you cleaning out for a yard sale? I'd love to hear from you here on my new blog. I'm still blogging at Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage for a little while longer. Eventually, I'll just be blogging here. God bless and have a beautiful weekend! Laura of Harvest Lane Happy at Home