Life....

In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.

~Abraham Lincoln

So true!

God bless!

Laura

Homeschooling...The Country Blossom...Home Hearts

Dear Readers,

I was just over at Katy's great blog,

The Country Blossom; you really must go over and meet her. She's new to homeschooling this year and quite excited.

I remember my first year. I love how everything is fresh and exciting and anything is possible the first year. By the end of the first year, I knew I had to change some things. I'm starting my 13th year now. Like every year, I find there are a number of things I'm going to change. Ah, but that is another post!

Katy shared a homeschooling website that looks really good. I think it would be especially helpful for new and next-to-new homeschoolers. It's called Home Hearts.

Please take a few minutes and visit Katy and Home Hearts. I think you'll be glad you did.

Blessings!

Laura

When the Darkness Closes in Lord...

When the Darkness Closes in Lord, still I will say,
Blessed be the Name of the Lord, Blessed be your Name, Jesus.

I thank the Lord that my Lowell has found a position. It will take quite some time to catch up on bills. But, I refuse to focus on the darkness of our situation.

Rather, I choose to thank God for the beam of light, the hope he's given us. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

My God shall supply all our needs. He's done so miraculously over the last four years. I BELIEVE He will continue to do so. I also BELIEVE that He will bless us with every blessing he deems right for us.

THANK YOU JESUS!

Blessings to you ladies!

Laura
Blessed beyond....

May I suggest?

Offend Away
~~~~~

Wednesday- 
Wonderful Wednesdays - Fluster's Creative Muster  -  Wholehearted Wednesdays  -  
 A Little R & R Raising Homemakers - A Wise Woman Builds Her Home 

My Day Book

Hi,
No day book today. I didn't get up early enough to use hubby's computer. He'll be in here working any moment!

Later!
Laura

The Value of Working Together

Recently, in my home, or I should say on my porch, two of my men, my Honey Lowell, and my son Michael were engaged in a day long project. Lowell had shattered the front glass door with a rock while mowing; so, we decided to replace it with an old fashioned screen door. It's so nice to let the breeze in, you know.

So, they scraped, and painted, and put hardware on, and did all the guy stuff involved in a father son project of this magnitude. I captured a few moments of the project with my digital camera.

There is just so much value in hard work. It not only gets the work done, you also feel good knowing that you did it, not to mention the heartstrings it can tie when you work together!

My oldest got involved when the door didn't close properly. Lowell tried several things; then, he asked Matthew, who had taken carpentry in school this year, for help. That's just what we needed.

We've enjoyed the fruits of their labor for a few weeks now. I think their heartstrings will enjoy the fruits much longer.

What can you do with your children today?

God bless you all!

Laura

Happy at Home

Something to Think About...Advice from Marmee....

"Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life become a beautiful success, in spite of poverty." ~Louisa May Alcott Marmee's Advice in Little Women

In God's Hands....

Hi Girls,

My aunt and my momma both died of breast cancer. I'm 43, just about the age my momma was when she had a masectomy. Today I have an appointment to get a mammogram. I had my first one when I was 31 as a baseline. I had another one a couple of years ago. I'm not really worried about it. My time is in God's hands.

I encourage you to do your monthly breast exam and get mammograms as recommended by your doctor. But, do not put your faith in a mammogram or a doctor. Your life and your days are in the LORD'S hands.

Grace, peace, and mercy to you in the Lord Jesus Christ,
Laura
In His Hands

Busy Busy....

Hi! It's yard sale weekend, finally. I just wanted to earn some gas money. We've got that, so the rest will help us make it until my husband's first paycheck at his new job. Praise God!

I'll write in a day or two!

Laura

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful:

that today is my mother-in-love's birthday,

that my Emily is enjoying her piano lessons more,

that my kids are old enough to help me with the cooking and cleaning,

that my dad took Annie and I out for lunch and shopping,

that my dad bought me some pretties at the shops,

that my Friend Debbie bought my Emily a pretty new modest swimsuit,

that my husband has a job,

that we're finally going to do our yard sale tomorrow,

that we have lots of hands to help us get ready,

that my house is not perfectly clean, but clean enough for company,

that we're going to have one of my favorites tonight, burritos with homemade refried beans,

that we were able to make some gifts for my mother-in-love,

that my Lowell will be home with her soon,

that I have dear readers like you.

Won't you please leave me a comment and say hello?

Thank you God!

Laura

Tonight for Supper... Beanie Weenies

Beanie Weenies

32 oz canned pork and beans

2 T brown sugar

2 T instant minced onions or 1/2 chopped onion

1-2 t prepared mustard

1 t Worcestershire sauce

4-6 hotdogs or wieners, sliced. Dice if you have little kids.

OVEN: Combine all ingredients in a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour, stirring occasionally. Makes 6 servings.

STOVETOP: Combine all ingredients in a skillet. Bring to a bubble over medium heat, stirring often. Turn the heat down to low and simmer until thickened. I'd still give it at least an hour to cook.

I have three adults and three children to cook for; so, I usually double this recipe.

Well, I've got to go get mine started or I'll miss the dinner hour.

God bless!

Laura

My Daybook

Good morning!

It's Monday again and time for My Day Book!

~~~~~~~~~~

Outside my Window...

The tops of trees through every window. It's a bright blue sky day. I'm at the library.

I am thinking... that I have so many things to think about, to plan, to dream, to implement. I want to make some changes in the way I run my home and our children's education.

I am thankful for... my husband begins his new job tomorrow. God is so good. He's been unemployed since November 1. It's been a long year since his severence pay ended in January. God has been faithful to bring bits money here and there, even after his unemployment benefits ended. He should get his first paycheck just in time to pay our rent for next month. Thank you God!

From the kitchen... I haven't made bread in awhile. I really need to do that. I think we'll have some spaghetti for dinner.

I am creating...plans for the coming year.

I am going...to the Y this afternoon to see how my weight loss is coming and to work out. I've been under so much stress lately, watching what I eat just hasn't been a priority. ~frown~ I'm not going to quit, though.

I am wearing... black pants and black and white striped top to work out in. I'm still in my sandals. I'll have to put my tennies on later.

I am reading... A Charlotte Mason Education- Levinson.

I am hoping... I didn't gain weight!

I am hearing... various library type sounds. It's not as quiet as some libraries that I've been in.

Around the house... things are looking pretty good. We rent our home. The owner is trying to sell it; and, the realtor is showing it today.

One of my favorite things...free libraries.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... I'm going to the gym and do my exercises! I'm having my mother-in-love over for dinner tonight. My father and step-mother are coming Wednesday afternoon for an overnight visit. We haven't seen them for awhile. It will be good to catch up.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Now go and see what the ladies are doing today at Peggy's blog.

My Daybook

Good evening!

It's Monday again and time for My Day Book!

Outside my Window... Darkness is falling.

I am thinking... I'm growing tired.

I am thankful for... good friends old and new.

From the kitchen... leftover chicken and dumplings.

I am creating... I worked on making yo yo coasters today.

I am going... to have a nice chat with my husband tonight after I put the kids to bed. Soon!

I am wearing... a black and white striped blouse and black knit slacks, bare feet, hair in a clip. Folks who know me would be surprised to see me in pants!

I am reading... A Charlotte Mason Education- Levinson and Calm my Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow.

I am hoping... for a miracle of provision from our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am hearing... blip blip from a computer game my daughter is playing on PBS online.

Around the house... things are quieting down for the evening.

One of my favorite things... writing.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... going to the county fair to see my friends' kids show their 4 H projects, getting ready for garage sale for sure this time.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you.

Now go see Peggy and see what the others are doing this week.

God bless!

Laura

God's Phone Number

"Call to me 

and I will answer you 

and tell you great and 

unsearchable things

you do not know."

Jeremiah 33:3


~~~~~
May I suggest?
I Thank God Day 26
~~~~~

An Independence Day Prayer

I thank God for the freedoms we have in our country.

I thank God for the men who have died to give us that freedom.

2nd Chronicles 7:14

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

God, I pray that I as well as every other Christian who reads this, will do just this on behalf of our country. I ask that you will heal our land, protect us, and guide our elections. In Jesus' name I ask it. Amen.

Have a wonderful Independence Day!

Laura

~~~~~
May I suggest?
Independence Day Memories
~~~~~

Silver and Gold

There's an old song that says,

"Make new friends,

but keep the old.

One is silver,

and the other gold."

God blessed me with a wonderful time of catching up with some of my dearest old friends, my dearest new friends, and their children at the park today. One of our friends, Carolyn, was visiting from the east coast. Praise God, it was so relaxing and refreshing.

God was so good to give us a steady breeze and lots of shade as we sat around in lawn chairs talking and talking and talking. I think we could have talked all day and still had something to say. The best thing about these friends is that we all point each other to God and His Word.

Why don't you call a friend today, old or new, and set a date to get together? I didn't develop close friendships until I decided that the only way we'd be friends is if we put a date on the calendar now and got together. Try it; you'll find it works for you too!

Thank you Jesus for my friends.

Laura

Blessed blessed blessed!

You might also like:

• A Humble Request
• I Thank God... Day 16
• I Thank God...Day 24

Something to Think About...Minutes and Hours

I am, by nature, an introvert.
God, by nature, likes to stretch us beyond our comfort levels.
Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

I, by nature, wanted one child.
God, by nature, gave me four children!
Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

I, by nature, want to create.
God, by nature, wants to create.
Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

He understands your many responsibilities, the many things that pull on you as a woman. You must ask Him to help you find the minutes here and there. You must ask Him to show you how to organize your projects in a way that will work for you.

For example, when I’m working on a project, I will often pin or sticky note a note to myself to tell me what the next step is, so that I can go back to it without rethinking it. I also have several projects going at once. So, when I am sewing, I try to do all the cutting out that I can at once. The next time, I try to do all the marking I can at once. Next time, it’s all the pinning I can do at once. Then, all the sewing I can do at once. Then all the pressing. I’m sure you get the picture.

I want blocks of time. God gives me minutes.

I’m trying to learn to discipline myself to use those minutes more wisely.

~~~~~

Laura
Happy at Home with my four wonderful blessings!
6, 8, 10, and my teenager
~~~~~
You might enjoy...
An Icy Snow Day, Family, Cooking, and Sewing!
~~~~~




January Tidy Up