A Season of Simplicity, Week Two

On the first day of Winter, we were met with a lovely surprise of snow! Although it only remained for the day, it was the perfect element to bring in the new season.

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While we read in the parlour, my brother did creative art...
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Inside, I'm rooting cuttings of butterfly bushes--In a day or two,

I'll plant them outside and see what happens!

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This is the time that we get flocks of migrating birds that fly through...it was a spectacular sight, especially when they traveled over the fields. They're so loud, we can hear them from inside the Cottage!

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Cooking by candlelight

I have been doing extra baking and cooking lately so that we could have a special Christmas Dinner. I prepared the meals ahead of time, so luckily all we had to do was warm up the dishes!

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I added pecans to mason jars to hold the candles steady...

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Mother gathering collard greens for dinner...

~Everyday I've been working to gather "stakes" for the garden(in the Spring). These dormant China berry branches will work great!

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Adding more to the messy collection...

ps)That's our vintage (1974) Airstream in the background.

I'll have to share more about it one of these days :)

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My brother helping me slice apples for tomorrow's pie

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A snapshot of my sister preparing an early breakfast...

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Christmas at the Cottage

"With Pomp, Power & Glory the world beckons vainly,

In chase of such vanities why should I roam?

While Peace & Content bless my little thatched cottage,

And warm my own hearth with the Treasures of Home."

*Beatrix Potter
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Taking an afternoon walk down the lane...

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On Pilgrimage: It was so quiet and still as we all walked together, it was brought up that we felt like we were on "Pilgrimage" (for our fellow Pilgrims Progress/Christiana readers )
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A lone puddle, formed by the winter rain

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Wagon (the cottage is in the background)
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We all enjoyed the temporary pond in the woods...

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New watercolor pencils...

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These crocheted hearts bear a "Fruit" of the spirit

From left: Faith, Hope, Love, Peace, Joy.

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100% cotton Crocheted washcloths

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*With Gentle gifts and Grateful hearts,

We live in Simple Ways*

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Christmas Sunset

This Season of Simplicity has been amazing...Here's what we learned:

Father: "This was an intentional way of spending good family time together. Candlelight made the mood more peaceful and I enjoyed watching the contentment of everyone. I realized how much of a blessing it is not to rely on outside forms of entertainment."

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Mother: "Without artificial lighting & entertainment, the atmosphere was beautiful, time moved slower, and we felt more relaxed. I found we gathered all together in a central location [most often the Parlour] where there was light and a heat source. So all of our evenings were spent in one room where there was pleasant conversation, singing, games and even hobbies--all done by Candlelight."

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My sister: "We don't need the outside stimulation of everything..being away from all the noise of the Season, Being with family made me realize how everyday matters. We read together, ate together, weren't separate in different activities."

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My brother: "We learned how to keep things very simple. How to do things if there wasn't any electricity...read and be a family. That's what I think."

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Myself: "During this Project, instead of using the Internet to research, I had to use our home library as my authority on the "outside world" lol! If I needed recipes, gardening info, or tips on sewing, I was in a state of constantly running to the bookshelf. I learned how important it is to have really good books!"

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To my Dear Readers,

I want to thank you for your "online friendship". Like many of you, as far as our area is concerned, we're alone in this [lifestyle] and we've made a transition to live in a simpler, back-to-basics way that doesn't seem to appeal to most. Y'all have been SO interested, and SO supportive and have asked the sweetest, and most sincere questions, that it has encouraged me more than I can express. Please continue to comment and email...each one is read and deeply appreciated!

Yours Kindredly,

*Mia

A Season of Simplicity, Week One

What a week!

It's truly been a blessing, I hope you enjoy a peek into the Cottage :)

During this week, the only electricity we used was for the Refrigerator and a few small space heaters. PS) We don't have central heating, lol!

It was a great experience for the family!

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Mother started Scrap booking...

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My sister playing the piano...

(we went without radio/tapes/Cd's, so this was extremely hard for my sister and I as we *love* music! We compromised by playing instruments, singing together, and writing songs!)

~There's a curtain that covers the computer area, so I didn't think about Blogging as much...out of sight, out of mind!! :)
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Natural decorations...

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Here I am journaling in the parlour...

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My sister preparing a dessert...

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Washed green beans

It was fun to snap the beans in the parlour while talking to my Mother and sister...it went much faster!

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My sister writing in her journal...
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After dinner, my sister and I put on a "concert" for the family...playing a few songs each before dessert was served.

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My Dad showed me the correct way to level/work the ground

before laying down mulch...

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The mulch was from a tree stump we're removing...I couldn't wait to put that out on the future garden area.

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Caught up on my baking...

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I made soda bread to serve garnished with egg salad

and fresh lettuce from the garden.

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While I finished up the bread and my sister made cookies, my Mother read aloud to us.

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Cookies!!

She made a large batch to save some for later...

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My brother worked with my Dad to seal in the back porch...

It's being set up as shelter for the animals on cold nights

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Playing cards...

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A parable come to life:

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." Matthew 25:1-4

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We ran out of oil! It was a great time to make reference to that scripture of always being prepared! We (thankfully) have more oil now, but it was so convicting to realize, that without oil or sufficient candles, we're stuck!! :)
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It was so beautiful to literally be covered in fog!

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Down the lane...

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Cotton fields...

The cotton blows into the road, so we used some when decorating the parlour!

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Nearby creek...

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My brother, sister and I all went out to the woods to collect straw/mulch on the ground to lay over the garden soil...It was hard work because parts of the garden area are so saturated in rain water, that you can easily sink on a soft spot! Well, we did...frequently. We had some good laughs, though!

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Evening sky

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We have to make sure we prepare supper early, because when it gets dark (between 5-6pm) it's candle-light only! One night I made a late supper, and it was *so* frustrating searching through ALL the deep cabinets, holding a dripping candle, all in pursuit of a strainer! :)

But I found it. hehe

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Journal

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For a while I wasn't playing my guitar as often, but during this week I have! When you're left without an outside source of music, you quickly compose your own! :) A few nights ago, we were in the parlour, and I played guitar while each family member made-up a verse about living at the cottage! It was so much fun!! :)

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At the kitchen table...

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My sister took a walk through the property after the rain shower...

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My mother brought in sprigs of Cedar branches

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Later, she prepared hot tea...

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Dinner and a Board game

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When we're asked if we have a dishwasher, I point to myself and my sister and say, "We have two!" We're used to washing dishes the old-fashioned way!~

One of our favorite times is using the late night hours to read before retiring for the night. It's so quiet, and it's a wonderful time for reflection.~

Inspired by my Gardening magazines, I went out to the woods and "pruned" some trees to use as garden stakes! They're not exactly the size I wanted, but it's better than nothing! Hopefully I'll have a huge stack by Spring :)

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I'm so pleased to see that my strawberry plants are doing great! (I really let them run wild!)They've sent off many runners, so I'll grow some in the greenhouse soon.
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Mother writing in her notebook...

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SecondHand Treasure

I purchased this cute rocking chair for only $5! It's really heavy, but thats a good sign to me, it should last a while! Anyway, I thought you would like to see it, It's a new item for my hope-chest (not literally to go inside it, lol, it's for "later")

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Well, my sister and I have been working on a crochet project together this week...and it's finished today! Even though we didn't knit, I still love this above photo! :)
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1860's style Sontag

I'm pleased with how it turned out! Because it's crocheted it's *really* hard to find patterns (usually its knitted). We found a large (Womens size 16) and my sister studied the pattern, and converted it to my size (8/10) and changed a few things. At one point, it was too narrow, so we hard to start all over again!

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I'm wearing it right now :)

The sontag is very comfortable, perfect attire for daily wear or at (re-enacting) events!!

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Inspiration

Meg (on the far left) is wearing a sontag.

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I hope you enjoyed the update! I'll update again on December 26th!

*Mia

Natural Decorations...

To decorate for the season, we went outdoors in pursuit of inspiring, natural decor.

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My brother went ahead to look for any hints of color...

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These leaves and branches will look perfect on the fireplace mantel!
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My sister and brother... still searching for more decor...
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The weather was *very* windy and cold (I know my brother's wearing short-sleeves...but believe me there was a chill in the air!!)
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I wore a knit sweater and shawl, and was still cold!
Hmm, it's time for wool coats/dresses!
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We decorated the parlour & lit the candles just in time for a family who came over for dessert... We had a wonderful time sharing about our transition to the country life, the outrageous characters we meet in town, and my new interest in heirloom gardening! We had a lovely time :)
I'm looking forward to our December project (Dec 11-25) which starts tomorrow! I'll be off the internet, but our one free day will be the 19th, so I'll update you then!

Yours Kindredly,
*Mia

A lovely Monday

Now is the time for preserving Sweet potatoes! They're now 25-30 cents a pound, so we definitely took advantage of the sales and bought quite a bit! I'm really surprised at how easy it is to freeze potatoes:

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The first thing I did was fill a large kettle/pot with water to boil.

I peeled & chopped each potato into about 6 pieces

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Blanching

When the water is at a rolling boil, pour in raw potato slices

(I put in enough potatoes to fill 1/3 of pot)

Keep potatoes in water for 3 mins, then remove and place in a sink/bucket of clean, icy water

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(Blanching cleanses the surface of dirt and organisms, brightens the color and helps prevent loss of vitamins. It also softens vegetables and makes them easier to pack.)

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Then I finish up by packing into freezer bags, then storing in freezer until needed!
After freezing the potatoes, we all got ready for a Candlelit get-together with friends.
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My sister and I are working on a new project together...I'm really excited. I'll keep you in suspense until the 19th :) Ok, a hint is that it's an item of clothing.

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Beautiful table of 19th century confections.

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Hostess

Everyone dressed in 19th century style attire, so that made it extra special!!
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After the meal and delightful fellowship, we were invited to play an old-fashioned parlour game called "Questions and Answers". It was soo much fun! We also sang together...

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Ladies watching...
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Home crafts

Everyone learned how to make paper stars out of 4 strips of paper...

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Folding
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What a great project! It was fun to try Moravian stars for the first time :)

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Heartfelt testimonies were shared, and mutual gratefulness for each others friendship was a lovely feeling we parted with. There's just something special to come together as brothers and sisters in Christ, and delight in His blessings.

'And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.' Colossians 3:15

Preparing for a "Season of Simplicity"

(Picture is of our Backyard area)

A few months ago, I was inspired to participate in a "December Project" which basically is a time to pull away from the noisy distractions of the season, and focus on the Lord in the comfort of our home. I'm so excited, because as a family, we're going to use this time to *really* simplify!

December 11th-December 25th We're planning on:

*Strictly Candlelight/oil lamps only

*Television/Movie, radio & internet free

*No convenience foods/mixes

*No trips to the store/shopping

We're really looking forward to this, and I know it will be hard not to update my blog ;) I'll take pictures everyday though! Our one free day is Dec.19th, so that evening I'll give you a huge post!! :) We're all thinking of creative ideas for games, crafts, putting on a theatrical play, singing hymns, family devotions & reading...

If you have any electricity-free ideas, please comment!!

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Inspired by MaryJanes recipe for Homemade Crackers, I decided to give them a try!

First, I prepared my favorite No-mayo Spinach Dip recipe:

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Drain 10 oz. pkg of Chopped spinach...

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Add 8 oz. softened cream cheese...

Add 1 cup sharp Cheddar cheese, 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, and 1 cup sour cream. (I know, I know, triple threat!!)

1 Tbsp minced onion, 2 cloves garlic (crushed) , 1 tsp spicy mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper

Combine ingredients, then put in crock-pot or on stove top until cheese melts. (Makes 4 cups)

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MaryJane's Basic Farmhouse Crackers

In Medium bowl combine:

1.5 cups flour, 3/4 tsp salt

(1.5 tsp cream of tartar, 3/4 tsp baking powder--I just used baking powder instead of tartar/soda)

Add 1/4 cup oil until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs

Pour in 1/2 cup water. Stir until dough forms

In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 egg, 2 tsp sugar, 1 tsp balsamic vinegar

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Roll out dough as thin as you'd like, then brush with a bit of egg mixture.

Cut into whatever shape crackers you prefer. (I did rectangles) Transfer to oiled baking sheet.

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Bake for 10-20 minutes in 350 degree oven...Then serve with dip!!!

O0O0Oh, this is *delicious*

I sprinkled the crackers with sea salt before serving :)

Tip: I'm sure it depends on your family/friends, but I'd triple this cracker recipe for serving 4-6 people.

Fare thee well, November!

Ah, it's been a while! :)

Hope everyone had a nice holiday! We traveled up to SC for the day to visit my Grandmother and relatives. It was a good time of fellowship~ I'm looking forward to the upcoming weeks of cool weather..better excuses for homemade bread and COMFORTING soup!
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Sweet Potatoes--Last of the harvest

My brother joining us...
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I'm so glad they produced..we let this section go "wild" so I wasn't sure what to expect!

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"Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root:

they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit" Jeremiah 12:2a
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My sister holding a basket of small potatoes

(I really like her crocheted sweater--

We're working on a new project soon! )

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I am holding the 2nd basket of potatoes~

We harvested about 13-14 lbs total--I hear smaller potatoes have better flavor (heh)

Well, we'll see!

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Nearby pasture...

We were driving home to the cottage, and I couldn't help but capture this serene moment!
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Interior

My Mother moved our antique sewing machine into the living room..(from the parlour)

I love the warm light shining through.

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I think these were literally our last days of nice weather. What better time than to hang laundry while we still can :)
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.soft.

We've been raking leaves and collecting pecans..

(My Father and brother are in the background.)
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My Mother enjoying the cool rain from the kitchen window...

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"Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest"

Proverbs 6:8

Serving at Home

(Dad and I )

I'm so grateful that I'm able to use this time to be a stay-at-home daughter. I sincerely do feel like I've been given a great opportunity, and my relationship with my parents is continuing to grow closer, as I strive to honor them.

Today's society seems to see this as a step-backward, but if my goal is not to be a fast paced career woman, wouldn't it be more prudent for me to spend my time doing what will benefit me in the future? There is so much I desire and need to learn, so this bit of time is spent growing in character, convictions, home skills and ((gathering)) wisdom from the older generation!

The question of, "What will you do now that you've graduated?" has been brought up many times, but what concerns me is that 'serving at home until marriage' isn't viewed as a respectable option anymore. How unfortunate! Using my time at home is something I chose to do, and desire to do as a career--I personally believe it to be a noble calling!

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Media Review

I watched this dvd, "To be One" a few months ago, and I'd definitely recommend it for those who want to learn more about courtship! I think many have a misconception of what courtship/betrothal means, but this dvd really highlights the differences. The beauty was showing all three weddings...in each, you could tell the atmosphere was so sweet :) I also enjoyed the interviewing before and after marriage. They all stayed true to guarding their hearts, and I learned more about the symbolic parallel of Christ and His Bride. Link to website: HERE

~ I just discovered a new magazine called "SALT" and it's such a delightful read! It's run by a family (now expecting 13th child!) with great articles on Homemaking, Courtship, Family, Education and more. I really like the humor throughout, and they offer a *free* magazine HERE if you're interested! We're planning on supporting the ministry, please join us! It encourages me so much to see and hear of families who are training their young men to be providers and their young women to be homemakers.

Hmm, We all seem to be S P R E A D apart (location-wise) though!

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Visiting Friends

A fortnight ago, we traveled up to spend the day with a dear family (who follow my blog) whom we'd met through other blog readers, and it was a delight!

~We had wonderful fellowship at their home, then we walked through the historic town for a local festival!We enjoyed ourselves so much! We hope it won't be too long before we get-together again :)

The above photo is of an older woman churning butter *sigh* I love her classic hairstyle and dress...I hardly ever see older women dressed modestly/femininely anymore....


I decided to make butter yesterday!
1. Pour 32 oz room-temperature heavy-whipping cream in 2 jars (half-full)
2. Shake! I shook the jars for about an hour
3. Start pressing & 'rinsing' the butter with ice cold water...this removes the buttermilk.
4. I added: 1/2 tsp salt, 1 TBsp raw honey, and 1 tsp dried rosemary. Wrapped the butter up until use.

Done! I made 1 lb. butter using 32 oz of cream.
It's *delicious*
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In the Garden


I remove the old (lettuce) leaves so that the nutrients focus on new growth.
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Lettuce and tomato plant...
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Bell peppers..
They're small, but packed with flavor!
I guess that's the story with organic gardening....
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I'm really excited about next years garden because we're going to do alot more...
I've been doing alot of research on what will grow best for our area, and how much we'd need to be self-sufficient, so that's exciting :)

Don't let the pictures fool you, the temperature is dropping, and it's starting to get cold!

So much to do!!

Sleepy days...

For the past few days, we've been receiving rain non-stop, and it's been wonderful!

Slumbering to the natural sound of rain ceaselessly pouring on the tin roof & waking to the beginnings of rain showers...Because we couldn't go outside, it was a great opportunty to spend more time "making home" as my Mother says!

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I use vinegar/baking soda to deep clean the chopping board...
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My sister & I baked cupcakes together...

I've been making so many pumpkin/apple/sweet potato recipes, that I was happy to taste just good, old-fashioned vanilla!

2 cups flour

1.5 cups sugar

2.5 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup shortening

3/4 cup cream (or milk)

1 TBsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs

Combine wet ingredients...add dry ingredients

Pour into paper-lined muffin cups; Bake in 350 degree oven for 20 mins.

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We baked quite a bit of cupcakes! I tripled the recipe :)

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How do you like "Cupcake Mountain?" hehe

I didn't make all these for dessert, they're to be frozen for later!
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Cupcakes keep for up to a few months (although I don't think these will last that long!)

I individually wrapped each one, sealed in container, then a freezer bag. To make it airtight, I used a straw to withdraw the extra air in the bag...

In total, we baked 58 cupcakes!! This was a great, basic recipe :)

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Potato Soup w/ salad

Here's my favorite Italian (House) dressing I created last year...

1/2 cup each: olive and vegetable oil

1/4 cup each: red wine and apple cider vinegar

1/2 tsp each: pepper, onion powder, ginger powder

2 TBsp powdered/fresh Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup water
1.5 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp dried oregano

5 tsp sugar
2 tsp salt
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A delightful read:

I paged through Victoria magazines from the early 90's....
They're so feminine!

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~Lovely~

Antique books...
I love reading books written 75+ years ago--
All the books on this table are copy written circa 1840-1930
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Handwritten:

"Presented

Mary I. Chloe (sp?)

her grandmother

on her 9th birthday

June 13th 1876"

"The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest." ~Thomas Moore

Q&A and a review of my day...

"...do you (or your sister and mother) wear crocheted ponchos or sweaters throughout the day?" *A.J.

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Yes, I've bought a few crocheted sweaters/shawls, but my sister wears her handmade sweater she finished last year. She's currently working on another project now that her blanket is finished! I've crocheted scarves, but I'm not diligent like she is! Wearing shawls is a must during the winter months! :)

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"Just found your blog...and Love it! Does your family watch tv? What's a typical evening for you?" Anonymous

Our family has chosen not to watch television, but we do watch movies together! We specifically review & choose our movies through Netflix and it's a delight to have them sent directly to our cottage! We used to go to the video store to rent dvd's, but as you know dear reader, the advertisements and selection are not family friendly! So they unofficially succeeded in scaring us away! Plus, we love BBC period drama's, vintage classics, and christian films which are most often in stock via Netflix.

A typical evening for us is usually spent in fellowship! When my father comes home, he works outside for a while, then we eat dinner together in the parlour. A variety of subjects are brought up, then we usually discuss for quite a while! Also, if a dvd happened to arrive that day, most often we'll bring in dessert, then watch the movie together. PS) We do stay up (moderately) late! :)
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"....my question is how to stay warm and wear skirts/dresses i live in a very WINDY cold place I wear 2/3 layers of thermals and jeans over the top and still can be cold any ideas?" *Anonymous
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Great question! Here's what helped me when I wore skirts during our *cold* trip to St.Louis, MO during the winter:

*A good pair of COTTON tights....those thin nylon/poly whatevers don't do a thing! The only problem is that cotton doesn't have alot of "stretch" so you often have to purchase larger sizes...but the warmth is great!

*A warm pair of flannel-like capri's...sweatpants are fine, but in public I wouldn't risk the chance of someone spying the pant leg! lol So I like capri's to wear under calf/ankle length skirts.

*Heavy Skirt--Corduroy, Wool or Denim are great types of heavy material. Even though I love cotton skirts, they just aren't heavy/warm enough (for me) during the months of January and February!

*100% Wool-Blend socks--They're expensive so I bought ours in bulk for a discount price from Ebay. They feel 10x warmer than traditional socks...Oh, make sure they're Men's socks..they're better!

*Get rid of the jeans--Jeans are much colder than skirts! I won't go into detail, but believe it or not, skirts keep in/circulate warmth, while jeans actually leave you exposed to the cold! I found that for my own experience, there wasn't any need for jeans under my skirt- however your preference may differ of course! :)

*Try petticoats (cotton slips) It's what women have done for years and it works great!

*A good pair of boots..(I found mine secondhand for $5) I put away my flats and wear nice boots instead! They're warm and I like the old-fashioned look.

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"...it looks like you have the same texture hair is me. Do you do anything for frizziness? Or to calm to curl so they will lay flatter? Just wondering!" *Shani

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Yes, I once heard someone say "Treat your hair like fine lace!" and so that often comes to mind when I style my hair--although it doesn't have to be taken literally, I try to take my time to preserve length (I decided to grow out my hair..no more hair cuts!). It's hard to tame frizziness because often it's determined by weather (from the windy city of Chicago, to the humidity of the South) But here's what I try to incorporate regularly:

*Deep Condition often. This strengthens the hair & 'calms the curl' for me. Normally I use natural or homemade products.


*Use heavy conditioner instead of gel/mousse--I'm sure this won't work for everyone, but this "weighs down" the hair for me, reduces "frizz" and defines curls. Great on dry or wet hair. Herbal Essence works best as a heavy conditioner. This is my only store bought product for hair I consistently use.

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"What is your daily routine on a "normal" day..." *Rhonda Jean
Fun question! In response, I decided to document my day through pictures:

We do things by "homeschool time", so it's really relaxed here, no rigid schedule! :)

~Thursday, November 5th~

7:15 am
Good morning!

7:30 am

Run outside to feed the cats and dog, complete devotions, shower, iron clothes for the day.
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Dew laden grass...

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In response to those who asked about everyday feminine attire..here's what I wore:

*Ruffle long sleeved blouse w/ high collar folded down
*Dress & matching belt *Brown shawl *Black lace up boots

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My Mother made french toast for breakfast, but on a whim I decided to invent a pumpkin pancake syrup! It was scrumptious!!

Heat in a small saucepan:

1/2 cup milk till very hot

1/4 cup plus 1 TBsp Pumpkin puree

1 TBsp sugar

1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, ginger,cloves

Add 1/2 cup pumpkin mix to 1/2 cup pancake syrup.

Turned out wonderful, perfect for an Autumn breakfast!

9:15 am Finished Breakfast, read a chapter from the Word

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9:45 am Homeschool Lessons

We laid out a blanket, and I taught my brother's lessons outdoors. Here's how we do the nature studies:

At the library, I asked my brother what new subject he'd like to learn about, and he chose the Rainforest! So we looked through multiple books on the subject, and chose the most interesting (with best photo's!) I then learn about Rainforest's myself, then choose what I'd like to focus on. I like to have a measuring tape nearby, so he can visualize how big the creatures are.

I read some, then ask him questions...He reads, then does copy-work in his notebook.

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While he was writing, my sister joined us outside, and the two of us had a bible study. We simply picked Psalm 119 and read 5 verses each until the chapter was done. Wow, it's beautiful, long, and full of good truths to ponder on! By the time we were done, my brother completely finished his work.

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11:00 am Bike riding

After lessons, the three of us went bike-riding through the neighborhood. Even though this morning was chilly, it did warm up!

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11:30 am

When we came back, my brother had received his package in the mail--The Chronicles of Narnia dvd! He placed a bid on Ebay for the first time, and won! It was a great deal: $1.98 with Free Shipping!
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11:35 am

Usually during this time I sew or play piano, so I decided to practice piano...

12 pm: Lunch! We usually sit on the front porch to eat and talk for a while

12:30-2 pm: My Blog, e-mail, and research :)

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I set aside time to do photography:

My blonde cat, Jessie
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He is Exalted

The king is exalted on high

I will praise Him

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He is exalted forever exalted

I will praise His Name!

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I walked up to the back of the property and started singing this as loud as I possibly could! I started to raise my hands, and at that vulnerable moment, everything seemed to just fade away... and all I could hear was praise ringing through the trees!
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Texture of the overlooked
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Sunlight pouring through the barn...
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Last of the roses....

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3 pm: Homeschool Lessons with Mother

My Mother teaches spelling, reading, writing, & math to my brother. He uses the revised McGuffey readers.
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During this time, I'm overseeing my sisters' work.

She's working out of the Far above Rubies unit study.
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Feminine Hairstyle

4:30 pm

Here's a favorite style of mine, that I usually use for re-enacting.

The previous night, I twist many sections of damp hair, then put up in a bun.

In the morning, I take out the twists so that my hair is now wavy.

Roll up hair ends, then pin directly in the back.Take pieces of hair from the sides to pin in the middle.

Here's what I base it upon:

4:45-6 pm We used this time to eat supper & prepare for the Little Women production at 7 pm. My sister and I dressed in our 1860's style dresses and also wore our shawls. It was at a Historic Church, and it was delightful to come as a spectator completely in costume!

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7:00 pm

The audience of family and friends were really engaged and in-tune to the flow of the story, and the 1 act play was well done by the students!

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A snapshot: 'Jo' March and 'Laurie' Laurence

8:45 pm- Arrived home

9:00 pm- I made some homemade Kettle Corn and my Mother, Sister and I watched a bit of BBC's Wives and Daughters before retiring for the night!

That was our day!

An evening to process Chickens

*To my dear vegetarian readers please feel free to skip this post, as I'd never want to upset you in any way!!

It's that time! Yesterday our chickens were processed!

It was done the old-fashioned way, and it wasn't *that* bad :)

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We've all really enjoyed having chickens. They were free range during the day, then followed one of us back to the chicken house to roost at night. They *literally* crossed the road, and wouldn't want to come back, so we would send "Ol'Yeller" and they'd be round up, sheepdog style!

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At the Chicken Coop...

A friend of ours came to give us instruction since we're beginners, and my father & brother assisted him.

I, ...er, watched from far away!

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Here he is about to...*ahem* start. He did it on a cut log which I thought was old-fashioned, (ok, so I was searching for the bright side of the situation) lol! My father's in the foreground holding the...hatchet. heh.

BUT It wasn't messy because instead of letting the chicken frantically run around (and get stains everywhere) He placed the chicken in a clean rubbage bin/trash can to flap around until their life ceased.

~

Seriously though, you should've seen me...I was taking deep breaths, pacing around trying to convince myself how Pioneer style this is...lol! I got used to it though, and the whole family worked together, and it was done quickly. I thought it was good that our instructor showed us what to do, and left us to do it ourselves. I think we all feel prepared enough to do this again in the future.
~

We were completely finished by sundown, and we'll probably sample one this weekend, and freeze the rest. Oh, just in case you're wondering, we processed 6 organic chickens, and they're all about 5-6 lbs each.
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So that's our babystep towards self-sufficiency!

A walk around the Cottage/Living Simply

A peek out our kitchen window...

Our cottage has truly been a blessing, but I've become aware that it may seem a bit "cleaned up" or "perfect" here, and dear reader, that isn't the case! Our days filled with homeschooling are often boisterous and carefree, and not quite so scheduled! But whether we're quick to hop on our bikes to enjoy the sunset, or watch a beautiful movie on a sleepy, rainy day; we do invest time with each other!

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I'm so blessed to have Visionary parents...the decisions my Father makes for our family direction is in our best interest, even if I don't see it at the time lol! They're quick to go to the Word for leading, and always challenge us (especially me) in different areas of our thinking, which I appreciate.
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The reason we call our current home a Cottage, is because it's an endearment :)

Like the word "Darling", it isn't necessary, but shows affection.

Our cottage was built in 1940, and is very small; but we love it!

Although it needed loads of TLC, our family saw past the imperfections and we continually work toward making our tiny home cozy, judged on it's warmth and not square-footage.

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December 2008

Kitchen wall

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November 2009

It only took my Dad a few hours to build these shelves around the wall
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December 2008

Part of the Kitchen counters/cabinets

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November 2009
We love that these windows face the front of the Cottage! The canister on the chopping board is filled with vegetable scraps for the compost outside.
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One of the Flylady tips my Mother uses for organizing is the "27 fling boogie". Everyone in the house collects 27 items each to give away to a good thrift store. It's a great way to de-clutter, and bless others in need! I'll confess this is so hard for me, as I have quite a bit of SecondHand Treasures that I love! I did end up giving away 27 items & a few extra blouses/skirts, as I have too many.
Would y'all be interested in a giveaway of some Treasures? :)
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Making Pretzels together...

I think I've mentioned this before, but I now see the value of homeschooling and being together all day. As an older sibling, I learn to practice patience and other values that will benefit me in the future. As the eldest daughter, I'm continuing to learn true submission to my parents, and I'm so grateful for this time to grow so that I will be better prepared!

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We all became interested in "Simple Living" a few years before moving into the cottage...we had always had a small garden, but desired to have a larger one. We shopped second-hand, My Mother sewed and used a clothesline, I made soaps, we did square-foot organic gardening and in the midst of suburbia we created a mini-homestead :) Now that we're out in the country, we have more room to have farm animals/garden/greenhouse etc.

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"...The LORD has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm,

And the clouds are the dust of His feet." Nahum 1:3

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Now's the time for fresh pecans!
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Ahh, it's baking season! My favorite spread:

Honey Butter Recipe

4 TBsp (softened) Butter+ 1 TBsp Honey= 1/4 cup
or doubled:
1 Stick (softened) Butter+ 2 TBsp Honey= 1/2 cup
This is so delicious on Scones/Biscuits or even baked Sweet Potatoes!
. An Old-Fashioned scale to weigh ingredients...

This is such a fun kitchen item, it's accurate too!

~

An Open door...

We've had quite a few unexpected visits lately, and although its been a blessing, it does challenge me to be better prepared to recieve guests at any time! Here's what I want to have done:

*Frozen Meals

*Parlour always tidy

*Extra baked goods wrapped and put away

*Homemade tea concentrate for quick batches of Sweet tea

~

So much to do before the cold weather moves in...

Finished Crocheted project

Although I only helped crochet the easy parts (hehe) my sister did the majority of it! The beret was crocheted quickly(in 1 day) and I've enjoyed wearing it. When we go bike riding, I wear it as a "snood" so my hair isn't exposed to the wind!

.

Puff Slouchy Hat (beret)

From the back...
It looks slightly different from the original pattern because of the material/hook size

.

Upclose...

Now that we're familiar with the pattern, we'll make adjustments to the next few!
~

I really appreciate your comments/suggestions/questions at my last update, and I'm looking forward to the upcoming posts, especially answering a few questions! Please continue to stop by :)

I'd like to hear from you!

Dear Readers,
I'd like to get your opinion on what type of posts you're interested to see in the future! I do this every once in a while :) So if you've ever thought, "I wish Mia would post about _______" Here's an opportunity for me to try and incorporate a few fun questions, facts, topics etc. on anything!
For example, my Mother has been mentioning if I'd incorporate more homemaking posts, which I'll be doing soon!
Ideas/Posts on:
*My attire or hair care/styles
*Homemaking/decor/cleaning
*Encouragement for stay at home daughters
*More about my family or extended family
*My thoughts on youth today
*Reviews on dvd's/books
*(Or just any random question!)

Please leave a comment (come out of lurking! lol)
I love hearing from you!

A Crisp, Fall day for an Old Fashioned Picnic

The picnic was a small gathering of families whom we knew, and it was a delightful day--we had so much fun! Here are a few snapshots:
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Table setting

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A young lady dressed for the occasion
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We had simple decor--everyday things from the cottage. One family brought a CD player & so Mozart was played as delightful background music the entire time :)
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I don't have an upclose picture, but this blouse is an Original shirtwaist from the late 1890's! I bought it off Ebay for a bargain price, and *love* the authentic look! It's interesting--The cotton material seems to have a firm/tighter weave and has a unique feel compared to modern cotton blouses. I'll be washing it by hand only.

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The ground was dry (it had rained the night before) so we decided to spread out the blankets/quilts and picnic the old fashioned way! After the prayer, we ate together and had really good fellowship...At one point my dad asked us, "what event or invention can you share about that happened in the 1800's?" This sparked fun conversation :)
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Beautiful Bonnet

(Her grandmother made it for her)
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Another Badminton game :)
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These two went exploring for Mica rocks

My Mother and I

Nearby Woodlands

My sister knitting--Her hands are always busy!

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The weather stayed at around 70 degrees & was partially cloudy--perfect for today! I didn't capture everything we did at the picnic, as we also had other fun games and even bubbles for the younger ones {ok, I'll admit I loved the bubbles too! } There was a wedding at the stone pavilion, and a few curious guests seem to enjoy the picnic scene/music/us running around in hats swinging badminton rackets lol. They even tried to discreetly take pictures from their cars!

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After we packed up everything to make the journey home, my Mother commented saying, "What made this unique is that its something we've always wanted to do, and done in a way we always pictured an old fashioned picnic to be like (compared to old-fashioned=grilling out, BBQ potluck etc.)" And for me, I really appreciated that everyone took the extra step to dress in attire that reflected the theme!!

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Last Thursday

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About a week ago, our family was out shopping, and stopped in an antique mall. We really enjoyed ourselves, and before we left, we were approached by an older gentleman. He said he was encouraged by our family because we were all modestly dressed and could tell we were Christians! He talked with my dad for a while, then invited us to his home & exchanged contact info before we all parted. So on Thursday, we visited their homestead! They live way out in the country, and it was so beautiful!

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Their sons are in the Dairy business, so there were dozens of cows, one of which gave birth right before we came! They showed us the garden and orchard, and offered collard/lettuce plants for us to take home!

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Butter crunch & Red leaf Lettuce

They've been homesteading there for over 30 years and own many acres of land, so it was simply inspiring to ask questions on self sufficiency and fellowship with the family!

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A Trip to Town

On Friday, my dad had the day off, so we all got ready to plant the lettuce & collards. Well, to make room, we'd have to dig up a few sweet potatoes...and we didn't have a pitchfork! So we spontaneously jumped in the car, even took the dog with us, and drove to "town" to visit the local hardware stores. We drove into the super small town 20 mins away, compared prices, then purchased the tool needed. Dad took long, scenic roads back to the cottage! What made it fun is how focused/purposeful the trip to town was-- we drove all that way for one tool!
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Here's one of the potatoes we uprooted...Most of the potato plants we'll leave alone until mid-November.

These are ready to be planted!
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Dew drops
*~*

Planting...
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"Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour" 1 Corinthians 3:8

Simply Wednesday

The OldFashioned Picnic is still scheduled for this Saturday--Oct 24th.

11 am-3 pm at Indian Springs Park

A time for fellowship and a few games :)

We look forward to seeing you there, *please* remember to email me if you're planning on attending! And feel free to dress up if you'd like! :)

Melodytoharmony (at) Gmail.com
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This morning my sister continued working on a Slouch Beret she's crocheting for me :)

After breakfast, we sat outside and had a lovely time!
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Tom Kitten says, "I think you skipped a stitch!"

To see the pattern, click Here (The pattern turned out to be small, so she increased to make it larger.)
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While my sister crocheted, I read out-loud a chapter of 'The Last Sin Eater' by Francine Rivers.

It's an excellent book, and we took turns reading and crocheting together.

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I've been blessed to have such a lovely sister. We're complete opposites in personalities(harmoniously compatible!), but she laughs at all my jokes, accents and stories (hehe) and I know that if I need her help during the most inconvenient time, or opinion on a song I wrote, she's always willing to sacrifice her time for others... A blessing indeed. Hope y'all have had a great week thus far!

"That you also aspire to...

Lead a quiet life...

Being at home doesn't necessarily mean you're guaranteed a "quiet life". Distractions can easily pull oneself away from the home, even if it's a good thing. I've learned that we're not obligated to sign up for every little get-together or event :) Even though that sounds elementary, at first it was difficult to say "No" to the temptations of spontaneous invitations or events. Even though it could be great, sometimes it's not worth the stress of a late night, or a kitchen left in disrepair due to leaving in haste! --But it's been wonderful to spend most of the week at home doing projects, and not constantly being out.

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Mind your own business...

"Be still, and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10

Wrapped in a shawl, I sipped on hot tea as I searched the scriptures--And I always find it so relaxing to take as much time as needed to literally "be still" and read with an open heart.

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And to work with your own hands...

"I believe that when one can grow to the point where he loves his work, this gives him a kind of strength

that is most valuable." Booker T. Washington

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I had mentioned in a previous post that as I use this time at home to learn and grow, my short-comings are addressed (by my parents), and I receive any advice/helpful instruction from there, as they know my heart and have my best interests in mind . This is so beneficial! If I become dissatisfied or lazy in my work, I have to remember to do everything unto the Lord-- enjoying being at home, and eager to learn and work with my hands. Doing things the right way isn't always the quickest and easiest..but in the long run? A blessing.

..as we commanded you." 1 Thessalonians 4:11

I don't know about you, but I find this "command" beautiful!

When I think of 'Living a quiet life', I think of

Rest, peace, assurance, hard work, and a pleasant countenance.

~

Today I decided to bake bread, and it turned out perfect!!

Dutch Apple Bread

In a large bowl:

*1 stick butter

*1/2 cup oil

*2 cups homemade brown sugar
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Homemade Brown Sugar recipe:

Have you ever looked at the ingredients in packaged brown sugar? It's corn syrup solids!! As a delicious alternative, I make my own brown sugar. It's super easy, fast, and gives desserts the "old fashioned" taste.

Ingredients: 1.5 TBsp Molasses + 1 cup Sugar=1 cup Brown sugar. That's it!

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After mixing the butter, oil and sugar together, I add:

*4 large eggs

*3 tsp vanilla

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In a separate bowl, I sift together:

*4 cups wheat flour

*2 tsp baking soda

*1/2 tsp salt

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This is optional, but I highly recommend it!

In a small bowl add:

*1/2 cup dried cranberries (Craisins)

Pour hot water over the cranberries(not too much) and cover bowl with plastic wrap.

This process is often used for raisins to "plump" them up before use in baking :)

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Alternately pour into butter/sugar mixture:

*2/3 cup apple juice

*Dry ingredients

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Chop 2 apples (I used Gala & Granny Smith) into small pieces:

*about 2.5 cups

Then fold apples into batter...

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Drain cranberry liquid elsewhere, then add berries to mixture.

*Pour batter into 2 greased and floured loaf pans

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Crumb Topping:

3/4 cup flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

3 tsp Cinnamon

6 TBsp Butter pieces

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Add crumb topping to the tops of bread before putting loaves into oven!

(I didn't use all of the topping)

Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 45 mins or until done.

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Ahh, the smell of bread baking is so comforting!! lol

It turned out delicious--not too dense, but warm and flavorful, without being heavy. My dad especially enjoyed this, so I'll try this recipe in muffin form so he can take some to work!

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In Preparation

"How often do you/your family use candles instead of electric lights? Do you heat the house with wood?" *AJ from Texas

~

This question goes perfectly with what my family has been discussing lately--but first, I'll answer:

During this time of year(especially winter) Almost everyday. We often use candles instead of lights during the evening, especially while we're eating a meal. There's something about that rich glow that makes the family meal table more special.

We've made it through the past winter without central heating (only a few electric space heaters) and that worked out well--Although we've talked of using the fireplace for heat this year, we still have to have it cleaned. Until then, we'll go without central heat in the following months.

We had a family discussion about preparation, and I wanted to share a few things we talked about!
We're always on the lookout for books, and enjoy having many on different subjects! My Dad mentioned this: "If the libraries shut down or closed for most of the week, would we have sufficient reading material at home?"
This also convicted me to not put so much dependency on the digital world...I'll admit, I have many more digital photos on the computer, than photos that are printed! It's interesting, the physical communication/escape (hand-written letters & recipes, pictures, "visiting" a friend, reading books) can all be accomplished online. Just a thought!
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*What if your electricity went out for 3 days? How would you prepare meals and does this affect your well/tap water supply?
*Do you have enough candles or kerosene lamps at home for each room?
~
I know we've all had "power outages" at one time or another :) No matter how long or short it goes on for, whether you panic or get excited, Its just all-around comforting to feel (somewhat) prepared.
We have well water, so unfortunately if the power goes out....the water stops. You know that feeling of suddenly becoming extremely thirsty...lol

So we're keeping jugs of water in the cabinet for reserve.
I didn't go too far into this topic, but I'd love to hear your thoughts!

~

Natural Decor

Braiding the Goldenrod blooms...

After braiding with Goldenrod into a wreath, my sister hung it upon the door. Afterwards, we went out to the field to pick more flowers :)

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My curious cat loves to help...

Looking for more areas to harvest flowers....

My sister picked a beautiful bouquet...

When we came inside, I caught my Mother on her way outside. She inspires me daily as she delights in her role as Help meet, Mother & Friend

After braiding the tall grass, my sister arranged the flowers together...

Into a lovely wreath!

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8

A beautiful day

On Saturday morning, we woke up early to go to yard sales..We went through a few small towns, and we were amazed at the multitude of locals who set up their tables with treasures to sell (They set up at gas stations, shopping centers etc.) ..It actually looked very much like the above photo, except there were cars :) It was very busy!

My Finds:

I bought this collection of 4 old-fashioned dress figurines,

2 purses and 2 treasure boxes for $0.25 each!

~

At one of the gas station set-ups (lol) I spotted this beautiful box and asked the price..I was told $0.75! I almost gave myself a paper cut, as I pulled out my dollar with lightening speed! The handle is really heavy, which is nice. The box measures 10" wide.

~

There was an open house/Estate sale down the street, so we stopped by. I'm guessing the house was probably built in the 1930s. Inside the power was off, so she literally handed us a flashlight to go through the rooms PACKED with 40+ years of vintage goodness! I ended up buying this straw hat for $1.00. The back is folded up, which I like. After I paid for it, I immediately put it on!

A nearby church was in on the fun and hosted a garage sale as well..I found this shawl there for $1.00. Its worn and a neutral color, which will be perfect for the chilly days ahead.
~

One place was having a sale by donations only...So I bought two sweaters and this hat all for $2.00!

So in total today I spent less than $7.oo!

~

Gathering Flowers
When we came home, my sister spent time in the back gathering this bunch of flowers. I love the vibrant color, and sometime soon hope to try my hand at dyeing fabrics using plants.

Visiting with New Friends...

A month or two ago, we were at a Christian event, and I was approached by a family who recognised me from my blog! They ended up not living too far from us, and invited us over to their Homestead! When we came yesterday, they also had another dear family there who reads my blog as well!
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A few Country girls...
It encouraged me so much to spend time with the girls! They told me about their love for old-fashioned things, and even had civil war and regency dresses that they wore that evening!!


My mother talking to the Ladies^
We all conversed on the front porch, and it was delightful! Sharing stories, insights, prayer requests...it was a blessing :)

Beautiful tables and decor...

Sunkissed Zinnias at the picket fence...

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Touring the Hen House...

Fellowship before the meal...

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During the meal, we had wonderful conversation...

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After dessert, I brought out my guitar, and we gathered

around the fireplace and worshipped the Lord together.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Colossians 3:16

A sweet gift... Apple butter, cookies, wall decor, and a candle! We truly had a memorable day :)

I want to take a moment to ((Thank you)) for reading my blog! Through it, I've been able to meet some of you and look forward to more opportunities in the future! Also, your comments encourage me so much :)

I'll be back soon with more updates!

Learning the art of Homemaking...

"Housekeeping is an art; Such knowledge is drawn from practical experience, family traditions, the natural and social sciences, and many other stores of understanding and information."

A quote from "Home Comforts: The art & science of keeping house" by Cheryl Mendelson
~

What I love about being a Stay-at-home daughter is that it's continual learning. I have this opportunity to learn from my Mother the art of Homemaking. She imparts to me tips on housework...how to go the extra step to make the job excellent--not just do the minimum or what's required.

I was recently talking to a young mother who has 3 children, and asked her advice on preparation as I wait on the Lord. She encouraged me to make the most of my time now, and serve my family/sacrifice & yeild my wants for the wants of others-- as this will be very helpful when (if it's the Lords will) I'm a wife/mother someday. I really appreciate talks like this, because if this is what I aspire to be, I want to learn all that I can now. (While I still have "free time" to grow in the Lord in my fathers household)

A part of this training is Meal Planning. My Mother has been an excellent guide in this, as she directs me in getting the most Nutritional value out of meals as well.

Today my Mother and I sat outside with our cups of tea (Apple spice!), Notebooks, cookbooks and ideas to discuss our upcoming weekly menu's for the season. The goal is to plan our meals ahead, to avoid impulse meal planning (walk into the kitchen wondering what's for dinner). To do this frugally while eating fruits/vegetables that are Seasonal.

~

I put together an Inventory of Vegetables/Dairy/Meat/Fruit/Pasta/Dry Goods so we could see on paper what we have!

As we purchased food, we bought in "bulk" so that we could divide ingredients into different meals. For example, I shopped the sales and bought an 8lb roast for $8.00. I cooked it slow for 6 hours, then divided it up into 4 pieces. I used it in 4 different meals, and so it ended up costing only $2 per meal for my family!

A few Cookbooks we use:

"The Vegetarian Mother's Cookbook" by Cathe Olson & "More with Less Cookbook": (suggestions by Mennonites on how to eat better and consume less of the world's limited food resources) by Doris Longacre
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Hospitality

No matter how elaborate or frugal, challenging or easy--Meals are one of the most necessary parts of "Everyday". Lately I've been making desserts (pound cake, cookies, brownies) in the morning--I individually wrap each piece, and put it away. We recently had un-expected guests visit at the cottage, and it was a delight to offer a meal and have dessert and coffee available at a moments notice. I'm hoping to also do extra freezer meals for this reason as well!

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As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galations 6:10

A lovely day trip...

Today our family took a day trip!
We planned to meet a few re-enactors (to participate with in upcoming events) at a Living history museum, attend local festivities and of course tour the historic small towns!

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19th Century Village

The Courthouse

Our guide for the beginning of the tour...We went through a shoemakers shop and wood-working shop as well.

Inside an 1840's bedroom..I love the simple interior

In the sewing room, a woman and her daughter were demonstrating the weaving process and even the finish product! Afterward, we also toured servants quarters, the Cotton mill and the bale press.

A true cotton blossom

Our next tour guide was very informative! She showed us a few homes, the General store, a handmade pottery kiln and school-house.

Flowers in the kitchen garden...

Lovely walls

Autumn hydrangeas

I was able to meet and chat with the other re-enactors, and enjoyed touring the town with my family. It's a much better experience to be in 19th century attire. I must say, the corset & multiple petticoats definitely made me "feel the part" as the weather inched above 95 degrees. Although cotton "breathes" (heh..that's debatable) its quite hot and bothersome when you're wearing three layers of it!

Autumn reflections...

A few leaves had fallen into the antique wash buckets outside

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Small town Fair

Throughout GA, many small towns are centered around the local railroad station. The first "rails" were built in Georgia in the 1830's. Through successes and trials, more tracks were constructed and continued into the strong, 5000 mile network we know today! (Just a little history!)

Many people from the town gathered for the festivities, as there was music, craft and food vendors, and of course, nearby shoppes! I wore my 19th century dress though, because I didn't like the fact of feeling like I had to change (which includes)

1. Grab a "change of clothes"{a.k.a super wrinkled top and skirt}

2. Run across the lot to a restroom

3. Remove about 30 lbs (lol exaggeration!) of 19th century attire

4. Run back across the parking lot to put clothes into car

5. Try to catch up with my family as I run across the street with wrinkled clothes and flyaway hair

Why. Simply because of caring what others think!?

So as I'm sure you, dear reader, see my reasoning..I decided to keep on my dress and leisurely enjoy the small town. I received interesting reactions, to put it simply!

I want to encourage you to develop convictions & wear what you love, even if it goes against what other's consider "normal". This used to be a stronghold for me, as it's easier to go with the grain than against it. Oh, I have so much I'd like to share on this subject, but I'll leave it for another time :)

~

Mother browsing through the antiques...

We had a full day, and it's nice to reflect on todays adventures

from the comforts of...Home.

'Ponder the path of your feet,

And let all your ways be established.' Proverbs 4:26