Modest Swimwear

Last summer in our search for modest swimwear, we came across the website Dressing for His Glory : http://www.dressingforhisglory.com/ and love it! The swimwear is modest, has a simple style, and you can choose from a large selection of swimwear, dresses, skirts & culottes. This year I ordered a new swim shirt, but kept my skort from last year. The material is great, because its waterproof, dries super fast, and doesn't cling when wet. Same for the skort! The outfit is very comfortable by the way! :)

Family Vacation: Houston!

While vacationing in Texas, we were able to go to quite a few antique shops & historic towns/landmarks! I'm so excited that I was able to discover a few treasures ....

Boxes!

Top: At a local antique mall, I saw this beautiful hat box on the shelf, and although its too small for any of my hats, I thought it would work great for storage! :)
Bottom: While touring Old Spring Town, we came across a small specialty shop which I was instantly attracted to. I saw this pretty box on the very top shelf. I asked the clerk if it was for sale, which she assured me, EVERYTHING was for sale! :) I got a great price for it, plus its very sturdy & I love the handles on the side!

Farm Girl Canister Set!

At another specialty shop, I saw this canister set and instantly fell in love with it! The price was a little bit past my budget...but I thought about it, came back to buy it and to my surprise, I got 20% off! :)
I'm too excited about it!!!

Timeless Treasures

Reflections of God's Word

in wisdom of Booker T. Washington

When we were on our way back home, we drove through Alabama, and spontaniously stopped at Tuskeegee University! We were able to tour the George Washington Carver museum also :) While in the museum, I came across this book by Booker T. Washingtons great-granddaughters. It's very inspiring (it features writings, quotes & scripture refrences) It's a great book for inspiration and an inside look at Booker T. Washington's beliefs!

The Self Sufficiency Handbook

This book is definetely a keeper! Wow, I'd readily reccommend it to those who like the mindset of going back to the"old way of living!"

The author goes through all the ways that you can "go green" on ANY budget!

Whether you're in the city, town or country, they answer important questions like how much land is really needed to be self sufficient, Pros/Cons of all the farmyard animals, and practical information on building fences, cages, solar panels & more.

A quiet place in my own backyard...

Last week, I made my own little "quiet place" by moving our wicker chair underneath the pear tree! Add a small table, southern sweet tea (in a Mason jar, of course!) and a good book-- You've found yourself the perfect place for a little "Rest & Relaxation"

:)

Herb of the Month: Sage

I have really been enjoying Sage this month! The aromatic leaves give the perfect "meaty" flavor to dishes such as pork, beef, turkey & chicken! :)

My favorite way to use Sage is to spead the leaves on top of pork sausages before grilling!

Anyway, here's some information:

"Sage is a silvery-green plant with leaves that offer a memorable fragrance. The most common variety of sage was first found growing in regions around the Mediterranean but now grows in regions of North America as well. The leaves of the sage herb serve both medicinal and culinary purposes.For thousands of years sage has been used for a variety of culinary and medicinal purposes. It has been used in connection with sprains, swelling, ulcers, and bleeding. As a tea, sage has been administered for sore throats and coughs. Herbalists have also used this herb for rheumatism, menstrual bleeding, strengthening the nervous system, improving memory, and sharpening the senses."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While sage has links to many cultures throughout the world, it is thought to have originated in Syria. From there it spread throughout the northern Mediterranean and then on to the rest of the world via the trade routes. With over 500 species, from colored varieties to dwarfs to non -lowering varieties, sage is grown throughout the world (almost anywhere there is good drainage and full sun). Most of the varieties are perennials, fast growers, require low moisture and are deer resistant, making them a favorite with gardeners and cooks.
Sage is easy to grow, decorative, medicinal, culinary and spiritual. With so many virtues to its name, is it any wonder that Italian medical students in medieval times recited: "Why should a man die who grows sage in his garden?" Eat, drink, be merry and remember the sage!

The Pilgrims Way--Electricity Free for 3 days

written 5/11/08 by Candle Light

"Early this morning we awoke to the sound of violent winds and continuous flashes of lightning. Our Mothers Day was a unique one--my planned ahead breakfast of biscuits, bacon, pancakes and eggs had to be replaced with cereal and fruit due to the power outage. We attended church as usual, and found that the church (and surrounding neighborhood) was also without electricity! We(our church) persevered though, and you know what?


The sweet simplicity of a Titus 2 teaching, and congregational singing (with only a guitar & piano), made worship so much more personal. We spent most of the day at home, but later drove into town to buy propane for Dad's gas grill. To say that our fellow traffickers were in peril seemed an understatement! Gas stations were closed as well as many chain restaurants and convenience stores. So for those who needed gas, refrigerator-free food, and ice--lets just say, the Kroger parking lot looked like the eve of Thanksgiving day!


To make matters worse, tree branches & storm debris blocked many roads, and most of the traffic lights weren't on (what a mess!) But through all of this, we praise God that many weren't injured!


All in all, although its only been a day without power, its been an adventure" :)

Day 2


My dad took the day off, and we did yard work along with trying to consolidate food and cook all the meat we had. Remember that mother's day bacon and eggs? yum, they sure did come in handy--I was able to cook on the stove-eye that's on our grill.


Tried to make kettle corn. Came out slightly burnt...both the popped corn and the pan!

*If you scroll on the right panel of my blog, find the 'playlist', then you can pause the background music to hear the video*

As it got darker, My brother and sister started shelling the peas they picked earlier...I was able to get a quick video :) I really am not starting to mind getting prepared for bed by candle light. Actually, now that I'm more aware of the candle(s) burning, I go to sleep earlier!

Day 3
Dad took the day off, and is now starting to prepare for our camping trip this weekend.. but haven't we (for the past 3 days) basically just been "urban camping?" :D

Today was laundry day, and to my chagrin (and my parents delight) I had to wash ALL my clothes by hand....I must say, the thought sounds ideal and somewhat romantic...but in reality, its alot of work. I did it though! In record time I washed three loads, and hung them up outside on the clothesline. Hangers just had to do since we are out of clothespins!

I must say that I'm surprised, I really enjoyed washing by hand! I know I'll appreciate my fresh clothes so much more this week!

1:45 pm--Power's on!!! What did I do? Warm up some sausage in the microwave for sandwiches, get on the computer, and recieved two calls! Am I a spoil-sport or what?! :D Let me tell you though, I wouldn't trade the last three days for anything in the world.

3 days living the Pilgrim Way-- Priceless

Wild Blackberries

Yesterday we discovered wild Blackberry vines that were growing in our front yard!There weren't enough to harvest, but hopefully in a year or two, we'll have more! They taste delicious--I can't imagine homemade jams and syrup...

"Then the land will yield its fruit, and you will eat your fill and live there in safety." Leviticus 25:19

Second-hand Treasure: Books!

"Pride & Prejudice"

While at a local Mission Rescue, I saw this classic Jane Austen book and purchased it. There's a fine line between the motives of whether I bought it for novelty (hehe!) OR because of the cover and large print (which is hard to find for Jane's books) so I'll let you decide :)

"My Heart Belongs to Him"

I'm so excited to start this study with my Mom! Its written specifically for Mothers and Daughters. Its a study on growing closer to Jesus and giving Him your heart FIRST. At the book sale, I found these books at 2 completely separate tables and for a great price of $4 each!

"Keepers at Home" Book Set

At the GHEA booksale, I found this complete Keepers at Home set (Directors Notebook w/ schedule & activities already planned, Badge handbook, and original book) for only $5!

It really blessed me because 2 days before, I was just asking my Mom's advice on whether I should start a club for the younger girls at church--I was a little overwhelmed with having to come up with the scheduling etc. but up to the challenge. Now that I have the directors notebook, Its really all done for me; I guess I just study and prepare to go through it. I'm really pleased.

"In the Shelter of the Little Brown Cottage"


I *love* vintage books (in any condition!) and at the GHEA used booksale, I saw this lonely little book amongst the newer, 21st century books & had to buy it! Copyright 1920, it has a library card showing it being checked out from '29-31.

"A Victorian Posy"

Our newest Goodwill contains a cozy "bookshop" and cafe, and while browsing through the Gift Books, I came across this small gem for only $1.99!


This is a cute little book that contains gorgeous 19th Century artwork and poetry.

A "sneak peek" selection:

"The Rhodora"

'In May, when sea-wonds pierced our solitudes,

I found the fresh Rhodora in the woods,

Spreading its leafless blooms in a damp nook,

To please the desert and the sluggish brook.

The purple petals, fallen in the pool,

Maid the black water with their beauty gay,

Here might the red dash bird come his plums to cool,

And court the flower that cheapens his array.

Rhodora! if the sages ask thee why

This charm is wasted on the earth and sky,

Tell them, Dear, that if eyes were made for seeing,

Then Beauty is its own excuse for being :

Why thou wert there, O rival of the rose!

I never thought to ask, I never knew;

But, in my simple ignorance, suppose

The self-same Power that me there brought you.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson 1803-1882