Re-visiting a Classic movie...

Tonight we watched the classic, "Lady and the Tramp".

Although it's not a Christian movie, I love the cinematography!

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Neighborhood

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Ladies Parlor

I felt wistful just seeing all the long dresses--you can't force anyone to dress that way...I wish more women would!

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Gentlemen's Parlor

A stark difference, eh? I thought the contrasting floor color choices was a great idea.

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This scene uplifted the women's role in a beautiful way. I loved the softness as well as attention to detail. She had her newborn at home, and seemed to enjoy the quietness of the morning.

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I love the way the two are dressed.

A role of chilvary, he was a gentle reassurance to her anxious heart

upon leaving on a business trip.

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The dawn of a new morning!

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Hand in Hand

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The realities of photography at home!

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I don't usually share on movies, but this one in particular "raised-the-bar" in a sense...Here is what I liked about it:

*Mens role uplifted

*Womens role uplifted

*Beautiful scenery/town

*The home was beautifully decorated

*A good marriage displayed

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It's a Classic you'll want to re-visit. I appreciated the "look" of the movie more than anything, and if you like the victorian era and a clean movie, you'll enjoy it!

*~*An Old Fashioned Garden Party*~*

It turned out to be a beautiful day!

We woke up bright 'n early to start preparing for the party, and guests arrived around 11 am.

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The Meal Table

The Menu was "Salads". We had a wonderful variety of Broccoli, Caesar, and Fruit salads, along with breads and Pomegranate Raspberry Juice as punch. I was excited to use my antique silverware and punch bowl set I purchased second-hand last month!

It was great to get out all my hats and gloves to display! One lady was able to wear one of the hats, since she didn't have one :)

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My brother loves the "Beatrix potter/peter rabbit" episodes, which feature local village children in early 20th century attire. He put the outfit together himself from studying the boys' outfits!

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Playing with the kittens (with Mama cat nearby, of course!)

It was so cute to see the children enjoying the kittens...an old-fashioned past-time :)
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Beautiful Fellowship
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I ended up dressing in an Edwardian style..This ankle-length gray skirt is the one I have been working on/stitching by hand (The historic frontier skirt pattern). It took a while, but I have to make-do or do-without! It's pretty thrifty..just a king sized sheet I bought second hand for $1. Fabric is so expensive now, I just like to use curtains/sheets..it works!
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I've never seen a gift bag print like this, I thought it was beautiful!

Lovely young ladies...

We had my record player outside playing background music...It was great! The girls enjoyed picking out new records to play from my collection...30's, 40's and 50's of course..I love big band and classical!

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Ok, Ok, I couldn't help myself but make an Old Fashioned Cream Cheese Pound Cake! (with homemade butter cream frosting) This was my Birthday Party/Graduation/For Old-Time's sake/Because It's oh, so good cake...lol!
Try it...just try it!
*3 sticks butter softened
*1 package cream cheese (8 oz) softened
*3 cups sugar
*6 eggs room temp.
*3 cups flour
*2 tsp vanilla
~ Bake in a 300 degree oven for 1.5 hours...ps) Don't rush by baking in a hotter oven! :) ~

My Dad cutting the cake...
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The garden party was so special! We had a little under 20 guests, and it was wonderful to enjoy the late morning under the shade of our huge pecan tree!
We were blessed with perfect weather and an enjoyable breeze. I used antique books as weights for the tablecloths, which added a vintage touch :) Over lunch, photo's were passed around (of course the baby/childhood pictures!)and I shared about how I'm a TOTALLY different person than I was 5 years ago and what a privilege it is to be in a Godly home. The women shared their testimonies & advice on biblical womanhood, and I deeply appreciated their knowledge in preparation for whatever the Lord may bring into my life.
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June...

I had a great conversation with my sister and Mom at lunch the other day--while we were discussing how, although diet change is beneficial, eating gluten free/organic/dairy free isn't always budget-friendly! As wonderful as "all organic" is, sometimes you have to make sacrifices to provide for the family :) We're not "dairy free" but we don't buy as much ice cream/cheese/milk products as we were before, and the same goes with other grocery items as well. I think this is why it's so important to grow our own food and raise farm animals--you'll get fresh vegetables, milk, and meats... learning agriculture without even trying :) "Stretching meals" (eating frugally) is a habit for us, so buying in bulk can come in handy! Just warning you though, I may post a recipe that is buttery-goodness-bad for you, but if we have the ingredients on hand, I'll make it! Everything in moderation.... :)

The Garden

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This is our first year garden, so we just planted without high expectations...It gets SO hot though, and sandy soil doesn't help! So far we've reaped a few veggies (Squash, Zucchini, Cucumber)

Cantaloupe

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Tomatoes..

We've planted a few varieties (Beefsteak, roma, cherry, yellow pear)

Hopefully they do well!

Fruits
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I found out from a friend that these berries aren't Blackberries...They're Dewberries! We get about 2 lbs a day, so I've been making desserts using them, especially Jelly! The taste is between blackberry and raspberry..we really like it!!

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My sister picking berries

(how do you like the bonnet she bought?)

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My brother likes to help us :)

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Wild Dewberry Jelly

So far I've canned 12 jars!

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I had forgotten about the blueberry bushes! So I harvested all the ripe berries, and I had a few strawberries ready to pick as well.

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We have about 5 bunches of Concord grapes growing! My Dad pruned them back hard when he moved the vine to our little cottage.. I really didn't think it would produce this year!

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A part of the backyard..how do you like the path? lol!

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Secondhand Treasures

We went to a small town secondhand store, and I found this small vintage sewing box! It was only $3 and reads, " Its never too late to Mend". Inside, it came with antique scissors :)
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My highlight purchase! I found this pitcher & basin stand at Goodwill for only $20! That was a little splurge for me, but I've been using it, and as you can tell, it's all set up! lol

The cream pitcher/basin set I already had, so it was nice to *finally* find a stand :) I don't know if you can see it, but it has two candle holders for candles on the side...oh my goodness, I love it!!!
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Kittens

The kittens are almost a month old..we're really enjoying them!!
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Lessons

My sister helps my brother with his schoolwork, and I help my sister with hers. It's been a great tool to be able to help "teach" our siblings.
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Many of you had mentioned the herb "Mullein" as treatment for respiratory problems/asthma symptoms. Well, I found out that we have it growing in our front yard! We thought it was an odd plant, but now that I know what it is, it'll definetely be helpful!
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Next...planning for my garden party this weekend!

Updates soon!

I apologize for taking so long to post a mini-update! I have so much I want to share with you, but haven't been able to this week! (It's because of our new internet plan) :(

On Tuesday I will post all the "goings on" around the cottage, cover a few topics, and update my sidebar--Please continue to stay nearby!

The LORD is my strength and song...

Ah! To wake to a beautiful June day...My sister came home yesterday, and it was wonderful to have the family feel complete again! We are so appreciative of your thoughtful comments and emails; Thank you! I've read & printed out each one, so we can see what to incorporate for our family. We already have a moderately healthy diet (but there's always room for improvement!) I talked to my mother, and here's what we'll start with:

*Drinking [raw] honey and vinegar tea 3x a day
* Fresh vegetables and fruits as snacks & salad served with lunch and dinner

*No dairy! Hmm, I'll start experimenting with goat milk...

*Wheat/Gluten free--I'll start baking bread using a combination of oat/rice/soy flours.
*Limiting salt intake and drinking lots of water everyday

I'll let you know how it goes!

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Here is a practical and delicious recipe, I couldn't help but share!

It's a great way to use up left-over grits!

"Grits Croquettes"

4 cups cooked grits (I seasoned mine with chicken stock)

2-3 cups cooked/chopped chicken

1/3 cup chopped onion

2 tsp salt

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 cup bread crumbs

2 beaten eggs

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Form mixture into patties, then freeze for 30-45 minutes, until firm.

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Heat oil in frying pan (I used smart balance/canola oil mix)

then brown the patties on both sides

Done! Serve with tartar sauce or ketchup :) It's so good, you would never know they're grits!
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Baking is cut to a minimum since the weather is so hot outside!

"You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11

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My Dad and brother working together to build the new chicken house...

"We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;"

1 Corinthians 4:12
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I just recieved this 1860's style dress from a friend yesterday...Ah, I love it!!

(the finished chicken house is in the background)

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"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." Psalm 27:4