Aspiring Homemaker

Keeping busy at home

2012-01-21T00:00:00.006-05:00

The past few weeks have passed by quietly indeed. Similar to last year, we've continued to keep things simple and homespun. We recently traveled up to Ohio a couple weeks ago, and had a memorable time spent with dear friends. However, it's so nice to be home and fall back into our normal routine.

~Gathering collard greens for a quick stew for lunch.

~*~

(A stew of Potatoes, ham, cabbage & collard greens)

~*~
"The home: Where troubled souls find peace, weary hearts find rest, hungry bodies find refreshment, lonely pilgrims find communion, and wounded spirits find compassion.” -J. Ortlund

~ A friend recently gave me this heirloom pumpkin--it's a type that dates back to the 1860's. Of course I couldn't keep it as decoration for long ;) I'm eager to save the seeds for planting this year.

~After carving the pumpkin in half, I removed the seeds and set them aside in a small bowl.
~On a greased cookie sheet, I laid the halves down and covered with foil. Placing it in a 350 degree oven, I baked the pumpkin until it was soft (about an hour). Then you simply scoop out the inside and cut into chunks.

~In "The Young Housekeepers Friend" published by Mrs. Cornelius in 1859, I looked up a recipe for the pumpkin. It's the original book, so I have to be ever so careful with the pages!

~
Although I collect antique & vintage books, I definitely believe in putting them to good use! I'd rather my cookbooks be used often with care, rather than just sit on the shelf. Studying old recipes has been such a benefit to helping me develop my own recipes.
~

For a smoother puree, I blended up the chunks. All together it was about 10 cups of fresh pumpkin. So far we've used it for pie, and even muffins. Also, it freezes extremely well. The flavor of the puree is fantastic, but I had to be honest...
This is just glorified baby food! heh ;)
~
That reminds me..
When I was a little one, my parents would buy organic produce, blend it up, then freeze little portions as 'baby food'. I think it's a great idea..Much more economical than buying pre-packaged.
~After rinsing the seeds a few times, I dried them on a cotton cloth overnight. Then I stored them in a basic paper envelope. There's about 300 seeds--I look forward to seeing how they do this summer!
~ Simple decor--vintage jars and baskets.

As I went into the garden to harvest some lettuce, my cat accompanied me of course...
So far, the garden beds are doing well. It's been so very rainy lately.
~

Recently at a second-hand shop, I came across these treasures: 2-3 yards of brown wool, a piece of burlap and 3 vintage books. When I brought it to the counter, the saleswoman asked me if I had a dollar bill. Puzzled, I said yes, and handed her one. Then she asked someone to wrap up my items and told me, "Have a nice day." I was shocked..all these for $1.00!? That's the way I like to shop! heh.
~{The school-room}
As I walk down the hallway, I often hear the voices of my Mother and brother in the parlour--writing fractions on the chalkboard, the table filled with books and maps. Sometimes I drop in to explain a math equation...insisting I'm the substitute teacher! ;)
~

Between school lessons, my brother has been working on many various projects--building birdhouses, science experiments, making fruit leather, baking bread, building water filters and so on. Everyday is different :) it's fun to see what he will come up with next!

Here are a few school-books my brother is using (there are many more!)
*Encyclopedia of the Bible by John Drane

*Family Math by Jean Kerr Stenmark

*Adam to Abraham unit study by Robin Sampson

*Mastering essential math skills by Richard W. Fisher

My sister brings in fresh picked salad leaves...
~As you can probably tell by now, collard/turnip/mustard greens are our winter crop! lol

They grow extremely well here, so like many cottagers before us, we just eat what's in season. I find that lettuce and collard greens seem to make their way to the supper table daily...

Out in the back field, the garlic is doing well. I wonder if it's too late to plant more...?

~Boots n' baskets are used daily at our home. I didn't realize their value until we moved out to the country! I've found that there's no use trying to walk across the property without either one. Trust me...
~January is such a quiet month.
So far we've had a mild winter, but Georgia has a peculiar way of dropping temperatures just when we start to get comfy. Pleasant evenings are spent shelling pecans and talking together in the parlour--now that our sewing machine is fixed, new projects are beginning as well.

~{Fresh bread dough rising, and ready to be baked!}

A remedy for stale bread: If you're like us and enjoy baking several loaves of bread at a time, sometimes the situation arises where a loaf gets old or stale if not eaten soon enough. What we do is freeze our stale loaves, then take them out to use only for french toast. Oh dear, its delicious!
~
Please excuse my cat. Apparently she enjoys attacking the laundry.

~Nestled between its large leaves, the broccoli has grown twice its size due to this rainy season we've had lately. They're certainly ready to be harvested-- Homegrown broccoli has so much flavor, and even the stalks are tender.
~Oh, and I can't forget the spinach ;)
I had bought a pack of organic seeds and just sowed them right on top of the ground, not sure how they'd manage. Spinach is a slow grower..In fact, it took 'em so long to come up that I almost planted something else in their place! So now we're enjoying adding the young leaves to our salads.
~

What I've been sewing today... A Wool Petticoat
~*~

Today I finally finished sewing my wool petticoat, using the brown wool I purchased second-hand, and cut up an old skirt as a yoke. So it didn't cost me anything, really. I didn't use a pattern--Here's what I did: I cut the wool into 2 pieces, then gathered it at the top to fit my lower waist. Then I cut the top of my cotton skirt, and attached the gathered material to the skirt hem. Sewed up the side seam and That's it!

~
So for my winter living history events, I'll stay much warmer in wool! Because my role/portrayal is rural lower class, this rugged petticoat is appropriate for the 19th century era. If you're interested, in a future post I can show what my dress looks like with all three petticoats, and other attire. I have lots of sewing ideas, but not enough time!
---
Y'all are so patient, I know it's taken me a while to update :)

I'll talk to you soon,

Mia

Inspired.

2011-12-02T08:59:00.004-05:00

I'm so grateful for our cottage; tucked away in the country. A small piece of the world where all we have is all that we need. I believe that a home is a lovely reflection of what inspires you.
~A life filled with gratitude often has so many quiet, beautiful moments.
~Recently, we traveled up the back roads to visit friends for the weekend. Surrounded by the beauty of the season, we all walked from their home up to the town.
~What a delight to walk through the historic neighborhoods.The homes had so much character, and I enjoyed hearing some town history from some of the locals. After going through the outdoor market, we took our time as we walked back to the house.

~Inside, we talked together as supper was being prepared.

~At a local estate sale, I ended up taking home a quilt from the 1860's-1870's. Originally the local museum was going to buy it, but they didn't come back so I was able to talk the price waaay down! I'm looking forward to mending it by hand this winter.

~A tree leaning against our old shed. Rustic textures of the season.
~ We each try to gather a basket of pecans daily...My sister was coming down to the house after checking on the chickens and bringing in a few eggs.

~The wall I'm standing in front of is an enclosed porch my dad recently built onto the back of the cottage..it's made entirely of wood from our own trees that we chopped down last winter. //Second-Hand Treasures: Crocheted shawl $0.50--Vintage dress from an estate sale $3.00
~Preparing for dinner, fresh green beans are washed and sorted.
~
We harvested quite a bit of peanuts..So far we've made boiled peanuts, but I look forward to roasting and grinding them for homemade peanut butter..
~
With these extra green tomatoes, I'll be using them to make a relish. Secondhand Treasure: Vintage 1940's apron (found at an antique mall) $3.50
~In the garden, this is the perfect time for dividing up the flowers.
~My brother made homemade Reese's Cups! I thought it was pretty creative... All he did was layer melted chocolate & peanut butter in a cupcake liner, then pop in the freezer!
~The English peas in the cottage garden are doing well! Since our recent rainstorms, they've actually grown quite a bit and are ready for trellising.
~My dad went and picked up a free load of farm-yard manure, and my sister helped unload it into the wooden compost crates he built.
~
As our meal cooks over an open fire, the wood smoke rises into the air, revealing the sun rays.
~
Several baskets filled with pecans. It's a little overwheming thinking about us shelling all those, but its worth it in the end....right? haha! So much for a pecan shortage this year ;)
~My dad sketches our homestead as we discuss ideas for producing more home-grown foods.
~

A Countryside Thanksgiving

This holiday, we decided to have a countryside thanksgiving, attempting to eat as organic/home-grown/local as we can. So I went onto LocalHarvest to find nearby farms to support. It was a pleasant surprise to have an opportunity to tour a couple farms and meet our neighbors! In the end, we ended up purchasing some organic produce, and pasture raised fresh ham & sausage.
~Acorn squash filled with Apple Pecan stuffing--delicious!
~

In the background, soft music plays as we all cook and prepare the baked goods together...
~Outside under the shade of an old tree, we began to fill our picnic table with the various dishes-- and after spending all morning in the kitchen...we were ready to EAT! hehe
~ Menu (From far right to left)
*Fresh Ham w/ a sweet apple glaze, *Old fashioned creamed corn
*Homemade cranberry sauce w/ fresh apples and pears
*Macaroni and cheese
*Sweet potato and Apple casserole
*Fresh collard greens, *Acorn Squash with Apple Pecan stuffing, *Buttermilk biscuits, *Cornbread dressing,
*Apple cider, *Homemade Apple Pie w/ Vanilla Ice-cream
~~My parents taking a walk together after dinner~

After enjoying a wonderful meal & dessert, my brother declared it was "The BEST thanksgiving ever." That was so rewarding to hear, and I'm thankful that we were able to have the celebration we wanted--simple, with foods that are seasonal & local to our area...And the time spent together was memorable, indeed.
~

My brother gathered up acorns from up under the oak tree, to make Acorn flour he had read about in one of his survival books :)

~After rinsing, boiling and drying the acorns, he ground them up into a coarse meal..not quite flour..but close! He added it into a pancake recipe, and we were surprised at how "earthy" it tasted! heh. I believe its called survival food for a reason...
~ My sister was recently inspired to crochet new projects...
~

And I'm inspired to dig new areas for the onions!

Yesterday I dug four garden beds that are 4 ft x 12 ft each...only a few more to go. The ground is extremely soft because of all the rain lately, but the days are chilly and overcast.
~

We bought Georgia sweet onions from a farmer, for only $5 per bundle...We ended up buying 9 bundles...Gracious, that's 700 onions! Almost done planting though..I look forward to giving away many of the onions next year. It's so important to share with others the fruits of the harvest. Food is just too expensive these days-- we need to help each other out! ;)

~Mia

To my Readers...

2011-11-16T14:17:00.002-05:00

Congrats to Ms. Lydia! I've contacted you with details :)

There were 132 entries in the Giveaway, and the online random generator landed on #107! Many thanks to all who joined in, I wish I could send everyone something...your comments on the season of Autumn were inspirational, truly!
~

Question to all my readers:

What would you like to see more posts on? (Hair care, Clothing, Reading, Lifestyle, Family etc.) Do you have a question that wasn't answered in the Interview post? Please comment, and let me know :) I look forward to answering all that I can. A new post will be coming up soon!

~Mia

A Portrait of country living {& A Giveaway}

2011-11-02T15:54:00.006-04:00

The last few weeks have been full with projects, keeping us outside while the weather is pleasant. I appreciate that Autumn is not the end of the gardening year, but rather the start of next year's growing season! So with that in mind we're doing all that we can before the cold front sets in!

~On a clear & windy afternoon, we decided to go out searching for any roses, shrubs, and other plants in the woods. The yellow Goldenrod was everywhere, so we transplanted a few as well.

~The air was wild with leaves falling upon our shoulders, as we searched for the perfect sized plants. In the warm sunlight, I came across a bee resting contentedly on the blooms.
~My mother began to move a few bushes...

~Yet it was nice to see so many types of flowers..Some may be considered weeds, but I think they're just lovely.

~We loaded up the wagon with the plants, and watched as my brother pulled it across the property. It creaked and wobbled all the way to the front garden, and even the chickens observed as we passed by the gate.

~This is our favorite time of year to go bike-riding through the neighborhood. The roads are scenic, and most families out here are farmers, so it stays quiet--except for the distant hum of tractors out in the fields during harvest-time.
~

To keep the task of dish-washing interesting, I listen to the radio, especially classical music. It holds a special nostalgia to me because we listened to classical music during 'school time' in our early years of homeschooling(10 yrs ago!). It calms the atmosphere, and you even learn about composers which is nice.

In the kitchen, my mother and I sat down to discuss our Thanksgiving meal preparations...It was so enjoyable to go through our favorite cookbooks, reading inspiring recipes to come up with ideas. I'm really looking forward to sharing with y'all what we do :)

~In the garden, the English peas have been planted.
~I love fresh, tender salad greens...there's something visually delicious about the combination of its vibrant mixed colors & delicate taste. Truly, even a simple salad can be an art form in its own way.
~Homegrown food is an expression of humble economy. Although our gardens aren't very established yet, its been encouraging to see what we have been able to harvest thus far. With a little patience, these seedlings we transplanted today should do pretty well.As they grow, they're able to supply nourishment to our family throughout the upcoming winter months.
~One afternoon, I came across a butterfly enjoying this old, forgotten piece of fruit. It struck me because even though the fruit is slowly deteriorating, the butterfly doesn't care about the outside..only the sweet inside that I couldn't see.

{"...For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7}
~Lately I've been trying to gather pecans from our many trees around the property. So when I have extra time during the day, I shell the pecans and put them up in jars for later use.
~At the sewing table, a winter hat gets freshened up with a few flowers sewn onto the band.
~The picket fence needed a bit of paint in a few spots...so on a clear day, my sister was able to remedy the situation :)
~Simple White Alfredo Sauce
This is an all-purpose and basic recipe..I've used it many different ways...enjoy!

In a sauce pan, heat 1 TBsp butter & 2 Tbsp Olive Oil until hot..then add 3 TBsp flour (mix it in well). Turn off heat and let sit for 1 minute. Add 1.5 cups milk, stir and bring to a boil. Add 1 (heaped) cup of Parmesan cheese & 3 minced garlic cloves. Return to a boil, then add 2/3 cup milk and 1/2 tsp sea salt. Serve over pasta ;)
~One of our pumpkins from the garden...
~As the sun began to set, I watched the calm landscape from across the meadow.
~
Lately, meals have been prepared over an open fire. It's been lovely to gather around on chilly mornings and evenings as we eat together outdoors.
~
The chicken pen was expanded a few months ago, and so the new grassy area was cleared in record time. One thing's for sure, weeds aren't an issue when chickens are in residence!
~~A corn-husk broom & dried cotton plants~
I recently got a chance to spend the day in an 1850s cookhouse, and I do believe I had too much fun ;)
~ Early that morning, I arrived with my baskets filled with fresh vegetables, herbs, and everything else I'd need for the day. After preparing the bread dough, I began to make old-fashioned apple fritters before the students arrived.
~ "...The mass of cottagers lived on bread, bacon, lard and weak tea as their staple diet, and whatever fruit and vegetables they could grow themselves. Eggs and milk were available to many, and according to the season, they were able to gather blackberries from the hedgerows..." -Philippa Drury
~I encouraged the children to gather in close as I balanced answering questions while demonstrating how to fry apple fritters. I brought along an old iron that belonged to my great-grandmother, and what a delight to watch the children experience how heavy it was! As it was passed around, the expressions were priceless!
~There's nothing like good, hearty potato soup on the stove, mingled with the aroma of fresh bread right out of the oven. It's amazing to me how the most rustic meals are often so simple to make.
~
'Tis true that it may not be fast, quick, and less than 4 ingredients...but let me tell you-- at the end of the day, the rich, flavorful broth and fresh veggies produce a soup you'd enjoy immensely, I'm sure. I wish you could've joined me though, I had an extra wooden bowl and plenty to share. Standing in the doorway, I watched as the last of the children walked down the brick path, some with shouts of, "Bye miss Mia!", others with shy waves. As I walked down to the herb garden, I tucked a few sprigs of lavender in my apron before entering the cookhouse to tidy up. Soon my baskets were packed, and I swept the floor one last time before traveling back home.
~I'm so excited that I have over 1,000 followers! To celebrate, I'd like to giveaway a few things that I've tried and enjoyed:

*The Complete book of Small Batch Preserving {by Ellie Topp and Margaret Howard} Wonderful book, it has over 300 recipes, many full color pages, and its easy to read.

*Pomona's Universal Pectin {This has been THE BEST pectin--It doesn't need a ton of sugar to gel--Rather, I'm able to sweeten jams with fruit juice concentrate, maple syrup, honey, stevia, low sugar etc...its adaptable, and you have freedom to create your own recipes.}

**Also: I'm including a note to you, and Hand-written recipes {including the vanilla-spice jam recipe}.
~ "What do you love most about the Autumn season?" Answer this question in the comment section and you'll be entered! The giveaway ends Saturday November 12th, 2011. If you don't have a blog, be sure to include your email so I'll be able to get in touch with you :)

Thanks again, and I look forward to hearing from you!

~*~Mia

Celebrating simplicity.

2011-10-19T20:30:00.002-04:00

In the cottage garden, the abundance of flowers are in full bloom.
~It's amazing that in only a few months, the bushes and flowers have really filled out and grown--adding fullness along the pathway. These Cosmos waited till the cooler weather rolled in to blossom.

~My mother does a wonderful job tending to the garden. I look forward to adding more wild rose bushes...It's rainy and damp outside, perfect for transplanting ;)
~Within the picket fence, I noticed there's a new crop of tomatoes coming in. The plants seem to love these Autumnal temperatures. My dad planted collard greens a few weeks ago, and the seedlings are making their entrance quite well! Leafy greens and root crops seem to grow wonderfully during our mild winters...I love it because they're dependable, and a major part of our meals during the cooler season. At a local museum, there were old pear trees heavy with fruit--and I was happy to find out I could glean as much as I wanted, what a blessing!
~The pears were huge, each one about a pound each. So I got to work, peeling & dicing--Ready to preserve for later!

~
I ended up canning 20 quarts of diced pears and 18 pints of Vanilla Spice Pear Jam. I also was able to make "All Fruit" jam (no sugar!) using Apple juice concentrate as the sweetener! That was very exciting ;)

~After his school lessons, my brother decided to have a camp-out. He pulled out his tent, supplies, built a fire, and headed into the kitchen to create a meal.
~He ground up Oats to make oat flour, then added salt, baking soda and milk. He stirred up his created recipe, then fried his cakes over the open fire. Garnished it with preserves, and we even got a chance to taste--I was shocked...it was really good!

Sprouting Garlic

I decided to try garlic again this year--So I bought 2 packs of fresh garlic for $4, then divided up all the bulbs..there were 120 cloves total. I got a shallow pan, filled it with with bathroom paper and poured water over it until it was soaked just enough. Then I arranged all the garlic cloves on the saturated surface.

~In 2 days, every clove had sprouted fresh roots--Some even sent up green shoots. I'm glad the experiment worked, and so quickly!

My dad had prepared an area out in the back field for us to use, so after weeding it thoroughly, I began to plant the garlic cloves. In a 25 ft. bed, I was able to plant all 120 bulbs, with a little extra room to spare. I'll be buying more garlic to plant soon!
~In the backyard, Mother helped moved old pieces of wood into the burn pile...
The wood ash can be used on the garden as a natural fertilizer.
~Down the lane, the soft cotton is in full bloom. The wondrous way it grows never ceases to fascinate me year by year. When the fibers blow into the road, we glean what we can & use it for homespun projects.
~We had friends come over to stay for the weekend, and one exclaimed, "You have books in EVERY room...even the kitchen!" It was quite humorous because it was so true...Its wonderful to be surrounded by good authors, timeless stories & a wealth of information. This is the backbone behind our cottage schooling. Almost all of our bookshelves were constructed by my Dad, which is nice.
~This week I taught my first canning class! There were about forty children ages 3-14, while some adults watched on as well.
~ I brought everything that I'd need, so while my water bath canner was heating on the stove, I focused on teaching about why food preservation is so important. I asked them to guess what was in my various jars of preserves I brought from home, and also to name "fruits of the spirit" (love, joy, peace etc).
~
It was good to see how much the children got involved, especially in answering questions. This is all so new for them, but they caught on quickly! As I stirred in the pectin, they watched as the fruit began to thicken. I also talked about how fruit was preserved in biblical days. As I added the sugar, I mentioned that our spiritual journey can be a sweet experience..they loved it!
~ By the end of the class, the children were able to taste some of the Peach jam they 'helped' me to make! I made homemade bread for them to sample as well. Afterwards I was asked to do a presentation for the parents as the children shared what they learned. It seemed to spark alot of interest, so it looks like I'll be doing another class soon!
Next time I hope to share more on self-sufficiency ;)
~ I'm so thankful for these peaceful days.

"But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Psalm 37:11

A Patchwork of Days

2011-09-28T08:00:00.002-04:00

~Taking time to mend a favourite dress~

How delightful to wake up to cooler mornings...indeed even the sun has begun to set sooner, all signs of a new season that I welcome wholeheartedly!
~ Throughout our cottage schooling years, I'm certainly grateful that my Mother took delight in the wonder and beauty of books...encouraging us to explore our various interests. We visited the town library *quite* often..ah, the memories!!
~In the kitchen baking Sticky Caramel Rolls: *1 cup milk (warm) *1 pkg. of yeast * 1/4 cup sugar * 1/4 cup melted butter *1 tsp. salt *1.5 cups of flour.

In a large mixing bowl, combine dough ingredients. Add 2 eggs & 2 cups of flour...mix by hand and begin to knead until smooth. In an oiled bowl, insert the dough and let rise until doubled (about 1 hr). Punch down the risen dough, divide in half and let it rest a few minutes.
~Mix 2/3 cup sugar with 3 tsp ground cinnamon--set aside. In a small bowl, have 1/4 cup softened butter set aside as well. Take half the dough, shape into a rough rectangle, about 9x13 in. Brush with half of the butter, and sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar. Roll and cut into 12 pieces, then repeat the process with the second half of the dough ;)
~Caramel sauce: 2/3 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter, 2TBsp table syrup. Instead of corn syrup, I used Log Cabin table syrup--a great alternative and adds a lovely maple taste as well.
~
In my cast-iron pan, I poured half the brown sugar mixture in the bottom of the skillet...Place the rolls, side down into the caramel. Space them evenly, eight on the outside, four in the middle.
Repeat with the second part of the dough in a seperate cast iron pan (or cake pan). Cover both with a damp towel and let rise in a warm area for 1 hour. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 15 mins or until golden brown...
~Cool ten minutes and then turn upside down onto a plate so that the glaze is on top ;) These sticky caramel rolls turned out great, I'll be making them again soon. Enjoy!!
~
On the side porch, I found my brother practicing weaving together vines he'd found in the woods.
~
Since then, he's woven quite a few wreaths-- It's a creative project to try :)
~
Early one morning, we traveled down to the coast to have breakfast on the beach. As we left our home, the dark sky was still illuminated by the stars. Hours later, we arrived--just in time to watch the sun rise.
~
As the seagulls soared above us, we began to set up our picnic--I had prepared homemade pancakes and syrup, and we brought an assortment of fruit. It was a lovely breakfast. The morning dawn was a beautiful sight across the sea...In the distance we watched as the ships came into port and as the pelicans flew gracefully above the waves.
~ It's nice to be able to take such a spontanious trip down to the coast, just to experience the morning hours. My parents have always shared with us the delights of appreciating the simple things in life-- so even when we go on road trips, our destinations usually involve some aspect of nature, state parks or museums! And we so enjoy it.
~ My mother and sister walking along the shore...
~As we prepared to leave, my brother convinced me to take one last trip out into deeper waters--and I'm glad I did! We collected a nice amount of sea shells :) Soon enough, tourists began to arrive as we were packing up our picnic. The sun was now high in the sky, and we took one last look before we headed home.
~It's fun to go through old catalogs, cutting out images that inspire and spark new ideas!
~ "Next year, I'm going to build a proper cold frame, mark my words, just like the one I saw in The Tale of Benjamin Bunny. Now that was a fine piece of craftmanship, with stout brick sides." --Tasha Tudor
~ As I was weeding the Peanut patch, I must admit I had to laugh--why is it that in the garden we're always accompanied by our curious pets...this one in particular having quite the crooked tail, I must say!
~ My father and brother working on the front porch..now its finished!
~I take delight in the simplicity of cottage living. The fewness of its objects keep us focused on the beauty of everyday, down to earth things--I do believe there's a satisfaction that comes with leading a quiet life.
~On a sunny afternoon, my mother begins to tidy our old storage shed..
~ This summer, my dear sister graduated from cottage-schooling! One evening, we celebrated together by candle-light on the front porch. My mother presented the certificate, as we all shared stories, thoughts and marveled at how quickly the years have flown by!
~ As I walked through the yard, I turned around to find out I was being followed ;)
~Here's a simple recipe I revised last week..I thought y'all may enjoy it.

~Fried Salmon Cakes~
*14.75 oz can of wild Alaska Salmon, drained * 1/2 cup minced onion
*2 tsp ea. of spicy brown mustard & lemon juice *1 TBsp relish *1/2 tsp ea. of garlic powder & Old bay spice *1/4 cup ea. of cornmeal and flour *1.5 Tbsp parmesan cheese *1 egg
~ Gently mix all the ingredients together, and form into small patties, I made 14. Arrange the patties on a cookie sheet thats been lightly covered in cornmeal. Refrigerate for atleast 15 mins. In a well oiled pan, cook the cakes until nicely browned on both sides. Serves 4-6. Ah, These turned out so so flavorful!!
~ As September slips into October, the days are getting shorter... Nevertheless, 'tis more of an excuse to bring out the candles and enjoy quiet evenings in the parlour.

Autumn has arrived, indeed.

Cottage Industry:Thoughts on working from home

2011-08-22T22:47:00.003-04:00

When young women are interested in staying at home until marriage, the question often comes up: "What's there to do all day if I don't go out to work?" Everyone's situation is different...But if you do have the option to stay at home, I just wanted to offer some thoughts on Cottage Industry.
~ Since graduating in '09, I've been able to use this time for growing in my interests and hobbies. I quickly found that the most valuable way to spend time before working from home is to Volunteer your time to learn a skill that you admire. By gaining the experience, you're able to grow more in your knowledge of that field :) Whether you're interested in Midwifery to Basket-weaving, use this time to study and learn all you can :)
~

So here are a some ideas for jobs you can start from the home:

Hampton university Home Ec class, 1902

Baking from home and selling to local cafe's/shops

Making 'freezer meals' for families (this is such a blessing in the church)

Putting together a frugal meal plan for families on a budget

Culinary photographer for businesses

Cooking/baking classes for students

Teaching a class on food history

Teaching a Nutrition/Organic food awareness class
Sell canned/preserved foods from home
Start a home-based catering business
~

~Lead a sewing class~
If you're skilled in the area of sewing, there's a huge demand for affordable modest clothing, historical attire etc. Websites like Etsy and Ebay are great places get started. Embroidering initials onto cloth handkerchiefs, Tailoring garments, sewing purses/totes/bible cases are also projects you can sell.
~

Teaching a class is such a beneficial way to share your interest with others, and at the same time, you're able to bring in an income for what you love to do... Many establishments welcome independent teachers of hand-crafts!

~ ^Learning the art of Butter making, NC college 1899^
Teach a gardening class, start a home-based plant nursery, sell heirloom/organic seeds online, organize a flower/plant swap in your community, make homemade soap, lotion or candles. Sew heavy-duty gardening aprons. The list could go on, but these are just ideas to get you started ;)
~
What we've been up to:

My brother begins to work on yet another story he's writing...
~ When we went to visit my Uncles' shop, he told us about his community garden he started earlier this year...Now it's time for a fall planting!
~We stopped by the local booksellers...
~ The beauty of books. I don't believe we stayed long enough!
~My family took a walk through a quiet downtown neighborhood...
~And we were struck by the beauty of all the greenery and gardens in the front of many of the homes..quite a lovely sight to leave with before heading back on the road.
~
Time for an Old-Fashioned Camp Meeting!
Driving through the foothills of Missouri
The landscape was so refreshingly lush, those hills filled with clover and promise of a lovely week. I watched as the sweet, warm breeze moved among the thicket of trees...
~Nestled down a long country road, we finally arrived at the Camp-meeting :) Surrounded by nearby farms and clear skies, it was a beautiful sight to behold.
~One afternoon, a group of us took up our chairs to have an outdoor service under the canopy of the trees. As we hiked up to the trail, we passed an old cabin that was built over a century ago...
~ ~An old songbook rests against the antique pew~

In the calm of the morning hour, it was lovely to begin the day with acapella singing and prayer. The slight rustling sound of dried grass, and the earthy scent of the fresh hay became sweetly familiar to me as we knelt together in prayer daily.
~ A precious moment--my dear friend writes with a young girl.
~ A light rain brought about cooler temperatures--quite a relief from the August heat :)
~ One morning I asked this young lady what she was drawing, and after showing me her beautiful illustrations, I encouraged her to write about it--I wanted to know the story behind the traveler & his horse! ;)
~

She said they were on their way to the Camp-meeting...I asked,"Where did they come from? Will he let the horse stay by the lake during the day? What's its name?" And from there her story began to unfold.. So all during the the week we'd come up with more ideas!

I must admit, there's something beautiful about assembling together with friends... in unity of spirit and mind. Within the serene atmosphere of the countryside, it quietly reminded me of home.
~"Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD." Leviticus 19:32
~

It was a blessing to be able to lift the spirits of the precious elderly, as we visited a nursing home to sing. There were dozens of young people who attended with a song on their heart, ready to share. It was a memorable experience, indeed.

The sights and sounds of young children at play, whether they're dashing behind hedges or running across the lawn in delight, were filled with that old-fashioned innocence that truly made me smile :)
~Back to our dear Cottage duties.

Aprons to sew, Meals to prepare, Laundry to wash, A heat exhausted Garden to clean up... Our home & recipe updates will be coming up soon, my friends!

The Beauty of the Summer months

2011-07-23T05:04:00.003-04:00

{A homemaker preserving fruit, 1943}

I always look forward to the summer months.
The plants that were so fiercely protected during the biting winds of March are now flourishing with harvest! One of my favorite fruits of the season are Peaches...

{The view from across the lane} So we took a Sunday drive to our states' oldest, family-owned peach farm. Tucked away in the country, It was a wonderful experience-- I enjoyed talking with the locals and meeting folks who traveled many miles for these sun-ripened peaches :)
~

After we picked about 2 bushels of peaches, I went over to sample their peach jams and spreads. It gave me some ideas for my own preserves! The warehouse was decorated in vintage style--an old oven, antique hutch, and plenty of photography from days gone by.
~ Of course I had to check out their cookbooks, heh.
I was very inspired though, Georgia has some amazing food history...really!
~ Locally grown veggies..ah, warms my heart!
"Food waste is the enemy, food thrift the battle cry, and food conservation the weapon...and involves every household.." ~Charles Pack
~A few months ago, my dad and brother built another dwelling for the chickens...They used boards and scrap pieces cut from our own pine trees.
~ 'Tis nestled under the canopy of the surrounding trees, and so far there hasn't been any problems with intruders. I really enjoy the chickens, they all have their own funny personalities.
~ I recently attended a local book sale, and I definitely came away with some treasures, my favorite being, "Teen guide to Homemaking". It's a collectible, in great condition and I only payed $1.oo for it :)
~Although published 50 years ago, much of the instruction is certainly timeless. I was definitely encouraged to improve my sewing skills!
~
"But do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life." ~R.L. Stevenson
~Lots of veggies from the garden! Tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, garlic, peppers, squash...
I've been freezing the tomatoes this year instead of canning them, it's been great.
~Cottage Living. It's the little things that make a house a home.

~We've harvested quite a bit of onions and garlic from the garden, and I've enjoyed growing them because they're such low-maintenance! Ah, garlic and onions are a staple for our home cooking, and I really feel that they keep common colds at bay! Hopefully I'll be planting more this fall.
~While I was at a dear friends house, I was able to show a young girl how to bake cookies, and we had so much fun in the kitchen! I hope to do a cooking class for the young ladies in our church soon.
~
The Beauty of Home Remedies: Many of my long-time readers may remember that my sister has asthma...well recently, she began to have symptoms of an asthma attack, so we turned to Mullein. We have several growing in our yard, so we quickly tore off a few leaves, dried them, and used it in a tea, along with sage leaves as well. It definitely was beneficial, and paved the way for her recovery! So I'd reccomend it, as it has excellent healing properties.
~{Mother working in her cottage garden}
I appreciate the values that my parents nurtured and instilled over the years in my siblings and I. My mom's ministry of motherhood has had a huge impact on how I do things. It hasn't taken books, curriculums, seminars, conventions etc. to convince me of why cultivating a love of the home is so valuable. Rather, living a lifestyle of learning, filled with patience, love & tons of laughter has penetrated deep within, and has strengthened my convictions-- truly it has.

"Summer afternoon--summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." ~Henry James
~
~*A beautiful day for a wedding*~

I recently traveled up to Ohio to attend a wedding, and it truly was a lovely event!
~The bride and groom as they cut the cake at the reception...
~As we gathered together on the cobblestone street outside, a mother helps her daughter with her balloon while we wait for the newlyweds to arrive.
~
At the appointed time, we released the balloons! It was a beautiful sight as they floated up into the sky.
~
One of the bridesmaids, waits with a friend as we begin to take pictures. Ah, green is my favorite color!!

A few ladies as they were getting their cameras' ready...
~
{The back of the bridemaids dress}
As we walked downtown, the air was warm and breezy, and the sun was beginning to set--casting a lovely glow as we headed toward the fountain to take our last few photo's. It was a beautiful moment, indeed.

~ "And as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee." Isaiah 62:5

June inspirations and meal ideas...

2011-06-13T22:15:00.001-04:00

The days here have been sweltering hot and dry, but I must say, the veggies growing on the vine have made it all worth it :) There's nothing quite like your first crop of tomatoes and cucumbers!
~ A new surprise is that we have chicks, born last week! There are 5 little ones, and I love watching their delightful antics. They love to imitate everything they see the other chickens doing...Sometimes we spend alot of time just observing them.
~

Never miss an opportunity to enjoy the quiet moments of everyday. My brother built and painted a bird-feeder, and it's nice to see which types of birds visit in the dawn of the morning.
~During the warmer months, often we eat together on the front porch or picnic out-of-doors. A few readers asked to see what our meals are like...Here are a few that I managed to take some pictures of this week:

Baked Potato (w/butter and fresh parsley), Steamed Broccoli Florets. Sauteed Vegetables from the garden (Onions, Zucchini, Carrots, Garlic)
Brown rice.
~ Homegrown Tomato Sandwiches
Lettuce, Tomato, sweet Onions w/ garlic, smoky mushrooms, banana peppers, homemade mustard
Carrot Sticks

Bean soup w/ rice
Cheese Quesadilla, Mixed greens w/ garlic and onions
Caramelized Sweet Potatoes (using homemade brown sugar, organic butter, sea salt)
~ Bowtie Pasta w/ homemade Marinara sauce (including sauteed mushrooms, onions and herbs)
Fresh cut corn, Smoked Cabbage.By night: Every once in a while, we take an evening drive through the backroads...
~ By day: I took a bike ride down our rural neighborhood. I love that there are old cabins still standing...
~Many of the homes are tucked away, situated down long driveways. There are alot of cedar, magnolia & oak trees around here. We enjoy their shade during the Summer, that's for sure :)
~While I was outside, my Mother finished up gathering the clothes off the line...
~
.:Inspired by a Lily.:

"And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content." 1 Timothy 6:8

We have a few "wait and see" plants that we planted earlier this year, and what a pleasure to find out some were white Lilies! They opened in their fullness during a light rain shower--so despite the elements, I ran outside to take this photo.

Consider the lilies of the field, see the sparrows in sky,

How much more to Him are we worth than these?

~ fresh strawberries.

As I water the vegetables, my sister guides the pole beans along the twine...
~
My ginger cat joins us in the herb garden...
(I do believe her main motivation was to play with the twine)
~ Homemade stakes holding up the vining tomatoes...
~ "It's beautiful the summer month of June, When all of God's own wildflowers are in bloom; And sun shines brightly most part of the day and butterflies o'er lush green meadows play." ~Francis Duggan
~

The mellow breeze was really nice, so I thought I'd try to capture a few moments of it...

Hope you have a blessed week, my friends!

I'm traveling out of town soon to help cook for an upcoming event. Can't wait to show you pictures...and many thanks to my readers for the encouragement, both loyal and newly subscribed!

Question: What's your favorite Summer meal?

The Quiet days of May

2011-05-13T22:32:00.011-04:00

Although the days here have been pleasant, the strong winds of late are the result of the nearby tempest that has swept through the southern states & has affected many. Thank you for your thoughtful inquiries, we're doing well.

When we take a spontaneous country drive, its become a tradition to pick up Boylans vintage pop from our local corner-store :) The flavors of creme, orange, and grape remind me of summertime when I was a young girl. I find it nostalgic!

~ {vintage dress. fresh daisies. warm sunshine}

~*The young green leaves of Daisies can be cooked or eaten fresh (delicious raw flavor) and the flower buds and petals can be eaten raw in salads, soups and sandwiches.

*A well blended mixture of daisy leaves makes a very effective insect repellent!

*When used on bruised or open wounds, daisy works wonders as a cure.

(Only flowers that are organic are edible! Be sure you know it's pesticide-free)

~Our humble driveway that leads around to the Cottage. Situated far from the well traveled road, sits our home--reflecting a life of quiet responsibility.

~As I glance out the back door, my sister begins to hang the freshly washed clothes up on the line to dry.

~In the woods, the thicket of wild plum trees have begun to bear their fruit.

~After gathering a good amount, I washed and spread the plums on a pan in an even layer to freeze whole. Then I put them in freezer bags--I'll use them for strawberry-plum jam later ;)

~"...And the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit." Leviticus 26:4
~*~*An okra seedling reaches toward the afternoon sun*~*

~"Why would I teach schoolwork indoors during the prettiest part of the day? No one wants to be kept in the house when its so lovely outside..." --Mother

I'm so thankful for my Mothers views on Cottage schooling. We've been able to experience so many freedoms in learning due to the relaxed way she teaches. It's Lifestyle learning... practical arts mixed with nature studies and extended day trips to museums and more. Focused, but centered purely around our own interests and goals. Through the years, we've thrived on that philosophy!

~As I walk lightly through the garden, the morning sun begins to shine on the Cottage, as the dew laden Foxgloves enjoy the shade under the Cedar tree.
~Texture: crunchy oak leaves. wispy grass. soft wild rose petals.
~ After mowing the lawn, my brother spreads the grass clippings over the garden as mulch.

~On Saturday, we decided to travel the back roads through small towns--and we came across a family owned general store selling local fruits and veggies, fresh meats and a large variety of plants. We had a fun time there, and purchased a few items--we'll be back!

~For our next stop, we saw a tiny sign for a family farm up the way, so we decided to stop by. They sold strawberries, peaches, onions, blackberries and other crops that customers could come to pick themselves. Everything is sold seasonally, even their fresh strawberry ice-cream.

~We decided to pick a few lbs of strawberries for fun, then took a tour of the rest of the farm.

~
We ate the berries fresh that evening for dessert :)

~Studying the scriptures by candlelight is such a calming way to close out the end of the day.

~ "Most cottage gardens would have included plants brought in from the wild." --Philippa Drury

Our 'English inspired' garden is filling in well. Most of the perennials and shrubs are transplants from around the property, but it includes seeds we planted this year.

~My brothers fort, being built between the branches of the Oak.

"O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works." Psalm 71:17

~Because I cook from scratch, often I begin with sauteed onions and garlic. So early this year I planted quite a few rows of both, so its been nice to dig up fresh vidalia onions as we need them.

~I was pleasantly surprised at how mild the flavor was; very different than stored/aged onions. When most of the onions are ready, I'll be braiding & drying them. But for now, it's nice to harvest them as needed!
~"Cottage folk are great lovers of flowers, and their charming little gardens in villages and by the roadside, are some of the most delightful incidents of road-travel in our southern counties..." --The Cottages of Britain: A heritage of Country Life.

~As the sun begins to set across the meadow...

There's peace.

Springtime update

2011-04-23T07:09:00.000-04:00

There's something beautiful about coming to the countryside.

It used to be a well known cure for ailments. The clear fresh air. relaxing sounds of nature. Worries and stress are replaced with letter writing and slow paced living. I enjoy just walking barefoot through the sandy driveway...then stopping to listen to the birds. Boring? I certainly don't think so.

~ ~Mother tending to the roses~

"The woman who makes a sweet, beautiful home, filling it with love and prayer and purity, is doing something better than anything else her hands could find to do beneath the skies." J.R. Miller
~

Sewing Project

*~*My sister has been hand-stitching a cardigan lately. It didn't take long to finish and came together well!

~We're still repairing our sewing machine, so in the meantime, our projects are sewn by hand.

~ Gathering in the back...The pattern for this knit cardigan: Simplicity 2206.
~The Concord grapes are coming in! Grapes are one of my favorite fruits, and all the better homegrown. We have Muscadines as well, but I'm hoping we can purchase more grapevines. We've already planted more fruit trees!
~ Thoughts from the Garden...
I have certainly seen the benefit of choosing to learn 'back to basics' skills and gentle economy from home. It may not be a popular idea, but I'm thankful I have this opportunity. It has been a blessing to decide this course early on and stick with it. To me, success and fulfillment is measured by so much more than what modern society praises.
~The spiced-pear jam turned out so well last year..I'm looking forward to making that again ;)
~ The strawberries were moved to a new area, but are doing great. We've already used them in smoothies!

~~The cottage pathway~
There are so many rewards to living a simple and quiet life.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind..."

Romans 12:2

~Against the picket fence~

The fragrance of Peppermint and Spearmint drift through the air, as the leaves are warmed by the sun.

I store my seeds in a binder meant for cards {heh..hey it works for now!} The clear sleeves make it easy to somewhat organize. I went ahead and ordered more seeds online for 2 reasons: More bulk organic options for a better price ;) Also I like to support other gardeners who save their seeds as well. So lately we've been direct sowing the flower/veg. seeds in different areas.
~I soaked the pole beans in mason jars before planting out.
~
~*~Heirloom tomato plants in the morning sun~*

~ My parents in the garden together-- as my Mother waters the newly sown seeds, my Dad prepares the soil for the next area. Goodness, my row of shasta daisies have grown so much--this will be their second year. The blooms are beginning to form now ;)
~A peek into the kitchen.. as my sister prepares biscuits to go with dinner.
~~I dug up a dozen wild roses to transplant to the front garden..tomorrow I'm going to try to find more! Can you ever have too many roses?~
I've been out of town for the past fortnight to attend a church event. (It was lovely!) But now that I'm back to the everyday schedule of homelife, I'm realizing how important the responsibilities here at the Cottage are-- especially now that the weather has warmed up ;) So I look forward to sharing more updates with y'all soon.

Ah, the comforts of home.

The Blessings of Everyday...

2011-03-21T09:10:00.000-04:00

View of the side porch and cottage garden

~*~

These beautiful pre-spring days have flown by, and now the month is nearly over! Where has the time gone...please forgive my tardiness. I need to slow down and update more often :)

We go on ahead and let some of our greens bloom at the end of the season.

Click here to see my post on these lovely edible blossoms!

~My sister uprooting some collards

~
As we slowly begin to fill our garden with tomatoes and other veggies for the season, we start to remove the winter greens that we so enjoyed during the cooler months.

Mother gives a much-needed trim to the bushes..

As I weed the garden, I'm kept company by my ginger cat as always.

My sister decides to bring in fresh flowers to brighten the table

This flowering shrub blooms while its still chilly,

so its a cheery encouragement that Spring is on its way....

From out-of-doors to the kitchen table.

Paired with the fragrant red-bud tree blossoms.

Outside in our compost heap, 'volunteer' collard and cucumber seedlings have begun to spring up!

Our blueberry bushes are beginning to fill in. Everyday we're working hard to keep them mulched heavily to prevent weeds. This will be their 2nd year, and I'm looking forward to it! We recently had cheesecake w/ homemade blueberry jam as a garnish, and it was lovely.

We have the infamous squeaky screen door, and it has a habit of sticking because our doorway is a bit uneven. So my brother decided to start working on it and now its repaired!

Heirloom tomatoes ready to be planted...

Once again, homegrown collards to go with dinner.

Country meals are historically simple ones--families would often eat seasonally/locally, therefore considering the fresh, wholesome foods a normal 'poor mans' resource, not specialty like it is today.

To me, home-cooked food is slow food. Ingredient by ingredient you create a masterpiece that can differ slightly every time, but be as warm and familiar as a fond childhood memory.

Situated against the old shed, a vibrant flowering quince makes its appearance!

A peek into one of our projects:

~*~

We have a vintage (airstream) camper that makes a wonderful spot for reading...

Its far enough from the house that it feels like a get-away, tucked right alongside the woods...

Filled with inspiring books and stashes of old fabric...

'Tis one of our many hiding places :)

By request...

I was asked to post more on our dresses. We didn't sew these, although I am drafting a dress based on the simple style. My Mother purchased these over 8 yrs ago along with other antique/vintage dresses..she never paid more than $5 for any of them. Those were the days that you could find true gems in the secondhand stores before they became popular!

Recently I traveled out of state with a friend to attend a re-enactment. It was a four day event, and it went by so fast! We camped in an A-frame canvas tent, and even used hay as mattresses and insulation. The temperature did drop though, but we kept (somewhat) warm!
~

It was good to camp next to old friends from our last event, and we had fun reminiscing and bringing up stories that happened the last time we were all together.

My friend had some luck at antique shops, and (when the public wasn't around) we enjoyed looking through her collection of tintypes and daguerreotypes she brought along. Referencing to portraits like these really help us to sharpen our authenticity and continue to learn more about the 1860s.

Once you dive into re-enacting, most start to collect authentic items or reproductions that you can take to events to improve your impression. Since my friend and I came as poor refugees, I could literally stuff all my belongings in a large basket.

~ But I must say, it was nice to have neighbors you can borrow from! :) What I love about events is the camaraderie and family atmosphere that develops over time, especially around the campfire.

I don't have many photos because at events I try to keep photography to a minimum. There were spectators everywhere (all day. every day), and so I really tried to be in character around visitors. However, I did dress the same as I did last year in this post. A few times it was requested for me to sing (songs from the era), which I think the spectators enjoyed.

Back home...

My brother began building this dwelling as a project using scrap wood

Pear blossoms in the afternoon sun

In the front yard we're creating an English inspired hedge/flower garden. Its in its early stages, but everyday we've been transplanting bushes, perennials, bulbs, wild roses and other plants from around the property. Its an old-fashioned way to garden, using your own native and local plants that are accustomed to your region.
~

~A setting sun beaming across the flowers in the meadow~

~*~

Spring has officially arrived.

'Tis the simple things in life...

2011-02-14T21:38:00.008-05:00

Kneading dough for Buttermilk Dinner rolls

"And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts..."

Genesis 18:5

Throughout this winter, we've really been enjoying our home canned-goods! However, many of the vegetables are gone now (heh) and so we have plenty of different jellies and peaches left.

It's been nice to just get a jar off the shelf for a quick peach cobbler when when unexpected guests stop by! I'm looking forward to canning again this year :)

Oatmeal-Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients: 2/3 cup butter, 2/3 cup brown sugar, 2 eggs, 2 cups oats, 2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup dried cranberries, 2/3 cup white chocolate chips.

*~*

Mix first 3 ingredients well, then add the dry ingredients in a little at a time. Finish off by adding the cranberries and chocolate chips...bake in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 mins or until golden.

A few days ago, we drove out to a neighboring town to purchase chickens!
We decided on 4 game hens (they're laying now) & 2 roosters-- a Dominique & Rhode Island Red.

As I came in (to check for eggs & bring food scraps)

I enjoyed watching the new additions as they got used to their surroundings.

Hmm, there's definitely a "pecking order".

A few of our hens are being cordial, but I'm not sure they realize that their house guests are permanent...

Gathering a few eggs to make a pound cake for my Dads birthday

Mustard Greens

Some readers had asked what we have growing out in the garden right now...most of the beds are covered in oak leaf mulch, but we do have a few plants (other than onions!)

Garlic sprouts

In the fall I planted store-bought garlic cloves as an experiment, and they seem to be doing well. Of course the bulbs wont be of the highest quality, but we had the extra space (I had the extra time..heh) and so I gave it a go. We'll see how they look in a few months...

Arugula

It's a great salad green, but is extremely spicy, reminiscent of pepper. Believe me, I've tried having a pure arugula salad, and I ended up having to toss it in the compost :/ So we always mix it in with sweeter lettuces, like buttercrunch etc.

It was a fair day, so my sister and I took a walk through the woods...

It amazes me how the woods naturally clear out through fallen trees and storms..It was much more dense last year! Our original paths still remain and lead to an open area, where dappled sunlight dances through the sparse canopy of branches.

This beautiful cedar tree is well over a century old...

I wonder how many others it inspired through the ages?

"...A Cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of a high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs." Ezekiel 31:3

Today we uprooted some of our turnips, and I'm pleased that they ended up growing to a fair size! At my last re-enactment all the cooks were given fresh, seasonal/local produce, and the turnips were fantastic! Now that we've grown our own, I look forward to adding it to a warm, hearty soup!

I don't think I'm going to try to save the leafy green tops-- it's been a loonnngg winter so these aren't in the best condition...I'll let the chickens enjoy ;)

As the first flowers begin to burst forth, I can't help but be filled with hope for the upcoming season.

Curiously, this jump starts a frantic search for the best heirloom seeds and better gardening methods.... why do I do this to myself? hehe :)

Back Home

2011-02-05T22:30:00.003-05:00

{A short update}

For the past 3 weeks, I've stayed with a dear family (from our church) to help out, as the Mother just had a newborn! So having the opportunity to run a home, take care of their 4 little ones, plus attend to the Mother and her baby, has been quite an experience! I've had so much fun & I've learned alot :)

These past few weeks have been excellent in sharpening my homemaking skills, and I so enjoyed the children. Getting tasks done & making sure there was always a meal on the stove for the family was a large part of my day's routine :) Friends were always stopping by to see the baby, and so we had some amazing fellowship--a blend of laughter & stories-- and some of my favorite moments were when we all gathered around & listened to radio shows or audio books at the end of the day :)

The children were eager to 'help' with many of the tasks I did, especially when it came to meals. So I let them make Granola Bars, and they were fascinated! I explained the different ingredients, but let them do alot themselves. It ended up turning out great, and they had a fun time as well :)

It's good to be Home, and the slower pace of everyday is quite welcome. However, I greatly desired to move forward in my homemaking endeavors this year, and what an opportunity this has been! Being able to take what I've learned at home and use it as a ministry has been a wonderful experience, indeed.

So much has happened in the past month alone, & I find myself dreadfully behind on blogging, emails, letters...yet you've faithfully stopped by during these quiet weeks & encouraged me w/ your comments! Thank you for your patience. I do hope to catch up soon!

I'd love for you to leave a comment on what you'd like to see more of in future posts...Is there a specific subject etc. I haven't posted about in a while, or even a question you have? let me know, as I enjoy hearing from you ;)

*.*.*

In Celebration of a New Year

2011-01-06T22:30:00.002-05:00

"...let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD." Psalm 105:3

This is the first week of the New Year, and its gone by so fast already ;)
As I think back to last January, it's amazing how much has come to pass since then! Thank you all for your loyal following and warm feedback, it has certainly been a blessing since the beginning. I've so enjoyed being able to chronicle this journey with you-- and I look forward to the future with gladness, indeed!
~

We traveled up to Ohio {right before the holiday weekend} to attend a church fellowship meeting. The time spent there was edifying, the weather was beautiful, and memories.... priceless.

Children are truly a blessing, aren't they! :) It was so encouraging to see so many young mothers & large families who are striving to live a life honoring to the Lord.

I enjoyed driving through the old neighborhoods. These "turn of the century" homes were weathered with age, yet the blanket of snow softened the scene--adding a hint of nostalgia as we passed by.

An expectant Mother & her daughter

What an inspiring way to be able to spend Christmas weekend! I really enjoyed meeting new friends, having the opportunity to serve & worship together... and I even played guitar onstage! ;)
~

On our way through Kentucky, we were able to get a quick tour of the Creation Museum. In the above exhibit, two women are shown weaving. Basket weaving is a skill I hope to learn this year, as I'd like a large basket for harvesting vegetables during the Summer.
~

In this exhibit it's showing what an early version of a garden may have been like. Hmm, for some reason I'm inclined to feel that the soil was a bit richer than that... hehe!
~

That soil reminds me of at home...

Yesterday, as my sister and I went bike riding down the lane, she'd collect a bit of wind-blown cotton along the way. The fields are all harvested and barren, but it's still a spectacular sight to me :)

~
{the tree branches kept snagging my hair! lol}

I decided to prepare an area for an upcoming small garden, so I started breaking up an old bale of hay, to thickly spread as the first layer of mulch.

In the meadow, there's a patch of trees that should give part shade if I create a garden..so I'm thinking of doing leaf lettuces & swiss chard. Our summers get so dry out here, I really think a part shade plot will do well. I'll keep you updated.
*Update: I just started 3 new plots for No-Dig gardens, I'm on a roll (I think its because of these seed catalogues!) ah well.
~
And a recipe...

Homemade Greek Pizza

Easy Dough Recipe
(I usually double this & store it in the refrigerator)
3 cups flour, 3 tsp cream of tartar, 1.5 tsp salt, 1.5 tsp baking soda, 1/2 cup oil, 1 cup water.
{Pre-bake in a 450 degree oven before adding toppings!}
~

Toppings: Mozzarella cheese, Onions/garlic/Portabella mushrooms lightly sauteed, kalamata olives, tomatoes, feta cheese, & a handful of organic salad greens (they cook down like spinach when baked)

~
Homemade sauce (always!): Fresh organic tomatoes/paste, garlic, fresh herbs, sea salt.

Crust: We enjoy a hardy crust, that holds up for excellent leftovers (never soggy!)

The secret is that it's the same dough used for crackers! ;) love it.

Talk to you soon!!

Winter's Eve

2010-12-22T22:10:00.001-05:00

My sister bringing in pine, nandena leaves & berries

For the past few years, the way we celebrate this holiday season has really become more homespun, centered around simplicity, and giving honor to the Lord in our everyday living. So we decided to spend a special Winter's Eve by sharing stories, exchanging gifts, and feasting on a humble meal together by candlelight.

I picked Collards to add to "Cottage Pie"

(a lighter version of Shepherds Pie)

Handmade clothespin dolls

Given to us by a dear friend, these sweet dolls are even complete with petticoats! One is holding the Word, and the other is spinning wool ;)

Mother creating a serene atmosphere

Fresh vegetables & barley for the Cottage Pie
~

Candid shot of Mother preparing to re-arrange...

Fabric, Ribbons & lace.

Brown paper & cotton string...

these are our wrapping materials

A dear reader sent us wool from her recently shorn sheep!

So far my sister has spun a few skeins of wool with the drop spindle, & hopefully we'll get carders as well...so some fun projects are coming soon :)

We each received a handwritten letter from my Dad...

My sister reading through her 'new' antique books

While we finished our spiced chai tea and ginger cookies, poems and scriptures were read aloud.

And as this year gently comes to a close, all I can feel is gratitude and anticipation, as I truly feel that every year just gets better and better. Just being aware that this life is a journey, a gift really! And making a decision to enjoy every bend and turn along the path, as I content myself in Christ and desire to grow spiritually. Never losing sight of His faithfulness & beautiful gift of salvation :)

A reflective week.

2010-12-12T10:35:00.014-05:00

On the bookshelf...

The chilly weather has inspired a marathon of warm sweaters, soups, tea & books. Quiet activities fill our days...the record player is always in use--the vintage melodies brightening our afternoons.

A corner of the parlour...

I take delight in the simple things.

Morning light shining through the parlour window.

Interior surroundings--cozy chairs, warm blankets, good books.

The texture of the cottage walls.

Frost covered Garlic sprouts

*.*

A feather light sprinkling of ice crystals, being warmed by the morning sun.
~

A border of wild grasses leading up the path...

"God gave us our memories so that we might have roses in December."

-J. M. Barrie

Making my way back down to the Cottage...
~

*.*The frost-covered driveway*.*
~

"Then, no matter how plain, simple or old-fashioned your home may be, the sacred friendships beneath its roof will transfigure it all." J.R. Miller

I'm so thankful for the dear, dear friendship I have with my sister. We're constantly making each other laugh!!Our family has gone through alot of transition in the past 2 years, and it truly has drawn us all closer together as a household.

Wild Petunias against the porch

We've been feeding the chickens raw oats lately (mixed in with household scraps/mash) and it has boosted their egg production! I can't understand why that is, but we're enjoying the benefits :)

~Rosemary~

I love this evergreen herb! I use it for so many things:

Fresh in cooking, As a hair oil {for hair growth}, steeped as a hair rinse {gives shine to dark hair}, repelling Mosquito's {from yard area}, Steam treatment {to open up/relieve common symptoms of cold/flu/bronchitis}
~

Feeding Chickens at Tuskegee University
"We must not only become reliable, progressive, skillful and intelligent, but we must keep the idea constantly before our youths that all forms of labor, whether with the hand or head, are honorable."

~Booker T. Washington

With every generation, it seems a few more old-fashioned skills are slowly becoming obsolete. I'm so glad I'm not trying to go with the flow of society anymore! There's so much freedom being able to step back and pursue what you really want to do, no matter how "outdated" it may seem to some.

Students taking courses in Home Economics

I've volunteered to teach classes on canning next year for the ladies & girls in our church. I'm not an expert, but I'd just love to share this joy with others, especially younger girls. I feel this is just one (of many) rewarding avenues of home productivity.

Our refrigerator recently stopped cooling! So for a few days we were able to make do without it-- I just baked more (breads, muffins, crackers etc) and we ate soups, root vegetables, fresh greens & homemade canned goods. It really wasn't too different from our normal menu, however, it was a good lesson not to rely/take for granted our appliances ;)

(And for my brother to start digging the root cellar!)

"Frugality is one of the most beautiful and joyful words in the English language, and yet one that we are culturally cut off from understanding and enjoying. The consumption society has made us feel that happiness lies in having things, and has failed to teach us the happiness of not having things." ~Elise Boulding
~

::A day of re-enacting::

Yesterday I traveled down to the coast for an event. It was a rainy & chilly day, so the ladies stayed inside the farmhouse... It was fun to be able to get to know everyone better, since we weren't in strict first person/character roles.

The fresh-churned butter turned out so light and delicious!

I brought homemade bread, so we were able to have a nice snack while the stew cooked over the fire...

Knitting and sewing as we talked.

What a lovely combination: A rocking chair, dress & apron.

~ Near the hearth, preparation of the evening meal begins
~
Learning the art of basket weaving
~
That evening, all the re-enactors gathered at the farmhouse to partake in the meal.

It was a nice event, and as always, a rewarding experience.

Hope you have a great week!

Living a quiet Life

2010-11-30T21:12:00.024-05:00

"That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving,
and tell of all thy wondrous works." Psalm 26:7
~

My brother baking his first Apple pie for Thanksgiving...

Never Fail Flaky Pie Crust

*3 cups flour, *1.5 cups butter/margerine, *1/2 tsp salt, *5 TBsp cold water, *1 egg, *1 TBsp vinegar.

Combine flour, butter & salt. Mix well. Combine water, vinegar and egg. Mix all ingredients together w/ fork. Add flour if necessary. Divide dough into 2 balls, one for crust, other for cutting into strips for the top of pie.

Deep Dish Apple Pie

I used my cast iron skillet as the 'pie pan'.

1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup water
8 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced

1 TBsp Cinnamon

~
Melt butter in a sauce pan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add sugars and water; bring to a boil.

Reduce temperature, and simmer 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, place the bottom crust in your pan. Coat apples with cinnamon. Fill until mounded slightly. Cover with a lattice work of crust. Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over all the crust. Pour slowly so that it does not run off.
Bake 15 minutes at 425 degrees, then Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for 30 to 40 minutes.

It was Delicious. Fantastic. Spectacular. lol!!

Chopping up fresh picked collard greens

I hope everyone had a lovely Holiday!

*.*

The simplicity of a chilly morning

Having fun in the Garden

My Dad brought home two bundles of local sweet Vidalia onion sets!

I couldn't wait to get them in the ground, so I spent all day yesterday planting them :)

The night before, I soaked them in water (for a head start) and spaced them 4" apart, with 12" between the rows. Doing this for almost 250 onions got a little tedious, lol!!

We have dry sandy soil, so incorporating compost into the beds (and covering w/ leaves) has really improved the soil...although we still have a long way to go :)

Hopefully I'll be able to plant more before it gets too cold!

Cottage Schooling

*.*

My brother was reading his McGuffey reader in a crazy accent,

so there was alot of laughing going on :)

Rainy day art projects...

The beauty of Spinning

*.*

My sister has found a new interest in Spinning,

and so using our own cotton (we just collect it as it blows into the road from next-door)..

She hand-spun it using a homemade drop spindle!

She got really creative with it, using a long crochet needle, an old CD & gauze (to hold it in place). She's getting better at it everyday...apparently cotton fibers are short, so it's a bit harder than spinning wool.

The view of our little Cottage from the back...
*.*

It was very windy today!

The crunch and rustle of the leaves instantly makes a simple walk outdoors a pleasant experience.

Turnip greens...

~
Kale
~
Collard greens amongst the fallen leaves...
~
Save the Dishes!
*.* Instead of throwing away cracked/unusable china, why not re-use them outside?
For years, my Mother has saved a few dishes to use as a nice border in the grass. This one is in front of our porch...
~ Tucked away, and off the path they're a fun touch :) Behind roses, against a fence...
~
Mother and our loveable dog Ol' Yeller
~
Looking up at the leaves...
~
We still have small pears on our tree, and they're beautiful as natural decor! I was wearing my new linen dress (please excuse the oversize sleeves!)
~ The leaves of Autumn...the golden hues of the season. ~ On the porch, we have an antique container that we fill with pear branches and other decor inside.
~
Take time to relax and enjoy the simple joys of today :)

Often we can spend entirely too much time on the details, and not enough on what really matters!

November Moments

2010-11-24T23:08:00.005-05:00

The month has seemed to fly by!

Everything has been going well, I apologize for the lack of updating, it really has been too long!!
~

The acoustics of the season keep me outside, enjoying the crisp Autumn air--There seems to be a rythym in the woods, a diligent spirit of preparation in nature...Knowing our still, mild days will only last for a short while--yet we eagerly anticipate the upcoming days ahead.

Our pear trees have bloomed--perhaps believing the fantastic hope that Spring is here, or rather, forgetting we still have a cold winter season to yet experience. However, the abundance of flowers here at the Cottage has been most welcome, especially among the fallen leaves of crimson and gold.

I recently returned home from the wonderful state of Ohio! I traveled up with friends to attend a wedding, and I'm so glad I did--it was a beautiful event! The ceremony and reception was so unique! Notice the bride's vintage style veil :)
~
A Candlelit Evening spent with friends

In the outdoor kitchen, 'swamp stew' has been prepared on the old woodstove...

and final preparations are made as friends begin to arrive.

After we ate, everyone gathered around the bonfire, and I was asked to share my experience at the rural village where I 'lived' as if it were the 1860's.

I mentioned how one day the Impressment agents came by the homestead demanding we pay our taxes upfront. Without cash, we had to pay in produce and precious food preserves for them to collect. Distraught, I asked the head cook how we would get by without the food--She answered that we would just have to manage without. That scenario was just one of many 'dramatic moments' that we experienced during the event! I must admit, it was a bit of an adjustment to come back to 'everyday life'--but I look back and am thankful for the experience!
~

Garden update

I planted Snow peas as an experiment :) They're doing well along with the greens (collards, kale, turnips). We harvested our sweet potatoes, and the yeild was a little over 50 lbs! I also planted garlic this month.

~
::From a dear reader::

A question on Contentment:

"I went to college, got my degree and am now working on my Master’s in Education online. I’m having a hard time enjoying my place in life.

~
I’ve have been struggling with my role of being a homemaker and housewife. I came across your blog and found it to be amazingly refreshing. It is so crazy how society places such a stigma on being a stay-at-home mother or housewife, but I wouldn’t trust anyone else to raise my son or take care of my home.

Unfortunately, I have found myself playing into the lies that I am not good enough in this role. I know God calls us all to something greater- and His ideas of greatness are often very different than ours.
~

Do you have any tips on contentment? Is your current lifestyle choice something you desire to continue for the duration of your life?"--Mrs. M.

Dear Mrs. M,
Thank you for your question!

Being content at home definetely takes a state of mind and personal conviction that I've had to grow in. Yet, as time goes by, I'm finding this path to be a blessing. I can relate to questioning whether I'm 'good enough' in this (aspiring) role...but I take comfort in these words:

"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning;

and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels." Proverbs 1:5

Honestly, I've just been trying to ask questions, gain knowledge (in practical life skills and arts), and using my time at home as productively as I can.

~Mother chopping vegetables for soup~

What has nurtured my heart toward home has been my Mother's example, and in turn she has appreciated the example of various mentors throughout the years. Here are books that cultivated her desire for homemaking while still working (before homeschooling and staying at home)

~
"The spirit of Loveliness" by Emilie Barnes -- "Love in every room" by Karla Dornacher,

"A Mothers Heart" by Ellyn Sanna & "Wholeheart Education" by Clay Clarkson

~Bringing a touch of Autumn indoors~

In the meantime, my family does stay active with attending various events, volunteering and a host of other things, but I believe what has helped me most in contentment has been to love being at home. At the end of the day, coming home to our little Cottage is a retreat for us.

~My Mother clearing out weeds and undergrowth~

I appreciate that my parents have always shared their vision for our home with my siblings and I, and have passed on a Pioneering spirit that has been a blessing. I understand that not everyone's family unit is the same, but for us thus far, I don't look back with any regrets but look to the future with excitement!

Dear Readers, What are your tips on Contentment? I'd love to hear from you!!

Life in a rural village

2010-10-25T11:41:00.014-04:00

I just returned home from spending most of the week in a working class 1860's town...

We stayed in the original homes, were given local/seasonal food rations to prepare, and were to remain 'in character' during the entire event!

Mule cart traveling up the dirt road...

Ladies on the front porch

As neighbors, we were encouraged to enhance the sense of community by bartering and borrowing. So when we planned to bake a {birthday}cake for a young woman in the household, I was able to trade with a neighbor a few extra vegetables in exchange for baking powder :)

Local residents gathering at the General store...

An October evening by the warm hearth

Gone are the lavish dinners and fine dresses...

Many households struggled to make the most out of the frugal menu, as drygood prices continued to rise. For us, flour got so scarce to come by, it was priced at $10 for a little over 2 cups! Suffice it to say, we were able to get creative using the abundant cornmeal!

Inside the Mercantile
~
The carpenter hard at work on a project.

The town continues to operate the best way it can despite the present hardships.
~A handmade quilt in a simply furnished room.

The house cook & I prepared, cooked, & served all the meals for our home group,
which was about 20 re-enactors. Cooking and baking over the fire was a bit difficult at first, especially to keep the fire going at the desired temperature. We learned quickly though!
~
In front of the Courthouse
~

Down by the Homestead...
~

The women hand-washed, starched and ironed the clothes as a paid service.
~

As refugees (aka Spectators) came by, many questions were asked.

One young girl asked what I (as a house servant) would have to do.

I told her, "Anything that needs to be done!" Cooking, cleaning, washing dishes/clothes, running errands, accompany the ladies to town, hand-sewing/mending etc. Not to mention continuing to keep the fire going all day!

Preparing the batter for a honey cake, using "The young Homekeepers Friend, 1859"

The reciept calls for enough flour" to make a stiff dough" lol

ah, the days before exact measurements.... :)
~

A woman at the farmhouse washing clothes

One of the young women of the household volunteered

to help slice vegetables for supper that evening...

A country lane

~
The Lady of the house {on the right} with her relative, about to go into town.
~

As the afternoon sunlight shined through the tree's shadows,

you could see the wood smoke swirling through the air.
~

One of our neighbors washing dishes

A bowl of fresh-churned butter next to a jounal with a few handwritten reciepts.

Table setting for the residents of the house

Cooking sweet potatoes with our butter, cinnamon and molasses rations :)
~

Ladies in town

Due to the food shortage and desperation, many townswomen protested to the authorities-- Winter is soon approaching, and they fear they may run out of food if things don't change.

Men talking outside the courthouse

News, events and other information is posted

outside the Mercantile for the residents to read.
~

Horses and mules were a constant sight throughout the town--

an important part of transportation.

~
I have learned so much this week, and am exhausted!

I hope you enjoyed the pictures, I wish I could've taken more--Due to the authenticity aspect of the event, camera's are not appropriate to show! So many of these photos were from the last days of the event.

ps) It was an added pleasure to meet blog readers in the village

(who are fellow re-enactors as well!)

What a small world :)

Gentle Living

2010-10-17T20:58:00.007-04:00

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air." - N. Hawthorne
~

Roses against the fence...
~

Last night we sat around the fire, then camped in the backyard!

In the morning, the blades of grass were frosted with dew :)

Bringing in fresh cut Zinnias..

Autumn has finally arrived

The crisp cool air rustles the blooming flowers and the sunshine adds a warm hue to nature. It's rays touching the meadows & gardens--enhancing their beauty. I'm encouraged to use everyday profitably, not to take this all for granted!

My brother has kept himself busy chopping wood.

It comes in handy now that the weather is cooling down!

~My sister joined me as we walked together to the back of the property...

My Dad was given a day off work, so when he came home, we finished (and began!)

new projects around the house.

Speaking of projects...

My sister completed her crocheted vest she's been working on :)
~
It's simple, and the color is perfect for the season!
ps) she created the pattern/style herself, so I don't have a written pattern..lol!!
~

~My new FAVORITE easy easy easy bread recipe~
*~*
Many thanks to "Artisan Bread in five minutes a day" by Jeff Hertzburg
~
*6 cups lukewarm water (make sure its not too warm..this is important)
*3 TBsp active dry yeast (I use rapid rise/bread machine yeast)
*2.5 TBsp sea salt
*13 cups flour (I use 8 cups white, 5 cups wheat)
~
Pour water in large bowl, add yeast and salt.
Add the flour, then use a wooden spoon to mix..Kneading is NOT necessary!
Cover bowl.
This whole process takes 5 minutes! yes!
Let rise for 2 hours.
~
Get about a 'grapefruit sized' piece of dough...
~
Lightly roll it in flour, tucking it into a ball.
Place bread dough on a greased pan/dish...
~
Let rise for 45 minutes...
~
{I sprinkled ground flax seed on some of the loaves}
Dust with flour & slash the top, so as it rises it gives a more rustic look :)
ps) this recipe makes 6-7 small loaves
~
Important element: Baking w/ steam.
While your loaves are rising, place a small casserole dish filled with water in the broiler, so as the oven heats up to 400 degrees, the steam will give the bread a beautiful crust!
.
Bake loaves for 30 mins.
.
{Delicious-- the crust is perfect, and the texture inside is soft and flavorful!}
~
Fresh herbs make their way into most of our meals! Here are our staples:
Rosemary, Basil, Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Cilantro.
~An abundance of peppers...
~
My cat decided to spontaniously climb this tree as soon as she saw my camera...
hmm..I think I've taught her to pose, lol! :)
~
So far we're growing Turnip greens, collards, kale & swiss chard.
(More pictures to come)
~
These are younger plants (collards) my Dad began to transplant.
~
My recent project has been this half apron I hand-stitched. In proper 19th century style, I *tried* to do tiny stitches, so it's taken me all week to sew. All I have to do is the hem..I'm so ready to be done! ;)

~
Due to reader's request, here's a peek of the (unfinished) back of the apron.

All it needs is a wood or gourd button!

Hope y'all are having a great week--Stay Encouraged!

Your friend,

Mia

Old Fashioned Picnic

2010-10-04T09:05:00.005-04:00

Setting out the pens & ink for guests to sign, the cool breeze & clear skies let us know it would be beautiful weather for an Autumn picnic.
~

As we brought out our baskets and began to set the tables, quite a few curious on-lookers stopped by :) Everyone seemed excited to hear about our event!
~

I set out fresh flowers from the Cottage...

Menu:

Smoked Turkey Salad sandwiches

Pickled Okra

Homemade Crackers

Fresh Fruit

Harvest Pear Muffins

Potato Salad

Peach Preserves & Jelly

Apple Juice
~

My brother getting out his artwork...

It was nice having the option to sketch or read.

Local apples and a variety of grapes...

All the families arrived promptly, and it was so encouraging to see everyone! Some we knew, others we'd never met! One family drove from out of state to attend :)

Playing Croquet with the girls...

The young men began a game of Badminton...

A few more joined in the game!

~Table setting~

The wearing of a shawl adds a softness to the attire..and its very practical :)
~

Meeting a friend for the first time!

It's amazing that through this blog, it's connecting so many who are of like-mind. As we all engaged in fellowship, I had a delightful time hearing the different stories of everyday life...we had many laughs!

Beginning a new game...
~

~My Dad and brother eating lunch.~

A few Ladies began another game of Croquet...

Fathers in conversation...

My Mother taking pictures of the children.

As the toddlers took turns chasing the ball, it provided them so much entertainment! We enjoyed watching them :)

A Mother and her sons...

After a few hours, we packed up our picnic and carpooled through the small town to a local Wildlife preserve and rescue center.

Through the trails, we stopped to admire the native wildlife...

~Sisters~

Playing around in the Barn...

"And all of this world, is for children who play

Days that never end always should remain

Another perfect day"

--'Perfect Day' lyrics from the Tales of Beatrix Potter

The simplicity of the picnic made the day so memorable. Nothing was structurally planned, which allowed for sweet fellowship & getting to know each other better. I'm so thankful for all the families who attended and made it special!

A visit to the city...

2010-09-27T11:09:00.003-04:00

Small town shops...

Last week we drove up to Washington DC to attend a wedding reception and visit relatives.

We went through Historic towns on the way...
~

In one of the antique shops, upstairs was packed w/ beautiful fabric...with bundles only $1.60 ea.

I look forward to sewing soon!
~

^Photo courtesy of Allposters^

When we arrived in DC, the next morning we boarded the subway.

My sister brought her crochet project of course ;)

My family walking towards the Washington Monument.

The weather really was beautiful, making it easy to tour and walk to the various sites & Museums :)

The local officer on horseback

City Gardens

As we walked down the road, what a sweet surprise

to see areas of flower & herb gardens.

Kitchen Inspiration

In the Museum of American History, we visited 'Julia Child's Kitchen' which was a great exhibit; since I tend to like the domestic side of things! Not to mention I met and conversed with many food/kitchen enthusiasts which I found encouraging :)

Another view of Julias kitchen....
~
"If I can influence Americans to keep in the kitchen and make it a real family room and a real part of their lives, I will have succeeded beyond hope." --Julia Child
~
At the Museum of Natural History,
I ran into this couple who were refreshingly old-fashioned :)
~
On our last night in DC, we walked through a Historic part of downtown.
Heading straight for their local bookshop, we relaxed and enjoyed our time there.

~
A Blessed Week
A young Mother in our church just delivered a newborn, so I had the opportunity to spend most of the week at their home, managing the house and caring for their other children. It was a lovely experience, especially just watching her bond with her baby. I'm thankful I had the free time to devote to being a help to their family :)
~
This weekend, I sang and played guitar in my dear friends wedding. It truly was a beautiful event, and I loved the Autumn colors...

The Bridesmaids

I've had such a full weekend, y'all! I hope you enjoyed this update, I know it's been a while :)

Up next is the picnic this Saturday...bring your lunch and feel free to join us!

A quiet week.

2010-09-13T09:48:00.011-04:00

I love how misty our road looks in the morning.

My sister and I got up early to work in the garden before the sun came out, and enjoyed the cooler weather.

My Dad started a fall garden; uprooting our old tomato vines and other plants,

and made beds for the seedlings.

SecondHand Treasure

While my family and I were out at a second-hand shop, I found a lovely set of dishes at a bargain price :)

When washing china/fragile dishes, I put a thick hand-towel in the bottom of the sink to prevent any casualties :) I also used a crocheted washcloth. (If you make your own, be sure the yarn is 100% cotton!)
~This year my sister started playing violin--and figured it out rather quickly since she knows how to play piano/read notes. So I'll get out my guitar & we'll play songs together often, which is a fun time.

~We love to collect vintage music books :)

Our last big harvest of basil!! Now I know the best way to preserve basil is by making a pesto, then freezing it. I found Basil doesn't dry "pretty" like other herbs :)

Our last pepper plants are continuing to produce...

Native Pokeberry plants came up voluntarily this year...

the juice makes a wonderful ink for writing or a radiant dye for homespun projects.
~

It's always fun when we spend time together outside around a small bonfire.

In the evening we'll spread out quilts, talking and gazing at the clarity of the stars--since we're far away from city lights, it really is brilliant.
~

Also, we will be having the old-fashioned picnic at historic Indian Springs State Park on October 2nd. 11-3 pm. This will most likely be our last hosted event, so if you can come, let me know--and we look forward to meeting you :)

September

2010-09-04T22:11:00.005-04:00

The cool breeze seems to whisper that Autumn is just around the corner.

"Cottage schooling" has begun, and homemaking continues :)

My sister in the kitchen

Kneading bread dough

Breadsticks are an easy appetizer to a meal.

ah, the smell of fresh baked bread is a delight!

Our Pear tree is heavy laden with fruit!

To me, there's nothing like picking fresh fruit--still warm & sweetened by the sun :)

I didn't weigh how much my sister and I harvested for that morning, but I ended up peeling, chopping and blending up the pears for jam. (8 cups of pear puree)

Along w/ jam, I made Quince Jelly for the first time! For Spiced Pear Jam I just added cinnamon, cloves and a little ginger to the fruit puree. Ah, it cooked like a warm spiced applesauce..really a great way to begin anticipating the Autumn season!

We've really enjoyed having hens, they're so simple to care for...and the reward of fresh eggs everyday is wonderful!
~

Heartwarming Oat Scones

*1.5 cups flour, *1/2 cup Oats, *1/3 cup sugar, *1 Tbsp baking powder, *1/2 tsp salt.

*1/3 cup melted butter, *1 egg, *1/3 cup milk

Mix together ingredients...
~

Pat dough out to a 7-8 in. circle, about 1/2 in. thick.
~
Then spread 1 TBsp softened/melted butter across the top...
~
Cut halfway through the dough into triangle sections...
Then sprinkle w/ Cinnamon sugar topping
(1 TBsp sugar & 1/4 tsp cinnamon)
Bake in a 375 degree oven for 15 mins.
~
While waiting for the scones to bake, I finished up my laundry.
~
Gathering favorite books to read...
~

On the front porch, I set up a small table complete with tea, scones, pear jam...
~
The scones turned out wonderfully!
Not too sweet, the topping added just enough spice so as to compliment the jam.
~
My family came to join me for tea...

As we ate, we skimmed through the books, sharing enlightening quotes we came across or a favorite topic :)
~

A beautiful event....

This morning we attended my dear friends wedding!

It was an 1860s themed event, in an old church tucked away in the country.

Sweet, simple, Inspirational.

"...And as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee."

Isiah 62:5

~:A Cottage is:~

2010-08-23T12:53:00.011-04:00

Heavy doors that crreeeaakk and squeak...
An open door to neighbors and friends

An entrance to a refuge

Antique piano keys...
Played with expression and feeling

A warm comfort to listen to and enjoy

Accompanied by singing

A childs project
My brother writing "Moms Aprons" on driftwood....

Well worn floors over 70 years old
Footsteps that have tiptoed down the hallway

Hardwood standing strong under the weight of many bookshelves...

Everyday bearing the scratches and wear of "living", especially Homeschooling

Old window panes...
Enclosing the distant sounds of laughter and conversation

Protecting us from the outdoor elements

I wanted to share with you a little about our home, and it's many Imperfections--that in time, become endearing. To us, "Cottage" is a lifestyle, a way of thinking {in a sense}. We don't have the most up to date things, but take delight in what we do have.

^I'm beating egg whites for Old-fashioned pound cake^
My Mother and I often comment that we take pleasure in what many consider 'insignificant'. Doing simple home chores, learning skills, taking notice of the nature around you. Sifting through thrift shops to find that one treasure we've been seeking. Living simply, but having a FULL life :)
~

...Freedom

It has been a fulfilling journey so far to be a stay at home daughter. For us, this is new & refreshing, and there's so much freedom because its a path that we've chosen. Choosing to be content, and to celebrate the small, everyday things in life. Honestly, the time I spend out here in the country, really, has been too much fun :)

...The simplicity of Flowers
The joy of discovering a new bloom--brought inside to brighten the meal table

Or left outside to continue to attact the butterflies...

"But the true idea of a home is that it is a place for growth. It is a place for the parents themselves to grow--to grow into beauty of character, to grow in refinement, in knowledge, in strength, in wisdom, in patience, gentleness, kindliness, and all the Christian graces and virtues."

'Homemaking' by J.R Miller, 1882
~

^The youngest helping me prepare dinner^

We had dear friends spend the weekend with us, and we had so much fun! :)
~

Browsing through a vintage shop...
~

Sewing inspiration!

One of my finds was this vintage apron!

The white pockets in the front are nice--perfect for holding my camera :)
~

Oh, I'm carrying up old watermelon to the chickens :) They *enjoyed* it!

ps) The bucket is actually quite heavy w/ other compost, that's why I'm leaning!
~

As we walked through our neighborhood aka down a long country road, we came across this abandoned cabin.

I wonder what it looked like 100 years ago...

How many families grew up in this small home?...I'll never know.
~

Many of our neighbors grow acres upon acres of cotton, and as we walked, our Mothers stopped to observe...
~
Amazing, eh?
~

"...he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

2 Corinthians 5:17b

I love observing nature and finding surprises like this--then, applying it spiritually...

the beauty of a "new" creature :)

A cottage is...

Home.

An Old Fashioned Campmeeting

2010-08-16T17:41:00.003-04:00

~The lake & picnic area~

My Mother and I traveled up to Missouri with our church--We drove through the night, and arrived that next morning. We were deep in the country, and the surrounding acreage was a glorious sight.

It was exciting to fellowship with friends,

then right away we started the service w/ singing...

Checking the schedule on the bulletin board

I loved how we had the option to seek the serenity of the wilderness during the day.

My dear friend and I were inspired to explore...

~My friend near the lake~

The weather really did feel like Georgia! The humidity was incredible :)

We both put on our hats & brought our cameras. I supplied the granola bars and fruit for her backpack; we really had a great time!

A bit of color as we hiked through...

~Filtered sunlight in the woods~

There's a peacefulness about spending part of your day in the 'elements'. Nothing artificial, just keeping your senses open--aware of your surroundings. Drawing inspiration from the simple things, and slowing down your pace to appreciate it all.

~Encouraging the Elderly~

The young men and women took a trip through the countryside to visit an older man who lived nearby. He's no longer able to travel, so we all gathered in, and filled his home with a-cappella singing. We sang older hymns he knew & remembered from long ago.

~Praying~

Then the young men gathered around him, and it was asked if he had advice to share w/ the younger generation. He was able to impart precious wisdom, encouraging us to stay faithful to the Lord. Tears filled his eyes as he shared. It was so moving, and I'm grateful I was able to come and experience this visit.

Mother and Daughter

~Worship~

My friends and I were able to sing, "It is well with my soul" onstage that morning. One young woman expressed the song in sign language, I fingerpicked the song on my guitar, and 2 other women sang in beautiful harmony as we lifted up our voices.

I am so encouraged by the older women who attended and that I was priviledged to meet.

There were many sweet 'Titus 2' examples :)

I enjoyed being able to talk with the young ladies..I remember being that age, so I made sure I was always avaliable, especially for those who needed a friend. I'll tell you what, those girls kept me laughing!! Life is *so* dramatic for them, lol.

There were many large families, so babies were always in rotation for young women to hold! It really was a sweet sight seeing the celebration of new life.

"He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul." Psalm 23:2-3

On the grounds, there were many peach and cherry trees,

and even a nearby chicken coop & hens!

As my friend and I picked cherries, there were children by the lake fishing.

I told them I'd have to bring my fishing pole next year :)

Singing hymns together

During service, I sat w/ such a sweet family; Their daughter rested upon my shoulder the whole time.

(Her and I are on the far right)

~Evening service~

The outdoor pavilion & benches were constructed in the 1800's, and it all still stands strong today.

In the late 19th century throughout the turn of the century, families would gather here from the surrounding counties for 'camp meeting- time'. The crops were harvested, and it was a time of fellowship and worship... how exciting! :)

~"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship,

to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Acts 2:42

The past week has been so encouraging!

The next time my family travels out that way, I'll let y'all know so we can meet some of you! :)

A Summer-time Update

2010-08-07T17:51:00.002-04:00

:for you:

Due to internet circumstances, I haven't been able to get online to update, and it really has been too long! However, this absence has allowed me to get other things done, as the high outdoor temperature has kept us inside during the day to work on projects.

In the Garden...

The tomato season is dwindling down, so now our biggest producers are peppers and okra!

Homemade Baking Powder

*1 TBsp Cream of Tartar, *1/2 TBsp Baking soda, *1/2 TBsp cornstarch= 2TBsp baking powder

Self Rising Flour

*1 Cup flour, *1.5 tsp Baking powder, *1/2 tsp Salt= 1 cup Self Rising Flour
~

I still manage to bake when I can on overcast/rainy days, and substitutes always come in handy! :)
~

A reader asked about what we usually cook throughout the Summer months. Our meals are usually light, with less meat/cheese and more fresh vegetables.

(Don't worry we make up for it during the winter months, *trust me*)

I love incorporating my own canned condiments w/ dinner as well.

For lunch, it's almost always Salad "with all the fixin's" (uh, that's the southern way of saying garnish, but despite the meaning we pile on extra) lol! Its complete w/ homemade dressing, too.

In the above photo the menu consists of:

*Lightly Stir-fried red potatoes w/ green beans

*Steamed organic carrots (because we didn't grow carrots ourselves, we buy organic)

*Buttered rice (we switch up between brown, wild, and white rice)

*Honey Cornbread muffins (I also made an extra pan--it's cooling by the window)

ps) For dessert we have fresh fruit or fruit smoothies!

My Mother has been hanging up fresh herbs to dry...

Our favorite is English Lavender. This bouquet has been drying for a month, so my Mother rubbed off the fragrant blossoms into a bowl for potpourri. (Next time I'll make a sachet) All day the kitchen air was filled with the scent of Lavender, it was simply lovely!!

Mother in the parlour, mending one of our blankets.

We usually spend our time in the parlour reading aloud, sewing, crocheting or working on projects. During the heat of the day, this area is our refuge, lol!

I'll be traveling up to Missouri soon (for an event), and will be back to post on Aug. 16th.

I'll be sure to have lots of photo's, you'll enjoy it, I'm sure!!

Yours,

*Mia

Peaches, Preserves, and the Pursuit of Simplicity

2010-07-18T23:00:00.026-04:00

This last week was spent preserving Peaches :)

~
We get our local peaches from an orchard out in the country, and like many places, they offer discounts on less-than-perfect fruit :) So we ended up coming home with 2.5 bushels (or 150 lbs).

I rinsed all the fruit in small batches before we started peeling...

In the water, I added 1 tsp baking soda to get them really clean.

After blanching the fruit, we slipped off the skins and removed the pitts before slicing.

I made a light syrup of 9 cups water, 2 cups sugar--Added peaches, then using the hot pack method, added the fruit/syrup to quart jars before canning for 20 mins.

Second-Hand Treasure

We found a vintage 1950's Presto Canner & rack for $5 at a country sale nearby. It's not in the best shape, but I love it! Believe it or not, the wooden handles make all the difference. I can lift the lid without oven mitts!

But my goodness it weighs a ton! lol

For four days straight, my sister and I worked 8-11 hour days in the kitchen! To say we were exhausted is an under-statement :) I didn't realize how hard it is to stand for THAT long all day!

One of my last canned recipes was Peach Barbecue Sauce. I thought y'all may like the recipe!

(I doubled this)

5 lbs peaches (or 6 cups puree)

1 cup red or green bell pepper, finely chopped
1 cup onion, finely chopped
3 tablespoons garlic, finely chopped
1 cup honey
¾ cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons dry mustard
2 teaspoons salt

a few drops of liquid hickory smoke (optional)

~
Combine all the ingredients in a large pot, and bring to a boil. On medium/high heat, boil until it reaches desired consistency, about 20-30 mins. Remove from heat, ladle into sterilized jars with 1/2 in. head space. Wipe rim, Put on your lids, and place jars in canner for 15 mins (pints) or 20 mins (quarts). Recipe makes 2 quarts or about 4 pints.

The taste is tropical to me...not a southern BBQ sauce w/ peach puree, but a light, flavorful condiment...reminiscent of a chutney. We all really like it! :)

Here's our kitchen pantry shelf so far :) This is our first season canning, so its encouraging to see we have our own preserves!
~

The tomatoes have been coming in slowly!

I've only been able to can a little sauce, but for the most part, we eat our tomatoes fresh or freeze them.

So far the vegetables really have to be done on a small scale, (and are ready at different times!)so that's why we haven't made a big batch of salsa yet! But I have enjoyed canning okra :)

Rinsing off Tomatoes...

My Mother bringing in the guys' laundry
~

Traveling for the weekend...

We visited a family who are running an Organic dairy farm...it was absolutely refreshing to sit back and enjoy the time spent together.

Before dinner, I went out to the garden with one of the daughters as she picked fresh Summer Spinach to add the meal. I had heard of this plant but hadn't seen it, so now we know what to grow next year!

We were very encouraged by their (weed free!) garden, and learned many tips that we'll be applying to our little area this fall!

Their new little calf!

It was great to watch all the dedication to getting the farm chores done as they worked together as a family. My sister and brother went horseback riding down one of the trails, and I enjoyed learning more about keeping milk goats (aka alot of responsibility! lol)

It was a wonderful visit!

From there, we lodged at a dear family's home, and had the best conversation about homeschooling! My sister and I were able to testify to how wonderful our first years of Homeschooling began, because it was relaxed and centered around the family. My Mother was able to encourage the young Mother to persevere and continue...the fruit will come :)

We had many laughs as stories were told!

On Sunday we went to home-church, and it was great to see all the families again, whom we hadn't seen in a while! The family who hosts has a lovely homestead :)

It was so green outside, and nice to admire all their beautiful flowers!

Their animals are free-range and have so much space to enjoy...It was fun to see the cows laying under the shade of the tree w/ the chickens!
~

The pigs were really friendly, lol!

Walking outside before we had to leave...

Family History

We stopped by my great-aunts home to visit before we took the backroads to GA, and it was a lovely time! The home she's living in was built for my great-grandmother as a newlywed in the 30's by her husband, and this oven was purchased in the 40's..and still works perfectly!
~

We were able to ask her questions about family history, and she went to the old family heirloom desk and took out the photo's!

In the kitchen--1950's

As she shared stories and old pictures w/ us, she talked about both the hard times and good times, and what she remembered as a girl.

Memories

They were the first family in the neighborhood to have an automobile, and she told me of the man who would come into town w/ his horse and carriage selling blocks of ice for whoever needed to refresh their icebox!

Before leaving, my great-aunt showed me the portrait of my great great grandmother, who lived through the 1860's, and post-war, which interested me since the Living History events I attend are focused on that time-period.

She told us a bit about this great womans' personality and life-- it is a blessing to have valuable info passed down for us to know.

We stopped to see my great-grandfathers tombstone.

He was a painter and carpenter, and came home after serving in WWI.

So much history!

Now that we're back home...

Tonight we were invited over our dear friends home to pick figs, and we were able to harvest quite a few lbs. So hopefully I'll be canning them soon!

Echinacea

"That you may take it to its territory,

That you may know the paths to its home..." Job 38:20

Welcome, July!

2010-07-06T22:25:00.017-04:00

We spent the past weekend visiting a dear family's home! When we arrived, we went to their town's festival. We all enjoyed walking together, observing all the different booths. I always make a point to stop to buy or sample the Kettle Corn! I couldn't resist!!
~

"...That our daughters may be as corner stones,

polished after the similitude of a palace."

Psalm 114:12

Down the lane...

On Sunday evening many families gathered on the lawn to watch the festivities :)

I thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship all weekend.

We had a delightful time!!

We don't have many blue flowers,

but this touch of color is a beautiful sight along the cottage walkway.
~

Speaking of Blue...

My sister and I picked Blueberries...
~

We've been eating fresh berries as a snack for a while, so I thought I'd try to pick enough to make preserves!
~

{I love this old scale!}

I measured 1 lb of blueberries for Blueberry Jam.
~

As the berries were crushed, the aromatic pulp was incredibly fragrant--Ah, lovely!!

Using the Pomona Pectin, I was able to make 3 half-pints using only 1 cup sugar!

My brother wrote 'Blue Berry Jam' on the lids :)

~
Later that day...

I used our vegetables to make Sweet Pickle Relish.

*6 cups chopped Cucumbers, *3 cups chopped red, green & banana peppers, *3 cups minced onions.

ps) My goodness, chopping all these vegetables seemed to take me forever and a day! lol

Pour 1/4 cup pickling salt over vegetables...
~

Pour enough cold water over the vegetables until its covered. Then let it sit (room temperature) for 2 hours.
~

Pickling Spice

In a large pot combine: *3 cups sugar, *2 cups Cider vinegar, *1/2 tsp Turmeric, *1 TBsp Pickling spice (or 2.5 tsp celery seed & 2.5 tsp mustard seed)

Heat to boiling, strain out the spices, then add drained vegetables; return to boiling. Cook over med/high heat for 15 mins. or until most excess liquid has evaporated. Ladle relish into sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 in. headspace. Screw on lids and process in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes.

Makes 7 half-pints or 3 pints & a 12 oz jar. If you enjoy sweet relish, this recipe is delicious!! Next time, I'll pace myself though...the prep was close to an hour. Also, it's best to let it sit for at least a week on the shelf..the flavor improves, trust me!

Mother on the front porch shelling our purple hull beans

Our peas must be Really delicious....

I tried to tell you Homegrown tastes better... :)

We also have been shelling the dried beans as well.
~

"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart:

wait, I say, on the LORD." Psalm 27:14

My red onions are ready! I'm carrying some of the onions in the basket, not all :)

Are those onion tops wild or what!? I didn't expect them to be so tall!

Out of 80 bulbs, I lost about 10-15 due to rain.

lol. My cat loves to 'tap' me on the shoulder!!

A few upclose.

I'm going to be storing them in a dark cool place for a few days, then hang them to dry.
So after they've been stored for a week or two, we'll try them!!
ps) If they're kept in a warm place (like near the oven) they'll be more prone to rot.
~

So today I'll be attempting to can/pickle our okra and see what I can do with the green peppers.

Is it just me or are these weeds in the garden tryin' to TAKE OVER. lol

Pray for me, Y'all!!

Camping Trip {and a recipe!}

2010-06-27T19:58:00.010-04:00

The above photo is the park registration office;

This stone cottage was hand-crafted in the 1930s and the interior is stunning!

My family has been on holiday for most of the week :)

We attended a 4 day conference, (sorry I don't have any photos to share!) and for lodging we camped out at the beautiful FDR State Park!

My brother, Mother, and Father leading the way across the stream..

On Friday, we spent the day hiking through the wilderness of Pine Mountain Trail, one of the 45 trails the park provides. The humidity was very high, but we didn't mind-- but considered it part of the experience :)

My sister and I enjoyed a nearby creek along the way.

To tell you the truth, I was halfway expecting to come across snakes or foxes on the trail, but the most we saw were a variety of birds, chipmunks, and squirrels.

My brother with his gear on. He kept pulling out his nature book as we came across specimens of interest and would say, "To KNOW nature, you must BE with nature!!"

This is a snapshot of the mountainous scenery--It was inspirational to be so thickly hidden in the density of the woods. We trekked about 6 miles, and I loved how we were all by ourselves, various topics and stories were discussed, and the singing was fun of course. lol

We visited the Little White House historic site's Museum, and enjoyed the exhibits!

The FDR state park has over 9,000 acres, and we had a picnic lunch at one of the highest peak areas :) The view overlooks the valley below, and it was a lovely sight.

Cucumber Sandwiches

Our homegrown cucumbers are really at their peak! We've eaten them fresh with our meals, but I hope to start canning pickles soon :) Here's an easy recipe I created for sandwiches.

In a blender, combine:

*1/2 cup softened Cream Cheese, *1/2 cup Mayo, *1 TBsp sugar (or less to your taste).

Blend until creamy.
~

Use the spread on your bread slices as you would regular mayo :)

Serve and enjoy!

~

Now that we're home from our trip, we're a little tired,

but its good to be back...

To Cottage Life.

Laundry to wash, Weeds to uproot, Meals to prepare, Grass to mow, Rooms to tidy, Fresh food to pick....