Living Beautifully

I thought you would appreciate these good words!!

Mrs. Dunwoody's Guide to Living Beautifully

Realize that each new day is a gift from God. Treat it as such.

Focus on life's blessings, as this is continuously uplifting, and affects who you are as a person.

Develop a keen appreciation for the little luxuries in your daily life-the smell of coffee in the morning,the songbirds outside your window, a loved one's crooked smile. Seek out these "blessings" and take time each day to notice and savor them. Pay attention to your life.

Create a home you love to live in.

Spend some time outdoors. Nature heals and replenishes the soul.

Do something kind for someone at least every week; aim for every day. Do a good deed annonymously. You will find, in time, that the more you give, the more is given back to you.

Everything in life is a choice. Realize that as you live your life, each moment you are either adding to or taking away from the quality of your life. You are either creating and enjoying, or dying and destroying. There is no "standing still", for that is time wasted and therefore takes away from your life.  The choice for your life is up to you!

Strive to become the best version of yourself.

To awaken mentally and become passionate about something, find the thing that moves your heart and stirs your soul. Persevere, for passion is necessary for a beautiful life.

Create something, whether it is a family, a meal, a painting, or a daydream.

Never stop learning, through books, people, travel, and experiences.

Listen to and enjoy another's company often.

Focus on your love of beauty.

Treat yourself well. Use the fine china for your cup of tea.

Cultivate gratitude in all things and circumstances.  Search for the good in all.

Speak only kind words.

Laugh every day.

Give continual thanks and praise to your Creator, and ask Him to guide your heart and soul.

Have a beautiful day, friend!

Diana



Island Shopping Tour

When we vacation on Hattaras Island on the outer banks of North Carolina, our favorite thing to do, of course, is spend time on the beach. We like to walk, hunt for shells, fly kites, play in the water, build sand castles, read and just soak in the sun and good salt air.

 But after lunch when the children are napping, the shoppers among us head out for shopping!!!! Over the years we have discovered several spots that we enjoy and look forward to going back to each time . One of the first places we go each year is The Sea Chest. This shop specializes not only in all the usual tourist trinkets, but also silver jewelry, wind chimes and antiques. What really makes this shop special is the owner!! This woman is a native of the island and is continually telling stories of the way it used to be and is an expert on all of the island lore. Want to know how to pronounce Chicamacomico?Ask her...she knows!! Our little ones always find an affordable treasure here. 

Another favorite shop was discovered on our way down  Highway 12 to take the ferry to Okracoke Island. Highway 12 runs down the island, so everything is on this main road. The Elegant Attic is our very favorite place to visit. Located in beautiful Buxton, this shop is known primarily for its stained glass. The owner travels to Europe to purchase old stained glass windows and antiques to sell in her shop. The shop adjoins her home and she is always happy to allow visitors to walk through her home to see how she uses the stained glass there. There are breathtaking views of the sound as well as a shop full of treasures to enjoy.  Elisabeth, Hannah and Leah have all purchased windows from the Elegant Attic. We love to go there and and soak up the peaceful beauty.

Another favorite is the Pea Island Art Gallery. This shop features all local art. We particularly love the pottery in beautiful blues and greens of the sea.

Probably our most frequented spot is the Pamlico Station because of its diverse shops. There is a good coffee shop upstairs where you can sit indoors or out and watch the sun twinkle on the sound as you sip your latte. Also there is a t-shirt shop where the kids design their own shirts. The Moon Over Hattaras has beautiful beach treasures and then there is one "souvenir shop" with all of the little junk tourists seem unable to resist. This shop also sells hermit crabs in brightly painted shells. Two of our granddaughters brought home pairs of these funny critters this year.

A new shopping spot opened which features Kitty Hawk Kites, a wonderful coffee shop and nice restaurant. They hold wind-surfing competitions the week we are there...it is fun to watch the surfers come past our house on the sound.

We always budget a bit of money for island treasures and have lots of fun hunting for them! These little treasures in our homes help keep the memories of our family vacation fresh!

I hope you have enjoyed the Hattaras Island shopping tour!!
Diana

Rainy Days and Mondays

I love both rainy days and Mondays!  Mondays  bring a clean page to begin writing your week upon. It is a good day to get organized for the week ahead. This morning as I sat at the coffee shop studying the book of Isaiah and listening to the pouring rain and crashing thunder, I was happily spinning projects for a rainy day in the back of my mind.  Paint the hallway perhaps? Finish the good book I had started?? When I was a girl at home, we played outdoors most days in the summer, so a rainy day brought the possibility of indoor fun.  For me that was usually baking cookies and reading a book. My younger brother and I liked to play 500 Rummy while we munched warm cookies! I don't think it gets much better than that!! Oh, the carefree days of one's youth!

When I finally got home after driving through higher water than I have ever driven through, about 4 inches of rain had fallen!  I spent the day pushing water down the sump pump in the basement, skimming and back washing a very full pool and finally taking a nice nap!  Oh well, I still love rainy days, which is good because it looks like more of the same tomorrow! Maybe tomorrow I will read my book or paint the hallway...

We had a wonderful vacation on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  Beautiful weather and long relaxing days together.  I love to walk on the beach early in the morning and late in the evening. There is nothing quite like it.  My new picture is of me and all ten children.  Aren't they a good-looking group? The beautiful Pamlico   Sound is in the background.   I will share more vacation pictures next time, as Luke took many beautiful pictures.

Thanks for reading!!

Diana

Summer loves

It is hard to believe that it is already June and time for our family vacation!  I know that everyone says that time flies, but it is so true in our busy lives. It seems like this time of year is especially busy with home work, so it is nice to get away for a bit. Here are a few things that I love about summertime:

I love seeing all the new growth in the gardens!  This year we have a flourishing vegetable garden, thanks to my husband and the abundant rainfall.  We are already enjoying lettuce fresh from the garden and look forward to peas, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and more. The herb garden is also doing great and the perennials in the flower beds are filling in so well that I did not buy a single annual this year.

I love opening the swimming pool and not having trouble with it!!! This was our second smooth opening in  a row and I am so thankful, since we decided to save the money the last couple of years and close it ourselves. Pools are a lot of work, but it is fun to watch the children and now grandchildren become confident swimmers and have a lot of fun as well!

I love waking up in the morning to bird song. It is fun to watch the hummingbirds and other visitors to our feeders.

I love having more time in the morning, without the school rush , to study the Bible.  I am working on the last 26 or so chapters of Isaiah this summer and it is a soul-thrilling study! What a God we have!!!

I love going on vacation with my children and their families. It is fun to watch all the little ones play together on the beach and at the house.  It is fun to read a book on the deck overlooking the sound.  It is fun to get up early and walk on the beach looking for shells and enjoying the early quiet with the sea roaring in the background. I love the change of pace and chance to slow down for one week!

I will fill you in on our vacation happenings when we get home! Have a great week thinking of and enjoying all the things that you love about summer!!

Diana

Garage Sales!!!!!

When we were kids, we were always curious about garage sales and would ask our mom if we could go look.
The response was always the same..."No!  We are not going to buy someone else's junk!"  It was right up there with her response to our request to keep the kitties that our neighbors were always sending home with us!!! It wasn't until I was a young mother and met up with a family who LOVED garage sales, that I realized what excitement lay beyond the sign "Yard Sale"! Ginger and her family shopped garage sales seriously. She and her husband  and their three sons lived on a social worker's income back in the 70's and so if they were going to buy anything, it would be at garage sales. They had a system and worked it well and one day invited me to go along. What an adventure! Sales were mapped out, snacks and drinks were packed to be passed out every so many sales, money was in hand and off we went.  Those three boys could drive a hard bargain for the things they wanted and I learned a lot from them. I also realized what a treasure hunt it could be and love it to this day!

This weekend  Leah and I hit three neighborhood sales, our very favorite! We each found many treasures. I came home with two basketballs, one football and a large antique basket.  I also got Sophie a 9 piece summer wardrobe for $9.00...all darling clothes !  I paid one dollar total for the items below, a pyrex baking dish, soap dish, beeswax and 2 old glass bowls.

I also got these 5 flower pots for one dollar.

A couple of weeks ago I paid one dollar for a box of kitchen odds and ends, many of which landed in the 

trash, but these dishes were the treasure in that box!

I think it really is the anticipation that  precedes each sale that is so much fun...you never know what you might find!  Sometimes, nothing. But sometimes, an item that you will treasure for years to come.  Some of my very favorite things are "someone else's junk" such as this beautiful dish that I use for my sugar bowl. I enjoy it every time I have a cup of tea! 

Life is an adventure all in all, I think. Even in the hard things which we might consider "junk", I believe that we find some of our most significant treasures, if we look for what God wants to teach us about Himself. If we seek for Him as if for Treasure, we will surely find Him!

Happy hunting!!

Diana

Spring Has Sprung!

This has been a busy family time for us! The rainy weather has kept us from doing too much work out in the yard and gardens, but we have been sneaking it in whenever possible. Allen has got the cold weather crops in. I need to clean out the herb garden and get it ready to plant. It seems that the chamomile is taking over in spots...we should have plenty for soap and maybe try our hand at some chamomile tea as well!

Susanna, our 15 year-old, was in her school's production of Rogers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella". She was superbly cast as one of the wicked step-sisters in this fun musical!they all clearly had fun with this play and we say an enthusiastic "Well-done!!!" it. Is always fun to see what these kids can do!

Sophie has been in a very 'crafty' mood lately! It has been a little hard for her to focus on her school work...even harder than usual!! She wants to make things. Last week she made a very cute felt picture for her friend. I thought it was both creative and lovely. Now, back to work, Miss Sophia!!

We had a lovely Easter celebration! Luke and Susanna were both in our church's Easter musical. It was very beautiful in praise of our Risen Lord. The whole family came over for lunch, along with several friends. We enjoyed a pleasant dinner and watched the little ones wade through the tall grass in hunt of the hidden eggs! Watching the joy of discovery on the tiny ones faces as they find eggs is so much fun for us big people.

Friday evening was Prom night. Both Susanna and Ben, our German exchange student, attended the prom. All of Susanna's five sisters, her sister-in-law, nieces and friend Amanda, who loaned the dress out of her exclusive collection of prom dresses, were here to help get her ready!

The results were truly breathtaking! She is a lovely girl, inside and out!! Ben looked quite handsome in his tux as did Daniel, Susanna's date!

This last week was my last week to teach Bible study until fall. To all of you ladies...well-done, good and faithful servants!! I am appreciative of the break, but already anticipating the next study! This is a good time for me to get some projects done, and I am trying to decide what to tackle first. I want to focus on organizing my soap business to promote some growth in that area. Gardening takes a bit of work, and maybe painting my halls should be on the list...they have taken a lot of wear and tear. It is also time for one of my very favorite past-times...garage sales!! Last week I bought a whole box of pretty white dishes for just one dollar!! The girls and I love treasure hunting and have trouble passing a sale by!

One of these days I will show you some of my favorite garage sale finds.

We have found that in the spring a young dog's fancy turns to soccer! Our little dog, Max, is an avid soccer player.  He puts his whole heart into the game...you have to love that in a dog!

From our friend, Mrs. Dunwoody

Soak colored cottons overnight in strong salt water and they will not fade.

To whiten laces, wash them in sour milk.

Save old cotton and linen rags in bags for spring cleaning and dusting.

Boil dingy whites (such as underwear or socks)in a pan with lemon slices.the lemon is a natural bleach.

"Prayer should be the key of the morning and the lock of the night."

-Owen Felltham

Thanks for reading,

Diana

The Ultimate Comfort Food!

One of my favorite meals as a child was my Mom's chicken and dumplings. This was also one of the first meals I learned to make as a young bride and continue to make thirty-five years later! I haven't come across this recipe in a cookbook yet, so I thought I would share it for those days you would like an old-fashioned, comforting meal.

The first step in this meal is to make a delicious chicken broth. I have found that using a small whole chicken or several leg-thigh pieces as I have here,  gives the best flavor. I add a quartered onion and some celery with tops as well as parsley or cilantro. Next I add some salt and pepper, cover with plenty of water and put the pot on to simmer.  I use my large soup pot for the occasion as I like to have lots of room. If I wanted my meal for around 5:00, I would put the pot on after lunch and simmer for several hours to give it time to be tender and flavorful.  In the meantime, peel 3 or 4 carrots and either cut them into rounds or strips and set them aside.

After your chicken is ready, remove it from the pot and set it aside on a plate to cool so that you can handle it.  After the chicken is out, I ladle out about 1 1/2 cups of broth to cool for the dumplings. Next add your carrots and any additional salt or perhaps chicken bouillon cubes for added flavor. Turn your pot back on low heat to continue cooking. You  should have plenty of broth, so if you have had a lot of water cook off, you may want to add a bit.  When the chicken is cool, remove from the bones and set it aside to add at the end.

Now we are ready for the best part...the dumplings!  In a large bowl, mix:

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

( I use 4 cups of flour for my family and double the rest of the ingredients)

In a measuring cup, beat 2 large eggs and then add some of your cooled broth to equal 1 cup of liquid. Stir this mixture into your flour mixture with a fork until it is well-mixed.

Next, flour your counter very well and turn the dumpling dough onto the floury spot. I then use my rolling pin to roll the dough out nice and thin, flouring the rolling pin and the top of the dough as I go.  When you have a nice sheet of dough, cut it with a knife into 1 1/2 inch squares.

Now, check your pot of broth, making sure that your carrots are tender and the broth is simmering gently. Using a thin metal spatula, transfer the dumplings one at a time to your pot, being careful to drop each one into the broth. You need to move relatively quickly at this point, so that they cook evenly. I keep a long-handled spoon in the pot to push the others aside, so that I can drop the new ones into the broth. The dumplings will float to the top as they cook.  After they are all in the pot, add the chicken, cover the pot and cook on low for an additional five minutes or so. After you turn off the burner, stir the dumplings gently, cover and let them sit for 15 minutes or so. Try one first, though to make sure they are completely cooked.

It may take you a few times to get the hang of it, but they are worth the work!

I made my little Easter soaps again this year. The little bunnies, eggs and baskets are 3 oz. soaps wrapped  in a bag with grass and tied with a pretty ribbon. They are a favorite!! They are $3.00 each if anyone is interested!

From Mrs. Dunwoody:

"The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read."

- Mark Twain

Before you hand wash china, crystal or other delicate items, place a thick towel in the bottom of the sink to cushion them and prevent them from chipping or breaking.

Thanks for visiting!

Diana