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

Little House on the Prairie

Sophie and I have been reading the "Little House" books for a while now. We read every night in her bed before she goes to sleep. She wants me to lay down with her after reading, so that she can sleep easier. I almost always give in, since I get so sleepy reading! We finished the "Little Town on the Prairie" this evening. Such a great book!! I have read this series several times, but I have picked up on more, this time than ever before. I have been so impressed with the quality of education in that one-room school house and the high standards set by the students themselves! They put us to shame! I have a renewed determination to set high goals in our little home school! I have also been impressed with their willingness to work hard and sacrifice for the sake of the family and others in the community. If you have never read these books, you really should. We are sad to be down to our last book...perhaps "Heidi" next....

Spring is finally here, even though it is still cold outside! I have the spring cleaning bug, so tomorrow may include some sorting and cleaning. We may start in Miss Sophie's room! Susanna's room will be next since she will be turning it over to a German foreign exchange student named Ben in a week or so. Susanna will be bunking with Sophie for the duration. We are looking forward to having Ben in our home!

For Christmas last year I knitted the five grandchildren sweaters and hats,as well as a hat for baby Judah. I had hoped to finish Sophie's as well, but ran out of time and stamina. I am hoping to finish it this week so she can wear it before it gets too hot! It will probably be too small next season as she is growing so fast these days!

Well, enough rambling. Good night!
Diana

what's new in Soap

We have been busy making soap these days!  I got some new essential oils to play with. I made a soap especially for outdoor activities, with insect repellent oils.  This one is a goat's milk soap with  cedar, rosemary and eucalyptus oils and some ground lavender as well.  I think men would like this one! The goat's milk makes the soap very creamy.  We also made a soothing chamomile soap with sweet orange oil and lime oil. Very nice citrus scent.  I just made a calendula soap with ground oats and sweet orange oil.  I grow the calendula in my herb garden.  It is a beautiful flower with different shades of yellow, gold and orange blooms and is a great skin softener. Calendula is also good for blemishes. The orange soap reminds me of orange sherbet!

I have been thinking of getting some pygmy goats both for fun and for milk!  If any one has had any experience with them, I would love to hear from you!  I think Sophie  and Susanna would enjoy them and the grandchildren would love them!! We would have lots of milk for our soap.

Have a great day and thanks for visiting with us!!

Diana

Meet Miss Sophia

Sophie and I went to Hobby Lobby today to get a few craft supplies as we were both in a crafty mood and where better to take care of that than Hobby Lobby!! She picked out some glittered felt, pipe cleaners and ribbon, while I bought several half-yards of fabric for book covers.  I will show you when I get them made!

I am not certain what Sophie has in mind for her craft, but I am sure she will have fun with it.

Sophie is the youngest of our ten children.  She came along exactly 6 years after Susanna, our previous youngest child. What a  delightful surprise, at the age of 45, to have a beautiful and sweet baby girl.  Allen and I got used to the question:  "How old is your grand-daughter??"

From the very first day, Sophie liked to be with Mommy, and that has never changed. The older children think she is spoiled.  I think she is "eccentric". We are homeschooling this year and enjoying our days together. Sophie has lots of interests including arts and crafts and many different sports.  She is a great swimmer and an avid wall-climber. Sophie became an aunt at the age of two and a half and now has six nieces and nephews. Eloise, her oldest niece, is also one of her best friends!

Allen and I named all of our children Bible names, however when we got to Sophie we took a slightly different angle.  The Greek word for wisdom is sophia. So we named her for the lady wisdom in the book of Proverbs. Our heart's desire for her is that she grows up to be a woman who fears the Lord, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

A Sewing tip form Mrs. Dunwoody

Have trouble with buttons coming off? On buttons that have four holes, sew only two holes at a time.  Break the thread and knot. Then do the other two with a new piece of thread and knot.  This way, when the button comes loose on one set of stitches, the other will keep it in place. Also, using wax-coated string helps buttons stay put.

A Little Common Sense

For quick and handy seasoning while cooking on the stove, keep on hand a large shaker containing 6 parts of salt and I part of pepper.

Thanks for reading!

Diana

Mrs. Dunwoody's Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping

One of my very favorite places to spend time is the bargain book section of our local bookstore. I love to browse the classics, arts and crafts, cookbooks (how many ways can you really cook chicken?) and home decorating books. One day as I was looking the stacks over, I found an absolute treasure...for only $2.99!!!! I happily brought Mrs.Dunwoody home with me.
After I looked this fun book over, I went back to the bookstore to purchase ten more copies for my daughters and all of my future daughters-in-law. Mrs. Dunwoody gives instruction for everything from How to Plan an Excellent Day, Table manners, Useful notes from the kitchen, and laundry tips to How to Pick out a Spouse. The book is sprinkled with common sense tips and sage wisdom. I thought it would be fun to share bits from this book occasionally. I know you would have as much fun with Mrs. Dunwoody as I do.

For Insomnia 

If troubled with wakefulness, follow these rules:  Eat or drink nothing hearty after sunset; calm your mind before retiring (read or relax); go to bed at a regular hour; when you awake, rise and dress at once, no matter how early in the morning; and never sleep during the day. These five rules observed will ensure sleep.

One more....

"Live your life in such a manner that you wouldn't be embarrassed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip."

Thank you Mrs. Dunwoody!

Thank you for reading!

Diana