A Ebook Review

I am delighted to review two wonderful ebooks that a dear friend has written.  First these little books are quick reads, but are packed full of wonderful information and lovely stories of the authors births.

To have a simple little book giving good instructions for healthful living is a treat to see in this fast paced world.

I don't have a lot of time or patience to sit and read long drawn out books. I like to get to the meat of what is being shared and taught and these little books fit the bill perfectly.

I can look back at my own births and see what I would have done differently and having information and knowledge would have been that key. I never knew that I could learn and make a decision on my own with my first child and I know things would have turned out so much differently if I would have studied and learned.

I think these two ebooks are wonderful not just because a dear friend has written them, but because they are upfront, truthful, and not scary. You hear so many horror stories of birth and it can be hard, but so rewarding. It is not a horror but natural and just like everything that is worthwhile is very worth the hard work involved.

I hope you click on over and see these little book full of treasures of inspiration.

Love,

Erika



Dauphine Island

My mom and I went away this past weekend, not very far mind you but we still a nice place. We went to Dauphine Island which is at the mouth of Mobile Bay, Alabama. We stayed at a nice bed and breakfast and had a relaxing time just being.

This island was mapped in 1519, it was named Massacre Island by Pierre Le Moyne de'iberville because of a pile of human skeletons he found there. A colony was started and in 1707 it was renamed Dauphine Island in honor of the heir to the French throne. Over the years control of the island went from the French, Great Britain, and Spain. In 1813 in became America's and soon a fort was built to defend the coastline. There are two forts at the mouth of the bay another is at Gulf Shores.

They had a lighthouse that is about 3 miles off the coast of the island on a little piece of land called Sand Island. I wanted to go out there, but it is not aloud the lighthouse's island is slowly falling into the gulf. A restoration project in underway, but funds are needed before work can start. I hope that they can raise the money so that some day I can see it up close.

We arrived, checked in, and walked the beach after we were walking back to the car I saw a blood mobile...Now I have never donated blood, but have wanted to, just scared to. Well I asked my mom if we could and she said sure. We had a good time and it was easy.

When we were done we walked on some trails at Shell Mound. It was so pretty tall trees with sweeping limbs, birds, butterflys, and lots of mosquitos. They didn't bite, but if you stopped they piled on you but thats all. I said it was because they knew we were already short on blood.

For over a month now I have been up between 3:30 and 4:30am every morning most of the time in a panic. And Saturday morning was no exception, I read my scriptures but for some reason that didn't help that morning so I walked outside and called hubby at about 5am he was awake knowing I was awake. We talked, while the wind was blowing off the water at between 20 to 30 miles per hour very gusty! When I came back in my mom was up and she and I went out to watch the sunrise.  Such glorious beauty we have been given!

We stayed around and ate breakfast with the other guests, from there we left and walked on a pier while we waited for Fort Gaines to open. I love living in the country, but I grew up around water, the ocean, and it is in my blood. I love it, the salt spray, the aroma of the sea, waves crashing, gulls talking...

At the fort we saw all the usual things you see at these old forts, this fort is very well preserved so that was nice, they had a nice museum, and a blacksmith that is there 3 days a week. Besides his political commentary on the enviroment etc it was great, though his commentary wasn't bad. He had his little 7yr old dog who was a cutie and followed his master everywhere.

He made a fish for a key chain while we were there, I was fasinated with the whole process.The rawness of it, the simplicity of creating something so simple, but beautiful from a stick of iron.

Later that day we walked the trails of a bird sanctuary to reach the beach, shell hunting was our goal we didn't find to many though.

Gifts shops came next, and then a wonderful BBQ dinner at a little place that was so good.

Sunday morning didn't find me up at my early hour, but at 6am instead. I actually slept in I guess walking a few miles on sand does that to ya. We quickly dressed and walked the beach again on another part of the island. It was so windy all weekend, but that didn't ruin the pleasantness of it all.

We were on the west end of the island for this walk. This part of the island is where all the rental and summer homes are. Most were shut up and had signs saying for rent. Since we went during the off season the island was pretty empty except for the residents. But I loved that, the personality of the island showed through and the locals were friendly.

We walked for an hour went back and ate and hit the road. A weekend well spent, but we were ready to see our families. The kids really missed me especially Ashley which is unusual Wyatt is the one who usually does.

I hope all had a wonderful weekend and have a joyful week.

Love,

Erika

Simple Woman's Daybook February

Today:

February 2, 2011

Outside my window:

This morning as we woke it was 29 degrees it will warm to the 40's today but not much into them. It is bright and clear though. It rained all day yesterday, but made our little nest comfy. The dogs slept, the cats were sprawled on whatever lap they could get to, across the back of the couch, or tucked into a cubby hole somewhere hiding from the kitten. Who isn't all that much of one anymore, at 5 months old he is about their size but a good pounce every now and then is good for everyone, including the dogs. They all, including the people of the house got pounced this morning.

I am thinking:

Let's see little rambles, the slip to put the elastic in the waistband and then it will be done, handles for the new church bag I am making, take hubby to get his tux measurments for the wedding he is going to be in, sugar cookies for 4H today the dough is in the fridge; spring, can't wait for it to come; Pippin, my little fur ball; candles, oil lamps, laundry, yummy homemade recipe I made last night that I will share sometime soon.... 

I am Thankful for:

pen friends, blogs that inspire, friends, family...

From the Learning Rooms:

pre algebra, biology, history, home ec, english, but for today 4H and history since we will be going to the big town.

From the Kitchen:

sugar cookies colored pink for 4H, a yummy chicken brocolli cassarole, herbal teas that I love.

I am wearing:

a long demin skirt I made a couple years ago from a pair of jeans, a green pullover, warm clothing for the cold day ahead. No jewelry my hair in up in barrets but I don't know if I'll put it all the way up.

I am creating:

well, I have a stack of fabric on the washer to wash for turning into yummy things. On the sewing table a new slip, church bag, a tie for Yguy I finished yestersday....

I am hoping for a wonderful day with my children at 4H and on the drive to Gulfport. My kitten, Pippin, is sitting next to me finally worn out from all his poucing and run in the pasture with the dogs. The birds are at the feeders in the backyard, Ring Neck Doves always in a pair, Chipping sparrows love them all.

Ashley is working on her seminary for the morning, the animals are fed I am getting ready to bounce Yguy out of bed. He is my late night person, Ash is my early morning riser. Get breakfast made, dinner made somewhat for tonight since we will be gone all afternoon.  Take delicious sips of my raspberry and dandalion tea, watch as the kids cut out sugar cookies decorate them with chocolate sprinkles and bake up their goodness.

 A reminder of summer's delights....

Have a simple blessed day

Erika

simple woman's daybook

Simple Woman's Daybook , January 12, 2011

Click the picture to read wonderful daybooks from all over the world.

 FOR TODAY

Outside my window...

Outside our windows it is cold and dreary. But the breeze is not blowing so the cold isn't as biting as it could be. Frost everywhere and horefrost coming up from the ground.

I am thinking...

Not to much this morning I am little fuzzy headed I think I might be coming down with Yguy's cold. I hope not I hope it is just a continuation of my allergies that have decided to flare up recently. But I also have a list of things that need to be accomplished today going through my mind.

I am thankful for...

For my family, they are an ongoing thankfulness lately. It has been such a long winter so far for me and they have been my rock and steady assurance during these months. I am thankful for a Father in Heaven and a Savior that loves me through all my faults and knows me to my very core and still loves me.

From the learning rooms...

Normal routine, though today I think we are making a trip to the DMV to get photo ID's for them so that we can renew their health insurance. I am not a happy camper to do this though for reasons that do not belong on this blog.

From the kitchen...

Yesterday, I made bread, cinnamon raisen bread, and for today's breakfast cinnamon rolls. Oh, I did make baked oatmeal for breakfast yesterday it was yummy with homemade yogurt. Homemade au gratin potatoes for dinner last night as well were made. Today I think a pot of homemade chicken noodle soup with crusty french bread and a salad maybe.

I am wearing...

My long green corduroy skirt, socks, and a warm pull over. My hair is is barrets but down I still might put it up today we will see.

I am creating...

little fabric birds for my swag, a bathrobe is in there somewhere, and a day planner cover with pockets.

I am going...

to town for the dreaded ID's and to church tonight for youth

I am hoping...that the rest of my herbs come in today Dandalion and catnip. And 2 books I ordered from half.com one on Tasha Tudor and the other Backyard Medicine.

I am reading...

The Book of Mormon....again. Ash and I are reading it together and I want to have it read by girl's camp. Also The Last of Mohicans we are reading together.

I am hearing...

Wonderful celtic music on Pandora, music is very soothing to me so we listen to it alot. We are careful what we listen to classical, celtic, instrumental.. piano...

Around the house...

The window's curtains are closed to the world still, I will open them soon. Just enjoying the little enclosed nest they create. The oil lamps and candles are lit, the cats and dogs have had their breakfast so they are falling asleep in their little places throughout the house. It is still and quiet I have my steaming cup of red raspberry tea sitting next to me.

One of my favorite things...

The wisdom to take care of myself though I don't look to that wisdom like I should. I hope to change that.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

A baptism Saturday at church, youth tonight, school

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

The livingroom this morning

Have a simply blessed day..

Erika

When your life choices are questioned.

What happens when you feel you are questioned and taunted at every turn you take? It goes along with that saying when life hands you lemons you make lemonade.

Our journey through this life is not an easy one at times; life can be so overwhelming or frustrating no matter what we do or don't do. We can try to pull away from influences, behaviors, or people that stand in our way of growing, progressing only to be pulled up short by them again and again.

I wonder daily what my life is to be, am I happy with my accomplishments, my goals, my decisions.... When I feel I finally have some sort of order to the never ending chaos something yet again knocks me down.

Is this because maybe I have found that place in my life that truly makes me happy. The simplicity of it all, I love my skirts, not cutting my hair but maybe once a year, gardening, homeschooling, raising my children my way, simply slowing down and seeing what is around me, being a family and doing things together, playing games nightly with my children, canning, baking bread, cooking from complete scratch.....

I don't like the fussiness of the world crashing in on me. The crowds this time of year overwhelm me, our self entitlement society, the never ending complaining, hatefulness, pride, selfishness....

Our family is a close family; hardships in our past have forged that closeness. Our youngest son passing away, Hurricane Katrina, living offgrid for 3 years, and all the many little things that have built us to who we are today.  I am a stronger person today than I was 17 years ago when we were newly married and it is because of the choices I have made that have put me on this path.

But, when that path is disturbed and questioned we faulter and struggle with the derision of the world around us. A world we felt was stable until something so small so profound attacks your very core. You feel violated, unsure, anxious, and overwhelmed. Old insecurities surface, feelings of inadequecy rear their ugly heads, and you question what you have built as your foundation.

Does that mean our foundation is cracked or ideals wrong? No, I don't think so, though at times I have wondered and have spent many hours wasting the mental power anguishing over it. And so have neglected and even questioned the very things I live for, the very things that make my life special to me, the very things it took me so long to realize.

My life is not an open book to anyone I am a private person who clings to her privacy very much, I am shy,  very protective of my loved ones, and I will and do stand on my own two feet and protect what I feel is worth protecting. But I am also a person who feels deeply and sometimes has a hard time tuning out what is said or thought around me and I take it to heart and it hurts.

So with the lemons in my life I hope to have lemonade soon and I hope to learn how to make it very soon. :0)

Forgiveness

A couple of days ago we watched a movie called Amish Grace, it is based on the Amish schoolhouse shootings 4 years ago.  When hubby and I were looking around on the internet at some info on one of the actors we ran across some not so nice reviews on the movie. I didn’t read the reviews, only the intro lines, but I wondered if what they wanted to see were the disgusting details of what happened that day. The movie was not a big budget movie but the actors portrayed what the core of the movie was about very well.

What came of that tragedy was the knowledge of the amazing faith these simple people have and how they live their lives with total commitment to what they believe. The message was clear, forgiveness, we know what happen in that little schoolhouse it was all over the news for so long but that fact that they forgave that man and did not hold a grudge toward his wife and children was and is such a powerful message. Even stepping forward to attend his funeral, not for him, but for his family as a support when so many walked away from them.

Can we say we would be that forgiving?

The dough in the bowl isn't as forgiving as the kitten below whose total trust and love is shown in his position in my son's arms. He has been dropped from only about a foot off the ground and he was wiggling up a storm but he still loved the person (me) who did it. He has gotten wrapped up in our feet as we walk across a room since he has to attack everything moving and been accidently kicked but he still loves us.

The dough on the other hand can be very unforgiving depending on the littlest of circumstances. I have added to much salt and killed the yeast, or not enough of something simple and the results have been tasteless. Bread is very simple to make and I have gotten good at it but it still can fail because of a little thing I forgot or that someone else did. It doesn't bounce back and take shape because I said I was sorry.

To forgive is so hard and to forgive such a gut wrenching tragedy says so much. It is so easy to hold on to that anger and hard heartedness and let that anger simmer and become more than it needs to be.

The adversary knows this and stokes the fires that keep that anger burning. It consumes us a till we are so bitter at so many things that we have forgotten what started it all. Our hearts are shallow pits of hate.

But the one person that started it all has moved on and either doesn't realize what they did or doesn't even care. Do we want a hurt to fester to the point where it rules our every thought and action?

Matthew 6:14-15 For if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trepasses. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses.

The movie held a powerful message, one of the Amish mothers said in one scene that every day she wakes and expects to hear her daughters singing but that she doesn't anymore and the anger threatens to overtake her. She offers it to the Lord and in and hour she might have to do it again and then in an hour do it again. We have to work at it hourly keep ourselves in check.

I for one learned from the simple message throughout the movie, forgiveness, it is such a simple word but holds such power over us. To forgive brings peace to not forgive brings such anger and hatred.

What will rule our lives if we let it?

Simple Woman's Daybook , October 26, 2010

Outside My Window.....it is gray and glooming, a lite breeze, and very humid. We just took the dogs for a walk and all that keeps it from being down right uncomfortable is the breeze

I am thinking....of all the things I must do today we took last week off from school for a little fall break and this week it is back to the books.

I am thankful for...the blessings I have, though at time I feel I have none, I know I am abundantly rich in what I have been given.

From the kitchen...Apple butter, tonight is meatless night and thinking of something yummy to make.

I am wearing...right now my sleeping clothes but will be in a green skirt and muslim blouse soon. All homemade with an apron.

I am creating....I am trying to create things to sell on etsy

I am going....walking with my daughter this morning to do our mile walk.

I am reading....school books

I am hoping....our neighbors well is fixed today and that it isn't bad at all something simple. They came over and filled pots and buckets with water last night and we gave them 2 cases of our hurricane drinking water. I'm glad we were able to help them some. And that our son's dog, Flower, gets better soon she has hurt her leg, she didn't even want to go on her morning walk.

I am hearing....

the stillness of the house.

Around the house...Ashley is working on seminary work, I am planning the day out, fabric calling my name to make it into something fun...

Here is a picture thought:

Wonderful creation all around us, we just need to take the time to look.

Simple Woman's Daybook



Getting Lost

Our role in this world depends on many factors, how we are raised, how our own parents preceived things, where we live, male or female, what the fashion is in our world at the time, etc, etc

I grew up on the coast of Florida with Kennedy Space Center right across the river and the space shuttle program in full swing. My parents did not work for the space center they both worked for banks. I had a poster on my door that said Girls Can Do Anything. I was encouraged to do just that go to college become successful in something.....At 11 or 12 I wanted to be a Navy Pilot and be a mom but not marry. My parents had just divorced and marriage was not for me.

At 17 I met my husband who was in the Navy and we married with me less than a year out of High School, I was 19. Was I wrong to give up what were supposedly my dreams to become a Navy wife and a little over a year later a mom at age 20?

When our daughter was 6 months old I finally went to college, I loved it, the learning part at least. One semester was enough for me I wanted to be at home with her not have someone else raise her. And learn what I wanted to learn not what someone else thought I should.

A few years went by and I had 3 young children I felt complete. I loved being a mom and wife even at the age of 24. Our youngest son passed away at 7 months old from a birth defect no one knew about, I was thrown into a world I didn't want to be in and so the dreams of my childhood started creeping in and making me feel unsettled in my choice of life. I wanted to run away from the pain...

 Recently a friend told me one of the reasons she divorced she said she lost herself she was a mom and a wife but where was she. I pondered this question all the way home and thought long and hard on it. I feel I have lost myself in being a mom and a wife and in loosing who I was I have found who I am to become and that is liberating.

After I stopped pining for what could be, I found who I was in the pain of loosing a piece of myself. It became clear to me where I am suppose to be and how much I love who I am.

Our world is a selfish place it is me, me, and what can I get. I don't think people see past the ends of their own noses most of the time. Maybe if we did the world would be different.

I feel by living by my own standards and letting go of what the world sets as our standard we will truly find happiness. By loosing myself in motherhood I found who I am by being a wife I have learned what it is to be a woman our Heavenly Father wants.

I am where I am meant to be and in that I always know where I am, where I am to be, and what my destination is.

There is a song on my playlist Live Like You Believe I hope that you strive daily to live what you know in your heart is right and not what the standard of the world is.

Have a Blessed day.
Erika

The Art of Writing...

I have decided to take some time off from blogging... I have loved blogging but I have let it get to be to much in my life.

Last year our family did a week long media fast, it was wonderful, from that I changed many things, like deactivating my facebook.... But I need to do more.

I have two wonderful blessings in my life named Ashley and Wyatt that need my time more than you do. I have a marriage that has been going well for 17 years but I want it to do better, we have lost ourselves in ourselves and need to reboot and renew the sacredness of our marriage. Our lives of late have been so stressed and hectic and I feel we are forgetting why we first married.

I started blogging April of 2007 and I see a difference in who I was and who I am. I want to see myself again and the world around me, really see not think of what I can blog about.

I am a private person but then I open myself of almost daily on this blog. I find time when I shouldn't to blog or read blogs that time needs to be in my home and loved ones. I have kept blogs I love, to check up on sometimes, but not as often as I do now. 

Tomorrow will be different....

Tomorrow I will be that private person again that finds great joy in her family and in her little cottage and loves every precious minute of it.

I have recently started exchanging letters with a wonderful woman who loves her skirts as much I do, sews, cooks, and many of the same things I love. I have had fun dipping into the old fashion world of letter writing. There is something soothing about sitting on the front porch and reading a letter from a friend you have never met.

I find slowing down, savoring old fashion notions, learning to breath in the world, and letting go of the panic around me helps me hear what Heavenly Father has for me to learn.

I would like to open my mailbox to others who might want to delve into the world of letter writing. I would love to exchange ideas, thoughts, recipes, trials, triumphs, and share my passion/mission for letting the world rush by so that I can hear what I need to.

Email me at pioneerhomemaker(at)gmail(dot)com

and we can exchange addresses if you too like to letter write.

Until....

Have a blessed day

Erika

Simple Woman's Daybook , August 10, 2010

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...

Sunday and cool for summer. Last night we walked the dogs in the front pasture and it was actually nice not so hot and humid as it has been. But summer is far from being over here in the south.

I am thinking...

Of my list of things today

From the learning rooms...

We started school yesterday and it was a great day. We started a new schedule and it worked beautifully and they seemed to love it. They are both excited to read about the middle ages this year and they both are looking forward to Apologia Biology and the new microcope coming in the mail soon.

From the kitchen...

Tomatoes everywhere....We are freezing them for me to turn into something yummy at a later date

I am wearing...

a green skirt my hubby's favorite and gray top and for now I am barefoot.

I am creating...

I finally finished an apron I started in June. And I am thinking of other sewing projects.

I am reading...

School books and Little House in the Big Woods

I am hoping...

My van gets out of the shop soon it has been there a week now

I am hearing...

the dog wanting out of Ash's room, the freezer and fridge, and a bird outside.

Around the house...

sleeping cats, sleeping teenagers soon to be awaken, dishes to put away, and a day to get started

One of my favorite things...

The smile on my daughters face when a math problem clicks into places and she finally understands.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

school, volunteer at the Bishop's storehouse, my mom coming up for an afternoon visit, library, youth....

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Red Figs and Yellow Pears...Once they turn colors they are so pretty but the rain is making them split and the bushes are so big and thick as we pick green ones fall off and I can't let them go to waste. :0)

Today at the Cottage

We start 10th grade and 8th grade, Middle Ages study, Biology...

No Poo is going wonderfully, I love it and I have not noticed a transition period at all.

Life is a little rough right now but I know there are others who have bigger worries and stresses than I do. Keeping them in my prayers keeps my mind off myself and stops me from wallowing in self pity.

Chalk art by Ash and Yguy, Saturday while waiting for dad to come home from work.

Benjamin Franklin's 13 virtues

1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

2. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

3. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

4. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

5. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

6. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

7. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

8. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

9. MODERATION. Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.

11.TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

12. CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.

13. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Have a Blessed Day

Erika

Rubies of Thought

Proverbs 31:30&31

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised...Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Well, here we are at the end of our journey of discovering the woman we are striving to become. Am I overwhelmed? No, but I am not as afraid of the journey I am on. I see that I am on the right path even though I have many bridges to cross I know that I can work hard and be like this woman.

I always thought that fearing the Lord meant just that, being afraid of him. But that always confused me, why would I be afraid of my Father? Then it came to me its not fear its a revered respect.

A few years ago when hubby was somewhat less active at church, Yguy had a problem in Primary. It had been going on for weeks and no one told me. He and a couple other boys, his friends were causing a little ruckus. Just boy stuff laughing, not singing, being kids but at the wrong times. And the Primary president waited till hubby came to church and told him about it. She didn't tell me over the course of several weeks but waited for dad. While we drove home we talked to Yguy about it and wanted to know what was going on. He wasn't in trouble it bothered us more that it was let to set for so long. He started crying right off the bat and was so sorry for what he and the other boys were doing. No one talked to the boys and he thought they were OK. When he found out that it wasn't and that we were disappointed in his choice of behavior he was very remorseful and hurt that he made the wrong choice. After that they contined to have trouble with the other boys but not Yguy.

He wasn't in trouble we were just disappointed in his choice. And he in turn wasn't afraid but respected us for talking to him and he talked to us about what was going on. This was way before he realized mom and dad are not perfect. We are not Gods anymore in his eyes just human :0)

 Our relationship with our Heavenly Father should be of deep respect and reverence not disrepectful or total fear. He wants us to know he loves us but also that he has standards for us to follow and that he is disappointed when we fall away but he isn't angry and he is always there for us when we need him.  

The choices we make or the fruit of our hands will be our beacon of who we are.  While we learn and grow and become more like the Savior it shows in all we do, in our countences, and in every fiber of who we are.

We are more than we think and less than what Heavenly Father KNOWS we are to become. Strive, work, learn, daily to be this woman spiritually and temporally. Don't get caught in the I have no talent in say, cooking do the best you can do that is what is asked of us. Give the best of yourself not the best someone else can do.

One day you will be all that Heavenly Father knows you can be the way he sees you right now. I know that I have only scratched the surface of who I am to become but I also know Heavenly Father sees me as I am to become and I find great comfort in that.

Have a Blessed Day

Erika

Rubies of Thought

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her Proverbs 31:28

There is not really much you can say about this verse, it says it all. Her family is very greatful for the time, talents, and love she gives them freely.

An experience recently makes me wonder, do we as a society spoil our children so that they will love us. Do we freely give them their own freedom without rules, guidelines, or guidance so that they will call us blessed.

It is so easy to say, "do what you want, you will anyway." But are we creating a generation of spoiled people who have the definate, I wants and are used to getting what they want?

I want my children and husband to feel blessed I am here, not because I give in to every demand and whim they have. But because I have tried my best to mold and shape them into people that they can be proud to be.

It is not easy being a parent or a spouse in a world that is so self centered. There is no room for selfishness in this life. I have been repeating to myself alot lately, "Loose myself in service."

I know when I forget myself and serve those around me things become so clear and the answers are right there. When I am wallowing in my own self pity and thinking only of myself things are so hard and the answers are all wrong, since they are of my own making.

Have a Blessed Day

Erika

Rubies of Thought

Ash was getting creative with the camera a few weeks ago. This is a view from under the sunflowers.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness...Proverbs 31:27

I am always kicking myself for getting wrapped up in a book and letting my home and other things fall to the wayside. I really consider this to be lazy on my part and I always feel so guilty.

Lately, I feel very lazy so many things have been going on and so many directions our family has been going in that my home and household has been the last on the list of important things.

As summer comes to a close and we get our lives back into some kind of order this will level out but summer time is a hard time to keep focused with what seems like a never ending stream of outside the home activities.

I hate to say it but this verse makes me feel a little guilty, I know I have not been completely lazy but I am happiest at home and providing a home for those I love and with all that pulls us away I neglect what is my safe harbor.

But this verse also brings out to me that of being prepared for whatever comes our way. Hurricane season is upon us, and I know we are prepared the best way we can be for whatever comes our way.

We are also canning and preserving things for our food storage for the next year. Last week we started slaughtering and canning up our meat chickens.

This woman is prepared and doesn't sit and then when something happens wail about not getting her share of whatever is being handed out. She knows her family will be well cared for and have what is needed during any given situation.

Have a Blessed Day

Erika

Rubies of Thought

A Sunflower just starting to wake up. Ash took this a couple weeks ago while we worked in the garden.

I decided to start a blog on our gardening efforts. I am terrible at keeping up with my garden diary so I thought I would try blogging about it to keep myself updated on its progress etc. If you would like to see a glimpse of it and my notes on what has worked etc then click on over. All garden stuff will be on there.

Homegrown Garden

Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come Proverbs 31:25

Cross referenced with

Psalms 104:1

Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou are clothed with honor and majesty

D&C 88:125

And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace

The more and more I read about this women I am in awe of her, to have half of her traits would be such a boon for us. But also I see that there is a repeating theme, like the verses are reminding us of these desirable qualities and ones to hone and sharpen in our own identities.

She is honorable, can be trusted in all things, doesn't dawdle in gossip backbiting or sinful things. She clothes herself in upstanding righteous things, and knows she will be judged accordingly. She knows how and what she does righteously and unrighteosly and strives for righteousness.

She doesn't look for the bad or evil in the world or in an individual she see the positive and good in even the most lowest of society. She sees what needs to be seen in a persons character not what the world has made of this person.

This is a gift that I would love to cultivate to see what Heavenly Father sees in everyone. I know we are all just lost and it seems society gets more and more lost as life supposedly gets easier and easier. And we are all just human with very human qualites not the perfection Christ was and is.

Have a Blessed Day

Erika

Rubies of Thought

Ashley had the camera the other morning as we were working in the garden. We pulled out somethings that were spent and were giving them to the chickens. Cooler thinks anything thrown in the chicken yard is good for him to eat too. He always hangs out in the garden with us in the morning, we're been clearing an area to move our burn pit/outdoor cooking area and the chainsaw and falling trees doesn't deter him from being with his people.

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant Proverbs 31:24

She is a wise bussiness woman and looks for good prices on quality items. She puts pride in her work and knows her products are of good quality. She has no fear of rejection for the items she works on with her hands.

Do we put pride in what we do? Not the harmful pride but pride in knowing we did the best we could do?

Working in the garden every morning brings great joy, bringing in a basket of produce that has been grown 100% organically and with the sweat of my brow is very fullfilling. I gave a bag of yellow squash with a zucchini and cucumber to our neighbor yesterday and I put a jar of dewberry jelly in there since I picked alot from her property and I was happy of the product I passed on.

Do we do a full job or a half job? My children are good at doing half jobs of course they are teenagers and everything is a drama to them. Doing the dishes, oh the injustice never mind all of them are dirty from them. But they are learning when it comes to many others things they do a full job and that is how we should confront this life giving a full measure of ourselves and knowing when the day is done, "I did the best job I could do."

Our homes are a refuge from the hard stormy waves of the world but do we put that full measure into it? Do we feel ashamed of the work we do? Or do we devote ourselves to producing the best we can with the gifts we have been given?

Have a Blessed Day

Erika

Rubies of Thought

Her husband of known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land

Proverbs 31:23

She uplifts him and encourages him. She doesn't bad mouth him but builds him so that he has the confidance in himself. He is respected and she has helped him have the confidance in himself.

We should be a helper in our husbands lives, their jobs, callings, in fatherhood, etc. We should try to not tear him down every chance we get but encourage, uplift, and help him.

I think in this world young woman are encouraged to belittle each other and especially the men in their lives. Men are different from us and we each have our ups and down in our makeup. But that is no reason to degrade and belittle.

I love to call scout camp, Camp Caveman because they run around like wild men and I wonder if they grunt to each other as well. But girls camp they are totally opposite and different from the boys it is a very eye opening thing to see.You really see that there is a difference in the sexes but it takes us together to complete each other.

We are each a child of God and deserve to be treated as such.

Have a Blessed Day

Erika

Rubies of Thought

Tuesday night, Ash and I watched The Passion...I have not seen it before I haven't had the desire to. Yguy watched it and didn't say much. He didn't like he had to read the subtitles.

Ash wanted to see it and  so I watched it with her. I cryed thru the entire movie. I am a visual learner so to see what I have been reading all these years was such a sensory overload. To see Mary following her son thru his day and not being able to stop what was happening really did it to me. Having a son die was hard for me but to have him die in that manner would have been undescribable and knowing it had to happen that way.

I would like to say it changed the way I am and that I will forever be changed. But I am human and striving daily to be a better person and it will not be an overnight change. But it helps me see the pain he went thru for me and brings things into perspective.

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry: her clothing is silk and purple Proverbs 31:22

This woman is a woman who doesn't flop around in her flip flops and cut offs she makes sure she is dressed in a way that will show that she is a daughter of God.  But, she isn't prideful about it. She makes what she wears and what is used in her home.

I think today isn't as easy to sew as it used to be. I can say most things in my closet are homemade but that is because I have found good deals on fabric and I use a pattern several times as well as loading up on 99 cent patterns at Hancock. Most everything else I have is thriftstore or major markdowns on clearance racks.

This woman uses her skills wisely and makes things for her home and her clothing and she makes sure she looks how she feels inside. A daughter of God, a princess, a queen of her home. But is humble, meek, and full of love and compassion.

Have a Blessed Day

Erika

Rubies of Thought

Zinnia's by the clothesline in old wash tubs. We have one on each end. One I used to hand wash clothes in when we lived in Montana.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

Proverbs 31:21

This one I kept looking to see if there was a deeper meaning but I don't think so now. It all boils down to her being prepared and so her family is prepared. Whether we live in an area with snow, hurricanes, or just needing to be prepared for anything.

She is prepared when a child or teen has a growth spurt and isn't taken by surprise by it. Her household is dressed properly, modestly, and are prepared for what comes their way.

 I wanted to know what the scarlet meant so I looked at many references of it and found it meaning fancy clothing, to nice clothing, to taking on the blood of Christ. And so I wondered it this verse meant more. Like when we have mounting hills to climb we still have the mantel of Christ on our shoulders to guide us. We listen when we are prompted instead of taking on the world and our problems on our own.

I know for me I worry and worry about the future and what it will bring and how I can change it to what I want. I need to really set down and let today's troubles be sufficient for today. I need to heed the guidance I receive and listen to it, whether I like it or not. That is the key whether I like it or not.

But I also need to be prepared for anything the future may bring. There is that fine line there of worrying about what needs to be worried about and worrying to much. Trust, trusting in the Lord with all our hearts....

That is a hard one for me I have a very hard time trusting people. I hold them at a distance and any little thing that shakes my trust in them they loose what trust they have with me either forever or for a very long time. But I have learned over the years to trust in Heavenly Father I have never been shaken from the trust I have put in him but I had a hard time trusting at first.  I may get frustrated as we all do in the slowness of an answer, or the answer isn't what I want but in the end I see why and am happy with the result.

Be prepared for everything. My daughter is feeling her way around and making her own style. And I am trying really hard not to be a grouchy mom but then also letting her know that she represents being a Christian and by her example she will draw good or bad to her. We should think of that when we go out in the world,"Am I drawing good or bad to myself with the statement I am declaring in how I dress, act, or where I am at?" But it also pretains to here at home how we feel and act at home is affected by how we dress. If we are in our nightclothes all day and aren't sick then how is the atmoshpere in our home going to react?

Have a Blessed Day

Erika

Rubies of Thought

She Stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea she reacheth forth to the needy

Proverbs 31:20

She is a compassionate person to all and helps all who stands in need of it. Whether it is for physical things food, clothing, etc or spiritually.

I used to think this was just the physical things but people need prayers, they need a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to listen. Sometimes they need that more than anything else and not even realize they do. Being there and compassionate enough to just be there when they need you.

I think service should be something you do without thinking. It is done without a thought you are doing it you don't realize you are. Service done with a prize in mind isn't service at all. I think the service we are blessed for the most is the service we do when no one knows we have even done it.

I started a prayer notebook not long ago and I have been writing things in it that I feel I need to add a little extra on. Sisters that are sick, or their relatives, or just someone I know that could use the extra. I've don't write what I want or need but others and I do forget it sometimes in my church bag so it isn't out daily for me to remind who needs prayers. But it does remind me that there are others out there that need prayers and love. So that I am not always dwelling on myself.

Have a Blessed Day

Erika