Women of God

"Women of God can never be like the women of the world.
The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender.
There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind.                                      There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined.
There are enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith.
           We have enough greed; we need more goodness.
           We have enough vanity; we need more virtue.
           We have enough popularity; we need more purity."

                                                                                       -  Margaret D. Nadauld

"A gracious woman retains honor.."  -  Proverbs 11:16

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Have a blessed day,

The Simple Woman's Handbook

For today.....

Outside my window...it is dark. The sun hasn't made its appearance yet.

I am thinking...about all that needs to be done today.

I am thankful... for my salvation.

From the learning rooms...Bible flannelgraphs, Art appreciation day, read alouds, and lots more fun stuff.

In the kitchen...waffles for breakfast.

I am wearing...a black top and a denim skirt.

I am creating...patchwork skirts for my girls.

I am going...to the thrift store to drop off donations.

I am wondering...if I will find some children's classic books while we're there.

I am reading... (other than the Bible) "In My Father's House" by Corrie ten Boom. This book chronicles the years of the ten Boom family before "The Hiding Place". It's a wonderful book!

I am hoping...in the Lord Jesus.

I am looking forward to...spending the entire day with my children.

I am hearing...our rooster, Elmer, crow.

Around the house...laundry needs to be done...a never-ending chore.

I am pondering...how time passes so quickly.

One of my favorite things...hearing the laughter of my children.

A few plans for the rest of the week...working in the garden, a trip to the grocery store, and (possibly) a family field trip on Saturday.

Here's a picture for thought I want to share...

This photo was taken from our front yard a few months ago...a beautiful reminder of the handiwork of our Creator. (Psalm 19:1)

The Simple Woman's Daybook is hosted by http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Have a blessed day,

  








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Skirts For My Girls

One day last spring, my 2 youngest daughters were running around outside in long skirts - and barefoot. They were playing in the freshly plowed dirt of our garden and having a blast. That evening, they asked me to make them some "Little House on the Prairie skirts". I told them I would, but I soon realized that I didn't have enough material - only scraps.

Then, a few days later, a dear friend of mine told me that she had done some spring cleaning and had 2 white trash bags full of material. She asked me if I wanted it. I immediately said, "Yes!" The material was beautiful: summer prints, winter plaids, and even autumn-themed material. I couldn't wait to get started!

But first, I had to find a pattern. There were many skirt patterns to choose from, but I found one specially made for young girls to sew. I made a total of 12 skirts from this pattern!  (My seven-year-old made her first skirt from this pattern.)

The pattern is Simplicity # 2576. Here's the link for it..http://www.simplicity.com/p-1535-childgirl-skirts.aspx  
Note: the pattern doesn't have a ruffle at the bottom of the skirt. I added that myself.

Here are some photos of the skirts for my girls.......

"The royal daughter is all glorious within the palace; her clothing is woven with gold." - Pslam45:13

Have a blessed day,









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First Day of School

Yesterday was our first day of school. And it was wonderful...mostly because we started using the CM method. It was a very relaxing, stress-free, learning-filled day.

Once I explained the CM method to the children, they were very eager to get started on this new aspect of our homeschool journey.

I ordered some wonderful books for the new year. They haven't arrived yet, but I did take some photos of what we did on our first day....

                                     Of course, Bible is always our first subject.   :)

              Mimi likes her workbook, but she would rather use manipulatives. I agree with her.  :)

                                                   Aaron working on Math.

                                       Ian writing Scripture verses for penmanship.

                                            Asher decorating his Nature Journal.

                                                  They love the Time Line.

                                      Examining a grasshopper on the our nature hike.

                                                   And a Thorn-back Spider.

                                                        And a Harvestman.

                                         Cracking open a nut to see what's inside.

                                                     Examining some moss.

                                        Back home to journal in our Nature Journals.

                                   

Have a blessed day,











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Summer School

My children got a wonderful, in-depth education this summer.

No, they didn't memorize a 500-page textbook. But they did take some hands-on courses that taught them more than any textbook could teach them.

They took a course in theology........

..a course in agriculture....

..a course in entomology...

..a course in water ecology...

..a course in herpetology...

..a course in kinetic energy...

..a course in felinology...

.. and a course in music appreciation..

We had a wonderful, fun summer of hands-on learning! But we know that knowledge and wisdom ultimately come from the Lord.  We can read and memorize every text book ever printed, but godly wisdom and knowledge is what's most important.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." - Proverbs 9:10

Have a blessed day,









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Tye Dye Tradition

As the end of summer approaches, we have a tradition at our house: we tye dye t-shirts. It's easy and inexpensive. I bought the t-shirts and tye dye kit at Wal Mart for under $25.00.

The children always look forward to it, and I do, too. I always encourage each of them to make up their own design. And it's always exciting to cut off the rubber bands to reveal the design they made.

Since I'm the one who puts the dye on the shirts, there aren't any photos of the process; only a photo of the finished products....

You can see the different design on each shirt...reflecting the different personality of each child. I love it!  :)

Have a blessed day,









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Whole Wheat Flaxseed Waffles

Waffles are a favorite breakfast food with my children, but I wanted to make them healthier than the typical white flour version.

So I substitute whole wheat flour for the white flour, and I also add whole flax seed  - for extra fiber and a good dose of Omega-3s. My children hardly noticed the difference. In fact, I now have to double the recipe to have enough to feed all of them.   :)

Here's the recipe.......

Whole Wheat Flaxseed Waffles

2 eggs

1 3/4 c. milk

1/2 c. butter, melted

1 3/4 c. whole wheat flour

1/4 c. white flour

4 t. baking powder

1 T. sugar

1/2 t. salt

1/4 c. whole flaxseed

Heat waffle iron. Beat eggs til fluffy. Beat in remaining ingredients

til smooth. Pour batter onto hot waffle iron. Bake til done.

Makes 9 or 10 waffles.

Enjoy!

"Give us this day our daily bread."  -  Matthew 6:11

Have a blessed day,

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