Give Away and Quotes

This time of year always brings back wonderful memories of our homeschool days. I remember one year in particular when we enjoyed learning all about Laura Ingalls Wilder. Mom had found a curriculum about the “Little House” book series. She read “Little House in the Big Woods” aloud; we made homemade butter by shaking canning jars filled with cream and a clothes pin. Mom even made us flannel prairie dresses and found bonnets for us. We had so much fun!

This month we are offering a calico bonnet and prairie pinafore as our giveaway. The pinafore is a size 5/6. The pinafore is beautifully detailed with hand embroidery and ruffled hem.

To enter the contest simply leave a comment. We would love to hear of your special memories that might relate to “Little House” or this time of year. The winner's name will be drawn and announced October 22^nd.

To close this post we thought we would share some quotes from Laura Ingalls Wilder.

“The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.” 

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“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” 

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“When the fiddle had stopped singing Laura called out softly, "What are days of auld lang syne, Pa?"
"They are the days of a long time ago, Laura," Pa said. "Go to sleep, now."
But Laura lay awake a little while, listening to Pa's fiddle softly playing and to the lonely sound of the wind in the Big Woods,…
She was glad that the cozy house, and Pa and Ma and the firelight and the music, were now. They could not be forgotten, she thought, because now is now. It can never be a long time ago.” 

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“As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness -- just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm.” 

Happy Fourth of July!

This is a photo of the wheat field across the road from our home. What a blessing to see such beauty each day!

 Over the past week we have enjoyed photographing some new items for our Etsy shop in front of the wheat field.

Below is an excerpt from "Little Town on the Prairie" by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Then Pa began to sing. All at once everyone was singing:

“My country, ‘tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing….

“Long may our land be bright
With Freedom’s holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, Our King!”

The crowd was scattering away by then, but Laura stood stock still. Suddenly she had a completely new thought: God is America’s King.

She thought: Americans won’t obey any king on earth. Americans are free. That means they have to obey their own consciences. No king bosses Pa; he has to boss himself. Why (she thought), when I am a little older, Pa and Ma will stop telling me what to do, and there isn’t anyone else who had a right to give me orders. I will have to make myself good.

Her whole mind seemed to be lighted up by that thought. This is what it means to be free. It means, you have to be good. “Our father’s God, author of liberty-“ The laws of Nature and of Nature’s God endow you with a right to life and liberty. Then you have to keep the laws of God, for God’s law is the only thing that gives you a right to be free.

From “Little Town on the Prairie” by Laura Ingalls Wilder


“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

Springtime in Upstate New York

The post below is shared by my mother, Donna Jean.

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21: 4&5

Springtime in upstate New York is lovely; fragrant lilacs, beautiful forget-me-nots, tulips and more. I wish I could bottle the scent of our mountain ash tree; it is so sweet and lovely. In my mind I can imagine heaven a perpetual springtime and its atmosphere filled with the wonderful essence of springtime always. Thank you Father for new life in Christ Jesus.  2 Corinthians 5:17

A Visitor

  Earlier this week while sewing I had an unexpected visitor..........

       A baby praying mantis! : )

"Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Scrubbies

 Several years ago I began crocheting scrubbies. They have always been a big hit with my family. Crocheted from nylon netting (also know as crinoline the material petticoats are made from) scrubbies are perfect for all of your pans, even those with protective coatings. You can wash scrubbies in your washing machine with Clorox, they are very durable and nothing works as well on hard to clean pots and pans. Once you have given scrubbies a try I am sure you will be a fan too. : )

To begin you must cut your nylon netting into 2” wide strips. At first I found this the most challenging step; nylon netting has a way of slipping about. Somewhere along the way I began pinning my neatly folded material to the carpet. I would then mark every 2” with a black marker and cut.


Using a size 9/I crochet hook chain 4. Slip stitch to first chain to form a ring.

Round 1: Chain 2, 6 dc (double crochet) in ring. Sl st (slip stitch) to first chain.

Round 2: Chain 2, dc in same space, 2 dc in each dc of previous round. (I always add one extra dc, as I feel there is a space between where I began and where I am to end. There should be a total of 15 sts counting the first two chains as a dc.) Sl st to first chain.

Round 3: Chain 2, dc in same space, 2 dc in each dc of previous round.

Round 4: Chain 1, sc (single crochet) in each dc of previous round. Sl st to first chain.

Round 5: Chain 2, dc in each sc of previous round. Sl st to first chain.

Round 6: Chain 2, dc in every other dc of previous round.

Round 7: Chain 2, dc in every other dc of previous round.

You will now have a small opening in the back of your scrubbie. I simply slip stitch from one side of the opening into the other side 2-3 times. Cut material and draw material through the loop on your hook. Pull excess material into the inside of the scrubbie, I do this by pushing my hook through the front of the scrubbie and drawing the excess material through to the inside.