Hey Ya'll !!

Posted on Friday, February 29, 2008 at 09:55

Hello All!  I have been away for a while, and have spent much time in prayer and soul-searching for the last couple of weeks.  I have missed everyone dreadfully, and kept you in my thoughts.  I wanted to take just a moment to thank all of you who have e-mailed and sent messages to ask after my and my family's welfare.  Each of you is a treasure, and a true blessing to me.  I promise I will be writing each of you today, if it is at all possible.  The truth is, I have not read my messages until today, so I did not realize that I had missed your correspondence.  Please forgive my neglect!

I pray you have all been well, and having a wondeful two weeks.  Things have been a bit strained at Moss Pots, but, thanks be to the good Lord, and precious friends like Jen and Tricia, all is coming together.  I send a heart-felt, "love you, and thank you!" to them both.

This morning finds a lovely sun streaming through the kitchen window and thoughts of the coming season of renewal.  It also reminds me of the mercy and grace of the Father...how He will refresh and renew our spirits, when we face trail and tribulation.  So often, we feel alone when we face life's hard realities, but that is the very moment when he surrounds us, and lifts us in His arms, carrying us when we have no strength left.  He is truly our song and our salvation.

As the day progresses,  hope to have a chance to return to some of my crafty things.  My heart longs to pull out my paints and just splash color on canvas..see where the brush will take me today!  Pumpkin is asking for a change to her bedroom, so my canvas may be bigger than expected!  We may have a safari or an ocean trip on the walls...perhaps even a far away kingdom of princes and dragons!  Who knows?  It will be fun to see what happens!

In the kitchen, there is a Creole stew bubbling. Anjou sausage, chicken, tomatoes and okra simmer happily,, waiting to feed my family tonight.  There are also two loaves of bread set to rise.  And a batch of cookies waiting for Pumpin to decorate with sprinkles and candy drops.  At the moment, she is writing a story about buffalo and the wild, wild west, lol.  Maybe some of the cookies will bear "buffalo prints!".

In the den, a candle flickers, filling the room with the scents of grapefruit and fig.  Beautiful slk roses adorn the coffee table, a gift from hubby, just for "being you, Hun."  Isn't that wonderful?  How aweome that after all these years, he still appreciates me.

In the garden, the first tilling has taken place.  The soil is awaiting the addendums from the soil tests, and my excitement mounts!  Jen and I spoke of gardens just last evening, and she inspires me to think of lily ponds and huge hibiscus blooms!  She has such a lovely eye for design.  And a gentle and loving spirit, filled with compassion for all living things.  What a treasure she is!

Oh yes, the laundry calls too, lol.  Jeans and blouses, skirts and little girl sweaters await fluffing and folding.  But somehow, today, these do not seem chores, but sweet reminders of a loving family and happy home.

Hope you all have a great day, and find joy in each moment!  God Bless!

Monday's Work

Posted on Monday, February 11, 2008 at 09:08

Hey Ya'll!  This morning I am working on two jobs at once.  Cleaning my little pantry and my craft room/office.  Gracious, but there is a lot to do!  I have a plan, though, and today, a willing heart.

My pantry has long been a source of delight.  I love to cook, and preserve things from our garden.  But, unfortuantely, I also have the tendency to hurry through things sometimes, too.  As a result, my pantry looks a bit like a bomb has hit it, a small bomb, but a bomb, none-the-less, LOL.  In my haste, I have often stacked things willy-nilly, and sometimes, can't find things when I need them.

So, this morning, I am re-doing my artful creation.  Crocks will now be on the bottom shelf.  Home-canned veggies and grains, and pasta will take place on shelf number two.  Things that I use daily, like certain spices and sugar,  will be moved to a cabinet near the stove.  The third shelf will have all of my canned goods neatly stacked, and in order of most to least used.  The fouth shelf is already straightened, and has my cereals and boxed goods all lined up.  It looks so neat and tidy, I almost hate to take the oatmeal down!

As for the other room, the lay-out is now much simpler.  In one corner, I have placed Pumpkin's little desk, and her maps and charts are now gatherd on two walls.  My desk is at the other side of the room, but it will make teaching her easier, because I now have an extra chair beside it to facilitate teaching from things I find on the computer.  The southern corner of the room now sports my sewing table and machine, and the bureau filled with my crafty things.  The trunk of my car holds four boxes of terrific items that will be given to others today.  I find that, now that I can see progress, i am very happy with my decision.  Isn't it amazing how given a bit of time, your prespective an change?

It will be so nice to have things in order.  I  am thrilled with the changes I have already made, and look forward to a more stream-lined cleaning and teaching routine.  Well, guess I better get back to it!

Have a great Monday!

Cold and Flu Season: My Medicine Chest at Home

Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 12:04

***********************This post is intended for information only!  Please, do not attempt to use any of the listed herbs without medical advice from your family doctor.************************************************

Many people seem to have been bit by the old cold bug around my little community.  A lot of sneezing and wheezing accompained church service Sunday.  I am, and have always been, a proponent of natural "cures"  for the common cold, and thought maybe some of the Homestead readers might be interested in what I keep on hand in our little medicine chest.  Neither my husband or myself have had a cold in several years.  However, Pumpkin did have a case of the sniffles that lasted a couple of days, but, thankfully, it  did not interfere with her routine.

*****One very important thing: Please!  Don't use any type of medication, whether over the counter, or herbal without consulting an MD>  Even thought these herbal meds are generally the safest of medication, they have risks and side effects too.  So, I am not recommending them for anyone's use, just telling what works for our family.  Use with caution, and under the advice of a Doctor only!  Be especially careful if you have any plant or alkaloid allegies, as most herbs are alkaloid in make-up.*****

Astragalus:  This is a new addition to our medicne chest, but when Todd had a bit of a sore throat last winter, we found it was quite effective.  It is a very good immunity booster, but must be used with caution, as it can not be given if a person has fever. It acts by boosting the ability of white blood cells to fight infection.  It is best to find the 500 mg. capsules or tea preperations at a reputable Natural Food store.  Never attempt to ingest the pure root, as it can make one quite ill, even leading to the worst case scenario, if it is not taken as directed.  I consulted a reputable Pharmicist before I attempted to use it, and did several hours of research.  I also talked with our family MD, and had him give me the correct dosage and way to take it.

Echinacea and Golden Seal:  Most people have heard of these two, and many have used both for years.  The only problem with taking regularly is that it loses it's effectiveness, if taken for more than three weeks at a time.  Both herbs are broad spectrum anitbiotics, and as such are powerful medicines!!! If you have any type of auto-immune disease process, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, TB, AIDS or are taking steroid/hormomal therapy, never use either.  They can interfere with the action of the medicine you are taking and cause severe allergic reactions.

Ginger: Ginger contains ten antiviral compounds!  It is wonderful as a preventative medicine for flu and colds.  it is also quite effective in teas and drinks for motion sickness or nausea.  Ginger does have some side effects.  It should never be used by those who are taking blood pressure meds, or cardiac conditions, because it will elevate the heart rate.  Also, those who take Plavix, Coumadin or other anticoagulant meds daily, (even aspirin) should avoid ginger at all times, due to its anticoagulant properties.  People with gallstones need to leave ginger out of their diets, too, because it can cause severe abdominal pain.

Peppermint: Almost anyone can take peppermint candy!  Did you know that the candy is actually helping your body to fight cold and flu viruses?  Well, it does, and it is a wonderful way to open stuffy noses and loosen chest congestion, if used properly. Peppermint is an antispasmodic, decongestant, and an analgesic!  Again, as with any medicine, consult your MD before using!!!

Peppermint oil can be used in a form of "steam therapy",  to help open sinuses.  If you have a good humidifier, you can simply drop about 4 or 5 drops in the channel, and let it fill your home with its wonderful fragrance. If you don't, simply place a few drops in a bowl full of steaming hot water, and place your face a few inches above the bowl, draping your head with a towel or cloth to trap the vapor.  It should begin to loosen up the stuffy nose, and tight chest in less than ten minutes!  Never ingest pure peppermint oil.  It can be deadly!

Just thought you all would like to read about these wonderful "natural cures", that if used under the direction of your MD and properly, can help make the season a little more comfortable.

Have a wonderully blessed day!

                                                    Mistypearl

The Pulse of My Home

Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 09:44

I think every home has its own pulse.  A heartbeat that envelopes the people who live there, and shapes them in small ways.

Our home is called "Moss Pots," because when we first moved here, there was a delapidated old potter's shed in back of the barn.  It had stacks of old terra cotta pots that had probably been there for many years.  They were covered with lichen and moss, and had no doubt, been put to good use for many years, before being retired.  Somehow, I felt that those pots were a symbol of the perserverance of the old house.  A harken to dig in, and put down roots.  That impression has stuck with me, and when I grow weary in the restoration of this house, I just think back to those pots, stacked in the corner, waiting patiently for loving hands and warm earth.

There have been many instances like that.  For some reason, this house has had its share of odditties, and I have come to think of them as what makes this house uniquely our own.  For instance, when we first moved in, many of the windows had small peices of paper towel carefully placed at corners and sill.  I remember thinking why in the world would anyone do that?  It didn't take us long to figure that out, our first winter!  The widowed lady who had lived here for many years had more smarts than we knew, for the first blustery night, there were strange whistles and breezes that came to welcome us.  The hardware store was the first place to visit, the next morning!  Now, there are no whistles, and no errrant breezes, because we have sealed and even replaced some of the worst offenders.  I do have to admit, though, some part of me admires that woman's ingenuity!

This house has been a source of inspiration, and sometimes, of aggrivation!  When attempting to clean window transoms over the doors, I quickly understood why they would not open, because they had been painted shut!  Errrrrr!  I thought I would lose my mind, trying to scrape paint from the sides of the wooden casings.  And the attic....I found a multitude of boxes and one trunk filled with old clothing and scraps of fabric, cut in odd shapes.  There were also broken lamps, a table with scarred top, and wobbly legs, and an old mirror, trimmed in gilt that had spotted with age.  It seemed there was a lifetime of left-over knick knacks that had little use.  I quickly found that was not the case.

Upon some further cleaning, I found some letters and several notebooks filled with spidery script, and love tokens.  In one of them, the mirror that I was about to haul off was described. It was a smal notation on a page dated Sept.2, 1942.  "One mirror, recieved from Daniel, said to have once hung in a plantation house on Congaree."  Oh my, was I thrilled!  Needless to say, the mirror never made it to the dump!  It now resides in and in a place of honor over Pumpkins bedroom fireplace.

The old clothing was examined by my oldest DD, and she found several treasures.  Apparently, one box was filled with the elderly lady's wedding veil, and even her honeymoon unmentionables.  Denise has since laundered, pressed and folded them away, unable to bear the thought of them being disposed.

So, I guess the pulse of this old house is a true love for the history of its inhabitants.  I feel at home now.  And when I leave for the day, spending some time away, and pull back into our drive, it as if Moss Pots is waiting to welcome me.  The old door creaks when I open it, and the floor squeaks when it is trod upon.  But, no matter it's peculiarities, it is home.

Sunday Evening on The Homefront

Posted on Sunday, December 30, 2007 at 12:44

It is a rainy night here, and all is quiet and peaceful.  Pumpkn is working on her "artwork," and hubby is browsing the Net, silently reading some wonderful articles he found on Living Simply.  I have spent some time catching up with old friends with a few e-mails, and e-cards to wish a happy New Year, and now my thoughts turn to the coming week.

Tomorrrow promises to be a quiet day, as hubby will be home from work, and I have some time off as well. The Homespun Homeschool, as we call our class, will not begin again until next week, and for once, the laundry and chores are fairly caught up.  So, I plan on spending much of the day getting a head start on my baking for the week, and working on my scrapbooks.  Yet, I also crave some time to just spend with my Lord, meditating on His Word, and His will for me, in 2008.

So, early in the morning, around 5 or 5:30, I will get up, don my fuzzzy pink slippers, and old Pooh housecoat, and make for the den, stepping quietly, so as not to rouse my slumbering family.  I will cuddle up in my favorite chair,  with my old Bible, now so worn, half of the pages threaten to fall out at any moment, and delve into God's precious word. The time will be sweet and I will savor those moments with Him, basking in the promises He has given His children, and hopefully, learning what He wants to teach me for that day.  I find that, that time, carved from the ususally hectic day, prepares me, nourishes my soul, and calms my emotions, so that I am able to face life, and my usually busy schedule.

I have plans for tomorrow, but I may find He has others for me.  It may be that He will ask that I go and visit someone, or spend some time writing an encouraging letter to a friend.  He may whisper to me that I need to take a few hours to devote only to my darling Husband.  He may even say, "Go," and I will not know where, until I arrive.  I do not know what tomorrow will bring for certain.  But, I do know that HIs grace is sufficient for me, and my family.  Yes, that , I do know for certain.

Have a wonderful Sunday evening, all!

                                                  Mistypearl

The Reason for the Season!

Posted on Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 01:13

This early morning, as I sit down to post, my mind turns to the coming celebration of our Lord and Savior's birth.  It also wonders at the incredible love our Father has for us...that He would send His only Son, from His place in Glory, to be a sacrifice, that we might be reconciled to Him.  No Christmas celebration can be complete without acknowledging that, as well.

As I reflect upon this truth, I am so very grateful for that love, and sacrifice.  It is my prayer that this Christmas season, many will see the real Reason for the season, and come to accept Him. 

                            Have a blessed Christmas!

                                                                               Mistypearl

Wednesday at Home

Posted on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 12:14

Hey Ya'll, and a blessed Wednesday to everyone!

Around the house:  Cleaned everthing yesterday, except the ceiling fan blades, and those will wait until the weekend.  It is so nice to sit down a few moments, and just relax, knowing it is pretty much done!

In the Kitchen:  A large crock pot of bubbling venison stew permeates the air with the wonderful scents of bay leaves, and  spices.  Late this afternoon, I will be making cracklin' cornbread, and a small iceburg lettuce salad to complete the meal.  I also have some dried peas in a water soak for tomorrow's 15 bean soup that I am planning for lunch.

In the Schoolroom:  Quiet!  The little one is off in her room, daydreaming of sugarplums and Christmas gifts.  Later on this afternoon, we will recite the multiplicaton tables, 1-4, and read a few pages in our current book, "Peter Cottontail" written by Beatrix Potter.

In Bible study:  We are reading the story of Christ's birth in Luke.  We read this together on Christmas morning, and every person has a part, so this is good practice for the Pumpkin, and keeps our hearts and minds on the real reason for the season

Crafty things:  This afternoon, the oldest DD and I have plans to finish our quilted placemats for Auntie with a lace edging.  We will also try to complete the cutting out of a new vacuum cleaner cover pattern.  It is a rabbit, with a long dress that covers an upright vacuum.  The rabbit head is a sweet muslin stuffed head that we will attach dark blue faux jewel stones for the eyes, and embroider the mouth and nose with a bright pink.  The dress will be made from a pink and blue tiny flowered muslin, and covered with a frilled muslin apron.

In the Yard:  Everything is damp, and chilly, but the kitties are frolicing in front of the picture window, and somewhere out there, a bird trills to the sky.  Peaceful, and lovely, is our front yard.  The old Irish setter, Mollykins, rests her head on her paws, and barely lifts her head in response to my tap on the window.  She is thirteen years old, and can't be bothered with me today, at least until she gets hungry.  Then she'll mosey to the steps, give a woof or two, and wait patiently while I prepare her treats.

All in all, a lovely day in our little corner of the world.  I wish you peace in yours!

                                  Mistypearl