My New Project . . .

. . . and confession time. My confession is that I have been meaning to post about this project since last winter or spring! Okay, no more excuses. Here it is.

I now have my own garden.

1. Because a certain spot on our property demands to have something done with it.
   
2. Because I think we need this type of garden.
3. Because I want to.
4. And because I want to learn to garden and I think jumping in with both feet is the only way I am going to accomplish that.

It's approximately 40x40 feet (it has been so long since we laid it out that I have forgotten the exact measurements), in our front yard, and is to be a potager.

A potager is a mixture of flowers, herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Potagers are usually thought of as formal gardens but they do not have to be formal. Mine will be semi-formal.

The plot of land was previously a raspberry patch, nursery beds, and a let's-put-this-here-until-we-find-a-place-for-it area. Some things we were not able to move this spring (including the raspberries) so it is very much in progress.

Here are a few pictures from this spring:

A "before" picture, after we had cleaned it off some.


Digging up grass clumps.

Measuring and staking.

More measuring and staking.

Dressing Ideas

Fashion Ideas : One woman's tips on dressing modestly and femininely.

And a couple of potential sources for modest clothing: DownEast Basics and Lilies of the Field. I just realized I have a lot of decent clothing links so maybe I'll share more in the future!

Memorization With Motherhood In Mind

I have thought for years that if I was a mother I would want to be able to sing lullabies and other songs, and repeat choice bits of poetry and prose to and around my children. It has also occurred to me that in order to someday do this I must first know about these things and memorize them. Imagine that!

I have wanted to do this for so long but just now it has become a practice, not a wish. I am now memorizing with motherhood in mind!

To start me off, I have a book (that I bought years ago) called A Child's Garden of Verses: A Collection of Scriptures, Prayers, & Poems, featuring the works of Robert Louis Stevenson and the art of Thomas Kinkade (published by Tommy Nelson). I am memorizing something of a religious nature and something not particularly of a religious nature (I may not always be able to do this--I fear that good selections not of a religious nature will be in shorter supply).

I am also going to try to put up a sidebar of my memorization choices.

Something Extra In the Kitchen

It is so easy to just do the basics when cleaning the kitchen--the least I need to do. Empty the dishwasher, put the perishable food away, wash the dishes, wipe the countertops we used for that meal, then go on to other projects.

Although kitchen cleaning is a high priority, I wouldn't say that it is always the highest. Quite a few things are up there as the highest priorities--all fighting to be done! Yet, just doing the basics in the kitchen day after day eventually means a messy kitchen.

So, I have determined that every time it is my turn to do the dishes I will not only do the minimum but I will always do "something extra". If I have a lot of time I might do a lot of extras. If I have little time I might just do one extra, but I will always do something extra.

This morning (Tuesday is the only day I do breakfast dishes) I filled the soap dispensers in both sinks (you know, the soap dispenser for the double sink has been empty for at least a week and it didn't take that long to fill!). I spilled soap while filling the one for the large single sink, so I took that opportunity to wash out the sink too. When I closed the dishwasher, I also wiped off the handle and panel. While my washing sink was filling I took a few seconds to wipe off the faucet and handle--it wasn't a thorough job but it looked better. All of those extras didn't take much time at all!

After lunch I cleaned and put away a cutting board that had managed to escape cleaning from Sunday. I also wiped some water off the countertop by the big sink. Mom had been cleaning dehydrator screens. She left a few to drain on a bowl on the countertop and unbeknownst to her they dripped quite a bit of water on the countertop.

See? I think this is a great idea--it's already working!

What's Going On ~ A Personal Note (updated)

Aside from the usual busyness (and an unexpected cold), my grandfather has been seriously ill ~ still is, in fact. He has been in the hospital for about fourteen days so far. I'm sure I'll be back someday!

If you'd like to read more about the situation with my grandfather, you may do so here.

Update on The Keeping Home Blog

I've Made a Decision

I'm going to dress right.

I believe I really need to dress like the Godly woman I profess to be.

My dressing problems are probably a lot different from most people's, however. Modesty isn't a big issue. I've always tried to dress modestly. I'm even modest naturally! I've have been more conscious over the last few years of modesty issues I never thought about before (actually, I really didn't think about modesty--because I didn't intend to be immodest, I just assumed everything I chose to wear was automatically modest!). For one thing, I've become more conscious of skirt length. I've never worn short skirts, but I've never thought about just how long I want my skirts to be. I dress be default! I've also realized that most of my shirts are too short. Not intentionally--that's just the way shirts are (especially for someone who is long-waisted). I just accepted it before--that skin would show when I lift up my arms or bend over--but no more. It may be "normal" but I don't have to accept it!

I've never been fashion-conscious. That's sort of an under-statement. Anyway, I don't intend to become so now, but I do want to dress more becomingly. You know, I'm glad I don't have a fashion addiction to overcome!

I could NEVER be accused of spending too much money on clothes. In fact, I've never had enough money for clothes. Really. Most of my clothing for my entire life has been hand-me-downs from various people or gifts. When that's all you can get, you take what you can get, even if it's not perfect (welcome to my wardrobe!). A "clothing budget" has been a joke. This situation doesn't put me in a very good position to improve my way of dressing, but God is good. That does put me in a good position to improve my way of dressing. I have learned that God will concern Himself with providing me with decent clothing if I will trust Him.

Ah! I learned that lesson years ago. To make a long story short, for the last 8-10 years I have never (except for a few weeks) been without an ample supply of nice jeans (until recently they were all I wore except to church) that fit very well without spending a penny. Enough said!

I can sew, and I have a nice sewing machine (free!). I've also inherited fabric, patterns, and other sewing supplies from my grandmother who can't sew anymore. Getting everything, including my limited sewing skills, to work together is very challenging. I rarely have enough money to by any sewing supplies, including matching thread. My challenge as far as making my own clothing is concerned, is to get this random collection of patterns, zippers, thread, fabric, buttons, etc., to turn into garments that work for me.

I don't have a closet. We built our own house, but haven't built my own closet yet. This does not help matters. That was also an understatement.

Did I mention I don't have any money to spend on clothing or sewing supplies? Sigh. This would be a lot easier if I did. I know exactly where I would go to shop!

More Spring Pictures

A primrose
(I'm sorry it's a bit blurry!)

A Grape Hyacinth

A white Hyacinth

Busy as a Bee

I'm busy as a bee! I don't think I have been moving around quite as much as a bee, but my head certainly has been.

Okay, let me see . . . When I finish putting these dishes away then I can rinse and chop the greens. Then I'll wash the dishes.

When I get the dishes done, I need to sweep the floors and then wash flower pots. No, I need to check the laundry first. Maybe I'll check the laundry, then wash the pots, then sweep the floors. And vacuum. But I need to cook beans and rice too. And clean my bathroom. And I sure would like to blog today and write. And work on my websites. And . . . I wonder if I could have time to sew? But I might need to sweep and mop the kitchen floor, if Mom doesn't get home soon. I wonder if I'll need to help plant greens? And I really want to . . .


After I get done blogging I really need to clean my bathroom and sweep. Or should I sweep first and then clean my bathroom? . . . after I check the laundry, of course. Or should I go ahead and e-mail my women's ministry leader while I'm online, or should I do that later?


Whew!


I'm not complaining, though. Far from it! Sure, I would like to get my housework done so that I could spend my time doing other things, but I'm even enjoying the housework. It's not always that way. You see, I have suffered from depression, during which nothing brings me joy. But praise the Lord, today is not such a day. I have lots of interesting things to keep me busy (my head is spinning!) and I am capable of enjoying them. What more could I ask for?


I thank God for helping me
To be as busy as a bee.
For I was meant to be ALIVE!
And when I'm active ~ 'Tis then I thrive!

I Love Spring!

These are lilies just starting to come up. I think they are so cute at this stage!


A daffodil and a hyacinth.


Our first tulip!

Climbing Higher

I was reminded again this morning and in the quiet hours of the night before, how truly unworthy I am. How slow I am to progress, how inadequate I would be as a helpmeet, how unprepared to train and educate little ones.

I could be content to be in the state I am in ~ but I am not. Why settle for less when you can have more? It would be a denial of my God to do only that which was easy, which was natural, which suited my tastes.

My journey ~ not just in these things but in all areas of life ~ might be compared to rock-climbing (not that I have ever engaged in rock-climbing, but I have watched it). As I climb up the cliff, I am often tempted ~ and often persuaded ~ to stay and rest awhile on a ledge, where life is easy. It's not a bad place. I'm not regressing. Yet I need to climb higher, and still higher, rather than stay in the same secure place.


I think of the the hymn "Higher Ground":

I'm pressing on the upward way,

New heights I'm gaining every day.

If only I were gaining new heights every day! Too often I lounge on a ledge and soothe my conscience that I am not where I used to be and that I am in a good place. I fear the climb. It's too hard. I'm tired. What if I fall? It's better to stay here than to risk a back-set. May I have the courage to climb higher.

May I always be at peace, but never content.


Words of "Higher Ground" by Johnson Oatman, Jr.