BareFoot Days

Happy 16th Birthday, Keith!

2012-01-26T20:13:00.000-05:00

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2004

2002

2006

2009

Keith also went in and got his permit today! =)

Thread the Needle Thursday

2012-01-26T07:16:00.000-05:00

Where I share my current projects, whether it be sewing, tatting, crocheting, knitting, etc

My ever growing stash of washcloths/dishcloths

A pair of Valentine's Day themed pillows. I originally was going to use plain old ribbon on them, but didn't like how it turned out. I found some lace in my sewing basket and love how it turned out!

Celtic Cable Headband-This headband has given me more fits than anything I've worked with before. I've had to rip it back several times now.

What are you working on?

Happy Birthday, Andrew!

2012-01-18T07:23:00.001-05:00

Today is my youngest brother, Andrew's, 10th birthday.

2008

2010

2011

I remember getting to stay several nights with my grandparents when Andrew was born and then missing school to go see him in the hospital =)

Out of the four of us he's the most energetic and the daredevil. He loves getting dirty, but hates taking showers. At the moment he's obsessed with Angry Birds (we're still trying to figure out why).

Happy Birthday, Andrew!

Christmas//Take Four

2012-01-15T16:55:00.000-05:00

Take One//Take Two//Take Three

Yes, I'm still posting about Christmas, but it's the last one. I promise =)

This year we decided to open gifts one at a time. Hopefully we've started a new tradition.

We put the rest of Isaiah's presents in his tote so it looked like he only got one present.

Keith kept checking the same arrowhead book out at the library, so Mom got him one of his own.

Keith acting as if the tea kettle whistle was him screaming. Don't ask =)

I have no idea what that is.

Dad got a Cookie Monster shirt and pj pants

Keith's glass for making arrowheads

Love this shirt!

I got a crochet hook set with hooks from a steel 14 up through a K!

Sound of Music <3

How was your Christmas?

(Sorry about the weird lighting/grainy pictures. I'm not really sure what happened...)

Thread the Needle Thursday

2012-01-12T14:31:00.000-05:00

Where I share my current projects, whether it be sewing, tatting, crocheting, knitting, etc

I tweaked my washcloth pattern and have finally made a set of washcloths. I thought the colours were perfect for Valentine's Day.

Other than the washcloths, I haven't worked on much else. Hopefully we'll be going to Jo-Ann's tomorrow and I hope to get fabric for some pillowcases. We're expecting some snow tonight, so we'll see how bad it gets =)

What are you working on?

Christmas//Take Three

2012-01-09T07:16:00.002-05:00

See Take One//Take Two

One of our Christmas gifts that I'm sure will be put to good use

Mistletoe

Christmas morning after church

The cats left the gifts alone until Christmas morning when Squizzy decided to get into our cousin's gift bag

The annual grandchildren (plus my uncle in the first picture) picture at Grandma's

The Three Stooges

Playing Apple to Apples

I'm that cool =)

Thread the Needle Thursday

2012-01-05T14:29:00.000-05:00

Where I share my current projects, whether it be sewing, tatting, crocheting, knitting, etc.

One of my 2012 goals is to open an Etsy shop.

Currently I'm working on some washcloths and dishcloths. I hope to include some pot scrubbers and maybe some face scrubbers too. I'm still working out the kinks in my scarf and headband patterns =)

Poor Andrew is still waiting on his Christmas socks. I have one sock done, but still working on the other...

What are you working on?

A Sunset

2012-01-04T07:16:00.000-05:00

Christmas//Take Two

2012-01-03T07:16:00.000-05:00

Christmas with my mom's birth family

Waiting to open presents

Batman Cape my mom made

After dinner nap

Peppermint Bark

The older boys off messing with Keith's new gun

My aunt and her awesome camera (even if it is a Canon...)

Playing with Christmas gifts

My one and only girl cousin, Brooke

Christmas//Take One

2012-01-02T19:24:00.000-05:00

Sugar cookies with Peppermint Kisses =)

Keith's very gaudy Christmas sweater. Some of the guys in our youth group decided to wear ugly sweaters for our youth Christmas party. In the end we couldn't find a guy's Christmas sweater, so Mom took the tree off a women's sweater and put it on a man's sweater. (Just thought I'd explain why he was wearing it, so you don't think he dresses like that all the time.) Don't you like it? =)

Andrew before the kids' Christmas program at church

Andrew wearing my coat...

Keith wanted me to take a picture of him jumping Andrew and this was the result. (No brothers were hurt in the taking of this picture =) ).

One of the newest people at church

Here are the only two decent photos I got of Andrew at church because...

...this is what Andrew looked like for most of the program *sigh*

More Christmas posts in the works

Farewell 2011

2011-12-31T17:24:00.000-05:00

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It's hard to believe that we are in the final hours of 2011. This year has flown by. 2011 definitely wasn't my favourite year, but it had it's pluses too =) I'm excited for 2012. I'll graduate, turn 18 (I'll actually be an adult!), and hopefully complete some personal goals.

Farewell 2011 and hello 2012!

Good Finds Friday

2011-12-30T07:16:00.000-05:00

Can you believe it's the last Friday of 2011?! I haven't done a Good Finds Friday in quite a while and thought it was about time to do one =)

Health

~Keeping Your Family Healthy During Cold and Flu Season-Mrs. Brandy (natural remedies for colds)

Homemaking

~Resources and Recipes to Make Your Meal Planning Successful- Mrs. Stephanie

In the Kitchen

~Gluten Free Blondies-Food 52

~Homemade Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns-Mrs. Laura

~Cheesy Beef and Rice-Mrs. Laura
~Taco Corn Fritters-Mrs. Laura
~Cheeseburger Macaroni-Mrs. Laura

Ponderings

~The Reflection in the Mirror-Miss Leah

~A Maiden Going to the Sacrifice-Miss Shelby (wonderful post on preparing your heart for marriage)

~The Christian Daughter's Role-Miss Bethany Ann
~Free to be a Woman-Mrs. Lauren
~Rising Above Food Wars: Eating for God's Glory-Mrs. Sharon
~Courage-Mrs. June
~Blessed is the Man Who Fears the Lord-Miss Jenna
~Striving to Have a Life Centered on Him-Miss Elizabeth

Joy to the World

2011-12-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

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It's finally Christmas Day! I decided to schedule this post, so by the time you get it I'll be sitting in church =)

Joy to the World is my all time favourite Christmas hymn {and it's fun to play on the piano}. The words are perfect for what we are celebrating today. The King has come!

Joy to the World was written by Isaac Watts around 1719. It is based on Psalm 98. Isaac Watts wrote Joy to the World to glorify Christ's second coming, not celebrating Christ's birth.

Joy to the World

Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

What Child Is This? {Christmas Hymn Countdown #7}

2011-12-18T15:08:00.000-05:00

In the past two days I've only gotten on the computer long enough to look up what temperature to cook eggs thoroughly (which is 165* =) ). So that's my excuse for not doing the hymn countdown =)

What Child is This? was written in 1865 by William Chatterton Dix. It is set to the old English tune 'Greensleeves'.

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What Child is This?

What child is this, who, laid to rest,

On Mary’s lap is sleeping,

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet

While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

The babe, the son of Mary!

Why lies He in such mean estate

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christian, fear: for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce him through,

The Cross be borne for me, for you

Hail, hail the Word Made Flesh,

The babe, the son of Mary!

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh;

Come, peasant, king, to own Him!

The King of Kings salvation brings;

Let loving hearts enthrone Him!

Raise, raise the song on high!

The virgin sings her lullaby.

Joy! joy! for Christ is born,

The babe, the son of Mary!

Angels We Have Heard On High {Christmas Hymn Countdown #10}

2011-12-15T17:09:00.000-05:00

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Can you believe it?! Ten days until Christmas!!! I still have one more sock to knit until I'm all done with my Christmas gifts! Yay!

Angels We Have Heard on High is a traditional French carol (Les Anges dans nos campagnes). The author and date of when it was written are unknown. In 1862, James Chadwick translated the carol into English. The chorus 'Gloria in Excelsis Deo!' (which is Latin) means Glory to God in the highest. I love singing this song, but the chorus is a pain to play on the piano =)

Angels we have heard on high

Sweetly singing o’er the plains,

And the mountains in reply

Echoing their joyous strains.

Refrain

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, why this jubilee?

Why your joyous strains prolong?

What the gladsome tidings be

Which inspire your heavenly song?

Refrain

Come to Bethlehem and see

Christ Whose birth the angels sing;

Come, adore on bended knee,

Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Refrain

See Him in a manger laid,

Whom the choirs of angels praise;

Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,

While our hearts in love we raise.

Refrain

O Come All Ye Faithful {Christmas Countdown #11}

2011-12-14T14:03:00.000-05:00

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O Come All Ye Faithful was most likely written by John Francis Wade around 1751. It was originally written in Latin, but translated into English by Frederick Oakeley and William Thomas Brooke around 1852.

O Come All Ye Faithful

O Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

O Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Truth & Dare: Devotions for Girls {Book Review}

2011-12-14T13:42:00.004-05:00

Truth & Dare: One Year of Dynamic Devotions for Girls

Are you ready for more-more excitement, more adventure, more fun? Yeah? Then take the dare! Dare to discover the secrets to a life that sparkles for God. You've got what it takes to make an impact on the world. This just-for-you devotional is filled with powerful wisdom on everything from godly friendship and serving others to getting along with your parents and worshipping God. It's advice for real life from the greatest BFF of all: your heavenly father.

Each day you'll read a few verses of Scripture and discover some awesome truths. Then you'll be challenged to live it out with exciting dares that can change your life and fun quizzes to keep it all real. It's your time to shine as a girl who knows what it means to live a fierce and fearless life of faith. {From the back cover}

My Thoughts: Each day starts with reading a couple of verses of Scripture, then a short lesson that goes along with the Scripture. After the lesson there is a 'dare' that goes along with the lesson. Some 'dares': 'Thank God even for the tough days' and 'Love your Christian family'. To help the lesson stick, Ms.Hovsepian includes a 'triple-dog dare', which is three more 'dares' that include praying, writing down verses, etc. She ends most days with a journaling activity, where you can record how the dares went that day and what you learned.

Most girls have played truth-or-dare with friends and by incorporating this game in Truth & Dare, girls have a fun way to strengthen their relationship with Christ. Each day Ms. Hovsepian has chosen a lesson that can easily be applied to a 9-12 year old's life. The 'dares' give you something to think about, but they aren't so 'random' that they can't be easily done.

I give this devotional a 5 out of 5.

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Ann-Margret Hovespian authored The One Year Designer Genes Devo and served as senior editor and lead author for Blossom. She is actively involved at Temple Baptist Church and on the board of Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec. Ann-Margret lives in the beautiful city of Montreal, Canada.
{from back cover}

Thank you to Audra Jennings, Senior Media Specialist at B&B Media Group, for sending me this book to review.

iheartfaces:furry pet faces

2011-12-13T17:41:00.000-05:00

Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabelle! {Christmas Hymn Countdown #12}

2011-12-13T17:35:00.000-05:00

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Today's hymn is Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabelle! For the longest time I did not like this Christmas hymn, but over the years it has slowly grown on me =)

Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabelle! was written in the Provence region of France around 1553. It wasn't translated into English until sometime in the 1700's. According to Wikipedia, this hymn wasn't originally written for Christmas, but rather for French nobility.

Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabelle!

Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabelle!

Bring a torch, to the stable run

Christ is born. Tell the folk of the village

Jesus is born and Mary's calling.

Ah!* Ah! beautiful is the Mother!

Ah! Ah! beautiful is her child

Who is that, knocking on the door?

Who is it, knocking like that?

Open up, we've arranged on a platter

Lovely cakes that we have brought here

Knock! Knock! Knock! Open the door for us!

Knock! Knock! Knock! Let's celebrate!

It is wrong when the child is sleeping,

It is wrong to talk so loud.

Silence, now as you gather around,

Lest your noise should waken Jesus.

Hush! Hush! see how he slumbers;

Hush! Hush! see how fast he sleeps!

Softly now unto the stable,

Softly for a moment come!

Look and see how charming is Jesus,

Look at him there, His cheeks are rosy!

Hush! Hush! see how the Child is sleeping;

Hush! Hush! see how he smiles in dreams!

Silent Night {Christmas Hymn Countdown #13}

2011-12-12T14:56:00.000-05:00

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Silent Night ( "Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht" in German) was written by Father Joseph Mohr in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria in 1816. Melody was composed by Austrian headmaster Franz X. Gruber.

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night!

All is calm, All is bright

Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child

Holy Infant so Tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight!

Glories stream from heaven afar;

Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!

Christ the Saviour is born!

Silent night, holy night!

Wondrous star, lend thy light!

With the angels let us sing

Alleluia to our King!

Christ the Saviour is here,

Jesus the Saviour is here!

Silent night, Holy night!

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face,

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus Lord at thy birth;

Jesus Lord at thy birth.

Away in a Manger {Christmas Hymn Countdown}

2011-12-11T17:02:00.000-05:00

I've decided to countdown to Christmas with some of my favourite Christmas hymns =) Only two more weeks 'til Christmas!!!

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Originally published in 1885 in a Lutheran Sunday School song book in Philadelphia and thought to be written by Charles H. Gabriel {not Martin Luther}.

Away in a Manger

Away in a manger,
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head

The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing
The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes

I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
'Til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray

Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there

Christmas Inspiration

2011-12-10T18:06:00.000-05:00

Pinecone Doorknob Decoration

Burlap Stocking

Stocking Ornaments

Woven Star Ornament

Jingle Bells

Hanging Candy Canes

Candy Canes

Mason Jar Snow Globes

Snowflake Cookies

Christmas Quilt Decor

From my Christmas in the Country board

Christmas Music

2011-11-30T13:04:00.001-05:00

Just to get you all in the Christmas mood...

I've posted some of these videos before, but they're so fun to watch and listen to =)

Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland

2011-11-29T17:54:00.001-05:00

I love being home, all of us, with it snowing outside, the corn stove running, the smells of food coming from the kitchen, Christmas music playing.

It's been quite an unusual day, weather-wise. 'Oh, the weather outside is frightful' describes it perfectly.

This is the view out our front door around noon today

Here's what it looks like right now

This morning, it was just a bone-chilling rain. Roads were flooded, yards were flooded, etc. you get the idea. Then as the day wore on, temperatures dropped and slowly things started changing to snow. Since it was raining this morning, the roads are now incredibly slippery. Coming home from town we were going about 20 mph under the speed limit and passed 3 cars that had slid off the road!

Our poor pine tree finally broke under the weight of the snow.

Fresh snow makes everything a little cheerier =)

The boys are already out sledding and building snowmen

What's it like in your neck of the woods?

A Church Performance

2011-11-26T19:18:00.000-05:00

A couple weeks ago, our church was blessed to have the Seven Sisters and the rest of their family come do a special performance.

Mrs. R introducing everyone

5 of the 7 sisters (plus Mrs. R) singing

Leah and Cassia doing a humorous duet

Jessica played several beautiful pieces on her harp.

Then they played several more songs for us. {Cassia and Susannah playing the cello, Jessica and Leah playing the violin, and Mrs. R playing the flute (correct me if I'm wrong =)}

They all did a lovely job and many church members have asked when they can come again =) Thank you to the Seven Sisters + family for coming to perform at our church!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T06:00:00.001-05:00

{Source}

Hope you all have a lovely Thanksgiving!

2011-11-22T17:22:00.000-05:00

Yes, you read right, $600 worth of gift cards to Vision Forum is being given away at A Wise Woman Builds Her Home! Vision Forum has toys for children, movies, Christian books, etc. Giveaway ends December 3rd.

10 on 10

2011-11-19T19:50:00.002-05:00

Bagels with cream cheese and coffee//Breakfast of champions =)

I love playing piano. I've already dug out my Christmas music =)

Sam-Dog

Fire in our corn stove.

First snow!!!

Making socks for a certain brother for Christmas.

The ironing pile is slowly disappearing

Really weird lighting (and cool socks)

Making supper//Gas stoves are so much better than electric, just sayin'.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Credits go to Rebekah for coming up with 10 on 10

Volleyball

2011-11-10T16:13:00.000-05:00

Several of my friends play volleyball and during one of their games I was able to get pictures. By the last game I had finally figured out how to get some half decent action shots. =)

During a time-out

Doing one of their cheers

It was a really close game =)

I had my ISO set at 1600, which on my camera makes the pictures pretty grainy. Hopefully sometime in the future I can upgrade my camera =)

Fall Photo Challenge

2011-11-03T17:40:00.000-04:00

The Colours of Fall

2011-11-01T19:27:00.000-04:00

I was able to get some pictures of the leaves turning before the wind blew them all away =)

Woods behind our neighbour's field, aren't the trees pretty?

Wildflowers

Leaves in our creek

The boys' tee-pee

Our hickory tree is absolutely gorgeous during the fall. It's the tallest tree in the woods, so we can see the leaves clearly from the house =)

I love how this turned out...the orange and green together

And it wouldn't be a true post without a picture of my chickens =)

Fall Flowers

2011-10-31T17:48:00.000-04:00

Our pink mums are still going strong, though the white ones have kind of petered out. Aren't they gorgeous?

A rainbow from a couple weeks ago.

Photo Challenge: Textures

2011-10-26T16:26:00.000-04:00

Ramblings

2011-10-20T13:19:00.000-04:00

It's windy, cold, and rainy out. It's not too bad, as long as you're looking out the window and not actually outside. Most of the colourful leaves are gone. Thankfully, I was able to get a couple of pictures before they all blew away (coming soon).

Right now Andrew and I are the only ones home. He's playing Solitare and making cheering noises for himself, so I should probably go play with him =) Since it's just the two of us home, I'm making pot pies for lunch. They're cooling as I type (nothing fancy, just the take off the wrapper and stick it in the oven for 45 minutes pot pies ; ) ).

I haven't been taking pictures like I was during the summer. I'd like to take my camera into the bakery sometime and take pictures. People photography is not my thing. I don't like posing people, I like taking action shots and pictures of non-living things.

I'm looking back at this post and it doesn't flow at all. Oh, well. Just this once =)

Miscellany Monday

2011-10-10T13:40:00.000-04:00

Source: sunsurfer.tumblr.com via Esther on Pinterest

1. Fall has made it's appearance here in Indiana, though it's a tad warm (mid-80's), it's lovely.

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Esther on Pinterest

2. For the past couple weeks I've been working at a bakery owned by a couple from church. That's why it's been a tad quiet around here as of late =)

Source: timotei-timotei.blogspot.com via Esther on Pinterest

3. I've been itchin' to quilt. I'm working on some Christmas projects at the moment, so quilting will have to wait.....

Source: lefrufrublog.blogspot.com via Esther on Pinterest

4. I love Mason jars. I think ^this^ project would be lovely as decorations for a wedding =)

Source: victoriamag.com via Esther on Pinterest

5. Blue and white look so clean, yet elegant when paired together (check out the May/June Victoria magazine for more ideas =) )

Join the Rebellion!

2011-10-06T11:25:00.000-04:00

Nice title, huh? =) In case you all didn't know I'm not perfect...

This 'rebellion' was started to let our readers know that we're not perfect. We argue with our siblings, don't have a perfect relationship with God, etc. We strive to walk in the ways of God and try our hardest not to argue with our siblings *cough*, but we're just like YOU.

Stone's Trace

2011-09-28T13:26:00.000-04:00

Stone's Trace is an annual pioneer festival (I think I was born an 150 years too late =) ). The past couple years I've gone with my Grandma and we've dressed up for the day.

Grandma

Me (both of our outfits are handmade)

Soldiers from the mid-1800's

Grandma quilting while at our booth

This was a steam cooker used for canning

Laundry Room

1930's Kitchen

Cameras have come a loooong way

The people who were selling things slept in teepees. The park doesn't allow 'modern' things like RVs on the grounds for people to sleep in. It was funny seeing inside some of the teepees because people had beds complete with a headboard and mattress.

Guy flint knapping. This is where we found my brother most of the day =)

Fixing Lunch

If only I had one of these....

Throwing knives and axes

The women's skillet throwing contest. There were four men lined up across from the woman/girl throwing the frying pan and the women would try and hit the men. It was one of the funniest things to watch.

Lots of good food

Making apple butter

Music

Honey Sticks

There was also a group of cloggers (sounded more like tap-dancing) that performed.

Just ignore the people walking in front of the camera ; )

Basket weaving

I love the pioneer (mid-1800's) era. The way they did things, the way they dressed, pretty much everything about it I love (though I do like my inside bathroom and running water =) ).

First Day of Autumn

2011-09-23T14:33:00.000-04:00

Source: simplysweethome.com via Esther on Pinterest

Hope you all are enjoying your first day of Autumn =)

Favourite Summer Photo// Photography Challenge

2011-09-21T17:09:00.000-04:00

This is a photo I took from Steam Threshers in one of the pioneer cemeteries.

Steam Threshers {Part II}

2011-09-14T13:54:00.000-04:00

On Sunday we decided to go to two pioneer graveyards to take pictures. They are historical sites and are quite overgrown with flowers that were popular back in pioneer times. The flowers were the original reason we decided to go, but being a genealogy freak too, it was a double win =)

Mr. Bug

These were my favourite flowers at the cemeteries

Some of the tombstones were hard to get to because it was so overgrown. There were paths mowed so you could walk around, but I wish they would clean around the graves (hear the genealogist speaking?) =)

So dainty

Mr. Bee

A list of rules from one of the cemeteries. We just assumed it meant don't pick the flowers =)

It's me!!! Well, not really because if it was me I obviously wouldn't be writing this post.

One of the paths

*None of these photos were edited*

Nature Photo Challenge

2011-09-07T16:04:00.000-04:00

Fall Flowers

2011-09-06T18:04:00.000-04:00

There are always flowers for those who want to see them. ~Henri Matisse~

Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. ~Hans Christian Anderson~

Lots of Tomatoes and More Tomatoes

2011-08-27T10:30:00.000-04:00

Our tomatoes are starting to ripen (if you couldn't tell by the title ; ) ). This is the first wave (yes, wave) of tomatoes.

Andrew and I canned 5 quarts of diced tomatoes on Thursday. My first time canning and they all sealed. Yay!

Love the sky in the background!

Biblical Patriarchy

2011-08-24T17:34:00.000-04:00

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I fully agree with Biblical patriarchy. You know, where the husband is the head of the house, the wife submits to him, the children obey their parents.

*gasp* 'Esther, how can you say such a thing?! Can't you see how legalistic that is?! Can't you see how your parents and church are controlling you?!'

First off, I don't believe it is legalistic. The Bible clearly states how a family should be set up. How the father/husband is the spiritual leader, the parents have every right to discipline their children, etc. I also believe that many classify things as 'legalistic' because they simply don't want to obey God's commands. That's another topic entirely, so I won't bore you with my rant on that =)

(This post focuses on the the father being the spiritual leader. I'll talk about the roles the husband and wife in another post =) )

Yes, some take their roles too far (look at many of today's cults and false religions). The father is not the only one who can talk to God. Everybody has a right to talk to our Heavenly Father (how else would we be saved?). Talking to God is not just for certain people in the church or family.

Where exactly does the Bible support this so called 'patriarchy'? Well, we can go allllllllllll the way back to the VERY beginning of the Bible when God put Adam as head over Eve.

~Genesis 3:16~Unto the woman He said, 'I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

Eve's desire would be for Adam and he would be the leader of their family. We are still to be obeying this command. Paul repeatedly tells us pretty much the same thing as God told Adam and Eve.

~1Corinthians 11:2~But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Christ is the head of man. Our fathers/husbands are to lead their families spiritually. They are to help their families spiritually grow.

~Ephesians 5:22-24~Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

~Ephesians 6:1-2~Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise.

The husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. I'm not sure how much plainer we could get when it comes to spiritual roles of the family. As children we are to honour and obey our parents unless they are asking us to commit a sin. Children are to submit to their parent's God-given authority.

Colossians 3:18, 20-21~ Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

Again we see Paul telling woman to submit to their husbands and children to honour their parents. He also tells the fathers to not provoke their children to anger or else they will be discouraged. The fathers, as leaders, are to be uplifting and encouraging us in our spiritual life, not critical.

So, yes, I believe the father/husband is the leader of the home, aka Biblical patriarchy. I also think it can be taken too far where some are taking advantage of their God-given roles and I don't agree with that. My daddy is the leader of our home and I respect what he has to say and I expect him to lead us spiritually and to help us grow.

It's not legalistic, it's a God-given command!

A Photo Challenge

2011-08-22T19:26:00.000-04:00

I've decided to enter Kelsey's photo challenge with this photo (a Resurrection Lily).

Mis Pollos

2011-08-20T20:03:00.000-04:00

Happy 12th Birthday, Isaiah!

2011-08-17T15:13:00.000-04:00

1999-Can you believe he was born with all that hair?!

2000

2001

2002

2003

Steam Threshers {Part I}

2011-08-15T03:05:00.000-04:00

Thursday is our driving day, so nothing real exciting happened. We left the house around 11:30, stopped at Burger King for lunch, then drove another two hours, arrived at the cabin, unpacked, ate supper, then off to the park to look around for a bit.

Most of Friday was spent back at the park. I was able to find a purse that I actually like (yay!). It's hobo-style and is patchworked (if that's even a word). Friday night was the Steam Thresher's parade. I promise I didn't take as many pictures as last time =)

A girl sitting beside us had a cockatoo

There was a front moving through and all of these birds (some sort of scavengers that I have forgotten the name of) were circling above us in the air drafts. There were A LOT of them.

Cute father and son pic

Love the view of Isaiah in this

Marching Band

Love their outfits

The 'theme' tractor this year was the Cockshutt

Steam Powered Saw

Loooooooong line of tractors

Der Dutchman!

The REAL tractors!

Andrew

A very small combine (you can see the guy's hat peaking out at the top)

Tiny truck

Answers in Genesis

2011-08-11T04:07:00.000-04:00

You may remember that our church hosted Answers in Genesis last year. Well, we're hosting them again this Sunday and Monday, August 14th and 15th. Instead of three sessions, we're having six. Dr. Tommy Mitchell will be teaching once again.

You can visit the Answers in Genesis post that gives times and the names of the sessions/lessons. You can also get directions from the page as well. There will be a nursery provided for children 5 and under. Hope to see you there! =)

Wordless Wednesday: Purple Flowers

2011-08-10T07:16:00.000-04:00

A Sneak Peek

2011-08-07T18:40:00.000-04:00

Tractors...

...Flowers...

(yes I'm aware it's sideways, but I'm rushing here =) )

...And lots of card games. Just a sneak peek of the vacation posts ; )

I'm Back

2011-08-02T13:45:00.003-04:00

{source}

I'm back from Pennsylvania and slowly getting back into the swing of things. I'm editing my photos from both Ohio and Pennsylvania and will be posting them sometime in the near future ; )

Giveaway Winner

2011-07-22T08:54:00.000-04:00

Congrats to Kelsie-Ann for winning the blog design giveaway! If you could e-mail me and I'll put you in touch with Hannah ; )

On another note, I am leaving this evening for Pennsylvania. I'll return next weekend sometime! So my blog will be a little quieter than usual =)

2011-07-21T13:26:00.002-04:00

Giveaway ends tonight! Be sure to enter!!!

Giveaway Reminder!!!

2011-07-20T16:59:00.000-04:00

Reminder the blog design giveaway ends tomorrow!

And We're Off

2011-07-14T12:00:00.000-04:00

I hope we've left by the time this posts ; ) Ohio here we come!!!

Lists have been checked (and re-checked).

Bags have been packed and stuffed into the van.

{via}

And we're off for a relaxing time with antique tractors (and yes they are relaxing ; ) ) See you all on Monday!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway

Vacation

2011-07-13T15:43:00.000-04:00

Today we had my Grandma Miller's funeral. She passed away on Friday after declining over the past couple months. It's one of those times when I'm sad that I won't see her again on earth, but am happy that I can spend all of eternity with her =)

On another note, we're leaving for vacation tomorrow. We're going to an antique tractor show in Ohio and staying at a cabin with my grandparents =) We'll be back on Monday, then I leave on Friday for Pennsylvania.

Remember the giveaway (a blog makeover) ends July 21st.

Good Finds Friday

2011-07-08T15:17:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I've done one of these =)

Health
~My Frugal Beauty Routine - Mrs. Stephanie

Home-Keeping
~Lessons I've Learned in Frugality - Mrs. Beth
~Gracing the Family Table - Mrs. Amy
~Planning What to Preserve - Mrs. Kate

In the Kitchen
~Baked Alaska - Mennonite Girls
~Mud Pie Deluxe - Mennonite Girls
~Milky Way Cake - Pioneer Woman
~Strawberry Sheet Pie - Mennonite Girls
~Healthy Snacks I Feed My Family - Mrs. Laura
~Scrumptious Chocolate Truffles - Mrs. June

Ponderings
~A Clean Heart - Miss Jenna
~Twelve Exemplary Men - Miss Rachel
~A Garden - Miss Leah
~Guarding Against Worldliness - Mrs. June
~Mothers and Daughters - Miss Bailey
~The Secret Weapon Every Homemaker Must Know - Mrs. Kelly
~Some People - Miss Hannah
~The Joy of Waiting - Miss Hannah
~These next links are part of a series that Miss Bailey wrote. I really enjoyed them and hope you do too.
-Role Models and Peers
-The New Child
-Ms. Feminist
-The Inner Princess
~ The Beauty of Listening - Miss Julianne
~Not Just Dreaming-Doing - Miss Hannah
~Waiting for the Wedding Day - Miss Bethany Ann
~As Cornerstones - Miss Hannah
~Obsessed With Jesus: Obedience vs. Status Quo - Mrs. Lauren

Random
~The Aging Process... - Ms. Nan

My New Design and a Giveaway

2011-07-07T14:50:00.004-04:00

Thanks to Hannah from Simply a Farmgirl for creating my new blog look. She even created a blog button for me. Yay! Didn't she do a marvelous job?

<center><a href="http://www.bairfootdays.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc463/MNFarmGirl/Esthers%20Blog/button3.png" border="0" width="185" /></a></center>

Make sure you grab my button and put it on your blog ; )

Now on to the giveaway. Hannah has graciously agreed to create a background, header, and button for your blog.

How to enter:
~Follow my blog-either through e-mail or Google reader, tell me which (1 entry)
~Follow Hannah's blog (2 entries)
~Put my blog button on your blog (1 entry)
~Put Hannah's blog button on your blog (1 entry)
~Like BareFoot Days on Facebook (1 entry)
~Like Simply a Farmgirl on Facebook (1 entry)

Please, for each entry put one comment (2 entries=2 comments). This giveaway ends on Thursday, July 21st.

Calves

2011-07-05T17:38:00.000-04:00

In the past couple week we've had four calves born (three bulls and a heifer).

See the black calf hiding in the grass? =)

Adorable-ness!

Our 'herd' of cows.

Genesis 1:25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

Homemade Strawberry Shortcakes...

2011-06-28T16:31:00.000-04:00

...with fresh whipped cream! It was very delicious and summery!

Learning to Be Content

2011-06-22T12:30:00.000-04:00

Many, many times things don't go our way. We hope to go to this school or we hope we get this job or... the list continues.

Last night we had a major storm go through. Dad was in the middle of baling hay. The field he was working in is his largest hay field. He was hardly halfway through. None of us wanted it to rain, let alone storm.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

On Monday it stormed most of the morning. We had to have recreation indoors for VBS. Do you know how hard it is to play tag quietly indoors?

1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

We could have turned against our Father for not listening to our pleads for no rain, but we didn't. We know that in everything that He does, it is for His plans. Not our own.

James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren...

In the end, everything worked out.

Dad thinks he can still salvage the hay. This is only the first cutting, we'll have at least one more round after this.

Recreation went really good. We learned that most outside games can be played indoors and the most important thing was that the kids had fun.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God...

A Tractor Update {Part II}

2011-06-18T12:29:00.000-04:00

An update on the million pieces and the last tractor update.

Isn't the paint job nice? Thanks to Mom and myself for making the dreaded trip up to Shipshewana to get the paint ; )

Napa has become Dad's best friend (more so than usual) =)

Looks like someone has already claimed the tractor...

Columbines

2011-06-15T16:00:00.000-04:00

A couple years ago I sprinkled some Columbine seeds in our flower bed.

No flowers ever appeared, just the plants with leaves.

Much to my surprise, I found these dainty flowers in our flower bed this year. They are now gone until next year, but they were so pretty while they lasted.

"Where flowers bloom so does hope."

- Lady Bird Johnson

No Bake Cookies {Gluten-Free}

2011-06-08T14:18:00.000-04:00

We all love these cookies. These are perfect for a hot day since no oven is involved and they are frozen. They are also gluten-free, so Mom and Isaiah can enjoy them ; )

Stir together in a pot 1/4 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup milk and 4 TBS unsweetened cocoa powder.

Bring to a boil for a minute; stirring constantly.

Stir in 3 cups rolled oats, 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1 tsp. vanilla, and a pinch of salt. The mixture shouldn't be dry and crumbly. If too dry add more milk and stir in.

Line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper (I ended up using two baking sheets).

Using a spoon (or scoop like the one I'm using), scoop small balls of dough onto the lined baking sheet. Place in the freezer until cool. Store in freezer or refrigerator. Makes 2 dozen. Enjoy!

Irises

2011-06-06T16:53:00.000-04:00

June is my favourite month for flowers. May the flowers are just beginning to bud and blossom and in July they wilt under the heat. This June has been extremely hot thus far, but the flowers are still stunning.

We have irises in the flower beds by the house. I love seeing the different shades and mixtures of colours.

(Note to self: Pictures of flowers are better taken on a cloudy day, not a sunny day.)

The yellow reminds me of butter =)

Flowers are those little colorful beacons of the sun from which we get sunshine when dark, somber skies blanket our thoughts. ~Dodinsky

More Kittens

2011-06-04T15:13:00.000-04:00

My kitten, Alfie. He's grown quite a bit since I last posted pictures of him.

A couple weeks ago, another one of our cats had three kittens.

Aren't they adorable? =)

It is impossible to keep a straight face in the presence of one or more kittens. ~Cynthia E. Varnado

~Hello Monday {5/30}~

2011-05-30T16:31:00.001-04:00

~Hello Seven O'Clock~

~Hello 90 Degree Weather~

~Hello Coffee~

~Hello Stubborn Rhubarb Plants~

~Hello Baking~

~Hello Tasty Watermelon~

~Hello Grandma and Grandpa's House~

~Hello Family Cookout~

~Hello Homemade Ice Cream with Rhubarb Crunch~

~Hello Air Conditioner~

~Hello Shower~

~Hello Quiet Evening with Family~

~Hello Bed~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I originally saw this on Sarah-Anne's and Emily's blogs and thought it looked like fun =)

This post was inspired by the one and only Lisa Leonard. If you'd like to take part in this blogging meme, make sure to give credit where credit is due.

Azaleas

2011-05-28T00:00:00.001-04:00

I love our azalea bush. Sadly most of the flowers are gone now, but they were beautiful.

I was able to capture this bee working away

The flowers look a little wilted, but I still like the picture ; )

Flowers whisper "Beauty!" to the world, even as they fade, wilt, fall. ~Dr. SunWolf

Spring

2011-05-24T16:59:00.000-04:00

There is yet another storm rolling in at the moment. Maybe these pictures will brighten up your (and my!) day. =)

Love my chickens...

...and our cows!

An Update

2011-05-23T16:20:00.000-04:00

This poor blog of mine has been neglected, so it's due for an update ; )

We're slowly starting to finish up school. I've finished my U.S. History and Pre-Calc. I'm almost done with Chemistry and World History.

Saturday I was able to get most of my garden planted. I got in 4 rows of sweet corn, 5 rows of popcorn, 3 rows of green beans, and 6 hills of pumpkins. I still need to get watermelon seeds, tomato plants, and pepper plants.

Saturday afternoon Dad and Keith were feeding cows. Dad stood up in the skid-loader to cut the twine off the hay and accidentally pressed the pedal to release the bale spear. The spear came down on his left hand and pinned it against the round bale feeder. It broke his index finger and pinched off the end of his middle finger. Mom was getting groceries at the time, so Grandpa ended up taking Dad to the hospital. After eight hours, two hospitals, and a dozen stitches Mom and Dad were back home. Dad stayed home from work today, but other than that it doesn't seem to be slowing him down. ; )

Last night a storm went through and we lost power for an hour and a half. Then the lights kept flickering and the last time they flickered our computer wouldn't start back up. This morning Mom was able to get it going. All our pictures are on here, so we'll be buying CD's to put them on, just in case =)

How have you all been?

Got Meat?

2011-05-16T15:42:00.000-04:00

We recently sent one of our steers in to be butchered and this is what we got back. Our deep freeze is now packed with meat, as is Grandma and Grandpa's.

It's such a blessing to know that our meat is organic and grass-fed. We know where our meat is coming from and what the living arrangements were like.

Chicks

2011-05-16T15:37:00.000-04:00

We received our chicks Thursday morning. Yay! The post office called around 6 (talk about an early awakening) and Mom ran into town to get them. They are Dominiques, which are good for both meat and eggs. Though for now, we're just using them for eggs. We've only lost two out of the 25, but the rest seem to be doing fine =)

Do you have chickens?

Wordless Wednesday:In T Minus 3 days

2011-05-11T17:29:00.000-04:00

Work Trip

2011-05-09T17:59:00.000-04:00

I'm finally posting about our work trip that happened *ahem* a month ago (though I still need to finish my NC trip that happened 6 months ago *blush*).

We left after around one Sunday, April 2. That morning we had Garment of Praise (an a capella quartet) come for our Sunday School service. Then a carry-in after church to send us off.

Okay, back to our trip.

Our fearless leader aka our youth pastor. We split into three vehicles with Travis and his wife and son in the first car, the girls' van behind him, and the luggage/boys' truck behind us.

The 'girls' van (notice our matching shirts!). We sang to Veggie Tales most of the way there. Thanks to Amy for supplying the Veggie Tales cds and putting up with our wonderful singing =)

We arrived at Camp Inspiration Hills (just a couple miles from Wooster, Ohio) around 5:30. After bringing in our stuff, Cora and I were in charge of supper. The plan was to cook the hamburgers and pork burgers over the fire, which never happened. It was too wet and windy to do it outside and Travis couldn't get a fire going in the fire place. Cora and I ended up frying the hamburgers and broiling the pork burgers. All was yummy in the end.

The cabin we stayed in was quite large:

Taken from upstairs, this is our 'living room'

Our supper tables (the living room was a huge room, so we set up tables for our supper and devotions in it)

This is the girls' bathroom. With 9 girls and only one shower, we had to limit shower times and plan when everyone would take theirs.

The girls' room. Some of the girls had trouble containing all of their stuff (Olivia, I know you're reading this!).
Sorry about the blurriness =/

Monday: It was rainy and stormy most of the day, so they had us work indoors. Our first project was to demolish an outdoor bathroom. They want to use it as a storage room. We had both girls' and boys' bathrooms done in two and a half hours.

Then we started tearing out the inside of an old cabin. Cora, Erica, Jenna, and I had the pleasure of taking out dry wall (if you ever need dry wall taken out just call us!). Once we got going it went pretty fast. The only problem was removing the drywall near the ceiling; it kept falling in our eyes.

Where we removed drywall

While we were removing the dry wall, others were removing wood paneling through out the first floor. After we were done with the drywall, we started removing nails from the wood paneling (that was my favourite job).

Tuesday: The rain had stopped, so we worked outside. The camp was cutting down ash trees and our job was to pick up brush along the trails and put it in piles for them to burn. We picked up brush until lunch. After lunch it started snowing, so we went back into the cabin to work.

The whole upstairs had wood paneling and our job was to remove it. We separated into teams and it was really neat to think of how we all worked together to get it done. A group took down the wood panels and put them in piles. Another group pounded the nails, so they stuck out the other side of the board. Then the last group pulled out the nails and put the boards in another pile.

I was part of the pulling nails group. This is a pile of wood with nails ready to be pulled, you can see the nails sticking up.

Amy pulling nails. There were four of us pulling nails and we split into pairs. Isaiah would come with a crow bar to pull out the nails that were stuck. We learned that the cedar boards were impossible to pull nails from with a hammer.

Our stacks of finished boards

The guys were in charge of making supper that night. The food was really good (they made breakfast), but the actual cooking part was dramatic and extremely exaggerated. =) They didn't allow any of us in the kitchen. Brittany kept track of their dinner dialogue and posted it .

Guys making supper

Wednesday: Wednesday turned out to be an exciting day. We only worked half of the day and that was spent finishing up the cabin.

After cleaning up, we went bowling. I haven't bowled in over two years and my score showed it. My lowest was 52 with three frames of gutter balls. =) In the last game I almost made it to 90, which was pretty good for me. Then we played a round of mini golf. I'm not a golf person and once again my score proved that.

Then we went to Der Dutchman (love that restaurant!). We all got to eat at one table and had the family style supper. There was a news crew there filming the restaurant, they even filmed our group. Pam (one of the adult helpers), was fixing her roll and they had the camera on her while she was doing so. She looked up and realized what they were doing. She was so embarrassed that they filmed her 'making her roll'.

We were finishing up our supper and an older gentleman came over to our table. I was expecting him to say something about our large group, but no, he said 'You know what I do when I see a group of pretty ladies?' Then he started yodeling. We were trying not to laugh because we weren't sure if he was serious or not, but we couldn't control ourselves. After he left we found out that he talked to Chris (one of the guys) and said that he always loved getting young people riled up. We were glad that we weren't hurting his feelings by laughing.

On our way to and from the restaurant we drove through Holmes County. It was so pretty seeing all the scenery and farms!

Thursday: Thursday turned out to be pretty interesting also. Travis, Erica, Cora, and I went into the cabin to remove insulation, while the others picked up brush. We had removed most of the downstairs insulation the day before so we went upstairs. We found several mouse nests, mouse skeletons, and the sorts, but other than that all was going well. Travis also found a squirrel skeleton in his room and we started joking about a live squirrel being in there also.

The dead squirrel

We all went back to work and then we hear Travis holler (Travis never hollers). He had found a live squirrel in his room! It didn't really look like a squirrel though. It had the colouring of a mouse, the markings of a chipmunk, and was built sort of like a squirrel. We called him Meryl the Sqousemunk. After that Travis came and worked in our room, so no one was working alone in case Meryl decided to show himself again.

Cora and I weren't tall enough to reach the insulation near the ceiling, so we let Travis and Erica do that. =) It was funny watching them pull the insulation out. They would take hammers and pull the insulation, then jump back all in one quick motion, in case Meryl wanted to show himself again =)

Travis and Erica pulling down the insulation near the ceiling

Then we pulled insulation from the room where Meryl was first spotted and found a bullet

We came to the conclusion that Meryl was loaded and had shot his other squirrel friend and was now coming after us =)

We only saw Meryl two other times and both times he ran away as soon as we spotted him.

Insulation piles

We finished the upstairs by noon and went out to work on brush. By the end of the day we had cleared most of the brush along the main paths. We all loved seeing the progress that we made throughout the day. Though someone else wouldn't notice what we had done, we could see the progress.

After we were done working, we decided to put mud on our faces. Thanks to Pam for taking the pictures!

Friday: During breakfast we told the staff what we had done during the week. It was so neat seeing their faces as we told them all that we had done. They only have one maintenance man and what we had done in that week would have taken him several weeks, if not months, to complete it all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

During the week we had free time. In the dining hall they had a game called PolyPong (cross between four square and ping pong). It soon became a favourite among our group.

Most evenings were spent playing Dutch Blitz, Kemps, or Euchre. Monday night we watched the NCAA basketball championship. We were quite excited when we found out there was t.v. in our cabin, so we could watch it

Overall, we had lots of fun. We all got to know each other a lot better and found out how much we were alike, some of us more so than others. =) Our nightly devotion lasted around an hour and we had some really good (and deep) discussions.

On Friday we left between 10 and 11. We stopped at Wendy's for lunch and arrived at the church around 2:30. It was nice to see my family after being gone for a week, to wear clean clothes, and sleep in my own bed.

Thanks so much Travis and Brittany for taking us on this trip. I think we each took something from the trip that has helped us in one way or another.

Now to convince Travis to let us go next year....

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T15:54:00.000-04:00

Photo taken last May on our way to Ohio

I love you Mom! Thanks so much for everything you do =)

To be a mother is a woman's greatest vocation in life. She is a partner with God. No being has a position of such power and influence. She holds in her hands the destiny of nations, for to her comes the responsibility and opportunity of molding the nation's citizens.-Spencer W. Kimball

Good Finds Friday

2011-05-06T16:03:00.001-04:00

Crafts
~Lined, zippered pouch / make up bag tutorial-Flossie Teacakes
~Little Girl Pearl Purse Tutorial-Little Girl Pearl

~Teacup Card-Kaboose

~Fabric and Ribbon-Miss Emily Rose

Entertainment

~Soul Surfer: Beaches, Bikinis, and...Bibles?-Mrs. McDonald (If you're thinking of seeing the movie, Soul Surfer, please read this review first.)

~Soul Surfer: Part II-Mrs. McDonald

Homemaking

~Thoughts on Joyful Cleaning-Miss Jen

~What is Traditional Food?-Mrs. Stephanie

In the Kitchen

~Strawberry Rhubarb Jam-Mennonite Girls

~Lemon Poppyseed Bundt Cake-Mennonite Girls

~Turtle Dessert-Long Ladies

~Homemade Reese's Peanut Butter Cups-Miss Kara (These are delicious, especially when frozen ;) )

~Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Bars-Ms. Brandy

~Nutella Crunch Brownies-The Pastry Chef

~The Best Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge-Let's Get Cookin'

~Baked Doughnuts-Mrs. Celeste

~Pumpkin Chai Donut Muffins-Miss Lisa

~Gluten-Free Chocolate Cookies with Chocolate Chips-Gluten Free Goddess

~Fruit Pie {In the Raw}-Miss Sonja

~Sweet Chocolate Chip Muffins-Miss Jen

~Making Homemade Yogurt-Mrs. McClements

Outside

~Gardening with Herbs 101: What to Grow-Mrs. Meg

Ponderings

~Courtship? Are You Crazy?-Miss Tiffany

~The Dirty Side of the Fence-Miss Tessa

~Content to be Single-Miss Rachel

~The Pure White Rose-Miss Grace

~Falling in Love {Part II}-Miss Johanna

~Whatsoever is Pure-Miss Elizabeth

~Peacemakers...the Children of God-Miss Julia

Visit Miss Grace's blog and join in her Spring Party. She is hosting several lovely giveaways through out the month which I encourage you to go enter ; )

Garden Party Tag

2011-05-03T17:32:00.000-04:00

1. Hello, my dear guest! My dear wish and hope is that you enjoy yourself here at my May Garden Party. Let us start by your telling us a bit about yourself and giving us a little insight into your daily life, family, et cetera.
I'm 16 (17 in July) and live on a small hobby farm in the northern hills of Indiana (if you find hills in northern Indiana you've found us ;) ). I live with my parents, three younger brothers, a dozen or so beef cows, several cats, chickens, and a dog. Mom stays home with us kids and sews in her spare time for a couple people and Dad is a diesel mechanic and farms as a hobby.
I like knitting/crocheting, baking (especially breads and desserts), playing piano, and gardening. Spring and summer are my favourite seasons.
We don't have a very strict schedule for the day, but we like to start school by 9. I like to be out of bed by 8, but sometimes that doesn't happen. I come downstairs and start the coffee maker (we love our coffee in this house ; ) ) I usually start math between 8:30 and 9 then work until lunch (noonish). Sometimes I'm done with school before lunch or at the latest 3. During the day I do laundry (I'm the laundry queen) and other chores/baking that needs done. After school is mostly free time and laundry until time to start supper. In the evenings after supper I crochet or read until bedtime at 9.

2. Write a little description about your personality. Around strangers I'm usually shy, but once I know you I'm a little more talkative =) I'm very opinionated about my beliefs and love to debate. I don't get too worked up over things and I don't care for drama.
3. How long have you been blogging? Might I ask what some of your favorite blogs are? I've been blogging around 2 years (a year and a half on my Blogger blog) A few favourite blogs are

4. What grade in your studies are you currently in? What subject are you particularly interested in?
I'm currently in eleventh grade. I love history/social studies and usually math and chemistry =)
5. Might you tell us a few of your favorite pastimes and/or interests? Most evenings you can find me reading or working on a crocheting/knitting project. In the spring and summer I like working in the garden. I also enjoy playing the piano and baking.
6. Are you fond of crafting? If so, what are your current projects that have been keeping you occupied? I have a lot of UFO's, but some projects I'm working on now are: a pineapple table runner, socks, and a baby sweater.
7. What type of music are you particularly fond of? I like classical music. It's also my favourite to play on the piano
8. Could you please share a few of your favorite songs you like to listen to or artists? Do you play an instrument yourself? I play piano and would like to learn to play the violin or cello. Mozart, Beethoven, and Chopin are few favourite composers
9. Are you old-fashion or modern? Old fashioned to the bone. I think I was born two centuries late =)
10. What are some of your favorite reading material? I like reading non-fiction history books. Some Amish books are okay and fictional history books are good too.
11. Name a few of your favorite books and authors. Lori Wick, Wanda Brunstetter, Beverly Lewis, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, C.S. Lewis...
12. What are a few of your favorite movies or TV shows? Usually old shows like Hogan's Heroes or Andy Griffith though we watch NCIS, Bones, and Monk. Overall we don't watch a lot of t.v.
13. Are you partial to traveling abroad? If so, where do you dream of visiting? What would you do at your dream destination? I'd love go to Italy or Greece =)
14. What are your sentiments on lavender? I love the smell of lavender (not the artificial stuff) and it's good for cooking too.
15. Are you partial to letter-writing or do you prefer e-mailing? Letter writing all the way. E-mailing is ok for some things, but I prefer the good ole letters
16. Do you have a favorite Etsy shop? There's so many to choose from, so I don't really have any favourites.
17. What are your goals/resolutions for this summer? To keep my garden mostly weed free (always a challenge) and possibly start a shop of some sort.
18. What is your favourite Bible passage? I enjoy most of Paul's writings and Proverbs 31 is another favourite.
19. What is perhaps one of your fondest memories from your past? Going to Steam Threshers each year with my family, going to BBI with friends, and family gatherings always create memories.
20. Do you have any recommendations concerning Grace's Garden Walk? {more giveaways, product reviews, specific posts et cetera}. Not really =) I like the blog just the way it is ;)

Thoughts

2011-05-02T15:49:00.000-04:00

Ezekiel 18:23 'Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?'

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

No matter what a person has done, they have the same rights as us to hear the Gospel and be Saved.

BareFoot Days

Happy 16th Birthday, Keith!

Thread the Needle Thursday

Happy Birthday, Andrew!

Christmas//Take Four

Thread the Needle Thursday

Christmas//Take Three

Thread the Needle Thursday

A Sunset

Christmas//Take Two

Christmas//Take One

Farewell 2011

Good Finds Friday

Joy to the World

What Child Is This? {Christmas Hymn Countdown #7}

Angels We Have Heard On High {Christmas Hymn Countdown #10}

O Come All Ye Faithful {Christmas Countdown #11}

O Come All Ye Faithful

O Come All Ye FaithfulJoyful and triumphant,O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.Come and behold Him,Born the King of Angels;O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him,Christ the Lord.

O Sing, choirs of angels,Sing in exultation,Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.Give to our Father glory in the Highest;O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him,Christ the Lord.

All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,Born this happy morning,O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him,O come, let us adore Him,Christ the Lord.

Truth & Dare: Devotions for Girls {Book Review}

iheartfaces:furry pet faces

Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabelle! {Christmas Hymn Countdown #12}

Silent Night {Christmas Hymn Countdown #13}

Away in a Manger {Christmas Hymn Countdown}

I've decided to countdown to Christmas with some of my favourite Christmas hymns =) Only two more weeks 'til Christmas!!!

Christmas Inspiration

Christmas Music

Walkin' in a Winter Wonderland

A Church Performance

Happy Thanksgiving!

10 on 10

Volleyball

Fall Photo Challenge

The Colours of Fall

Fall Flowers

Photo Challenge: Textures

Ramblings

Miscellany Monday

Join the Rebellion!

Stone's Trace

First Day of Autumn

Favourite Summer Photo// Photography Challenge

Steam Threshers {Part II}

Nature Photo Challenge

Fall Flowers

Lots of Tomatoes and More Tomatoes

Biblical Patriarchy

A Photo Challenge

Mis Pollos

Happy 12th Birthday, Isaiah!

Steam Threshers {Part I}

Answers in Genesis

Wordless Wednesday: Purple Flowers

A Sneak Peek

I'm Back

Giveaway Winner

Giveaway Reminder!!!

And We're Off

Vacation

Good Finds Friday

My New Design and a Giveaway

Calves

Homemade Strawberry Shortcakes...

Learning to Be Content

A Tractor Update {Part II}

Columbines

No Bake Cookies {Gluten-Free}

Irises

More Kittens

~Hello Monday {5/30}~

Azaleas

Spring

An Update

Got Meat?

Chicks

Wordless Wednesday:In T Minus 3 days

Work Trip

Happy Mother's Day

O Come All Ye Faithful
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

O Sing, choirs of angels,
Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning,
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.