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Outside my Window...It looks like a storm.  The trees are rustling and the clouds are moving fast.

I am thinking...I really want my husband home to help with the kids!  (He returns late tonight)

I am thankful for...my sensitivity. I have a good sense and can feel when people are troubled, or when something is not right. I know when to distance myself from those instead of getting caught up in deception.

From the kitchen...Sinful Double Chocolate Cake and snacks for our trip.

I am creating...a new way of packing that will hopefully take less space in the trunk since we are going in a car rather than our mini-van.

I am going...on vacation.

I am wearing...Navy blue shirt with a picture of a horese and says Polo Ralph Lauren Equestrian Apparel (Outlet find for $8!), khaki skort, mule navy keds, and my hair in a bun.

I am reading...What Would Audrey Do? by Pamela Keogh, Screen Doors and Sweet Tea by Martha Hall Foose, Mother Earth News Magazine.

I am hoping...we have a safe trip and the children do not murder eachother on the ride up.

I am hearing...the dishwasher, a motorcycle, and MarioKart Wii.

Around the house...I finished up all of the laundry and need to pack.  I need to make bread for the trip.  And the kids need to pack their stuff for the car ride.

One of my favorite things...is my Vera Bradley luggage because it's pink, yay, and I think it will be more moldable for the trunk instead of 2 large suitcases for the 5 of us.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Drive to my parents in Kentucky tomorrow, drive to my in-laws in Ohio on Tuesday, and enjoy our family and friends for the family picnic on July the 4th.

Have a blessed week.  I'll miss you all!

~Farrah

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Outside my Window...Summer is here! The sun is bright and warm. The trees are full and green.  The sky is blue without a cloud.

I am thinking...how quickly the summer holiday is going by. 

I am thankful for...my stepson going on a trip with our youth group for it has changed him so much.  He found out that just because you believe in Jesus Christ doesn't mean you are following the narrow path.

From the kitchen...scrambled eggs & toast for breakfast, leftovers for lunch, and meatza pie, broccoli salad, and rolls for dinner.

I am creating...a clutter-free space since that brings my husband peace.

I am going...to stay home as much as possible this week.  Even though the kids are out of school, we are spending $100 in gas a week.

I am wearing...lavendar t-shirt with Grits (Girls Raised in the South) in turquois letters, white knit skirt, and flip flops.

I am reading...What Jane Austen Taught Me About Love by Debra White Smith, The Way Back To Mayberry: Lessons From a Simpler Time by Joey Fann, and Bon Appetit, Y'all by Virginia Willis.

I am hoping...the Lord helps me to stay on course and not stray in both spiritually and physically with raising the children, being a wife, and following His Word.

I am hearing...the dishwasher, and nothing else (It's heaven!).

Around the house...We need to get the house in order and fulfill any business obligations before we leave to go out of town next Monday.

One of my favorite things...is the library.  I love our library!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Get items together for my bible study on Wednesday, continue water aerobics, take stepdaughter to the dentist, and organize, organize, organize.

Have a blessed week.

~Farrah

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Outside my Window...it is warm and muggy with lots of sunshine. There is absolutely NO breeze!

I am thinking...how quiet the morning is before the kids get up.

I am thankful for...prayers from my friends for our family because of all the problems between my stepson and stepdaughter.

From the kitchen...Sour cream biscuits and turkey bacon for breakfast, wraps and chips and fruit for lunch, and turkey sloppy joes for dinner

I am creating...new chore chart for my stepdaughter.

I am going...to take the kids in a bit to the duck park for bike riding and picnic when the chores are complete.

I am wearing...watermelon-colored t-shirt that says A.S.A.P. (As Southern As Possible) and black capris

I am reading...The Green Kitchen Handbook by Annie Berthold-Bond and A Remarkable Mother by Former President Jimmy Carter 

I am hoping...to find some peace and simplicity in our home this week

I am hearing...The Duggar Family's "Raising 16 Kids" from the Discover Health Channel (I recorded it and when I feel a bit overwhelmed I think of them and Jon & Kate Plus 8 and realize that if they can raise several children so can I for such a short time).

Around the house...the weekend chores have to be done by the kids and I need to finish organizing the pantry. 

One of my favorite things...is my grain mill.  My mill has helped me serve nutritious and inexpensive meals to my family as well as make money in selling baked goods to others.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...live my life as close to the Lord as possible.

Have a blessed week.

~Farrah

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I have finally decided that I am sick and tired of fashion.  I love the summer dresses, but I have a complete disdain for winter fashion.  So, I want to start now to make some fall things for myself.  What type of patterns should a beginning sewer use and is there anyone who can give me a tutorial?  I thought about trying www.sensibility.com Regency dress, but I'm not sure if I want something quite that long.  Any ideas and help would be greatly appreciated!

~Farrah

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FOR TODAY

Outside my Window...is blue sky,  green trees, and NO wind

I am thinking...I hope everything works out with my stepdaughter coming today for 5 weeks

I am thankful for...for my husband working so hard for our family and air conditioning

From the kitchen...homemade biscuits and bread to sell, and oatmeal chocolate cookies for the kids

I am creating...large amounts of things to take to consignment and Goodwill from our spring cleaning

I am going...to pick up my stepdaughter from the airport and otherwise clean, clean, clean!

I am wearing...plaid sundress

I am reading...Bon a petite, y'all and Vogue magazine

I am hoping...my stepson will change his heart towards the Lord and away from himself

I am hearing...my son play on his Ninetendo DS, the dishwasher running, and the bread machine kneading

Around the house...after we finish spring cleaning, hopefully tomorrow, I will go and get some vinca and petunia hanging baskets, and a new bird feeder

One of my favorite things...breadmaker

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...live at the pool

Blessings for your week!

~Farrah

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Portrait of Jane Austen www.allposters.com

Yesterday I consumed quite a few ounces of Mt Dew.  Consequently, I couldn't sleep until 3am.  So, I stayed up and finished the last 2 movies from PBS's Jane Austen series from the early spring.  I never quite seem to have the 4-6 hours to finish them all.  Last night I finally did, fortunately, yet unfortunately, because I am tired.

Persuasion was the first movie in the series, and since I had not read that particular book I did not have a reference in which to refer to.  However, for entertainment value alone I thoroughly enjoyed this movie.  The fella that portrayed Capt. Wentworth was quite handsome.

Northanger Abbey was completely ridiculous!  Once again I had no idea that such dark thoughts were ever in Ms. Austen's head!  I hated the part of the crazy secret wife in the dungeon.  I think though that I had ought to read the book before I decide not to like the story completely.

I did, however, enjoy Mansfield Park. The actress was lovely and played her character so demurely and modestly.  It was a sweet film.  It has been awhile since watching this so I do not want to give more detail.

Oh, but, Pride and Prejudice is by far my favorite of all the series.  The characters of Miss Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy were so well cast and played.  I finished this last night and I have to say that I could and probably will watch this over and over.  Now that I've seen this the one with Kiera Knightly is downright wrong!

To conclude the series I watched in its entirety last night Sense & Sensibility.  Since I have read this book and seen the Emma Thompson movie I had high hopes for this version.  I have decided that I do not like either one.  The PBS version seemed more realistic (Emma Thompson is just too old for Hugh Grant, I believe).  I felt so sorry for both Marianne and Elinor, and their actors really did a wonderful job allowing us to feel their emotions.  However, it was gloomy the entire movie and the beginning was totally unnecessary.  Yes, Willoughby is scum, but is there need to be so graphic?  I'm glad my stepson wasn't watching this with me!

We are so blessed to be able to go to our local library to get such wonderful literature from Ms. Austen. Now to live in a time where we can possibly see what Ms. Austen had in mind is so much more!  If you haven't had a chance to see any of the series I would first read the book and then see the movie.  I wish I had.

If you would like an excellent description visit Mrs. Aiden Humphries at www.thepleasanttimes.blogspot.com and go under her Reviews section.

Come back soon and I will let you know my thoughts on Cranford.

~Farrah

PS  I do not remember Miss Austen Regrets, except for feeling disappointed, so I could not comment.  Mrs. Humphries has reviewed it though.  

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(Graphic courtesy of : I don't remember!)

For many years I hated the title housewife.  To me that meant a repressed woman whom had no intellectual ability, or was controlled by her husband and children into doing what they want her to do instead of her goals and aspirations in the career-world. Thank you very much Ms. Steinam.  Actually when I began staying home with my son and taking care of our home I still didn't use the word housewife when asked what is my occupation.  Instead I've always said "Domestic Engineer".  Catchy, isn't it?  In the last few years I have become very proud of my current occupation as housewife. 

The 1828 Webster's Dictionary (the original and only dictionary worth having, if you ask me, and you didn't, but this is my blog) states that a Housewife is:

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Welcome to our world, Lillian Mae Burge!!

My good friend, Rebecca, and her husband, Chris, now have another addition to their growing family.  Lillian Mae Burge was born a week ago weighing in at 9lbs 1 oz!!!  She joins her sisters Savannah and Sydney and brother Simeon.  I am so happy for you all.  May the Lord always keep Miss Lillian under his arm!

Blessings,

~Farrah

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Graphic courtesty of www.allposters.com

Today I've been busy.  So far I have set out croissants to rise, separating yogurt for whey to make hubby's favorite sauerkraut, made loaf of bread, peanut butter cookies, and raw milk yogurt is in the yogurt maker.  My chicken is thawing, but in the next hour or so I will put that in the crockpot with chicken stock & garlic salt to cook for a couple hours.  I'm making chicken salad for dinner with cold couscous salad. 

I have a question.  Do y'all know how to make heavy cream with raw milk?  I'm so thankful that we have the opporunity to get raw milk from a local farmer (www.carltonfarms.com). 

We'll probably head back to the pool in a bit.  Hubby's taking  a nap.  I need to cook my other side, ha!

Blessings,

~Farrah 

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"We are fast moving on through this world.  Soon all that will remain of us will be the memories of our lives.  No part of our work will then afford such a true test of our living as the memorials we leave behind us in our homes.  No other work that God gives any of us to do is so important so sacred, so far-reaching in its influence, so delicate and easily marred as our home-making.  This is the work of all our life that is most divine.  The carpenter works in wood, the mason works in stone, the smith works in iron, the artist works on canvas, but the home-maker works on immortal lives.  The wood or the stone or the iron or the canvas may be marred, and it will not matter greatly in fifty years; but let a tender human soul be marred in its early training, and ages hence the effects will still be seen.  Whatever else we slight, let it never be our home-making.  If we do nothing else well in this world, let us at least build well within our own doors."

"May God help every one of us to live at home so tenderly, so unselfishly, so lovingly, that the memories we make within our own doors shall be our own holiest requiem, on the breath of which our spirits may be wafted away to glory in the Home in our Father's House!"

~J.R. Miller (1882)

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Outside my Window...lots of trees and sunshine

I am thinking...how wonderful it is to get away, but better to come home to my family.  Also, that summer is really right around the corner with this heat!

I am thankful for...Everything good in my life, as well as the rough times in order to grow.

From the kitchen...the usual bread and biscuits to sell

I am creating...list of summer activities to do at home and elsewhere

I am going...nowhere-I just came home!

I am wearing...Kelly green polo, khaki capris, new pearls, hair down, and bronze heels

I am reading...blogs to catch up

I am hoping...to get the laundry caught up tomorrow and then finish everything possible before the weekend

I am hearing...Nick talk about his latest skateboard escapades and birds twerping

Around the house...will be gathering things to take to the consignment shop and Goodwill

One of my favorite things...sunglasses (seriously) because they keep the sun out of your eyes, hold your hair back when the windows are down, and keep you from squinting so you don't have as many wrinkles

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...I'll make a list and let y'all know

~Farrah

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www.allposters.com (Norman Rockwell)

Good Morning, Dear Friends!

Today I am feeling a bit overwhelmed.  I'm sorry for not blogging as consistently.  I have been beyond busy, and I have not been feeling 100%.  My esophageal attacks and anemia are worse than ever, and that is not acceptable.  Thankfully my husband is finding things for me such as Floradix, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and B12/Folic Acid sublingual tablets.  I just have to remember to take it all!  After I get back I think I am going to do a juice cleanse to give my body a rest.  I couldn't do the colon cleanse, but a good lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper liver cleanse sounds like just what the doctor ordered.

Tomorrow I leave for my weekend trip to Kentucky.  Today though I need to get a ton completed.  Here is my list:  finish laundry, make 4 dozen biscuits, 4 loaves of sandwich bread, fax proof of residency to Nick's high school, finish filing, dye hair (naturally, of course), paint nails (Loreal formaldehyde free paint), pack, pick up boys, clean refrigerator, pay bills, vacuum, Target returns, CVS, unload dishwasher, mop kitchen floor, and make snacks for boys while gone (tuna and chicken salads).  Of course the usual dinner and dishes later. 

Well, I think I should get started.  I hope everyone has a wonderfully productive day!

Blessings,

~Farrah

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FOR TODAY

Outside my Window...leaves rustling in the wind, bright sunshine & birds. Yes, it's a perfect spring day.

I am thinking...about how to continue selling bread at the produce stand without raising my prices too much because of the price increase of groceries.

I am thankful for...my home and the love in it

From the kitchen...Sandwich bread in the breadmaker and chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven

I am creating...new recipes ideas for spring

I am going...to be much more careful with my driving because of the cost of gas, but will still need to pick up boys from school later.

I am wearing...navy blue capri pants, bubblegum pink polo shirt, new pearl necklace, and toile apron

I am reading...May/June Victoria Magazine, Bad Girls of the Bible (for bible study), and local park & recreation booklet for summer activity ideas.

I am hoping...that my husband may let me homeschool Bryson again next year since he really isn't doing any better academically than he was when I homeschooled him for the first 2.5 years.  I'm not pushing, and will follow whatever he says, just hoping.

I am hearing...leaf blower, birds twerping, leaves rustling, and bread kneading in machine

Around the house...laundry, paperwork, changing sheets from flannel to cotton, organizing spring clothes

One of my favorite things...is sweet tea

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...get everything prepared to go out of town from Thursday to Sunday (By MYSELF!), get Nick signed up for high school, and finish any last minute appointments before school's out next Friday.

Have a Blessed Week

~Farrah

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When I was growing up I had no intention of ever being one of those boring 'ol stay at home Mothers.  So, when in actuality I became a (really not boring) stay at home Mother, I needed help.  My family all lives 400-600 miles away, so I had to learn on my own.  First off I watched Martha Stewart everyday and got hers and Southern Living cookbooks from the library.  Eventually, when we got a computer, I began looking up websites for help.  Now that I have discovered blogworld there are tons.  Every so often I like to give y'all links because if you are just learning, or if you're like me you enjoy seeing how other women are living out their lives as homemakers.

Anna at http://pleasantviewschoolhouse.blogspot.com/ has really neat sewing ideas and I love her cute description of a homemaker through Victorian fiction books.  Her photgraphs are so beautiful, very clean.

Mrs Wilt at http://thesparrowsnest.typepad.com/ is doing a series on frugal living, including really neat decorating ideas.

Emma at http://charmingthebirdsfromthetrees.blogspot.com/ has a commitment to lovliness weekly post as well as neat ideas for decorating.

Lindsay at http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/ always has really neat ideas for natural and frugal living.

The 50s housewife http://50shousewife.blogspot.com/ does not give her actual name, but I love her ideas and pictures.

I promise y'all that I do not spend 24/7 in blogworld, but sometimes I need inspiration and these are some of the ones I turn to.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I.

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"Make a home; beautify and adorn it; cultivate all heavenly charms within it; sing sweet songs of love in it; bear your portion of toil, and pain, and sorrow in it; condaily lessons of strength and patience there; shine like a star on the face of the darkest night over it, and tenderly rear the children it shall give you in it.  High on a pinnacle, above all earthly grandeur, all gaudy glitter, all fancied ambitions, set the home interests.  Feed the mind on it; feed the soul in it; strengthen the love, and charity, and truth, and all holy and good things within it!"

from-The Royal Path of Life, by Haines & Yaggy, 1879

featured in Treasury of Vintage Homeskills, by Martha Greene (www.marmeedear.com)

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Mrs. Byers and Mrs. Paine are both having Anti Procrastination Day or Week.  Here is Mrs. Paine's post on the subject.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Making Your Home a Haven Monday: Anti-Procrastination Day

Because I need the motivation (and maybe you do, too), I'm declaring today "Anti-Procrastination Day."

Have piles of projects you been putting off? Today is the day to tackle them--stop procrastinating and get busy!

I'm going pare down our schedule to the basics today so I can hopefully start and finish some of these long-overdue tasks. I'll do a post late in the day on what we accomplished.

(Come to think of it, maybe I need to have an anti-procrastination week? Anyone want to host it at their blog? Last time when Mrs. Wilt did this it was a huge help to me and I'd love to have she or someone else do it again so we can all be inspired to get moving!)

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Okay, okay, okay, the budget for this week has been demolished.  Ugh!  I feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football and Lucy keeps taking it.  I try to make a list and stick with it and then I go to Costco.  The pitfall of money begins with all of the new items.  Then today I went to Trader Joes and spent double the amount because I wasn't sure which type of meat my husband would like for his birthday.  I have to get this down.  I have to stick to my budget.  We have to save more money if we are ever going to get out of this apartment and into our own home for a cow and an organic garden.  I'm so incredibly bummed that I spent in 2 days what I have recently begun spending in 2 weeks.  Oh well, I'll just hop back on the frugal horse.  Y'all have a great weekend!

Blessings,

~Farrah

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Photo courtesy of www.doverpublications.com

Hello Friends,

What a yucky day here in Georgia!  As they say though, April showers bring May flowers.  Our dogwood and cherry blossom trees are already blooming.  They are so pretty.  We are supposed to have rain for the next 3-4 days.  That's okay though, because last year we had such a nasty drought. 

I am a self-professed lover of girly items.  I don't always wear much make-up (though when I do it has to be mineral based!), and I may not always take care of my appearance.  However, I do love me some nail polish.  That is one of my main ways to be girly.  After reading an article on www.mercola.com about the dangers of the chemicals such as formaldahyde I refused to wear mainstream polish on my toesies.  So, I purchased 1 bottle of "natural" nailpolish from Whole Foods.  That was such a ridiculous rip off.  While perusing Target, I found a sign in Loreal's make up shelves that said no formaldehyde and 2 other nasty chemicals.  I bought 2 bottles, a pretty coral and cherry blossom color pink.  I'm so excited to give myself a mini-pedi tonight.

A few of my favorite blogs are currently doing really neat series.  First, Mrs. Wilt at the www.thesparrowsnest.typepad.com is doing a series on modesty.  Kelly at www.barefootmama.com is doing 2 series.  One is having a cheerful heart and the other one is about manners and etiquette from the previous centuries and how to use them in the 21st century.  Crystal at www.biblicalwomanhoodonline.com always has her Frugal Fridays.  Kelli at www.kellishouse.blogspot.com does show and tell Friday.  Lindsay at www.passionatehomemaking.com has wonderful all- natural cooking tips.

Well, I need to go get dinner done.  Y'all have a great evening and Sabbath day tomorrow!

Blessings to you and yours,

~Farrah

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This is from Mrs. Paines, www.biblicalwomanhoodonline.com. 

~Farrah

Making Your Home a Haven Monday: Getting Your Home Back in Order

Whether you had sickness at your home this weekend like us or you just had a busy weekend, your home could likely use some basic all-purpose pick up and cleaning today. So instead of tackling a big Spring cleaning project like we've been doing for the last few weeks, today I encourage you to spend some extra time getting your home back in order.

I'm devoting two hours today to getting things back in order around here--want to join me?

Two Hour Quick Clean Up*

Before starting, spend time at least a short time in God's Word and prayer. Refresh your spirit with the promises and encouragement found in Scripture so that you will be well-prepared for the day and whatever challenges it holds.

I also encourage you to be showered and dressed to your shoes. There's something about being fresh and dressed for the day which helps me work so much faster and stay on track so much better. Don't ask me what it is, but it really works for me!

And now you're ready to roll...

1. Put on an apron, turn on some uplifting music, light a candle, and start a load of laundry.

2. Go to the kitchen sink and wash, dry, and put away the dishes. Then, shine the sink (ala FlyLady!) and wipe down the counter tops. Try to get this completely finished in 30 minutes or less.

3. Set the timer for 15 minutes and briskly go through the house and pick up as many items as you can which are out of place and return them to their proper places (and if it's trash, throw it out!).

4. Switch the laundry in your washer to your dryer or clothesline and start another load of laundry.

5. Take some all-purpose cleaner and a few rags and go quickly spray and wipe down all the bathrooms. Remember, this is just a simple spray and wipe of your bathrooms which should only take five minutes maximum per bathroom. Save the heavy-duty cleaning for later!

6. Do a quick sweep and mop of your kitchen and bathroom floors if they need this (and if your home is anything like our home, they will need this!).

7. Vacuum the main living areas of your home--don't worry about moving furniture or going over every inch of carpet, just make sure and hit the main traffic areas.

8. Pull the laundry out of the dryer and fold and put it away. Switch the laundry from the washer to the dryer, and start another load in the washer if you still have more laundry to do.

You're done! Make a pot of tea or coffee (or a glass of iced tea or lemonade since Spring is finally here!) and put your feet up for a few moments. Way to go! Your whole family will enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Adapted from Keeping the Home's Emergency Quick Clean. Please edit or add to it to suit your home and family's needs!
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