Goosy computer

Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 12:22 by Daisyblend - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

From time to time I have trouble loading data from my camera to my computer because of our ancient USB ports.  But I finally got it to work and so here is a picture of my other birthday girl (turned 7 on the 17th)
Mom & Dad came over Sunday to bring the hope chests/cedar chests/blanket chests... otherwise known as "boxes."  I thought they came out wonderful!  I think both the girls understand the significance of such a special gift, made just for them by their grandfather (BeBop).  MeMom was in charge of staining and polying.  She brought some samples out for the girls to chose from and Atira wanted a reddish stain but Farra wanted hers as light as possible and so chose to only have poly.  They're made of oak, with the inside tray made of white cedar.  MeMom also picked some special items from her own cedar chest to pass on to the girls. 





Notice the dolls the girls are holding in that one picture....   
      Just before Farra's birthday she came to me asking if I could help her make a rag doll  (inspired by the Little House books which she's re-reading, I suspect).  I've never attempted such a thing, but we came up with something decent and it only took a couple hours.  I cut out the pieces and drew sewing lines.  Farra did all the sewing, opting to use the machine instead of sewing by hand.  She's used the machine a few times, but I didn't realize how capable she was until I left her by herself.  She re-threaded it and took care of the bobbin on her own.  I was quite pleased.  The girls spent half the next day sewing doll clothes from the scrap pile.  Farra, having her very own special doll now (named Sari), passed on to Atira the much coveted 18" plastic doll (named Trisha, given to her a few years ago by my friend Trisha - aka dukygurl).  Atira was thrilled and Trisha got some new clothes out of the deal. 
      For Atira's birthday she wanted my help making a rag doll.  She was more interested in the end result than the process, unlike her sister, so I did a good deal more "helping," but we had fun and Savanah is the result.  Trisha was passed to Blue, who, although pleased with her gift, had already decided she wanted a rag doll.  We made her's last night.  Blue dubbed her doll "Lewis" and we can't talk her into Louise or anything.
      Now, Royal has been much impressed by these dolls and the older girls have been sharing with him.  Lewis is his favorite, however, and Blue isn't as interested in sharing.  Today I tried my hand at a teddy bear:

I'd do a couple things different next time, but Royal's happy.  And it's special, made from a scrap of his late great-grandfather's shirt.

Now... if I can get the girls away from my sewing machine long enough to make some skirts for myself and a couple friends...

While I'm doing photos, I thought you'd enjoy this one from the other evening:

Drums Along The Mohawk- A Great Revolutionary War/Frontiers Family Movie

Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 10:09 by amanda - 1 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Drums Along the Mohawk is a very good movie about a period in American history that not many movies have been made about. Set during the Revolutionary War, the story is about two newlyweds and their new life in the Mohawk Valley. The couple is trying to establish themselves with a home and farm of their own, but are interrupted when the British and the Mohawk Indian tribe begin to raid all along the valley. The settlers must deal with the raiding Indians while also trying to survive.

We borrowed this from the library the other day. It is an excellent movie. 

I went on Amazon to see if they have copies still available (this movie was made in 1939) and they have it on DVD and VHS.

It is so nice to find good movies, that don't edit out the Christian contribution that was made when this country was founded. This movie really gives you a look into the frontier families that were making this land their own during the revolutionary war.

Bless all who pass this way!

Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7

30 Days of Thanks - Day 22

Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 07:11 by Kris in TN - 0 Comments - Link

Our youth group watched Wall-E last night. I highly recommend this movie to anyone and everyone. It is a not-so-great picture about where we could end up if we, as a society, keep doing what we are currently doing. I honestly do NOT want to say much more than that because I think it is best to watch this movie without knowing much about it. If all of us watched this movie and took it to heart, I can't even begin to imagine the changes we could make that would benefit future generations. On a side note, this movie is f-u-n-n-y!!

Today, I am thankful for our youth get together last night. It lifted my spirits and I really needed that!

Of Plymouth Plantation-The Truth About The Pilgrims

Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 06:51 by amanda - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

We have been reading this book for the past month. It is the diary of William Bradford, of Plymouth Plantation. It chronicles the Pilgrims experiences and trials while they were establishing their new home in America.

There are so many details in this book. So much that I have learned that will not be found in todays textbooks. You can truly see God's hand in these peoples lives throughout their journey to establish a new colony for the glory of God.

They had so many hardships, yet they continued to put their trust in God no matter what the outcome. These people really should be remembered as heros in this land today. Christian heros who loved God enough to leave ALL that they had to serve Him as the Bible commands.

If you have the chance to read it, PLEASE do so. It is FACTUAL information on the pilgrims with NO political reinventions. You will learn the truth about the first Thanksgiving!

Bless all who pass this way!

Amanda <><
II Corinthians 5:7

No Condemation

Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 06:23 by amanda - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

No Condemnation

In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve. (Jeremiah 50:20)

A glorious word indeed! What a perfect pardon is here promised to the sinful nations of Israel and Judah! Sin is to be so removed that it shall not be found, so blotted out that there shall be none. Glory be unto the God of pardons!

Satan seeks out sins wherewith to accuse us, our enemies seek them that they may lay them to our charge, and our own conscience seeks them even with a morbid eagerness. But when the Lord applies the precious blood of Jesus, we fear no form of search, for "there shall be none"; "they shall not be found." The Lord hath caused the sins of His people to cease to be: He hath finished transgression and made an end of sin. The sacrifice of Jesus has cast our sins into the depths of the sea. This makes us dance for joy. ( I am so thankful that The Lord Saved me!)

The reason for the obliteration of sin lies in the fact that Jehovah Himself pardons His chosen ones. His word of grace is not only royal but divine. He speaks absolution, and we are absolved. He applies the atonement, and from that hour His people are beyond all fear of condemnation. Blessed be the name of the sin-annihilating God!

By Charles Spurgeon

Catching up

Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 10:39 by Heritage Hill Homestead - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Where has this past week gone?  Time flies when you are having fun, right??  Well, I guess I have been having fun then.

The auction I talked about going to on Saturday was very cold!!  We got a truck load of stuff for a total of $12.  A large cooler we can use for Farmers Market, several boxes of canning jars, a table, and the best of all..........an arch way that I have been wanting for a long time.  This one had been used for wedding decorations, it has roses, tulle and lights on it, however those will come off and I will put it over the gate into the poulty yard and I will plant honeysuckle on it!  It cost a dollar!  Since it was so cold things went very cheap.

We stopped and got Kaylan and she came home with us to spend the night.  Then on Sunday there was a surprise party planned for Ryan celebrating him finishing his college class.  He still has some elective classes to finish up hours before he will actually graduate.  But he completed an 18 month business class and a huge paper.....so he deserved a party.  However, he was not particularly happy with the idea at first, I guess he doesn't like surprises, he was happy by the end.  Part of the problem was it was a beautiful day and he had plans to spend it outdoors.  Anyway, happy or not, we are very proud of you Ryan!

While in the area, Mom and I picked up pears.  I had wanted to get some and was afraid they may all be gone by then, but there were a lot of nice ones on the ground.  So, they are waiting on me to make something of them now.  I want to make pear honey for sure, maybe can some, not sure what all.

Monday I took Mom to see a very close friend that had a stroke about 3 months ago.  It was really hard to see her, but at the same time, she looked good and responded to some conversation.  She has come a long way and with therapy, and continued prayer she will improve.

Tuesday evening we attended a meeting in Emporia for local food providers.  I think they called it Growing Local Foods. Anyway, gardeners, livestock producers, etc. came together to talk about marketing ideas in our area.  It was a good meeting and we made a new acquaintance that lives near us and has many similar interests. 

Wednesday was the most perfect fall day, Thursday was winter!  Today not quite as cold.  We made a shopping trip today.  Stocked up on baking supplies mostly.  Sutherlands had their fruit sale today, so I got 15 pounds of Granny Smith apples, they were 69 cents a pound.

Speaking of bargains...........gas today in town was $1.65.......how about that!

Sunday we will celebrate Thanksgiving with a dinner following the service at church.  We are making a big pan of dressing, and I don't know for sure what else yet.  I suppose I should make deviled eggs as we have plenty right now. 

Well that about brings us up to date around the homestead.

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

Cinnamon Roll Recipe

Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 10:30 by Heritage Hill Homestead - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Finally I am back with the cinnamon roll recipe I mentioned.  I have made it 3 times now and it has turned out well.   They seem to stay soft for several days.  I am making them for the  same resturant that I make the pies for, so I wanted them to be really good!  Apparently they do like them as they have ordered them twice this week.   Thanks to LaJuan in Colorado for sending this to me and allowing me to share it here with you.

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

This came from "Favorite Family Recipes - The Martin Family". They are a conservative (horse and buggy) Mennonite family out of Barnett, Missouri.

(Note: I baked them at 375 for 20 minutes)

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

CONGRATULATIONS

Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 09:06 by Chas - 9 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Congratulations to my beautiful sister and her wonderful family on the birth of their new little one... Greyson!
He is adorable and healthy and my sister is AMAZING!! :)

Also,
Congratulations to my winner!

#36 CHALLICE!!!!!!!!
I will contact you about your prize!!! :)
Have a wonderful weekend my friends!
My Cup Runneth Over...

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because....

Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 03:24 by Sunflower - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Can you complete the sentence? 

Or perhaps Thankgsiving  is not your favorite holiday. Christmas is probably my favorite holiday and I can wax eloquent on the reasons. 

A friend of mine recently made this statement and her reason was "My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving because you have all that wonderful food to eat and no other pressures..." (meaning the pressures that Christmas brings.

 Do you feel this way?  I try to get anything that might be stresful done before Dec 1st and so Christmas is generally a pretty enjoyable holiday around here! :0) LOL - even our tree.... (see previous entry) for goodness sake!  although I enjoy gift giving - I watch throughout the year for gifts for our family (both new & used!).  We keep gift giving to relatives and friends to a pretty minimum, food is homemade and we all take our contribution wherever we go and enjoy the fellowship of seeing loved ones and those we have not seen for some time.

May you have a blessed Thanksgiving week as we prepare to celebrate our thanks to God for His continued providence!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

wendy

Confessions.... we put up our tree!

Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 03:14 by Sunflower - 0 Comments - Post Comment - Link

Our family tradition has always been to set up the Christmas tree the day AFTER Thanksgiving!  But my children are so excited about Christmas! They saw that there were Christmas things out in stores for the last month. They have been begging and begging to put up the tree, so I finally relented today after we finished school.  You should have heard their squeals of laughter and excitement as they pounded down the stairs to begin retrieving the Christmas preparations!  I even went upstairs and wrapped their gifts so that the tree would be complete.  They'll have a LOOOONNNNGGG time to be waiting to open those gifts!!  They were ready to make their Christmas chain.  Last year we made a chain and each day they could take turns cutting off the loops until we reached Christmas!

I will stand firm on not making the gingerbread house or Christmas cookies until it is closer to the actual day! :0)  Do you want to hold me to this?

What fun!

Happy Tree decorating ... whenever your family traditionally decorates... unless your children convince you otherwise!

wendy