Forget-Me-Not Homestead

Walk Cheerfully

"Be patterns, be examples, in all countries, places, islands, nations, wherever you come, that your carriage and life may preach among all sorts of people and to them: then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in every one."

~ George Fox (from prison, Journal, 1656)

This beautiful quote by George Fox, founder of The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), has been on my heart lately, and I wanted to share it with you today.

Antique Oak Wardrobe

I'd like to share a photo of an antique oak Tudor wardrobe that my dear husband and I just purchased for our home.  This is the ebay seller's picture.

We purchased this wardrobe because we live in a cute little old cottage with some charming old features; but it lacks a single closet in the entire house.  We have managed clothing storage pretty well; using dressers for most clothing items, under beds for shoes, pegs and hooks on walls with dress clothes hung on hangers, and sons' sports equipment and winter clothing kept in an outbuilding until needed.  But, dear hubby and I have always felt we needed something more for our bedroom to neatly contain our things.  We have been looking for some kind of armoire or wardrobe for several years now; but everything we looked at was either too big, too small, too expensive, or too, well, ugly.  This wardrobe is just perfect!

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."  ~ William Morris

Thank You

Life has been so full to overflowing this month here at Forget-Me-Not Homestead; with routine chores, gardening, canning, home improvement projects, friend and family gatherings, and homeschool planning.  But, I wanted to be sure to pop into my blog today, because it is my one-year anniversary with HomesteadBlogger!  And I'd like to thank each of you who have visited my blog, read my posts, and left nice comments.  Your kindness has meant so much to this newbie blogger.  I'd also like to thank all of you for your lovely, thoughtful blogs - each one is so unique.  I've learned much from many of them, and many have touched my heart.

Thank you dear blogging friends.  I'm looking forward to another year of lovely blogs and blogging.

Peace and blessings, Kim

I wanted to share a photo of what are, I think, the last of my summer flowers.  This is a bouquet of monkshood, foxglove, and lupines in my favorite blue Ball jar.

The Simple Life

"The simple life is one in which there is always time to remember the divine purpose behind each of our tasks, time to listen for a possible divine amendment to the day's schedule, and time to be thankful for the divine Presence at each moment of the day."

~ Lloyd Lee Wilson

A Sweet,Beautiful Home

The following passage spoke to my heart.  I'm wishing all of you a very beautiful, blessed, and happy Mother's Day today and every day.  Peace and blessings, Kim

"Very largely does the wife hold in her hands as a sacred trust the happiness and the highest good of the hearts that nestle there.  In the last analysis, home happiness depends on the wife.

Her spirit gives the home its atmosphere.

Her hands fashion its beauty.

Her heart makes its love.

And the end is so worthy, so noble, so divine, that no woman who has been called to be a wife, and has listened to the call, should consider any price too great to pay, to be...

the light,

the joy,

the blessing,

the inspiration,

of a home.

The woman who makes a sweet, beautiful home, filling it with love and prayer and purity, is doing something better than anything else her hands could find to do beneath the skies.

A true mother is one of the holiest secrets of home happiness.  God sends many beautiful things to this world, many noble gifts; but no blessing is richer than that which He bestows in a mother who has learned love's lessons well, and has realized something of the meaning of her sacred calling."

~ J.R. Miller, Secrets of Happy Home Life, 1894

Homemaking and the Soul

"The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest."

~ Thomas Moore

Cozyness

"Shut the door,

not that it lets in the cold -

But that it lets out the cozyness."

~ Mark Twain

Preaching

"Let your lives preach."

~ George Fox

Christmas Blessings

I'd like to wish all of you a very merry, blessed, peaceful Christmas.  I will be back to blogging in 2008.

I also wanted to share that my dear oldest son is coming home from college next week for winter break and I'm so looking forward to his arrival.  I haven't seen him since August, and I've really missed him.

Peace and blessings, Kim  

What Is A Home?

I've been offline and out of town for awhile visiting with dear family that were in need of help.  While I was away, I came across this short essay that I'd like to share.

What Is A Home?

A roof to keep out the rain.  Four walls to keep out the wind.  Floors to keep out the cold.  Yes, but home is more than that.  It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father.  Warmth of loving hearts, light from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship.  Home is first school and first church for young ones, where they learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind.  Where they go for comfort when they are hurt or sick.  Where joy is shared and sorrow eased.  Where fathers and mothers are respected and loved.  Where children are wanted.  Where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is earned.  Where money is not so important as loving-kindness.  Where even the teakettle sings from happiness.  That is home.  God bless it. - by Ernestine Schuman-Heink

It's so good to be home!

Autumn Reflections

Autumn is here in my neck of the woods.  The days are getting shorter, the light and colors of the forest are more breathtaking, and it's getting chilly.

For my family, autumn is a time for rest, reflection, and study.  No longer are we in the garden or working on the house; hiking, fishing, or berry picking.  It is time to come indoors to enjoy good books and music, friendship and fellowship, a little seasonal decorating and handicrafts, and good-smelling comfort foods.  It is a peaceful time.

May we all find God's blessings of peace and beauty in our homes this beautiful autumn season.

Simplicity at Home

I've always appreciated the idea that we can find the greatest joy from simple things, especially at home.

I live in a small, old, imperfect house.  It is small; but thankfully, has many windows, which makes it seem bigger and brighter.   It is old; but all the nicks, dents, and time-worn imperfections in my homes' simple wood floors, cabinets, and furniture represent to me, many years of love and living.

I don't have too many belongings anymore.  I left them behind when we moved from the city to the country seeking a simpler way of life.  Although, I still have too many books.   What I do have, I try to keep clean and tidy; this brings peace to my home.

My family and I like to go out in nature and enjoy God's perfect beauty.  Sometimes we bring nature home with us to enjoy - flowers, rocks, shells, sea glass, driftwood.  It's all beautiful and a gift of God.

I am so grateful for all of God's blessings.  May you also be blessed with peace and simplicity in your homes and hearts.

Being Home

I'd like to share a book that I'm reading right now.  It is a devotional book for women of all faiths.  It is called Being Home - Discovering the Spiritual in the Everyday by Gunilla Norris.  It's a small, beautifully written book about prayer and housekeeping, and the extraordinary beauty of dailiness.  It is nice to read during a quiet moment with a cup of tea .

3 Simple Rules for Children

When my children were much younger, and I was a young mother, homeschooling and trying to keep a peaceful home with 3 little boys; I noticed that many behavior problems stemmed from verbal squabbles or bickering.  I also noticed that minor bickerings with boys could easily and quickly escalate into major chaos.  At that time, I decided to teach my children these simple rules (I'm not sure when or where I learned them myself), which were very easy for them to learn and apply.  I used to have these rules pinned up in my kitchen when my boys were younger.  They continue to serve us well in our home, and also out in the world.  Here they are:

Before you say anything, ask yourself:

Is it kind?

Is it truthful?

Is it necessary?

If the answer to ALL 3 questions is yes. Then you may say it. 

That's it.  It's so simple, even for younger children.  I hope these rules will bless your home like they did mine.