The Cottage on the Hill

Well, I made up my porch today and it didn't cost me one red cent! I found some boards in the shed and some screws in the drawer and put them together. (I used power tools!) This made the top of the window seat. For the "legs," I solved a storage problem and made this window seat! Supporting the top of the seat are 3 sturdy plastic tubs that hold my clothing. One is Maternity clothes. One is early maternity/post partum clothes and the other holds my winter clothes. Now they're not taking up way too much space in what few closet spaces I have. To cushion the body at rest, I had foam cusions that were on the rope bed that once took up almost all the space in the porch. Those fit in just fine. Then, I used a down comforter folded in half and placed that on top. Because hubby is of Scottish decent, we're constantly being given tartan wool and fleece blankets, so that's what I threw on top. To mask the boxes and the magazine storage under the bed (I have quite ...

Hubby likes the window seat idea for our enclosed porch. Above is a rough idea of what I might do for it. The window seat is the big dark red rectangle. I'd like a window seat wide enough to comfortably curl up with Bubby or a nursing infant. Under the seat will be storage for my magazine collections. I have a rather large amount of Victoria, Country Living, Cottage Living, Colonial Homes, and Reiman Publication magazines. The pink rectangle will be a long, narrow toybox for Bubby. The porch doubles as a great playroom. The orange square is a small gaming table hubby and I have. The blue rectangle next to it is Bubby's little chair. The table and chair together are perfect for his small size. The green circle is for my milk cans that hold seed for my winter bird friends. I might put my rocking chair out there. Right now it's in the master bedroom and doesn't quite fit in right. When God blesses us with another child, the porch is going to turn into the ...

He climbed that chair all by himself and made it back to the ground safely on his own. He's very strong and is a very good climber. Notice one shoe off? He took it off himself and decided this was the way to go. Bubby's first taste of candy. I let him lick a little and he bit off a little piece. Candy is a rarity in our house. I don't tolerate sugar very well, and none of us can eat chocolate. He liked this, but was very good about mommy taking it away.

It was a muggy one today. Still, I managed to make it through most of the day without turning on the AC. I have this thing about my electric bill. I hate it when it's higher than budget. Thankfully, it's been nearly $20.00 below budget lately. Winter will of course raise it again. While the outdoor furnace nearly eliminates the need for the oil, it does cost a bit in electric to run. Still, the overall savings (and comfort) is unbeatable. I dislike unfocused days. Today was one of them. Things got off routine and my new web-based business had some business. Also, rather last minute, we had a guest. I felt like I spent most of the day following my son around, cleaning up his messes and scolding him for getting into everything he shouldn't. I did manage laundry, bathroom cleaning, vacuuming, kitchen floor washing, a walk up to the farm with Bubby to visit the animals, a bit of gardening (1 zucchini, 2 peas, 3 peppers), new business updates, customer e-mails and fly...

It was below zero. The wind was whipping and snow falling and a young lady had accidentally locked her keys in her car. She had to wait for her rescue in the dangerously frigid temperatures in a public parking lot. Meanwhile, a family piles into their car. The father and son were well dressed. The mother and daughters were wearing long denim skirts and had their long hair neatly pulled back. They didn't smile much and avoided eye contact. The father kept glancing at the young lady and eventually maneouvered the car over to her. He gave the young lady a half-smile and asked if she locked her keys in the car. She embarrassingly confirmed that she did and that she was freezing, but that her father in law was coming to rescue her in about 15 minutes. He then hands her a "Chick Tract." She politely refuses saying that she's in fact a born again Christian. He didn't seem impressed or happy (perhaps it was her denim jeans) and re-issued the tract and told her ...

I'm really liking this Nourishing Traditions book and diet. Whenever I mention diet to hubby, it's kind of a prompt word for him to not like what I'm going to say. This time around, as I read off the recipes and the marginal information, he's interested. Especially since it reiterates what he's believed all along about nutrition and diets, save one thing....he's still gotta eat more veggies! Don't we all! I've started working on the suggestions, but it's the end of the month and groceries aren't bought until the first week of the month. August is my trial and error month for this. If I feel and see improvements in hubby and I, then I'm going to alter our nutritional lifestyle to it. If it just makes us fat and sluggish (like some naysayers in my circle believe), then I'll quit it. Of course, if I get pregnant in the meantime, it's going to be hard to stick to any kind of nutrition when I'm nauseated. My first customer for...

I'm really good at wasting time. Procrastination and laziness are two sins I continually fight against. Thankfully, God has forgiven me and helped me to not procrastinate and be lazy lately. But, I have been thinking about years in my life that were wasted due to unhealthly and selfish levels of desires and wants that took my focus away from His work. The first few years were my late teen and very early twenty years. I was out of school, unmarried, and either had jobs I hated or no job at all. I wallowed in depression, gained weight, felt miserable and generally viewed my life as worthless. Why? I wanted to get married. I was upset that I didn't marry straight out of high school and didn't have 2 children on hips and more to come. Now, it's very beautiful and even Biblical to want to get married and have children. What's selfish is the lack of trust in God for His timing and the wasted time. I want every young, unmarried woman to read this and fully underst...

Who knew raising a toddler boy who's definately all boy would be such a challenge? He's not overly hyperactive. He's just this little eddy that goes about the house exploring, messing, creating, inventing and otherwise getting into little bits of mischief. 99% of it isn't intentional misbehavior. It's just typical curious toddlerhood mixed with the high energy and hands-on desires of a boy. He's an outdoorsmen, too. I can't keep him occupied on one thing for more than a minute in the house. If I take him outdoors, he'll occupy himself for a solid hour or more. I usually run out of outdoor chores before he's done having a grand ol' time with sticks, rocks, grass and dirt. I tease that I know he has a good time when he's tired, filthy, scratched up and poops sand. He loves the farm. I can probably be assured that as I tend to future young'uns, he'll be occupied and well taken care of at the farm. Raising a boy is hard and every...

Well, today was all off routine because I had to get my brakes, roaters and tires done. I did manage to stop by the library and pick up a copy of Nourishing Traditions. Candy, at www.myblessedhome.blogspot.com follows it and has blogged about it. I like what it says because it hits on something I've always instinctively felt about foods. Also, it's a diet that I believe will benefit my hard-working, manual labor hubby. So, I am considering trying out this diet. I'm also considering two of the at-home business ideas that I have. The problem is that they are web-based and where I live I can't get DSL yet. Road Runner is WAY out of my price range, so I suffer with dial-up and I can't work on complicated websites from my home computer. I'm going to leave it in prayer. For now, something is holding me back. I'm also considering other ways to save money. Then again, I'm always considering ways to save money, make money, etc. I'm considering tryi...

Apparently, women who wear make-up daily can absorb 5 lbs of cosmetic chemicals per year! Parabens, found in some cosmetics and I believe anti-persperants have been found in breast tumors. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a known skin irritant and is often found in soaps and shampoos. Using multiple cosmetics can cause "chemical warfare" on your skin and in your body. Companies don't test their products with products from another company. I've recently started cutting back on my cosmetic use. When I was a teenager, I was mostly a foundation girl because of my acne. When I started working, I went all out with make-up. Then, after I got married, I cut it back to foundation and blush. After a few years of marriage, and a pregnancy that helped clear my skin, I cut back my make-up use a little more. When mineral make-up became popular, I used that more. Now, I avoid make-up on days I'm home and usually only wear the mineral powder. Occassionally, I go all out with my m...

I am a notorious multi-tasker. I think you have to be when you're a mother. I'm always trying to find ways to fit more things into a day without going crazy. It's gotten to the point where just doing one thing is relaxing and even a little strange. When I exercise, I watch the news. When I watch TV (hubby and I get one channel, FOX, so we watch So You Think You Can Dance), I like to do a crossword puzzle or some hand-sewing. When my computer loads, I fold laundry. When my son needs to burn some energy, we go outside. He plays and I weed and do yard work. He usually ends up helping me. Often, I have two web browsers going on at once on my computer. While one's loading, I'm working on another one. I don't know how I do it. I also don't know how I'm managing being the first one up, the last one to bed and keeping up with a hyperactive dog and a toddler who's full of energy (mostly kinetic). By the grace of God is my only answer. But I would...

I quote the great Charlie Brown on this one, "UGH!" A simple oil change turned into really bad news. My truck is no longer drive-able until I get 4 new tires, 4 new roaters and 4 new brakes. Now, before you think I'm being fed skulduggery from my mechanic, please understand that my mechanic is a good friend and has never swindled us, nor would he. He's right and sadly so. That's a lot of money to dish out and I dread putting anything on the credit card. And hubby and I were doing so well, too! Money in the bank, money saved up....even our coin jars were looking so full.....Poof...gone! I know, I know, we shouldn't value earthly things and we can't take it with us, etc and so forth. But, it really is disappointing to be trying to get out of debt and not live hand to mouth and have it all just ripped away. I know, I know, I need to trust in the Lord, and I do, but human emotions are still there. It's hard to be all daisies and sunshine with news ...

This is exactly where I'd like to be now. In my bed! But, I have a busy day today and a head start on it, too, so I'm taking advantage of that. Sometimes, I like foggy mornings. I feel all wrapped up and cozy. I particularly like them in the autumn when the leaves are all changed and the air is cool. Still, nothing beats and beautiful, sunshiny morning. I wanted to share some unlikely cosmetics. My shin skin is rather sensative. It's prone to razor burn. Most lotions negatively react to that skin and cause burning and rashes. Shaving alone can cause issues, too. So, I've been desperate the soothe, soften and heal the skin on my shins and knee caps. I started a routine of unlikely cosmetics that's working great! After I shave (every other day), I wipe the shin and knee areas down with witch hazel. Witch hazel is an anti-inflammatory which helps keep redness and inflamation down. In my opinion, witch hazel is the best toner out there if you have inflamation-pr...

I thought of a keen little way to save a little extra money. Hubby and I have enough stashed away to pay our 6 month auto insurance premium straight out. If I do this, but keep to the monthly auto insurance budget but just stash that away for the next 6 month payment, I'll save just over $100.00 a year on fees and wise budgeting! Hmmm...wonder where else I can save money?

www.allposters.com Sweet Rest by Daeni Pino Today, I think I'll take it easy. I've been enjoying a go-go-go lifestyle lately of getting things done and organized. However, it's been harder and harder to get up in the morning and Bubby. It's a rainy day, so Bubby and I can't go outside. This'll be a perfect opportunity for me to relax and play with him. Still, there are chores to do, but I don't have much on my list. Mending is the major project for today and I did half of it yesterday! I also have to go through the finances, prepare for tomorrow's errand day and I'd like to tidy up the master bedroom now that it's empty of boxes of stuff I put out for the garage sale. As I've been reading God's Word, I'm coming to understand Him more and what His plans are and desire are for us. I'd love to blog about them, but I can't seem to get them into words. It's like this inner understanding that I can reckon, but can't ...

Just before bedtime yesterday I discovered my dog peed on hubby's side of the bed. Thankfully, it didn't get to the mattress, but everything else had to come off, including a brand new set of sheets. Thank God it's another beautiful day today so I can launder them and hang them out to dry. My solution is, I'm going to put up a baby gate. The dog and the baby seem to think they have free range in the master bedroom. Both often go in there to play and get into things they shouldn't. I'd shut the door, but I enjoy the light the pours into the bedroom and it's the only room in the house that has windows capable of holding an air conditioner. It's going to be nice to check off "pressure canner" on the list of things I'd like to get for the house. Dehumidifier is another one as well as a hutch or sideboard for the kitchen. I saw this neat organizational thing where you drill a hole in the back of a drawer in a desk or sideboard and wire a...

www.allposters.com Willem Haenraets Exercise has been something I've avoided most of my life. I was an active child, participated in gym class in school, played volleyball for a few years, and managed to stay thin most of my life, but regular exercise was something I just didn't always do. Now, I pretty much have to due to getting older and trying to keep my inner ear inflamation at bay so I don't end up in bed all day with a dizzy spell. Now that I've been exercising more regularly, I feel stronger. I look stronger. I'm more toned. My clothes fit better. I feel like I breathe better. I don't feel stiff and achy. I sleep better. I even feel like I digest food better. My skin looks younger. My eyes look brighter. I feel more focused and organized throughout the day. I feel better about myself. I feel like I can keep up with things and my son more. I feel like I can take on stressful situations more easily. Exercise is wonderful! And this is all with just an ac...

It's so nice to be able to take a shower in the morning with the sun streaming into the bathroom window and being able to watch the deer grazing in the field next door. Ahhhhhh.......

My garage sale was a success! Well....sort of. I made enough money to purchase a pressure canner from Walmart, but I still have a lot of junk left. I'm debating whether to have another sale at another location or just give it to a charity thrift shop. In a totally unrelated subject, do you ever read someone else's blog or a ministry website or even get a comment to something you've posted that challenges what you say or do? Do you feel a little guilty, confused or like you could be doing things better? Do you stress that perhaps you should work harder to do things differently? I admit that sometimes I do. Then I realize that unless I feel a leading from the Lord or a nudge from my husband, then I should just stop stressing. And if I do feel that leading or nudge, I shouldn't stress, I should just do it in faith.

I got my errands done in the morning and stopped by my parents' house to drop of garage sale stuff and let my son nap. He didn't nap very long and was ready to go. Last minute, I decided to take him to the local zoo. We had a blast!! We both loved the gray wolf and Bubby really enjoyed the pygmy goats. My other favorites were the bear cubs and the white fallow deer buck in full velvet. Bubby liked the giraffes, too, but it was definately the wolf and the goats that made him laugh and squeal. The wolf was something special. I have a soft spot in my heart for wolves. In fact, I looked into adopting a wolf hybrid at one point. Where I live, I'd have to put up a special kennel for them and get special insurance. I told hubby that if God decided to make me infertile, that I'd either adopt a wolf hybrid or open a rescue for bully breed dogs (pit bulls, AmStaffs, Staffies, Bull Terriers, Bull dogs, etc). Thankfully, I have my son, so my focus and love is on him and ...

I'm just going to list what's in my vegetable garden plot from the top down. Rhubarb Horseradish Oregano Thyme Rosemary Basil Peppermint Onions Some dill that's not doing so hot Peas Roma tomatoes Cherry tomato Turnips Spinach Sweet green peppers Parsnips Carrots Cucumbers Lettuce Corn Kidney beans Green beans Spaghetti Squash Zuchini or summer squash, I can't remember Some other squash that I've forgotten what I planted Oh, and weeds. I'm really good at growing those. I harvest them nearly every day!

I just love trying new recipes. I'm constantly recycling cookbooks in and out of my kitchen as well as tightly holding on to my favorite cookbooks. Among them are: Joy of Cooking Betty Crocker Better Homes and Gardens (the 1960's edition my mom has and that I started cooking with) Good Housekeeping Hannah Glasse (18th century) American Cookbook (I think it's from the 1950's) Fanny Farmer Those are the big ones. I have specialty ones as well ranging from Celtic Cuisine to Amish to 1940's wartime to Campbells. Tonight's dinner hailed from the Good Housekeeping cookbook. I pulled out some boneless lean pork from the freezer and really wanted to do something different with the pork. I knew I wanted brown rice with the pork, so I had to find something to go with rice. It was down to two recipes: The pork chops with olive cream sauce or the Sorrento Pork. I went with the Sorrento Pork because I had a funny feeling the cream sauce wouldn't come out as planne...

Booked for practically the rest of the month! Today: House cleaning, laundry, put up plums, work on organizing and cleaning the basement. Tuesday: Sewing day with my sister! Wednesday: Going through everything I can think of in prep for the garage sale. Thursday: Errands, make signs for garage sale, laundry, gardening Friday: Garage sale! Saturday: Garage sale! Sunday: Church, visit In-laws! Monday: Clean house, laundry Tuesday: Sewing day with sister! Wednesday: I'm going to attempt to make a window seat in the front porch. Thursday: Errands, gardening Friday: Laundry, sewing Saturday: Open for whatever hubby wants to do Sunday: Church! Monday: House cleaning, laundry Tuesday: Sewing day with sister! Wednesday: Re-organization and tidying Thursday: errands, gardening Friday: house cleaning, laundry, sewing Saturday: Re-enactment Sunday: Church or re-enactment Monday: Clean house, laundry, etc Tuesday: Work on mud porch

Weird....blogger won't let me put in titles to my posts. Anyhow, I just wanted to share this picture of my son. :)

Schedules don't work in the home. They work at work and in schools, but at home, they fly right out the window. As soon as things are running on schedule, a holiday happens, or an unexpected errands the unexpectedly takes three times as long as expect happens, or hubby unexpectedly shows up early from work, or your child unexpectedly gets the stomach bug, or an unexpected repair has to happen, etc. It goes on and on. For me, it's been nearly a month of one thing after another. Some expected, some not at all. Now that medical stuff is over with, the holiday is passed and I'm not heading for a re-enactment for a while, I look forward to getting my groove back....that is settling into a more predictable routine. I've found the semi-flexible routines work. Schedules don't. The first thing I do to make sure I'm back in my groove is start my day right. I wake up ON TIME and get my time with the Lord in and exercise done. These two things really set the table...

Today's Daily Bread reading was about Mary and Martha. It started out with an example of a political leader in Kentucky who stopped mowing his lawn and put out a sign that says, "There's more important things to do than mow the lawn." As I browse through vintage posters on allposters.com, I saw one that says something along the lines of a clean house equals a boring person. I also hear busy homeschooling moms and career moms alike saying that they have more important things to do than clean the house or get organized. On the other hand, I know of women who scour the internet for organizational and housekeeping tips. Others have spotless houses and are quite proud of that accomplishment. Yet others are absorbed in the rather futile effort to get their over-cluttered homes and lives organized. In a society that is breaking down the traditional family structure, there is a lot of emphasis on spending time with the family. Mary, Martha....which way do we go? I have an...

I harvested four turnips and a bunch of spinach from my garden today. Oh, and some black raspberries! I also have some tiny green peppers growing and plenty of green tomatoes. Today is a family picnic for the Fourth of July. I've been asked to make a green salad, but I cheated and bought greens from the store. I just don't think I have enough of my own for a large salad. However, I did make my own dressing out of olive oil, vinegar, fresh-squeezed lemon juice and herbs from my garden (chives, oregano, basil and thyme). I'm considering starting a small series on a quick and easy herb garden. I have the titles already imagined up. It's kinda corny, but cute. Anyhow, in my effort to be quite healthy and strong, I've decided not to sit on my tush during the picnic. I'll get involved in lawn games and chase my son around, instead. Hubby's going to be late. He's out doing hay for the farm next door. Rain is coming. Candy at www.myblessedhome.blogspo...

I have high hopes for July. There's just so much I want to do! There are so many chores to take care of and projects to do. First of all, I'm preparing for my garage sale next weekend. I'm doing it in conjuction with my father selling off his business, so hopefully we'll both do well. The harvest is usually thought of the occur in the autumn, but there's harvest going on now. I'll be putting up peaches, plums and berries in the next few days. Also, I'm thinking of pulling up my spinach and freezing it and planting a second batch. I am determined to finish the dining room walls...soon. Plus, I have TONS of sewing to do and yet another idea for an at-home business! There is one re-enactment that hubby and I are planning on attending this month. It's at the end of the month and literally down the road from us. Hubby told me that he'll stay the night, but he just wants our son and I to day-trip. I'm considering making a few things to sell the...