IDEALS

I love pretty things. And pretty magazines. I used to order from Reiman Publications, but now that they have started putting ads in their magazines, they are history here. They used to be ad-free, but not anymore. No one seems to get away from that evil thing called money.

Anyway, I was at the library the other day and saw that they had Ideals magazines for sale for 10 cents. I figured I'd take a few.

I liked them so much I told hubby if he went by the library to pick me up the rest they had. So he brought me a stack!


They have recipes.
They have beautiful photos, poems, and articles,

and paintings of by-gone days.


There are no ads.

There lots of great articles to read, and pictures to enjoy looking at or to use for cards or crafts. If there comes a time when I need something to do this winter, I know where to look! Not that I expct a time like that for a long time, but maybe I will need a change from this busy life now and then, and then I'll do it for fun.

I figured these magazines sure are worth 10 cents to me! If you like them, check with your library, they just might have some for you!

Basket

One very blizzardy day recently when we were all snug at home with nowhere to go, I took some time to put this basket together. I am an avid recycler, and throwing even a milk carton out can bother me, so I try to come up with ideas how to use them. I had the basket idea from before, and I had some burlap lying around that needed to be put to a good use.

Sometimes when I want to use an item for craft that I have at hand, I just need to stare at it a good while and then I might get ideas for how to use it. That's what happened in this case. Once I figured that I could make that little basket and cover it with burlap, I didn't waste any time and got at it. It does not take very long to assemble. All you need is a scissors, stapler and a glue gun, the carton and the burlap. I doubled the burlap so it would not be see-through. I used two pieces, one for the handle and one for the basket.

I am sure one could come up with many different ways of decorating and painting these neat little baskets, and I am always open to your ideas. Don't hesitate to tell me if you have a good one!

A Great Day

Doesn't this just remind you of spring? This is what I picked from my garden one week ago. These green onions grew from my discarded onions and the lettuce grew by itself from seed shed by the first lettuce I had planted. I brag to people that here in Iowa, the garden will plant itself!

Today it's a blizzard out there. We have had the nicest November ever, but by almost mid December I am ready for winter. So, let it snow! We are all nice and snug inside our home, enjoying the woodstove fire and the fact that we are safe and sound and warm. Hubby did not go to work today; work was cancelled. I got all my dishes washed and the floors swept, with some help. I even had time for a little craft, which will be up soon! And I got three windows wind-proofed. And when little Tim slept, we all enjoyed a good game of Settlers. Of course I won:) Yes, it was a gorgeous day. Now its time to relax and enjoy the evening with a good book.

My Grandmother's Apron

I have so many wonderful memories of my dear old Grandmother. I am happy to say that she is still alive, and I enjoy sending her a letter now and then. I have worked alongside my Grandmother for many hours back before I got married and when we were neighbors. I have learned many an important thing about housekeeping and cooking from her. There is so much I could say about her, but I will leave that for another time. O, I feel priveledged to have such a wonderful Grandmother. The one thing that will come to mind when I think of her, is her aprons. In fact, if you have ever wondered where the idea of the black checkered apron comes from that I am wearing in the blog title photo, well, it comes from her. She had a few of those that were worn and stained. When I saw the exact same kind of fabric at Walmart, I just had to buy it and make myself an apron. I don my apron with pride when I work in my own kitchen now, especially when I make her chicken noodle soup. Maybe I can make our home feel just a little like Grandma's if I wear an apron like she does. We are now thousands of miles apart, but when I wear my apron, I feel just a little closer to her, because chances are, she is wearing hers too...

I found this poem about Grandmother's apron, and it explains her so very well. Instead of carrying apples, she would carry mangoes or oranges.

GRANDMOTHER'S APRON

Author: UNKNOWN

THE PRINCIPAL USE OF GRANDMA'S APRON WAS TO PROTECT THE DRESS
UNDERNEATH, BUT ALONG WITH THAT, IT SERVED AS A POTHOLDER FOR
REMOVING HOT PANS FROM THE OVEN.

IT WAS WONDERFUL FOR DRYING CHILDREN'S TEARS, AND ON OCCASION
WAS EVEN USED FOR CLEANING OUT DIRTY EARS.

FROM THE CHICKEN COOP, THE APRON WAS USED FOR CARRYING EGGS,
FUSSY CHICKS, AND SOMETIMES HALF-HATCHED EGGS TO BE FINISHED
IN THE WARMING OVEN.

WHEN COMPANY CAME, THOSE APRONS WERE IDEAL HIDING PLACES FOR
SHY KIDS.

AND WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD, GRANDMA WRAPPED IT AROUND HER
ARMS.

THOSE BIG OLD APRONS WIPED MANY A PERSPIRING BROW, BENT OVER
THE HOT WOOD-STOVE.

CHIPS AND KINDLING WOOD WERE BROUGHT INTO THE KITCHEN IN THAT
APRON.

FROM THE GARDEN, IT CARRIED ALL SORTS OF VEGETABLES. AFTER THE
PEAS HAD BEEN SHELLED, IT CARRIED OUT THE HULLS.

IN THE FALL, THE APRON WAS USED TO BRING IN APPLES THAT HAD
FALLEN FROM THE TREES.

WHEN UNEXPECTED COMPANY DROVE UP THE ROAD, IT WAS SURPRISING
HOW MUCH FURNITURE THAT OLD APRON COULD DUST IN A MATTER OF
SECONDS.

WHEN DINNER WAS READY, GRANDMA WALKED OUT ONTO THE PORCH,
WAVED HER APRON, AND THE MEN KNEW IT WAS TIE TO COME IN FROM
THE FIELDS TO DINNER.

IT WILL BE A LONG TIME BEFORE SOMEONE INVENTS SOMETHING THAT
WILL REPLACE THAT 'OLD-TIME APRON' THAT SERVED SO MANY WORTH-
WHILE PURPOSES.

Sunday Project

On Sundays I like to spend special time with Jessica, doing a craft, having tea or doing something else interesting. During the week those things just don't happen, so I've made up my mind that on Sundays I will always try to make that time for her. This is what we did today.

It was a nut box that came from Walmart. We pasted black paper all around, then glued a wide ribbon around the center. Put some glue on the edges of the ribbon for glitter, and tied a ribbon and bow around the big ribbon. Made a small bow for the top lid, and pasted a button in the middle of it. (I was inspired for this and some other ideas by this lady's blog. )

What do you think?

The other day I was at a thrift store, and saw this most beautiful ornament in the antique section. A lovely wash basin with matching pitcher, with forget-me-not flowers on it. I had always wanted one, but never come across a good one that I could afford. This one was priced for $38.00. Whew! A lot of money, and I wasn't going to pay that much! But, they had this sale several days later, and I made it happen that I went into the city for some business that day, so I dropped by the store and went right for it; sure enough, there it was. I didn't hesitate. I picked it up and carefully carried it like a real treasure.

So, what do you think? Would you pay $19 for something like this, or would only I do such a thing?

Piano Girl

Here is my little girl, after three piano classes. (Actually that was 4; what was I thinking...)I think she is doing awesome!

I love the way Joseph is listening in. Timothy, no, he's not happy, but that is because of teething; -again.

Yep, that explains all three children's characters very well...

The Family Dinner Table

Perfect Dinner Table

A table cloth that's slightly soiled

Where greasy little hands have toiled;
The napkins kept in silver rings,
And only ordinary things
From which to eat, a simple fare,
And just the wife and kiddies there,
And while I serve, the clatter glad
Of little girl and little lad
Who have so very much to say
About the happenings of the day.

Four big round eyes that dance with glee,
Forever flashing joys at me,
Two little tongues that race and run
To tell of troubles and of fun;
The mother with a patient smile
Who knows that she must wait awhile
Before she'll get a chance to say
What she's discovered through the day.
She steps aside for girl and lad
Who have so much to tell their dad.

Our manners may not be the best;
Perhaps our elbows often rest
Upon the table, and at times
That very worst of dinner crimes,
That very shameful act and rude
Of speaking ere you've downed your food,
Too frequently, I fear, is done,
So fast the little voices run.
Yet why should table manners stay
Those tongues that have so much to say?

At many a table I have been
Where wealth and luxury were seen,
And I have dined in halls of pride
Where all the guests were dignified;
But when it comes to pleasure rare
The perfect dinner table's where
No stranger's face is ever known:
The dinner hour we spend alone,
When little girl and little lad
Run riot telling things to dad.

Edgar Albert Guest

What the garden brought in...

I didn't post too many gardening articles this summer, so I thought I should wrap it all up here. In midsummer when the sun is sweltering and the weeds are awful, one wonders why do we have such a huge garden!? But, once all is brought in and preserved for the winter, it is time to sit back and feel good, right?

We had plenty of sweet corn, and still have some frozen. the ears were not too big, so next year we need to focus more on fertilizing them better.

I was able to can lots of tomato juice and some soup, but did not have quite enough to make ketchup and salsa this year.

In Iowa the season is hardly long enough for peppers, but if I have enough plants I can still harvest plenty.

Sweet potatoes! I never raised them before, but tried it this year, and was very pleased when I was able to dig up several pounds of these. That's more than I've ever bought in a whole year, so that is great! Now, I can make as much sweet potato casserole as I want to. HMMM YUMMMM.

Carrots, carrots and carrots! Not very sweet around here, but the juice is drinkable. We also like them cooked and in soups.


This is what will keep us healthy this winter. This looks like a crazy amount of onions, but we had to throw some out because they got rotten and I could'nt keep up with cutting and freezing fast enough. We might still have enough to see us through the year.

One thing I didn't take photos of is pototoes. We got boxes full of those stacked away already, and as slowly as we're eating them, they will surely last all year.

And then there were the bunches of sunberries; I have some bags of those in the freezer for pies. We have also enjoyed fried okra several times this year, which was a real treat.

"Moreover, that every man should eat and drink and taste enjoyment in all his labor; it is the gift of God." Eccelesiastes 3:13

Goodbye, Dixie

Today we gave up our baby horse and her partner, Trixie. I know, its not long ago when we got Trixie, and we would have loved to keep Dixie, but there comes a time in life when you have to weigh between what you need to do and what you would love to do, and sometimes you just have to do the sensible thing. for us it meant giving up our horses.

One last treat of apple for our girl. we had decided to sell the horses at an auction, until we found out most horses are shipped out of country for slaughter. We couldn't bear to see our beautiful Tennessee Walker being slaughtered and fed to the dogs, so we were glad when we found someone that wanted to take her in and care for her.

We will never regret that we had horses, and when Dixie's mama Rose was still with us, we had lots of fun riding her. Our children have learned a lot about horses and farm life because we had horses.

We are gonna miss not having her, but it's for the best. There's not much use having two horses that need to be trained, but nobody has the time to train, and having horses costs money and time, both of which we don't have plenty extra nowadays. We can always get another horse later on.

I see relief written all over his face. Now, its time to hang up that hat, and get back to the engineering life!

The bad and the good

Today did not go as hoped. I needed some winter clothes for the children; it's stunning how I can't keep them supplied.... Anyway, so I went first and bought my groceries. After I had shopped and loaded them, I realized I had not bought the flax, so back in I went while I left the kiddos on the car, after strict instructions to stay buckled up and not to unlock or open doors for ANYONE. I don't usually do that, leaving them like that, but sometimes you just do what you have to do. In a small country store, I think it's quite safe, but still, you never know.

Well, after that I went to kidworks for clothes, and when I got there I found out they did not have any carts to put my baby in. Duh. How do they expect me to shop in peace if I have to carry around a 24 lb baby?!!! They would not even let me borrow their strollers. That is all right, because they want to sell them, but I don't know how they expect to sell baby clothes when moms can't even put their babies down anywhere safe. As I went out (after buying just one sleeper) they said they hope I come again. I just grunted. I don't feel like going back anytime soon. And then the prices were through the roof! 35, 45 for a jacket? For crying out loud, I better head to Walmart.

I ended up going to Salvation army, but no clothes there worth looking at. I did find a treasure, which is the good thing. Keep reading, and you'll see...

Well, so we were hungry after that and I bought something at Taco Bell. I decided to quickly go see what Goodwill might have after we were done eating, but then my baby fell asleep... I could not be so mean as to wake him up and make him go through another shopping session, so I decided to just head on home.

Anyway, here is my treasure. The two cutest, smallest oil lamps I have ever seen. Since I collect oil lamps, this was a real keeper. So, my day was somewhat unsuccessful, but at least I have two more oil lamps! That is always a good thing, right?

Here is one that is burning beside one my big lamps. It works perfectly.

It actually fits in my hand. I have never seen such a cute lil lamp, have you???

Welcome Fall!

Let's see what's new... hubby's parents were here for the weekend and his sister and brother-in-law, so we had some fun then! Now it is fall. Full blown. Apples are falling, cold wind blowing, fire crackling in the wood stove, and it's time to eat those pumpkins and squash. I made some soup from butternut squash which my neighbors gave me recently. It was absolutely delicious. And the other day I bought a big pumpkin from Walmart. Here comes pie, and pumpkin soup, and maybe some bread. Applesauce making has started.

Fall, it has become one of my most favorite seasons; after summer, of course...

My little Pea

Little, yet not so little anymore. He turned one! Sorry, I have no cake to prove it... :( But I DID take photos on his birthday!

I was fortunate to catch him in a great mood.

I wish I could say he's always in such a good mood, but no, not when he's working on 3 or 4 molars!

"But look Mommy, I got up here by myself! (I know I'm not wearing any pants, but Mommy didn't know I was going to climb this 5 gallon bucket with bare legs...)" Hey, I'll bet it worked better without pants anyway! Yeah, otherwise he probably couldn't have done it. Now there's one reason to go pantless.

...my little pea...

Two Peas in a Pod

My oldest two are so friends with each other. I have been thankful for that over and over. Whatever they do together, they do well.


When I started homeschooling Jessica, I soon realized one positive aspect about it that I had never thought about before. I would feel sorry for my big little boy if his sister was in school all day long and he couldn't play with her like he does every day. He will often sit patiently beside her and watch her do her homework or do some coloring beside her, and once she is done, they will run and play again.
Washing dishes can become a very interesting chore. Although I often have to intervene, I have to smile often at the ideas that can be born when two little people stand at the kitchen sink for 30 minutes every day! This includes a lot of science experiments!

He is all up in arms about protecting his sister already. They posed this way and then asked me to take a photo, and I couldn't resist.

Field Trip to the Museum

The homeschoolers made a field trip to a Pioneer Museum. We all had a grand time.

Many of the girls decided to dress up Pioneer style, so I decided to join in on the fun. I never had the chance to dress up Pioneer style when I was little, but I still have a little girl in me, and my daughter loves it when I play dress up with her!

Last week after learning that we were making a field trip and other children where dressing up for it, I scrambled to get a pioneer dress made for Jessica. It was well worth the effort. She likes Laura Ingalls so much, and now she will be able to play Laura when she wants to!

Patiently waiting for the train.

I am sure the kitchens all look very similar in museums, but I never get tired of looking at them and imagining what it would be like to be working in them.

What I found of special interest was this cradle made out of a barrel.

I thought these two looked so cute and alike in their blue dresses and braids.

This is Grandma's glasses, this is Grandma's hat.... :)

"I gotta see what's in here!"

Giggly little girls.

After the museum trip we went to the park in town and had our lunch there and the children had a chance to play.
It's great to be a homeschooler!