The Joys Of Family and Hearth

So the Mr. has been working extra side jobs for the past few months. And while we are Thankful to God for the extra income, we have been super busy with it all. So for the Mister's birthday we decided to spend a day away.   So last Friday, we had planned  on getting everything all ready and packed when we had an extended family emergency.  The Mr. had landed another side job that he was sure he would have done Friday night, but as circumstance would have it. It wasn't done until mid Saturday morning.  I'd say around 11am Saturday morning we finally were headed out to our favorite place to be. Lancaster County.  We arrived to the our camper, made sure the heat was working and did a quick set up. We can only stay one night b/c we have no access to water right now at the campground.  But that's OK, we only needed one night/day to spend as a family and get some good quality time in. :) We went for dinner, did a Wal-Mart run and the back to campe...

Fourteen years ago today... On a Superbowl Sunday..we welcomed our second child, and first born son Matthew James in to this world. Matt had a bit of a rough start in life. He was extremely jaundice and needed to be kept under the bililights for a week straight! After that he struggled with a herniated belly button and severe colic. There were many of nights where we just drove his little butt all around town! The car was the ONLY thing that soothed him. :) Today...... He is a handsome, hard working, always on the go, MacGyver, fix everything, type of kid. He's extremely hands-on, and can pretty much fix, take apart and put back together anything he gets his hands on!! (That comes from Big Daddy) Super funny, and fun-loving. Not spontaneous at all!! Yet super creative! He is the love of his little sisters life. She adores him, and when she was born he "claimed" her as "his".  They have a beautiful brother/sister relationship! Even tho.. Matt can be gru...

I've been pondering this topic for a few weeks now.  My dryer has been out of commission for about a month now. On a typical day I do 4 load of wash! So you can imagine the pile up. :) Lucky for me we've been having a pretty mild winter. More nice days then not nice days.  So the clothes line has been in good use. Hanging laundry for me when I'm alone is so peaceful. I thank God for the clothes, I thank God for the children who are wearing them. Sometimes I get helpers or just little ones who wanna chat with me while I hang. :) Since the Mr. and I are pretty frugal, and he has purchased a few replacement parts already. But we haven't solved the issue. The Mr. wants it done as in yesterday... I am enjoying not having the dryer. I love to hang stuff on the line, and when it's yukky out, I've been using indoor drying racks. Purchased at Wal-Mart but Made in the USA!!!!!  I would love, love, love, one of these....http://www.homesteaddryingracks.com/  but haven...

So, the other day was a typical winter day here! Finally!!! We've been having such a mild winter this far. It was nice to have some snow, unfortunately it turned to sleet/rain. However, it was a stay at home, craft, be lazy, be together type of day. So Big Daddy and I headed out to the grocery store from something to stick in the crock pot! and then the rest of day was ours. Ashley and I worked on this Victorian Kissing Ball for HOURS!!!!!!  We finished right before supper and below is our dinner.. brisket, cabbage, potatoes, carrots and onions. The Little kids spent the day working on crafts, reading and watching movies. : Blessings~~

Cold rainy winter days sleeping kitty's in window sills a full day of school completed warm soup for lunch a daughters laughter while her friend visits hot tea reading out loud to the younger three Little House in the Big Woods Snuggling with Bella, under flannel sheets for a nap Pride & Prejudice munching on homemade granola blow drying little girls hair after their afternoon bath talking with a friend on the phone Mr. Darcy all snuggled on his bed a napping son, in the warmth of the living room. hugs from my son, who is bigger then me. knowing whats for dinner. a phone call from my hubby candle light Quiet Prayers The love of my God 

It's late, and we just got home from a friends house. Today we had the honor, of being at the home of a friend and her family to welcome their newest little blessing from the Lord into the world. We, meaning my oldest daughter and I have a passion for loving on pregnant woman. For me, I have always enjoyed each and everyone of my pregnancies..and being pampered during that time. Therefore, I began to love to do the pampering.  Being pregnant is a lot of work, your tired during 2 out of the three trimesters, you might be at some point during the pregnancy... etc. etc. But let's face it.. Most of us enjoy being pampered just a little bit and pregnancy is the perfect opportunity. Pampering still happens for the preggos. I am what you call and unofficial doula.. I'm not certified.. but LOVE and have a passion to help women in labor. I think it's my call to simplicity, that I tend to compare things from now to historical times. My mind naturally wanders to the 17t...

I love soups!! All kinds of soup!! And every Monday is soup night in our home.. Tonight was the above... so delicious!!! saute onion in bottom of cast iron stock pot! :) Add several cloves or less of garlic 4 cans white beans 8 C chicken broth and simmer till nice and hot. Remove half the soup and puree.. Put back into pot.. Add, maybe 1/2 of Cream or Half in Half. Pepper, Basil etc. And some fresh Parmigiana Cheese... Delicious!!! From My Bella Cucina to Yours!! ~~Enjoy~~