Month: February 2012

To Exercise

prayingmother

Mommy and G'tums Walking

I came across this statement that has been convicting me that I need to be outside quite a bit more: “The mother should ever retain her dignity. It is for her own interest, and that of her family, to save herself all unnecessary taxation, and to use every means at her command to preserve life, health, and the energies which God has given her; for she will need the vigor of all her faculties for her great work. A portion of her time should be spent out-of-doors, in physical exercise, that she may be invigorated to do her work in-doors with cheerfulness and thoroughness, being the light and blessing of the home.” Ellen White, The Health Reformer,  June 1, 1877

It seems that I never have enough time to get my work done, let alone exercise. But I sure do feel better once I’ve actually taken the time to get outside and get moving.

Here are a couple of pictures of my girls from one of our recent walks. I just think they’re a mighty pretty girls.

Zippy Walking Baby in Stroller

Anxious for Garden Produce

prayingmother

We’ve been shopping through the gardening catalogues for a few weeks. We even received a package a couple of days ago that just rattled like a baby rattle–it was full of seeds.

Actually we have a few greens in our garden that survived the winter, sort of, but I just can’t wait for juicy tomatoes. Not that we’ve been very successful at growing delicious tomatoes, but we keep trying and I keep hoping.

I happened across these pictures on my husband’s computer that he took of our garden last year and it made me all the more anxious to start eating garden food. I guess gardening is to help us learn patience!

garden 1

garden 2

garden 3

pepper

For now, we are planning on planting in pots and trying to set up a grow light. We’ll see how it goes.

Happy Valentines!

prayingmother

I just love these kinds of things. They make my day!

Valentine from JD Boy (9) & G'tums (5)

I don’t know if you can see the mommy and daddy kissing in the above card. That’s my favorite part.

Valentine from Zippy (age 11)

I’m always impressed with my daughter’s creativity and artistic eye.

It’s just so special when your children do special things like that!

What To Do When You Don’t Have Power

prayingmother

We recently spent four full days without power, plus had another half day without power earlier the same week. No power is a problem. I have to admit it’s not as much of a problem for us as it is for some others, because we have a generator, but nonetheless, much of life is put on hold until the power comes back on. For example, we had no internet that whole time. I kind of thought that it was a nice break! But at the same time, I was in the midst of communicating with various people about something or other, and then all of the sudden we were without internet.

Anyway, we found (along with half of the rest of the town, who was also without power) a great place of entertainment–the library. They had power. They had internet. And, of course, they had books. We just browsed through the books and sat there and looked at picture books and read stories to each other. It was really fun!

Okay, I think both of these pictures are priceless, even if they were taken with my phone and not in the best of focus.

With Daddy at the Library

Baby at the Library

Knit and Crochet

prayingmother

Knitting with Bamboo Needles

My oldest wanted to learn how to knit and crochet. I am not at a pro at either, and I hadn’t done knitting since she was a baby (around ten years ago) and I hadn’t done crocheting since I was a child (won’t say how many years ago.)

We started with crochet, I guess because that one had been the longest. I couldn’t remember how to even single crochet. I could still do a chain! We found the best tutor, you could imagine–YouTube.

So here are some of our most recent projects that we have completed. We had lots of fun and we are working on more projects now too.

These are my first two crochet projects. One single crochet washcloth and then a Granny Square Washcloth.

Crocheted Washclothes (by me)

These are from a washcloth crochet pattern that I just love. It is a free one from Raverly.

Crocheted Washclothes (by me)

These next ones are actually some washcloths that I learned how to knit on, (around twelve years ago), but they had never had the loose ends tied off. So I got that done and gave them away for Christmas presents.

Knitted washclothes (by Me)

This is a free knit pattern and a free crochet pattern that were given to me by one of the ladies from the Adventist Home Educator. See, I learn about all kinds of things from my fellow homeschooling friends.

Knit and Crochet Washclothes

As you can tell, I decided to get my knitting needles and crochet hooks warmed up by doing some washcloths. I now am working on some scarves, actually I’m working on my ninth scarf since Christmas. I hope to take pictures of some of those soon to share.

My kids also are learning how to knit and crochet. Zippy successfully knitted two matching scarves in garter stitch, one for herself and one for her cousin for Christmas. Here she is working on one of them.

Zippy knitting her first project -- a scarf

John Deere Boy has been working more on crocheting, although he is working on knitting too, so we’ll have one of those to showcase soon too. Here is his first crochet project, a washcloth, that I am now proudly using in my kitchen.

JD Boy's First Crocheted Clothes

I am so thankful that my daughter got me inspired to start knitting and crocheting. I’ve been spending many happy evenings, when I’m too tired to think, knitting away on the couch, while we either watch nature videos or my husband reads mission stories to us. I have found it to be a great destresser. I hope she learns to enjoy knitting and/or crocheting too, but she has definitely done a big favor to me.

I also think some focus on handicrafts has been a great addition to our homeschool. We have made lots of crafts over time, but more the kid’s craft type projects that eventually you have to take pictures of then throw away, because they will overrun your house. Knitting and crocheting, however, are some hobbies that my kids, if they so choose, can enjoy for the rest of their lives. I don’t know if my son will choose to do that or not, but he’s having fun at it now.