Vim and Vigor

 

This post is dedicated to Mercy Jo 2/15/11-2/22/11...and her loving family

Dear Mercy,

Already we have seen just a touch of what your life has done in our family.  We have all been drawn closer to Christ in prayer, almost every thought these days is drawing us ever closer to our creator through the miracle of you.  We have had wonderful God-centered conversations and teaching with our children because of you, Mercy.  We have bonded ever closer as a family, desired heaven even more than before, and have had a focus put more on the things that are eternal.  What a gift you have given us in these things, Mercy.  Just think how the gift of your life has splashed into, and caused a ripple effect in many, many lives.  I am so glad God made you Mercy, and that He is using you so mightily.  These tears I cry are of joy for all you are doing in this family, and for yours as well.  Thank God for you.

 Won't you join us for a wintry walk on our rural Indiana acreage?

 

We're in for a blizzard tonight!  Stay cozy wherever you are!

Joy

Be back soon......!!!

We are heading into the hospital tonight to begin an induction!  I am feeling a bit like my little Miss K did in the picture above.....anxious, yet finding the strength by looking up to the Lord. (Of course, very excited as well.) I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.  Will be back in this space soon....until then, may God bless you and your families!

Love,

Joy

Ideas for a handmade Christmas

 

{Last year's Christmas card photo is above}

 

I've been trying to compile a list of simple yet meaningful gifts to give to those we love.  With a baby on the way, I'm not sure how realistic this is...but I'm gonna try.  I enjoy the time sewing and making.  It's a great time to think about that person, pray for them, and wonder how they might enjoy this gift. Even simple homemade gifts mean so much more than anything from the store. Here are some of my ideas so far.....

• For the ladies in the family such as my mom, grandma, sister-in-law's, and mother-in-law: These lovely cloth napkins made with whatever color border I choose for each lady.
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• Also for the ladies, I will be taking some of my drawings or photographs, and taking them to the printers to have them made into postcards or notecards for them.
• For my hubby:
• I'll be taking a couple of old black and white hunting/fishing/outdoor photos of relatives in our family and framing them with old barn siding or something similar.  We love a "cabiny" type them in our living room, and that would go very well.
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• For a couple of nieces and my son:
• In Amy Karol's book here, there are some easy directions on how to get pictures onto t-shirts...I think the kiddos would love some of our cats that they so adore.
• For anyone on the list:
• Lovely bookmarks for all made from linen and using pictures my son and daughter have drawn on the fabric, then embroidered by me--directions here.

    A couple of my favorite resources to purchase from when homemde isn't an option:

• The Magic Cabin
• Chinaberry
• Vision Forum

 

More ideas to come soon.....

Joy

{This post is a part of Works for me Wednesday at We are that family.}

 

Feeling a bit like I need a little time away today.....will be back in this space tomorrow.....until then, please head to the giveaways section and enter to win some homeopathic remedies for colds and flu....I'll have 2 winners!

Have a lovely day friends!

Joy

Inspiration

***I am reposting this along with the recipe this time...due to the fact it is now unavailable elsewhere***

***this post is part of Pennywise Platter Thursdays here , come join us!***

My kitchen is the place my feet step the very most in my home.  I'm in there first thing in the morning....making nourishing breakfasts for my kiddos......and many times my kitchen light does not go out until late at night for I am either making food for my family or sewing into the wee hours of the night =)Our kitchen is where not only do I nourish my soul in ways, but I can nourish my families as well.  It feels so good knowing the food I'm putting into them is helping them to have the energy, health, and vibrancy I long for them to have! Family prayers and dinner together nightly at the table, hanging out and cooking together while talking and talking and talking, as well as the  general chaos of my two littlest running circles around the island.   All of these feed my family not only physically, but spiritually and mentally as well.  I was blessed to grow up in a home where the family gathered around the table around 5 and a blessing was said before the meal.  That is one tradition I am not willing to let die!  No matter how crazy it can be here at times.

Speaking of crazy......I brought 7 kiddos to the beach today....one friend has some allergy issues with soy, wheat and almonds.  What do you bring for a healthy food to feed a gang?  These cookies to the rescue!  Chocolate chippie, hippie spelt cookies.

These cookies are sooooooo good.  They are quickly devoured by everyone in the family.  And get this?  They are so very, very good for you.  Full  of pumpkin seeds, flax seed, flax seed meal, almond meal, hemp seed, all sorts of goodies thrown in.  We have them for breakfast on many occasions...and you can eat quite a few without the guilt!  And they taste just as good as there regular counterparts...they are just much, much better for you. The recipe was inspired by a Ms. Crunchy who, has now shut down her blog to spend more time with family....so I will offer it to you here.....

            Chocolate chippie, hippie spelt cookies--

• 1-1/4 cups (freshly ground if possible) spelt flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 Tbsp. each of pumpkin seeds, walnut pieces, flax meal, shredded unsweetened coconut, flax seeds, almond meal, sesame seeds, and hemp seeds
•     (The above Tbsp.'s of different nuts and seeds and such are all optional.  I tend to use what I have on hand, and not worry about the rest.  If you leave it all out, it would be more like a regular ch.chip cookie, but when you add them in you add in lots of superfoods and wonderful nutrients!)
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil or homemade applesauce
• 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1-2 tsp. (I use one) unsulphured blackstrap molasses
• 1/3 cup maple syrup or date syrup
• sprinkle a bit of cinnamon, nutmeg and/or ginger if like (we enjoy cinnamon and nutmeg)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees--Oil baking sheet--Mix dry ingredients in bowl

In separate bowl mix all the wet ingredients, and mix the oil in last.  Mix dry and wet ingredients together.

Place in large tablespoons on baking sheet (greased), and flatten a little.

Bake for 11 minutes or until golden....cool on sheet 1-2 minutes..then place on cooling rack.

 

One of my young daughters was inspired by a book I recently purchased and LOVE called Weekend Sewing, and made this adorable bag from their pattern.  She learned to sew before I did, and can whip things out in no time!  I hope to be like her when I grow up.......The last picture is of the pockets on the inside.  It is a large bag great for the sleepover she's heading to tonight!  Or it might be good for mama to take to the farmer's market in the a.m.....hint, hint?

Hope you enjoy the recipe,

Joy