Kids' First Stitches Display Project

This year's Christmas was a crafty Christmas at our house.  Each of the older kids (5 to 11) asked for different items for crafting.  Lynzie, 11, received some supplies for ribbon embroidery, a book on how to make stuffed animals from the Peter Rabbit series, and a bunch of yarn and Aida cloth for various projects. 

Cainan, 7, really wanted to learn to cross stitch so he got a starter box of needed things for that. Elisha, 8, has been begging me to teach him to sew, so he got a box of sewing supplies and a promise to raid my box of scraps.  I wanted to teach Selah, 5, to stitch a straight line, so we got her a small sewing kit as well.

Here is Selah working on her first stitching project!  I drew lines on a piece of cloth and she stitched along each one of them.  After that, I wrote her name and she stitched over that too!  She has really enjoyed practicing on her little pieces of cloth---the other day she taught herself to sew on a button!

I used the same idea with Elisha.  He stitches like a pro now!

After Elisha finished his first little sampler, he was ready to move on to making a pillow!  This has been a dream of his for most of this last year!  I'll post pictures when he gets all done with it.

My husband, Jamie, bought me this pretty scrapbooking paper for Christmas---it's Victorian themed.  I made this display to show off the kids' hard work and stitched the words, "First Stitches" along the bottom.  You can click on the picture to see it more closely.  I plan on using this paper in several projects this winter and spring, as I transition our home out of Christmas decorations!

Linking with:  

Show Off Your Cottage Monday @ The House in the Roses

Peaceful Changes

A few days ago, I blogged about my New Year's Resolutions.  I told you how my main goal this year is to not do things that I don't want to do.  Of course, we all know that this is an impossible task, but let me clarify:

I, like most well-meaning women, have a tendency to take on way too much more than I can handle.  In my effort to do all the things I think God wants me to do, I end up doing a lot of things that he doesn't want me to do and I put off the things that he really does want me to do.  (Does this remind anyone of a Bible passage?  Romans 7:15, perhaps?)

This year, I'm resolving to stick to the plan:  God's plan.

God has created me to be a wife and a mother.  He has called me to homemaking and homeschooling.  He is encouraging me to prepare healthy meals for my family, to keep my home clean and beautiful, and to use the knowledge, creativity, and talents that he has given me to bless my husband and children.

God usually uses the Godly people in our lives to help encourage us in our walk with Him.  I have been blessed to find Godly counsel right here in my own home.  First and foremost, my husband is more than happy to help me find direction and steer me clear of things that would distract me from God's priorities for me.  Just yesterday he helped me out of an overwhelming task that I had taken on without first consulting neither the Lord nor him.

Secondly, God has led me to some very inspiring bloggers who have been springboards for positive changes.  You will see some of them listed on my sidebar under "Blogs That Inspire Me to Greatness".

Mrs. Jennie Chancey of Sense and Sensibility Patterns gave me the idea to honor my marriage by using my married "title", Mrs. Sarah Coller.  Another thing I did to honor my husband's name was to buy napkins monogrammed with a letter C at Christmas time.

This morning, I read a post by Darlene of Time-Warp Wife on boosting self-discipline.  One really great tip that I implemented today with great success, was to put a notepad and pen in my apron pocket for writing down notes throughout the day.  It really helped me not to stress out this morning as I came across things I keep forgetting to do---I just wrote them down and put them out of my mind!  My husband said this would serve to help me not get distracted as well.  I can continue with the task I'm on and just make a note to do the "distraction" later.

A third blog is my most favorite blog of all, The Legacy of Home.  I value that blog so much that I've made it my homepage!  Just about every morning, I wake up to Mrs. White's encouraging wisdom regarding running the kind of home that I desire and being the wife and mother that I want to be.  I've taken a couple of her ideas for making my kitchen a place that I desire to work in.  I recently rearranged my counters to make room for a pretty little lamp that I turn on in the evenings while I'm doing my kitchen work.  I also asked my husband for, (and received!) a kitchen stereo for Christmas.  Now I can listen to uplifting or soothing music while going about my kitchen responsibilities.  It's getting to be a really relaxing place to be!  Next, I'm going to make pretty tags for my canisters from the Victorian paper that Jamie got me for Christmas.  Then I want to paint the antique dresser that I've got in there that is holding my aprons and other kitchen supplies.  I even saw a blog recently where a girl had tole painted her microwave!  Hmmm.....maybe!

A final change that is blessing our family is the changes we're making to our diet.  My friend, Krystal from A Blessed Journey has been posting about some of the nutritious things she's been making her family and it's inspired us to get healthily creative in the kitchen too!

I hope you'll take the time to check out some of these blogs that I've mentioned here.  Maybe you'll be inspired too!

I'm praying God's blessings on you and your family today!

Our Day Today Homemaking Link-Up Weekend

Have you entered my newest book giveaway?

Today, I thought I'd share with you all a little from a typical day at our house! There's always something fun and crafty going on around here---especially when we're taking a holiday break from our homeschool! 

A few days ago, 5-year-old Selah surprised us all by sitting down and flawlessly playing, "Up On the Housetop"!

Her three oldest siblings have been taking piano lessons but we weren't planning on her having lessons for another few years!

Apparently, one of her big brothers took it upon himself to get her started.  Now she's playing all kinds of things from her siblings' older books!

Kynthia Joy, who turned 4 months old on December 2nd, rolled over for the first time today!

We've all enjoyed playing with sweet Kynthia as she's starting to explore her home!

I made this yummy pasta dish for lunch.  I am trying to use up the things we've got in our freezer and pantry this month and start the new year out with a newly-stocked kitchen so this was a hodge podge of ingredients that turned out really great!  I'll try and put up the recipe later this week.

Yesterday, 11-year-old Lynzie made another cute rag doll.  She has always been into the American Girl dolls and recently read about the 1856 doll, Kirsten, who had a little doll of her own named Sari.

Lynzie decided to make her own Sari doll and asked me to help with the hair since I'm not comfortable with her using a hot glue gun yet.

Here she is with her sweet new dolly.  I'm so glad my young lady has retained her childlike spirit this far!  While she could easily run this entire household, including care of the children, she still finds joy in childhood past times like dolls, dress-up and playing make-believe games with her younger siblings.

I've tried, on many occasions, to interest Lynzie in using my sewing machine, but she is more comfortable with her needle and thread.

Her hand-stitching rivals my machine stitches any day!

I think I did her hair pretty cute!

I hope everyone who celebrates is enjoying getting prepared for Christmas!  I can't believe there's only 10 days left!  I've got quite a bit of sewing to do myself this next week.  Liam is getting a "big boy pillow" now that he's almost 2 so I'm sewing him a cute pillowcase with lions on it.  Baby Kynthia is getting a quilt I'll make from pieces from my fabric stash and a Sunbonnet Sue block that was found in my grandmother's things after she passed away.  I've gotten everyone marbles so I'm wanting to make them some simple felt bags to store them in and I have a canvas book bag to decorate for 2-year-old Avalon Grace.  I think I'll use some of the printable fabric that Jamie got me for my birthday last year and find her some pretty vintage image to put on the front of the bag.  She loves going to the library and will enjoy having her own special bag for books.

What kinds of special gifts are you giving to loved ones this year?

I'd love to have each one of you link-up with my Homemaking Link-Up Weekend this weekend!  It's so fun to visit so many creative and encouraging bloggers!  In fact, I'd like to introduce one of my favorite bloggers from last week's party:  Shirley of Sweet Romantic Notions!

Shirley decorated this gorgeous silver tree with special handkerchiefs and handmade ornaments!

I was just really taken with the beauty of this tree and asked her if I could please, please share it with you all!  If you've got a minute, stop over and visit Shirley at Sweet Romantic Notions and tell her you "met" her here!

I've just been so blessed this week as I've gone about making my home a happy and comfortable place to live! What sorts of things have you been doing around the home this week?  Please, share below!  Have a lovely weekend!

Also linking with:

Beverly's Pink Saturday
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Homemaking Weekend Link-Up! Pretend Tea Party!

My husband works nights and tonight I was feeling a little lonely.  So, I fixed myself up a pretty table setting and enjoyed a big pot of soup, a whole pot of tea, and a plate heaped with rich, creamy fudge !

Ok, true confession:  My husband DOES work nights...but I fixed the setting so I could show off my new soup tureen!  (Everything's actually empty and the fudge is wrapped up to send with my mom to work tomorrow!)  I found this neat Lefton soup tureen at Salvation Army recently for $2.00!!!  Our local store has a little room with extremely overpriced "antiques" (some of which are actually Dollar Store items that were made to look antique...but whatever...)  I saw this tureen in the window and knew it would be priced pretty high.  When I got in there, I saw that there was no price on it!  I asked the girl and she said $2.00!!  OKAY!!!  Oh, I should add that our family will not actually use this for soup---it's waaay too small for the 10 of us!  Instead, it will be our gravy "boat" this Thanksgiving...just the right size for that!

This pretty china set and (some of the) tea service was in a shop that my mom bought a few years ago. She gave it to me and I love using it!  I bought the pot and a few extra items on eBay.

Since I don't take milk with my tea, I thought Sam the Lamb would be a cute addition to the table!  I should also add that this "table cloth" is actually a flannel nightgown I made myself a couple years ago!  Ha!! That cracks me up! 

Here's a pretty sampler my oldest daughter made me last year for Mother's Day.  She's got such talent---especially for an 11-year-old girl!

Here's a couple new flavors of fudge I just put in my Etsy store tonight.  Here is Pumpkin Pie fudge and Mocha Almond fudge!  Are you interested in winning some?  Check out my giveaway here.  

It's time for another Homemaking Weekend Link-Up!  I'd love for anyone interested to link-up her homemaking posts today!  You can do more than one a week, if you'd like, and please make sure to take a button and link back to this page so others can visit as well!  The button is at the top of my sidebar!

Linking to:

Encourage One Another Link-Up @ Deep Roots at Home

Homemaking linkup @ Raising Homemakers

White Wednesdays @ Faded Charm

Vintage Thingie Thursday @ Coloradolady

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Strut Your Stuff Thursday @ Somewhat Simple

Pearls and Lace Thursday @ Faith, Grace & Crafts
Beverly's Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound

Fall Decorating, Fruit Cake and Homemaking Weekend Link-Up

The other day, I let our almost 10-year-old son, Michael, take some photos around the house.  As I was going through my pictures from the week, I found all the ones he'd taken.  There's shots of all the family, a few random things, and then a picture of each of our fall decorations!  I thought that was pretty sweet!  Here is a picture he took of all the kids' pictures. Michael is the second from the left on the top.

 

 So, since he took the time to take them, I'll feature them today for my Holiday Weekend Link-Up!  Here is an adorable Thanksgiving feast set that I bought for a really good price from a local artisan at our city's annual holiday bazaar.  Mom and I are getting excited about going to it this Saturday---I wonder what treasures we'll find this year?

 These scarecrow and fall picks replace the pink cherry blossoms I did have filling this pretty blue jar.

 I bought this cute turkey the first year that Jamie and I were married.  His plea of desperation, "Send Out for Pizza" has always cracked me up!

 This cute little scarecrow is resting on a shelf between my vintage cookbook collection and my vintage collection of O. Henry books.  That little brown recipe box belonged to my great-Grammy Annabelle.

 After looking through the pictures, I thought it would be fun to sit and go through some of Grammy's recipes.  Here are a few that I thought were neat:

 The one at the top left is a letter from her friend, "Your Loving Friend until the end, Doris"  It's a recipe for Mrs. Peabody's Prize Sponge Cake.  Doris asks Grammy, "So Dearest, who are you going to cook it for, the future?"  Ha!!  The second on the left is a recipe for Hood River Unbaked Cookies.  I'm sure my mom can tell me more about this one so I'll update if she's got anything to add.  The newspaper clipping is from November 10, 1982 and gives instructions and tips on making fruitcakes for the holidays.  The small index card on the left is a recipe for Date Marshmallow Log that is pretty much the same thing in a different form as the Top Secret Ancient Family Thanksgiving Recipe that I posted a couple weeks ago! 

Speaking of fruitcakes, here's a recipe for Mrs. Bradley's Dark Fruit Cake.  Mrs. Bradley was Grammy's mother-in-law---my great, great grandmother.  What a GREAT recipe to have! ;)  Is anyone interested in having the recipe?  If so, let me know in the comments and maybe I'll post it in a day or two!

Well, it's time for another Homemaking Weekend Link-Up!  I'm so excited by all the interest in the link-up and I'd love for anyone interested to link-up her homemaking posts today!  You can do more than one a week, if you'd like, and please make sure to take a button and link back to this page so others can visit as well!  The button is at the top of my sidebar!

One more thing, have you entered my GIVEAWAY?  Please do!  Have a great weekend!!

Also linking with:         








Learning to Live a Surrendered Life and:

Date Nut Dessert Squares: {Top Secret Ancient Family Recipe}

After much reflection, I've decided to share with you a tidbit from my vault of family secrets! Here is a recipe for Date Nut Pudding, a family favorite for four generations now. Let me clarify that this is not pudding as in runny, eat-with-a-spoon pudding. Instead, it's more of a dessert square that maintains it's shape when cut.  Back in the 50s when my grandma came across this recipe, it was called pudding so we've all just called it that. However, risking the wrath of my entire family, I've renamed it here---just for your own clarification.

This is to be eaten with your Christmas or Thanksgiving meal and placed on your plate right next to your turkey. But don't be confused. You are not to place this next to the turkey that is in between the mashed potatoes and stuffing---the turkey that you cover with the same gravy that you cover the afore mentioned items with. You are, instead, to place it next to the other turkey that you've placed right next to the cranberry sauce that you place on your fork first before stabbing a hunk of the non-gravied turkey and eating it all with one bite.

Now that we have that straight, lets continue...

Date Nut Dessert Squares {AKA: Date Nut Pudding}

2 c. chopped dates

1 c. chopped walnuts

2 c. miniature marshmallows

1 c. graham cracker crumbs

1 12 oz. container Cool Whip

Stir them all together well and press down into a 9" square pan. Sprinkle more graham crumbs on top and chill overnight.

Yum!

Why I Need Another Baby! Pink Saturday

Let me show you why I need another baby:

Ok, so I'm partially joking...!!  Of course, I would be blessed, honored, and delighted if God saw fit to send more babies our way.  Our children are such joys---they are definitely God's greatest blessings and rewards! 

But, in addition to that, I REALLY WANT ONE OF THESE SHIRTS!!! I love the idea of putting Hannah's prayer for Samuel on a t-shirt---what a wonderful way to share the truth that children are a blessing!

I was just randomly searching Etsy listings the other day, looking for God to point out people he wanted me to feature on my blog, and I discovered Regan and Melody's shop, His Child Clothing.  I asked Regan to write up a little "About Me" dealie so I could introduce her and her daughter to my readers and encourage you to visit their shop.  

They've got the CUTEST little tops for toddlers, as well as several inspiring maternity shirts for the expectant mom who wants to share the truth of God's word regarding children with others around her. 

Surely, there are some of my readers who either know someone who is expecting or know someone with a sweet little toddler who would be blessed by this unique and God-honoring business!  Maybe you'd like to take a minute and visit their shop, give them a couple hearts, bookmark the shop for future or right now purchases...maybe even send the link on to someone you know who would also be interested!

Here's what Regan and Melody have to say about His Child Clothing:

"Our names are Melody and Regan and are a mother-daughter team. We started His Child in April of 2010 when we realized the need for maternity apparel that was devoted to God and His value of life. I (Regan) have more christian shirts than I can count, but when I got pregnant I couldn't find a Christian maternity shirt. At least I couldn't find one that wasn't sold beside a disgusting "knocked up" type of maternity shirt. Refusing to give money to someone who sold what they didn't believe in, we started making our own shirts.

Our belief is that the carrying and birth of a child is one of the most wonderful mysteries any woman is blessed to experience. A lack of stylish and modest clothing should not dampen the joy of this event. HIS Child’s purpose is to make pregnancy fun and fuss free as moms get ready for work, church, or just out to have fun. Our mission is to encourage parents and to honor the sacredness of life in a positive image and in a fun and stylish way.

The name HIS Child is based on John 1:12. “Yet to all who received Him (Jesus), to those who believed in His (Jesus’) name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)

Thank you for the opportunity to spread the word about His Child. It means a lot to us.

In Him,

Regan & Melody of His Child"

Let me just note that no goods or services were provided to me prior to publishing this post on my blog.  It is solely for the purposes of spreading the word about a business I respect!  Oh, and it's also a big SHOUT OUT HINT to my mom and husband...  :)

Happy Pink Saturday!  Be sure and stop by to see Beverly and the Pinkies at How Sweet the Sound!

Also linking with: 

Lynzie's Colonial Dress and Homemaking Link-Up Weekend!

Hello everyone, it's the weekend! Woot!  Woot!  

Welcome to the Homemaking Link-Up Weekend here at Hope In Every Season.  I'm so excited to report that last week, my very first week hosting the party, was a total success!  As promised, I've chosen a couple of participants to feature who especially blessed me with their posts.  I'll introduce you to Lydia and Mary Joy in just a moment!

Today, I'm sharing the sweet Colonial-style dress that I made for my daughter, Lynzie, a couple months ago.  

I love this pattern and have made several dresses for her with it over the last few years.  She wanted an outfit to look just like the American Girl doll, Felicity Merriman, from 1776.  We made her a mob cap from a simple pattern I found online.

We made a shawl from a curtain I found at Salvation Army.  There was even enough fabric for a shawl for each of her three sisters!  (and thirty more sisters!!)

We had two little munchkins, Avalon, 2, and Liam, 1, hiding behind the scenes during our photo shoot...

Lynzie, 11, and Michael, 9, are headed to the Oregon state piano recital this Saturday in Albany and they're very excited!  Here they are on the day of the local recital in which they placed as alternates to State.  Since one winning team was not able to go, our kids get to go in their place!

 We are so proud of our sweet kids, but not so much because they're excellent piano players.  Each one of our children is kind, compassionate, creative, honest, and striving to live a life that is pleasing to God in the state of maturity that they're in.  What a blessing our eight children are to us!

Here are a couple other blessings I'd like to make mention of:

First, I'd like to introduce you to Lydia of The Vintage Mama.  Lydia linked up to my Homemaking Link-Up Weekend last weekend and shared with us her great ideas for cooking with Pumpkin Puree.  Some of my favorites included great recipes for Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer and Pumpkin Spiced Rice.  I was especially excited to hear that she's had success freezing pureed pumpkin because I've got a honkin' one on my porch now that needs to be taken care of!  Be sure and stop by real quick to read the rest of her ideas and tell her you read about her here on Hope In Every Season!

Secondly, I "met" a lovely lady this week who has written such inspiring and uplifting posts this week!  I could just read her blog for hours and come away feeling so blessed!  Make sure and stop by Learning to Live a Surrendered Life to meet Mrs. Mary Joy Pershing and spend some time being encouraged by her thoughtful writing!

Hope everyone has plans for fun and relaxation this weekend!  Be sure and link up your home-related posts below and grab my button at the top of my sidebar to remind you to come back every week!  It can be anything having to do with homemaking:  crafts, recipes, DIY, even just telling us about a piece of your life like I've done today!  

Also linking up to:

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home 
Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove