Labrador Tea and Some Tea

Hello!  

Today I'd just like to share with you some pretty labrador tea flowers that my sons and I picked while out on a family walk today.  

I love the delicate blossoms, and the strong fragrance!

I love that they grow wild, and last a long time. 

I'll be harvesting some labrador tea leaves after the flowers fade. 

My younger daughter bought me this little tea spoon at a garage sale.  

It is a Canada one with the maple leaf, and 250 stamped on the spoon.  

So a commemorative one.  

I like these little spoons for putting honey in my tea.

Today I enjoyed a cup of peppermint chamomile tea. 

While taking a break from crocheting.  

A lovely way to pass the time!

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Be Not Blasphemed

Welcome to Homemaking Monday! 

Today I'd like to share with you about lifting up the word of God in our homes.  

How our homes should guard against bringing blasphemy to the word of God. 

We all are influenced by others, compare ourselves to others, but in truth we need only go to the scriptures for clear direction in our lives and homes.  

What does it mean to blaspheme? 

Webster's 1828 Dictionary states: 

BLASPHE'ME, verb transitive [Gr. The first syllable is the same as in blame, blasme, denoting injury; Latin loedo, loesus; The last syllable is the Gr., to speak.]

1. To speak of the Supreme Being in terms of impious irreverence; to revile or speak reproachfully of God, or the Holy Spirit. 1 Kings 21:10. Mark 3:28.

2. To speak evil of; to utter abuse or calumny against; to speak reproachfully of.

Others are watching us, and our homes.

  It's the common thread of people to observe others.  If we're honest, we all do this. Will they speak well of the Lord when they view our homes and lives? 

or will the blaspheme the Lord?  

I'm not referring to those that disagree with what the Bible says, but to those that know what the Bible says and see professing believers not following it.  

They think what is the point...even they don't believe and follow what the Bible teaches. SO why would I want to be saved... what difference would it make in my life?

This passage we've been delving into isn't just for the good of ourselves and our homes.  Showing forth the position and role of a women according to the scriptures.  It's also to show forth God's will for our lives.  When we deviate from this, the world looks on and mocks/ blasphemes God.

They speak reproachfully against God when we neglect to follow God's will for us women in these areas.  We in no way want to bring a stumbling block to others and allow for them to speak reproachfully of our Lord and Saviour!  

We need to lift up the name of the Lord and his word- the scriptures. 

We need to do this not with just our lips, but with the obedience of our lives.  

So it's simple really..if we believe the Bible, then it's going to naturally come out in our lives.  No we won't be perfect, but we'll have God's standards as our goals.  

I encourage you to feed on the word of God every day... let it dwell in you richly. 

Let it guide your life in your daily activities. 

To the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Colossians 3:15-17

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer  

So We Built a Bee Hotel

Hello!  Do you like bees? and lady bugs and well, 

just about all the little good bugs in the garden?

We do, and my boys and I put together a bee hotel to help them feel more welcome. 

We have lots of aphids in our trees and yard, and would like to encourage ladybugs to stay around for a bit.  

We bought a package of them and will release them bit by bit hoping that some will make our yard their home.  

The boys got some scrap pieces of wood from out wood shed and then hammered them together.  Just a few bruised fingers afterwards. :)  

Then we layered spruce cones, bark, and some bamboo that they sawed into small lengths.  

To make sure that it stayed in there, we stapled some plastic mesh overtop.  

We put it up on a rock (off the ground) but close to the ground for them to easily find a room to snuggle into.   Once we release all the ladybugs, we'll use the "bedding" they came in and tuck it into a clay pot and set nearby the bug hotel.

A fun project to do outdoor, and make the yard a bit more welcoming for our little friends. 

I asked my son when we were done if it looked like what we saw in pictures.  

He said, "No, it looks homemade." 

Thanks for dropping by!  

Would love to hear of little projects you do in your yard!  

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Some Sweet Purple

Hello!  

Today I'd love to share with you a card and shawl that I made for an old friend.  

She loves purple so I made the shawl in three shades of purple and 

I made a card with lots of shades of purple as well.  

The card has just a few delicate lacy touches underlaid by fun polka dots.

I made this shawl for her as a hug across the miles. 

I used the same pattern as the blue mix that I made...very nice pattern to work with!  

Here is a link to the PATTERN!

I couldn't find any variegated purple yarn that I liked, so I just picked out three different shades and made layers. 

For the last row, I just did a single crochet 2x and then a picot.  

This gave it a nice wavy edge.  

Thanks for dropping by! 

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Obedient To Your Own Husbands

Welcome to Homemaking Mondays!

Today I'd lik to share with you about being obedient to your own husbands.

Titus 2:5

"To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

This isn't talked about much in the world today.  Mostly it's partnerships, and being equal. 

Pride says I don't want to be obedient! but to do what is right in our own eyes.  

Does having your own role and being subject to your husband mean 

that you're of lesser value then he? No.  

Pride says...I'm my own boss.  It sets one up as a god....calling the shots.  

Feminism has infiltrated the very basis of marriages as well.

Feminism sets up women as superior to men.

You think that's far fetched?  I don't.  

I have read many times in homemaking blogs, and heard in conversations among women, that woman are just as good or better at making decisions around the home/ finances so the men just need to move aside and let them do it.  Then we tell them what we want, and they pay for it.

Yes, there are areas that we as women have room for making decisions...and in each marriage that needs to be decided between the husband and the wife.  

We are not to "tell" our husbands anything.  

That is disrespectful to them and their place in the home and marriage.

We're not in charge of them. 

In fact we are to be subject to them...yes submissive, & yes obedient.

We were made a help meet for them, not them for us. 

Genesis 2:18

"And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him."

What does obedience mean? 

OBE'DIENCE, noun [Latin obedientia.]- Webster's 1828 Dictionary

Compliance with a command, prohibition or known law and rule of duty prescribed; the performance of what is required or enjoined by authority, or the abstaining from what is prohibited, in compliance with the command or prohibition. To constitute obedience the act or forbearance to act must be in submission to authority; the command must be known to the person, and his compliance must be in consequence of it, or it is not obedience obedience is not synonymous with obsequiousness; the latter often implying meanness or servility, and obedience being merely a proper submission to authority. That which duty requires implies dignity of conduct rather than servility. obedience may be voluntary or involuntary. Voluntary obedience alone can be acceptable to God.

As the head of the home he is in charge, and we are subject to our husbands.  

Does this mean they're the king and tell us what to do and how to do it?  No. They do have the right to ask us to do things (and yes even in a certain way).  We don't need to always want to  or like to do what they ask, but we need to follow through and do it.
They don't just sit around while we do everything.
They have their own role and responsibilities.  

We are to obey our husbands with love as unto the Lord. 

Obedience is part of submission in the home, and it's a beautiful thing.  

There is peace when there is order, and order in our place in the home is just as important as order in the cleanliness of our homes.  

When there is a question, go to your husband, give your input and then leave it for him to decide.  Each family will be different, as each couple will have decidedly different areas of responsibility of decision making.  For example, some husbands would rather their wives pay the bills as they come in.  Perhaps the husband will want to make the decisions on what the activities the kids are involved in.

Above all we need to realize that obedience in the home is natural and normal. The wife toward her husband and the children toward their parents.   The world rebells against submission and obedience.  Let us women give our children and those that are around our families the example of what God has ordained...not what the world finds socially acceptable.

Love and Prayers,
Jennifer

Playing with Paper and Ribbons

Hello!  

Today I'd like to share with you a few of the cards that I made this week. 

It's been awhile since I sat down to play with paper and ribbons and it was fun!

I pulled out a bunch of paper bits that I had stashed away. 

I like to use up leftovers and odds and ends before cutting into new papers when possible. 

I also pulled out all my sentiment stamps to look though.  

Sometimes I think I could use more, but then really....I don't. 

I had fun matching up lace and ribbons to each card.  

I have a nice collection, but there will always be colours that I don't have 

so then it's time to get more creative.  

Now I have some for different occasions and I think I'll make some more just because ones so that I have them handy to use.  I love to be able to just grab a card at a moments notice for things.  

Thanks for dropping by!  Do you like to make cards? Do you have a stash of cards or do you make them as you need them?  I do both. 

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Keeper at Home

Welcome to Homemaking Monday! 

Today I'd like to share with you about being a keeper at home.  

Titus 2: 5

"To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

What does it mean to be a keeper? 
Webster's 1828 Dictionary states this:

KEE'PER, noun One who keeps; one that holds or has possession of any thing.

1. One who retains in custody; one who has the care of a prison and the custody of prisoners.

2. One who has the care of a park or other inclosure, or the custody of beasts; as the keeper of a park, a pound, or of sheep.

3. One who has the care, custody or superintendence of any thing.

So, simply put:  One who has the care of something/someone. 

In our study it is linked to the home.  Keeper at home, simply denotes being the one who is responsible for the care of the home, and all that reside therein.  The "at" denotes that home is the basis for this keeping.

How does this look? to be a keeper at home.  The scriptures give us an insight into this. 

1 Timothy 5:14

 "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully."

So, to guide the house.  How does one do this?  

It is referring to being responsible for the workings of the home.
Guiding/ directing what goes on there. 

GUIDE: 

1. To lead or direct in a way; to conduct in a course or path; as, to guidean enemy or a traveler, who is not acquainted with the road or course.

The meek will he guide in judgment. Psalms 25:9.

2. To direct; to order.

He will guide his affairs with discretion. Psalms 112:5, 

3. To influence; to give direction to. Men are guided by their interest, or supposed interest.

4. To instruct and direct. Let parents guide their children to virtue, dignity and happiness.

5. To direct; to regulate and manage; to superintend.

I will that the younger women marry, bear children, and guide the house. 1 Timothy 5:14.

Preparing food, providing clothing, doing laundry, cleaning, teaching/ caring for the children, managing finances (that she is responsible for), gardening, & providing hospitality are some of the basic aspects of this.

For each of these areas we need teachers...older women who are skilled and knowledgeable.  

Yes, at times there are no older women who fit this category that live around us, that are able to take the time to teach us.  

Some women think that well, I've never been taught, so I can just live like it doesn't matter.  

Nope!  There is no excuse in this modern age of technology and information.  

You Tube, blogs, cooking shows, local community programs...there are many places that we can go if we are serious about this role/ occupation of homemaking.  I also encourage any older women that may read this blog...seek out and give of some of your time to younger women to teach them what you know.  I have had women (including my Mother) spend a couple hours with me on something, just to give me a chance to learn that skill.  That is invaluable!  

Homemaking is an honourable and joyous role that women have!

Don't let the world and it's feminist agenda lead you to think that it's just drudgery and monotonous boredom.  Serving our families, doesn't need to be like that when you look at it with the perspective of loving your family and being in the position that God has ordained you to be.  I have heard many quote Proverbs 31 and how that woman went out and did things apart from her home.  Yes, she did, but no where does it refer to her neglecting her homemaking duties at home.  Her home was still her central point.  Not to mention that Proverbs 31 is not referring to what she did for her whole life, but just things that she did over time.  There are times and seasons for many things.  

SO many fall for the lie of feminist propaganda, then go out and serve their bosses, doing monotonous, repetitive tasks each and every day.  Not all that glitters is gold ladies!  The only difference is money! 

No, homemakers don't get "paid"...but we receive treasures in heaven and the respect and adoration of our families, which is far greater in value!

Colossians 3:23-24

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."

In being a keeper at home, we have the centre of all that we do stem from our homes.  

That is where we need to reside, where we need to be present.  

Keep the home fires burning is an old saying, but if one wasn't home, the fires went out. 

 We need to be home ladies.... for as much time as we can.  

Yes, there are errands to run, and places to go from time to time.  

Then we need to come home and focus on our tasks there.

There is a quiet comfort of being home, attending to the needs of our home and family.  

This can happen even with lots of small children around... chaos doesn't need to be the norm. 

Sometimes my husband has said that there is just chaos...and I refer to it as a flurry of activity.

There are times of that to, but it doesn't need to be like that all the time.

How are you guiding your home?  Does it glorify the Lord or does it look like you're seeking to be just like the world?  Don't run after the world and all it's enticements. 

It has nothing of greater value then what the Lord has already ordained.  

Being a keeper at home is an amazing blessing and is so diverse for each family is different.  

Find your joy in following God's plan for your life.  Enjoy the treasure of a woman's role.

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Do You Like Zucchini?

Do you like zucchini?  We do! 

I came across a new way of making them and tried it out this week. 

You just drizzle with oil (I used sunflower oil this time). 

Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Lay out on cookie sheet and sprinkle with fresh parmesan cheese. 

You bake for a few minutes (until tender), 

and then broil until cheese is browned. 

Then try to share! 

Do you like to try new things in the kitchen?  I do, and I'm always pleased 

when the family enjoys them.   

Just us girls in the family liked this version of zucchini, so that's half of us...so I'll make it again. :) 

Thanks for dropping by! 

Praying you have a lovely day!

Jennifer

Road Trip Across Canada: Maritimes and Newfoundland/Labrador

Canadian Road Trip: The Maritime Provinices

Hello! Welcome to the last leg of our journey across Canada.

For this portion we leaned about the far eastern provinces.  Each province had so much to offer and I'll just share a glimpse of it here.  

We loved how each province had it's own unique sign, and the lighthouse as you go to Nova Scotia was super cool!  

As we travelled through the provinces we noted many of the same plants and animals.

Smaller farms and many little towns along the coastal areas.  

We talked about the huge bridge that crosses the Northumberland Strait to connect Prince Edward Island to the mainland.  Although there is still no road way to connect Newfoundland with the mainland.  So you need to either fly or take a ferry there.  

We enjoyed reading many books on this part of Canada as well.  Lots about fishing and the coastal areas that they are famous for.  

There was so much history in this part of Canada, and lots and lots of museums to explore.  

One of the ones we talked about was the Green Gables museum that shared the history of the lady who wrote the famous books about a girl growing up in PEI.  

I shared about this wonderful miniature village that I had visited as a child that has been closed down.  There had been castles and other buildings from Europe that I got to see. 

I found this great colouring book about Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Then I found this sweet little book on Nova Scotia.  It has so many of the same underlying elements of the maritimes so we shared it with our homeschool group. 

Here are some of the pages.  

The world's highest tides, and fishing industry.

The incredible views in their national parks and vast empty spaces.

 (Yes there are still lots of those in these smaller provinces.)  

Mountains, forests, marshes, and beaches were so interesting.

The beautiful colourful houses and buildings to help guide the fishermen home.  Also to cheer the people during the long difficult winters.  There were fog horns and lighthouses to explore.

Plus there are so many very old buildings with lots of history stories to learn about.

We learned about the Acadians, the British, and the Norsemen/Vikings.  

Of course we couldn't not study food. :)  

My family isn't big on fish, or seafood so we decided to make a desert to share with our homeschool friends.  It was enjoyed by all! 

We chose Blueberry Buckle wild blueberries grow in an abundance in the maritime provinces...there are farms and just wild spaces with them.  We bought some Canadian wild blueberries at the store and my sons helped me put this together.  It's SO very good!!!  and easy to make.

We ate it all before I thought to take a picture...... so:

Here is the recipe! 

We wanted to make something to remember the maritmes by and as we looked through our pictures and books, the lobster cages struck us as most interesting.  

We took some stir sticks and boiled them until they were soft.  

Then we bend them and secured them in jars to make them dry bent. 

We made a bunch so that all the kids at the homeschool group could have some. 

We then took out our hot glue guns!  That's always fun. 

We glued the stir sticks and popsicle sticks together to make a cage. 

We had to remember to break one of the sticks to make a doorway. 

Then we needed some netting..we had lots of cheese cloth so that is what we used.  

We cut it into strips and glued it into the inside.  

The final touch being my son had a lobster of his own to stick in there.  

There was so many exciting places to visit on our road trip through the maritimes....from wild horses on Sable Island to learning about the song maps of the fisherman.  SO many great places to explore.

We hope you have enjoyed joining us for our road trip across Canada. 

Maybe this will wet your appetite for travel in this amazing country called Canada!

Good bye!  Au Revoir! 

Have a great day! 

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: To be Chaste

Hello!  Welcome to Homemaking Monday! 

Today I'd like to share with you about being chaste. 

To be chaste is to be pure, sexually (Abstinent before marriage, and true to your marriage bed if you are married. ) Decent, wholesome, moral, restrained, unadorned, unembellished, simple, undecorated.  

These are some of the words that I have come across in studying this word.  

What does the Bible have to say about this?  

2 Corinthians 11:2

"For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."

Titus 2:5

"To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

1 Peter 3:2

"While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear."

To be chaste is to be free of every fault, pure. This is a high calling.

Philippians 4:8

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Holy, being free from defilement/ free from admixture of evil.

When I read this it made me think of all the things that are temptations in this present evil world.  Where evil is mixed in....even just a little bit...but none the less tainting what is good.  Modesty is out the window and sneered at.  Foul language is commonly heard from mouths young and old alike.  Being loud and boisterous / sassy is considered desirable.  Being flirtatious and promiscuous is considered a good quality.  It's just luring someone to want to have sex with you, or lust after you in their hearts.
Is this godly living? No!  

1 Timothy 2:9-10

"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

But which becometh women professing godliness with good works."

Ladies, we need to guard our thoughts, our words, our actions, and our relationships.  The world glorifies fornication and adultery.  The scriptures are full of warnings against these things. We have a great battle here.  We need to keep ourselves pure.  We need to seek to care about what the Lord thinks, more then what the world does.  

There are many things we can do...we can dress modestly, but it's also about how we conduct ourselves. How we move our bodies is just as important as what we cover them with.  What we say, and yes, how we say it.  We need to speak wholesome words.

James 3:17-18

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."

1 Peter 3:3-5

"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:"

Do not get caught into the realms of those that seek to just look good on the outside....what is going on, on the inside comes out.  If in your heart things are lined up with righteousness, it will naturally come out in your appearance, behaviour, and language.

Proverbs 15:2-4

"The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit."

In all the things I have learned that in being chaste, it's about not drawing undo attention to oneself, to walk in meekness and simplicity.  That doesn't mean that you can't ever braid your hair, or wear nice things...it's just don't do so to the purposeful getting of attention from others. Especially from a man that isn't your husband.  That shouldn't be your motive.  To guard our tongues, our eyes, and our bodies.  God's way is always right, and no matter what the world may tantalize you with, it's not worth it.  Stay pure, seek the Lord and His righteousness.

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer