Homemaking Mondays: Frosty Days of Winter

Hello! 

How are you enjoying the frosty days of winter? 

Sometimes it is sunny and crisp

or foggy and moist. 

This past week my family joined some other

homeschoolers to enjoy some time out 

ice fishing on one of the big lakes not too far away.

Now we didn't catch any fish...

but it was a great time being outside.

The air was heavy with ice fog

that blurred the vision of our surroundings.

It changed colours all through the day

as the sun shone through or the fog thickened.  

My hair got very frosty out in the fog.

I felt like the trees with hoarfrost on them. 

The kids and I have been working on making some 

colourful sun catchers and ice candle holders 

for the snow castle

Some with twigs and seeds, 

others with fruit and berries.

They will be a treat for the squirrels and birds as they thaw.

This candle holder below had an interesting 

effect when the cranberries juiced

and ran down.  

Reminded my daughter of balloons. 

There have also been some wonderful nights where the 

temperatures have dropped and the moon 

has come out and the stars have

shone brightly.

Last night was one of those nights.

I woke to find the moon shining directly in my window on my face. 

It was so clear and I enjoyed watching it as it 

moved along in the sky until it was out of view.

Sometimes when the moon shines brightly it catches the 

icicles and lights them up along the house.

On nights like that you can see outside like during the day.

Shadows falling and the moonlight

lighting up the snow and sending the crystals 

to glittering.

What beauty the Lord God has created! 

All creation proclaims Him!

Also this week we've enjoyed opening up 

some of our canned beef stew.

It was so delicious and I'm glad there is more in the pantry.

I've also with the cold temperatures been able 

to put out extra baked bread in a rubbermaid 

into the sunroom to freeze.  Like an extra freezer space.

Thanks for dropping by!

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Keep Him In Perfect Peace

 

Hello! 

Sorry I didn't get a post up yesterday...life had other plans.

This past week my younger daughter had a birthday.

I made her a card....and no it's not wintery. 

It is just what seemed to come together.  

Are you like that with things.  

You begin with one idea 

and then when you are finished you think

that is not what I expected it to be?

Sounds like much of life. 

As I think of my daughter becoming an adult.

Trusting the Lord will lead her where He 

wants her to be.

Her course may take some detours and alternate routes.

Proverbs 16:9 

"A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps."

As she trusts in the Lord He will make plain her way.

I also made a cheesecake for her.

She wanted a mint, chocolate swirl one. 

It did crack some...I have to be honest. 

So I made a truffle mix...filled in the holes

and smoothed it over the top.  then I added 

little truffles around the outside. 

Some chocolate sprinkles and pearls 

and it was delicious! 

The light has been a bit brighter lately as the temps 

have dropped some. 

When the temps drop, the skies usually clear.

Occasionally the sun will shine in the windows during a short part of the day.

Mostly it just touches the treetops and gives a golden glow. 

I love how the sun shines through the snow that is built up on the branches.

This is the shed we have and the snow has been 

accumulating quite a bit even with the one melt we had.

It has been a winter for playing in the snow for sure!

As the world swirls about us

trying to just rest in the Lord and enjoy the rhythm of each 

day at home.

Even with the needed grocery shopping and outings for the kids

always coming back to the comfort of home. 

Isaiah 26:3 

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, 

whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."

Peace...true peace is found in Christ Jesus alone.

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: The Variation of Light

 

Hello! 

Good Morning to you! 

I love the way that the variation of light 

changes so quickly in the morning 

and then in the evening as the sun sets. 

Cloudy skies sure do make for the best colours.

Often I find myself just considering how the light changes

in the clouds, in the snow, in the trees.

God has created such beauty and

I sometimes consider that most will

miss those variations in nature as life's 

demands keep us moving so quickly.

Thinking of light.

Our community centre has a snow castle being built.

It needs some lighting in the darkness.

There are some glow sticks that were available through

the community centre but they are only one time use items.

So we have decided to create some ice candle holders.

We can place tea lights in them and they can be used 

on more then one occasion.

Below is our first one.  

We used a mushroom container for the base and then

 a grape juice jug (cut in half) for the holder part.

We put some evergreen 

branches in the ice and as it warms 

they will give off some nice scent.

It's so pretty when there is a candle in it.  

Like a fireplace in the forest.

This week I also put up some chopped up roast.

I had canned chicken..now there is some canned beef.

Good for soup or a quick meal.

I'm finding the more time we are spending outside 

the less energy we have for meal prep.

So...I am especially thankful for these kinds of items 

tucked away in the pantry.

My younger daughter 

made some delightful sugar cookies this week.

They were pretty and tasted delicious!

With the variations of light.

It's amazing how the sun which is oh so slanted

at this time of year

lights up the evergreens so that they glow.

The boughs laden with snow on the outside 

giving concealment to the little birds 

that flutter in and out finding food.

The icicles hanging from the eves are also very pretty.

I was surprised the other day to see a chickadee 

fly up and land on one.

They do like to peer in the windows.

Perhaps it's their "people-vision"

and they find us entertaining? 

I took my children out for another ski yesterday afternoon.

It was later in the afternoon and the sun was going down. 

The light up through the clouds was beautiful

and as the light changed it was harder to see the snow under our skis.

A thoughtful neighbour made a skidoo trail for us through part of the forest 

so that we could meet the main trail. 

Attention to detail....

that is what I think of when I consider the variations 

of light that I see.

God is so specific....

in all things!  

May we read His Word 

and know His Truth!

Thanks for dropping by! 

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Adventure is Calling and I Must Go

Hello! 

Do you need some adventure in your life? 

I know many who feel they have to go and do grand things.

But what if there were adventures close to home

that you might miss while

looking out there?

This week my kids and I made a snowshoe trail around our place.

It meanders through the trees.

There was a lot of fun and laughter 

as we trudged through the snow. 

My boys and I went this week to our local community centre

no far from home.

We went skiing on the trails there

and went places we'd not been before.  

It was only three km we trekked 

but we discovered new hills to go down and

struggle up. hehehe 

We learned to glide better and turn corners. 

All of this through falling snow and wind. 

A little adventure close to home.

Trudging for hours in the wilderness 

is not necessary for adventure.

Now would I love to climb a mountain or 

raft a raging river?

If one day if the opportunity arose I would. 

I try not to get caught up in what is 

"out there"

for then I might just miss what is right here. 

In a world where we don't often know our neighbours,

or the alleyways between streets.

There are lots of places around us in cities, towns, or countryside.

Adventure can even be found in meeting someone new...

perhaps just saying hello to someone we pass by.

This week has had more adventure in the kitchen. 

I love baking buns in my skillets.  

The cast iron cooks so nicely and 

the bun never stick. 

I also tweaked my recipe awhile back

and now enjoy the fluffier texture. 

Also just the simple act of adding something interesting

like flax seeds or herbs to the bread

makes for a new flavour to savour.  

I like to add new things to the food I serve and then 

ask my family..."so what do you think?".

They answer with "what have you done this time?".

Adventure can be anywhere....

even in mom's cooking. :) 

This week our local Skills Canada office

was giving out cookie decorating kits to encourage children

to learn a bakery skills.

A local bakery made the gingerbread cookies and then the 

children used some of the wonderful 

decorating elements to create colourful tasty treats.

Perhaps one of my children might become a baker?

This week I also made some peanut butter balls.

They come by many names but they are all good. 

For mine I just take a bunch of peanut butter,

then I add "some" softened butter

"some" icing sugar (until it makes a fairly stiff mix)

Then I add in Rice Krispies. 

I roll them into balls and chill. 

then I melt chocolate chips with a dollop of coconut oil.

I dip the balls in the chocolate and then drizzle the 

leftover chocolate over top.  

Then chill again. 

So yummy and easy!

Adventures come in all shapes and sizes.  

Let us not limit adventure to something out there.

There is much to explore and enjoy 

close to home. 

To me homemaking is an adventure.

It is a gift the Lord Jesus has given me.

Those who think homemaking is boring just need to 

find adventure in the little things

close to home.

It's there if you just look.

Thanks for dropping by! 

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

 

Homemaking Mondays: Oak and Vanilla

Hello! 

How are you today? 

I wanted to share the progress the little oak tree is making. 

It's so cheerful to see these lovely leaves emerging.  

It's been a lovely week here enjoying 

the winter.

We have been out learning to ski and 

working on the snow castle. 

I followed my children down a hill on my skis.

I made it down on my feet....

minus my poles and most of my dignity.

Ha! At least not too many people were looking.

Evening walks have been so delightful

as you don't even need to use a flashlight with the 

moon shining so brightly!

A friend also came to see me and brought me a gift.

Some vodka to make some vanilla with. 

I've never done this...

but it's already starting to have a touch of colour. 

Now to wait and wait and wait for it to be ready.

I've been knitting more. 

I received a great deal on yarn 

at one of our local shops and so I was able to buy 

even more sock yarn. 

Lots of feet to cover. :) 

My son needed some zippers fixed on his snow pants.

I don't know about you but zippers are not my friend and so

I opted for sewing on some velcro that thus far has 

seemed to do the job!!!!  

Now he doesn't get snow up in his boots anymore. 

Sometimes I think it would be nice to knit this little girl some

socks for her feet.  

Out in the cold often tucking her little toes into her tummy to warm them.

I've also been making lots of hot chocolate mix as we've been taking our 

little thermos cups with us out on outings.

I use a big mason jar (1/2 gallon).

1/3 cocoa, 1/3 powdered milk, 1/3 sugar, & 

a couple packages of vanilla sugar.

Easy and more economical then buying the mix at the store.

I hope you are all enjoying the day! 

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

 

Homemaking Mondays: Broadening My Canning Horizons

Hello! 

Today I would love to show you

some of what I have been learning over the past year.

As the snow falls softly outside 

I have tucked yet another item into my pantry

as I have been

broadening my canning horizons. 

I have always loved to see rows of mason jars 

full of delightful colourful things. 

I have been canning jam for quite a long time,

 relish and salsa for not as long. 

I wanted to see what else I could put up in my pantry

for the cold days of winter. 

Today I tucked in some pressure canned beef stew 

to my pantry shelves as the newest addition

to my canning journey.

I really wanted to have some meals put away 

for days that we are rushed or 

not feeling up to cooking.

 

Then this year I also learned to can chicken.

I canned up some pint jars because they are the perfect

size to make a pot of chicken noodle soup. 

The chicken pared with some canned bone broth

and some canned carrots is perfect.

Throw in some noodles and 

you have a hearty meal for the whole family.

This  year I also learned to can 

roasted tomato soup. 

It is so delicious and next year I want to 

can a lot more of it.

I also learned to can pears.

Well....I do have a bit of learning left as you can see

my pears ended up floating.

I canned quart jars of carrots for meals,

and pint jars of carrots to go into soups.

I learned a new salsa recipe 

and it's delicious with chips 

or put into a meal. 

I like to mix a pan of chicken with a

jar of salsa and then put it into 

tortilla wraps with some cheese. 

So..just thought I'd share that as I was puttering in my pantry today.

This past week has been full of wonderful 

outdoor activities.

My boys have been working on building a snow castle

at the local community centre.

We had a nice break partway through our first day

and enjoyed some frozen M&M's on a "couch"

my son had chiseled out.

We've been meeting other homeschool families for outdoor 

skating at the rink.

The one day I forgot to bring my skates but enjoyed staying 

close to the wood stove.

I sure miss the feel of wood heat at home. 

~So this is a nice treat! 

Our community centre is hosting Saturday Family Fun Days.

We were able to borrow some skis for the winter,

and then get a ski lesson.  

Our family has never been cross country skiing together 

and so a couple lovely young ski coaches 

gave us a private lesson. 

I was so impressed with how well the children did for their first time

and it was really fun. 

SO now as the snow is falling outside 

and the children finish up their lessons for the morning

I shall make some lunch and then 

settle down for some knitting. 

Thanks for dropping by! 

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Fill Your Home With Colour and Pleasant Smells

Hello! 

How is your day today? 

I'd love to share with you some pictures of the lovely

flowers that are blooming in my home today. 

I think that homes need to have colour.

Not loud in your face colour,

just gentle notes of it here and there.

Just enough to make you take pause to notice.

Colour in the home 

makes me think of joy.

Not the loud shouting kind,

but the gentle peaceful kind.

When I was young I remember on a cold winter's day

looking into a window and seeing flowers.

Now I see flowers in my windows and it brings 

me back to that moment. 

Seemed a bit out of place with the snow...

but it brought a slow dreamy smile to my face. 

Now colour doesn't have to come in the form of flowers

although they are wonderful.

Just a colourful blanket or quilt put out to snuggle in,

or a picture on the wall that has a lovely colour to 

draw one in to have a better look.

In our homes...

 we can give those possibilities to those that dwell in them?

Gentle smiles and appreciation..perhaps some joy?

One little speck of joy I have is seeing the leaves unfold 

from this little oak tree.

I love when the house smells good. 

On bread baking day the smell is one of my favourites.

Sometimes one can add a fresh scent by cleaning or 

putting essential oils in a diffuser.

I find I tend to lean towards those smells that come naturally.

Like fresh laundry and sheets, 

good food being prepared for those I love,

and fresh air that comes in when the doors/windows are flung open.

Good smells make the home inviting.

This past while I have started to add some sourdough 

to my bread and leave out some of the yeast.

It makes the bread taste so nice, but using 

the yeast still it makes it quicker 

then the traditional sourdough. 

It's about a cup of sourdough starter subbed for 1 Tb yeast. 

It makes lovely fluffy bread. 

A bit of buttermilk and some eggs make it even nicer.

Below is the leftover cinnamon bun dough 

that didn't fit in the other pan.

It made a lovely loaf. 

Of course it was all drizzled over with orange glaze. 

This week has been lovely in the little things.

There has been snow much of the time and sometimes

the flakes are big and fluffy and give me pause as I peer out the windows. 

I finished a pair of knitted woollen socks for my husband. 

I have a few socks planned so my work basket is full of woollen yarn 

awaiting being shaped into something useful. 

School lesson are going smoothly.

It is so nice to learn new things even when they are hard 

to figure out at times. 

So how has your week been? 

What kinds of colour and smells 

have filled your homes today?

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

 

Homemaking Mondays: Lending a Hand

Hello! 

It's a lovely morning here

the sun is just lightening up the sky 

and there is a tint of yellow over the mountains.

It is clear today

and I woke to moonlight 

streaming in my windows.

Such a change from summer.

I have pulled out my new sock yarn and 

am working away on some socks. 

Some for my husband and then some for my kids.

I know you can just buy socks at the store...

but these homemade ones are so comfortable.

After all that snow we received last week,

there has been much shovelling going on. 

We made it out to the end of our driveway! 

What a feat that was! 

Then I took some of my children to help

shovel out a lady's drive so she could get 

her vehicle out of her garage and then a bit about her house.

Some spending money for them and a lovely gift to! 

My favourite colours and it's perfect 

for up next to the tea hutch.

There is no end of shovelling needs....

the boys during one of their homeschool activities 

helped to shovel out part of the community centre as well.

This is one place we are blessed to spend time at. 

It is wonderful to be able to lend a hand.

Then with all the snow outside...

we have a new little tree starting inside. 

We were gifted a few lovely little acorns by a dear friend.

Three of them had sprouted and so we 

decided to plant them and see what happens. 

First one has come up!!! 

Kind of excited about this.  

This week we had some excitement by waking to a fire alarm.

The alarm went off on it's own and there was no fire.

There was a smell in the house and we 

had some trouble breathing. 

We called the Fire Department and they came to check it out.

They found a fuel leak.

Thankfully the repair man was able to come right out and fix it. 

The alarms don't usually go off for fuel leaks...

so I truly believe the Lord was waking us up to the danger.

There are so many little blessings the Lord Jesus 

has placed in our lives.

Praying you have a beautiful day!

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Hello November! Hello Winter!

Hello! 

How are you this fine November day?

It's a snow day for us here. 

The roads are closed and we've just ended 

a winter storm. 

The sun is out and it's beautiful!

I made some chicken noodle soup today.

It is wonderful to be able to pull all these

ingredients out of the pantry

as we can't go anywhere. 

I had some broth in the fridge and then 

added canned chicken/ carrots.

I like these tiny noodles that

I've found at our local store. 

One bag will do three pots of soup.

It was the perfect fuel for heading out to shovel. 

Above is the before and below 

is to show you where we stopped....for now.

It's a lot of snow and I think we're gonna need 

some heavy duty kind of help for the rest. 

Would you like to come to a picnic? 

My boys have already been out sliding on 

a little hill in the yard. 

One of my boys was the first to strap on his snowshoes and 

pack a trail around the house to another door.

My daughter was out early to clear away the snow from the bird feeders

to let her little birdie friends have breakfast. 

I found this lovely new to me cup at the free store

this past weekend. 

I have a teapot/cup set that my Mom gave me

that matches. 

It's rose brocade and it has such 

a nice handle. 

I love hot chocolate in it. 

We also had this lovely little fellow visit us. 

He is so fluffy and my daughter says 

he has murder mittens on. 

We first discovered him

having a bit of a snooze 

out in the yard in the

morning sunshine.

It has been a blessed week and I am so thankful to the Lord

for this warm home and all of His provisions.

I am knitting some socks and enjoying much of this 

stormy winter weather we've had from the inside of the house.  

There is some plastic on the inside of the main windows to help keep out the drafts.

The oil stoves are on and keeping us warm. 

Thank you for dropping by! 

How has your November started?

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: In Home Projects and Outdoor Fun

Hello! 

How are things with you this week?

For me there have been some indoor projects

and some outdoor fun.

I have started a new scarf with some sweet yarn 

that a dear friend gifted me. 

I'm using a slanted shell pattern this time round. 

Then I have this lovely ivy plant that is ready to go to

it's new home at a friends place.

Also a great score at the free store this week 

is this serving tray that is made of teak wood and

after an oiling it's great to use for taking tea and 

little meals to others about the house. 

This week I also redid the cushion on my office chair.  

It has been falling apart for quite some time

until I finally just did it.  

I had bought a new taller cushion of foam, 

then grabbed some material that I 

thought complimented the space. 

This chair is special for me since 

it used to sit in my grandparents living room for extra guests. 

This is a fun material that I find very cheerful!

We've had a couple foxes around and this time

we got a picture of this 

pretty one eating seeds that fell from the feeder.

The snow has begun to fall and is starting to cover things up.  

What do you do when there isn't enough snow to sled?

You pull out your dump trucks

get in and have your brother give you a push. :) 

Of course the birds are happy in our yard

for a new feeder! 

My daughter made a new feeder for the other side of the house

so she could watch them from her bedroom window. 

With the ice having frozen solid enough there has been 

a lot of skating going on on our little lake.

It's fun to be able to skate all the way around 

since the snow isn't very deep. 

There are lots of others out on the ice 

and we've met more of our neighbours.

There are a few tufts of grass along the shore. 

It's so nice to be able to skate further...

for now. 

The kids have started to clear their rink space

for soon it will be all they have on this side of the lake.

This week we made some fun cupcakes 

for a friend.

I used my wacky cake recipe as I love 

how it tastes and turns out.

Thought this might be more fun then just a touch of icing.

Thanks for dropping by! 

I hope your week has been full

of fun and needful projects. 

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer