Homemaking Mondays: Winter Thoughts

 

Hello!
The winter has been so warm here this year

with the temperatures going up around the freezing mark often.

It makes it nice to be outside...although 

it has been darker with more cloud cover and the ground

being so slippery.  

Roads are harder to navigate and takes more caution.

Especially for my son who is learning to drive.

I often will drive the first part of a trip out 

to see how the roads are before handing over the keys to him.

He is a very good driver...but you know...I'm a nervous mom.

With the darkness, I love the moments 

where the sun bursts through the clouds and fills the sky

with golden light.

Sometimes I will find myself at the window just soaking up

the rays of sunshine. It never lasts long.

I love how the sunshine brings a warmth to a room or outdoor space.

Inviting.

It has been making me think about how we make our homes inviting.

How can we be the sunshine for our family?

Do we greet our family with a smile and a kind word?

This month is my younger daughter's birthday.

It has been a blessing to be apart of her life as she grows

in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus

as well as in beauty.

I've not been making as many cards lately

but whenever I sit down to make one it is special 

because of who I'm making one for.

 I've been doing more knitting but haven't gotten 

those projects completed yet.  

It's good to have a full work basket

with new projects and mending. 

One part of making wool socks is darning the holes.

I've been still enjoying the carnivore way of eating.

I'm feeling stronger and the scale has started moving down again.

I have tried a new meal.

It's sardines/ eggs/ parmesan cheese 

mixed up and cooked in my waffle iron.

Slather some butter on top and yum! 

Strange how I can now admit I like sardines. 

My children and I last night went to our community centre

for their yearly sparkler skate. 

It was fun to be out and enjoy the company of my kids on the ice

and of friends and community members.

Young and old alike out on the ice.

Great skaters and those who needed to be careful and go slow.

I actually love these kinds of events because of what it teaches my kids.

People worry about socialization with homeschoolers.

The truth is that when your children engage in activities with 

people of all ages they learn so much more then being with 

people their own age more. 

Yes, it's great to have friends your age as you can relate to them 

in the stages of your life.

The lessons and understanding you learn from older people 

or lessons you can share with younger ones.

It's special to watch my children come alongside young children

voluntarily helping them and bringing smiles to their faces

just because.

Then to watch them sit down with men and women much older

asking them questions and listening to their lives.

We all need all of these relationships. 

Our community centre has a wonderful

Olympic size rink as well as a tennis court next to it.

This year our "ice man" has created this serpentine track to enjoy.

One fun thing with sparklers...they are more fun in the dark!

 

Thanks for dropping by today.

I pray you have a wonderful week! 

Thank you for all of you that leave comments

and share a piece of your lives with me.

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Rise and Shine!

Hello!
Rise and Shine!

this is what I tell my children when I get them up in the morning.

This particular morning (10:15ish)

long after we were up the sky turned into this amazing

show of vibrant colour as the sun was coming up.

It lasted only a few minutes before being swallowed up in the cloud 

and the day turned grey with heavy cloud.

What a blessing it was to watch the Lord greet us with a cheerful day! 

How do you greet your family? 

The first words we speak to our family need to be loving and cheerful.

It really does set the stage for the entire day. 

No matter the weather, or the circumstances

let us as the keepers of our home

start each day with pleasantness and joy.

This week I've enjoyed a new combination of 

my favourite carnivore foods.

Smash burgers with crispy oven bacon

topped with crispy fried eggs. 

I could have this for any meal.  

Nutritious and Delicious!

This week I found this beautiful puzzle at Walmart.

I really enjoy some of Thomas Kincade's artwork.

This morning I just put in the last piece...it was the last of 1000 pieces.

It was challenging with all the similar colours 

but that is one of the things that makes puzzles so enjoyable.

Puzzles in the home helps to challenge, engages problem solving and fine motor skills.

Plus time spent around the puzzle board is wonderful 

for sweet conversation with all who come for a look or to put in a piece.

Also just a note I use a cork board to put puzzles together on

as they are solid and can easily be moved (slid under a couch) 

when that space is needed for other things.

I do have lots of other projects still on the go.

More socks, the afghan, and the quilt

that is taking shape as time allows.

What wonderful things have your fingers found to do

this lovely new day?

Thank you for dropping by! 

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Each Day is a Piece in Your Life's Quilt

 

Hello! 
Are you enjoying a cup of tea today?

I made some green tea for myself. 

Well it's matcha powder (culinary grade)

but I'm not adding cream or milk to it at this point. 

Still delicious on a cold day.

Winter is deepening here in the Yukon and I woke to -25C.

It's dark and overcast and the snow 

is starting to filter down from the clouds.

The truck is plugged in so it starts nicely later. 

A couple of days ago the sun came out

and I went for a walk on the lake.

The snow was glittering like diamonds

and you could feel the sun's warmth.

Inside is warm and cozy.

This week I've been working 

on putting some pieces together.

I found them started and decided to 

create a pinwheel patter with them.

Next is some more ironing seams 

and then I'll stitch them together. 

I'll need to pick up some quilt batting 

in town this week.

I've also been finding new things to enjoy 

on my new way of eating. 

I fried up some beef fat trimmings and then saved 

the tallow for other things.

The crispy bits were delicious!  

I also have enjoyed having quail eggs.  

They are perfect boiled up for a quick little snack

or to go along with lunch.

 

 

The snow is brightening up the outside world 

even when not much light is available. 

With the cold the birds are delightfully fluffed.

They come out as the day lightens up 

looking for food and some company. 

Sometimes we have a bunch of chickadees, grey jays,

grosbeaks, and a squirrel 

all sharing at the feeder chattering 

amongst themselves. 

It can be very entertaining to fill the feeder

and then watch from the kitchen window.

My camera zoom isn't so great but below you 

can see the grey jays all fluffy on the branch.

 

 

So you could say this past week has been

a quiet and gentle week.

Not a lot of things going on but having a nice gentle rhythm.

The daily tasks being done around the home.

 I did up-pot a couple plants.

Not because the plants were growing too big

but because I'd killed the bigger plants. 

So I am just giving another plant a chance to try to survive in it. 

I have noticed once again the difference of cleaning the floors

when the house is more closed up. 

The freshness of the cleaners lingers.

This week I've used rose castile soap to mop with and it's so nice! 

A couple drops of essential oil (lavender) in the bathroom

after scrubbing the tub.

Little things of note that were sometimes missed

when the windows could be flung open to let in the fresh breeze.

 

Taking notice of the little things in our days

wondering what the bigger picture looks like.

The older I get and look back at time passed

I am noticing the quilt that is coming together. 

Just like the one I'm sewing. 

Each little piece has a place to match or contrast. 

I hope you have a lovely week! 

 

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Cottagecore in the Home

 

Hello!
I pray you are enjoying your day.

It is damp, cold, and rainy here.

The clouds are low

and are backlighting the glowing trees.

I love this time of year because it still feels so bright

outside even with the dreary days.

Once the trees have shed their leaves

covering up the little critters that hibernate

and change the look of the forest once again.

Soon the colour will change to browns and muted greens

that is until the snow comes. 

I've been seeing a lot about cottage core design

around as of late.

It's always something I've enjoyed and have pondered

how it has come into my home.

I love the ideals behind the aesthetic.  

It makes spaces cozy, inviting, lived in, and welcoming.

It comes in so many different ways which 

brings in the uniqueness of each home and family.

I love how brings together those things that are older

and newer in a delightful melody. 

To have nature mixed in with the plants and flowers

at times birds and other animals (real and depicted). 

In the kitchen I love to have items 

I use all the time out on display 

where they are easily accessible and pretty.

To fill window spaces with plants and flowers.

Then I also love layering baskets 

just because I think it's pretty.

The view from the kitchen window 

is one of my favourite ones.

To be blessed to watch each day change

as I go about homemaking.

Below the fog is just lifting from the lake

as the sun comes up.

The frost is glistening on the far shore.

The light will spread it's way through the trees 

and the little animals will be scurrying about

more as it warms.

I love the way that with cottage core

it is a natural collection of 

this and that.

Beauty and functionality.

Toss in some candles

an old wooden tray that is re-painted

and some leaves and acorns from a dear friend.

I painted this old frame and added some pretty paper 

to it and it brightens that space. 

I love plants.

I'm sure you've gathered that about me.

I love to spread out the plants here and there.

Close to windows and bright spots.

It's good for the air quality

and the variety brings interest to the home.

I like to add doilies to little tables

and spaces.

For beauty and to protect surfaces.

I have come to love birds indoors

and like to have them tucked in here

and there among things.

This sweet bird below I found at the free store.

Neglected and tossed on the ground.

It needed to come home and hide in some greenery.

I love how the cottage core lends towards the natural.

I recently obtained these new cleaning tools.

They are so nice to use and I think they look

much nicer then the plastic ones I used to have. 

I love how they will also last much longer.

As with much of this look 

I feel that it creates a love for older things.

Items that still have much use left in them that have

often been set aside or discarded by others

in favour of newer things.

To be able to pull out things to continue to be useful 

and cherished is something I enjoy.

It is a look, or more so a lifestyle that cherishes

the simple things and joys in our lives.

Even though it's not a minimalistic look

it is a look that incorporates usefulness and beauty together.

It makes me want to put the kettle on and brew a cup of tea.

To sit and snuggle under a homemade blanket

watching the light change in the room as time passes. 

Perhaps with a book you love or a knitting project on the go.

To be slow and intentional.

To be able to take notice in all that God has created 

and enabled you to have.

The items are not to clutter your life

but to be of use to you.

Importantly... monetary cost is not to be considered.

Items that are free or minimal have the same value as those

that may cost much more.

Each home has a look that suits them

and I think I have found many cottage core 

choices in my home. 

Items that have come naturally into our space

that we share.

A look that I didn't go looking for

but one that has just come about over the years.

Perhaps it is time for a cup of tea. 

Thank you so much for dropping by 

to listen to my ramblings.

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Do You See What Is Around You?

 

Hello! 
I hope you are enjoying the lovely fall 

that is either full on

or just sharing glimpses of what is to come.

Here the colours are exploding 

the frost and fog over the lake is amazing.

It creates such a lovely scene that beacons

one to venture outside.

Fall is for me the best season.

I came across this quote 

by a writer I have heard of.

I don't usually share quotes by people

although this to me rang true.

To just walk somewhere to get where

you are going

isn't the best way to walk.

To be able to take in what is around you

to smell the scents wafting on the breeze

and feel the breeze or the mist rising around the lake.

To be very much understanding that 

the Lord Jesus has created all this.

To come in it's season.

Walking is a wonderful way to spend time.

Being out in the yard

doing odd chores

to notice the beautiful colour

of the rose bushes that have turned

from yellows and oranges to reds.

Just like the lovely scrub birch.

I actually cut some scrub birch branches 

tucked them into a vase in my room to enjoy

some of that colour indoors.

Summer flowers have faded 

and have been replaced by fall's grandeur. 

I took this picture out on the road the other day.

My son was driving...yes another driver in the family.

The low clouds are a delight to me 

as many of you know I love clouds.

Here in the mountains the beauty

of the layers of clouds that at times are so low

that you drive down into them in the valleys

delights me. 

Simple things in nature that perhaps we 

overlook in our focus to be somewhere else.

Here in the home there are always tasks

that we rush through just to get them done.

Perhaps we should consider our homes like the places we walk.

We should think of the the things we see, smell, and taste.

Are we actually observant to what is in our homes?

Do we actually see those little details that beckon us to care for?

Just even the scent of our cleaner as we wipe up messes. 

The feel of the fabric as we fold our laundry.

The way the light glints off a mirror.

Those are my thoughts today.

I hope you have a wonderful day 

keeping your home!

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Fresh Air Through My Kitchen Window

 

Hello!

I stood at my kitchen window

and breathed in a deep breath of fresh air.

The breeze was blowing in through

the kitchen window 

bringing with it the cool scents of the forest.

The smell of the lake

and the seasons changing greenery.

Have you smelled the forest

and noticed those subtle changes in the trees?
The frost have started here 

and nature is preparing for fall to come.

Some blankets are drying on the line

and make me smile to see them fluttering

in the breeze.

It's time to start freshening up the bedding

before it's too cold to do so. 

Well...not impossible

but it's a lot more work

to dry and freshen things on the line

when the weather is cold.

I was out for a drive with my husband 

and we were noticing how the trees 

are beginning to change into

the cheerful fall colours.

Soon there will be leaves on the breeze.

This week I made some salmon patties with 

leftover salmon. 

I added some parmesan / marble cheese

along with a couple eggs.

They fried up nice and crispy and delicious.

I love how you can make these with any meat

so it can use up leftovers well.

Even though I'm not eating bread 

at this time,

my family still enjoys fresh bread.

I still love having the grain mill

to make fresh flour

and the little bowl I found is the 

perfect size for the amount of flour I need.

Interesting how this simple tool brings me 

such satisfaction.

What are some of your favourite tools

in your kitchen?

As gardening comes to an end

in my neck of the woods

the root veggies are being pulled.

True you can leave them in the ground

much longer.

Although I'm not a fan of pulling them 

with freezing fingers.

Below are the last of our carrots.

My husband took me on a nice 

day trip adventure this week 

back into the mountains.

It was such a beautiful day!

Following the good news of us being about to stay here,

I've begun unpacking. 

Not everything but just those things

that I know we shall be using through 

the winter months. 

My bookshelves are ready 

and so is my sewing/ craft room. 

My husband bought me a new ironing board

as mine was failing.

So I have a nice new surface to iron up 

fabric that I need for sewing.

There is excitement to delve into

some new projects.

I have plans for aprons and perhaps a quilt.

It's amazing how unpacking 

these things back into the same space

has made it feel all fresh and new.

I hope you are enjoying

your homemaking day.

Perhaps there is some fresh

new excitement to 

create something new for your home? 

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Spread Your Wings

 

Hello!
I hope you are enjoying your day.

It's another lovely summer day here

beginning cool and warming to uncomfortable temps.

It's nothing like the southern people get

but the heat is not our usual so we feel out of place

and often hide in the shade. 

Things are changing like the seasons in our home.

Another season in our home is beginning as our daughters

step out on their own.

It's a beautiful time

as we watch them take the lessons learned at home

and apply them to theirs.

There will be flowers in their garden

and homemade items in their kitchen.

Above all the Lord will be the one building their home.

The snapdragons we planted by seed 

in the end of winter indoors have begun to bloom.

They are a lovely late summer flower that

continues into the cool of early winter.

It lives through some tough frosts 

and adds come colour to the yard as the other 

flowers have faded.

I found this delightful little hand basket 

at the free store.

What would you use it for?

Yarn, books, or shopping the farmer's market?

I'm still enjoying bacon for breakfast. 

I saw that if you twist up your bacon 

to bake in the oven you can get a lot more on the pan.

Yup...works and it's fun to eat to. 

The clouds have been just glorious

as of late.

The Lord has been sending rain to our part of the world.

I could sit and watch these clouds for hours.
One thing I love about the mountains 

when you get higher up you can see for miles.

The expanse of the heaven stretching out before you.

One of my fun garden experiments this year

was growing sunrise bumble bee tomatoes.

They are very fun and delicious!

The delphiniums are blooming

but are also starting to wane

just as the fireweed....and that is an indication

that fall is not too far off.

With August up here comes the first frosts

and the burst of fall colour creeping in.

I do love fall

so that is not disappointing to me.

For me I struggle to enjoy change.

As all things change

our families,

our flowers,

our homes,

one thing stays the same.

The Lord's presence in our lives.

In Him I find that stability and comfort.

Even when change is good and beneficial,

I hold to those memories of sameness.

Treasured memories of those things I love.

Thanks for dropping by!

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Time to Fly the Nest

 

Hello!
How are your July days going?

Here we are preparing to move 

with all that goes with it. 

My girls are preparing to fly the nest as well

and have been preparing along with us.

It is a bitter sweet time.

I will greatly miss them being home

but I'm so happy and excited for them

as they go and prepare a home for themselves.

It is a pleasure to watch them prepare

as I see and hear of all the things

they are considering.

They have been listening and learning

about homemaking as they grew up.

Now they can put all of that into practice

in their own home.

Above is a few of the things I put 

together to help them in their home.

We've been having some darker cooler days

with some much needed rain.

Sometimes a candle just needs to be lit 

to help dispel the drab darkness of those days.

The garden has been giving lots of beautiful

greens and veggies for the family.

This week I had the pleasure of helping a friend

decorate a wedding cake with some fresh flowers.

It was so lovely and I heard they enjoyed it.

So this past week has been filled with sorting and packing.

Re-homing items no longer needed 

and boxing up those things we want to keep. 

We have a few weeks left before we must be moved

but it's good to be prepared.

The community market we attend

has begun again and we have a table there. 

I love going as it's so much more then just selling some things.

It's a time to enjoy each other's company in the community.

Thanks for dropping by! 
Love and Prayers,

Jennifer

Homemaking Mondays: Can Others Tell You Live There?

 

Hello! 
I hope you are enjoying 

your homemaking day! 

There are so many things that make 

our homes places that reflect us.

Can others tell that you live there?

Each of us have our interests,

our cherished "stuff",

our ways of doing things,

our own styles.

I think of these things when I walk 

into another woman's home.

You can really learn a lot about a person

by just walking into their home.

That brings me to think

what do others think of my home?

Do they see what interests me?

Do they feel at home and welcome in my space?

What kinds of things are important to me?

What does the Lord think of my home?

Is it filled with things that honour Him?

or should I reconsider what I have brought into my home.

As I go through my home I am evaluating 

what needs to be here and what needs to go.

With moving in a few months and also Spring cleaning.

Part of refreshing the home is evaluating

the place everything has in our homes.

Above I found a beautiful plate at the free store.

I brought it home and will use it as a serving dish.

Something beautiful and useful.

That said I have other serving plates that will find a new home

as I no longer have a place in my home for them.

Over time I have found my home changing.

As I slowly find things that I enjoy,

that suit my personal style

and not just a specific function.

Our homes are so much more then just a place

to lay our heads at night.

What does your home say about you?

This past weekend my husband 

took us on a fun adventure.

He drove us out to a community 

not so far from home.

It has a lovely beach.

We had a little picnic in the town park.

A couple of my children went for a big walk way down the shore.

I stayed closer to the vehicle with the others.

The warm sand was lovely to walk in although

further out on the beach the wet sand turned bitter cold.

The wind was a bit brisk and I must say that I love

how it blocks out the noises around you 

blowing your hair about your face in untameable ways.

It was a lovely day to spend some time together

as a family enjoying the world God has made.

This week in the garden 

there have been some wins and losses.

The squirrels have been nibbling down my little

greens seedlings.

The tomatoes and squash are growing strong

and the herbs are enjoying the added warmth and light.

The hascaps have leaves popping out as they 

are following suit to the trees.

The brilliant green of spring is amazing...

along with the smell of sap that fills the 

afternoon air in the heat of the day.

I bought some more flowers this past week

and have planted them out in the yard.

I found a cute little basket that had the bottom

taken out of it...so I put it in my big steel pot.

The colour is starting to come out 

with the flowers and colour the yard.

Things are still covered at night and through

the morning as it's still quite cool and frosts at night.

The new glass in my butter churn I must say

works beautifully! 

My arm is definitely out of shape for this task

and it took me a long time on my first go.

The butter turned out perfect

and I shall be using this more often.

I love the smooth sound of the gears

a melodic sound in the quiet of the kitchen.

My older son and I took a detour

on the way to his music lesson this past week.

It was such a beautiful day we decided to take a bit of a climb

to see the lake above the dam.

So calm and peaceful.

I wanted to share this sweet little pillow that I found

yes...at the free store.

It's an April Cornell and I love the 

beautiful hand stitched look.

A lovely fresh pillow cover for my chair.

I also found this beautiful

little candle holder at the free store.

It was a bit dirty...

but nothing a little scrubbing couldn't fix.

I put one of my beeswax candles

on it and it's ready to go.

Plus fun fact...there was a hole

in the wall right there 

so it was like it was waiting for that

candle holder to come and cover it. :) 

Thank you for stepping into my life and home today!

I pray you enjoy your homemaking this week.

Love and Prayers,

Jennifer