Its own challenges

I hear people say how lucky I am to be pregnant in the wintertime, because summertime is so hot and uncomfortable.  However, wintertime has its own challenges for me.  When hubby is away, someone has to tend the wood furnace.  My neighbor does it when he can, but there are times I have get bundled up, trudge down the hill through the snow and heave large chunks of wood into the gaping, hungry mouth of the furnace.  Then, of course, there’s snow removal.  Again, I have hubby’s help when he’s home and my neighbor’s help when he’s not, but there’s always SOME shoveling to do.  I love running the plow on the 4-wheeler, but I’ve never been fond of shoveling.  Going anywhere in the wintertime is a bear.  Add pregnancy on top of it and it is quite a chore.  Throw in a couple of toddlers, one who still needs to be carried and it’s no wonder I stay home as much as possible and when I do go out I can’t do much else the rest of the day. 

There are benefits, though.  I tend to run hot when I’m preggers, so we save on energy costs and I’m rarely uncomfortable with the temperature.  My skin is more moist when I’m preggers and doesn’t get all dried and cracked like it does when I’m not preggers. 

Either way, it’s a great thing to just be pregnant, even if it doesn’t always feel that way.

Encouraged to help

Certain ladies in my church have been helping me at the drop of a hat as I go through the difficulties of early pregnancy with two little ones.  Their ministry to me is really touching and I look forward to when I can help out others.

Women’s Ministry is often thought of as being a get-together at church with fund raisers and evangelism, etc.  While this may be well and good, true women’s ministry is helping each other out!  From the widow who lives alone to the single mom who just came to the Lord to the newly pregnant mom practically crippled by her preggy symptoms, they all need help.

Back to Blogging….for now

Sorry I’ve been away, but the all-day morning sickness had me floored.  The days that weren’t too bad were spent trying to catch up.  I’m 9 weeks preggers now and feeling even better, so I’m tackling the house for the holidays.

I started with rearranging the living room.  Before, it was set up for TV viewing.  Now, while you can still watch TV, it is set up more for conversation.  Also, I made room for the Christmas tree in the dead center of the longest uninterrupted wall in the room.  Until the tree arrives, I brought up the table and chairs from the schoolroom for the kiddos to sit at.  You know what would be nice there; a fireplace or a piano!

A secretary desk is still on my mind.  I think I’ll use the money I receive as gifts for my birthday and Christmas to purchase one from craigslist. 

Other things on my mind include:

1. Massage therapy…..I’m going to check if my insurance covers it (though I doubt it).  I really could use it.

2. Real Estate….should we sell or should we attempt to add on.  Either way, it’s going to be an expense and a difficulty.  Maybe I should put it out of my head until after the holidays. 

3. Christmas cards…..usually I look forward to them every year, but this year, not so much.

4. Christmas pictures of the kids….better do it soon!

Moving Back

I can access my blogs again at:

http://www.hillsidecottage.blogspot.com

http://allthingsfeminine.blogspot.com

So, I’ll be back over there.  I moved my posts on this blog to my Cottage on the Hill blog.  See you back at the old stomping grounds.

Fits Like a Glove

I got this vintage 1950’s gown at a garage sale for under $10.00!  Although, when I wear it, I feel like Tammy in Tammy and the Bachelor where she says, “I’ve never seen myself so plain out to be seen.  Is it decent?”  While this gown is strapless, the neckline does come up high enough that it doesn’t show an ounce of cleavage, or any bosom for that matter.  If I ever do get a chance to wear it out and about, I’m getting a shawl, though.  Having my shoulders naked makes me feel naked.  Still, it was a dream to put on and wear about the house for a while.

My Art

In my teen years I spent a lot of time sketching.  I miss it, though I’m out of practice now.  Like my singing, it has gone to the wayside.  However, I thought I’d share one of my drawings with you.  She’s no one in particular.  She’s just someone from my mind.

Taigh Beag Sgoil ~ Home Education

I’m learning a bit more about the Montessori Method and I like it.  I’ve also been introduced to Waldorf, Classical, and soon will be borrowing Charlotte Mason.  They’re all intriguing and a mother could go nuts wondering which one is best for her child.  I’m not worried about that.  I take what I like and can apply with my littles and off I go. 

I’m finding home education for my children extremely rewarding for myself.  I’m more relaxed.  I enjoy seeing my children explore and discover.  I also love the creativity it affords me!  I love coming up with lesson ideas.  Last night I decided that next week I’ll let my son cut and paste a collage (he’ll be learning the letter C).  I’m eager to see what he comes up with.  Will he cut and paste at random?  Or will he select pictures?  Will he butcher with his scissors?  Or will he carefully cut out what he wants?  Will he be bored quickly?  Or will he fill up the paper?

My 16 month old daughter is picking up on things, too.  She’s more interested in scribbling and less interested in eating the crayons.  When son and I are at the table, she wants to join in.  Today, she carefully concentrated on the sewing card I let her try.  I showed her how it works and she absorbed herself in figuring out the fine motor skill of poking the thread into the premade holes.  I wanted to keep butting in, but I held  back and was amazed at how she tried different methods of holding the thread to find  the best way to put it through the hole.

I’m fairly bursting with ideas!

Garlic

Garlic will need to be planted soon.  To accomplish this, I want to build a raised bed with a hot box on one end.  I’m hoping I get paid for a sewing project I did soon so I can buy the lumber for the bed at least.  The hotbox may have to wait until next year.

I’m considering shallots.  They need to be planted in the autumn as well.

The Harvest Season

Today, I stopped by an orchard and picked up my order of pears along with a quart of peaches, a pumpkin and a jar of local wildflower honey.  Later, I put up 4 quarts of applesauce.  I also was told that basil pesto made with almonds is delicious, so I’ll be doing that with my basil before the colder evenings does the poor plant in. 

This week, I hope to pick some raspberries, too.  I’m using it as part of my son’s homeschooling.  We’re working on the letter B and berries begins with B.

I’m not a Tasha Tudor Fanatic

Just for clarification purposes:

I am aware of her humanistic life and as I read more about her, I know that she was not a Christian and a very faulted woman. I certainly don’t idolize or idealize her in the least. I admire her industry and her talents. I would have liked to have met her….I enjoy quirky people….many of my friends are quite quirky, opinionated and faulted as is everyone who’s human,  including myself who is often called “weird.”  I can easily take people with a large dose of salt at times. Tasha’s life was indeed idyllic and of her own fantasy and making, but it came with a price I wouldn’t pay. I’m sad that it seems she did lose so much in gaining that something, but her biggest loss is never knowing the Lord. Perhaps that’s where so much of her unrest came from, always trying to fulfill an emptiness she was unable to recognize, or perhaps ignored.  On the other hand, perhaps she knew Him in her own way.  Only the Lord truly knows.

I admire certain aspects of Tasha Tudor, which is what I’m covering on my blog….she’s kind of like a re-enactor I never met.

It is too bad that people put her up on such a high plane and it’s too bad others bash her down. She hasn’t asked or merited either.  People are doing the same thing with other industrious and against-the-worldly-grain women on the web or in the public eye.  It’s what we as human’s do, perhaps to caution those who do get starry eyed, or perhaps to make ourselves feel better because we’re not like them and would like to be.

So, if anyone is wondering if I’m going all fanatical about her, wearing rose-colored wire-rimmed glasses, please understand that I am not.  I do not in the least idolize her. I’m interested, curious, even fascinated at some points, but not all-admiring.