I've been tagged!

I was tagged by Sydney !
Here's what I (and whoever else I tag) have to do:

*Answer some questions from whoever tagged me

*Link her to my blog

*Tag four-six more other people and comment on their blog to let them know!
Ok, here it goes! :)

Who's your favorite author and why?

Definetely James Herriot! When we discovered the books on tape a few years ago, I started to read his books, and every book has been a page turner. He writes in a reminiscent way, and detail by detail, opens up the

"day in the life of a rugged country vet" but with an easy-going, humourous nature of his real life experiences in the 30's-50's . This particular book "The Best of James Herriot" is compiled of his best and funniest stories and features real recipes, 'did you know?' questions & answers, marvelous illustrations, information on different breeds of animals & real life pictures of Yorkshire Dales.

Who was your first favorite author and why?

Gloria Whelan wrote the book," Homeless Bird" and its been my favorite "paperback/fiction" book for over 4 years :) I've always loved the middle eastern

culture, especially when it comes to marriage customs. This book is about a 13 year old girl who is arranged to marry a young man she's never met, and its very hard for her family to even come up with the dowry price (a sum for the husbands family). After she is married, she finds out that he's sickly & weak. His parents just wanted him to marry so they could use the dowry money to get him healed. Its a very unfortunate situation--During the years that pass, she skillfully sews (on her quilt) what goes on in her life--This journey through remarkable experiences weaved through with historically accurate customs and landscape, is a story of hope and courage.

Who's the most recent addition to your favorite authors and why?

I first read Joshua Harris' book, "I kissed dating goodbye" two years ago, and so far I've read it numerous times since then. Oh, I also did a short book review on my blog in April. (Click here if you'd like to view it) My dad recently bought me Harris' second book, "Boy meets Girl: say hello to courtship" and I read it in two days--it was a great read! Its a wonderful book about Joshua's journey through contentment and his approach to courtship. I'd definetely reccomend, especially for those who've already read his first book. I'm hoping to purchase his newer book "Stop dating the Church". So far all the reviews on that book are excellent. Joshua Harris is definetely my most recent addition to my favorite authors.

That was fun! Ok, I tag:

Julia

Jasmine

Kaysie

Laney

Mrs. V

Mia's Southern Upside-Down Peach Cobbler

I found an old southern recipe, and revised/simplified it so I could make it in under an hour from start to finish! This is a great seasonal dessert, and definetely a family favorite!

1. Peel & chop 2 cups of fresh peaches. 2. Heat the peaches in saucepan (on Med. heat) with 1/2 cup sugar,
'till sugar is dissolved and peaches are good 'n hot.

3. Add 1 tsp of Vanilla Extract, stir, then reduce heat to Low.
Meanwhile, melt 1 stick of butter (in a 2 QT baking dish) in a 350 degree oven.

4. In a seperate bowl, mix 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.

5. Add 3/4 cups milk to the dry ingredients

5. Mash & remove any lumps in batter--By the way, it's ok if the mixture looks a little thin.

6. Take the dish out of the oven, and pour batter onto melted butter--

Do Not Stir!
Put the dish in the oven for 5 minutes, so the bottom can firm up.

7. Pour/Spoon the hot peaches onto the batter--

Do Not Stir!

8. This is what it should look like after you pour the peaches carefully onto the batter. Now put the dish back into the oven.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes, or until top is golden brown.

9. Carefully remove the cobbler from the oven....

10. Enjoy!!

It's delicious served with homemade vanilla icecream on the side :)

Herb of the Month: English Lavender

Lavender Dry Perfume
"Dry perfumes are similar to sachets. Nefertiti, queen of Egypt during the eighteenth dynasty, always carried her personal scent with her in a small pouch attached to her waist. Dry perfumes are more intense in scent than powders, and are used in place of perfume to scent the skin and hair." From the book, "Natural Beauty at Home."
Ingredients:
*1 tsp orrisroot powder (or cornstarch as a substitute)
*1 tablespoon dried lavender flowers
*1 tablespoon cornstarch
*4 drops lavender essential oil

Directions: Mix together all ingredients. Place the mixture in a food proccessor, blender, or coffee grinder and process until a smooth powder is acheived (You may also use a mortar and pestle if you wish to grind the powder by hand.)
Place in a clean container with a tight-fitting lid. To apply, rub a small amount of this scented powder on your skin where you would apply perfume or cologne.

Lavender Linen Spray

"The scent of lavender is a classic for keeping linens fresh, warding off pests, and enhancing sleep and relaxation. Use this scented water in your iron when pressing fine linens to protect and freshen them. Spray generously onto your bed pillow each evening for a cradle-deep sleep." From the book, "Natural Beauty at Home."
Ingredients:
*1/2 cup distilled water
*1 tsp witch hazel
*5-10 drops essential oil of lavender
Directions:
Mix together all ingredients and pour into a clean spray bottle
or glass container with a tight-fitting lid.
To use: Spray on your sheets and table linens before using or while pressing with a hot iron.

Book Contest

There is going to be a book giveaway hosted by Growing in Grace Magazine! The book is one of the series "A life of Faith". For more information, visit: http://www.growingingraceonline.com/2008/05/gracious-reviews-laylies-daring-quest.html

First Fruits of the Garden

We've really been enjoying the harvest God has blessed us with so far...


^Along with tomatoes and beans, we've
harvested a record amount of yellow squash this
year--Lets just say we get about 3 squash
(1 lb each) everyday. My mom blanched & froze
4 (1-gal.) bags full of chopped squash, so that will
be useful later on^


^^Remember my Stevia plant? Its now
grown to 36"!^^



^Green Bean season is almost over, but I spent
everyday for two weeks harvesting-- they came
in so fast! We probably got about 25 beans a
day on average^


^^Yum, Cucumber is one of my favorite
summer-time veggies!^^


^This is our second year of Blueberries--as you
can see, we hardly had any mature berries on
the bush because we've harvested so many!^


^ Tomatoes. Classic!!^

Family Heirloom

While visiting family, My aunt gave us a sewing machine that belonged to my late Great Grandmother! We were able to (somewhat) fix the belt, and it works, but we can't figure out where the thread/needle/bobbin goes :)

Anyway, today I was doing some research, and found out this is one of Singer's earlier models--I found the serial number, and it was manufactured 1916-1918!
My Great-Grandmother was born in 1918, so maybe it belonged to her mother or a family member?

Pieces of History:

Inside the drawers are small little everyday treasures now worn with age..Old needles, reused thread and a few odds and ends!

In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

Proverbs 31:19

Second-hand Treasure: Sage Green Teapot!

Lately, I've been on a mission to find a teapot that would match the tea set I recieved in April--
Anyway, while on Ebay, I found this sage green ceramic tea pot, and it matches perfectly!! I really like how simple and heavy duty it is-I'm glad it's the same type of "style" that the tea set is. I know its a little small, but it holds atleast 4 cups so its good to go! I'm so excited :)