I've been tagged!

Miss Rachel

from Young Homemakers has tagged me!

The rules:

1. Fill in your memories of 2008

2. Link my blog to yours
3. Tag others and comment on their blogs so they know they've been tagged

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Memories from 2008

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A good book I read-

Hands down, this book, "The Self Sufficiency Handbook" by Alan & Gill Brigewater has been the best book for simple, easy, how to knowledge for starting your own farm and desire to be "off-grid". From animals to food preservation, its perfect if your a beginner in the self sufficiency concept. There were many-a-night that we dreamed of living in the country as we eagerly paged through the book! Now that our "dream" is a reality, I still consider this book a staple for our bookshelf! I purchased this book last summer, when we toured Tuskegee University/George Washington Carver museum.

A great film/movie I watched-

This was a beautiful movie that was recommended, and we loved it! My mother, sister and I had a lovely "girls night" watching Cranford as we sipped Chamomile tea...
*sigh*
The movie is very reminiscent of Wives and Daughters/Sense and Sensibility/Emma. The plot isn't so much "love story" but about a small traditional town and how the new railway is distressing the locals. Lovely landscape, beautiful costumes, and great casting! Very touching, and at the end you feel....satisfaction. The way a movie should be!

A new place I visted-

For my 17th birthday, we traveled to Houston, TX! We were able to see my aunt and cousins, and toured as many museums as we could! Jasmine recommended Old Spring Town, which is a village of beautiful homes made into antique shops and cafes. We had a lovely time, and on Sunday we were able to meet the Baucham Family!

An inspiring verse or quote I read-

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance. Perserverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature, and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
Last year at camp, I was helping my friend memorise this verse, and I decided to put it to music. Word for word, I played it on guitar, and we were able to perform it. Ever since then, this verse has stayed with me, and whenever a situation of distress comes up, I just start quoting and humming along!
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A discovery I made-

When I started to blog last summer, little did I know how fun and encouraging it would be! I have been so encouraged to find other blogs of young women who are going "counter-cultural" and standing up for their beliefs!

I look forward to continuing this hobby :)

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A new skill I aquired-

I actually learned how to freeze fruits and veggies last year! I know I know, this sounds very basic, but I had never froze anything (in big quantities) before. We bought 6 cases of peaches last June, and I think we chopped and bagged 4 cases! So, many peach cobblers later,(lol) they've lasted all winter, and I think we have 2 bags left :)

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A lesson I learned-

Oh my, I'm still learning! But I think the art of contentness has been the biggest for me!
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A moment I will always remember-

When we spent Christmas Day at the cottage before we bought it. We had a wonderful time!!

I tag: Jen , Jenna , Lady Farmer , and Laura!

ps) This is also open to anyone who's intrested--I tag you!!!

I'd love to hear your memories from 2008 :)

Country snapshots

We've been working at the cottage for a few days,

here are a few pictures of what we've been up to!
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We collected cotton from the side of the road...it just blows in from the fields.

I was hoping to maybe make a handmade doll with it?

It was a beautiful day for riding bikes

Mowing the overgrown lawn :) Believe it or not, I really enjoyed it!!

Ok, I was exhausted. ;) Here I am resting in the yard (lol can you see my boots?)

I picked these flowers in the backyard , and hung it up to dry in the barn :)

My Family~

My sister is working on her newest crocheting project--a skirt!

Mom is "freshening up" the place!

Our Handyman--Dad is fixing the lawn-mower

Here's a picture of my brother--with his "coon skin" hat, of course!

A path through the woods

The shoes of a ten year old brother.... :)

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We had dear friends of ours stop by today, and I was given a pre-civil war era 'sheet steel' pan as a gift!

It looks cast iron, but the feel is completely different! I'm looking forward to using it!! :)

We loved the decorative birds nest and egg as well. Perfect decor to add to our cottage!

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I hope you have a blessed Sabbath!

Why aren't things done the old-fashioned way?

"Most everybody in the world gets married. In this town there aren't hardly any exceptions. Most everybody climbs into the grave...married. What you've seen is called "the daily life". Lets call what your going to see ''love and marriage''. So its three years later. 1904. July 7th just after the high school commencement. That's the time most young people jump up and get married. As soon as they've passed their final examinations....that's the time most young people think themselves fitter to get married."

From the movie, "Our Town"

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While watching this movie about a little town in the early 20th century, I was amazed at the narrators view on the importance of marriage. Its so unfortunatate that this "view" isn't popular today. Intresting to note that these young people were just out of school, ready for marriage--both practically and mentally by this time. Girls knew how to cook & keep a home, and men were interning and saving up to provide for a family.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this :)

My Favorite Breadsticks!

Yesterday was so cold, and we were in the mood for something warm....

So what could be better than easy, fluffy, "fresh-from-the-oven" breadsticks? :)

6 cups flour (I mixed white & wheat)

2 tsp salt..

1/2 cup brown sugar (!!!)

1/2 cup oil

5 tsp yeast (or about 2-3 packets)

Pour 2 cups of hot water over the ingredients....
Then combine to make a dough

ps)the less stirring you do, the fluffier they'll be

Roll out the dough (to about 1/2 in. thick)
Then cut out your breadsticks!! (We like ours twisted and braided, so I made them cylinder shaped then got creative! You can shape them to whatever you want, but they'll rise, so don't make 'em too thick.)


Cover, and let the shaped dough rise for 20 mins, then bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 mins.




Yum!!! Rub the hot breadsticks with tons of butter and salt, and if you've got spaghetti sauce handy, use that as a dipping sauce (or garlic and butter)! My family enjoyed these so much, we weren't even hungry for dinner! :)

I hope everyone is keeping warm, and having a blessed week!

Book Review: Mary Jane's Ideabook

I've been reading this book for a few days now, and can't put it down!! Its filled with beautiful glossy photos of country life, how she grew up, recipes, stories, sewing projects..everything!

We're currently subscribed to her magazine, and she does a beautiful job! I'm inspired by her drive for organic gardening, "real farm-girls wear aprons" attitude, and simple living. Here's a few videos to find out what she's about!
http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/video-library.asp

Weekend musings...

A Hidden Treasure

Our "fixer upper" farmhouse has holes in the walls (lol) So while my Dad was tearing into the sheetrock to replace it, he found (INSIDE the wall) a letter from 1968!! Doesn't it sound like something from HGTV? The stamp was $0.06, and inside was a "new baby announcement" card! :)

I asked my Dad to look for more (I think I was kind-of screaming in excitement..) and amazingly, there was a bank appreciation card, coca cola card, and a few notebook pages with scribbles! As you can imagine, I wanted to look more, but dad said that was enough...who knows, there could be other little things! :)

A sewing project....
I had mentioned that I wanted to wear more "prairie style" skirts, so I went to the fabric store, bought 3 yards of fabric, and started sewing using a handmade pattern using brown paper!

A simple "A Line" pattern...I used a skirt as a guide, and just made the flare "longer". I wanted it to be two peices, but I cut a chunk of fabric out (I'm such a novice), so it became 3 pieces--1 front, 2 back.

Done! It falls right at the ankles, (just like I wanted) and I was able to wear it to church today. :)
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Country Snapshots
I've got to get used to this weather, its so pretty here!

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What encouraged me this week:

"An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world--how she can please her husband." I Corinthians 7:34

As I thought about this verse, it really gave me the thought to "make the most of my time". From my mother and other women I've talked to, it seems that the common statement was that they wished they had spent more time preparing, learning domestic skills, etc. before marrying...that you simply don't have time after marriage, especially with children!

This verse really speaks it clearly..I need to "be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit". I'm encouraged to do so much more, since my affairs are "currently disengaged", and I can focus on my role as a daughter of the Lord.