Slow and steady.

Just a few things I've been up to lately.



-Making rhubarb sauce. (One of my favorite homey sounds is hearing the "pop" as the lid seals on the jars.)

-Slowly clearing out my kitchen of highly processed and refined foods.

-Finding ways to make snacks and other food items from scratch.

-Trying our best to stay off the "whites" ...sugar, flour, rice, pasta...

-Finding ways to get as much calcium and magnesium into our diets without having to drink pasteurized, homogenized (store bought) milk.

-Finding simple, eye pleasing ways to store the bulk items that I buy. (Eventually I would like to go with all glass containers and jars.) Slowly weeding out the bad plastics from our home.


I really love to organize my kitchen and am so thankful for the convenience of it's size and the simple look of it's decor.

What's your favorite room to keep organized?

What's Better than a Stack of Freshly Laundered Newborn Clothing?

...Having a baby to make use of them, right?


I am almost 30 weeks along and so, so excited.


I adore dressing my babies in pastels and whites, don't you?

... so precious!


Thank you to my dear friend who so generously gifted me with some of these
and many more...

I am thrilled!

Simple Pleasures

Sometimes it's the simplest of things that bring me the most joy and contentment.

I am finding so many little pleasures throughout these last few days and thought I would just make up a small list of them here to remind me of the peace that can be found in quiet and basic homemaking activities.

-listening to jazz and many other favorites as I putter about my home.

-folding laundry warm from the dryer.

-Exciting conversations with dear friends about all the new things we are learning.

-Lighting a candle while reading to my children.

- Vegetables grown local, purchased at the Farmer's Market.

- Savory, pure steaks from grass fed, organic beef barbecued to perfection... a treat for him on Father's Day.

-Being able to provide whole, real, often organic foods to my family. And having them say, "Mmm... this is GOOD, Mom!"

-Opening the fridge and pantry and seeing them full with nature's gifts, His Provision.

-Seeing the bread dough rise to perfection.

-Kneading that dough by hand.

-The aroma of baking bread that fills the house.

-Eating this again for lunch.

-Preparing a wholesome vegetable soup which now simmers in the crock pot.

-ridding our homes and our bodies of toxins and packaged, processed and refined "foods".

- having the energy to do my work as a mother and housewife and to find excitement in it.

There are so many more things that I could list, I am just so thankful and can think of so many things right now that bring a smile to my face, but I will stop here. What are some of your favorite pleasures today?

Homemade

I had my first ever attempt at making-bread-by-hand today! (In other words, without a bread machine).

And I am so pleased with how the loaves turned out that I just had to post pictures of them and of the delectable sandwich I made for myself for lunch. Avocado, tomato and lettuce seasoned with a dash of sea salt.

It was incredibly good and I think I'm hooked. I hope to make a couple loaves every 2 or 3 days,
thus eliminating the need for store-bought.

Do you make your own bread? I was surprised at how simple it turned out to be!

Blossoming

I'm 27 weeks along...
6 months pregnant.

Almost to the day of beginning my third trimester it seems my body has changed.

I'm experiencing more discomfort.

My belly feels tight as the skin continues to stretch.

I need to stay focused on the joy this pregnancy has brought.

I need to continue to stay healthy and exercise to keep my mind clear.

I need to remember to be in a state of gratitude for these moments. These last three months will be difficult I know but I don't want to dwell on it. Instead I want to revel in the beauty of life within... the feeling of movement as baby stretches and rolls about.

I am so pleased to be spending these last 3 months during these lighter days of summer. Though the sunshine will be hot, I am so thankful for the light. Winter can be so dreary here and I am glad to be able to get outdoors now in the early morning freshness for my walks and to enjoy outdoor activities during the day... even if it is just in the shade.

* * * * * *

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.

~Anne Frank

Painted Daisy unfurls itself within my garden.