Family Life is a Gift ♥

Family Life is such a wonderful gift.
I love this quote by Laura Ingalls Wilder
"It is the sweet simple things in life, which are the real ones in life."

Capturing those everyday yet special times of joy and contentment is a pleasure to look back on. The small things that we don't usually remember but strengthen  the bond within the family circle.

That is what this post is about....the special times in the everyday, simply captured in images that bring a smile or my face and contentment in my heart.

Daddy giving horsey back rides and Arwen riding Daddy's little horse from when he was a baby.

Just "some secret toast and jam, OK for get the toast just some secret Jam" from a popular Nanny McPhee quote used often in our home.

Moran's Afternoon tea cafe

Playing with the kittens--of course you put them in a bucket.

Our Lenten Altar using my Hand Painted Saints

Our St Patrick's Day book display

Our kittens- Midnight, Buttons, Hammy, Milo, Moppet II

My Wooden people exchange all ready to post

Singing a song they made up very late one night......'Pajama Party'

The girls hang out.....Vellvin, Autumn, Anna-Lisa and Eden

Clover fight with Saxon.....everyone else against him.

Lovin' the Kittens

Bubble beard while washing up

Fresh potatoes straight from the farm

Apricot pie making

Well, we don't know why but this is a very grown up girl......wearing her brothers pajama pants on her head.

 The kittens are very obliging in allowing the children to play with them...Arwen was keen to get all the kittens in the little washing basket and pushing them.

 Our bucket baths due to the water situation in this post

 We have not have had all the bikes working together for some time and so last weekend Stephen fisxed most of them up. It was Myffwyn's first attempt to ride without training wheels for a long time.
She was most keen to have her training wheels back on untill we helped her a little.
Now she is a master at two wheel riding.

Of course bike racing is all the rage now and I think we need to introduce a handicap to allow the younger children a chance at winning.

Hoping al is well and you are enjoying your own family moments as well ♥

Blessings to you and your homes,

Simple Pleasures - Water...it's even hot

Today I want to share with everyone the Simple Pleasure of Water.

Now some of you may be asking, How is that a simple pleasure? Well I would like to show you!

As many of you know we live in Australia and some of you may not realise that we are not a country of immense water supply. We have many parts of  our country that are always short of water and we have just come out of a sever drought that has lasted many years.

Even so, many people are town and city dwellers who have not had any real severe water restrictions. Now having been a town dweller all my life and even our property is on the edge of a town I think I can appreciate that most people do not give water a second thought, except when the council imposes water restrictions and therefore gardens tend to suffer and cars can not be washed with a hose.

The difference is for me that I now fully understand and know how water restrictions affect your life.I think I can say I have an  appreciation  for the simple pleasure of water due to the fact that when we built our home we had to put in a bore for water as the town water supply stopped just short of our property.

We have had many opportunities to value  this precious commodity. Because our water is dependent on rain water seeping into the earth and for most of our time in Tasmania it has also been in drought we have had to learn to manage our water usage.
Perhaps this is not a problem for not so large families but for us it has been an effective look at how we use water.

We have in our family adapted strategies to try to deal with the whole use of water situation.
These may not seem like big issues for some, but we have quite a habit with conserving water now, which I believe is a good thing, that even when we have had an excess and our tank over flows we still are quite frugal with our water usage.

1. We really look at our clothes before putting in for a wash: is it smelly is it REALLY dirty and deserve a wash yet. Of course our little children are notorious for finding any patch of dirt/mud etc and getting dirty, so obviously we do not let them go around in filthy clothes. But it is an exercise in discernment.

2. We only shower/bath every second day, for most of us who don't need to have showers daily. Of course we are masters at the so called in our home "bucket bath/sailor bath" that we use on non shower days.
Before you go ....ouch, that is a deprivation, I would like to say that every day showers is not the NORM for everyone in the world and really is a very modern convienience that I think many take for granted and an expexted RIGHT in our society.

3. When we wash up in the sink we use a VERY minimal amount of water and woe be it to anyone I see using too much water.

4. Our dishwasher was, when we bought it the most conservative on water at the time only using 9 liters of water per wash.

5. When washing hands etc I still monitor the use of water as I think that most of us just run water without thinking.

6. Our hot water has been an interesting issue as well, a whole other story but let me say I am very thankful for this other seemingly simple pleasure.

So I hope you have enjoyed and appreciate how blessed most of us are to have the opportunity to have running and mostly abundant water as a SIMPLE PLEASURE in our lives.

Could I just ask also for a quick prayer that even as I type this we have been without water, except what has been in our tank - 2,500 liters, since Saturday.
Today is  Thursday and we have 1000 liters left: we have reduced our consumption by not washing....ouch that is beginning to hurt with piles of clothes needing to be washed and been EXTRA frugal with water.
Please could you pray that our bore man can have our bore man has our bore operational by this afternoon and we have water by tomorrow morning.

Once again I am linking to Dayles Simple Pleasures for this post, and I look forward to visiting you all and viewing your own Simple Pleasure

Blessings to you and your homes,

The Privilege of Prayer ♥

"Where two or more are gathered in my name, there will I (God) be also."

It is a wonderful opportunity and privilege when  people ask you to pray for them.

Over time I have been honoured to be asked to pray for quite a few people: sometimes the prayer request is for an individual person and the intention they are petitioning our Heavenly Father for, and at other times I am asked to join in with a group who are praying for another person.

In my belief it should be considered an honour to be asked to pray for others. What an opportunity to be a part of the body of Christ. To be able to share in the dependence and love of our Saviour,  whom we come to in complete faith and trust.

I also have been blessed to ask for prayer for individual and family concerns both here on my blog, on various message boards and since on FB to my various friends there as well.

We are very privileged in our society to be able to ask for prayer from far away by those  known to us through the various Internet exchanges we have made, and the friendship developed. We have  the scope for true world wide prayer that has been opened through this medium. For those of us who are more isolated it is a gift I think we should be truly thankful for........ and so I am.

So as I join in with  Trish in her lovely 'LACEwork' this week (click on the image below) I hope not only to encourage you in line with Trish's guidelines

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

but to also thank those of you who visit here and encourage me too, whether through comments or prayer of just with the opportunity to share a little of the important things in my life ♥

Blessings to you and your homes,

Home Poem

Just because I love poems by Edgar Guest.

His love of the family circle and family life shine through every poem, and even more so now in our days where home is not valued I love the quality we can see he places on home through these poms for both parents and children.

Home - by Edgar Guest

It takes a heap o' livin' in a house t' make it home,
A heap o' sun an' shadder, an' ye sometimes have t' roam
Afore ye really 'preciate the things ye lef' behind,
An' hunger fer 'em somehow, with 'em allus on yer mind.
It don't make any differunce how rich ye get t' be,
How much yer chairs an' tables cost, how great yer luxury;
I ain't home t' ye, though it be the palace of a king,
Until somehow yer soul is sort o' wrapped round everything.

Home ain't a place that gold can buy or get up in a minute;
Afore it's home there's got t' be a heap o' livin' in it;
Within the walls there's got t' be some babies born, and then
Right there ye've got t' bring 'em up t' women good, an' men;
And gradjerly, as time goes on, ye find ye wouldn't part
With anything they ever used -- they've grown into yer heart:
The old high chairs, the playthings, too, the little shoes they wore
Ye hoard; an' if ye could ye'd keep the thumb marks on the door.

Ye've got t' weep t' make it home, ye've got t' sit an' sigh
An' watch beside a loved one's bed, an' know that Death is nigh;
An' in the stillness o' the night t' see Death's angel come,
An' close the eyes o' her that smiled,
an' leave her sweet voice dumb.
Fer these are scenes that grip the heart,
an' when yer tears are dried,
Ye find the home is dearer than it was, an' sanctified;
An' tuggin' at ye always are the pleasant memories
O' her that was an' is no more -- ye can't escape from these.

Ye've got t' sing an' dance fer years, ye've got t' romp an' play,
An' learn t' love the things ye have by usin' 'em each day;
Even the roses 'round the porch must blossom year by year
Afore they 'come a part o' ye, suggestin' someone dear
Who used t' love 'em long ago, an' trained 'em jes' t' run
The way they do, so's they would get the early mornin' sun;
Ye've got t' love each brick an' stone from cellar up t' dome:
It takes a heap o' livin' in a house t' make it home.

From the book "A Heap o' Livin'" ©1916

Blessings to you and your homes,

Hearts for Home - 29th March ♥

In today’s busy and aggressive society mothers at home are not given much encouragement to be committed to their role in being home.

In my weekly 'Hearts for Home' post I am encouraging myself and others to commit to thinking about what 4-6 things we can do each week to bring our thoughts, prayers and actions to keeping our 'Hearts for Home'.

I am praying that a spirit of gentleness, generosity in thoughts and time along with loveliness and grace would lead us to be all that God wants us to be.

I pray also that each person involved in 'Hearts for Home' would also pray for any others involved as well.

May you be blessed by this initiative. I pray it brings you and your family many blessings.

So each week list 4-6 things you will commit to that will keep your "Hearts for Home'.
Please leave a you name and a link to your blog (if you don't have one just leave your list in the comment box) and perhaps a comment so we can all see and encourage each other.

If you would like, add the 'Hearts for Home' logo to your side bar as a reminder of your goals.
God Bless you this week.

♥ Please leave a link to your Hearts for Home Edition on the Mister Linky at the end of the post, so we can all come and visit.
I would also appreciate you linking back here too.☺ ♥ ♥

My list for the 29th March  is ♥ ♥

1. You know I really am enjoying the not so much pressure I know I can put on myself, so as boring as it sounds I am still happy to be going along with my gentle and nurturing stage.....for myself and everyone else in my family.

2. Autumn is keen to learn to crochet so I am attempting to help her with my very limited skill base. Perhaps I will be able to start my own crochet project......the baby blanket. Considering the baby is due in about 7 weeks I need to start doing this.

3. I will continue to make these little Bunny's for Easter and work on the new baby's cross-stitch as well this week.

4. Corbyn's birthday is coming up before Easter and I am planning a very home-made very boy Adventure theme for him, so I would like to start this too. I have some ideas but am always open to other ideas as well ☺

5. I seem to be very craft orientated this week but when I am trying to regain energy I do find this helps. Also I really am enjoying just cuddling on the swing or rocking chair our little Arwen.

6. Try to regain some of my Lenten prayer and personal reflections that I seem to have missed so far. Especially on prayer for our family and the future for us.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Simple Easter Felt Bunny Tutorial

As I am crafting these little guys for Easter Table gifts I thought it would be good to share the pattern and how I make them with you. They really are quick and easy crafts, very good for when I need to make them in bulk, for a family our size.

This is the template I have used to make the little bunny shape. You need 2 of the bunny shapes to make one stuffed bunny. I have not left seam allowance so if you want a bigger pattern allow for seams.

Cut two shapes out of felt and pin together to stop movement. You can use contrasting or matching thread for this

Blanket stitch the two pieces of felt you have cut out together. I have found starting from just in front o f the ear and work around the ears up to just above the nose leaves a nice gap for stuffing.
Cut one little circle for the flower on the bunny. Clip the edges to create the flower shape.

Very lightly stuff the bunny starting with the legs at the bottom and gently work your way up. By the way in my later versions I have left a long tail when finishing the blanket stitch in part 1 to allow this to finish the bunny of later. I am a slow learner sometimes.

When finished stitching the bunny up, tie some ribbon around his neck and just sew the flower on with a little stitch to secure.

I hope you  enjoy this little bunny. He really is a favourite of mine and the children just adore them. Great for putting in little pockets and carrying around.

Blessings to you and your homes,

Spring Basket Tutorial

Thank you for all your wonderful comments on my spring tablescape. As promised, here is the tutorial for making the spring basket place cards/party favors featured in this post.

Supplies
Tuna fish can – empty and cleaned
Raffia – several lengths about 20 inches long
Glue gun and glue sticks
Scissors
Pinking shears
Sewing machine
Iron
Linen – Two 10” x 26” pieces
Thread to match fabric
Sewable Heat and Bond – One 6” x 22” piece

Directions
Use iron to attach one piece of linen to one side of Heat and Bond.

Use scissors to trim extra fabric.

Remove paper from Heat and Bond and use iron to attach second piece of linen.

Use scissors to trim extra fabric. You now have a double sided 6” x 22” piece of linen.

Fold, iron and pin linen in half along 6” side leaving ½” difference in the hems.

Sew along edge with sewing machine.

To create the fabric loops, use pinking shears or scissors to make cuts along folded edge about ½” apart. Cuts should stop about ½” from sewn edge.

Attach fabric to tuna fish can using glue gun. Fabric will wrap around can a little more than two times.

At this point the fabric loops will be stiff. Simply press loops down with your hands to create desired look.

To make the handle, tie knots along length of raffia about 1 inch apart. Trim ends about 1” below first and last knot. Your handle should be about 12 inches long.

To attach handles to inside of tuna fish can, rest knot on the top edge of the can and glue using glue gun.

Fill with paper grass and goodies!

Enjoy!

Linking up to:
The DIY Project Parade at The DIY Showoff
Centsational Girl