Autumn Seasons Table

As we have moved into the Autumn season we have changed our  seasons table to reflect this in our home.
As this is my most favourite season followed by Winter I just love the crafts we can do with the season.
The colours just reflect the warmth and cosiness I anticipate and love about this season.

Of course the table changes as the children like to redecorate it to their own tastes and with their own added extras too, and sometimes we actually have a season's table war with children vying for their version to be the one that is left the longest.

Another place  we decorate is our brick fireplace with the bakers oven insert. Here Mother Earth sits with other seasonal delights: Autumn leaf people, gnomes and felted seasonal vegetables and felt leaves, both cut from felt and from  fleece.

These  have all been hand made by myself or family members.
In fact the Autumn fairies (in the above picture were made by Rogan a couple of years ago.

After Easter as we come more into the season we will be making more Autumn items for our changing season table.
Linking today with Creative Friday

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

What's on your Bedside Table?? ...A link up party

As I am interested in other people and what they like to read and collect I thought it might be fun to see what others have on their bedside tables or bookcases and have a little link party!!

To be part of the fun simply take a photo of the place beside your bed where you collect all your treasures, whether a small chest of draws like myself or a beautiful table or simply a stack of stuff  and then tell us what you have on or in this this space.

You may or may not tidy up first, which ever you feel comfortable with and then simply add your link to this post.
Please, spread the word so we can all have a little peak into others head space too. Perhaps we can even pick up some decorating ideas or books to read as well.

So on my bedside table I have~
My bible
My prayer book that has had the cover torn off it and greasy fingerprints on
a bookmark from the children
A lamp with various Madi Gras Masks and Birthday felt crowns on it
A recent embroidery from Rogan for Christmas
A Sunbonnet Sue embroidery from Autumn some years ago

A WHOLE collection of books ( I won't mention the basket full beside the bed ) in various stages of completion - some nearly finished and some barely started or being read for the third or more time
Mothers Treasury of Prayers
Season's Of a Mother's Heart
Mitten Strings for God
Story Telling With Children
The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Processing Disorder
You are your Child's First Teacher
For the Family's Sake
Heaven on Earth
Mockingjay

Sometimes I even clean it and often have a few pieces of craft, some flowers from the children and a cup of coffee, (all on this quite small space) but not today.

Well thank you to any one who would like to join in and I look forward to seeing other inspiring bedtime places!

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

It's all about warmth!

Isn't this a beautiful sight?
We have finally come to the time of year I love best.
Warm fires, candle light, lamp light and togetherness.

There is something about a fire that invites people to share a space together, either doing things together such as playing cards, board games, or just chatting and crafts. Often you will find us just being together in our own little worlds reading books, but being open to each other during this time of rest and relaxation, a place of sanctuary.
So much can happen here in this space while really doing nothing more than being in the company of those you love and love you back.

Did I mention I love fires and all that they bring to mind? Oh, yes I have I am sure!
I am also thankful for the strong young men in our family who chop this for us. Of course our girls can and do chop wood too, but essentially it is the guys job on a regular basis.

As we lit our fire the other day it was amazing to see the return of the 'knitting' phase that was very evident in our home last year.

Our younger children started 'spider knitting' again which is really French knitting but on these cool, yes cool,   knitting nancy things. I know they are plastic  but seriously they make it so easy for younger children to get started with. By the way the children call them spider knitting because it looks like a huge spider web as it grows.
Last year Corbyn did not have the ability or the patience to really do his, but boy has he make a long 'spider web' now. He is so proud of his achievements, being able to do what the others have been doing and so is a very happy little camper

Of course as the cooler weather draws in we can now legitimately enjoy a cup of warm cocoa.
This one is one of my speciality ones that we save for not every day.
For this very large cup take:
2  slightly heaped teaspoons of cocoa
2 teaspoons of coconut sugar
4 heaped teaspoons of milk powder (full cream is our preference)
Mix thoroughly and pour on boiling water till about 3/4 full
Then top with pouring cream to desired height (use milk for a not so rich version if you like, but cream makes it oh, just so very very nice, really it does....go on try it)
Mix well again.

For even added specialness add whipped cream on top of this again.

How do you like that little cupcake on the side?
Well let me tell you it is grain free and I have to admit THE most delicious chocolate cupcake we have tried so far. The frosting on top.....mmm yummy too.

Oh you want to know all about it?
Well look for a post soon on our baking successes and failures and how we rate all the ones we have tried since going  Grain 'n' Sugar FREE!

In the meantime enjoy your seasons where ever you are! I am so delighted with ours!

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

The Hunger Games......and the Future

I have been intending to write this since I first finished reading this series of books a couple of months ago.

first off, if I had seen these at the library or books shop I would never have picked them up!! They just did not read like the type of book I would normally read.
I seriously dislike reality TV shows and I NEVER watch them, the bit I know comes from seeing the advertisements at the Doctor surgery.
I think they encourage a promotion of self at the expense of others and the joining of forces then to  stab someone in the back to still maintain ones position is a situation I find deplorable!

So how did I start to read them if I hold the position above?
Well  we have fairly strict standards on book reading in our home and Vellvin  had heard of them and got them from the library as she thought they would be interesting. As it was a series that we knew nothing about I pre-read them first. I often do this for the children and they are very patient while I complete this.
However sadly for Vellvin this was not a series I thought she was yet ready for even though I think they send a powerful statement and I stayed up very late reading them.

If I think that then why  do I think they have been one of the most powerful series I have read in a long time?

That dear friends is what I am going to share with you~
 The first thing I want to share is the fact that I can so see this as an actual reality for our society if it continues down the path we are taking (well some of the people in society are taking) as a society.
1. A society that seemingly has no problem with the wholesale murder of innocent life, before even leaving the supposed safety of the mothers womb.
2. A society that I read last week is discussing, purely on an academic basis (sure I believe that one) infant genocide.
3. A society that is continuing to estoll the benefits of euthanasia as a better option for older, sick  people or those who feel, even a little bit, (for a short period of time) that they can't cope any more with their burdens.
4. The complete lack of concern of others in our 'me' generated society. Where we are told and see promoted that it is 'all about us and what we want, even at others expense.'
5. A society where sacrifice for anyone is considered old fashioned and of little value- because it has not value for the 'ME people'

For those who know me after reading this for a period of time know I am adamantly Pro-Life and I see this series as a promotion of pro-life.
A pro-life stand promotes the dignity and sacredness off life at all stages.

These books I believe, as we read them confirm that without this stand for pro-life that people are really not valued for who they are but for what they contribute to the ME society and then only if you conform to what the people in charge (in this case The Capital) tell you.
If you step out of line then your life is forfeit and those you care about will also be punished.

Just forget about freedom of anything! Be prepared to live life as the puppets of those in charge and if they think you are not worth anything to them then ......check out time, goodbye.

How on earth can anyone not see the future predictions of this novel not becoming a reality without major and drastic change of opinions and actions by those within our society.

And here is the thing!
I re-read these books again because I was sooooo impressed with the message I saw within them and I was shocked at my own ability to not be as upset by the events taking place. I was astounded at how easily it was to accept the fact that life in this society was 'just how it was' that this was reality for them and so on,

So for myself it confirms to me that what I have told my children repeatedly is that 'you have to hold on to high standards, beware of lowering them for even one moment.' That moment when you allow the things that are not pure, not of high quality allows our minds to become used to this lower standard and hence we can begin a down ward spiral of what used to be abhorrent to becoming.. OK. I believe this can lead to apathy setting in on that as a society is detrimental for all.

Now I don't mean this book was a lower standard but what I am saying is that the ideas that the people are trying to overcome, the values that have become standard is what could easily happen  if we are not careful could easily become the norm for our society.

Don't get me wrong the books do show those who are willing to sacrifice for others and do a remarkable job of changing their world. But it is only through continued and  unprecedented  acts of sacrifice that change was achieved at all. These strong individuals were willing to die for the greater good.

The greater good that we have seen in past actions of martyrs and saints who have a bigger picture of what mankind can be like

I believe it is a motivational series that tells us to stand up for what we know is right. The other saying I  have told my children " Right is right, even if no-one else is doing it. Wrong is still wrong, even if everyone is doing it!"
Be strong! Make the decision to follow through on your standards. Continue to be loyal to what you believe in. Family loyalty; loyalty to a cause that if just , that is true, and promotes the dignity and sanctity of life for EVERYONE.
Loyalty that may cause your own death because you choose to stand for a better life for others.

This by no means is an easy task I am sure.
How many of us think we would take this path? Of course I would like to believe I would, BUT I know I never can be sure until I have walked that path.

Each year as we come closer to Good Friday I ponder this same theme: Would I have been one of Jesus' disciples and faithful defenders at his trial and crucifixion OR would I have been tempted to go the easy path and join in with the crowd?

For the same reflections I see are present in this series of books are a challenge to us to live a life that is based upon truth, justice for all, life for all and mercy and love.

The last thing I would like to present is that evil can sometimes appear under the guise of good.

Without giving anything away - some of the characters appear to be good, to support those who truly are defenceless but ultimately are after power and glory them selves and thus are able to commit acts that show their intentions to be what they really are.....the lust for power for themselves.
Thus simply replacing one  'bad' regime for another.

The end NEVER justifies the means!

Of course there are those who outwardly seem to be either good or having good intentions who really are those helping and choosing the sacrificial life for the benefit of others. In fact you have to look beyond the outward appearances to the life style and choices they make to truly see them for what they are..... martyrs.

I know there are many other peoples opinions out there for you to look at and see whether this series of books is for you.
One I am anxious to read is this one , I haven't yet , like I have not read any others as I wanted to write this as my own opinion without having read anything that may influence or even condone what I had already formed as my opinion.

I am going to see the movie  this afternoon with my daughter, and I wanted to get this done again before I saw it form a visual perspective.

Seriously I think theses books are a great read, not a light read, but a though provoking read about yours (and my) values  and how far we are willing to go to protect those values and the right to have them.

So in affect, that is what I believe these books really speak about. That 'The Hunger Games' is not really fiction but could very easily be a reality!

Links for you to peruse ~
The authors site
From wikipedia
A review by a young  lady
Official Movie trailer and review of the movie

UPDATED~ 30TH MARCH

While I enjoyed the movie I think it lacks the deep and profound message that the books have. It in no way covers the themes I have discussed and I think it lacks the real 'punch' of the books as well.
since writing I have seen soem other reviews (not all I agree with) but here they are for you:
Another opinion and review 
Karen Edmisten
Another view
And another

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

GRAIN SACK GORGEOUS...

Another peek at the goods making the trip to 

MARBURGER...

Fantastic industrial office chair. Very heavy and very ugly when I bought it. Sorry, I am the queen of no before pics...

Now in all it's glory, re~covered in an old striped grain sack.

Coming soon to a booth near you...

If

you are coming to 

Tent H Booth 15 to be exact. 

See ya at the show of all shows!

Thursday Thoughts

Happy Thursday! Hope you are having a great week and looking forward to the upcoming weekend. I had planned on sharing this post on Monday but somehow time went speeding by and it is now Thursday. Things have been rather busy around here so I thought I would update you on a few random happenings.

A little while back I came across an exciting-to-me find in the bookstore – my shower curtain was included in Better Homes and Gardens New Decorating Book! It is only a very small picture (the green one with blue tabs in the center) but it certainly was thrilling to be flipping through a design book and come across something I made. You may remember the curtain was part of this BH&G basement bathroom story.

The warmer weather over the past weekend was motivation to finish up a few inside painting projects (who wants to be inside when the weather is nice!) and begin an outside project that has long been on my mind.

So Mr. RDH completed repainting the two upstairs bathrooms. Both went from SW Aria Ivory to BM White Dove. The change is subtle but one that was well worth the effort. The master bedroom no longer has a blue ceiling and now is more in keeping with the feel of the attached bedroom.

We spent the second half of the weekend removing a whole bunch of myrtle that we had planted years ago on a small hill next to the driveway. The plant was becoming invasive so it was time for it to go.

Now we are left with a dirt hill and no plans for what to plant. If you have any ideas please let me know. I was thinking lavender but I would love to hear your opinion. This area gets a good bit of sun and tends to be very dry.

Besides the above I have also been filling my time with a few sewing classes to learn how to use my new-to-me sewing machine! For those of you who have been followers for a while, you are probably very familiar with the story of my old sewing machine.

I purchased a nine year old Bernina and I am just so excited by all the new capabilities I now have at my disposal. It even does embroidery which will allow me to customize stockings with names in my Etsy shop. Although I absolutely love my Singer Featherweight and will never part with it, I knew it was time for an upgrade. I plan to share more on my new toy later as I have been making several new stocking designs – including the one shown above - for this upcoming holiday season.

Finally there is all the little behind the scenes prep work which needs to be completed for next week’s photo shoots. I have a few smaller projects which I am working on which might be included in a few of the pictures.

Have a great weekend! I look forward to hearing your opinion about our dirt hill.

A Little Sunshine

Bringing flowers to me is a gift that happens almost daily.
I often have them entwined in my hair by the gift bringer and checked on frequently to see they are still there.

In fact it happens so often I rarely remember they are in my hair and so have in the past gone out with them still entwined, not knowing why people may be looking at me in 'that way.' When I realise I tend to feel in the 'gypsy' mode and quite enjoy the look, lol.

So when I looked out the window and saw these precious children running across the yard with practically and arm full of wattle they had picked of a tree. I knew they were for me!

However they would not be for my hair but for the vases that constantly are filled with more love tokens.

Is there nothing more precious than a gift of love through flowers from the innocence and pure joy of a child?
How blessed I am!!

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

Tomato Sauce - Homemade

When looking for a  sugar free/ wheat free tomato sauce I found a recipe at Deanne's Blog that seemed quite doable for me.
Since then I have adapted the recipe to suit us.
We are onto my second batch and the first batch lasted nearly 4 weeks and made about 3 and 1/2 litres.

However it isn't anything like the bought sauce and my bought sauce fans are't as keen as the others, but still like it just not in the same addicted way they ate the old sauce.
In fact my non-sauce eaters have not taken to eating more than the others in the family!

Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:
3kgs ripe tomatoes
900g apples
500g onions
3 cloves garlic
1 Coconut Sugar  (I will try honey soon as well)
2 T salt
1 long red Chilli
½ T cloves
½ T peppercorns
1 T curry powder
2 ½ C vinegar

Method
1. Cut tomatoes into chunks
2. Core and cut into chunks the apples (no need to peel them, I haven't and they are fantastic)
3. Cut up garlic and chilli
4. Put the above ingredients and the others into a large pot
5. Boil gently until soft
6. I have just left mine overnight and then put through the food processor
7. Put into what ever container you have.
8. Don't expect it to last too long...it is delicious

This is our first attempt at the sauce in the jugs just before putting it in bottles

I have now put our sauce in a little bowl and we are using a spoon to serve it out with.
Hopefully this will stop the 'oops I poured too much on.....wink, wink, nudge, nudge' approach that we have had with this sauce.

I guess that proves the point that it is very scrumptious!!

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

Snack Packs.....

As part of getting a grip on the 'munchies' in the family with our Grain 'n' Sugar FREE life style. To help the mama have some sanity over the constant asking for food to eat in between meals. I introduced the 'snack pack' last week.

Simply put Saxon (as a new job for him) is in charge of filling the snack packs each night. This zip lock bag contains each persons entire snack quota for the day, with the exception of perhaps an apple or banana.
Unless of course we bake something to be shared at a meal.

This is actually going well and I must say that I am pleased with how the children, especially the younger ones are managing with it.

Now depending on whether you believe dried fruit is good for you or not you may like our list of items (or not)

Now I would probably allow a bit more nuts if they weren't so very expensive.
However this is what we have in the 'snack packs'~
2 dried apricots
2 dates
2 prunes
approx 5 almonds
approx 5 cashews
approx 5 macadamia
small (very) hand of peanuts
small (very) hand of sultanas
pumpkin seeds - a few thrown in
sunflower seeds - a few thrown in
dried shredded coconut

Not everyone likes everything, well a few do, but we give and take for those individual tastes and thankfully I have had some relief from the constant asking for food question!

So how do you cope with the munchies at your home? I would love to hear some great ideas!

Blessings to you and your homes,
 

From Trahaearn to my Big Brothers ♥

Dear big brothers Kynan and Braedon,
As you are unable to be here on a daily basis I thought you would like to see how grown up I am getting.
I thought you would enjoy seeing how I am learning to crawl now.
I hope you enjoy and I can't wait to see you both again soon.
By the way underneath Autumn's bed there is so much mess, I was quite distressed and just had to blow raspberries at her!

The big girls thought it amusing to get me to crawl by keep on moving the chalk in front of me. I don't know why they do this? I mean surely I am smart enough to crawl by myself!

The other day while Mummy was hanging out washing she put me on the grass beside her and let me go all over. The only problem with being outside is my clothes get really dirty.
Oh yeah, how do the non matching socks grab you.


Well that is all for now
Miss you heaps, as does everyone else
Love Trahaearn  ♥

LAST MINUTE PICK...

Yesterday we hit Renninger's for a last minute pick before we head West to Marburger Farms.

We are up to our eyeballs in preparations for the show and for the new booth at Pattie Anne's!

Pardon the driveway pics, but that's where we spend most of our time now getting ready.

Fabulous metal cubbies, white chippy cupboard, white metal mesh umbrella stand and the most gorgeous veggie bin on earth. 

Seems like every show there is one thing that tugs at my heart and is really hard to sell. The veggie bin wins that honor hands down. 

The patina is beyond fabulous! Really on the fence about this one...

Love a great set of cubbies and the umbrella stand is so cool!

Metal industrial table stripped. Love!

Pretty little tea cart that I painted in Old White by Annie Sloan. Yummy!

Just a hint of what we have to offer at the show of all shows

MARBURGER FARMS!

APRIL 3~7, 2012

You can find all these treasures (minus the veggie bin maybe) in 

TENT H BOOTH 15.

COME GET SOMETHING FABULOUS!!!

St Patrick Celebrations 2012

Our celebration of St Patrick's Day was a little different from previous years as we were not able to  use our favourite recipes. We used some grain free ones ones and I will review these in a future grain post.

I stayed up late the night before because I wanted to make some Irish girls to put on our Bookcase display (above)
I so enjoyed making my Leprechauns last year and so just HAD to make something new.

I adore painting red heads and had lots of fun dong these.

Our plans for this day consisted of these ideas:
Dress in green (yes most of us did)
Make Irish Girls (above)
Read the books we own (pictured in my side bar)
Set up bookcase display (initial picture)
make paper snakes ( see below)
Do colouring pages and other activities (as we can from below list)
colouring pages
Colouring page
ST Patrick colour
St Patrick
Lap Book
Note Cards
Tracing Page
Heap of St Patrick Ideas

Pick clover for vases
Chalk Board picture
Make Grain Free Chocolate cupcakes and cream on top with mint 'shamrock' decorations (sadly I can't find the picture for this one) Recipe 1 and Recipe 2
 Make Irish Soda Bread - recipe here

Things we didn't do but were on my list were:
Make a mini ribbon banner like my Valentine one
Play Pin the Shamrock on St Patrick like we did in a previous year.
Face painting and/ draw Celtic tattoos on body.
St Patrick Play (similar to some of our slide shows)

So Corbyn was so excited to be dressing  all in green to celebrate St Patrick that he had all his clothes out the night before, including his Cowboy hat and was ready in record time in the morning.

He went and picked me some clover first thing and came with clover flowers first and then went back for the clover leaves, ie, shamrocks.

Moran and Myffwyn took a long time finding some green clothes but came up with some original and quite peasant look for the day.

Once again picking of the shamrocks was in order.

Seriously I love this in our grass and can never understand why people prefer to have clover free grass.

Isn't it just a delightful and fresh picked greenery?

For our lunch as we could not have some of our other past experiences with food, we made an Irish flag from carrot, cheese and celery.

Coming down stairs to a reminder of the day is always a special thing for me.

Our children especially enjoy  colouring pages and spend a nice time together doing this.

After the cup cakes were mixed up it is only right and fair that someone licks the bowl!

Rogan make recipe 2 batch of Cupcakes. I will review these along with other new recipes, as soon as I can.

And Autumn made Recipe 1. We wanted to try both to see which one we preferred.

Corbyn starting to paint the 'snake' paper

 Corbyn painted one snake paper and got tired of it after that.

 I drew snake spiral for the little ones to cut out form the finished snake paper

Cutting the snakes

Arwen with her finished snake, it got to be rather small after she insisted on cutting across the snake body.

Moran and her very long snakes

Myffwyn just had to wear her snakes

Yeah, too cute!!

Then we draped them over the St Patrick chalk board so St Patrick could 'drive them out of Ireland'
Over the course of the day we had some interesting conversation with the little ones about this and other themes fro St Patrick.

Our Grain Free Irish Soda bread.......so much smaller than we are used to.

Ready to eat, even if someone forgot to keep checking on it.

Dinner was , um, not really St 'Patricky' at all as I forgot when planning menus and shopping that I needed to get St Patrick type food.
However the colours worked in our favour yet again with green, white and orange.

We did not watch any of the movies we have as it was quite late when we had finished after our regular and additional Saturday jobs too, as well as sleeping in (gasp, gosh) so we did not even start  until about 12pm.

I pray you all enjoyed your own celebrations of one of our favourite saints.......... St Patrick
.

Blessings to you and your homes,