"My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest." - Isaiah 32:18

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Merry Christmas!

It's here! It's here!

It's Christmas Day!!!

I am having the most wonderful Christmas, friends...

And I truly hope you are feeling loved and blessed on this special day, too!

I am looking forward to blogging in the New Year, but just thought I'd pop in very quickly to say I am thinking of you and I wish you the Merriest Christmas!


"One king held the frankincense
One king held the myrrh
One king held the purest gold
And one King held the hope of the world."


Praying God's protection and blessings over you, dear readers...


Merry Christmas!


xo,


~ Courtney ~

Sunday, December 9, 2018

Elegant Gift Wrapping

Hello, friends!

I truly hope you are enjoying this holiday season!

I also hope you are well on your way to being shopped and wrapped!

I still have a little more to do, but I have a good handle on things this year, so I am happy about that!

Today's post is about how I wrap my presents...


A friend of mine recently said, "Your gift wrapping is like a work of art!"

So that made me wonder if it'd be worth composing a post about it...?...


Each year I come up with a sort of theme.

I make sure my gift wrap and ribbons all coordinate with one another.

One year I did leopard print with red...

Another year I did sheet music with antique name tags...

This year I am doing french toile and plaid...


In my experience, the prettiest and most unique wrapping papers can be found at Hallmark and HomeGoods. I have not had much luck with places like Walmart or Hobby Lobby. However, my ribbon this year is from the craft section at Walmart.

(Tip: I like to use cloth ribbon instead of paper ribbon. I find it to be a more elegant result. So I shop for my wrapping ribbon in the craft aisles of stores like JoAnn Fabrics or Walmart, because the holiday aisles tend to just have the paper ribbon.)


Another way to wrap a package very elegantly, is to be generous with the ribbon.

I wrap the ribbon all the way around the box, crossing it in the back...


Then bringing it back around to the front for a full bow.

(Make sure the ribbon ends are trimmed in a tidy way to avoid frays.)


Now for the finishing touch... a beautiful name tag with a small pine sprig...


I purchased these Christmas tags on Etsy...


But I've also seen beautiful ones at HomeGoods as well.

Several years ago I had Micah plant a few holly bushes for me in our yard.

I wanted them specifically for garnishing presents!

But, disappointedly, they've never produced berries!

(If any of you are gardeners and can tell me why my holly bushes are berry-less, please leave a comment! I'd love to know if there's anything I can do!)

So instead, I buy a few faux sprigs each year. I make sure they're small so they don't over-power the gift. 

Hobby Lobby and JoAnn Fabrics are great places to find tiny holiday picks.

I like these...


They were 50% off, so I bought six of them for only a few dollars.

Inexpensive and elegant!

Of course, you don't want the wire to show. It can either be trimmed with a wire clippers, or folded over once or twice before sliding underneath the ribbon...


If you have some berries or pine in your yard, it is very lovely to have something like that embellish a wrapped package. If you do a fresh clipping however, wait until a day or two before Christmas so they don't dry out!

I have been very happy with my toile and plaid gifts this year!

I think it's a beautiful combination!

I noticed, just today actually, that the presents on the cover of this months' Victoria magazine have some plaid in them as well!

(Victoria magazine)

Isn't this just beautiful!!!

These are the gifts under my tree...


Not stunning like a magazine, but good enough for me!

Happy holiday wrapping, friends!


xo,


~ Courtney ~

Thursday, November 29, 2018

A 'Mary' Christmas

Somewhere between this past summer and early fall, the decision was made that I would host Thanksgiving this year, and my mother would host Christmas Eve. 

That is the reverse of what we've typically done in the past.

Having everyone over to my home this Thanksgiving was an absolute delight, and I am now faced with the realization that my work this holiday season (for hosting family events) is done!

I felt an initial sadness. 

(I have LOVED taking on the responsibility and honor of Christmas Eve.)

But that feeling soon morphed into inspiration...

Why not have a simple and relaxing Christmas?!

Ahhh...

Sounds wonderful to me!

My mother said, "Think of it as a year off!"

So, I did.

I announced to Micah and the children that I would only be doing about half of what I normally do for decorations, and we would only have one tree.

Nobody protested.

So I proceeded...


I put together a few festive touches...


But overall my home is pared down this year.


I've used red roses in my Christmas decor for many years now, and I've yet to grow tired of it.


To me, it's timeless and classic.


I like to tuck rose clusters into the tree...


And beside kitchen displays...


Fresh pine clippings from the yard are tucked into vignettes around the house as well...


As far back as I can remember, I have been the type of person who is emotionally effected by surroundings.

In my childhood I can remember the lighting, noise, and atmosphere of school as being distracting and unsettling for me.

My mother knew how to make home beautiful and peaceful, so I would look forward to getting off the bus and running to the back door where I knew I'd be embraced with a warm sense of home.

A beautiful environment matters to me.

I can work better, and think clearer.

So I wondered if I'd regret not having a front room tree this year as well as the other decorations that I've kept in the storage bins from previous years.

But so far I've really enjoyed the non-fussy simplicity!

It has given me room in my brain to enjoy this Christmas in a richer way.

It has also inspired me to keep my calendar simple this holiday season, too!

It requires no effort at all to mindlessly fill the days with appointments, errands, and social events - to jump in the car and be on the go.

But what does that give me?

Empty busyness.

I'm trying to be intentional about saying 'no' to unnecessary busyness that will not add anything meaningful to my life, so that I can say 'yes' to what is meaningful to me.

I'm hoping this purposeful effort will allow me to enjoy a Mary Christmas...

"As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed- or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

- Luke 10:38-42

Mary has chosen what is better...

Hmmm...

I can use that as my holiday filter!

When something comes up I can ask myself, Am I choosing what is better?

Will this (fill in the blank) allow me to be a blessing to my family and others, and focus on the true meaning of Christmas?

* * * * *

Yesterday my dishwasher broke.

I woke up this morning not too excited about the idea of spending the day hand-washing dishes.

Then one of my small children informed me they had wet the bed in the night.

Now I'm hand-washing dishes AND cleaning tinkle bedding.

Ugh!

But as I went about my work today with happy, healthy children around me, Christmas music playing in the background, and watching big, white snowflakes flutter around out the windows, I was filled with joy. 

Our day was wide open, and I had plenty of time.


Empty days on the calendar are a blessing!

I can serve my family and tend to my home without the stress of worldly pressures. 

And I can look forward to enjoying a very Mary Christmas!



xo,


~ Courtney ~


Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Thanksgiving Preparations

Friends! 

It has been too long!


I have missed you!

I never mean to take blogging breaks, honest! 

It just sort of happens!

I always know when it's time to sit down at my computer again, too, because I'll get a few texts from sweet friends asking why there are no new posts! Haha...

Well, November is a meaningful (and busy!) month for our family, because two of my children celebrate birthdays this month, as well as my grandmother!

(She's turning 80 this year!)

We celebrated Roman's 10th birthday at a local waterpark...


It sure is jarring to go from frigid 20-something degree weather to a bathing suit and pool water!

But you know kids... They don't care!

We had a blast!


And we'll celebrate Nola and my grandma tomorrow...

(Since she is my kids' great-grandma, they call her GG.)

I had this purple cake made because purple is Nola's most favorite color!


Are you ready to celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow?

I am hosting this year, so I've been a busy bee scrubbing bathrooms, setting tables, and making casseroles!

It's been a lot of fun!

Do you like my Thanksgiving table?


I absolutely love having family in my home, so I'm really looking forward to tomorrow!

There will be 15 of us altogether.


I have been slowing reading through William Bradford's account titled, Of Plymouth Plantation. The book is his personal journal about the Pilgrims' Atlantic crossing aboard the Mayflower, and their brutal and extremely harsh first winter here. So, I feel this Thanksgiving has a richer meaning for me than usual. The sacrifice and the loss that these brave, early Americans endured is what's been fresh on my mind lately.

We are so blessed!

In Puritan New England
A year had passed away
Since first beside the Plymouth coast
The English Mayflower lay.

When Bradford, the good Governor,
Sent fowlers forth to snare
The turkey and the wild fowl,
To increase the scanty fare-

Give thanks unto the Lord of Hosts,
By whom we all are fed,
Who granted us our daily prayer,
"Give us our daily bread!"

By us and by our children 
Let this day be kept for aye,
In memory of His bounty,
As the land's Thanksgiving Day.

- Alice Williams Brotherton 


Happy Thanksgiving, friends!


xo,


~ Courtney ~

Monday, October 29, 2018

Personal Hygiene Kits

I just read about this idea last night, while doing a little on-line research...

I was reading about the importance of homeschool families making sure they were still getting up and getting ready in the mornings.

The author acknowledged the temptation for homeschool families to not pay much attention to their physical appearance. 

What's the point? - is the thought. 

The author of the article encouraged homeschool moms to teach their children proper daily hygiene, and to take pride in their appearance, even on days when they are just staying home.

One of her suggestions was to give each child their own little basket or box to house some hygiene supplies.

I instantly knew I wanted to try it!

We had to go to the grocery store today anyway, so we picked up a few things for the project...


If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know that my children do a "morning routine" each day after breakfast, which includes basic hygiene tasks such as brushing hair and teeth.

But, other than toothbrushes, they've never had their own supplies.

So I told them we were going to be making "personal hygiene kits" today, and each of them would have their own.

They seemed excited about it!

I bought them each a crayon box, and they put their names on them...


Next, we filled them with toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, nail-clippers, chapstick, lotion, etc...

This is Soren's... He put a flashlight in his for some reason, haha...


The children enjoyed making theirs personal, with items only for them. 

Nola wanted to keep hair ties in hers...


And Roman thought his kit would be a good place to store his mouth retainer... 


I also made sure they each had lotion in their kits because our winters are so brutal!

We battle chapped hands every year.

*sigh

Other than that, I am hoping this new system will help us with two things...

One - Our chapsticks and hair combs always had an uncanny way of growing legs and running off!

We could never find one or the other when we needed it!

I would buy my kids a chapstick and within a week they would tell me they lost it!

So, I hope these kits will provide a more organized and convenient place to store these items.

And two - I think it'll be healthier for us!

In the past they would share toothpaste, nail-clippers, and even chapstick at times.

By giving them their own supplies, they won't be sharing as many germs - and I am happy about that this cold and flu season!

They've decided to store their kits in the cupboard beneath the bathroom sink.

I sure hope they will feel a sort of jurisdiction over their kit, and take care and keep track of the items.

Time will tell, of course, if this will prove to be a good system for us.

Roman made a noteworthy statement. He pointed out that it will be much quicker and easier to pack for our next overnight trip! He said, "All we'll have to do is grab our kit, and throw it in our suitcase!"

Great point!


What about you? How do you store your children's hygiene items?

I am sure you have an attractive and efficient way!

I know this because I have some very organized friends!

I am always impressed when I go into the homes of my mom-friends.

Playing house is just fun! Isn't it?!


Take care, friends...


xo,


~ Courtney ~

Saturday, October 20, 2018

A Few Thoughts on Correcting Temper Tantrums in Children

It's not the most pleasant topic...

Temper tantrums

So, I'll include some light-hearted family photos in this post to help brighten things up...

(Spring 2016)

Micah and I have never had much tolerance for whining or sour attitudes in children.

We decided very early on that we would nip it in the bud with our children as best as we could.

Why is it important not to let small children get away with temper tantrums?

Well, it's simple. Children who are accustomed to throwing fits grow up to become adults who throw fits.

We've all seen grown adults whine, fuss, complain, march, protest and manipulate when they don't get their way.

It doesn't look like the two year-old's version, but it's a fit just the same.

All one needs to do to witness adults acting this way is to turn on the evening news or watch a little politics.

I do not wish to bring politics into my blog, since this is a blog on home living...

But the reason it relates is because it can all be traced back to the home.

Maybe these people didn't have parents who taught them that life isn't fair, but that's ok... we can be content with what we have!

(Now there's a novel thought in our day of everyone screaming about their rights!)

I can't do anything about what's going on in our current culture, but I can do something about my own heart-attitude and the attitudes of my children.

(Winter 2017)

It all starts when a baby or small toddler stiffens their little body, throws their head back and lets out a mighty wail...

"Give me what I want or I'll make you miserable!" is essentially their heart-attitude.

Well... what are you going to do, mama?

You could administer a punishment of some sort, or even ignore it... But the worst thing you can do is give the child what they want in that moment.

Compromising or negotiating with them is equally as bad, because you are allowing the child to yank you down to their level. 

YOU are the mother!

(Think- I train them, they do not train me!)

(Summer 2017)

A baby or toddler who is not yet speaking can be trained in cause and effect.

With my babies, I would make a point to train them that their fit is not a means to getting what they want. 

When my children grew a little older, I would simply explain to them, "I will never give you what you want as long as you are whining at me for it."

Then I would go on to say something along these lines, "Your whining shows me you do not have the right heart-attitude. If you can get a handle on your emotions, and speak to me respectfully, I will consider what you are asking."

I've learned through experience that even a very young child can be spoken to on these terms.

(Fall 2017)

"Children merely want to know where the boundaries lie and who's available to enforce them."
- Dr. James Dobson

I have also been very strict about not allowing my children to say, "no" to me.

They have all tried it once or twice over the years, but every time I would stop what I was doing, look them sternly in the eye, and very firmly say, "You may NOT say 'no' to me! You say 'yes ma'am' and obey."

In every instance they would quickly straighten up and give me an agreeable, "Yes, ma'am." 

I have seen the fruit from planting these seeds, because now my children wouldn't dare say, "no" to me.

I am so thankful I trained them this way when they were very little.

If you are a young mother with babies and toddlers, I would encourage you to work on these things now! You will reap a harvest of happy children you enjoy being around when they get a little older! 

(New Years Day 2018)

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
- Galatians 6:9

I'd love to reap a harvest of all my children growing into contented, God-fearing adults, who love and respect the people around them.

Correcting their temper tantrums now, is the best place to start!

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."
- Proverbs 22:6


xo,


~ Courtney ~





Sunday, October 14, 2018

A Children's Tea

" 'Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."
- John Howard Payne, "The Maid of Milan" 


One of my favorite parts of our homeschool day is our afternoon quiet hour.

Usually our formal 'school work' is complete by this time, and with no noise coming from music or the TV, we can spend the hour silently reading and resting.

It's been abnormally cold here lately, so on days where we go out for a walk, or have to drive to town for an appointment, it feels wonderful to come back and have a quiet hour. 

"Listen! the wind is rising,
and the air is wild with leaves,
We have had our summer evenings,
now for October eves!"
- Humbert Wolfe, "Autumn"


The other day we came home from running an errand out in the cold. We were chilled and happy to be home. A warm drink sounded restorative, and like it just might hit the spot.

I don't like for my children to have caffeine, and I didn't have any hot cocoa on hand, so we thought we'd try an experiment.

A homemade children's tea...

???

I didn't have a recipe, or a real clear idea of what the outcome would be...

But we assembled a few ingredients.


I cut up a few apples and pears that I had in the fridge...


And decided to simmer them in a pot of water along with a fresh cinnamon stick.


I figured I'd just scoop the fruit out at the end and we'd drink the warm juice.

But when I came back to check on it, (after about 30 minutes) it looked like this!...


Oh no!!!

The apples were disintegrating!

I should have known better. I used mackintosh apples because that's what I had on hand. But they were too soft of an apple for this.

We worked together to fish everything out with a strainer...


Yep, this is an experiment alright. Our own little concoction...


The pears stayed perfectly intact though, so we thought we'd let them simmer a little longer.

One of the children remarked how we should plop in a few strawberries, since our apples didn't work out.

"Why not?" I said. "We're in this together!" Haha.

So into the pot went a few strawberries...


(It was a good idea because it turned the liquid a more attractive shade of pinkish-red.)


"What everyone needs after a long day is time to decompress. The kitchen is the ideal place, especially during fall and winter when it can be bitterly cold outside. The warmth from the stove is a welcome relief."
- Diana Rosen, "Taking Time for Tea"

After a little more simmer time, we scooped out the rest of the fruit. Then mixed in 1/3 c. of sugar...


We were ready to try it!


Cheers!


"This, then, is what tea time means to me: the embrace of friendship, quiet contemplation, and the sustenance that can bring inner serenity and peace."
- Diana Rosen, "Taking Time for Tea"

We thought we'd treat ourselves to a real tea time, complete with a bite of something sweet...


"We need time to dream,
Time to remember,
Time to reach for the infinite.
Time to be."
- Gladys Taber


What do you think, Soren?...


Our tea turned out rather delicious!

I was pleasantly surprised!

Of course, this wasn't a true tea made from actual tea leaves. It was more of an infusion of sorts.

But the children felt very proud and grown-up to call it "tea".

It tasted fruity and sweet.

I would definitely make it again, only next time I will remember to use a sturdier apple! *eye roll

While we had our tea time, I encouraged the children to contemplate our blessings.

I remind my children regularly that we do not deserve any of the good things we enjoy in life.

They are gifts from the Lord.

"Every good and perfect gift comes down from above."
- James 1:17

I wish to foster a sense of gratitude in my children (and myself!) rather than entitlement.

So we talk about this often.

I will ask them, "What are some of the blessings in your life? Isn't it wonderful that you can see, taste, and hear? Did you do anything to deserve a loving family or this safe home? No. The Lord has blessed us with these gifts. What other blessings can you think of?"

After our little talk I cleaned the kitchen and poured the rest of our experiment into a container to save for a future time.


Have your ever made anything like this, friends?

What can you tell me that might help us the next time we try to make it?

What are the best kinds of fruits to use?

Do you sweeten it with sugar, or is honey better?

I'd love to hear from you in the comments.

Until next time...


xo,


~ Courtney ~