A childs project
My brother writing "Moms Aprons" on driftwood....

Well worn floors over 70 years old
Footsteps that have tiptoed down the hallway

Hardwood standing strong under the weight of many bookshelves...

Everyday bearing the scratches and wear of "living", especially Homeschooling

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Old window panes...
Enclosing the distant sounds of laughter and conversation

Protecting us from the outdoor elements

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I wanted to share with you a little about our home, and it's many Imperfections--that in time, become endearing. To us, "Cottage" is a lifestyle, a way of thinking {in a sense}. We don't have the most up to date things, but take delight in what we do have.

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^I'm beating egg whites for Old-fashioned pound cake^
My Mother and I often comment that we take pleasure in what many consider 'insignificant'. Doing simple home chores, learning skills, taking notice of the nature around you. Sifting through thrift shops to find that one treasure we've been seeking. Living simply, but having a FULL life :)
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...The simplicity of Flowers
The joy of discovering a new bloom--brought inside to brighten the meal table

Or left outside to continue to attact the butterflies...

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"But the true idea of a home is that it is a place for growth. It is a place for the parents themselves to grow--to grow into beauty of character, to grow in refinement, in knowledge, in strength, in wisdom, in patience, gentleness, kindliness, and all the Christian graces and virtues."

'Homemaking' by J.R Miller, 1882
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^The youngest helping me prepare dinner^

Browsing through a vintage shop...
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Sewing inspiration!

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One of my finds was this vintage apron!

The white pockets in the front are nice--perfect for holding my camera :)
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Oh, I'm carrying up old watermelon to the chickens :) They *enjoyed* it!

ps) The bucket is actually quite heavy w/ other compost, that's why I'm leaning!
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As we walked through our neighborhood aka down a long country road, we came across this abandoned cabin.

Many of our neighbors grow acres upon acres of cotton, and as we walked, our Mothers stopped to observe...
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Amazing, eh?
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The cool breeze seems to whisper that Autumn is just around the corner.

My sister in the kitchen

Along w/ jam, I made Quince Jelly for the first time! For Spiced Pear Jam I just added cinnamon, cloves and a little ginger to the fruit puree. Ah, it cooked like a warm spiced applesauce..really a great way to begin anticipating the Autumn season!

We've really enjoyed having hens, they're so simple to care for...and the reward of fresh eggs everyday is wonderful!
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Heartwarming Oat Scones

*1.5 cups flour, *1/2 cup Oats, *1/3 cup sugar, *1 Tbsp baking powder, *1/2 tsp salt.

*1/3 cup melted butter, *1 egg, *1/3 cup milk

Mix together ingredients...
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Pat dough out to a 7-8 in. circle, about 1/2 in. thick.
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Then spread 1 TBsp softened/melted butter across the top...
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Cut halfway through the dough into triangle sections...
Then sprinkle w/ Cinnamon sugar topping
(1 TBsp sugar & 1/4 tsp cinnamon)
Bake in a 375 degree oven for 15 mins.
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While waiting for the scones to bake, I finished up my laundry.
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Gathering favorite books to read...
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On the front porch, I set up a small table complete with tea, scones, pear jam...
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The scones turned out wonderfully!
Not too sweet, the topping added just enough spice so as to compliment the jam.
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My family came to join me for tea...

As we ate, we skimmed through the books, sharing enlightening quotes we came across or a favorite topic :)
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This morning we attended my dear friends wedding!

Small town shops...

Last week we drove up to Washington DC to attend a wedding reception and visit relatives.

We went through Historic towns on the way...
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In one of the antique shops, upstairs was packed w/ beautiful fabric...with bundles only $1.60 ea.

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The local officer on horseback

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City Gardens

Kitchen Inspiration

Another view of Julias kitchen....
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"If I can influence Americans to keep in the kitchen and make it a real family room and a real part of their lives, I will have succeeded beyond hope." --Julia Child
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At the Museum of Natural History,
I ran into this couple who were refreshingly old-fashioned :)
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On our last night in DC, we walked through a Historic part of downtown.
Heading straight for their local bookshop, we relaxed and enjoyed our time there.

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A Blessed Week
A young Mother in our church just delivered a newborn, so I had the opportunity to spend most of the week at their home, managing the house and caring for their other children. It was a lovely experience, especially just watching her bond with her baby. I'm thankful I had the free time to devote to being a help to their family :)
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This weekend, I sang and played guitar in my dear friends wedding. It truly was a beautiful event, and I loved the Autumn colors...

The Bridesmaids

I've had such a full weekend, y'all! I hope you enjoyed this update, I know it's been a while :)

Up next is the picnic this Saturday...bring your lunch and feel free to join us!

I set out fresh flowers from the Cottage...

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Menu:

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A few more joined in the game!

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~Table setting~

The wearing of a shawl adds a softness to the attire..and its very practical :)
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Meeting a friend for the first time!

It's amazing that through this blog, it's connecting so many who are of like-mind. As we all engaged in fellowship, I had a delightful time hearing the different stories of everyday life...we had many laughs!

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Beginning a new game...
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~My Dad and brother eating lunch.~

A few Ladies began another game of Croquet...

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Fathers in conversation...

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My Mother taking pictures of the children.

As the toddlers took turns chasing the ball, it provided them so much entertainment! We enjoyed watching them :)

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A Mother and her sons...

After a few hours, we packed up our picnic and carpooled through the small town to a local Wildlife preserve and rescue center.

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Through the trails, we stopped to admire the native wildlife...

~Sisters~

Playing around in the Barn...

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"And all of this world, is for children who play

Days that never end always should remain

Another perfect day"

--'Perfect Day' lyrics from the Tales of Beatrix Potter

The simplicity of the picnic made the day so memorable. Nothing was structurally planned, which allowed for sweet fellowship & getting to know each other better. I'm so thankful for all the families who attended and made it special!

Roses against the fence...
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Bringing in fresh cut Zinnias..

Autumn has finally arrived

~My sister joined me as we walked together to the back of the property...

My Dad was given a day off work, so when he came home, we finished (and began!)

My sister completed her crocheted vest she's been working on :)
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It's simple, and the color is perfect for the season!
ps) she created the pattern/style herself, so I don't have a written pattern..lol!!
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~My new FAVORITE easy easy easy bread recipe~
*~*
Many thanks to "Artisan Bread in five minutes a day" by Jeff Hertzburg
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*6 cups lukewarm water (make sure its not too warm..this is important)
*3 TBsp active dry yeast (I use rapid rise/bread machine yeast)
*2.5 TBsp sea salt
*13 cups flour (I use 8 cups white, 5 cups wheat)
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Pour water in large bowl, add yeast and salt.
Add the flour, then use a wooden spoon to mix..Kneading is NOT necessary!
Cover bowl.
This whole process takes 5 minutes! yes!
Let rise for 2 hours.
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Get about a 'grapefruit sized' piece of dough...
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Lightly roll it in flour, tucking it into a ball.
Place bread dough on a greased pan/dish...
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Let rise for 45 minutes...
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{I sprinkled ground flax seed on some of the loaves}
Dust with flour & slash the top, so as it rises it gives a more rustic look :)
ps) this recipe makes 6-7 small loaves
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Important element: Baking w/ steam.
While your loaves are rising, place a small casserole dish filled with water in the broiler, so as the oven heats up to 400 degrees, the steam will give the bread a beautiful crust!
.
Bake loaves for 30 mins.
.
{Delicious-- the crust is perfect, and the texture inside is soft and flavorful!}
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Fresh herbs make their way into most of our meals! Here are our staples:
Rosemary, Basil, Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Cilantro.
~An abundance of peppers...
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My cat decided to spontaniously climb this tree as soon as she saw my camera...
hmm..I think I've taught her to pose, lol! :)
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So far we're growing Turnip greens, collards, kale & swiss chard.
(More pictures to come)
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These are younger plants (collards) my Dad began to transplant.
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My recent project has been this half apron I hand-stitched. In proper 19th century style, I *tried* to do tiny stitches, so it's taken me all week to sew. All I have to do is the hem..I'm so ready to be done! ;)

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Due to reader's request, here's a peek of the (unfinished) back of the apron.

All it needs is a wood or gourd button!

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Hope y'all are having a great week--Stay Encouraged!

Your friend,

Mia

I just returned home from spending most of the week in a working class 1860's town...

Ladies on the front porch

An October evening by the warm hearth

Gone are the lavish dinners and fine dresses...

Many households struggled to make the most out of the frugal menu, as drygood prices continued to rise. For us, flour got so scarce to come by, it was priced at $10 for a little over 2 cups! Suffice it to say, we were able to get creative using the abundant cornmeal!

Inside the Mercantile
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The carpenter hard at work on a project.

The town continues to operate the best way it can despite the present hardships.
~A handmade quilt in a simply furnished room.

The house cook & I prepared, cooked, & served all the meals for our home group,
which was about 20 re-enactors. Cooking and baking over the fire was a bit difficult at first, especially to keep the fire going at the desired temperature. We learned quickly though!
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In front of the Courthouse
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Down by the Homestead...
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The women hand-washed, starched and ironed the clothes as a paid service.
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As refugees (aka Spectators) came by, many questions were asked.

One young girl asked what I (as a house servant) would have to do.

I told her, "Anything that needs to be done!" Cooking, cleaning, washing dishes/clothes, running errands, accompany the ladies to town, hand-sewing/mending etc. Not to mention continuing to keep the fire going all day!

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Preparing the batter for a honey cake, using "The young Homekeepers Friend, 1859"

The reciept calls for enough flour" to make a stiff dough" lol

ah, the days before exact measurements.... :)
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A woman at the farmhouse washing clothes

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One of the young women of the household volunteered

to help slice vegetables for supper that evening...

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A country lane

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The Lady of the house {on the right} with her relative, about to go into town.
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As the afternoon sunlight shined through the tree's shadows,

you could see the wood smoke swirling through the air.
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One of our neighbors washing dishes

A bowl of fresh-churned butter next to a jounal with a few handwritten reciepts.

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Table setting for the residents of the house

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Cooking sweet potatoes with our butter, cinnamon and molasses rations :)
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Ladies in town

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Due to the food shortage and desperation, many townswomen protested to the authorities-- Winter is soon approaching, and they fear they may run out of food if things don't change.

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Men talking outside the courthouse

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News, events and other information is posted

outside the Mercantile for the residents to read.
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Horses and mules were a constant sight throughout the town--

an important part of transportation.

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I have learned so much this week, and am exhausted!

I hope you enjoyed the pictures, I wish I could've taken more--Due to the authenticity aspect of the event, camera's are not appropriate to show! So many of these photos were from the last days of the event.

ps) It was an added pleasure to meet blog readers in the village

(who are fellow re-enactors as well!)

What a small world :)

The acoustics of the season keep me outside, enjoying the crisp Autumn air--There seems to be a rythym in the woods, a diligent spirit of preparation in nature...Knowing our still, mild days will only last for a short while--yet we eagerly anticipate the upcoming days ahead.

~

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I recently returned home from the wonderful state of Ohio! I traveled up with friends to attend a wedding, and I'm so glad I did--it was a beautiful event! The ceremony and reception was so unique! Notice the bride's vintage style veil :)
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A Candlelit Evening spent with friends

In the outdoor kitchen, 'swamp stew' has been prepared on the old woodstove...

and final preparations are made as friends begin to arrive.

After we ate, everyone gathered around the bonfire, and I was asked to share my experience at the rural village where I 'lived' as if it were the 1860's.

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I mentioned how one day the Impressment agents came by the homestead demanding we pay our taxes upfront. Without cash, we had to pay in produce and precious food preserves for them to collect. Distraught, I asked the head cook how we would get by without the food--She answered that we would just have to manage without. That scenario was just one of many 'dramatic moments' that we experienced during the event! I must admit, it was a bit of an adjustment to come back to 'everyday life'--but I look back and am thankful for the experience!
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Garden update

I planted Snow peas as an experiment :) They're doing well along with the greens (collards, kale, turnips). We harvested our sweet potatoes, and the yeild was a little over 50 lbs! I also planted garlic this month.

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::From a dear reader::

A question on Contentment:

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"I went to college, got my degree and am now working on my Master’s in Education online. I’m having a hard time enjoying my place in life.

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I’ve have been struggling with my role of being a homemaker and housewife. I came across your blog and found it to be amazingly refreshing. It is so crazy how society places such a stigma on being a stay-at-home mother or housewife, but I wouldn’t trust anyone else to raise my son or take care of my home.

Unfortunately, I have found myself playing into the lies that I am not good enough in this role. I know God calls us all to something greater- and His ideas of greatness are often very different than ours.
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Do you have any tips on contentment? Is your current lifestyle choice something you desire to continue for the duration of your life?"--Mrs. M.

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Dear Mrs. M,
Thank you for your question!

Being content at home definetely takes a state of mind and personal conviction that I've had to grow in. Yet, as time goes by, I'm finding this path to be a blessing. I can relate to questioning whether I'm 'good enough' in this (aspiring) role...but I take comfort in these words:

"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning;

and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels." Proverbs 1:5

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Honestly, I've just been trying to ask questions, gain knowledge (in practical life skills and arts), and using my time at home as productively as I can.

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~Mother chopping vegetables for soup~

What has nurtured my heart toward home has been my Mother's example, and in turn she has appreciated the example of various mentors throughout the years. Here are books that cultivated her desire for homemaking while still working (before homeschooling and staying at home)

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"The spirit of Loveliness" by Emilie Barnes -- "Love in every room" by Karla Dornacher,

"A Mothers Heart" by Ellyn Sanna & "Wholeheart Education" by Clay Clarkson

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~Bringing a touch of Autumn indoors~

~

In the meantime, my family does stay active with attending various events, volunteering and a host of other things, but I believe what has helped me most in contentment has been to love being at home. At the end of the day, coming home to our little Cottage is a retreat for us.

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~My Mother clearing out weeds and undergrowth~

I appreciate that my parents have always shared their vision for our home with my siblings and I, and have passed on a Pioneering spirit that has been a blessing. I understand that not everyone's family unit is the same, but for us thus far, I don't look back with any regrets but look to the future with excitement!

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Dear Readers, What are your tips on Contentment? I'd love to hear from you!!

On the bookshelf...

A feather light sprinkling of ice crystals, being warmed by the morning sun.
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A border of wild grasses leading up the path...

Making my way back down to the Cottage...
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"Then, no matter how plain, simple or old-fashioned your home may be, the sacred friendships beneath its roof will transfigure it all." J.R. Miller

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I'm so thankful for the dear, dear friendship I have with my sister. We're constantly making each other laugh!!Our family has gone through alot of transition in the past 2 years, and it truly has drawn us all closer together as a household.

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Wild Petunias against the porch

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We've been feeding the chickens raw oats lately (mixed in with household scraps/mash) and it has boosted their egg production! I can't understand why that is, but we're enjoying the benefits :)

~

~Rosemary~

I love this evergreen herb! I use it for so many things:

Fresh in cooking, As a hair oil {for hair growth}, steeped as a hair rinse {gives shine to dark hair}, repelling Mosquito's {from yard area}, Steam treatment {to open up/relieve common symptoms of cold/flu/bronchitis}
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Feeding Chickens at Tuskegee University
"We must not only become reliable, progressive, skillful and intelligent, but we must keep the idea constantly before our youths that all forms of labor, whether with the hand or head, are honorable."

~Booker T. Washington

With every generation, it seems a few more old-fashioned skills are slowly becoming obsolete. I'm so glad I'm not trying to go with the flow of society anymore! There's so much freedom being able to step back and pursue what you really want to do, no matter how "outdated" it may seem to some.

~

Students taking courses in Home Economics

I've volunteered to teach classes on canning next year for the ladies & girls in our church. I'm not an expert, but I'd just love to share this joy with others, especially younger girls. I feel this is just one (of many) rewarding avenues of home productivity.

~

Our refrigerator recently stopped cooling! So for a few days we were able to make do without it-- I just baked more (breads, muffins, crackers etc) and we ate soups, root vegetables, fresh greens & homemade canned goods. It really wasn't too different from our normal menu, however, it was a good lesson not to rely/take for granted our appliances ;)

(And for my brother to start digging the root cellar!)

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"Frugality is one of the most beautiful and joyful words in the English language, and yet one that we are culturally cut off from understanding and enjoying. The consumption society has made us feel that happiness lies in having things, and has failed to teach us the happiness of not having things." ~Elise Boulding
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::A day of re-enacting::

The fresh-churned butter turned out so light and delicious!

I brought homemade bread, so we were able to have a nice snack while the stew cooked over the fire...

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~ Near the hearth, preparation of the evening meal begins
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Learning the art of basket weaving
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That evening, all the re-enactors gathered at the farmhouse to partake in the meal.

Handmade clothespin dolls

Given to us by a dear friend, these sweet dolls are even complete with petticoats! One is holding the Word, and the other is spinning wool ;)

Mother creating a serene atmosphere

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Fresh vegetables & barley for the Cottage Pie
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Candid shot of Mother preparing to re-arrange...

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My sister reading through her 'new' antique books

And as this year gently comes to a close, all I can feel is gratitude and anticipation, as I truly feel that every year just gets better and better. Just being aware that this life is a journey, a gift really! And making a decision to enjoy every bend and turn along the path, as I content myself in Christ and desire to grow spiritually. Never losing sight of His faithfulness & beautiful gift of salvation :)

For the past 3 weeks, I've stayed with a dear family (from our church) to help out, as the Mother just had a newborn! So having the opportunity to run a home, take care of their 4 little ones, plus attend to the Mother and her baby, has been quite an experience! I've had so much fun & I've learned alot :)

These past few weeks have been excellent in sharpening my homemaking skills, and I so enjoyed the children. Getting tasks done & making sure there was always a meal on the stove for the family was a large part of my day's routine :) Friends were always stopping by to see the baby, and so we had some amazing fellowship--a blend of laughter & stories-- and some of my favorite moments were when we all gathered around & listened to radio shows or audio books at the end of the day :)

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The children were eager to 'help' with many of the tasks I did, especially when it came to meals. So I let them make Granola Bars, and they were fascinated! I explained the different ingredients, but let them do alot themselves. It ended up turning out great, and they had a fun time as well :)

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It's good to be Home, and the slower pace of everyday is quite welcome. However, I greatly desired to move forward in my homemaking endeavors this year, and what an opportunity this has been! Being able to take what I've learned at home and use it as a ministry has been a wonderful experience, indeed.

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So much has happened in the past month alone, & I find myself dreadfully behind on blogging, emails, letters...yet you've faithfully stopped by during these quiet weeks & encouraged me w/ your comments! Thank you for your patience. I do hope to catch up soon!

I'd love for you to leave a comment on what you'd like to see more of in future posts...Is there a specific subject etc. I haven't posted about in a while, or even a question you have? let me know, as I enjoy hearing from you ;)

*.*.*

A few days ago, we drove out to a neighboring town to purchase chickens!
We decided on 4 game hens (they're laying now) & 2 roosters-- a Dominique & Rhode Island Red.

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Garlic sprouts

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It was a fair day, so my sister and I took a walk through the woods...

It amazes me how the woods naturally clear out through fallen trees and storms..It was much more dense last year! Our original paths still remain and lead to an open area, where dappled sunlight dances through the sparse canopy of branches.

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Today we uprooted some of our turnips, and I'm pleased that they ended up growing to a fair size! At my last re-enactment all the cooks were given fresh, seasonal/local produce, and the turnips were fantastic! Now that we've grown our own, I look forward to adding it to a warm, hearty soup!

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I don't think I'm going to try to save the leafy green tops-- it's been a loonnngg winter so these aren't in the best condition...I'll let the chickens enjoy ;)

View of the side porch and cottage garden

~My sister uprooting some collards

Mother gives a much-needed trim to the bushes..

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As I weed the garden, I'm kept company by my ginger cat as always.

Recently I traveled out of state with a friend to attend a re-enactment. It was a four day event, and it went by so fast! We camped in an A-frame canvas tent, and even used hay as mattresses and insulation. The temperature did drop though, but we kept (somewhat) warm!
~

It was good to camp next to old friends from our last event, and we had fun reminiscing and bringing up stories that happened the last time we were all together.

~ But I must say, it was nice to have neighbors you can borrow from! :) What I love about events is the camaraderie and family atmosphere that develops over time, especially around the campfire.

Pear blossoms in the afternoon sun

In the front yard we're creating an English inspired hedge/flower garden. Its in its early stages, but everyday we've been transplanting bushes, perennials, bulbs, wild roses and other plants from around the property. Its an old-fashioned way to garden, using your own native and local plants that are accustomed to your region.
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~A setting sun beaming across the flowers in the meadow~

~*~

Spring has officially arrived.

There's something beautiful about coming to the countryside.

~ ~Mother tending to the roses~

*~*My sister has been hand-stitching a cardigan lately. It didn't take long to finish and came together well!

~We're still repairing our sewing machine, so in the meantime, our projects are sewn by hand.

~ Gathering in the back...The pattern for this knit cardigan: Simplicity 2206.
~The Concord grapes are coming in! Grapes are one of my favorite fruits, and all the better homegrown. We have Muscadines as well, but I'm hoping we can purchase more grapevines. We've already planted more fruit trees!
~ Thoughts from the Garden...
I have certainly seen the benefit of choosing to learn 'back to basics' skills and gentle economy from home. It may not be a popular idea, but I'm thankful I have this opportunity. It has been a blessing to decide this course early on and stick with it. To me, success and fulfillment is measured by so much more than what modern society praises.
~The spiced-pear jam turned out so well last year..I'm looking forward to making that again ;)
~ The strawberries were moved to a new area, but are doing great. We've already used them in smoothies!

~~The cottage pathway~
There are so many rewards to living a simple and quiet life.

I store my seeds in a binder meant for cards {heh..hey it works for now!} The clear sleeves make it easy to somewhat organize. I went ahead and ordered more seeds online for 2 reasons: More bulk organic options for a better price ;) Also I like to support other gardeners who save their seeds as well. So lately we've been direct sowing the flower/veg. seeds in different areas.
~I soaked the pole beans in mason jars before planting out.
~
~*~Heirloom tomato plants in the morning sun~*

~ My parents in the garden together-- as my Mother waters the newly sown seeds, my Dad prepares the soil for the next area. Goodness, my row of shasta daisies have grown so much--this will be their second year. The blooms are beginning to form now ;)
~A peek into the kitchen.. as my sister prepares biscuits to go with dinner.
~~I dug up a dozen wild roses to transplant to the front garden..tomorrow I'm going to try to find more! Can you ever have too many roses?~
I've been out of town for the past fortnight to attend a church event. (It was lovely!) But now that I'm back to the everyday schedule of homelife, I'm realizing how important the responsibilities here at the Cottage are-- especially now that the weather has warmed up ;) So I look forward to sharing more updates with y'all soon.

Ah, the comforts of home.

The days here have been sweltering hot and dry, but I must say, the veggies growing on the vine have made it all worth it :) There's nothing quite like your first crop of tomatoes and cucumbers!
~ A new surprise is that we have chicks, born last week! There are 5 little ones, and I love watching their delightful antics. They love to imitate everything they see the other chickens doing...Sometimes we spend alot of time just observing them.
~

Never miss an opportunity to enjoy the quiet moments of everyday. My brother built and painted a bird-feeder, and it's nice to see which types of birds visit in the dawn of the morning.
~During the warmer months, often we eat together on the front porch or picnic out-of-doors. A few readers asked to see what our meals are like...Here are a few that I managed to take some pictures of this week:

Baked Potato (w/butter and fresh parsley), Steamed Broccoli Florets. Sauteed Vegetables from the garden (Onions, Zucchini, Carrots, Garlic)
Brown rice.
~ Homegrown Tomato Sandwiches
Lettuce, Tomato, sweet Onions w/ garlic, smoky mushrooms, banana peppers, homemade mustard
Carrot Sticks

Bean soup w/ rice
Cheese Quesadilla, Mixed greens w/ garlic and onions
Caramelized Sweet Potatoes (using homemade brown sugar, organic butter, sea salt)
~ Bowtie Pasta w/ homemade Marinara sauce (including sauteed mushrooms, onions and herbs)
Fresh cut corn, Smoked Cabbage.By night: Every once in a while, we take an evening drive through the backroads...
~ By day: I took a bike ride down our rural neighborhood. I love that there are old cabins still standing...
~Many of the homes are tucked away, situated down long driveways. There are alot of cedar, magnolia & oak trees around here. We enjoy their shade during the Summer, that's for sure :)
~While I was outside, my Mother finished up gathering the clothes off the line...
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.:Inspired by a Lily.:

"And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content." 1 Timothy 6:8

~ fresh strawberries.

As I water the vegetables, my sister guides the pole beans along the twine...
~
My ginger cat joins us in the herb garden...
(I do believe her main motivation was to play with the twine)
~ Homemade stakes holding up the vining tomatoes...
~ "It's beautiful the summer month of June, When all of God's own wildflowers are in bloom; And sun shines brightly most part of the day and butterflies o'er lush green meadows play." ~Francis Duggan
~

The mellow breeze was really nice, so I thought I'd try to capture a few moments of it...

Hope you have a blessed week, my friends!

I'm traveling out of town soon to help cook for an upcoming event. Can't wait to show you pictures...and many thanks to my readers for the encouragement, both loyal and newly subscribed!

Question: What's your favorite Summer meal?

{A homemaker preserving fruit, 1943}

I always look forward to the summer months.
The plants that were so fiercely protected during the biting winds of March are now flourishing with harvest! One of my favorite fruits of the season are Peaches...

{The view from across the lane} So we took a Sunday drive to our states' oldest, family-owned peach farm. Tucked away in the country, It was a wonderful experience-- I enjoyed talking with the locals and meeting folks who traveled many miles for these sun-ripened peaches :)
~

After we picked about 2 bushels of peaches, I went over to sample their peach jams and spreads. It gave me some ideas for my own preserves! The warehouse was decorated in vintage style--an old oven, antique hutch, and plenty of photography from days gone by.
~ Of course I had to check out their cookbooks, heh.
I was very inspired though, Georgia has some amazing food history...really!
~ Locally grown veggies..ah, warms my heart!
"Food waste is the enemy, food thrift the battle cry, and food conservation the weapon...and involves every household.." ~Charles Pack
~A few months ago, my dad and brother built another dwelling for the chickens...They used boards and scrap pieces cut from our own pine trees.
~ 'Tis nestled under the canopy of the surrounding trees, and so far there hasn't been any problems with intruders. I really enjoy the chickens, they all have their own funny personalities.
~ I recently attended a local book sale, and I definitely came away with some treasures, my favorite being, "Teen guide to Homemaking". It's a collectible, in great condition and I only payed $1.oo for it :)
~Although published 50 years ago, much of the instruction is certainly timeless. I was definitely encouraged to improve my sewing skills!
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"But do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life." ~R.L. Stevenson
~Lots of veggies from the garden! Tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, garlic, peppers, squash...
I've been freezing the tomatoes this year instead of canning them, it's been great.
~Cottage Living. It's the little things that make a house a home.

~We've harvested quite a bit of onions and garlic from the garden, and I've enjoyed growing them because they're such low-maintenance! Ah, garlic and onions are a staple for our home cooking, and I really feel that they keep common colds at bay! Hopefully I'll be planting more this fall.
~While I was at a dear friends house, I was able to show a young girl how to bake cookies, and we had so much fun in the kitchen! I hope to do a cooking class for the young ladies in our church soon.
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The Beauty of Home Remedies: Many of my long-time readers may remember that my sister has asthma...well recently, she began to have symptoms of an asthma attack, so we turned to Mullein. We have several growing in our yard, so we quickly tore off a few leaves, dried them, and used it in a tea, along with sage leaves as well. It definitely was beneficial, and paved the way for her recovery! So I'd reccomend it, as it has excellent healing properties.
~{Mother working in her cottage garden}
I appreciate the values that my parents nurtured and instilled over the years in my siblings and I. My mom's ministry of motherhood has had a huge impact on how I do things. It hasn't taken books, curriculums, seminars, conventions etc. to convince me of why cultivating a love of the home is so valuable. Rather, living a lifestyle of learning, filled with patience, love & tons of laughter has penetrated deep within, and has strengthened my convictions-- truly it has.

"Summer afternoon--summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." ~Henry James
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~*A beautiful day for a wedding*~

I recently traveled up to Ohio to attend a wedding, and it truly was a lovely event!
~The bride and groom as they cut the cake at the reception...
~As we gathered together on the cobblestone street outside, a mother helps her daughter with her balloon while we wait for the newlyweds to arrive.
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At the appointed time, we released the balloons! It was a beautiful sight as they floated up into the sky.
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One of the bridesmaids, waits with a friend as we begin to take pictures. Ah, green is my favorite color!!

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A few ladies as they were getting their cameras' ready...
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{The back of the bridemaids dress}
As we walked downtown, the air was warm and breezy, and the sun was beginning to set--casting a lovely glow as we headed toward the fountain to take our last few photo's. It was a beautiful moment, indeed.

~ "And as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee." Isaiah 62:5