Clothed With Scarlet

Hello again.....Mr. Huckleberry.....

We are fostering Mr. Huckleberry while we look for him a Forever Home.

 

He is just over a year old and is 23 pounds. He is an Italian Greyhound/Manchester Terrier cross. He is playful but not rambunctious….but he is still a considered a puppy. 

  

He is a sweet dog. Sometimes we call him Mr. Freckle Speckles.. :)
All those black dots are his freckles on his skin under his coat!

He is housebroken and sleeps all night in his kennel happily.

His bark is very deep and alerts when someone comes to the door.  I check to see why he is barking and if all is well, I tell him, "Good dog, all is well, be quiet now," and he shushes easily.  He will keep barking when I tell him to, "Bark and be brave, Mr. Huckleberry!"  

He does pull some on the lead but is getting better.

 

Like any other IG, he enjoys sunny outdoors.

 Boy can he run! He is faster than our Sadie. It is a blast to watch these two dogs run at top speed.

He loves to chase a toy and bring it back to you just close enough to make you think you can grab it before he runs off with it again.

Mr. Huckleberry needs a Forever Home.

 

He is good with children of all ages. 

 
Sadie & Mr. Huckleberry

He gets along well with the 3 year old female IG that is ours and she will scold him if he is trying to play when she is trying to rest. He takes it in stride and goes on his way.

 **** If you might be interested in adopting Mr. Huckleberry, please let me know or contact Robin at the Texas Italian Greyhound Rescue at iggygal67@yahoo.com ****

 

Mr. Huckleberry & my nephew playing in the kennel...out of the kennel...in the kennel...out of the kennel...    :)

 

Tired Mr. Huckleberry (a.k.a. Mr. Freckle Speckles)...

 
He is so expressive with his ears.  He holds his left one up all the time or folds them both over on top of his head. 

 
One of his favorite places to sleep....

This sweet Little Boy IG needs a forever home.  Visit the Texas Italian Greyhound Rescue to learn how you can adopt him.

Decently & In Order

 

Books...

I love books. 

My children love books.

We teach our children using the Ambleside curriculum and so our learning is literature based.  We think it is just grand.  Living books...books that sweep you up off of your feet and carry you right into the story.  Books that you cannot put down...   This is how we learn about art, music, geography, the lives of others, world history, American history, church history, science, grammar, spelling...everything but math, foreign language and typing.

The use of and love of books brings about the need for bookcases.

:0)

We only have four right now.  A wise woman once told me when Bailey was a toddler that I needed to determine my method for classifying, categorizing and shelving my books and begin when I only had a few books.

I researched methods of classifying a library of books and have opted to use the Library of Congress Classification System.  It is fairly simple.  Bailey and I have started labeling books but am realizing that even though I thought I was heeding the advice of my dear friend, I should have started earlier.  We currently have about 675 books.  I know what books we have on what topics and where I have had them shelved. 

Problem:   The children don't know what is in my head.  :0/     They are able to shelve the books based only on where they found them.  The girls are old enough to understand the very basics of shelving books according to their topic. 

One child not shelving books properly is one thing...but four children not shelving books properly just makes a big fat mess!

:0)

So, I am working to get our little library in order by looking up each book and recording the LOC classification number on the inside of the back cover of the book and then placing a small sticker on the base of spine.

 

Planning...

Logistics...

Follow-through...

I pray that the goals of our family would honor the Lord and bring Him glory.  Our little library is only a small part of our home that we are working to reach and maintain order within.  I am thankful for my beloved husband who encourages me and leads me in doing things decently and with more order.  May we continue to work together to plan and carry out what is right in our home.

Let all things be done decently and in order.   ~~I Corinthians 14:40

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

January 13, 2011

True Freedom

Work About The House Wednesdays - Keeping It All Clean & Tidy & Organized

Keeping the house, yard and garage all clean and tidy and organized...

Ha ha ha ha ha!  :0)

We try.

Here is how we do it at our house... 

Each day of the week we have areas of the home that are our focus for the day.  That area is to be cleaned and all the clutter piles cleared up.  If reorganization or changes need to be made, we do it on that day.

Mondays - Kitchen, Living Room, Sitting Room & the dog's things

Tuesdays - Laundry Room, Children's Bedroom

Wednesdays - Playroom, Pantry, Supply Closet (this is the catch all that has everything from board games to storage boxes)

Thursdays - Master Bedroom, All Floors

Fridays - Bathrooms

Saturdays - Garage, Vehicles, Yard and Schoolroom

~~

This is very helpful in keeping us focused.  I am one that has a tendency to want to randomly clean out areas of clutter.  This actually makes more messes for me as I interject extra work into my days.  Ultimately and truthfully, it causes a lack of focus and incomplete projects.  My sweet husband calls it a sickness.  Hehe...   :0)    

In all seriousness, I so desire to be a good steward of our home and to teach our children to be good stewards, to be organized and to be able to follow through with things. 

~~

Saturday was a wonderful day of laboring together as a family.  The grass was mowed, the weeds cleared from the front flower beds, about 1/4 of the garage was tidied up, both vehicles were completely cleared out and cleaned!  Yippee!  This Saturday we can tidy another 1/4 of the garage and see about getting rid of those Clutter Monsters that have creeped into our little schoolroom. 

~~

"Let all things be done decently and in order."  ~~I Corinthians 14:40

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."  ~~I Corinthians 10:31

~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

April 28, 2010

I am trying to put wrinkles in my skirt...

The Broomstick Skirt

~~~

I have three of these. 

I have never mastered the care of the broomstick skirt.  So, I went on a search (a short one) this afternoon to see if I could find some answers.

I have tried the washing, twisting, knotting, tying and the impossible task of putting the wet, twisted mess into the leg of a pair of pantyhose. 

None of these things has worked so well. 

So...the search began...

...

...

...

I found a new technique.  Well, new to me.

Apparently I need to microwave my skirt!

I'm serious. 

Read it yourself:  Crinkling Your Broomstick Skirts

I am going to give it a try. 

I will let you know how it goes.

:0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

December 18, 2009

Music: Come Bless The Lord

His Reward

 

Once a woman came upon three mothers at work.  "What are you doing?" she asked of them.

"I'm doing the weekly washing," answered the first.

"I'm doing a bit of household drudgery," replied the second.

The third woman replied, "I'm mothering three young children who someday will fill important and useful spheres in life, and wash-day is a part of my grand task in caring for these souls who shall live forever." 

Only the third woman had caught the vision of the great work she was doing.

-Author Unknown

~~~

     "A home without children is only a fragment of a home.  Its life, however happy, is a song with the sweetest part left out.  Where no children come the husband and wife miss much that is deepest and richest in life.  Their wedded joy never realizes its fullest measure of tenderness.  There are chords in their hearts that are never waked.  There are whole fields in their natures that are never brought under culture.  There are powers and capacities in their souls that are never developed.  They lose many a deep lesson that can be read from no book save from the pages of unfolding child-life.  They miss many an inspiration of purity, of gentleness, of unselfishness, of beauty, for God has so constituted us that only in loving and caring for children are the richest and best things in us drawn out.  Then when old age comes on, how lonely is the childless home, with neither son nor daughter to come back with grateful ministries, to bring solace and comfort to the declining years!"

     "Our homes would be very cold and dreary without the children.  Sometimes we weary of their noise.  They certainly bring us a great deal of care and solicitude.  They cost us no end of toil.  When they are very young they break our rest many a weary night with their colics and teethings, and when they grow older they wellnigh break our hearts many a time with their waywardness.  After they come to us we may as well bid farewell to living for self and to personal ease and independence, if we mean to do faithful duty as parents.  There are some who therefore look upon the coming of children as a misfortune.  They talk about them lightly as "responsibilities."  They regard them as in the way of their pleasure.  They see no blessing in them.  But it is cold selfishness that looks upon children in this way.  Instead of being hindrances to true and noble living, they are helps.  They bring benedictions from heaven when they come, and while they stay they are perpetual benedictions."

     "It is a great thing to take these young and tender lives, rich with so many possibilities of beauty, of joy, of power, all of which may be wrecked, and to become responsible for their shaping and training and for the upbuilding fo their character.  This is what must be thought of in the making of a home."

                                      ~ Excerpt from Home-making by J. R. Miller, originally published in 1882

~~~

Psalm 127

 1Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

 2It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

 3Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

 4As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

 5Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 17, 2009

Music: Fur Elise

Once a woman came upon three mothers at work.  "What are you doing?" she asked of them.

"I'm doing the weekly washing," answered the first.

"I'm doing a bit of household drudgery," replied the second.

The third woman replied, "I'm mothering three young children who someday will fill important and useful spheres in life, and wash-day is a part of my grand task in caring for these souls who shall live forever." 

Only the third woman had caught the vision of the great work she was doing.

-Author Unknown

~~~

     "A home without children is only a fragment of a home.  Its life, however happy, is a song with the sweetest part left out.  Where no children come the husband and wife miss much that is deepest and richest in life.  Their wedded joy never realizes its fullest measure of tenderness.  There are chords in their hearts that are never waked.  There are whole fields in their natures that are never brought under culture.  There are powers and capacities in their souls that are never developed.  They lose many a deep lesson that can be read from no book save from the pages of unfolding child-life.  They miss many an inspiration of purity, of gentleness, of unselfishness, of beauty, for God has so constituted us that only in loving and caring for children are the richest and best things in us drawn out.  Then when old age comes on, how lonely is the childless home, with neither son nor daughter to come back with grateful ministries, to bring solace and comfort to the declining years!"

     "Our homes would be very cold and dreary without the children.  Sometimes we weary of their noise.  They certainly bring us a great deal of care and solicitude.  They cost us no end of toil.  When they are very young they break our rest many a weary night with their colics and teethings, and when they grow older they wellnigh break our hearts many a time with their waywardness.  After they come to us we may as well bid farewell to living for self and to personal ease and independence, if we mean to do faithful duty as parents.  There are some who therefore look upon the coming of children as a misfortune.  They talk about them lightly as "responsibilities."  They regard them as in the way of their pleasure.  They see no blessing in them.  But it is cold selfishness that looks upon children in this way.  Instead of being hindrances to true and noble living, they are helps.  They bring benedictions from heaven when they come, and while they stay they are perpetual benedictions."

     "It is a great thing to take these young and tender lives, rich with so many possibilities of beauty, of joy, of power, all of which may be wrecked, and to become responsible for their shaping and training and for the upbuilding fo their character.  This is what must be thought of in the making of a home."

                                      ~ Excerpt from Home-making by J. R. Miller, originally published in 1882

~~~

Psalm 127

 1Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

 2It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

 3Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

 4As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

 5Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 17, 2009

Music: Fur Elise

Teacup Tuesdays - A Surprise Saturday Afternoon Tea

I know...it is not Tuesday but sometimes you just have to jump right in and get started with things...

Poor old Teacup Tuesday has fallen by the wayside in the last three months.  Let's see if we can start again.  :)

~~~~~~~~~

Several days ago Kennedy was privileged to spend a day with her Daddy.  While they were gone, Addison and Bailey prepared a tea party for me...as a surprise.

It was planned last-minute so Bailey was creative and used what she had on-hand.

~~~~~~~~~~

 

Here are the little party planners.

 

The girls set our pretty glass plates and selected teacups from the cabinet.  Addison and I had prepared oatmeal cookie dough that morning and it was in a bowl in the fridge awaiting further work.  Bailey decided to bake some cookies (with permission).  The pan that the cookies are on is still hot.  I was just getting ready to put the cookies on a plate.

 

What you see here is a lovely bouquet of tissue paper flowers and skewered pickles. 

:)

The plan was to make a nice arrangement of skewered fruit but none of the fruit that we had on hand was suitable for Bailey's cutting and skewering so she and Addison talked about it and Addison (age 2) suggested pickles instead. 

In the teapot is grape kool-aid.  We have kool-aid about once a year around here and we had prepared a pitcher the day before.  Bailey thought and thought and could not remember the order of operation to prepare hot tea.  She was trying to keep this a surprise so she decided that grape kool-aid would be a nice alternative.

~~

Bailey sweetly and lovingly scolded me for not doing a better job of teaching her how to make hot tea.  :)  She actually does know how but I suppose it has been too long since she did it all on her own.  Addison is typically the one that selects and prepares tea with me.  Bailey and Kennedy usually take care of setting the table, pouring the cream and such.

So...

It seems that a bit of Teatime Tutoring is called for...

It was a lovely and yummy surprise Saturday Tea Party.  I am so thankful for oatmeal cookies, sweet pickles and grape kool-aid.  What a sweet memory to tuck away. 

In my rocking chair with a lovely teacup in my hand is where I can be found at least once every single day. 

I suspect that one day...

...when I am old and grey...

...you will still find me rocking...

...teacup in hand...

...perhaps enjoying spearmint tea...

...or blueberry tea...

...steaming coffee...

...or even grape kool-aid...

:0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 9, 2009

Twigs & Feathers -- Part I

Nesting...

:)  An interesting part of God's creation...

I think it is an amazing and curious part of how God created a woman.  Every pregnant woman that I have ever known has gone through a period of time during her pregnancy in which she has an overwhelming need to get all things in her home in order. 

I am so thankful for this "nesting". 

~~~

My To-Do List - Cleaning & Organizing

1.  Clean out my closet - Done!  Whoo-hooo and it wasn't so bad.

2.  Clean out the school closet - Done!  And it took quite some time to sort through stray game & puzzle pieces and get all the crayons back to their containers and such.

3.  Clean out coat closet - Done!  My dear friend, Mrs. Spangler, came with her children on Tuesday and announced upon their arrival that at least one household project could be done while we visited. -- All done!

4.  Clean out Bailey's closet

5.  Re-organize sewing cabinet

6.  Clean out the garage

7.  Sort through, organize and store all children's clothing.

8.  Clean out the junk drawer in the kitchen (and the junk cabinet - who put all that stuff in there?)

~~~~

My To-Do List - Acquiring Items for the Wee Littlest One

When we moved out-of-state, we got rid of all items that were not absolutely necessary which meant almost all baby items. 

1.  Cradle and/or Crib

2.  Car seat

3.  Wee tiny clothes for a wee tiny girl.

4.  Sew burp rags, changing pads and bibs.

5.  Locate (in the garage) the box of baby items we kept and clean them for use.

~~~~

Nesting...a time to give thanks to God for this new life...

Nesting...a time to pray for the life of this new little girl...

Nesting...a time to praise the Lord for the blessing of this child...

Nesting...a time to seek guidance from the Lord on how to raise up this child for His glory...

~~~

Time to go!

There are twigs to be gathered and soft feathers that need to be woven into the nest! 

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 4, 2009

 

 

..all things..

"By perseverance the snail reached the ark."  

                                   ~~Charles Spurgeon

"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."  ~~Matthew 19:26

~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

June 15, 2009

What will enthrall the beloved?

“Love is doing what will enthrall the beloved with the greatest and longest joy. What will enthrall the beloved this way is the glory of God. Love means doing all we can, at whatever cost to ourselves, to help people be enthralled with the glory of God. When they are, they are satisfied and God is glorified. Therefore loving people and glorifying God are one.”  ~~John Piper

~~~~

I read this quote earlier today and have spent a fair amount of time pondering the thought. 

It's meaning encompasses far more than I realized the first time I read it through.  I began to think of this statement with a more broad "stroke".

John 15:12 - "This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you."

1 Pet 1:22 -

"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:"

1 John 4:12 - "No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us."

~~~~

 

I love my husband. 

     “Love is doing what will enthrall the my husband with the greatest and longest joy. What will enthrall the my husband this way is the glory of God. Love means doing all I can, at whatever cost to myself, to help my husband be enthralled with the glory of God. When he is, my husband will be satisfied and God is glorified. Therefore loving my husband and glorifying God are one.”

~~~~

I love my children.

“Love is doing what will enthrall my children with the greatest and longest joy. What will enthrall my children this way is the glory of God. Love means doing all I can , at whatever cost to me, to help my children be enthralled with the glory of God. When my children are, my children are satisfied and God is glorified. Therefore loving my children and glorifying God are one.

~~~~

I love my family...my father, my mother, my brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandparents, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins...

Love is doing what will enthrall my family with the greatest and longest joy. What will enthrall my father this way is the glory of God. Love means doing all I can, at whatever cost to myself, to help my mother be enthralled with the glory of God. When my brothers are, they are satisfied and God is glorified. Therefore loving my family and glorifying God are one.

~~~~

I love my church family.

Love is doing what will enthrall my church family with the greatest and longest joy. What will enthrall the men, women & children in my church this way is the glory of God. Love means doing all I can, at whatever cost to myself, to help my brothers & sisters in Christ to be enthralled with the glory of God. When my church family is, they are satisfied and God is glorified. Therefore loving the men, women & children in my church and glorifying God are one.

~~~~

 

I love my friends.

Love is doing what will enthrall my friends with the greatest and longest joy.  What will enthrall my friends this way is the glory of God.  Love means doing all I can, at whatever the cost to myself, to help my friends be enthralled by the glory of God.  When my friends are, they are satisfied and God is glorified.  Therefore, loving my friends and glorifying God are one. 

~~~~

Words to think about...

Words to hold up to scripture to find truth...

My own thoughts to ponder.

My own actions to consider.

What exactly am I doing to enthrall my husband, my children, my family, my church and my friends with The Longest and The Greatest Joy? 

How are my words and my actions bringing glory to God every moment of every single day?

~~~~

All for His glory...

~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

May 19, 2009

Music: Stars & Butterflies

Learning To Dance

"Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass.

It’s about learning to dance in the rain."

~~

I swiped this quote right off the blog of a wonderful and beautiful woman that I know. 

I love this...

...learning to dance in the rain...

Dance...wherever I may be...

He is my Lord. 

Ready to lead me.

No matter where I might be.

~~

Thank you for this reminder, Mrs. Spangler.

~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

March 20, 2009

Music:  Lord of the Dance

New Lessons To Be Learned

Oh how I love spring!

The feel of the warm sun on my back...

...seeing the sparrows pop along in the grass.  They remind me of popping corn as they all hip-hop-pop along.  :)

I have tried gardening on a very small scale a few times over the years.  A few potted potted tomatoes and peppers and strawberries.

This year, I asked my beloved if we could plant a large garden.  I won't ever learn how if I don't just give it a whirl.    ;0)

I have found that to be the case with all things...cooking, baking breads and desserts, sewing, needlework...   I didn't know how to do those things at one time in my life. 

I find it so sad that the things that were once known by all girls and women are foreign to most today.  When I first decided that I might like to sew, it seemed so very difficult.  I had no idea how I was going to begin to learn to do what seemed to be such a mystery.  The same with making bread...

So, I just tried.  I followed the directions the first time and didn't understand some of what I was doing but I pushed through to the end and learned from the process and the finished product.  And such has been the way since...

This year...

Gardening.

The girls and I are terribly excited!  What wonderful lessons will be learned!

~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

March 9, 2009

By God's Design

Proverbs 31:10-31

 ¹⁰Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

 ¹¹The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

 ¹²She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

 ¹³She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

 ¹⁴She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

 ¹⁵She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

 ¹⁶She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

 ¹⁷She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

 ¹⁸She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

 ¹⁹She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

 ²⁰She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

 ²¹She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

 ²²She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

 ²³Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

 ²⁴She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

 ²⁵Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

 ²⁶She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

 ²⁷She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

 ²⁸Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

 ²⁹Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

 ³⁰Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

 ³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

March 6, 2009

Bzzzzz...

Busy as bees around here!

:)

Saturday was Kennedy's fourth birthday and Thursday is Bailey's seventh.  We have family and friends arriving to celebrate their lives.

~~~

Tomorrow Nana Klause arrives.

We will have friends over on Thursday.

Pipaw & Amma Simpson arrive on Friday.

Poppa Calvin and Pawpaw & Nana Slider arrive on Saturday.

My brothers and family may join us for the weekend as well.

~~~

I so enjoy having guests in our home. 

What a blessing to have the house a rumble with voices, laughter and even the tears...

Children clattering and chattering about...

The kitchen in constant processession with one meal after the next being prepared...

:)

I pray that our home will always be filled with the hustle and bustle and the comings and goings of family and friends.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

February 24, 2009

Music: Flight of the Bumblebee

Teacup Tuesdays -- A Simple Sandwich

How about a simple and yummy recipe to enjoy with any cup of hot tea?

Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwiches

Smear a nice coating of cream cheese on a slice of your favorite bread.  It is tasty to add a thin layer of butter on the opposite slice.  Add cucumber slices to make a sandwich and salt.  You can cut into shapes.  If you have wee ones, use a cookie cutter to cut the hearts or flowers or even dinosaurs before adding the cucumber slices.

Give them a try.  Most folks like this simple and refreshing sandwich.  Even my sweet friend that doesn't really eat many veggies found this to be quite tasty.  :)

It is Tuesday, make sure to slow down and enjoy a cup of tea today.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

February 10, 2009

I am just a sinner.

When I say...

“I am a Christian,” I am not shouting, “I am clean living,”;

I am whispering, “I was lost, now I am found and forgiven.”

When I say…

“I am a Christian,” I do not speak of this with pride.

I am confessing that I stumble and I need Christ to be my guide.

When I say…

“I am a Christian,” I am not trying to be strong.

I am professing that I am weak and I need His strength to carry on.

When I say…

“I am a Christian,” I am not bragging of success.

I am admitting I have failed and I need God to clean up my mess.

When I say...

"I am a Christian," I am not claiming to be perfect.

My flaws are far too visible, my failures every single day.

When I say…

“I am a Christian,” I still feel the sting of pain;

I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon the name of Christ.

When I say…

“I am a Christian,” I am not holier than thou, I am just a simple sinner

who received God’s amazing grace.

                                                                  ~~Author & Title Unknown

~~~

 

posted by Mrs. Klause

February 9, 2009

Library/Study/Schoolroom -- Part One

Library...

Study...

Schoolroom...

We have had one in some of our homes and haven't in others.  The kitchen table makes a fine place for studies and projects but it is nice to have a designated place to leave the items out when mealtimes come around.

In this home, the library/study/schoolroom is at the top of the stairwell and it is a "public" room; not able to be closed up.  At the bottom of the stairs is the front door so most folks can see into the room at the top of the stairs.

Today will make the third time that I have re-arranged the room since we moved in six weeks ago.  I can see the look on my beloved's face already.  :)  He will almost certainly ask me if I am done yet or if I plan to re-arrange every two weeks.  He's a bit on the ornery side.

 

I sat down a few days ago with a blank piece of paper to think through the room.  We have only one large bookshelf and I would like to use the long wall to have room to expand to three bookshelves.  I made some adjustments in other places in the house and pulled the small black shelves in for now.  I've never had all of our books in one room.  The books have always been spread about the house on different sets of shelves.  A wonderful friend told me about three years ago to organize my books then and determine a system of organization before my library grew much larger. 

Let's see, I could go with the Dewey Decimal Classification System or with the Library of Congress Classification System.  I have looked over the two quite a bit in the last couple of years and I think we will be utilizing the system used by the Library of Congress.  I think it will allow organization but still allow us to drop a book on the proper shelf alphabetically (by author or by title, I don't know yet). 

But...for now...  I have opted for a highly sophisticated method that has been designed very practically for new libraries and for libraries whose book-putter-uppers are quite young.

 

It is called the Yellow Sticky Classification System.

 

;0)

Gotta start somewhere...right?

 

She was a tremendous help.  She made sure that every single piece of paper on the floor was torn into at least 14 pieces before it was thrown into the trashcan.  She supervised the vacuuming and she tasted the new rug to make sure that it was properly seasoned for a library/study/schoolroom.

 

It needs work but using what I had in the household today, this is what you see from the bottom of the stairwell.  One case for each daughter; it will contain pencils, crayons and other such items.

 

I have a few things on the walls.

 

Our Pretty Lady will go on one wall.

 

Aaron bought this clock for me several years ago.  It was a Christmas present.  It plays beautiful music on the hour.

 

Mother and Daddy found two of these doilies in Mema Simpson's things after she died.  Mother had them framed.  She gave them to me the year before we left for Washington.  I so enjoy having these in our home.  Lovely and a daily reminder of Mema.

 

Mrs. Sweet, the wife of my pastor several years ago, made the little quilted angel.  I bought the pink roses many years ago.  They remind me of my beloved's mother; The Elder Mrs. Klause.  :)

 

The girls are organizing their cases and sharpening all their colored pencils.  They are both pleased to have all their goodies in their very own cases.

~~~

There is still work to be done in our library/study/schoolroom but it looks much better now.  It is "user-friendly" and it is lovely.  Time well spent today.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

January 6, 2009

Music:  Come Bless The Lord

Finding sweetness...

Home can only be sweet when the home is firmly set upon Christ.

Home is only sweet when we seek the wisdom of the Lord every day, every moment, every conversation, every breath...

"Every wise woman buildeth her house; but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands."  ~Proverbs 14:1

Home can only be sweet when we quit trying to make it what we want it to be and surrender fully to God's will for our home.

Home can only be sweet when we die to ourselves.  When we finally realize that it is not about us or for us but all for the glory of the Lord.

Home can only be sweet when we run after the hem of His robe with all that we have.

"And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God."  ~Romans 12:2

Home can only be sweet when we fully lay aside and deny our agendas and turn to our husbands and submit to them as unto the Lord.

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and he is the saviour of the body.  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing."  ~Ephesians 5:22-24

Home can only be sweet when we see that God's hand is in every thing! 

Home can only be sweet when we do not ever complain or argue, grumble or murmur.

"Do all things without murmurings and disputings; that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain."  ~Philippians 2:14-16

Home can only be sweet when we can truly rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, no matter what the situation. 

Home can only be sweet when we focus solely on Christ and do not give in or become consumed by worry or fear.

"Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice.  Let your moderation be known unto all men.  The Lord is at hand.  Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."  ~Philippians 4:4-8

Home can only be sweet when we grab ahold of the first and great commandment.

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, all thy soul and all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment."  ~Matthew 22:37-38

Home can only be sweet when we realize that our goal in raising children is simply to lead them to the foot of the cross.

Home can only be sweet when we spend our days seeking the Lord with our whole heart and teaching our children to seek the Lord with their whole hearts.

Home can only be sweet when we hide God's word in our hearts.

Home can only be sweet when the we speak the word of God to the hearts of our children instead of using our words and man's methods to change the hearts of our children.

Home can only be sweet when we realize that we must live in a state of bankruptcy.  When we finally realize that we truly have nothing, of ourselves, to offer to anyone.

Home can only be sweet when we realize that the words of our mouth, the work of our hands and the meditations of our heart are all for His glory, otherwise our words, our work and our thoughts do nothing but feed our selfishness or our pride.

Home can only be sweet when we seek God's word in it's entirety instead of making His word into an application with which we schmear upon our lives like a topical analgesic.

Home can only be sweet when we take every thought captive and pray without ceasing.

Home can only be sweet when Christ is fully, truly, always Lord of our home.

Home can only be sweet when we fall down before Him and realize His holiness.

~~~

May we constantly refuse all that this world has to offer.  May we rejoice in being set apart.  May we flee from every single thing that does not bring glory to God.  May we live our lives not just on our knees in prayer but on our faces before the I Am.

~~~

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

December 3, 2008

Music: Video-We Fall Down

Wednesday's To-Do List

My parents are traveling to see us and spend Thanksgiving tripping over boxes visiting with us. 

;0)

I try to get some things done well ahead of Thanksgiving day but this year moving the household had to be done instead. 

Yesterday was really the first day that the girls and I have had in our new home.  We organized the pantry and removed all the odd things that did not belong on the kitchen counters (copy of the new lease, tools, lights to be installed under the cabinets, address book, bathroom towels?...need I continue?).  There are four more boxes sitting in the kitchen that will have to emptied today and I am hopeful that we can make our front sitting room look beautiful and welcoming passable.  :~/   :~)

Today we will also make pie crusts, bread dough and cornbread (for the dressing).  I will put the pie crusts in the fridge until this eve when I make the pies.  The bread dough is a yummy dough that requires no kneading and can be stored in the fridge for up to four days.  It is the slightly sweet and very yeasty "holiday" bread.  The recipe is here.  It really is easy, I promise!  Give it a try.  We will chop onions and celery and bake those into the cornbread; I'll just freeze the cornbread until tomorrow afternoon. 

I am going to try a new recipe for pie crusts this year.  I hear that using two forms of fat make for a more flakey crust as the shortening and butter have two different melting points and somehow that produces the flakey-ness.  ?? 

UPDATED: THE NEW RECIPE IS GREAT!  IT IS EASIER TO MAKE AND QUITE TASTY.  I HAVE PUT THE "OLD" AND THE "NEW" PIE CRUST RECIPES IN A SEPARATE POST BELOW.  Or just click HERE for both recipes.

~~~

We are so blessed.  God has provided so much for our family through the work of my husband's hands.  Our home is warm and comfortable.  We are safe, healthy and well-nourished.  My husband loves me dearly and desires for me to be comfortable and happy.  Our children are truly a blessing from God's very hand.  We have family and friends close by.

~~~

People ask, "How are you today?"

My reply, "Far, far better than I deserve!"

I am blessed only because Christ has redeemed me!

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

November 26, 2008

Music: My Redeemer Lives

His hands and His feet...

Every good and every perfect gift comes from the very hand of God...

~~~

Aaron paid for two business trips out of his pocket.  He received the reimbursement on the same day that we were notified that we would have to move.

All for God's glory!

The girls and I searched 6.5 hours, 100 miles and looked at 15 houses in a day.  We found two good houses.  We put money on the first one.  I felt just the slightest bit uneasy about that house and continued to pray for God's perfect plan.  The owner of the home decided not to rent her home.  The second house was still available.  We put money on the second house.  We signed on the second house and took the first load of things over less than 12 hours later.

All for God's glory!

Friends offered to help and bring their large box-type truck to move the big furniture this coming Saturday. 

Two of the mommas from my sewing class offered to help move us instead of sew for the next class.

All for God's glory!

The body of Christ, "my" church, has offered to serve us.  Yesterday, two families arrived ready to work.  The sewing room, the kitchen, most of all the closets, both bathrooms, most of the back yard items and many other miscellaneous items were not only packed and transported but completely unloaded and put into their proper places in our new home.  They brought food for us to eat.  They brought trash bags, boxes, paper plates, water and other "moving necessities" just for us.

Dear friends have offered to drive over and take the girls for a day of fun while the big furniture is moved on Saturday.

All for God's glory!

Last night, another family from church offered to come on Friday to help.

Last night, I received email from another momma in the sewing class, she wants to serve us instead of sew.

All for God's glory!

Today, another family from "my" church will be here to serve us.  They will provide lunch and dinner for our family tonight.

All for God's glory!

Wednesday, friends will arrive in the afternoon to serve us.

All for God's glory!

All is defined as: the whole amount; the entire quantity; the extent of; as much as possible; every; whatever; nothing but; completely taken up with; given to; entirely consumed...

EVERY SITUATION, EVERY DAY, EVERY CONVERSATION, EVERY ACTION, EVERY SINGLE SOLITARY BREATH ... ALL FOR GOD's GLORY!

ALL FOR HIS PURPOSE!

~~~

Every move before, I've had the blessing of time to put away projects and 'ready' our home for the move.  This time, there is little time. 

This time, in my weakness, He has been strong.  In my weakness, the hands and feet of Christ are serving me. 

He is strong when I am weak.

...He provides...

...when I realize my insufficiency...

Every good and perfect gift comes from above.

~~~

James 1

 1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

 2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

 3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

 4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

 5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

 6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

 7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

 8A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

 9Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

 10But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

 11For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

 12Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

 13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

 14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

 15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

 16Do not err, my beloved brethren.

 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

 18Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

 19Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

 20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

 21Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

 22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

 23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

 24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

 25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

 27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

November 18, 2008

Note To Self:

   

DO NOT BUY ANYMORE WHITE TRASHCANS...

Even when this trashcan is clean, there are stains left behind that make it look icky. 

I want the house to be clean and orderly but I don't want to obsess over the cleanliness nor do I want the appearance my home to become an idol in my life. 

To make this trashcan not look dirty, I think I have to spend more time scrubbing it than is really necessary to get it clean.

What else could that time be spent on?

Perhaps this is a very minute lesson to my heart in making sure that ALL things in my life bring glory to the Lord. 

We are a country of plenty.  Generally speaking, we all have too much stuff...  I should think and pray over everything that I bring into my home.  I should give consideration to the time and space that the item will take up and ensure that I am not going to spend too much time on things that will pass away when my home is filled with hearts that are eternal...

:0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

October 20, 2008

Music: Bring The Rain

Teacup Tuesdays - Mema's Shelf

Mema Simpson.  She was my Daddy's mother.  Bobbie Louvena Quarles Simpson.  Her sisters called her Vena, most other folks called her Bobbie. 

Mema was born March 29th, 1911.  She was the second born of seven children.  The oldest child, Mattie, died around age seven.  Mema's mother died when Mema was only ten years old, leaving Mema as the primarly caretaker of her five living siblings while Granddad Quarles worked as a blacksmith.  Mema's father married again and four children were eventually added to their household. 

Mema married in 1934 to an Army tail-gunner in training.  Joe Scivally Simpson.  He was the youngest of eight children, born November 1st, 1910.  Their son, my father, was born October 15th, 1949.  I was the only grandchild for over six years.  Mema & Papa lived a little more than an hour from us so we visited often. 

I have so many memories of them and their home.  Mema died when I was ten but my heart overflows with memories of her.  She remained particularly close to some of her sisters, Aunt Neva, Aunt Ruth and Aunt Vada.  Those four women traveled and enjoyed many a day together even as old women.  I can remember being in the front seat between Mema and Neva with Ruth and Vada in the backseat many a time.  :0)   She liked to listen to this song, One Day At A Time, sung by a woman named Christy Lane.  And she liked to listen to The Old Rugged Cross.

Mema was a small woman of only four foot, eleven inches.  She got her hair fixed every Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. by Roberta.  We often shared a bologna, mustard and onion sandwich for lunch.  Her fried chicken was the best that I remember eating.  The wall-heater that heated their entire home warmed me better than any heater I recall.  Her high heels that I used to play dressup with fit better than any other.  At bedtime we would stay up way too late and talk and she would tickle me until I ran out of giggles. 

This teacup and saucer shelf hung in her dining room.  Papa died when I was fourteen.  Five years later when I had a husband and a house of my own, this teacup and saucer shelf became a part of my home.

There is a groove in each shelf that is designed for the saucer to sit safely inside of and a nail that is stained to match the wood for each teacup to rest on.  I don't know where Mema got this shelf or who made it.  It hangs in my dining room and I see it many times each day.  What a privilege to have cups that overflow with memories and a shelf that brings a sweetness to my heart every single time that I see it.

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

August 19, 2008

Music: One Day At A Time

The Sword is Sufficient

The last three mornings have been cool and comfortable. 

A Texas August is never cool and comfortable.

I am learning so much lately.  I have been chasing after God for a few months now.  I want more of Him.  I was, long ago, tired of my will and my ways.  I fail myself, I fail my husband, I fail my children, I fail my Lord. 

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;"  ~~II Corinthians 3:5

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."  ~~Hebrews 4:12

 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."  ~~John 1:1

God has been showing me the power of His word.  He has been teaching me how sufficient His word is.  He has been showing me how insufficient that I am.  Do you understand?  The little bible with the maroon cover that lays upon the table in my home...God's words.  He is sufficient.  Sufficient for every problem, every question of the day...

We have a tendency to want to "gulp" down a bit of God's word in the morning or in the evening and then we try to sustain ourselves on that small taste all day long.  We find ourselves in a "hamster wheel" just running and running and getting so tired. 

We are starving ourselves of Him.  How can we rest in His sufficiency when we run all day long and leave Him, our bibles, sitting on the table, touched...opened only briefly each day? 

What would happen if we opened God's word morning, noon and night and often in between?  What would happen if we put down everything but His word?  What would happen if we quit trying to "binge on God's word" and started consuming it?  What would happen if we began to nourish ourselves by simply reading His word.  No "bible studies", no devotionals, no watered-down forms or versions or outlines...

Just the sufficiency of The Sword...

I think it would be cool and comfortable...

...I think it would be like breathing in the coolness of the last three mornings. 

I think it would be like feeling comfortable on an August morning in Texas...

~~~ 

posted by Mrs. Klause

August 15, 2008

Music:  Big Snow in Salzburg

 

posted by Mrs. Klause

August 15, 2008

Music:  Big Snow in Salzburg

 

Lunch anyone?

I like lunchtime.  It is a wonderful break in the day's activities.  It is a time to nourish our bodies and nourish our hearts.  I have not yet made it a consistent habit but opening God's word at the lunch table is good for everyone I think. 

As I was nibbling my sandwich today, I thought it might be fun to post my favorite lunch meal and then see if I could get a few of you to post your favorite lunch and the recipe if we need one.  :0)  I find that the midday meal is the one that needs a little "spice" sometimes...so a couple of new ideas might do us all some good. 

My favorite lunch is a bologna sandwich.  Really, it is.  I like sandwiches a lot.  Now I will take a bologna sandwich with just about anything on it but "the perfect" bologna sandwich is made like this:

two slices of fresh white bread

a thin coating of mustard on one slice and Miracle Whip on the other

layer bologna, lettuce, tomato, fresh onions, salt, pepper and the most important part (that makes it so yummy) is fresh sliced jalapenos

You must slice it in half.  This is the only way to make sure that all of your goodies stay in the sandwich.  I like plain potato chips with my sandwich but I will eat any fruit, fresh veggie or chip that we might have on-hand.  An occasional slice of pepper-jack cheese is yummy and avocado slices always makes a nice addition to any sandwich that I eat.  ;0)

So...what is your favorite lunch meal?

You can post a comment with your favorite and the recipe or just leave a link to your blog or website.  Everyone...make sure you check the comments on this post!

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 17, 2008

Music:

The Little Girls' Room

Let's see...

We moved back to Texas May 21st.  There are still boxes in the garage.  Mostly books and off-season clothes that need to be re-boxed and labeled.  It is so hot here.  The weather is just the opposite of Washington weather.  We lived on the eastern side of Washington.  Very little rain there...  The last seven months we spent in Washington the high temperature was 50 degrees and we saw that only twice.  We acclimated to the climate nicely.  About two weeks before we left I was taking the trash out in short sleeves and no shoes and it was 42 degrees.  Ha!  A dear friend that we met there had moved from Phoenix about three years prior.  She was serious when she said that 40 degrees would be a heat wave. 

The girls and I have had a hard time getting used to the heat again.  It hovers around 100 and has since early June.  Funny....the girls and I are back to wearing a sweater when it is 80 in the morning. 

Our new home has four bedrooms:  two very small ones, one small and the master is moderately-sized.  In Washington, all three girls shared a room.  Here, Addison and Kennedy share and Bailey has her own.

Addison's bed...

The walls were already painted a lovely light green so their pink and green pretties went well in their room.

Mrs. Bohot gave Addison the piggy bank before she was born.  The little pink wooden house is one of my favorite material possessions.  My Daddy gave it to me several years ago.  It is actually a recipe box and a music box.  It plays My Favorite Things.  The little rabbits were given to Kennedy & Addison by Mrs. Bohot before we left Texas.

This pretty little rabbit was mine when I was a little girl.  I think Mother actually got her for me somewhere along the way.  I must ask Mother about Miss Flopsy's history.  ;0)

Under Miss Flopsy is a small light so that Addison can look at books while in her crib.  The girls get to look at books in their beds before "lights out".  This came about when we were in Washington with all the girls in one room.  I wanted Bailey and Kennedy to be able to look through books without disturbing Addison's rest.  We purchased small shelves at Michael's and my ever-so-smart husband decided that headlamps would be the best option.  They are battery operated and came with a headstrap.  You know, so that men can wear them and have a hands-free flashlight.  We use rechargable batteries and it works so well.  The lamps are attached to the shelves with heavy-duty Velcro.

This is a mosaic.  It has a sweet story behind it.  Bailey was a baby.  The pastor's wife at our church made the most beautiful mosaic crosses.  Each year we had a nice dinner for the ladies and there were always door prizes.  Mrs. Sweet donated this cross.  Mrs. Jakubauskas and I went to the dinner and she won the cross in the drawing.  I admired it and said something like, 'If you ever suddenly find that missing from your wall, I'm the guilty one.'  ;0)  I couldn't get a good picture of it.  It is in shades of purple and so lovely.  Guess what I got from Mrs. Jakubauskas for Christmas that year.  Now don't feel sorry for her, I had selected the broken ceramic pieces from Mrs. Sweet's collection for a cross to be prepared for Mrs. Jakubauskas about a year prior.  :0)  So she has one of Mrs. Sweet's lovelies as well.

This is Kennedy's side of the room.  That big horse on the bed was a gift from Mother & Daddy last December.  Kennedy's named her Furry.  She is so soft that I would dare you not to find yourself petting Furry if you ever happen to come to visit and lay your hands on her.  Furry travels with us on any lengthy journeys.  Mother convinced Kennedy to pack her in the suitcase instead of bringing her on the plane when we flew back to Texas.  She went to Walmart with us a couple of weeks ago.  She was strapped in the seat next to Kennedy.  :0)  Kennedy asked if Furry could come into the store with us but I required that Furry remain outside.  As I was getting out of the van in the parking lot, I looked over at the minivan parked next to us and I saw a toddler seat....in the seat next to the toddler seat was a large stuffed giraffe.  :0)  I should have left a note on their windshield.  I am sure that the other momma would have gotten the same giggle I got out of seeing the big horse in our seat.

The girls got these little pink straw hats last February.  They were very sincere in wearing their pink cowgirl boots and pink hats in Washington.  Momma had nothing to do with this.  There was many a smile put on many a face in the state of Washington at the site of three little pink cowgirls.  The picture above is something that I bought when Kennedy was a baby.  I thought it was nice...Sweet Sisters...it is actually an old advertisement for strawberry jam.

I bought the ceramic when Bailey was a baby:  "Blessed are those that rejoice in the little things."

The fabric heart was purchased for my infant girls by Mother:  "Angels Sleeping".

This is above Kennedy's headboard.  Her shelf with her light, a cross that Mother bought for me several years back, pretty flowers arrived via Mother while we were in Washington and one of Kennedy's horses.

Mother bought this simple creamy metal towel rack (actually) that has worked nicely for a quilt rack.  The crocheted blanket was made for Bailey by a friend of Mother's.  Bailey used the blanket on her bed while in Washington.  The little white box was also a gift from Mother.  It makes a nice place for doll clothes.

The floor area where the ironing board is at changes from week-to-week.  Currently, the baby-doll bunk beds are kept on this wall.  :0)

These are my ballet shoes.  I took ballet only for a short time.  I think I was about six.  The tiny birdhouse is has a mosaic roof, also made by Mrs. Sweet. 

The bedroom stays mostly free of toys.  There is a small toy basket under Addison's bed.  The other toys remain in the garage in boxes.  The boxes are brought in only one at a time and then returned to the garage at the end of the day.  It is a wonderful way to keep toys under control, but that is an entirely different post.

:0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

July 3, 2008

Music:  My Favorite Things

Menus - Breakfast & Snacks

Our breakfast menu is working out nicely.  If you missed that post, you can read it here. 

We did switch our Thursday and Friday morning menu.  We have cold cereal on Thursdays and save the pancakes or baked goods for Friday.  Had I have been thinking when making the menu, I would have done this in the first place.  We do our cooking and baking on Thursdays so we now make sure to enjoy the fresh baked goods on Friday mornings.

This has completely eliminated the habit of the morning-begging for cold cereal. 

~~~

This same principle has worked wonderfully for snacks as well.  Instead of the children constantly asking for their favorite snacks, we simply follow the menu.  Of course Mommy reserves the right to override or add to the snack menu at any time.  ;0)

Snacks:

Monday:  cinnamon graham crackers; oranges; pretzels

Tuesday:  fruit bars; nuts; left-over pancakes (the recipe that we use gives us a sweet pancake and the girls love them cold, too)

Wednesday:  apples; cheese & crackers; pickles

Thursday:  vanilla wafers; carrots; pretzels

Friday:  baked goods; popcorn; chips & salsa

~~~

Our girls are allowed to eat fresh fruit or veggies anytime and do partake daily.  I took a few of their favorites and intermingled with healthy snacks.  The children have a morning snack, a snack before their rest at 2pm and a snack around 4:30.  A few months back I pushed suppertime back to 6pm with hopes that Daddy would make it home each eve for a hot meal.  Tiny tummies are very hungry before 6pm so the 4ish snack arrived with the later suppertime in our house. 

It is working well for us.

I pray that if you will enjoy a Friday filled with the Lord's presence.  Let's smile at our children and enjoy their tiny hands and their silly giggles.  Let's smile at unintentional messes and "heal" grumpy hearts with bear-hugs today. 

:0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

June 13, 2008

Music: My Favorite Things

Breakfast - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 days

Our last several months in Washington we enjoyed a large full breakfast every morning, as a family.  Mr. Klause suggested it as we were discussing our family's eating habits one evening but he did not want to cause unnecessary morning burden on his wife.  I agreed that a larger breakfast in place of a larger dinner meal would be a more healthy option for us.  I also shared that it would actually be easier to prepare the large meal early in the day when I am "fresh" in my day instead of late in the day.  It was a good theory and it proved to be true.  We all enjoyed the large breakfast meal and really enjoyed having the meal as a family every single morning. 

It was wonderful to smell the biscuits and bacon cooking...or the oatmeal...or an occasional batch of cinnamon rolls...

The move to Texas and the job change has caused our morning routine to change.  Mr. Klause leaves before the children wake now and the large breakfast as a family is no longer a part of our days. 

Unfortunately we have fallen into the habit of a cold cereal "sprinkled" with a good breakfast instead of good breakfasts "sprinkled" with cold cereal.

Mr. Klause and I have been discussing nutrition for our family again in recent days.  When Kennedy was a baby I successfully used a weekly menu and would like to do that again.  Not rigid menu plans mind you.

The girls and I sat down this morning to see about some planning and this is what we have come up with so far. 

Sundays: peanut butter & jelly (or honey) sandwiches --- This was specifically selected because it is a quick and easy meal that is filling.  It facilitates getting everyone ready for church and not having a morning snack while in church.

Mondays: eggs

Tuesdays: pancakes

Wednesdays: hot cereal or rice

Thursdays: pancakes or pastry --- The girls really like pancakes.

Fridays: cold cereal

Saturdays:  Daddy's choice --- We use a pancake batter that we make ahead and put into the fridge for the week so if we don't have pancakes on Thursdays then we can eat them on Saturdays.

Meal Options

EGGS:

     1) boiled eggs, toast, fruit

     2) scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits or toast

     3) fried eggs (rare) and toast

     4) poached egg, cheese & meat on an English muffin or biscuit

     5) ham, egg and cheese on a croissant

     6) omelets

     7) My Daddy's Breakfast Casserole (Look for this recipe to be posted soon.)

     8) breakfast tacos

     **** Hash browns, fried potatoes, fruit or gravy could be added to any meal.

PANCAKES:

     1) just pancakes

     2) add scrambled eggs

     3) add fruit to top our pancakes

     4) add a breakfast meat

     5) make pigs-in-a-blanket out of them

HOT CEREAL OR RICE:

     1) oatmeal

     2) Malt-O-Meal

     3) Cream of Wheat

     4) cooked rice with butter, sugar and milk added

     5) oatmeal bake

PANCAKES (see above) OR PASTRY:

     1) cinnamon rolls

     2) homemade bread with peanut butter and bananas

     3) muffins with bacon

     4) donuts

COLD CEREAL:

     - self-explanatory of course

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The concept of planning a generalized menu worked so well before.  It allows for direction and planning for shopping and ensures well-rounded nutrition and variety in the meals but allows for flexibility.

I'll let you know how it is going along the way and, of course, I will share any great recipes we find!  We would also welcome any other breakfast ideas or great recipes that you and your family enjoy! 

** If you are new to my blog, you can share your recipe or thoughts by scrolling to the bottom of this post and click on the word "comments" in the light grey print. **

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

May 29, 2008

Music: Little Brown Church in the Vale

How about a cup of tea? We can sit awhile.

A few of the rooms in our home have been decorated.

This is the "Sitting Room". 

When you walk into our front door there is a formal dining room immediately to your left.  We opted out of the formal dining room for a couple of reasons:  1) We have only one dining room suit; 2) the breakfast area is actually very large and quite suitable for dining; 3) do you see the carpet in this room above?  We have three children under age six that live in our house!  Can you just see the spaghetti, blueberry muffins and grilled cheese smudged and squished into the lovely creamy carpet?  ;0)

So...it is our sitting room.  It is very pleasant.  The girls and I spend a fair amount of time each day reading and this is a very inviting and comfortable room for reading.  The room is bright and open and it is next to the kitchen.  It is the perfect place for Bailey to do her math lessons and handwriting and such.  She can be comfortable in the middle of the floor, curled up on the chest or in a rocking chair.

 

The room is filled with things that remind us of those that are special to us.

All through our home you will see a collection of crosses that was given to me by Mother and my dear friend, Mrs. Jakubauskas.  The white ceramic basket on top of the cabinet was given to me by my husband's Grandma Chester.  The rocking chair and little ottoman were mine when I was a little girl.  My Mema Simpson (my Daddy's mother) bought them just for me.  Now, my children sit in the little chair every single day.  The wee little toy wooden rocker was given to me when I was pregnant with Bailey.  Mother gave it to me.  My beloved gave the clock to me several years ago for Christmas.  It plays such beautiful music at the top of the hour.

Isn't she lovely?  Can you feel the soft breeze that is blowing her skirt and her scarf?  Mother, Miss Melanie Hall and I picked this out last year after we moved to Washington.  The tiny lamp was something I bought just for Bailey's room when she was a baby.  The cross was given to me by Mrs. Jakubauskas as a birthday present.  The stitched handkerchiefs was from Mother; one for each of us gals to take to church with us.  Sadly, I cannot remember who gave me the candle holder or the vase...give me a couple of days to think on it!  :0(

The Raggedy Ann doll was mine when I was a little girl.  Sadie Rabbit belonged to Hope.  The two framed doilies on the wall were my Mema Simpson's.  Mother bought me the cream throw early in my marriage.

We bought my rocking chair to put in the nursery when I found I was pregnant with Bailey.  Mother & Daddy bought the beautiful sewing machine in front of the window.  The machine is still in a box; I'll get that out and put back together soon.  The small white wicker rocker was given to the girls by their Grandparents Slider.

Just before leaving Washington, several of us Mommies had started to work with lots of our little girls on stitcheries similar to this one.  The Hurd Family, dear friends, gave us this beautifully framed stitchery before we left.

And of course...my SIT LONG, TALK MUCH sign hangs just above the entry to the kitchen.  I am hopeful that all of my family and friends will someday be able to come to our home to sit for a long time and talk and talk!  ;0)

I asked the Lord many years ago if He would allow our home to be and teach me how to make a restful and comfortable place for my husband and children and I asked if He would bring family and friends to our home all the days of our lives. 

The world tells us that the house always needs to be perfectly straight and the dishes always clean before guests arrive.  I used to think the same thing.  However, I have learned that it is in seeing the imperfections of our lives that have allowed friends to become closer over the years.  It is like looking through the fence when my friends and family see only the neatly tidied home.  It, passively, sets a standard that neighbors, friends and family believe is normal in our home and it seems to create a wall between people.  A dear friend of mine was sure that I maintained a wonderfully tidy home and "had it all together" all the time.  She was "standing on the sidewalk looking through the fence" at me.  She was only seeing a sliver of my life.  It was a wonderful day when she came to visit on short notice one day.  She found food on the floor after meals with wee little children and she found a load of laundry at the top of the stairs that needed to go to the laundry room and many other things that I would normally get put away when I know guests are coming to visit.  It was that day that God blessed us with wonderful conversation and sharing of our lives and all that God has done and was doing in our hearts at the time.  It was that day that we actually became friends.  :0) 

Opening my home to others always blesses me!  I want their hearts to be blessed and I want them to be comfortable in the home that the Lord has provided to us through the hard work of my husband's hands.  But it is me that always receives the blessing of their time and their sharing... 

I happened upon an article yesterday over the matter: click here and scroll down to the article titled "Woman to Woman: A Messy House Ministry.  Now God is clearly orderly and we should keep our home orderly.  We should be good stewards of what the Lord has given to us.  I have found over the years that my home is much more pleasant with fewer things.  I have found, over the years, that our home is far more pleasant when there are routines that are firmly established and firmly adhered to; when I have been careful to manage my time and allocate chores to be done on particular days.  In my life, maintaining our home has been much like being a good steward of money.  If each dollar is "labeled" or "assigned" to something, then little money (if any) gets wasted.  Time seems the same.

It is not unusual to hear me say, "You are welcome to come and see us anytime!  However if you want to come to see the house, you should make an appointment.  ;0)"

"1Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;  2That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.  3For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:  4Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:  5Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.  6For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.  7But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.  8And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.  9Use hospitality one to another without grudging.  10As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."  ~~I Peter 4:1-11

I hope you will come for tea soon!  I would be honored to have you.

~~~~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

May 10, 2008

Music: Misc.

Afternoon sewing...

I recently started teaching the girls to sew by hand.

It is my goal to spend some time every afternoon stitching.

Why sewing?  :0)

There are many reasons.  It is good to be quiet.  How can we hear the Holy Spirit's whisper if there is constant noise, entertainment, talking, etc.??  The Lord has spent a fair amount of time with me over the last year or so teaching me the beauty of being still and quiet.  You can read this post on the matter:  Do You Ever Enjoy The Silence?

I think it wise to teach our children to be quiet.  Our world does not have to be continuously filled with action and noise.   I recently read an article and within it were the following words; it is the words of a woman with six little boys and expecting her seventh child; she too is speaking of teaching her children to be quiet:  "If we train our children at a young age to enjoy quietness, then they will eagerly embrace the discipline it takes to develop their own life with God, and the conviction to LISTEN and WAIT for His specific call and purpose for their life as they are in God's word and in prayer.  Our society is so entertainment crazy!  So addicted to noise!  So filled with artificial means of happiness!  And so plagued by the disease of boredom!  When we deliberately wean our children from the lure of these unnatural and false substitutes for true peace and contentment, we do them a great service and facilitate their being equipped for the Master's use!"

I agree with this woman.  I am not insinuating that we sequester ourselves for hours on end each day.  I am simply stating that it is very easy, in our society, to overdose our children on television, toys, entertainment, going to visit a friend, going here, doing this, doing that...  Our society is so busy going somewhere all the time. 

I want my girls to learn the self-discipline of sitting still...

I want my girls to learn to enjoy the work of their hands...

I want my girls to know that their work should be done unto the Lord...

I want my girls to enjoy working with their hands and then giving the fruits of their labor, in love, to someone else...

I want them to learn the attention to detail that sewing requires...

I want them to learn the patience that sewing requires...

I want them to learn to perseverance to complete a project...

I want them to enjoy the simplicity yet the beauty of something that is hand-crafted...

I want them to learn to enjoy the silence so that they may enjoy the fellowship of their Heavenly Father.

~~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

March 7, 2008

Music:  Will Goodwin

Teacup Tuesdays - Dragonfly Teapot

I last shared the set of Dragonfly Teacups that my Aunt Joni bought for me several years back.  You can read about them here.

Here is the teapot that matches. 

Aunt Joni bought this for me when she bought the teacups of course.  When I posted about the cups, I thought I had the pretty matching teapot packed away but, silly me, there is was tucked back in my tea cabinet. 

I now have my Snowman Teapot, Peter Rabbit Teapot, Dragonfly Teapot and a lovely teapot with streamers and flowers that Mother gave to me.  My kitchen and dining area are a bit small so I have been rotating my cups and pots, mostly according to season. 

Thank you again Aunt Joni.  :0)

These two beautiful women are:  my Aunt Joni and my Mother.

:0)

I just have to share what Kennedy just said to me...

She stands looking over my shoulder as I type this post.  She sees the photo of Aunt Joni and Mother above and says, "Oh Momma, it is family!"  I said, "Yes, that is your Aunt Joni."  Kennedy said, "Momma, can I meet her one day?"

Kennedy has met Aunt Joni but she doesn't remember.  Maybe Kennedy will see Aunt Joni soon...

~~~~~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

February 19, 2008

Music:  Wings of the Dragonfly

Teacup Tuesdays - Dragonflies

The beginning of my teacup collection...

Aunt Joni had come to visit right after we bought our first home.  She wanted to get something for me...a housewarming...

The cups and saucers are a beautiful jade green.

And they are covered with dragonflies and flowers.  I use them all the time and think of my sweet Aunt Joni every time I hold one my dragonfly cups in my hand.  I have wanted to post this set for sometime but I was without a good photo of my Aunt Joni.  Until....last week.... 

My lovely Aunt Joni is on the left (my Mother is on the right).  My earliest memory of Aunt Joni...I was about seven.  She hasn't changed; she looks just the same!  :0)  I traveled to visit and stay with Aunt Joni and Uncle Rick several times during my childhood.  Aunt Joni makes the very best fruit salad ever! 

Thank you Aunt Joni for starting my teacup collection.  I had no idea how wonderful it would be!  :0)

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

February 5, 2008

Music:  Lord of the Dance

The Importance of Taking Tea

Do you take tea?  Regularly?  If not, you should consider it.  If you don't like tea, then hot cider or hot chocolate or coffee or even some warm milk with a splash of coffee creamer is tasty...

There is nothing spectacular about tea.  It is more about stopping for a little while.  We get so busy in our days that we forget to just stop and sit.  Afterall there is laundry to do and meals to cook and clothes to iron and lessons to teach and now there is snow to shovel...  ;0)   

It is too easy to allow the day to zing right past me and then find that I didn't even sit with Kennedy in my lap today or Bailey and I didn't even have a face-to-face meaningful conversation today.  I refuse to be a group of people that live under one roof.  God's plan for our family is far more than simply accomplishing the daily tasks.

Stopping to 'take tea' doesn't have to be a big ordeal (although it is fun).  It is the time taken together while preparing the water and then waiting for the tea to steep.  It is the time simply sitting with our children as we sip our tea.  I firmly believe that if our home were blessed with sons, they would enjoy tea just as often.  I think I would make it a mission to find a big ol' manly mug for my sons to use at tea time (but of course never at a tea party).

I encourage you to enjoy a cup of tea with your children today...

Oh yes...many folks ask me about allowing the children to use the nice and breakable teacups and saucers.  Even little Addison, at 18 months old, uses our glass teacups.  Here is why:  Teeny & Broken

~~~~~

P. S.  I have always kept my Teacup Tuesdays posts in the Household/Hospitality category.  I have now added a category just for Teacup Tuesdays.

~~~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

January 30, 2008

Music:  Bird of Peace

Teacup Tuesdays - Hello Baby Bear

This tiny little bear is peering into a tiny little teacup...

...it has a pair of zebras, a pair of sheep and a rain cloud...

...a pair of elephants, a pair of giraffes, the sun and a rainbow...

My cousin, Mrs. Goodwin, sent us a box of new teacups as a housewarming when we arrived in Washington.  This little cup was sent just for Addison.  She loves to drink out of her teacup and the two handles are perfect for her.

You can see some of the other teacups that Mrs. Goodwin sent to us:

Teacup Tuesdays - Hearts & Flowers

Teacup Tuesdays - Peter Rabbit

This was Addison's first teacup, it will always be very special.

~~~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

January 29, 2008

Music:  Winter

Grandma's Apron

This hangs in my kitchen.  Here is what it says:

Grandma's Apron by Tina Trivett

The strings were tied, It was freshly washed, and maybe even pressed. For Grandma, it was everyday to choose one when she dressed. The simple apron that it was, you would never think about; the things she used it for, that made it look worn out. She may have used it to hold, some wildflowers that she'd found. Or to hide a crying child's face, when a stranger came around. Imagine all the little tears that were wiped with just that cloth. Or it became a potholder to serve some chicken broth. She probably carried kindling to stoke the kitchen fire. To hold a load of laundry, or to wipe the clothesline wire. When canning all her vegetables, it was used to wipe her brow. You never know, she might have used it to shoo flies from the cow. She might have carried eggs in from the chicken coop outside. Whatever chore she used it for, she did them all with pride. When Grandma went to heaven, God said she now could rest. I'm sure the apron that she chose, was her Sunday best. I miss you Grandma...

** Mrs. Trivett wrote explains her poem: 

"I wrote the poem years ago for my Grandmother when she passed. She was a sweet dear lady who lived to be 96. She was from Kentucky, wife of a farmer, mother of 13 children. She may have treated herself to a few puffs from a corncob pipe once in a while, but she was also very dignified.

"She wore a fresh, crisp, clean apron over her dress every day. The pockets held little treasures like chewing gum and mints. When she passed, I was in the middle of a snowstorm in the North Carolina mountains, and could not attend her funeral in Kentucky. That's where the poem 'Grandma's Apron' came from.

~~~~~

I do so love aprons.  They are practical and useful and can be so lovely.  Wearing my aprons has cut back on my laundry as they keep my daily clothing from being soiled. 

My girlies and I have decided that we want to make seasonal aprons.  It will be a work in progress and should be lots of fun.

~~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

January 24, 2008

Music:  Touch of the Master's Hand

Doilies

This beautiful doily was handmade just for me by Mrs. Hunter.  I just love doilies!  They give such warmth to any room. 

I am thankful to have "run into" Mrs. Hunter online.  If you might want one of these lovlies for your own home or if you happen to want to bless someone you love with one, here is how you can reach Mrs. Hunter:

Send an email to her at:  nnannysh@yahoo.com or just give her a call at 817-480-1922.

If you have any difficulty reaching her, please just email me at mrs_klause@yahoo.com and I will find her for you.  ;0)

posted by Mrs. Klause

January 21, 2008

Music:  numerous by David Nevue

Teacup Tuesdays - Beautiful Butterflies

Of all my teacups, this one is probably the most practical.

It is shaped just like a regular coffee mug but it has an insert to put my fresh tea (or teabag) and then a lid.  It is fabulous for steeping my tea.  The beautiful yellow-green background with butterflies is my favorite part of the cup though.  This cup "looks" just like the sweet lady that gave it to me.  Every single time that I see this cup, I think of Mrs. Jakubauskas.

The miles now separate us tremendously.  The time that we spend loving and caring for our husbands, our children and our homes leaves little time now-a-days for us to visit on the phone.  However, God blessed us with a friendship that was, is and will always be a gift to me.

Mrs. Jakubauskas gave me another teacup last year for my birthday, I would love for you to see that one too.  You can find the teacup and the story of how our friendship began here.

~~~

I do miss you Mrs. Jakubauskas.  Praying for you and your family always...

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

January 9, 2008

Music:  Clair d'Lune

Teacup Tuesdays - Let It Snow

Look at my new teapot!  She arrived this Christmas.  The Bohots sent her to me.  She has been put to use almost every single day so far.

She is blue and white and has pretty little snowflakes all over her and of course the snowman.

Thank you Mrs. Bohot!

:0)

~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

January 1, 2008

Music: The Snow Lay On The Ground

TIME TO TIDY UP!, December 28th, DAY 3

Good Friday Morning.  It is a beautiful morning here.  The snow continues to fall and it is so peaceful.

Before I go any further I was hoping that some of you ladies would pray for a dear friend of mine.  She flew to her father's bedside in an intensive care unit last night.  He is very ill.  He and his family all know the Lord.  Please pray for God's perfect will...pray that God would be glorified...pray that any that do not know Him would clearly see Christ amongst that family and feel the very presence of God.  Thank you so much...

We Christians can easily get caught up in selfish prayers.  We usually don't mean for them to be that but oftentimes, they are.  We pray for our laundry list of items that we want or want to happen. 

"5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."  ~~Matthew 6:5-13

Sometimes I have to stop and think upon how much I love my own children.  I love them with all that I am.  I want THE BEST for them, not just something good but THE BEST.  I want to watch over them and allow trials and pain if it helps them to grow and to learn.  I want to spend time with them every day and all day so that we may know each other and love each other more and more.  I want to correct them when they are wrong because it will save them frustration and even agony later in life.  Our love for our children gives us just the slightest glimpse of the Lord's love for us. 

Our lives are like a tapestry woven by the very hand of God.  If we submit to Him and wait on Him, then it is His perfect plan woven into the tapestry.  When our humanness and sinful nature take over and we step forward with our wills, our selfishness, our anger...any of our sins...the Lord takes our decisions and continues to weave for He promises  "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." in Romans 8:28. 

Our lives and our hearts are amazingly intricate.  He knows and sees all that we are and all that we will become.  I am human and I will sin but I deeply desire to see the tapestry that contains each strand of His perfect will instead of the tapestry that Our Heavenly Father can weave with the discolored and broken threads that I give to Him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you are just arrived today, this post is Part 4 of 4.  Here are the links, in order, of what we have been up to around here:

Praising, Thanking, Working & Playing Together

Time To Tidy Up, December 26th, DAY 1

Time To Tidy Up, December 27th, DAY 2

Our laundry is already in process.  I do laundry once each week.  It is wonderful!  We spend the day getting it done and then don't have to think about it again for a week.  Once a more scheduled school time started, I tried to do a load of laundry each day but I always ended up with a sour and/or wrinkled load.  So...schoolwork simply migrates to the laundry area when necessary.  It works well for us.

I always do the towels first because the morning is also filled with schoolwork.  That way if the load in the dryer happens to sit for a half hour, wrinkles aren't a concern.  I start the first load before anyone wakes so the water is finished running before my beloved is up for a shower.  I have to set my oven timer for the duration of the wash cycle so that I don't get busy and forget that a load is washing. 

So...if you haven't started already...

- separate your loads;

- start the first load;

- go set your timer (30-45 minutes).

We will take care of our usual morning routine:

- breakfast, breakfast cleanup (as a family), brush teeth & hair, dress, make all the beds...

We do all this morning routine as a family.  I have found that if I send a child down for dressing then she most certainly will get distracted.  Same for bed-making... 

By that time, we can rotate the laundry.  Bailey is five and she can take care of the towels from start to finish.  She likes to race the clock and can usually get a load of towels folded and put away in less than eight minutes.  Kennedy is just learning to fold washrags and she does a fine job.  Addison likes to put clothes into the washer and then she likes to shove them into the dryer. 

After morning chores are done then we will get our house clean.  Join us if you like...

"See" you soon...

~~~~~~~~

- Let's get that first load folded and then rotate wash to dry and put a new dirty load in to wash...

I sure am thankful for an indoor toilet!  How about you?  Let's clean the bathroom first.  It is quick and easy and for those of you that don't like to clean the bathroom, you can get it out of the way. 

Now in my house...here is the conversation that just took place:

Mommy:  Okay girls...who wants to clean the toilet?

Bailey:  I do!  I do!

Kennedy:  No!  Me!  I want to clean the toilet Mommy!

Bailey:  Oh Kennedy, we can both do it.  We have two toilets.

Kennedy:  Oh yea.  {giggle}  You can clean the downstairs and I will clean the upstairs.

:0)

So...fold, put away, rotate the laundry and go clean your bathrooms and I will meet you back here in a little while.

~~~~~~~~~

Bailey (age 5) is working downstairs.  I pour the chemical into the toilet and then she is fine from there.  She has become quite proficient at cleaning the bathroom.  She will clean the toilet, the countertop and sink and empty the trash.  We will clean the shower stall after Addison wakes up.  We always save the floors in the entire house for last.

I came upstairs to find Kennedy (age 2) wiping the toilet.

I clean alongside as I teach her how to clean the toilet.  I do my best to NEVER criticize as the girls work.  Instead my goal is to be a good example.  With Kennedy she is just learning about cleaning toilets so I will simply teach her the order:  clean the entire top of the toilet first, then the top of the lid, then the bottom of the lid, etc.  Teaching her the order will prevent her from cleaning the icky parts and then putting the rag to the not-so-icky-parts.  Also good hygiene is discussed and the importance of handwashing.  With Bailey I might say something like, "When Mommy gets in a hurry I often miss spots.  Are you working at a good pace or are you getting in a hurry?"  If she is in a hurry, she recognizes it and corrects it. 

After all the cleaning, the girls sit down for a snack...

I will take five minutes and go to check their work and clean any spots that they have missed.  If I notice something that Bailey needs to improve on then I will mention it next week.  'Thank you for being such a good helper by cleaning the bathroom.  Last week I think you forgot to put the cleaning supplies away.  When we do a task, it is very important that we do it completely and do it well.  If you need help getting the supplies put away, just let me know.' 

Sometimes I fail miserably and criticize and become to harsh with my words.  This is always a mistake.  I am learning that self-control is a tremendous blessing...a blessing in my life and a blessing in the lives of others.  I am also convinced that controlling one's tongue is not possible without the hand of the Lord...

"He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."  ~~Proverbs 25:28

"16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.  18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.  19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,  20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another."   ~~Galatians 5:16-26

~~~~~~`

Let's get the next load of laundry folded and rotate again. 

Oops...don't forget to get that clean laundry put away.  There is no reason for mountains of clean and folded laundry to stare us in the face at the end of the day!  And there is certainly no reason for Momma to squawk at the children when they knock over a stack that could have been put away from the beginning.  (Been there, done that...not the best way.)

We are going to dust now.  Our furniture looks like a herd of zebra came through and left all their dust behind.   ;0)

Then we shall stop for lunch.

Smile Momma...  Swish, dust, fold...  Have fun as you care for the home that you have been blessed with...  If, by chance, a spot of grumpiness or impatience begins to creep over you...this is what I do:  STOP, DROP & PRAY (Aloud!  Our children need to learn how to talk to the Lord.).  Then I ask my children to forgive me for (whatever my hideousness was) and let them know that my example was not a good one and tell them how I could have handled myself.

I am so thankful for God's grace...I sure do need it...

~~~~~~~~

We had an extended lunch!  Our neighbor called at the last minute and invited us over.  She is so sweet!  She even sent us home with cookies and candy.

~~~~~~~~~

Back to the laundry...

Unload dryer, rotate the loads, fold and put away...

We will vacuum quickly before putting Addison down to nap and then sweep and mop.

WE ARE ALMOST FINISHED!!  Yippeee!!

~~~~

Well...I think all we lack is the tub and shower.  Have everyone put on their swimsuits over their sweaters and give everyone a brush, sponge or paper towel ... turn on some good music and put in a good 10 minutes of elbow-grease and we will be all done!!

~~~~

I am glad that so many joined us in getting our homes back in order.  Have a blessed weekend.

posted by Mrs. Klause

December 28, 2007

Music: Lord of the Dance

Time To Tidy Up, December 27th, DAY 2

Good Thursday Morning!

---- This post is Part 3 of 4.  Here are the other links in order:

Praising, Thanking, Working and Playing Together

Time To Tidy Up, December 26th, DAY 1

I don't know about you but when I read the Word of God I am energized.  Peace settles within me and joy begins to flow...  For many years sitting down to read God's word was not what it should have been.  I wanted to enjoy my bible more but sometimes it seemed another thing to do.  Oftentimes I have read as a matter of obedience.  I love the Lord but I still lack...I want to love the Lord WITH ALL MY HEART.  I have prayed that the Lord would teach me to love His word.  Loving His word is loving Him...  John 1:1 clearly states this:  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."  It is shameful that I lacked love for my Lord (and still do), but He is teaching me more and more every single day. 

Psalm 100 - "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.  Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.  Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  For th eLord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

~~~~

Step #9 - Make sure your kitchen it ready for the day again!

It is awfully frustrating to start lunch with a mess from breakfast.  So...let's make sure breakfast is cleaned up!

Step #10 - Schoolroom (for those of you that don't have a schoolroom, keep reading)

WHO MADE THIS MESS!?  Oh...we all contributed a bit...  Kennedy took her bag down to find her crayons; Bailey sat in the floor with the owl clock while Addison wrote in her pad of teddy bear paper; Mommy & Daddy put things onto Mommy's desk that were in the way during meal preparation...

When the work begins to pile up and your temper begins to flare up, its the time for a song!  Whistle while you work!  Be a merry maker!  Keep the sense of humor alive!  Put on that grin and start right in!  Hum a merry tune!  Do your best!  When there is too much to do, don't let it bother you!  Whistle while you work!  :0)

The schoolroom is likely to be a mess since most of us haven't had any lessons in about a week.  Or you might have used the schoolroom for all kinds of Christmas crafts or wrapping.  Let's get it cleaned up!

- Clear out the trash first (a great job for the 2-4 year olds);

- Make your piles outside the door of everything that goes to another room (if you carry something to the laundry room, it is possible that you will get distracted and start another task -- STAY IN THE ROOM YOU ARE WORKING IN!)

- Books to the bookshelf (any age can help with this one, Addison does a good job at 17 months);

- Pens, pencils, markers, crayons, scissors, glue, glitter, tape...  put it all in a container of some sort and set it aside for now;

** Can you see the floor and desktops yets?? **

- Games, Lincoln Logs, blocks, Betty Spaghetti, trainset, dominoes, cards... all those things that probably found a way out of their boxes....  Put all that away now. 

- Any stacks of things that you have made in the schoolroom (pens, pencils, books beside the bookshelf, etc.) ... put those stacks away now.

Now...time to put the stacks outside the door away!  Task you Littles with quick errands and make sure they report back as soon as they are finished so that no one gets distracted.  Momma, you report back to the children too, let them know when you get back from taking the dirty laundry.  ;0)

*** Don't have a schoolroom?  Pick another room...same procedure:

- trash first;

- make your stacks for other rooms;

- then begin to put back what is out of place!

---- READY?   SET!   GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---- 

Okay...WHO BOUGHT THAT LITE BRITE ANYWAY?  I AM ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT THERE ARE 4260 PIECES!

*** Now Mommas...I encourage you to keep your children with you while you work.  There are certainly times when we might pop in a movie for the children while we clean or complete a task.  However making this the normal procedure is not good for anyone.  We begin to create a monster... 

The children begin to see it as their "right" to lounge and be passively entertained while Mother does the work.  The children will begin to complain when we ask them to work.  Mother will begin to see herself as a victim.  She will begin to have pity-parties with thoughts to herself like, "Why am I cleaning this up again?  Does anyone else ever bother to pick up their dirty clothes?" 

It does take more time to complete a task with their are lots of little hands helping.  However...think of their hearts and their souls.  What honors God?  Working is simply a part of this life.  Your sons and daughters will have keep up their home every day of their life.  It should be a blessing and not a curse.  What a blessing to have a washing machine and dryer and clothes to put in them!!  What a blessing to have a yard to call your own for mowing!  What a blessing to even have toys and books to put away! 

When we work with our children at our sides, we tie strings with them.  We teach them how to work with a cheerful heart.  We teach them about serving others as our family is our first mission field!  Just don't forget to stop and play Momma.  Work a bit and then play a bit...  But you stop and play with them!  The children will just love it. 

Don't be a gripe or a mean old task master.  Truly!  Whistle while you work.  All the gals (you too Momma!) pull your hair into pigtails for the day.  Be silly Momma!  Have fun with your work!  You and your girlies can make (or buy) some matching scarves to wear over your head to keep your hair out of your face.  Everyone tie on their aprons.  The boys...give them manly tasks...carry out the boxes; carry out the heavy trashbags; lift the books onto their shelves; change the lightbulbs...

Teach them to love their home and to love to serve their father and their brothers and sisters... 

Back to work...

Lite Brite piece number 2172, 2173, 2174, 2175... 

Whew...okay...that wasn't so bad.  :0)

It is not perfect.  The floor really needs to be vacuumed but that will wait until later today or tomorrow.  The books are on the shelf but not organized back to their normal state.  But I don't want to do the detail work right now...  I had to resist the temptation to get caught up in the detail though!

This handy shoe bag hangs on the back of the schoolroom door.  We keep the markers, crayons, pencils, glue sticks, notecards (and so on) here.  The crayons, markers and colored pencils are all mixed together.  I started to organize those and had to stop myself and remember that I don't need to spend 10 minutes on that right now.  There is more to do in other rooms!!

Step #11 - Lunchtime!

- Make it quick and simple and finish out lunch with a good game or some coloring.  I'll let you know what we decide on.  ;0)

Well, we had some lunch and then sang and had a parade and did Looby Loo (that is kind of like the Hokey Pokey).

We spun in circles...

We wore hats...

Addison giggled and played with us and made sure everyone "talked to Daddy" on the little pink plastic phone.

Logan watched from the sidelines.  He was a bit unsure of all the foot stomping during "When You're Happy & You Know It".  :0)

Step #12 - Bedrooms

Now some of you made have already progressed in some of the bedrooms if you don't have a playroom.  But for those of us that haven't made it there yet...

- Start in the master bedroom (that should always be our place of rest);

- Make the bed first (if you haven't already);

- Trash to the trashcan;

- Grab up the dirty laundry and make your stack outside the door;

- Any dirty dishes?  Make the stack outside the room (or send one of your little ones on the errand to the kitchen);

- Put any shoes away;

- Take just a brief time at the nightstands by making the stacks neat and grabbing any trash (don't get stuck on the detail here);

- Put away any clean laundry;

- Finish up with any stacks outside the door.

Then make your rounds to the other bedrooms in the same fashion:

- Bed;

- Trash;

- Dirty laundry;

- Dirty dishes;

- Shoes or other items out;

- Nightstands and dressers;

- Clean laundry;

- Disperse the stacks to other rooms.

** This one might take us awhile.  Put on some great music that will keep you moving and motivated.  Better not sit down yet...might not get up!  Ha! **

---- Don't get caught up in the details.  We will do the cleaning and the laundry tomorrow.  If you aren't having leftovers tonite, you can still toss a roast or a whole chicken into the crockpot.  Just scrub some whole potatoes and slice in quarters.  You can boil them and then just stir in some butter, salt and pepper.  Have your oldest make a salad and set the table.  Dinner is done! ----

Well...  today we have made the schoolroom (or another room of your choosing) nice and tidy and we have made all the bedrooms in the house tidy.  I think I shall enjoy dinner with my family and curl up on my cozy bed to rest. 

~~~~~

Tomorrow we will get all the laundry done and make the house clean.  If you want to join me, I'd love to have you.  There probably will only be a couple before and after photos.  However if you want to race the clock with me, my girls and I will be "running a cleaning marathon" to get it all done as quickly (but still thoroughly) as we hope to have friends visit us tomorrow. 

Have a blessed evening with your family.

Oh yes.  I will break this post into DAY 1, DAY 2 and DAY 3. 

posted by Mrs. Klause

December 27, 2006

Music:  Whistle While You Work

TIME TO TIDY UP! December 26th, DAY 1

:0)

Sometimes we all need a little encouragement in a big task.  I welcome you ladies to join in and post comments with a link to your site if you want post pictures of the progress made in your home today!

STEP #1 - Ready Ourselves & Our Children For The Day

Make certain that you have "sat down" with the Lord this morning!  You and your children!

DO NOT omit this step!  ;0)

****  Might I suggest that you keep one or two children at your side in the room your are working in and task the other children with small and quick tasks (example: pick up all the books in the living room and put them on the bookshelf).  Then have them report back as soon as the task is complete.  Our mission today:  Clean up and play with cheerfulness!  No grumbly mommies allowed!  In our home it always works better when we work together for a bit and then stop and play together for a bit.  ****

STEP #2 - Kitchen, Part I

You must have the kitchen in working order.  Last night I got everything cleaned up but I still haven't put it all away so I have designated one counter for all the clean dishes and I will get to them a bit later.

- Unload the dishwasher;

- Make sure breakfast dishes are cleared and put into the dishwasher;

- Make sure your sink is clean;

- Clear off your dining table.

Don't get caught up in putting every little thing away yet.  Just make sure your kitchen is in working order since you have meals to prepare (or reheat) today!

Breakfast mess...

Kennedy is tasked with putting soap in the dishwasher and getting it started.

Bailey is making "cheese melts" for lunch while Kennedy & I clean.  Addison is just waking from her nap and is playing in her crib for a few minutes. 

** Cheese Melts **

Open cold oven, pull out cold rack, tear off one piece of foil, place bread slices on foil, place cheese on bread, close oven and turn oven on (any temp is really fine, all you want to do is melt the cheese).  Your young children can make this lunch and all you need to do is take it out of the oven.  I will slice an apple and some celery for us.

~~~~~

LUNCH BREAK! 

Bailey is not sour, she is chewing.  :0)  Mommy made herself a half of a turkey and cheese sandwich ( to eat "on the go") and have pushed the table to one side in the dining room so that I can sweep and mop while the girls eat.  The floor is nothing short of hideous and must be cleaned right away!  I will scoop all toys into the playroom and will deal with organizing and straightening them later.  All dirty laundry (tablecloth, etc.) goes into a pile by the stairwell to be carried down shortly.

No dishes at lunch...  paper towels for plates.  I sat down with the girls and played "Mary Mack Mack" with them (a hand clapping game) so Kennedy & Bailey will play that for a few minutes and Addison will giggle...I'll get step three (see below) accomplished while they play at the table.

~~~~

STEP #3 - Dining Room

Let's get the dining room back in order. 

- Put all toys in the "toy room" or put them into a box or a basket.  Don't try to sort and organize and deal with them now.  Just start a place for all the toys.  I have advised the children that the play room is OFF LIMITS for now.  I don't want those toys brought back out for now.

- Grab up the laundry and start a basket or a pile to take to the laundry room later;

- Any clean dishes that might have found their way to the dining room, put them away or put them onto your designated "clean dish area" in the kitchen;

- Wipe down the table and put a fresh tablecloth or centerpiece on it;

- Maybe you will go ahead and sweep and mop or vacuum the floor or maybe you can save the cleaning until later.  I will clean a bit in some rooms but will focus on just getting things put away and orderly today.

STEP #4 - Play Together

Stop and play!  :0)

Oops and a potty break for everyone...

On our clean dining room table we got out Kennedy's new cards.  Just a regular deck of cards with little horses on them.  Each of the girls got 10 mini M&Ms and Mommy got one chocolate covered cherry.  Everyone got a big cup of ice water and we played "Battle" or maybe some folks call it "War".  You know...whomever has the highest card wins the hand.  We played two games.  Addison sat in her highchair and played with some stickers.

STEP #5 - Living Room

Moving on to the living room...

Who put the dining room chair in the living room?

- Toys to the basket, box or playroom;

- Dirty laundry to its designated pile or basket (to be taken to the laundry room later);

- Trash to the trashcan;

- Books to the bookshelf;

** Anything that belongs in an adjoining room (my kitchen and dining) then I go ahead and put in its proper place.  Anything that belongs in a room other than the living, dining and kitchen; it goes into a stach to be taken to that room in a little while. **

- I will have the two older girls making short trips to put things away...Kennedy will take a stack of dirty clothes to the proper basket in the laundry room; Bailey will take any stray shoes and put them away; etc.

Addison is content to play with a few dishes while we are near her in the living room.  Kennedy plays a little with Addison and then helps a little by "running an errand".

I have Bailey sort items when we pick up the house.  What you see here is what she is gathering throughout the living room.  It is a stack to go to the bathroom (new duck bath toy and headbands), a stack of new and clean clothes (pink & white striped socks), a stack for the schoolroom (stickers and a a book), etc.

On our top floor we have the kitchen, living, dining, guestroom, playroom, bathroom and schoolroom.  So now we will take our stacks and disperse them to their appropriate locations (laundry, shoes, trash, recycle, etc.).  I will tackle the schoolroom when the children rest.  Poor room...it became the collection area for boxes & everything that was getting in the way yesterday.  The guestroom and bathroom are in order already.  I will also take care of the playroom on my own maybe tonite after the children go to bed.  I will be storing many toys in the garage and will put out a few things for them.

We are also enjoying a new CD!  Want to listen?  You will have to look to your left at the bottom and stop the CLEAN UP CREW song that is playing before you click to listen to what we are listening to.   Download god_is_so_good.wav

Yea!  We are making progress! 

P. S.  I will NOT do any laundry until the house in tidy again.  If I try to start laundry, I will just add to my mess.  AND I will certainly forget something in the washer...

Living room is all done!

**** The first one to locate our dog, Logan, in one of photos of the clean living room above will receive a $5 credit for any of the goodies that I make & sell.  You can email me at mrs_klause@yahoo.com if you find him.  To see what he looks like you can take a look here.  To see all the goodies I sell, look to your left in the column titled "CATEGORIES" and then click on * Handmade Items for Your Family & Your Home *.  OR you can look to the right column and see the items under the title "COME IN AND VISIT MY SHOPPE". *** A few of you found Logan!  He is in the first photo on the very top of the sofa.  You can see him peering out from behind the first and second pillows.  ***

HINT:  You can click on any photo on my website to see a larger image.  ;0)

STEP #6 - Read & Rest

Time for a snack (honey roasted peanuts and more water); then some reading; then naptime for three wee little girls...   Stop with me and take a look at all that you have accomplished and rest for a few minutes.  I will return for more soon!!

STEP #7 - Playroom

Okay...I have thought through things again and have decided that the playroom should be a priority.  We have the main living areas tidy again (living, dining, kitchen, bathroom).  We did get many new toys and games and such for the girls.  The items must have new homes or they will continue to be strewn about the house.  I will leave the schoolroom until tomorrow or Friday and any schoolwork done can be managed at the kitchen table.  The bedrooms are downstairs and although they need a bit of straightening, they avoided the hustle and bustle of Monday & Tuesday.  So...where were we?  Oh yes...whatever area you consider to be the playroom for your children.

Oh my...

{sigh} ... Ohhhh my...

Alright Mommas...  let's tackle the toys, books, games and other such items of amusement, entertainment and learning for our children.  I suppose those of you with older children will have a helper or two. 

- Clear out all the trash first.

** Stay on track and don't start cleaning in the kitchen again when you carry things to the trash! ;0) **

- Next, grab a box or a bag for those toys that you want to either store, sell or give away.  Don't get sidetracked (like I would) in dividing up the toys.  Just get them out of your playroom today and into the garage or storage area.

- Then put all away...

Maybe children can be assigned by category:

John - Gather all games & learning items and put in their proper homes or get them to the proper room for Mother to re-organize later.

Mary - Gather all new clothing and linens and hang or fold, then place in appropriate places.

Henry - Gather all new appliances and tools and find a cabinet or countertop.  Mother, you can rearrange later, just get them put away for now.

Elizabeth - In charge of all new toys...

It could go something like that I suppose...

For us Mommas with Wee Littles, take control of the toys and such while they rest. 

30 minutes later...

The new playhouse is set up in the playroom with the kitchen just outside the door.  All food items and dishes are in the black bag beside the kitchen.

Inside the playhouse is the dining area...

I made another "room" for them by hanging some fabric.  This is the bedroom.

Dress-up items are set up in the corner of the playroom...

All the other toys have been moved to new homes in the house or loaded into a bag to be stored in the garage...I will have to deal with that on another day.

After the trash is carried out (this room gathered a few boxes from new toys), then the playroom will be all finished.  The floor really needs to be vacuumed but that can be done later in the week.

Whew...I feel much better now!!  All the new games and such have been taken to the schoolroom.  I will tend to those when I arrive in the schoolroom for tidy up.

STEP #8 - Kitchen, Part II

I am assuming that everyone is having leftovers or something simple like sandwiches for dinner tonite.  We started a tradition about three years ago that has proven pleasant for us.  On Christmas eve we prepare a large pot of soup or stew for dinner.  It then makes a nice dinner on the 26th with only a little reheating involved. 

- Let's empty the dishwasher first if you ran another load;

- Now...all those clean dishes, appliances and other things that are cluttering the kitchen cabinets...

platters, bowls, carving knives, roasters, glasses, pitchers, cutting boards, mixers...

Dinner has been eaten & cleaned up.  The kitchen looks neat and tidy again!  I just need to finish cleaning out the inside of the oven and it will be spic and span!

~~~~

If you would like to join me tomorrow (Thursday), then we will keep working through the house to get the holiday clutter put away and then get everything clean.

I will just continue to add to this post. 

Have a wonderful evening!

~~~~~~~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

December 26, 2007

Music:  Clean Up Crew

Praising, thanking, working & playing TOGETHER..

Well...

There is more to clean up than a few apples on the floor.

We were abundantly blessed before yesterday.  Now...we have many more goodies. 

As I walk from room to room this morning, I find myself a bit overwhelmed at all the new things and the huge mess that has been made.  Whew!  I am not sure where to start! 

So...I have decided to sit down with a cup of coffee and watch the snow fall for a few minutes.   :0)

The girls and I will begin with the Lord before we begin with our home.  We shall play and work together.  We shall set forth with God's word in our mind and heart and we shall enjoy the work of our hands today!

"IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.."  ~~Psalm 92:1-2

"Do all things without murmurings and disputings:"  ~~Philippians 2:14

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."  ~~Colossians 3:23-24

"Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it."  ~~Psalm 34:13-14

"She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks."  ~~Proverbs 31:17

~

If you would like to clean along with us, check back often for our "game plan".  Just for fun, I will post pictures of our progress in finding the bottom of our house and making it tidy again!

~~~

I will keep this post as the top of my page for today.  Scroll down to the next post for today's "game plan"!

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

December 26, 2007

Music:  Clean Up Crew

Well...

There is more to clean up than a few apples on the floor.

We were abundantly blessed before yesterday.  Now...we have many more goodies. 

As I walk from room to room this morning, I find myself a bit overwhelmed at all the new things and the huge mess that has been made.  Whew!  I am not sure where to start! 

So...I have decided to sit down with a cup of coffee and watch the snow fall for a few minutes.   :0)

The girls and I will begin with the Lord before we begin with our home.  We shall play and work together.  We shall set forth with God's word in our mind and heart and we shall enjoy the work of our hands today!

"IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night.."  ~~Psalm 92:1-2

"Do all things without murmurings and disputings:"  ~~Philippians 2:14

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."  ~~Colossians 3:23-24

"Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it."  ~~Psalm 34:13-14

"She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks."  ~~Proverbs 31:17

~

If you would like to clean along with us, check back often for our "game plan".  Just for fun, I will post pictures of our progress in finding the bottom of our house and making it tidy again!

~~~

I will keep this post as the top of my page for today.  Scroll down to the next post for today's "game plan"!

~~~

posted by Mrs. Klause

December 26, 2007

Music:  Clean Up Crew

Teacup Tuesdays - Teeny & Broken

This very tiny cup was actually purchased for my oldest daughter when she was wee little.  I found a lady at a monthly craft fair that made and sold them for only 50 cents.  Bailey has moved on to using a larger cup so Kennedy has been using this tiny cup. 

A few weeks ago our teeny, tiny cup was knocked off of our kitchen table.  Both the girls were sad as they watched Mommy wipe away the tea and pick her broken parts off of the floor.

The pieces were placed into a box with my handwritten notes of where she was purchased and the story of what we were doing when she was broken.  One day, when Kennedy leaves to begin her own home, in her hope chest she will find a mosiac of all of her broken teacups & saucers. 

I want to use and enjoy the lovely dishes that we are given instead of placing them on a shelf to simply wipe dust off of from time-to-time.  Even a broken teacup can be lovely and will bring fond memories in the years to come.  It is such a sweet thing to see their tiny hands wrapped around a teacup, sipping tea.

"And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."  ~Deuteronomy 6:5-7

posted by Mrs. Klause

Originally posted: January 2007

Teacup Tuesdays

I'm afraid my digital camera is in use outside of my home for a few days so I thought I might just post a previous Teacup Tuesday post.  Poor Teacup Tuesdays have been neglected lately.  ;0)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Teacup Tuesdays

So pretty...

Mother gave this to me several years back.  This little teacup joins us so often for tea. 

She is actually a candle.  The teacup has been glued to the saucer.  What a lovely idea! 

This is Mother, others call her Jana.  :0)   Isn't she beautiful?  Thank you for the tea lovelies Mom.  I think she is always on the lookout for tea things for her girls.  I love you Mom! 

posted by Mrs. Klause

Today:  December 11, 2007

Originally posted:  December 18, 2006

Music:  Big Snow in Salzburg

So pretty...

Mother gave this to me several years back.  This little teacup joins us so often for tea. 

She is actually a candle.  The teacup has been glued to the saucer.  What a lovely idea! 

This is Mother, others call her Jana.  :0)   Isn't she beautiful?  Thank you for the tea lovelies Mom.  I think she is always on the lookout for tea things for her girls.  I love you Mom! 

posted by Mrs. Klause

Today:  December 11, 2007

Originally posted:  December 18, 2006

Music:  Big Snow in Salzburg

Teacup Tuesdays - Hearts & Flowers

This cup belongs to Miss Bailey Elizabeth Klause.  Our cousin, Mrs. Goodwin, sent it to her right after we arrived in Washington.  She sent a box filled to the brim with teacups!

This teacup fits Bailey nicely...dainty and girl-ey with just a slight whimsical touch.  It is white with the scalloped top and the heart-shaped handle.  The flowers are hot pink and purple with a few little hearts mixed in with the flowers. 

The cup reminds me some of my cousin. 

When we were little girls, maybe eight or nine-years-old, she had all the Strawberry Shortcake dolls.  Her room smelled like strawberries!  Still...nearly thirty years later...every time I smell strawberries, I think of my cousin. 

I know there are other pictures of my cousin and I but this is the only one that I have.  We are maybe three and four.

I hope that you have a wonderful Teacup Tuesday!  Stop for a few minutes with your favorite cup and enjoy a soothing cup of tea and a few memories.

posted by Mrs. Klause

November 6, 2007

Music:  Daisy, Daisy

Teacup Tuesdays

Do you know someone that could use a few minutes of rest and fellowship?  Tea parties are what you make of them. 

- Find a basket that you already have around the house;

- dust if off a bit;

- place a nice kitchen towel or even a place mat in the bottom;

- roll up a small tablecloth and tuck it inside the basket;

- grab two teacups and saucers and wrap them in tissue paper or another towel or cloth napkin and nestle them into your basket;

- two teabags;

- two spoons;

- another kitchen towel, scrap of fabric or cloth napkin will hold a few cookies nicely; don't worry about homemade though, a few vanilla wafers or whatever pastry you have on-hand will be fine;

- if you have a small vase that you can drop a flower in that would be nice but a small candle you will surely have around.

Now take your basket of goodies and go knock on the door of that friend or family member!  Tell her you have brought her a tiny tea party because she is special to you.  Pick any table and make it lovely.  Heat your water in the microwave, drop the teabag in and set the saucer atop the cup so that your tea can properly steep...

Or...call her and ask if she (and her children) can meet you at the park for an hour.  Just make your tea and put it into a thermos or a quart-sized mason jar and you are ready to go.  The children can play and the wooden picnic table will become a lovely place for friendship to grow.

The most wonderful thing about teacups are the memories that you fill them with. 

posted by Mrs. Klause

October 30, 2007

Music:  Piano Pieces KV1

Autumn at the Dining Table

This is the centerpiece for our dining room table.  The girls and I gathered more leaves and pine cones from our yard.  We had a few flowers left from our front door wreath so we added those too.  I picked this basket up somewhere along the way several years ago.  It is simple but lovely.

Enjoy this beautiful autumn day!

posted by Mrs. Klause

October 13, 2007

Music:  Clair de lune

My kitchen..

My itty-bitty kitchen.  Who left the ugly hot pad on the cabinet for the photo anyway?  ;0)

It really is small.  The picture above is standing in the doorway and facing slightly to your right.

Now you have turned to your left!  Ha!  It is a cozy kitchen.  I have rearranged it a half dozen times since we moved in. 

Back to the right...

The large counter area that opens into the dining room is quite nice.  It makes for a nice large work area for a Mommy and three little girls. 

We made cookies last Wednesday.  Bailey is also doing her math lesson as she measures the distance between the cookies that Kennedy is putting onto the pan. 

Kennedy is looking for the one on the teaspoon so she can measure the vanilla.

We all fit just fine in my itty-bitty kitchen!  :0)

posted by Mrs. Klause

September 29, 2007

A Touch of Autumn at the Front Door

The girls and I are making some fall decorations for our home.  This wreath hangs on our front door.

We gathered fallen leaves and pine cones from our yard.

I purchased the wreath at Michaels for $3 and one stem of silk flowers for $1.  I hot glued the leaves, flowers and pine cones in about 15 minutes...

There you have it!  A wreath for the front door.  Not the prettiest and not perfect but only $5 and it was much more fun gathering leaves and pine cones with my girls than it would have been to shop for the ready-made wreath in a store. 

A small strip of Autumn fabric makes a bow for my broom.

I little sprig of flowers from my $1 stem with a piece of string adds a tiny touch of Autumn to my welcome sign near my front door.

A touch of color from the paintbrush of Our Creator.

The front porch has her Autumn "dress" on now.  :0)

"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple."  ~~Psalm 27:4

posted by Mrs. Klause

September 27, 2007

Music:  The Gift by David Nevue

Teacup Tuesdays

It is blurry...I'm sorry. 

This is a very tiny teapot that just arrived!  Mother sent it to me for my birthday.  You cannot see the detail.  It has little bitty flowers on the teapot and the best part, God's word is on this teeny teapot!

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.  ~~Psalm 34:8

It makes a lovely broach.  The girls like it too.  Thank you Mother for my new teapot. 

posted by Mrs. Klause

September 18, 2007

Music:  While the Trees Sleep

MUSTARD?! In the bathroom?

Um, yes.  Go now to your refrigerator and get out that yellow container of mustard and take a good look.  That is the color of my downstairs bathroom walls.  Yep...mustard.  So, the question became, "Do we paint the walls or work with the color?"  The decision:  WORK WITH IT.

Now the pictures really don't do it justice.  It has turned out to be a lovely, rich and warm room.  The flash kind of makes those yellow walls even brighter so maybe imagine just a hair darker.  :0)

The curtain is really not as pink as it looks in the photo.  It is a dark cranberry color with gold.  We used black to break up the yellow walls.  The cabinet on the left, we found on sale for $12. 

The cranberry towels are draped with gold robes that have beads in the center.  Mother hung a cross in every room of our home.  The clock is miniature grandfather clock.  The other items I already had.

This wooden box brings the yellow, cranberry and black together nicely.

And makes a wonderful place for my makeup...

Another cranberry towel with a rope draped over the top and the framed print above the towel was just perfect for the room. 

Mother and I found it at Ross.  It says:

Love

bears all things...

hopes all things...

believes all things...

endures all things...

Love Never Fails

So...there you have it.  My downstairs bathroom, mustard-yellow walls and all!  I didn't take a photo of the beautiful slate floor and the lovely rug that we found to match the room perfectly.  Maybe I will do that tomorrow.

posted by Mrs. Klause

September 15, 2007

Music: