Homemaking

“It's sad if people think that's (homemaking) a dull existance, [but] you can't just buy an apartment and furnish it and walk away. It's the flowers you choose, the music you play, the smile you have waiting. I want it to be gay and cheerful, a haven in this troubled world. I don't want my husband and children to come home and find a rattled woman. Our era is already rattled enough, isn't it?” ~Audrey Hepburn

Ma Ingalls

“This earthly life is a battle,' said Ma. 'If it isn't one thing to contend with, it's another. It always has been so, and it always will be. The sooner you make up your mind to that, the better off you are, and more thankful for your pleasures.” Little Town on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder

"I smile when I look back at the troubles that have strengthened me.  What seems to be insurmountable struggles then are now beautiful ornaments illuminating my soul."

~Dodinsky

~Fresh Garden Onions~

"The first supermarket supposedly appeared on the American landscape in 1946.  That is not very long ago.  Until then, where was all the food?  Dear folks, the food was in homes, gardens, local fields, and forests.  It was near kitchens, near tables, near bedsides.  It was in the pantry, the cellar, the backyard." 

~ Joel Salatin, Folks, This Ain't Normal: A Farmer's Advice for Happier Hens, 

Healthier People, and a Better World

Home is Where the Heart Is

Sometimes I find myself missing our house in town.

The house where I could keep the floors clean

because we had sidewalks and paved drives.

The house where I had picked out every paint color, floor covering, counter top 

and light fixture.  And everything matched!

The house where I could walk to the corner store if I had to.

Four years ago this week, we sold that house and bought a quirky home in the country that someone else built.  And, in my opinion, very little matches!

I never seem to linger on my thoughts of missing that house in town too long though

because I quickly remember this home is where I hear our duck quacking 

and splashing outside my window.

Where I have wildflowers in my front yard.

Where I don't have an HOA telling me what I can and can't do.

Where I have room to roam and room to breathe.

And where I have pets that feed me breakfast. :-)

Home is where the heart is.  And my heart is certainly right here. 

~everyday blessings~

"As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness - just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm." 

~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

Writings to Young Women from Laura Ingalls Wilder - Volume One: On Wisdom and Virtues

No vision and you perish...

"No vision and you perish;

No ideal, and you're lost;

Your heart must ever cherish

Some faith at any cost.

Some hope, some dream to cling to,

Some rainbow in the sky,

Some melody to sing to,

Some service that is high."

~Harriet Du Autermont

~every moment~

"The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes, 

and surely it is in the everday things around us that the beauty of life lies." 

~ Laura Ingalls Wilder, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Farm Journalist: Writings from the Ozarks 

Linked to Wise Woman Linkup July 3rd 

Butterfly Beauty

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful;

for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament.

Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky,

in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Linked to Wise Woman Link Up June 26th

Share Your Cup Thursday #62

From the Farm Blog Hop #39

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop #114 

Homestead Barn Hop #117 

~summer afternoon~

"Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been

the two most beautiful words in the English language." ~ Henry James 

~first bouquet~

"To sit in the shade

on a fine day

and look upon verdure

is the most perfect 

refreshment."

~ Jane Austen

Linked to From the Farm Blog Hop #38, Homestead Barnhop #116

Scenes from an Evening Walk

The kittens are doing well.

They were two weeks old yesterday.

First blossoms on the tomato plants,

and the peppers.

The green beans look good.

The potato plants and onions are starting to wilt and fall over.

I think we'll harvest sometime this week.

I'm still waiting on my herbs outside to emerge,

but the ones in the kitchen indoors have started to sprout.

Dolly and Loretta enjoying  the evening.

Sweet Miss Dolly.

Sunflowers!

Lots of dewberries on the stump in the front yard.

The bluebonnets are starting to go to seed.

Love the wild chamomile! 

And the honeysuckle on our front property line.

Dolly girl.

And the black eyed susans are just starting to appear.  

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, a place to play in

and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul."

~John Muir

Linked to From the Farm Blog Hop #34