Archive - February, 2014

Memory – “Beautiful Feet” Contest

February 27, 2014 in Family Ties, Fresh Off the Farm with 4 Comments

beautiful feet, Foot beauty contest, children's feet, ideas for families with children,One evening we decided to do something silly.  So we got out my old make-up and some old socks, scarves, etc.  We decided to have a “Beautiful Feet” Contest.  It took a while and a little creativity, but we enjoyed it.  Each of us had both feet of someone else to decorate. We enjoyed watching each other come up with ideas and carry them out.

When we finished we posed for a photo to commemorate the occasion.  I do believe that this was a once in a lifetime event.  The memory of our fun could have been lost without a picture.

So, who do you think won the “Beautiful Feet” contest?

At our house everybody got a prize – a nice, warm, foot bubble-bath.

photo credit:Randall Grabau

Memory – Supper at a “Restaurant”

February 24, 2014 in Family Ties, Smorgasbord with 2 Comments

Playing restaurant, girl, girl playing waitress, Little waitress serving food, child's apron, waitressing, serving food, ideas for families with children,One of our children delighted in serving.  She got a dress that she used as a uniform.  She donned a pretty scarf on her head for a waitress’ headdress.  I had made her an apron that was just her size which she wore for her serving.  She practiced serving many times and really enjoyed it.

So one night, for fun, we made a little restaurant.  We set up the card table in our living room. The change of place made the occasion more memorable than eating in our kitchen.  We spread it with a tablecloth, silverware and napkins.  She set water glasses up for us.  I made a sign to hang up in the room.  I named it after myself, it read, “Wendy’s.”

She could not write yet, but she came to our table with pad and pencil in hand to take our orders.  She and I agreed on a menu, so that there would be a choice for the guests at the table. She had the menu memorized.

I wore 2 hats that night.  I played the head cook and a guest.  I had to be a quick change artist.  If she needed help in the kitchen, I would excuse myself to go to powder my nose.  I gave her the help she needed and went to enjoy the restaurant scene.  I don’t recall what we had for supper, but it could have been something easy like french toast or pizza.

We all had fun acting like we were out for supper.

You might enjoy trying this little escapade.  You might even try tipping the waiter or waitress.  I recommend paper plates so no one has to wear the hat of the dishwasher.  Have fun!

photo credit:Wenda Grabau

A Walk Down “Memory Lane”

February 20, 2014 in Family Ties, Fresh Off the Farm with 2 Comments

empty pocket, pocket, Ideas for families with children, low-cost ideas for families with children,As I recall our lives on the farm with children, memories of fun times come to mind.  When in business for ourselves, we invested a lot of our profits in the farm.  Life revolved around the business.  With the absence of much spending money, therefore, we looked for ways to have fun that did not cost a lot.

  • supper at a “restaurant”
  • an “outdoor movie”
  • a “winter picnic”
  • trip “out west”
  • the “circus”
  • a “trip to the bakery”
  • a “chicken pox party”
  • a “home-made Christmas”

 

These may sound like they could use up cash. But not so, we did this all at home.  Our budget allowed for them all. The fun part of it, we could include other families in the fun. (Except, of course, we could not invite others to the “chicken pox” party.)

If you are looking for memory-making that costs very little, I hope you will enjoy walking with me down our “Memory Lane.”

photo credit: danielmoyle via photopin cc

“Standing on the Rock”

February 17, 2014 in Cards with 0 Comments

Lone tree on rock on North Shore of Lake Superior, waves lapping in, sea gulls, lake shore, rock, rock on shoreThis winter has certainly been hard on us and the rest of nature.  Up north on Lake Superior, the cold, the snow and the windy gales pummel the landscape.  Yet in the midst of the harsh weather, this tree can stand erect because it is clinging to the rock which is unmovable.

That rock reminds me of the unmovable foundation that we can find by putting down our roots and trusting in Jesus Christ, who came to be our Savior.  The one who seeks shelter from the storms in his life can depend on Him.

If you know of someone who could benefit from “Standing on the Rock,”  you may find this card available in our store.

Pencil drawing by Wenda Grabau

The Art of Crochet

February 13, 2014 in Family Ties with 0 Comments

crocheted potholder, varigated yarn potholder, yarn,crochet,I would like to share with you some more of the things that were put under our tree for Christmas. In my estimation they are works of art.  Our mothers passed this craft down on to us. I am glad to see that my daughter has exercised and enjoyed the art of crochet over the years.

She made purses and handbags as gifts for several of her family members. She confessed that it took her two years to complete them all. If a picture is truly worth a thousand words, let me show you thousands-of-words-worth on two of her projects she left here.

crocheted purse, homemade hand bag,Her gift to me.

 

 

 

 

crocheted purse, crocheted handbag, crocheted purse detail, homemade purse detail,

 

 

Notice the detail.

 

 

 

 

 

Crocheted purse, handbag, crocheted handbag,

 

Her gift to one of her sisters.

 

 

 

 

Crocheted purse, crocheted handbag, purse, handbag, crochet,

 

 

Detail on this purse.

 

I hope you enjoyed seeing these special gifts as much as I enjoyed sharing them with you.

Crocheting is fun. If you have not tried it, I recommend it highly.

photo credits:Wenda Grabau

One of These Brothers

February 10, 2014 in Snippets with 2 Comments

ice water, glass of water, water glass, I read Matthew 25:37-40 (NASV) in the Bible this week.   In this portion of scripture, Jesus is teaching a lesson to His disciples.  He says,“Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?  And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?  When did we see You sick or in prison, and come to You?’  The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.‘”

I pondered this statement for a time before my day got too busy.   In the past I thought “one of these brothers” meant someone outside my home, maybe a stranger.  As I tried to apply this lesson to my life, I questioned, “I don’t happen on the hungry or thirsty or those needing clothes.  I don’t generally spend time with the sick or those in prison. How can I put this scripture lesson into practice in my life?”

Jesus said in the verses, “The King said, ‘To the extent that you did it to ONE of these brothers of mine.'”

“One of these brothers” of His could be a wife’s husband, couldn’t it? The answer came in questions as follows:

  • Does not my husband come in hungry?  In this cold winter, does he not need foods to give him the energy he needs to work outdoors?
  • Often he comes in thirsty, do I have the liquids ready to quench his thirst?
  • Is he a stranger in my home?  Do I make him feel that he is welcome and interesting or am I involved in my interests, ignoring his presence?
  • He needs work clothes daily. Do his jeans and shirts need mending or patches?  Am I focusing on those needs?
  • If he gets sick, I will care for him.  But am I doing all I can to prevent him from becoming ill?
  • I hope he does not feel uncomfortable and likes to be here in his home.  Does he sense that I respect him as the head of our home? 
  • Does he know he has my help and support?  Am I following his lead?

I am sure Jesus, does want us to meet the needs of those outside of our homes.  But let us also look for ways to serve the Lord right here at home.

photo credit: [cipher] via photopin cc

Time for a Rest

February 7, 2014 in Fresh Off the Farm with 2 Comments

bare feet, feet up, at the beach,January takes a lot of effort and work.  For us it is time to prepare for taxes. Forms need to be typed and sent off to the right people.  Deadlines must be met.  I convened at a meeting.  Since I had not done it before, I planned diligently for it.  That meeting is now behind me.  I will tell you, it feels nice to have those pressures off.  Now I have time for a rest.

What will my rest look like?

  1. a big grocery order
  2. rehearsal for a special number I will do for church next month
  3. 2 projects that  include writing
  4. baking pies
  5. baking bread
  6. sewing and other needlework
  7. ordering seeds for my garden
  8. reading the reams of mail that I have had to set aside till taxes were done

Well, you get the idea.  There is still plenty to do and I am looking forward to making a dent in this list.  I like that some of the jobs on my list will allow me to put my feet up while I do them.  Have a nice day.

photo credit: Pernell via photopin cc