Thursday Pearls

"Gracious living is felt whether it is created in small or big ways."

  

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

~ Proverbs 31:31

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Have a delightful Thursday, sweet readers...  

Painting by George Dunlop Leslie

A Few Garden~Inspired Projects....

 

 I think it is high time for a garden~inspired post, dear friends...don't you?

Having been away for close to a month and quite busy with sewing since my return, my poor garden is looking quite neglected and overgrown at present...

Before I start to clear the numerous weeds from vegetable beds and reestablish overgrown pathways, I thought I would spend a little time creating some beauty in the home with pretty flowers potted in a unique and lovely way...

 

Before I show you my handiwork, I would like to tell you of how my mother so sweetly cheered me up last Saturday when I wasn't feeling too well with a headache...  

As she was in town that day, she bought me the cutest terrcacotta pot and a punnet of dainty violas to 'play' with...

She knew I had been thinking of doing a few projects with flowers and decided to bring a smile to my face with her thoughtful little gift...

Wasn't that wonderfully kind?

Now, here is what I did with this little terracotta pot and my punnet of viola seedlings...

If you would like to make your own, all you will need is a length of beautiful thick lace, double-sided tape, a terracotta pot and a flower seedling or two of your choice...

Simply secure a piece of double-sided tape around the flat edge of the pot and wind your thick lace around it...

Fill the pot with good quality compost, pop your seedling(s) inside...and press down...

...And there you are!

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With winter having arrived to stay for the next couple of months, the house can become quite gloomy if not cheered with pretty touches here and there...  

Thus we have decided to keep our home looking cheerful and bright by adding splashes of colour wherever we can, whether it is a vase of freshly cut flowers, pot plants on the window sills or jars of homebaked goodies gracing the pantry...

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Here is my next project for which I used a faded vintage tea cup...

This tea cup I bought last year at a second-hand shop for a very good price along with another.  Having drunk tea from it on many occasions, I fancied it would make the sweetest little planter and popped a seedling inside with a handful of compost...

 

I didn't drill holes in the cup as I just couldn't bear to! 

Drainage could become a problem, but I am hoping that it will last a for a good few weeks, and once the viola outgrows the tea cup, I will transplant it into my garden...

 

This tea cup of happy violas would make a lovely gift for a person who appreciates flowers and pretty things!

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How does your garden fare, my friends...?

I know many of my readers live in the northern hemisphere where Spring has finally sprung and vegetable planting season has arrived, so I do hope they enjoy busy, happy hours spent tending their gardens and pottering about in the dirt...:)

~ Blessings ~

"...Plant gardens and eat what they produce..."  Jeremiah 29:5

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  This Post May be Shared with...

~ The Art of Homemaking Mondays, Roses of Inspiration, Wise Woman Link-Up, Raising Homemakers Link-Up and Modest Monday ~

That We May Not Live too Fast…

“In the name of Jesus Christ, who was never in a hurry, we pray O God, that You will slow us down for we know that we live too fast.  With all eternity before us, make us take time to live – time to get acquainted with You, time to enjoy Your blessings, and time to each other.”

~ A Prayer by Peter Marshall

I am always struck by my fervent desire to complete my list of chores quickly so that I may be free to enjoy the rest of my day… 

While this is very admirable, yes, it is also sad in many respects…  Shouldn’t I be relishing every passing moment spent in both work and play?

 How many times do I finish my tasks and think “Now – I am through with my work so let me enjoy the rest of my day!”

Dear friends!  This is not how we should live!

We should make it our ambition to enjoy and delight in each part of our day - the chores and the more pleasurable things so that we don’t live too fast…

…Washing dishes may not sound like an activity to ‘delight in’, but it is an important and valuable part of our lives and thus it shouldn’t be done hastily in order that we may move onto the more ‘important’ jobs...

Daily chores are so important – fresh clean clothes are vital for keeping children clean and warm and a swept floor ensures a smooth walking surface for everyone, and if we continue to rush through these jobs, there are wonderful aspects of each one we’ll miss out on!   
Part of the homemaker’s occupation is to accomplish the less enjoyable jobs in her home… 

I love to gaze out the window at the growing flowers and herbs while washing away the grease on dinner plates, or hum the words to a song of praise while chopping vegetables for that evening's meal…

Life consists of both work and play, so let us be encouraged to take time to enjoy each task before us with a renewed appreciation!

And life is about enjoying the journey – oh!  How many times my dear parents have to speak to me about this very thing! 

Why am I rushing to tick each little box?  Why have I ceased to enjoy the important aspects of this blessed life?

Reading a story to a miserable little one who needs a nap…walking through the garden with my precious Mother and admiring the new growth in the vegetable beds…making crusty loaves of bread with the younger girls…

If I persist in rushing through my day, I will greatly miss out and become a woman of many regrets at the end of this life!

Indeed, this is not easy to apply, but I am greatly encouraged to pray the beautiful prayer of Peter Marshall each morning in the hope of slowing down and enjoying the many rich blessings the Gracious Lord has placed before me.

“Drop Thy dews of quietness,

Till all our strivings cease;

Take from our souls the strain and stress,

And let our ordered lives confess

Thy beauty of Thy peace.”

John Greenleaf Whittier

With love in Christ,
Kelly-Anne

~ Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.  Proverbs 16:3 ~

Sharing With...

~ Roses of Inspiration and The Art of Homemkaing Mondays...

Quick Cream of Mushroom Soup

 This deliciously quick and easy soup is the perfect starter for a dinner party or served as a light lunch with crispy ciabatta bread...

...Garnish with a mushroom slice, a swirl of cream and a sprinkling of fresh parsley.

Cream of Mushroom Soup

Serves 6

Prep time:  10 Minutes

Cooking time:  30 Minutes

30g butter

1 onion, finely chopped

5ml dried thyme or 10ml fresh

250g mushrooms, sliced

250g button mushrooms, sliced

900ml homemade chicken stock

250ml cream

1ml ground nutmeg

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1.  Heat butter in a large saucepan, add onion and thyme, and sauté until onion is soft.

2.  Add mushrooms, stock and cream.  Bring to the boil and simmer for about 20 minutes.

3.  Liquidise the soup and return it to the saucepan.  Add nutmeg, season to taste, and heat well before serving.

Bon Appétit!

Praying your Sunday has been lovely and blessed dear friends!

Love,

Kelly-Anne

Strong for our Tasks...

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

I picture myself one day, busily at work in my home, donning my apron each morning and creating delectable dishes for my future husband and children to savour and enjoy.

I imagine how wonderful my days as a homemaker will be...

And I know that, should the Lord grant me my heart’s desire, my arms will be trained and ready for the job.

As a young woman living at home, I have the incredible opportunity to practice my homemaking skills under the care and guidance of my mother, and in the safety of my father’s house.

Instead of pursuing a higher college education, I have chosen to remain contented at home, learning how to run a household without the responsibility of actually running it.

I am blessed to have a mother who is committed to training her daughters in their high calling of being keepers at home.

If you too are a daughter at home, then may I encourage you to make the most of every opportunity at hand?

Here are just a few areas in which young ladies may improve their homemaking skills and in turn prepare themselves for keeping their future homes:

How wonderful to enter marriage being fully capable (and confident!) to prepare tasty dishes for your husband and one day, children...

Perhaps your culinary skills require a little polishing up?  Set yourself a challenge to try at least one new recipe each week – you may well be surprised at how delightful you find work in the kitchen to be!

 You might one day find yourself needing to work carefully with your husband’s income and save on buying clothing...

Sewing may not sound like your ‘cup of tea’ at present, but it is a wonderful skill that ought to be learned by any homemaker in training.

Start off small by tackling manageable projects and working your way up.  If you can already run a sewing machine, maybe you could try making a few of your own clothes?

 

In order to feed your growing family one day, you may be required to grow some of your own food...

Start a small herb or vegetable garden or help your mother with hers...  I believe it is Biblical for a woman to grow healthy food for her family, no matter how small her efforts may be.  Who knows, you might just find you’re the green-fingered lady in your family!

 Should the Lord decide to give you children of your own, knowing how to care for them and later teach them will be most helpful...

Being able to work with children is certainly a worthwhile skill to attain...  If you don’t have smaller siblings in your home, offer to help a busy mother with her little ones.  You will learn so much that will greatly benefit you (and your children) in the years to come.

  

 Being contented in the simple duties that accompany running a household will make you a happy homemaker...

Don’t be afraid to help out with the laundry, dishes or sweeping...  Not only will your help bless your family; it will strengthen your arms for the tasks that lie ahead of you!  What a blessing!

These are just a few valuable skills young ladies can strive to learn whilst at home.   
These precious years we have with our mothers are oh, so short.  Let us learn to appreciate their teachings and value our time spent under their watchful eyes!

Linking up to: 

~ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fear the Lord is to be praised ~ 

With love,

Kelly-Anne