Knowing Truth

"There is a knowing of Truth as it is in Jesus, as it is in a Christlike nature, as it is in that sweet, mild, humble and loving Spirit of Jesus, which spreads itself like a morning sun upon the souls of good men, full of life and light."

"There is an inward beauty, life and loveliness in divine Truth, which can be known only when it is digested into life and practice."

~John Smith, from his sermon "The True Way of Attaining Divine Knowledge"

I *love* the description of Jesus, above, in that quote by John Smith. He is "sweet, mild, humble and loving". Knowing Him is *more* than knowing about Him. I am reading "God's Pursuit of Man" by A.W. Tozer...and it is a great read. I will admit, however, that sometimes I have to read some of the paragraphs repeatedly to really understand what he is saying. Sometimes it can be frustrating because I feel as though my mind weaves around all the words but they don't always *sink in*. I feel, though, that God will help me to take away what He will have me to. :)

I just wanted to share those quotes with you today. I read them, over and over, letting them gently rest on my heart for me to ponder. We need to truly "digest" the beautiful Truth.

I am sharing a few photos from in my home. Today was such a busy day (as lately, most days seem to be) and so I don't have a large amount of interesting things to share.

Johnny Cash...a family favorite...and yes, it is autographed! A lovely gift from my parents to Chris, one Christmas season! :) ....

Today has been full....schooling, housework, laundry, knitting (I'm working on a baby blanket that a lady requested), and corn. We met my Mother-in-Love down at the garden today and picked and husked more corn. Silver Queen, Ectase, and Incredible are the kinds we have. We each, after husking, took home big tubs/boxes full and got to work blanching and cutting the kernels off the ears, to freeze.

I got 9 freezer bags worth. It doesn't look like a lot...but it took quite a while! And add that to some I froze previously and all that I have canned, so far, and we are going to have a nice amount of corn for over the winter! I think I will give a couple of the freezer bags full to my cousin...a young, single guy who will probably love the taste of fresh sweet corn in the middle of winter! :)

I hope you each are well. I pray for you, when the Lord prompts by bringing you to my thoughts.
Thanks for the visit. I know this post was quite short and entirely lacking interesting words...but it is 9pm and for a girl that gets up around 5 in the morning...it's bedtime! My eyelids get heavy and typing ends up taking twice as long...for although I *am* a fast typer...when I feel only semi-awake, I end up making mistakes and in need of hitting the *delete* button quite often (so I don't lack integrity with total mis-spellings...even though my sister *does* try to improve my terrible usage of commas! ;)

And now I can see that I am really starting to ramble, aren't I? I better close up shop for now and bid you all *good-night* before people start questioning my ability to be a home educator!!! ;)

Gentle hugs and kind smiles being sent to you over the miles,
Katy

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee,
and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
~Numbers 6:24-26

A Lovely Day!

Today was a beautiful day, here in PA. Lots of sunshine and blue skies with a gentle breeze! It was absolutely wonderful and I enjoyed each moment of it! The children and I went out and about for a bit, this morning. I found some great items for use in our home. I took photos of a few of the things, to share with you! :)


A hanging basket...
A beautiful spot to hold measuring cups (able to be hung on the wall...but alas, I don't have a spot for it)...

Jars a-plenty (the first three on the left are ones the children have found while playing out in the dirt and such, on our property! The rest are ones I have found at thrift stores and such!)...

And a lovely brown jar with a handle! I haven't found a use for it, quite yet, but until I do it will be a nice addition to our dining room decor! :)


This evening, after a nice supper, Chris, the children and I all snuggled in to watch *The Chronicles of Narnia*. Oh how I love that movie...and as Aslan dies, my eyes well up with tears, remembering Christ's sacrifice for us. And then...when he comes *back* to life...oh the joy that fills my heart! I would love to see the next movie that is out next in the chronicles! As we watched the movie, I set out bowls of icecream and different types of toppings and everyone enjoyed picking out and putting on their own toppings.

Also while we watched, I finished knitting the second hat that I had mentioned about in THIS post. The girl I am making them for offered to pay me for them...but I won't take money. The pattern for them says that these cannot be made to profit from...and I will abide by those rules! :) They were fun to make and I hope that her twin baby girls enjoy them! :) The pink yarn was a bit bulkier than the purple...so it ended up a smidge bigger. Hopefully they both fit the girls...if not, I may need to try again! ;)


It's been a long day. Tomorrow, we go to worship the Lord in His house. I have a bit of a headache...and am hoping I am able to sleep it off and feel better in the morning! I have *so* many things on my mind and that I would love to share...but exhaustion has over-taken me and I need to retreat to my bed, for now. My best wishes to each of you...thank you for taking the time to visit. :)

With a joyful heart,
Katy :)

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee,
and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
~Numbers 6:24-26

A photograph is like the recipe --

-- a memory the finished dish. ~ Carrie Latet

Today...I am sharing some pictures that have been taken over the past couple of days. :) Enjoy!

Madelyn, reading out on the swing...


Dishes washed and drying...

Corners of the dining room...


Warm, homemade bread for supper...

Supper cooking...(Ham, mashed potatoes, corn from the garden and homemade bread!)...

The table set and ready for supper...

Daddy and Jaxson...reading together before supper is ready!

Little town on the shelf...

Candles lit throughout the house...creating beautiful smells and atmosphere in each room!


Miss Madelyn showing her newly bought, from the thrift store, sweater! **It was only 99 cents! Isn't it beautiful??? :)

Working on schoolwork...

Knitting by lamplight...

Finished dishcloth...

Many of you may remember the infant hat I made and posted about HERE. Well, while at the baby shower, another guest saw it and asked if I would make each of her twin girls one...one in pink and another in purple. I smiled and happily said I would. I finished the first one, today...

Her baby girls are a lil bit older so I adjusted the size, a bit. If you are interested in making a hat like this...HERE is the link to the pattern! :)

Many of you asked me about the spaghetti sauce recipe I am going to use when making sauce this year...I will be happy to post it...but first, I want to get permission from my sister-in-love since it is her grandmother's recipe! :)

I hope you enjoyed the pictures. I know that I love to see pictures of people's lives and homes and enjoy sharing some of mine, as well. :) I hope you all have an absolutely lovely weekend!

Warmly,
Katy :)

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee,
and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
~Numbers 6:24-26

Homemaking: Juicing Tomatoes

One important part of homemaking is preparing food for your family, as frugally as possible. It is usually much healthier, from scratch, as well. Making and canning things for the winter is a good way to do this! :)


Tomatoes from our garden are ready...some were not usable because they got over-taken by the blight. Some family and friends, however, had an abundance of tomatoes and shared them with us! So ours plus theirs gave us a good supply to start with!

My Mother-in-Love and I plan on making spaghetti sauce and canning it! Tonight we worked, for a few hours, cutting and cooking, squishing and juicing tomatoes! I must admit, I don't *like* tomatoes....but I *do* like sauces, ketchup and tomato soup. ;)

Daddy showing the boys how it's done...

The children were a great help for a while!



They each loved taking turns using the juicer...although it became my official *job* during the evening, as the children eventually tuckered out of tomato-juicing and went outside to play in the dirt! ;)

Xavier wanted to wear bags on his hands to keep them from getting *icky*...it lasted a whole 3.5 seconds and he realized they were more of a nuisance than a help! ;)

It was busy work...and tiring after another long and busy day, today. But it was nice to all be together and talk and laugh. :) We will be making the juice into sauce by adding some ingredients from a recipe my SIL gave to us, from *her* grandma! I have never made or canned sauce before...so this all is a first for me. It's great learning something new! **I always love to find ways to care for my family!**

Oh, oh! *Annnd...our next couple rows of corn are ready. We will be busy, again, picking, shucking and cutting them off the cobs. We will probably plan on freezing the next few batches. :) I am so very thankful for everything the Lord has provided...I just pray He provides me with enough energy to get them all canned/stored for winter! ;)

Well, everyone is tucked in, after a nice, warm bath. Now it's time for me to slip inside the covers, as well. I have been reading "In the Presence of My Enemies" by Gracia Burnham...about missionaries who were captured and held for over a year. A true story that makes you so thankful for what you have and helps put the minor discomforts we may suffer with, in perspective. I may slip in a few pages of that before drifting off to sleep. Time in prayer would be a nice way to end the day, as well.

Warm hugs to you! Thanks for stopping by to visit me!
Katy :)

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee,
and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
~Numbers 6:24-26

A Simply Lovely Birthday!

I enjoyed a quiet birthday. I was up early...around 3:45am. I haven't felt 100% the past couple of days...so I went and rested downstairs for a bit, this morning. My sister-in-love asked if my boys could go and play with my nephews, for the day...and Madelyn spent the day with my mom...so, I had a house-full of quiet. It was nice...a bit lonely...but a nice chance to sit and read my Bible, knit some and just *rest*.
My mom and Madelyn brought me lunch and visited with me, while we ate. It was so nice! Madelyn gave me a couple gifts she made me...one being a pin she made (from her make-it kit at Grammie's house) that said *quoted exactly how she had it written*: 1# MOM go mom
It was cute and she was glowing as I opened it!

I knitted the hat in the pictures above and below. I started it yesterday (the 23rd) and finished it this morning! **The cooler weather has bitten me with the knitting bug!** The hat will go to a friend, for her chinese auction/fund raiser she is doing in a couple months...to help her raise funds to go on a mission trip to Africa. I asked if I could donate something to her chinese auction and she said it would be great! :)

This evening, after everyone was home again, with me, we ordered out for supper. (I had a stromboli...yum!) Then, my parents and Chris's parents came over...bringing an icecream cake (my favorite) with them! We enjoyed the cake and I enjoyed being with those I love the very most! (Although Chris and my siblings were each missing from our little get-together...and I love them all *so* much, as well!)

I did a bit of housework today as well as rearranged a *few* things...here-and-there, just *because*. Normally my days are full of go-go-go...and today, I did things a little slower, peacefully moving about without a sense of *have-to*. It was nice and I am so thankful for the day I was given. :) I look forward, however, to hopping back to life...schoolwork, more housework, taxes to receipt and things to do! :)

Candlelight...creates such a beautiful, calming atmosphere. The weather was cooler today and the candles just gave a sense of cozy-ness to the day!

A print, from THIS etsy store...

I just love it! Isn't it fantastic?? It's called *Chatter in the Chicken Coop*! :) I also have another one, a watercolor of laundry hung out on the line...but I haven't gotten a frame for it yet! This one, above, is hanging in the schoolroom. I smile each and every time I look at it!

And...last, but not least...just a few pictures from the past couple of days...

An afternoon time of rest for the boys...


The children made sock puppets, all on their own. I kept giggling...they were so cute!

Jaxson's even has hair! ;)

Thank you for all the birthday wishes...I really appreciate each one. It's now approaching 9:30pm and since I was up so early...I am ready to fall into bed! I hope you are enjoying your week...as August is drawing to a close! :)

A friendly good-night to each of you!
Katy :)

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee,
and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
~Numbers 6:24-26

Many things to share!

Well, hello! How was your weekend? Although still having things to do, overall, it was a slower-paced weekend ~ which I am very thankful for. When busyness over-takes me, I can get easily overwhelmed. I need my quiet and peace, when I can get it. God knows me through and through and knows my every need. When I don't think I can keep-it-all-together, anymore, He supplies the much-needed moment of rest that my body craves. :)

One thing Madelyn and I *did* do, on Saturday, was attend a friend's baby shower. :) It was a lovely time and a wonderful celebration of her first child, due to arrive next month. I saw some old friends, who I haven't seen in a while. One of the things that I gifted to the mother-to-be was the little baby hat, I knitted, in the picture above! :)

I have been working on some other knitting projects, when time allows, and will be sure to share those with you soon.

Sunday, I received a few early birthday presents! My secret prayer sister from church left me a bag full of lovely goodies including homemade soaps, lip balm and a candle (pictured below). She also made me peanut butter pie (one of my favorites)!!


My sister was also in town and, since we probably won't see each other before my birthday, brought my gifts along with her! :) I was so excited to open the prim *window* below...

I hung it up, immediately. I found the right spot and I just love it! She also got me some yarn and a knitting *socks* book...as well as some recipe cards! :) She knows me well! I was also blessed to receive a few things from a friend and snail-mail pal of mine from Texas! Wow...blessings abound...it is so humbling and makes me feel so grateful for the people I have around me! :)

Our garden is still producing lots of corn...so guess what we have for dinner, quite often? ;)
(Look at Madelyn's little face of determination...that's the way to get those husks off!)

Chris has been working with some leather and making a sheath for his hunting knife. :) He loves to do things like that! I told him he should make me a leather bible cover...he told me he wants to start out small! ;)


White dishes in the corner...used tonight for a delicious supper of beef roast, mashed potatoes and green beans! :)

I've been keeping busy. I did a little rearranging in the living room. That table between the chairs actually houses my old Singer sewing machine. It folds right in. (The boys thought that was just *amazing*!)


Today was a bit cooler than usual and although rainy, I enjoyed every autumn-feel about it! I am so anxious for the fall weather and am so excited to see some of the trees already turning beautiful shades of red! :)

Hoping you are each enjoying your days...and moments. For in a blink, they are gone and we need to make the most of the life we have been given. Let that Light shine through you! :)
As always, thank you for the visit. It's always such a gift to read your comments and emails and get to *know* you, as well!

With a big, warm smile,
Katy :)

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee,
and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
~Numbers 6:24-26

He Always Provides

So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
~Matthew 6:31-33

Our oven went kaput. We have lived here 9 years and it had been used by the previous owners, for many years prior to that. If you scroll down in THIS post, you can see our old oven in place. I cook and bake...a lot. I like making most things from scratch and the fact that the oven wasn't working right anymore just wouldn't work for us!

So, Chris and I talked about needing to get a new one and thought about driving to Lowe's to see what we could find. Most of the basic ones we were going to look at were around $350. (We prefer gas to electric). We knew we could swing that, but weren't overly thrilled about having to spend such a large amount of money....but an oven *is* worth it. I was talking to my mom, over the phone, about it and she offered to keep the children at her house with her, while we drove to Lowe's. I thanked her and agreed that was what we would do. While finishing our supper, before heading over, the phone rings. It's my mom, who informs me that she and my dad were discussing it and they remembered that they had a *newer* range, not in use....*they have some property where they rent out a couple trailers. One of the trailers was not occupied anymore.* They said we were more than welcome to come and look at it and take it, if we wanted it. :) A *free* range sounded a lot better than one that costs $350.

So we went over. It was dusty and dirty, as the last time it was used was probably a few years ago. It was a bit greasy from not being cleaned after use...but we figured, after a good scrubbing, it would be good-as-new! And...to top it off, it was gas! Just what we wanted! :)

So that night, we brought it home and we all (children included) scrubbed and washed, and scrubbed and washed some more. We had it out on the lawn...what a sight we must have been! Then, Chris and I moved it into the addition of our home, until he could put it in, the next day.

So here it is...above and below. It's a wonderful blessing. God provided us with *just* what we needed. It will keep my family well fed and I am so, so thankful. It looks a little odd, as it is meant to be up against a wall and not in a corner...but the corner was where the old oven was and it is the only place we have available until, someday, we can redo our kitchen. For now, though, our kitchen is functional and comfortable and I am very grateful for it! :)

I should have taken before and after pics...and I should have taken pictures of the inside of the oven for you to see. It looks practically brand new! :) God is so good and I am just overflowing with gratitude to Him for how He always provides for our needs.

I need to get going...a full day ahead of things to do! Quickly, though, (I always seem to do this, don't I? Always something quick, at the end, that I need to share! ;) A little before 4 this morning...the children woke us with cries of "Bat!!!"...I look and sure enough, flying through the hall is a bat! In the, over 9, years we have lived here...this is the first bat we have encountered! I quickly ushered the children into my room and shut the door. I woke Chris, kindly telling him that he would have to deal with the bat...because I was *not* going back out there! ;) He bopped it with a broom, apparently, and put it outside. He thought he had killed it..but the children were out trying to look for it and couldn't find it...so maybe it flew away? I am not sure. I *am* very glad, though, that it is out of my house! It gives me the eebie-jeebies! :o)

Have a great day...thanks for stopping!
Cheerfully,
Katy :)

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee,
and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
~Numbers 6:24-26