9 Years of Blogging!

I have just realized that I have been blogging for 9 years! NINE years....I can hardly believe it! That means I was 25 or 26 years old when I first started! It seems so odd to me! You have all (if you have been here a while) watched my children grow up, my house change and my faith grow! :) I pray it has been a blessing to you! Thank you for following along with me!

My posts have grown fewer over the years as life just keeps *happening*. :) I always have great plans for posts as I am laying in bed, reading the Word...and then by the next day, I just feel blank. Even if a topic of great interest comes to my mind, I can't seem to put anything into words. It may be that the Lord just doesn't want me to speak about things just now...or maybe I just have a case of "writer's block" (although I am no *official* writer...even though I would love to be).

Lately, we have been keeping up with chores/housework...

...as well as preparing for a multi-family yard sale at my mom's this weekend (no, Jaxson's guitar and case won't be in the sale!)...

We're also gearing up to start our homeschool year *officially* soon. The children aren't overly excited (and I enjoy the free-ness of summer as well....) but it will be good to get back into a routine...

It's so dry out lately that I haven't needed to mow as much. This is good...and bad...all at the same time. I don't *love* to mow but I like the yard to look tidy. I also like the workout it gives.

I don't watch a ton of television. We don't have cable or anything...just Netflix and Amazon Prime. I started watching episodes of Poldark lately...and I must admit, I am loving it....so much so that I ordered the first three books to read (there are 12). Do you watch this program? I am getting towards the end of season 1. Don't give any spoilers though, okay? :) I just love watching Demelza serve, respect and love her husband. What a beautiful example it is to watch. :)

I need to get going...more things on my "to do" list to accomplish. Thanks so much for coming by. And for those of you who have grown along with me here these past nine years...*thank you*, truly. What a blessing it is to have friends from around the world visit me.

Technology (and the world-wide-web) can be a curse and a wretched thing....but it can also be a beautiful thing....such as breaking up the miles between loved ones. The Lord can (and does) use it mightily for His glory through sermons on youtube and sermonaudio. He uses it to refine and teach me....to be careful of what I say and how I say it....especially when in typed print as it can be easily misconstrued.

Kind comments (and emails) from you are encouraging to me and bring such joy....so again, **thank-you** for visiting my humble little blog. It's just a small place....but I pray it glorifies Christ and encourages those who visit.

I *really* gotta go now! *smile* Have a great weekend ahead!
Warmly,
Katy :)

Linked up at: The Whole Hearted Home

Ads Popping Up?

Hello friends!

I just wanted to ask you if you are having a problem with a full screen ad window popping up when you come to my blog? I had it happen to me many times (and thought it only happened to me). My sister let me know it is happening to her  now too though. I have noticed my blog stats have gone down...almost in half and I am wondering if this is why?

I have looked to find the answer of how to get rid of it...but I don't know what to do. To get rid of it for *myself* I disabled it on a link it provided me when it came up. It's upsetting me that it is even popping up at all. So, I *am* looking into it and I would love to hear any feedback you may have....

Does this happen to you at my blog...and/or other blogs?
Does this happen on your blog? And if so, have you figured out a way to get rid of it?

I would appreciate any help you could give!
Thank you!!!

Katy

One Million!

Okay...this may seem like a truly ridiculous post, but I can't help but share my excitement! My blog has hit *one million* page views (today)!! Woohoo! Of course, in the scheme of life, that is truly unimportant...but I just get joy out of the little things in life! 

It is truly wonderful if people have come to visit here and found a lovely, quiet place to visit. I pray they have seen the truth of Christ portrayed from my heart and life. The gospel is a truly beautiful thing and I am thrilled to know that so many have had access to it in one way or another through my blog. I like the old-fashioned things of life....but this internet thing is pretty great when it can spread Christ over miles and miles! :)
Thank you, friends, for stopping by and visiting me. I appreciate all of you...even if I am only familiar with you by username/name and not by picture. :) If you comment here (or even if you are a visitor who doesn't comment) I would LOVE to get to know you better. Would you please leave a note of hello in the comments (or even through email: thecountryblossom at hotmail.com)? A picture for those who don't have one on their blog or profile would be amazing too (you can send it through email...you don't have to leave a comment with your pic if you don't want to....or you don't have to leave a picture at all...but I would love to know what YOU look like!). 
Thanks again for helping me to spread Christ, family, home and more across the miles! :)
Warmly, Katy It's all about Jesus Christ being first.... and second and third and fourth and fifth.   What I'm saying is, don't put Jesus first.   Jesus is everything.   He's not just first in the rank,  He is everything.  ~Paul Washer

You can also find me...

 I will *still* be blogging here...but because this is more of my personal blog...I am branching out and will also be blogging at Simply Organized Homemaking. It will be completely focused on homemaking, organizing, cleaning, budgeting and similar topics. I hope you will visit me there from time-to-time. If I can't keep up with it all...that blog will be the first to go. *This* blog is like an old friend now...so I plan on keeping it going indefinitely. We'll see how this goes. :)

On What I Recommend...

May I ask (ever-so-kindly) a favor? You know how I have books I like to recommend, DVDs (about faith), and my love for organizing products? Well, I have utilized amazon links on my blog (...there are widgets down towards the bottom in the left column...) where you can see things I have read, watched and used (and loved). If you so choose to purchase one of these things, I would be so grateful if you would do so *using* one of my links in my amazon widgets. 
I tossed this around in my head for a while...as I don't like "advertising" on my blog. *But* I realized that if I am pointing you in the direction of these items, what does it hurt to earn a little from it? Plus, as a single-income homeschooling family, a little *extra* never hurts. 
I get decent traffic here (especially for being just a simple, country blog!)...so this is just a way for me to *add* to the family a bit while getting to promote the items I think are a great use to you and your family! :) Of course, I never want you to spend money you don't really have or just buy it because I say so...but if you *do* like what I recommend, using my widget links to the bottom left of my blog would be so very much appreciated! 
Thanks friends! Warmly, Katy

A Bit of Change

I decided to change my curtains in the living room (you can see them HERE in the second picture down). Actually, I decided to wash the curtains and once they were down, the light and bright-ness shining through the windows was just fantastic! So I put up valences, instead. I *do* like it this way, although it's hard to get used to since we had the other curtains up for years. The curtains collected dust, easily, as well....so this *change* is clean-feeling and fresh!



Yesterday, my second blog book arrived in the mail. I had too many photos and posts to fit all in one blog book...so I had to order two for my 2010 posts. The first book contains January through July. This book has August through December! (I used a gray cover when I had my 2009 blog posts printed into a book...this year's books are purple)...

Some inside pages....




My children *love* looking through the blog books! Jaxson was excited when I told him a new one arrived in the mail! He loves looking at the pictures and remembering 2010 happenings! :)

Today, I am blessed by being able to watch my 1 yr. old nephew for the day. The children can't wait till he arrives. Madelyn, especially, acts like a little mother to him! ;) It's a beautiful sunshine-y day...blue skies and **cold**. I will be hanging laundry out again today....(I am so glad winter is gone...I so love the smell of the clothes after being out on the line!). Bread needs baked today, as well as some housework. We have done schooling, already, this morning...but learning is a constant process! ;) I am looking forward to a full and joy-filled day. It will also be spent in prayer, for some needs of loved ones.

Thank-you for visiting me, here, today. I hope you are enjoying your week. :)
Warmly,
Katy :)

He must increase, but I must decrease. ~John 3:30

Organizing, Treasures & More!

This weekend was full and enjoyable for our family! One thing I worked on was organizing and cleaning-out the schoolroom (which isn't really a learning room anymore...it's more of a school-stuff-storage-room. We do our work all together at the dining room table...it really works best for us!). I took down (and out of the room) one of the shelves...which means I had books *everywhere*! I was quite busy! I finished it up yesterday evening...but it still isn't perfect, yet.

The children and I, Saturday afternoon, went to a store I like...full of antiques and old country things. I went with the intention of finding a just-the-right-size table to go between the chairs in the living room. I was thrilled to find *just* what I wanted!

It is just the right size...and even holds some of my beloved books! It has a hand-made slate top that I love...here is a closer look...

I also found a beautiful oil lamp, that I felt fit perfectly into my Mary Engelbreit bathroom...

I mentioned, in my last post, that I received my blog book in the mail. (I am hoping book #2 arrives today!) Many seemed interested in it and asked for a few more pictures! For those who missed it...here is the cover...

One, of many, *contents* pages...

Now, inside...you can choose to have the posts printed just as you have them on your blog or have them make the best use of space with your words and pictures for each post. I chose that way...otherwise, I would have had more pages in my book...which costs more. I believe you can also have the comments printed...but I didn't do that, either.

It does not include your header or sidebar information, in the book. I chose to put my year's header as the front picture on my books.

You can also choose to get a paperback book printed, which is cheaper. I got the hardback book because I felt it would be better protected over the years. :) HERE is the link to the post about the book I had printed from my 2009 blog posts!

I am fighting a bit of a headache today...but have much to do. Although cold, the sky is a gorgeous blue and the sun is shining so I will be getting clothes out on the line. I may do some baking, as well. Schooling and some other housework will fill the day.

I hope you enjoyed your weekend. Have a great start to the week.
Kindly,
Katy

He must increase, but I must decrease. ~John 3:30

My Blog Book Arrived!

The blog book I ordered from Blog2Print arrived the other day! I couldn't wait to get the box open! :) Once I did...I was thrilled! Inside I found a beautiful, hardback book! If you look at the picture above, you can see how thick it is! (And that is only from my 2009 posts! I still have to do 2007, 2008 and this year!)

I didn't take a ton of pictures...but when you first open my book, there is a dedication to Chris, Madelyn, Xavier and Jaxson. Then is the table of contents...which takes up probably 8 pages or so! It has the title of each post and the page that it is on!

Then, as you go through the book....the pages of my blog are all there!! :)

The words and pictures it contains are full of so many memories and I am thrilled to have them all together, neatly, in a book!

I am thrilled with my book and how fast it was put together and shipped. :) If you decide to get a blog book made...I completely recommend spending the little bit extra money to have it made into a hardback book. That way it will better preserve your memories! :)


And...before I go, a few small things I wanted to share...

My favorite skirt....

Bounty from the garden! (I am not a fan of radishes myself, but Chris loves them!)

And finally...look at these cute acorns I got for the children to play with...
Aren't they cute? I got them from All Things Simple.

I hope you all enjoy your 4th of July weekend! :) We have been busy and I look forward to sharing more with you some other day! Thanks for visiting!

Kindly,
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

This little light of mine...

...I'm gonna let it shine! :)

If you read my last post...you will know my heart and thoughts about if I should continue blogging or not. Well, I have prayed about it. I didn't expect an answer so quickly...but I *do* believe I got one. I don't question God...but rather, want to always be sure that what I *think* is an answer to prayer -- actually *is*. Let me tell you what happened....

I was reading my Bible, in Hosea, after I had prayed about things. I kept reading and thought aloud "God...this isn't where you want me to be reading." I had been laying in bed, on my side...so part of my Bible was on my bed and the other half of my Bible, I held open with my right hand. Well, all of a sudden, I guess I lost my grip on it or something...but some of the pages flopped down and my eyes landed on what my Bible had opened up to. It was the book of Luke. Chapter 8...verse 16...

No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.

And then I prayed and asked God if this was my answer? I am still not sure if it was just an accident that my Bible opened up that way...or if it *is* the answer God was giving me. And like I said above...it isn't about questioning God, it is the part about *knowing* if it *is* the answer from Him, or not.

I received an abundance of emails from many of you, sweet readers, who shared your thoughts with me. I was blessed by each and every one! Thank you :). They helped me to see that the Light is shining from my blog. He *is* using me and this itty, bitty home on the web...to shine on others. I am so, so glad! :)

So, I think I will keep on letting His Light shine through my blog...because that's the way I feel He wants me to go. If He ever directs me differently, though, I will obey. :) I am going to disable the comments though....at least for now, and see if that is a good thing or not. Please feel free to drop me a line via email if you want. I will happily respond, when time permits. :) I enjoy the comments I receive...I just don't like to get "hung up" on the number of them. I hope that makes sense!

Again, thank you for visiting and for your loving emails. I really *do* appreciate them! :)
I hope you have a 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

At a Crossroad...

So...here I am. Unsure of how to move ahead. After posting over 800 posts over the past 3 years...I come to a point where I question if I should continue blogging, or not.

I have been incredibly blessed over the years with the comments, emails and encouragement I have received. However, I need to be honest. The truth is that no matter how humble I continually strive to be...the kind words you, sweetly, shower upon me are so flattering. I find myself really enjoying that feeling. It is a boost to my ego...and that is not a good thing. Of course, this isn't your fault! I hope I don't make it sound that way! It's *me*. Instead of just letting Christ's love show through me...I have started to focus on my *own* ego. That means I am losing focus. My life's focus is *still* on God and loving Christ. I haven't lost sight of that! :) However, my *blog* focus seems to have shifted to me.

I am reading the book "If" by Amy Carmichael...and when I read this...I felt a pang in my heart:

"If I do not forget about such a trifle as personal success, so that it never crosses my mind, or if it does, is never given a moment's room there; if the cup of spiritual flattery tastes sweet to me, then I know nothing of Calvary love." (pg. 62) italics mine

And this one as well:

"If I slip into the place that can be filled by Christ alone, making myself the first necessity to a soul instead of leading it to fasten upon Him, then I know nothing of Calvary love." (pg. 66)

So...this is a matter I am taking to God, in prayer...and I am not sure what the outcome will be. Many have shared that they feel God using me and my blog to be a blessing to them...and I am thrilled to know He is using me to be of benefit to others...but I just need to really make sure that I *am* doing as He would have me do. It's difficult not to want lots of comments and praise. But I need to realize that *praise for me* isn't the purpose for this blog. It isn't to lift *me* up....but rather, *Him*! As humans, though, it sure is easy to get caught up in wanting to be wonderful and popular.

I also get concerned that I am putting my home and family "out there" too much, as well...?

I am turning the comments off on this post...so that I am not desiring to get loads of comments. You are welcome to email me (link on left sidebar) if you would like. I will be in prayer about this decision.

Thank you for reading my blog...sharing in my life with me, encouraging me, challenging me and sharing *your* lives with me as well! I have met so many wonderful people via blogging, which I will always be grateful for! :) I have no idea when the decision will be made...I will just be in prayer about it and wait for His gentle guidance! :)

I have boys.....

...do you?

Seriously...they crack me up! Running around with Madelyn's headbands on their heads like Rambo (although they don't know who Rambo is!)...playing cars in dirt piles, trying stunts on bikes and scooters, singing at the top of their lungs while swinging on the swingset, swinging from tree branches, and even climbing in a rhodadendron bush and pretending it's their car.....

...does any of this sound familiar? ;)

Like the old saying goes....

*Mothers work from son up til son down!*

I will be the first to admit that mothering is not an easy job, there are times of tears (for me) while I question if I am a good mother or not. I am constantly seeking God's guidance through prayer and studying His Word.

I absolutely treasure the times that my boys (and Madelyn, as well) come running over saying, "Mama, I love you!" and plant a kiss on my cheek. They actually do this often...and I see it as a gift...from my Savior to me, a re-energizing and assurance that I may never be the *perfect* mother I desire to be....but that God knows my efforts to be the mother *He* wants me to be! :)

Here are some quotes that I have found encouraging as well as great reminders of what is really important as a parent!

Kids spell love T-I-M-E.
~John Crudele

Give me the life of the boy whose mother is nurse, seamstress, washerwoman, cook, teacher, angel, and saint, all in one, and whose father is guide, exemplar, and friend. No servants to come between. These are the boys who are born to the best fortune.
~Andrew Carnegie

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
~Diane Loomans,
from "If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again"

You have a lifetime to work, but children are only young once.
~Polish Proverb

There comes a time when a woman needs to stop thinking about her looks and focus her energies on raising her children. This time comes at the moment of conception. A child needs a role model, not a supermodel.
~Astrid Alauda,
on the "hot mom" trend

If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders. ~Abigail Van Buren

Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.
~Charles R. Swindoll,
The Strong Family

If you are a mother of boys...you will definitely want to check out THIS post! Erin, from Home with The Boys, has started the Mothers Of Boys Society! :) She is a Christian mama of boys. In her post....she explains that "it’s all about raising our sons to be godly men, men of character, men who seek the Lord with all their heart." It's a great place for us moms to relate. Like Erin, I grew up with only a sister. When I had my sons, I had no idea what to expect! It is a fantastic journey....and a fun one to share with other mamas!

I have a full and busy day ahead. I look forward to it! I hope you have a wonderful day as well! :)

My New Header!

I made a new header for my blog yesterday using the Picasa collage maker thingy! :) I am happy with it. I know...there's alot of ME in it...I am definitely NOT vain....its just that when I was picking out pics...I was thinking of what all I am about...since this is my blog! ;) And...well...it's about me...and me and my kids...and me and my hubby and about my chickens and their eggs, my home, and my canning/homemaking! LOL Does it look like I am vain? Maybe I should change it? What was your first opinion about it? I didn't even truly realize it had me in it soooo much till I really looked at it once I put it on my blog...and then I wondered if it would seem that I am full of myself. Eek! I definitely *dont* want to portray that!!! I would love your opinions...thanks! :)

**Oh...and tomorrow (the 12th) is X's 6th birthday! Yippee!!! He's so excited! :o)

Musings of a sick mama......

You may be wondering "Why oh why is Katy changing this blog so often?"...well...although I do love to be creative and this is one way for me to do it...honestly...lately, I have been trying to remove things that could be causing that horrible spam thing that kept coming up for me. I was trying to take things out to see if they were the spammer. Then as I got to changing...I had to make things look "right". I just can't stand the spam that was coming up on my blog! That's awfully sneaky and malicious of a company to do that...don't you think? I have tried and tried and still...just can't figure out what is doing that to my site. I am so bummed. If anyone has any ideas....please share with me...I would love to figure this out!





In other news...I have been sick the past couple of days. I thought it was strep...(and it is hard for me to believe it isn't..as my throat is still sooo full and hurting so much)..but I went to my doctor yesterday afternoon and they did a culture and said it wasn't strep. It must just be a virus. I had (not sure if I still have it or not) a fever. I have been fighting body aches and a headache all yesterday and through the night. Luckily...those seem to be gone. Now I am just dealing with a sore throat and tired body...trying to heal itself from a stinker of a virus. I think it was the same one the kids had previously. I just need to heal quickly...as our VBS sports camp starts tomorrow evening! (I am the cheerleading coach for it!).


I am so blessed for my mom though....she kept the kids for me yesterday when I went to the dr and while Chris was at work. Then she took them to her house so I could rest and Chris picked them up later. Then this evening...her and my dad took them to the local fair where there is a rodeo going on this evening. I wish I could have gone..it sounds like a good time. Chris has started feeling a bit icky too....I am hoping he doesn't have this virus...but there is a good chance he does. I guess we will see.

Oh...on a good note....today is day 4 of me eating healthier and all is going well! :) Even being sick...I have made good decisions on what I have eaten!!! Woohoo! I am totally thankful that through prayer...I have the strength to do this...to God be all the glory! ;o)

Ooo! Excitement! Come and See!!

I purchased some graphics at Trina Clark Graphics at some really fantastic prices. (I LOVE her stuff!) And I think my blog now has a good amount of "country" and a good amount of "blossom"! What do you think??

Thanks so much for coming by to take a peek at it! I got a new desk on clearance the other day....(one I have been wanting and was thrilled it went on clearance....I got it for 75% off!)...so Chris and I need to transfer the computer to it...cords and all...blah. I will be sure to post pics sometime this weekend or next week sometime when I can!!! :)

Talk to you soon!

A New Blog Header!!!

A few of you have seen already....but for those that haven't...I wanted to share my new blog header! :) I am so excited...I made it myself!!! It's me and the things I love!!! I didn't mean for it to end up so big....but oh well....I have too much to do to change it now. I spent enough time working on it...I don't want to spend any more time on it for a while. LOL It was a new thing I figured out and my computer was being slow...I get frustrated when too much time is spent sitting here at this computer...so I don't want to mess with it again for a longgg time!

Thanks so much for taking the time to drop by and visit with me! :) I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday!!! :o)

Knitting Mittens!

OK....the mittens in these pictures are of the same mitten! I just finished the first one and will start the second one to go with it too....but I wanted to share what I had done so far! This is the first mitten I have ever knitted! :) (Below is a picture with my actual hand in the mitten!)

It's really exciting to finish a new project! Although...this is only halfway done...LOL...one mitten down and one to go! :) I made the smallest adult size...and I don't have the tiniest hands...so they are not perfect for me but I will gift them if I can :).

ALSO...I am not sure if you noticed...but I changed my favicon. It is the little picture beside my blog's name up on the tab of your browser....and also in the box beside the address window of your browser! :) It's a chicken!!! hehe! :) If you want to change yours and you are a blogger....HERE is a tutorial that I found helpful! :)

Hope we don't lose our electric. Alot of people in our town have due to lots of strong wind and rain we have been having since last night. I guess if we do though, we'll light some candles and go about our chores anyway! :o) I hope you all have a lovely Thursday!