By Lynn, on March 17th, 2008%
I’m feeling more human today after being so sick. Being sick, by the way, will most certainly make one appreciate wellness.
I had a doctor’s appointment this morning and am now on an antibiotic for tonsillitis. I probably had the flu or a flu-like syndrome as well. So there you go. It’s going around. I dutifully wore a surgical mask so as not to expose anyone to any of my exhaled droplets of any kind. Too much info…? Oh, and I did lose 3-4 pounds. I’ll take the 3-4 pounds, however, over feeling that bad. 
While waiting for my prescription, I walked into Goodwill and found a treasure trove. A beautiful piece of material for 1.29 to make my princess of the universe another tiered skirt. A pair of stretchy yoga-type pants for my wearing around the house, and a modestly-long pair of shorts for — again — the princess of the universe, and believe it or not they have no words printed on the back side of them. (Am I the only one tired of seeing words on the behinds of young girls’ pants and shorts?) I found a new Franklin Covey organizer with all the pages intact.
It was most thrilling to find three pink English ironstone bowls for 49 cents each. You can see the pretty paisley fabric underneath. It’ll make such a cute skirt!
Look at the detail on this Made in US transformer or transformer cover or whatever it is. I’ll have to ask dear husband of mine. He’ll know. And I should know. What I do know is that this calls for a homeschool science lesson. Yes ma’am.
I was especially happy to find this perfect-size-for-a-bible-bag, uhhhh, bible bag, since the handle recently broke off of my old one. It has places for pens and notes and cough drops and other various and sundry things and it is real leather, made in India. Very soft and nice. Should last me as long as the last leather, thrifted bible bag did: for years.
I found a couple of nice, big coffee mugs (tea mugs), an educational VHS about Christopher Columbus, a Hardy Boys book, and a new children’s book to make a felt set to go with to sell on line.
I suppose last but not least is the beautifully springy pink dress that still has the dry cleaning tags hanging on it. I think it will do nicely with a soft pink T-shirt under it — or without.
Thanks again to my well wishers. I am still hoping for takers on Share Your Most Favorite Thing !!!
Happy St. Patty’s Day,
Lynn
By Lynn, on March 17th, 2008%
I was thinking that it would be fun to share your very most favorite thing in your house. Not to be focused just on material things, of course, but do you have something that just makes you happy? Something that is sentimental? Something that you hope you never have to get rid of?
My favorite thing is my spice cabinet, and it certainly has a story behind it. It is sort of a focal point in our kitchen and gets used every single day as we cook our family meals. I think it fits perfectly into our 1921 home.
I love the rustic old handles and the rusty latches on the doors. I love the glass panes that allow me to see all my spices, including some old-looking Watkins spices. The rusty-but-sturdy hinges appeal to my liking of all things rustic and useful, and I even love the peeling paint.
The story behind the cabinet makes it even more special. I had been looking for a spice rack, but needed something bigger than the standard little spice racks I was finding in the thrift stores at the time.
I walked into a local antique store one day and chatted with a newly-made friend. I enjoyed so much looking at the items in her rented space in the store. She just had an eye for finding things that I loved. Not that I could afford anything I wanted, but it was fun to look and dream. Anyway, when I saw this cabinet it was exactly what I had imagined for my kitchen. It was the perfect size and had that look I needed. Anything too new just does not fit into my old house. It clashes.
I wanted that cabinet so much, I figured that I would put in on lay-away, budget a portion of my grocery money, and pay it off over a period of three months. It went well for about a month and then we had a financial crisis and corners would have to be cut. I knew that luxuries could not be afforded and the spice cabinet was a luxury (as much as I hated to admit it). So I went to the antique store, not even expecting to see my new friend, as she was usually not there unless stocking her booth, but she was there that day. It was with embarrassment that I told her of my situation and that I needed to end my contract, losing a portion of the money, but I felt I would be unable to meet my obligations to pay any more payments. I was astonished at what she said.
She told me that she had — for some reason – felt like I was having a hard time. She said that the Lord had put me in her heart and that if in fact it did turn out to be true that I was struggling, she was going to mark the bill paid at whatever point I was in the contract and just give me the cabinet. And that’s what she did!
So every time I look at this cabinet, I am reminded of the kindnesses that have been shown to me, even in little things, and in things that I really didn’t need, but just wanted. I am reminded that there are many, many kind people in the world, no matter how harsh our world can seem at times. And also I just love how this old rustic spice cabinet fits into my home.
You’re invited to leave a link to your blog and YOUR favorite thing and why you love it so much! It’ll be fun! I may even tag a few people.
Lynn
PS – I did decide to tag 3 people: Hannah at Cultivating Home, Patty at Morning Ramble, and Shauna over at Shauna Rumbling. They may or may not feel like joining in, but it would be nothing less than intriguing to me to find out if they have a favorite thing and what that thing would be! It was hard to stop at three blogs, because there are SO many blogger friends on line and I would love to know everyone’s favorite thing. So anyone join in!
Hey, feel free to pass the question on!!
By Lynn, on March 16th, 2008%
I know it could be worse, but I feel horrible. I should’ve known Thursday when my knees started to hurt, and then my shoulders, and my back, that it was a virus or something setting in. We don’t get old that quickly, right?
I’ve been able to do nothing but lounge on the loveseat in the living room and watch the birds or lie in the bed and sleep. I do feel a little bit better when I’m watching the birds. They land in the tree nearest the feeders and watch for safety and then go to the feeder.
Added to the pleasure of watching the birds is the excitement of Jasper hiding nearby in hopes of catching one of them. I hope I don’t see her catch a bird! I’m too sick to run out and interfere.
Jasper crouches behind a tree near the feeders.
I did muster up the strength yesterday to take a shower and get my hair into a messy bun and put on some clean clothes.
I had decided last night that I was on the mend. My fever had come down from around 102 where it’s been hovering to a more comfortable 100-101. This morning it was just under 100, but my throat was so unbelievably sore and now I have white patches on my tonsils. Do I have the flu and tonsillitis? Strep throat? I’ll be going to my doctor first thing in the morning. I would go today but I cannot afford urgent care or the ER and I’m believing I’ll be fine until in the morning when I can be seen for under 100 dollars.
I’ve gotta love my family right now. My oldest son keeps telling me he wants to hug me, but instead he brought me chocolate ice cream because I felt like that would make my on-fire throat feel better.
My sweet husband cooked a turkey in the oven and then used some of the meat to make a turkey soup for me. It was divine, though I cannot eat nearly as much as I normally would. I’m sure I’ve lost a few pounds over the last four days, but who wants to lose weight like this?
My little princess of the universe did a twirl for me in a tiered skirt I made for her recently from some material pieces that were piling up. I am planning to make a couple more for her in the next week or so, if I can get myself well that is.
I cannot sit here much longer. My neck and shoulders still hurt. I usually don’t say this, but I cannot wait to go to the doctor and find out if this is strep so I can start some treatment. For now, it’s herbal teas, zinc lozenges, vitamin C, rest, and hoping to get better.
Lynn
By Lynn, on March 14th, 2008%
A new bundt pan and a fairly recent (1/08) issue of Country Living.
Glad I stopped by the thrift store while I was out.
Yesterday was slow and my knees were hurting all day. I just could not push myself to do much of anything except what I had to. I did pick my first wild salad of the year.
It was very good. There’s some iceberg lettuce in there for filler , but also a lot of violet leaves, garlic chives, dandelion and chickweed. I probably needed the vitamins in it more than I knew. By last night I was fully sick with whatever my daughter had last week. I think it’s the flu. Now I know how bad she felt last week and I’m glad I took care of her. She also said, “It hurts to walk.” I won’t be able to work today. Sigh. It’s rest and fluids for me.
Lynn
By Lynn, on March 13th, 2008%
Sean was nice enough to post on Hannah’s blog that it’s Hannah’s birthday. Her blog, Cultivating Home, is a blog I enjoy checking on daily.
So Hannah, Happy Birthday!
Picked especially for you from my collection of antique postcards. Pretty flowers for a pretty girl with a smart blog.
Lynn
By Lynn, on March 12th, 2008%
Gorgeous weather here today. I am so thankful for beautiful weather on my days off. We may get rain on Friday and we need it. I won’t complain either way.
Today we set outselves down in chairs on the front porch to do our school work. I love that my son enjoys just sitting and talking and allows me to read things aloud to him. He has plenty of reading he does on his own as well.
This book, Real Life Stories and Literary Selections is one of my favorite book finds. I have both volumes — 1 and 2 — and I found them at the thrift store.
Today we read A Letter From A Pioneer which is a letter from the book Letters of Polly the Pioneer. The letter was written in 1826 by lady living in a settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains. It was so interesting to read aloud. She told of:
- the iron crane in her stove and her good fortune at having two cast iron kettles when other ladies may only have a pot made of clay that oozes fat and stays aflame the whole cooking time, leaving the home full of smoke
- making hoe-cakes by taking the handle off the hoe and cleaning the hoe well and then greasing it with bear’s grease to cook on it
- making and using a hominy-block (the device they created to grind their corn)
- making a sieve from a raw deerskin
- making dishes, baby rattles, and milk pans from gourds
- a beautiful wooden bowl that was made for her by Henry (her husband?) from poplar wood
Something I love about Real Life Stories and Literary Selections is that each story has questions for discussion at the end. This is good for every age reader as it encourages good comprehension.
Something I’ve been doing lately is printing a map to go with whatever we are studying. For example, this story today was about a settlement in the Allegheny Mountains. I printed this map:
I had Joseph circle the area that includes the Allegheny Moutains and then make a note at the bottom.
How did I get this great map? Well, I have a CD that came in this book:
This is a great book which I picked up at a thrift store awhile back. I also have another volume and would love to have all 4 volumes in the set. Anyway, the CD is awesome and allows one to pick a geographic area to learn about and print. There is audio to help in pronunciation of cities and so forth, and you can print either blank maps or maps that include all sorts of information.
I am hoping that this will help Joseph have a great understanding of world geography when he graduates. He seems to think it’s okay.
We had a good day all in all. I am pleased with our discussions about what he would like to focus on in his studies next year for 12th grade. But the highlight of the day may have been this fresh fruit tart:
I made two of them today. We devoured one of them tonight sitting around the kitchen table. Yum.
Lynn
By Lynn, on March 12th, 2008%
By Lynn, on March 11th, 2008%
Apparently,
“What a man needs in gardening is a cast-iron back, with a hinge in it.” Charles Dudley Warner 1829-1900
It’s true. But resting every once in a while is a big help too!
Guess who?
And guess where?
Yep, I was lucky enough to get some playtime outside today. I finished mulching bed #7. I am working on labeling everything that’s in bed #7 and I will put a link in the sidebar. It will be amazing to watch the gardens change as spring arrives and passes.
Bed #7
Bed #7 runs right up against my neighbor’s yard. There’s a lot of work to do in this bed this year. At least, I remember being not too very pleased with some of what grew in this bed last year.
I did a bit of container gardening today. Lettuce…
(That’s an Italian parsley in the pot that managed to over-winter.)
and radishes…
I also set up a bird-feeding station that I can see from the loveseat in the not-too-long-ago-redone living room.
Now I can watch the birds while I read in the mornings.
I was excited to see something new in bloom today. My violets! They are edible, and I love to add them to my infusions. I also have a tincture made from violets.
Woodland Violet
Confederate Violet
While I was busy working, my daughter and a friend were busy at the goldfish pond.
Poor little goldfish. I’m sure they were terrified.
We had cheeseburgers on the grill tonight. And then for dessert (and fun) we toasted marshmallows outside over our old grill.
Hubby is the marshmallow-toasting expert.
But we’re all pretty good at eating toasted marshmallows.
Bye. I’m off to read chapter 8 in Little House in the Big Woods !
Lynn
By Lynn, on March 9th, 2008%
Once upon a time there was a little boy whose mama and papa had another little boy. The little boy was so happy.
He had someone to take care of. Someone to play with.
The years passed swifly, at least to mama and papa, and then another little boy was added.
The newest little son fit right in. He soon learned to climb trees while wearing cowboy boots, that chocolate milk was the best drink ever, and how to make swords out of sticks. The years passed swiftly, at least to mama and papa, and a little girl was added.
Four silly children, all growing up together, in a house not very fancy and not too big, but with a lot of love and a mama and papa busy working to make ends meet. The years passed swiftly, at least to mama and papa.
There’ll be no more babies for mama and papa. But the ones they had, they loved them well.
Mama (that’s me) was commenting this morning on just how quickly it’s passing. Papa (that’s hubby) said, “You’re making a beautiful painting. And it’s almost done.”
Sad, I could be. But a little quote comes to mind.
Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened. ~Melanie Swift
So I think that’s what I’ll do. Smile.
Lynn
By Lynn, on March 8th, 2008%
Therefore, I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.
Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.
Are ye not much better than they?
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment?
Consider the lillies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin.
And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Jesus speaking to his disciples.
Matthew 6:25-30
King James Version
A few of my flowers just starting to bloom right now. I am amazed, year after year, at the breathtaking beauty of God’s creation.
Lynn
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About Lynn 
Approaching-50 mother of four. Thrifter. Content with lots of clothes bought for very little money. Loves retro. (That could be styles from the 40s and 50s. And sometimes stuff even older than that. And sometimes stuff from all time, all mixed up together!) Bluffs about decluttering but secretly loves STUFF. Goes through stages. Has standing and staring spells before rearranging the entire home. Just because. Tune in each day to see what new outfit comes home from G.W. Boutique next. (That's Goodwill, by the way.) Oh, and she owns a spoiled beagle named Annie. And this blog.
Grab A Button <div align="center"><a href="http://www.amothersjournal.com" title="A Mother's Journal ~ A Bit of Birdsong"><img src="http://www.innatelygray.com/images/abitofbirdsong_120_200.jpg" alt="A Mother's Journal ~ A Bit of Birdsong" style="border:none;" /></a></div> The Players
Lil Ol' Me
Son Daniel, 23
Son, Big Joe, 21
Son, John, 17
Daughter, Michaela, 13
Annie Fatso Beagle
My Symphony
To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.
William Henry Channing
1810-1884
What You Do Sow a thought, reap an action.
Sow an action, reap a habit.
Sow a habit, reap a character.
Sow a character, reap a destiny.
Contact Me 
I would  for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
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