Rushing

I think one of the keys to simple living is changing our mindset from one of "getting it done" to one of being fully present in the moment and being grateful for the little things. The more activities a family is involved in outside the home, the more computer time, video gaming and television programming become a priority, life becomes a blur of motion and meaningless activity and often harried rushing.

Taking time to make a meal from scratch instead of using pre-packaged ingredients helps to reduce waste and is healthier, but more importantly, if I am not rushed and instead giving thanks for the food, and thinking about the importance of making my family a healthy meal, it is no longer a chore, but a pleasure. If we are not under time constraints because one of the children has to be to an activity (which is sometimes the case), then I find myself even more at peace while preparing the meal.

Another key to leading a less rushed life is practicing gratitude throughout the day. Our great-grandparents probably led a much simpler life (although the work may have been harder), enjoying conversation, sunsets and meals together. By just being grateful for their food, for those 30 minutes to sit together at the end of a hard days work sipping a lemonade, those precious moments make up a life. I think they were able to appreciate the little things without all of the distractions and without rushing.

Blessings

Sometimes I feel so overwhelmingly blessed that a feeling of sadness comes over me as I think of so many others that live a life of struggle and pain. 



I work through the daily chores and hugs and redirecting the children and frustrations when they don't get along... or I feel a bit sick or tired from the pregnancy, but that is about all - that is nothing, so little compared to the trials that others face.

Thank you, God, for all of the blessings that you have given me - my life is so full - use me to bless others and work me a little harder each day to be all you intend me to be.

Just Relaxing

We found a brand new hammock at a garage sale last weekend for just $20.00.

What a blessing it has been already.

Warm wishes for a beautiful weekend,

Tonya

Knitting and Reading

Joining in with Ginny at Small Things as it is Wednesday already.  Knitting and reading are also two of my favorite pastimes.

Mike and I are reading The Revolution by Ron Paul as we are both very interested in his ideas.

I am also reading DIY U.  This  book is about rethinking the higher education system in our country and looking at new options for young people.

On the needles are some pants for baby.  From the one of the two books I seem to be knitting lots from, Vintage Knits for Modern Babies.  The yarn is plymouth worsted weight, 25% wool, 75% acrylic that I purchased from our little local yarn shop.

And, again from the same book - I finished these little booties.  The yarn is peace fleece and the buttons are handmade of hemlock by our son, Nolan.

Looking forward to reading about what books you are enjoying (or not) and your knitting or crocheting projects.

Warm wishes, Tonya



Building

When I came home from a midwife appointment and some thrift store shopping, this is what I found.  Isaac and Abby's "shack". 



The post holes and drainage are dug for the barn.  A start....

Warm wishes, Tonya

Simple Joys

~watching Abraham and Sarah feed the goats~

 

~strawberry blossoms~

~blueberry blossoms~

~Abe lead me to the chives to show me the bumblebee and as he held my hand he sang his own version of "Over in the Meadow" - something like

"Over in the meadow in the garden

lived a mother bumblebee and her babies... sting said the mama we sting said the bees....

What simple joys are you enjoying?

Warm wishes,  Tonya

Baby Socks

Joining in with Ginny at Small Things today for her Yarn Along.

Baby Socks on Two Needles

Using size 3 needles and DK weight yarn

Cast on 28 stitches

Knit about 8 rows in a rib - knit one, purl one across the row

Continue in stockinette stitch knit one row, purl the next for the desired length of the sock.

Now decrease 7 stitches at the beginning and end of the next row.

Continue knitting in stockinette stitch for approximately 3 inches or until desired length.

Now shape for toe.

Decrease at the beginning and end of the next rows until 7 stitches remain.

Now increase at the beginning and end of the next rows until back up to 14 stitches.

Continue knitting in stockinette until bottom of sock measures the same as the top.

Now shape for heal in the same way you did for the toe.

Cast off.

Seam up the back center of the ribbing. Sew up the "angles" on both the heel and the toe. Sew the heel to the bottom of the ribbing/top part of sock; and then seam up both sides of the sock.


Sorry I don't have any cute baby feet to show wearing them, yet.

Warm wishes, Tonya