The Homemaker's Pantry

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T09:01:00.004-04:00

Happy Mother's Day!! Enjoy the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon you and be glad!

Fondly, Sandy

Earth Day Reminder

2010-04-22T18:16:00.008-04:00

Happy Earth Day!!

As God asked Adam in Genesis, "what name do you give these" making him true Shepherd of all the animals and the earth, so are we called by God do the same.

Let us challenge ourselves to come up with ideas within our own families that could make small but lasting changes.

Turn those lights off when leaving the room.
Shut off the faucet when brushing teeth or washing dishes.
Accumulate enough laundry before doing a whole load.
Stop using disposable water bottles.
Recycle food waste for compost. Your garden will love you for it!
Learn how to recycle plastic containers, for example remove caps from water bottles before tossing in bin or they will not get recycled properly if at all.
Start a small outdoor or indoor garden to grow some things your normally buy.
Use cloth bags for groceries (really its cool now and they don't tear when carrying heavy things).
Stop buying paper plates, cups, napkins and paper towels. Use cloth.
Pick one cup to use for the day.
Keep your heating bill down by use heavy quilts in winter with warm jammies and set the temp to 66.
Don't turn the AC on at the first sign of temps above 75. Save it for those really humid days.
Limit TV time if you don't do so already.
Walk or ride your bike when ever you can.
Share a ride with friends. Offer to start a carpool.

These are just a few ideas we all know but most of us don't put into practice! But after this Earth Day reminder we will be trying really hard to do our part as Stewards of our God given Earth!

My Spinning Wheel

2010-04-22T15:07:00.005-04:00

And here she is, my very own spinning wheel!! Isn't she a beauty? I have been trying to teach myself a little each night. Still waiting for a class date. Let me know how you like it and if you have one of your own post a picture would love to see it.

Shabby Chic Cloth Haversack

2010-04-21T23:11:00.012-04:00

Sewing and all things crafty have always been my passion though never have I been expert in any. I still enjoy the simple joys of thinking up a little something and then creating it with hopefully a lovely outcome.

Here is a bag I made in one night with minimal sewing skills. I found it on the "Tiny Happy" blog. She has a lovely site with wonderful ideas and fabulous tutorials that take you step by step on making these adorable projects.

I began making my cloth shoulder bag/haversack at 10pm and finished at 2am. Like I said I have very beginner sewing skills.

The fun is that you can choose any fabric style and color to suit you and line it with a matching fabric. JoAnn's Fabrics was having a sale the day I got this inspiration and made the bag for $8 total. Not too shabby I think! Here is the link to the tutorial on Tiny Happy.http://tinyhappy.typepad.com/tiny_happy/2006/06/shoulder_bag_tu.html .

Let me know if you are so inspired to make a little bag for yourself and post a picture or two, I'd love to see it!! Happy notions!

Fondly,

Sandy

Not just another busy day

2010-04-21T07:08:00.006-04:00

I usually awaken when I hear the sound of my husbands electric razor. He is like a well oiled machine (unlike me) first thing in the morning. By the time he begins to shave it is exactly 6:40 am and time for me to hit the ground running. Not being a morning person (though I really love getting an early start on the day) its that initial opening of the eyes that's hurts.
I lay there for a moment or two and try to assemble a morning prayer, which usually results in a simple offering up to God my whole day, every thought, word, and deed. It is usually all I can muster before my feet hit the very cold floor. It is my feeble attempt to Christ center my day, that He be at my core so that all else flows from Him during the little storms that can churn up on any given suburban mommy day.
This simple act by me, helps to turn my daily chores of changing diapers, cleaning floors, tending a sick baby or two, laundry and even the shuttling to and fro from school to church or other activities into glorious gifts offered up to our Lord. In doing so they are united to His Cross for our Lord to do with as he sees fit. Our earthly eyes can never truly see the holiness in these daily homemaker tasks but then again we do not have the eyes of God!
When we offer these things no matter how small or tedious Our Lord transforms them and we are reminded that through our vocations of motherhood, homemaker, part time or full time job holder we are chosen to do His will in these daily tasks! Suddenly there is a joy in these mundane things that we can so easily get bogged down in.
So our not so little task, from now on is to offer up our entire day to the Lord, every thought, work and deed that He may do with them as he wills.
And on that note I must scurry off to put a stinky little one into a tubby before running off to fetch the other little lovie at school.
Have a blessed day and may your every minute be transformed into Glory!!

Fondly,
Sandy

Knitting makes friends!

2010-04-19T16:30:00.005-04:00

I was out today waiting for my little one Emma at her gymnastics class and thought to grab my knitting bag before I left the house. As I sat there I began pulling out my project (still working on emma's blanket). The mom who was sitting in front of me said "oh, great I won't be alone", referring to her knitting. I smiled and laughed a little. She explained that most of her friends seem to find it funny that someone like her an "engineer" turned stay at home mom would knit. Having had the same experience myself I completely understood.

Kim, said she often found herself while not shy, not very outspoken in a new surrounding but with her knitting she felt comfortable and it seemed that by accident more and more people wanted to chat with her about her knitting!

While we chatted and knitted we found we lived in the same town not far from each other and had many other things in common! She asked for my email and hoped to come and join my knitting group on a Tuesday night out at Springfield. I hope she can make it!

So for all those folks who think that only grannies knit, here you have it! Lots of people are curious about this wonderful hobby (or addiction really) but are just too silly to say so! Besides I hope that one day I am one of those grannies who knits and crochets for all her little lovies. What better reflection of love than to hear "my grandma made this for me and I love it!"

I am so glad that our Lord has placed this hobby in my hands that I may continue to make all sorts of new friends and share much more than knitting but the wonderful gifts of motherhood as well.

Fondly,
Sandy

2010-04-19T09:41:00.007-04:00

How excited was I to have my husband buy for me a spinning wheel, a Kromski Prelude to be exact!! It is lovely! A single drive, 18" wheel. Of course now begins the task of learning how to spin! I do get myself into some tight corners...but hey how else will we ever learn something new? My thought process is, if I waited until I had time actual time with no children in need of my constant attention, or a house in constant need of dusting, mopping, straightening and the such! When I don't have a schedule to keep, I'd never ever learn anything new!

So here I am, six months after learning to knit, attempting to cross the great divide of purchased fiber and hand spun fiber! It is a bit of a daunting task, but as I sit here and look at my Kromski, a small smile begins to form and I can't wait for all the sleepless nights learning this new craft of handspinning! Once the little ones are all tucked in and daddy too I will practice my treadling (no easy skill either) until it is second nature! Then I shall move on to actually spinning wool. I will post pictures of this process as it comes along.

My new profile picture show St. Elizabeth of Hungry spinning wool for garments for the poor! funny little coincidence is that last Halloween, my littlest one went trick or treating dressed at Saint Elizabeth of Hungry! Maybe God's little whispers?

Wish me luck and keep me in your prayers as I will you and yours.

Fondly

Spinning Mommy!

2010-04-05T23:01:00.004-04:00

Ahhh....the sweet warm breezes of spring. It felt so good to take my girls to the ice cream shop and then to the park (one with no swings or contraptions just grass). They ran and ran and ran till their hearts content. And I watched and watched and then ran after them. Their cheeks were flushed and they breathed heavy as they said "mommy this is the greatest day"! I had second thoughts about going out today. Its been a week of Easter break, house guests, traveling to see family for Easter, three days of attending Mass, it would have been much easier to say lets clean up the house. But I am glad I thought otherwise.

It is late now, and my husband and oldest are peacefully sleeping. But I sit here and keep watch on the baby monitor as our youngest (2yrs 2mths) tries to fall asleep for the first time in her toddler bed. The doctor said it was time. My husband reluctantly dragged the bed down from the attic and we set it all up. Its hard to see our little one grow up. I love how smart she is, how she speaks so well and is potty trained, but some how the crib was my safety zone! While she still slept in a crib she was our baby and I liked it. But we have to practice letting them go I guess. Have faith and let them fly. Well, more like let them get out of bed twelve times before they finally fall asleep!

Some exciting news for me is that my sweet husband bought me a spinning wheel!! A Kromski Prelude. And she is a beauty. I will begin taking classes as soon as the shop in Lansdale lets me know their schedule. I can't wait to actually spin yarn for myself and then create warm little do dads for my lovies. The possibilities are endless. I have also found some wonderful ladies online from out in Erie, PA who are so willing to offer their help and guidance. Check out one of the blogs "fiber Storm" its wonderful and very inspiring.

Meanwhile I keep working on Emma's (our five year old) new little blanket. Its a lovely bright blue wool she picked herself. A simple pattern nothing fancy. It has been a real learning ground for me. As I just recently learned to knit even patterns that are called "easy" can be a bit challenging for with a couple little ones running around, needless to say concentration is hard to come by. But I find that even as I make mistakes I continue to learn something new each time. Its been three weeks so far and the pattern said it should take 8 hours to complete! LOL they never took me into account! But that's ok, I am having fun learning and creating as I go.

Emma's Violin Lesson

2010-03-21T09:38:00.003-04:00

This was taken during her group violin lesson right before Christmas break. How serious she looks!!

Happy Easter

2010-03-21T09:13:00.005-04:00

Sorry it has been so long since the last post! But I am sure you all know that "life" happens.
My 4 year old started pre-k in September and boy was that an adjustment for me...not for her! She took to it like a fish in water. As shy as she is she just seemed to slip right in to the crowd quietly and came home that first week and announced she had a new friend! Emma only attends school three days a week, half days. I guess I wasn't ready to give her up full time just yet! There will be plenty of time for that in September.

Our little one Abigale is 2 years old and blonder than ever. So funny how she looks totally like her daddy while Emma is a carbon copy of meeeee! She has an amazing vocabulary already and four or five word "make sense" sentences are nothing new to this little cutie! OK so yes I am gushing about my babies!!! What kind of mommy would I be otherwise??

Hubby and I have kept busy with our farm upstate New York. Trying to fix it up and remodel as time and money permit. The Fingerlakes region of New York where the farm is located, is a place worthy of visiting for vacations or simply to get a way for a while. We certainly feel that we have been blessed with a preview of heaven each time we awaken and look out the window coffee cup in hand and take in all the tranquil beauty that surrounds us!

We take the 4 hour drive up probably more than we should but we just can't help ourselves. Just got back last night after a two night stint. Got a head start on canning some strawberry jam (yes I know they are out of season but I got them on sale). OK, so I just wanted to be canning already! The jam came out soooooooo yummmmmmy!

With Easter on the way we won't be returning to the farm until after the holiday. Must take time to prepare the house and the girls for the blessed holy week. We'll be spending Easter in Bradley Beach NJ with my brother. We will be attending Easter Vigil Mass at Ascension Church and going out to eat with my husbands parents and our girls. They will host an egg hunt on Easter Sunday.

Well, this was just a bit of a catch up and I promise to update more often with way more fun things about life on the farm and life in general!!

God Bless you and yours this most Blessed Easter season!!

Sandy

Grow Wheat in your own backyard!

2009-09-05T21:26:00.009-04:00

So, we all love bread and some of us really love making our own from scratch. The it occurred to me, why not grow our own wheat? Then something else occurred to me...that would be crazy! You would need a huge field, a tractor and have some sort of experience growing grain...right?? Wrong!

I have just discovered that more and more people across our country are learning that they can grow their own healthy grains right in their backyard garden! All you really need is a sunny plot of land, say 10 x 10 ft., some decent soil, organic seeds and a little work; no more than planting your average vegetable garden. Perhaps I made the whole procedure a little simple but truly it is pretty basic. Planting a plot approximately 10 feet by 10 feet will, when all is said and done, yield between 10 and 25 loaves of bread. How AWESOME would that be?!

In the United States two varieties are grown, white and red. Red wheat is more common. Red wheat also produces bread with a much more intense flavor. Consider the advantages of growing winter wheat as opposed to spring variety.

In many parts of the country you can plant your winter wheat up until early November. Check your area agricultural extension department before planting late in the season to be sure.

While I know we could plant a much larger area, this will be our first attempt at growing our own grains and wanted a small area that would be easily hand seeded and hand harvested.

Once the grain is harvested (if it grows) I plan to purchase a Wonder Mill grain mill to turn our beautiful wheat berries into healthy organic whole wheat flour!! Imagine that first loaf of bread made from our very own grains!!! I am too excited for words!

I will keep you posted as our little experiment developes! A great resourse is a book I found by Gene Logsdon, Small-Scale Grain Raising.

Blessings from the Pantry

Surprise Blessings

2009-02-20T12:26:00.004-05:00

My oldest daughter attends The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd every Friday for two hours. It is such a wonderful experience for her. It is a place for quiet appreciation of the Lord even for 3 yr olds. It is based on the Montessori method and the children learn about the sacraments and prayer and so much more. What I didn't expect was the blessings that I would receive from the moms that I share those simple two hours with.

I have a few very good and special friends from different eras of my life and I love and treasure their friendships with all my heart. But ever since Emma has been attending Good Shepherd school as she calls it I have so enjoyed the friendships I have made there. I read somewhere once and have since tried to put into my every day the following phrase "Be a blessing to someone every day". That is what these women have been to me and I hadn't even noticed. Until I realized that every Friday when I come home I feel so relaxed so full of the holy spirit. And I believe that it is due to the special fellowship I share with these wonderful ladies. They are wives and mothers just like me. They struggle to balance home, family and faith, keeping our Lord Jesus Christ in the center of our home and lives. We all want what is best for our families and each have our own ways of trying to make that happen.

Each Friday we sit there with babies crawling, nursing, fussing, climbing and we share our thoughts and concerns about our world today and how it will affect our little ones. We talk about books, websites, retreats, homeschooling, faith and most of all our babies and our love for them. They may never know how special they are becoming to me and how much I enjoy our time together. They are all such good mommies. When this year is over come June, it is my prayer that we continue to nurture these friendships and continue to grow and learn with each other.

Every one of these moms have their opinions and wonderful ideas that we all may take home with us and use for our own families or tinker a bit and make them work for us in another way. But the point is we share without inhibition or judgement.

As mothers on this journey of faith and love our Lord does always provide little blessings along the way to make this sometimes difficult job, this important work that we do in his name, a little easier. I never dreamed how special these two little hours would become to me and how I would find blessings where I'd least expect them.

Many Blessings From the Pantry,

Sandy

Thought For The Day

2009-02-13T13:37:00.004-05:00

As we head into a lovely Valentine's Day weekend I wish to send you all much love and peace. I know that attempting to plan a night out with our husbands can seem daunting given all the logistics that sometimes weigh us down. But our homes, our families need for mommy and daddy to have that special time alone to connect with that love that brought them together in the first place. Spend a little extra and get that baby sitter, beg a relative to watch the kids or if that all seems too much, plan a bath and bed time a little earlier and once everyone is down surprise your husband with a candlelit dinner for two in the dinning room or even the kitchen will do. Just so that it is special just for you two.

The extra effort will be sooooo worth it. Just sit and talk and look into each other's eyes...ahhh the butterflies are fluttering just like that first date. It can happen if you put your mind to it.

I'll leave you with a little thought for the day just because I just read it and it stuck to me and feel the need to share.

"When the Prince of Peace rules in our hearts, he reigns in our homes."

Many Blessings from the Pantry.

Sandy

Helping The Needy

2009-02-09T18:28:00.008-05:00

1 John 3:18 Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions.

After having read much lately regarding Blessed Mother Teresa I felt a sudden flutter within me. The Holy Spirit was working his magic casting his grace upon me. Fortunately I perked up an inner ear and listened. Maybe it was because it was February and love is filing the air, I'm not sure but love certainly played a part.

I came upon an advertisement on Facebook for a group called Philly Women Who Give, my curiosity took me further. I looked at their up coming events and found out that Sunday (Feb. 8Th) they needed volunteers to help make Valentine's and center pieces and other crafts for the children and families of Ronald McDonald's House. I signed right up. I even recruited my friend and fellow mommy, Kelly from New Jersey who drove down to join me. I can't tell you the blessings that were bestowed upon me, I felt so good when we were all finished.

I have often wanted to donate my time and talents (not that I have many lol), to help those in need or less fortunate, but some how it never happens. I seem to always miss the boat. Well, this time by the Lord's grace to be certain, I knew that I could not say no to such a small request of my time and effort. It was not enough anymore to say 'I feel for those people, but I can't help them right now'. No, that was just not going to do anymore.

I know that it is difficult to find the time to give of yourself to others when you do that every day for your family. Sometimes we feel as if there isn't much of us left to give. But through the Lord's grace if we truly desire to help and love those who suffer in this world in some small yet special way, he will provide. Just like he did for me this past weekend.

Giving does begin in the heart of our homes, loving and caring for the well being of our family daily. That is the beginning of loving our neighbor, but we must take that love that overflows in our homes and take it to the world outside of us. That is the only way that God's love can continue to spread from heart to heart.

This organization that I found is wonderful because they host a different charity each month. As a member we are not obligated to participate each month, only when you can. You can give of your time or money. Time certainly is most valuable and needed. For me it is a perfect way to give back to my community, to help the needy, something that the Lord himself calls us to do. It is our duty to answer that call from above. Let us find ways, little ways, but let us do for others, out of pure love.

Remember, a casserole for an elderly neighbor, dropping unused clothing in the collection bins,offering to cook or serve at a soup kitchen your parish may sponsor, offering to take out your neighbors trash, or even just bringing their trash can from the street. All these are acts of love toward each other. All of these help those in need and help to keep us humble. And if our children see this model of humble service they too will continue to live as you have lived.

You don't have to join a group or organization, although that is great too, just start anywhere, because somewhere there is someone in need of your helping hand....it may even be Jesus himself.

Many Blessings From The Pantry,

Sandy

Planning - Save Time and Money

2009-02-04T07:54:00.008-05:00

Hard times are upon us and our country as a whole. But, 'The Lord shall provide' and in his infinite wisdom he gave us the ability to care for our families in creative, money saving ways. We need only to - in the words of Winnie the Pooh "think, think,think. In the following posts I will share with you some of my own thoughts on how you can make healthy, filling meals each night of the week with out breaking the bank or taking too much time out of your already crazy days.

The key is a little planning.

For starters always try to keep your pantry and by your pantry I also mean your freezer and fridge stocked with the basics. Once you have established what the basics are in your household make a list that you can keep on your fridge or in your daily planner and check off items as they become depleted. (I am working on a pantry check list and turning it into a pdf. file that you will be able to download to help you get started so check back).

Next - In your daily travels go through your mail circulars and pull out the coupons or advertisements that pertain to your list keep them with your list in an envelope or some sort of organizer. By keeping them together in the same place it minimizes the times you have cut your coupons and then forget to bring them with you.

Do price comparisons. We have been brain washed into thinking that membership clubs (BJ's, Costco etc. are always the more inexpensive way to go...not always so. Some things are definitely worth purchasing in bulk (flour, oil, coffee, paper products) other items are not. It is worth your time (and your responsibility to do some research) and will save you alto of money.

Menu planning is another great way to organize your time and use your pantry goods to the fullest. Some ladies prefer a monthly menu but four our family that doesn't work as we travel often or other things come up and dinner will be out. I prefer a weekly menu plan. Do what bests suits your family. Always allow room for flexibility and changes of plans.

Keep recipe's handy in a book for the easy 'grab and cook'.

Use a crockpot (slow cooker) can save you an amazing amount of time and truly helps you use everything in your fridge so that nothing goes to waste!

If your schedule allows, start making some other staple items from scratch (it really save time in the end and money oh....and its healthier too) - bread, pizza crust, pie crusts etc.

Defrost dinner first thing in the morning (that way the decision is already made for you).

This is a little food for thought to help you perhaps organize and spend your time and money wisely. As the Proverbs 31 woman would have done.

It is part of our call as wives and mothers to make our home a peaceful haven for our children to grow and feel safe in and for our husbands to feel welcomed and stress free. By planning most things like menus and shopping we cut out that free falling feeling that hits many of us at around 3:30pm ahhhh....what's for dinner???? Our anxiety is ultimately passed on to our children and our husbands.

The bible also calls us to be hospitable...by planning our meals and having them ready (on most days) we are always ready to feed anyone be it family or friend who happens by without worry.

Planning should not be chore but a special challenge done out of love and respect for our families and the Lord himself.

Feel free to email me any other additions or suggestions as I love to learn a new trick or two to better use my time so that I have more of it for my family.

Blessings from the pantry,

Sandy

Making Snow Angel Memories

2009-02-03T14:36:00.008-05:00

Well, its not much but we have about 4 inches of snow on the ground and about 4 more coming. I always love to see the blanket of pure white snow on the ground and trees. What a winter wonderland it is. And as we know our little ones can't wait to race to the window each morning and see if the Lord has answered their little prayers.
Nothing beats 3 1/2 year old Emma's sparkling eyes when she races to my bedside (way toooo early) and says mommy mommy God made it snow!! That means I can play with my sled right?
Who can say no? Not me that's for sure.

So we put on the long John's (or Jane's), a pair of sweat pants, a sweat shirt, heavy socks, snow pants, snow jacket, gloves, hat, scarf and snow boots topped with a kiss on the minimal skin available and off they go into the great puffy world of fresh snow!!! They frolic and play, barely make a a snow angel when you hear the knock (or bang) at the door quickly followed by "MOMMY!!! I gotta use the potty!!!" So, we take the boots off, take the snow pants down and the sweat pants then the long john's then the under pants and then put them allllll back on them and off they go again.

You watch from the kitchen window as you feed the baby and breathe in a contented sigh and thank God for your little ones. Except now you realize they have been out there for a half hour and the temp is now below freezing. Oh dear, they have to come in before they get sick (again).
So you beg them in and peel away all those layers yet again and make them nice and comfy on the couch with some hot cocoa.

It all goes sooo fast and lasts but a sweet short time. Let us enjoy it! Let us savor every precious moment with our fun loving little ones with joy in our hearts. And when you are tired and putting on all those clothes only to take them off again and again makes you want to put off your child for another day think of the blessing we have been given. Think of how that short little frolic is a memory of snow angels they will carry with them forever. Offer it up to the Lord and let them play.

Gifted and Graced Biblical Wisdom for the Homemaker's Heart

2009-01-31T14:30:00.006-05:00

In my last post I talked about Proverbs 31 and all the many possibilities it had to offer us as homemakers, mothers and wives. I was so excited to really delve into the wonder of that scripture and its meaning in my life. I began researching it online to see what other women had found within its word. What I found and happily so was a series of books, bible studies by Kimberly Hahn wife of the famed converted apologist, Scott Hahn. I ordered the book Gifted and Graced: Biblical Wisdom for the Homemaker's Heart and it should arrive on Thursday February 4th. I can hardly wait. I am going to be like a child on Christmas morning (almost like when I received my new BOSCH Mixer to make bread..OK so I'm a little quirky).
As I begin to read it and study her suggestions I will post back here and fill you all in on what insights it holds for us homemaker's.

Till then...many blessings to you all!

Sandy

Proverbs 31

2009-01-30T11:38:00.004-05:00

Below is described in Proverbs 31 a woman, the heart of her family to be certain. She is both hardworking and faithful in all she does. Let us attempt to study line by line and see if we can find similarities in our own lives today or ways that we can better our selves through this scripture.

10 When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.
11 Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.
12 1 She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13 She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands.
14 2 Like merchant ships, she secures her provisions from afar.
15 She rises while it is still night, and distributes food to her household.
16 She picks out a field to purchase; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard
17 She is girt about with strength, and sturdy are her arms.
18 3 She enjoys the success of her dealings; at night her lamp is undimmed.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle.
20 She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy.
21 She fears not the snow for her household; all her charges are doubly clothed.
22 She makes her own coverlets; fine linen and purple are her clothing.
23 Her husband is prominent at the city gates as he sits with the elders of the land.
24 She makes garments and sells them, and stocks the merchants with belts.
25 4 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come.
26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, and on her tongue is kindly counsel.
27 She watches the conduct of her household, and eats not her food in idleness.
28 Her children rise up and praise her; her husband, too, extols her:
29 "Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all."
30 5 Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

A Wife's Daily Offering Up To The Lord

2009-01-28T21:44:00.007-05:00

I've been pondering much as of late, what my role as a Catholic wife should be. I began to pray and ask the Lord to make clear in my heart how to be a better wife to my husband and a better mother to my children. There had to be more to holy matrimony I thought, than the mundane daily routine of washing clothes, washing babies and keeping house. But as with anything and everything in this world, that which is done simply for the sake of doing with no inclusion of the Lord is an empty hollow act. And then it hit me. Our daily home keeping is in fact holy if we allow it to be. If we include Jesus in every one of those tasks. Our merciful Lord has given us our vocation we accepted and with it those daily things which yes, even laundry are our opportunities to become saints within our vocation of wife.

Now, don't get me wrong. I don't think that doing dishes will get us canonized but if we offer them up to the Lord each day and do them out of pure love and dedication first to Him who gave his life for us and then to our beloved spouse, we can find the silver lining of holiness within them.

This goes for our dear husbands too. In his duties of taking out the garbage, painting, tinkering and even giving the kids a bath (all though that's more fun than dishes), he too has the opportunity to offer them up to the Lord and in doing so he/we not only do what our vocation calls us to do (among many many other things) but we do them out of love and selflessness not mere duty.

So basically what I am trying to say is that we need to open our hearts to Jesus, not just in the big things in life, the hard challenges but also in the smallest of things. For he wants to be in all things we do. To comfort, love, encourage, even share a laugh or two with us. If we include him daily in the simplest of things we can't help but gain a better perspective on how he will always be with us especially in the more difficult of times. And ultimately our marriage can't help but be blessed with so much thought and prayer being given to our Lord.

With this in mind I have begun to say a prayer before each chore or task I set out to do. Even washing diapers has become more of a joy because I offer it up to the Lord and I know that I am not alone in that laundry room. He is with me there and every where. I do get tired as we all will and since we are not perfect even a prayer to Jesus may not always make the floor scrubbing fun. But if we begin to make this offering a habit each day then eventually it will become second nature.

So let us remember that being the Keepers of our home is a vocation that the Lord has called us to accept and that our "yes" like Mary's yes didn't end with her "I will" or our "I do". We must continue to say "yes Lord" and in doing so our daily home keeping is an act of love that can be holy if we strive for it to be so.

Our Daily Bread

2009-01-26T14:26:00.006-05:00

When I sat thinking of ways to make my home life more simple and more healthy for my family I couldn't help but think of the Lord's Prayer. Jesus gave us his commandments so that we may have order in our lives. That we may live a life pure and simple filled with His traditions that would serve to give glory to His name. His word gives us health of mind, body, and spirit, unprocessed and filling. So I thought about every word in the Lord's Prayer.
What could be more pure and unprocessed more filling and healthy than making and baking our Daily Bread?? Though you may not see the depth of it, "how can baking bread bring you closer to God?". But for me it does.

I decided to begin making and baking our own fresh bread to meet our family's needs on a daily basis. My daughter Emma has begun making it with me. She asks me, "is it bread baking day mommy?" and she just smiles when I say it is.
We pray the Lords Prayer as we begin to prepare our dough. She has also learned the basics of what constitutes dough (water and flour). She makes some of her own concoctions and boy can that get messy. But is cleans up pretty easily.
Now you might think how would you have time to bake your own bread with everything else you have to do...well, I don't knead my dough in the traditional way, we use the BOSCH Mixer and it takes only minutes as apposed to 45 minutes by hand. It is super fast and super easy!
The BOSCH is 800 watts and can hold up to 15lbs of dough. So we can make up to 6 loaves of our Daily Bread at one time. We freeze the rest and use it as the need arises.

Below is the recipe for Basic Bread:

Place these ingredients in your mixer equipped with a dough hook. If you do not have a BOSCH Mixer cut the recipe in half.

5 cups Very warm water (110-120 degrees)
2/3 cup sugar (I use derma (unprocessed sugar found in most super markets)
1/2 cup Butter, melted
3/4 cup Oil (vegetable or safflower)
2/3 cup Dry milk powder
3 cups Whole Wheat flour (King Arthur is great)
1 1/2 Tbsp. sea salt
4 Tbsp. Yeast ( I use SAF )

More unbleached all purpose flour will be used a little later on.
Mix on a medium speed until combined. Then add more unbleached all purpose flour, 1 cup at a time while the mixer is going, until the sides begin to clean from the sides of the bowl. Watch closely to get just enough flour for a soft workable dough. Too much flour will result in a heavy, tough dough. On medium speed Knead dough for 6 minutes. Let dough "rest" in mixer for 45 minutes. (Good time to clean up or change a diaper or feed a baby).
Turn mixer on momentarily to deflate dough after "rest" time has elapsed. Turn dough out on to a clean oiled surface and form loaves. *if you have a scale weigh your dough for an 8in pan you need your dough to weigh about 1 lb. and 8 oz or for larger slices 1lb. 10oz.
With kitchen shears, cut a large x or two small ones about 1 inch deep on top of the dough in the pan. This helps any trapped air escape.
Let rise for 35 minutes in a cool dark place with a kitchen towel over the pans until double their size.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand in pans for 10 minutes after removing from the oven. Remove from pans carefully and cool on wire racks. Cool completely before slicing.
Yield:4-5 (8in) loaves.

***I like to save some dough about one pound worth and shape into dinner rolls. They cook a little less time than the bread just check them. Kids love them hot out of the oven. I just heat them up and serve them the same day with super.***

Baking is not only fun for my daughter and me but it is very rewarding. It can also save you money when you see the prices of bread these days. Plus I bet you'll get your kids to eat whole wheat bread a lot easier if they not only make it themselves but it tastes better made at home with no chemicals and with lots of Godly Love!!!!

Happy Baking!
Feel free to contact me with any questions.

The above recipe was taken from the Bread Basket Cookbook by Martha Greene!!!

Motherly Love

2009-01-26T00:37:00.004-05:00

Ok, so its easy to say we love our babies. But only the Lord and other mommy's know what its like to show that love after 5 hours of a crying baby.

My little Abigale is not quite a year old and has her first cold. The poor little thing is stuffed up and coughing. My mom and I just spent the last 3 hours holding, cuddling and soothing an inconsolable baby girl. This is the second night like this. I was ready to pull my hair out. I prayed to God and asked for the intercession of the Blessed Mother to sooth my little ones brow, out of desperation for her and for me. And thankfully she fell off to sleep. Don't know how long it will last...I'd better get myself to bed too. Thankfully with my motherly love in tact.

Sandy

Keeper's of our home

2009-01-25T20:59:00.000-05:00

For so long I have wanted to set up my own blog and chat with other women who feel as I do, that enjoy caring for their families and cherish the the opportunity to be the keepers of our home. Some like me, are stay at home moms and work from home and all that it entails, while still others do that and work outside of the home. We can all agree that neither is easy but all is a blessing, each in its own way.
I know that for me it is the vocation that I accepted when I married my wonderful husband George and we decided that it would be best for our children if I stayed home with them until they entered school. And since the Lord has enabled us to do so, here I am. At times I do get lost in the day to day struggle of just keeping toys off the floor and dinner on the table on time. But if I give in to the overwhelming feeling that threatens to envelope me I'd be lost and life would not be very enjoyable. I pray very often for patience and focus. "One thing at a time" I say to myself when it seems that our three year old wants my attention, the laundry needs folding, dinner hasn't been defrosted and the baby needs changing! Yikes what to do. I'll tell you...I sit down with Emma and read her the book she's brought me, change the baby and ask God to help me with the rest. And presto...it works.
I would love a chance to share ideas with you all about what you do to make this beautiful God given vocation a blessing for you and those you love.

In my next post I will talk about the ways I like to bring simplicity, tradition, fun, order and above all God into my daily workings.