Category Archives: Weekends

of autumn [weekend links]

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Every time I turn around I see a link for a homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte. So I gave in and tried it (peer pressure, you know) and now I’m addicted. Had to go buy an extra pumpkin and I’m just waiting for the cream to settle on the top of the quart of milk that I pulled from the tank so I can make truly real whipped cream.

I love caramel apples. I hate trying to eat them. But, oh, are they not the prettiest *fall* thing in the world? So grab some twigs, a few apples and whip up this recipe for caramel that will make your mouth water.

Does fall weather make you want to bake? Me too. So I whipped these up yesterday for the men here working. They ate two each, complaining the whole time about me making them gain weight. I told them it’s good to pack on a few pounds for winter- it’ll keep them warm. They all rolled their eyes at me but kept eating…

We still have a month before November {the Thanksgiving month} so there is plenty of time to get ready and make the holiday season lovely. I’m debating between a simple board like this one or a special thanksgiving tree… The boys will love either so it all depends on what space I have available around the house.

There will be many other fun things to do before snow flies. Photo shoots, pressing leaves, creating a candy turkey or two, and painting lace patterns onto pumpkins.

We love to visit the cider mill every year for apple cider slushies and fresh, still-hot apple cider donuts.  We always go look at the waterfall behind the mill and get a few photos on the deck. This photo is from the year I got married. I had a special trip to the mill with all my bridesmaids {I’m right in the middle holding one of the twins.} Since then there have been four more children added to the pack!

What about you? Do you have a special *fall* tradition?

Close Your Eyes {And See}

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(Today for something different, I thought that I’d join in with the community at thegypsymama.com for  five-minute fridays. She gives a prompt word and bloggers write for five-minutes straight, without editing, whatever comes to mind.  It gives a chance to practice writing, loosen up perfectionism and catch a glimpse into the hearts and minds of the writers- unedited. So, join me today? The prompt word: see.) 

I can hear, today, the whisper that has glanced over my life since the day I surrendered. The call of a God who says:

“now you see through a glass dimly but the day will come…”

The One who opened the eyes of the servant with Elisha in the Old Testament and allowed him to see the legions of heavenly soldiers standing guard over the city. The One who opened the eyes of the blind and freed those trapped in bondage.

This God, this love of mine, who rescued me, spoke into my life and whispers {even now} into my frustrations and fears: Tasha, oh, beloved daughter, close your eyes. Close your eyes and see. See my plans. See my heart. See my love. See that I am in control. Not your circumstances. Not your finances. Not your fears. Me. The Creator and Redeemer of the world.

And I am humbled. My knees tremble and I bow low. A child of dust who hears the voice of God.

Forever grateful for the death of a king that broke the hold of the enemy and tore the curtain in the temple so that I, a lowly sinner, can hear Him personally. And through His voice, the earthly-scales can be ripped free from my eyes and I can learn to see what is real. 

For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [ by God]. I Corinthians 13:12 AMP

for more five-minute friday posts go here. 
my favorite of those I read? This one.

weekend {5/4}

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{something for your devotional time}

This week has been a zinger on the home front. Most days I’ve had at least five kids. Yesterday it crept up to eight. I felt, very personally, the struggle that moms speak of when trying to find devotional time.

So, yesterday, I tried something different! We all did devotions together. Then picked a favorite verse. I happened to have some poster board and sticky letters so we wrote out the verse and then, while they were coloring, I took time to pray and read a bit more!

Here was the outcome! (missing the two babies who were standing in the doorway behind me.)

{something from the kitchen} 

I’ve been a bit boring in the kitchen. Veggie-noodles and chicken with salad most days. Last night my husband pulled out a few packages of venison. (side note: to get the gamey taste out of wild meat, cook it in apple cider vinegar. works wonders!)

But today, oh, today, I have grand plans! I want to start a couple kinds of sauerkraut! Inspired by my friend, Trina’s posts, I’m hoping to have the kids help me shred carrots and cabbage. (And this Mexican kind? I think I will just have to try!)

{something from the craft room}

The kids and I wrote a book. Yes, a book! It was such a blast! I haven’t bound it yet but it was done Tuesday and everyday since they ask, “Pallleeezzzee, can we read the pocketknife book? Paaallleeezzeee, Tasha?!”

Just some card stock that we covered with contact paper and it makes them oh, so happy! 

{something to make you think}

Yesterday was National Day of Prayer. My goal for this period of my life is to be more intentional about my prayer life. I made a Prayer List (just chalkboard paper in a cheap little frame) and was very encouraged by this post on finding time to pray right in the midst. 

{something to make you laugh}

for all you Anne of Green Gables lovers out there… 

{something from the bookshelf}

This week I reviewed the book God Loves Broken People (and those who pretend they’re not) if you haven’t read the review, I encourage to jump on over and enter the giveaway as well! 

weekend {4/13}

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{something for your devotional time} 

Have you spent time in worship this week? It’s so easy for me to just blaze through life without stopping. I looked at my guitar at one point and felt sorrow down to my bones that I hadn’t opened it and paused to sing to Him in ages. Let’s worship this coming week? Perhaps starting with this song?

{something from the kitchen}

It has been years since I’ve made it but this week I baked a few loaves of Amish Friendship Bread. Since I don’t eat instant pudding, I just added a bit more sugar and flour to make up for it. Very yummy and a fun tradition.

{something from the craft room}

New storage boxes!

{something to make you think}

What is truth? What are opinions? How do the two connect? In this post, Hold the Truth Tightly and Your Opinions Lightly, we’re reminded of a few good facts.

A friend sent me to this post on dating a few weeks ago. Yes, I’m married. But this is something that every woman should read and act on. 

{something just for fun}

A parable?  A laugh?

weekend {easter edition}

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{a few little things to remember}

The “Nonsense” of the Risen Christ

Excavating Resurrection

{a few little things to do with the eggs}

1) Color them, because it’s pretty.

2) Eggshell candles? So cute. 

3) Make your own Resurrection eggs. 

4. Eggshell flowerpots. 

{a pretty little printable for the weekend}

He is Risen printable

weekend {3/30}

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{something for your devotional time}

as we’re coming into the Easter season, lets be thinking about what it is that he’s done for us. Ann Voskamp had a post this week about Passover. Even if you don’t have your own Passover meal, its good to remember why it was that God instructed the Israelite people to follow this particular custom. (Besides, I get so excited about the way Jesus is pictured in the Old Testament!)

{something from the kitchen}

my kitchen was sorely neglected this week. Thankfully, there was a menu made last week and enough pre-made in the freezer that my husband didn’t starve!

{something from the craft room}

It was all photography this week. And this adorable card for my brother and sister-in-law to announce their next wee one.

{something to make you think}

Katie Davis posted this over a month ago but I keep coming back to it… 

{something from the bookshelf}

This has been a month of adding books to my {to read} pile. This post is chock-full of links to books and reviews.  And, if you want, you can link up with a review of your own.

weekend {3/23}

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{something for your devotional time}

I’ve mentioned that this has been a hard week. My devotional time has mostly consisted of me praying and praying. But today I thought, “Hm… I should take time to read something.” You know where I ended up? James chapter one. Verse twelve was like a warm blanket of grace saying, “I am with you. Do not fear.”

{something from the kitchen}

When the sun starts shining and the snow starts melting, I start craving veggies and sprouts. This recipe is a good base for a veggie wrap and the sky is the limit! I just ate one for lunch  that had alfalfa sprouts, spinach, carrots, cucumbers, sandwich steaks and ranch. Delish!

{something from the craft room}

I was so distracted this week that I did not do anything craft wise. Were any of you able to attack your craft table? What did you create?

{something to make you think}

Are you a blogger? My friend, Trina, wrote a guest blog this week at Allume for the {smaller blogger} that is encouraging and motivating. Go check it out!

{something from the bookshelf}

I’ve been finishing up a few books and publishing reviews. To read my review on Spirit Wars by Kris Vallotton go here.  For more reviews, check out the {book reviews} tab at the top of the page!

weekend {3/16}

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{something for your devotional time}

I John 3:20 “This is how we know that we belong to truth… if our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts…”  

A friend challenged me this past week to take note of the times that my heart condemns me (oh, so often for this girl!) and listen carefully to what God would say for God is greater than my heart. Try it?

{something from the kitchen}

Menu planning! Since purchasing a copy of Trina Holden’s Real {Fast} Food  I have been slowly compiling recipes and am hoping to have a menu up and running by next week!

{something from the craft room}

Button trees with the littlest nieces! We had so much fun making these darlings and at 2 and 3 years old the girls could do most of it themselves!

{something to make you think}

The thoughts of one Mother as she teaches her little girl one of the most basic lessons of life… Do not put your hands in the garbage!  And the thoughts of another as she watched her son throw a fit for the very thing she wanted to give him.  (isn’t it amazing how children can help us look closely at ourselves?)

{something to make you laugh}

This had me in stitches and inspired me to write a few of my own adventures from my childhood (which will be creeping into posts over the next few weeks) enjoy!

{something from the bookshelf}

Spirit wars and God Love Broken People (and those who pretend they’re not) are both on my review shelf for this coming week. God has been using them (a lot!) in my life. If you get a chance, pick one up!

Have a blessed weekend!

Natasha

weekend {3/9}

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{something for your devotional time}

I’m always on the lookout for ideas that make prayer/Bible reading more approachable for children. This idea from Passionate Homemaking sounds like a keeper! It could easily be adapted for Bible reading as well.

{something from the kitchen}

With all the little ragamuffins running around my house, I’ve been in need of snack foods for in-between meal times. This list has come in handy!

{something for the craft room}

This week I pulled out another pinterest find. Writing with a sharpie marker on a lamp shade. My dirty, stained white lampshade is now a darling one-of-a-kind testimony of life. Yes, I John is now gracing the lamp beside my bed (and 2 John the lamp in my kitchen!). Next time I think I will use a fine tip marker so I can add a bit more of the swirly-letter feel.

{something to make you think}

Do you have a blog? Are you thinking about starting a blog? This post explains one of the most important aspects of blogging.  For such a time as this. Oh, yes. 

{something from the bookshelf}

March of Books 2012 at ylcf.org

Have you been over to visit YLCF for the March of Books? No? Head right over then! I’ve spent the last week reading reviews and loving the links to free ebooks/audio books. Not to mention, lots of giveaways!

weekend {3/2}

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{something for your devotional time}

Ever had the sin in your heart compared to a rotten egg? Take a minute to be reminded of our great need for Christ.

{something for the kitchen}

I’m not a vegan. Nor do I suggest anyone become one. But there are times that having a cookie recipe that doesn’t require butter or eggs can come in handy… and this one is extremely yummy.

{something for the craft room}

We made these darling bracelets at our retreat last week. The tutorial is simple and easy to follow.

{something to make you think}

On finding balance in tension by Doc Leland. This subject has been on my heart lately… walking the line of truth without falling one way or the other.

{something from the bookshelf}

I’ve been back in some of my old favorites this week.

A Chance to Die by Elisabeth Elliot

Jungle Pilotby Russell Hitt

Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman by Anne Ortlund

{something from me}

I’ve been *almost* sick for the past week. Sore throat and all that jazz. It’s being held off with cups of cayenne tea and gargling with hydrogen peroxide [yes, it works. I use food grade because it makes me feel better but my in-laws use the regular stuff in the brown bottle. They haven't had a sore throat that lasted more than a day in thirty years. It does foam. Just FYI.]

My week has been full of little ones [those who know me understand that this makes me ecstatically happy] and this weekend we get my two smallest nieces so my brother and sister-in-law can take a quick trip to Michigan. So happy. I mean, look at these two. Wouldn’t you want them?

Oh. Wait. They’re fighting there… Let me try again.

There! Now, aren’t they adorable?! *winks*

Have a blessed weekend,

Natasha