PURGE, PURGE, PURGE!

There is nothing like a house full of new stuff to make a mom want to PURGE the house of all UNNECESSARY STUFF!

Starting in my bedroom and working my way through the house today...oh yeah, and I am delegating areas to the kiddos too! :o)

One trash pile, one thrift store pile, one e-bay pile, one BARTERING pile.

Christmas Pictures

Christmas Day

Emma made the place settings.

We had the honor of the King family for the afternoon, with the exception of their husband/dad as he is serving in Iraq.

It was so nice to have some small children around.

I can't wait for grandchildren. You can join us in prayer for Godly mates for our children.

The King Family is who Olivia has been traveling some with this year.

Aren't they ADORABLE?!

Christmas Night

Dirty Dish Duty

The day after Christmas (today) we had the Richards' Family over for supper.

Just as the Richards pulled up Jeff was called out with the fire department to a car accident, and was gone over 3 hours. (I will rant about drunk drivers soon!) Mrs. Richards was home sick. We had a good time visiting and eating the meal of venison that Olivia and Emma prepared. That's my mother in purple.

After Mr. Richards went home the kids decided to stick around and play a LOUD game of Pictionary!

Olivia's Surprise!

Olivia has dreamed and planned for home of her own ever since she was a toddler. She has never doubted God's calling on her as a woman. She has been saving things for her future home for years. This Christmas she was given something to keep her investments in!

Her DAD made and surprised her with her own hope chest.
For ONCE in her life she was speechless! ;o)

Excuse the 'work clothes'. ;o)

Building a HOME

The atmosphere in the home is created not only by the decor, but by the attitude of it's members. The wife's attitude is pivotal. She is the one that sets the tone for the day. She can defuse an potentially explosive situation and comfort hurts. She can sooth anxiety and encourage the downcast.

She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her.

Proverbs 31:26-28

A virtuous woman creates a place of peace, although not always perfection. She is responsible for making the house feel like a home, but with a contentious mindset, a sharp tongue and a discontent spirit she can tear down her house with her own hands.

The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Proverbs 14:1

These are skills that have to be developed and rarely come naturally to a woman. They have to be taught and lived out. They are learned in the everyday life, often failing over and over again as we give into our selfishness. In order to make a house a home, to meet the needs of family members (especially our husbands) and make guest feel welcome, a woman must humbly call on God for wisdom and courage. She must also muster up every bit of self discipline that is in her to reject the lies of the culture and practice giving of herself.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:30-31

Use this Christmas season to go the extra mile to create a HOME with pleasant memories. Shower others with forgiveness and grace.

Evergreen Basket

Use a wet oasis in a basket or what ever you'd like, the more unique the better.

First fill in the lower outer edges with fuller greens.

Fill in open spaces with 2-3 different greens.

Use pine cones, berries, ornaments, twigs...anything to garnish your arrangement.

These are good for ourdoors-entryway arrangements, or anywhere in the house. Be sure to watch the little ones if you are using live berries! If you keep them watered they will last 2-3 weeks.

Front Porch

I love to decorate for Christmas with greens, it is so simple and CHEAP!
These are a few shots from our front porch...excuse the leaves that have not been raked yet.

This is just a vine wreath, all you have to do is stick evergreens in.

Here is a table next to our front door.
The berries came from our yard, and greens from close by.

A few greens over the door.

The arbor, that could use some more greens, yes the yard needs raking.

 

Window Boxes

Interior Decorations

As I said earlier, I LOVE evergreens!

Just scattering a few around your home creates a festive mood!

This is our dining area.

A few greens on the top shelf in the kitchen.

The top of our refrigerator. The black and white picture you cannot see very well is of my great grandmother and her father and sister. My great grandmother came over here on "the boat" from Switzerland when she was a child. She was so funny!

Of all people, Christians should be celebrating the birth of Christ. We need to be enjoying life!

Bread and Butter

I love to make homemade wheat rolls.

Because they are wheat they are more dense than white rolls,
so having some herb butter or sweetened cream cheese on warm rolls is perfect!

Soften some cream cheese in the mixer and add a couple tablespoons of honey.
Yum, heavenly!

Soften REAL butter in mixer, add your favorite herb, dill or rosemary are both great choices.