Because I'm Spring Cleaning!

"Dear Lord Jesus:

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As I go about my housework

Let me see each job I do,

As a service for my King

And a way of loving You.

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Let me wash away my judgments

Of others right or wrong,

As I wash up the dishes

Place within my heart a song.

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As I clean up little fingerprints

And lots of muddy shoes,

May I remember how you cleaned the feet

Of the loved ones you did choose.

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As I mend up torn garments

And sew a button on,

Show me where I need to mend a breech

That's gone on far too long.

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Let me tidy up my thoughts

As I tidy up the toys,

Let me sweep away my fears

Like the dirt from little boys.

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May I be just as quick with my forgiveness

As I am with mop and broom,

Sweeping up the clutter

In my heart and living room.

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May I rinse out pride and ego

As I rinse the bathtub out,

And while we are at it Lord

Let's take care of anger, hate and doubt.

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Please remind me often Lord

That the way I'm called to serve,

Is an honor given me

And not below what I deserve.

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You know Lord, as I look

At all the work we need to do,

I think we'd better house clean

At least each day or two."

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By Melanie Hubbard

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"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father."

Colossians 3:17



(Note: New post in The Pantry!)

Who has seen the wind?

"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it,

but do not know where it comes from and where it is going;

so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

John 3:8

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"Although we don't quite understand it, it illustrates the way one is born of the Spirit. I can't tell you exactly how the Spirit of God operates, but I can surely tell when He is moving in the lives and hearts of His people. "

J. Vernon McGee

Springtime Show & Tell

I am joining Kelli today for Show and Tell. Head on over there to see what others have to show!

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Here is a little 'springtime' decorating I have done. Nothing fancy, just things I have.

Daffy-Down-Dillies from the nearby woods.

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Sweet little chicks...

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greet you in the entryway.

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A little metal Bunny egg holder on Grandma's embroidered tablecloth.

(Oh! I see another bunny in the background sneaking into the picture!)

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A handmade basket ( my first and last attempt!), a Pysanky egg, Avon Bunny, and a couple of Beatrix Potter books.

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Here is a close up of the goose eggs I did a couple of years ago.

(Dremel Drill!)

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More Pasanky eggs.

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Bunnies having carrots.

(Sweet Paula gives directions how to make the carrots.)

Bunnies say "Thank you!"

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And as you leave, outside the door is a little vignette inspired by this

part of Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit.

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Goodbye! Thanks for looking at my Show & Tell!

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"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"

Ecclesiastes 3:1

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(Be sure to check out new posts in The Sewing Room and The Pantry)

Something for you

While looking through some old family photos, I ran across these postcards from the '20's. I thought some of you crafty sorts might like to use them!

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First is an old Easter Card. It had been folded. I did my best to get the crease out. Hope you can use it anyway.~

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Next is a "Rally Day" Sunday School invitation. This was sent to my Mother in 1929.

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This is a sweet little "Cradle Roll Birthday Greeting" sent to my auntie in 1925.
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Enjoy this bit of nostalgia!
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"Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you, and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith."
Hebrews 13:7

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Note: Be sure to visit The Sewing Room and The Pantry for a quick recipe and nifty gift idea!

(click on image at sidebar)

Who? Me?

I have been tagged by Lavinia to tell the entire world of blogland! my "Cleaning Quirk!"

I couldn't think of one! I didn't think I had any. (Miss Ladyslipper should have asked my eldest Farmers Daughter Michele ! Now there's a girl with some cleaning quirks! ;~} I love you, darling!)

I asked the Gentleman Farmer what my cleaning quirk was; he said he would have to think about it ~ there were so many! What? Did he understand what I asked? Does he know what a quirk is? Well, he went to work this morning without giving me an answer, so I called youngest Farmers Daughter Shannon (who lives across the country) and asked her if I had any cleaning quirks. She promptly answered, "Oh, thats easy!" and proceeded to remind me of my little o.c.d. way I load my dishwasher! (Needless to say, that conversation didn't last long!)

Now I don't really think this qualifies as a "quirk".

I like to load the assorted patterns of dishes that I use, in such a way as to have them come out even. For example; one solid green plate and then one herb patterned plate, repeat until all dirty dishes are loaded. Continue in the same manner for bread and butter dishes, saucers and bowls. (Glasses have their proper places, too, but that is another rack!)

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(I am showing images from the internet because their dishes are prettier than mine and my dishwasher isn't full. Didn't want to show dirty dishes! Yuck!!)

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Now, the silverware must be separated into what I like to call 'families'. Each section of the basket must contain equal numbers of knife (Daddy) fork (Mommy) spoon (child). The first family stands upright in the basket and the second family stands on their heads! This makes perfect sense as they don't 'snuggle up to each other' preventing proper cleaning! (I really dislike it when there are odd numbers ~ then I have to create blended families! Not as asthetically pleasing in the basket and doesn't promote maximum cleanability!) I happen to think it is a very practical way make sure all surfaces of items in the dishwasher have maximum exposure to the hot spray of water and detergent! And it looks prettier than just sticking them in any old way! You may be saying, "But who sees them when they are in the closed dishwasher?" Nobody sees them, perhaps, but I know they are there and I want them symetrical!

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(This is NOT the way I load silverware, but it is the best I could come up with for a picture!

At least they are all separated from maixmun exposure! But there are only enough children for half the Mommies and Daddies! :~O )

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So there you have it ~ my 'dirty little secret' cleaning quirk exposed!

Gee! Thanks, Lavinia! ;~}

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"Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there; if I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Thy hand will lead me, and Thy right hand will lay hold of me."

Psalm 139: 7-10

Psalm 100

(Image curtesy Art.com)

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"Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.

Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before Him with joyful singing.

Know that the Lord Himself is God;

It is He who has made us and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving,

And His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him; bless His name.

For the Lord is good;

His lovingkindness is everlasting,

And His faithfulness to all generations."

Happy Spring!

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" He hath made every thing beautiful in his time:"

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Homemade Laundry Soap

I have wanted to make my own Laundry Soap for some time now and finally got around to purchasing all the supplies! I know many people make their own and I am behind in the game, but , hey, it's never too late, right?

I'm sorry, I can't remember where I got this recipe; somewhere in blogland!

This recipe calls for

1 box Borax (4lbs.)

1 box Arm and Hammer Washing Soda (4lbs.)

1 box Arm and Hammer Baking Soda (4lbs.)

3 Bars Fels Naptha (grated)

(I use one grater specifically for soap ~ do not use for food items after.)

A few drops of essential oil of your choice may be used, but I didn't use any because of the fragrance of the Fels Naptha. I didn't want too many. I didn't notice any fragrance after washing and drying~just nice and clean!

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Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight container.

Use 1 Tablespoon for light soil

2-3 Tablespoons for heavy soil or hard water.

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1/2 C. white vinegar makes a good fabric softener (leaves no smell!)

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"Let thy garments be always white."
Ecclesiastes 9:8

The Bread of Life

"I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."

John 6:35

Apron Give~Away Winner!

Gentleman Farmer has chosen a winner for the Apron Give~Away.

Visit The Sewing Room and see who won!

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"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one recieves the prize?

Run in such a way that you may win!"

I Corinthians 9:24

Psalm 118:8

"This is Aslan's doing."

"This is no thaw," said the dwarf, suddenly stopping. "This is Spring. What are we to do? Your winter has been destroyed, I tell you!

This is Aslan's doing."

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(From C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe)

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""For behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the flowers have already appeared in the land; the time has arrived for pruning the vines, and the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land. The fig tree has ripened its figs, and the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance. Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come along!"

Song of Solomon 2:11-13

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(pictures taken on The Farm)

Something New at Lady Farmer Parables!

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Have you noticed anything different here at The Farm? No! Well take a look on my sidebar. Lady Farmer Parables is expanding! (This blog, not me I hope!) We have opened up The Farm for everyone to explore. I say "We" because Dear Farmers' Daughter Michele, will be contributing to some of these also. We will have; favorite recipes in The Pantry; Quips, Quotes and Ponderings on current books we are reading in The Reading Room; Current events in both The Barnyard and The Garden; and of course, current projects taking place in the already introduced Sewing Room.

Most of these places are still "under contruction" but we wanted you to be aware of their arrival. If any one of them piques your interest, please drop by. We hope you will find something to amuse, encourage and delight you by our endeavors.

Again, WELCOME to our little world here at Cove Cottage Farm!

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"Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away;

behold, new things have come."

2 Corinthians 5:17

Ten Tips for Surviving 2009

This is an email I recieved from a friend. It was too good not to share but I did add the coresponding scriptures. This is, after all, Lady Farmer "Parables." :~}

(See my sidebar for a definition of 'parable')

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Ten Tips for 2009

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1. Do not get into trouble

("Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.")

Matthew 6:34

2. Aim for greater heights

("I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.")

Philippians 3:14

3. Stay focused on your job

("Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one recieves the prize?

Run in such a way that you may win.

Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim;")

I Corinthians 9:24,26a

4. Exercise to maintain good health

(My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my saying. Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them,

and health to all their whole body.")

Proverbs 4:20-22

5. Rely on your trusted partner to watch your back

("There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.")

Proverbs 18:24b

6. Practice teamwork

("Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!")

Psalm 133:1

7. Save for Rainy Days

("But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys")

Matthew 6:20a

8. Rest & Relax

("Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.")

Matthew 11:28

9. Always smile when your boss is around

("A joyful heart is good medicine")
Proverbs 17:22a

10. Nothing is impossible

("Nothing is impossible with God.")

Luke 1:37