New Ideas From New Mexico

Anna just sent me the rest of the pictures we took when I was visiting her in New Mexico, 

and I just had to share them, 

so many of them were especially
for you.

So many creative and beautiful ideas-

this first one is Anna's friend Kristin's idea,
on her dining room wall she has made a "Gratitude Tree"  for her family.
 They add leaves that have what they are thankful for written on them.
 Love this!

Anna has another friend who actually owns more books than I do.
(a rare find)
Here were three that really piqued my attention, and are now on my wish list:

Anna took me out to lunch several times.

One day we met up with some of her friends at this quaint place called "The Lunch Box."
  They have some very innovative decorating ideas-

I really do think I will do this tree thing in the boys room, it was pretty awesome.
But no bicycles on the wall for me,
that would surely end up with someone in the hospital.
(chuckle)

Happy Valentines Day to each of you!




Warmly,
Julianne

Betsy Knits

I need to learn to knit. 

 I have a rapidly growing love of all things hand knit, 

especially socks. 

 I tried to convince my daughter to learn to knit, then she could knit socks for me, 

but that hasn't worked so far. 

(chuckling)

 I guess I am just going to have to buckle down and get it figured out. 

 In the meantime, we were blessed by a sweet lady who made socks for us. 

 I had the opportunity to meet this industrious woman, Betsy, 

whom has become a great inspiration to me, and I am sure, to you too after you read this.

 Betsy was in the process of knitting 160 pairs of mittens and hats 

for the under-privileged children of a local grade school!!! 

 Not only that, but she knit hundreds of hats that she sent to Japan after the devastating earthquake that wiped out complete villages, including the one her son was teaching in.  (He survived)

Betsy lovingly knits and knits, then gives all that knitting away. 

 Her generosity is exemplary, 

her industry enormous, 

and her spirit, sweet and gentle. 

 What a godsend she must be now to thousands of recipients of her knitting!  

Betsy reminds me of the Proverbs 31 woman, 

of a woman I would like to be like.

She is a keeper at home, 

yet blessing people all over the world by "working willingly with her hands."

Betsy "reaches forth her hand to the needy," as she mails  home made goodness 

all across the states as she hears of needs.

This is a gracious woman!

Hand knit socks are simply the best.  

But, wearing them has been made even sweeter knowing the kind heart who made them.

And, as I do wear mine nearly everyday, 

I am reminded at the sight of them to make steps towards being kind, 

gracious, industrious and generous 

like the knitter.

Thanks, Betsy, 

for being such a wonderful example, and of course, 

for the fabulous socks!

 I hope telling you about Betsy inspires and encourages you too.

Happy Knitting!

Julianne

Breakfast at the Log Cabin

It has been snowing since I arrived home from Anna's.
We are glad for the snow pack, which means a green summer.
The children are loving hours of sledding and making of snow forts each afternoon.
Meanwhile inside, I am planning yummy things to eat,
a favorite pastime of mine.

My thoughtful daughter Anna bought me the Lodge Cast Iron Cookbook. 

 If you love your cast iron like I do, 

ya'all need this book. 

So far, we have tried three recipes, and they have all been OUTSTANDING.  

This morning, I made the Breakfast Fritata for the family. 

 Anna had made this for me when I was visiting her.  

I knew my family would love it as much as I did, and sure enough, Jim said,

"MMM can we have this EVERYDAY for breakfast?!"

Sausage, spinach (they didn't even notice or fuss), eggs, milk, feta, diced tomatoes, salt and pepper.

Very simple. 

 The ingredients are common for us, so I had them all on hand.  

Little cleanup since it is a one dish meal, love that, 

and all the children ate it happily. 

 Really, really love that!

For the actual recipe, you'll need to get that book. :-)

Happy cooking to you!

Julianne

Promoting Sibling Kindness with a Mailbox

Honestly, I have not had the greatest success in encouraging my children to be best friends; 

even though "Be kind and loving to each other" is without a doubt the most quoted phrase 

of any in our house.

 I am, therefore, always on the lookout for new ways to promote loving kindness within the family.  

I do have a new idea, 

and I am excited about it. 

 I am not sure what, if any, the results may be, but we are going to try it.

  

Today is the first day of February, a good day to begin, 

as my desire is to display love to one another in a variety of ways throughout the month, 

not just on Valentines day.  

The big idea is a Lovingkindess Mailbox.

It all started when I was looking up fun stuff to make with cardboard on Pinterest.  

There I saw a cardboard mailbox, and bam!  The whole idea struck me.

Yesterday, the younger children made us a mailbox. 

 I wrapped it in paper to help improve the looks. 

 (chuckle)

Next to the mailbox is a stack of 3 x 5 cards and a bunch of Valentines stickers.

Here are the rules:

1. Each day, everyone in the family must write a nice note to one family member and stick it in the mailbox.

2. You must write every person  in the family before you repeat a note to a person.

3.  Mail will be handed out every day at dinner.

The children were enthusiastic about getting started., and 

I am interested to see how things turn out at dinner tonight!

Please ,do tell, what do you find helpful to promote kindness in your family?

Awaiting your ideas,

Julianne