Sweete Felicity

It's Okay to Blog!

2012-01-31T08:06:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Good morning to you! Do you feel guilty taking time out of your day to blog, or to read others' blogs? Most of us, especially women, feel like we are neglecting our family if we are not constantly doing housework or schoolwork, or serving others some way. We run and run, day after day, ignoring the cries of the little child inside us that craves expression.

In our humble experience, blogging has been a great way to put thoughts onto paper (so to speak), and to keep track of what is happening with my family. It is an especial blessing when pens and pencils seem to disappear from our desk, where our real journal is! We use our Facebook for recording all the funny things the children say and do, and what is happening around the house; things that would be lost if we waited to write them down. We then go back periodically and print out everything, and keep it in a binder.

Obviously, there must be moderation in all things, and we must do our duties first, but taking a little time to share with others the things that you love can be a healing and transformational process. Besides, sometimes one's family just isn't as excited about our latest thrift store treasures as much as our friends may be! And what fun to see what others are doing, to help us to see that we are not alone in our endeavors to make this world a more beautiful place.

I hope that this might encourage you to feel less sinful/slothful/neglectful if you have a blog, and delight in using it. You never know who will be blessed by your life!

Love,

Marqueta

p.s. I found these words of wisdom from a women's magazine from 1876~ I hope you like them:

'Now, who, more than any one, "shapes and conducts the home?" who creates these "domestic influences," this "medium in which the child is habitually immersed?" Woman. In the name of common sense, then, throw open to woman every avenue of knowledge. Surround her with all that will elevate and refine. Give her the highest, broadest, truest culture. Give her chances to draw inspiration from the beautiful in nature and in art; and, above all, insure her some respite from labor, some tranquility. Unless these conditions be observed, "but little can be done to shape and conduct the home with reference to the higher mental needs of the children who live in it." '

A Visit to the Antique Mall

2012-01-24T11:55:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Last week we decided to go into the antique mall located right across from our favorite thrift store. It was such a delightful place, we wish that we had gone in sooner! Instead of being accosted by the scent of 100 different perfumes, we were instead greeted with the gentle mustiness that says, "Grandmother's House."

We brought Mr. Graham along so we could point out things we like (our birthday IS coming up, after all, along with Valentine's Day!).

There were so many sweet old things that have borne the passage of time~

Things once used and loved, and then passed along~

Even the little boy in the funny hat was intrigued by the wide array of items!

We literally could have stayed all day, savoring the spirit of Days Gone by,

and imagining how big of a home we would have to have to put all of the things we like. . .

. . . Like this cabinet, whose drawers would be perfect for a nature collection,

. . .And this library card catalog, which would be fun to use to organize our books,

. . .And this sweet nine-patch quilt,

. . .And this desk that was made in the 1770s (Wouldn't it be fun to have a Colonial Corner, complete with a painting of the singing of the Declaration of Independence?),

. . . But some members of the party were not as enthusiastic at the prospect as the lady in the big blue coat!

So we picked out the sweetest post card we could find (along with a copy of "The Harvesters" by Gene Stratton Porter, and a biography of Queen Victoria), and promised the clerks running the mall that we would be back soon.

We hope you enjoyed walking along with us and sharing in our dreams. Little by little, we will collect all the bits and pieces that will add up to a real "Grandmother's House" someday!

Love,

Marqueta

Happy Birthday, Evangeline!

2012-01-21T14:31:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

We made a big banner,

Put streamers so high,

Blew up lots of balloons

And made a raw "pie"~

Cleaned up the house

From morning till e'en,

To have a big party

For Evangeline!

Happy seventh birthday to our wonderfully, bubbly, silly saying Evangeline Rosebud Graham!

Love,

Marqueta

We were grateful to have a Pileated Woodpecker pay us a visit on Evangeline's special day~

For the Love of Pot Holders

2012-01-16T15:48:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

We were asked to help tidy the linen section of our favorite thrift store the other day, when we came across a lovely collection of hand-made potholders. Needless to say, we fell in love at first sight! There is such a special feeling to something made by a loving hand, which was used to make a house a home. We thought that each of these was such a work of art, all speaking of a love of whimsy and fun.

Speaking of whimsy and fun, we are following along with our blog twin Lynn as she reads and decorates an "Alice in Wonderland Tree." So far we've only made a few characters out of clay, which are waiting to be finished. Tasha has been repurposing all sorts of things to make her own characters with dolls she already has (pictures forthcoming)!

We finished the bonnet we had been working on, using hot glue instead of needle and thread, which would be gummed up by all that duct tape! :)

We are also working on a "balloon hat," made from a straw gardening hat and pouf of blue velvet. It will be very dreamy upon completion!

The sunsets have been very beautiful here lately; each bit of sunshine is a real treasure when the days are so short this time of year.

The little thyme on our windowsill seems symbolic of our spirits, reaching out to the light and warmth of the sun!

We pray that you have a wonderful week this week, and find something whimsical and wonderful, too!

Love,

Marqueta

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"Kind hearts are the gardens,

Kind thoughts are the roots,

Kind words are the flowers,

Kind deeds are the fruits.

Take care of the gardens,

And keep them from the weeds.

Fill, fill them with flowers,

Kind words and kind deeds."

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Little Pleasures~

2012-01-09T13:10:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

A wonderful welcome to all of our new followers, and welcome back to dear ones who know us well!

We have been having the most amazing, mild winter this year, that we wish we had put in a winter garden of greens. Our hyacinths and irises are starting to peek out of the ground, and the rose bush out back has put out a few tiny leaves. We hope they know what they're doing!

This silk scarf and glass "fairy wing" pendant were sent to me recently by a friend with whom I attended high school, but didn't get to know very well until we became friends on Facebook. She purchased the pendant, but the scarf was made by her, and matched perfectly the skirt that I was wearing the day it arrived. The rainbows in the glass wings echo the rainbows I had been observing in the dew drops outside my kitchen window just minutes before. I love you, Alice!

Look at the "peacock eyes" on the lace; so exquisite!

We have been busy cutting up many pairs of denim pants that we rescued from our local thrift store, to make into a rug, as well as several aprons from the pockets parts. We've cut up several t-shirts to make diapers for Rebecca, as well, which is a fun and easy sewing project (as long as you don't have a toddler on your lap).

We're also making yet another bonnet out of a broken straw hat; first cutting it to shape, then covering the broken parts with duct tape.We're using an outgrown pairs of velvet baby bloomers for the crown, and cutting up a white dress of the girls' that is not quite pristine anymore. We'll have to wait till our camera batteries charge up before we can show you the completed project.

Truly the first of the year is a wonderful time for getting out all those craft/sewing projects that have languished so long! It's also a great time for clearing out the old, and bringing in the better. The thrift store where we volunteer has been inundated by donations this past week, so everyone must be feeling the same way!

We have recently been enjoying the writings of the Irish mystic John O'Donohue. His audio series "Anam Cara," narrated in his own voice, is truly beautiful and soul-stretching. "Anam Cara" means "soul friend" or "kindred spirit" in Gaelic, and we love the words so much that we can see ourselves using them often in the future.
We also were introduced today (via the radio) to the minister Charles Capps, who presents the Law of Attraction in a wonderful, scriptural way. Thank heavens for the internet, where we can search new people out and be further enlightened. Truly we are blessed to live in this age of shared wisdom!

May you enjoy these videos, if you can watch them, and may you feel the peace of the Lord upon you as you go to work on making this the best year of your lives so far.

Love,

Marqueta

Begin the New Year on a Positive Note (With Random Chicken Photos)~

2011-12-30T10:46:00.000-08:00

Hello, dear friends!

We hope that you had a very happy Christmas, and that you have created wonderful memories to treasure for years to come. We're still gathering all the Christmas cards and paper bits that tell the story of this Christmas, and pasting them into a scrapbook, along with things we did and said, and learned.

We have been lately reading several books on the power of words and thinking to affect our lives for good or bad, and would like to issue a challenge for you. Let's do it as a group "New Year's Resolution," and make the world a better place!

You see, our bodies and minds "believe" the words we say, and respond with something akin to those words in a physical or emotional way. Beyond our own bodies, are those of all those with whom we interact each day.

There are so many phrases that are commonly used which do not serve our highest good, so let's start to cut them out and see what difference it makes for us (Believe me, this is a much easier exercise if you have children who can catch you when you forget!)

We're going to replace any negative words that we may have used in the past that do not serve us anymore, such as:

"I hate. . . "

"What a pain!"

"I can't stand. . ."

"I'm so sick and tired. . . "

"I can't wait. . ."

"Over my dead body (ouch)!"

Let's be especially careful when beginning a phrase with "I am," as this is summoning creation in our lives (e.g. "I'm sick", "I'm poor", "I'm so dumb", "I'm hopeless", etc.).

Not only do we speak these words, but we constantly have a dialog with ourselves running through our mind. This is where what I call "The Opposite Game" comes in especially handy, replacing thoughts like "I don't know what I'm going to do" with "I know exactly what I'm going to do!" It truly takes a lot of reminders and written notes (at least for me) to remember to do this, but I've been doing it for about six months now, and I have seen a great difference in how I feel about myself and my life situation. I still have moments when I flounder, but they are less frequent than they used to be.

So here's to a happy, positive New Year's, my friends! Let's do it both for ourselves and for those around us.

Love,

Marqueta

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"Work joyfully and peacefully, knowing that right thoughts and right efforts will inevitably bring about right results."

~James Allen

Taking Peace This Christmas

2011-12-20T08:21:00.000-08:00

Dearest Friends,

Thank you for visiting with us today. We hope that you are giving yourself the gift of peace before Christmas! So many times we feel guilty if we do not buy gifts for every person we've ever met (or so it seems), and run ourselves frazzled trying to make others happy. Our bodies, however, know that this is the time of year for rest and renewal, and can rebel after too much neglect.

Be sure to savor some time out in nature as much as possible (things always look better after a little fresh air), and bring your family with you if you can. A little nature exploration can be one of the memories you treasure in coming years, and you can find little treasures like seedpods and pine cones to give as gifts (include a little note about where you found your treasures, and why they're special to you).

We love decorating our home with nature, and our tree bears many natural decorations!

This mouse is made of two acorns and pipe cleaners~

An acorn cap "bird nest" with bean "eggs"~

~And a delightfully-scented clove-spiked orange slice!

A dear friend sent us this super-adorable rabbit ornament~

~And another sent us this sweet angel that we love.

Instead of running to the store for a last-minute gift, why not take some time to nourish your soul today? You can always give post-Christmas gifts, which will be more remembered anyway!

Wishing you peace on this day,

(Napping with a cat is a great way to take peace)

Marqueta

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It was the winter wild,

While the heaven-born child
  All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies;
    Nature, in awe to him,
    Had doffed her gaudy trim,
  With her great Master so to sympathize:

~John Milton

The Boy Who Loved a Christmas Tree

2011-12-13T12:19:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Doesn't our post sound like a good book title? Frankie (and the girls) is soooo excited for Christmas he can barely stand it! He has been singing "Honk the Halls With Burning Love" at the top of his lungs (see what happens when you marry an Elvis impersonator?) every day, and asking if he can unwrap presents.

The top picture was taken right after Mr. Graham put the tree up; it has since been re-decorated at least three times, and tipped over by the cat only once. :) After looking at several Victoria Magazines, Tasha decided our tree should be more "Victorian" and added popcorn and cranberry strings, as well as lots of bells and other old-fashioned things.

It's dark and rainy here today, but we had a little skiff of snow on St. Nicholas Day, which was a nice treat.

~The chickens were less than delighted with the snow!

We had a fun cookie-making party for the Tall Dolls on St. Nicholas Day, followed by a little tea.

The birds have been mobbing the feeders lately. We had forgotten how many of them there are here in the winter! Where were they in the summer?

The deck railing makes an excellent blue jay feeder~

Ready for a refill~

Our little oyster mushrooms have been growing in the rain (we have two small logs that we brought home from a nearby woods); what a fun science project!

We finally feel in the holiday mood (we're late-bloomers that way) and have been working on last minute presents for everyone. AnnaMarie made tiny Advent calendars for all the children but Rebecca, and they have been wonderful for counting down the days (we'll have to take a good picture when the sun shines again).

This weekend we'll be performing for local nursing homes, so we're practicing daily. It's wonderful to have the oldest girls play their violin and harp for accompaniment. I tear up when I watch them playing together, since it's been a dream of mine for such a long time to have a family orchestra. Dreams really do come true!

Here's AnnaMarie fiddling away~ We'll have to get a good picture of Audrey on the harp, too!

Love and blessings to you all,

Marqueta

A Merry December to you!

2011-12-02T13:37:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

A merry December to you! This year is just flying by~ as it reaches its close, we reflect back on all the little things that we did and didn't accomplish. It seems like just yesterday that we were putting away the decorations from Christmas, and planning all the wonderful things that we would do before we next took them out of storage.

One of the nicest things this year has been the gaining of new friends, and keeping up with longer acquaintances. One of our dearest friends even invited me to be in her newsletter which she has begun publishing. Imagine my surprise when I saw myself on the cover! If you'd like a peek at Emily's Desert Rose Homestead Newsletter, visit her blog here.

I think you'll be truly enchanted with what she has put together!

Now we're off to watch the girls practice for their latest at-home production of "The Nutcracker." This year's costumes are quite creative, being culled from the local thrift store where we volunteer!

Love and blessings,

Marqueta

Happy Birthday Louisa May Alcott

2011-11-29T14:42:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Today is the birthday of one of our very favorite authors, Louisa May Alcott. We are so thankful to have several of her books, which contain such pearls of wisdom. Although I knew about "Little Women" as a child, I never actually read it (or any of her books) until I was a mother; maybe that's why the subtle morals mean so much to me!

Although she did not marry for have children of her own, her books won the hearts of children and families everywhere, earning her the title "The Children's Friend."

Here are some of our favorite quotes of Miss Alcott's~

"A faithful friend is a strong defense; And he that hath found him hath found a treasure."

"A little kingdom I possess, where thoughts and feelings dwell; And very hard the task I find of governing it well. "

"Do the things you know, and you shall learn the truth you need to know."

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead."

"Father asked us what was God's noblest work. Anna said men, but I said babies. Men are often bad, but babies never are."

"Good books, like good friends, are few and chosen; the more select, the more enjoyable."

"Happy is the son whose faith in his mother remains unchallenged."

"Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success."

***************

May we, like Louisa, leave our own legacy of love to those who follow.

Love,

Marqueta

p.s. The Girlhood Home Companion's newest issue features "Little Women." We'll be ordering a copy soon!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-22T12:57:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

It's a cold, drizzly day here in Kansas City. We hope you're staying warm, wherever you are! We want to thank you for your kind comments, and to welcome our newest followers. When we get to 200, you're all invited for a big party in the backyard (assuming it's not drizzling that day)! :)

We are feeling very blessed to have such positive feedback on our Ebooks, and feel very humbled by any help that we have been able to give. We were going to start working on a green smoothie/wild foods Ebook, but a book about chickens has been begging us to write it. Has this ever happened to you? I swear that creative ideas have their own personalities!

Who doesn't love a snuggly chicken?

We're going to be compiling a book of little stories about chickens that have touched people's lives, and hope that it will be a nice little read If any of you have a story (or photo) you'd like to share, we would love to include it! These are the categories so far: "Eggs and Chicks," "Proud Mamas," "Crazy Roosters," "Close Calls" (brushes with death), "Chickens Who Think They're Human," and "Gone, but not Forgotten." I think it will be a lot of fun to put together. I'm not sure how it will be published yet, but I'll let you know more details as I figure them out myself.

Here is a story that I wrote for the "Gone, but not Forgotten" chapter, to give you an idea of what the book includes~

“Rudy”

The first chicken I owned when I grew up was a black Cochin named Rudy. I traded a couple of guinea pigs for him at the pet store, where he had been living in a birdcage. He was a very sweet boy, and we loved having him for just a few days. We found out that roosters were not allowed in the town in which we lived, and had to find a new home for him until we could move to the country.

My mother called up her friends who lived in the country, and they offered to keep him for us temporally. I had morning sickness until we moved, so I was not able to visit Rudy. When we had moved, I called to see if we could pick Rudy up, and was informed that he had been given to someone else.

It is needless to say that I was very sad at this news. I found the name of Rudy's new owners, then called and tried to get him back. I was told that his owners were too attached to him to give him up, so I never saw him again.

This was a real lesson for me to make sure of the local laws, and to not assume that chickens are welcome just because they are sold in town.

****************

There you have it! I've given you something to discuss at the Thanksgiving Table, and to think about while preparing the meal! :)

May you all enjoy a special day of love, fellowship, and of counting blessings. Of course, we count our friends among the greatest of ours.

Love,

Marqueta

Keeping Well This Season

2011-11-16T17:29:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

A hearty "Thank you" to all of you who requested my books, and for spreading the word to your friends. For those who missed the giveaway, both books are available on our sidebar, for a nominal price.

We'd like to share some of our favorite ways of keeping well during the cold time of year. First off, we never refer to it as "cold and flu season," since we believe that calling it thus is inviting colds and flu into our households!

Secondly, we like to eat as many in-season foods as possible, such as cabbages, root vegetables, and squash, since they were given to us by a wise Creator who knows what our bodies need this time of year. We are always in awe when we study all the health benefits of the humble cabbage, alone (including being a colon cancer preventative).

Lovely red cabbage~

Third, we try to include as many bitter, sour, savory, and pungent foods as possible, as they help our bodies to digest the heavier fare which keeps us warm, while adding plenty of nutrients and immune-boosting qualities. Some of these include garlic and onions, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and pure apple cider vinegar (in salad dressings, as well as a warm drink made of 1 TBS vinegar, 1 tsp. powdered green stevia, and 8 ozs water).

Fresh ginger root is wonderful to chew or suck on when you feel you are coming down with something, and is much more socially acceptable than garlic! Fresh ginger makes a great infusion, too (we chop it in the blender with a little water, then add it to water that has come to a boil, then cooled slightly). You can also add powdered ginger to your cider vinegar drink.

We especially like the beautiful shapes that ginger comes in~

Culinary herbs that boost the immune system include: sage, thyme, hyssop, rosemary, and oregano. These all make good infusions as well, and can be drunken freely throughout the day. To make an infusion, we simply toss in a handful of dried herb of choice into a quart jar and fill it with almost-boiling water and put a lid or plate on top. We like to set the jar close to the kettle (but not touching the burner) while the water is heating, to lessen the chances of its shattering. We let it cool for at least half an hour, then strain and drink (with or without sweetener, depending on our mood). Of course you can use a teapot, too!

Elderberry is full of vitamins and minerals, and if used daily can be a tasty tonic (we like to make syrup or tincture for family use).

One of the most important things to remember is to keep yourself hydrated, since winter air is dry air. Drinking well-filtered or distilled water is the best, and at LEAST eight cups of water (this is really the bare minimum).

We hope we've given you a few ideas that you can put to use; feel free to share what you use in your home too!

Love,

Marqueta

Our Second eBook (and giveaway)

2011-11-14T11:05:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

We have been enjoying a wonderful extended autumn at our cottage; the trees still have a few bright leaves hanging on, and the burning bush is a cardinal's dream come true! They love the camouflage it affords.

We are excited to have put up for sale our second ebook. This one is called "Home Birth Stories," and it tells of my learning experiences from newlywed to mother of several. I've included some of the natural remedies and tips that I learned along the way.

We're offering it free to all of our friends here for the next couple of days, with the hopes that you will spread the word by reviewing the book on your own blogs. And just for fun, we're giving away our first eBook, "The Young Lady's Guide to Natural Health," as well. Just contact me with your email address if you would like a pdf copy of either ebook sent to you.

Many blessings to all!

Love,

Marqueta

~Welcome November~

2011-11-04T16:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

A happy day to you, and an especial welcome to all our new followers! Thank you for coming by and sharing our cottage life with us. On this day last November, we were still in Idaho, getting all the last minute things ready before loading up the truck and moving to Missouri.

We've been through four full Missourian seasons now, and have loved every one!

We've learned to overcome our fear of ticks, chiggers, brown recluse spiders, and copperhead and cottonmouth snakes (well, mostly). Oh yes, and poison ivy.

We've learned that Osage Orange fruits smell heavenly (and make wonderful playthings)~

And that honey bees come into your house in October and November, but they can be kept out by feeding them a bit of honey away from the house.

We've also learned that if you photograph chickens at just the right angle, they look like they have two heads! :)

We've fallen in love with all the new varieties of fungus we've discovered (this one is Wood Ear mushroom, which is edible and medicinal),

And we've discovered a few unusual mammals here, too!

We hope that you are making lots of discoveries, too, and enjoying nature in all its glory.

Love,

Marqueta

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"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."
- Elizabeth Lawrence

And. . .He's. . . .Safe (The Adventures of Fatty Bolger)!!!

2011-10-27T12:20:00.000-07:00

Home Sweet Home!

Dear Friends,

Thank you for coming by today~ We are all coming out of our "End of the Warm Weather Funk" that was hanging around the past few weeks. Some year we KNOW that we will remember to take it easy when the weather starts to change, as our bodies crave rest, and our spirits crave comfort during this time. :) From reading others' blogs, I suspect that I am not alone in this feeling!

It is easy to get so caught up in all of the activities of fall (and in the back of our minds are the upcoming holidays), that we forget how busy we have been all summer, and that we need a little down time before we can shift gears. Driving ourselves harder, however, does not give the hoped for results, but instead drives us into bed with a cold or fever. Then we HAVE to slow down and take care of ourselves, et voila! we feel better. :)

If you are in a "funk" right now, and feel like you're liable to spin out into space, you have my permission to take a hot bath, listen to some beautiful music, and write down all the things you accomplished this past summer (or year, if you have time), and what you wish you could have accomplished. Writing things down is greatly therapeutic, when you don't know what it is that is the matter. Remember that the tide always comes back eventually, no matter how long it may seem!

Blessings to you all, dear friends!

With love,

Marqueta

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Out in the Fields With God

The little cares that fretted me,

I lost them yesterday,

Among the fields, above the sea,

Among the winds at play;

Among the lowing of the herds,

The rustling of the trees,

Among the singing of the birds,

The humming of the bees.

The foolish fears of what may pass,

I cast them all away

Among the clover-scented grass,

Among the new-mown hay;

Among the rustling of the corn,

Where drowsy poppies nod,

Where ill thoughts die and good are born,

Out in the fields with God.

~Author Unknown

A Visit With Friends, and to Amish Country

2011-10-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

A blessed Sabbath to you! Yesterday the temperatures warmed up enough to make a perfect day to go visit our beautiful friend Emily from Desert Rose Homestead. She and her family were visiting Missouri, and invited us to join them for a picnic at Adam-Ondi-Ahman (a spot that is sacred to Latter-Day Saints).

Mr. Graham was nice enough to chauffer the troop, and as we left Kansas City we whizzed past the Sports Center, as well as Worlds of Fun.

The traffic decreased as we traveled north, and we knew we weren't in the city any more when we had to cautiously pass this combine!

We also passed this tractor supply store, and Frankie informed us that he would own every single tractor when he grows up~

A farmhouse with a windmill in the front yard told us we were close to our destination~

And finally we were there!

Emily and her family were patiently waiting for us when we arrived (we misjudged the driving time by almost an hour!), and everyone had a wonderful time catching up and munching on the goodies provided.

There were lots of uninvited guests at the picnic, too, including lots of ladybugs and spiders!

There was just enough time to play "Hide and Seek" while we put things away,

And for making a fairy house in the big oak tree!

Though we wished we could have stayed together longer, it was finally time to part ways, until the next happy day when we could visit again. One thing that I love about Emily's family is that they are at the same stage we are, of dreaming about that piece of land and working toward making it a reality. We've been so very blessed to make so many wonderful friends through blogging!

We spent some time absorbing the peaceful spirit that prevails at this special spot, and collected a few rocks and seeds to remember it by.

Some of us decided to rest on Father's shoulder instead!

We then decided to drive through Jamesport, the largest Amish community in Missouri. Although it was definitely a tourist attraction, it was a wonderful thing to see the buggies and wagons, and not be the only ones who are stared at because of their apparel! ;)

We found a little store that we selling apples, and bought a bushel of Red Delicious and a peck of Honey Crisps for $10 each; what a bargain! The owner of the store, Mr. Yoder, took time to come out and talk to us, while swinging on one of two porch swings out front. Not quite like shopping in the city!

We felt truly at home in Amish country, and it was a little difficult dragging ourselves away and heading back to "civilization." Seeing all the farmhouses along the way, and picking up a local small town newspaper and perusing the "farms for sale" section helped to fuel our dream of finding our own place beyond the sidewalks. We know it's out there somewhere!

Thank you so much for coming along with us today, and may all your worthy dreams come true.

Love,

Marqueta

2011-10-18T15:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Thank you for coming by our cottage today; we have the heater going and a pot of tea, just for you!

As unbelievable as it seems after such a hot summer, we are going to have freezing temperatures here in Missouri. Time to bring in the houseplants from their summer vacation outside!

Just a few days ago, we were enjoying the beautiful blue skies of Indian Summer~ Perfect for an at-home picnic (note the blanket on the lawn).

We also enjoyed hiking at Cave Spring Monument in Kansas City, which is part of the Santa Fe Trail. We are amazed at the history which is all around in this area!

We have also been helping out at our favorite thrift store, and rescuing cast-off linens and dolls (we named this lady Marie Antoinette, while she waits for a new elastic to re-attach her head)~

Today we made baked tortilla chips by cutting corn tortillas into wedges, coating them with oil, then baking int he oven at 350 tll crisp. They're so much better than store-bought!

(They of course met with approval of the kitchen clean-up crew, but that's not saying much!)

We painted a picture of Mrs. Dashwood, to which we are going to add the words "Calm. We must be calm." as a reminder to not rush throughout our day~

And we found a lovely blue fascinator to add to our vintage collection of hats~

And last, but not least, may we introduce you to Fatty Bolger, our resident ground hog, who loves sunflowers as much as we do! He has proven himself a dynamo at squeezing under shed doors and removing the lids off of chicken feed buckets, even with "heavy" bricks on top! But he is so cute, we can't get too mad at him, can we?

We hope that this week brings many blessings to you, our dear friends. Your comments and friendship mean so much to us!

Love,

Marqueta

"I am Content" by John Burroughs

2011-10-07T13:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Sometimes we come across a poem or quote that says the things we are feeling so much better than we can, such as this gem by John Burroughs. It seems so appropriate for this gorgeous time of year! Enjoy~

"The longer I live the more my mind dwells upon the beauty and wonder of the world. . . . .

I have loved the feel of the grass under my feet, and the sound of the running streams by my side. The hum of the wind in the tree-tops has always been good music to me, and the face of the fields has often comforted me more than the faces of men.

I am in love with this world; by my constitution I have nestled lovingly in it. It has been home. It has been my point of outlook into the universe. I have not bruised myself against it, nor tried to use it ignobly.

I have tilled its soil, I have gathered its harvests, I have waited upon its seasons, and always have I reaped what I have sown.

While I delved I did not lose sight of the sky overhead. While I gathered its bread and meat for my body, I did not neglect to gather its bread and meat for my soul.

I have climbed its mountains, roamed its forests, sailed its waters, crossed its deserts, felt the sting of its frosts, the oppression of its heats, the drench of its rains, the fury of its winds, and always have beauty and joy waited upon my goings and comings."

Love and blessings,

Marqueta

Goodbye September

2011-09-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

White Snake Root blossoms

These are blooming everywhere, and are quite pretty!

We have heard that they are medicinal and that they are poisonous, so we won't be experimenting with them until we know more information~

Dear Friends,

How nice to see you today! We've been enjoying perfect Indian Summer weather, with amazing blue skies and golden sunshine. The leaves are just starting to turn, and we had to cut down our poke plants today, which had fallen over from growing so quickly in such a short amount of time.

Autumn is the perfect time to dress in layers again, and no outfit is complete without a pin made by our blog "twin" Lynn.

We're still getting a few tomatoes here and there, and we're letting the last of the green beans go to seed, so we'll have a supply for next year's garden.

A funny tomato with red-shouldered hawk for size comparison~

The small dolls are holding a Princess Charm School, which we hear is going to run for the next four years(!). The October issue of AnnaMarie's "Apron Pockets" magazine is in the process of completion, and Audrey is deciding if she should make a magazine called "Forever Sisters" or "Better Birds and Photos." Tasha is still the Nature Bature president, and we hope that she will be putting out an autumn issue soon!

Does anyone know what these two items are? We found them lately at the thrift store, and we're pretty sure they're not bed warmers, with their short handles!

We've begun the process of thinning things out and packing everything we won't need for a while, showing the Lord that we're ready whenever He wants to show us our new home! Having just moved last year, we are amazed at how much "stuff" we've accumulated since then!

We are looking forward to spending a whole weekend together with Mister Graham, watching our church's General Conference via the internet. As it only happens twice a year, it is a special time of reflecting on our spiritual progress between conferences.

May you all have a wonderful weekend, however you may spend it!

Love,

Marqueta

Welcome Home Girls

2011-09-28T08:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

A wonderful Wednesday to you! We are happy to report that Audrey and Tasha made it home safely from their trip out West, and that they had a lovely time.

They brought home lots of pictures of wide-open spaces~

And whimsical clouds

They visited our beloved Wolverine Canyon in Idaho~

~And our baby Victoria's grave~

We hope that the whole family will be able to visit, too, but are very grateful that Grandma and Grandpa Graham took two of us to visit our old stomping grounds! Thank the Lord for the ties that bind.

Love,

Marqueta

p.s. We hope you forgive us if we don't leave a comment on your blogs; we have been reading them, but our computer freezes up when we go to comment. Hopefully we'll have a nice new system soon!

Sweet September

2011-09-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

One of many Charlottes to be seen this September~

Dear Friends,

A merry day to you! We hope that we didn't scare anyone with our last post; we'll be blogging away as long as we are able. :) Our computer seems to be helping us to be more old-fashioned by running reeeeeally slooooowly, so we may be posting less frequently, but this blog has become a lovely place to log our family's many adventures in domestic felicity, as well as a vehicle for finding kindred friends, all around the world. Quite miraculous, when you stop to think about it!

Audrey and Tasha have been visiting family in Utah and Idaho for the past two weeks, and we have truly felt the absence of their presence in many ways. Each person in our lives has such an impact, and we feel so blessed to have the children and friends that enrich them.

We have been busy cleaning out our basement and packing things away to show the Lord that are ready to move just a soon as He points us in the right direction. We have also made a tied baby quilt for a friend at church with a little one on the way.
Everyone was willing to lend a helping hand!

AnnaMarie learns that teaching Frankie how to use a needle can be hazardous to the fingers!

What is it about making a quilt that gets little children so excited? I remember the thrill of hiding underneath the frame with my cousins when my mother and aunts had a quilt on, and I see that same excitement in my children's eyes when we start pinning the layers and put them on.

We have been enjoying the golden sunshine of late (although today we actually have a heater going, it's so cool!), and the long shadows of evening~

Evangeline has been practicing being a mommy some day~

And Rebecca is showing great signs of being a wonderful homemaker, too!

We've been finding new and unusual treasures at the thrift store~

And practicing painting in watercolors. Here is the first person I ever painted in watercolor, and I had to cheat and finish her in pencil, to get everything blended well enough (she still needs a bit of work). She started off as a Regency girl, but ended up Amish somehow. :)

We have been enjoying a little book about quilts that our friend Evelyn sent us a while back called "Cloth and Comfort," by Roderick Kiracofe, and a storybook about quilts called "The Patchwork Quilt," by Valerie Flournoy, which came with the book on tape. They both us feel grateful that we grew up with a heritage of making beautiful items by hand, which are also useful and a blessing to others. Whenever we find an old piece of handiwork, even though we did not know its maker, we feel that same connection of love, and treasure it in our home. May we all be blessed to feel the love of one another as we give our love to those around us, each day of our lives.

Love,

Marqueta

Saying Goodbye to Summer~

2011-09-10T10:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

We've been looking through our photos this morning, feeling nostalgic about our first summer in Missouri. It's been a wonderful time (despite the swarms of mosquitoes) to be out exploring, and as the leaves begin to turn gold, we savor each day that we have had of green.

It has been a time of making new friends, and running free!

As we say goodbye to the season of home-grown tomatoes and walking barefoot in the grass, we look ahead to a new adventure for our family. Birdsong Cottage has been for us a stepping stone, so to speak, to get us to Missouri and one step closer to finding our homestead in the country. Our lease agreement will be completed Mid-October, and we hope to have found our dream by then. Here's to hope! One thing we know is that, no matter where we are planted, we will continue to treasure the relationships of family and friends, and the simple pleasures that cannot purchased with money.

Thank you to you all of you, for sharing our adventures with us. We count you among our greatest blessings!

Love,

Marqueta and Family

More Doll Fair Photos, and AnnaMarie's Quilt

2011-09-07T07:47:00.000-07:00

~The flower display~

Dear Friends,

Greetings to any new friends who may be visiting today; we hope you enjoy your stay. We were looking through our photos, and realized we missed some of the displays of the doll fair, as well as AnnaMarie's quilt that we finished a few weeks ago!

Here are some of the prizes available for the ring toss game~

Benjamin Franklin was the ticket-taker for the fair (Mr. Franklin also acts as the local clergyman, performing all of the dolls' weddings!)~

The produce display (Don't worry, poke berries aren't poisonous to dolls!)~

Romeo was the ferris wheel operator (who did a very find job)~

And another shot of Her Majesty's Tea Room and baked goods display~

And finally, here is AnnaMarie's finished quilt, hanging out to air before being packed away in her hope chest.

We have been enjoying reading "The Country Child" by Alison Uttley lately (Thank you, Devina!), especially its descriptions of fall. They give us a feeling of nostalgia, especially as the days grow crisper (we've been wearing socks and sweaters in the mornings) and shorter.

We'll leave you with a few of those words today, and pray that your week will be blessed.

Love,

Marqueta

**************************

"The morning air was sweet with autumn scents, falling elm leaves, bent ferns, bruised wet grass, beech leaves and sycamore. . . A few chrysanthemums were left, tawny red flowers and little maroon buttons on the green dresses of the bushes. Sprigs of lad's love lay among the clothes in the oak presses, and the children at school wore bunches of it to keep them healthy now the damp mists were about. The woods all round the house were heavy with rich-smelling fallen leaves and decaying moss, with scarlet toadstools and enormous fungi. . . The robin's note had changed. He twisted the corkscrew in infinitesimal bottles and poured out the sparkling, chuckling winedrops."

It's Fair Day for the Dolls!

2011-09-05T18:26:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Happy Labor Day to you! It was a perfect day for the annual Small Doll Fair today, which was held in the back yard. The dolls (and their mistresses) have been hard at work for the past few weeks; sewing, drawing, book-making, animal-washing, and other various preparatory activities. The days flew by, and finally the special day came when everyone's talents were displayed.

~Elvis was happy to provide the entertainment on the bandstand~

. . . And his audience was happy to listen!

An aerial view~

Baked Goods~

~Fine Arts~

The menagerie~

A delighted fair-goer~

Hand-crafted Books~

The Ferris Wheel~

More of the menagerie~

And more fair-goers~

Aprons and other handicrafts were modeled before being sold~

And last but not least, tea and crumpets with the queen!

And now the fair is over, for another year. I wonder what next year's fair will bring?

Love,

Marqueta

Happy Late Tasha Tudor Day!

2011-09-02T06:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

A happy late Tasha Tudor Day to all! Our computer has been running exceptionally slowly, so it has taken us a while to get to posting this video that Audrey made for last Sunday. We celebrated the day in a quiet way, reading aloud from "Tasha Tudor's Heirloom Crafts," and having a cup of herbal tea in her honor.

(You'll want to pause the Playlist before viewing)

Speaking of tea, Queen Elizabeth is going to have a tea room open for the Small Dolls' Annual Fair, which is coming up this Labor Day; we'll be sure to post pictures!

Here is are the words from the flyers that are posted around the house, advertising the upcoming festivities~

Bennett Manor Annual SMALL Doll Fair

Featuring one-of-a-kind Art, Hand-Sewn clothing, Aprons, Bonnets, Pies, Bouquets, books, animal shows, games, rides and prizes! Write to Bennett Manor if you have any questions. HURRY, HURRY, HURRY! Come early and don’t forget anything! Weather Permitting, it will be held outside. You HAVE to be there!

One day only!

Labor Day, September 5, 2011

***********************

May you have a wonderful weekend, dear friends.

Love,

Marqueta

We'll Have Tea With the Queen

2011-08-26T18:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

The Small Dolls are in a flurry; they'd really better hurry! They're scrubbing and scouring, smiling not scowling, for the Queen Herself is coming to town!

We found a little doll, commemorating the coronation of HRH Elizabeth II, at our favorite thrift store. She'll fit right in with our Small Doll Family, who are excitedly making crumpets out of Sculpey and dusting off their best tea set before her arrival! Of course, since her highness is currently armless, someone else will have to do the pouring, poor thing.

Perhaps we'll have to fashion some prosthetic limbs out of Sculpey, as well!

Till next time,

Love,

Marqueta