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"in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
I am Thankful for many things in my life. But in the spotlight today is being able to spend time with my children. When God called me to be a keeper at home I didn't go with out a fight. I had graduated college and began working at a very good job in the city making great money. This was all before I came to know Christ on a personal level. I then accepted Christ as my Savior and felt him calling me home. I am blessed beyond belief being a keeper at home.
I am able to spend so much time teaching my children all types of things. This is Andrew making his money jar. He is such a perfectionist and has to have every drop of paint in the right spot. They get an allowance based on what work they do during the week. We painted old jars.
Here is Hannah, she didn't like getting the paint on her so she wore 2 gloves instead of 1. Her jar was just a simple clear paint with glitter. A lot like her very simple. She doesn't need a lot to be happy.
This one is of Katie, she like her brother is very detailed with a lot of color on her jar. Everything has to be just so.
I have learned so much from my children over the past 3 years of homeschooling them. Not only have I learned the academic things I didn't want to learn while in school myself, I learn from them to take life one day at a time. Also, just enjoy every moment we have together. We love our little simple life and wouldn't change it for anything. People are always asking us how we do it living on such a small income. We just tell them it is through the grace of God and our simple life. Have a great Thanksgiving. Do not just give thanks on the 4th Thursday of November, give thanks to God 365 days a year!
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For Today...
Did you see the size of his beak??? Mr. Nuthatch to the rescue! 
All of the items I used on these cards I had here at the house. The only item I bought was the Merry Christmas stamp and that was only $1. I think they turned out pretty neat, especially for my very first attempt at making cards.
This one below is the first one I did this week.
Every year since my Husband and I met we have gone to a living history museum near us for a Yuletide candle light tour. It was always our gift to each other. It is always so much fun. But this year, we will be unable to go because of my back surgery. So I thought I would take a virtual tour on Fridays.
The tour starts out with you meeting your tour guide. We then walk out into the village..back to the 1800's. The actors really make you feel as if you are living back in those days. Nothing says Christmas like the feeling of being back in the simpler days. Although it was a very difficult life they made everything they had.
This was the first stop on our tour in 2004. They were a family that was pretty well off for back in the 1800's. They had taken in the school teacher for the holidays. There was a quilting theme this year and each home was working on a quilt square. There was a fire in the fireplace, Christmas carols being sung, wonderful Christmas smells, bread baking, and pine. 
2 Timothy 1:7
I am so thankful God has given us the change of seasons. I love the change every so often. It never ceases to amaze me of how wonderful an artist God is. Instead of complaining about the seasons stop and enjoy the beautiful art work done by our Heavenly Father!
Spring birds in our tree. Everything waking up from the long winter's nap. Song birds joyfully singing, leaves starting to grow. Fresh smells from outdoors.
Leaves in full bloom in the summer. Children laughing playing in the water. Chasing each other with water. Occasionally getting their Father with a bucket of water or the hose.
Changing leaves, beautiful colors of reds, orange, and yellow. Cool crisp mornings, mild temperatures during the day. Pumpkins, squash, apples, all the items God has provided for us.
This is what I saw this morning! Winter has arrived...a month early. But how beautiful it is. I love the snow plow. I love to see the snow on the branches, crisp cold mornings. Being able to snuggle up on the couch with loved ones.
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1 Thessalonians 5:18
This verse hit me like a ton of bricks the other day. I've read it many times but it hit home to me. Give thanks IN ALL .... wow, all things give thanks. That means we are to thank God for the bad things as well?! It is very easy to thank God for everything that is going well in our lives. Although the bad things do not come directly from God...he may allow them to happen. So remember to thank God for His presence in our lives. But looking back over some of the bad things in my life I can see God's hand at work. They all lead to Him, to bring Him the glory. So the next time something isn't going your way, remember that God is in control. Give it over to him. Easier said than done I know!!
You load the apples into the hopper. The machine does the rest for you. I did my tomatoes like this also. Then I added the tomatoes to the crockpot to cook the rest of the way.
The end result. I love the pink color!! It is SO sweet. I will be using half of this for apple butter.
This meme is hosted by Heavenly Homemakers. It is a great way each week to remember all the Lord has given you to be thankful for. Stop by her blog to see other posts.
For Today...
This is a Christmas tree made from a Styrofoam cone, garland, with a star pick in the top. This is one that Hannah made and is so proud of. I was surprised she still wanted to go considering she was in the hospital the night before with pneumonia. She is a true craft person!!
This is a pumpkin made out of fabric. Each one of us made one of these. It was so much fun, you sew around the circle (like you would sew a yo-yo) then carefully (i stress carefully) stuff it and pull the thread to close. Lets just say there were exploding pumpkins all over the place....LOL! We finished ours the next day when we came home. My son even made one. He was pretty upset that he couldn't go to the craft day also. Maybe next year.
These are salt and pepper shakers. I'm so excited about these because I painted them myself!!! I've never painted anything except a wall and that didn't even turn out this well. Who knew I could paint. I came home loaded with paints asking my Husband what could I paint now....mirror...windows...LOL!
Jewelry making has become so big now. My daughter Katie was very excited to learn how to do this. She loved it. She ended up making 3 pairs of earrings. This is one set she made. She has now asked for more stuff for Christmas to make jewelry. I'm so happy she liked doing it. Does anyone know if you can make rings?
This is a snowman ornament. My daughter Hannah and I did this one together. She is so thrilled with it. But I won't let her touch it because it is actually a light bulb. You know what happens to those when they are dropped, especially on hard wood floors. I think these are so cute. We may make more to give as gifts.
This is my first attempt at making a wreath. I did enjoy it, although it is a bit crooked in this picture. I still have to add a bow on to the top and fill in the gaps with some more white flowers. There is a snowman for each family member. I really liked making it. I have an extra wreath I bought just in case I screwed this one up!
I have had a few requests for this recipe so here it is. My kids like pumpkin pie but not the crust. So I found this recipe years ago and they gobble it right up. It is now my husband's favorite. ENJOY!
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