The Emancipation of Robert Sadler

This book is so good! I wanted to share it with you and I hope that you will be able to read it. It is a book that I want on my bookshelf, It is one worthy of reading again.  But if you can do nothing else try to get it from the library. This book is written in the first person by a man that was sold into slavery years after it was illegal.  His own father was the man guilty of selling him and his sisters after the death of their mother. This book shows how much God loves us and cares for us. Robert Sadler had every reason to be bitter and angry, but instead, by God's grace he becomes a preacher of the gospel.He forgives the unforgivable. I have read other books on slavery, but I believe this one to be my favorite so far. You can get this book from Crossing book club.

Blessings,

Amy Jo

Ramblings About Daily Life

This was the view out of my window today...

The ducks came out for a swim :)

I won tickets to the Daytona 500 and my husband and son went Sunday, but they got rained out... It was a sad waste because they couldn't go back tonight for the rescheduled race. We gave the tickets away.

While they were gone I thought I would bake some cookies, for when they got home.

These ARE whole wheat cookies... someone tell me the chocolate chips are healthy.

Strawberries and cream.... another delicous dessert we enjoyed this week.

Levi built this little truck out of a kit we picked up at goodwill. It is now painted but I didn't get a picture of the paint job.

You know I am a little crazy to show this picture!  My daughter is in beauty school and was practicing her roller set.

Lastly this is the fabric that I am making an apron out of. I have an old kitchen towel that my granny had embroidered grapes on. I thought I would make an apron and use the kitchen towel on it in some way. Maybe a pocket or maybe attached in some other way. I will keep you updated.              

Blessings,

Amy Jo

In Search of What You Need

A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it.---George Moore



Happy Birthday Brother

Today would be my brother's 34th birthday. He has been gone for 6 and 1/2 years.  No matter how long a person has been gone you still think about them. Miss them. And wish things could have been different. I try not to dwell on could of beens but instead focus on what was. Sometimes you have a person for a long time..... and sometimes you don't. But, sometimes the person that was only with you a short time leaves the biggest imprint on your life.  So in remembrance of  a boy and then a man that left a big imprint on my life and a big hole in my heart, Happy Birthday from your sister who will always remember...



Bentley is Growing Up

The perfect little scotty dog...... he is a sweet boy!





Finding Joy in the Simple Things of Life

What makes your life happy? Is it a fine house or lots of money?  I have never been rich as far as this worlds standards go. Or at least by American standards, and I have never owned a mansion. As a matter of fact, when my husband and I got married we rented a very small single wide trailer. It was very humble indeed. But, it was what we could afford. Over the years, through many a trial and with a lot of "sacrifice" we have managed to acquire a small piece of the world to call our own. 

 Life really is what you make of it. I know for me, I can be content in a small single wide or in a fine house. There are always ways to make your house a home.  I believe that God would have us to be content in any circumstance He provides for us. I know that is a lot easier said than done. One way to find such contentment is by making it a point to look at the everyday mundane things of life as a blessing. Take our food for example. We are SO blessed to have wonderful, nutritious, and delicious food. But many times we get "bored" with our food. Instead of complaining, maybe we could take the time to go through a cookbook and try to make a new dish. Today, how often do you hear "I'm Bored"? Instead of being bored, why not encourage your child or even yourself to look for some new hobby? There are so many interesting things to learn in this world.

There is gardening, and sewing, and building, painting, drawing, or simply reading. Sometimes it is difficult, we get in a rut. There are so many technology based things to take up our time, that it is hard to make ourselves go back to the wonderful hands on activities that people before us did.  Remember, that where you are is where the Lord wants you. If you complain, who are you really complaining about? 
Try never to compare your family with other families. This is hard for us. But try to use God's word as your guide. Not other families and their beliefs. Over the years I have learned a lot from other families, but at times I have been to quick to come to a decision on  a belief. Then later I have realized that it wasn't really my conviction or really a necessary thing in my walk with God. The simple things in life are what should truly make us happy. Knowing that God loves us and sent His Son to die for us. And He knows the very amount of hairs on your head. You can find joy in knowing that not one thing happens to you, when you are His child, that He doesn't see it. He hears you when you pray and He answers. Simple? yes. Wonderful beyond measure? yes. God is good. May you find joy in Him and the simple gifts He gives you today.

Blessings,
Amy Jo

Happy Valentines Day!!

Last Valentines my husband bought me these gorgeous roses. I love roses.

I added them to a vase and put them as a centerpiece on our dining room table.

This is a vintage flower holder.

This year my husband bought me a much bigger gift. It isn't as pretty as these roses, but it is more useful. He bought me a nook tablet! I had told him about my friend Heather's kindle. I wasn't fishing to get a nook or kindle ;) but he surprised me by going out and getting me one. I am really excited, I can download all kinds of books and carry them with me. It really is so neat. I have the sweetest and most thoughtful husband. Happy Valentines Day!!

xoxo,

Amy Jo

What A Blessing Our Refrigerator Is

"To many people electric refrigeration is still such a novelty that they scarcely realize the range of its possibilities. It is almost like having an Aladdin's lamp and not knowing the right way to rub it. With a General Electric Refrigerator, simple recipes, easily prepared, produce delightful results. The owning of such a refrigerator is a form of health and happiness insurance which every homemaker in America should have the privilege of enjoying." ---GE Electric Refrigerator Recipes, 1927

This little ad I came across, reminded me that I really do take so many blessings for granted. Just a short time ago homemakers didn't have the privilege of storing left overs and of having a salad made and left for later.  Or just simply having cold drinks and ice cream. We have so many gifts from God...... most of them we don't even think about. It seems kind of wicked of us, doesn't it? I pray today that you will take the time and thank God for the wonderful and limitless blessings He gives us each day!

School Lunch Suggestions, 1915

Boys like plain folding lunch boxes, girls perfer daintinesss of equipment. Always try to provide some unexpected dainty. Here are some suggestions:

• A mashed baked bean or other sandwhich
• Stuffed eggs with butter rolls
• Individual meat or fruit turnovers
• Plain simple cakes like gingerbread or applesauce

I thought this was cute... and a little different than we would serve today.

xoxo,

Amy Jo

The Good Wife's Guide

I went on the http://www.timewarpwife.com/ website and found that she had a really wonderful ebook available. Since I do not own a kindle or a nook, I had to buy the pdf down loadable version.  It is called the Good Wife's Guide. I love this book. It is full of encouragement and tips for keeping the home.  The author has such a great way of  motivating homemakers to reach a higher plain.

I printed ALL of the pages and then put them in page protectors and added them to a spiral notebook.

I am highly recommending this download. It is offered at a great price. Printing it isn't that economical, but I thought I would want to refer back to it. So I printed it.

xoxo,

Amy Jo

Thankfullness

For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends.----Ralph Waldo Emerson



The Skirt I Made and a Few Goodwill Finds

This is not the skirt I origanally planned on making. I went to Goodwill and found a twin size shabby chic sheet and decided, I would turn it into a skirt. So this skirt was made.

It is a little fluffy. I am going to put some darts in it to help with that. But I love the spring time feel it has.

I found this shower curtain at Goodwill as well. It is from the Shabby Chic collection.

So I washed it and hung it in my bathroom.



Lastly I got this 1960's terry cloth dress. I love yellow and this dress is so comfortable.  I am making a few more things, in the days to come..... So they will hopefully turn out well. I will keep you updated.



xoxo,

Amy Jo