Trimming Roses (But Yet, Not Boring)

It was necessity that forced me to trim our absurdly overgrown roses this year. Drew is painting the house, and if I want him to paint the washhouse also, I was going to have to trim the rose bush that had literally overtaken the entire south side of the shed. Thank goodness roses like to be trimmed. This is like going into the barber for a trim and coming home with a buzz-cut. Sorry I didn’t get “before” picture. Suffice it to say that we couldn’t see... Read More

A Homeschool Preschool Schedule

I think that if I never had children, I might have flown through life by the seat of my pants, accomplishing things in bursts of energy followed by down times. God apparently thought it was a good idea to give me a child who is different from me. My oldest girl thrives on schedules. She stretches me as I try to serve her. We don’t follow a schedule every day. But even doing some of it every few days brings smiles to faces around here. I don’t know whether success should... Read More

April 6 – Proverbs 31:18

Proverbs 31:18 NIV She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. NASB – She senses that her gain is good…. Amp – She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God ] is good. Remember all the times we’ve stood back and admired a finished project — a clean room, a canner of beans, a painted chicken coop — and said, “We’re being scriptural!”? (to stand back and admire) Well, this... Read More

Windows of the Soul

Last week I was away from home, house-hunting. I have a bit of catching up to do and some thoughts to record, so you get two posts from me this week (second post is coming). Thanks, as always, for reading… I live among scrub oak, short pines, and rock on the side of a mountain at 7250 feet. I know that the people who have lived here all their lives couldn’t be torn away from it kicking and screaming. I also know you’re supposed to “bloom where you’re... Read More

April 5 – Proverbs 31:17

Proverbs 31:17 NIV She sets about her work vigorously, her arms are strong for her tasks. As I’ve gotten less strong, I can really see the value in this. It does help you in your work. Paul says bodily exercise helps a little, and this must be where that “little” is! This also seems to say, “Get in there and do it and get it done.” I’ve wasted so much time avoiding something, and when I actually tackled it, it usually wasn’t near... Read More

April 4 – Proverbs 31:16

Proverbs 31:16 Amplified She considers a new field before she buys or accepts it –expanding prudently [and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming others]. With her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard. I like the Amplified version here. Pray about what to take on. You just moved into a new house and are having a baby this summer — just planting a salsa garden sounds — well, prudent, to use a prudish-sounding... Read More

April 3 – Proverbs 31:15

Proverbs 31:15 NIV She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. (NASB says “portions” means prescribed tasks.) I’d like to attitudinize this one, but unfortunately, this one seems to be literally true — at least the getting up early part. In my own experience, getting up before everyone else does gives a jump start to the day. Here it says to fix breakfast. And assign tasks. The only “servant... Read More

April 2 – Proverbs 31:14

Proverbs 31:14 NIV She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. This verse puzzles me. She is LIKE a merchant ship. Which goes out to other places and gets stuff and brings it back. Is it literally talking about food? Why is getting food from far away a virtue? Does that give you a varied diet? And what is the virtuous attitude? Not much light-shedding today! If you have some, shed it on me! To catch up on previous days, click here. For the story behind... Read More

A Hike Through Sonoran Desert Flowers

Missed you all the last couple of weeks! Our family has been on vacation, and away from cell phones and computers, so I’ve had no contact at all with the blog. We live right by a mountain park in Phoenix, and I regularly hike the trails there. This is supposed to be wildflower season for us, and I thought I’d take my camera out and get a bunch of pictures. But with very little rainfall this winter–even by our desert standards–only the most faithful plants... Read More

April 1 – Proverbs 31:13

Proverbs 31:13 NIV She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. So far we’ve talked about your relationship to your husband — mostly attitudes. Now begins a mind- boggling litany of the powers of a superwoman! How about we continue to look at attitudes?!! Like the attitude of wanting to eagerly develop something, to create something useful. And beautiful. To catch up on previous days, click here. For the story behind Three By Fives, click here. Share... Read More