This morning a friend sent me a link for an article. As I read through the text, I was reminded of a conversation that she and I had. Living in the way that my mother taught me, and in the way my grandmothers provided for their families is not so normal anymore. I get that. But when I continue that tradition of making simple meals for my family, take time out of my social life to put up the summers bounty for the colder months, or share my passion for baby led weaning I often times (or most times) end up with people who oppose. Or are they really opposing? Are they really against me & my way of living? Sometimes, rarely yes…they are. But for the most part, I believe that mothers feel a since of accomplishment by being a good mother. They feel good when they make supper for their children. They don’t want to hear someone taking about how they foraged for hours and cooked over a hot stove half the day to provide the bread and greens their family needs, when they just went through the drive thru of Macdonald’s so their kids could dance and sing that they got a toy! These are different views of success…why then, when I share my joys and passions, do mothers assume that I am judging their choices? I believe that their seeing my way of doing things, creates a since of guilt in their own heart. They perhaps wish they knew how to bake bread…or maybe they have never cooked potatoes (other than the flaked kind) Maybe they feel like they could be doing more for their family…I truly think this is why they assume I am making judgment of them (which I never ever would). It’s sad that before making a statement of FB that I feel the need to post a disclaimer stating “I, in no way intend to portray that any individual should agree with my views, and in no way do I want to have a debate on what is the correct way to raise a family, and I certainly, above all, do not intend to set judgment on any who do not have the same value set as I” Oh well..I guess that if I were more mainstream and bought more Macdonald’s for my kids, then I would have no opposition now would I….but this is not convincing me to alter my views. This exact same thing can be said for being a Christian believer…but alas, that is another post.
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1: Griffen in his sunday best. What a handsome boy!
2-3: My debut in Lacto Fermentation! I made the brine, and poured it on the carrots…now we wait! I used this recipe…except I substituted a few spices and such…instead of thyme, bay leaf & used garlic, cilantro, cumin & a dash of curry. Nothing is more satisfying then mastering a new skill! My hope is to ferment many of the fall’s bounty…this is a test trial.
4: I had heard rumors about black strap molasses. Having been raised on Fancy molasses I couldn’t imagine what would be better! or sweeter! ….but oh my! This brown bread has such color and flavor!!!
5: Griffen having a snack of lentil & veggie soup with a fresh bun
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*LOVE*
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Home Made Cheese…like none other! The aroma of this cheese is distinct, and the flavor is intriguing. I have acquired a taste for it only through perseverance..My husband stays at a distance.
Salad: Romaine lettuce, arugula, wild dandelion, wild clover, home made cheese, mushrooms, celery, sunflower seed, flax seed & hemp hearts & Ranch Dressing. Delicious! …the day awaits when I find a suitable dressing that I can make at home…but until then ceasar & ranch I do prefer!
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Making flat bread…so easy, and delicious!
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Laundry & Cloth Diapering Disaster!
Cloth….I vowed to never use a disposable again…but when the rash of all times came and laid claim to my baby’s bottom, I drew the line. This rash would appear out of THIN AIR the moment cloth touched his rear. Poor Vin Vin. Air and some active legs were the only hope for a cure. No matter how much I washed and washed, these diapers were doomed. I was convinced that I cloth was not for me…..but Lo & Behold…I have reclaimed my mission to go cloth with my child..all thanks to some cloth diapering DIVA’s who, to my rescue, enlightened me to a few tricks they had been hiding up their laundering sleeves. Come to find out, my hot water tank was the culprit, or so I believe! I had been told to “strip” the diapers….which I “thought” ment clean the heck out of…using stuff. From one pro cloth mama to a failing one, suggested to simply wash them in HOT water…just water…and many times. Well, my diapers have never been in hot water…well not “that” hot anyways..we have had our tank turned way down to conserve energy. However, this conservation was costing my tot in the ” @**” (well you know)…so, now that I have cranked up the heat, and have my newly “stripped” diapers waving in the breeze to dry, I am not confident that we will be returning to our cloth washing days….at least until potty training :)
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[Flash 10 is required to watch video]
Griffen loves to talk on the phone…calling the (voice recorded) operator.
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Today we start our greens to be grown in out back yard this summer. Normally we plant all our veggies at my parents house, but this year I am opting out of planting my greens there. It’s to far to drive for just a hand full of salad greens (which I prefer fresh). So, by having my own little garden just outside my back door, I can have easy access to greens throughout the week. I am starting my Melon,Garlic Chives, Onion and a few beets early. Later I will be adding my Lettuce, Spinach & Kale to the soil. The Melon & Kale I will plant in the large Garden with the other veggies.
Also shown in this photo is my sprout house which grows my sprouts year round for salads & sandwiches. Currently I have Mung Bean & alfalfa sprouts in the sprouter
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What shall the redeemed wear
A few months ago I read the book “what shall the redeemed wear” by Simon Schrock. I was lead to open it’s pages because it dared to discuss a topic that, in my opinion, is very under discussed. As a flowering Christian, I had become more and more aware of how exposed I felt my body was. I was your typical modern young woman…sporting spaghetti straps & shortie shorts…tanning in my back yard (in town) with my cute bikini. SO? What’s so wrong with that? everyone does it! …well…my heart was starting to show me something different.
I was given the book to read by an Amish living friend. As I read thru the passages, it was clear that the author held strict Amish beliefs also. Being a skeptic of plain dress..I read on critically at first. As I dove more into it’s pages I really began to understand why it is that the Amish dress so plainly. It’s not to make themselves a “showcase” as many may believe…but it is a true belief in a non-materialistic life.
I was very impacted my the lessons in this book about materialism. I firmly believe that it is an illness & bondage of many of Gods people. I found myself purging of my own materialism. I have things yes…but the things I have hold a function for living…they need not be extravagant, or pricey. They have a job to do. This lesson my heart heard loud and clear. The things I wear should not be fussed over. I should not fuss about what looks good with what, change clothes 3 times before settling on an outfit, spend undue time fixing hair, or excessively decorating my face/body. But this is a spirit of the heart…an attitude I feel inside…that these things ought not to be important. Or at least out not to be an obsession (which I have been very guilty of).
I was also intrigued yet confused about WHAT exactly should a Christian wear? As per modesty. I feel as tho I todder on the fence…skirt? pants? sleeves? tank tops? This is a bit more of a “grey” area for me. At first I felt so impacted that I felt that a burlap bag covering all but your eyes would do….but…really? is tripping over my floor length skirt while carrying a basket of clothes up the stairs really practical? ? I am an active woman…there are times when a skirt is very much a nuisance. So I have (after reading other literature on the topic and chewing on it all for a month or so) came to a “somewhat” conclusion. I don’t feel okay wearing anything above the knee. I love to wear skirts & shorts…but I feel modest & comfortable in both when they come below the knee. Anything shorter (for me) is too short. Tops….this I struggle a bit more with…especially in the summer (it’s easy to me more modest in the winter!). I feel that in no circumstance should a womans ta ta’s be exposed…and that means cleavage. Also, I feel that tight, short tops are also a no no. Tops should be fitted, but loose enough that it doesn’t cling like skin, and they should not expose your waist. I like to go a bit further with that..when I am wearing pants I like to have a very long top on that comes down over my bum. (this is where I feel pants can be okay).
So..finally I have come to a “somewhat” guideline for my own closet. Right now I am not outfitted in everything I need to dress modestly (ie: I have only 2 pairs of shorts and lack long summer tops) but this is all part of the learning curve for me. I feel God has led me thru this lesson. He has brought the attention to me that I was not serving him with my closet (and mostly heart) when it came to sexuality. God does not want me to practice the sexual immorality that the world encourages. God made me a woman..pleasing to my husband. I don’t need to become a sexual icon to be loved by him. Oh..and can I just stick this in there?….Modest clothes are IMPOSSIBLE to find! Seems I may be sewing myself a few things…and keeping my eyes peeled!
Originally, when I finished reading this book, I posted on facebook about how it had impacted me. Perhaps that was a risky move….but I do think that this “taboo” subject needs to be brought out of the closet (so to speak) and exposed for what it is. In talking about this, my fear is that well meaning critics may interpret my journey as a judgment on them…trust me, it’s not. It is a growing Christian being led by God. Finding her way closer to him thru humble and loving obedience. Neither do I expect my actions to make me “right”…Jesus is sufficient for that.
A friend and I are going to study this book (and the topic) in more depth in the coming weeks. I look forward to having another like minded Christian give me her ideas of the lessons in the book. I am curious to see if she see’s the lesson on materialism in the same way I did.
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» The Bubble… « My Oblivia
I came across this post and felt an immediate connection with it. All too familiar is this analogy….well in my head anyways…safer to be in my cave or needing to come out for air? I contemplate a medium resting place but have not seen how that could sustain it’self. I jump from within my bubble…outwards…then back in again. There are things inside that keep me alive….then others on the outside that are needed for sanity and survival. How can the two mix without either extreme? I have yet to discover….welcome to my Chaos.
