Continue to pray . . .

for my family in the final days of my Grandfather's life. I believe that it will be soon.

I pray that all members that a currently struggling with the inevitable will be at peace.

In Jesus' name I pray.

Inspiration . . .

After looking at the collections of Miriam Stark, I am seriously looking at some of the beautiful period patterns here and here.

I have made dresses from each site and love them. My favorite is the kimono style bodice.

I also have an idea for the Afternoon Tea Dress from Sense & Sensibility Patterns. You will have to wait to see that though. It is still running around in my head.

If I can pry the digital camera away from the kids, I will snap a few pictures to share.

W.H. Stark House

All I can say is WOW!

I lived in a 2700 square foot Queen Anne Victorian home as a child but it was nothing like this!



This is the 14,000 square foot, 15 room family home of William and Miriam Stark in beautiful Orange, Texas. Construction began in 1893 and the family moved in upon completion in 1894. This is an excellent example of the Victorian/Eastlake homes built in this era by lumber and other industrial barons.

Mr. and Mrs. Stark lived in and enjoyed this beautiful home with their family until their deaths, within in a month or so of each other, in 1936. There is a beautiful floor by floor, room by room virtual tour on the W.H. Stark House website.

As you browse through the online tour, you will notice that the Starks were both avid collectors and loved to display their finds. There are several gallery spaces on each floor. Be sure to click on the pictures displayed on these pages to check out the beautiful artifacts that have been so lovingly preserved.

One collection that especially caught my eye was Mrs. Stark's fans and purses. Here is a link to the North Storage Room on the Third Floor. As an avid knitter and seamstress, I am drawn to historical clothing and vintage accessories. This is an amazing collection!

Another unique collection is housed in the Tower Room. Housed here are artifacts of Napolean Bonaparte. Don't worry the death mask is a replica, not the real thing!

I have only scratched the surface of this website. I can't imagine the treasures that are still left to find in the house. If walls could talk, I'm sure that we would hear about heartwarming family celebrations, heartbreaking losses and the travels of the Starks.

In 1976, only 5 short years into the complete renovation, this home was designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. This restoration process took 10 years to complete and was addressed systematically. You can look at the listings of what was completed both on the interior and exterior here.

Since 1981, tours of the home have been encouraged. Reservations and guided tours are suggested. The Stark Foundation respectfully requests that visiting guests be at least 10 years of age. They would also like you to be aware that the home is three stories and stairs are involved in the tour. Please contact the W. H. Stark House at 409.883.0871 for reservations, tours and special events.



Come and see the Texas version of the opulent 1920s for yourself!

God is worthy!

All the time whether we think so or not!

My grandfather is doing much better. He is hungry and has asked for food. He was also sitting in a chair because he thought is was more comfortable than the bed.

Please pray traveling mercies for the family members coming and going to be with him in the hospital.

Thank you JESUS!

Your boys need these pants!

These 5.11 Tactical Pants would be great for a uniform at an all boys school. I remember how hard my brother was on his clothes. Since these are pants are preferred by police and governmental agencies, they must be able to withstand some tough treatment.

If you have a family of boys, I'd love to hear if they passed your family's muster!

Prayers please. . .

My Mom and my Aunt have decided not to do intravaneous feeding which would then require dialysis for Grandpa.

My Grandpa is 93, has lived a good long life and deserves to go peacefully.

My aunt was fighting the decision but has now accepted that this is God's will for Grandpa.

I know this sounds unfeeling but I pray that it is soon. Grandpa deserves eternal rest.

I signed up for PPP!

My friend, Shelly, recently found this opportunity to make money blogging. Since she seemed to be having success, I thought I would give it a try too.

Since I already am doing this anyway, I thought "Why not get paid?!". I hope to find some interesting opportunities to let you know about. You will have to wait and see.

I will try to live by the code of the word of mouth ethics set up to govern posts associated with payment opportunities with PayPerPost.

What types of topics interest you? Leave your comments and maybe I will find some opportunities that are of mutual interest!

I would love to find items or opportunities to talk about regarding homeschooling or education, new books, Christian music or books, fashion, historical crafts or sewing. I also enjoy sharing with others of like inclinations.

I don't relish the thought of getting into a political debate where there is just your opinion against mine. Hate that situation! There is no right or wrong, just disagreement. YUCK!!!

This is sort of the game of not running out of things to talk about. Have you ever been at a party and been standing there with someone you don't know very well and wondered "What in the world am I going to say now?!" Well, MAKE SOMETHING UP! You can't look any stupider than just standing there staring at the ceiling, can you? . . .

Hopefully, this won't turn out that way!

Whirlwind weekend . . .

TGIM! I know that sounds weird but it has been a very long weekend.

Friday night was the beginning of our ladies conference. It was a wonderful service. We were truly blessed.

Saturday, I took my girls and another family from church to a modest fashion show. It was also a kickoff for a club program called Today's Christian Girl. It is for girls 10-18 years of age and is meant to help with the calling to be different from this world. We all had a blast eating lunch and watching others with door prizes.

Yesterday, I was called to go to the hospital with my grandfather. He had major surgery and is not doing well. My mom and my aunt flew in from their homes and are now at the hospital with him. Please pray for God's will in my grandfather's life and HIS peace for my mom and aunt.

I' m off to rest.

Blueberry Buckle

Buckle
1/2 c shortening
3/4 c sugar
1 egg
2 and 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 c flour
1/2 c milk
2 c fresh or frozen blueberries

Topping
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 c butter or stick margarine

Method

For buckle: Cream 1/2 c shortening, 3/4 c sugar. Add beathen egg and beat until fluffy. Add baking powder and flour alternately with milk. Dough will be stiff. Spread in a greased 9X13 inch pan. Top with blueberries.

For topping: Mix 1/2 c sugar, 1/2 c flour and cinnamon together. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over the berries and batter.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 to 45 minutes.

Cut into squares and serve warm.

This is another recipe from my mom. I do not know it's origin.

Modesty in "Dress"

As you can see from this post, I am passionate about modest clothing. It is not that the world doesn't make modest clothing at all. I love Christopher & Banks. There are some really cute things at most stores. However, there are MANY other stores that are just not appropriate and never will be in ANY situation.

This fact does NOT mean that you must dress in burlap and never look stylin'. There are so many creative alternatives to shopping at the mall. You can hit the thrift stores and make over the things you find there. Like taking a pair of jeans and making them into a skirt.

There are several pattern companies on my link lists to the right that have beautiful patterns. I love to sew and have made several dresses from all the companies except Common Sense Patterns. Take a gander at the sites. They are just lovely. If you do not sew and are interested in having one made, let me know.

God said in 1Peter 2:9, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:. To me, this means that people should know you belong to HIM by the way you look and carry yourself.

I don't know about you but I feel different in a dress or a skirt. I haven't worn pants (aside from jammies!) for quite some time. But I have witnessed how people treat me in both types of attire. It is amazing what people think about you by how you package yourself. (See post referenced above.)

Do this experiment yourself. Wear a dress or skirt and go about your business and see if you feel different. See if people treat you differently. Please post your findings! I'm dying to know if it's just me!

Prayers Please

Our annual Women's Conference is this weekend.

We are looking to make an impact on the Metro Detroit Area. Satan has been working overtime because his aim is to have this city in the dark for as long as possible. The Light of the Lord needs to shine like a city on a hill.

We are having service tonight and tomorrow night at 7:00PM at the Holiday Inn Southgate. We will wrap up the conference with Women's Day at our church, Apostolic Metro Ministries, at 3949 E. Nine Mile Rd. in Warren, MI. Service time is 2:00PM.

In your travels today, please pray for us.

Who is your employer?

Have you ever thought about that? Really, what are you ultimately working for? For a Christian woman's perspective, please read this post from a blog called Proverbs14Verse1.

I am curious about your thoughts on this quote. Please share with me your views. I plan on expounding on this subject soon.

It might finally be Spring . . .

but remember we live in Michigan.

However, yesterday was beautiful. It was warm (74F) and windy. We had our first outdoor park day with the Homeschool Group.

There were so many people there! New faces, familiar ones and two new babies! The kids had a ball on the playground equipment. The moms had a chance to catch up on the latest posts on the Yahoo group and talk about things we want to do as a group this summer.

I am so thankful to have found this group so close to home. Can't wait for the rest of the summer!

Mama's Apron

An apron played a big part in mama's life
As common to wear as being a housewife.

She used it to gather eggs at the end of the day
To gather vegetables to can and put away
To feed the family on a rainy day. . .

She used it to pick up chips
To start a fire in the old wood stove.
To cook the daily bread,
For her main concern was to keep her family fed.

She folded it around her hands
When at the table the blessing was said.
And wore it in the rain to cover her graying head,
She wrapped it around the baby's legs when he was cold
And sometimes used it to wipe his lil' nose.

It was a faithful servant through sad and lonely years
She even used it to dry away her tears.

When the children were tucked in and their prayers were said. . .
She laid out a clean on at the foot of her bed.

Their job is over now, they did their best.
Mama and her apron have been laid to rest.
If all is true about Heaven I've been told,
Mama is now wearing an apron of spun gold. . .

Unknown Author

I first saw this poem on one of Conni's blogs, a year or so ago. It reminded me of my great aunt. I have some of her vintage aprons. Thought you mamas might like this one.

Marriage and Equality

I have been trying to find the words lately to express my thoughts on this issue. Not a feministly popular view, but one that I agree with wholeheartedly.

Please check out The Apple Cider Mill for Apple Cider Mama's interpretation of marriage and equality.

Click here.

Fresh Salsa

If you put black beans and corn in this it makes a complete protein that can be substituted for a meat. If you make it without corn and serve it with whole wheat tortillas or whole wheat lavash, it is also a complete protein.

1 15 oz. can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can Freshlike corn
1 bunch green onions, chopped with greens
several stalks of chopped celery
chopped fresh tomatoes
chopped peppers of your choice (hot or sweet) (I used fresh jalapeno.)
1 handful of cilantro, chopped
fresh lime juice (I think I used 2 or 3)
cumin to taste

You could put almost any fresh veggies in here; cukes kohlrabi, any color pepper, squash, etc.

This is a recipe from my mother. I'm not sure of the source.

Power In Unity

There is power in unity. When that power is manifested in supplication and intercession that power is magnified.

The church has had a ladies prayer group praying weekly for the past two years. We have seen prayer answered, lived spared and loved ones saved. We have seen miracles and been physically touched by His presence. If testimony was called the group could present any number of praises to the Lord.

Recently it was laid on hearts to unite ladies from the church who didn’t attend our regular meetings. It was the boldness of the Holy Ghost that called this meeting. He was directions us to unite and continue together in His name.

As we met and shared praises, needs and testimonies, Jesus came to sit among us. Matthew 18:20 says “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” When Jesus attends a prayer meeting where all are in agreement, He is able to break our will, cast off chains and heal even the deepest chasm of separation.

This united meeting is His will for the church. When those in agreement come boldly before the throne seeking His face and divine direction, He is able to move in this world. It is in unity and agreement His power is made visible to those who are being called.

Acts 1:8 says that “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you . . . “ Imagine harnessing that promised power and linking it with the Holy Ghost power in others. This united, focused power will be as in Matthew 5:14 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.”

That city is the beacon for those searching and fallen. It is not just a little light squelched by a bushel basket but an ever present help. A power-filled light that will not go out as long as the circuit of unity is unbroken.

Ellen Conn Taylor
2006

God's promises . . .

Last night I was on my way to a friend's house for a Partylite demo and saw a beautiful rainbow! I haven't seen one for a while and it is always nice to be reminded of what God said:

Ge:9:12: And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:Ge:9:13: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.Ge:9:14: And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:Ge:9:15: And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.Ge:9:16: And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.

Thank You Lord!