Farmers Market

It was a cool morning as I sneaked out the front door and went to the local Farmer's Market. I was hoping to find some good deals by getting there early, and I did!

I found the most beautiful huge heads of red tipped butter lettuce, all organic. Along with the lettuce I found some gorgeous carrots, a gallon of local raw honey, a rosemary plant, a basil plant, and 1 quart of huckleberries! If you read my huckleberry picking excursion during last year's wedding anniversary, you will know why I bought them this year.

The morning was fresh and clean and cool and it was nice to visit with some friends who were at the market as well. I had to call my mom and let her know what I found and how nice it was to go to the "Markt" as we did in Germany. There was music, and many hand crafted items as well.

I'm off now to prepare for tonight's meal.

Rosemary chicken

Honey glazed carrots

Fresh garden salad

Huckleberry sauce over vanilla ice cream

© Monika Hardy

Homemakers Beatitudes

Amazingly enough this was written in a cookbook just 40 years ago referring to Christian Homemakers and their conduct in the home. What a difference 40 years can make. It's been said, Christianity is only one generation away from extinction. What an awesome responsiblity God has given the homemaker. We influence the next generation. Here we find a 40 year old cookbook encouraging the ways of God in the home. May we all find the strength and courage in Jesus to continue living as God instructs no matter the direction the world takes.

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:3-5

Beatitudes for a Housewife

Author unknown- Taken from the Yankee Kitchen Cookbook, 1969


Blessed is she whose daily tasks are a labor of love; for her willing hand and happy heart translate duty into privilege, and her labor becomes a service to God and all mankind.

Blessed is she who opens the door to welcome both stranger and well-loved friend; for gracious hospitality is a test of brotherly love.

Blessed is she who mends stockings and toys and broken hearts, for her understanding is a balm to humanity.

Blessed is she who children love, for the love of a child is more to be valued than fortune or fame.

Blessed is she who sings at her work; for music lightens the heaviest load and brightens the dullest chore.

Blessed is she who dusts away doubt and fear and sweeps out the cobwebs of confusion; for her faith will triumph over all adversity.

Blessed is she who serves laughter and smiles with every meal; for her buoyancy of spirit is an aid to mental and physical digestion.

Blessed is she who preserves the sanctity of the Christian home; for hers is a sacred trust that crowns her with dignity.


Thanks to Elizabeth Plain and Simple for the Homemakers Beatitudes.
© Monika Hardy

Stay Home Vacation

Ah the joys of summer...

knee pain

tooth pain

tooth pulling pain

family in the hospital (please pray for salvation and healing)
Just doesn't sound like fun does it?

Ok there was another side...

A stay at home vacation!

Mom spent the weekend at "The Club" as she calls it, and had a great time! It was our first weekend without her since last September since she came to live with us.

Hubby and I did some of the things we have been wanting to do and get done, and have fun as well! We made it out to breakfast, and to the Farmers Market, where my wonderful Honey found some beautiful flowers and bought them for me, as a gift on our 27th wedding anniversary. What a delight to walk around the Farmers Market with a gorgeous boquet of flowers. I am hoping to get some time to try to draw and paint them before they wither. I'll be able to use my "new" painting easel that we found on our Thrift store excursion.

We also popped out the door early one morning, because we could!...and splurged on a Mc Donalds Iced Latte. The weather had cooled just for our weekend,and it was so nice to enjoy the front porch. It was hard not to get some work done with it all around us so we took care of some of the repairs that needed to be done.

We never made it to the movie theater that was on our list. We origianlly wanted to go to get out of the heat, but since it had cooled off there really wasn't any need for it, and we didn't really see anything decent playing anyway. We did have some more creative things in mind to accomplish, so I had time to paint...the easel to make it look better as well as a base coat for some wooden items I had found and would like to decorate.

I also made it to the Library to get a few books on embroidery stitches, as I am working on some items for Christmas already. Hubby was able to play guitar, and read, as well as a few other items on his list.

It was good to have the time to recooperate from the tooth pulling, and have some time together. What a great decision to stay home, instead of traveling and coming home exhausted and needing time off before going back to work! We were even able to watch our church services online. What a blessing to sit out on the front porch and listen to the Word of God on a cool "vacation day" morning, for the heart takes no vacation from Jesus!

Yesterday while my dear Hubby took care of mom's rental needs, I had a chance to go to "The Club" with her. I was invited to play my guitar, ok my Honey's guitar, and sing for the residents.

What a blessing it was to be there! Just to share the love of Jesus with them in song and in word, and in deed is such a pleasure. As always there are some who are not "comfortable" with, or "offended" by the word of God, but to be ready in season is wonderful, and to see the smiles and tears of others as they listened brings this heart joy.

© Monika Hardy