Happy Thanksgiving!

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!  Serve the Lord with gladness!  Come into his presence with singing!  Know that the Lord, he is God!  It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!  Give thanks to him; bless his name!  For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. 

Psalm 100 (NIV)

From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!  :)

 

Pinned it, Made it! Monday & More

Good morning everyone!

I'm so sorry that I failed to pop in here and let you know that I'm taking two weeks off from Pinned it, Made it! Monday, that being yesterday (November 25th) and next Monday as well (December 1st).  I will be back at it on Monday, December 8th.

I really appreciate my blogging friends!  Thanks for hanging with me and not giving up on me during my time away from regular blogging.  I have much to share and hope to get back at it after our vacation this week.  We're in Alabama for the week of Thanksgiving.

I hope you and your family have a Blessed Thanksgiving!  :)

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch (with Patrice)

Good morning!  I am joining Patrice on her farmhouse porch again this week.  I hope it's not storming there like it is here today!  :)

It must be challenging to come up with different questions each week, and I always look forward to see what she came up with for the week.......and here are this week's questions:

1.  Do you use any type of water filter (pitcher or sink mount)?

I don't use a pitcher or sink mount filter, but we do have a filter on our refrigerator and we get our drinking water from the water dispenser there or else just drink bottled water.

2.  Do you have any tips for staying hydrated in the warmer weather?

I'm happy to say I've greatly reduced my carbonated drinks (um....that would be diet dew)....and am drinking much more water.  From about noon or so, I have a glass of ice water all day that I sip on and refill all day long.  Water is the best!

3.  Is your hair naturally curly or straight?

I don't have one single bit of wave or curl.  My hair is as straight as it gets and fine too.  I have to admit, I would love to have a little wave or curl to my hair.

Straight and fine hair.....

4.  Are you on top of all the chores/work you do, or are you always running behind? 

That's funny.....and easy to answer.  Always running behind.  I'm a list person and plan to accomplish much....and then sometime during the day, I have to go to Plan B.  :)

5.  If you could sing a song to Wendell, what would it be?

Hmm.....well I sing all the time...in the shower, in the car....working around the house....all the time.  I think if I was out there with Wendell, I'd probably sing something like "You get a line and I'll get a pole, honey."  :)  I think that Wendell might like it.  After all, he IS a country horse.  :)

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That was fun, Patrice!  Thanks for having us over!  And thank YOU for stopping by today!  You can join Patrice on the farmhouse porch too.  Just click on the button above.

Have a great day!

♥ Tammy ♥

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch - (with Patrice)

Not to be confused with my Sunporch Chats, this is Chats on the Farmhouse Porch with Patrice.  I'm joining HER on her porch for her weekly questions!  You can too if you would like!  The more, the merrier!

Each week she has a new set of questions.  I look forward to seeing what she's asking from week to week. I'm joining this week......so here goes!

1.  Have you cooked any interesting dishes lately?

Hmm...I usually share those on my Pinned it, Made it! Mondays if I have, so I'll share the latest one....butterfinger pie!  Boy oh boy was it yummy!

If you've just got to taste it, you can get the recipe here.  :)

2.  What question would you like to ask Wendell?

Now if you're just joining and don't know who Wendell is, well that's the furry member of Patrice's family.....her beloved horse and friend.

So my question for Wendell is.......We are a superhero fan family here......so we'd like to know......who's your favorite superhero, Wendell?

3. Have you had any thoughts of Christmas yet?

Actually my mom and I were just discussing it this morning, as in how quickly this year is passing and before we know it that Christmas will be here.  I love fall and the days leading up to Christmas, but I'm not rushing it!  Christmas is my favorite holiday though!  :)

4.  Do you make jams and jellies?

I make strawberry freezer jelly.  And it's time to make more.  I'm down to only 4 jars.  That will be a big project one day soon.  My mom will probably come over and we'll make a day of it and stock up both of our freezers and some of our family and friends' too!  My kids think there's no other jelly but this....it's THE BEST!  If you want to know how to make it, click here.  

5.  Do you have any board games that you enjoy?

As of lately, my newest thing closest to a board game we've been playing is Uno.  Love it!  I also love Phase 10, but haven't played it in awhile.  I also like to play this board game called Word Trio with my family....it's a mixture of drawing, describing, and acting out words!  Lots of fun!  

That's always fun!  Remember you can join too!  Click the button at the top of this page and join Patrice on the farmhouse porch with your answers to the questions!  And thank YOU for stopping by my little corner of blogland today!  I appreciate you!  :)

♥ Tammy ♥

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch

Good morning friends!  What a beautiful day it is!  :)

I enjoy popping in over at (blogging friend) Patrice's house and chatting with her on the farmhouse porch.  I'm joining her today and you can join too by clicking on the link below.


This week's questions are fun!   :)  Here we go!


1)  Do you enjoy grocery shopping?

I enjoy it much more these days since we go as a family to do our "big grocery shopping".  We tackle it together with 3 carts and dividing our list so we can conquer it much quicker!  And my hubby is there to help sack and load groceries.  :)  It is much more enjoyable to me this way! 

2)  Are you following any particular news stories?

No, not really.  I love when good things make the news!  Those get my attention!  :)

3)  How do you feel about all of the technology we have today?  Is it too much, just right, or not enough?

I tend to resist technology a bit, or at least for awhile.  I'm not quick to jump on the bandwagon.  It is usually my hubby that talks me into getting or trying something.  It seems that there's always the rush to get to the "next best thing."  I miss the simpler days, but I do have to say that I love my camera, laptop, and my smartphone.  They can be time robbers though......I have to be really careful.  Technology is a good thing I suppose, but I do miss old-fashioned simplicity!

4)  On a scale of 1-10 (1 being the least), how much do you worry?

I have "worry" written in my Bible (from back when I was a teen) defined as "taking on an added responsibility that God didn't intend for you to have."  I don't want to be a worrier and I try to trust God more and worry less, but I would still have to give myself a 4 or a 5 because it's in my nature.

5)  Without any of your responsibilities or concern with how you would accomplish this, what would your three dream jobs be?

I'm living out my three dream jobs actually.....wife, mother, and teacher (teaching my children at home).  Other than that, I would like to be a published author (preferably books for children), a photographer, or have our own family business.  :)

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Thank you for stopping by!  Have a wonderful day!  :)

♥ Tammy ♥

♥ The Winner is....♥

Thank you so much to all who entered my blogging anniversary giveaway and most of all for the sweet comments!

I made sure everyone was given credit for the correct number of entries and.put them in a big Americana basket.

Luke's job was to mix them up really well.  He loved that job.  :)

And then Joy drew out a winner..........

And yes, you get to see here how my kitchen looks most of the time....papers (and books) end up on the bar and refrigerator quite often.  :)

Sandi....A Primitive Skate!   And I just realized that you have been on a winning streak!  Well, I think after the trials you've also had, you are well deserving!  Congratulations, Sandi!  I'll need your address, so I can get your table bench (riser) out to you!  :)

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My heart just breaks and goes out to all the families of Moore, Oklahoma that lost family members in the tornado and even those that endured the tornado devasation.  I know we can count on each other to pray for these families!

Have a great day!

♥ Tammy ♥

♥ Chats on the Farmhouse Porch ♥

I'm joining Patrice for a chat on her farmhouse porch.  :)

 

 

1. How many load of laundry do you do each week (about)?

We do about 5 or 6 loads a week.  Joy (my 14 year old daughter) helps me keep the laundry caught up.  We are quite spoiled now to our homemade laundry detergent too.


2. Where do your household pets sleep? If you have no pets, please skip to the next question.  

We have one cat (Bambi) and she starts off in the bed with us to get a little attention, then she moves to the floor, beside the dresser, in our room for the rest of the night usually. 

    3. What is your favorite thing to listen to while you drive?  

I've always said that it's whatever my kids are listening to.  Most of the time it is our Christian radio station, K-Love.  When Joy and Luke are with me, we also listen to a few CDs as well.......here lately it's been Owl City, Francesca Batistelli, and also a Swing Dance CD we just got from a graduation party.  That's quite a variety, isn't it?

Oh, and I can never just listen to music in the car.....I sing along, always!  If I'm ever alone driving (which is a very rare thing), I like silence.  I guess because it is because it's so rare that I'm alone that I enjoy my quiet moments.

 

 

4. Do you have to do a big clean-up when you have company, or are you always ready for guests?  

Yes....a clean up definitely.  It's a joke around here when I start really cleaning......the kids ask "who's coming"?  Being here all day, homeschooling with books and stuff and a 5 year old active boy with toys strewn out, it definitely needs a pick-me-up!

 

 

5. What's your favorite breakfast food?

 

If I ate what I wanted every morning, it would be waffles probably, but I usually just eat a cereal bar.  I don't know why it is, but when we travel, I love a bigger breakfast.....eggs, bacon, hash browns and biscuits or toast.  It just tastes really good then (maybe because I don't have to cook it)?  :)

 

  That was fun, Patrice!   Thanks for the hospitality on the porch!  :)    ♥ Tammy ♥  

♥ Sunporch Chat ♥ with Elaine of Sunny Simple Life ♥

Good morning and welcome to my sunporch!  Come on in and join Elaine, of Sunny Simple Life, and me for a little visit!  You may already know Elaine, and if you do, you already know how she loves all things concerning home and family including helpful household tips, frugal tips, gardening, and CHICKENS.  If you haven't met her yet, well......you're in for a treat!  :) 

Grab yourself a piece of strawberry cake and a cup of coffee, make yourself comfortable, and enjoy your visit!

Meet Elaine.........

 

 

1) How long have you been blogging and what/who gave you the desire to blog?

Three years. I started with another blog on couponing and then realized I wanted to have more fun and do more of a "Life" blog. I had become a stay at home mom and it was a great way to connect with other like minded women.

2) How did you choose the name of your blog and why?

I was sitting in my backyard and then realized hey it is sunny here and I am all about living a simple life. There you go.

 

 

3) What variety of topics do you post on your blog (examples - home decorating, family, gardening, recipes, adoption, homeschooling, crafting, etc....)

 

OMG lots of topics, family, decorating, cleaning, gardening, frugality and CHICKENS.

 

 

4) Tell us a little about yourself and your family.

Married 24 years to a wonderful man. I am so blessed that he married me.

 

 

 

I have four daughters from 21 to four.

 

 

 

When I turned 40 and later that year found out I was pregnant, hubby said that was an awesome gift he gave me.

 

 

 

5) How would you describe your decorating style?

Prim, country, farmhouse, vintage but a lot of what I call "early marriage."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6) What's your favorite color and why?

Red. Just have to have it in all my rooms.

 

 

 

7) Tell us a few of your favorite things (collections, things that make you happy, etc.).

Plants, flowers, rough and rustic prims, crocks and chickens. I have always had a lot of chicken nick knacks in my house.

 

 

 

 

8) What do you like to do in your spare time (hobbies, crafts, etc..)?

Garden. I love to garden.

 

 

 

 

 

I hate to shop except at the nursery and my favorite little home decor shop.

 

 

9) What does your dream house look like? (Describe and/or include photo)

A rambling farmhouse with lots of acreage and barns. If I could raise all my own meat I would.

 

10) If you could visit anywhere, anytime, where would it be and why?

I want to visit New England. I believe I was meant to be born there and live in a Saltbox home and wear Pendleton skirts and cardigan sweaters.

 

11) Would you share with us a favorite homemaking/organizing tip or recipe, etc..?

Make your bed everyday. It is a gift you give yourself.

 

 

 

 Eat with your family every night. It is vital.

 

12) Tell us something about yourself that we might not already know from reading your blog. (something unusual, etc..)

Hmm. I can't think of anything too exciting. I only go to the mall maybe twice a year. With four daughters it is not easy to avoid the place but I hate it. I am a Target girl. I do not like clothes shopping. My wardrobe is proof of that.

 

13) I know that your family is a homeschooling family, and that you have been for awhile. Would you share a little about that? (Maybe how that came to be, how long you’ve been homeschooling, how that works for you, what homeschooling looks like at your house, curriculum, anything you’d like to share here…. from any angle, Elaine).

Oh this is funny. I am not homeschooling right now. I did homeschool my two oldest all through high school with lots of outside classes added in. They are both in college right now. My third daughter is in public high school. This is something she always wanted to do and it was a rough adjustment for ME not her though. She loves it though and is thriving and giving homeschoolers a good name. I worked part time through all the years I homeschooled the oldest two so I had to pick curriculum they could work independently on. I think this has proved so beneficial for my older girls. They never had a problem taking direction in college and working independently and figuring things out. They had been doing it most of their lives. I am torn about what to do with my youngest next year. We will have to wait and see.

 

 

 

14) You raise chickens in the city. I love that! I would love to have chickens! Will you share a little about how that came to be, your thoughts and experiences on raising chickens?

My oldest daughter was tutoring a woman with chickens in our city and that triggered my desire. I have always been a gardener and chickens just fit in nicely. Though they would be happy to eat your garden so you have to reign them in.

 

15) I love your frugal tips. So many families these days are trying to be budget minded, frugal, and thrifty. Would you share a couple of your favorite frugal/thrifty tips with us?

 

Use things until they fall apart. Cut up your credit cards. Fix as many things as you can yourself.

 

16) Tell us a way God has blessed you and/or your family.

Well, I have a hard time with this because I know folks much more Godly than I and they have such hard lives and difficult trials. I think what I have to say then is that so far we have been lucky. No one knows when your life will change forever. When you will have to drag yourself out of bed every day because you lost a child or have a terminal illness. None of us can avoid hard times. They will happen to all of us but what my husband and I have always been focused on is home. We are just home bodies and spend our energies here. I think that keeps things simplified as much as things can be with kids. I don't go lookin for drama let's say. Look at those Housewives shows. How can you act a fool like that in front of your kids and expect good things of it?

 

17) Share any words of wisdom and/or a favorite quote you'd like to leave with us.

My mother's words live in me everyday. She was my idol and the mom I strive to be. I knew I wanted her life, simple as it was, from the time I was young. As for others:

Nothing is free.

Keep your heart at home. The more you look inward, the happier you will be. Keep your focus on your family and no one else. Strive for what works in your house, not other folks. Do NOT compare yourself to others. I learned this I think somewhere in my thirties and noticed I made a turn to a happier me. And don't read fashion magazines. They will surely depress you. Love that one.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

 

Thank you Elaine for being such a wonderful guest!  You are always an inspiration to me, whether it's life with your chickens, homemaking tips, or enjoying your decorating and family.  I really loved your advice and tips and you know I'm definitely with you on all that red!  :)  Visiting your blog is always simply....... a sunny place to be!  :)

 

 

Thank you to all the lovely guests that stopped by today!  I hope you enjoyed your visit.  I enjoy seeing my long-time friends here AND meeting new people.  I always look forward to your comments here, and I know Elaine would love for you to stop by and visit her at Sunny Simple Life and drop her a line there too!

 

Have a great day!

 

♥ Tammy ♥