Hello!

Sorry to be MIA for such a long stretch.
Life has been busy- the good kind of busy, but too busy for comfort in many ways.
My family moved a couple of weeks ago, that's a stress in itself; though we are very happy in our new home.
The move was due to a new job for my husband, and that was a huge relief and answer to prayer.
These days I'm unpacking boxes and trying to get life back to a workable routine, all the while thinking about what herbs to plant in my herb boxes out back and the new herbal recipes I plan to make soon.

Our move has also meant no home internet for a while; and I don't know about you, but using a computer other than mine isn't fun (even if it is my husband's).  It's just not the same as sitting down at "my desk" and sipping a cup of herb tea while I type out a post ... things should be up and running properly soon, and I've got lots of ideas for the fall months.

I'll be sharing some favorite herb recipes and a few gift ideas in the coming weeks (just as soon as the internet thing is resolved). 
Until then, I wish you beautiful days filled with the glory of autumn!

Hello

Just a quick Hello There post.
Lots of changes in the Love household these days-
a new home ( we are actually moving back to an "old" home)
a new ministry (which is just a tad bit overwhelming at the moment)

no internet service at home yet (which means I have to borrow someone else's computer ... and it's just not the same as sitting down at my desk with a cup of tea and "thinking on the page" each morning)

But, all is well ... God is good, and soon I'll be back to regular posting, just as soon as the boxes are unpacked and I find a workable routine.

The robins have made their way to Texas, fall is in the air!

Hope all is well in your world :) .

Just in case you're wondering where I've been ...

I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air.  - Nathaniel Hawthorne


I'll be back shortly, just need a few more days to settle in to a new season ... :)

Back Online ...

at least for now.  I've been having ISP issues all week ... not fun, not fun at all.  Especially when your silly cockatiel keeps shrieking and messing with the stupid computer that you are oh so desperately trying to communicate with in order to talk to a real live person ... (sigh).  But, a nice gentleman called this afternoon and told me "he thinks" he's got the issue fixed; and bless his soul, he told me if I have the same issue again in the near future, to call him directly.  Thank you, thank you, thank you kind sir. 

And now that I'm finally online ... I'm too tired to write anyway (sigh).

I missed my Alphabe-Thursday post, but hope Mrs. Matlock will let me make it up next week! 

Happy Weekend, I'm off to have a cup of tea. 

Just So You Know...

rats will drink from a straw.  My daughter felt the little ratty deserved a drink after all that cereal.  The thing was strangely very calm ... perhaps she was once a pet, or she just felt so at home here she wasn't frightened. 

Ratty has now been released far enough away that she surely will not find her way back "Home".  At least that's what my husband says.  He was gone a rather long time ... which was somewhat disturbing. Wandering down a dark alley in my neighborhood is not the smartest, or safest, of things to do at midnight.  Of course, who would mess with a tired waiter carrying a rat in a cage, mumbling about his family squealing and squawking about rats in the house and then feeding them after he catches them??? Just another night at the Love Nest!

And I'm STILL getting a cat!  I warned Miss Ratty last night to tell all her little furry friends to find another place to scuttle about in the attic and steal food.  So there.  No more rodents for me.  Here kitty, kitty! :)

Please Don't Tell My Husband ...

I think I've finally lost that little shred of sanity I was working so hard to hold on to.  Remember my univited guest, the r-a-t?  The one that caused shrieking and screaming and mayhem and madness? 

Well, she came back "Home" after my soft-hearted hubby caught her in a live trap and released her (too close to "home").  At least she looks like the same little ratty.  At any rate, a gnawing, chewing, scuffling in the walls creature has been making me grumbly and grouchy of late, because I really don't like the idea of it being in my house ... ick. 

So, last night my husband said he thinks we should get a cat.  I stayed awake a looonnnggg time thinking about that one.  My husband who has declared cats in the house "yucky" to put it nicely ... and outdoor cats are a gardener's nightmare ... your garden will look for all the world like the most lovely of litterboxes (trust me, it's gross).

 Anyway, Mr. NO Cats, decides that a cat is the solution to the rat ...
I'm pondering this because I like cats, really much better than dogs.  They are low maintenance (well except for that litter box thing, but I have kids who can be paid to clean that), and don't usually jump on you or lick your face or make loud noises.  But, we're beginning to have a loooong list of "pets" that will be joining the household soon-
3 bunnies (already promised to 3 girls who will not let us get out of that one.)
chickens (These were my idea ... now I'm rethinking just a bit.)
a dog (It must be the right dog- housebroken, big but not huge, good with all sorts of animals, kids, and people, etc., etc. but we have a possibility at the shelter.)
ducks ... for some reason I have this desire for ducks ... though I hope it passes.

And we already have a cockateil and a parakeet inside ... a cat might be a nightmare for them.

So, now a cat, to catch the rat ... who just so happened to get caught in the live trap again tonight.  My husband is working, I'm sitting politely at the computer trying to visit my Alphabe-Thursday classmates, when I hear a sound ... scratching, scuttling, squeaking? (maybe not) behind my desk.  Little Ratty has found herself trapped again!  Now, for the ssshhhhh don't tell him part ... I felt a bit sorry for the little creature and
gave.her.some.cereal.  (sigh)

Oh good grief, I really have lost it, haven't I? 

My children declared her "sort of cute" and fed her more cereal, because she looked hungry... Now I think she must be thirsty and I don't know how to give her a drink without actually opening the cage ... do you think she could drink from a straw? 

OK, so here is my dilemma ...
Do I take her outside and turn her loose again? 
What if she comes back and we have a c-a-t? 
That would be sad now that we've become acquainted...
Should I get a cage and let the children keep her (Their suggestion ... I'm still thinking she'll be icky when she grows up just a bit. Those naked tails gross me out.). 

Of course, either of these solutions will mean I don't need Paris, the lovely long-haired black kitty I have my heart set on  ...

And here I sit, trapped in the house with a thirsty little rat in a cage pondering what to do...  oh my, I really am crazy.

Giveaway Winner and Random Ramblings

First of all, pop over to The Renegade Farmer to see the winner of my Herbal Goodness Giveaway!   That was fun, I think I will have a giveaway here at Love Living Simply soon.  I also talked a bit about growing herbs in containers if you are interested in container gardening. 

I'm also participating in a Secret Seed Swap with some of the farmgirls at the Mary Janes Farm forum.  More fun, a package of surprise seeds to plant and wait for the magic to grow, love it!  I'm trying to decide what to send my partner ... something lovely, something unusual ... hmmmm I'll have to sort through the seed box and see what I can find. 

Thanks to all you dearies who left comments on my Alphabe-Thursday post, I promise to read your entries, too ... very soon!  I was sick, sick, sick (I'll spare you the details of that one) Thurs. evening and all day yesterday (My sil works in a school and since I've been babysitting my niece we have been sick more in one year than in years and years ... ggggrrrr!  I'm going to set a new rule- do not bring the baby unless no one in your household has been over any illness for at least 48 hours... not that she will abide by that ....sigh) .  I spent the entire day in bed yesterday, something that almost never happens.  Thankfully, my husband is off on Friday mornings, so he took the girls with him to work in the gardens.  I was a bit sad knowing that "they" were planting my tomatoes for me ... I wasn't sad that they weeded out all of the grass that had sprung up, however! 

Today my oldest daughter is baking a birthday cake for Grandma, her favorite- Pineapple Upside Down Cake, and we are making her favorite meal - pork chops, macaroni & cheese, and asparagus.  Easy to please, my Mother in Love!

And if it doesn't rain, I plan to get out in the yard and over to the garden and plant a few things myself- okra, Blue Jade corn,  strawberry popcorn, peppers, and Lemondrop basil, sweet basil, shisho, cosmos, Mexican sunflower ...

I was very thankful yesterday for ginger and peppermint tea and lavender essential oil ...

Have a great weekend! 

I'll leave you with some excellent words of advice:


Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.

Boldness has genius,
power and magic in it.
Begin it now!
~Goethe~

Spring Fever

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

Spring Fever, I've got it! I'm ready to sow seeds, pot plants, and dig in the earth. I love the first days of spring, though they do make me feel a bit odd sometimes ... it's the fever, I do believe!

Anyone else feeling spring feverish these days?

You'll find me treating the fever with some planting and plotting at the community garden this afternoon, and tomorrow we're off on a day trip to a few of my favorite plant places:

The Natural Gardener

Barton Springs Nursery

It's About Thyme

If time allows, I hope to stop by Whole Foods and Wheatsville Co-op, and stock up on a few healthy goodies, too.

These things ought to help my spring fever, or maybe feed it even more.

Weekend Blessings and Bliss to you!

Uninvited Guests

Something has been afoot in our household lately:

Yes, this little rat, which looks much, much smaller and cuter in the trap than he did when we bumped into each other in my dark bedroom (I'm sure I woke the neighbors). I wandered into the bedroom and apparently startled my "guest", who ran across my bare foot (rat feet are creepy), and caused me to scream and jump and act otherwise insane. My husband came in to find me perched on the bed, pointing at the closet door like a mad woman ... "It's in THERE!", I squeeked. He laughingly went in to shoo away the offender and was rewarded with a rat climbing his pants leg, the outside thank goodness (though it might have been rather entertaining had the little fellow taken the tunnel ...). Needless to say, I did not sleep well that night. Or the next.

After the vistors, we discovered that ratty had brought along friends, got brave enough to start dashing about the kitchen at all hours of the day; I put my foot down and said somethings got to give and now!

So... being the kindhearted souls that we are (and being grossed out at the thought of a squished rat), we bought a live trap to catch the little creatures. First my husband set up this crazy homemade trap using a plastic tote, a marker and a ball of yarn. It actually worked and he caught the first little rat in a few minutes. The other 2 weren't so simple minded. When he tried this method the second night, the rats followed the string from the trap right up to where my husband was sitting on the floor! I wouldn't have believed it myself if I hadn't watched it with my own eyes ... perched safely in the other room with my feet up off the floor, of course.

We caught the "sort of cute" creature in the photo on Saturday night, and another one last night. That was 3, and I was relieved thinking that at last all of our uninvited guests had been relocated ... until I walked into the kitchen this morning to find a hole chewed into a garbage bag and a trail of evidence proving otherwise. There's another one, ack! I'm beginning to wonder if they are just coming back "Home" ...

My project for this afternoon is researching what herbs and other natural things I can use to send these univited guests packing for good!

Garden and Christmas Ramblings

I loved this article on the benefits of small space gardening: Grow $700 of Food in 100 Square Feet .
The author's website has much to offer as well- gorgeous photos, articles, recipes, and more: Rosalind Creasy .
I'm ready to spend an afternoon curled up with a cup of tea, a few seed catalogs, and my Garden Wish List! I'm also thinking about starting seeds indoors ... very, very soon.

And now back to my simple Christmas plans ... I think we'll bake sugar cookies today, since it is f-r-e-e-z-i-n-g outside, and I'll certainly not be going anywhere until the thermometer rises another 25 degrees or so. Perhaps we will roll the dough, cut out shapes and decorate them with icing and/or sprinkles; or maybe we'll just make balls of dough, roll them in sugar and smash them down with a glass (or our fingers). They'll taste delicious and be eaten with joy, no matter what they look like!

My motto this season is one I try to live by throughout the year: Simplify, Simplify!

Christmas sometimes doesn't feel so simple to me (I hate the crowds, shopping malls, and all of the hype that comes with the season these days). I've determined not to let it become a burden this year; but rather keep it the joy-filled time to remember the birth of the Joy Giver that it should be.

I'll be attempting to spread a bit of joy myself, but in simple ways that don't stress me or our family budget!

Cookies - simple or fancy, tasty just the same and when made with love ... a blessing!
Cards - simple child (and mommy) crafted ones made with great love ... and lots of glitter(!)
Caring- simply taking time to listen, really listen, to those lonely souls who just need a listening ear, and perhaps a silent prayer. (If you pay attention, you will find them most everywhere. Amazing what joy this brings, to the listener as well as the speaker, and I know you'll learn some very interesting things, as well. Try this with a child ... oh the things they think!)

May your hearts and homes be filled with Hope, Peace, Joy and Love this season!

Listening

Hear the Word:

Daily Audio Bible

Blessings Abound

I've been organizing the pantry today. Organizing is not my strong point, and it has been just a tad bit challenging to get everything into our small space. We were blessed by friends from the church in our community before Thanksgiving, and they more than filled up our cupboards with goodies.

Honestly, everything on this dining room table was in 2 big totes, along with a turkey, a ham, a bag of Oreos (already eaten of course), and a $25.00 shopping card! Friends knew we were having a bit of a struggle, as my husband's workplace cut back his hours early in the month. It was a very loving, generous gesture, and one we are most grateful for! The blessing was ultimately from the Lord, who often uses His people to bless others.

The Lord has provided for us during this time, blessing us in most surprising ways. One week, we paid the bills, bought $25.00 in groceries (for a family of 5, that doesn't go far), and put $20.00 gas in the truck (which would not last all week), and just prayed that the Lord would see us through. On Sunday morning, one of the ministers at the church we attend now walked up to my husband and handed him an envelope with our name on it. He said someone dropped it off before church and asked to remain anonymous. Inside was a note "God cares for you!" and $130.00 cash! We still don't know who gave us this blessing, but we know ultimately it came from the Lord.

There have been other blessings as well. I am sharing these things with you to remind you and myself (how short my memory is at times) that the Lord provides for His children. He is a loving Father, and you can trust Him. He is such a good God!

He also has a sense of humor! Those of you who "know" me, probably giggled at some of the food on that table. Why? others would ask. Well, quite honestly we don't normally eat some (OK, a lot) of those things. I've been on the "healthy whole food organic eating" bandwagon for quite some time. Yet, since this is not the first time the Lord has blessed our family in this "funny" food way, I think I'm getting the message... "Food is food, give thanks and eat it!" We did and we will, I assure you! Well....my children did beg me to give away the canned Cranberry sauce, and Instant Oatmeal was not a hit for breakfast the other morning. So, I am making up a box to share with another friend, whose taste buds will be quite happy with these things!

This is a normal breakfast for me:

Or....Oreos and tea these days ;) !

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

...Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1Chronicles 16:8-11, 34

Happy Birthday to Me!

I spent part of the morning doing a little birthday shopping....for me! My birthday was a few days ago, and my dear husband told me he had put aside $$$ for me to get some things I truly wanted for my birthday. (He began offering to let me do my own shopping the year I declared I only wanted seeds for my birthday and Christmas.) "Unless, of course, I would rather him take the girls shopping and come home with all sorts of lovely, but maybe not what I really would like treasures." I quickly opted to do my own shopping, and since I've always got a long list of books and other little things I'd like to have.....someday, it didn't take long for me to decide.

Here is what I will be anxiously waiting for the postman to deliver:

Some delicious sounding soaps from my sweet friend Dalyn at Hick Chicks Soap Barn . I chose the Rosemary Buttermilk Complexion Bar and the In The Raw Goat Milk Soap. I've also got my eye on a couple that aren't cured yet, so I'll be ordering Winter Grapefruit and the Men's Shaving Suds Bar when those are ready.

and

Lettuce Poppy and Sweet Rocket seeds from Tasha Tudor and Family.
I love poppies, and the scented Sweet Rocket was too tempting to pass up!

I've still got a little money for a book or two, as well. Fun!

On a Brighter Note

We are moving to our new nest this weekend!

It has been a long wait, and though the house still needs some major things done before it will be "civilized" in my book...we are moving in nonetheless. My husband will be doing some major work in the next few days, amid memorial services, work, and the challenges of daily life.
But, we will be having Thanksgiving in the new house, joining family and friends in giving thanks for the many blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us this year.

I will be offline for a while, not so sure about the wiring for the internet service there, but I'll be back sometime soon to begin some new writings on a few of my favorite things: simplicity, cooking, herbs, and crafting lovely things for the bath from herbs and other natural ingredients.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!!!

Catherine

A Sad Note

My husband's step-mom passed away early this morning. It was a very sudden happening, though she has been in failing health for quite some time. While we are saddened by the loss, we are comforted with the assurance that she is now at peace, and at home with the Lord.

My husband was blessed to have the privelege of baptizing her a few years ago. Not only her, but her eldest daughter, my husband's step-sister, as well. After praying for them for many years, it was a joyful day for our family, the day they were not only our earthly family, but joined our heavenly family as well.

If you would be so kind, please do lift up the family, especially the grandchildren who will dearly miss their Nana, and my Father-in-Law, who does not know the Lord.

Thanks so much,
Catherine

A new season

of blogging and other things. I will be updating things here and posting some of my favorite simplicities and other goodies as time allows. Until then, you can find recipes and my random ramblings on my homestead blog.