Day Book

Outside my window... the sun is shining with beautiful wispy clouds floating around. There is a peaceful "coolness". The temperatures are staying in the 80's ~ so for this area, this is a peaceful coolness.



I am thinking... about several things that have happened over the last couple of days. Some good, some not as good as others but nothing bad.
I am thankful for... family ~Who else on earth can know the real you and love you anyway?
From the learning rooms... the time has begun for the gathering of all the needed items, books and curriculum that will be used for our new school year. I have everything regarding curriculum decided on. Now I just need to order it.
From the kitchen... homemade pizza on whole wheat crust for supper tonight along with a tossed salad.
I am creating... still working on that blasted afghan. I'm also working on a pair of socks. Yep, my first pair. Hopefully, I can keep it up. I'd like to be able to wear them in the winter.
I am reading... for fun  A Woman Called Sage by DiAnn Mills. In my Bible~ I Chronicles, Romans, Psalms and Proverbs.
I am praying... for the Lord to open some doors.
Around the house... a lot is going on. I have some major cleaning to do to get ready for fall/school, my spring cleaning has come and gone and now it's time for my fall cleaning.
A few plans for the rest of the week... I'm not too sure. This is our wedding anniversary week and we will be going to the Apple Barn and Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant  for lunch on Friday. Before we can go, I have many, many little things to accomplish. Friday's laundry is one of them.

Willow Springs a Review

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Willow Springs

The year is 1883 and following a whirlwind courtship, seventeen-year-old Copper Brown finds herself living in the bustling city of Lexington, KY, far away from her beloved mountain home, newly married to a man she barely knows. Having been raised to put her trust in God, Copper sets out to find a purpose for this new life that she had never imagined.

My Thoughts:

Again, another must read. You will not want to miss what happens to Copper when she enters the "eye opening" experience of living in the city of Lexington. Willow Springs is just like Troublesome Creek... hard to put down. I even made time during the day, so I could read these books. I just hope the third book, is just as good as these.

Another good story that continues from Troublesome Creek.

Willow Springs - eBook By Jan Watson / Tyndale House The year is 1883 and following a whirlwind courtship, seventeen-year-old Copper Brown finds herself living in the bustling city of Lexington, KY, far away from her beloved mountain home, newly married to a man she barely knows. Having been raised to put her trust in God, Copper sets out to find a purpose for this new life that she had never imagined.

Grab the Series

The Troublesome Creek Collection: Troublesome Creek / Willow Springs / Torrent Falls - eBook By Jan Watson / Tyndale House

Torrent Falls a Review

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Torrent Falls is the third book in the Troublesome Creek Series by Jan Watson.

Copper is a young widow, who has returned to her Father's little cabin nestled in the mountains of Kentucky along the Troublesome Creek. Copper along with her young daughter face the reality of  trying to work a farmstead all alone. It's not long, before Copper is sent Darcy and Dimmert Witt, a brother and sister to work and help out around the farm. Both become a wonderful asset to Copper's family.


Copper is introduced to several new families in the area, when her medical experience is needed. After watchin one suffer from unusual challenges, Copper learns to care for this special person.


Childhood friend, John Pelfrey is home from his travels and still carrying an undying love for Copper. After spending time together and getting reacquainted, John and Copper begin talking about marriage. Everything seems to be going well until a situation from John's past reappears.

There's not as much "going on" as in the first two books. It is definite need to read to know what has happened in Copper's life after she returned to Troublesome Creek.

Don't miss my reviews for books one and two Troublesome Creek and Willow Springs.

Torrent Falls - eBook By Jan Watson / Tyndale House The year is 1888; Copper is a young widow with a baby trying to make a go of the ramshackle farm she received from her father in Troublesome Creek. Copper's life seems as dilapidated as the farm as she struggles to come to terms with her shattered world. Desperate to rekindle the easy faith she had as a child, she searches for peace and God's direction in the serenity of the Kentucky mountains. Further complicating her life is a budding romance with John Pelfrey, Copper's long ago sweetheart. Once sure she could never love again, Copper gives her heart to John only to face betrayal. A skilled midwife, Copper is challenged in many ways as she ministers to the women of eastern Kentucky. Always a believer, Copper still has much to learn as she grows in wisdom and in faith.

GRAB THE SERIES

The Troublesome Creek Collection: Troublesome Creek / Willow Springs / Torrent Falls - eBook By Jan Watson / Tyndale House

To Soap or Not to Soap

Since I was a pre-teen, I have had to deal with a very oily face. As we all know, oil causes a shine and if not taken care of properly, it will bring on blemishes. Okay, one ~ I dislike blemishes and two ~ I really, really detest the oily look. I remember when I left my teens and entered my twenties, I thought, "YAY, no more problem skin!" Boy, was I wrong. As my twenties slipped into my thirties, I have not done away with my oily face.

I remember doing all sorts of things to rid my face of oil and blemishes. I tried Neutrogena Facial Cleansing Bar for acne prone skin and it didn't help. I even moved on to Dove soap and the foul smelling Witch Hazel. Next, I even tried using Sea Breeze Astringents. I even tried a product that had crushed apricot seeds in it. Yeah, you know the one, made by St. Ives. Hopefully, they have crushed those seeds a little more, so girls won't be going around with a red face, like I did the first week I used the product. I moved on to using an egg white mask to making a paste with baking soda and leaving it on until it crumbled off. Still, no help!

Moving right a long... In my mid twenties, I remembered seeing this COMMERCIAL when I was younger. I thought, "Go ahead, you use it in the shower." So I did and I could not believe the difference within a matter of days, my face was changing. I heard bells ringing and angels singing, "Hallelujah!" Not, really, I just thought that was funny. But seriously, I thought I found the perfect oil reducer and blemish fighter. For about 15 years, all I have used on my face is Ivory soap. Yeah, it left my face a little tight after wards.  But hey, my pores were closed and I did not have any oil seeping through. And the blemishes ~ HISTORY!


Now, that my thirties have just about slipped into my forties (7 more months), I think I have now had to move on to something else. Yep, the oil has returned, followed by some blemishes, although I have even used rubbing alcohol on my face to help dry up some of the oil. ~ Pick up your teeth off  the floor and close your mouth. I know what you are thinking! RUBBING ALCOHOL! Let me just say, when you have had to deal with this type of problem for almost 30 years ~ you get a little bit desperate.

About a month and half ago, our family was at a Cracker Barrel restaurant. After dinner, I stopped at the corner where they had an assortment of soaps. After looking at a few, I decided to purchase one. I figured, I could spend $1.50 and if it worked, it worked. If not, oh well, it was only $1.50.

Let me tell you... I can not believe that I found the most wonderful facial soap.  My skin is so clean, glowy and healthy. I LOVE IT! Now, I really do hear angels singing,"Hallelujah!"  As long as I don't use anything else on my face, I have not had any problems since beginning with this soap. What's it called?  Oh, yeah, I haven't told you, have I? Well it's called...
You can read more about KIRK'S SOAPS.

Day Book

Outside my window... well, there for a little while, we were getting some rain. As of this moment, I see the sun shining. Who knows, what the rest of the day will be like. Hopefully, it won't be as humid and unpleasant as it has been.




I am thinking... about all that I have to do to get ready for the new school year, that starts next month. I can't believe that the summer is almost over.
I am thankful for... the Lord's promises. You know, He has never left me stranded in the middle of a storm. I can always count on Him, to be with me.
From the learning rooms...not too much going on. Monkey is working on PATIENCE while working on a model car.
From the kitchen... spaghetti and garlic toast for supper tonight.
I am creating... pajama shorts for Monkey.
I am reading... I just finished up a book last night. I need to go to the library and pick up a few more books.
I am praying... that our schedule will fill up.
Around the house... since my sweet husband is home today, I've been able to stay busy and not spend too much time on the computer.
A few plans for the rest of the week... as of right now, I'm not too sure. I have a lot to do around here, so hopefully, other than church on Wednesday and a trip to the library, I can stay home.

Our Trip

Here are a few pictures of our camping trip this week.

Here's my Firestarter! Since being married we have gone from cooking on a camp stove, to cooking over an open fire. Let me tell you, I really enjoy it more. It's something that you don't do often, so when you get a chance, it's a lot of fun.

  Monkey didn't waste any time getting his fishing rod and getting down to the river. This was his first time trout fishing and he loved it.

I call this~ "One Last Marshmellow"

Here's Monkey with some of his reward. Two trout! Ain't he cute?

The next pictures are of some of the beauty that God has given to us to enjoy~

I can't wait to see these again in the fall with all the color of the leaves.

There's a man in this picture fishing. You have to look a little to find him. 

If you don't see him, he as at the bottom, near the guard railing.

I thought this was funny! You see many signs like this out west, but not here in Georgia. 

So when I saw it, I had to have a picture.

A Busy Week

I really can't believe that today is Saturday (and it's almost over). I have been so busy, that some of this week has blown past me and I didn't even see it go. I have been doing some cooking and baking

On top of all the crazy working going on, I took a bushel of these 

And turned them into these ~

Jelly

Salsa

I even put up 8 jars of these

Day Book

Outside my window... another HOT day. There are beautiful fluffy, white clouds floating in the sky.The birds are chirping. The bees are buzzing. My flowers seem to be melting. Thank goodness, I watered them this morning.



I am thinking... I need to decide on what we all are going to be wearing tonight, in the heat.
I am thankful for... churches that preach the TRUTH. 
From the kitchen... nothing today. We have a meeting in South Carolina that we are going to tonight.
I am creating... I'm still working on the afghan. It's amazing what I can get accomplished while riding up the road to meetings.
I am reading... an exciting book ~ Leather and Lace by DiAnn Mills
I am praying... that the Lord will work a miracle with our car, or just provide another one. 
Around the house... nothing going on today, but tomorrow I have laundry along with dusting and vacuuming.
A few plans for the rest of the week... hopefully, I'll be able to stay at home some this week, to be able to work on some sewing and knitting.