Jan. 4, 2007 - HKU Report
Annette suggested I write out a Hearthkeepers University report so here it is. 
I have learned so many different things since beginning Hearthkeepers University. I will be honest and say that it has not always been easy adjusting to being in new homes and I have often missed my family, but it really has been a blessing to me. I have met so many dear people who love the Lord and have been blessed to stay in the homes of many wonderful families.
The Lord has really used this opportunity to show me so much and to work in me. He has shown me more of how selfish I really am and how I need to focus less on me and more on Him and others. I still have so far to go, but He is so good to work in my heart. He also has shown me my need to be more patient.
I have done quite a bit of cooking and baking since beginning HKU. I really enjoy grinding grain and baking bread and have done so often in the past year. I had not ground grain before HKU, though I had baked bread a few times. I have also had the opportunity to make and can jam. I assisted Dell in making pear and apricot jam and we canned it using the dishwasher to heat the canning jars to can the jam. At Annette's I have made pumpkin butter and blueberry jam and canned it all with Annette's help. We also have harvested apples and used some to make applesauce. I have also cooked and baked a variety of other foods.
Wendy taught me to knit last year and it has become one of my favortie hobbies. I have knitted a bag (my first project and you could tell! 
), dishcloths, several pairs of socks, a couple of hats, and Heidi helped me crochet and felt some pot holders. Some things I plan to knit in the near future are some felted slippers and something with cables (can't wait to try cables!).
I had done some sewing before, but have done more in HKU. I have made a few jumpers, using a pattern I hadn't used before for two of them. Dell showed me an easier way to do a hem by sewing 1/4" in from the bottom edge and just turning it up where the stitching is to iron before sewing the hem. Wendy helped me make a lovely dress which enabled me to try sleeves for the first time. She also taught me to do applique and I made a nice applique quilt top. Chautona taught me to smock a lovely design on a dress that I haven't been able to finish, yet.
I have also done some cross-stitching since beginning HKU. I have made some bookmarks and a lovely cross-stitch for my sister and her husband as a wedding gift.
Dawn helped me do a little scrapbooking and I hope to do an HKU scrapbook in the near future.
Last year I was able to try out selling some handmade things on ebay. Chautona helped me to learn to set up an auction. Heidi (I stayed with two Heidi's
) helped me to understand HTML so much better than I did before.
I have also helped Annette transplant herbs in her herb garden.
A few things I still hope to learn are soap making, candle making, flower arranging, and quilting. We are going to try to get to soap making before I leave, but even if I don't learn these things in HKU I know how to get the information I need to learn how to do it.
In a couple of weeks Annette's family are traveling down to NC for a wedding and will drop me off at Wendy's.
I do want to say thank you to all who have supported me in so many ways over the last year. God bless you!
Kristy
Comments
Jan. 5, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by anewday
Great report!
But you forgot that I also taught you appreciation of the ND, how to feign staying in your Weight Watcher points, meal planning (oh wait...I was going to do that...how did I miss that?), and how to make appropriate use of the brake pedal.
Oh yeah. And what about helping you to master your problem solving abilities whenever I messed up on knitting my still unfinished loincloth? HUH?
See, I was useful.
Sort of.
hehehehehe
I miss you Kristy! Love ya lots!!!!
Jan. 5, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mandygrace
It sounds like you have done a lot! I got Raising Maidens of Virtue for Christmas and love it. I'm going through the questions and learning so much. It's a great book. :-)
