There was a time that I loved going out in the snow & just freeeeezing & laying in it & throwing it & making things with it............ long, long ago.   Now, I like to look at it........ from inside of my toasty, cozy house.  I LOVE the snow, winter is my favorite season, but I wont go in it!  Imagine!  Does that make sense to you?  Makes perfect sense to me~

Julia, Maria & Lidia loving the beautiful snow God made ~

I think its snow...... they must be trying to make a snowman with a tan!

TA-DA!  Love these gals.    : )

My Anna is quite the photographer. She takes such beautiful images of whatever she finds. She looks at something or some sort of still-life & can make it into a lovely piece of art.  Here is one of Annas recent masterpieces ~ 

This is a shot that Anna took of our ornatmental tree in our front yard.  Doesnt it look like a magazine cover?  So pretty ~

A photo that was taken last March~ My 5 beauties~

One of my favorite things about late fall/winter is being "in"  ~ all snuggly warm & in the comfort of our home.  I get such joy in spending time baking, cooking, doing projects that I normally wouldnt work on in the summer. I have a list!  Will I ever accomplish it?  I dont know, but I do know I look forward to each day & what it brings.  The smells of baked goods in the oven & just being together as a family in our family room in the evenings after dinner. Such bliss.

Today I had a goal to make my home made pasta & be done before lunch, & I did accomplish that. I set goals daily. I try to reach them & usually do. Sometimes I dont. Wether it be circumstances around me or the constant training of the girls.  That is usually what stops my day.

Ive had to learn to be content in all things. It gets crazy around here sometimes. REAL CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yet, I know as crazy as I am, I need to get through it with a good reputation before my children.  Am I pleasing the Lord in all my actions & words.  This will forever be something Ill be working on. 

As I sit here & type, I look at all of my 5 daughters in the kitchen, they just got done eating lunch.  All busy. Everyone is doing something. We are ALIVE!  We are all breathing!  No one is terminally ill or is on drugs or living a foolish life with boyfriends ect.......  As crazy as it gets here, today I am reminded of how much worst it can be.  Really, its pretty good around here. I am blessed. The Lord has blessed me. 

With all the noise & the chattering, all the fussing & chattering & sometimes the emotions run wild, I will count my blessings. Winter does that to me.  I am too busy in the summer to really appreciate what I have. Hmmmmm........ shame on me.  I really should take the time even in the warm days to thank the Lord for what He has given me.

Patrizia

Ive got 5 of em'!  Can you believe it? Oh my............

I sure do love them though~  Our house is full of emotion. Have you ever been in a house full of girls?  Did I mention that I have 5 daughters!?  The Lord knows what we need, amen? 

When I was a young gal myself, I had my whole family planned out. I would get married & have a boy first & then a girl. Perfect American family, no?  Of course what I didnt realize at the time was that I had dreams of the cookie-cutter family. I hear that a lot from young moms today who have a baby boy, "I got my boy, now Ill get my girl & were done!"

Oh God forgive us.  I wouldnt change my family for the world!  As crazy as it gets here sometimes, I still wouldnt trade it for nothing!  I lost 3 babies, I can almost imagine, they were girls too!  What else?

Theres a lot of chattering that goes on here. Girls talk ALOT!  Did you know that?  It seems too that in the past few years, I have run into more familys with 5 girls!  I think Ive met at least 3 families so far.

We are a spectacle where ever we go. People sometimes stop & stare. Im not kidding you! Ive heard people make comments, I always have people stop & ask if they are all mine!  Some people actually feel sorry for me.  They make comments like, "I feel sorry for you!"  "All girls? You poor thing."  Or how about, "Girls have the worst attitudes, & youve got 5 of em'?"  Can you imagine! 

This used to bother me years ago, now I actually look forward to the comments. I say things like, "Oh, dont feel sorry for me, I love my girls."  Or I might say, "Look at them, do they look like they have attitudes to you?"  I do tell them too, " I wouldnt trade them for the world."  I make sure my girls hear me if they are with me.

So many people have missed the blessing of deciding to have just one or two, hoping they get there boy & girl team.  Nothing wrong with wanting a boy & then a girl, but I praise the Lord for what He gave me. As many people have looked at us in hatred, many have also been blessed.

Today, I thank my God for my girls. They are my life & my life would be quite boring without them. The Lord chose them just for  us. This is the family Im supposed to have. The Lord has used my girls to shape me, to make me who I am today. He knew we needed them & He was right~

Patrizia

I love the fall! Its apple pickin' time~  Why is it so fun to pick apples?  We all love to do this.  Lets see apple sauce; apple chips, apple crisp, apple pie, apple butter, apple dumplings, APPLES, APPLES, APPLES!  Its a beautiful thing........................

My girls

Look at all them apples!

As you can see, Anna is pretty pleased with herself!

Who you lookin' at?  (Michaela)

Theres something about an apple. Picking it right off the tree & taking a nice, bit bite. Just another way for God to show us His great creation. How wonderful is He for taking such good care of us. We can just pick it right off the tree & enjoy. An apple is an amazing thing~

Patrizia

We love to make everything from scratch!  Its much healthier than buying from the store. No packaged food in our house, only on very rare occasions. My girls love to cook & they are good at it! Heres a bit of what goes on in our home.

Michaela making us superb home made pasta~ there aint nothin' like it! Its beautiful.

One of Annas many delicious cakes!  Yum!  This is Torta di Mele (Italian Apple Cake) 

Michaelas home made doughnuts! What fun that was!

My beautiful bread~

What fun we have! Making memories in the kitchen. ITS WONDERFUL FELLOWSHIP~ beautiful.

Patrizia

PROV. 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: & when his old, He will not depart from it.

The proverbial question~ what does this mean?  It is a very important question, yet the Bible is not specific about this. Ive heard different conclusions to this verse. One friend said, "the way he should go", "that means, individually, each child has a different way to go." (okay!)  Worked for her! Her children turned out pretty good!  Another gal said, "its the Word! The Word is to be used to train up a child, nothing else & then they will go the way of the Word." (Oh! Okay!)  I think I get it now! I think.  So which is it?

Training is the hardest job Ive ever had in my life!  Its seems like you have it all together when they are very young, then they turn a certain age with their own minds & then you realize you failed miserably.  You really see the fruit in the later years.  Good or bad~

With our girls, we did with the know-how the Lord has given us. The older girls are at an age where they can make up their mind how to respond to certain situations & they are accountable. The younger girls, well, they still are so moldable. Our girls are wonderful! We love them dearly, wouldnt trade them for the world! NO WAY, NO HOW! 

Its been a learning experience for both my husband & I.  We are forever learning. Daily!  Hopefully we have instilled much into their hearts & our goal has always been to point them to the Lord in every instance. You can get through anything if you go to Him!  Thats all I want to drive into them. Its because of Him! Everything we do is because of Him! Its ALL ABOUT HIM!  I wish I would have known that growing up. So, I would say, the girls have that advantage.  I love my girls dearly & want the best for them. The best is the Living Lord!  Dare I ask for more?

Patrizia

Herbs & our beautiful Roma tomatoes~ oh, such a sight!

We so much love our flat-Italian parsley. Theres nothing like this kind here. The seeds are right from Italy & it is a wonderful taste. Nothing like the stuff you buy in the store. Theres nothing like this~yum!

This is my very fragrant basil. Again, seeds directly from Italy.  Does NOT compare to anything you can buy here in the stores.  I use basil a lot in the summer.  I love when its fresh & I use it in all my pasta dishes & have made pesto with it. I also use it in sandwiches or panini. Its really used in everything in my cooking. I love when its freshly picked, I hold it & just take it all in. The smell is wonderful.

If you look real closely here, you will see 4 litte, teeny, tiny beaks.  Im not sure what sort of birds these are. Truthfully, Ive never have seen anything like these before.  We are pretty good about naming the birds about the yard.  I put up this little bird house, its shaped like a gourd, and these little guys moved in!  Well, mom & dad moved in first.  Never heard such chattering (lots of gossip going on!)  Oh, & their parents were so, so busy getting their new home all ready for their babies. All day, back & forth, back & forth getting food for their youngins'.  I couldnt help but think, these birds should write a book on parenting!  We can learn from them. They are the best parents out there.  Such a good example.

Patrizia

He was caught red-handed!  Lookin' right at me!  This is our ground hog, Guido.  He lives under our shed. Ill admit he is awful cute~

Hes been quite obedient. Hasnt bothered my tomatoes. Maybe he doesnt like them?  Maybe he's not Italian?

Patrizia

Oh my, time has gone by!  Our lives have been busy with other things & I noticed as the children get older, it gets busier!

I dont like that.  I dont do well with that. I so love being home & working here.  I love the protection of my home & can stay in & not go out forever.  I really so enjoy the peace. 

So, I look forward to winter! I love being in & baking & being all warm & snuggly.  Its my favorite time of the year.  Summers fine, but theres too much to do. I make a resolution each summer to do school with the younger girls. I did it maybe 6 - 8 times this summer. Im not happy with myself.  I used to be real consistant. I dont know what happend to me!

Oh, lots of work to do on me. LOTS!  Monday, I plan on starting school HARD!  It keeps the children in order. In the summer, there is too much fooling around, I think. No order. I am out of my comfort zone when things are out of order.  God is a God of order.  Theres a reason for that.  He knows we need structure. 

I thank the Lord though, that I stay in the Word daily. Its the first thing I do upon wakening.  I cant start my day without it.  Its my breathing-machine.  Its what keeps me going. Its my way to Him! 

Its breakfast time here.  All ready thinking, how do I keep everyone in order?  So many voices & such.  I do so want order!  So, today begins my plea with the Lord, He alone can help here.  I have much work to do. I need order in every thing.  There is no safety in chaos. 

Its a beautiful day here in Ohio!  My flowers are looking spent!  SO, so sad.  They are losing thier beauty.  I get such satisfaction looking & loving them all day.  I sit outside & just get such joy from them.  Fall is in the air.  I love that feeling.  I cant wait until it gets a bit chilly. Now thats perfect weather!

Patrizia

~welcome~

to our humble abode..................

Look at these beauties!

breath taking~

A glimpse of our beautiful gardens~

I had this little yellow chair in our entrance way in our home & brought it outside in the garden to fill space

This is where I hang out the most. I love to sit on the swing & look over the lovely flowers & spend time with the Lord there.

We just enjoy our yard so much & thank the Lord daily for this little piece of heaven right here on earth~

Our woods, I go back there once in awhile, but I dont do bugs~ so I dont hang out there too much  : )

Anna made this fire pit for us to enjoy our evening bon-fires. Sometimes we roast marshmallows & dogs here.

Spring time & summer is just such a pretty time here in the yard. Winter is just as beautiful. I love the winter, especially when the trees have mounds of fluffy snow all over~ so, so pretty.

Patrizia

Oh my, we have a ton of tomatoes! I only put in 6 plants. I really dont have much room here. Most of my gardens are filled with beautiful flowers.  Really, my yard is over flown. So, so pretty.

Last year I had a hard time finding Roma tomatoes. This year I planted Romas & they are looking like clusters of grapes! My flat leaf Italian parsely is doing wonderfully. My father shared with me seeds right from Italy for flat leaf parsley & basil. They are nice, big leaves. Aromatic! mmmmmmm..........  There is nothing like it anywhere else!  My basil is just lovely.  Again, seeds dad gave me from Italy.  I did buy basil plants at a garden center that are doing beautifully also, but there is quite a  difference with the Italian seeds.  My pasta dishes are beyond words. 

If your lookin' for me, I'll be sittin' amongst the basil & the parsly, enjoying the aromas....................

Patrizia

You know, I could continue on the topic of courtship vs. betrothal, but decided that I shall change the topic!  Yeah, I can hear everyone clapping.  Ill spare you bordem!  So.....................................

Today was quite a day for us here in this very busy house hold.  I really should start off with yesterday first. Lets see..........  the 2 older girls & I started on a new Bible study. We began with Psalm 1.  Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I normally dont follow main stream christians or writers, but I really like her. So we picked her book, " A 30-Day Walk WIth God in the Psalms. 

We gathered round the picnic table under the gazebo, oh, I just love it there. Brought our Bibles & sat & prayed, & then dove into the Word.  You know, it really made for a wonderful day.  I do my Bible reading every morning on my own like clock work. I tend not to do devotions, just the Bible I like to do.  When I do it with my girls though, its really quite a blessing. SO! I encourage you to get those Bibles out & get your self a nice, little study goin' with them youngins.  Im telling you, you will be glad you did!

Today, well........ not so good.  First off, Michaela & I were headed out for a bike ride & then it began to rain.     HOWEVER, we made ourselves brave & went for it.  Oh, what fun & joy!  We were sopped & my glasses really could have used wind shield wipers, but you cant have eveyrthing.

I have been riding now at least 3-4 times a week. My endurance is getting better & better each time. Last year I couldnt even get up a slant~ Not a hill, a slant!  IM NOT KIDDING YOU. Huffin' & puffin' like an old, worn out shoe!  I would have to get off my bike & walk! Oh, dreaded day.

This year, I  am doing great! You wouldnt believe it, I am not the same person.  Im havin' a ball too.  I can get up them hills with little pain. Well, the pain is well........pain. I dont like pain!  We all know the saying, "no pain~no gain."  Well, I get pain & I gain too!  HA!  Im trying to lose a few pounds these days.

The difference with today, compared to yesterday is I kept telling the girls we were going to do our Bible Study & anything that could happen today, did!  SO! WE DIDNT HAVE OUR STUDY!  Shame, shame, shame!  Really, it made a difference. It was just out of hand here today! 

When you got a good thing, dont lose it!  I regret that we couldnt get to it today. Im really mad at myself. 

I did take time to myself a bit today. After the pouring down rain, the sun came out & everything was just wet  & beautiful outside. I need to get some photos put on here of our yard. Youll understand after you see it.  Its just so pretty & so serene. 

I put on my flip-flops on & stood near the gazebo. I stood & watched these little birdies, dont know what they are, actually never have seen anything like them in my life!  I have several bird houses out there, but this one I just put out in the Spring. Its shaped like a gourd & its very hard.  Well, these little guys have made quite a lovely home of it. I watched as they flew back & forth to feed the babies. The babies are very loud. If they are trying to hide from cats, it aint gonna work!

I so enjoyed watching them, it was so entertaining. I was able to view a beautiful butterfly very up close on my flowery bush & so thanked God for all his little creatures.

I look up & I see these little beady eyes staring back at me! It was him! Its that pesky ground hog who has resided  under our shed with his wife!  I saw em' last year, but now he is just freely walking around, not a care in the world!  Thinks he owns the place!  I took baby steps toward him, he froze still, you know trying to do that camoflouge thing. Being a statue, thinking I cant see him. HELLO! 

I got closer & closer. He was not moving. I thought, poor little guy, hes scared to death of me!  Got too close, so he ran right under my shed!  I know where he lives & I think I will visit he & his lovely bride more often.

He did not find my tomatoes! How could that be?  Its so obviouse! You cant miss em'!  Whats wrong with him!  Maybe hes not the vegetarian type?  Could be.  Maybe hes just being hospitable. Ill have to ask him next time I see him.

A ground hogs life is a great life. You run around all day looking & hoping to steal food from someone else who needs it. If you want to move, you just go!  If you dont want to see anyone, dig a hole & just hide underground. Its a beautiful life! No pressure, nothing. Who wouldnt want this life?

Hes a pretty cute little guy. Visions of me bombing his house have crossed my mind, but you know, hes not bothering my maters' & I kinda like the guy. I think Ill keep him. (not that hes going anywhere!)

Patrizia

I post some interesting quotes here, but ultimatly its the Word of God that has the final say.

Gothard: Courtship - "A father’s agreeing to work with a qualified young man to win his daughter for marriage."

Lindvall: Courtship - "A romantic relationship between a young man and woman in which both were of marriageable age, had the full blessing of their parents, and were seriously contemplating marriage."

Thompson: Courtship - A stage/period in Scriptural Romance prior to Betrothal. Courtship constitutes the process of investigating a person with marriage in mind: evaluating character, values, beliefs, practices, interests & life purpose to ensure a godly match. There is to be no physical contact and no developing of romance/emotional ties during this period. Parents first investigate, followed by more detailed investigation by the young people themselves, generally within family settings.

Harris: Courtship – "Dating with a purpose; friendship plus possibility; and romance chaperoned by wisdom." A relationship with a clearly defined direction. "A reformed version of dating under the supervision of parents between a man and a woman who are ready for marriage in the near future."

Myers: Courtship - consists of three main elements: 1) accountability to parents and other trusted adults; 2) building each other’s character rather than focusing on physical attraction; and 3) waiting to develop serious relationships until you are ready to get married.

Raunikar:Courtship – a relationship / process begun with full approval of both sets of parents (or an accountability couple if not possible) with the intent to consider marriage, and to become acquainted through family and group activities.

Barth: Courtship - "a process by which a mature young man or young lady of marriageable age, along with their parents, seek to discern their God-given life partner. It involves the parents or authorities on both sides and yet allows for feelings and discernment from both of the young people involved."

Lindvall: Betrothal – An irrevocable and publicly announced commitment to marriage, only terminated for infidelity, during which the cultivation of a romantic relationship is permitted. Betrothal is instigated by the young man and woman with the full approval of parents. No physical contact occurs until after the wedding.

Thompson: Betrothal - A stage/period in Scriptural Romance, following the stage of Courtship. It is a binding commitment to marry, approved & supervised by the fathers, attested by a bridal provision (bride price / dowry) and by witnesses and/or a document. It follows a careful investigation that occurs during the Courtship period.

Note the above similarities and differences. Concerning courtship: Parental authorization and guidance appears in all to varying degrees. A purpose of considering marriage is present or implied in all. A degree of readiness for marriage is stated or implied. Some stress investigation while others stress the cultivation of romance. Lindvall’s definition of betrothal defines a binding commitment to marry, without a period of courtship investigation or any romantic involvement preceding. In Thompson’s, betrothal is a stage that follows courtship.

This last paragraph & including the quotes are from an article that I found on the web while doing a search on courtship/betrothal.

Patrizia