I am the wife to my best friend, a keeper of our home, the mother of four, one sister of three, a daughter of two and a friend to many...there is always room for more! Most of all, I am a child of God! I long to hear "Well done thou good and faithful servant" when I reach my eternal home with the Lord. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Sun, 17 May 2009 11:56:00 -0500 Sun, 17 May 2009 11:56:00 -0500 The Simply Woman's Daybook FOR TODAY ... May 17, 2009 Outside my window...I just realized our humming bird feeder is just about empty. Our little friends are not so happy about that. I need to make some new nectar for them as soon as I finish up with this entry. I am thinking...We are leaving tomorrow for a fishing trip in Eastern Wa. I have plenty of things to be getting done before we leave. Unfortunately my hip is giving me quite a bit of pain. I hope it will settle down some so I can enjoy this trip. I am thankful for...My husbands job situation has gotten much better. It looks like he won't be laid off after all! From the learning rooms...Now that school is coming to an end, the kids have finished alot of their studies for the year. We have math, that will continue through the summer, & language left. We will be gone all of next week, so our learning will be in the great outdoors! Ah, the beauty of homeschooling! From the kitchen...I have done quite a bit of cooking that past few days getting ready for our trip. I have made homemade flour shells for breakfast burritos...yummy! I have also made blueberry & banana muffins, homemade no bean chili for chili dogs & today I need to make sausage bits. I have made breakfast burritos plenty of times in the past, but never froze them. Yesterday I made the shells then scrambled up some diced onions, green peppers, sausage and ham. Then I poured over them 5 scrambled eggs. Once that was done, I placed a good size amount on the flour shell, sprinkled some cheddar cheese then rolled it up. I placed them in a pan with parchment paper and froze them over night. This morning I pulled them out, wrapped them individually with a paper towel then placed them in a gal. ziploc baggie. I was able to put six in each bag. Of course I had to see good these were reheated, so I put on in the microwave for 2 min. It came out a bit overcooked. I will adjust the time when we pull these out for breakfast this week. So far, I am quite pleased with the results. I am wearing...khaki capris with a black tee shirt...no socks, it is a very nice day today =) I am creating...Our oldest is graduating from highschool next month. We are hosting an open house for him. I have been making decorations and gathering up pics of him during his short life so far. I will be making a "clothes line" collage of those pics. He has only asked me to not hang a few of the pics on the line! I am going...We will be leave tomorrow am for our trip. I hope our favorite route over the Cascade Mts. will be open tomorrow and for our return trip. I am reading...I just finished studying about Calvanism. I have read books that are for and against Calvanism. I can't see how the Calvanistic definition of election is Biblical. My husband and I have been studying this subject for about 2 mths now. We have concluded after much prayer and Bible study that one would not come to the conclusion that God elects some for salvation and dams most to eternity in hell. That is not found in scripture. What is found is that God graciously offers salvation  to all men. There is countless verses that say man accepts Christ by faith. I am convinced that Calvanistic election a man made deifination, not learned from reading the Word of God. I will say that the other points of Calvanism are Biblical just not John Calvins definition of election.I mean to offend no one, I am just sharing what we believe to be true. We desire to grow in grace and knowledge of the Truth and no longer take mans word for what Biblical Truth is. We are Bearean Christians and test what is taught to see if it is biblical or not. I am hoping...Our boys will be leaving for the Missions Trip to Alaska early next month. I am praying that all goes well and that God will be glorified in every aspect of the trip. I am hearing...The birds are singing, our dog is snoring and the dryer buzzer has just rang. After this load, the laundry will be done! Around the house...Friday & Saturday our church held a yard sale. The proceeds are for the youth missions trip. I was bit by the organization bug last week. I gutted this house of all clutter. I was able to organize my scrapbook supplies and sewing notions as well. I found an old sew box similar to my grandmothers a few years ago. I FINALLY, got all my sewing notions together and put them in the box. I rounded up all my scrapbook supplies as well and put them in a messenger bag I have. Now my supplies have a home. Back to the church yard sale...while I was helping set up the tables a friend of mine brought in her donations. She carried in two of the most beautiful lamps. They have found a new home in my living room =) We have been looking for a lamp for months. I am very picky with lamps. It is just a quirk of mine. I love hobnail, milk glass lamps & have found 3 now at yard sales. Sadly, one broke. Anyway, these lamps are not milkglass but they are pewter & crystal. Oh, they are so lovely! I just love them! At the sale I was also able to pick up a drop leaf table...which I have always wanted. One of my favorite things...I very much enjoy organizing events such as Ladies meetings, Christmas Dinners etc. I am thrilled to plan and host the Open House next month. A good friend of mine is helping with the food arrangements. She is such a blessing to me. She is always eager to step in and help. A few plans for the rest of the week: As you can imagine, I will be busy the rest of the day getting our trip all in order. Then, I will be sitting in a boat in the middle of the lake fishing the day away! Here is picture thought I am sharing... My son clicked this pic of a hummingbird & a small bird sitting on the horse fence along our driveway. The hummer is patiently waiting his turn for a drink at our hummingbird feeder. =) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/689861/ Sun, 17 May 2009 11:56:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/689861/ The sun has been brightly shining now for a few hours! What a treat! We haven't seen sunshine in quite awhile...at least not for any  length of time. The house is warm....finally =) We have a sun room that really warms our house  when the sun is out. I also am happy to announce that I finished the songbooks/journals for the ladies retreat. Whew! I may need to make a few more once the final count is in, but for now I can mark that off my list of things to do. For the rest of the day, I have my usual daily chores and to cook homemade biscuits and gravy & scrambled eggs for dinner. I may pull out my bag pattern and cut out the fabric today. I have made 3 of them so far and end up giving them away as gifts or put it on my etsy store. Last week I purchased fabric for my own bag. I am anxious to see how it turns out. Hopefully I will have the bag done within this next week. It would be a great help with all the retreat stuff I will being toting around. After that sewing project is complete I will be making a few potsholders to replace my old store bought ones....they don't look so nice anymore Well, that is my ramblings for today. Have a good day! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/645529/ Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:54:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/645529/   The simple Woman's Daybook FOR TODAY Jan. 13, 2009... Outside my window...The sun is barely peeking through the clouds this afternoon. I helps make the day not so dark and gloomy as it has been as of late....that's western Washington for you! =) I am thinking...Will I ever keep up with my blog? I am thankful for...For the journey from legalism to true freedom in the Lord. The Lord has brought my family out of the bondage of following after the traditions of men, into proper fellowship with Him over the last 3 years. It has cost us alot relationship wise, but, by the grace of God, I plan on never to return living according to the traditions of men! From the learning rooms...The boys are counting down the weeks until their Literature course in complete. You may remember they aboslutely detest Literature! LOL! From the kitchen...Chili is what's for dinner I am wearing...a tee shirt, jeans and socks I am creating...Song books for the ladies retreat in a few weeks. Also book charms....busy, busy, busy around here! Hmm....perhaps that is why it seems I can't keep up with this blog. I often wonder how people can spend, what seems to be hours and hours a day on blogs, Facebook etc. I am going...to our churches annual ladies retreat Jan30- Feb. 1! I can't wait for the sweet time of fellowship with the precious ladies from church. They are all such a blessing to me. They have taught me volumes in how to walk in the Spirit and not according to mans standards. I am reading...The Bible and doing a study on the Names of the Lord. I am hoping...to get a new pan set with our tax return I am hearing...Kiwi, our parrot, screech because he is all alone in the living room. The kids have all gone outside and I am on the computer in a different room then him. I sounds like Kiwi is rather upset with us right now....I better go get him....be right back! Around the house...I have managed to get my sewing stuff all organized. I have a few projects still to do, but they will have to wait until I finish the retreat projects. One of my favorite things...Being a stay at home, homeschooling mom. REALLY! A few plans for the rest of the week:Nothing special going on this week. Here is picture thought I am sharing...Here are the songbook/journal I am making for the retreat. 4 down with many more to go =) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/645108/ Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:08:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/645108/ www.thesimplewoman.blgospot.com www.thesimplewomansdaybook.com FOR TODAY Jan. 6, 2009... Outside My Window...It is cold and rainy I am thinking...about getting my sewing projects done for my etsy page I am thankful for...the health and safety the Lord has blessed my family with From the learning rooms...my boys are not enjoying their Lit. school work. They both find it to be a waste of time. They been procrastinating all day. Time for mom to get them motivated to get their work done. LOL! From the kitchen...dinner will be hamburger and rice casserole. My hubby just called and asked me to go on a date with him tonight!!! I am going to suggest Red Robin. I love the guacomole cheese burger there! I am wearing..A black skort, a pumkin colored empire waste tee shirt and slipper socks. I am creating...A few bags for my etsy site I am going...I already went to do errands today. I am reading...The Bible and Settings Captives Free weight loss Bible study. You can locate that study for free at www.settingcaptivesfree.com I am hoping...that our Mazda 929 will be repaired today. My husband located the problem and hopes to get the part today. I am hearing...My son try to get the wood stove fire to reignite.  So far, it has not come to life yet! LOL Around the house...I am wishing I had a sewing table. Until then, I have the sewing machine set up on the dining room table/dinner table/school table One of my favorite things...going on weekend trip with my hunny! We are doing just that in a few weeks! =) A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:I need to catch up on some house work. I have been suffering from a sinus headache since Sat. evening. My head feels like it is pounding. I do feel better today. I think the Sinus Buster nasal spray is relieving some of the pressure. Here is picture thought I am sharing...   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/641275/ Sun, 4 Jan 2009 20:24:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/641275/ My sister just gave me a new trick on how to post pics online. When I transfer photos from my digital camera to the computer the pics are huge. Being the untechie person that I am, I had no idea how to get them smaller. Well, after I was complaining about not being able to post pics on my Etsy store, TheShoppe.etsy.com, because of the massive size of my photos, she directed me to Picasa 3!!! Woo Hoo! All my photo issues have been resolved!!! My blog, and Etsy page will be up and running properly in no time now. Now all I need to do if get going on the homemade bags and crafts I will be selling on Etsy. Fun, Fun! Here is a pic of my first item to sell. It is a reusable shopping bag. I will be making many more of these in the near future. Have a great day! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/641176/ Sun, 4 Jan 2009 17:10:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/641176/ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/627222/ Tue, 2 Dec 2008 18:45:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/627222/ A few days ago, I got the annual bug to make jam. My family and I love raspberry, strawberry and blackberry jams! Oh, sooooo good! We have to wait a few more weeks for the blackberries, but we got a good deal on the strawberries and raspberries. Free berries is the best kind....wouldn't you agree! The blackberries will be free as well. We have a plethera of blackberry bushes on our property. My husband and the kids love to pick berries. Hmm....now that I will be making more jam, I need to keep an eye out for a good deal on jars or get the ones I passed out last year back. For those of you who have a few of my jars, would you be so kind to return them???? I promise to fill them up and give them back to you! My 13 year old daughter helped me this year. She has always wanted to make jam, but I have been too nervous to let her before. All that hot, bubbling berry and sugar makes me uneasy. This year, though, she begged to let me allow her to join in the jam making process. She did just great! I use the inversion method that a friend taught me many years ago. I have NEVER had on jar not seal, nor have I ever had my jams go bad. I have read, quit extensively, about jam making methods. The only warning I have ever come across when using the inversion method is not that it doesn't make a good seal, but that you may not have gotten the lid screwed on tight enough when you flip over the jar. Personally, I can't see how that could happen, but one never knows I guess. I think all canning methods have some amount of physical danger to it, but so does just about any kind of cooking. I have tried to post a pic of our jam, but so far I can't get it to downlaod. Check back later and I might have gotten that bug worked out..... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/562368/ Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:45:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/562368/ I must share with you my exciting find! I had set out a few years ago to find free websites for school curiculum. I found sites for most subjects, except for one subject. The subject that I really wanted to find an interactive web site for. That subject is math. Well, last night I came across THE website for links to interactive math websites! Imagine my giddiness! I was over joyed! I have finally found not just one but a handful of websites that I can interweave with our math work! If you are as excited about such things as interactive websites such as I, go ahead and mosie on over to http://math.whatcom.ctc.edu/content/Links.phtml?cat=3  May you know the peace of God! Sandi http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/562085/ Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:32:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/562085/ I read on a blog today an article written by a few church going boys (atleast that is what the article said they were. It seemed scripted to me and others who had commented about the article.) In that article these "boys" were pleading for church going girls to dress more modestly. These "boys" complained that the grils were letting too much flesh show. They also explained that they like all men they struggle with wandering impure thoughts even after the "offending" girl has left their presence. This is an never ending hot topic. Yes, we do live in a culture where modesty is sorely lacking. No one can argue that point. The one thing we can do is have standards in our home. In our family we dress modestly. That standard goes for the females and males of our home. Our standards are to keep our trunk...front and back...covered as well as our hips, and thighs. Also we don't wear spagetti straps or anything near that thin for a sleeve. Our sleeves are to fully cover our shoulders. That is our families standard. We don't impose that standard on anyone else. The Holy Spirit can do His job in transforming hearts and minds...without our "assistance." We are not to "lord" over others but lead by example. Once our standards are in place in the home then we are to be training our children in the way they should go. When temptations comes our way and it will...we are to flee from it. As an example, if we are in church and a gal comes in a skimpy outfit, we tell our boys to avoid looking at her. Yes, she shouldn't dress that way, but neither should my husband or boys dwell on her attire. If they sit there the whole time thinking about her, they are fullfilling the lust of the flesh. That is sin on thier part. You can't go anywhere these days without seeing a woman dressed immodestly. So should we lock our boys up in the house so they won't fall into temptation? NO! They need to learn how not to fall into the trap. They need to call out to Jesus and ask Him to give them strength to endure whatever temptation comes their way. If a man can't get over the lusts of his flesh, he has a problem. Proverbs is a great place to direct those who have a hard time with lustful thinking. Do you remember the story of Joseph and Potiphers wife? Potiphers wife was out to lure Joseph into her bed. This could have gone on for quite a while. He never gave into that temptation. He faced it day after day. Do we read how he fell into tempatation and sinned? NO! He didn't say,"What could I do? She tempted me. I had no choice but to sin. After all, it was she who lured me in!"  Then there is Adam. God didn't let him off the hook when he said that it was Eve's fault for eating the fruit God told them not to. God placed the blame squarely on whom it belonged, ADAM. The Bible refers to Adam being the one who brought sin into the world. Eve was deceived, but Adam willingly partook of the fruit. So to say that a man can't help but lust if a girl is wandering around in an immodest way is just an excuse to sin. He is playing the blame game. We can't control the way people dress( believe me, I wish we could) but we can control our minds. We can pray for our husbands, and sons that their minds and our minds  will think on Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.  Phil 4:8 We need to focus on the matters of the heart when it comes to raising our children. When our hearts are hungering and thirsting after righteousness, then our outward appearance will bring glory to God. That not only goes for our dress but also our mouths as well.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/530612/ Sun, 11 May 2008 18:29:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/harrington/530612/