The Play Loft

 When we bought our home four years ago it had 2 bedroom and was 956 sq ft. The location was really perfect for us, it is on five acres, and for some reason since we moved to this area, I have loved this little house, I just felt drawn to it. With some help, we were able to convert the carport into a third bedroom, mudroom/pantry, and a very small office area (more like a corner) for my dear husband. Because this space was a carport the ceiling is pretty high. I asked our builder if there was a way to build a small play loft for the kids. Somewhere they could sit comfortably and be cozy. He definitely pulled through! It was my plan to finish the play loft, and four years later I finally have...well, it's finished enough. :) 

This is the view from our bedroom. 

I had everything on hand, pallet boards for the walls, leftover paneling, and I stapled fabric to the ceiling. Paint was the only thing I had to purchase, and some paint supplies. 

Those plastic drawers hold the kids' legos, it's so nice to have them in one place. 

Sweet Moses enjoying some playtime. :) 

Thanks for stopping by! 

~Remember, you don't need the best stuff to have the best life.~ 

~Around the House~

 

For weeks I've been wanting to sit down and write a new post.  Ideally I would like to post once a week, maybe I can make it a priority! Here are some pictures from our beautiful, ordinary life. I made a Spring decoration for the front door. I found the flowers at Dollar General, I already had the basket. Actually, Ive had this basket for years, it's flat on the back so hangs nicely on a door or wall. 

These are some pillows I bought last year on sale at Dollar General. I added a heart to one and a quirky cottage to the other. I like them! :) 

Moses is singing..."swamp fox, swamp fox, tail on his hat, no one knows where the swamp is at..." it is from this old Disney movie (maybe?) about Francis Marion in the Revolutionary war. Well, the kids enjoy it! 

Remember that feedsack fabric I bought at a yard sale? I used some of it to make a curtain for our kitchen window. 

Here the chickens are following me for a bit while I'm on my walk. When they figure out I don't have a treat for them they meander on.

I've started selling our eggs from the front porch.  The boys and I made a nice wooden sign that's out by the road. When we first started we had several customers but lately, we haven't had any, we've been giving them away to friends.  I hope business picks up! 

Just Moses living his best life...

In Spiritual news: we are in lent, Pascha (Easter) for the Orthodox church is not until May 5.  We have attended more services due to Lent and reading a Lenten family devotional that we have really enjoyed! It was a gift from a dear friend.  

I have been expanding my culinary skills by trying to make meals my husband will enjoy in Lent and also sustain him.  I made up this Asian noodle dish with a peanut sauce I whipped up and then added some water chestnuts.  It would have been nice to add some stir fry veggies but I was in a hurry that evening! Another night I found some cooked quinoa in the refrigerator which turned into "fried rice" quinoa. He liked it! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

~ Remember...you don't need the best stuff to have the best life.~ 

Frugality and Beauty

We recently visited a yard sale, the first for the season! :) Everything on this table and two large enamel bowls/containers I bought for $20. We recently had a terrible and I mean terrible flu, I think it was the influenza. Some of the kids had fevers for days. I was so worried about them, while myself sick as well. Poor Felicity had a fever of around 102 for six days. And then when your not sick you're exhausted for days. I lost my appetite for at least a week and lost five pounds, that's one positive! Even though it was a challenging few weeks, it was a good time to trust Him and His goodness. And it was beautiful to see the kids pitch in and help around the house. 

So this yard sale was an emotional blessing as well, it was so nice to get out! 

There are four of these pasta bowls and they were made in Chile. 

I love this plate and ended up hanging it on the wall. 

I bought this woven blanket for Boaz. He didn't ask for it but I knew right away it was so him. He was so happy and surprised when I gave it to him. 

Moses, my adorable helper! 

The real star of the show is this container of flour sack fabric! I'm not sure if all of it is flour sack fabric, but it is all so sweet. I'm so thankful! 

Ohhh I love this cross stitch! It was made in 1930.

Here's how I styled some of the items...

I want to use this container for a planter. 

My handsome helper...

I've been wanting a bowl like this for the dog and chickens. 

The following DVDs I found at our local thrift store. If you haven't seen the Thin Man mysteries try to find them! Your library may have them. It was a wonderful librarian who recommended them to us some years ago. These just fifty cents apiece.

I also found this old Robin Hood for fifty cents! 

Frugality in the kitchen...I made a large batch of pancakes for the kids' breakfast tomorrow and possibly the next day. One can hope but I'm not sure they will make it two days! I also make myself "fraps"...I would guess it cost maybe fifty cents? I am not going to spend $5 for a drink out when I can make it at home.

Happy homemaking to you! I hope you can see the beauty in your days.

~You don't need the best stuff, to have the best life.~ 

 

Until We Meet Again...

 Our dear Father Moses and Spiritual Father passed away on January 12,2023.  He was such a gift to our little family and such a light in this world.  He will be forever missed and loved. 

~ Pancakes and Sickness ~

 We're in the Nativity Fast and I thought I would make the kids a treat! I had to stay home from church with Moses because he has a cold. I missed being at church but it was nice to be home too. :) The days have been chilly and for the most part sunny. I love sunny cold days! I have some orange slices in the dehydrator, I want to use them on the tree and other places. It's so lovely to use simple things for decorations. 

ZOO Trip!

 This was Moses's first time visiting the zoo! When we lived in town years ago we went pretty often. We ended up purchasing the family membership because it was only $15 more than it would cost us to come one time! We're going to make an effort to visit more often. It's such a realxing and easy thing to do togther. 

Eleanor was so sweet to carry Moses on her back. He's like our own little marsupial. :) 

Lovely Felicity! 

The petting zoo is always a favorite of everyone.

I jocked with the kids that we should make this our Christmas card picture, and without skipping a beat Boaz said, "yea, getting back to our roots!" Oh Boaz! ha! 

"I'm Steve Erwin!" ~ Moses 

Remember...

~You don't need the best stuff to have the best life.~ 

Day trips and simple activities as a family are just as meaningful (or maybe more so!) as expensive trips. Your children will remember you and your love more than they will remember how many times you took them to a theme park. 

Four of my Favorite People :)

 

Just running some errands in our lovely small town.  Eleanor was working that day. :)