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It's time for another week of
FLEA... MARKET... FINDS!
I only have a few things to share as I've been running around like crazy trying to get my Christmas act together... Hasn't happened yet! *winks*
Are all of you ready for Christmas? Or did you procrastinate like I did? Next year (God willing) I'm going to start a month in advance like the smart folks!
So I haven't had much time for antiquing but I did manage to sneak in one trip to the Goodwill and one to a local antique mall where I found my first (and favorite) find... This crazy quilt/patchwork robe. I picked it up and put it down a couple of times not really knowing what it was and yet intrigued by it... So I studied it a little more closely and noticed that it was entirely sewn by hand and had two banners with the names of ships along the front. Well I love a little mystery (Don't you?) so home with me it went. I tried to find out more, and did manage to find that both ships were war ships existing at the same time in the 1920's so I'd guess this robe was from around that time period. Must have belonged to the wife of a navy man. This was the 1920's -30's version of being green. No scraps were wasted!
I wonder if groups of ladies gathered together with all their scrap fabric and quilted while talking about their men still at sea?

Chock-a-block full of different fabrics.

The ships...

I love the old florals. The silks aren't faring so well and a few of them are tattered.

From the back

And another feature that really makes this robe interesting is that it's completely reversible! The other side has the most luscious tomato red silk satin! Having been protected from the light it's in amazingly good condition.

I had a hard time finding many of these pieces to get an idea of value? I did find this robe/coat from 1914 housed in a museum in Norway. But no price attached alas.

And this coat is from the 1930's.
That was pretty much it, leading me to believe that these pieces must be a little uncommon. Whatever the case I really enjoyed the learning process with this one, completely outside my areas of expertise... If indeed I even have any *winks*

OK moving on to what turned out to be my industrial style finds... the large rusty suitcase/toolbox was a freebie roadside (full of rusty crusty tools) as well as the galvanized case. The tool box also had a few of the old folding rulers. and the 1920's light fixture was $25 at the Goodwill. As well as the metal cloche with butterflies for 99 cents.

This grate cover was $22 at the antique mall. I really love it, but have no idea what I'm going to do with it.

Do you think this could be a milk case? I have no idea what this was actually used for.

Interior. If you have any idea I'd love to hear! *winks*

One of the freebie folding rulers.

This 1950's ice bucket with lucite handle was $3.50 at the Goodwill.

This brush featuring a ship was also in the large rusty case so FREE!... My favorite price! *winks* Hmmmm another naval-ish find! It does seem to go like that from week to week, a theme seems to appear.

And lastly this old rattan magazine holder ($5) that's as rough as can be, but I really liked the paintings of flowers on each side.

Tattered roses.

That's all for this week. Not some of my best I admit... But thanks for stopping by anyway! I hope you'll leave me a comment. I LOVE to hear from you! Vanna
I'm joining my friends Paula and Patti of Ivy and Elephants for:

We've already discussed how to come up with fresh content every day for your blog. Hopefully you've gotten in the habit of writing down ideas the moment you have them so that you don't forget them. But what about those ideas that you probably should forget?

Ever since starting blogging, I have been in the habit of writing down all my ideas. When they enter my ever-busy brain they always sound like the funniest, most profound, or best ideas that any blogger has ever had any time, anywhere! I jot it down, I look at it, and I think... yeah... that's the ticket.

Then, for some reason, the next day or the next week or the next month, I come across it while I peruse over my list of potential blog posts and I think, would that really be funny? Would that really work? Could I really make that interesting?

And then, remembering my initial love for the idea, I leave it on the list. And, eventually I write about it.

Of course, sometimes I never have that in-between-think-this-might-be-lame thought, and I just go straight to writing about something I've jotted down in the past. Either way, these posts never turn out great.

I have a very hard time not finishing something once I've started writing it. Even if an idea flounders the moment I start typing, I usually finish writing it. Are you the same way?

What I have had to do with Single Dad Laughing is put the post away when I'm done, go work on something else, come back to it, and read it as if I was one of my blog followers. I always ask myself very honestly, is this entertaining? Is this only humorous to me or would it be humorous to others? Is this too preachy? Is my tone right? Is this idea worth putting out there at all?

Every once in a while, the answer I have to honestly give is "dude, this blog post ain't that great."
Read & Comment >>

... is something I've never said, nor believe, but often assumed about me because I advocate homemaking and the role of a stay-at-home mom.

I regularly receive emails and comments from people who are concerned I'm propagating the idea that girls need just enough schooling to get by as a wife and mother. Combine that false assumption with my real disappointment in secular colleges and the effect they have on women, and you'd think I was lobbying for discriminatory practices against my own kind.

I get letters everyday from earnest, sincere, highly-educated Moms that go like this:
"I feel so overwhelmed! Do you have any tips on how to stay on top of everything? My house always looks like a disaster and I just can't seem to figure out a schedule... ""What do you do when your husband wants to start a new business? I'm nervous about the idea and there's tension in our marriage. I know he's supposed to be the leader and I'm supposed to be submissive, how do you deal with this kind of situation?" "Do you have any healthy snack ideas for toddlers? I'm not really handy in the kitchen, but I know sugar isn't good for them so I'm wondering if you have any recommendations... "I'm always surprised to discover these questions typically come from college graduates; teachers, nurses, and others turned homemakers. They have exchanged their diploma for their MRS degree, believing (as I do) that the most important place for a mother is in the home. In the face of cultural opposition, they see the value of a homemaker and understand her importance in light of Scripture.

But they feel lost and overwhelmed. They anticipated this was a role they could just "slip into" when the time came, but now that it's here, they wonder why they invested all those years and all that money into a degree that feels useless.

Why did no one ever encourage them to study how to be a good wife and mother? Isn't it supposed to come naturally? If homemaking doesn't take much thought or foresight, then why this feeling of being caught off guard? How can the most difficult thing they've ever signed up for require no intentional study or preparation? Why don't they offer homemaking degrees? There's a lifetime of material to study here!

What does submission look like? If my husband does something I don't agree with, how do I make an appeal? What system should I use to stay on top of the laundry? How do I decide what's the best method of education for my child? My husband loves steak and potatoes, but I've never grilled before. How do I know when the meat is done?

Our culture tells our girls they need to pursue a degree so they can be independent, and be able to provide for themselves (neither of which are biblical concepts). "Not everyone gets married," they warn, "and not everyone is able to have children."

We encourage them to pour their energies into one career, instead of recommending they study them all. We prepare them for singleness instead of God's normative plan for women: to be wives (love their husbands), mothers (love their children), and homemakers (keepers at home... that the word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:3).

Then, they find themselves married. They want to be godly wives but after years and years of being trained to think as an independent rather than a co-dependent, they don't know how. They have children, but not a clue how to raise them. They have a home to manage, but are lost in the logistics of it all.

Homemaking quickly becomes burdensome and frustrating. This "mindless" occupation feminism tried to protect them from is more challenging than they thought. Contrary to popular ideology, it takes a great deal of intelligence and gumption to be a glorious homemaker (see video below for a 2.5-minute look into a stay-at-home Mom's typical day).

3 Queens from Matt Bieler on Vimeo.

How many unhappy marriages, broken homes, miserable, desperate wives, and rebellious children will it take before we admit that intentionally preparing our daughter to be keepers of the home is not just "a nice idea," but a necessary one? Harvey Bluedorn in Teaching the Trivium writes,
"We cannot prepare for all future possibilities. There is only so much time in the day. How is a young woman's best time spent? Should we spend much time preparing for the possibility that she will die in an automobile accident? Obviously not... The independent career woman should neither be the ideal or the norm. Emergencies may require that a woman take on tasks which should ordinarily be considered a man's calling, but a good education and training in all of the skills of a normal family will prepare a woman for almost any emergency. On the other hand, if we prepare our daughters to marry - to have a submissive spirit, to care for others, and rule their homes - then will we be surprised if they become loving wives and mothers with orderly and peaceful homes? Should our daughters never marry, what harm will come from having learned to have a submissive spirit, to care for others, and to rule their homes. Rather how much more good would come!" Chapter 15, pg. 438 (emphasis mine)Should a girl be highly educated?

Yes, yes, YES!

Let her study the culinary arts so she can grill a fine steak and bake a mean loaf of bread for her family.

Let her pursue reading, writing, and rhetoric so she can teach her children with confidence and excellence.

Let her learn all she can about medicine and herbs and vaccines so she can make informed decision regarding her family's healthcare.

Let her study child development and parenting techniques.

Let her explore birthing methods and midwifery so she can deliver her babies without fear.

Let her learn accounting so she can manage the books and balance the budget.

If she learns all these things well, she'll enter motherhood well prepared, and if she never marries, she'll have more than enough tools in her box to "make it on her own."

A godly keeper of the home is vital to a healthy family, which is the fundamental building block in every society. Without strong families, everything falls apart. If we truly want to start reforming our culture, we have to:

• Stop telling our girls that the purpose of their education is their future career
• Stop assuming they'll be the exception to God's normative call for women (Titus 2:3-5; Proverbs 31; Genesis 3:16 )
• Stop insisting that they should be able to provide for themselves (1 Peter 3:7; 1 Timothy 2:13; Ephesians 5:23; 1 Timothy 5:1-16)
• Stop encouraging them to further their studies in places that detract from the end goal
• Stop belittling girls who choose to further their education from home under the protection of their Dads
• Stop putting so much faith in degrees over real life skills and experience.
• Stop saying things like:

"It's nice that you want to be a Mom, but it's just not realistic. Nowadays you need a degree is you want to be able to provide for yourself (which is not necessarily true)."

"It's so cute she wants to be a Mom. That'll change soon enough when she realizes how much work it takes!"

Imagine if virtuous wives weren't so hard to find! Boys would have to be men, and our culture, by God's grace, would be transformed from a familial wasteland where feminism runs amok, to a landscape of beautiful marriages and healthy homes that picture the love between Christ and His Bride.

It's never too early to start preparing our daughters for the glorious future God has in store for them! Currently, we're using The ABC's of Godly Girls Bible Curriculum by Lindsey Stromberg, designed for girls aged 4-11. You can read my full review here.

If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox. Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, A Wise Woman.,Walking Redeemed,, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, We ARE That Family, Raising Mighty Arrows, Hearts For Home, Frugal Homeschool Family Time Warp Wife

It's that time of the week again for...
FLEA MARKET FINDS!!!!
Or the closest thing to it I can find in my neck of the world *winks*
I wasn't in a shopping mood this last week (Yes hell is in fact freezing over *winks*) so nothing too fabulous to share, just a few neat things (I hope?) I'm starting with my second favorite find as my first is perhaps just a tad too risque to be showing up on the blogs of those sweet folks who are kind enough to have me on their blog lists... You'll see what I mean... Anyhoo this week the theme was dolls. I found a few to add to my boudoir doll collection. And as usual the 1920's played a big role too.
This 1920's wax over composition doll was quite a rare find. She's actually an old powder box that I've filled with some chocolates... because I have my priorities *winks* I've been collecting these boudoir dolls for a little while now and although there are many of the doll powder boxes, this is one of the only ones I've seen like this so I'm thrilled to have her!

Box of chocolates... Yumm!! I've got plenty for you and me! *winks*

OK... WARNING... If nekkid ladies bother you? You'll want to skip the next two pictures, but for those who love nudes like I do, this one is kind of special. She's a rare incense burner named the "Smoking Venus" She's a little rough around the edges but I've been searching for one for years. They usually go way out of my price range ($500+ with clothes on, the nudes are more expensive yet) but I found this one for $160 and snapped her up faster than you can say "Have you got a light?" Lol! She burns cone incense under her stool... seat... bottom? (There's just no way to make this sound right, but you get the idea) which comes out of her mouth as if she's smoking. She really IS smoking hot! Haha!

I couldn't capture just how perfectly it spirals out of her mouth and hangs in the air, but you can see how she works here.

Another favorite find was this bouillotte lamp (Pronounced Boo-yacht) Bouillotte was a french card game that was popular in the 18th century and this type of lamp would've been placed in the center of the gaming table providing light and the basket base would've held gaming chips. The shade is tole (enamelled or lacquered metal ware) and adjusts up or down to conform to the candles burned. My 1920's lamp has both light bulbs and spots for candles. The arrow at the top adjusts the height up and down the center pole. This style lamp is one of my absolute favorites and can be quite expensive, but I found this one at a local antique store for $50 which is quite a steal! Yippee!! I'm trying it out to see if I like it in my living room.

Another rare 1920's boudoir doll find was this wax over composition munzerlite vanity doll lamp. Although I've seen lots of the boudoir doll lamps I've never seen one like this before with metal hangers that would allow her to hang on the mirror of a vanity. so I had to have her even though she's a little rough as well. *winks*

From one of my favorite online shops Maison De Wine And Wienies came this cool 1920's picture frame with barbola detail. Now living in my closet armoire.

And another sweet boudoir lady missing an arm but still very charming don't you think?

Also from Maison De Wine And Wienies this rare doll powder puff.

Her silk dress is shredded but she's still lovely to me.

And this find is a bit strange. I don't know if he represents a saint? Or Jesus? Did he come from a church? I have no idea. Maybe one of you will know? But he was too interesting to pass up... Though I probably should have because there's zippo room at my house *winks*

And back again to the 1920's where women wore dresses and men wore... makeup? Check em out! *winks* this tin tray was $10. I love the graphics.

Close up. I think it will fit in perfectly with my boudoir ladies. (You can click to enlarge)

And finally a couple of art nouveau trinket boxes found on etsy at $30 for the set. The smallest case has a cherub on top and I'm a cherub-o-holic!!

Still bearing remnants of their original silk.

Well that's it for this week. I hope you'll join me again next week for more flea market finds. Please leave me a message and I'll do the same. I LOVE to hear from you!! Vanna
I'm joining Sherry at No Minimalist Here for Open House Party.
Marty at a Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday
Kathleen at Charm Bracelet Diva for Club G.W.
The fabulous Honey at 2805 for Potporri Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
And Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show And Tell Fridays

Bonjour... or perhaps bon nuit? Beautiful people!
I hope everybody had a wonderful Christmas season!
I'm still running around like crazy trying to get things done/or undone... as the case may be, so I've only got a few little pretties to share with you this week.
As always I'll start with my favorite... what appears to be a small vintage potpourri bottle found in a local antique store... Actually I have no idea what this bottle is actually for? It has openings at the top so can't be perfume... But anyhoo I don't care!... It's got cherub angels!! Lol! I think it's probably German? (no markings) It's hand painted with sweet little flowers on both sides and nothing really grand, but for $6? What angel lover could walk away? I wouldn't even put it down whilst I walked around the antique store! Just gripped it tightly in my greedy little hand! *winks*

Here's a close up on the cute little guys.

For now it's living with the lovely ladies on my bedroom dresser.

Then on to favorite find #2 this small Marie Antoinette powder or cream jar from the 1940's for $10 found in the same antique mall. She'll be joining my other Marie beauties. I have a crazy obsession for all things Marie! *winks* How about you?

And in the same booth space this silvered (1920's?) perfume bottle was $12.50. Reminds me of old mercury glass which I adore!

This little German (?) boy was only $3.99 at the local Value Village. I couldn't resist the pink!

Even if he does have yellow eyes *winks*

I found this alpine style Bavarian birdhouse at the Goodwill. There's a hole in the back for the birdies to get in and out. I'm not sure if I should keep this one or not?

This 1940's sacred heart holy water font was also a VV find for $2.99.

Close up

And last is this tiny limoge dollhouse plate with frolicking cherubs for $8. It's only about two inches wide. Isn't it adorable?!

I'm showing it here with my Marie boudoir doll to give you an idea of its size. It sure packs a lot of detailed ca-ute for it's diminutive size doesn't it?

Well that's all for this week. What do you think? Are there any items I should've left at the store... before my house turns into a hoarders (french style) episode? *winks*? I'd LOVE to hear from you!
I hope you'll come back next week for some more shopping fun! Vanna
I'm joining my girls Patti and Paula at Ivy & Elephants for:

My friend Sherry at No Minimalist here for:

My friend Courtney from French Country Cottage for:

Sweet Honey at 2805 for:

And Cindy at My Romantic Home for:

I'm going to start with my BLOG GIVEAWAY!! Whoohoo!!

Here's how it works... I purchased this "THING" on craigslist. ($75) I should add this "Thing" is quite large measuring 33" wide x 22" and 12" tall. I have no idea what it was (or should be) used for? So your mission should you choose to accept it... Sorry for going all Mission Impossible on ya! I couldn't help myself *winks*... is to come up with your best guess about how it could or should be used? So peeps give me some ideas because I need all of them I can get! Then just become one of my friendly followers (If you aren't already *winks*) and leave me a comment. Come on don't be shy! Let your imagination go wild! The one with the best answer wins!

Here's a view of the inside.

And the winner will receive this antique Danish(?) pillowcase 21"x21" with embroidery initials. It translates to "sleep well" and has two small ties sewn inside for closure. But wait!... There's more!
Almost two years ago I was also doing a giveaway when my mom became very ill and I stopped blogging. So that prize will also be added into the mix!

Isn't it beautiful?

This darling little art nouveau jewel box will also be added to sweeten the prize. It's seen a little wear and tear in its long lifetime but this only enhances its charm.

Inside it contains a touch of mink to cushion some special treasure.

So please join my giveaway and start guessing! I'll award the prize two weeks from today! Sunday Feb 13th. It could be a VERY good Valentines day! *winks*

OK and for another good book... if you haven't read it yet? "The Bed" By Alecia Beldegreen, It's another one of my favorite go to's. I have beds on the brain lately because I'm straining the little gray matter that I DO have to come up with a canopy idea for my master bedroom. I've actually been pondering this for some time and it needs to happen! The ceiling is sloped so a beautiful corona just won't work *sighs* So I'm open to ideas for that too. You can view my master bedroom HERE

Isn't this a luscious cover? A taste of things to come... And the text is just as beautiful as the pictures... Lots and lots of em!

These are just some of the images. I couldn't share many of the best because they're two page spreads. Poor little scanner couldn't do it sorry.

I'll take that portrait please.

My cat would love this... But not as much as his mommy!

Italian beauty-liciousness!

And French of course!

This is soooo cool! It's all been done with a sharpie marker! Sorry about the crease, it was a two pager.

And some wonderful trompe l'oeil!

If I had this painted theatrical backdrop I'd remodel my whole living room around it!

Have you ever traveled by train like this? I don't think I'd ever fly if I could avoid it.

Absolutely gorgeous!

This lit a la polonaise is one of my favorite beds. One of these days I'll have me one!

Just look at those cherub sconces!

Or how about swathed in lace?

And more lace...

Do you think I could find one of these on craigslist? Probably not, but stranger things have happened!... Not to me... but maybe to you? *winks*

If you enjoyed these images you're going to love this book. And you can pick it up for only $4.59 (Shipping included) HERE A real steal for a large hardcover book.
Thanks for stopping by! Vanna

If you're on a mission to clean up your diet, getting your kids on board with the idea can seem impossible. If they're used to snacking on cookies, party-mix, Smarties, or packaged granola bars it can be frustrating for both of you to adopt healthier eating habits.
Thankfully, there are many scrumptious, nutritious recipes available that'll appeal to the pallet the same way junk food does. But instead of artery-clogging fats, refined sugars and flours, MSG, and simple carbohydrates, you'll be serving your child snacks that are loaded with nutrition and energy to help build a growing body.
Here are 10 snacks our kids love (and have no idea they're good for them!):

1. Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Flax Muffins

2. "Just Like Wheat Thins" Crackers with Cheese from Trim Healthy Mama

3. Snicker Snackers

4. Apples or Bananas with Peanut or Almond Butter

5.Raw vegetables with natural, homemade salad dressing.

6. Yogurt or kefir, with berries and raw honey

7. Skinny Chocolate from Trim Healthy Mama

8. Cottage Berry Whip from Trim Healthy Mama

9. Peppermint Patties

10. Trail Mix.

Linked up to: Stacy Makes Cents.

I hesitated posting this today. I don't want anyone to think that what we're doing with our 4-year-old for school this year is what they should be doing with theirs. Neither do I want anyone to feel as though I'm trying to "cover my back" so the powers that be know we're doing "enough." Nevertheless, homeschool Moms love to glean from each other and it's good to do due diligence and be aware of the various teaching methods and curriculum available. So here's a general idea of what I'm hoping to work through with our four-year-old daughter this year.

Our number one goal in our children's education is to stress the importance of their salvation and the development of Christ-like character. We consider this more crucial than academics (notice I didn't say academia is not important!) because, as Douglas Phillips said:
"If you try to give people knowledge, and you haven't trained them in character, based on faith, they will become intellectual reprobates."To that end, you'll notice a heavy emphasis on Scripture memorization through different methods, Bible-based curricula, and classical read-alouds that reinforce life principles from Proverbs.

Memory work.

Our goal each week is to memorize 1 Psalter, 1 verse from Proverbs for Parenting, and 2 Q&A's from The Mother's Catechism.

Proverbs For Parenting. This is a wonderful tool put together by Barbra Decker to aid in the discipling of our children. She has categorized the Proverbs into chapters that deal with particular sins like selfishness, lying, anger, ungratefulness, etc. If we notice our children are struggling in a specific area, we focus on memorizing proverbs that correspond to their behavior and learning what God says we must do about it.

A Mother's Catechism. I wish I could reference this resource for you, but these ancient Presbyterian catechisms are nearly impossible to come by. However, I'm giving away 15 copies (yes, you read that right) at the end of this post so be sure to enter! It's the Westminster Shorter Catechism made even shorter so that our 2 and 4 year old are perfectly capable of memorizing the questions and answers. This is a great way for them to learn sound biblical doctrine that we pray will stick with them for life.

The Psalter. The Psalter, simply put, is the Book of Psalms for singing. It's a tremendous way for small children to memorize the Psalms. They are set to choral music and we sing the same one after each meal for one week. By then, it is memorized and Charity is allowed to choose two or three to sing again before bedtime. This is the same book we use in Church and our children love it when the pastor has chosen one they are able to sing along with.

Rod & Staff Preschool Curriculum
I absolutely love the Rod & Staff Preschool Curriculum. My mom used it with me two decades ago and I was tickled to see the workbooks hadn't changed at all in the last twenty years. I have fond memories of coloring, cut and paste, and singing jingles to help remember how letters and numbers are formed:
A straight line down and then you're done. This is how to make a one! Around and back on a railroad track! Two, two, two! Around and tree and around a tree; this is how to make a three!

Charity is a typical girly-girl and loves doing crafts, so this curriculum is perfect for her since it involves a lot of crayons, scissors, and glue-sticks! I've heard from other Moms that generally speaking, boys don't do as well with this curriculum because they lack the patience, interest, and fine motor skills at this age to find enjoyment in using all those things.

The set includes six workbooks and a Bible Story book complete with questions and answers. For $21.95 you can hardly go wrong!
1) Adventures with Books: This book aims to teach neatness and carefulness, how to follow simple directions (match with lines, circle, underline, cross out or mark with an 'X'), recognize colors and how to color correctly, practice cutting and pasting, drawing with lines and circles, regonize shapes, and practice words meanings (alike, different, left, right, big, small).

2) Bible Pictures to Color: This book includes 60 coloring pages that correspond to the Bible stories in Bible Stories to Read. Each story includes three questions and answers and a short memory verse.

3) Counting with Numbers: This book teaches your child to identify and write the numbers 1 to 10 and explains what they mean. It also teaches number sequence and basic math concepts like more (greater than) less (fewer than), same (equal to), first, last, empty (zero), full (whole), and one-half.

4) Do it Carefully: This book teaches discriminating shapes, letters, a few sight words, writing letters and your child's name, as well as several consanant blends.

5) Everywhere We Go: This book is basically a review of what has been taught in the previous four. It also introduces character concepts like personal responsibility and courtesy and observations about animals, birds, plants and children that live in different parts of the world.

6) Finding the Answers: This book concentrates on developing critical thinking skills through rhymes, sequence, understanding sentence meanings, making comparisons and associations, learning to follow multiple directions, considering the senses, and gathering supplies to make or repair objects.

Read-alouds One of Charity's favorite things to do is curl up next to me on the couch and have a story read to her (I guess that's probably on the list of every child's Favorite Things To Do, isn't it? :-). We're working our way through the Miller Family Stories, also published by Rod & Staff.
I love these books because the stories are so relatable and each one emphasizes a biblical principle or proverb in a way a child can easily understand. The four Miller children grow up in a Christian home and have experiences very similar to ours. They struggle with obedience, slothfulness, bad influences, lying, snooping into other people's business, gossip, and several other battles we face daily. Each situation is ultimately resolved with an experience that brings sobering consequences or the direction of a parent that leads the children to choose what is right in God's eyes.

Charity is fascinated with pioneers at the moment, so we're reading through Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House Series. Once we are finished the set, we plan to dress up and pay a visit to a pioneer heritage village in our area.

To help expand Charity's vocabulary, I like to read her old English classics such as the stories by Beatrix Potter. This is a fun way to discover big words like "presently," "twitched," and "puzzled," and understand their meanings based on the context in which they are written. A Beatrix Potter Treasury is a fantastic collection of her most famous stories including the tales of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-duck, and Benjamin Bunny.

Copywork

Charity's fine motor skills aren't quite where they need to be to begin learning cursive, but when she gets there, we'll start by using the set of printables I developed earlier this week based on the 1777 New England Primer.

The 1777 New England Primer Cursive Printable Alphabet Set includes 26 Scripture passages to correspond with each letter of the alphabet as well as the biblical ditties used by the Puritans to help enforce the Gospel message in the tender hearts of our children while they learn to write. You can purchase the entire volume for $2.99 here.

If you have any questions about any of the materials or where to get them (I've included links to most of the resources), feel free to ask! If you're interested in receiving a copy of A Mother's Catechism, enter below for your chance to win 1 of 15 I have available to give away.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In the interest of full disclosure, I was not compensated in any way for my review of Rod and Staff Curriculum The opinions expressed are strictly my own. Some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Growing Home. Thank you for your continued support!
Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, Time Warp Wife, Far Above Rubies, A Wise Woman., Hip Homeschool Moms, Living and Learning at Home, Walking Redeemed, The Better Mom, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, The Focused Homemaker, Home Grown Learners, iHomeschool,

I'd like to blame it on the winter weather, but I know better. A bad case of the Grouchies seems to be ruling our home lately. It has nothing to do with being snowed in, and everything to do with the sin that lives in the hearts of our children, just as it does in mine.

The last few weeks have been particularly trying. Boredom and sickness make a good breeding ground for poor manners, foolishness, and bad attitudes. It was time to recommit to some serious character building, beginning with myself.

My friend Caroline and her husband Sean created the Character Badges program around the same time as my resolve, and I was eager to give it a try.

Previously, I've shied away from using character building programs because we want to teach our children good character without making them believe that their "righteousness" can earn something. When they fail in their attempts to "be good" and cry, "But Mommy, I can't be good!", we need to point them to the Cross and say, "I know, honey. Mommy can't be good either and that's why we both need Jesus!"

Here's how the system works.

The Character Badges program comes with three charts (the Obedience Chart, Disobedience Chart, and Consequence Chart), flashcards that reinforce biblical characteristics with a Scripture verse and a simple illustration, and a series of badges to be rewarded for good behavior.

The Obedience Chart lists several good character qualities (and leaves a few blanks so you can fill in particular areas of concern), along with a row of check boxes to mark off when you notice your child exhibiting good behavior.

Throughout the month, you can reinforce positive behavior by allowing your child to mark off a check box when you notice they have done something kind, worked hard, told the truth, or were quick to obey. Our children are not allowed to fill in or ask to fill in their own check boxes and can only do so when we pick up on something and give them permission.

Once any one of their rows have been filled, they get rewarded with badge to wear for the day. The Character Badge creators suggest accompanying the badge with a special prize, outing, or gift to help keep your child motivated.

Also included are Disobedience and Consequence charts. They are similar to the Obedience Chart in that a check box is meant to be marked off when you pick up on poor behavior (i.e. lying, laziness, hurting others, etc.).

The first day we put the program to use was interesting. The badges were a great incentive to good behavior, and my favorite moment is when our daughter announced, "You know what? It's actually more fun when we're being nice to each other!" Imagine that.

Then the first infraction happened. Instead of disciplining like I normally do, I decided to utilize the Disobedience Chart. One offence led to another and the idea of having to mark down her sin completely stressed out our child-in-training.

I realized that she didn't need a long list of offences hanging over her head. She needed to know that when we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive it, and purify us from all unrighteousness. He removes our transgressions as far as the east is from the west, and we too should keep no record of wrongs. (1 John 1:9; Psalm 103:12; 1 Corinthians 13:5).

Today, I want to discuss something simple you can watch for in your writing, and that also has the power to make your writing so much more effective. Today, I want to talk about redundant words.

Let's start with the dictionary's definition of redundant:

re·dun·dant
being in excess; exceeding what is usual or natural.

Now, I want you to look at my simplified definition as I believe it has to do with writing effective blog posts.

re·dun·dant
writing certain words too many times; using certain phrases too many times; repeating an idea too many times.
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Bonjour y'all!!
It's once again that time of the week.
Time for FLEA... MARKET... FINDS!!!!!
And a mighty fine week it was for them too!

I'm not starting with my favorite find as I usually do because I think this one makes a more enticing picture *winks* And I do LOVE all these pretty babies! So here I go...
This necklace was a splurge for me, but I'm not much of a jewelry person, so when I find something that I really like I go for it *winks* I had actually pinned this necklace in my jewelry board on pinterest and it got quite a few pins when I realized I'd better buy it before someone else did! It's so sha-BLING!! I don't even have to wear it to love it. It's great just hanging on any ole thing. Mournful saint with rhinestones... = PERFECT combo! Lol!

She is hanging on one of my Guerlain golden bee bottles. I added a new little one to my collection... Well there are only two of the gold bee bottles so it's not quite a "collection" yet, but there are three Guerlain bottles total, so I'm getting there right? *winks* Years ago I spotted one of these beautiful golden bottles in Victoria magazine and for some reason I decided I had to have one (Yeah that never happens lol!) So off I went on the hunt only to have all my hopes dashed because these babies can get expensive! To the tune of nearly 2k for a large bottle from Guerlain. So thank you God-send ebay for this lovely $45 BIN bottle! (it's the small one) Anyhoo the gold bee bottle filled with Cologne Imperiale (for those of you who care) was created for the empress Eugenie in 1853 to give as a gift to her husband Napoleon III. She so liked the scent that she named Monsieur Guerlain purveyor to the Empress. The bottle is modeled after the top of the place vendome in Paris

My little bottle of golden bliss! Each golden bottle is hand painted.

I also found this sweet little rhinestone pin for $1 at a local antique store. The sterling cloisonne bracelet was an earlier find

This Isadora perfume bottle is another one of my favorites. Found for $10 at a local antique store.

One more shot of my blingy beauty! And hanging on the mirror you can also see another of my favorite new necklaces. Yep another mournful saint. *winks*

This was actually my favorite find for the week. It's a gorgeous chromo lithograph from 1909 and it's BIG! Over 50" wide and nearly 30" tall. I have no idea where I'm going to put it! I don't care... I'll find a spot *winks* Which is usually the way it goes at my house with varying degrees of success. *sighs*

Pretty lady and cavorting cherubs... some of my favorite things!

Aren't they adorable?!

Signed by what looks like Lindburg? Or Lindbura? Is anyone familiar with this one?

These two little guys appear to be the serious ones *winks*

Next up is this large Federal style mirror. A killer find at the Goodwill! Do you see all the little yellow stickers on it?... Come a little closer...

Yeppers it was marked $39.99, but I had a 20% off coupon from donating some goods, so it came to $31.99!! I couldn't believe my lucky stars at finding this one! I saw a very similar one on ebay sell for 1k. YIPPEE!!

My next find is more than a little quirky. It also came from a local antique store. It features a bashful Charlotte flower frog that someone made into an art glass lamp in the 20's or 30's. When I asked my hubby what he thought of it? He was completely underwhelmed (He makes that sound Lurch made back on the Adams family... Do any of you remember it?... But I digress)... asking me "why do you want that old thing?" If I only had a dime for every time I've heard that one... I'd be able to buy lots more "old things" Lol! The glass petals look like Venetian glass to me. I think they're beautiful! So what do you think? Treasure or disaster? Go ahead and tell me, I can take it *winks*

Blue bulbs too.

And softly lit...

I'm crazy for columns and capitols so I was thrilled when I found this sweet piece for only $2 at the same antique store as the blue lady lamp. Isn't it perfectly chippy and shabby?!

I'm currently using it as a riser for this pretty lady statue.

And lastly was this sweet nude bathing maiden from the Value Village. She's available in my etsy!

So that's it for this week. I think it was quite a haul! I hope you'll come back next week for more Flea Market Finds... It's going to be hard to top this week, but I'll try! *winks* I also hope you'll leave me a comment. I LOVE to hear from you!
And that's the truff... Vanna
I'm joining Sherry at No Minimalist Here for:

Debra at Common Ground for:

Courtney at French Country Cottage for:

Paula and Patti at Ivy & Elephants for:

And My Romantic Home for:

Carrying Anna outside to pick some beans from our garden for supper, I sighed.

The patio was more green than grey with all the weeds coming up through the cracks. The hose lay in a tangled mess off to the side and toys from the sandbox littered the yard. The flower beds looked like they were in need of a good drink and weeds had begun to crowd out the herbs I had planted in the vegetable garden.

The kiddie pool in serious need of a good cleaning, and our weedy patio. The lawn showed serious signs of neglect too. Not having been cut in two weeks, the grass had reached that unpleasant length where your ankles get tickled by the blades and bit by mosquitoes that had found a home near the roots.

I picked a bowl full of beans and returned to the house. Weeds were poking through the pavement in the driveway too. I opened the door and felt a hot tear trickle down my cheek. I quickly brushed it away. The kids were laughing hysterically together and I didn't want to rain on their parade.

Charity's dolls from Aunt Connie, all swaddled up and sleeping on the couch. Notice the pillows so they don't roll off? Toys strewn all over the living room showed signs of active imaginations and serious creativity. I like to have things neat and tidy for my dear husband when he gets home from work, but that clearly wasn't going to happen this day..not if I was going to have a nice dinner ready and Anna fed by the time he walked in the door too.

I felt deflated, hypocritical, and way behind on everything. I write about the joys of motherhood and being a homemaker, but today I just wasn't feeling it as I stared a sink full of unwashed dishes, enough food underneath the table to add an egg and make a casserole, and a long to-do list of things that still needed to be done: laundry, bath the kids, make supper, clean out the van, etc., etc.

It's not that my husband doesn't pitch in. He does, more than any other husband I know. He works hard all day and then comes home is a SuperDad to our kids and a loving husband to me. He washes, dries, and puts away the dishes after dinner, gives the kids piggy-back rides around the house while they shriek with delight, brushes their teeth, reads them stories before bed, and tucks them in at night. Then he pays our bills, runs errands I didn't get to during the day, and often brings me back a little surprise like Reese's or ice cream. He's a champion in every way so this feeling of "way behindishness" I get doesn't come from him.

Our tiny kitchen, looking well-used. :-) The unreasonable standard I had set for myself was self-imposed and largely influenced by staged photos on Pinterest and the comparison game I played with other homemakers. No one was telling me I had to serve gourmet meals every night, keep a spotless, well-organized home, and dress my children in trendy clothes that matched. But somehow I had gotten the idea that doing all these things would mean I was being successful in my role as a wife, mother, and homemaker.

Brad walked in the door and I didn't greet him like I normally do. I knew I'd probably have a melt down so I kept washing dishes. Silly of me really, because he knows his wife well and immediately knew something was up. He kissed my on my cheek and asked, "Hi Sweetheart. How was your day?"

I lost it. His kind gesture was no match for the frustrations I had pent up inside and the tears started flowing while I rattled off my list of failures. "I didn't get anything done today. The grass still needs to be cut, supper's not ready and we've already had cereal or take-out twice this week, Anna needs to be fed again, Charity's out of clean underwear, and I can't remember the last time I gave the kids a proper bath!" For emphasis, I added, "I just can't do it any more. Sometimes I think I'd just be better off at work."

Brad knew I didn't mean that. He put his hands on my waist and looked me in the eye. "The reason you feel like you didn't get anything done today, is because you were busy doing more important things." He glanced over at our three busy kids and continued. "I don't care if we have to eat take-out every night, or use paper plates for a while, or if the wash doesn't get folded. If you get nothing done all day but the kids are happy, then I'm happy too!"

I thought back on our day. It started with me crawling into Charity's bed for our morning snuggle. She told me all about how her stuffed animals had behaved at night. Judah had peed through his diaper, so I washed him up before breakfast and started a load of laundry. We had our usual smoothies, read the story of Jonah for devotions, and prayed that God would keep Daddy safe at Opa's shop and give us clean hearts that love Him above all and our neighbors as ourselves.

Judah's raspberries. Then I read Charity a chapter from Little House in the Big Woods while I nursed Anna. Judah can't sit that long, so he played "excavators" on the coffee table. After making sure everyone had gone to the bathroom, and the diaper bag was packed, we went to my aunt's farm to pick raspberries.

"See Mom? If you just squish them like this, then we don't have to make jam when we get home!"

"I'm picking all the tiny little hard ones 'cause they're SOOOO cute!"

"Look, Mom! I picked all the white ones! We can just pick off the green prickles after."

Anna had decided she was finished before we started, so I discovered how fast I can pick with one hand while rocking a screaming baby: 2 quarts in half an hour.

We made it home in time for lunch. I had some leftover chocolate drizzle from a cheesecake so I made happy faces on their peanut-butter sandwiches. They were over the moon with delight.

After nap-time, we took a walk across the road to the park and cooled off for a few minutes at the splash pad. Back home, Charity wanted to do "school," so she found her books and pencils and I showed her how to make the number three. "Around a tree and around a tree. This is how to make a three!" we sang together.

Throughout the day there were squabbles to break up, attitudes to adjust, meltdowns to clean up, time-outs for tempers, kisses for boo-boos, apologies given and accepted, and hugs for the emotionally distraught.

Brad was right. I may not have gotten much done by way of housework, but alongside me had been three little sidekicks whose minds and hearts, for better or for worse, were being shaped, molded, and influenced by their Mom.

The weight of my responsibility struck me. I wasn't raising children here, I was raising adults. I was forming the next generation of fathers and mothers. I was shaping the characters of those who would raise our grandchildren. There was so much I needed to teach them, so much discipling that needed to happen in their tender hearts as well as mine.

The laundry, dirty house, and weeds in the patio will still be there one day when I have time to play catch up. But I'll never be able to play catch up with my kids. My time with them is slipping away like hourglass sand and I can't stop it.

So, while I'd like to maintain an immaculate house, keep our patio weed-free, and cut out the take-out, I've only got one chance at this Mom thing. Charity is three years old - almost four. If she marries at the same age I did, I have just 14 short years left before she leaves the nest. The first three have come and gone in a blink of an eye. Five more blinks and it's over.
"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Deuteronomy 6:7 Truth is, if you're way behind on everything except time spent with your kids, you're way ahead.

Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, We Are That Family, Raising Arrows, A Wise Woman., Walking Redeemed, The Better Mom, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story

I always enjoy having children around. They never complain, argue, or whine, so I never have reason to tire of their presence. My house is spotlessly organized and each parenting moment is handled with such a degree of wisdom and grace that no hint of my sinful nature and impatient tendencies are ever exposed. And I never lie either.

Of course I'm being totally facetious above, but sometimes I wonder if those who read this blog ever get the impression that I'm a homemaker who's got it all together. It's remarkably easy to display a deceptive picture of myself online.

Moments after posting this picture on our Facebook page saying we'd be enjoying supper from the garden tonight, I BURNT it. All of it.
The recipes I post are only the ones that turn out. In reality, the ratio of flops to successes are nearly tied. Most often, any pictures you've seen of our house are taken after I've spent a considerable amount of cleaning up and staging the scene. I can even remove my zits from my face with an online photo editor before changing my profile picture.

Judah - a sweet little boy who loves to eat vegetables, right? It didn't last any more than 3 seconds in his mouth before he spit it out.
What you won't know from reading my blog is that the miraculous growth of my laundry pile can be attributed to me spending too much time online; that our daughter has a strong, vocal aversion to carrots; that you could leave your signature in the dust on our fireplace mantel; that my Roma tomatoes are dying and I have no idea how I'm killing them; that we often use the garden hose to clean our kids off outside instead of giving them a proper bath; or that our car should've been vacuumed out four months ago.

Everyday, food gets spilled on the floor, my children whine and complain, and I lose my patience. Indeed, the small sampling of our lives you see online is often very different than the big picture. Don't compare yourself to what you see on your side of the screen. It's a very unrealistic picture of homemaking and motherhood.

They were playing so nicely together, I had to celebrate the occasion with a picture.
The "good stuff" you see here is God giving beauty for ashes. It is by His grace and with His strength that I can homeschool my children and bake a cake that turns out. It's the Lord who provides bounty in our garden and creates beautiful flowers to arrange on our kitchen table. He provides me with the materials and skills to sew a quilt for warmth in the winter and whip up a healing hand cream.

In spite of myself, I find hope in my calling to be a wife, mother, and homemaker because that's what God has called me too. Even if I burn the toast and melt our peppercorn grinder, I can take comfort and encouragement in knowing that the One who saved me from my sin can redeem the efforts I make in the calling He has given.

A cheesecake that turned out beautifully. The very first time I've ever made one that looked good enough to eat.
My blog serves its purpose when it showcases the beauty of the role ordained for women by God. He is blessed - and so am I, when it encourages fellow homemakers to aspire to that which is excellent: loving their children, honoring their husbands, managing a beautiful, efficient home, and delighting in the opportunities to serve the Lord which arise from keeping our homes and all that it entails.

It takes just a few minutes to whip up this exfoliating salt scrub that will leave your skin looking fresh and feeling smooth. It's also an easy and inexpensive gift idea for birthdays, Mother's day, or "just because." All you need is a pretty jar (the Dollar Store has many to choose from), and three ingredients.
Ingredients:

• Coarse Sea Salt (enough to fill your jar)
• Olive or melted Coconut Oil
• Lavender Essential Oil (a few drops)

It's time again for Flea Market Finds!! Whoopee Ding Dong!! Shee Blam!! Whoohoo!!
Can you think of ANYTHING more exciting???!!
"Watching the grass grow you say?" Or perhaps "chatting up a used car salesman?"
Mais noooooo ma cheries! This post will be even better than those! *winks*... OK maybe only slightly lol!... But I'm gonna try real hard!
It's been hard times on the thriftin' trail for me. The fabulous finds have been elusive... But... I did manage a few nifty treats. Well... I'll let you be the judge... so I'll start with my absolute fave (it's kind of a close three way tie this week)
This charming little antique french miss is actually an inkwell. $86.50 at a local antique store. I love the sweet little cobalt well! It even came with a matching blue quill.

Update: My friend Richard from My Old Historic House and antiquer extraordinaire told me this inkwell is old paris porcelain and early 1820-1840! YIPPEE!! I done good!

Isn't she sweet?

Then I stumbled on this reproduction antique barometer at a local antique mall. The owner of the space was there and he told me his father had worked at La Barge in the 70's and he brought this home from there. It was $75 and if you know anything about La Barge? it was a VERY good price *winks*

I found this large antique charcoal portrait of a young 18th century man on craigslist for $20. He's a keeper! Sorry about the bad picture, the glass was very reflective. This shot doesn't do him any justice.

This huge mirrored tray was $20 and has cherubs with little birds on each end. It will be living on my coffee table *winks*

Isn't he a cutie?

Then while I was at the Goodwill I found this wacky crazy cool vintage Japanese lady lamp from the 50's. It's also a music box and plays "Some Enchanted Evening" (The Japanese lady spins) The color of the globe is bright blue until you turn the lamp on and then it changes color! There's also a small pagoda that can be seen in the crystal spire with a small deer sitting beside it. I'll be adding it to my etsy goodies.

Unique and kooky!! Lol!

The top reads "MERRY LAMP" It's in pristine condition.

Can you see the outline of the little deer under the pagoda in the spire?

I found this pretty hand painted rose bowl at the Value Village.

Aren't the soft pink roses luscious?!

This darling planter with barbola rose swags was $5.99 at the Goodwill. It originally had a black rose arrangement in it! Eeeeeewwww! Can you imagine a worse choice?!! What were they thinkin'? Anyhoo out they went... Needless to say I'm ready for Halloween with my black bouquet *winks*

And some more vintage alabaster grapes from the Goodwill for $3.99.

Another addition to my Odd Fellows collection. This antique collar was $5 on ebay.

I love the little metal tassels!

I tried my hand at a little gesso transformation via Rosemary at Villa Barnes on this frame/plateau from the Goodwill for 99 cents. It started out a bright tacky gold with some pressed dried flowers. I'm not sure it's much of an improvement lol! *winks* but I can always slap on some more gesso!

Sorry I didn't get a better shot of the before, it somehow got deleted, but you get the idea.

And finally a set of sheer white lawn curtains with the prettiest tucked detail at the top from the Value Village.

That's it for this week. I hope you'll come back next week for more flea market finds. Please leave me a comment, I'd LOVE to hear from you! And I'll do the same *winks* Vanna
I'm joining Sherry at No Minimalist Here for:

And The Charm Bracelet Diva for:

Courtney at French Country Cottage for:

Cindy at My Romantic Home for:

Bonjour!... Hello!... Bienvenue to my latest Flea Market Finds post!
This week should more aptly be titled "Stuff I found at the Value Village thrift store for cheap" Because Monday was Martin Luther King half off day!! So I arrived bright and early to find me some treasures!
I'll share those shortly, but first I'll start with my teaser from last week... I found this amazing treasure at a local antique store... You know that feeling... when you look across the room and there IT is?! You dare not show any interest for fear that someone else might B-line for it first? So you calmly amble over to "said object" to inspect the price tag... You know it's gonna be high... You just know it will be WAY out of reach! Only to find instead that it's sooooo cheap! Could that be right? Could that amazing piece of fabulousness really be only $75???
Does it have fleas or something?
Such was my reaction when I found this beauty last week...
A large spelter antique angel lamp with a gorgeous verdigris (green) patina!
It had the most awful brand spanking new, shiny bright brass lampshade harp on it that HAD to GO!
I wanted to take all kinds of beautiful vignette-y pictures of him, but we received 8" of snow last night so the pictures are all a little dark... sorry... (Do you have snow where you live?)
Anyhoo here is my beautiful boy. He's a keeper... I just have no idea where I'll be keeping him *winks* But in this case love will find a way...

Cute hiney too! *winks*

Isn't he fabu-licious up close?

And from a distance? *winks*

I also found this 19th century Louis XVI style needlepoint foot/vanity stool for my etsy shop coming in two days.

The top features some sweet birds

Then I received my Valentine gift a little early this year when I spotted this wonderful Victorian piece. I told my husband he wasn't going to top this at Hallmark... Or even buying me a box of chocolates WITH flowers *winks* And smart man that he is... he realized that this was the way to go! Lol!
I wonder if it had once been a house warming gift? The fabric is silk, even the little ribbons.

Very fragile and a little tattered...

It has what appears to be a silkscreen picture of a house and village and the words "Kind Regards" are painted on. I've never received a better Valentine! This one just speaks to my heart!

OK now on to the Value Village madness *winks* This yellow silk chiffon silk dress was $7.99.

I love its soft filmy ruffles and the contrast in textures with my other dresses.

The pink rhinestone broach I added was $5 at the VV.

This barley twist plant stand was only $7.

The faux guilloche picture frame and the Juicy Couture crown key fob were both $1. And that was a great price on the Juicy because retail on it was $50-ish. Of course if you read this blog you know what I'll use that crown for...

One of my boudoir dolls of course!! Lol! Now my little lady bust is a tea cup Queen! *winks*

Well that's all I have for this week. I hope you'll join me on Friday for the opening of my new etsy shoppe! I also hope you'll leave me a message to say "hello" and I'll do the same. I LOVE hearing from you! Vanna

I'm joining those sweet gals Patti and Paula at Elephands & Ivy for:

My friend Sherry at No Minimalist Here for:

The lovely Honey at 2805 for:

The beautiful Courtney at French Country Cottage for:

And Cindy at My Romantic Home for:

I've recently heard someone say that it's not fair to a child to make them work. You know, that a kid needs to be a kid; that they need to have fun first; that their lives will eventually be weighed down with enough responsibilities; that it's a mother's duty to do the chores around the home. If you've been a long-time reader of this blog, you'll remember comments (made anonymously, of course) along the same line popping up every now and then.

Is it true? Is all play and no work the answer for curing Jack's dullness? I'm not an experienced mother by any stretch. I've only been one for a short sixteen months. Yet, I believe that it's not only necessary for children to participate in family chores, but that they can even find great enjoyment in doing so!

Children don't instantly become helpful once they reach a certain age-just like a girl doesn't automatically become a good help-meet the day she gets married. The responsibility of running a home, I believe, is a duty required of mothers to teach their children. I had just 18 short, sweet years at home before I flew the nest to take care of my own. While I didn't always appreciate participating in housework, meal preparation, grocery shopping, gardening, and folding the laundry back then, it's something for which I am inexplicably grateful for now. So grateful for, in fact, that I'm trying to instill in our one-year-old the same homemaking skills my mother taught me!

Obviously, I can't expect a sixteen-month old to stay on task long or be held responsible for regular chores. Charity is in the "preparatory stage." The great thing about teaching her now, is that she loves it! She wants to help. She loves to accomplish things and loves to be praised. It brings great joy to my heart when I witness for the first time, a daughter who sees her work and takes action to do something about it.

Yesterday, Charity sneezed just as she was eating her last bite of breakfast. I'll spare you the details, but the kitchen floor was covered in regurgitated cheerios. Looking at her mess, she wrinkled up her nose and said (very dramatically, as usual) "EWWWWWWWWWWW!" I took her out of her booster seat, and before I had even grabbed the washcloth from the sink, she had pulled the tea towel from off the stove and was wiping up beneath her chair.

I could've done the easy thing: take the tea towel away from her and think, "She's doing it all wrong. The towel's not even wet! She's just spreading the dirt farther across the floor!" The fact is, she wasn't doing a very good job. She wasn't being efficient and you could hardly call it "cleaning."

I praised her anyway. She had the right idea, and what's more, she had the right attitude. She wanted to help me clean up and she did everything she knew how to be helpful. She was pleased as punch when I gave her a hug and said, "Big Girl, Charity! Thank you for helping Mommy clean up! Mommy likes it when you're eager to help!"

I doubt she'll ever remember our little clean up session yesterday, but I do hope that involving her daily with household tasks and praising her for obedience, cheerfulness, and a job well done will eventually result in the mastering of helpful work habits she'll take with her wherever she goes.

It blows my mind at how much a one-year-old is capable of. I still think of her as my "baby." But my "baby" can already help empty the dishwasher, switch laundry loads, put her toys in the toy box, dust the furniture, clean the floors, and bring Mommy and Daddy things when they ask for them. To Charity, it's just play. She's doesn't realize that she's learning life skills.

Mothers, we are not passing the time babysitting; we are mothering. We're not here to simply entertain them, but to teach them to be godly offspring who will one day, Lord bless, be able to maintain their own home in good order.

You're a stay-at-home Mom.
You treasure the privilege of being able to raise your own children and manage your home, but sometimes you wonder if there's something you could do to contribute to the family income. Something that has the potential to earn a full-time wage without a huge start-up cost or sacrificing hours away from the first responsibilities God gave you.
You love to write and crave an outlet to express yourself while making a positive impact in someone else's life. You're passionate about a particular subject and desire to explore it deeper so you can minister to others, learn, and interact with a community of like-minded women.
If any of these sentiments resonate with you, you need to start a blog , and my brand new eBook, Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home | The Ultimate Guide For Christian Mommy Bloggers will show you how to do just that.

Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home The Ultimate Guide For Christian Mommy Bloggers by Jacinda Vandenberg
PDF version

KINDLE version

Since the first edition of this eBook in 2012, Growing Home has grown ten times in size and now generates a five figure income annually. I’ve encountered many new challenges and opportunities not included in the original version and decided it was time to re-write it all.
I started Growing Home with the purpose of encouraging Christian wives, mothers, and homemakers in their noble calling. More recently, homeschooling has been added to the queue since we officially started home educating our oldest child last year.
Writing has always been a favorite pastime of mine and I loved the idea of interacting with like-minded women all across the globe. I began as every blogger does: with one reader, one Facebook fan, one Pinterest follower who pinned my posts.
A few years later, with God’s extraordinary blessing in spite of myself and an exceptionally supportive, tight-knit blogging network, at the time of this writing, Growing Home is a community of 30,000 readers and is a significant contributor to our family income.

Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home The Ultimate Guide For Christian Mommy Bloggers by Jacinda Vandenberg $7.99
PDF version

KINDLE version

I have nothing to boast about. I couldn’t have imagined it this way, not in my wildest dreams! This is solely the result of the Lord’s blessing on the tools He has given me. He’s responsible for it all and He gets the glory!
The goal of this eBook is to share with you the same principles and techniques that God has used to grow Growing Home, both as a ministry tool and a means of income for our family without taking me away from my first responsibilities as a wife and mother.
What Other People Are Saying: "Jacinda Vandenberg's book is fantastic. Everyone is going to want to read it, even if you already know how to blog and manage your home. Coming soon to a theater near you. Very soon, in fact. January 13th. Don't get popcorn grease on your Kindle." ~ Melinda Martin, Professional Blogger and Virtual Assistant. I hope you find in these pages:

• a vision for purposeful blogging,
• helpful tips to manage both your home and your online presence,
• valuable information that will help supplement your family's income.

Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home The Ultimate Guide For Christian Mommy Bloggers by Jacinda Vandenberg $7.99 PDF version

KINDLE version

Table of Contents
Introduction Part 1 | Creating a Vision and Maintaining A Schedule
To Blog Or Not To Blog? That Is The Question
Setting Priorities
Time-Saving Home Management Tips
This Is My Schedule, And I’m Sticking To It
Efficiently Managing Your Time Online Part 2 | Content and Design Content Is King

• Originality
• Brevity
• Titles
• Engagement
• Readability
• Hyperlinks
• Photos
• Character
• Professionalism
• Inspiration
• Understanding

• Platform
• Simplicity
• Branding
• Color
• Fancy Fonts
• Whitespace
• Centered Gadgets
• Placement
• Comments
• Image Use
• Navigation
• Call to action
• Browsers
• Recommended Blog Designers

• How to Grow Your Blog
• Link Parties
• Commenting
• Following
• Guest Posting
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• Google+
• Twitter
• Email Subscriptions
• Community
• Giveaways
• Posting Frequency
• Advertising

• Make Money as a Seller
• Make Money as an Affiliate

• Deciding Your Options and Setting Your Rates
• Do’s
• Don’ts

• Dealing With The Nay-Sayers
• What To Do When Someone Steals Your Content
• Legal Stuff
• Affiliate Links
• Comment Policies
• Copyrights
• Disclosures
• Disclaimers
• Taxes

Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home The Ultimate Guide For Christian Mommy Bloggers by Jacinda Vandenberg $7.99 PDF version

KINDLE version

Praise for Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home:
"One of the most important things that caught my attention in this book is that, she admits, she doesn’t try to do it all. Oh, how I loved this! Finally someone who was real about what actually happens during their day." ~ Shari A. Miller"Growing Your Blog is a worthwhile read if you’ve ever felt like your blogging was taking over your life, whether you are seriously considering monetizing or not. There’ve been many times over the past few months that I’ve felt maybe I just need to quit…after reading this book, I know I just need a better plan. My priorities have been out of whack. I knew it, but I needed a “blueprint” for turning them around." ~ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds"Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home offers a great vision of keeping your focus where it should be, without having letting go of your goal to grow your blog." ~ A Diligent Heart"If your dishes have been known to pile high while you aim to type one more blog post, then this ebook is for you... Priorities. Priorities. Priorities. Come on a journey as she shares her own story, schedules, and tips for Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home. You will be encouraged and inspired by her beautiful simplicity." ~ The Homeschool Village"Growing Your Blog While Managing Your Home is going to be a resource I turn to time and again. I am thankful to not have to use Google to find answers to my blogging questions anymore!" ~ Thankful Homemaker"Jacinda’s book is a great introduction to the how-to’s of blogging for business. It’s refreshing to read a take that is from a decidedly Christian viewpoint. I found the details for advertising, ebooks, and affiliates especially helpful. She is very transparent and shares her own advertising and reviewing rates, which is also very helpful." ~ The Sunny Patch"{Jacinda}gives a ton of information of how to blog while balancing home life helping women to keep a wise balance and does it from a Christian perspective. This is hard to find and why I recommend it." ~ A Wise Woman Builds Her Home"What kind of blogger are you, or do you want to become? If you merely blog for the sake of keeping a family journal then this eBook probably won’t benefit you. But, if you want to step it up a notch then it’s definitely for you!" ~ Raising Mighty Arrows
***A special thank-you to my dear husband for proofreading the manuscript, Lindsey and Richele from Crisp Apple for their tremendous job on the design, and Melinda from Helply Helper VA Services for the many late nights and early mornings she spent editing and formatting my mess into something that looks professional!

Yesterday the hubby took me out to breakfast after church and as we were leaving the restaurant, I spied in one area of the parking lot, a store by the name of "Cake" Well as a girl who wants to have her cake and to eat it too, I just HAD to check it out! So in I went dragging resistant hubby behind me *winks* I sure wish I'd brought my camera with me because this store was dreamy! Anyhoo as I was busy perusing about in the corner of my eye I spotted a golden crown. Now I have been searching for a crown for quite some time. Even my friends were jumping in on the act trying to find one for me (probably to get me to hush up about wanting one every ten minutes!) And this one was just the ticket!! And I didn't even have to sell an arm and a leg to afford it! Just had to twist hubbys arm really HARD! But I'm pretty good at that, heh heh heh ! Oh yippee Ki yay it's MINE!! Here is my new crown displayed with one of my little spelter boys for Christmas. I stuck a moss ball in it and Wa -La!!

And here is a close up on my little spelter boy. Isn't he a cutie?

As we were driving back into our little town, I spied a sign for an estate sale. Those of you who already know me KNOW I can NOT pass by an estate sale without stopping! (also applies to all garage sales... tag sales... sales of pretty much any kind *winks* You get the picture) Who knows? I might miss a the treasure of a lifetime!! So once again hubby in tow leaving black shoe marks of resistance behind him, I dragged him from room to room of the estate sale. With less than one hour left, I spotted these vintage flower prints from 1943 at $15 each... Well because it was the last day of the sale everything was half price! So the two fab ole prints cost me $15! They're big ones too! I'm pondering where to put them... Perhaps in my shabby chic bedroom here?
http://ratemyspace.hgtv.com/snc/ViewItem.aspx?pguid=6db6be3f-1720-4ba3-a081-999042c09b6b&itemguid =d47da 89b-0cbc -44bd -b660-ee 8a50b75154

As I wandered into the garage of the estate sale house I spotted this birdcage and stand. The birdcage was marked $15 and the stand was $38... Well that's wayyyy to rich for my blood! But the man handling the items for the estate sale told me I could have them both for $15! Well that's more like it!! But me being the cheapo... ahem... I mean "thrifty gal that I am I asked him if he would consider $12? He said sure! So now I have me a white stand and red birdcage! I'm going to use the stand as a display for a vintage chandy *winks* NO idea what to do with the cage but it sure is a cutie! Does anyone need one? (Ann my friend?) Let me know!

The birdcage is marked "crown"! It seemed to be my theme for the day! Lol ! Don't ya love the old mosque style top?

But here was my piece de resistance for the day!! I was chatting with the gals inside running the sale and spotted something sparkley warkley in a box... Unfortunately it was in the "SOLD" area. I asked if I could carefully take a look anyway (glutton for punishment that I am) The gal told me that if the lady that had placed it on hold didn't show up in 15 minutes she would let me have it if I wanted it... IF I WANTED IT??!!!! Well OF COURSE I WANTED IT!!! It's an antique empire chandelier and the price was only... are you ready?... $25!! OK it needs some work... LOTS of work!! Some of the crystals are cracked and many will need to be restrung. Some of the ribbon details are broken. There are a few missing crystals... But when I'm done with it, it will be glorious!! I just know it!! Well I'm pretty sure!!... OK fairly confident... (Hubby is snorting in the background because he knows HE will have to work on it *winks*) Fingers crossed that it won't be a total mess and waste of money... and sit with the other 6 chandeliers suspended out in the garage!Lol ! Please check back with me next week when I will post it in all it's restored glory... such as it is *winks*

It has some cherub faces that aren't very fine... But whatcha expect for $25? *winks*

And lest I forget, this little chandy Christmas ornament was also a Cake find. Isn't it darling? And 25% off! Well thanks for sharing my shopping outing. If y'all post any estate sale/flea market finds will you please give me a holla ? I just love seeing others finds and treasures!

Vanna

One of the greatest debates in the blogging world is whether or not the Alexa Rank of your blog matters.

When I started Single Dad Laughing, I had no idea what the Alexa Rank even was or why it was important. Today we'll discuss what it is and we'll also discuss whether you should worry about it or not. Today's post is a little long, but hopefully it's simple and thorough. And believe me, it's important.

The Alexa Rank (which can be viewed for any website at www.alexa.com) is a number assigned to almost every domain on the web. The number assigned to your domain simply tells how your website compares to every other website in the world. The lower the ranking, the more popular the website. For example, Google.com is the world's most visited domain, so it has an Alexa Ranking of 1. Facebook is the second most visited, so it has an Alexa Ranking of 2. As of writing this, Single Dad Laughing has an Alexa Ranking of around 62,000. That means (if it were exact) 61,999 websites currently register more daily traffic than mine does. We'll talk more about what that means in a minute. First, let's talk about how Alexa.com assigns that number.
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