My Very First Post

I designed this blog several weeks ago, but have been a little bit shy and nervous about making my first post. I don't know why. I actually love to write, am always attracted to a blank sheet of paper. This is a bit different, of course. It was my wonderful daughter, Sarah, a recent devotee to blogging, who has inspired me to jump in and begin blogging myself. Reading her wonderful posts have given me courage.

Anyway, to get down to the business of life, right now, the children have been out of school for one week and I am very much enjoying them. 10 year old Robert has busied himself with having as many playmates and sleepovers as possible, which I have allowed after chores are done. Sarah has spent much of her time creating her blog and writing poetry. Normally, I would be concerned about so much time spent in front of a screen (I want the children to be OUTSIDE experiencing life and getting lots of exercise), but I realize that she loves expressing herself with the written word and that is something I would like to foster (while also encouraging her to play outside!). I am spending my days, trying to make our home one that is wonderful for the children to return to after playdates, sleepovers and on breaks from writing. I am doing a lot of baking, organizing and am preparing for a yard sale for this coming Saturday!

I am also spending a fair amount of time everyday in our large vegetable garden. I am growing lots of tomatoes (am looking forward to these now that so many have been pulled from stores with this salmonella scare!), corn, cukes, zukes, yellow squash, pumpkin, several variety of peppers, strawberries and kale. Whew! Lots of back-breaking labor getting everything planted and properly nourished. Lots of prayers that everything will produce!

My main focus this summer, along with nurturing my dear children and husband, is to make this family as self-sufficient as possible by putting up lots of food for the Fall and Winter, and purchasing for our home food storage those bulk items that we cannot produce for ourselves. I feel that there is a portent of stormy weather ahead with fuel prices the way they are and our national economy heading south. I feel the need to be prepared for whatever the future may hold by being very thrifty, frugal and wise.

As for the creative me, I am enjoying home improvement projects which I will share on this blog, as well as trying new recipes and, of course, blogging!

I look forward to sharing my journey with you.

God bless! ~ Elizabeth