August Almanac

Home Sweet Home

in August

Yes, well, um I'm still here. I guess I still consider myself a "blogger" even though I haven't been around in a while. Things have been pretty hectic here at Comfort Cottage during the month of August. Things usually are.

I promised an August almanac report last month. At the time I thought, "Well, what do I do in August?" HA!! Let me tell you, I just suffered from a little bout of amnesia. I now am recovered of my faculties and can give you a good report for your almanac.

Mrs. Sharp, whom I referenced last month, suggests using the slow and unfilled days for taking short family day-trips. I thought this to be a dandy idea (still being in my amnesia state) and proposed the idea to Mr. Wonderful. I figured if we worked it carefully; packing picnic lunches and not going too far abroad, we could conceivably & frugally take at least three day-trips in the month of August. Well, my excited proposal was met with a not-so-excited response. Needless to say, the day trips didn't happen. Mr. Wonderful sort of prefers staying close to home.

The next suggestion Mrs. Sharp gives is 'Preserving the Summer's Harvest'. Well, let me tell you this was about the time my amnesia left me. Oh yeah! NOW I remember. Every August for most of my adult life has been spent canning what Mr. Wonderful likes to stay home and produce. Now, don't get me wrong. I enjoy savoring the season's bounty by seeing all those colorful, beautiful, and full canning jars sitting in rows on the counter. I just had sort of forgotten about that when I planned all my other summer projects.

Summer projects are projects that generally must be preformed in that season because I am not teaching in our homeschool and because the weather is condusive. I did complete many of these and canning, too.

For the entire month of August I have been wrapping up many projects and trying to get ready for another school year. I would say that my almanac for August would include at the very least preserving, projects, & school planning. Even one of those is enough to fill the month. I hope you found your ideas for this month. I think for next August, I have decided to try my hand at completing more of my special projects during the school year. I hope to do this by scheduling a little time each day to work on just projects. I figure I can use my husband's shop for furniture painting and refinishing that I usually do outside. Most other projects involve decorating and improvement projects. If I can do this, then hopefully there won't be so many things crowding August. Maybe, just maybe, I can spend some time this year educating Mr. Wonderful to the splendors of day-trips. ;)

Here is another of my favorite almanacs. It was written by Karey Swann. It went around in the homeschool catalogs several years ago. She is evidently a really neat person. She catalogs alot of her 'neatness' here. The majority of the book is recipes for healthy eating and ponderings relating to home, family, and school. But, my favorite part is in the back. She gives us short descriptions of what makes each month unique in her family. I've gotten some good ideas from her.

I don't know if you can buy this new anymore. I am sure it would be available online somewhere.

Well, good to visit again. Hope to post more often as the summer busyness closes and is replaced by the busyness of the school year. :)hee-hee

Sisters

Sisters, Sisters, there were never such devoted Sisters....

When my sister and I get together we can't stop ourselves from pretending that we are the Haynes Sisters. We have fun singing in great cornball -style many of our favorite show tunes and various commercial jingles, but "Sisters" is our perpetual theme song.

We haven't always been devoted sisters. Times were hard and not always fun for us. I'm the oldest. Little sister is six years my junior. Really it wasn't until we both had lived some that we began to see our need for each other. It wasn't until God began to work in both of us that our devotion bloomed.

We live pretty far apart now, but we manage to see each other about twice a year. In the summer my nephew comes to play with his cousins and at thanksgiving we take turns going to each others homes. It is great fun because we scout out great antiquing spots to visit on our annual "Friday-after-thanksgiving-antiquing-jaunt".

I really love my sister. There have been some truly deep wounds to my heart that she has helped to heal. She is loyal to me. We are different and our lives run in different patterns. God made us two definite individuals. I can see so clearly that He has used the likenesses and differences we have so that we can understand each other the way few others every could.

I love you sis. Had a great time while you were here. See you thanksgiving.

Thank you Lord for the comfort of a sister who loves you.

No Condemnation!!

How badly do you smell?? Do you stink?

"Sara, I thought this blog was supposed to be comforting?" Well, yes it is. Let me explain.
Sometimes I think I smell. Yes, smell. Stink to high, high heaven, as we like to say here in the south. Sometimes, there are other people who tell me I stink. Stink bad. Stink to high, high heaven. As you can well imagine this makes me feel pretty ashamed. You know, like you want to really look good to someone; make and impression; and you forgot your deodorant.
It is pretty hard when I smell my own stink. I know it is there and it tears me up inside. Thinking about my sin and the sin I've carried around in the past. But, I tell you it can really tear me up when someone else tells me they can smell my stink from a mile away. Whether it is true or not, whether I've had my bath or not. They smell me and let me know it. It is even worse when they leave the impression that they have no stink and they won't let me wash mine off.

But, my dear friends, here's the "Comforting" part. God has given me my bath. I don't stink to Him anymore!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! I'm washed in the blood of His own precious Son, His own blood. He DID that for me. Can you believe it?? I hope you can, because if you can, you won't stink either. Glory! Guess what? You really, really, won't smell and you NEVER, NEVER, will again. So anyone who says they can smell your stink is wrong and untrustworthy. Oh, we may need to check in with the Father for a little spit bath of repentance now and again. But never putrid, never filthy.

I wish I could convey to you how this cleanliness feels.

Here are some life-giving verses for you. I would encourage you to memorize them so that when you smell the stink you can remember:

Romans 7:14-8:1

...but I am carnal, sold under sin,

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man;

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

O WRETCHED MAN THAT I AM! WHO SHALL DELIVER ME FROM THE BODY OF THIS DEATH (this stink)?

I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; But with the flesh the law of sin.

There is NOW NO CONDEMNATION to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Sunday at Comfort Cottage

I find it truly amazing that I can go all week, doing all the work I need to do with a family of seven, and not very often need a nap. However, I have noticed that Sundays are very different.

Sometimes our Sundays are full of fellowship with families from our church. We often fellowship on this day leu of an evening service. Most of the time we come home and spend it together as a family. This is fine, because we like to be together.

I have noticed an amazing thing. On all the other days of the week I move along and get my work done. At the end of the day I am surely ready for bed. But, on Sundays it seems as though God "makes" me extremely exhausted. It is as if all the residual fatigue of the week bursts forth like a dam breaking on Sunday. Whether I am home or away, no matter, the deep fatigue strikes. I am not saying this is a bad thing. On the contrary, I am trying to feebly explain what I feel is very much a "God Thing". I believe when He commanded a Sabbath rest He meant it. I seems as though He commands me to take this rest for my own good without my consent .;)

Some Sundays we all do quiet things, not necessarily napping, but resting. We read, play board games, sit outside on the porch or deck, make homemade ice cream, listen to music, ride bikes, take walks, ect. Today was one of the 'other' kind of Sundays. When there was an overwhelming need for sleep.

Just as we parked the car in the drive a black cloud of rain came toward the house. It was accompanied by low rolling thunder. (The kind I love.) As soon as everyone was in the house the rain began to pour slightly heavy, but slow. We had already had a fellowship meal so everyone was fed. I tried to sit in the chair and read, but I knew it was no use. I went to my bedroom, changed into my cozy flannel shirt ( yes, I know it is July, but the house was cool and I wanted "comfort"). I climbed into my tall shaker pine four poster bed. I listened to that beautiful low roll of thunder and the rain pouring down and spent some time talking to my Father about some things that were on my heart. He is so sweet. He gave me a deep and restful sleep that I needed very much. I think I can meet my week now. I won't be starting the week with a debt I can't catch up on.

A restful Sabbath is just one more Comfort from God our Father. He knows what's needed. He knows our frame. He created us. It is so nice to see God's wisdom for my life and move with it, as if it were the tide. Just let it wash me onto shore where I need to be and enjoy.

Hope your Sabbath was a blessing to you.

Comfort Cottage Almanac

I would like to start the Comfort Cottage Almanac this month. I love almanacs. I realized just recently that I have put together quite a collection of different types of almanacs without really trying. Over the years my eyes would always light on these types of books at antique stores, yard sales, thrift shops, ect. I have always loved home. To me, part of home is tradition and custom. I figured out early on in my marriage that I wanted those things, knowing somehow that it would draw my young (and small) family together. I soon understood that, like good art, family traditions don't just happen. They take work and commitment on someone's part. You have to be aware of time and the rhythm and passage of it. You have to stay on top of what's coming next month. You have to be willing to clean, cook, sew, shop, invite, decorate, love; whatever it takes to make the tradition happen.

It is all about Love and the comfort of Love. God created the times and seasons. He initiated traditions and celebrations for His people. He knew how these things would draw us and bind us together with Him. We can see God in our traditions. So, can you make your cottage a 'comfort cottage'? Can you think of one tradition that can draw your family together that you could plan for next month? I'll start my almanac in this month of July. I will try to update my almanac at the start of each month to let you see some of our comforting customs around here.

Let's get started:

July

• I put up Mr. Wonderful's sweet corn.
• I try to work on decorating projects and furniture refinishing that I can't do during the school year.
• curriculum sale this month (YEAH!)
• My absolute favorite sister often visits me in this month.:)
• The boys love to fish, swim in the creek, play in their treehouse.
• Enjoy the air conditioning.
• I start canning any thing and everything it seems.
• Peaches come in this month.
• Blackberries are ripe right around the fourth.
• We have a lovely blueberry patch close by. It is up on a mountain. We go as a family in the evening and have a great time.
• I try to get in 'school' sewing. (Kindof hard to do, tho.)

Last, but certainly NOT least is our annual fourth of July picnic.

This year was our fifth annual.

First, the FUN. The annual baseball game. Everyone is welcome to play.

And FRIENDS. Everyone gets to visit in the cool, or outside. Go hiking or wading or just sit & talk.

The FOOD. This year I provided the BBQ and hotdogs, everyone brought wonderful things to go with it. YUM, YUM!

Mr. Wonderful scoped this cake out the minute it came in the door. He even had a piece before he had anything else. It was good. Great job, Virginia.

There were special sauces to add to your delectable cake if cake alone didn't satisfy.

This lovely concoction tasted so good, was patriotic, and was diabetic friendly. Amazing.

Of course, the FIREWORKS! We all pool our resources and have a wonderful display.

Most of all this month reminds us that even though it seems many of our freedoms may seem to stand on shaky ground we are STILL the 'freest' nation in the world. And it is only because we are granted that freedom by God. Please remember to thank Him for it.

Almanacs

I thought you might enjoy seeing some of my almanac collection. I'll try to show some different ones each month.

Here I have my Tasha Tudor almanacs. These are all set up according to the months of the year. I treasure these. (The New England Buttr'y Shelf Cookbook, The New England Buttr'y Shelf Almanac, Seasons of Delight, Around the Year, A Time To Keep)

Probably one of my favorites is Mrs. Sharp's Traditions. It is so wonderfully old fashioned. It takes each month and gently describes ways to incorporated special times and traditions into your family. I LOVE this book. This edition is out-of-print. There was a newer edition out a few years ago, I'm not sure it is still in print. I would suggest doing what you can to get the old one though. It was written before the author's unfortunate divorce. The tone of the second edition is somewhat more cynical and clipped. The art work has also been edited and is not as good as the first.

Hope this gets your wheels turning about making your own cottage a 'comfort cottage'.

Start that tradition list for next month.

Breakfast in Bed

How about some delicious pancakes and egg with hot tea?

Good morning all! Have you ever been brought breakfast in bed? Isn't a lovely comforting thing? This morning, as I was trying to bring myself into consciousness and beat my children at rising, I was cheerily presented Breakfast-in-Bed by my darling Miss B. She is a charming 3 and 1/2 years old and quite the consumate homemaker already. Miss B. is my latest child (#5 & my only daughter). She has really brought comfort to my homemaking heart. I have always loved making a home. But, as years pass and busyness sets in, the joy of the thing you love can become routine and the shine wears off. Miss B has helped to polish up and revitalize my thinking toward the priviledge, beauty, and delight of making a home for my family. Thank you my darling girl!

What does Comfort mean to me?

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
gives these definitions:

3870. parakaleo; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation, or consolation): beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire. (give) exhort (-tation), entreat, pray.

3874. paraklesis; from 3870; imploration, hortation, solace; comfort, consolation, exhortation, entreaty.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says this about 'comfort':

Paramuthia, primarily a speaking closely to anyone (para-near, muthos-speech), hence denotes consolation, comfort, with a greater degree of tenderness than paraklesis ( calling to one's side for exhortation, consolation, or comfort)

Oh, wow. I really like the word comfort. Doesn't everyone? Who doesn't want to be comforted? We think of hot chocolate, or hot tea when we are sick. A hug when we are sad comes to mind also. A pat on the back, a listening ear, a bandage on an owie, a cool cloth when our fever is high. All these things just ring true as 'comfort'.

But have you ever thought of a word of exhortation as comforting? The bible says it is. What about the prayer of a loved one for your soul or for guidance if you've stepped out of the way? How about when someone entreats you to listen to wisdom or good advice to help you stay in the way? Are these things comforting to you? God says He does all these things for us and He is the God of all comfort. He also says we are to do these for each other also. These are the ways in which we show love.

Certainly, comfort is cozy. "Comfy cozy", mom says as she tucks little one in. Comfort is warm and fuzzy like my twenty year old cotton socks that came from my aunt's sock mill in Alabama. Strong and sturdy, warm and fuzzy, comfy and cozy. Comfort is wonderful and fills our heart to overflowing at times. Sometimes comfort comes when our heart is breaking.

I would love it if you come to Comfort Cottage for solace and tenderness. I hope there will be plenty of that. This world is hard and dark. It grows more so by the day. Everyone needs a place of quiet contemplation. However, I hope that your heart will be comforted by the occasional prayer, exhortation, and entreaty. Count these as comfort too.

Just Another Blog?

The first roses of summer in bloom at Comfort Cottage.

"Sara, you should get you a blog.

"Why?" would always be my reply. I'm a pretty straight-forward person. I have learned through the years that it is often better to just go to God in prayer than to say what I think.

So why were some saying that I should let the WHOLE WORLD know what I think. Talk about trouble! :) I've read posts from beautiful blogging sisters who were hurt by cruel critism. The idea of this does not thrill me. I have lots of things to say and talk about; but is any of it truly worthwhile, eternal ? There are, after all, so many blogs out there. Do I have the time to blog? I am working really hard to get (and keep) my act together at home ( whatever that means) that blogging seemed it might be an unnecessary intrusion. Time spent that should be used on more important things.

I began praying about this a long time ago. Time, years really, have past. I kept expecting God to put a stop to the idea. But, I kept being led in this direction. One of the brothers at our fellowship preached for us one sunday. He mentioned the great priviledge that blogging has afforded believers to comfort one another. Something clicked. God has also allowed me some opportunities to encourage (comfort) in my own sphere of influence. Another click. Then, I thought, "Well, I'll just make a list of blog names. There's no great commitment in that and it might be fun." So a long list developed. After such an effort, I thought I might as well check blogger to see if any of these names were taken. All of the names I originally chose were used. My next thought was, "How comforting to know God is leading me. Help me Lord." Wow! That's it! How about 'Comfort Cottage'! No competion for that name in sight. I didn't even have to spell it funny.

I like blogs that seem to have a general theme. Immediately, God began to bring to mind verses and phrases that have to do with comfort. There are many. How I love the comfort that God brings me on a minute-by-minute basis. I began to see I could maybe have something to offer. I hope to share my life in little bits. My hope is that God can be seen by anyone reading this blog when I share what He is doing in the little and big things in my life.

It is a comfort to know I am in His will. Thank you Lord.

This is who I am

Usually when folks meet for the first time, there are introductions all around. There is a bit of a friendly dance that goes on. We are introduced, then I tell you who I am and what I do. You do the same. We go back and forth. Finally, I get to why I am there; why I've come. Well, I hope this first post will be a pleasant introduction. Mayhap, in this post I'll let you know a little about myself. Then next time, a little of what I do. (That actually should be pretty self-evident with five children:)) Then hopefully why I've come (to blogging).

I have really been blessed by reading blogs over these last few years. I can learn so much about the blogger by reading all the different posts. However, I always wish a knew just a little bit more than the "About Me" provides. So, I'll give it a try here.

Above all, I am a believer in Christ Jesus. I believe in God's loving kindness to me by sending Jesus to save me from the sin that separated me from him. I thank him for bringing me into His household and making me His daughter. Everything I think and do is in light of this. I truly strive to really live for Christ.

I was born in the South. I grew up in the South. I have to say I am a true fan of the South. Maybe I'll do a post sometimes about the beauties of it. I was brought up in the country with woods and a creek. I went to a country school where everyone looked forward to day of the week that we were served homemade rolls in the cafeteria. My teachers read bible stories and prayed before school started each day.

I am oldest in a family of three children. We spent our fall and winter in school. We spent our summers in the creek and at the library. My parents took us camping in wilderness places. We often picnicked in old churchyard cemetaries (geneology dontchaknow).

I have always loved the country and old-fashioned ways. I used to check out Ewell Gibbons' books at the library. Read them from cover to cover. Then head out to the woods with my lunch in a basket to stalk the wild asparagus. I read and watched Little House on the Prairie. I loved family reunions. As a youngster the old folks thrilled me with their ways. I truly miss those reunions. I can close my eyes and travel right back and see the faces and here the voices now so long gone.

As I got older I went to high school. Learned how to sing in the chorus. Thanks to Mr. Phillip Sprayberry. I moved out Texas way when I was a senior. Over the next twelve years or so I got acquanted with many "Miles and Miles of Texas". I learned that "Tejas" means friend. That state really lives up to it's name. So many lovely friends and memories. I am back in the south now. But, if God ever told me I should head on back to the hill country prairie, well......

When I moved to the Great State of Texas I went actually kicking and screaming (really just pouting). But, God and my mom were bringing me to my husband whom I have loved these nearly twenty-seven years. He was there waiting on me. I fell in love with him and his native state.

He is very kind. He can be quietly stubborn. I am not quietly stubborn, just stubborn. What a comfort to see the hand of God our Father change our stubborness over the years. Now, instead of being surly and mad at each other for days. Usually, it is only minutes. Now, God has changed our selfishness with each other to humility. Thank you Lord.


I think back to days past and I am shamed. But, oh, what a precious thing shame over my sin can be. Feeling remorse is a mercy of God. Knowing regret in the shadow of His wing is a treasured gift. These things mean humility and peace with God for the believer in Christ. So even though my shame over past things looms large, I can praise my Maker. I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine. I know He cares enough to teach, and lead, and change me into His image.

I have lived long enough to say that I have witnessed many things changing over the years. Not the least of these is me. I could write much, much more ( and hopefully will). But, suffice it to say that all that I am now is because of all the many, many experiences (good or bad) that God provided to draw me to Himself. I actually didn't realize that was what He was doing until a few years ago. When I learned the truth of who I was and Who He is it pretty much rocked my world; as they say. (thanks Lawrence). I haven't been the same since. The harder things are the more humility God gives. Mercy is His and He gives it liberally. Oh, what a "Comfort" to know that I can trust Him to make me into who He wants me to be.

This is who I am.