calm reflections: It is no secret

The Home

. . . may be, ought to be, the most delightful place on earth, the center of the purest affections and most desirable associations, as well as of the most attractive and exalted beauties to be found this side of paradise. There is one vision that never fades from the soul, and that is the vision of mother and of home. No man in all his weary wanderings ever goes out beyond the overshadowing arch of home. Let him stand on the surf-beaten coast of the Atlantic, or roam over the western wilds, and every dash of the wave or murmur of the breeze will whisper. . . Home Sweet Home!"
from: The Golden Gems of Life ~ "Gathered Jewels for the Home Circle," Ferguson & Allen, published 1882

¶ Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 1Pe 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 1Pe 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 1Pe 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Cloistered

Within the convent garden, pale and tall

The stately lilies blow a fragrant prayer.

The roses dream, and through the broken wall,

The honeysuckle greets the golden air.

So in the hidden garden of the heart,

Sheltered from all the world, sweet fancies grow,

And fair ideals, and dreams that set apart

Dear little shrines that quiet hours may know.

Yet, now and then, as through the crumbling stakes

A braver blossom thrusts its precious dole -

Some splendid deed the secret barrier breaks

And wafts the cloistered fragrance of the soul.

--Charlotte Becker

(found in great grandmother m's scrapbook)

Just a Few of my Favourite Things:

Bare trees sillouetted against the night sky
Birdsong
Books, especially reference and non-fictiion
Candlelight
Caramel or butterscotch
Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Hand Therapy
Dessert!
Dew on the fragrant heirloom roses
Enclosed gardens
Family heirlooms for their associated memories and stories
Fresh air
Fresh flowers
Gates, fences and hedges
God's Holy Word
Good coffee (with a little milk, thank you!)
Handmade gifts
Homemade soups and breads
Hugs (and kisses)
JJill Clothing (graceful longer skirts and comfy tops)
Lemons
Long letters
Malmaison
Meandering back roads
Memories of special times with family and friends
My beloved and best friend!
My quiet/devotional time
Poetry
Popcorn!
Privo (by Clarks) Ballet Sport Flats
Romantic music
Scarves
Scriptually sound hymns
Smiles
Special lunches with dear ones
Sunset/Sunrise
Sunshine through lace curtains
Surprises
Thatched roof cottages
The aroma of cinnamon/rose/lavender
The aroma of Clove Pinks
The gracious elegant, yet practical clothing of the past
The sound of a fountain or a waterbrook
Vintage linens
Watching a cat

Lest we forget . . .

This photo is our present home ( c. 1744 center hall Dutch Colonial built by one of our county's earliest patentees) slated for demolition when first I layed my big blue eyes on it. This was it, my dream come true . . . eventually anyway . . . with enough projects to last a lifetime. It has double parlours with originally matching fireplaces on either end, beamed ceilings, a basement kitchen with a beehive oven, five porches, two balconies, a beautiful view of the mountains, a meandering stream, even a very early cemetery out back! We had been looking for a while and this house with its broken windows, leaking roof, rotting sills and overgrown junk-strewn grounds was perfect. We looked at it by flashlight and put an offer on it; moved in with one outlet, only cold water and a toddler. It has been a labour of love, a learning experience and a lesson in how God works in our lives, providing, blessing and teaching. I pray our journey will continue along the path of God's will.

"A true wife makes a man's life nobler, stronger, grander, by the omnipotence of her love 'turning all the forces of manhood upward and heavenward.' While she clings to him in holy confidence and loving dependence she brings out in him whatever is nobles and richest in his being. She inspires him with her courage and earnestness. She beautifies his life. She softens whatever is rude and harsh in his habits or his spirit. She clothes him with the gentler graces of refined and cultured manhood. While she yields to him and never disregards his lightest wish, she is really his queen, ruling his whole life and leading him onward and upward in every proper path. -JR Miller

... I remember you and recall you without effort, without exercise of will; that is, by natural impulse, indicated by a sense of duty, or of obligation. And that, I take it, is the only sort of remembering worth the having. When we think of friends, and call their faces out of the shadows, and their voices out of the echoes that faint along the corridors of memory, and do it without knowing why save that we love to do it, we content ourselves that friendship is a Reality, and not a Fancy -- that it is built upon a rock, and not upon the sands that dissolve away with the ebbing tides and carry their monuments with them.

Godly womanhood . . .

" . . . the very phrase sounds strange in our ears. We never hear it now. We hear about every other type of women: beautiful women, smart women, sophisticated women, career women, talented women, divorced women. But so seldom do we hear of a godly women--or of a godly man either for that matter. We believe women come nearer to fulfilling their God-given function in the home than anywhere else. It is a much nobler thing to be a good wife, than to be Miss America. It is a greater achievement to establish a Christian home than it is to produce a second-rate novel filled with filth. It is a far, far better thing in the realms of morals to be old-fashioned, than to be ultra modern. The world has enough women who know how to be smart. It needs women who are willing to be simple. The world has enough women who know how to be brilliant. It needs some who will be brave. The world has enough women who are popular. It needs more who are pure. We need woman, and men, too, who would rather be morally right than socially correct."
~ U.S Senate Chaplain Peter Marshall

Dressing for Success:

A long time ago I read a booklet on this subject which main point impressed me, that being that the well-dressed lady should dress "even" in good quality, basic clothing in a timelessly elegant style that can go anywhere. but the clothes should reflect an enduring beauty of character and style. The author rightly believed it was the person within that mattered. She recommended good quality basics that could be dressed up or down to go anywhere with just a change of accessories. It costs far less to buy a a couple new trendy accessories each season to mix and match.

Some guidelines:

Choose a skirt design that allows a full stride like an A-line or straight with a kick pleat.

Garments should fit, enough to know it is clearly worn by a woman yet modest.

A hem length of mid-calf allows excellent movement without compromising modesty. A slightly longer length with heels is graceful. Remember reading in old literature of the provocative "well-turned ankle", "gentle curve of the waist" or the "graceful wrist" . . . ?

Appropriate accessories: Good quality shoes are a must. Ballet sport shoes such as the ballet flats that made by Keen, Clark's Privo line, Mootsie Tootsie, Born, et als are fashionable but practical. Boots are sensible in winter and look great with longer skirts. Good sandals in summer are cool and fun. Scarves can dress up the simplest outfit. A simple twill skirt and ballet sleeved tee can go anywhere from garden to dinner with just a change of accessories . . . adding a necklace, jacket, dressier shoes, etc.

Wearing skirts demonstrates a commitment to loveliness and an outward symbol of devotion to the Savior.

"Satan has unleashed a seductive campaign to undermine the sanctity of womanhood, to deceive the daughters of God and divert them from their divine destiny. He well knows women are the compassionate, self-sacrificing, loving power that binds together the human family. He would focus their interests solely on their physical attributes and rob them of their exalting roles as wives and mothers. He has convinced many of the lie that they are third-class citizens in the kingdom of God. That falsehood has led some to trade their divinely given femininity for male coarseness." Richard G. Scott

The Ten Commandments of Human Relations

SPEAK TO PEOPLE — there is nothing so nice as a cheerful word of greeting.
SMILE AT PEOPLE — it takes 72 muscles to frown, only 14 to smile.
CALL PEOPLE — the sweetest music to anyone’s ears is the sound of his own name.
BE FRIENDLY and helpful, if you would have friends, be a friend.
BE CORDIAL — speak and act as if everything you do is a genuine pleasure.
BE GENUINELY interested in people — you can like almost everybody if you try.
BE GENEROUS with praise — cautious with criticism.
BE CONSIDERATE with the feelings of others — there are usually three sides to a controversy: yours, the other fellow’s, and the right side.
BE ALERT to give service — what counts most in life is what we do for others.
ADD TO THIS a good sense of humour, a big dose of patience and a dash of humility, and you will be rewarded many-fold.
Author Unknown

Some of the flowers that fill our gardens and overwhelm my senses with joys untold!

Achillea
Ageratum
Ajuga
Allium
Allysum
Angel's Breath
Anise Hyssop
Artemesia
Astilbe
Bachelor's Buttons
Balloon Flowers
Basket-of-Gold
Bee Balm
Begonia
Bell Flowers
Bittersweet
Blazing Stars
Bleeding Heart
Blue Flag
Boston Ivy
Bugleweed
Calendula
Candytuft
Canna
Catmint
Chinese Lanterns
Clematis
Cleome
Coleus
Columbine
Corepsis
Cosmos
Costmary
Crocus
Daffodils
Daisy
Dianthus
Echinacea
Evening Primrose
False Solomon's Seal
Fennel
Fennel, Bronze
Feverfew
Flax
Forget-me-nots
Foxgloves
Gailardia
Geraniums
Globe Thistle
Gooseneck Flower
Grape Hyacinth
Heuchera
Hollyhock
Honesty
Hosta
Hydrangea
Impatients
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Jacob's Ladder
Jerusalem Sage
Johnny-Jump-ups
Kale
Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate
Lady Fern
Lady's Mantle
Lady's Thumb
Lamb's Ears
Lamium, various
Larkspur
Lemon Verbena
Ligularia
Lilac
Lilies
Lupine
Mallow
Marigold
Moon Lily
Morning Glory
Narcissus
Nasturtiums
Nicotiana
Oriental Lilies
Pachysandra
Pansy
Peony
Perennial Cowslip
Perilla
Petunia
Phlox, perennial
Pinks
Poppies
Portulaca
Queen of the Meadow
Rhodedendren
Rose of Sharon
Roses (see separate listing)
Rudbeckia
Sage
Salvia
Scented Geraniums
Sedums
Siberian Iris
Snow in Summer
Snow on the Mountain
Snowdrops
Solomon's Seal
Spiderwort
Star Flowers
Star Magnolia
Sweet Peas
Sweet William
Tansy
Thome
Thrift
Trilliam
Tulips
Verbena
Veronica
Virginia Bluebells
Water Hyacinths
Water Lilies
Wisteria
Wormwood
Yucca
Zinnia

The Herb Garden (Culinary, Medicinal, Fragrant & Dye)

Achillea (see Yarrow)
Aloe
Angelica
Anise Hysop
Anise Hyssop
Anthemis
Apothecary Rose
Artemesia
Artemesia, Silver Mound
Artemesia, Wormwood
Basil
Basil, Purple
Basil, Ruffled
Bay Tree
Bee Balm
Bergamot
Blessed Thistle
Borage
Calendula
Catnip
Chamomile
Chervil
Chicory
Chives
Chives, Curly
Chives, Garlic
Cilantro
Comfrey
Coneflowers
Costmary
Dill
Echinacea
Elcampane
Fennel
Fennel, Bronze
Feverfew
Flax
Gentian
Ginger
Greek Valarian
Herb Robert
Hollyhocks
Horehound
Horseradish
Indigo
Joe Pye Weed
Lady's Mantle
Lamb's Ears
Larkspur
Lavender, Munstead
Lemon Balm
Lemon Verbena
Lily of the Valley, Pink and White
Lovage
Madder
Marigolds
Marjoram
Marshmallow
Mint, Apple
Mint, Chocolate
Mint, Orange
Mint, Peppermint
Mint, Pineapple
Mint, Spearmint
Mugwort
Mullein
Musk
Myrtle
Nasturtiums
Nettle
Oregano
Oregano, variegated
Orris Root
Parsley
Parsley, Italian
Pennyroyal
Perilla
Poke Weed
Poppies
Primrose
Purslane
Rhubarb
Rosemary
Rue
Sage
Sage, Jerusalem
Santolina
Savory, summer
Savory, winter
Scented Geranium, Apple
Scented Geranium, Cinnamon
Scented Geranium, Lemon
Scented Geranium, Peppermint
Scented Geranium, Rose
Scenter Geranium, Robert's
Sea Holly
Shiso
Sorrel
Spiderwort
Squill
Stevia
Sweet Woodruff
Tansy
Tarragon
Tarragon, Variegated
Thyme, Lemon
Thyme, Red
Thyme, Variegated
Thyme, Walking-on-Thyme
Verbena
Veronica
Violet
Woad
Yarrow
Yarrow, Red
Yarrow, White

The Pottager or Vegetable Garden - organically grown, preferring heirloom varieties when available)

Arugula
Asian Greens
Asparagus: Mary Washington
Beans, Hyacinth
Beans, Kentucky Wonder Pole Beans
Beans, Provider
Beans: Scarlett Runner
Beets: Detroit Dark Red
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage, Early Jersey Wakefield
Cantaloupe
Carrot, Danvers
Carrots, Scarlet Nantes
Cauliflower, Snowball
Chard: Ruby, Fordhook
Collards
Cucumbers: Marketmore
Dry Beans: Jacob's Cattle
Eggplant
European Mesclun Mix: Radicchio, arugula, endive, orach, mizuna, kale, mustard, corn alad, etc.
Gourds
Hot Peppers
Hot Peppers
Kale
Leeks: King Richard
Lettuce: Assorted such as Oak Leaf, Tom Thumb, Red Romaine, Deer Tongue, Black-Seeded Simpson,
Melons, Honeydew
Muskmelon
Onions
Parsnips
Potatoes: Kennebec, Fingerling, Russett,
Pumpkins< winter Luxury
Radishes: Ear;y Scarlet Glove
Spinach: Bloomsdale; New Zealand
Squash: Summer Yellow Crookedneck
Squash: Winter' Waltham Butternut, Blue Hubbard
Sweet Corn, Ashworth
Sweet Corn, Incredible
Sweet Corn, Silver Queen
Sweet Corn: Incredible
Sweet Peppers: California Wonder; Purple Bell, Yellow
Sweet Potatoes
Tomatoes: Oxheart, Brandywine, Early Girl, Plum, Cherry,
Turnips
Watermelon: Sugar Baby