eight acres of eden

Market Day

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Tue, 22 May 2012 04:05:00 +0000

I thought those that follow my blog might like to see some pictures and hear an update on our most recent market stall. After lots of discussion around the family dinner table we decided not to have any baking for sale this time. This brought down our stall fee but would we sell any of the cake stands that I had made up? I am thrilled to report that we sold quite a few including the lovely cream and blue 3 tiered stand that the delightful daughter is presenting.

Here are some of the prettiest of the soy candle teacups. I only have one of these left. Lots of people commented on how beautiful our stall was. We had lots of fun setting everything out. The lovely floral tray cloth is a tea towel - a gift from a sweet blogging friend in Canada. Camille - you can now see what I will be using your gift for and it is not drying dishes! I had to let some people know that the tray and linens were not for sale!

It was a glorious day and the sunshine brought out the crowds. We talked to lots of people about china, high tea, weddings and family. A man who knew his china came over and picked up a Royal Doulton teacup candle, saucer and matching plate set. He told my daughter that we were not charging enough, that this set was worth twice what we had priced it at. I adjusted the price by a couple of dollars but suspected that the retro design would not appeal to many people. I was right, it didn't sell but the rose patterned ones did.

I had such fun making the soy candles. Why have I not discovered these candles before now I ask myself. They burn for hours and they don't drip wax all over your table cloth or counter. And they are made from all natural ingredients. I decided not to add dyes just pure lavender essential oil. I might try some other fragrances in future batches. What are your favourite scents for candles?

Here are three plates waiting to be drilled. I made these up into a cake stand for a 21st birthday gift at the request of a friend. Half the fun is finding the right combinations of plates. You need lots of plates to do this. I will need to go on more plate hunting expeditions. The day before the markets I took a trip to a large country town I felt sure would have lots of op shops. There were only 3 and only one that had a small selection of china plates and I bought most of the floral ones they had. There were teacup and plate sets but these were expensive. One of the downsides of vintage style being so popular. I had lunch at a little cafe that had 2 tier 'modern' vintage look plate stands for sale. I could not resist checking the price. They were twice what I had been charging!

Thank goodness I love garage sales so much and have the opportunity to go to them every Saturday. I love how this venture fits our family so well.

One more exciting snippet of news to share and that is I received an invitation to exhibit my stands at a National conference that is coming to a resort in our region. There will be over 500 delegates in attendance and they are all women! I think I will take up this invitation!

Thank you so much to all those who put forward suggestions for our stall. There were so many good ideas but lots of them are duplicates of the stalls that are already out there. Nougat, cupcakes, packaged baked items etc are all to be found at our markets. We needed something different and it seems we may have found it. I might persuade my daughter to bake up some of her amazing biscuits and slices and package them up for the markets prior to Christmas but for now she is passing on her site to her mother and younger sister. She is earning money at the dairy farm and is enjoying being a real farm girl for the moment. Her younger sister is thrilled to have the opportunity to work at the stall so it will continue to be a family business.

Hope you enjoyed this update on our tiers for tea and thank you for all the encouragement and positive comments that you left last time.

The Fabulous Family Bake-Off 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:07:00 +0000

Easter heralds the beginning of show season in Australia when families flock to the showgrounds in towns and cities across the nation. In New Zealand we knew them as 'A and P' shows, it was all about the agriculture and the produce and we have attended a few in our time, though having been raised on a farm, I have to say, seeing cows and chickens at the show was really not that exciting for our children. But as our family grew in size, the cost of attending such shows became unaffordable. You have to pay for admission first, then factor in the cost of rides, sideshows and other attractions. Astronomical might be the right adjective to use here. We carefully consider our purchases and have never parted with money for plastic showbags filled with lollies and novelty toys which will soon be lost or discarded. The food stalls also made us reconsider a day at the show - greasy food at inflated prices was not what we wanted to feed our family. But even without the fast food and showbags, the cost of attending was still beyond what we were prepared to pay.

So what do you do when you have decided to not attend the show but still want to give your children the opportunity to participate in a bake-off? It's simple - you hold your own and at Easter this year that's exactly what we did. We had four official entrants in our family bake-off to be held at a most lovely venue - our own garden. No travel involved, no waiting in traffic or struggles to find a car park space. No restrictive rules on what you could bake or its dimensions. It just had to be edible and ready to be set out on the table for afternoon tea.

I set the table out in front of a garden bed with a profusion of pineapple sage for a backdrop. I used my lace cloths and favourite china cups. Our newly created cake stands (see my last post) were ready to receive the cakes, biscuits and slices that were being created in the kitchen which was a hive of industry. A few squabbles over oven space and wooden spoons had to be sorted out. Some had elected to make family favourites to woo the judges. Others were checking out pinterest and searching the internet for new recipes.

Which is always a risk. These cookies look awesome but they were not a hit with the judges I'm afraid. I think my daughter chose them for the name 'cowgirl cookies' being a cowgirl herself. But they did not compare with her own chocolate chip cookies that she sells at the markets. Do you like my Royal Albert 'tennis set' as they are known? I found it for $3 at a garage sale during one of my china hunting expeditions!

As it was Easter one of the twins decided to make chocolate nests. They looked good and the judges agreed they tasted good even with shredded wheat as an ingredient. The other twin wanted to use what was in season and passion fruit picked fresh from the vine went into her passion fruit slice, topped with a lemon or orange jelly slice, they looked and tasted delicous. But would it win over the judges? After all the delightful daughter had chosen to make a favourite family recipe - chocolate cake!

She tried to impress the judges by dressing up for the competition but it won her no favours, after all they did not know who had baked the various items. They had to taste each of the items and mark them out of 5 on presentation and more importantly taste. The points were added up and the winner was declared.

It was the passion fruit slice! The judges know what makes good afternoon tea fare. They have been testing cakes, biscuits and slices for years and are used to giving constructive criticism. This slice had just the right crumb. It wasn't too lemony or overly sweet, even with passionfruit being the star ingredient. It had been perfectly mixed by the winning cook who because of her tender age had been allowed to receive some verbal instructions but was not given any physical help. This had been agreed upon prior to the start of the bake-off. Let's just say the older girls in the family were not allowed to forget that they lost out to their younger twin sisters, for it was the twins who claimed both first and second places. There could only be one winner though and she was presented with a pretty Kath Kidston envelope that held a crisp five dollar note. A lot more prize money was on offer here than at the local show! Needless to say she was beside herself with excitement!

The recipe for passion fruit slice features in our family recipe journal. It is so easy to make. Our passion fruit vine is dripping with fruit so it will be making an appearance at more afternoon teas this autumn and winter. If you have passion fruit do give it a try. Here's the recipe as it appears in our journal.

I think our fabulous family bake-off might become a family tradition and an annual event at this time of the year. I know two girls who are already talking about what they are planning to make for the next competition. And one girl does not intend on giving up her title! With the success of this years bake-off I'm thinking of maybe having little trophies and certificates for next year.

Have you ever held a family bake -off? Or found an affordable and fun alternative if the show is also not within your family budget? We do attend the free fireworks display on New Year's Eve where the carnival does not have an admission charge and each child is given a budget and can choose to go on one or two rides so they don't grow up being deprived of the thrill of going on the dodgems, whizzing down the bumper slide or riding the ferris wheel. But some of the best times as a family have been in our own backyard that were either free or did not cost a lot of money and these are the times I hope my children will always look back on and remember as the best times of all!

Tiers for Teatime

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Wed, 09 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

'Tiers for Tea' is just one of the names I am considering for our new venture that I am so excited to tell you all about. It began as an idea for attracting people over to my daughter's cake stall at the markets. She makes the most amazing desserts, cakes, slices and cookies and once received an email from Belgium from two tourists who so loved one of her slices they wanted the recipe because it would always remind them of their time in Australia! But even with such wonderful feedback it is still hard to tempt people to buy what is after all a sweet treat, especially when people are being careful with what they spend in the current economic climate. People tell her 'They look so good but I'm being good today' or ' Sorry love, I'm watching my weight'. That's my other daughter in the photo above helping out at the stall.

We needed something else that would complement the cakes that would make the business viable and worth all the effort put into setting it up. Believe me, there is so much more to it than just baking a few batches of cookies at home and turning up on market day! A food handler's certificate was required, purchasing a market gazebo, cake stands with covers, tongs, paper bags and everything else that was needed for the stall, registering with the food safety authority, finding a kitchen to use (can't use your home kitchen anymore!) and meeting with the officer from the council to show him the set up and that you understood the requirements. Thank goodness for a man who said he supported young entrepreneurs and he was so helpful!

She did everything needed and more, right down to printing off nutritional labels for the desserts. But even with all this effort and regular customers, after a few markets she sat down and worked out all her costings. It was a lot of work for little return. It needed something else and maybe the support of a few other members of the family.

And that's when the idea for the cake stands came in. I had seen these on ebay and on pinterest and knew they would be perfect for the markets. Recycled, repurposed, vintage and I could make them at home! I felt sure it would attract people and that we would possibly sell a few. And we did! We have had two markets thus far and the comments and interest from people was incredible. An inquiry from a bride to be who is having a vintage style wedding. People even took photos of our stall! So many possibilities for where this could take us. But right now we are starting out small, testing the waters and enjoying selling at the markets which takes us right into the heart of our community. You get to meet and talk to so many interesting people!

This one sold. It was one of my favourites created from vintage English china plates.

Our tiers are not just for tea time. They make beautiful stands for holding jewellery. The little dish on top is perfect for holding rings, earrings or brooches. Imagine how pretty this would look on a dressing table. A friend has her eye on this one so it may not make it to the next market but it was the one that attracted the most comments from customers 'Who would have thought it!' was muttered by more than a few people!

I also made a few of these cup and saucer stands. Perfect to drape your pearl necklace from or use the cup to hold a few dried rosebuds and place little sweet treats on the plate below. Or how about bath pearls in the top tier and popping a bar of soap below. It would look so lovely in a country bathroom.

We have the perfect position at the markets. Right next to a stall that sells the most heavenly handmade soap or body bars as they are known, crafted from all pure ingredients, goats milk, essential oils and natural clays. I know the stall holder well. Maybe I can persuade him to loan me a bar to place on one of our plates to give customers ideas for how they could use one of our tiers in their homes. After all, I did send some of our customers his way!

He just happens to be my son! These were one of my favourite products even before he started working for this company! On the day before he sets up there is often a huge stack of boxes of these bars in my living room. It makes my home smell heavenly! Aromas of 'Musk Have' and 'Chai Latte' fill the air.

I have had such fun over the past few months scouring garage sales and op shops for old china. I'm always on the lookout for roses, English china and vintage Noritake. I found one almost complete vintage Noritake set missing just one teacup. I decided not to drill the plates from that set. I checked the price of the teacup online. It cost more than what I paid for the complete set!

All of the china I have sourced is pre-loved. The complete set of vintage Noritake that I found had been a wedding gift. The old lady who sold it to me told me this so it seemed only right to keep that set for any future weddings and special occasions in my own family. The Noritake 'Vineyard' plates in this tier were part of a stack of plates I found at an op shop. I sold one of these at the market for a Mother's Day gift. Perhaps they had once been part of a set that had been a wedding gift to someone. Were they treasured? Used on a regular basis which might explain why only a few plates were donated? Did the rest meet their demise on a kitchen floor somewhere? I love the fact that these plates have a history. That someone once loved them and now they can be reused and not just sit at the back of a cupboard. Even if they do not sell I will use them and I'm not waiting for a wedding either! At Easter I set up a table in the garden for a baking competition for my girls. I'll share some more photos from that special event in my next post. The chocolate nests on silver spoons above were made with shredded wheat and chocolate. Another idea I found on Pinterest that I actually used!

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my 'tiers for teatime' and reading about our new family venture. I have spent a few evenings drilling some more wonderful finds and I have also made some soy candles in teacups for the next market. I'm holding onto some of my vintage teacups and some lustre ware cups and plates in glorious shades of peach, green and lilac that were a recent find have been claimed by my daughters!

Have you ever had a stall at the markets? Do you have a family business? Are you raising entrepreneurs?

Do you use your good china and have you ever dared to drill a plate or a cup? I never thought I would find such a beautiful use for power tools!

My Weariness Prevention Programme

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Tue, 01 May 2012 08:00:00 +0000

It's time to rise up and win the battle over weariness!

I have been giving much thought over the past couple of weeks to what I would share in this follow up post on weariness and how it affects mothers and homemakers. I thought of writing a generic post with advice that could be applied to a variety of situations but having prayed about it I now feel that the best I can offer is to share from my own experiences and let you know how I am waging war on weariness in my own life.

Some of the strategies have involved a major decision and turning around from a former way of thinking, others involve sacrifice and giving up some of my own unrealistic expectations of what I considered to be the 'excellent mother' and yet others are simple and practical housekeeping solutions including some recent discoveries that I have implemented that have made life easier and are part of what I am calling my 'weariness prevention programme'!

We all know that weariness is inevitable in the life of a mother but it need not defeat us. When I started to think about this subject in more depth I realized that much of the weariness I struggled with in my own life had been self inflicted. Have you ever watched the weight lifters during the Olympic games when they continue to add on the weights? The increased load starts to bring him down, sometimes he buckles and other times he manages to rise up and hold that bar above his head, his arms outstretched but as soon as the bell sounds he drops the weight to the ground immediately! He doesn't hold onto it to it for any longer than he needs to.

So here is my first question. Are you adding to your load? If so, what weights could be taken off? Are you holding onto some weights for longer than you need to when they could be dropped to the ground and bring instant relief? This is such an important question to ask if your bar is already loaded with weights. Are you caring for a sick child and still hoping to honour your commitment to bake for the school fundraiser? Wanting to stick to your regular homeschool schedule and 'soldier' on when the flu has laid everyone low? Planning to host that Bible study on the morning after a household breakdown has left you falling behind on housework and you are considering hiding the laundry you never got to fold in the spare room? I'm sure you can think of lots more examples of how we as mothers add to our loads. The weight of a packed schedule, busyness and unrealistic expectations.

IT'S TIME TO TAKE OFF THE WEIGHT!

I am so glad I made the decision early on to remove some of those weights, especially those that were especially heavy. It literally did feel like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders the first day I stood in my home and knew I would not be returning to work the following Monday. It was a moment of sheer joy knowing that God had given me the desire of my heart to come home and be a full time mother. There would be days ahead when we would face the consequences of that decision as we took on the challenge of living on a low income when we had a mortgage and interest rates were at 15 per cent (yes!) but through it all God remained faithful and He provided for all our needs, even when I knew little about how to effectively mange a household. He gave grace even when it was not deserved! That's how it works and what grace is all about. The levels of weariness I experienced after coming home from work each week night were high and it's something I never want to add back into my life.

Other weights I have removed over the years have been

Leadership roles and over-involvement in ministry outside of the home. My involvement in church ministry was extensive and being undertaken at the wrong season in my life. I had young children. Most of my evenings were taken up with leading Bible studies, committee meetings, visiting other women in their homes, planning women's conferences and of course attending them. My days were not much better. I was very skilled at filling up my schedule and I could hardly call myself a 'stay at home mum' because I was hardly ever home!

Today that burden has gone but I'm still involved in ministry to others. It doesn't cause me to become weary and I'm much more prepared and have more energy for my main ministry which is motherhood. I prayerfully consider every request. I'm very wary of commitments that take me outside of the home, away from my husband and children and require continual and ongoing input. I still reach out to people and do say yes to some requests which tend to come along as Christmas approaches ( to run Christmas decorating workshops) but I also look for opportunities that involve the whole family in ministry. Hospitality at home has become a focus and it is less of a burden now that I have older children to help out but I've also been able to be involved in new avenues of ministry such as organizing a screening of the Courageous movie for my region earlier this year - most of the planning was done from home. It was a busy few weeks but it did not weary me. Sometimes short but effective bursts of work can sow more seed and do more good than prolonged seasons of activity.

Don't be afraid to let something go even if it holds benefits. Not every weight we add to our bar is loathsome or unproductive but it still adds to our load. The sports and extra curricular activities which have us running from one end of town to the other and playing catch up on laundry and housework. If the weight cannot be removed maybe it can be redistributed. Finding a sport that all my children could participate in on the same day at the same time was probably one of the best decisions we ever made. It saved my sanity on weeknights, ensured we could all sit down to dinner together and it even saved us money (we get a group discount) My children can now skate rings around me (literally!)

Having made the big decisions and removed or redistributed the weights of heavy schedules and over commitment outside of the home it was now time to begin looking at other things that burdened me at home and many of these related to perfectionism and unrealistic expectations. I know what wearies me and at home I have put into action my weariness prevention programme. Here are some of the strategies that work for me.

1. I consult my manual for motherhood often. That's my Bible people! It has answers. It brings me comfort. It gives me hope. It guides me in my decisions. It tells me that the Lord '... gently leads those who are with young' (Isaiah 40.11) If only I had taken this on board when I was a young wife and mother! I was the woman who hosted a Christmas in July event at my home for over 40 people one week prior to giving birth to my first child. No wonder I was not rested or prepared for the early exhausting days of motherhood!

2. I rise early before my children. This gives me a head start on the day. A quick shower wakes me up. I have time to dress, put on the coffee, consult the manual, talk with my husband before he heads off to work. No complicated breakfasts in this household. Its muesli and weetbix on most days. Pancakes taste just as good later in the day! My early is 6am during the week and 7am is positively a sleep in on a Sunday. I can manage 5.30 am too but know I must also go 'early to bed' if I want 'early to rise'. As a real night owl I struggle with this. If I stay up late watching television, trying to finish a project or surfing the net it will induce weariness but I accomplish more in the course of a day by rising early rather than staying up late.

3. I try to stay hydrated. Living in a warm, often humid climate has really brought this home to me. When I was pregnant with my twins I really wanted to get past that 37 week mark. I had read that women expecting twins who drank lots of water were more likely to achieve this or carry to term. So I bought myself a pretty steel drink bottle and carried it everywhere and refilled it often. It became an extension of my arm! I had more energy and felt less weary during that pregnancy than previous ones and my twins were born healthy at 38 weeks with no complications. I'm convinced the water made a big difference. When I forget to drink water during the day I'm much more likely to develop a headache, become tired and/or irritable. Just try making an effort to drink more water and see what a difference it makes to your overall feeling of well being.

4. I search for simple solutions to everyday problems. What is it around the home that causes you the most anxiety? Write down the 3 things that bother you the most and have an effect on others and make a decision to find a method that will work for you in making it easier to manage. As I mentioned previously weeds were a major issue for me at this property. We had mulched the orchard and vegetable gardens with straw but had never put down weed matting in other garden beds until recently. The bank where we have planted blueberries now has weed matting. The blueberries will eventually spread out to hide it but right now that black weed matting, is a welcome sight. It's one less area to weed. I feel less weary about the weeds. I sometimes feel I want to go and hug that roll of weed matting! Better hug my husband instead - he suggested it!

Lemon oil applied around my windows has really helped to keep the spiders away and cuts the number of cobwebs down. I went out and bought pantyhose to tie onto my broom for this very purpose and will be forever grateful to Shannon Lush. A simple and natural solution to an every day problem that bothered me that I wish I had known about years ago!

My solution to vanity clutter and the quickest way to tidy up a bathroom counter. It all gets tossed into my copper urn. Beautiful and practical!

Same goes for slow cookers for meal preparation and baby sleeping bags for winter, the ones in fleecy material with arms you can buy at department stores. Have a boy like mine that wrestles crocodiles in his sleep at night and kicks off all his blankets, then wakes up because he is cold? I didn't discover these wonderful 'sleep aids' until baby number 7! Best $20 I ever spent at Target. They have them for both babies and toddlers in designs for boys and girls. I needed one of these for baby number one - wish someone had told me about them back then!

Finding a rose in a patch of weeds! Beauty is there, we just have to see it!

I'm hoping these suggestions are not sounding too simplistic but often it is the little things we forget to do that sometimes bring on weariness. Like forgetting to

5. Step outside the house - each and every day, even on the days when the sun is not shining and especially on the days when the sun is shining for that all important dose of vitamin D. Sometimes I just step outside for a few minutes. My therapy is watching birds because the Lord always reminds me of my value to Him and His provision for our family as I watch a bird gathering nectar. If you don't have a garden find room on your balcony or windowsill for a pot and plant it with with something lovely. Take time to admire the colourful pansies, feel the texture of the leaves of the lemon scented geranium or breathe in the calming scent of a lavender bush. I have a new saying 'Dreary doesn't have to mean weary' because I know that on days when the sun does not shine I need to find something else to boost my spirits which is why I believe it is important to

6. Have a corner of loveliness somewhere in your home to take delight in. Just one mantel, table or counter top where people are not allowed to set down keys or pile up papers. It may be a corner of your bedroom that you can retreat to when you are feeling stressed but my preference is to locate it somewhere that you have to pass by every day. As you walk by with that washing basket piled up high the picture of your smiling girl catches you eye and you are reminded of the blessings of motherhood and that what you are doing right now is not drudgery or a chore but an act of service for special people that the Lord brought into your life.

7. I choose to see the work I do at home in a different light. I've mentioned this before at my blog but I don't use the word chore in relation to household tasks. There are no chore charts on my fridge but each individual has assigned responsibilities and we work together as a family and share the load. I taught my children from an early age to help around the house. It was hard work at first as they sprayed more times than they wiped but it bears fruit in later seasons. I have teenagers who do their own laundry and clean their own rooms. It is possible, it really is possible but you have to start when they are little!

8. I watch and listen to my children and find something that they are doing that brings joy to my heart as a mother. It doesn't have to be a major achievement or an outstanding feat. Something as simple as my little boy playing intently with his toy cars and a shoebox that he has turned into a garage. Yesterday, it was my 19 year old son teaching his little sisters how to play chess. He's often busy with his own projects and I don't know what prompted him to take the time to do this but I watched in wonder and absolute awe and thanked the Lord for letting me experience that. I was proud to be his mother at that moment in time. A moment that reminded me not to grow weary in doing good for in due season we reap if we do not lose heart.

It's time to draw this post to a close. There is so much more I could share that is part and parcel of my weariness prevention programme. The strategy I learned from Emilie Barnes years ago in taking 15 minutes each day to tidy just one drawer or one shelf that is part of my daily routine. Decluttering my home on a regular basis. Reading uplifting books and blogs. Not taking on board the negative words that people may speak over my life that they view as so hard ('You've got your work cut out!') Not playing the comparison game. Treating myself to the occasional latte at a favourite coffee shop. Finding balance. Talking with the Lord. Giving myself and others grace. Knowing I cannot do it all and if I never master the art of making macarons does it really matter?

I pray that some of what I have shared has been of help to someone and that you have been challenged to stop adding weights onto the bar and even to remove some that you have placed on yourself if need be. It may take you out of gold medal contention in the superwoman round but you were not meant to be entering that division in the first place!

The Lord is there for us. He understands. He carries our burdens. Jesus is the champion weight lifter!
I also want to say thank you for sharing about your own experiences of weariness. I have prayed for each and everyone of you. A very special thank you to my friend Ellie from the Lavender Tub. Yes, she really does have a lavender bath tub! She has the sweetest blog and the most creative and economic ideas for furnishing a home I have ever come across in blogland! She loves the Lord too and shared her verse which has helped her through times of weariness. When you feel you can no longer hold up that bar with all its weights and you feel your foot slipping remember these words from Psalm 94 18-19

'If I say 'My foot slips'
Your mercy O Lord will hold me up
In the multitude of my anxieties within me
Your comforts delight my soul'

Let me know how you are winning over weariness! Your tip might be the one that helps another claim a victory over something that has stolen their joy. Thank you so much for sharing.

Anzac Day

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:29:00 +0000

It's Anzac Day today and our family has attended a Parade this morning as we do every year. On returning home I discovered a friend from New Zealand had shared this video on her facebook page and what a song to listen to and video to watch today. A treat too for this New Zealander living in Australia as this is the Kiwi version.

As the lyrics proclaim 'I will not forget'

When you are Weary

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 02:11:00 +0000

Are there not days when you wish you could just do this!

'And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart'.
Galatians 6v9

For some reason, I always used to think this verse was for evangelists and missionaries. Perhaps because preachers always used it in that context and they didn't give messages that were solely devoted to motherhood, not even at the conferences for women that I used to attend. I didn't think it applied to me because I had completely underestimated the value of the work I did at home in raising a family. I have now come to appreciate how vital the work that I do in the home is. I realize that I am 'doing good'. I belong here with these people that He has brought into my life. God not only designed me to do this work and called me to it but he also provided me with a manual for motherhood. Have you ever heard it said that there is no manual for motherhood? I own one. It is a Bible and it is full of verses that address the daily issues that I face. And one of those issues is weariness and here is a Scripture that addresses it and teaches us a lot about a subject that I believe affects every single mother.

The first thing we need to understand is that weariness is not the same thing as physical tiredness, although physical exertion, a lack of sleep and being tired in our body will certainly contribute to weariness. Weariness I believe, has much more to do with our state of mind. Note that the verse exhorts us not to 'grow weary' - a process is involved. It can creep up on us slowly or the growth may be rapid due to circumstances beyond our control as one stress is added to another and soon we are carrying a burden that weighs us down.

I want to make it clear that I'm not speaking about deep seated emotional issues. I cannot address clinical depression even though I have some knowledge and experience in that field. (I used to be an occupational therapist) But you don't have to go through a trauma to be affected by weariness as a mother. The first step in dealing with it and not allowing it to multiply and smother us is to recognize what causes us to grow weary. What makes you feel weary may be a non-event or seem a trivial matter for others.

I started to consider what caused me to become weary and near the top of my list was weeds for they are one aspect of my work at home that I never seem able to keep up with, even though I now understand the benefits of mulch! This summer was wet and humid and I became weary of the weeds which were just rampant. It seemed a never ending task just to keep them out of the areas that we cultivate and it became an unpleasant task because the leeches were in plague proportions. On one leech infested day I gave up on weeding the orchard fence and decided to pluck a few weeds from under a palm tree close to the house. I was about to sit down and was just inches from the ground when I saw what I thought was a cushion. It wasn't a cushion. I ran like a madwoman. I had almost sat on a sleeping python! The very one in this picture that my son took great delight in photographing.

Weeds, leeches, snakes, ticks, mosquitoes and relentless humidity over summer were all taking away the pleasure of gardening and eroding any delight gained from living in a forest setting. I was losing all motivation for tending the gardens we had established that were providing organic, healthy homegrown produce for our family. I was starting to become weary in 'doing good' in the garden for the sake of our family's health and well being, something which I value highly. What's more, I had allowed myself to start questioning whether this property really was the right place for us. Negative thoughts were creeping in. It all seemed too hard - too much work. I was even fearing the future. How will we look after this place when we are older? And knowing that the snakes will always be with us 'Will I move as fast then when I come across a snake?'

You might not have to cope with the knowledge that snakes are sunbathing in your garden or slithering around in your roof but I'm sure you can think of work around the home that you are weary of. It's often the tasks that need to be done for family members on a regular basis that are often taken for granted. It may be the laundry that is overflowing from baskets that refill faster than you can empty them into the machine.The floors that you try so desperately to keep clean that never stay that way.

And then there is the clutter. They say it wearies the soul and I believe this to be true. I don't cope well in a cluttered environment. The clutter doesn't even need to be visible. It may be an untidy closet that requires attention that no one else sees but you know it is there and that it needs sorting but you have no idea where to start or how you will even possibly find the time to begin organizing it. Pictures on pinterest of fancy wicker baskets in rows with labels neatly tied on with ribbon are all very well but you still don't have shelves in the closet to stack them on! Everything is just shoved in there and in some ways it is a picture of how your life feels right now.

The rear of our house during renovations. We installed the lead light window and there is now a set of doors to the hall we created from an open breezeway (where I had my first ever snake encounter ten years ago!) but the walls are still waiting to be rendered and we haven't found a location for a laundry room so the washing machine sits outside in that same spot. I don't like showing people this side of the house. An unfinished home can also weary us.

As I am typing this I feel I am only just touching the surface of weariness, its causes and how it affects mothers and homemakers. What I have mentioned thus far are externals - they are what people see and for some this is a cause of much anxiety. They are ashamed and don't invite people to their home for fear of what they might think even though they eagerly desire to offer hospitality. The thought of someone calling in unexpectedly is too much to bear.

Lets add in some other factors that can weary us. The atmosphere in a home. There might be arguments between siblings, tension between a husband and wife due to financial pressures. A teenager who is giving verbal expression to rebellious thoughts. In the midst of this you are trying to toilet train the toddler and if you are homeschooling there may be a child who is struggling with some area of learning. You have thought about returning him to school because you are beginning to believe you are not cut out for this anymore.

There are mothers I know and admire greatly who have children and family members with serious and ongoing health issues. There will be mothers who might be reading this who have experienced levels of weariness that do not come close to anything I have ever experienced and I don't want to make any comparisons. I'm trying to address the everyday issues that we all face and have to deal with from time to time. The flu and stomach bugs, head lice and all those other things that tend to be passed on and shared with other members of the household have great potential to weary us. They may be short lived for the individual but it's the mother who finds herself getting up each night to different children and the 24 hour bug becomes a week long ordeal. She is physically tired but now sick and tired of being sick and tired, for she also succumbed to the bug. She is so weary. I haven't even mentioned pregnancy, giving birth and how having a newborn to care for can affect us. There is so much that can weary us as mothers.

On their own some of these events and occurrences may not cause us to become overly stressed. We can cope with a few piles here and there, deal with a bout of sickness and put off weeding the garden but add in a few trying events and mix it all together and the weariness starts to set in. If we are not careful we may cultivate it, for example, staying up too late searching the Internet for answers for a problem that has started to bother us or trying to settle in our minds our stance on a certain issue that has left us confused. Another means of cultivation is adding more than is needed into our schedule. Over committing ourselves to activities outside of the home and saying yes to too many requests is something many of us will identify with. If you are involved in ministry you will be very conscious of this. The disciples were not immune either. In Mark 6 .31 Jesus beckons them to "Come aside and rest a while". 'For there were many coming and going and they did not even have time to eat.' This same description could be used for many a household in today's society - we just stop at the fast food restaurant on the way home which is hardly nourishing!

The result of weariness taking root and spreading, is something the author of that chapter truly understood. It prevents us from doing good. We lose motivation, we are overwhelmed and want to give up on something that held great benefits for others such as that garden we established or more importantly, the nurturing and training of a child.

If you are walking the path of weariness today and are feeling overwhelmed by the demands of motherhood I want you to know that you are not alone. I would like to pray for you. Do not be afraid to share, even just to say 'I'm feeling weary today'. Don't think that what is wearying you is trivial because you know of others who are facing harder trials. We are meant to bear one another's burdens and in doing so we fulfill the law of Christ. (Ephesians 6.2)

Is it over two years since this picture was taken? I never imagined I would have a 20 year old son and a toddler!

In a follow up post I'll share more about how I deal with weariness as a mother. It's been almost a 20 year journey for me and I'm still in the midst of it with all my 7 children still living at home. How I wish I had taken hold of that opening verse years ago and seen that it was not just addressed to those in ministry outside of the home. Dear mother you are doing good and the Lord does not want you to become weary - why? The answer is in the second part of the verse 'for in due season we shall reap... if we do not lose heart.' And it is with those wonderful words of encouragement that I close this post. 'Do not lose heart'.

I haven't gone away - my blog is not updating

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 23:15:00 +0000

Is anyone else having problems with their latest posts not showing up on reading lists in the dashboard or updating on bloglists? My last post which is there on my blog (a wedding poem for a sweet friend) and published with no hiccups will not show up on the reading list on and I've tried a few fixes which made no difference. If I check on my dashboard or on other blogs it only shows my post from 3 weeks ago. People must think I'm having a break from blogging - I'm not! I'm just trying to figure out why my last post will not show up before I write a new one. I reverted to draft, added an update and republished. Didn't work. Looked at my feed and tried to figure if it was that causing the problem. I don't know for sure - so here goes I'm trying to see if this will post. If this shows up on your dashboard can you let me know or if you stumble across this and can offer me advice I would so appreciate it! Hopefully, I will be back soon!

'Your Daughter's Getting Married'

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:23:00 +0000

Oh how excited she was to dress up as a bride for a picture to illustrate this post!

'Your Daughter's Getting Married'

A Poem for the Parents of the Bride

No, not my daughter! That day, God willing, still lies ahead for me. It's been some time since I shared one of my 'poems for people' but I have the perfect excuse today. My sweet friend Carrie from Farming on Faith is busy preparing for the upcoming wedding of her daughter Hannah. It's not long to go now and I know it is a 'bittersweet' time for Carrie, as it is for all parents of the bride, especially when their daughter has been living at home up to the time of their marriage. Weddings are joyful occasions but for the parents it is also a time tinged with some sadness, a time for goodbyes and letting go. It heralds a new beginning for both parties but it is not the end of the story - just new chapters in this precious life we have been given by the Lord to live.

It was these sentiments that I wanted to express when I first penned this poem many years ago. My Pastor's daughter was getting married and I wanted to give him and his wife a card but couldn't find one at the store which was specifically for the parents of the bride. I had to buy a blank card and was thinking about what greeting I could write when the idea of a poem popped into my mind. I wanted the verses to be personal but felt the Lord prompt me to pen them in such a way that I could share this poem again in the future. That it could be a blessing to others as they gave their daughter's hand in marriage. The handwritten words on a scrap of paper have been sitting in my little cardboard folder of poems; they have never been published until now. I have also added a few extra verses after reading Carrie's recent posts at her blog. So Carrie - this is for you and for any other mothers and fathers who read this who may be about to see their daughter marry and leave the family home. I pray they bless you in this season of your life. It was designed to be read just prior to the wedding day or on the morn of the wedding itself.

I wonder if she will want to wear her momma's veil on her wedding day?

Your daughter's getting married

Her wedding day is here

Very soon, she'll walk the aisle

You know you'll shed a tear

For it only seems like yesterday

Your precious girl was born

The memories of her childhood

Fill your thoughts this morn

Today she looks so beautiful

A radiant, lovely bride

Amidst the gasps of admiration

Your heart will burst with pride

You worked so hard to raise her

And taught her all you can

Now all those things that you inspired

Will benefit her man

They'll soon exchange their vows

She's going to be his wife

No longer living in your home

But still part of your life

She'll always be your daughter

She knows how much you care

And when she feels she needs you

She'll hope that you are there

A speech of appreciation

Will later come your way

For your special contribution

To your daughter's wedding day

When the music fades

And all have bid farewell

Do not let the sadness of your parting

Be on what you choose to dwell

For the story isn't over

More chapters are to come

Turn the page together

A new day has begun!

by Ann at eightacresofeden.com

I am more than happy for any of my readers to share this poem to bless other parents or mothers of brides. All I ask is that you acknowledge the source and myself as the author. Thank You. If you do use or intend to use my poem I would love to hear from you. It is after all one of my poems for people!

I have one more picture to share which I thought most appropriate for this post. It was not photoshopped! My daughter came across this mossy heart on a rock when she was hiking in a National Park recently. I hope that you enjoyed the poem and Carrie this picture speaks to me of the solid foundation of faith in Jesus that you have given to your daughter which she together with her beloved is going to build her own marriage and home upon ... the rock of Jesus. What a gift that is. What a blessing it will be in their lives!

Update: Carrie's daughter was married this Easter weekend. I'm very appreciative to Carrie for sharing my poem at her blog and delighted that it touched her heart. Carrie was able to read my post because I let her know about it but it appears that this post is not appearing in reading lists on dashboards or being updated on blogrolls. They are only showing my last post from 3 weeks ago. Is this an issue for you at the moment? I'm not sure how to fix this so adding this update, reverting to draft and republishing - something I found on the blogger help forum that worked for someone having the same problem. Let's hope it works this time for me - this is my second attempt! If it doesn't I'm going to have to work out whether it is a feed problem or something to do with the new country specific URL and having a custom domain. I have no idea! If you are reading this and can offer suggestions or advice on how to fix this I would be very appreciative. Have lots of ideas for new posts just need to work out these glitches so they are sent out to people!

Our Outdoor Living Area

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:06:00 +0000

Who needs to go to Gloria Jeans or Starbucks when you can enjoy your coffee here each day! I wanted to share with you today a few glimpses of our new outdoor living area. I used to call it a patio but since its makeover we really are living out here. We eat lunch here, I read to the children here, have afternoon tea and love to step outside, stand at the fence and watch the birds or gaze at the tibouchina in all its purple splendour.

My husband has worked incredibly hard over summer to lay all these pavers. The paved area extends round the front of the house, there are steps that go down to the pool and a yet to be completed outdoor kitchen/ barbecue area. The old, dilapidated potting shed has gone! We have enough pavers left over to pave round the back of the house where our utility area is located but that's a job for another summer! We lived for 10 years with an uneven, subsiding brick patio so another year is not long to wait!

As you can see it is quite a large area. We opted for large gray textured pavers that resemble slate because we wanted a natural colour that would complement the green of the surrounding forest. They do get quite hot underfoot on scorching summer days so footwear needs to be handy to the door - I know I should have included a picture of the flip flop/gumboot mountain at the door but let me enjoy my few moments of patio perfection with the leaves all swept, the water guns confiscated, the hose wound up, the tools in the shed and all the shoes in the basket. Note that I did say moments of patio perfection!

When we first came to eight acres of eden it was far from paradise. Exotic shrubbery in the garden bed edged the poorly laid, terracotta brick patio making the house feel very closed in and the height of the vegetation blocked off all views and vistas to the surrounding farmland and valley. There was one native feature we had to retain - the magnificent grass tree. It greets you as you arrive and go up the steps. No stately urns or stone lions to mark the entrance. How about a real live kelpie instead?

Keira managed to sit still for about thirty seconds and posed for the camera. Not sure where the cat was on this occasion but since we laid those pavers she is found sunbathing, stretched out to the max most days!

There is now somewhere flat and expansive for the toddler to ride his racing car!

I searched my photo albums for a before shot and came across this. A reminder of the bad old days when chickens escaped and roamed the patio leaving their deposits for me to clean up! Needless to say, chickens are now banned from the new outdoor living area. Roger the rooster (full name Roger Featherer after a certain Swiss tennis player) still manages to fly over but cannot reach the patio area and stands forlorn on the top step with his beak pressed against the glass door!

This is our old patio furniture. We used to have two of these tables and they served us well for many years but they are now rusting out and one recently went to the scrap metal yard as it was beyond a makeover. The other table and chairs are not far behind. We hope to replace this set with a new long table and chairs when we can afford it. For now we squeeze around the one table. I have resisted the temptation to 'furnish' (or clutter as my husband would call it) the outdoor living area. A grouping of pots in one corner and outdoor table and chairs are the only accessories for now but my husband has agreed that a patio swing to match the outdoor setting we eventually purchase might be in order!

The former site of the old potting shed has been designated for a barbecue/outdoor kitchen area. This may end up being called the 'man pit'. The men can cook steaks downstairs and the girls sip iced tea on the terrace. That sounds so civilised doesn't it? Actually, this was a practical consideration. We wanted the barbecue area separate to avoid the issue of grease on the pavers and to make the patio area a safer area for little children. I have been sighing over pictures of beautiful outdoor stone fireplaces on pinterest but we will most likely opt for a stainless steel outdoor kitchen with built in barbecue or my poor husband will be cooking steaks whilst leaning over his zimmer frame! For now we continue to use our old barbecue - like the furniture it has served us well and we'll replace it when we can afford it!

Some people have asked us why we chose to have such a big outdoor living area and our answer is that we use this area all year round. We love to offer hospitality and sometimes entertain large crowds of people. We wanted to have somewhere for people to mix and enjoy fellowship so as we renovated our home we made it people and family friendly (no cream carpets!) and opened up the inside to the outside by installing French doors.

And as you can tell from the last two photographs, we are a DIY family. Everyone pitched in to help take up all the old brick pavers, even the toddler who was determined to lift them all by himself! The old spa pool you can see in the background has been turned into a pond.

One day in the not too distant future they will host their friends and family at birthday parties, engagements and maybe even choose to have their weddings or reception dinners here. I guess they will remember their contribution as children in making this house into a home and tell their own children about how they helped lay pavers and grout tiles! It's not just about renovating, it's about making memories! And speaking of memories. The first major celebration to be held at the new outdoor living area will be my daughter's 18TH birthday party at the end of the year. She's already planning her party and has worked out that now we have more room we can invite more people! Well I suppose that was the intention but I'm ready to help her prepare and know that she will want to be involved in every aspect and will not leave it all to me to organize.

Hope you enjoyed these glimpses of our outdoor living area. Do you like to 'live outdoors' during summer and on pleasant days during the other seasons? How do you make good use of your patios, verandas, decks and outdoor living areas together as a family? Have you ever taken on a major renovation project with your family? Do share!

Jumping for Joy!

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 07:21:00 +0000

It's a leap year so it seemed like a great time to share with you some pictures of the family enjoying their new trampoline. This was a very special Christmas gift which they had to wait until the new year for, as the company had sold out of the size that we wanted but it was worth the wait! Our previous trampoline was a typical 'old fashioned' rectangular trampoline which had to be decommissioned a couple of years ago after the mat finally disintegrated, so this time we wanted to replace it with a quality trampoline that would be suitable for both toddlers and teenagers. We opted for the biggest model available - a 14 foot one which amply fills the only flat ground we have on this property. The dogs also love this spot, it makes a super sized shade house for them and they sleep underneath when no one is bouncing!

Our eldest son was putting money towards our trampoline - he's been blessed with many earning opportunities throughout the last year so he went trampoline shopping at the department stores and when he was out I decided to do some research on trampolines and hopped on the internet which led me to a review which compared the chain store brand we were about to purchase with the one we chose to purchase which is made by an Australian company based in Brisbane called Vuly. There was a big price difference but after a few discussions with my husband and son over the phone, we decided to come up with the extra money and invest in a trampoline we hope will last us for many years.

And thus far we are thrilled with our Vuly trampoline and the service we received from the company who rang the other week to see if everything was going well with our trampoline. The galvanised frame is exceptionally well made and just last week a mini cyclone went through that brought down trees and sent our market umbrella flying through the air like a scene out of Mary Poppins. The trampoline was not anchored to the ground but it did not budge, not even an inch!

The net as you can see in the picture has extra reinforcing webbing so it stays sturdy and in place. It also fastens on the inside of the padded mats so there is absolutely no chance of a child putting a foot through a gap in the springs. It makes for a very safe jumping experience and gives this mum peace of mind as she watches from the kitchen window and knows no one is going to topple off the edge! It has exceptional bounce and has been tested out by every member of the family including moi. The mat is a bit special as it is a game mat - the printed symbols can be used for all manner of games, some are suggested in the company brochure but we preferred to invent our own! On one fine day I spent over 2 hours chasing a toddler around the mat and being the referee for bouncing games made up by the twins. Our trampoline also came with a free tent that you place over the net that turns it into an indoor jumping room or even a sleepover spot. Just check the weather forecast before the kids drag out the sleeping bags. It's been a wet summer here and when a day without any precipitation finally arrived they begged me to allow them to camp in the 'big tent' on the trampoline. Permission was granted and later regretted when I had to go out in pitch darkness and rescue three bedraggled, sleepy girls when a sudden heavy downpour arrived in the middle of the night! The tent has now been dried out and will come out again during a drought year!

A trampoline is a wonderful place to enjoy being with your children. You cannot help but have fun together. Don't just supervise them when they are little - hop on with them and jump together! When I was a child I longed to have a trampoline but my tiny concrete backyard at our terraced house in England put paid to that. Ever seen that bank ad where the swing hits the back fence which hints that it might be time to move house? Yep, that was my life and we never did move. I'm making up now for all those trampoline deprived childhood years!

I cannot yet report on the longevity of the trampoline but we were impressed with the company's commitment to customer and after sales service and they also offer those who purchase a trampoline from them replacement parts at half price. We hope to purchase the basketball hoop that attaches to the trampoline at some stage. In the meantime, if you are looking to purchase a trampoline for your family this one is well worth considering if you can afford it. Consider that most families spend more on their flat screen televisions than they do on a backyard trampoline and that puts it all into perspective.

I must let you know that this review was of my own volition and I was not contacted by the company or offered any form of compensation. I'm just happy to share with you our experience of purchasing a trampoline this year. We almost made the mistake of opting for the biggest one at the cheapest price and I'm so glad I found a review about the Vuly. We are also very happy to support an Australian company. My blog is about family life and nearly every family I know has a trampoline so it seemed a good subject to blog about, especially in leap year (sorry!) I'm timing this post to show up on the 29TH Feb too, even though March has arrived down under! If you have any questions about our trampoline don't hesiate to ask or google the company name for further information.

Happy Leap Day everybody!

Cherry Guava Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:20:00 +0000

No, it's not pink lemonade but this delicious fruit punch was made from the fruit of a tree in our garden that has produced an abundant harvest this summer - the cherry or strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum) which thrives in our warm sub-tropical climate. The fruit which are packed with vitamin C makes a fabulous jelly which can be served with cold meats and is a fabulous addition to a cheeseboard. It can even be used as a glaze for roasted potatoes and kumara. As we have so many guavas on the tree this year I knew I would have to find another use for them apart from jelly which I was also planning to make on this occasion. I decided to check out the recipes in this book which is my preserving bible.

Guess where I lived when I first bought this book? A New Zealand Country Harvest Cookbook by Gillian Painter has recipes for all the fruit we grow down under - tamarillos, mulberries, feijoas (also known as the pineapple guava) kiwi fruit and there is a recipe for guava jelly but no recipes for drinks or cordials made from the fruit so I decided to adapt the recipe for rhubarb punch using the juice that was extracted from the guavas during the jelly making process.

I picked over 3 kilos of fruit on just one visit to the tree. I actually like to eat them straight off the tree, to me they are almost sherbert like when ripe but not everyone may like their slightly tart flavour. A few had been pecked by the birds but the usual cherry guava thief, the green catbird has been heard but not seen on too many occasions in the garden this summer.

In preparation for making the jelly the guavas went into a pot and were covered with water - approximately 8-10 cups. Simmer for half an hour and watch the water turn pink. I set aside approximately 2 cups of this pink water to use for the punch which I poured through a sieve into a clean pot. (The fruit and remaining juice was set aside for making the jelly later.) Here's the recipe for the punch

Ingredients
2 cups of guava juice extracted as above
1 litre of cold water (approx 4 cups)
1 and 1/2 cups raw sugar
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
sparkling mineral water or lemonade to serve

Directions
1. Place guava juice and water into a preserving pan and heat.
2. Stir in the sugar and bring to the boil.
3. Take off the heat and allow to cool.
4. Add the orange and lemon juice.
5.Pour into clean sterilized bottles.
6.When ready to serve, dilute half and half with sparkling mineral water or lemonade. A sprig of mint makes a lovely decorative garnish for this punch.

Although I used sterilized bottles I was not intending this to be a drink to be kept. It was a hot and humid day and we enjoyed it as soon as it was sufficiently cool to serve! It looked so pretty in the French lemonade bottles I had kept for this purpose but it didn't last long. It was declared delicious by every member of the family and it was so refreshing. We enjoyed ours with sparkling mineral water. There are plenty more cherry guavas yet to ripen on the tree. My next batch will be for a Valentines Day drink as it is the perfect colour for such an occasion!

And so onto making the guava jelly.....
I followed Gillian Painter's recipe which uses approximately 2 and 1/2 kilos of fruit which is covered with 10 cups of water and heated for about 30 minutes on the stove top. I didn't have a proper jelly bag so I used a chux cloth to strain the fruit overnight.

Remember not to squeeze the bag and just allow it to drip through the cloth into the bowl. If you squeeze and attempt to help the fruit seep through, your jelly will end up cloudy. If you don't have any kitchen twine to string up your makeshift jelly bag try some nylon lace. It worked just fine for me tied onto the overhead kitchen door!

The lovely dark pink liquid is now ready to go into the preserving pan to be heated and brought to the boil and boiled until setting point is reached. For every 2 and 1/2 cups of liquid 2 cups of sugar is required. The recipe I was following did not use pectin just the juice of 1 lemon but after some time with my jelly refusing to set I decide to add in some pectin - about 25grams (1oz) Within minutes it had reached setting point and was ready to go into warm sterilized jars. It turned out perfectly. It is such a beautiful shade of ruby red - almost looks like wine in a jar and the flavour of those guavas - Oh my, forget the tomato chutney I made a few weeks ago from this season's cherry tomatoes, this is now the favourite preserve to come out of my kitchen this summer.

The metal shelves are a recent addition to my country kitchen. I like to change the displays often and they are the perfect place to set out our jars of preserves. I use the red transferware cups as measuring cups. The cream crocheted trimmed tea towels are made in Denmark and purchased locally. I bought one and a friend bought me one as a gift. They are too nice for drying dishes. I use them to cover up trays of baking that come out of the oven.

After a very wet summer that ruined many of my vegetable crops apart from the rhubarb and cherry tomatoes it was heartening to see so much fruit come off the trees and vines. Just prior to the cherry guavas, the lilly pillies ripened. We harvested a huge bunch of Lady Finger bananas recently and they have ripened within days once brought inside. What a blessing to be able to give away bags of bananas to visiting friends.

And being picked and consumed daily are these beautiful passion fruit. The vine covers our chook house and the fence of the chicken run and this summer it is dripping with fruit. Each day the children bring up eggs and a handful of ripe fruit. Very soon there will be so much fruit another jam making session will be required.

Our cherry guava is also a favourite abode for a green tree snake that has been visiting us recently. Perhaps that explains why the birds have not been visiting it! This snake is non-venomous by the way. He slipped off the wet fencing and onto the ground and slithered away and I wasn't afraid! Once upon a time I would have not dared to go and pick fruit from a tree just days after seeing this guy so close by. We have a pond here so it's not surprising that we have snakes.

Or frogs which of course attract snakes! I have to say I prefer the frog visitors even if their incessant croaking at nightfall and after rain showers is soon going to make the wearing of earplugs a necessity!

What a beautiful amphibian! This was one of the biggest green tree frogs we have ever seen here.

The centre of attention and admired by all before being returned to the tree by the pond.

What fruit have you harvested this summer or enjoyed as preserves if you are still in winter?

Have there been 'visitors' from the wild to your garden? Welcome or unwelcome. Do share!

An Extraordinary School for Boys

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:12:00 +0000

If you are a tennis fan and have been watching the Australian Open over the past fortnight you might have missed the first two parts of this fantastic documentary which is airing on ABC1 at the moment. If you are a parent to school age boys and/or if you are involved with teaching boys this is not to be missed!

Gareth Malone is a choirmaster who has become somewhat of a household name in the UK following the success of the programme 'The Choir'. You can read more about Gareth and the various projects he has been involved in at his own website
www.garethmalone.com

In 'Gareth Malone's Extraordinary School for Boys' Gareth takes on the challenge of teaching a class of primary school boys and engaging them in learning. It's a formidable task that lies ahead but Gareth Malone knows a thing or two about teaching boys, he used to be one himself. In the first episode they leave the confines of the classroom and set up an outdoor camp in the woods on the edge of the school grounds, a place normally out of bounds, for the activities which Gareth believes will motivate the boys and give them a new zeal for learning. Activities that involve an element of risk such as using handsaws for which permission is required and given with some reluctance by the head teacher. The other teachers are skeptical and think chaos will be the end result.

In the second episode Gareth tackles the boys reading and their disinterest in books. Competition, parental involvement, allowing the boys to choose the books for the school and making the library more appealing for boys are just some of the strategies he tries. He also has a wonderful innate ability for instilling confidence in people no matter what their age or background. It's beautiful to watch as is the camp at their outdoor classroom in the woods. Gareth invites the fathers to attend with their sons and somehow persuades them to read aloud around the campfire. I had goosebumps!

That's just a little glimpse of what you missed if you were watching the tennis in the evenings and sorry I checked but this series doesn't appear to be on iview but it is not too late. Episode 3 and the final one in the series is all about writing and airs tomorrow evening - that's Tuesday at 9.30PM on ABC1. It is well worth watching. Let me know what you thought of the series if you have watched it. I'm really looking forward to seeing what the outcomes were for this group of boys. One thing's for sure, I bet they will never forget Gareth Malone and will remember being a part of this programme for the rest of their lives.

Here's the link to the programme at the ABC website and one to the page on Gareth's website about his 'Extraordinary School for Boys'. There's a link there to a blog article he wrote about his experience and the methods he employed. And if you are at all interested in classical music check out his new book - looks fascinating!

Update: According to the guide tonight's episode is now airing at 9.59PM in NSW. Glad I didn't set the recorder or I would have missed the first half!

In Celebration of Australia Day 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:09:00 +0000

Are you ready to sing?

The Conductor is ready!

Australians All Let us REJOICE

For We are YOUNG and FREE

We've Golden Soil and WEALTH for Toil

Our HOME is Girt by Sea

Our Land ABOUNDS in Nature's GIFTS

Of BEAUTY

RICH

And RARE

In History's Page

Let Every Stage

ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR
In JOYFUL Strains
Then Let us Sing
ADVANCE AUSTRALIA FAIR

Words and music to the Australian National Anthem were composed by Peter Dodds McCormick. It was proclaimed Australia's National Anthem by the Governor-General in April 1984. You will no doubt, hear it many times over during the Olympic Games!

All pictures apart from my daughter searching for sapphires and those featuring our resident wildlife were taken during January 2012. Australia Day is celebrated on the 26TH January at beaches, parks, reserves and in backyards with barbecues and games of cricket favoured by many. Citizenship ceremonies are traditionally held on this day.

Happy Australia Day 2012!

Hope you enjoyed these pictures of our unique and beautiful Australian scenery, flora and fauna.We were planning a camping trip but have postponed it due to the very wet weather we have been experiencing. We will celebrate with a family dinner at home. I have a leg of lamb to roast infused with garlic and rosemary and might venture out into the bush to pick some leaves and native flowers to decorate the table.

How are you celebrating Australia Day?

Can you comment at my blog?

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 06:27:00 +0000

I'm wondering if any of my readers or visitors have been unable to leave comments as I understand there is a bug associated with the update to threaded comments for those who have comment forms embedded at the bottom of the post which I did. It particularly affects those using IE who wish to leave comments who find they can no longer do so at certain blogs (most likely those with embedded comment forms)
I've changed my comment box to the pop up variety to see if this fixes this glitch. Let me know if you had issues leaving comments at my blog previously and if you can now - thank you so much!
Have you seen a drop in the number of comments at your own blog? Maybe this issue is affecting you too!

The Last Time She Smiled.

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:39:00 +0000

How handwritten letters from a young girl touched the heart of a grandmother

'A letter is a soul, such a faithful copy of the beloved voice which speaks, that fragile souls count it among love's most precious treasures.'
Honore De Balzac

Shortly before Christmas we received the sad but not unexpected news that my husband's grandmother had passed away. She had lived a long life, well into her nineties but in recent years had faced a number of health issues. On quite a number of occasions we had received a phone call informing us that she was not expected to live for much longer but each time she defied the doctors and surprised the family and the next call was not the details of a funeral but rather that she was sitting up in bed, talking and eating. I thought perhaps, that she was determined to receive her telegram from the Queen that citizens of the Commonwealth are entitled to on reaching the age of one hundred but this was not to be.

But in the final weeks of her life she would receive a letter that would mean far more to her than any congratulatory words from a monarch. Confined to her bed, as her earthly life was ebbing away and unable to read the letter for herself, the letter was read to her by her daughter. It was another letter from across the Tasman from my seventeen year old daughter who since the age of nine or ten had been faithfully writing letters to her great grandmother. I'm not sure what she shared in that final letter. Most likely it would have been about our preparations for Christmas and what she was baking in the kitchen which her great grandmother loved to hear about. This letter would gladden her heart one more time, for on hearing it read to her I was told that it was the last time she smiled.

It was then that I realized just what those letters meant to her. It had started out as a suggestion. We thought it would be a good way for our daughter to practice her writing rather than just using workbooks which are eventually discarded and this was purposeful writing because we knew that my husband's grandmother would appreciate receiving a letter in the mail from a member of her family. It soon became apparent that she did indeed enjoy receiving those letters and she began sending letters in return. Sometimes she would scold my daughter when she did not immediately reply but this did not deter my daughter and she kept on writing. At that time her great grandmother was living in Australia. A long distance from us but we were able on a number of occasions to make the trip to her city and visit her in her little flat and have a cup of tea with her, something she took much delight in. For her, the most memorable visit would have been when we introduced her to our twin daughters who were just 3 months old at the time. She had been ill and was thrilled to see us but to have those tiny girls placed into her arms was a moment of pure joy for her!

I am not entirely sure how many letters my daughter wrote to her great grandmother over the years - I have lost count. She also sent little gifts on her birthday and at Christmas and lots of photographs of the family which she proudly set out on display around her home. Those handwritten letters became some of her most treasured possessions and it is only now that she has gone that I am realizing what they truly meant to her. I can just imagine the spring in her step when she would see that envelope addressed to her among the utility bills and supermarket mailers. It was more than mere correspondence or sharing of family news. It told her she was not forgotten, that someone cared for her and considered her worthy of a personal handwritten letter in a day and age when letter writing is becoming a lost art as other more impersonal forms of social and electronic communication take over.

I was asked to write a piece for the funeral which was read out for those in attendance. I shared as I have with you about the letters and correspondence and how they touched the heart of a great grandmother. I wanted a Bible verse that aptly described the value of letter writing and in particular what these letters meant to this old lady. I began to search the Scriptures and found two fitting verses. Proverbs 25 verse 25 states 'As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country.' Absolutely! The letters would have refreshed her and revived her soul whenever she felt the aching pain of loneliness.

Proverbs 16 verse 24 tells us that 'Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.' Pleasant words can be spoken but they can also be put into writing and the words she read were sweet to her like honey. Simple greetings such as 'How are you? I hope you are feeling better.' And sharing of everyday news to which she could relate which would bring back fond memories of times when she was able to look after a garden and bake - the simple pleasures of home. We knew she just loved having the opportunity to share about what she had taken delight in over the years such as growing flowers and making afternoon tea for friends.

And so came to an end a rare friendship between an elderly lady and a teenager. A friendship that was founded on the exchange of letters. Letters that brought hope and encouragement and brightened almost every week of the last decade of her life. And one final letter which would touch her soul during her final days on earth - the last time she smiled.

Creating a Family Vision Poster

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 04:45:00 +0000

I'm linking up a post from my archives today which seems very appropriate for the beginning of a new year. It is actually Tuesday here in Australia and I'm a mum not a mom but I thought I would join the Bettermom Monday's link up. I was so excited today to read about another mom/mum encouraging moms/mums to create their own family mission statements. I have had one for years. If ever a bushfire threatened our home and we were instructed to leave I would be ripping this off my wall to take with me! I've mentioned it a few times at my blog and 3 years ago I wrote a post about my family vision poster which has been on display in my home for many years. I was a new blogger back then and this post received no comments and could have been lost forever in my archives but let me tell you that poster has been one of the most important tools I ever used as a mother in seeking to keep focus as I sought God's direction for my family.

Blessing our neighbours - every year since I wrote this down we have done just that and not only at Christmas but it was lovely to take gifts of cinnamon rolls to our neighbours this year and wow they were so well received.

You can write your vision and goals in a journal but then only you can see them. A poster is much more of a statement and over the years visitors to our home have seen it and read about our vision for our family. People know what we stand for! I would wholeheartedly encourage you to create one if you do not already have one! I am amazed at what I have seen fulfilled since I wrote down the vision. Even the pictures I chose to illustrate the poster are being reflected in and around our home - gardens starting to flourish, a daughter learning Mandarin with a growing zeal to go to China, a son with a successful business on his hands and an opportunity this past year to reach out to families and fathers in our community as we partnered with a Christian media group to screen Courageous at a local movie theatre.

When I am distracted and coming undone I look up to the wall in my office where our poster is pinned and once again I am reminded of the purposes of God and how He wants to use me for His Glory. It also reminds me of what I know is important to our family such as good health and nutrition and I'm so aware of when I fall short or let things slip - oh dear, too many chocolates over Christmas! Those Terry chocolate oranges are my Christmas treat but I received two this year! I really need some real oranges! Time to refocus and see that garden and table brimming with fresh produce become a reality. I'm snacking on lilly pilly fruit at the moment which are packed with vitamin C. It's my new found healthy addiction - can't wait to show you them and hope I have enough soon to make cordial or jelly.

I need to update some aspects of my poster and I'll take some time to do that. I hope this post helps you if you want to create your own family vision poster. Make it your own! Use pictures not just words! Involve your husband and children - you are all in this together! Pop over and visit the Bettermom site. It's new to me but I can see a whole wealth of encouragement and resources over there.

I pray that 2012 is a year when you start to see many of God's promises unfold. Begin by reading them in His Word - they are for you! And take the steps to write down what God places on your heart for your family and see what happens.

In the meantime - I have put a link to my family vision poster on my sidebar so you can come back and read it again if you don't have time today. Or you can follow the link to the post here.

Spending Time with Family

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 01:21:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered why the expression is 'spending time'? To me 'spending' implies a cost, a sacrifice of self and giving of my time to others. It is costly, not in monetary terms but other things deemed less important - like writing blog posts must give way to what matters most. So as this New Year commences I am spending time with these precious people - my family. Looking after them, cooking for them, eating with them, playing with them. Jumping on the trampoline with little ones. Watching them splash in the waves at the beach and seeing the delight of a two year old boy watching a fireworks display on New Years Eve. Going to the movies with my husband on the evening of our wedding Anniversary. I have so much to tell you but so little time but I will return in 2012 with new and encouraging posts.

Happy New Year from my family to yours!

Handmade Christmas Crackers for an Australian Country Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 01:14:00 +0000

I have been busy preparing for Christmas and one of my established traditions is making my own Christmas crackers for the table. Christmas crackers or bon bons are an English tradition and I just happen to be English! They are very much a part of my heritage and I began making my own Christmas crackers many years ago. Each year I try to come up with a new theme or colour for my crackers. The crackers are made using a kit that can be purchased from craft stores. I find mine at Spotlight and they cost just $3 for a pack of 6 which includes the snap needed to make the cracker go bang when you pull it! I then cover them with crepe paper and embellish them with ribbon, silk flowers, leaves and trims.Whatever takes my fancy to make them a little bit fancy and oh so different to the ones you find in the stores. You can find a tutorial here at my Christmas blog from 2009 with detailed instructions on how to make them.

This year I opted for an aqua blue shade of crepe paper, crocheted trim and recycled gift tags from last Christmas. A star anise hides the hole on the tag. All the trims I used for this years crackers came from my stash of ribbon and lace found at a garage sale a number of years ago. After the crackers have been pulled and the contents retrieved (this year it is just wrapped chocolates!) I gather up all the trims to reuse the following year - it has become a never ending supply! The maroon cracker has a felt star that was made for me by a friend last Christmas.

In the weeks before Christmas I like to incorporate my Christmas crackers into festive displays around my home. As this year's crackers have a vintage/country feel I chose to set out these on my Stanley stove in the dining room. It is summer in Australia and the stove is not used (we would melt!) so I can decorate it to my heart's content! This year I set out my most colourful cook books choosing to decorate with what I had. The cookie cutters are also set out ready for baking the gingerbread. Gardening friends in Australia please notice an early Christmas present to myself. I found Meredith Kirton's fabulous book on edible gardens 'Harvest' for $20 at 'The Book Warehouse.' Reduced from $70 and a fraction of the price at the online bookstores! I thought to let you know if you have that book on your wishlist or want to buy it for someone this Christmas!

My 'family' Christmas wreath has been set out again on the shelf of the Stanley. A few pinecones found at the park fill the gaps and the jam jars are ready for the chai tea mix I intend to make again this year - just need to get down to the wholefoods store to replenish my spices!

I almost forgot to show you the first set of crackers I made for this Christmas. They are my favourite and similar to ones I made in previous years. I just added more lace and crocheted trims this year for a vintage look. I know these are going to look beautiful on the table. They go so well with my white dinner plates and green wine goblets. Here is one at a place setting from last year when I used a vintage brooch to trim the cracker.

I wanted to concentrate my crafting on the crackers so didn't make our advent calendar this year. I found some chocolate money at Big W - notes and not coins which fitted perfectly into the fabric hearts on my quilted Advent Tree. I wish I could tell you that I made this myself but it was a garage sale find from a few years ago. At just $2 it was a better price than the tacky cardboard character ones they sell in the supermarket!

The 'notes' are even Australian ones! The children take it in turns each day to pull out a note and see who gets the $100! The twins can tell me exactly how many days are left to Christmas as they count down every day using this calendar even though it does not have numbers.

My tree is up and has been set out in the formal living room this year. I didn't buy any new decorations this year. I have plenty and all the tree decorations in the stores seemed to be very modern and not in keeping with my traditional tree. If I see something appropriate in the sales I may add to my collection but it has to be very special and at a bargain price!

The paper cones from last Christmas have been hung on the tree and will be filled with popcorn on Christmas Eve.

The gifts from family overseas have been arriving and are under the tree. I have also completed most of my Christmas shopping doing some online and some at the stores. As I found with my gardening book it is not always cheaper online and I'm just hoping some of the gifts I did buy online (mainly books) arrive in time for Christmas! I just love the bottlebrush gift tag attached to the bag of gifts for my oldest son (it's coordinating stationery and items for his home office) and gives a real Australian touch. The tags are from earth greetings - printed carbon neutral in Australia with vegetable based ink on 100% post consumer recycled paper. I will reuse these gorgeous tags for next years Christmas crackers!

I hope you have enjoyed the glimpses into my Christmas home and seeing my handcrafted Christmas crackers for 2011. I will not be adding to my Christmas blog this year but will have this post up there and will try to update the blog design so it is easier to navigate and find the various Christmas craft tutorials in the archives.

My twin girls are going to be angels once again in the church Nativity play this Sunday. I have a few more crackers to make, a few more presents to wrap and a whole heap of baking to do. I also plan to gather the greenery from the garden to set out around my existing Christmas displays in my home on Christmas Eve so it is fresh for Christmas day.

I hope to share another Christmas themed post before Christmas - maybe from my kitchen this time as the baking gets underway. I hope that all your preparations are going well and that you are rejoicing in this blessed season. To introduce my friends and visitors in the USA to the delights of Christmas crackers I have chosen to link this post to the Great Holiday Barn Hop over at Homestead Revival. Do go and visit the other homesteads and see how they decorate for Christmas. Who knows perhaps I will inspire someone to make their own handcrafted Christmas crackers!

A Butterfly Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:32:00 +0000

I recently surprised my twin girls on their 6TH birthday with a visit to a Butterfly House, a local tourist attraction that all of my older children have already visited. On the morning of their birthday they were just giddy with excitement and had absolutely no idea of what mum had planned for their birthday. They were told to go and get ready and to put on their new red dresses and be ready to go for a drive. 'A drive?' The anticipation was building and they kept on guessing all the way. 'Mac Donalds?' one girl called out. 'Come on, mum can do better than that!' I responded, their big sister laughing as she chauffeured us to our destination, taking advantage of another opportunity to bump up her hours of driving needed to obtain her licence.

My girls bright and beautiful in their red Zara dresses which really suit them.
Their other gift was a silver crown pendant to remind them that they are daughters of the King!

When we arrived at the Butterfly House the girls were still puzzled - why was mum bringing them to a park to play in the rain? Then one astute observer spotted the butterfly logo on the sign 'Butterflies!' she exclaimed. She had guessed right! When we arrived at the reception the girls told the lady it was their birthday and at that very word all the staff burst into a boisterous rendition of 'Happy Birthday'. It made the twins feel very special!

Here are some of the photos I managed to snap inside. I love to share with you pictures of the colourful wildlife that visits Eight Acres of Eden and we do have butterflies but not all these varieties of Australian butterflies! I hope I have the right species for each picture.

This is the 'Varied Eggfly'. This is the male with its bright blue markings. The female has orange blotches.

The female Cairns Birdwing

Is not as spectacular as the male Cairns Birdwing with its vivid green wings!

Their little brother also came along and he was just as excited to see all the bright butterflies fluttering around, some landing on posts or even on your head if you stood still for long enough!

There were some 'hands on' attractions too, such as this rather large stick insect. My girls are used to all kinds of critters and had no reservation in allowing a staff member to place this guy onto their hand!

'Want to hold a spiky caterpillar?' Her eyes lit up! No problem!

Another opportunity for an up close and personal viewing!

Time to go! They did not believe me when I told them they might need to put on their jackets to go outside. It was cozy and warm inside the temperature controlled butterfly house but a little chilly outside with drizzling rain still coming down. It has been a cool start to our summer. Would you believe me if I told you I was wearing a jumper today? I was very relieved I had not planned a picnic at the beach for the twins' birthday!

I hope you enjoyed seeing the pictures of our butterfly birthday trip. Have you ever surprised your children on their birthday with a visit to somewhere special? For them alone and not the whole family? The admission costs for attractions can be so expensive for a large family so this is one way in which we have been able to keep costs down. It is easier for me now as I have older children who can look after the younger ones if need be. They have all been before so were not too disappointed at 'missing out' on the birthday surprise and of course we all shared in the celebration of the girl's birthday later that evening with a special ice cream cake for dessert. Sorry no pictures this time but they are on my daughter's camera and I have run out of time.

I pray your Christmas preparations are going well. I hope to share mine with you soon - just two more parties to plan before the best celebration of all, it truly is the birthday season!

A Courageous Evening in Australia

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 02:57:00 +0000

When I found out that Courageous the movie was going to be released in cinemas across Australia I was so excited. I had read the reviews and the testimonies from people who had seen this movie from Sherwood Pictures, the makers of Fireproof and other movies of integrity such as Facing the Giants and Flywheel. Courageous they were saying was even better and it addressed a vital issue that affects society - fatherhood. Stories of men crying throughout the movie, of fathers signing into rehab after seeing it, of fractured families beginning journeys of healing and restoration and multitudes of fathers saying they had been challenged to be more than 'just good enough' fathers and were ready to step up to the mark and be the fathers that God intended them to be.

Alas, when screening locations were released, it appeared that Courageous would only be shown in the major cities. But there was a glimmer of hope - an opportunity for those in regional centres to sign up as partners and bring Courageous to their town or city.

My initial thoughts were 'One of the big churches should get behind this' then I heard a voice 'No, you make it happen.' My response was 'Me? You mean me God? I am just one person, a stay at home mother, I live in a small town, I attend a small church - how can I possibly make it happen?' This dialogue continued as I tried to think of excuses - too busy, too little time but in the midst of my self-doubt was this assurance that my church would get behind it and I would have the full support of my husband. So I filled in the online form to register our interest and contacted my Pastor who said 'Let's make it happen!'

It was at this time that I also opened up my Bible to the book of Jeremiah and read what happens when fathers lack courage in a time of peril when things come against them.

'At the noise of the stamping hooves of his strong horses,
At the rushing of his chariots
At the rumbling of his wheels,
The fathers will not look back for their children,
Lacking courage.

Jeremiah 47.3

It was then I knew I should commit myself to this. This film was going to encourage men to be courageous fathers, men of honour and integrity who would serve and protect their families. I couldn't think of a more noble cause.

And before I knew what was really happening it was happening. A local cinema had agreed to screen it. The theatre was booked and we had a date and a time. I began the promotions, showing the trailer at church, telling people about it, having flyers put up in different places across town. Selling tickets. Emailing and calling pastors, churches and men 's support groups, keeping in regular contact with the Christian media company that was bringing it to Australia. It has been a very busy few weeks for me but it was worth all the effort!

And this week it all came together - Courageous came to small town Australia. People of all ages filled the foyer and as I sat near the door selling more tickets I was aware of just how many men were walking inside. There were friends and people I knew from different churches and locals from our own community. I knew some had been invited by family and friends and others had perhaps just turned up after picking up the flyers in town.

This was a Monday night, traditionally a very quiet night for movie theatres but it was packed with people. I think the cinema staff were rather surprised as they looked upon their crowded foyer filled with people of all ages. As I sat at the door waiting for those who had not yet arrived and to sell last minute tickets I was aware that the movie had started and I was missing the opening dramatic scene!

Courageous was everything I had read about and hoped it would be and so much more. It entertained, it provided drama and suspense, it made people laugh out loud and it made them cry. I don't think I have ever been to a movie and seen men wiping away tears from their eyes before. It was affecting some more deeply than they ever expected as it tackled the subject of fatherhood head on but with incredible sensitivity. Each character had a story that I knew men in our theatre were going to identify with. I have since discovered that quite a number of those men that turned up were part of a group that offers support and hope to separated fathers. It is early days and I do not know if or how they were impacted by Courageous but my prayer is that all the fathers present were encouraged by a movie that boldly with great conviction reinforced the vital role that fathers play in the lives of their children. Without the presence of a father in his life a boy may turn to others for approval and acceptance and this was portrayed in Courageous as a young man is initiated into a gang and begins his apprenticeship into a life of crime.

It only seems like yesterday that he was building sandcastles with his dad.

Today he builds websites for businesses.

Fathers were challenged to step up to the mark and that pivotal remark 'I don't just want to be a good enough father' has resounded with fathers around the world who have seen Courageous. I can't help feeling that even the fathers who are present in the home, who have a stable family life and desire to be good and Godly fathers and providers were challenged to invest into the lives of their children, to spend time with their children and to see the world through their eyes and never have cause for regret. If you ever see a father dancing with his daughter in a park or public space in the next few months you can pretty much guarantee that he saw Courageous!

And for me as a wife, Courageous inspired me to do my very best to help my husband in his resolve to be more than a 'just good enough' father. To appreciate him more for all that he is and all that he does as he leads and provides for our family. To work at home to create an atmosphere that is free from stress and tension and to encourage him greatly as he does the most important job he will ever do and one he will someday give account to God for - what a responsibility it is to be a father!

I don't want my husband to live with regret and neither do I. I was at the park yesterday waiting for my son to finish his tennis lesson. I had just picked up a new book from the library, one that I had on reserve for months which finally came in. I was eager to begin reading it and had just started reading the first few pages when my twin daughters called out from the swings. 'Come and push us mum'. I went across but still had the book in my hand. 'Please push us with two hands' one girl pleaded. 'I want to go higher.' I thought of the scenes from Courageous and let go of my book. Apologies to Bear Grylls for dropping your face to the ground (I know you can handle it!) but I'll have to find some other time to begin reading your autobiography which I know is going to be awesome but right there and then a little girl wanted to swing higher and needed my help to do it.

And that is exactly what Courageous will help you do. To go higher. Parenting is so much more than provision of material needs. If you have not yet seen it on the big screen I would encourage you to go. It is still to show in a few regional places in Australia and is being extended in New Zealand and going to some regional centres there. If you are blessed to live in one of these places don't miss your opportunity to see on the big screen one of the most powerful movies you might ever see. Invite the men in your life, the fathers and the sons, the mothers too and the daughters. Dare to be a little courageous and tell others about it - the ones you think might not be prepared to go to a 'Christian' movie. As one person was heard to say as they left our theatre. 'That was not what I was expecting. It was a Christian movie but it was good!'

One more lesson I learned from my Courageous experience is this - it takes just one person and sometimes God asks you to step out of your comfort zone and do big things. It was a small film company with a small budget and a big vision that made this movie and it was a small church that got behind it here and brought it to a small cinema in a small Australian town. God cares just as much about those small country towns as He does about the big cities. As I told our church ' How blessed are we? It is not showing in New York but it is showing here!'

Courageous will also benefit those beyond our shores who have been left fatherless through death and abandonment. For our church this was also a fundraiser and some of the proceeds from ticket sales will be going towards a mini bus for the orphanage in Thailand that we have supported for many years. We are almost at our target and very soon the orphanage will have its own bus which will be such an asset as they also deliver food and minister in the slum areas and nearby leper village.

Have you seen Courageous? How did it impact the men in your life? And how is it being lived out in your home, church and community?

And if you have never heard of Courageous - here's the trailer for you to watch.

Teaching Children Patience

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:32:00 +0000

Source: sayingimages.com via Ann on Pinterest

We live in such a fast paced society and the practice of patience is becoming a forgotten art. So how exactly do you teach your children to be patient?

1. You demonstrate it to them! This is one of the most effective ways but probably the hardest to do. I have become so aware of my own shortcomings when I face stressful situations. A recent example was trying to find a car parking space at the hospital which is almost near nigh impossible after a certain time! I was very aware that my patience was running out and for me it was evident in the exasperated statements I was making - such as 'This is ridiculous!' and 'They need to fix this!' Well, yes they sure do but do my children need to hear me repeat this every time we visit the hospital? I am glad to say a kind gentleman stopped me and gave me directions to a 'secret' carpark for visitors behind one of the outer buildings. His courtesy made my day and future visits to the hospital will be a lot easier now!

Being aware of how you react starts with asking yourself some hard questions. What do your children hear and see you do?

Do you for example
* Mutter under your breath?
* Demonstrate curtness/rudeness to shop staff when you receive what you consider to be poor service or neglect to say thank you when the situation is resolved.
* Sigh frequently?
*Let annoyance show on your face?
*Tap the steering wheel when waiting in traffic?
* Verbalize your displeasure when you receive poor service?

These are just a few behaviours and reactions and they will be seen and heard by those around us including our children. Children are very perceptive and will pick up on non-verbal cues.

So how can we be good role models to our children? Here's a few of the strategies that work for me.

* Smile at people! My children are happy children and their smiling is infectious. It affects people and I've seen them bring smiles to the face of others. They set the example for me!

* Greet people - not just those that you know personally. A simple 'good morning' when you arrive at a service counter after waiting in a long queue could be just what the person serving you needs to hear especially if they have been dealing with impatient people all day! Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 5.47

'If you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?'

* Use your time spent in queues constructively. Interact with your children. Play a game of eye spy with younger children. Talk to older children about upcoming events or projects.

*Begin conversations with others or respond positively when people ask you questions. When I face the inevitable 'Are they all yours?' I am presented with an opportunity to tell others about something that is precious to me - my children. I can then ask them about their family and have been amazed at how people have opened up to me. The longer the delay the greater the opportunity to bless someone with a sympathetic listening ear!

*Look for opportunities to serve others - could you help unload groceries for someone? Pick up dropped coins? Let the person who is behind you who is in a rush go in front of you. People are so surprised when you do this and their frustration at having to wait is replaced with gratitude.

2. Consider the environments you are taking your children into.
Do you frequent shopping malls, fast food restaurants and stores where the expectation is on fast food and faster service? Where you eat and run? Where children race through or not finish their meal because they want to go and play on the jungle gym? I'm not saying you should never go to a fast food restaurant - when you are on long road trips they may be your only option but there are alternatives. Pack everyone their own healthy 'happy meal' in a brown paper bag or noodle box. You could include a little surprise gift for the journey. Plan your journey and find out where the rest stops are that have toilets and picnic tables. We've tried this and it is a much more pleasant experience. In doing so we have discovered some lovely little picnic spots.

If your children have never been to a restaurant where staff wait on tables or bistros where there is a wait for your meal could you perhaps give up some of the regular trips to the fast food outlet and save up the money for a visit to a real restaurant? This is something we as a family have decided to do. There are special deals at some restaurants on certain week nights which makes it more affordable for our big family. The children have learned to be patient and know they must wait for a special occasion to come around. Maybe dad's birthday or whatever we decide to celebrate. It's a popular night so there is a long wait for the meals but they are served on real plates and the food is delicious! It is a fantastic way of teaching patience and making memories at the same time!

3. Cook at home from Scratch.
There's evidence that suggests many children have no idea where their food comes from. I would also suspect that over reliance on processed foods and instant meals can lead to impatient children who come to expect their meals to be ready in next to no time. They miss out on the delights of the aroma of a pot of soup simmering on the stove or fresh bread or muffins baking in the oven. They learn to be patient when bread or muffins are baking in the oven - they know that something good is coming! My children have also learned that sometimes 'waiting' means they get something even more delicious. Their anticipation builds. They then have to hold on for just a few more minutes when the goodies come out of the oven and are too hot to handle. Sometimes they say 'they cannot wait' when they see something going into the oven but of course they do and it's always worth the wait, especially when it's cinnamon buns! The photo above is my savoury adaption of cinnamon buns. Leave out the sugar and cinnamon and add feta cheese and sundried tomatoes. They still prefer the cinnamon version of course!

4. Don't buy your children too many toys.
Over the years we have culled the number of toys in our home and cut back drastically on what we buy for our children as I realized that not only does it build in them expectation of receiving more and promote selfishness but presented with too many choices they flit from activity to activity, only playing with one toy for a very short period before moving onto the next. This deliberate choice we made as parents has paid some dividends. Children with active imaginations who are happy to play outside for hours on end who don't need to be entertained and for me - a clutter free house. Of course they do own toys ( e.g lego sets, toy cars, bikes, a wooden dollshouse) but as parents we are much more considerate of the value of what we buy and the quality too - how long is it going to last and can it be passed on down to other children? By not spending on plastic and novelty toys we have been able to buy special gifts that have been treasured and will be for years to come. It was worth the wait for this special car to be shipped from America bought from Vision Forum during one of their special sales when the exchange rate was very favourable. It has been raced down our hallway by a little boy this past year who still loves and appreciates his car. It is much more than a toy - it is a family heirloom that will be kept, God willing, for future grandchildren!

5. Consider your schedules and if need be, cut back on the number of extra-curricular activities you are involved in. Racing here and there with little children strapped into car seats so you can get the older children to all the activities you enrolled them in, all adds to the stress of a fast paced lifestyle. Homeschooling parents can be just as guilty. I've been to that place and know that you can't homeschool if you are never home! You can read more about my experiences with sports and extra-curricular activities and how we turned things around for the better at this post 'Why I'm not a Soccer Mum.'

Source: allemaalkleurtjes.blogspot.com via Ann on Pinterest

6. Plan activities at home that require your children to wait for a result.
Gardening is one that immediately springs to mind. Grow a sunflower, plant seeds, give them their own patch in the vegetable garden. Force a bulb and patiently wait for it to bloom. The result of this - a teaching activity that gives you a beautiful decoration for your home. Love it! You could also try art and craft activities that have several stages or processes - where you must wait for paint to dry or a sewing project that requires delicate stitches that need to be carefully worked - patience is required but the end result is worth it!

6. Try to avoid giving your children their presents before Christmas. You may decide to have a family tradition and open one gift on Christmas Eve and that's fine but when the presents from grandma arrive weeks before Christmas don't rip into them because they pleaded with you. Teach them to be patient as the Wise men had to be as they searched for the baby Jesus. An advent calendar with simple little gifts for each day is a wonderful way to countdown the days. In our home it is just one gift a day so they take turns and eagerly wait for their day to to come around. It is a sweet way to teach patience and counting skills too. Place the other gifts under the tree and tell your children they must wait. Don't rob them of the joy of anticipation!

The advent calendar we created for last Christmas and will use again this year.

And speaking of anticipation. Christmas is drawing nearer! I am not as prepared as I would like to be this year as I have been extra busy these past few weeks being a mum and relishing my new role of 'movie promoter'. I have been patiently waiting for the movie 'Courageous' to come to Australia. It opened here on November 10TH and it is coming to a town near me next week. When I found out it was not coming to my region I decided to do something about it. And now it is actually happening - in less than a week! I have been busy emailing, speaking to people I know and those I have never met before. Contacting pastors and organizations that reach out to fathers. Selling tickets too and telling everyone about this amazing movie and the difference it has made in the lives of families! I hope to be able to tell you about our Courageous evening next time!

Here are some words that seemed very apt for this post. They speak of patience, courage and family relationships and I hope they inspire you today!

Source: Uploaded by user via Ann on Pinterest

The 2011 Homeschool Blog Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:31:00 +0000

A pleasant surprise for me today was learning that my blog has been nominated in the 2011 Homeschool Blog Awards! I didn't even know they existed or that they have been around for 7 years and I certainly had no idea that I had been nominated in the first category which is 'Best Homeschool Mom' blog! So thank you to to Beth at livinglifeintentionally, my newest follower who has also been nominated in the best new homeschool blog category for letting me know.

I was feeling a little discouraged in recent weeks and wondering if what I share at my blog is actually read by people and if so, does it actually help them? This is what I want to do and it's why I blog, to encourage and inspire others to cherish the life and the family that God has given them. I started a blog when I found myself isolated and going it alone when my local homeschool support group stopped meeting when a number of parents returned their children to school.

I have found some wonderful friends thanks to this blog. I didn't start a blog to find friends but rather to be a friend to others. I'm still a relatively small blog compared to some of the US blogs where homeschooling and blogging about it is so much more popular. I call myself a 'village blog' - somewhere small but hopefully a pleasant place to visit where you also can read about the extraordinary Australian wildlife we share our forest home with, hence the green tree frog which has been my profile picture from the beginning! I don't seek status or popularity and I'm uncomfortable about even asking you to go and vote for my blog. But I want to reach out and encourage more mothers, especially those who have chosen to take that same journey of teaching their children at home. I want to tell them it is all worth it, keep going, don't give up, you will reap a sweet harvest and your home will be blessed!

If you can help me on my mission to reach out and encourage more moms I will be ever so appreciative! It does not involve subscribing or leaving an email. Just go to the category 'Best Homeschool Mom' which is first on the list, scroll down to eightacresofeden and click the button alongside the name of my blog and press vote - you have just one vote for each person in your household in each category - so if there are seven of you that's 7 votes and there is no age limit so even the baby can vote! Voting is open 7th November through to November 18th.

Here's the link to the awards or click on the button at the top of this post.

Thank you Beth for letting me know. I am very grateful to know that my blog is read by others and that someone chose to nominate me. Thank you whoever you are! I have been encouraged today!

The Patient Parent

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Source: Uploaded by user via Ann on Pinterest

Patience is a virtue and it is something that as parents we eagerly desire but find so hard to put into practice. How many times as a parent have you asked the Lord to give you patience to deal with a particular circumstance or simply just to get through your busy day? I have on countless occasions and the prayer goes something like this 'God grant me patience, I need it and I need it now!' Do you see the irony in that plea? 'I need it now' when patience is all about waiting! We live in such a time when many things are granted to us instantly. We no longer have to wait for the letter to come in the mail - messages are sent with a click of a mouse or the flick of a finger across a screen. Communication is fast and our food is too. We get used to it and the wait at a traditional restaurant where they cook your food from scratch with fresh ingredients can seem extraordinarily long! We have also come to expect service to be fast and efficient and it is fair to say that most people do not like waiting in queues and the sight of a packed waiting room at the doctor's surgery is not a welcome sight.

I really want to be a patient parent and want to teach my children to be patient too, so when they are faced with delays in life and when circumstances are out of their control they can deal with the situation with grace and treat the people around them in a dignified manner. There were thousands of people stranded in airports all over the world last weekend when Qantas grounded all of its planes due to an industrial dispute. I would have loved to have taken a survey and asked affected parents how they coped. Did they remain calm in front of their children and just accept the situation, keeping a lid on their warranted frustration or did they take it out on others?

I've realized that God doesn't give out injections of patience rather He takes us to places and puts people and circumstances across our path which call for patience. It is the testing of our faith that produces patience. Sometimes those situations may seem unbearable and be real times of testing but often it is hardest to be patient in the everyday. I'm talking about toilet training a toddler, standing in long queues at the grocery store, being put on hold by the telephone company and the one that has tested my patience to the limit - teaching a teenage boy to drive!

I would love to share with you some of the lessons I have learned about patience. I am no expert, I can easily lose patience but I am far more accepting these days of stressful situations and I understand that life does not always run smoothly and everything does not always go my way no matter how prepared or organized I am! Cars break down, we lose our Internet connection, children break bones, old ladies still count out coins at the checkout and planes get delayed. It's how we cope in the situation itself that will test and refine our character - the Bible says we are to count it all joy when we experience trials. You mean we are meant to enjoy these times? Sounds crazy doesn't it? One of the situations I dreaded most was a long haul flight with a 15 month old baby followed by a 14 hour stopover in an airport - on my own, no husband or family member there to help. Do you know that turned into one of my most favourite experiences of motherhood when I bonded with that boy in such a way that today we still have a very special relationship. I count that trip which was to attend the funeral of my father as 'all joy'. The Lord comforted me in a time of sorrow and provided on the job training in patience in an airport terminal!

Here are some more of my on the job experiences and some of the strategies that have helped me be a more patient person and parent. There is no pattern here - they are all quite different places but if you have a family you probably will find yourself in these very same places or encountering similar situations.

Patience in the Home

1. Toilet training. The lesson I learned is simple and it's all about patience WAIT! Wait until your toddler is ready, especially if he is a boy. I have twin girls who were a breeze to train, in just over a week. They hadn't even turned two. I have a boy now and he is not at all interested so I will wait. I have learned to be patient with my little boys and know that he will get there and having him out of nappies before the age of two is not a measure of my success as a parent!

2. Teaching a child to read. If you are a homeschooling parent you will know that teaching reading takes a tonne of patience! I intend to write a blog post about my experiences in teaching my children to read but suffice it to say for now, that when I first started out I was so impatient. As I learned more about the different styles of learning and realized that children learn at different rates, I became less anxious. I put away the regimented grade level scope and sequence I had been referring to and gave each child the time that they needed. With the pressure taken off, teaching reading became a much more enjoyable process and the Lord used it to make me a much more patient person!

3. During home renovations - oh I could devote a whole post to this subject too! I will take you on a tour of our home sometime and show you what we have achieved in the years we have lived in this home. It is still not finished. It was a house that needed lots of work on a property that requires lots of maintenance. Much patience was required and still is. We did not employ builders and the work that was needed was undertaken when we were able to afford it. There are days when I want to live in a new house at the beach with no work to do and time to go for long walks but then I would be in town with neighbours and parties and barking dogs and no chickens - just the thought of life without chickens takes away the appeal of beachside living! My children say they would love to live at the beach but I'm sure they would miss the chickens and soon become tired of chasing seagulls that don't give you eggs and invade your picnics! And instead of sweeping dirt out of my house it would be sand!

4. When establishing a garden that will feed your family. It takes hard work and time to establish a garden that also includes an orchard. In the Bible it says 'See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.' (James 5.7) We are still waiting to see all the fruit of our labours. It will be several years before some of our trees begin to crop - you cannot make it happen, you just have to weed, mulch, water, prune and wait! Patience is also needed when you face setbacks. The critters that eat all your new seedlings, the neighbours cows that break through a fence and trample your garden. I'm learning to accept that setbacks are inevitable when you garden or farm. I have to live with those pesky possums and find ways of keeping them out of the vegetable garden!

In the Community

There are so many places and situations we will face when we are out and about where patience is required and needs to be put into practice. It is more likely that we are encountering people and we need to be careful about how we behave, especially if our children are there with us. How we treat others and speak to them is probably how they will treat others too.

1 At the grocery store, post office, bank - any place which gets busy where you find you have to queue and wait in line to be served but it is at the hardware store where I find my patience sorely tested where it is often hard to find what you are looking for and even harder to find someone to help you even though they wear bright red shirts! It's a place I would like to avoid but with ongoing renovations part and parcel of our life, trips to the hardware store are inevitable. The dreaded call from the husband when you are in town 'Can you just pop into Bunnings on your way home? I need a 40 mm connector for....' Doesn't he know that you just don't pop into Bunnings! He is sending me on mission impossible to the aisles that induce the most stress - the plumbing section which is stacked to the ceiling with pipes and connectors but guess what they are out of stock of the one that you are looking for!

3. In traffic and when driving. I'm not sure how I would cope in the big city where traffic jams are part of the norm but waiting in traffic to cross a busy intersection or being stranded on the side of the road when your car breaks down are just some of the ways in which our patience can be tested. You will also require patience when you travel narrow country roads and get stuck behind a camper van or truck! If only we could be like the dog on the back of this utility and just sit back and enjoy the journey! The road is probably one of the places where you are most likely to encounter impatient people. If you have ever been tailgated by a truck or been the victim of road rage you will know what I mean. Having a learner driver in the family just adds to the stress of being out on the road. Here in this state of Australia learner drivers have to complete 120 hours of driving practice before they can sit their test. Each time the L plates are attached to the van which is on almost every trip I take to town, I know I am about to be trained in patience!

4. Airports - I don't travel often but flying whether that be interstate or internationally can be a real test of patience. Each time I have traveled by air I have experienced delays of one kind or another. The hardest to endure was on a plane that had technical issues that was not allowed to take off. It just happened to be in 40 degree heat in Bangkok on a plane with air conditioning that was not working!

5. Hospitals and emergency rooms. It may be called the emergency room but unless you arrive with a life threatening condition it is inevitable that you will find yourself waiting as people are put in order of priority to be seen. I was so thankful that my little girl was attended to promptly when she broke her arm recently but we arrived on a quiet night. The waiting room was empty! Last week we returned to the fracture clinic. It was there that I was taught some important lessons about patience and cheerfully enduring long and tedious waits by my very own children.

I'm going to save those lessons I have learned for another post about patience. I will let you know about the strategies that have helped me cope which turned situations that should have been stressful into incredible opportunities. God is here with us right here, right now. As you face laundry piles, as you teach that child to read or that teenager to drive. In the airport terminal and the hospital waiting room. The places where we are asked to live out our faith. Your daily trials and times of testing when you are prone to lose patience as a parent may seem insignificant but in God's eyes they are not. He is the God of the everyday - never forget that!

Let Them Run Free!

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 03:36:00 +0000

'Childhood shouldn't ever be thought of just as a prelude to becoming an adult. Too much brain work forced on children kills something in their spirit. Let them run and play and make tree houses and catch lightning bugs and lie in a field staring at the clouds floating by. Provide them a wholesome environment and then let their spirits go, free, free, free.'

From the novel 'Christy' by Catharine Marshall - the above quotation is from a philosophy of education of a Danish minister Bishop Gruntvig, that captivated the character of Christy who found herself teaching school in the impoverished Smoky Mountains in the early 1900's.

It captivated Christy and it captivated me when I first read it. I abide by it and let my children do just that, they spend lots of time outside running and playing and building forts out of all kinds of natural materials. I have always resisted the temptation to purchase a plastic cubby house and I don't even need to sew up a fabric tee pee. Branches, vines and palm fronds do them just nicely outside and blankets and throws off the sofa are used to create indoor play huts.

No, it is not a snake! It is the tail of the mother lizard!

And here is one of her offspring. See it has legs!

Their favourite outdoor spot at the moment is an old hollow log close to the real tree house that their dad is building for them from recycled materials. We are demolishing an old potting shed and all the old timber and roofing iron is being put to good use! It is still under construction but it is going to have the wow factor. Can't wait to show you in a future post.

The hollow log is home to a family of lizards. Not a blue tongue as we originally thought but a land mullet and her five babies. Laughter reigned when we googled images of land mullets - we found our lizards along with hairstyles from the 1980's! If you are afraid of lizards I can tell you that the images of the mullet hairstyles were much scarier! They are called land mullets because apparently, they can emit a rather fishy smell if they feel threatened. Another interesting wildlife fact to add to our growing knowledge of the nature we can study here at our eight acres of eden.

There is sometimes a price to pay for letting your children run free. I have never wrapped them in cotton wool. I let them run, clamber over logs and rocks, do somersaults on trampolines, climb trees and much more. They have been ice skating for years for goodness sake. But a 19 year record came to an end last week when during a simple game of chase one of my twin girls tripped and fell, fracturing her arm. The first broken bone for any of my children. I knew she had broken it and somehow stayed calm which kept her calm even though she was in a lot of pain. Dad was called and we were soon on our way to the hospital.

My sweet girl (the one on the right in the photo below) showed such bravery. She stayed so calm and composed even in the emergency room where a patient under the influence of alcohol or drugs was screaming out as staff tried to attend to her. We couldn't see her from the triage area, only hear her wailing and my poor girl was looking a little alarmed as she knew she was going to go into that ward next. Thankfully, we were sent straight for an x ray which revealed our worst fears, that this was a serious break requiring surgery. And that is where I spent my evening, waiting with my daughter to go in for her operation. She needed wires inserted close to her elbow to realign the bones. She has never been to hospital before as a patient. She hasn't even been to see the doctor as she has never been sick (apart from occasional colds and fevers). She never complained, never cried and showed no fear at all. I was just amazed. She was even smiling as she was wheeled into theatre and by now had completely charmed all the staff who described her as an angel.

We were very blessed to have wonderful attention from friendly and competent medical staff. The operation went well without complications and we were soon back on the children's ward where I stayed overnight with my daughter. The ward was not busy so we had a room to ourselves. I feel very blessed to live in a country that still has free public healthcare. The standard of care we received was excellent. How rewarding it was for me as a mother to see my daughter - just 5 years old being such a cooperative patient, saying please and thank you and no thank you whenever she was asked something, even when she was being woken at regular intervals for observations through the night. I was so proud of her.

We were able to come home the following day, her arm in plaster which is making some everyday activities a little awkward. She is still having some pain but does not make a big fuss. Of course she is not running free at the moment. No more chasing or tree climbing and much to her disappointment, no ice skating lessons for the rest of the year.

The spider isn't real but we do have spiders of this size come into the house!
My son loves to move this plastic spider around his wall to try and scare me!

We have to return to the fracture clinic next week for another x ray and hopefully a lighter cast.
I would appreciate your prayers for my sweet girl that her arm is fully healed. She will need another surgery to remove the wires.

Helping his dad build one of our ponds

I will be taking a little blogging break over the next couple of weeks now that hospital visits have been added to our schedule. We have lots of renovation projects around the home underway at the moment. I'm spending time with my husband looking at pavers and organizing all my ideas for our outdoor living areas on my pinboards over at pinterest - what a useful tool that is proving to be! I have boards for all sorts of subjects and have just started putting together teaching activity idea boards for homeschooling. Email me and I will let you know how to find me on pinterest. If you are still waiting for an invitation let me know and I will send you an invite.

I'm also having a huge declutter throughout my home - simplify, simplify, simplify is my motto at the moment! Oh and I'm also trying to see if I can bring the Courageous movie to my region as I believe its powerful message about fatherhood will impact and transform the lives of many families. It is due for release in Australia on my birthday!

I hope to return inspired with all sorts of reports and ideas! So watch this space!

'Sweet Handful' Natural Fruit Snacks

noreply@blogger.com (Ann at eightacresofeden) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 20:50:00 +0000

Sweet Treats for a Sweet Girl

I have been experimenting in the kitchen making raw, sweet snacks using all natural ingredients - no sugar, no honey - just dried fruits, nuts and seeds. I wanted to come up with a recipe with exact amounts but discovered that providing that you throw in enough 'sticky' fruits to bind the dry ingredients you really don't need to measure anything out - hence the name I chose for our sweet treats 'Sweet Handfuls'. They contain a handful of this, a handful of that and just a splosh of water!

Our favourite combination contained a handful of

organic dates
organic, unsulphured apricots
dried cranberries (with no added sugar, purchased at the health food store)
organic dessicated coconut
goji berries
pepitas
slivered almonds (you could leave out the nuts if allergies are an issue)

Place all the ingredients into a food processor and blend away! If the mix seems a little dry you can add a splosh of water.

The girls loved rolling out the mixture and cutting out shapes with cutters. They also shaped some into balls and rolled them in coconut. They insisted on placing a craisin on top to make them look like cookies but these 'cookies' did not require any baking and were ready to eat! Talk about fast food.

Time to taste test our sweet handful treats!

And the verdict? Delicous - that's double delicious by the way!

This was our second batch of raw treats for the day. Our first was raw gingerbread men - similar ingredients with just a pinch of ginger, cinnamon and cloves. We used a miniature gingerbread man cutter and rolled out the mixture with a rolling pin to ensure an even surface. The girls were not so sure about the spices when they first tried these but a second tasting produced a 'mmm - good'!

Do your children like dried fruits? Dates and apricots are a pantry staple in our home - they are chopped up and incorporated into sourdough bread, muesli and baked goods such as scones and muffins. I have noticed that my older children are not so keen on dried fruits but my younger ones who were introduced much earlier to more natural and wholesome foods love them and will eat them whole straight out of the jar. Do you make raw natural sweet treats for your family - ones that can be made quickly, that require a minimum of effort? Do share your ideas - I'd love to hear them!

Now for some experimentation with sourdough baking. I'm thinking of trying this recipe today!