Saturday, May 24, 2008

the history of aprons

I LOVE aprons. I remember my grandma wearing them. I remember my mom wearing them. And, I have my own selection of modern aprons, 50's style aprons and a few vintage ones as well. And, would you believe it, as life has it, I'm still working on this apron sewing project.

My mom knows that I HEART them so she just sent me this and thinking it's too cute to NOT post, here you go. It's called - The History of Aprons.

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears .

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner

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Thursday, May 22, 2008

when He paints

when God paints . . .





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opening your home

Michael and I just got a letter from Richard. Last year we built a bridge from Arizona to China. We built it through our hearts to theirs (Richard and Kate's and the other pilots). We started building the bridge at our dining room table. We continue to build bridges with fun celebrations at our home and in their homes and their places of worship.

Richard added to the bridge during the meal at his table. We continued bridge building at a camping trip.

Richard and Kate are just two reasons why we open our home and welcome the Nations (India, China, Afghanistan, or from wherever) to a meal around our table.


Richard's letter made us smile. And, I'm smiling as I write this post. I'm really smiling, because Richard and Kate are some of China's best and Michael and I got to - I'm telling you - we got to have Richard and his other pilot friends share a meal in our home. We are so privileged to do this. We get to do this.
I look forward to the day when Kate shares tea with me around my table and I at her table.
It's almost been one year since Richard and the other pilots in training left to return to China.

Richard writes (unedited),

"Hi Lylah, Hi Michael,

Time goes so fast. How are you these days? I miss you so much.
Last year the August Ileft US, and then I have had about 4 onths ground school in Shanghai airline. . .

. . . The time I stay in US bring to my mind everyday, and I often tell the stories to my family and friends.

Kate ( the beautiful girl above) always ask me how are you now, and tell me to send email to you.


Do you heard the news about WenChuan Earthquake in May 12th?

It's really a huge nature-ties for China...Up to now there about 41353 people died, 274683 people injured and over 10000 people missing.

From May 12th all of the TV channels are reporting the live news of the WenChuan Earthquake.


I'm so sad, and all the Chinese people are so sad. All Chinese people passed round the hat to the victims in Sichuan.May 19th 20th 21th are the days our country condole with the dead people in WenChuan Earthquake.


In the three days all the places for entertainment closed and all the country half-mast.But I think everything will be fine soon as long as we have love in our heart.

And I also have some pictures of Kate and I for you :) your friend Richard


Are you a bridge builder? Or are you one of those who just talks about it? Will you use your hands and your heart and invite someone from one of the Nations to your home? Will you be like a little child - with no judgments - and invite someone from the Nations to your home to eat around your table?

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the best chili verde - maria's!!!!

One of the ideas of the Simple Home is to learn from other women. I learn about Mexican food from Maria who makes the absolutely best. I LOVE Mexican food.

Maria's charro beans and salsa are to die for. Really.

Maria also makes the BEST tacos too. Little did I know at the time of eating these very yummy tacos that they were made of . . . well, something I would not have eaten had I known.

I wrote about the JOY of not eating tongue or cheek here and well, just read Maria's comment at here. (Scroll down.)

This past Sunday, I (along with some friends) had the delight of trying Maria's Chili Verde. Oh, my gosh. Amazing. The best Chili Verde in the whole world.

Maria improvised a bit by adding extra Hatch chili and not as much oregano as called for.

Chile Verde Recipe
1 1/2 pounds tomatillos
5 garlic cloves, not peeled
2 jalapenos, seeds and ribs removed, chopped
2 Anaheim or Poblano chiles (optional) *** ( I have Anaheim chili's growing in my garden!)
1 bunch cilantro leaves, cleaned and chopped
3 1/2 to 4 pounds pork shoulder (also called pork butt), trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1 to 2-inch cubes
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Olive oil
2 yellow onions
3 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
2 Tbsp of chopped fresh oregano or 1 Tbsp of dried oregano
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
Pinch of ground cloves

Read the rest here.

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we're so sad

The Princess and the Dad
taken from the Tennessean

Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest child died Wednesday evening after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family’s Williamson County home.

Maria, one of the Christian singer’s six children, was taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Hospital, which confirmed the death, according to Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The 5-year-old was hit by an SUV driven by her teenage brother, she said. Police did not give the driver’s name.

The teen was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser down the driveway of the rural home at about 5:30 p.m. and several children were playing in the area, McPherson said. He did not see Maria in the driveway before the vehicle struck her, she said.

“It appears to be a terrible accident,’’ McPherson said.

No charges are expected, she said. The accident was witnessed by two other children; the entire family was home at the time, McPherson said.

Singer/songwriter Chapman, who recently was inducted into Music City Walk of Fame, is one of contemporary Christian music’s most recognizable and most awarded names.

He and his wife Mary Beth have long been supporters of international adoption, having brought three girls from China into their family. Maria was the youngest.

The couple is so active in the cause that they formed an organization, Shaohannah’s Hope, to aid families wanting to adopt.

With his latest music tour, which came through Nashville in November, Chapman started a campaign called “Change for Orphans”. He asked audience members at each stop to bring spare change to the concert, where it was counted and given to a local family to aid in their adoption process.

“I don’t know of anybody who loves his children more than he does and is so committed to the adoption concept, and to lose one, no matter what the circumstances, is heartbreaking beyond all comprehension,” said John Styll, president of the Nashville-based Gospel Music Association.

“He talks about his kids all the time. That’s his life. His kids are more important to him than music, that’s for sure.”

The tragedy was announced during Wednesday-night services at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ, which the family attends. Maria had just graduated from the church preschool.

And word spread throughout the tight-knit Christian music community on Wednesday evening.

Styll got the news not long after Maria’s death.

“I’m confident I can speak for everyone in the community to say we will do everything we can to support this family, as we would do at any time, but especially at a time like this,” he said.

Most of the Chapman family was at Vanderbilt children’s hospital after the accident and could not be contacted. The long, gravel driveway leading to the home west of Franklin was blocked off by Williamson County sheriff’s deputies.

One can go
here to express condolences.

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feeling puey - resting

I just hate getting sick (got sick a few days ago). It (duh) slows me down, creates pile ups and forces me to rest. Hmmm . . . I wonder if God might be into that.

Lately, I've been immersed in a prophets writings. This guy Isaiah had some intersting things to say about idols, God's holy mountain, the nations and what it takes to see that God is God. Isaiah also mentions (quite a bit) about Sabbath (rest).

In the first part of his spiel, he says to be just and fair to all and do what is right because I (God) am coming soon to rescue you. (Interestingly, cool.)

Then he writes about the Sabbath as a day of rest and we should refuse to work. (Causes one - me - to ask - what is the Sabbath and what does it mean to refuse to work - like there's work all around me, isn't there always work?)

Isaiah goes to on write about our worship of idols. (Ouch. Big ouch.) He writes that we make idols our inheritance and not God and that we've committed adultery by worshipping these idols and that we are unfaithful. (Wow, strong language. Idols - what are my idols? How am I unfaithful?)

The prophet is writing some hard words that I (and you?) must listen too. I like to think that I love God and yet he writes that I love these idols more than I love God. (Oh, God search my heart and try me - let there be no sin in me.)

Get this part - it's so intense and yet isn't it really what we do sometimes ~ he writes that we grow weary in our search BUT (in spite of growing weary) we never give up and we still strengthen ourselves and go on. He writes that we're more afraid of the idols (and the perceived benefits) than we are of God. No fear of God. No fear of God. No fear of God. Just fear of man.

This part gets me - "Now I will expose your so called good dees that you consider so righteous. None of them will benefit or save you."

And, yet the mercy of God - my Father God - His heart here, "But whoever trusts (TRUSTS, TRUSTS) in me will possess the land and inherit my holy mountain ( I can inherit. . . ). I will say, 'Rebuild the road! Clear away the rocks and stones so my people can return from captivity."

God's Holy Book is so amazing. Sometimes, it seems to be written from so far away and other times it's like God's in my living room and talking to my heart. If only I'd listen. . . . listen . . . listen. Do you listen?

Next - this is the ticket. God writes through Isaiah that he lives with those whose spirits are contrite and humble and that he refreshes the humble and gives new courage to those with repentant hearts.

Thanks God for this resting place - today, I am listening.

Isaiah 56 & 57

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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

gift idea for the graduate

Why not treat the graduate in your life with a sweet achievement reward - give her a spa certificate!

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how to save money and eat out

If you're going to eat out, then why not save money and eat out? Restaurant.com does just that - it helps you still enjoy those times to take your honey on a dinner date. Right now thru May 22nd, take 50% off $25.00 Gift Certificates. Now $5.00 when you use code DELICIOUS! Go here for the deal!

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