Father's Day

                           "...The glory of children is their father." Proverbs 17:6

20 Answers

Well you asked, and now it is my turn to answer.  I enjoyed getting your questions through your comments, e-mails and in person.  So here are my 20 answers.

Q: What is your favorite color?
A: Oh and I thought this was going to be easy.  I really don't have one favorite color, so I will name some of my many favorites.  Blue, because it is calming and I really love all of the different shades of it.  Red, because it is bold and energizing.  Pink, because it is pink. And Black, because it is timeless.


Q: Did you ever wish you were an only child?
A: Good one.  Yes there have been times that I did wish I was an only child.  This usually happens when we are dividing up dessert, or my belongings have been raided by three little roommates.  But at the end of the day I would not trade my four siblings for anything in the world.  I am very blessed to have a wise and caring older brother, and the three cutest little sisters on the face of the earth.  Each one of them has their own special qualities and quirks, but so do I!

Q: What was your favorite age?
A: Short answer, the one I am now.  But if I had to pick one I would say 11.  That was when I became on older sister, began taking on more household responsibilities, and really started to "grow up".

Q: What do you say to people who ask if you are in college?
A: It all depends on the situation.  If it is just small talk in a social setting, I will tell them that I'm spending my college years serving my family at home and being politically active.  If I have more time, I can explain the wonderful calling of being a homemaker, and how I hope to be like the women I most admire, my mother and grandmother.

Q: When did you decide to become a Homemaker?
A: I have wanted to be a "Mommy" ever since I was a little girl.  There was a time when other things did tempt me, but my heart has always been at home.  If there was an age, I would say 14 is when I resolved to be a homemaker. The best part about being a homemaker is that it involves so many of my interests.  Cooking, baking, interior design, organization and teaching.  I could be a doctor, a lawyer or a CEO.  Or I could raise a doctor, a lawyer and a CEO.


Q: Have you ever wanted to be anything other than a Homemaker?
A: Yes. There have been times in my life when I wanted to be an interior designer, private investigator, classical pianist, political operative, intelligence operative and Peter Pan.


Q: What is your favorite thing to do around the house?
A: I LOVE to cook!  And I love to organize.  I'm one of those people that have the cans in alphabetical order and shirts in the closet arranged by color.

Q: What are some of your interests outside of the home?
A: Our family has always been very active politically, but we have been in high gear for the last year. I love politics for many reasons, but mainly because it something our entire family is involved in.  I'm interested in design (architectural, interior and fashion), I love old movies, and all things British. Oh, and hockey.

Q: What is your favorite book of the Bible?
A: Ephesians and Proverbs.

Q: What was your favorite vacation?
A: In the summer of 2007 we went to the Jamestown 400 celebration that Vision Forum Ministries hosted.  It was an amazing trip that the Lord put together at the last minute.  We were not planning to attend until 10 days before.  In those 10 days God brought us a motor coach from a Christian company, a professional driver from the group New Song (of "Christmas Shoes" fame) who fit in with our family perfectly.  It was a blessed trip in every way and one of the best memories we have as a family.  This August we will be going to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, and look forward to making more memories.

Q: If you could have dinner with any living person, who would it be?
A: Pam Tebow.  She is such a wonderful example of a godly mother and Titus 2 woman. 

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I like to watch an old movie, something directed by Capra or a good mystery.  My nightstand is always filled with books, and I enjoy browsing home listings online.

Q: What do you do when you feel like you can't get on top of it all?
A: Bluebell Dutch Chocolate Ice Cream.  Does wonders!

Q: What is your favorite number?
A: 87

Q: What is your favorite animal?
A: Horses from a distance, dogs up close.

Q: Where do you like to shop for clothes?
A: I shop at a wide variety of stores.  For classic wardrobe staples Talbots is my go to source.  They offer lovely classic clothing that will last for years.  For more basic items like tees and jeans I shop at Old Navy.  J. Crew has the best sweaters on the market.  I am particularly fond of their beautiful Jackie Cardigan & Shell.  Other stores where I have had success are, Landsend, L.L. Bean, Gap, LOFT, and Dillard's. 

Q: Could you recommend some books for young women?
A: For young women, I highly recommend So Much More and It's Not That Complicated by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin.  So Much More was the book I read that helped reaffirm my commitment to being at home when I was 14.  Their second book which was released last year on relationships is very well written, with helpful advice and some humor thrown in too.  Other books I would recommend are The Family by J.R. Miller, Joyfully at Home by Jasmine Baucham, and What He Must Be by Dr. Voddie Baucham.


Q: What are some of your favorite things about the South?
A: I love the people, the hospitality and warmness that they have.  I love the architecture and history.  And the food, oh the food!  You have not lived until you have true Southern cooking served to you at a restaurant where all waitresses call you "honey", "darlin" or "sugar".  As my Dad says "The best and brightest in the world come to America.  And the best and the brightest in America, come to the South.".


Q: Could you ever live up North?
A: If that is where the Lord sent me, yes.  And I would introduce everyone who crossed my path to Southern hospitality, with a tall glass of sweet tea and some pimento cheese.


Q: Where do you see yourself 10 years form now?
A: Oh my!  The Lord has thrown so many curve balls at "my plans" lately, that I have no way of knowing.  It is really easy to try and plan ahead, but I have learned that there is only one plan that will work out perfectly, and that is God's plan.  I know that I can trust Him to do what is best for me, and to give me the grace, courage and strength for whatever lies ahead. 

20 Questions-You ask, I'll answer

As a child I always loved playing 20 questions.  It was how we passed the time on long road trips or how we would entertain ourselves at night when we should have been asleep.

So I thought it would be fun to have our own version of 20 questions.  Just leave a comment and ask me anything you want.  My favorite books, craziest homemaking mishap, NHL playoff predictions, anything! At the end of the month I will go through and answer 20 of them, and I'll even give more than a yes or no answer.

So don't be shy, and submit as many questions as you like.  And don't worry about your questions sounding silly, I have three little sisters so nothing will sound silly to me.

L.L. Bean Giveaway Winners

Congratulations to Jenna, Momma Chilson & Hearth Keeper in Christ!

Please visit L.L. Bean  to make your selections.  Then e-mail southernhomemaking@gmail.com with your tote color and monogram choices along with a mailing address.

Thanks to everyone that entered!
I enjoyed reading your ideas and hope you got a few as well.
Hmm, what should we give away next? Any suggestions?

Spring is almost here!

Its in the Bag

Or should I say the Boat & Tote!  Here I have a few pictures of ways we currently use our Boat & Totes, plus a list of ways we have used them in the past.

-Picnic bag
-Children's books
-Family gift
-Car tote
-Library books
-Mobile bill paying station
-Helmets (when we were younger)
-Bedside tote with books, flashlight etc.
-Mail bag. If it comes in, it goes in the bag
-Child paraphernalia, you know what I mean!

Now for the pictures...

We use three medium totes as school bags for the girls

And like everything in our house, they are color coded.

They are just the right size for their books and pencil boxes

We use extra large totes as laundry hampers. 

Color coded too! Each kid has one and then brings to the laundry room.

This large tote is a mainstay in the car.

It coordinates with the cooler perfectly.

 

The is what we call our "Travel Tote". 

A friend of Mom put the names of the places we have traveled to on it.

And this is my pink collection.

I use my medium for magazines. Southern Lady, Southern Living, Real Simple, Tea Time, Paula Deen, and believe it or not,  The Hockey News.

The small always holds my cross-stitch projects.

we use Boat & Totes for just about everything, even our bathroom tissue!

The medium holds 9 Charmin Family Rolls, in case you were wondering.

One last reason to love these bags...

Fabulous Friday Find+Giveaway!

Today I'm sharing and giving away an item that our home could not be organized without, L.L. Bean Boat & Totes!

These are absolutely indestructible, a must in a busy household.

We use them for everything, storing school supplies, carry-all for the car, corraling crafts and believe it or not, laundry hampers. I'll explain all of these next week with pics, but for now take my word for it, and enter because... I'm giving away 3 Medium Boat & Totes!

3 winners will receive a monogramed tote in the color of their choice!

How to enter:
Each person can have up to 5 entries. Please leave a comment for each entry.

1) Leave a comment and tell you favorite color tote and how you would use it
2) Follow "Southern Homemaking"
3) Like Southern Homemaking on Facebook
4) Share this giveaway on Facebook
5) Share on your blog

The winner will be selected using Random.org on Saturday March 3rd.
International entries welcome!

Fabulous Friday Find + My thoughts on Goats

I'm am SO excited about the incredible blog I have to share with y'all today!

Amy of Homestead Revival, shares stories about how her family is seeking to live a simplified life, and use more natural methods to be self-sufficient. There are sections devoted to Kitchen Organization, The Family Table, Gardening, Chickens, and my personal favorite Aprons.  But my favorite thing about her blog is the Scripture she has on the side, Titus 2:4-5 "...so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, love their children, to be sensible, pure, keepers at home, kind, subject to their own husbands, so that the Word of God will not be dishonored."

Delicious looking recipes...

Beautiful pictures of farm life...

The aprons, oh the aprons!

But to be honest goats just aren't my thing.  I'm a small town girl, not a farm girl.  To me, goats eat dynamite and then get lead out of town by Andy and Barney. 

But that's just me....

What I love about you

photo credit:Google Images

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

I had so many wonderful plans for this week.  Lots of baking, sugar cookie hearts, cakes, you name it.  Then the oven decided to go on strike!  So for now I will have to commemorate Valentine's Day by writing about the people I love, instead of baking for them.

Dad, I love...
the way you provide for our family
your sense of humor
your commitment to the Lord's Word
your encouraging spirit
beating you at Monopoly

Mom I love...
your incomparable devotion to our family
all the inside jokes we share
your giving heart
your loyalty
our "big girl" nights

Brant, I love...
watching you become a man
your thoughtful gestures
the way you interact with children
your patience
plotting world domination together

Caroline, I love...
your quick wit
being your big sister
seeing you read your Bible
your constant energy
having you as a roommate

Lizzie, I love...
your sweet spirit
watching you be a "Mommy"
when you lip snyc
your dimples
tickling you

Abbey, I love...
your bubbling joy
the way you welcome me home
your vocabulary
the twinkle in your eye
your kisses

My Family, I love...
singing the Doxology at dinner
"Marathon Monopoly"
movie nights
cutting up together
changing the world together

I hope you have a very special day with your Valentine, if you have one or six.

10 ways to enjoy a sunny day

-Open a window, or pull up the blinds if you have allergies

-Sit by said window and read a book or drink in the beautiful day

-Play outside with the little ones, or big ones

-Turn on some "happy music"

-Take a walk and visit with the neighbors

-Wear a cheerful apron while doing your housework

-Change the sheets. Seriously, there is something so wonderful about putting on fresh sheets in a sun filled bedroom.  While wearing your cheerful apron!

-If the sun isn't coming in well, wash the windows

-Sit on the front porch with a glass of Iced Tea

-Before you go to bed, pray for more sunshine tomorrow!

My cheerful apron for today.  The fabric is called "Cherry Soda". It doesn't get much more cheerful than that!

Fabulous Friday Find

Thanks to my Mom and Paula Deen, I have the cutest find for y'all today!

Ladies, allow me to introduce to you The Sugar Diva!

Isn't this stuff flat-out adorable?  Cupcake toppers, liners, old-fashioned paper straws, be still my beating heart.

The straws are great by themselves, but....

Pair them with flags and labels, and they can't be beat!

And last but not least, the Baker's Twine, in 12 colors. I'll take one of each please.

Goals for 2012

Well the first month of 2012 is behind us.  Have you broken your New Years resolution yet?  If you haven't, give yourself a pat on the back! Statistics show that 58% of people break their New Years resolution after only one month. Statistics also show that 43% of statistics are made-up on the spot, not that is the case here...

All kidding aside, I really enjoyed reading about all of the goals y'all have set for yourselves, and  I sincerely hope that you achieve everyone of them.

I have been working on my list, and to be honest having some trouble.  There are so many things I want to do.  Thinking over this has brought me to my biggest goal this year.  More than ever before, I want to seek the Lord's will.  I realize that my time at home is ticking away, and I want to make every minute count.  I want to make sure that I am "redeeming the time".

I put some things down on a list and thought I would share them with you.

Goals for 2012
-Read through the Bible, and journal it this time
-Begin learning a new language
-Memorize Proverbs 31
-Visit a new state
-Redecorate the girls bedroom
-Listen more, talk less
-Focus and complete tasks
-Be a good role model for my sisters
-Go to a football game
-Read 24 books
-Celebrate my 20th birthday
-Redesign my blog
-Make memories
-Take on more responsibilities
-Start baking bread regularly
-Write a letter to someone I admire
-Learn to make French Knots
-Clean out...everything!
-Organize and inventory our massive DVD collection
-Organize and inventory our even more massive book collection
-Volunteer with 3 different organizations
-Send a care package to a soldier
-Write letters to people that have touched my life
-Watch a sunrise from the rooftop
-Start writing that classic movie guide
-Take a ballroom dance class
-Create a recipe section
-Buy red shoes
-Reach 100 followers
-Get my drivers license
-Run a race, any race.
-Visit an Art Gallery
-Cook one thing out of all the cookbooks on my shelf

Well that is my list. Now I'm off to finish it...after I finish this cookie!

Love y'all,
The Southern Homemaker

Fabulous Friday Find

Happy Friday Ladies!  I hope y'all had as good a week as I did.  Baking, beautiful weather, adorable sisters, life is good!

Another wonderful thing I enjoy is finding new blogs and making new friends.

So this week I want to share a new blog, written by a new friend.

Silk and Purple is a wonderful, encouraging site for young women.  Check it frequently for posts on modesty, Biblical femininity, healthy living and much more! Also be sure to like them on Facebook through this link.  If they get 500 likes by February 2nd, there will be a very special giveaway, so be sure to like their page.

Well that is all for now. Have a great weekend everyone!

Le Creuset Winner!

Sorry to keep y'all waiting all day.  We had plenty of excitement to keep us busy.  The tornado siren went off four times today, sending us to the basement each time.  As for the man that designed this house, all I can say is "bless his heart".  Who in their right mind would build a house with an outside entrance basement in Georgia.  And the flash flood warning did take effect, in our basement.  Thankfully my inner pioneer woman came out and we stopped the flow with a woven rug, flannel nightgown and Tupperware pitcher.  Brant has since dubbed me "MacGyver-ette".


But now for the winner.  A great big congratulations to.....Lauren K!

Lauren, please e-mail your shipping address to southernhomemaking@gmail.com and I will send your prize to your door.

Thank you to everyone that entered.  I enjoyed reading the goals you have set for yourselves, and I hope that you accomplish each one of them!

Have a blessed Lord's day,

The Southern Homemaker

Fabulous Friday Find

Just a quick post to show y'all a super cute kitchen tool.

Now isn't that a great way to start the day?  Well that and Gingerbread Pancakes!

Not only is it cute, but it really works well. 

The handle feels good in your hand, and the size is perfect for pancakes.

You can make your mornings brighter by going to Sur la Table.

Big winner announcement tomorrow!

like brother, like sister

Taco Soup

Today I want to share a favorite family recipe with y'all.  My mom loves this recipe because you can just put it all in the pot, let it simmer and 2 hours later you have a delicious soup for the family!

Taco Soup
2 lbs. ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 28oz cans diced tomatoes
1 16oz can whole kernel corn
1 16oz can pinto beans
1 16oz can red beans
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 pkg ranch dressing mix

Brown beef and onion together. 

Add remaining ingredients, stir and simmer for 2 hours. 

We like to serve ours with Frito chips, sour cream and cheese.

It smells soooo good!

Like this dutch oven? Click here for a chance to win one!

Fabulous Friday Find

Once again this week I have an amazingly cute blog for y'all, and once again my Mom found it.

Serena of The Farm Chicks is truly a creative blogger. I just adore her style!  The first thing that drew me to her blog is her unbelievable new kitchen.

Everything from the counters to the cabinets are what I hope to have in my home

Not only does she have a super cute blog and amazing kitchen, one of her favorite places is Cath Kidston that I featured in another find.

I love her craft room!

I could post tons of pics, but you might as well take a look for yourself.

Have a great weekend!

Soft Gingersnap Cookies

With all the sickness that was going around our home we really didn't have a chance to do much holiday baking.  Major bummer in my book!  We did manage to make a few dozen of these delicious, super easy cookies.  They are great hot from the oven, and taste great the next day too, if they last that long.

Soft Gingersnap Cookies
4 cups flour
4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. ginger
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 cups sugar, plus extra to roll dough balls in
2 eggs
1/2 cup molasses
1 1/2 cups oil

Blend oil, sugar, eggs and molasses. 

Add dry ingredients and refrigerate dough for one hour. 

Form into balls using about 2 tsp. of dough* and roll in sugar. 

Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 12-14 minutes at 350 degrees.

Simple, easy and DELICIOUS!
*I use a cookie scoop, perfect size!

PS: Don't forget to enter the Le Creuset Giveaway!!

Fabulous Friday Find

One week into the year, and two days into our giveaway. So far both have been going really well. I've really enjoyed reading all of the goals y'all have for this year. I'll share some of mine next week.  But it is friday, and that means it is time for a Fabulous Friday Find.

For the first find of this year I have a tool that no kitchen should be without. 

Not the knife, although I highly recommend them, I'm talking about the cover.  

These neat covers are made of heavy-duty plastic.  They have two locks and four magnets inside the case to hold the knife in place.
When Mom got her first "big girl knife" a few years ago, she knew storing it was going to be an issue.  She was delighted to find these covers at The Container Store. 

Proper knife storage is important, but accidents can always happen.  We had one of our first major kitchen accidents earlier this month.  Lizzie (5) went to slice her apple with a "off limits" knife and sliced her finger instead.  After an ER visit and some surgical glue, she was (almost) as good as new.

One Year of Blogging Giveaway

Well "Southern Homemaking" has been online for a whole year...I can't believe it!

And today I have a special 1st Birthday/Anniversary present for y'all.

A 3 1/2 quart Dutch Oven from Le Creuset!!

In my humble opinion, no kitchen should be without a Le Creuset dutch oven.

They are simply the best!

How to enter:
1) Answer this question: What is a goal you have for the new year?

2) Follow "Southern Homemaking"

3) Share on FB

4) Share on your blog

5) Add "Southern Homemaking" to your blog

Please leave one comment per entry.

The winner will be chosen using Random.org on Saturday January 21st. 

International entries welcome!

Good luck and may the best cook win!