Have you seen that wonderful new show, "Who Do You Think You Are"? It's one of my new favorite shows! I am fascinated by family history. The only side my family really knows very much about is my father's father's side . . . as far back as anyone knows, it all began in beautiful, rugged Scotland, then someone migrated down to England & then some brave souls came to America around the turn of the 1700's. Once here, my ancestry includes the bravery & steadfastness of Jenny Wiley (<-- you MUST read her story), war heroes & many others . . . including a vein of Cherokee blood.
I have always been fascinated with my Scottish "roots." Do you think that's why Celtic music seems to be in the blood? lol My dream would be to find some wonderful Scottish "cousins" who still live in a quaint little village & to visit them. A charming dream, I know.
So, with that in mind, I thought I'd "treat" you to a little Scottish history . . .
I had wondered why the National Symbol of Scotland was a thistle. That prickly, pretty, purple thistle Eeyore loved so much. According to Scottish History On-Line, "The prickly purple thistle was adopted as the emblem of Scotland during the reign of Alexander III (1249-1286). Legend has it that the army of King Haakon or Norway, intent on conquering the Scots, landed at the coast of Largs at night to surprise the sleeping Scottish Clansmen. In order to move more stealthily under the cover of darkness the Norsemen removed their footwear.
As they drew near to the Scots [they weren't] the only thing hiding under the cover of darkness. For one of Haakon's men unfortunately stood on one of these spiny little defenders & shrieked out in pain, alerting the Clansmen of the advancing Norsemen. Needless to say the Scots won the day. The first use of a thistle as a royal symbol of Scotland was on silver coins issued by James III in 1470."
Later came "The Order of the Thistle," given as the highest honor of Scotland . . . "This order was founded in 1540 by King James V who, being honored with the Order of the Garter from his Uncle, King Henry the VIII of England, and with the Golden Fleece from the Emperor, and the Order of St. Michael from France, resolved to be in the royal mode, and so made The Order of the Thistle for himself and 12 knights, in imitation of Christ and His 12 Apostles. Then celebrating all the festivals of the orders, he set up their arms and badges over the gate of his palace in Linlithgow, joining St. Andrew with them.
The common badge worn by the knights are, a cross surmounted by a star of 4 silver points, and over them a green circle bordered and lettered with gold, containing the motto "Nemo me impune lacesset," "No-one harms me without punishment" but more commonly translated in Scots as "Wha dours meddle wi me" and in the center of the thistle proper, the whole being embroidered on the left breast."
And, as Paul Harvey used to say, "And now you know the rest of the story." :-)
"A man with God is ALWAYS in the majority." ~John Knox, who brought God's reformation to Scotland.
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
For Today . . .
Outside my window . . . dreary, cold & windy w/long-awaited signs of new life. After our 84* Sunday & rain on Monday, there has been an explosion of new green leaves along w/white, yellow, pink & deep pink buds. The atmosphere, outside, is a little odd ~ gray up above & oddly clear below. Hard to describe.
I am thinking . . . of my sweet husband who started his new job 1-1/2 hrs away; hoping he acclimates well & trusting the Lord to keep him safe & his car working well on his long commute.
I am thankful for . . . my hubbie's new job! Thank You, Lord! It's been such a long 2 yrs.
From the kitchen . . . Amish French Toast! :-P
I am wearing . . . jeans & a black shirt.
I am remembering . . . that one of my oldest friends (I've known her & her sisters since I was 5) came into the store yesterday. It was SO very good to see her & her husband. What wonderful times we had when we were kids. Ahhh . . . those were the days!
I am hoping . . . & trusting the Lord for continued answered prayer. Mostly that I can understand His time-line. Ha!
I am creating . . . a peaceful, Christ-centered home. I think I might trade-out some of my antique/reproduction tin collection. I have some seasonal tins that need to come out while some others get put away for a little while.
I am hearing . . . the radio, the washer & dryer, DD#2 puttering around as she gets ready for work, typing fingers, wind whipping by the window . . .
I am noticing . . . that yesterday's post, "It's the Little Things that Matter Most," seemed to have struck a chord w/several people. I received several e-mails & Facebook private messages about it. Thank you, to all who read, were touched & said such nice things. And thanks to the Lord for being used for His purposes.
Around the house . . . general pick up, laundry, giving Maggie a little trim around her eyes, practicing Easter music . . .
One of my favorite things . . . seeing old friends or extended family members that I haven't seen in years & remembering all the wonderful history we have together.
Plans for the week . . . family time, work, worship practice, Easter music practice, Sunday worship w/the saints!
Pondering these words . . . "When people see me, do they see an authentic Christian? Do they see Jesus?" ~ from Sunday's Sermon.
Scripture thought . . . ~I John 3:3-4, 9-10 ~ "First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing & following their own evil desires. They will say, 'Where is this "coming" He promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation' . . . The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient w/you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you . . .
My kitchen 'canisters'
Read 100's of other Daybooks at Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook!
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
"Do to others as you would have them do to you." ~Luke 6:31
2007"It's the little things that matter the most."
If I said that to our girls once, I've said it a million times while they were growing up ~ & still do. Why? Because it's one of the most true statements ever proclaimed.
Those "little things" can be anything from thanking God for the sight of the 1st robin of spring, running into an old friend at the grocery store, ready help in the kitchen or simply a kind word or look or touch. And those "little things" accumulate into "big things" throughout our relationships, especially in our families.
2009Loving touch is crucial in the life-blood of our families; most certainly if our husbands came from a family w/mothers who were a little 'hard' or had that terrible mentality of "big boys don't cry" or who scarcely showed any sort of softness or affection. THAT is NOT Christ-like, at all. Sometimes, wives need to work in tandem w/the Lord to soften their hearts; hearts that long for loving affection and to unashamedly give it back.
DD#1 ~ 2009I am a toucher & a hugger ~ I can barely walk past my husband or 1 of our daughters w/o simply reaching out to touch their arm or stroke their hair. I want my family know that I treasure them beyond any other person or thing on this earth.
DD#2 ~ 2010This thought of need for physical affection was captured so sweetly in 1 of my favorite books, "Home-Making by J.R. Miller (c. 1882) in the chapter "The Wedded Life," although it is true for all familial relationships . . .
". . . there is no place in the world where the amenities of courtesy should be so carefully maintained as in the home. There are no hearts that hunger so for expressions of affection as the hearts of which we are most sure. There is no love that so needs its daily bread as the love that is strongest & holiest. There is no place where rudeness or incivility is so unpardonable as inside our own doors & toward our best beloved. The tenderer the love & the truer, the more it craves the thousand little attentions & kindnesses which so satisfy the heart. It is not costly presents at Christmas & on birthdays & anniversaries that are wanted; these are only mockeries if the days between are empty of affectionate expressions. Jewelry & silks & richly-bound volumes will never atone for the want of warmth & tenderness. Between husband & wife there should be maintained w/o break or pause, the most perfect courtesy, the gentlest attention, the most unselfish amiability, the utmost affectionateness. Coleridge says: 'The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions, the little soon-forgotten charities of a kiss or a smile, a kind look, a heartfelt compliment, & the countless infinitesimals of pleasurable thought & genial feeling.' These may seem trifles, & the omission of them may be deemed unworthy of thought; but they are the daily bread of love, & hearts go hungry when they are omitted. It may be only carelessness at 1st in the busy husband or a weary wife that fails in these small, sweet courtesies, & it may seem a little matter, but in the end the result may be a growing far apart of 2 lives which might have been for ever very happy in each other had their early love but been cherished & nourished." [all emphasis mine, Kim<><]
We ALL need affection ~ man, woman, boy, girl & teen ~ it's just that simple. I've seen it work & it starts & is maintained by the simple, little things.
Indulge in something "little" today & see what happens.
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
A couple of years ago, I went to a group Bible study at the home of a delightful woman. She always had little goodies laid out for us that were both a feast for the eyes & the taste buds. You just knew she had been baking & creating all day just for us.
But one of the best ideas I gleaned from her was probably one of the simplest. (Doesn't it always work that way?)
She would always have a big glass pitcher of ice cold water with thinly sliced oranges & fresh sprigs of rosemary. Not only was it such a pretty presentation, but it was always so very refreshing & everyone enjoyed it.
Simple. Easy. Refreshing.
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
Yeeeeears ago, I dated a Greek man. The best thing to come out of that relationship? THE FOOD! :-P
He had an uncle who owned a very popular Greek restaurant in the area, at the time, & a cousin who owned a fast-food-type Greek restaurant in a near-by town. I was introduced to wonderful things like Gyros (pronounced yee-roe, the meat is a mix of beef & lamb w/a Tzatziki sauce that makes my mouth water just thinking of it), moussaka (sort of a Greek lasagna), baklava (an incredibly yummy pastry) & the incredible flavor of the Greek salad. It has 3 characteristic ingredients that "make it Greek": Feta (goat) cheese, Kalamata olives & the seasoning in the dressing! Oh . . . be still my heart . . . & my taste buds!
I recently found a great Greek seasoning recipe. And, if you've read this blog for very long, you KNOW that I LOVE to make my own seasonings & herb mixes (examples for any newbies: my all-time favorite herb mix, zucchini seasoning, dill dip mix, seasoned salt [tastes JUST LIKE Tastefully Simple's]). So, this was just a natural for me.
This yummy Greek seasoning mix can be used to simply sprinkle over a salad OR on chicken, beef or lamb before cooking. You can also make a great salad dressing w/it.
Here's what you need:
~2 ts. oregano
~1-1/2 ts. onion powder
~1-1/2 ts. garlic powder (I prefer granulated garlic from Frontier - sold at most bulk food & health food stores - OR Kroger)
~1 ts. sea salt OR real salt
~1 ts. black pepper
~1 ts. parsley
~1/2 ts. basil
~1/2 ts. cinnamon
~1/2 ts. nutmeg
~1/2 ts. thyme
DIRECTIONS:
1) With a mortar & pestle, grind any larger items down just a bit, if it's even necessary
2) Combine all ingredients in a bowl w/a whisk
3) Store in a shaker-type container ~ either a pretty glass Parmesan cheese-type container or a cleaned out plastic Kraft Parmesan cheese shaker
4) Apply liberally to your taste to meats & salads
PLUS ~ If you want to make a salad dressing simply add 1-2 TB of the mix to 1 c. olive oil & 3/4 - 1c of vinegar, shake well. If you are going to use ALL of the dressing in 1 day, sprinkle a little Feta or Parmesan cheese into the dressing, shake well. (Use the cheese blended dressing in 1 day b/c of spoilage.)
Enjoy~
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
That Familiar Voice
PASSAGE: "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" ~Isaiah 30:21
"For He [God] says, 'In the time of My favor I heard you, & in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." ~II Cor. 6:2
LESSON LEARNED: I had one of the sweetest grandma's ever. Everyone called her Bigmom. She raised 14 children in the "hollers" of east-central Kentucky, my mom is the 'baby' of those children & I am the 52nd of 52 grandchildren.
Bigmom lived w/my family from before my grandpa, Poppie, passed away, many years before I was born, until I was about 11 years old. After I graduated from my crib we shared a bedroom until she moved into her own cute little house next door to one of my uncles. And even after that, I spent many weekends at her home until she passed away at 90 years old, when I was 18.
And I even dare to say that since she helped raise me - & lived through the trauma my family went through when my twin sister died after birth - that I may have been her favorite of all those grandkids. Now, I know she had a huge, loving heart & loved ALL of her family & other grandkids, but my brother & I were the only grandkids that she actually lived with & helped to raise. I'm sure in many ways she looked upon us as her 15th & 16th children.
So, having lived w/her for so many years & spending so much time w/her even after she moved, I knew her voice so very, very well. I can still hear it & it even makes me tear-up a little to recall it. How dear her memory is to me. How I would love to hear her sweet voice in conversation now.
About 20 years ago, we lived across the street from an elderly couple who were from the same area of Kentucky as my grandparents were, so they "spoke our language," if you know what I mean. :-) Grace reminded me a lot of Bigmom. One day, my phone rang & when I picked it up I heard, "Kimmy?" said in such a familiar way that I could swear that my heart literally skipped a beat! It was Grace, but the way she said my name sounded SO familiar, SO much like my Bigmom & I hadn't heard that sweet voice in so long.
This makes me wonder . . . if my heart was so stirred by thinking I was hearing a much-loved voice from my past ~ even for a spit second ~ how must God's heart thrill at the sound of our voice when we come to Him in repentance & prayer? How wonderful He must feel, as our Heavenly Father, when He hears our voice after a long separation of sinful living or of a time of backsliding or even a busy schedule? Our voice must sound like music to His ears!
Our prayers are sweet conversation with God & conversation goes 2 ways. We must learn to listen & to know His voice (John 10:27) so that we may know what He wants us to do & where He wants us to go.
God LOVES it when we talk to Him, as any father would. If it's been a long time since you've spoken to Him, why not make Him happy & talk to Him today . . . & everyday. He loves the sound of your voice!
Come & join Nancy at A Country Mom & I, if you are not already participating! Each Wednesday, we dig into the Word of God & share what we are leaning. All you have to do is share a passage you have read during your devotions, share the lesson you have learned from the Lord & then connect with others who are doing the same & comment on their blogs. Let's learn from the Lord & each other.
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
OK ~ let's try it again . . . Thanks to dearest Nancy for re-doing my button. So NOW, HOPEFULLY, anyone who may want to add my button to your blog may do so. Please let me know if it works. And, thanks SO MUCH, if you honor me by putting my button on your blog.
Find my button on the left-hand column & then click & scroll. Copy & paste it on your blog wall.
Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><
Thank you, Farmer's Almanac, for this useful information. Not only is this useful to know to keep bugs & varmints away, but it's also good to know if you have limited space for your garden . . .
- Some plants, especially herbs, act as repellents, confusing insects with their strong odors that mask the scent of the intended host plants.
- Dill and basil planted among tomatoes protect the tomatoes from hornworms, and sage scattered about the cabbage patch reduces injury from cabbage moths.
- Marigolds are as good as gold when grown with just about any garden plant, repelling beetles, nematodes, and even animal pests.
- Some companions act as trap plants, luring insects to themselves. Nasturtiums, for example, are so favored by aphids that the devastating insects will flock to them instead of other plants.
- Carrots, dill, parsley, and parsnip attract garden heroes -- praying mantises, ladybugs, and spiders -- that dine on insect pests.
- Much of companion planting is common sense: Lettuce, radishes, and other quick-growing plants sown between hills of melons or winter squash will mature and be harvested long before these vines need more leg room.
- Leafy greens like spinach and Swiss chard grown in the shadow of corn
- Sunflowers appreciate the dapple shade that corn casts and, since their roots occupy different levels in the soil, don't compete for water and nutrients.
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
For Today . . .
Outside my window . . . bright, beautiful sunshine & blue skies. All washed & clean after yesterday's rain & storms.
I am thinking . . . of how much I appreciate the sunshine streaming through my windows & watching more green & more buds pop out every day.
I am thankful for . . . a Sunday afternoon together w/DD#2 of shopping, giggling like girlfriends & raspberry-banana smoothies at the mall!
From the kitchen . . . Tuesday bread baking day. :-P
I am wearing . . . a long brown denim skirt, fuchsia shirt.
I am remembering . . . our homeschool days - 16 yrs. I'm so glad that I homeschooled the girls all through their K through 12 school years. Everyday wasn't "roses", but I wouldn't trade that time w/them for the world. It flew by in a flash.
I am hoping . . . that my DH's new job will be a blessing to him & that he will be a blessing to all there.
I am creating . . . a peaceful, Christ-centered home. Working on what I want to plant this year & just when I'll be able to do it.
I am hearing . . . radio, washer & dryer.
I am noticing . . . that I need to do some major rearranging in my house, especially the back room. :-/
Around the house . . . baking, making laundry detergent, mopping kitchen floor, sweeping, dusting . . . didn't get my Monday chores completed yesterday, so you know what that means. :-/
One of my favorite things . . . my family's sense of humor. I love all of our little private jokes, quoting movie lines that tickle our funny bones, giggling w/our DD's . . . the priceless looks of DD#1's boyfriend as he 'catches on' to our family's sense of humor! lol
Plans for the week . . . as much family time as possible, work, Sunday worship w/the saints.
Pondering these words . . . "We all sell out ~ surrender ~ to something: culture, society, peer pressure, political correctness, philosophies, science, false idols, celebrities . . . NO ONE BUT GOD deserves MY surrender!!!" ~from Sunday's sermon.
Scripture thought . . . I Peter 2:12 ~ "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds & glorify God on the day He visits us."
Here is a picture though I am sharing with you . . .
My cousin recently sent me a photo of my precious Daddy (the sweetie on the right) & my uncle (her daddy) that I had never seen before. What cuties! Daddy was cute even w/a some kind of blotch on his picture. Ha!
Read 100's of other Daybooks at Peggy's Simple Woman's Daybook!
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
Well, the April showers have surely begun here in Ohio. :-/ But, they ARE necessary for those lovely May flowers & for our gardens.
With the coming of Spring I am looking forward to spending as much time as we can outside. I have long wanted to either semi-close-in our back porch area or make some sort of fire ring set inside a wild flower garden area in the back yard. Hmmm . . .
But, whatever I do, it must have a Primitive feel. I LOVE Primitives . . . both inside & outside.
Here are a few "idea photos" that I found on Google Images . . .
Isn't this sweet? All closed-in & cozy. Love the soft furniture, the shelves & aged paint.
This one has a little more Country than Primitive feel, but I like it. The hollowed-out gourd bird house reminds me of my Grandpa.
Mmmm . . . I can almost hear the little song birds singing as I sit in those comfy, cozy chairs, reading my daily devotions & having my morning coffee. I like that people are understanding that porch furniture doesn't have to be hard & cold, but can be comfortable & welcoming w/padded chairs & pretty lamps & accent pillows.
Now I'm seeing long, happy ~ & sometimes in-depth ~ conversations w/dear friends while we watch the fire dwindle down. Of course, that's after all the hot dogs & marshmallows are eaten.
And then there's the fire pits . . .
Plain . . .
or a little fancy . . . 
it would be a fun way to cook up some picnic food & spend a chilly evening at home.
Ahhhh . . . Dreaming . . .
Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
Edinburgh
