I’m writing this in support of Tracy. Tracy has a wonderfully large family and is a talented sewer, quilter, knitter and spinner to name a few things. She spends a lot of time sharing her own patterns and tutorials and if you visit her blog you can see what I mean, she is very generous.
Lately some bloggers have left unkind and negative comments on Tracy’s blog, specifically about her patterns and fabric choices. Now, one of the great wonders of God is that He created us all different with individual tastes. He didn’t give us these differences in order to judge one another but in order to appreciate one another!
What I’m asking today is that we all be a little kinder. We don’t have to be fake or over the top, just kind.
Happiness can be spread so easily, but so can hate.
Blessings and happy faces to you all!
This question has been playing on my mind a little lately. You see, I’ll be 35 this year and still haven’t decided on the right “thing” for me. When I say “thing” I’m referring to some sort of a career or occupation other than being a wife and mother.
When I was little I wanted to be a hairdresser (feel free to roll your eyes) but the novelty of that idea didn’t last. When I completed high school I was strongly encouraged (pushed) to go to university. Unfortunately my scores were not high enough to go into my 2 choices of either Psychology or Nursing so I ended up in a course I loathed and subsequently quit. I’ve quit a lot of things since then and find it very difficult to stay with one thing.
I realise that as my children grow older I need to be able to have some sort of an income. And I do relish the idea of one day having a bit of extra money. The thought of working in the types of jobs I did pre – babies does not thrill me in the slightest. I no longer want to work just for money – I want the fulfillment that comes from using your skills and talents to support yourself. I want to be excellent rather than mediocre.
So here’s a bit of fun.
When I grow up I’m going to live in the country in a grand and beautiful old home. I will offer classes from my home in various arts including embroidery, cake decorating, bread and patisseries. My husband will not need to work as we have a collection of sought after farm animals and are proficient in their husbandry. Our children are all happy and superbly educated (ahem!) Sounds good hey?
So how about you? Have you decided what you want to be when you grow up yet?
Weigh out about 1.8 kg of the pumpkin and chop into large pieces (leave skin on). Put into a roasting dish and into the oven at 180 degrees (C) for approximately 40 minutes, turning once.
Meanwhile, chop your onions and fry in a stock pot in a little olive oil and butter. Add chopped leek and garlic and stir until sweating. Throw in the chopped and peeled potato and raw, peeled pumpkin. Now remove the skin from your roasted pieces and put them in the pot too.
Add the bacon bones, stock and season to your preference with salt and pepper. The stock should be about level with the vegetables for a nice thick soup.
Allow to simmer until vegetables are very soft. Turn off and leave until the soup is warm but not boiling hot! Puree in a food processor. Serve with a dob of cream and extra pepper if you wish.
I’m so grateful for my children, all 4 of them. I would be grateful for more too – there is simply nothing more important, challenging, joyful and priveleged as raising children.
You know there’s a but coming. Sometimes when I see what other parents of smaller families are able to provide for their children it leaves me wondering. Would my children be happier with their own playroom? Their own bedrooms? Brand new clothes instead of second hand or op shopped? Fancier foods? The list could go on.
But then I remember what my children have taught me about life and about them. That they need love. Lots of it. Attention, lots of that too. Positive interaction. And God takes care of the rest, so that we always have what we need but not always what we want.
The fact that the children are constantly asking me when their next sibling might appear and that they are all each other’s best friends confirms that a large family is a good thing for us and that our children do not want for anything.
Thanks be to God.
