25 November 2013

Mum and I are embroidering the samples of our newest pattern for Clementine. It makes for delightful work and soon we’ll be able to share the new pattern and kits with you! But, until then here’s a little sneak peek of the new design in redwork (there will also be one in full color).

Keep on the lookout for our Black Friday through Cyber Monday sales at Clementine Pattern Co., The Breezy Tulip Studio, and Noble Rose Press!

In other news, we’ve had a wide variety of weather lately in Indiana, from rain to tornadoes to snow. Here’s a little preview of the beautiful winter season ahead…

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!”
—Psalm 111:10

[20] Comments » | Categories: God's Creation, Handmade, The Home

13 November 2013

There are many wonderful ways to record the blessings in our lives. We get to take note, remember, study, and proclaim the works of the Lord and share them with those around us and future generations.

One way we have enjoyed writing down and displaying reminders of God’s mercies toward us has been through “The Thankful Tree.” A vase of branches becomes home to a record of many of the blessings we are thankful for. We’ve used pretty paper for the “leaves,” and even wooden chalk tags.

We still have last year’s “Thankful Tree” set up in our kitchen, ready for another Thanksgiving.

Another beautiful reminder to count it all joy and give thanks in all things is the “Give Thanks” embroidery pattern (or kit) from Clementine Pattern Co.

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Great are the works of the Lord; they are studied by all who delight in them.”
—Psalm 111:2

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[5] Comments » | Categories: Encouragement, God's Creation, Handmade, Inspirations, The Home

24 September 2013

It’s the third day of Autumn. The temperatures are dropping, the sun takes its rest in golden skies, and the fields are being harvested. We’re surrounded by reminders that this beautiful season is upon us.

Apples and pears are being picked, friends and neighbors are getting out their scarves and boots, raspberries are ripe, the grape jelly has been put up from this year’s harvest, the trees are well on their way to a full bloom of what is fondly called Autumn colors.

Just as there is a time to plant there is a time to pluck up what is planted. “For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

There’s something peaceful and exciting about each new season – as one goes, another comes.

We look back at what God has taught us and brought us through and look forward to what He has in store for the future. We see His merciful hand at work every step of the way, knowing that His works are good and His ways are righteous.

With each new season – and each new day – comes a reminder of the faithfulness of the Lord. “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22) “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:21-23)

His promises never fail.

[12] Comments » | Categories: Encouragement, Food, Gluten-Free, God's Creation, Inspirations, Life, The Home

8 August 2013

With zucchini in full harvest, now’s the perfect time to whip up a batch of zucchini bread! Mum recently created a scrumptious gluten- and grain-free version of our favorite traditional zucchini bread recipe – you’ll find it below.

To enjoy this treat year-round: simply shred fresh zucchini and freeze it in two cup portions, that way you can thaw and toss in the shreds (already measured!) when you’re ready to bake a batch of bread.

Gluten-Free Zucchini Bread
GLUTEN-Free, GRAIN-Free, DAIRY-Free

3 eggs
1 ¼ cups coconut sugar
2 cups zucchini, shredded
1 tablespoon vanilla
½ cup coconut oil, melted
¼ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 ½ cups blanched almond flour
½ cup coconut flour, sifted
1 tablespoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ginger
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Beat eggs until light and fluffy; add coconut sugar, zucchini, vanilla. Continue mixing while slowly adding coconut oil. Mix dry ingredients together and add to the egg mixture. Mix until well blended; add nuts.

Pour into two greased loaf pans or line pans with parchment paper. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour. Let cool in pan and then transfer to serving plate.

(It’s awfully delicious while still warm, though… I have to admit that I was rather distracted mid-photoshoot by making a snack out of the subject.)

Enjoy!

(Looking for the traditional, gluten-filled version? Find it here.)

[12] Comments » | Categories: Food, Gluten-Free

13 June 2013

We’ve enjoyed picking these juicy red beauties from our strawberry patch this week. God has blessed us with an abundant and oh-so-delicious harvest!

P.S. There’s a give-away of Breezy’s “Teach Them Diligently” chalkboard art print and an opportunity to help a family in need!

[14] Comments » | Categories: Family, Food, God's Creation, Life

21 May 2013

The sliced potatoes frying in the skillet looked in need of some fresh chive. I quickly slipped outside to the edge of the garden and cut some of the green beauty that was blowing in the strong Indiana wind.

After a quick rinse and a few chops of the knife, the chives were tossed into the skillet to join the potatoes! It made for a delicious side dish at dinner last evening.

“Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.”
—Proverbs 15:16-17

[11] Comments » | Categories: Food, Gluten-Free, Inspirations, Life, The Home

20 May 2013

Praising God for this new family!

It was a delight to stand and rejoice with this dear couple as they covenanted before God and man to be husband and wife. Looking forward to all that the Lord has in store for this family as they seek Him in all their ways!

“In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”
—Ephesians 5:28-34

[4] Comments » | Categories: Encouragement, Family, Life

6 April 2013

Years ago I enjoyed my first scone at a local tearoom. My grandmother had taken me there as a surprise for my birthday – at the table we had a lovely array of tea, sandwiches, and cranberry scones with lemon curd. At that first bite, scones became a favorite.

We’ve tried a few delicious scone recipes and these blueberry scones are right up there at the top (competing with lemon scones for first place). Since finding this recipe, I’ve lost count of how many batches we’ve made.

Blueberry Scones
GLUTEN-Free, GRAIN-Free, DAIRY-Free
(Based on this recipe from Nourishing Flourishing – thanks, Katie!)

2½ cups blanched almond flour (we use Honeyville)
2 Tb. arrowroot powder
¾ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. sea salt
1 farm-fresh egg
¼ cup honey
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1 Tb. vanilla
¾ cup frozen blueberries

Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Fold blueberries into the well-mixed batter.

Divide dough into eight equal portions on a parchment-lined baking sheet. With wet hands, shape dough into triangles about ¾″ thick, leaving space between each for baking.

Place in 350°F oven for about 15-18 minutes, removing when edges and tops start to brown. Best served while still warm from the oven.

Whether accompanied with tea (or coffee) or as a Saturday morning breakfast, these blueberry scones make for a perfect treat! Enjoy!

[26] Comments » | Categories: Food, Gluten-Free

26 March 2013

Great joy comes with working together as a family. With businesses born and run in our home, we’ve learned what a blessing it can be to manage cottage industries.

Each part of the family contributes a different skill, giving the rest of us even more appreciation for the various talents God gives people. We’re all working alongside each other towards the same goal, growing in our relationships with one another and in our walks with the Lord. We love it! Whether it’s illustrating a new art print, or writing a note to be shipped off with an embroidery kit, we take pleasure in the work God has given us.

Although it wasn’t necessarily a dream of ours to own businesses, we are thankful that the Lord has directed our steps and laid in our laps many projects and opportunities over the past few years.

We’re certainly not business experts, but a lot has been learned along the way (more than we ever imagined!). There is much, much more to learn and we always find it a great opportunity when we can gain wisdom from wise and experienced entrepreneurs.

[8] Comments » | Categories: Conferences, Encouragement, Family, Handmade, Life, The Home