Striving to Serve at Home

The Bittersweet End

2011-01-16T15:23:00.000-08:00

My season as an at-home daughter has ended and a new season - one of a newlywed wife and homemaker - has begun. As most of you know, the driving focus of Striving to Serve at Home has been to encourage other young ladies as we strive together to cultivate a servant's heart - especially in our homes and among our families.

Over the months preceding the wedding, it was my intention to close my season of blogging upon the completion of the wedding entries, so the time has now come to wrap up the blog.

Since the inception of Striving to Serve at Home three and a half years ago, I have been incredibly blessed and encouraged by your comments and the dear friendships that have developed due to this blog. Not only has the Lord blessed me with some of my closest sisters in the Lord through blogging, He even used the means of this blog to cross my path with the path of my husband!

As the time has now come for me to step aside and pursue other endeavors, I would like to close by sharing three things I have learned through my blogging experience.

1. I have been reminded time and time again that it is of the utmost importance to prioritize our time with our precious families over time spent online. Anyone who uses the internet for any kind of social networking would attest to the fact that the internet and the blogging world can become very addicting. Maintaining a blog has required a lot of discipline in finding the proper balance and the wisest time management. I regret seasons where my focus was unbalanced and I was spending too much time in the internet world and not enough time in the real world. It was very important for me to realize when I needed to step away and reevaluate my focus.

2. When I first began the blog and installed a traffic feed, I would be amazed when my blog would receive ten visitors in a day... Ten people who cared enough about what was going on in my life to stop what they were doing, visit my site, and read my little thoughts! As the daily average grew to an average of roughly one thousand visitors per day, I quickly became aware that, while many read my entries and cheer me on in support, many others strongly disagree and devote message boards and forum threads to discussing their opinions in regard to my (and other bloggers') choices. This knowledge has served as an excellent tool in forcing humility, strengthening my convictions, and sharpening my realization that I can't live for man's applause, but rather should always first and foremost strive for God's approval. However, I would caution other young women, who may be interested in blogging, to realize that their audience extends far beyond likeminded family and friends and to share in such a way that even our blogs can be a testimony for Christ. I also think it is wise for us to take Philippians 4:8 into account, particularly considering those things that are true and above reproach, and although it can become tempting, to not allow ourselves to read and wallow in the gossip that others may be writing about us.

3. Lastly, over the months following the announcement of my engagement to Stephen, I have heard of several sobering "internet love stories" that have been enthusiastically told while drawing parallels to my own story. I can't emphasize enough how dangerous "internet love stories" can be or how careful young women must be in this often neglected realm of great temptation. In conservative Christian circles, filters are purchased and passwords are often secured with the hope of protecting young men from the destruction of internet pornography. While this is commendable, it is rarely mentioned that vulnerable young women can easily become prey to internet predators and this can lead to equal devastation. I am not only alluding to some sixty year old man with a sick mind who is going to initiate an online relationship with a young woman and lure her into an unsafe environment. If you, as a young woman, keep a blog for long enough, you will very likely be approached by young men with varying motives. Stephen was not the only young man to contact me over the past years. Although some may have had honest, pure intentions, others were wolves in sheep's clothing. It is so very important to make your parents aware of the friendships you have with young men on the internet and to seek their guidance. While I believe that parental involvement is valuable in any courtship, I think courtships that begin online need this all the more.

While it is bittersweet to end this season of blogging as an at-home daughter, it is also very exciting for me to begin my next adventure alongside my wonderful husband. I am excited about the journey God has in store for us.

How can I even begin to thank you all for your kind comments and your sweet words of encouragement? They will certainly be greatly missed.

May we all glorify God by striving to serve those who He has placed in our lives and in our homes!

In His Service,

Meredith

My sweet husband and I as we celebrated my 23rd birthday on our honeymoon

The Wedding: The Reception

2011-01-15T23:11:00.000-08:00

Arriving at my family's farm for the reception

We were immediately greeted by my sweet sister. Of all of the hundreds of wedding pictures, the one above is my absolute favorite.

I love her so much!

Our good family friend, Ty, announced us for the first time as a married couple at the reception.


We entered the main tent and sliced the wedding cheesecake.


Altogether there were nearly thirty cheesecakes served as the wedding cake (most were pre-sliced, as pictured above).

Stephen's brother, Matt, gave a wonderful best man speech.

He shared many sweet memories from their childhood.

Listening to Matt's speech

Mama made tons of farmhouse cheddar cheese from our farm's milk to serve as an appetizer with crackers while guests waited for the meal.

Over a dozen young ladies kindly served during the reception.

A meal of barbeque, pulled pork (grown on the farm!), green beans, fried apples, potato salad, cole slaw, and rolls was served.

Prior to the wedding, I used my embroidery machine to monogram all of our servers' names on their aprons.

Sweet little girls on the tire swing

The homemade jam I prepared this past spring as wedding favors

A map of the activities available during the reception

The slide show was played in a barn set up as the "White Christmas Theater."

A Christmas tree was also set up in the room with ornaments for our guests to write on to leave messages for us.

The "Red Rooster Inn" (an old chicken barn) was used as an additional dining area.

Dancing was held in the barn's hay loft

Family and friends threw handfuls of rice at us as we ran to the getaway car.

We left a trail of rice everywhere we went over the next few days!

This concludes the wedding posts! As I look back on our special day now over a month later, I am left with a growing fondness for the precious memories made on our wedding day. We are so indebted to the families who served in so many ways in preparation for our wedding and during the wedding itself. We are so blessed by your friendship and willingness to help us!

Mama posted a detailed wedding budget at the family blog to encourage other mothers and daughters who may have weddings on the horizon. All photos are courtesy of Three Daughters and a Wedding Photography and Elizabeth's Photography.

The Last Journal Entry

2011-01-13T23:12:00.000-08:00

Written by Mama (follow-up to "Saying Goodbye")

Dear Meredith,

It's that time of year when I write in all the children's books. I hope you don't mind just printing and pasting this last entry into your journal since I gave the book to you already. It was just too hard to write the final entry before you left.

My life-long dream for you came true just one month ago as you became a wife. What joy awaits you in this new season of your life! A husband to love, a place of your own, maybe children one day - this is the beginning of the finest years ever.

As we continue to be amazed at the wonderful husband God gave you, Daddy and I are at complete peace saying goodbye as we have assurance beyond a shadow of doubt that Stephen is God's choice for you. Stephen's desire to live a life pleasing to the Lord is surely his greatest defining characteristic and the one that brings us, as your parents, the greatest joy.

Remember how we used to wonder how and when and if God would send a husband for you? You were so focused on allowing God to write your story in His own way while you watched others around you marry and begin families. I admire the way you remained cheerful and busied yourself in serving your family during those waiting years.

I'll never forget the Sunday when you first told me about Stephen as we were driving together to deliver milk. Like a silly school girl I remember saying that you really needed Daddy's guidance because in my mind's eye, I could already visualize the wedding with you in your beautiful dress and "this Stephen guy" in his military uniform! I never imagined that my ramblings would one day become a reality.

Remember how exciting it was when he came to meet us and spend several days with our family? We wondered if Stephen would end up just being a new friend or if possibly he was "the one." I recently came across the pictures I was secretly taking from the upstairs windows of you two walking around the farm, talking to each other in person for the first time.

After Daddy and Stephen returned from one of several lengthy discussions during that first visit, and Daddy began telling me some of Stephen's answers to the 16 or 17 page typed questionnaire that Daddy had been using to guide their conversations, I could tell that a peace was settling over Daddy.

Eventually Daddy gave his blessing for Stephen to pursue courtship and marriage. I admire you for your humble attitude in asking another man - your dad - to assess a potential spouse. In the same way you would ask for Dad's opinion on real estate purchases, you did not hesitate to seek his wisdom in the area of choosing a mate. Only the strong subject themselves to the counsel of others. You, Meredith, are very strong indeed to have cut completely across the grain of society and defer to the wisdom of an older man in making such an important decision as to whom you might marry.

I am equally impressed by the way both you and Stephen began your relationship. I remember you had a list of the things that you wanted in a husband. Stephen shared with you what he wanted in a wife. Only once you were both sure those requirements would be met mutually did you allow yourselves to consider moving forward. How mature! How sensible. What an incredible foundation for your marriage.

A courtship turned into an engagement that quickly became a wedding date which turned the farm upside down!

This last year seemed to be almost completely focused on preparing for the wedding. Pages of projects needing to be completed were part of all our lives. What fun we had as we spent countless hours planning and dreaming and working to pull it all together!

A friend drew this picture of the farm as we dreamed it would look for the wedding.

We talked often about wanting the wedding day to be a blessing to others. I hope it was. It all felt like a such a flurry of activity that I barely remember any of the details. Once it was over and Oma and I began cleaning the house while Dad and the boys went out for milking, I missed you being here to talk about the memories that were made on the big wedding day that we had been planning for almost a year.

Even though we worked late into the night and were as tired as we've ever been, we sure were looking forward to you and Stephen stopping by Sunday afternoon on your way to your honeymoon destination. Although no one could have prepared us for how sad that short visit would be. It was as if Sheridan finally understood that you were really leaving and her little heart broke. When she held out her hands to you, begging you not to leave her, like a little child being left at a daycare center, we all cried.

Although Sheridan never comes downstairs after being tucked in at night, we weren't surprised when she tiptoed down the steps to our room at 1am. Rather than worry about fostering what might become a bad habit, Daddy and I just pulled her up in bed between us, knowing that she was missing you sleeping next to her.

Poor Dad missed you so badly that he went around the house choked up and with red eyes the Monday after the wedding and only muttered phrases like, "Meredith lived with us more than half of my life," or "She was with us for almost our entire marriage."

God was so gracious to hold off the snow until the day after the wedding.

Harrison said that he heard one of your favorite Christmas songs playing in the barn as he was going to feed the calves and thought he'd have to stop riding his bike for a minute because he felt so sad.

You'd be glad to know that as much trouble as he always gave you as his chore supervisor, he now is singing your praises and wishing you'd return to your position instead of his new demanding chore captain (me)!

I suppose everyone is shifting into their new positions to fill the gap you left behind. Elliott, knowing how much it means to me to see our friends' Christmas photos on the fridge, put them up as they arrived in the mail, just like you used to do. On a recent drive to Denny's for the free weekly meals we won, I asked everyone what they missed most about you being gone as our drive-time topic of discussion. Elliott quickly said, "Meredith's bread!" I'm sure you'd be as surprised as I was when Daddy and I were gone for a while the other day and returned home to find two freshly baked loaves of bread that Elliott made!

Filling your position has been a real challenge for me as the demands of the farm remain constant. The last day of chicken processing for the season was the worst as I rushed around the house trying to prepare lunch before heading outside to help that morning with the chickens - knowing we'd be coming in late, tired, and hungry hours later. On the kitchen counters were still bags of the non-perishable groceries from the late night trip to the store the night before. Then, as if it were some type of endurance test, the boys brought in four cases of milk jars needing washing and several weeks' worth of dirty cow towels. Whew! Somehow it all got done though.

Christmas was, of course, very different without you here but we were filled with joy as we began hearing about the fun, new life you were living as a newlywed. Stephen's family was so very kind to you over Christmas that we could only be happy for you to be loved by a whole new family.

Friends from all over, who knew what a treasure you were in our home, have sent us the kindest notes and have said they were praying for us during the transition time.

Alison Wilson so thoughtfully gave this to me to remember the love that a mother and daughter share.

Sheridan is slowly adjusting to sleeping alone and has found many new friends to surround her at bedtime. You can't imagine how long it takes us to get all these babies tucked in. Only Sheridan knows where each one prefers to sleep each night.

Sheridan would be disappointed to know that one of her baby's covers (far right) has come off during the night.

I suppose the transition of you being gone has been harder than we imagined because you were such a good friend to all of us. You've cheered us on when we were discouraged and you've chosen to see the better side in each of us. Rather than pursuing ventures that would have enabled greater self-advancement and independence like outside employment, on-campus college courses, and social networking, you chose to serve your family instead. You prepared meals, taught Bible verses to little ones, washed laundry, delivered milk, bushhogged lots, and countless other tasks. What a gift you were to our family!

So now I write the last page of the journal that was started for you when I was but a teenager hoping to one day be a wife and a mother. What a wonderful journey this has been. How blessed I am to have had you to spend my days with. How incredibly content I am to see you securely placed into the hands of such a fine man as Stephen. What joy I have as your mother to know that you will be cared for by a man with such outstanding character and with a strong desire to follow God. The two of you, who you are and who you're becoming, represent hope for a brighter world. May God do mighty things in your life as a couple surrendered and committed to doing His will. We, as your family, will enjoy seeing you both live happily ever after.

I love you, Meredith!

Your happy Mama

The Wedding: The Ceremony

2011-01-10T22:29:00.000-08:00

Sheridan was very careful in her flower girl responsibility, sweetly dropping just one flower at a time!

My little friend, Andie, ringing her bell as she walked down the aisle

"Here comes the bride..."

Arriving at the altar

We chose "Non Nobis Domine" (Psalm 115:1 in Latin) to be sung by a soloist during the ceremony.

We also chose two favorite hymns for the congregation to sing, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" and "Great Is Thy Faithfulness."

We desired for the ceremony to be very God-honoring and had a lot of prayer and scriptures interspersed throughout the service.

"With this ring I thee wed..."

"You may now kiss the bride..."

Up Next: The Reception

The Wedding: Getting Ready

2011-01-09T23:08:00.000-08:00

A chilly December day

My beautiful mama

My handsome husband

Sullivan was confused about how his bow tie worked

Harrison, our dashing young ring bearer

Sweet friends and bridesmaids, Casey and Erin

The family heirloom hairpiece I was given by my mother-in-law

I sure do miss my precious sister!

My $29.96 thrift store dress

My gorgeous stephanotis bouquet, obtained through bartering with a family friend

My lovely matron of honor, Alli

The bridesmaids' stunning bouquets, obtained through bartering with another family friend

Delightful little bell ringers waiting to practice walking down the aisle

My bridesmaid and sister-in-law, Adria, and myself along with many of the bell ringers as they ate a light lunch before the ceremony began

My bridesmaids (left to right) - Adria, Casey, Alli, April, Chelsea, Kristen, Erin, and Abi

I love this man!

My dear family

Daddy and I as we waited to enter the church

Up Next: The Ceremony

The Wedding: Hotel Guests' Gift Boxes, Bridal Tea, Dessert Buffet, and Rehearsal

2011-01-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

Prior to the week of the wedding, I worked on 30 hotel gift boxes for our family and friends who booked within the accommodation block we had recommended at our wedding website. The top of the box had a card stock label with our names and the date of our wedding wrapped by a ribbon around the box.

Each box contained my homemade chocolate peanut clusters, homemade jam, a set of note cards with coastal photographs, buttons for our guests to wear to identify themselves as our family and friends (to foster conversation with other wedding guests in the hotels' common areas), and a note welcoming our guests to Richmond and inviting them to a Dessert Buffet we hosted in the hotel's concierge's lounge the night before the wedding. Not pictured, but also included, was a coupon for a local cafe that serves my family's farm's poultry and pork. In keeping with the casual farm atmosphere of the wedding reception, Mama had the idea to use real hay from the hay loft instead of store-bought shred to fill the empty space of the boxes. My grandmother and a very thoughtful mother and daughter came over to help us assemble the boxes several days before the wedding.

The day before the wedding I held an Afternoon Bridal Tea at The Berkeley Hotel for my bridal party.

The wedding rehearsal followed. The view from the balcony as Stephen and I practiced walking down the aisle:

For the rehearsal dinner, Stephen's parents had a delicious Italian meal catered for the wedding party in the church's fellowship hall.

After the rehearsal dinner we headed to the hotel where we held a Dessert Buffet for our out-of-town friends and family. The Dessert Buffet gave us an opportunity to visit in advance with many of our guests who came the furthest to attend our wedding.

My mother-in-law created a slide show of pictures from Stephen's childhood and my childhood that was viewed during the Dessert Buffet and then again during the reception the following day.

After the Dessert Buffet, my dear friend Morgan and I drove back to Amelia together and I fell into bed (exhausted!) for the last time as a single girl in my family's home. The 45 minute drive home with Morgan was so refreshing as we talked about the Lord and how He was working in our lives. It has become a sweet, quiet memory that I will always treasure in the midst of all of the wedding excitement.

Up Next: Getting Ready

Newlywed Update

2011-01-04T00:04:00.000-08:00

I am writing a post-wedding update at last!

Our wedding was such a perfect day and I am loving being a newlywed wife to my amazing husband!

We had an incredible honeymoon in Palm Beach, FL and spent time in Charleston, SC and New Orleans, LA during our trip as well.We had a delightful first Christmas and enjoyed spending the holidays with Stephen's great family. After sorting through hundreds of wedding pictures, I have several blog entries nearly complete and am eager to begin posting more pictures and details from our wedding.

Thank you for all of the kind comments and sweet emails sent over the past three weeks! I look forward to sharing more pictures and details from the wedding soon, but will conclude this entry with several of my very favorites:

Today I am Stephen's Bride!!!

2010-12-11T09:15:00.000-08:00

"This is our God, we have waited for Him..." Isaiah 25:9

"Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him." Isaiah 64:4

"Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness." Psalm 115:1

**The picture above was taken during my bridal portraits in October. I am not actually writing this on my wedding day! This entry was scheduled in advance! I look forward to posting pictures and details from our ceremony and reception some time after our honeymoon.**

Saying Goodbye

2010-12-06T18:57:00.000-08:00

(Written by Mama)

The final wedding preparation lists have just been completed and posted on the fridge. Everything from putting toothpicks in the appetizers to manning the bonfire has been put on lists and assigned to a variety of friends and family in hopes that the wedding day will be fun and without stress.

Yet one detail remains undone: the finishing of the book.

Before Meredith was born, I began writing to her in a journal. The book actually began before I was married or even engaged. The entries were written in hopes that one day I would be a wife and eventually a mother. As I decided to read the book one last time before giving it to Meredith in just a few days, the first line reminded me of how long I had been writing to my hoped-for first child:

"Dear Baby: Yesterday I received this book from Timmy for my eighteenth birthday."

The entry was dated December 13, 1983. I laughed and cried as I read the entries that spanned almost three decades. Almost forgotten memories came into clear focus as I read about our wedding in 1984 and Meredith's birth in 1987. The pages reminded me of how much joy Meredith brought to us each day as well as how concerned we were, as first time parents, about every aspect of parenting.

One entry in particular revealed how completely distraught we were the first time we faced a big parenting dilemma. It tells how Timmy and I spent two hours late one night discussing what to do with what appeared to be a streak of dishonesty that had surfaced in our sweet little toddler. The morning following the worrisome conversation, Meredith, barely three, proceeded to confirm our fear in what we still refer to today as the "vitamin episode."

She was given her daily Flintstone (deliciously sweet) vitamin but it fell on the floor so I told her to throw it away and I gave her a clean one instead. When she returned from what I assumed was a trip to the trash can and I asked her if she threw the dirty vitamin away, she responded yes. However, as she spoke I could see her tongue was colored from both grape and orange vitamins! Timmy and I were stunned, speechless, and paralyzed by her obvious lie. And so very heart-broken! Why would this sweet little girl ever lie to us, her adoring parents?! The story concludes with Meredith being disciplined by her very sorrowful daddy.

Contrasting our concern over the development of Meredith's character was an entry and picture of a special memory of Meredith's compassion when she was a big, four year old sister. We had taken Meredith and her one year old brother, Elliott, to the city fair called the "Chesapeake Jubilee." They were eager to ride the kids' dinosaur roller coaster and were seated beside each other in the picture.

As the ride started, all the children began laughing and screaming in delight. All the children - except Elliott - whose face quickly turned red as he began to cry. At first Meredith didn't notice he was crying but as the ride circled around, Timmy and I motioned for her to look at Elliott. Once she realized Elliott was crying, we could almost hear her as she said to him, "It's fun! We're having fun!" Her words weren't convincing though and he cried all the harder.

Meredith must have thought the loud sounds of children screaming were frightening him so her next attempt to comfort Elliott was to cover his ears with her four year old, big sister hands. Still, he cried.

Not knowing what else to do, Meredith pulled Elliott's head to her chest, covered his ears, and joined him in crying too!

The roller coaster worker finally realized Elliott was sad and he stopped the ride and took him off. Meredith quickly cheered up as the ride began again and she screamed and laughed with the other children. Timmy and I were so touched by her protective love of her little brother.

The origin of the all important "half birthday" was discovered in my reading as well. For as long as I can remember, Meredith has always announced her "half birthdays" as if they were the real thing! Well, it appears the tradition began when she was five and a half. The entry suggests that she told so many people that her half birthday was coming soon, that even my dear friend Lisa (who had a daughter Meredith's age) called first thing in the morning of Meredith's half birthday to send her well-wishes.

The stories go on and on. From sad times to happy. Through years where we worried about her and the influence of peers on her life to the years when she settled into the joyful young woman she is today.

As the Lord sent more children into our family, I began only writing to each of them in their books about once a year. I didn't write in Meredith's book early this year when I wrote in the other childrens' books. I think I knew in my heart that it would be the last time I would write to her. The last entry in Meredith's book was written February 1, 2009 and begins, "I wonder which entry will be my last. Oh how I'm treasuring these precious days with you. Surely the Lord has been preparing my heart for what will become the end of our sweet girl spreading joy, creativity, and enthusiasm in our family each day."

As we prepare for the wedding, I recently told someone that I'm not worried that Timmy and I will wipe a tear from the corner of our eye during the ceremony. I'm worried that we'll break down and sob uncontrollably!! Meredith has become such a good friend to us during these last few years. She spreads energy and enthusiasm into our lives every day. She's always working on a new business idea and loves the lines from newly-vacuumed carpet just as much as I do.

From a practical standpoint, she has been a remarkable sounding board for just about every financial decision we make and she has brought balance to us in so many other areas. She has enough of the Alexanders in her to speak the truth even if it hurts for us to hear it. But she has a good amount of my side of the family so she can say it kindly. Besides the fact that she is our daughter, we will miss her as a good friend who is moving far, far away.

Because we've been preoccupied with wedding planning for so long, it wasn't until a few months ago that I realized for the first time that Christmas is just a couple of weeks after the wedding. I imagined for the first time what Christmas would be like without Meredith being there. As the realization hit me, I said to Timmy, "Did you realize that Meredith isn't going to be with us this Christmas?! Do you remember our first Christmas with her when she was just a couple of weeks old? Do you remember the next Christmas when she learned to walk on Christmas Eve? Do you remember all those presents we bought her and how excited she was? Remember when she was a toddler and I'd put those pink, spongy curlers in her hair at night on Christmas Eve so it would be pretty the next day?" My emotions were escalating and I went on to say, "Meredith is what made Christmas so fun. She's the reason we really started celebrating Christmas! She was what Christmas was all about!" Bringing me out of my teary-eyed, memory-filled state was Timmy's reply, "And imagine, all these years I thought we were celebrating Christmas because of Jesus!"

A voice of reason speaks out in the midst of the emotionally charged ramblings of a mother.

What an incredible blessing it has been to enjoy almost twenty-three years with the sweet girl that I began writing to when I was but a teenager. What a treasure the baby, now young woman, named Meredith Ivy has been to me all these years.

Every day I tell myself to write the closing entry in Meredith's book but then I decide that it's not a good day to say good-bye. "Tomorrow I'll be ready," I conclude. "Maybe tomorrow."

The Wedding Week Has Finally Arrived!

2010-12-05T23:51:00.000-08:00

The long-awaited and much-anticipated week has finally arrived! To say that I am excited would be a huge understatement. With the help of many wonderful friends and family members, the last-minute details are coming together well and we are very busy, yet not really stressed or overwhelmed. I am treasuring every moment with my precious family and overjoyed to begin a new family as the wife of my beloved husband.

Monday and Tuesday will be filled with around-the-house projects and baking for the coffee and dessert buffet we are hosting on Friday night for our out-of-town guests. We plan to have one last family movie night on one of these nights and watch our favorite annual Christmas movie, "Home Alone". I have been given a gift certificate to get a facial on Wednesday, followed by having my nails done (all of this is quite luxurious for a girl who was just gutting chickens a few days ago!), and then I am picking Stephen up from the airport! Our out-of-town friends and relatives begin arriving in Richmond on Thursday and Friday. On Thursday, Stephen and I will get our marriage license in the morning and then head to Richmond where Mama and I will meet for coffee with two long-time friends who are flying in for the wedding. A crew of great friends also arrive on Thursday to help set up the farm for the reception and work on some of the cooking. Friday is an Afternoon Bridal Tea for my bridal party, the wedding rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, and dessert buffet. Saturday, of course, is the wedding!

I am embarking upon what is likely the most packed and exciting week of my life!

When I was a very little girl (and, well, actually into some of my teen years...) I was well known within my family for being "Ailment Annie", as they liked to call me, because I was very dramatic when it came to the smallest afflictions. The latest ailment was always quickly dismissed by my parents with the phrase, "You'll get better before you get married!" I would promptly debate that this stubbed toe was absolutely unbelievable and was certainly going to be with me until the grave. Needless to say, I did outgrow that (and am feeling quite well today), but it has come to my attention that, at this point, this phrase may not be true any longer. I keep revisiting the scene from the Brady Bunch episode where Marcia's nose is accidentally hit by a football and, even as I pull cookies out of the oven, I worry that I'll get too close and end up with a big red burn across my face on the wedding day!

We are so thankful for your kind words and prayers. For those of you who have been kind enough to ask what specifically you can be praying for; we ask that you pray that our week will be low-stress and God will bless our efforts as we complete every last detail. Above all else, please join us in praying that our wedding day will be honoring to God and that our new union will glorify Him for all of our days.

Family Heirloom Hair Piece

2010-12-03T23:01:00.000-08:00

The most special item of my wedding day attire is a beautifully engraved antique hair piece given to me by my soon-to-be mother-in-law.

The hair piece belonged to Stephen's great-great-grandmother who lived from 1863-1933. It was an honor to receive such a family treasure and I knew immediately that I wanted to wear it on my wedding day.

In her obituary titled, "Beloved Christian Woman Passes to Her Reward", she is remembered as a solid woman who fulfilled her Christian duty while here on earth. Several sentences were particularly moving and have become an inspiration to me:

"Of a radiant personality and brilliant mind, she was capable of commanding whatever positions she might aspire to in the social realm, but let it be said to her everlasting credit she was content to center her devoted and consecrated energies on her home and her church."

"The last chapter of Proverbs contains thirty-one attributes of perfect women and the 27th verse describes this now sainted character most aptly: 'She looketh well to the ways of her household and eateth not the bread of idleness'."

"Her pastor stated in his eulogy that prayer in her home was as definite or as habitual as the daily meals and that in his meditations he wondered if the home life he saw there was not near unto God's ideal."

"And from the wealth of inspiring quotations from the Holy Book applicable to her life and character he quoted, 'Blessed are the pure in heart', 'She hath done what she could', 'I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness'."

It is such an honor to wear her hair piece on my wedding day and have her example in my life.

Three Wonderful Bridal Showers

2010-11-29T23:59:00.000-08:00

I have been so incredibly blessed by several families who kindly hosted beautiful bridal showers for me during the past month. I enjoyed many hours of fellowship with many of our family's dearest friends and received so many delightful gifts for Stephen and my future home.

The first shower was an inspiring Pampered Chef shower. I left so eager to cook! Immediately upon arrival I was given a lovely corsage to wear for the event:

The Pampered Chef host demonstrated how to use many of the latest Pampered Chef products. In the following picture I was asked to assist:

Weeks before the shower, I was instructed to go through the Pampered Chef catalog and choose some of my favorite items. These items were cut out and placed on cute leaves on a tree for the guests present to place orders for gifts for me! It was so much fun when my box of kitchen items arrived soon afterward!

The host of the shower also gave me a "Memorial Box", a treasure chest to store reminders of God's goodness in Stephen and my new family's life. She explained that the idea of the "Memorial Box" originated from Exodus 16:32 which states, "Moses said, 'This is what the Lord has commanded: Let an omer of it be kept throughout your generations, so that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.'" In the same way that manna was preserved to remind the Israelites of God's provision, we can begin storing special reminders of His faithfulness in our lives together. There was already one creative reminder placed in our Memorial Box - a computer mouse to signify the unique and unexpected way God caused our paths to cross!

The following weekend was another lovely shower hosted by more dear friends of our family.

The gift theme was Christmas ornaments (although there were also a couple other sweet gifts as well), so I am now looking forward to setting up our first Christmas tree next year!

So much thought and time went into the gifts at all three of the showers. I left each event feeling so loved!

Visiting with friends:

The hostesses prepared a delicious luncheon for us to enjoy!

There was a creative game during which the guests competed by drawing what they guessed my wedding dress looked like.

A few who had not seen the dress before were fairly accurate!

The third shower was held several hours away near the area where my family is originally from and a very large crowd of dear friends and extended family gathered! It was so nice to fellowship with the friends that we've known through many years and many moves, yet rarely have opportunities to see anymore.

I am so thankful for all of the incredible gifts I received for our home. I can't wait to begin using everything.

Even Sheridan received one gift from a very thoughtful family. They read on a recent blog post that Sheridan planned to teach Mama how to bake cookies, so they sweetly purchased cookie cutters and Christmas cookie sprinkles for her! We already enjoyed baking and decorating a batch of Christmas sugar cookies together with her new tools last week.

My great-grandmother, Nannie:

We are continually amazed at how the body of Christ has come together so beautifully in preparation for Stephen and my wedding and new marriage. Thank you so very much to the families who prepared, decorated, cooked, cleaned, invited, and on and on and on for my three bridal showers! I am so grateful for your kindness, love, and generosity toward me. The hospitality you exhibited challenges me and spurs me on to follow in your examples in my new home. My family is indebted to you and we pray that we will become characterized by being as servant-hearted as each of you have been to us over these past months and now in these final few days. Your friendship to our family is among our greatest joys.

So Much to Be Thankful For

2010-11-25T23:59:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Since this is my last Thanksgiving as a daughter living at home, we made an effort to see almost all of our extended family. We left our home after the morning milking and drove down to NC to visit with most of my mom's side of the family. After a delicious meal, Daddy and I drove down the road to visit at his grandparents' house. We returned to my grandparents' house, left shortly afterward with the rest of our family, and headed to Virginia Beach to visit with most of the rest of my dad's side of the family. We enjoyed yet another scrumptious Thanksgiving meal and returned home to eager cows (Elliott and Oliver just completed the evening milking at nearly midnight).

One year ago I was excited and prayerful about the young man corresponding with my father concerning his interest in me. This year I am incredibly grateful for the amazing opportunity to soon become the help meet of this godly, diligent, and wise man! I am also very thankful for the blessing of growing up in a wonderful home with a precious family, as well as the sweet joy and contentment I have as I spend these final days with my family. I am most grateful for the assurance that no matter where I may live, or whatever changes may be in store, God will remain with me; mercifully bestowing peace, fulfilment, and direction through every transition. What an exciting thought it is to wonder about what God may have in store one year from now!

"They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck of meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports."

William Bradford

"Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deer, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

Edward Winslow

These Are Sweet Days

2010-11-21T23:58:00.000-08:00

The days begin early, end late, and are flying by so quickly! The farm and family buzz with activity as Christmas music fills the cozy farmhouse as well as the barn and outdoors. After a nearly nine month engagement, it is hard to believe that we are truly in the final few days. The delight, joy, and excitement of becoming the wife of my beloved Stephen is tempered with the reality of leaving behind my precious family. Less than three weeks until I become Stephen's wife means less than three weeks until I leave behind the sweet life I love so much. Although I am happy beyond words to be moving on to an exciting journey with my incredible man leading the way, it is very sad to think that these days with my wonderful family are nearing an end. How I pray that I can make the most of these final days! I don't want to regret the way these moments were spent. I want to treasure every hour of every day.

A few nights ago, as I tucked precious little Sheridan into bed, out of the blue she said she wished that she had a baby sister. She hasn't mentioned this before so I didn't really know what to reply, but I had the thought to explain how I always prayed to God that He would give me a sister and He answered my prayer, so now she could pray for this too. When I said a little prayer to appease her and help her fall asleep, it hit me that this simple prayer that I used to pray - which the Lord so kindly answered in the way I requested - here she is! This beautiful little blonde hair blue eyed three year old girl in her snuggly warm fleece pajamas... the baby sister I prayed for... and I'm leaving her! I cried and held her close to me.

Later that evening, when I relayed this story to Mama, she began to cry also. Living with a houseful of boys has taught both of us to rarely shed a tear, so we both really try to avoid the topic of me moving because we are crying way too often! I am trying very hard not to be overly emotional or sentimental about leaving home. I absolutely do not want to be a homesick, crying newlywed wife to my sweet husband.

There are certainly many exciting and challenging changes in store and I find great comfort in knowing that, as my grandmother once told me, if we are living within God's will for our lives we will have contentment and fulfillment. I am confident that my new life as Stephen's wife will be just as fulfilling as my life now because I have perfect peace knowing that I am following God's leading in this new chapter of my life.

And I couldn't be any more excited about the life I have ahead! God has given me so much more than I deserve in Stephen and I am thankful for him every single day. I am overjoyed at the thought of beginning our lives together.

Stephen has settled into our cozy apartment and I can't wait to move in with him! He sends me pictures and gives me tours via Skype. I am so blessed to get to begin my marriage in such a sweet little home. Every wifely duty sounds absolutely blissful because I will be able to serve my own husband. Getting married is the culmination of years of prayers and preparation and I am so honored to get to marry such a godly man of character. The future is very bright!

The past several weeks have been packed...

It was bittersweet to complete the final tractor service cutting of the season. I have enjoyed working for the tractor service for eight years and it has been thrilling to watch the business grow each season so it is sad to close this chapter, but I am so excited about what the Lord may have planned for my future as Stephen's wife (granted, it is highly unlikely it will have to do with tractors!).

While in NC completing the tractor service season, I also delivered my final cheesecakes to the restaurant I have baked for over the past four years. It has been a delight to bake for The Nicholson House. The owners gave me a kind card and sweet wedding gift.

One of the wedding projects which I am still finishing is monogramming the names of our reception's lovely server girls on their matching white aprons. I only have a few left to do, so I hope to finish this project early this upcoming week.

I created and printed the tags that will hang off of the strawberry jam wedding favors and now just need to finish the assembly of the fabric, twine, and tags on the jars.

My grandmother cut out the 250 fabric top coverings for the jars! This is what the finished product will look like:

I can't post pictures of the finished welcome gift package for our guests staying in our recommended accommodations because I entered a gift package into the Inspired Creations contest through Elizabeth Anne Designs. Although the likelihood of winning is very slim, I don't want to ruin my chances by doing something that is prohibited in the rules. The winner receives $500 worth of prizes, including a $200 Williams Sonoma gift card! I have actually only finished that one gift box so far (out of 25-30) so that is another project I still have ahead of me. One of the items in the boxes is a cup of homemade chocolate peanut clusters, as seen below. Fortunately, I have already finished all of the chocolate peanut clusters.

Mama is doing an incredible job decorating and Oma (my grandmother) spent the past several days creating many holiday wreaths and floral arrangements for the reception:

Following is Mama's "Inspiration Board'' for wedding reception decor on the farm - a collection of pictures from the beautiful homes we toured during the Edenton Christmas Candlelight Tour last year:

Our 3rd annual "Give Thanks for Udders" Farm Day, which was held yesterday, was the deadline for most of the infrastructure, decorating, and cleaning projects around the farm, so the house and property are nearly immaculate right now (hopefully this will somehow be maintained for three weeks!). In the picture below, Sullivan and Harrison are cleaning out an old chicken barn that is now used as a seating area with several tables and was used for the apple cider room during Farm Day. Sullivan and Harrison are taking their "summer break" from school during the months of November and December this year (we continued school throughout this past summer) so they can help with all of the many preparations here on the farm. Initially, they were thrilled about their break from school but now they are asking to go back to school work since the farm work is much more time consuming!

The farmhouse's exterior was painted and new shutters were installed. Sullivan, Harrison, and Sheridan helped paint the front porch's floor. The back porch was just tiled and it looks so nice, although I don't have any pictures!

Elliott built a small patio for our grill a few mornings ago. I don't have any pictures of this finished project either, but it looks very sharp.

The milking barn's second floor is where the wedding reception's dance will be taking place. In the picture below it was set up with hay bales in the center for an organization's showing of a documentary during our Farm Day.

This past Thursday was Thanksgiving turkey processing day. We had twelve workers and not very many turkeys (unfortunately due to predator problems) so it only took half the day. I drove to Charlottesville and did the milk delivery after finishing processing (and after getting a shower, of course!).

I've also baked 30+ cheesecakes during the past couple weeks. Although it was a daunting task, it is now completed and I have baked and frozen all of the cheesecakes for the wedding cake as well as all of the cheesecakes to reach my goal of a $1,000 contribution to the wedding fund. It is a great feeling to have this out of the way.

Farm Day was a success and we estimated that there were around 300 people in attendance this year. On Friday, we had a large field trip here as well so we have been busy with many people on the farm throughout the weekend.

The weather was perfect. We pray that we will have nice weather like yesterday's for the wedding! Children loved the hay rides on the authentic hay trailer:

Children milking the simulated dairy cow:

Elliott and Oliver worked the store and I just helped where needed, which was mostly keeping the barn stocked with warm apple cider.

Our dog, Sammie, just relaxed on the front porch:

We don't offer any scheduled tours on Farm Day, so I always sketch a little map for our guests who enjoy viewing the animals with their families:

I have been so blessed with three beautiful bridal showers! The third was today and was such a wonderful afternoon of fellowship with many friends and extended family. I look forward to posting pictures from all three bridal showers soon!

The sweetest moments of these final days at home are not pictured... Baking cookies with precious Sheridan in the kitchen while singing our favorite "Christmas cleaning song" (we turn it on whenever we need to do a "clean sweep" throughout the main living areas), which is Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas"... Long chats with my wise and loving Mama while running errands... The sound of Elliott and Oliver's country jam sessions... Occasional meaningful talks with Harrison... Listening to Sullivan tell me about the progress of his latest book or some random history fact... Watching football and basketball on TV with Daddy. Laughing and reminiscing with my family late in the evenings... Dinner out at a restaurant together...

The Lord is graciously giving me increasingly more treasured moments with my family and less and less stress over the myriad of wedding details!

My Precious Little Flower Girl

2010-11-15T01:48:00.000-08:00

I promise an update post is coming soon! I have a very long entry drafted and many pictures to post, but my time has been extremely limited lately. I am writing this post at 1:30 am on Monday morning, which is not exactly the best way to begin a productive new week (especially considering I need to wake up feeling well rested in just a few hours)!

We are only 26 days away from the wedding! I can hardly believe it.

I wanted to share some of my favorite photos of sweet Sheridan Anna Claire from our bridal portrait shoot a couple weeks ago. All photos appear courtesy of my lovely friend Annabeth:

I love my sister so incredibly much! She brings immeasurable joy to my heart. I tell her how much I am going to miss her when I get married and she sweetly responds that she isn't going to miss me because she is going to spend two days at home teaching Mama how to bake cookies (she thinks that only she and I know how to do this) and then she is going to the airport to get on an airplane and "bisit" (visit) Stephen and me. I am going to miss her so much.

10 Week New Meal Challenge: Week 10!

2010-11-07T23:55:00.000-08:00

The final week of the 10 Week New Meal Challenge has arrived!

I hate that I have been so slack in blogging lately, but with only a few weeks until the wedding, my days are filled to the brim with important items on my "to-do list" and updating the blog is not exactly at the top of the list. I've begun several entries that I hope to post within the next few days and I especially look forward to sharing about the two wonderful bridal showers I have been blessed with over the past couple weekends!

At last week's shower I received recipes from each of the guests and was so inspired by two of the recipes that I made them into my new meal for this week. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures, but it was a "breakfast for supper" meal of delicious sausage quiche, moist banana bread fresh from the oven, and my mom added hashbrowns made with a previous dinner's leftover baked potatoes. My family rarely eats breakfast together, so I have very limited breakfast cooking experience and was glad to try out these new recipes.

This week's other meal entries sound so good! I would love to try each one!

Lisa's Black Bean & Tomato Quinoa
Missy's Swiss Chicken Casserole & Sweet Potato Casserole
Morgan's Slow Cooker Roast & Vegetables
Sarah's Traditional English Christmas Pudding

Thank you so much for participating in this during the past several months. I hope everyone else has been as inspired as I have been! I have enjoyed this challenge and am so thankful for all of the meal ideas I have gleaned from those who joined in each week. I look forward to referencing these posts again in the near future when I begin to plan meals and make grocery lists as a brand new wife. :)

10 Week New Meal Challenge: Week 9

2010-10-31T23:54:00.000-07:00

For this week's meal I made one of my very favorite dishes: chicken and dumplings! My great-grandmother taught me how to make her delicious chicken and dumplings recipe years ago. However, she uses shortening in her dumplings and we try to avoid it, so I looked online and made my own recipe from a collection of several others I found.

Photo courtesy of Google Images

I seasoned the homemade chicken broth with salt, pepper, and onion powder before adding the shredded chicken and bringing the soup to a simmer. Next, I added the dumplings by the spoonful, which I made by combining the following ingredients:

3 cups flour

2 T baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups milk

6 T vegetable oil

The dumplings were ready after being brought to a boil and then simmering for about 20 minutes. It had been a long time since we'd enjoyed chicken and dumplings, so it was a big hit! For this week's other meals, visit the following links:

Clara's Pasta Salad
Jenna's Egg Rolls

Next week is the very last week of the 10 Week New Meal Challenge! Please email me or leave a comment if you would like your new meal included. I am excited to see the new week's meals!

10 Week New Meal Challenge: Week 8

2010-10-24T23:19:00.000-07:00

For this week's meal I made a spicy chicken soup recipe I found at allrecipes.com. It reminded me a lot of a taco soup except with shredded chicken instead of ground beef. We added tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and sour cream on top. It was very good!

This week's other meals include the following:

Jenna's African Meal
Katrina's Roast Chicken
Lisa's Vegetarian Goulash

Only two more weeks remain in the 10 Week New Meal Challenge! It has been so inspiring to read about others' recipes over the past weeks. Please leave a comment or send me an email if you'd like your new meal included in next week's entry (or if I am missing any from this week).

Cheesecake Wedding Cake

2010-10-21T18:27:00.000-07:00

I hesitate to write about my homemade wedding cake because, unfortunately, the only finished picture I have is in my mind. You will need a lot of vision to understand what I am attempting to explain!

I am baking a New York-Style classic cheesecake wedding cake with one four-tiered cake in the center and four individual single layer cakes surrounding it. There will be cherries poured on top of each cake, adding a hint of Christmas red to the winter white theme.

The restaurant I bake for freezes my cheesecakes and I usually freeze the ones I sell to farm customers, so we are confident that the quality is not greatly compromised by freezing the cakes. This is very helpful because I am able to complete the baking and freezing of the cakes within the next several weeks instead of having to wait until a few days before the wedding. I am excited to begin baking, but lately I have been struggling to stay on top of other cheesecake orders (I've received thirteen cheesecake orders for this week, which is a great blessing!). We found the following cake plates at a discount store:

Last night, sweet Sheridan and I took the colorful ribbons out of them and began replacing them with off-white ribbons:

The display will be on a round table in the main reception tent. The center cake (with four tiers) will have a 12'' cheesecake, 10'' cheesecake, 8'' cheesecake, and 6'' cheesecake. Surrounding the center cake will be four 8'' cakes on their individual cake plates (we still need to finish threading the off-white ribbons through most of them!):

Because the amount of cheesecake being displayed as the wedding cake will not be enough for our guests, we will have slices from other cheesecakes (less-than-perfect/cracked cheesecakes, which are luckily not noticeably cracked once sliced) already on their individual plates being stored in fridges in one of our barns so our wonderful server girls will be able to pour cherries on top and deliver them to our guests in the reception tent.

I am looking to buy the pillars to go between the tiers on the center cake. Does anyone have suggestions as to where I could purchase inexpensive, simple-looking pillars? I have found sets made by Wilton at Michael's, but I am trying to avoid them because I think they look too gaudy. I'd appreciate any ideas you may have!

Wedding & Home Guest Book

2010-10-20T23:58:00.000-07:00

Several years ago, when visiting our friends, the Girottis, at their lovely home in the Shenandoah Valley, we were invited to sign their family's guest book. For years they had been collecting their guests' notes, signatures, addresses, and occasional photos in a guest book in their family room. I immediately fell in love with their idea and made a note in my journal that, should it be the Lord's will for me to one day marry, I would definitely want a similar guest book in my own home!

Photos courtesy of Crane & Co.

When I was searching for the wedding guest book for our friends and family to sign as they enter the church prior to the ceremony, I remembered this idea from years ago and decided to incorporate my wedding guest book into my future home's guest book. I wanted a guest book in a traditional style that would suit our needs at the wedding as well as in our future homes. I also wanted something that I knew would be available many years from now in a similar style so I could add to the guest book collection when the first book was filled.

After searching online, I decided to purchase a beautiful guest book from Crane & Co. I think it will be so much fun to look through this book many years from now and recall those who shared in our joyous wedding day as well as reminisce about the opportunities we had to welcome others into our home throughout the years.

Thank You for the Ideas

2010-10-19T23:50:00.000-07:00

Thank you so incredibly much for your many, many going away dress ideas! I have been in town all day at various appointments and running wedding-related errands and was welcomed home to an inbox full of comments with your great ideas! I look forward to researching the links soon. Unfortunately, I did not have an opportunity to write a wedding update post today, but I look forward to writing again tomorrow.

Going Away Dress Dilemma

2010-10-18T23:57:00.000-07:00

You may remember that this past spring I requested help finding a pattern for a dress similar to the one pictured above. I wanted to find a way to make my own "going away dress" because, although I adored the classy style and color, I was definitely not going to spend $600 on the one pictured above. Some of you left helpful comments and linked to dress ideas and patterns. Two people suggested a Vintage Vogue pattern from the 1950's that looked nearly identical to the dress I loved, so I happily purchased the pattern and fabric and began working on the project. I was only able to work on it occasionally over the summer, but I knew I needed to get serious about it if it was going to be completed before the wedding. As I tried to finish it last week with a lot of help from Mama, we both agreed that it was the most confusing pattern we had ever worked with! Finally, when the bodice was ready for me to try on, it looked terrible! Not only was it too tight, but it was just an altogether awkward fit. I was discouraged after spending so much time on it. Fortunately, most of the fabric is still in large pieces so I will be able to use it again in the future.

I am at a total loss as to what I should do about my going away dress! We are getting way too close to the wedding for me to attempt another big sewing project. I really want to wear something timeless and elegant and I don't want to wear my wedding dress when leaving the reception. I am considering buying a dress and would be thrilled if anyone has any suggestions for a dress that is very similar to the one pictured!

10 Week New Meal Challenge: Week 7

2010-10-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

This week I made a broccoli cheddar soup I found last winter at my friend Alli's blog. It is supposed to be similar to the delicious broccoli cheddar soup at Panera. The flavor was good, but when I added the cheese to the soup, the cheese did not melt but instead turned into very tiny clumps! The soup was very hot and I continued to try to melt the cheese for a long time, even taking some out and microwaving it, but it still would not completely melt. Does anyone have any ideas as to what would cause this? I added rice to the soup so the cheese would not be so obvious.

Photo courtesy of Google Images

This week's other meal entries sound very good:

Angelina's Chicken Pot Pie
Jenna's Golden Cheese Chowder
Leigha's Taco Soup
Lisa's Lemon-Roasted Baby Potatoes
Sarah's Pesto Stuffed Vegetables

I hope everyone is enjoying a restful Lord's Day and gearing up for a productive new week!

Invitations Are Out!

2010-10-16T23:52:00.000-07:00

The invitations were sent earlier this week!

Stephen and I wanted a very traditional invitation and modeled ours after his maternal grandparents' wedding announcement. My friend Luci kindly sent an extra invitation from her wedding, so I used her classy, traditional Crane & Co. invitation as my guide when I searched online, in stores, and even at office supply stores (with the thought of buying only a few invitations and then making copies) to find the best way to emulate her beautiful invitation's paper weight, border, and raised lettering.

After much research, I found the best deal would be for us to place our order through Hallmark. It was so comforting to be able to work with real people instead of cyberspace, especially because we could hold someone accountable for their mistakes. I couldn't be any more pleased with how the invitations turned out. They are exactly what I wanted. I already have plans to frame one in our home someday!

Although we got a very good price, it still ended up being one of the larger expenses of the wedding. Since this expense would fall into the "extravagant purchases" category because a less expensive invitation could have easily conveyed the same pertinent information, I have been baking many cheesecakes and selling them to our farm customers to help defray the cost. I originally wanted to raise $1,000 in cheesecake profits (which covers the invitation cost and then some...) and am still very hopeful to reach my goal before the wedding. I recently crossed over the $600 mark and hope that sales will grow as the holidays approach (as they have done in previous years).

Today I excitedly checked the mail and found the first three response cards! My hair is windswept in the picture due to my running home to open the envelopes. I can't wait until the mail comes on Monday!

I look forward to posting Week 7 of the New Meal Challenge tomorrow. Also, two wedding-related entries have been published during this past week at the incredibly inspiring wedding website I am enjoying writing for: Elizabeth Anne Designs. Last of all, I have enough wedding-related blog posts drafted to continue throughout next week, so my one week of wedding entries is turning into two!

Sweet Bell Ringer Girls

2010-10-15T23:55:00.000-07:00

When I was a little girl I was the bell ringer in a wedding, which meant I walked down the aisle ringing a little bell to signify that the bride was coming next. For years I had planned to include some of the young girls from among our family's dearest friends so this would be a special memory for them as well. Although most of them are too young to understand the story of God's faithfulness in uniting Stephen and me, I pray that they may one day look back at the pictures from this event and be encouraged by our courtship and marriage.

I found a beautiful white dress for less than $20 on eBay and ordered one for Sheridan so Mama and I could make sure the dress was of acceptable quality and the sizing was accurate. The dress looked so sweet on Sheridan so we encouraged the mothers of the bell ringers to order identical dresses and have them shipped to their individual homes. We were even thrilled to realize that the flower on the front is detachable and can be used as a barrette in the girls' hair on the day of the wedding.

Finding bells for twenty seven girls became a concern when we couldn't find them online for less than around $15 each! As the Lord has done time and time again, He provided these pretty little porcelain angel bells for the most reasonable price possible at the most unexpected place - the Dollar Store! They were all just $1 each! I didn't especially love the angels at the top, but the girls' hands will be covering the angel almost entirely, so only the ivory bell and roses will be visible. Because we could only find twelve at our store, I emailed a picture to both of my grandmothers and asked if they could keep an eye out at their local Dollar Stores. Within days we had collected more than enough from an assortment of Dollar Stores!

I am so thrilled when I hear from the mothers and older sisters how the young girls are so excited about their special job as bell ringers!

The Bridesmaid Dresses

2010-10-14T23:59:00.000-07:00

In the same way that God provided my wedding dress for an extremely reasonable price ($30) and Sheridan's beautiful flower girl dress for another very reasonable price ($35), He has placed many other incredible deals in our path. Occasionally throughout the wedding planning process the myriad details have become overwhelming and discouraging, yet God has been faithful to bring unexpected blessings to cheer and encourage me.

The bridesmaid dresses were another amazing story of His provision for us! I have been a bridesmaid in several weddings and know all too well the feeling of spending $100-$150 on a dress I will likely never wear again, so I really wanted to spare my eight bridesmaids from this unfortunate dilemma. I looked online for months, searching for a reasonably priced dress that would not cause my wonderful bridesmaids to be freezing cold in December. It was nearly impossible to find a dress with straps, let alone sleeves!

I knew I wanted a dark color to provide a striking contrast between their dresses and my white dress, but I was flexible in the actual choice of the dark color. The wedding's color palette is winter white (for color palette inspiration, check out The Perfect Palette), so the dark bridesmaid dresses would be the only item of their color in the wedding.

After much discouragement in searching for the perfect thrifty and warm bridesmaid dress, Mama and I were shopping together in Dillard's one evening when Mama found a gorgeous, high quality, navy blue designer dress with a matching bolero for only $53! It was a classy and flattering Calvin Klein dress that was originally $178 and had been discounted several times. Unfortunately, she searched the store thoroughly and only found that one dress. We both agreed that it was the absolutely perfect dress and the price could not be any better, so we went to customer service and got a list of all the identical dresses in any size throughout the entire country. Mama called the stores and bought all of the dresses the following day! Within the next few days, packages began arriving from all over the country. Altogether, there were twelve dresses in various sizes. I delivered or shipped the dresses to each of my bridesmaids and am now returning the extra dresses.

In order to cover the taxes and shipping fees, each bridesmaid ended up paying $66, which is still a very inexpensive cost for a bridesmaid dress. Also, although everyone will be wearing the bolero at the wedding, the dress is beautiful with or without it, creating a classy look for both summer and winter events. One of my bridesmaids already wore her dress to the formal dinner on a cruise and another bridesmaid plans to make hers into a tea length dress after the wedding so she can wear it to a dance next spring.

I even bought an extra one for myself (also just in case anything terrible should happen to any of the other dresses on the day of the wedding!) and look forward to wearing it to formal events in the future!

Everyone is hemming the front of the dress to make it floor-length, but maintaining the small train in the back.

I don't particularly care for the one-shoulder style of the following bridesmaid dresses, but this picture gives an idea of the look I am striving for with dark navy blue dresses and ivory bouquets:

God has been so kind to provide so many wonderful things for me! It is exciting to watch Him at work even in little details like this one.

Sheridan's Flower Girl Dress

2010-10-13T23:59:00.000-07:00

{Entry Written by Mama}

Ever since Meredith first learned, almost 4 years ago, that she would finally have the sister she had prayed for, she has said that she wanted Sheridan to be her flower girl, should Meredith marry one day.

What a special blessing that Meredith's wedding is occurring when Sheridan is at the perfect age to be absolutely thrilled to be a flower girl. Although normally quiet in public, Sheridan will tell complete strangers that she's going to be a flower girl. When she discusses the upcoming wedding, she usually says, "At Meredith and my wedding...." We have to remind her that really just Meredith is marrying Stephen and that she will continue to live with us for a long time!

As I began to search for a flower girl dress for Sheridan, I found that the ones I most liked were way out of our wedding budget so I began to study them closely and wonder if I might be able to make one myself. While pricing fabric, lace, sequins, pearls, and ribbon, I quickly understood why the dresses I liked were so expensive.

Inspired by Meredith's wedding dress story, I wondered if I might find a wedding dress at a thrift store and be able to use the fabric and laces to make an inexpensive replica of the flower girl dresses that looked so special online.

If anyone ever followed me around a thrift store, they would surely assume I was not completely sane as I often, when finding just the exact thing I was hoping for, thank the Lord out loud as if He were standing right next to me. Such was the case when I found the most beautifully embellished, satin wedding dress that could be used for creating a flower girl dress for Sheridan. It was $34.99 - not too big of an expense should the project be a flop.

Since the dress was a women's size 12, there was plenty of fabric to work with. I figured it would be easier to keep the hem line and other tailored angles in tact, so I cut the various pieces of the gown down to the size of one of Sheridan's sundresses that I used as a guideline. The wedding dress had such beautiful details in the covered buttons and exquisite sequins, lace, and beads so I tried to preserve them when reconstructing the dress.

The final stitches were made today as I tried to figure out how to "bustle" the train so Sheridan can run around at the reception.
I'm not known for quality sewing skills so I'm sure Sheridan will be leaving a trail of pearls behind which were not securely reattached during the reconstruction. I just hope she'll fair better than Oliver, Sullivan, and Harrison who went with Meredith to our area's annual Civil War Ball a couple of years ago. They left in Civil War Soldier costumes made lovingly (not skillfully) by their mother and returned as those wounded in battle with rips in shoulder seams and, worst of all, splits clear through in rear pants seams!

It Was Easy to Say Yes to the Dress

2010-10-12T23:44:00.000-07:00

Through the handful of times I have watched TLC's "Say Yes to the Dress" I have found much more entertainment in all of the crazy drama displayed by the bride and mother of the bride than in the actual choosing of the dress. The story of finding my bridal gown is far from typical!

Blog entry from September 23, 2007:

"Here Comes the Bride"

If you're anything like my dad, who asked in his usual blunt tone, "Did I miss something?", I will assure you, I am not engaged, nor do I have any reason to be out purchasing wedding gowns, but...

I was at a thrift store last week and, since I often buy clothes from thrift stores to resell on eBay, I looked through the wedding dresses as I looked through everything else. In the past when I've looked at the wedding dresses, they are all way outdated with huge sleeves or they're around $100, which I think is a little bit too risky to hope that I could sell it for much more on eBay.

But this time, I found an elegant, classy dress for only $29.96, and it just happens to be my size. I looked all over the dress for any problems, and I only noticed a few tan dots at one edge of the train, but I think they will come out with a bleach pen. There are so many sequins and pearls and the train is really long. I found a similar one online and it was $1000.

When I got home, I showed it to Mama and she encouraged me to try it on. It fits perfectly! I haven't decided if I'm going to sell it on eBay or save it, but for now I think I'll hold on to it for a while...

In the years that followed since writing the entry above, I have seen a plethora of bridal gowns when shopping with engaged friends, yet I continually fall more and more in love with my inexpensive thrift store dress!

Over the years, when I would try the dress on just to make sure it still fit, I would gain a renewed confidence that, in the same way that God provided the absolutely perfect dress for me (which fits as if it were custom tailored specifically for me), in His timing He would also provide a husband who would be perfectly suited for me. He truly did!

Of course I can't show pictures of my bridal gown prior to the wedding, so I will only say that it is white (!), very traditional, and perfect for a winter wedding.

Week of Wedding Details!

2010-10-11T09:39:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Google Images

I have scarcely mentioned the wedding details ever since we booked the church in early June, yet so much has happened since then. We are in the final stretch and the days are passing so quickly. I plan to post new wedding-related entries each day over this upcoming week to catch you up on the exciting details and happenings.

For a quick overview:

The wedding dress is ready to be picked up from the dry cleaner, the bridesmaid dresses have been purchased, the flower girl dress has been completed, my going away dress is underway, the bell ringer dresses have been chosen and are being ordered by each family, wedding shoes have been purchased, and my handmade veil has been received.

We have met with the minister, chosen our vows, planned the wedding service, purchased the rings, and the organist has been secured. Boxes and boxes of invitations, envelopes, response cards, reception cards, etc. have arrived and will hopefully be sent out within the next several days, etiquette regarding the assembly and addressing of invitations has been thoroughly researched, invite list compiled, and the guest book has been ordered and received.

The flowers are being taken care of, my bridal bouquet has been chosen, arrangements have been made with our photographer, and bridal portraits will take place in a couple weeks. The reception menu has been planned, some h'ordeuvres have already been prepared and frozen, a large heated tent has been reserved, a live band secured, decorations purchased or created, and websites and magazines perused for creative, thrifty ideas. The wedding cake flavor and style has been chosen, practice cakes have been made, and cake display plates have been purchased.

Scaffolding is up around the house, shutters are down, exterior power washing has been completed, paint has been purchased, back porch roofing has been removed, new roofing is being installed, back porch's floor has been torn up, and tile is soon going down.

Homemade jam wedding favors have been made and hotel guests' welcome gift baskets have been purchased and are ready to be filled. Luggage has been purchased, honeymoon has been booked, and plans have been made. Emails have been neglected and my once clean and orderly bedroom has been left in disarray with everything from bell ringer bells to wedding cake plates!

There is so much ahead. For every one of the ''finished details'' listed above, I could write three unfinished details.

Please pray for my family as we spend these last two months together. Pray that our memories will be sweet and not stressful.

Also please pray for me as I transition to becoming a new wife. I am so excited, yet at the same time I realize it is going to be a huge adjustment with new joys and challenges. I love Stephen so much and want to be the perfectly suited help meet for him, so please pray that the Lord will mold me into the godly wife I should be.

Please pray especially for our focus as we plan this event. When I first heard that some of my extended family has already booked their flights and reserved their hotel rooms, it hit me as confirmation that this truly is happening! People are rearranging their schedules for this event... in just two months! I feel so blessed and honored, yet overwhelmed with the many tasks ahead.

I want this to be a special day for the dear friends and family who are kindly making an effort to support Stephen and me. But more importantly, I want for God to be glorified through the covenant we are making. I regret that I sometimes lose sight of the real focus and get so caught up in the meaningless details, so I need a lot of wisdom and discernment as I strive to maintain my focus on our marriage and not just this one day wedding celebration.

Thank you for your prayers and stay tuned for wedding updates throughout this upcoming week!

A Special Day

2010-10-09T23:20:00.000-07:00

Today is my wonderful soon-to-be husband's 24th birthday. Although I am saddened that we do not get to share this birthday together, I am cheered by the thought that we will spend my upcoming birthday together on our honeymoon!

Over the recent months, Stephen has been reading through the Bible in an intentional manner where he is memorizing scripture and it is truly becoming more and more a part of who he is. He has written hundreds of pages of notes as he has studied - almost like his own commentary - and he has almost completed the entire Bible! I am continually challenged by his perseverance in this most important endeavor. Occasionally, when we talk on Skype in the evenings he will ask me to quiz him on something he has recently read. I read a random verse of the New Testament and he can almost always tell me exactly what book and chapter it is from! He is so diligent with every project he pursues, but I am especially thankful for his efforts in this project as I know it will be incredibly beneficial to our future family.

Stephen is both the most accomplished and the most humble person I have ever known. He is the perfect balance of absolute brilliance and intelligence beyond my comprehension, yet also an abundance of kindness, faithfulness, wisdom, and visionary leadership. He is so intense and disciplined, yet he takes the time to be sweet to me and care for me. I can't wait to be his bride in only nine weeks!

10 Week New Meal Challenge: Week 6

2010-10-08T23:08:00.000-07:00

We had a few chilly fall days during this past week so I decided to make a brunswick stew recipe for this week's new meal. I love brunswick stew and this recipe was so flavorful!

Photo courtesy of Google images

However, some family members said it should not be called a brunswick stew because the ingredients were different from what we consider to be a typical southern brunswick stew (the recipe included green peppers instead of butter beans, ground pork instead of pulled pork, etc.). Also, although I thought it was so delicious, it contained more meat than our family usually consumes in an entire week... if not two weeks... so it would not have been very economical were it not for the fact that we recently had to slaughter a cow, we had just enough pork in the family freezer (if meat is in the "family freezer" it means that the seal broke or something else happened that would cause it not to be included in the farm's inventory), and we had leftover chicken in the freezer from last week's meal. You can read the recipe at allrecipes.com. The name is actually "Get a Husband Brunswick Stew", so you girls who are not yet taken may want to head on over! ;)

Check out this week's other new recipes!

Clara's Potato Salad
Laura's Early Autumn Minestrone and Courgette Carbonara
Leigha's Cavatini
Lisa's Vegetarian Chili
Morgan's Sausage Cheese Pie

If anyone else would like to be included, feel free to let me know and I will add your link! Also, Katrina didn't post this week's recipe on her site, but it is instead included below:

Easy Pork Chops by Katrina

I've tried this recipe both pan fried and oven roasted now and both way have earned raves. It was noted that on the stove top version, the soy sauce dominated, whereas the oven roasted versions seemed more orange-y.

Ingredients:

2 pork chops

1/2 cup of orange juice (more if you like)

1/4 cup of soy sauce

2 cloves of garlic, minced

Set the chops on a plate prick them with a fork.

Mix orange juice and soy sauce and garlic and pour over the pork making sure it's covered well.

Cover the plate and chops with plastic wrap and let it sit for about 30 minutes.

Pre-heat the oven for 350 if you're going to put them in the oven.

When the chops are ready, place them either in pan w/a little bit of cooking oil and cook them up. OR place them in a oven dish, toss in a few potatoes cut up and pricked with a fork and cook for about 25 minutes.

Serve w/salad.

10 Week New Meal Challenge: Week 5

2010-10-01T23:52:00.000-07:00

We've arrived at the 10 Week New Meal Challenge's half way mark! So far, over 20 new meals have been made between the assortment of bloggers writing from four different countries: Australia, Canada, Scotland, and the United States. Thank you to all who have participated, and I encourage others to join in over the following few weeks!

Photo courtesy of Google Images

Stephen likes Chipotle a lot, so I had been wanting to find a way to make authentic tasting Chipotle burritos. I searched through several online recipes and learned that Chipotle adds cumin to the black beans, lime and cilantro to the rice, and green chiles to the corn. In addition to this, I cooked the chicken with homemade taco seasoning and onions before adding shredded cheese, sour cream, pinto beans, lettuce, and salsa to the flour tortilla burritos. I served them with my homemade cornbread and the entire family liked the meal a lot. I can't wait to make it for Stephen!

I am getting this posted earlier than during the previous couple weekends, so if anyone else was hoping to be included in this week's entry, please feel free to leave a comment and I will gladly add your link. Be sure to check out this week's other exciting new meals!

Angelina's Lemon Basil Shrimp Pasta
Clara's Pizza Scrambled Eggs
Jenna's Holiday Hamballs
Katrina's Convertible Recipes
Lisa's Vegetable Stuffed Croissants, Vegetable Quesadillas, & Vegetable Couscous Loaf
Morgan's Biscuits

Chelsea's Wedding Weekend

2010-09-30T23:26:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was my friend Chelsea's wedding on the Outer Banks. Chelsea and I have been good friends since meeting at a Christian youth retreat when we were 15 and 16 years old. This year we are both bridesmaids in each other's wedding!

I drove down to the beach (very carefully, of course, with the wedding cake aboard!) Friday morning and met with Chelsea and the other bridesmaids at a nail salon. Chelsea surprised us with "bridesmaid t-shirts" with our names on them.

Showing off our pedicures and t-shirts

Would you believe it was the first time I had even been to a nail salon?!

Rehearsal

Friday evening was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Chelsea's fiance's parents rented a huge beach house on the sound and cooked a ton of Italian food for the rehearsal dinner.

The view of the house from the sound

Some of the bridesmaids

I stayed overnight at my grandmother's house in Hertford because I needed to do a tractor service work proposal on a nearby lot Saturday morning.

After I finished the quote I headed to my absolute favorite place!

The weather was in the 90's and gorgeous. It was my one and only beach trip of 2010, and even though I was alone and didn't stay very long, I enjoyed it very much. After laying out for a while, I brushed the sand off, changed out of my swimsuit and into my bridesmaid dress, made myself look like I hadn't spent the morning out on the sandy beach (!), shopped for a little while, and arrived at the beautiful wedding venue to assemble the wedding cake.

I finished the cake early and the rest of the bridal party was running a little bit late, so I took plenty of pictures around town. No matter where I may ever live, I think my heart will always gravitate toward quaint little coastal towns! Chelsea chose 108 Budleigh in Manteo, which was such a classy place for the ceremony and reception.

I loved all of the nautical touches in the decorating! Shells were on the invitations and programs, as well as in the centerpiece floral arrangements.

Getting ready

Unfortunately, because I was part of the bridal party I don't have any pictures from the ceremony, but it was a perfect coastal wedding and such a delight to be part of Chelsea's special day!

My First Wedding Cake

2010-09-28T23:09:00.000-07:00

Just two weeks before my friend Chelsea's wedding, the cake baker fell through! I was excited about the challenge of making a real wedding cake and figured it would be great practice for my own wedding cake, so I offered to help. Chelsea showed me a picture of the cake she wanted and we baked a practice cake together. She was already having a dessert buffet at her reception so she only needed a small cake. It was a simple tiered fondant cake with roses covering both layers, so I originally felt fairly confident in my ability to accomplish the project. However, when I returned home from Chicago last week and began working on the real wedding cake I began imagining all the terrible things that could possibly happen! This was the wedding cake - the cake that would be captured in Chelsea's wedding photos forever - so I knew it needed to be absolutely perfect.

I prayed my way through the entire process. From baking the cake, to evening up the layers, to icing it, to covering it with the fondant, to assembling the tiers, to transporting it to North Carolina - every little detail was covered in prayer! I even brought along three extra cake layers and two cake mix boxes just in case the entire cake would somehow be ruined before the wedding.

The caterer placed it at the center of the hors d'oeuvres table before the wedding.

God greatly blessed my efforts and it turned out very similar to the picture Chelsea first showed me! As the photographers snapped away and the room full of guests stared at the newly married couple while Chelsea and Frank sliced in to the cake at their wedding this past Saturday, I could barely stand to watch. I was worried that the top tier would fall or the cake would be unusually crumbly. Fortunately, nothing like that happened and Chelsea was very pleased with the way it turned out!

Shortly before Frank and Chelsea sliced in to the cake

The finished product

I am so excited about my own wedding cake now. I feel much better prepared. I look forward to writing about my own cake details when I write about my wedding planning soon.

Wedding Weekend in the Windy City

2010-09-27T23:59:00.000-07:00

Mama, Sheridan, and I had a wonderful time in Chicago at Stephen's brother and sister-in-law's wedding. They perfectly planned every little detail and made the weekend into a delightful time of visiting and celebration.

I left so inspired with ideas for our wedding. One idea I especially liked was that they encouraged their guests to attend several other events throughout the weekend, which fostered a lot of visiting and made the long trip so incredibly worthwhile.

Mama, Sheridan, and I left Virginia very early Friday morning so we would arrive in time for me to attend the rehearsal dinner with Stephen. I enjoyed the long drive with many hours of visiting with Mama and discussing so many wedding details. Sheridan was the sweetest little traveler. When the GPS said we had slightly under seven hours remaining, she replied, "That's not long at all!" and when we had three hours remaining she offered to begin cleaning up her toys!

We arrived just in time to check in to our hotel and I quickly got ready for the rehearsal dinner. It was so wonderful to see Stephen after being separated for over two months!

On Saturday, there was a cookout and a baseball game afterward. Soon after Stephen proposed to me last March, his brother sent an engagement gift of a Detroit Tigers hat, so I quickly learned where my baseball loyalty was to be placed in this family. It was my first Major League Baseball game and the Tigers won.

I have never been around a family that seems to enjoy each other quite as much as Stephen's family does. Both my mom and I traveled home trying to understand why there seems to be such a sweet closeness and genuine interest in each others' lives. I left feeling so excited to be joining their family. Although beforehand I was nervous about meeting Stephen's huge amount of cousins, aunts, uncles, etc., I felt so at ease and comfortable around everyone. They were so kind and welcoming to me.

After the game, everyone gathered at the hotel for pizza. When we arrived at the hotel the night before, welcome gift bags awaited us, including little pins with a symbol unique to the family's last name and a note encouraging their wedding guests to wear the pins around the hotel so that the guests could meet each other. I like this idea and am hoping to order more of the same pins for our guests' hotel welcome baskets as well.

The following morning Stephen took Mama, Sheridan, and I to the church he enjoys visiting when he occasionally stays in Chicago. I can't wait until I get to go to church with Stephen every Sunday! I love gleaning from his spiritual wisdom and insightful application to biblical truths.

Sunday afternoon was the wedding! It was held in a garden at a lovely arboretum. The reception followed indoors and included a delicious meal, Stephen's "best man speech" and toast, a touching slide show of pictures from the bride and groom's childhoods, and a dance that lasted for hours. I have never seen a family flock to the dance floor with so much enthusiasm. Even just a couple days ago as I was at another wedding, it took a lot of effort and prodding to just get a few couples out on the dance floor, but this family was way into it and danced until late into the night. Stephen basically turned into a person I did not know out on the dance floor. I laughed so hard. My friend Abigail stated it best in an email after she saw the pictures: "There's one picture that I about passed out laughing over... Stephen's hands are in the air and he looks like he's totally breaking out the moves, while you stand watching in stunned adoration."

Sheridan wanted to dance too!

When we sadly had to depart, Stephen reminded me that it was the very last goodbye of our engagement. The next time we will see each other will be just a few days before our wedding! I miss him so much when we are apart, but we both have so much to accomplish in these final two months and the time does seem to be passing very quickly.

It was the most enjoyable wedding weekend and I am so glad it worked for us to go. I look forward to spending much more time with Stephen's family in the future.

10 Week New Meal Challenge: Week 4

2010-09-26T13:10:00.000-07:00

For this week's new meal I made a Stuffed Pepper Casserole with sides of French bread and Caesar salad. Stuffing peppers individually can become time consuming, so I loved my grandmother's idea to turn the dish into a casserole. I found a recipe online and my family loved it.

2 lbs. ground beef

4 tbsp. chopped onion

2/3 c. chopped green pepper

2 c. cooked rice

2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

4 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce

6 med. green peppers, sliced lengthwise

1 c. mozzarella cheese

Brown meat, onion, and chopped peppers in skillet, stirring occasionally. Drain off fat. Stir in rice, salt, garlic powder, and half of tomato sauce; heat thoroughly. Spray a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray and line with half of the sliced peppers. Pour half of the meat mixture over the peppers. Layer remaining sliced peppers on top of meat mixture. Pour remaining meat mixture on top. Pour remaining tomato sauce over meat mixture. Cover with foil and bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and bake until melted.

I only loosely followed this recipe. I just added whatever seemed to make it flavorful and used whatever peppers we had in the freezer. My family liked it a lot and I look forward to repeating this meal in the future.

Check out this week's other meals!

Angelina's Chicken

Clara's Potato Sausage Pie

Jenna's Cashew Curried Beef (unfortunately, Jenna reports that this didn't turn out well this week!)

Katrina's Homemade Pasta/Ravioli

Please email me or leave a comment if you would like to be included in Week 5 of the New Meal Challenge. I am getting so many great meal ideas from reading your links and would be thrillled if more people joined us!

Weddings, Weddings, Weddings!

2010-09-24T19:01:00.000-07:00

I am so eager to post pictures from our wedding weekend in Chicago but have been so incredibly busy! I am now in the midst of another wedding weekend - this time on the Outer Banks of North Carolina - and only have a few minutes to write. I am a bridesmaid and I made the wedding cake (my first ever - an exciting and challenging project)! I look forward to posting many pictures from both events in the upcoming days, as well as this week's Meal Challenge entry.

In the mean time, I was honored with the exciting opportunity to begin writing for Elizabeth Anne Designs' wedding website. You can follow my wedding progress on the website here.

Ever since resuming blogging last month I have been slowly drafting an entry sharing many of the new planning details for my own wedding and hope to get it posted soon. So much happens each week and it gets overwhelming to even know where to begin! We are only 78 days away from the big day!

I will close with my very favorite picture from last weekend in Chicago:

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

10 Week New Meal Challenge: Week 3

2010-09-22T23:18:00.000-07:00

I am finally posting last weekend's meal challenge entry! We arrived home from Chicago around 1 am yesterday morning and have been very busy catching up on all that was neglected in our absence (cleaning, cooking, business emails, etc.).

For my new meal last week I made Fettuccine Alfredo with Pesto Sauce.Photo courtesy of Google Images

3 c. fresh basil, crushed
1 c. walnuts, chopped
1 tbsp. minced garlic
1/2 c. olive oil
3/4 c. fresh grated Parmesan
3/4 tsp. salt
1 stick of cream cheese (8 oz.)
2 c. cream
1 stick of butter

Combine and heat above ingredients. Prepare fettuccine as directed on package.

We grow basil in a pot on our front porch and I love the pioneer woman feeling I get when I gather our own basil to use in meals.

The other meals were especially inspiring this week!

Anne's Chicken Pasta Dish
Angelina's Chipotle Shredded Beef Tacos
Clara's Spaghetti and Meatballs
Jenna's Chicken a la King
Laura's Risotto

I am heading out of town again this weekend for another wedding, so feel free to send links for this week's meal entries any time through the weekend. I hope to post this week's entry on Sunday.

I also look forward to posting pictures from our weekend in Chicago soon!

This Past Week's Meal Challenge

2010-09-19T15:41:00.000-07:00

I am sorry that week 3 of the New Meal Challenge is delayed! Three new bloggers have joined in this week, so I am excited to post the results soon.

My mom, Sheridan, and I are in Chicago for Stephen's brother's wedding! It has been a very enjoyable and very packed weekend, so my computer access has been extremely limited. The wedding is actually in less than two hours and I am just lounging in the hotel lobby, so I need to log off and get ready!

I look forward to posting a few pictures from my fun weekend as well as the New Meal Challenge entry upon my return to Virginia in a couple days.

The Best Brownies

2010-09-12T17:46:00.000-07:00

My family loves these brownies and they make a delicious Sunday afternoon treat! For years I tried to perfect my brownies and could never find the best recipe for consistently moist (yet not underbaked) brownies. I gave up and began using brownie mixes, but recently my mom encouraged me to try homemade brownies again. I looked up the "best brownies" at allrecipes.com and couldn't have been any more pleased with the results!

picture courtesy of allrecipes.com

1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Chocolate Topping:

3 tablespoons butter, softened
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8'' square pan. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.

To make frosting, combine 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Frost brownies while they are still warm. For a special touch, I like to add mini marshmallows, chopped walnuts, and chocolate chips to the top when their are five minutes remaining.

10 Week New Meal Challenge: Week 2

2010-09-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

I am excited to share the results from the second week of the 10 Week New Meal Challenge! This week's meal was a Southwest Lasagna with garlic bread and a salad. It received very good reviews from everyone. I was disappointed that I had to miss out on the leftovers when I went out of town!

Photo courtesy of Google Images

This recipe came from the same cookbook as last week's enchilada meal, but this recipe is not online. It follows:

9 uncooked lasagna noodles

1 lb. ground beef

1 package taco seasoning mix*

3/4 c. water

1 container (15 oz.) ricotta cheese

1 can (4.5 oz.) chopped green chiles

2 eggs

1 jar (26-28 oz.) tomato pasta sauce

1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained, rinsed

1 box (9 oz.) frozen corn, thawed

2 tsp. ground cumin

3 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 13x9 glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain lasagna noodles as directed on package. Rinse with cold water to cool; drain well. Meanwhile, in skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in taco seasoning and water. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes or until thickened. In small bowl, mix ricotta, chiles, and eggs. Stir pasta sauce, beans, corn, and cumin into beef mixture. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated. To assemble lasagna, arrange 3 cooked noodles in bottom of baking dish. Spread 1/3 of ricotta mixture over noodles; top with 1/3 each of beef mixture and Monterey Jack cheese. Place baking dish on middle oven rack; bake 25 minutes.

*I made my own taco seasoning. I used an easy recipe that is the equivalent to one package of taco seasoning mix. It follows:

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

2 tsp. minced onions

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cornstarch

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper

1/2 tsp. minced garlic

1/4 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. cumin

Visit the following sites to check out this week's other meals!

Clara's Oven-Fried Chicken

Jenna's Baked Mostaccoli

Katrina's Green Beans & Sausage

Lisa's Garlic Spaghetti

Click here to read about last week's meals! If anyone else would like to join us for next week's challenge, leave a comment with a link to your entry by next Friday, September 17. I am loving all the meal ideas I am collecting through this. I hope it is inspiring others as well!

Redeeming Our Time as Daughters at Home

2010-09-07T19:12:00.000-07:00

I am working for the tractor service in North Carolina for the rest of this week, so my updating may be sporadic. I posted the following entries as a series last year, but decided to post them again as one entry. I hope these thoughts may be an encouragement to any new blog readers.

What are practical ways we can redeem the years following the completion of our formal education and prior to marriage? How can we be extremely intentional as we prepare to be "keepers at home" (Titus 2:5); young women entering marriage capable of efficiently managing the affairs of our homes so that it can be said of us: "the heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain" (Prov. 31:11))? As young women also desiring to one day be godly mothers raising our children as arrows for the Lord (Ps. 127:4-5), we have been entrusted with an eternal assignment, that of training and discipling the souls of the next generation. How can we prepare now to one day "train up a child in the way he should go" (Prov. 22:6)?

Recently, I quietly listened as a conversation took place between three teenage girls. They discussed their futures and lack of direction for what to do upon high school graduation. All three shared their desire to eventually get married and have families. Two of the girls spoke especially about their lack of a desire for spending the years following their graduation from high school pursuing a college degree that they would most likely not need. They concluded that they certainly didn't want to just sit around waiting for their future husband to arrive, but they didn't know the best way to spend the unknown amount of time between high school graduation and marriage. My heart went out to them because I understand their desire and sympathize with their quandary.

If someone were to wish to practice law, they would spend several years studying law before taking the bar exam and becoming a lawyer. If someone desired to become a doctor, they would invest many years in medical school before they would receive their credentials. While these careers are very important and vital in our communities, ours is a calling of eternal significance! We can't approach our future occupation flippantly, so we must use our time wisely in preparation.

Since I am still in this season before marriage, I don't endeavor to sound like an authority on this subject. I am confident that one day, as a married woman, I will look back and see many areas in which I could have sharpened or better prepared, as well as frivolous activities I should have spent less time pursuing. The five points that follow are simply the thoughts and opinions of a fellow sojourner.

Cultivate a Servant's Heart

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10

Just because my blog is named "Striving to Serve at Home" and one of the main focuses is to "encourage younger girls as they cultivate a servant's heart in their homes" absolutely does not mean that I have "arrived" in my journey of servanthood! I must consistently ask the Lord to help me to have a servant's heart, placing my family's desires above my own.

We can begin by making it our practice to be heavily involved with our families, not looking for the first opportunity to run off to our bedroom to read a book or talk on the phone. It should be a given that we are fully engaged in our family's household responsibilities such as cleaning, meal preparation, laundry, helping with younger siblings, etc. We can ask the Lord to give us a cheerful heart and joyful countenance as we fulfill our duties.

I live off of "to-do lists" and like to stay very organized, so my greatest struggle arises when an unexpected job spontaneously comes up and throws off my precisely scheduled day. Just this morning I had already neatly written my list of items needing to be taken care of today when, as I washed the breakfast dishes, I overheard a conversation taking place in the dining room. My name repeatedly came up when a discussion arose regarding not one, not two, but three of the farm's freezers that needed to be thawed and cleaned. One of the freezers, used to store chicken necks and backs (for chicken stock), is infamous for its wretched smell upon even opening the door. I listened as my younger brother, Elliott, explained that the smell was actually from a collection of spilled cream and chicken blood, which had leaked at some point in the past, and was now caked onto the inside of the freezer. Then I overheard another brother, Oliver, bluntly remark, "Meredith can take care of that." I had all sorts of mean things running through my head at that moment! Needless to say, my heart was not excited about the job ahead of me. It was then that I had to remind myself to ask the Lord to give me the strength to keep my very negative thoughts to myself and practice servanthood.

I was very glad that I had not gone on and on about how much I was dreading the job because I was very blessed this afternoon when Elliott mentioned that there was actually only one freezer for me to clean because he and Oliver had extra time and went ahead and cleaned the other two.
All day long choices arise where we must decide whether we will serve with a cheerful, willing heart or if we will serve grudgingly. Although it is often difficult and we often fail, we should strive to follow Jesus Christ's example and serve in a selfless manner without expecting anything in return.

Guard Ourselves Against Idleness

"She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27

The old adage, "Idleness is the devil's workshop" is a very valid statement. Allowing idleness into our lives is not only unwise; it is dangerous. In my own past, I can see a direct correlation between "having too much time on my hands" and seasons of justifying compromise in my life. If I do not pursue productivity, it becomes much easier to substantiate small areas of compromise, which can so easily turn into big areas of compromise. Wisely stewarding our time is not only an important trait we must acquire as unmarried daughters at home, but this will also be an invaluable characteristic in our futures, Lord willing, as wives and mothers.

For me personally, the internet is my worst enemy of productivity! How often could I be accused of getting online to do something as simple as finding a recipe, and instead find myself guilty of wasting 10 minutes looking at the photo album of a friend of a friend of a friend on Facebook? This is not wise time management! Being a wise steward of my time is an area in which I am continually striving to become more disciplined.

It would be detrimental to misuse the time God has blessed us with. We can't simply wait around for the next chapter of our lives. We need to practice wise time management and become extremely intentional in the use of our single years (and our entire lives, for that matter). Our generation severely lacks vision, purpose, and direction. We should strive to be among the rare few that are intent on preparing for our futures, seeing to it that we are using the time God has given us to bring Him glory in all of our endeavors.

Learn to Accept Criticism

"To inoculate me from the praise of man, He baptised me in the criticism of man, until I died to control of man." ~Francis Frangipane

If we choose to live at home until marriage, we will face criticism. If we do not choose to pursue a degree or a full-time career, we will face criticism. If we choose to wait on the Lord to bring the right man into our lives and trust our marriages to Him, we will face criticism. When we make choices that seem to go against the grain of what is expected in our culture, we will face criticism.
Sadly, it sometimes appears that those closest to us seem to feel the most at liberty to voice their criticism regarding our choices. Furthermore, it has been my experience that fellow believers are often more critical of my decisions than non-Christians! Rather than sulking in self-pity, we can find encouragement in scripture.

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:11-12)

When we are criticized for obeying what God has called us to do, we have the opportunity to experience the slightest glimpse of the persecution Christ went through while on earth. This should cause us to be all the more grateful for His sacrifice on our behalf.

"You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men." (1 Corinthians 7:23)

If we allow others' thoughts about our decisions to unduly influence us and distract us from what God has called us to, we are becoming 'slaves of men'. When others are critical of my decisions or unhappy with me, I must ask myself, "Is God happy with me?" If so, I need not heed others' opinions.

"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong." (1 Corinthians 1:27)

"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." (Colossians 2:8)

When people ask where I am attending college and I respond that I am not, inevitably a look of confusion and/or disapproval often seems to quickly come across their face. This can be discouraging for me because I don't like for others to think that I am a stereotypical uneducated country hick! I find comfort in reminding myself that our culture's tremendous emphasis on a college education is based on "human tradition and the basic principles of this world" and is not necessarily God's plan for everyone.

We don't know what the Lord may have for us in our futures. He may be using this time where we are subject to a lot of criticism to refine us and prepare us for much greater criticism as we continue to seek His will throughout our lives. We must learn to find our satisfaction and fulfillment not in man's approval, but in the assurance that we are within God's will for our lives and that He is pleased with us.

Become a Wise Steward of Finances

"One who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much..." Luke 16:10

How will we be prepared to be efficient managers of our homes if we have never exercised frugal spending practices? As unmarried young women, we should learn to be wise and thrifty with our finances.

By apprenticing under our mothers and taking on a substantial role in our families' financial affairs, we can gain valuable experience. Possible ways to do this would include helping our mothers with family budgeting. As you prepare meals for your family, ask your mother to help you set a budget of what you can spend for a week's worth of food and learn how to best use the allotted finances. Often when I go thrift store shopping, Mama will send me with a list of items (i.e. mens white sz. 11 Nike's, boys sz. 8 Levi's, etc.) she needs for the family. This provides an opportunity for me to become acquainted with the prices and quality of clothing, so I might be better prepared to dress my own family in high quality clothing at discounted prices.

We should also take responsibility for our own expenses and learn wise accounting. We can read books about finances, avoiding debt, and using money prudently.

Are we going into marriage as an asset or a liability to our husbands? This is something we should thoughtfully consider. We may not be bringing an additional income into our marriages, but we can certainly be thrifty with the hard-earned money our husbands provide.

Study the Woman of Proverbs 31

"An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels." Proverbs 31:10

I am fascinated by the woman of Proverbs 31. What an enthralling portrait of biblical womanhood! Not only is this godly, wise woman managing her home with excellence, she is also an entrepreneur involved in many facets of the business world, all within the context of her home and family.

One way to avoid idleness is to use the creativity God has given us to pursue business ventures. Since I happen to love business ideas and marketing, this is something that tends to come naturally for me. However, every idea I have attempted has not been wildly successful. Even the unsuccessful business endeavors provide exceptional learning experiences that will be useful in the future.

A sharp mind for business is only one of the many attributes of the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. She is a well-rounded, capable, intentional woman and we can gain a wealth of wisdom from studying and emulating her.

It is my hope and prayer that the few things I have learned (and continue to learn!) will be an encouragement to others as we each individually seek the path the Lord has chosen for us and wholeheartedly pursue His calling for our lives!

Labor Day 2009

2010-09-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

The feeling of autumn was briskly ushered in with the chilly morning breeze, the harvesting of the corn in nearby fields, and the return of the school buses traveling down our long country road. I remember the day being especially dreary as we got an early start on our chicken processing.

Typical of most Alexander Labor Days, we used the day for exactly what the name implies: labor.

Toward the end of our processing that afternoon, some farming friends came over to tour our dairy barn. It began raining, so we welcomed them in to our farmhouse. As they visited and discussed conventional vs. all natural dairy practices, I served slices of the layered mocha cheesecake I baked the night before.

After they left and I prepared for our fun family outing, I opened my email inbox for the first time since the night before.

There it was among the assortment of unread messages. Some email from some guy named Stephen. And so the story began... Our beautiful, miraculous story of God's faithfulness, in which He brought together two people from far apart, united in one vision and desire to serve God for all of our days.

As I process chickens yet again on this Labor Day, only 96 days from becoming Stephen's wife, I can't help but rejoice and praise God for His goodness to us!

10 Week New Meal Challenge: Week 1

2010-09-04T18:06:00.000-07:00

The first entry for my 10 Week New Meal Challenge is running a day late due to computer difficulties. I am very happy that four other bloggers joined me this week and I hope that even more will consider posting a new meal in the upcoming week.

My first new meal was beef and green chile enchiladas with side dishes of cornbread and Spanish rice. I tend to make only chicken enchiladas, so I was excited to try out this new recipe. Everyone liked the enchiladas, but they could have been a tad bit spicier. Next time I plan to use more green chiles. My recipe (and picture) came from Pillsbury's C'Mon Over! cookbook and can be found by clicking on this link and scrolling to page eighty.

My cornbread recipe is a tried and true family favorite from an old country church cookbook, so I thought I would share that recipe here as well:

2 boxes Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 c. sour cream
3 tbsp. sugar
1 can cream corn
3 eggs
1 stick butter

Melt butter in 9x13 baking dish. Blend all other ingredients together and pour over melted butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Check out the following links to read about this week's other new meal ideas!

Clara's Sausage Rolls
Jenna's Sweet and Spicy Chicken Over Rice
Katrina's Risotto
Lisa's Indian-Themed Vegetable Dish

Thank you for sharing your recipes, Clara, Jenna, Katrina, and Lisa! If anyone else would like to join us this upcoming week, please leave a comment with a link to your entry on or before next Friday, September 24.

Homemade Fresh Peach Cobbler

2010-09-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

We found fresh peaches on sale for only 46 cents per pound and stocked up! I doubled the following peach cobbler recipe from allrecipes.com and was pleased with the way it turned out. It disappeared very quickly. I suspect some family members were excusing it as a suitable breakfast choice due to the healthy peaches!

1/2 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 cups fresh peaches - peeled, pitted and sliced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons shortening
1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

To Make Peach Filling: In a large saucepan, combine 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Stir in peaches and lemon juice, tossing until peaches are evenly coated. Cook filling over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and boils. Boil 1 minute. Pour mixture into an ungreased 9x13 dish. Keep mixture hot in oven while you make topping.

To Make Topping: In a medium bowl, combine flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix thoroughly, then cut in shortening until mixture looks like fine crumbs. Add milk and stir until mixture is evenly moistened.

Remove peach filling from oven and drop dough onto peaches in 6 equal-size spoonfuls. Return cobbler to oven and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown. Enjoy!

Sister Shopping Trip & J. Crew Regional Warehouse Sale

2010-08-31T00:18:00.000-07:00

When I delivered our farm's orders to the Charlottesville delivery site this past weekend, I saw a banner for the J. Crew Regional Warehouse Sale in a nearby shopping center. After finishing the delivery, I entered the extremely crowded, hot, chaotic, vacant shopping center store temporarily housing the sale and joined many other girls rummaging through hundreds of disorganized boxes of incredibly inexpensive J. Crew clothing, shoes, and accessories. The Lord blessed my efforts and I found some great deals!

The J. Crew Regional Warehouse Sale is being held in Charlottesville, Virginia through September 6.

Classy tall leather flat boots to go with fall and winter skirts:

Retail price at jcrew.com = $198

Paid at warehouse sale = $50

Assortment of cute swimwear for beach honeymoon:

Combined retail price at jcrew.com = $200

Total cost at warehouse sale = $20

Little girl flip-flops (this was Sheridan's original request for our shopping trip... then she sweetly requested a hat... then lunch... then ice cream!):

Retail price for similar pair at jcrew.com = $19.50

Paid at warehouse sale = $2

Panama hat:

Retail price at jcrew.com = $58
Paid at warehouse sale = $0 ! (I noticed on my receipt that, in the chaos, they forgot to charge me for the hat. When I returned the following morning because, also in the chaos, I somehow ended up with two left boots (!), I mentioned the mistake to two workers and both said it was not worth ringing up and let me keep it for free!)

Sheridan's hat to match mine (pictured below):

Retail price for similar hat at jcrew.com = $26.50

Paid at warehouse sale = $5

Combined jcrew.com retail value: $502

Total cost at warehouse sale: $77

Sisters donning their brand new hats and enjoying a treasured girls' lunch date at "Chipilay" (Sheridan's name for Chick-Fil-A):

10 Week New Meal Challenge

2010-08-29T15:29:00.000-07:00

In less than fifteen weeks I will become Stephen's bride! As I consider my future as a brand new wife, one area in which I need to improve is in my meal planning efforts.

Before the beginning of our farm, my mom and I would make a shopping list for the meals I planned to cook and buy groceries accordingly. However, when we began farming three years ago, we started only using products we had an abundance of on the farm - especially chicken, eggs, sausage, and a whole lot of milk. While I believe this has been helpful in forcing resourcefulness, I have gotten stuck in a rut of only making a handful of meals instead of expanding my cooking repertoire.

I absolutely want to cook good meals for my hard-working man, so I am working on compiling main dish and side dish lists and am endeavoring to make one new meal each week for the next ten weeks, so I will be well prepared to creatively and frugally prepare meals in my new home.

I would really, really love it if a few others joined me in this pursuit, and together, we will provide accountability and encouragement for each other as we gain many new meal ideas for our families!

I will be posting my new meal's picture and recipe each Friday, beginning this upcoming Friday, September 3. I am mostly concerned about new main dishes each week, and may use old family favorites for side dishes. Should anyone choose to join me, please leave a comment on any of my blog entries with a link to your new meal's blog post sometime by Friday each week. I look forward to including any additional blog links on my weekly new meal entry.

I have purchased this week's groceries and am excited about getting started!

Weekend of Canning

2010-08-26T00:12:00.000-07:00

As we finalized our wedding guest list it became apparent that I would likely need more wedding favors than I had originally assumed, so I spent this past weekend preserving figs and canning peaches, blackberries, and strawberries. I found peaches on sale and purchased about 9 lbs. I canned 7 half pints and 13 quarter pints of peach jam.During a recent tractor service cutting, Elliott picked the figs from a plentiful fig tree on a piece of land we maintain and we brought home an abundance of figs for the freezer. I thawed the figs and, with a lot of help from my grandmother who was spending the weekend at our house, as well as assistance via the telephone from my great-grandmother, we were able to can 21 half pints of fig preserves.
Oliver diligently picked our blackberry bushes earlier this summer and I froze those berries, so I thawed them and was able to make 18 half pints and 2 quarter pints of blackberry jam.I still had a couple bags of leftover frozen strawberries from my spring canning blitz, so I was able to make an additional 12 half pints and 24 quarter pints of strawberry jam.My grandmother and I worked hard and accomplished so much. I love knowing how to can and preserve foods, especially because it is increasingly becoming a lost art with each new generation. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to learn from my grandmother's and great-grandmother's many years of canning and cooking knowledge. Altogether this year I canned 205 half pints and 38 quarter pints!

Inspiration

2010-08-25T16:37:00.000-07:00

As I have been thinking about my three years in the blogosphere, I wanted to share some of the websites I have found to be the very most inspiring for me. My favorites change from time to time, but these are the sites that I have found to be consistently full of inspiration!

My favorite inspiration in rural cottage living, old-fashioned simplicity, amazing photography, and emulating the woman of Proverbs 31:

Aspiring Homemaker

My favorite inspiration in beautiful wedding details, classy do-it-yourself projects, photography ideas, and reception creativity:

Elizabeth Anne Designs

My favorite inspiration in interior design, simplicity, decorating with white, cozy family life, making a house into a home, and an entrepreneurial cottage business:

Home & Harmony

My favorite inspiration in family photography, creativity, good quotes, scriptures, and spiritual application:

Resolved 2 Worship

My favorite inspiration in extremely frugal living, being a wise steward of family finances, finding tons of coupons and deals:

Money Saving Mom

My favorite inspiration in baking yummy treats and incredible food and nature photography:

Honey & Jam

What are your most inspiring sites to visit?

Three Years of Blogging

2010-08-23T21:58:00.000-07:00

Today marks the third anniversary of my blogging venture! On August 23, 2007, I began this blog with three purposes in mind. I embarked on this journey in an extremely intentional and focused manner - even including a "blogging notebook" for entry ideas!

When I began, I had no idea how God would use my little blog in providing the unexpected blessing of dear friendships. Living in a small farming town with very few friends nearby, and now preparing to move far away as I begin my marriage, I would be lonely for the fellowship and encouragement of other young women if it were not for my sweet "blogging friends" from all over the world. Following are a few of the friends I have been able to meet:

Annabeth and I first met through blogging and later attended the same church for over a year. Leigha and I met for lunch when she and her husband were traveling through Virginia last summer. Emily and Katie were among the very first people to comment on my blog nearly three years ago and visited our farm this past spring.
Marie, her husband, Jon, and precious baby, Zane, stopped by for an afternoon visit last summer.
Although I have not yet met Elizabeth (Marie's twin sister) in person, she is too sweet of a friend to not be included here! Elizabeth and Marie were the greatest encouragements through the season of waiting prior to my courtship and continue to be such inspiring examples of godly young wives and mothers. I greatly enjoy our occasional afternoon teas over Skype.

Of course, the greatest unexpected blessing of the blog is my wonderful fiancé! Who would have ever thought that I would meet my future husband through my blog?!

Thank you, friends, for making blogging so much fun and worthwhile! The inspiration and encouragement I gain from your comments is priceless.

Favorite Pictures from the Past Couple Months

2010-08-20T00:55:00.000-07:00

Washington D.C.

The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas

I want to share some of the pictures from the past couple months, primarily for the purpose of documenting family events in a scrapbook style (my scrapbooking ended when my blogging began), so I hope you enjoy seeing some of my favorite scenes of our summer!

While Stephen visited, we took Sullivan and Harrison to Washington D.C. for a field trip. It was a packed day and, due to traffic in the middle of the night, we didn't get home until 3:30 am! It was Sullivan and Harrison's first trip to D.C. and only my second visit, so it was very educational. We could not have possibly had a better tour guide.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery

The Lincoln Memorial

This picture was not planned (obviously!), but I really like the setting.

We went to two Independence Day parties - one at my grandparents' home in North Carolina and one at a friend's house nearby.

Stephen spent a lot of time trying to teach Sullivan and Harrison how to correctly play baseball and football. It brings me so much joy when Stephen kindly takes the time to teach my little brothers!Sheridan thinks the world of Stephen. In this picture, she is wearing his sunglasses and holding a football he just bought for Sullivan and Harrison.

Later during Stephen's visit, we went on a road trip to Texas! Our summer intern and several willing neighbors took great care of the farm while we were away for a week. We loaded up and left Virginia early one morning and arrived the following morning/early afternoon in San Antonio, TX, stopping only for dinner at our aunt's (Mama's sister's) house in Pensacola, FL.

We slept in the van as Daddy drove through the night. We arrived at our destination in San Antonio around noon the following day and stayed in a hotel on the River Walk.
It was so wonderful to spend so much time with Stephen!
We went to a conference about promoting life and families. It gave Stephen and me many opportunities to discuss our opinions about the subjects expounded upon in the different sessions.Sullivan, Harrison, and Sheridan did a great job sitting quietly during the many sessions throughout the weekend. Sheridan and her baby, Josie, in their matching dresses...
The highlight for most of our family was getting to hear Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar (parents of nineteen children with the TV show, "19 Kids and Counting") speak in a few of the sessions.Mama is a really big Duggar fan and rarely misses an episode of their show, so she was thrilled to actually meet them! Walking back to the hotel one evening...
Stephen and me leaving the Alamo...

On Sunday morning we began the long drive home and stopped for dinner at Stephen's parents' home. Stephen's mother prepared a wonderful meal and Stephen showed us pictures, awards, and school projects from his childhood and played his saxophone for us. It was a very nice visit, but it was also sad because it marked the end of Stephen's nearly two week stay!We drove through the night and all of the following day and arrived back at the farm that night. It was such a delightful trip and we are so thankful for the hard work of our intern and neighbors while we were away.

Since then, I have made much progress with wedding plans and I look forward to sharing some of those details soon!

Resuming Blogging

2010-08-16T07:46:00.000-07:00

Over the past two months I have been able to accomplish so much and am now ready to resume blogging! Since last writing, I spent two blissful weeks with my incredible fiancé, enjoyed a road-trip nearly half way across the country (see family blog entry here), made it well over the half-way mark of this year's tractor service season, began the new school year with Sullivan and Harrison, and accomplished a huge amount of progress in regard to the wedding plans.

Since I love the summer, I usually dread the onset of cooler mornings, the harvesting of the corn, and the other indications that fall is on its way, but this year I'm so excited. Every day that passes brings me one day closer to becoming Stephen's wife!

"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!" Isaiah 30:18

Blogging Break

2010-06-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned just a few days ago, I have been falling behind in many of my tasks. I feel as if I am doing a half-way job in almost every realm -- as a daughter, a sister, a fiancée, and as a friend -- so something needs to change. Most areas I have little or no control over, but the blog is entirely within my jurisdiction so I believe it will be advantageous for me to take a break from blogging for an indefinite period of time. I need to seek the Lord and reevaluate my priorities, so I do not know whether I will have peace to move forward in two weeks, two months, or however long it may be. Of course I look forward to returning to the blogging world and sharing the happenings that may occur in my absense.
In the mean time, I will continue to write an entry every few weeks for the Women for God Bible study, and I have recently been honored with an opportunity to become a contributor at Ladies Against Feminism, so I look forward to occasionally writing there as well. I also encourage you to visit the many inspiring and edifying blogs listed on my sidebar.
May God give us the grace to wholeheartedly serve our families and efficiently use our days to glorify Him alone!"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

Thankful for My Daddy

2010-06-20T22:45:00.000-07:00

My dad rarely uses the internet, so although he will not be reading this post, I still want to express how thankful I am for him, especially today on Father's Day.

My dad is not the affectionate type who took me to father-daughter retreats where we sipped tea and discussed matters of the heart. Instead, my daddy taught me how to swing a hammer, drive a tractor, raise my hands high on rollercoasters, and which sports teams to pull for.

(Daddy always made sure I ended up sitting where I would get the most drenched on the Roman Rapids water ride at Busch Gardens! )

When I was 15 and we lived on the Albemarle Sound, I remember summer days spent out on the water and the sudden dread that came upon me in the early evening when the familiar white Chevy pick-up truck pulled down our dirt road. It meant that I had to go inside, change into my work clothes, and leave, along with Daddy, Elliott, and Oliver, for the new house we were in the process of building. We would load up four-wide in the truck and work until at least dark, although when we came under a time crunch I remember occasionally working in the either miserably hot or freezing cold temperature of a framed house after midnight.

Daddy taught us to do things right. We learned to never be caught working with only one hand, doing a job half-way, or worst of all, sitting down on the job. "Work smarter, not harder" and "Es para hora no para manana" ("I need that [tool] today, not tomorrow") became second-nature phrases in our daily lives. He is a perfectionist and we learned to work with excellence.

At the time, and in the years that followed on other job sites, I did not find much enjoyment in construction and I struggled to focus on the task at hand. I could never remember a sledge hammer from a crow bar (I know, that is pretty bad!) and I would actually count how many times I would have to swing the hammer to get the nail in the 2x4. Even after the house was framed, you could tell exactly where I had nailed because of all the hammer marks surrounding the nail on the 2x4.

Looking back, it was on that first job site that I feel I learned the most about being a hard worker. Daddy didn't allow me to use the fact that I was a girl as an excuse for being weak. I am so thankful that he always took me along and taught me to work hard.

Daddy has always challenged me to do the hard things, but the wonderful thing about doing the hard things is that everything else becomes easy. The day he taught me to drive a truck pulling a trailer hauling 2x4's he took me over the S Bridge in Hertford. Only a handful of the readers of this blog know the S Bridge, but it is as it sounds: a tiny, narrow "S" that understandably would scare a young teenager driving a large vehicle pulling a long trailer! But now I am not the least bit scared to pull a trailer because I learned the hardest way.

When Mama and I have one of our many crazy entrepreneurial ideas, Daddy doesn't shut them down immediately, but instead allows us to work through them in our minds and pursue them. If it weren't for Daddy's wisdom and guidance regarding surveys, deeds, land elevation, perc tests, construction, etc., I likely would not have been confident enough in my own abilities to purchase the investment properties I have owned over the past several years.

On Daddy's 45th birthday this past April, it also marked three years since he retired from his job as the superintendent of his company's bridge building team in an effort to be more involved in our lives. He left behind the familiarity of a job and employees he knew well to be more involved with our family. As our provider, he left the stability of a good company he had been with for a very long time and the security of a steady income to bravely follow God's leading and start out on his own. While the past three years have been very different from the rest of my life, I am so thankful to have spent them getting to know Daddy better and learning from him in ways we would have never been able to just in short periods of time in the evenings or on weekends.

This year, I am especially thankful for Daddy's involvement in my courtship with Stephen. I am sure it was outside of his comfort zone to handle this decision. I am equally grateful for his wisdom in discerning that the young men who pursued me prior to Stephen were not God's will for my life. What an assurance it will be in Stephen and my marriage that my father gave his blessing and stamp of approval. When difficult times come in our marriage, I will never have to wonder if my decision was made ignorantly because I was blinded by love.

My dad's influence in my life is the sole reason I am emotionally tough and not like a dainty flower. His wisdom and insight have helped to shape me into the young woman I am today. I pray I will be able to effectively pass on the legacy my dad has built in my life to my own children one day.

Five Reads for Friday

2010-06-18T23:59:00.000-07:00

1. "A Dream Deferred" from Ladies Against Feminism (another right-on article about biblical womanhood written especially for unmarried young women, but relevant for all Christian women)

2. & 3. "It's a Love Story" from Tweety Tweets and "The Courtship" from Steward of the King (The courtship and recent engagement of my friends, Abby and John Paul, as written by John Paul and his sister - my sweet friend also named Abigail. Their courtship has been a joy to watch unfold from a distance, and it was intertwined with my own courtship in an interesting way, as John Paul approached Abby's father shortly after Stephen approached my father and Abigail kindly shared an in-depth list of "courtship questions for potential suitors" that John Paul had previously answered which soon became useful to my own father as he got to know Stephen)

4. "Young Food Entrepreneurs Make Their Future by Hand" from The New York Times (Since I love cooking and entrepreneurial endeavors, this article was inspiring when I first read it several weeks ago and has continued to come back to my mind. If time permits in my future and it does not cause an interference with family life, I would love to pursue a little cottage industry selling cheesecakes or other baked goods I feel confident in making)

5. "What To Do When You Realize You Are Out of Barbecue Sauce" from Help Meet in the Making (My dear friend, Leigha, shares her recipe for homemade barbecue sauce... I have used this recipe before and it works well as a stand-in for store-bought barbecue sauce for those of us who live quite a distance from a grocery store)

Tribute to the Family Truckster

2010-06-16T08:41:00.000-07:00

(written by Mama)

As we approach the one year anniversary this Saturday of moving to this old, abandoned farm I am amazed by God's goodness in not only providing for us, but also helping us to like it - actually LOVE it here.

When I look around the farm and observe the ways things have changed, I realize that the biggest changes haven't been in the way things look but rather in how we view them. The old house still has only one tiny bathroom and no air conditioning but we seldom ever talk about it.

Instead, we talk about the cool breeze that often blows in the windows as night falls. We comment on how nice it is when the wind shifts and the flies aren't as omnipresent. And we get way too excited when we're able to eat supper before 8pm and have an hour or two to enjoy the evening before going to bed. We eagerly await evidence each month that the older boys have been successful in their newly acquired skill of artificially inseminating the cows and we cheer when one of the younger boys invents a way to mount a basket on his bike to transport bottles to the calf pen.

Probably one of the most obvious differences in the way we view things would be in regard to our material possessions - especially vehicles.

About five years ago I met, for the first time in my life, someone who drove a vehicle over 100,000 miles. She told me their minivan actually had 200,000 miles on it and I remember how I tried to hide my shock and disbelief. Trying to use the new friendship as a chance to broaden my horizons, I asked her how she knew when it was time to sell it if not at what I considered the drop-dead number of 100,000 miles. Can you believe she had a well-thought out formula?! She said that when a vehicle costs half as much to repair each month as it would to make payments on another vehicle, it was time to replace it. I couldn't have been any more amazed by her incredible wealth of knowledge.

All my married life, when a car hit the 100K mile marker, it was quickly off-loaded. Although we stopped getting loans for cars about 15 years ago when we went through Larry Burkett's budgeting series, we held fast to the rule of unloading cars before they reached the milestone of what we assumed would be certain and complete disaster.

But as farming has changed what we consider acceptable housing accommodations, we have entered a new era with our vehicles as well. With the exception of regular oil changes, we've thrown caution to the wind as we watched the odometer turn endlessly. Well, we had hoped it would turn endlessly.

Yesterday, our faithful family van of nearly 10 years left on a flatbed amidst the memory-filled send-off for which it was so deserving. Having brought babies home from the hospital, taking us on family vacations, and teaching some of the older kids to drive, our beloved van served us for more than 250,000 miles.
When we originally bought the van, I felt we MUST have a 12 passenger vehicle to carry our then, 5 children comfortably. There was positively not enough room for our party of 7 in a minivan - or so we thought. The dealer told us that the van had been traded in from the government and had been in service in the D.C. area. Because the van was completely black with privacy-blackened windows and the only sign of wear was on the floor and frame of the back doors, we wondered if it had been used in the coroner's office where caskets may have made the excessive wear marks.

As excited as I was to have a big, family van, it bothered me when in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, people looked suspicious or even frightened as we drove by in the sinister-looking vehicle.

I asked Timmy if we could please paint the bottom quarter of the body with an alternating, complementary color so it wouldn't look so ominous. He flatly refused, reminding me that it would be a complete waste of money. In the mean time, he put a sad, noticeable "ding" (graciously described) near the passenger's side front tire on the once-perfect body.

This only further compounded my desire to have the semi-paint job (along with the now necessary body work). One day, in an insane moment of babbling, I told Timmy that what we needed was someone to lightly tap that passenger side so their insurance would pay for the repair and we could chip in for the difference of the two-tone paint job. Timmy, understandably, scolded me for even thinking such a fool thought.

Not long after that, we were making a right turn, properly signaled, and the man behind us was answering a call on his cell phone and glided right into the passenger side right tire area of our van. Please don't judge too harshly, but after I thanked the Lord profusely for his divine protection, I chose my new paint color.

As the years wore on, and we used the van for our tractor service, hauling gas cans, weed blades, and the like, along with farm use that became part of our new life, the van degenerated into a work van instead of a nice family van. When we'd load up for a family excursion, the girls would often have to sit on a towel to keep their clothes from getting dirty from the animals that had also been recently transported.

One memory that came to mind yesterday as the van was being hauled away was when Meredith and I left for the day to celebrate her 21st birthday. As always, the day included plenty of shopping and a meal at a girl-friendly restaurant. Not able to finish all of our lunch, we wrapped it up and put it in the van to store safely during the cold December day. However, we noticed something unusual at some point in regard to our left-overs. There was a nibbling, crunchy sound coming from our bags. The boys had forewarned us although we thought it was just brotherly teasing. There was a mouse, who somehow had gained entry during a routine pick up of animal feed, that was comfortably living in the van and on this day was eating our left-overs nonchalantly situated between Meredith and me as if he were one of the girls!

Fearing what we'd do if he jumped on us while we were driving, we opted to run the remainder of our shopping errands while leaving the van doors wide open in the parking lot - hoping he'd jump out and preferring to be robbed rather than attacked by a mouse. The picture in my mind's eye of the van sitting in the parking lot unaccompanied with doors wide open will forever be part of my van memories.

Poor Elliott, our mildest, most cautious driver was at the wheel when the van breathed its last. With a gurgle and some steam, it gave up the fight. Once we realized the extent of the damage, I remembered my seasoned, clunker-wise church friend's advice and tailoring it just a bit, we decided it wasn't worth repairing a vehicle when the expenses exceeded three times the value. So we bid our van farewell.

Offering the brightest ray of sunshine in our sorrow is the perky Dodge Durango that reluctantly became the family vehicle about two years ago when gas prices were high, causing us to leave our trusty van home most of the time. Boasting a whopping 256,000 miles, this car has been a most unusual vehicle for a family of eight. Because it only seats seven, the last 3 people sitting on a small bench seat have to "double-buckle" as we call it. Our years with the Durango are indelibly imprinted on our minds. (Whether for good or bad depends on which seat one has spent the last two years occupying.)

Because it is so small and really not intended to carry passengers of which 3 are at least six feet tall and one is in a large, clunky carseat, we feel the stares of passersby boring into our backs when we unload and unload and unload the passengers contained in the tiny SUV. To combat the recurrence of this uncomfortable incident, we instituted a command upon arrival at our destination: "Dismount and STEP AWAY from the vehicle!" That way, people don't know where we've all come from. It works well.

For one and a half years we all piled into the little Durango to attend church in Wake Forest - 2 hours away. Amazingly, there was very little discussion about discomfort. We had each other, we had our health, and we made many memories as we'd stop on the way home for 2 half gallons of ice cream each week and dish it out using our standard auto inventory of bowls and spoons that are in any Alexander-occupied vehicle.

I look back at that girl who just HAD to have a 12 passenger van and wonder what her problem was! The good life is lived in small cars just as easily as big ones. Cars with a bit of hay and animal feed ride just as well as those that don't. What matters is making the most of these fleeting days I have with these dear friends I call my husband and children. Any vehicle is suitable for memory-making and as long as it doesn't include any fury little creatures who nibble on my left-overs, I hope to find contentment in whatever the Lord provides.

Reflections from Today's Reading

2010-06-15T23:06:00.000-07:00

After writing last night about striving to maintain a servant's heart in the midst of many tasks, I was struck by today's text from Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest. It encouraged me and renewed my focus:

You have inherited the Divine nature, says Peter, now screw your attention down and form habits, give diligence, concentrate. "Add" means all that character means. No man is born either naturally or supernaturally with character, he has to make character. Nor are we born with habits; we have to form habits on the basis of the new life God has put into us. We are not meant to be illuminated versions, but the common stuff of ordinary life exhibiting the marvel of the grace of God. Drudgery is the touchstone of character. The great hindrance in spiritual life is that we will look for big things to do. "Jesus took a towel . . . and began to wash the disciples' feet."

There are times when there is no illumination and no thrill, but just the daily round, the common task. Routine is God's way of saving us between our times of inspiration. Do not expect God always to give you His thrilling minutes, but learn to live in the domain of drudgery by the power of God.

It is the "adding" that is difficult. We say we do not expect God to carry us to heaven on flowery beds of ease, and yet we act as if we did! The tiniest detail in which I obey has all the omnipotent power of the grace of God behind it. If I do my duty, not for duty's sake, but because I believe God is engineering my circumstances, then at the very point of my obedience the whole superb grace of God is mine through the Atonement.

Catching Up

2010-06-14T23:23:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been behind on nearly everything! The busyness of the summer seems to be in full swing already. We have a lot of exciting plans for the summer, including some traveling, so I feel I must get on top of everything I possibly can now so I won't be completely overwhelmed as we approach the wedding. It is a struggle for me to maintain a servant's heart toward my family when I am trying in my own strength to accomplish everything on my eternally insignificant "to do list". This is wrong of me and shows that my heart is often not where it should be. I long to "finish strong" in this particular season of "striving to serve at home", so I must keep my priorities straight.

"The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." Proverbs 14:1

"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31:27

I find that my most effective tool for wise time management (avoiding idleness) is to stay away from the internet (especially the blogosphere) when possible, so that is my excuse for blogging sporadically lately and barely staying on top of emails. I hope to catch up very soon.

I spent my free time last week catching up on sewing and mending projects, organizing my room, filing a lot of old business records, listing a small assortment of items I no longer need on eBay (everything is still at very reasonable prices, so if you are in the market for anything from Laura Ashley dresses to Switchfoot CD's, I encourage you to check it out!), and making cheesecakes to sell to our farm customers in an effort to make extra money to help defray some of the wedding costs. The restaurant I bake for has ordered six cheesecakes so I will soon begin preparing those as well. I plan to deliver them when Elliott and I go to NC to do our tractor work next week.

In my wedding planning, I am still so thrilled to have the church booked for the ceremony. I am now working on smaller details, such as save-the-dates, invitations, and bridesmaid dresses.

Rather than ending the school year, as most students are, Sullivan and Harrison are beginning their new school year now so we can take time off in late November/December when we will be busy preparing for the wedding, so I have been price-shopping online and ordering their new books. I can't believe they are beginning the 4th and 6th grades! When time permits, my mom and I have been enjoying taking them (along with sweet Sheridan) for short swims at a local pool.

The older boys, my dad, and our summer intern have been working very hard on the farm. Sitting down to eat dinner before 8:30 pm is rare. Elliott's poultry operation is going well and we have been processing about 300 chickens per month (we process every other week). The farmers market sales seem to be doing better than last year. We are hosting one or two farm tours each month, which have been very well attended. This week marks our one year anniversary at this new farm the Lord provided for us! We continue to be grateful for His provision.

The highlight of every day is my evening talk with my wonderful Stephen, as well as counting down the days until I get to see him again. He is so good to me! There is nothing like getting a sweet email in the middle of the day, a random phone call for no particular reason, or an eloquently written letter in the mail. I can't even begin to explain how happy he makes me and what a joy it is to be his girl.

This should catch everyone up on my latest happenings!

Six Months

2010-06-11T23:57:00.000-07:00

...from today I will be married!

Every day I awake amazed that I really am getting married to my wonderful Stephen. My love for him grows with each passing day. I could drive away a lot of readers with my rambling infatuation, so I try to keep it toned down, but I sometimes wish I could close every post with something Stephen said to me or sent to me, or yet another reason why we are so perfectly matched for each other.

I can't wait to be his girl for the rest of my life! It is a delight to belong to him and dream with him about our future. Our future is far from typical. We have a true adventure ahead of us, with joys and challenges that only we will fully know and understand, but I can't imagine embarking upon this journey with anyone I trust and respect as greatly as I trust and respect my own future husband.

I am so blessed by the Lord! I am increasingly in awe of God's faithfulness in orchestrating our modern day fairy tale love story. When I come across a scripture or song that used to be an encouragement to me as I waited on God to unfold the details of my future marriage, I can't help but smile with joy as I am reminded of God's real, true faithfulness displayed through our courtship and engagement. God's Word has proven true again and again. I pray that my story will be a great encouragement to other young women also trusting God to bring the right man for them. He really is faithful to keep that which we have entrusted to Him. "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." 2 Timothy 1:12

Planning for our wedding and future is such a joy because God is orchestrating every detail. It has always been exciting to watch God provide for my own family's needs over the years, but it doesn't even compare to watching Him provide for Stephen and me. We are just a young couple in a sea of millions yet He brought us together, provides for us, and directs our paths.

Even though six months still feels like an eternity at times, I am praying that I will be wise and intentional in these final six months at home with my family. I pray that God will use this season to better prepare me to be the help meet He intends for me to be for my soon-to-be husband. I also pray that I will patiently make the most of every day I am still at home, not always pining for the future, but taking advantage of every opportunity to build sweeter relationships with my family, glean from the abundance of wisdom my mother has to offer, handle the daily family housework and schooling with diligence and a pure servant's heart, and productively accomplish the many projects (wedding planning, tractor service season, unfinished details, etc.) still ahead before I marry. I appreciate your prayers as I pursue these endeavors over the following months.

"Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end." Ephesians 3:20

I have not been online reading many articles over the past few days so I will be skipping my "Five Reads for Friday" entry this week.

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

2010-06-09T12:37:00.000-07:00

This recipe is from an old church cookbook and is one of my family's favorite cheesecakes. It is very similar to a cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory.

picture courtesy of myrecipes.com features an Oreo crust

1 roll of refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
(I use my homemade chocolate chip cookie dough)

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

3 pkgs. cream cheese (at room temperature)

3/4 c. sugar

1-2 c. chocolate chips

Press cookie dough on bottom of springform pan. When I use homemade cookie dough, I just spread enough to thoroughly cover the bottom of the pan with a layer as thick as a cookie. Thoroughly mix following four ingredients together. If the cream cheese is not softened to room temperature it will cause the cheesecake to be lumpy. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour mixture over cookie dough and bake at 350 degrees until done (about one hour). Enjoy!

The Wedding Church is Finally Booked!

2010-06-06T22:25:00.000-07:00

The Lord provided a perfect, beautiful church for the wedding this past week!

This church was originally the most expensive of the 30+ churches I contacted over the past several months, so we had already eliminated it based on the unusually high cost. However, the Lord opened doors in a way only He could and we are going to be able to use it for a very reasonable price. It was so difficult to find a church that was large enough for our number of guests and that would allow non-members to use their facility. We are so thankful for the Lord's provision! It is exciting to move on to other planning projects now that we have the church secured and the date and time finalized.

Five Reads for Friday

2010-06-04T23:43:00.000-07:00

1. "Courtship Stories" from Young Ladies Christian Fellowship (during my years of waiting on God to bring my future husband into my life I found so much encouragement from reading this multitude of diverse stories of God's faithfulness displayed in bringing together other couples)

2. "Given to Hospitality" from Dreaming of Days Gone By (series on hospitality with practical tips for being prepared to open your home to guests)

3. "On Divorce" from A Tranquil Heart (thoughts on a New York Times article regarding this past week's news of Al and Tipper Gore's divorce)

4. "Feminism: No Longer About Equality" from Ladies Against Feminism (excellent article)

5. Raising Homemakers (a brand new, exciting website of inspiration for women desiring to raise daughters that love home and family)

Farm News

2010-06-03T23:08:00.000-07:00

I thought I would mention two of our farm-related opportunities for any interested readers from Richmond and the surrounding areas. More information can be found at the Avery's Branch Farms website.

This Saturday, June 5, is our first ever "How-To" Tour. It is for those interested in beginning a sustainable farm operation. Along with a tour of the farm, the Alexander family's personal testimony will be shared to encourage others interested in beginning family-based, debt-free, profitable farming ventures. Visit the farm's website for more information.

Copied from the farm website:

Avery's Branch Farms invites you to celebrate your wedding or special event at Richmond's only Sustainable Working Farm Venue.

In this environmentally friendly setting, you and your guests can embrace nature amidst the tranquil beauty of our natural farmland with rolling pastures and beautiful pond.

Allow nature to join you in a symphony of praise as you exchange vows to the mooing of cows, clucking of chickens, and quacking of the graceful pond ducks.

For those desiring an indoor venue, we offer the primitive barn on our century-old farm homestead.

Whether you choose straw bales for a truly rustic wedding or tables, chairs, linens, and glassware for a fancy event, our barn offers the perfect earth-friendly environment.

In this organic venue, your event will be full of laughter and merriment as you celebrate in a setting reminiscent of days gone by.

Your guests will leave this memory-filled day refreshed and renewed from the peacefulness of connecting with nature in this pastoral, inspiring setting.

Avery's Branch Farms is a wonderful venue for your Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Reception, Wedding Rehearsal Dinner, Banquet / Dinner, Private Party, Corporate Event, Meeting, Conference, Convention, Class, or Retreat.

~Contact us to schedule your memorable event at the area's only Sustainable Working Farm Venue~

Various Photos from the Past Few Days

2010-06-01T23:43:00.000-07:00

Taken in the neighborhoods in which we maintain lots:

The Lands End PlantationI enjoyed laying out and reading on a sandy beach area while Elliott took his turn cutting lots:
I had to quickly finish bushhogging the lot across the street from this house because they were preparing for an outdoor wedding! I could feel the excitement as I later watched guests arrive in their fancy clothing:
On Sunday afternoon, I enjoyed reading on the pier in our neighborhood:

View of little Hertford from the bridge as the sun sets: