I reckon so

Joining Ann today

"If you keep a green bough in your heart,
the singing bird will come."
Chinese Proverb

Counting blessings

206 - most beautiful snail mail

207 - natural light

208 - an invitation to play

209 - good faith

210 - remembering mommy & daughter dates

211 - shadow kisses

212 - morning glories

213 - these words: "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report...let your mind dwell on these things." Phil. 4:8

Blackberry cordial - help, please

Hello, blogging friends. Does anyone out there have any tips for making blackberry cordial? Last year I tried to make it--epic fail. It was more like jelly in a wine bottle. I'm familiar with canning/bottling and I followed the recipe, so I don't know where I went wrong. I have a new recipe, but any helpful hints would be appreciated as I don't want to waste this year's pickings. And if you have a tried and true recipe you'd be willing to share, I'm all ears (or eyes, heh, heh) :)

This I know to be true

A few days after my dad had died, I began to paint. Working through my grief, this is what came out.

"It makes perfect sense", said a friend of mine. "Everything has an opposite. You are sad but your spirit is seeking the opposite emotion for balance's sake. Joy and sorrow, good and evil--opposites". Hmmmm...interesting thought, with what seems to be a bit of truth. But not for me. I believe God alone is truly good, and He has no opposite. Evil, or satan if you will, is not His opposite, and certainly not His equal. God is above all. His love conquers all. This I know to be true. My spirit did not seek Him. He sought me. He saw me as I was/am and loves me just the same. He sees me/us as we were intended to be--His plan--should we choose the life that's offered. His Spirit transcends everything, even this imperfect attempt to describe a love so immense that it cannot be contained.

When I look at this painting now, I remember my earthly dad, and cling to my heavenly one.


Joining Emily today

The Time Traveler's Life

In case you're new to Curious Acorn, this is what I do. I dress as an 18th century indentured servant and teach young people what life was like in the 1700's. Sometimes I make candles, but mostly I cook. It's called living history. Standing before a blazing hearth when it is a hundred degrees outside isn't the pleasantest of pasttimes. But having a job where I'm learning just as much as my students is a blast. For instance, we learned that no matter what the recipe says, meringue cooked in a dutch oven is disgusting. Also, some weeds are edible. And--an old copper bucket, ice, and a can are all that is needed to make delicious ice cream 18th century style. We stirred, sifted, burnt, and pickled our way through the week. The highlight for me was teaching teenage girls that garlic was for eating, not for keeping vampires away. Seriously. That's what they believed. What a world. Welcome to mine.

How amazing it is to digitally record life as it may have happened 300 years ago, and to share with young minds the ingenuity of their ancestors.

Of Books and Berries

Reading books and picking berries are among the most worthwhile pasttimes, in my estimation. Here are two great places to visit:

Calling all book lovers...please take note of the new little button widget for Lanier's Books on the sidebar of my blog. If you enjoy reading or collecting old books (antiquarian gems and gently-loved jewels, as my dear friend refers to them), one click on the button will take you to her blog and the link to her newly-opened online store. Lanier herself is a gifted writer, so either way, a visit there will not disappoint.

Calling all locals, be sure to check out Indian Orchards, an organic, pick-your-own, family run farm. It's located along PA 352 on Copes Lane, Media, between Glen Riddle and Knowlton Roads.

We love going here in the early morning. It is so peaceful and quiet, except for the buzzing bees and chirping birds, but those are joyful noises.

Happiness is... an activity that everyone in the family enjoys, i.e. eager participation, no one dragged along, etc.

Berry picking is best done in the early morning hours - by noon, the sun will start to bake your head, and it is no longer that activity that everyone in the family enjoys (learned this the hard way)

berry nice :)

not a bad take, eh?

Running color

"I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure."

The first time I heard this quote of Eric Liddell from the movie Chariots of Fire, it filled me with gratitude and freed my mind to understand that it pleases God to gift us, and that He would actually take pleasure in watching us express the passions that He births in us. When I was a young believer, I used to think maybe art had no value, and because I loved making stuff--really enjoyed it--there was something wrong with that. I had the idea that living a life for Christ mostly involved suffering and self-denial. So if I was having fun, how could I be bringing glory to God?

A silly thought. A baby thought. While these things are part of the Christian walk, they aren't the whole picture. Yes, daily we take up our cross. But it is the dance of the resurrection that keeps us going. God does take pleasure when His gifts are pleasing to us, and creating beauty has value in His Kingdom. Have you ever read in the Old Testament where God instructs Moses to make priestly clothes for his brother Aaron to wear while ministering to Him? "And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments, to sanctify him, that he may minister to Me as priest." (Exodus 28:2-3 italics mine) This encourages me.


So I'm thankful to be a part of this creative community of gifted artisans, joining Emily today




Take an old warming tray (sometimes called a hot plate). They get warm enough to melt crayons or oil pastels, but never too hot to touch. Lay a piece of paper on top of the tray.

Your crayon turns into a wonderful liquid brush to paint with. It's really enjoyable. Give it a try!

Burning lamp...when I melt crayons, I feel His pleasure :)

Comptez vos benedictions

Joining Ann today


Counting blessings

"Sometimes our thoughts turn back toward a corner in a forest, or the end of a bank, or an orchard powdered with flowers, seen but a single time on some gay day, yet remaining in our hearts and leaving in soul and body an unappeased desire which is not to be forgotten, a feeling that we have just rubbed elbows with happiness."

Guy de Maupassant


199 - galad (pronounced gah-lahd) - Elven for "light" A nod to Tolkien

200 - bird nests hidden in berry bowers

201 - river banks

202 - water babies

203 - the art of geometrics

204 - tomato juice running down my elbows

205 - jars of edible rubies