tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26965140728511655312024-02-19T02:42:18.192-05:00Woman of the HouseA house without a woman and firelight is like a body without soul or sprite.~~Poor Richard's Almanack (1733)Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.comBlogger453125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-9143072024996953852018-09-19T21:42:00.000-04:002018-09-19T21:42:01.651-04:00Catching Up<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Michigan--gorgeous!</td></tr>
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It really has been two months since I last made a blog post! This summer has been full of traveling, gardening, and planning. Two trips took us to four states I had never been to~~Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Michigan. <br />
One was a ministry trip and the other a really truly vacation. A quick trip to West Virginia was also a ministry trip, but we got to visit with some very old, very dear friends, so it felt more like a vacation. Also, we attended the national convention of <a href="https://www.taalc.org/" target="_blank">The American Association of Lutheran Churches</a>, which is our denomination, in Minnesota in June. I'm ready to stay home awhile . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_byDZ8M0H0Edz__0z39ya5JsBvbbxJaZGnpeBHR6kD8jHXNc5ONPxkl2K0Ksf5TIChc9M-ZKz4eLawBBsnbs04b62iVRUi2PIx3u1TxV4cUGnjbEfAJgJrN5oVW6bq8aDQYzOHoesl4/s1600/2018-09-12+17.16.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_byDZ8M0H0Edz__0z39ya5JsBvbbxJaZGnpeBHR6kD8jHXNc5ONPxkl2K0Ksf5TIChc9M-ZKz4eLawBBsnbs04b62iVRUi2PIx3u1TxV4cUGnjbEfAJgJrN5oVW6bq8aDQYzOHoesl4/s320/2018-09-12+17.16.51.jpg" width="240" /></a>The flowers have been spectacular this summer, especially the zinnias and marigolds. For the first time, I grew the marigolds from seeds and they are <i>enormous</i>. The zinnias are abundant too. The vegetable garden has struggled somewhat due to lack of rain (yes, we water it, but it's not the same as rain somehow, is it?), and anyway, by this time of the year I'm ready for it to be over. Not the flowers, just the veggies! We have gotten a decent amount of green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, and spaghetti squash. For the second year in a row the cabbages were completely worm-eaten and a complete loss. It seems they won't be successful without some sort of cage or netting to keep the loopers off, and spending money on it gets us quickly to the point of diminishing return. I give up!<br />
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We've begun another year of ministry to our local college campuses, which means the resumption of our every-other-Friday dinners. The array of nationalities represented at these dinners is really something wonderful. Besides our American friends, we've hosted people from China, Turkey, Haiti, Brazil, Morocco, India, and Japan, and ages range from less than a year old to mid-fifties. Educational levels include everything from special ed to post doctoral researchers and visiting scholars. My job in all this is as a support person. Along with my husband, I plan menus, shop, cook, prepare, clean up, and extend a glad welcome in the name of Christ to each guest. For more on the various outreaches we're involved in through Wittenberg Door, go <a href="https://www.wittenbergcomo.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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The big news for me is that I'm homeschooling again! I loved homeschooling my own two daughters, so I was thrilled when the opportunity arose to teach my granddaughters. The older is in first grade and the younger is a preschooler. Every morning, their dad drops them off and we learn and grow together until their mother collects them about four hours later. It is so rewarding to lay out for them a feast of good things to nourish their hearts and minds! I will try to post with specifics soon. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playdough Spelling</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a field trip to the nature center in a neighboring town. <br />The little girl in the middle belongs to another family. :)</td></tr>
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<br />We began school the Tuesday after Labor Day. The first two weeks were a time of adjustment and working out a few kinks, but we are settling in now and making good progress. I will keep you posted! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-72871250982862572642018-07-15T16:57:00.000-04:002018-07-15T16:57:30.176-04:00Around My House<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51-QICX4liL._SX330_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51-QICX4liL._SX330_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="133" /></a> Listening~ <i>The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression </i>by Amity Schlaes has been on my list for a long time. I'm glad I finally managed to get to it (thanks, <a href="http://www.hoopladigital.com/" target="_blank">Hoopla</a>!). Schlaes sheds new light on the Depression and dispels some of the myths surrounding FDR and the New Deal. For instance, I was surprised to learn just how influenced by socialism in general and the Soviet Union in particular Roosevelt's cabinet members were. I also learned that Casa Grande, Arizona, was founded as a planned collective farming community, but it quickly failed (no surprise there). I have friends who used to live in Casa Grande, so this was interesting to me. I also didn't realize how extensive the legal challenges to the New Deal were and how much of it was overthrown by the US Supreme Court. The book does get a little dry here and there with statistics and the like, but they are necessary to get the full picture. Recommended reading for those interested in learning more about this time period.<br />
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I love me some Dickens! It had been a very long time since I'd encountered <i>Oliver Twist</i>, and I'm so glad I revisited him. As is typical with Dickens, the plot gets in such a tangle you don't think it can ever be unraveled, but of course it is. The scene with Fagin in prison on the eve of his execution is poignant. Reading Dickens reminds me that every time and place has its social evils and our time is not unique. The version I listened to is narrated by Simon Vance, my very favorite narrator of nineteenth century British novels.<br />
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I just started listening to <i>The Grapes of Wrath </i>by John Steinbeck. Can you believe I've never read this or any Steinbeck for that matter? The narrator is Dylan Baker, who narrates one of my favorite (funny) books, <i>The Teacher's Funeral </i>by Richard Peck<i>. </i>I'm looking forward to this one. Chapter one was brilliantly written and read!<br />
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Reading~ <i>The Dean's Watch </i>by Elizabeth Goudge. I loved <i>The Scent of Water </i>and am enjoying this one as well. Goudge's prose is lovely, her characters are full-bodied, and she tells a good story!<br />
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<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41kKwWlxx4L._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41kKwWlxx4L._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="129" /></a> I've also just started <i>The Story-Killers: A Commonsense Case Against the Common Core </i>by Terrence O. Moore. The author is a professor at Hillsdale College, and since I highly respect other Hillsdale professors I've read or listened to, his credibility starts at a high level for me. I've only read the preface at this point, but so far he's painting a pretty bleak picture of the state of public education under Common Core. We shall see if it continues, as I suspect it will.<br />
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<a href="http://www.gstatic.com/tv/thumb/tvbanners/14215757/p14215757_b_v8_aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for blue bloods tv show" border="0" height="200" src="https://www.gstatic.com/tv/thumb/tvbanners/14215757/p14215757_b_v8_aa.jpg" width="133" /></a> Watching~ Dave had <i>Blue Bloods </i>recommended to him by a friend. Not having had a TV in the house since HD became the standard, we are pretty out of it when it comes to keeping up with TV shows. But we found it on Netflix and started watching, usually one episode at the end of the day. It's a good, though not great, show. The Reagans are a family of NYPD police officers ranging from a rookie to the NYPD police commissioner (played by Tom Selleck), except for the daughter Erin, who is an assistant DA. There are some major improbabilities (most noticeably, Danny the detective and Erin the assistant DA being assigned to cases where they have clear conflicts of interest) and loose ends left unresolved, sometimes forever, sometimes just for too long. (I can't think of an example right now, but trust me, they are there!) The family is a strong, intact, devoted, Irish-Catholic family who all make surprising compromises considering their church's stances on certain issues. For instance, Erin is divorced, and almost all of them engage in pre- or extramarital congress, to use an old-fashioned term, lol. On the positive side, the characters are trying to do the right thing, sometimes in very complex situations, and they are committed to seeing justice done. They often risk their jobs or career advancement for what is right. All in all, it's an enjoyable show, but you presumably already know that since you, dear reader, are probably more up-to-date and in-the-know than I am!<br />
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We've also been watching a lot of this lately~<br />
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Daily there are deer down by the pond, often mama/baby pairs but sometimes just mamas and other times just babies. Sometimes they get really curious. . .<br />
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. . . and look in through the windows!<br />
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<br />Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-65220930881981020552018-05-26T21:43:00.000-04:002018-05-26T21:56:23.159-04:00HappeningsI used to dream about how much time I'd have when my children were grown. I'd sew and read and blog and and volunteer and wonder what to do with my time! Ha! When your husband is in ministry and your grown children and grandchildren live nearby (one still at home, which is great by me--she has legitimate reasons), you're as busy as ever, just with different things . . . or maybe not so different after all. Here are some highlights of what I've been up to for the past month:<br />
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Hospitality--This academic year we've been engaged in <i>a lot</i> of hospitality related to <a href="https://www.wittenbergcomo.com/" target="_blank">Wittenberg Door</a>. We have hosted as many as twenty-five people at once and we've had people from all over the world--China, Haiti, Brazil, Japan, Jordan . . . Most recently, friends from China (mother and son) came for dinner and to fish in our pond. We have made some great friends and hopefully pointed some people to Christ.<br />
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Grandparenting--<a href="https://wherewebeginblog.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Elizabeth</a> spent several weeks in Latvia and Lithuania during April and May ministering to at-risk teens. This is an on-going ministry that her entire family engages in in various ways. Sometimes, it involves us too since there is much practical support needed here at home while she is away. My part involves extra childcare and grandmother duty (with assistance from Dave and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/InglesideCreations?ref=shop_sugg" target="_blank">Hannah</a>, of course). It's my joy, but it's also exhausting! There's a reason God gives children to young adults! We had two sleepovers, made Mother's Day gifts, played in the hose, cooked, read <i>lots</i> of books, worked in the garden, went fishing in our pond, took trips to library, grocery store, nearby state park, nursery, and family fun center (which is not so fun for adults but the kids love it!). Some highlights:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plant picks for Mother's Day!</td></tr>
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Gardening--Spring was so late this year everything is behind by two weeks! My pansies have usually been done in by the heat by now, but they are still going strong. We finally managed to get the vegetable garden put in and spruce up the flower bed, however late.</div>
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The veggie garden has tomatoes, cabbage, spaghetti squash, cucumbers, and green beans. There is still a little space left, so I'm going to pick up some herbs next time I'm shopping. Though it looks rather empty now, we know from experience that the plants will fill out and be quite crowded. I took this picture through the fence:</div>
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The bucket is for throwing random rocks in. Dave tilled deeper this year and brought a lot of rocks to the surface, so every time I'm out there, I pick up whatever rocks I see and toss them in. The bucket is almost full, plus each corner of the fence has a pile to keep critters out. Keeping them out is an ongoing battle here!</div>
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Though every year I add a couple perennials to the flower bed, I planted a lot more of them this year. The allium bulbs I planted three years ago started out as six, but they have increased to eleven flower-producing bulbs. I love love LOVE these and look forward to them every May.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3YTMxNet6qEX8R4CWtkMktIQbkgZ5bgijwXC1vZE92VTKSrKqHVrXqt50maK7egXGeC93QFSdQF-BDtqIJYyUqUL2BNR9PxMub3iuzIyJJWapXgEe_BgMDaejNTaCIX3yTGmhWrjpjM/s1600/2018-05-23+20.03.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3YTMxNet6qEX8R4CWtkMktIQbkgZ5bgijwXC1vZE92VTKSrKqHVrXqt50maK7egXGeC93QFSdQF-BDtqIJYyUqUL2BNR9PxMub3iuzIyJJWapXgEe_BgMDaejNTaCIX3yTGmhWrjpjM/s400/2018-05-23+20.03.11.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They look like something from Dr. Seuss!</td></tr>
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Blooming wild on our property are coreopsis and daisies. Love!<br />
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House--There is a screened-in porch off our bedroom that needed some attention if we were ever going to use it consistently. Before it was sparsely and uncomfortably furnished and just needed some TLC. So I finally gave it the TLC it needed, rearranged the furniture (including adding some pieces and taking some away), and bought cushions for the metal chairs. There is still more I want to do, but it's soooooo much better now! In fact, I'm sitting on it while I write. It's shady and cool and so pleasant!</div>
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Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-250138057362428492018-04-21T22:33:00.000-04:002018-04-21T22:35:15.511-04:00Around My House<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41H%2B4BTOM7L._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41H%2B4BTOM7L._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="133" />ing~</a><br />
Listening~<br />
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<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Christianity-Changed-World-Alvin-Schmidt/dp/0310264499/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524360836&sr=8-1&keywords=how+christianity+changed+the+world+by+alvin+j.+schmidt" target="_blank"><i>How Christianity Changed the World </i>by Alvin J. Schmidt</a> A good counterargument for the "religion ruins everything" crowd, at least as far as Christianity is concerned. Schmidt goes back to the very beginnings of the Christian faith to show how much good it has done in the world, while he doesn't deny the errors committed by those who acted in the name of Christ but who nevertheless went against Christian teaching. Schmidt explains how the establishment of the first hospitals and orphanages, the abolition of slavery, the elevation of the status of women, and advances in science, to name just a few topics, are the direct result of faith in the Bible.<br />
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Reading~<br />
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<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61gfW9ZublL._SX324_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61gfW9ZublL._SX324_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="130" /></a><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Scent-Water-Elizabeth-Goudge/dp/1598568418/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524361447&sr=8-1&keywords=the+scent+of+water+by+elizabeth+goudge" target="_blank"><i>The Scent of Water </i>by Elizabeth Goudge </a> I loved this book from the first page! I'm reading it s-l-o-w-l-y and savoring every sentence. I've wanted to read Goudge for a long time now, but she is hard to find in used bookstores! I was given an Amazon gift card for Christmas and after much pondering, decided to use some of it to get three Goudge books: <i>The Dean's Watch, Gentian Hill, </i>and this one. One of the things I most love about it is the attention paid to the houses and housekeeping. I think I developed a taste for glimpses of domestic life while reading the <i>Anne </i>series by L.M. Montgomery and I still enjoy descriptions of houses and how people live in them. I also very much like Mary, the heroine of <i>The Scent of Water</i>. My Amazon gift card was well spent!<br />
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Watching~<br />
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<a href="https://occ-0-2433-448.1.nflxso.net/art/cc18c/df3d27d9ac1ce805115804a563a8b9dd480cc18c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for series of unfortunate events images" border="0" height="112" src="https://occ-0-2433-448.1.nflxso.net/art/cc18c/df3d27d9ac1ce805115804a563a8b9dd480cc18c.jpg" width="200" /></a><i>A Series of Unfortunate Events </i> This highly enjoyable series is available on Netflix. The casting is excellent, especially Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf. I remember him from his Doogie Howser days and knew he had been successful on Broadway, but I hadn't seen him in anything for a very long time. Count Olaf's various incarnations give Harris the opportunity to showcase his versatility, and it is immense. This show has me laughing out loud at times. Highly enjoyable, even for adults!<br />
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<a href="https://design42day.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/Great-Interior-Design-Challenge-4-813x580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for great interior design challenge" border="0" height="142" src="https://design42day.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/Great-Interior-Design-Challenge-4-813x580.jpg" width="200" /></a><i>The Great Interior Design Challenge </i> Also available on Netflix, this is the decorator's version of <i>The Great British Baking Show. </i>Amateur designers compete to become the next big thing in the world of interior design. It's fast-paced and fun and keeps my half hour on the treadmill from descending into drudgery.<br />
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Celebrating~<br />
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Easter is the most important feast of the entire liturgical year and is always a joyous celebration. Some highlights:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuqZVJffhttGCwR-87suni4q1aedSgoRn2x6i7Q0IWQmvEprFqiyOYey-XpLy6VxMmbpi7Dolgt4sQHPj_ingIhWoFBEyqwlfk4ZGFXfrbu3m2We9HrzCT7nvdsTymp0TxmrwZjp0-wk/s1600/2018-03-31+16.46.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuqZVJffhttGCwR-87suni4q1aedSgoRn2x6i7Q0IWQmvEprFqiyOYey-XpLy6VxMmbpi7Dolgt4sQHPj_ingIhWoFBEyqwlfk4ZGFXfrbu3m2We9HrzCT7nvdsTymp0TxmrwZjp0-wk/s320/2018-03-31+16.46.50.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuObXdLeuUJ4nonTz2y2mf_D85TO_TzTXBjGxSEDyulzBkrcfVSEaJnMDy2SAWWCR0hgwM8OswEzKMJ7bWhrbhq_Ju89a_REv-TLfAUYOp1422fFWxMjmsadGDLnoS962G3irhvjweTjg/s1600/2018-03-31+17.01.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuObXdLeuUJ4nonTz2y2mf_D85TO_TzTXBjGxSEDyulzBkrcfVSEaJnMDy2SAWWCR0hgwM8OswEzKMJ7bWhrbhq_Ju89a_REv-TLfAUYOp1422fFWxMjmsadGDLnoS962G3irhvjweTjg/s320/2018-03-31+17.01.38.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This actually took place on Saturday. Elizabeth and Justin were hosting a gathering of 25 people on Sunday at their house, but I wanted to have a smaller celebration with just immediate family as well, so we kicked off the festivities a little early at our house. It was a great time!</div>
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<br />Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-58910124344711301752018-03-08T07:00:00.000-05:002018-03-08T08:33:07.975-05:00GingersnapsMy mother-in-law, who lives nearby in an assisted-living facility (by her own choice), put in a request for gingersnaps recently. Though I could have bought some, I wanted to make them because I think it's a shame if a person never gets homemade goodies. I'd never made them before, so I turned to my trusty BHG cookbooks. I amd currently in possession of three of these cookbooks: a recent one published about five years ago, the 1987 edition which was a wedding gift, and a vintage 1953 edition. The recent and vintage ones belonged to Dave's mother, but since she never cooks anymore, I'm putting them to good use. I used the recipe from the vintage edition because, well, just look at this illustration!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXoZk8Ch1d284UCuJBN_Km6MlLZGPPcgTtLlgd6mO2_yoT-neFiN00pTbc9_5zfvUpaLDtLUTVl7xLCqtpf5Y9ia6erhibXIPb1NGDUw0BQFiHkW8x6MdBNePQcditdR0Tf7KZU5CEYw/s1600/2018-03-04+16.15.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXoZk8Ch1d284UCuJBN_Km6MlLZGPPcgTtLlgd6mO2_yoT-neFiN00pTbc9_5zfvUpaLDtLUTVl7xLCqtpf5Y9ia6erhibXIPb1NGDUw0BQFiHkW8x6MdBNePQcditdR0Tf7KZU5CEYw/s400/2018-03-04+16.15.30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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How could I resist?? The cover~<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyasQ-ilohL7JGE8TYU14e_jmyX1LaAa-w2dbDowRadz0NJM9IXiOWTDGMRZGHjlmpWNfq72vUh9I36hGmIGH5iTJ9lF9kv7AtepOiKf0-6dyKIe3ryTqfsOaI0639L6DjKBBWvGQk5Tc/s1600/2018-03-04+16.15.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyasQ-ilohL7JGE8TYU14e_jmyX1LaAa-w2dbDowRadz0NJM9IXiOWTDGMRZGHjlmpWNfq72vUh9I36hGmIGH5iTJ9lF9kv7AtepOiKf0-6dyKIe3ryTqfsOaI0639L6DjKBBWvGQk5Tc/s400/2018-03-04+16.15.39.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And the cookies~</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhss9pnCPiHuTtgQS-3T3hnK1hiwzUH-EO5HTtZrAkhVMZw_xkXVQBxGE9MeFH6H9GDFAbvPTcVnG4OtOmvDZ48pKo7rbn-7b6ieQdq9pIaV10YN1HyQrCQNFXK2quTmOSPWW8MFUjTDoE/s1600/2018-03-04+15.25.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhss9pnCPiHuTtgQS-3T3hnK1hiwzUH-EO5HTtZrAkhVMZw_xkXVQBxGE9MeFH6H9GDFAbvPTcVnG4OtOmvDZ48pKo7rbn-7b6ieQdq9pIaV10YN1HyQrCQNFXK2quTmOSPWW8MFUjTDoE/s400/2018-03-04+15.25.18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The recipe was easy to follow and resulted in delicious, crispy cookies. However, I reduced the baking time from fifteen minutes to twelve, and I'm glad I did. They would have been too brown otherwise. Here's the recipe~</div>
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BHG Old-fashioned Gingersnaps</div>
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3/4 c. shortening</div>
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1 c. sugar</div>
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1/4 c. light molasses (I used dark because I already had some.)</div>
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1 beaten egg</div>
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2 c. sifted flour (Sift first, then measure.)</div>
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2 t. baking soda</div>
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1/4 t. salt</div>
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1 t. cinnamon</div>
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1 t. cloves</div>
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1 t. ginger</div>
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Cream shortening and sugar; add molasses and egg; beat well. Sift dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture; mix well.</div>
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Roll in small balls; dip into sugar; place 2 inches apart on greased cooky sheet. Bake in moderate oven (375 degrees) for 15 minutes (I reduced this 12). Makes four dozen cookies.</div>
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I didn't dip mine into sugar because my mother-in-law doesn't like things too sweet. They are delicious nevertheless!</div>
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<br />Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-53573506364973485492018-03-04T18:02:00.000-05:002018-03-04T18:02:00.521-05:00Recent HospitalityIn the past nine days we have hosted three separate dinners for nine or more people! The first was our (meaning <a href="https://www.wittenbergcomo.com/" target="_blank">Wittenberg Door</a>'s) twice-monthly Friday night dinner for international students, along with American friends, which features various kinds of American food and English conversation practice. This week was different, though - in honor of Chinese New Year, we enjoyed traditional Chinese food and activities, led by our Chinese friends. A fun time was had by all!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxkNWFDrSvmcYfOVi4gq3S1OCwVxLpxTBLXZqh_TzdG7n8SJVhf2OX4X7AqXP8RqiPC8iBT_Yyh73d7iyic98zEl2kV1sXpz8EKA6goRYDqtMV1V3h-2rKzrQKoxwytEpLCYFghbdsUU/s1600/2018-02-23+18.51.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxkNWFDrSvmcYfOVi4gq3S1OCwVxLpxTBLXZqh_TzdG7n8SJVhf2OX4X7AqXP8RqiPC8iBT_Yyh73d7iyic98zEl2kV1sXpz8EKA6goRYDqtMV1V3h-2rKzrQKoxwytEpLCYFghbdsUU/s400/2018-02-23+18.51.14.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We all pitched in to make Chinese dumplings.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1XfWjmFwwI6xIxpl-5pD3rIncnY9UEVeMCyG4HlYHDpGJeUaFQYVUd8zQAolb6EEBi4v3qpzyf_phgwwyH6X7acBFldk4BbPlSuqhBo_2t2bifSHs0yW__OAz3EjegXww5MbzBz5YGU/s1600/2018-02-23+20.49.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1XfWjmFwwI6xIxpl-5pD3rIncnY9UEVeMCyG4HlYHDpGJeUaFQYVUd8zQAolb6EEBi4v3qpzyf_phgwwyH6X7acBFldk4BbPlSuqhBo_2t2bifSHs0yW__OAz3EjegXww5MbzBz5YGU/s400/2018-02-23+20.49.38.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There I am, trying my hand at Chinese calligraphy.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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The following Sunday we celebrated Dave's birthday with a large family gathering. His brother and wife moved to town last fall and it's so great to be able to have them join us for family celebrations!<div>
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It turns out we didn't take that many pictures, but here's one of Dave and Arane. (The little ones are so excited about birthday parties, even when they are not their own!)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMA0Sq0WAwfeSsD3Tuc3mWGF-P1WfwEfx87lidFjvK8LwPs5-IzMERSZX6gicflltbsuRi62FlOWalW_yWox5xMsgIzzsM7-RBLgd5BHA2hyphenhyphenSMCqOy3k5P8S7ZoVA77_PRPVY-x2Mi_-Q/s1600/2018-02-25+14.35.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMA0Sq0WAwfeSsD3Tuc3mWGF-P1WfwEfx87lidFjvK8LwPs5-IzMERSZX6gicflltbsuRi62FlOWalW_yWox5xMsgIzzsM7-RBLgd5BHA2hyphenhyphenSMCqOy3k5P8S7ZoVA77_PRPVY-x2Mi_-Q/s400/2018-02-25+14.35.11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arane supervised the gift opening. She's an expert. :)</td></tr>
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Yesterday, my soon-to-be-88-year-old mother and my sister drove an hour and a half to spend the afternoon and evening with us. They hadn't been here in a long time, so it was wonderful to have them at our house. Once again, I was too busy enjoying myself to take many pictures, but I really love this of my mother and the little ones watching deer down by the pond.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz87SaTHcQzyXt3XAlAAm3h6Ln6fioJViaNJtO9XtccBp4nktiby-rtjLzBpfqmZoYAtugdUIGFL-uDoMjz0orxmWYA1lxJXa59w8TRtLQ2AsjvCKTF423fLQUh8jtJsZNb334TH9h2AY/s1600/2018-03-03+17.40.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz87SaTHcQzyXt3XAlAAm3h6Ln6fioJViaNJtO9XtccBp4nktiby-rtjLzBpfqmZoYAtugdUIGFL-uDoMjz0orxmWYA1lxJXa59w8TRtLQ2AsjvCKTF423fLQUh8jtJsZNb334TH9h2AY/s400/2018-03-03+17.40.40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-57787657484800546202018-02-15T21:28:00.001-05:002018-02-15T21:30:43.123-05:00Around My HouseReading~<br />
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<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51QRpnDeGgL._SX324_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51QRpnDeGgL._SX324_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="130" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Counter-Cooking-School-Transformed/dp/0143122177" target="_blank"><i>The Kitchen Counter Cooking School: How a Few Simple Lessons Transformed Nine Culinary Novices into Fearless Home Cooks </i>by Kathleen Flinn</a> I received this book for Christmas. I added it to my Amazon wishlist after hearing an interview with the author on NPR. It sounded interesting and it is! Cooking, or the lack of it, is about so much more than just techniques and knowing your way around a stove. Apparently, lots of people carry lots of baggage, good and bad, from their childhoods and current relationships when it comes to the simple act of preparing food. Kathleen Flinn takes nine women from beginner cooks to . . . well, we'll see how far she gets. I'm only about halfway through the book now.<br />
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Listening~<br />
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<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51YQpxZWUGL._SX348_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51YQpxZWUGL._SX348_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="140" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-Hygge-Danish-Secrets/dp/0062658808/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518745187&sr=8-1&keywords=little+book+of+hygge+danish+secrets+to+happy+living" target="_blank"><i>The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living </i>by Meik Wiking</a> Pleasingly narrated by the author, this book clocks in at a little over three hours. I'm about halfway. It's a good introduction to the concept of <i>hygge, </i>but you could probably get a enough of an idea just by doing a web search. Wiking is a happiness researcher who clearly knows his stuff, but I'm not really learning anything new about hygge. If you're a hygge novice, this book will be helpful.<br />
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<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Yi4nHaAML._SX326_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Yi4nHaAML._SX326_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="131" /></a><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kristin-Lavransdatter-Penguin-Classics-Deluxe/dp/0143039164/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1518745498&sr=1-1&keywords=kristen+lavransdatter+by+sigrid+undset" target="_blank">Kristin Lavransdatter</a> </i>by Sigrid Undset The author won a Nobel Prize for this historical epic, which is why I wanted to become familiar with it. The Penguin edition is 1168 pages and the audio edition I'm listening to is over 44 hours long! I listen to audiobooks when I think I will get bogged down in a paper edition, which would definitely have been the case with <i>Kristin</i>. By the end of the second part, though, I needed a break; hence <i>The Little Book of Hygge</i> mentioned above. I like it--I don't love it--and I'll be glad that I got it through it, even in audio format.<br />
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Watching~<br />
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<a href="about:invalid#zClosurez" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for howards end movie images" border="0" height="200" 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" width="140" /></a><i>Howards End </i>The movie based on E.M. Forster's novel is wonderful. I had watched it several times many years ago, but since then I haven't been able to find a copy of it until Netflix began streaming it fairly recently. Excitement! The acting is excellent, the scenery beautiful, the story compelling. I will be revisiting this until Netflix no longer carries it. And just so you know, the movie is very faithful to the book.<br />
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<a href="http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/food/ic/food_1x1_304/chefs/mary_berry_1x1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Related image" border="0" src="http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/food/ic/food_1x1_304/chefs/mary_berry_1x1.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><i>Mary Berry's Country House Secrets </i> I stumbled across this series on Youtube a few days ago. I'd never heard of Mary Berry until <i>The Great British Baking Show, </i>which I loved, and so was excited to find this. There are four episodes, each of which features the always classy Mary taking us through a stately British country house. We meet the occupants and learn some of the history of the house and area. And oh, yes, there is a cooking component. So much fun!<br />
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Housekeeping~<br />
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After the <a href="https://womanofthehouse-blog.blogspot.com/2018/01/deep-clean-pantry.html" target="_blank">great pantry clear out</a> of January, I tackled a big storage closet in our conservatory this month. It holds board games, puzzles, and the few toys we saved for visiting children, some files, cello music, gifts for future giving, and odds and ends. One of these days I will learn to take before photos, but here's an after anyway:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's even room left over!</td></tr>
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A Favorite Blog~<br />
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Emily's blog, <a href="http://www.charmingthebirdsfromthetrees.com/" target="_blank">Charming the Birds from the Trees</a>, is lovely! She documents her life with her Orthodox priest husband and their three children. There is some peaceful, lovely homekeeping, a little travel, a little knitting and sewing, some wonderful quotations, and always lovely photos. I like her approach to living!</div>
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Admiring~</div>
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The winter pond is so beautiful! A few days ago we had frost on top of ice, and it was sparkly in the sunshine!</div>
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<i>(Just so you know, I don't make anything from Amazon or anywhere else for my opinions about movies, books, etc. Links are provided for your convenience.)</i></div>
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Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-45438858761307735842018-01-27T22:00:00.000-05:002018-01-27T22:00:44.497-05:00Deep Clean: PantryI've had time to do some extra cleaning this month, so last week Hannah and I gave her room a deep clean and I also did the pantry. It had been quite awhile since I had tackled the pantry, and it really needed it. I was pleased that there were only a couple expired items that needed to be thrown away. I'm diligent about keeping things in rotation and it's paid off. I really hate to throw food away. I may as well just put money straight into the trash. In addition, the more I've come to realize how hard it is for people in some parts of the world to obtain adequate food, the harder I try to reduce my family's food waste. <br />
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I didn't think to take before pictures, but here's an after:<br />
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The walls really are bright yellow. I may paint them someday, but honestly, I don't care that much. I got the wire shelves at Aldi and they've been very handy. I moved all the canning jars and supplies to the (gigantic) storeroom, which let me move some things that had been on the floor to the top shelf (including the big pots and carboy Dave uses for brewing). The pantry makes me happy now!Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-67026565411746673942018-01-17T21:40:00.000-05:002018-01-17T21:40:10.229-05:00A Creative Life "Mrs Willet can tackle a hundred jobs, without having been specifically <i>taught</i> any of them. She can salt pork or beef, make jams, jellies, wines, chutneys and pickles; she can bake pies--with all manner of pastries--cakes, tarts and her own bread, which is particularly delicious. She makes rugs, curtains, and her own clothes. She can help a neighbour in childbirth and--at the other end of life's span--compose a corpse's limbs for decent burial. She is as good a gardener as her husband, can distemper a room, mend a fuse, and sings in the choir.<br />
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She is, in fact, typical of most countrywomen, and with them she shares that self-reliance which is the heritage of those who have had to face tackling daily jobs of varied kinds.<br />
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Mrs Willet is small and pale and yet she is 'always on the go,' as she herself will tell you. The fact that she can do so many things, and takes enormous pride in doing them well, is, I think the secret of this apparently inexhaustible energy. There are so many different activities to engage her, that when she tires of one, there is another to which she can turn and get refreshment. From turning her heavy old mangle in the wash-house, she will come in and sit down to stitch a new skirt. She will prepare a stew, and while it simmers on the hob, filling the little house with its fragrance, she will practise her part in Mr Annett's new anthem, ready for the next church festival. And--this perhaps is the most important thing--she sees a satisfying result from her labours. The clothes blow on the line, the skirt is folded and put away in the drawer ready for next Sunday; Mr Willet will come in 'sharp-set' and praise her bubbling stew; and, with any luck, Mr Annett will congratulate her on her grasp of that difficult passage just before the basses come in.<br />
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It is a creative life. There is something worth while to show for energy expended which engenders the desire to accomplish more. Small wonder that the Mrs Willets of this world are happy, and deserve to be so."<br />
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<i>Village Diary </i>by Miss Read<br />
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Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-40727509735880263232018-01-06T23:56:00.002-05:002018-01-06T23:56:58.892-05:00The Twelfth Day of Christmas . . .<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSAIe29p2a167Ho-Bu-KW2EsUoq8olS-db7AUSkhG1ls8In4n_o" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for epiphany images" border="0" height="248" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSAIe29p2a167Ho-Bu-KW2EsUoq8olS-db7AUSkhG1ls8In4n_o" width="400" /></a>. . . was actually yesterday, and I missed it. But I did pretty well with my pledge to post everyday during the Christmas season, don't you think?<br />
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Let's wrap up the list of what I read in 2017, shall we? <br />
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<i>The Birds' Christmas Carol </i>by Kate Douglas Wiggin--A sweet though sentimental children's story about a an invalid named Carol who was born on Christmas Day. Caution for the tenderhearted: it has a sad ending.<br />
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<i>The House at Pooh Corner </i>by A.A. Milne--More adventures of Winnie the Pooh and friends. I love the gentle wit of these stories! They come as close to perfection in the world of children't literature as anything I know.<br />
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<i>Little Women </i>by Louisa May Alcott--I had forgotten how moralistic this novel is. There is lots of do-gooding and self-improvement in order to attain heaven, but there is still much to like here. Beth seems too good to be real and a bit card-boardy, but the other three sisters are realistically drawn and quite likeable. An enjoyable read that took me back to my childhood.<br />
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<i>North and Sound </i>by Elizabeth Gaskell--Long and meandering and twice as long as it needed to be. I found I didn't like Margaret much and had little patience with her mother. I hadn't read this before, but I had watched the BBC adaptation, which is quite true to the book (and which I liked better).<br />
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<i>Wives and Daughters</i> by Elizabeth Gaskell--I enjoyed this a lot more than <i>North and South</i>. Well written and constructed. The BBC adaptation is also true to the book.<br />
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<i>Betsy-Tacy </i>by Maud Hart Lovelace--I missed all the <i>Betsy-Tacy </i>stories during my childhood and my daughters' childhoods. I had not heard of them when I was a girl, and the library didn't have them when I was raising my daughters, and though I wanted to read them aloud, I never was able too. It's perfect for girls who have just taken off in reading and want chapter books about other girls. <br />
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<i>The Conservative Mind: From Burke to Eliot </i>by Russell Kirk--This is what I wish people thought of when they used the term "conservative." So much of what passes for conservatism today really isn't. This was hard and took a long time, but it was helpful to trace the lines of conservative thought from its early days. <br />
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<i>Understood Betsy </i>by Dorothy Canfield Fisher--Another fun girl book with a good message about not underestimating the abilities of children. It's not preachy, though. Fisher brought the Montessori method of education to America, and this book is said to incorporate some of Montessori's methods. I don't know much about this particular philosophy of education, but a lot of what was portrayed in the book made good common sense to me. Kids won't notice the message, though. They'll just enjoy the story.<br />
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<i>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows--</i>Another re-read and what's left to say about this book? Always fun, though this last installment of the series has some serious themes and losses (as do some of the others, come to think of it). It's good to see the threads of the series come together and the loose end tied up. I will always be a Harry Potter fan.<br />
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So there you have it! My 2017 reading line-up. I hope you all had a blessed Christmas season and have an equally blessed Epiphany!<br />
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<br />Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-87966684964782818032018-01-04T22:23:00.002-05:002018-01-04T22:23:52.614-05:00The Eleventh Day of Christmas<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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More from my 2017 reading list~~<br />
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<i>Anne of Green Gables </i>and <i>Anne of Avonlea </i>by L.M. Montgomery--Two more childhood favorites and always so much fun! When I was growing up, we had a set of the first three in the series and I thought that's all there were. I devoured them over and over again until they fell apart. Imagine my joy when I discovered as a young bride that there were five more! This series taught me so much about beauty, especially finding it in the ordinary, and I will be forever grateful. I will probably re-read one or two more this year.<br />
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<i>The Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming of Age Crisis and How to Re-build a Culture of Self-reliance </i>by Ben Sasse--Dave and I listened to this book on a trip last spring. Overall I liked the book a lot and thought Sasse, who is a US senator from Nebraska, diagnosed the much talked-about problems with millennials pretty well. He also offered a lot of solutions, many which I liked and others which I thought were pretty unrealistic, at least for many families. It was great food for conservation on our road trip. <br />
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<i>All Creatures Great and Small </i>and <i>All Things Wise and Wonderful </i>by James Herriot--Also re-reads and so very enjoyable. I listened to these, narrated by Christopher Timothy, who played James Herriot in the equally enjoyable TV series. Such a wonderful glimpse into another time, place, and way of life.<br />
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<i>Happier at Home </i>by Gretchen Rubin--I picked this up for a dollar at a library sale, thinking anything with that title was bound to something I'd like. Weeellll, it was just okay. The author goes through month by month telling her readers how she made changes to her home life that she thought would increase her happiness. It was so specific, though, that I didn't find it had much applicability to my life. I confess I got bored and skimmed the last half.<br />
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<i>Civilization: The West and the Rest </i>by Niall Ferguson--I read this near the beginning of the year and I don't remember much about it. Take that for what you will . . .<br />
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<i>Under the Greenwood Tree </i>by Thomas Hardy--This is early Hardy and his plot and characters are not as well developed as his later novels. I adore Hardy, despite his depressing endings. He understands human nature and writes astonishingly beautiful prose, but don't start with this one. Start with <i>Far from the Madding Crowd</i>, which actually has a semi-happy ending.<br />
<br />Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-38058187276798123062018-01-03T22:29:00.000-05:002018-01-03T22:31:52.157-05:00The Ninth and Tenth Days of Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">
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I blew it. I didn't get a post up yesterday. So today I will just pick up where I left off and tell some more about my 2017 reading.<br />
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<i>Murder on the Orient Express, Murder at the Vicarage, </i>and <i>A Murder Is Announced </i>by Agatha Christie--I wanted to read <i>Orient Express</i> ahead of the movie release. I had never read it! But I never did get to the movie, though there is always Netflix or Amazon. The book was so enjoyable that I decided to enjoy a couple more Christie mysteries, this time with Miss Marple. Poirot gets on my nerves after awhile, but Miss Marple never grows tiresome. I enjoy classic mysteries and Christie's Judeo-Christian morality and inventive plots never fail to please.<br />
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<i>Housekeeping </i>by Marilynne Robinson--This had been recommended so many times that I finally took the plunge and read it. It left me scratching my head, though. It is beautifully and poetically written with the prose flowing as smoothly hot fudge over vanilla ice cream, but I just didn't get it. Enlighten me if you can!<br />
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<i>Republican Like Me: How I Left the Liberal Bubble and Learned to Love the Right </i>by Ken Stern--The author really missed the boat. I had high hopes for this book, but it was a disappointment. Stern interacted with Republicans as if he were observing exotic animals in the zoo and never truly entered their lives or mindsets. I think he thinks he did, but he didn't. Now Stern can pat himself on the back for coming out of his ivory tower and mingling with the lower orders, but I doubt it did him much real good. I will give him credit for trying, which is more than a lot of progressives have done.<br />
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<i>Little House in the Big Woods </i>and <i>Little House on the Prairie </i>by Laura Ingalls Wilder--Ever since I was a little girl reading these stories I loved have them. In fact, because of these books I love pioneer stories in general. Then my husband and I read the series several times to both our girls, and now we have embarked on the series again with our granddaughters. When they spend the night with us we read several chapters before bed and they love it. These are classic children's stories about westward expansion and settling the American West. I am sure they have fallen out of favor due to their portrayal of settler/Indian relations, traditional family structures, and Christian values, but that's a shame. There a few things that make me uncomfortable too, but they give an opportunity to have good conversations. The benefits of the books far outweigh the few problems.<br />
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<i>Paradise Lost </i>by John Milton--I had never read this and knew I needed to, and I'm glad I did. I confess, though, that I struggle with poetry, especially long poems. I am too impatient for it and I see this as a flaw in my character. I did gain some theological insight, however, and found parts of it profound.<br />
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<i>The Story of the Treasure Seekers </i>by E. Nesbit--A family in crisis is saved through the intelligence and creativity of the children, just like in Nesbit's best known work, <i>The Railway Children. </i>I love that about these two books. Nesbit must have had a sincere respect for children and their abilities. I appreciate the way the children work together and help each other out, yet they are real children with all the typical follies and foibles of childhood. Enjoyable story, enjoyable read!Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-71574370838606766112018-01-01T21:39:00.001-05:002018-01-01T21:40:22.185-05:00The Eighth Day of ChristmasMore from my 2017 reading list~<br />
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<i>Out of the Ashes: Rebuilding American Culture </i>by Anthony Esolen--The best book I read this year! Dr. Esolen's insights into diagnoses of what is ailing American culture are keen. He cuts through politics right into the heart of what's happening in American right now. This book is no Trump apologetic, either. Dr. Esolen isn't concerned politics; his concern is what is happening to us as a country spiritually, emotionally, relationally, sociologically, and psychologically. I had the great privilege to attend a conference last April in which Dr. Esolen was the plenary speaker. (Dave and I even sat with him at lunch one day! And he signed my books!) I had already read <i>Out of the Ashes</i> so knew what to expect. But I didn't expect him to recite long swathes of poetry by heart, often in the voice of a favorite actor. Dr. Esolen is my favorite cultural analyst and this is his best book yet.<br />
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<i>Life Under Compulsion: Ten Ways to Destroy the Humanity of Your Child</i> by Anthony Esolen--The companion volume to <i>Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child</i>, a brilliant treatment of childhood in contemporary America. The former<i> </i>picks the thread of the latter. Well worth reading and pondering!<br />
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<i>The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation</i> by Rod Dreher--A lot has been written and said about the Benedict Option, much of it wrong. Before passing judgment, you must read what Dreher himself says about this idea of his. Clue: it's not about withdrawing from the world. Instead, it's about engaging the world from a close-knit Christian community. A lot of Dreher has say makes sense, but I didn't find this book as insightful as <i>Out of the Ashes</i>, nor as inspiring. For me, reading Dreher is like being bludgeoned about the head repeatedly while reading Esolen is more like listening to Henry V's St. Crispin's Day speech. Still, Dreher has good things to say and I recommend his book.<br />
<br />
<i>Consider the Fork: A History of How We Cook and Eat </i>by Bee Wilson--I really enjoy culinary and domestic history. This was a fun, interesting book that deals with cooking and eating and all the attendant paraphernalia that accompanies them. Wilson digs as far back as she can to take her readers from eating with fingers all the way up to food processors. I bet you didn't know it was possible to wax at length about potato peelers and spatulas!<br />
<br />
<i>Bleak House </i>by Charles Dickens--Re-read. Possibly my favorite Dickens novel. (Contenders are <i>A Christmas Carol </i>and <i>David Copperfield</i>.) Anthony Esolen (yes, him again :) ) calls Esther Dickens' finest heroine, and I agree. The 2005? series with Gillian Anderson is very well done and quite true to the book, but be sure to read the book if you haven't. For an audio version, you can't top Simon Vance as a narrator, in my opinion.<br />
<br />
When Dave and I were in London this summer, we visited the Dickens Museum, which is housed in the only house still remaining in which Dickens lived. Here are a few highlights~<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmF0yAGVMjdlUBJKwsGhNrqYRy431KKElck3qvaueCwj1MHwuk23nPkUZ5GupNR62lopJkWESD0kCBxp2SSZqfC4rY6x4rHzYPeywwowqjUJyQnU_egIgu8oPhe3MzyT3Q3EUJDNpGWU/s1600/2017-06-24+14.52.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmF0yAGVMjdlUBJKwsGhNrqYRy431KKElck3qvaueCwj1MHwuk23nPkUZ5GupNR62lopJkWESD0kCBxp2SSZqfC4rY6x4rHzYPeywwowqjUJyQnU_egIgu8oPhe3MzyT3Q3EUJDNpGWU/s400/2017-06-24+14.52.14.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dickens' writing desk. He wrote some of his novels at<br />
this desk, including <i>Great Expectations.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lOhsoHNH9gsiOO5CcH39ivuvkE6IGzzNg_mRtBQvw0RG1sPQKykqvkyc_i821WaxOdQMv9FNC1tmj7xuPekYEyZuaHsIKuc5LAXD0SbLdwpql40XTwV4ti09mezKG6_KrDzhYMAW2FQ/s1600/2017-06-24+14.25.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lOhsoHNH9gsiOO5CcH39ivuvkE6IGzzNg_mRtBQvw0RG1sPQKykqvkyc_i821WaxOdQMv9FNC1tmj7xuPekYEyZuaHsIKuc5LAXD0SbLdwpql40XTwV4ti09mezKG6_KrDzhYMAW2FQ/s400/2017-06-24+14.25.30.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The elegant dining room in the Dickens house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBKNcGsEvp-JEpOYict71X_w6KZbKzrIWjvTBpErvMB3-WrL_4BVdwO_pbZF1KkcveEEy6I8hDzHdN20XQ-rR96iJabBhK-hqgfLaw-_8c1ZDIP3QKsdmefhKsa64MumDNrZIRSsvKTY/s1600/2017-06-24+14.58.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBKNcGsEvp-JEpOYict71X_w6KZbKzrIWjvTBpErvMB3-WrL_4BVdwO_pbZF1KkcveEEy6I8hDzHdN20XQ-rR96iJabBhK-hqgfLaw-_8c1ZDIP3QKsdmefhKsa64MumDNrZIRSsvKTY/s400/2017-06-24+14.58.03.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The reading desk Dickens had designed and built specifically for the dramatic public <br />
readings he gave of his works. He toured extensively, including in America. He is said to<br />
have been very good at portraying his characters.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-70464845500694984932017-12-31T18:45:00.000-05:002018-01-01T21:40:31.756-05:00The Seventh Day of Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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" 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Blessed seventh day of Christmas and the celebration of the circumcision of the Lord! For the next few posts I will share my quick impressions of the books I read or listened to in 2017. There are 37 in all. (A couple? few? of them were read twice.) What follows is the first installment in no particular order~<br />
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<i>A Theory of Festivity </i>by Josef Pieper--Though a short book at less than 100 pages, this was the toughest book I read this year. I am still digesting it and probably will be for a long time. The take-away I got was that Pieper thoroughly disapproves of made-up holidays. He was writing at the height of the Cold War and uses communist "festivals," such as May Day, as his example, but other more recent manifestations kept coming to my mind.<br />
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<i>Pride and Prejudice </i>by Jane Austen--A revisit for me. Austen's wit and insight never fail to please. Traditionally, "pride" is Mr. Darcy and "prejudice" is Elizabeth, but I'm more convinced than ever that both characters share the two traits roughly equally. For instance, Elizabeth's pride is injured when Darcy claims in his first proposal that Elizabeth's family would be an embarrassment to him and her situation in life is so "decidedly beneath [his] own." And as this comment of Darcy's and many more like it attest, Darcy is prejudiced against Elizabeth for the same reasons. I'm sure I will be re-reading this book again and again.<br />
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<i>A Christmas Carol </i>by Charles Dickens--Every year about this time I read or listen to this story. I don't think it would be Christmas without it. My favorite audio version right now is the one read by Jim Dale of Harry Potter fame. He's always fun!<br />
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<i>Lessons from Madame Chic, At Home with Madame Chic, </i>and <i>Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic </i>by Jennifer L. Scott--These are light, quick reads that I enjoyed very much, though <i>Lessons </i>is a little too "new age-y" for my tastes. Still, Scott's suggestions for living a more elegant, thoughtful life are very helpful. Too often, American life has devolved into a sloppy, slouchy affair, and Scott does her best to humorously and patiently lead us to a better way. I don't do everything she says, and in fact, most of it I was doing anyway, but I enjoyed reading her books.<br />
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Join me tomorrow for more from my 2017 reading list!<br />
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<br />Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-44245948752741536972017-12-30T14:31:00.000-05:002017-12-30T14:31:46.250-05:00The Sixth Day of ChristmasI've caught the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad cold (flu?) that's been going around, what seems like, the entire country. It's definitely putting a damper on our twelve-day celebration. Today was supposed to include a trip to see <i>Darkest Hour</i>, but alas, it will have to wait. In the meantime, I'm sharing a photo that was recently taken of my hubby and me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyQW4GHC-Yh49RAETzDAb2GHfNCGT7ePyJebqcTN8yDexSFrMxw8Kck7qHZ-B3Mkhn7ehRckKbyHH1cqYUWj0I54uIuXF_9_zTmXCNRWtED9RVX2nz6Q3XUCcmUCnFb-ieI5amaz-uOM/s1600/25434251_1774684052541580_1447087175_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyQW4GHC-Yh49RAETzDAb2GHfNCGT7ePyJebqcTN8yDexSFrMxw8Kck7qHZ-B3Mkhn7ehRckKbyHH1cqYUWj0I54uIuXF_9_zTmXCNRWtED9RVX2nz6Q3XUCcmUCnFb-ieI5amaz-uOM/s400/25434251_1774684052541580_1447087175_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our daughter has been involved in ministry to Latvian orphans for a couple years. She has made numerous trips there (four this year!) and has hosted one particular boy in her home for many weeks over the past eighteen months or so. This all costs a great deal of money, so she and her family put on fundraisers from time to time. This month the fundraiser featured pictures with Santa with a professional photographer, and guess who played Santa? :) So I stopped by and had my picture snapped with him too! I don't know when was the last time I had my picture taken with Santa, but this Santa is my favorite for sure!</div>
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If you want to know more about ministering to orphans overseas, particularly in eastern Europe, check out <a href="http://nhfc.org/sharejoy/" target="_blank">New Horizons for Children</a>. </div>
<br />Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-91281861606798738922017-12-29T13:46:00.000-05:002017-12-29T13:46:57.617-05:00The Fifth Day of Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Handel's <i>Messiah </i>is a staple of the Christmas season. In this <a href="http://issuesetc.org/2017/12/25/encore-the-incarnation-in-handels-messiah-dr-joseph-herl-122416/" target="_blank">interview</a>, Dr. Joseph Herl of Concordia University-Nebraska explores the theme of Christ's incarnation in this magnificent composition.<br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR79Doq8LZbAnJAMaeMWb2V8MXHhGgXDexJX9ei8CdA_bfC0vChyw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for jesus birth pictures" border="0" height="283" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR79Doq8LZbAnJAMaeMWb2V8MXHhGgXDexJX9ei8CdA_bfC0vChyw" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-77306292997774058742017-12-28T16:42:00.002-05:002017-12-28T16:42:59.743-05:00The Fourth Day of Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every Christmas season there seems to be one particular Christmas hymn or song that stands out to me, one that sheds light on some aspect of Christ's nativity heretofore uncontemplated. It's sometimes one I'm already familiar with or, as in this year, a brand new one. I hope you enjoy and are edified by the King's Singers performing <i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhDpp4iz2dQ" target="_blank">Born on a New Day</a> </i>(music by John David, lyrics by Philip Lawson). The performance is flawless and adds to the beauty of this work!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="about:invalid#zClosurez" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Image result for king's singers pic" border="0" height="320" 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" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The King's Singers<br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-52160569393653221492017-12-27T09:53:00.000-05:002017-12-27T09:53:09.741-05:00The Third Day of Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: start;">Today is the feast day of St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"GRANT, O Lord, that, in all our sufferings here upon earth for the testimony of thy truth, we may stedfastly look up to heaven, and by faith behold the glory that shall be revealed; and, being filled with the Holy Ghost, may learn to lo</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ve and bless our persecutors by the example of thy first Martyr Saint Stephen, who prayed for his murderers to thee, O blessed Jesus, who standest at the right hand of God to succour all those who suffer for thee. our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen."</span></span></span></div>
Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-54619612544303542272017-12-27T09:49:00.000-05:002017-12-27T09:49:53.022-05:00The Second Day of ChristmasEvery year around this time I either read or listen to Charles Dickens' <i>A Christmas Carol</i>. I find it an excellent reminder to love our neighbors at all times of the year, not just Christmas time. My favorite audio version for the past couple years has been <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE-DitMqjYg&t=30s" target="_blank">this one.</a> Jim Dale of Harry Potter fame is the narrator. His ability to invent voices for various characters is excellent!<br />
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Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-83989036295660946852017-12-26T15:07:00.000-05:002017-12-26T15:07:01.749-05:00The First Day of ChristmasWe will be celebrating the full twelve days of Christmas around here, and I will try my very best to post something each day.<br />
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Day One~<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-zbyz36WGy0wBaGru3Ffmznl_S6X0hWlkworwP39J9lgNzJlvTMNmuitF2IPCn9Ye3KmtzPeC-bLfzDuBOKKnpPvi-xjhe0gEuCcPLVhiVvYLFz_w4BgJChaxjILNTSj4xmBX_VFS-g/s1600/20171225_090122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-zbyz36WGy0wBaGru3Ffmznl_S6X0hWlkworwP39J9lgNzJlvTMNmuitF2IPCn9Ye3KmtzPeC-bLfzDuBOKKnpPvi-xjhe0gEuCcPLVhiVvYLFz_w4BgJChaxjILNTSj4xmBX_VFS-g/s400/20171225_090122.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This photo is from divine service Christmas morning. Our nave never looks more beautiful than during the Christmas season! Blessed Christmas, everyone!</div>
<br />Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-37971776166432595402017-12-16T15:59:00.000-05:002017-12-16T15:59:40.086-05:00Flowers in Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you're like me and Must.Have.Flowers, even in wintertime, let me give you a few ideas for bringing blooms into your house without breaking the bank. Besides buying bouquets at the grocery store, which is what I do when all else fails, there are other inexpensive ways to do this.</div>
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Did you know shamrocks bloom? I didn't until I saw my daughter's. Every March, you can find shamrocks for just a few dollars at the grocery store (or better yet, be blessed with a start from someone dividing an overgrown plant, as I was from my daughter). They are hearty and withstand a fair bit of neglect; in fact, they hate over-watering more than under-watering, and burst into bloom, randomly but often, with delicate white flowers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRtGaeBmE3XofY0h_rfuKUTzBZ0yRIDzc5WgHKYIf6QU9f9cMwoGQ44XYsX4efFuxlEEUo6flrgckO_LqtIJzhOGS7i3Ejh1qG7dCYnSx-TwiSFb5nuejonSaUsCvZ9K1c57PXyIy2T8/s1600/20171213_091515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRtGaeBmE3XofY0h_rfuKUTzBZ0yRIDzc5WgHKYIf6QU9f9cMwoGQ44XYsX4efFuxlEEUo6flrgckO_LqtIJzhOGS7i3Ejh1qG7dCYnSx-TwiSFb5nuejonSaUsCvZ9K1c57PXyIy2T8/s400/20171213_091515.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amaryllis, not yet fully opened, on left; poinsettia on right</td></tr>
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Amaryllis bulbs are cheap in the run-up to Christmas. They are easy to plant and care for and will reward you with big, gorgeous blooms that last for a couple weeks. The bulb will even re-bloom if you follow the instructions on the package. I <i>try</i> to time mine to bloom on Christmas Day.<br />
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Of course, poinsettias are a staple of Christmas decor, and now they come in a variety of colors. My favorite is the traditional red, and I always buy at least one every December. This year, I saw tiny ones available for just over $2, though it is possible to spend much more for bigger plants. With proper watering, they last a long time, too. I have a friend who once had a poinsettia plant that grew to the size of a small tree!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: <i>Southern Living</i></td></tr>
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Paperwhites are another winter flower easy to grow from bulbs. Pick up a package when you get your amaryllis; they are often sold together in the same display. These sweet white flowers are perfect for January. Just plant them around Christmas time and you'll have flowers in the dead of winter.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Optimara African Violets</td></tr>
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African violets are fussier than any of the flowers I've mentioned, but when they bloom they add a spot of bright cheeriness to your home. Once they bloom, the tend to keep on, but I've only once managed to get them to re-bloom. That may be due to my lack of care and skill than anything else, though. Be sure to feed them African violet food to keep them healthy and encourage re-blooming. Little pots of African violets are available from grocery stores usually in the late winter or early spring.<br />
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When nothing else is blooming in the house, I buy a bouquet from the grocery store to fill in flowerless gaps. And there's always the hope of a bouquet on Valentine's Day. :) But with mums, zinnia, and lavender blooming into November and crocuses and snowdrops beginning in February, there are only three months out of the year in which it is a bit challenging to have flowers. The luxury of flowers doesn't have to cost a lot.<br />
<br />Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-24131427679453570472017-11-12T18:11:00.000-05:002017-11-12T18:11:05.206-05:00Scenes from My House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's hard to know what to say when you've taken an unintentional two-month-plus blog break. How do you jump back in? Do you apologize? Do you explain? Do you just reappear? I think I'll go with the third option but give a brief explanation: I was just plain busy! At least once a week I thought about my poor neglected blog, but everything else crowded it out. I don't know if I'll do any better now, but I will try.</div>
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After a week of clouds, the sunshine was very welcome. The morning sun held warmth and brightness.</div>
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We had our first freeze near the end of October and I thought my flowers were done for. They were, except not <i>all </i>the geraniums in the barrels near the house got nipped, and they continued to bloom. But another hard freeze was on the horizon about a week later, so I gathered all the blossoms that remained and put them in a vase on the kitchen windowsill where they are blooming still. From here on out it's store-bought flowers for us until spring.</div>
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My birthday dessert, which we shared, from the local French bakery. So rich and gooooood!<br />
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English food gets a bad rap. I can say that with authority now that I've taste-tested a variety of authentic English foods. In fact, the only bad English food we had the entire two weeks we were there was the pasta we ordered at an "American Italian restaurant." Dave and I had cornish pasties on the train between London and Cambridge that were absolutely delicious! And this was just train food! In September, I decided to try my hand at making my own pasties. They were a respectable first attempt, but I hope to refine my recipe and technique over the winter months. They don't look too bad, do they?</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-18549706879730641032017-11-04T23:39:00.001-04:002017-11-04T23:39:24.708-04:00From My Commonplace Book"Perhaps [Anne] had not succeeded in 'inspiring' any wonderful ambitions in her pupils, but she had taught them, more by her own sweet personality than by all her careful precepts, that is was good and necessary in the years that were before them to live their lives finely and graciously, holding fast to truth and courtesy and kindness, keeping aloof from all that savored of falsehood and meanness and vulgarity."~~L.M. Montgomery, <i>Anne of Avonlea</i><br />
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"Ever since that day there has been the old friendly sociability in Cranford society; which I am thankful for, because of my dear Miss Matty's love of peace and kindliness. We all love Miss Matty, and I somehow think we are all of us better when she is near us."~~Elizabeth Gaskell, <i>Cranford</i><br />
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"Grant, O Lord, that this day which Thou hast given unto us in mercy may be returned unto Thee in service. As Thou hast guarded us during the hours of sleep, so do Thou guide us during the appointed hours of labor; that all our tasks may be gladly and faithfully performed, as in Thy sight; that our burdens may not be too heavy for us, because Thine aid and comfort are with us continually; and that in nothing may we displease Thee or injure one another. But if in anything we fail or come short, through ignorance or weakness, O God, let Thy Fatherly wisdom correct us and Thine infinite mercy forgive us, and Thy divine love amend our fault; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen." <i>Presbyterian Book of Common Worship</i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Oh, to live up to these idea</span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">ls!</span></i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-85499463506429312932017-08-17T17:26:00.001-04:002017-08-17T17:26:49.019-04:00Zinnias<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI83T8F_yipdWGmMcVEnajSDg_2FBXkavMT6XOmlqRcJDGqTZA_g-mZcWZLaYjB4E4vBARxcjxkM4bgIVNdol2F8Xhb6uZOaFPhnkgCV3yv0tyjE-jEwd3l_qUl8hhIXrZ4xYaLFVQg9o/s1600/2017-08-01+15.49.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI83T8F_yipdWGmMcVEnajSDg_2FBXkavMT6XOmlqRcJDGqTZA_g-mZcWZLaYjB4E4vBARxcjxkM4bgIVNdol2F8Xhb6uZOaFPhnkgCV3yv0tyjE-jEwd3l_qUl8hhIXrZ4xYaLFVQg9o/s400/2017-08-01+15.49.39.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Zinnias are such rewarding flowers! They are easy to grow from seed, they flourish even with abject neglect once germinated, and then they burst forth with bright, big blooms. Once they start, they don't stop until frost. They stand up to drought conditions, too. To top it all off, they make great cut flowers that last and last. Zinnias are excellent flowers for children to grow because they are fast-growing and don't require diligence. Just clip off the faded ones so more will appear.<br />
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<br />Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2696514072851165531.post-1352870594537005432017-07-29T19:14:00.001-04:002017-07-29T19:17:19.415-04:00Merry Ol' England Part 2Picking up <a href="http://womanofthehouse-blog.blogspot.com/2017/07/merry-ol-england.html" target="_blank">where we left off. . .</a><br />
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Though we stayed the entire time in London, we spent a day in Oxford and a day in Cambridge, which we got to by train. That was all we saw of the English countryside (which simply means we will have to make a return trip!). We enjoyed both days immensely and I'm so glad we we visited these two towns.<br />
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We ducked into the Ashmolean briefly, but since we had already been to a lot of museums in London, we were more interested in seeing Oxford itself. The prominent <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martyrs%27_Memorial,_Oxford" target="_blank">Martyrs' Memorial</a> is worth seeing and mulling over (what faith! what dedication to principle!), but I was more moved by the actual site of Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer's martydom, marked by a cobblestone cross in the middle of Broad Street. It is well worth knowing the inspiring story of these Oxford Martyrs.<br />
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Walking around in Oxford was a lot of fun. We saw the Bodleian, various famous colleges and churches, Carfax Tower, Christ Church Cathedral (though only from a distance--we weren't allowed to get any closer--boo!), and we visited Blackwell's, which actually is now a series of specialized bookshops.</div>
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Just walking around and looking at the architecture was a treat.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImfWV95v4agHt3VfI3bTE51K9Jds9IeDqzVy_WxcLKqhD-sX-CdXxYYEdGrA2nrE_Owvh5ps2Ruy6-7HE3stG-_Kw62FFejoTYL310kj3wcGsVvKutFVAaQd9zKF-k0wVVIghzj61lCo/s1600/2017-06-27+17.27.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImfWV95v4agHt3VfI3bTE51K9Jds9IeDqzVy_WxcLKqhD-sX-CdXxYYEdGrA2nrE_Owvh5ps2Ruy6-7HE3stG-_Kw62FFejoTYL310kj3wcGsVvKutFVAaQd9zKF-k0wVVIghzj61lCo/s400/2017-06-27+17.27.03.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oxford's Oldest Saxon Tower</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4il6Z8I0Zt1pibTP5j1cmEihIMfus78gMyiVV313Mpt93Rv-6FD5w-PVmLd_nIagvHTZub36gxdKSTnq_nZFDcvyGfDwCVeYZQnzYdqJEr2NBsLnasf1ANCH2G2E1qOGVSyiBXNBFcc/s1600/2017-06-27+14.42.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4il6Z8I0Zt1pibTP5j1cmEihIMfus78gMyiVV313Mpt93Rv-6FD5w-PVmLd_nIagvHTZub36gxdKSTnq_nZFDcvyGfDwCVeYZQnzYdqJEr2NBsLnasf1ANCH2G2E1qOGVSyiBXNBFcc/s400/2017-06-27+14.42.25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A highlight of Oxford was eating at the Eagle and Child, the hangout of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inklings" target="_blank">the Inklings</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcY74b_hs9wqsv-sn0DuNWRvBm3V5a9qpLhyphenhyphenP1JcdxopQw7iisIBSbZyKiJP7U3oVsNS9J_CaQQD7CiB2LMTgUKxlv6KbI9TQtRIz_a4P-laRDTkYT0aNp1eN9vNhNYiWqKi0KeHstm8/s1600/2017-06-27+15.58.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcY74b_hs9wqsv-sn0DuNWRvBm3V5a9qpLhyphenhyphenP1JcdxopQw7iisIBSbZyKiJP7U3oVsNS9J_CaQQD7CiB2LMTgUKxlv6KbI9TQtRIz_a4P-laRDTkYT0aNp1eN9vNhNYiWqKi0KeHstm8/s400/2017-06-27+15.58.03.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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By the way, we ate mostly at pubs and, despite the reputation of English food, we thought the food was very good. Steak and ale pie, fish and chips, bangers and mash, Cornish pasties, the full English breakfast--none of it was a disappointment. In fact, the worst food we had was as at an "American/Italian" restaurant, where Dave says he was served the world's worst calzone!<br />
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Coming up next--Cambridge!Woman of the Househttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13281605927650100295noreply@blogger.com0