umi-fashion: May 2012

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

It's Here! The Heart of Simplicity: Foundations for Christian Homemaking eBook

We are pleased to announce that the NEW eBook--The Heart of Simplicity: Foundations for Christian Homemaking has been released today! Here are some of the wonderful contributing authors along with Courtney Dunkin of Simply Nurtured (the dream began with her) in the center.

Starting from the top: Stephanie Langford, Kelly Crawford, Natalie Klewja, Ann Dunagan, me, Courtney Dunkin, Jennifer Ross, Heidi St. John, Jenny Ervin, Stacy Karen, Richelle McFarlin, Laura Coppinger and Marci Ferrell.

Inspiring chapters include:

Chapter 1: The Foundation: Surrendering our Homes to the Creator
Chapter 2: Marriage: Nurturing a Love that Lasts a Lifetime
Chapter 3: Motherhood: Delighting in our Children
Chapter 4: Missions: A Home-Based Vision for God’s Great Commission
Chapter 5: Family Economy: Embracing the Simple Power and Peace of Contentment
Chapter 6: Education: Growing Hearts and Minds for God’s Glory
Chapter 7: Health: Bringing God Glory by Caring for our Bodies
Chapter 8: Cleaning: Tending the Gardens of Our Homes to the Glory of God
Chapter 9: Organizing: Reflecting our Orderly God by Keeping an Orderly Home
Chapter 10: Time Management: Managing our Hearts to Use Time Wisely
Chapter 11: Hospitality: Welcoming Others into our Homes
Chapter 12: Giving: Showing the Love of Christ through Simple, Intentional Generosity
Chapter 13: A Mother’s Legacy: Storing Up Treasures in Heaven

What the readers are saying:

“I don’t think I’ve ever cried while editing until I edited this book. Encouraging, inspiring, convicting…a must-read for every wife and mother! I was so, so blessed while editing. It’s like the Lord put it in my lap because He knew I needed the message. ”

-Erin Odom, editor and blogger, The Humbled Homemaker

“The Heart of Simplicity is an inspirational and encouraging book that will help moms to get their focus right. Each of the writers brings a wealth of words of wisdom that caused me to do serious contemplation and to top it off they added study questions! It would be good to read with a group of moms. Applying all the knowledge and wisdom in this book will change your family’s life.”

–Kim Brenneman, mother of 9 and author of Large Family Logistics

and since today is the first day of it's release you can get it HALF OFF for--

$4.99 until midnight (original price is $9.99)!

You can get it HERE

Use the discount code: SIMPLE50

And don't forget to link up:

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home is a place to be encouraged in your high and noble calling of role of wife and mother and daughter to the King and we want to encourage each and every single reader out there to build up strong Christian homes to the glory of God.

We would love for you to link up with us---share your posts on building up your home, homemaking, character, hospitality, femininity, family, tea, recipes, parenting, marriage, etc. we would love to have you share it with us!

If you link up here please use the image below or link back to let others know that you have linked up here so that they might join in the fun and be encouraged as well:

It's easy--just copy and paste the code in this box!

The Domestic Artist: Homemade Bread Recipe

Our dear contributor, Miss Jen, who writes for our Domestic Artist category, just got a new blog design makeover--hope on over and visit to take a peek:

Blessed Femina

And today she is sharing her favorite Homemade Bread recipe:

Homemade Bread

“Good bread is the most fundamentally
satisfying of all foods.....”
~James Beard

This is my favorite homemade bread.... ever since having
it when I was a wee one at my dear friends the Swanson's
home, I have been a big fan. Mrs.Swanson usually
has some loaves in the oven and all who partake
of her delicious bread are very satisfied, indeed!!!
Last year Mrs. Swanson graciously gave
me a long awaited "bread lesson"
as well as her wonderful recipe to go along with it.
I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do...

Is there anything so wonderful as fresh
bread baking in the oven?!
The aroma in my opinion is simply marvelous!!

The Happy Bread Maker....

Awww....

"Is there any felicity in the world superior to this?"

~ Sense and Sensibility

The recipe...

Mrs.Swanson's
Homemade Bread
3 1/2 cups Warm Liquid~
Such as any of these...
Milk, Cooked Pureed Squash,
Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Sour Cream,
Cottage Cheese or Water etc... Be creative :)*I normally like to do about half milk and
half cooked pureed white squash.*
The liquid should be warm to the wrist but
not hot... about 110 degrees or so.

1 Tablespoon Yeast
1 Tablespoon~
Sugar, Honey or Molasses
4 Tablespoons Canola Oil
1 Tablespoon Salt
About 8 cups~ Flour

~Egg Wash~1 egg + 1 T. water
Beat together... until smooth

In a kitchen aid mixer bowl...
combine 3 1/2 cups warm liquid, and 1 T. yeast.
swiftly combine and set aside covered with
towel for about 3-5 minutes... till it is
frothy, and about doubled.
Meanwhile in a separate bowl...
combine~ Sugar, Oil & Salt
Combine into the liquid yeast mixture.
Then with your dough hook attached
slowly pour in your flour and let dough hook
kneed for about 3-4 minutes until...
the dough is soft & has elasticity.

Pour dough into a greased bowl and let rise
in a warm place for about
1-2 hours till doubled.
( I normally turn my oven on to the lowest temp....
then turn it off, then place the bread
bowl with dough in the warm oven to rise)
Punch dough down with fist to deflate air...
Divided dough in half and shape into
2 braided loaves or simply place in 2 greased
loaf pans...cover with cloth and let rise
till the dough is doubled.
Lightly and gently brush egg wash on bread
and sprinkle with rolled oats
or poppy seeds if desired.
Place in a 350 degree oven and bake for
approximately~ 55-60 minutes.
Enjoy!!!

A Fresh Loaf...

“Good bread is the great need in poor homes, and
oftentimes the best appreciated
luxury in the homes of the very rich.”
~A Book for A Cook

Hope you all are having a most Lovely,
Pleasant and Blessed Week!!!
Many Blessings!!

"For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands:
happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee."
-Psalm 128:2

Having just turned 21, Jen finds great joy in serving her family from home. She firmly believes that the home is a beautiful canvas for biblical hospitality, servanthood and discipleship. All aspects of homemaking are on her list of interests including gourmet cooking, baking, calligraphy, sewing and embroidery. She is also inspired by photography, music, theology and biblical womanhood. Miss Jen blogs at Blessed Femina, which she founded in the fall of 2008 to document her blessed life as a daughter/homemaker-in- training and to encourage other women in Biblical femininity. Happily residing in sunny northern California with her parents, it is her greatest desire to live a life depicted in I Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Are you encouraged here? I personally invite you to subscribe and get the latest posts sent to your inbox or RSS feed! Also, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter and get updates that are not posted here on the blog.

Monday, May 28, 2012

In Honor of the Brave

Greater love has no one than this,

that someone lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13

A big thank you to the brave men who sacrificed and gave everything for us.

A special prayer goes out to the all the families who have lost a brave soldier and that they may be comforted by the Lord today.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

You Need Only to Be Still

Friday, May 25, 2012

A New Beginning

Welcome friends!

You are at the right place---it's still A Wise Woman Builds Her Home but just with a new look and a bit of a makeover. Don't worry, we haven't done away with heart and soul of the blog and we are still certainly keeping the Victorian look, that will probably never change since those are the things we truly love...just with a bit more of a modern feel!

We are not done yet (as you can tell) so please be patient and pardon our dust and we will be back to normal in no time!

Are you encouraged here? I personally invite you to subscribe and get the latest posts sent to your inbox or feed. Also, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter and get updates that are not posted here on the blog.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

The Seven Marks of Wisdom

Teaching our children takes time. It takes even more time to teach them wisdom. While some will learn faster than others and some will be slower, we must not grow discouraged in the call.

This past week I have been reading through Raising Wise Children and have been teaching and reminding my children what it is to be wise. The Scriptures say that "foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child" which is even more reason to constantly share with our children what foolish characteristics are so they can recognize them (sometimes it even helps parents recognize foolish behavior in themselves!) and replace it with wise behavior. I have these seven marks written on our school board right now and I wanted to take the time to share them with you:

The Seven Marks of Wisdom

1. Trusts in God. "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." Proverbs 29.25

2. Walks in Healthy Relationships. "Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soal and with all your mind. " "Love your neighbor as yourself.""Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffer harm."

3. Seeks Good Counsel. "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."

4. Speaks Carefully. "The mouth speaks what the heart is full of." Matthew 12:34

5. Exercises Self-Control. "Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end." Proverb 29:11

6. Keeps Balance. This mark of wisdom has to do with internal stability of a person's life--through tragedy, loss, or disappointment, they won't be shaken.

7. Manages Resources. This mark of wisdom goes beyond simple self control to the broader area of making the best use of our time, money, energy, talents, and relationships. "Do you see someone skilled in their work? Thy will serve before kings; they will not serve before official of low rank." Proverbs 22:29

Awhile back I remember taking this quiz--

I have posted it here for you:

If some of your children tend to constantly fall on the foolish end of the spectrum, don't be discouraged. It takes TIME to teach them wisdom (sometimes it feels like a lifetime) but just remember to do your part and trust God with the rest. Cover them with prayer and be faithful with what God has entrusted you with. It helps to remind yourself of your own past foolishness and the grace you received from the Lord as you diligently pave new paths for your own children, all the while doing it with the love and kindness that He has also shown you.

"He who walks with the wise becomes wise..." Proverbs 13:20

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The Heart of Simplicity (eBook Sneak Peek) and Wise Woman Linkup

I am so excited to share with you a sneak peek at a fabulous new project that has been in the works for the past few months entitled---

The Heart of Simplicity

Some of the many contributing authors included in this new eBook are:

Kelly Crawford
Stephanie Langford
Heidi St. John
Courtney Dunkin
Laura Coppinger
myself

and more!

You may view the official trailer below:

(Note: please turn off the playlist at the bottom of the blog before viewing)

This eBook has not been released yet--

but will be available for purchase on May 30th!

So be sure to stay tuned for the official announcement
and now onto our linkup:

If you link up here please use the image below or link back to let others know that you have linked up here so that they might join in the fun and be encouraged as well:

(It's easy--just copy and paste the code in this box!)

Are you encouraged here? I personally invite you to subscribe and get the latest posts sent to your inbox. Also, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter and get updates that are not posted here on the blog.

We are linked at Deep Roots at Home, Far Above Rubies, Raising Homemakers, Time Warp Wife, Raising Mighty Arrows, Our Simple Farm and The Modest Mom.

Monday, May 21, 2012

How to Miss a Childhood

Today women live in an advanced technological age and we have gadgets that our foremothers would have never dreamed about. However, if not used with wisdom, what begins as a helpful tool can turn into heart-breaking addiction, keeping us from our families and robbing us of our lives.

Are you at that point?

Does technology rule your day?

Do you have trouble keeping technology in balance?

Hands Free Mama describes how the damaging affects affected her life (and her children's) at her post:

How to Miss a Childhood

She also shares how to GRASP a childhood. Please read her story and be blessed. Also, since summer is around the corner, I added a link to this post for you:

What a "Hands Free" Summer Looks Like

****************

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Are You Tired of Tearing Down Your Home?

Have you been tearing down your home lately?

Struggling with your emotions, a sharp tongue, and more?

We always need to look back on God's word to shine light on our sin. We can NEVER study enough on the topics of wisdom and foolishness in regards to biblical womanhood. We need to be ever learning, ever studying and ever praying! It is so easy to get off on the wrong path and that is why we must keep God's word of truth forever in front of us lighting the way as we embark upon being the wise women that build up our homes instead of foolish women who unwittingly tear it down.

One of my favorite authors and speakers, Nancy Leigh Demoss, did a series on Becoming a Woman of Discretion awhile back that was excellent.

Here is an excerpt:

When we speak of somebody being wise or being foolish, we’re talking about the condition of their heart. We’re talking about an inner character, what they’re like at the core of their being.

Now we find through the book of Proverbs that whether a person is wise or is foolish in their heart and in their character will determine everything else about them:

the way that they think
the way that they act
the way that they have relationships
the way that they talk
the way that they dress
everything about their lives
the way they spend money
the way they use their time

This is all going to be determined by whether they are wise or foolish.

A person with a wise heart is going to live wisely. A person who has a foolish heart is going to live foolishly. What’s on the inside is going to come out.

Read or listen to the rest here

(you won't be disappointed!):

Becoming a Woman of Discretion:

The Power to Tear Down or Build Up

************

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Easy No Bake Dessert Recipes and Wise Woman Link-Up!

The weather is warming up and in our home and that means relying on easier recipes that won't heat up the kitchen and the house. I found some great recipes that you will just love--check out this Easy No Bake Peanut Butter Bars recipe from Six Sister's Stuff.

They also have a No Bake Strawberry Icebox cake that looks delectable...

And an Easy and Delicious Fruit Dip that boasts only two ingredients!

Check out their slow cooker recipes too.

Now onto our linkup:

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home is a place to be encouraged in your high and noble calling of role of wife and mother and daughter to the King and we want to encourage each and every single reader out there to build up strong Christian homes to the glory of God.

If you link up here please use the image below or link back to let others know that you have linked up here so that they might join in the fun and be encouraged as well:

(It's easy--just copy and paste the code in this box!)

************

Note: While we do link to outside link from time to time, we do not always endorse everything at the sites. Please be discerning!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Reaping What We Sow

When we faithfully instruct
our children in their daily routine,

we must remember that we can do this
with feminine gentleness

instead of brash harshness...

with His persuasive LOVE instead of destructive anger.

And keep in mind that powerful truth--

that we will indeed reap
what we sow.

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

-Galations 6:7-9

******************

Monday, May 14, 2012

Putting in the Garden, Our Visit to Taltree Arboretum, and Gardening Event Invitation

Last week we put in much of our vegetable garden.

I love making my way through garden centers and looking over all the great flowers, trees, bushes, and gardening supplies. The children and I planted two types of lettuces, kale, onions, sweet peas, green peppers, tomatoes, bush beans, mammoth sunflowers, and zinnias for cutting. I hope they all make it and was told by the lady at the store that planting after Mother's day in my area should be just fine. I love going out to the garden to check on them to see how they are doing. This year I also plan to utilize my farmers market wisely and when great deals strike and I am going to freeze everything for future use and to save money!

Some of you are very good at gardening and some of you have not tried it yet. I encourage you to learn this skill this year if you haven't yet and also to bring your children along side with you so that they can learn this valuable skill as well.

I also have a small blueberry and concord grape bush waiting to be planted. I can't wait to get these in the ground and hopefully plan to get that in soon.

This past week we visited Taltree Arboretum and Gardens. Taltree boasts 300 acres of woody plant collections, gardens, wetlands, woodlands, trails, and prairie. Its nice to visit other gardens for inspiration! The highlight of the day was the Railroad Garden that was just beautifully peaceful. Here are some pictures:

Beautiful waterfalls were built within...

If you are in the area you should stop by.

Our church is also hosting a gardening event called "Back to Eden: Gardening for a Healthy Life"

where they will be teaching:

-Basic and advanced gardening
-How to plant pumpkins
-How to build a raised bed garden
-How to transplant ground cover and other plants
-How to build a screened in shelter!

and giving away $50 of free trees and plants!

So if you are not doing anything this weekend come and visit us!

You can read more details HERE.

(Note: there is a limited amount of people who can attend this event so let us know if you think you can come to reserve your spot.)

Have you started your garden yet and what have you planted?

************

Friday, May 11, 2012

Happy Mother's Day!

I am not going to be around this weekend for Mother's Day so I wanted to wish all my readers a Happy Mother's day today! Motherhood is glorious, hard, exhausting yet the most rewarding work which is why I wanted to share some quotes to encourage you...

"A mother's love endures through all; in good repute, in bad repute, in the face of the worlds condemnation, a mother still love on." -Washington Irving

"Mother is the sweetest word that ever one could say: It speaks of love and tenderness, and quiet beauty day by day."

"A mother's love is a beacon of light that shines faith, and truth, and prayer; and through the changing scenes of life, her children find a haven there."

"Mother--that was the bank where we deposited all our hurts and worries."

--T. De Witt Talmage

"The instruction receive at a mother's knees is never quite effaced from the soul."

Mothers, you are needed! Do not grow weary in your high calling but know that the Lord is pleased with your sacrifice that will impact eternity. If you are feeling tired or discouraged, do not be dismayed, you are doing kingdom work and at times it can be exhausting. Do not become overwhelmed but seek your strength from our heavenly father who can refresh your soul unlike anything else on this earth.

And--in honor of Mother's day we'd like to offer our ebook, True Christian Motherhood, for just 99 cents (pdf version only-a $7 value) to those who haven't had a chance to read it yet. You can get it here.

**This sale is now over.**

We can also "gift" it to your favorite mom--just send us an email at truechristianmotherhood@gmail.com if you are interested!

Have a Happy Mother's Day!

***********

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Building Strong Homes, an Adoption Fundraiser, and Wise Woman Link-up!

Part of our passion here at the blog is to help women to build strong Christian homes. Today I am sharing a few posts to encourage...

The Curse of Busyness

from Lisa over at Teaching Good Things

Getting the Bible Into Your Kids

from Rhonda at Walking with Sarah

My friend, Caroline (The Modest Mom), is having an adoption fundraiser for her sister and husband to help them get started with their family and giving away over $700 in prizes! She is asking for people to donate $5 (or more if the Lord lays it on your heart). So be sure to go over there, read her story and enter!

Now onto the Wise Woman linkup!

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home is a place to be encouraged in your high and noble calling of role of wife and mother and daughter to the King and we want to encourage each and every single reader out there to build up strong Christian homes to the glory of God.

We would love for you to link up with us---share your posts on building up your home, homemaking, character, parenting, hospitality, femininity, family, tea, etc. we would love to have you share it with us!

If you link up here please use the image below or link back to let others know that you have linked up here so that they might join in the fun and be encouraged as well:

(It's easy--just copy and paste the code in this box!)

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Raising a Daughter After God's Own Heart

In my early days of being a new Christian mom I was hungry for God's truth and looked for someone to mentor me. The Lord did bring a "real life" mentor into my life who diligently taught me the basics (God is good) and He also brought mentors via books.

One of my favorite books that I got to read when I was a new Christian was A Woman After God's Own Heart and wonderful book that really helped me to lay a firm foundation in biblical womanhood. I went on to read voraciously her many other books such as A Woman's High Calling (still a favorite), Life Management for Busy Woman and many more. Now my latest read that sits on my nightstand from her is this one:

Raising a Daughter After God's Own Heart

Elizabeth is a powerful author in that her love and gentleness and gift for teaching really oozes out of every page. She teaches in depth how we must be the example to our daughters of a godly and do our part in raising them, however hard that might be. She gives all kinds of wonderful examples with chapters that include topics such as:

The Prayer Warrior

The Sower of Seed

The Heart of a Sower

The Word of a Sower

Gearing Up for Battle

The Homebuilder

The Teacher

The Model

The Mentor

The Cheerleader

The Coach

The Shepherd

and more!

Parenting is a tough job and raising daughters and sons to know the Lord is a high calling. It is great to have wonderful Titus 2 guides to lovingly help us along the way. You can find this wholeheartedly encouraging book right HERE.

Have a blessed day building up your sacred homes!

*************