~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~
I finally finished both my purple shawl (photos soon! It’s blocking now) and The Little Oratory. I’ll write an entire post about The Little Oratory soon, rather than trying to summarize my thoughts here. I guess now I can start focusing on finishing up my Jet Stream shawl. It’s going to be rather large I think, which is great!
I managed to read A Sane Woman’s Guide to Raising a Large Family in its entirety this week. I bought it a few weeks ago hoping for some tips on managing my household more effectively. As I began reading the first couple of chapters I started to worry that it wasn’t going to address the topics that I was hoping to hear more about, but I ended up feeling thankful for what I found to be plenty of really helpful, rational advice. I found it to be full of guidance for families of any size, definitely not just large families. I dog-eared lots and lots of pages and plan to come back through and copy helpful passages and tips. I thought the author, Mary Ostyn, gave very practical and honest advice and I liked that she really focused on relationships within the family. I’ve also requested her cookbook, Family Feasts for $75 a Week
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Have you read “Large Family Logistics”? While I didn’t agree with absolutely everything that was said in it, I found it really very inspiring! She’s a homeschooling mama as well, so coming from that perspective helps.
“A Sane Woman’s Guide to Raising a Large Family” sounds interesting, I’m adding it to my list!
Sounds like I need to find that book! Thanks!
I feel ridiculous even saying this, but I sometimes get very anxious scrolling through your photos, particularly in the spring and summer. The reason? Snakes.
A while back you mentioned that you thought people might be freaked out by the snakes (or something to that effect) so I decided to ’fess up and admit that this reader is indeed freaked out. I’m a big fan of your blog, and I love seeing your wonderful photos—they really are quite wonderful—but the truth is that once a snake makes an appearance in a post, I’m simply unable to scroll down to see the rest of the images.
I fully understand that this is MY problem and completely stupid and irrational, but since you mentioned it, I thought I would let you know.
🙂
I’m sorry! My kids are so into snakes! But I can tell you that I don’t have any new snake pictures to share right now, so you’re safe!
I went to the author’s blog and one of the first recipes I saw used Cool Whip, pudding mix and Oreos. No, thank you. I’ve found that the problem with most of these feed-a-large-family-on-ridiculously-little-money is that they often use cheap (as in poor quality) food. We could feed our kids bologna or Skippy, but we’d pay for it in poor health. We could save money if we breakfasted on cheap cereal instead of organic eggs and raw milk, but I bet no one would have the energy to make it to lunch. Margarine is cheaper than butter, but it’s not real food. Fair trade coffee is more expensive than Folgers, but worth it in more ways than taste. My ideals make my food bill higher, but I think the kids are healthier. My husband’s shopping ideals (which I share) also make our food bill higher. He does not want me shopping at places we think do not have fair business practices or treat their employees well (like Walmart), so we pay more to keep our integrity. It’s not easy, but we believe God will always keep us feed if we follow our conscience (and common sense).
It’s so true that most of the cookbooks of that sort that I’ve come across suggest eating food that isn’t healthy in order to save money. I picked this one up at the library today, and haven’t been able to look at it yet, so I don’t know, but I’ll try to remember to share what I think!
Thanks for the recommendation! I have been looking for something to read in between waiting for the library’s copy of The Beekeeper’s Apprentice to become available. 🙂
I have her cookbook. My family loves the meals from it.
I love that yarn and am looking forward to seeing the final pics. Thanks so much for the book recs. The meal one sounds like it has a lot of potential, even for those of us who can’t afford a cow :-).
That book sounds like a good read. Though half of my chicks have flown the nest, I think I might enjoy it anyway. You never know when they might fly back!
Can’t wait to see your purple shawl.
Have you ever read The Survivor’s Guide to Homeschooling? I read it quite a few years ago, and I remember it being very timely and found myself saying ‘yep’ a lot. You might enjoy it!
Ok, I NEED that book.
Owlhaven.net is her blog, I read it often! She’s very practacle yet encouraging as well.
What an interesting book. We only have 3 children as now but I am sure that it could help us. To me, managing a home, budget, and raising children can make me feel like a salmon swimming up stream at times. I love the color of yarn, it will make a very pretty shawl. Happy Knitting!
ooh i forgot about that pattern! you could write that book dear one.
Wow – you worked hard this week! It is looking lovely. Great colour!
The greys of your shawl are so pretty. Can’t wait to read your review of Little Oratory! Your new book looks very interesting too, so much to read!
I NEED THAT BOOK!
What a great book! I love your shawl. They grey yarn looks so pretty. I adore my large shawls. They are perfect for those cold winter nights.
I picked up that book at the library…it was really good! Many great recipes.
Family feasts for $75 a week? That sounds awesome. We have allergy and sensory issues here, but I wonder if a book like that could still address them (you know, provide ideas other than, Pasta! Rice! Filler!).
I am looking forward to seeing that beautiful grey shawl. It is always good to read a book by someone who is living a life similar to your own. The family tips are usually helpful for any size though. As a mother of two, when my children were little I used organizational tips for large families to keep me sane. Now I am navigating the empty nest home. It is all good.
Looking forward to the pictures of your shawl!
Thanks so much for hosting Yarn Along, I love to join.
Hope you will have a great day!
I need to check that book out- looks like a perfect read. Beautiful earthy grey in your knits. Thank you for hosting knit along Ginny!
look at you finishing a book and a knit! I’m jealous 🙂 Love the jet stream pattern….might have to add that to the never ending knitting list.