Category: Random

I find it ironic that I have been trying to get this blog ready to send out for nearly a week! It normally takes a day or two till I get it wrote up, analyzed and edited by myself and Jerald and then I like to sleep over it at least once. But this time! It’s not because I was having editing problems or such like. It’s because I’m a Mom! Other things totally took priority and I feel as though I’ve been spinning tires in regards to this blog post. Actually, more like the Levite who “passed by on the other side.” Literally! I saw my tablets and books cluttering up my desk on the other side of the kitchen, and I just went on by for several days!

Today I had an excellent morning of sewing while my one year old took a precious two hour nap! In fact, I was able to get so much done in those two hours, that I very sporadically decided to take the children to a nearby park to play in the water. It was a little more than I had planned on, with Reece being a big time water lover. He wanted his life jacket on and then off and then on then off. He loved to just plunge in and splash so hard his face got soaked more than a little, but he was not to be daunted. I finally sat right down in the water with him because it was just too dangerous to leave his side even for a moment; life jacket on or off! I was not planning to get so wet myself, but… And the sand mess!! Oh how wet sand clings for hope of a better life! After swimming, we occupied the play set for awhile so that shook off some sand but plenty came along home. So there were baths and a load of wash. The kitchen sink and bar is cluttered. The sewing rooms a mess. Jerald came home with a 10 lb. box of blueberries and five zucchinis. (Yes these are wanted zucchinis, not secretly dumped in his truck!) I’m glad for the produce of course but right now my fridge is full! I mean FULL. It’s chaotic! And where am I going to put these blueberries?! (Hmmm. Seems to me I read a blog post this summer on organizing your fridge. I should probably check that out because mine needs help about now!) Another thing, it’s well nigh time I ought to be getting some food on the table for supper and here I sit typing away! (It won’t take long to get supper on because my fridge is so full, remember?!) I told Jerald just this afternoon I need one of those machines like The Cat In The Hat with all those extra arms so I can do everything at once! Also, It’s a gorgeous day and I would love to be out mowing yard but that’s not even an option. And I really hoped to get another dress cut out today but it think it will remain a hope unseen. Yesterday was brim full too, but I won’t start on that!

Does this scenario sound familiar? Are you a Mom? (And I know you don’t need to be a mom to be swamped with work, but moms usually are!)

This summer I was gifted the book, My Other Name Is Mom written by Mary Burkholder. Have you read it? I enjoyed it immensely and highly recommend it for any mom! Here are some of the highlights for me.

I’ll begin with a couple sentences from her foreword that really sum the book up well…

* Being a good mom does not mean being perfect. A good mom loves God, cares about her children, and does her best. And that’s enough.

That was so encouraging to me! So often guilt plagues me for whatever reasons as I review my day. And these words just beautifully sum it up. Loves God. Cares about her children. Does her best. Also, let go of perfection! Perfection I’m referring to is perfection in things like house work, cleaning/ organizing, cooking, gardening, sewing and such like. No, not sloppiness but be ok with the less than perfect! We forget we live in an imperfect world and life will, many times, NOT be perfect!

*In chapter 2 entitled If You Don’t Want Children, she discusses our desires for or against children. Of course we want children! (Or we should want children!) It’s just that it’s not always pleasant. No one enjoys labor, a colicky infant, or a fussy, teething toddler. But it’s part of children and we can not go by our feelings! We must be willing to sacrifice our own desires for the good of our children.

* The Christian life is not about doing what we want to do; it’s about giving and serving and finding fulfillment in doing so.

*Chapter 7 called, Romance? What’s That? She writes, The romance level in every couple’s relationship will take a hit when they begin a family. That’s normal. But it doesn’t mean your love life is over. It means you have to make adjustments. The stresses of children in the home can strengthen your bond and teach you more about being selfless. A healthy, stable marriage doesn’t mean endless fun and romance. True love means sacrificing our own needs. It means caring, and speaking civilly when it would be easier to be cross and “touchy” and vent our frustrations on each other.

*Chapter 11 she covers the Supermom Myth. A woman trying to be supermom is tired, lonely and easily upset. Her children are insecure and anxious, overly worried about their performance. Children don’t want a supermom: a regular one is great, thank you. How do we stop trying to be supermoms? A few of her bits of advice on that is;

*Stop striving for perfection. We can improve as we open ourselves to improvement, but we won’t ever get perfect. We need to get this into our heads.

*Be realistic with limitations. This includes accepting help as well as learning to say “no” to outside obligations and interests. Our family and our home should always take priority with us.

*Discern the necessary from the extras. A woman who is trying to be supermom usually ends up doing things that are unnecessary and unimportant.

*Slow down and enjoy life. The wannabe supermom rushes from one task to the next, always planning her next move. Ooh! I didn’t think I was trying to be supermom but this sounds way too much like me. Roaring around at a high rate of speed so I can be sure to get the work accomplished! Even as I was making notes for this blog the other day, I was scribbling so fast I could scarcely read my own writing! Slowing down is definitely necessary for me. But I really do like to make my moves count too!

*In chapter 13 she writes about Mommy Guilt. A cloud of guilt can hang out in the back of our minds, keeping us in doubt as to whether we read enough stories, give enough hugs, cook a healthy enough diet, or discipline enough. Sounds so familiar, right?! Who else out there knows exactly what this is talking about? It is certainly something I struggle with.

*Living in guilt renders us incapable of being effective mothers. If we convince ourselves we can’t do a good job, we are sure not to.

*I really enjoyed chapter 19 on Happy Homemaking. She lists challenges to homemaking as well as some tips to getting organized. I personally love organizing and creating lists but still sometimes feel like a hamster on a wheel. But at least getting things on paper gives my head a bit of a break!! In order to be effective homemakers, we must take care of ourselves. Running ourselves ragged for our families is not managing well. We should not be slaves to the system.

Something else she mentioned that really helped me put things in perspective was this. Family first, food next and then clothing/laundry. Things like cleaning, organizing and sewing can get pushed further down the list. Of course I should know this but I can get so caught up in a project, even something that is necessary such as cleaning or sewing, that I nearly forget myself! And sometimes, because I love to sew or write, or whatever it may be, I’m speeding along at 90 mph, when I need to exercise discipline to stop and go cook supper! ( like, right now! Hey, I’m going in just a minute or two!) Food for my family is more important. What I’m doing at the moment, can usually wait.

The last portion of the book she includes a Homemaking survey on various aspects. I love practical tidbits like that and found it interesting and helpful!

I enjoyed this book so much that I have decided to do a drawing and give one away! So, here are the rules…

1. One entry per person- this could be yourself or a busy mom you know who would enjoy the book

2. Send an email to jeraldsflower@gmail.com with the name and a mailing address.

3. The book will only be shipped within the US or Canada

4. Entries must be submitted by Sunday, August 16, 2020

This book can be purchased here or at your local Mennonite bookstore

Spring has got to be one of the most loved seasons of the year! After months of frosty temperatures and barren landscape, the blossoming countryside is welcome indeed! Since living in Nebraska, Spring has become even more special to me because here the winters are longer than I was used to.

Only a little over a week ago we had a light snow! Which was rare this late in April, but still, snow! But recently we’ve been loving the beautiful days! The first rays of sunrise, with the wind still and birds chirping morning songs, often inspires me to get out for my daily walk. I love when it works out, but I don’t always get it accomplished first thing. What is priority to me while my children are yet sleeping is subject to change morning by morning!

With pleasant temperatures last week, I got to plant my petunias in the flower bed and fill my flower pots! The warm sunshine felt absolutely delicious! The children were outside with me for several hours. They both love being outside! Reece crawled all over and ate plenty of dirt that should help combat the corona virus! The porch looks much more homey now with my potted plants and fern. I really like the Kimberly Queen ferns. They can be found at Lowe’s or Orscheln’s. They grow more upright instead of just bushing out. They are great for a potted plant or hanging baskets. My sister lines her porch with these in hanging baskets every Summer, making a splendid picture! Another plant I’m a huge fan of is the Supertunias in the bubblegum pink color! These always do so well for me! I do not have a green thumb, but this kind of petunias makes me feel like I do! They are very minimal care.

Now Jerald. He is the true green thumb around here! He gets overly anxious and dreams of a great garden plot, with patches of pumpkins and watermelons! I get a lil worried because I know I’m the one who’ll need to put up the abundance of produce in a few months! He quickly assures me that we can always give things away. He just loves to grow things! This Spring he ordered a goodly assortment of raspberry bushes, asparagus and is planting an orchard of trees! I will happily take the fruit, yes, but the faith and patience until then? Well, I’ll just say I hope the trees don’t perish before we enjoy fruit. It’s not that I don’t trust him. It’s that I don’t trust trees. They take a long time to grow, not to speak of all the hardships they must endure meanwhile, and then if they actually produce delicious fruit! He also found some peony bushes for sale and wants to pick them up this week. Now I’m tickled about that! I love the scent and looks of peonies! I’m thrilled to finally be getting some that will hopefully, produce many gorgeous bouquets!

We also just got 70 baby chicks recently. Adorable little fluffy things. Although they don’t stay so adorable and soon start eating like crazy! Which is a good thing because we want them to join the freezer department come June. We may think life in quarantine is hard but imagine the quarantine of chicks and their expected end!! We have so much to be thankful for! 😅 We raise these for ourselves and several church families. We also have a few laying hens and enjoy having our own farm fresh eggs. It’s Josie’s job to gather the eggs as well as tend her little puppy Jackie.

Josie recently mentioned that we should have a tea party. “Someday, when you’re not so busy” she said. Ouch! How does she know mom is so busy? For some reason that old proverb ‘more is caught than taught’ came to mind. And so it was I decided we shall have one very soon. The event took place on Saturday. About the first thing she said when I told her what I was planning was, “but Reece can’t be out there.” Big sisters love their little brothers most of the time. On occasion they’re not wanted! 🤭 We had a lovely spread of meat, cheese and crackers. Blueberries, grapes, bars and lil peanut butter coconut balls. She picked lemonade to drink. We used dainty china and dined outside on the back deck. She was delighted and sweet memories were made. Simple pleasures!

Yesterday afternoon we had a light thunderstorm, then it kind of cleared off. It was mixed clouds and sun. Suddenly about 7:30 I realized it was raining again with the sun shining. “Where’s the rainbow?” I shouted. “There’s got to be one somewhere!” Jerald was doubtful but I was pretty sure there would be one. Sure enough there it was out over the fields in the east. I took off outside, barefoot, splashing through puddles and raindrops and started shooting pictures. I ran hither and yon, then dashed back inside. Only to discover it was more bright than ever! So I bounced back outside again, shooting more pictures. It was absolutely gorgeous with brilliant colors and even a complete double!! It was such a sweet reminder God’s promises are true and He is worthy of our trust!

I’d like to leave you with a delightful salad recipe to enjoy when you have fresh garden greens. Southwest Chicken Salad is a favorite and we actually eat it all year round. (Recipe used with permission from Stutzman’s Culinary Secrets.) This is how I fix the chicken.

Cajun Chicken Fingers

2 Tablespoons flour

2 teaspoons poultry seasoning

1 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt

1 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut in cubes

4 Tablespoons butter

Mix the seasonings and flour in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the chicken and fry in the butter till cooked. Serve warm.

Chop up lettuce/greens, tomatoes, (or use cherry tomatoes) bell peppers, and avocados, as much as your family eats. The other toppings are black beans and shredded cheese. You can also use kernel corn if you wish but we usually don’t. And then for a lovely crunch, spread butter on both sides of about 4 tortillas and cut in small cubes. Toast in oven at 350* for approx 15 minutes.

Dressing: Mix 1 cup Ranch and 5 teaspoons barbecue sauce

I always keep everything separate and we fix our own plates. I especially like each item served separately if I’m having company. It looks beautiful, and then too, it looks like your having a great spread of food, when in reality, your only serving salad!😉 But if you wish, everything can be mixed up right before eating. But then you have the guess work of exactly how much to mix up, so you don’t end up with soggy leftovers. You may notice the avocados are missing in the picture and reason is, I did not have avocados when I did the photo shoot. I did not even think of it till later. That’s how managed I am!😜

A peaceful Sunday afternoon here finishing up this blog. Jerald just returned from his mushroom hunt with a few successful finds! Yay! Fresh mushrooms fried in butter…. Another sign of Spring!

So here’s a brief intro….

I grew up in the Allegheny Mountains of Garrett County Maryland. My family attended Swanton Mennonite Fellowship Church where my dad was a minister and bishop. I completed all eight grades at our small church school. And all those years I either walked or biked to school. (Yes I’m that old I can say that!) Truth be told, our old farmhouse was located about a half mile from church and school. My siblings and I would often walk to and from church also. I have good memories of summer nights ambling home after dark, listening to the night creatures when we weren’t chattering.

There were eight of us that were privileged to grow up in the home of Millard and Mary Yoder, of which I am the youngest. I feel so very blessed to have been given a wonderful, godly home! Now it’s my fervent desire to give such a home to my dear children!

When I was nine years old I was diagnosed with Burkitts Lymphoma. It is truly a miracle from God that He healed me and I am still alive today! Have you read the book Violet’s Cabin? It is a children’s book written by Lily Bear and tells my cancer story in full detail. (If you don’t have a copy you can purchase one here.)

I was seventeen when my family moved to Hartselle Alabama. I taught first grade there at our church school for two terms. My parents started The Old Cookstove restaurant where I was employed for a number of years. It is still in business today. If you travel south on I-65, be sure to stop in for some good eatin’ grub!! You will be served with true southern hospitality and real sweet tea!!

At twenty four years old I left to teach school in Sterling Alaska. We had a cozy one room building with a make shift divider for two classrooms. We had electricity but no running water…..Out houses to the rescue!😉 I enjoyed the snow and sledding and all around winter weather, since Alabama certainly does not major in winter!

That winter was also when Jerald Rhodes came up to Alaska to work for his uncle for several weeks. How distinctly I remember the shock this young man gave me when he asked me for my friendship! (at about 7:30 A.M. of all times of the day!)😲 How beautiful is love when instigated by the Lord! We were married in May 2011.

Our wedding day!

As a new bride, I now moved to Daviess County Indiana since that was where my husband was from. What a joy to settle in our own house and live life together. In August 2015 we were absolutely thrilled to welcome Josie Kate into our home! A precious gift from God! What a huge responsibility we were now entrusted with!

In the spring of 2018, after seven years of living in Indiana, God led our little family to make the move to Auburn Nebraska, which is where we now live. We attend Providence Mennonite Church. Our newest addition is Reece Edison who joined our family in July 2019. Another beautiful gift from God and we are quite pleased with his blue eyes and red hair combo!

Josie 4 – Reece 6 months

Jerald works for BigIron Online Auctions. He loves his job as a salesman and representative. He does well in convincing farmers to sell equipment with them. He frequents many farms all over his designated region. Now I would be so embarrassed if I had to go driving all around, trying to convince people about something! But I feel so blessed of the Lord for the family and home He has given me, and how grateful I am to be a stay at home mom! I am not a big social person so home is my happy place. I think I socialize better with pen and paper than in person.😅

Our family, October 2019

If someone wants to contact me personally, you can do so through my website or you can email me at jeraldsflower@gmail.com I’d be happy to hear from any of you! Especially since I don’t even know who all my readers are!😲 When someone subscribes, I’m only notified with their email address, so I don’t know for sure who everybody is!

Hello there! Welcome to my blog! (immediate disclaimer- there will be a lot of randomness going on in my blogs, so please read at your own risk!😉)

I am by far not an eloquent writer with good structure in each of my writings. However, I’ve enjoyed tablets, pens, and pencils ever since I was a little girl. I wrote many silly little things, but as I became older I focused more on poems. Since I’m a mom I’ve mostly neglected writing. I figured I’m already busy so now’s not the time for me to write. But it was with a sense of sadness I would think upon the started stories and ideas to write, that I just let lay. Furthermore, I didn’t know where to send my pieces to be published. But I still liked to write! So I decided to make time for it and I think it will be good for me and my brain to have a reason to write!

Just this month my husband suggested I should start a blog. Oh the hooting and gasping that occurred at that moment! It sounded enticing, but I was doubtful I could handle the pressure of writing on a regular basis. (I don’t do so well under stress) But the more I considered it, I thought I would enjoy it. And I’m not making a commitment to the frequency of writing, but will post new articles as time allows. We discussed and prayed about if I really should begin blogging. More and more I felt like God was nudging me to proceed. It felt like He was saying “here’s a place you can write. Here you can have an outlet for those stories and ideas you would like to write about”. And so I proceeded. And the best thing? Nobody is obligated to read it! 😜

Home life, organization, healthy living, natural cleaning, and homemade body products are all things I take an interest in, so that is probably a lot of what I will be writing about. Also some healthier recipes. And I’d like to post spiritual/inspirational articles sometimes too. Above all, I want my blog to honor God. He is the One who gave me the desire to write! And He is the One who gave me life- both physical and spiritual!

So about my blog name- of windowsills and breezy hills….

We live in Southeast Nebraska. We love the community and countryside here. It is spacious! Gently rolling hills. Brimming with rich farmland. Precise rows of corn and beans by the thousands. And the wind!! Wind is an integral part of the weather out here! Especially in Spring and Summer the breezes often blow strong. Sometimes we have several days straight of gusty winds! I’ve learned the challenges of hanging up laundry in these conditions. It takes an abundance of clothes pins if you want garments to stay “online”! (It definitely takes more than excellent internet service!) 😅

I am a firm believer in fresh air and love opening my windows to the airy breezes. Even in winter I occasionally deem it necessary to air out the house! Especially if there’s been sickness or a host of people in my house, I feel a great need to reduce the germs with fresh air!

I really like the windowsills part because it depicts a house and I will be writing about things that go on in our home. Another reason I liked windowsills is because it rhymes with breezy hills and this girl loves good rhyming phrases!

My next post will be an introduction of myself and my family.

If you wish to be notified of my future ramblings, just hit the subscribe button!

🌿 Violet Rhodes 🌿