Simple Home Living

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 16:30:00 +0000

It's been a long time since I said "hello" on this blog space - such good memories here and I thought I'd invite you to join me in two more spaces - LylahLedner.com and The Simple Farm. It's what life has been looking like over the past ten years...same heart...same beauty....just looks a bit different.

xx Lylah

Seasons of Life

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:34:00 +0000

Seasons are a good thing.

Living here in the desert, I'm thankful for seasons. I'd hate for our scorching summer temps to be a constant thing and I always look for the reprieve of our lovely fall season.

So, as seasons come and go - so do good things and after much prayer and contemplation and discussion with my husband, I've decided to put this blog - Simple Home Living into a coast mode.

Coasting means that once in a blue moon I'll have a subject or two that is churning of which I'll write about. For example - I do have one brewing - I say brewing - because it's been one that has been incredibly painful to my heart. The subject is about a long term friendship and relationship that has crumbled with no resolve because of a refusal to meet for coffee and at least talk and place truth on the table. It will take some time to write about this because I'm still processing, shaking my head and working through the pain of this "walk away" friend. Amazing that that happens, isn't it?

So, as I've expressed, this blog will coast along without my obvious presence. The reason I'm not closing it out completely is because there are still many who visit this blog due to resources for women on marriage, the home front and other good stuff. I want this to continue to be just that - a resource place for women to draw upon for help.

Often I've referred to La Maison et le Jardin and its lighter touch. I have thoroughly enjoyed the simplicity and lack of pressure to post daily life there. That will continue.

Also, periodically, I've mentioned Cactus Road and have shared its evolution from a place where "church" met in a house on dirt into what has beautifully become a farm where life and community are happening and in constant motion. In light of that transformation, Michael and I have been journaling our journey through this wonderful metamorphosis and in time will blog that experience on another blog spot.

Thanks for your support and understanding - in this - my season of life.

Pasteurizing Eggs Now?

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Tue, 25 May 2010 14:32:00 +0000

I understand what they've done to milk in pasteurizing it, but now eggs? Here's a new blog I'm going to stalk - http://www.cheeseslave.com/2010/05/19/first-they-pasteurize-milk-now-eggs/

LA MAISON ET LE JARDIN: Heading to the Place I Call Home

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Fri, 21 May 2010 15:14:00 +0000

LA MAISON ET LE JARDIN: Heading to the Place I Call Home

Heading Home from Beautiful India

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Fri, 21 May 2010 09:51:00 +0000

We are wrapping up our time in this place of beauty - India. I leave with conflicted thoughts and emotions and ton of pictures of these beautiful people. Can't wait to come home and process all I've taken in as well as begin to post pictures and stories of what my eyes have seen and my heart has felt.

India - you are loved and I hope to return.

Our Trip to the Taj Mahal

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Mon, 17 May 2010 07:01:00 +0000

I can't believe it I actually saw the Taj Mahal.

While in India: Do NOT Take Picture of Men and Their Monkeys

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Mon, 17 May 2010 01:36:00 +0000

We'd been reading some of the "what to do and what not to do" while in India and one of those things I didn't read about in regards to certain picture taking.

So, if you're traveling to India any time soon - Do NOT - I repeat - DO NOT every take a picture of a man with a monkey unless you plan to start a brawl and or pay the man your life savings for the picture or unless you want the biggest adrenaline dump of your life!

Jet Lag and India

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Fri, 14 May 2010 05:30:00 +0000

Jet lag is an interesting phenomenon. The brain wants to get up and explore and the body wants to sleep. That's me right now.

Michael and I arrived in India two days ago. Don't ask me what day two days ago was because it's 21.5 hours ahead of my Arizona time zone. All I know is that we didn't leave Monday am like planned because Lufthansa canceled all flights from Frankfurt to Bangalore on Mondays and they didn't bother to let us know.

It was actually a good thing because I stink at packing for trips like this and it gave me an extra twenty four hours to review the mess I'd created on the floor in our bedroom in my lame attempt to be a minimalist and cram everything into a back pack. Like yeah, for sure.

Anyway, we arrived safely and last evening our daughter Candace arrived.

We are here to participate and celebrate in the Hindu wedding of Praveen and Sowmya. I can hardly wait for the celebration to begin. Sowmya is one of our daughters from India. A few years ago we wanted to make connections with international students attending ASU and after "signing up" we were blessed with our son Jim (Pryank) and then the next year with four beautiful daughters - Vidya, Ambika, Bindu and Sowmya.

Through their hearts and lives we have grown to love the Indians and their gentle culture of kindness, love and respect. So, we are here to celebrate their two lives becoming one. The ceremony will take place next Wednesday and Thursday and when Sowmya emailed me the wedding itinerary, I cried. But, then again, I always cry at the significance of the miracle of God bringing two individuals together and creating one.

This afternoon - at 4 pm ish - we'll take a flight to New Dehli and visit friends from a long time ago. There, we will have an opportunity to see pain at its depth - walking through brothels. We will also take a three hour road trip tomorrow - I guess that might be Saturday - to see the Taj Mahal.

I've got some interesting pictures and did a video clip yesterday of the traffic. Michael says it reminds him of Vietnam - it's random, yet organized - crazy, scary and yet no one really seems to get hurt (at least from what we can tell).

As nervous as I was to visit India, I am so very thankful for this opportunity of a life time.

A Trip of a Life Time

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Mon, 10 May 2010 02:02:00 +0000

Lately, I've been a little busy. Michael and I are getting ready to take off Monday morning for India. We're going to a wedding in Bangalore then heading north to New Delhi and then from there take a day trip to the Taj Mahal.

As best I can, I want to give you a "taste of India" with its culture, food, and people. My husband bought me a new little flip so I'm intending to add some video to this blog!

Anyone been to India? I'd love to hear your stories!

Time for Okra

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Mon, 03 May 2010 15:02:00 +0000

In the past, okra was a vegetable I would only look at and preferred to not eat or touch. Seemed way to slimy to me. I changed my mind the day I was served some fried okra.

And, so, last spring I seeded some okra and was absolutetly enthralled with its beauty.

Morning garden walks are always a delight to me, and seeing the flowering pods of the okra made it extra special. Indeed, okra is lovely to look at.

It's that time of year again, here, in the AZ desert to seed okra and so a few Monday's ago, several farm volunteers came by to specifically seed okra in starter pots. And just look what's coming up in those little seed pots - okra!

All because of fried okra, I have a new Twitter friend who is all about food and wine and she posted this yummy fried okra here.

Mother in Law

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:38:00 +0000

Relationships with mother-in-laws can be interesting to say the least. I've written a snippet on the one I have with mine here.

Time for Lemonade

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:36:00 +0000

Is It Time for Lemonade?

Mind Your Own Business

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:00:00 +0000

An interesting portion of Scripture is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:11 where the Apostle Paul gives this interesting instruction on how to do life: mind your own business, work with your own hands and study to lead a quiet life . . . so that those (my paraphrase) looking into your life will see something worth looking at.

I think these girls above are the perfect example of such a thing and since we started "farming" I don't have time to do much but to work hard, mind my own business and lead a quiet life. It's been so freeing to do so.

What would happen if more of us did that?

So, get this - the portion just before that one - is "love one another and increase in love".....

God's Promise

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Ever have one of those days where you just can't get up and out of the pit? Ever feel discouraged or hopeless or confused about the way life seems to dish it out? I had one of those moments this past week. My personality isn't the kind that gets all melancholy but for some reason I had a few hours of feeling emotionally stuck.

I'd gone out to the barn to collect the eggs and when I turned around, there I saw it The it was this incredible rainbow that stretched over the eastern sky. I just about killed myself running back to the house to get the camera hoping nothing would change.

God was talking to me. I didn't want Him to stop. He was telling me something and I wanted to capture that moment. I wanted to listen. I needed my heart encouraged. He did.

I Just Love Those . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 03:10:00 +0000

. . . double blessings.

Shabbat: The Ball and The Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 19:23:00 +0000

Today is Shabbat and we are celebrating the gift of choosing to rest and do a little of not much of anything. So, this morning Michael and I and three littles sat out in the side yard, sipped some French Press and experienced something that I'd not call much of anything....but more of something. Did you slow down to enjoy today?

What Makes Marriage Difficult?

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Marriage becomes difficult when unresolved conflicts linger for days. A good marriage will have conflicts but what becomes unhealthy is when those conflicts never get resolved and then those same issues keep becoming the same point of contention.

Unresolved conflicts hinder intimacy (emotional and sexual) and often give way for a door of temptations to open. Unresolved conflicts often lead to one or both of the partners to develop passive aggressive styles of relating that are cloaked in manipulation and control. Bitterness will be rooted.

It's important for both a husband and a wife to learn how to make the issue the issue and not the spouse the issue. When a spouse becomes the issue rather than the issue anger, contention and criticism become other operative modes rather than grace, kindness, acceptance and love as seen recently in the case of Jon and Kate.

Sometimes, all that's necessary to resolve a conflict is to learn to listen. Most of the conflicts that Michael and I have had were because neither of us listened. We were quick to make a judgement, take on a hurt and then attack back or shut down and retreat and sulk.

Listening is a skill to be learned and held like a precious gift. And in marriage or any relationship it only takes one person to get the listening process going. May that be you - today.

True listening – has to do with hearing not only the words, but the heart of the words. At the core, listening is seeking to understand rather than be understood. That takes work. It requires that we let go of being right and it requires that we put a pause on all racing thoughts of what to say next or how to defend our position.

Listening - good active listening takes work. It takes hard work. Part of the hard work is about choosing to listen even if he doesn't. It's listening to his voice, his words, his hear and the language he uses.

Listening isn't about agreeing and often we confuse it as that. Listening is about understanding.

I heard a quote recently, "There is not greater lie than a truth misunderstood."

Men speak a different language than women. They are typically linear in thought processes while we as women are integrated which means that we generally integrate feelings and facts at the same time. Everything is connected to everything else.

Men generally have to process facts before facing feelings and women generally – have to process feelings before they can face facts.

Listening is not only a marital bomb de-fuser – but it is a tool for intimacy. A good friend is one who listens and I read once that the basic ingredients for a good marriage – which has sweet intimacy – is friendship plus sex.

Components of intimacy include closeness, bonding, warmth and affection, openness and honesty. If good listening skills aren’t learned and practiced then intimacy has a weak platform on which to develop and thrive.

When listening – avoid mind-reading – don’t assume you know what your husband is thinking or feeling. He’s the author of what he’s saying.

So, go - look your man in the eyes and listen to his heart - not necessarily his words.

Flowers in My Garden

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 01:45:00 +0000

My mornings are spent outside tending and grooming and caring for the little spaces where I create sanctuary. Here's a few shots from this mornings walk.

No matter where you live, be encouraged to find a small amount of space where you create sanctuary. Those spaces of quiet and resolve are much needed for the feminine soul. Life can spin so fast that we lose reality with what's real and what's important. It's in that space of quiet and sanctuary that we can become centered and purposeful for the day.

What does your space of sanctuary look like? How do you quiet your soul and re-center?

LA MAISON ET LE JARDIN: Going, Going, Going, Gone

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 05:07:00 +0000

LA MAISON ET LE JARDIN: Going, Going, Going, Gone

I Have Something You'll Want to See . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:45:00 +0000

. . . over here! It might not mean much to you, but it's awfully exciting to me. So, take a peek as to why I'm shouting out.

Incredible Garden Inspirations

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 04:15:00 +0000

I've been a tad mia in bloggy world due to tending my garden. And, yet tonight I took a bit of a break and stopped by one of my very favorite blogs to stalk: Cote de Texas. I'm so very glad I did because as I'm working on my own garden I've found a few more inspirations from Joni's incredibly lovely to look at full of eye candy blog.

COTE DE TEXAS: Reed Dillon: Private Gardens

Goat Song

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:33:00 +0000

My daughter, Candace, makes regular runs to the library and periodically brings me books that she thinks I'll find interesting. Lately they've been on gardening and farming. Um, I wonder why?

Of all the books that she's brought me - this one: Goat Song written by Brad Kessler, absolutely captured my heart. I just about couldn't put it down.

Goat Song is Brad's journal about he and Dona's (his wife) fresh experience in the world of farmsteading acquiring a few Nubian dairy goats.

It's a journal that involves food, culture and language says Mark Kurlansky and he (Brad) seduces with words.

I couldn't agree more.

"An urban dweller drawn to the land starts a pastoral life with goats on a small farm in Vermont. Wonderful descriptions of how people from many different cultures have both a spiritual and a poetic connection with being a shepherd" writes Temple Grandin.

I think that's why, in this season of my life, I was drawn and continue to be so. There's nothing so special as sharing a good read with the one you love and as I read portions to my pastor husband we had moments where we laughed and cried and pondered a bit more deeply - through Goat Song.

The Benefits of Juicing

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:55:00 +0000

Years ago Michael bought me a Champion Juicer. Over the years it's been used about two dozen times - mainly because it doesn't do what I need or want it to do.

There are so many good juicers out there on the market but this one - the Breville Juicer seems to get all the gold stars when it comes to the Queen of All Juicers. When one of the reviews said that the Breville is the most powerful juicer on the market" it was enough for my husband to say, YES.

Here's what they said here:

Breville juicer is one of the most popular juicers on the market right now. All over the world, people are taking their health more seriously.

Many people who want to get healthier through the benefits of juicing are choosing Breville models over some of the other brands.

The Breville Juice Fountain boasts several features that other popular juice extractor brands (like Jack Lalanne’s Power Juicer) simply don’t have.

Perhaps the best part though, is that you can get this juicer for about $30 cheaper than the other popular models on the market.

A top feature that Breville juicers have is a powerful 3/4 horsepower motor. This motor is 600 watts and has a maximum speed of 14,500 rpm’s.

The fact that the Breville model has a motor that is much more powerful than other juicers ensures that it’ll never bog down no matter what kind of vegetable or fruit you’re juicing.

I can't wait - a new Blendtec Total Home Blender and this Breville! I think my kitchen is set and well equipped!

Juicing is invaluable to our health - here's even a juicing bible for you!

Old Tools I Love in My Kitchen - And New Ones: A Blendtec

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:08:00 +0000

I love my kitchen and it's truly the center of my home. All activity flows in and out of this serving center and the last few weeks with thirteen of us hanging out and girls going wild (in my kitchen) - it was full of life and a busy place. I made several batches of my favorite buttermilk pancakes and waffles. Several times I served soft boiled eggs and of course steel cut oats smothered in butter, cinnamon and blueberries.

Good tools are essential for meal preparation and perhaps it's time that you see if your kitchen is a well equipped one.

I'd always wanted a pot rack and have to say that this tool is one of the smartest purchases I'd made. I found it on Craigs List for $60 and I LOVE it. Everything I use on a regular basis is right there.

This little copper colander is something I use daily - especially when straining blue berries or making soft boiled eggs. Not only is it handy, but I love the warm copper look. I found this at a vintage shop this past summer while in Portland. I think I paid $3 for it.

I LOVE - let me say it again - LOVE this egg beater. I have two and this one was my grandmothers. Whisks are great, but this little tool is better. My buttermilk waffle recipe requires that I separate the eggs and beat to "a firm" the whites. LOVE it.

I found this cute egg beater at that same vintage shop in Portland. Took it home for $8. Well worth the investment.

I'm adding two new tools to my kitchen repertoire. Thanks to my darling husband, he's been researching blenders and juicers and has decided to make this Blendtec Total Home Blender his first home front investment for me. Isn't that sweet. I did . . .gulp a bit over the price tag, but after I read the reviews and what other home makers had to say, I just got over it real quick.

So, why the Blendtec Total Home Blender? Just a few reasons:

It's easy to clean. With my busy life between family, gardening, serving and many people stopping by - I need - "easy to clean."

Makes incredible smoothies - something we do often and I can't wait to do more of.

Grinds grain. Now, I do have a Blendtec Kitchen Mill grain grinder, but why not gather around a few grandkiddos to grind grain at the same time?

It's a nice size for the counter - not too big.

I don't need a wet or dry container for the Blendtec Total Home Blender. The Vita Mix does. I like that idea of just one container.

I can make lots of home made sauces - easily. Since we planted about 45 or so Heirloom tomatoes, I'm thinking I'll be canning tons of sauce. This will be a huge time saver.

Lindsay of Passionate Home Making listed her 10 Reasons Why She Recommends a Blendtec - a worthy read.

I can throw tons of raw veggies from our garden into the Blendtec Total Home Blender and how good will that be?

If you're thinking of making this kind of $$$ investment, then watch this Blendtec Total Home Blender vs VitaMix comparison (thanks Lindsay) is good!

Girls Gone Wild (in My Kitchen)

noreply@blogger.com (Lylah Ledner) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 02:48:00 +0000

One of the things I love about my family is that no one is too terribly inhibited and everyone really enjoys having fun.

Last night, while Mark was doing dishes (he's such a servant) and the I-Pod was blaring, one of my daughters (to remain nameless) started showing off her cool moves which then led to all the girls (except me) joining in.

I loved seeing the wild action in the kitchen and couldn't grab my little Canon fast enough to capture the unforgettable fun. Wish you could have seen the whole scene. Priceless.