Unfolding Grace

Louisa May Alcott & A Cinderella-type Story

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:13:00 +0000

I came home early from work today, as I am trying to recuperate from a cold. This film (and subsequent book) was a delight to watch while snuggled up under a blanket. Now, I am eager to delve deeper into novels that I have yet to read by one of my favorite authors.

Thanksgiving Menu Plans

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:31:00 +0000

We are looking forward so much to making our first thanksgiving on our own here in England for Colin's cousins. They've never had a Thanksgiving meal before, so we are hoping they learn to love it as much as we do. Here is what we are planning on serving them:

Appetizer: cheese & crackers plate (I'm keeping this part simple!)

Main Dish: roasted turkey

Side Dishes: american-style stuffing, glazed butternut squash, classic green bean casserole, garlic mashed potatoes

Salad: warm frisee salad with crispy salami

Bread: country style bread rolls

Sauces: cranberry sauce, gravy, and bread sauce

Drinks: white wine and elderberry scholer (a sparkling German soft drink found here in England)

Dessert: pumpkin chiffon pie

Fulfilled Homemaking

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:53:00 +0000

"No one will find fulfillment in the latest appliances or gadgets that run a home. Nor will one find lasting fulfillment in attempting to decorate and entertain like the latest hospitality doyenne. Material goods and self glorifying domestic perfectionism are definitely not the heart of the home.

The heart of the home is found in the relationships nurtured there and the comfort offered to one another--comfort we have first received from God, the Father of compassion, and then share with one another (2 Corinthians 1: 3-4)."
~Radical Womanhood by Carolyn McCulley

On My Mind Lately

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:34:00 +0000

It is a rare chance to have time to sit down and share what has been on my mind lately. So, this morning before the rush of preparing to go back to work happens this weekend, I wanted to share a few things that have been meaningful to me over the past month.

Marriage & Family Life
Studying love
Everything We Do Lovingly
Intimacy in Marriage Part 1
Intimacy in Marriage Part 2
Add-A-Pearl-Necklaces - I LOVE this idea, especially if we live far away from our future nieces and nephews and from our own parents, who look forward to someday being grandparents.
Fool Moon Rising- can't wait to own this book someday!
Questions to Ask When Preparing for Marriage
Weighty Words on the Meaning of a Husband's Headship
Miscarriage Etiquette

Life as a Christian
Singing Hymns
Orphan Care: An Opportunity to Make Much of Jesus
Beyond Narnia Documentary
Wifely Wisdom
New C.J. Mahaney Sermons Online
Hospitality Says
Responding to Correction
Guarding Your Eyes
How to Practice Hospitality on a Budget
Depression: A Stubborn Darkness

Autumn Recipes
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pasta with Gruyere & Butternut Squash
Moussaka with Spinach & Garlic
Mexican Tostada
Zucchini Pasta Carbonara
Filo Appetizer
Cinnamon Rolls
Starbucks Coffee Cake
Baked Apple Pie Oatmeal
Pumpkin Waffles
Porkchops & Mushrooms with Bourbon Cream Sauce

International Life
13 Ways to Bless Missionaries without Paying for Postage
Geographical Locations & House Prices

More Ravioli Making Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:23:00 +0000

Rolling out the dough together.
Putting it together with the filling inside.
Cutting the ravioli apart and setting it out to dry.
The finished product! Chicken procuitto spinach ravioli with a garlic mushroom cream sauce. It was so delicious and a fun project to do together on a Saturday.

Making Fresh Ravioli

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:44:00 +0000

This Saturday, my friend Marjie and I made fresh chicken procuitto and spinach ravioli.
We made the pasta dough and rolled it out. It turned out delicious, I will post some more pictures of our pasta making adventures tomorrow.

Made My Day

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:14:00 +0000

It's assessment week for us at school this week, but I love it for just this reason, I get to sit down individually with each of my students. Today one of the little boys in my class came out for his numeracy assessment. As he was counting and naming shapes etc. he suddenly turned to me and said in a confidential whisper:

"Mrs Elliott, did you know theres a new shape out?"

Of course, I did not know that there was a new shape "out. "

He leaned in closer and whispered, "There is and it's called a trianguluar." The he paused and added, "J told me all about it." Yep, that's the latest and greatest news in our classroom. So while you are out and about today, see if you can spy the newest shape that "just came out." I personally imagine that it looks something like a triangle crossed with a jaguar as its name implies. Sounds ferocious, watch out!

In the midst of grace

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:51:00 +0000

When I reflect back on the goodness of God in my life as a teacher, I am amazed. I began my teaching career at a wonderful small town school, with an encouraging and helpful principal in a school district which was to be recognized that year nationally for having the best superintendent.

Now, beginning my fifth year of teaching in the early primary years, I am in a very different place. When I accepted my teaching position in England, I was not prepared for the realities of working in an inner city school in what is described as among the fourth most deprived areas in the whole of the nation.

But, God still uses even this place, in my life, even the most difficult of days. I am learning to rely daily on His grace alone, as this job is daily beyond my own personal strength of character (which believe me, really isn't that much!) I was encouraged today during my lunch hour, when I flipped open the book If by Amy Carmichael to chapter three. It was just what I needed to remember about God's grace.

Sometimes, when we are distressed by past failure and tormented by fear of failure in the future should we again set our faces toward Jerusalem, nothing helps so much as to give some familiar scripture time to enter into us and become a part of our being. The words "grace for grace" have been a help to me since I read in a little old book of Bishop Moule's something that opened their meaning. (Till then I had not undestood them.)

He says "for" means simply "instead": "grace instead of grace." The image is of a perpetual sucession of supply; a displacement ever going on; ceaseless changes of need and demand.

"The picture before us is as of a river. Stand on its banks, and contemplate the flow of waters. A minute passes, and another. Is it the same stream still? Yes. But is it the same water? No. The liquid mass that passed you a few seconds ago fills now another section fo the channel; new water has displaced it, or if you please, replaced it; water instead of water. And so hour by hour, and year by year, and century by century, the process holds; one stream, other waters-- living not stagnant, because always in the greatest identity is perpetual exchange. Grace takes the place of grace [and love takes the place of love]; ever new, ever old, ever the same, ever fresh and young, for hour by hour, for year by year, through Christ."

How amazing to be able to think back on all the grace of God. His grace to first call me out of a self-filled life, slave to sin, and to make me heirs with my savior Jesus Christ. How amazing also, to think of how each minute, and each hour, He continues to offer me sustaining grace to make it through the day. In Christ, I cannot fail. What a treasure, what safety, what immeasurable peace!

Baking with Fresh Pumpkin

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:50:00 +0000

Choose a pumpkin at the supermarket (or at your local farmers market) that is smallish, dark orange in color and heavy. These kinds of pumpkins are good baking pumpkins, the larger jack-o-lantern pumpkins don't work as well. Then wash it off with cold water and slice it in half. Use your fingers to scoop out all the seeds and set them aside for roasting later.
Next, scrape the pumpkin with a spoon to remove all of the stringy insides.
Place pumpkin in a microwaveable bowl with 2-3 inches of water in it. Cover and microwave on high for 15 minutes, and then in smaller increments until the insides are easy to scoop out with a spoon.
Scoop the insides out into a bowl.
Blend in batches until it is all pureed.
Meanwhile, wash seeds and drizzle with oil, garlic salt, and pepper, roast at 220 degrees F for 20 minutes or until crispy and brown. Gobble them up when finished, yum!
The small-medium sized pumpkin that Colin picked out for us, made about 3 1/2 cups of pumpkin puree, just enough for one pumpkin pie. Put into freezer bags and store for up to six months.
When that oh-so-convenient canned pumpkin isn't available, you learn to bake with fresh pumpkin. And in England, for a few weeks in October you can find pumpkins on sale in the fruit and vegetable isle at the supermarket. I wouldn't know this if it weren't for my lovely husband and good friends who lovingly purchased me pumpkins as a surprise!

I've had a lovely autumn-blue-sky-October afternoon preparing my pumpkin mush for the freezer. It's actually not as difficult as I had imagined. It's especially worth it knowing that I will be able to freeze the puree in preparation for Thanksgiving this year. We missed all those special pumpkin treats last year, one slice of pumpkin pie was definitely not enough! I'm practically jumping up and down excited to be able to make some of our own. pumpkin cake, here we come!

Goodbye Little Cottage

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:32:00 +0000

I'm taking a break amidst the packing and cleaning frenzy that has been the last few days of our life to say a proper farewell to our cottage life. We have found so many small pleasures in this cottage. Every season brought what has probably been generations of gardeners hopes and dreams to life in our yard. We always had a pleasant view and we were always warm and comfortable in our little-cozy-first-real-home-in-England. I know that we will look back on it with warm memories. We are glad to have been a small part of the history of this cottage. Village life suits us as a family, and maybe someday we will get to live in a real English village again.

Autumn Anthem

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:58:00 +0000

I'm still on the lookout for some beautiful autumn colors over here!

Run for the hills!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:08:00 +0000

When I woke up this morning and started my usual routine of checking my emails etc. I was immediately confronted by this-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad-news. This might explain why we found four of these large creatures lurking in our cottage last week. And, sorry for all you nature lovers, we will not be following the advice of the article. I've already lost sleep this week over this, seriously. But, don't worry we aren't too traumatized. I'm even a little bit proud of myself for catching my first one when my dearest husband wasn't home the other day. This news also just confirms our resolve for our upcoming move, where we will have a place with double glazed windows and heavy doors. By the way, this picture to the right is how I look each time I see one, tee hee!

Happy Autumn Days

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:48:00 +0000

Is that a pumpkin?
Our wonderful friends at church, Marcus & Di gave us a pumpkin from their garden!!

They were so sweet to think of us, I'm seriously so excited. Plus, they gave me a recipe for how to make pumpkin pie from scratch. So, now that little pumpkin is going to stay with us and end up on our thanksgiving table.

Also, as a side note- we are moving out of our cottage in a few weeks. It's been a beautiful place to live, but it is in need of some updating and we are thankful for the opportunity to live here and also looking forward to our brand new place down the road.

A Continued Perspective

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:25:00 +0000

In a word, let us glory in the Lord our salvation, and in all other things only as evidences of his love, or means of promoting his glory. Instead of praising ourselves, or seeking the praise of men, let us desire that honour which cometh from God only.—Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

This quote has stuck with me this week and has been so helpful in evaluating my own heart. It has challenged me in two areas, and I am thankful that the Lord led me to read it this week.

How do I think about my life?
Do I see the good things in my life as not only gifts from God, but also as evidences of His great love and care for us? Or do I evaluate the things in my life in comparison to my own wants or the opinions of others? Too often, I think I am in the later category, when in fact, I should be praising God for how great His salvation is towards me in all areas? I am blessed beyond what I deserve, no matter what may come. Lord, help me to be more aware of your grace each day, each day.

It can be so easy to compare ourselves with others, or even our own expectations for the day or month or year or whatever. When in fact, if we can trust God for our salvation, we can trust God to keep us, to protect us and to watch over us. Even when the world seems dark or when others say things that are unkind or thoughtless.

I love listening to this poetry by John Piper based on the book of Job in the Bible. If you have not yet listened to it, I highly recommend it.

Seasonal Celebrations: Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 15:33:00 +0000

We have been blessed to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving with our friends Erin & Patrick, and Caitlin & Artur last year. We can't wait to join them this year again! I've been on the lookout for special ways to make our thanksgiving table beautiful since we are inviting Colin's cousin's Elliot & Sarah and Wesley to our place for another Thanksgiving this year. Here are some ideas that I loved, now I will just have to choose which ones to use!

Tablescapes:
Bowl with tangelos and grapes
Vase filled with nuts and pillar candle
Quotes on goblets
pears on plates with handmade placecards
ribbon napkin holders

I am also going to be on the lookout for:
white serving platters
brown toile fabric for napkins
stamp to stamp white paper napkins
pillar candles

Autumn in England

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:58:00 +0000

We have been enjoying some beautiful blue skies this September, as we know once autumn truly settles in we will see less of them. The sun seems to realize this as well, making a later appearance each morning and heading in for the evening each evening. A chill has just started to make for cool autumn evenings and mornings, which means it's time once again to bring out the soft snuggly jammies, dressing gowns, and warm socks. This makes sipping those regular cups of tea all the more cozier though, and I must say my eyeballs are on the look out for any changing leaves. So far, we are still surrounded by green leafy plants, which in our household means that our allergies are in full swing. It also means that the spiders are having their annual party and our little cottage seems to be their favorite meeting spot. In the last week alone we have caught four large british house spiders.

But, as we embark upon what will be our second year in England, we are learning to enjoy the British seasons and now know a little more what to expect. For example, we won't see autumn wreaths or fall colour bedecked porches or doors over here. Nor will pumpkins and squash abound at the supermarket as those kinds of autumnal rituals simply don't exist in the mainstream here. At our local garden center very small pumpkins and gords sell for the equivalent of $6 a piece and most people wouldn't know what to do with them anyways.. Many of my friends here have never heard of a hay ride or even been to a pumpkin patch. Tinned pumpkin isn't even available in the stores. And as of September, first all stores are stocked and ready to go with Christmas supplies. As such, we found simple ways to celebrate the autumn season in new ways (although we do miss decorating for autumn in the traditional American sense.)
Simple Autumn Celebrations

Make baked oatmeal sprinkled with cinnamon
Sprinkle nutmeg and cinnamon in our coffee or tea
Plan meals to include butternut squash
Bring out the cuddly blankets
Light candles in the evening
Bake apple crumble and apple cake

Menu Planning Online Tools

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:36:00 +0000

We've planned our menus around here for years using the tried and true pencil and paper method. However, this summer, after reading Simple Mom's guide to using google calendar to plan menus, it's all online planning from here on out. This has worked so well for our family, because both Colin and I can see what is scheduled for dinner, arrange dinner plans if something changes etc. I highly recommend it.

I also wanted to let you know of another free online tool called Mealfire, which one of our good friends designed for his wife, that will coordinate your meal planning with shopping lists etc. If I was at home and had the time to completely utilize this great tool, I would definitely add in my recipes and shopping lists etc, which would save me a lot of time during the week. I only wish that I could just import recipes somehow into this software from online recipes! But, I have to say a big huge "well done" to Phil for making this for Gwen!

My Current Dream Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:52:00 +0000

Ever since we ate at the Moroccan restaurant for our anniversary, I've been dreaming of a vacation there. It would definitely be an adventure!

Websites I Can't Teach Without

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:04:00 +0000

These websites are my very favorite ones and have stood the test of time over the past five years as being ultimately helpful. The teaching ideas that you can find on both of these sites are helpful in the classroom, but would also be helpful for home school families as well.

Dr Jean Songs & Activities for Young Children- wonderful songs, cheers, and a great gathering of fun learning ideas from many amazing teachers.

ABC Schoolhouse- fantastic lesson units that can be purchased for a great price, with great hand made art and super teaching ideas.

Mrs Meacham- Probably the best all around teaching ideas/lessons site. This woman is amazing! I don't know how she does it!

Cheerfully Frugal "Take-Out"

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:12:00 +0000

We love eating "Take Out" food in our house. And I love a Friday night without cooking. However, we have to be creative about how to please our taste buds within our budget. Here are some yummy sounding recipes that we are hoping to try out soon, plus they don't all necessarily require highly unusual ingredients that we may never use again.

Thai
Peanut Noodles & Shredded Chicken

Moroccan
Chicken Tagine with Onions, Honey & Mint
Mixed Olives with Harissa & Preserved Lemons

Chinese
Kung Pao Chicken
Spicy Orange Beef
Fried Rice

P.S. In England they call it "Take Away" but, I'm still American, so "Take Out" it is!

Bloom Where You're Planted Philosphy

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:53:00 +0000

This is my fifth year of teaching. Wow, the years have flown by quickly! Last year I was newly "planted" into my new primary school in England. Colin and I were so thrilled that the Lord had provided me with this job while he finishes his PhD course. We did not realize that it would be among the hardest years I have ever experienced both personally and professionally. But, God was so gracious to me and enabled, and continues to enable me to have a "bloom where you're planted philosophy." Would you like a tour of my classroom at the beginning of the school year? It's all shiny and ready for my kiddos to come bounding through the door with their mummies and daddies.
Next to the door is our calendar corner, windows that overlook the playground, and our art station. Soon all their artwork will be covering everything!

Straight across from these windows you will see the other side of the classroom. To the left is the door into the design and technology hall. Next to the door is our role play area with a window looking out to the courtyard. To the right is our book corner, which is probably the cosiest area of our classroom!

Below this picture is a view of our art station supplies and homework/reading workstations and then our writing area.

And finally, a view of the front of our classroom! We are all set and ready for a new school year. I'm so excited for Monday!

Anniversary Presents

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:03:00 +0000

As part of celebrating our anniversary, Colin and I picked out two Wedgwood china plates for our mantle as well as this area rug for the living room. We love how our room is coming together!

Finding Romance in the Everyday

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:28:00 +0000

Will you join us on a walk through our city? We will start by these gates near the first American embassy in Bristol. While we are walking we are looking for the romance of everyday details. Even these gates are beautiful!
We love walking along tree lined avenues and down cobble stone streets. The old world style that surrounds us now that we so often over look as a common sight, deserves a second look.
As we meander towards our destination, we enjoy the views of history. We pass by pubs where famous authors used to lunch. Banners wave over head cheerfully, but not as cheerfully as the blue sky overhead.
At last we arrive, and head towards the restaurant stalls at St. Nicholas Market. The exotic sights and smells are a treat for the senses. We decide to eat a celebratory lunch for our anniversary at the Moroccan restaurant. We will sit on plush cushions surrounded by beautiful and colorful hangings. It is an intimate atmosphere to be tucked away in a corner while shoppers hustle by just out of view. Afterwards, we will carry on towards the city center for a shopping spree. But, we will savor and enjoy every last moment of summer.
Both Colin and I loved this date, even though it wasn't costly, it carried its own special romance of the everyday. I love that we can do this again!

Dishwashing Song

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:33:00 +0000

Washing dishes, washing dishes,
suds are hot, suds are hot,

Work away briskly, work away briskly,
do not stop, do not stop.

First the glasses, first the glass,
wash them well, wash them well.
If you do them nicely, if you do them nicely,
all can tell, all can tell.

Then the silver, then the silver
must be bright, must be bright.
Work away swiftly, work away swiftly,
With your might, with your might.

Then the pitchers, then the pitchers,
Comes the next, comes the next.
Wash the cleanest things first, wash the cleanest things first.
That's your text, that's your text.

Cups and saucers, cups and saucers,
Follow now, follow now.
Then you need to rinse them, then you need to rinse them,
You know how, you know how.

Last the dish pans, last the dish pans,
Scald and dry, scald and dry.
Towels on the clothes line, towels on the clothes line,
Put up high, put up high.

How to teach kitchen garden, or, Object lessons in household work, including songs, plays, exercises, and games illustrating household occupations. ~ Emily Huntington, 1841-1909

I think this is such a cute idea, to use a song to teach the proper order of dish washing. My mom always used to use songs to help us remember things. Now, if only I could find some fairy-mermaids to come and do the dishes in my sink!

Purposefully Thinking in Advance

noreply@blogger.com (Sadie) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:26:00 +0000

Sometimes, I think I have it all figured out. Seriously.There are days when I'm just sure that this road will lead a particular direction, or that everything will go wrong, or even that a small thing will go askew. It is in these moments that I, completely absorbed in my own self-centered ideas, forget, that I actually know: nothing. Whoa. time for a change of perspective.

Who really knows what the future holds?
Our Almighty God, who holds the earth in His hands, who was and is to come.

Who is really in charge of the small and big stuff?
I also often sinfully think that I am in charge of all the small and little things in my life. But, the Lord is teaching me that this is a distinct lack of faith. In fact, the true and living God holds my life in His hands.

What about this circumstance?
I can also get over-focused on a particular circumstance. I can get so focused that I can't see beyond it. Do you see the problem with this? Most of these sentences start with -I-, it is as if I shut the door of faith and stubbornly stare at my problems drenching them with anxiety and worry. This quote explains it so eloquently:

"The crosses of this present moment always bring their own special grace and consequent comfort with them; we see the hand of God in them when it is laid upon us. But the crosses of anxious foreboding are seen out of the dispensation of God; we see them without grace to bear them; we see them indeed through a faithless spirit which banishes grace. So everything in them is bitter and unendurable; all seems dark and helpless. Let us throw self aside; no more self interest, and then God's will, unfolding every moment in everything, will console us also every moment for all that He shall do around us, or within us, for our discipline." ~Francois de la Mothe Fenelon [1651- 750]

What should I remember when I am tempted to trust in myself instead of God? What should I purposefully focus on instead?

Wait on the Lord for whatever He appoints, wait quietly, wait trustingly. He holds every minute of every hour of every day of every week of every month of every year in His hands. Thank Him in advance for what the future holds, for He is already there. Say "Lord you have assigned me my portion and my cup" (NIV Psalm 16:5). Shall we not gladly say "I'll take it, Lord! YES! I'll trust you for everything. Bless the Lord, O my soul!" ~ Elisabeth Elliot, Newsletter Jan-Feb 1994

[Photo taken at Penhurst Place, August 2009]