A Happy Home Media

From Six to Fourteen

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Thu, 24 May 2012 06:15:31 +0000

Goats that is. Four days after having my own baby, the first doe had her own. And in the last three days we added seven more kids (that’s what goat babies are: kids). As my husband says, it’s not our own baby keeping us up at night. It’s the goats! But I will say how [...]

One Baby Lost, One Baby Held: A Wee Lesson for Me

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Fri, 18 May 2012 06:07:06 +0000

The sunshine has been glorious. Any tourist passing through our area lately would surely remark how dishonest those Pacific Northwesterners have been regarding the gray, the gloom, the rain. The secret is out, it’s all a ruse, we have wonderful sunshine come spring. Well…some years, anyway. Because I’m not weeding anything this year the entire [...]

Settling Into Spring

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Mon, 14 May 2012 00:23:19 +0000

I’m sitting outside on the kitchen porch on a parisian yellow chair watching the breezes ripple their way through the firs and alders. The lavender lilacs are in bloom and their scent wafts by often enough to make me close my eyes and dream of summer. How can I transport to you the sound of [...]

A Baby Fresh From God

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Thu, 03 May 2012 04:33:50 +0000

Thank you for your emails, tweets, calls, love and prayers. Our fifth girl arrived yesterday afternoon (nine days “late”) to greet her sisters and two brothers after a record (for me) labor of only 5 or 6 hours. She was born sunny side-up which made for the hardest labor I’ve ever had as well, [...]

Post-Due Date Waiting

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 02:19:55 +0000

Well, here I still am, now six days after my “due date” for baby number seven. It’s nothing new to me, this waiting for a “late” baby to show up; in fact, baby number five decided to wait a whopping 18 days (and he packed on the pounds to prove it, at 10lb 15oz). The [...]

Birthing Projects

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 05:41:20 +0000

Well, here I am late in the evening on my due date without more than a baby hiccup and once again I am reminded how much I hate “due dates”. What evil wrought about that dumb little circle thingy that puts THE date as when baby should arrive? Once again, I’m on the side of [...]

Art Journaling for Beginners

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 19:09:42 +0000

I’ve kept a handwritten journal for many, many years. In it are thoughts from my days, trials I’ve worked (and am working) through, ideas and lists, Bible studies and prayers, poetry, hopes and plans and just bunches of stuff that I wish I had from a great-grandma or two regarding their lives, good, bad [...]

Mocha Without the Machine

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:39:26 +0000

I have no regrets selling my espresso machine. It was expensive, it took up counter space, it took care, it demanded to be used, and it was just one more thing I needed to plug in and maintain. I’ve been ruthless in decluttering my house and I know I’m not finished yet! But I do [...]

10 Ways To Be Hospitable Without Going Nuts

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:23:53 +0000

“Put your feet up” hospitality! 1. Remember that people are more important than things. Having plastic on the furniture or carpets that cannot be walked on without first dubbing fresh socks speaks loudly that the house is not to be used to relax in, but to admire. If your family members can put [...]

Raising (and Butchering!) Your Own Meat Animals

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:57:48 +0000

Ever think about raising and butchering your own meat animals? Join me as I interview my friend Sonja to hear her experiences and advice. Warning: there may be some parts you might get "ick-ed" about!

Labor Pains

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 22:57:40 +0000

I was a military brat hopping across the Atlantic Ocean every three years until I was seventeen, and between then and now I’ve moved an additional twelve times. So why is moving my blog and website for the measly fourth time such a trial? Maybe because I intently dislike spending so much time on the [...]

Preparing For Baby With Herbs

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 22:16:40 +0000

Ok, I think it’s fair to say I’m “officially” nesting now, trying to get the house in order and cleaned up before baby shows up. And, of course, if Mama is nesting, there’s no rest for the others, is there? With the dark and dumping rain we had going on outside, I figured it was [...]

Re-Purposing Vintage Suitcases

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 22:13:27 +0000

My husband brought these two small personal travel cases into our household twenty years ago, not because of the cases themselves, but because they kept all of the old telephone wire and other odds and ends he might need *someday*. Suffice it to say, after two decades they were still just hanging out in the [...]

Healing a Duck After An Attack

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:51:00 +0000

*UPDATE* This morning, the 30th, our last duck, our “one tough duck” Handsome, died. We are all sick about it. But we’re reminded how awful death really is, and how Jesus conquered death. Someday, someday soon, death will die. It’s never a good sign when my kids come pounding on the kitchen door with [...]

Nesting 2.0

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:18:00 +0000

That’s what my husband calls it, anyway, this full throttle attempt at designing and uploading a brand new website before the end of the month (no pressure, just one more week to go aaahhhhh!). I haven’t done this since I started blogging in 2006, when I taught myself a lot of html coding from dissecting [...]

Teaching the True Meaning of Easter

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:09:00 +0000

Easter is just a few weeks away and amongst the new dresses and chocolates there seems to remains hidden even among professing Christians the wisdom and truth of the Gospel itself. If all we know is “Jesus died for my sins” and then all we have a little prayer that we parroted in response, then [...]

Natural Childbirth: Yes, You Can

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 17:24:00 +0000

I'm a mother with two c-sections and four unmedicated VBACs in between them, and I want to share with you my experiences and some very compelling reasons why I believe that yes, YOU *can* also have a natural childbirth. We are currently awaiting the arrival of our seventh baby, and this podcast is as much for me (I need reminders and encouragement, too!) as it is for you.

Project Pre-Pre-Preview

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 07:07:00 +0000

The frogs are busy tonight in the wet ravines through the woods. It sounds like a lullaby coming through the window, fresh cool air weaving into the room. I am so blessed to have a comfortable bed, a roof, children softly breathing in rhythmic sleep. Tomorrow morning I plan to make sour cream sourdough waffles so [...]

Waiting on Baby Though Winds Buffet

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:01:00 +0000

I’m sitting in my papasan with the computer on my lap looking out into a gusty world. All night long the firs and alders towering to the sky have been bending, windblown and creaking against each other, making room for the whistling wind sweeping through from the Puget Sound. Rain is not exactly falling, but [...]

Christmas is About the Cross

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 23:49:00 +0000

Lent is upon us and Easter is upcoming. I wanted to share with you a wonderful song by a group of brothers; it’s truly a lovely reminder that the point of Christmas is Easter. Enjoy and be blessed!

The Pitfall and Practice of Lent

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 05:37:00 +0000

Psalms 116:7-9 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. I’ve been slowly and quietly working through the book of Galations. It is here [...]

Families, Food, and Faith

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:24:00 +0000

Most moms want their families to eat well, because they recognize wholesome food creates the building blocks for good immune function, amongst other things. Too many times I think we ascribe the “common cold” (for example) as a matter of germs, when in fact, it could just be an overloaded little (or big) body trying [...]

Conflicts Clarify

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:09:00 +0000

I’m in countdown mode to meet the newest member of our family, only ten weeks to go (more or less….probably more..). I’m feeling pretty good still, even managed to clean out the barn and tromp through the brambly woods today to measure for upcoming fencing projects. Emotionally I feel truly amazed and blessed; this baby [...]

Fear Not, Part 2: An Interview With Heather Bryant

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:59:00 +0000

My friend Heather Bryant made the time to come share her story with you all. Here is a woman who lives out FEAR NOT in real, relevant, everyday ways. May you be encouraged! 2 Chronicles 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

A Day in My Life, Part 3

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:21:00 +0000

If you missed it, you can catch part one here, and part two here. Late Afternoon to Evening I manage to put my feet up and knit two rows for my baby’s blanket, while the children are cleaning up after lunch and finishing their music lessons and artwork. This is how this blanket is progressing: [...]

A Day in My Life, Part 2

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:21:00 +0000

If you missed it, you can read Part 1 here. Midday I join my 5 and 7 year olds to help them with folding the small mountain of kitchen linens threatening to overtake our sofa. We use mostly cloth napkins and dish towels rather than paper products, in reds, yellows, greens, and oranges. Bright colors for [...]

A Day in My Life, Part 1

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:40:00 +0000

Evening to Morning T’wasn’t so long ago I was looking at someone’s blogsite and sighing over the fact that it looked like this writer was miles ahead further than me, headed where I wanted to go. But then I came across what her day was like and decided that not only was she living far [...]

Cornwall in My Winter

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:19:00 +0000

the photo I took when I was 10 years old Rocky ravines enveloped with greens swaying clutched in the midst of wee wildflowers tawny and light and slippery with the damp left over from the morning’s wash blown from the raw Atlantic I giggle stumbling in delight my hands outstretched ready for any tumble to [...]

Potholes

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:51:00 +0000

Woodsy dirt road wet rocks jutting ‘neath my wobly feet slick with slush heart murmers to keep my chin up look up look ahead trust my journey my bearings my road but potholes crack from underneath uncertain footsteps threatening to sink foundations swallowing up horizons promised when the road was laid seems pointless really to [...]

Hot Cereal For Breakfast

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:54:00 +0000

Seeing as boxed cereals from the market (even the “natural” ones) are about the worst thing we can eat ever eat, much less serve our children, I thought I’d share an easy hot cereal recipe. I generally use whatever I have on hand, and some of the ingredients are probably not the “best”, much less [...]

Red and Yellow, Black and White…

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:39:00 +0000

Not ignorance, but the ignorance of ignorance, is the death of knowledge. Alfred Whitehead I just finished reading The Help, which I am sure by the sheer amount of reviews and whatnot many if not most of you have already read or seen on screen. Amazon, so far, lists more than 5100 reviews for this first time [...]

One Way to Do a Bible Word Study

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:05:00 +0000

I’m not unaware that my “free time” is going to be very limited later this spring once baby arrives and I will then have, by God’s grace, seven (SEVEN!) children to love and train up. Right now I am like a ravenous Bible woman, reading as much as I can and trying to store up [...]

Our Little Snowstorm

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:32:00 +0000

Psalms 147:16 He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. Well, I call it “little” because compared to other parts of the country, our two days of snowfall are about as serious as a drizzle in Arizona. Not that we don’t love the interruption in normalcy; but folks here shut down businesses if we [...]

Quest: Letting God Lead

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:01:00 +0000

Not too long ago I set words to my ponderings and since then it seems I’ve done nothing else other than add more. The problem with contemplating so many possibilities for so much is that it builds on a foundation that presupposes a right answer or direction is possible–if only there was enough time to [...]

Natural Face and Skin Cream, Part Two

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:46:00 +0000

Well, I was so excited about the fabulous cream I made last night that I wanted to share it with you pronto! And then….something was nagging at me….like….didn’t I blog about that before? YEP. You can read how I did it here. So I guess that makes this post “Part Two”. But…seeing as how I [...]

One Thing to Do With Quilt Scraps

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:45:00 +0000

Over the Christmas break I managed to quickly put together a little quilt for my craft room wall (I’ll share soon!). As I was about to throw out the little pile of triangles, I thought perhaps I could do something shabby-cute with them. So I did. I made a few thank you notes and used [...]

Fear Not: Set, Stand, and See

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:44:00 +0000

2 Chronicles 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

Bible Reading Plans: Are You Sure You Want One?

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 07:14:00 +0000

The last couple of days I’ve been seeing a lot of Bible reading plans touted, mostly to get a reader through the whole Book in a year. Although I appreciate the importance of reading the Word in an orderly fashion, I do pause at the idea of galloping through His Word in any way just [...]

Two Ponderings For the New Year

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 04:32:00 +0000

Our home in the woods in last winter’s snow I was struck by the title of a chapter I was reading in Parenting by the Spirit (an excellent little book, by the way). It was “Does your schedule match your priorities?” This probably gained my attention because I ponder this sort of thing quite a bit, [...]

Elderberry Syrup

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:46:00 +0000

Elderberry syrup is really easy to make, and a great support to the immune system. Start out with as much fresh or dried berries as you would like. I used two cups dried. Cover with water, and simmer for about 40 minutes or so, until the berries are soft and the water looks dark with [...]

Gifts for Friends

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:33:00 +0000

I couldn’t add these to my post on handmade gifts for obvious reasons But I thought now that these have been happily given, I could share what I made. For some of my friends, I made little journal covers for their notebooks, to write lists in, or draw, or…well…journal. I love the little bird [...]

Our Enjoyable Christmas

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:21:00 +0000

We had (and are still having!) a very relaxing and enjoyable Christmas. We spent much time decorating our home, including a crazy big 10 foot tree that wasn’t big enough for my husband so he added more blocks underneath to get it higher. And yes, that’s me with my ever growing middle trying to balance [...]

Time for Beauty

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:36:00 +0000

My children made the rounds this late afternoon into 14 different businesses in our community to wish the surprised owners and their clients a very Merry Christmas with their violins. It was delightfully fun, running around and greeting them all with a lovely ending to their day. Many folks were smiling and enjoying it very [...]

Crafting Out Time: Every Day Matters

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:03:00 +0000

Christmas is almost here, and I find myself relaxed these days, enjoying the Advent season. Are you harried and frenzied? If so, please check out my friend’s new ebook (it’s free!): Ready in Seven (as in hours!). You also might want to listen to our podcast (while you’re running around town), on Keeping Peace in [...]

Ideas for Handmade Gifts

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 01:45:00 +0000

When we were children, we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmastime. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?GK Chesterton Tis the season for gift buying and wrapping and sending, which despite the crazy madness of overblown consumerism and materialism, still has a sweetness to it, [...]

Gifts of the Heart

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 15:00:00 +0000

A handwritten note,A sliver of pause,An encouraging word,A hearty applause. Gentle rebukesWith much fear and trembling,Faithful attendanceWith the assembly. Prayers for the enemy,Forebearance, forgiven,Assuming the best,A friend to envision. Nourishing attention,The web put on mute,Fully engaged,Cultivating fruit. Wiper of tears,Present in sorrow,Comforter in grief,Faith in tomorrow. Unabridged storiesAt bedtime to read,Kissed boo-boo’s and bandaids,Nourishing needs. [...]

My Crafting Room

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:01:00 +0000

Would you like to see the craft room I hung around in today instead of shopping? One of the reasons it looks so neat is that my sewing area just got finished today (no mess to clean up yet!). So, come on in! I don’t take lightly the blessing of having my own room to [...]

Keeping Peace in the Home During the Holiday Frenzy: An Interview with the High Five Moms

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

I had the opportunity to interview the other four mothers from our little High Five Moms group and it was SO fun to hear their voices. I asked them about how they maintained peace in their homes during the holiday frenzy, and I took lots of notes! It sure was nice to hear the same threads I usually adhere to also, such as staying home, focusing on relationships/togetherness, simplicity, less is more, etc. I hope you will be blessed with our attempt to put five women (myself included!) on the same line. Grab something hot to drink and be challenged and encouraged.

Fostering Good Sibling Relationships

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:17:00 +0000

High Five Moms are talking about fostering good sibling relationships today. Here are two blog posts I wrote about that very topic, with some sweet photos too! Enjoy! Where I disagree that children “need friends their own age” and How taking sides in disputes can be shallow and short-lived You can read more thoughts on [...]

Nine Reasons for Unthankfulness

Kerimae@aol.com (Keri Mae Lamar) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:53:00 +0000

Luke 17:17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? Part of my pontificating on gratitude examined how healing often needs to occur before honest gratitude shows its worth. But apparent and obvious healing does not necessarily bring up a groundswell of thanksgiving. Why? Here are NINE reasons why [...]