Top 8 Reasons I Love Country Living

#1 and 2 - the beautiful scenery and our big porch!

#3 - the hammock on our porch:)


#4 our vegetable garden







#5 - summer flowers

#6 - Gardenia's that smell heavenly!

#7 - Probably my favorite flower - the Hydrangea

#8 - Clothing is optional:)

caught Wyatt and Anna Lea doing some nude bathing

Summer Weekend

Well, after a long week of work and Bible School every day, we were ready to do some relaxin' this past weekend. We originally thought we would go to the river in Tellico, but thought we would give Gee Creek a try since it was a lot closer.

I'm glad we did! We found the PERFECT spot for a fun day with the whole family!

Layla and Anna Lea wading (there was a nice sandy "beach" and plenty of shallow water for the kids to play in)

Rob cooling off (this water is COLD!)


keeping our melon cool

Wyatt spent a lot of his time just collecting "BEEG STICKS!"

It was a beatiful spot and everyone was able to enjoy it!

Anna Lea's collection of river shells

When I asked the girls what their favorite thing they did that day was, they said swimming in the deep water on Daddy's belly:)

Cute bottom!

After supper that evening, Rob made his famous homemade strawberry ice cream!!! The kids wanted to watch him make it.

watching very intently

they don't want to miss a thing

After an awesome time of worship at our church Sunday morning, we enjoyed some more quality time in the "family pool". Rob had an awesome idea and this is what the kids ended up with...

we borrowed the slide from their playset and attatched it to a ladder to create a slide into the pool:) (don't get too nervous, we were right there helping them up the ladder)

Anna Lea's turn

Here comes Layla

All Natural Recipe Experiments Part I: Deodurant

I have always leaned towards doing things the natural way. It just makes sense to me. If I learn of a natural way to use what God created to help with an infection, moisturize my skin, or feed my family, then that, I believe, is the best way to go.

It was not until recently that I have been able to spend a little more time researching and finding easy and frugal ways of implementing this philosophy into my daily life. My friend, Sally, showed me a website that I have gotten a ton of homemade recipies from, on how to make everything from toothpaste to shampoo, and I have been dying to try them out and see how they really work. I won't go into every detail, but if you are interested you can find everything you need to know at this website: www.passionatehomemaking.com.

Last night I made my first batch of all natural deodurant! It was super easy and only has 3 ingredients in it: arrowroot powder (similar to cornstarch), baking soda, and coconut oil. I had saved my old deodurant bottle and refilled it with my homemade concoction.

If you like the sound of this recipe so far, but wandering if it actually worked, well...
It DID!! I am in the middle of VBS at our church this week, and have over a hundred kindergarteners coming through my class everyday! So, I am excited to say that NO! I did not stink today while using it! (I did check periodically, just to make sure:) Be aware that this deodurant is not an anti-perspirant. It will not stop you from sweating. But, you will be odor free, except for a light, delicious coconut scent. I have to admit, I was a little skeptical at first, but happy with the results!!

I purchased my coconut oil and arrowroot powder online at Amazon.com and my baking soda at Wal-mart.

3 ingredients: Coconut oil, arrowroot powder, and baking soda

You mix 1/4 cup of the two powders together, then add the 6-8 Tbs of coconut oil in with a spoon until it is this consistency.

Then, I just spooned it in to my old deodurant bottle and put it in the fridge. (Coconut oil will melt at 76 degrees F)

It was so fun to make it, and to wear it this morning!!