Changes at home and Block 3 of The Sewing Room...

 

Once again, as appears to be my habit this year, you're receiving the next block in my 2025 BOM, The Sewing Room, a day early. But I do not think you're compalining about that. ;-)

I had a few things I wanted to chat about in blog posts this past week, plus the recipe file I promised many of you, but a lot has been happening here and time got away from me. The Lord has allotted us just so many hours in the day, and lately my days have been full with homemaking, food storage and family.

But first today, let me tell you about Block 3 of The Sewing Room. I chose my sewing machine as the theme in the March pattern, as what is a sewing room without a sewing machine? It has so many functions and can be used to make almost anything to do with fabric decor, clothing, patchwork, dolls, mending, alterations and useful items around the home - and I'm sure you can think of other ways your sewing machine earns its keep. 

MACHINE OPTIONS:

Now, you may not have a Janome like I do, and be disappointed that I've chosen 'my janome' to stitch above the applique machine - but do not be concerned, for I have eight different options on your pattern sheets! 

You can choose from Janome, Singer, Husqvarna, Brother, Juki, Elna, Pfaff, or 'my machine'. 

I wish my own machine was decorated with pretty roses like the fabric used in the applique. It looks so pretty. 

Use the link below to download the pattern-

DOWNLOAD Block 3 of The Sewing Room BOM

If you have missed either of the first two blocks they are HERE

Just out of curiosity, what make of sewing machine do you have? 

Back to what's been happening here at home (interspersed with photos of some homemaking things from this week...)

On Monday hubby went to work at the car yard as usual. On Tuesday he handed in his notice. On Tuesday afternoon he accepted another job offer. On Thursday he started working in real estate. 

You remember I wrote about the course he was doing to retrain in a different profession (risky when you're hitting 60)? Well the course ran for twelve months, but he completed it in two months. After all, the age clock is ticking and he's an intelligent bloke.

(lime and coconut tapioca pudding with fresh mango and lime zest)

With nudging from the Lord, he heard "Just do it now" instead of waiting to start a real estate position in May...so he rang the company again and asked if he could start now. They were excited and said YES! This firm has mostly older employees, and many of them have left the 'cut throat' RE businesses around town to build a firm of agents who encourage and support each other. Just one day in and my man told me how lovely it was to work with generous and hard working people all wanting each other to succeed. 

(one of the bulk pantry items I've been putting together from individual ingredients - this is spaghetti sauce seasoning)

There's also been Bible study, yard work, preserving, bulk pantry building, Blossom and the children, deep cleaning, sewing - and very importantly, a new budget to plan because hubby is on base wage traineeship for a few months before receiving his full registration from the government to sell real estate. Hence my increased desire for conscious thrift and building up the pantry with homemade products that reduce trips to the supermarket. I am loving it!

(some of the bulk items for cooking made on Wednesday, and more are in progress - I was able to make them all from supplies already in my pantry)

After three near misses with his life this year, God stepping in every time to save him (two times when the tree split and fell in the monsoon, and another time I never told you about when he drilled through electrical wires in January), God's voice is strong and clear in my man's heart and head, and he knows that this path forward in our future is the one with God's light shining ahead of him. 

(plum jam and tomato sauce, or you may call it ketchup, made this morning)

One thing I have often said to family and friends, is that if we're still here, God hasn't finished with us yet, and He still has a plan for our life and work to do, and hopefully we will live that life and work in that life for His glory. 

(watching Olesya's latest video while I prepare strawberries for the freezer, and stew peaches)

Around the home I am busy as usual because there's always something to do, new ways to build up our home economy with common sense frugality and careful planning, a desire to learn and try new things, and a willingness to put my hand to the plough so to speak. 

(yesterday's stewed plums with fresh yoghurt for lunch today)

Something I hadn't noticed until today is that the more work I do around home, on a daily basis, the easier it is on my body. There's a lot of pain in my hips (I have hip bursitis on both hips) every day and night, but I have found myself managing better a little more each day by working for a few hours, then sitting for one. Then more work for a few hours, and another hour of rest to follow. Every few days I take a breather, and rest for a whole morning or an entire afternoon, keeping my hands busy with sewing while I watch YouTube for homemaking ideas that tie in with running a home economy, preparing pantry staples in bulk, gardening or some solid biblical teaching for women. 

It's wonderful how the more I do, the stronger I feel and the better I manage the pain. Praise God. 

(A day before the monsoon began on February 1st, I hard pruned all my rose bushes...and that's what saved them. Two of them are already blooming again.)

It's really all about balance, and being reminded of those women who lived before us, the ones who never had an easy life, but worked hard and prepared season after season for the family from what they had grown or purchased in cheap abundance, and genuinely kept the home fires going, whether resources were abundant or scarce. 

That's what I remember about Nana. I never realised just how poor we were until I was an adult, because it wasn't obvious. Pop worked hard for a low wage, and Nana stretched that wage to create for me the most wonderful childhood abundant in LOVE and simplicity. The older I get, the more I appreciate her example and the values she taught me along the way. 

(Blossom saw this pattern in one of my Japanese embroidery books, so I stitched it for her and will complete it as a key holder over the weekend)

I shall definitely share the recipe file requested from last week, with some extras from this week's kitchen joys, in my next blog post. 

How are you all doing in your corner of the world? Today is the last day of summer in Australia, though for us living in the top end of the country, summer heat won't subside till the very end of April or early May. I can't wait. I literally dream about the slightly cooler months of May, June, July and August, when we finally get to enjoy soups and stews for a while, and luscious hot puddings with vanilla custard. Oh, and hot chocolate before bed! I think I need to put aside a few wintry books to enjoy in those months as well, and I shall definitely be re-reading The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder as its one of my all time favourites at that time of the year. 

May the Lord bless you day and night, keep watch over your dwelling place, and provide for every need. May His presence be felt in your coming and going, His ear attentive to your prayers, and His grace in a measure we cannot fathom. May your heart rejoice in His love for you, and in the faithful promise of eternity in His presence. Oh dear ones, bless you so much, and thank you for visiting with me here...you bless me. 

I shall leave you with this thought which I found on Pinterest. It made me stop and consider many things...

Until next time, love and prayers, 

You will find me on Instagram HERE @jennyofelefantz

And my NEW IG account just for homemaking HERE @elefantzhome

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