The Beauty of Home

Tweet Anyone?

2009-07-10T17:29:00.000-07:00

I have what I thought was nice little feature on the left sidebar, a little ways down, you may have seen it. It was my Twitter updates. I don't know how many people actually paid attention to it, but I thought having the updates show was nice way to keep my blog looking somewhat lively everyday, even when I wasn't able to post very often. Such as right now (remember, it's our "get the magazine done" season!).

I have been well aware for some time now, that I have a certain group of persons who keep a very close eye on things such as my blogs, our websites and yes, my twitter page. This hasn't especially bothered me up till another recent event that has made my group of "silent watchers" grow.

I'm no longer comfortable with this arrangement and have decided to lock down my twitter completely. I had only just last week locked my updates to keep off the spammers, but I believe they were still showing on my blog as I intended. Recent events however, have made me think it's better I keep it off completely publicly. Somehow I feel this odd sense of protection in only letting in people I know and want in. It's quite relieving actually!

So, why am I saying all this? Because even though my "protected" Twitter page doesn't look very inviting, I wanted to invite anyone with good intentions, who would like to chat a bit, or see what I'm doing to feel free to add me as a friend on twitter! Or, if you don't have a Twitter, also feel free to make one yourself and then add me :)

It's been the quickest way for me to chat with anyone, including a very dear friend.. who often has to wait a month to really hear from me! I tend to disappear during our busy magazine seasons, but I'm on Twitter pretty much everyday.

If you know I probably don't know you, drop me a line in a comment here on my blog, or my email, tell me who you are and your Twitter user name so I'll know you're okay!

http://www.twitter.com/Jesslynne

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Sincerely, ~*~Jessica~*~

~ Is feeling quite..

Simply Fine.. Refreshed.. Productive..

It's Been a While..

2009-06-28T10:23:00.000-07:00

The last few weeks have been so busy, I haven't had a moment to blog anything here, let alone really respond to anyone! But as I was scanning my follower list, it appeared that I have a few new ones. So, I shall say hello now to any new visitors I have!

Last week our family was at the CHEC convention in Denver, which was simply so much fun and a tremendous blessing to our whole family! We are happily planning on attending more from now on. We also had the pleasure of meeting the McDonald family, or part of them anyway. It was lovely to be able to chat with Miss Tiffany while we were there. I do have pictures from the convention that I will hopefully have a chance to blog later today on Joyous Notions .. so look there for pictures!

This is a very busy season for our family, and has been made even busier by our coming move out of state. Hopefully out of state, we are prayfully moving to the New England area. The move we have been praying for for a long time now is more than imminent, and we are joyfully looking forward to what God is going to do with the rest of this year! To add a bit of zest to the situation, we have magazine to get in before we leave. If I seem to be absent for another two weeks, you know where I am.

So, I do have some articles on my mind.. but until I have a chance to type them out, my blog shall have to look a little forlorn. Perhaps I should do a tag Ithilwen sent me?

I think I'm posting this to simply post it. This post was just way too blank. People, this is the epitome of vanity, I've taken myself down a level.. I'm taking my own picture. :P I always thought there was something strange in taking one's own picture, I don't know why. I suppose I've overcome this sense of strangeness in posting my own..
Until I return.. many blessings to you.

Sincerely, ~*~Jessica~*~

~Is feeling quite..

Happy.. Ditzy.. Energetic..

What's In A Name?

2009-06-03T16:53:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post something quickly just for fun!

Yesterday I noticed a quiz. You know.. one of those very distracting quizzes you have to take because sometimes there is nothing stronger than curiosity! "What is Your Celtic Name?" was this one. I love knowing the meanings of names, or knowing what my name is in another language.. even if it is completely fictional. By the by, my Celtic name is Edalene. I was also informed by a dear friend, that my Elvish name is Harenya.. a name that has rather grown on me!

Sometimes when Mom was expecting a baby we would get one of those name books. I loved reading over the meanings and orgin of thousands of names, positively hours of entertainment! I found that different books had different meanings for my name, but the root of my name stayed the same, it's Hebrew. Supposedly the feminine form of Jesse, which makes sense. Just about every root and usage definition mentions the name Jessica as first appearing, or being used, in Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice. The meaning of my name has varied a little, but the larger margin meant "Wealthy." I can think of a nicer definition, or prettier anyways!

I did a quick search here for my first and middle name meanings and got this~

Jessica~ Orgin: Hebrew, Meaning: Wealthy

Lynne~ Orgin: English, Meaning: Beautiful Waterfall

I do believe I like the meaning of my middle name far more than the meaning of my first name! Although, if you put the two meanings of my name together.. I sound like an expensive resort.

Who else knows what their name means? :) Leave a comment and let's see!

Sincerely, ~*~Jessica~*~

At the moment I am quite~

Hyper.. Jubilant.. Thoughtful..

Tag

2009-05-28T21:14:00.000-07:00

I decided to take a break for a few minutes and do this.. from sweet Ithilwen :)

~Your Life*What is your favorite food? Right now? Italian food. Right now though.. Homemade ice cream and hot fudge.. with a big cup of raspberry tea.. oh yeah, that's what I'm having.. ;)

~Your favorite hot drink? Caramel coffee (yea!)

~Your favorite cold drink (besides water)? Iced shaken Green tea lemonade from Starbucks

~Your current favorite articles of clothing? Flowy skirts

~What are you reading right now? The Bible and Bleak House

~What are your favorite books right now? As always.. anything by Charles Dickens and a book of Moliere` plays I just rediscovered in my closet :)

~What are your favorite movies right now? Hmm, hard question.. Pride and Prejudice, North and South, My Fair Lady.. I Love Lucy.. and my goofy British Comedies..

~What music do you listen to? Classical, Jazz, Opera, Enya, Christian, Soundtracks

~What phrases/exclamations do you say often/are a family joke? HA! Tons.. Lots of POTC; School's out (from Dark Knight, I don't know why we say it, but we laugh every time we do.. =)).. Mom and I exchange lines from Emma and P&P all the time :); Yeah man, that's basic hydraulics (RV); Okay, what's wrong with Klinger? (M.A.S.H.); And lot's more I can't seem to remember..

~What do you enjoy doing most? Sewing (all kinds!), Graphic Design, Reading, Drawing, Baking, Drinking Tea...

~If you were going somewhere dangerous in Middle-earth, Narnia, or The Lands Beyond, what would you take? I would definitely take Ithilwen and Raven! =)

~Who are your real-life role models? Jesus, and my Mom.. and I think Ithilwen and I are good 'influences' on each other ;)

~Who are your fictional role models? I don't think I have a fictional 'role-model' so to say.. admire, yes. Let's see.. Lizzie Hexam (Our Mutual Friend), for reasons I may blog about later ;)

~If your life were a movie, who would play you? I second Ithilwen's answer with ME!

~What are you most afraid of? A big fat bear chasing me

~What are your favorite smells? Harvest/Fall candle scents (ooo yummy!), Lavender, Banana Bread, Rain, Burning leaves/wood (like during Autumn)..

~What is your favorite sound? Delicate wind chimes, falling rain.. trickling stream, wind blowing through the trees, the still silence when snow is falling..

~What is your favorite sight? A big fluffy couch (wish we had one of those), my favorite book.. a Fall-ish candle.. and a big cup of tea.. two feet of snow outside the window (bliss)

~If you had a CD, what would it be called? I'm sure I'll think of something witty later (yes, that would be the name of the cd)

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What delightful fun! Since my friends in the blogging world are quite limited.. I tag anyone who reads this.. :)

Sincerely, ~*~Jessica~*~

At the moment I am quite..

Exhausted.. Crazy.. Drained..

Early Morning Thoughts..

2009-05-28T05:46:00.001-07:00

Enjoyed a very early morning.. so peaceful and quiet. When I say early morning, I mean before 4 o'clock. I love how much thinking I can do in the wee small hours. No one to ask a question, no reason to jump up and run to see what happened.. just perfect stillness. Early summer mornings have to be the best, I can watch the sunrise before 5 o'clock, and there's no one to call me away from the window.. Lovely isn't it?

A thought..

Psalm 37:3-7 ~ Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him..

Sincerely, ~*~Jessica~*~

At the moment I am..

Ditzy.. Peaceful.. Bouncy..

Where is the Love?

2009-05-23T19:31:00.001-07:00

I have had a lot of things on my mind over the last couple of days. As much as I like having blogs, and enjoy having places to share my thoughts and often my/family's convictions.. there always seems to be the same downside to go with it. It is the unloving and sometimes downright hurtful words that often come from others. How many sad and dare I say, bitter thoughts come to my mind when I think of the things that people have said. Where is the love?

I have read many things I have not agreed with, we all have.. things that can make us outright angry. But there is a right and wrong way to express disagreement. None of us is perfect, we do not all respond in the right way every time as we'd like to. But deep down, we all know that deliberately hurtful and mean-spirited words do nothing. They are neither the right way to communicate convictions or thoughts, nor to rebuke someone. Jesus spoke nothing but the truth, but He always spoke with love. Not with a hateful spirit. We can too.

Such a hard thing to remember sometimes. Our very human and sinful spirits just want to speak too quickly, show irritation, display anger. How many misunderstandings arise from reacting and speaking too quickly.

James 3:17-18 ~ "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."

In the end.. it is not by pretty speeches and sermons that we are going to spread the light of Christ.. but by how we live, and all of the little words that come from our hearts.

Mattew 12:37 ~ "For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned."

Lord, help us respond carefully with gentle peace, or may we be silent...

Sincerely,

~*~Jessica~*~

At the moment I am..

Morose.. Thoughtful..

A Tag

2009-05-15T20:30:00.000-07:00

I wasn't really tagged.. I just saw this on a friend's blog.. :)

Favorites!
What is your favorite animal? I wouldn't say I have a favorite.. I like some dogs
Who is your favorite author? Charles Dickens
What is your favorite instrument? piano, even though I can't play
What is your favorite sport to watch? Hockey and Tennis
What is your favorite sport to play? I like to putt around with a tennis racket, but I don't play at all
What is your favorite movie? Pride and Prejudice.. one of my favorites anyways
What is your favorite classic literature book? Our Mutual Friend and The Old Curiosity Shop.. I know, that's two.
What is your favorite store? Barnes & Nobles

Would you rather...
Would you rather buy a new book or re-read one? Buy a new one :) Though I have re-read some
Would you rather spend money or save it? Both
Would you rather go on vacation to the beach or the mountains? I would like a place where I can enjoy both.. I love walking on beaches :)
Would you rather play an instrument or listen to it? Listen.. I can't play anything! (I play very poorly ma'am..)
Would you rather be indoors our outdoors? indoors
Would you rather have your room painted lime green or purple with pink dots? If I had those two to choose between.. Lime Green. I'm sure there is a way to accentuate a color like that ;)
Would you rather live in a cave or in a tree house? A tree house.. a high one
Would you rather have a cat or a dog? dog
Would you rather host a get-together or go to one? I like doing both :)

About you!
Do you have any siblings? Yes, nine of them
What year were you born? 1987
How many times have you moved in your life? At least 6 or 7.. and to a few different states
How long have you been a Christian? Hmmm.. Can't remember, a long time

Totally random
Christmas or Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving
Words or pictures? Pictures
Iguanas or turtles? Turtles
Randomness or sense? Sense
Books or magazines? Books
Summer days or winter nights? Winter nights
Screaming monkeys or running bears? Running bears (those options stink!)
Jane Austen or Charles Dickens? Both, but Charles Dickens is #1
Scotland or Ireland? Ireland.. (sigh) I would love to go to Ireland..
Running or walking? Running

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I thought I would do an easy one this morning.. :) ~*~Jessica~*~

Blog Award

2009-05-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

I am happy to say that I was awarded the "Beautiful Header Award" by Merriette... :) Thank you very much! I have a few more awards that I was also given by my dear friend Ithilwen, or also known as Pepperdarcy :) I will be getting to those quite soon.. Ahh, it's lovely to have a blog again!

Have a very blessed day! ~*~Jessica~*~

Working on the Blog..

2009-05-10T15:39:00.001-07:00

No, what I'm doing here does not constitute real blog posts ;), I just getting everything together.. pages and all!

~*~Jessica~*~

Yes I Am Still Here!

2009-04-20T21:05:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how many people I have checking this blog, but I thought it best to take down the 'under construction' post and start getting my real stuff up. After I set this blog up in December, life went busy, as usual.. and I have kept my posting to the www.joyousnotions.com blog. That is our main blog, and I share it with my mother. But this week, I will hopefully have the majority of my template and graphics set up. The Joyous Notions is still going to be my main blog, but I wanted a personal blog so that I would have a place to share things more relevant and personal to me only.

I'm doing website renovations this week, starting with the Joyous Notions, but I have that half way done, so I will be able to get to work here. So hello to anyone possibly checking in on me here! Keep checking, I shall return!

Link To Me

2009-04-01T14:56:00.000-07:00

Would you like to link to me with a graphic? Leave me your name and blog address in a comment if you do!

About Me

2009-01-01T13:40:00.000-08:00

Who am I? Said very simply..

I am 22 years old and a follower of Jesus Christ. I am a graduated homeschooler, the oldest of 10 children and also a stay-at-home daughter. I'm not what most people consider normal, I love what I do.. I work at home and love being the overly domesticated gal that I am. I don't go to college, never have, nor do I have plans to. I am happily situated at home, working at what seems to be a never-slowing pace at our family business, Joyous Home. We also publish a magazine, Seasons At Home. An occupation that keeps our large family very busy!

Always working, always learning, and always cooking, is one of the best descriptions I have for my family, and never a dull moment to be had. I have nine other siblings in this respective order: Michael (19), John Jr. (13), Zach (12), Madison (10), Jordan (9), Zoe (7), Jadon (6), Zusanah (3) and Evangeline (1).

Mom and I are the main two to keep up with the websites, blogging and what-nots that we do online, including being the sole designers of the magazine! Add a homeschool schedule, a household to run, plus all of the little and big distractions that happen during the day and you have two busy women.

When I'm not working (limited time indeed), you can find me at any number of pursuits.. having a cup of tea, reading, sewing, cooking something out of the norm., plowing the back-40. Okay, maybe not plowing anything. Yet. I work at anything I can pack into my day..

In short.. I am a girl dedicated to the vision and purpose my family has been given, I put my all into everything God has given me. From the family I have now.. to the family I may be blessed with in the future. All I have is what God give and that's all the life that I was meant to live..

Sincerely,
~*~Jessica~*~

~*~ As this is only my little place on the web to ramble occassionally.. you can read more from me here.

DAH Blogroll

2009-01-01T10:19:00.000-08:00

The Daughters At Home blogroll is a list of blogs of Christian young ladies who have one thing in common.. they stay at home! This means that they have dedicated themselves to staying at home until marriage, serving God, their families and those that that God brings in their path. I made this blogroll with the desire to connect like-minded Christian young ladies with similar goals and beliefs..

If you are a stay-at-home maiden and would like to join the blogroll, email me at: swtjes@msn.com

Please provide the following information:

~ Your name (not given in the blog list, for my information only)
~ Your blog URL
~ The title of your blog
~ A short description of your blog (this is optional. It appears when someone hover over your link)

If approved, I will add you to the blogroll and give you the html to add to your sidebar!

*Please remember that I reserve the right to deny any applicant if I feel that there is inappropriate content/words/graphics on your blog or website, etc., and if I feel you do not meet the true definition of a stay-at-home daughter. I mean this in all kindness, and I will certainly be happy to have you join us if you truly are a like-minded young lady!

Sincerely, ~*~Jessica~*~