Little Women Home Companion-May 2003

Little Women Home Companion
May 2003
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home,
good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Titus 2: 4-5
Mother's Day Issue
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A Visit With Marmee
Sharing A Mother's Thoughts
We would like to take this time to welcome all the new readers of our newsletter and would like to thank Sandy who told so many of you about us. We have been reading about you and your families and look forward to sharing with all of you. We hope that you will find much encouragement here.
I also want to thank Suzy, who is one of our readers. I had not read the chapter of Little Women that this newsletter will focus on when I received her email. It was so very encouraging and with it she included part of the quote from Little Women that is below. There is not anything more helpful or powerful that we can teach our children than to trust and believe in the Lord. What an awesome responsibility this is for mothers....and fathers too.
I struggle so much with self-control as did Jo and Marmee. I think it is so special that Marmee chose to share her struggles with Jo. She could have continued to let Jo think that she was the only one that ever struggled. Have you ever felt that way? You feel so alone thinking that you are the only one that has a certain problem. Is it not so refreshing to have someone comes along side of you and share that they struggle too? I try often to share my struggles with my children. I try to let them know that I struggle with the same things that they do and that I too am still learning to control myself and that we need to ask help from Our Lord for we cannot do it on our own. I hope that you are sharing these things with your own children. May God bless you as you raise them to glorify Him.
Happy Mother's Day
Jenny
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Across the Miles
Correspondence from our readers
First of all I wanted to thank you for your wonderful Little Women Home Companion. I also wanted to share that my dd (11 next mth) read aloud a passage to me that touched her. (She was reading to herself on my bed while I worked on the computer.) I'm sure your familiar with this :) Mother is speaking to Jo...

"...If I don't seem to need help, it is because I have a better Friend, even than Father, to comfort and sustain me. My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning, and may be many. Go to God with all your little cares and hopes and sins and sorrows as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother."

She is reading the modern abridged edition that I received as a young girl from my Grandmother, but I had to pull out my unabridged copy to read this with her. The unabridged version of this paragraph is longer and just beautiful and is found in the chapter "Joe Meets Apollyon". What a perfect passage for her to read today, during such troubling times. I have not been reading this book along with my daughter, but now I'm reconsidering that :)

Just wanted to share. :)

Blessings,
Suzy
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Poetry Thyme
This month I have included a very special quote from the chapter that we are reading.
If I don't seem to need help, it is because I have a better friend, even than father, to comfort and sustain me. My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning, and may be many; but you can overcome and outlive them all, if you learn to feel the strength of your Heavenly Father as you do of your earthly one. The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of life-long peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hope, and sins, and sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother.
Lousia May Alcott

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Little Women Companion
These were written by Cate a couple of years ago as part of her school work. She was to read the book and write letters to a friend telling about each chapter. We hope you will enjoy them
Chapter 8
Joe Meets Apollyon
Amy was laying in bed sleeping. Marmie and Jo were having a conversation about self-control, but they were worried. I will set you straight on the whole matter. Meg and Jo were going to the theatre with Laurie. Amy wanted to go and Jo would not let her. Amy was sick. In her anger Amy burnt the book that Jo had been writing. Jo had wanted to have it done before father got home. You can imagine Jo's anger. She would not talk to or forgive Amy. When Jo and Laurie went skating Amy trailed along behind them. Laurie skated on the ice and said not to skate in the center. Jo heard, but not Amy. The ice cracked when Amt skated onto it. Amy went into the cold water. Laurie and Jo got her out. They took her home and put her to bed. When Amy woke up Jo hugged her.
Cate
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Tea Thyme
Here is a link to some lovely teabag printables.
Just print these out and fill with your favorite teabags for Mother or a dear friend.
http://alenkasprintables.com/teabags.shtml
Jenny
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The Work Basket
Altered Composition Books
These sweet little books were an idea from a list that I am on that is moderated by my dear friend Paula. I have included a link for you to see what they look like and a picture of one that Cate has made. These would also make a very nice prayer journal for mother for Mother's day.
Basic directions are that you use pretty papers, button, ribbons, ect., to cover a composition book. These are the hardback kind that are spotted black and white like a cow. They are wonderful little gifts and brighten school work.
http://www.scrapjazz.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=695&thumb=1
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Thimbles and Threads
Jar Lid Covers
Cut an 8 1/2 inch circle out of your pretty country print material. Gently press a small 1/8 inch edge over onto the right side of your fabric. Using a zig-zag stitch sew lace over the top of this edge. Cut a 7 1/2 inch piece of narrow elastic and backstitch it to hold in place 1 1/2 inch away from edge of fabric (this includes lace). Using a zig-zag stitch sew over the elastic (be careful not to catch it) all the way around the edge using 1 1/2 inch from the edge as your guide. You will need to stretch it as you sew. Fasten it off. Sew a piece of 1/8 inch satin ribbon in place over the elastic. Tie a bow and enjoy.

Another way to make an interesting one is at Debbie Mumm's website as follows:
http://www.debbiemumm.com/potm/march/crafts/marchpotmcrafts.asp
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From Jo's Writing Garret
Dear Mothers and Daughters,
Mother's day is coming up and the roses are blooming. We have our own roses so usually we pick a rose for mommy out of our rose garden for Mother's Day. Sometimes different roses are in bloom when Mother's Day comes so mommy has a variety to choice from.
I have my own little garden with a rose in the middle of it. Surrounding the garden there is some Lavender. In the front of my flower garden is some Tiny Rubies. Tiny Rubies is a small pink/purple flower, so it adds a little color to the front of the garden. Earlier in the spring my mommy and I transplanted some Grape Hyacinths to my garden. Last year mommy planted some tulips in it also. Flowers were already blooming when spring came.
Gardens are such a joy and so is the knowledge that God made each flower in it!
In Christ,
Caiti
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The Cottage Pantry
Chocolate Delight Cake
One German chocolate cake mix prepared as directed on box in a 9 x 13 pan. After it comes out of the oven (and while still hot) poke holes in it and pour one can sweetened condensed milk on top. Top this with 1/8 cup Hershey's chocolate syrup. On top of this you will add 2 individual servings sizes of apple caramel dipping sauce that has been heated slightly in the microwave. Let all cool and then top with Cool Whip. Drizzle Hershey's chocolate syrup on top and add pecans.
This is very similar to a cake that I had at a dear friend's house (her name is Jane). There is nothing like making baskets with dear friends. I did not have an exact recipe but I came home and made this version for my family. It is wonderful!

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Sparrow Post
Amy March was lying on her bed with a pillow under her head. She was thinking over what she had done to Jo. There had been no need to burn Jo's manuscript just because she would not let her go to the theater. Amy felt terrible for burning it. She wished she could go back and fix what she had done. More tears were shed just thinking about it. She looked over at the doorway to find Marmie there. Amy lifted up trying to dry her face a bit so it did not look so obvious that she had been crying, but it was of no use. Her face was was red and her eyes were swollen. Marmie came over to Amy's bed and sat at the end of it. "Amy," said Marmie in a soft clear voice, "I know you must feel terrible for burning Jo's book. You never thought of how you would feel after you did it nor did you think of Jo. Even though you were mad at Jo for not letting you go to the theater you did not have to revenge. Dear this is the age you must learn to control your anger. You must try to control yourself now of anger so that when you are older you will not have a hard time trying to overcome it. And Amy it is easier to let the Lord help you with self-control or anger. Trying to cure the problem with your own will not make the problem any better." "Oh Marmie," Amy said as she reached over to give her a hug. "I will try."
In time Amy was able to overcome many things in life. And in days she was forgiven by one of her sisters for burning her manuscript.
Caiti
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Our Window Seat
Book Reviews
Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit
by Nicole Savy
F. Warne & Co.
I treasure small books and this is one of my favorites. It is the story of Beatrix Potter and the sweet Peter Rabbit books that she wrote. Like her many books for children it is very small 4 1/2 x 6 inches. There are black and white pictures of Beatrix and color illustrations from her books. This little book is not only interesting but looks beautiful sitting on a small shelf. We hope you will have the opportunity to share this one with your little ones.
Jenny
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The Rose Garden
Websites that you may enjoy. We may or may not agree with everything that you find on these pages!
We enjoy reading books written by authors from the 19th century. Annie Fellows Johnston is one of these. She wrote The Little Colonel and many others that are the sequels to this. These are hard to find at your local library so we have included a link to them online. Remember these were written at a very different time in our history. Shirley Temple played the role of The Little Colonel in 1935. It is a very tender story of a little girl and her family during the Civil War.
http://www.littlecolonel.com/Default.htm
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Marmee's Nature Journal
May has always been one of my favorite months. I love the beauty and fragrance of the many flowers that bloom during this month. I love the budding trees and the cheerful sounds of chirpping friends outside our window. There is the beauty of the little birds and their nest full of eggs and young to enjoy. They make their nest in the ferns and bushes around our home. We search for them and share them with our youngest child. I take so much pleasure in the cool evenings with the breeze gently blowing through my hair and my husband gently holding my hand as we take an evening walk together. I hope that you are also finding much to enjoy in the beauty that God has blessed us with.
Jenny
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Till Next Thyme
Dear Mothers and Daughters,
We both enjoy sharing with all of you and want you to know that you are special. We thank you for the encouraging comments that you send our way. We plan our next issue to be a special one about Hope Chests. We look forward to it and hope that you will too. May God bless you.
Jenny and Caiti
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Little Women Home Companion is a monthly (when possible) bimonthly (when not)
newsletter for mothers and daughters.
Copyright 2003-2004 Little Women Home Companion
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LittleWomenHomeCompanion
~Blessings~
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