Distinctly Different

• Nov. 12, 2009 - The Aquarium

Each year, the Monterey Bay Aquarium hosts "Homeschool Days" when admission is free and additional clinics and workshops are available to the kids. We participated this year and had a wonderful time! The best area, in my opinion, was the Seahorse Exhibit. I've always been fasinated by these beautiful creatures. Look at how cute this is:

I could have spent all day looking at these:

Isn't our God so wonderful?! What a beauty!

After the aquarium, we went to the beach for a BBQ with friends. We ate, played, and played some more. There was a stairsrace:

Get ready....get set....GO!

The beach was white and had an abundance of small shells to collect and compare.

Make sure not to get your pants wet!

And there was a rock wall..a real rock wall!

We had a wonderful day!

Comments (1) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Nov. 1, 2009 - October 2009

Posted in Family Life

What a month! We were busy with school,of course. I really should take some pictures of the Lambies at work, shouldn't I?

We harvested the remainder of the tomatoes and tore them out. Our friend Tammy blessed us with plenty of her pet llamas manure to enrich the soil for our winter garden. We plan to have carrots, lots of varieties of greens, garlic and maybe some peas.

GirlofGod and Trixie went camping with Daddy and Grandpa. Sadly, Daddy forgot to take any pictures.

Trixie broke her arm (you can go to her blog for more about that; she'll blog soon).

Getting costumes ready for Halloween took the rest of the month.

I'm hoping November will allow more time at home. I love the Thanksgiving season!!

Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Oct. 9, 2009 - Michelle on Sesame Street

Posted in Politics and Current Events

Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Oct. 7, 2009 - The Colestead

Posted in Healthy Living

Have I told you about my favorite herbal products yet? My friend, Mother Of Blessings, makes her products with all-natural and organic ingredients and they are just great! I have used her Immune Booster for several years. Along with a healthy diet, I credit it with keeping us cold and flu free for a LONG time!

I have also personally used the Boo-Boo Cream. I use it almost daily, truthfully. It goes on any scrapes, bug bites, rashes and dry spots, that happen so frequently around here.

Go visit The Colestead on Etsy and try a product. You won't be sorry!

The Colestead

Comments (1) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Oct. 4, 2009 - Feeding the Crew

Posted in Healthy Eating

I have transferred many recipes from my old recipe blog to my new one, Feeding the Crew. Go and check it out!

Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Sep. 28, 2009 - A Four Year Old Boys Thought Process

Posted in Family Life

Momma: Was hitting your sister worth all that time in the corner?

The unrepentant four year old: Yes.

Momma: Was hitting your sister fun?

Troubles: Yes.

Momma: You won't hit her again?

Troubles: Yes, I will.

Momma: Back in the corner.

Comments (1) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Sep. 26, 2009 - The Danger of Homeschooling

Posted in School

Jack, seven and a half years old to Troubles, four years old:

"What's three plus three?"

"Six"

"Nope, thirteen!"

Momma: "Don't teach him math anymore, Jack!"

Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Sep. 23, 2009 - A Trip to the Forest

Posted in Family Life

I love day-trips! Very little planning and preparation and a wonderful day ensues. We are blessed only have to drive less than an hour to get to this glorious place, full of new spots to explore every time we go.

Do you see what we saw?

Look at those studious Jr. Rangers.

Wading about was fun!

Why does he always look like BigFoot?

Daddy and Troubles during an apple break.

I hope to get up for another trip or two before the snow starts falling up there.

Comments (1) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Sep. 23, 2009 - Innocence Sept. 2009

Posted in Sew Crafty Friday

Her's a new snapshot of my ongoing cross-stitch project. It's called "Innocence".

I have this large row to finish, then another row about 2/3 of the size to finish up the bottom of her gown, her feet and the ground. That might take as long as a year or so, depending on my facebook usage. When I began this project, I estimated it would take about five years to complete. I really should have written down when I began it, but alas, I did not. I have video of Troubles when he was very little that has the stitching frame in the background, so I estimate that I started stitching sometime in early 2005.

Therefore, I declare myself right on track.

Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Sep. 20, 2009 - How to Prepare Chicken Feet

Posted in Healthy Eating

My friend, MotherofBlessings raises chickens for meat and eggs, and also allows me to purchase some and she raises them for me. She blesses us so much! When butchering time comes, we come out and help with all of them.

This year, we used a different approach to the butchering and just skinned and pieced the birds. It was quicker since we didn't have to scald or pluck the birds, or mess with gutting them. However, since they weren't scalded, we had to prepare the feet at home. I took pictures, so you could learn how to prepare feet for using in broth. They really are the secret ingredient for a truly mineral-rich broth!

Here's my plate of feet before processing:

First you need to scald the feet in boiling water. Boiling water loosens the outer layer of scaly skin.

Next, remove the feet and let them cool just a bit. I only scalded two at a time, since they need to be hot for the next step.

Rub the foot and leg briskly with your thumb and forefinger. The thick yellow layer should peel off very easily. Also, remove the sheaths that cover the claws. You didn't know the Lord made removable covers for chicken toes, did you? Everything that touched the ground while the chicken walked comes off and you are left with a sparkling clean foot. The white thing on my ring finger is a toenail sheath.

Repeat till you have a plate of clean, ready-to-use feet. Some people clip off the toes with a sharp knife to allow more gelatin to escape. This is optional. I get a great, solid broth without that step.

To make broth, follow the directions on my recipe blog.

Comments (4) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Sep. 12, 2009 - 9-12 March on Washington

Posted in Politics and Current Events

These are powerful numbers. We are no longer the silent majority.

Comments (1) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Sep. 9, 2009 - Remembering John Joseph Murray

Posted in Politics and Current Events

John Joseph Murray, known as Jack to his family, was just six days away from his 33rd birthday on September 11th. He had recently became a father. His beautiful daughter Alyson Rose was just five months old.

He spent the last precious moments with his wife, Rory, speaking words of love and tender thoughts. Rory and Alyson were leaving on a trip to San Fransisco and the family thought they would be separated for a week. Of course, they had no way of knowing what would happen that morning.

John went to his office in Tower One, 104th floor at Cantor Fitzgerald. Rory and Alyson boarded their plane. They wouldn't see another again.

Rory's plane never left the ground, since shortly afterward, the first plane hit.

John's brother, Michael, also worked at Cantor Fitzgerald, until a few days before 9-11. Days before, he had changed jobs and was working in Tower 2. When the first plane struck, he raced down the stairs, knowing his brother was in Tower 1. He was halfway down when the second plane struck his building. His concern for his brother had saved his life.

John had begun a foundation devoted to raising money for Scleroderma research in 1997. His sister, Cathy, suffers from the condition. Please visit his foundation. http://www.johnjmurrayfoundation.org/ A scholarship has also been made in his memory.

"John had a certain zest for life," his wife told a newspaper soon after 9-11, "living each day to the fullest and seldom getting caught up in the small stuff."

"Aly is my saving grace," said Rory, "In her, all of us still have a part of John."

"He didn’t take life for granted,” said his father. “He probably lived more in his 32 years than most people live in 100.”

As we remember the tragedy of September 11th, let's remember the people who were killed and the families left behind. Let's resist the growing movement to sanitize the attack and make it simply a day of service. Let's remember the pledge we all made, "WE WILL NEVER FORGET!"

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/01/23/nyregion/libertycrown-480.jpg

Visit Project 2,996 to sign up to do your own tribute, and to see others who have participated.

Comments (4) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Sep. 8, 2009 - Jack Webb speaks

Posted in Politics and Current Events

Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Sep. 7, 2009 - Gone Fishin'

Posted in Healthy Living

My wonderful husband and I went fly fishing together recently. I brought the camera, but he wisely had me leave it in the truck, in case I fell while walking in the river. I took these pictures of where we fished from the roadway where we parked.

We slowly walked far up the river and fished. Since it was my first time, I spent much of the time learning to cast smoothly and deposit the fly right where I meant to. We didn't expect to actually catch anything, since it was already mid-morning by the time we got there, but we had such fun anyway!

You can see the beauty of our mountains, but you can't begin to get an idea of the scale of the place. It's an amazing area. I love to go. Thanks to Mother Of Blessings for watching our children so we could spend the day together.

Comments (2) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Sep. 1, 2009 - Well, Well, Well....

Posted in Family Life

It has been a while, hasn't it? I have been busy with quite a few different projects. Blogging hasn't been high on my list of priorities lately. We began school. We are on Week 4. Things are going well. I have kids in 8th, 7th, 6th, 5th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st and preschool. We are keeping busy with that alone!

I have been continuing canning, freezing, and dehydrating the harvest. Our favorite farmer at the market continues to bless us week after week with large amounts of produce; fruits, veggies, herbs and more. Our garden is producing, too, though not as much as I'd like. I am learning, though.

I have uploaded pictures from the camera. I hadn't done that since the middle of July! I will be posting some of our summer activities soon, and a photo tutorial of how to prepare and use chicken feet. Aren't you looking forward to that?

Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Aug. 12, 2009 - Are we a Christian nation?

Posted in Politics and Current Events

President Barack Obama said in Turkey, ”We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.”

Do you know the Preamble for your state?

Alabama 1901, Preamble

We the people of the State of Alabama , invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution..

Alaska 1956, Preamble We, the people of Alaska , grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.

Arizona 1911, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arizona , grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution…

Arkansas 1874, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arkansas , grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government…

California 1879, Preamble We, the People of the State of California , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom…

Colorado 1876, Preamble We, the people of Colorado , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe…

Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.

Delaware 1897, Preamble Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences…

Florida 1885, Preamble We, the people of the State of Florida , grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution…

Georgia 1777, Preamble We, the people of Georgia , relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution…

Hawaii 1959, Preamble We , the people of Hawaii , Grateful for Divine Guidance …. Establish this Constitution.

Idaho 1889, Preamble We, the people of the State of Idaho , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings..

Illinois 1870, Preamble We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

Indiana 1851, Preamble We, the People of the State of Indiana , grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.

Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the St ate of Iowa , grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.

Kansas 1859, Preamble We, the people of Kansas , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.

Kentucky 1891, Preamble.. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties..

Louisiana 1921, Preamble We, the people of the State of Louisiana , grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.

Maine 1820, Preamble We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity .. And imploring His aid and direction.

Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty…

Massachusetts 1780, Preamble We…the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction

Michigan 1908, Preamble.. We, the people of the State of Michigan , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution.

Minnesota, 1857, Preamble We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:

Mississippi 1890, Preamble We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.

Missouri 1845, Preamble We, the people of Missouri , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness . Establish this Constitution…

Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution ..

Nebraska 1875, Preamble We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution.

Nevada 1864, Preamble We the people of the State of Nevada , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution…

New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art . I. Sec. V Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.

New Jersey 1844, Preamble We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

New Mexico 1911, Preamble We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty..

New York 1846, Preamble We, the people of the State of New York , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.

North Carolina 1868, Preamble We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those…

North Dakota 1889, Preamble We , the people of North Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain…

Ohio 1852, Preamble We the people of the state of Ohio , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common.

Oklahoma 1907, Preamble Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this

Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance….

Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing…

South Carolina , 1778, Preamble We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

South Dakota 1889, Preamble We, the people of South Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties …

Tennessee 1796, Art . XI..III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience…

Texas 1845, Preamble We the People of the Republic of Texas , acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.

Utah 1896, Preamble Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.

Vermont 1777, Preamble Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ..

Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other

Washington 1889, Preamble We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution

West Virginia 1872, Preamble Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ..

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin , grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility…

Wyoming 1890, Preamble We, the people of the State of Wyoming , grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution…

Comments (5) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Jul. 29, 2009 - Zukay's Contest

Posted in Just For Fun

Oh, it's contest time!! Ann Marie over at CheeseSlave is offering an entire case of Zukay's Fermented Salad Dressings. I think they sound SO yummy! I entered, and you can too. Go to this page and enter away! You can enter as many as seven times.

Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Jul. 23, 2009 - Eggplant Bacon

I have been being blessed by a certain vendor at the farmer's market for the last several weeks. If I come at the very end of the market, he is letting me buy vast amounts of produce for very little money. What a huge blessing!

One of the veggies he has an abundance of is eggplant. What in the world do you do with an eggplant? I received a magazine from Hallelujah Acres and found this recipe. If he has eggplant again this week, I think I'll get one and make it...secretly. I won't tell the children what it is, I'll just offer it up for a snack and see what happens.

Bacon, Why Not?

In a bowl, marinate:
1 large eggplant, thinly sliced lengthwise
3/4 cup EVOO
1 tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp raw honey
4 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
salt to taste

Marinate for 2 hours, then place on dehydrator trays and dehydrate for 12 hours. Turn 'bacon' over and dehydrate for 12 more hours. When finished, this snack will be crispy. Store in a glass jar in the fridge.

What do you do with extra eggplant?

Comments (2) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Jul. 21, 2009 - California Dreaming

Posted in Just For Fun

Dear Diary

Just moved to California! Now this is a state that knows how to live!! Beautiful sunny days and warm balmy evenings. What a place! It is beautiful. I've finally found my home. I love it here.

June 14th: Really heating up. Got to 100° today. Not a problem. Live in an air-conditioned home, drive an air-conditioned car. What a pleasure to see the sun everyday like this. I'm turning into a sun worshipper.

June 30th: Had the backyard landscaped with western plants today. Lots of cactus and rocks. What a breeze to maintain. No more mowing the lawn for me. Another scorcher today, but I love it here.

July 10th The temperature hasn't been 20° below 100° all week. How do people get used to this kind of heat? At least, it's kind of windy though. But getting used to the heat is taking longer than I expected.

July 15th: Fell asleep by the community pool. (Got 3rd degree burns over 60% of my body). Missed 3 days of work. What a dumb thing to do. I learned my lesson though. Got to respect the ol' sun in a climate like this.

July 20th: I missed Fluffy (my cat) sneaking into the car when I left this morning. By the time I got to the hot car at noon, Fluffy had died and swollen up to the size of a shopping bag, then popped like a water ballon. the car now smells like Kibbles and guts. I learned my lesson though. No more pets in this heat. Good ol' Mr. Sun strikes again.

July 25th: The wind sucks. It feels like a giant freaking blow dryer!! And it's hot as hell. The home air-conditioner is on the fritz and the AC repairman charged $200 just to drive by and tell me he needed to order parts.

July 30th: Been sleeping outside on the patio for 3 nights now, $225,000 house and I can't even go inside. Fluffy is the lucky one. Why did I ever come here?

Aug. 4th: It's 115°. Finally got the air-conditioner fixed today. It cost $500 and gets the temperature down to 85°. I hate this stupid state.

Aug. 8th If another person cracks, 'Hot enough for you today?' I'm going to strangle him. By the time I get to work, the radiator is boiling over, my clothes are soaking wet, and I smell like baked cat!!

Aug. 9th: Tried to run some errands after work. Wore shorts, and when I sat on the seats in the car, I thought my hieny was on fire. My skin melted to the seat. I lost two layers of flesh and all the hair on the back of my legs and butt . . . Now my car smells like burnt hair, fried backside, and baked cat.

Aug 10th: The weather report might as well be a recording. Hot and sunny. Hot and sunny. Hot and sunny. It's been too hot to do anything for 2 months and the weatherman says it might really warm up next week. Doesn't it ever rain in this state? My $1700 worth of cactus will just dry up and blow over. Even the cactus can't live in this heat.

Aug. 14th: Welcome to HELL! Temperature got to 115° today. Cactus are dead. Forgot to crack the window and blew the windshield out of the car. The installer came to fix it and guess what he asked me??? "Hot enough for you today?" My sister had to spend $1,500 to bail me out of jail. UGH! California! What kind of a sick demented idiot would want to live here?? Will write later to let you know how the trial goes.

Cousin Zebadia

taken from www.woodpilereport.com

Comments (2) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

• Jul. 15, 2009 - Hiking Together

Posted in Family Life

We love hiking! We took a day and went on a new trail above Hospital Rock. We parked, then walked a mile or so to the trailhead (whew!). We met a couple of Rangers and they gave us an impromptu lesson on forest safety, the jobs and responsibilities of rangers, and plant identification.

We hiked for a while and found this beautiful grotto. The Lambies begged to wade around in the cool water. We let them remove their shoes and go for it. It was beautiful. If we come again, we will add watershoes to our backpacks. A few people (including me) got scrapes and scratches on their feet. Tenderfoots!

Here's a pretty shot of the trail we followed.

We eventually got to a lovely place at the top of the river. My Honey took all the pictures there, though, so I have none. We relaxed on the rocks in the middle of the river for an hour or so, snacking and enjoying the beauty of our surroundings. There were so many water skippers! The Lambies had fun watching them and trying to catch them.

The hike back down sure seemed to go faster that the hike up! Poppa cooked up a picnic lunch for us at Hospital Rock. Some time to play around, relax a little more (see Missy in the background?) and then our wonderful day drew to a close.

I love having this lovely forest so close! We hope to hike Moro Rock in the next couple of weeks.

Comments (0) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

Mini-Swidgetgreat free widgetsWidgetbox

Visit Natural Farm Living

About Me

I'm the blessed wife of My Honey of 14 years, and Momma to eight wonderful Lambies aged 13 and under. We live in Central CA, and use Ambleside Online for our curriculum. I'd love to meet you , so browse a while and feel free to leave a comment!

Amazon.com Widgets

Page 1 of 1
Last Page | Next Page