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I'm sure many of you have seen the movie "Chariots of Fire" which depicts the story of Eric Liddell. He was a devout Christian man who had a deep desire to become a missionary to China. But, he was also a great athlete who represented his country, Scotland, in the 1924 Olympic games in the track and field competition. In a pivotal scene in the movie, Eric is defending his decision to run in the Olympics. Some of his fellow Christians couldn't understand how such a pursuit could bring honor to God. I can't remember the exact words, but Liddell said that, while he was committed to becoming a missionary, "...God also made me run fast, and when I run I feel His pleasure." I was standing in my kitchen one day, rolling out a pie crust, when this scene from the movie came to my mind. I realized that, like Eric Liddell, there were times when I had a deep and abiding sense of God's pleasure in me. Making a pie, working in my garden, teaching my children, fixing a special dinner for my husband - in all these activities and more I can truly say, "I feel His pleasure". I have heard so many Christian women say they just don't know God's will for them. My answer is always, first and foremost, what do the Scriptures teach you? Look up every single verse that talks about women, wives and mothers and you will have a very good idea of God's will for you. But, sometimes even the Scriptures are not specific enough for many folks. So, to that dilemma, I say - can you think of a time when you were doing something and you felt a deep well of joy within you as you did it? When have you sensed the presence and peace of God in an almost tangible way? It is at those times that you are more than likely doing the work that He has created you to fulfill. And, I'll bet that when you recall those times to mind, you were actually doing very simple things. Home-centered things. Right? Creating something with your hands, cooking, baking, canning, caring for animals, playing with your children. For, it is in this humble, unheralded work that we will be most like our Master.
"...who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant...He humbled Himself..."
Phil. 2:6-8
We make things way too complicated in our culture. God's ways are always simple and profound. He has not locked up His will for you in some kind of mysterious riddle that requires supernatural knowledge. His will has been right in front of you all along. Rest in that truth today and go and do something in which you know He will take pleasure. |
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This is a great way to use up that leftover turkey. It's like the turkey and stuffing all in one!
One lb. cooked turkey breast 1 cup soft bread crumbs 1 Tbs. dried parsley 2 tsp. dried sage 1 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper (or to taste) 1 egg 1/2 cup mayonnaise
Chop turkey finely - a food processor works great for this. Place turkey in a large bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Mix well. The mixture should hold together in your hand when you squeeze it, but not be wet. If it is too dry, add a little more mayo.
Pour 1/2" vegetable oil in a heavy skillet and turn heat on to medium-high. Form patties, about the size of a very small hamburger, and place in the hot oil. Fry on both sides until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel. Serve warm with cranberry jelly. Yum! |
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I am standing in my pantry. I am holding a paper bag....and, I don't know why. Why am I standing in my pantry? What did I come here to fetch with my little paper bag? Somewhere between getting the bag and walking to my pantry (roughly a 10 second sojourn) it evaporated.
I am 45 years old. I could, conceivably live another 40 or 50 years (God willing). If I'm like this now, what on earth will I be able to remember when I am 90?!
The one shining ray of hope to which I cling is this: At this point in my life, I have WAY too much to remember. Pin numbers, birthdays, shopping lists, appointments, phone messages and on and on. As home-centered as I try to live, there are still a ton of things I need to remember, especially with six kids. Sometimes, my head just can't hold it all and some of it spills out my ears.
BUT, one day I won't have to remember everything for everybody. They will have to start remembering stuff for themselves. And, as my brain slowly drains away all of that excess thoughtage (new word), I shall regain the ability to hold a thought in my head for more than 5 seconds.
At least, that's my theory. We'll see if it actually pans out. I probably won't remember my theory when I'm 90 anyway. |
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...that sweet potatoes are not really a potato at all, but rather a root crop? Potatoes are tubers - which means they are the swollen stem of the potato plant, not the root. A sweet potato is a true root crop.
...that in the U.S. sweet potatoes and yams are the same thing? Yams are simply a dark fleshed variety of the sweet potato. True yams are a rather starchy, bland root crop imported from the Caribbean.
...that SweetPotato is all one word! That's right! According to the North Carolina SweetPotato Commission, this is the correct way to spell the word.
...that it's really easy to sprout and grow your own sweet potatoes? Go to www.ncsweetpotatoes.com/index.html to learn all about it. Plus they have lots of recipes and a great kids' page.
My mother-in-law, who was raised in Peru (sweet potato country) says never to cut a sweet potato before you boil or bake it. It will lose some of its sweetness.
More sweet potato stuff in the November/December issue of New Harvest!
Have a Blessed Thanksgiving! |
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Hello Ladies,
For those of you who received my September/October newsletter, or read this blog, I wanted to send some important information your way.
I have been canning pumpkin for years, and have done it the way I described in the newsletter without every having a problem. However, the USDA has revised their recommendations since I bought my pressure canning equipment. They now advise against canning any type of pureed pumpkin or squash.
The reason for this is that the product is so dense, no amount of pressure canning time can ensure that the pumpkin is getting hot enough in the center of the jar to kill all pathogens. Hence, the recommendation for canning pumpkin, squash and sweet potatoes is that they be cubed while hot, dropped by chunks into hot jars and processed that way.
I'm truly sorry for any inconvenience this may have cause anyone. If you canned your pumpkin already, I wouldn't recommend using it. I know there are old-timers who think the USDA folks are overly cautious, but I want everyone to err on the side of caution.
I promise that in the future, I will be thorouoghly apprised of any new recommendations made by the USDA.
Blessings,
Lisa |
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I want everyone to go over to
http://homeschoolblogger.com/Mom5Sons/
and give a big homeschoolblogger welcome to one of my dearest friends, Norma. She is a precious Christian sister, my co-Titus 2 leader and a homestead woman to the core.
She will love hearing from you all! |
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From the September/October 2005 New Harvest Newsletter:
The ability to make a pumpkin pie straight from the fresh pumpkin ought to be a thing of common knowledge to any self-respecting homestead woman. I dont know why this seems like such a daunting task its really very easy and will produce the most delicious pumpkin pie you ever tasted. One medium sized or two small sugar pie pumpkins will be enough for two pies. Break off the stem, wash it, slice it down the middle and scoop out all of the seeds and fibers. Now, place the halves cut side up in a shallow baking dish with about Ό of water in it. Cover and bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, until soft. Once the pumpkin is cool enough to handle, scoop out the pulp, it will come right away from the skin, soft as butter. Put the pulp in a food processor and blend until smooth. You can also use a blender for this. Add to the pulp: 1 ½ cup brown sugar 1 tsp. salt 2 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. ground ginger ½ tsp. ground cloves 3 large eggs ½ cup heavy cream (the richest you can find) Pour filling into two pie shells. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 and bake for another 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the middle.
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I hesitate to use the term "indian summer". I don't mean it to be an offense to anyone. I always thought it was a beautiful phrase that described one of the lovliest passages of autumn. I didn't know its true origin until I was a grown woman. In my mind's eye, the words would evoke an image of native people, gathering the last fruits of harvest in preparation for the long winter ahead.
The clouds rolled in yesterday and it rained all night, bringing our indian summer to an end. We always enjoy those two weeks or so in the middle of October when summer seems to return. The last of the tomatoes, corn, strawberries and summer squash are gathered and put away during those warm days. I hustle the kids outside as I admonish them, "There won't be many more days like this. Enjoy them!"
And then, the winds begin to blow, the sky darkens and the air turns chill. Gone are the glowing days of summer and early fall. Down blankets come down out of storage; boots take the place of sandals. As I gaze over the garden, the corn stalks bend in the stiff breeze, seeming to brace themselves against the inevitable death the cold will bring.
And so, the earth begins to rest, covered in a winter blanket. But, what looks like death is really just sleep - a sleep that will renew and rejuvinate the land in preparation for the spring growth. The is the Father's way, and it is very good.
You rest, too, you who sojourn through this world. Take a cue from creation and give yourself some time to hibernate. Wrap yourself in the refuge of the Savior's arms and let Him renew and rejuvinate you. You cannot continue to produce good fruit if you do not allow the Husbandman to do His work.
God, give us quiet days and quiet hearts as we allow You to perfect Your good work within us. Amen. |
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I mean really, truly, deeply honest? I don't wanna....I mean I just plain don't want to do it! Do what, you must be asking? I don't want to be on the committee, lead the bible study, volunteer for the nursery, coordinate the field trip, be on the prayer chain (it always ends with me - I'm so scatterbrained) set up or take down anything, drive the carpool or head up the annual banquet. There....I said it. I didn't say "O.K." with a weakly frozen smile while my brain was screaming "NO!!!" I didn't volunteer for the six-week program, only to be dreading it by week #2. I was honest. I said no. "Wow, Lisa," you are thinking right about now, "you are one selfish gal. Not only are you selfish, you are downright lazy! How would any of these things ever get done if everyone had your attitude?" Well, maybe they wouldn't. Maybe they shouldn't. If the majority of those involved had to be practically hogtied into participating, you gotta wonder if the pursuit was all that worthwhile. God loves a cheerful giver, and that's not just talking about your money, it's your time and energy, too. If you really don't want to do something, then DON'T. God knows how you feel anyway, even if you can fool the ladies on the Sock Collecting Committee. The holidays are coming. Every year you promise yourself you won't get stressed out and every year you end up getting stressed out. If some of that stress has to do with over committing yourself to various projects, then take a step back...take a breath. If you can't say yes to something with a big, joyful heart, then don't do it. Just don't. I promise you, the earth's rotation will not be affected; planets will not hurl out of their orbit; the magnetic poles will not swap places. Commit your time and your energy to your family and home this holiday season. I guarantee, the Lord will bring along opportunities for you to minister in many ways, without you having to sign up for anything. He's very good at that. |
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Here's a great way to use up a lot of those fresh, delicious apples available right now. This recipe is not only great for pie, but turnovers, tarts and apple crisp as well. It also makes a great gift.
18 cups baking apples, peeled & sliced (about 6 lbs.) 1/2 cup lemon juice 4 cups brown sugar 1 cup cornstarch 2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg 8 cups water
In a large bowl, mix the apples together with the lemon juice to keep them from browning. Set aside. In a lage pot, combine brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Add water and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for two minutes. Add apples (you may want to drain off some of the lemon juice, but I think it adds a nice flavor) and return to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until apples are tender, about 6-8 minutes. Have quart-sized canning jars hot and ready. Pack each jar with the filling to 1/2 inch from the top. Screw down lids. Process in hot water bath for 20 minutes. Makes about 5 quarts.
From the September/October 2005 issue of New Harvest. |
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That's how I was feeling a week ago or so. Pretty spiffy. A few kudos, some strokes to the ol' ego and a little positive feedback was all it took for this feeble flesh of mine to bloat with pride. Picture a balloon, blown up to nearly the point of explosion. That was me. The Lord, who knows me all too well and has seen me like this before, took immediate action. Thankfully, after 25 years, it doesn't take much for me to snap back into reality. He merely brought to my attention a really dumb thing I did a while back. I was unaware until that moment that I had made this stupid mistake. It was one of those "Oh no!" moments, like when you suddenly realize you are wearing your shirt backwards and inside out at the formal women's tea at church. Now, picture letting go of that overly-inflated balloon and watching it rocket around the room until it falls to the ground in a shriveled heap. That was me. When I regained my composure (and my perspective), I thought upon all of this. For a Christian, feeling like you are all that and a bag of chips is a truly scary place to be. We're so vulnerable when we allow ourselves to dwell in that state of mind. It's frightening to think of the ridiculous things we might say or do under the influence of such self-congratulatory feelings. Things we can never retract or erase. Give me a contrite heart any day of the week. Let me be the one who trips and falls in the crowded mall or accidentally spits on Pastor Bob as I am thanking him for a nice message. At least you're a real person in those moments, not some contrived caricature. When we see ourselves, and more importantly present ourselves for who we really are, that is when we can hear the voice of the Spirit. That is when we can be a blessing to others because we dare to be honest and real. I'll be hanging out in the "dork" room for awhile. It's a nice place. People laugh there. C'mon with me. |
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...the one where you are suddenly back in high school and you're already like an hour late for school and you get there and you don't know where any of your classes are so you go to the office and the people there all stare at you like "Night of the Living Dead" and then they give you a card with a schedule on it, but you have no idea which way to go on the campus to find your classroom, so you just walk in to any old classroom, but you don't have any books...and you are still in your pajamas?
I hate that dream. That dream is one of the reasons I homeschool.
Boy, I haven't slept much lately... |
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Wow - that last entry was a bit of a downer. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. We're doing O.K.
On to more encouraging things. I am in constant awe of the beauty of autumn. I love this time of year. The nights are getting crisp and the sweet smell of burning oak and alder is in the air as folks light up their woodstoves once again. Sweet little quail skitter out of the brambles and make their way across the lawn, one by one. The maple trees on our property are brilliant yellow and red as their leaves begin to float in circles to the ground. I am daily loaded with God's blessings as I tote heavy baskets of tomatoes and corn out of my garden. Today I will put up many jars of sauce.
In closing, I want to share a lovely old-English harvest hymn with everyone:
Come, ye thankful people, come, Raise the song of harvest-home All is safely gathered in, Ere the winter storms begin. God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied. Come to God's own temple, come, Raise the song of harvest-home
We ourselves are God's own field, fruit unto His praise to yield; Wheat and tares together sown, unto joy or sorrow grown. First the blade, and then the ear, Then the full corn shall appear. Grant, O harvest Lord, that we, Wholesome grain and pure may be.
For the Lord our God shall come, And shall take His harvest home. From His field shall in that day, All offences purge away; Give His angels charge at last, In the fire the tares to cast; But the fruitful ears to store, In the garner evermore.
Then, thou Church triumphant come, Raise the song of harvest-home! All are safely gathered in, Free from sorrow, free from sin. There forever purified, In God's garner to abide. Come, then thousand angels, come, Raise the glorious harvest-home. |
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Well, we have been dealing with a pretty nasty virus or something here the past month. My kids have been so healthy for a couple of years and then my nephews came to visit and brought some mutant strain with them. I am beginning to suspect it is whooping cough. I have been doing a lot of reading on it and it seems that the vaccination is only 50% to 80% effective and wears off by the time kids reach age 10 or so. Lots of adults are walking around with pertussis, but have no idea because we all think we got the shot, so it's impossible. However, my son has been up every night for the last two weeks coughing his little head off, including the "whoop"! I've had it as well, and my two younger daughters had it, although a milder case than my son. It's by the grace of God I got my newsletter out this month. I really, really love writing about the homestead life and autumn is my specially favorite time. But, I haven't been this sleep deprived since I had a new baby! It's times like these that I am so thankful for the home-centered life. I had lots of good stuff coming out of the garden, plenty of food frozen and put away and nowhere I had to be. What a blessing to just be able to hunker down and take care of my kids for the past few weeks.
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...I am a total newbie to the whole blogging thing, so please forgive me in advance for any egregious blogging faux pas I may commit as I venture out into this strange new world.
I want to say one thing right off the bat: In writing a newsletter like New Harvest where I extol the joys of the home-centered life, one may be tempted to think that I really have my act together and am some kind of super woman. I know when I was 20 something or 30 something and I read similar publications, I would sometimes come away feeling a little inadequate. I assumed these good women were accomplishing miraculous feats every day and I could never possible live up to such a shining example. What I know now, being 40 something, is that God knows our frame, that we are but dust. I write what I write in NH because I am truly in love with the life God has given us here and I just want to share that joy with kindred spirits. So, while I enthusiastically encourage Christian women young and old to seek the Proverbs 31/Titus 2 ideal, realize that I, too, am pressing on toward that goal of the upward call in Christ Jesus. What I write comes from 20 years of accumulated experience - I don't do everything everyday! So, maybe you can't grow a huge garden, but you can try your hand at baking bread or crafting. The homestead life, first and foremost, is about embracing and enjoying our role as keepers at home. We are all individuals and need to seek the Lord for His guidance in how to live that out in our reality.
For starters: I really stink at the whole "rising while it is still night" thing. I have never been a morning person. It takes me a full hour and lots of caffeine before I even remember my name. I compensate for this, however, by being a night owl, so I suppose I do O.K. at the "her lamp does not go out at night" thing.
This is fun. I can't wait to get to know you all better!
Lisa www.newharvesthomestead.com |
