Hi! Welcome to my blog! My name is Jane (PlainJane) and I am the blessed and happy wife to Jeff and doubly blessed mama of two perfectly wonderful daughters. Please join me as I share our Lifestyle of Learning through Christian homeschooling and homesteading on our little hobby farm with our prairie girls.
Amber (Bookworm) is our dd15/10th grader.
Our perfectionist and over-achiever. She loves reading, playing violin, all things vintage, riding her Paint horse, and being a farm girl.
Anna (Ladybug)
is our dd12/7th grader.
Our "girls just want to have fun" girl. She loves to play and has a great sense of humor, but also enjoys cooking, music, and riding her QH pony.
Dec. 21, 2009~ The Simple Woman's Daybook - Monday, December 21st, 2009 ~
For Today, Monday, December 21st, 2009 Winter begins at 11:47 a.m. today
Outside My Window...took Elsa out at around 5:00 a.m. and all was dark & peaceful. I love the quiet of country living. It's a relatively warm 19 degrees with no wind, looking for highs in the mid-20's this week and snow Wednesday through Friday. Today's normal hi/low is 25/9.
I'm thinking... grateful that Elsa is laying down, giving me a little time on the computer.
From the learning rooms....school is out for the year. Yeah! I am thankful for...renewed heath and a good night's sleep.
From the kitchen... M -Chicken on the grill T - Amber's Choice
W - Spaghetti
TH - Christmas Eve at our house with all the traditional foods - feeding 10
F - Christmas Day at our house - mom is coming - more of the same
S - More leftovers, yum!
S - Soup
I am wearing...jammies yet, sports socks, hair is long.
I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year... This week: OT: Micah - Haggai; NT: Revelation, KJB
also, more about pet nutrition
I am hoping... for a productive day.
I am creating... memories for my girls.
I am hearing... Elsa chewing on her raw meaty bone (will post more about that later).
Around the house & barn... baking & cleaning, cleaning & baking.
One of my favorite things... a happy, peaceful home
I am going... to the store today to pick up all the food-stuff I need for Christmas. A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)...
M - Laundry & iron, Clean basement & barn & oven, bake cookies T - More Ironing (I'm way behind), Clean top floor & shampoo bedroom carpets, bake cookies W - More Ironing, Clean main floor & shampoo carpet, bake cookies
TH - Cooking, feasting, enjoying family
F - More feasting, enjoying family
S - Resting & Family Time S - Church & Family Time
A picture thought I am sharing with you...
Anna sledding down our hill yesterday (photo taken from our familyroom).
That's all for today!
Thanks for stopping! Have a Blessed Week!
Much thanks to our hostess Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook
Okay, this post has been sitting in my drafts for over a month - time to stop thinking about it and get it out...
Longevity
I love to do research! Lately I have been reading devouring everything I can find on holistic pet care. And no, I haven't gone over the edge (I don't think) -- I am passionate about our animals, but still practical and skeptical enough to weigh & question everything I read and hear...and my findings are frightening to say the least with regards to our modern, conventional "care" for our companion animals and livestock. Boy, how disillusioned I and probably most pet owners are about what we do for our pets for the sake of their health and how I wish I knew "then" what I know now. Things that we have always been taught that are good and healthy for our beloved dogs, cats, & livestock are often really, really bad and sometimes even deadly (running parallal with our misconceptions of human healthcare - but that's another post). My latest research all began during our puppy search -- when upon learning that the giant dog breeds' (like our puppy) lifespan has been declining over the years and that whereas most giant breeds use to live 10 - 14 years are now only living 7-8 years. And the breed of dog we now have is very susceptible to cancer. WHY??? Thus my quest for answers. I quickly hopped online and found out that this does not necessary have to be the case, that some are still achieving long lives in their giant breeds of 14+ years and some are even claiming that healthy dogs could achieve a lifespan of 25 to 30 years. Amazing huh? (likewise with all other breeds). But when you think about it, 70 years ago before commercial dog food, before vaccinations, before flee & tick products, dogs usually lived longer, thank you very much.
Commercial Pet Foods
The books and articles I have been reading are eye opening indeed as to what goes into commercial pet food (not for the weak of stomach). Commercial pet food is made up from the 4 D's (dead, diseased, disabled, and dying animals) - often labeled as "meat byproducts". Most anything that is NOT for human consumption is trucked to a rendering plant and eventually made into our "complete & balanced" pet foods, including condemned and contaminated material from slaughterhouse facilities, roadkill, dead-stock removal, zoo animals, and euthanized dogs and cats from the vet (and here I thought they were just cremated). Pet & livestock food includes rendering of animals with cancer, animals drugged from euthanization or over-antibioticed, sick animals, fish with too high mercury content, and I have even read where animals that have succumbed to mad cow disease or the like are rendered. Not only is the complete animal from head to tail, including hoof & fur, in the rendering, but sugar, dyes, additives, enough preservatives to last through eternity, fertilizers, and even styrofoam & plastic wrap from grocery meat gone bad, dog collars, flea & tick collars, pesticides & herbicides, and some 50 percent of the antibiotics manufactured in the US are included in the mix. And not to make you sick, but yes, the vat of animal remains is heated, but not at high enough temperatures to kill off much of the disease and whatnot. I was apalled! What I have been reading is heartbreaking to say the least. It's all about the money! How can anyone that has the inside scoop on the rendering/pet food market connection say they care about animals?
As unbelieveable as it seems, this information comes from not just one sorce, but many. The pet food market has gone wild. Of course, there are some vets and some of the high-end pet foods that try to do the right thing. It pays to find a good holistic vet!
I believe as Christians we have an obligation to care for what God has entrusted to us..."A rightous man regardeth the life of his beast..." Proverbs 12:10a.
I'm just beginning my research on natural health care for our puppy and have a lot more to learn. I love all the online sources one can find on the topic, but like most any subject, you can get varied opinions and especially with holistic matters, sometimes what I find is very humanistic in nature and must be weighed with discernment.
Recommendations
If you would like to read more on natural nutrition and healthcare for pets & livestock, here are a couple of resources I have liked so far...
by Ann N. Martain. Much research on the truth of what goes into commercial pet food and the lack of regulations on such.
Website: The Whole Dog by Dr. Jeannie Thomason, a holistic vet. Lots of great articles. She also has a yahoo group - a good way to get a lot of free advice. She also has several links & recommendations of other good books.
I also highly recommend looking up your local holistic vet websites, I know the ones around here have many great links and articles. And also some breeders (often high-end) have great websites that not only educate on their speciality breed, but talk much about natural pet care.
My Own True Horror Story
Once upon a time (over 12 yrs. ago) we had moved into our nice new house in the country; Amber was 3 and getting potty trained; little Anna Grace was just beginning to crawl - getting into everything; and just to make it a three-ringed circus, I brought home our little Boston Terrier, Peanut, as I promised Amber a puppy - so I'm puppy training to boot! Life was busy and I wasn't able to keep a constant eye on all three little ones all the time as you can imagine. Anna seemed to take full advantage of this fact and managed to find the puppy chow accessable and tasty (AUGH!!!) on more than one occasion. Besides being grossed out that my precious little baby girl ate dog food, I tried to see the humor in it and didn't think too much about it -- afterall, if it was healthy for a little puppy, this isolated incident (or two ) certainly wouldn't have any ill effects. Besides, for some reason, I really believed in this Purina chow and our dog just LOVED IT. ...Well, shortly after this, I began to notice that on occasion a few pieces of this same dog food would be spilt on our mudroom floor and upon discovering it the next morning, I would find dead crickets lying all around the dog food, just out in the open. Besides the two or three times of finding this within perhaps a couple of weeks time, this had never happened before. Oh great! My baby ate dog food that also serves as cricket poison! And, shortly after that, I noticed this same favorite dog food had been pulled from the market! Someone else must have tipped off Purina but no recall or warning was ever issued to my knowledge.
Makes ya wonder doesn't it? I guess I'm a slow learner and at the time I just considered it an isolated incident and didn't think anything more about what is really in commercial pet foods in general, afterall, if you click on any number of pet food sites, you will find words such as, "Nutrition", "Healthly", "Premium", "Optimal", and the like. Are they really? I'll write more about this later of what they recommend we feed our beloved pets.
Dec. 14, 2009~ The Simple Woman's Daybook - Monday, December 14th, 2009 ~
For Today, Monday, December 14th, 2009
Outside My Window...all is white with a couple of inches of fresh snow last night. The sky is gray. It's currently +9, looking for a high of +11. The wind chill is suppose to pick up for the next couple of days - in the minus 25 range. Burrr. Today's normal hi/low is 27/11.
I'm thinking... What's that noise? Anna is currently trying a large slushy recipe from her home ec. book and I am trying to let her do it on her own. (She just came to get my advice). What a big recipe - care to help us drink all this?
From the learning rooms...getting only about half days done. Being sick, rest has become more needful. Thankfully, the girls just go ahead and do some of their work while mom sleeps. I am thankful for...This morning I am reminded of James 4:13-14, "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." I had such plans for this holiday season. I was going to be the perfect housewife & mommy. Wraping all the gifts early; decorating the house just so; baking dozens of cookies; and having the most perfect holiday house when the extended family comes over Christmas Eve...well, that's not happening - not even close. Between having the flu the first week in December and poor health since, with bronchitis now, I'm getting little done. But it could be worse, so for the health I do have, I am thankful and hopeful that things will improve soon.
From the kitchen... M -Rigatoni
Not sure for the rest of the week, nothing sounds good right now.
I am wearing...blue jeans, white sweater, sports socks, hair is in a pony.
I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year: OT: Hosea; NT: Revelation, KJB;
I am hoping... for improved health. I've been sick for over 2 weeks now & and it's getting a little old.
I am creating... nothing.
I am hearing... the washer filling with water, Anna banging on the keyboard next to me (she's done with the slushies now).
Around the house & barn... got to get out and muck. Do as much housework as I have strength.
One of my favorite things... sleeping?
I am going... maybe nowhere. The girls have Christmas program practice tonight & I'm suppose to attend a music ministry meeting at church, but I may have DH take the girls and I stay home. A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)...
M - Rest; Housework; Christmas program practice tonight. T - Rest & Housework W - Lead Awana Cubbies
TH - Girls go to Bible Study; Amber has violin lesson; maybe Bible Quizzing Practice
F - Cancelling Nursing Home for this week; Christmas Program first performance
S - Nothing?
S - Church & Family Time (Second Christmas Program Performance)
A picture thought I am sharing with you...
Last Tuesday, December 8th we celebrated Amber's Spiritual Birthday. Amber made herself a cake (angel food of couse w/raspberries & whipped cream). It was 10 years ago that I had the pleasure of leading our little girl in a prayer for salvation. I hate to sound prideful, but she has grown into such a wonderful Christian young lady. Thank you Lord!
That's all for today!
Thanks for stopping! Have a Blessed Week!
Much thanks to our hostess Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook
Dec. 7, 2009~ The Simple Woman's Daybook - Monday, December 7th, 2009 ~
For Today, Monday, December 7th, 2009
Outside My Window...Gray skies with light flurries, small scattered patches of snow. It's currently 21 degrees (today's high). Today's normal hi/low is 29/14. We are on the edge of a Winter Storm Watch for Tuesday - Wednesday and then the temps. are expected to drop the rest of the week. Most of the storm will be south of the Cities, so we aren't expecting much here.
I'm thinking... nothing in particular.
From the learning rooms...need to work hard this week since I had the flu all last week and the girls had colds. I am thankful for...our renewed health!
From the kitchen... M -Wild Rice Soup & Breadsticks T - Burgers & Home Fries (Amber's Spiritual Birthday, so she is making Angel Food Cake)
W - Baked Potatoes TH - Anna's Choice F - Pizza S - Hanukkah Meal
S - Homemade Beef Soup
I am wearing...denim capris, berry fleecy top, sports socks, hair is in a pony.
I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year: OT: Ezekiel; NT: I John, KJB; Need to brush up on my Hanukkah material (We like to learn about the Biblical Feasts & Hanukkah in a real hands-on manner. Not as legalists or to gain favor in any way, but because we Love God and the deep, rich meaning found in the celebrations as they pointed to the Messiah. We will use nice table linen, light the menorah, and read Scripture for each of the eight nights on Jesus as our Light.)
I am hoping... we all stay healthy for a while.
I am creating... a clean home.
I am hearing... the washer filling with water, the girls laughing.
Around the house & barn... got to get out and muck this afternoon and move some hay. Making some nice warm spots in the barn for the barn cat & chickens to go to when it drops below zero later this week.
One of my favorite things... "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Deuteronomy 6:5-7.
I am going... to Walmart for cat food & a few other things & to the feed store for cracked corn just in case of the remote chance that we do get more snow than expected. A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)...
M - Amber has violin lesson. T - Nothing but school - DH hopes to leave work early to beat storm home W - Lead Awana Cubbies (if weather permits)
TH - Bible Quizzing Practice at Church
F - Maybe my mom will come to visit.
S - Hanukkah
S - Church & Family Time; girls have Churh musical practice in the afternoon
A picture thought I am sharing with you... Saturday - Anna walking Elsa & the horses had to come up to say HI That's all for today!
Thanks for stopping! Have a Blessed Week!
Much thanks to our hostess Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook
Nov. 30, 2009~ The Simple Woman's Daybook - Monday, November 30th, 2009 ~
For Today, Monday, November 30th, 2009
Outside My Window...Sunny, blue skies, heavy frost with patches of snow remaining from Saturday night's snow. It's currently 29 degrees, looking for a high of 39. Today's normal hi/low is 32/18. Our cute hens are filing past my window.
I'm thinking...the neighbor lady has been on my mind this morning - it was one week ago today that her senior horse (age 35) passed away. I went over with flowers & card and to share a hug & tears. I'm sure it will be a hard day again for her.
From the learning rooms...just keep trying to plug along with all the excitement of preparing for the holidays. I am thankful for...my husband and girls. God's Word. Our blogger friends.
From the kitchen... M -Salmon T - Pizza Hut (DH's birthday)
W - Garden Salad & Rolls TH - Mashed Potatoes with Hamburger Gravy
F - Wild Rice Soup & Breadsticks
S - Out to eat after Bible Quizzing Competition
S - Sauteed Sirloin Tips & Potato Skins
I am wearing...denim capris, black long-sleeved t-shirt & berry fleecy top, sports socks & pink striped fuzzy socks, hair is long. Layers!
I am creating... a happy, memorable CHRISTmas for the girls.
I am hearing... the clock tick; Anna is jabbering to me.
Around the house & barn... A lot of our time still goes into caring for puppy - she is about 9 1/2 weeks old now and learning & growing. She already understands, "outside", "let's go in", "let's go to the barn". Such a good girl. Otherwise, Jeff keeps working on the sauna haus when he has time - he just picked up the interior door Friday (but we are not nearly ready to install it yet) - I love the smell of the cedar.
One of my favorite things... reading.
I am going... to Walmart today for grocerys & some flannel for Anna to finish a quilt that Grandma started and gave to us to finish (2 or 3 yrs ago) - it has squares from some of Jeff's very old t-shirts. It will be good to get that out of the closet. A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)...
M - shopping; cleaning; maybe horseback riding but Amber has a slight cold that seems to be getting worse & she is wearing down. T - Jeff's birthday - going out to Pizza Hut with Grandma for supper (grandpa is in TX lucky guy) W - Lead Awana Cubbies
TH - Bible Quizzing Practice at church
F - Nursing home ministry
S - Bible Quizzing Competition in Hudson, WI
S - Church & Family Time
A picture thought I am sharing with you... This Morning :) That's all for today!
Thanks for stopping! Have a Blessed Week!
Much thanks to our hostess Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook
Nov. 23, 2009~ The Simple Woman's Daybook - Monday, November 23, 2009 ~
For Today, Monday, November 23rd, 2009
Outside My Window...it is just becoming light, but we have gray skies and drizzle -- expecting a little rain throughout the morning. Was out earlier this morning with Elsa and it's a humid 47 degrees - very nice for this time of year. Today's normal hi/low is 35/21. There was a gray rabbit in our front yard just a little while ago.
I'm thinking...I have a "can-do" attitude. We have a busy week and I'm taking it head-on.
From the learning rooms...like I said, we have a busy week, so we will try to squeeze in some academics here & there, but mostly just the school of life. We are almost done in our studies of the American Revolution - was hoping to get it done by Thanksgiving, but will take just a little bit longer. I am thankful for...my husband was playing on the floor with Elsa last night and Elsa came at him with her mouth wide open, like usual - just puppy play, and she got him with her teeth on his eyelid. Blood everywhere. I'm thankful it was just his eyelid and not his eye. He is okay & his eyelid looks much better this morning. A good reminder to us all that Elsa is going to be a good guardian dog.
From the kitchen... M -Pancakes & Bacon T - Pasta
W - Hot Dogs (I use Hebrew National) TH - THANKSGIVING FEAST at In-Law's
F - Taco Salad
S - Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
S - Meatloaf
I am wearing...denim capris, navy fleecy top, sports socks, hair is in a pony.
I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year: OT: Ezekiel; NT: I Peter, KJB;
Elsa doesn't give me much time to read lately, but I try to sneek in a little here & there - mostly web articles.
I am hoping... our Thanksgiving goes well - holidays with difficult people (mainly my mom) is always stressful.
I am creating... nothing right now, except getting a jump on Christmas this year. Have most of my shopping done and will start baking cookies this week.
I am hearing... the clock tick; my fingers bang on the keyboard; Amber is ironing.
Around the house & barn... my days are filled with (1) caring for puppy -- play & taking her outside so she doesn't get into trouble indoors; (2) cleaning up after puppy -- a non-stop job, esp. after we have been away for a few hours -- she trashes her pen from separation anxity I suppose; and (3) trying not to wake puppy lest I have to go back to #1 prematurely.
One of my favorite things... reading God's Word.
I am going... to do a little shopping today - DH's birthday is coming up. A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)...
M - shopping; cleaning; maybe horseback riding, but it's pretty wet right now T - we have been asked by the nursing home to go on the bus with a few residents on an outting W - clean house top to bottom; bake pumpkin pie
TH - Thanksgiving at In-Laws
F - Staying Home!!!
S - Quiet Family Time
S - Church & Family Time
A picture thought I am sharing with you...
Elsa is so helpful - she helps me off with my socks (umteen times a day).
(Yes, the paper shreds from her box get all over her fur & all over our socks and thus all over our house - but this too will pass).
She helps me sweep the floor (notice she has a few broom straws in her mouth - ready to drag it away) She helps me scrub the floor (carrying away my ShamWOW).
With all this help, it's a wonder why I don't get anything done. :)
(Sorry, I won't be talking about puppy all the time - it's just what is consuming my life right now). Have a good day!!!
That's all for today!
Thanks for stopping! Have a Blessed Week!
Much thanks to our hostess Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook
Nov. 16, 2009~ The Simple Woman's Daybook - Monday, November 16th, 2009 ~
For Today, Monday, November 16th, 2009
Outside My Window...there is a beautiful bright blue sky and nothing but sunshine. We have a heavy white blanket of frost as it is only 23 degrees ~ expecting a high of 50. Today's normal hi/low is 40/24.
I'm thinking...gotta get going...I already feel a little behind this morning as puppy's 2 am and 4 am play sessions threw off my sleeping schedule.
From the learning rooms...still need to fill out our weekly school schedule, but this should be a normal full week of getting er done. I am thankful for...good Christ-honoring Christian hymns and songs.
From the kitchen... M -Lasagna T - Soup & Corn Bread
W - Chicken
TH - Roast Beef
F - Pizza
S - Chow Mein Hotdish
S - Amber's Choice
I am wearing...black exercise capris, berry-colored fleecy top, sports socks, hair is in a pony.
I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year: OT: Ezekiel; NT: Hebrews, KJB;
Haven't had much time to read lately, but catching various articles on prophesy; Sunday School handouts on cults (our current Sunday School lesson series); and holistic dog care.
I am hoping... to have a productive day/wk.
I am creating... need to get to a good fabric store so I can make the puppet theater. (I know, this has been up for how many weeks?). Haven't had much time to be creative.
I am hearing... the clock tick; my fingers bang on the keyboard; Amber is getting herself some breakfast and Anna is talking to Elsa (the puppy).
Around the house & barn... well, our house was nice and clean Friday morning - sorry you missed it. Now it will be a daily vacuuming & cleaning up around puppy area as we are tracking shredded paper all through the house. I'm trying my best to keep the house from smelling like a pet store.
One of my favorite things... visiting with my bloggy friends.
I am going... to stay home most of the week, woohoo. A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)...
M - Jeff took the day off to get the final fall chores buttoned up before it gets really cold. Today he is doing his annual moving of some of Pasture 1's fencing to make room for our sledding hill. He also has to get the heater in the horse stock tank; store the glass picnic table under the deck; and wash the windows on main floor and basement...but...he has been asked to help with a remodeling project at church so I'm guessing the windows won't get done. Meanwhile us girls will be doing school as usual; taking puppy out to play multiple times; laundry; mucking and perhaps riding horses -- a busy day! T - repeat of Monday only Jeff will be at work W - clean house; lead Awana Cubbies ~ a special Cubbie Bear Birthday Party
TH - Laundry; Amber has violin lesson
F - Nursing Home Ministry
S - Quiet Family Time
S - Church & Family Time
A picture thought I am sharing with you...
Today I'd like to draw your attention to my dear friend, Christina's, Etsy shop,
She's home! Woohoo!
It was a long drive, a long day, but we are so happy to have our baby home with us now. Wow, does the breeder ever have a lot of dogs and puppies (too many), but our puppy was a good traveler and although a bit scared with her first time away from mama, siblings & lots of other dogs - and her first experience of being out of an old basement and now with LOTS of human interaction (something I don't think the breeder had time for), she is coming along very nicely - thanks to the girls being with her almost every moment.
Unfortunately, it's been a very gray, cool, and now wet day -- not good for picture taking, but here are a few pictures of puppy since we got home this evening...
Puppy snoozing in her pet "yard" set up in our dinette area - all wore out. She stayed awake through about 99% of the 3.5 hour trip home - her first time out of the basement.
Anna with Puppy. The girls are all smiles. For some reason I didn't get many photos of our last dog as a pup, so I'm going to try better this time around.
Amber with Puppy. Everyone gets their fair turns.
Our little Leonberger is 7 weeks old today and about 10 lbs.
Okay, Puppy has had enough of photo session one.
Puppy is doing just fine as long as the girls are with her all the time - it will be interesting to see how she does through the night. Maybe tomorrow I can get some better "action" shots as she is still VERY tired and timid.
Midnight & Inky are being quite the scardy cats and not liking this puppy business AT ALL! They take one look at Puppy and want to head right back outside.
And no, we haven't given her a name yet. We had a list of 23 possibilities and have narrowed it down to 3, I think, "Shalom, Elsa, & Lexus," but we are now at a stand-off, no matter what name we pick, someone isn't going to be happy, so we have decided to table the decision for another day since we are all pretty tired. anyways. Maybe tomorrow will be better - hoping.
Nov. 9, 2009~ The Simple Woman's Daybook - Monday, November 9th, 2009 ~
For Today, Monday, November 9th, 2009
Outside My Window...It's 6:30 a.m. and pitch black; it's currently 34 ~ expecting a sunny high of 55. Today's normal hi/low is 44/29.
I'm thinking...puppy, puppy, puppy. (We are sooo excited!)
From the learning rooms...today we will have school in the van while running errands. Then the rest of the week will be normal. I am thankful for....daughters who diligently and joyfully hide God's Word in their heart. We had a wonderful time at Saturday's regional Bible Quizzing competition and our team did wonderfully with a couple of first places + winning a double-overtime for second place, and Amber quizzing out once and almost a second time except time was up in the middle of her anwser. Also thankful for very sweet blogger friends and local Christian friends that we visited yesterday after church.
From the kitchen... M -Baked Potatoes T - Anna's Choice/Chicken Fried Rice
W - Pasta w/Homemade Sauce
TH - Deluxe Baked Bean Hotdish
F - Salad & Leftovers
I am wearing...black exercise capris, berry-colored fleecy top, sports socks, hair is in a pony. Something comfy for now - will change later.
I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year: OT: Jeremiah; NT: Hebrews, KJB;
Reading a lot on holistic care of dogs - more about that on a future post.
I am hoping... I'm feeling a tich under the weather, I hope I feel better shortly - I have much planned for the day and don't have time for this.
I am creating... need to get to a good fabric store so I can make the puppet theater.
I am hearing... the clock tick; my fingers bang on the keyboard.
Around the house & barn... a big thorough house cleaning this week getting ready for puppy's homecoming so we can just enjoy quality time with her.
One of my favorite things... doing reserch ~ learning new stuff.
I am going... to do some shopping to get ready for puppy's arrival; also get some groceries; and buy our annual stuff for Samaritan's Purse shoeboxes. (today) A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)... T - clean house W - clean house; lead Awana Cubbies
TH - Get everything set up for puppy's homecoming
F - Roadtrip ~ we go get our Puppy
S - Enjoy Puppy
S - Church; Enjoy Puppy
A picture thought I am sharing with you...
Online Images
Can you tell I'm in love?
That's all for today!
Thanks for stopping! Have a Blessed Week!
Much thanks to our hostess Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook
Nov. 3, 2009~ The Simple Woman's Daybook - Tuesday, November 3rd ~
For Today, Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
Outside My Window...It's 8:00 a.m. and a sunny, but frosty 23 degrees; looking for a high of 45 with a chance of rain later. Today's normal hi/low is 49/30.
I'm thinking...my brain is a puzzle, thinking about a dozen different things all at once.
From the learning rooms...busy like usual...in addition to our beloved Teaching Textbooks math, the girls are both starting "Your Business Math" by Simply Charlotte Mason. They named their businesses, "Anna's Pet's N More" and "Amber's Old Fashioned Bookstore", made their company logos, and ordered their inventory yesterday. I wish math had been this fun when I was their age.
I am thankful for....old time gospel music. We attended a gospel music concert Sunday night at a local church and it was such a blessing. It seemed like the theme was Revelations throughout the concert and the blessed hope of our soon departure.
From the kitchen... M -Salmon T - Ham & Eggs
W - Beef Stew
TH - Cheeseburgers
F - TN/FL Geography Presentations - BBQ Ribs, Key Lime Pie, Citrus Drink S - Teriyaki Stir Fry Chicken & Rice
I am wearing...denim capris, brown 3/4 length sleeve t-shirt with a pretty fall tree embroidery, sports socks, hair is damp & pulled back with a scrunchie
I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year: OT: Jeremiah; NT: Philemon, KJB;
Just finished the book, "The Blue Zones" by Dan Buettner. An interesting book about longevity...research about four areas around the world that have the highest percentage of people who live to be over 100 years old and what attributed to their long lives and good health. Although definitely not a Christian book, it inspired me to improve my eatting habits. I don't necessarily want to live longer, but rather live healthier.
I am currently reading up on holistic care of dogs - more about that on a future post.
I am hoping... to stay on task today.
I am creating... need to get to a good fabric store so I can make the puppet theater.
I am hearing... the clock tick; my fingers bang on the keyboard; an ocassional thump upstairs as the girls get ready for the day.
Around the house & barn... clean kitchen; muck stalls & paddock before farrier comes to trim hooves later today.
One of my favorite things... gazing at God's beautiful creation.
I am going... to Walmart & another grocery store today. A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)... T - grocery shop; vote (gov. school wants to raise taxes); farrier comes out to trim hooves W - lead Awana Cubbies
TH - Pick up Azure Standard order (grain & stuff); laundry; Amber has violin lesson; Bible Quizzing practice
F - Hopefully meat processor will call and say our 1/4 cow is ready for pick-up this wk; Girls will give their geography presentations
S - Bible Quizzing Regional Competition
A picture thought I am sharing with you...
Jeff finishing the siding on the sauna haus Saturday. He will be starting on the inside soon. I will have to paint the outside next summer.
That's all for today!
Thanks for stopping! Warm Wishes for
a Wonderful Week!
Much thanks to our hostess Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook
It's official friends, we have reserved a puppy!
After two months of searching for a new dog, many emails, some research and a nice persuasive speech by our daughters, a family meeting and vote, a phone call, and sending a down payment, we have now officially adopted our newest family member. (whew)
We are getting a Leonberger Puppy. She will be 5 weeks old tomorrow so we have to wait until about November 13th until we can go and get her. The breeder is in Minnesota, but not close by.
Here she is, currently she is called "Dark Green & Orange" since that is the color of nail polish they put on her nails to tell her apart from the rest. Obviously we will be finding her a better name. She is the runt of the litter, so, no, we are not paying the going price of $1,000 - $1,500.
(All these photos by the breeder seem to be slowing down the loading of my blog, so I have removed as many pictures as possible, you can go here to view photos. The first photos are of Loverikets Khefren, our puppy's BIG grandpa from Norway.)
This is our puppy's papa, Braveheart, or Braver. Don't you just love the name. His papa came from Norway and his mama from Canada.
(Photo of our puppy's mama is here. she is the last doggie shown.)
This is our puppy's mama, Sweetie Pie. She is from Canada.
The Leonberger is a giant breed dog with it's foundation in the Newfoundland, Great Pyrenees and Saint Bernard breeds. The breed's name derives from the city of Leonberg, Germany. According to legend, the Leonberger was bred as a 'symbolic dog' that would mimic the lion in the town crest. It is a LGD (Livestock Guardian Dog) good at pulling carts & sleds, search & rescue, enjoys water play & hikes, and surprisingly, agility. It guards with it's size, not with it's teeth and is very loyal to it's flock and family. The average female (much smaller than the male) is about 27" - 29" to the shoulder and about 130 lbs.
I haven't had much time to sit down and think through a post lately (started one), so I thought I'd just post some recent photos...
I am really lovin' our hens this year, they are over-achiever layers. I was able to give away 4 1/2 doz. eggs this weekend. (Pictured: Our rooster, Col. Sanders; and one of our Plymouth Barred Rock hens)
Anna doing her Teaching Textbooks math.
This afternoon ~ my baby Sundance gets his first rider (Anna) - 'Mr. No Big Deal'.
Oct. 19, 2009~ The Simple Woman's Daybook - Monday, October 19th, 2009 ~
For Today, Monday, October 19th, 2009
Outside My Window...It's 5:00 a.m. and dark; a nice 47 degrees and breezy ~ looking for a blistering high near 60. Today's normal hi/low is 57/38.
I'm thinking/praying...that Anna & my cold will go away soon.
From the learning rooms...since very little school was accomplished last week due to flu/colds, this week is a carry-over from last (easy planning) - one of the MANY advantages of homeschooling -- No Child Left Behind, lol.
I am thankful for....the relevance of God's Word. I was just reading this morning about the destruction of Judah and thinking how it parallels with America today and then in II Thessalonians 2, was comforted by His words on the soon-coming rapture.
From the kitchen... M -Beef Short Ribs T - Egg Bake
W - Spaghetti w/Homemade Meat Sauce
TH - Amber's Choice F - Pancakes
I am wearing...pj's, will change soon.
I am reading... Thru the Bible Each Year: OT: Jeremiah; NT: II Thessalonians, KJB
I am hoping... some of the books I ordered or the books I placed on hold at the library arrive soon, I'm excited to get them.
I am creating... still thinking through how I want to make my puppet theater - too many possibilities.
I am hearing... the clock tick; my fingers bang on the keyboard; the wind blow.
Around the house & barn... still need to get everything buttoned up for the winter; much catch-up housework to do since we were sick last week.
One of my favorite things... cuddling with the girls.
I am going... to be home most of the week. A few plans for the rest of the week (besides school)...
M - laundry; grocery shop; pick up some wood chips for stalls & coop; play with horses
T - horsey lessons (qusetionable - rain forecasted)
W - lead Awana Cubbies
TH - laundry; Amber has violin lesson; Bible Quizzing practice
A picture thought I am sharing with you...
Here is the Stationary folder I made at a scrapbooking class on Saturday.
It holds 10 notecards & envelopes. The all-white class version doesn't show up very well, but I will add a bit of color to the embossed strips inside & finish the cards. I will be teaching the girls how to make these, maybe today. It was very fun and pretty easy & I look forward to making a more colorful one with my own emblishments. There were 6 of us ladies in the class and I think I was the least scrapbooking savvy - those gals had all the $ gagets, but that's okay.
That's all for today!
Thanks for stopping! Warm Wishes for
a Wonderful Week!
Much thanks to our hostess Peggy for the Simple Woman's Daybook
) certainly wouldn't have any ill effects. Besides, for some reason, I really believed in this Purina chow and our dog just LOVED IT. ...Well, shortly after this, I began to notice that on occasion a few pieces of this same dog food would be spilt on our mudroom floor and upon discovering it the next morning, I would find dead crickets lying all around the dog food, just out in the open. Besides the two or three times of finding this within perhaps a couple of weeks time, this had never happened before. Oh great! My baby ate dog food that also serves as cricket poison! And, shortly after that, I noticed this same favorite dog food had been pulled from the market! Someone else must have tipped off Purina but no recall or warning was ever issued to my knowledge. 
Saturday - Anna walking Elsa & the horses had to come up to say HI
This Morning :)
Elsa is so helpful - she helps me off with my socks (umteen times a day).
She helps me sweep the floor (notice she has a few broom straws in her mouth - ready to drag it away)
She helps me scrub the floor (carrying away my ShamWOW).
Puppy snoozing in her pet "yard" set up in our dinette area - all wore out. She stayed awake through about 99% of the 3.5 hour trip home - her first time out of the basement.
Anna with Puppy. The girls are all smiles. For some reason I didn't get many photos of our last dog as a pup, so I'm going to try better this time around.
Amber with Puppy. Everyone gets their fair turns.
Our little Leonberger is 7 weeks old today and about 10 lbs.
Anna doing her Teaching Textbooks math.
This afternoon ~ my baby Sundance gets his first rider (Anna) - 'Mr. No Big Deal'.
