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Mar. 9, 2008
Another loonngg spread...
I won't appologize yet again for not posting for so long...you see...here at the Fleming family 'compound' real life takes precedence over "non-real-life"...like computers. It has been a very busy season. I am in the middle of planning my parent's surprise 50th anniversary party...in another state. As the oldest of four, my husband instructed me to 'spearhead' the planning...so, in obedience to him, I am ...well, doing my best to keep ahead of the deadlines! LOL We have friends going through the valley...one family losing their 23 year old son in a terrible car accident, and another where the 'papa' has a lingering and ultimately fatal disease. The 'papa' is in the hospital (the last place he would have wanted to be) in a medically induced coma to try to help his body heal from the double pneumonia which was causing his other major organs to shut down. There have been broken relationships restored through this 'crisis'. We are praying for patience and endurance for his sweet wife (and 7 children 12-30yrs. and 9 grandchildren). It is difficult to NOT give God 'deadlines' to remove the 'crisis' and to complete the work HE has begun in us...but we are trying. We are also continuing to pray for The dear Estes family. On a lighter note...I am getting more ready every day to butcher the TOO many roosters! After being chased by a cowardly rooster half-way up the drive I announced today...I am NOW READY! It will be a joy to make chicken soup! The flu has been raging all around us...but so far...most of us have avoided it. Our oldest and youngest sons (who are also buddies) contracted a very mild version of the flu. My secret weapon this year..on top of extra vitamin C and lots of water, fresh air, and rest (read on a much better schedule than normal!)...is my home-made "brew" of elderberry syrup. Here is the recipe: 1 cup elderberries in 3 cups water...bring it to a slow boil...put the lid on and turn it WAY down to SIMMER for 1 hour. Strain out the berries and add 1-1/2 cups raw honey, stir well and store in the refrigerator. Sometimes I add a Tbs. of the same ...dare I say it...whiskey...I use to make vanilla. I can honestly say we do not now, nor ever have even tasted whiskey...except as it is in certain foods. To make home-made pure vanilla...take 6 vanilla beans...break them in smaller pieces and place them in a pint size jar. Add 1 pint high quality bourbon/whiskey...not having a background in this particular field...I asked someone who owns a liquor store...who told me that the brand Maker's Mark is good quality...it also has a lower alcohol content which is why I chose to use this in the vanilla. Cap the jar and leave it in a warm/sunny window...shake it up every now and again. Usually about 3-6 months later you can see that it has darkened considerably and smells like good vanilla...then use it. The alcohol is necessary as a 'menstrum' (spelling?) to draw out the good qualities in the vanilla beans and also preserves it. Store bought vanilla had gotten so expensive and has added ingredients, such as sugar and water...that I learned how to make this about 7 years ago. I have not calculated the cost differences lately, but originally it was MUCH cheaper to make it myself...and I am fairly certain it still is. ANYWAY...to return to the original subject of elderberry syrup...I made everyone take 1-3 TBS. per day. BUT, if they felt a sore throat coming on or any achiness...I upped their amount to 1/4 cup three times per day...or 2 TBS every 2 hours along with vit . C, A, and E and echinacea. During our school day we also schedule 'vigorous exercise' time where, unless it is thundering and lightening or they are deathly ill, everyone MUST go outside and jump on the trampoline, ride their bike, run, play basketball, volleyball, badminton, row the canoe or boat, swim, trick rope, jump rope, or anything else that gets their heart rate up! It is only for 30 minutes, but I am sure it helps us stay healthy. Julia, our youngest daughter sometimes rides her bike down to the chicken coop to collect eggs in the basket and then rides back up a very steep hill. Our middle son has been honing his trick roping and can almost do a pretty impressive Texas skip...he has already mastered many other tricks...some a lot harder. We are getting ready to play and sing for Cowboy Church in Franklin, TN at the Tn Horse Fair one week from today. The next weekend we are hosting a Purim party in our barn. The weekend after that we are scheduled to play/sing/ give testimony at a church not far from here for their whole evening service. After that comes our 25th wedding anniversary...and I am already tired. That doesn't even include all of the every day things that come into play. I am sooo glad that our Heavenly Father's mercies are new EVERY morning. HALLELUJAH!! I am on my very first diet...I paid for it on the internet...but, it is working fantastically, and I feel much better. I am also walking for 30 minutes twice a day. I haven't been able to ride my Paso Fino, Mr. Groceries...yes, that is really his name. He was limping and we have tried a number of different remedies from the vet and naturally. Now we have put "rubber" shoes on him...I think it is helping...but I haven't gotten to ride...so don't know. Oops! I just realized I hadn't reset the clocks down here at the business...it is past my bedtime!  I have got to go! Still working on the schedule...with a few bumps here and there. May God bless all of you richly as you walk humbly with your God, loving and serving your husband and families.
Grace and Peace,
Ruth
P.S. Here is the latest Fleming Family picture for the 2008 season of playing/singing taken this past Friday.
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