Jul. 4, 2009 - ~Opportunities and FREEDOM to....learn :O)
There was an estimated 30,000 people in attendance.
This was the first time he did a 'live feed', which he's always wanted to do, and because of some technical difficulties, had to be near perfect in his filming - providing a fantastic learning experience!
He arrived home late that night, at which time he had us rolling from laughter at all his experiences. I think everything is 100 times funnier when the person saying it is exhausted. The sheer power that came with his production pass and the details about Rodney Atkins big red bus was enough to send us in to hysteria!
As a mother I was so very excited for him. As a child of God it was exciting to see how the Lord provided yet another learning opportunity!
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Jul. 1, 2009 - ~Always something to do
Last week it was h-o-t. So we made balloon animals.......
This week it is w-e-t. So we made hand puppets.....
Rain or shine - always something to do.
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Jun. 29, 2009 - ~Pantry Stocking and keeping.....(and the absolute joy of children!)
It's that time again......Time to check and stock the pantry!
It's fun keeping a well stocked pantry. Takes a little effort, but it's worth it.
I recently went through the pantry looking at the dates and taking a quick inventory. We've used many of the goods we purchased and I now have a better idea of what I should buy on a regular basis. I've got several batches of beans that will expire within the next month or so and I don't want them going to waste so.......
we decided to soak and freeze the beans. This will give them a longer life, but it will also be nice to have the beans handy for recipes since the first process (soaking) is complete.
Yesterday frozen garbanzos. Today - black beans!
We used quart sized bags and froze approximately 3 cups in each baggie. And this is a great job for eager little hands! They love sorting and washing. Besides, asking questions like 'how many bags did we use today, how many bags did we freeze, what are the names of these beans, etc....' and they've received a little edu-MA-cation too
That's what it's all about.....tying those heart strings in every day living. And with opportunities like sorting beans.....who needs a theme park?! 
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update: I had to write back in on this topic.... I brought the black beans to the table to fill up this mornings baggies and was immediately met with the 4 youngest children. My hands were full with helpers! My first thought was to let one help while the others watched. They could each have their turn some other day - right? But as the minutes went on I realized I didn't want to deprive the little blessings! So we began to take turns.
They each got to fill up the cup and fill up the baggie. Then came the zip (they really liked this part too!) and their turn was complete.
We got to the last helper, who was alone at the table with me at this point. He filled his baggie (btw, the concentration on these little faces trying not to spill beans from the baggie is priceless!), zipped his baggie, and then, very excitedly asked: "Can I show Gracie?! I want to show Gracie!" See, since his baggie was the last - it was also the biggest (getting the leftovers at the bottom we didn't want to waste). On his way back from showing Gracie, and whoever else along the way, he began a childish little chant while fiddling with his bag of beans. It went something like this: 'My beans, my beans, my beans.....'.
The simple things......sigh.......
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Jun. 27, 2009 - ~When chickens don't lay eggs.....
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Jun. 25, 2009 - ~Bashful and the Funny Three
As we walked out to see what the sunflower gal was doing this morning, she still had 5 or 6 petals towards the top that were un-opened. I think we'll call her bashful.
These fellas are not bashful at all! Actually, when I fetched the camera 3 of the little ones wouldn't leave me alone! I was trying to get a picture of the littlest fellas goose-egg (aka boo-boo). But once the camera came out they busied themselves with getting in to each shot I tried to take.
Just after this photo little fella made his way to my room to look at himself in the mirror. He wanted to see what all the fuss was about. His brother and sister were 'helping him' look at his boo-boo in the mirror and this is the conversation I mentally recorded as I watched and TRIED to take a few photos of the funny three:
Sister: Let me see your knot.(with hands all over baby brother)
Brother: I want to see your knot (more hands on baby brother)
Baby Brother: Hey! You're hurting my knot!
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Jun. 24, 2009 - ~There are Herbs and then there are Bitter Herbs
In the yard and on the back hill are several wild herbs that grow as well. They are quite bitter, but.....extremely healthy.
I've noticed that several of my lettuce variety are bitter and are classified as bitter herbs. Isn't that interesting?! One way to eat bitter herbs, or bitter lettuce, is to use the leaves to wrap tuna salad. This is very yummy and I do not taste the bitterness at all when I do this.
The leaves of garden lettuce are often bitter when unbleached. Picking your lettuce young and/or growing one of the a new varieties gives you less of that bitter taste, but I have to wonder how many health benefits we might be side-stepping when we go to great lengths to erase the bitterness of the lettuce. Many interesting thoughts.....
Here's a short list of some of the more popular bitter herbs:
Barberry
Boneset
Centaury
Chamomile
Dandelion
Gentian
Golden Seal
Horehound
Mugwort
Rue
Southernwood
Tansy
Wormwood
Yarrow
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Jun. 22, 2009 - ~Fathers Day Weekend
Sunday was the culmination of the weekends events. Complete with homemade spaghetti and meatballs, cheesecake, and cards and gift. The children made paper daisy flowers in a vase and a BIG Fathers day card. Then, at gift time, the real fun began.
*helicopter(above left) flying very close to their heads
This year Daddy received a helicopter for Fathers day. This was certainly one of the highlights of the weekend. We had so much fun and laughed so hard because of that little copter! And I have a TON of photos that I'm going to upload for our family book this year. So many memories.....
On a serious note though..... I just want to say Happy Fathers day to my sweet heart. You're not here in theory. You're here for us. You are so incredibly teachable, always looking for ways you can improve as a father and husband. In my eyes you're so close to perfect. We often talk of how the Lord knew what each of us needed in a spouse. And how He has developed those traits in us.
As a Father I cannot think of a better one (other than our Heavenly Father). You have their hearts and it seems to come so easy for you. I think that is because it's obvious that you love them so much. Again - not in theory. Your love is constantly seen and worked out on a daily basis. You are their confidant and their protector. You are there when they are sick and when they laugh (usually the one that causes them to laugh!). You are strong - yet so very, very soft....telling them how tough they are, and kissing their boo-boos too. You have no hobbies other than being a husband and a father. This is your hobby.... and you should get an award!
Honey, so many men are confused at what it means to be a leader. It seems they cannot get it right and it's so hard for them to find the right balance in things. You lead us by your example. Your example wews us to follow. I know you're not perfect. But my goodness....you are so incredibly sweet and good to us! You make us want to bless you. You make us want to figure out ways to make you happier. It's your goodness to us! And God's goodness to us!
We love you so very much and want to thank you for all you do and all you are. Thank you and Happy (day after) Fathers day
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Jun. 18, 2009 - ~The boy and the giant melon
It is a joy to water in the morning and gather in the evening. I find myself outdoors much more, soaking up a little vitamin D here and there, and snacking on a bean or two. The children beg to be amongst the garden visitors and Gary has learned to unwind walking from one little field to the next. Work has been intense lately and so the garden has been a true treasure for him.
I often watch him in the garden. There are some things that bring him more joy than others. He's taken a special interest in the watermelon, cantaloupe, and corn, but a very special interest in the giant melon. And he gets this little smirk in the corner of his mouth when he sees something new or growing bigger. And though the stint around the house only last 20 minutes or so, I know I cannot weigh the value of the visit.
Yesterday our eldest went outside to rig up something over our giant watermelon. It's growing quite rapidly and we don't want it busting open. He was on his way back into the house when the 8 year old went out. I sat at the window watching the eight year old slowly walk around the entire garden area. He squatted down by the giant melon and then he gently petted the thing. After a minute or so he eyed other areas of the same garden and slowly made his way towards the chickens, which were by the window where I was watching. At that point I didn't know what he was doing. He was making his way towards the house....towards the chickens, but you could tell something was on his mind.
That's when he saw me. His face lit up casually and slowly when he saw me. He motioned with his hands how big the watermelon was getting. He was calmly excited. Just like his father with the little smirk. That's what a giant watermelon does I suppose......
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Jun. 17, 2009 - ~What to do with all those cucumbers
The Lord certainly is blessing the garden lately. This week I've had more cucumbers than I've been able to keep track of, picking and average of 4 each day. It does appear to be slowing a bit the past couple days. Our vegetable sacrifices have increased from about 1 out of 5 to 2 out of 5. I think the right insects have received word and have done a great job bringing in their reinforcements. We haven't used anything to rid the garden of the pests and I'm looking in to soil solarizing some time in the near future. We'll see.....
The picture above is part of our dinner meal from two nights ago. The cucumbers served as our salad for the evening accompanying our lentils and rice. Last night we ate black beans and rice, homemade bisquits, and a plate of cucumbers as well (minus the dip). I don't think it has ever occurred to me to do this. My mind has been set on salad mode; though this cucumber thing has been a big hit. Granted, some were more eager to eat their cucumbers than others, but by the second night we had another convert so I can see we're making progress. And the plate has come up empty each time!
Just another spin on what to do with all the cucumbers from the garden. Cut and serve
*Dip recipe: 4 ounces yogurt and 1 tsp dill seed. Let sit in the frig at least an hour (longer is better) and serve with cucumbers. We adults seemed to like this more than the children though.
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Jun. 16, 2009 - ~An example in correlation
I have this little habit see. It's my little habit, been doing this for a long time, and I don't care to have anyone around interrupting. It's not that no one knows about my little habit, but evidently not everyone knew.....
So yesterday, I had two young helpers in the laundry room and for some reason I began to engage in my little habit with those two helpers right there. So I took out a shirt - It was the shirt of my little-est helper. I began to fold the shirt, held it close, closed my eyes and prayed over little-est helper. Then I put the shirt in the laundry basket and fetched a new one. Over and over again I prayed, performing my little habit, until all the laundry was folded.
But somewhere in the middle of the task, one of the helpers poked his head in the dryer, swished the remainder of those clothes around, looked at the two of us and said: "I have no prayer". All this time folding and the poor dear had no clothes in the dryer. And as he was correctly correlating - no clothes meant.....no prayers.
Now laundry is a bit of a chore for me. It's a love hate relationship. Praying really puts things in perspective and helps to remind me what I'm doing all this for. But one thing I don't want and that is to wake up this morning with more laundry than was used. Because as my little helper probably correctly correlated - more clothes means......more prayers.
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Jun. 15, 2009 - ~Phase one.....check.
For phase One, of (hopefully) 4 or 5 short phases, we took down the cabinets on the upper wall above the sink. Hubby then re-textured the walls and they installed the new 'cabinets' (stainless steel shelving), and a new lighting fixture.
~Before~
~After~
This photo gives a pretty good idea of what the texture looks like, but it's so much nicer in real life. They also removed the window, making a pass-through, and will be framing this in later on, in stage 2 or 3 I think.
For those who thought the stainless steel was a flat piece of shelving I hope you can tell that the shelves are made up of individual bars. In this photo I have a few coffee cups hanging from the back of the lower shelf and there are other attachments from IKEA that can be used with the shelving as well.
The shelving really opened up the kitchen. It feels 'airy' and the roof seems higher! Also something we didn't realize is the cabinets REALLY boxed in the light from the fixture, but the shelving allows the light to flow freely, adding to that airy feel. As you can imagine..... a nice surprise for my little kitchen.
All in all - a prosperous weekend and we hope the following phases go as smoothly.
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Jun. 11, 2009 - ~Renovation details....
For quite a while now we've been discussing renovations to the house. We have a small kitchen but a nice sized dining room. Years have went by and we've contemplated one thought after another. Long story short....... here's the plan (and I *WILL* share costs involved for those that want the particulars). This way we can all learn and compare notes and you have no fear of me thinking you're rude for asking..... although some may think it rude to share.
We'll utilize our extra space in the dining room, making up for the loss of space in the kitchen. I've got a lot of dishes that I don't want to part with. These are dishes that have been in our family, or dishes bestowed on to the girls for their future. They need a home, but I don't want the clutter!
So all of the dishes will no longer be in the kitchen. They'll be in the dining room close to the table. That's step #1 and one we just completed, along with taking down the wall paper and putting up a fresh coat of paint. Check.
Now step #2 should.....hopefully.....Lord willing be completed this weekend. We've decided on stainless steel shelving for the upper cabinets over the sink area. Stainless steele shelving should give us more room and creativity in the kitchen. You can sit items on top of the shelves, hang items from the shelves, and/or purchase really neat attachments to help organize.
We could easily replace the counter top with the 100.00 per 10 feet formica and were seriously considering that. But we've decided to do the italian tile ourselves which will cost roughly 200.00 for the counter tops (we've already purchased all the tile for about 80.00). I really think the italian tile design will look shmashing with the stainless steele and medium grain wood on the bottom. And the shelve will help 'open up' my small kitchen without purchasing those beautiful....fancy.....glass door cabinets that I love. And we have a few cabinets on that side that get used ALOT. Suffice to say they'll hold up better with all the cooking we do and all the little helpers we have. Not to mention the shelving costs roughly $126.00 for the entire wall! See ikea.com for the kitchen shelving.
Step #3 we hope will quite easily come on the heels of step #2 and they'll be no step #2a, #2b, and so on...... Lord bless us
The plans for step#3 are to replace the bottom cabinet and sink as well as create a beautiful italian tile design on top of the countertop. We've already purchased one big cabinet that we got on sale at Lowes and will head back to get the other cabinet on sale as well. I don't have the exact numbers on hand but the cabinets cost less than 300.00 for that side.
Step#4, #5, and so on will be focused on the other side of the kitchen which SHOULD (Lord willing) require far less work, but we will have to purchase a few small cabinets on that side as well.
*The side table in the dining room. Home of the every day dishes where little hands can help set the table. We still have trim work to do, so please ignore that 
And I'm hoping to find a shallow rectangular basket for our coffee cups. Little by little.....bit by bit.0 Comments Post A Comment! Permanent Link
Jun. 11, 2009 - ~Our Very First Mazerati AND (a little humor from the children)
But seriously.....we have to tell all our gardening friends about the yummi-ness of this tomato. No need for the addition of lettuce or other vegetables - it's a stand-alone! Not the run of the mill tomato taste at all..... full of flavor and actually tasted like seasonings were already added! This particular tomato was about 5 inches long (although the others I have growing are only 3-4 inches so far).
*J (3 year old) took this photo. Isn't he talented?
Here's a little something from wikipedia:
San Marzano tomatoes, a variety of plum tomatoes, are considered by many chefs to be the best sauce tomatoes in the world. The story goes that the first seed of the San Marzano tomato came to Campania in 1770, as a gift from the Kingdom of Peru to the Kingdom of Naples, and that it was planted in the area that corresponds to the present commune of San Marzano. They come from a small town of the same name near Naples, Italy, and were first grown in volcanic soil in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. The volcanic soil is believed to act as a filter for water impurities. Compared to the Roma Tomatoes with which most people are familiar, Marzano tomatoes are thinner and pointier in shape. The flesh is much thicker with fewer seeds, and the taste is much stronger, more sweet and less acidic. Many people describe the taste as bittersweet, like high-quality chocolate. Because of their high quality and origins near Naples, San Marzano tomatoes have been designated as the only tomatoes that can be used for Vera Pizza Napoletana (True Neapolitan Pizza).[1]
The name denotes both a point of origin and a variety of tomato. Canned Marzanos grown in Italy in compliance with Italian law will have the EU "DOP" emblem on the label.
Though commercial production of the San Marzano variety is most closely associated with Italy, seeds for the variety are available worldwide, often labeled as an heirloom variety, frequently imported from Italy, and sold at a premium over more common varieties. The San Marzano vines are indeterminate and have a somewhat longer season than other paste tomato varieties, making them more suitable for warmer climates. As is typical of heirloom plants, San Marzano is an open-pollinated variety that breeds true from generation to generation, making seed saving practical for the home gardener or farmer.
Brands available in supermarkets include Cento, Nina, La Bella, Solinia and Vantia. Most San Marzano tomatoes sold commercially are grown in Italy, though they are produced commercially in smaller quantities in other countries.
*J (3 year old) took this photo as well. It's his turn to contribute to the blog. I know... not a mazerati either.
*Pickins from the garden today (4 small heads lettuce, 4 cucumbers, handful green beans, and 4 eggs*not shown).Now for a little funny:
Yesterday when hubby arrived home one of our little fellas was very excited to tell him something. "Daddy, daddy, I have incredible underwear!" We laughed and of course we knew he was talking about his brand new 'incredibles' underwear.
They always make us laugh!
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Jun. 8, 2009 - ~Transparency, Discretion and Deception....
Before graduation, during the home school convention, I was able to attend only one seminar. I felt very much led to attend one of the Hamby seminars, so that's the one I chose (see VIDEO piece below). His workshop was filled with about 700 people and all of them were crying. Okay.... laughing and crying because Mark Hamby is absolutely hilarious!
Mark is a straight shooter. He's not rude or cocky. He's honest. Mark had a way of cutting through to everyones heart that day and I am convinced the Holy Spirit is involved. How refreshing it was to hear his honest heart!
After the seminar I made my way to the auditorium to find his booth. Me and everyone else! I'm telling you.....this man ministered that day! He did not minister to the outward man....He ministered to the hearts! God was totally involved!
Anywho....to make a long story short I went to purchase the c.d. from that particular workshop and ended up buying the c.d. set (which is a really good deal btw!). So on the way home Bub and I listened to the first one and LAUGHED so hard! Then for some reason Honey decided he was going to listen to the series during his drive back and forth to work. Long story short....he finished the entire set in one day! Then he came home and popped one of the c.d.'s in for us at dinner that night.
The reason I write all of this is just this morning I read these verses:
"Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."
Mr. Hamby makes the point that the leader (or leaders) will serve those he/they are leading. He gives an awesome picture in regards to the sheep not being led from behind....being pushed in to doing what the 'Master/Shepherd/Father/Mother' wants them to do. But being led.....gently....sacrificially from the front....they FOLLOW Him.
Mark Hamby gives hilarious illustrations from his own life. He raised sheep for over 7 years I believe. And for the first 7 years his sheep HATED him. Everything was a struggle in regards to his sheep. He said something to the effect of 'you know how difficult it is trying to help someone that doesn't want help'?! That's how his sheep were. He was trying to 'take care' of them and they fought him every step of the way. Meanwhile.....he was having difficulty with his eldest son Jonathan. God was using the sheep to speak in to Marks life about his relationship with his son.
What we appreciate most is the fact that the Hambys share their struggle. They don't just 'touch' on the issues. They are transparent! I think we (as christians) struggle so much with transparency, especially in certain circles. Somewhere along the line we have bought in to a philosophy that is in error. We tell ourselves we have to use discretion and along the way discretion begins to take the form of deception and we do not even realize this!
A while back my husband did a study on this exact thing. He did a word search using the greek and hebrew and in many cases where the bible uses the term discreet, the meaning can be good but often.... bad. Quick examples are: Proverbs 1:4, 2:11, 3:21, 5:2. In looking at the verses it seems these are positive (read them and see). But in looking at the original wording we see them as negative as well (H4209 a plan, usually evil, sometimes good, device (wicked), discretion, intent, witty invention)......etc... (from Strongs).
I'm not going to attempt to do an entire study on the blog and I do think there's a need for true discretion ie: prudence and modesty. But when discretion becomes a tool we use to protect ourselves, or an art in leading others to think a certain way..... that's where it crosses over in to deception. I think Hamby has a handle on this. Better than anyone we've heard so far anyways! By God's grace we'll get out of our religion and in to a live and active relationship with God and our christian family!
For more on Mark's testimony or teaching series click on this link: (we have Life Transforming Seminars vol.1 here at the house)
Mark Hamby/ Lamplighter Publishing
for a look at the slide-show Mark showed to us at the seminar go here: (specifically noting slides 29-35, notes between Mark and his son during church)
Notes between Mark & Jonathan
And here's a very good video excerpt.
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Jun. 5, 2009 - ~More great adventures -part 2
Jo and I went out this morning and picked the first of our cucumbers. This was SO much fun!!! I think today we shall have cucumber sandwiches..... I just love cucumber sandwiches!
Last evening when Hubby and I were making our rounds we found this! This little fella was hiding, along with another just like him. We have two small patches of watermelon and some cantaloupe on the back hill. It seems they like their environment.... yippee!
And lastly, the key limes (in this photo) are doing very well. Next to this tree is our regular lime tree. I did not think we'd get any fruit from this tree this year, but as we were making our rounds last evening we received yet another surprise! A nice sized lime hiding beneath a few leaves.
That's all for now. For those of you that can not understand all the hooplah about gardening, thanks for bearing with me and overlooking my zeal. Life around here is more than gardening. It's just that there's something so special about seeing the fruits of your labor. And the learning process...... I can not think of another area of learning that has been so enjoyable! I suppose past failures make these few successes all the sweeter......
The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:12
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Jun. 4, 2009 - ~This is the great adventure -part 1
Hubby prompted me to take photos of the garden so I ran out this morning and captured a few. The squash is growing so good! Last year about this time we attempted to grow squash in the pool with drainage holes up the side of the pool every 18 inches. Well, this time of year is extremely wet and our beautiful squash began to rot! Lesson learned..... now just look at these beauties! I think we appreciate it just a little more because of the failure last year
One thing that I'm sure the pools are great for is growing lettuce! I have never had a problem with the lettuce in the pool. No matter the season..... the lettuce LOVES the pool! Here is a photo of our lettuce going to seed. This is what it looks like if you do nothing with it for a couple weeks.
Here's an close-up of what the tops of the lettuce look like. Little flowers will begin to form and when they die off they'll leave little tiny lettuce seeds. About a month or so ago we harvested a million little romaine seeds that I had planted about a year ago. I don't expect it to take very long for these to go to seed though. We're certainly learning......
Here are some of our tomato plants. With the flood I really thought they were goners. But thankfully they like it wet and were at the stage where it didn't cause very much damage. In this pool, with the tomato, I have about 10 pepper plants.
I tried growing some peppers last year and my blooms or tiny little peppers would always fall off. That was aggravating to say the least! I talked with a local farmer who said I should probably add some lime(?) to the soil a couple weeks before planting. So far so good.......
Pepper get wet feet easy, so after the flood I took 5 pepper plants out and transplanted them. I then went to the tomato/pepper pool and gently began making little ditches around the plants to help the root stay aerated. All of the peppers look good - the ones I transplanted and the10 or so I left in the pool, but the peppers in the pool look three times as good! The true test will come in a few weeks though.
Here's the backyard garden. We actually have little garden plots all over the yard as experiments. These little experiments help us evaluate soil, lighting, drainage, and we use that information to expand with each new season.
This plot is very exciting! The photo is a little deceiving, but there's quite a bit in here. Right here at the front we have watermelon. These watermelon are suppose to reach 200 pounds.
We were walking the garden last night and found this! Isn't that the cutest little thing?! If you zoom in you can even see it's stripes! Reminds me of a little baby in the womb..... it's all there it's just tiny
After the melon there are three rows. I'm glad we allowed room for the melon to roam because they are already right next to the corn!
The corn is another exciting adventure! I didn't want to plant corn, but hubby did. We had planted corn before and it didn't go too well. I think we have it figured out now. So far everything in the garden is growing by leaps and bounds and we attribute that to preparing the soil well beforehand AND 2-3 weeks after our initial planting we gave the seedlings a healthy dose of miracle grow.
They say that if your soil is healthy it helps in fighting off insects and disease. So far I totally agree.
Here's another view from the other side. Right here on this far side we've planted cucumbers. They are the cutest! The next row are the squash, and the following row had several corn and 4 pepper plants. We've already started harvesting our squash (as you can tell) and they are ginormous! We used our first harvested squash for the soup we made the other day, along with several picked beans. One thing I've noticed when growing your own food is that you DO NOT want any wasted! It's an entirely different mentality when you grow your own. There is a very real sense of appreciation!
My daughter told me this morning that she wished we had begun all of this when she was younger. For the children to see the entire process is such a blessing. The younger ones do not understand all of it, but they are blessed by it in many ways. I can't imagine them in a school all day long! Learning should be hands on for the little ones! I myself, have learned so very much just being a home school mother. I never had opportunities to learn like I do now.
The children pick up the eagerness to learn as well. Sometimes a learning opportunity comes from a simple question one of the children will ask. From that question books begin to fly and field trips are scheduled. Get ready...... we're going on an adventure!
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*I've had two requests for a peek at Grandma and Grandpas cabin. For those of you who don't know they've been re-doing 150 year old cabin for a while now. Grandpa is quite talented and always does a little something extra, so you'll also see photos of his outhouse (fully equipped with plumbing and hot water). In the final photo below Jo is standing to the side/back of the outhouse holding the shower stall door open (which also has hot water). You can't imagine how much fun it is for the children to use the facilities at Grandma and Grandpas!
There's an inside photo of the outhouse from last weeks entry. Just scroll down a few entries to see that.
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Jun. 3, 2009 - ~Me thinking....outloud (and a recipe of sorts)
I've been thinking.... were old timers healthier? You know....the farmers of a hundred years ago. Not the ones of today who farm the land, grow some food, and pick up a Big Mac on the way to market. I'm thinking about the farmers who stayed on their land all week long, tilling, living, and going to town once a week to fellowship and get a few essentials. The very simple.....
There's a book that we read 7 or 8 years ago that has 'stayed' with me/us. We loaned the book out after we read it and it traveled to several families before landing back at our house over 2 years later. The book is called Henry and the Great Society and it's one of the most powerful little books I've ever read.
The first two chapters set the stage, introducing Henry and his family, after that hang on - you're living life through Henry - and more than you know! Henry's days were not like ours - at first anyways. Henry lived in a community. He went to 'town' once a week. Worked on the farm. Ate on the farm. Lived on the farm. Loved on the farm. Raised the children on the farm. You can sense that Henry was happy and healthy, no want for nothing, until progress of course.
So I was out watering the veggies yesterday. While I was at it I enjoyed a few samples, snacking on a little of this and that. Then I thought..... hmm, I wonder how healthy the farmers were before all this 'progress'. I figure they had to eat really well. They definately received enough exercise. And stress..... well I figure a hundred or more years ago was an age where we generally didn't beg for debt like we do today. You worked hard and made due and lived with a general attitude of contentment and thankfulness.
Families worked together, one generation caring for another. The grandparents were never discarded as useless. Everyone had something to offer and EVERYONE contributed. Children, even the very young, had their place, and their place wasn't sitting in front of the big box eating their morning pop-tart.
My daughter and I just returned from a short trip to our Grandmothers a week ago. While on the trip we were discussing my childhood and some of the fond memories I have. Most of my fond memories are when I would visit my grandmother in the middle of nothing ville.
When young, I would have rather stayed home to stroll the mall or eat those pop-tarts in front of the tube, but I HAD to go to Grandmas - where there wasn't even any t.v. reception for goodness sakes! Isn't it strange that most of my favorite memories take place at Grandmas, in the middle of nowhere, with no entertainment and 'nothing' to do (using the word 'nothing' loosely)?
I can't remember what we'd eat for breakfast, but lunchtime I'd BEG for a hash sandwich and we'd unroll the plastic tarp, sprinkle on the detergent, and enjoy the most slippery slip-N-slide ever, or I'd be allowed to head out to the neighbors sink hole for a swim. If it was real hot and the sink hole was dry I'd sit in the church (the only place with a little air conditioning) and read my bible or lead out an imaginary worship service with one of the fifty hymnals. On Sundays I'd teach childrens church to the little ones. And before Sunday, if Grandma had a few extra dollars we'd take an hour trip to the only bible bookstore around and search through the clearance or give-a-way items to use with the children on Sundays. BTW, Grandma lived off 127.00 a month and did just fine without debt.
I was involved. I was engaged. My grandmother was simple and didn't know her 11 year old grand daughter couldn't contribute in such a way. She was all about enjoying Jesus and enjoying the people around her, even the poor ones without any shoes. Everyone had something to contribute. Everyone had high value, young and old.... even the shoeless.
Recipe:
*The soup above will serve the 8 of us for 2-3 meals. In olive oil, we sauteed onions and herbs from the garden (LOTS of herbs...parsley, rosemary, basil, oregano) then we added whatever veggies we had on hand. I was going for an italian style soup, but needed to use the veggies I had as well.....isn't soup grand?! We had some beans and a big fat squash from the garden. Then we added sweet potato, celery, kale, can of diced tomatoes, one pound of turkey meat, and I think that might be all. We ended up cooking some pasta and serving the soup atop the pasta. The herbs made the broth fantastic! Did you know that adding celery cuts back on your need for salt? Neat!
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Jun. 2, 2009 - ~New interior decorating?
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May. 30, 2009 - ~Semi catch-up
We had thegraduation last weekend. It was a neat experience to say the least. We were a little wrapped up in the coming and going and getting it all done, but when I walked in to the hall before the graduation was about to take place, the emotions came on like a flood. I choked back the tears and gathered myself in time for the ceremony. Is this how it feels each time? I can't imagine what the wedding will be like.
Here's a photo of the graduate in the foyer after the ceremony. FPEA did the graduation up REALLY nice and the resort and conference center were unbelievable. If anyone is on the fence in regards to graduating with their state group I would give a hearty encouragement to do so (from my one time experience of course). It is no small deal and they really did a top rate job, even including one of our senators for the graduating charge. And what a charge it was!
Here's a photo of the fam outside Olive Garden where we ate and enjoyed family and friends after graduation. To everyone that came.....traveled so very far......Thank you. To the many, many, people who called, sent notes and gifts.... it meant the world to him. For someone who really doesn't like a lot of attention - he really enjoyed his special day and the days leading up to it.
Right after graduation Jo and I took a quick trip to Georgia to visit family there. We stayed with Mom and enjoyed visiting the cabin. Mom and Dad have been busy the past few years dolling up a hundred and fifty year old cabin they fell in love with. Anything Grandpa touches turns to gold. The man is a genious and so-so-talented.
One of the little extras Grandpa has done to the cabin has been to install the 'outhouse'. Not your typical outhouse though....This outhouse is fully equipped with hot water and plumbing. It has the appearance of an old-time outhouse, but all the conveniences of modern day.
There is an indoor bathroom with a beautiful clawfoot tub. But the young and old are especially fond of Grandpas outhouse
Now for the garden. I can't miss another garden update so I'll post a little and a couple photos too. Our peach trees have produced fruit! That's exciting. Here is a photo of the first trees fruit picked right before our little Georgia excursion.
The fruit on the other tree is ripening and it's fruit is slightly bigger. I expect and hope for an abundant harvest next year when our peach trees should begin their prime productions. Lord bless us!
We have picked lots and lots of produce from the garden lately. Nothing we can't eat as a snack of course. I have been harvesting 10-20 blueberries at a time, 10 or so beans, and so on. Nothing very grand, but all-in-all.....very satisfying when you've never really grown food before.
The above photo is our small garden patch that is bursting with squash, cucumbers, and hopefully soon....corn, peppers, and watermelon. The rain has created a growth extravaganza!
And here's our latest project. And I do mean latest. This photo was taken just a couple hours ago right before dinner! The family has been working diligently to take down wallpaper and put up a fresh coat of paint in the dining room. Gary bought me the beautiful cabinet at IKEA and we're working from morning til night trying to get everything organized. Lots more to be done and hopefully all before school begins again.
Special thanks to all of the children that really pulled together getting this work done. Many hands make light work!
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May. 22, 2009 -
Oh refuge of my hardened heart
Oh fast pursuing lover come
As angels dance 'round Your throne
My life by captured fare You own
Not silhouette of trodden faith
Nor death shall not my steps be guide
I'll pirouette upon mine grave
For in Your path I'll run and hide
Chorus:
Oh gaze of love so melt my pride
That I may in Your house but kneel
And in my brokenness to cry
Spring worship unto Thee
When beauty breaks the spell of pain
The bludgeoned heart shall burst in vain
But not when love be pointed king
And truth shall Thee forever reign
[Chorus]
Sweet Jesus carry me away
From cold of night, and dust of day
In ragged hour or salt worn eye
Be my desire, my wellspring lie
[Chorus x 2]
Spring worship unto Thee
Spring worship unto Thee
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May. 21, 2009 - ~Happy Anniversary~My Best Shot
*Hubby about to enjoy his yummy lunch at our first visit to IKEA yesterday for our anniversary. The cafe holds about 350 people. This place is huge!Being that it's been 20 years and I am absolutely and totally crazy about my husband. Being that it's hard not to constantly touch him and I can't stand being away from him. Being that I love making him happy and he is a constant encouragement to me. Being that there is no man I respect more. Being that he is gentle and kind and consistently gives and gives with no end in sight. I think I have a little (just a little) something to share after 20 years of marriage. >
<
The Lord tells us that marriage between a husband and a wife is a picture of Christ and His church. Scripture tells us (in Ephesians 5) that this is a great mystery. And isn't it now? We live in a world where truth is poo-pooed. Backwards thinking is elevated and it does NOT matter if that backwards thinking has been proven wrong or not. 'There is a way that seems right to a man, and in the end is death', says scripture again.
Marriages end all of the time because a husband and a wife try to do things their way and they rely on their own thinking, or the thinking & reasoning of mankind in general. I can say, after 20 years, I have actually put the Bible to the test and it works! I love my husband far more and appreciate him far more now than I ever have. We have been through THICK and we have been through THIN. I know his secrets and insecurities and I love him more for knowing. He is fully aware of my baggage and quirks and they only endear us more. Life is not peachy-keen and I am not Cinderella in a story book. My movie doesn't revolve around me and knowing this brings me great peace.
I have learned principles in Gods word (His breathed out voice to me) that have done me much good. I wish, oh how I wish, I could save the heartaches of others, but to remain sober in our own lives is a chore in itself. The voice of this world and mankind are so LOUD and consistent. These false philosophies are prospered by being spoken over and over until it rings as truth. Isn't that the saying....'a lie oft repeated becomes truth'.
I look back over my lifetime and see the day of my salvation. That day is the day I came to the end of myself, or the first wave of the end of myself (Step one....heart change). I finally figured out that I was in need. Then life marched on and I continued to 'think' like others thought and it took many years for the Lord to show me my thinking was off. So, step two.....the Lord began to change my mind/thinking.
Now, I must say.....this is the extremely cool part! Because this is where the rubber really meets the road. I cannot count the times where I read something in the Bible that absolutely and totally went against how I was raised or trained or felt and I stepped out in an act of faith and Whamo! Sometimes that 'Whamo' was instant. Sometimes it was over the course of a l-o-n-g time and series of events. But it's the coolest thing to watch and be a part of. I mean, you're literally doing something 'backwards' of what you feel like doing and it works! You're actually able to watch things unfold and click in to place!
Take this passage for example:
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Ladies, does that ruffle your feathers? I mean seriously.....when you read that don't you just get a little peeved? 'Submitt?! He's the head?! Hello......this is 2009 for goodness sakes!' Is that how you feel when you see those words?
And maybe some of you JUST had a little tiff with your 'inconsiderate' husband. If so, the words above will be a little more irritating.
Okay, so now read this:
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Ohhhhh....now that's a different story altogether isn't it?! You probably liked the sound of a few of those words. I know I did....... Love, gave himself, nourisheth, cherisheth. Now that's different!!!
My 4 year old daughter just came to me with her little cardboard doll her sister made her last night. She asked me to color her doll for her. While I was coloring, I said "Why don't you color it?". In a sleepy and little whiny voice, she said: "I can't - I'm a little girl". I laughed. She's fully capable of coloring her cardboard dolls dress with the blue crayon! She may be lacking in energy or willingness, but she is not lacking in ability.
That's just like us! If we are in Christ (if you need to know more of what I mean, I'd be happy to explain) we are fully capable! God has given us everything we need to color the doll! The choice is up to us. God has a plan of blessings in store for us. So why are we choosing another way that does not work?
And sometimes wives, it starts with us. It takes a small step of faith on the part of the wife to get the ball rolling. This is one thing I noticed about the above passage. Notice the 'address' was to the wife first? And again - this is a mystery. A mystery that has a very happy ending for the husband AND the wife......
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
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May. 19, 2009 - ~Sheer - White, Exhaling Curtains
A few hugs, kisses, and another yummy squeeze. I love being a mother......
Sometimes life is hard. There is busyness and there is travail. None are immune, though there are times of peace and comfort that help fill in the gaps with a balance we all need.
Maybe this is why I love the early morning. It's so very peaceful and not at all 'sharp'. From the weather to the colors....always soft and soothing. This morning there are no pinks in the sky. It is a dull sort of gray. The rain has brought these dreary sort of colors, but it's not dreary at all! It's soothing.....peaceful.....comforting.
We've been inside for a few days now. Reading books. Playing a new board game. Taking photos. Oh the children love taking photos! And they love to color!
When they color their colors are sharp. They are always vibrant! One child uses a bright blue and distinguishes the lines with a blazing orange. To a child everything is bright. Everything is exciting and 100 miles an hour. I must provide those dull sweet moments for them. Much like my heavenly Father has provided for me this morning. And there they go again......sheer - white, exhaling, curtains....... the joys of the morning are from my Father.
...in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
Psalm 11:3(b)
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May. 15, 2009 - ~You've GOT to be Kidding!
Sweet plans......beautiful plans.... . And then we hear the screech of the needle peeling across that old vinyl LP. Such is life and sometimes....... It just taint pretty!
If you've been reading lately you know I've been working on plans for an herb garden. I finally (after 2 years) settled on a simple design I really like and one that (we thought) should work well for the area we have available.
Last week our eldest son marked out the territory and began putting down the pretty colored squares. When that was complete I was set to buy my herbs. I had purchased a couple at Walmart, but the nearly 4.00 price tag was bugging me to no-end, so I set off to the herb man whose only available one day each week. I purchased my herbs and some yummy produce and check - check, things were moving nicely off my little To Do List.
That is until 2 days ago.
Two days ago the Lord gave us the rain we were praying for. It rained long, hard and consistent. So consistent the dry earth could not keep up with the downpour. The children and I sat in the house watching the rain, taking video, and praying for the storm to cease. The waters rose just shy of entering the house.
We watched as our container gardens floated away and as our precious Julia (the most favored chicken) was trapped by the rising waters and soon disappeared. My daughter and I stood by the window cheering Julia on, praying for the Lord to save her, and watching as the gardens made like an ark and were set afloat. It was all quite dramatic.....for sure.
Finally, the aluminum feed bowl that was supporting Julia took on water and capsized. Julia went under and we prayed and prayed that somehow that chicken would be able to swim. Three or four minutes went by, my daughter buried her head in my chest sobbing, and we prayed that the lightning would stop long enough so that we could save our precious pet. The lightning didn't stop. The floods continued to rise. Julia was nowhere in sight.
There are times in a mothers life that we can see the hand of God in the lives of our children. Times when we can see all things working together for their good. Times when the Lord shows himself mighty in the daily lives of these little ones. He strengthens them by weakening them. Such was this time, when all she/we could do was to pray.
I cannot believe how long time seemed to stand still. Those three or four minutes seemed like forever and honestly we truly thought Julia was gone. Then after lots of tears and prayers we saw something moving. It was Julia! The entire clan of children gathered around that tiny open window screaming at her through their tears (yes, I was screaming too!). "Come on Julia!" "Thank you Lord!", "Help her Lord".
Again, many minutes went by. We did not know if Julia would make it. She struggled and struggled taking on water the entire time. Finally she made it to the bottom of her chicken ladder that leads to the second story (the safe room) of her chicken house. She sat at the bottom of that ladder, half-way in the water and half-way out of the water, absolutely and totally exhausted. The other two chickens were at the top pacing back and forth looking down at Julia. No doubt praying for her too......
After a brief rest and a slight recession of storm waters, Julia laid at the bottom of her ladder exhausted and cold. We couldn't tell if her leg was broken, but she was certainly not moving. Finally, the lightning ceased and Big brother (who really can't stand all of these icky chickens) waded through the water to save Julia. He brought her inside and we put her in the tub of the bathroom with the heat lamp on. Long story short...... Julia is fine, fully recovered, and running around the yard with the other chickens.
~damage from the flood to our side garden area. Brother had to pull the pools back to the side before all the water receeded and the pools would be too heavy to budge.
Yesterday I was listening to the daily broadcast of Focus on the Family. At the beginning of the program Dobson gave a warning to parents that children should not hear this days broadcast. Some things had taken place, and as Dobson pointed out in the beginning of the show, 'There are no phone calls to be made....nothing can be done'. As I listened I began to realize what this means for our country/ our children. I sat there listening to details....details without a silver lining.
But remembering Julia, and the message that little ordeal sent to my daughter and the rest of us, I can clearly and emphatically say....... 'This is just the beginning!' It is when we have nowhere to turn, when we get to the end of our ability, when things get their bleakest...... God shows up (though He's there all along) and NOONE gets the credit. It's when we get to the end of ourselves that we find God. It was when all hope seemed gone that Julia the chicken was saved.
As long as we have opportunity. As long as we have some kind of self ability - we don't seem to need God. Pride is our enemy. It's our own flesh that is in battle. Our flesh against our own spirit. Yes, the battle is within ourselves and as long as there is some degree of self ability we will not be humbled. With brokenness comes great joy and thanksgiving.
Not all is lost..... here's our back garden which sat high above the waters flood. It seems that while our side garden was screaming "help me!", our rear garden was yelling "Thank you!". It received a healthy dose of rain and today looks twice the size of two days ago.
And we're actually harvesting some blueberries as well. It seems that the bird that kept getting in to our blueberry patch may have learned the very same life lesson. For he, I suppose, got to the end of himself too. Nowhere to go. Sitting in his captivity with no escape in sight. Maybe it was God that burdened our hearts for the rescue of that rascal bird. It wouldn't have been long and he would have been dead from the heat and lack of water inside his pleasure cage. Maybe he got to the end of himself and cried out with chirps to the Lord. Yes, with brokenness comes great joy and thanksgiving! There's a freedom that comes from being broken.....
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:2
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May. 14, 2009 - ~God Speaks!
MAKE a HABIT of HAVING no HABITS
"For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful." 2 Peter 1:8 (R.V.)
When we begin to form a habit we are conscious of it. There are times when we are conscious of becoming virtuous and patient and godly, but it is only a stage; if we stop there we shall get the strut of the spiritual prig. The right thing to do with habits is to lose them in the life of the Lord, until every habit is so practised that there is no conscious habit at all. Our spiritual life continually resolves into introspection because there are some qualities we have not added as yet. Ultimately the relationship is to be a completely simple one.
Your god may be your little Christian habit, the habit of prayer at stated times, or the habit of Bible reading. Watch how your Father will upset those times if you begin to worship your habit instead of what the habit symbolizes - I can't do that just now, I am praying; it is my hour with God. No, it is your hour with your habit. There is a quality that is lacking in you. Recognize the defect and then look for the opportunity of exercising yourself along the line of the quality to be added.
Love means that there is no habit visible, you have come to the place where the habit is lost, and by practice you do the thing unconsciously. If you are consciously holy, there are certain things you imagine you cannot do, certain relationships in which you are far from simple; that means there is something to be added. The only supernatural life is the life the Lord Jesus lived, and He was at home with God anywhere. Is there anywhere where you are not at home with God? Let God press through in that particular circumstance until you gain Him, and life becomes the simple life of a child.
~Oswald Chambers
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May. 12, 2009 - ~Four, Five, Six Dollar Soup
I enjoy cooking from scratch. Not every day, but if I'm lucky several times a week.
In honor of yesterdays trip (in pictures) to the local farmers market, I thought I'd share a very healthy and inexpensive soup recipe and it's many variations. We call this Four, Five, Six dollar soup because depending on your mood, the ingredients on hand, and the amount of servings you make, the price can go up or down. But anyway we make it it's yummy and 'good fer ya'
This soup made a generous serving for about 16 people, so for our family that's 2 meals.
This is how we prepared it last night (the deluxe version).....
I cooked up the onions (from our garden) and parsley in a little bit of butter and olive oil. Then I threw in the rest of my peeled and chopped up veggies (starting with the cabbage). I added my can of diced italian tomatoes (.50-.75) and about 10 cups of water. Then I prepared the worlds quickest and cheapest meatballs for 1.00 and served the entire soup over some rice (because I didn't have time for barley, which was my original plan). Towards the end of the meal I tossed in a teaspoon of celtic sea salt and called it a day.
Everyone received a BIG and yummy serving and their bellys were nice and full. There were no complaints and the cost of this deluxe version costs approximately $7.50-8.00 (which was $4.00 for one nights dinner for 8 people). Tonight we'll serve the soup with a side of corn muffins for an additional .50 as there are no more meatballs to be had
This can be made with meat or by adding a cup or two of cooked beans. It can be made atop rice or barley or with added noodles, and it can be made with whatever vegetables are in season and cheap. And more than likely this is a no-brainer recipe, but one most of us haven't made in a while.
If you're a family of 4 this should give you 2 meals (2 nights in a row) and give you 2 more for your freezer. You could literally make the soup the first week and heat up on the stove the second. And if you're a retired couple it could be stretched for the month quite easily.
I would love to hear other variations if anyone has any.
Blessings,
Eunice
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May. 11, 2009 - ~Community
The community in which we live is very diverse. A taste of Suburbia and a fantastic farming community. The local farmers market is just about 10-15 minutes from my front door and as I drive down our two lane highway I look about the many homesteaders with their flourishing spring gardens.
I love to slow down to sneek a peek and try to figure out just what it is that the local folk are growing. Sometimes the gardens are cute and small and sometimes they are quite large.
As I drove towards the farmers market this morning I saw an elderly farmer sitting on his mower on the North-end of his huge garden. Now weeks in to the Spring season it was so very impressive.
I pass the sign that says: 'Farm Fresh Eggs' and I'm almost there. Just in time to get 2.00 parking and some really good deals.
I got my fair share of produce..... the green peppers are HUGE! And I continued on my journey with one thing on my mind.
I passed all the goodies that were not on the list.
And finally arrived at my desired destination...... This is what I got going early for. This is why I traveled (ALL THIS WAY, LOL).
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May. 8, 2009 - ~Day around our little Homestead
*Don't you even think about it Buddy*
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May. 8, 2009 - ~I need you Mom
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May. 7, 2009 - ~Case solved and then some......
~Our bird house~where birds are SUPPOSE to find a snack~
We've solved our blueberry dilemma. I have to publically apologize to the squirrels though. Previously I had blamed the squirrels for my missing blueberries. I had seen Mr. Squirrel near our blueberry playpen trying to figure his way in, so I naturally determined it was the squirrels when the ripe blueberries went missing the very next day. Well..... I slandered Mr. Squirrel and for that I am very sorry. Please do not subscribe to the site (allsquirrelsmustdie) it could be the birds that are doing the damage and the squirrels are just ratty enough to take the fall.
~The story~
One day, earlier in the week, we accidentally snagged a bird inside our blueberry playpen. The bird found his way inside and was flying quite hazardously. That's when I, full of grace, went over and released said bird. Poor thing was so horridly frightened. But wouldn't you know it..... he found his way in to the forbidden pen yet again and this time even brought a friend! Well actually..... he brought two.
Just as soon as I saw that fool and his mate - I saw the hawk. The birds saw the hawk too. And I could almost sware those little birds were calling out to me.. 'We promise....we promise.... you get us out of here and we'll never mess with your precious blueberries again'.
"Yeah....right."
I sat out there watching the show and my brain was just racing trying to figure out how to get the video camera to capture this rare event. I was just inside the van and gave the horn a quick honk. The honk did not phase the hawk at all and I gave it another quick honk. Still.....noone inside answered my 'call' (which was extremely weird!). Finally after a series of honks, and a glance from the hawk, I realized I had to caually walk to the door, looking the other way like I did not even realize the hawk was there, la la la la.....
I made it to the door and whisper yelled (this is possible, moms do it all the time) to my son to run and get the video camera, but by the time we got to the side window and hit the record button - he took off. No hawk to be found :O(
I decided to leave the
And I finally got a little video of me releasing the birds - proof that no animals were harmed during the ordeal. I gave them a stern talking to, with them answering 'Yes Mam, yes Mam'. of course. And I really thought they had learned their lesson. I really did. But alas..... we have come face to face yet again and again since. We have tied up the sides of the blueberry playpen and have since tied up the top. It is now VERY hard for them to get in and almost impossible for them to get out. But knowing these rascals like we do - they'll find a way.
~Onions are ready to harvest when their tops start to turn brown and fall limp to the side.
We're about at the halfway mark in harvesting our onions. I believe we planted about 72 onions and this week (in the photo above) harvested 12 so far. There are a few more that will be ready in the next day or so and we'll hopefully make some neighbors happy and be able to keep some for a while in the fridge. Yum....Yum....homegrown onions
Next week should be a fun post on garden happenings. We're working on keeping our garden healthy and we're also working on an amazing herb garden (ew I hope it's amazing!). I'm taking photos during each phase and, Lord willing, everything will be complete by next weeks Friday garden club! As usual, I'm posting this on Thursday and will post the link on Friday so that everyone can head over to Carries for the garden club.
Blessings to all and Happy gardening!
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May. 5, 2009 - ~I love homeschooling
I remember when I was in school. Somewhere around 7th grade I began to lose interest. The year before I had made principals honor roll and the very next year I was failing. Nothing made sense to me. I was required to memorize mathematical concepts and diagram sentences. Why? No one had the answer- or at least- they weren't giving the answers. None would (or could) take the time to reason with me. After all..... there were 30 other children in the same class and 'we must stay on schedule'.
*Let's have a slip N slide celebration
I have seen the differences, first hand, in our homeschooling verses the traditional type schooling. I have talked to many parents and teachers as well. I have known quite a few, and I do mean quite a few, teachers who have permanently or temporarily retired from their teaching to stay home and teach their children. Find them.....pick their brain....it's enlightening!
Just the other day, right before our evaluator came for our yearly evaluations, our daughter decides she would like to learn about gem stones. For a brief moment I almost said 'No'. We needed to get our books in order and brush up on some math. But I quickly realized this IS what homeschooling is all about!
Her school literally takes her about an hour a day. If she is motivated she can complete all her work in an hour. But on this day she spent an hour and a half (at least!) researching gem stones in the encyclopedias and on the internet and I HAD TO ASK HER TO STOP so that we could move on to other things. Then the next day she had to remind ME that all gem stones are minerals (among other acquired knowledge she had obtained).
The information she learned in that hour and a half stuck! She's got it. She's learned it! Why? Because she's a homeschooler! She's curious about life and things. She has questions and wants answers. She's searching things out for herself!
Why do I like homeschooling? I love the entire process..... I am the one who has potty trained these children. I have taught them how to tie their shoes (felcro strapped them in). I wipe their noses and bandage their boo-boos. I am the one who says: "Get tough now.... you can do it!", "No pitty party", "Let's bring it to the Lord, let's pray". From my heart to theirs I have praised them for their accomplishments and encouraged them when they've missed the mark. I am the biggest cheer leader they have and I don't want that to change! From my heart to theirs......just the way the Good Lord meant it to be!
*Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
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