May. 6, 2008 - ~We've got GREEN!~

Yes, I actually opened the front door and screamed...."We've got green!"  It was too exciting and all the little legs began piling out the front door to see what Momma was so excited about.  Well, besides the wee one that was stuck in the high chair. 

Just 5 days since we planted our seeds and they are growing! 

Here's our Collards: We have about 12 of these growing.


Here's our Romaine: 6 or 7 of these and 6 or 7 of another variety of lettuce.


Here's our tomato plant with 4 blooms: (did not plant the tomato from seed)


The lentils are doing great, as well as our corn.  If the corn makes it, I'll share exactly what we did since it was a family experiment which started with Daddy.

All of our plants will be planted in a 5-6 foot wading pool.  Garys grandfather always had a wading pool garden and that was w-a-y back in the 70's.  From what I've read it's very economical and productive.  We have also been looking in to watering options and have pretty much settled on an above ground cistern for the garden, among other things.  This will help limit the stress for our well which also powers our central heat and air unit.

God is good and these plants are a testimony to answered prayer!   Yes.... we prayed over the seedlings

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May. 5, 2008 - ~MOH~ China and the Shang Dynasty

Todays Mystery Of History lesson was on China and the Shang dynasty. While the children were filling up their notebooks, I was able to find this short clip on the silkworm and silk making.  The chinese managed to keep this a secret for nearly 3,000 years. Interesting....






(perhaps some time today I'll type in this weeks thrice a week cooking.?)

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May. 2, 2008 - ~In the Garden~a little this and that

Here is the wheat grass we started a few days ago from our wheat berries. In a few days it should be ready to cut and blend.


This is up close.  See the sprouted grass! Just a few more days!  So exciting....


Here are our seedling starters and the various soil/soiless experiments we are doing.  Aprox 5 different lettuces, main staple Romain, as well as Collards. We'll start more seeds soon and will be planting in large pots as well as a wading pool or two for container gardening.

The video I showed the other day was of a family that cultivated 1/10 of an acre (property total is 1/5) and they yield 6,000 pounds of food per year.  Most of what they grow is in containers.


Here are the lentils we started a little over a week ago.  All our seedlings come in at night and go back out during the day. The trick is to uncover once you see green.....right?

 

Yesterday I took one of the boys with me to the feed store and began to drill him as to the positives and negatives to container gardening.  It's definately worth looking in to if you're interested in gardening.  Especially if you have a small plot or a little bit of time.  One of the perks seems to be less weeding.  And the average cost of container gardening (if using a wading pool) is .8-.10 cents per pound. 

Here is our fig tree.  We're looking to get a few citrus within the next couple weeks.


Here are the wax myrtles.  We're hoping to make natural candles from these when they begin producing berries.  It takes something like 8 pounds of berries to make 1 pound of wax. 


Here are some pics of our blueberry outing as well.  It's spring ya know......




We were hoping to purchase a few blueberry plants, but after waiting all year..... they had none.  Boo-hoo :O(


This little guy was quite the picker! 



This must have been a BIG berry!  Just look at the expressions on their little faces.



This was just a funny picture.




 

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Apr. 29, 2008 - Great videos! ~disarm the guitarist to the right first~

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Apr. 27, 2008 - ~Mondays Menu~sprouting/Thrice a Week Cooking

I love this time of year!  Along with our recent herbal investigations, we have begun sprouting as well.  So far so easy.  The health benefits of sprouting are amazing and it's unreal how easy it is!  Did I say that already? 

So before I share this weeks Thrice A Week Cooking menu, here are some pics and information on our recent sprouting adventures......

This week we decided to try our hand at sprouting lentils and wheat berries.  We had practiced with the lentils before, but this was our first time with the wheat.  Imagine the taste of watermelon and that is what the sprouted wheat berries taste like.  Really - they are that good!



When we poured out the sprouts the children began devouring them like candy!  Problem was- I had to stop them because I am sprouting the wheats to make a malt for a bread we are trying.  Guess I'll have to make another batch!



Sprouting is very easy (if it weren't I don't know that I could do it).  We simply put about 1 cup of wheat (or lentils) along with 4 parts warm water in a mason jar and let them soak for 8-12 hours.  Once they finish their soak time, just pour out the soaking water (or reserve cuz it's full of nutrients!) and rinse with cool water and drain.  We did 2-3 rinse and drain sessions a day and today (day 2) had these wonderful wheat sprouts.  For draining, we just perched our mason jars on their sides inside a soup bowl!  No special equipment.... just free nutrition!






Now that I've got my wheat sprouts, I am going to dry/roast them for several hours and then blend into a very tasty flour with my every-day blender.  This is like a sweet wheat flour and I will be mixing it with freshly ground wheat flour, as well as wheat germ, for the recipe I am making.  Pancakes are probably next on my list since there's no need for sweetener when using sprouted wheat flour (sweet!).  Sprouted almonds are soon coming!

*Sprouting generates significant increases in vitamins A,B,C,and E, as well as in the amino acid content of the seed.  For people on weight control diets, sprouts are a happy discovery.  Because the growing sprout uses up the starch in the seed, sprouts are very low in carbohydrates.  *After soaking the seeds, pour off the water and reserve it for cooking soups or drinks!  It has a mild flavor and some nutrients.  (Rodale's Basic Natural Foods Cookbook)

Now.....Thrice A Week Cooking:

Dinner Meals:

Monday:     Baked Chicken Cacciatore w/lots of fresh veggies
Tuesday:   Re-runs
Wed:          Red Beans and Brown Rice w/salad
Thursday:  Re-runs
Friday:        Pizza Night
Saturday:   Beef and Barley Bake
Sunday:     Re-runs

Breakfast and lunch as usual.

 

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Apr. 24, 2008 - ~Thrifty Thursday~

We've got an odd sort of hobby that some of you know about.  We collect shoes.  Well...kinda.
I just have a fun little habit of keeping my eye open for a good deal on shoes so we don't pay a fortune when the need arises.  Think what full price would cost with 16 feet!


Here are all of the shoes we collected.  The final total for 5 pairs of shoes was 15.00.
Not bad! eh?  The original tally was over 60.00!  Now that's something to blog about!

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Apr. 23, 2008 - ~Wordless Wednesday~Watercolor?! Amazing!

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Apr. 22, 2008 - ~Testimony Tuesday~

I know I mentioned blogging a 'Thrifty Tuesday' for today, but in light of what's on my heart it's best for me to switch to a Thrifty Thursday instead.  Sounds better anyhow... don't you think?

This morning I was blessed with being able to spend a little time with my sweet husband, who seems to have a knack for helping me sort through my own heart.  Something was bothering me and honestly I couldn't exactly put my finger on it.  My heart was overwhelmed and this morning I was blessed with truth from my awesome Lord and Savior and my precious husband.

I was speaking my heart to my husband when he picked up Oswald and read todays devotion:

April 22nd.
	THE LIGHT THAT FAILS
"We all with open face beholding . . . the glory of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18 A servant of God must stand so much alone that he never knows he is alone. In the first phases of Christian life disheartenments come, people who used to be lights flicker out, and those who used to stand with us pass away. We have to get so used to it that we never know we are standing alone. "All men forsook me . . notwithstanding the Lord stood with me" (2 Tim. 4:16-17). We must build our faith, not on the fading light, but on the light that never fails. When "big" men go we are sad, until we see that they are meant to go, the one thing that remains is looking in the face of God for ourselves. Allow nothing to keep you from looking God sternly in the face about yourself and about your doctrine, and every time you preach see that you look God in the face about things first, then the glory will remain all through. A Christian worker is one who perpetually looks in the face of God and then goes forth to talk to people. The characteristic of the ministry of Christ is that of unconscious glory that abides. "Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him." We are never called on to parade our doubts or to express the hidden ecstasies of our life with God. The secret of the worker's life is that he keeps in tune with God all the time.

I am thankful for this nugget from the Lord today.  It is a reminder of why we do what we do.  We do it all for the Lord.  If we do it for any other reason - it will not last. 

God is so merciful and will give us what we need to make it through every situation in life.  We only need to focus on Him.  Everything else will fall into place in His timing. 

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Apr. 21, 2008 - ~Menu Monday~Thrice a Week Cooking~

Twas a great week in our kitchen!  If it had not been for that simple little idea about Thrice a week cooking I might have been under w-a-y too much stress cuz it was a busy one in the end.

Here's what my dinner plans are for this week.  Remember, we'll only have to actually cook dinner three times!  The remainder of the week will be serviced by Sally Re-heat (a.k.a my oven).  She's an absolute gem!

Monday:   Vidalia Chicken over brown rice w/salad
Tuesday: Leftovers
Wednesday: Pinto and cheese (over brown rice) w/salad
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Pizza Night (no cooking)
Saturday: Chili
Sunday: Leftover chili (over egg noodles - Chili Mac)

Breakfasts (cereal, oatmeal, smoothies) and lunches(PB&J) as usual, although this week we have a few additions to lunch due to the Lord providing us with free hot dogs and getting a good deal on luncheon meat!  

Now I've got two weeks jotted down on my index cards! Woo-hoo!

As far as the refrigerator boxes (hi Terri!) for the salad... they are working REALLY nice.  They have an excellent seal, which I'm guessing helps to keep the salad fresher longer.?  I bought the3-6 quart sized containers at Sams.  I could only fit 2 in my fridge, so the other one is on my pantry shelf stuffed with rice.  Great seal!  Don't think I have any worries about little bugs getting in! 

Didn't eat all of the spinach that we bought last week, so I mixed up a nice wilted spinach salad tonight (picture above) and threw the rest into the freezer for later.  I LOVE wilted spinach salad!  Basically all you have to do is put a little Olive Oil in a pan, throw in a few heaps of baby spinach leaves, and stir like crazy over medium heat for one minute.  I top w/ crumbled feta, gorgonzola, or blue cheese, and some walnuts.  BIG YUM!  And spinach is a super food ya know.

My grocery bill for this week was just under 150.00, and that's with a few bonus items that I'm going to write about tomorrow (Thrifty Tuesday).  Can't wait for that!  Don't you just love getting a good deal?!

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Apr. 18, 2008 - ~Pleased to introduce~

Mary Ingalls and.....


Her dog Jack.


They showed up at our Historically Speaking get-together today!


We were honored to meet them and to hear of their adventures.

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Apr. 17, 2008 - ~cute~ *turn music off first, to the right

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Apr. 16, 2008 - ~Wordless Wednesday~sorta

The pictures above are of the bow and arrow making and fun that's happening over here right now.  Four of the children have their home made bow and arrows.  The pictures above are the two oldest goofing off.  Mainly big brother pretending sister got him!


This is of the two boys (as we call them). Yes, standing boy has his shirt on backwards and inside out.... that's an everyday occurrence and his peculiar style  >grin.


And here's baby bing joyfully waking up from his nappy. 

Goldilocks is still sleeping........

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Apr. 14, 2008 - ~Thrice a Week Cooking~

Several months ago (methinks) I had written about our way of grocery shopping, planning, budgeting.  I have used that system forever and a day, but now am trying something new, due to a new season I find myself in.  So, I came up with an idea that I'm hoping will solve our momentary difficulties. 

It all started yesterday as I locked myself in my room to organize 'Old Trusty' (my former meal planner).  Well.... after an hour I was totally stressed out  thoughtfully re-configured, and decided to take a shower to clear my head.  Why a shower seems to always help - I just don't know! 

It was when I got out from that shower that I realized 'Old Trusty' was history, but I just didn't know what I should do next.  A half an hour later I poured my heart out to hubby (been doing that a lot lately), and he said the magic words....... "I think you're making this too complicated". 

He was right!  Floating around in my head were SO MANY thoughts.  Keep it healthy.  Keep it cheap.  Keep it interesting.  Keep it simple.  That last one is laughable........

  But when hubby said that, "you're making this too complicated", it hit me like a seagull at the beach!  I WAS making this too complicated!  And then the next thought I had seemed marvelous........ I will just cook three times a week! 

So that's what we're doing.  Tonight we're having baked chicken w/roasted veggies over brown rice.  Care to guess what we're having tomorrow?  Very good...... baked chicken w/roasted veggies over brown rice! 

The following two days we're having lentils and rice w/ a salad.  I am playing with an idea I read about over at lentilsandrice.blogspot.com though.  She makes a lentil loaf (much like a meatloaf) and I'm a thinkin' of trying that for the second night leftovers.  We'll see how I feel that day.

The next night will be pizza.  The good kind.... from box to oven- served over paper plates!

Saturday and Sunday we'll be having baked ziti w/ salad.  Maybe one of the children can conjure up a box of them homemade brownie wanna be's.  We'll see about that too......

Breakfasts are pretty easy...... We usually rotate a three day schedule of Cereal, Oatmeal, Smoothies.  We do that twice and throw in a big breakfast for one of the days Dad's home.  That system is pretty easy on my brain and pretty healthy too.

Lunch has always been a sore spot with me, but I'm trying to keep that simple too.  I splurged on frozen dino nuggets and applesauce to break up the usual PB&J.  Today I surprised everyone and replaced PB&J with homemade whole wheat banana bread.  That was a spontaneous surprise for everyone (myself included).

I found a neat little refrigerator gizmo at Sams that has brought new hope to an old dilemma as well.  Air-tight, see thru, refrigerator boxes for your produce.  They come in various sizes and I have one for my Romaine and one for my Spinach.  We'll be having salads nearly every day so these should simplify our salad making and salad shopping as well.  I can fill these containers once a week and toss a quick salad together when dinner is served.  The picture of the gizmo (w/Romaine) is at the top of this entry. The second gizmo (Spinach) is hiding behind that one.

Anywho...... I'm off.  Tonight I'm on dinner duty, but tomorrow Sally Reheat is giving me the night off

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Apr. 8, 2008 - ~Mezuzah~

The Bronze Bow! 



I cannot recommend this book high enough. Our son is doing a study on the book through Total Language Plus and it is absolutely WONDERFUL!  We just finished a discussion about the Mezuzah, which is a container which holds scripture that is kept above the doorways of Jewish homes.  Mezuzah was one of his list words a week or so back. 

In talking with him, I have realized this story is blessing him with A LOT of interesting facts, and is giving him insight into the culture during that time.  Hopefully we'll be able to write a review some time soon, but until then...... Here is a review I found at another bloggers site.  If you're looking for something that will impact your older child spiritually while incorporating Language Arts I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book! Visit www.totallanguageplus.com

Here's another bloggers review from Multi Tasking Mom

Daniel has joined a renegade group who want to rise up against the Romans. He carries memories of the damage the Romans did to his family and to his sister, who cannot leave her house. The terror that entered their lives when they were young, has left his sister tormented by demons and turned Daniel’s fear into anger.

When he hears of a man named Jesus and the things he talks about, the coming Kingdom, Daniel wonders if Jesus is like him. Could Jesus be the savior that could free them from the Roman rule?

But the more Daniel hears Jesus speak and as he witnesses Jesus’s healing power, he can’t help but turn these strange things over in his mind. Jesus teaches they should love their enemies, but surely he doesn’t mean they should love the Romans? Jesus teaches the story of the good Samaritan and Daniel scoffs, “If Jesus means that the Jews and Samaritans should treat each other like neighbors, that is foolish. It could never happen.”

Daniel and his friends make a pact to stand together for God’s victory. They linger over the words of David, “He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” And they hope for freedom. Will it come as they expect it?

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to live at the time of Jesus, this book will take you there. On the streets of Capernaum and Galilee you will find out what it was like to live in this tumultuous time. And you will see Jesus through the eyes of a Jewish boy.

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Apr. 4, 2008 - ~Pumpkin Baby~

We just had a baby shower for a sweet friend of ours - day before yesterday.  We were a little short on time, since she is due in just about 2 weeks, and decided to do a Thanksgiving theme.  We wanted to gather together to give thanks for the precious blessing that God is giving to this wonderful family. 

It was a Thanksgiving feast, complete with Turkey, Stuffing, and cranberry sauce. 

The decorations were fall colors with a splash of pink.  Another friend of ours took charge of the cake and had this beauty made.  Notice the splash of pink.... it worked beautifully!

Another friend had the idea of a pink turkey and I was favoring a pumpkin baby on the cake.  Think this was much better though 

After our special prayer time my daughter took over for the games she had previously put together.  She wasn't sooooo crazy about counting 1100 kernels of corn for the pink baby cup game, but this one she liked.

She took the labels off the food jars (day before) and the next day the contestants tried to guess which food was in the jar.  They did really well.  Especially the young ladies! 

And each winner donated their prize to the New Momma.

Fun!

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Mar. 31, 2008 - It Really Works!

A few of my sweet and generous friends gave me an all day lipstick!  This picture is proof that it does what it says it will!

We have tried everything (short of nail polish remover or magic eraser) to get this off baby's face-


And this (picture above) is several hours later.

Looks like it will wipe right off doesn't it?

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Mar. 23, 2008 - ~Special Need~

A few months ago we were able to attend a wonderful get-together at the home of a VUNDERFUL family.  Unfortunately that was the first and last time we met the Hingles.  They are a beautiful family of 14 that has ministered everywhere and in all sorts of ways.  They love Jesus and that surely is evident!

Sadly, we do not personally know the Hingles.  We have only met them once, in their home, which they open up nightly for fellowship.  One of my bestest friends is one of their closest, so in that way, our hearts have been knit with the Hingles. 

I am posting this picture of their family (to put a face to this story).  They are in a time of special need as Steve (the father) just spent 2 weeks in the hospital, as well as being diagnosed last year with Lymphoma.  My very special friend has more info and is in constant contact with this precious family.  Please visit her blog for more info:  homeschoolblogger.com/sweetsavages

Here is a family picture: 

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Mar. 21, 2008 - ~I could get use to this~

Just the other day my sweet daughter says to me: "Mom, I'd like to make chili for dinner."  "Sure", I gladly stated.  She then goes to the pantry to see if we have all the ingredients for the chili.  Then she made a list of ingredients needed and we were off to the store.  She grabbed her short buggy and went at it, checking off each necessary ingedient as she plopped the item into the buggy.  I followed slowly behind her, taking in things I have not been able to in a long time.  I grabbed a small container of sprouts(after enjoying a relaxing read in the produce section) and finally made my way to her buggy which was parked by the hamburger aisle.  She compared sizes and costs and we were off again, me a little more slowly than she,  (Picture me meandering my way around my new vacation spot and you'll have a pretty good idea of the trip).  I finally spied a neat little rocker in an up-front display; eyed it, felt it, sat it (sorta like Goldilocks) and could have honestly fallen asleep before my happy shopper came by.  Which of course she did, and stated....."All done Ma.  We have all our ingredients."

That night, we sat down by candle light, enjoying our Chili-Mac and Ceasar and as I ate my dinner a contented little feeling came over me and I thought....."Boy!  I sure could get use to this!"

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Mar. 17, 2008 - Want some fries with that Rant?

Okay....some of you are aware of the ongoing Miss McDonalds saga.  This is the third entry on the subject.  I really think the Lord is speaking to me through this.  It's just getting too funny to think that He isn't!

I drove through for our weekly pickup and Miss McDonald was not there.  But one of the managers was there.  I have to say this for an overview of the situation.....every time this particular manager is the runner for my food the order is wrong.  I know there has had to have been a time where she actually got my order right, but I just cannot think of one.  And I visit every single week!

So I drive through and just as I receive the bags through the window (had a feeling)..... and quickly checked my bags.  I immediately realized I was missing a sandwich and that's when I saw her!  There was her little head peeking around the stainless steel counter top. She says: 'I only do this to your order'.  To which I responded..."I know....I'm starting to wonder" in a very playful tone.  Then guess what she said.......You won't believe this.....she says "Oh I wouldn't do that - with all those kids you got - I feel for ya". 

Now what in the world does that have to do with forgetting my sandwich?!  Oh this is hilarious!!!!  I am cracking up - REALLY!  The funniest part is I don't think she/they have ever seen my children.  I usually only take one with me at a time and I didn't have any with me today.  The most they have seen of my half dozen blessings is the evidence that they exist (car seats).  She has never seen their beautiful faces, heard their cute little laughs, or seen their well mannered McDonald visits - ever (at least I don't think so).

I am on the verge of dressing them all in matching Sound Of Music outfits and prancing them through the shop for a little Do, Rae, Me.  This poor lady has such a horrid misconception of children and sweet family life. 

Okay.....I'm done. Rant over.  Fries anyone?

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Mar. 11, 2008 - All basically basic

I thought it was time for another blog update.  It has been a while and I wanted to thank those of you that have left comments.  They are very much appreciated. 

It's amazing how amazing God is..... isn't it?  Only He can take situations of difficulty and make them so rich and sweet.  With recent events, I have become increasingly broken.  We went to church on Sunday and I felt closer than ever to everyone there.  I can't help but to think they are broken too.  Something happens when you go thru adversity, especially when you're determined to stay the course with those you love, and go through it together.  I feel as though God is about breaking down walls - breaking down nameless barriers.

For the past several days or so we have been reading the Little House, read aloud, at night.  We're simultaneously doing a little science experiment as well.  As soon as the Sun starts to fade, we begin lighting candles and oil lamps.  At about 6:30 or so, the entire house begins to take on a whole new form, and appear more like something from another time.  We try to have everything completed before the sun goes down so that we can enjoy our book by the dim lighting of days gone by.

Last night, we put the book aside and read from our Bible instead.  Hubby read through the next chapter and our daughter asked the questions from the BTS book.  After that we just poured our hearts out to the Lord.  It felt SO GOOD.  It was like a glimpse into truth.  Here we were laying aside all things complicated and getting back to basics. 

It seems to me that the most basic of all things is love.  "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13).  Then the scripture goes on and on and on as to the importance of love above all else.

Just a few verses down, in verse 11, it states, "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became an adult, I put away childish things."  I think it's interesting that that particular verse came AFTER the long todo on love. 

I often think, when I sense my reaction, or see the reactions of others, that we are all babies grown up.  Some times if we just pay attention, or judge our own heart carefully, we can visualize us little fit- pitchers on our backs with legs kicking.  Granted..... we adults fit-pitch a little differently, don't we?  Our fit pitching is more distinguished and refined (depending on the personality), but it's fit-pitching just the same. Love IS the most important thing.  Not getting our own way, not being right, not being the one with a specific gift, and so on......and so on....... .  The mark of being an adult (in a spiritual sense) is love.

"Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemingly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." 

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