This has been a good week. I have to gush on my son for a few minutes though. First a little background. I deal with guilt a lot for not making more food by scratch. My husband is fine with what I make, and says I don't need to do more from scratch, so where does the guilt come from? I read about other mothers doing it, and I feel like I'm not living to the 'standard' others set. I'm not saying it's some one else fault, they never say this is the 'only' biblical way to live. (Well, ok some women think that, I happen to disagree, and I don't read their blogs anymore.) But I use the 'c' word, I compare myself. I compare myself to others who grind their own wheat, make their own bread, never buy boxed anything, and I start feeling guilty and that I'm not doing what I should. I have talked with Paul a lot about this, and he always lets me know I'm doing exactly what he wants me to do, and I make enough things, so I have to keep focusing on that. OK, now back to my son. This morning I decided to make my cinnamon raisin wheat bran muffins. The kids were real excited, and I told them I was trying to decide if I wanted to make our homemade cinnamon rolls too. They of course thought I should, I wasn't sure. Finally, after we finished our lessons, I said, "OK I'm going to go make the muffins and cinnamon rolls." Well, to say they were just excited would be an understatement. I'm in the kitchen, getting the mixings for the dough in the bread maker, then getting ready to mix up the muffins when Paulie says something to me. I ask him to come out of the bedroom if he wants to talk to me because I couldn't hear him. So he comes out, has this sweet smile on his face and says, "Mom, you make the best recipes." He has no idea how much that encouraged me. So I'm going to remember that, knowing that it doesn't matter what other women do. My husband is happy with what I make, and so are my children. I am one blessed woman.
I think I have found a whole wheat bread recipe that might work in my bread maker. I have yet to make a good loaf of whole wheat bread. It never rises real well. But I think this recipe might work. It's written out both for my bread machine, or for my Kenmore stand mixer (which is just like a Kitchen Aid). I've been thinking every once and a while of making bread with the mixer and putting it in bread loaf pans instead, but I haven't taken that step yet. I still like the ease and convience of the bread machine. But I am blessed that I have this recipe that can be made either way. Now I just have to go buy some more whole wheat flour (we are running low). Maybe I'll go this afternoon.
Lessons have gone great today, and the kids are just about done. Then we'll have a real mellow afternoon and evening. I'm thinking of letting the kids have electronic time. See, Paul has a men's conference tonight and tomorrow, so we are a bit on our own. The kids haven't been on the computer much or played video games, so I'm thinking that will be a fun treat for them tonight. We were talking today about what we might do on October 31st, since we don't like being home for the kids ringing the door bell. We learned last year (thanks for the warnings from my friends) that the mall isn't the best place to go because trick or treaters are there. What about the local library, does anyone know if they do. I mean I know the workers will be dressed up, thats everywhere. But will there be a big 'thing' going on? Just wondering if anyone knows. If nothing else, I'll have to go ask them what they do or don't do. We are getting to know one of the librarians, so I can ask her.
Oh, and I finally found some library books yesterday about becoming a librarian, which is what I've been looking for for Sarah. I can't wait to start looking through it and see what subjects we can start working on now. We talked to the one librarian we are getting to know, and mentioned that Sarah wants to be a librarian someday. She got a big smile and the lady said, "Well, when you turn 16, come fill out an application and we'll see what we can do." Sarah was so excited. And I'm happy that at least we have some information to check out.
That is about it I guess. We've had a blessed week, and we are looking forward to a great weekend. I'm going to read some blogs, the I will be heading to the store to get some whole wheat flour, I'm really wanting to try this recipe, can you tell?
Yes, you are wrong to compare yourself to anyone! (I can say that because I love you! And I know you are not doing it any longer!) It is such an easy thing to do and I know I am guilty. You are the perfect wife and mother for your family. :-) I always make my whole wheat bread starting it in the bread machine and then transferring it to the oven. Although, I only bake bread in the winter, it seems. I did buy yeast today though. :-) As for the 31st, I don't have a clue. I would like to ignore the day myself. I don't know what libraries do, but I bet you could talk to your librarian friend and she'd tell you. How about a movie? I always tell my librarian that when Trevor graduates from high school, I will fill out an application. You know I love libraries. Speaking of that I want to go read a camping book now. Have a nice weekend.
Jenn
Oh.... JoAnn.... you DO NOT NEED TO COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS!!!!! :P That was so sweet of Paulie. I'm glad he made you feel good when you felt down about yourself. I hope you like your bread. It sounds really good!
Hi JoAnn, I know how hard it is not to compare yourself to others. I had a really hard time myself when I started reading other blogs, but have since been able to figure out how to be me and only take the knowledge from the blogs I know will benefit my family and leave the others without feeling guilty...well I TRY anyway! LOL I've had a hard time with wheat recipes in my bread maker too....they always seem very dense and not very tasty, so I tried the 1/2 white 1/2 wheat and it turned out really good!
I wish I could come to your house for a cinnamon roll and a muffin. I haven't baked anything in forever!
One thing I did that worked great was to make the dough in the bread machine and then move it to the bread pans to rise and bake. We like the loaf shape better, and I thought the consistency was a little softer.
We try not to be home on the 31st either. One year we had dinner at Cracker Barrell and had the place to ourselves, and then went to the bookstore to browse. Last year we went to dinner and a movie with the kids--this only works if there is something decent playing.
It is difficult to make things by scratch. I say "Praise God" that there are microwaves! There is nothing like throwing something in the oven or Microwave. I also admire those who have the time and know-how to create things by scratch without any problem...
Wow, JoAnn, that was some post! I feel the same as you, comparing my self to others. This is a problem
Let me tell you my own feeling about "from scratch, grind your own flour" mentality out there.....PRIDE......don't take me wrong, some women are not like that, but most of them who brag about it and say things to convince you of it, are very proud of saying they make everything from scratch. Pride comes in different shapes and forms.
I make a lot of things from scratch because I have a need, the need is to save money .....now, if I was rich I would have a chef, a maid or go out to eat all the time I see nothing wrong in buying pre made foods. If, one likes it.....it's on-sale..... just plain don't have time to cook....don't know how to cook......someof my cooking is semi-homemade; a can of this, a bag of that.
Now, I love homemade foods, and specially cinnamon rolls.
I sure wish I lived closer I would stop by for some coffee with one of your Cinnamon rolls.
:)
What a sweet comment from your son! Those are definitely ones to cherish as long as you can. The other day my middle girl told me, as I was cleaning up in the kitchen while she was doing dishes, that I work too much. It at least made me feel like she does realize I'm doing some work. Have a great week!
You are the BEST mom ever girl ! And I just love knowing your family lets you know. [0= I have been missing you ! Tell me a day I can ring and I just will. Life won't slow down for awhile so I still need to be connected. Are you enjoying your quiet time corner ? I pray you are. I am longing for a slowed down speed. It is coming ...soon.
Sending you blessing and ((HUGS)) my SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary
Should I be worried about not doing things more from scratch???? I guess I know it's out there and would love to learn more about it... but it sounds hard and complicated and time consuming.... is it? I need bread right now and don't have the money until tomorrow to do our shopping... wouldn't it be wonderful to just go into the kitchen and whip some up? I even have a bread machine that I have NEVER used! Ok... so email me some great bread recipes... I think I might need to research this a little... are there really people who believe it is the only biblical way to feed your family? WOW!!
Bewildered,
Patti
This blog is so I can share my journey with the Lord, my journey as a wife and mother, and my journey as a homeschool mom. I pray that you will see the Lord in my life through happy and sad times, and that this blog glorifies the Lord.
This is an award and tag free zone, thank you.
I'm in the kitchen, getting the mixings for the dough in the bread maker, then getting ready to mix up the muffins when Paulie says something to me. I ask him to come out of the bedroom if he wants to talk to me because I couldn't hear him. So he comes out, has this sweet smile on his face and says, "Mom, you make the best recipes." 
He has no idea how much that encouraged me. So I'm going to remember that, knowing that it doesn't matter what other women do. My husband is happy with what I make, and so are my children. I am one blessed woman. 
I can't wait to start looking through it and see what subjects we can start working on now. We talked to the one librarian we are getting to know, and mentioned that Sarah wants to be a librarian someday. She got a big smile and the lady said, "Well, when you turn 16, come fill out an application and we'll see what we can do." Sarah was so excited. And I'm happy that at least we have some information to check out.
