Gather glimpses of the homeschooling homesteading journey of this family of nine as we seek to walk in the ways of the Lord and bless others along the way. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Tue, 3 Nov 2009 15:21:00 -0600 Tue, 3 Nov 2009 15:21:00 -0600 It's hard to believe that Christmas is just a month and a half away. We're all looking forward to the holidays. Today my oldest and I baked large chocolate chip cookie whoopie pies and ten loaves of zuchini pineapple bread. She did most of the work. YUM! We've also been very busy getting Mainely Grains Christmas Gift baskets together. This is all on our website too but you can still stop by and visit the website http://mainelygrains.food.officelive.com/default.aspx       Mainely Grains Sampler   *Wheatbery Salad Mix *Multi Grain Stew Mix *5 of our Specialty Spice Blends in 4 oz jars *Our own Hot Cocoa Mix *Mainely Grains Tried and True Whole Grain Recipes *1 Holiday potholder In a local Amish large heart basket   PRICE $60.00       Snack Lover’s Basket   *One pound of white popcorn *10 oz bag of individually wrapped Sesame Crunch *4 ½ oz bag of individually wrapped Hard Ginger Candy *6 ½ oz bag of our own Hot Cocoa mix *4 holiday coasters In a local Amish lazy Susan basket   PRICE $25.00     Spice Assortment   *Six small bags of an assortment of spices and/or herbs In a local Amish small cracker basket   PRICE $16.00     Spice up someone’s life!!!!!!!   *SIX of our own specialty spices in 4 ounce jars. *Mainely Grains Tried and True Whole Grain Recipe Booklet All snug in a local Amish large cracker basket     PRICE $35.00         p     Heart Healthy Treats   *1# flax seed *1 pkg Wheatberry Salad Mix *1 pkg Multi Grain Stew Mix *Mainely Grains Tried and True Recipe Booklet *1 holiday potholder In a local Amish large cracker basket   PRICE $35.00   All gift baskets fit into a flat rate large box bringing the shipping and handling to $15.00. SAVE on shipping by ordering TWO large cracker baskets with no extra shipping charges if going to the same place. Holiday greeting card available upon request for no extra charge. Be creative and put together your own gift basket(s). Prices for individual items are on the next page. If you have any questions send Annette McEndarfer an email at mainelygrains@live.com       Individual Price list for putting together your own baskets   BASKETS (All locally made by our Amish friends) Small cracker - $8 Large cracker - $14 Large heart - $14 Lazy Susan - $17     CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING HEALTHFUL ITEMS     1# White Popcorn $1.50   1# Flax Seed $2.60 Bag of Sesame Crunch $3.00 Bag of Ginger Candy $2.00 Hot Cocoa Mix $1.50 Wheatberry Salad Mix $4.30 Multi Grain Stew Mix $6.50 Jar of Sweetened Cinnamon $5.30 Jar of Teriyaki Marinade $5.30 Jar of Italian Trio $4.65 Jar of Spinach Dip/Dressing $5.00 Jar of Lemon Chicken $4.85 Small bags of spices/herbs $2.00 (ask about the wide selection) 4 oz jar of spices/herbs $4.00 (ask about the wide selection)       MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS TO CHOOSE FROM   Individual holiday pot holders $3.00     Orders placed on or before Saturday, December 12 will be mailed anywhere in the continental United States in time for Christmas.   To place an order email Annette McEndarfer at mainelygrains@live.com or stop by.                     Mainely Grains Tried and True Recipe Booklet $7     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/741803/ Tue, 3 Nov 2009 15:21:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/741803/ While I have always been most prone to doing things naturally that has always been influenced by my knowledge and in most cases lack of knowledge. For my birthday I was blessed with this Herbal Medecine Making Kit from http://www.learningherbs.com I knew that things I wanted to do would be easy but even with the multitude of herb books I have on my shelves I still wasn't equipped to do much with that information until getting the kit. Benjamin is enjoying learning through the kit with me and our first project was to make an herbal salve. It is an purpose salve and is going to be terrific when the heat gets turned on and our skin starts to get a bit dry. Smells wonderful too with lavender oil as one of it's ingredients.  Yesterday we tried our hand at making a Nettle infusion, I'm amazed at the nutritional value that Nettle has. We also started an Echinachea tincture which will take time to cure. That will be just in time for the winter cold/flu season and will be of great benefit in our desire to be a bit preventative. I am grateful to be learning and it's even more fun having one of the children take an interest in it as well.       http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/732352/ Thu, 1 Oct 2009 12:58:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/732352/ Very recently I was feeling unprotected, unloved and hurt. I cried for some time and was reminded in a most gentle way how the Father of Heaven feels about me. It was as is He put His hand on my face and said "Annette, I love you, I will protect you, I will provide for you, I think you are beautiful, I cherish you. I think as homeschooling moms, as women we can forget that we are loved with an everlasting love. For me I needed to hear those words and while they were not audible they were felt in the deepest parts of my soul and brought healing, hope and worth to me when I was wounded. As christians we have something that is worth far more than anything the world has to offer and I for one am overwhelmed with thankfulness for the Lord's gentle reminder of that.         http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/726889/ Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:38:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/726889/ I knew that to be true and I knew that once I had a graduate it would be a speedy trip to see the others through their homeschool education and so it is. The transition has begun. Christina just returned from being gone for two months working in southern Maine with CEF at their  Good News Camp. Seeing pictures and hearing stories of her adventures is a joy.  Our days have been changed with the schedule and transportation needs of the oldest ones. Doors have begun opening up for them regarding their futures and the younger ones are right behind. While I know that I've still got a good deal of time left of homeschooling with Rebeccah having just started Kindergarten I am AMAZED that we are where we are. The Lord is so good. It's strange having to readjust our household chores, our schedules and even where our energy goes in order to meet the needs of our family. Right now five of the children are involved in a Hunter's Safety Course and Christina and I will take it next month. That should be fun for her and I. We want her to get her driver's liscence too so she can be of help with the transportation. She and Jonathan and Christopher will likely work together to get a vehicle and the boys will need to take a Driver's Ed, hopefully we can work it out for February. More adjusting on the family's part. All good but adjusting nevertheless. Adjustments, change, growth, are all necessary aren't they? I'm thankful that it is the Lord who is ordaining our steps and we can trust HIM completely.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/719867/ Sun, 23 Aug 2009 05:47:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/719867/ Ladies, My mind isn't working to really blog but here .... enjoy!!!!!!! It's a slide show of the mountain in our county. One of these days I'll go climb it but as of yet we've not. http://www.zaptank.com/images/galleries/katahdin/image_1.html Annette http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/705896/ Tue, 7 Jul 2009 14:10:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/705896/ May 23, Christina graduated from Discovery Academy. I have once again been reminded of how blessed I am. It was a joy to introduce some of my church family, to some of my physical family, to some of my homeschooling family. All people we love very much. I get excited as I ponder the thought that God has good plans for all of our children and to see steps being made in that direction. Christina is planning on working with Child Evangelism Fellowship of Maine for the summer at Camp Good News. She is wanting to save money to attend New Brunswick Bible Institute in the fall of 2010. She has no further specific plans except to be ready to do whatever the Lord has for her and to me that is sooooooooooooo thrilling. The graduation ceremony and picnic lunch afterwards was hosted by our homeschool group. What a joy to work together as a group to celebrate our group's first graduate. They as usual were so helpful and generous. The children greeted, took pictures, read scripture, read a poem. All having a part. Our youngest daughter (4) decided it was her role to take a nap during the ceremony. :) Family and friends traveled far to be with us which meant so very much to us all and visiting with them was a hilight of the weekend. So here are a few pictures. I'm welcoming and explaining about our homeschooling experience Rebeccah doing her part at the ceremony. :)   Benjamin playing Graduation Photographer Jonathan reading Proverbs 1:1-8 (Our school's bible verses) Roy presenting her with her diploma   Having fun taking Senior Pictures http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/692354/ Mon, 25 May 2009 08:38:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/692354/ Well our showers today included snow and freezing rain. BRRRR! We are wrapping up our school year and are looking forward to our oldest's graduation next month and visiting with friends and family that weekend. It has been an exciting school year with having another one learn how to read and having one ending her official homeschooling years. Recently we had friends visiting and we spent some time making baskets. That was fun, I love baskets and I've added this one to my collection that hangs in the kitchen.       http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/681339/ Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:06:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/681339/ I have been challenged and blessed the last few weeks with a Beth Moore Bible study called Believing God. *Believe that God is who He says He is *Believe God can do what He says He can do *Believe I am who God says I am *Believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me *God's Word is alive and living in me As we've been looking at both Old and New Testament people and principles I have had to ask myself if I have truly been believing. I have had to confess that I had become lacksidazzy in my faith and now my faith is renewed and I am excited about what God is doing and what He will continue to do. I am so thankful that HE is always faithful unlike me. We are praying fervently and with faith that God is going to heal my stepfather who recently discovered that he has inoperable, uncurable lung cancer that has spread through his blood and they've given him 12 -18 months to live. We are trusting for a miracle regarding his health but even more a miracle to save his soul. God is good and I am knowing joy in the midst of having to trust HIM completely for this. JOY... through and through is the theme of our Ladies retreat in a few days. God really does want to fill our hearts with JOY. Be blessed, Annette   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/665393/ Wed, 4 Mar 2009 21:20:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/665393/ Hi folks. We opened up Mainely Grains in May '08. We wanted to give you an opportunity to be included on our e-mail mailing list. I will not put you on that list unless you reply and let me know that you want to be included in the monthly e-mail that tells of our sales, workshops going on in the month and any other Mainely Grains' information we want to pass on to our customers. Our website is here http://www.mainelygrains.food.officelive.com/default.aspx and our email address is mainelygrains@live.com  Of course if you're local we would love to have you stop by our small store at 636 Colby Siding Road, Woodland, Maine. Our house are Monday - Thursday 12-5, Saturday 9 - 1. Below is a list of our offerings and demonstrations. I'd love to hear from you and remember if you'd like to be included on our e-mail mailing list you must reply and let me know. Thanks so much for letting us give you a glimpse of our business. Feel free to pass any and all of this information on to friends, co-workers, etc. Happy New Year, Annette McEndarfer (for the whole family)   Mainely Grains offers: *Whole Grains in one and five pound bags *Freshly Milled Flour *Herbs and Spices *Our Own Spice and Herb Mixes *Our Own Whole Grain Mixes *Mainely Grains Tried and True Whole Grain Recipes *Small Appliances (Mills, Vitamix Blenders, Bosch Mixers) *Workshops and Demonstrations *Bulk Buying (if you live locally)  If you are in Aroostook County and would like to host a Mainely Grains demonstration I'd be glad to come.   Want to learn more about grains? Consider hosting a demonstration workshop. In all demonstrations we’ll look at the nutritional value of whole grains, the milling process and prepare and taste some whole grain food together. Depending on the amount of time you’d like to have workshops can range from 1 – 3 hours. It’s a great way to host a lunch or dinner for your friends. I also bring many of my products so your guests can shop. Delicious Whole Grain Desserts – we’ll make a dessert together... choose from Honey Cheesecake, German Chocolate Cake or Chocolate Chip Cookies   Celebrating the Holidays with Whole Grains – Looking for a wholesome dish to bring to a holiday dinner? Desiring to serve wholesome foods with your celebrations? In this workshop we’ll look at how we can incorporate healthful whole grains into our celebration and of course make and taste some.   Whole Grain Bread Making – Learn the basics of bread while getting hands on experience to what is becoming a lost and delicious art.  Cinnamon swirl, herb loaf are just a couple of options for this one. . Cooking and Baking with Whole Grains – Here we look at a multiple variety of ways to use whole grains in our every day cooking and baking experiences. Stuffed bread is a tasty addition to this workshop.   Fun with Whole Wheat Tortillas – Making tortillas can be a lot of fun especially if you’re with friends and filling those tortillas with wholesome apple pie filling to make your own Apple Flauta.   Whole Grain Main Dishes and Sides –  Incorporate whole grains into every part of your meal preparation. We’ll try Ezekiel stew and Wheatberry salad at this workshop. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/645073/ Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:17:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/645073/ Very soon we'll be sitting with the children and asking them what it is they would especially like to learn in this new year. I have to ask myself the same question. I'm not sure yet what I'd like to learn but sewing may be an option. I know the basics but it would be nice to learn something that would be practical and good for gift giving. I'm wanting to stay away from food items for gift giving in the next year. I am very blessed and thank the Lord for the things He has allowed me to learn this past year. We are looking to grow Mainely Grains IF that is what HE wants from us. The biggest area I'd like to work on this year is giving glory to the Lord in every task I do no matter how insignificant that task may be. A friend's son is in seminary and shared with us recently in church about a book he had read about a priest whose one and only job in the monastery was to wash the dishes and scrub the pots and pans clean. He found that it was easy for his mind to wander while doing those things and decided that that job was his job to do and he needed to do it for the Lord's glory. It didn't matter if he didn't want to do it, seemed like a trite job or anything else. He purposed in his heart to turn his thoughts to giving glory to God in every task. So while he would be scrubbing with his water soaked hands he would be thinking "for God's glory". Whenever his thoughts would turn away from that he would repent and start again. He did that until it became a habit. As I'm filling the washing machine, cleaning a face, pulling out a sliver, disciplining a child, teaching them, planning menus or whatever I want my attitude to be FOR GOD'S GLORY. I've caught myself many times straying from that thought in just these few days. WOW, it's so easy to get sidetracked and not give any thought to what matters to me most... pleasing the Lord. I'm thinking this will be a great exercise for me and I can only imagine that those around me will reap some benefits of it as well. As you consider what it is the Lord has for you this year may you know His provision, His promises and His protection. Annette http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/639539/ Sat, 3 Jan 2009 10:35:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/justtocheeryouon/639539/