Going Green....

I am not a die in the wool environmentalist, nor do I believe in total veganism. I believe in being a good steward of what God has provided, and in eating healthy. I prescribe to the belief that is verified in the Bible that everything that God created that is good to eat, can be eaten, even animals. By choice I don't eat a lot of red meat, mainly because after cooking and smelling I often lose my appetite and eat something lighter.

Since planting my garden this year I have eaten more vegetables than I have ever eaten. I also think about the pesticides on the food that I buy and feed my family, primarily for health reasons.

While I enjoy being "green" as possibe, and at a level I can afford, I do it for purely economic reasons, it can be cheaper., For this reason alone I'd like to encourage people to be more "green". A few examples of the things I have done the past year are:

1) replaced ALL the light bulbs in my house with the compact flourescents
2) used fans in place of the AC (except on those really hot days)
3) hang out my laundry more instead of using the dryer
4) collect rain water (except the past few months) to water plants (we have had too much rain I didn't bother to collect much, plus the mosquitoes are bad, and I didn't want to provide a breeding ground)
5) planted a garden for fresh, organic veggies
6) utilized the natural plants (wild grapes) to make jelly
7) quit my job (this allows me to stay home more, thereby cutting down on gas, mileage and maintenance of car)
8) I do not buy as much pre packaged food, preferring to cook from scratch as well as bake...

I'd love to have solar energy, and even would love to turn off my electricity, relying on a cheaper form of energy or even none at all (except for charging batteries, the phone and computer in the car)

Yahoo has a new "green" feature where you calculate your impact. Apparently, the average person in the world emits 9.44 tons CO2 per year. According to my input I emit 6.6 tons. I think it may be lower because there wasn't a way to put in exactly how many miles we drive, which is low, nor was there a way to show that we use a wood stove for heat vs. an electric heater. Plus, this past year we planted 6 trees in our yard.

I also lowered my bill from $600 last year at this time to an average of $100.00 per month this year.

What I discovered....

The recipe for the grape jelly is listed here on my blog, but I wanted to share a few things that I learned in making this type of jelly. Use rubber gloves when picking grapes, scissors to cut off the vine (instead of pulling) it's easier and faster, and the gloves again when washing and picking off the stems.

The second thing I learned is to make the jelly in small batches, don't double or triple the recipe. I did this, and I ended up with some really great grape syrup (yummy on waffles). It didn't jell into jelly.

I also learned that using a noodle colander and having a wire strainer helps to get the jelly extremely pulp free (which isn't important to me, but I know some people prefer a clearer, pulp free jelly.)

Part of the recipe calls for straining the grapes with cheesecloth, I found this too messy and harder to do.....putting it in the colander and strainer and mashing it with a spoon was much easier, cleaner and effective....

I don't know if all these things I discovered are somewhere written down already, but I have made jelly for a long time, and some of these things were new to me.

Another tip is to start with a clean kitchen, bleach the sink, wash all the jars, and start the water boiling to sterilize the jars ALL before you start making the jelly. Makes for a much smoother process if you don't have a bunch of other stuff sitting out on the counters.

I now have a counter filled with canned grape jelly, juice and my new syrup (LOL!) and it's a welcome sight to provide this for my family in addition to being able to sell some and bring in a little money for the household.

So, get out there and pick those grapes before they are gone! Ace hardware has a great buy on canning cars, and the cheapest pectin I have found is at HEB (even Walmart was more expensive).

Getting Ready For School....

This morning was spent meeting with a counselor at the community college. The meeting was for Taylor, to determine what services he could receive for his disabilities. More later....

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Spent the rest of the day at home. Cleaned up a little and got dinner started. Trying to cook healthier, we had Jamaican Chicken Breasts, and rosemary potatoes. I also baked brownies for dessert. They smelled great, but I am trying to not eat many sweets so can't gorge myself (LOL!)

I am going out of town for the day tomorrow. I met another homesteader online, and she is going to teach me how to knit. I am taking her a couple jars of my grape jelly, and the grape syrup (for pancakes) that I made. Also a sample of my sage and rosemary, along with a few four o'clock seeds.

Yesterday I picked up some free shipping boxes and bubble wrap that I located on craigslist, then spent the rest of the day doing laundry and cleaning. Made Chinese Pork Tenderloin with rice and green beans for dinner. It was very good. It used an ingredient that I have never heard of or used before....Hoisin sauce?? Very good, I'd definitely eat it again.

Picked a few jalapenos and noticed a TON of flowers on the pepper plants, and two banana peppers growing. The tomatoes have more flowers too...

Happy Birthday Hannah!

My little girl turned 4 on the 22nd, but we had her birthday party today at Chuck E. Cheese. She had lots of fun playing the games, and was really excited over her gifts. From the family she received two Dora the Explorer play sets. They came with horses, and she loves horses. Her party theme was My Little Pony, so she was really excited that most of her presents had horses. My friend Perla, who has excellent taste in clothes, bought her a sundress, a white skirt and a brown tank top at Old Navy. Hannah is already to wear one of them tomorrow to church.

We ended up staying at Chuck E. Cheese for four hours until we ran out of money and tokens. Came home and took a nap, then cleaned up a bit. I went out and picked grapes and made 16 pints of jelly tonight (Pray it jells!) The original batch is selling pretty good, so I wanted to take advantage of the grapes and make as much as I can before they are gone. I picked most of one whole side of the fence today. Tomorrow I will pick the other side, and at least get the juice boiled down. I may have to wait to purchase more jars and pectin until later in the week. I am hoping to get a little money in from my businesses to help offset the jars. I sure hope the jelly sells, if not, guess what everyone is getting for Christmas! LOL!

I am really tired and had to take two of my pain pills. Standing up making jelly is really hard on my legs, and my arthritis is acting up (doesn't help that is starting to thunder again, and that we are probably in for more rain.) Oy vay!

Need to pick up donuts for church in the morning, so I had better get to bed.. before I pass out onto the floor. Have a good night!

The Chicks Are Hatching!!!

My baby chicks are hatching two days earlier than expected. So far there are two live, yellow and black chicks and one dead one (two different mamas and nesting boxes). I am checking on what breed, but they SORT OF look like these......

More rain.....

spent the day going through old clothes, and put an ad on craigslist. Had somone come by and get the little girl stuff. Cleaned some, finished all the laundry, folded and put it away. Went to check the garden when there was a break in the rain. It is just horrible. My husband used the weedeater and mowed down the entire thing! My dill was getting so tall! I can't believe it. All that work, and it's all gone.....I am going to try and remember where I planted the sweet potatoes and start digging, hoping to salvage something.

I really need to get out there and pick the rest of the grapes and get the jelly made. So, jars and pectin are on the list for this weekend.

Hannah's birthday party is Saturday, so Friday will be a busy day with getting the party supplies together, ordering her birthday cake, getting her present, and a myriad of other chores accomplished.

The People on God's Heart

James 1:27 "This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress."

The devotional today was on the tragedy of divorce, and how it can create "widows and orphans" from it's circumstances. This especially touched me, as I may be going through this sooner than I expected. Please keep our family in your prayers.

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I have been unavailable lately due to a variety of reasons: helping a friend move, phone and electrical problems and a LEAKING ROOF! I worked on paperwork this morning, sorting bills and completing health insurance forms for the kids.

It is raining again, and we have had severe thunderstorms the past few days. It is tiring. My garden is getting too much water. I really need to get out there and check it...plus my chicks should be hatching in the next few days.

We helped Candi and her family get moved into their new home this past weekend. It's a really nice house, not as rural as I would want, but still in the country, though they do have neighbors. I am especially excited for Candi as she is expecting a baby, and pregnancy is hard enough without a "nest" to prepare.

Candi and I will be working on a small garden for her in a couple of weeks. She should be able to get in a couple of things before the winter. Plus I am excited to be working on making some flannel receiving blankets for her, and getting ready to help her with her new baby.

She and the kids came over earlier this morning for a bit...I sure am glad they live closer, makes it so much easier to help each other. I was feeling depressed and she really helped me, and I cried on her shoulder (really). I picked up the rest of my house, and she washed my dishes (I don't even let my mom do that....LOL!) For dinner I made Nachos (spicy meat, and cheese toppings with jalapenos. Very good!) plus I put brownies in the oven to make brownie sundaes this evening.

I did my last load of laundry and I ran out of laundry soap. Made more after dinner, so I have three fresh jugs of laundry soap. Though I just have sheets left. With all this rain, I can't hang the laundry outside, I need to get those shower rods up so I can hang stuff above the washer in the laundry room.

Hope everyone is keeping dry and/or cool (wherever you are at) and getting your homesteading projects done.

Don't forget to check out my website www.geocities.com/queensedgefarm/shoppe if you are looking for a gift for someone, or modest clothing for your little girls. I will be adding new products in the next few months, and am looking into providing Watkins products also. So check back with me.....everyone have a great evening!

Update

Helping a friend move and my 20 year reunion is this weekend. I also have several sewing orders to finish, so will not have time for much posting. See everyone in a couple of days.

Grape Juice

Spent the day with Candi and crew again today. They came over early today, so we could have breakfast of Belgian waffles and bacon. Then we talked for the rest of the day. It rained off and on most of the day.

Made fried chicken, greenbeans and homemade bread for dinner. The rest of the evening I devoted to canning grape juice. I am out of pectin, but thought canning the grape juice would use the grapes up faster and be easier to do. I will make more jelly next week too, but the juice will come in handy for drinking, and I will be half way done if I want to make jelly during the winter. It's a beautiful ruby color. I have 5 pints, and will do more tomorrow. I can only stand the itching from the grapes for so long before I give in....I really need to purchase a pair of rubber dish gloves. Either the grapes, the vines or leaves has some sort of itchy stuff on them. Even the website for the recipe I am using recommends wearing gloves. I wonder what it is that makes me itch???

Wild Mustang Grapes

Good morning and salutations!

The girls and I drove to the next town over and bought some pectin and some pint mason jars. I wanted smaller jelly jars, but there was not any available. Lauren and I went out and picked a laundry basket full of Wild Mustang Grapes. For anyone who is not familiar with these, YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT EAT THESE THINGS. They are so sour and taste really bad. I went on the internet to look for a recipe to make the jelly.

Here it is:32 min 30 min prep
Change to: pints US Metric

5 cups grape juice (about 3 1/2 pounds of ripe grapes)
1 (1 3/4 ounce) box of sure-jel pectin
7 cups sugar

First make the grape juice using clean washed grapes.
To 3 1/2 pounds of clean grapes (6 cups of grapes) add 1 1/2 cups water.
Bring to a boil and simmer covered for 10 minutes.
Strain and squeeze out all of the juice with a jelly cloth, or whatever means you have.
In a very big pan, put 5 cups of the juice.
Add the fruit pectin to the juice.
Mix well.
On high heat, bring to a full rolling boil, and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Stir in sugar all at once, and bring back to a full rolling boil, again boil hard for 1 minute stirring constantly.
Remove from heat, skim off foam and pour into hot jars.
If using paraffin, pour hot paraffin in on top of jelly.
Or seal with canning lids.

I didn't have cheese cloth, so I tried to use muslin, but the grapes were still too hot. I poured the grape mixture into a large strainer with a pan underneath. I had to stir it around some as the skins and seeds would sink to the bottom, and clog it up. Stirring allowed the liquid to drain out. I then used a large metal spoon and squished it some to get more of the juice out. I madea double batch, so ended up with 10 pints, would have been almost two dozen jelly jars, but since the pints are larger......

My friend Candi came over with her kids and kept me company while I made the jelly. I was a little spasdic, plus very itchy. I think I had an allergic reaction to the grape vines, leaves or such, as I couldn't stand it. I rubbed hydrocortisone on my arms and took Benadryl (I am very sleepy now). Candi and her husband Brian finally closed on their house, and will be moving in this week and weekend. I am so excited for them! It's almost like it's my house too! LOL!

I still have almost a full laundry basket full of grapes left, so could probably make four more batches of jelly, not to mention my vines are still full!

Well it was fun, but I have to take a break from the jelly making until I can get more pectin and more jars.

Hope everyone had a great day!

Regular Monday

Today is just a regular Monday. I spent the day picking up from the weekend of everyone being here, and have been doing laundry and hanging it out. The weather is hot, humid with the occasional cloud darkening the sky and threatening rain. It rained really bad last night, and the wind was blowing something fierce. Found out that a tornado touched down in town last night, which was a surprise. I definitely want a tornado shelter before next year's season rolls around.

Ran a few local errands to the post office to mail some seed orders, to pay the water bill, and to the local dollar store to see if they had more Zote soap. They had seven bars, I bought six as I didn't want to appear greedy. This is the soap that is the base for my laundry soap. The funny thing is that this store doesn't stock this soap with the other soap or with the laundry/soap powder, it is right next to the measuring cups, and cooking utensils. It took me a while to find it.....

Mulched the garden and pulled a few weeds. My cucumbers or herbs haven't sprouted yet. It's been a week. That is kind of odd, but I will give it another week or so before replanting. Checked on the chickens. I really need to bleach their water container but I forget as soon as I come in the house. The plan is also to clean out the chicken house, bleach the floor, nesting boxes and roosts before the chicks hatch, if they do.

I am getting ready to sew curtains for my dining room, which I will post a picture of once they are done. I am also sewing one of my pajama bottom orders.

Gotta go and get dinner started.

After dinner I worked in the garden, spreading hay around my remaining vegetables. Picked all the corn off my corn stalks. Only have the stalk is filled with corn. I pulled the husks back off the cob and am letting me dry, and then will feed them to the chicken later. I got about 10 ears of corn. I will be using different corn next year, I haven't any luck with this one at all.

Got a handful of beans and one of jalapenos. I only have one dill plant doing good, the others have died, my sage is looking sickly too. The cucumbers have a lot of flowers, as well as, the bean plants. Hope I can get enough out of them to can some beans. Picked a half pitcher of wild mustang grapes, actually Lauren did that...we need to go back out tomorrow and get all the ripe ones, and I will start on making jelly. My figs aren't ready yet, but once they are I plan to make jelly out of them too.

Came inside itchy from pulling weeds, and covered in blood from all the mosquitoes I kept slapping at......

Psalm 15

I had nursery duty today at church, so I missed the sermon. I really don't like working in the nursery, but we all take a turn. While the little ones were playing with blocks and chasing a ping pong ball I read Psalm 15. I tried to get them to sit down to read a bible story to them, but 2 year olds are more into "action" than sitting it seems. LOL!

In Psalm 15 it says "O Lord, who may abide in Thy tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness and speaks truth in his heart." (There is more, but this is the portion that jumped out at me.) I have been thinking about this, and wonder if this fits me. I have asked God to show me how this can be me this week.

The remainder of the scripture is here:

"He does not slander with his tongue, nor does eveil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the Lord; He swears to his own hurt, and does not change; He does not put out his money at interest, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken."

Most days I read a Psalm and a Proverb that corresponds with the date (for instance today is the 15th, so I read Psalm 15).

After church we went to eat lunch with my sister and her family at a local restaurant. We have eaten here for about 27 years, ever since we moved here. They have excellent Cheese Soup! Yum!

I came home and checked my email and I had several bread orders. I need to get cracking on my sewing orders and my bread orders in the morning. How exciting! I am trying to increase my cash flow avenues and trying a variety of things to bring in a little extra money without a lot of cash outlay.

Have a great Sunday!

I was bored and ended up baking today: four loaves of white bread, one loaf of banana bread, and chocolate chip cookies. Started around 4 this afternoon, and finished just now at 10:30 pm.

My Mind Says 17, The Body Says 38

Okay, so I am living in denial. I answered an ad on craigslist for a tennis partner. I played all through middle and high school and in college. I use to play in tournaments all over Texas, so "practicing" should be easy right? Fast forward 20 years, and I am in bed now in pain, and can only hope I am able to get out of bed for church in the morning. The lady was really nice, 52 and from Israel, just recently moving to Texas. It was only her second time playing, and we practiced for 2 1/2 hours. Big mistake, we could barely drag our tired hineys off the court and flop into the car. In my mind I was 17 and in great shape, in reality I am 38 and haven't REALLY exercised in 10 years. Big difference, just in case you wanted to know. "The mind is willing, but the flesh is VERY weak".
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Made Belgian waffles this morning and bacon. Then cleaned the house, and did two loads of laundry. Lauren had even hung out the laundry before I got out of bed this morning. I was in the kitchen starting the waffles when she came in the back door with the clothes basket. Kind of shocked me, as I thought she was still in bed. I was grateful she hung the clothes up (I had put them in te washer last night and forget to hang up last night, but I don't like her leaving the house, even to go in the backyard, without my knowing....just in case...) She had also fed all the cats, dog and chickens before doing the laundry. Pretty good girl....

Received permission from the owner of the lime tree, he said I could have some. Don't know what I can do with limes other than slice and put in my tea. Have to look up what I can make.

Forgot to mention that I picked up a 3 foot red oak tree, a red oak seedling and an avocado tree yesterday. Located them on craigslist and met the lady who had them in town Friday. I am on the lookout for orange, lime, lemon, cherry and apple trees.

My Dream

I have a lot of dreams....and I also like to write, so I thought I would write the dream I had last night down so I will remember it, and maybe someone here will like it. It's a long dream, so be patient....LOL!

Last night I dreamed that I was divorced, and that I and the kids were looking for a place to buy, an old farmhouse here in Texas. The house was on a little used country road. To access the house you had to enter through an old ranch gate covered in grapevines. The weeds were grown up around the house, and it looked like no one had been up there in....forever. I had just been driving around when I noticed this property (couldn't see the house). I parked on the side of the road, and the kids and I carefully crossed the fence and walked up the drive, it was about a mile from the road to the house. At the top of the drive to the right sat my current house, but a little dilapidated. To the left across a large field was a barn. The property was cross fenced, and other pastures behind it. There were a few fruit trees that had dropped their fruit, and it was rotting under the trees, and there was a pecan grove behind the house, about 30 trees.

The house was in pretty good shape, but obviously abandoned. This was it, the house I wanted. I stepped up on the porch and tried the door...it was open! The house was full of old, rickety furniture, dust, debris, dead birds and lots of papers. I looked through a couple pieces of paper that sat on the kitchen table, and committed the address to memory. The kids and I left, and headed for the tax office. Once there I talked to a representative and asked about this property to see if it was for sale. I was in luck, the previous owner had passed away, and the county had claimed it for back taxes. The back taxes were $1100, and they sold me the entire property, 45 acres and the house for that amount. I was so excited!

The kids weren't too jazzed to be headed back to a house that was in such sad shape, and the fact that I expected them to live in it was not going over well. I stopped at the grocery store near the tax office, and picked up the local paper, cleaning supplies, and a large amount of staples to stock my pantry. I picked up enough for about 6 months, as I didn't want to come into town frequently. After loading up the RV I was pullling behind the dually, I stopped at the lumber store, and purchased an assort of 2 X 4's, plywood, nails, screen and the ever handy....DUCT TAPE.

After driving the 40 miles back to the "farm" I carefully unlocked the gate, trying not to disturb the grapevines. I drove the truck and RV into the drive, and then went and getting my son's help, pushed over the mailbox. I then picked it up and placed it in the bed of the truck. My plan was for it to look like no one lived here, and I wasn't expecting any mail, so I didn't need the mailbox. I closed the gate, padlocking it closed and we headed up the drive.

I pulled up next to the house, and backed the RV trailer up right next to the back of the house. This way I could hook up any electrical cords to the generator in the RV, or connect the inverter. By this time it was getting dark, so we got dinner together, and settled down for a good night's sleep in the RV.

The next morning, I was up bright and early, waking up to the sound of well.....nothing. The quieet was awesome, and a little scary. I made tea and sat at the table in the RV making lists of what needed to be done. Here is the list:

1) clean all trash out of house, and bag it up
2) clean bedrooms for each person, and set up sleeping areas
3) remove toilet from bathroom
4) build compost toilet and place in bathroom.
5) clear weeds next to house
6) build platform in kitchen and living room for wood stoves
7) set up wood stoves in house and clean fireplace in living room
8) set up electrical system/inverter in kitchen
9) set up cooking area in kitchen with wood stove and camp stove
10) Remove kitchen range from house so wood stove can fit in it's place
11) Start looking for wood for winter supply
12) Plant garden
13) Look at well and see what was needed to get it running

Once the kids were awake, and had eaten breakfast, I handed out assignments. Taylor was tasked to use the weedeater and clear the weeds from around the house. When he was done, I asked him to work on ridding the old garden plot in back of the house, of the huge weeds, and I would till it later.

The girls were given trash bags and set to work picking up trash. I moved through the house opening windows, and checking to see which ones needed screens. There were only two windows that needed the screens repaired, so I did that to keep the insects out. Both doors needed the screen replacing, so I knocked that out. After the girls were finished picking up trash, I sent them upstairs to pick out which bedroom they each wanted.

I began sweeping all the dirt out the front door, and then hauled in a large bucket off warm water and Murphy's oil soap and began mopping all the wood floors. I started from the front and ended in the kitchen. I then cleaned the kitchen linoleum with bleach water, and cleaned the kitchen table. I sent Lauren out for a table cloth from the RV, and settled it on the table. We then took a break for lunch. It was really nice to sit at the cleaned table in the newly spotless kitchen. The smell of bleach and oil soap, along with the bright sunlight filtering through the smudgy windows gave me a feeling of happiness.

After lunch I inspected the bedframes in the bedrooms, and with Taylor's help we took down the nasty old matresses and tossed them into the bed of the truck with the rest of the trash (we had taken the lumber out already). I wiped down the bedframes, cleaned the rooms and mopped the wood floors. I sent the girls to cleaning all the windows in their room with Windex, and then had them start downstairs cleaning all the windows. Taylor and I brought up their mattress from the RV, and I made the bed with fresh sheets and the quilt I had made for Lauren's 10th birthday. I hunted through my stack of lines, and found two lace window sheers to hang at their window. I told them that once they were finished with the windows they could start hauling their belongings out of the truck and RV and setting their room up.

We moved on to Taylor's room, and got his bed all set up for the night, and then moved to my room. This room was really dirty also, and it took mopping it twice to get the floor clean. There wasn't a bedframe in this room, so Taylor and I went and dragged six cinder blocks from a pile in the back yard, along with one of the sheets of plywood, and I made a stand for the mattress. Made up the bed, and Taylor and I each started setting up our rooms. I unpacked my clothes, and placed them in my hope chest at the foot of the bed and placed a kerosene lamp on the bedside table. I hung up the white curtains I had made at the old place, and had found with my linens. I put my portable safe box beside the bed, and placed my 9mm gun inside and locked it up. I hung an old blue and white quilt on the wall over the bed, and had Taylor help me hang the gun rack up on the wall behind the door, that way I would have place for the 30-30 and the 12-gauge. The shells I placed in the ammo box, and put on the floor of the closet. The room was done. (I had considerably down sized my furniture and possessions when leaving the old place.)

Stepping out of my room, I looked into the girls room. Hannah was playing with her Barbie's on a rug in front of the windows, and Lauren was "organizing" everything. Taylor was hanging his clothes in the closet, and placing his "stuff" on the shelves in the closet. The rooms were clean, a little bare, but ready for sleep that night. Each room was equipped with a kerosene lamp, except the girls room, I had bought them each a battery operated Coleman lantern for their bedsides. They were still too little for kerosene lamps.

I decided that was enough work for the day, and headed down to take a shower in the RV, and change into some clean clothes, and then set up the grill to cook some chicken for dinner (and of course hot dogs for Lauren). The kids thumped down the stairs, and I sent them into shower and change. Dinner was ready, and we ate in the kitchen by the light of the kerosene lamp, as the sun was setting, and it was very dark there without the lights of the city. We talked about the day, and how we wanted to set up the living room. We planned to take the old furniture outside the next day and dust it off really good, before using the shop vac to clean out any animal droppings, dead spiders and dust. I also needed to get the bathroom in some shape for use, and reminded them to use the toilet in the RV until either a compost toilet or outhouse was done. The water wasn't running yet, and I wasn't sure of how good the septic tank was....I would need to take the RV down the road to an RV camp site I noticed, to empty the sewage tank, and refill the water tank with water for the shower.

The kids headed out to the RV to watch a DVD on my laptop. I decided to start setting up the kitchen. The kitchen came with a really great, old style pantry, so there was plenty of room for all the food I had picked up. First, I wiped off all the shelves, set out the Decon on the floor (I hate mice). I started setting up the pantry, and made sure I put all my baking supplies (which I use the most) right next to the pantry door, that way I could reach them easily. I unpacked all my crocks and placed the flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, brown sugar in them, and arranged on the counter by the sink. I placed the rubber tubs in the sink to wash in, and arranged all the silverware, dishes and cups in the cabinets. I brought in the little cube refrigerator, and sat it on the counter nearest the back door, so that the cords would easily reach from the RV. (The RV came equipped with solar panels for running the RV appliances, so along with the generator, we had enough minimal power to live comfortably. By this time the kids started heading in to go to bed, and it was going on midnight. I walked the girls upstairs and tucked them in, gave Taylor a kiss on the cheek and a whack on the rear as he walked into his room and shut the door. I tried to suggest to him that he should leave his door open to allow for air flow through the house, and it would be cooler that way, but he wasn't concerned and shut the door. Oh well.

By this time in my dream, I became aware of a dog, a Rottweiler that we had, that I hadn't noticed before (we use to raise Rottie's, so I guess that is why it crept into the dream). I did close and lock the front and back doors, but left the windows open. The dog and I headed upstairs for bed. I sent into my room changed into my cotton nightgown and climbed into bed, groaning in pain, as well as, glee to be able to lay down. The dog flopped onto the floor and promptly went to sleep. I took my handgun out of the safe, and placed it under my pillow, and fell asleep.

Okay....go take a potty break...I will wait for you......(drumming my fingers and singing to myself while I wait)

The next morning, Taylor and I tackled the living room, and Lauren asked to "organize" the front porch with the old wicker furniture that was there, and dragging my old rocker out of the RV. She came into ask if she could plant some flower seeds in the front flower bed. I told her to knock herself out, so she went to town, pulling weeds, lining up rocks, and planting seeds in precise, straight rows.

By this time, it dawned on me I should get my handcrank radio out of the RV. We turned the radio on, and got back to work on the living room. We dragged the furniture out, pounded out a "hiney load" of dust, vacuumed it, and pushed it back inside. The floors had been cleaned yesterday, so I arranged the furniture around the fireplace, placed a kerosene lamp on the mantle, and added some family pictures. We rolled out the blue oriental rug between the furniture arrangement. Taylor began to work on a wooden outline that would be the raised hearth for the wood stove. We had two one for the living room to heat the house, and the other for the kitchen to cook on. It wasn't actually a cook stove, but it would work to cook on top of, baking was another thing, but the idea was to make a cob oven outside in the back yard,

hopefully this fall, or if we didn't get to it before winter, next spring. I had my dutch oven so could bake bread, cakes and assorted pies/cobblers.

I dragged out my sewing machine and placed on the table I had set up in the corner of the kitchen for this purpose, and hooked up the generator to sew curtains for the rest of the house. I was only making half curtains, as I wanted light in the house. We would be living off grid (no utlity electric) so we needed as much natural light as possible. Later I would make window quilts to keep out the winter cold and drafts, but there was enough time for that later. I decided to check email and the weather on my laptop, and was glad that I did. There was a severe thunderstorm on the way, and we needed to get the yard picked up and things put under cover. Taylor and I brought the lumber inside and placed along the wall in the living room. All the tools and the grill were put into the RV. We stashed all the trash in the bed of the pickup. As lightening lit up the sky, and thunder rumbled in the distance, I decided to break out my blue barrels to catch the water in. I am glad I thought to clean them before we left the old place.

There was a downspout on the side of the house. I grabbed the hack saw and whacked off a portion of the gutter, and placed the barrel under it to catch the rain off the roof. The other three barrels I set out in a row in the backyard. I didn't want the dirt from the roof to contaminate any water we would drink. The one under the downspout I would use for baths, and general cleaning. We made it inside the house as the rain begain to fall. The wind came with such force, that it drove the rain into the upstairs windows on the front of the house. I had the girls run up and close all the windows. The windows in the living room, and front dining room (which was standing empty) were fine as they were under cover of the front porch.

Using the hand saw, Taylor and I constructed the frame for the compost toilet. We finished it in about an hour, and Taylor carried it up to the bathroom, we removed the old toilet, setting it outside for another use, and placed the sawdust toilet where the existing toilet used to sit, next to the tub.

I placed the 5 gallon bucket inside the frame, and set the bucket of sawdust beside it, opening the lid, and shoving the scoop down inside the sawdust shavings. I duct taped the existing toilet shut, so that "someone" wouldn't forget and use it (yuck!) The claw foot tub in the bathroom could easily be set up with a gravity flow system, IF we couldn't get the water well running. The kids made their own sandwiches as they got hungry, leaving a mess on the counter in the kitchen....Arrggghh!

I cleaned out the bathroom linen cupboard with some bleach wipes, cut shelf paper, and placed all my towels and linens in the cabinet. I had found a little table in the house, and placed that on one wall in the bathroom, and set yet another kerosene lamp on it, with a glass container of matches beside it. A basket of t.p. with a few magazines (ha!) were set beside the compost toilet. I decided to take a break and watch the rain, think and make MORE lists.

In my dream, apparently more time passed, and we had a garden planted, chickens running around, two dairy goats with kids, in the fenced area by the barn. We had succeeded in getting the well running after buying a new pump, and setting up the generator in the shed containing the well and pump. I ran the generator every 3-4 days, just long enough to fill up the water tank allowing us to have water in the house. We were cutting the grass in the fields, tying it in large bundles and storing in the loft of the barn for the winter. I had purchased feed from the feed store and it was piled up in the barn. Taylor was spending most of his time dragging dead fall from the trees, and using the chain saw cutting it up. He had a pretty impressive wood pile along the entire fence behind the house. I had measured and so far he had about 4 cords of wood cut and stacked. He had lost a lot of weight, filled out in muscle, was burned/tanned, freckeled with his hair standing on end. He was such a good boy....quiet and helpful. Only occasionally picking on his younger sisters. It was August already, and we were pretty well set up for the coming winter. I decided it was time to get busy with the girls school work, and we would start September 1st.

Nights were the best time of all. The girls would play, read, watch DVDs from our collection, while I sewed, made lists and plans, checked the news on the Internet and researched medicinal herbs.

Sometime around November, we noticed how much quieter it was....hardly a plane flew over the house, and we hadn't seen any lights in the distance. As I was surfing the Internet one night, I noticed there was a news article posted by the BBC that stated several e-bombs had been set off in the United States causing widespread destruction, and setting the US back about 200 years. The electro magnetic pulse from these e-bombs had crippled our economy and communications, and the military was on full alert, as well as, our allies who were patrolling our borders and airspace to prevent any further attacks. I was scared. I had read about this kind of stuff happening, and was glad I had made a run into town the week before. I had laid in enough staples, canned veggies, fruits, meats, etc., to last us about two years, as long as we supplemented from our garden, goats, chickens, and anything I managed to shoot.

I decided to walk down the driveway in the dark to see if I could see any light coming from our house. Because we were using kerosene lamp, the light was very faint. I decided I was going to make dark curtains for all the windows for us to use at night. I informed the kids of the problems, asked them to stay close to the house at all times. I loaded my weapons, and had the shot gun in the kitchen over the door, the .22 by the front door, and the 30-30 upstairs by my back. I strapped the 9mm to me, and gave Taylor the other 9mm I had recently purchased. I cautioned him about playing with it, and told him it was for emergencies only. He was to keep it under his mattress, or in the holster on his belt when working outside. Who knew who or what would wander onto our property. I wanted to be prepared.

That night it started getting colder, and in the morning there was snow lightly drifting down. Taylor helped me hook the RV up to the truck and we dragged the RV into the barn. Parking the truck inside also, we locked up the middle doors, leaving only the smaller door to the side unlocked. We secured all the other barn doors and windows. Fed and watered the animals, shut the door and locked it up for the night. We all ran back to the house. Taylor started bringing wood in and stacking by the fireplace, and both woodstoves. I closed off the living room by hanging blankets in the door frame. I started a fire in the wood stove, and the fireplace, then set the teakettle on top of the stove to heat for hot chocolate. The temperature continued to drop and the wind began howling. We brought down the feather duvet, and made a pallet on the floor of the living room. The dog flopped down on the floor to snort, sigh and snooze. We were snug and warm in the house.

Two years passed quickly, and we canned all our garden produce, making sure to save seeds for next year's crops. We shot a couple of deer each winter and smoked the meat. We also smoked turkeys, butchered a goat every now and then, along with about 20 chickens each spring. All the meat was smoked, or boiled and canned for future use. Once we shot a feral hog as it tried to attack the dog, so we had ham for Christmas that year. I was thankful for all my 'old timey' books that showed me how to render tallow, smoke meat, make cheese and do a variety of chores. We never saw another person on the property, and never left it. The generator eventually died, and we relied primarily on the solar generator to run the water pump every now and then, and to keep the laptop charged in order to keep up with world news. We had our own worship services on Sundays, reading the Bible, singing hymns, and listening to our worship CDs. God was good and protected our homestead, putting a hedge of protection around us and preventing the outside world from encroaching. We did receive an email from the kids dad, asking if we were okay. His parents had passed away, and he couldn't locate his brothers. I invited him to make his way to us, but please not to bring anyone else. No one else could stay. The last we heard he was on his way to us, but without a car, it may take a couple of months to walk here. I told him to look for the gate with the angel painted on the top right corner, under the vines. We'll see if he makes it.....

Then...I woke up.....hope you enjoyed my dream.....

Ouch!

Today we drove over to see Candi at their hotel a couple of towns over. We had lunch and went swimming. Lauren wore a Tshirt and I put sunscreen on her face, she has a slight burn on her face. Hannah, I kept getting her out of the water, drying her off, and applying sunscreen, but OUCH! she has a MAJOR sunburn. I applied alove vera gel when we got home, and at bed time I gave her a bath in vinegar, as it is supposed to stop the sunburn from hurting. Applied more aloe vera, gave her Motrin and put her to bed. She fell right asleep, poor baby!

We didn't get home until about 4:30 p.m. (Candi's eldest son Kyle came to spend the night with Taylor. Taylor is 6 years older than Kyle, but they seem to get along great.) The girls were hungry and ate dinner around 5:00 p.m. (pizza and ravioli the peasants). I made steaks, baked potatoes, and corn for everyone else. I then made a chocolate cake in my cast iron skillet (I've always wanted to do that....) the kids wouldn't even wait until it cooled for me to ice it so they could eat it....

We all went for a walk around 8 pm. I am trying to teach Muffin how to walk on a leash. She is doing pretty good. It was only her second time on a leash. I was very happy.

I washed a few dishes, but stopped when the dish drainer was full, I was getting burned out on washing. The house is starting to get a little clutter after a full week. I made laundry soap around 9 pm and filled all four containers. And washed a load. I need to put them in the dryer before I go to bed, I don't want them to get yucky.

Tomorrow is town day, and I will be heading into town to pay bills, and to pick up a red oak and an avocado tree for the yard. I found the trees on craigslist, and the prices are reasonable compared to the local landscape/nursery.

I noticed a lime/lemon tree around the corner from me, and thought I'd stop and ask the owner if I could pick them for him, and get half. I also would like to call Mrs. Stewart down the street and ask about her pears. The people on the corner have an orange tree (I want one!)

I was thinking tonight of what more I can do to enhance my homemaking/homesteading skills. I am hoping that with using the Prairie Primer this fall I will be able to pick up and practice my skills. I really wish I could turn off the electricity, I get by with only using it for the fans, and the TV, with the occasional use of the stove/oven. I know I could do what I need with the car and inverter like Tammy and would love to try. I also want to learn to knit and make candles this fall. We'll see how the money situation plays out...I am getting stressed on a couple of bills and need to catch up. Once that is done, I will be able to breathe a little easier.

Picture of Homesteading Friends

Here's a picture of Koka, Sheri and me from the Homestead Forum (I'm holding Hannah).

I believe that Koka is from Colorado and was in the area visiting family, Sheri was at a Guinea Pig Show, and I drove up to New Braunfels (about an hour from me) to meet them for the first time.

As you can see from the picture, it was April, but it was rainy (actually flooding) and VERY cold that day. Very strange weather for South Texas in April.

Sheri is giving me a little girl goat....I need to pick her up ASAP, I am still working on the goat pen, trying to get it all assembled. I'm trying to hurry Sheri, really I am!

*********************

Today was spent at the community college in town getting everything in order for Taylor to register, and making sure my stuff was in order. I need to take two more classes so that I can graduate in December, and then transfer. I was planning on attending TAMUK, but they aren't offering the courses that I need, and I want to get this over with ASAP. I am looking at Wayland Baptist (online), UTSA, and Colorado Christian University (online) for the Spring semester.

I totally forgot to make laundry soap tonight. I just now remembered. I won't be washing anything in the morning until I get the soap done.

Received Candi's seeds for her garden today, as well as, the book we ordered for our youngest. It is titled "How to teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons". I am planning to take the kids swimming tomorrow, so will take them to Candi at that time.

Checked out "The Way of the Master" website. Very interesting information there, but I don't know that I buy that this way is the ONLY or RIGHT way to witness to people. It is very useful, and I would like to better learn how to share my testimony.

Life's Challenges

I know I have posted this picture before, but well looking at it just makes me feel better. It was my first sunflower, and I dedicated it to my friend Tammy. I met Tammy online last year, and met her in Kentucky last year when we were travelling to West Virginia. I sure do love her like a sister.

*Edited info as I realize it was not respectful to him to post such things about him. I apologize to everyone for airing anything inappropriate in such a public place.

********
It's almost midnight and I just wanted to share a wonderful blog that God led me to tonight. It is http://www.yellowlady.blogspot.com/ I cannot adequately express how the words of this woman touched me and made me think about my life.

I had a friend today tell me that "everything seemed to get on my nerves". Until she said that I didn't realize that she was right. I have loads of reasons why this is so: from depression, physical pain from arthritis and Fibromyalgia, a very sad marriage, and disobedient children. When things don't go my way I utterly lose it...the thing is, I wasn't always like this, and I can pinpoint the exact time this happened to me. It was November 2002. Since having my daughter in July 2003, things have just spiraled down and out of my control. Post partum depression is not fun, but my little one will be four next week, so I think I should be past the post partum depression, so it must be plain old depression.

After reading the blog above I realized that God led me to her blog to show me a few home truths, and to really make me think. I am heartbroken, in tears and praying for God's help and guidance in several area of my life. Please pray for me in these areas too!

1. House-should I sell and move on, or stay
2. Marriage
3. Children-how to show I love them better, work on discipline
4. Relationship with God
5. Friends
6. Finances-now that we are debt free, how to get husband to save

These are not in any particular order, only as they came to me as I was typing.

Five Things I "Dig" About Jesus

Here are the responses I came up with for what I dig about Jesus.

1. That He decided to die for my sins so that I can go to heaven.
2. That Jesus has a great sense of humor. He must, because well look at me!
3. That Jesus has mercy and continues to show it to me, by giving me a second chance when I mess up, and not ZAPPING me with lightening. (We've had thunderstorms the past couple of months, so it COULD have happened. LOL!)
4. I like that Jesus is a wonderful role model, and exhibits the perfect blend of manliness, godliness and gentleness.
5. I love that Jesus loves me no matter how grumpy I get.

I hope these are the kind of answers you were looking for.....

Cupcakes or Cookies?

I didn't have my devotional today. I like to have it first thing in the morning, but got off track this morning. I signed up this afternoon for a women's online devotional to be sent to me daily in my email. I hope this will help remind and motivate me.

We have a baking war here this morning. My plan is to make cupcakes, which my 3 year old (4 years old next week) really loves. But...my almost 10 year old daughter wants chocolate chip cookies. I think I will make the cupcakes as they are easier, cookies take a little too long.

I have been tagged by Amy from http://www.purposedrivenwife.blogspot.com/

hmmm...this will be a difficult one, I have never thought about the 5 things I "dig" about Jesus. I will have to think on this one and post later on it.

The house is still pretty much cleaned up, though I am hanging up laundry today. Yesterday was laundry day, but it drizzle off and on, and I didn't get finished, so today is supposed to be totally sunny.

Off to feed the chickens and check the eggs....more later! Checked on the chickens, they are molting but still sitting on the eggs. I hope they stay on long enough for the babies to hatch. I figure July 28th will be the big day.

Okay finished up the dishes, and folded the clothes I took off the line, one more load is still on the line. Made the cupcakes, they just wait to be frosted. I like to frost them one at a time before someone eats the, because I can store them a big ziploc bag easier and don't have to worry about the icing messing up.

For dinner we had spaghetti with meatballs, Salad with romaine lettuce and baby spinach, garlic toast and iced tea.

After dinner the kids and I went for a walk. Actually, I walked; Lauren used her scooter, Taylor rode his bike, and Hannah alternated between running, walking and crouching in the shade waiting for me to catch up. We walked for about 20 mintues and came home. It's pretty humid outside, hot too, but not as bad as the humidity. Hannah had a really red face, so I made her sit in front of the fan.

Now we are just relaxing. The kids are watching "Ninja Warrior" on TV. It's a Japanese game show. It's pretty hilarious.

I plan to fertilize and mulch the tomatoes later tonight when it gets cooler. I hope I remember...

Clean Up! Clean Up! It's time to clean up....

This is the song my three year old sings when she is cleaning up. It's one of those little songs they teach in preschool that makes the kids think it is fun to clean the house.

Spent almost two hours this morning talking to our town mayor regarding the Emergency Preparation meeting that was held while I was on vacation. Looked over the approved disaster plan, the tornado warning/watch directions, and talked to him in general about what level the city is prepared at, and where I am. He was very happy that someone was taking things seriously, as everyone else appeared to blow him off. The meeting was only attended by 31 people out of a population of 2600. In my opinion, I don't believe enough notice was given, but he disagrees. Found out some info regarding the town that was useful, gave my opinion (I am sure he loved that) and offered up a couple of suggestions that he said he hadn't thought about.

Upon coming back from city hall I started my cleaning routine, where I start at the front of the house and do each room. Washed several loads of clothes, and folded what was already dried. The house is reasonably cleaned (though I never seem to get time or energy to deep clean or declutter anything), and dinner is in the oven. I didn't get it in the oven until 5:00 pm, so it won't be ready until 6:30 or 7:00. We are having roast chicken, red potatoes, green beans, tomatoes (from the garden) and cantelope.

Lauren has been sick all day. I am keeping an eye on her, as she has the symptoms of appendicitis but it could also be a stomach virus. It's hard to know when to take the kids to the doctor. To err on the side of caution is what I normally do, only to get to the doctor and have him tell me "it's just a virus" and laugh at me that I am a hypochrondriac and projecting onto my kids. I know he's only joking, but still. If she is still sick in the morning, I will call the doctor.

Oh! I forgot. I wrote an article and it was published on www.wisdomfarms.com. Go to the Simple Living link and you can find my article titled "My Steps into Self Sufficiency".

Letting Christ Fuel My Desire to Succeed

Our pastor is out of town on vacation, so our worship leader, Jon, preached today. He did a really good job. I thought I'd recap the notes I took today so that I can share with everyone, and refresh my memory.

We have a geat responsibility that God has charged us with...I need to start paying attention to what God is tellling me. Is the Holy Spirit talking to me?

There are plenty of things, goals, projects that we leave unfinished. I need to look around me and focus on those things I have left unfinished and finish them, and follow Christ's example of beginning a good work in me, one that will one day be completed.

What do I have within me that motivates me to accomplish my goals? Why do I persevere?
The loss of passion for something is a process....see Deuteronomy 30:16-18

Where I spend my time, effort and money is where my heart is....if I lose heart for something I lose my desire and motivation to accomplish it. Why have I (and others) drawn away from God? Why do I disobey his commands? (James 1:14-15)

Steps to Destruction in our life are: 1) Thoughts of sin 2) temptation to sin 3) Sin itself 4) Death (spiritual)

*********
After church today we headed to the Spaghetti Warehouse for April's birthday lunch. She turned 33 today. Ann came plus April's friend Cheryl Anderson and her family. We had a nice time.

On the way home I stopped by a ladies' house to pick up a set of books "The American Girls Short Stories" that I found on http://www.craigslist.com/. I picked these up for Lauren to use when I homeschool in the fall.

The house is a HUGE mess. The kids have virtually trashed the house this weekend. I will be working on it tomorrow, as well as, the laundry. I also need to go to the bank, even though I don't like going into town more than once during the week.

This evening I worked in the garden. I placed a trellis that I obtained off of craigslist over both grapevines, and one in the row of beans for the beans to grow up. I have one left, but it needs the legs attached to it. I don't really know where I will place it yet.

I tilled up the garden and planted four rows of A&C Pickling Cucumbers, 1/2 row of oregano, 1/2 row of lavender, 1/2 row of basil and four watermelon seeds.

I need to weed the sage, and pepper plants, as well as, the sweet potato patch.

That's about it. I need to call Candi to check on her and her house progress.


*Clipart by Christart.com

Gardening Day

Today is scheduled to be 'gardening day' but I didn't actually garden at home. I re-met a man this week. I met him over 10 years ago, and he lives down the street from my in laws, he used to grow herbs for a living, but now sells landscape plants on ebay. This is how he makes his living entirely. He went over his landscape plants and a variety of herbs from comfrey, cardamom, Mexican Marigold, gingko bilboa, lemon verbena plus variety of bedding plants like sweet flag, Mexican tuber rose, and a variety of grasses that I didn't quite catch. I was trying to make notes as he was talking, but he was going fast on the latin names, proper names, how to divide, rhizmes, potting methods, etc. I only stayed about an hour, and will go back sometime next week to trade plants with him.

Also picked up 19 fertilized eggs from a local woman and placed 9 under one hen and 10 under the other hen.

It has started thundering and getting dark, so I guessI should log off now.

Update on Marriage Challenge: not much progress, as we have both been busy and not spending much time at home together. He has been helping his dad add onto their house, and I have been doing things with the kids and working at home. Will continue on my goals.....

*Would like to ask everyone reading this to please pray for my 18 year old son. We are having some issues with him, in addition he is looking for a job. I am praying that God gives him the strength and discipline to be able to hold a job, and to allow him to mature and move forward in his life. Thanks everyone!

Town Day

Our day started early, as we headed out to San Antonio to meet a lady with four metal trellises that I will be using for my beans in the garden. Once I get a picture, I will post it for you to see. I found them on http://www.craigslist.com/. There is actually a lot of items I could use but I don't have access to the dually anymore, and it has an electrical problem that always acts up when I drive it.

After picking up the trellises, we headed over to JoAnn Fabric to load up on their flannel that was 30% off, with a few $1.49 a yard. I have a couple of orders for flannel pj's. My next step is to take pictures of the fabric and post for people to pick their fabric, on a first come first served basis.

I also picked up some elastic, and cotton fabric for short sets I am making for an order. I need to work on what the price structure will be as I have only made shorts for kids, and these will be my first adult short sets. Another item I will be offering soon on my website will be flannel receiving blankets. More on these later.... The girls and I then headed for Wally World where I had my vacation pictures developed, and I picked up a few necessities. The grocery store is next, and then I will be done with my weekly errands.

Came home to do very limited housework, got dinner, washed dishes, and did two loads of laundry before working on the blog.

Dawn's fabric

Kezzie's fabric (PJ fabric on left)

The pale green fabric has white bunnies (sorry Sheri, no guinea pigs.) The light blue with multi color stars and then a white fabric with the multi color flowers. These three fabrics are available on a first come, first serve basis.

These fabrics are also available. From the far left there is a pale blue fabric with multi color flowers, pink and white fabric with frogs, and the lavendar fabric with black cats. These are also available on a first come, first serve basis.

Pale blue fabric with smileys, white fabric with polar bears and candy canes, blue fabric with stockings and snowflakes (this fabric came in pieces but I figured it would be good for little kids pjs.)

I realize that these are not very good photos, but I am using my son's $18.00 digital camera, as I cannot find the USB cord to mine. These are the best I can do. I also apologize for not putting these on my business website, but this was easier.

I am supposed to pick up some fertilized eggs in the morning from a local farmer, and hopefully work with the local "Herb Man" on some gardening tips. After that I plan to set up the trellises in the garden, and plant more herbs and vegetables.

Stopped by the city hall to talk to the mayor, but he was out. I left a message. I am hoping to discuss the Emergency Prep meeting the city held while I was out of town. I plan to show him the article in Backwoods Home magazine regarding the $25 survival kit, and talk about my own preparations. I don't know how receptive he will be though, so we will see what happens when (and if) he calls.

Clipart found at http://www.countryclipart.com/

P.S. I apologize for the strange formatting, the blogger won't let me correct the gaps. I fix it on the screen but after publishing it does it's own thing.

Making Lists....

Today was a really slow day. Totally unmotivated this morning. I talked on the phone for three hours to a friend! Bad Amy!

I ultimately was able to wash the dishes, wash three loads of clothes and hang outside, check the garden, check the chickens food and water, and am now inside making lists.

I am making my to do list for tomorrow, and a list of the things I need to do and buy at each location.

I am also working on my wish list, and a list of items that I want to make and sell.

I will be getting the supplies to make winter hats so if you are looking for a warm winter hat. I am going to make a few up in primary colors, but if you have a specific color you want I let me know!

Happy Fourth of July!

I am excited, I have had three orders for flannel pajamas, and am looking forward to working on them. The only thing is that I have only made these for children, so it will be a challenge making them for adults. I hope I do well. I also have an order for a pair of musling bloomers for an adult.

It has been a great day. It started with me getting up late (after 10 am), I made Belgian waffles and bacon for breakfast. Lauren had a friend spend the night (my friend Candi's daughter).

Washed dishes, put the brisket in the oven, and the ingredients for bread in my bread machine. Candi and her family arrived around 2 pm, and we talked while I finished getting the rest of the food prepared. I was kind of moving slow today, in pain and feeling really strange. I don't know what is wrong with me.

My dad, my friend Perla and her little girl also arrived to eat. Before we could eat I received a visitor to look at my plants for sale, we agreed to trade, as he raises plants too. I am headed over to his place on Friday. He has also offered to teach me how to pot plants, and raise different ones so that I can make more money. He actually lives down the street from my father in law, and I have met him several times, just didn't recongize his name when he called earlier, plus he didn't mention he was coming by. Anywho, he used to raise herbs for a living, so I would like for him to show me how to do so.

Made it back inside where we all ate, laughed, talked, poked fun at each other, and then headed outside around 9 pm to watch the fireworks. It had rained in the morning, but hadn't rained all afternoon, but the city fireworks were scheduled to start at 9 pm, and then the rain started at the same time. Our neighbors put on a pretty good display despite the rain.

With the rain not letting up, everyone headed for home around 9:30 p.m., and now the kids are in bed, and I am sitting here listening to the firecrackers going off.

Happy Independence Day everyone!

Talking with a friend.....

I have two really great friends that I really wish lived closer or I lived closer to them. One is Candi, she does live relatively close; and the other is Tammy, she lives in Kentucky. I have known Tammy longer though. I don't write about either one too much out of respect for their privacy.

I have learned a lot from both. Thanks you two!

I was talking to Tammy this morning on the phone, and she always motivates me and inspires me to keep going with my homesteading ventures.

Update on Marriage Challenge and Life Plans and Dreams

I wanted to give an update on this marriage challenge project...

Came home from spending time with the kids at the pool. Everyone was a little tired and sunburned. I made one of Rodney's favorites, Chicken Fried Steak. I had bought the cubed steaks at the meat market on Friday. It was pretty cool as I watched them run the steak through a machine to make it a cubed steak. So along with cream gravy, grean beans and Texas toast it was a good meal. Rodney really enjoyed it, even though he was in pain from his bad back. I gave him one of my arthritis pills and a dish of toasted almond fudge ice cream. Then he went to bed.

Later, I took the girls to Hancock Fabrics to look for some material for a couple of orders I received. They didn't have what I was looking for, so I jotted down descriptions of fabric and came back to contact my customers.

After returning home I cleaned up the kitchen and dining room and put a load of laundry in the washer.

I wanted to talk a little about my future dreams. I would love to be able to afford some land to subdivide and offer to people for homesteading. It is very hard nowadays for people to get a home, but if I could offer them land like a guy I know (no down, 9% interest for 15 years at an affordable price). The land would have as few restrictions as the county would allow, and be primarily for those who want to live low key, eco friendly, hopefully off grid, and build their own small homes, raise their own food, and livestock.

I also would like to develop some primitive campsites, and have a retreat for abused women to re-group while learning to be self sufficient. Working on these last plans as we speak.

That's about it for the day...good night!

Be Quick to Listen

I just wanted to review the sermon from worship today. We are continuing our study at church in James. James 1:19 roughly states "Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger." This is good advice for all. James was writing this passage to the church in his time, and anger within the body of Christ was a primary concern. Reading this passage causes me to pause and think where I am in my spiritual journey. I have good days and bad days. I love doing my devotionals, learning and growing in my relationship with God, but sometimes distractions get in the way.

I would like to stitch this verse on a sampler this winter.

Continuing on....when I get angry I do not honor God. We are called to get rid of all the moral filth in our lives. For me I think this could cover a variety of issues, so I will pray and ask God to show me those areas he wants me to clean up.

Don't just listen or read what the scriptures say...DO! I wonder how often I forgot or disregard what I have learned or read in the Bible?? It is necessary for me to prepare myself daily and weekly for Sunday worship. This will allow any seeds that God wishes to plant to germinate.

It came to me that God has only one simple rule, like I do for my kids, obey. So, what will I do this week to prepare myself for worship and to receive the Word?

1) Prayer

2) Devotions

3) Bible Reading

4) Fellowship with other believers

5) Marriage Challenge

6) Mom Challenge

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Today after church I picked up lunch and came home. Lauren went home with my sister to swim. I was scheduled to attend my friend Perla's House Warming BBQ this afternoon around 4 p.m. Before getting there Taylor, Hannah and I stopped to get her housewarming gift and her belated birthday gift. I really need to review my budget and stick to it. I need to begin saving again, and be a better steward of the resources that God has given to us. Please pray that I will curb my unnecessary and frivolous spending. Thanks!

Upon arriving at Perla's home, I found out that she had postponed her BBQ due to the severe thunderstorms this weekend, and that I had not received the message of the change. She wasn't even home. Her brother contacted her for me, and she asked to take us to dinner. We met her at Applebee's and enjoyed a great time together. I sure do miss seeing her!

She and Alexa (her daughter) plan to come over on the 4th of July for dinner and fireworks. I hope and pray the rain holds off so that our town doesn't cancel the fireworks this year.

Tomorrow I need to get my laundry done, and we are heading for Candi's motel to swim. Pray also that she closes on her house this week. She is really stressed with living in a motel room, and I don't think it is good for her relationship with her family. It is very trying to corral three kids and to cook wholesome meals in a motel. I pray that I will be a good friend to Candi this week.

It's late, and I need to head for bed....talk to everyone later.