If this happened in my area.....

First of all, it is really hard to imagine this happening in South Texas, though we did get an ice storm that lasted a couple of days for the past two years. But nothing of this magnitude.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090131/ap_on_re_us/winter_storm

I am confident that my immediate family would be fine without the power, but it would probably entail my sister's and their families coming to stay with me. Well, one of them anyway. The other sister lives next to her in laws and they have a wood stove.

It seems as if this winter more areas are being hit from the west coast, the Dakotas, the Appalachias and the east coast. It's a sad state of affairs to see how many people are not prepared to take care of themselves, and are actually waiting and expecting FEMA to come help them.

I am getting worried about the lack of preparation that I am reading about, it seems to be wide scale. In my area, I only know of myself and three other people with enough food. And only one person with an alternate way to heat their house. We have two wood stoves (one here, one at the cabin). One has a fire place, and everyone else, including my Depression era in laws do not have another way to heat their house. They are totally dependent upon electricity, to the point that my mother in law has THREE freezers full of food. She prefers to freeze her food stores, rather than dehydrate or can. This is a big and costly mistake. If the power went out here, she'd lose her food. Maybe not for a while, but the weather here never stays cold for very long, so everything would be okay while it was cold, but once it warms up, that's it.

In an article I read online this morning, one of the state troopers in Kentucky said that too many people were trying to ride out the storm at home. Well, duh?! that's what you are supposed to do. I conducted a poll recently here on the blog, and for those that answered (all 11), 10 out of the 11 stated they were prepared and wouldn't have to leave home. It would be nice if this poll was truly indicative of the country, but I fear that those that took the poll are in a minority, though I congratulate them on being ready, for anything.

Please, please, please....for those reading this, if you are not prepared in the areas of Food, Water and Shelter (this includes heating and cooking) get prepared now. Consider this, if you live in a major metro area, and the water service stops due to electrical outages on the main pump, how will you have water to cook and for drinking (bathing is optional at this point, I hope you know). Also, what about toilet flushing? If the water goes out, please do not even use the toilet in your home, make a 5 gallon bucket toilet and use that, burying any waste in the back yard....it may sound gross, but believe me it's better than having a backed up toilet inside the house, where you are living.

Well, we are off to church. I will be praying for those affected in this area, and be praying that they wake up in order to get better prepared for the next time, and for every day living in general

We talked about evangelism at church today, and the reasons behind "our" (meaning Christians) unwillingness to evangelize in today's world. Many ideas were tossed around from fear of rejection to laziness. In Matthew, Jesus instructs us to have compassion for those around us, so while the status of their eternal destination is very important, their physical needs here on earth are also.

A lot of my recent rantings of people being unprepared for life's disasters, I realize may sound too critical, but it is out of concern that I encourage others to get prepared. I now know that I need to also develop relationships with those around me to help address their spiritual needs, as well as, their physical needs. I do struggle with feeling compassion for those around me, especially, when I see that the mess they are in, is from their own making. So, please bear with me as I continue to struggle with showing others active compassion, while attempting to teach them how to be prepared for the struggles that daily life brings.

I will be praying that God brings opportunities into my life that will allow me to be a good Christian witness, as well as, opportunities to teach about preparedness and self sufficiency.

Hand Sewing

It's a little chilly this morning, 35 when we woke up. We have the fire going, and Lauren is drawing, while I am teaching Hannah how to sew. I showed her how to sew a seam. I cut a small square of calico fabric, and showed her how to put the right sides of the fabric together. I then drew a line with a pen for her to follow with the needle. I showed her just the basic "in and out" seam, and then showed her how to sew on a button, and tie a knot. That's it for today.. She did really well for her first time sewing, and being 5 years old. I told her we would look for a few simple embroidery kits, and doll clothes patterns after the baby arrives. She can work on her embroidery, and maybe give them as Christmas gifts in December.

I also wanted to wish my baby sister a Happy 23rd birthday! Happy Birthday Ashley! I called her at 9 a.m. this morning, and sang to her...not sure she appreciated it ;-)

Tomorrow is my brother's birthday. Happy 27th birthday Michael!

We have a lot of birthdays here lately...with these two, plus my son's 20th birthday on Tuesday, and me going in on Tuesday to have this baby. We need to have one big party to celebrate everyone's day...save time and money.

Verse of the Day

Malachi 2:15 RSV, "Has not the one God made and sustained for us the spirit of life? And what does he desire? Godly offspring. So take heed to yourselves and let none be faithless to the wife of his youth. For I hate divorce, says the Lord the God of Israel." - taken from an email from Above Rubies

A good reminder for all of us, I am sure!

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

Amy, get your gun....

The girls and I went out to feed the animals tonight, and one of our dogs had gotten into the barn, and totally destroyed the front of one of the rabbit cages, the one with the babies in it....she killed one of the baby bunnies (4 weeks old). This dog is going to have to go, she is too destructive. She kills chickens, rabbits and anything else smaller than her. We need to find her a new home, or she is going to end up shot. I can't have her eating what is supposed to be my food source. She never learns. We have her chained, and the rabbits secured, but she has been managing to twist out of the chain, and finds some way to get to the rabbit. Normally, it's the black rabbit, and not the other two white ones. We need a sturdier chain, a barn door, and/or a sturdier rabbit cage, or the dog is going to be dead as a door nail soon.

She didn't even eat the baby bunny, just killed it (I think she shook it to death, because there isn't any blood on it), and then just played with it...I could see not being TOO mad if she had actually eaten some of it, but she just wanted to play with it....that I can't stand. I was so mad at her, and she knew it....she went and crawled into her dog house.

We managed to get everyone fed and watered, even Jack, the donkey. He has started waiting very impatiently by the barn for a scoop of horse feed. We have only been giving it to him for about a week, but he sure learned fast. I have enough feed for all the animals for a couple of weeks, so Rodney and the girls will just have to go out each evening to feed and water the animals. I really would like bigger water containers or automatic waterers, so we don't have to go out every night, but that will have to wait until water lines are run to the barn....

No eggs tonight...either not enough light lately or too cold. Oh, and the cuckoo marans hens have bloody vents. I can't find out in my poultry book if this is normal. It's only the cuckoo marans and not the other hens. If anyone knows if this is normal, or not, please let me know.

Today, was a good day, and productive. I picked up the house, cleaned the kitchen, made a fresh batch of laundry soap, so that Rodney and the girls can wash something, if needed, while I am in the hospital. Everything is ready to go...I have my suitcase in the car, and I installed the car seat base and car seat in the car (what a pain in the butt!) It took a long time to get it in there....

Lauren cleaned her room, finished the Wizard of Oz, and started Anne of Green Gables. She is reading more on her own now, and not only as part of her school work. Today was our day off from school work, but I didn't have any errands to run, so we were home for most of the day. With the cleaning, watching tv and resting, it was very relaxing.

We should be ready for the baby to come now. Everything is done. Finally!

I also made it to the grocery store to get a few items for the girls for breakfast (milk, cereal, oatmeal, bread, fruit) and sandwich stuff so they can eat and sort of fend for themselves while I am in the hospital. Lauren can cook grilled cheese and soup, plus make cookies and stuff, so they will be okay until I get home. Their dad will probably take them out to eat some, but there are also things here that Lauren can cook or heat up.

Who's To Blame for Bad Schools?

http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/2009/01/27/whos-to-blame-for-bad-schools-look-in-the-mirror/

Space Shuttle

With the anniversaries of both the space shuttle disasters arriving, the girls and I watched two documentaries this morning. One on the Challenger and the other called Seconds to Disaster, the Columbia story. Both were sad...I remember the Challenger one very well, I was a junior in high school. I remember a little about the Columbia, even though it was more recent. The girls are very focused on watching the documentaries. I was surprised that it wasn't a struggle for them to pay attention. Hannah is very upset that people still fly into space, she thinks they are stupid ;-) She thinks they need to see these two films so they will know. She has a point.

I think these documentaries provide a good history and science lesson. Next on the schedule is to watch the documentary on the Exploration to Mars, then we will get busy on our seat work.

Homeschooling Resources

I have been asked recently by a couple of family members how they could help with supporting our homeschooling venture. Well, I have put a couple of ideas on the right hand side of the blog under resources. I don't expect someone to pay for any of these items but if they have one already to donate, or want to contribute towards the cost of a microscope, or even buy ANY of the science experiments/stuff at www.tobinslab.com that would be awesome.

My goal is to get a really good microscope to help with the girls science lessons. I've bought a couple of cheap ones, but well, you get what you pay for, and they don't always work too well.

Classical books would be awesome too (I do not allow much contemporary reading, especially during lesson time. Those are reserved for personal reading time.) For a good listing of classical books, please go to:

http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/celoop/1000.html

Doctor's appointment

Finally! I am starting to make some progress towards having this baby elephant. ;-)

If I don't have the baby this week, which I am starting to move towards more and more, I will go in next Tuesday at 7 a.m. to be induced. The funny thing is that next Tuesday, February 3rd is Taylor's 20th birthday. How cool would that be to have both of my sons born on February 3rd!

Both of the girls have the 22nd as their birth date, though one is July 22nd, and the other is September 22nd. Makes it easy to remember birth dates. ;-)

Everyone please pray for me. I gained another 2lbs this week, and I am praying it was all me, and not the baby. I am going to attempt to have the baby naturally, but a c-section isn't out of the realm of possibility, especially as the baby is currently transverse (laying sideways).

Contrary to all the complaining I have done the past few months, I am not that big a baby when it comes to pain. If I say something, it's because it is unbearable, not because each little twinge is cause for complaint. I complain to keep from crying, so please bear with me, I am not a good pregnant person, and this pregnancy, while healthier than most, has been extremely more painful.

******
Whew! it's cold tonight, 36 with rain. The fire is blazing in the wood stove, but it sure will be cold in the a.m. Tomorrow I need to get milk from the grocery store, rabbit food, and other than that, I don't want to leave the house. I plan to stay in all day with the girls reading and doing school work. I plan for it to be one of our full days for school work.

Taxes, Investing, Daycare and Government Subsidies

Okay, a warning....I am about to rant ;-)

I read this morning that the governor of California wants to raise taxes. How stupid is that idea? We are headed into a depression, over 70,000 jobs were cut last week alone, and legislators all across the nation are considering raising income taxes, and sales taxes. That's right, I'm going to step on you while you are down. Great mentality there!

I don't play golf, and am lucky that the majority of car repairs my husband can fix, but my word. Car repairs? Isn't the cost of labor high enough? People cannot afford to buy new cars, and I am not sure that even if they could "afford" it at this moment, that it is a good idea to buy a new car right now. The best option is to be frugal and fiscally responsible and repair what you have, but adding taxes on top of an already strapped demographic is absurd.

I was also reading an investing newsletter I receive in an email. Now we used to contribute to 401K, but contrary to what many others feel that it IS actually a GOOD time to invest in the stock market because it is down, we disagree. I am sure others in the 1930's thought it was a good time to buy low, that is until the entire stock market crashed. I can read and learn from history, and the writing is clearly on the wall. If you cannot pay off all your debt now, you have ZERO business contributing to a 401K, the stock market, mutual funds, CDs, etc. Your cash and assets need to be liquid. It is better to be safe and sorry, and God does call us to be good stewards of what he has given us, and throwing good money after bad is not being a good steward. My advice is to cash in everything, pay off as much debt as you can (credit card debt would be last on the list) especially housing, and make sure you have enough food to weather the continuing economic crisis. If credit card debt is ALL you have, then by all means pay it off, but credit card debt is primarily unsecured debt, and if it comes to having a secure, paid for place to live, and enough food, the cards can go unpaid for a time. Now is the time to downsize, not 2 months from now, but now, actually two years ago was a better time, but please do not wait for the last minute. I wish I had put my house up for sale two years ago, but I am trying not to stress too much. I did make the comment to several people that I wasn't TOO worried about the mortgage, as I would just walk away from the house, before I sacrificed my children's welfare. The comments I received back "what about your equity in the house?" A fat lot of good equity is going to do me when I have depleted my savings, and the house is STILL foreclosed on. I'll just be without a house, without equity, and NO money.

Now for child care. I listened to an online radio show this morning where the "parenting consultant" was complaining that the U.S. is behind the curve in the area of subsidizing daycare, and that the majority of parents spend between 17-20% of their monthly income on daycare. I will soon have four children, and not once did I ever expect the government to pay the cost of daycare for me. Yes, daycare takes a huge chunk out of your paycheck, but again re-evaluate your situation, it IS possible for one parent to stay home, IF you sacrifice and are willing to be a little less materialistic.

It actually costs MORE to have a two person household. Especially, if you have children. It is not my responsibility, as a taxpayer, to pay for someone else's child care. The U.S. is by no means "behind" the curve. I applaud our nation for not having wide-scale subsidized child care, it's not the government's responsibility. And the thought that the "great Unifer" is planning on throwing away even more tax dollars towards "0-5 education" and providing federal block grants to "low income" parents to pay for child care, really makes me angry. The fact that today we have more mothers in the work force (in a two parent household) than any time in history has not escaped me. Please, please, please, scale down, and have one parent stay home (mom or dad). It is the parent's responsibility to care for and educate their child not society's or the government.

In my opinion, if I have to pay taxes that will be used for child care then I should be eligible to receive child care, but it doesn't normally work that way. People who work hard, pay more in taxes, receive less benefits, because well, they work, and have a good job. So, they are then penalized because they "make too much". The tax dollars then go towards providing even more benefits to low income households, who often don't pay much, if any, taxes at all.

I get so frustrated when I do taxes for people, and see how much (or little) they make. I know of one family that is extremely lazy, both parents work sporadically, live in a shack with five kids, often no electricity, begs around town for handouts (food, money, clothing), but yet receives over $8K a year in an income tax refund??? In addition, their electricity is subsidized when they have it, their water is paid for by the city, they receive food stamps, Medicaid and more. I do not define these people as needy. Needy, is when you are doing ALL that you can to survive, and you can't make it. Needy IS NOT being lazy, and milking society for all it's worth. These people are a perfect example of why we do not need MORE government programs. We actually need to get rid of government programs, and expect people to work for what they receive.

We are a one income family, and yes there are times (right now for instance) I wish I qualified for food stamps, but we make "too much". Too much to qualify, not enough to buy groceries. Oh, I can buy staples, but I spend way below the national average for a family our size. We spend roughly $280 a month, and believe me my kids can eat. I manage to get by on this amount because I cook and bake, and rarely buy pre-packaged foods. Plus, when I have had surplus funds in the past, I stocked up on staples and meats. Back to the food stamps.... I realize that there are truly needy families out there, and if the food stamp program was cut they would be in dire straits, I feel for these families, but what to do? It is often the case where the good pay for the actions of the bad. During tough economic times likes we are seeing, it is the time to seek help from family, friends, community and church, NOT the government.

Be prepared! Be ready! Re-read Proverbs 31 to remind yourself of what God's design is for a TRUE Proverbs 31 woman.

Menu and More

Menu for the week:

Monday: Chili and Cheese Baked Potatoes (Rodney) Baked Potatoes and Mac and Cheese for everyone else

Tuesday: Roast Chicken, Rice and Gravy, Bread

Wednesday: Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad, Bread

Thursday: Soup and Grilled Cheese

Friday: Eat Out

Saturday and Sunday: TBD

Ten Commandments

We are in week 22 for our Lesson plans. We appear to be on track with our curriculum. Hannah is doing great in learning the alphabet, the sounds for each letter, and is able to sound out a few simple words. You can go to www.oldfashionededucation.com and check out what we are working on under the Full curriculum for Kindergarten and for Sixth Grade. I do add and subtract items that don't work for us, or that are just plain boring.

Lauren is working on reading a biography of Fanny Crosby, Pilgrim's Progress, and her handwriting assignments each day are Inaugural addresses from past presidents. She did say today that the work I was giving her wasn't making her any smarter. I told her that it is her choice if she learns from what she is doing. I just realized that we left out her math assignment for today. She won't be happy to do two assignments tomorrow. Phooey! My brain is turning to mush.

Hannah is learning about the ten commandments today. We learned today that a commandment is not a rule that you should obey, but one that you MUST obey.

Child's Ten Commandments

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (Don't worship other Gods, there is ONLY one God.)
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. (No idols)
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. (No cursing)
4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Honor the sabbath day, go to church, worship.)
5. Honour thy father and thy mother. (Obey your parents)
6. Thou shalt not kill. (Do not murder)
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. (No boyfriends/girlfriends if you are married.)
8. Thou shalt not steal. (No stealing)
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. (No lying)
10. Thou shalt not covet. (Don't be jealous of other's stuff)

(I apologize for the strange formatting of this post, the blogger system won't allow me to change the strange look.)

Water Wars continued

http://www.ksat.com/news/18543788/detail.html#-

Update

My mom was here for 10 days getting my house in order for when the baby FINALLY arrives. Who knows when that will be?

My mom is at my sister April's house for today, and will leave for the airport in the a.m.

It's a little chilly here this morning, so we are keeping the fire going, and I am still resting.

I cooked and baked more than usual with my mom here, and started getting up earlier.

This morning I was up by 7:30 a.m., and we left the house at 8 a.m. (the girls and I) to head to the feed store. We took the dually, as Rodney went with Blake to look at a horse. I stopped by the feed store for a couple bales of hale, horse feed for Jack, and dog food. We fed everyone, and stuffed the rabbit cages with hay, since it will be chilly the next few days. The baby bunnies are starting to hop all over the place, and are eating hay and a little bit of the rabbit pellets. They sure are cute.

If anyone is looking for a New Zealand black bunny let me know. I am not sure as to their sex yet, so you will have to take what you get ;-) If I don't hear from anyone in the next month or so, they may end up in the freezer.

Bed times

I've been having an ongoing discussion with a few people regarding bed times for kids.

You see my kids don't have an actual bed time. Even when I was working, I was not hard and fast with a bed time for Taylor and Lauren. Taylor has always went to bed pretty early, all on his own. Lauren stayed up and still stays up with me. I asked Rodney yesterday if it bothered him or what he thought about it. He said he never thought about it, that it wasn't important to him, he was only concerned about his bed time (which is mostly 9 p.m. on the dot).

Well, I've been given flack by several people that the kids NEED to be in bed by a certain time in order to develop "proper" sleep behavior. What the heck? What kind of nonsense is this? Proper sleep behavior, give me a break. I think a lot of these "new fangled" parenting techniques (like sleep training ??? why does a kid have to be "trained" to sleep, their body tells them when they are sleepy) have come about because many parents have a two income household, and are looking for way to make their kids more convenient and fit into their busy lifestyle.

I think it's nonsense to shuttle your kids off at the crack of dawn in the freezing cold to school, for them only to not get home until almost dark, and then send them to bed early. Arriving home so late, leaving only enough time for dinner, and homework. Where is the down time? Where is the family time? If you arrive home from work and daycare around 6 p.m., and send the kids to bed at 7:30 pm, so you and your spouse can have "alone" time it is selfish. If you don't want to deal with your kids, don't have them.

I was told I was "too" relaxed. Okay, you guys that know me, I'll give you a few seconds to wipe the coffee off the monitor. I'm sure that one caused you to snort it out all over the place.....

I am far from relaxed. I am a very stressed and can be a stressful person. I am opinionated, bossy, nosy and far from relaxed. I am high energy and am always on the go, whether around the house, or out about town. I flit from one thing to the next.

I was then accused of not having routines. Oh, I have routines and schedules, and high expectations, but bed time is not one of them. I pick my battles, and to me if a kid can function on a small amount of sleep fine (that's the type of person I have always been), or if a kid needs more sleep fine. Go to bed. I don't make them go to bed (or make them stay up), their bodies tell them when it's time to sleep. Now, when I was working full time outside the home, I tried to make sure everyone headed towards bed, either to watch tv quietly, listen to music or read, by 10 p.m. But I am a night owl, and don't have to get up for work, so why is it a problem if the kids stay up with me?

Oh, and the even funnier accusation. I have poor control of my children. Now, that's laughable, as I realize I am a VERY controlling person. I run my house like a dictatorship, it's not a democracy here. I can be reasoned with, on occasion, but normally, it's my way or the highway. Ask my kids, they will tell you I am way too strict (in some areas), bossy, nosy, controlling and the list could go on.

Now, all this doesn't really bother me, I just find it funny that someone takes one small area of my life, like no bed times for my kids, and assumes I let my kids run over me. I receive compliments all the time on how well behaved my children are. Precocious yes, too smart for their ages, yes, but poor behavior. I can't even think of a time, I was told they REALLY misbehaved.

So, I'd love to hear from anyone about their bed time habits, and why they feel it is necessary or not necessary to have a strict bed time for their kids, especially if it's an early one. Do you put them to bed at sundown, because you need a break, or is it because you REALLY believe that particular child needs more sleep?

Charlotte Mason and More

http://www.home-school.com/Articles/phs12-karenandreola.html

I was reading about the British educator Charlotte Mason. I've heard of her, but didn't ever read anything in depth until this afternoon. I didn't realize our views were so similar. How funny!

The girls didn't do too much work book activity today. Today I focused on house cleaning with Lauren, teaching her the proper way to clean, and do your best the first time, so you don't have to go back and re-do. She also spent time reading her new book "Little Women". Last night she baked cupcakes (she ate most of them too, the piglet ;-) ) I worked with her on accurately measuring the ingredients, because Hannah was greatly concerned that she would add too much oil this time (she had a brownie mishap a while back, and Hannah won't let her forget) and then no one could eat the cupcakes.

My mom is expected in a little bit. She decided to come from Florida to help me out for a couple days, while we get prepared for the baby to be born IF he ever decides to arrive that is...

Rodney's secretary gave us a baby present. She is a great quilter/seamstress (she won an award at the recent county fair). She took blue plaid fleece and edged it with satin blanket trimming in a Winnie the Pooh scene, she also made a little quilt that had jungle animals on it. They are both very cute. I love them! I love it when people make me things, rather than buying them.

I am still working fast and furious on my baby afghan. I think if I can sit down and work on it tonight, I can get it done, washed and ready to take to the hospital. I'd like to bring the baby home wrapped it in....but we will see.

Rodney and the girls left to go take care of the animals at the land, and to get a load of wood. The ham is in the roaster, and I have bread baking, so it smells wonderful in here. As soon as my mom arrives with my sister and her kids, we will eat. I am starving. I haven't been hungry much lately, but the baby moved down some (again) today, so I feel like I can eat. He has been roaming back and forth, and side to side. At least my back isn't hurting today, but my hips do. Ah! the joys of pregnancy. ;-)

Good Morning from South Texas!

In the never ending support of "global warming" I want to welcome you to South Texas and our balmy 24 degree morning. Yep, global warming at it's best LOL! (Ah, global warming, that mythological beast that many naive, and gullible Americans that have actually bought into.)

It was very cold this morning, I got up early to start the fire, that way the living room will be warm for the kids. This was made difficult as we neglected to bring a load of firewood from the land, we will get that today, hopefully. I have about 10 pieces of wood, which I hope lasts until the day warms up to the promised 64. We will need wood for the rest of the week, as it is expected to be cold, nights and mornings for a while. We have the wood, but it's not at the house, but about 15 minutes away. ETA: Yeah! we got some wood! Thanks to Rodney and Lauren ;-)

I heard some scary news this morning on Good Morning America. Apparently, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield denied prosthetic legs to a young woman, and it was a big battle for her to get them approved. She eventually contacted GMA, who helped get them for her, after talking with her state's insurance board. This is scary, because Rodney's company changed to Anthem beginning the first of the year. Wonderful! I am getting ready to have a baby, and they are my insurance carrier, and they have problems abiding by their insurance responsibilities. Doesn't exactly inspire confidence does it? I am trying to really leave this insurance issue in God's hands, though I a confess it is hard. For some reason my name didn't get added to Rodney's policy, though his company has tried to assured us that I am covered. Well, not according to the insurance company, who I talked to personally. They have no paperwork, and my name is not in the system whatsoever. I really hope everything is in place by the time I give birth. I am so used to handling things myself, that it has been difficult to let Rodney handle it with his HR office. I feel like I need to take over, but I don't work there, so I don't want to get him in trouble, by insisting that SOMEONE do something....FAST. So, I sit here, hoping and praying that everything is taken care of, and I don't get turned away at the hospital.

The cats have taken over the chair by the wood stove. It's cold over here in the corner by the door to the dining room, and I guess they aren't dumb animals after all ;-) since they picked the warmest spot. The dog normally tries to kick them out of the chair when she comes out of her room, but lately they don't budge, so all three share the chair.

I need to pick up a little, and get my bread started. I am cooking a ham tonight for dinner (it was on sale after Christmas). I will have to put my bread to rise on top of the wood stove, or it won't rise.

Please pray for me! Have a good day everyone!

I'm Not Lazy, My Body Just Wants to Hibernate! Halleujah!

I found this article online and wanted to share it. I have been saved! I am NOT lazy ;-)

A Long Winter’s Nap: How Hibernation Helps You

By Carol Venolia

In the depths of winter, do you find yourself wanting to sleep more, eat more and curl up by the fire? We often behave as if seasonal changes are irrelevant to a modern lifestyle. After all, in many ways, civilization is all about overcoming nature. But our bodies are evolutionarily old and remember how weather once dictated behavior. In winter, we hunkered around a fire, repairing tools and telling tales that wove our culture. We packed our bodies close and slept long.

Now we act as if it’s always summer, demanding consistently high productivity at work and at home. But our bodies require cycles of activity and rest—daily, annually. When days are long, our metabolisms and energy levels amp up. In winter, we produce hormones that make us sleepy, giving us time to restore body, mind and soul.

And there’s nothing wrong with that cycle—except that we work against it, forcing ourselves to operate at summer levels even in winter. No wonder so many people feel depressed at this time of year!

How SAD is that?

You’ve probably heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. You might even suffer from it—as many as half a million U.S. citizens do, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. The fact that most clinicians address the issue via technology (daily exposure to high-intensity electric light) and/or medication provides an interesting perspective on our time. But some have noted that SAD’s symptoms have more in common with hibernation than with clinical depression.

Could SAD be a result of modern living’s demand to move at top speed all day, every day—and mostly indoors, disconnected from the sun’s cycles? Could we give in to a bit of hibernation?

Oh, to hibernate!

Hibernation is a survival strategy some animals use to get through foodless winters. Though humans don’t hibernate, some cultures have come close.

In 1900, the British Medical Association published a description of winters among Russian peasants. For centuries, they survived scant winter food by engaging in lotska—sleeping the whole season away. “At the first fall of snow the whole family gathers round the stove, lies down, ceases to wrestle with the problems of human existence and quietly goes to sleep.”

The peasants woke daily to eat some bread and drink some water and then dropped off again, taking turns keeping the fire going. After six months, “the family wakes up, shakes itself, goes out to see if the grass is growing, and by-and-by sets to work at summer tasks,” the article states.

In a 2007 New York Times editorial, historian Graham Robb similarly described rural 19th-century France:

Economists and bureaucrats who ventured out into the countryside after the Revolution were horrified to find that the work force disappeared between fall and spring...Villages and even small towns were silent, with barely a column of smoke to reveal a human presence. As soon as the weather turned cold, people all over France shut themselves away and practiced the forgotten art of doing nothing at all for months on end.

Dreaming of a better world

What if we indulged our inclination to slow down in winter? We’d sleep more and demand less from ourselves. We’d be more inward and reflective. I once met an artist who had mastered this. Perusing her work, I asked how she stayed creative as a painter, writer, weaver and sculptor. Her answer:

She changes media each season. In summer she’s out on her deck chiseling a sculpture. In fall, she is reflective and poetic. In winter, she works with warm fiber at her loom. And as spring beckons her outdoors, she sets up her easel in the meadow. Should our lives be any less a work of seasonal art?

I Am a Thief

Okay, I liked these questions that Brea stole from someone named Ryan, and I thought I'd steal them for myself, because they were funny.


What bugs you, Amy?
Lots of things bother me. If you don't know that you haven't ever met me or read my blog for long LOL!

1. the government
2. disobedient, disrespectful kids (not just my own, but all)
3. no one picks up after themselves
4. stupid people

What else?
The main thing around the house is that the kids can never get the trash INSIDE the trash bag, but ends up on the floor, on top of the bag, the wall, etc. It takes more effort to not put it the right place the first time, then to clean up the mess.

Are you STILL pregnant, Amy?
Yes, and please stop asking (I am 38 weeks) or you will be on "the list".

Hey, Amy, if you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Great Britain (primarily Ireland and Scotland). I'd love to visit the Isle of Man and Skye

Do you make your own bread and live in the country and home school because you're some kind of religious kook?

No, I am just a regular old kook, though I am a Christian. I like making my own bread, because I am a bread addict (Hi my name is Amy, and I LOVE hot, french bread with butter). I love the country, because it is quiet, no one bugs me, most everyone minds their own business, taxes are lower, I can have lots of animals, a garden, hunt, my kids can play outside all day. I homeschool because "I can" (see http://queensedgefarm.blogspot.com/2007/11/why-i-homeschoolagain.html).

You are a religious kook, aren't you?
Hmm...no I don't think so. I consider religion man made, but I do have a relationship with Christ. I accepted Christ at the age of 6.

How many kids do you eventually want?
Well, originally I wanted NONE. Then I was happy with just the one. I am now expecting my fourth, and other than the horrors of actually being pregnant, I'd be okay with having 2-3 more. I am not a good pregnant person (too much sickness and pain), but the baby part after wards is okay.

Which of your children is your favorite?
Well, it used to be Taylor. He was premature, so cute, so helpless and he REALLY needed me. More so than most infants. Now he's almost 20, and he is special to me, but he's also a smelly, old boy, which I have a hard time with. Then Lauren, she was my favorite. Still is for the most part, but she is starting to develop this HORRIBLE teenage attitude problem, and she isn't even 12 yet. Hannah was DEFINITELY not my favorite at all for the first few years of her life. She was born under trying circumstances, had horrendously bad colic, and was just a general grump, and not so pleasant baby. Seriously, I wanted to thunk her a lot when she was a baby, or just get in the car and keep driving until I reached Mexico (which isn't too far..I could have been out of the country before ANYONE even knew). This baby, hmm...I don't know if he will be my favorite. Boys sort of gross me out, and I have been in so much pain with this baby and pregnancy, he is already on "the list" and doesn't even know there is such a thing. So, overall, I'd have to say Lauren is still the front runner. I know bad of me, but hey! I am being totally honest here.

What's with your obsession with mornings?
Well, I can't really answer this one. I hate mornings. I am a night person.

What's the deal with Texas?
If you have to ask, you'll never get it. DITTO

If you had to pick one best friend, who would it be?
Hmmm...I don't know if I have a "best" friend. I have several really good friends. I used to have a BEST, BEST friend in 4th grade, and I had one recently, but for some reasons we aren't friends at all anymore. I enjoy having several friends that I can share with...some are friends with certain aspects that I enjoy like country living, Christianity, home schooling, etc. It is rare to find someone that has ALL the aspects that I do, or really understands ME. If this changes, I will let you know. I have several good friends in: Laura, Perla, Tammy, Marie, Bonita, Rebecca, Marianne and more, but my brain is not working too good. Please don't get offended if I left you off. ;-)

If you could have any job besides the one you have?
I'd like to be a midwife, a veternarian or President of the United States.

What's your favorite color?
Blue

What is your favorite thing that you own?
The land.

What's your least favorite thing?
I don't like watermelon flavored stuff, but my least favorite?? Hmmmm....Liver? the government?

What are your true thoughts on President-Elect Obama?
I pray and hope that he will be a good President. I didn't vote for him, and I don't consider him my President, just as I don't consider the American government as representing me any longer. I am an American, and very patriotic towards my country, but the government need serious help. And Mr. Obama is not the one to give it to us. I do not currently support any of his socialistic proposals, and will keep a close and watchful eye on his programs, taking every opportunity to voice my opinion, good or bad. I just hope it is a quick four years, and that he isn't re-elected. I pray for his safety, and that of his family. I'd hate to see something happen to him for his children's sake.

Do you have a favorite book?
No, I have LOTS of books. A few I like that I refer to often are:

1. The Bible (of course)
2. The Country Living Encyclopedia
3. The Complete Medicinal Herbal
4. The Self Sufficient Life and How to Live It
5. My pocket Constitution
6. Patriots: Surviving the Coming Collapse

What was the best Christmas gift you received?
This year? The Wonder Wash from my mom and Randy. Ever? Our land (last year)

What was the best Christmas gift you gave?
I don't really know, but if you hear my sister Ann tell it, it would be the Christmas I baked a huge basket of baked goods for everyone.

Are you still talking?
How rude! I'm done, getting ready to go to the feed store and get the girls some lunch.

What's a question that no one asks you, but you want to answer?
Are you really happy? and "How do I accept Christ?"

*******
I came across this quotation today, and really likd it: "You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life. Winston Churchill.

It's quite chilly tonight, in the 30's. I finally broke down and lit a fire as the living room was getting cold.

Rodney, Blake, Preston and Taylor went to the Monster Jam tonight, they have been going for several years now (well not Preston, he's only 4), it's kind of a tradition now. The only change is that Rodney's dad didn't go, but he and Rodney's mom have been sick a lot lately. His mom is recovering slowly from surgery, and his dad has recurring vertigo and sinus issues. Please pray for them. They are in their 70's, and illnesses seem to take longer for them to recover from.

Lauren rode Jack (the donkey) today. Well, actually she sat on him, he wasn't too cooperative in moving, unless Rodney walked in front of him with a bucket of carrots.

One of the puppies has been missing for 3 days, Baby Katrina. So, either a coyote or hawk got her, or she wandered off with her sister Rose and got lost. Rose, the adventuress, was only gone one day, but she returned.

I bought 500 lbs of wheat the other day for a really good price, $8.00 for 50 lbs! What is awesome about this is that normally I pay $38 for 50 lb buckets. The wheat was from a local farmer too. It's in bags, so I have it stored in the cabin, to keep the mice at bay. The mice are rampant in the barn. I need to put out more Decon. Bonita and I split the bags, 5 each, and plan to get more this Friday. My PT Cruiser will only hold so much, poor little car. It has had hay stuffed in the bag, a baby Nubian goat, and now 500 lbs of wheat ;-)

The Realtor also called today. We haven't had the house listed for several months, but she said she had forgotten to remove the house info from her website, and someone called wanting to see the house. They wanted to come today, but she had a previous showing, so it will be sometime soon, which means I will have to about kill myself to get the house in some sort of shape to view. It'd be nice if they make an offer, I'd accept almost anything at this point.

Please pray for the house, family, and that the baby comes soon, is happy and healthy, and that I don't have to have a C-section. I am really anxious over the last part. I've never had a C-section, but this baby is much bigger than the others, and with Hannah getting stuck when she was being born, I am getting more and more scared each day.

Hannah was riding the little four wheeler we have, and turned too sharply and it flipped over. I was inside the cabin, and heard her voice, but when I went out, I didn't see her or hear her again. I then heard her say "Daddy", I started walking that direction, and then heard "Daddy help" at the same time I saw the four wheeler on it's side. I started running as fast as a 9 month pregnant woman can. I was imagining her laying under the four wheeler. I couldn't see her, and started running faster, who would have thought I could run that fast? I finally saw her stand up. She was all dusty, had grass on her sweater and pants, and was crying. She was walking towards me by this time, so I stopped running, since she was apparently okay enough to walk. She had got a little thorn stuck in her palm, and her knee was red, but she was okay, but scared. Rodney came running and set the four wheeler upright, started it, and had Hannah ride it slowly to the barn and put it away. She didn't want to, being really scared, but I understood he didn't want her to be scared to get back on, though I think she is too small and young to be riding by herself still. I thought so before, but she was only puttering around the cabin, in "slow motion" so I tried not to be too over protective, but she needs to get a little more coordinated before getting back on by herself. I checked her over and she was fine, but we cleaned the little scratch, and put a band aid on it.

Living in Small Spaces

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/wolfe92.html

Menu for Next Week

Monday: Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad, Garlic Bread
Tuesday: Twice Baked Potatoes with Broccoli and Cheese
Wednesday: Pork Chops with Dijon, Green Beans, Home made Bread
Thursday: Slow cooker chicken and sausage, Rice
Friday: Eat Out
Saturday: Texas Beef Soup, Home made Bread
Sunday: Roast Chicken with Red Potatoes

Thick and Chewy Pizza Dough....Recipe for Mom

1/2 to 3/4 cup warm water
1 tablespoon of yeast or 1 package
1 tsp sugar
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon of veg oil
1/2 tsp salt

Combine 1/4 cup of the water with the yeast and sugar. Stir to dissolve yeast and let stand until bubbly, about 5 minutes.

Add the flour, oil and salt, stir. Add yeast mixture to the flour mixture and blend. Form into dough ball and place onto pizza pan, let stand about 10 minutes, then spread out on pizza pan. You can divide the dough in half if you like thin crust. Cook this crust first BEFORE adding your ingredients or you could end up with a beautiful melted cheese and raw crust. Bake at 425 degrees until done.

Herbs for Pregnancy, Labor, Child Birth and Afterwards

*For my use only, storing here for easy retrieval

Beneficial Dietary Supplements
Angelica is used to ensure expulsion of afterbirth.

Blue Cohosh helps to prepare the body for an easier childbirth and aids contractions. Take only during last 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Black Cherry helps reduce pain during child birth.

Feverfew can help reduce pain of child birth and ensure expulsion of afterbirth. Use only during labor, not during pregnancy.

Red Raspberry Leaf helps reduce the pain of child birth.

Alfalfa is essential for normal blood clotting.

St. John’s Wort helps alleviate the pains following child birth.

Lady’s Slipper Root helps reduce stress and labor pain when taken during child birth.

Shepherd’s Purse is used to stop internal hemorrhaging.

I am drinking the Red Raspberry Leaf now with a little peppermint thrown in...it is very good...yum! I've been reading about Natural ways to induce Labor, as I am at 37 weeks, and the doctor stopped my contractions. I'm little irritated, and next time I won't call her until I am further along with the contractions, and/or won't let her give me anything while I am at the hospital. If this baby is not born in the next week or so, he will more than likely be over 8lbs, and I will have to have a c-section. Where is this woman's mind, that she would want that to happen? I DO NOT want a c-section...period. So, I am taking matters into my own hands, trying natural ways to induce labor, and Praying (with a capital "P") - Kids.....Please do not try this at home ;-)

A good link http://www.givingbirthnaturally.com/

Back to School

We started back to school yesterday, but I thought I'd post what we are working on for this week.

Hannah is working on her letter writing. We are practicing penmanship and continue with letter recognition. I don't generally push her too hard, because I remember being stressed out at her age when I was in Kindergarten. She always ask for more, and I will give her a little more, but tend to stop when I see her getting too frustrated.

Today she worked on the letters D, U and V. In Math, she worked on writing the number that comes before and after, counting two groups of objects, and circling the group that either had the most or the least, depending on the instructions. She also did one worksheet where she counted pennies and wrote down how much money it was, she loves doing the money worksheets. We read two stories in her Princess book she received for Christmas, and several pages in her Bible storybook that Michael and Vanessa gave her for Christmas. We have finished through Noah's Ark. Now she is painting and drawing pictures of Noah's Ark.

We will continue to read stories from Mother Goose, Fairy Tales and a chapter from the Bird Woman (Sacajawea).

Lauren's school work is a little more in depth, since she is older. She has finished reviewing the 5th grade, we have been doing a combination of review and 6th grade, and we are now heading full scale into the 6th grade curriculum. We are in week 15 of the lesson plans..we took off two weeks for Christmas, so will pick up where we left off.

She asked to finish reading her Tinker Bell Chapter book she received for Christmas, and she finished it today. Tomorrow we will start back into Pilgrim's Progress, with plans to finish it by the end of next week.

Other than Math, which she is working on graphing, she is doing Penmanship using Presidential speeches, and we started on learning about Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation using the online text "The Awakening of Europe".

For Science we will be working on a lesson plan on fish, and she will be entering the art contest for the State and submitting a poster of a Texas State Fish for her age/grade category. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/leave/?u=http://www.statefishart.com/lesson.pdf

More later, time for lunch ;-)

FYI: I put a new list on the side bar regarding resources that I am looking for, if you happen to have one that you'd like to donate or sell, please leave a comment or email me. Thanks!

Homeschooling Growing

http://www.hslda.org/docs/media/2009/200901060.asp

Menu for the Week and More....

Monday - BBQ
Tuesday- Lasagna, Garlic Bread
Wednesday-Salisbury Steak and Gravy, Rice, Green Beans
Thursday-Soup and Sandwiches
Friday-Eat Out night
Saturday-TBD
Sunday-Roast chicken with Rosemary Potatoes

Rodney and the girls went to the grocery store to get more milk. Hannah has been drinking more and more milk lately, and so have I. I don't feel hungry, so I drink milk, figuring the baby needs something healthy.

I made chocolate chip cookies tonight, and we ate a lot, and drank lots of milk. The cookies were really good, turned out wonderful. Lauren was happy. I had made sugar cookies on Christmas Eve, and wanted Molasses Cookies (Lauren too), but Rodney's favorite is chocolate chip. The cookie jar is full.

It is supposed to be cold at night the rest of this week, and we really need more fire wood split. I let Rodney know about the weather getting colder, so that he could get some wood split. He has a project he is working on for his nephew's business, so once that is done, we really need the wood.

The baby bunnies are so cute! Their eyes aren't open yet, but they hop all over the nesting box..more like popping up than hopping. They remind me of Mexican Jumping Beans.

It rained a lot last night, the dogs food bowls were filled, and the puppies food, which they didn't finish, was soaked and yucky looking. I put their food in the barn tonight, so hopefully they will find it and eat it.

Took some medicine to a friend's family, I really hope it helps.

Herbal Medicine for Colds and Chest Infections

*Please remember I am NOT a doctor, these are only recipes/remedies that I use for my family. I had someone ask me for this information, and it is easier to post here. Please make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients, and if it would make you more secure, consult your physician and get their thoughts on any herbal remedies. Please do not try one of these recipes just because I said so.

Echinacea: Key use is for infections whether viral, bacterial, or fungal. It is a good choice for colds, flu and kidney infections. I keep an Echinacea tincture on hand that I purchased at Sun Harvest. Depending on the severity of the illness I will put between 30-60 drops in a small amount of o.j., and take it in a shot glass, or you can you place the drops in a gelatin capsule (purchase at Sun Harvest) and take in capsule form. I'd also suggest purchasing an Echinacea Herbal Tea and drinking that frequently.

Echinacea Decoction is good for a more serious infection, as it is a more vigorous extraction of the herb's active ingredients.

30 grams dried herb (about one handful is what I use or 10 teaspoons to be more accurate)
750 ml water - roughly 6 cups of water (try to use tap water that has set out for 24 hours, or distilled water is good also)

Heat the herb in cold water and simmer slowly for up to 1 hour (a crock pot is good for this). The standard dose is about 1/2 cup to 1 cup three times a day. The standard quantity should be made fresh each day. Drink hot or cold. A little honey can be mixed to help with any bitter taste.

1. Place the herb in an enamel saucepan and add cold water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for up to 1 hour until the volume has been reduced by one third (you should have about 4 cups of liquid left).
2. Strain into a covered pitcher/container or teacup, and store in a cool place.

Echinacea Tincture is made by steeping dried or fresh herb in a 25% mixture of alcohol and water.

200 g of dried herb
1 liter of vodka/water mixture
(75 cl bottle of 37.5% vodka with 37.5 ml water) = roughly 1. 8 or 2 Tablespoons of water

1. Put herb into a large jar and cover with vodka/water mixture. Seal the jar, and store in a cool place for two weeks, shake occasionally.
2. Fit cheesecloth around the rim of a wine press (you can improvise using a large bowl, wear gloves when pressing herb through mixture) and pour the mixture through cheesecloth into a clean, sterilized jar.
3. Press the mixture throughly, and compost the herb, retaining the liquid.
4. Pour the strained liquid into clean, dark glass bottles, using a funnel if necessary.

Goldenseal: this is a good herb to use for many respiratory ailments. Find a good tea or tincture. If you have high blood pressure, you should avoid it.

Chest Cough/Phleghm/Infections or Bronchitis

Thyme and Lungwort Syrup

*This syrup is an expectorant. The process of the cough is to remove irritants from the airways.

The measurements are in the Metric system, so a small scale is very useful

10 grams licorice juice stick
750 ml water
10 grams dried thyme
10 grams dried lungwort leaves
5 grams cowslip flowers
5 grams anise seeds
500 grams honey

1. Put licorice and water in a pan and heat until the licorice dissolves.
2. Mix the herbs and seeds together and pour on the hot licorice juice. Steep for 10 minutes and strain.
3. Return the mixture to the pan and add honey. Heat gently, simmering and stirring constantly until honey is dissolved. Allow it cool, then pour into sterilized bottle and seal. A dark bottle is best, but a mason jar is fine, but store in a dark place.

Dosage: take a 5 ml dose up to 6 times a day while symptoms persist. If persistent or recurrent seek professional help. If the cough lasts for more than a week, try an herbal antibiotic in conjunction with this syrup. If it just won't go away, you may need to see a doctor, as a more serious condition may be present.

Elderberry Extract:

1/2 cup berries to 8 cups of water. Boil berries and simmer to cups of liquid (about 30-45 minutes). Strain off berries and add 1/2 cup honey and store in refrigerator. Use a Tbsp or two at a time to ward off sickness.

Elderberry Tincture:

You can purchase an elderberry tincture over the counter at the local health food store, or make it yourself. Follow the directions for the Echinacea tincture above.

If you choose to use elderberry tincture to combat a cold or flu, you may wish to combine it with other healing herbs useful to boost the immune system. Echinacea and goldenseal, are recommended for infections, particularly upper respiratory infections. Other herbs may be comforting in tea form, such as chamomile, and herbal remedies for bronchitis. Whatever natural remedies you choose, be sure to see your doctor for advice and especially if symptoms persist for several days.

Yarrow Infusion:

10 tsp of yarrow
4 cups of hot water (not boiling, if boiled, let sit for a minute or so)

1. Put the herb in a pot with a close fitting lid, a teapot is ideal. Pour hot water over herb.
2. Leave to infuse for 1o minutes, then strain into a teacup, store rest in a pitcher in a cool place.

Drink 1/2 cup three times a day


For Bronchitis: Here is a link on how to naturally care for Bronchitis. Hope this information helps.

http://herbs.lovetoknow.com/Chronic_Bronchitis_Natural_Cure

Other herbs good for bronchitis:

Elecampane Root (use as a tincture, decoction or syrup); Flowers (decoction or syrup)
White horehound (infusion, tincture or syrup, or suck horehound candy)
Cowslip (infusion, tincture or syrup)
Thyme (infusion, tincture or syrup)
Elderberry
Goldenseal
Echinacea
Yarrow

For coughs:
marshmallow (the herb)
hyssop
anise
wild cherry
garlic

Excessive Phlegm:
Elder
Goldenrod

Measurement Conversions:
(i.e., 1 ml = 20 drops, 5 ml= 5cc=1tsp, 20 ml = 1 tablespoon, 65 ml = 1/4 cup, 130 ml = 1/2 cup;
1 gram = 1/4 tsp, 3 grams = slightly less than 0ne teaspoon)

Bread Recipe

I was asked to share my bread recipe. I have a couple that I really like so here they are:

This one is a bread machine recipe (my oven is currently out).

HONEY WHOLE WHEAT RECIPE

For a 2 lb recipe
1 1/2 cups of water
2 tsp salt
1/2 cup honey
2 1/4 cup white flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons shortening, veg oil, olive oil, melted butter (whichever you prefer, experiment)
2 tablespoons of dry milk
1 tsp of yeast designed for bread machine or quick active

Measure carefully, select whole wheat cycle (if applicable), use medium or light curst, do not use delay cycle.

CLASSIC WHITE BREAD (2 lb loaf)

1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons butter, softened
4 cups white flour
3 tablespoons dry milk
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp quick active yeast

Measure carefully, and place ingredients in machine in order listed. Select basic cycle, use medium crust color.

HONEY 'N OATS BREAD (1 1/2 lb loaf)

1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup milk (buttermilk is good too)
1 egg
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups white flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tablespoons honey
1/4 tsp baking soda
2 tsp yeast

Select Light Crust setting and bake.

BEGINNER'S BREAD (taken from Hillbilly Housewife recipe)

• 3 cups of white or whole wheat flour or 1-1/2 cups of each (plus a little extra flour for kneading)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 packet, or about 2 teaspoons yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar, brown sugar or honey
• 2 tablespoon oil
• 1 cup warm water (not hot, just warm)

When you need a recipe to practice making bread with, this is the one to turn to. First you need a big bowl. If you don't have a big bowl, then a large pot will work just as well. Measure the flour into the bowl (or pot). White flour is easier to use to make your first batch of dough. Whole Wheat flour makes a simple variation though, when you decide to branch out a little. Make sure your flour measurements are level with the top of the measuring cup. Don't pack the flour down into the cup. Just scoop it in lightly, and even off the top of it with your finger by brushing off the excess. After you put your flour into the bowl, add the salt, sugar and yeast. One of the packets of yeast from the store will work just fine. If you have a jar or bag of yeast, then use about 2 teaspoons of it. Using your hands or a spoon or fork, stir the yeast, salt, sugar and flour all together. These are the dry ingredients. They are called dry ingredients because they aren't wet or sticky. They are dry and light. Now measure in your oil. Add a cup of warm water. Do not use hot tap water. Hot tap water is too hot and will kill the yeast. Use warm tap water instead. Warm enough to feel warm to your finger, but not warm enough to scald you. Try to measure the water accurately.

Stir the dough with a fork or spoon until it gets sticky and stiff. Next look at your hands, are they clean? If not then wash them. Remove any rings or watches you may have on and put them in a safe place. Dig into the dough with your clean hands. It will be gooey, and warm. Work the dough with your hands, right there in the bowl. Scrape the dough off of your fingers as necessary and try to get the dough to all work together into a nice ball. If it is too sticky then add more flour. You may need to add up to 1/2 cup more flour, or even more sometimes. If it is too dry, then add a little bit of water at a time, to get it right. Usually a teaspoon of water at a time, is a good way to go. Mix and mash; Mix and mash. When you get a ball of dough, turn the dough out onto your counter or kitchen table. Scatter a bit of flour about the dough, and around the counter. Knead the dough. Press it, fold it, stretch it, turn it. Keep kneading the dough for a full 5 minutes by the clock. Set the timer if need be. Kneading makes the dough soft and fluffy. Be sure to knead it enough.

Then let the dough sit on the counter for a few minutes while you wash out the bowl you used to mix it in. Dry the bowl and pour a little bit of oil into it. A spoonful (teaspoon or tablespoon) will be just enough. Place the ball of dough into the clean bowl, on top of the oil. Roll the dough around in the oil, to coat it evenly. Place the dough in a warm spot, or on the counter near the stove. Cover the top of the bowl with plastic wrap or a tea towel. Allow the dough to sit and rise. It may take the dough up to 2 hours to rise. You will want it to double in size. Be patient and give the dough enough time to get as big as it can. Sometimes this happens in as quickly as an hour, but usually it takes longer, especially if the kitchen is cold.

When it is well risen, punch the dough down. Put your fist into the dough and smash down to force all the air out of it. Knead the dough again. This time, just knead it for a minute or so. Long enough to get all the air out of it. Let the dough rest for a minute or two while you oil or grease a loaf pan. A large loaf pan either 9" by 5" or 8½" by 4½" is the perfect size. If you don't have a loaf pan, then use a casserole pan, or a round cake pan. The dough doesn't know what shape it is supposed to be. You have to give it shape. Round bread is sometimes easier to make as a first loaf, so if you don't have a bread pan, use what ever you do have. Just make sure to grease the pan well. Coax the dough into the shape of the pan you are going to bake it in. Cover it with a dish towel or plastic wrap again. Set it aside and let it rise for about an hour to an hour and a half. It should double in bulk again. After it has risen enough, it is time to bake it. Set the oven to 350° or 375°. Place the bread into the oven. You do not need to preheat the oven. Let the bread bake for 30 to 40 minutes. When it is done the top will be golden brown. It will be well risen, and crusty. Carefully turn the hot bread out of the pan and onto a dishtowel on the counter. Be careful not to burn yourself. Thump the bottom with your finger. If it sounds hollow then it is done. If it doesn't sound hollow, then put it back into the pan and bake it some more. Allow the bread to cool down for a few minutes before slicing it.

When you slice it be sure to use a serrated (bumpy) edged knife. Saw back and forth across the bread like you are sawing a log. Do not press too hard, just saw gently. When you get your first slice of bread, spread a little margarine or jam on it and take a bite. Succumb to the pleasure which only a bite of your own homemade bread can create. Grin decadently and plan your next loaf.

Or, if this loaf of bread fails, check the recipe and try again. Keep trying until you are satisfied with your results. I didn't make it perfectly the first time; I made bricks. Big heavy, chewy, undercooked bricks. It takes practice to get the hang of it, so don't give up. Just keep at it, and before you know it, you will be very pleased with what a little flour and yeast can make up for less than twenty-five cents.

Happy New Year!

The New Year's Eve get together was wonderful, even Rodney enjoyed it. My mom arrived early, about 2 p.m., and we headed out to the land to get everything set up and ready. Rodney came out later with picnic tables, and got the bonfire going. We had people coming and going throughout the evening. I had lit a fire in the wood stove in the cabin, and the women hung around in there for a while before we headed out to the bonfire. I tried to rest as much as possible.

After everyone left, around 1 a.m., we (me, Rodney and kids) stayed the night at the cabin. We were up about 9 a.m. I made pancakes and cocoa for breakfast, and Rodney started working on cleaning up trash, fixing the coop, and a variety of other things. Primarily I rested in the cabin on the bed reading, and we didn't end up leaving until dark.

I had a friend visit from Kentucky. I hadn't seen her in two years, so it was wonderful to see her and to show her around the land, which she had never seen, since we have only had it for one year. I had different plans and goals when I first met her a couple of years ago. I am now in the process of shifting those goals over to the new land, but it is taking awhile to adjust them, and work out any kinks, especially being 9 months pregnant. I have a distinct lack of motivation to plant a winter garden, or get involved in any project in depth. My main goal being to get the container moved closer to the septic tank, so that Rodney can install the toilet and shower.

The weather here was hot yesterday, about 84. I thought the weather would be the same today, but it is over cast, drizzly and chilly. Taylor went to church with us, and we ate at the Acadiana Cafe afterwards, then headed home. I changed clothes, then we went out to the land to feed the animals, before the weather became darker and colder.

Hannah, and maybe Lauren, will be spending the night at Bonita's tonight. I have a dr. appt in the morning. Taylor asked to go with me, so we'll see.

I'd like to get the dishes done today, as that is my main worry right now.

Oh! our new breeding doe, Jessica Rabbit, had babies on January 1st. We have 10 little black baby bunnies squirming in her cage at the land. Rodney was able to get the barn cleaned out, and the cage rack set up in the barn, with the cages lined up. This is a better set up, as the rabbit poop can now fall down out of the cages onto the ground below, and then we can just rake it up, and put it in the garden or the compost pile. They are also better sheltered from drafts, heat and moisture.

One Cuckoo Maran hen has started laying, as well as, either a Buff Orpington or a Rhode Island Red, as I am getting a light brown egg also.

Bonita gave me four dozen eggs that I took to church this morning, the ladies at church were very excited. They seem to like it when I bring "country" stuff in. I brought a variety of vegetables to church, and watermelons this past summer, that everyone seemed to enjoy.

Today's sermon in church was very thought provoking and came from Genesis 3:8-9. The pastor talked about how God was walking through the Garden and asked Adam and Eve "Where are you?" The pastor challenged us to think where we are in our relationship with God, and how we can improve it. I confess that I have stalled recently. I get easily frustrated because I feel God leading me in a certain direction, but I don't know how to accomplish certain things, or I feel hampered often by family obligations and the lack of motivation of other Christians around me. I am not trying to pass the blame on to others, just acknowledging that I don't know how to juggle all these things to accomplish certain goals. Confessing this in church this morning, the pastor reminded me that my greatest responsibility as a woman, wife and mother was in caring for my family, which I know, so not to get discouraged because I didn't feel like I was contributing to anything "greater".

Our pastor also asked if we could have our Easter Service at the land this year, which of course we can do. After wards we would have our Easter church dinner, an egg hunt, and more. I was very excited over this, as not many people like visiting me, because they feel I live too far out. I don't agree, but realize many people look for the easy way, and convenience before anything else. It's amazing how lazy some people are, oh not, just some in our congregation, but in general.

The pastor and his wife, Cheryl, gave us a Moses Basket for the baby. I have been wanting one, but the cost has stopped me. Even the plain one was about $50.00, and one with a mattress and/or cover was about $129.99. She found this one at Ross for $20.99 on clearance! That is a great price. It is a 4 piece set that includes the basket, a mattress, mattress cover, and bumper pad. The color is what I would call a taupe color, darker than tan, lighter than a chocolate cover. Very pretty. I will take a picture and post as soon as I can. I really like the Moses baskets, as they are very portable and easy to use. The plan is to keep this one in the living room for the baby to sleep in during the day, I may take it back and forth to church also though, but we'll see what happens.

Taylor stayed until this evening. I dropped him off at his grandparents around 6 p.m., and then I had to practically force him to go, as he doesn't like staying over there, at least that is the story today. His cousin is home from college, and evidently starting to get on his nerves. He is "supposed" to be getting his driving permit, and with luck his driver's license....soon, we hope and pray. He went with me to drop the girls off at Bonita's, where they are spending the night. I'll pick them up after my doctor's appointment tomorrow morning.

It's getting chilly in the house, and I am waiting for Rodney to arrive home from his marathon movie session.

While I was sitting here, I thought I'd write down a couple of goals I want to accomplish this year. I am not really into making resolutions each year, as I don't like to set myself up for failure, but goals I can work with...

1) Have this baby ;-)
2) Get cabin moved and toilet installed
3) purchase three more containers
4) Commit to daily bible reading/study
5) Take a hunting safety course
6) Sell/Rent the house and MOVE to the land